Establishment of Callus and Cell Suspension Cultures of Helicteres isora L.

Helicteres isora L. (Malvaceae) is a medicinal plant highly used in traditional therapeutic practices. It has shown wide-spectrum therapeutic activities including anti-plasmodial, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, antinociceptive, antioxidant and anti-HIV. Present investigation was undertaken with an objective of establishment of cell suspension cultures of this plant which can be further used for in vitro production of desired secondary metabolites and their further scale-up. Seed dormancy was broken using sulfuric acid and seedlings were raised in vitro. MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.5 mg/L) produced maximum callus from the nodal explants. The callus produced was used as an explant for the establishment of suspension cultures. MS medium without any supplement was proved best for the establishment of cell suspension cultures of H. isora. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on H. isora cell suspension culture establishment.   &nbsp

Evaluation of Classroom Gamification in Higher Education

Using games for teaching-Learning include features that engage the learners. Gamified instruction builds learning for the better in many ways. First, it empowers students to be responsible for their learning. Well-designed games are particularly effective at keeping reluctant learners engaged because they keep the learner close to but not over their capacity threshold. Second, gamified methods help students maintain a skillful mindset when encountering new obstacles. Moreover finally, gamified instructional techniques build on the ways games boost a player to survive in the face of challenges to help students better overcome hurdles in their learning environment. Engagement of the students in teaching-learning activities plays an important role, but only engaging the students and fun are insufficient, or it could not be the aim. The accomplishment of learning objectives is significant. So games should also be associated with the skill to be evaluated, and evaluation patterns decided by the teacher. During or after the conduction of the game, the teacher should collect the pieces of evidence; must interpret them to get a value with a view to action

AU-Rich Element RNA Binding Proteins: At the Crossroads of Post-Transcriptional Regulation and Genome Integrity.

Genome integrity must be tightly preserved to ensure cellular survival and to deter the genesis of disease. Endogenous and exogenous stressors that impose threats to genomic stability through DNA damage are counteracted by a tightly regulated DNA damage response (DDR). RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are emerging as regulators and mediators of diverse biological processes. Specifically, RBPs that bind to adenine uridine (AU)-rich elements (AREs) in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs (AU-RBPs) have emerged as key players in regulating the DDR and preserving genome integrity. Here we review eight established AU-RBPs (AUF1, HuR, KHSRP, TIA-1, TIAR, ZFP36, ZFP36L1, ZFP36L2) and their ability to maintain genome integrity through various interactions. We have reviewed canonical roles of AU-RBPs in regulating the fate of mRNA transcripts encoding DDR genes at multiple post-transcriptional levels. We have also attempted to shed light on non-canonical roles of AU-RBPs exploring their post-translational modifications (PTMs) and sub-cellular localization in response to genotoxic stresses by various factors involved in DDR and genome maintenance. Dysfunctional AU-RBPs have been increasingly found to be associated with many human cancers. Further understanding of the roles of AU-RBP in maintaining genomic integrity may uncover novel therapeutic strategies for cancer

Wireless Biometric Attendance Management System

Design of an automated system by using real time NRF - biometric system for simple and time saving attendance on a regular basis using the finger prints of the students at any college or department level along with the students incoming and outgoing log maintenance. Initially students fingerprints are scanned by the scanner and then a unique number is allotted as their individual enrollment. While taking the attendance, when students impress their fingerprints against the scanner, the system will compare the new fingerprint patterns and the connection between various points in the fingerprint and then match with the enrolment database. A match is recorded as an indication of processing, matching and mark of attendance respectively. Through this automated system,time, paperwork and manpower is reduced to the great extent

Randomized Clinical Trial of High-Dose Rifampicin With or Without Levofloxacin Versus Standard of Care for Pediatric Tuberculous Meningitis: The TBM-KIDS Trial

Background. Pediatric tuberculous meningitis (TBM) commonly causes death or disability. In adults, high-dose rifampicin may reduce mortality. The role of fluoroquinolones remains unclear. There have been no antimicrobial treatment trials for pediatric TBM. Methods. TBM-KIDS was a phase 2 open-label randomized trial among children with TBM in India and Malawi. Participants received isoniazid and pyrazinamide plus: (i) high-dose rifampicin (30 mg/kg) and ethambutol (R30HZE, arm 1); (ii) high-dose rifampicin and levofloxacin (R30HZL, arm 2); or (iii) standard-dose rifampicin and ethambutol (R15HZE, arm 3) for 8 weeks, followed by 10 months of standard treatment. Functional and neurocognitive outcomes were measured longitudinally using Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) and Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL). Results. Of 2487 children prescreened, 79 were screened and 37 enrolled. Median age was 72 months; 49%, 43%, and 8% had stage I, II, and III disease, respectively. Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 58%, 55%, and 36% of children in arms 1, 2, and 3, with 1 death (arm 1) and 6 early treatment discontinuations (4 in arm 1, 1 each in arms 2 and 3). By week 8, all children recovered to MRS score of 0 or 1. Average MSEL scores were significantly better in arm 1 than arm 3 in fine motor, receptive language, and expressive language domains (P < .01). Conclusions. In a pediatric TBM trial, functional outcomes were excellent overall. The trend toward higher frequency of adverse events but better neurocognitive outcomes in children receiving high-dose rifampicin requires confirmation in a larger trial. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02958709

A critical review on Nepal Dock (Rumex nepalensis): A tropical herb with immense medicinal importance

Rumex nepalensis Spreng. (Polygonaceae) commonly known as Nepal Dock has wide-spectrum therapeutic potencies and is extensively used for centuries in traditional medicine systems. The leaves of this plant are edible and a rich source of natural antioxidants. They act as a possible food supplement and are largely used in pharmaceutical industry. Extracts and metabolites from this plant exhibits pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, purgative, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-algal, central nervous system depressant, genotoxic, wound healing and skeletal muscle relaxant activity. Due to its remarkable biological activities, it has the potential to act as a rich source of drug against life threatening diseases. However, more studies are needed to scientifically validate the traditional uses of this plant, beside isolating and identifying their active principles and characterizing the mechanisms of action. We present herein a critical account of its botany, ecology, traditional uses, phytoconstituent profile and major pharmacological activities reported in recent years and therefore will provide a source of information on this plant for further studies

PTA (H3PO4·12WO3·xH2O): An eco-friendly catalyst for the synthesis of new Schiff-bases containing benzimidazole moiety

In this study H3PO4·12WO3·xH2O is found to catalyze the preparation of Schiff bases from the reaction of 3-(1H-Benzimidazol-2-yl)naphthalene-2-amine with different aldehydes efficiently in ethanol. The advantages of this environmental friendly and mild method are such as simplicity of the reaction procedure, the elimination of solvents, simple work-up, high product yields and short reaction times. The products were characterized by FT-IR 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis

Management of endodontic-periodontic lesion of a maxillary lateral incisor with palatoradicular groove

Presence of palatal radicular grooves are considered to be an important contributing factor to the development of localized periodontitis, as it favored the accumulation and proliferation of bacterial plaque deep into the periodontium. Pulp involvement could result due to the introduction of bacterial toxins through channels that existed between the root canal system and the groove. Early diagnosis, elimination of inflammation and correction of anatomic complications are the key to a favorable outcome for managing palatoradicular groove. Present report describes successful management with an interdisciplinary approach of maxillary lateral incisor with combined endodontic periodontic lesion associated with palatoradicular groove

AU-Rich Element RNA Binding Proteins: At the Crossroads of Post-Transcriptional Regulation and Genome Integrity

Genome integrity must be tightly preserved to ensure cellular survival and to deter the genesis of disease. Endogenous and exogenous stressors that impose threats to genomic stability through DNA damage are counteracted by a tightly regulated DNA damage response (DDR). RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are emerging as regulators and mediators of diverse biological processes. Specifically, RBPs that bind to adenine uridine (AU)-rich elements (AREs) in the 3&prime; untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs (AU-RBPs) have emerged as key players in regulating the DDR and preserving genome integrity. Here we review eight established AU-RBPs (AUF1, HuR, KHSRP, TIA-1, TIAR, ZFP36, ZFP36L1, ZFP36L2) and their ability to maintain genome integrity through various interactions. We have reviewed canonical roles of AU-RBPs in regulating the fate of mRNA transcripts encoding DDR genes at multiple post-transcriptional levels. We have also attempted to shed light on non-canonical roles of AU-RBPs exploring their post-translational modifications (PTMs) and sub-cellular localization in response to genotoxic stresses by various factors involved in DDR and genome maintenance. Dysfunctional AU-RBPs have been increasingly found to be associated with many human cancers. Further understanding of the roles of AU-RBPS in maintaining genomic integrity may uncover novel therapeutic strategies for cancer