Transient receptor potential canonical 4 and 5 proteins as targets in cancer therapeutics

Novel approaches towards cancer therapy are urgently needed. One approach might be to target ion channels mediating Ca²+ entry because of the critical roles played by Ca²+ in many cell types, including cancer cells. There are several types of these ion channels, but here we address those formed by assembly of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) proteins, particularly those which involve two closely related members of the family: TRPC4 and TRPC5. We focus on these proteins because recent studies point to roles in important aspects of cancer: drug resistance, transmission of drug resistance through extracellular vesicles, tumour vascularisation, and evoked cancer cell death by the TRPC4/5 channel activator (−)-englerin A. We conclude that further research is both justified and necessary before these proteins can be considered as strong targets for anti-cancer cell drug discovery programmes. It is nevertheless already apparent that inhibitors of the channels would be unlikely to cause significant adverse effects, but, rather, have other effects which may be beneficial in the context of cancer and chemotherapy, potentially including suppression of innate fear, visceral pain and pathological cardiac remodelling

Stevens-Johnson syndrome induced by sodium valproate monotherapy

A case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome following treatment with sodium valproate is presented here. A 20-year-old male was put on sodium valproate monotherapy for the migraine, with generalized epilepsy. He developed vesicles and bullae in the oral and nasal mucosa with conjunctivitis, after 10 days of treatment. The lesions resolved after treating with systemic steroids. This case has been presented because Stevens-Johnson syndrome with sodium valproate monotherapy has been very rarely reported

Investigations on single-phase natural circulation loop dynamics part 1: Model for simulating start-up from rest

Single-phase natural circulation loops are used in many industrial systems like nuclear reactors, geothermal systems, solar water heating systems and process industry. The present paper presents a 1-D model for simulating the startup from rest of water cooled single-phase natural circulation loops. A pseudo-conductivity model was developed previously by the authors to account for heat diffusion caused by local convection currents and the results of numerical simulation for loops having horizontal heater and horizontal cooler were presented. In the present study, the model has been used to simulate the start-up of loops having different heater and cooler orientations and the applicability of the model as a general tool for simulating start-up of rectangular natural circulation loops is assessed. The paper presents more insight into the behavior of pseudo-conductivity models developed to simulate start-up of these loops from state of zero flow. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Investigations on single-phase natural circulation loop dynamics. Part 2: Role of wall constitutive laws

Unlike forced circulation systems, natural circulation systems need to be started from the state of zero flow. Literature study shows that under low flow conditions, the velocity field near the wall is significantly modified by secondary convection currents particularly during diabatic conditions. In view of this, the applicability of conventional forced convection wall constitutive laws to these systems has been investigated both theoretically and experimentally. First the applicability of conventional wall constitutive laws derived from steady state forced convection experiments is examined. Next, the results of experimental investigations carried out in a rectangular natural circulation loop are presented. Finally, a new correlation for wall friction factor is proposed for flow in horizontal pipes under diabatic conditions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Development of transgenic pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan. L Millsp) overexpressing citrate synthase gene for high phosphorus uptake

493-501Plants have developed several adaptive strategies to enhance the availability and uptake of phosphorus (P) from the soil under conditions of P deficiency. Exudation of organic acids like citrate is one of the important strategies. In this study, we developed transgenic pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) over-expressing Dacus carota citrate synthase (DcCs) gene to increase the synthesis and exudation of citrate. Transgenic plants were generated through agro bacterium mediated in-planta transformation technique. Integration and expression of the transgene was confirmed by genomic Southern and RT-PCR analysis. We observed that the transgenic lines had more tissue P and chlorophyll content, and also citrate synthase content higher in the roots. Further, transgenic lines had more vigorous root system both under P sufficient and deficient conditions with more lateral roots and root hairs under P deficient conditions. We conclude that the transgenic pigeonpea plants have the capacity to acquire more P under P deficient conditions

Development of micro satellite markers for a critically endangered species, Ceropegia fantastica from the Western Ghats, India

Ceropegia fantastica L. (Asclepiadaceae) is a highly endemic and endangered species in the Western Ghats of India. Fourteen microsatellite markers were developed for C. fantastica. Eight microsatellite primers screened had 2–5 alleles per locus and the observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.48 to 0.83 and 0.48 to 0.62, respectively. The primers were also evaluated for their cross amplification against two related species Ceropegia hirsuta and Ceropegia oculata. The microsatellites developed for this species could be used for addressing population genetics of this endemic and critically endangered species