Jagdish S. Patel

Emerging antimicrobial resistance pattern of Helicobacter pylori in central Gujarat

BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem in H. pylori treatment. The study was intended to evaluate the prevalence of resistance amongst 80 H.pylori isolates cultured from biopsy taken during routine endoscopies in 2008-2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS 855 gastro duodenal biopsies were collected and cultured on H.pylori selective medium (containing Brucella agar and Columbia agar (Hi media), with Skirrows supplement (antibiotic supplement) and 7% human blood cells). H.pylori was isolated from 80 specimens. The antimicrobial susceptibility of H.pylori isolates was carried out by the Kirby Bauer technique against metronidazole (5 µg), clarithromycin (15 µg), ciprofloxacin (5 µg), amoxicillin (10 µg), tetracycline (30 µg), erythromycin (15 µg), levofloxacin (5 µg), and furazolidone (50 µg) (Sigma- Aldrich, MO). RESULTS 83.8% isolates were resistant to metronidazole, 58.8% were resistant to Clarithromycin 72.5% were resistant to Amoxicillin, 50% to Ciprofloxacin and 53.8% to tetracycline. furazolidone, erythromycin and Levofloxacin showed only 13.8% resistance to H.pylori. Multi drug resistance with metronidazole+clarithromycin+tetracycline was 85%. For all the drugs Antimicrobial resistance rate was found higher in males compare to females. Metronidazole and amoxicillin resistance was found noteworthy in patients with duodenal ulcer (p=0.018), gastritis (P=0.00), and in reflux esophagitis (P=0.00). clarithromycin and tetracycline resistance was suggestively linked with duodenitis (P=0.018), while furazolidone, erythromycin and levofloxacin showed excellent sensitivity in patients with duodenitis (P value--0.018), gastritis (P=0.00) and reflux esophagitis (P=0.00). Resistance with metronidazole (P=0.481), clarithromycin (P=0.261), amoxicillin (P=0.276), tetracycline (P=0.356), ciprofloxacin (P=0.164) was not correlated well with Age-group and Gender of the patients. CONCLUSION A very high percentage of patients were infected with metronidazole and clarithromycin resistant strains. The use of antibiotics for other indications seems to be the major risk factor for the development of primary resistance. High incidence should alarm the gastroenterologist while prescribing the eradication regimen.

Cellular Effect of Curcumin and Citral Combination on Breast Cancer Cells: Induction of Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest.

Purpose The unmanageable side effects caused by current chemotherapy regimens to treat cancer are an unresolved problem. Although many phytonutrients are useful as chemoprevention without side effects, their effects are slower and smaller than conventional chemotherapy. In the present work, we examined the cumulative effect of two phytonutrients, curcumin and citral, on breast cancer cell lines and compared their effect with the known chemotherapy regimen of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil. Methods Using cultured breast cancer and normal epithelial cells, the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of curcumin and citral was evaluated in vitro. The synergistic effect of curcumin and citral was calculated by a combination index study using the method by Chou and Talalay. Cell death pathways and mechanisms were analyzed by measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic protein levels. Results Curcumin and citral caused dose and time dependent cell death and showed a synergistic effect at effective concentration EC50 and above concentrations in breast cancer cells without disturbing normal breast epithelial cells. With combination curcumin and citral treatment, apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in breast cancer cells were observed. Curcumin and citral generated ROS and activated p53 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 mediated apoptotic pathways. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that curcumin and citral in combination may be a useful therapeutic intervention for breast cancer.

Assessment of Growth Factors Secreted by Human Breastmilk Mesenchymal Stem Cells

INTRODUCTION Human breastmilk is a dynamic, multifaceted biological fluid containing nutrients, bioactive substances, and growth factors. It is effective in supporting growth and development of an infant. As breastmilk has been found to possess mesenchymal stem cells, the importance of the components of breastmilk and their physiological roles is increasing day by day. The present study was intended to identify the secretions of growth factors, mainly vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), from human breastmilk mesenchymal stem cells under basal conditions of in vitro cell culture using synthetic media and human cord serum. MATERIALS AND METHODS The growth factors were analyzed with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. RESULTS The cultured mesenchymal stem cells of breastmilk without serum revealed significant differences in secretions of the VEGF and HGF growth factors (8.55 ± 2.26402 pg/mL and 230.8 ± 45.9861 pg/mL, respectively) compared with mesenchymal stem cells of breastmilk with serum (21.31 ± 4.69 pg/mL and 2,404.42 ± 481.593 pg/mL, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Results obtained from our study demonstrate that both VEGF and HGF are secreted in vitro by human breastmilk mesenchymal stem cells. The roles of VEGF and HGF in surfactant secretion, pulmonary maturation, and neonatal maturity have been well established. Thus, we emphasize that breastmilk-derived MSCs could be a potent therapeutic source in treating neonatal diseases. Besides, due to its immense potency, the study also emphasizes the importance of breastfeeding, which is promoted by organizations like the World Heatlh Organization and UNICEF.

Half-sandwich iridiumIII complexes with pyrazole-substituted heterocyclic frameworks and their biological applications

Low-spin IrIII organometallic half-sandwich complexes of type [(η5-C5Me5)Ir(XY)Cl]+ (XY = bipyrazoles (4a–4b)/pyrimidin-2-amines (5a–5b)/triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines (6a–6b)) have been synthesized and characterized. All the newly synthesized compounds have been evaluated for their DNA binding properties with calf thymus (CT DNA), which revealed enhancement in the binding constant (Kb) of the complexes. The compounds bearing an imidazole substituent proved to be better binders than compounds containing a phenoxy linkage. Molecular docking attests that π–π stacking interactions have been observed between the receptor and the compounds. Furthermore, the observed DNA cleavage potency has been ascribed to a multitarget mechanism of action of these compounds. Intriguingly, the chelation of ligands with IrIII led to a remarkable enhancement of antibacterial activity against the arbitrarily selected two Gram +ve and three Gram −ve bacterial strains. The complexes of triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines proved to be the most cytotoxic compounds towards brine shrimp and S. pombe cells compared to pyrazole-containing heterocyclic frameworks. All complexes showed potent cytotoxicity as compared to the ligands, with IC50 values ranging from 78 to 234 μM toward A549 human lung cancer cells. The potency of the compounds toward these cancer cells was in the order pyrimidin-2-amines > bipyrazoles > triazolopyrimidines.

Optimization of cellulase production by Penicillium oxalicum using banana agrowaste as a substrate

The purpose of this study was to produce a higher amount of cellulase by using an alternative carbon source, such as banana agrowaste, and to optimize the fermentation parameters for a high yield. In the present study, cellulase-producing Penicillium was isolated from a decaying wood sample. Different nutritional and environmental factors were investigated to assess their effect on cellulase production. The highest crude enzyme production was observed at a pH 6.0 and a temperature of 28°C in a medium that was supplemented with banana agrowaste as the carbon source. Pretreatment with 2N NaOH, at 7% substrate (banana agrowaste) concentration yielded the highest cellulase activity. Further to this, the effect of other parameters such as inoculum age, inoculum size, static and agitated conditions were also studied. It is concluded that Penicillium oxalicum is a powerful cellulase-producer strain under our tested experimental conditions using banana agrowaste as the carbon source.

Breast milk cell components and its beneficial effects on neonates: need for breast milk cell banking

Universal breastfeeding has been a stated policy of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization as well as UNICEF. Human milk is considered as the gold standard for infants owing to its colossal nutritional values. However, the presence of various cellular components of breast milk have been gaining more attention in recent years since the first discovery of mammary stem cells in 2007, thereby providing a ray of hope not only for growth and immunity of the neonate but also an insight into its regenerative applicability. In this relation, this article summarizes the cell components of breast milk that have been identified to date. It highlights the beneficial effects of these cells for term and preterm delivered infants along with the need for breast milk and its cell banking.

Application of an industrial waste magnetic iron dust as a solid phase support for immobilizing enzyme of industrial applications

Magnetic iron dust, a byproduct by many chemical industries that performs the reduction of nitro compounds to amine, was used for laccase immobilization. The characterization of magnetic iron dust was done by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, and dynamic light scattering. Biodegradable polymer, chitosan, was coated on to the magnetic iron dust by reverse phase suspension method, which was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared analysis. Immobilization of the laccase enzyme was done onto the chitosan-coated and non-coated magnetic iron dust. The immobilization was monitored by Fourier-transform infrared analysis. Binding efficiency, optimum pH, and optimum temperature for these immobilized laccases were investigated. X-ray diffraction pattern of magnetic iron dust confirmed presence of magnetite (Fe3O4) and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) with a particle size of 529.6 nm measured by dynamic light scattering. Laccase was immobilized on chitosan-coated and non-coated magnetic iron dust, monitored by Fourier-transform infrared spectra. Binding efficiency of the laccases was found to be 100% onto the coated and non-coated magnetic iron dust and their activity remained to be 63% and 82%, respectively, even after the 10th cycle of their use. The present results demonstrated the applicability of these immobilized laccase system in the industry in terms of their reusability and waste recycling.

Impact of embryo co-culture with cumulus cells on pregnancy & implantation rate in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization using donor oocyte

Background & objectives: Cumulus cell co-culture of embryo had been found to be beneficial for achieving better pregnancy and implantation rate (IR). The present study was aimed to evaluate efficiency of cumulus co-culture technique over simple culture of embryo in terms of pregnancy rate (PR) and IR in patients undergoing treatment for infertility using donor oocytes fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study between control and study groups. The primary endpoint was achievement of pregnancy. Control group included 508 women who underwent embryo development without cumulus cell co-culture and study group included 394 women who underwent embryo development with cumulus cell co-culture using donors cumulus cells. Results: The present study demonstrated a significant increase in the IR (37.2 vs 24.2%, P<0.001) and in PR (45.7 vs 37.8%, P<0.05) in study group than in control group. The PR and IR were found to be higher in study group, among all groups of women, grouped on the basis of different indications for use of donor oocytes. Interpretation & conclusions: Cumulus cell co-culture technique was found to be more effective than simple culture technique for embryo development in women undergoing treatment for infertility using donor oocytes fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection.