Evaluation of Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Activities of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Garcinia gummi-gutta Linn by HFD with Low Dose STZ Induced Type II Diabetes Mellitus on Rats

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of methanolic leaf extract of Garcinia gummi-gutta Linn. by HFD with low dose STZ induced T2DM on rats. Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into five groups of six animals, and HFD was induced for 8 weeks. After 4th week of HFD treatment, type-II diabetes was induced by a single dose of 35mg/kg (i.p) STZ, hyperglycemia was confirmed by the elevated levels of blood glucose determined at 72h and the animals with blood glucose concentration (< 250mg/dl) were used for the study. The In vitro anti-diabetic activity was done by the DNS method. Results: The In vitro anti-diabetic activity by α-amylase inhibition activity by DNS method was very mild as compared to Acarbose and the IC50 value of Acarbose was very low (170.84µg/ml) than MEGG (1989.59µg/ml). However, potent In vivo anti-diabetic activity (P<0.001) was observed after induction HFD with low dose STZ induced T2DM rats at the end of the 8th week, blood sugar level for MEGG high dose (173.40 ± 14.9mg/dl) was found to be almost same as that of standard drug Glibenclamide (164.60 ± 3.21mg/dl) as compared to control (287.90 ± 1.52). The lipid profile of the study showed a marked increase in TC, LDL, TG, and reduction in HDL in HFD with low dose STZ diabetic rats, whereas in MEGG and standard drugs treated by Glibenclamide were found to be substantially decreased and a fair amount of improvement in HDL level (P<0.001). Histologically, focal necrosis was observed in the diabetic rat pancreas whereas on standard and test mild and no evidence of necrosis were observed respectively, similar positive results were found in liver and adipocyte histology for standard and test groups against the HFD with STZ-induced group Conclusion: Therefore MEGG possesses potent In vivo anti-diabetic effect as well as hypolipidemic effect and therefore MEGG might be a potent phytochemical alternative to prevent and treat T2DM and atherosclerosis and also to reduce its associated complications.

Cardiac myosin inhibitor, mavacamten, improves myocardial relaxation in mouse HFpEF model

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Medical Research Council (NMRC)

Background / Introduction

There are currently no treatments for directly improving diastolic dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Improving myocardial relaxation via manipulating sarcomere function has great potential to unveil novel targets for treating HFpEF. Mavacamten, a small molecule inhibitor of myosin ATPase, has been developed through drug screening as a treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and it is currently being tested in HFpEF patients. Interestingly, emerging evidence suggests that mavacamten may not only modulate contractility but may also modulate myocardial relaxation.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate whether mavacamten directly modulates sarcomere mechanical properties to improve myocardial relaxation in a mouse HFpEF model.

Methods

Eight to ten weeks old adult male C57Bl/6 mice were fed with (1) standard diet or (2) high-fat diet (HFD) + L-NAME to induce HFpEF (n=10 mice/group). Cardiac function was assessed by transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography at baseline and after 15 weeks. Mouse myofibrils (n=10-15 per animals) were obtained from control and HFpEF mice using a triton X-100-based skinning method. The contractile function of the sarcomere with or without the presence of mavacamten were investigated using a myofibril mechanical system. General myofibril mechanical parameters measured included resting and maximal tension (RT, FMAX, mN/mm2), rate constant of tension development (kACT, S-1), duration of linear relaxation phase (tLIN, mSec) and rate constant of linear and exponential phase relaxation (linear and exponential kREL, S-1). Furthermore, force production as a function of the bathing Ca2+ concentration (pCa 4.5-9.0) was measured to determine the Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofibrils.

Results

As previously reported, C57Bl/6 mice fed with HFD + L-NAME developed cardiac hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, exercise intolerance despite having preserved systolic function at 15 weeks. Mechanical analysis showed myofibrils isolated from HFpEF mice has mildly reduced force generation, significantly higher stiffness and elevated Ca2+ sensitivity, compared with control animals. Ex vivo treatment of mavacamten completely normalised Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofibrils from HFpEF animals. Interestingly, mavacamten treatment further accelerated the rate of linear phase relaxation (linear kREL).

Conclusion

This is the first study to characterise in detail the mechanical properties of myofibrils in a mouse HFpEF model. We demonstrated myosin ATPase inhibition using mavacamten could normalise elevated Ca2+ sensitivity as well as facilitate relaxation kinetics at the sarcomere level in HFpEF. These findings position mavacamten to be a potential therapeutic intervention for improving diastolic function in patients with HFpEF.

Role of Annealing Temperatures on Mechanical, Optical, Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Nanohydroxyapatite Biomaterial

Nanosized hydroxyapatite [Ca₁₀(Po₄)₆(OH)₂ or HAp] was prepared by applying wet-chemical precipitation technique. Thermogravimetric and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG/DSC) analyses, showed that the prepared sample was stable up to 919.2 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern showed that as-prepared and annealed samples are in hexagonal structure. The average crystallite size is found to be 39, 46, 51 and 65 nm for the as-prepared, 700, 800 and 900 °C annealed HAp respectively. The dislocation density, strain and surface area were decreased with increase in annealing temperature. FT-IR and Raman spectra showed both as-prepared and annealed samples having characteristic bands of HAp. FE-SEM and TEM images which depicted and confirmed the hexagonal structure of HAp. The optical band gap calculated from the UV absorption behavior of as-prepared and annealed at 700, 800 and 900 °C HAp are 3.86, 3.84, 3.54, and 3.03 eV respectively. As the annealing temperature increases, the conductivity decreases whereas the impedance increases. The ac conductivity of as-prepared and annealed samples are in the order of 10^-5 Sm^-1. The VSM analysis confirmed that both as-prepared and annealed samples of HAp are in diamagnetic nature. The antibacterial activity of apatite samples depend on the types of bacterial strains and also their activity changed with the crystallite size.

FP2-1 Prognostic value of leucocytosis in paediatric traumatic brain injury

Objectives

We assessed leucocytosis and evaluated its prognostic value in isolated paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Design

Retrospective analysis.

Subjects

106 consecutive paediatric patients with isolated TBI admitted between June 2008 and June 2016.

Methods

Initial blood leucocyte count (WCC), Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), computed tomographic (CT) findings, duration of hospital stay, and Paediatric Cerebral Performance Category Scale (PCPCS) scores were analysed.

Results

Mean age was 4.2 years. For patients with GCS 3–8, 9–13 and 14–15, WCC was 20, 15.9 and 10.7 × 109/L respectively. Differences in WCC were significant between the different GCS groups (p<0.01). Length of hospital stay, extent of midline shift on CT and poor 6 month PCPCS rating were each significantly correlated with WCC (p<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed a cut-off WCC of 16.1 × 109/L, above which GCS, CT findings, length of hospital stay and PCPCS were less favourable. Application of the International Mission on Prognosis and Analysis of randomized Controlled Trials in TBI (IMPACT) adult TBI prediction model to our paediatric cohort, using area under the operating curve (AUROC) and coefficient analyses, demonstrated increased accuracy with incorporation of WCC as a risk factor.

Conclusions

High initial leucocytosis (>16.1×109/L) is predictive for poor GCS, severe CT findings, lengthy hospital stay and poor PCPCS in isolated paediatric TBI. Incorporating WCC into TBI prediction models may increase the accuracy of prognostication.

Probing Downstream Olive Biophenol Secoiridoids

Numerous bioactive biophenol secoiridoids (BPsecos) are found in the fruit, leaves, and oil of olives. These BPsecos play important roles in both the taste of food and human health. The main BPseco bioactive from green olive fruits, leaves, and table olives is oleuropein, while olive oil is rich in oleuropein downstream pathway molecules. The aim of this study was to probe olive BPseco downstream molecular pathways that are alike in biological and olive processing systems at different pHs and reaction times. The downstream molecular pathway were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI/MS) and typed neglected of different overlap (TNDO) computational methods. Our study showed oleuropein highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and HOMO-1 triggered the free radical processes, while HOMO-2 and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) were polar reactions of glucoside and ester groups. Olive BPsecos were found to be stable under acid and base catalylic experiments. Oleuropein aglycone opened to diales and rearranged to hydroxytyrosil-elenolate under strong reaction conditions. The results suggest that competition among olive BPseco HOMOs could induce glucoside hydrolysis during olive milling due to native olive β-glucosidases. The underlined olive BPsecos downstream molecular mechanism herein could provide new insights into the olive milling process to improve BPseco bioactives in olive oil and table olives, which would enhance both the functional food and the nutraceuticals that are produced from olives.

Pre-operative neutrophil count and neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR) in predicting the histological grade of paediatric brain tumours: a preliminary study

INTRODUCTION

The neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR) is an established prognostic marker for renal, lung and colorectal carcinomas and has been suggested to be predictive of histological grade and outcome in adult intracranial tumours. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a correlation of the pre-operative neutrophil count (NC) and NLCR with the final histological grade exists in paediatric intracranial tumours.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was undertaken at a single centre. Patients less than 18 years old at the time of surgery who underwent tumour-related procedures from 2006 to 2015 were included. Patients with recurrent tumours, previous bone marrow transplant and metastases were excluded. Pre-operative full blood counts (FBC), collected before the diagnosis of intracranial pathology and before administration of steroids, were matched with histological diagnosis for each patient. Post-operative FBC was also recorded, together with survival data where applicable.

RESULTS

A total of 116 patients (74 male, 42 female; mean age, 8 ± 0.9 years) with a diagnosis of primary intracranial tumours had pre-operative FBC that could be matched to final histological grade. Pre-operative NC and NLCR were higher with increasing grade of tumour: grade 1 (NC 4.29 10⁹/l, NLCR 2.26), grade 2 (NC 4.59 10⁹/l, NLCR 2.38), grade 3 (NC 5.67 10⁹/l, NLCR 2.72) and grade 4 (NC 6.59 10⁹/l, NLCR 3.31). Patients with WHO grade 1 and 2 tumours pooled together had a lower NC (4.37 95% CI ± 0.67 10⁹/l) compared to WHO grade 3 and 4 patients (6.41 95% CI ± 0.99 10⁹/l, p = 0.0013). The NLCR was lower in grade 1 and 2 tumours (2.29 ± 0.59) (compared to grade 3 and 4 tumours; 3.20 ± 0.76) but this did not reach significance (p = 0.069). The subgroup of patients with pilocytic astrocytoma had a significantly lower NC when compared to patients with high-grade tumours (p = 0.005). Medulloblastoma and supratentorial PNET subgroups had significantly higher NC compared to the low-grade group (p = 0.033, p = 0.002). Post-operative NC was significantly higher in the high-grade tumours (p = 0.034), but no difference was observed for NLCR (p = 0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

No evidence exists to support the correlation of pre-operative NC or NLCR to histological diagnosis in paediatric intracranial tumours. Our results indicate that a higher pre-operative NC/NLCR correlates with a higher histological grade of tumour. This suggests that immunological mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of paediatric brain tumours, and a further prospective study is required to substantiate and expand these findings.

Oleuropein: Molecular Dynamics and Computation

BACKGROUND

Olive oil and table olive biophenols have been shown to significantly enrich the hedonic-sensory and nutritional quality of the Mediterranean diet. Oleuropein is one of the predominant biophenols in green olives and leaves, which not only has noteworthy freeradical quenching activity but also putatively reduces the incidence of various cancers. Clinical trials suggest that the consumption of extra virgin olive oil reduces the risk of several degenerative diseases. The oleuropein-based bioactives in olive oil could reduce tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β and nitric oxide. Therefore, the quality of olive biophenols should be preserved and even improved due to their disease-fighting properties.

OBJECTIVE

Understanding the molecular dynamics of oleuropein is crucial to increase olive oil and table olive quality. The objective of this review is to provide the molecular dynamics and computational mapping of oleuropein.

METHOD

The oleuropein molecular bond sequential breaking mechanisms were analyzed through unimolecular reactions under electron spray ionization, collision activated dissociations, and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Oleuropein is a biophenol-secoiridoid expressing different functionalities such as two π-bonds, two esters, two acetals, one catechol, and four hexose hydroxyls within 540 mw. The oleuropein solvent-free reactivity is leading to glucose loss and bioactive aglycone-dialdehydes via secoiridoid ring opening.

CONCLUSION

Oleuropein electron distribution revealed that the free-radical non-polar processes occur from its highest occupied molecular orbital, while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital is clearly devoted to nucleophilic and base site reactivity. This molecular dynamics and computational mapping of oleuropein could contribute to the engineering of olive-based biomedicine and/or functional food.

Biorhizome: A Biosynthetic Platform for Colchicine Biomanufacturing

Colchicine is one of the oldest plant-based medicines used to treat gout and one of the most important alkaloid-based antimitotic drugs with anticancer potential, which is commercially extracted from Gloriosa superba. Clinical trials suggest that colchicine medication could prevent atrial fibrillation recurrence after cardiac surgery. In addition, therapeutic colchicine is undergoing clinical trials to treat non-diabetic metabolic syndrome and diabetic nephropathy. However, the industrial-scale biomanufacturing of colchicine have not yet been established. Clearly, further studies on detailed biorhizome-specific transcriptome analysis, gene expression, and candidate gene validation are required before uncover the mechanism of colchicine biosynthesis and biorhizome-based colchicine biomanufacturing. Annotation of 32312 assembled multiple-tissues transcripts of G. superba represented 15088 unigenes in known plant specific gene ontology. This could help understanding colchicine biosynthesis in G. superba. This review highlights the biorhizomes, rhizome specific genes or gene what expressed with high level in rhizomes, and deep fluid dynamics in a bioreactor specifically for the biomanufacture of colchicine.

Methyl (6R*,6aR*,12bR*)-2,4-dimethyl-6-(2-methylphenyl)-1,3-dioxo-2,3,4,6a,7,12b-hexahydro-1H,6H-chromeno[4′,3′:4,5]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6a-carboxylate

In the title compound, C24H24N2O6, the mean planes of the pyran rings (AandB) are inclined to one another by 69.2 (1)°, while the aromatic ring (D) of the chromene ring system makes dihedral angles of 63.42 (11) and 66.81 (12)° with the pyrimidine (C) and benzene (E) rings, respectively. Pyran ringAhas an half-chair conformation, while pyran ringBhas an envelope conformation, with the spiro C atom as the flap. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a supramolecular three-dimensional network. There are also a number of C—H...π interactions present.

Soft-MS and Computational Mapping of Oleuropein

Olive oil and table olives are rich sources of biophenols, which provides a unique taste, aroma and potential health benefits. Specifically, green olive drupes are enriched with oleuropein, a bioactive biophenol secoiridoid. Olive oil contains hydrolytic derivatives such as hydroxytyrosol, oleacein and elenolate from oleuropein as well as tyrosol and oleocanthal from ligstroside. Biophenol secoiridoids are categorized by the presence of elenoic acid or its derivatives in their molecular structure. Medical studies suggest that olive biophenol secoiridoids could prevent cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, and neurodegeneration. Therefore, understanding the biomolecular dynamics of oleuropein can potentially improve olive-based functional foods and nutraceuticals. This review provides a critical assessment of oleuropein biomolecular mechanism and computational mapping that could contribute to nutrigenomics.

Microwave-assisted Bi₂Se₃ nanoparticles using various organic solvents

Microwave assisted Bi2Se3 nanoparticles were synthesized from five different solvents DMF, EG, EG+H2O, EDA+dil.HNO3 and N2H4+H2O+Ethanol. The influence of solvents on purity of the compound was analysed by using X-ray diffraction patterns. The result indicates pure rhombohedral Bi2Se3 nanoparticles formed for N2H4+H2O+Ethanol. The presence of vibrational bands in the range of 400-800 cm(-1) is confirmed the formation of Bi2Se3. The maximum optical absorption observed around 450 nm and the band gap values are found in the range of 1.5 eV-2.17 eV for all the solvents. The nanostructure of the Bi2Se3 particles change with solvents. From the experimental results, the solvent N2H4+H2O+Ethanol produces pure nanosize Bi2Se3 particles under the microwave assisted method.

Electrochemical and fluorescence properties of SnO2 thin films and its antibacterial activity

Nanocrystalline SnO2 thin films were deposited by a simple and inexpensive sol-gel spin coating technique and the films were annealed at two different temperatures (350°C and 450°C). Structural, vibrational, optical and electrochemical properties of the films were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, UV-Visible, fluorescence and cyclic voltammetry techniques respectively and their results are discussed in detail. The antimicrobial properties of SnO2 thin films were investigated by agar agar method and the results confirm the antibacterial activity of SnO2 against Escherichiacoli and Bacillus.

Colour stability of heat and cold cure acrylic resins

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the colour stability of heat and cold cure acrylic resins under simulated oral conditions with different colorants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three different brands of heat cure acrylic resin and two rapid cure auto polymerizing acrylic resin of commercial products such as Trevelon Heat Cure (THC), DPI Heat cure (DHC), Pyrax Heat Cure (PHC), DPI Cold cure (DCC) and Acralyn-R-Cold cure (ACC) have been evaluated for discoloration and colour variation on subjecting it to three different, commonly employed food colorants such as Erythrosine, Tartarizine and Sunset yellow. In order to simulate the oral condition the food colorants were diluted with artificial saliva to the samples taken up for the study. These were further kept in an incubator at 37°C ± 1°C. The UV-visible spectrophotometer has been utilized to evaluate the study on the basis of CIE L* a* b* system. The prepared samples for standard evaluation have been grouped as control group, which has been tested with a white as standard, which is applicable for testing the colour variants.

RESULTS

The least colour changes was found to be with Sunset Yellow showing AE* value of 3.55 with heat cure acrylic resin branded as PHC material and the highest colour absorption with Tartarizine showing AE* value of 12.43 in rapid cure autopolymerzing acrylic resin material branded as ACC material.

CONCLUSION

ACC which is a self cure acrylic resin shows a higher colour variation to the tartarizine food coloration. There were not much of discoloration values shown on the denture base resins as the food colorants are of organic azodyes.

Physical properties of Zn doped TiO2 thin films with spray pyrolysis technique and its effects in antibacterial activity

Zinc doped Titanium dioxide (TiO2: Zn) thin films were deposited onto glass substrates by the spray pyrolysis technique with the substrate temperature 450°C. The structural, optical, photoluminescence (PL) properties and morphological studies were investigated for the films deposited with various doping concentration (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8at.%) of zinc. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) had shown the presence of anatase peak with a strong orientation along (101) plane at 8at.% of Zn-doped TiO2 film. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study showed the uniform distribution of grains with porous nature. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations indicated the tetragonal shape at 8at.% of Zn-doped TiO2 with the particle size and decrease in surface roughness. The emission at 398nm was observed at the 8at.% of Zn-doped TiO2 thin film. The carrier concentration and Hall mobility was increased with doping. The antibacterial activity was highly yielded for the Zn-doped TiO2 thin films.

Sonochemically prepared PbWO4 tetragonal-bipyramidal microcrystals and their photoluminescence properties

Lead tungstate (PbWO4) microcrystals were synthesized for the first time, via different concentrations of PVA assisted sonochemical process. The concentration of PVA acts as a structure directing agent and played an important role in the morphological control of resulting PbWO4 microcrystals. The product PbWO4 composing of Pb, W and O and WO stretching vibration band of WO4 tetrahedrons were confirmed through XRD, FTIR, FESEM and EDS. The TG/DTA curves showed that the particles are crystallized at room temperature itself and the thermal stability of the product is really good. The optical properties of the product shows extraordinarily high room temperature photoluminescence intensity compared to without PVA assisted product.

Comparative sequence analysis of double stranded RNA binding protein encoding gene of parapoxviruses from Indian camels

The dsRNA binding protein (RBP) encoding gene of parapoxviruses (PPVs) from the Dromedary camels, inhabitating different geographical region of Rajasthan, India were amplified by polymerase chain reaction using the primers of pseudocowpoxvirus (PCPV) from Finnish reindeer and cloned into pGEM-T for sequence analysis. Analysis of RBP encoding gene revealed that PPV DNA from Bikaner shared 98.3% and 76.6% sequence identity at the amino acid level, with Pali and Udaipur PPV DNA, respectively. Reference strains of Bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) and PCPV (reindeer PCPV and human PCPV) shared 52.8% and 86.9% amino acid identity with RBP gene of camel PPVs from Bikaner, respectively. But different strains of orf virus (ORFV) from different geographical areas of the world shared 69.5-71.7% amino acid identity with RBP gene of camel PPVs from Bikaner. These findings indicate that the camel PPVs described are closely related to bovine PPV (PCPV) in comparison to caprine and ovine PPV (ORFV).

Biomass and RRR-α-tocopherol production in Stichococcus bacillaris strain siva2011 in a balloon bioreactor

Background

Green microalgae represent a renewable natural source of vitamin E. Its most bioactive form is the naturally occurring RRR-α-tocopherol which is biosynthesized in photosynthetic organisms as a single stereoisomer. It is noteworthy that the natural and synthetic α-tocopherols are different biomolecular entities. This article focuses on RRR-α-tocopherol production in Stichococcus bacillaris strain siva2011 biomass in a bioreactor culture with methyl jasmonate (MeJa) elicitor. Additionally, a nonlinear mathematical model was used to quantitatively scale-up and predict the biomass production in a 20 L balloon bioreactor with dual variables such as time and volume.

Results

Approximately 0.6 mg/g dry weight (DW) of RRR-α-tocopherol was enhanced in S. bacillaris strain siva2011 biomass with the MeJa 50 μL/L for 24 hrs elicitations when compared to the control. The R² value from the nonlinear model was enhanced up to 95% when compared to the linear model which significantly improved the accuracy for estimating S. bacillaris strain siva2011 biomass production in a balloon bioreactor.

Conclusions

S. bacillaris strain siva2011 is a new green microalga which biosynthesizes significant amounts of RRR-α-tocopherol. Systematically validated dual variable empirical data should provide key insights to multivariable or fourth order modeling for algal biomass scale-up. This bioprocess engineering should provide valuable information for industrial production of RRR-α-tocopherol from green cells.

Bioprocessing of Stichococcus bacillaris strain siva2011

BACKGROUND

Globally, the development of a cost-effective long-term renewable energy infrastructure is one of the most challenging problems faced by society today. Microalgae are rich in potential biofuel substrates such as lipids, including triacylglycerols (TAGs). Some of these algae also biosynthesize small molecule hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons can often be used as liquid fuels, often with more versatility and by a more direct approach than some TAGs. However, the appropriate TAGs, accumulated from microalgae biomass, can be used as substrates for different kinds of renewable liquid fuels such as biodiesel and jet fuel.

RESULTS

This article describes the isolation and identification of a lipid-rich, hydrocarbon-producing alga, Stichococcus bacillaris strain siva2011, together with its bioprocessing, hydrocarbon and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles. The S. bacillaris strain siva2011 was scaled-up in an 8 L bioreactor with 0.2% CO2. The C16:0, C16:3, C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3 were 112.2, 9.4, 51.3, 74.1 and 69.2 mg/g dry weight (DW), respectively. This new strain produced a significant amount of biomass of 3.79 g/L DW on day 6 in the 8 L bioreactor and also produced three hydrocarbons.

CONCLUSIONS

A new oil-rich microalga S. bacillaris strain siva2011 was discovered and its biomass has been scaled-up in a newly designed balloon-type bioreactor. The TAGs and hydrocarbons produced by this organism could be used as substrates for jet fuel or biodiesel.

Discovering novel carriers for oral insulin tablets: a pharmacoinformatics approach

Insulin is used medically to treat Type 1 diabetes mellitus most commonly injected subcutaneously for human beings. The realisation that insulin injections have become a part of life can be extremely harrowing for many diabetic patients. Using insulin therapeutically is not a new practice, but still delivery methods to make the process more bearable have not gained widespread prominence as of yet. Oral delivery of insulin in tablet form has always been a significant challenge for pharmaceutical researchers. This study is a prospect of oral insulin tablet through pharmacoinformatics approach.

Analytical analysis of synthesized biosilica from bioresidues

Rice straw and maize stalk are major residues of agriculture field. These residues were utilized to synthesis nano-biosilica by sol-gel route. The structural properties of rice straw ash, maize stalks ash and biosilica were characterized by X-ray diffraction and FTIR. Morphology evaluation by SEM confirms the formation of nano-biosilica of spherical shape.

(6bS*,14R*,14aR*)-Methyl 14-(4-methyl-phen-yl)-7-oxo-6b,6c,7,12b,14,14a-hexa-hydro-1H-pyrano[3,2-c:5,4-c']dichromene-14a-carboxyl-ate

In the title compound, C(28)H(22)O(6), the chromeno ring system is almost planar, with a dihedral angle between the mean planes of the pyran and benzene rings of 1.87 (8)°. The pyran ring bearing the methyl-phenyl substituent has a half-chair conformation while the other pyran ring has an envelope conformation with the tetra-substituted C atom as the flap. The benzene ring of the chromeno ring system is inclined to the benzene ring fused to the latter pyran ring by 74.66 (9)°. These aromatic rings are inclined to the 4-methyl-phenyl ring by 52.67 (9) and 66.63 (10)°, respectively. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to the bc plane.

Colchicine semisynthetics: chemotherapeutics for cancer?

Nitrogen-containing bioactive alkaloids of plant origin play a significant role in human health and medicine. Several semisynthetic antimitotic alkaloids are successful in anticancer drug development. Gloriosa superba biosynthesizes substantial quantities of colchicine, a bioactive molecule for gout treatment. Colchicine also has antimitotic activity, preventing growth of cancer cells by interacting with microtubules, which could lead to the design of better cancer therapeutics. Further, several colchicine semisynthetics are less toxic than colchicine. Research is being conducted on effective, less toxic colchicine semisynthetic formulations with potential drug delivery strategies directly targeting multiple solid cancers. This article reviews the dynamic state of anticancer drug development from colchicine semisynthetics and natural colchicine production and briefly discusses colchicine biosynthesis.

Idiopathic multiple impacted unerupted teeth: Case report and discussion

Multiple impacted permanent teeth are usually related to syndromes, metabolic and hormonal disorders. However, in some cases, impaction of multiple teeth is not associated with any syndrome. In this report, we present a case of 17-year-old male patient with missing teeth. Radiographs revealed multiple impacted permanent teeth, though medical and family history along with physical examination was not suggestive of any syndromes. If other investigations are negative, an idiopathic case of multiple impacted teeth is suggested to be the possible diagnosis. The objective of this report is to increase awareness of such cases especially in the absence of hereditary/genetic/metabolic factors usually inherent in such scenarios. The patient management in such cases needs to be planned specifically from a multidisciplinary standpoint.

Prevalence and progression of peripheral vascular calcification in type 2 diabetes subjects with preserved kidney function

AIMS

To determine predictors of prevalence and progression of peripheral vascular calcification (VC) in type 2 diabetes (DM) subjects with preserved kidney function.

METHODS

Fifty-eight subjects (age 63 ± 11.6 years) with type 2 DM and serum creatinine <125 μmol/l were studied. A CT scan of femoral, posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries was carried out at baseline and at one year. Serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANKL were measured along with routine biochemistry.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight percent of patients had baseline VC, 47% with femoral VC, 49% with VC at two sites - femoral and foot, and 4% foot VC alone. Age, ethnicity, peripheral neuropathy and eGFR were independent predictors of baseline VC. Baseline calcification was the most important predictor of VC progression and was present in all subjects with progression compared to 35% of non-progressors (p < 0.001). Exclusion of demographic factors from models revealed neuropathy and serum OPG levels as independent predictors of both; baseline VC and progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects with type 2 DM and well-preserved renal function had a high prevalence of VC, which was rapidly progressive especially in those with baseline VC. Age, ethnicity, neuropathy, smoking and eGFR were predictors of baseline VC and progression.

Integrated green algal technology for bioremediation and biofuel

Sustainable non-food energy biomass and cost-effective ways to produce renewable energy technologies from this biomass are continuously emerging. Algae are capable of producing lipids and hydrocarbons quickly and their photosynthetic abilities make them a promising candidate for an alternative energy source. In addition, their favorable carbon life cycle and a renewed focus on rural economic development are attractive factors. In this review the focus is mainly on the integrated approach of algae culture for bioremediation and oil-based biofuel production with mention of possible other value-added benefits of using algae for those purposes.