Molecular cloning and characterization of protein disulfide isomerase of Brugia malayi, a human lymphatic filarial parasite

Lymphatic filariasis results in an altered lymphatic system and the abnormal enlargement of body parts, causing pain, serious disability and social stigma. Effective vaccines are still not available nowadays, drugs against the disease is required. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is an essential catalyst of the endoplasmic reticulum which is involved in folding and chaperone activities in different biological systems. Here, we report the enzymatic characterization of a Brugia malayi Protein disulfide isomerase (BmPDI), which was expressed and purified from Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Western blotting analysis showed the recombinant BmPDI could be recognized by anti-BmPDI Rabbit serum. The rBmPDI exhibited an optimum activity at pH 8 and 40 °C. The enzyme was inhibited by aurin and PDI inhibitor. Recombinant BmPDI showed interaction with recombinant Brugia malayi calreticulin (rBmCRT). The three-dimensional model for BmPDI and BmCRT was generated by homology modelling. A total of 25 hydrogen bonds were found to be formed between two interfaces. There are 259 non-bonded contacts present in the BmPDI-BmCRT complex and 12 salt bridges were formed in the interaction

Saraca indica

Medicinal plants are used as a complementary and alternative medicine in treatment of various diseases including cancer worldwide, because of their ease of accessibility and cost effectiveness. Multicomposed mixture of compounds present in a plant extract has synergistic activity, increases the therapeutic potential many folds, compensates toxicity, and increases bioavailability. Saraca indica (family Caesalpiniaceae) is one of the most ancient sacred plants with medicinal properties, exhibiting a number of pharmacological effects. Antioxidant, antibreast cancer activity and toxicological evaluation of Saraca indica bark extract (SIE) were carried out in the present study. The results of the study indicated that this herbal preparation has antioxidant and antibreast cancer activity. Toxicological studies suggest that SIE is safer to use and may have a potential to be used as complementary and alternative medicine for breast cancer therapy

Evaluation of Serum Uric Levels in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: An Institutional Based Study

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies. The present study was conducted to assess serum uric acid levels in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Materials and Methods: In the present study 80 pathologically diagnosed NPC patients free of distant metastasis were enrolled in this retrospective study. The study included a total of 160 subjects, 80 patients with NPC in the experimental group and 80 patients in control group. Two milliliters of intravenous blood were taken from all participants after an overnight fast. The blood was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 min and separated serum was aspirated into tubes and analyzed for uric acid using the reagent kit and BTS 350 Semi-Auto analyzer. Tabulation of the results was carried out for both groups. For all tests, P values ≤ 0.05 were utilized for statistical significance.Results: The study included a total of 160 subjects, 80 patients with NPC in the experimental group and 80 patients in control group. The mean age among study group was 54.8 years and that of the control group was 53.65 years. In study group 56.25% were males and in control group 52.5% were males. Malees were in predominance. In the study group, out of 80 patients, 37.5% patients had low serum uric acid levels (<3 mg/dl), 56.25patients had normal serum uric acid levels (3–6 mg/dl) and 6.25%patients had high serum uric acid levels (>6 mg/dl). Among 80 subjects in control group, 10% subjects had low serum uric acid levels (<3 mg/dl), 30.0% subjects had normal serum uric acid levels (3–6 mg/dl), and 60% subjects had high serum uric acid levels (>6 mg/dl). The distribution of serum uric acid levels among the study group and the control group showed statistically very high significance (P < 0.001)Conclusion: The present study concluded that serum uric acid was lower in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients compared with healthy volunteers and low serum uric acid was associated with increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma development

An integrated approach of network-based systems biology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics approach to unravel the role of existing antiviral molecules against AIDS-associated cancer

<p>A serious challenge in cancer treatment is to reposition the activity of various already known drug candidates against cancer. There is a need to rewrite and systematically analyze the detailed mechanistic aspect of cellular networks to gain insight into the novel role played by various molecules. Most Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection-associated cancers are caused by oncogenic viruses like Human Papilloma Viruses and Epstein–Bar Virus. As the onset of AIDS-associated cancers marks the severity of AIDS, there might be possible interconnections between the targets and mechanism of both the diseases. We have explored the possibility of certain antiviral compounds to act against major AIDS-associated cancers: Kaposi’s Sarcoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and Cervical Cancer with the help of systems pharmacology approach that includes screening for targets and molecules through the construction of a series of drug–target and drug–target–diseases network. Two molecules (Calanolide A and Chaetochromin B) and the target “HRAS” were finally screened with the help of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. The results provide novel antiviral molecules against HRAS target to treat AIDS defining cancers and an insight for understanding the pharmacological, therapeutic aspects of similar unexplored molecules against various cancers.</p

Study the demographic, clinical and surgical outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

This study was done with an aim to study the demographic, clinical and surgical outcomes of Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy. The records of patients who underwent Endoscopic DCR in the last five years were retrieved from the archival records of Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, K.G.M.U and were reviewed for demographic data, laterality, pre-operative complaints, co-morbidities, clinical and surgical profiles, adjunctive procedures, complications, and success rates at the last follow up. Result: The distribution of cases according to operation type is shown in table-7. Among the cases, Endoscopic DCR Left operation was performed in 94 (41.6%) cases while Endoscopic DCR Right operation was performed in 131 (58.0%) cases. There was one case operated with Endoscopic Bilateral DCR. On comparing pre to post op tearing status, it was found that at pre op the mean tearing score was 5.80±2.02 which was reduced to 1.17±1.35 at post op. So a mean reduction of 4.63±0.12 was observed which was significant statistically (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Endoscopic DCR can be adopted the first-line surgical procedure for the treatment of acquired Nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Endoscopic DCR avoids external scar, endoscopic visualization and assessment can be done immediately with correction of pathology including endonasal pathologies (DNS, turbinate hypertrophy etc.).&nbsp

Study the quality of life post endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

Background &amp; Method: Aim of this study is to Study the quality of life post Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy. The records of patients who underwent Endoscopic DCR in the last five years were retrieved from the archival records of Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, K.G.M.U and were reviewed for demographic data, laterality, pre-operative complaints, co-morbidities, clinical and surgical profiles, adjunctive procedures, complications, and success rates at the last follow up. Result: On comparing pre to post op swelling around eye status, it was found that at pre op the mean swelling score was 2.90±2.33 which was reduced to 0.50±1.03 at post op. So a mean reduction of 2.40±0.14 was observed which was significant statistically (p&lt;0.001). On comparing pre to post op general condition status, it was found that at pre op the mean condition score was 0.08±0.48 which was unchanged at post op. Conclusion: Endoscopic DCR has improved the treatment of Nasolacrimal duct obstruction, with outcome as comparable to external DCR. Thus the present study state Endoscopic DCR as an effective and safe alternative to external DCR with improved patient satisfaction.&nbsp

Study the Quality of Life Post Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy

Background &amp; Method: Aim of this study is to Study the quality of life post Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy. The records of patients who underwent Endoscopic DCR in the last five years were retrieved from the archival records of Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, K.G.M.U and were reviewed for demographic data, laterality, pre-operative complaints, co-morbidities, clinical and surgical profiles, adjunctive procedures, complications, and success rates at the last follow up. Result: On comparing pre to post op swelling around eye status, it was found that at pre op the mean swelling score was 2.90±2.33 which was reduced to 0.50±1.03 at post op. So a mean reduction of 2.40±0.14 was observed which was significant statistically (p&lt;0.001). On comparing pre to post op general condition status, it was found that at pre op the mean condition score was 0.08±0.48 which was unchanged at post op. Conclusion: Endoscopic DCR has improved the treatment of Nasolacrimal duct obstruction, with outcome as comparable to external DCR. Thus the present study state Endoscopic DCR as an effective and safe alternative to external DCR with improved patient satisfaction.&nbsp