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Introduction: The phenotypic plasticity of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is central to growth and remodeling processes, but also contributes to cardiovascular disease. This unique ability of VSMCs to reversibly differentiate and de-differentiate is incompletely understood. SUV39H1 is a histone methyltransferase that specifically trimethylates Lysine-9 of histone H3 (H3K9me3), resulting in transcriptional repression through epigenetic gene silencing. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that SUV39H1 may play a role in SMC phenotypic switch. Methods: Using in vitro and in vivo approaches including knockdown, qPCR, western, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays to determine role of SUV39H1 in SMC plasticity. Results: A qPCR array screen of epigenetic regulators in VSMCs identified SUV39H1 mRNA as upregulated with PDGF induced dedifferentiation and downregulated with rapamycin induced differentiation. This was confirmed at the protein level. SUV39H1 knockdown significantly increased VSMC contractile protein mRNA, protein levels and decreased dedifferentiation associated gene expression, and also decreased PDGF-induced VSMC migration (n=4). Interestingly, we found that expression of KLF4, the master transcriptional regulator of dedifferentiation in SMCs, was dramatically decreased after SUV39H1 knockdown (n=5). We further noted that SUV39H1 knockdown decreased KLF4 mRNA stability (n=3). Mechanistically, SUV39H1 knockdown increased miRNA143, a well-known repressor of KLF4. ChIP assays at contractile gene promoters showed a significant decrease in H3K9me3 mark and an increase in H3K27 acetylation, an activation mark (n=4). Carotid artery ligation induced intimal hyperplastic lesions in wild type C57BL/6 mice, showed a significant increase in SUV39H1 and H3K9me3 expression compared to uninjured vessels. Conclusion: We identify SUV39H1 an epigenetic regulator of VSMC phenotype whose expression and activity increase with dedifferentiation in vitro and in vivo . Mechanistically, SUV39H1 influences VSMC chromatin marks and KLF4 expression to repress contractile phenotype. Understanding the role of SUV39H1 and its targets may have implications for developing new therapeutic strategies for treating vascular diseases.

Twenty-three scientists met at Krobielowice, Poland to discuss the role of growth, nutrition and economy on body size. Contrasting prevailing concepts, re-analyses of studies in Indonesian and Guatemalan school children with high prevalence of stunting failed to provide evidence for an association between nutritional status and body height. Direct effects of parental education on growth that were not transmitted via nutrition were shown in Indian datasets using network analysis and novel statistical methods (St. Nicolas House Analysis) that translate correlation matrices into network graphs. Data on Polish children suggest significant impact of socioeconomic sensitivity on child growth, with no effect of maternal money satisfaction. Height and maturation tempo affect the position of a child among its peers. Correlations also exist between mood disorders and height. Secular changes in height and weight varied across decades independent of population size. Historic and recent Russian data showed that height of persons whose fathers performed manual work were on average four cm shorter than persons whose fathers were high-degree specialists. Body height, menarcheal age, and body proportions are sensitive to socioeconomic variables. Additional topics included delayed motherhood and its associations with newborn size; geographic and socioeconomic indicators related to low birth weight, prematurity and stillbirth rate; data on anthropometric history of Brazil, 1850-1950; the impact of central nervous system stimulants on the growth of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; and pituitary development and growth hormone secretion. Final discussions debated on reverse causality interfering between social position, and adolescent growth and developmental tempo., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo

The 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait determined by the relative balance of prenatal testosterone (T) and oestrogen during the intrauterine development of foetus. Males on average have relatively lower 2D:4D than women in population. Lower 2D:4D is very often linked with greater physical ability, strength, superior sporting performance and many personality traits and behaviours which are seen more among the males. Recently, lower 2D:4D were associated with military and police services among the Polish women. The objectives of this study were to examine whether 2D:4D differed between the students of a study course for future military service and a civil study course and whether sex difference in this ratio is present in both these groups. The cross sectional study included 50 boys and 42 girls enrolled in the uniformed course and other 56 boys and 50 girls of a general course in an upper-secondary School. The lengths of the second (2D) and fourth fingers (4D) of each hand were measured to have the 2D:4D ratio. Height and weight were also recorded. Overall, as well as among the civil course students, males showed significantly lower mean 2D:4D compared to the females. But there was no significant sex difference in digit ratio among the uniformed course students. Besides, the females under uniformed course showed lower 2D:4D than the females in civil course, whereas, the male uniformed students had similar or almost same 2D:4D values with the male civil course students. Increased prenatal testosterone exposure might have a role in determining the choice towards a challenging future occupation and such effect is perhaps more pronounced in women than in males.

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are a critical component of blood vessel walls that provide structural support, regulate vascular tone, and allow for vascular remodeling. These cells also exhibit a remarkable plasticity that contributes to vascular growth and repair but also to cardiovascular pathologies, including atherosclerosis, intimal hyperplasia and restenosis, aneurysm, and transplant vasculopathy. Mouse models have been an important tool for the study of SMC functions. The development of smooth muscle-expressing Cre -driver lines has allowed for exciting discoveries, including recent advances revealing the diversity of phenotypes derived from mature SMC transdifferentiation in vivo using inducible CreER T2 lines. We review SMC-targeting Cre lines driven by the Myh11, Tagln , and Acta2 promoters, including important technical considerations associated with these models. Limitations that can complicate study of the vasculature include expression in visceral SMCs leading to confounding phenotypes, and expression in multiple nonsmooth muscle cell types, such as Acta2-Cre expression in myofibroblasts. Notably, the frequently employed Tagln / SM22 α- Cre driver expresses in the embryonic heart but can also confer expression in nonmuscular cells including perivascular adipocytes and their precursors, myeloid cells, and platelets, with important implications for interpretation of cardiovascular phenotypes. With new Cre -driver lines under development and the increasing use of fate mapping methods, we are entering an exciting new era in SMC research.

Enhanced platelet activation has been reported in patients with essential hypertension and heart failure. The possible contribution of platelet-derived thromboxane (TX)A

BACE-1 (β-secretase) has emerged as a promising drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD). BACE-1, an aspartic protease, acts on amyloid precursor protein (APP) prompting the formation and deposition of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). BACE-1 hindrance has direct ramifications in AD pathology without generally influencing viability. However, inhibition of BACE-1 specifically through in vivo models has introduced numerous issues to the researchers. Since its identification in 2000, inhibitors covering a wide range of auxiliary classes have been structured and created. Advancement in these fields brought about targeted drug therapy that may reduce deposition of Aβ plaque in the brain. Natural product derivatives have always been a potential source of drug discovery process, and they are considered to be safe and economical. Flavonoids are an abundance of naturally delivered BACE-1 inhibitors. Citrus bioflavonoids are distinguished as potential noncompetitive BACE-1 inhibitors. Further, xanthones displayed the hindrance of Aβ conglomeration and BACE-1 activity in vitro and in cells, notwithstanding their radical scavenging and metal chelation capacity. The manuscript has been focused to deliver a refreshed learning with array of phytoextracts and lead molecules with BACE-1 inhibitory potential.

Traditional medicines are widely recognized and used as therapeutic agents such as anti-inflammatory, cough remedies, antipyretic, etc. The myth with public concerning traditional medicine is that it is safe to consume as it has been bestowed by our forefathers and it can be consumed without prescription which have led to self-medication which in turn often led to disappointing side effects and end results. There is alarming need for increasing awareness to develop pharmacovigilance practices with regard to herbal and traditional medicines. The present status of pharmacovigilance and its tools have been developed in relation to drugs which are synthetic in nature. With recent several prominent drugs withdrawn from the market, the pharmaceutical agencies have raised the issue of pharmacovigilance. Early uncovering of signals from clinical and pharmacovigilance studies has now been adapted by main companies in order to detect and identify the association of risk with medicinal products and to effectively manage the risk by applying health hazard management plans during the life cycle of the product. Applying the methods to monitor the safety of traditional medicine is an exclusive challenge. A strong, well-defined system for monitoring adverse events is in a position for evaluating the safety of the drugs. In today’s world, there is an immense need to understand and implement pharmacovigilance with more activity of clinical research conducted all over the globe.

In current times the utilization of the natural starches in various aspects like as pharmaceutical, biomedical, food materials, etc. due to their uniqueness properties. Assam bora rice starch is a promising biopolymer as well as bio-carrier in different aspects. Natural starch as well as modified starch was being used abundantly as natural polymers in different drug delivery systems. The prime advantages of using natural starches are low cost, easily available, renewability, etc. Starch obtained from Assam bora rice is having potential applications in pharmaceutical industries such as excipients and binder and disintegrates in tablet formulations, as an active drug carrier in nano, microformulations, and controlled drug delivery formulations. Assam bora rice starch as a native starch is having maleate particles which are often used for drug delivery carrier in the field biomedical application. The reasons behind this were due to their non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and inexpensive nature. In this chapter, we specially focus on Assam bora rice starch to profile its different applications along with physicochemical and powder flow properties which drastically affect the compactness of the starch granules.

Objective:To determine if a global mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) cut-off can be established to classify underweight in adults (men and non-pregnant women).Design:We conducted an individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDMA) to explore the sensitivity (SENS) and specificity (SPEC) of various MUAC cut-offs for identifying underweight among adults (defined as BMI < 18·5 kg/m2). Measures of diagnostic accuracy were determined every 0·5 cm across MUAC values from 19·0 to 26·5 cm. A bivariate random effects model was used to jointly estimate SENS and SPEC while accounting for heterogeneity between studies. Various subgroup analyses were performed.Setting:Twenty datasets from Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, North America and South America were included.Participants:All eligible participants from the original datasets were included.Results:The total sample size was 13 835. Mean age was 32·6 years and 65 % of participants were female. Mean MUAC was 25·7 cm, and 28 % of all participants had low BMI (2). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the pooled dataset was 0·91 (range across studies 0·61–0·98). Results showed that MUAC cut-offs in the range of ≤23·5 to ≤25·0 cm could serve as an appropriate screening indicator for underweight.Conclusions:MUAC is highly discriminatory in its ability to distinguish adults with BMI above and below 18·5 kg/m2. This IPDMA is the first step towards determining a global MUAC cut-off for adults. Validation studies are needed to determine whether the proposed MUAC cut-off of 24 cm is associated with poor functional outcomes.

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin concentration during the period between five days before, and on the day of match, among rugby and handball players.MethodsThe study used a repeated measures design with the relative oxytocin level as the outcome variable measured at two subsequent points of time, viz., on five days before as well as on the days of matches. Nine male rugby players with a mean age of 27.62 years (SD = 4.21) and 18 male handball players with a mean age of 17.03 years (SD = 0.57) participated. Urinary oxytocin level was measured by ELISA immunoassay as a ratio to the concentration of creatinine [mg/ml] measured through colorimetric detection. Differences in oxytocin level were assessed by ANOVA with repeated measurements.ResultsThe OT/CRE levels significantly differed between the type of player (rugby or handball) but not between times of measurements. Tukey’s post-hoc tests revealed that significant differences were only between OT/CRE level in a day of match in rugby players and in 5 days before match in handball players (pConclusionThere was no change in oxytocin levels during the time periods between five days before and on the day of a match, in either of the two kinds of players. The change in oxytocin might be traceable during the match but not before a match and thus perhaps depends on a more subtle context of competition, but not on the assumption of competition.

Oxidative stress is considered to be a key mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of various diseases, like cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, diabetes, and aging etc. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia (irreversible) and accounts for most of the dementia cases. Oxidative stress is found to enhance the aggregation of Aβ and increases tau protein phosphorylation and polymerization. Depletion of antioxidant enzymes during oxidative stress increases the risk of AD through Aβ oligomerization and aggravated memory dysfunction. It has been hypothesized that α-secretase activity/expression is negatively associated with oxidative stress, whereas β- and γ-secretase activities are positively associated with oxidative stress. Exogenous antioxidants, available in plants, are always helpful in scavenging excess reactive oxygen species and act in synergy with endogenous antioxidants. The role of antioxidant phytochemicals in prevention and management of AD is a key focus of the current research described in this review. Antioxidants have been found to attenuate Aβ-induced apoptosis, to reduce Aβ production and aggregation, inhibit tau aggregation, inhibit oxidative stress-induced DNA/RNA/lipid/protein modifications, and lipid peroxidation, etc. This chapter focus on the role of traditional medicinal plants and their antioxidant phytochemicals in the treatment of AD, along with the probable mechanism of action of selected antioxidant phytochemicals, and the future strategy for research in this area.

In this work, we report the dynamic response of alternating-current-driven light-emitting diodes based on a range of hybrid halide perovskites. Electroluminescence (EL), which appears only in the positive section of a dc voltage, arises in both cycles under a sinusoidal ac voltage. Appearance of EL emission in negative cycles of the ac voltage is explained in terms of available residual charges injected in the previous positive cycle of the sinusoidal voltage; the relative intensity of EL emission in the negative cycle can be correlated to the ambipolarity of charge carriers in the ${\mathrm{CH}}_{3}{\mathrm{NH}}_{3}{\mathrm{Pb}\mathrm{Br}}_{x}{\mathrm{I}}_{3\text{\ensuremath{-}}x}$ series. At low frequencies of the ac voltage, the dynamic response of EL emission in any cycle is in phase with the applied ac voltage; interestingly, the EL emission starts to lag the sinusoidal voltage at higher frequencies. The phase lag also has a correlation to the ambipolarity of the active perovskite material. Finally, the frequency dependence of EL emission under an ac voltage provides the limiting frequency of device operation (\ensuremath{-}3 dB frequency) and thereby the effective carrier mobility in the active heterostructure.

Obstructive arterial diseases, including supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS), atherosclerosis, and restenosis, share 2 important features: an abnormal or disrupted elastic lamellae structure and excessive smooth muscle cells (SMCs). However, the relationship between these pathological features is poorly delineated. SVAS is caused by heterozygous loss-of-function, hypomorphic, or deletion mutations in the elastin gene (ELN), and SVAS patients and elastin-mutant mice display increased arterial wall cellularity and luminal obstructions. Pharmacological treatments for SVAS are lacking, as the underlying pathobiology is inadequately defined. Herein, using human aortic vascular cells, mouse models, and aortic samples and SMCs derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of ELN-deficient patients, we demonstrated that elastin insufficiency induced epigenetic changes, upregulating the NOTCH pathway in SMCs. Specifically, reduced elastin increased levels of γ-secretase, activated NOTCH3 intracellular domain, and downstream genes. Notch3 deletion or pharmacological inhibition of γ-secretase attenuated aortic hypermuscularization and stenosis in Eln-/- mutants. Eln-/- mice expressed higher levels of NOTCH ligand JAGGED1 (JAG1) in aortic SMCs and endothelial cells (ECs). Finally, Jag1 deletion in SMCs, but not ECs, mitigated the hypermuscular and stenotic phenotype in the aorta of Eln-/- mice. Our findings reveal that NOTCH3 pathway upregulation induced pathological aortic SMC accumulation during elastin insufficiency and provide potential therapeutic targets for SVAS.

Childhood obesity is increasing globally, and Poland is no exception. Studies indicate that relationship between obesity and psychological well-being is a complex issue and this needs further research. The objective of the present cross sectional study was to analyze the relationship between some temperament components and fatness among children in two developmental periods, approximately before and after adolescence. Participants included 122 children aged 11 years (57 boys and 65 girls), and 153 adolescents aged 17 years (64 boys and 89 girls) from 6 primary and 4 secondary schools in Wroclaw, Poland. Height, weight, triceps-, subscapular and abdominal skinfold thicknesses were measured. Temperament was assessed by a questionnaire of Buss and Plomin (1984) in two versions: EAS-C for children completed by parents and EAS-D for youth and adults. Physical activity (PAL) was also assessed by a questionnaire. Mean, median and standard deviation (SD) were calculated and Student's t tests were performed to test for significance of differences between groups. Chi squared (χ2) statistic was used to test the significance of differences in frequencies. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed to show the effect of the social - psychological factors on fatness. Controlling for socioeconomic status and physical activity level, activity, as a component of temperament had a significant effect on body fatness. The only component of temperament, which significantly influenced level of fatness in girls, was emotionality. These relationships differed according to sex and the two age groups concerned.

Epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the regulation of cell differentiation and function. Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are specialized contractile cells that retain phenotypic plasticity even after differentiation. Here, by performing selective demethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 di-methylation (H3K4me2) at SMC-specific genes, we uncovered that H3K4me2 governs SMC lineage identity. Removal of H3K4me2 via selective editing in cultured vascular SMCs and in murine arterial vasculature led to loss of differentiation and reduced contractility due to impaired recruitment of the DNA methylcytosine dioxygenase TET2. H3K4me2 editing altered SMC adaptative capacities during vascular remodeling due to loss of miR-145 expression. Finally, H3K4me2 editing induced a profound alteration of SMC lineage identity by redistributing H3K4me2 towards genes associated with stemness and developmental programs, thus exacerbating plasticity. Our studies identify the H3K4me2-TET2-miR145 axis as a central epigenetic memory mechanism controlling cell identity and function, whose alteration could contribute to various pathophysiological processes.

Enhanced platelet activation has been reported in patients with essential hypertension and heart failure. The possible contribution of platelet-derived thromboxane (TX)A2 in their pathophysiology remains unclear. We investigated the systemic TXA2 biosynthesis in vivo and gene expression of its receptor TP in 22 essential hypertension patients and a mouse model of salt-sensitive hypertension. The contribution of platelet TXA2 biosynthesis on enhanced blood pressure (BP) and overload-induced cardiac fibrosis was explored in mice by treating with low-dose Aspirin, resulting in selective inhibition of platelet cyclooxygenase (COX)-1-dependent TXA2 generation. In essential hypertensive patients, systemic biosynthesis of TXA2 [assessed by measuring its urinary metabolites (TXM) reflecting predominant platelet source] was enhanced together with higher gene expression of circulating leukocyte TP and TGF-β, vs. normotensive controls. Similarly, in hypertensive mice with prostacyclin (PGI2) receptor (IP) deletion (IPKO) fed with a high-salt diet, enhanced urinary TXM, and left ventricular TP overexpression were detected vs. normotensive wildtype (WT) mice. Increased cardiac collagen deposition and profibrotic gene expression (including TGF-β) was found. Low-dose Aspirin administration caused a selective inhibition of platelet TXA2 biosynthesis and mitigated enhanced blood pressure, cardiac fibrosis, and left ventricular profibrotic gene expression in IPKO but not WT mice. Moreover, the number of myofibroblasts and extravasated platelets in the heart was reduced. In cocultures of human platelets and myofibroblasts, platelet TXA2 induced profibrotic gene expression, including TGF-β1. In conclusion, our results support tailoring low-dose Aspirin treatment in hypertensive patients with unconstrained TXA2/TP pathway to reduce blood pressure and prevent early cardiac fibrosis.

SummaryMales and females differ in their preference for occupations and sporting activities, and differ also in risk-taking attitudes. In addition to other explanations, prenatal hormone exposure has been implicated in these gender-associated differences. The ratio of the relative lengths of the second-to-fourth digits (2D:4D) is a proxy indicator of prenatal exposure to testosterone relative to oestrogen. The 2D:4D ratio has been found to be associated with choice of occupation, particularly among females. This study investigated whether 2D:4D differed between police officers and a control group of civilians in Wrocław, Poland. Participants were 147 male and 55 female police officers and 91 male and 75 female civilian controls. The police officers had to undergo rigorous physical ability tests during recruitment and their job bore relatively higher risk, whereas the controls had a normal civilian lifestyle. Height, weight, hand grip strength and lengths of the second and fourth digits were measured. Analyses of variance and covariance were employed to assess the significance of difference in digit ratio between groups (police officers and civilians) allowing for interaction with sex. The policewomen, compared with the female controls, were taller and had stronger hand grip strength, but had lower 2D:4D in the right hand and average 2D:4D of both hands. However, male and female police officers slightly differed only in the right hand digit ratio but not in the left hand ratio or the average for the two hands. However, the control group showed significant sex differences in all digit ratios with higher (feminine) mean values in females. The study provides further evidence that prenatal testosterone exposure, as reflected in the 2D:4D ratio, might have an association with choice of occupation, particularly among females.

Self-reported morbidity (SRM) was positively associated with social cultural backwardness and with mortality in demographic studies. Its usefulness in assessing health status was criticized to be biased by subjectivity. This study assessed its association with anthropometric profile, an objective marker of health status. This cross-sectional study included 474 slum dwelling adult men. Height, weight and skin folds were measured. Body mass index, percent body fat, fat mass, fat mass index, fat-free mass, fat free mass index were computed. Morbidity was recorded as self-reported incidence of illness during the last month and in the previous year excluding the last month. All anthropometric measures, except height, and all body composition variables, except fat-free mass, showed the lowest values in repeated illness group and the highest values in the group reporting no illness. To conclude, SRM was strongly associated with anthropometry and body composition and thus with the health status.

North East India is a rich repository of flora and fauna. Due to its diverse climatic condition, geographical variation made this region a reservoir of biodiversity. The extensive variety of tribes and their vast traditional knowledge made this area a prime region of scientific investigation. Herbal medicines are growing its interest and widely accepted by the peoples worldwide. Researcher and government policies are also finding interest towards the medicinal plants and traditional knowledge of the tribes. The maximum tradition knowledge is not written in any form and the information passes generation to another. A number of researches, reviews, and systemic surveys were published in the last 30–40 years. Documentation, modification, and scientific investigation with modern tools can open new dimensions in modern disease control. Systemic scientific investigations with modern techniques and knowledge are the important tools for scientific validation of traditional knowledge. Herbal formulations, isolated phytochemicals, and their biological investigations can introduce new strategies for modern health management.

Medicinal plants are a source of biomolecules with therapeutic potential and as a lead to develop new drugs. Herbal medicines are considered as safer, better physiological compatibility and cost-effective. India is a gold mine of medicinal plants and a rich repository of traditional medicinal knowledge. Demand for the medicinal plant is increasing with expansion in human needs, numbers and trade purpose. Plants are mostly collected from wild sources that may pose a serious situation, along with this loss of biodiversity and forest is another major concern for sustainable supply of medicinal plants in the future. With the increased realization that many species are collected from wild sources and being over-exploited, agencies (private/public) are recommending bringing the important medicinal plants into cultivation systems. Cultivation of medicinal plant can decrease the amount to which wild populations are harvested, it will also help to preserve plant species from extinction and will promote socio-economic growth. This chapter deals with the medicinal importance and cultivation of yam, sarpagandha, opium, periwinkle, aloe, guggal, belladonna, nux vomica, medicinal solanum, aonla/amla, senna, isubgol, stevia, coleus, acorus, and ocimum.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disorder that manifests as a progressive deterioration of memory and mental function—a state of mind commonly referred to as “dementia” and causes changes in personality and behavior. AD was first described in 1906 by German neuropsychiatries Prof. Alois Alzheimer. Major pathological hallmarks of AD are characterized by deposition of abnormal amyloid β protein plaques, formation of neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein, and decline in cholinergic neurotransmission in brain. During the last decade, significant growth in Alzheimer’s prevalence has ignited the importance of more researches in the search of new medicine. One of the major clinical advances in the treatment of AD has been the use of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors to alleviate ACh level in brain although cholinergic compounds with nicotinic and muscarinic agonist properties also have attracted some interest. At present, there are very limited medications available to treat AD and most of the treatment is available only to delay the progression of symptoms and symptomatic relief for a short period of time. Medicinal plants represent a great deal of untapped reservoir of natural medicines and a potential source of natural AChE inhibitors. The structural diversity of their phytoconstituents makes them a valuable source of novel lead compounds for the quest of drugs to treat AD. Therefore, systematic ethnopharmacological screening of these plants may provide useful leads in the discovery of new drugs for AD therapy. With this background, a systematic review is prepared to bring forth an updated knowledge in various phytoextracts and their derivatives along with their possible action on cholinergic nervous system to ease AD therapy. Electronic database was used for searching the information related to studies performed in plants during last decades.

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to explore the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants being used by the different tribes of Thoubal and Kakching district of Manipur, India. The present study was executed throughout the different community lives in Thoubal and Kakching district of Manipur like Maitei, Meitei-Muslim, Loi, Taithibi, Chiru, Hmar, Gangte, Kabui, Kometc. People live in rural and remote areas largely depend on the local tribal healers for their basic healthcare needs who are using different plants parts in the form extract, infusion, decoction, juice, powder and paste to treat a number of diseases. Altogether 40 plant species belonging to 35 families were documented and discussed briefly with particular emphasis on their scientific name, common name, family, habit, plant parts, and medicinal benefits. The usage of aboveground medicinal plant species was higher (72.5%) compare to underground (12.5%) followed by whole plants (15%). This study found that 40 medicinal plants are used to cure around 56 ailments, and all most all medicinal plant species documented in this study are used to cure more than one ailment related to primary health care problem.

Bangladesh is a land of tropical forests and boggy jungle. As boasted with floral genetically plantation of herbs made it an excellent source of medicinal plants. The modern analysis of herbal plants designed with highly esteemed source of medicine to treat Diabetes mellitus. On these consequences the researcher illustrated the local application of raw medicinal products of herbs as a remedy of controlling diabetes. Herbal practitioner in Bangladesh both registered and nonregistered traditionally use some of the herbal plants and active chemical constituents which have a role in the management of Diabetes including type 1 and type 2. The research protocols is subjected as local implementation of home yard medicinal plant to control diabetes in a minimal cost reviewing for its anti diabetic activity without side effects.

Neoplasia is a type of abnormal and excessive growth of tissue. The growth of a neoplasia is uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue, and it persists growing abnormally, even if the original trigger is removed. This abnormal growth usually forms a mass. The main objective of the present research work was the synthesis, characterization and evaluation of in vivo antitumour activity of some novel 2, 5-disubstituted 1, 3, 4-oxadiazole derivatives. The in vivo antitumour activity of synthesized compounds was evaluated by HT 29 cell line induced malignant ascites on mouse model. The apoptosis of HT 29 cells was evaluated by using Gimsa and H33342 stain and the apoptosis ratios were analysed by FCM using AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining. The present experimental data displayed that the mortality was less in all groups except in tumour control group and all the synthesized compounds AB1-AB8 (100 mg/kg) significantly increased the PILS. While 5-FU increased the life span of 97.72%, and the PILS of synthesized compounds were found to be 45.45%, 59.09%, 68.18%, 56.81%, 38.63%, 84.09%, 77.27% and 90.90%. So the Synthesized compounds AB1-AB8 at the dose of 100 mg/kg significantly improved the overall survival of all treated animals and 5-FU was not significantly differed from each other in improving the overall survival of HT-29 cells. The apoptosis ratios of synthesized compounds were found as followed: AB1=26%; AB2=37.6%; AB3=43%; AB4=29%; AB5=24.1%; AB6=59.2%; AB7=48.2%; and AB8=63% respectively, while that of the Group-II (T. control) was 6.1%. When compared with standard drug 5-FU: 66.2%, it was indicated that compound AB8>AB6>AB7>AB3 were able to significantly induce HT-29 cells apoptosis.

Background: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an inherited vascular disorder that causes arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Mutations in the genes encoding Endoglin ( ENG ) and activin-receptor-like kinase 1 ( AVCRL1 encoding ALK1) cause HHT type 1 and 2, respectively. Mutations in the SMAD4 gene are present in families with juvenile polyposis-HHT syndrome that involves AVMs. SMAD4 is a downstream effector of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family ligands that signal via activin-like kinase receptors (ALKs). Ligand-neutralizing antibodies or inducible, endothelial-specific Alk1 deletion induce AVMs in mouse models as a result of increased PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase)/AKT (protein kinase B) signaling. Here we addressed if SMAD4 was required for BMP9-ALK1 effects on PI3K/AKT pathway activation. Methods: The authors generated tamoxifen-inducible, postnatal, endothelial-specific Smad4 mutant mice ( Smad4 iΔEC ). Results: We found that loss of endothelial Smad4 resulted in AVM formation and lethality. AVMs formed in regions with high blood flow in developing retinas and other tissues. Mechanistically, BMP9 signaling antagonized flow-induced AKT activation in an ALK1- and SMAD4-dependent manner. Smad4 iΔEC endothelial cells in AVMs displayed increased PI3K/AKT signaling, and pharmacological PI3K inhibitors or endothelial Akt1 deletion both rescued AVM formation in Smad4 iΔEC mice. BMP9-induced SMAD4 inhibited casein kinase 2 ( CK2 ) transcription, in turn limiting PTEN phosphorylation and AKT activation. Consequently, CK2 inhibition prevented AVM formation in Smad4 iΔEC mice. Conclusions: Our study reveals SMAD4 as an essential effector of BMP9-10/ALK1 signaling that affects AVM pathogenesis via regulation of CK2 expression and PI3K/AKT1 activation.

Herein, we have proposed a strategy to grow surface-modified cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles as an efficient hole-injecting layer (HIL) in all-inorganic cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs). Surface of the oxide nanoparticles was modified by different ligands (thiols or silane) which in turn tailored its conduction and valence band-edge energies. As evidenced from the density of states (DOS) spectra, such modification of band-edge energies tuned the band-alignment at the perovskite-HIL interface influencing the efficiency of the PeLEDs thereby. The device performance has been correlated with the band-diagram of the heterojunctions. The report hence provides a strategy to achieve a favorable band-alignment in perovskite-based heterojunctions for optoelectronic applications.

Background The ratio of the lengths of second finger (2D) to the fourth (4D) is a putative indicator of foetal hormonal exposure. The link between 2D:4D and physical strength or sports performance in not consistent. It was suggested that the association of 2D:4D with the sporting and physical ability is better demonstrated in the context of challenge and competition, either real or simulated. However the evidence is limited to a few studies till date. Aim The objective of this study was to assess whether an aggressive video show could increase muscular strength and if 2D:4D moderated such increase. Study design We compared outcome measures in two experimental conditions. Outcome measures Lengths of second (2D) and fourth (4D) digits and their ratio (2D:4D) for both hands, height and weight, handgrip strength of both hands. Subjects 250 healthy young adults (76 female). Results The mean left-, right- and average HGS values increased after aggressive video watching than after control blank screen show. The increase was higher in females compared to males. The increase was higher among the individuals with lower 2D:4D, more clearly among females. Conclusions The 2D:4D correlated negatively with HGS after exposure to challenge condition and this relationship is pronounced in females than males. Thus there is link between prenatal androgenisation and enhanced physical power in challenge situation.

Background Dillenia indica fruit is known for its numerous health benefits in folk medicine including its use to cure kidney diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of D. indica fruit extracts on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods A nephrotoxic dose of cisplatin (3 mg/kg b.w./day, i.p) was administered every fifth day to the animals receiving vehicle or fruit extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether) daily for 25 days. Rats were sacrificed on the 25th day, and the effect of extracts was assessed by determining the alterations in various serum and urine parameters, membrane-bound enzyme, and antioxidant defense system in kidney tissue. Results Increase in serum urea, uric acid, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, phospholipid, and cholesterol and a decrease in urine urea, uric acid, creatinine, and creatinine clearance rate were reported in the cisplatin control group. Cisplatin alters electrolyte balance, brush border membrane marker enzyme (i.e., alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase, leucine aminopeptidase) activity, and redox balance significantly. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of D. indica fruit produced beneficial effect and ameliorated serum and urine parameter to normal. Extract administration increases Na+/K+-ATPase activity and different enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants positively, whereas lipid peroxidation reduced significantly. Extracts exhibited a potent in vitro antioxidant activity. Conclusion Taking into account these results, it can be assumed that D. indica fruit could be the future key candidate which may maximize the clinical use of cisplatin in the treatment of different cancer without nephrotoxicity.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signal in response to various external stimuli including stress. GPCR signaling has been shown to play a critical role in the adaptation of cell response to limited oxygen supply. Hypoxia has been implicated in cardiovascular diseases, human pulmonary arterial responses, and persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns. One of the key GPCRs implicated in hypoxia is the prostanoid receptor, thromboxane A2 receptor (TP). Hypoxia can affect TP localization, stability, and activity both in vivo and in vitro. To elucidate hypoxia-mediated GPCR signaling in vitro, we lay out a general strategy to perform hypoxic experiments using both primary pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and TP expressed in HEK293T cells. We describe assay for measuring moderate tissue hypoxia using static cell cultures, monitoring pericellular media oxygen content, and signaling of TP.

There is sex-difference in humans as regards aerobic efficiency, physical strength and endurance and the sex difference is greatly dependent upon differential concentration of testosterone during different phases of growth and development including the intrauterine phase or prenatal growth. Second-to-fourth digit lengths ratio (2D:4D) is an putative indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure. Lower 2D:4D indicates higher prenatal testosterone exposure and vice versa. Males generally have lower 2D:4D than females. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the fitness measures and 2D:4D in young adult Polish males. The study included 118 Polish male students first course in General Kościuszko Military Academy of Land Forces in Wroclaw. Their mean (+SD) age was 20.4 (+1.60) years. Eurofit test set was employed to assess physical fitness. Apart from height, weight, second and fourth digit lengths, hand grip strength was also measured by a standard isometric dynamometer. The study showed a weak relationship between 2D:4D of right hand and results of physical fitness tests. The smaller was the 2D:4D, the better was the result of endurance and strength tests. This finding was in accord with reports by other studies, indicating that individuals with smaller 2D:4D tend to perform better in these aspects of physical ability. However, we also found an opposite relationship with the results to agility tests. Male students with higher 2D:4D scored better in 5x10 meters shuttle run. This finding did not match with results reported by other studies. This study indicated towards possibility that an association between low 2D:4D and sport and athletic achievement and also physical performances were due to, at least in part, the action of prenatal testosterone. Further studies are required to investigate the relationship of fitness parameters with digit ratio and ultimately with prenatal testosterone exposure.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signal in response to various external stimuli including stress. GPCR signaling has been shown to play a critical role in the adaptation of cell response to limited oxygen supply. Hypoxia has been implicated in cardiovascular diseases, human pulmonary arterial responses, and persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns. One of the key GPCRs implicated in hypoxia is the prostanoid receptor, thromboxane A2 receptor (TP). Hypoxia can affect TP localization, stability, and activity both in vivo and in vitro. To elucidate hypoxia-mediated GPCR signaling in vitro, we lay out a general strategy to perform hypoxic experiments using both primary pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and TP expressed in HEK293T cells. We describe assay for measuring moderate tissue hypoxia using static cell cultures, monitoring pericellular media oxygen content, and signaling of TP.

There is strong evidence concerning the involvement of reactive oxygen species in different gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. Although a number of synthetic agents in treating diverse GI disease are available, use of herbal medicine has received increasing consideration due to their low side effects, and proven curative/preventive benefits. Intake of herbs, vegetables, and fruits with high level of antioxidant is found to be inversely associated with the risk of several chronic diseases. Numerous medicinal herbs and phytochemicals have been investigated as complementary and alternative treatment for GI disease. Herbs are the central component of traditional formulations available around the world to cure oxidative stress-induced GI diseases. Antioxidant activity along with anti-inflammatory effect through the modulation of immune response, alteration of diverse transcription factors, or by reduction of certain cytokine release is considered as a key mechanism by which the herbs/phytochemicals confer GI protection. This chapter deals with the different herbs, polyherbal traditional formulation, and phytochemicals in prevention or treatment of GI disorders.

In this article, passive microwave observations in synergy with optical data are exploited to monitor floods and estimate vegetation submerging. The selected site is Sundarban Delta, at the borders between India and Bangladesh. The area is subject to severe monsoon in summer, producing heavy floods and vegetation submerging. Because of their high spatial resolution, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) signatures are used to evaluate the coverage fractions of bare soil, vegetated fields, and permanent water. Multifrequency Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) signatures are used to monitor vegetation submerging during monsoon. Results are compared with ground measurements of water level and plant biomass in both agriculture areas and wetlands. Previous studies indicated that, during monsoon, there is a clear effect of brightness temperature decrease and polarization index increase in the C, X and Ka bands over the areas affected by floods. X band data pro...

A series of substituted phenyl methyl piperazine triazolyl benzotriazoles 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g have been synthesized through the Mannich reaction of substituted phenyl triazolyl benzotriazoles 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g. The substituted phenyl triazolyl benzotriazoles were prepared from benzotriazolyl acetohydrazide, where the cyclization was facilitated through ammonium acetate and aryl aldehydes. The IR, 1H NMR, mass spectral data and elemental analysis were performed to assign the structure. All the newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.