Lectin: A Molecular Tool in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy with Special Reference to Reproductive Cancers.

The prevalence of cancer deaths globally and domestically is higher especially due to the deferment of diagnosis and lack of facilities for women's reproductive cancers. The present review focussed to explore the application of lectins in cancer theranostics. Though there is cancer diagnostic and treatment available there is no promising early diagnostic tool and effective treatment available for the cancer which is the major concern. Lectins are cellulose-binding proteins that are strongly determined in saccharide groups of glycans, glycopeptides, or glycolipids. In the concomitance of events in cells, carbohydrates, and proteins, lectins play an important role. Lectins bind superiorly to the cancer cell membrane and their receptors induce the cytotoxic effect, which results in caspase-mediated cell death, and prohibits tumour development. Lectin snuffing also reveals polyamine stocks and impedes the growth of cancerous cells. They affect the cell cycle by non-apoptotic aggregation, seizure of the cell cycle phase G2, M, and the mediation of caspases. It can also adversely affect the action of telomerase and hinder vascularisation. They promote immunomodulation and adversely limit protein synthesis. Their easy availability and its characteristics support its use in cancer diagnosis and therapy, despite their small corollary effects. Future investigations recommend focussing more on the key applications of lectin by reducing its concurrent effects and carrying out more in-vitro investigations. However, the use of lectin formulations for cancer theranostics is a new area in cancer detection and treatment. In this review, plant lectin appears to be a potential target for cancer research in the fields of diagnosis and theranostics.

Expression of serum proteins in noise induced hearing loss workers of mining based industry.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is caused by excessive noise exposure due to occupational activities thus affects communication and quality of life. Prolonged occupational and environmental exposure to loud noise damages key molecules present in the micro-machinery of the ear which are required for the mechano-electrical transduction of sound waves in cochlea. Specific proteins are known to be associated with hearing loss and related structural and functional disabilities in the human inner, outer hair cells and cochlea. Rationale of this study was to identify the cochlear proteins associated with the pathophysiology of NIHL using proteomic approaches in mining based industrial workers. Total (n = 210) samples were collected from mining based industrial workers of central India. Subjects were categorized based on audiometric analysis. Proteome changes of the host serum were investigated using one and two-dimensional electrophoresis in combination with LC-MS/MS and MALDI-TOF-MS. Up-regulated 46 cochlear proteins among confirmed NIHL cases were identified by MASCOT. Shrinkage discriminant analysis provided top 25 discriminating feature proteins namely myosin, transthyretin, SERPIN, CCDC50, enkurin, transferin etc. The identified potential proteins may be used as biomarkers for early detection and to understand the pathogenic mechanism of NIHL. Evaluation of these biomarkers in follow-up cases may further aid in improving NIHL diagnosis. SIGNIFICANCE: Human proteome study in Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) cases has not been published till date. This study represents most comprehensive proteomic analysis in NIHL cases taken from Indian mine workers. The identified key twenty-five discriminating feature proteins which are upregulated when an individual develops (or is in stage of development of) NIHL, provides insights into the potential roles of these varied proteins in disease progression. The proteins thus identified by proteomic approach may be used as early diagnostic biomarker to predict the occurrence of disease at very early stage.

Marker Assisted Gene Pyramiding (MAGP) for bacterial blight and blast resistance into mega rice variety "Tellahamsa".

Bacterial blight (BB) and fungal blast diseases are the major biotic constraints that limit rice productivity. To sustain yield improvement in rice, it is necessary to developed yield potential of the rice varieties by incorporation of biotic stress resistance genes. Tellahamsa is a well-adapted popular high yielding rice variety in Telangana state, India. However, the variety is highly susceptible to BB and blast. In this study, simultaneous stepwise transfer of genes through marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB) strategy was used to introgress two major BB (Xa21 and xa13) and two major blast resistance genes (Pi54 and Pi1) into Tellahamsa. In each generation (from F1 to ICF3) foreground selection was done using gene-specific markers viz., pTA248 (Xa21), xa13prom (xa13), Pi54MAS (Pi54) and RM224 (Pi1). Two independent BC2F1 lines of Tellahamsa/ISM (Cross-I) and Tellahamsa/NLR145 (Cross-II) possessing 92% and 94% recurrent parent genome (RPG) respectively were intercrossed to develop ICF1-ICF3 generations. These gene pyramided lines were evaluated for key agro-morphological traits, quality, and resistance against blast at three different hotspot locations as well as BB at two locations. Two ICF3 gene pyramided lines viz., TH-625-159 and TH-625-491 possessing four genes exhibited a high level of resistance to BB and blast. In the future, these improved Tellahamsa lines could be developed as mega varieties for different agro-climatic zones and also as potential donors for different pre-breeding rice research.

Cochlear Proteins Associated with Noise-induced Hearing Loss: An Update.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the major occupational disease that has influence on the quality of life of mining workers. Several reports suggest NIHL is attributed to noise exposure at workplace and approximately 16% of hearing loss is due to it. NIHL occurs as a result of exposure to high-level noise (>85 dB) in the workplace. Noise disrupts proteins present in the micromachinery of the ear that is required for mechano-electric transduction of sound waves. High-level noise exposure can lead to hearing impairment owing to mechanical and metabolic exhaustion in cochlea, the major organ responsible for resilience of sound. Several key proteins of cochlea include tectorial membrane, inner hair cells, outer hair cells, and stereocilia are damaged due to high-level noise exposure. Numerous studies conducted in animals have shown cochlear proteins involvement in NIHL, but the pertinent literature remains limited in humans. Detection of proteins and pathways perturbed within the micromachinery of the ear after excessive sound induction leads toward the early identification of hearing loss. The situation insisted to present this review as an update on cochlear proteins associated with NIHL after an extensive literature search using several electronic databases which help to understand the pathophysiology of NIHL.

Neopterin: A candidate biomarker for the early assessment of toxicity of aluminum among bauxite dust exposed mine workers.

INTRODUCTION: Bauxite ore is a major source of aluminum (Al) which contains approximately 35-60% Al by weight. Occupational and environmental bauxite dust exposure may cause toxicity by interaction with human biological systems resulting in oxidative stress (OS) and cell death. A neopterin derivative as an antioxidant is able to modulate cytotoxicity by the induction of OS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 273 subjects were selected for blood collection from three different major Al producing bauxite mines and were categorized into three groups as experimental (Exp) (n = 150), experimental controls (ExC) (n = 73) and control (Con) (n = 50). Whole blood and serum samples were used for measurement of Al, neopterin, urea and creatinine values. Statistical analysis was performed using R-2.15.1 programming language. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The result showed that age, body mass index and the behavioral habits, that is, smoking, tobacco and alcohol consumption have possible effects on neopterin level. Serum neopterin levels were found to be significantly higher (P <0.0001) in the experimental group as compared to other groups. Significantly positive correlation (P < 0.0001) was observed between neopterin and creatinine. It was also observed that neopterin level increases as the duration of exposure increases. CONCLUSION: On the basis of findings it was concluded that exposure to bauxite dust (even at low levels of Al) changes biochemical profile leading to high levels of serum neopterin. Levels of serum neopterin in workers exposed to bauxite dust were probably examined for the 1(st) time in India. The outcome of this study suggested that serum neopterin may be used as potential biomarker for early detection of health risks associated with bauxite dust exposed population.

The Process and Challenges in the Translation of World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL- BREF) to a Regional Language; Malayalam.

A lot of research has been directed on wellbeing and disability in many non-communicable disease conditions. In this context, health-related aspects of life and quality of life (QOL) are receiving a lot of focus. Many Quality of Health measures are available, of which World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) is one of the most popular. Translating and adapting this tool is useful in view of research happening in a multicultural arena. Though translations into Hindi and other Indian languages including Tamil and Kannada have been done, a Malayalam version is not available. This paper discusses the steps adopted in this exercise and the challenges in translating WHOQOL-BREF to Malayalam from the original English version.

Evaluation of Caesalpinia pulcherrima Linn. for anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of aerial parts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Linn.) Sw. for anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-inflammatory action of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of C. pulcherrima (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) (CPE and CPA) were evaluated by cotton pellet granuloma models. Pylorus ligation and aspirin induced ulcer models were employed for evaluating antiulcer activity for both the extracts. Ulcerogenic potential of CP was also evaluated. RESULT: The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of C. pulcherrima significantly decreased (P<0.01) the granuloma tissue development. CPE and CPA at both the doses exhibited significant (P<0.01) antiulcer activity by decreasing the ulcer score in both the ulcer models and it was not ulcerogenic. CONCLUSION: The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of aerial parts of C. pulcherrima (CPE and CPA) possess significant anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities.

An overview of caspase: Apoptotic protein for silicosis.

Silicosis is a chronic lung disease characterized by granulomatous and fibrotic lesions, which occurs due to accumulation of respirable silica mineral particles. Apoptosis is an important phenomenon of cell death in silicosis. The relationship between silica dust and its exposure is well established. But, the complex chain of cellular responses, which leads to caspase activation in silicosis, has not been fully discovered. Caspase activation plays a central role in the execution of apoptosis. Silica-induced apoptosis of the alveolar macrophages could potentially favor a proinflammatory state, occurring in the lungs of silicotic patients, resulting in the activation of caspase prior to induction of the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways. Recent studies indicated that apoptosis may involve in pulmonary disorders. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the underling mechanism of biochemical pathways in caspase activation that have been ignored so far in silicosis. In addition, caspase could be a key apoptotic protein that can be used as an effective biomarker for the study of occupational diseases. It may provide an important link in understanding the molecular mechanisms of silica-induced lung pathogenesis.

In vitro antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities of Bauhinia variegata Linn.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Bauhinia variegata Linn. for in vitro antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the stem bark and root of B. variegata Linn. were prepared and assessed for in vitro antioxidant activity by various methods namely total reducing power, scavenging of various free radicals such as 1,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), super oxide, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide. The percentage scavenging of various free radicals were compared with standard antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA). The extracts were also evaluated for antihyperlipidemic activity in Triton WR-1339 (iso-octyl polyoxyethylene phenol)-induced hyperlipidemic albino rats by estimating serum triglyceride, very low density lipids (VLDL), cholesterol, low-density lipids (LDL), and high-density lipid (HDL) levels. RESULT: Significant antioxidant activity was observed in all the methods, (P < 0.01) for reducing power and (P < 0.001) for scavenging DPPH, super oxide, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide radicals. The extracts showed significant reduction (P < 0.01) in cholesterol at 6 and 24 h and (P < 0.05) at 48 h. There was significant reduction (P < 0.01) in triglyceride level at 6, 24, and 48 h. The VLDL level was also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced from 24 h and maximum reduction (P < 0.01) was seen at 48 h. There was significant increase (P < 0.01) in HDL at 6, 24, and 48 h. CONCLUSION: From the results, it is evident that alcoholic and aqueous extracts of B. variegata Linn. can effectively decrease plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and VLDL and increase plasma HDL levels. In addition, the alcoholic and aqueous extracts have shown significant antioxidant activity. By the virtue of its antioxidant activity, B. variegata Linn. may show antihyperlipidemic activity.

Neopterin: Biomarker of cell-mediated immunity and potent usage as biomarker in silicosis and other occupational diseases.

Neopterin is regarded as an early biomarker of the cellular immune response. This low molecular mass compound belongs to the class of pteridine and is a metabolite of guanosine triphosphate, which is produced by the activated macrophages and dendritic cells after stimulation with gamma-interferon. An international group acknowledges the fact that the levels of serum neopterin can be used as a marker of the effect of exposure to silica and other occupational diseases. The determination of neopterin is an innovative tool for monitoring diseases associated with the activation of cell-mediated immunity.

Heredity and infectious diseases: a twin study.

A concordance study of 6 infectious diseases of childhood has been carried out in a sample of 656 twin pairs classified by sex and zygosity. A new approach is proposed to estimate the respective influence of heredity and of common environment. The estimates thus obtained range from 86% hereditary component in the case of measles to 100% environmental component in the case of scarlet fever.