Identification of pseudobaptigenin as a novel polyphenol-based multi-target antagonist of different hormone receptors for breast cancer therapeutics.

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world and is one of the major reasons for the death of women worldwide. BC is majorly categorized based on the presence or absence of three cell receptors ER, PR and HER2. The latest treatment for BC involves interfering with the production and action of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones bind with receptors such as ER and PR and enhance the growth and proliferation of the BC cells. Although the available are effective, the increasing resistance and side effects related to hormonal imbalance are significant and hence there is a need for designing. On the other hand, plant-derivative products have gained a lot of popularity for their promising anti-cancerous activities. Polyphenols are one such group of plant derivatives that have proven to be useful against cancer. In the present study, an in-silico approach was used to search for a polyphenol that can inhibit ER. In this work, a total of 750 polyphenols were taken into consideration. This number was narrowed down to 55, based on their ADMET properties. These 55 polyphenols were then docked to the receptors, ER, PR and HER2. The molecular docking was followed by Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. Based on molecular docking and MD simulation results it was concluded that Pseudobaptigenin has the potential to be an inhibitor of ER, PR and HER2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Dual drug delivery platforms for bone tissue engineering.

The dual delivery platforms used in bone tissue engineering provide supplementary bioactive compounds that include distinct medicines and growth factors thereby aiding enhanced bone regeneration. The delivery of these compounds can be adjusted for a short or prolonged time based on the requirement by altering various parameters of the carrier platform. The platforms thus used are fabricated to mimic the niche of the bone microenvironment, either in the form of porous 3D structures, microspheres, or films. Thus, this review article focuses on the concept of dual drug delivery platform and its importance, classification of various platforms for dual drug delivery specific to bone tissue engineering, and finally highlights the foresight into the future direction of these techniques for better clinical applications.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase screening of babies born in a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal.

About 400 million individuals worldwide have been affected by the inherited disorder of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency that predisposes individuals to neonatal jaundice or hemolytic crisis due to drugs or infections. A descriptive observational study with longitudinal design was undertaken among 109 live newborns, delivered in labor room of IPGME and R, Kolkata during the period from June to August 2009. An objective of the study was to estimate the occurrence of G6PD deficiency among newborns and its association with different socio-demographic, clinical and gestational characteristics. 14.68% newborns were found G6PD deficient. This occurrence was not significantly related to gender, religion and ethnicity, consanguineous marriage of the parents, gestational age and birth weight of the baby. Development of severe jaundice (total serum bilirubin >15 mg/dl) was found 23.8% among G6PD deficient babies and 12.5% among non-G6PD deficient. This difference was statistically not significant.

Assessment of iodine deficiency disorders in Purulia district, West Bengal, India.

Iodine deficiency disorders IDD are major public health problems in India, including West Bengal. Existing programme to control IDD needs to be continuously monitored through recommended methods and indicators. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of goitre, status of urinary iodine excretion UIE level and to estimate iodine content of salts at the household level in Purulia district, West Bengal. A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted during June-September 2005; among 2,400 school children, aged 8-10 years. The "30 cluster" sampling methodology and indicators for assessment of IDD, as recommended by the joint WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD consultation, were utilized for the study. Goitre was assessed by standard palpation technique, urinary iodine excretion was analyzed by wet digestion method and salt samples were tested by spot iodine testing kit. The total goitre rate TGR was 25.9% (95% Cl=24.1-27.1%) with grade I and grade II (visible goitre) being 19.5% and 6.4% respectively. Goitre prevalence did not differ by sex but significant difference was observed in respect of age. Median urinary iodine excretion level was 9.25 microg/dl and 31.6% children had value less than 5 microg/dl. Only 33.4% of the salt samples tested had adequate iodine content of > or = 15 ppm, High goitre prevalence (25.9%) and median urinary iodine (9.25 microg/dl) below normal range indicate existence of current iodine deficiency in Purulia district. The district is still in the iodine-deficient state. Moreover, salt iodisation level far below the recommended goal highlights IDD as major public health problems in the district. Intensified information, education and communication activities along with sustained monitoring are urgently required.