High-Pressure Inactivation of Enzymes: A Review on Its Recent Applications on Fruit Purees and Juices.

In the last 2 decades high-pressure processing (HPP) has established itself as one of the most suitable nonthermal technologies applied to fruit products for the extension of shelf-life. Several oxidative and pectic enzymes are responsible for deterioration in color, flavor, and texture in fruit purees and juices (FP&J). The effect of HPP on the activities of polyphenoloxidase, peroxidase, β-glucosidase, pectinmethylesterase, polygalacturonase, lipoxygenase, amylase, and hydroperoxide lyase specific to FP&J have been studied by several researchers.

Malakoplakia of Proximal Tibia- A Case Report.

Introduction: Malakoplakia is chronic granulomatous disorder resulting from an abnormal immunological response resulting in accumulation of histiocytes [1].It normally involves the urinary bladder, colon, skin etc. But bone is rarely involved.

Metallic glass thin films for potential biomedical applications.

We introduce metallic glass thin films (TiCuNi) as biocompatible materials for biomedical applications. TiCuNi metallic glass thin films were deposited on the Si substrate and their structural, surface, and mechanical properties were investigated. The fabricated films showed good biocompatibility upon exposure to muscle cells.

Design and synthesis of novel 2H-chromen-2-one derivatives bearing 1,2,3-triazole moiety as lead antimicrobials.

A series of novel 2H-chromen-2-one derivatives decorated with 1,2,3-triazole moiety were designed and synthesized using the click reaction of azidoalkyloxy-2H-chromen-2-ones with different propargylamines. Propargylamines were obtained by alkylation of various heterocyclic amines with propargyl bromide. Newly synthesized compounds and intermediates were evaluated for their antifungal activity against four fungi (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans).

Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 3: oligomerization, self-assembly, and heme complex formation.

Merozoite surface protein 3 of Plasmodium falciparum, a 40-kDa protein that also binds heme, has been biophysically characterized for its tendency to form highly elongated oligomers. This study aims to systematically analyze the regions in MSP3 sequence involved in oligomerization and correlate its aggregation tendency with its high affinity for binding with heme. Through size exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy, we have found that MSP3, previously known to form elongated oligomers, actually forms self-assembled filamentous structures that possess amyloid-like characteristics.

A clinical prediction model to estimate the risk for coarctation of the aorta in the presence of a patent ductus arteriosus.

Background: Diagnosing coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in the presence of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) may require observation until PDA closure. The aim of this study was to create a model incorporating previously published indices to estimate the probability of neonatal CoA in the presence of a PDA.

Methods: A retrospective "investigation" cohort of 80 neonates was divided into two groups: (1) neonates with PDA and suspicion for CoA requiring observation to confirm the presence or absence of CoA and (2) neonates with PDA and confirmed diagnosis of either CoA or unobstructed aortic arch.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity, effect on blood pressure & gastric tolerability of antidepressants.

Background & Objectives: Antidepressants are being used as analgesics for various pain related disorders like neuropathic and non neuropathic pain. Although their analgesic activity is well recognized but anti-inflammatory potential of antidepressants is still inconclusive. Since the antidepressants are used for longer duration, it becomes important to elucidate effect of anti-depressants on blood pressure and gastric mucosa.

Non invasive prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidy: next generation sequencing or fetal DNA enrichment?

Current invasive procedures [amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS)] pose a risk to mother and fetus and such diagnostic procedures are available only to high risk pregnancies limiting aneuploidy detection rate. This review seeks to highlight the necessity of investing in non invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) and how NIPD would improve patient safety and detection rate as well as allowing detection earlier in pregnancy. Non invasive prenatal diagnosis can take either a proteomics approach or nucleic acid-based approach; this review focuses on the latter.

A rare clinicopathological presentation of the breast carcinoma; implications and outcome.

In females, the most common cancer is breast carcinoma in which squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare type of malignancy. Histologically, infiltrating ductal carcinoma is the most common type and lobular, mucinous, and medullary types have lower incidence. Pure SCC of the breast can originate from the skin, nipple, or epithelium of a deep-seated dermoid cyst or squamous metaplasia on chronic inflammation background.

Evaluation of antiplasmodial activity of green synthesized silver nanoparticles.

In the present study silver nanoparticles (silver(np)) were synthesized from AgNO3 through simple green routes using either purified Alpha Amylase or aqueous leaf extracts of Ashoka and Neem respectively. The use of plant extract/enzyme for synthesis of nanoparticles is a single-step, cost effective and eco-friendly process. The silver(np) obtained by these three different ways were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, DLS, TEM, XRD and FTIR.

ZnO nanoparticles induces cell death in malignant human T98G gliomas, KB and non-malignant HEK cells.

This paper reports the synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by soft chemical process. The nanoparticles of ZnO possess wurtzite hexagonal phase and were used for the induction of cell death in malignant human T98G gliomas, KB epithermoids and HEK normal non-malignant kidney cells. By applying ZnO nanoparticles, the cells exhibit that the nanoparticles are more efficacious on T98G cancer cells, moderately effective on KB cells and least toxic on normal human HEK cells.

Application of high pressure processing for shelf life extension of litchi fruits (Litchi chinensis cv. Bombai) during refrigerated storage.

This study attempts to report the effect of high pressure processing (100, 200 and 300 MPa for 5, 10 and 15 min at 27 ± 2 ℃) on quality and shelf life extension of 'Bombai' variety peeled litchi fruits during refrigerated storage (5 ℃). High pressure processing significantly increased total colour difference, browning index, drip loss and total soluble solids, whereas pH decreased after processing. Also, ascorbic acid content significantly decreased after high pressure processing and retention of 83.

Biomedical importance of indoles.

The indole nucleus is an important element of many natural and synthetic molecules with significant biological activity. This review covers some of the relevant and recent achievements in the biological, chemical and pharmacological activity of important indole derivatives in the areas of drug discovery and analysis.

A preliminary study of the effect of DBD plasma and osmolytes on T98G brain cancer and HEK non-malignant cells.

Non-thermal plasmas are emerging as a novel tool for the treatment of living tissues for biological and medical purpose. In this study, we described the effect of 4 min dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma on both T98G cancer and HEK normal cell lines in the presence of different concentrations of osmolytes. This treatment strategy shows a specific inhibitory effect of a 240 s plasma exposure in the presence of osmolytes against T98G brain cancer cells only, but not on HEK normal cells.

Effect of addition of either sitagliptin or pioglitazone in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus on metformin: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare and study the dipeptidy1 peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in combination with metformin against established combination therapies.

Materials And Methods: This 16-week study was designed to compare sitagliptin versus pioglitazone as add-on therapy in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with metformin alone. Fifty-two patients were randomized into two groups to receive either sitagliptin 100 mg (group 1) or pioglitazone 30 mg (group 2) in addition to metformin.

Identification of antifungal principle in the solvent extract of an endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum from Withania somnifera.

Extracts of Chaetomium globosum EF18, isolated as endophytic fungus from Withania somnifera, were found effective against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were more effective than hexane extract showing >80% growth inhibition. Bioactive compound (antibiotic Sch 210971, m/z 445 and λmax 290) having antifungal activity against S.

Endophytic fungi isolated from oil-seed crop Jatropha curcas produces oil and exhibit antifungal activity.

Jatropha curcas L., a perennial plant grown in tropics and subtropics is popularly known for its potential as biofuel. The plant is reported to survive under varying environmental conditions having tolerance to stress and an ability to manage pest and diseases.

Antiplasmodial potential of selected medicinal plants from eastern Ghats of South India.

Malaria caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is a major health problem of the developing world. In the present study medicinal plants from Eastern Ghats of South India have been extracted with ethyl acetate and assayed for growth inhibition of asexual erythrocytic stages of chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive (3D7) and (CQ)-resistant (INDO) strains of P. falciparum in culture using the fluorescence-based SYBR Green I assay.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of ammonium and imidazolium ionic liquids against T98G brain cancer cells.

Four ammonium and imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) have been synthesized and screened against the T98G cell line (brain cancer) and HEK normal cells. Treatment induced metabolic cell death (MTT), growth inhibition, clonogenic inhibition were studied as cellular response parameters. Treatment with ILs enhanced growth inhibition and cell death in a concentration dependent manner in both the T98G and HEK cell lines.

Synthesis and anticancer activity of di(3-thienyl)methanol and di(3-thienyl)methane.

Di(3-thienyl)methanol (2) and di(3-thienyl)methane (3) have been synthesized and screened against the T98G (brain cancer) cell line. Treatment induced cell death (MTT and macro-colony assay), growth inhibition, cytogenetic damage (micronuclei formation), were studied as cellular response parameters. Treatment with the compounds enhanced growth inhibition and cell death in a concentration dependent manner in both T98G and HEK (normal) cell lines.

Synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial and anticancer screening of {M(2+)-Co (3+)-M (2+)} and {Co (3+)-M (2+)} (M is Zn, Cd, Hg) heterometallic complexes.

The cobalt(III) complexes Et(4)N[Co(L(1))(2)] and [Co(L(2))(3)] [H(2)L(1) is 2,6-bis(N-(2-pyridyl)carbamoyl)pyridine and HL(2) is 2-(N-(2-pyridyl)carbamoyl)pyridine] were used as the building blocks for preparing a series of {M(2+)-Co(3+)-M(2+)} (where M is Zn, Cd, or Hg) and {Co(3+)-M(2+)} (where M is Zn or Cd) heterometallic complexes. All heterometallic complexes were characterized using a host of spectroscopic methods (IR, NMR, and UV/vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry), elemental analysis, and conductivity measurements. One of the representative compounds, {Hg(2+)-Co(3+)-Hg(2+)}, was characterized crystallographically, and it was revealed that two Hg(II) ions are coordinated within the clefts created by the building block Et(4)N[Co(L(1))(2)].

Anti-plasmodial action of de novo-designed, cationic, lysine-branched, amphipathic, helical peptides.

Background: A lack of vaccine and rampant drug resistance demands new anti-malarials.

Methods: In vitro blood stage anti-plasmodial properties of several de novo-designed, chemically synthesized, cationic, amphipathic, helical, antibiotic peptides were examined against Plasmodium falciparum using SYBR Green assay. Mechanistic details of anti-plasmodial action were examined by optical/fluorescence microscopy and FACS analysis.

Antimalarial activities of medicinal plants traditionally used in the villages of Dharmapuri regions of South India.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: An ethnopharmacological investigation of medicinal plants traditionally used to treat diseases associated with fevers in Dharmapuri region of South India was undertaken. Twenty four plants were identified and evaluated for their in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum and assessed for cytotoxicity against HeLa cell line.

Aim Of The Study: This antimalarial in vitro study was planned to correlate and validate the traditional usage of medicinal plants against malaria.

Chronically transfused pediatric sickle cell patients are protected from cardiac iron overload.

Iron overload is a major toxicity of chronic transfusions. Myocardial iron overload is associated with cardiac dysfunction. Cardiac and liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 14 chronically transfused sickle cell disease (SCD) and non-sickle cell disease (non-SCD) patients seen at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital from 1 January 2000 to 10 March 2010.