Fasciculations and cramps: how benign? Report of four cases progressing to ALS

Clinical diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in patients presenting with cramps and fasciculations may not be evident at the first consultation. Sequential reviews, clinical and neurophysiological, form an important part of clinical practice in such cases. Recent attempts to delineate a more benign group with cramps and fasciculations have lacked information on the long term profile, both clinical and neurophysiological. Four patients who were initially diagnosed as suffering from benign cramps and fasciculations, but who subsequently progressed to ALS, are described. We propose that a diagnosis of benign cramps and fasciculations should not be considered secure without a minimum follow up of 4–5 years.     

Platelets directed liposomes for the delivery of streptokinase: development and characterization

The present study was aimed to study the effect of RGD peptide conjugation on the bio-distribution behaviour of long circulatory liposomes in the thrombosed rat model. Further, thrombolysis study was also performed to evaluate the therapeutic activity of the prepared liposomes. Liposomes were prepared by film hydration method and peptide was subsequently conjugated on the preformed liposomes using carbodiimide chemistry. Prepared liposomes were characterized for size and size distribution, entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release. In vitro targeting ability of the liposomes was determined by platelets binding assay. In vivo studies were performed in the rat model containing human blood clot inoculated in the carotid artery. Results of the study showed that RGD peptide conjugated liposomes significantly accumulated to the site of blood clot and higher thrombolytic activity was observed with peptide modified liposomes as compared to plain streptokinase solution and long circulatory liposomes.     

Revision of QSAR, docking, and molecular modeling studies of anti-influenza virus A (H1N1) drugs and targets: analysis of hemagglutinins 3D structure

Recently WHO and NREVSS collaborating laboratories located in all 50 states, and Washington D.C reported that out of 3,588 specimens,164 were found positive for influenza type (i.e. 4.6%) and from these 164 specimens 162 (i.e. 98.8 %) were of influenza A H1N1 subtype. Comparative study of the past and current reports gives a general idea that the influenza activity deserves high attention from public health authorities in the U.S. In this connection, presently some groups are developing intensive computer-aided research in QSAR, Docking, Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Sequence Analysis and Phylogenetic analysis of candidate compounds and/or targets; in order to advance in the treatment and/or prevention of this pandemic Flu. In this work, primarily we carry out a mini-review of the more important theoretical studies reported until now within this area, followed by the study of a specific type of target. Keeping in view the nature of this virus, we can conclude that there is always a need to find other target protein as inhibitor other than the existing one. So that this lethal pandemic flu can be treated and prevented further. Therefore, after Neuraminidase and M2 ion channels the surface protein that we can target in H1N1 strain is Hemagglutinins (HA). We use comparative modeling; which is one of the methods that can reliably generate a 3D model for HA protein. Multiple structures of this subtype of Influenza Virus are available at PDB, but we are focused on Influenza A (H1N1). Therefore, methodology of analysis mainly focuses on modeling the structure of this protein and, if possible, finding a probable active sites and inhibitors to it.