Potential triazole derivatives having significant antiepileptic effect- A Review

Triazole is a five membered heterocyclic moiety of two carbon and three nitrogen atom, triazole are present in two isomeric forms, 1,2,4-triazole and 1,2,3-triazole. Alprazolam, Triazolam and Midazolam are established drugs used in epilepsy which have triazole moiety. Epilepsy is the most frequent neurological disorder characterized by excessive temporary neuronal discharge. The overall prevalence of the disease is 1% of the population and up to 50 million people worldwide. The literature shows that different substitution on triazole moiety exhibit potent antiepileptic activity and less/no neurotoxicity. The maximal electroshock seziures test is most widely used in- vivo models among the various screening models of epilepsy. The present article focused on the previous researches on triazole, which include synthesis, spectral characterization and antiepileptic activity of the synthesized triazole derivatives, and we also go for the development of structure activity relationship of the earlier synthesized triazole derivatives with reference to their pharmacological effect.

A review on an update of NS5B polymerase hepatitis C virus inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is widespread, abhorrently under-diagnosed, and radically under-treated. Globally, infection with HCV is a major cause of acute hepatitis and chronic liver disease. Therefore, novel HCV inhibitors are required for the treatment of the HCV infected patients.

OBJECTIVE AND PERSPECTIVES

This review gives the detailed knowledge of upcoming therapy such as NS5B polymerase inhibitors that are urgently needed.

CONCLUSION

In the past decade, intensive hard work has focused on the discovery of both structural and nonstructural inhibitors of the HCV NS5B polymerase. These demanding efforts have resulted in various promising agents advancing in clinical development with emphasis on clinical efficacy and impact for future combination studies.

Managing urethral injuries in suburban India-general surgeon's perspective

Although, urethral injuries are relatively uncommon, their incidence has been increasing due to increasing incidence of road traffic accidents. Initial management of urethral injury depends upon the degree and location of the injury, patients' haemodynamic status, and any associated injuries. Besides these factors, availability of clinical infrastructure and clinical expertise also play a significant role in making appropriate management decisions at the time of injury.

Thermal plume behaviour in the Kadra reservoir at Kaiga atomic power station – Part 2: studies for the case of four and six units in operation

A computational model was developed earlier for 2 units of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) operational at Kaiga Atomic Power Station (KAPS) to understand the thermal plume behaviour in the Kadra reservoir wherein the hot water from the plant condensers is discharged. The model was successfully validated against the site data. The same model has now been extended for analyzing the thermal plume bahaviour in case of 4 NPP units as well as 6 NPP units operational at the same site. The present paper briefly describes details of the studies along with the results of earlier study to understand the overall behavior of thermal plume in Kadra reservoir.

Neonatal presentation of familial glucocorticoid deficiency resulting from a novel splice mutation in the melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein

BACKGROUND

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterised by isolated glucocorticoid deficiency. Mutations in the ACTH receptor/melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R), the MC2R accessory protein (MRAP) or the STAR protein (STAR) cause FGD types 1, 2 and 3, respectively, accounting for ~50% of all cases.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We report a neonate of Indian origin, who was diagnosed with FGD in the first few days of life. He presented with hypoglycaemic seizures and was noted to have generalised intense hyperpigmentation and normal male genitalia. Biochemical investigations revealed hypocortisolaemia (cortisol 0.223 μg/dl; NR 1-23 μg/dl) and elevated plasma ACTH (170 pg/ml). Serum electrolytes, aldosterone and plasma renin activity were normal. Peak cortisol following a standard synacthen test was 0.018 μg/dl. He responded to hydrocortisone treatment and continues on replacement. Patient DNA was analysed by direct sequencing. The effect of the novel mutation was assessed by an in vitro splicing assay using wild type and mutant heterologous minigenes.

RESULTS

A novel homozygous mutation c.106+2_3dupTA was found in the MRAP gene. Both parents were heterozygous for the mutation. In an in vitro splicing assay, the mutation resulted in the skipping of exon 3.

CONCLUSION

We have identified a novel MRAP mutation where disruption of the intron 3 splice-site results in a prematurely terminated translation product. This protein (if produced) would lack the transmembrane domain that is essential for MC2R interaction. We predict that this would cause complete lack of ACTH response thus explaining the early presentation in this case.

Epidemiological trends of leprosy in an urban leprosy centre of Delhi: a retrospective study of 16 years

This study was done by collecting the retrospective data from 1994 to 2009 of patients attending the urban leprosy centre attached to the department of dermatology, STD & leprosy of PGIMER & Dr. R M L Hospital, New Delhi. The data was analysed according to age, sex, type of leprosy, leprosy reactions, deformities and relapse and compared with the national figures by comparison of proportions after taking the national data per 10,000 population. A total of 3659 patients attended our ULC (Urban Leprosy Centre) among which 2741 were male and 945 females (M:F-3:1). 669 patients (18.2%) were children. The data analysed show a gradual decline in new case detection rate with a marginal rise in 2005 and 2008. Percentage of MB cases was falling consistently till 2005 after which it showed an abrupt rise. The incidence of type 1 reaction varied from 21% in 1994 to 10% in 2009 in PB patients and from 6% in 1994 to 8% in 2009 in MB patients. The trend of type 2 reactions in MB patients showed a slow declining trend. MDT completion rate showed an impressive improvement from 56% in 1994 to 90% in 2009. The number of patients revisiting the ULC with features of relapse also showed a decrease in number. The pattern of visible deformities showed an almost constant trend similar to national figures. Improved MDT completion rate helps in reducing the disease transmission, severity, reactions and disabilities.

A comparative study on the viscoelastic properties of human and animal lenses

A new method of compression between two parallel plates is used to measure the viscoelastic properties of whole and decapsulated human lenses and compare them with other animal species. Compressive load relaxation was performed by deforming the lens by 10% and measuring the force relaxation response for 100 s to obtain thickness, stiffness and relaxation of the induced loading force and Maxwell parameters for human, monkey, porcine and leporine whole and decapsulated lenses. Thickness and percentage loading force relaxation increased linearly with lens age, whereas stiffness and induced loading force increased exponentially. Human and monkey lenses aged at different rates. Loading force relaxation in a generalized Maxwell model was described by three time constants ranging from 1 to 1000 s. Compressive load relaxation is a very versatile method to study the viscoelastic properties of whole and decapsulated lenses and potentially also artificial accommodating lenses. The data presented in the study will help researchers choose the most suitable animal lenses based on the desired properties and age to be mimicked from the human lenses.

Noninvasive routes of proteins and peptides drug delivery

Recent advances in the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology have led to the formulation of many protein and peptide-based drugs for therapeutic and clinical application. The route of administration has a significant impact on the therapeutic outcome of a drug. The needle and syringe is a well established choice of protein and peptide delivery which has some drawback related to patient and to formulation such as pain, cost, sterility etc. Thus, the noninvasive routes which were of minor importance as parts of drug delivery in the past have assumed added importance in protein and peptide drug delivery and these include nasal, ophthalmic, buccal, vaginal, transdermal and pulmonary routes. The pharmaceutical scientists have some approaches to develop the formulations for protein and peptide delivery by noninvasive routes. But, due to the physiochemical instability and enzymatic barrier of proteins and peptides there are several hurdle to develop suitable formulation. So there is need of penetration enhancers, enzyme inhibitors and suitable vehicles for noninvasive delivery to increase the bioavailability. In this review, the aim is to focus on the approaches to formulation of protein and peptide based drug administration by noninvasive route.

CXCL13 mediates prostate cancer cell proliferation through JNK signalling and invasion through ERK activation

OBJECTIVES

  The focus of this study was to determine the dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK) and Akt signals involved in CXCL13-mediated prostate cancer (PCa) cell invasion and proliferation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

  Androgen-sensitive (LNCaP), hormone-refractory (PC3) cells and normal cells (RWPE-1) were used to determine CXCL13-mediated PCa cell invasion and proliferation. Immuno-blotting, fast activated cell-based (FACE) ELISA, caspase activity, cell invasion and proliferation assays were performed to ascertain some of the signalling events involved in PCa cell proliferation and invasion.

RESULTS

  Unlike androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells, we report for the first time that the hormone-refractory cell line, PC3, expresses DOCK2. CXCL13-mediated LNCaP and PC3 cell invasion was regulated by Akt and ERK1/2 activation in a DOCK2-independent fashion. CXCL13 also promoted LNCaP cell proliferation in a JNK-dependent fashion even in the absence of DOCK2. In contrast, CXCL13 induced PC3 cell proliferation through JNK activation, which required DOCK2.

CONCLUSIONS

  Our results show CXCL13-mediated PCa cell invasion requires Akt and ERK1/2 activation and suggests a new role for DOCK2 in proliferation of hormone-refractory CXCR5-positive PCa cells.

Review and investigations of oscillatory flow behaviour of a horizontal ceiling opening for nuclear containment and fire safety analysis

In the thermal hydraulics codes developed for fire safety analysis and for containment thermal hydraulic analysis, junctions in the multi-compartment geometries is often modeled as uni-directional junctions. However, ceiling junctions are known to depict unstable/oscillatory bi-directional flow behavior. Detailed investigations have been carried out to understand the unstable flow behaviour of a junction by analyzing an earlier reported experiment and its subsequent two dimensional numerical RANS based study of fire in an enclosure. The authors attempt more realistic and desired three dimensional and inherently transient large eddy simulations using a computer code Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). The paper presents the details of the analysis, the results obtained and further studies required to be conducted so that the findings can be applied to the fire/containment thermal hydraulics analysis codes successfully.

CFD simulation of thermal discharge behaviour in the Kadra reservoir at the Kaiga atomic power station

The thermal pollution arising out of discharge of hot water from the power plant condensers into the natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, oceans etc. has been a serious concern to environmentalists ever since the plants started operating world over. In the past forty to fifty years, the methods of calculations for predicting the velocity and temperature fields in the affected regions of the stagnant/flowing water bodies have undergone a significant improvement. Currently, use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes for performing these calculations is gaining popularity. However, several factors such as the assumed computational domain and its discretisation, the boundary conditions used, representation of hydrodynamic characteristics (laminar/turbulent, buoyant/non-buoyant), etc. have a strong influence on the accuracy of predictions by such a model. A CFD code STAR-CD has been used for analyzing the thermal plume behaviour in the Kadra reservoir at Kaiga Atomic Power Station (KAPS). The predictions from these calculations of two units in operation have been found to be in good agreement with the site data made available from earlier studies. The present paper briefly describes the model developed using STAR-CD and results obtained for the Kadra reservoir at KAPS.

Inverse problems using Artificial Neural Networks in long range atmospheric dispersion

Scalar dispersion in the atmosphere is an important area wherein different approaches are followed in development of good analytical models. The analyses based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes offer an opportunity of model development based on first principles of physics and hence such models have an edge over the existing models. Both forward and backward calculation methods are being developed for atmospheric dispersion around NPPs at BARC. Forward modeling methods, which describe the atmospheric transport from sources to receptors, use forward-running transport and dispersion models or computational fluid dynamics models which are run many times, and the resulting dispersion field is compared to observations from multiple sensors. Backward or inverse modeling methods use only one model run in the reverse direction from the receptors to estimate the upwind sources. Inverse modeling methods include adjoint and tangent linear models, Kalman filters, and variational data assimilation, and neural network. The present paper is aimed at developing a new approach where the identified specific signatures at receptor points form the basis for source estimation or inversions. This approach is expected to reduce the large transient data sets to reduced and meaningful data sets. In fact this reduces the inherently transient data set into a time independent mean data set. Forward computations were carried out with CFD code for various cases to generate a large set of data to train the Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Specific signature analysis was carried out to find the parameters of interest for ANN training like peak concentration, time to reach peak concentration and time to fall. The ANN was trained with data and source strength and locations were predicted from ANN. The inverse problem was performed using the ANN approach in long range atmospheric dispersion. An illustration of application of CFD code for atmospheric dispersion studies for a hypothetical case is also included in the paper.

Analysis of carriers of hepatitis B virus from a tertiary referral hospital: does the viral load change during the natural course of infection?

This study was designed to determine the prevalence, forms of transmission, mutational profile and viral load at baseline of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers in Delhi. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients were enrolled and evaluated clinically for liver function, serological markers for hepatitis B and HBV DNA quantitation. Tests were carried out again 1 year later and the results were compared. Liver biopsy was carried out on all carriers with active viral replication. HBV DNA-positive samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction single-stranded conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) to screen mutations in the Precore, core, and the X-gene prior to sequencing analysis. Among the 100 patients examined, HBeAg was detected in 23% and 40% were HBV DNA-positive. Of the 40 HBV DNA-positive cases, 8 had precore/core mutations, [G1896A (10%), T2066A (12.5%), T2050C (10%), and G1888A (7.5%)]. No X gene mutants were detected. Reduction in viral load was higher in HBeAg-positive patients, as compared to HBeAg-negative patients, over 1 year. At follow-up, 2/8 HBV mutants corresponded with altered liver function and morphological changes suggestive of chronic hepatitis. One patient was re-designated as DNA-negative on follow-up and had wild-type virus infection with a relatively low viral load. The predominant route for HBV transmission was determined to be parenteral. Twenty percent of the HBV carriers were infected with precore and core mutant HBV. Although the clinical and biochemical profiles of these HBV carriers remained largely stable on follow-up, there was evidence of spontaneous reduction in the mean viral load over the 1-year study period.

Does Helical Tomotherapy Improve Dose Conformity and Normal Tissue Sparing Compared to Conventional IMRT? A Dosimetric Comparison in High Risk Prostate Cancer

The study was designed to compare Helical Tomotherapy (HT) based IMRT and conventional sliding window (SW IMRT) in patients with high risk prostate cancer. Complementary plans with HT and SWIMRT were compared using DVH parameters. The PTV Prostate was prescribed 74 Gy in 37 fractions and the nodal PTV received 55 Gy in 37 fractions by simultaneous integrated boost. Conformity Index, Homogeneity Index and dose-volume parameters were compared. The conformity index (CI) of HT (0.77, SD = 0.54) plans tended to be better (p = 0.069) compared to SWIMRT (0.70, SD = 0.01) for prostate PTV. CI for nodal PTV was similar. Helical tomotherapy plans were more homogeneous, with homogeneity index (HI) of 0.04 compared to 0.06 in SWIMRT (p = 0.018) for PTV prostate and HI of 0.06 and 0.15 (p = 0.025) for PTV nodes respectively. Median dose to bladder (p = 0.025) and rectum (p = 0.012) were less with HT. However, HT delivered a higher D10Gy and D1Gy to rectum and bladder overlap volumes as a consequence of achieving better homogeneity. Femoral heads were better spared with HT plans (p = 0.012). HT improves dose homogeneity, target coverage and conformity as compared to SWIMRT, with overall improvement in critical organ sparing.

Electron arc therapy for bilateral chest wall irradiation: treatment planning and dosimetric study

AIMS

The treatment of patients with synchronous bilateral breast cancer is a challenge. We present a report of dosimetric data of patients with bilateral chest walls as the target treated with electron arc therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten consecutive patients who had undergone electron arc therapy to the bilateral chest wall for breast cancer were analysed. After positioning and immobilisation, patients underwent computed tomography scans from the neck to the upper abdomen. Electron arc plans were generated using the PLATO RTS (V1.8.2 Nucletron) treatment planning system. Electron energy was chosen depending upon the depth and thickness of the planning target volume (PTV). For all patients, the arc angle ranged between 80 and 280° (start angle 80°, stop angle 280°). The homogeneity index, coverage index and doses to organs at risk were evaluated. The patient-specific output factor and thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) measurements were carried out for all patients. The total planned dose to the PTV was 50Gy/25 fractions/5 weeks.

RESULTS

The mean PTV (± standard deviation) was 568.9 (±116)cm(3). The mean PTV coverage was 89 (±5.8)% of the prescribed dose. For the right lung, the mean values of D(1) and D(10) were 46 (±7.6) and 30 (±9)Gy, respectively. For the left lung, the mean values of D(1) and D(10) were 45 (±7) and 27 (±8)Gy, respectively. For the heart, the mean values of D(1), D(5) and D(10) were 21 (±15), 13.5 (±12) and 9 (±9)Gy, respectively. The mean values of TLD at various pre-specified locations on the chest wall surface were 1.84, 1.82, 1.82, 1.89 and 1.78Gy, respectively

CONCLUSION

The electron arc technique for treating the bilateral chest wall is a feasible and pragmatic technique. This technique has the twin advantages of adequate coverage of the target volume and sparing of adjacent normal structures. However, compared with other techniques, it needs a firm quality assurance protocol for dosimetry and treatment delivery.

Establishment of lacZ marked strain of phosphate solubilizing bacterium in the rhizosphere and its effect on plant growth in mungbean

The establishment of lacZ marked strain of P-solubilizing bacterium Pseudomonas in the rhizosphere of mungbean (Vigna radiata) under pothouse conditions was studied. The lacZ marker was transferred to Pseudomonas P-36 on LB medium using donor strain of E. coli. The lacZ marked strain formed blue colonies on selective media and could be identified from soil on the basis of this character. The lacZ marked strain was able to survive in rhizosphere of mungbean under pothouse conditions and maintained a population of about 10(4) g(-1) of rhizosphere soils up to 60 days study period. Positive effect of inoculation with P-solubilizing bacterium on dry matter yield, P and N-uptake was observed using rock phosphate and single super phosphate as P sources with and without farmyard amendment.

Isolation and Characterization of a Facultatively Aerobic Bacterium That Reductively Dehalogenates Tetrachloroethene to cis-1,2-Dichloroethene

A rapidly-growing facultatively aerobic bacterium that transforms tetrachloroethene (PCE) via trichloroethene (TCE) to cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-1,2-DCE) at high rates in a defined medium was isolated from a contaminated site. Metabolic characterization, cellular fatty acid analysis, and partial sequence analysis of 16S rRNA showed that the new isolate, strain MS-1, has characteristics matching those of the members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Strain MS-1 can oxidize about 58 substrates including many carbohydrates, short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, purines, and pyrimidines. It can transform up to 1 mM PCE (aqueous) at a rate of about 0.5 (mu)mol of PCE(middot) h(sup-1)(middot)mg (dry weight) of cell(sup-1). PCE transformation occurs following growth on or with the addition of single carbon sources such as glucose, pyruvate, formate, lactate, or acetate or with complex nutrient sources such as yeast extract or a mixture of amino acids. PCE dehalogenation requires the absence of oxygen, nitrate, and high concentrations of fermentable compounds such as glucose. Enterobacter agglomerans biogroup 5 (ATCC 27993), a known facultative bacterium that is closely related to strain MS-1, also reductively dehalogenated PCE to cis-1,2-DCE. To our knowledge, this is the first report on isolation of a facultative bacterium that can reductively transform PCE to cis-1,2-DCE under defined physiological conditions. Also, this is the first report of the ability of E. agglomerans to dehalogenate PCE.

Olmsted syndrome

Olmsted syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the combination of periorificial, keratotic plaques and bilateral palmoplantar keratoderma. New associated features are being reported. Olmsted syndrome is particularly rare in a female patient, and we report such a case in a six year-old Indian girl, who presented with keratoderma of her soles since birth and on her palms since the age of two years along with perioral and perinasal hyperkeratosis. She had sparse, light brown, thin hair. Although the psychomotor development of the child was normal until 18 months of age, the keratoderma plaques had restricted the child's mobility after that stage.

Role of nodD gene product and flavonoid interactions in induction of nodulation genes in Mesorhizobium ciceri

Mesorhizobium ciceri is a host specific bacterium which nodulates the genus, Cicer. Host specificity is regulated at first step by induction of nodulation (nod) genes in the presence of NodD protein and inducers (flavonoids) of plant origin. The inducer specificity of M. ciceri nodD gene was studied in NodD-mutant strain HN-9 carrying heterologous nodD genes and nodAlacZ fusion. The induction profile of nod promoter in M. ciceri revealed that nodD gene product of M. ciceri is specifically activated by chickpea root exudates only. M. ciceri HN-9 (nodA-lacZ) containing heterologous nodD genes from Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae, R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii and Sinorhizobium meliloti was induced in presence of a number of flavonoids. On the other hand, induction profile of nod promoter showed that heterologous nodD gene products were activated to different levels in NodD(-) mutant of M. ciceri in presence of root exudates from homologous as well as heterologous legume hosts. The transfer of FITA (Flavonoid independent transcription activation) nodD gene in NodD(-) mutant, M. ciceri HN-9, was able to break the inducer specificity barrier and nod promoter was induced to maximum level irrespective of the presence or absence of inducer. It is concluded from the results that host specificity in M. ciceri - chickpea (Cicer arietinum) symbiosis is regulated at first step by the host specific interaction of nodD gene product of M. ciceri and inducers present in the root exudates of chickpea.

Annular vesiculobullous eruptions in type 2 reaction in borderline lepromatous leprosy: a case report

An untreated case of BL presented with clinical features of type 2 reaction (T2R) confirmed by histopathology. The case was a 18-year-old female with borderline lepromatous leprosy who developed annular vesiculobullous eruptions oversome of the pre-existing plaques on arms and upper back along with fever and severe neuritis after a short course of ofloxacin intake prescribed for urinary tract infection. In addition to the above lesions, some of the existing lesions showed acute exacerbation characterized by erythema, oedema, tenderness and vesiculobullous eruption. This can be considered as an example of leprous exacerbation as described in older literature. T2Rs are common in lepromatous leprosy and not so uncommonly are observed in borderline lepromatous leprosy. The vesiculobullous and crusted lesions developing over the existing borderline plaques, some of them presenting in an annular pattern in T2R in the form of leprous exacerbation, have been reported rarely in the literature.

A dose verification method for high-dose-rate brachytherapy treatment plans

AIM

To evolve a fast dose verification method for high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment plans and to demonstrate its applicability in different clinical cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We developed a software tool in VC++ for the Varisource HDR unit for HDR dosimetry plan verification using TG-43 parameters. HDR treatment dosimetry of a number clinical cases using Varisource was verified by comparison with the treatment planning system (TPS).

RESULTS

A number of different types of clinical cases treated by Varisource were evaluated. TPS calculated dose values and verification code calculated dose values were found to agree to within 3% for most of the dose calculation points.

CONCLUSIONS

We have validated with clinical cases a fast and independent dose verification method of the dosimetry at selected points for HDR brachytherapy treatments plan using TG-43 parameters. This can be used for the verification of the TPS calculated dose at various points. The code is written to work with Varisource, but it can conceivably be modified for other sources also by using the fitted constant of the respective source.