Streptomyces sp. RP1A-12 mediated control of peanut stem rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii

Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. is a destructive soilborne fungal pathogen with a wide host range that includes peanuts. Biological control offers an interesting alternative to fungicides for sustainable management of soilborne diseases. The current investigation is aimed at evaluating one potential biocontrol agent Streptomyces sp. RP1 A-12 for growth promotion and the management of peanut stem rot disease caused by S. rolfsii under field conditions. Preliminary studies conducted under in vitro and the greenhouse conditions showed promising results against the stem rot pathogen. Further in vitro and pot experiments conducted to assess Streptomyces sp. RP1 A-12 for its growth promoting abilities using whole organisms have shown an increase in seed germination, root and shoot length. Other parameters like nodule number and plant biomass were also significantly increased over control treatments indicating that the test bioagent possesses growth promoting abilities along with disease suppression capabilities. Subsequently field studies were carried out for two consecutive rainy seasons. The bioagent was applied as whole organism and partially purified crude metabolites. Results indicate the bioagent reduced stem rot disease incidence by 64–67% and 22–49% respectively in two field trials conducted with notable increase in yield. Partially purified Streptomyces sp. RP1 A-12 metabolites exhibited an even greater effect in reducing the incidence and severity of stem rot compared to the pathogen inoculated control.

Clinicopathological Profile of Lung Cancers at an Institute from South India—A Record Based Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Apart from smoking as the known risk factor for lung cancer, recent developments implicate occupational exposure to carcinogens, indoor air pollution and dietary factors as other causative agents. In our study, we have analyzed the clinical and pathological profile of lung cancer patients treated at our center over a period of 8 years. Aim: To find the demographic and clinicopathological profile of lung cancer patients admitted to the oncology unit. Methods: This retrospective record based analysis includes a cohort of 1248 patients diagnosed with lung cancer, at a tertiary cancer care center in Bangalore, South India. This study includes data of patients admitted during the period 2010 to 2018, retrieved from the Hospital’s emergency medical records (EMR). Their demographic profile, clinical correlates, radiological profile and diagnostic details were studied. Benign tumours, malignant pleural disease and sarcomatoid tumors were excluded from this study. Results: Adenocarcinoma (AC) was detected among 70.4% of patients, Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) among 15.3% and Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) among 14.3% of lung cancer admissions. Male to female ratio was 2.95:1. It was found that the median age of lung cancer patients was 61 years. >60% of lung cancer patients were from the 51 - 70 year age-group. Across the three types of cancers among the patients in Stage 3B to 4 strata, >35% received palliative chemotherapy and >20% received palliative chemotherapy + radiation. Conclusion: In our study, AC is the most common histological subtype (>70%) of lung cancer. The outcome of lung cancer patients can be considerably impacted by addressing risk factors through preventive measures implemented in the community.

Nimotuzumab with Concurrent Chemoradiation in Inoperable Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck: An Indian Experience

Background: The prognosis of patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) overexpression in inoperable Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck (LASCCHN) remains poor. Nimotuzumab is an Anti EGFR humanized monoclonal antibody approved for treatment of LASCCHN, with concurrent chemoradiation. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of nimotuzumab with concurrent chemoradiation in inoperable LASCCHN patients. Methodology: This is a single-centre, single arm, retrospective study evaluating 35 patients with histologically confirmed inoperable LASCCHN (stages III-IV). The patients were administered IV cisplatin 50 mg/m2 and IV nimotuzumab 200 mg for 6 - 7 weeks, along with radiotherapy of 6600 - 7000 cGy over 35 fractions. Patients were evaluated over response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) criteria 12 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy. They were also followed up for overall survival and relapse free survival. Results: The median duration of follow-up was 20 months. The most common site of cancer was oropharynx (68.6%). One patient was lost to follow up. Objective Response Rate (ORR) was observed in 97% of the patients with 17 patients (48.6%) achieving complete response (CR) and 17 patients (48.6%) achieving partial response (PR). The median overall survival was 22.7 months (95% CI: 21.30, 34.27). The median relapse free survival was 16.7 months (95% CI: 9.80, 24.50). Nimotuzumab was safe and well tolerated with few mild, self-limiting adverse events. Conclusion: Nimotuzumab with chemoradiation is a safe and efficacious option in patients with LASCCHN. Larger studies are needed to verify the same.

Alternative routes of insulin delivery

Parenteral route of insulin administration has been the mode of treatment for all Type 1 diabetics and Type 2 diabetics with complications.Patient compliance has really been a major concern for this route of administration.Several alternative routes of administration are under consideration for effective glycemic control,including oral,inhaled,buccal,nasal,and patch routes.One of the approaches involving inhaled insulin has now reached the market.Several other candidates may reach the market in the near future,the promising one being oral insulin.

Three-dimensional aspects of formulation excipients in drug discovery:a critical assessment on orphan excipients,matrix effects and drug interactions

Formulation/pharmaceutical excipients play a major role in formulating drug candidates,with the objectives of ease of administration,targeted delivery and complete availability.Many excipients used in pharmaceutical formulations are orphanized in preclinical drug discovery.These orphan excipients could enhance formulatability of highly lipophilic compounds.Additionally,they are safe in preclinical species when used below the LD50 values.However,when the excipients are used in formulating compounds with diverse physico-chemical properties,they pose challenges by modulating study results through their bioanalytical matrix effects.Excipients invariably present in study samples and not in the calibration curve standards cause over-/under-estimation of exposures.Thus,the mechanism by which excipients cause matrix effects and strategies to nullify these effects needs to be revisited.Furthermore,formulation excipients cause drug interactions by moderating the pathways of drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transport proteins.Although it is not possible to get rid of excipient driven interactions,it is always advised to be aware of these interactions and apply the knowledge to draw meaningful conclusions from study results.In this review,we will comprehensively discuss a)orphan excipients that have wider applications in preclinical formulations,b)bioanalytical matrix effects and possible approaches to mitigating these effects,and c)excipient driven drug interactions and strategies to alleviate the impacts of drug interactions.

Nimotuzumab with Induction Chemotherapy and Chemo-Radiation in Patients with Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), is a common malignancy in the Indian Population. In locally advanced disease, chemoradiation is the standard of care. Although induction chemotherapy has been much studied, no clear benefit has been identified apart from laryngeal preservation. A few randomized trials have demonstrated improved response rate, disease free survival, and overall survival, with induction chemotherapy. Nimotuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR). Unlike other Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies, it is demonstrated to be safer when combined with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of concurrently administered nimotuzumab with chemo-radiotherapy in patients with HNSCC in usual health care setting. Methods: This was an open-label, single arm study, with retrospective analysis of results. Patients above 18 years of age, and having histologically confirmed, advanced HNSCC were included in the study. The patients were treated with 3 cycles of induction chemotherapy consisting of modified TPF regimen along with nimotuzumab (200 mg IV) on Day 1, followed by radiotherapy for a dose of 66 Gy along with concurrent weekly cisplatin (30 mg/m2) and nimotuzumab (200 mg) throughout the course of radiation. Patients were evaluated using RECIST criteria, 4 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy. Results: Sixteen patients were included in this study, with mean age of 54 ± 11 years.?Most common sub-site of cancer was oral cavity in 69% (n = 11), followed by pharynx in 19% (n = 3).?Four patients had metastasis at the time of presentation. Six patients (37.5%) had progressive disease and four patients (25%) were lost to follow-up. The combination chemotherapy with nimotuzumab was well tolerated. Addition of nimotuzumab to TPF regimen was not associated with added toxicity. Conclusion: Addition of anti-EGFR monocloncal antibody (nimotuzumab) to induction chemotherapy and chemoradiation may be a promising alternative to concurrent chemoradiotherapy in HNSCC due to known over expression of EGFR receptors. The results of this study need further evaluation in a larger study setting.

The status of research and utilisation on the subtidal kelp along the Chilean coast:A literature review

The most important marine coastal ecosystem in the Chilean coast are kelp forests.This review is based on ecological studies regarding different aspects of subtidal kelp ecosystems along the Chilean coast.It highlights the most interesting findings in(1)biology of subtidal kelp in Chile,with particular reference to(2)habitats formed by kelp,and considered the successful examples and promising results in the(3)kelp as an industrial resource(Biotechnological approach of kelps and aquaculture).The impact caused by(4)El Niño-Southern Oscillation is discussed as an important climatic event that could help to forecast the future of the kelp ecosystem.In addition,this literature review outlines the knowledge gaps on subtidal kelp along the Southeast Pacific Coast of Chile,so that research can be strengthened in the future.

Nano-Engineering of New Photoreactive Materials Having Fluorine Units: Synthesis and Photoalignment of Liquid Crystals

In order to investigate the photoalignment mechanism of nematic liquid crystals on an oxadiazoles, new 1,3,4-oxadiazole having fluorine atoms as terminal, as well as sideways was synthesized. Linearly polarized UV light shined in these nano-layered films causes the preferential direction of the liquid crystal molecules either perpendicular (in the case of terminal fluoro substitution) or parallel (in the case of sideways fluorine substitution) to the polarized direction. A powerful indication about the relationship between molecular structure and alignment properties where just by changing fluorine atom can change the entire alignment direction is proposed. Such information is indispensable for the design and synthesis of photoalignment materials for liquid crystal displays of high quality.