137 research outputs found
Src activation by β-adrenoreceptors is a key switch for tumor metastasis
Norepinephrine (NE) can modulate multiple cellular functions important for cancer progression; however, how this single extracellular signal regulates such a broad array of cellular processes is unknown. Here, we identify Src as a key regulator of phosphoproteomic signaling networks activated in response to beta-adrenergic signaling in cancer cells. These results also identify a new mechanism of Src phosphorylation that mediates beta-adrenergic/PKA regulation of downstream networks, thereby enhancing tumor cell migration, invasion and growth. In human ovarian cancer samples, high tumoral NE levels were correlated with high pSrcY419 levels. Moreover, among cancer patients, the use of beta blockers was significantly associated with reduced cancer-related mortality. Collectively, these data provide a pivotal molecular target for disrupting neural signaling in the tumor microenvironment
Prioritization of zoonotic diseases in Kenya, 2015
INTRODUCTION:Zoonotic diseases have varying public health burden and socio-economic impact across time and geographical settings making their prioritization for prevention and control important at the national level. We conducted systematic prioritization of zoonotic diseases and developed a ranked list of these diseases that would guide allocation of resources to enhance their surveillance, prevention, and control. METHODS:A group of 36 medical, veterinary, and wildlife experts in zoonoses from government, research institutions and universities in Kenya prioritized 36 diseases using a semi-quantitative One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization tool developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with slight adaptations. The tool comprises five steps: listing of zoonotic diseases to be prioritized, development of ranking criteria, weighting criteria by pairwise comparison through analytical hierarchical process, scoring each zoonotic disease based on the criteria, and aggregation of scores. RESULTS:In order of importance, the participants identified severity of illness in humans, epidemic/pandemic potential in humans, socio-economic burden, prevalence/incidence and availability of interventions (weighted scores assigned to each criteria were 0.23, 0.22, 0.21, 0.17 and 0.17 respectively), as the criteria to define the relative importance of the diseases. The top five priority diseases in descending order of ranking were anthrax, trypanosomiasis, rabies, brucellosis and Rift Valley fever. CONCLUSION:Although less prominently mentioned, neglected zoonotic diseases ranked highly compared to those with epidemic potential suggesting these endemic diseases cause substantial public health burden. The list of priority zoonotic disease is crucial for the targeted allocation of resources and informing disease prevention and control programs for zoonoses in Kenya
Metronomic Docetaxel in PRINT Nanoparticles and EZH2 Silencing Have Synergistic Antitumor Effect in Ovarian Cancer
The purpose of this study was to investigate the antitumor effects of a combination of metronomic doses of a novel delivery vehicle, PLGA-PRINT nanoparticles containing docetaxel, and anti-angiogenic mEZH2 siRNA incorporated into chitosan nanoparticles. In vivo dose-finding studies and therapeutic experiments were conducted in well-established orthotopic mouse models of epithelial ovarian cancer. Antitumor effects were determined on the basis of reduction in mean tumor weight and number of metastatic tumor nodules in the animals. The tumor tissues from these in vivo studies were stained to evaluate the proliferation index (Ki67), apoptosis index (cleaved caspase 3), and microvessel density (CD31). The lowest dose of metronomic regimen (0.5 mg/kg) resulted in significant reduction in tumor growth. The combination of PLGA-PRINT-docetaxel and CH-mEZH2 siRNA showed significant antitumor effects in the HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 tumor models (p<0.05). Individual as well as combination therapies showed significant anti-angiogenic, anti-proliferative, and pro-apoptotic effects, and combination therapy had additive effects. Metronomic delivery of PLGA-PRINT-docetaxel combined with CH-mEZH2 siRNA has significant antitumor activity in preclinical models of ovarian cancer
2′-OMe-phosphorodithioate-modified siRNAs show increased loading into the RISC complex and enhanced anti-tumour activity
Improving small interfering RNA (siRNA) efficacy in target cell populations remains a challenge to its clinical implementation. Here, we report a chemical modification, consisting of phosphorodithioate (PS2) and 2′-O-Methyl (2′-OMe) MePS2 on one nucleotide that significantly enhances potency and resistance to degradation for various siRNAs. We find enhanced potency stems from an unforeseen increase in siRNA loading to the RNA-induced silencing complex, likely due to the unique interaction mediated by 2′-OMe and PS2. We demonstrate the therapeutic utility of MePS2 siRNAs in chemoresistant ovarian cancer mouse models via targeting GRAM domain containing 1B (GRAMD1B), a protein involved in chemoresistance. GRAMD1B silencing is achieved in tumours following MePS2-modified siRNA treatment, leading to a synergistic anti-tumour effect in combination with paclitaxel. Given the previously limited success in enhancing siRNA potency with chemically modified siRNAs, our findings represent an important advance in siRNA design with the potential for application in numerous cancer types
Erythropoietin Stimulates Tumor Growth via EphB4
While recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) has been widely used to treat anemia in cancer patients, concerns about its adverse effects on patient survival have emerged. A lack of correlation between expression of the canonical EpoR and rhEpo’s effects on cancer cells prompted us to consider the existence of an alternative Epo receptor. Here, we identified EphB4 as an Epo receptor that triggers downstream signaling via STAT3 and promotes rhEpo induced tumor growth and progression. In human ovarian and breast cancer samples, expression of EphB4 rather than the canonical EpoR correlated with decreased disease-specific survival in rhEpo-treated patients. These results identify EphB4 as a critical mediator of erythropoietin-induced tumor progression and further provide clinically significant dimension to the biology of erythropoietin
Assessment of age-related changes in pediatric gastrointestinal solubility
PurposeCompound solubility serves as a surrogate indicator of oral biopharmaceutical performance. Between infancy and adulthood, marked compositional changes in gastrointestinal (GI) fluids occur. This study serves to assess how developmental changes in GI fluid composition affects compound solubility.MethodsSolubility assessments were conducted in vitro using biorelevant media reflective of age-specific pediatric cohorts (i.e., neonates and infants). Previously published adult media (i.e., FaSSGF, FeSSGF, FaSSIF.v2, and FeSSIF.v2) were employed as references for pediatric media development. Investigations assessing age-specific changes in GI fluid parameters (i.e., pepsin, bile acids, pH, osmolality, etc.) were collected from the literature and served to define the composition of neonatal and infant media. Solubility assessments at 37°C were conducted for seven BCS Class II compounds within the developed pediatric and reference adult media.ResultsFor six of the seven compounds investigated, solubility fell outside an 80–125% range from adult values in at least one of the developed pediatric media. This result indicates a potential for age-related alterations in oral drug performance, especially for compounds whose absorption is delimited by solubility (i.e., BCS Class II).ConclusionDevelopmental changes in GI fluid composition can result in relevant discrepancies in luminal compound solubility between children and adults.<br/
Detection of epileptic seizures on EEG signals using Decision Tree, KNN, SVM and ensemble classifiers
Epilepsy is a neurological condition resulting to brain cell stimulation. According to the findings of the research, an electroencephalogram (EEG) can identify epileptic episodes in patients who have epilepsy. Performance evaluations based on EEG detection of epilepsy require feature extraction methods. As a result of our research, we were able to identify a number of different feature extraction approaches. These methodologies were dependent upon nonlinear, wavelet-based entropy characteristics, time - frequency domain characteristics, and a few statistical traits. An additional in-depth examination that made use of cutting-edge machine learning classifiers as well as numerous factors was carried out. When evaluating kernels for support vector machines, the multiclass kernel as well as the box constraint levels are both useful tools. In a similar manner, we computed the various distance measures, neighbour weights, and neighbour relationships for the K-nearest neighbours (KNN). In a similar manner, we altered the decision trees of the paramours depending on maximal splits as well as split criteria, and we evaluated the ensemble classifiers based on a variety of ensemble approaches and learning rates. 
CORRELATION OF INCREASED SINUSITIS AND URBAN AIR POLLUTION
*Author for Correspondence Increased level of air-pollution in urban areas throughout the world has led to deplorable effects on health of the inhabitants of metropolitan cities. High levels of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide, (NO2), Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ammonia (NH3) and Particulate Matter (PM10) in developed regions have skyrocketed respiratory disorders, notably maxillary sinusitis. The high incidence of chronic maxillary sinusitis in Mumbai has caused great discomfort to the people affected. Lack of proper air pollution regulation and general unawareness has escalated the problem. The fact that its cure depends not only on improved medical treatment but also on reduction of environmental air pollution should be brought to the forefront. The promotion of awareness in the general population coupled with execution of comprehensive environmental programmers is the need of the hour
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