Department Of Biochemistry And Microbial Sciences

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Enhanced 2ACK scheme for reducing routing overhead in MANETs
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2015) Dhiman, D.; Sood, N.
An autonomous collection of the mobile nodes communicating with each other with the help of wireless links either in a direct or indirect manner or rely on other mobile nodes is referred as MANET. The routing protocols in MANET are designed on the basis of the assumption that all the participating nodes co-operate with each other. Due to certain issues like open structure and limited energy supply, the nodes sometimes misbehave and act in a selfish manner. 2ACK scheme used as an add-on technique on few routing protocols (e.g. DSR) to detect such misbehaviour for mitigating their adverse effect. The major limitation of this 2ACK scheme is additional routing overhead due to authenticated 2ACK packets. Thus, this research work focuses on reducing the end-to-end delay and routing overhead by modifying the authentication mechanism in 2ACK scheme. The simulation results have been presented for evaluating the performance of the work done. ? 2014 IEEE.
Biological/Biosimilar Drugs: A New Hope for Better and Low Cost Treatment
(Juniper Publishers, 2016) Kumar, Shashank
Biological and biosimilar drugs Medicines that are derived from living cells/organisms are known as biological medicines. They consist of of highly complex molecular entities difficult to characterize. Certain degree of variations might found among biological medicines due to variation of the biological system and manufacturing process. A medicine that is very similar and clinically equivalent to a biological medicine is known as biosimilar medicine. Reference or originator medicine is an already approved biological medicine from which a biosimilar active medicine is derived. The biological product is highly similar to the reference product not withstanding minor differences in clinically inactive components; and there are no clinically meaningful differences between the biological product and the reference product in terms of the safety, purity, and potency of the product. Biosimilar medicines are not the same as generic medicines, which contain simpler chemical structures and are identical, in terms of molecular structure, to their reference drugs [1].
Association of MTHFR (C677T) Gene Polymorphism With Breast Cancer in North India
(Sage, 2016) Waseem, Mohammad; Hussain, Syed Rizwan; Kumar, Shashank; Serajuddin, Mohammad; Mahdi, Farzana; Sonkar, Satyendra Kumar; Bansal, Chery; Ahmad, Mohammad Kaleem
Background Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women and is associated with a variety of risk factors. The functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) C677T in the gene encoding 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) may lead to decreased enzyme activity and affect the chemosensitivity of tumor cells. This study was designed to investigate the association of MTHFR gene polymorphism (SNP) in the pathogenesis of breast cancer among the North Indian women population. Materials and Methods Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genomic DNA, extracted from the peripheral blood of subjects with (275 cases) or without (275 controls) breast cancer. Restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to study C677T polymorphism in the study groups. Results The distribution of MTHFR (C677T) genotype frequencies, ie, CC, TT, and CT, among the patients was 64.7%, 2.18%, and 33.09%, respectively. In the healthy control group, the CC, TT, and CT frequencies were 78.91%, 1.09%, and 20.1%, respectively. The frequencies of C and T alleles were 81.2% and 18.7%, respectively, in the patient subjects, while they were 88.9% and 11.09%, respectively, among the healthy control group. Frequencies of the CT genotype and the T allele were significantly different (P= 0.007 and P = 0.005, respectively) between the control and the case subjects. Conclusion This study shows an association of the CT genotype and the T allele of the MTHFR (C667T) gene with increased genetic risk for breast cancer among Indian women.
Characterization of WY 14,643 and its complex with Aldose reductase
(Nature Publishing Group, 2016) Sawaya, M.R.; Verma, M.; Balendiran, V.; Rath, N.P.; Cascio, D.; Balendiran, G.K.
The peroxisome proliferator, WY 14,643 exhibits a pure non-competitive inhibition pattern in the aldehyde reduction and in alcohol oxidation activities of human Aldose reductase (hAR). Fluorescence emission measurements of the equilibrium dissociation constants, Kd, of oxidized (hAR? NADP+) and reduced (hAR? NADPH) holoenzyme complexes display a 2-fold difference between them. Kd values for the dissociation of WY 14,643 from the oxidized (hAR? NADP+ ? WY 14,643) and reduced (hAR? NADPH? WY 14,643) ternary complexes are comparable to each other. The ternary complex structure of hAR? NADP+ ? WY 14,643 reveals the first structural evidence of a fibrate class drug binding to hAR. These observations demonstrate how fibrate molecules such as WY 14,643, besides being valued as agonists for PPAR, also inhibit hAR. ? The Author(s) 2016.
Geminin as an Emerging Anticancer Drug Target
(Juniper Publishers, 2016) Kumar, Shashank
For normal cell division, one time replication origin firing is mandatory. The mutual interaction and levels of Cdt1 and geminin (GMNN) proteins are known to be involved in this regulatory mechanism. Imbalance between these protein levels may cause defects in replication of DNA leading to genome instability. This might cause cancer. In different stem cells, such as leukemic and hematopoietic stem cells, significant levels of GMNN have been recorded. It has been observed that siRNA mediated GMNN suppression can arrest cancer cell proliferation without affecting the normal cells. Two molecules of GMNN and one molecule of Cdt1 form a heterotrimer, and two heterotrimer combines and form heterohexamer which inhibits the DNA licensing process. Any moiety that is able to inhibit the formation of GMNN-Cdt1 heterohexamer might act as regulatory source and could be utilized as a DNA replication inhibitor in cancer cells
Geminin a multi task protein involved in cancer pathophysiology and developmental process: A review
(Elsevier B.V., 2016) Kushwaha, Prem Prakash; Rapalli, Krishna Chaitanya; Kumar, Shashank
DNA replicates in a timely manner with each cell division. Multiple proteins and factors are involved in the initiation of DNA replication including a dynamic interaction between Cdc10-dependent transcript (Cdt1) and Geminin (GMNN). A conformational change between GMNN-Cdt1 heterotrimer and heterohexamer complex is responsible for licensing or inhibition of the DNA replication. This molecular switch ensures a faithful DNA replication during each S phase of cell cycle. GMNN inhibits Cdt1-mediated minichromosome maintenance helicases (MCM) loading onto the chromatin-bound origin recognition complex (ORC) which results in the inhibition of pre-replication complex assembly. GMNN modulates DNA replication by direct binding to Cdt1, and thereby alters its stability and activity. GMNN is involved in various stages of development such as pre-implantation, germ layer formation, cell commitment and specification, maintenance of genome integrity at mid blastula transition, epithelial to mesenchymal transition during gastrulation, neural development, organogenesis and axis patterning. GMNN interacts with different proteins resulting in enhanced hematopoietic stem cell activity thereby activating the development-associated genes' transcription. GMNN expression is also associated with cancer pathophysiology and development. In this review we discussed the structure and function of GMNN in detail. Inhibitors of GMNN and their role in DNA replication, repair, cell cycle and apoptosis are reviewed. Further, we also discussed the role of GMNN in virus infected host cells. ? 2016 Elsevier B.V. and Soci?t? Fran?aise de Biochimie et Biologie Mol?culaire (SFBBM)
D Allele Frequency in Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Gene is Associated with Development of Breast Cancer Risk in Indian Women
(Bentham Science, 2016) Kumar, Shashank; Hussain, Syed Rizwan; Waseem, Mohammad; Mahdi, Farzana; Bansal, Chery; Ahmad, Mohammad Kaleem
Aims: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world and, by far, the most frequent cancer among women. Scientific literature has hypothesized the association of ACE I/D polymorphism with breast cancer for several decades. Unfortunately the outcomes of studies are inconsistent. Thus the present study was designed to evaluate the association of ACE gene (I/D) polymorphism with breast cancer in Indian population. Methods: Genotyping was performed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction), using genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood of subjects, with (213 cases) or without (213 controls) breast cancer. Findings: The distribution of ACE genotype frequencies i.e. II, DD and ID in patients was 43.19%, 16.43% and 40.38% respectively. In healthy control group II, DD and ID frequencies were 52.58%, 11.27% and 36.15% respectively. The frequencies of D and I alleles were 29.34% and 70.66% in the healthy subjects, while 36.62% and 63.38% among the patient group. Frequency of D allele was significantly different (p=0.0287) between control and case subjects. Significance: The present study showed an association of D allele of ACE gene with increased genetic risk factor for breast cancer in Indian women. 0.2% increased disease risk was found in patients carrying D allele.
Mycorrhiza and heavy metal resistant bacteria enhance growth, nutrient uptake and alter metabolic profile of sorghum grown in marginal soil
(Elsevier Ltd, 2016) Dhawi, Faten; Datta, Rupali; Ramakrishna, Wusirika; Dhawi, F.; Datta, R.; Ramakrishna, W.
The main challenge for plants growing in nutrient poor, contaminated soil is biomass reduction, nutrient deficiency and presence of heavy metals. Our aim is to overcome these challenges using different microbial combinations in mining-impacted soil and focus on their physiological and biochemical impacts on a model plant system, which has multiple applications. In the current study, sorghum BTx623 seedlings grown in mining-impacted soil in greenhouse were subjected to plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB or B) alone, PGPB with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (My), My alone and control group with no treatment. Root biomass and uptake of most of the elements showed significant increase in all treatment groups in comparison with control. Mycorrhiza group showed the best effect followed by My + B and B groups for uptake of majority of the elements by roots. On the contrary, biomass of both shoot and root was more influenced by B treatment than My + B and My treatments. Metabolomics identified compounds whose levels changed in roots of treatment groups significantly in comparison to control. Upregulation of stearic acid, sorbitol, sebacic acid and ferulic acid correlated positively with biomass and uptake of almost all elements. Two biochemical pathways, fatty acid biosynthesis and galactose metabolism, were regulated in all treatment groups. Three common pathways were upregulated only in My and My + B groups. Our results suggest that PGPB enhanced metabolic activities which resulted in increase in element uptake and sorghum root biomass whether accompanied with mycorrhiza or used solely. ? 2016 Elsevier Ltd.
Maps for when the living gets tough: Maneuvering through a hostile energy landscape
(Elsevier B.V., 2016) Mondeel, T.D.G.A.; Rehman, S.; Zhang, Y.; Verma, M.; D?rre, P.; Barberis, M.; Westerhoff, H.V.
With genome sequencing of thousands of organisms, a scaffold has become available for data integration: molecular information can now be organized by attaching it to the genes and their gene-expression products. It is however, the genome that is selfish not the gene, making it necessary to organize the information into maps that enable functional interpretation of the fitness of the genome. Using flux balance analysis one can calculate the theoretical capabilities of the living organism. Here we examine whether according to this genome organized information, organisms such as the ones present when life on Earth began, are able to assimilate the Gibbs energy and carbon that life needs for its reproduction and maintenance, from a relatively poor Gibbs-energy environment. We shall address how Clostridium ljungdahlii may use at least two special features and one special pathway to this end: gear-shifting, electron bifurcation and the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Additionally, we examined whether the C. ljungdahlii map can also help solve the problem of waste management. We find that there is a definite effect of the choices of redox equivalents in the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and the hydrogenase on the yield of interesting products like hydroxybutyrate. We provide a drawing of a subset of the metabolic network that may be utilized to project flux distributions onto by the community in future works. Furthermore, we make all the code leading to the results discussed here publicly available for the benefit of future work. ? 2017
Novel Wnt and Notch Signaling Natural Inhibitors as Double Edged Sword Against Cancer War: An approach Towards Computer Based Drug Design
(Juniper Publishers, 2016) Kumar, Shashank
Cancer is a group of disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells which may lead to death. According to a report by GLOBOCAN the number of new cancer cases would increase to 19.3 million by 2025 worldwide. Thus globally cancer has become a big threat to human beings, among various diseases. Carcinogen induced deregulation in cellular signaling pathway, may leads to the cancer development. Chemotherapy is an important mode of cancer treatment that used to cure and improve the patient’s quality of life [1]. At the same time chemotherapy is known to induce drug resistance and toxicity that hurdles the improvement of overall response and survival of cancer patients. Many cancers contain a sub-population of self-renewing and expanding stem cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). These are associated with chemotherapeutic resistant leading to tumor recurrence and poor patient prognosis. Acquired drug resistance renders subsequent anticancer therapy effectiveness leading to tumor recurrence and progression. Hence it is urgency of time to identify effective and safer anticancer agents, which can be found in natural agents. The use of natural products is promising because they target multiple signaling pathways and have minimal toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapeutics. Malignancy transformation and progression are multistage progress involved gene alterations and multi signaling pathways. In this regard herbal products may do a lot. Several natural compounds viz., vinblastine, etoposide, paclitaxel, camptothecin, bleomycin, and doxorubicin are known to prevent the occurrence and/or spread of various cancers by targeting numerous key elements in intracellular signaling network involved in carcinogenesis and is being investigated in clinical trials.
Oxidative Stress in Invertebrate Systems
(InTech, 2016) Chaitanya, R. K.; Shashank, Kumar; Sridevi, P.
Invertebrates have been valuable research models in the discovery of many scientific principles owing to the numerous advantages they provide. Throughout the life cycle, many of them thrive in pathogen-rich environments, manage harsh weathers, exposed to a number of allochemicals, and adapt well to both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Their remarkable ability to cope up with the enormous oxidative stress generated in all these circumstances, make them attractive models in this field of research. Endocrine control of oxidative stress in insects is recently emerging. Adipokinetic hormone, glucagon, ecdysteroids and juvenile hormone have been implicated in antioxidative protective role in insects. Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans have provided the largest body of evidence addressing the free radical theory of ageing. Oxidative stress is also induced by pesticides/insecticides. In mollusks, pesticides exert their biological effects via generation of ROS. Oxidative stress has been shown to be associated with exposure to several organophosphorous compounds and different classes of pyrethroids. Malathion is a potential hazard to the environment. Adverse effects induced by malathion in earthworms and insects have been reported. Information is now available in great detail on the role of ROS in modulating insect immunity during parasite invasion and bacterial infection. In Drosophila melanogaster ROS are actively produced in the midgut at a basal level in the presence of commensal microbiota and highly generated upon bacterial challenge. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mosquito immunity against bacteria and Plasmodium was investigated in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. The concentration of ROS increased in sand fly midguts after they fed on the insect pathogen Serratia marcescens. Elevated oxidative stress was previously reported for a mosquito line experimentally infected with Wolbachia, indicating that oxidative stress may be important for Wolbachia-mediated antiviral protection. In a nutshell, this chapter highlights the current advances of oxidative stress in invertebrate model systems and its implications.
Maps for when the living gets tough : Maneuvering through a hostile energy landscape
(Elsevier, 2016) Amondeel, Thierry D.G.; Rehman, Samrina; Zhang, Yanfei; Verma, Malkhey; Durre, Peter; Rehman, Matteo ina; Zhang, Yanfei; Verma, Malkhey
With genome sequencing of thousands of organisms, a scaffold has become available for data integration: molecular information can now be organized by attaching it to the genes and their gene-expression products. It is however, the genome that is selfish not the gene, making it necessary to organize the information into maps that enable functional interpretation of the fitness of the genome. Using flux balance analysis one can calculate the theoretical capabilities of the living organism. Here we examine whether according to this genome organized information, organisms such as the ones present when life on Earth began, are able to assimilate the Gibbs energy and carbon that life needs for its reproduction and maintenance, from a relatively poor Gibbs-energy environment. We shall address how Clostridium ljungdahlii may use at least two special features and one special pathway to this end: gear-shifting, electron bifurcation and the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Additionally, we examined whether the C. ljungdahlii map can also help solve the problem of waste management. We find that there is a definite effect of the choices of redox equivalents in the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and the hydrogenase on the yield of interesting products like hydroxybutyrate. We provide a drawing of a subset of the metabolic network that may be utilized to project flux distributions onto by the community in future works. Furthermore, we make all the code leading to the results discussed here publicly available for the benefit of future work.
Withania somnifera chemotype NMITLI 101R significantly increases the efficacy of antileishmanial drugs by generating strong IFN-γ and IL-12 mediated immune responses in Leishmania donovani infected hamsters
(Elsevier, 2017) Tripathi, Chandra Dev Pati; Kushawahaa, Pramod Kumar; Sangwanb, Rajender Singh; Manda, Chitra; Misra-Bhattacharyaa, Shailja; Dubea, Anuradha
Background Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae), commonly known as Ashwagandha, is one of the most important medicinal plant in the traditional Indian medical systems. Pharmacological studies have established that root extracts of W. somnifera contain several bioactive constituents called withanolides. The plant has long been used for its several beneficial properties and recently as an immunomodulator. Hypothesis/Purpose A combination therapy including a potential and safe immunostimulant with lower doses of effective drug, which can reduce the parasitic burden and simultaneously can produce an enhancement of adaptive immunity, has proven to be significantly a more effective approach than immunotherapy or drug therapy alone. Study design Evaluation of the immunostimulatory effect of W. somnifera chemotype NMITLI 101R when used in combination with ED50 doses of antileishmanial drugs in Leishmania donovani infected hamsters. Methods Infected animals were administered with chemotype 101R(30 mg/kg × 15 days) either alone or in combination with ED50 doses of miltefosine (10 mg/kg × 5 days), paromomycin (30 mg/kg × 5 days) or amphotericin B (0.5 mg/kg × 5 days). The treated animals were euthanized on days 30 and 60 post-treatment (p.t.) and checked for parasite clearance, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, cytokine and inducible nitric oxide synthase levels by real-time PCR, nitric oxide (NO) production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lymphoproliferative and antibody responses. Results The group of animals that received 101R and ED50 dose of miltefosine showed optimum inhibition of parasite multiplication (∼98%) by day 60 p.t. followed by the group that received 101R plus paromomycin (∼94%) and 101R plus amphotericin B (∼93%). The efficacy was well supported by the increased inducible NO synthase mRNA transcript, strong IFN-γand IL-12 mediated Th1 immune responses and significantly suppressed levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β). Additionally, same therapy also induced significant increase in the level of NO production, ROS generation, Leishmania specific IgG2 antibody along with profound DTH and strong T-cell responses as compared with all the other treated groups. Conclusion Our results suggest that combination of chemotype 101R with ED50 doses of antileishmanial drugs may provide a promising alternative for the cure of visceral leishmaniasis with significant restoration of the host immune response.
Natural Compounds Are Smart Players in Context to Anticancer Potential of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases: An In Silico and In Vitro Advancement
(Springer, 2017) Singh, Pushpendra; Kumar, Shashank; Bast, Felix
Cancer is the ruling cause of mortality worldwide. Chemotherapeutic toxicity and drug resistance have provided impulsion for the formulation of new anticancer agents. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are the most activated cell surface receptors for copious polypeptide growth factors, cytokines, and hormones that play a considerable role in cancer initiation, promotion, and progression. Natural products are a prime source of new anticancer drugs and their leads. The objective of computer-aided drug design (CADD) is to enhance the set of compounds with prudent active drug-like properties and eliminate inactive, toxic, poor absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion toxicity (ADME/T) compounds. In the present chapter, in silico advancement of anticancer natural compounds and molecular mechanisms of action of flavonoids, viz., genistein, myricetin, quercetin, luteolin, morin, kaempferol, catechin, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), on RTK and PI3K signaling pathway attributing to their potential anticancer activity have been discussed.
Biochemistry laboratory tests for carbohydrates
(Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2017) Sharma, A.K.; Kumar, S.
Carbohydrates are the most abundant class of organic compounds. In living organism they are mainly utilized for energy production. Carbohydrates act as the primary source to provide energy for functioning of living organisms. They originate as products of photosynthesis, an endothermic reductive condensation of carbon dioxide requiring light energy and the pigment chlorophyll. The carbohydrates are a major source of metabolic energy, both for plants and for animals that depend on plants for food. Carbohydrates may be divided into reducing and non-reducing. Both reducing and non-reducing carbohydrate have different functional groups due to which they exert different chemical reactions. This forms the basis of differentiation and identification of carbohydrate in biochemical laboratory. Carbohydrates are mono, di and/or polysaccharide in nature which can be differentiated and identified in the laboratory. In the present book chapter we will discuss characteristics of carbohydrates and different biochemical laboratory test for differentiation and identification of carbohydrate. ? 2017 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
Glycogenolysis
(Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2017) Kushwaha, P.P.; Kumar, S.
In animals glycogen is the main storage form of fuel material. It is a multi-branched polysaccharide of glucose. Excess of glucose in body get stored in the form of glycogen for further utilization. In future when the body gets starvation condition the stored glycogen in the body gets split into its monomer constituent glucose. The glucose is then utilized by the body to fulfill the energy requirement. Breakdown of glycogen is known as glycogenolysis. It is a step by step process that produces glucose. In the present chapter we will discuss the structure and function of glycogen. The detailed mechanism of glycogenolysis is discussed in the chapter. Moreover we also discussed the regulation of this metabolic process. ? 2017 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
Oxidative Stress-Related MicroRNAs 6 as Diagnostic Markers: A Newer Insight in Diagnostics
(Springer, 2017) Kumar, Shashank; Pandey, Abhay K.
Despite rapid strides in the medical and technological fields during the last four decades including the development of nucleic acid and protein-based biomarkers, the mortality still remains a burning problem because of the delayed diagnosis of many diseases. This is particularly ascribed to the lower specificity and sensitivity of the methods used for diagnosis. The compelling situation has shifted the focus of expression biology toward identification and development of sensitive and specific markers for diagnosis and prognosis of different diseases by using microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are short noncoding RNAs of 18–25 nucleotides. In mammals and multicellular organisms, they play significant role in nearly all biological pathways. Next-generation sequencing techniques have played role in discovery of noncoding RNA molecules. As compared to total protein coding sequences, large numbers of noncoding RNAs exist which are key to many new discoveries related to biological phenomena and pathologies. Noncoding RNA family in humans consists of about 1400 miRNAs. Their functional significance has been shown in developmental and pathological processes. miRNAs can be easily detected in tissue samples and body fluid of the patients. Hence, miRNAs could act as potential biomarker candidates. miRNA molecules have already made their way to clinical medicine as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of diseases as well as therapeutic targets for treatment. Redox imbalance leads to oxidative stress which is associated with various diseases. Accumulated evidence suggests that oxidative stress stimulates production of several miRNAs which area known as oxidative stress-responsive miRNAs. They further play a role in connecting the dysregulated antioxidant defense system with imbalanced redox state. The present chapter summarizes recent findings on diagnostic and prognostic ability of oxidative stress-responsive miRNAs. In addition, the role of miRNAs in cancer has also been discussed. Studies on functional and regulatory aspects of oxidative stress-associated miRNAs will provide new direction to discovery of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
Antioxidant, xanthine oxidase and monoamine oxidase inhibitory potential of coumarins: A review
(Bentham Science Publishers B.V., 2017) Dhiman, P.; Malik, N.; Khatkar, A.; Kulharia, M.
Excessive and persistent formation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) is a key factor in the origin of cancer, cardiac problems, inflammatory diseases, multiple organ dysfunction, aging and neurogenerative diseases. These ROS are produced from exogenous sources (ionizing radiation, chemicals and contaminants) and endogenous sources (Enzymes like Xanthine Oxidase and Monoamine Oxidase) which further originate a number of diseases along with genetic mutation. Due to the persistent side effects of synthetic antioxidants, there is flow towards naturally driven antioxidants as a large number of dietary supplements possess antioxidant potential. Coumarins are naturally occurring benzopyrones found in a variety of natural plants and exhibit different pharmacological properties. Among these activities the antioxidant potential of coumarins has been extensively studied that has been reviewed in this paper. ? 2017 Bentham Science Publishers.
Recent advancement to target Breast Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells
(Open Access, 2017) Kushwaha, Prem Prakash; Kumar, Shashank
Breast cancer is the second most prominent reason of cancer death in women after lung cancer, and it accounts for 25.2% of all cancer in women [1]. In the US, approximately about one in eight women (12%) develop invasive breast cancer [2]. In 2015, approximately 40,290 US women were expected to die from breast cancer. There was an estimation of 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer among US women in 2015 [3]. The chance of breast cancer causes woman’s death is about 3%. Various kinds of therapies such as hormonal, immunotherapeutic agents, surgery and cytotoxic currently are being used to target the breast cancer. The response rate from these treatments comprises 60% to 80% for primary breast cancers and about 50% for metastases [4,5]. However, 20%-70% of patients showed reversion of cancer within five year of time [6]. Recurrence development allied with resistance to therapy and augmented death risk. In patients with primary breast cancer, combining cytotoxic and radiation therapy with anastrozole attained four-year survival rate of 91.6 % [7]. Gene mutations and dysregulation has been identified in breast cancers like the enhanced expression of the heparan sulfate interacting protein, p53 mutations (connecting with high histological grade) and mitochondrial D-loop mutation (allied with lymph node-positive breast carcinoma)
Metabolomics, biomass and lignocellulosic total sugars analysis in foxtail millet (Setaria italica) inoculated with different combinations of plant growth promoting bacteria and mycorrhiza
(Communications in Plant Sciences, 2017) Dhawi, Faten; Datta, Rupali; Ramakrishna, Wusirika
Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is the second most widely produced millet with potential as a biofuel source. Employment of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) and mycorrhiza could serve as environment-friendly alternatives for the use of excessive NPK fertilizers and producing biofuel. The highest increase of biomass was associated with endomycorrhiza combined with PGPB in comparison to control. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis detected 28 metabolites in foxtail shoot with most of them upregulated in ecto/endomycorrhiza group and combined with PGPB. The upregulation of metabolites associated with synthesis of amino acids correlated positively with biomass. The inoculation with both PGPB and endomycorrhiza gave the best results with reference to total sugar yield. Our study indicates that PGPB and endomycorrhiza combination is well suited for enhancing biomass and boosting sugar yield, which are useful attributes for utilizing foxtail millet as a biofuel source.