STIL Endows Oncogenic and Stem-Like Attributes to Colorectal Cancer Plausibly by Shh and Wnt Signaling

The discovery of a potent gene regulating tumorigenesis and drug resistance is of high clinical importance. STIL is an oncogene; however, its molecular associations and role in colorectal oncogenesis are unknown. In this study, we have explored the role of STIL gene in tumorigenesis and studied its molecular targets in colorectal cancer (CRC). STIL silencing reduced proliferation and tumor growth in CRC. Further, STIL was found to regulate stemness markers CD133 and CD44 and drug resistant markers thymidylate synthase, ABCB1, and ABCG2 both in in-vitro and in-vivo CRC models. In addition, high expression of STIL mRNA was found to be associated with reduced disease-free survival in CRC cases. Interestingly, we observed that STIL-mediated regulation of stemness and drug resistant genes is not exclusively governed by Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. Remarkably, we found STIL regulate β-catenin levels through p-AKT, independent of Shh pathway. This partially answers Shh independent regulatory mechanism of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers by STIL. Our study suggests an instrumental role of STIL in molecular manifestation of CRC and progression.

Family-led rehabilitation after stroke in India (ATTEND): a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Most people with stroke in India have no access to organised rehabilitation services. The effectiveness of training family members to provide stroke rehabilitation is uncertain. Our primary objective was to determine whether family-led stroke rehabilitation, initiated in hospital and continued at home, would be superior to usual care in a low-resource setting.

METHODS

The Family-led Rehabilitation after Stroke in India (ATTEND) trial was a prospectively randomised open trial with blinded endpoint done across 14 hospitals in India. Patients aged 18 years or older who had had a stroke within the past month, had residual disability and reasonable expectation of survival, and who had an informal family-nominated caregiver were randomly assigned to intervention or usual care by site coordinators using a secure web-based system with minimisation by site and stroke severity. The family members of participants in the intervention group received additional structured rehabilitation training-including information provision, joint goal setting, carer training, and task-specific training-that was started in hospital and continued at home for up to 2 months. The primary outcome was death or dependency at 6 months, defined by scores 3-6 on the modified Rankin scale (range, 0 [no symptoms] to 6 [death]) as assessed by masked observers. Analyses were by intention to treat. This trial is registered with Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI/2013/04/003557), Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12613000078752), and Universal Trial Number (U1111-1138-6707).

FINDINGS

Between Jan 13, 2014, and Feb 12, 2016, 1250 patients were randomly assigned to intervention (n=623) or control (n=627) groups. 33 patients were lost to follow-up (14 intervention, 19 control) and five patients withdrew (two intervention, three control). At 6 months, 285 (47%) of 607 patients in the intervention group and 287 (47%) of 605 controls were dead or dependent (odds ratio 0·98, 95% CI 0·78-1·23, p=0·87). 72 (12%) patients in the intervention group and 86 (14%) in the control group died (p=0·27), and we observed no difference in rehospitalisation (89 [14%]patients in the intervention group vs 82 [13%] in the control group; p=0·56). We also found no difference in total non-fatal events (112 events in 82 [13%] intervention patients vs 110 events in 79 [13%] control patients; p=0·80).

INTERPRETATION

Although task shifting is an attractive solution for health-care sustainability, our results do not support investment in new stroke rehabilitation services that shift tasks to family caregivers, unless new evidence emerges. A future avenue of research should be to investigate the effects of task shifting to health-care assistants or team-based community care.

FUNDING

The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

The quorum sensing molecule N-acyl homoserine lactone produced by Acinetobacter baumannii displays antibacterial and anticancer properties

Secretory N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) mediate quorum sensing (QS) in bacteria. AHLs are shown to be inhibitory for an unrelated group of bacteria and might mimic host signalling elements, thereby subverting the regulatory events in host cells. This study investigated the AHL produced by Acinetobacter baumannii and analysed its effect on other bacterial species and mammalian cells. Chemically characterized AHL had an m/z value of 325 with a molecular formula C18H31NO4 and showed its inhibitory potential against Staphylococcus aureus. Molecular docking studies identified D-alanine-D-alanine synthetase A, a cell wall synthesizing enzyme of S. aureus having a strong binding affinity towards AHL. Electron microscopy showed the disruption and sloughing off of the S. aureus cell wall when treated with AHL. In vitro experiments revealed that this bacteriostatic AHL showed time-dependent activity and induced apoptosis in cancer cell lines. This compound could be a potential structural backbone for constructing new AHL analogues against S. aureus. The findings emphasize the need to re-evaluate all previously characterized AHLs for any additional new biological functions other than QS.

Proteome Analysis of Disease Resistance against Ralstonia solanacearum in Potato Cultivar CT206-10

Potato is one of the most important crops worldwide. Its commercial cultivars are highly susceptible to many fungal and bacterial diseases. Among these, bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum causes significant yield loss. In the present study, integrated proteomics and genomics approaches were used in order to identify bacterial wilt resistant genes from Rs resistance potato cultivar CT-206-10. 2-DE and MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS analysis identified eight differentially abundant proteins including glycine-rich RNA binding protein (GRP), tomato stress induced-1 (TSI-1) protein, pathogenesis-related (STH-2) protein and pentatricopeptide repeat containing (PPR) protein in response to Rs infection. Further, semi-quantitative RT-PCR identified up-regulation in transcript levels of all these genes upon Rs infection. Taken together, our results showed the involvement of the identified proteins in the Rs stress tolerance in potato. In the future, it would be interesting to raise the transgenic plants to further validate their involvement in resistance against Rs in potato.

Groundwater vulnerability to pollution mapping of Ranchi district using GIS

Groundwater pollution due to anthropogenic activities is one of the major environmental problems in urban and industrial areas. The present study demonstrates the integrated approach with GIS and DRASTIC model to derive a groundwater vulnerability to pollution map. The model considers the seven hydrogeological factors [Depth to water table (D), net recharge (R), aquifer media (A), soil media (S), topography or slope (T), impact of vadose zone (I) and hydraulic Conductivity(C)] for generating the groundwater vulnerability to pollution map. The model was applied for assessing the groundwater vulnerability to pollution in Ranchi district, Jharkhand, India. The model was validated by comparing the model output (vulnerability indices) with the observed nitrate concentrations in groundwater in the study area. The reason behind the selection of nitrate is that the major sources of nitrate in groundwater are anthropogenic in nature. Groundwater samples were collected from 30 wells/tube wells distributed in the study area. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory for measuring the nitrate concentrations in groundwater. A sensitivity analysis of the integrated model was performed to evaluate the influence of single parameters on groundwater vulnerability index. New weights were computed for each input parameters to understand the influence of individual hydrogeological factors in vulnerability indices in the study area. Aquifer vulnerability maps generated in this study can be used for environmental planning and groundwater management.

Synthesis, in vitro and in silico antimalarial activity of 7-chloroquinoline and 4H-chromene conjugates

A new series of chloroquinoline-4H-chromene conjugates incorporating piperizine or azipane tethers were synthesized and their anti-malarial activity were evaluated against two Plasmodium falciparum strains namely 3D7 chloroquine sensitive (CQS) and K1 chloroquine resistant (CQR). Chloroquine was used as the standard and also reference for comparison. The conjugates exhibit intense UV absorption with λmax located at 342 nm (log ε=4.0), 254 nm (log ε=4.2), 223 nm (log ε=4.4) which can be used to spectrometrically track the molecules even in trace amounts. Among all the synthetic compounds, two molecules namely 6-nitro and N-piperazine groups incorporated 7d and 6-chloro and N-azapane incorporated 15b chloroquinoline-4H-chromene conjugates showed significant anti-malarial activity against two strains (3D7 and K1) of P. falciparum. These values are lesser than the values of standard antimalarial compound. Molecular docking results suggested that these two compounds showing strong binding affinity with P. falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH) and also they occupy the co-factor position which indicated that they could be the potent inhibitors for dreadful disease malaria and specifically attack the glycolytic pathway in parasite for energy production.

(Z)-3-(1-Hy-droxy-3-oxobut-1-en-yl)-6-nitro-2H-chromen-2-one

In the title compound, C(13)H(9)NO(6), the coumarin system has the benzene ring aligned at 0.61 (18)° with respect to the pyrone ring. An intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond stabilizes the mol-ecular conformation and a C-H⋯O contact also occurs. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯O inter-actions link the mol-ecules, forming inversion dimers.

Synthesis and in silico evaluation of 1N-methyl-1S-methyl-2-nitroethylene (NMSM) derivatives against Alzheimer disease: to understand their interacting mechanism with acetylcholinesterase

Anomalous action of human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) was restrained by various AChE inhibitors, of which the specific and potent lead candidate Donepezil is used for treating the disease AD. Besides the specificity, the observed undesirable side effects caused by Donepezil invoked the quest for new lead molecules with the increased potency and specificity for AChE. The present study elucidates the potency of six 1N-methyl-1S-methyl-2-nitroethylene (NMSM) derivatives to form a specific interaction with the peripheral anionic site and catalytic anionic subsite residues of hAChE. The NMSMs were prepared in good yield from 1,1-di(methylsulfanyl)-2-nitroethylene and primary amine (or) amino acid esters. In silico interaction analysis reveals specific and potent interactions between hAChE and selected ligand molecules. The site-specific interactions formed between these molecules also results in a conformational change in the orientation of active site residues of hAChE, which prevents them from being accessed by beta-amyloid protein (Aβ), which is a causative agent for amyloid plaque formation and acetylcholine (ACh). In silico interaction analysis between the ligand-bounded hAChE with Aß and ACh confirms this observation. The variation in the conformation of hAChE associated with the decreased ability of Aβ and ACh to access the respective functional residues of hAChE induced by the novel NMSMs favors their selection for in vivo analysis to present themselves as new members of hAChE inhibitors.

N-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)-1-(5-{[(2-phenyl-ethen-yl)sulfon-yl]meth-yl}-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methane-sulfonamide

In the title compound, C₁₈H₁₆ClN₃O₅S₂, the dihedral angles between the oxadiazole ring and the phenyl and chloro­benzene rings are 23.4 (2) and 45.4 (2)°, respectively. The C—S—N—C and C_ox—C—S—C (ox = oxadiazole) torsion angles are 89.3 (5) and −69.1 (3)°, respectively. A short intra­molecular C—H⋯O contact closes an S(6) ring. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating C(10) chains propagating in [001]. The packing is consolidated by C—H⋯O, C—H⋯π and very weak aromatic π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid separation = 4.085 (2) Å].

Direct nucleation of silver nanoparticles on graphene sheet

Silver (Ag) nanoparticles were synthesized on the surface of graphene sheet by the simultaneous reduction of Ag+ and graphene oxide (GO) in the presence of simple reducing agent, hydrazine hydrate (N2H4 x H2O). Both the Ag+ and GO were reduced and Ag+ was nucleated onto graphene. GO flakes were prepared by conventional chemical exfoliation method and in the presence of strong acidic medium of potassium chlorate. Silver nanoparticles were prepared using 0.01 M AgNO3 solution. The reduced GO sheet decorated with Ag is referred as G-Ag sample. G-Ag was characterized by FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy using GO as standard. An explicit alkene peak appeared around 1625 cm(-1) was observed in G-Ag sample. Besides, the characteristic carbonyl and hydroxyl peaks shows well reduction of GO. The FTIR therefore confirms the direct interaction of Ag into Graphene. SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) analysis were performed for morphological probing. The average size of Ag nanoparticles was confirmed by around 5-10 nm by the high-resolution TEM (HRTEM). The Ag quantum dots incorporated nanocomposite material could become prominent candidate for diverse applications including photovoltaic, catalysis, and biosensors etc.

The microRNA expression changes associated with malignancy and SDHB mutation in pheochromocytoma

Currently, the diagnosis of malignant pheochromocytoma can only be made when there is clinical evidence of metastasis or extensive local invasion. Thus, there is a need for new diagnostic marker(s) to identify tumors with malignant potential. The purpose of this study was to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) that are differentially expressed between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas and assess their diagnostic accuracy. Toward this aim, we analyzed miRNA expression in benign and malignant pheochromocytoma tumor samples using whole genome microarray profiling. Microarray analysis identified eight miRNAs that were significantly differentially expressed between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas. We measured a subset of these miRNAs directly by RT-PCR and found that miR-483-5p, miR-183, and miR-101 had significantly higher expression in malignant tumors as compared to their benign counterparts. Area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) analysis indicated that miR-483-5p, miR-101, and miR-183 could be useful diagnostic markers for distinguishing malignant from benign pheochromocytomas. In addition, these miRNAs could be detected in pheochromocytoma patient serum. Overall our data suggest that misexpression of miR-483-5p, miR-101, and miR-183 is associated with malignant pheochromocytoma.

6-Ethyl-N-methyl-3-nitro-4-nitro-methyl-4H-chromen-2-amine

In the title compound, C(13)H(15)N(3)O(5), the O and N atoms of the nitro-methyl group and the methyl C atom of the ethyl group are disordered over two sets of sites with refined occupancies of 0.629 (7):0.371 (7) and 0.533 (8):0.467 (8), respectively. The dihydro-pyran ring has an extremely flattened conformation. An intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link mol-ecules, forming inversion dimers. In addition, weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are also present.

Targeted labeling of cancer cells using biotin tagged avidin functionalized biocompatible fluorescent nanocrystals

The present study details the development of biotin tagged avidin functionalized Zinc Sulphide [ZnS] nanocrystals through a simple aqueous chemistry route at room temperature for targeted imaging applications. Surface functionalization of Manganese doped ZnS nanocrystals with L-cysteine provided functional groups that facilitated its conjugation to avidin. Further biotinylation of these particles through the strong non-covalent interaction between biotin and avidin enabled highly specific labeling of the biotin receptors on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. The nanobioconjugates thus developed exhibited stable and brilliant fluorescence upon labeling the biotin receptors on cells as observed through fluorescence microscopy. Characterization studies using X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the bioconjugated particles to be appropriately functionalized and stable, with size ranging from 50 to 80 nm. Cytotoxicity of this material system evaluated using MTT, LDH leakage and apoptosis assay revealed its non-toxic nature even for high concentrations extending upto 250 microM and 48 hours of incubation. Our results confirmed that biotinylated ZnS nanocrystals offer great potential for highly specific labeling and targeted imaging of cancer cells.

1-(2-Naphth-yl)-3-phenyl-3-(4,5,6,7-tetra-hydro-1,2,3-benzoselenadiazol-4-yl)propan-1-one

In the title compound, C(25)H(22)N(2)OSe, the fused six-membered cyclo-hexene ring of the 4,5,6,7-tetra-hydro-1,2,3-benzoselenadiazole group adopts a near half-chair conformation and the five-membered 1,2,3-selenadiazole ring is essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.004 Å). There are weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π inter-actions in the crystal structure. Inter-molecular π-π stacking is also observed between the naphthyl units, with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.529 (15) Å.

Butane-1,4-diyl bis(pyridine-4-carboxylate)

The mol­ecule of the title compound, C₁₆H₁₆N₂O₄, lies about an inversion centre; the butane chain adopts an extended zigzag conformation. The dihedral angle between the pyridine ring and the adjacent COO group is 3.52 (s14)°.

3-(4-Methyl-phen-yl)-1-phenyl-3-(4,5,6,7-tetra-hydro-1,2,3-benzoselenadiazol-4-yl)propan-1-one

In the title compound, C(22)H(22)N(2)OSe, the fused six-membered ring of the 4,5,6,7-tetra-hydro-benzo[d][1,2,3] selenadiazole group adopts a near to envelope (E form) conformation and the five-membered 1,2,3-selenadiazole ring is essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0059 Å). In the crystal, adjacent mol-ecules are inter-linked through weak inter-molecular C-H⋯π inter-actions.

2,2'-[Naphthalene-1,5-diylbis(nitrilo-methanylyl-idene)]diphenol

The title compound, C(24)H(18)N(2)O(2), lies about an inversion centre and the asymmetric unit contains one half-mol-ecule. An intra-molecular O-H⋯N hydrogen bond generates a six-membered ring, producing an S(6) ring motif. The crystal packing exhibits inter-molecular π-π stacking inter-actions between the aromatic rings with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.851 (2) Å.

4-[4-(Diethyl-amino)-phen-yl]-N-methyl-3-nitro-4H-chromen-2-amine

In the title compound, C(20)H(23)N(3)O(3), the dihydro-pyran ring adopts half-chair conformation. The chromene system makes a dihedral angle of 87.35 (5)° with the adjacent benzene ring. An intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond generates an S(6) motif, which stabilizes the mol-ecular conformation. In the crystal, weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds contribute to the stabilization of the packing.

4-{(4-Chloro-phen-yl)[4-(4-methyl-phen-yl)-1,2,3-selenadiazol-5-yl]meth-yl}-4,5,6,7-tetra-hydro-1,2,3-benzoselenadiazole

In the title compound, C(22)H(19)ClN(4)Se(2), the mean plane of the non-fused selenadiazole ring forms dihedral angles of 54.20 (16)° and 70.48 (11)°, respectively, with the essentially planar [maximum deviations of 0.025 (5) and 0.009 (2) Å, respectively] methyl-phenyl and chloro-phenyl substituents. The tetra-hydro-1,2,3-benzoselenadiazole group is disordered over two sets of sites with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.802 (5):0.198 (5). In the crystal, weak inter-molecular C-H⋯N inter-actions are observed.

6-Meth-oxy-N-methyl-3-nitro-4-nitro-methyl-4H-chromen-2-amine

In the title compound, C(12)H(13)N(3)O(6), the dihydro-pyran ring adopts a near screw-boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the benzene and dihydro-pyran rings is 6.35 (5)°. An intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond generates an S(6) motif, which stabilizes the mol-ecular conformation. In the crystal, weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O, N-H⋯O and C-H⋯π hydrogen bonds contribute to the stabilization of the packing.

6-Amino-3,4-dimethyl-4-phenyl-2H,4H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitrile

In the title compound, C₁₅H₁₄N₄O, the pyrazole ring is aligned at 88.23 (4)° with respect to the aromatic ring and at 3.75 (4)° with respect to the pyran ring. In the crystal, N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link adjacent mol­ecules into a linear chain motif. C—H⋯N inter­actions are also observed.

6,8-Dichloro-N-methyl-3-nitro-4-nitro-methyl-4H-chromen-2-amine

In the title compound, C(11)H(9)Cl(2)N(3)O(5), the dihydro-pyran ring adopts a near-half-chair conformation. The benzene ring makes a torsion angle of 5.02 (5)° with the dihydro-pyran ring. Adjacent mol-ecules are inter-linked through inter-molecular C-H⋯O, N-H⋯O and C-Cl⋯π [3.4743 (9) Å] inter-actions. The inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond generates an R(2) (2)(12) motif, which is observed to contribute to the crystal packing stability. Moreover, the mol-ecular structure displays an S(6) motif formed by intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding.

Decreased glucose tolerance and plasma adiponectin:resistin ratio in a mouse model of post-traumatic stress disorder

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are among the most serious health pathologies worldwide. Stress has been proposed as a factor contributing to the development of these health risk factors; however, the underlying mechanisms that link stress to obesity and diabetes need to be further clarified. Here, we study in mice how chronic stress affects dietary consumption and how that relationship contributes to obesity and diabetes.

METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were subjected to chronic variable stress (CVS) for 15 days and subsequently fed with a standard chow or high-fat diet. Food intake, body weight, respiratory quotient, energy expenditure and spontaneous physical activity were measured with a customised calorimetric system and body composition was measured with nuclear magnetic resonance. A glucose tolerance test was also applied and blood glucose levels were measured with a glucometer. Plasma levels of adiponectin and resistin were measured using Lincoplex kits.

RESULTS

Mice under CVS and fed with a high-fat diet showed impaired glucose tolerance associated with low plasma adiponectin:resistin ratios.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

This study demonstrates, in a novel mouse model, how post-traumatic stress disorder enhances vulnerability for impaired glucose metabolism in an energy-rich environment and proposes a potential adipokine-based mechanism.

The nested structure of cancer symptoms. Implications for analyzing co-occurrence and managing symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Although many cancer patients experience multiple concurrent symptoms, most studies have either focused on the analysis of single symptoms, or have used methods such as factor analysis that make a priori assumptions about how the data is structured. This article addresses both limitations by first visually exploring the data to identify patterns in the co-occurrence of multiple symptoms, and then using those insights to select and develop quantitative measures to analyze and validate the results.

METHODS

We used networks to visualize how 665 cancer patients reported 18 symptoms, and then quantitatively analyzed the observed patterns using degree of symptom overlap between patients, degree of symptom clustering using network modularity, clustering of symptoms based on agglomerative hierarchical clustering, and degree of nestedness of the symptoms based on the most frequently co-occurring symptoms for different sizes of symptom sets. These results were validated by assessing the statistical significance of the quantitative measures through comparison with random networks of the same size and distribution.

RESULTS

The cancer symptoms tended to co-occur in a nested structure, where there was a small set of symptoms that co-occurred in many patients, and progressively larger sets of symptoms that co-occurred among a few patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that cancer symptoms co-occur in a nested pattern as opposed to distinct clusters, thereby demonstrating the value of exploratory network analyses to reveal complex relationships between patients and symptoms. The research also extends methods for exploring symptom co-occurrence, including methods for quantifying the degree of symptom overlap and for examining nested co-occurrence in co-occurrence data. Finally, the analysis also suggested implications for the design of systems that assist in symptom assessment and management. The main limitation of the study was that only one dataset was considered, and future studies should attempt to replicate the results in new data.

Bis(μ-phenyl-tellurido-κTe:Te)bis-[tetra-carbonyl-rhenium(I)]

The title compound, [Re(2)(C(6)H(5)Te)(2)(CO)(8)], crystallizes with two mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit, in which two Re atoms are coordinated in a slightly distorted octa-hedral environment and are bridged by two Te atoms, which show a distorted trigonal-pyramidal geometry. The torsion angles for the Te-Re-Te-Re sequence of atoms are 19.29 (18) and 16.54 (16)° in the two mol-ecules. Thus, the Re-Te four-membered rings in the two mol-ecules deviate significantly from planarity. Two intra-molecular C-H⋯O inter-actions occur in one of the mol-ecules. Te-Te [4.0551 (10) Å] inter-actions between the two mol-ecules and weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O inter-actions stabilize the crystal packing.

Heptacarbonyl-1κC,2κC-(4-phenyl-pyridine-1κN)di-μ-phenyltellurido-1:2κTe:Te-dirhenium(I)

In the title complex, [Re(2)(C(6)H(5)Te)(2)(C(11)H(9)N)(CO)(7)], two Re atoms are coordinated in slightly distorted octa-hedral coordination environments and are bridged by two Te atoms, which are coordinated in trigonal-pyramidal environments. The torsion angle for the Te-Re-Te-Re sequence of atoms is 17.06 (3)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π inter-actions. In addition, there are Te⋯Te distances [4.0392 (12) Å] and O⋯O distances [2.902 (19) Å] which are shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii for these atoms. A short inter-molecular lone pair⋯π distance [C O⋯Cg = 3.31 (2) Å] is also observed.

3-Benzyl-6-benzylamino-1-methyl-5-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine

In the title compound, C₁₉H₂₂N₄O₂, the tetra­hydro­pyrimidine ring adopts an envelope conformation (with the N atom connected to the benzyl group representing the flap). This benzyl group occupies a quasi-axial position. The two benzyl groups lie over the tetra­hydro­pyridimidine ring. The amino group is a hydrogen-bond donor to the nitro group.