830 research outputs found
4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-[(E)-4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene]-1,3-thiazol-2-amine
The title compound, C18H16ClN3S, adopts an extended molecular structure. The thiazole ring is inclined by 9.2 (1) and 15.3 (1)° with respect to the chlorophenyl and 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl rings, respectively, while the benzene ring planes make an angle of 19.0 (1)°. A weak intermolecular C—H⋯π contact is observed in the crystal structure
Plasmepsin inhibitors: design, synthesis, inhibitory studies and crystal structure analysis
Plasmepsin group of enzymes are key enzymes in the life cycle of malarial parasites. As inhibition of plasmepsins leads to the parasite's death, these enzymes can be utilized as potential drug targets. Although many drugs are available, it has been observed that Plasmodium falciparum, the species that causes most of the malarial infections and subsequent death, has developed resistance against most of the drugs. Based on the cleavage sites of hemglobin, the substrate for plasmepsins, we have designed two compounds (p-nitrobenzoyl-leucine-β -alanine and p-nitrobenzoyl-leucine-isonipecotic acid), synthesized them, solved their crystal structures and studied their inhibitory effect using experimental and theoretical (docking) methods. In this paper, we discuss the synthesis, crystal structures and inhibitory nature of these two compounds which have a potential to inhibit plasmepsins
Role of catalytic function in the antiplatelet activity of phospholipase A(2) cobra (Naja naja naja) venom
Three acidic phospholipases A(2) from Indian cobra (Naja naja naja) venom inhibited platelet aggregation in platelet rich plasma induced separately by ADP, collagen and epinephrine with different potencies. The order of inhibition was epinephrine > collagen > ADP. They did not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (10 muM). The inhibition was dependent on concentration of the protein and the time of incubation of the phospholipases A(2) with platelet rich plasma. Parabromophenacyl bromide modified PLA(2) enzymes lost their enzymatic activity as well as platelet aggregation inhibition activity suggesting the involvement of catalytic function in platelet aggregation inhibitory activity
A combinatorial approach of comprehensive QTL-based comparative genome mapping and transcript profiling identified a seed weight-regulating candidate gene in chickpea
High experimental validation/genotyping success rate (94–96%) and intra-specific polymorphic potential (82–96%) of 1536 SNP and 472 SSR markers showing in silico polymorphism between desi ICC 4958 and kabuli ICC 12968 chickpea was obtained in a 190 mapping population (ICC 4958 × ICC 12968) and 92 diverse desi and kabuli genotypes. A high-density 2001 marker-based intra-specific genetic linkage map comprising of eight LGs constructed is comparatively much saturated (mean map-density: 0.94 cM) in contrast to existing intra-specific genetic maps in chickpea. Fifteen robust QTLs (PVE: 8.8–25.8% with LOD: 7.0–13.8) associated with pod and seed number/plant (PN and SN) and 100 seed weight (SW) were identified and mapped on 10 major genomic regions of eight LGs. One of 126.8 kb major genomic region harbouring a strong SW-associated robust QTL (Caq'SW1.1: 169.1–171.3 cM) has been delineated by integrating high-resolution QTL mapping with comprehensive marker-based comparative genome mapping and differential expression profiling. This identified one potential regulatory SNP (G/A) in the cis-acting element of candidate ERF (ethylene responsive factor) TF (transcription factor) gene governing seed weight in chickpea. The functionally relevant molecular tags identified have potential to be utilized for marker-assisted genetic improvement of chickpea
Multiomic analysis of oral keratinocytes chronically exposed to shisha
Background: Tobacco is smoked in different form including cigarettes and water pipes. One popular form of water pipe smoking especially in Middle Eastern countries is shisha smoking. Shisha has been associated with various diseases including oral cancer. However, genomic alterations and gene expression changes associated with chronic shisha exposure have not been previously investigated.
Objectives: Whole‐exome sequencing and gene expression profiling of immortalized human oral keratinocytes (OKF6/TERT1) cells chronically treated with 0.5% shisha extract for a period of 8 months was undertaken to characterize molecular alterations associated with shisha exposure.
Methods: Genomic DNA and RNA were extracted and preprocessed as per manufacturer's instruction and subjected to whole‐exome and transcriptome sequencing using Illumina HiSeq2500 platform. Exome was analyzed using GATK pipeline whereas RNA‐Seq data was analyzed using HiSat2 and HTSeq along with DESeq to elucidate differentially expressed genes.
Results: Whole‐exome sequence analysis led to identification of 521 somatic missense variants corresponding to 389 genes RNA‐Seq data revealed 247 differentially expressed genes (≥2‐fold, P‐value<0.01) in shisha treated cells compared to parental cells. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that interferon‐signaling pathway was significantly affected. We predict activation of MAPK1 pathway which is known to play a key role in oral cancer. We also observed allele specific expression of mutant LIMA1 based on RNA‐Seq dataset.
Conclusion: Our findings provide insights into genomic alterations and gene expression pattern associated with oral keratinocytes chronically exposed to shisha
Spillover impacts of sorghum research
A technological breakthrough in agriculture often leads to increased yields, or improves the quality
of output, or enhances the efficiency of input use. If the new technology has applicability beyond
the confines of the location for which it was generated, or beyond the commodity for which it was
developed, such an effect is commonly referred to as spillover effects. A review (Deb and Bantilan
2001) of the spillover impacts of agricultural research has covered the evolution of the concept
over time, different types of spillovers dealt in literature and techniques to quantify spillover
impacts by different studies on the subject..
First urology simulation boot camp in the United Kingdom
Objective: Simulation is now firmly established in modern surgical training and is applicable not only to acquiring surgical skills but also to non-surgical skills and professionalism. A 5-day intensive Urology Simulation Boot Camp was run to teach emergency procedural skills, clinical reasoning, and communication skills using clinical scenario simulations, endoscopic and laparoscopic trainers. This paper reports the educational value of this first urology boot camp. Subjects and methods: Sixteen urology UK trainees completed pre-course questionnaires on their operative experience and confidence level in common urological procedures. The course included seven modules covering basic scrotal procedures, laparoscopic skills, ureteroscopy, transurethral resection of the prostate and bladder tumour, green light laser prostatectomy, familiarisation with common endoscopic equipment, bladder washout to remove clots, bladder botox injection, setting up urodynamics. Emergency urological conditions were managed using scenarios on SimMan®. The main focus of the course was hands-on training using animal models, bench-top models and virtual reality simulators. Post-course assessment and feedback on the course structure and utility of knowledge gained together with a global outcome score was collected. Results: Overall all the sections of feedback received score of over 4.5/5, with the hands-on training on simulators getting the best score 4.8/5. When trainees were asked “The training has equipped me with enhanced knowledge, understanding and skills,” the average score was 4.9/5.0. The vast majority of participants felt they would recommend the boot camp to future junior trainees. Conclusion: This first UK Urology Simulation Boot Camp has demonstrated feasibility and effectiveness in enhancing trainee’s experience. Given these positive feedbacks there is a good reason to expect that future courses will improve the overall skills of a new urology trainee
Peanut yellow spot virus: A distinct tospovirus species based on serology and nucleic acid hybridisation
Nucleocapsids of peanut yellow spot virus (PYSV), purified from peanut (= groundnut) plant tissue, contained a protein with a molecular mass of 29 kDa. In ELISA and immuno-blot analysis the virus did not react with tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) and peanut bud necrosis virus (PBNV) antisera. PYSV contained three RNA species, a large (L) RNA (c.8900 nucleotides), a medium (M) RNA (c.4800 nucleotides) and a small (S) RNA (c.3000 nucleotides), similar to other tospoviruses. In addition, a fourth RNA species of approximately 1800 nucleotides was also present in purified preparations. Hybridisation analysis under high stringency conditions revealed no hybridisation between PYSV RNAs and cDNA probes representing the nucleocapsid (N) gene, the glycoprotein (GP) gene and the 3' half of the RNA polymerase gene of PBNV. PYSV genomic RNAs also failed to hybridise with cDNA probes from the GP genes of TSWV and INSV. In reciprocal tests, the cDNA clones of PYSV S and M RNAs did not hybridise with any of the PBNV RNAs. Based on the absence of serological relationships between PYSV and PBNV, TSWV and INSV and lack of nucleotide homology based on hybridisation studies between the PYSV RNAs and cDNA clones from PBNV, TSWV and INSV, PYSV should be considered as a distinct species of the genus Tospovirus under a new serogroup, putatively designated ‘V
Generation Mean Analysis Reveals the Predominant Gene Effects for Grain Iron and Zinc Contents in Pearl Millet
Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is a climate-resilient dryland cereal that
has been identified as a potential staple food crop that can contribute to alleviating
micronutrient malnutrition, particularly with respect to grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn)
contents, in Sub-Saharan Africa and India. In this regard, an understanding of the
inheritance pattern of genes involved in Fe and Zn contents is vital for devising
appropriate breeding methods to genetically enhance their levels in grains. In this
study, we aimed to determine the genetic effects underlying such inheritance and their
interactions based on the generation mean analyses. Four experimental crosses and
their six generations (P1, P2, F1, BCP1, BCP2, and F2) were independently evaluated
in a compact family block design in 2017 rainy and 2018 summer seasons. ANOVA
revealed highly significant mean squares (p < 0.01) among different generations for grain
Fe and Zn contents. Six-parameter generation mean analyses revealed a predominance
of additive genetic effect and a significant (p < 0.05) additive x dominant interaction
for the grain Fe content. The additive genetic effect for the grain Zn content was also
highly significant (p < 0.01). However, interaction effects contributed minimally with
respect to most of the crosses for the grain Zn content and hence we assume that
a simple digenic inheritance pattern holds true for it. Furthermore, we established that
narrow-sense heritability was high for the grain Fe content (>61.78%), whereas it was
low to moderate for the grain Zn content (30.60–59.04%). The lack of superior parent
heterosis coupled with non-significant inbreeding depression for Fe and Zn contents in
grains further confirmed the predominance of an additive genetic effect. These findings
will contribute to strategizing a comprehensive breeding method to exploit the available
variability of grain Fe and Zn contents for the development of biofortified hybrids of
pearl millet
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