All Articles

The Role of FIP-2 (Optineurin) in Regulation of the Chemokines and Kinases

Abstract:

FIP-2 is a multifunctional protein which is involved in various cellular processes. Using different approaches we investigated its regulatory activity. The microarray analysis has shown that FIP-2 substantially altered the expression of 75 genes (35+/40-) from different functional groups with maximal presentation in “Signal transduction” and “Transcription regulation”. Real time RT-PCR indicated significant elevation in the transcription of chemokines, particularly IL-8 (CXCL8). Production of IL-8 in HEK293 cells dramatically increased with FIP-2 overexpression. We also demonstrated that FIP-2 induced activation of IL-8 promoter activity through NF-kB binding site. Additionally, we showed that FIP-2 could interact with PAK3 and increase its kinase activity. Overall, we demonstrated the role of FIP-2 in the regulation of chemokines (IL-8, MPIF-1, MCP-1) and kinases (PAK3, ALK).

Participant Retention in a HIV Prevention Cohort Study in Kisumu, Kenya

Abstract:

Retention of sufficient numbers of participants in longitudinal research studies is a serious methodological concern, as retention influences the validity of the research findings. An assessment of participant retention or attending all study visits was made quarterly during a 12 month follow-up of an HIV incident cohort in Kisumu, Kenya. The study objectives were to determine 1) the proportion of participants attending all study visits and 2) demographic and behavioral factors associated with missing ≥ 1 visit. The Kisumu Incidence Cohort Study (KICoS) was initiated in January 2007 (N=831). Detailed contact information was collected from each participant to enhance retention. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to determine factors associated with missing ≥ 1 visit. Overall retention was 90%. Of those enrolled, 46.4% were females. The adjusted odds of missing ≥ 1 study visit were greater for participants who were female (AOR=2.85; CI=1.90-4.28...

Modern Proteomics: Methods and Applications – Special Issue

Abstract:

Evaluating the Efficacy of Gene Silencing in Dopaminergic Neuronal Cells In-Vitro using Gold Nanorods (GNR) with Different Surface Properties Complexed to DARPP-32 siRNA.

Abstract:

Gold nanorods (GNRs) are plasmonic nanostructures by virtue of their size-dependent optical properties, offer a bionanotechnology platform in areas of bioimaging, drug delivery etc for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. GNRs are more sensitive to changes in local environments, and offer strong scattering and absorption efficiencies thus providing opportunities to integrate multiple imaging modes and therapeutic strategies. The hydrodynamic size of these GNR under physiological condition is <100 nm, making them ideal as intracellular delivery agents. RNA interference using small inhibitory RNA (siRNA) has become a powerful tool to downregulate mRNA levels by cellular nucleases that become activated when a sequence homology between the siRNA and a respective mRNA molecule is detected. siRNA is used to silence genes involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases and holds a promising option for the development of novel therapeutic strategies in n...

Phytochemicals May Arrest HIV-1 Progression

Abstract:

This hypothesis‑driven review considers phytochemicals with putative anti‑HIV activity. It summarizes proposed mechanisms, in vitro evidence, and formulation issues, and calls for standardized assays and clinical trials to determine real‑world efficacy and safety.

Hospital Episodes Due to Antidepressant Overdose: An Under-Utilised Source of Pharmacovigilance Data

Abstract:

Antidepressant agents are commonly implicated in drug overdose, and the toxicological profile varies between agents. Clinical data concerning overdoses are not systematically sought or evaluated in pharmacovigilance. The present study sought to examine the feasibility of collecting Emergency Department data concerning antidepressant overdose.

Rapid and Sensitive High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Determination of Danshensu in Rat Plasma

Abstract:

A sensitive, specific and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (hplc–ms/ms) method has been developed and validated for the determination of danshensu (dss) in rat plasma in the present study. The analytes were separated on a c18 column (50 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) and a triplequadrupole mass spectrometry equipped with electrospray ionization (esi) source was applied for detection. The simple protein precipitation was applied to extract dss from the plasma (about 80%). The method was linear over the concentration ranges of 50–1000 ng/ml for dss. The lower limit of quantitation (lloq) of dss was 50 ng/ml. The intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation (rsd) were less than 15% and the relative error (re) were all within 15%. Finally, the method was successfully applied to support the pharmacokinetic study after guanxinsu solution was orally administrated to the sprague–dawley rat, respectively.

Evaluation of SterculiaUrens Gum as Novel Carrier for Oral Colon Targeted Drug Delivery System

Abstract:

The purpose of the research is to evaluate Sterculiaurens gum as a carrier for oral colon targeted drug delivery system. Sterculia gum has been reported to have wide pharmaceutical applications such as tablet binder, disintegrant, gelling agent and as a controlled release polymer, but it has not been exploited as colon targeting carrier. For evaluation as a carrier for colonic delivery of drugs characterization of gum was done. Microflora degradation studies of gum were conducted in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) pH 7.4 containing rat caecal content under anaerobic environment. Solubility, swelling index, viscosity and pH of the polymer solution were determined. Different formulation aspects considered were: gum concentration (10–40%), concentration of citric acid (10–30 %) on swelling index and in-vitro drug release. The results of the isothermal stress testing (IST) shows no degradation of samples of model ...

Sotos Syndrome, Isolated Left Ventricular Non Compaction Cardiomyopathy and Ventricular Pre Excitation: A Case Report.

Abstract:

We report the case of a 22 year-old-male patient affected by Sotos syndrome was preoperatively and urgently evaluated for tracheal stent implantation due to respiratory insufficiency caused by idiopathic tracheal stenosis.

Rest electrocardiogram detected a ventricular pre excitation; a transthoracic echocardiography showed a classic pattern fulfilling criteria for isolated left ventricular non compaction. At the best of our knowledge this is the first report of a patient suffering from Sotos syndrome and simultaneously affected by isolated left ventricular non compaction and ventricular pre excitation.

Late Age at Menarche Increased Common Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Overweight and Obese Women

Abstract:

To determine whether age at menarche is an independent predictor of common carotid artery intima-media thickness in overweight and obese adult women.