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Introduction: Intermediate covalent complex of DNA-Topoisomerase II enzyme is the most promising target of the anticancer drugs to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Currently, anticancer drug and chemotherapy are facing major challenges i.e., drug resistance, chemical instability and, dose-limiting side effect. Therefore, in this study, natural therapeutic agents (series of Ganoderic acids) were used for the molecular docking simulation against Human DNATopoisomerase II beta complex (PDB ID:3QX3). Methods: Molecular docking studies were performed on a 50 series of ganoderic acids reported in the NCBI-PubChem database and FDA approved anti-cancer drugs, to find out binding energy, an interacting residue at the active site of Human DNA-Topoisomerase II beta and compare with the molecular arrangements of the interacting residue of etoposide with the Human DNA topoisomerase II beta. The autodock 4.2 was used for the molecular docking and pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies were performed for the analysis of physicochemical properties and to check the toxicity effects. Discovery studio software was used for the visualization and analysis of docked pose. Results and Conclusion: Ganoderic acids (GS-1, A and DM) were found to be a more suitable competitor inhibitor among the ganoderic acid series with appropriate binding energy, pharmacokinetic profile and no toxicity effects. The interacting residue (Met782, DC-8, DC-11 and DA-12) shared a chemical resemblance with the interacting residue of etoposide present at the active site of human topoisomerase II beta receptor.

Background: Jatropha curcas is one of the most suitable plants which seeds are nonedible in nature but rich in oil. Around 350 oil bearing crops are found suitable as potential alternative fuels for diesel engine. Non-edible crop Jatropha curcas has been identified by many experts for biodiesel production in many countries like India. Objective: The objective of this study is to find out the composition of Jatropha curcas oil and its relation with engine parameters. This research covers selected aspects of physical and chemical relation of fatty acid composition of Jatropha curcas oil and its fuel properties. Methods: A gas-chromatograph with high resolution mass spectrometer was used to determine the free fatty acid composition of the Jatropha curcas oil sample. The column length, diameter and thickness were 30m, 0.25mm and 0.25μm respectively. Helium gas was used as carrier gas, column flow of 1.80 mL/min for the GC. Results: The major fatty acids found in Jatropha curcas crude oil were the oleic (3.81%), linoleic (50%), palmitic fatty (35.66%) acid. Some physical and chemical characteristics have been evaluated and found suitable for the application in engine. Oxidation stability oxidizability and cetane number has been calculated as 4.949, 1.076 and found 55.856. Conclusion: The physical and chemical properties of Jatropha crude oil are similar to the biodiesel except the viscosity; therefore, further processing is required. The fuel properties of Jatropha Curcas oil based biodiesel were found to be within the limits of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications for biodiesel and diesel fuel.

Background Breast cancer demands safe adjuvant to overcome the side effects of standard drug tamoxifen. Diet derived bioactive compounds are reported to exhibit modulation of cancer growth leading to cell death. Chickpea is a protein rich edible legume with several bioactive compounds that includes lectin as well. Characterization of chickpea lectin for its effect against cancer cells has been investigated in this study. Method Cicer arietinum L. lectin (CAL) agglutinating trypsin-treated rabbit blood cells was purified employing DEAE-cellulose and SP-sephadex ion exchange chromatography. The lectin was characterized for its biological activity vis-a-vis antiproliferative and apoptotic effects through cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Result There is a significant inhibition of the survival of breast cancer cells due to chickpea lectin in a dose dependent manner for 24 hr. Lectin treated cells revealed distinct features of apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis at 80 µg/ml of lectin induced S and G2 phase cell cycle arrest. CAL induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells associated with lactate dehydrogenase leakage, cell cycle arrest and reactive oxygen species generation. Conclusion Our studies show that chickpea lectin exerted anticancer activity and could be exploited as an essential source for medicine leading to the treatment of breast cancer.

The current study was undertaken to study the effect of Spirulina platensis (Spirulina) extract on enhanced oxidative stress during high glucose induced cell death in H9c2 cells. H9c2 cultured under high glucose (33 mM) conditions resulted in a noteworthy increase in oxidative stress (free radical species) accompanied by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, increase in caspase activity and pro-apoptotic protein (Bax). Spirulina extract (1 μg/mL), considerably inhibited increased ROS and RNS levels, reduction in cytochrome c release, raise in mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased the over expression of proapoptotic protein Bax and suppressed the Bax/Bcl2 ratio with induced apoptosis without affecting cell viability. Overall results suggest that Spirulina extract plays preventing role against enhanced oxidative stress during high glucose induced apoptosis in cardiomyoblasts as well as related dysfunction in H9c2 cells. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10616-017-0121-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Nanodentistry has evolved as a new science of nanotechnology that helps in diagnosing, treating, preventing oral and dental disease, and improving dental health by using nanomaterials. These nanomaterials include clusters of atoms, grains, fibers, films, crystals, and nanoholes. The orientation of these nanomaterials can be in one dimension, for example, nanofilms and foils; two-dimensional, for example, carbon nanotubes or three-dimensional, for example, quantum dots; nanoshells, and dendrimers. The characteristic nanoscale pattern present on the surface and within the nanomaterials determines their dedicated functionalities. These nanostructures have wide applications in oral diagnosis and therapeutics, which can reduce dosage and side effects of drugs. Dentifrices with hydroxyapetite crystals provide protective coating on tooth enamel and restores surface of damaged teeth. Currently, dental materials have been replaced by nature-analog, surface-engineered dental implants, and anisotropic tooth restorations. Remineralization of damaged teeth has been achieved by using “sensitive” toothpastes containing nanoparticles. Nanostructure Ti products are used in dental implants because of high biocompatibility especially Grade 4 titanium. It has been shown that fabricating a nanostructured titanium implant can regulate the macrophage inflammatory response and improve the performance of the implant. The unique property of dendrimers and nanoshells make them promising tools to be used as therapeutics for oral cancer treatment. Graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite (GZNC) acts as an effective coating agent for dental implants by inhibiting Streptococcus mutans , which is the primary agent in dental caries. A significant reduction in the formation of oral biofilms was found in the presence of GZNC. This chapter focuses on the role of nanostructures to keep teeth and oral tissues healthy and functioning. The challenges faced by this technology for the betterment of human health have also been discussed.

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) are considered as natural bio-thickeners abundantly used in dairy and fermented food industries for quality improvement. In fermentation based dairy industries, researchers are seeking their attention on substitution of artificial food stabilizers with naturals by exploring EPS, especially for improving the rheology of fermented food products. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) being a starter player for fermented food products are believed to be as one of the best natural producers of EPS. These EPS are basically sugar residues, secreted by microbes in their surrounding environment but their in-vitro production is not economical due to the media and processing costs involved. The process of production is also complex due to the involvement of various enzymes and regulatory proteins. With modernization in dairy sector, our understanding towards EPS needs improvement. The review focuses on a brief explanation on the behavior and functionality of EPS from lactic acid bacteria.

Hepatotoxicity associated with isoniazid and rifampicin is one of the major impediments in antituberculosis therapy. The present study explored the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacies of Spirulina maxima in isoniazid and rifampicin induced hepatic damage in a rat model. Hepatic damage induced in Wistar rats by isoniazid and rifampicin resulted in significant alterations in biomarkers of liver function, namely, bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and oxidative stress markers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Co-administration of Spirulina maxima along with antituberculosis drugs protected liver from hepatotoxicity due to isoniazid and rifampicin. Administration of Spirulina maxima consecutively for 2 weeks to hepatodamaged animals resulted in restoration of hepatic function as evident from normalization of serum markers of liver function. Thus, the present study revealed remarkable prophylactic and therapeutic potential of Spirulina maxima. Co-administration of Spirulina maxima and antituberculosis drugs is advantageous as it provides extra nutritional benefit.

The study validated the antidyslipidemic, antioxidant, and antihyperglycemic effects of Lagenaria siceraria fruit extract in human subjects with dyslipidemia along with subjects of normal health. A total of 200 mL of freshly prepared Lagenaria siceraria fruit extract was administered daily on empty stomach for 90 days. Significant reductions ( P < .01) were found in triglycerides and total cholesterol levels in blood. Cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient, and atherogenicity index of plasma were also improved. Appreciable reductions in body mass index ( P < .01) and blood pressure (systolic P < .01, diastolic P < .05) along with a significant reduction ( P < .05) in fasting blood glucose levels were also observed in these subjects. Lagenaria siceraria fruit extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity in dyslipidemic subjects as evident from elevations in SOD ( P < .05) and GSH levels ( P < .01) with marked improvement in catalase ( P < .01) and TBARS levels ( P < .05). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. Lagenaria siceraria fruit extract serves as dietary adjunct in treatment of human dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease.

The use of probiotic bacterial cultures stimulates the growth of preferred microorganisms, crowds out potentially harmful bacteria, and reinforces the body's natural defence mechanisms. Streptococcus thermophilus has been exploited industrially for making cheese as well as yogurt. One of the most important properties of this bacterium which is being used is production of lactase, an enzyme that converts lactose (milk sugar) into a simple sugar, which helps people who are lactose intolerant to digest milk. So consumption of this microbe has facilitated to alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance and other gastrointestinal problems. Due to this unique feature of the microbe, it has been added to several health supplements along with other bacteria with similar properties. Over and above, it also produces a variety of antagonistic factors that include metabolic end products, antibiotic-like substances and bactericidal proteins, termed bacteriocins which assist to prevent several types of infections from various pathogenic microbes. In addition, the bacterium is endowed with enormous important beneficial properties. The following review will discuss with some beneficial aspects of S. thermophilus.

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. The development of cancer takes place in a multi-step process during which cells acquire a series of mutations that eventually lead to unrestrained cell growth and division, inhibition of cell differentiation, and evasion of cell death. Dysregulation of oncoapoptotic genes, growth factors, receptors and their downstream signaling pathway components represent a central driving force in tumor development. The detailed studies of signal transduction pathways for mechanisms of cell growth and apoptosis have significantly advanced our understanding of human cancers, subsequently leading to more effective treatments. Oral squamous cell carcinoma represents a classic example of multi-stage carcinogenesis. It gradually evolves through transitional precursor lesions from normal epithelium to a full-blown metastatic phenotype. Genetic alterations in many genes encoding crucial proteins, which regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis, have been implicated in oral cancer. As like other solid tumors, in oral cancer these genes include the ones coding for cell cycle regulators or oncoproteins (e.g. Ras, Myc, cyclins, CDKs, and CKIs), tumor suppressors (e.g. p53 and pRb), pro-survival proteins (e.g. telomerase, growth factors or their receptors), anti-apoptotic proteins (e.g. Bcl2 family, IAPs, and NF-kB), pro-apoptotic proteins (e.g. Bax and BH-3 family, Fas, TNF-R, and caspases), and the genes encoding key transcription factors or elements for signal transduction leading to cell growth and apoptosis. Here we discuss the current knowledge of oncoapoptotic regulation in human cancers with special reference to oral cancers.

Aims: Selective enumeration, isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria from different raw milk sources with special elucidation to lactic acid production. Study Design: Serial dilution for strain isolation from raw milk samples to be done followed by complete morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization aiming to study the microbial behavior to ferment different sugar and producing lactic acid as end product. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Biotechnology Laboratory, Tropilite Foods Pvt. Ltd. Gwalior (M.P)-INDIA from Sep 2012 to April 2013. Methodology: Milk samples from cow, sheep, goat, camel and buffalo were collected from the surrounding area of Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh, India, from local milk suppliers. 13 potent strains in terms of lactic acid production were selected for analysis. Gram Research Article British Microbiology Research Journal, 3(4): 743-752, 2013 744 Staining, Catalase activity, Sugar fermentation, growth at high (45oC) and low (10oC) temperatures along with growth in different NaCl concentrations was observed with all isolates. Significant molecular characterization was done to determine the homology between different isolates of lactic acid bacteria. Results and Conclusion: Five potent lactic acid bacteria strains Streptococcus thermophilus from goat milk, Lactococcus lactis from buffalo milk, Streptococcus gallolyticus from camel milk, Streptococcus thermophilus from cow milk, Lactobacillus delbrueckii from sheep milk were identified capable of producing lactic acid in generous amount. Also all isolated strains from goat milk were found efficient in terms of lactic acid production when compared to other raw milk sources.

TB is a worldwide pandemic. India has the highest burden of TB, with WHO statistics for 2013 giving an estimated incidence figure of 2.1 million cases for India out of a global incidence of 9 million. Microbiota have been shown to be associated with many disease conditions; however, only few studies have been reported for microbiota associated with TB infection. For the first time, we characterized the composition of microbiota of TB patients of India, using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing and compared it with healthy controls. Phylum-level analysis showed that the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria was significantly higher in TB samples and Neisseria and Veillonella were two dominant genera after Streptococcus. In our study, significantly different core genera in TB and normal population were found as compared with the reported studies. Also, the presence of diverse opportunistic pathogenic microbiota in TB patients increases the complexity and diversity of sputum microbiota. Characterization of the sputum microbiome is likely to provide important pathogenic insights into pulmonary tuberculosis.

Survivin is known to be highly-expressed in various carcinomas; and is associated with their biologically aggressive characteristics and drug resistance. We have previously reported survivin as an important anti-apototic protein involved in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumorigenesis and providing resistance to conventional cancer therapies. The purpose of present study was to investigate the potential of survivin as a therapeutic target in HNSCC. This study was designed to explore the effect(s) of survivin-siRNA therapy on the apoptosis in HNSCC cells, and its influence on cisplatin-sensitivity. Lentivirus vector was developed to deliver survivin specific siRNA into cancer cells. The data indicates that silencing of survivin-mediated by Lentivirus-siRNA therapy effectively suppressed cancer cell proliferation and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in HNSCC cells. The study also shows that the response of HNSCC cells to cisplatin drug treatment at clinically relevant level was limited. We observed survivin to be a key factor involved in this cisplatin-resistance mechanism, and down-regulation of survivin significantly increased sensitivity of cancer cells to cisplatin-mediated apoptosis. Thus, this combination therapy acts as a multimodality regimen with significant potential to improve clinical outcomes in head and neck cancers.

Lagenaria siceraria, commonly known as bottle gourd, is extensively grown in India and other tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The bottle gourd is rich in a number of phytoconstituents, minerals, vitamins, fibre etc. with potent neutraceutical and therapeutic functions. Leaves and roots are used as emetic to reduce baldness and to relieve headache. Flowers are used as antidote in certain kinds of poisons. L. siceraria is reported to exhibit cardioprotective, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective functions in human subjects as well as in experimental models. The bottle gourd is proved to be a potential source of prophylactic and therapeutic neutraceuticals and can serve as ‘medicinal food’ particularly in metabolic disorders associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms. The objective of this article is to work out the ethnopharmacological and other medicinal applications of L. siceraria along with phytochemical and biochemical composition.

Medicinal plants are the local heritage with global importance playing a vital role in world health care system of developing countries. Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae), a giant milk weed, is known for its pharmacological importance for centuries. The coarse shrub is a very promising source of anticancerous, ascaricidal, schizonticidal, anti-microbial, anthelmintic, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal, larvicidal with many other beneficial properties. Plant is described as a golden gift for human kind containing calotropin, calotropagenin, calotoxin, calactin, uscharin, amyrin, amyrin esters, uscharidin, coroglaucigenin, frugoside, corotoxigenin, calotropagenin and voruscharine used in many therapeutic applications. Different compounds like norditerpenic esters, organic carbonates, the cysteine protease procerain, alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols and numerous cardenolides made this plant of scientific attraction for centuries. Plant is not only a great source of natural hydrocarbons but also contains several metabolites used as folk medicine for the treatment of leprosy, elephantiasis, fever, menorrhagia, malaria and snake bite. The review discusses the potential of Calotropis procera in health care management.

β-Lactoglobulin (β-LG) genetic polymorphisms are important and well known due to their effects on quantitative traits and technological properties of milk. At the DNA level, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) allows for the detection of unknown polymorphisms at β-LG loci. Here we describe the usefulness of the PCR-SSCP technique for β-LG typing. In the present study, we amplified and sequenced the part of promoter region and all the seven exons containing the entire coding and untranslated region for the β-lactoglobulin gene in best dairy goat breeds of India namely: Jamunapari and Jakhrana. Nine polymorphisms were detected, one in the l promoter region, four in the introns and four in the exons of the β-lactoglobulin gene. All polymorphisms were single nucleotide substitutions. The polymorphisms in the coding region did not produce any amino acid change.Key words: β-Lactoglobulin gene, dairy goats, polymorphism, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP).

A protocol was developed for multiple shoot induction in a climber with highly medicinal and nutritional values i.e. Momordica balsamina (Cucurbitaceae). Effects of various factors on micropropagation were also studied. Addition of BAP at 1.0 mg/l in MS medium stimulated proliferation of shoots with 6–8 coefficients from the axillary buds. Low concentration of activated charcoal (0.2 %) promoted shoot elongation and reduced callus formation. The combination of 1.0 mg/l BAP and 1.0 mg/l KN promoted shoot elongation and proliferation. NAA proved to be more effective in inducing higher number of roots per shoot than IBA. The plantlets raised in vitro were acclimatized in green house and successfully transplanted to natural condition with 85 % survival. The present investigation showed that direct regeneration of M. balsamina offer a good opportunity to use micropropagation technique as a complementary tool for breeding and other applications.

Lentinus edodes is the first medicinal macrofungus to enter the realm of modern biotechnology. It is the second most popular edible mushroom in the global market which is attributed not only to its nutritional value but also to possible potential for therapeutic applications. Lentinus edodes is used medicinally for diseases involving depressed immune function (including AIDS), cancer, environmental allergies, fungal infection, frequent flu and colds, bronchial inflammation, heart disease, hyperlipidemia (including high blood cholesterol), hypertension, infectious disease, diabetes, hepatitis and regulating urinary inconsistencies. It is the source of several well-studied preparations with proven pharmacological properties, especially the polysaccharide lentinan, eritadenine, shiitake mushroom mycelium, and culture media extracts (LEM, LAP and KS-2). Antibiotic, anti-carcinogenic and antiviral compounds have been isolated intracellularly (fruiting body and mycelia) and extracellularly (culture media). Some of these substances were lentinan, lectins and eritadenine. The aim of this review is to discuss the therapeutic applications of this macrofungus. The potential of this macrofungus is unquestionable in the most important areas of applied biotechnology.

Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & Fernandes (Liliaceae) also known as ‘Safed Musli’ is a traditional rare Indian medicinal herb which has many therapeutic applications in Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathic and Allopathic systems of medicine. Its roots (tubers) are widely used for various therapeutic applications. It is used to cure physical illness and weakness, as an aphrodisiac agent and revitalizer, as general sex tonic, remedy for diabetes, arthritis and increasing body immunity, curative for natal and postnatal problems, for rheumatism and joint pains, increase lactation in feeding mothers, as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor agent, also used in diarrhea, dysentery, gonorrhea, leucorrhea etc. It has spermatogenic property and is found useful in curing impotency, now it is considered as an alternative ‘Viagra’. Its root contains steroidal and triterpenoidal saponins, sapogenins and fructans which act as therapeutic agents and play vital role in many therapeutic applications. It is a rich source of over 25 alkaloids, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, steroids, saponins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phenol, resins, mucilage, and polysaccharides and also contains high quantity of simple sugars, mainly sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose and xylose. The commercial exploitation of this plant and their secondary metabolites, germplasm conservation and in vitro production of secondary metabolites for quality control are some of the major prospects of this rare medicinal herb. The focus of the present review is to galvanize the potential of therapeutic and nutritive values of this herb and production of their secondary metabolites. The in vitro tuber induction, extraction, purification and characterization of saponins are also discussed in the present review.

Momordica balsamina, African pumpkin (Cucurbitaceae), is a tendril-bearing, wild climber containing wide spectrum of medicinal and nutritional values and has been used as a traditional folk medicine in many countries. The leaves, fruits, seeds, and bark of the plant contains resins, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, terpenes, cardiac glycoside, saponins having various medicinal importance viz. anti-HIV, anti-plasmodial, shigellocidal, anti-diarrheal, anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, analgesic and hepatoprotective properties. The therapeutic agent 'Momordin' is capable of inhibiting the growth of HIV and other viruses. The leaves are also important source of nutrients having 17 amino acids with adequate mineral composition like potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, zinc, manganese and iron. It also helps to combat the problem of micronutrient deficiencies in soil and high value of protein and fat with low fibre content. High potassium content is a good source for the management of hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions. This plant is being promoted as a protein supplement for cereal-based diets in poor rural communities. The commercial exploitation of this plant for biopharmaceuticals and neutraceuticals are some of the prospective future potential of this wild herb. This review discusses the potential of medicinal and nutritional importance of this wild herb for health care management.

NaCl induced changes in fatty acid composition and nitrogenase, glutamine synthetase (GS) and nitrate reductase (NR) activities have been studied in a diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica. GC-MS analysis revealed that the cellular fatty acid composition of NaCl untreated cells of A. cylindrica contained saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in high (85.15%) and low (13.17%) proportions, respectively. In contrast, NaCl adapted cells of A. cylindrica had reduced and increased levels of saturated (45.2%) and unsaturated (40%) fatty acids, respectively. It had a higher overall level of fatty acid unsaturation under NaCl stress mainly due to increase in C12:4, C10:1, C16:1 and C18:2 constituents. The activities of nitrogenase, GS and NR were reduced significantly in NaCl adapted cells as compared to its NaCl untreated counterparts.

Spirulina is a photosynthetic, filamentous, spiral-shaped and multicellular edible microbe. It is the nature's rich- est and most complete source of nutrition. Spirulina has a unique blend of nutrients that no single source can offer. The alga contains a wide spectrum of prophylactic and therapeutic nutrients that include B-complex vitamins, minerals, pro- teins, � -linolenic acid and the super anti-oxidants such as � -carotene, vitamin E, trace elements and a number of unex- plored bioactive compounds. Because of its apparent ability to stimulate whole human physiology, Spirulina exhibits therapeutic functions such as antioxidant, anti-bacterial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti- diabetic and plethora of beneficial functions. Spirulina consumption appears to promote the growth of intestinal micro flora as well. The review discusses the potential of Spirulina in health care management.

Growth, morphological variation, and liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection-mass spectrometric analysis of pigments have been studied in a diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica in response to NaCl stress. The chlorophyll and cellular protein contents increased initially in response to 50 mM: NaCl. Further increment in NaCl concentration, however, resulted in a significant decrease in both chlorophyll and cellular protein. A. cylindrica cells subjected to NaCl stress also showed morphological variations by having alteration in their size and volume. A. cylindrica cells subjected to NaCl stress also exhibited altered plastoquinone and chlorophyll-a (chl a) levels in comparison to its NaCl-untreated counterpart. Furthermore, a relative increase in plastoquinone level and a subsequent decrease in chl a level were recorded in NaCl adapted cells of A. cylindrica in response to NaCl stress. These results suggest that owing to adaptation various morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes occur in the cyanobacterium A. cylindrica in response to NaCl stress.

Genetic variation at 23 microsatellite loci, population structure, and genetic bottleneck hypothesis were examined for Jamunapari goat population found in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India. Estimates of genetic variability such as effective number of alleles and gene diversities revealed substantial genetic variation frequently displayed by microsatellite markers. Number of alleles observed across the microsatellite loci varied from 2 to 10 with an overall mean of 4.913 ± 1.905. Average polymorphism across the studied loci and expected gene diversity in the population were 1.066 ± 0.510 and 0.528 ± 0.237, respectively. Population was observed to be significantly differentiated into different groups, and showed fairly high level of inbreeding (f = 0.189 ± 0.049) and global heterozygote deficit. Bottleneck analysis indicated the introduction of unique/rare alleles by immigrants. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A contaminant of hydraulic oil has been isolated and identified using conventional microbiological and biochemical techniques. The PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S-rDNA indicated it to be a Brevibacterium sp. closely related to B. casei strain DSM 20657, based on sequence homology (98%). In view of being an oil contaminant, its ability of high speed diesel (HSD) emulsification and utilization have been studied and compared with two strains of Pseudomonas putida (MTCC2445 and Biotype-A MTCC 1274) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (MTCC670). After enrichment in minimal medium containing HSD as sole source of carbon Brevibacterium sp. (Met-1) was grown in Bushnell Haas broth containing 0.4% HSD (w/v). Bacterial growth at 28 °C, oil utilization, emulsification and surface active properties were determined after 5 days of incubation and compared with type cultures. All bacteria were found to grow well in the presence of HSD at the tested concentration. However, better utilization of HSD was observed in the Brevibacterium Met-1 isolate and Pseudomonas putida (MTCC 2445).

A recombinant DNA strategy was applied to analyze and screen the shotgun expression library from a clinically confirmed local virulent isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with sera from tuberculosis patients, which led to expression and purification of highly immunoreactive and specific mycobacterial antigens expressed during the course of active disease which could be of diagnostic significance. An enzyme-linked immunoassay for diagnosis of tuberculosis was devised by using a shotgun immunoexpression library in the λgt11 vector. DNA from a virulent M. tuberculosis patient isolate (TBW-33) confirmed with the BACTEC 460 system was sheared and expressed to generate shotgun polypeptides. β-Galactosidase fusion proteins capable of demarcating active tuberculosis infections from Mycobacterium bovis BCG-vaccinated healthy subjects or people harboring environmental mycobacteria were selected by comparative immunoreactivity studies. Promising mycobacterial DNA cassettes were subcloned and expressed into the glutathione S -transferase (GST) fusion vector pGEX-5X-1 with a strong tac promoter and were expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. These fusion proteins were severed at a built-in factor Xa recognition site to separate the GST tags and were utilized in an indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay for serodiagnosis of patients with active tuberculosis. The system offered a clear demarcation between BCG-vaccinated healthy subjects and patients with active tuberculosis and proved to be effective in detecting pulmonary as well as extrapulmonary tuberculosis, with an overall sensitivity of 84.33% and an overall specificity of 93.62%.

The effect of NaCl on two vital processes of cyanobacterial metabolism, viz. N(2) fixation and oxygenic photosynthesis, was studied in the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum grown diazotrophically. An increase in NaCl concentration suppressed the formation of heterocyst and adversely affected the nitrogenase activity in the parent, whereas in Li(+)-R and Na(+)-R mutants NaCl stress did not cause any adverse effect. The rate of photosynthetic O(2)-evolution was also adversely affected by the NaCl stress, but the magnitude was less than that of nitrogenase activity. L-Proline, the well-known osmoprotectant, provided protection to the cyanobacterium against NaCl stress. The parent strain utilized L-proline as a nitrogen source and suppressed heterocyst formation and nitrogenase activity, while mutants showed normal heterocyst frequency and nitrogenase activity. Therefore, it may be that the proline metabolism is altered as a result of mutation. The intracellular levels of proline in the parent were enhanced about threefold in the medium containing 1 mol x m(-3) proline, while in mutants there was no significant increase in the intracellular level of proline. In the medium containing both NaCl and proline, the intracellular level of proline was enhanced in the parent as well as in both mutant strains. This suggests that the parent strain possessed both normal proline uptake and salt-induced proline uptake systems, whereas the mutant strains were defective in normal proline uptake and had only salt-induced proline uptake. The over-accumulation of proline in the presence of NaCl stress is due either to the loss of proline oxidase activity or to the accumulation of exogenous proline.

A thalium chloride-resistant (TlCl(r)) mutant strain and a sodium chloride-resistant (NaCl(r)) mutant strain of the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis have been isolated by spontaneous and chemical mutagenesis by using TlCl, a potassium (K(+)) analog, and nitrosoguanidine (NTG), respectively. The TlCl(r) mutant strain was found to be defective in K(+) transport and showed resistance against 10 microM TlCl. However, it also showed sensitivity against NaCl (LD(50), 50 m M). In contrast, neither wild-type A. variabilis nor its NaCl(r) mutant strain could survive in the presence of 10 microM TlCl and died even at 1 microM TlCl. The TlCl(r) mutant strain exhibited almost negligible K(+) uptake, indicating the lack of a K(+) uptake system. High K(+) uptake was, however, observed in the NaCl(r) mutant strain, reflecting the presence of an active K(+) uptake system in this strain.DCMU, an inhibitor of PS II, inhibited the K(+) uptake in wild-type A. variabilis and its TlCl(r) and NaCl(r) mutant strains, suggesting that K(+) uptake in these strains is an energy-dependent process and that energy is derived from photophosphorylation. This contention is further supported by the inhibition of K(+) uptake under dark conditions. Furthermore, the inhibition of K(+) uptake by KCN, DNP, and NaN(3) also suggests the involvement of oxidative phosphorylation in the regulation of an active K(+) uptake system. The whole-cell protein profile of wild-type A. variabilis and its TlCl(r) and NaCl(r) mutant strains growing in the presence of 50 m M KCl was made in the presence and absence of NaCl. Lack of transporter proteins in TlCl(r) mutant strain suggests that these proteins are essentially required for the active transport and accumulation of K(+) and make this strain NaCl sensitive. In contrast, strong expression of the transporter proteins in NaCl(r) mutant strain and its weak expression in wild-type A. variabilis is responsible for their resistance and sensitivity to NaCl, respectively. Therefore, it appears that the increased salt tolerance of the NaCl(r) mutant strain was owing to increased K(+) uptake and accumulation, whereas the salt sensitivity of the TlCl(r) mutant strain was owing to the lack of K(+) uptake and accumulation.

The objective of the present study is to develop a lyophilization medium for Streptococcus thermophilus (NCIM 2904) as the industrial exploitation of this bacterium totally depends upon preservation and lyophilization protocols. Protective effect of 18 compounds were observed individually and in combinations with different sugars, sugar alcohols, polymers, protein concentrates and buffers. Among all the protectants tested, ammonium citrate (1% w/w), K2HPO4 (1% w/w) and KH2PO4 (1% w/w) provided lowest protection to these bacterial cells while 10% (w/w) sodium caseinate, whey protein concentrate, sweet whey powder, and skim milk showed significant results in viability escalation. Survival in carbon sources like lactose, sucrose and maltodextrine was also favored maximally. Combination of sodium caseinate 10%, skim milk 5%, sucrose 5%, lactose 5% and mono sodium glutamate 1% in distilled water in ratio of 1:5 with S. thermophilus showed survival percentage of 96%.

In India, oral cancer has consistently ranked among top three causes of cancer-related deaths, and it has emerged as a top cause for the cancer-related deaths among men. Lack of effective therapeutic options is one of the main challenges in clinical management of oral cancer patients. We interrogated large pool of samples from oral cancer gene expression studies to identify potential therapeutic targets that are involved in multiple cancer hallmark events. Therapeutic strategies directed towards such targets can be expected to effectively control cancer cells. Datasets from different gene expression studies were integrated by removing batch-effects and was used for downstream analyses, including differential expression analysis. Dependency network analysis was done to identify genes that undergo marked topological changes in oral cancer samples when compared with control samples. Causal reasoning analysis was carried out to identify significant hypotheses, which can explain gene expression profiles observed in oral cancer samples. Text-mining based approach was used to detect cancer hallmarks associated with genes significantly expressed in oral cancer. In all, 2365 genes were detected to be differentially expressed genes, which includes some of the highly differentially expressed genes like matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1/3/10/13), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligands (IL8, CXCL-10/-11), PTHLH, SERPINE1, NELL2, S100A7A, MAL, CRNN, TGM3, CLCA4, keratins (KRT-3/4/13/76/78), SERPINB11 and serine peptidase inhibitors (SPINK-5/7). XIST, TCEAL2, NRAS and FGFR2 are some of the important genes detected by dependency and causal network analysis. Literature mining analysis annotated 1014 genes, out of which 841 genes were statistically significantly annotated. The integration of output of various analyses, resulted in the list of potential therapeutic targets for oral cancer, which included targets such as ADM, TP53, EGFR, LYN, CTLA4, SKIL, CTGF and CD70.

Stem cells have self-renewal potential and ability to differentiate into one or more specialized cell types. An ideal candidate for developing stem cell based therapies would be readily available, easy to expand in culture, possess an acceptable long term safety profile and be autologous in nature, in order to avoid the need to modulate the host immune response and prevent rejection. Unfortunately, a cell type that fulfils all these criteria remains elusive, however, current research is directed towards a limited number of cell types which themselves exhibit certain advantages or disadvantages. Such cell populations may be sourced from three broad categories: embryonic or foetal tissue, adult tissue and reprogrammed cells. There are two broad types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and adult stem cells. ESCs are isolated from inner cell mass of blastocyst which can transdifferentiate into cells of all three germ layers. Unlike ESCs, adult stem cells show restricted proliferation and lineage differentiation. Embryonic and adult stem cells offer the opportunity to transplant a live source for self-regeneration. Bone marrow transplants (BMT) are a well-known clinical application of adult stem cell transplantation for cancer patients. BMTs can repopulate the marrow and restore the blood’s different cell types after high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, which are used to eliminate cancer cells. An alternative for ESC are stem cells obtained from tissue after birth. Adult tissue-derived stem cells offer an alternative for the development of cell based therapies which circumvents the ethical controversies surrounding foetal and embryonic tissue. For instance, neural progenitor cells have been harvested from adult brain and spinal cord. However, adult stem cells are less plastic than ESCs and divide less frequently in culture. Also, their differentiation potential may decrease in time. This makes them a possible but somewhat limited alternative for ESCs. On the other hand, they offer the advantage that they can be transplanted without genetic modifications or pretreatments. The most common way of thinking about stem cells treating disease is through a stem cell transplant. Embryonic stem cells are differentiated into the necessary cell type, and then those mature cells replace tissue that is damaged by disease or injury. This type of treatment could be used to replace neurons damaged by spinal cord injury, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or other neurological problems. Cells grown to produce insulin could treat people with diabetes and heart muscle cells could repair damage after a heart attack. This list could conceivably include any tissue that is injured or diseased [1,2].

The light-induced proton efflux and active carbon uptake are inhibited by mercury and cadmium ions in Anabaena flos-aquae. The inhibitory effects of these heavy metal ions are reversed by 40 mM concentration of sodium. Here we report that light-induced proton efflux is sodium-dependent which leads to a characteristic enhancement in the rate of photosynthetic oxygen generation and carbon fixation. A low concentration (10 μM) of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) significantly inhibited the rate of oxygen generation while 10 μM carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) completely blocked the oxygen generation activity in the organism. The chlorophyll-a fluorescence yield indicates that little fluorescence quenching occurred in the absence of sodium ion. Increasing the extracellular sodium ion accelerated both the initial rate and the extent of fluorescence quenching. These results support the assumption that metal-induced inhibition of the photosynthetic machinery may be mediated by the movement of protons.

n-Alkanes pattern in response to NaCl stress has been studied in the cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica. Saturated hydrocarbons were separated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using serially coupled capillary column. Light chain n-alkanes in the range of C9–C17 (43%) and heavy chain n-alkanes in range of C17–C23 (34%) and C23–C31 (23%) were identified as the major components of total hydrocarbons in the NaCl adapted cells of A. cylindrica. In contrast, NaCl-untreated cells of A. cylindrica had dominance of only long chain n-alkanes in the range of C23–C31 comprising about 94% of its total n-alkanes. The persistence of high level (43%) of short chain n-alkanes (C9–C17) in NaCl adapted cells of A. cylindrica as compared to its negligible level (0.2%) in NaCl untreated counterpart clearly indicates that NaCl stress causes the A. cylindrica to shift towards the synthesis of short chain n-alkanes.

Gymnema sylvestre (Asclepiadaceae) also known as ‘gurmar’ or ‘sugar destroyer’ is a woody, climbing traditional medicinal herb which has many therapeutic applications in Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is used for lowering serum cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose level (hypoglycemic or antihyperglycemic), hypolipidaemic, weight loss, stomach ailments, constipation, water retention and liver diseases, either high or low blood pressure, tachycardia or arrhythmias, and used as aperitive, purgative, in eye troubles, antiinflammatory, smooth muscle relaxant, prevention of dental caries, cataract and as anticancer-cytotoxic agent. Its flowers, leaves, and fruits contains alkaloids, flavones, saponins, sapogenins, anthraquinones, hentri-acontane, pentatriacontane, α and β-chlorophylls, phytin, resins, d-quercitol, tartaric acid, formic acid, butyric acid, lupeol, β-amyrin related glycosides and stigmasterol having main principle bioactive compunds viz. gymnemic acids, gymnemasides, gymnemagenin, gurmarin, gymnemosides, gymnemanol, gymnemasins, gypenoside, and conduritol which act as therapeutic agent and play vital role in many therapeutic applications. Gymnemic acids are thought to be responsible for its antidiabetic activity and it is the major component of an extract shown to stimulate insulin release from the pancreas. Another anti-sweet agent gumarin is utilized as a pharmacological tool in the study of sweet-taste transduction. The commercial exploitation of this plant and their secondary metabolites are some of the major prospective of this rare medicinal herb. The focus of the present review is to achieve the potential of therapeutic value of this herb and mechanism and action of their secondary metabolites.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death worldwide, with early diagnosis still being difficult. Promising new cardiac biomarkers such as troponins and creatine kinase (CK) isoforms are being studied and integrated into clinical practice for early diagnosis of AMI. The cardiac-specific troponins I and T (cTnI and cTnT) have good sensitivity and specificity as indicators of myocardial necrosis and are superior to CK and its MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) in this regard. Besides being potential biologic markers, cardiac troponins also provide significant prognostic information. The introduction of novel high-sensitivity troponin assays has enabled more sensitive and timely diagnosis or exclusion of acute coronary syndromes. This review summarizes the available information on the potential of troponins and other cardiac markers in early diagnosis and prognosis of AMI, and provides perspectives on future diagnostic approaches to AMI.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection has now become endemic worldwide and AIDS ranks fourth among the world's top killers of mankind. A rapid and accurate HIV testing assay is a pre-requisite for practical applicability of diagnostic tests. The aim of this present study was to design peptide cocktail as an antigen and to develop ELISA test for HIV-1/2 antibody detection, with enhanced sensitivity and specificity. A novel peptide stretch V3-I, covering immunodominant epitope corresponding to V3 hypervariable loop of gp120 antigens of selected Indian isolates, has been studied and incorporated in an antigenic cocktail of gp36, gp41, and rp24 of HIV-1/2. Peptides from these antigens were chemically synthesized and an additional cysteine residue was added at both amino- and carboxyl-terminal sequences of each peptide in order to form inter and intramolecular disulfide bond for the folding of peptides. This generated conformational epitopes with increased oligomericity and stability of peptide sequences; and attachment of antigen to the solid support of ELISA plates. The use of antigenic cocktail of folded peptides and recombinant p24 enhanced sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test. Evaluation of the test using 1123 serum samples in comparison with Boston Biomedical Incorporation (BBI) panels showed 100% sensitivity and 99.3% specificity with no cross reactivity tribulation. In conclusion, “HIV screen test” detects HIV 1/2 antibodies with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity and could be a promising tool for seroscreening of blood during transfusion, counseling and diagnosis of HIV-1/2.