Nasoruminal endoscopy of the rumen and reticulum in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) - a preliminary study.

Twenty apparently healthy buffaloes were withdrawn of feed and water for 48 hours. Buffaloes were administered with fluids and were subjected to endoscopy every 12 hours. Olympus™ [GIF V70] flexible video endoscope was passed through the ventral nasal meatus, the pharynx, oesophagus and then into the reticulo-rumen in physically restrained buffaloes. The entire reticulum and part of the rumen could be visualized, when the animals were off feed and water for at least 48 hours and evacuations of rumen contents were done even after 48 hours of starvation to visualize the rumen in six buffaloes. The reticulum appeared light brown to pink coloured with honeycomb shape and the rumen appeared smooth, shiny pink, with numerous papillae throughout its surface. The procedure was well tolerated by all the buffaloes and satisfactory reticular and ruminal images could be obtained including biopsy.

Toxico-epidemiology of acute poisoning; an exploratory study from a tertiary care hospital in South India along with global comparisons and solutions.

BACKGROUND: Poisoning has been and still is a major problem faced throughout the globe. But its patterns are different and changing in different parts of the world due to local influences. This calls for a study to explore the issue in this unique South Indian state. METHODS: A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted to analyse the patterns of poisoning and the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients. Subgroups were compared using Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test and further analysed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: 48% of cases were of pharmaceutical drug poisoning. 27.5% of these cases involved polymedication and Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) turned out to be the single most drug used. Suicide was the most common circumstance. 10% of patients had co-diagnoses of psychiatric disorders. Univariate analysis separately showed that females (p < 0.001), higher educated (p = 0.149), higher socioeconomic strata (p = 0.136) and non-addicts (p = 0.002) were more exposed to drugs whereas males, lower educated, lower socioeconomic strata and addicts are skewed to pesticides for poisoning. Most repeat suicide attempts were with the same poisonous agent. 70% of patients with a diagnosed psychiatric disorder have attempted suicide before using some drugs (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the importance of a region-wise, targeted approach in policymaking to curb poisoning.

The Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Peptides: Recent Developments in Synthesis and Design Optimizations.

Peptide therapeutics has made tremendous progress in the past decade. Many of the inherent weaknesses of peptides which hampered their development as therapeutics are now more or less effectively tackled with recent scientific and technological advancements in integrated drug discovery settings. These include recent developments in synthetic organic chemistry, high-throughput recombinant production strategies, highresolution analytical methods, high-throughput screening options, ingenious drug delivery strategies and novel formulation preparations. Here, we will briefly describe the key methodologies and strategies used in the therapeutic peptide development processes with selected examples of the most recent developments in the field. The aim of this review is to highlight the viable options a medicinal chemist may consider in order to improve a specific pharmacological property of interest in a peptide lead entity and thereby rationally assess the therapeutic potential this class of molecules possesses while they are traditionally (and incorrectly) considered 'undruggable'.

Evaluation of Efficiency of Different Decontamination Methods of Dental Burs: An In vivo Study.

INTRODUCTION: Infection control is very important in dentistry. Both dentist and patients are at risk of communicating diseases during treatment procedures. Dental burs have been identified as a source of cross-contamination between patient and dental personnel. AIM: The present study was done to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the pathogenic contamination of dental burs used for tooth preparation and to determine the effective method of sterilization(autoclave, glass bead sterilizer, hot air oven and surgical spirit immersion) of burs used for crown preparation. METHODOLOGY: Dental burs were assessed before and after tooth preparation, also after sterilization burs were evaluated. CONCLUSION: Findings of our study revealed that among the experimental groups used in the present study, Autoclave and Hot air oven was found to be the relatively best method to sterilize burs. Proper cleaning and sterilization of burs should be strictly employed to prevent cross contamination in clinical practice.

Compatibility and Conjugacy on Partial Arrays.

Research in combinatorics on words goes back a century. Berstel and Boasson introduced the partial words in the context of gene comparison. Alignment of two genes can be viewed as a construction of two partial words that are said to be compatible. In this paper, we examine to which extent the fundamental properties of partial words such as compatbility and conjugacy remain true for partial arrays. This paper studies a relaxation of the compatibility relation called k-compability. It also studies k-conjugacy of partial arrays.

Evaluation of clinical and cytogenetic parameters in rheumatoid arthritis patients for effective diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is the commonest inflammatory joint disease, affecting nearly 1% of the adult population worldwide. Early and accurate diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have become increasingly important. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the relationships between hematological, biochemical, immunological and cytogenetic parameters in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy normal controls. METHODS: The study group comprised of 126 RA patients and equal number of healthy normal control subjects. The blood was collected and analyzed for biochemical, immunological, enzymatic and cytogenetic parameters. RESULTS: Results of the present study indicated that 20% of RA patient's hematological, 31% of biochemical and 70% immunological parameters had a significant difference from the controls and reference range. The RF and anti-CCP antibody levels were also positive in 70% of RA patients. A significant increase in minor chromosomal abnormalities was also observed in patients as compared to controls. CONCLUSION: The knowledge about autoimmune diseases is very low among the South Indian population. The present study has thus helped in understanding the RA disease in a better way based on a pattern of various clinical markers of the disease condition which might help in planning therapeutic intervention strategies and create awareness about the disease management among RA patients of the population studied.

Assessment of genotoxic and molecular mechanisms of cancer risk in smoking and smokeless tobacco users.

Inexpensive forms of tobacco are widely used in developing countries such as India. We have evaluated genotoxicity endpoints (chromosome aberrations, micronucleus frequency, comet assay) and polymorphisms of the XRCC1 and p53 genes among smokers and smokeless tobacco (SLT) users in rural Tamilnadu, South India. Cytogenetic, DNA damage and SNP analyses were performed on peripheral blood samples; micronucleus frequency was measured in peripheral blood and buccal mucosa exfoliated cells. Both categories of tobacco users had elevated levels of genotoxic damage. SNP analysis of tobacco users revealed that 17% carry the XRCC1 gln399gln genotype and 19% carry the p53 pro72pro genotype. Both genotypes are associated with increased risk of cancer.

Genotoxicity assessment in smokeless tobacco users: a case-control study.

India has a long history of tobacco, which includes chewing tobacco and smoking tobacco in various forms. Initially, the smokeless tobacco chewing habit was seen among the majority of the farmers who cultivated tobacco; but in recent years, smokeless tobacco is available in many forms and is cheaper as well and hence it is widely being used among literate and illiterate people. The subjects of our study are living in hilly regions of Yerkaud in Salem district, South India. Most of the inhabitants of our study area are illiterate and more particularly they are unaware of the health effects due to tobacco use. Recent epidemiological reports have strongly indicated the association of cancer risk with usage of smokeless tobacco. The prime aim of our study is to evaluate the genotoxic effects of tobacco use by analysing the cytogenetic end points such as chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood and micronucleus in peripheral blood and buccal cells. About 85 smokeless tobacco users were enrolled for the study and same numbers of age- and sex-matched nontobacco users were also enrolled to serve as controls. The result of our study revealed that tobacco users displayed varied levels of elevated chromosomal damage and micronucleated cells than nontobacco users. The variation in the extent of genetic damage was dependent on the duration of the tobacco use. In conclusion, this study might be helpful in creating awareness on the hazards of the smokeless tobacco products among the global population as a whole for those who chose such products as a cheap alternative to tobacco smoke.

XRCC1 gene variants and possible links with chromosome aberrations and micronucleus in active and passive smokers.

Tobacco addiction is a major risk for diseases such as cancers, heart attack, etc. Tobacco smoke constitutes environmental toxins that are the major preventable leading cause of death worldwide. We investigated the influence of tobacco smoke on cytogenetic parameters (chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei) and the influence of XRCC1 arg399gln polymorphism on the cytogenetic parameters of the exposed subjects. The cases for this study include active and passive smokers. They were divided into three groups in accordance with duration of exposure to tobacco smoke. We observed changes in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei among the exposed subjects and controls. Of the three groups of exposed subjects, group III of active smokers and group III of passive smokers showed higher number of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei when compared to controls, group I and group II of active and passive smokers. The XRCC1 arg399gln polymorphic variant gln/gln, influenced the extent of genotoxic damage in chromosomes and frequency of in micronuclei the three variants (arg/arg, arg/gln and gln/gln), gln/gln harbored significantly (P<0.05) higher number of aberrations than the arg/arg and arg/gln. In this context, the results observed in our study indicated that the single nucleotide polymorphism on XRCC1codon 399 influenced the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei.

Transient cytotoxicity of ¹³¹I beta radiation in hyperthyroid patients treated with radioactive iodine.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Radioiodine ( 131 I) or radioactive iodine in low doses is used worldwide as the first line of management in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Information is available on the extent and severity of cell damage after a high dose radioiodine ( 131 I) therapy for thyroid cancer, but information is scanty on its cellular effects, its extent and severity of cell damage after a low dose 131 I therapy. The present investigation was aimed to study the cytotoxic effects of a low dose 131 I therapy in varying doses as is normally being used in routine clinical practice in the treatment of various forms of hyperthyroidism. METHODS: Peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed in 32 hyperthyroid patients. All of them received 131 I in the form of sodium iodide solution orally. Blood lymphocytes were studied for the presence of chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micro nucleus (MN) using micronucleus assay. Blood samples of these patients were drawn prior to the treatment, on 7 th and 30 th days after the treatment. RESULTS: The results indicated a positive relationship between 131 I dose, CA and MN frequency. A statistically significant increase in CA and MN frequency in day 7 post- therapy and a decrease in mean levels of CA and MN on day 30 post-therapy were observed when compared to pre-therapy. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the cytogenetic damage induced by 131 I in low doses i.e., less than 555MBq was minimal and reversible. Patients can be motivated to undertake this safe and easy procedure as a first line of therapy in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Evaluation of DNA damage induction and repair inhibition in welders exposed to hexavalent chromium.

The soluble hexavalent chromium Cr (VI) used in industrial welding is an environmental contaminant widely recognized to act as a carcinogen, mutagen and teratogen towards humans and animals. The carcinogenic potential of metals is a major issue in defining human health risk from exposure. In the present investigation, 93 welders and 60 control subjects with similar mean ages, smoking prevalences and alcohol consumption were enrolled for DNA damage analysis in blood leucocytes by Micronucleus assay (MN) and the Comet assay. DNA repair inhibition was also analyzed by assessing XPD gene polymorphism. Welders showed a significant increase in micronucleated cells compared to controls with respect to their smoking habits and alcohol consumption, age and years of exposure (P<0.05). Results indicated that the welders had a larger mean comet tail length than that of the controls (P<0.05). The current study suggested that chronic occupational exposure to Cr (VI) during welding could lead to increased levels of DNA damage and repair inhibition.

No association between the Trp53 codon 72 polymorphism and head and neck cancer: a case-control study in a South Indian population.

Genetic polymorphisms are important for predispositions to several human cancers. In the tumour suppressor Trp53 gene, a codon 72 polymorphism is frequent in the form of a single nucleotide polymorphism that leads to substitution of an arginine for a proline. In the present study, we analysed the association of Trp53 codon 72 polymorphs with head and neck cancer through a case-control study approach with PCR-RFLP of DNA from blood of 47 clinically confirmed patients and 52 healthy controls. The Pro (Trp5372P) and Arg (Trp5372R) allele frequencies in the healthy controls were 0.44 and 0.56, and not significantly different from those in the cancer patients at 0.56 and 0.44. The genotype distribution in the controls was 32.7% Arg/Arg, 46.2% Arg/Pro and 21.2% Pro/Pro and in the cancer patients 17.0% Arg/Arg, 53.2% Arg/Pro and 29.8% Pro/Pro. No significant difference in the distribution of genotypes between head and neck cancer patients and healthy controls (P=0.18, χ2 test) was observed. We conclude no association of Trp53 codon 72 polymorphism was observed with head and neck cancer susceptibility.

XRCC1399 and hOGG1326 polymorphisms and frequencies of micronuclei, comet and chromosomal aberrations among tobacco chewers: a South Indian population study.

DNA repair plays a critical role in protecting the genome of the cell from the insults of cancer-causing agents such as those found in tobacco. Reduced DNA repair capacity may constitute a significant risk factor for cancers. Recently, a number of polymorphisms in several DNA repair genes have been discovered, these polymorphisms may affect DNA repair capacity and thus modulate cancer susceptibility in exposed populations. In the present study, we explored the relationship between polymorphisms in the DNA repair gene XRCC1399 and hOGG1326 genotypes using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) and risk of cancer development. 156 smokeless tobacco users and 70 controls without significant exposure to mutagens were recruited. Questionnaires were completed to obtain detailed occupational, smoking, and medical histories. A standard micronucleus assay, comet assay and chromosomal aberration assays were used as a marker of genetic damage. There were significant differences in the micronucleus (MN), Comet scores and chromosomal aberrations (CA) between smokeless tobacco users and control subjects by Student's t-test (P< 0.05). These findings provide evidence for the view that polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may modify individual susceptibility to tobacco related cancers and justify additional studies to investigate their potential role in development of cancer.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in patients with breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the status of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants as biomarkers in human plasma. METHODS: The extent of lipid peroxidation as evidenced by the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and conjugated dienes (CD) as well as the status of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in serum samples of 40 breast cancer patients in and around Coimbatore, India, were studied. Controls consisted of members of the public with no previous history of breast cancer or other cancer-related diseases. RESULTS: The plasma samples of the breast cancer patients showed enhanced level of lipid peroxidation when compared to the corresponding controls. This was accompanied by a significant elevation in both enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate the significant increase in lipid peroxidation as evidenced by the level of TBARS and antioxidant status such as elevated SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH and GST in samples from breast cancer patients compared to controls.

Evaluation of chromosome aberrations in subjects exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in Tamilnadu, India.

Numerous expert panels have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to classify involuntary smoking (or passive smoking) as carcinogenic to humans. The aim of this study is to establish whether passive smoking increases the frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CA) in peripheral blood lymphocytes compared to controls in Tamil Nadu, India. In the present study, CA increased with an increase in environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and active smoke exposure period in passive smokers quantified on the basis of serum cotinine levels. The passive subjects were compared with healthy normal controls to validate the results. In conclusion, these data are compatible with the current knowledge on the mechanisms of carcinogenesis of tobacco-related cancers, occurring not only in active smokers but with a high biological plausibility also in passive smokers.

Antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlipidaemic effects of Nymphaea stellata in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to investigate Nymphaea stellata (N. stellata) flower extract for antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlipidaemic effects in diabetic rats induced by alloxan. Its effect was compared with that of glibenclamide, a reference antidiabetic drug. METHODS: Diabetic animals were randomly divided into five groups and treated orally with different doses (200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight) of flower extract once a day for 30 days. The body weight of each animal was determined, to assess any possible weight gain or loss in experimental animals compared with control groups. On the 31st day, those administered 300 mg/kg of N. stellata flower showed more promising results with regard to fasting blood glucose (FBG), plasma insulin levels, haemoglobin counts, urine sugar levels, food intake, water intake, urea and protein when compared to those treated with other doses. Therefore, 300 mg/kg dose was used for further biochemical studies. Total lipids (TL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), phospholipids, free fatty acids (FFA), low density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), atherogenic index (AI) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) levels, on normal and diabetic rats treated with the dose of 300 mg/kg, were evaluated. RESULTS: The flower extract shows a significant (p-value is less than 0.001) reduction in levels of FBG, water intake, food intake, urine sugar, blood urea, TL, TC, TG, FFA, phospholipids, LDL, VLDL and AI. It also shows a significant increase in body weight, plasma insulin, protein, haemoglobin and HDL levels. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that N. stellata flower extract exhibit antihyperglycaemic as well as antihyperlipidaemic effects on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

DNA interaction of some polymer-copper(II) complexes containing 2,2'-bipyridyl ligand and their antimicrobial activities.

The water soluble polymer-copper(II) complex samples, [Cu(bpy)(2)(BPEI)]Cl(2).4H(2)O (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, BPEI=branched polyethyleneimine), with varying degrees of copper(II) chelates content in the polymer chain, were prepared by ligand substitution method in water-ethanol medium and characterized by Infra-red, UV-visible, EPR spectral and elemental analysis methods. The interaction of these polymer-copper(II)-bipyridyl complex samples with calf thymus DNA has been explored by using electronic absorption spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy and gel electrophoresis techniques. The observed changes in the physico-chemical features of the polymer-copper(II) complex on binding to DNA suggest that the complex binds to DNA with electrostatic interaction mode. A sample of polymer-copper(II) complex was tested for its antibacterial and antifungal activity and it was found to have good antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Identification of a high frequency of chromosomal rearrangements in the centromeric regions of prostate cancer patients.

The aim of the present investigation was to study the major chromosomal aberrations (CA) like deletion, translocation, inversion and mosaic in prostate cancer patients of Tamilnadu, Southern India. Totally 45 blood samples were collected from various hospitals in Tamilnadu, Southern India. Equal numbers of normal healthy subjects were chosen after signing a consent form. Volunteers provided blood samples (5 ml) to establish leukocyte cultures. Cytogenetic studies were performed by using Giemsa-banding technique and finally the results were ensured by spectral karyotyping (SKY) technique. In the present investigation, major CA like deletion, translocation, inversion and mosaic were identified in experimental subjects. Results showed frequent CA in chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 16, 18 and X. In comparison with experimental subjects, the control subjects exhibited very low levels of major CA (P<0.05). In the present study, the high frequency of centromeric rearrangements indicates a potential role for mitotic irregularities associated with the centromere in prostate cancer tumorigenesis. Identification of chromosome alterations may be helpful in understanding the molecular basis of the disease in better manner.

Analysis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in anterior subcapsular and mixed cataractous lenses.

The study was undertaken to determine the different concentrations of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) in anterior subcapsular and mixed cataractous lenses. In both types of cataractous lenses an increased concentration of G-6-PD was observed in 41-50 year age groups and a lower concentration of G-6-PD was noted in 61 year and above age groups. Cataractous lenses of females have a higher content of G-6-PD than males. In anterior subcapsular cataractous lenses, a lower concentration of G-6-PD was noted than in mixed lenses.

Cytogenetic effect of malathion in in vitro culture of human peripheral blood.

Chromosomal aberrations, sister-chromatid exchanges and mitotic indices were observed in human peripheral leukocytes, treated with four different concentrations of malathion (0.02, 0.2, 2 and 20 micrograms/ml), an organophosphate pesticide, added to the culture medium at 0, 24 and 48 h after culture initiation. These cultures showed a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberration as well as sister-chromatid exchanges. There was a significant decrease in mitotic index at all concentrations.