Novel diarylheptanoids as inhibitors of TNF-α production

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of novel diarylheptanoids [5-hydroxy-1-phenyl-7-(pyridin-3-yl)-heptan-3-ones and 1-phenyl-7-(pyridin-3-yl)hept-4-en-3-ones] as inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production is described in the present article. The key reactions involve the formation of a β-hydroxyketone by the reaction of substituted 4-phenyl butan-2-ones with pyridine-3-carboxaldehyde in presence of LDA and the subsequent dehydration of the same to obtain the α,β-unsaturated ketones. Compounds 4i, 5b, 5d, and 5g significantly inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-α production from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a dose-dependent manner. Of note, the in vitro TNF-α inhibition potential of 5b and 5d is comparable to that of curcumin (a naturally occurring diarylheptanoid). Most importantly, oral administration of 4i, 5b, 5d, and 5g (each at 100 mg/kg) but not curcumin (at 100 mg/kg) significantly inhibits LPS-induced TNF-α production in BALB/c mice. Collectively, our findings indicate that these compounds may have potential therapeutic implications for TNF-α-mediated auto-immune/inflammatory disorders.     

Lower Circulating B12 Is Associated with Higher Obesity and Insulin Resistance during Pregnancy in a Non-Diabetic White British Population

Objective

Vitamin B12 and folate are critical micronutrients needed to support the increased metabolic demands of pregnancy. Recent studies from India have suggested that low vitamin B12 and folate concentrations in pregnancy are associated with increased obesity; however differences in diet, antenatal vitamin supplementation, and socioeconomic status may limit the generalisability of these findings. We aimed to explore the cross-sectional relationship of circulating serum vitamin B12 and folate at 28 weeks’ gestation with maternal adiposity and related biochemical markers in a white non diabetic UK obstetric cohort.

Methods

Anthropometry and biochemistry data was available on 995 women recruited at 28 weeks gestation to the Exeter Family Study of Childhood Health. Associations between B12 and folate with maternal BMI and other obesity-related biochemical factors (HOMA-R, fasting glucose, triglycerides, HDL and AST) were explored using regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders (socioeconomic status, vegetarian diet, vitamin supplementation, parity, haemodilution (haematocrit)).

Results

Higher 28 week BMI was associated with lower circulating vitamin B12 (r = -0.25; P<0.001) and folate (r = -0.15; P<0.001). In multiple regression analysis higher 28 week BMI remained an independent predictor of lower circulating B12 (β (95% CI) = -0.59 (-0.74, -0.44) i.e. for every 1% increase in BMI there was a 0.6% decrease in circulating B12). Other markers of adiposity/body fat metabolism (HOMA-R, triglycerides and AST) were also independently associated with circulating B12. In a similar multiple regression AST was the only independent obesity-related marker associated with serum folate (β (95% CI) = 0.16 (0.21, 0.51))

Conclusion

In conclusion, our study has replicated the previous Indian findings of associations between lower serum B12 and higher obesity and insulin resistance during pregnancy in a non-diabetic White British population. These findings may have important implications for fetal and maternal health in obese pregnancies.     

Fluorescence‐based sensor for selective and sensitive detection of amoxicillin (Amox) in aqueous medium: Application to pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

We here for the first time demonstrate an analytical approach for the highly selective and sensitive detection of amoxicillin (Amox) in aqueous medium based on the fluorescence quenching of quantum dots (QDs). The change in fluorescence intensity of mercaptopropionic acid‐capped cadmium sulphide (MPA‐CdS) QDs is attributed to the increasing concentration of Amox. The results show that the fluorescence quenching of QDs by Amox takes place through both static and dynamic types of quenching mechanism. The fluorescence quenching of QDs with increase in concentration of Amox shows the linear range between 5 μg ml^?1 and 30 μg ml^?1 and the limit of detection (LOD) is 5.19 μg ml^?1. There is no interference of excipients, which are commonly present in pharmaceutical formulation and urine samples. For the practical application approach, the developed method has been successfully applied for the determination of Amox in pharmaceutical formulations and urine samples with acceptable results.     

In vivo evaluation of the biocompatibility of surface modified hemodialysis polysulfone hollow fibers in rat

Polysulfone (Psf) hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) have been widely used in blood purification but their biocompatibility remains a concern. To enhance their biocompatibility, Psf/TPGS (d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate) composite HFMs and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) coated Psf HFMs have been prepared. They have been evaluated for in vivo biocompatibility and graft acceptance and compared with sham and commercial membranes by intra-peritoneal implantation in rats at day 7 and 21. Normal body weights, tissue formation and angiogenesis indicate acceptance of implants by the animals. Hematological observations show presence of post-surgical stress which subsides over time. Serum biochemistry results reveal normal organ function and elevated liver ALP levels at day 21. Histological studies exhibit fibroblast recruitment cells, angiogenesis and collagen deposition at the implant surface indicating new tissue formation. Immuno-histochemistry studies show non-activation of MHC molecules signifying biocompatibilty. Additionally, Psf/TPGS exhibit most favorable tissue response as compared with other HFMs making them the material of choice for HFM preparation for hemodialysis applications.     

Fermentative production of extracellular amylase from novel amylase producer,Tuber maculatum mycelium,and its characterization

Abstract

Truffles are symbiotic hypogeous edible fungi (form of mushroom) that form filamentous mycelia in their initial phase of the growth cycle as well as a symbiotic association with host plant roots. In the present study, Tuber maculatum mycelia were isolated and tested for extracellular amylase production at different pH on solid agar medium. Furthermore, the mycelium was subjected to submerged fermentation for amylase production under different culture conditions such as variable carbon sources and their concentrations, initial medium pH, and incubation time. The optimized conditions after the experiments included soluble starch (0.5% w/v), initial medium pH of 7.0, and incubation time of 7 days, at room temperature (22?±?2?°C) under static conditions which resulted in 1.41?U/mL of amylase. The amylase thus obtained was further characterized for its biocatalytic properties and found to have an optimum activity at pH 5.0 and a temperature of 50?°C. The enzyme showed good thermostability at 50?°C by retaining 98% of the maximal activity after 100?min of incubation. The amylase activity was marginally enhanced in presence of Cu²⁺ and Na⁺ and slightly reduced by K⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mg²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mn²⁺ ions at 1?mM concentration.     

Efficient genetic transformation of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) and generation of insect-resistant transgenic plants expressing the cry1Ac gene

Key message

Agrobacterium -mediated transformation system for okra using embryos was devised and the transgenic Bt plants showed resistance to the target pest, okra shoot, and fruit borer ( Earias vittella ).

Abstract

Okra is an important vegetable crop and progress in genetic improvement via genetic transformation has been impeded by its recalcitrant nature. In this paper, we describe a procedure using embryo explants for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and tissue culture-based plant regeneration for efficient genetic transformation of okra. Twenty-one transgenic okra lines expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis gene cry1Ac were generated from five transformation experiments. Molecular analysis (PCR and Southern) confirmed the presence of the transgene and double-antibody sandwich ELISA analysis revealed Cry1Ac protein expression in the transgenic plants. All 21 transgenic plants were phenotypically normal and fertile. T₁ generation plants from these lines were used in segregation analysis of the transgene. Ten transgenic lines were selected randomly for Southern hybridization and the results confirmed the presence of transgene integration into the genome. Normal Mendelian inheritance (3:1) of cry1Ac gene was observed in 12 lines out of the 21 T₀ lines. We selected 11 transgenic lines segregating in a 3:1 ratio for the presence of one transgene for insect bioassays using larvae of fruit and shoot borer (Earias vittella). Fruit from seven transgenic lines caused 100 % larval mortality. We demonstrate an efficient transformation system for okra which will accelerate the development of transgenic okra with novel agronomically useful traits.     

Stereoselective HPLC separation of alvimopan on cellulose‐based immobilized polysaccharide as a chiral stationary phase

Chiral separation by normal phase high performance liquid chromatography is one of the most powerful technique to quantify the chiral purity of the compounds. In this study, a novel, simple, and specific analytical method was proposed to ascertain the chiral purity of alvimopan (ALV). The normal phase HPLC method was developed based on cellulose tris (3,5‐dichlorophenylcarbamate) stationary phase. The separation of ALV isomers achieved by using column CHIRALPAK IC (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), mobile phase n‐hexane: isopropyl alcohol: ethanol: diethylamine (650:200:150:5 v/v), column oven temperature 30°C, flow rate 1.0 mL min^?1, injection volume was 10 μL, chromatographic response monitored at 273 nm. The developed method was validated as per the ICH guidelines and found precise, accurate, and linear. The advantage of the method is a good separation of ALV isomers within 35 minutes of the analysis time. Therefore, this method is suitable for routine determination of chiral purity of ALV active pharmaceutical ingredient.     

SDS-capped 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde nanoprobe for selective detection of Cu2+ ion from water samples: Spectroscopic approach

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-capped 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde nanoparticles (PyalNPs) were prepared using a reprecipitation method in an aqueous medium and exhibited red-shifted aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE). The dynamic light scattering (DLS) examination showed narrower particle size distribution with an average particle size of 41 nm, whereas −34.5 mV zeta potential value indicate the negative surface charge and good stability of nanoparticles (NPs) in an aqueous medium. The AIEE was seen at λ_max = 473 nm in a fluorescence spectrum of a PyalNP suspension. In the presence of Cu²⁺ ions, the fluorescence of PyalNPs quenches very significantly, even in the presence of other metal ions like Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Mg²⁺. The changes in the fluorescence lifetime of PyalNPs in the presence of Cu²⁺ ions suggested that the type of quenching was dynamic. The fluorescence quenching data for the NPs suspension fitted well into a typical Stern–Volmer relationship in the concentration range 1.0–25 μg/ml of Cu²⁺ ions. The estimated value of the correlation coefficient R² = 0.9877 was close to 1 and showed the linear relationship between quenching data and Cu²⁺ ion concentration. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 0.94 ng/ml and is far below the tolerable intake limit value of 1.3 μg/ml accepted by the World Health Organization for Cu²⁺ ions in drinking water. The fluorescence quenching approach for a SDS-capped Pyal nanosuspension for copper ion quantification is of high specificity and coexisting ions were found to interfere very negligibly. The developed method was successfully applied for the estimation of copper ions in river water samples.