Sequencing and analysis of the whole genome of Indian Gujarati male.

The article presents the analysis of whole genome sequence of a Gujarati Indian individual (IHGP01) that was sequenced at 23.05× coverage with a total of 74.93 Gb of sequence data generated using Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. Variant analysis revealed over 3.9 million single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and about 393,000 small insertions and deletions (InDels) including novel variants. The known variants were analyzed for their health and disease relevance and pharmacogenomic profile. Mitochondrial and Y-chromosome haplogroup analysis clearly indicated arrival on the continent not more than 20,000-25,000 years ago, following the route out of Africa to central Europe, then into Asian continent and subsequent migration to West part of the Indian subcontinent. The current research has added 141,000 novel genetic variations to the human DNA database. Functional analysis and validation of these novel variations and revelation of their role in health and disease will add a newer dimension to understand people of this subcontinent.

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines linked with thiazoles/thiophene motif through keto spacer as potential cytotoxic agents and NF-κB inhibitors.

A series of new imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine linked with thiazole/thiophene motif through a keto spacer were synthesized and tested for their cytotoxic potential against three human cancer cell lines including A549, HeLa and U87-MG using MTT assay. Compounds A2, A3, A4, C1 and C2 showed cytotoxicity against all the three cell lines. The selectivity index for compound A4 for A549 and HeLa cells was comparable to that of doxorubicin. Among the synthesized compounds, B5 showed the maximum inhibition of NF-κB activity as ascertained by NF-κB reporter assay (IC50 = 6.5 ±â€¯0.6 µM). Treatment of NCI-H23 cells (EGFR overexpressed, KRAS G12V mutant) with erlotinib and gefitinib along with compounds A4 and B5 indicated synergistic and additive potential of combination therapy.

Neuroprotective Effects of Ethyl Pyruvate against Aluminum Chloride-Induced Alzheimer's Disease in Rats via Inhibiting Toll-Like Receptor 4.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the formation of insoluble deposits of ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques within the parenchyma of the brain. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective role of ethyl pyruvate against in vitro and in vivo model of aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced AD. Effect of ethyl pyruvate (5, 10, 20, 40 mM) against AlCl3 (1250 µM)-induced neurotoxicity in primary neuron-glial mixed cell culture was evaluated using cell viability assays (MTT assay as well as calcein-AM/propidium iodide fluorescent dyes). In vivo model, AlCl3 (50 mg/kg) were given through intraperitoneal route (i.p.) once daily for 4 weeks in rats and after 2 weeks, ethyl pyruvate (50, 100, 200 mg/kg/day) was co-administered with AlCl3 once daily via the oral route. The present study, in addition to perform histopathology of the brain, also estimated oxidant and antioxidant parameters as well as memory impairment using pole test, plus maze, and Morris water maze test. The binding mode of ethyl pyruvate in the hMD-2 was also studied. Results of in vitro studies showed that the AlCl3 administration resulted in neuronal cell death. AlCl3 administration in rats resulted in memory loss, oxidative stress (increased lipid peroxide and nitric oxide), impairment of antioxidant mechanisms (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione), and deposition of amyloid plaques in cerebral cortex region of the brain. AlCl3 also resulted in the overexpression of the TLR4 receptors in the brain tissues. Administration of ethyl pyruvate ameliorated the AlCl3-induced neurotoxicity in neuron-glial mixed cell culture as well as histopathological, neurochemical, and behavioral consequences of chronic administration of AlCl3 in the rat. Ethyl pyruvate showed a docking score of 4.048. Thus, ethyl pyruvate is effective against in vitro and in vivo models of AlCl3-induced AD.

Repositioning of anti-viral drugs as therapy for cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Increase in expression of eIF4E (Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E) protein is mediated by oncogenic proteins of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Increased expression of eIF4E plays an important role in HPV induced carcinogenesis. Ribavirin and Indinavir are known inhibitors of eIF4E activity. METHODS: The effect of the drugs on HeLa cells was assessed by in vitro assays including cell viability using MTT and Neutral red assay, apoptotic potential using Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 activity assays and MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion by determination of Gelatinase activity. The in vivo effect of Ribavirin treatment on tumor volume was assessed in human xenograft in immunocompromised C57BL/6 mice. RESULTS: In vitro analyses indicate that Ribavirin and Indinavir reduce viability of HeLa cells, induce apoptosis and decrease secretion of MMPs. Treatment with Ribavirin at a dose of 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg daily led to significant decrease in tumor volume in vivo. CONCLUSION: The study thus provides evidence that Ribavirin and Indinavir can be explored as therapy against HPV-18 induced cervical cancer.

Increased intestinal P-glycoprotein expression and activity with progression of diabetes and its modulation by epigallocatechin-3-gallate: Evidence from pharmacokinetic studies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in the expression and the activity of intestinal P-glycoprotein (efflux transporter) with progression of diabetes in rats. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using a combination of low dose streptozotocin along with high fat diet. The expression of intestinal P-glycoprotein significantly increased (P≤0.05) with the progression of diabetes which was inferred from the mRNA analysis of mdr1a and mdr1b genes in the ileum segment of rat intestine. Furthermore, a significant increase (P≤0.05) in Na(+)-K(+) ATPase activity was observed in the ileum segment of rat intestine with the progression of diabetes. As a result of this, a significant decrease in the intestinal uptake and peroral bioavailability of the P-glycoprotein substrates (verapamil and atorvastatin) was observed along with the progression of diabetes as compared to normal animals. To address this problem of impaired drug uptake and bioavailability, a reported P-glycoprotein inhibitor, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, was experimentally evaluated. The treatment with epigallocatechin-3-gallate resulted in significant reduction in the expression and activity of P-glycoprotein and subsequent improvement in the intestinal uptake and peroral bioavailability of both verapamil and atorvastatin in normal as well as in diabetic animals. The findings of this study rationalised the use and established the mechanism of action of epigallocatechin-3-gallate to overcome P-glycoprotein mediated drug efflux and will also be helpful in therapeutic drug monitoring in diabetes.

Advances in molecular marker techniques and their applications in plant sciences.

Detection and analysis of genetic variation can help us to understand the molecular basis of various biological phenomena in plants. Since the entire plant kingdom cannot be covered under sequencing projects, molecular markers and their correlation to phenotypes provide us with requisite landmarks for elucidation of genetic variation. Genetic or DNA based marker techniques such as RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism), RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA), SSR (simple sequence repeats) and AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) are routinely being used in ecological, evolutionary, taxonomical, phylogenic and genetic studies of plant sciences. These techniques are well established and their advantages as well as limitations have been realized. In recent years, a new class of advanced techniques has emerged, primarily derived from combination of earlier basic techniques. Advanced marker techniques tend to amalgamate advantageous features of several basic techniques. The newer methods also incorporate modifications in the methodology of basic techniques to increase the sensitivity and resolution to detect genetic discontinuity and distinctiveness. The advanced marker techniques also utilize newer class of DNA elements such as retrotransposons, mitochondrial and chloroplast based microsatellites, thereby revealing genetic variation through increased genome coverage. Techniques such as RAPD and AFLP are also being applied to cDNA-based templates to study patterns of gene expression and uncover the genetic basis of biological responses. The review details account of techniques used in identification of markers and their applicability in plant sciences.