Unraveling the cytotoxic potential of Temozolomide loaded into PLGA nanoparticles

BACKGROUND: Nanotechnology has received great attention since a decade for the treatment of different varieties of cancer. However, there is a limited data available on the cytotoxic potential of Temozolomide (TMZ) formulations. In the current research work, an attempt has been made to understand the anti-metastatic effect of the drug after loading into PLGA nanoparticles against C6 glioma cells. Nanoparticles were prepared using solvent diffusion method and were characterized for size and morphology. Diffusion of the drug from the nanoparticles was studied by dialysis method. The designed nanoparticles were also assessed for cellular uptake using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. RESULTS: PLGA nanoparticles caused a sustained release of the drug and showed a higher cellular uptake. The drug formulations also affected the cellular proliferation and motility. CONCLUSION: PLGA coated nanoparticles prolong the activity of the loaded drug while retaining the anti-metastatic activity

Thrombospondin-2 Influences the Proportion of Cartilage and Bone During Fracture Healing

Thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) is a matricellular protein with increased expression during growth and regeneration. TSP2-null mice show accelerated dermal wound healing and enhanced bone formation. We hypothesized that bone regeneration would be enhanced in the absence of TSP2. Closed, semistabilized transverse fractures were created in the tibias of wildtype (WT) and TSP2-null mice. The fractures were examined 5, 10, and 20 days after fracture using μCT, histology, immunohistochemistry, quantitative RT-PCR, and torsional mechanical testing. Ten days after fracture, TSP2-null mice showed 30% more bone by μCT and 40% less cartilage by histology. Twenty days after fracture, TSP2-null mice showed reduced bone volume fraction and BMD. Mice were examined 5 days after fracture during the stage of neovascularization and mesenchymal cell influx to determine a cellular explanation for the phenotype. TSP2-null mice showed increased cell proliferation with no difference in apoptosis in the highly cellular fracture callus. Although mature bone and cartilage is minimal 5 days after fracture, TSP2-null mice had reduced expression of collagen IIa and Sox9 (chondrocyte differentiation markers) but increased expression of osteocalcin and osterix (osteoblast differentiation markers). Importantly, TSP2-null mice had a 2-fold increase in vessel density that corresponded with a reduction in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Glut-1 (markers of hypoxia inducible factor [HIF]-regulated transcription). Finally, by expressing TSP2 using adenovirus starting 3 days after fracture, chondrogenesis was restored in TSP2-null mice. We hypothesize that TSP2 expressed by cells in the fracture mesenchyme regulates callus vascularization. The increase in vascularity increases tissue oxemia and decreases HIF; thus, undifferentiated cells in the callus develop into osteoblasts rather than chondrocytes. This leads to an alternative strategy for achieving fracture healing with reduced endochondral ossification and enhanced appositional bone formation. Controlling the ratio of cartilage to bone during fracture healing has important implications for expediting healing or promoting regeneration in nonunions

Response to sunitinib in combination with proton beam radiation in a patient with chondrosarcoma: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Chondrosarcoma is well-known to be primarily resistant to conventional radiation and chemotherapy.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the case of a 32-year-old Caucasian man with clear cell chondrosarcoma who presented with symptomatic recurrence in his pelvis and metastases to his skull and lungs. Our patient underwent systemic therapy with sunitinib and then consolidation with proton beam radiation to his symptomatic site. He achieved complete symptomatic relief with a significantly improved performance status and had an almost complete and durable metabolic response on fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings have important clinical implications and suggest novel clinical trials for this difficult to treat disease.</p

Relict benthic foraminifera in surface sediments off central east coast of India as indicator of sea level changes

355-360An attempt has been made to reconstruct sea-level variations along the central east coast of India during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene. A total of 39 surface sediment samples collected from water depth range of 27 – 2,777 m were studied for foraminiferal content. The samples within the depth range of 36-110 m showed presence of relict foraminiferal tests along with recent foraminifers. The relict foraminiferal assemblage of Amphistegina, Operculina, Calcarina and Alveolinella in the selected surface samples is characteristic of coral reef environment and has been inferred as evidence for past low sea levels. Based on extrapolation of previously published radiocarbon dates from the region, we propose a pliable sea level curve for the period between ~9,000 to ~14,000 years BP

A review of the studies on pteropods from the northern Indian Ocean region with a report on the pteropods of Irrawaddy continental shelf off Myanmar (Burma)

384-398Ever since the Challenger Expedition the Indian Ocean pteropods have been recognized as important constituents of biogenic flux. Initially they were of interest only to biologists or the fishery departments and their distribution was studied only in plankton tow samples. Over the past three decades micropalaeontologists have paid attention to investigate pteropods from water and sediment samples to understand their distribution and ecological significance. Since then substantial work has been reported in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, northern Arabian Sea, along west coast of India and around the Andaman Nicobar Archipelago. Work has neither been attempted in the Bay of Bengal nor in the northern Andaman Sea. These aragonitic microfossils have proved to be reliable indicators of bathymetry, productivity, upwelling, current circulation, intensity of Aragonite Compensation Depths, Oxygen Minimum Zone and monsoons, thus very useful in palaeoclimatic reconstructions. Works on its counterparts such as foraminifers and ostracods have been reviewed earlier and this is the first time a review of the pteropod studies in the northern Indian Ocean is being attempted, in view of the vast data generated in this region. The pteropod assemblages from two cores collected on the Irrawaddy continental shelf, in the northern Andaman Sea is also reported for the first time. The downcore distribution of pteropods suggests that no significant sea level change has occurred over the past ~1280 Cal yrs

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Not AvailablePCR amplification of callipyge gene yielded an amplified product of 426 bp in Indian sheep breeds. RFLP study of callipyge gene with FaqI (BsmFI) restriction enzyme revealed presence of wild type allele A with only one genotype (AA) and absence of the mutant allele G which is responsible for callipyge phenotype and enhanced mutton quality. The results revealed that there is absence of polymorphism at this locus and callipyge mutation is not found in all the studied Indian sheep breeds and fat tailed dumba sheep.Not Availabl