Evidence of nanoemulsion as an effective control measure for fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster

Pesticide resistance is a common concern. It exerts close association with economic and health associated problems in various plants and other organisms. Several approaches have been trialled for attracting and trapping the insects and flies that are acting as vectors for transmission of communicable diseases. Although Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) is not an agricultural pest, its presence in consumer dwelling areas is an objection to human, as it indicates signs of an unhealthy environment or products. The current study focuses on the development of nanoemulsion with synthetic attractants and entrapping in sticky glue formulation that could provide prolonged effect for attracting and trapping the fruit flies. The results of our study showed the efficient attractive ability of exposed nanoemulsion (A3E1T) containing amyl acetate, ammonia, ethanol and Tween 80 compared to that of control. While the sex-based effect was not very prominent, the nanoemulsion showed a higher relative response index to the flies and increased activity even during their siesta time. Therefore, the nanoemulsion-based approach could be identified as one of the promising lines of attack and a suitable alternative for the existing fruit fly control measures. The present study is the first of its kind in reporting the ability of nanoemulsion formulation to attract and influence the activity of fruit flies D. melanogaster, up to our best of knowledge.

Evidence of dietary protein restriction regulating pupation height, development time and lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

Fitness and behavioral traits are optimized according to the rearing environment to ensure survival of most organisms including fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster Fruit flies are known to uphold various trade-offs in their lifespan, development time, fecundity, etc., to confer better survival in the particular exposed environment. The diet of D. melanogaster plays a major role between larval and adult fitness or fitness related traits; its role in the regulation of correlations between pupation height, pre-adult development and adult fitness has not been studied empirically. In our study, we assayed the effect of restricting dietary protein alone from the larval stage to adult stage in fruit flies and studied development time, pre-adult survivorship, pupation height, larval feeding rate and their corresponding lifespan under a light/dark cycle (LD12:12 h). We found that under very low protein concentration in diet, development time and lifespan of the flies increased significantly, along with decreased pupation height and vice versa, while pre-adult survivorship remained unchanged across diets. The results from our study can be taken to suggest that development time is negatively and positively correlated with pupation height and adult lifespan respectively. Thus, a higher protein restriction decreases pupation height and increases development time and vice versa, thereby emphasizing differential alterations taken up by various fitness traits, probably to enhance the overall organismal fitness.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

3-Arylindanones and related compounds as antiproliferative agents against colorectal cancer

Diverse benzylidene indanones and their derivatives were synthesized as anticancer agents. Two of the analogues, that is 7 and 22, exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against several human cancer cell lines. Both the compounds possessed antimitotic activity and induced apoptosis in DLD1 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells through activation of caspase pathways. In cell cycle analysis, both the compounds induced predominantly G2/M phase arrest in DLD1 cells. Molecular docking studies revealed that compound 7 occupies colchicine binding pocket of β-tubulin. Both the compounds were safe in acute oral toxicity in rodents. Both the compounds are further being optimized for better efficacy.

Perovskite Solar Cells Yielding Reproducible Photovoltage of 1.20 V

High photovoltages and power conversion efficiencies of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can be realized by controlling the undesired nonradiative charge carrier recombination. Here, we introduce a judicious amount of guanidinium iodide into mixed-cation and mixed-halide perovskite films to suppress the parasitic charge carrier recombination, which enabled the fabrication of >20% efficient and operationally stable PSCs yielding reproducible photovoltage as high as 1.20 V. By introducing guanidinium iodide into the perovskite precursor solution, the bandgap of the resulting absorber material changed minimally; however, the nonradiative recombination diminished considerably as revealed by time-resolved photoluminescence and electroluminescence studies. Furthermore, using capacitance-frequency measurements, we were able to correlate the hysteresis features exhibited by the PSCs with interfacial charge accumulation. This study opens up a path to realize new record efficiencies for PSCs based on guanidinium iodide doped perovskite films.

Abstract P6-20-10: Role of GPR110 in breast cancer

Our long-term goal is to discover adhesion GPCR targets in breast cancer. Our previous studies have found GPR110 to be overexpressed in tumorigenic cell population as well as in anti-HER2 drug-resistant derivatives of HER2+ breast cancer cells. In subsequent studies, we found that GPR110 knockdown inhibited anchorage-independent cell growth, mammosphere formation, and invasion/migration of HER2+ breast cancer cells. Conversely, overexpression of GPR110 by lentiviral delivery of cDNA enhanced anchorage-independent cell growth, mammosphere formation, and invasion/migration in HER2+ breast cancer cells. In addition, GPR110 overexpression led to increase in the % of Aldefluor-positive tumorigenic cell population, further emphasizing the role of GPR110 as a mediator of tumorigenesis in addition to the metastatic processes in HER2+ breast cancer. Among various subtypes of breast cancer, GPR110 expression was higher in HER2+ and basal subtypes, most of which are triple-negative (negative for ER, PR, and HER2), compared to luminal A and B subtypes. GPR110 was either gene amplified or upregulated in 4% of all breast cancers based on the publicly available TCGA dataset. GPR110 overexpression predicted poorer recurrence-free survival in triple-negative breast cancer. Furthermore, GPR110 was overexpressed in brain metastatic lesions compared to mammary tumors in patient-derived xenograft models of triple-negative breast cancer (WHIM2 and WHIM30). Knocking down GPR110 reduced anchorage-dependent and -independent cell growth, mammosphere formation, and invasion/migration of triple-negative breast cancer cells. Overall, our results suggest that GPR110 may be a potential drug target in HER2+ and triple-negative breast cancer. Drug discovery efforts to identify GPR110 antagonists will provide useful pharmacological tools for validating GPR110 as a drug target in breast cancer. Since GPR110 is also overexpressed in various other types of cancer, understanding the mechanism of GPR110 upregulation and signaling in cancer is an important future direction.

This work was supported by the Department of Defense Grants W81XWH-14-1-0340 and W81XWH-14-1-0341 to Drs. Trivedi and Schiff, respectively.

Citation Format: Bhat R, Qin L, De Angelis C, Sahay D, Bhargava D, Creighton C, Yadav P, Yazdanfard S, Alrawi A, Yadav V, Vasaikar S, Nanda S, Sethunath V, Fu X, Zhang B, Narkar V, Schiff R, Trivedi M. Role of GPR110 in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-20-10.

Genome-wide interaction and pathway-based identification of key regulators in multiple myeloma

Inherited genetic susceptibility to multiple myeloma has been investigated in a number of studies. Although 23 individual risk loci have been identified, much of the genetic heritability remains unknown. Here we carried out genome-wide interaction analyses on two European cohorts accounting for 3,999 cases and 7,266 controls and characterized genetic susceptibility to multiple myeloma with subsequent meta-analysis that discovered 16 unique interacting loci. These risk loci along with previously known variants explain 17% of the heritability in liability scale. The genes associated with the interacting loci were found to be enriched in transforming growth factor beta signaling and circadian rhythm regulation pathways suggesting immunoglobulin trait modulation, T_H17 cell differentiation and bone morphogenesis as mechanistic links between the predisposition markers and intrinsic multiple myeloma biology. Further tissue/cell-type enrichment analysis associated the discovered genes with hemic-immune system tissue types and immune-related cell types indicating overall involvement in immune response.

Eugenia jambolana extract reduces the systemic exposure of Sitagliptin and improves conditions associated with diabetes: A pharmacokinetic and a pharmacodynamic herb-drug interaction study

Eugenia jambolana (EJ) is an Indian traditional herb widely used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This herb is globally marketed as single or multi herb formulations. Many diabetes patients consume EJ extract oral hypoglycemic drugs together. This calls for a need to assess risks versus benefit of this co-administration.

In present investigation, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions of aqueous extract of EJ seeds at the dose of 400 mg/kg are studied with 10 mg/kg of oral hypoglycaemic drug sitagliptin (SITA) by co-administrating them for 28 days in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters of SITA were determined using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and it was found that the combination treatment reduces the systemic exposure of SITA by showing 38.70% reduction in concentration maximum (Cmax) and 22.40% reduction in area under curve (AUC). Despite low levels of SITA, the combination demonstrated a significant reduction in blood glucose level when compared with individual drug and individual extract administered groups during pharmacodynamic study. In addition, the liver function, the kidney function and the lipid parameters were found to be significantly improved and beneficial effects were found with respect to food intake and water intake and urine output in case of combination treatment groups when compared with individual treatment groups. Histopathological examination of pancreatic tissue suggests its significant recovery of having normal acinus with better cell protection in combination treatment. In conclusion, the combination treatment demonstrated reduced systemic exposure of SITA without compromising on its antihyperglycemic activity and improvement in conditions associated with diabetes.

AA Homozygous Genotype of GSTP1 I105V Polymorphism in Oral Cancer: In Silico Screening, Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Activity Studies of Wild and Mutant GSTP1

Background: Highest incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been reported in north-eastern India and causal association between cancer and raw areca-nut (RAN) consumption are well evident. Earlier studies revealed that monitoring the occurrence of precocious anaphase and expression of securin in blood lymphocytes can be a good biomarkers for cancer risk in RAN+lime chewers. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are considered an important cellular detoxification system that provide protection against the effects of toxins and determine individual's cancer susceptibility. Aim: Although GST gene family has been extensively studied, its role as susceptibility factor in oral cancer risk in the RAN chewing population in Meghalaya state, India has not been explored. The association of polymorphisms in GSTP1 (Ile105Val) gene with OSCC risk in Meghalaya, India, was evaluated. Earlier both AA reference and the GG/AG mutant genotype of GSTP1 gene showed an association with different types of cancers. Methods: Genetic polymorphism was evaluated by genotyping 129 cases and 156 controls using PCR-RFLP method and validated by Sanger sequencing in a hospital-based case-control study. GSTP1's interaction status with c-Jun Kinase (JNK) was evaluated through protein-protein docking analysis and this was also validated experimentally by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. Results: Individuals with AA allele of GSTP1 showed significant association with the risk of OSCC compared with individuals with AG/GG mutant genotypes in habit-matched “RAN-only” and “RAN+Tobacco” group. The binding geometry between JNK and GSTP1 was disrupted in mutant combinations. It was demonstrated that AA homozygous genotype of oral epithelial cells showed reduced c-Jun-phosphorylation and proapoptotic genes expression than AG/GG genotypes. In silico docking revealed that homodimeric GSTP1 with AA genotype showed weak catalytic activity in detoxification of RAN and tobacco toxins compared with the AG/GG mutant proteins. Interestingly, the quantitation of 8-Oxo-2´-deoxyguanosine in DNA digests by ELISA-kit showed no differences in these genotypes, however the frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges was significantly higher in individuals with GSTP1 AA genotype than GG genotype. Conclusion: Thus in this population, specific traditional habit along with GSTP1 AA genotype play a significant role in predisposition to oral cancer risk by showing higher DNA-lesions, might be caused by some specific RAN/tobacco metabolites, and lower c-Jun phosphorylation which may inhibit apoptosis.

An investigation of the roles furan versus thiophene π-bridges play in donor-π-acceptor porphyrin based DSSCs

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) continue to attract interest due to their lower cost production compared to silicon based solar cells and their improving power conversion efficiencies. Porphyrin-based sensitizers have become an important sub-class due to their strong absorption characteristics in the visible region, convenient modulation of properties through synthetic manipulation and class-leading power conversion efficiencies. In this article, we report the synthesis and characterization of two porphyrin-based dyes and their application as sensitizers in DSSCs. A thiophene and a furan moiety have been incorporated into the push-pull architecture as a π-bridge, allowing the systematic investigation of how these moieties influence the physical properties of the dyes and the performance of their resulting DSSCs. A significant difference in PCEs has been observed, with the furan containing dye (PorF, PCE = 4.5%) being more efficient than the thiophene-based analogue (PorT, PCE = 3.6%) in conjunction with the iodide/triiodide redox electrolyte.

Prevalence and spatial distribution of Ixodid tick populations in the forest fringes of Western Ghats reported with human cases of Kyasanur forest disease and monkey deaths in South India

Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is a major tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever caused by KFD virus (KFDV) (Flaviviridae). The disease was reported to be confined to five districts of Karnataka state India until 2011. During 2012-2016, emergence of KFD has been reported in newer areas of Karnataka and adjoining states. Therefore, survey of tick vectors was carried out in these new areas of Karnataka and adjoining states reported with monkey deaths and human cases of KFD. In all selected sites, ticks from the forest floor were collected by lint clothes using flagging method. Tick samples were tested for KFDV nucleic acid by real-time RT-PCR. A total of 4772 ticks, comprising eight species of genus Haemaphysalis and one species each of genus Amblyomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus was collected. Haemaphysalis spinigera, the principal vector of KFDV was the predominant tick species (59.5%) collected followed by H. turturis (8.6%). The abundance of H. spinigera ranged from 9.2 to 33.9 per man-hour in the six districts surveyed. Of 214 (4418 tick samples) pools screened by real-time RT-PCR, two pools of H. spinigera were positive for KFDV. High abundance of Haemaphysalis vectors in the six districts indicated that the districts are receptive for KFD outbreaks. KFDV was detected in the tick vectors in the new foci of the KFD. Data on tick distribution will be useful in creating KFD risk map for strengthening the ongoing preventive measures such as vaccination and supply of insect repellents to the high risk groups and intensive health education.

Content Analysis of Commercially Available Probiotics

We carried out content analysis of four batches each of 3 commercially available probiotic formulations of Bacillus clausii. Species identification was done using MALDI-TOF-MS technique while bacterial count was done using plate colony count. Only one of the three probiotic formulation analyzed was found to have homogeneous population of B. clausii while none was found to have the exact viable bacterial count as suggested on the label.

Investigating the Role of Substrate Tin Diffusion on Hematite Based Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting System

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanostructures have been extensively studied as photo-anodes for the conversion of sunlight into chemical fuels by water splitting. A number of factors limit the photo-activity of pristine hematite nanostructures, including poor electrical conductivity and long penetration depth of light. Previous studies have shown that use of tin (Sn) as an n-type dopant can substantially enhance the photoactivity of hematite photoanodes by modifying their morphological, optical and electrical properties. This article presents impedance spectroscopic investigation of interplay between Sn-doping and the photoanode performance for photoelectrochemical water splitting using hematite nanostructure. Mott-Schottky measurements show that the Sn dopant serves as electron donor and increases the donor density of Sn-doped α-Fe2O3 nanostructured layer to 2.39 × 1019 cm-3. Photoelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows efficient photogenerated charge transfer from hematite to electrolyte in Sn-doped α-Fe2O3 nanostructure. The Sn-doped α-Fe2O3 nanostructure exhibit a photocurrent density of 1.2 mA/cm2 at 1.4 V versus RHE electrode.

Essential oil from waste leaves of Curcuma longa L. alleviates skin inflammation

BACKGROUND

Curcuma longa L. is an important industrial crop used by medicinal and cosmetic industries in the world. Its leaves are a waste material after harvesting rhizomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the chemical and pharmacological profile of essential oil from waste leaves of Curcuma longa (EOCl) against skin inflammation.

METHODS

EOCl was subjected to gas chromatography (GC) analysis for identification of essential oil constituents and its anti-inflammatory evaluation through in vitro and in vivo models.

RESULTS

Chemical fingerprinting using GC and GC-MS analysis of EOCl revealed the presence of 11 compounds, representing 90.29% of the oil, in which terpinolene (52.88%) and α-phellandrene (21.13%) are the major components. In the in vitro testing EOCl inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation in the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Topical application of EOCl produced anti-inflammatory effects by reducing ear thickness, ear weight and ameliorating the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) at protein and mRNA levels as well as regulating the overproduction of oxidative markers and restoring the histopathological damage in a TPA-induced mouse model of inflammation.

CONCLUSION

These findings of topical anti-inflammatory properties of EOCl provide a scientific basis for medicinal use of this plant material against inflammatory disorders.