A chiral Mn(IV) complex and its supramolecular assembly: synthesis, characterization and properties

The open air reaction of the chiral Schiff base ligand H2L, prepared by the condensation of L-phenylalaninol and 5-bromosalicylaldehyde, with MnII(CH3COO)2·4H2O yielded dark brown complex [MnIVL2]·0·5 DMF (1). Compound 1 was characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-visible, CD and EPR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and room temperature magnetic moment determination. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that compound 1 crystallises in the monoclinic P21 space group with six mononuclear [MnIV L2] units in the asymmetric unit along with three solvent DMF molecules. In the crystal structure, each Mn(IV) complex, acting as the building unit, undergoes supramolecular linking through C-H···0 bonds leading to an intricate hydrogen bonding network

Pharmacotherapeutic Options for Visceral Leishmaniasis—Current Scenario

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar is a protozoal disease, which was previously regarded as one of the most neglected tropical diseases. Management of this disease is quite difficult, because it is said to affect the poorest of the poor. Previously Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) was regarded as the gold standard treatment for VL. But due to the increasing unresponsiveness, to this drug various other drugs were tried and are still being tried. Pentamidine is very toxic and has been discarded of late. Amphotericin B and its lipid formulations are very effective but require hospital admission and monitoring. Oral drugs like Miltefosine have already been launched. An amino glycoside Paromomycin and another oral drug Sitamaquine are in the pipe line. Interferon gamma has been used with discouraging results

Concomitant yield optimization of tannase and gallic acid by Bacillus licheniformis KBR6 through submerged fermentation : an industrial approach

The present study is concerned with the evaluation of tannase and gallic acid production effi cacy of Bacillus licheniformis KBR6 under diff erent environmental conditions through submerged fermentation. Results have shown that diff erent environmental conditions and mineral sources have diff erential infl uences on tannase and gallic acid production. Highest tannase and gallic acid yield was observed at incubation period of 18 h and 22 h, respectively. At tannic acid concentration of 15 g/l, maximum cell mass (0.75 g/l), cell yield coeffi cient (0.08 g/g), specifi c growth rate (37.5 mg/g/h), tannase yield (16.3 U/g) and specifi c tannase production rate (0.80 U/g/h) were observed, however, at higher tannic acid concentration a decrease in tannase yield and production rate were observed, but gallic acid production increased with increasing tannic acid concentration. Additional carbohydrate sources like glucose, fructose, and lactose showed positive infl uence on enzyme yield. Among the studied nitrogen sources urea and NH4Cl, and of the phosphate sources KH2PO4 showed favourable eff ects on cell growth and simultaneous enzyme and gallic acid production. Temperature of 35 °C was found to be optimum for tannase and gallic acid production. Of all the studied metal ions Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ showed positive eff ect whereas, Co2+, Ag2+, Pb2+, Hg2+ showed inhibitory eff ects

Altered environment and risk of malaria outbreak in South Andaman, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India affected by tsunami disaster

BACKGROUND: Pools of salt water and puddles created by giant waves from the sea due to the tsunami that occurred on 26(th )December 2004 would facilitate increased breeding of brackish water malaria vector, Anopheles sundaicus. Land uplifts in North Andaman and subsidence in South Andaman have been reported and subsidence may lead to environmental disturbances and vector proliferation. This warrants a situation analysis and vector surveillance in the tsunami hit areas endemic for malaria transmitted by brackish water mosquito, An. sundaicus to predict the risk of outbreak. METHODS: An extensive survey was carried out in the tsunami-affected areas in Andaman district of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India to assess the extent of breeding of malaria vectors in the habitats created by seawater flooding. Types of habitats in relation to source of seawater inundation and frequency were identified. The salinity of the water samples and the mosquito species present in the larval samples collected from these habitats were recorded. The malaria situation in the area was also analysed. RESULTS: South Andaman, covering Port Blair and Ferrargunj sub districts, is still under the recurring phenomenon of seawater intrusion either directly from the sea or through a network of creeks. Both daily cycles of high tides and periodical spring tides continue to cause flooding. Low-lying paddy fields and fallow land, with a salinity ranging from 3,000 to 42,505 ppm, were found to support profuse breeding of An. sundaicus, the local malaria vector, and Anopheles subpictus, a vector implicated elsewhere. This area is endemic for both vivax and falciparum malaria. Malaria slide positivity rate has started increasing during post-tsunami period, which can be considered as an indication of risk of malaria outbreak. CONCLUSION: Paddy fields and fallow land with freshwater, hitherto not considered as potential sites for An. sundaicus, are now major breeding sites due to saline water. Consequently, there is a risk of vector abundance with enhanced malaria transmission potential, due to the vastness of these tsunami-created breeding grounds and likelihood of them becoming permanent due to continued flooding in view of land subsidence. The close proximity of the houses and paucity of cattle may lead to a higher degree of man/vector contact causing a threat of malaria outbreak in this densely populated area. Measures to prevent the possible outbreak of malaria in this tsunami-affected area are discussed

A micro-convection model for thermal conductivity of nanofluids

Increase in the specific surface area as well as Brownian motion are supposed to be the most significant reasons for the anomalous enhancement in thermal conductivity of nanofluids. This work presents a semi-empirical approach for the same by emphasizing the above two effects through micro-convection. A new way of modeling thermal conductivity of nanofluids has been explored which is found to agree excellently with a wide range of experimental data obtained by the present authors as well as the data published in literature

Feasibility of a combined camp approach for vector control together with active case detection of visceral leishmaniasis, post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, tuberculosis, leprosy and malaria in Bangladesh, India and Nepal: an exploratory study

Background We assessed the feasibility and results of active case detection (ACD) of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and other febrile diseases as well as of bednet impregnation for vector control. Methods Fever camps were organized and analyzed in twelve VL endemic villages in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. VL, PKDL, tuberculosis, malaria and leprosy were screened among the febrile patients attending the camps, and existing bednets were impregnated with a slow release insecticide. Results Among the camp attendees one new VL case and two PKDL cases were detected in Bangladesh and one VL case in Nepal. Among suspected tuberculosis cases two were positive in India but none in the other countries. In India, two leprosy cases were found. No malaria cases were detected. Bednet impregnation coverage during fever camps was more than 80% in the three countries. Bednet impregnation led to a reduction of sandfly densities after 2 weeks by 86% and 32%, and after 4 weeks by 95% and 12% in India and Nepal respectively. The additional costs for the control programmes seem to be reasonable. Conclusion It is feasible to combine ACD camps for VL and PKDL along with other febrile diseases, and vector control with bednet impregnatio