A Global Comprehensive Study of the Distribution of Type I-E and Type I-E* CRISPR-Cas Systems in .

Background: The CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated proteins) systems are the short DNA sequences and RNA-dependent nuclease involved in the adaptive immunity in bacteria and archaea. The type of CRISPR-Cas system influences antibiotic susceptibility in . Here, our objective was to study the diversity of CRISPR-Cas system in the genome of from the available whole genome sequencing (WGS) data.

Nitric oxide mitigates thalidomide-induced abnormalities during germination and development of fennel seeds.

Thalidomide causes teratogenic effects in several animal species and in humans. Accordingly, the World Health Organization banned thalidomide when mothers who took thalidomide during pregnancy delivered abnormal fetuses. After four decades, thalidomide underwent drug "re-purposing" since its antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory effects were therapeutic for multiple myeloma.

Intussusceptive angiogenesis as a key therapeutic target for cancer therapy.

Deregulation of angiogenesis is a key reason for tumor growth and progression. Several anti-angiogenic drugs in clinical practice attempt to normalize abnormal tumor vasculature. Unfortunately, these drugs are ineffective due to the development of resistance in patients after drug holidays.

Can the vagus nerve serve as biomarker for vata dosha activity?

This 'discussion paper' raises 'provocative questions' to identify physiological systems underlying vata dosha and candidate biomarkers for vata activity. We explained the strong correlations between survival and homeostatic functions of the parasympathetic vagus nerve, and functions governed by the five major sub-types of vata dosha (Praana, Udana, Vyaana, Samaana, and Apana). Four reasons were provided to hypothesize that vagal activity is a reliable candidate biomarker of important vata dosha functions.

Microarray and pattern miner analysis of AXL and VIM gene networks in MDA‑MB‑231 cells.

MDA‑MB‑231 cells represent malignant triple‑negative breast cancer, which overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and two genes (AXL and VIM) associated with poor prognosis. The present study aimed to identify novel therapeutic targets and elucidate the functional networks for the AXL and VIM genes in MDA‑MB‑231 cells. We identified 71 genes upregulated in MDA‑MB‑231 vs.

Epigallocatechin gallate & curcumin prevent transforming growth factor beta 1-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition in ARPE-19 cells.

Background & Objectives: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is characterized by the presence of epiretinal membrane (ERM), which exerts traction and detaches the retina. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells underlies ERM formation. Adjuvant therapies aimed at preventing recurrence of PVR after surgery mostly failed in clinical trials.

MicroRNAs: Impaired vasculogenesis in metal induced teratogenicity.

Certain metals have been known for their toxic effects on embryos and fetal development. The vasculature in early pregnancy is extremely dynamic and plays an important role in organogenesis. Nascent blood vessels in early embryonic life are considered to be a primary and delicate target for many teratogens since the nascent blood islands follow a tightly controlled program to form vascular plexus around and inside the embryo for resourcing optimal ingredients for its development.

Mechanical perturbations trigger endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in human red blood cells.

Nitric oxide (NO), a vascular signaling molecule, is primarily produced by endothelial NO synthase. Recently, a functional endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) was described in red blood cells (RBC). The RBC-eNOS contributes to the intravascular NO pool and regulates physiological functions.

Microarray Analysis of Differentially-Expressed Genes Encoding CYP450 and Phase II Drug Metabolizing Enzymes in Psoriasis and Melanoma.

Cytochrome P450 drug metabolizing enzymes are implicated in personalized medicine for two main reasons. First, inter-individual variability in CYP3A4 expression is a confounding factor during cancer treatment. Second, inhibition or induction of CYP3A4 can trigger adverse drug-drug interactions.

Microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes regulating lipid metabolism during melanoma progression.

A new hallmark of cancer involves acquisition of a lipogenic phenotype which promotes tumorigenesis. Little is known about lipid metabolism in melanomas. Therefore, we used BRB (Biometrics Research Branch) class comparison tool with multivariate analysis to identify differentially expressed genes in human cutaneous melanomas, compared with benign nevi and normal skin derived from the microarray dataset (GDS1375).

Tolerance of ARPE 19 cells to organophosphorus pesticide chlorpyrifos is limited to concentration and time of exposure.

Age related macular degeneration is a blinding disease common in elder adults. The prevalence of age related macular degeneration has been found to be 1.8% in the Indian population.

Identification of natural compounds which inhibit biofilm formation in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae, an important opportunistic pathogen, exists as a biofilm in persistent infections and in-dwelling medical devices. With the objective of identifying natural compounds inhibiting biofilm formation in K. pneumoniae, 35 clinical isolates were screened,out of which 7 strong biofilm producers were identified.

Augmented sensitivity to methotrexate by curcumin induced overexpression of folate receptor in KG-1 cells.

Folate receptors are targets of various strategies aimed at efficient delivery of anti-cancer drugs. Folate receptors also play a role in the uptake of antifolate drugs which are used for therapeutic intervention in leukemia. Therefore, it is important to identify compounds which regulate expression of folate receptors in leukemic cells.

Ayurvedic medicine offers a good alternative to glucosamine and celecoxib in the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, controlled equivalence drug trial.

Objective: To demonstrate clinical equivalence between two standardized Ayurveda (India) formulations (SGCG and SGC), glucosamine and celecoxib (NSAID).

Methods: Ayurvedic formulations (extracts of Tinospora cordifolia, Zingiber officinale, Emblica officinalis, Boswellia serrata), glucosamine sulphate (2 g daily) and celecoxib (200 mg daily) were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-efficacy, four-arm, multicentre equivalence drug trial of 24 weeks duration. A total of 440 eligible patients suffering from symptomatic knee OA were enrolled and monitored as per protocol.

Insights on personalized medicine from Ayurveda.

The "omics" era of research has provided vital information on the genetic and biochemical diversity of individuals. This has lead to the emergence of "personalized medicine," wherein one aims to design specific drugs for individual patients or subtypes of patients. Indeed, the ongoing patent wars on this matter, suggest that personalized medicine represents a major goal for today's pharmaceutical industries.

Cancer, inflammation, and insights from ayurveda.

A recent, exciting discovery relates to the concept of "shared pathology" between cancer and metabolic syndrome. One major pathway common to cancer and metabolic syndrome is chronic inflammation, which is a major driving force in carcinogenesis. Indeed, chronic inflammation precedes most cancers and is considered a "hallmark" of the neoplastic process.

Antiarthritic activity of a standardized, multiherbal, Ayurvedic formulation containing Boswellia serrata: in vitro studies on knee cartilage from osteoarthritis patients.

A validated in vitro model of cartilage damage and published data were used showing that this model measures the chondroprotective and antiinflammatory effects of different antiarthritic drugs. In this report, this model was used to evaluate the effects of a new antiarthritic Ayurvedic formulation containing Zingiber officinale root, Tinospora cordifolia stem, Phyllanthus emblica fruit and oleoresin of Boswellia serrata. Glucosamine sulphate was used as a positive control in the study.

Cellular chemosensitivity assays: an overview.

Data on cell viability have long been obtained from in vitro cytotoxicity assays. Today, there is a focus on markers of cell death, and the MTT cell survival assay is widely used for measuring cytotoxic potential of a compound. However, a comprehensive evaluation of cytotoxicity requires additional assays which -measure short and long-term cytotoxicity.

GLUT-1 expression in bovine retinal capillary endothelial cells and pericytes exposed to advanced glycation end products.

Purpose: Glucose uptake and glucose transporter GLUT-1 expressions are characteristic of retinal capillary endothelial cells and pericytes in response to high glucose. In this study, the effects of advanced glycation end product (AGE-BSA) exposure on these parameters were tested.

Methods: Primary cultures of bovine retinal capillary endothelial cells (BRECs) and bovine retinal capillary pericytes (BRPs) were exposed to AGE-BSA (100 μg/mL) for 6 days.

Expression of high mobility group A2 protein in retinoblastoma and its association with clinicopathologic features.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the commonest primary intraocular tumor in children. Overexpression of the high mobility group (HMG) A2 protein has been observed in a variety of malignant tumors and often correlates with poor prognosis. We studied the expression of HMGA2 in primary tumor samples and correlated with clinicopathologic features such as invasion, differentiation, and laterality of the tumors.

Chondroprotective Potential of Fruit Extracts of Phyllanthus emblica in Osteoarthritis.

There is a need for effective nutraceuticals for osteoarthritis care. The fruit of Phyllanthus emblica is used as a powerful rejuvenator in Ayurvedic medicine. This study measured the chondroprotective potential of P.

The relationship between chondroprotective and antiinflammatory effects of Withania somnifera root and glucosamine sulphate on human osteoarthritic cartilage in vitro.

Using a validated explant model of in vitro cartilage damage, the effects of aqueous extracts of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root and glucosamine sulphate (GlcS) were tested on the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) secreted by knee cartilage from chronic osteoarthritis (OA) patients. W. somnifera extracts significantly decreased NO release by explants from one subset of patients (antiinflammatory response) and significantly increased levels of NO and GAGs released by explants from the second subset ('non-responders').

Hyaluronidase and collagenase inhibitory activities of the herbal formulation Triphala guggulu.

Myrrh (guggulu) oleoresin from the Commiphora mukul tree is an important component of antiarthritic drugs in Ayurvedic medicine. Clinical data suggest that elevated levels of hyaluronidase and collagenase type 2 enzymes contribute significantly to cartilage degradation. Triphala guggulu (TG) is a guggulu-based formulation used for the treatment of arthritis.

Chondroprotective potential of root extracts of Withania somnifera in osteoarthritis.

This is the first report describing two novel chondroprotective activities of aqueous extracts of Withania somnifera root powder.First,these extracts had a statistically significant,short-term chondroprotective effect on damaged human osteoarthritic cartilage matrix in 50% of the patients tested. Second,these extracts caused a significant and reproducible inhibition of the gelatinase activity of collagenase type 2 enzyme in vitro.

Differential growth inhibitory effects of W. somnifera root and E. officinalis fruits on CHO cells.

The Chinese Hamster ovary (CHO) cell line is widely used for measuring drug cytotoxicity and resistance. Therefore, the effects of two major Ayurvedic drugs (W. somnifera root and E.