A PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO TREAT LUNG CANCER THROUGH LOADING THEAFLAVIN -3,3’-DIGALLATE AND EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATE IN SPANLASTIC

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate as compared to other cancers. The anti-proliferative and antioxidant potential of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and Theaflavin -3,3’-digallate (TF3) can play a major role in treatment if delivered efficiently. To improve the chemical stability and medicinal potential of EGCG and TF3 in the respiratory tract, a spanlastic is developed which is composed of Tween-80, Span-60, and cholesterol which encapsulate EGCG and TF3 inside its vesicular structure and deliver it specifically to the target cancer cells. The cholesterol layer will produce efficient penetration while tween-80 and span-60 will help in easily deformability and lowers the interfacial tension hence, produces a small Z-average diameter which facilitates efficient penetration between layers of cells. The nano-vesicular structure ensures the APIs stability at alkaline pH (7.6) and also increases cellular antioxidant activity and Ferric reducing antioxidant powers values of APIs. Better encapsulation efficiency and safe consideration by MTT assay are major advantages of Spanlastic. The lung cancer cell loses the ability of apoptosis, which can revived with the help of a nano-vesicular system of EGCG and TF3 and in addition, there will be activation of several other properties such as cell arrest, activation of miR-210, suppression of cyclin D1, inhibition of MAPK, ERK, and JAK-STAT at their maximum potential. Furthermore, a special type of spacer and pMDI canister are developed in order to maximize the drug stability and efficiency of its delivery

Plasma kinetic theory

The description of plasma using fluid model is mostly insufficient and requires the consideration of velocity distribution which leads to kinetic theory. Kinetic theory of plasma describes and predicts the condition of plasma from microscopic interactions and motions of its constituents. It provides an essential basis for an introductory course on plasma physics as well as for advanced kinetic theory. Plasma kinetics deals with the relationship between velocity and forces and the study of continua in velocity space. Plasma kinetics mathematical equations provide aid to the readers in understanding simple tools to determine the plasma dynamics and kinetics as described in this chapter. Kinetic theory provides the basics and essential introduction to plasma physics and subsequently advanced kinetic theory. Plasma waves, oscillations, frequencies, and applications are the subjects of kinetic theory. In this chapter, mathematical formulations essential for exploring plasma kinetics are compiled and described simplistically along with a precise discussion on basic plasma parameters in simple language with illustrations in some cases

Molecular Aspects of Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration: Gene-Environment Interaction in Parkin Dysfunction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative movement disorder that is characterized pathologically by a progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons and by protein inclusions, designated Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. PD is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, affecting almost 1% of the population over 60 years old. Although the symptoms and neuropathology of PD have been well characterized, the underlying mechanisms and causes of the disease are still not clear. Genetic mutations can provide important clues to disease mechanism, but most PD cases are sporadic rather than familial; environmental factors have long been suspected to contribute to the disease. Although more than 90% of PD cases occur sporadically and are thought to be due, in part, to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, the study of genetic mutations has provided great insight into the molecular mechanisms of PD. Furthermore, rotenone, a widely used pesticide, and paraquat and maneb cause a syndrome in rats and mice that mimics, both behaviorally and neurologically, the symptoms of PD. In the current review, we will discuss various aspects of gene-environment interaction that lead to progressive dopaminergic neurodegenration, mainly focusing on our current finding based on stress-mediated parkin dysfunction

Analysing Efficacy of Padded Clothing in Rugby using Finite Element Analysis

World Rugby™ allows players to wear padded clothing to reduce the risk of soft tissue injuries, such as cuts and lacerations. Such padding must meet the requirements of World Rugby™ Regulation-12, which limits its density (45 + 15 kg·m-3), thickness (10 + 2 mm) and impact attenuation performance (acceleration >150 g for a 14.7 J impact). Regulation-12 was critiqued and areas for improvement were identified. From the findings from this PhD, alternative tests to replace the material density criterion in Regulation-12 were investigated and a suitable hardness test (adapted from ISO 2439) was identified. Hertzian contact modelling was used to define a suitable hardness1 limit (750 N) recommended for future testing. To assess the efficacy of the rugby padding in reducing the risk of cuts and lacerations, a silicone based surrogate model (mimicking simplified shoulder anatomy with bone, muscle and skin layer) was developed by a PhD student at the University of Sheffield. In this study, a finite element model mimicking the shoulder surrogate was generated and compared against experimental impact testing at energies of 4.9, 9.8 and 14.7 J. Material modelling of the surrogate silicone was carried out using quasi-static compression and stress relaxation testing. Different hyperelastic models were compared against experimental impact data and a 5-parameter Mooney-Rivlin material model along with the 2-term Prony series was found to be the best predictor of performance over the three impact energies. The validated model was used to predict damage to the silicone using novel FE modelling techniques. These techniques involved defining an element deletion criterion, whereby elements on the surface of the surrogate were deleted if the principal stress of the element reached a predefined value. Stud impacts were carried out at three different energies (2, 4 and 6 J), at three angular orientations (0°, 15° and 30°) and compared to simulations to analyse the validity of the FE model (difference < 15 % for force at tear and < 30 % for time to tear). The novel FE model developed was shown to predict damage for raking simulations and for testing different padding structures. The modelling techniques developed in this research can be applied to different skin simulants to assess the extent of skin injuries and assess the efficacy of PPE used to protect against such injuries. For future work, the model can be further developed into a tool for assessing efficacy of PPE in reducing skin injuries

Effect of Thiazolidinediones on the Erythropoeitic and Germinal Cells in the Male Wistar Rats

Hyperglycemia is the main determinant of long term diabetic complications mainly through induction of oxidative stress responsible for secondary defects including cancer, infertility etc. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are known to posses the antioxidant potential against the reactive oxygen species. The ability of clinically used TZDs like Rosiglitazone (RSG) and Pioglitazone (PIO) in diabetic complications is still need to be studied extensively in the literature. In this study, the role of RSG and PIO on the frequency of nuclear and germinal cell damage was studied using bone marrow micronucleus (MN) test, sperm shape abnormality and sperm count in normal animals. The drugs were tested in the three doses (1, 10 and 100 mg/kg) after acute (48 hrs and 72 hrs) and chronic (4 weeks) treatment. The results indicated that RSG has produced significant (p < 0.01) decrease in P/N (polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes) ratio at 10 and 100 mg/kg without affecting the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes, sperm shape morphology and sperm count. PIO in the tested doses did not induce any change in P/N ratio and sperm count but the higher dose (100 mg/kg) showed suppression of MN in normochromatic erythrocytes and % sperm shape abnormality compared to the control group

ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF VERBENA OFFICINALIS LINN. PLANT IN MICE

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective was to investigate the antidepressant activity of methanolic extract of leaves of Verbena officinalis Linn. (MEVO) in mice.Methods: The present study evaluates the antidepressant activity of MEVO in mice using the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test(FST). Their influence on spontaneous locomotor activity (SLMA) was also studied in mice. The MEVO (100 mg/kg, p.o. and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) wasadministered orally in TST, FST and SLMA for 7 successive days in separate groups of Swiss mice.Results: The extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o. were able to decrease the immobility time of mice doseâ€dependently when subjected to both tailsuspension and forced swim tests and the effects are comparable to that of control group. These results demonstrated that MEVO had specificallyantidepressant effects.Conclusion: The present study suggested that MEVO possessed potential antidepressant effects which could be of therapeutic interest for using inthe treatment of patients with depression.Keywords: Verbena officinalis Linn., Antidepressant activity, Forced swim test, Tail suspension test, Spontaneous locomotor activity

DEPRESSION IN PREGNANCY - CONSEQUENCES AND TREATMENT MODALITIES

Depression is a mood disorder which can affect 1 in every 4 women at some point of life even during pregnancy. Depression is most often not properly diagnosed during pregnancy as it is assumed by people to be just another type of imbalance in hormones. But this assumption can be very dangerous to the mother and the fetus. The health care professionals are very cautious about the treatment for depression in pregnancy as both uses of antidepressant and untreated depression in pregnancy can lead to risks for the unborn baby. This review focuses on the complications associated with both treated and untreated depression during pregnancy. In addition, if the treatment is inevitable, then factors such as teratogenesis, withdrawal symptoms, neurobehavioral effects, risk of untreated and risk of discontinuing the medication need to be considered before selecting the suitable therapy.Keywords: Pregnancy, Depression, Drug-therapy, Fetal toxicit

TO STUDY THE ROLE OF EXERCISE AND DIETARY MANIPULATION IN OBESE RATS TREATED WITH ORLISTAT

Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of exercise and dietary manipulation in obese rats treated with Orlistat.Methods: The study was conducted for 16 weeks. High-fat diet (HFD) was used to induce obesity, and once these animals were obese (eight week), manipulation in the diet, exercise, Orlistat and low dose of Orlistat were tested for 8 more weeks. During the treatment period, animals were continued with HFD except for the groups where the low-calorie diet (LCD) was used. The various manipulative options studied to include swimming test (physical exercise), Orlistat (200 mg/kg), low dose Orlistat (65 mg/kg) and low-calorie diet. The parameters were evaluated including Body weight was measured on weekly two days. Biochemical parameters such as HDL, LDL, VLDL, Triglycerides and total cholesterol were measured using diagnostic kits. Blood-glucose level was measured. On 16th week, the animals were sacrificed and their organ weights were measured. Organ weights included the Liver, Left and Right kidney and fat pad weights such as Mesenteric fat, Epididymis fat. Results: There was a significant reduction in body weight, Triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, Blood-glucose level organ weights included the Liver, Left kidney and Right kidney and fat pad weights such as Mesenteric fat, Epididymis fat and increased in HDL level of the animals treated with exercise and dietary manipulation and Orlistat.Conclusion: The present study revealed that [HFD+Orlistat (low dose)+Exercise+LCD] group showed more potential effective than rest of all treatment groups.Â