Silencing microRNA by interfering nanoparticles in mice.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous non-coding RNAs that regulate post-transcriptional gene expression and are important in many biological processes. Disease-associated miRNAs have been shown to become potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Functions of miRNAs can be inhibited by using antisense oligonucleotides, called anti-miRs, complimentary to the miRNA sequences.

Utility of reverse transcriptase PCR and DNA-PCR in the diagnosis of female genital tuberculosis.

This study was designed to test the utility of mRNA-based RT-PCR to detect viable bacilli, indicating active tubercular involvement, and DNA-PCR to detect present or past infection in the diagnosis of active female genital tuberculosis (TB) infection. A total of 200 subjects with complaints of infertility were enrolled in the study. Multiple sampling was done.

Leishmania-induced repression of selected non-coding RNA genes containing B-box element at their promoters in alternatively polarized M2 macrophages.

Leishmania is a group of parasitic protozoa that infect blood and tissue phagocytes including macrophages. We hypothesize that Leishmania is capable of establishing infection inside the macrophages because (a) they infect a subpopulation of macrophages; and (b) they "renovate" the macrophages before the establishment of infection. We found that only alternatively activated polarized M2 macrophages support Leishmania growth.

Mechanism of down-regulation of RNA polymerase III-transcribed non-coding RNA genes in macrophages by Leishmania.

The parasitic protozoan Leishmania invades mammalian macrophages to establish infection. We reported previously that Leishmania manipulates the expression of several non-coding RNA genes (e.g.

Structure-based design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of HIV-1 protease inhibitors incorporating phenyloxazolidinones.

A series of new HIV-1 protease inhibitors with the hydroxyethylamine core and different phenyloxazolidinone P2 ligands were designed and synthesized. Variation of phenyl substitutions at the P2 and P2' moieties significantly affected the binding affinity and antiviral potency of the inhibitors. In general, compounds with 2- and 4-substituted phenyloxazolidinones at P2 exhibited lower binding affinities than 3-substituted analogues.

Mitigation of arsenic-mediated renal oxidative stress in rat by Pleurotus florida lectin.

Oyster mushroom, Pleurotus florida is regarded as one of the popular food with biopharmaceutical properties. Here, the study aimed to investigate the antioxidative effects of mushroom (Pleurotus florida) lectin against arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Animals were divided into four groups; Group 1 was control.

Molecular characterization of antigen B2 subunit in two genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus from Indian bubaline isolates, its stage specific expression and serological evaluation.

Echinococcus granulosus is a parasitic helminth which affects both man and animals. During infection with larval stage of the organism secretory and membrane-bound (S/M) proteins play a meaningful role for evasion of immune system. Antigen B (AgB) is one of them.

MicroRNAs encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus regulate viral life cycle.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is linked with Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphomas. The pathogenesis of KSHV depends on the balance between two phases of the viral cycle: latency and lytic replication. In this study, we report that KSHV-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) function as regulators by maintaining viral latency and inhibiting viral lytic replication.

Intra-species variability in ITS-1 sequences of Haemonchus contortus isolated from goats in West Bengal, India.

This study evaluated the existence of different genotypes of Haemonchus contortus prevailing among goats in West Bengal, India. These parasites were isolated from the abomasum of goat intestine and the molecular characterization was performed by comparing variation of nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) gene region. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of ITS-1 amplified product showed the presence of three distinct conformations both in male and female parasites.

Molecular and biochemical mining of heat-shock and 14-3-3 proteins in drug-induced protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus and the detection of a candidate gene for anthelmintic resistance.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus is a disease that affects both humans and animals. In humans the disease is treated by surgery with a supplementary option of chemotherapy with a benzimidazole compound. During the present study heat-shock protein 60 (HSP 60) was identified as one of the most frequently expressed biomolecules by E.

Design and assembly of new nonviral RNAi delivery agents by microwave-assisted quaternization (MAQ) of tertiary amines.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene-silencing phenomenon whereby double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) triggers the sequence-specific degradation of homologous mRNA. RNAi has been quickly and widely applied to discover gene functions and holds great potential to provide a new class of therapeutic agents. However, new chemistry and delivery approaches are greatly needed to silence disease-causing genes without toxic effects.

Genetic diversity in inter-simple sequence repeat profiles across natural populations of Indian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.).

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), in the monogeneric family Punicaceae, is found in Iran, Afghanistan, India and Mediterranean countries. Iran is considered to be its primary centre of origin.

Effect of chronic intake of arsenic-contaminated water on blood oxidative stress indices in cattle in an arsenic-affected zone.

This study aimed to determine the hemato-biochemical picture and blood oxidative stress in zebu cattle in an arsenic-contaminated zone. Significant decline in total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, and total plasma protein was observed in cattle of that area in comparison to uncontaminated zone. There was significant elevation of plasma enzyme activities of both alanine aminotransaminase and aspertate aminotransaminase.

Ground water arsenic contamination in West Bengal, India: a risk of sub-clinical toxicity in cattle as evident by correlation between arsenic exposure, excretion and deposition.

Arsenic contamination of ground water in West Bengal, India, is a great concern for both human and livestock populations. Our study investigated and correlated the arsenic concentration in the drinking water, urinary excretion and deposition of total arsenic in hair of cattle at an arsenic contaminated zone in West Bengal. The results of our study indicated that the average concentration of arsenic in tube well water in contaminated villages ranged from 0.

LIM-domain proteins, LIMD1, Ajuba, and WTIP are required for microRNA-mediated gene silencing.

In recent years there have been major advances with respect to the identification of the protein components and mechanisms of microRNA (miRNA) mediated silencing. However, the complete and precise repertoire of components and mechanism(s) of action remain to be fully elucidated. Herein we reveal the identification of a family of three LIM domain-containing proteins, LIMD1, Ajuba and WTIP (Ajuba LIM proteins) as novel mammalian processing body (P-body) components, which highlight a novel mechanism of miRNA-mediated gene silencing.

P-TEFb kinase complex phosphorylates histone H1 to regulate expression of cellular and HIV-1 genes.

Transcription of HIV-1 genes depends on the RNA polymerase II kinase and elongation factor positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), the complex of cyclin T1 and CDK9. Recent evidence suggests that regulation of transcription by P-TEFb involves chromatin binding and modifying factors. To determine how P-TEFb may connect chromatin remodeling to transcription, we investigated the relationship between P-TEFb and histone H1.

Mushroom lectin protects arsenic induced apoptosis in hepatocytes of rodents.

Acute and chronic arsenic exposure result in toxicity both in human and animal beings and cause many hepatic and renal manifestations. The present study stated that mushroom lectin prevents arsenic-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis was measured by morphological alterations, cell proliferation index (CPI), phagocytic activity (nitro blue tetrazolium index; NBT), nitric oxide (NO) production, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity.

Sodium arsenite mediated immuno-disruption through alteration of transcription profile of cytokines in chicken splenocytes under in vitro system.

Arsenic is a ubiquitously found metalloid that commonly contaminates drinking water and agricultural food. To understand the ecotoxicological effects of arsenic in environment, it is essential to ameliorate the deleterious effects on human and animal health, particularly on the immune response. We investigated the effects of inorganic arsenic (iAs) on the immune response of chicken splenocytes.

Evaluating the substrate-envelope hypothesis: structural analysis of novel HIV-1 protease inhibitors designed to be robust against drug resistance.

Drug resistance mutations in HIV-1 protease selectively alter inhibitor binding without significantly affecting substrate recognition and cleavage. This alteration in molecular recognition led us to develop the substrate-envelope hypothesis which predicts that HIV-1 protease inhibitors that fit within the overlapping consensus volume of the substrates are less likely to be susceptible to drug-resistant mutations, as a mutation impacting such inhibitors would simultaneously impact the processing of substrates. To evaluate this hypothesis, over 130 HIV-1 protease inhibitors were designed and synthesized using three different approaches with and without substrate-envelope constraints.

Supplementation of ascorbic acid prevents oxidative damages in arsenic-loaded hepatic tissue of rat: an ex vivo study.

Oxidative stress due to arsenic toxicity and ameliorative potentiality of L-ascorbic acid was evaluated in an ex vivo system of rat hepatic tissue. The study revealed that arsenic increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyl (PC) and nitric oxide (NO) at 1 hour, 1.5 hours and 2 hours of incubation.

Effect of ascorbic acid on blood oxidative stress in experimental chronic arsenicosis in rodents.

Ascorbic acid is a sugar acid and an essential vital food nutrient found mainly in fruits and vegetables. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid against arsenic induced oxidative stress in blood of rat. In rat, treatment with ascorbic acid prevented the increased serum enzymatic activity of AST, ALT, ALP, ACP and LDH.

L-Ascorbate protects rat hepatocytes against sodium arsenite--induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage.

Sodium arsenite-exposed hepatocytes of rat showed higher production of nitric oxide (NO) and increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) level vis-a-vis activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly lowered. Subsequently, the cell proliferation index (CPI) and cell viability were also reduced. Treatment with L-ascorbate was found effective in normalizing the arsenic-induced alteration of SOD and CAT activity and LPO level in rat hepatocytes.

Nanotubes functionalized with lipids and natural amino acid dendrimers: a new strategy to create nanomaterials for delivering systemic RNAi.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) have unique electronic, mechanical, and structural properties as well as chemical stability that make them ideal nanomaterials for applications in materials science and medicine. Here, we report the design and creation of a novel strategy for functionalizing SWNT to systemically silence a target gene in mice by delivering siRNA at doses of <1 mg/kg. SWNT were functionalized with lipids and natural amino acid-based dendrimers (TOT) and complexed to siRNA.

Stress inducible heat shock protein 70: a potent molecular and toxicological signature in arsenic exposed broiler chickens.

This communication reports about heat shock protein response after arsenic exposure in broiler chickens in vivo and in vitro both. Splenocytes harvested in presence of sodium arsenite expressed Heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) which could be identified on the basis of relative migration pattern and western blot analysis. Serum levels of HSP 70 in broiler chicken also increased after continuous feeding of sodium arsenite in drinking water.

Use of zinc chloride as alternative stimulant for in vitro study of nitric oxide production pathway in avian splenocyte culture.

Nitric Oxide (NO) plays an important role for regulation of cellular and vascular response of inflammation and initiates killing mechanism in the host-defense reactions. NO production is regulated through inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) pathway in response to infections and injurious agents besides pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted by the host. Evaluation of NO pathway is one of the major targets which can evaluate various immunomodulators for their therapeutic interaction on innate immune system.