Cp2ZrCl2: AN EFFICIENT CATALYST FOR MULTICOMPONENT SYNTHESIS OF CAROTENOID DEHYDROSQUALENE SYNTHASE INHIBITING PYRANO[2,3-d]PYRIMIDINEDIONES

Objectives: The present protocol deals with zirconocene dichloride (Cp2ZrCl2) catalyzed synthesis of pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidinediones through one-pot multicomponent reactions of aromatic aldehydes with malononitrile and barbituric acid at ambient temperature. All the synthesized compounds were characterized and evaluated for antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. Furthermore, a molecular docking was carried out to reveal the atomic insights between synthesized compounds and carotenoid dehydrosqualene synthase (PDB ID: 3ACX). Methods: All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity by diffusion method. Antioxidant activities such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and radical scavenging activity. A mixture of barbituric acid 1 (1 mmol), malononitrile 2 (1 mmol), benzaldehyde 3a (1 mmol), ethanol (5 mL), and Cp2ZrCl2 (5 mol %) was stirred at ambient temperature for specified time. After completion of reaction as indicated by thin-layer chromatography, the obtained crude product was filtered and purified by column chromatography on silica gel (Merck, 60–120 mesh) using ethyl acetate:pet. ether to afford pure product which was then characterized by spectroscopic methods such by FTIR, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy. Results: All the synthesized pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidinediones were characterized by spectroscopic analysis. The results revealed that pyrano[2,3-d] pyrimidinediones (4 a-k) displayed the zone of inhibition in the range of 3–13 mm. The most active compound 4b displayed largest zone of inhibition of 13 mm for Escherichia coli (NCIM-2832) and 9 mm for Bacillus subtilis (NCIM-2635). The antifungal and antioxidant activity of all synthesized pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidinediones (4a-k) showed moderate to good activity. Molecular docking studies suggest that pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidinediones might inhibit the carotenoid dehydrosqualene synthase activity. Conclusion: All the synthesized pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidinediones display moderate to good antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activity. This molecular docking studies supported that pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidinediones might inhibit the carotenoid dehydrosqualene synthase (PDB ID: 3ACX)

Early Environmental Origins of Neurodegenerative Disease in Later Life

Parkinson disease (PD) and Alzheimer disease (AD), the two most common neurodegenerative disorders in American adults, are of purely genetic origin in a minority of cases and appear in most instances to arise through interactions among genetic and environmental factors. In this article we hypothesize that environmental exposures in early life may be of particular etiologic importance and review evidence for the early environmental origins of neurodegeneration. For PD the first recognized environmental cause, MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine), was identified in epidemiologic studies of drug abusers. Chemicals experimentally linked to PD include the insecticide rotenone and the herbicides paraquat and maneb; interaction has been observed between paraquat and maneb. In epidemiologic studies, manganese has been linked to parkinsonism. In dementia, lead is associated with increased risk in chronically exposed workers. Exposures of children in early life to lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, and methylmercury have been followed by persistent decrements in intelligence that may presage dementia. To discover new environmental causes of AD and PD, and to characterize relevant gene–environment interactions, we recommend that a large, prospective genetic and epidemiologic study be undertaken that will follow thousands of children from conception (or before) to old age. Additional approaches to etiologic discovery include establishing incidence registries for AD and PD, conducting targeted investigations in high-risk populations, and improving testing of the potential neurologic toxicity of chemicals

Meeting Report: Mode(s) of Action of Asbestos and Related Mineral Fibers

Background: Although asbestos in general is well known to cause a range of neoplastic and non-neoplastic human health effects, not all asbestos fiber types have the same disease-causing potential, and the mode of action (MOA) of specific types of asbestos and related fibers for various health outcomes are not well understood

Formaldehyde and leukemia: Epidemiology, potential mechanisms, and implications for risk assessment

Formaldehyde is widely used in the United States and other countries. Occupational and environmental exposures to formaldehyde may be associated with an increased risk of leukemia in exposed individuals. However, risk assessment of formaldehyde and leukemia has been challenging due to inconsistencies in human and animal studies and the lack of a known mechanism for leukemia induction. Here we provide a summary of the symposium at the Environmental Mutagen Society Meeting in 2008, which focused on the epidemiology of formaldehyde and leukemia, potential mechanisms, and implication for risk assessment, with emphasis on future directions in multidisciplinary formaldehyde research

Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Overview of Environmental Risk Factors

The population of the United States is aging, and an ever-increasing number of Americans are afflicted with neurodegenerative diseases. Because the pathogenesis of many of these diseases remains unknown, we must consider that environmental factors may play a causal role. This review provides an overview of the epidemiologic evidence for environmental etiologies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, parkinsonian syndromes (multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Epidemiologic evidence for an association between environmental agents’ exposure and neurodegenerative diseases is not conclusive. However, there are indications that there may be causal links, and the need for more research is obvious