Differential genotypical expression of a NEDD9 in normal and tumor tissues: a possible pharmacological target

Background: Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down regulated-9 (NEDD9) is a scaffolding metastatic marker protein in multiple cancer types. Generally, the expression occurs during the embryonic development and depletes in adults. Expression of NEDD9 in adults leads to the progression of tumor which is sufficient for the cellular invasion. Elevated behavior of the gene mediates metastatic movement which includes protease dependent neovessel formation, invasion and migration of tumor cells from the site of origin to the distant tissues.Methods: The current study involves the screening and elucidation of differential expression of NEDD9 in normal and tumor subtypes with various tissues of mice by immunohistochemistry.Results: The validating approaches in the study, low expression of NEDD9 was observed in the normal tissues and predominance in the tumor subsets.Conclusions: The experimental analysis proven that NEDD9 expression is merely associated with tumor progression and the molecular mechanism of NEDD9 is restricted in the establishment of metastatic cascade. NEDD9 association in tumor prognosis which helps in the emergence of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches

Statistical relationship between date of sowing and the sorghum shootfly (Atherigona Soccata, Rondani L)

The present study was based on the available data of eleven years for shoot fly from 2000-2010 for kharif season. Different models viz., linear and non linear were tried to fit, Amongst, the linear, quadratic and cubic models produced better coefficient of determination and the models viz., EGG(Shoot fly Egg) =3.760+0.196(DOS) (R2 =0.892) and EGG(Shoot fly Egg) =1.077+1.195(DOS)-0.087(DOS^2), which produced highest R2 (0.896 at p=0.05) with less standard error (0.419) and quadratic model was also the best fit model in determining the oviposition of shoot fly, which explained 89.6 per cent variation in the oviposition of shoot fly for the 7 days after emergence of the sorghum crop. For the dead heart development (14 DAE), the model %DH (% Dead Heart) =3.535+3.104(DOS) found best fit with highest coefficient of determination of 0. 856 and exhibited significant positive relationship with the date of sowing and during 21 DAE the cubic model %DH (% Dead Heart) =10.619+10.115(DOS)-3.466(DOS^2)+0 .321(DOS ^3) had significant coefficient of determination value of 0.988 with least standard error 0.885. The quadratic model during the 28 days after emergence of the crop %DH (% Dead Heart) =-6.234+22.858(DOS) -1.399 (DOS^2) found best fit and produced significant R2 (0.929 at 5 per cent level) and showed better relationship with the date of sowing. It was found that, both linear and non linear relationship exists between dates of sowing and shoot fly of sorghum during kharif season

Morphometric differentiation of hermit crabs, superfamily: Paguroidea from Mumbai, North-West coast of India

492-495The present communication deals with an attempt to differentiate species of hermit crabs, collected from Maharashtra region, using morphometric features. A total of 16 morphometric measurements features were recorded from each specimen. The morphometric features like cheliped dactylus length, cheliped propodus length, carapace length, ocular peduncle length, antennular peduncle length and propodal length have been found to be important traits in the separation of the species. Among these first three, cheliped dactylus length, cheliped propodus length and carapace length, are most important in differentiation. The analysis also indicated 99.55 % correct discrimination of the species based on selected traits

Cure from the rhizomes: the medicine behind the Indian saffron Curcumin

Indian system of medicine has always focused on cure from the nature. Plant products from the Indian household have been used as medicine to cure myriad of ailments since ancestral times. Curcumin is a polyphenol, an active ingredient found in turmeric. In Southeast Asia, turmeric has been used as a coloring, flavoring and as a therapeutic agent. The use of turmeric to treat ailments dates back to the times of Charaka and Shushrutha. It has been widely used as an antiseptic for cuts, burns, and bruises, and as an antibacterial agent. Modern medicine has begun to understand its importance in recent times. Unfortunately its poor solubility, limited absorption and enhanced metabolism limits its bioavailability for its extended therapeutic use. Integration of nanotechnology in drug design and development has led the way to development of nanocurcumin with improved pharmacological properties. A precise understanding of effective dose, safety, and mechanism of action is required for the rational use of turmeric in the treatment of human diseases. This review focuses on the molecular actions of curcumin and its possibility to be used as a therapeutic agent in conditions affecting oral mucosa

An analgesic to bridge the gap between Narcotics and NSAIDs: opiorphin

Pain management is an all-time challenge in dentistry. Discontent to pain management is a concern among patients and professionals. Unrelieved pain affects physical and mental well-being contributing to delayed recovery, psychological distress and anxiety. Studies have revealed that chronic pain interferes with normal daily chores of the individual like exercise, sleep, social life and lifestyle. At one end of pain management spectrum are Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) while at the other end are the opioids. These drugs are not without constituent side effects. The quest is for new analgesics with potent and long term analgesia with minimal or no side effects. An analgesic that is intermediate in this spectrum is the need of the hour. Opiorphin is an endogenous peptide isolated from human saliva. Opiorphin produces analgesia, by inhibiting enkephalin (ENK) metabolizing enzymes, thus increasing the half-life of circulating ENKs. Apart from being a potent analgesic it can also be a potential biomarker for various systemic and psychosocial disorders. This review focuses on the pharmacological effects of opiorphin and its potential role as a biomarker in various disease conditions

Exploring the status of ethnic tribal value addition practices of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) in Garo Hills of Meghalaya, India

Jackfruit gets wasted to the tune of $5.8 million every year from 0.4-0.5 million jackfruit trees in Garo Hills due to lack of suitable infrastructure, limited scientific know-how regarding processing and storage, and restricted market access. The study aims to explore the status of jackfruit cultivation and utilisation of locally available jackfruit and to document the value addition practices followed by ethnic tribal communities in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, India, to augment the standardisation of the sustainable value addition practices for the region. The study was conducted in all five districts of Garo Hills. Two blocks from each district were selected through a simple random sampling method. Twenty respondents from each selected block were selected through the snowball sampling method, thereby making a total of 200 respondents. Identification and documentation of ethnic value addition practices of tribal communities were done through Focused Group Discussion with the relevant stakeholders. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and Duncan Multiple Range Test. The average wastage percentage was more than half of the jackfruit production in Garo Hills, as very few respondents (30.5%) engaged in value addition practices and due to negligible marketing of raw jackfruit (3970 kg). Identification, documentation of ethnic value addition practices, and their utilisation study provide a clear indication of the need for standardisation of these value addition practices through laboratory research to befit the local demand and outside market as well.

Visible fluorescence induced by the metal semiconductor transition in composites of carbon nanotubes with noble metal nanoparticles

We show that single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) bundles emit visible fluorescence in the presence of noble metal nanoparticles and nanorods in the solid state. Conductivity measurements with metallic nanotubes, isolated from pristine SWNTs, show that they become semiconducting in the presence of the metal nanoparticles. Nanoparticle binding increases the defects in the nanotube structures which is evident in the Raman spectra. The metal-semiconductor transition removes the nonradiative decay channels of the excited states enabling visible fluorescence. Nanotube structures are imaged using this emission with resolution below the classical limits

Long-acting antituberculous therapeutic nanoparticles target macrophage endosomes.

Eradication of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection requires daily administration of combinations of rifampin (RIF), isoniazid [isonicotinylhydrazine (INH)], pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, among other drug therapies. To facilitate and optimize MTB therapeutic selections, a mononuclear phagocyte (MP; monocyte, macrophage, and dendritic cell)-targeted drug delivery strategy was developed. Long-acting nanoformulations of RIF and an INH derivative, pentenyl-INH (INHP), were prepared, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated. This included the evaluation of MP particle uptake and retention, cell viability, and antimicrobial efficacy. Drug levels reached 6 μg/10(6) cells in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) for nanoparticle treatments compared with 0.1 μg/10(6) cells for native drugs. High RIF and INHP levels were retained in MDM for \u3e15 d following nanoparticle loading. Rapid loss of native drugs was observed in cells and culture fluids within 24 h. Antimicrobial activities were determined against Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis). Coadministration of nanoformulated RIF and INHP provided a 6-fold increase in therapeutic efficacy compared with equivalent concentrations of native drugs. Notably, nanoformulated RIF and INHP were found to be localized in recycling and late MDM endosomal compartments. These were the same compartments that contained the pathogen. Our results demonstrate the potential of antimicrobial nanomedicines to simplify MTB drug regimens

Cerebellar ataxia and sensory ganglionopathy associated with light-chain myeloma.

BACKGROUND: Cerebellar ataxia with sensory ganglionopathy is a rare neurological combination that can occur in some hereditary ataxias including mitochondrial diseases and in gluten sensitivity. Individually each condition can be a classic paraneoplastic neurological syndrome. We report a patient with this combination who was diagnosed with light-chain myeloma ten years after initial presentation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old Caucasian lady was referred to our Ataxia Clinic because of a 6-year history of progressive unsteadiness and a 2-year history of slurred speech. Past medical history included arterial hypertension. The patient was a non-smoker was not consuming alcohol excessively. There was no family history of ataxia. Neurological examination revealed prominent gaze-evoked nystagmus, heel to shin ataxia, gait ataxia, reduced reflexes and loss of vibration sensation in the legs. Cerebellar ataxia was confirmed using magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the cerebellum and sensory ganglionopathy using neurophysiological assessments including blink reflex study. A muscle biopsy that was arranged to explore the possibility of mitochondrial disease revealed amyloidosis. Urinalysis confirmed the presence of light chains. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of light chain multiple myeloma. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst it could be argued that this could simply be a coincidence, the rarity of these conditions and the absence of an alternative aetiology for the neurological dysfunction argue in favour of a paraneoplastic phenomenon