Curcuminoids-loaded liposomes in combination with arteether protects against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice

Present communication deals with the docking study of hybrid phenyl thiazolyl-1,3,5-triazine analogues (1a-36d) on three selected different binding site viz., α, β and γ of wild type Pf-DFHR-TS. In admiration of excellent H-bond scoring, with regard to cycloguanil and to a large extent similar scoring with WR99210, compound 4a, 12b, 21c, 23c, 28d, 29d, 34d, and 35d were selected for in vitro antimalarial activity against 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Findings from the study disclose that a significant correlation was exist between in vitro results and in silico prediction (r(2)=0.543). Furthermore, investigation of structure-activity relationships elucidate crucial structural requirement for site specific binding of ligands.     

Discovery of bacterial NAD+-dependent DNA ligase inhibitors: optimization of antibacterial activity

Optimization of adenosine analog inhibitors of bacterial NAD⁺-dependent DNA ligase is discussed. Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus was improved by modification of the 2-position substituent on the adenine ring and 3′- and 5′-substituents on the ribose. Compounds with log D values 1.5-2.5 maximized potency and maintained drug-like physical properties.     

A cohort study of lymphatic filariasis on socio economic conditions in Andhra Pradesh, India

Background

To assess the impact of socioeconomic variables on lymphatic filariasis in endemic villages of Karimnagar district, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Methods

A pilot scale study was conducted in 30 villages of Karimnagar district from 2004 to 2007. These villages were selected based on previous reports from department of health, Government of Andhra Pradesh, epidemiology, entomology and socioeconomic survey was conducted as per protocol. Collected data were analysed statistically by Chi square test, Principal Component Analysis, Odds ratio, Bivariate, multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Total of 5,394 blood samples collected and screened for microfilaria, out of which 199 were found to be positive (3.7%). The socioeconomic data of these respondents/participants were correlated with MF prevalence. The socioeconomic variables like educational status (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.6, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.1–6.5), house structure (hut OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2–3.1; tiled OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.8–2) and participation in mass drug administration program (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.3–2.6) were found to be highly associated with the occurrence of filarial disease. The socioeconomic index was categorized into low (3.6%; OR-1.1, 95% CI: 0.7–1.5) medium (4.9%; OR-1.5, 95% CI = 1–2.1) and high (3.3%) in relation to percentage of filarial parasite prevalence. A significant difference was observed among these three groups while comparing the number of cases of filaria with the type of socioeconomic conditions of the respondents (P = 0.067).

Conclusions

From this study it is inferred that age, education of family, type of house structure and awareness about the filarial disease directly influenced the disease prevalence. Beside annual mass drug administration program, such type of analysis should be undertaken by health officials to target a few socioeconomic factors to reduce the disease burden. Health education campaigns in the endemic villages and imparting of protection measures against mosquitoes using insecticide treated bed nets would substantially reduce the disease in these villages.     

Data base management system for lymphatic filariasis--a neglected tropical disease

Background

Researchers working in the area of Public Health are being confronted with large volumes of data on various aspects of entomology and epidemiology. To obtain the relevant information out of these data requires particular database management system. In this paper, we have described about the usages of our developed database on lymphatic filariasis.

Methods

This database application is developed using Model View Controller (MVC) architecture, with MySQL as database and a web based interface. We have collected and incorporated the data on filariasis in the database from Karimnagar, Chittoor, East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Conclusion

The importance of this database is to store the collected data, retrieve the information and produce various combinational reports on filarial aspects which in turn will help the public health officials to understand the burden of disease in a particular locality. This information is likely to have an imperative role on decision making for effective control of filarial disease and integrated vector management operations.     

Maleated thermoplastic starch by reactive extrusion

Novel maleated thermoplastic starch (MTPS) with both improved processing and reactivity useful in the melt-blending with biodegradable polyester was prepared through in situ reactive modification of thermoplastic starch (TPS) with maleic anhydride (MA) as esterification agent. Glycerol was used as plasticizer. Physico-chemical parameters of MTPS were determined at different MA contents, while keeping both the content in glycerol (20 wt% by starch), and the processing temperature constant (150 °C). Soxhlet extraction attested for the complete incorporation of glycerol into the starch backbone during the maleation process at low content in MA. In addition, two-dimensional liquid-phase NMR measurements attested for the preferential esterification of starch backbone at C6, together with the occurrence of some hydrolysis and glucosidation reactions. Such reactions promoted by MA moieties reduced the intrinsic viscosity of the MTPS, expecting an improvement in its processability. WAXS diffraction analyses confirmed the complete disruption of the granular structure of native starch in MTPS during the reactive extrusion processing.     

Production and characterization of Monoclonal antibodies to bluetongue virus

In the present study, a total of 24 MAbs were produced against bluetongue virus (BTV) by polyethyleneglycol (PEG) mediated fusion method using sensitized lymphocytes and myeloma cells. All these clones were characterized for their reactivity to whole virus and recombinant BTV-VP7 protein, titres, isotypes and their reactivity with 24 BTV-serotype specific sera in cELISA. Out of 24 clones, a majority of them (n = 18) belong to various IgG subclasses and the remaining (n = 6) to the IgM class. A panel of eight clones reactive to both whole BTV and purified rVP7 protein were identified based on their reactivity in iELISA. For competitive ELISA, the clone designated as 4A10 showed better inhibition to hyperimmune serum of BTV serotype 23. However, this clone showed a variable percent of inhibition ranging from16.6% with BTV 12 serotype to 78.9% with BTV16 serotype using 24 serotype specific sera of BTV originating from guinea pig at their lowest dilutions. From the available panel of clones, only 4A10 was found to have a possible diagnostic application.     

Identification and characterization of midgut proteases in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Achaea janata</Emphasis> and their implications

Insect midgut proteases are excellent targets for insecticidal agents such as Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins and protease inhibitors. The midgut proteases of Achaea janata have been characterized and Casein zymograms indicated at least five distinct activities corresponding to approx 17, 20, 29 and 80, and 90 kDa. Using a combination of synthetic substrates and specific inhibitors in casein zymograms, photometric assays and activity blots, three trypsin-like and one elastase-like serine proteases were identified but no chymotrypsin-like activity. Various proteinase inhibitors displayed differential inhibitory effects towards the midgut proteases.     

Comparison of the dynamics of bovine and human angiogenin: a molecular dynamics study

Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out for 1 ns on human and bovine angiogenin systems in an effort to compare and contrast their dynamics. An analysis of their dynamics is done by examining the rms deviations, following hydrogen-bonding interactions and looking at the role of water in and around the protein. The C-terminus of bovine angiogenin moves appreciably during dynamics suggesting a better structure for ligand binding. However, we do not find any evidence of a conformation where the glutamate residue that obstructs the active site takes on a different conformation. We observe a differential hydrogen-bonding pattern in the active site regions of bovine and human angiogenins, which could have a bearing on the different catalytic activities of the proteins. We also propose that the differential binding of the monoclonal antibody toward the two proteins might be due sequential and not conformational differences. Water molecules might play an important functional role in both proteins given their subtle functional differences. A simple computation on the molecular dynamics data has been carried out to identify locations in and around the protein that are invariably occupied by water. The locations of nearly half the waters we have identified from the simulation as being invariant in bovine angiogenin occupy similar locations in the bovine angiogenin crystal structure. The positions of the waters identified in human angiogenin differ considerably from that of bovine angiogenin.