A ribonuclease inhibitor expresses anti-angiogenic properties and leads to reduced tumor growth in mice.

Our experiments were designed to determine whether recombinant ribonuclease inhibitor (RNasin) could inhibit angiogenesis and reduce tumor growth in adult mice. We used the Fajardo disc angiogenesis assay as the primary means of measuring new blood vessel growth. This assay measures the penetration of cells into a polyvinyl alcohol sponge with a central core of ELVAX-coated sponge containing test substances. Cell penetration was reduced to 29.3% of control (phosphate-buffered saline; heat-inactivated RNasin) values. Endothelial cell influx was measured by lectin staining and confirmed by culturing cells isolated from sponges by collagenase treatment. RNasin also reduced the augmented reaction evoked by either basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or sodium orthovanadate. To confirm the anti-angiogenic activity of RNasin, Hydron-coated polyvinyl sponges containing bFGF or bFGF plus RNasin were implanted into adult mouse corneas. bFGF induced a strong angiogenic response that was almost completely inhibited by RNasin. RNasin-containing ELVAX-coated sponges implanted subcutaneously underneath an intradermal inoculum of C755 mammary tumor cells caused significant reduction in tumor growth (P < 0.005). The antitumor effect of RNasin correlated with its effect on tumor-induced neovascularization, suggesting that the ability of RNasin to affect tumor growth was due to its ability to inhibit angiogenesis.     

Distribution and ontogeny of B cells in the garden lizard, Calotes versicolor

Surface immunoglobulin bearing (sIg+) cells were identified in the lizard Calotes versicolor by immunofluorescence using a polyvalent antiserum to lizard immunoglobulins and class-specific antibodies to lizard IgM and IgY. 53.3 +/- 1.6% of spleen cells, 23.6 +/- 0.8% of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, 21.5 +/- 1.8% of bone marrow mononuclear cells and less than 1% of thymus cells were found to bear immunoglobulin (Ig) on their surface. A similar proportion of cells in each tissue was stained with rabbit anti-lizard mu (specific for IgM) whereas only a small proportion of cells were stained with rabbit anti-lizard (specific for IgY). Adult thymectomy significantly increased the proportion of sIgM+ cells in spleen and blood whereas high dose cyclophosphamide (300mg/kg body weight) decreased the proportion of sIgM+ cells thus suggesting that sIg+ cells in the lizard are of B cell lineage as in higher vertebrates. Ontogenetic studies indicate that embryonic liver is an organ enriched for sIgM+ cells at certain stages of development and thus suggest liver to be a site for differentiation of sIg+ cells in lizard embryos.     

Diagnosis of typhoid fever: detection of Salmonella typhi porins-specific antibodies by inhibition ELISA.

Porins are highly immunogenic outer membrane proteins of Salmonella. Sera from typhoid patients contained a high level of IgG antibodies directed to porins of Salm. typhi. Since porins are highly conserved proteins, anti-porins antibodies both from typhoid patients and healthy normals reacted with porins from several Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, in order to improve the specificity of detecting Salm. typhi porins-specific antibodies, an inhibition ELISA was developed using enzyme-conjugated MoAbs (MP1 and MPN4) specific to Salm. typhi porins. Sera from typhoid patients with positive haemoculture (16 out of 17) inhibited the binding of MP1 to porins, thus showing a positive test for typhoid, whereas sera from patients with other Gram-negative bacterial infections (n = 7) and from healthy volunteers (66 out of 67) were found to be negative. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of this assay were 94.1, 98.7, 97.8, 94.1 and 98.7% respectively. The validity of our inhibition ELISA for typhoid was higher than that of the Widal test. The diagnosis of typhoid fever as early as 3 days after the onset of fever, using a single specimen is possible.     

Stent Scraping for Histology: An Alternative Method for Obtaining Tissue to Rule out Neoplasia

Despite improvement in diagnostic modalities, confirmation of a histologic diagnosis of cancer of the biliary tree and pancreas remains elusive. Attempts to collect positive cytology specimens from vigorous brushings or washings obtained at endoscopy or percutaneously are often unsuccessful. In our unit, we have increased the yield by obtaining tissue scraped from prostheses that have been previously placed in either the bile duct or the pancreatic duct. The stents are first flushed with saline to collect cytology specimens, after which, they are bisected and scraped, and these contents are prepared in a manner similar to that used to prepare biopsy samples. Twelve of 16 scraped samples, 9 bile duct and 3 pancreas, were positive for adenocarcinoma. The cytology specimens were positive in only 4 of the 12. We recommend this method of sampling from material contained within prostheses as an adjunct when previous brushings, washings, or biopsies are negative.     

Synthetic Pyrethroid effect on blood plasma biomarker enzymes and histological changes in Catla catla

Alpha‐cypermethrin is an isoform of cypermethrin; it is an active pyrethroid used extensively to control a wide range of pests in agriculture and animal breeding. In this study four groups of six fish were examined. The first group served as a control in fresh water alone, with no pyrethroid. The second, third and fourth groups were exposed to alpha‐cypermethrin for 4, 8 and 96 h respectively. At the end of the each exposure period, the fish were sacrificed, and the required muscle tissues were collected for histological examination. The blood was drawn with heparinized needles and processed for serum enzymatic studies. Serum enzymes such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), amylase, acid phosphatase (ACP) and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were measured at 4, 8 and 96 h. AST enzyme activity was significantly increased at 4 h, whereas ALT and amylase enzyme activities were significantly reduced at all the time points. ACP enzyme activity was significantly reduced at 4 and 8 h, whereas GGT enzyme activity was significantly increased at all the time points. Hepatocyte cytoplasmic vacuolisation and degeneration, rupture of blood vessels, and necrosis was found at all time points. Congestion of blood vessels, bulging, distortion of filaments, erosion and disintegration of blood corpuscles and hyperplasia of epithelium were found in treated gills at 4, 8 and 96 h. Breakdown of muscle fibres, vacuolation and accumulation of lipids and melanin in white muscle were observed in treated fish muscle at 4, 8 and 96 h.     

Probiotics for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Probiotics are organisms which provide a desired and beneficial effect on human health. With recent evidence implicating a disruption in the balance of the gastrointestinal microbiome and intestinal immunity as a potential trigger for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there has been growing interest in using probiotics as an adjunct to standard anti-inflammatory and immune suppressing therapy. Animal models describe potential and plausible mechanisms of action for probiotics to counter inflammation of colonic mucosa. Although there are insufficient data to recommend probiotics in ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, good evidence supports the use of specific probiotics for maintenance of remission in pouchitis. Although there are limited regulatory standards for the agents, probiotics are relatively safe with minimal reported side effects or contraindications. More rigorous studies need to be published supporting efficacy and safety of these agents before they become a mainstay of IBD medical treatment.     

Synthesis,supramolecular organization and thermotropic phase behaviour of N-acyltris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane

Herein, we reported the supramolecular organization of N-acyltris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (NATM) in the solid state as well as in aqueous solution. Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that NATM adopts a fully interdigitized structure. The thermodynamic parameters associated with thermotropic phase behaviour of NATM was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The molecular packing and phase state of the NATM analyzed by laurdan and prodan fluorescence supports the formation of an interdigitized phase in aqueous solution. The potential application of the self-assembled NATM vesicles was demonstrated through entrapping model drug, Rhodamine B.

Self assembly of N-acyltris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane into interdigitized vesicles.     

Assessment of retinal manifestations of Parkinson’s disease using spectral domain optical coherence tomography: A study in Indian eyes

Purpose:To assess the retinal manifestations of Parkinson’s disease using optical coherence tomography.Methods:A prospective case-control study comparing 30 eyes from 15 patients with Parkinson’s disease and 22 eyes from 11 healthy age-matched controls. Total macular subfield thickness and the thickness of the ganglion cell layer, nerve fiber layer, and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer were measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).Results:The mean age of PD patients was 68.4 years ± 10.64 (range: 46–82) and in the control group was 66.36 ± 5.22 (range: 64–68). The average disease duration in patients with PD was 6.7 ± 2.8 years (range: 2–10 years). The mean best-corrected visual acuity in PD was 20/26 and 20/20 in controls, with P = 0.0059, which was significant. Significant difference was also found in the contrast sensitivity between both groups. Structural differences in the central macular thickness (P = 0.0001), subfield thicknesses in the superior (P = 0.003), inferior (P = 0.001), nasal (P = 0.004), and temporal subfields (P = 0.017) was seen. Severe thinning of the ganglion cell layer was seen in PD patients (P = 0.000) as well as of the nerve fiber layer (P = 0.004). Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber thickness measured showed significant thinning in superotemporal (P = 0.000), superonasal (P = 0.04), inferonasal (P = 0.000), inferotemporal (P = 0.000), nasal (P = 0.000), and temporal quadrants (P = 0.000).Conclusion:Visual dysfunction was observed in patients with PD along with structural alterations on OCT, which included macular volumes, ganglion cell layer, and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer.