Long-term effects of diagnostic ultrasound during fetal period on postnatal development and adult behavior of mouse

Pregnant Swiss albino mice were exposed to diagnostic levels of ultrasound (3.5 MHz, intensity 65 mW, I(SPTP) = 1 W/cm(2), I(SATA) = 240 W/cm(2)) for 10, 20 and 30 minutes on day 14 of gestation. Sham exposed controls were maintained for comparison. Fifteen pregnant mice were exposed for each group. Exposed as well as control animals were left to complete gestation and parturition. Ultrasound induced changes in maternal vaginal temperature was recorded. The changes in the physiological reflexes and postnatal mortality up to 6 weeks of age were recorded. The litters were subjected to behavioral tests for locomotor activity, learning and memory at 4 month and 1 year of age. Neither the physiological reflexes nor the postnatal mortality was affected by ultrasound exposure. However, there was a noticeable impairment in both locomotor and learning behavior even after a 10 min exposure, which further increased with increases in exposure time. Thus the present study demonstrates the neurotoxicity of diagnostic ultrasound and the high susceptibility of early fetal brain to induction of lasting detrimental changes by ultrasound exposure.     

Cost-effective multiplication of the entomopathogenic fungus Nomuraea rileyi (F) Samson

Cost-effective and rapid multiplication of Nomuraea rileyi is reported. The spore yields in semi-synthetic media were comparable or significantly higher to the standard medium. Maltose and peptone, carbon and nitrogen sources could be effectively replaced with 2% barley extract and 1% soybean extract respectively. However, replacement of yeast extract with dry yeast resulted in lower spore yields. Sporulation of the fungus multiplied on solid substrate was possible only when the bags used had a 0.2 m filter to facilitate passive exchange of sterile air. A high spore yield of 2.8 × 10⁹/g of substrate was realized on crushed sorghum.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Myosin ATPase in young and old mammalian myocardium: responses to exercise in cold and thermo neutral environment

Resting levels of blood lactate (La) were significantly lower at 35 degrees C than at 25 degrees C in the trained (Tr) rats while untrained (UTr) rats maintained higher levels. Extent of decrease in blood glucose (Glu) in Tr rats was lower in cold (C) than in thermo neutral (N) water in young but not in old. Training in C had no impact on young right and left ventricles (RV and LV). UTr old rats showed loss in LV Glu at both the temperatures. Old trainees had reduced RV Glu in C while no change was observed at N. Substrate changes were concomitant with altered myosin ATPase activity. Young ventricles showed higher ATPase activity in LV than in RV, and training in C evoked elevations in RV enzyme. The results suggest that training may enhance the functional and biochemical activity in terms of higher myosin ATPase activity in N, as against a C environment, and the effect is better pronounced in LV. Anaerobic condition is felt more in C as seen through elevated blood La.     

The vascular protective role of oestradiol: a focus on postmenopausal oestradiol deficiency and aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage

The steroid hormone, oestradiol, has pleiotropic functions. The protective effects of oestradiol are attributed to its anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, anti‐atherogenic, anti‐apoptotic, vasodilatory activities and regulation of micro RNA. Oestradiol upregulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene expression and increases the production of nitric oxide, an important vasodilator. It suppresses the renin–angiotensin system and monitors haemodynamic stress. The hormone maintains the integrity of blood vessels by reducing oxidative stress while upregulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes and prevents vascular inflammation by regulating pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines. Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) occurring as a consequence of the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is a devastating cerebrovascular event, representing 5–7% of all strokes. Postmenopausal women are more susceptible to aSAH compared to men in the same age group. This gender disparity has been attributed to reduced levels of the vascular protective hormone oestradiol following menopause. This review is focused on the protective role of oestradiol on vasculature and how the drop in oestradiol levels after menopause dramatically increases the incidence of aSAH in women. During menopause, oestradiol deficiency may affect vascular integrity causing dysregulation of vascular homeostasis by affecting the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and inflammatory and apoptotic cascades, resulting in the weakening of the cerebral arterial wall and potentially to development of an aneurysm and its rupture. In view of the role of oestradiol in maintaining vascular integrity, treatments involving hormone replacement could be a promising approach in postmenopausal women who are at risk of developing or rupturing an intracranial aneurysm.     

In vivo growth inhibitory effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on a transplantable mouse tumor, Sarcoma 180.

Withania somnifera is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of a variety of ailments in the Ayurvedic system. Alcoholic extract of the root of the plant was injected(ip) at daily doses of 200 to 1000 mg/kg body wt for 15 days starting from 24 hr after intradermal inoculation of 5 x 10(5) cells of S-180 in BALB/c mice. Solid tumor growth was monitored for 100 days. Doses of 400 mg/kg and above produced complete regression of tumor after an initial growth, the percentage of complete response (CR) increasing with increasing drug dose. A 55% CR was obtained at 1000 mg/kg drug administration, but this dose also produced some mortality among the animals. A significant increase in the volume doubling time and growth delay was seen when the drug dose was increased from 500 to 750 mg/kg body wt, but further increase in drug dose to 1000 mg/kg did not produce any significant increase in these responses. Cumulative doses of 7.5 to 10 g at daily doses of 500 or 750 mg/kg seems to produce a good response in this tumor.     

Response to Rhinovirus Infection by Human Airway Epithelial Cells and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in an In Vitro Two-Chamber Tissue Culture System

Human rhinovirus (HRV) infections are associated with the common cold, occasionally with more serious lower respiratory tract illnesses, and frequently with asthma exacerbations. The clinical features of HRV infection and its association with asthma exacerbation suggest that some HRV disease results from virus-induced host immune responses to infection. To study the HRV-infection-induced host responses and the contribution of these responses to disease, we have developed an in vitro model of HRV infection of human airway epithelial cells (Calu-3 cells) and subsequent exposure of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to these infected cells in a two-chamber trans-well tissue culture system. Using this model, we studied HRV 14 (species B) and HRV 16 (species A) induced cytokine and chemokine responses with PBMCs from four healthy adults. Infection of Calu-3 cells with either virus induced HRV-associated increases in FGF-Basic, IL-15, IL-6, IL-28A, ENA-78 and IP-10. The addition of PBMCs to HRV 14-infected cells gave significant increases in MIP-1β, IL-28A, MCP-2, and IFN-α as compared with mock-infected cells. Interestingly, ENA-78 levels were reduced in HRV 14 infected cells that were exposed to PBMCs. Addition of PBMCs to HRV 16-infected cells did not induce MIP-1β, IL-28A and IFN-α efficiently nor did it decrease ENA-78 levels. Our results demonstrate a clear difference between HRV 14 and HRV 16 and the source of PBMCs, in up or down regulation of several cytokines including those that are linked to airway inflammation. Such differences might be one of the reasons for variation in disease associated with different HRV species including variation in their link to asthma exacerbations as suggested by other studies. Further study of immune responses associated with different HRVs and PBMCs from different patient groups, and the mechanisms leading to these differences, should help characterize pathogenesis of HRV disease and generate novel approaches to its treatment.     

Computational model for monitoring cholesterol metabolism

A non-deterministic finite automaton is designed to observe the cholesterol metabolism with the states of acceptance and rejection. The acceptance state of the automaton depicts the normal level of metabolism and production of good cholesterol as an end product. The rejection state of this machine shows the inhibition of enzymatic activity in cholesterol synthesis and removal of free fatty acids. The deficiency in human cholesterol metabolism pathway results in abnormal accumulation of cholesterol in plasma, arterial tissues leading to diseases such as hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis respectively and formation of gallstones. The designed machine can be used to monitor the cholesterol metabolism at molecular level through regulation of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of cholesterol for the treatment of diseases incident due to the respective metabolic disorder. In addition, an algorithm for this machine has been developed to compare the programmed string with the given string. This study demonstrates the construction of a machine that is used for the development of molecular targeted therapy for the disorders in cholesterol metabolism.     

Differential responses ofAzolla microphylla Kaulf andAzolla filiculoides Lam. to lead nitrate

The aquatic fernAzolla is used as a green manure for rice production systems in warm temperate and tropical regions throughout the world. We used lead nitrate in nutrient media to assess the tolerance/response of twoAzolla microphylla andAzolla filiculoides to heavy metals. While both species showed negative responses in growth with an increase in lead concentrations, They were distinctly different in their tolerance for higher concentration of the heavy metal. This was apparent in their growth and biochemical characteristics. Amicrophylla was more tolerant of the higher concentrations of lead nitrate (25 and 50 ppm), whereasA. filiculoides had a higher rate of lead uptake.     

Activation of prolyl hydroxylase‐2 for stabilization of mitochondrial stress along with simultaneous downregulation of HIF‐1α/FASN in ER + breast cancer subtype

The present study was undertaken to inquest the chemical activation of prolyl hydroxylase‐2 for the curtailment of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α and fatty acid synthase. It was well documented that hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α and fatty acid synthase were overexpressed in mammary gland carcinomas. After screening a battery of compounds, BBAP‐2 was retrieved as a potential prolyl hydroxylase‐2 activator and validates its activity using ER + MCF‐7 cell line and n‐methyl‐n‐nitrosourea‐induced rat in vivo model, respectively. BBAP‐2 was palpable for the morphological characteristics of apoptosis along with changes in the mitochondrial intergrity as visualized by acridine orange/ethidium bromide and JC‐1 staining against ER + MCF‐7 cells. BBAP‐2 also arrest the cell cycle of ER + MCF‐7 cells at G2/M phase. Afterward, BBAP‐2 has scrutinized against n‐methyl‐n‐nitrosourea‐induced mammary gland carcinoma in albino Wistar rats. BBAP‐2 restored the morphological architecture when screened through carmine staining, haematoxylin and eosin staining, and scanning electron microscopy. BBAP‐2 also delineated the markers of oxidative stress favourably. The immunoblotting and mRNA expression analysis validated that BBAP‐2 has a potentialty activate the prolyl hydroxylase‐2 with sequential downregulating effect on hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α and its downstream checkpoint. BBAP‐2 also fostered apoptosis through mitochondrial‐mediated death pathway. The present study elaborates the chemical activation of prolyl hydroxylase‐2 by which the increased expression of HIF‐1α and FASN can be reduced in mammary gland carcinoma.     

Probiotic Potential of Bacillus Strains Isolated from an Acidic Fermented Food Idli

Present study is intended to assess the probiotic properties of Bacillus spp. isolated from idli batter, a traditional fermented food of Southern India and Sri Lanka. A total of 32 isolates were screened for potential pathogenic behaviour through haemolysis assay, DNase activity and antibiotics sensitivity. Two of the isolates were found to be potentially safe and identified as Bacillus spp. These strains were characterized for in vitro probiotic attributes and antioxidant activity. Both the strains showed strong acid and bile tolerance, transit tolerance, lysozyme tolerance, cell surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, biofilm formation potential and adhesion to human colon adenocarcinoma (HT 29) cell line demonstrating potential probiotic ability. These strains also exhibited considerable cholesterol binding, thermostability, β-galactosidase production, proteolytic, amylolytic and lipolytic activity. Cell-free supernatant inhibited the biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (KT266804) to 90%. Intact cells showed significant DPPH (41%), hydroxyl (31%), radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition (20.38%), while cell-free extracts exhibited significant superoxide anion radical scavenging activity (16.25%). Results revealed that isolates could be potential probiotic candidate after further assessment of in vivo probiotic properties and safety evaluation and could be utilised as starter cultures in functional foods.