Tetramethylguanidine (TMG)-catalysed Synthesis of α-Aminophosphonates by a One-pot Reaction

Aldimines (Schiff’s bases) undergo nucleophilic addition with diethyl/dimethyl/diphenylphosphite (Pudovik reaction) in the presence of a catalytic amount of tetramethylguanidine (TMG) at ambient temperature to afford the corresponding α-aminophosphonates in high yields. The Schiff’s bases were prepared by reacting cinnamaldehyde with substituted amines in refluxing absolute alcohol. The structures of the title compounds were established by elemental analysis and IR, 1H, 13C, 31PNMR and FAB mass spectral data. The antimicrobial activities of these compounds were evaluated and they exhibited significant antimicrobial activity.KEYWORDS: Imines, α-aminophosphonates, tetramethylguanidine (TMG), dialkyl- and arylphosphites, antimicrobial activity

Synthesis of Dinaphtho-dioxaphosphocin-8-oxides, Epoxides and Bisphosphonates

Preparation of 8-substituted-16H-dinaphtho [2,1-d:1’,2’-g] [1,3,2] dioxaphosphocin 8-oxides (5a–g) with an eight-membered phosphorus heterocyclic system (2) and their epoxides and bisphosphonates was accomplished by reacting 8-bromo-dinaphthophosphocin (2) with different mono and bis Grignard reagents (3a–g and 6) followed by oxidation with H2O2. Their structures were confirmed by elemental and spectral (1H, 13C and 31P NMR) data analysis. Some of these compounds are found to possess moderate antimicrobial activity.KEYWORDS: Dioxaphosphocin 8-oxides, dioxaphosphocin bisphosphonates, antimicrobial activity

PURE: A webserver for the prediction of domains in unassigned regions in proteins

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Protein domains are the structural and functional units of proteins. The ability to parse proteins into different domains is important for effective classification, understanding of protein structure, function, and evolution and is hence biologically relevant. Several computational methods are available to identify domains in the sequence. Domain finding algorithms often employ stringent thresholds to recognize sequence domains. Identification of additional domains can be tedious involving intense computation and manual intervention but can lead to better understanding of overall biological function. In this context, the problem of identifying new domains in the unassigned regions of a protein sequence assumes a crucial importance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We had earlier demonstrated that accumulation of domain information of sequence homologues can substantially aid prediction of new domains. In this paper, we propose a computationally intensive, multi-step bioinformatics protocol as a web server named as <b>PURE </b>(<b>P</b>rediction of <b>U</b>nassigned <b>RE</b>gions in proteins) for the detailed examination of stretches of unassigned regions in proteins. Query sequence is processed using different automated filtering steps based on length, presence of coiled-coil regions, transmembrane regions, homologous sequences and percentage of secondary structure content. Later, the filtered sequence segments and their sequence homologues are fed to PSI-BLAST, cd-hit and Hmmpfam. Data from the various programs are integrated and information regarding the probable domains predicted from the sequence is reported.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have implemented PURE protocol as a web server for rapid and comprehensive analysis of unassigned regions in the proteins. This server integrates data from different programs and provides information about the domains encoded in the unassigned regions.</p

Antioxidant effect of Morus indica L against paraquat-induced oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster

BACKGROUND: Mulberry extracts and active components have numerous good neurological and biological benefits, making them promising candidates in the research for new medications to treat neurological problems. METHODS: In the present study we evaluated the neuroprotective role of mulberry fruit extract against the paraquat (PQ) induced oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster. After the exposure to PQ, Flies were assayed for climbing activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxide (LPO) content, acetylcholine esterase activities (AChe), and also the antioxidant defense system such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activities (CAT) and glutathione synthetase (GSH) RESULTS: In a negative geotaxis assay, MF pre-treated flies exposed to PQ showed a lower incidence of mortality and enhanced climbing activities of flies when compared to untreated flies exposed to PQ. In addition, when exposed to PQ, untreated flies resulted in a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in oxidative stress markers such as ROS, LPO content and AChe and decreased the antioxidant defense system such as SOD, CAT, and GSH. However, flies pre-treated with MF when exposed to PQ ameliorated oxidative stress markers and by restoring the antioxidant defense system, additionally, the pre-treatment of MF flies also reduced AChe activities. CONCLUSION: The pre-treatment of flies with MF extract has the potential to reduce PQ-induced oxidative stress due to its antioxidative nature and ability to modify the activities of antioxidant defense systems. However, further research is needed to understand the exact mechanism of its activity

Automatic Class Timetable Generation using a Hybrid Genetic and Tabu Algorithm

Timetable generation is a combinatorial optimization problem. Meta Heuristic methods and Evolutionary Algorithms have given the best results when it comes to solving the problem of timetable generation. In our paper the problem of timetable generation for the Computer Science and Engineering Dept. of BMS College of Engineering is solved with the help of Genetic Algorithm and Tabu Search which belong to the class of Evolutionary Algorithms and Meta – Heuristics respectively. Genetic Algorithms help in finding multiple optimal solutions in one iteration but they can get stuck at local optima. This can be avoided by using Tabu Search procedure. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.150510

Systematic search for putative new domain families in Mycoplasma gallisepticum genome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Protein domains are the fundamental units of protein structure, function and evolution. The delineation of different domains in proteins is important for classification, understanding of structure, function and evolution. The delineation of protein domains within a polypeptide chain, namely at the genome scale, can be achieved in several ways but may remain problematic in many instances. Difficulties in identifying the domain content of a given sequence arise when the query sequence has no homologues with experimentally determined structure and searching against sequence domain databases also results in insignificant matches. Identification of domains under low sequence identity conditions and lack of structural homologues acquire a crucial importance especially at the genomic scale.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We have developed a new method for the identification of domains in unassigned regions through indirect connections and scaled up its application to the analysis of 434 unassigned regions in 726 protein sequences of <it>Mycoplasma gallisepticum </it>genome. We could establish 71 new domain relationships and probable 63 putative new domain families through intermediate sequences in the unassigned regions, which importantly represent an overall 10% increase in PfamA domain annotation over the direct assignment in this genome.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The systematic analysis of the unassigned regions in the <it>Mycoplasma gallisepticum </it>genome has provided some insight into the possible new domain relationships and putative new domain families. Further investigation of these predicted new domains may prove beneficial in improving the existing domain prediction algorithms.</p

Linkages between environmental factors (WASH and energy) and Infant and Young Child Feeding practices in rural India: implications for cross-sectoral interventions for child health

As factors influencing the health and well-being of children are complex and cross-sectoral, integrated interventions are required to improve child health and hence address the Sustainable Development Goals. This paper explores linkages between environmental factors, feeding practices and potential infection pathways in India. The PANChSHEEEL project is a participatory interdisciplinary study, designed to explore HEEE (Health, Education, Engineering and Environment) factors influencing Infant and Young Child Feeding practices. This study uses data from observational transect walks and 445 household interviews from nine villages in Banswara district in India. Using the socio-ecological model, this study demonstrates how the lack of access to and quality of water resources, poor access to sanitation and hygiene practices, access to cook fuels and flooding can influence feeding practices. The study finds that access to water, sanitation and cooking fuels can affect the preparation of food, contaminate water and food and place added time burden on caregivers. For infants, insufficient and contaminated water can lead to a higher risk of infection, diarrhoea and ultimately malnutrition. Recommendations include efforts to address waterlogging, promote safe storage of water, establish a water quality regime with stakeholders and develop appropriate, affordable and acceptable sanitation solutions

Diphyllobothriasis in a nine-year-old child in India: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The <it>Diphyllobothrium </it>genus belongs to the <it>Diphyllobothridea </it>order of tapeworms. <it>Diphyllobothrium </it>spp., which is commonly known as fish tapeworm, is generally transmitted in humans, but also in other species, such as bears, dogs, cats, foxes, and other terrestrial carnivores. Although worldwide in distribution, the original heartland of <it>Diphyllobothrium </it>spp. spreads across Scandinavia, northern Russia, and western Serbia. We report a rare case that occurred in India.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A nine-year-old south Indian girl was brought to the casualty at the Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences with complaints of vomiting and loose stools that had started three days earlier. The vomit did not have a foul smell and contained no blood or mucus, but it did contain undigested food particles. The patient described a history of recurrent abdominal pain. She was a non-vegetarian and said she had a history of eating fish.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The incidence of <it>Diphyllobothrium </it>spp. infection is infrequent in India. Since this is only the fourth reported case in India, and since the previously reported cases also involved observed pediatric patients, we emphasize the need for clinical microbiologists and pediatricians to suspect fish tapeworm infection and recommend epidemiological study of <it>Diphyllobothrium </it>spp. infection.</p