Absence of annexin I expression in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and cell lines

Background  

Annexin I, one of the 20 members of the annexin family of calcium and phospholipid-binding proteins, has been implicated in diverse biological processes including signal transduction, mediation of apoptosis and immunosuppression. Previous studies have shown increased annexin I expression in pancreatic and breast cancers, while it is absent in prostate and esophageal cancers.     

Ten Tips for Pharmacy Faculty Members for Successfully Navigating Promotion and Tenure

This paper presents 10 key tips or recommendations for successful navigation of the promotion and tenure process. The 10 key tips are: know institutional expectations, develop an action plan at least two to three years in advance; identify your balance of teaching, scholarship, service; synergize activities and develop a niche; prioritize time to activities of high-impact to promotion and tenure; track achievements in the format expected for promotion and tenure application; seek out faculty guidance on promotion and tenure; meet with mentor(s) regularly to review progress; have a well-written personal statement; and have your final dossier reviewed by colleagues. Faculty members are more likely to be successful through timely and appropriate planning, balancing and synergizing activities, tracking activities and achievements, developing a well-written personal statement, and requesting help from experienced colleagues.     

Effect of Emilia sonchifolia (Linn.)DC on alcohol-induced oxidative stress in pancreas of male albino rats

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy of n-hexane extract of Emilia sonchifolia (E. sonchifobia) against ethanol induced pancreatic dysfunction in the young Wistar albino rats.MethodsThe rats were divided into four groups. Control rats in group received distilled water orally, group received oral administration of 20% (w/v) ethanol dissolved in drinking water, group received oral administration of 20% (w/v) ethanol in distilled water+n-hexane extract of E. sonchifolia (250 mg/kg body weight), and group received oral administration of n-hexane extract of E. sonchifolia (250 mg/kg body weight) alone. Liver marker enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), pancreatic enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, non-enzymatic antioxidants glutathione and vitamin C were measured and compared.ResultsAdministration of 20% ethanol for 16 weeks significantly increased the liver marker enzymes AST, ALT(P<0.05), reduced the pancreatic enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione and vitamin C(P<0.05). Histopathological examination showed that the ethanol provoked the oxidative stress which was demonstrated as pancreatic necrosis and oedema. Simultaneous administration of n-hexane extract of E. sonchifolia (250 mg/kg body weight) protected the pancreas against the damage induced by ethanol which was confirmed by the histopathological studies and the normalization of biochemical parameters.ConclusionsThus n-hexane extract of E. sonchifolia shows a promise in therapeutic use in alcohol induced oxidative stress.     

Secondary metabolite credentials of Evolvulus alsinoides by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)

Plants and plant-based products are the bases of many modern pharmaceuticals that are current in use today for various diseases.The aim of the study was to investigate the biochemical constituents and high performance thin layer chromatography(HPTLC) finger printing of the ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides.Phytochemical screening was done by standard procedures and HPTLC method was also established to analyze alkaloids,flavonoids and phenolic compounds from the ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides.Preliminary phytochemical screening showed that ethanol extracted more secondary metabolites than other solvents.HPTLC fingerprinting analysis showed the presence of various alkaloids,flavonoids and phenols(quercetin) in the ethanolic extract.It can be concluded that Evolvulus alsinoides may serve as a source of potent antioxidants that may be used in the prevention of various diseases such as cancer,diabetes and cardiovascular diseases due to the presence of phenolic compounds.HPTLC finger print of Evolvulus alsinoides may be useful in the differentiation of the species from adulterants and act as a biochemical marker for this medicinally important plant in the pharmaceutical industry and plant systematic studies.     

Bio‐distribution of pharmacologically administered recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa)

Summary. Background: Recent clinical studies suggest that the prophylactic use of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) markedly reduces the number of bleeding episodes in hemophilic patients with inhibitors. Given the short biological half‐life of rFVIIa, it is unclear how rFVIIa could be effective in prophylactic treatment. Objectives: To examine the extravascular distribution of pharmacologically administered rFVIIa to obtain clues on how rFVIIa could work in prophylaxis. Methods: Recombinant mouse FVIIa tagged with AF488 fluorophore (AF488‐FVIIa) was administered into mice via the tail vein. At different time intervals following the administration, mice were exsanguinated and various tissues were collected. The tissue sections were processed for immunohistochemistry to evaluate distribution of rFVIIa. Results: rFVIIa, immediately following the administration, associated with the endothelium lining of large blood vessels. Within 1 h, rFVIIa bound to endothelial cells was transferred to the perivascular tissue surrounding the blood vessels and thereafter diffused throughout the tissue. In the liver, rFVIIa was localized to sinusoidal capillaries and accumulated in hepatocytes. In bone, rFVIIa was accumulated in the zone of calcified cartilage and some of it was retained there for a week. The common finding of the present study is that rFVIIa in extravascular spaces was mostly localized to regions that contain TF expressing cells. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that pharmacologically administered rFVIIa readily associates with the vascular endothelium and subsequently enters into extravascular spaces where it is likely to bind to TF and is retained for extended time periods. This may explain the prolonged pharmacological effect of rFVIIa.     

紫山姜体外抗氧化及抗癌活性研究(英文)

AIM:Ethylacetate extract of Alpinia purpurata was evaluated for its potential in vitro antioxidant and antican-cer activity.METHODS:The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) free radical scav-enging method,hydroxyl radical activity,superoxide radical scavenging activity,nitric oxide radical scavenging activity,hy-drogen peroxide radical scavenging activity and reducing power activity.The viability of OAW42 cells was evaluated by MTT assay.RESULTS:A.purpurata exhibited potential antioxidant activity with a concentration-dependent manner.The extract showed potential anticancer activity at the 48th hour with IC50 of 130.20 μg·mL·1 and exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in cell count for all the concentrations tested.CONCLUSION:The results suggested that long term consumption of A.purpurata exhibited antioxidant and anticancer activity and could be further exploited for their anticancer properties.     

Anticancer activity of the ethanolic extract of Crateva nurvala bark against testosterone and MNU-induced prostate cancer in rats

AIM: In the present study the anticancer activity of the ethanolic extract of Crateva nurvala bark was evaluated against testosterone and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced prostate cancer in male Wistar rats. METHODS: Prostate cancer was induced in rats by the injection of testosterone for 3 d followed by injection of the chemical carcinogen MNU for 1 week. The prostate cancer-induced rats were treated with the ethanolic extract of C. nurvala bark, and testosterone injection was also continued through the experimental period of 4 months. Biochemical estimations including prostatic acid phosphatase, lipid peroxidation, enzymic antioxidants and non-enzymic antioxidants activity were done in the prostate and seminal vesicle tissue homogenate. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the level of acid phosphatase and lipid peroxidation in prostate cancer-induced rats, and after treatment with C. nurvala extract a significant decrease in the level of acid phosphatase lipid peroxidation were observed. The enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants were decreased in the prostate cancer induced group and after treatment they were restored to near normal values. Histopathological examination showed significant changes such as hyperplastic prostatic acini and malignant proliferation of ductal epithelial cells in the prostate and seminal vesicle of carcinogen induced rats. After treatment with C. nurvala extract normal and flow-dilated ducts and acini with regular epithelial lining were observed in the prostate and partially hyperplastic and partially flattered epithelium were observed in seminal vesicles. CONCLUSION: The ethanolic extract of C. nurvala has significant anticancer activity evaluated by in an in vivo model.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of petroleum ether extract of Vitex negundo leaves in rat models of acute and subacute inflammation

The anti-inflammatory effect of a petroleum ether extract of Vitex negundo Linn (Verbenaceae) leaves, (PEVNL) (250 and 500?mg/kg, p.o.), was evaluated in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models. Diclofenac sodium was used as a standard drug. The biochemical parameters were estimated in serum. In carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model PEVNL exhibited significant (p?<?0.01) inhibition of edema volume at 4?h in a dose-dependent manner. In the cotton pellet granuloma model, dry weight of cotton pellets was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner with maximum effect noticed at 500?mg/kg, p.o. Both doses of PEVNL were found to normalize the increased alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) and reversed the decreased serum albumin. In conclusion, PEVNL exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in acute and subacute models. At a dose of 500?mg/kg, p.o., PEVNL was found to possess maximum activity, and this effect was comparable with reference drug diclofenac sodium (5?mg/kg, p.o.).     

SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant among Asiatic Lions,India

In May 2021, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detected in Asiatic lions in a zoological park in India. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed the SARS-CoV-2 strains were the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant. To reduce transmission of variants of concern, surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wild animal populations should be increased.