Treatment of spentwash using chemically modified bagasse and colour removal studies

Studies were carried out on derivatisation of bagasse into an ion exchange material and application of this chemically modified bagasse in the treatment of distillery wastewater. It was found that CHPTAC bagasse with HCl treatment and DEAE-bagasse in its free base form were most effective in colour removal and the mechanism of colour removal indicated significant contribution of both, the conventional ion exchange and the chemical sorption.     

Synthesis and appetite suppressant activity of 1-aryloxy-2-substituted aminomethyltetrahydronaphthalenes as conformationally rigid analogues of fluoxetine

Several 1-aryloxy-2-substituted aminomethyltetrahydronaphthalenes (7-21) as conformationally rigid analogues of fluoxetine were synthesized and evaluated for their anorexigenic and antidepressant activities. For SAR studies the related acyclic analogues (22-27) were also prepared. Out of the 21 synthesized compounds, 10 compounds (9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23 and 27) exhibited significant anorexigenic activity (at 75 micromol/kg). Interestingly, all the compounds (7-20, 22-26) were devoid of antidepressant effect, except for compounds 21 and 27 in which the antidepressant activity was retained. Compound 16 emerged as the most active compound of the series with better anorexigenic activity (97.92%) compared to fluoxetine (76.25%) and even with a clinically used drug sibutramine, thus providing a new structural lead for appetite suppressants.     

Biofilm and metallo beta-lactamase production among the strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter</Emphasis> spp. at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kathmandu,Nepal

Introduction

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. are found to be associated with biofilm and metallo-β-lactamase production and are the common causes of serious infections mainly in hospitalized patients. So, the main aims of this study were to determine the rates of biofilm production and metallo beta-lactamase production (MBL) among the strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. isolated from hospitalized patients.

Methods

A total of 85 P. aeruginosa isolates and 50 Acinetobacter spp. isolates isolated from different clinical specimens from patients admitted to Shree Birendra Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal from July 2013 to May 2014 were included in this study. The bacterial isolates were identified with the help of biochemical tests. Modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Combined disc diffusion technique was used for the detection of MBL production, while Congo red agar method and tube adherence method were used for detection of biofilm production.

Results

Around 16.4% of P. aeruginosa isolates and 22% of the strains of Acinetobacter spp. were metallo β-lactamase producers. Out of 85 P. aeruginosa isolates, 23 (27.05%) were biofilm producers according to tube adherence test while, only 13 (15.29%) were biofilm producers as per Congo red agar method. Similarly, out of 50 Acinetobacter spp. 7 (14%) isolates were biofilm producers on the basis of tube adherence test, while only 5 (10%) were positive for biofilm production by Congo red agar method. Highest rates of susceptibility of P. aeruginosa as well as Acinetobacter spp. were seen toward colistin.

Conclusion

In our study, biofilm production and metallo beta-lactamase production were observed among Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. However, no statistically significant association could be established between biofilm production and metallo beta-lactamase production.

     

Hairy root culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picrorhiza kurroa</Emphasis> Royle ex Benth.: a promising approach for the production of picrotin and picrotoxinin

Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. is an endangered plant producing various compounds of medicinal importance. Hairy roots of P. kurroa were obtained following cocultivation of shoot tip explants with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains A 4 and PAT 405. Bacterial strain A 4 appeared to be better than the strain PAT 405 in terms of both growth of respective hairy root cultures and secondary metabolite production. The optimal growth of both the hairy root cultures occurred on half-strength semisolid medium with 3% sucrose. Picrotin and picrotoxinin from the roots of wild type field grown plants were compared with 8-week-old hairy root cultures induced by the A 4 and PAT 405 strains of A. rhizogenes. Picrotin and picrotoxinin content were evaluated in hairy root cultures as well as roots of field grown plant of P. kurroa. In terms of the production of picrotin and picrotoxinin, the A 4 induced hairy roots appeared to be a better performer than the PAT 405 induced hairy root cultures. The picrotin and picrotoxinin content was highest in 8-week-old A 4 induced hairy roots (8.8 μg/g DW and 47.1 μg/g DW, respectively). Rapid growth of the hairy roots of P. kurroa with in vitro secondary metabolite production potential may offer an attractive alternative to the exploitation of this endangered plant species.     

Postnatal inflammation in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Exposure to hyperoxia, invasive mechanical ventilation, and systemic/local sepsis are important antecedents of postnatal inflammation in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This review will summarize information obtained from animal (baboon, lamb/sheep, rat and mouse) models that pertain to the specific inflammatory agents and signaling molecules that predispose a premature infant to BPD. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:189–201, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

DNA barcoding of Orchidaceae in Korea

Species of Orchidaceae are under severe threat of extinction mainly due to overcollection and habitat destruction; accurate identification of orchid species is critical in conservation biology and sustainable utilization of orchids as plant resources. We examined 647 sequences of the cpDNA regions rbcL, matK, atpF‐atpH IGS, psbK‐psbI IGS and trnH‐psbA IGS from 89 orchid species (95 taxa) and four outgroup taxa to develop an efficient DNA barcode for Orchidaceae in Korea. The five cpDNA barcode regions were successfully amplified and sequenced for all chlorophyllous taxa, but the amplification and sequencing of the same regions in achlorophyllous taxa produced variable results. psbK‐psbI IGS showed the highest mean interspecific K2P distance (0.1192), followed by matK (0.0803), atpF‐atpH IGS (0.0648), trnH‐psbA IGS (0.0460) and rbcL (0.0248). The degree of species resolution for individual barcode regions ranged from 60.5% (rbcL) to 83.5% (trnH‐psbA IGS). The degree of species resolution was significantly enhanced in multiregion combinations of the five barcode regions. Of the 26 possible combinations of the five regions, six provided the highest degree of species resolution (98.8%). Among these, a combination of atpF‐atpH IGS, psbK‐psbI IGS and trnH‐psbA IGS, which comprises the least number of DNA regions, is the best option for barcoding of the Korean orchid species.     

Burden of Complicated Malaria in a Densely Forested Bastar Region of Chhattisgarh State (Central India)

Background

A prospective study on severe and complicated malaria was undertaken in the tribal dominated area of Bastar division, Chhattisgarh (CG), Central India, with an objective to understand the clinical epidemiology of complicated malaria in patients attending at a referral hospital.

Methods

Blood smears, collected from the general medicine and pediatric wards of a government tertiary health care facility located in Jagdalpur, CG, were microscopically examined for malaria parasite from July 2010 to December 2013. The Plasmodium falciparum positive malaria cases who met enrollment criteria and provided written informed consent were enrolled under different malaria categories following WHO guidelines. PCR was performed to reconfirm the presence of P.falciparum mono infection among enrolled cases. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify different risk factors using STATA 11.0.

Results

A total of 40,924 cases were screened for malaria. The prevalence of malaria and P.falciparum associated complicated malaria (severe and cerebral both) in the hospital was 6% and 0.81%, respectively. P.falciparum malaria prevalence, severity and associated mortality in this region peaked at the age of>4–5 years and declined with increasing age. P.falciparum malaria was significantly more prevalent in children than adults (P<0.00001). Among adults, males had significantly more P.falciparum malaria than females (P<0.00001). Case fatality rate due to cerebral malaria and severe malaria was, respectively, 32% and 9% among PCR confirmed mono P.falciparum cases. Coma was the only independent predictor of mortality in multivariate regression analysis. Mortality was significantly associated with multi-organ complication score (P = 0.0003).

Conclusion

This study has revealed that the pattern of morbidity and mortality in this part of India is very different from earlier reported studies from India. We find that the peak morbidity and mortality in younger children regardless of seasonality. This suggests that this age group needs special care for control and clinical management.     

Effects of the Dopamine D2 Allosteric Modulator,PAOPA, on the Expression of GRK2, Arrestin-3, ERK1/2, and on Receptor Internalization

The activity of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is intricately regulated by a range of intracellular proteins, including G protein-coupled kinases (GRKs) and arrestins. Understanding the effects of ligands on these signaling pathways could provide insights into disease pathophysiologies and treatment. The dopamine D2 receptor is a GPCR strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of a range of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia. Previous studies from our lab have shown the preclinical efficacy of a novel allosteric drug, 3(R)- [(2(S)-pyrrolidinylcarbonyl)amino]-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide (PAOPA), in attenuating schizophrenia-like behavioural abnormalities in rodent models of the disease. As an allosteric modulator, PAOPA binds to a site on the D2 receptor, which is distinct from the endogenous ligand-binding site, in order to modulate the binding of the D2 receptor ligand, dopamine. The exact signaling pathways affected by this allosteric modulator are currently unknown. The objectives of this study were to decipher the in vivo effects, in rats, of chronic PAOPA administration on D2 receptor regulatory and downstream molecules, including GRK2, arrestin-3 and extracellular receptor kinase (ERK) 1/2. Additionally, an in vitro cellular model was also used to study PAOPA’s effects on D2 receptor internalization. Results from western immunoblots showed that chronic PAOPA treatment increased the striatal expression of GRK2 by 41%, arrestin-3 by 34%, phospho-ERK1 by 51% and phospho-ERK2 by 36%. Results also showed that the addition of PAOPA to agonist treatment in cells increased D2 receptor internalization by 33%. This study provides the foundational evidence of putative signaling pathways, and changes in receptor localization, affected by treatment with PAOPA. It improves our understanding on the diverse mechanisms of action of allosteric modulators, while advancing PAOPA’s development into a novel drug for the improved treatment of schizophrenia.     

Triterpene constituents of Caltha palustris

The structure of a new triterpene lactone, palustrolide, has been elucidated as 3β,23-dihydroxylupan-13β→28 lactone on the basis of physico-chemical studies. In addition, sitosterol, its glucoside, hederagenin, 16,17-dihydroxykauran-19-oic acid and hederagenic acid have been characterized.