Beneficial role of allicin from garlic in cervical cancer

Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a global health concern for females. Thus, in order to control cervical cancer, attempts are being made by researchers globally to somehow induce programmed cell death in the said cancerous cells. Wide spectrums of molecules are being probed for its ability to induce apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Focus has now shifted in exploring natural compounds having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules that may induce apoptosis in cancerous cells. Thus, we have employed allicin from garlic- a natural antioxidant, to probe the above in the present study.
Objective: To probe whether or not allicin from garlic, a natural antioxidant, induces apoptosis in monocytes from patients with cervical cancer.
Results: Allicin (500 ng/ml) reduced cell viability to 27% after 24 hours of treatment. Moreover, allicin-induced apoptosis was ascertained by measuring the activity of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9-like proteases in allicin treated and untreated monocytes from cervical cancer patients. Monocyte co-cultured with allicin for 24 hrs exhibited higher activity of caspase-3 followed by caspase-8 and caspase-9 like proteases, thereby indicating that the activation of caspase-3 like proteases was associated with reduced cell survival and apoptotic death of allicin-treated cervical cancer monocytes. This was ascertained by pre-treatment of cancer cells with cell permeable inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK (caspase-3 inhibitor), Z-IETD-FMK (caspase-8 inhibitor) and Z-LEHD-FMK (caspase-9 inhibitor) followed by allicin for 24 hrs (p<0.001). In this case, the cell viability assay showed that the presence of Z-VAD-FMK inhibitor blocked the effect of allicin on the viability of cancer monocytes (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Allicin from garlic may act as an adjunct in the chemotherapy of cervical cancer.
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Azadirachta indica induced suppression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis secreted proteins in human monocyte

The H37Rv strain of MTB was grown in modified Sauton’s medium till mid-log phase. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated by density gradient sedimentation on Ficoll-Paque separation medium. Adherent monocytes obtained from PBMC’s were infected with H37Rv for 90 min. in the ratio of 1:1 (1 bug: 1 cell). Thereafter, after washing, infected cells were co-cultured with varying doses of neem extract for 24 hrs, and harvested subsequently. Modulation of secreted TNF-[alpha], iNOS and MTB Ag85 complex expressions in culture supernatants was estimated by ELISA.
We report the high basal expression of secreted tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] (TNF-[alpha]), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and MTB Ag85 complex in MTB-infected monocytes was suppressed by neem extract in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.001 for all). A concentration of 1ug/ml of neem extract showed a suppression by ~ 2.5-fold (P<0.001), 1.7-fold (P<0.001) and 1.8-fold (P<0.001) in the expressions of
secreted TNF-[alpha], iNOS and MTB Ag85 respectively in 24 hr culture supernatants of MTB-infected monocytes.
Thus, neem extract seems to be a potential future adjunct for in-depth studies in the management of tuberculosis

Preconception optimization of glycaemic control in diabetes

The prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus is increasing worldwide. In developing countries 25% of adult females with diabetes are in the reproductive age. Thus in developing countries increased number of pregnancies are complicated by diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes in pregnancy is associated with increased risk for both mother and foetus. These risks can be minimized by good control of diabetes before and during pregnancy. Management in the preconception period is discussed in this review article. Detailed management involves general advice of lifestyle modification followed by specific details of screening for complications of diabetes. Changes in the drugs for both glycaemic control and other co-morbid conditions are discussed. The recommended insulin regimen in the preconception period and monitoring of glycaemic control by self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and HbA1C has also been highlighted

The Role of Perceived System Quality as Educators’ Motivation to Continue E-learning System Use

This study incorporates perceived system quality into the original expectation-confirmation based information system continuance model in order to investigate the role of perceived system quality in users’ motivation to continue e-learning system use. Our proposed model was tested among university educators (n = 175) who use the popular open-source e-learning system, Moodle. The results reveal that perceived usefulness, confirmation of initial expectations, and perceived system quality significantly affected educators’ satisfaction. In addition, perceived usefulness and satisfaction significantly affected continuance intention. Unexpectedly, no direct association between perceived system quality and continuance intention was found. The determinants of continuance intention explain around 64% of its total variance. The paper finishes with conclusions and implications for future research and practice

Extending information system continuance theory with system quality in e-learning context

Ten years ago, Bhattacherjee proposed the information system continuance model, which received considerable attention inthe literature. This study proposes an extended information system continuance model by incorporating system quality to theoriginal model in the context of educators’ utilization of e-learning technology for conducting courses. Our proposed modelis tested using a sample of 175 university educators using structured equation modeling. The results show that there is nosignificant direct association between system quality and continuance intention. However, system quality affects continuanceintention indirectly via perceived usefulness and satisfaction. All the relationships of the original information systemcontinuance model were supported. The determinants of continuance intention explained around 70% of its total variance

Information Systems Post-Adoption Satisfaction And Dissatisfaction: A Study In The E-Learning Context

An information system can be regarded as successful when a significant number of users use the system in a continued basis. Satisfaction is often regarded as the basis of continued usage, while dissatisfaction may cause users to discontinue the system use. While many studies in information system have investigated user satisfaction, user dissatisfaction seems to be ignored. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that generate user satisfaction and the factors that generate user dissatisfaction. Drawing the theoretical assumptions from Oliver’s expectation-confirmation theory and Herzberg’s two-factor theory, we propose a generic theoretical framework that posits environmental factors and job-specific outcome factors may cause satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The framework extends our understanding of user satisfaction and dissatisfaction and helps to underpin and categorize the factors that are salient for causing user satisfaction and dissatisfaction. By collecting text data responses using open ended survey questions and qualitatively analyzing them, we identify a list of factors that generate educators’ satisfaction and a list of factors that generate dissatisfaction in the e-learning tool utilization context. Our study reveals that satisfaction is generated by both environmental and job-specific factors, while dissatisfaction is generated by environmental factors only

Understanding Continued Usage Intention in e-Learning Context

With the latest development of the Internet technologies, it has offered many e-learning systems available for the educators to conduct courses online. The advantage of using such systems in connection with on-site courses is that it increases flexibility through resources that facilitate learning anytime anywhere. However, there is little empirical evidence to suggest what factors underpin educators continued usage of such systems. This study builds a model based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology to identify the factors. The model is tested among the university educators (n = 175) who use a popular e-learning system, Moodle. The results suggest that continuance intention is driven by perceived usefulness and access. Perceived ease of use, perceived behavioral control, compatibility, and social influence do not have significant impact on continuance intention. These core determinants of continuance intention altogether explained around 70% of the total variance of intention

Middle aged male with pulmonary tuberculosis and refractory hypercalcemia at a tertiary care centre in South East Asia: a case report

55-year male of Asian descent presented with weight loss, lethargy, drowsiness and low grade fever without cough. Examination revealed crackles in the chest but no focal neurological deficit. Chest X ray revealed an infiltrate consistent with tuberculosis. Biopsy of infiltrate was negative for malignancy. Corrected calcium level revealed parathyroid independent hypercalcemia. Further diagnostic work up for drowsiness and hypercalcemia was normal. Despite receiving hydration and pharmacotherapy for his hypercalcemia, his condition failed to improve. When steroids were started, the patient’s calcium levels and symptomatology resolved. Tuberculosis causing hypercalcemia is uncommon. Steroids are useful agents, particularly in refractory cases

Thyroid Tuberculosis: A Case Series and a Review of the Literature

Objective. Tuberculosis of the thyroid gland is a very rare disease. The incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis has been showing a progressive increase in the recent years. We present three cases of primary thyroid tuberculosis. Methods. Two cases were diagnosed on the basis of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), as they presented with thyroid nodule. The third case was diagnosed on histopathology as the patient underwent total thyroidectomy for the left-side nodule which was a follicular lesion on FNAC. Tuberculosis was diagnosed on the other lobe. Results. All three patients were given antituberculous treatment for nine months, and their nodular lesions completely resolved after treatment. Conclusion. Although rare the, thyroid tuberculosis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of thyroid masses, even in patient with no history and symptom of tuberculosis disease elsewhere