Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 22
Filter
1.
Environ Res ; 238(Pt 1): 117001, 2023 12 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37683788

ABSTRACT

During recent years, we are moving away from the 'one exposure, one disease'-approach in occupational settings and towards a more comprehensive approach, taking into account the totality of exposures during a life course by using an exposome approach. Taking an exposome approach however is accompanied by many challenges, one of which, for example, relates to the collection of biological samples. Methods used for sample collection in occupational exposome studies should ideally be minimally invasive, while at the same time sensitive, and enable meaningful repeated sampling in a large population and over a longer time period. This might be hampered in specific situations e.g., people working in remote areas, during pandemics or with flexible work hours. In these situations, using self-sampling techniques might offer a solution. Therefore, our aim was to identify existing self-sampling techniques and to evaluate the applicability of these techniques in an occupational exposome context by conducting a literature review. We here present an overview of current self-sampling methodologies used to characterize the internal exposome. In addition, the use of different biological matrices was evaluated and subdivided based on their level of invasiveness and applicability in an occupational exposome context. In conclusion, this review and the overview of self-sampling techniques presented herein can serve as a guide in the design of future (occupational) exposome studies while circumventing sample collection challenges associated with exposome studies.


Subject(s)
Exposome , Humans , Environmental Exposure
2.
Cancers (Basel) ; 14(5)2022 Feb 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35267498

ABSTRACT

Testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) is the most common cancer type among young adults in many parts of the world. Although the pathogenesis of TGCT is not well understood, the involvement of heritable components is evident, and the risk is polygenic. Genome-wide association studies have so far found 78 susceptibility loci for TGCT, and many of the loci are in non-coding regions indicating the involvement of non-coding RNAs in TGCT pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, have emerged as important gene regulators at the post-transcriptional level. They are crucial in controlling many cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and an aberrant miRNA expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of several cancers, including TGCT. In support of this notion, several studies reported differential expression of miRNAs in TGCTs. We previously demonstrated that miRNAs were the most common group of small non-coding RNAs in TGCTs, and several functional studies of miRNAs in TGCTs suggest that they may act as either oncogene or tumour suppressors. Moreover, individual miRNA targets and downstream pathways in the context of TGCT development have been explored. In this review, we will focus on the diverse roles and targets of miRNAs in TGCT pathogenesis.

3.
Vaccines (Basel) ; 9(5)2021 May 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34070048

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis vaccines capable of reducing disease worldwide have proven difficult to develop. BCG is effective in limiting childhood disease, but adult TB is still a major public health issue. Development of new vaccines requires identification of antigens that are both spatially and temporally available throughout infection, and immune responses to which reduce bacterial burden without increasing pathologic outcomes. Subunit vaccines containing antigen require adjuvants to drive appropriate long-lived responses. We generated a triple-antigen fusion containing the virulence-associated EsxN (Rv1793), the PPE42 (Rv2608), and the latency associated Rv2628 to investigate the balance between bacterial reduction and weight loss in an animal model of aerosol infection. We found that in both a low pattern recognition receptor (PRR) engaging adjuvant and a high PRR-engaging adjuvant (MPL/TDM/DDA) the triple-antigen fusion could reduce the bacterial burden, but also induced weight loss in the mice upon aerosol infection. The weight loss was associated with an imbalance between TNFα and IL-17 transcription in the lung upon challenge. These data indicate the need to assess both protective and pathogenic responses when investigating subunit vaccine activity.

4.
Adv Exp Med Biol ; 1326: 139-157, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33615422

ABSTRACT

Stem cells play a pivotal role in the developmental stages of an organism and in adulthood as well. Therefore, it is not surprising that stem cells constitute a focus of extensive research. Indeed, several decades of stem cell research have tremendously increased our knowledge on the mechanistic understandings of stem cell biology. Interestingly, revealing the fundamental principles of stem cell biology has also fostered its application for therapeutic purposes. Many of the attributes that the stem cells possess, some of which are unique, allow multifaceted exploitation of stem cells in the treatment of various diseases. Cancer, the leading cause of mortality worldwide, is one of the disease groups that has been benefited by the potentials of therapeutic applications of the stem cells. While the modi operandi of how stem cells contribute to cancer treatment are many-sided, two major principles can be conceived. One mode involves harnessing the regenerative power of the stem cells to promote the generation of blood-forming cells in cancer patients after cytotoxic regimens. A totally different kind of utility of stem cells has been exercised in another mode where the stem cells can potentially deliver a plethora of anti-cancer therapeutics in a tumor-specific manner. While both these approaches can improve the treatment of cancer patients, there exist several issues that warrant further research. This review summarizes the basic principles of the utility of the stem cells in cancer treatment along with the current trends and pinpoints the major obstacles to focus on in the future for further improvement.


Subject(s)
Adult Stem Cells , Antineoplastic Agents , Neoplasms , Adult , Humans , Neoplasms/therapy , Regenerative Medicine , Stem Cells
5.
PLoS One ; 16(2): e0246737, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33577571

ABSTRACT

Significant research in reservoir computing over the past two decades has revived interest in recurrent neural networks. Owing to its ingrained capability of performing high-speed and low-cost computations this has become a panacea for multi-variate complex systems having non-linearity within their relationships. Modelling economic and financial trends has always been a challenging task owing to their volatile nature and no linear dependence on associated influencers. Prior studies aimed at effectively forecasting such financial systems, but, always left a visible room for optimization in terms of cost, speed and modelling complexities. Our work employs a reservoir computing approach complying to echo-state network principles, along with varying strengths of time-delayed feedback to model a complex financial system. The derived model is demonstrated to act robustly towards influence of trends and other fluctuating parameters by effectively forecasting long-term system behavior. Moreover, it also re-generates the financial system unknowns with a high degree of accuracy when only limited future data is available, thereby, becoming a reliable feeder for any long-term decision making or policy formulations.


Subject(s)
Financial Management/methods , Forecasting/methods , Neural Networks, Computer , Computer Simulation , Financial Management/trends , Nonlinear Dynamics
6.
Birth Defects Res ; 112(17): 1308-1325, 2020 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32476245

ABSTRACT

Despite the fact that the estrogenic effects of bisphenols were first described 80 years ago, recent data about its potential negative impact on birth outcome parameters raises a strong rationale to investigate further. The adverse health effects of plastics recommend to measure the impacts of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) such as bisphenols (BPA, BPS, BPF), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in human health. Exposure to these compounds in utero may program the diseases of the testis, prostate, kidney and abnormalities in the immune system, and cause tumors, uterine hemorrhage during pregnancy and polycystic ovary. These compounds also control the processes of epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of adult-onset diseases by modulating DNA methylation and epimutations in reproductive cells. The early developmental stage is the most susceptible window for developmental and genomic programming. The critical stages of the events for a normal human birth lie between the many transitions occurring between spermatogenesis, egg fertilization and the fully formed fetus. As the cells begin to grow and differentiate, there are critical balances of hormones, and protein synthesis. Data are emerging on how these plastic-derived compounds affect embryogenesis, placentation and feto-placental development since pregnant women and unborn fetuses are often exposed to these factors during preconception and throughout gestation. Impaired early development that ultimately influences fetal outcomes is at the center of many developmental disorders and contributes an independent risk factor for adult chronic diseases. This review will summarize the current status on the impact of exposure to plastic derived EDCs on the growth, gene expression, epigenetic and angiogenic activities of the early fetal development process and their possible effects on birth outcomes.


Subject(s)
Endocrine Disruptors , Plastics , DNA Methylation , Endocrine Disruptors/toxicity , Female , Humans , Male , Placenta/metabolism , Placentation , Plastics/metabolism , Pregnancy
7.
Indian Heart J ; 71(4): 309-313, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31779858

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is limited data on hypertension prevalence in India. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among Indian adults. METHODS: A national level survey was conducted with fixed one-day blood pressure measurement camps across 24 states and union territories of India. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg or a diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or on treatment for hypertension. The prevalence was age- and gender-standardized according to the 2011 census population of India. RESULTS: Blood pressure was recorded for 180,335 participants (33.2% women; mean age 40.6 ± 14.9 years). Among them, 8,898 (4.9%), 99,791 (55.3%), 35,694 (11.9%), 23,084 (12.8%), 9,989 (5.5%), and 2,878 (1.6%) participants were of the age group 18-19, 20-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, and ≥ 75 years, respectively. Overall prevalence of hypertension was 30.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.5, 30.9) and the prevalence among women was 23.7% (95% CI: 23.3, 24). Prevalence adjusted for 2011 census population and the WHO reference population was 29.7% and 32.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of hypertension, with almost one in every three Indian adult affected.


Subject(s)
Hypertension/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Blood Pressure Determination , Female , Humans , India/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence
8.
Sci Rep ; 9(1): 9189, 2019 06 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31235829

ABSTRACT

Testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) represents the most common malignancy in young men in large parts of the world, but the aetiology is yet unclear. Multiple TGCT susceptibility loci have been identified, and we have shown that one of these, SPRY4, may act as a TGCT oncogene. Furthermore, many of the loci are in non-coding regions of the genome. miRNAs, a class of non-coding RNAs may play a crucial role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and alteration in their expression may lead to oncogenesis. Differential expression of miRNAs in TGCT and normal testis has been reported in previous studies. In this study, we used qPCR to analyse, in normal and malignant testis tissue, the expression of the ten miRNAs that we had previously identified by sequencing to be the most upregulated in TGCT. We found high expression of these miRNAs also by qPCR analysis. The levels of miR-302a-3p, miR-302b-3p, and miR-302c-3p were downregulated after treatment of the TGCT cell lines NT2-D1 and 833 K with the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. By using miRNA inhibitor-mediated transient transfection, we inhibited the expression of the three members of miR-302 family (miR-302s). Inhibition of miR-302s resulted in a decreased cell proliferation in NT2-D1 cells, but not in 833 K cells. In both cell lines, inhibition of miR-302s resulted in decreased expression of SPRY4, which we have previously shown to regulate MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways in these cells. Inhibition of miR-302b-3p and miR-302c-3p decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2, whereas inhibition of miR-302a-3p and miR-302b-3p led to decreased expression of the apoptosis inhibitor, survivin. Our findings suggest that miR-302s act as TGCT oncogenes by inducing the expression of SPRY4 and activating MAPK/ERK pathway while inhibiting apoptosis via increased survivin expression.


Subject(s)
Carcinogenesis , Carcinoma, Embryonal/genetics , MicroRNAs/genetics , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/genetics , Seminoma/genetics , Testicular Neoplasms/genetics , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Cisplatin/pharmacology , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics , Humans , Male
9.
Sci Rep ; 9(1): 1036, 2019 01 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30705350

ABSTRACT

Existing understanding of molecular composition of sputum and its role in tuberculosis patients is variously limited to its diagnostic potential. We sought to identify infection induced sputum proteome alteration in active/non tuberculosis patients (A/NTB) and their role in altered lung patho-physiology. Out of the study population (n = 118), sputum proteins isolated from discovery set samples (n = 20) was used for an 8-plex isobaric tag for relative and absolute concentration analysis. A minimum set of protein with at least log2(ATB/NTB) >±1.0 in ATB was selected as biosignature and validated in 32 samples. Predictive accuracy was calculated from area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC of ROC) using a confirmatory set (n = 50) by Western blot analysis. Mass spectrometry analysis identified a set of 192 sputum proteins, out of which a signature of ß-integrin, vitamin D binding protein:DBP, uteroglobin, profilin and cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide was sufficient to differentiate ATB from NTB. AUC of ROC of the biosignature was calculated to 0.75. A shift in DBP-antimicrobial peptide (AMP) axis in the lungs of tuberculosis patients is observed. The identified sputum protein signature is a promising panel to differentiate ATB from NTB groups and suggest a deregulated DBP-AMP axis in lungs of tuberculosis patients.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/metabolism , Proteomics , Sputum/metabolism , Tuberculosis/metabolism , Vitamin D-Binding Protein/metabolism , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Proteome/metabolism , Reproducibility of Results , Tuberculosis/epidemiology , Young Adult
10.
Org Lett ; 20(15): 4421-4424, 2018 08 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30028625

ABSTRACT

An expeditious approach to catalytic enantioselective total syntheses of crinine-type Amaryllidaceae alkaloids has been accomplished via a Pd-catalyzed enantioselective decarboxylative allylation of allylenol carbonates as a key step (up to 96% ee). Using this strategy, collective total syntheses of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids such as (-)- epi-elwesine (1b), (-)-crinine (1c), (-)- epi-crinine (1e), (-)-oxocrinine (1f), and (-)-buphanisine (1d) have been accomplished. Gratifyingly, naturally occurring Amaryllidaceae alkaloids such as (+)-vittatine (1g), (+)- epi-vittatine (1h), and (+)- epi-elwesine (1i) [enantiomers of (-)-1c, (-)-1e, and (-)-1b, respectively] have also been achieved by switching the antipode of ligand used in the catalytic enantioselective step.


Subject(s)
Alkaloids/chemical synthesis , Amaryllidaceae/chemistry , Biological Products , Catalysis , Molecular Structure , Platinum/chemistry , Stereoisomerism
11.
Sci Rep ; 8(1): 2462, 2018 02 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29410498

ABSTRACT

Testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) is the most common cancer in young men in large parts of the world, but the aetiology is mainly unknown. Genome-wide association studies have so far identified about 50 susceptibility loci associated with TGCT, including SPRY4. SPRY4 has shown tumour suppressor activity in several cancer cells, such as lung and prostate, while it was found to act as an oncogene in ovarian cancer. An intronic region within the SPRY4 gene produces a long non-coding RNA, SPRY4-IT1, which has been reported to act as an oncogene in melanoma, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer, and as a tumour suppressor in lung cancer. The roles of SPRY4 and SPRY4-IT1 in TGCT development are yet unknown. We found higher expression levels of SPRY4, both mRNA and protein, and of SPRY4-IT1 in human TGCT than in normal adult testis. Small-interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated transient knockdown of SPRY4 and SPRY4-IT1 in two TGCT cell lines 833 K and NT2-D1 resulted in decreased cell growth, migration, and invasion. Knockdown of SPRY4 and SPRY4-IT1 also led to a significant reduction in the phosphorylation of Akt. Our findings indicate that SPRY4 and SPRY4-IT1 may act as oncogenes in TGCTs via activation of the PI3K / Akt signalling pathway.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Genome, Human , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/genetics , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , Testicular Neoplasms/genetics , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Genetic Loci , Humans , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Male , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/metabolism , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/pathology , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/surgery , Nerve Tissue Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Organ Transplantation , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Phosphorylation , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , RNA, Long Noncoding/antagonists & inhibitors , RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Testicular Neoplasms/metabolism , Testicular Neoplasms/pathology , Testicular Neoplasms/surgery , Testis/metabolism , Testis/pathology , Testis/surgery
12.
Org Lett ; 20(1): 288-291, 2018 01 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29235356

ABSTRACT

Biomimetic total syntheses of either enantiomers of a number of ergot alkaloids, chanoclavine I (1b), chanoclavine I aldehyde (1c), pyroclavine (1e), festuclavine (1f), pibocin A (1g), 9-deacetoxyfumigaclavine C (1h), and fumigaclavine G (1i), have been achieved from seco-agroclavine (1a). The advanced intermediate for seco-agroclavine (1a) was synthesized via a key thiourea-catalyzed intramolecular nitronate addition onto α,ß-unsaturated ester.

13.
Mol Cell Biochem ; 426(1-2): 87-99, 2017 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27868169

ABSTRACT

Leukemia is among the most aggressive and prevalent human malignant carcinoma. Chemotherapy is the preferred therapeutic strategy; however, recurrence of cancer and non-selective cytotoxicity are the major concerns. Unlike synthetic chemotherapeutic agents, mistletoe ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) displays anti-tumor function in various types of cancers. However, its effect on leukemia cells is little explored. In this study, we assessed the impact of Viscum articulatum RIP (Articulatin-D) on the survival of acute T-cell leukemia cells and the involved molecular and cellular mechanisms. Cell proliferation assay showed that Articulatin-D suppressed the viability of leukemia cells selectively. We further confirmed that the elevation of mitochondrial membrane potential and exposure of phosphatidylserine are the early events of apoptosis induction in Articulatin-D-treated Jurkat cells. Subsequently, we found that Articulatin-D treatment induces apoptosis in Jurkat cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, we provided evidence that Articulatin-D efficiently activates caspase-8 involved in extrinsic pathway of apoptosis induction, which ultimately results in caspase-3-dependent DNA fragmentation of Jurkat cells. Further evaluation of Articulatin-D in cell culture and animal models may provide novel information on selective cytotoxicity to acute T-cell leukemia and its involvement in targeting tumor cell survival pathways.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis/drug effects , Caspase 8/metabolism , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy , Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2/pharmacology , Toxins, Biological/pharmacology , Viscum/chemistry , DNA Fragmentation/drug effects , Enzyme Activation/drug effects , Humans , Jurkat Cells , Plant Preparations/chemistry , Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/metabolism , Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/pathology , Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2/chemistry , Toxins, Biological/chemistry
14.
Cell Biol Int ; 40(6): 652-61, 2016 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26992362

ABSTRACT

The study aims to investigate whether cytosolic fatty acid-binding protein-4 (FABP4) is involved in angiogenic growth factors- and fatty acid-induced tube formation in first trimester placental trophoblast cells, HTR8/SVneo. We determined the tube formation both at basal as well as stimulated levels in the absence and presence of inhibitors of FABP4 and VEGF signaling pathways. Basal level of tube formation was maximally reduced in the presence of 50 µM of FABP4 inhibitor compared with those by VEGF signaling pathway inhibitors (rapamycin, L-NAME, and p38 MAP kinase inhibitor). Whereas docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6n-3 (DHA)-, and VEGF-induced tube formation was maximally inhibited by p38 MAP kinase inhibitor (63.7 and 34.5%, respectively), however, leptin-induced tube formation was inhibited maximally by FABP4 inhibitor (50.7%). ANGPTL4 and oleic acid (OA)-induced tube formation was not blocked by any of these inhibitors. The FABP4 inhibitor inhibited cell growth stimulated by DHA, leptin, VEGF, and OA (P < 0.05) but was not affected by ANGPTL4. VEGF, leptin, and OA also increased FABP4 protein level in these cells, though the uptake of fatty acids by these cells was not affected by the presence of FABP4 inhibitor. Our data demonstrate that FABP4 may be involved in part in the basal level, and stimulated tube formation by VEGF, DHA, and leptin, whereas it has little or no effect in ANGPTL4- and OA-induced tube formation in these cells. Thus, FABP4 may play a differential role in fatty acids and angiogenic growth factors-mediated tube formation in the first trimester trophoblast cells in vitro.


Subject(s)
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents/metabolism , Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Angiopoietin-Like Protein 4 , Angiopoietins/metabolism , Cell Line , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Female , Humans , Leptin/pharmacology , Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology , Oleic Acid/metabolism , Placenta/blood supply , Placenta/metabolism , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Proteins/metabolism , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Trophoblasts/cytology , Trophoblasts/metabolism , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
15.
Cancer Genomics Proteomics ; 13(1): 63-8, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26708600

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: miRNAs play important roles in multiple biological processes, and deregulation has been linked to several human diseases, including cancer. Studying changes in miRNA expression in cancer development is commonly performed in vitro in human cancer cell lines using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), a method requiring the use of a robust reference gene that displays stable expression across all samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the NormFinder software, a selection of commonly used endogeneous controls and miRNAs were tested in six human cancer cell lines to identify for the most suitable gene for use as a reference. RESULTS: The frequently used endogenous control U6B small nuclear RNA (RNU6B) was found to be an unsuitable reference for normalization. The most suitable single endogeneous control identified was miR-25-3p, whereas the best combination of two endogeneous controls was miR-25-3p and miR-93-5p. CONCLUSION: We identified a single and a pair of miRNAs suitable for use as endogenous controls when performing qPCR-based miRNA expression analyses in human cancer cell lines.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Profiling/methods , MicroRNAs/analysis , MicroRNAs/genetics , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Cell Line, Tumor , Humans
16.
Indian Heart J ; 67(1): 33-9, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25820048

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Increasing burden of cardiovascular risk-factors among adolescent school-children is a major concern in India. Dearth of information regarding the burden of these factors and the efficacy of educational intervention in minimizing them among urban school-students of India called for a school-based, educational intervention involving a representative sample of these students and their caregivers. METHODOLOGY: Using a randomized-controlled design with stratified-random sampling, 1000 students (approximately 50/school) of 9th grade from 20 randomly selected schools (representing all socio-economic classes and school-types) and their caregivers (preferably mothers) will be recruited. Objectives of the study will include: estimation of the baseline burden and post-interventional change in cardiovascular risk-factors, related knowledge, perception and practice among participants in Kolkata. DATA COLLECTION: After obtaining appropriate consent (assent for adolescents), collection of the questionnaire-based data (regarding cardiovascular disease/risk-factor related knowledge, perception, practice), anthropometric measurements, stress assessment and cardiological check-up (pulse and blood pressure measurement along with auscultation for any abnormal heart sounds) will be conducted for each participating students twice at an interval of six months. In between 6 educational sessions will be administered in 10 of the 20 schools randomized to the intervention arm. After the follow-up data collection, same sessions will be conducted in the non-interventional schools. DATA ANALYSES AND DELIVERABLE: Descriptive and inferential analyses (using SAS 9.3) will be conducted to determine the distribution of the risk-factors and efficacy of the intervention in minimizing them so that policy-making can be guided appropriately to keep the adolescents healthy in their future life.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Health Promotion , Risk Reduction Behavior , School Health Services/organization & administration , Schools , Students/psychology , Adolescent , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Incidence , India/epidemiology , Life Style , Male , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires
17.
Mol Cell Biochem ; 401(1-2): 11-9, 2015 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25413343

ABSTRACT

The study aims to investigate the impacts of hyperglycemia in the presence of fatty acids on early placentation processes that involves tube formation, cellular growth and proliferation, and metabolic activities of the first trimester trophoblast cells. Effects of maternal circulatory glucose levels that mimic physiological (5.5 mM), pre-diabetic (11 mM) and diabetic (≥25 mM) phenotypes on tube formation (as a measure of angiogenesis in vitro), cellular viability and proliferation, fatty acid uptake and expression of genes associated with invasion, angiogenesis and fatty acid metabolism were examined using HTR8/SVneo cells. Glucose (25 mM) induced tube formation, viability, and proliferation of the first trimester trophoblast cells, HTR8/SVneo. Tube formation was, however, disintegrated in the presence of high glucose (40 mM) which was partially protected by eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5n-3 (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6n-3 in vitro. Glucose (25 mM)-mediated induction in tube formation was favored by increased cellular uptake of [(14)C]EPA (p < 0.05). Treatment of HTR8/SVneo cells with glucose (25 mM) significantly increased mRNA and protein level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) (p < 0.05). In addition, glucose (25 mM) stimulated the expression of fatty acid binding protein-4, FABP4, and plasma membrane fatty acid binding protein, FABPpm, in these cells (p < 0.05). Glucose-stimulated tube formation in a 'concentration-dependent' manner, and this may involve activation of several factors that include MMP9 and fatty acid uptake and metabolism.


Subject(s)
Docosahexaenoic Acids/pharmacology , Eicosapentaenoic Acid/pharmacology , Glucose/pharmacology , Hyperglycemia/metabolism , Trophoblasts/drug effects , Cell Line , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Docosahexaenoic Acids/metabolism , Eicosapentaenoic Acid/metabolism , Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects , Glucose/metabolism , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Trophoblasts/cytology
18.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol ; 181: 183-8, 2014 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25150958

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To study the roles of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on tube formation (as a measure of cellular angiogenesis) and expression of angiogenesis-associated genes in first-trimester human extravillous trophoblast cells. STUDY DESIGN: The effects of recombinant human CTGF on tube forming ability were studied in the first trimester trophoblast cells using matrigel system. The expressions of genes involved in angiogenesis were studied using real time PCR microarray. RESULTS: hCTGF (26nM) stimulated tube formation and enhanced tube length in these cells compared with control cells. However, hCTGF-stimulated tube formation was not inhibited by SU5416, a selective inhibitor of the membrane-bound tyrosine kinase activity of VEGF-2 receptor (Flk-1/KDR) indicating VEGF was not involved in the process. This was also supported by the observation that CTGF did not stimulate the expression of angiogenic factors VEGF or ANGPTL4 as determined by PCR array. To further elucidate roles of hCTGF in tube formation we then measured expression of several genes involved in angiogenesis signalling pathways. Among the genes, hCTGF increased expression of IL-8 mRNA by ∼6-fold and its protein secretion by ∼20-fold in these cells. Exogenously added IL-8 also stimulated the tube formation and proliferation in these cells. CONCLUSIONS: hCTGF-induced tube formation is independent of VEGF. hCTGF stimulates production of IL-8, an important angiogenic factor in these cells. However their interrelationship in this process is yet to be known.


Subject(s)
Connective Tissue Growth Factor/pharmacology , Gene Expression/drug effects , Interleukin-8/metabolism , Trophoblasts/drug effects , Angiopoietin-Like Protein 4 , Angiopoietins/genetics , Cell Line , Female , Humans , Interleukin-8/genetics , Interleukin-8/pharmacology , Neovascularization, Physiologic/drug effects , Neovascularization, Physiologic/genetics , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, First , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology , Signal Transduction/genetics , Trophoblasts/metabolism , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics
19.
Life Sci ; 93(21): 755-62, 2013 Nov 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24095946

ABSTRACT

Angiogenesis is involved in the growth of new blood vessels from the existing one. Consequently, angiogenesis plays an indispensable role in tissue growth and repair including early placentation processes. Besides angiogenic growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), placental growth factor (PlGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factors (FGF)), dietary fatty acids (c>16) also directly or indirectly modulate angiogenic processes in tumors and other cell systems. Usually n-3 fatty acids inhibit whereas n-6 fatty acids stimulate angiogenesis in tumors and other cells. Contrary to this, docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6n-3 (DHA) and other fatty acids including conjugated linoleic acid stimulate angiogenesis in placental first trimester cells. In addition to the stimulation of expression of major angiogenic factors such as VEGF and ANGPTL4, fatty acids also stimulate expression of intracellular fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) FABP-4 and FABP-3 those are known to directly modulate angiogenesis. Emerging data indicate that FABPs may be involved in the angiogenesis process. This paper reviews the fatty acid mediated angiogenesis process and the involvement of their binding proteins in these processes.


Subject(s)
Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/physiology , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology , Placenta/blood supply , Placenta/cytology , Pregnancy Trimester, First/physiology , Trophoblasts/metabolism , Fatty Acid Binding Protein 3 , Female , Humans , Models, Biological , Pregnancy , Trophoblasts/cytology
20.
Indian J Dermatol ; 58(1): 65-7, 2013 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23372217

ABSTRACT

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is parainfectious exanthematous disease having unique presentation of small papulovesicular eruptions symmetrically over extensor surface of limbs and face in children. Hemorrhagic lesions are very rare and are always localized. Here, a case of EBV-induced Gianotti-Crosti syndrome with extensive hemorrhagic vesicles in a one and half month old infant, possibly induced by Epstein Barr virus, is reported. Neither the involvement of the disease at this early age nor the extensive hemorrhagic vesicles as the predominant presentation is reported before.

SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...