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1118-1177-4796-9849-7562-5062mail GNIPST BULLETIN 2012

18thJanuary 2013 Volume No.: 22 Issue No.: 01

Contents • Message from GNIPST • Letter to the Editor • News Update • Disease Outbreak News • Health Awareness • Forth Coming Events • Drugs Update • Campus News • Student’s Section • Editor’s Note • Archive •

Vision

TO GROW AS A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

EDITOR:DebabrataGhoshDastidar GURU NANAK INSTITUTE OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY

GNIPST Photo Gallery For your comments/contributionOR

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MESSAGE FROM GNIPST

All the members of GNIPST are proud to publish the 22nd Volume

of “GNIPST BULLETIN”. This bulletin has successfully

completed its twenty months journey. We hope it has kept the

readers updated of recent activities in pharmaceutical & biological

sciences and also introduced them with the different activities of

our esteemed institution. We are thankful to all of you for your

great cooperation & support and are looking forward to the same in

future.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

NEWS UPDATE

∆ How Tadpoles Re-Grow Their Tails: Implications for Human Healing (14 JANUARY 2013) Scientists have made a surprising finding after studying how

tadpoles re-grow their tails which could have big implications for

research into human healing and regeneration. Read more

∆ Cancer Suppressor Gene Links Metabolism With Cellular Aging (13 JANUARY 2013)

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The tumor suppressor protein p53 is an attractive target for drug

developers. But this path has so far proven difficult, as most p53

regulatory proteins operate via protein-protein interactions,

which make for poor drug targets, as opposed to ones based on

enzymes. Now, researchers have identified a class of p53 target

genes and regulatory molecules that represent more promising

therapeutic candidates. Read more

∆ Early Surgical Menopause Linked to Declines in Memory and Thinking Skills (14 JANUARY 2013)

Women who undergo surgical menopause at an earlier age may

have an increased risk of decline in memory and thinking skills,

according to a new study. Early surgical menopause is the removal

of both ovaries before natural menopause and often accompanies a

hysterectomy. Read more

∆ Bacteria's Hidden Skill Could Pave Way for

Stem Cell Treatments (17 JANUARY 2013)

A discovery about the way in which bugs spread throughout the

body could help to develop stem cell treatments. Researchers have

found that bacteria are able to change the make-up of supporting

cells within the nerve system, called Schwann cells, so that they

take on the properties of stem cells. Read more

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∆ Promising New Target for Parkinson's Disease

Therapies (18 JANUARY 2013)

With a new insight into a model of Parkinson's disease,

researchers have identified a novel target for mitigating some of

the disease's toll on the brain. Read more

∆ Protein Folding Via Charge Zippers

(18 JANUARY 2013)

Membrane proteins are the “molecular machines” in biological cell

envelopes. They control diverse processes, such as the transport of

molecules across the lipid membrane, signal transduction, and

photosynthesis. Their shape, i.e. folding of the molecules, plays a

decisive role in the formation of, e.g., pores in the cell membrane.

Scientists are now reporting a novel charge zipper principle used

by proteins to form functional units. Read more

∆ Severity of Emphysema Predicts Mortality

(18 JANUARY 2013)

Severity of emphysema, as measured by computed tomography

(CT), is a strong independent predictor of all-cause,

cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality in ever-smokers with or

without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),

according to a new study. Read more

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∆ Trapping Malaria Parasites Inside Host Blood

Cell Forms Basis for New Class of Drugs (18

JANUARY 2013)

One of the most insidious ways that parasitic diseases such as

malaria and toxoplasmosis wreak their havoc is by hijacking their

host's natural cellular processes, turning self against self. Read

more

HEALTH AWARENESS

Electromagnetic fields and public health

Technologies using static fields are increasingly being exploited in

selected industries, such as medicine with magnetic resonance

imaging (MRI), transportation systems that use direct current

(DC) or static magnetic fields and high-energy physics research

facilities. As the field strength of the static field increases, so does

the potential for a variety of interactions with the body.

The International EMF Project of the World Health Organization

(WHO) has recently reviewed the health implications of high

static field exposure and highlighted the importance of public

health protection for medical staff and patients (particularly

children and pregnant women) and workers in industries

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producing high field magnets (Environmental Health Criteria,

2006).

SOURCES

Electric and magnetic fields are generated by phenomena such as

the Earth’s magnetic field, thunderstorms, and the use of

electricity. When such fields do not vary with time they are

referred to as static and have a frequency of 0 Hz.

In the atmosphere, static electric fields (also referred to as

electrostatic fields) occur naturally, in fair weather, and especially

under thunderclouds. Friction can also separate positive and

negative charges and generate strong static electric fields. Their

strength is measured in units of volt per metre, (V/m), or kilovolt

per metre (kV/m). In daily life we may experience spark

discharges with grounded objects or hair rising as a result of

friction, for example from walking on a carpet. The use of DC

electricity is another source of static electric fields, e.g. rail

systems using DC, and televisions and computer screens with

cathode ray tubes.

A static magnetic field is measured in units of ampere per metre,

(A/m) but is usually expressed in terms of the corresponding

magnetic induction measured in units of tesla, (T) or millitesla

(mT).The natural geomagnetic field varies over the Earth’s surface

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between about 0.035 - 0.07 mT and is perceived by certain animals

that use it for orientation. Man-made static magnetic fields are

generated wherever DC currents are used, such as in electric trains

or industrial processes such as aluminium production and in gas

welding. These can be more than 1000 times stronger than the

Earth’s natural magnetic field.

Recent technological innovations have led to the use of magnetic

fields up to 100 000 times stronger than the Earth’s magnetic field.

They are used in research and in medical applications such as MRI

that provides three-dimensional images of the brain and other soft

tissues. In routine clinical systems, scanned patients and machine

operators can be exposed to strong magnetic fields in the range of

0.2 - 3 T. In medical research applications, higher magnetic fields,

up to about 10 T, are used for whole body patient scanning.

For static electric fields, few studies have been carried out. The

results to date suggest that the only acute effects are associated

with body hair movement and discomfort from spark discharges.

Chronic or delayed effects of static electric fields have not been

properly investigated.

HEALTH EFFECTS

For static magnetic fields, acute effects are only likely to occur

when there is movement in the field, such as motion of a person or

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internal body movement, such as blood flow or heartbeat. A

person moving within a field above 2 T can experience sensations

of vertigo and nausea, and sometimes a metallic taste in the mouth

and perceptions of light flashes. Although only temporary, such

effects may have a safety impact for workers executing delicate

procedures (such as surgeons performing operations within MRI

units).

Static magnetic fields exert forces on moving charges in the blood,

such as ions, generating electrical fields and currents around the

heart and major blood vessels that can slightly impede the flow of

blood. Possible effects range from minor changes in heartbeat to an

increase in the risk of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia) that

might be life-threatening (such as ventricular fibrillation).

However, these types of acute effects are only likely within fields

in excess of 8 T.

It is not possible to determine whether there are any long-term

health consequences even from exposure in the millitesla range

because, to date, there are no well-conducted epidemiological or

long-term animal studies. Thus the carcinogenicity of static

magnetic fields to humans is not at present classifiable (IARC,

2002).

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

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Exposure to static magnetic fields has been addressed by the

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

(see: www.icnirp.org). For occupational exposure, present limits

are based on avoiding the sensations of vertigo and nausea induced

by movement in a static magnetic field. The recommended limits

are time-weighted average of 200 mT during the working day for

occupational exposure, with a ceiling value of 2 T. A continuous

exposure limit of 40 mT is given for the general public.

Static magnetic fields affect implanted metallic devices such as

pacemakers present inside the body, and this could have direct

adverse health consequences. It is suggested that wearers of

cardiac pacemakers, ferromagnetic implants and implanted

electronic devices should avoid locations where the field exceeds

0.5 mT. Also, care should be taken to prevent hazards from metal

objects being suddenly attracted to magnets in field exceeds 3 mT.

DISEASE OUTBREAK NEWS

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

International Conference and Exhibition on Traditional & Alternative

Medicine. 9th to 11th December 2013, Hyderabad, India. Details.

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DRUGS UPDATES

∆ FDA approves new seasonal influenza vaccine

made using novel technology (16 JANUARY 2013)

FDA announced that it has approved Flublok, the first trivalent

influenza vaccine made using an insect virus (baculovirus)

expression system and recombinant DNA technology. Flublok is

approved for the prevention of seasonal influenza in people 18

through 49 years of age. Read more

∆ FDA approves Octaplas to treat patients with

blood clotting disorders (17 JANUARY 2013)

FDA approved Octaplas, a pooled plasma (human) blood product

for the replacement of clotting proteins (coagulation factors) in

certain medical conditions where patients have insufficient levels.

Clotting protein deficiencies can cause excessive bleeding or

excessive clotting. Read more

∆ FDA approves Botox to treat overactive

bladder. (18 JANUARY 2013)

FDA expanded the approved use of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)

to treat adults with overactive bladder who cannot use or do not

adequately respond to a class of medications known as

anticholinergics. Read more

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CAMPUS NEWS

The academic activities had commenced on 16th January, 2013.

STUDENTS’ SECTION

WHO CAN ANSWER FIRST???

(Α) Which alkaloid was discovered by M.E. Wall

and M.C. Wani?

(Β) Which tree is also known as happy tree?

Answer of Previous Issue Question:

A) Raj Bhavan B)Chandigarh

Send yourthoughts/ Quiz/Puzzles/games/write-

ups or any other contributions for Students’ Section

& answers of this Section atgnipstbulletin@gmail.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

I am very happy to publish the first issue of 22nd Volume of

GNIPST BULLETIN. It is my great pleasure to introduce you to the

newly launched facebook account ‘GNIPST bulletin’. You are

cordially invited to add this account to your friend list. The current

issues will also be directly available on facebook.

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I would like to convey my thanks to all the GNIPST members and

the readers for their valuable comments, encouragement& supports.

Special thanks to Dr. Prerona Saha for her advice; Mr. Soumya

Bhattacharya, for his contribution in students section.

It would be my great pleasure to receive the contributions,

suggestions & feedback from your desk for further upliftment of this

deliberation “GNIPST BULLETIN”.

ARCHIVE

The general body meeting of APTI, Bengal Branch has been

conducted at GNIPST on 15th June, 2012. The programme started

with a nice presentation by Dr. Pulok Kr. Mukherjee, School of

Natural Products, JU on the skill to write a good manuscript for

publication in impact journals. It was followed by nearly two hour

long discussion among more than thirty participants on different

aspects of pharmacy education. Five nonmember participants

applied for membership on that very day.

GNIPST is now approved by AICTE and affiliated to WBUT for

conducting the two years post graduate course (M.Pharm) in

PHARMACOLOGY. The approved number of seat is 18.

The number of seats in B.Pharm. has been increased from 60 to

120.

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2nd World Congress on Ga-68 (Generators and Novel Radiopharmaceuticals),

Molecular Imaging (PET/CT), Targeted Radionuclide Therapy, and

Dosimetry (SWC-2013) : On the Way to Personalized Medicine

Dates 28 Feb 2013 → 02 Mar 2013

Location: Chandigarh, India. Details.

5-Days Hands-on Workshop on Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics.

7th to 11th January 2013, Pune, Maharashtra, India. Details.

IAMLE- 2013 — 4th International Conference on Medical Negligence and

litigation in Medical Practice, and 4th International Conference on Recent

Advances in Forensic Sciences, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology.

Date: 25 Jan 2013 → 27 Jan 2013, Location: Kovalam, Thiruvanthapuram,

India. Details.

AICTE has sanctioned a release of grant under Research

Promotion Scheme (RPS) during the financial year 2012-

13to GNIPST as per the details below:

a. Beneficiary Institution: Guru Nanak Institution of

Pharmaceutical Science & Technology.

b. Principal Investigator: Dr. LopamudraDutta.

c. Grant-in-aid sanctioned:Rs. 16,25000/- only

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d. Approved duration: 3 years

e. Title of the project: Screening and identification of

potential medicinal plant of Purulia&Bankuradistricts of West

Bengal with respect to diseases such as diabetes, rheumatism,

Jaundice, hypertension and developing biotechnological tools for

enhancing bioactive molecules in these plant.

Special classes on Communication Skills, G.D. and

Interview will commence from 3rd week of January 2013

for the students of this Institute. Interested students are

required to contact the undersigned for enrolment either

personally or by e-mail.

Dr. LopamudraDatta E-mail: info.gnipst@jisgroup.org gnipstbulletin@gmail.com

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