Modulatory Effects of Biosynthesized Gold Nanoparticles Conjugated with Curcumin and Paclitaxel on Tumorigenesis and Metastatic Pathways-In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women globally, and diagnosing it early and finding potential drug candidates against multi-drug resistant metastatic breast cancers provide the possibilities of better treatment and extending life. METHODS: The current study aimed to evaluate the synergistic anti-metastatic activity of Curcumin (Cur) and Paclitaxel (Pacli) individually, the combination of Curcumin-Paclitaxel (CP), and also in conjugation with gold nanoparticles (AuNP-Curcumin (Au-C), AuNP-Paclitaxel (Au-P), and AuNP-Curcumin-Paclitaxel (Au-CP)) in various in vitro and in vivo models. RESULTS: The results from combination treatments of CP and Au-CP demonstrated excellent synergistic cytotoxic effects in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines (MDA MB 231 and 4T1) in in vitro and in vivo mouse models. Detailed mechanistic studies were performed that reveal that the anti-cancer effects were associated with the downregulation of the expression of VEGF, CYCLIN-D1, and STAT-3 genes and upregulation of the apoptotic Caspase-9 gene. The group of mice that received CP combination therapy (with and without gold nanoparticles) showed a significant reduction in the size of tumor when compared to the Pacli alone treatment and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Together, the results suggest that the delivery of gold conjugated Au-CP formulations may help in modulating the outcomes of chemotherapy. The present study is well supported with observations from cell-based assays, molecular and histopathological analyses.

Three Dimensional Anthropometric Analysis of Glenoid Anatomy in Normal Indian Population.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder unlike any other joint has a wide range of mobility and is important in day to day activities. Different ethnic groups vary in skeletal anatomy and anthropometry. Most of our knowledge on the shoulder-anatomy, surgical technique and prosthesis designs is based on western literature. There are few studies on the Indian population. Our aim is to study the anthropometry of glenoid based on 3D CT scan of the shoulder. Our objectives are to calculate glenoid height, width, version, inclination, analyse the data for differences between male and female, compare data with similar studies in India and other countries and study the impact on shoulder arthroplasty implant size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 CT scans (male/female-50/50) of the Indian population are studied from our database. Glenoid measurements are calculated and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean value of glenoid height is 32.9 ± 3.2 mm (27.6-41.7 mm), width 23.4 ± 2.62 mm (19.1-30.9 mm), version 0.07 ± 5.38° (- 11° to + 10.85°) and inclination 6.68 ± 5.49° (- 9.91° to + 20.75°). In our study glenoid is retroverted, superiorly inclined and height is more than width. The height and width are less than French and Americans but slightly more than the Japanese population. CONCLUSION: There are significant differences in Indian glenoid measurements compared to other countries. Even the smallest size of shoulder arthroplasty glenoid component currently available in India is larger than the mean glenoid size of our study. As shoulder replacement surgeries are rising in India, we may have to bring changes in the implant design and surgical technique to suit our population.

Europium Hydroxide Nanorods (EHNs) Ameliorate Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarction: An in Vitro and in Vivo Investigation.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading causes of global morbidity and mortality. Among these, the ischemic heart disease (IHD) or coronary artery disease (CAD) accounts for the major deaths due to CVDs. Several approaches followed to treat the ischemic heart diseases are limited due to various adverse effects and cost of treatment. Recently, nanotechnology has revolutionized the field of biomedical research by introducing various technologies to improve the health care, using a nanomedicine approach. In this context, our group has well-established the europium hydroxide nanorods (EHNs), which promote the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) through reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO)-mediated signaling pathways. Further, these pro-angiogenic nanorods were also reported to exhibit a mild to nontoxic nature toward mammalian cells and mouse models. Henceforth, in the present study, myocardial ischemia (MI) was created in Wistar rats using isoproterenol (ISO), a well-established model for investigating MI. For the first time, the effect of the pro-angiogenic nanorods (EHNs) on the ischemic condition was validated using several assays, which revealed that the ischemia and cardiotoxicity induced by ISO were ameliorated by EHNs in both H9C2 rat cardiomyocytes (in vitro) and Wistar rats (in vivo). Considering the above results, we believe that EHN could be developed as alternative treatment strategies for myocardial ischemia therapy and other ischemic diseases where angiogenesis plays a significant role, in the near future.

Bilateral Solitary Glomus Tumour of Thumb: A Case Report.

Glomus tumours are benign neoplastic lesions of glomus body, a thermoregulatory apparatus of cutaneous microvasculature. These tumours can arise at any location of the body but most commonly seen in subungual region of fingers. Bilateral solitary glomus tumour of hand is a rare entity. We report a case of 54-year-old female who presented with complaints of pain in the right thumb since three years and left thumb pain since 20 years. Clinical examination revealed acute tenderness of both the thumbs. Love's pin test and Hildreth's test were positive. MRI revealed characteristic features of glomus tumour. Excision of both the lesions was done and proceeds forwarded to histopathology which confirmed diagnosis. Patient was symptom free immediately following surgery. No nail deformities were noticed and there was no recurrence of symptoms in one year follow up. Glomus tumours of the hand are a rare entity and often missed.