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May , 2014 Volume No.: 33 Issue No.: 02
Contents
Message from GNIPST
Letter to the Editor
News Update
Health awareness
Disease Outbreak News
Forth Coming Events
Drugs Update
Campus News
Students Section
Editors Note
Archive



Vision
TO GROW AS A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF
PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
EDITOR: Soumya Bhattacharya
GURU NANAK INSTITUTE OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY

GNIPST Photo Gallery
For your comments/contributionOR
For Back-Issues,
mailto:gnipstbulletin@gmail.com

08-05-2014
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MESSAGE FROM GNIPST
GNIPST BULLETIN is the official publication of Guru Nanak
Institute of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology. All the
members of GNIPST are proud to publish the 33
rd

Volume
of
GNIPST BULLETIN. Over the last three years this bulletin
updating readers with different scientific, cultural or sports
activities of this prestigious institute and promoting knowledge of
recent development in Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences.
Students section is informing readers about some curious facts of
drug discovery, science, sports and other relevant fields. We look
forward to seeing your submission and welcome comments and
ideas you may have.

NEWS UPDATE
World Health Day, 2014
World Health Day was observed on 7
th
April globally with the
theme of Preventing Vector-borne Disease. More than half the
worlds population is at risk from diseases such as malaria, dengue,
leishmaniasis, Lyme disease, schistosomiasis, and yellow fever,
carried by mosquitoes, flies, ticks, water snails and other vectors.
Every year, more than 1 billion people are infected and more than 1
million die from vector-borne diseases. On this World Health Day
7 April WHO is highlighting the serious and increasing threat
of vector-borne diseases, with the slogan Small bite, big threat.
Soy sauce molecule may unlock drug therapy for
HIV patients (5
th
May, 2014)
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For HIV patients being treated with anti-AIDS medications,
resistance to drug therapy regimens is commonplace. Often,
patients develop resistance to first-line drug therapies, such as
Tenofovir, and are forced to adopt more potent medications.
Virologists Virologists at the University of Missouri now are
testing the next generation of medications that stop HIV from
spreading, and are using a molecule related to flavor enhancers
found in soy sauce, to develop compounds that are more potent
than Tenofovir. For detail mail to editor
Fluorescent sensor developed for detecting nitric
oxide, a molecule related to many diseases (5
th

May, 2014)
The detection of nitric oxide in our body is essential to prevent
many diseases and set out their treatment. Nitric oxide, which is a
molecule involved in countless cardiovascular, neurological and
immune system processes, among others. The detection of nitric
oxide may be executed more efficiently and selectively thanks to a
new compound developed by researchers from the Universitat
Jaume I (UJI) in Castell. The new compounds can detect the
presence of nitric oxide by fluorescence. They also have the
advantage of being highly selective because they do not interact
with other typical substances that can be found in the biological
environment. This progress can be very useful to the medical and
pharmaceutical industry. For detail mail to editor

New combination therapy for hepatitis C (5
th
May,
2014)
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A new combination therapy allows chronic hepatitis C to be
treated in a manner that is less aggressive yet equally efficient.
This is the result of a current study, led by primary author Peter
Ferenci from the University Department of Internal Medicine III
at the MedUni Vienna, which has been published in the highly
New England Journal of Medicine. "This is a revolutionary
breakthrough in the treatment of this disease and represents a
huge improvement in the quality of life of those affected," says the
Vienna hepatologist.Ferenci and a global group of scientists were
able to demonstrate using 419 test subjects with chronic hepatitis
C that the combined use of the protease inhibitor ABT-450r, the
NS5A inhibitor Ombitasvir and the non-nucleoside polymerase
inhibitor Dasubavir yields significantly higher cure outcomes than
the previous therapy which involves Ribavarin and the hormone
interferon (mostly in combination with a protease inhibitor).
For detail mail to editor
World's smallest cardiac pacemaker implanted
(5
th
May, 2014)
The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) announced
its first implant of the world's smallest pacemaker: the Medtronic
Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) in the Midwest. The
device was implanted by Dr. Charles Gornick as part of the global
pivotal clinical trial. For detail mail to editor
New approach to treating brittle bone disease
unveiled (4
th
May, 2014)
A new approach to treating brittle bone disease, a congenital
disorder that results in fragile bones that break easily, has been
discovered by researchers. The study showed that excessive
activity of an important signalling protein in the matrix of the
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bone called transforming growth factor beta is associated with the
cause of the disease. For detail mail to editor
Diabetes Tied to Higher Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
(4
th
April, 2014)
People with diabetes have double the risk of pancreatic cancer
compared to people who don't have diabetes, according to a new
analysis of 88 previous studies.Diabetes has been considered a risk
factor for pancreatic cancer, but what's not clear is which
condition comes first. This new analysis suggests that at least for
some people, pancreatic cancer might be responsible for diabetes.
For detail mail to editor






HEALTH AWARENESS
Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is the most important cause of viral
encephalitis in Asia. It is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, meaning it is
related to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses. The first
case of JE was documented in 1871 in Japan.
The annual incidence of clinical disease varies both across and
within countries, ranging from <10 to >100 per 100 000 population.
A recent literature review estimates nearly 68 000 clinical cases of
JE globally each year, with up to 20 400 deaths due to JE (Bulletin
of WHO, October 2011). JE primarily affects children. Most adults
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in endemic countries have natural immunity after childhood
infection, but individuals of any age may be affected.
Signs and symptoms
Most JE virus infections are mild (fever and headache) or without
apparent symptoms, but approximately 1 in 250 infections results in
severe disease characterized by rapid onset of high fever, headache,
neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, seizures, spastic paralysis and
death. The case-fatality rate can be as high as 30% among those with
disease symptoms.
Of those who survive, 20%30% suffer permanent intellectual,
behavioural or neurological problems such as paralysis, recurrent
seizures or the inability to speak.
Transmission
24 countries in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific
regions have JE transmission risk, which includes more than 3 billion
people.
JE is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes
of the Culex species (mainly Culex tritaeniorhynchus). Humans, once
infected, do not develop sufficient viraemia to infect feeding
mosquitoes. The virus exists in a transmission cycle between
mosquitoes, pigs and/or water birds (enzootic cycle). The disease is
predominantly found in rural and periurban settings, where humans
live in closer proximity to these vertebrate hosts.
In most temperate areas of Asia, the Japanese Encephalitis Virus
(JEV) is transmitted mainly during the warm season, when large
epidemics can occur. In the tropics and subtropics, transmission can
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occur year-round but often intensifies during the rainy season and
pre-harvest period in rice-cultivating regions.
Diagnosis
Individuals who live in or have travelled to a JE-endemic area and
experience encephalitis are considered a suspected JE case. To
confirm JE infection and to rule out other causes of encephalitis
requires a laboratory testing of serum or, preferentially, cerebrospinal
fluid.
Surveillance of the disease is mostly syndromic for acute encephalitis.
Confirmatory laboratory testing is often conducted in dedicated
sentinel sites, and efforts are undertaken to expand laboratory-based
surveillance. Case-based surveillance is established in countries that
effectively control JE through vaccination.
Treatment
There is no antiviral treatment for patients with JE. Treatment is
supportive to relieve symptoms and stabilize the patient. Clinical care
guidelines have been developed by PATH.
Prevention and control
Safe and effective JE vaccines are available to prevent disease. WHO
recommends having strong prevention and control activities,
including JE immunization in all regions where the disease is a
recognized public health problem, along with strengthening
surveillance and reporting mechanisms. Other control measures such
as mosquito control or amplifying pig control have shown to be less
reliable.
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There are four main types of JE vaccines currently in use: inactivated
mouse brain-based vaccines, inactivated cell-based vaccines, live
attenuated vaccines, and live chimeric vaccines. Traditionally, the
most widely used vaccine was a purified inactivated product made
from either Nakayama or Beijing strains propagated in mouse brain
tissue. It is still produced and used in several countries.
Over the past years, the live attenuated SA14-14-2 vaccine
manufactured in China has become the most widely used vaccine in
endemic countries, and it was prequalified by WHO in October 2013.
Cell-culture based inactivated vaccines have also been licensed (and
one product WHO prequalified), as has a live, recombinant product
based on the yellow fever vaccine strain. In November 2013, GAVI
opened a funding window to support JE vaccination campaigns in
eligible countries.
All travellers to Japanese encephalitis-endemic areas should take
precautions to avoid mosquito bites to reduce the risk for JE. Personal
preventive measures include the use of repellents, long-sleeved
clothes, coils and vaporizers.
Disease outbreaks
Major outbreaks of JE occur every 2-15 years. JE transmission
intensifies during the rainy season, during which vector populations
increase. However, there has not yet been evidence of increased JE
transmission following major floods or tsunamis. The spread of JE in
new areas has been correlated with agricultural development and
intensive rice cultivation supported by irrigation programmes.
WHO responds to JE by:
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providing global recommendations for JE control, including the use of
vaccines. WHO recommends JE immunization in all regions where
the disease is a recognized public health problem and supports
implementation.
providing technical support for JE surveillance, JE vaccine
introduction and large-scale JE vaccination campaigns.



DISEASE OUTBREAK NEWS
Ebola virus disease, West Africa (6
th
May, 2014)
Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total
of 231 clinical cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 155
deaths. Read more


FORTHCOMING EVENTS
FIP Congress 2014 - Access to Medicines and Pharmacist today,
Better outcomes tomorrow
DRUGS UPDATES

FDA allows marketing for first-of-kind dressing
to control bleeding from certain battlefield
wounds (3
rd
April, 2014)
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed marketing of an
expandable, multi-sponge wound dressing to control the bleeding
from certain types of wounds received in battle. For military use
only, the XSTAT is a temporary dressing for wounds in areas that
a tourniquet cannot be placed, such as the groin or armpit. The
dressing can be used up to four hours, which could allow time for
the patient to receive surgical care. Read more

CAMPUS NEWS
Reminiscence, 2014(GNIPST Reunion) was held in College
campus on 2
nd
February,2014.
1
st
Annual Sports of GNIPST was held on 3
rd
February,2014 in
College campus ground.
An industrial tour and biodiversity tour was conducted in Sikkim
for B.Pharm and B.Sc. students under the supervision of Mr. Asis
Bala, Ms. Jeentara Begum and Ms. Moumita Chowdhury.
B.Pharm 3
rd
year won the GNIPST Football Champions trophy,
2013. B.Pharm 3
rd
year won the final match 1-0 against B.Pharm 2
nd

year. Deep Chakraborty was the only scorer of the final.
Students of GNIPST organized pre puja celebration programme,
Saaranya on 7
th
October, 2013 in college Auditorium.
GNIPST organized a garment distribution programme on 28
th

September, 2013 at Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Adyapith,
Kolkata. On this remarkable event about hundred people have
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received garments. More than hundred students and most of the
faculties participated on that day with lot of enthusiasm.
GNIPST celebrated World Heart Day (29
th
September) and
Pharmacists Day (25
th
September) on 25
th
and 26
th
September,
2013 in GNIPST Auditorium. A seminar on Violence against
woman and female foeticide was held on GNIPST Auditorium on
25
th
September organized by JABALA Action Research
Organization. On 26
th
September an intra-college Oral and Poster
presentation competition related to World Pharmacists day and
Heart day was held in GNIPST. Ms. Purbali Chakraborty of
B.Pharm 4
th
year won the first prize in Oral Presentation. The
winner of Poster presentation was the group of Ms. Utsa Sinha,
Mr. Koushik Saha and Mr. Niladri Banerjee (B.Pharm 4
th
year).
A good number of students have participated in both the
competition with their valuable views.


STUDENTS SECTION
WHO CAN ANSWER FIRST????
How are brother Harry, Albert, Samuel and
Jack are popularly known?
Which Indian won the Rudi Putra Goldman
prize in 2014?

Answer of Previous Issues Questions:
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A) Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam B)Yakov G. Sinai
Identify the person



Answer of Previous Issues Image:
W. Scoville, an American Pharmacist best known
for his creation Scoville Scale to determine the
hotness of chilies and other pungent substances
Send your thoughts/
Quiz/Puzzles/games/write-ups or any other
contributions for Students Section& answers of
this Section at gnipstbulletin@gmail.com



EDITORS NOTE
I am proud to publish the 2
nd
issue of 33
rd
Volume of GNIPST
BULLETIN. GNIPST BULLETIN now connected globally
through facebook account GNIPST bulletin
I want to convey my thanks to all the GNIPST members and the
readers for their valuable comments, encouragement and supports.
I am thankful to Dr. Abhijit Sengupta, Director of GNIPST for
his valuable advice and encouragement. Special thanks to Dr.
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Prerona Saha and Mr. Debabrata Ghosh Dastidar for their kind
co-operation and technical supports. An important part of the
improvement of the bulletin is the contribution of the readers. You
are invited to send in your write ups, notes, critiques or any kind of
contribution for the forthcoming special and regular issue.


ARCHIVE
Teachers day was celebrated on 5
th
September, 2013 by the
students of GNIPST in GNIPST Auditorium.
Azalea (exotic flower ) , the fresher welcome programme for
newcomers of GNIPST in the session 2013-14 was held on 8
th

August in GNIPST Auditorium.
One day seminar cum teachers development programme for
school teachers on the theme of Recent Trends of Life Sciences
in Higher Education organized by GNIPST held on 29
th
June,
2013 at GNIPST auditorium. The programme was inaugurated by
Prof . Asit Guha, Director of JIS Group, Mr. U.S. Mukherjee, Dy
Director of JIS Group and Dr. Abhijit Sengupta, Director cum
Principal of GNIPST with lamp lighting. The programme started
with an opening song performed by the B.Pharm students of this
institute. The seminar consists of a series of lectures, video
presentations and poster session. On the pre lunch session 4
lectures were given by Dr. Lopamudra Dutta, Mr. Debabrata
Ghosh Dastidar, Ms. Swati Nandy and Ms. Tamalika Chakraborty
respectively. On their presentation the speakers enlighten the
recent development of Pharmacy, Genetics and Microbiology and
their correlation with Life Sciences. On the post lunch session, Ms.
Saini Setua and Ms. Sanchari Bhattacharjee explained the recent
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development and career opportunities in Biotechnology and
Hospital Management. The programme was concluded with
valedictory session and certificate distribution.
About 50 Higher secondary school teachers from different
schools of Kolkata and North& South 24 Parganas district of
West Bengal participated in this programme. A good interactive
session between participants and speakers was observed in the
seminar. The seminar was a great success with the effort of
faculties, staffs and students of our Institute. It was a unique
discussion platform for school teachers and professional of the
emerging and newer branches of Life Science.

The general body meeting of APTI, Bengal Branch has been
conducted at GNIPST on 15
th
June, 2012. The program 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.
AICTE has sanctioned a release of grant under Research
Promotion Scheme (RPS) during the financial year 2012-13to
GNIPST as per the details below:
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a. Beneficiary Institution: Guru Nanak Institution of Pharmaceutical
Science & Technology.
b. Principal Investigator: Dr. LopamudraDutta.
c. Grant-in-aid sanctioned:Rs. 16,25000/- only
d. Approved duration: 3 years
e. Title of the project: Screening and identification of potential
medicinal plant of Purulia & Bankura districts of West Bengal
with respect to diseases such as diabetes, rheumatism, Jaundice,
hypertension and developing biotechnological tools for enhancing
bioactive molecules in these plants.
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