External environmental agents influence telomere length and telomerase activity by modulating internal cellular processes: Implications in human aging.

External environment affects cellular physiological processes and impact the stability of our genome. The most important structural components of our linear chromosomes which endure the impact by these agents, are the chromosomal ends called telomeres. Telomeres preserve the integrity of our genome by preventing end to end fusions and telomeric loss through by inhibiting DNA damage response (DDR) activation.

Sonic hedgehog signals hinder the transcriptional network necessary for pancreatic endoderm formation from human embryonic stem cells.

Hedgehog morphogens govern multiple aspects of pancreas organogenesis and functioning with diverse outcomes across species. Although most current differentiation protocols repress Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signals during in vitro endocrine specification, the role and mechanisms through which the SHH pathway antagonizes pancreas development during in vitro human embryonic stem (hES) cell differentiation remain unclear. We modulated SHH signaling at transitory stages of hES cell-derived pancreatic progenitors and analyzed the effect on cellular fate decisions.

Flow cytometry: principles, applications and recent advances.

Flow cytometry (FCM) is a sophisticated technique that works on the principle of light scattering and fluorescence emission by the specific fluorescent probe-labeled cells as they pass through a laser beam. It offers several unique advantages as it allows fast, relatively quantitative, multiparametric analysis of cell populations at the single cell level. In addition, it also enables physical sorting of the cells to separate the subpopulations based on different parameters.

Development and screening of byproduct for its secondary metabolites, antioxidant and anti-diabetic potential from anthracnose-infected fruits of pomegranate: a sustainable approach.

Unlabelled: The main focus of the present study was to analyze the antioxidant and anti-diabetic potential of fermentative byproduct, developed from anthracnose-infected pomegranate fruits. The analysis of fermented juice showed a reduction in total phenolic content, total flavanoid content, anthocyanins, and antioxidant potential over the time in 6 months as compared to fresh juice, while total protein and alcohol percent (11%) were increased. Measurements of antioxidant activity by DPPH, ABTS, superoxide radical scavenging activity, and reducing power assays were highly correlated to total phenolic content, with corresponding values as  = 0.

Effect of Sonic hedgehog pathway inhibition on PDX1 expression during pancreatic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.

Differentiation processes for generating pancreatic progenitors from pluripotent stem cells inhibit Sonic hedgehog signaling through synthetic antagonists. However, the effect of sonic hedgehog inhibition in differentiating human embryonic stem cells remains unclear. The primary aim of this study was to understand the effect of Sonic hedgehog inhibition on key pancreas-specific transcription factors during differentiation of human embryonic stem cells towards a pancreatic lineage.

Long non-coding RNAs at work on telomeres: Functions and implications in cancer therapy.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to regulate various biological processes including cancer. Cancer cells possess limitless replicative potential which is attained by telomere length maintenance while normal somatic cells have a limited lifespan because their telomeres shorten with every cell division ultimately triggering replicative senescence. Two lncRNAs have been observed to play a key role in telomere length maintenance.

Design and application of polyurea microcapsules containing herbicide (oxyfluorfen).

Polyurea, a controlled release material, has been widely applied in agricultural fields due to high thermal stability and low cost. In this article oxyfluorfen polyurea microcapsules suspension was successfully prepared by interfacial polymerization using diisocyanate and polyamines such as Ethylenediamine, Hexamethylenediamine, Diethylenetriamine in presence of green solvent, i.e.

Biomaterials Regulate Mechanosensors YAP/TAZ in Stem Cell Growth and Differentiation.

Tissue-resident stem cells are surrounded by a microenvironment known as 'stem cell niche' which is specific for each stem cell type. This niche comprises of cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic factors like biochemical and biophysical signals, which regulate stem cell characteristics and differentiation. Biochemical signals have been thoroughly studied however, the effect of biophysical signals on stem cell regulation is yet to be completely understood.

A molecular dynamics and docking study to screen anti-cancer compounds targeting mutated p53.

The p53 gene is mutated in greater than 50% of several human cancers including bladder urothelial carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, and oral cancer. Mutations in the p53 gene occur predominantly in the DNA-binding domain causing loss of function and accumulation of dysfunctional p53 protein in tumors by hetero-oligomerization with the wild type p53. Thus an in silico approach for the rational design of potent, pharmacologically active small drug-like compounds targeting mutated p53 was undertaken.

Anxiolytic activity of Psidium guajava in mice subjected to chronic restraint stress and effect on neurotransmitters in brain.

The anxiolytic activity of Psidium guajava L. leaf ethanolic extract (PLE) and its effect on neurotransmitter systems was investigated. PLE, extracted using Soxhlet apparatus, was subjected to preliminary qualitative and quantitative (flavonoids and phenols) analyses.

Pancreas development and the Polycomb group protein complexes.

The dual nature of pancreatic tissue permits both endocrine and exocrine functions. Enzymatic secretions by the exocrine pancreas help digestive processes while the pancreatic hormones regulate glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism. Pancreas organogenesis is defined by a conserved array of signaling pathways that act on common gut progenitors to bring about the generation of diverse cell types.

PRC1 catalytic unit RING1B regulates early neural differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells.

Background: Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are histone modifiers which control gene expression by assembling into large repressive complexes termed - Polycomb repressive complex (PRC); RING1B, core catalytic subunit of PRC1 that performs H2AK119 monoubiquitination leading to gene repression. The role of PRC1 complex during early neural specification in humans is unclear; we have tried to uncover the role of PRC1 in neuronal differentiation using human pluripotent stem cells as an in vitro model.

Results: We differentiated both human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) towards neural progenitor stage evident from the expression of NESTIN, TUJ1, NCAD, and PAX6.

Role of Rap1 in DNA damage response: implications in stem cell homeostasis and cancer.

Mammalian Rap1 is a part of the telomere binding complex named shelterin and is one of the most conserved telomeric proteins. With its essential requirement in lower species to its becoming necessary in higher species, it appears to have gained and lost several functions simultaneously evolving with telomeres. Mammalian Rap1 has been reported to play a role in inflammation, metabolism, and oxidative stress.

Regeneration of hyaline cartilage in osteochondral lesion model using L-lysine magnetic nanoparticles labeled mesenchymal stem cells and their in vivo imaging.

Treatment of osteochondral defects continues to pose a major challenge for patients and orthopedic surgeons due to the limited healing potential of articular cartilage. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess therapeutic potential for the treatment of osteochondral pain and pathology. However, it is necessary to use proper labeling and imaging agent of stem cells that can decipher its role posttransplantation.

Development of LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of Canagliflozin and Metformin in human plasma and its pharmacokinetic application in Indian population under fast and fed conditions.

A novel, selective and sensitive method is developed for simultaneous estimation of canagliflozin and metformin and successfully applied to fast and fed pharmacokinetic studies in healthy Indian volunteers. The current study reports the development, optimization, and validation of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous quantification of canagliflozin and metformin in human plasma using deuterated canagliflozin D4 and metformin D6 as an internal standard (IS). The solid-phase extraction technique was employed where strata X polymeric reverse phase (30 mg-1 cc) SPE cartridges were used for the extraction of analytes and IS from plasma.

Clocking the circadian genes in human embryonic stem cells.

Multicellular organisms respond to changing environment which is primarily driven by light from the sun. Essential cyclical processes such as digestion, sleep, migration and breeding are controlled by set of genes know as circadian genes. The core circadian genes comprise of , , and that are expressed cyclically and they regulate expression of several genes downstream.

Role of Telomeres and Telomeric Proteins in Human Malignancies and Their Therapeutic Potential.

Telomeres are the ends of linear chromosomes comprised of repetitive nucleotide sequences in humans. Telomeres preserve chromosomal stability and genomic integrity. Telomere length shortens with every cell division in somatic cells, eventually resulting in replicative senescence once telomere length becomes critically short.

Inhibition of RING1B alters lineage specificity in human embryonic stem cells.

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are histone modifiers which are known to perform transcriptional repression and have been shown to be critical during murine embryonic development. PcGs are broadly characterized into polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and 2 and (PRC2). RING1B, core catalytic unit of PRC1 performs H2AK119 monoubiquitination leading to transcriptional repression.

Development of surface functionalized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for enhanced specificity towards tumor cells.

Nanoparticles coupled with targeting moieties have attracted a great deal of attention for cancer therapy since they can facilitate site-specific delivery of drug and significantly limit the side effects of systemic chemotherapy. In this study, our aim is to develop surface functionalized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, which could provide binding sites for a cancer cell targeting ligand, folic acid (FA) as well as an anticancer drug, doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). In order to attain dual functionalities, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were functionalized with gelatin molecules.

Correction: Potassium 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenolate: a novel hit exhibiting quorum-sensing inhibition in LasIR/RhlIR circuitry.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C9RA06612H.].

Potassium 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenolate: a novel hit exhibiting quorum-sensing inhibition in LasIR/RhlIR circuitry.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains in the last decade is astonishingly alarming. Many of the widely used antibiotics have failed to exhibit clinical efficacy against such strains. Eventually we will exhaust all the resources in our antibiotic armamentarium.

Polycomb repressive complex 1: Regulators of neurogenesis from embryonic to adult stage.

Development of vertebrate nervous system is a complex process which involves differential gene expression and disruptions in this process or in the mature brain, may lead to neurological disorders and diseases. Extensive work that spanned several decades using rodent models and recent work on stem cells have helped uncover the intricate process of neuronal differentiation and maturation. There are various morphological changes, genetic and epigenetic modifications which occur during normal mammalian neural development, one of the chromatin modifications that controls vital gene expression are the posttranslational modifications on histone proteins, that controls accessibility of translational machinery.

Anti-depressant activity of Erythrina variegata bark extract and regulation of monoamine oxidase activities in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Erythrina variegata, commonly referred to as 'Indian coral tree' belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is a plant native to the coast of India, China and is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In traditional medicine, E.

Development of simultaneous determination of empagliflozin and metformin in human plasma using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and application to pharmacokinetics.

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed, optimized, and validated for simultaneous quantification of empagliflozin and metformin in human plasma using empagliflozin D4and metformin D6 as an internal standard. Analytes and internal standard were extracted from plasma by optimized solid-phase extraction technique using Strata X polymeric reverse phase (30 mg-1cc) solid-phase extraction cartridges. The prepared samples were chromatographed on Orosil C18 column (150 × 4.