Mitosis-targeting natural products for cancer prevention and therapy.

Mitosis is a complex process resulting in division of a cell into two daughter cells, and its failure often results in the death of the daughter cells (via apoptotic, necrotic, or proliferative/senescent death). Many chemicals that inhibit the mitotic process (anti-mitotic drugs) have proven effective for killing cancer cells in vitro and in clinical settings. Among the most studied anti-mitotic drugs are plant-origin natural products including taxanes (e.

Direct digital radiography versus conventional radiography - assessment of visibility of file length placed in the root canal: An in vitro study.

Aim And Objective: To compare conventional and direct digital radiography (DDR) in working length measurement of the root canal and to assess the significance of the different enhancement modes provided by the software to visualize the file length.

Materials And Methods: Access cavities were prepared in 30 extracted maxillary central incisors. Size 15 k-file was introduced into the canal till it was flush with the apical foramen.

The Bacillus subtilis chemoreceptor McpC senses multiple ligands using two discrete mechanisms.

Bacillus subtilis can perform chemotaxis toward all 20 L-amino acids normally found in proteins. Loss of a single chemoreceptor, McpC, was previously found to reduce chemotaxis to 19 of these amino acids. In this study, we investigated the amino acid-sensing mechanism of McpC.

Inhibition of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia progression to carcinoma by nitric oxide-releasing aspirin in p48(Cre/+)-LSL-Kras(G12D/+) mice.

Nitric oxide-releasing aspirin (NO-aspirin) represents a novel class of promising chemopreventive agents. Unlike conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NO-aspirin seems to be free of adverse effects while retaining the beneficial activities of its parent compound. The effect of NO-aspirin on pancreatic carcinogenesis was investigated by assessing the development of precursor pancreatic lesions and adenocarcinomas in Kras(G12D/+) transgenic mice that recapitulate human pancreatic cancer progression.

Identification and analysis of the putative pentose sugar efflux transporters in Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli possesses a number of proteins that transport sugars out of the cell. We identified 31 candidate sugar efflux transporters based on their similarity to known sugar efflux transporters. We then tested whether these transporters affect arabinose and xylose metabolism.

Elucidation of the multiple roles of CheD in Bacillus subtilis chemotaxis.

Chemotaxis by Bacillus subtilis requires the CheD protein for proper function. In a cheD mutant when McpB was the sole chemoreceptor in B. subtilis, chemotaxis to asparagine was quite good.

Antiulcer Activity of Hydroalchol Extract of Momordica dioica roxb. Fruit.

The present study was carried out to evaluate antiulcer activity of hydroalcohol extract of Momordica dioica Roxb. fruit. Momordica dioica Roxb.

Evaluation of chemopreventive effect of Fumaria indica against N-nitrosodiethylamine and CCl4-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in Wistar rats.

Objective: To investigation the chemopreventive potential of Fumaria indica (F. indica) extract (FIE) on N-nitrosodiethylamine and CCl(4)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats.

Methods: The experimental animals were divided into six groups (n=6).

Human chorionic gonadotropin triggers angiogenesis via the modulation of endometrial stromal cell responsiveness to interleukin 1: a new possible mechanism underlying embryo implantation.

Deep functional changes occurring within the endometrium during implantation are orchestrated by embryonic and maternal signals. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a major embryonic signal, plays a critical role in the initiation and maintenance of pregnancy. Interleukin (IL) 1, one of the earliest embryonic signals, appears to exert a direct impact on the receptive endometrium and to induce major molecular changes that are essential for embryo implantation.

Nephroprotective activity of Solanum xanthocarpum fruit extract against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction in experimental rodents.

Objective: To evaluate nephroprotective potential of Solanum xanthocarpum (S. xanthocarpum) fruit extract(SXE) against gentamicin (GM) induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction.

Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6).

Antihyperglycemic activity of Woodfordia fruticosa (Kurz) flowers extracts in glucose metabolism and lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The ethanolic extract of W. fruticosa flowers (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly reduced fasting blood glucose level and increased insulin level after 21 days treatment in streptozotocin diabetic rats. The extract also increased catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase activities significantly and reduced lipid peroxidation.

Chemopreventive evaluation of Tephrosia purpurea against N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats.

Objectives: The chemopreventive potential of Tephrosia purpurea extract (TPE) on N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Wistar rats was assessed.

Methods: HCC was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of NDEA (200 mg/kg) followed by subcutaneous injections of CCl(4) (3 ml/kg per week) for six weeks. After administration of the carcinogen, 200 and 400 mg/kg TPE were administered orally once a day throughout the study.

Transcriptional cross talk within the mar-sox-rob regulon in Escherichia coli is limited to the rob and marRAB operons.

Bacteria possess multiple mechanisms to survive exposure to various chemical stresses and antimicrobial compounds. In the enteric bacterium Escherichia coli, three homologous transcription factors-MarA, SoxS, and Rob-play a central role in coordinating this response. Three separate systems are known to regulate the expression and activities of MarA, SoxS, and Rob.

Computational methods in synthetic biology: towards computer-aided part design.

A number of computational tools have been developed for composing synthetic gene circuits, managing workflows, and simulating their behavior. Less attention has been directed towards the underlying parts that go into these designs. New computational approaches nonetheless are being developed for engineering these parts and relating their underlying DNA or amino-acid sequences to functional parameters.

Early detection and prevention of pancreatic cancer: use of genetically engineered mouse models and advanced imaging technologies.

Lack of early detection and effective interventions are major factors contributing to the poor prognosis and dismal survival rates of pancreatic cancer patients for more than sixty years. Detection of pancreatic cancer at an early stage might permit life-saving intervention. Clinical and preclinical diagnosis and evaluation of pancreatic cancers involve several imaging technologies including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Positron emission tomography (PET), Computed tomography (CT), Ultrasound (US), bioluminescent imaging and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Prophylactic vaccine approach for colon and pancreatic cancers: present and future.

Vaccines against cancers have not been as effective as vaccines against infectious diseases. However, recent studies have advanced our understanding of the stages of tumor cell development and of mechanisms of immune surveillance, immune suppression, and of tumor escape from the immune system. The development of animal models that mimic development of human cancers has helped advance the understanding of these processes and is aiding the development of greatly improved vaccines.

Bacteriology of deep carious lesions underneath amalgam restorations with different pulp-capping materials--an in vivo analysis.

Unlabelled: Microorganisms remaining in dentin following cavity preparation may induce pulp damage, requiring the use of pulp-capping agents with antimicrobial activity underneath permanent restorations.

Objective: The aims of this study were to analyze the bacteriological status of carious dentin and to assess the efficacy of different base underneath silver amalgam restorations.

Material And Methods: This study was conducted on 50 patients aged 13 to 30 years.

Antihyperglycemic activity, antihyperlipedemic activity, haematological effects and histopathological analysis of Sapindus mukorossi Gaerten fruits in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Objective: To investigate the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties of hydroalcoholic extract of fruits of Sapindus mukorossi Gaerten and its beneficial effect on haematological parameters with histopathological analysis in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Sapindus mukorossi fruits extract (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) and standard drug glybenclamide (0.5 mg/kg body weight) were administered to diabetic rats.

Air quality status during Diwali festival of India: a case study.

The PM(2.5) and PM(10) samples were collected during Diwali celebration from study area and characterized for ionic concentration of four anions (NO(3) (-), NO(2) (-), Cl(-), SO(4) (2-)) and five cations (K(+), Mg(2+), NH(4) (+), Ca(2+), Na(+)). The results showed that the ionic concentrations were three times compared to those on pre and post Diwali days.

Genotoxicity of the cancer chemopreventive drug candidates CP-31398, SHetA2, and phospho-ibuprofen.

The genotoxic activities of three cancer chemopreventive drug candidates, CP-31398 (a cell permeable styrylquinazoline p53 modulator), SHetA2 (a flexible heteroarotinoid), and phospho-ibuprofen (PI, a derivative of ibuprofen) were tested. None of the compounds were mutagenic in the Salmonella/Escherichia coli/microsome plate incorporation test. CP-31398 and SHetA2 did not induce chromosomal aberrations (CA) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, either in the presence or absence of rat hepatic S9 (S9).

Hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic extract of Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Mill roots against antitubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity in experimental models.

Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic (50%) extract of Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Mill (Z. oenoplia) root against isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) induced liver damage in animal models.

Chemopreventive effects of RXR-selective rexinoid bexarotene on intestinal neoplasia of Apc(Min/+) mice.

Retinoid X receptor (RXR) has been implicated in several neoplastic diseases. Previously, we have shown that RXR-α is downregulated in human and rodent colonic tumors, suggesting a potential target for colon cancer prevention (http://www.cancer.

In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective activity of Cissampelos pareira against carbon-tetrachloride induced hepatic damage.

Administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Cissampelos pareira roots (CPRE) and standard drug silymarin in rats showed significant hepatoprotective action against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity. Elevated serum marker enzymes of AST, ALT, ALP and serum bilirubin were significantly reduced to near normal level in CPRE treated rats. Lipid peroxidation level was decreased significantly in CPRE 100, 200, 400 mg/kg doses treatment groups.

Particle size distribution of ambient aerosols in an industrial area.

Aerosol samples of PM(10) and PM(2.5) were collected from 38 sampling locations in and around the industrial area. The 24 h average mass concentration of PM(10) and PM(2.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue and tumor exposure of CP-31398, a p53-stabilizing agent, in rats.

Purpose: CP-31398 (N0-[2-[(E)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl] quinazolin-4-yl]-N,N-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine hydrochloride) is one of the new class of agents that can stabilize the DNA-binding domain of p53 and thereby maintain the activity of p53 as a tumor suppressor and transcription factor. Through its activity as a p53 stabilizer, CP-31398 demonstrates significant cancer preventive and therapeutic activity in several in vivo animal models. The objective of the current study was to describe the pharmacokinetic profile and tissue distribution of this novel agent following intravenous or oral (gavage and dietary) administration.