Recent Advances in Antimalarial Drug Discovery: Challenges and Opportunities

Malaria is a global health problem that needs attention from drug discovery scientists to investigate novel compounds with high drug efficacy, safety and low cost to encounter the malaria parasites that are resistant to existing drug molecules. Antimalarial drug development follows several approaches, ranging from modifications of existing agents to the design of novel agents that act against novel targets. Most of market and clinical drugs act on blood schizonticide are in current therapy for malaria reduction. This chapter will intend to highlight the currently available drugs including various novel agents. In addition, emphasis has been given on the prospective pharmacophores that are likely to emerge as effective clinical candidates in the treatment of malaria. Besides all aspects, some alternative approaches will also be highlight

Integrating transcriptomic and proteomic data for accurate assembly and annotation of genomes

© 2017 Wong et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Complementing genome sequence with deep transcriptome and proteome data could enable more accurate assembly and annotation of newly sequenced genomes. Here, we provide a proof-of-concept of an integrated approach for analysis of the genome and proteome of Anopheles stephensi, which is one of the most important vectors of the malaria parasite. To achieve broad coverage of genes, we carried out transcriptome sequencing and deep proteome profiling of multiple anatomically distinct sites. Based on transcriptomic data alone, we identified and corrected 535 events of incomplete genome assembly involving 1196 scaffolds and 868 protein-coding gene models. This proteogenomic approach enabled us to add 365 genes that were missed during genome annotation and identify 917 gene correction events through discovery of 151 novel exons, 297 protein extensions, 231 exon extensions, 192 novel protein start sites, 19 novel translational frames, 28 events of joining of exons, and 76 events of joining of adjacent genes as a single gene. Incorporation of proteomic evidence allowed us to change the designation of more than 87 predicted noncoding RNAs to conventional mRNAs coded by protein-coding genes. Importantly, extension of the newly corrected genome assemblies and gene models to 15 other newly assembled Anopheline genomes led to the discovery of a large number of apparent discrepancies in assembly and annotation of these genomes. Our data provide a framework for how future genome sequencing efforts should incorporate transcriptomic and proteomic analysis in combination with simultaneous manual curation to achieve near complete assembly and accurate annotation of genomes

Post-fire soil nutrient dynamics in a tropical dry deciduous forest of Western Ghats, India

Abstract Background The effect of forest fire on soil is complex and relatively less understood than its above ground effect. Understanding the effect of fire on forest soils can allow improving management of valuable forest ecosystems as adequate and proper information is very important for efficient management. We have studied the recovery of soil properties after fire, using a chronosequence approach (two, five and fifteen years after fire and control). Soil samples were collected from each plot of four fire patches (B0, B2, B5 & B15) from three different depths viz. 0–10 (Top), 10–20 (Middle), and 20–30 cm (Bottom). Results Soil organic carbon was lower than unburned plots after the fire and could not recover to the level of unburned plot (B0) even in 15 years. Total N, available P, and extractable K were lower 2-years and 5-years after the fire but are higher than unburned plot after 15-years. Available nitrogen (NO3 − and NH4 +) remain unchanged or higher than B0 in burned patches. Soil pH, Bulk Density, Water Holding Capacity, and Electrical Conductivity was lower initially after the fire. Forest fires have affected soil properties considerably. The response of soil properties varied with years after fire and soil depth. Conclusion Forest fires occur very frequently in the study area. Significant quantities of carbon and total nitrogen are lost to the atmosphere by burning of litter, duff, and soil OM. Because nitrogen is one of the most important soil nutrients, the recapture of N lost by volatilization during a fire must receive special attention. Long-term studies are required to better understand the recovery of soil nitrogen

MHD mixed convection on an inclined stretching plate in Darcy porous medium with Soret effect and variable surface conditions

This work is concerned with a steady 2D laminar MHD mixed convective flow of an electrically conducting Newtonian fluid with low electrical conductivity along with heat and mass transfer on an isothermal stretching semi-infinite inclined plate embedded in a Darcy porous medium. Along with a strong uniform transverse external magnetic field, the Soret effect is considered. The temperature and concentration at the wall are varying with distance from the edge along the plate, but it is uniform at far away from the plate. The governing equations with necessary flow conditions are formulated under boundary layer approximations. Then a continuous group of symmetry transformations are employed to the governing equations and boundary conditions which determine a set of self-similar equations with necessary scaling laws. These equations are solved numerically and similar velocity, concentration, and temperature for various values of involved parameters are obtained and presented through graphs. The momentum boundary layer thickness becomes larger with increasing thermal and concentration buoyancy forces. The flow boundary layer thickness decreases with the angle of inclination of the stretching plate. The concentration increases considerably for larger values of the Soret number and it decreases with Lewis number. The skin friction coefficient increases for increasing angle of inclination of the plate, magnetic and porosity parameters, however it decreases for rise of thermal and solutal buoyancy parameters. In this double diffusive boundary layer flow, Nusselt and Sherweed numbers increase for rise of thermal and solutal buoyancy parameters, Prandtl number, but they behave opposite nature in case of angle of inclination of the plate, magnetic and porosity parameters. The Sherwood number increases for increasing Lewis number but it decreases for increasing Soret number

A bio-inspired design strategy for easy powder removal in powder-bed based additive manufactured lattice structure

This study evaluates the challenges of powder removal inside surface-based lattice structures that have been fabricated by the polymer-powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) process. The natural flow adaptations of plant cells’ morphology and perforation that allow water and minerals easy transport have been bio-mimicked for ease of powder flow during post-processing powder removal. Vessel-shaped and supportless lattice structures with ventilations have been designed, followed by a Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. This is to study the fluid flow pattern and turbulence inside the lattice structures. The designed lattice structures were 3d printed with polyamide 12 (PA-12) material by HP-MJF 4200 powder bed technology. They were followed by powder removal using a pressurised air gun and computerised tomography (CT-scan) to observe the regions of trapped powder inside the lattice structures. The uni-axial compression tests were conducted to observe the effect of ventilation on the mechanical properties of the lattice structures

Primary Endobronchial Plasmacytoma with Mediastinal Lymph Nodes treated with Radical Radiotherapy: A Case Report with Review of Literature

Malignant proliferation of plasma cells arising outside the bone marrow or osseous sites is known as extramedullary plasmacytoma. Solitary Extramedullary Plasmacytoma (SEP) are commonly located in upper respiratory tract and sinuses. Involvement of lower respiratory tract is rarely seen in case of SEP. Here, the authors report a case of endobronchial plasmacytoma in a 41-year-old male patient, without any medical risk factors presenting with complaint of blood stained sputum. Radiological imaging confirmed endobronchial mass in right main bronchus. Histopathology with immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of plasmacytoma. Work-up for multiple myeloma was negative. Thus, patient was subsequently planned for radical radiotherapy for the primary disease. The patient tolerated the treatment well and was asymptomatic at the time of last follow-up. Solitary Endobronchial Plasmacytoma (SBP) is a rare presentation of SEP. Radical radiotherapy yields excellent local control rates and symptomatic benefit. Close surveillance for development of multiple myeloma is required at periodic intervals

Hydrothermally Synthesized ZnSnO3 Nanoflakes Based Low-Cost Sensing Device for High Performance CO2 Monitoring

This work reports a room temperature operative ZnSnO _3 nanoflakes-based CO _2 gas sensor. The perovskite ZnSnO _3 nanoflakes are synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal technique. The prepared material was characterized via XRD, SEM, UV-visible spectroscopy, and DLS measurement for confirming the crystal structure, surface morphology, optical properties, and size distribution. The X-ray diffraction pattern revealed that ZnSnO _3 was in the orthorhombic phase and average crystallite size examined by the Scherrer formula was 8.05 nm. Optical studies were done by the UV–vis spectroscopy and a direct optical band gap was found to be 3.27 eV. The surface morphology of ZnSnO _3 was found to nanoflakes are almost uniform dimensions. The fabricated sensor device of ZnSnO _3 detected the CO _2 gas at room temperature (RT) for different concentrations. The best sensor response was found to be 4.93 for 1000 ppm of CO _2 whereas at 200 ppm the response and recovery times were found to be 5.92 s and 7.23 s respectively. HOMO-LUMO gap energy of ZnSnO _3 without and with interaction from CO _2 molecule was found 1.165 eV and 1.577 eV, respectively. DFT studies are used for a better understanding of sensing mechanisms

Cutaneous adverse drug reactions: A three years tertiary care hospital based retrospective study

Background: Cutaneous drug reactions(CADRs) are the commonest manifestation of adverse drug reactions. They may manifest in a wide range of clinical patterns. They may either be confined only to skin or may be a part of multisystemic disorder.Aims: To study the demographic profile of patients with CADRs, to study type of CADRs and identify the offending drugs.Methodology: It was a retrospective tertiary care hospital based study. Retrospective analysis of data of patients admitted with a diagnosis of ‘cutaneous adverse drug reaction’ between October 2016 to September 2019 was done.Results: Records of 205 patients were analyzed. Male: female ratio was 1:0.69. Most common age group 21-40 years accounting for 78 Pts (38%).Period of latency ranged from <2 hrs to 150 days (mean 24.10 ± 26.14). Co morbidities included Diabetes mellitus - 18 (8.78%),Chronic kidney disease - 3 (1.46%), Malignancy - 3 (1.46%) and HIV - 2 (1%). Risk factors observed werePoly-pharmacy - 69 (33.65%, Smoking - 51 (24.87%) and alcohol intake - 48 (23.41%). Most common drug rash was fixed drug eruption and most common drug group implicated was antimicrobials.Conclusion: A wide range of morphological patterns was observed. The results were in concordance with other studies

Genome Sequencing in Field Crops: Unlocking Agricultural Potential

Genome sequencing has revolutionized agriculture by providing crucial insights into the genetic make-up of field crops. This paper explores the importance of genome sequencing in unlocking the agricultural potential of various field crops. By sequencing the DNA of crops such as wheat, maize, rice, and soybean researchers are gain a comprehensive understanding of their genetic diversity, disease resistance and yield-enhancing traits. This knowledge enables the development of precision breeding strategies, leading to the creation of high-yielding, stress-tolerant and nutritionally enhanced crop varieties. In addition, genome sequencing is facilitating the identification of key genes involved in plant-microbe interactions and adaptation to environmental stressors. Such knowledge can inform sustainable agricultural practices, reduce chemical inputs and increase crop resilience in the face of climate change. This paper  highlights the transformative impact of genome sequencing on crop improvement, food security and global agricultural sustainability