Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neural disorder that causes death of the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord; this affects the voluntary muscles and gradually leads to paralysis of ...the whole body. Most ALS cases are sporadic, though about 5–10% are familial. ALS is caused by multiple factors including mutation in any one of a number of specific genes, one of the most frequently affected is superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1. Alterations in SOD 1 have been linked with several variants of familial ALS. SOD 1 is a powerful antioxidant enzyme that protects cells from the damaging effects of superoxide radicals. The enzyme binds both copper and zinc ions that are directly involved in the deactivation of toxic superoxide radicals. Mutated SOD1 gene can acquire both gain and loss of function mutations. The most commonly identified mutations in SOD1 that affect protein activity are D90A, A4V and G93A. Deleterious mutations have been shown to modify SOD1 activity, which leads to the accumulation of highly toxic hydroxyl radicals. Accumulation of these free radicals causes degradation of both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA and protein misfolding, features which can be used as pathological indicators associated with ALS. Numerous clinical trials have been carried out over last few years with limited success. In some patients advanced techniques like gene and stem cell therapy have been trialed. However no definitive treatment option can provide a cure and currently ALS is managed by drugs and other supportive therapies. Consequently there is a need to identify new approaches for treatment of this ultimately fatal disease.
•Introduction about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)•Epidemiology of ALS at global level•Genes involved in the pathogenesis of ALS•Role of SOD 1 and its mutations in ALS•Diagnosis, management and future therapies
Abstract
Background
Surgeons need guidance regarding appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic based on scientific evidence rather than availability. The aim of ...this article is to inform surgeons of appropriate PPE requirements, and to discuss usage, availability, rationing and future solutions.
Methods
A systematic review was undertaken in accordance with PRISMA guidelines using MEDLINE, Embase and WHO COVID-19 databases. Newspaper and internet article sources were identified using Nexis. The search was complemented by bibliographic secondary linkage. The findings were analysed alongside guidelines from the WHO, Public Health England, the Royal College of Surgeons and specialty associations.
Results
Of a total 1329 articles identified, 95 studies met the inclusion criteria. Recommendations made by the WHO regarding the use of PPE in the COVID-19 pandemic have evolved alongside emerging evidence. Medical resources including PPE have been rapidly overwhelmed. There has been a global effort to overcome this by combining the most effective use of existing PPE with innovative strategies to produce more. Practical advice on all aspects of PPE is detailed in this systematic review.
Conclusion
Although there is a need to balance limited supplies with staff and patient safety, this should not leave surgeons treating patients with inadequate PPE.
Graphical Abstract
This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of all the issues surrounding personal protective equipment for surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic. To overcome this global challenge needs an evidence-based, collaborative, innovative multidisciplinary approach.
Graphical Abstract
Better to be safe than sorry
Aims
This study aimed at isolating endophytic fungi from Citrus limon (L.) possessing antioxidative and genoprotective potential.
Methods and Results
Endophytic fungi were screened for antioxidant ...activity using 2,2‐diphenyl,1‐picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging assay and maximum activity (79·70%) was exhibited by culture MP1 identified to be Penicillium oxalicum on the basis of morphological and molecular characteristics. The ethyl acetate extract of MP1 was subjected to silica column chromatography followed by LH 20 column chromatography for purification of active metabolites. The partially purified active fraction of P. oxalicum MP1 possessed good antioxidant activity as detected using various assays. It also exhibited a strong DNA damage protection potential on pUC19 plasmid DNA treated with Fenton reagent. On exposure to active fraction of MP1 significant reduction (P < 0·05) in nuclear deformities (like nuclear buds, micronuclei, nuclear ridges and binucleated cells) was observed in human lymphocytes pretreated with a toxic concentration of H2O2. In vivo genoprotectivity studies were conducted in fresh water fish Channa punctatus pretreated with a damaging compound 4‐nonyl phenol. The active fraction of P. oxalicum MP1 caused a reduction of 94·7 and 66·60% in micronuclei and aberrant cell formation, respectively. A significant reduction (P < 0·05) in tail length and tail DNA parameters was also observed in comet assay.
Conclusion
The endophytic P. oxalicum isolated in this study has the potential to produce metabolites possessing antioxidant and genoprotective activities.
Significance and Impact of the Study
The isolated culture can be exploited in the field of therapeutics by virtue of its in vitro and in vivo genoprotective potential.
Aim
The present study aimed to isolate and screen endophytes from Trachyspermum ammi with the ability to inhibit alpha glucosidase enzyme and evaluate their insecticidal potential.
Methods and ...Results
Endophytic fungi isolated from T. ammi were screened for alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity. Maximum inhibition (96%) was observed in an isolate AZ‐9, identified to be Exophiala spinifera on morphological and molecular basis. Production of fungal metabolites was carried out in malt extract broth followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. Brown coloured gummy residue obtained after evaporation of ethyl acetate was partially soluble in water yielding white precipitates. The precipitate exhibiting α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity was purified by repeated washing and centrifugation. The insecticidal activity of inhibitor was evaluated on Spodoptera litura (Fab.) by feeding this pest on diet amended with inhibitor. It resulted in significant larval mortality as well as deformities in emerging adults. A reduction in vivo digestive enzyme activity was also observed. Nutritional analysis revealed the toxic effect of AZ‐9 inhibitor on various food utilization parameters of S. litura. A significant reduction was recorded in relative growth and consumption rate of S. litura.
Conclusions
This is the first report on production of an alpha glucosidase inhibitor from E. spinifera with insecticidal activity.
Significance and Impact of the Study
The study highlights the importance of endophytes in providing protection against insect pests to the host. It also suggests the insecticidal potential of alpha glucosidase inhibitor from E. spinifera against polyphagous pest S. litura.
Pectinases are the growing enzymes of biotechnological sector, showing gradual increase in their market. They hold a leading position among the commercially produced industrial enzymes. These enzymes ...are ecofriendly tool of nature that are being used extensively in various industries like wine industry; food industry; paper industry for bleaching of pulp and waste paper recycling; in the processing of fruit–vegetables, tea–coffee, animal feed; extraction of vegetable oil and scouring of plant fibres. Moreover, enzymatic catalysis is preferred over other chemical methods, since it is more specific, less aggressive and saves energy. This is the review which covers the information available on the applicability potential of this group of enzymes in various sectors.
The present study is an attempt to study the sex differences in minutiae frequencies of thumbprint with respect to dermatoglyphic patterns. A sample of 100 subjects (50 males and 50 females) were ...gathered from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh (North India). In regards to pattern type, maximum number of minutiae was present in loop pat-tern followed by whorls and least minutiae were in the arches in the right hand of both the sexes and left hand of females only, whereas in left hand of the males highest frequency of minutiae were noticed in whorls followed by loops and lowest in the arches, thereby indicating the lessened bimanual symmetry in males. It can be inferred from the present study that the simple pattern (arch) has less discontinuance in the regular flow of the ridges, while the complex patterns (loops and whorls) exhibited more interruptions in the dermal ridges.
Nanomedicine era is not far from its realization, but a major concern of targeted delivery still stands tall in its way. Herein we demonstrate the mechanism underlying the anticancer activity of an ...RNA aptamer (Apt) conjugated to gefitinib-loaded poly (lactic co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (GNPs). Apt was selected through Cell-SELEX (systemic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) process against gefitinib-resistant H1975 lung cancer cells. The selected aptamer exhibited high specificity toward H1975 cells, both qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Software analysis using the MATCH tool predicted Ets1, a proto-oncoprotein, to be the target of the selected aptamer. Interestingly, the localization of identified aptamer varied in descending order of Ets1 expression, wherein maximum localization was observed in H1975 cells than in MDA-MB231, DU-145, H23, H460, A431, A549 and MCF-7 cells, and minimum in L132 cells. Furthermore, Apt-GNP bio-conjugate showed augmented anticancer activity specifically in Ets1-overexpressing cells. In addition, partial depletion of Ets1 in H1975 cells and overexpression of Ets1 in L132 cells reversed the targeting efficacy of the aptamer. Notably, a single intratumoral injection of the Apt-GNP bio-conjugate abrogated the growth of tumor in H1975 xenograft nude mice. Altogether, we present a pioneering platform, involving aptamers, which can be clinically used as a diagnostic marker for metastasis as well as an effective delivery system to escort the pharmaceutical cargo specifically to Ets1-overexpressing highly progressive tumors.
Plant metabolism can be regulated by the exogenous application of growth retardants which ultimately affects yield and yield attributes. The effect of foliar application of plant growth retardants ...such as mepiquat chloride (200 mL/ac), ethrel (200 ppm) and stance (200 mL/ac) was observed in two pigeonpea genotypes, i.e. PAU 881 and AL 201, at 60, (60 + 75) and 75 days after sowing (DAS). The effect of foliar spray treatment i.e. ethrel at 200 ppm at (60 + 75) DAS was significant on source-sink strength and dry matter partitioning in both genotypes especially on PAU 881. Leaves of plants treated with ethrel at (60 + 75) DAS exhibited higher total chlorophyll content (15.56%) and leaf area (10.61%), which increased the photosynthates that would eventually be utilized for grain production. Total soluble sugars (2.86 and 49.34%) and starch (27.01 and 27.13%) in leaves and stem increased with foliar applications of ethrel at (60 + 75) DAS, respectively. In the foliar treatment, the yield attributes, i.e. harvest index and number of pods per plant, were positively correlated with the leaf area (
r
= 0.76 and
r
= 0.72, respectively). Principal component analysis and regression analysis conferred an increase in sugar content in the leaf and stem, suggesting the role of growth retardants in altering the pathway of photosynthate production and increasing yield.
Introduction
Cette étude a pour objet de décrire, à l’aide de données administratives
canadiennes, les tendances et les caractéristiques des blessures auto-infligées entre 1979
et 2014-2015, afin ...d’orienter et d’améliorer les mesures de prévention du suicide.
Méthodologie
Les données sur la mortalité par suicide et sur les congés des patients ont
été extraites des fonds de données de l’Agence de la santé publique du Canada (ASPC)
provenant de la Base canadienne de données sur l’état civil – Décès (BCDEC-D) de
Statistique Canada (1979 à 2012), du Système canadien d’information socioéconomique
(CANSIM 2011, 2012), de la Base de données sur la morbidité hospitalière (BDMH, 1994-
1995 à 2010-2011) et de la Base de données sur les congés des patients (BDCP, 2011-2012 à
2014-2015). Le nombre de cas et les taux de décès et d’hospitalisation ont été répartis par
sexe, tranche d’âge de 5 ans et méthode.
Résultats
Le taux de suicide au Canada (hommes et femmes confondus, tous âges, et
taux normalisé selon l’âge et le sexe) a diminué, passant de 14,4/100 000 (n = 3 355) en
1979 à 10,4/100 000 (n = 3 926) en 2012, soit une variation annuelle en pourcentage
(VAP) de –1,2 % (IC à 95 % : –1,3 à –1,0). Cependant, cette tendance n’a pas été observée
chez les deux sexes : chez les femmes, les taux de suicide se sont stabilisés vers les
années 1990, tandis que chez les hommes, ils ont continué de décliner au fil du temps –
malgré le fait que les suicides chez les hommes constituent toujours 75,7 % de tous les
suicides en 2012. La suffocation (pendaison et strangulation) était en 2012 la principale
méthode de suicide (46,9 %) chez les Canadiens de tous âges, suivie de l’intoxication
(23,3 %).
Au cours de l’exercice 2014-2015, il y a eu 13 438 hospitalisations au Canada (à l’exclusion
du Québec) associées à des blessures auto-infligées – ce qui représente plus de trois fois le
nombre de suicides. Au fil du temps, les femmes ont systématiquement présenté des taux
d’hospitalisation plus élevés pour des blessures auto-infligées que les hommes, soit 63 %
du total. L’intoxication a été la méthode la plus fréquemment déclarée de préjudice autoinfligé
au cours de l’exercice 2014-2015, constituant 86 % de toutes les hospitalisations.
Conclusion
Les suicides et les blessures auto-infligées demeurent un problème de santé
publique grave – mais évitable – qui exige une surveillance constante.
Objective
The objective of the study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature assessing potential salivary biomarkers of oral cancer and pre-cancer and discuss emerging issues and ...challenges in relation to oral cancer and pre-cancer diagnostics.
Materials and methods
Search for articles involved the Medline, PubMed, and EMBASE. Specific terms were used from January 1995 to March 2017 by three experts.
Results
This search collected 270 articles, of which 105 articles such as reviews, case reports, news, letter to editor, etc. in first round and 117 articles such as publications in other languages than English, non-human studies, etc. were excluded. The remaining 48 articles considered analyzing whole saliva as well as specific gland saliva. Thirty-one studies considered oral stimuli such as eating, drinking, and oral hygiene practices for varied periods of time prior to sample collection. The time of collection of saliva was morning in most studies, but the exact time of collection was not mentioned. Three studies showed to have evaluated the whole saliva without centrifugation. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry were the most commonly used methods. Most of the potential salivary biomarkers of oral cancer are salivary proteins.
Conclusion
Combination approach of salivary biomarkers could be used as screening tool to improve early detection and diagnostic precision of oral pre-cancer and cancer.
Clinical relevance
The current findings are of importance for clinicians and researchers to mitigate the challenges in salivary-based diagnosis of oral cancer and to evaluate reliable, specific, and sensitive salivary biomarkers for oral pre-cancer and cancer diagnosis.
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