Molecular and Genetic Medicine

Naja naja is a highly poisonous snake species of cobra in Elapidae family and is commonly found in middle Asia. Long neurotoxin 3 from Naja naja binds to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the postsynaptic membrane, preventing the binding of acetylcholine and blocks excitation of muscles. Antigenic peptides are complex biomolecules that have unique chemical and physical properties resulting of their amino acid composition. In this study, we have predicted the binding affinity of Long neurotoxin 3 from Naja naja having 71 amino acids, which shows 63 nonamers. Peptide fragments of the neurotoxin can be used to select nonamers for use in synthetic peptide vaccine design and to increase the understanding of roles of the immune system in neurotoxin studies. Antigenic peptides of Long neurotoxin 3 from Naja naja are most suitable for synthetic peptide vaccine development because with Small segment' 15-PNGHVCYTKT-24, 26-CDAFCSIRG-34, 36- RVDLGCAATCPTVKTGVDIQCCSTD-60 called the antigenic epitopes is sufficient for eliciting the desired immune response. In this research, we predict of MHC class I and II binding peptide because MHC molecules are cell surface proteins which take active part in immune response, antigenicity, Solvent accessibility, polar and nonpolar residue that are likely exposed on the surface of proteins that are potentially antigenic that allows to design synthetic peptide vaccine.

The environmental sustainability and use of environmentally acceptable biomaterials are major areas of scientific and industrial research. In recent times, identification and application of suitable biopolymers instead of petroleum derived conventional polymers are gaining more attention. Chitosan and chitosan derived nanoparticles and nanocomposites are very promising due to their versatile properties and have found applications in various areas such as biomedical, foods, food packaging and personal care. Many studies suggest that chitosan nanoparticles and their derivatives are one of the best barrier and film coating materials for preserving the quality of foods and for delivering skin care products, mainly due to their biodegradability and anti-microbial properties. The present review gives insight on the progress made in the application of chitosan nanoparticles specifically in foods and food packaging, personal care products and in biomedical industry. Future studies shall address establishment of industrial scale up of chitosan nanoparticles, safety and quality aspects of these chitosan derived products for human use.

The effects of four variable factors such as protein, sorbitol, montmorillonite (MMT) and chitosan on the properties of multi-composite shark catfish skin gelatin films were evaluated based on Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Incorporation of chitosan had positive effect on tensile strength, Young’s Modulus and water vapor transmission rate (p<0.05). On the other hand, chitosan and MMT had decreased the elongation of the films (p<0.05). The transparency of the gelatin film was increased by the addition of gelatin and chitosan, whereas it was decreased by the addition of MMT. From the present study, it may concluded that gelatin films with good mechanical and barrier properties could be achieved with 4.50% gelatin, 25% sorbitol, 0.37% MMT and 3.25% chitosan. Thus, multicomposite gelatin films with any desirable properties could be formulated based on the results of the response surface methodology and these films shall be suitable for edible films or coatings for fish and other food products in food processing industries.

Background: Treatment process for heavy metal and dye removal is a worrying factor in environmental health because it can contribute to the formation of new contaminants.

Objectives: To obtain and use chitosan from Zygomycetes for removal process of heavy metal (cadmium) and azodyes (Reactive Black and Remazol Red).

Methods: Chitosan was obtained by Rhizopus arrhizus UCP 402 and Mucor javanicus UCP 69 following the described method of Synowiecki and Al-Khateeb (1997) and submitted to removal tests for 18 h, with different concentrations of Cadmium (0.5-4 mM), Reactive Black (B) and Remazol Red (1-1000 mg/L) in orbital shaker under 150 rpm at 28°C. Then, the samples were submitted to spectrophotometry and chitosan exposed to the contaminants were submitted to electronic microscopy analysis.

Results: The efficiency of cadmium removal by Rhizopus arrhizus chitosan showed data of 92% (0.5 mM), 92.8% (1 mM), 75.9% (2 mM), 54% (3 mM) and 54.5% (4 mM) at pH 6.0. The efficiency of dyes removal by Mucor javanicus chitosan was about 100% (1 mg/L), 100% (10 mg/L), 100% (50 mg/L), 98% (100 mg/L), 55% (1000 mg/L) for Reactive Black (B) and 100% (1 mg/L), 100% (10 mg/L), 100% (50 mg/L), 98% (100 mg/L), 59% (1000 mg/L) for Remazol Red.

Conclusion: Chitosan obtained by the strains was capable of removing cadmium and the reactive dyes: Reactive Black (B) and Remazol Red in all conditions tested.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of chitosan-glycerol phosphate (chitosan- GP) gel with the articular environment following implantation into experimental osteochondral defects in horses. The animals were submitted to experimental arthroscopy of both tibiotarsal joints for creation of osteochondral defects on the medial aspect of the lateral trochlear ridge. One hindlimb was randomly selected for treatment with chitosan-GP gel, while the contralateral hindlimb served as untreated control. Horses were followed at different time points over 24 months, by clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, and synovial fluid analysis. Enlargement of all operated joints occurred in both hindlimbs during the first 30 days. No radiographic signs of osteoarthritis appeared, in treated or untreated joints. Ultrasonography revealed similar defect filling tissue, and synovial fluid with similar characteristics in either treated or untreated control joints, with osteochondral defect areas progressively decreasing. Synovial fluid analysis have shown no differences in the total protein, prostaglandin E2, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid concentrations, and white blood cell count, when comparing treated to untreated control joints. In conclusion, Chitosan-GP is biocompatible with the equine articular environment, and did not cause relevant clinical effects, inflammatory response or toxic effects in the horse joints.

Pharmaceutical products are being increasingly detected in the environment. However, conventional treatment systems do not provide an adequate treatment for pharmaceutical drug elimination and still there is not a regulated standard for their limitation in water. Adsorption is one of the most effective and practical techniques to remove pollutants from water. Nowadays, considerable focus is on development of natural wastes to be utilized as adsorbent in wastewater treatment plants. Among bio waste materials, chitosan has many applications in various fields based on its chemical and physical properties together with being abundant and cheap. Chitosan has removal capabilities for certain pollutants from water such as dyes, metal ions, phenol and different anions. Moreover it is widely used as carrier for pharmaceutical components in drug delivery. Based on the properties and applications that are already known for chitosan, using it to remove pharmaceuticals could resolve costly and inefficient techniques that are currently employed in wastewater treatments. In this paper the potential of chitosan and its derivatives for removal of pharmaceutical has been discussed.

Drug delivery system with controlled release technology has emerged as a powerful tool for the treatment of various diseases. The therapeutic index of the active agent can be enhanced by increasing its stability, solubility and bioavailability, along with specific site delivery. Polymers have been playing an integral role as carrier in formulating an efficient drug delivery system by their stability, drug loading capacity and tunable properties. ‘Chitosan’ the natural cationic polymer derived from chitin has received growing attention mainly due to their biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic, mucoadhesive and ability to target specific delivery properties. Chitosan has itself many medicinal properties like antimicrobial, antioxidant, low immunogenicity etc. which enhance its potential in different biomedical applications. The various techniques for preparation of chitosan micro/nano particles are discussed in this review. Various types of chitosan based drug delivery systems are surveyed to elucidate its role in different biomedical applications.

Diabetes mellitus is a potent metabolic disorder of this time. Due to the progression of disease itself and along with the collateral damages by its various complications this is being considered as one of the greatest threat to patient’s well-being & status. During recent years the prevalence of ulceration in diabetic patients especially foot ulcer has dramatically increased, causing tremendous negative impact over the patient. But unfortunately, there is no reliable animal model that resembles human diabetic foot ulcer, thus the study of ulcer healing under conditions of “diabetes mellitus” remains a challenge. In this literature, we describe a new approach to establish an experimental model that accurately resembles human diabetic foot ulceration. This new model will likely provide a superior way to study diabetic foot ulceration. The objective of this study was aimed to investigate and compare the established “rat models of diabetic foot ulceration” in order to determine the most suitable option that represents the similar state of the disease in human. Diabetic sample were prepared by using Wistar rats and they were divided in to four groups - A. Diabetic foot scalded group, B. bilateral popliteal artery ligation group, C. Diabetic foot scalded plus popliteal artery ligation group, D. Disease control group. After a period of thirty days the rats were assessed by- nail discoloration, degree of muscular atrophy, size of ulcer, purulent secretions and presence granulation tissue in the wound bed. Our study concludes that- “diabetic foot scalded plus popliteal artery ligation group” rats most closely resemble the symptoms of the human diabetic foot.

Peroxides are an interesting group among biological active natural compounds. These metabolites contain a peroxide group (-O-O-) in which each oxygen atom is bonded to the other oxygen and to another atom. β-Oxygen in hydroperoxide group is considered as more active. Present review describes research on more than 230 natural peroxides isolated from plants, algae, and fungi. Intensive searches for new classes of biologically active metabolites produced by terrestrial and marine origin have resulted in the discovery of dozens of compounds possessing high antimalarial, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and other pharmacological activities as an important source of leads for drug discovery.

Background: Therapies for muscular dystrophies remain a major challenge in spite of advanced strategies using either cell or gene therapy. We here propose a combined approach of cell and gene therapy. As gene delivery vehicles with specific homing potential we have chosen mesoangioblasts which are stem cells with mesodermal potential. This study specifically tests the maintenance of myogenic properties by EGFP-transduced mesoangioblasts and their ability to function as retroviral packaging cells in transient culture.

Methods: Mesoangioblasts transduced to express EGFP (EGFP-MA) were tested for myogenic properties in coculture. Survival and in situ myogenic differentiation were studied upon injection into degenerating M. gastrocnemius of athymic mice. In situ participation in muscle regeneration was confirmed on cryo-sections using EGFP fluorescence as marker. The ability of mesoangioblasts to serve as retroviral packaging cells was tested using the murine cell line NIH 3T3 fibroblasts as recipients in vitro and evaluation of transduction by fluorescence microscopy.

Results: EGFP-MA retained the ability to differentiate into skeletal muscle myotubes upon co-culture with C2C12 cells. In vivo, mouse M. gastrocnemius exhibited EGFP-signals within and at the basal lamina of skeletal muscle fibers 3, 10 and 24 days after injection of EGFP-MA. In culture, target cells could be transduced with EGFPencoding virions produced by mesoangioblasts.

Conclusions: Introduction of a retroviral vector into mesoangioblasts did not interfere with the myogenic properties of mesoangioblasts in culture or in vivo. Mesoangioblasts are able to function as retroviral packaging cells in vitro. While a possible therapeutic application of this new gene delivery system will require further detailed analysis of the long-term efficiency and the quantitative aspects of the method, our proof of principle study shows that the approach is feasible.

Inherited thrombophilia has recently been identified as a major cause of thrombembolism, but it may also contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes and recurrent pregnancy loss. Three gene mutations namely leiden (FV G1691A), prothrombin (FII G20210A), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) are the most common types of hereditary thrombophilias in women with RPL, which in turn can result in placentation. These are usually undiagnosed, because most carriers are asymptomatic. The aim of this study was to determine the association of specific inherited thrombophilias and recurrent pregnant loss (RPL) among Saudi women. The study included 142 females were 72 had a history of 2 or more events of fetal loss in any of the 3 trimesters of pregnancy. The remaining 70 were clinically healthy women with a good obstetric history and have designated as a control group. Detection of inherited thrombophilia genes mutations was confirmed using different PCR screening protocols. The frequencies of FV & FII mutations related to the pregnancy loss stages showed that FV mutation ratio was similar among cases with early or late stage pregnancy loss (25% - 26%) but significantly higher than that of controls (1.4%). On the other hand FII mutation ratio was high among cases with late pregnancy loss (50%) followed by early pregnancy loss (38%) and was significant higher than that of controls (1.4%). MTHFR C677T mutation was more common in group of women with fetal loss in first trimester compared to the controls. We have reported that the combinations of two or more thrombophilic polymorphism risk factors were observed in 10.8% healthy Saudi women with unexplained RPL while no more than one risk factor was observed in any of the controls. We concluded that there is a strong association between the combined inherited thrombophilic mutations related to FV G1691A, FII G20210A, and MTHFR C677T genes among Saudi women. Our data confirm the hypothesis that inherited thrombophilia is indeed a significant abnormality in the RPL subjects.

The understanding of genetic factors involved in the risk for obesity has identified genes that are closely linked to obesity related diseases. A single gene effect versus multiple genes effect may indicate either the interaction unique to various environments that regulate abnormal molecular or cellular events responsible for obesity with several hypotheses proposed in relation to the development of obesity. The understanding of the development of adipogenesis has been the focus of the global community with obesity genetics, epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and transcription factors important to the world-wide obesity epidemic with increased risk for adiposity. The search for specific genes that are sensitive to nutritional regulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, endocrine disease, lipid/ glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s disease has been the focus of the current obesity epidemic in various developed countries. Epigenetics is now considered as an important mechanism for the development of obesity and can result from changes in cellular chromatin structure without alterations in DNA sequence, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin remodelling. Epigenetic modifications induced by unhealthy diets and the environment effect nuclear/mitochondria interactions and implicate nuclear receptors such as Sirt 1 as a single gene effect with interactions with microRNA and transcription factors such as p53 that regulate cellular and immune events with effects on cellular lipid metabolism and energy expenditure that induce senescence with poor DNA repair. Epigenetic modifications in various communities are now closely involved in NAFLD associated with excess transfer of fat to the adipose tissue and the induction of obesity in developed countries. The failure of various anti-obese drugs has encouraged the use of nutrigenomic diets that reverse senescence and assist in the early nutritional intervention that reverses NAFLD with reduced adiposity.

Down syndrome (DS) is a complex disorder characterized by well-defined and distinctive phenotypic features. Different karyotypes are associated with varying phenotypic expression of DS. The type of karyotypes in the children with DS plays an important role in genetic diagnosis and family counselling. This study describes the characteristics of karyotypes leading to phenotypic Down syndrome in 1213 cases diagnosed between 1992 and 2009 in South Region of Turkey. The frequency of occurrence of the different karyotypes was analyzed. The karyotype results were normal in 9.1% of all cases. However, chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) were detected in nearly 91% of all cases. The free trisomy 21 was the most common karyotype (nearly 93% of all cases). The ration of mosaic trisomy 21 was 2.5%. The CAs in addition to trisomy 21 was present in 1.5% of cases. The ratio of Robertsonian and reciprocal translocations in these variants were 2.3% and 0.3%, respectively. The ration of other variants was nearly 1%. This study showing the frequency and distribution of karyotypes causing DS, are the great value to be gleaned from studies of DS patients in furthering our understanding of the atypical clinical features associated with DS. These cytogenetic investigations carried out greatly helped in the management of these children and for counseling the affected families.

The concept of therapeutic and diagnostic activities is mainly concerned to medical and pharmaceutical sciences. However, the recent trends earmarked the synergistic approaches of science and technology to provide more vibrant and effective medical treatment for the solution of health complications in medical sciences and it’s the genesis of modern medical diagnostic. Hence, medical research is directed towards most promising and challenging fields of therapeutics + diagnostics = theranostics. The feasibility of theranostics nowadays is apprehended in various disease diagnostics and curing processes. The modern medical diagnostic techniques are based on molecular imaging where each technique has its own characteristics, merits and demerits and most of the imaging modalities are complementary to each other. To provide better results of imaging the theranostic agents play very important role. The useful biopolymer research has been assisted towards the evolution of improved imaging agents in the form of quantum dots, nanoparticles and other new regenerative medication. The mini review focuses on theranostic development with special emphasis on quantum dots, and nanoparticles in the light of biopolymer, chitosan for cancer diseases.

Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) both are genetic blood disorders occurring by destruction in red blood cells (RBCs). Every year about 300,000 infants worldwide are born with Thalassemia syndrome (30 per cents) and sickle cell anaemia (70 per cents. Globally, the percentage of carriers of Thalassemia is greater than that of carriers of SCA, but because of the high frequency of the sickle cell gene in certain regions the number of affected births is higher than with Thalassemia. Due to a large population, and same blood, marriage in many communities, there is always a high chance of genetic disorders in Chhattisgarh which is one of the growing states of India. The incidence of genetic blood diseases in Chhattisgarh is considered high. According to the screened population, it is observed that the prevalence of SCD was 2.1%, sickle cell trait was 10% among different tribes. Also Thalassemia gene is prevalent in different Here we are describing the challenges, including lack of knowledge about genetic disease and less facility faced by parents in the Chhattisgarh his children affected by Thalassemia and SCD. We use Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), a genetic approach for the prediction of allelic frequencies of SCD and Thalassemia. The aim of this study is to generate carrier frequencies of both the disease using HWE and accepting a number of resources which are useful for the eradication of SCD and Thalassemia from the affected population group.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a complex heterogeneous neuro-developmental disorders with varying degrees of severity that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. ASD research has received considerable attention and continues to be focused because of limited options available for its successful management. The detail understanding of the ASD etiology has now been progressed to encompass genetic, epigenetic, neurological, hormonal, and environmental factors that may affect the individual symptoms of the patients with ASD. The diagnosis of ASD is not that easy since there is no clinical test, such as blood test, available for diagnosis. Specific set of genetic and epigenetic biomarkers represented by a characterized phenotype can respond efficiently to the treatment with a specific drug or intervention. Nevertheless, children and young people with ASD have higher chances of developing unbearable side effects from the use of medications. The general etiology (genetic and epigenetic) and associated symptoms, biomarkers and treatment options of autism are briefly discussed in this article.

We describe a third case with clinical characterization due to 7p22.1 microduplication in an 8 year old female diagnosed concurrently with autoimmune Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. We propose that 7p22.1 microduplication can be associated with autoimmune arthritis as consequent copy number variations in autoimmune gene susceptibility loci within chromosome 7. Our case highlights the need for joint surveillance in children with microduplication syndromes and further contributes towards 7p22 duplication being a recognizable dysmorphic syndrome.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide that is characterized pandemic features. Metabolic diseases, neurohumoral state, and systemic inflammatory response are considered the origin of microvascular endothelial cell inflammation that leads to development of CHF and supporting cardiac remodelling and vascular dysfunction. Endothelial-derived microparticles (EMPs) are considered a novel biological marker of endothelial injury and vascular tone disorders. Biological effect of EMPs realizes through supporting of cell-to-cell cross-talking mediated by transport microRNA, active molecules, hormones, peptides, regulator proteins, etc. EMPs derived from activated endothelial cells may play a pivotal role in the vascular remodelling and endothelial reparation. In opposite, EMPs originated from apoptotic endothelial cells are considered a direct trigger of vascular injury. The review is addressed to discussion of one of possible mechanism of effect realizing of endothelial-derived microparticles different origin in heart failure affected endogenous reparation and tissue injury.

Background: MGMT methylation, along with 1p/19q co-deletion and IDH1 mutation, is an important biomarker in high grade gliomas. MGMT methylation indicates an improved response to temozolomide chemotherapy; patients with 1p/19q co-deleted anaplastic oligodendrogliomas benefit preferentially from adjuvant chemotherapy. Pyrosequencing is a method that allows the level of MGMT methylation to be measured in a quantitative manner.
Aim: To compare the mean MGMT promoter methylation level of high grade gliomas and correlate it with other clinical parameters and markers including 1p/19q co-deletion and mutation to IDH1or IDH2.
Methods: Pyrosequencing was used to quantitatively detect the level of MGMT promoter methylation for 171 high grade gliomas mutations to IDH1 and IDH2 genes were also detected by pyrosequencing, or immunohistochemistry (n=166). Screening for 1p/19q deletion was by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (n=46). Statistical analysis was performed using R-Stats v2.15.2.
Results: Higher methylation was correlated with lower grade and mutation to either IDH1 or IDH2 (27.0% vs. 16.6% p = 0.008; and 27.5 vs. 16.1 p = 0.002 respectively). 1p/19q co-deletion versus non co-deletion was associated with a particularly high level of methylation (42.2% vs. 17.7% p = 0.001). No significant differences were seen for age or gender.
Conclusions: The results offer a potential explanation for the improved prognosis seen in glioma patients with 1p/19q co-deletion.