Surveillance of bacteriological quality of drinking water in Chandigarh, northern India

The study was carried out in Chandigarh, India with the following objectives: (1) to monitor the bacteriological quality of drinking water; (2) to collect data on bacteriological contamination of water collected at point of use; (3) to test both groundwater being supplied through hand pumps and pre-treated water; and (4) to determine the pattern of seasonal variations in quality of water. The community-based longitudinal study was carried out from 2002 to 2007. Water samples from hand pumps and tap water were collected from different areas of Chandigarh following a simple random sampling strategy. The time trends and seasonal variations in contamination of water according to area and season were analysed. It was found that the contamination of water was higher during the pre-monsoon period compared with the rest of the year. The water being used in slums and rural areas for drinking purposes also had higher contamination levels than urban areas, with highest levels in rural areas. This study found that drinking water supply in Chandigarh is susceptible to contamination especially in rural areas and during pre-monsoon. Active intervention from public health and the health department along with raising people's awareness regarding water hygiene are required for improving the quality of drinking water.

Mosquitocidal properties of Bacillus species isolated from mangroves of Vellar estuary, Southeast coast of India

Samples collected from the mangroves of Vellar estuary yielded a mosquitocidal bacterium, whose secondary metabolites exhibited mosquito larvicidal and pupicidal activity. The bacterium was isolated using standard microbiological methods and identified using classical biochemical tests. The mosquitocidal bacterium was identified as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus sphaericus and Bacillus cereus. Mosquitocidal metabolite(s) was separated from the culture supernatant of the bacterium and its efficacy was against the larval and pupal stages of two different species of mosquitoes and determined in terms of LC50 and LC90. Mosquito larvicidal activity in terms of LC50 against Anopheleus stephensi and Aedes aegypti was 4.374 and 7.406 μl/ml and its pupicidal activity was 4.928 and 9.865 μl/ml, respectively. The present study proved that the mosquitocidal properties of the Bacillus species isolated from mangroves of Vellar estuary was evaluated as target species of mosquito vectors. This is an ideal eco-friendly approach for the vector control programs.

Antimicrobial activities of the tissue extracts of Babylonia spirata Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Thazhanguda, southeast coast of India

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the antimicrobial activity of the tissue extracts of Babylonia spirata (B. spirata) against nine bacterial and three fungal pathogens.

METHODS

Crude extract of gastropod was tested for inhibition of bacterial and fungal growth. Antibacterial assay was carried out by disc diffusion method and in vitro antifungal activity was determined against Czapex Dox agar. The antimicrobial activity was measured accordingly based on the inhibition zone around the disc impregnated with gastropod extract. Molecular size of muscle protein was determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). And fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectro photometry analysis was also studied.

RESULTS

The maximum inhibition zone (12 mm) was observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the crude ethanol extract of B. spirata and the minimum inhibition zone (2 mm) was noticed against Staphylococcus aureus in the crude methanol extract of B. spirata. Water extract of B. spirata showed the highest activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Ethanol, acetone, methanol, chloroform and water extracts showed antimicrobial activity against almost all the bacteria and fungus. Compared with water extracts, ethanol and methanol extracts showed higher activity against all pathogens. The molecular weight of protein of the gastropod sample ranged from 2-110 kDa on SDS-PAGE. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds signals at different ranges.

CONCLUSIONS

The research shows that the great medicinal value of the gastropod muscle of B. spirata may be due to high quality of antimicrobial compounds.

Nimbolide inhibits invasion and migration, and down-regulates uPAR chemokine gene expression, in two breast cancer cell lines

OBJECTIVES

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women, worldwide. Urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a serine protease that is involved in cancer progression, especially invasion and metastasis of breast cancer. Nimbolide is a potent cytotoxic limnoid isolated from Azadirachta indica. Our previous studies have shown that nimbolide elicits pleiotropic effects on breast cancer cells; however, its roles in invasion and migration have not previously been fully elucidated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Protein expression of pEGFR, VEGFR, NFκB, IKKα, IKKβ, MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 were analysed by western blotting. We also analysed expressions of uPA, uPAR genes and chemokines by real-time PCR. Breast cancer cell invasion was assessed by transwell invasion assay and cell migration analysed by scratch wound healing assay.

RESULTS

Our results showed that reduced protein expression of pEGFR, VEGFR, NFκB, IKKα, β, MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 was higher in nimbolide-treated breast cancer cells. mRNA expression of uPA, uPAR, chemokines and their receptors were also significantly reduced in response to nimbolide treatment. Nimbolide inhibited breast cancer cell migration and invasion as shown in transwell invasion and wound healing assays.

CONCLUSION

These results clearly proved inhibitory effects of nimbolide on tumour cell invasion and migration by down-regulating proteins critically involved in regulation of cell invasion and metastasis, suggesting a possible therapeutic role of nimbolide for breast cancer.

Density of states in graphene with vacancies: midgap power law and frozen multifractality

The density of states ϱ(E) of graphene is investigated numerically and within the self-consistent T-matrix approximation in the presence of vacancies within the tight binding model. The focus is on compensated disorder, where the concentration of vacancies n(A) and n(B) in both sublattices is the same. Formally, this model belongs to the chiral symmetry class BDI. The onlinear sigma model predicts for BDI a Gade-type singularity ϱ(E)∼|E|(-1)exp[-|log(E)|(-1/x)]. Our numerical data are comparable to this result in a preasymptotic regime that gives way, however, at even lower energies to ϱ(E)∼E(-1)|log(E)|(-x̃), 1≤x̃<2. We take this finding as evidence that, similar to the case of dirty d-wave superconductors, generic bipartite random hopping models may also exhibit unconventional (strong-coupling) fixed points for certain kinds of randomly placed scatterers if these are strong enough. Our research suggests that graphene with (effective) vacancy disorder is a physical representative of such systems.

Quercetin, a natural dietary flavonoid, acts as a chemopreventive agent against prostate cancer in an in vivo model by inhibiting the EGFR signaling pathway

Prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates have increased over the past years. The purpose of the present study was to examine the molecular mechanism underlying the chemopreventive effects of quercetin on prostate cancer in an in vivo model. Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into four groups, Group I: vehicle control (propylene glycol), Group II: chemically induced cancer model (MNU + T); Group III: chemically induced cancer model + quercetin (200 mg per kg b.w.); Group IV: quercetin (200 mg per kg b.w.). Serum levels of quercetin were assessed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). EGFR, PI3K/Akt protein levels were significantly increased in chemically induced cancer rats, which were brought back to normalcy in both DLP & VP (dorsolateral prostate & ventral prostate) by quercetin supplementation. Also, the protein expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), N-cadherin, vimentin, and cyclin D1 exhibited a significant increase in both DLP & VP of chemically induced cancer rats. However, simultaneous quercetin supplementation significantly decreased PCNA, N-cadherin, vimentin, and cyclin D1 protein levels compared to chemically induced cancer rats. The E-cadherin expression was decreased in chemically induced cancer animals. Simultaneous quercetin supplementation prevented it. Real time PCR was used to study the mRNA expression of snail, slug and twist. Quercetin significantly decreased snail, slug, and twist mRNA levels in chemically induced cancer rats. To conclude from the present study, quercetin was effective in preventing prostate cancer progression by inhibiting the EGFR signaling pathway and by regulating cell adhesion molecules in Sprague Dawley rats.

Quercetin reverses EGF-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition and invasiveness in prostate cancer (PC-3) cell line via EGFR/PI3K/Akt pathway

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in metastasis and tumorigenesis of prostate cancer. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process in tumor progression during which cancer cells undergo dramatic changes acquiring highly invasive properties. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of quercetin on EGF-induced EMT in prostate cancer (PC-3) cell line. Quercetin, a plant flavonoid, prevented EGF-induced invasion and migration of PC-3 cells. The protein and mRNA expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin were studied by immunocytochemistry, Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Quercetin prevented EGF-induced expression of N-cadherin and vimentin and increased the expression of E-cadherin in PC-3 cells, therefore preventing EGF-induced EMT. EGF-induced cell adhesion proteins, intercellular adhesion molecule and vascular cell adhesion molecule were significantly decreased by quercetin treatment. Furthermore, mRNA and protein expressions of Snail, Slug and Twist showed that quercetin significantly decreased EGF-induced expressions of Snail, Slug and Twist. The protein expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 pathway showed that quercetin prevents EGF-induced EMT via EGFR/PI3k/Akt/ERK1/2 pathway and by suppressing transcriptional repressors Snail, Slug and Twist in PC-3 cells. Thus, it is concluded from the present study that quercetin may prevent cancer metastasis by targeting EMT.

Betulinic acid-induced cytotoxicity in human breast tumor cell lines MCF-7 and T47D and its modification by tocopherol

Betulinic acid (BA) has been shown to cause apoptosis in neuroblastoma and melanoma cell lines. We evaluated the cytotoxicity of BA in two breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T47D differing in their p53 status. Treatment with BA resulted in a dose dependent inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. This indicates p53-independent apoptotic pathway, because response of both p53 mutant and wild type cell line were found unaffected after treatment with pifithrin-α, an inhibitor of p53. Cells were significantly protected when treated by tocopherol suggesting involvement of membrane centered lipid peroxidation-mediated mechanism in BA-induced apoptosis.

Variability in the segregating generation of eggplant for earliness and yield

In the past, very little efforts have been taken for development of inbred lines of brinjal through the exploitation of genetic variability present in the exotic hybrids. F2 generation obtained from the selfing of F1 hybrid provides all possible variations. So, selection with particular objectives in F2 generation is very much effective and selfing of those selected genotypes generation after generation helps to develop inbred lines (similar to the parental lines of the exotic hybrids). These inbreds with desired characters including high yield potential can be used as High Yielding Variety (HYV) as well as the parents for hybrid variety. To increase the genetic yield potential, the maximum utilization of the desirable characters for synthesizing of any ideal genotypes is essential. Variability in brinjal is expected to be immense as the fruits vary greatly in shape and size. The present investigation was undertaken at Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai during 2011 to determine variability in segregants of eggplant (Solanum melogena L.). The crosses L5 x T4 (Palamedu Local x EP 65) and L4 x T1 (Alagarkovil Local x Annamalai) had the highest mean with high variability for individual fruit weight and fruit yield per plant. These crosses were best for using as a base population for further improvement in fruit yield and fruit weight as they had high heritability and genetic advance. Favorable low mean with high variability occurred for days to first flowering (earliness) in the crosses L5 x T2 (Palamedu Local x KKM 1) and L4 x T2 (Alagarkovil Local x KKM 1). Direct selection may be executed considering these genotypes for selection towards the development of early in flowering and high yielding brinjal variety.

Micellar Characterisation of Saponin from Sapindus Mukorossi

The micellar characteristics of a non-ionic, natural surfactant, saponin obtained from the soapnut tree, Sapindus mukorossi, were studied in aqueous solution. Critical micelle concentration of Sapindus saponin determined using conductivity measurements and UV absorption studies was 0.045 wt%. Increase in temperature and salt concentration led to decrease in the critical micelle concentration of Sapindus saponin. The critical micelle concentration was found to increase with increase in hardness of water and increase in pH. The micellar aggregation number was determined using cyclic voltammetry and was found to be between 13 and 21. The size of the Sapindus saponin micelles was determined using intrinsic viscosity measurements and was found to be independent of saponin concentration for concentrations above the CMC. Solubilisation of two types of crude oils and a vegetable oil was studied using micellar solubilisation technique. At lower concentrations of the surfactant, the micellar solubilisation of crude oils in saponin was better than synthetic surfactants like Triton X100® and SDS where as, the solubilisation of vegetable oil was better in synthetic surfactants.

[The oncofetal gene survivin - a possible target gene for regenerative therapy concepts in cartilaginous tissue]

Survivin, the smallest member of the inhibitor of the apoptosis protein gene family (IAP) is a key molecule for mammalian cell cycle regulation and cellular survival. Of note these functions have been thought to be limited to embryonic and malignant tissues. However, a growing body of evidence indicates a limited expression of survivin in some highly specific adult tissues and cells. In the present study it has been demonstrated that the antiapoptotic protein survivin is re-expressed in osteoarthritic human cartilage and primary human chondrocytes. Furthermore, the data indicated that survivin significantly affects cell cycle regulation and cellular survival. The modulation of survivin expression and function in cartilaginous tissues might be important for understanding osteoarthritis and the development of regenerative strategies.

Malignant Hyperpyrexia in Cervical Spine Injury

Pyrexia is an elevation of body temperature above the normal range due to an increase in the hypothalamic thermoregulatory set point. Hyperpyrexia is an extreme elevation of body temperature equal to or greater than 41.5°C (106.7°F). (1) Malignant hyperpyrexia is a rare and idiopathic extreme elevation of core body temperature above 42°C characterized by the acute onset of hyperthermia, coagulopathy and shock. (2) It is potentially life-threatening and can rapidly progress to severe liver and renal impairment, acidosis and encephalopathy. Reported here is a case of malignant hyperpyrexia in a patient with injury of the cervical spine.

Silibinin-induced apoptosis in MCF7 and T47D human breast carcinoma cells involves caspase-8 activation and mitochondrial pathway

Silibinin, a natural flavonoid, under phase I/II clinical trial in prostate cancer patients was aimed to evaluate its chemotherapeutic potential in human breast cancer cell MCF7 and T47D. Results showed that T47D cells were found to be more sensitive to silibinin than MCF7 as observed by proliferation, clonogenic, and apoptotic assays, which was abrogated by pan-caspase inhibitor but remained unaffected by p53 inhibitor. Apoptotic events in both cell types differ temporally and also by magnitude that involved mitochondrial and caspase-8 activation pathway. These results have relevance in understanding silibinin treatment to breast tumor.

What is positive appendicitis? A new answer to an old question. Clinical, macroscopical and microscopical findings in 200 consecutive appendectomies

INTRODUCTION

The correlation between clinical and histopathology findings in appendicitis has been highlighted by many studies. However, the impact of this correlation on the surgical decision to remove a normal-looking appendix is still vague, with no clear definition of positive appendicitis. The aim of this study was to correlate the histological, operative and clinical diagnoses of acute appendicitis (AA).

METHODS

200 patients with a preoperative diagnosis of AA underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. A single consultant surgeon performed all the procedures. The clinical, macroscopical and microscopical outcomes were reported and analysed. Follow-up assessment was performed as an outpatient appointment.

RESULTS

112 women and 88 men were included in this study. The mean age was 18.8 (range 8-83) years. Macroscopical appendicitis was confirmed in 139 (69.5 percent) patients, while microscopical appendicitis was reported in 147 (73.5 percent) specimens of the appendix. Ten (7.2 percent) out of 139 patients who were macroscopically positive were found to have a normal appendix on microscopical examination. Different pathologies were found in 21 (10.5 percent) patients, and all underwent appendectomy. Microscopical appendicitis was confirmed in 10 (25 percent) out of 40 patients who had a normal-looking appendix.

CONCLUSION

The correlation of the clinical, microscopical and macroscopical findings in AA is important in order to understand the natural history of appendicitis, and this may help to formulate a sound surgical decision. These findings are supportive of justifying appendectomy for normal-looking appendices, if no other pathology is found.

Prospective evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the Apogee system for treatment of vault prolapse

This is a prospective study evaluating the efficacy and safety of the Apogee vault repair system in the management of vault prolapse. All patients who underwent this procedure between October 2004 and December 2005 in Townsville, Australia are included in the study. Preoperative and postoperative clinical assessments were done using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ) system and patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months and then biannually. Of the 35 patients operated, there were no intraoperative complications and only one patient (2.8%) had a recurrence of vault prolapse at 12 months. Nine patients (25%) had mesh exposure treated successfully with outpatient trimming and oestrogen. This medium term study shows that the Apogee procedure is safe with minimal complications for the management of vault prolapse.

Chemopreventive efficacy of curcumin and piperine during 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

INTRODUCTION

Oral carcinoma accounts for 40-50 percent of all cancers in India. Tobacco chewing, smoking and alcohol consumption are the major risk factors associated with the high incidence of oral cancer in India. Our aim was to investigate the chemopreventive potential of curcumin and piperine during 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

METHODS

Oral squamous cell carcinoma was developed in the buccal pouch of Syrian golden hamsters, by painting them with 0.5 percent DMBA in liquid paraffin, three times a week for 14 weeks. The tumour incidence, tumour volume and burden were determined in the buccal pouches. The status of phase II detoxification agents, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were estimated by specific colorimetric methods.

RESULTS

We observed 100 percent tumour formation in DMBA-alone painted hamsters. Disturbances in the status of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and phase II detoxification agents were noticed in DMBA-alone painted hamsters. Oral administration of curcumin (80 mg/kg body weight) and piperine (50 mg/kg body weight) to DMBA-painted hamsters on alternate days to DMBA painting for 14 weeks completely prevented the formation of oral carcinoma. Also, curcumin and piperine restored the status of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and detoxifying agents in DMBA-painted hamsters.

CONCLUSION

The chemopreventive efficacy of curcumin and piperine is probably due to their antilipidperoxidative and antioxidant potential as well as their modulating effect on the carcinogen detoxification process.