An Insight into the Effect of Schiff Base and their d and f Block Metal Complexes on Various Cancer Cell Lines as Anticancer Agents: A Review

Over the last few decades, an alarming rise in the percentage of individuals with cancer and those with multi-resistant illnesses has forced researchers to explore possibilities for novel therapeutic approaches. Numerous medications currently exist to treat various disorders, and the development of small molecules as anticancer agents has considerable potential. However, the widespread prevalence of resistance to multiple drugs in cancer indicates that it is necessary to discover novel and promising compounds with ideal characteristics that could overcome the multidrug resistance issue. The utilisation of metallo-drugs has served as a productive anticancer chemotherapeutic method, and this approach may be implemented for combating multi-resistant tumours more successfully. Schiff bases have been receiving a lot of attention as a group of compounds due to their adaptable metal chelating abilities, innate biologic properties, and versatility to tweak the structure to optimise it for a specific biological purpose. The biological relevance of Schiff base and related complexes, notably their anticancer effects, has increased in their popularity as bio-inorganic chemistry has progressed. As a result of learning about Schiff bases antitumor efficacy against multiple cancer cell lines and their complexes, researchers are motivated to develop novel, side-effect-free anticancer treatments. According to study reports from the past ten years, we are still seeking a powerful anticancer contender. This study highlights the potential of Schiff bases, a broad class of chemical molecules, as potent anticancer agents. In combination with other anticancer strategies, they enhance the efficacy of treatment by elevating the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy, surmounting drug resistance, and promoting targeted therapy. Schiff bases also cause cancer cell DNA repair, improve immunotherapy, prevent angiogenesis, cause apoptosis, and lessen the side effects of chemotherapy. The present review explores the development of potential Schiff base and their d and f block metal complexes as anticancer agents against various cancer cell lines.

Design, development and bio-evaluation of a novel radio-ligand 99mTc-THQ-DTPA as a sigma 2 receptor specific breast tumor imaging agent

Over-expression of sigma-2 receptor in cancer cells provides an opportunity to develop molecular probes for diagnosis, even for non-receptor specific malignancies like triple negative breast cancers. In this work, a novel sigma-2 receptor ligand [THQ-DTPA] has been synthesized and characterized using 6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (THQ) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). The ligand is further chelated with 99mTc for application as metal based radiotracer [99mTc-THQ-DTPA]. Radiolabelling with 99mTc was achieved in an excellent yield of 98.0 ± 0.5% using stannous chloride as a reducing agent. The radioligand was found to be stable in human serum up-to 24 h, bio-compatible with less than 4% hemolysis, and exhibited high binding with sigma receptors isolated from rat liver membrane (Kd of 16.32 ± 4.93 nM and Bmax of 0.5232 ± 0.06 pmol/mg). Bio-distribution studies in triple-negative breast tumor bearing nude mice showed high tumor uptake after 30 min of injection with tumor/muscle (T/M) ratio of 3.58 ± 0.09. At 240 min, the T/M ratio (2.84 ± 0.20) decreased by 35% when administered in sigma blocked tumor bearing mice (1.81 ± 0.16) suggesting the selectivity of the ligand. Tumor imaging in gamma camera indicated a contrast of 3.56 at 30 min p.i. The above findings indicate that the ligand 99mTc-THQ-DTPA binds to sigma-2 receptors with high affinity and has potential for triple-negative breast tumor imaging.

Exploring factors influencing the uptake of kangaroo mother care: key informant interviews with parents

BACKGROUND

The updated World Health Organization (WHO) guideline recommends immediate kangaroo mother care (KMC) for all infants, particularly those born preterm. However, its uptake and sustainability have been unsatisfactory. Therefore, we aimed to gain deeper insight into factors influencing the uptake of KMC practice in our setting, and thereby identify possible solutions for the development of relevant interventions to improve its adoption and make KMC a routine practice for all infants.

METHODS

Using the Triandis model of social behaviour as our framework, we conducted key informant interviews with parents and healthcare providers. Trained interviewers conducted interviews with nine parents, recruited via purposive sampling. These parents were parents of preterm infants who had been introduced to KMC. Data was transcribed and analysed based on Triandis' Theory of Interpersonal Behaviour. This paper only reports the results of the parent interviews.

RESULTS

Major findings were how positive feelings like warmth and contentment, the sense of parenthood with KMC, the benefits of KMC for their infant and parents being enablers for KMC uptake. Conversely, the lack of KMC awareness, the initial negative feelings such as fear, uncertainty and embarrassment, the prioritization of time for milk expression, overcrowding in the ward, lack of space and privacy, limited visiting hours, lack of support and poor communication resulting in misapprehension about KMC were major barriers.

CONCLUSION

A deeper understanding of the factors influencing the uptake of KMC using the Triandis behavioural model provided a way forward to help improve its uptake and sustainability in our settings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered with the National Medical Research Registry (NMRR-17-2984-39191).

The challenges of obesity for fertility: A FIGO literature review

Obesity has been linked to infertility through several mechanisms, including at a molecular level. Those living with obesity face additional barriers to accessing fertility treatments and achieving a successful pregnancy, which can contribute to their economic and psychosocial stressors. There is scope to further improve care for people living with obesity and infertility with empathy, via a multidisciplinary approach.

Acinetobacter baumannii: An overview of emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen

The emergence of infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, a multidrug-resistant bacterium, has been a concern worldwide. This bacterium is an important hospitalacquired pathogen that causes several diseases including ventilator-associated pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis. This study aimed to determine antibioticresistant mechanisms in the pathogenesis of A. baumannii and the alternative treatment strategies against it. The combined actions of outer membrane protein A, formation of a biofilm on biotic and abiotic surfaces, phospholipases C and D, metal homeostatic system, lipopolysaccharides, and verotoxins are relevant for virulence and pathogenesis. A. baumannii resists the broad-spectrum antibiotics by its mechanisms of resistance, such as β-lactamases, efflux pump, aminoglycoside modifying enzymes, permeability changes, and alternation of targets. In an attempt to overcome the resistance mechanisms, plant-derived compounds and a combination of the antibiotics and the plant phytocompounds have been focused. Nanoparticles synthesised with the plant extract have been studied extensively. Furthermore, we projected modern methods, including multi-omics analysis, to study insight into mechanisms of actions of antibiotics. The information suggested that the potential antibiotic mechanisms of A. baumannii could lead to an alternative treatment against A. baumannii infections.

Electrodeposited Thin-Film Micro-Thermoelectric Coolers with Extreme Heat Flux Handling and Microsecond Time Response

Thin-film thermoelectric coolers are emerging as a viable option for the on-chip temperature management of electronic and photonic integrated circuits. In this work, we demonstrate the record heat flux handling capability of electrodeposited Bi₂Te₃ films of 720(±60) W cm^-2 at room temperature, achieved by careful control of the contact interfaces to reduce contact resistance. The characteristic parameters of a single leg thin-film devices were measured in situ, giving a Seebeck coefficient of S = -121(±6) μV K^-1, thermal conductivity of κ = 0.85(±0.08) W m^-1 K^-1, electrical conductivity of σ = 5.2(±0.32) × 10⁴ S m^-1, and electrical contact resistivity of ∼10^-11 Ω m². These thermoelectric parameters lead to a material ZT = 0.26(±0.04), which, for our device structure, allowed a net cooling of ΔT_max = 4.4(±0.12) K. A response time of τ = 20 μs was measured experimentally. This work shows that with the correct treatment of contact interfaces, electrodeposited thin-film thermoelectrics can compete with more complicated and expensive technologies such as metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) multilayers.

Nosocomial Outbreak of Port-site Infection due to Atypical Mycobacteria following Laparoscopy: Suggested Infection Control Strategies

Introduction: Atypical mycobacteria can survive in conditions that make them hard to eradicate, despite using the standard decontamination procedures and protocols. Thus, errors in sterilisation techniques for laparoscopic instruments can be responsible for outbreaks caused by such bacteria and make it a problem mainly affecting developing countries including India. Aim: To investigate the outbreak of postlaparoscopic wound infection caused by atypical mycobacteria. Materials and Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted over a two-month period from January 2020 to February 2020. A total of 14 patients presented with postlaparoscopic surgical site wound infections were evaluated with Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and pus culture on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium and subsequently treated with appropriate antibiotics. For further investigation of the outbreak, environmental samples were collected and isolation rates (percentage) of atypical mycobacteria from these samples were analysed. Results: All the patients included in the study were diagnosed with postlaparoscopic surgical site wound infections caused by atypical mycobacteria. Infection control investigation of the Operation Theatres (OTs) revealed multiple sources of atypical mycobacterial contamination viz., laparoscopic surgical instruments, used disinfectant (gluteraldehyde disinfectant solution) and tap aerators. Conclusion: Negative routine bacterial culture report of samples collected from port-sites should be further investigated for other aetiology e.g., atypical mycobacteria which do not grow on routine bacterial culture. Since high indices of suspicion followed by timely and efficient management of patients with postlaparoscopic surgical site infection are of critical importance.

Results of trabecular metal augments in Paprosky IIIA and IIIB defects

Aims

The advent of trabecular metal (TM) augments has revolutionized the management of severe bone defects during acetabular reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients undergoing revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the use of TM augments for reconstruction of Paprosky IIIA and IIIB defects.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective study was conducted at four centres between August 2008 and January 2015. Patients treated with TM augments and TM shell for a Paprosky grade IIIA or IIIB defect, in the absence of pelvic discontinuity, and who underwent revision hip arthroplasty with the use of TM augments were included in the study. A total of 41 patients with minimum follow-up of two years were included and evaluated using intention-to-treat analysis.

Results

There were 36 (87.8%) patients with a Paprosky IIIA defect and five (12.2%) patients with a Paprosky IIIB defect. The mean age was 56.7 years (28 to 94). There were 21 (51.2%) women and 20 (48.8%) men. The mean follow-up was 39.4 months (12 to 96). One (2%) patient died after eight years. No failures were noted in the series. The mean survivorship was 100% at the time of latest follow-up.

Conclusion

The results of this multicentre study showed encouraging short- and mid-term results for the use of TM augments in the management of Paprosky grade IIIA and IIIB defects. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:903–8.

Histopathological analysis of hysterectomy specimens: one year study

Backgound: The uterus is prone to develop several non-neoplastic and neoplastic conditions during the life time of a woman. The aim of this study is to study the histopathological features of varied uterine lesions, their profile and distribution of different lesions in relation of age.Materials and Methods: This is a histopathological database analysis of hysterectomy specimen of one year 2011/12 in Patan Hospital. The variables studied were age and histopathological diagnosis. SPSS version 16 was used as an analytical tool.Results: A total of 3576 histopathology samples were received in this period. There were 1173 gynaecology samples during this period out of which 22% (261 cases) were that of hysterectomy. Histopathology diagnosis showed Leiomyoma in 48.6% (127 cases), Adenomyosis was seen in 10.3% (27 cases), Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma was seen in 1.14% (3 cases).Conclusion: A large number of hysterectomy specimens had no significant findings. However, adenomyosis, leiomyomya and adenocarcinoma are also found which may be the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding. 

Histological changes and neural elements in the posterior cruciate ligament in osteoarthritic knees

PURPOSE

To evaluate histological changes and neural elements in 100 posterior cruciate ligaments (PCLs) in patients with osteoarthritis.

METHODS

100 PCLs were obtained from a consecutive series of 46 women and 16 men aged 49 to 91 (mean, 67) years who underwent primary PCL-retaining total knee replacement for osteoarthritis. Histology was examined using conventional light microscopy. The PCLs were graded histologically in terms of parallel orientation of collagen fibres, mucoid degeneration, inflammation, and haemosiderin deposition. Histological changes were graded as normal, mild degeneration, moderate degeneration, and severe degeneration. The neural elements were assessed using immunohistochemical staining for S100 protein and neurofilaments. The histopathologist was blinded to the age, gender, and clinical and radiological grades of osteoarthritis.

RESULTS

One specimen was excluded from analysis owing to inadequate tissue. In the remaining 99 specimens, histology was normal in 72, mildly degenerative in 4, moderately degenerative in 4, and severely degenerative in 15. 76 specimens were positive for S100 protein or neurofilament or both by immunohistochemical staining, indicating the presence of neural elements.

CONCLUSION

Most knees with osteoarthritis present with viable PCLs. Retaining the PCL in total knee replacement is a good option for better kinematics, stability, and proprioception.

Thermodynamics of Micellization and Conductance Behavior of Uranyl Soap Solutions

The conductance results showed that uranyl soaps behave as weak electrolyte in dilute solution of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at various temperatures below the critical micelle concentration, indicating that Debye–Hückel–Onsager's equation is not applicable to these soaps solutions. The value of critical micelle concentration decreases with increasing chain length of the soap and increasing temperature. The results were used to evaluate various thermodynamic parameters for both dissociation and association processes and may be satisfactorily explained in the light of phase separation model. The results show that the dissociation process of these soaps was found to be endothermic while micellization is exothermic in nature.

Role of the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in beta-cell function and glucose homeostasis

The release of insufficient amounts of insulin in the presence of elevated blood glucose levels is one of the key features of type 2 diabetes. Various lines of evidence indicate that acetylcholine (ACh), the major neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, can enhance glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells. Studies with isolated islets prepared from whole body M(3) muscarinic ACh receptor knockout mice showed that cholinergic amplification of glucose-dependent insulin secretion is exclusively mediated by the M(3) muscarinic receptor subtype. To investigate the physiological relevance of this muscarinic pathway, we used Cre/loxP technology to generate mutant mice that lack M(3) receptors only in pancreatic beta-cells. These mutant mice displayed impaired glucose tolerance and significantly reduced insulin secretion. In contrast, transgenic mice overexpressing M(3) receptors in pancreatic beta-cells showed a pronounced increase in glucose tolerance and insulin secretion and were resistant to diet-induced glucose intolerance and hyperglycaemia. These findings indicate that beta-cell M(3) muscarinic receptors are essential for maintaining proper insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis. Moreover, our data suggest that enhancing signalling through beta-cell M(3) muscarinic receptors may represent a new avenue in the treatment of glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes.

Use of hydrogen peroxide to assess the sperm susceptibility to oxidative stress in subjects presenting a normal semen profile

Human sperm susceptibility to oxidative stress is vital as it affects various characteristics of sperm function. In the present study, we report a simple, sensitive and quick method of assessing the capacity of the sperms to withstand increased oxidative stress. The basis for the test was derived from the fact that human sperms suspended in Ham's F-10 medium tend to lose the forward progressive motility when co-incubated with H(2)O(2) (600 microm). Replacement of the medium with seminal plasma (1: 1) was able to reduce the loss of sperm motility (40%). Retention of sperm motility in semen (0-30%) following 10 min of H(2)O(2) (600 microm) exposure was taken as the criteria for delineating the quality of sperm as poor, moderate, good and excellent types. The protocol was tested in 87 subjects presenting a normal semen profile. On the basis of this test, 44% of the semen samples were classified as poor and the rest as moderate, good or excellent. Lipid peroxidation was found higher in the sperms from the 'poor' category. Activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were also significantly elevated in the seminal plasma of these subjects as compared with combined categories of good or excellent. The test described here can be used routinely in laboratory investigations to assess sperm susceptibility to oxidative stress in subjects presenting a normal semen profile.

Comparative assessment of DNA fingerprinting techniques (RAPD, ISSR and AFLP) for genetic analysis of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) accessions of India

Nineteen cashew accessions were analysed with 50 random primers, 12 ISSR primers and 6 AFLP primer pairs to compare the efficiency and utility of these techniques for detecting variation in cashew germplasm. Each marker system could discriminate between all of the accessions, albeit with varied efficiency of polymorphism detection. AFLP exhibited maximum discrimination efficiency with a genotype index of 1. The utility of each molecular marker technique, expressed as marker index, was estimated as a function of average band informativeness and effective multiplex ratio. Marker index was calculated to be more than 10 times higher in AFLP than in RAPD and ISSR. Similarity matrices were determined based on the data generated by molecular and morphometric analyses, and compared for congruency. AFLP displayed no correspondence with RAPD and ISSR. Correlation between ISSR and RAPD similarity matrices was low but significant (r = 0.63; p < 0.005). The similarity matrix based on morphometric markers exhibited no correlation with any of the molecular markers. AFLP, with its superior marker utility, was concluded to be the marker of choice for cashew genetic analysis.

Role of brain insulin receptor in control of body weight and reproduction

Insulin receptors (IRs) and insulin signaling proteins are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system (CNS). To study the physiological role of insulin signaling in the brain, we created mice with a neuron-specific disruption of the IR gene (NIRKO mice). Inactivation of the IR had no impact on brain development or neuronal survival. However, female NIRKO mice showed increased food intake, and both male and female mice developed diet-sensitive obesity with increases in body fat and plasma leptin levels, mild insulin resistance, elevated plasma insulin levels, and hypertriglyceridemia. NIRKO mice also exhibited impaired spermatogenesis and ovarian follicle maturation because of hypothalamic dysregulation of luteinizing hormone. Thus, IR signaling in the CNS plays an important role in regulation of energy disposal, fuel metabolism, and reproduction.

Poncet's disease

Tuberculous rheumatism is not generally accepted as a specific disease entity in Great Britain or the U.S.A. We are reporting a adult male whom we believe suffered from this disease, to open the controversy surrounding its existence with a review of the literature.