Design and Synthesis of Ketenimine Sulfonamide Conjugates through Multicomponent Reactions; A Combined Cytotoxic Analysis and Computational Exploration

Multicomponent reactions involving zwitterion generated from dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, aryl sulfonamide, and isocyanide to generate sulfonamide-conjugated ketenimines is reported. The synthetic strategy adopted is highly atom economical and stereoselective. Ketenimine sulfonamide analogues are key intermediates for further synthetic conversions to generate a combinatorial library of compounds. Furthermore, sulfonamide compounds are known to possess a broad spectrum of biological applications. All the novel molecules synthesized exhibit the potential to target the nonhomologous DNA end-joining (NHEJ) pathway with cytotoxic ability. Computational studies compliment the in vitro biological assays of the 8 small-molecule inhibitors. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are considered as the most lethal among different DNA damages. NHEJ repairs about 70% of the DSBs generated in cells within mammals. The DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit is one of the PI3 kinases associated with NHEJ. Compounds DK01-DK08 were investigated for their ability to induce cancer cell death by treating with two leukemic cell lines where NHEJ is high. Results showed that bromoaryl (DK04)- and nitroaryl (DK05)-conjugated molecules showed excellent biological activity, having IC50 values of ∼2 μM in Nalm6 cell lines.

Deep learning based classification of left ventricular function from two-dimensional echocardiographic images

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Philips Healthcare

Background. Echocardiographic quantification of left ventricular function (LVF) is mainly based on ejection fraction (EF) measurements, which relies on either manual or automated identification of endocardial boundaries followed by calculation of model-based end-systolic and end-diastolic LV volumes. Recent developments in artificial intelligence resulted in computer algorithms that allow fully automated detection of endocardial boundaries and measurement of LV volumes and EF. However, this methodology is prone to errors and inter-measurement variability. We hypothesized that a fully automated deep learning algorithm could be developed, which would accurately classify LVF while avoiding volume and EF measurements. This study was designed to test the accuracy of this approach.

Methods. Deep learning algorithm was developed (Philips Research) based on convolutional neural network (CNN) that uses as input dynamic sequences of apical 2- and 4-chamber echocardiographic views obtained without ultrasound enhancing agents. We used for CNN development a database of clinical DICOM studies: a training set of 14,427 studies with normal LV function and 6,135 abnormal, and a validation set of 2,898 normal and 1,081 abnormal studies, based on Philips IntelliSpace Cardiovascular (ISCV) codes found (defined by cardiologists) in the patients’ reports. The CNN was trained to automatically classify LVF into 3 categories: (1) normal, (2) mildly-to-moderately or moderately reduced, and (3) moderately-to-severely or severely reduced. In the validation set, the automated classifications were compared to those in the patients’ reports as a reference standard. Accuracy of the automated classification was tested using contingency tables, from which sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values (NPV, PPV) and overall accuracy were calculated for each category of LVF. Additionally, the area under ROC curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the automated classification for each LVF category.

Results.  Automated classification of LVF showed high levels of diagnostic accuracy in identifying cases with LVF in all 3 categories, reflected by high AUC values: (1) 0.94, (2) 0.87 and (3) 0.97 (Figure), and overall accuracy of 0.84 (Table). 

Conclusions. Deep learning algorithm based on CNN allowed accurate automated classification of LVF, when tested on ∼4,000 clinical studies and compared to ISCV codes found in the patients’ reports. This novel fully-automated methodology may become a useful aid in the interpretation of echocardiographic images by providing the reader with a preliminary assessment of LVF. Abstract Figure.

In silico Functional Annotation and Characterization of Hypothetical Proteins from Serratia marcescens FGI94

Serratia marcescens, rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria is classified as an opportunistic pathogen in the family Enterobacteriaceae. It causes a wide variety of infections in humans, including urinary, respiratory, ocular lens and ear infections, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, meningitis and septicemia. Unfortunately, over the past decade, antibiotic resistance has become a serious health care issue; the effective means to control and dissemination of S. marcescens resistance is the need of hour. The whole genome sequencing of S. marcescens FGI94 strain contains 4434 functional proteins, among which 690 (15.56%) proteins were classified under hypothetical. In the present study, we applied the power of various bioinformatics tools on the basis of protein family comparison, motifs, functional properties of amino acids and genome context to assign the possible functions for the HPs. The pseudo sequences (protein sequence that contain ≤100 amino acid residues) are eliminated from the study. Although we have successfully predicted the function for 483 proteins, we were able to infer the high level of confidence only for 108 proteins. The predicted HPs were classified into various classes such as enzymes, transporters, binding proteins, cell division, cell regulatory and other proteins. The outcome of the study could be helpful to understand the molecular mechanism in bacterial pathogenesis and also provide an insight into the identification of potential targets for drug and vaccine development.

High-fructose diet is as detrimental as high-fat diet in the induction of insulin resistance and diabetes mediated by hepatic/pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress

In the context of high human consumption of fructose diets, there is an imperative need to understand how dietary fructose intake influence cellular and molecular mechanisms and thereby affect β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. While evidence exists for a relationship between high-fat-induced insulin resistance and metabolic disorders, there is lack of studies in relation to high-fructose diet. Therefore, we attempted to study the effect of different diets viz., high-fat diet (HFD), high-fructose diet (HFS), and a combination (HFS + HFD) diet on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in male Wistar rats compared to control animals fed with normal pellet diet. Investigations include oral glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test, histopathology by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining, mRNA expression by real-time PCR, protein expression by Western blot, and caspase-3 activity by colorimetry. Rats subjected to high-fat/fructose diets became glucose intolerant, insulin-resistant, and dyslipidemic. Compared to control animals, rats subjected to different combination of fat/fructose diets showed increased mRNA and protein expression of a battery of ER stress markers both in pancreas and liver. Transcription factors of β-cell function (INSIG1, SREBP1c and PDX1) as well as hepatic gluconeogenesis (FOXO1 and PEPCK) were adversely affected in diet-induced insulin-resistant rats. The convergence of chronic ER stress towards apoptosis in pancreas/liver was also indicated by increased levels of CHOP mRNA & increased activity of both JNK and Caspase-3 in rats subjected to high-fat/fructose diets. Our study exposes the experimental support in that high-fructose diet is equally detrimental in causing metabolic disorders.

Antibacterial, DNA interaction and cytotoxic activities of pendant-armed polyamine macrocyclic dinuclear nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes

A series of dinuclear nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes (1-6) of hexaaza macrocycles of 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol with three different benzoyl pendant-arms, 2,2'-benzoyliminodi(ethylamine) trihydrochloride (L), 2,2'-4-nitrobenzoyliminodi(ethylamine) trihydrochloride (L') and 2,2'-3,5-dinitrobenzoyliminodi(ethylamine) trihydrochloride (L″) have been synthesized and characterized by spectral methods. The electrochemical studies of these complexes depict two irreversible one electron reduction processes around E(1)pc=-0.62 to -0.76 V and E(2)pc=-1.21 to -1.31, and nickel(II) complexes (1-3) exhibit two irreversible one electron oxidation processes around E(1)pa=1.08 to 1.14 V and E(2)pa=1.71 to 1.74 V. The room temperature magnetic moment values (μeff, 1.52-1.54 BM) indicate the presence of an antiferromagnetic interaction in the binuclear copper(II) complexes (4-6) which is also observed from the broad ESR spectra with a g value of 2.14-2.15. The synthesized complexes (1-6) were screened for their antibacterial activity. The results of DNA interaction studies indicate that the dinuclear complexes can bind to calf thymus DNA by intercalative mode and display efficient cleavage of plasmid DNA. Further, the cytotoxic activity of complexes 2, 5 and 6 on human liver adenocarcinoma (HepG2) cell line has been examined. Nuclear-chromatin cleavage has also been observed with PI staining and comet assays.

Apoptosis mediated anti-proliferative effect of compound isolated from Cassia auriculata leaves against human colon cancer cell line

A compound was isolated from Cassia auriculata leaves and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The in vitro anticancer effect of the compound isolated from C. auriculata was evaluated in human colon cancer cells HCT 15 by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cytotoxicity, nuclear morphology analysis and measurement of lactate dehydrogenase. The isolated compound 4-(2,5 dichlorobenzyl)-2,3,4,5,6,7 hexahydro7(4 methoxyphenyl)benzo[h][1,4,7] triazecin8(1H)-one showed 50% inhibition of HCT 15 cells when tested at 20μg/ml after 24h incubation. Cytotoxicity, nuclear morphology and lactate dehydrogenase assays clearly show potent anticancer activity of the isolated compound against colon cancer. Thus, the in vitro findings suggest that the compound isolated from C. auriculata leaves have potent anti-cancer properties with possible clinical applications.

Mn2+ ion influenced optical and photocatalytic behaviour of Mn–ZnS quantum dots prepared by a microwave assisted technique

(a) Photon absorption and exciton formation, (b) interstitial sulfur emission, (c) interstitial zinc emission, (d) blue emission, (e) electron trapping by Mn ions' d state, (f) orange light emission and (g) orange emission quenching by electrons trapped by the neighbouring Mn²⁺ ions.

Facile in situ growth of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on hydroxyapatite nanorods for pH dependent adsorption and controlled release of proteins

The magnetic hydroxyapatite nanostructures were prepared by hydrothermal technique and studied their protein adsorption and in vitro cytotoxicity in humen MGC-803 cell.

Increased circulatory levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and zonulin signify novel biomarkers of proinflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes

Emerging data indicate that gut-derived endotoxin (metabolic endotoxemia) may contribute to low-grade systemic inflammation in insulin-resistant states. Specific gut bacteria seem to serve as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sources and several reports claim a role for increased intestinal permeability in the genesis of metabolic disorders. Therefore, we investigated the serum levels of LPS and zonulin (ZO-1, a marker of gut permeability) along with systemic levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to control subjects. Study subjects were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study [CURES], Chennai, India. Study group (n = 45 each) comprised of a) subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and (b) patients with T2DM. LPS, ZO-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA. Serum levels of LPS [p < 0.05], LPS activity [p < 0.001], ZO-1 [p < 0.001], TNFα [p < 0.001], and IL-6 [p < 0.001] were significantly increased in patients with T2DM compared to control subjects. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that LPS activity was significantly and positively correlated with ZO-1, fasting plasma glucose, 2 h post glucose, HbA1c, serum triglycerides, TNF-α, IL-6, and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol. Regression analysis showed that increased LPS levels were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes [odds ratio (OR) 13.43, 95 % CI 1.998-18.9; p = 0.003]. In Asian Indians who are considered highly insulin resistant, the circulatory LPS levels, LPS activity, and ZO-1 were significantly increased in patients with type 2 diabetes and showed positive correlation with inflammatory markers and poor glycemic/lipid control.

Anti-proliferative effect of a compound isolated from Cassia auriculata against human colon cancer cell line HCT 15

The compound was isolated from leaves of Cassia auriculata and its structure was characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cytotoxicity, nuclear morphology and lactate dehydrogenase assay of isolated compound was tested against human colon cancer cell line HCT 15. The isolated compound, 4-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-7-(2-ethoxyphenyl)benzo[h][1,4,7]triazecin-8(1H)-one at 25μg/ml concentration and by 48h showed 50% inhibition of human colon cancer cells (HCT 15). The results suggest that isolated compound from C. auriculata has potential to prevent colon cancer cell line.

In vitro trans-differentiation of human umbilical cord derived hematopoietic stem cells into hepatocyte like cells using combination of growth factors for cell based therapy

The aim of the study was to develop a new strategy for the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) derived from UCB into hepatocyte like cells and also to estimate the effects of combination of fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF 4) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on hematopoietic stem cell differentiation. HSCs were isolated and purified by magnetic activated cell sorting. HSCs were induced to hepatocyte like cells under a 2-step protocol with combination of growth factors. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect multiple genes related to hepatocyte like cells development and function. Hepatocyte like morphology was illustrated by inverted repeat microscope and the secretion of albumin and α- fetoprotein by these cells was confirmed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Hepatocyte like cells was observed at the end of the protocol (days 14). These differentiated cells were observed to show high expression of genes related to hepatocytes (tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenase [TO], glucose 6-phosphate [G6P], cytokeratin 18 [CK 18], albumin and α- fetoprotein [AFP]). The quantities of albumin and AFP at day 0 were low and upon differentiation the cells were able to produce albumin and AFP at high levels. Our results show a new strategy for differentiation in a short duration, using a combination of growth factors for the differentiation of umbilical cord blood derived HSC into hepatocyte like cells under certain in vitro conditions. After further studies this approach has the potency, for widespread cell replacement therapy for liver diseases.

Substance use among university students at the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies

OBJECTIVE

Substance use and abuse is a well known public health risk that peaks in persons between 18 and 25 years of age and is prevalent among university students. While this has been repeatedly documented in developed nations, there have been limited studies in the English-speaking Caribbean. This study therefore sought to assess the prevalence of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use among university students in the English-speaking Caribbean and any associated risk factors.

METHODS

The study was designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional study to assess substance use in full-time, undergraduate students of The University of the West Indies (UWI), Trinidad and Tobago, over a six-month period. Questionnaires were distributed and students asked to self-report on their use of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana during the preceding six months.

RESULTS

The six-month prevalence rate for alcohol was 70% and 28% of students were identified as regular users. Binge drinking was estimated at 31%. Muslims were least likely to have used alcohol when compared to other religious groupings. The prevalence rate for tobacco and marijuana was 17% and 13%, respectively Ten per cent used all three substances. The use of all three substances was associated with multiple problems.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that substance use is common among many students of the UWI but generally lower than reports from other regions of the world. Despite this, substance use is associated with a number of problems and immediate educational interventions may be necessary to assist students in making informed and responsible choices.

Increased detection of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase M184V mutation using mutation-specific minority assays in a UK surveillance study suggests evidence of unrecognized transmitted drug resistance

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to estimate the levels of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) in HIV-1 using very sensitive assays to detect minority drug-resistant populations.

METHODS

We tested unlinked anonymous serum specimens from sexual health clinic attendees, who had not received an HIV diagnosis at the time of sampling, by both standard genotyping and using minority detection assays.

RESULTS

By standard genotyping, 21 of 165 specimens (12.7%) showed evidence of drug resistance, while, using a combination of standard genotyping and minority mutation assays targeting three commonly observed drug resistance mutations which cause high-level resistance to commonly prescribed first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART), this rose to 32 of 165 (19.4%). This increase of 45% in drug resistance levels [95% confidence interval (CI) 15.2-83.7%; P=0.002] was statistically significant. Almost all of this increase was accounted for by additional detections of the M184V mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

Future surveillance studies of TDR in the United Kingdom should consider combining standard genotyping and minority-specific assays to provide more accurate estimates, particularly when using specimens collected from chronic HIV infections in which TDR variants may have declined to low levels.

Traumatic injuries to the incisors in children of South Kanara District. A prevalence study

Trauma to the teeth is a commonly encountered problem. Many studies have stated the prevalence of traumatic injuries, range from 4% to 19.5%. In the present study, the prevalence of traumatic injuries to incisors teeth was studied. The unique feature of this study was that it related the associated causes with the severity of fractures (fracture types). In the present study prevalence was found to be 13.8% and this was associated with various factors such as age group involved, sex, place of injury and the overjet of the dentition.

Light scattering calculations from oleic-acid droplets with water inclusions

We present modeling results in video format showing the changes that occur in the light scattered by a spherical oleic-acid host droplet containing a spherical water inclusion as the inclusion parameters vary. When the system symmetry is broken, a second set of diffraction rings appears on the side opposite the inclusion. The inclusion also acts as a second coherent source, contributing to an interference structure in the scattering pattern, the spatial frequency of which varies with the position of the inclusion.