Gene Fusion Markup Language: a prototype for exchanging gene fusion data

Abstract Background An avalanche of next generation sequencing (NGS) studies has generated an unprecedented amount of genomic structural variation data. These studies have also identified many novel gene fusion candidates with more detailed resolution than previously achieved. However, in the excitement and necessity of publishing the observations from this recently developed cutting-edge technology, no community standardization approach has arisen to organize and represent the data with the essential attributes in an interchangeable manner. As transcriptome studies have been widely used for gene fusion discoveries, the current non-standard mode of data representation could potentially impede data accessibility, critical analyses, and further discoveries in the near future. Results Here we propose a prototype, Gene Fusion Markup Language (GFML) as an initiative to provide a standard format for organizing and representing the significant features of gene fusion data. GFML will offer the advantage of representing the data in a machine-readable format to enable data exchange, automated analysis interpretation, and independent verification. As this database-independent exchange initiative evolves it will further facilitate the formation of related databases, repositories, and analysis tools. The GFML prototype is made available at http://code.google.com/p/gfml-prototype/ . Conclusion The Gene Fusion Markup Language (GFML) presented here could facilitate the development of a standard format for organizing, integrating and representing the significant features of gene fusion data in an inter-operable and query-able fashion that will enable biologically intuitive access to gene fusion findings and expedite functional characterization. A similar model is envisaged for other NGS data analyses.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112901/1/12859_2011_Article_5754.pd

In vitro antioxidant and cytotoxicity studies of Curcuma

Abstract: Curcuma amada Roxb, of Zingiberaceae is an important active spice used in traditional system of medicine. They also used in the manufacture of pickles, chutney, salad and jam. Phosphomolybdenam method was used to measure the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of C. amada ethanolic rhizome extract (CAEREt). The free radical scavenging capacity of CAEREt was also carried out by ABTS and DPPH methods. The cytotoxicity effect of CAEREt was determined by Trypan blue dye exclusion method and MTT assay using two different cell lines such as Dalton Lyphoma Ascites (DLA) and Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line (HeLa). The results showed that the rhizome extract of C. amada rich in phytocompounds and have exhibited better antioxidant and cytotoxicity properties

Redemptive benefit of atorvastatin in the risk factors of coronary artery disease

Cardiovascular disease, in particular coronary artery disease (CAD), is the principal cause of mortality in developed countries. The classical acute phase protein, C-reactive protein (CRP) is an exquisitely sensitive systemic marker of disease with broad clinical utility for monitoring and differential diagnosis. In recent years, acute phase reactants have been shown to predict future cardiovascular events in individuals with and without established CAD. Atorvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, substantially reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and recently their anti-inflammatory properties have been investigated. The present study was therefore designed to determine the effects of atorvastatin on CRP in patients with CAD. Ninety two patients with or without or at the risk of CAD were recruited for the study, of which 35 belongs to control (untreated) and 57 were test group, in which, 30 of them received daily with 20 mg/day of atorvastatin and the remaining 27 were untreated. The patients were followed for over a period of 6 weeks. For entire study population, CRP along with lipid profile, SGOT, SGPT, urea and creatinine were measured 1st day and at the end of 6th week of the treatment. For patients with or at risk of CAD, the reduced rate of progression of atherosclerosis associated with intensive atorvastatin treatment, as compared with control is significantly related to greater reduction in the levels of both atherogenic lipoproteins and CRP. This may be important with respect to the early benefits of atorvastatin therapy

Histomorphological perspectives of preputial and clitoral glands of soft-furred field rat Millardia meltada

The present study was an attempt to understand the sexual dimorphism of the integumentary scent glands of soft-furred fi eld rat Millardia meltada from the perspectives of anatomy, morphology and histology with view to correlate with the sex-specifi c pheromones they produce. The scent gland of male is known as preputial gland, and female, the clitoral gland. The rats, that are agricultural pests were fi eld caught, the glands of males and females of almost identical size were dissected out, and subjected to gravimetric, morphometric and histological analyses. Both glands are yellowish-brown, pear-shaped, and dorsoventrally compressed. The mean weight, length and width of preputial glands are signifi cantly (p < 0.05) larger than that of the clitoral glands. The preputial gland is composed of sebaceous glandular lobules and apocrine glandular lobules whereas the clitoral gland is formed only of sebaceous glandular lobules. The sebaceous glandular lobules of both preputial and clitoral glands are fi lled with a wax-like material. Thus, the scent glands of the soft-furred male fi eld rats exhibit sexual dimorphism in respect histoarchitecture of the glands and the nature of the secretory material. This sexual dimorphism of the scent glands may refl ect control by male and female sex hormones impinging on specifi c roles as sex attractant pheromones

Response of male mice to odours of female mice in different stages of oestrous cycle: Self-grooming behaviour and the effect of castration

30-35The behavioural assays were carried out in a Y-maze wherein intact, castrated and testosterone-treated male mice were exposed to oestrus and non-oestrus urine samples. The intact male mice investigated more frequently and spent more time in the Y-maze arm with oestrus urine than in that with non-oestrus urine. In contrast, the castrated mice were not attracted to oestrus urine, whereas testosterone-treated mice showed preference for oestrus urine. The rate of self-grooming was higher in intact males in case of exposure to oestrus urine while the rate was lower with respect to non-oestrus urine. However, castrated mice exhibited less self-grooming behaviour which was partially restored by testosterone treatment. The results suggest that self-grooming behaviour is an indicator of detection and discrimination of oestrus by males, and supports the androgen role in male chemosensory ability to discriminate between oestrus and non-oestrus female odours

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles derived Acorus Calamus rhizome extract and their biomedical application

The silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were derived from&nbsp;Acorus calamus&nbsp;(A. calamus) rhizome extract using different temperature. The absorbance centered at 439 nm, which was corresponds to the wavelength of the surface plasmon resonance of Ag NPs at 95 ◦C. From FESEM and TEM image showed, the Ag NPs were exhibited spherical structure. Elemental compositions were identified by EDAX analysis. The synthesized Ag NPs, functional groups were identified by the FTIR spectra. The antibacterial studies performed against a set of bacterial strains showed that the Ag NPs possessed a greater antibacterial effect than the Plant extract (PE) and silver nitrate.&nbsp;In-vitro&nbsp;cytotoxic effect of green synthesized&nbsp;A. calamus&nbsp;rhizome extract derived Ag NPs tested against MG 63, MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines

Preputial gland activates olfactory receptor neurons in rat: Calcium imaging study using laser scanning confocal microscopy

242-246The rodent preputial gland is one of the major sources of odours and is reported to be involved in several behavioural activities. However, how the preputial gland initiates the olfactory response to manifest the effects is not known. Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) present in the olfactory epithelium are involved in the perception of odorant/pheromonal compounds. In the present study, the response of rat ORNs to preputial gland extract was evaluated by calcium imaging analysis. We found that some rat ORNs responded to the preputial gland extract by exhibiting an intracellular calcium response. By contrast, the ORNs did not respond at all to the foot pad extract (control). The results indicated that the substances contained in the preputial gland might interact with a type of receptor expressed in the female rat ORNs, suggested to manifest the behavioural responses, such as social and sexual interactions. This study provided the first evidence of activation of ORNs by the preputial gland extract. </span

Mollification of doxorubicin (DOX)-mediated cardiotoxicity using conjugated chitosan nanoparticles with supplementation of propionic acid

Doxorubicin is an extensively prescribed antineoplastic agent. It is also known for adverse effects, among which cardiotoxicity tops the list. The possible mechanism underlying doxorubicin (DOX)-mediated cardiotoxicity has been investigated in this study. Further, to reduce the DOX-mediated cardiotoxicity, DOX was conjugated with Chitosan Nanoparticles (DCNPs) and supplemented with propionic acid. Initially, the drug loading efficacy and conjugation of DOX with chitosan was confirmed by UV-Visible Spectroscopy (UV) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The average sizes of the synthesized Chitosan Nanoparticles (CNPs) and DCNPs were measured by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis as 187.9 ± 1.05 nm and 277.3 ± 8.15 nm, respectively, and the zeta potential values were recorded as 55.2 ± 0.7 mV and 51.9 ± 1.0 mV, respectively. The size and shape of CNPs and DCNPs were recorded using a High-Resolution Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The particles measured <30 nm and 33-84 nm, respectively. The toxic effects of DCNPs and propionic acid were evaluated in rat model. The data from the electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac biomarkers, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and histological observations indicated evidence of DOX-mediated cardiotoxicity, whereas the administration of DCNPs, as well as Propionic Acid (PA), brought about a restoration to normalcy and offered protection in the context of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.Published versionIndian Council of Medical Research: 5/10FR/84/2020-RBMCH

Laser receptive polyelectrolyte thin films doped with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles for antibacterial coatings and drug delivery applications

We report a simple method to fabricate multifunctional polyelectrolyte thin films to load and deliver the therapeutic drugs. The multilayer thin films were assembled by the electrostatic adsorption of poly (allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and dextran sulfate (DS). The silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) biosynthesized from novel Hybanthus enneaspermus leaf extract as the reducing agent were successfully incorporated into the film. The biosynthesized Ag NPs showed excellent antimicrobial activity against the range of enteropathogens, which could be significantly enhanced when used with commercial antibiotics. The assembled silver nano composite multilayer films showed rupture and deformation when they are exposed to laser. The Ag NPs act as an energy absorption center, locally heat up the film and rupture it under laser treatment. The antibacterial drug, moxifloxacin hydrochloride (MH) was successfully loaded into the multilayer films. The total amount of MH release observed was about 63% which increased to 85% when subjected to laser light exposure. Thus, the polyelectrolyte thin film reported in our study has significant potential in the field of remote activated drug delivery, antibacterial coatings and wound dressings. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved