Anti-tuberculosis activity and its structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of oxadiazole derivatives: A key review

With the increasing number of cases of inactive and drug-resistance tuberculosis, there is an urgent need to develop new potent molecules set for fighting this brutal disease. Medicinal chemistry concerns the discovery, the development, the identification, and the interpretation of the mode of action of biologically active compounds at the molecular level. Molecules bearing oxadiazoles are one such class that could be considered to satisfy this need. Oxadiazole regioisomers have been investigated in drug discovery programs for their capacity to go about as powerful linkers and as pharmacophoric highlights. Oxadiazoles can go about as bioisosteric substitutions for the hydrazide moiety which can be found in first-line anti-TB drugs, and some have been likewise answered to cooperate with more current anti-TB targets. This present review summarizes the current innovations of oxadiazole-based derivatives with potential antituberculosis activity and bacteria discussing various aspects of structure-activity relationship (SAR).

Dualistic temperature sensing in Er3+/Yb3+ doped CaMoO4 upconversion phosphor

Temperature sensing performance of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ doped CaMoO₄ phosphor prepared via polyol method is reported herein. The X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy are done to confirm the phase, structure and purity of the synthesized phosphor. The infrared to green upconversion emission is investigated using 980nm diode laser excitation along with its dependence on input pump power and external temperature. The temperature dependent fluorescence intensity ratio of two upconversion emission bands assigned to ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 (530nm) and ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 (552nm) transitions has shown two distinct slopes in the studied temperature range - 300 to 760K and therefore, dual nature of temperature sensitivity is observed in this phosphor. This phenomenon in rare earth doped materials is either scarcely reported or overlooked. The material has shown higher sensitivity in the high temperature region (535K<T<760K) with a maximum of 7.21×10^-3K^-1 at 535K. The results indicate potential of CaMoO₄: Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphor in high temperature thermometry.

Structural and optical properties of thermal decomposition assisted Gd2O3:Ho(3+)/Yb(3+) upconversion phosphor annealed at different temperatures

The infrared to visible upconversion fluorescent nanoparticles of Ho(3+)/Yb(3+) codoped Gd2O3 phosphor is synthesized via thermal decomposition route. The as-synthesized sample was annealed at 800, 1000 and 1200°C for 3h and then structural and optical properties were studied. The Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction (XRD) data was analyzed to probe the effect of Ho(3+)/Yb(3+) dopant on the structural parameters of Gd2O3 host. The upconversion emission spectra of as-synthesized and annealed samples are compared using 980nm diode laser excitation and five emission bands noticed at 490, 539, 550, 667 and 757nm corresponding to the (5)F3→(5)I8, (5)F4→(5)I8, (5)S2→(5)I8,(5)F5→(5)I8 and (5)I4→(5)I8 manifolds, respectively. The local temperature induced by laser light is also calculated. The fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) of two thermally coupled transitions (5)F4→(5)I8 and (5)S2→(5)I8 is plotted against the sample temperature and sensor sensitivity of sample is calculated.

The effects of protein dietary supplementation on fecal egg counts and hematological parameters in goat kids with subclinical nematodosis

Aim:

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of dietary supplementation with different levels of protein on fecal egg counts and hematological parameters in goat kids with subclinical nematodosis under semi-intensive condition.

Materials and Methods:

20 goat kids (3-5 months old with an average body weight of 8.90 kg) were randomly allocated to four groups: T1, served as a negative control, without receiving concentrate feed, and T2, T3, and T4 that received concentrate feed containing 16, 20, and 24% digestible crude protein, respectively. The experiment was carried out for 60 days.

Results:

In this study, protein supplementation had a significant (p<0.05) effect on fecal egg counts even after 15 days; hemoglobin (Hb) (g/dl) after 45 days; total leukocyte count (10³/mm³) and total erythrocyte count (10⁶/mm³) after 30 days; packed cell volume (%), lymphocyte (%), and eosinophil (%) after 15 days of supplementation, whereas monocyte (%) and neutrophil (%) values were not significantly influenced by protein supplementation effect during the entire experiment. The values of mean corpuscular volume (fl) were affected significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01) due to protein supplementation after 30 days, mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) (pg) after 45 days, but MCH concentration (g/dl) was not significantly different among the experimental groups during the entire experiment.

Conclusion:

The dietary supplementation with different levels of protein significantly improved the hematological profiles and inhibited the nematodosis infection in the experimental goat kids.

Enhanced temperature sensing response of upconversion luminescence in ZnO-CaTiO3: Er(3+)/Yb(3+) nano-composite phosphor

Upconversion emission and temperature sensing of the Er(3+)/Yb(3+) doped ZnO-CaTiO3 nano-composite phosphor is studied by varying the ZnO concentration. The XRD and EDX studies reveal the formation of composite phase when ZnO doping exceeds above 10 mw%. Five prominent upconversion emission bands at 410, 492, 524, 545 and 662 nm corresponding to (2)H9/2→(4)I15/2, (4)F3/2→(4)I15/2, (2)H11/2→(4)I15/2, (4)S3/2→(4)I15/2 and (4)F9/2→(4)I15/2 transitions, respectively are found under 980 nm excitation from a diode laser. On the basis of rise time analysis it was found that energy transfer process is responsible for the intense upconversion emission. Large reduction in decay time of (4)S3/2 level is observed on the ZnO incorporation in host matrix. Moreover, the absolute sensor sensitivity, relative sensor sensitivity and calculated color coordinates of the samples are also determined. These results indicate the potentiality of this composite phosphor for various applications.

Influence of selenomethionine and omega-3 fatty acid on serum mineral profile and nutrient utilization of broiler chicken

AIM

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of selenomethionine and omega-3 fatty acid on serum mineral profile and nutrient utilization of broiler chicken.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was a 2×3 factorial arrangement of two levels of selenomethionine (0 and 0.3 ppm) and three levels of omega-3 fatty acid (0, 0.5 and 1%). Day-old Vencobb broiler chicks (n=180), were randomly assigned in six treatment groups. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Treatment groups followed of: Group I was a control. Group II, III, IV, V and VI were supplemented with 0 ppm selenomethionine with 0.5% omega-3 fatty acid, 0 ppm selenomethionine with 1% omega-3 fatty acid, 0.3 ppm selenomethionine with 0% omega-3 fatty acid, 0.3 ppm selenomethionine with 0.5% omega-3 fatty acid and 0.3 ppm selenomethionine with 1% omega-3 fatty acid, respectively. Linseed oil was used as a source of omega-3 fatty acid while sel-plex is used for selenomethionine supplementation.

RESULTS

Significant (p<0.05) interaction exist between selenomethionine and omega-3 fatty acid for serum zinc and iron concentration whereas, it was non-significant for serum calcium and copper. Significantly (p<0.05) increased concentration of selenium, zinc, iron and phosphorus was observed in birds fed 0.3 ppm selenomethionine whereas, significantly (p<0.05) increased zinc and iron was observed in birds fed 0.5% omega-3 fatty acid. There was significant (p<0.05) interaction exist between selenomethionine and omega-3 fatty acid for calcium and phosphorus retention percentage. The maximum retention of calcium and phosphorus was recorded in birds supplemented with 0.3 ppm selenomethionine in combination with 0.5% omega-3 fatty acid. There was marked interaction between selenomethionine and omega-3 fatty acid for hemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocytic count, total leukocytic count and platelets (p<0.05) however, it was non-significant for mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular Hb, MCH concentration and differential leukocyte count. Dietary selenomethionine significantly (p<0.05) increased the platelet count. Hb concentration was significantly (p<0.05) higher in birds fed 0.5% omega-3 fatty acid whereas, 1% omega-3 fatty acid in the diet drastically increased (p<0.05) the platelet count.

CONCLUSION

Supplementation of selenomethionine and omega-3 fatty acid improves the nutrient utilization and mineral retention, which subsequently enhance the bone mineralization. Supplementation also helps in combating the stress.

Influence of post hatch dietary supplementation of fat on performance, carcass cuts and biochemical profile in Ven Cobb broiler

Aim:

The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of post hatch dietary fat supplementation on performance of broiler chicken.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 120 day-old Ven Cobb broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups of 30 chicks in each (three replicates of 10 birds/treatment). The trial lasted for 35 days. The experimental design was a completely randomized design. Four types of diet were formulated for 1^st week: T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ contained control diet with no added fat, 2.5, 5 and 7.5% fat, respectively. After 1^st week post-hatch period chicks were fed ad libitum with the normal basal diet as per Bureau of Indian Standard recommendations till completion of the experiment (8-35 days).

Results:

Significantly higher (p<0.05) body weight and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded in birds fed 5% dietary fat at the end of the experiment whereas, feed intake was not significantly affected. Significantly (p<0.05) higher dressed weight was observed due to 5% fat supplementation than other groups whereas, it was not significant for other carcass cuts.

No significant differences were observed in moisture, protein and lipid content of breast and thigh muscle of broiler due to supplemented fat whereas, 2.5% dietary fat significantly (p<0.05) increase the serum HI titer on day 28^th.

In biochemical profile, higher serum albumin (g/dl) was recorded due to 5% fat supplementation whereas other biochemical components did not show any significance difference among treatments.

Conclusion:

It may be concluded that supplementation of fat in broilers diet improves the overall FCR, dressing percentage and gain more body weight.

PA01.08. An evaluation of a new anti-aids herbo-mineral compound (laa-1)

Purpose:

AIDS is the deadliest disease of the decade, for which unfortunately even after several advancement in biomedical sciences, no curative treatment is available as no drug is capable of separating and recovering the motif between retro viral DNA of the host.

Method:

The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the role of a new herbo mineral compound (LAA01) in 18 cases suffering from AIDS after getting clearance from the Institutional Ethical committee (IEC). Criteria for assessing antiviral activity includes CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/ CD8 ratio and viral load parameters were measured. These parameters were conducted at Biognosis an approved GLP lab in Hyderabad.

Result:

Pre treatment mean values of these parameters compared with LAA01 treated cases values periodically respectively given in following table.

The results indicate a significant rise in CD4 counts and a significant decrease in viral load.

Conclusion:

It concludes that the drug Ayurvedic herbo mineral preparation LAA01 under test is not only a viridicidal (drug inhibiting the HIV replication) as is evident from decrease in HIV load, but the drug also enhanced immunity as is evident from increases in CD4 and CD8 counts and their respective percentage, which maintained the quality of life (QOL) of the patients, which needs further extensive clinical trial.

Influence of an enzyme cocktail and phytase individually or in combination in Ven Cobb broiler chickens

1. An experiment (21 d) was conducted to determine if the response of chicks to a cocktail of xylanase, amylase, and protease (XAP) or Escherichia coli-derived phytase individually or in combination when fed a nutritionally marginal maize-soybean meal diet is age-dependent. 2. A total of 250 one-day-old Ven Cobb broiler chicks were allocated to 5 dietary treatments in a randomised complete block design. The treatments were as follows: (1) positive control with supplemental inorganic P; (2) negative control (NC) marginal in P and ME; (3) NC plus XAP to provide (per kg of diet) 650, 1650 and 4000 U of xylanase, amylase, and protease, respectively; (4) NC plus phytase added to provide 1000 phytase units/kg; and (5) NC plus a combination of XAP and phytase. 3. Low ME and P in the NC diet depressed weight gain and gain:feed. A cocktail of XAP alone did not improve performance, but phytase supplementation improved weight gain. The enzymes were additive in their effects on growth performance. 4. The enzymes had no effect on ileal digestible energy. Ileal N digestibility was higher in diets with XAP or phytase individually compared with NC. Both phytase and XAP individually and in combination improved ileal P digestibility compared with NC. 5. Total tract nutrient retention and ME increased as the birds grew older. There were age x diet interactions in total tract retention of P and Ca; improvement in P retention due to phytase use decreased by 50% as the chicks matured. 6. The current study shows that a combination of XAP and phytase improved performance, but the enhancement in performance appears to be due mainly to phytase. Both XAP and phytase were effective in improving P digestibility and retention of chicks receiving nutritionally marginal maize-soybean meal. 7. The data also showed that the chicks benefited more from the enzyme addition at a younger age and that the contribution of the enzymes to nutrient retention decreased with age in chickens.

The studies on nutrient balances in crossbred cattle bulls fed chopped green sugarcane tops supplemented with some agro industrial by- products

Fifteen adult crossbred cattle bulls, 18-22 months old (mean body weight 286.33 + 9.43) were divided into 3 groups following RBD design and were fed sugarcane tops (SCT) supplemented with some agro-industrial byproducts and concentrate feeds to determine nitrogen, Ca and P in crossbred cattle bull. For this purpose, crossbred cattle bulls were fed for 30 days ad lib SCT supplemented with Wheat bran (WB), Lentil chuni (LC) and WB + LC (50:50) in Group I, II, and III respectively. The balance values were 15.28 + 2.70, 26.85 + 4.35 and 18.00 + 3.17 for nitrogen, 11.77 + 1.34, 12.94 + 2.96 and 15.38 + 1.15 for calcium, 11.74 + 0.64, 11.26 + 1.58 and 11.69 + 0.79 for phosphorus in group I, II and III, respectively. There were no significant differences among the experimental groups in Ca and P balance values but balance of nitrogen was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in group II as compared to group I and III. It may indicated that the rumen fermentation was more appropriate in group III where animals were fed 50% lentil chuni and 50% wheat bran (supplementation of both protein and energy).

Isolation and characterization of transposon-induced chlorate resistant mutants of the cyanobacterium Anabaena species PCC 7120

Mutants of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 resistant to chlorate were isolated using transposon mutagenesis. The Anabaena population of 5 x 10(7) cells ml(-1) and log phase Escherichia coli cultures in undisturbed conditions produced maximum exconjugants. Nitrate-promoted growth and cellular constituents observed in the parent were absent in the mutants. Nitrate repressed heterocyst formation and N2-fixation in the parent, but had little or no effect on the mutants.

Response to NaCl of nitrate assimilation and nitrogenase activity of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and its mutants

The presence of NaCl in the nutrient solution promoted nitrate uptake in parent Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, mutants SP7 (defective in nitrate reductase activity) and SP17 (partially defective in nitrate reductase activity), but not in the mutant SP9 (defective in nitrate transport and reduction). Nitrate reductase activity of the parent and mutant SP17 increased with increasing concentration of nitrate in saline medium, while mutants SP7 and SP9 did not respond to the altered salinity. Although Na+ was not required for nitrate reductase activity, its presence in the nutrient solution enhanced nitrate reduction. Complete removal of Na+ from the nutrient solution markedly reduced nitrogenase activity in all the strains, while raising the concentration of NaCl to 50 mmol l-1 or above, was equally toxic to nitrogenase activity. External NaCl at 200 mmol l-1 brought down the nitrogenase activity to the same residual level as observed without Na+.

Mutants of the cyanobacterium anabaena sp. PCC 7120 altered in nitrate transport and reduction

Nitrate assimilation-defective mutants SP7, SP9, and SP17 of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 were isolated by use of transposon mutagenesis and screened on medium containing chlorate. SP7 and SP17 represented nitrate reductase-defective nature, while mutant SP9 appeared to be a regulatory mutant exhibiting pleiotropic behavior. Kinetics of nitrate uptake system exhibited K(s) values of 31-38 &mgr;M for parent, SP7, and SP17 strains; however, mutant SP9 exhibited a high K(s) value of 109.5 &mgr;M. Defective nitrate reductase was apparent in mutant SP7 and SP9, while mutant SP17 exhibited partial defective nature. Methyl viologen-dependent NR activity in parent strain presented a biphasic nature with K(m) values of 0.13 and 2.47 mM, whereas a single K(m) value (2.96 mM) was observed for mutant SP17. Mutant SP9 was also defective in nitrite uptake and reduction. Mutant strains exhibited derepressed nitrogenase activity in the presence of nitrate, while glutamine synthetase activity remained unaltered.http://link.springer-ny. com/link/service/journals/00284/bibs/39n5p237.html</HEA

NO3- nutrition and salt tolerance in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and mutant strains

Growth of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and its nitrate assimilation-defective mutants was inversely proportional to the NaCl concentration in the medium. Presence of nitrate in the saline medium protected the growth of the parent but not of the mutant strains from salt toxicity. On the other hand, ammonium nitrogen protected the growth of all the strains from salt toxicity. However, the effect was less than that of nitrate. An altered sodium transport system was evident in the mutant strains and was most marked in mutant SP9. The cellular sodium concentration in parent and mutant strains also varied. Although mutant SP9 exhibited the lowest level of cellular sodium, it was as sensitive to salt toxicity as other strains. It is assumed that merely the presence of a toxic level of NaCl in the ambient environment is sufficient to damage the structural and functional components of the plasma membrane.

Athermal physiological effects of microwaves on a cynobacterium Nostoc muscorum: evidence for EM-memory bits in water

Athermal physiological effects of continuous wave and modulated microwaves were studied on a cynobacterium Nostoc muscorum. The study shows that different microwave frequencies in continuous wave and modulated modes produced significantly different physiological effects on the algae. Water-mediated bioeffects further present additional proof that water has the capability to remember the imposed electromagnetic field characteristics for an extended period of time.

Effect of autopolyploidy on quantity and quality of protein in barley

The range and mean protein content of autotetraploids of high-lysine Notch-2 mutants of barley were consistently higher than the diploids in C3 and C4 generations of colchicine treated seeds. Amino acid analysis of whole grain meal of diploid Notch-2 and one strain of its autotetraploid revealed differences in the amino acid composition. The proportion of albumin in the diploid and the autotetraploid Notch-2 was higher by 21% and 45% respectively, in comparison to the parent 'N.P. 113', whereas the glutelin fraction was significantly higher in the autotetraploid. The autotetraploid, with increased glutelin and decreased prolamin, showed no increase in lysine. It is possible that the recessive high-lysine gene may be lacking dosage effect, resulting in no increase in lysine in the autotetraploid, whereas protein content, a polygenically controlled trait, is enhanced due to genome duplication.