Parasporins, a class of non-insecticidal crystal proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are being explored as promising anticancer agents due to their specific toxicity to cancer cells. The present study has identified 25 Bt isolates harbouring parasporin genes from Western Ghats region, the hotspot of biodiversity in India. Among these, the isolate, KAU 41 (Kerala Agricultural University isolate 41) contained non-hemolytic homogenous crystals showing specific cytotoxicity towards cancer cells. SDS-PAGE analysis of this crystal, isolated by aqueous biphasic separation, revealed a 31 kDa sized peptide. The N-terminal sequence deciphered in BLAST analysis showed homology to a hypothetical Bt protein. Upon proteolysis, a 29 kDa active peptide was generated which exhibited heterogenic cytotoxic spectrum on various cancer cells. HeLa cells were highly susceptible to this peptide with IC 50 1 lg/mL and showed characteristics of apoptosis. RT-qPCR analysis revealed the overexpression of APAF1, caspase 3 and 9 by 14.9, 8 and 7.4 fold, respectively which indicates the activation of intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. However, at higher concentrations of peptide (greater than 3 lg/mL), necrotic death was prominent. The results suggest that the 31 kDa protein from Bt isolate, KAU 41 is a parasporin that may have high therapeutic potential.
Pesticides have contributed to dramatic increase in the quality and quantity in crop yields. Organophosphates are commonly used as insecticides in agriculture and are potent toxicants. Patients with organophosphorus poisoning may present with subclinical features of acute pancreatitis. Proper biochemical investigation and clinical correlation helps in diagnosis.
Cataract is considered a major cause of visual impairment in diabetic patients as the incidence and progression of cataract is elevated in patients with diabetes mellitus. The pathogenesis of diabetic cataract development is still not fully understood. Due to increasing numbers of type 1 and type 2 diabetics worldwide, the incidence of diabetic cataracts steadily rises. Even though cataract surgery, the most common ophthalmic procedure worldwide, is an effective cure, the elucidation of patho- mechanisms to delay or prevent the development of cataract in diabetic patients remains a challenge. Furthermore, patients with diabetes mellitus have higher complication rates from cataract surgery. Both diabetes and cataract pose an enormous health and economic burden, particularly in developing countries, where diabetes treatment is insufficient and cataract surgery often inaccessible. Hence the objective of the study was to assess the antioxidant levels and calcium levels in different stages of cataract. Our study showed a significant reduction in lens antioxidant activity with significantly increased calcium levels in mature stage of cataract, suggesting decreased antioxidant activity plays an important role in diabetic cataract by causing deposition of calcium in lens. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v6i1.5290
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram negative bacterium that naturally colonizes the gastric epithelium, which causes chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Recent studies have shown that it may interfere with many biological processes and influence the occurrence of many diseases outside the stomach. Many studies have proposed a link between H. pylori infection and atherosclerosis. Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) has been considered as a strong marker to predict the risk of atherosclerosis. The present study was done to assess the correlation between AIP and other lipid indices with H. pylori infection. The study comprised of 50 biopsy proven H. pylori cases and 50 age-sex matched controls. Blood samples were collected in fasting state and analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL-cholesterol (HDL) and LDL-cholesterol and the lipid indices were calculated. Lipid indices like AIP, CRI 1 & 2 & AC were significantly higher in H. pylori infected cases compared to controls. Hence these lipid indices can be used for identifying individuals at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases in H. pylori infected patients.
Introduction: Human obesity is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. Cystatin C is a naturally occurring protease inhibitor and marker of cardiovascular disease. The atherogenic indices are used as an index for cardiac risk stratification. Objectives: To estimate the serum levels of Cystatin C in individuals with normal BMI, and obese, aged between 20-39 Yrs and to compare the levels of Cystatin C among these individuals and to correlate the levels of serum Cystatin C with atherogenic index of plasma and other indices. Methodology: The study population was taken from healthy volunteers of Mysore city, aged between 20-39 years of either sex. The study population was divided into 2 groups based on BMI. Each group contains sample size of 60. Fasting serum sample was analyzed for Total Cholesterol, TG, LDL-Cholesterol and HDL cholesterol by enzymatic method and serum Cystatin-C by immune-turbidimetric method using auto-analyser. Statistical Analysis: Analysis of Variance [ANOVA] was used to compare the serum levels of Cystatin C in the two groups. To correlate the serum Cystatin C with atherogenic indices for predicting the cardiovascular risk factors, Pearson’s correlation co-efficient was worked out. Results: The mean serum cystatin C levels in normal BMI group are 0.7±0.03 mg/L, and in Obese group 1.15±0.09 mg/(p value less than 0.001).In the study serum Cystatin C showed a positive correlation with serum triglycerides (r=0.7), Atherogenic index of plasma(AIP ) (r=0.80), TCHOL: HDL (Castelli’s Risk Index I) (r=0.71), HDL: LDL(Castelli’s Risk Index II) (r=0.70) respectively and Atherogenic coefficient (AC) {(NonHDLc)/HDLc}( r=0.60) and negative correlation with serum HDL(r=-0.52) Conclusion: Several indices had been derived from lipid profiles to establish an index for predicting the risk of having coronary event. The atherogenic index of plasma was strongly correlated with the Cystatin C, hence AIP can be used as better index for predicting the preclinical cardiovascular disease because of cost effectiveness in estimation of Cystatin C.
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major complications of Diabetes
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and is therefore a major public health concern. Acute exacerbations that compromise quality of life, accelerate a decline in respiratory functions, and increase cardiovascular risk during the course of COPD. Few studies have investigated the factors leading to exacerbations. Magnesium may have a role in maintaining disease stability in COPD patients. And serum uric acid has been proposed as a marker for impaired oxidative metabolism & systemic inflammation. A few data exist on the significance of serum uric acid& magnesium in patients with AECOPD. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of serum uric acid& magnesium as a biomarker for the prediction of outcome of patients with AECOPD. Study population was taken from patients admitted to K.R Hospital& PK TB Hospital MMCRI, Mysore with acute exerbation of COPD aged between 18-60years of either sex. 4ml of fasting venous sample was collected from patients admitted with acute exacerbation of COPD serum was analyzed immediately for Uric acid and Magnesium. 35% of patient had hypomagnesaemia where as 55% of study subjects where normomagnesemic with mean SD of 1.7+0.8. The mean standard deviation of uric acid levels was 7.2+ 2.1. Present study showed hypomagnesaemia and hyperuricemia with increase in duration of disease, stage of the disease and duration of hospital stay. Hence the present study helps in assessing the factors responsible for frequent exacerbations and durations of stay in hospital associated in COPD patients.
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