Tinospora cordifolia induces cell cycle arrest in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Natural products with medicinal value are gradually gaining importance in clinical research due to their well-known property of no side effects as compared to drugs. Tinospora cordifolia [Guduchi] has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic system of medicine for treating various ailments including cancer. In present study, we found that the Tinospora cordifolia extracts [TCE] induced inhibition of proliferation of KB cells was associated with arrest of GO/G1-phase of cell cycle. The effectiveness of TCE in checking the growth of KB cells without altering the growth of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMC] indicates that Tinospora cordifolia has differential effect on normal and malignant cells hence, it may have therapeutic potential in cancer

Inferior rectus muscle ocular cysticercosis: a case report

Cysticercosis is a systemic parasitic disease caused by the larval form of cestode Taenia solium. It has a worldwide distribution and is potentially harmful with variable clinical manifestations. The most commonly involved sites include eye, brain, bladder wall, and heart. Ocular cysticercosis can be extraocular or intraocular and may present with varied clinical symptoms. We report the condition in a thirteen year old female child who presented with mild lower lid swelling and diplopia in upgaze, wherein cysticercus cellulosae cyst was found within the mass of the right inferior rectus muscle. It becomes important to report this case because of the relative rarity of the condition these days, unusual site of the cyst and the young age of the patient

Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF-634G/C] polymorphism and retinopathy of prematurity a meta-analysis

Vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphism [VEGF-634G/C, rs 2010963] has been considered a risk factor for the development of retinopathy of prematurity [ROP]. However, the results remain controversial. Therefore, the aim of the present meta-analysis was to determine the association between VEGF-634G/C polymorphism and ROP risk. Published literature from PubMed and other databases were retrieved. All studies evaluating the association between VEGF-634G/C polymorphism and ROP risk were included. Pooled odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [Cl] were calculated using random or fixed effects model. A total of six case-control studies including 355 cases and 471 controls were included. By pooling all the studies, we found that VEGF-634G/C polymorphism was not associated with ROP risk at co-dominant and allele levels and no association was also found in dominant and recessive models. While stratifying on ethnicity level no association was observed in Caucasian and Asian population. This meta-analysis suggests that VEGF-634G/C polymorphism may not be associated with ROP risk, the association between single VEGF-634G/C polymorphism and ROP risk awaits further investigation