A Computational analysis on Lectin and Histone H1 protein of different pulse species as well as comparative study with rice for balanced diet

The issue of balanced nutrition is of great concern to human. Meat and fish are the best sources of protein. The affordability of these resources for people in developing countries is less. Thus, there is an increasing interest in pulses and its derivates as an alternative to fish and meat. Lectin and histone H1 are the most common proteins in various pulses and our interest is in identifying the dominant essential amino acids in them for use as supplements. However, actin and lectin are common among Oryza Sativa and cicer arietinum. We describe the amount of lectin and histone H1 in cicer arietinum, Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum in a comparative manner. cicer arietinum was found to contain more essential amino acids than Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum. The secondary structures of lectin and histone H1 protein were analyzed to gain functional inferences in these species. The comparative study shows the relatively poor presence of the amino acid methionine in most pulses. However, Oryza Sativa was found to contain sufficient methionine. The study shows that pulses (especially cicer arietinum) were a suitable alternative source to meat and fish for Lectin and Histone H1 balance. Hence, pulses could be suggested with rice for balanced protein diet

Relatório de estágio em farmácia comunitária

Relatório de estágio realizado no âmbito do Mestrado Integrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas, apresentado à Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Coimbr

In Silico and In Vivo Evaluation of Bacteriophage φEF24C, a Candidate for Treatment of Enterococcus faecalis Infections▿ †

Along with the increasing threat of nosocomial infections by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, bacteriophage (phage) therapy has been expected as an alternative therapy against infectious disease. Although genome information and proof of applicability are prerequisites for a modern therapeutic phage, E. faecalis phage has not been analyzed in terms of these aspects. Previously, we reported a novel virulent phage, φEF24C, and its biology indicated its therapeutic potential against E. faecalis infection. In this study, the φEF24C genome was analyzed and the in vivo therapeutic applicability of φEF24C was also briefly assessed. Its complete genome (142,072 bp) was predicted to have 221 open reading frames (ORFs) and five tRNA genes. In our functional analysis of the ORFs by use of a public database, no proteins undesirable in phage therapy, such as pathogenic and integration-related proteins, were predicted. The noncompetitive directions of replication and transcription and the host-adapted translation of the phage were deduced bioinformatically. Its genomic features indicated that φEF24C is a member of the SPO1-like phage genus and especially that it has a close relationship to the Listeria phage P100, which is authorized for prophylactic use. Thus, these bioinformatics analyses rationalized the therapeutic eligibility of φEF24C. Moreover, the in vivo therapeutic potential of φEF24C, which was effective at a low concentration and was not affected by host sensitivity to the phage, was proven by use of sepsis BALB/c mouse models. Furthermore, no change in mouse lethality was observed under either single or repeated phage exposures. Although further study is required, φEF24C can be a promising therapeutic phage against E. faecalis infections

An in silico approach to design potential siRNA molecules for ICP22 (US1) gene silencing of different strains of human herpes simplex 1

Background: The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) is a virus that manifests itself in viral infection with painful, watery blisters in the skin or on the genitals as well as mucous membrane such as the mouth or lips. During an outbreak, the disease is contagious particularly and is irredeemable with present technology. Genetic studies of HSV-1 have shown that ICP22 (US1) gene is an immediate early gene and is responsible for genome replication and also has contribution in viral infection. Method: For disease diagnosis, ICP22 (US1) gene may be suitable target. Viral activity can be controlled through RNA interference technology, a significant method for the post-transcriptional gene silencing. However, in different viral isolates there is a genetic variability; it is very challenging to design possible siRNA molecules which can silence the respective target genes. The work was done by using various computational tools as similarity search, target alignment, secondary structure prediction and RNA interaction evaluation. Result: In our study two effective siRNA molecules for ICP22 (US1) gene silencing of seven different strains of HSV-1 were rationally designed and authenticated using computational methods, which might lead to knockdown the viral activity.ConclusionsiRNA molecules were foreseen against ICP22 (US1) gene of different strains of HSV-1 as effective aspirant using computational methods. Thus, the approach may deliver a vision for the chemical synthesis of antiviral RNA molecule for treatment of HSV-1, at genomic level

Rural household energy consumption pattern in the disregarded villages of Bangladesh

Energy is one of the most important ingredients required to alleviate poverty and realize socio-economic and human development, which is directly interconnected to the prominence of life in rural areas. An extensive survey on household energy consumption pattern interrelating socio-economic and demographic factors was carried out in the disregarded villages of Bangladesh using stratified random sampling technique of 120 households. This paper focuses on household energy consumption, various combinations of fuels and their expenditure in the study area. Biomass, kerosene, electricity, LPG and candle were found as the energy carrier used in the rural households in this study. The study shows that 92% households use biomass, 28% LPG, 89% kerosene, 78% electricity and 27% candle as fuel types. It was found that 56% households collected biomass from their own homesteads and/or agricultural lands. Bamboo, branches, cow dung, firewood, rice husk, leaves & twigs and straw were found as the biomass for household energy use. Average monthly household expenditure for total energy was US$9.67 (SE, 0.31) per month while the total monthly income of the household was US$ 123 (SE, 2.53). The ratio of the total monthly energy expenditure to the total monthly income was 7.86%. The study will be helpful to understand the energy consumption system and its expenditure in the rural areas of Bangladesh and to the policy formulation for energy production, consumption and utilization.Total energy Consumption Expenditure

Roles of long noncoding RNA in triple‐negative breast cancer

Abstract Introduction Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating various hallmarks in cancers. Triple‐negative (Estrogen receptor, ER; Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, HER2; Progesterone receptor, PR) breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancers with a poor prognosis and no available molecular targeted therapy. Methods We reviewed the current literature on the roles of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis, therapy resistance, and prognosis of patients with TBNC. Results LncRNAs are associated with TNBC pathogenesis, therapy resistance, and prognosis. For example, lncRNAs such as small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12), highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), lincRNA‐regulator of reprogramming (LincRNA‐ROR), etc., are aberrantly expressed in TNBC and are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. LncRNAs act as a decoy, scaffold, or sponge to regulate the expression of genes, miRNAs, and transcription factors associated with pathogenesis and progression of TNBC. Moreover, lncRNAs such as ferritin heavy chain 1 pseudogene 3 (FTH1P3), BMP/OP‐responsive gene (BORG) contributes to the therapy resistance property of TNBC through activating ABCB1 (ATP‐binding cassette subfamily B member 1) drug efflux pumps by increasing DNA repair capacity or by inducing signaling pathway involved in therapeutic resistance. Conclusion In this review, we outline the functions of various lncRNAs along with their molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis, therapeutic resistance of TBNC. Also, the prognostic implications of lncRNAs in patients with TNBC is illustrated. Moreover, potential strategies targeting lncRNAs against highly aggressive TNBC is discussed in this review

The Antioxidative Fraction of White Mulberry Induces Apoptosis through Regulation of p53 and NFκB in EAC Cells.

In this study, the antioxidative fraction of white mulberry (Morus alba) was found to have an apotogenic effect on Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma cell-induced mice (EAC mice) that correlate with upregulated p53 and downregulated NFκB signaling. The antioxidant activities and polyphenolic contents of various mulberry fractions were evaluated by spectrophotometry and the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) was selected for further analysis. Strikingly, the EAF caused 70.20% tumor growth inhibition with S-phase cell cycle arrest, normalized blood parameters including red/white blood cell counts and suppressed the tumor weight of EAC mice compared with untreated controls. Fluorescence microscopy analysis of EAF-treated EAC cells revealed DNA fragmentation, cell shrinkage, and plasma membrane blebbing. These characteristic morphological features of apoptosis influenced us to further investigate pro- and anti-apoptotic signals in EAF-treated EAC mice. Interestingly, apoptosis correlated with the upregulation of p53 and its target genes PARP-1 and Bax, and also with the down-regulation of NFκB and its target genes Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Our results suggest that the tumor- suppressive effect of the antioxidative fraction of white mulberry is likely due to apoptosis mediated by p53 and NFκB signaling

<em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> Keratitis in Mice: Effects of Topical Bacteriophage KPP12 Administration

<div><p>The therapeutic effects of bacteriophage (phage) KPP12 in <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> keratitis were investigated in mice. Morphological analysis showed that phage KPP12 is a member of the family <em>Myoviridae</em>, morphotype A1, and DNA sequence analysis revealed that phage KPP12 is similar to PB1-like viruses. Analysis of the phage KPP12 genome did not identify any genes related to drug resistance, pathogenicity or lysogenicity, and so phage KPP12 may be a good candidate for therapeutic. KPP12 showed a broad host range for <em>P. aeruginosa</em> strains isolated from clinical ophthalmic infections. Inoculation of the scarified cornea with <em>P. aeruginosa</em> caused severe keratitis and eventual corneal perforation. Subsequent single-dose administration of KPP12 eye-drops significantly improved disease outcome, and preserved the structural integrity and transparency of the infected cornea. KPP12 treatment resulted in the suppression of neutrophil infiltration and greatly enhanced bacterial clearance in the infected cornea. These results indicate that bacteriophage eye-drops may be a novel adjunctive or alternative therapeutic agent for the treatment of infectious keratitis secondary to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.</p> </div