Hydroxyurea and zileuton differentially modulate cell proliferation and interleukin-2 secretion by murine spleen cells: Possible implication on the immune function and risk of pain crisis in patients with sickle cell disease

Background: Hydroxyurea (HU) reduces major complications associated with sickle cell disease in part because of the induction of fetal hemoglobin. However, because of its antiproliferative property, its long-term use may impair immunity. Zileuton, a derivative of HU, also induces fetal hemoglobin and has antiinflammatory properties, a feature that can reduce the risk of sickling. Our goal was to investigate the capacity of both drugs to modulate the secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2), a regulatory cytokine for immune responses. Methods: Spleen cells obtained from 11 4-month-old C57BL/6 female mice were incubated without and with 10 µ/mL HU or zileuton, 2.5 µ/mL concanavalin A (ConA), 20 µ/mL phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and 50 ng/mL anti-CD3 antibody for 12-48 h. IL-2 was measured in the supernatant by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cell proliferation byH-thymidine uptake. Results: While HU reduced lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogens (

Sub 20 nm Short Channel Carbon Nanotube Transistors

Carbon nanotube field-effect transistors with sub 20 nm long channels and on/off current ratios of > 1000000 are demonstrated. Individual single-walled carbon nanotubes with diameters ranging from 0.7 nm to 1.1 nm grown from structured catalytic islands using chemical vapor deposition at 700 degree Celsius form the channels. Electron beam lithography and a combination of HSQ, calix[6]arene and PMMA e-beam resists were used to structure the short channels and source and drain regions. The nanotube transistors display on-currents in excess of 15 microA for drain-source biases of only 0.4 Volt.Comment: Nano Letters in pres

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF ARENGA WIGHTII GRIFF.-AN ENDEMIC PALM OF WESTERN GHATS

Objective: The present study aims to scientifically validate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Arenga wightii.Methods: The stem pith was excised from mature palm, sliced into small pieces, shade dried and powdered. The powder was extracted with ethanol, concentrated under reduced pressure and the crude extract was referred to as AW. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of AW was analyzed in Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice.Results: The results revealed that the ethanolic extract of the stem pith of A. wightii showed a dose dependent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, which was comparable to the standards, indomethacin and acetyl salicylic acid respectively.Conclusion: The results of the current study reveal that A. wightii possesses significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.Â

CHRONIC ORAL TOXICITY STUDIES OF CRUDE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT AND ETHANOLIC FRACTION OF PELLIONIA HEYNEANA WEDD. LEAF IN WISTAR RATS

Objective: Pellionia heyneana Wedd. leaf has been used by the Cholanaikan tribe as a traditional medicine to enhance immunity and also to treat various liver ailments. However, no scientific reports are available regarding its long term toxicity studies. The objective of the present study was to investigate the chronic oral toxicity study of P. heyneana leaf.Methods: In the present study, scientific evaluation of oral toxicity of P. heyneana crude ethanolic leaf extract (PHLE) and leaf ethanolic fraction (PHEF) were carried out in Wistar rats. Animals were fed with three varying concentrations (500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg) of PHLE and PHEF for 90 d. During the study period, all the animals were closely observed for any morbidity or mortality, food and water intake, body weight etc. The effect of PHLE and PHEF on animal behaviour, metabolism, liver function, kidney function, blood glucose level, in vivo antioxidant status, haematological parameters, histopathology of internal organs etc. were evaluated after 90 d chronic toxicity study.Results: All the animals administered with PHLE/PHEF up to 1500 mg/kg dose did not show any deleterious changes in normal metabolism, histopathology of internal organs, haematological and biochemical indices.Conclusion: All these results revealed that PHLE and PHEF of P. heyneana are non toxic in long term oral administration in Wistar rats.Â

Isolation and full-length genome characterization of Sarscov-2 from covid-19 cases in northern Italy

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