Understanding the functional discrepancy of Pim-1 in cancer.

The Pim-1 gene encodes for a proto-oncogenic serine/threonine protein kinase and is generally involved in cytokine signaling as well as in various signaling pathways regulating cell cycle and apoptosis. Pim-1 kinase plays a role in the development of various tumors mainly, prostate cancer, Burkitt's lymphoma, oral cancer and various other hematopoietic lymphomas. This review will focus on the importance and mechanisms of Pim-1 in prostate cancer and the potential clinical relevance of its various inhibitors.

Chromatin-dependent regulation of RNA polymerases II and III activity throughout the transcription cycle.

The particular behaviour of eukaryotic RNA polymerases along different gene regions and amongst distinct gene functional groups is not totally understood. To cast light onto the alternative active or backtracking states of RNA polymerase II, we have quantitatively mapped active RNA polymerases at a high resolution following a new biotin-based genomic run-on (BioGRO) technique. Compared with conventional profiling with chromatin immunoprecipitation, the analysis of the BioGRO profiles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae shows that RNA polymerase II has unique activity profiles at both gene ends, which are highly dependent on positioned nucleosomes.

In vivo ZW800-microbead imaging of retinal and choroidal vascular leakage in mice.

The eye is an attractive organ for non-invasive discovery and monitoring of disease progression. Traditionally, fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) have been used for dynamic evaluation of the retina and its vasculature. However, both fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) possess considerable disadvantages.

Morpholino-Mediated Isoform Modulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR2) Reduces Colon Cancer Xenograft Growth.

Angiogenesis plays a key role in tumor growth. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a pro-angiogenic that is involved in tumor angiogenesis. When VEGF binds to membrane-bound vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (mVEGFR2), it promotes angiogenesis.

Loss of Rho-GDIα sensitizes podocytes to lipopolysaccharide-mediated injury.

Nephrotic syndrome is a disease of glomerular permselectivity that can arise as a consequence of heritable or acquired changes to the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. We recently reported two siblings with heritable nephrotic syndrome caused by a loss of function mutation in the gene ARHGDIA, which encodes for Rho guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor-α (GDIα). GDIs are known to negatively regulate Rho-GTPase signaling.

Nanocapsules loaded with iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin have antimicrobial therapeutic potential and maintain calcium, zinc and iron metabolism.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the potential antimicrobial efficacy of alginate gel-encapsulated ceramic nanocarriers loaded with iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin (Fe-bLf) nanocarriers/nanocapsules (AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NCs).

Materials & Methods: The antimicrobial activities of non-nanoformulated apo (iron free), Fe-bLf and native forms of Australian bLf against pathogenic Salmonella typhimurium (wild strain) were studied in vitro. The efficacy of AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NCs were checked in vivo using Balb/c mice model.

A Rare Presentation of Os Odontoideum with Multiple Vertebral Fusion in Type III Klippel-Feil Syndrome (KFS) - A Case Report.

An abnormal atlas and axis with presence of os odontoideum and fusion of multiple vertebrae were noted in an intact skeleton, in the osteology museum of the Department of Anatomy of North Bengal Medical College, West Bengal, India.These multiple abnormalities at various levels along with increased thickness of antero-posterior arch of atlas pointed towards the congenital nature of the anomalies, possibly due to Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS). These unusual findings denote a developmental background of the manifestations.

The Not5 subunit of the ccr4-not complex connects transcription and translation.

Recent studies have suggested that a sub-complex of RNA polymerase II composed of Rpb4 and Rpb7 couples the nuclear and cytoplasmic stages of gene expression by associating with newly made mRNAs in the nucleus, and contributing to their translation and degradation in the cytoplasm. Here we show by yeast two hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation experiments, followed by ribosome fractionation and fluorescent microscopy, that a subunit of the Ccr4-Not complex, Not5, is essential in the nucleus for the cytoplasmic functions of Rpb4. Not5 interacts with Rpb4; it is required for the presence of Rpb4 in polysomes, for interaction of Rpb4 with the translation initiation factor eIF3 and for association of Rpb4 with mRNAs.

Determining optimal torsional ultrasound power for cataract surgery with automatic longitudinal pulses at maximum vacuum ex vivo.

Purpose: To determine the optimal longitudinal power settings for Infiniti OZil Intelligent Phaco (IP) at varying torsional amplitude settings; and to test the hypothesis that increasing longitudinal power is more important at lower torsional amplitudes to achieve efficient phacoemulsification.

Design: Laboratory investigation.

Methods: setting: John A.

Fungus-mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles and standardization of parameters for its biosynthesis.

We report the extracellular biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using a fungus Fusarium acuminatum. Mycosynthesis of Au-NPs was carried out by challenging the fungal cells filtrate with HAuCl 4 solution (1 mM), as nanoparticles synthesizing enzyme secrete extracellularly by the fungi. The AuNPs were characterized with the help of UV-Visible spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Zeta Potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles from actinomycetes: biomedical applications and cytotoxicity.

Biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles has been well proved by using bacteria, fungi, algae, actinomycetes, plants, etc. Among the different microorganisms used for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, actinomycetes are less known. Although, there are reports, which have shown that actinomycetes are efficient candidates for the production of metal nanoparticles both intracellularly and extracellularly.

Carbazole substituted boron dipyrromethenes.

meso-Substituted BODIPY with N-butylcarbazole () was prepared and derivatized. Dibromo BODIPY , α-formyl BODIPY and β-formyl BODIPY were synthesized. All compounds were characterized by HRMS, NMR, UV-vis absorption, electrochemical and fluorescence techniques.

Spectacle Independence after Cataract Extraction in Post-Radial Keratotomy Patients Using Hybrid Monovision with ReSTOR(®) Multifocal and TECNIS(®) Monofocal Intraocular Lenses.

Background: We report 2 patients who have undergone radial keratotomy (RK) preceding ReSTOR(®) multifocal intraocular lens (IOL; Alcon, Fort Worth, Tex., USA) implantation in their nondominant eyes and TECNIS(®) monofocal IOL (Abbott Medical Optics, Abbott Park, Ill., USA) in their dominant eyes.

Health spending, macroeconomics and fiscal space in countries of the World Health Organization South-East Asia Region.

The paper examines the issues around mobilization of resources for the 11 countries of the South-East Asia Region of the World Health Organization (WHO), by analysing their macroeconomic situation, health spending, fiscal space and other determinants of health. With the exception of a few, most of these countries have made fair progress on their own Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets of maternal mortality ratio and mortality rate in children aged under 5 years. However, the achieved targets have been very modest - with the exception of Thailand and Sri Lanka - indicating the continued need for additional efforts to improve these indicators.

Correlates of out-of-pocket spending on health in Nepal: implications for policy.

Background: A key objective of universal health coverage is to address inequities in the financial implications of health care. This paper examines the level and trend in out-of-pocket spending (OOPS) on health, and the consequent burden on Nepalese households.

Methods: Using data from the Nepal Living Standard Survey for 1995-1996 and 2010-2011, the paper looks at the inequity of this burden and its changes over time; across ecological zones or belts, development regions, places of residence, or consumption expenditure quintiles; and according to the gender of the head of the household.

Willingness to pay for health insurance among HIV-positive patients in India.

Background: Standard health insurance products in India currently exclude conditions related to HIV. Although antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are now publicly funded, the burden of treatment due to hospitalization on people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) continues to be high. Unlike many countries, India is yet to eliminate the exclusion clause in standard health insurance products.

"Ictal" lateralized periodic discharges.

Objective: Whether lateralized periodic discharges (LPDs) represent ictal or interictal phenomena, and even the circumstances in which they may represent one or the other, remains highly controversial. Lateralized periodic discharges are, however, widely accepted as being ictal when they are time-locked to clinically apparent symptoms. We sought to investigate the characteristics of "ictal" lateralized periodic discharges (ILPDs) defined by time-locked clinical symptoms in order to explore the utility of using this definition to dichotomize LPDs into "ictal" and "nonictal" categories.

Potato chips and childhood: what does the science say? An unrecognized threat?

With recent rapid progress in technology and advancing lifestyle associated with modernization, individuals are consuming increasing quantities of unhealthy food, a major risk factor for the onset of a variety of diseases. In particular, fried potato chips (FPCs), are the most commonly consumed snack, especially by children. However, research in the field of nutrition demonstrated that FPCs encompass significant quantities of acrylamide, a known carcinogen and neurotoxin.

Vimentin knockdown decreases corneal opacity.

Purpose: Wound induced corneal fibrosis can lead to permanent visual impairment. Keratocyte activation and differentiation play a key role in fibrosis, and vimentin, a major structural type III intermediate filament, is a required component of this process. The purpose of our study was to develop a nonviral therapeutic strategy for treating corneal fibrosis in which we targeted the knockdown of vimentin.

Silver nanoparticles: therapeutical uses, toxicity, and safety issues.

The promises of nanotechnology have been realized to deliver the greatest scientific and technological advances in several areas. The biocidal activity of Metal nanoparticles in general and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) depends on several morphological and physicochemical characteristics of the particles. Many of the interactions of the AgNPs with the human body are still poorly understood; consequently, the most desirable characteristics for the AgNPs are not yet well established.

Phacoemulsification efficiency with a radiused phaco tip.

Purpose: To evaluate radiused and nonradiused phacoemulsification tips to determine which tip is more efficient in removal of lens fragments using 3 ultrasound (US) modalities.

Setting: John A. Moran Eye Center Laboratories, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Effect of phaco tip diameter on efficiency and chatter.

Purpose: To evaluate 3 phacoemulsification tips of different sizes and determine which size is most efficient in lens fragment removal using 3 ultrasound (US) approaches.

Setting: John A. Moran Eye Center Laboratories, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Metal nanoparticles: The protective nanoshield against virus infection.

Re-emergence of resistance in different pathogens including viruses are the major cause of human disease and death, which is posing a serious challenge to the medical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological sectors. Though many efforts have been made to develop drug and vaccines against re-emerging viruses, researchers are continuously engaged in the development of novel, cheap and broad-spectrum antiviral agents, not only to fight against viruses but also to act as a protective shield against pathogens attack. Current advancement in nanotechnology provides a novel platform for the development of potential and effective agents by modifying the materials at nanolevel with remarkable physicochemical properties, high surface area to volume ratio and increased reactivity.

A study on knowledge, attitude, and practice towards premarital carrier screening among adults attending primary healthcare centers in a region in Oman.

Background: Despite that hereditary diseases are widespread among the Arab population due to high rates of consanguineous marriages, research regarding community awareness towards premarital carrier screening in some countries such as Oman, is extremely scarce. This study aimed to investigate knowledge and attitude towards premarital carrier screening (PMCS) in Oman.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire which was distributed to 400 Omani adults aged 20-35 who attended primary healthcare institutions at the South Batinah Governorate in Oman.

Development and pilot testing of HIV screening program integration within public/primary health centers providing antenatal care services in Maharashtra, India.

Background: The objectives of this paper are: (1) to study the feasibility and relative benefits of integrating the prevention of parent-to-child transmission (PPTCT) component of the National AIDS Control Program with the maternal and child health component of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) by offering HIV screening at the primary healthcare level; and (2) to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio to understand whether the costs are commensurate with the benefits.

Methods: The intervention included advocacy with political, administrative/health heads, and capacity building of health staff in Satara district, Maharashtra, India. The intervention also conducted biannual outreach activities at primary health centers (PHCs)/sub-centers (SCs); initiated facility-based integrated counseling and testing centers (FICTCs) at all round-the-clock PHCs; made the existing FICTCs functional and trained PHC nurses in HIV screening.