Polymorphisms in the P450 c17 (17-hydroxylase/17, 20-Lyase) gene: association with estradiol and testosterone concentration in hypospadias.

Objective: To investigate the association of CYP17 polymorphism with 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) concentration in hypospadias.

Methods: Two-hundred twenty-three boys (91 with hypospadias and 132 age-matched controls) were included in the study. CYP17 polymorphism was evaluated using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, whereas T and E2 levels were estimated in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Ischemic insult induced apoptotic changes in PC12 cells: protection by trans resveratrol.

In this study, we determined the protective potential of trans resveratrol against oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) induced reactive oxygen species mediated apoptotic damages in PC12 cells. In vitro model of ischemic cerebral stroke was created by keeping cells in an OGD condition for 6h followed by 24h reoxygenation. Cells received biologically safe doses (5, 10, and 25 μM) of trans resveratrol in the following schedules for 24h prior to OGD; during 6h of OGD; for 24h post OGD and whole treatment group which starts from 24h before OGD and lasted to 24h post OGD.

A Mediterranean-style low-glycemic-load diet improves variables of metabolic syndrome in women, and addition of a phytochemical-rich medical food enhances benefits on lipoprotein metabolism.

Background: The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has highlighted the need for effective dietary interventions to combat this growing problem.

Objective: To assess the impact of a Mediterranean-style low-glycemic-load diet (control arm, n = 44) or the same diet plus a medical food containing phytosterols, soy protein, and extracts from hops and acacia (intervention arm, n = 45) on cardiometabolic risk variables in women with MetS.

Methods: In this 12-week, 2-arm randomized trial, baseline, week 8 and 12, fasting blood samples were drawn to measure plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, and homocysteine.

Elastin-like protein matrix reinforced with collagen microfibers for soft tissue repair.

Artificial composites designed to mimic the structure and properties of native extracellular matrix may lead to acellular materials for soft tissue repair and replacement, which display mechanical strength, stiffness, and resilience resembling native tissue. We describe the fabrication of thin lamellae consisting of continuous collagen microfiber embedded at controlled orientations and densities in a recombinant elastin-like protein polymer matrix. Multilamellar stacking affords flexible, protein-based composite sheets whose properties are dependent upon both the elastomeric matrix and collagen content and organization.

Protective effects of L-pGlu-(2-propyl)-L-His-L-ProNH2, a newer thyrotropin releasing hormone analog in in vitro and in vivo models of cerebral ischemia.

In the present study, the newly synthesized TRH analog (L-pGlu-(2-propyl)-L-His-l-ProNH(2); NP-647) was evaluated for its effects in in vitro (oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-, glutamate- and H(2)O(2)-induced injury in PC-12 cells) and in vivo (transient global ischemia) models of cerebral ischemic injury. PC-12 cells were subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation for 6h. Exposure of NP-647 was given before and during OGD.

Cell surface engineering with polyelectrolyte multilayer thin films.

Layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films represents a bottom-up approach for re-engineering the molecular landscape of cell surfaces with spatially continuous and molecularly uniform ultrathin films. However, fabricating PEMs on viable cells has proven challenging owing to the high cytotoxicity of polycations. Here, we report the rational engineering of a new class of PEMs with modular biological functionality and tunable physicochemical properties which have been engineered to abrogate cytotoxicity.

Monocrotophos induced apoptosis in PC12 cells: role of xenobiotic metabolizing cytochrome P450s.

Monocrotophos (MCP) is a widely used organophosphate (OP) pesticide. We studied apoptotic changes and their correlation with expression of selected cytochrome P450s (CYPs) in PC12 cells exposed to MCP. A significant induction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels were observed in cells exposed to MCP.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of stellatin derivatives as cyclooxygenase (COX-1, COX-2) inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents.

Stellatin (4), isolated from Dysophylla stellata is a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor. The present study reports the synthesis and biological evaluation of new stellatin derivatives for COX-1, COX-2 inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities. Eight derivatives showed more pronounced COX-2 inhibition than stellatin and, 17 and 21 exhibited the highest COX-2 inhibition.

Knowledge based ranking algorithm for comparative assessment of post-closure care needs of closed landfills.

Post-closure care (PCC) activities at landfills include cap maintenance; water quality monitoring; maintenance and monitoring of the gas collection/control system, leachate collection system, groundwater monitoring wells, and surface water management system; and general site maintenance. The objective of this study was to develop an integrated data and knowledge based decision making tool for preliminary estimation of PCC needs at closed landfills. To develop the decision making tool, 11 categories of parameters were identified as critical areas which could affect future PCC needs.

Polymorphism in CYP1A1, GSTMI, GSTT1 genes and organochlorine pesticides in the etiology of hypospadias.

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and maternal endogenous estrogen may cause hypospadias, common congenital anomaly. Several organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been reported to possess an endocrine-disrupting potential. Cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTM1 and GSTT1) of xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme family are involved in the metabolism of various environmental toxicants and steroidal hormones.

Acquisition of humoral transplantation tolerance upon de novo emergence of B lymphocytes.

A major obstacle to transplantation tolerance is humoral immunity. In this paper, we demonstrate that the intrinsic developmental propensity of the B lymphocyte compartment for acquisition of self-tolerance can be harnessed to induce humoral unresponsiveness to transplanted alloantigens. In the current study, when transitional B cells developed in the presence of donor lymphoid cells, the mature B lymphocyte compartment failed to mount a donor-specific alloantibody response to an organ transplant--despite unrestrained acute T cell-mediated allograft rejection.

Association of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 gene polymorphism with oxidative stress in diabetic and nondiabetic chronic kidney disease.

Background And Objective: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) belong to a family of ubiquitous and multifunctional enzymes that work as one of the endogenous antioxidants in our body. This study was designed to look into the association of GST polymorphism with oxidative stress in both diabetic and nondiabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design And Methods: Three groups of patients (50 in each): diabetics without CKD (DM), diabetic CKD (DM-CKD), and nondiabetic CKD (NDM-CKD) and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited.

Utilization of concentrate of membrane filtration of bleach plant effluent in brick production.

Utilization potential of membrane filtration retentate (concentrate) of bleach plant effluent from paper industry, in bricks production, was investigated in the present study. Bricks were prepared by using retentate of membrane filtration in place of water. The physical properties measured for bricks were dimensions, density, moisture content, compressive strength, water absorption and porosity.

PARP around the clock.

Cells possess internal ∼24 hr or circadian clocks that synchronize physiological processes with daily cycles of light and nutrient availability. In this issue, Asher et al. (2010) find that PARP-1 (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1) modifies components of the clock machinery in response to feeding, providing a mechanism for how metabolic rhythms coordinate with circadian rhythms.

CYP 1A1 polymorphism and organochlorine pesticides levels in the etiology of prostate cancer.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polymorphisms of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes are reported to be associated with the possible risk of prostate cancer. OCPs are endocrine disruptors (EDs) which may act by disrupting the physiologic function of endogenous hormones and therefore possibly increase prostate cancer risk. CYP1A1 metabolizes several carcinogens and estrogens, etc.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in human lung cancer cell line-A549.

Multi-walled carbon-nanotubes (MWCNTs)-induced apoptotic changes were studied in human lung epithelium cell line-A549. Non-cytotoxic doses of MWCNTs were identified using tetrazolium bromide salt (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. Cells were exposed to MWCNTs (0.

Purpura fulminans: a rare presentation of a common disease.

Malaria is a common health problem in India and contributes about 80% of the total cases in South East Asia. Falciparum malaria is known for its various complications, including cerebral malaria, severe anaemia, acute renal failure, acute lung injury, jaundice (and hepatic involvement), hypoglycaemia and circulatory collapse. We hereby report on a young male who was suffering from complicated falciparum malaria, and had purpura fulminans along with laboratory features suggestive of disseminated intravascular coagulation.

B-lymphocyte homeostasis and BLyS-directed immunotherapy in transplantation.

Current strategies for immunotherapy after transplantation are primarily T-lymphocyte directed and effectively abrogate acute rejection. However, the reality of chronic allograft rejection attests to the fact that transplantation tolerance remains an elusive goal. Donor-specific antibodies are considered the primary cause of chronic rejection.

Identification of hotspot regions of MurB oxidoreductase enzyme using homology modeling, molecular dynamics and molecular docking techniques.

Despite the availability of effective chemotherapy and a moderately protective vaccine, new anti-tuberculosis agents are urgently needed to decrease the global incidence of tuberculosis (TB) disease. The MurB gene belongs to the bacterial cell wall biosynthesis pathway and is an essential drug target in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) that has no mammalian counterparts. Here, we present an integrated approach involving homology modeling, molecular dynamics and molecular docking studies on Mtb-MurB oxidoreductase enzyme.

The use of microfiber composites of elastin-like protein matrix reinforced with synthetic collagen in the design of vascular grafts.

Collagen and elastin networks contribute to highly specialized biomechanical responses in numerous tissues and species. Biomechanical properties such as modulus, elasticity, and strength ultimately affect tissue function and durability, as well as local cellular behavior. In the case of vascular bypass grafts, compliance at physiologic pressures is correlated with increased patency due to a reduction in anastomotic intimal hyperplasia.