Level of awareness of lung cancer risk factors, signs, symptoms and safe practices among college teachers of different states in India: Do awareness programmes have an impact on adoption of safe practices?

Lung cancer is the one of the most common cause of cancer mortality among men in India where incidence rates are increasing although they are largely preventable diseases. In India, late presentation is generally responsible for high mortality and morbidity rates and early detection is one of the best ways to control it. The purpose of this study is to measure the level of awareness on lung cancer among women represented by a sample of college teachers in India and the impact of awareness programs in changing or adopting safer practices and the prevention and early detection of the disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The assessment was conducted during a Pink Chain Campaign on cancer awareness in 2011 in various women colleges in India. Pre-test related to lung cancer was followed by awareness programs. Posttest using the same questionnaire was conducted at the end of interactive session, at 1 year and 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 156 out of 182 teachers participated in the study (overall response rate was 85.7%). Mean age of the study population was 42.4 years (range- 28-59 yrs). There was a significant increase in level of knowledge regarding lung cancer at 6 months and this was sustained at 1 year. Magazines and newspapers were the primary source for information regarding risk factors, signs and symptoms of lung cancer in more than 60% of teachers whereas more than 30% teachers were educated by doctors. At post-awareness after 1 year and 6 months, there was a significant change in alcohol and smoking habits. The main reasons for not undergoing screening tests are: ignorance (50%), lethargic attitude (44.8 %) and lack of time (34.6 %).

CONCLUSION

Knowledge about lung cancer was very low among teachers. Overall awareness of risk factors, signs and symptoms, and screening modalities of lung cancer have improved after 1 year along with practices related to smoking and alcohol consumption. There was a significant improvement in people undergoing regular check-up's. Improved means of communication, access to information and effective warnings about cigarette smoking are necessary to increase public awareness. To ensure the adoption of safe practices in the lifestyle of people who smoke and consume alcohol, awareness programmes such as the pink chain campaign should be conducted regularly, frequently and more widely in various areas of India.

Arsenic exposure causes epigenetic dysregulation of IL-8 expression leading to proneoplastic changes in kidney cells

Prolonged arsenic exposure has been shown to cause several detrimental effects in adults. However its effects following prenatal exposure are not well defined at the epigenetic level, particularly in terms of changes which may predispose an individual to adult malignancies. In this work, we have studied the effect of arsenic exposure on renal system using human embryonic kidney cells and prenatally exposed animals and identified Interleukin-8(IL-8) and its homologue (CINC-1) as mediators of arsenic induced renal toxicity. We further show that embryonic kidney cells are more responsive to arsenic leading to higher induction of IL-8 as compared to adult cells due to DNA methylation and histone acetylation (H3 acetylation) changes in the IL-8 promoter. Through bisulfite analysis of the IL-8 promoter, we have also identified an arsenic modulated CpG site at -168 bases upstream of transcription start site. This CpG is associated with C/EBP and CREB binding sites in the IL-8 promoter and its demethylation by arsenic coupled with increased H3 histone acetylation and CBP/P300 recruitment could lead to induction of IL-8. Our study shows how epigenetic modulation of IL-8 by arsenic could contribute to increased cell migratory and proliferative capabilities, cell cycle dysregulation and renal toxicity.

Three-dimensional profilometry of microlenses by phase shifting interferometery using nematic liquid crystal material filled cell as a phase modulator

In this paper, we report the use of a nematic liquid crystal material filled cell in transmission mode as a voltage controlled phase modulator for the characterization of microlenses. In one arm of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, a nematic liquid crystal filled cell with DC voltage connection was placed, and in another arm of the interferometer microlenses with a 4-F imaging system were placed. Interference takes place between the light beams coming from the two arms of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, one after passing through the nematic liquid crystal cell and another after passing through microlenses. Interference patterns were recorded by a CCD camera. By applying DC voltage to the nematic liquid crystal filled cell, various phase shifted interferograms were recorded, and from phase shifted interferograms, the shape and size of microlenses were determined. The results of the reconstructed profile of the microlenses are compared with white-light profilometry.

Malaria positivity among blood donors: an important index to assess blood safety

Blood transfusions carry the potential for causing increased morbidity & mortality both in terms of transfusion reactions as well as transfusion transmitted infections. It is therefore mandatory to test for transfusion transmitted diseases before any unit is transfused to a patient. In India it is mandatory to screen all units for HIV, HBsAg, HCV, Syphilis and Malaria. This study was done to study the incidence of malaria among blood donors at the blood bank of a tertiary care centre of Uttarakhand, India over a period of 2 years and also to analyse any associated factors. Any sample found positive was retested for confirmation by blood smear examination & using another kit. A total of 17,209 donors donated blood over a 2 year period and 14 donors (0.08 %) were found to test positive for malaria parasite. Only one case was a voluntary donor and the remaining 13 were replacement donors. It was seen that there was a peak in the months of September and October.

Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles potently induce adult neurogenesis and reverse cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease model via canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Neurogenesis, a process of generation of new neurons, is reported to be reduced in several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Induction of neurogenesis by targeting endogenous neural stem cells (NSC) could be a promising therapeutic approach to such diseases by influencing the brain self-regenerative capacity. Curcumin, a neuroprotective agent, has poor brain bioavailability. Herein, we report that curcumin-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles (Cur-PLGA-NPs) potently induce NSC proliferation and neuronal differentiation in vitro and in the hippocampus and subventricular zone of adult rats, as compared to uncoated bulk curcumin. Cur-PLGA-NPs induce neurogenesis by internalization into the hippocampal NSC. Cur-PLGA-NPs significantly increase expression of genes involved in cell proliferation (reelin, nestin, and Pax6) and neuronal differentiation (neurogenin, neuroD1, neuregulin, neuroligin, and Stat3). Curcumin nanoparticles increase neuronal differentiation by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, involved in regulation of neurogenesis. These nanoparticles caused enhanced nuclear translocation of β-catenin, decreased GSK-3β levels, and increased promoter activity of the TCF/LEF and cyclin-D1. Pharmacological and siRNA-mediated genetic inhibition of the Wnt pathway blocked neurogenesis-stimulating effects of curcumin. These nanoparticles reverse learning and memory impairments in an amyloid beta induced rat model of AD-like phenotypes, by inducing neurogenesis. In silico molecular docking studies suggest that curcumin interacts with Wif-1, Dkk, and GSK-3β. These results suggest that curcumin nanoparticles induce adult neurogenesis through activation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway and may offer a therapeutic approach to treating neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, by enhancing a brain self-repair mechanism.

A novel long-acting glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide analogue: enhanced efficacy in normal and diabetic rodents

AIM

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) is an incretin hormone that is released from intestinal K cells in response to nutrient ingestion. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of the novel N- and C-terminally modified GIP analogue AC163794.

METHODS

AC163794 was synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis. Design involved the substitution of the C-terminus tail region of the dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV)-resistant GIP analogue [d-Ala(2) ]GIP(1-42) with the unique nine amino acid tail region of exenatide. The functional activity and binding of AC163794 to the GIP receptor were evaluated in RIN-m5F β-cells. In vitro metabolic stability was tested in human plasma and kidney membrane preparations. Acute insulinotropic effects were investigated in isolated mouse islets and during an intravenous glucose tolerance test in normal and diabetic Zucker fatty diabetic (ZDF) rats. The biological actions of AC163794 were comprehensively assessed in normal, ob/ob and high-fat-fed streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Acute glucoregulatory effects of AC163794 were tested in diet-induced obese mice treated subchronically with AC3174, the exendatide analogue [Leu(14) ] exenatide. Human GIP or [d-Ala(2) ]GIP(1-42) were used for comparison.

RESULTS

AC163794 exhibited nanomolar functional GIP receptor potency in vitro similar to GIP and [d-Ala(2) ]GIP(1-42). AC163794 was metabolically more stable in vitro and displayed longer duration of insulinotropic action in vivo versus GIP and [d-Ala(2) ]GIP(1-42). In diabetic mice, AC163794 improved HbA1c through enhanced insulinotropic action, partial restoration of pancreatic insulin content and improved insulin sensitivity with no adverse effects on fat storage and metabolism. AC163794 provided additional baseline glucose-lowering when injected to mice treated with AC3174.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies support the potential use of a novel GIP analogue AC163794 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Measurement of birefringence of nematic liquid crystal material by multiple-wavelength interferometry using nearly common-path single-stage Mach-Zehnder interferometer

We report the measurement of birefringence of nematic liquid crystal (NLC) material using multiple-wavelength interferometry. A nearly common path single-stage Mach-Zehnder interferometer was used for recording interferograms of high stability. The Fourier transform fringe analysis technique was used to reconstruct the two-dimensional phase maps of interferograms consisting of the entire active area of the liquid crystal cell. Change in phase as a function of applied voltage to a liquid-crystal cell was measured for blue, green, and red color laser light, keeping the temperature constant during the experiment. From the change in phase, the birefringence for three colors, i.e., red, green, and blue light, was determined. It is found that the birefringence of NLC material for red, green, and blue colors decreases with the increase in wavelength in the visible range. The present method is noncontact, nonmechanical scanning and highly stable due to a common path interferometer.

Prostaglandin E2 modulates IL-8 expression through formation of a multiprotein enhanceosome in human colonic epithelial cells

Gastrointestinal inflammation is mediated by the pro-inflammatory mediators interleukin-8 (IL-8) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2) ). PGE(2) binding and coupling through EP2/4 receptor subtypes on colonic epithelial cells stimulates cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and IL-8 production. Here we determined the mechanisms whereby PGE(2) regu-lates IL-8 in Caco2 colonic epithelial cells and in cells over-expressing the EP2/4 receptors (EP2S/EP4S). PGE(2) coupling through EP2 activated the transcription factor inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER), whereas coupling through EP4 receptors activated the cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB). Activation of CREB in Caco2/EP2S was protein kinase A (PKA) dependent, whereas in EP4S cells, activation of CREB occurred through the PKA and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways. Since ICER lacks the transactivation domain, it functions as a transcription repressor as opposed to CREB. PGE(2) coupling through EP2/4 receptors can therefore acts in an opposing manner to either decrease (EP2) or promote IL-8 expression by recruiting CREB-binding protein (CBP) (EP4), which formed a multiprotein IL-8 enhanceosome. A novel half CRE (167CRE) and a composite NFAT1-AP1-like site in the IL-8 promoter participated in binding and complex formation as confirmed by mutagenesis and expression studies. These data unravel the mechanisms by which expression of IL-8 is controlled by different signalling pathways that are activated by PGE(2) but acting through different EP receptors.

Bladder Rupture following Conversion to Enteric Drainage after Pancreatic Transplantation

Complications associated with bladder-drained pancreatic transplant are not uncommon and include urinary tract infections and reflux pancreatitis. Bladder rupture with peritoneal leak is a rare complication after pancreatic transplantation and can present as an acute abdomen with rapidly deteriorating renal function. We describe the first case of a urine leak into the peritoneal cavity occurring after conversion from bladder to enteric drainage. A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose such a complication.