Hydrogen bonded supramolecular architecture of a copper(II)-citrate coordination building block: Synthesis and crystal structure with theoretical insight

A tricarboxylate supported binuclear metal organic hybrids of Cu(II), [Cu2(µ-cit)(phen)4]·9H2O (1) has been synthesized using well known pyridyl based N,N′ linker, 1,10-phenanthroline and has been structurally characterized. The use of the flexible hydroxyl tricarboxylate, citrate, in designing such framework has created a marked diversity in the topology. The structural and topological diversity has been analyzed from the single crystal X-ray structure. Here, in an unit, each of the two Cu(II) centres are chelated by two phenanthrolineligands and citrate (cit4-) serves the role of a bridging ligand. Furthermore, the carboxylate moiety/hydroxyl oxygen sites of citrate and the aromatic chelating ligands promote the supramolecular recognition through hydrogen bonding and other non-covalent interactions (like π-π interaction) and thereby results in higher dimensional architecture.Along with this, there are water molecules as water of crystallization. The oxygen atoms of the carboxylate moiety involve in both inter and intra-molecular hydrogen bonding with the hydrogen atoms of the water molecules resulting in a hydrogen bonded helical supramolecular solid. Theoretical study is performed to analyze the structure and the role of non-covalent interactions through DFT based calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis

Mechanistic insight into functionally different human islet polypeptide (hIAPP) amyloid: the intrinsic role of the C-terminal structural motifs

Targeting amyloidosis requires high-resolution insight into the underlying mechanisms of amyloid aggregation. The sequence-specific intrinsic properties of a peptide or protein largely govern the amyloidogenic propensity. Thus, it is essential to delineate the structural motifs that define the subsequent downstream amyloidogenic cascade of events. Additionally, it is important to understand the role played by extrinsic factors, such as temperature or sample agitation, in modulating the overall energy barrier that prompts divergent nucleation events. Consequently, these changes can affect the fibrillation kinetics, resulting in structurally and functionally distinct amyloidogenic conformers associated with disease pathogenesis. Here, we have focused on human Islet Polypeptide (hIAPP) amyloidogenesis for the full-length peptide along with its N- and C-terminal fragments, under different temperatures and sample agitation conditions. This helped us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the intrinsic role of specific functional epitopes in the primary structure of the peptide that regulates amyloidogenesis and subsequent cytotoxicity. Intriguingly, our study involving an array of biophysical experiments and ex vivo data suggests a direct influence of external changes on the C-terminal fibrillating sequence. Furthermore, the observations indicate a possible collaborative role of this segment in nucleating hIAPP amyloidogenesis in a physiological scenario, thus making it a potential target for future therapeutic interventions

Hemotoxic and wound healing potential of coelomic fluid of sea-star Astropecten indicus

Abstract Background The coelomic fluid of echinoderms bathes all the internal organs and is a natural reservoir of various bio-active compounds. However, coelomic fluid from Indian sea-star Astropecten indicus is not well characterized for its biochemical and pharmacological profiles. Sea-star (or starfish) Astropecten indicus was collected from the coast of Goa, India during low tides. Sea-star coelomic fluid (SCF) extracted from the sea-stars was concentrated, filtered, and assayed for various hemotoxic activities such as fibrinogenolysis, fibrinolysis, hemolysis, and effects on platelet aggregation. Results Studies on effects of SCF on A-549 human lung cancer cell line showed its non-cytotoxic and wound healing abilities in vitro. SCF was found to possess fibrinogen and fibrin digesting ability at a dose of 4 μg/ml within 30 min of incubation with the substrate. Additionally, SCF could hemolyze goat RBC by 50% and human RBC by only 5%. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that SCF contains various proteins and peptides. Two protein components of SCF yielded strong fibrinolytic, fibrinogenolytic, caseinolytic, and gelatinase activities as revealed by zymography. SCF enhanced the aggregation of ADP and collagen-activated platelets in a dose-dependent manner and had a specific proteolytic activity of 2.5 μg/ml in 30 min at 37 °C as assayed using azocasein as substrate. Conclusion This study focuses on the anticoagulant, pro-platelet aggregation and cell proliferative potential of SCF in vitro and is the first report on hemotoxic and wound healing potential of coelomic fluid of Astropecten indicus

Hydrogen bonded supramolecular architecture of a copper(II)-citrate coordination building block: Synthesis and crystal structure with theoretical insight

469-476A tricarboxylate supported binuclear metal organic hybrid of Cu(II), [Cu2(µ-cit)(phen)4]·9H2O (1) has been synthesized using the well known pyridyl based N,N′ linker, 1,10-phenanthroline and structurally characterized. The use of the flexible hydroxyl tricarboxylate citrate, in designing such a framework has created a marked diversity in the topology. The structural and topological diversity has been analyzed from the single crystal X-ray structure. Here, in a unit, each of the two Cu(II) centres is chelated by two phenanthroline ligands and citrate (cit4–) serves the role of a bridging ligand. Furthermore, the carboxylate moiety/hydroxyl oxygen sites of citrate and the aromatic chelating ligands promote supramolecular recognition through hydrogen bonding and other non-covalent interactions (like π-π interaction) and water of crystallization, thereby resulting in a higher dimensional architecture. The oxygen atoms of the carboxylate moiety involve in both inter and intra-molecular hydrogen bonding with the water molecules resulting in a hydrogen bonded helical supramolecular solid. Theoretical study is performed to analyze the structure and the role of non-covalent interactions through DFT based calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis

Evaluation of Janani-Sishu Suraksha Karyakram in a Community Development Block of Bankura District, West Bengal, India: A Mixed Methods Approach

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Government of India launched Janani-Sishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) for cost-free care during pregnancy and infancy. <strong>Objectives: </strong>To assess awareness and utilization of JSSK services, estimate expenditures incurred to avail care and find out influencing factors for implementing JSSK. <strong>Methodology: </strong>A cross-sectional evaluation study using mixed methods was conducted during April-September 2015 in Gangajalghati block of Bankura district, West Bengal. From its thirty subcentres (lots), 120 mothers and pseudo-cohort of 120 infants were selected using Lot Quality Assurance Sampling. Beneficiary mothers and caregivers of infants were interviewed through house-to-house visits using semi-structured questionnaire. ANMs and ASHAs were selected by simple random sampling and involved in Focus Group Discussion. In-depth interview was conducted for Block Medical Officer of Health, Deputy CMOH-III of Bankura and Medical Superintendent cum Vice-Principal of BankuraSammilani Medical College and Hospital to explore factors of utilization. <strong>Result: </strong>Only 13.3% and 3.3% lots were acceptable for awareness and 16.7% and 13.3% for utilization for mothers and infants respectively. Overall coverage was 9.2% and 7.5% for awareness and 20.5% &amp; 10.75% in utilization for services, while Out of Pocket Expenditure was estimated to be INR 690, 651 and 250, 545 (median, IQR) for mothers and infants respectively. Indirect costs were INR 540, 618 and 300, 460. Inadequate fund flow, manpower shortage, unavailability of referral transport timely, and poor prescribing for hospital supply medicines undermine the credibility of JSSK. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Improved IEC and supervision, adequate fund and timely transport availability would forward this flagship programme of the Government.</p

Correlation among perceived stress, emotional intelligence, and burnout of resident doctors in a medical college of West Bengal: A mediation analysis

Background: Perceived stress and burnout are by-products of powerless responsibility imposed on resident doctors. Emotional intelligence (EI) works as an adapting and coping tool. Objective: The objective of this study is to find out the role of work-related perceived stress on burnout and influence of EI on it. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2016 among 63 resident doctors of different departments of Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire for background characteristics and work-related variables. Cohen perceived stress scale, Trait EI, and Shirom-Melamed burnout questionnaire were applied for measuring perceived stress, EI, and burnout, respectively. Statistical analysis was done with of SPSS version 22.0, and for mediation analysis, Andrew F. Hyne’s SPSS macro was adopted. Nonparametric bootstrapping was done assuming small sample. Results: Out of complete responses, 67%, 22.9%, and 9.8% were from clinical, paraclinical, and preclinical specialties, respectively. Burnout had a significant positive correlation with perceived stress and in negative correlation with EI-well-being and positive correlation with EI-self-control and sociability. Physical fatigue factor of burnout had a significant positive correlation with EI-emotionality. Perceived stress had a negative correlation with EI-well-being. On mediation analysis, assuming EI as a mediator, total, direct, and indirect effects of perceived stress on burnout were significant (<0.05). Mediation was proved to act with percent mediation of 0.07. Conclusion: There was definite mitigating effect of EI on burnout by perceived stress among resident doctors. This necessitates more attention by decision-makers toward this burning problem for the sake of care of caregivers

Client satisfaction and its correlates of directly observed treatment short course therapy in a tuberculosis unit of Bankura, West Bengal

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a curable disease still millions of people suffer and many of them die from this disease. Just providing anti-TB medication is not sufficient to ensure that patient to be cured. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the treatment outcome rates and to find out the determinants of patient satisfaction. Materials and Methods: A clinic-based, descriptive, crosssectional study was conducted in Lokepur Tuberculosis unit (TU) from July 2015 to June 2016. Simple random sampling was adopted to select 50% of the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) centers under that TU. Afterward, complete enumeration of the adult TB patients receiving Category I treatment and registered from June to October 2015 was done from the selected DOTS centers. Exit interview of the patients was conducted using pretested predesigned questionnaire and treatment outcomes were recorded from TB register. Data were entered in MS Excel Spreadsheet and analyzed by SPSS 22.0 version. Results: Treatment success rate of Category I TB patients was about 87%. Almost 76% patients were satisfied with the given services. Treatment success rate was higher among the satisfied (97%) than the not satisfied (57%) clients and the difference was statistically significant. Client satisfaction was statistically associated with gender, residence, educational level, first caregiving person, and decision maker in getting treatment. Conclusion: Concern given to urban slum areas, improvement of literacy status of the patients, arrangement of the alternative sources of income for TB-affected family, and improvement of the knowledge of first caregiving persons are the steps to be taken at this hour