Signaling Pathways of Receptors Involved in Platelet Activation andShedding of These Receptors in Stored Platelets

All cells encounter various signals coming from the surrounding environment and they need toreceive and respond to these signals in order to perform their functions. Cell surface receptorsare responsible for signal transduction .Platelets are blood cells which perform several functionsusing diverse receptors. Platelet concentrate is one of the most consumed blood products.However, due to the short lifespan of the platelets and platelets damage during storage, we faceshortage of platelet products. One of the damages that platelets undergo during storage is theloss of surface receptors. Since cell surface receptors are responsible for all cell functions, theloss of platelet receptors reduces the quality of platelet products. In this study, we reviewed theimportant receptors involved in platelet activation and their associated signaling pathways. Wealso looked at the platelet receptors that shed during storage and the causes of this incident.We found that GPIbα, P-selectin, CD40 and GPVI are platelet receptors that fall during plateletstorage at room temperature. Considering that GPVI and GPIbα are the most important receptorswhich involved in platelet activation, their shedding can cause decrease in platelet activationafter transfusion and decrease thrombus consistence. Shear stress and platelet contact with thecontainer wall are among the mechanisms discussed in this process, but studies in this area haveto be continued

Comparing glycaemic benefits of Active Versus passive lifestyle Intervention in kidney Allograft Recipients (CAVIAR): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle modification is widely recommended to kidney allograft recipients post transplantation due to the cardiometabolic risks associated with immunosuppression including new-onset diabetes, weight gain and cardiovascular events. However, we have no actual evidence that undertaking lifestyle modification protects from any adverse outcomes post transplantation. The aim of this study is to compare whether a more proactive versus passive interventional approach to modify lifestyle is associated with superior outcomes post kidney transplantation. METHODS/DESIGN: We designed this prospective, single-centre, open-label, randomised controlled study to compare the efficacy of active versus passive lifestyle intervention for kidney allograft recipients early post transplantation. A total of 130 eligible patients, who are stable, nondiabetic and between 3 and 24 months post kidney transplantation, will be recruited. Randomisation is being undertaken by random block permutations into passive (n = 65, leaflet guidance only) versus active lifestyle modification (n = 65, supervised intervention) over a 6-month period. Supervised intervention is being facilitated by two dietitians during the 6-month intervention period to provide continuous lifestyle intervention guidance, support and encouragement. Both dietitians are accredited with behavioural intervention skills and will utilise motivational aids to support study recruits randomised to active intervention. The primary outcome is change in abnormal glucose metabolism parameters after 6 months of comparing active versus passive lifestyle intervention. Secondary outcomes include changes in a wide array of cardiometabolic parameters, kidney allograft function and patient-reported outcome measures. Long-term tracking of patients via data linkage to electronic patient records and national registries will facilitate long-term comparison of outcomes after active versus passive lifestyle intervention beyond the 6-month intervention period. DISCUSSION: This is the first randomised controlled study to investigate the benefits of active versus passive lifestyle intervention in kidney allograft recipients for the prevention of abnormal cardiometabolic outcomes. In addition, this is the first example of utilising behaviour therapy intervention post kidney transplantation to achieve clinically beneficial outcomes, which has potential implications on many spheres of post-transplant care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry on 27 August 2014 (ClinicalTrials.org Identifier: NCT02233491)

Anticancer effect of Illicium verum (star anise fruit) against human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line

Objective: To investigate the anticancer effect of Illicium verum against human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line.Methods: An experimental study was conducted in Multidisciplinary and Tissue Culture Laboratory, Aga Khan University in collaboration with Pharmacology Department of Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan from January 2021 to June 2021. MCF-7 cells of Luminal-A breast cancer were seeded in 96-well plate and treated with I.verum methanol extract. After incubation, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) dye was used for cell viability and cell proliferation assays to determine the number of dead and viable cells, and the absorbance was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plate reader. In cell viability assay, different doses of I. verum methanol extract were used to treat the MCF-7 (0.25, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 25, and 50µg/ml) cells. For apoptosis analysis, the cells were processed with 4´, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole fluorescent nuclear dye (DAPI) and were examined for fluorescence intensity and apoptotic cells. For cell proliferation assay and apoptosis the IC50 dose of 5.5µg/ml I. verum methanol extract was used.Results: The MCF-7 cells showed a significant reduction (p-value \u3c0.01) in cell viability in the presence of all tested doses of I. verum methanol extract, except for the dose of 0.25µg/ml. The IC50 dose 5.5µg/ml of same extract also showed a significant reduction (p-value \u3c0.01) in cell proliferation and apoptosis induction in MCF-7 cells.Conclusions: Illicium verum methanol extract possesses very potent anticancer action against MCF-7 cells through cytotoxicity, reduction, and inhibition of cancer cells and by inducing apoptosis

Illicium verum anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 cell line

Objective: To evaluate the anticancer activity of methanolic extract of Illicium verum against triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line.Methods: A cell culture experimental study was carried out at Pharmacology department of Bahria University Medical and Dental College (January to June 2021) in collaboration with Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. Cell viability and proliferation assays were used to quantify dead and alive cells by utilizing a tetrazolium assay and an enzyme immunosorbent plate reader was used to calculate their absorbance. For the apoptosis initiation assay, these cells were dyed with a fluorescent stain and observed for fluorescence and apoptosis. During cell viability testing, various I. verum methanolic extract doses (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 25µg/ml) were employed to treat MDA-MB-231 cells, while the IC50 dose of 2.8µg/ml was used for both the cell proliferation and apoptosis initiation assays.Results: In the cell viability assay, all I. verum methanolic extract doses exhibited a substantial decrease in the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells (less than 0.01 p-value). In cell proliferation assay and apoptosis initiation, the IC50 dose of 2.8µg/ml of I. verum methanolic extract also exhibited a substantial decrease in cell division (less than 0.01 p-value) and the initiation of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells.Conclusion: Illicium verum methanolic extract have strong anticancer activity against triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line through cytotoxicity, proliferation reduction, and apoptosis initiation mechanisms