Antiviral activity of ecasol against feline calicivirus, a surrogate of human norovirus

Human norovirus [NoV] is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in closed settings such as hospitals, hotels and cruise ships. The virus survives on inanimate surfaces for extended periods of time, and environmental contamination has been implicated in its transmission. The disinfection of contaminated areas is important in controlling the spread of NoV infections. Neutral solutions of electrochemically activated [ECA]-anolyte have been shown to be powerful disinfectants against a broad range of bacterial pathogens. The active chemical ingredient is hypochlorous acid [HOCl], which is registered as an approved food contact surface sanitizer in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency, pursuant to 40 CFR 180.940. We evaluated the antiviral activity of Ecasol [an ECA-anolyte] against feline calicivirus [FCV], a surrogate of NoV. FCV dried on plastic surfaces was exposed to Ecasol for 1, 2, or 5 min. After exposure to Ecasol, the virus titers were compared with untreated controls to determine the virus inactivation efficacy after different contact times. Ecasol was found to decrease the FCV titer by >5 log[10] within 1 min of contact, indicating its suitability for inactivation of NoV on surfaces

Identification of arylamine N-acetyltransferase inhibitors as an approach towards novel anti-tuberculars

New anti-tubercular drugs and drug targets are urgently needed to reduce the time for treatment and also to identify agents that will be effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis persisting intracellularly. Mycobacteria have a unique cell wall. Deletion of the gene for arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) decreases mycobacterial cell wall lipids, particularly the distinctive mycolates, and also increases antibiotic susceptibility and killing within macrophage of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The nat gene and its associated gene cluster are almost identical in sequence in M. bovis BCG and M. tuberculosis. The gene cluster is essential for intracellular survival of mycobacteria. We have therefore used pure NAT protein for high-throughput screening to identify several classes of small molecules that inhibit NAT activity. Here, we characterize one class of such molecules-triazoles-in relation to its effects on the target enzyme and on both M. bovis BCG and M. tuberculosis. The most potent triazole mimics the effects of deletion of the nat gene on growth, lipid disruption and intracellular survival. We also present the structure-activity relationship between NAT inhibition and effects on mycobacterial growth, and use ligand-protein analysis to give further insight into the structure-activity relationships. We conclude that screening a chemical library with NAT protein yields compounds that have high potential as anti-tubercular agents and that the inhibitors will allow further exploration of the biochemical pathway in which NAT is involved.

Correlation between p33ING1b cytoplasmic transfer and lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the sixth most common malignancy in the world today. ING1b/p33 is a newly-discovered tumor suppressor which enhances p53 activity. Transfer of p33 protein from nucleus to cytoplasmic compartment has been previously reported in leukemias. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between p33ing1b cytoplasmic transfer and lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Fifty seven patients treated with surgery alone or surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy for primary oral squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled into this study. Immunohistochemical expression of all of the above-mentioned markers was studied. Analysis of the sections demonstrated that p53 and MDM2 were expressed in 45.6% and 68.4% of patients, respectively. p33ING1b nuclear expression was completely absent while cytoplasmic translocation was noted in 78.9% of cases. Positive cytoplasmic expression of p33ING1b correlated with increased risk of lymphatic metastasis [p=0.04]. No further correlation with overall disease recurrence or survival was noted. Apparently, p33ING1b cytoplasmic transfer correlates with lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

SLICK for congenital subglottic haemangiomas treatment

Congenital subglottic haemangiomas are rare, however they are important treatable couse of infantile stridor and can be fatal unless treated. They present in a range of ways most noticeably with stridor in infancy period and as they enlarge they can threaten the airway. Thus they require urgent assessment and treatment. We present three cases of subglottic haemangiomas all of which represented different clinical management strategies. We review this interesting topic with discussion on presentation, treatment options and outcome