Recent advances in contraceptive vaccine development: a mini-review

Contraceptive vaccines (CV) may provide viable and valuable alternatives to the presently available methods of contraception. The molecules that are being explored for CV development either target gamete production [luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)/GnRH, FSH], gamete function [sperm antigens and oocyte zona pellucida (ZP)], and gamete outcome (HCG). CV targeting gamete production have shown varied degrees of efficacy; however, they either affect sex steroids causing impotency and/or show only a partial rather than a complete effect in inhibiting gametogenesis. However, vaccines based on LHRH/GnRH are being developed by several pharmaceutical companies as substitutes for castration of domestic pets, farm and wild animals, and for therapeutic anticancer purposes such as in prostatic hypertrophy and carcinoma. These vaccines may also find applications in clinical situations that require the inhibition of increased secretions of sex steroids, such as in uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and precocious puberty. CV targeting molecules involved in gamete function such as sperm antigens and ZP proteins are exciting choices. Sperm constitute the most promising and exciting target for CV. Several sperm-specific antigens have been delineated in several laboratories and are being actively explored for CV development. Studies are focused on delineating appropriate sperm-specific epitopes, and increasing the immunogenicity (specifically in the local genital tract) and efficacy on the vaccines. Anti-sperm antibody (ASA)-mediated immunoinfertility provides a naturally occurring model to indicate how a vaccine might work in humans. Vaccines based on ZP proteins are quite efficacious in producing contraceptive effects, but may induce oophoritis, affecting sex steroids. They are being successfully tested to control feral populations of dogs, deer, horses and elephants, and populations of several species of zoo animals. The current research for human applicability is focused on delineating infertility-related epitopes (B-cell epitopes) from oophoritis-inducing epitopes (T-cell epitopes). Vaccines targeting gamete outcome primarily focus on the HCG molecule. The HCG vaccine is the first vaccine to undergo Phase I and II clinical trials in humans. Both efficacy and lack of immunopathology have been reasonably well demonstrated for this vaccine. At the present time, studies are focused on increasing the immunogenicity and efficacy of the birth control vaccine, and examining its clinical applications in various HCG-producing cancers. The present article will focus on the current status of the anti-sperm, anti-ZP, anti-LHRH/GnRH and anti-HCG vaccines

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Not AvailableCardiospermum halicacabum, a medicinial plant rich in β-sitosterol, Dglucoside, saponin and quebrachitol. Direct regeneration was achieved only from the nodal explants which showed 100 per cent sprouting on MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 ppm) + NAA (1.0 ppm) in 12 days, while MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 ppm) + IBA (1, 2 or 3 ppm) showed early but decreased sprouting. The half strength MS basal medium without any growth regulator proved to be best medium for root induction for excised shoots. The in vitro raised plantlets were transplanted to mixture of sterile dune sand and FYM (3:1) with moderate (80 %) success.Not Availabl

Changes in biochemical constituents, enzyme activities and protein profiles during root-shoot differentiation in callus culture of Dioscorea alata

The changes in biochemical constituents and polypeptide (PP) bands were studied during root-shoot differentiation in Dioscorea alata (greater yam). Among different explants used - leaf, node, internode and tuber, node explants were found to be the best for induction and growth of callus. Depending on weights of fresh and dry callus, high growth and best callusing were observed on MS medium supplemented with 2.5 μM NAA. This high growth value callus was subsequently supplemented with various concentrations and combinations of growth regulators to identify the suitable regeneration media. Regeneration of roots occurred in 12-16 days and was the best on MS medium having 2.0 μM NAA and 0.5 μM IBA. Shoots regenerated in 16 days in MS medium supplemented with 2.0 μM BAP and 0.5 μM NAA. The biochemical constituents such as total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, total soluble proteins and total phenols decreased whereas free amino acids increased during root and shoot differentiation of D. alata. Activities of enzymes, viz. α-amylase, acid invertase, acid phosphatase, acid protease and peroxidase decreased during callus differentiation. While four PP bands (25.56, 24.35, 19.13 and 18.2 kDa) appeared during root differentiation, only three PP bands (53.7, 25.12 and 19.13 kDa) were noted during shoot differentiation. One common PP band (19.13 kDa) appeared during both root and shoot differentiation. There was disappearance of four common bands (89.13, 69.8, 36.3 and 27.43 kDa) during differentiation of root and shoot. To conclude, changes in biochemical constituents and expression of root/shoot specific PP may be used as markers to characterize differentiation pathway and to augment the selection of regenerating potential callus for rapid in vitro propagation

Detection of Specific Polypeptide(s) Synthesized during the Sequential Stages of Differentiation in Dioscorea species

ABSTRACTThe present investigation was aimed to detect the specific polypeptide(s) appeared during the sequential stages of differentiation. Among different explants, only nodal explants showed good results for callusing. Depending on the fresh and dry weight, best callus growth was observed on MS medium supplemented with NAA (2.5 mg/L) inDioscorea alata and 2, 4-D (2.0 mg/L) inD. deltoidea, respectively. This callus was used for the regeneration. Roots differentiation was observed on MS medium + NAA (2.0 mg/L) + IBA (0.5 mg/L) and shoots on MS medium + BAP (2.0 mg/L) + NAA (0.5 mg/L) in D. alata while in D. deltoidea, roots on RT medium + IAA (1.0 mg/L) and shoots on RT medium + BAP (1.0 mg/L) + NAA (0.5 mg/L). Continuous decrease was seen in the total soluble protein during the differentiation inD. alatawhereas inD. deltoidea, the protein content decreased upto initiation stage. Four root specific polypeptides (MW 25.56, 24.35, 19.13 and 18.2 kDa) and three shoot specific polypeptides (MW 53.7, 25.12 and 19.13 kDa) were synthesized during the differentiation inD. alata. Similarly, two root specific (MW 33.9 and 31.69 kDa) and one shoot specific (MW 16.98 kDa) polypeptide band were appeared during differentiation in D. deltoidea

Mycorrhizal symbiosis improved drought resistance in wheat using physiological traits

A two-year pot experiment was conducted to explore the potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus mosseae) symbiosis under drought stress on tolerant (WH 1025) and sensitive (WH 1105) wheat varieties. Drought stress was created by withholding (stop water irrigation) irrigation at jointing stage and heading stage in wheat. Mycorrhizal inoculation increased osmotic potential (ψs) of both the varieties at jointing and heading growth stages, respectively. Under drought condition, WH 1105 showed higher per cent reduction in RWC, chlorophyll content, and gas exchange traits (Pn, gS, and E) as compared to WH 1025 at both the growth stages. But, the mycorrhizal inoculation enhanced these traits in both varieties under control (irrigated) as well as drought stress condition. Higher decrease in Fv/Fm values was noted under drought stress, whereas the application of AMF resulted less reduction and the variety WH 1025 had more chlorophyll fluorescence than WH 1105 under mycorrhizal inoculation and stress treatments. It was also noticed that mycorrhizal colonization enhanced mean iWUE (Pn/E) by 3.6% in WH 1025 and 0.11% in WH 1105, respectively. In addition to the physiology traits, grain yield is the prime target under stress conditions and it was noted that mycorrhizal symbiosis gave beneficial results under control as well as stress conditions. AMF symbiosis significantly enhanced the drought tolerance index of both the wheat varieties. Correlation analysis further revalidates the beneficial role of AMF under stress condition and found that all physiological traits showed higher correlation with grain yield

A prospective nonrandomized comparison of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication in Indian population using detailed objective and subjective criteria

Background: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) worldwide. However, unfavourable postoperative sequel, including gas bloat and dysphagia, has encouraged surgeons to perform alternative procedures such as laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF). This prospective nonrandomized study was designed to compare LNF with LTF in patients with GERD. Materials and Methods: Hundred and ten patients symptomatic for GERD were included in the study after having received intensive acid suppression therapy for a minimum of 8 weeks. A 24-hour pH metry was done on all patients. Fifty patients having reflux on 24-hour pH metry were taken up for the surgery. Patients were further divided into group-A (LNF) and group-B (LTF). Results: The median percentage time with esophageal pH < 4 decreased from 10.18% and 12.31% preoperatively to 0.85% and 1.94% postoperatively in LNF and LTF-groups, respectively. There was a significant and comparable increase in length of lower esophageal sphincter (LES), length of intraabdominal part of LES and LES pressure at respiratory inversion point in both the groups. In LNF-group, five patients had early dysphagia that improved afterwards. There were no significant postoperative complications. Conclusion: LNF and LTF are highly effective in the management of GERD with significant improvement in symptoms and objective parameters. LNF may be associated with significantly higher incidence of short onset transient dysphagia that improves with time. Patients in both the groups showed excellent symptom and objective control on 24-hour pH metry on short term follow-up