Enhanced production of medicinal polysaccharide by submerged fermentation of Lingzhi or Reishi medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidium (W.Curt.:Fr.) P. Karst. Using statistical and evolutionary optimization methods

Statistical and evolutionary optimization of media composition was employed for the production of medicinal exopolysaccharide (EPS) by Lingzhi or Reishi medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidium MTCC 1039 using soya bean meal flour as low-cost substrate. Soya bean meal flour, ammonium chloride, glucose, and pH were identified as the most important variables for EPS yield using the two-level Plackett-Burman design and further optimized using the central composite design (CCD) and the artificial neural network (ANN)-linked genetic algorithm (GA). The high value of coefficient of determination of ANN (R2 = 0.982) indicates that the ANN model was more accurate than the second-order polynomial model of CCD (R2 = 0.91) for representing the effect of media composition on EPS yield. The predicted optimum media composition using ANN-linked GA was soybean meal flour 2.98%, glucose 3.26%, ammonium chloride 0.25%, and initial pH 7.5 for the maximum predicted EPS yield of 1005.55 mg/L. The experimental EPS yield obtained using the predicted optimum media composition was 1012.36 mg/L, which validates the high degree of accuracy of evolutionary optimization for enhanced production of EPS by submerged fermentation of G. lucidium.     

Effects of clopidogrel on perioperative blood loss in off pump elective coronary artery bypass surgery. A prospective single blinded observational study

Background  

Concern about possible hemorrhagic complications arising from use of oral antiplatelet agents in immediate proximity to CABG surgery leads many physicians to avoid or discontinue these agents preoperatively exposing these patients to risk of perioperative myocardial infarction, stroke and vascular event. So we aimed to study the effect of clopidogrel on perioperative blood loss in patients who stopped the drug before surgery with variable time periods. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of preoperative clopidogrel on Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery outcome in terms of perioperative blood loss.     

Cancer chemopreventive potential of luteolin-7-O-glucoside isolated from Ophiorrhiza mungos Linn

The anticarcinogenic potential of the phytocompound Luteolin-7-O-Glucoside (LUT7G), isolated from the leaves of Ophiorrhiza mungos Linn, was studied against 4 different cancer cell lines (COLO 320 DM, AGS, MCF-7, and A549) and normal VERO cell line. The ability of LUT7G to induce apoptosis was determined by its antiradical activity, DNA fragmentation, expression of β-catenin, and chemopreventive efficacy in vivo by administering rats with DMH (20 mg/kg b.w., s.c.) for 4 consecutive wk and supplementing with 3 different doses throughout the experimental period of 16 wk. LUT7G scavenged 80% of DPPH radicals generated in vitro at 1000 μM and suppressed the expression of β-catenin to 40% at 120 μM concentrations. LUT7G induced apoptosis by scavenging ROS and suppressing the expression of β-catenin in COLO 320 DM cells and effectively inhibited ACF development in DMH-induced experimental carcinogenesis. Hence LUT7G can be a potent anticancer drug for colon carcinogenesis.     

Chemopreventive potential of β-Sitosterol in experimental colon cancer model - an <Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">In vivo</Emphasis> study

Background  

Asclepias curassavica Linn. is a traditional medicinal plant used by tribal people in the western ghats, India, to treat piles, gonorrhoea, roundworm infestation and abdominal tumours. We have determined the protective effect of β-sitosterol isolated from A. curassavica in colon cancer, using in vitro and in vivo models.     

Spontaneous regression of hypercalcemia in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism and prolactinoma

We describe a unique case of spontaneous resolution of hyperparathyroidism in a lady with combined parathyroid adenoma and prolactinoma, raising the possibility of underlying multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) 1 syndrome. We also discuss the mechanism and natural history of such spontaneous remission.     

Temporal changes in prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance associated with lifestyle transition occurring in the rural population in India

Aims/hypothesis The rural Indian population is undergoing lifestyle transition due to socio-economic growth. This study was done to determine the temporal changes in prevalence of diabetes and IGT that could have occurred in a rural population in India as a result of the lifestyle transition.Methods A cross-sectional study of 1213 Asian-Indian subjects aged 20 years or over was done to look for the prevalence of diabetes and IGT using the 1999 WHO criteria. The temporal changes were assessed in comparison with a similar study conducted 14 years previously. The factors associated with the temporal changes were also analysed.Results Nearly a three-fold increase in age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of diabetes (from 2.20% to 6.36%) was seen in 2003 when compared with a similar study done 14 years before. Prevalence of IGT did not change significantly (7.44% in 1989 vs 7.18% in 2003). Improvement in living conditions had occurred during the period, occupational changes were seen, the number of manual labourers had decreased and economic conditions had improved. BMI and waist circumference had increased. After correcting for age, sex and differences in time periods, waist circumference and physical inactivity showed significant associations with the increased prevalence of diabetes.Conclusions/interpretation Demographic transition due to improved living conditions in rural India was associated with a three-fold increase in the prevalence of diabetes. Increased upper body adiposity and physical inactivity showed significant association with this phenomenon.     

Membrane lipids and protein-bound carbohydrates status during the maturation of reticulocytes to erythrocytes in type 2 diabetics

BACKGROUND: The reticulocyte maturation process is an ideal model for the study of biochemical alterations seen during final stage of erythropoiesis under disease conditions. In this study, determined whether type 2 diabetes has any effect on membrane lipids and protein-bound carbohydrates during the maturation of reticulocytes to erythrocytes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Lipids (cholesterol and phospholipids) and protein-bound carbohydrates (hexose, hexosamine and sialic acid) were extracted and estimated in plasma, membrane of reticulocytes and erythrocytes from 20 treated but uncontrolled type 2 diabetic volunteers and age matched controls. RESULTS: Plasma, membranes of reticulocytes and erythrocytes of diabetics showed increase in cholesterol (35.7%, 8.7% and 16.4%); phospholipids (43.4%, 18.8% and 8.2%); hexose (34.1%, 19.3% and 8.2%) and decrease in hexosamine (11.9%, 7.3% and 14.7%); and sialic acid (34.1%, 19.3% and 32.0%) compared to controls. As reticulocytes matured to erythrocytes, cholesterol, phospholipids, hexosamine and sialic acid levels were decreased; C/P ratio and hexose levels were increased in both controls and diabetics. However, these alterations were more intensified in diabetics. CONCLUSION: These alterations in diabetic patients may indicate the existence of one or both of the following conditions: acceleration of maturation processes and/or decreased red blood cell life span.     

Effect of Gymnema montanum on blood glucose,plasma insulin,and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The effects of Gymnema montanum, an endangered plant used in the ancient period of India, on blood glucose, plasma insulin, and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes were studied in alloxan diabetic rats. Administration of alcoholic extract of G. montanum leaves (50, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight) to alloxan diabetic rats for 3 weeks reduced the blood glucose level. Administration of G. montanum leaf extract (GLEt) at 200 mg/kg body weight significantly decreased the blood glucose levels and significantly increased the plasma insulin levels. This clearly shows the antidiabetic efficacy of GLEt, which was better than that of glibenclamide.     

Unique cell surface expression of receptor tyrosine kinase ROR1 in human B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

PURPOSE: Gene expression profiling identified receptor tyrosine kinase ROR1, an embryonic protein involved in organogenesis, as a signature gene in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). To assess the suitability of ROR1 as a cell surface antigen for targeted therapy of B-CLL, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of ROR1 protein expression. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, sera, and other adult tissues from B-CLL patients and healthy donors were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively for ROR1 protein expression by flow cytometry, cell surface biotinylation, Western blotting, and ELISA. RESULTS: ROR1 protein is selectively expressed on the surface of B-CLL cells, whereas normal B cells, other normal blood cells, and normal adult tissues do not express cell surface ROR1. Moreover, cell surface expression of ROR1 is uniform and constitutive, i.e., independent of anatomic niches, independent of biological and clinical heterogeneity of B-CLL, independent of B-cell activation, and found at similar levels in all B-CLL samples tested. The antibody binding capacity of B-CLL cell surface ROR1 was determined to be in the range of 10(3) to 10(4) molecules per cell. A portion of B-CLL cell surface ROR1 was actively internalized upon antibody binding. Soluble ROR1 protein was detectable in sera of <25% of B-CLL patients and a similar fraction of healthy donors at concentrations below 200 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The restricted, uniform, and constitutive cell surface expression of ROR1 protein in B-CLL provides a strong incentive for the development of targeted therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies.