Actinobacteria Associated with Marine Invertebrates: Diversity and Biological Significance

The ocean harbors a wide diversity of beneficial fauna offering an enormous resource for novel compounds, and it is classified as the largest remaining reservoir of natural molecules to be evaluated for biological activity. The metabolites obtained from marine invertebrate-associated actinobacteria have different characteristics compared to terrestrial actinobacteria as marine environments are exigent and competitive. Actinobacteria produce a wide range of secondary metabolites, such as enzymes, antibiotics, antioxidative, and cytotoxic compounds. These allelochemicals not only protect the host from other surrounding pelagic microorganisms but also ensure their association with the host. The harnessing of such metabolites from marine actinobacteria assures biotechnological, agricultural, and pharmaceutical applications

Kinin B1 Receptor Enhances the Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Insulin Resistance: Outcome in Hypertension, Allodynia and Metabolic Complications

BACKGROUND: Kinin B(1) receptor (B(1)R) is induced by the oxidative stress in models of diabetes mellitus. This study aims at determining whether B(1)R activation could perpetuate the oxidative stress which leads to diabetic complications. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Young Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with 10% D-Glucose or tap water (controls) for 8-12 weeks. A selective B(1)R antagonist (SSR240612) was administered acutely (3-30 mg/kg) or daily for a period of 7 days (10 mg/kg) and the impact was measured on systolic blood pressure, allodynia, protein and/or mRNA B(1)R expression, aortic superoxide anion (O(2)(*-)) production and expression of superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase. SSR240612 reduced dose-dependently (3-30 mg/kg) high blood pressure in 12-week glucose-fed rats, but had no effect in controls. Eight-week glucose-fed rats exhibited insulin resistance (HOMA index), hypertension, tactile and cold allodynia and significant increases of plasma levels of glucose and insulin. This was associated with higher aortic levels of O(2)(*-), NADPH oxidase activity, MnSOD and catalase expression. All these abnormalities including B(1)R overexpression (spinal cord, aorta, liver and gastrocnemius muscle) were normalized by the prolonged treatment with SSR240612. The production of O(2)(*-) in the aorta of glucose-fed rats was also measured in the presence and absence of inhibitors (10-100 microM) of NADPH oxidase (apocynin), xanthine oxidase (allopurinol) or nitric oxide synthase (L-NAME) with and without Sar[D-Phe(8)]des-Arg(9)-BK (20 microM; B(1)R agonist). Data show that the greater aortic O(2)(*-) production induced by the B(1)R agonist was blocked only by apocynin. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of kinin B(1)R increased O(2)(*-) through the activation of NADPH oxidase in the vasculature. Prolonged blockade of B(1)R restored cardiovascular, sensory and metabolic abnormalities by reducing oxidative stress and B(1)R gene expression in this model

“K-SIGN” in Retrocaecal Appendicitis – A Case Series

Background: When someone has appendicitis, the symptoms can be different depending on where the appendix is located. When someone has retrocaecal appendicitis, their symptoms are different from those of classical appendicitis in which the appendix is in the usual place. K-Sign show that the back wall of the abdomen is soft in people with paracolic appendicitis. As a sign of respect, the K-Sign is called the "Kashmir Sign" after the place where it forms, Kashmir. When the inflamed appendix crosses above the iliac crest on the back wall of the abdomen, it's a sign. The soreness is caused by irritation of the peritoneum on the back wall of the abdomen. Case Presentation: A group of five patients were studied and a K-Sign was used to find tenderness on the back wall of the abdomen. The tenderness was found in a specific area bounded by the 12th rib above, the spine below, the side edge of the back wall below, and the iliac crest above. All 5 of the cases had pain in this place on the back wall of the abdomen. They all wanted to have an appendectomy and had a report from a histopathological test that showed their appendix was inflamed. Conclusion: The K-Sign was looked at in a swollen appendix that was retrocephalic and paracolic. The K-Sign is important because it's hard to diagnose retrocaecal appendicitis and it can lead to other problems

Effect of curcumin on triton WR 1339 induced hypercholesterolemia in mice

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Thermoreversible-mucoadhesive Gel for nasal delivery of sumatriptan

The purpose of the present study was to develop intranasal delivery systems of sumatriptan using thermoreversible polymer Pluronic F127 (PF 127) and mucoadhesive polymer Carbopol 934P (C934P). Formulations were modulated so as to have gelation temperature below 34°C to ensure gelation at physiological temperature after intranasal administration. Gelation temperature was determined by physical appearance as well as by rheological measurement. The gelation temperatures of the formulations decreased by addition of increasing concentrations of Carbopol (ie, from 29°C for 18% PF127 to 23.9°C for 18% PF127, 0.5% Carbopol). The mucoadhesive force in terms of detachment stress, determined using sheep nasal mucosal membrane, increased with increasing concentration of Carbopol. The results of in vitro drug permeation studies across sheep nasal mucosa indicate that effective permeation coefficient could be significantly increased by using in situ gelling formulation with Carbopol concentration 0.3% or greater. Finally, histopathological examination did not detect any damage during in vitro permeation studies. In conclusion, the PF 127 gel formulation of sumatriptan, with in situ gelling and mucoadhesive properties with increased permeation rate is promising for prolonging nasal residence time and thereby nasal absorption