Anti-tumour activity of a novel coumarin-chalcone hybrid is mediated through intrinsic apoptotic pathway by inducing PUMA and altering Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.

Coumarins and chalcones are secondary plant metabolites which have shown an array of pharmacological properties including anti-tumour activity. We have previously reported on the synthesis and anti-proliferative activity of a series of novel coumarin-chalcone hybrids. Now we report on the in vivo efficacy as well as mechanism of action of the most potent molecule of the series, S009-131.

Single-bilayer graphene oxide sheet impacts and underlying potential mechanism assessment in germinating faba bean (Vicia faba L.).

This study investigates the impact of different single-bilayer graphene oxide sheet (hereafter 'graphene oxide', GO; size: 0.5-5 μm) concentrations (0, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1,600 mg L(-1)) and underlying potential mechanisms in germinating faba bean (Vicia faba L.) seedlings.

Severe hemorrhage from the umbilical cord at birth: a preventable cause of neonatal shock.

Posthemorrhagic anemia is a rare but important cause of anemia in neonates, second only to hemolytic anemia of newborn. Most cases of posthemorrhagic anemia are reported from fetomaternal hemorrhage or umbilical cord accidents in utero. This case report describes a preterm infant who developed severe anemia and shock immediately after delivery related to an acute hemorrhage through patent umbilical cord vessels secondary to a tear in the umbilical cord at the site of cord clamping.

Convenient MW-assisted synthesis of unsymmetrical sulfides using sulfonyl hydrazides as aryl thiol surrogate.

An efficient synthesis of unsymmetrical sulfides has been achieved via the cross-coupling reaction of aryl/het-aryl/benzyl halides with stable and easily workable sulfonyl hydrazides as thiol substitutes by means of [DBU][HOAc] and CuI under microwave irradiation.

Diagnostic Modalities of Precancerous and Cancerous Cervical Lesions with Special Emphasis on CD31 Angiogenesis Factor as a Marker.

Objectives. To evaluate the role of angiogenesis tumor marker CD31 in the detection of precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions and to compare its efficacy with colposcopy and histopathology. Materials and Methods.

Morphological redescription and molecular characterization of three species of Travassosinematidae (Nematoda: Oxyurida: Thelastomatoidea) from Gryllotalpa africana Beauv (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae).

Binema mirzaia (Basir, 1942a) Basir, 1956, Cameronia nisari (Parveen and Jairajpuri, 1985) Adamson and Van Waerebeke, 1992a and Mirzaiella meerutensis Singh and Malti, 2003 are redescribed morphologically along with molecular identification from the intestine of mole cricket Gryllotalpa africana. Molecular characterization was carried out using the D2-D3 expansion domains of the 18S ribosomal DNA region. This study first time presents molecular data for the above three nematode species.

CD8 T cell exhaustion in human visceral leishmaniasis.

Little is known about CD8 T cells in human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and it is unclear if these cells have a protective, pathological and/or suppressive function. In experimental VL CD8 T cells have been shown to contribute to parasite control and play an important role in vaccine-generated immunity. To better understand the role of CD8 T cells in human VL, we examined molecules associated with anergy and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and splenic aspirates (SA), and in CD8 cells derived from these tissues.

Adenoviral vector expressing murine β-defensin 2 enhances immunogenicity of an adenoviral vector based H5N1 influenza vaccine in aged mice.

The ability to resist infections and respond to vaccinations is greatly reduced in the older adult population owing to a general decline in innate and adaptive immune functions with aging. Over the years several strategies such as increasing the vaccine dose, number of immunizations and using adjuvants have been evaluated to improve the immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccines in the older adult population. Murine β-defensin 2 (Mbd2) has been shown to function as a molecular adjuvant by recruiting and activating immature dendritic cells (DCs), professional antigen-presenting cells (APC), to the site of the immunization.

Identification of GR and TrxR systems in Setaria cervi: Purification and characterization of glutathione reductase.

The glutathione reductase (GR) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) are important enzymes of the redox system that aid parasites to maintain an adequate intracellular redox environment. In the present study, the enzyme activity of GR and TrxR was investigated in Setaria cervi (S. cervi).

Identification of novel amino acid derived CCK-2R antagonists as potential antiulcer agent: homology modeling, design, synthesis, and pharmacology.

The present study revisited the three-dimensional (3D) homology model of CCK-2R using human A(2a) adenosine receptor and the resolved NMR based structure of the third extracellular loop of the CCK-2R as templates. Further in order to identify novel antiulcer agents, rational designing have been performed utilizing the substructure of a well-known CCK-2R antagonist benzotript as a lead molecule and submitted to the combined docking and simulation studies. This led to the understanding of the essential structure requirement as well as variation of binding mode among conformational isomers of small molecule CCK-2R antagonists.

Insulin catalyzes the curcumin-induced wound healing: an in vitro model for gingival repair.

Objectives: Human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) play a major role in the maintenance and repair of gingival connective tissue. The mitogen insulin with IGFs etc. synergizes in facilitating wound repair.

Intellectual property rights and patents in perspective of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is getting its due recognition as a rationale system of medicine worldwide despite the fact that medical and scientific fraternity of the globe has very strong opposite opinion regarding safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines. Meanwhile, provisions of Intellectual Property Rights under World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Patents have attracted many individuals and organizations to explore possibilities of commercial benefits with Ayurvedic traditional knowledge. Although rules are not favoring to grant a patent on prior published knowledge, biopiracy managed grant of Patent on knowledge of Ayurvedic medicinal plants which has been successfully checked with references of data base of Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL).

A comparative study of neuroprotective effect of single and combined blockade of AT1 receptor and PARP-1 in focal cerebral ischaemia in rat.

Background: Cerebral ischaemia results in enhanced expression of type 1 angiotensin receptor and oxidative stress. Free radicals due to oxidative stress lead to excessive DNA damage causing overactivation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 resulting in neuronal death. Activation of both type 1 angiotensin receptors and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 following cerebral ischaemia takes place simultaneously, but until now, no study has explored the effect of combined blockade of both angiotensin type 1 angiotensin receptor and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 in cerebral ischaemia.

Polyphenols sensitization potentiates susceptibility of MCF-7 and MDA MB-231 cells to Centchroman.

Polyphenols as "sensitizers" together with cytotoxic drugs as "inducers" cooperate to trigger apoptosis in various cancer cells. Hence, their combination having similar mode of mechanism may be a novel approach to enhance the efficacy of inducers. Additionally, this will also enable to achieve the physiological concentrations facilitating significant increase in the activity at concentrations which the compound can individually provide.

Ameliorative effects of Panax quinquefolium on experimentally induced reflux oesophagitis in rats.

Background & Objectives: Reflux oesophagitis (RE), is one of the most prevalent chronic gastrointestinal disorders commonly referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and requires long term therapy. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Panax quinquefolium (PQ), administered with variable doses, on experimentally induced reflux oesophagitis (RE) in rats.

Methods: Forty two female Sprague-Dawley (180-220 g) rats were randomly divided to receive standardized root powder of PQ (50-200mg/kg, po), standard anti-reflux (omeprazole, 5 mg/kg, ip) and anti-oxidant (α-tocopherol, 16 mg/kg, po).

A progressive review of Sandhana kalpana (Biomedical fermentation): An advanced innovative dosage form of Ayurveda.

Sandhana kalpana (biomedical fermented formulations) are one of the best dosage forms of Ayurveda in practice since thousands of years. In order to prepare these medicaments, certain sets of conditions are prearranged, which lead to fermentation. Thus, products bequeath with self-generated ethyl alcohol, which potentiate these preparations (Asava-Arishta), pharmaceutically and therapeutically.

Impact of preexisting adenovirus vector immunity on immunogenicity and protection conferred with an adenovirus-based H5N1 influenza vaccine.

The prevalence of preexisting immunity to adenoviruses in the majority of the human population might adversely impact the development of adaptive immune responses against adenovirus vector-based vaccines. To address this issue, we primed BALB/c mice either intranasally (i.n.

Hypoxia inducible factor-1: its potential role in cerebral ischemia.

A divergence in the supply and consumption of oxygen in brain tissue initiates complex cycle of biochemical and molecular events resulting in neuronal death. To overcome such adverse situation, the tissue has to adopt some cellular mechanisms such as induction of various transcription factors, such as hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). It is a transcriptional regulator of oxygen homeostasis and key factor to generate the adaptive responses through upregulation of various target genes involved in the erythropoiesis, angiogenesis as well as glucose metabolism and transport.

Fetal MRI in the pre-operative diagnosis and assessment of secondary abdominal pregnancy: a rare sequela of a previous caesarean section.

Secondary abdominal pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy. Following fertilization, the blastocyst escapes from the uterine cavity and implants in the peritoneal cavity. The early antenatal diagnosis and identification of the site and extent of placental implantation in an abdominal pregnancy are important to prepare for the eventual surgery.

Contribution of world health organization in the global acceptance of Ayurveda.

Amongst the mandates of United Nations, health of mankind is the thrust area of UN through World Health Organization (WHO). Planning and execution of policies for mainstreaming of traditional medicines (TRM) of respective countries along with conventional system of medicine (allopathy), first in the country of origin followed by the international arena, is the priority agenda of operations of WHO. Within Indian context, WHO accorded prime focus to Ayurveda in its activities related to TRM.

A comparative review study of Sneha Kalpana (Paka) vis-a-vis liposome.

Ayurvedic dosage forms are very exclusive in its pharmaceutics and therapeutics. Sneha Kalpana is a group of products of medicated taila and ghee, these drugs are treating very wide range of diseases among patients of all age groups. Liposomal system of drug delivery is a new invention in conventional system of medicine.

Efficacy of porcine versus bovine surfactants for preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of a porcine surfactant (poractant alfa) versus bovine surfactants (beractant and calfactant) with respect to clinical outcomes among preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

Methods: A search of major electronic databases, including Medline (1980-2010) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, for randomized controlled trials that compared poractant alfa versus beractant and/or calfactant among preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome who required intubation and surfactant treatment was performed. The primary outcome was oxygen requirement at a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks.

Gastroprotective effect of anti-cancer compound rohitukine: possible role of gastrin antagonism and H(+) K (+)-ATPase inhibition.

The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-ulcerogenic properties of an alkaloid chromane, rohitukine from Dysoxylum binectariferum. Anti-ulcer potential of rohitukine was assessed in cold restrained, pyloric ligated and ethanol induced ulcers in rats. In addition, rohitukine was tested in vitro for H(+) K(+)-ATPase inhibitory activity in gastric microsomes.

Analysing the role of COX-2 in acute oesophagitis and in melatonin-exerted protection against experimental reflux oesophagitis in rats.

Objectives: Cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 is implicated in variety of pathophysiological processes, although its role in acute reflux oesophagitis is debatable. This study was designed to evaluate the role of COX-2 during oesophagitis and in melatonin-elicited protection in rats.

Methods: Reflux oesophagitis was induced in rats by ligating the pyloric end and the limiting ridge of the stomach for 5 h.