Gene ontology study of methyl jasmonate-treated and non-treated hairy roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax ginseng</Emphasis> to identify genes involved in secondary metabolic pathway

The roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, known as Korean ginseng have been a valuable and important folk medicine in East Asian countries. It mainly used to maintain the homeostasis of the human body, with the presence of ginsenosides and non-saponin compounds like phenol compounds, acidic polysaccharides and polyethylene compounds. Functional genomics aid to annotate EST sequences based on gene ontology. In this study, we focused, genes which involve in secondary metabolic pathways and to visualize temporal changes of gene expression in ginseng hairy roots with methyl ester methyl jasmonate (MeJA) along with non-treated hairy roots. A 5.774 EST clones were clustered and assembled into 501 contigs and 2.955 singletons. Annotations categorized with molecular functions, biological processes, cellular compounds of gene ontological terms and biochemical functions, enzyme commission number, and metabolic pathways are assigned through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. Comparatively, EST sequences are assigned to cellular process, metabolic process, biotic and abiotic stress stimuli, developmental and biological regulations and transports are up-regulated 2–3 fold in MeJA treated hairy roots. 46 different sub groups of enzymes found in the MeJA treated plants. These annotated ESTs represents a significant proportion of the P. ginseng and provides molecular resource for develop microarray to study genes expressions to development, metabolism and reproduction.     

Environmental surveillance system to track wild poliovirus transmission

Eradication of poliomyelitis from large metropolis cities in India has been difficult due to high population density and the presence of large urban slums. Three paralytic poliomyelitis cases were reported in Mumbai, India, in 1999 and 2000 in spite of high immunization coverage and good-quality supplementary immunization activities. We therefore established a systematic environmental surveillance study by weekly screening of sewage samples from three high-risk slum areas to detect the silent transmission of wild poliovirus. In 2001, from among the 137 sewage samples tested, wild poliovirus type 1 was isolated from 35 and wild poliovirus type 3 was isolated from 1. Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance indicated one case of paralytic poliomyelitis from the city. Phylogenetic analysis with complete VP1 sequences revealed that the isolates from environmental samples belonged to four lineages of wild polioviruses recently isolated from poliomyelitis cases in Uttar Pradesh and not to those previously isolated from AFP cases in Mumbai. Wild poliovirus thus introduced caused one case of paralytic poliomyelitis. The virus was detected in environmental samples 3 months before. It was found that wild polioviruses introduced several times during the year circulated in Mumbai for a limited period before being eliminated. Environmental surveillance was found to be sensitive for the detection of wild poliovirus silent transmission. Nucleotide sequence analysis helped identify wild poliovirus reservoir areas.     

In vivo spectroscopic photoacoustic imaging and laser-induced nanoparticle vaporization for anti-HER2 breast cancer

This study reports on the development and application of theragnostic agents targeting the HER2 receptors in breast tumors. The agent was constructed by loading silica-coated gold nanorods (GNRs) and a perfluorohexane liquid into PLGA-PEG nanoparticles, followed by surface conjugation with antibody Herceptin. The particle uptake in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 (HER2-negative) and BT474 (HER2-positive) cell lines was tested. A proof of principle in vivo study was also performed using a xenograft mouse bilateral tumor model (16 mice, 32 tumors). Photoacoustic imaging was performed using a VevoLAZR device at 720/750/850 nm illuminations and 21 MHz central frequency. The relative concentrations of GNRs in the tumor were quantified using a linear spectral unmixing technique. The therapeutic efficacy of these nanoparticles was evaluated through optical droplet vaporization, and cell damage was confirmed using tissue immunofluorescence and histology. Our results demonstrate the potential of PLGA-GNRs as theragnostic agents for anti-HER2 breast cancer therapy.     

The crystal structure of Escherichia coli group 4 capsule protein GfcC reveals a domain organization resembling that of Wza

We report the 1.9 ? resolution crystal structure of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli GfcC, a periplasmic protein encoded by the gfc operon, which is essential for assembly of group 4 polysaccharide capsule (O-antigen capsule). Presumed gene orthologs of gfcC are present in capsule-encoding regions of at least 29 genera of Gram-negative bacteria. GfcC, a member of the DUF1017 family, is comprised of tandem β-grasp (ubiquitin-like) domains (D2 and D3) and a carboxyl-terminal amphipathic helix, a domain arrangement reminiscent of that of Wza that forms an exit pore for group 1 capsule export. Unlike the membrane-spanning C-terminal helix from Wza, the GfcC C-terminal helix packs against D3. Previously unobserved in a β-grasp domain structure is a 48-residue helical hairpin insert in D2 that binds to D3, constraining its position and sequestering the carboxyl-terminal amphipathic helix. A centrally located and invariant Arg115 not only is essential for proper localization but also forms one of two mostly conserved pockets. Finally, we draw analogies between a GfcC protein fused to an outer membrane β-barrel pore in some species and fusion proteins necessary for secreting biofilm-forming exopolysaccharides.     

Prevalence of oral mucocele among outpatients at saveetha dental hospital,india.

Oral mucoceles are the most common benign minor salivary gland lesions. It is of interest to document the prevalence of oral mucocele among outpatients at the Saveetha Dental Hospital, India. We used patient data (12 case records) with mucocele occurrence for this analysis. Data included age, gender, diagnosis, lesion duration and relevant dental history. Data shows that oral mucocele were seen predominantly in males (66%) when compared to females (34%). The most affected site in the oral cavity was the lower lip (58%). Thus, data shows that oral mucocele was predominantly seen in males compared to females. Data also shows that the lower lip is often affected.     

Molecular docking studies of anti-apoptotic BCL-2, BCL-XL, and MCL-1 proteins with ginsenosides from Panax ginseng

Anti-apoptotic proteins such as BCL-2, BCL-XL and MCL-1 bind with pro-apoptotic proteins to induce apoptosis mechanism. BCL-2 family proteins are key regulators of apoptosis process. Over expression of these anti-apoptotic proteins lead to several cancers by preventing apoptosis. A number of studies revealed that ginseng derivatives reduce tumor growth. Ginseng, the most valuable medicinal herb found in eastern Asia belongs to Araliaceae family. In this study, docking simulations were performed for anti-apoptotic proteins with several ginsenosides from Panax ginseng. Our finding shows ginsenosides Rf, Rg1, Rg3 and Rh2 have more binding affinity with BCL-2, BCL-XL and MCL-1 and other ginsenosides also interact with each anti-apoptotic proteins. Therefore, ginseng derivatives represent a novel class of potent inhibitors and could be used for cancer chemotherapy.     

Effect of fixation period on HER2/neu gene amplification detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization in invasive breast carcinoma.

This study investigated if formalin fixation duration affects HER2/neu gene amplification detection by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in breast cancer. Tumor tissues from 35 cases were divided into three groups and subjected to two formalin fixation protocols per group (12 hr, 27 hr in the first; 2 hr, 17.5 hr in the second; 28.5 hr, 541 hr in the third) before FISH analysis. There was no significant difference in FISH signal detection between the two different fixation protocols in the first two groups. In the third, no signal was detected in 4/6 cases fixed for an extended duration.     

Environmental Surveillance System To Track Wild Poliovirus Transmission

Eradication of poliomyelitis from large metropolis cities in India has been difficult due to high population density and the presence of large urban slums. Three paralytic poliomyelitis cases were reported in Mumbai, India, in 1999 and 2000 in spite of high immunization coverage and good-quality supplementary immunization activities. We therefore established a systematic environmental surveillance study by weekly screening of sewage samples from three high-risk slum areas to detect the silent transmission of wild poliovirus. In 2001, from among the 137 sewage samples tested, wild poliovirus type 1 was isolated from 35 and wild poliovirus type 3 was isolated from 1. Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance indicated one case of paralytic poliomyelitis from the city. Phylogenetic analysis with complete VP1 sequences revealed that the isolates from environmental samples belonged to four lineages of wild polioviruses recently isolated from poliomyelitis cases in Uttar Pradesh and not to those previously isolated from AFP cases in Mumbai. Wild poliovirus thus introduced caused one case of paralytic poliomyelitis. The virus was detected in environmental samples 3 months before. It was found that wild polioviruses introduced several times during the year circulated in Mumbai for a limited period before being eliminated. Environmental surveillance was found to be sensitive for the detection of wild poliovirus silent transmission. Nucleotide sequence analysis helped identify wild poliovirus reservoir areas.