Cytotoxic and apoptotic activity of Scrophularia oxysepala in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify and develop therapeutic strategies against this deadly disease. This study is the first to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Scrophularia oxysepala in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Dichloromethane, methanol and n-hexane extracts of Scrophularia oxysepala were examined. The 3-(4,5-dimethylethiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) reduction and trypan-blue exclusion assays were performed in MCF-7 cells as well as control cell line MCF10A to analyze the cytotoxic activity of the plant. Furthermore, the apoptosis-inducing action of extracts of the plant was evaluated using cell death detection ELISA, the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that dichloromethane and methanol extracts significantly inhibited cell growth and viability without inducing damage to MCF10A cells. Cell death detection ELISA, morphological changes of cells in TUNEL assay, Western blot detection of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and increase in the mRNA expression levels of p-53, caspase-3 and c-myc showed that the induction of apoptosis was the main mechanism of cell death. Our results strongly suggest that this plant may contain potential bioactive compound(s) for the treatment of breast cancer.     

Stimulating environmental performance via green human resource management,green transformational leadership,and green innovation: a mediation-moderation model

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study aims to evaluate the environmental performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through green human resource...     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of esters of 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde oxime

A series of oxime esters was synthesized by esterification of 3-ethoxy-4-benzaldehyde oxime with acid chlorides in the presence of triethylamine. They were evaluated for their in vitro antifungal activity against three pathogenic fungi, namely Rhizoctonia bataticola, Fusarium udum, and Alternaria porii, and their antibacterial activity against the three bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoneae. The compounds bearing medium-length alkyl chains showed greater activity than those with long alkyl chains. An electron-donating group in para position of the aryl ring confers highest activity.     

Scavenging demeanor in Bahawalpur,Pakistan: social and health perspective

Social and health issues are now considered as an integral part of waste management system. Scavengers or waste pickers are the main victims in waste management sector. Objective of the cross sectional study carried out for a group of scavengers living in huts was to highlight the socio-demographic characteristic, working conditions and occupational health risks with main emphasis on relation of infectious disease prevalence and waste picking activity in Bahawalpur area. Of the 100 waste pickers and 100 non-waste pickers HIV was not detected in any participant, HBV was detected in 4 and 2 % and HCV in 28 and 6 % respectively. Considerable differences were observed in the detection rates of HCV (OR: 6.09, 95 % CI 2.4, 15.5; p = 0.000) and either markers (OR: 5.4, 95 % CI 2.35, 12.5; p = 0.000) in waste pickers compared to general population. The higher incidence of Hepatitis among waste pickers compared to non waste pickers is a function of their occupation, unhygienic living conditions, lack of immunization, ignorance and need of training regarding waste handling.     

Growth and cadmium uptake in barley under cadmium stress

Effect of various additions of cadmium (5 to 3125 microg g(-1) air dried soil) was studied on growth and Cd uptake in barley grown in pots containing two soil types- a loamy sand and a sandy loam, during different stages of growth. While lower doses (5 to 25 microg g(-1)) led to an increase, the higher doses resulted in a substantial decrease in barley growth. The plant Cd content increased with an increase in soil applied Cd. A decrease in translocation ratio prevailed at higher soil applied Cd, indicating the existence of an exclusion mechanism.     

Analysis of Long-term Energy and Carbon Emission Scenarios for India

In the coming years India faces greatchallenges in energy and environment. Thepath of development chosen by India, uponwhich lies the future growth of energy andemission trajectories, would be greatlyinfluenced by technological developmentsboth within and outside the country,economic cooperation between countries, andglobal cooperation in limiting greenhousegas emissions. This paper discusses theintegrated modeling system used fordeveloping and analyzing the long-termtrajectories and presents results for thescenarios developed. In the context ofongoing market reforms two scenarios –accelerated and decelerated reforms – aredeveloped depicting fast and slow progressin energy sector reforms compared toexpectations in the baseline scenario.Accelerated market reforms would spurimprovements in technological efficiencies.Reforms would lower investment risks inIndia, thereby stimulating increased levelsof foreign direct investment. On the otherhand in decelerated reform scenarioeconomic growth is lower than that in thebase case, there is low access to capital,and technological improvements lag behindthose in the base case. In another scenariowe assume specific policy interventions forpenetration of renewable technologies overthe baseline scenario, for promotion andaccelerated deployment of renewable energytechnologies over and above the baselineassumptions. A scenario with carbon(c) constraints has also been developed and theresults discussed.     

Gender differences in the metabolism of benzene,toluene and trichloroethylene in rat with special reference to certain biochemical parameters

Metabolites viz. phenol, hippuric acid and total trichloro compounds of benzene, toluene and trichloroethylene respectively were estimated in the urine samples of male and female rats after exposure for a period of 30 days. The results exhibited higher metabolism in female rats than the male rats. Their metabolism might be regulated by cytochrome P450 isozymes in a gender specific manner. However, sex differences in the activity of glutathione-S-transferases of the liver have also been found to determine their toxicity. Results have been discussed with quantitative profiles of other enzymes established in the liver of male and female rats.