FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN B12, AND DNA METHYLATION: AN UPDATE.

 Epigenetics is one of the exciting and fastest expanding fields of biology; this is above genetics. Methylation is the process involved in the transfer of methyl group to amino acids, proteins, enzymes and DNA of all the cells, and tissues of the body. During cell-division low folate availability may result in decreased production of thymidine wherein uracil may be substituted in the place of thymidine in the DNA sequence. It was reported that folate and Vitamin B12 restricted diet resulted in aberrant methylation patterns. The current review was undertaken to explore the role of folic acid and Vitamin B12 in DNA methylation

Efficacy of cognitive pragmatic treatment on theory of mind functioning, quality of life and reduction of symptom severity in adults with schizophrenia

Objective: Schizophrenia is a severely debilitating disorder characterized by heterogeneous psychopathology, it impacts an individual’s subjective well-being, pragmatic communication skills, and cognitive functioning. The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive pragmatic treatment (CPT), an evidence-based group intervention program, on theory of mind (ToM) functioning, quality of life (QoL), and symptom severity of disorder in adults with schizophrenia. Methods: One hundred individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia were chosen and randomly split into two groups, as control group (n=25) and experimental group (n=75). Experimental group received CPT for 3 months, while the control group got only routine psychiatric care. The individuals were assessed for symptom severity of the disorder, ToM functioning and QoL before and after the intervention. 3-months post-intervention, a follow-up evaluation was carried out. The data were analysed using both parametric as well as nonparametric statistics. Results: The results of two-way Repeated Measure ANOVA found statistically significant differences between groups as well as tests (p<0.001) and between groups and their interaction with the tests (p<0.001). Experimental post-test as well as follow-up evaluation showed significant improvement in reducing the symptom severity of the disorder, improvement in ToM functioning and QoL compared to control group Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that cognitive pragmatic treatment as evidence-based intervention can improve theory of mind functioning, as well as QoL of individuals with schizophrenia, by reducing the symptom severity

Inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis by Terminalia arjuna against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats

51-57Overuse of therapeutic drugs such as acetaminophen often affects liver, and may lead to inflammatory mediated liver cell death. Here, we studied the effect of Terminalia arjuna (TA) bark against acetaminophen (APAP) induced liver cell death/injury by testing the antioxidant levels, oxidative stress, and inflammation and apoptosis markers. Wistar albino male rats weighing 180-280 mg/kg were made into 5 groups of 6 animals each and were treated as follows: Gr. I, control; Gr. II, acetaminophen (APAP); GR. III, N-acetylcysteine (NAC); Gr. IV & V, Terminalia arjuna (TA) 250 and mg/kg. The antioxidant glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (MDA), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels, caspase-9 levels, and Protein kinase B (P-AKT) gene expression levels were assessed. The rGr. V animals pre-treated with Terminalia arjuna high dose bark showed increased glutathione (GSH) levels, but decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels; inhibited IL-1β and caspase-9 levels; and also elevated gene expression level of P-AKT to regulate the cell signaling pathway. Apparently, the results demonstrated that a high dose of TA 500 mg/kg ameliorated acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity

Preclinical investigation of the pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and protein and red blood cell binding of DRDE-07: a prophylactic agent against sulphur mustard

DRDE-07, a newly synthesized amifostine analog currently under clinical investigation in a phase I trial, is a potent antidote against sulfur mustard toxicity. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of DRDE-07 in female Swiss Albino mice after a single oral dose of 400 or 600 mg/kg. The physicochemical properties of DRDE-07, including solubility, pKa, Log P, plasma protein binding and plasma/blood partitioning, were determined to support the pharmacokinetic characterization. DRDE-07 concentration was determined by an HPLC-UV method. The profile of plasma concentration versus time was analyzed using a non-compartmental model. Plasma protein binding was assessed using ultrafiltration. DRDE-07 appeared rapidly in plasma after oral administration with peak plasma levels (Cmax) observed in less than 15 min. There was a rapid decline in the plasma levels followed by a smaller second peak about 90 min after dosing. The plasma protein binding of DRDE-07 was found to be less than 25% at all concentrations studied. Plasma clearance of DRDE-07 is expected to be ~1.5 fold higher than the blood clearance of DRDE-07. The probable metabolite of DRDE-07 was identified as phenyl-S-ethyl amine

Biological warfare agents

The recent bioterrorist attacks using anthrax spores have emphasized the need to detect and decontaminate critical facilities in the shortest possible time. There has been a remarkable progress in the detection, protection and decontamination of biological warfare agents as many instrumentation platforms and detection methodologies are developed and commissioned. Even then the threat of biological warfare agents and their use in bioterrorist attacks still remain a leading cause of global concern. Furthermore in the past decade there have been threats due to the emerging new diseases and also the re-emergence of old diseases and development of antimicrobial resistance and spread to new geographical regions. The preparedness against these agents need complete knowledge about the disease, better research and training facilities, diagnostic facilities and improved public health system. This review on the biological warfare agents will provide information on the biological warfare agents, their mode of transmission and spread and also the detection systems available to detect them. In addition the current information on the availability of commercially available and developing technologies against biological warfare agents has also been discussed. The risk that arise due to the use of these agents in warfare or bioterrorism related scenario can be mitigated with the availability of improved detection technologies

High-temperature resistivity and thermoelectric properties of coupled substituted Ca3Co2O6

Polycrystalline samples of Ca3−xNaxCo2−xMnxO6 (x=0.0–0.5) have been prepared by the sol-gel cum combustion method using sucrose in order to investigate the effects of the coupled substitution of Na and Mn on Ca and Co sites on the transport properties of Ca3Co2O6(Co326). The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TGA), differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. XRD patterns reveal the formation of single-phase products up to x=0.5. Coupled substitution increases the solubility of both Na and Mn on Ca and Co sites, respectively, in contrast to the limited solubility of Na and Mn (x=0.2) when separately substituted. TGA confirms the formation of the Ca3Co2O6 phase at temperatures ~720 °C. The grain size of the parent and substituted products is in the range 150–250 nm. Electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient were measured in the temperature range 300–800 K. Resistivity shows semiconducting behavior for all the compositions, particularly in the low-temperature regime. The Seebeck coefficient increases with temperature throughout the measured temperature range for all compositions. The maximum Seebeck coefficient (200 μV K−1) is observed for x=0.5 at 825 K, and this composition may be optimal for high-temperature thermoelectric applications

Effect of metal-ion-to-fuel ratio on the phase formation of bioceramic phosphates synthesized by self-propagating combustion

Synthetic calcium hydroxyapatite (HAP, Ca10 (PO4)6 (OH)2) is a well-known bioceramic material used in orthopedic and dental applications because of its excellent biocompatibility and bone-bonding ability due to its structural and compositional similarity to human bone. Here we report, for the first time, the synthesis of HAP by combustion employing tartaric acid as a fuel. Calcium nitrate is used as the source of calcium and diammonium hydrogen phosphate serves as the source of phosphate ions. Reaction processing parameters such as the pH, fuel-oxidant ratio and autoignition temperature are controlled and monitored. The products were characterized by powder x-ray diffraction, which revealed the formation of a hexagonal hydroxyapatite phase. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra showed that the substitution of a carbonate ion occurs at the phosphate site. The morphology of the particles was imaged by scanning electron microscopy, which also revealed that the particles are of submicron size. Thermal analysis showed that the phase formation takes place at the time of combustion. Surface area and porosity analysis showed that the surface area is high and that the pores are of nanometer size. The mean grain size of the HAP powder, determined by the Debye–Scherrer formula, is in the range 20–30 nm. Chemical analyses to determine the Ca : P atomic ratio in synthesized ceramics were performed, and it was found to be 1 : 1.66