Anti-nociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Effects of the Leaf Extract of Vitex trifolia Linn. in Experimental Animals

The effect of Vitex trifolia Linn. (FamilyVerbenaceae) leaf extract was studied for the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity in experimental animals. V. trifolia, 25 – 100 mg/kg administered orally for 3 days exhibited graded dose response equivalent to 21.95% - 89.90% protection in the tail flick latent test in rat. The V. trifolia leaf extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o X 3 days) was effective in hot plate reaction time (64.05% and 112.97%, p\u3c 0.01 and p\u3c 0.001), analgesymeter induced mechanical pain (28.17% and 54.42%, p \u3c 0.01 and p \u3c 0.001) and acetic acid- induced writhing (26.68% and 51.79%, p \u3c 0.5 and p \u3c 0.05) in mice. The leaf extract of V. trifolia potentiated the analgesic activity with pentazocine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and aspirin (25 mg/kg, i.p.). In the carrageenan- induced paw edema V. trifolia leaf extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o X 3 days) decreased paw volume significantly (26.68% and 51.79%) and dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity in 1-3 hour time interval and potentiated with nimesulide (50 mg/kg, p.o.). In summary, this study demonstrates that leaf extract of V. trifolia has significant anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity

Strategies for improving early detection and diagnosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Treatment of the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been revolutionized by the introduction of such agents as ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and aflibercept. As a result, the incidence of legal blindness occurring secondary to AMD has fallen dramatically in recent years in many countries. While these agents have undoubtedly been successful in reducing visual impairment and blindness, patients with neovascular AMD typically lose some vision over time, and often lose the ability to read, drive, or perform other important activities of daily living. Efforts are therefore under way to develop strategies that allow for earlier detection and treatment of this disease. In this review, we begin by providing an overview of the rationale for, and the benefits of, early detection and treatment of neovascular AMD. To achieve this, we begin by providing an overview of the pathophysiology and natural history of choroidal neovascularization, before reviewing the evidence from both clinical trials and "real-world" outcome studies. We continue by highlighting an area that is often overlooked: the importance of patient education and awareness for early AMD detection. We conclude the review by reviewing an array of both established and emerging technologies for early detection of choroidal neovascularization, ranging from Amsler chart testing, to hyperacuity testing, to advanced imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography

Targeting Epigenetic Regulators for the Treatment of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Small-molecule inhibitors of the histone methyltransferase EZH2 hold great promise for the treatment of Germinal Center B-Cell-like Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (GCB-DLBCL). Compared to a 60% Objective Response Rate (ORR) in Phase I clinical trials, Phase II trial results for the EZH2 inhibitor EPZ-6438 reported an attenuation of response. Mechanisms contributing to lymphoma cell survival and growth after EZH2 ablation are poorly studied. In EZH2-mutant cells, we found that B-Cell Receptor (BCR) signaling was enhanced after EZH2 inhibitor treatment, and associated with an activated B-cell phenotype. Genetic manipulation of BCR, CD19 and CD79A greatly increased sensitivity to the EZH2 inhibitor EPZ-6438. Combination therapy with SYK, PI3Kdelta and BTK kinase inhibitors was highly synergistic in multiple lymphoma cell lines, regardless of EZH2 mutation status. At the epigenetic level, prolonged treatment with EPZ-6438 increased global levels of Histone H4 Arginine-3 asymmetric di-methylation. In a subset of lymphoma cell lines, combination therapy with EZH2 and Type I PRMT inhibitors showed synergy. Interestingly, Type I PRMT inhibitors were also highly effective as a single-agent, and mediated apoptosis in lymphoma cells by transcriptionally down-regulating the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2. To summarize, we have identified ways to improve EZH2 inhibitor sensitivity in DLBCL cells and revealed a critical role for the arginine methyltransferase PRMT1 in the regulation of lymphoma growth and survival. Therefore, PRMT1 presents a novel and promising target for the treatment of this cancer type

Rheology and microstructure of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fumed silica in nematic liquid crystals

by Goverdhan SinghM.Tech

Interaction between palladium and silicon carbide: A study for Triso nuclear fuel

The unique properties of SiC (wide band gap, high thermal conductivity, high electron mobility, and resistance to radiation effects) permits it to operate reliably at very high temperatures even in harsh environments and as coating layers in TRISO nuclear fuels. To optimize the SiC for use as a coating material in the nuclear reactor fuel design, it is important to elucidate the chemical bonding and interface formation of metal fission products (Pd, Ag, Cs, etc.) with SiC coating layers and to study the diffusion behavior of fission products into TRISO coating materials. It is known in the TRISO community that Pd is able to corrode the SiC layer. However, the detailed nature of this corrosion is still unknown; The objective of this thesis is to study the influence of fission products (Pd) on the chemical and electronic properties of the SiC coating layer in TRISO nuclear fuel particles. For this purpose, three series of interfaces (Pd/SiC) were prepared and studied using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS); The experimental approach comprises the preparation of Pd/SiC interfaces in-situ in our ultra-high vacuum system by electron-beam deposition of Pd onto suitable prepared SiC single crystal surfaces. In order to understand the impact of the SiC surface properties on the interface formation, a variety of surface preparation and modification schemes were employed. The results obtained give detailed information about the Pd/SiC interface formation. Thereby the study shows a diffusion at this interface, which is an important first step in understanding the corrosion of the SiC-layer in the TRISO particles

New approach towards carotane sesquiterpenes: a short synthesis of (-)-daucene

An enantioselective synthesis of sesqui-terpene hydrocarbon (-)-daucene 1 from R-(+)-limonene involving acid catalysed enone- olefln cyclisation (5 ° 6) as the key step is described

Oxa-bowls: formation of exceptionally stable diozonides with novel, C-H···o hydrogen bond directed, solid state architecture

Several tetraquinane-based diolefins on ozonization furnish unusually stable diozonides of 'bowl-like' topology and their solid state structure reveals interesting architecture woven through a network of unique C-H···O interactions

Restructuring α -pinene: novel entry into diverse polycarbocyclic frameworks

(-)-α-Pinene 1 has been restructured into a chiral cyclohexenone (+)-6, in which the functionalities were integrated to afford bicyclo[3.3.1]nonan 3,7-diones and a novel tricyclic skeleton 16 related to the sesquiterpene clovene. Intramolecular [2+2] photocycloadditions in (+)-6 and related 5-alkenylcyclohexenones provided an entry into some novel bridged tricyclic systems

A norbornyl route to azasugars: stereoselective synthesis of isofagomine analogues

A stereoselective synthesis of new isofagomine analogues has been achieved from a suitably functionalized cyclopentene intermediate extracted from the norbornyl framework. Double reductive amination or inter- and intramolecular N-alkylations are the key steps in constructing the piperidine ring. Isofagomine derivatives exhibit moderate inhibitory activity in enzyme assays

Longifolene as a chiron: extraction of the bicyclic core of the spongian-type diterpenoids

A short degradation of (+)-longifolene 1 to hydroazulene (+)-9 is described. Restructuring of 1 to a novel tricyclic framework (-)-10 is also reported