A process optimization for bio-catalytic production of substituted catechols (3-nitrocatechol and 3-methylcatechol

Background  

Substituted catechols are important precursors for large-scale synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other industrial products. Most of the reported chemical synthesis methods are expensive and insufficient at industrial level. However, biological processes for production of substituted catechols could be highly selective and suitable for industrial purposes.     

Influence of age,weaning, season and body weight on the levels of progesterone,oestradiol-17β and luteinizing hormone in growing buffalo heifers (Bubalus bubalis)

The influence of age, weaning, season of the year and body weight on the peripheral levels of progesterone, oestradiol-17β and luteinizing hormone (LH) were studied during neonatal, perinatal and peripubertal periods in buffalo heifers. The buffalo heifers exhibited oestrus only after 30 months of age and had higher levels of LH and oestradiol-17β and a lower level of progesterone on the day of oestrus. The progesterone concentration was affected significantly (P < 0.01) by different seasons, by weaning (P < 0.05) and varied between pubertal and neonatal periods (P < 0.01), whereas the oestradiol-17β level was affected significantly (P < 0.01) by weaning and varied at different seasons and with body weight. However, the LH concentration was greater during the neonatal period than the pre- and peripubertal periods and changed significantly (P < 0.01) between groups of ages and body weights. The results suggest that increases in the levels of oestradiol-17β and progesterone after 30 months of age are probably indicative of the onset of puberty in buffalo heifers. However, a further increase in oestradiol-17β, LH, and a decrease in progesterone are essential for oestrus and cyclicity to be exhibited in buffalo heifers.     

The Clinical Significance of Interleukin–1 Receptor Antagonist +2018 Polymorphism in Rheumatoid Arthritis

ObjectiveInterleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) acts as an inhibitor of IL-1; which is one of the culprit cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although +2018 polymorphism of IL-1Ra has been implicated in the pathogenesis of RA, its importance remains poorly understood. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) +2018 polymorphism in RA.MethodsPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing were used to determine the genotypes of the IL-1Ra +2018 for 77 RA patients and 18 healthy controls. All RA patients were assessed for the disease activity score that includes 28 joints (DAS28) and radiographic disease damage based on Modified Sharp Score (MSS).ResultsThe frequency of the T/T and C/T genotypes did not differ significantly (p = 0.893) between the RA patients and the controls. The C/T genotype had significantly higher mean disease activity (DAS 28) and disease damage (MSS) scores with p values of 0.017 and 0.004, respectively. Additionally, the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), CRP (C-reactive protein), the number of swollen and tender joints were higher for the C/T individuals. On multivariate analysis the CRP, swollen joint count and MSS remained significant with the following p values i.e. 0.045, 0.046 and less than 0.05.ConclusionsC/T genotype of IL-1Ra +2018 prognosticates more aggressive disease in RA.     

Solution Structure of the HIV-1 Intron Splicing Silencer and Its Interactions with the UP1 Domain of Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1

Splicing patterns in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are maintained through cis regulatory elements that recruit antagonistic host RNA-binding proteins. The activity of the 3′ acceptor site A7 is tightly regulated through a complex network of an intronic splicing silencer (ISS), a bipartite exonic splicing silencer (ESS3a/b), and an exonic splicing enhancer (ESE3). Because HIV-1 splicing depends on protein-RNA interactions, it is important to know the tertiary structures surrounding the splice sites. Herein, we present the NMR solution structure of the phylogenetically conserved ISS stem loop. ISS adopts a stable structure consisting of conserved UG wobble pairs, a folded 2X2 (GU/UA) internal loop, a UU bulge, and a flexible AGUGA apical loop. Calorimetric and biochemical titrations indicate that the UP1 domain of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 binds the ISS apical loop site-specifically and with nanomolar affinity. Collectively, this work provides additional insights into how HIV-1 uses a conserved RNA structure to commandeer a host RNA-binding protein.     

A theoretical model for water flux through the artery wall

A two layer model for water flux through the artery is studied using a mathematical model based on the theory for the consolidation of water saturated soils. The matrix is considered to be constituted by two layers with different permeabilities and different elastic constants and the two systems of equations are coupled with the condition of continuity of pressure, total stress, solid displacement and fluid seepage velocity at the interface. The luminal pressure is considered to be harmonic in time. Exact solutions are obtained for displacements and pressures in both the layers. For large consolidation times, large pressure gradients are found to exist near the boundaries and at the interface. The heterogeneous model may not only be useful to understand the mechanics of transport in the physiological system but it will also help the bioengineers to choose proper implant materials to design artificial vascular organs for the purpose of prosthesis.     

d-Aspartate in Human Brain

The presence of the biologically uncommon D-aspartic acid (D-aspartate) in human brain white matter has been previously reported. The earlier study has now been expanded to include D/L-aspartate ratios from 67 normal brains. The data show that the D-aspartate content increases rapidly from 1 year to approximately 35 years of age, levels off in middle age, and then appears to decrease somewhat. The D-aspartate content in gray matter remains at a consistently low level (half of that found in white matter) throughout the human life span. Within the limitations of current analytical methods, there was no detectable difference in D/L-aspartate ratios in white and gray matter of brains with Alzheimer's disease and several other pathologies when compared with brains of normal subjects. However, the presence of a significant D-aspartate level in white matter during the adult life span may lead to changes in protein configuration related to dysfunctions associated with the aging brain.     

Maintenance and stability of introduced genotypes in groundwater aquifer material.

Three indigenous groundwater bacterial strains and Pseudomonas putida harboring plasmids TOL (pWWO) and RK2 were introduced into experimentally contaminated groundwater aquifer microcosms. Maintenance of the introduced genotypes was measured over time by colony hybridization with gene probes of various specificity. On the basis of the results of colony hybridization quantitation of the introduced organisms and genes, all introduced genotypes were stably maintained at approximately 10(5) positive hybrid colonies g-1 of aquifer microcosm material throughout an 8-week incubation period. Concomitant removal of the environmental contaminants, viz., toluene, chlorobenzene, and styrene, in both natural (uninoculated) and inoculated aquifer microcosms was also demonstrated. The results indicate that introduced catabolic plasmids, as well as indigenous organisms, can be stably maintained in groundwater aquifer material without specific selective pressure for the introduced genotypes. These results have positive implications for in situ treatment and biodegradation in contaminated aerobic groundwater aquifers.