Isolation of 3β-hydroxyolean-12-ene and related triterpenoids from the leaves of Terminalia arjuna

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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

A comparative analysis of the in-vitro effects of various sterilization techniques and different disinfectants on the micropropagation of explants of Asparagus Racemosus

Asparagus racemosus belongs to the Asparagaceae family and the Asparagus genus is an endangered plant species that have been listed in the red data book. For the conventional breeding of the Asparagus racemosus, its tubers are used whichpossess a wide range of antioxidants, leading to the wastage of highly oxidative tuber roots. Using the in-vitro propagation method we can propagate Asparagus racemosus using its nodal explants successfully only in a contamination-free environment. The sources of contamination can be present in the media or associated with the explantswhich need to be eradicated using various sterilization techniques and disinfectants. This paper presents two different sterilization techniques and treatment of disinfectant Sodium hypochlorite used to sterilize the media and the explants. The media was sterilized using an autoclave and microwave oven with the treatment of explant with sterilizing agent sodium hypochlorite in three concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15% for 5 min. The nodal explants were cultured in MS basal medium supplemented with 30g sucrose, as a carbon source and 7g agar, as a gelling agent. The temperatureinside the growth chamber was maintained at 24±2°C with a photoperiod of 16 h daylight and 8 h dark.&nbsp

Clinical applications of extra-oral periapical radiography

Radiographic examination forms an integral part of clinical dentistry, with some form of radiographs necessary on the majority of patients. Intra-oral periapical (IOPA) radiographs form the backbone of imaging for diagnosis and follow-up of various dento-facial pathologies. However, certain patient populations are unable to tolerate intra-oral films/sensors due to various reasons. A not-so recent development called extra-oral periapical (EOPA) radiography may be a useful adjuvant to such a situation, at least in the near future. It is essentially a technique where the film is placed extra-orally overlying the tooth of interest. The following manuscript is an attempt to throw light on this technique and the impact it may have on various disciplines of dental practices. The advantages and disadvantages of EOPA radiography and it′s comparison to IOPA radiography has been discussed

Synchronous Modulation of Cell Surface Lectin and Its Receptor in a Homologous Cell Population: A Novel Mechanism of Cellular Regulation

Testicular immotile sperm undergo maturation during epididymal transit when these cells pass through caput, corpus, and cauda-epididymal regions. Maturing goat spermatozoa specifically at the distal corpus epididymal stage show head-to-head autoagglutination when incubated in vitro in a modified Ringer's solution. Here, we show the biochemical mechanism of autoagglutination event and its functional significance. A lectin-like molecule located on sperm surface specifically interacts with its receptor of the neighboring homologous cells to cause autoagglutination. Lectin is a Ca++-dependent galactose-specific protein. Failure of the pre- and post-distal corpus sperm to show autoagglutination is due to lack of lectin-like molecule and its receptors, respectively. Maturing sperm at distal corpus stage acquire lectin-like molecule followed by sharp disappearance of its receptor, and this event is synchronously associated with the initiation of sperm forward motility that is essential for fertilization in vivo. Lectin and its receptor isolated from sperm plasma membrane showed high efficacy for blocking autoagglutination phenomenon. The data are consistent with the view that synchronous modulation of homologous cell surface lectin and their receptors constitutes a novel mechanism for cellular regulation by generating waves of signals by manipulating lectin–sugar-dependent “self-talk” and cell–cell “cross-talk”

Statistical optimization of medium components and growth conditions by response surface methodology to enhance lipase production by Aspergillus carneus

A response surface approach has been used to study the production of an extracellular lipase from Aspergillus carneus, which has the property of immense industrial importance. Interactions were studied for five different variables (sunflower oil, glucose, peptone, agitation rate and incubation period), which were found influential for lipase production by one-at a time method. We report a 1.8-fold increase in production, with the final yield of 12.7 IU/ml in comparison to 7.2 U/ml obtained by one-at-a-time method. Using the statistical approach (response surface methodology (RSM)) the optimum values of these most influential parameters were as follows: sunflower oil (1%), glucose (0.8%), peptone (0.8%), agitation rate (200 rpm) and incubation period (96 h) at 37°C. The subsequent verification experiment confirmed the validity of the model

Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension with thyroid dysfunction among indian adults: Synthesis from national family health survey (2015-16)

Background: Thyroid dysfunction (TD) is considered a common cause of secondary hypertension (HT). Therefore, correcting TD may help in quicker and sustained achievement of desired blood pressure goals. However, there is a paucity of literature from India which estimates the relationship of HT with TD. Objectives: The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of TD with HT and to identify associated factors among Indian population. Materials and Methods: The survey data of the National Family Health Survey 4 (NFHS-4), conducted in India during 2015–2016, were analyzed using R statistical software for estimating the relationship between a history of HT and TD among women (N = 687246) aged 15–49 years and men (N = 108492) aged 15–54 years. Descriptive statistical tests and logistic regression were applied. Results: Among the persons suffering from the TD, the prevalence of HT was 32.8%, which was significantly higher than the prevalence of HT (21.9%) in euthyroid individuals. Further, the prevalence of TD was higher among hypertensive adults (2.5%) compared to nonhypertensive (1.5%). Conclusions: The study reported a higher prevalence of TD among the hypertensive persons and higher prevalence of HT among cases of TD. Therefore, screening for thyroid disorders should be routinely considered for better management of HT

Optimization of Lipase Production from Aspergillus terreus by Response Surface Methodology and Its Potential for Synthesis of Partial Glycerides Under Solvent Free Conditions.

Aspergillus terreus produces lipase 7.01 IU/ml in 96 h after optimization by one variable at a time method. Using the significant factors i.e. corn oil (A), sodium nitrate (B), casein (C), agitation rate (D) and incubation period (E) RSM was carried out resulting in 19.65 IU/ml from the combination +1(A), -1(B), -1(C), +1(D) and 0(E). The interactions between sodium nitrate, casein and agitation with corn oil were most significant. Scale up of production from 250 ml shake flask to 30 l bioreactor resulted in increased productivity of 0.52 IU/ml/h as against 0.2 IU/ml/h obtained in shake flasks. This lipase could carryout solvent free synthesis of partial glycerides of oleic acid with 96% efficiency in 12 h