3-Aryl/Heteryl-5-Phenylindeno[1,2-d]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-6(5H)-ones: Synthesis,Characterization, and Antimicrobial Investigation

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - Discovery towards the potent antimicrobial agents is indispensable for the treatment of infections caused by resistant microbes. Thus, we prepared a novel...     

Dhanwantaram kashayam,an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation,reduces oxidative radicals and reverts lipids profile towards normal in diabetic rats

BackgroundHyperglycemia and hyper oxidative stress are indicators of diabetes mellitus which is also accompanied with decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes. While oxidative stress is important in increasing insulin secretion and controlling blood sugar level at the same time excess oxidative stress leads to the destruction of beta cells of pancreas resulting in to low insulin production and hyperglycemia. A balance between the levels of oxidative radicals and insulin production is needed, but is not defined yet. Hyperglycemia also leads to hyperlipidemia which can contribute to various health conditions like cardiovascular diseases.ObjectivesThis study was designed to study the oxidative stress and lipid levels in diabetic rats. This also was designed to elucidate the effect of Dhanwantaram Kashayam, an Ayurvedic polyphenolic derived from plants on lipid metabolism and oxidative radical scavenging in diabetic rats.MethodsRats were made diabetic by injecting streptozotocin. Different enzymes involved in oxidative radical scavenging and lipid profiles including triglycerides, total cholesterol, free fatty acids and phospholipids were estimated using standard methods reported elsewhere.ResultsLevel of antioxidant enzymes were lower in diabetic rats compared to normal controls. Administration of Dhanwantaram Kashayam restored the enzyme activity as well as reduced levels of different lipids in diabetic rats.ConclusionsAdministration of Dhanwantaram Kashayam increased the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the levels of total cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides. The results of this study point to the possibility of developing Dhanwantaram Kashayam as a dietary supplement which can alleviate the complications associated with diabetes or prevent them altogether.     

Tracking unstable states: ecosystem dynamics in a changing world

Ecological systems can show complex and sometimes abrupt responses to environmental change, with important implications for their resilience. Theories of alternate stable states have been used to predict regime shifts of ecosystems as equilibrium responses to sufficiently slow environmental change. The actual rate of environmental change is a key factor affecting the response, yet we are still lacking a non-equilibrium theory that explicitly considers the influence of this rate of environmental change. We present a metacommunity model of predator–prey interactions displaying multiple stable states, and we impose an explicit rate of environmental change in habitat quality (carrying capacity) and connectivity (dispersal rate). We study how regime shifts depend on the rate of environmental change and compare the outcome with a stability analysis in the corresponding constant environment. Our results reveal that in a changing environment, the community can track states that are unstable in the constant environment. This tracking can lead to regime shifts, including local extinctions, that are not predicted by alternative stable state theory. In our metacommunity, tracking unstable states also controls the maintenance of spatial heterogeneity and spatial synchrony. Tracking unstable states can also lead to regime shifts that may be reversible or irreversible. Our study extends current regime shift theories to integrate rate-dependent responses to environmental change. It reveals the key role of unstable states for predicting transient dynamics and long-term resilience of ecological systems to climate change.     

Knock-down of glucose transporter and sucrose non-fermenting gene in the hemibiotrophic fungus Colletotrichum falcatum causing sugarcane red rot

Molecular Biology Reports - Red rot caused by Colletotrichum falcatum, is one of the economically important disease of sugarcane and breeding for resistant varieties is considered to be the major...