Therapeutic potential of endophytic bacteria from ethnomedicinal plants used by the traditional healers of North East India

North East Indian Himalayan Region (NEIHR) is endowed with a diverse ecosystem. The indigenous people of this region have good traditional knowledge to combat various diseases and physical ailments using ethnomedicinal plants that were gained through experience over years. Some of the plants have been incorporated in the conventional medicines. However, many of the plants have not been scientifically explored since they remain endemic to a particular region and the traditional healers kept it as secret knowledge. The majority of the endophyte of NEIHR belongs to genus Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Microbacterium, Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Streptomyces. Endophytic bacteria exhibit antimicrobial activities against important human pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, etc. Bioactive strains display potential anticancer and antioxidant activities. This review also incorporates some of the potential unexplored medicinal plants used by the ethnic population of this region for treating common diseases and the importance of exploring bioactive compounds from the associated bacteria. It will also highlight the prospects of discovering novel bioactive compounds that will have a new and novel mechanism of actions for combating the drug resistant pathogens.

Activation of tumor suppressor protein PP2A inhibits KRAS-driven tumor growth

Targeted cancer therapies, which act on specific cancer-associated molecular targets, are predominantly inhibitors of oncogenic kinases. While these drugs have achieved some clinical success, the inactivation of kinase signaling via stimulation of endogenous phosphatases has received minimal attention as an alternative targeted approach. Here, we have demonstrated that activation of the tumor suppressor protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a negative regulator of multiple oncogenic signaling proteins, is a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancers. Our group previously developed a series of orally bioavailable small molecule activators of PP2A, termed SMAPs. We now report that SMAP treatment inhibited the growth of KRAS-mutant lung cancers in mouse xenografts and transgenic models. Mechanistically, we found that SMAPs act by binding to the PP2A Aα scaffold subunit to drive conformational changes in PP2A. These results show that PP2A can be activated in cancer cells to inhibit proliferation. Our strategy of reactivating endogenous PP2A may be applicable to the treatment of other diseases and represents an advancement toward the development of small molecule activators of tumor suppressor proteins

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Not AvailableThe effect of cow-urine and bio-fertilizers based fertigation schedule was studied at varying levels of drip irrigation on various cucumber parameters in a naturally ventilated polyhouse during summer season. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with 11 treatments and 3 replication comprising of two drip irrigation levels viz., I2(IW/CPE= 0.4) and I4 (IW/CPE = 0.8), five fertigation levels and one farmers’ practice. The total soluble solids (TSS) were numerically higher in irrigation level I2 than in I4. The yield was statistically higher in different treatments compared to farmers’ practice (4.47 kg m-2). The gross return and B: C ratio were highest in treatment F2I4 (where F2 is 100 % of recommended NPK doses (1/3rd N and full P, K applied as basal and 2/3rdN through fertigation + Azotobacter + PSB) and 5% cow-urine) and were lowest under farmers’ practice. However, the irrigation levels didn’t influence the marketable yield. The overall results indicated that combined application of bio-fertilizers and fertilizers has positive effect on yield, growth and quality parameter due to addition of nutrients and saving of at least 50 % of water and hence can be exploited as a sustainable approach under integrated nutrient management.Not Availabl

Role of Direct Antiviral Agents in Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection in Renal Transplant Recipients

Background. Since the introduction of direct antiviral agents (DAAs), morbidity of HCV has considerably decreased but still no guidelines have been formulated in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). We studied efficacy and tolerability of direct antiviral agents in RTRs. Methods. This prospective observational study was conducted at Army Hospital Research & Referral, Delhi, from June 2016 to May 2017. Forty-five HCV infected RTRs with stable graft function were included. Results. Median time between renal transplantation and the start of anti-HCV therapy was 36 months (1–120 months). The majority (66.7%) were infected with genotype 3. Baseline median HCV RNA level was 542648 IU/ml (1189–55028534 IU/ml). Sofosbuvir-Ribavirin combination (24 weeks) was given to 30 patients including 3 cirrhotics, Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir combination to 8 patients, and Daclatasvir-Sofosbuvir combination to 7 patients, including 2 cirrhotics. Rapid virological response was observed in 29 patients treated with Sofosbuvir/Ribavirin, all 8 patients on Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir, and all 7 patients on Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir. End treatment response and sustained virological response (12 weeks) were achieved in all patients irrespective of genotype or treatment regimen. Decrease in mean HCV RNA level and transaminase level was statistically significant (p<0.01). Ribavirin was significantly associated with anaemia (p=0.032). Conclusions. DAA regimens are well tolerated and highly efficacious. Response to DAA is good irrespective of genotype, drug combination, initial HCV RNA level, age or sex of patient, or graft age. However, Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir combination is preferable

Urinary tract infection in renal transplant recipients at a tertiary care center in India

Our objective was to determine incidence, predisposing factors, and microbiological profile of urinary tract infection (UTI) in renal transplant recipients in our center. This was cross-sectional observational study, conducted at the Department of Nephrology, Army Hospital Research and Referral, Delhi, India. Two hundred and ten renal transplant recipients were studied over one year. Out of 210 transplant recipients, 69 (32.86%) had UTI. Majority (59/69) had undergone live renal transplantation and 10 cases had received cadaveric grafts. Forty-nine patients had primary infection while 20 patients had recurrences. The mean age of patients with UTI was 38.63 ± 10 years. The incidence of UTI was higher in females (42.25%) than males (28.06%, P = 0.038). Majority of patients in younger age group (age 30 years) age group (61.54%). Most common causative agent was Escherichia coli (72.46%). Gram-negative bacilli accounted for 94.20% (65/69) while Gram-positive cocci for 5.8% (4/69) of positive cultures. Multidrug resistance was highest in Klebsiella pneumoniae (100%). Fifteen cases with UTI were detected to have underlying urinary tract abnormalities, most common being urethral stricture (60%). One patient was detected to have broken double J stent in the renal pelvis which led to recurrent E. coli infection. Forty-eight patients (69.57%) developed acute graft dysfunction secondary to UTI. Female sex (P = 0.038), urinary tract abnormality (P <0.01), prolonged Foley's catheterization (P <0.01), prolonged hospitalization after transplantation (P <0.01), new-onset diabetes after transplantation (P <0.01), and coexisting hepatitis C infection (P = 0.012) were statistically significant predisposing factors for UTI in renal transplant recipients

Improved All-Polymer Solar Cell Performance of n-Type Naphthalene Diimide-Bithiophene P(NDI2OD-T2) Copolymer by Incorporation of Perylene Diimide as Coacceptor

Naphthalene diimide-bithiophene P(NDI2OD-T2) is a well-known donor-acceptor polymer, previously explored as n-type material in all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) and organic field effect transistor (OFETs) applications. The optical, bulk, electrochemical, and semiconducting properties of P(NDI2OD-T2) polymer were tuned via random incorporation of perylene diimide (PDI) as coacceptor with naphthalene diimide (NDI). Three random copolymers containing 2,2'-bithiophene as donor unit and varying compositions of naphthalene diimide (NDI) and perylene diimide (xPDI, x = 15, 30, and 50 mol % of PDI) as two mixed acceptors were synthesized by Stille coupling copolymerization. Proton NMR spectra recorded in CD Cl-3 showed that the pi-pi stacking induced aggregation among the naphthalene units could be successfully disrupted by the random incorporation of bulky PDI units. The newly synthesized random copolymers were investigated as electron acceptors in BHJ all-PSCs, and their performance was compared with P(NDI2OD-T2) as reference polymer. An enhanced PCE of 5.03% was observed for BHJ all-PSCs (all-polymer solar cells) fabricated using NDI-Th-PDI30 as acceptor and PTB7-Th as donor, while the reference polymer blend with the same donor polymer exhibited PCE of 2.97% efficiency under similar conditions. SCLC bulk carrier mobility measured for blend devices showed improved charge mobility compared to reference polymer, with PTB7-Th:NDI-Th-PDI30 blend device exhibiting the high hole and electron mobility of 4.2 x 10(-4) and 1.5 x 10(-4) cm(2)/(V s), respectively. This work demonstrates the importance of molecular design via random copolymer strategy to control the bulk crystallinity, compatibility, blend morphology, and solar cell performance of n-type copolymers

In vitro cytotoxic potential of Polyalthia longifolia on human cancer cell lines and induction of apoptosis through mitochondrial-dependent pathway in HL-60 cells

Polyalthia longifolia is a lofty evergreen tree found in India and Sri Lanka. We are reporting first time the anticancer potential of P. longifolia leaves extract (A001) and its chloroform fraction (F002). Both inhibited cell proliferation of various human cancer cell lines in which colon cancer cells SW-620 showed maximum inhibition with IC50 value 6.1 �g/ml. Furthermore, F002 induce apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells as measured by several biological end points. F002 induce apoptotic bodies formation,DNA ladder, enhanced annexin-V-FITC binding of the cells, increased sub-G0 DNA fraction, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (�Ψmt), release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, and cleavage of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP)in HL-60 cells. All the above parameters revealed that F002-induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial-dependent pathway in HL-60 cells

Documenting the agriculture based indigenous traditional knowledge in Manipur State of North Eastern India

1065-1074The North Eastern Region (NER) is bestowed with unique ethnicity and rich biodiversity (flora and fauna) that are inherent to this region and inquisitive traditional practices. The region is a reservoir of indigenous knowledge and practices. NE agriculture has its own merit, demerit, diversity and heterogeneity which distinguish it from the agriculture of the rest part of the country. Indigenous knowledge’s used in agriculture in various parts of Manipur state of NE India is still not fully explored explored. Given this background, a survey was carried out in 15 villages of Manipur for identification and documentation of different indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) used in agriculture. Initially the detail information was collected from respondents and further validated. All total 15 numbers of ITKs were documented and validated by triangulation method. These includes seedling raising of crops (1), crop protection from birds (2), crop protection from insect-pest and diseases (10), soil management (1) and poultry farming (1). There is a great need to document and validate ITK before it vanishes with the passage of time. Hence, folk wisdom and modern scientific approach may be combined to achieve the ―technology blending‖ for the evolution of new technology