Immunomodulating Hydrogels as Stealth Platform for Drug Delivery Applications.

Non-targeted persistent immune activation or suppression by different drug delivery platforms can cause adverse and chronic physiological effects including cancer and arthritis. Therefore, non-toxic materials that do not trigger an immunogenic response during delivery are crucial for safe and effective in vivo treatment. Hydrogels are excellent candidates that can be engineered to control immune responses by modulating biomolecule release/adsorption, improving regeneration of lymphoid tissues, and enhancing function during antigen presentation.

Emergency department management of acute asthma exacerbations.

Asthma is a disease of the airways characterized by inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, and bronchoconstriction. The diagnosis is primarily a clinical one, based on a focused history and physical examination, to differentiate from other entities such as heart failure, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism. Radiographs, laboratory studies, and blood gases are not routinely recommended, except in atypical or refractory cases, or if there is diagnostic uncertainty.

Induces Apoptosis in HL-60 Cells Through ROS-Mediated Mitochondrial Pathway.

The present study was taken up to evaluate the apoptosis inducing ability of alcoholic extract of whole plant of (AAE) in HL-60 cells. We observed time and concentration dependent decrease in cell viability after treatment with AAE. Fluorescent staining and scanning electron micrographs of treated HL-60 cells demonstrated chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation and formation of apoptotic blebs.

Calculated decisions: COVID-19 calculators during extreme resource-limited situations.

In the near future, clinicians may face scenarios in which there are not have enough resources (ventilators, ECMO machines, etc) available for the number of critically sick COVID-19 patients. There may not be enough healthcare workers, as those who are positive for COVID-19 or those who have been exposed to the virus and need to be quarantined. During these worst-case scenarios, new crisis standards of care and thresholds for intensive care unit (ICU) admissions will be needed.

Perylenequinones from an endophytic sp. of .

The differential solvent extraction and further purification of fractions of endophytic sp. isolated from led to the isolation of further two perylenequinone compounds as 3,6,6a,9,10-pentahydroxy-7,8-epoxy-4-oxo-4,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,9-octahydroperylene () and 3,6,6a,7,10-pentahydroxy-4,9-dioxo-4,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,9-octahydroperylene (). Structure of compounds - was determined on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, as well as by comparison with literature reports.

Autonomous Magnetic Microrobots by Navigating Gates for Multiple Biomolecules Delivery.

The precise delivery of biofunctionalized matters is of great interest from the fundamental and applied viewpoints. In spite of significant progress achieved during the last decade, a parallel and automated isolation and manipulation of rare analyte, and their simultaneous on-chip separation and trapping, still remain challenging. Here, a universal micromagnet junction for self-navigating gates of microrobotic particles to deliver the biomolecules to specific sites using a remote magnetic field is described.

Gracilone, a new sesquiterpene lactone from Tanacetum gracile (Tansies).

The methanolic extract of the Tanacetum gracile afforded the isolation of new sesquiterpene lactone, named gracilone (1) along with four known compounds as 14α-taraxeran-3-one (2), 14α-taraxeran-3-ol (3), apigenin (4) and β-sitosterol (5). The structure of compound 1 was elucidated on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. Antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities of all compounds were evaluated, from which gracilone (1) showed a moderate antibacterial activity, while apigenin (4) showed comparatively more antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative tested strains.

Nicotinic Acid Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NAADP) and Cyclic ADP-Ribose (cADPR) Mediate Ca2+ Signaling in Cardiac Hypertrophy Induced by β-Adrenergic Stimulation.

Ca2+ signaling plays a fundamental role in cardiac hypertrophic remodeling, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated the role of Ca2+-mobilizing second messengers, NAADP and cADPR, in the cardiac hypertrophy induced by β-adrenergic stimulation by isoproterenol. Isoproterenol induced an initial Ca2+ transients followed by sustained Ca2+ rises.

Evaluation of medicinal value of Epimedium elatum on the basis of pharmacologically active constituents, Icariin and Icariside-II.

Epimedium L. is well known medicinal genus of Chinese pharmacopoeia. Various species are ethno-botanically used against diseases of eye and kidney, impotence, asthma, arthritis and hypertension; besides being used as analeptic, expectorant, antibacterial, hypoglycemic, vasodilator and refrigerant.

Arginine Thiazolidine Carboxylate Stimulates Insulin Secretion through Production of Ca2+-Mobilizing Second Messengers NAADP and cADPR in Pancreatic Islets.

Oxothiazolidine carboxylic acid is a prodrug of cysteine that acts as an anti-diabetic agent via insulin secretion and the formation of the Ca2+-mobilizing second messenger, cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR). Here we show that a hybrid compound, arginine thiazolidine carboxylate (ATC), increases cytoplasmic Ca2+ in pancreatic β-cells, and that the ATC-induced Ca2+ signals result from the sequential formation of two Ca2+-mobilizing second messengers: nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) and cADPR. Our data demonstrate that ATC has potent insulin-releasing properties, due to the additive action of its two components; thiazolidine carboxylate (TC) and L-arginine.

Crocetenone, a new rotenoid with an unusual trans-fused ring system from Iris crocea.

Crocetenone, a new rotenoid (1), along with five known compounds apocyanin (2), tectorigenin (3), 5,2',3'-trihydroxy-7-methoxy flavanone (4), tectoridin (5) and tectoridin glycoside (6), were isolated from the methanolic extract of the root of Iris crocea. The structure of compounds was elucidated on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic and MS analysis. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of compounds 1-6 were evaluated.

New phenolics from the root of Scutellaria prostrata JACQ. ex BENTH.

Scutellaria prostrata (Lamiaceae), a perennial herb growing as a lonely species in Kashmir, Himalayas, was subjected to repetitive column and flash chromatographic isolation for its chemical documentation-cum-bioevaluation. The methanolic extract of S.prostrata afforded the isolation of ten compounds (1-10), including two new compounds - scutellapbiflavanone (1) and scutellaprostin M (2).

Hepatoprotective activity of LC-ESI-MS standardized Iris spuria rhizome extract on its main bioactive constituents.

The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Iris spuria against paracetamol induced toxicity at two different doses 100 and 200 mg/kg. The extract showed significant protective activity (p>0.01) at both the doses in dose dependent manner.

Critical role for NAD glycohydrolase in regulation of erythropoiesis by hematopoietic stem cells through control of intracellular NAD content.

NAD glycohydrolases (NADases) catalyze the hydrolysis of NAD to ADP-ribose and nicotinamide. Although many members of the NADase family, including ADP-ribosyltransferases, have been cloned and characterized, the structure and function of NADases with pure hydrolytic activity remain to be elucidated. Here, we report the structural and functional characterization of a novel NADase from rabbit reticulocytes.

Autocrine/paracrine function of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) for glucose homeostasis in pancreatic β-cells and adipocytes.

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is a second messenger for mobilizing Ca(2+) from intracellular stores in various cell types. Extracellular application of NAADP has been shown to elicit intracellular Ca(2+) signals, indicating that it is readily transported into cells. However, little is known about the functional role of this NAADP uptake system.

Involvement of actin filament in the generation of Ca2+ mobilizing messengers in glucose-induced Ca2+ signaling in pancreatic β-cells.

Glucose is a metabolic regulator of insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells, which is regulated by intracellular Ca(2+) signaling. We and others previously demonstrated that glucose activates CD38/ADP-ribosyl cyclase (ADPR-cyclase) to produce two Ca(2+) second messengers, cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP). Although F-actin remodeling is known to be an important step in glucose stimulated insulin secretion, the role of actin cytoskeleton in regulating Ca(2+) signaling in pancreatic β-cells remain to be solved.

Acylated flavonol glycosides from Epimedium elatum, a plant endemic to the Western Himalayas.

Herba Epimedii is a well-known Botanical preparation used over long time in traditional Chinese medicine. The extracts and chemical constituents from Epimedium species are aphrodisiac as well as to treat many ailments. Chemical investigation of lonely species growing in Kashmir Himalaya Epimedium elatum was undertaken to evaluate its chemical profile.

Cooperative interaction between reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ signals contributes to angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy in adult rat cardiomyocytes.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca(2+) signals are closely associated with the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. However, the cause and effect of the two signals in cardiac hypertrophy remain to be clarified. We extend our recent report by investigating a potential interaction between ROS and Ca(2+) signals utilizing in vitro and in vivo angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy models.

Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA); targeting oral cavity pathogens.

Background: Boswellic acids mixture of triterpenic acids obtained from the oleo gum resin of Boswellia serrata and known for its effectiveness in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disease including peritumor edema. Boswellic acids have been extensively studied for a number of activities including anti inflammatory, antitumor, immunomodulatory, and inflammatory bowel diseases. The present study describes the antimicrobial activities of boswellic acid molecules against oral cavity pathogens.

Antistaphylococcal and biofilm inhibitory activities of acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid from Boswellia serrata.

Background: Boswellic acids are pentacyclic triterpenes, which are produced in plants belonging to the genus Boswellia. Boswellic acids appear in the resin exudates of the plant and it makes up 25-35% of the resin. β-boswellic acid, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid and acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid have been implicated in apoptosis of cancer cells, particularly that of brain tumors and cells affected by leukemia or colon cancer.

Insulin receptor signaling for the proliferation of pancreatic β-cells: involvement of Ca2+ second messengers, IP3, NAADP and cADPR.

Insulin has an autocrine/paracrine role through insulin receptors in pancreatic β-cells. Herein, we show the insulin receptor signaling pathway underlying CD38/ADPR-cyclase activation for NAADP/cADPR formation to induce Ca2+ rise, ultimately resulting in β-cell proliferation. Binding of insulin on insulin receptors leads to the activation of IRS/Akt/PI3K/PLC.

Molecular characterization and marker based chemotaxonomic studies of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle.

Detailed chemical studies and RAPD analysis were done in different populations of Podophyllum hexandrum collected from high altitude regions of North Western Himalayas. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis revealed a high degree of genetic diversity among the 12 collected accessions, attributed to their geographical and climatic conditions. HPLC analysis also revealed variation in the concentration of two major marker compounds which lead to the identification of a chemotype.

Humarain: a new dimeric gallic acid glycoside from Punica granatum L. bark.

A new dimeric gallic acid glycoside named Humarain (1) was isolated from stem bark of Punica granatum. The structure of the compound was determined by spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis.

Comparative studies and identification of camptothecin produced by an endophyte at shake flask and bioreactor.

The fungus showing homology with Nodulisporium by 28S ribosomal gene sequencing, which has been discovered as an endophyte on medicinal plant Nothapodytes foetida, was found to produce 45 and 5.5 microg of camptothecin (CPT) per gram of mycelia at bioreactor and at shake flask, respectively, which was further quantified and characterised by various spectroscopic analyses.