Molecular aspects of regeneration in insects

Regeneration is a fascinating phenomenon observed in various organisms across the animal kingdom. Different orders of class Insecta are reported to possess comprehensive regeneration abilities. Several signalling molecules, such as morphogens, growth factors, and others trigger a cascade of events that promote wound healing, blastema formation, growth, and repatterning. Furthermore, epigenetic regulation has emerged as a critical player in regulating the process of regeneration. This report highlights the major breakthrough research on wound healing and tissue regeneration. Exploring and reviewing the molecular basis of regeneration can be helpful in the area of regenerative medicine advancements. The understanding gathered from this framework can potentially contribute to hypothesis designing with implications in the field of synthetic biology and human health.

Physiological alterations and heavy metal accumulation in the transplanted lichen Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl. in Lucknow city, Uttar Pradesh

Air pollution has become a major concern due to its detrimental effects on living beings. The present study is aimed at assessing the current status of air pollution in Lucknow city using lichen transplantation technique and assesing its effect on physiology of Pyxine cocoes. The samples of P. cocoes were collected from relatively pollution-free area Malihabad and transplanted in 10 designated sites in five regions for 30 days. Various parameters such as heavy metals, chlorophyll pigments, carotenoid, chlorophyll degradation, and electrolyte conductivity were estimated in transplanted lichens. The study revealed that the concentration of all 10 heavy metals was higher in all transplanted samples than in the control sample, which was found in order of Al > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Ni > Co > Cd. Among all 10 transplanted sites, the significantly increased accumulation of aluminum (5.11 to 5.47 µg L-1), iron (4.73 to 5.46 µg L-1), manganese (110.99 to 144.58 µg g-1), and zinc (87.96 to 97.40 µg g-1) was found in Charbagh, Qaisarbagh, and Alambagh sites. Further, in all samples, chlorophyll a (3.98 µg L-1), chlorophyll b (1.22 µg L-1), total chlorophyll (5.20 µg L-1), and chlorophyll degradation (0.55 µg g-1) were significantly decreased, whereas elevated levels of carotenoid (0.71 µg g-1), and electrolyte conductivity (64.99 µS cm-1), were observed. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigated the morphological changes in transplanted lichen samples, and significant damage to the anatomy of mycelium was found in most of the polluted site's samples, which correlated with the pollution levels. The present study clearly demonstrated that the transplanted lichen P. cocoes is an efficient bioaccumulator and bioindicator of air quality in urban environments.

Major phenolic compounds, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of Selinum carvifolia (L.) collected from different altitudes in India

Antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat to public health, raising the number of diseases in the community. Recent research has shown that plant-derived phenolic compounds have strong antimicrobial, antifungal, and cytotoxic properties against a variety of microorganisms and work as great antioxidants in such treatments. The goal of the current work is to evaluate the anticancerous, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity activities in the extracts of the different plant parts (leaves, stems, and roots) of S. carvifolia (L.) L. This is a medicinally important plant and has been used for different kinds of diseases and ailments such as hysteria and seizures. The phenolic compounds from the different plant parts were analyzed using HPLC and the following were found to be present: chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, rutin, syringic acid, vanillic acid, cinnamic acid, caffeic acid, and protocatechuic acid. Gallic acid was found to have the highest concentration (13.93 mg/g), while chlorogenic acid (0.25 mg/g) had the lowest. The maximum TPC value, which ranged from 33.79 to 57.95 mg GAE/g dry extract weight, was found in the stem. Root extract with 9.4 mg RE/g had the greatest TFC level. In the leaf and stem extracts, the RSC ranged from 0.747 mg/mL to 0.734 mg/1 mL GE/g dry extract weight, respectively. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to measure in vitro antioxidant activity. In a concentration-dependent way, promising antioxidant activity was reported. Moreover, 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA) and the Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent technique were used to determine reducing sugar content and total phenolic content, respectively. Antibacterial activity against eight strains (MIC: 250-1,000 μg/mL) was analyzed, and the stem extract exhibited maximum activity. Antifungal activity was also assessed, and potent activity was reported especially in the extract obtained from the stem. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using an MTT assay in the A549 cell line, where different doses (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL) of leaf, root, and stem extracts were used. Treatment with these extracts reduced the cell viability, indicating that S. carvifolia may possess anticancer potential, which can be of great therapeutic value.

Novel cost-effective design for bio-volatilization studies in photosynthetic microalgae exposed to arsenic with emphasis on growth and glutathione modulation

A novel laboratory model was designed to study the arsenic (As) biotransformation potential of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis sp. and the cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum. The Algae were treated under different concentrations of As(III) to check their growth, toxicity optimization, and volatilization potential. The results revealed that the alga Nannochloropsis sp. was better adopted in term of growth rate and biomass than C. vulgaris and A. doliolum. Algae grown under an As(III) environment can tolerate up to 200 μM As(III) with moderate toxicity impact. Further, the present study revealed the biotransformation capacity of the algae A. doliolum, Nannochloropsis sp., and Chlorella vulgaris. The microalga Nannochloropsis sp. volatilized a large maximum amount of As (4,393 ng), followed by C. vulgaris (4382.75 ng) and A. doliolum (2687.21 ng) after 21 days. The present study showed that As(III) stressed algae-conferred resistance and provided tolerance through high production of glutathione content and As-GSH chemistry inside cells. Thus, the biotransformation potential of algae may contribute to As reduction, biogeochemistry, and detoxification at a large scale.

Toxicity assessment of metribuzin and its amelioration through plant growth regulators in Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the metribuzin-induced stress response in Vigna radiata and to explore the ameliorative role of exogenous application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) against metribuzin toxicity by assessing important biochemical and yield parameters. Prior to the field experiment, dose standardization experiments were performed, and EC₅₀ was calculated for metribuzin. On day 21, field grown V. radiata plants were treated with graded concentrations of metribuzin (0-1000 mg [Formula: see text]). Plants treated with 600 mg [Formula: see text] (EC₅₀) and 1000 mg [Formula: see text] (highest dose) of metribuzin were co-treated individually and simultaneously with gibberellic acid-3 (GA), indole-3 acetic acid (IAA), and salicylic acid (SA). After 7 days of treatment, leaf tissues were analyzed for biochemical parameters, whereas those related to yield were recorded during harvest. The result of this study indicated that metribuzin treatment to V. radiata resulted in increase in lipid peroxidation and reduce chlorophyll and carotenoid contents as well as yield parameters. However, metribuzin-treated plants induced proline accumulation and activity of antioxidant enzymes. Exogenous application of GA, IAA, and SA significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and increased contents of photosynthetic pigments, proline, and antioxidant enzymes thereby increasing yield parameters. It was observed that during metribuzin stress, SA exhibited a better ameliorative response out of the three exogenously applied PGRs, while the combined use of all PGRs exhibited much improved ameliorative response on biochemical and yield parameters of plants.

Comparative transcriptional analysis of metabolic pathways and mechanisms regulating essential oil biosynthesis in four elite Cymbopogon spp

Cymbopogon is an important aromatic and medicinal grass with several species of ethnopharmaceutical importance. The genus is extremely rich in secondary metabolites, monoterpenes like geraniol and citral being principal constituents, also used as biomarker for classification and identification of Cymbopogon chemotypes. In the light of this, present study involved RNA sequencing and comparison of expression profiles of four contrasting Cymbopogon species namely C. flexuosus var. Chirharit (citral rich and frost resistant), C. martinii var. PRC-1 (geraniol rich), C. pendulus var. Praman (the most stable and citral-rich genotype), and Jamrosa (a hybrid of C. nardus var. confertiflorus × C. jwarancusa (rich in geraniol and geranyl acetate). The transcriptome profiles revealed marked differences in gene expression patterns of 28 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of terpenoid metabolic pathways between the four Cymbopogon sp. The major DEGs were Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenases (CCD), Aspartate aminotransferase (ASP amino), Mevalonate E-4 hydroxy, AKR, GGPS, FDPS, and AAT. In addition, few TFs related to different regulatory pathways were also identified. The gene expression profiles of DEGs were correlated to the EO yield and their monoterpene compositions. Overall, the PRC-1 (C. martinii) shows distinguished gene expression profiles from all other genotypes. Thus, the transcriptome sequence database expanded our understanding of terpenoid metabolism and its molecular regulation in Cymbopogon species. Additionally, this data also serves as an important source of knowledge for enhancing oil yield and quality in Cymbopogon and closely related taxa. KEY MESSAGE: Unfolding the new secretes surrounding EO biosynthesis and regulation in four contrasting Cymbopogon species.

The industrially important genus Kaempferia: An ethnopharmacological review

Kaempferia, a genus of the family Zingiberaceae, is widely distributed with more than 50 species which are mostly found throughout Southeast Asia. These plants have important ethnobotanical significance as many species are used in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine preparations. This genus has received a lot of scholarly attention recently as a result of the numerous health advantages it possesses. In this review, we have compiled the scientific information regarding the relevance, distribution, industrial applications, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, tissue culture and conservation initiative of the Kaempferia genus along with the commercial realities and limitations of the research as well as missing industrial linkages followed by an exploration of some of the likely future promising clinical potential. The current review provides a richer and deeper understanding of Kaempferia, which can be applied in areas like phytopharmacology, molecular research, and industrial biology. The knowledge from this study can be further implemented for the establishment of new conservation strategies.

A glance at the phytochemical and ethno pharmacological understanding of four Ocimum species

The genus Ocimum comprises of a large number of species which are widely cultivated in different parts of the world for its pharmaceutical, neutraceutical and other commercial importance. A number of biological activities such as antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, hepatoprotective and antioxidant have been ascribed to Ocimum which can be linked to the occurrence of biologically active phytochemicals like phenolic acids, essential oil, flavonoids, and terpenes hence making it a potential source for discovery and development of novel drugs.The present review covers the successive advances in the traditional medicinal aspects, phytochemistry, bioactivities and their bioavailability of four Ocimum species i.e. Ocimum basilicum L., Ocimum sanctum L., Ocimum gratissimum L. And Ocimum tenuiflorum L., in order to explore their applications in versatile industries. Furthermore, this thorough compilation will be used as a potential resource for further Ocimum related medication development and research and also to identify the research gaps to fill.

Biotic elicitor-induced changes in growth, antioxidative defense, and metabolites in an improved prickleless Solanum viarum

Solanum viarum serves as a raw material for the steroidal drug industry due to its alkaloid and glycoalkaloid content. Elicitation is well-known for measuring the increase in the yield of bioactive compounds in in vitro cultures. The current study was performed for the accumulation of metabolites viz. solasodine, solanidine, and α-solanine in S. viarum culture using microbial-based elicitors added in 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% on 25^th and 35^th day of culture period and harvested on 45^th and 50^th days of culture cycle. The treatment of 3% Trichoderma reesei and Bacillus tequilensis culture filtrate (CF) significantly increased biomass, alkaloids/glycoalkaloid content, and yield in S. viarum. T. reesei was found to be the best treatment for enhanced growth (GI = 11.65) and glycoalkaloid yield (2.54 mg DW plant^-1) after the 50^th day of the culture cycle when added on the 25^th day. The abundance of gene transcripts involved in the biosynthesis of alkaloids/glycoalkaloids, revealed by quantitative real-time PCR expression analysis correlates with the accumulation of their respective metabolites in elicited plants. Biochemical analysis shows that elicited plants inhibited oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species by activating enzymes (superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase) as well as non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms (alkaloids, total phenols, total flavonoids, carotenoids, and proline). The findings of this study clearly demonstrate that the application of T. reesei and B. tequilensis CF at a specific dose and time significantly improve biomass as well as upregulates the metabolite biosynthetic pathway in an important medicinal plant- S. viarum. KEY POINTS: • Biotic elicitors stimulated the alkaloids/glycoalkaloid content in S. viarum plant cultures. • T. reesei was found to be most efficient for enhancing the growth and alkaloids content. • Elicited plants activate ROS based-defense mechanism to overcome oxidative damage.

Overview of COVID-19 Pandemic: Its Management and Prevention in Light of the Indian Traditional Medicine System

Abstract:

With the global death toll nearing 3.3 million, India being amongst the top 4 countries, the condition is more than fearsome. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one doctor per 1000 population ratio, but India lags it by one doctor to 1456 people, which sets a lot of pressure on the healthcare system. Traditional remedies are becoming increasingly popular in India as a result of the lack of a proper medical system. Due to the rich diversity of medicinal herbs and drugs; India has been managing health issues with its 5000 years old medication system. Amidst all this, the traditional medicine system has given relief to plenty of diseases and remains the primary defence system against COVID-19. Therefore, COVID-19 is also managed by its different medicinal systems, which are collectively known as the AYUSH regime. It had been a recognized system to tackle diseases in the past. In this mini-review, we performed a deep study of the Indian traditional medicine system in managing the COVID-19 situation.

Ethnomedical applications and conservation status of Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae plants in Uttar Pradesh, India

BACKGROUND

This review highlights the folklore, ethnomedicinal uses and conservation status of Caesalpinioideae in Uttar Pradesh (India).

AIMS

It aims at compiling available data of traditional medicine, biological activity, phytochemical information and assessing the regional red list status of Caesalpinioideae in Uttar Pradesh. The information provided would help in formulating new drugs and medicines and addressing global conservation issues of such medicinally exploited species.

METHODS

The current study included an extensive and systematic review of available literature, the study of previous collections of herbarium specimens, random interviews with locals and tribals, field surveys, and GeoCAT tool-based assessment during 2016-2020. The study reports that the majority of species of Caesalpinioideae are used for curing digestive problems (about 20 species) and skin diseases (19 species).

RESULT

Almost all the species have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. These pharmacological activities can be attributed to the presence of various types of anthraquinones in plants.

CONCLUSION

The regional conservation status reveals that eight species qualified for the status of regionally threatened category while two species fall under near threatened category.

Evaluation of Phytoremediation Potential of Pteris vittata L. on Arsenic Contaminated Soil Using Allium cepa Bioassay

The present study assessed the utility of Allium cepa based cyto-genotoxicity bioassays in evaluating the arsenic toxicity and remediation potential of Pteris vittata on contaminated soil of Lakhimpur-Kheri district. Untreated and P. vittata treated soil extracts were used for cyto-genotoxicity tests in A. cepa. Results showed that P. vittata extracted high concentration of arsenic, which ranged from 220 to 1420 mgkg^-1 in different soils. Cyto-genotoxic assessment of A. cepa showed that extract of P. vittata treated soil had lower cyto-genotoxic effects as compared to untreated soil. A higher mitotic index (10%) while lower mitotic depression (29%), relative abnormality rate (10%), chromosomal aberrations (1%) and micronuclei (2%) were detected in root meristematic cells of A. cepa exposed to remediated soil extract in comparison to untreated soil. The studies provide a simple, rapid and economic cyto-genotoxicity bioassay tool for evaluating toxicity of contaminated soils of contaminated soils as well as revealed the phytoremdiation property of P. vittata against arsenic toxicity.

Bioaccumulation and Toxicity of As in the Alga Chlorococcum sp.: Prospects for As Bioremediation

Ubiquitous distribution, fast growth rate and manifold relevance has credited algae a potential bioresource in current state of affairs of environmental degradation. In the present study, green alga Chlorococcum sp. has been collected from waste water, isolated and cultured to assess their accumulation and toxicity responses at different As(III) concentration. Results revealed that Chlorococcum sp. treated with 10 µM As(III) showed a minimal reduction (21%) in chlorophyll concentration with high proline and carotenoids content indicating its adaptive tolerance potential against As(III). The EC₅₀ of As(III) for inhibiting growth of the microalgae after 10 days of experiment was 9.4 µM. Further, Chlorococcum sp. accumulated 239.09 µg g^- 1 dw As at the concentration of 10 µM of As(III) after 10 days of treatment. Concentration dependent accumulation pattern and antioxidant responses in Chlorococcum sp. could be a used as a potential bioindicator and bioremediator of As from waste water.

Application of Pteris vittata L. for phytoremediation of arsenic and biomonitoring of the process through cyto-genetic biomarkers of Trigonella foenum-graecum L

The arsenic (As) contamination demands its remediation from the environment which is naturally possible by the application of Pteris vittata L. However, biomonitoring of phytoremediation potential of P. vittata at chromosomal and DNA level is still meager. The present study was designed to biomonitor the phytoremediation efficiency of P. vittata through phytotoxic and cyto-genotoxic biomarkers assessment using Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek; Methi) as test system. Study revealed hyperaccumulation potential of P. vittata which extracted arsenic in its tissues. Biomonitoring evaluation depicted that phytotoxic damage was reduced in Trigonella exposed to remediated soil, which was revealed through reduced electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide and MDA content. Moreover, cyto-genetic endpoints like mitotic depression (44.03%), relative abnormality rate (16.6%) and chromosomal abnormality frequency (1.06%) were also lesser in test plants grown in remediated soil compared to those grown in non-remediated soil. Along with this various chromosomal aberrations like stickiness, breaks, laggards, bridges, fragmentations and micronuclei were also augmented in test plants exposed to non-remediated arsenic enriched soil. It was evident that arsenic enriched soil caused toxicity to plants in dose-dependent manner that was assessable through the analysis of biochemical parameters and cyto-genetic biomarkers. The cyto-genetic biomarkers are very efficient, simple and non-expensive tools to biomonitor arsenic toxicity at chromosomal as well as DNA level to assess the remediation potential of P. vittata in field conditions.

miR775 integrates light, sucrose and auxin associated pathways to regulate root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of single-stranded non-coding RNA of 20-24 nucleotides, regulate gene expression by target gene transcript cleavage or translation inhibition. The phytohormone auxin is a crucial regulator of almost every process involved in plant growth and development. Several studies have demonstrated the involvement of miRNA(s) in the regulation of the auxin signaling pathway and plant development. However, very few studies have identified the auxin-mediated regulation of miRNA(s). In this study, we reveal the detailed mechanism of auxin-mediated regulation of the cell wall-related miR775- Galactosyl transferase (GalT) module, which plays an important role in root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana. We also showed two interdependent mechanisms by which miR775 regulates root growth: miR775-GalT and light-mediated sucrose-dependent pathways. Treatment of GUS reporter lines with Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), sucrose, and light apparently enhanced the abundance of miR775 in root tissue. miR775 overexpressing (miR775OX) lines showed changes in root architecture, including increased primary root growth and root hair, by targeting GalT. miR775OX lines also showed tolerance toward low Pi. These results provide new insights into the auxin regulation of cell wall-related miR775 and suggest its significant role in plant root growth and development by modifying the cell wall.

A review of chemistry and pharmacology of Piperidine alkaloids of Pinus and related genera

BACKGROUND

Pinus and other related conifers belonging to family pinaceae are most commonly used medicinal plants in Indian North-western Himalayas. Various parts of these plants including needles are source of several well known alkaloids. Of all the alkaloids, piperidine group is one of important component and hold considerable medicinal importance.

METHODS

The group of alkaloids was initially identified from genus Piper through which a large variety of piperidine molecules have been extracted. The planar structure of this heterocyclic nucleus enables acetamide groups to be added at various ring configurations.

RESULTS

In the area of drug research, the piperidine heterocycle has gained considerable interest. To produce a new therapeutic profile, the broad range of its therapeutic application paved the way for researchers to implant the nucleus from time to time in diversified pharmacophores.

DISCUSSION

However, biological functions of piperidine metabolites have been mostly examined on a limited scale and that most of the findings are thus preliminary. We have tried to present different clinical applications of piperidine alkaloids in this study that researchers have already attempted to demystify from time to time.

CONCLUSION

Given the importance of the piperidine nucleus, the study will enable the researcher to produce scaffolds of the highest therapeutic efficacy. We have also illustrated different types of piperidine, its sources in different member of family pinaceae with special emphasis on Pinus.

RNAi-based gene silencing in Phenacoccus solenopsis and its validation by in planta expression of a double-stranded RNA

BACKGROUND

Cotton is a cash crop majorly affected by many hemipteran pests, among them the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis. Cotton mealybug attack has a devastating effect on cotton production and causes huge yield losses.

RESULTS

In this study, 25 potential RNA interference (RNAi) target genes were selected from the iBeetle database and a transcriptome data set for P. solenopsis. To assess the effectiveness of the selected target genes, three methods were utilized to deliver double-stranded (ds)RNA (ingestion, artificial diet bioassay and transient gene silencing). dsRNA molecules at different concentrations were fed to insects and insect mortality was recorded for each target gene. Based on the mortality data, three genes, Krüppel homologue-1, ADP-ATP/Translocase and IDGF-1, were selected for further gene expression studies using a reduced concentration of dsRNA (5 μg/ml). Of the three genes, Krüppel homologue-1 showed significantly downregulated expression (by 70.81% and 84.33%) at two different time points (8 and 14 days). An RNAi silencing construct was designed for Krüppel homologue-1 under control of the double enhancer CamV35S promoter in the plant binary vector. Significant downregulation of gene expression, by 66.69% and 81.80%, was found for Krüppel homologue-1 using transient gene silencing at the same time intervals.

CONCLUSION

This work provides the first evidence for targeting the Krüppel homologue-1 gene in a hemipteran pest, P. solenopsis, using RNAi technology through oral delivery and in planta-based transient gene silencing methods. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Biomarker-based evaluation of cytogenotoxic potential of glyphosate in Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper genotypes

Herbicides have proven to be a boon for agricultural fields. Their inherent property to kill weeds and unwanted vegetation makes them an essential biological tool for farmers and agricultural systems. Besides being capable of destroying weeds, they also exhibit certain effects on non-target crop plants. In the present study, a laboratory experiment was performed to assess the effect of glyphosate on Vigna mungo root meristem cells. Seeds of five different genotypes of V. mungo were treated with a series of concentrations of glyphosate ranging from 1 to 10 mM, and their effects on mitotic cell division were studied. Healthy and uniform-sized seeds were selected and were allowed to grow in Petri plates for 3 days, and all the doses were maintained in triplicates. Roots were fixed at day 3 after treatment (DAT) for cytological microscopic slide preparation. The results obtained indicate the dose-dependent reduction in the mitotic index in all the genotypes and an increase in the percentage of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and relative abnormality rate (RAR). Most commonly observed chromosome aberrations at lower doses (< 6 mM) were fragments, stickiness, and disoriented metaphase, while at higher doses (6 to 10 mM) bridges, laggards, spindle disorientation, and clumping were obvious. The increase in the percentage of CAs and RAR indicates the inhibitory effect of glyphosate on cell cycle progression at various stages in root tip cells. The present study is a fine example of a biomarker-based genotoxic assessment of mitotic damage caused by glyphosate.

Postoperative continuous non-invasive cardiac output monitoring on the ward: a feasibility study

Postoperative hypotension is common (occurring in one third of patients) and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. The LiDCO CNAP (continuous non-invasive arterial pressure) device measures haemodynamics but has not been widely adopted in ward environments. Improved early detection of hypotension by CNAP might guide interventions to improve clinical outcomes. We aimed to find the proportion of patients who tolerated LiDCO CNAP for 12 h postoperatively, to unmask episodes of hypotension detected by continuous monitoring and to characterise the haemodynamic profile at the time of hypotension. In this feasibility study, patients undergoing major elective surgery were continuously postoperatively monitored using CNAP. Haemodynamic data gathered from CNAP, including nSVRI (nominal systemic vascular resistance index), nSVI (nominal stroke volume index), SVV (stroke volume variation) and blood pressure, were analysed using Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism 8. 104 patients (age (mean ± sd): 68 ± 14, male (56%)) had CNAP sited postoperatively. 39% tolerated the CNAP device for at least 12 h. Within the 104 patients a mean of 81.2 min of hypotension detected by CNAP was not detected by usual care. The proportion of low/normal/high nSVI was 71%, 27% and 2%, nSVRI was 43%, 17% and 40%, respectively. CNAP monitoring was not tolerated for 12 h in the majority of patients. There were many episodes of hypotension unmasked through continuous monitoring. Based on the advanced haemodynamic data provided it is possible that the underlying cause of a third of postoperative hypotensive episodes is vasodilation rather than hypovolaemia.Trial registry number: NCT04010058 (ClinicalTrials.gov) Date of registration: 08/07/2019.

Mobile media exposure and use in children aged zero to five years with diagnosed neurodevelopmental disability

OBJECTIVE

The present study was conducted to determine the extent of exposure to and use of mobile devices by children (aged 0-60 months) with a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disability.

DESIGN

A self-report survey-based design was employed.

SETTING

Questionnaires were administered at a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included a convenience sample of 423 children with a neurodevelopmental disability (aged 0-60 months). The self-report survey was administered to the parents of the children.

RESULTS

Analyses showed that 92.7% (n = 392) of all respondents have smartphones. 61% (n = 258) of the respondents stated that their children used mobile devices before 2 years of age. 58% (n = 246) of the parents gave children devices while feeding. A statistically significant difference was found in the mobile media usage between groups of children with different diagnoses (p < 0.001). Children diagnosed with ASD appeared to spend the largest amount of time on mobile media (m = 180.44 mins), as compared to children included with other diagnoses. Of the diagnosed children, only 13.4% (n = 57) of parents were informed about the possible negative effects of media use by their paediatricians.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest premature mobile media habits, frequent use and lack of awareness about the effects of mobile media usage among children diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disability. We suggest there is a need to update recommendations for caregivers on the use of mobile media by young children with disability.Implications for rehabilitationThe usage and consequences of mobile media use differ based on the type of neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis. Parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders often use mobile media as a distraction while engaging in various activities themselves, this information helps identify times at which mobile media might be purposefully used by parents as distractorsThere is an urgent need for clinical guidelines regarding mobile media usage among young children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Effect of rhizospheric inoculation of isolated arsenic (As) tolerant strains on growth, As-uptake and bacterial communities in association with Adiantum capillus-veneris

Two arsenic (As) hyper-tolerant bacterial strains NM01 Paracoccus versutus and NM04 Aeromonas caviae were isolated from As polluted site of West Bengal, India. The strains not only possess the potential to tolerate up to 20,000 mgl^-1 As(V) and 10,000 mgl^-1 As(III) but also possess plant growth promoting (PGP) traits like phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, IAA production. Greenhouse pot experiments were conducted to assess the effect of rhizospheric inoculation of both the strains individually and in consortia in As accumulation by Adiantum capillus-veneries. It was observed that the microbial inoculation significantly (p < 0.05) increased the synthesis of thiolic compounds and thus, enhanced As accumulation with translocation factor (TF) > 1. The strains regulated endogenous phytohormone up to 90% and 77.9% increase in auxin of consortia inoculated root and shoot, respectively. Interestingly, inoculation of the isolated strains augmented rhizospheric microbial diversity which was negatively affected by heavy metal. The results of high-throughput Illumina MiSeq sequencing technique to observe the composition of the bacterial community revealed 11,536 unique bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from As + S (non-inoculated), whereas 11,884 from Consortia As + S (inoculated) rhizospheric soil samples. Inoculated soil displayed higher bacterial diversity indices (ACE and Chao 1) with the dominant bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. Our results highlight the innate PGP abilities of the strains and its potential to facilitate phytoextraction by enhancing As accumulation in the shoot.

Detecting and predicting neutralization of alemtuzumab responses in MS

Objective

To test the hypothesis that antidrug antibodies (ADAs) against alemtuzumab could become relevant after repeated treatments for some individuals, possibly explaining occasional treatment resistance.

Methods

Recombinant alemtuzumab single-chain variable fragment antibody with a dual tandem nanoluciferase reporter linker was made and used to detect binding ADAs. Alemtuzumab immunoglobulin G Alexa Fluor 488 conjugate was used in a competitive binding cell-based assay to detect neutralizing ADAs. The assays were used to retrospectively screen, blinded, banked serum samples from people with MS (n = 32) who had received 3 or more cycles of alemtuzumab. Lymphocyte depletion was measured between baseline and about 1 month postinfusion.

Results

The number of individuals showing limited depletion of lymphocytes increased with the number of treatment cycles. Lack of depletion was also a poor prognostic feature for future disease activity. ADA responses were detected in 29/32 (90.6%) individuals. Neutralizing antibodies occurred before the development of limited depletion in 6/7 individuals (18.8% of the whole sample). Preinfusion, ADA levels predicted limited, postinfusion lymphocyte depletion.

Conclusions

Although ADAs to alemtuzumab have been portrayed as being of no clinical significance, alemtuzumab-specific antibodies appear to be clinically relevant for some individuals, although causation remains to be established. Monitoring of lymphocyte depletion and the antidrug response may be of practical value in patients requiring additional cycles of alemtuzumab. ADA detection may help to inform on retreatment or switching to another treatment.

A cell-based assay for the detection of neutralizing antibodies against alemtuzumab

Aim:

The humanized anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab depletes lymphocytes and is currently used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis. During treatment, anti-alemtuzumab antibodies may develop and reduce effective lymphocyte depletion in future treatment cycles.

Results:

Alemtuzumab–Alexa Fluor 488 conjugate binding to the CHO-CD52 cell surface was inhibited by anti-alemtuzumab antibodies.

Conclusion:

In this proof-of-concept study, a CHO-CD52 cell line has been developed and used to detect the presence of anti-alemtuzumab neutralizing antibodies. This platform provides the basis of an assay for routine screening of serum for neutralizing antibodies from patients treated with alemtuzumab.

We developed a competition assay between alemtuzumab and neutralizing antibodies to adherent CD52-expressing cells. The anti-alemtuzumab antibodies inhibit alemtuzumab–Alexa Fluor 488 binding to cell surface CD52. Reduction in the fluorescence signal is proportional the amount of antidrug antibody in the serum sample.

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are currently used for the treatment of numerous diseases and conditions, including relapsing multiple sclerosis, and are the most advanced targeted therapies available. However, they all have the potential to cause immunogenic reactions and generate antibodies that bind to the drug and reduce its therapeutic efficacy. As a result, patients do not receive the expected benefit from treatment, and the effect is cumulative with repeat dosing. The timely detection of antidrug antibodies has the potential to avoid these major risks. Here we describe a cell-based method for detecting anti-alemtuzumab neutralizing antibodies.

The Irony of Humanization: Alemtuzumab, the First, But One of the Most Immunogenic, Humanized Monoclonal Antibodies

Alemtuzumab was designed to reduce the immunogenicity of the parent CD52-specific rat immunoglobulin. Although originally marketed for use in cancer (Mabcampath®), alemtuzumab is currently licensed and formulated for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (Lemtrada®). Perhaps due to its history as the first humanized antibody, the potential of immunogenicity of the molecule has been considered inconsequential, and anti-drug antibodies (ADA) responses were similarly reported as being clinically insignificant. Nonetheless, despite humanization and depletion of peripheral T and B cells, alemtuzumab probably generates the highest frequency of binding and neutralizing ADA of all humanized antibodies currently in clinical use, and they occur rapidly in a large majority of people with MS (pwMS) on alemtuzumab treatment. These ADA appear to be an inherent issue of the biology of the molecule-and more importantly, the target-such that avoidance of immunogenicity-related effects has been facilitated by the dosing schedule used in clinical practice. At the population level this enables the drug to work in most pwMS, but in some individuals, as we show here, antibody neutralization appears to be sufficiently severe to reduce efficacy and allow disease breakthrough. It is therefore imperative that efficacy of lymphocyte depletion and the anti-drug response is monitored in people requiring additional cycles of treatment, notably following disease breakthrough. This may help inform whether to re-treat or to switch to another disease-modifying treatment.

Ethnobotany and Pharmacology of Pinus Species Growing Naturally in Indian Himalayas: A Plant Review

Pinus species are amongst the most commonly used medicinal plants in Indian Northwestern Himalayas. Nearly all parts of the plant especially needles are believed to possess medicinal and clinical values in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurvedic, Unani or Homeopathic. They are used to heal numerous diseases, including afflictions of the skin, eyes, throats and ears. Various parts of the plant including needles are rich in biologically active compounds, such as thunbergol, 3-carene, cembrene, α-pinene, quercetin, xanthone, etc. The scientific data available for the biological potential of this plant and its constituents have been found to be scanty and also does not satisfy the basis of their age-old folklore and local uses. This review focuses on a detailed analysis of ethnopharmacognosical studies on the needles of different Pinus species growing naturally in northwestern region of Indian Himalayas including investigations and findings that have come up with a concrete view of the abilities of plant components for example phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and other constituents to treat oxidative, inflammatory and microbial responses. Careful evaluation of the data presented may be helpful for the researchers to discover and evaluate the specific chemical entities responsible for the traditional medicinal uses of P. roxburghii, P.wallichiana, P. merkusii, P.kesiya and P.thunbergii.

HbA1C in Management of Type II Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-sectional Survey of Indian Physicians

OBJECTIVES

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) estimation is the standard and commonly used method for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes therapy. We conducted a questionnaire based survey to understand the Indian physician's adherence to HbA1C for effectively managing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and its influence on the decision making process.

METHODS

A validated questionnaire comprising of 10 questions was administered to physicians/endocrinologists at the 44th Annual Conference of RSSDI-2016, Hyderabad. The questions of the survey were designed to understand average cutoff HbA1C level for physicians to start the mono-therapy or combination therapy with or without insulin along with preferred class of Oral anti-diabetic drugs (OAD) in Indian T2DM patients.

RESULTS

41% physicians selected HbA1C level in between 7.0-7.4% to start mono-therapy while 94.5% chose metformin as the first line OAD. In metformin uncontrolled patients, 56.8% responders chose to start a DPP4 inhibitor. To initiate dual therapy 42.9% responders chose HbA1c level of 8.0-8.4% while for triple therapy 37.1% responders selected HbA1c level of 9.0-9.4%.

CONCLUSION

This survey shows the management patterns of T2DM patients by Indian physicians are in line with western guidelines especially AACE. Though guidelines do not offer stringent recommendation on first/second add-on class of OADs, DPP4i emerged as preferred choice for mono-therapy in metforminintolerant patients and as first add-on in patients uncontrolled on metformin alone.

Characterizing the hypertolerance potential of two indigenous bacterial strains (Bacillus flexus and Acinetobacter junii) and their efficacy in arsenic bioremediation

AIMS

The aims of the study were to (i) isolate and characterize arsenic-tolerant bacterial strains, (ii) study the plant growth-promoting traits and (iii) explore their bioremediation potential.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Indigenous arsenic hypertolerant bacterial isolates NM02 and NM03 were screened as they were capable of growing at 150 mmol l^-1 As (V) and 70 mmol l^-1 As (III). They were identified on the basis of morphological, physiological and biochemical parameter and 16sDNA sequence as Bacillus flexus and Acinetobacter junii respectively. Genomic DNA analysis for the investigation of ars operon revealed the presence of metalloregulatory arsC gene, suggesting their ability to detoxify arsenic. The analysis for siderophore, phosphate solubilization, indole acetic acid (IAA) and ACC deaminase highlighted the intrinsic plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria traits of both the bacterial strains. The energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis proved the potential of cellular arsenic sequestration within the strains. Moreover, Fourier-transform infrared spectra revealed the repositioning of the spectral bands in As presence, indicating the presence of those functional groups on the bacterial surface that is involved in As adsorption.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that bacterial strains NM02 and NM03 were identified as potent applicants for arsenic bioremediation and possess the ability to facilitate plant growth.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The bacterial strains are proficient in As detoxification and can be employed for arsenic bioremediation; a cost-effective and in situ remediation technique for the polluted soil.

Status of Selinum spp. L. a Himalayan Medicinal Plant in India: A Review of Its Pharmacology, Phytochemistry and Traditional Uses

There is a growing trend of herbal medicines in India as well as other parts of the world. The use of herbal medicines alone or alongside prescription drugs for disease management is quite common now. We hereby carry out a review of dominant species of Selinum mainly S. vaginatum C.B. Clarke and S. wallichianum (DC.) Raizada & H.O. Saxena which are potent source of herbal medicine and whose potential is still not exploited. They are found in Northern Himalayas in the states of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in India, and also distributed in adjoining countries like China, Nepal, and West Pakistan. It is a perennial, primitive, high altitude, therapeutic herbal plant belonging to family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) traditionally used for various diseases like epilepsy, seizures, and hysteria, etc. The aim of this review was to provide a summary on botanical characterization, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activity of Selinum spp. The available information will be further tapped for commercial use of this plant without endangering its status. Based on the available evidence on the species pharmacology and chemistry, we highlight in which their therapeutic potential can be properly harnessed for possible integration into the country's healthcare system and be further passed on globally.

Role of GhHDA5 in H3K9 deacetylation and fiber initiation in Gossypium hirsutum

Cotton fibers are single-celled trichomes that initiate from the epidermal cells of the ovules at or before anthesis. Here, we identified that the histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is essential for proper cotton fiber initiation. We further identified 15 HDACs homoeologs in each of the A- and D-subgenomes of Gossypium hirsutum. Few of these HDAC homoeologs expressed preferentially during the early stages of fiber development [-1, 0 and 6 days post-anthesis (DPA)]. Among them, GhHDA5 expressed significantly at the time of fiber initiation (-1 and 0 DPA). The in vitro assay for HDAC activity indicated that GhHDA5 primarily deacetylates H3K9 acetylation marks. Moreover, the reduced expression of GhHDA5 also suppresses fiber initiation and lint yield in the RNA interference (RNAi) lines. The 0 DPA ovules of GhHDA5RNAi lines also showed alterations in reactive oxygen species homeostasis and elevated autophagic cell death in the developing fibers. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified through RNA-seq of RNAi line (DEP12) and their pathway analysis showed that GhHDA5 modulates expression of many stress and development-related genes involved in fiber development. The reduced expression of GhHDA5 in the RNAi lines also resulted in H3K9 hyper-acetylation on the promoter region of few DEGs assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The positively co-expressed genes with GhHDA5 showed cumulative higher expression during fiber initiation, and gene ontology annotation suggests their involvement in fiber development. Furthermore, the predicted protein interaction network in the positively co-expressed genes indicates HDA5 modulates fiber initiation-specific gene expression through a complex involving reported repressors.

Recombinant Plant Engineering for Immunotherapeutic Production

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The requirement for large quantities of therapeutic proteins has fueled a great interest in the production of recombinant proteins in plant bioreactors. The vaccines and bio-therapeutic protein production in plants hold the promise of significantly lowering the cost of manufacturing life-saving drugs. This review will reflect the current status and challenges that the molecular farming platform faces becoming a strategic solution for the development of low-cost bio-therapeutics for developing countries.

RECENT FINDINGS

Different plant parts have been successfully identified as suitable expression systems for the commercial production of therapeutic proteins for some human and animal diseases ranging from common cold to AIDS. The processed therapeutics from such sources are devoid of any toxic components. The large-scale cultivation of these transgenic plants would be possible anywhere in the world including developing countries, which lack sophisticated drug manufacturing units. A couple of such commercially generated products have already hit the market with success. Newer methods using suitable plant viruses and recombinant gene expression systems have already been devised for producing therapeutic proteins and peptides.

SUMMARY

Plants are promising bio-factories for therapeutic protein production because of their several advantages over the other expression systems especially the advanced mechanisms for protein synthesis and post-translational modification which are very much similar to animal cells. Plant biotechnologists are much attracted to the bio-farming because of its flexibility, scalability, low manufacturing cost, as well as the lack of risk of toxic or pathogenic contamination. A number of projects on bio-farming are designed and are at various developmental stages but have not yet become available to the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, we need further advancement in the optimization of lab protocols for up-scaling the production of such therapeutics at commercial level with a promise to offer their best clinical use.

Oral Rabies Vaccine Design for Expression in Plants

Vaccination is the sensitization process of the immune system against any pathogen. Generally, recombinant subunit vaccines are considered safer than attenuated vaccines. As whole pathogenic organisms are used in the immunization process, the attenuated vaccines are considered more risky than subunit vaccines. Rabies is the oldest known zoonosis which spreads through a neurotropic Lyssavirus primarily mediated through infected canine bites. Rabies causes worldwide loss of more than 60,000 human lives every year. Animal vaccination is equally important to check the transmission of rabies into humans. Rabies oral vaccination can be a good alternative where multiple booster and priming regimens are required while the painful vaccination process can continue for long durations. Introduction of oral vaccines was made to ease the discomfort associated with the mode of introduction of conventional vaccines into the body. Although the rabies oral vaccine can substantially reduce the cost of vaccination in the developing countries, mass immunization programs need larger quantities of vaccines which should be delivered at nominal cost. Expression of recombinant antigen proteins in E. coli is often not viable because of lack of post-translational modifications and folding requirements. Though yeast and insect cell line expression systems have post-translational processing and modifications, significantly different immunological response against their post-translational modification pattern limits their deployment as an expression system. As an alternative, plants are emerging as a promising system to express and deliver wide range of functionally active biopharmaceutical product at lower cost for mass immunization programs. As generation of vaccine antigenic proteins in plant systems are cheaper, the strategy will benefit developing countries where this disease causes thousands of deaths every year. In this chapter, we will discuss about our efforts toward development of oral rabies vaccine and the methodological steps involved during this procedure in detail.

Matrix Metalloproteinase 20–Dentin Sialophosphoprotein Interaction in Oral Cancer

Matrix metalloproteinase 20 (MMP-20), widely regarded as tooth specific, participates with MMP-2 in processing dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) into dentin sialoprotein, dentin phosphoprotein, and dentin glycoprotein. In biochemical system, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 bind with high affinity to, and are activated by, specific small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoproteins (SIBLINGs): bone sialoprotein, osteopontin, and dentin matrix protein 1, respectively. Subsequent reports documented possible biological relevance of SIBLING-MMP interaction in vivo by showing that SIBLINGs are always coexpressed with their MMP partners. However, the cognate MMPs for 2 other SIBLINGs—DSPP and matrix extracellular phosphogylcoprotein—are yet to be identified. Our goal was to investigate MMP-20 expression and to explore preliminary evidence of its interaction with DSPP in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Immunohistochemistry analysis of sections from 21 cases of archived human OSCC tissues showed immunoreactivity for MMP-20 in 18 (86%) and coexpression with DSPP in all 15 cases (71%) positive for DSPP. Similarly, 28 (93%) of 30 cases of oral epithelial dysplasia were positive for MMP-20. Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis on OSCC cell lines showed upregulation of MMP-20 protein and mRNA, respectively, while immunofluorescence showed coexpression of MMP-20 and DSPP. Colocalization and potential interaction of MMP-20 with dentin sialoprotein was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis of immunoprecipitation product from OSCC cell lysate, and in situ proximity ligation assays. Significantly, results of chromatin immunoprecipation revealed a 9-fold enrichment of DSPP at MMP-20 promoter–proximal elements. Our data provide evidence that MMP-20 has a wider tissue distribution than previously acknowledged. MMP-20–DSPP specific interaction, excluding other MMP-20–SIBLING pairings, identifies MMP-20 as DSPP cognate MMP. Furthermore, the strong DSPP enrichment at the MMP-20 promoter suggests a regulatory role in MMP-20 transcription. These novel findings provide the foundation to explore the mechanisms and significance of DSPP-MMP-20 interaction in oral carcinogenesis.

Yield enhancement strategies for the production of picroliv from hairy root culture of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth

Fast-growing hairy root cultures of Picrorhiza kurroa induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes offers a potential production system for iridoid glycosides. In present study we have investigated the effects of various nutrient medium formulations viz B5, MS, WP and NN, and sucrose concentrations (1-8%) on the biomass and glycoside production of selected clone (14-P) of P. kurroa hairy root. Full strength B5 medium was found to be most suitable for maximum biomass yield on the 40th day of culture (GI = 32.72 ± 0.44) followed by the NN medium of the same strength (GI = 22.9 ± 0.43). Secondary metabolite production was 1.1 and 1.3 times higher in half strength B5 medium respectively in comparison to MS medium. Maximum biomass accumulation along with the maximum picroliv content was achieved with 4% sucrose concentration in basal medium. RT vitamin and Thiamine-HCl effected the growth and secondary metabolite production of hairy roots growing on MS medium but did not show any effect on other media. The pH of the medium played significant role in growth and secondary metabolite production and was found to be highest at pH 6.0 while lowest at pH 3.0 and pH 8.0. To enhance the production of biomass and Picroliv 5 liter working capacity bioreactor was used, 27-fold (324 g FW) higher growth was observed in bioreactor than shake flask and secondary metabolite production was similarly enhanced.

Pharmacology and chemistry of a potent hepatoprotective compound Picroliv isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa royle ex benth. (kutki)

Natural products from plants are of major pharmaceutical and therapeutic importance, several of which are often obtained from the underground parts of the concerned plants. Deviation from standard rules in modern medicines, where instead of a single isolated fraction, a group of naturally occurring components exerts the desired therapeutic effect, was noted in case of Picroliv or Kutkin of Picrorhiza kurroa. "Picroliv" mainly a glucoside, is one such compound, normally obtained from 3 - 4 years old roots and rhizomes of an endangered medicinal plant - Picrorhiza kurroa (kutki) and constitute an important component of many Indian herbal preparations, used mainly for the treatment of a variety of liver ailments. It is an iridoid glycoside mixture containing 60% picroside I and kutkoside in the ratio of 1:1.5. Picroliv has shown efficacy comparable to silymarin in rodent models of galactosamine, paracetamol, thioacetamide and CCl(4) induced hepatic damage. Picroliv has also shown cholerectic effect in rats and anti-cholestatic effect in rats, guinea pigs and cats treated with paracetamol and ethinyl estradiol. It has also anti-viral and immune-stimulant activities and is devoid of any significant CNS and CVS, autonomic and other systemic activity. Because of its apparent ability as a strong hepato-protective and immune-modulatory compound, it is in high demand in both national and international markets. The review discusses the potential of Picrorhiza in various hepatic diseases as well as the chemistry and activity of individual compound of crude drug Picroliv.

Arsenic and lead induced free radical generation and their reversibility following chelation

Health hazards caused by heavy metals have become a great concern to the population. Lead and arsenic are one of the most important current global environmental toxicants. Their toxic manifestations are being considered caused primarily due to the imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant homeostasis and also due to a high affinity of these metals for thiol groups on functional proteins. They also interfere with a number of other body functions and are known to affect central nervous system (CNS), hematopoietic system, liver and kidneys and produce serious disorders. They produce both acute and chronic poisoning, of which chronic poisoning is more dangerous as its very difficult to revert back to normal condition after chronic exposure to these insidious metals present in our life. Despite many years of research, we are still far from an effective treatment of chronic plumbism and arsenicosis. Current approved treatment lies in the administration of chelating agents that forms an insoluble complex with the metal and removes it. They have been used clinically as antidotes for treating acute and chronic poisoning. The most widely used chelating agents are calcium disodium ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (CaNa2EDTA), D-penicillamine and British anti-lewisite (BAL). Meso 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), an analogue of BAL, has been tried successfully in animals as well as in humans. But it is unable to remove the metal from intracellular sites. Effective chelation therapy for intoxication by heavy metals depends on whether the chelating agents are able to reach the intracellular site where the heavy metal is firmly bound. One of the important approaches has been the use of combination therapy. This includes use of structurally different chelators or a combination of an adjuvant/ antioxidant/ herbal extracts and a chelator to provide better clinical/ biochemical recovery. A number of other strategies have been suggested to minimize the numerous problems. This article presents the recent development made in this area with possible directions for future research.

Who wins in the status games? Violence, sexual violence, and an emerging single standard among adolescent women

Throughout U.S. history, women have changed their sexual behaviors in response to, or as actors affecting, economic, political, and legal imperatives; to preserve health; to promote new relationship, identity or career paths; to assert a set of values; as a result of new reproductive technologies; or to gain status. In adjusting to pressures or goals, women have not always acted, or been able to act, in the interests of their own health, identity, or status. As this article will demonstrate, women, in the short or long run, may attempt to preserve status at the cost of other values such as health. This may occur through conscious and critical choice or through less conscious processes in reaction to relatively larger forces whose impact has not been critically analyzed. With the awareness in the 1980s in the United States of an emergent and incurable sexually transmissible infection, HIV, it would have been anticipated that a new sexual caution may have appeared. Yet, across several research projects in the late 1990s and into the 21st century, as our research team interviewed youth in a high HIV seroprevalence neighborhood in New York City about HIV prevention, we began to hear that a substantial minority of young women and men were participating in social settings for sexual behavior that (1) put youth at risk for HIV; (2) appeared to be motivated by acquisition of status ("props," "points"); and (3) offered few ways for women to win in these status games. We estimate from one random dwelling unit sample that about one in eight youth have been present in these settings and half of them have participated in risky sexual behavior in such settings. The settings are often characterized by men's publicly offhand attitudes toward sexual encounters, are organized around men's status maintenance, and evidence peer pressures that are poorly understood by both young men and women participants. To regain status, some women participants have adopted attitudes more characteristic of men.

A rare foreign body on penis leading to incarceration

Foreign body on penis is usually put himself or by his female partner by adults for sexual gratification and in children as an innocent childish play. We have managed a 10 years shepherd who put on a bark of tree with successful outcome which is not being reported in literature.

Novel natural products from soil DNA libraries in a streptomycete host

As a route to accessing the potential chemical diversity of uncultivable microbes from the soil, combinatorial biosynthetic libraries were constructed by cloning large fragments of DNA isolated from soil into a Streptomyces lividans host. Four novel compounds, terragines A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4), were isolated from recombinant 436-s4-5b1, and another novel compound, terragine E (5), was isolated from 446-s3-102g1. The structures were determined by a combination of spectroscopic techniques, primarily 2D NMR.

An efficient in vitro procedure for micropropagation and generation of somaclones of rose scented Pelargonium

Efficient protocols have been established for both direct and indirect regeneration of plants in Pelargonium graveolens Indian cultivar Hemanti (Algerian type). Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium [T. Murashige, F. Skoog, A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiol. Plant. 15 (1962) 473-497] supplemented with 5.0 mg/l kinetin and 1.0 mg/l NAA was optimal for direct regeneration of plants from leaf explants while 8.0 mg/l kinetin and 1.0 mg/l NAA proved optimum for nodal explants for maximum number of shoots per explant. Callus induction was observed from nodal explants on MS medium supplemented with 10 mg/l kinetin and 1.0 mg/l NAA. Callus on further transfer to MS medium with 0.5 mg/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l NAA exhibited regeneration of maximum number of shoots. In vitro grown shoots of both direct and indirect origin rooted within 7-10 days following transfer to half strength MS medium with 1.0 mg/l IBA. Plantlets were acclimatized under glass house conditions with 90% survival. Randomly selected 85 individual Calliclones were subjected to field trial with 85-95% survival for two successive years along with control in randomized block design with three replicates. Screening of these calliclones revealed two distinct morphotypes, one with parental type highly dentated leaves (HDL) and the other with less dentated, round leaves (LDL). Only HDL calliclones flowered under field conditions. The LDL clones differed in several herb related agronomic characteristics such as plant height, herb yield, canopy size and number of branches per plant from the parental type as well as from the parent, which seems advantageous for commercial exploitation of such clones. The HDL clones closely resemble the parent in having higher content of citronellol than geraniol while the LDL clones contain almost equal contents of citronellol and geraniol in their essential oils as revealed by gas chromatography analysis. It is noticeable that the variability both in terms of agronomic characters and essential oil profiles among the clones were stable over 2 years of field trials.

Antimycobacterial polyynes of Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus), a North American native medicinal plant

Two new (3 and 5), as well as three known (1, 2, and 4), polyynes were isolated from Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus; Araliaceae), a medicinal plant of North America. The structures were established by 1H and 13C NMR. The absolute configurations of 2 and 5 were determined by application of Mosher's method. All the polyynes exhibited significant anti-Candida, antibacterial, and antimycobacterial activity, with an ability to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis and isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium avium at 10 micrograms/disk in a disk diffusion assay.

Antibacterial and antifungal polyine compounds from Glehnia littoralis ssp. leiocarpa

Glehnia littoralis F. Schmidt ssp. leiocarpa (Mathias) Hult. (Apiaceae), a species of ethnopharmacological interest in British Columbia, has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Antibacterial and antifungal compounds include two hitherto unreported polyine compounds, (9Z)1,9-heptadecadiene-4,6-diyne-3,8,11-triol and (10E)1,10-heptadecadiene-4,6-diyne-3,8,9-triol.

An antibacterial thiophene from Balsamorhiza sagittata

Balsamorhiza sagittata, a species of ethnopharmacological interest in British Columbia, is reported to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. An antibacterial compound isolated from this species was identified as 7,10-epithio-7,9-tridecadiene-3,5,11-triyne-1,2-diol based on the HMQC and HMBC experiments.

Chlorochimaphilin: a new antibiotic from Moneses uniflora

A study of the antimicrobial compounds from Moneses uniflora resulted in the isolation of a novel compound, 8-chloro-2,7-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (8-chlorochimaphilin) (1), together with chimaphilin (2) and 3-hydroxychimaphilin (3) as the antimicrobial components. 2,7-Dimethyl-1,3-dihydroxynaphthyl 4-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (4) and 2,7-dimethoxy-1,4,8-trihydroxynaphthalene (6) were also isolated and identified.

Antimicrobial constituents of Rhus glabra

The antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract and isolated constituents of Rhus glabra (Anacardiaceae), a species used in folk medicine by North American native people, was evaluated against 11 microorganisms, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The extract was subsequently fractionated and monitored by bioassays leading to the isolation of three antibacterial compounds, the methyl ester of 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (methyl gallate) (minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) 12.5 micrograms/ml), 4-methoxy-3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (MIC 25 micrograms/ml) and gallic acid (MIC > 1000 micrograms/ml). The first two compounds are reported here for the first time from Rhus glabra. Their structures were established using spectroscopic and chemical methods.