Synthesis and biological evaluation of trans 6-methoxy-1,1-dimethyl-2-phenyl-3-aryl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yloxyalkylamine derivatives against drug susceptible,non-replicating M. tuberculosis H37Rv and clinical multidrug resistant strains

Synthesis of a library of novel trans 6-methoxy-1,1-dimethyl-2-phenyl-3-aryl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yloxy alkyl amines and their antimycobacterial activity against drug sensitive and multidrug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been reported. All the new compounds in the series exhibited MIC between 1.56 and 6.25 μg/ml. Two compounds 1i and 1j with low MIC and low cytotoxicity showed significant reduction in CFU in infected mouse macrophages at 1× MIC concentration. The compound 1i inhibited the growth of M. tuberculosis in mice at 100 mg/kg dose with 1.35 log₁₀ reduction of CFU in lungs tissue and was active against non-replicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis under anaerobic condition.     

Identity cards for patients infected with HIV?

Dr A C Srivastava has written to us to describe a case that raises the suggestion that people infected with the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) should carry identity cards. We asked two physicians, a general practitioner working with patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and a general practitioner with a special interest in medical ethics to respond to the broad issues raised by Dr Srivastava''s letter.     

Preface

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry -     

Seasonal Abundance of Acanthamoeba rhysodes (Singh, 1952) (Protozoa: Gymnamoebia) in a Mangrove Litter-Soil Ecosystem of Gangetic-Estuary,India1,2

Acanthamoeba rhysodes has been found to be a predominant intertidal benthic gymnamoeba in the mangrove ecosystem of Sundarbans of lower deltaic Bengal, facing the Bay. The sampling zones under study were the highest high tide regions, with characteristic mangrove litter-soil, inundated twice per month during the highest ebb of spring tide. Population abundance of this species, both in its trophic and cystic forms in the three distinct seasonal periods of pre-monsoon (March to June), monsoon (July to October), and post-monsoon (November to February) has been surveyed for over two years. These seasonal periods affect the physico-chemical parameters of the habitat substrata, including temperature, pH, and salinity. It has been found that the overall number of organisms per gram of soil attains peak value during the monsoon period. This value comes down in post-monsoon samples and is the least in pre-monsoon ones.     

Quantitative structure activity relationship studies on 3-triazines using van der Waal volume and molecular connectivity index

QSAR studies have been performed on the homologues of 3-triazines, using molecular connectivity index and van der Waal volume as structural parameters. The regression analysis has shown good correlation between antitumour activity and the two structural parameters.