MICROBIAL OXIDATION OF FINASTERIDE WITH MACROPHOMINA PHASEOLINA(KUCC 730)

Objectives: New  microbial oxidative derivatives of Finasteride [17β-(N-tert-butylcarbamoyl)-4-aza-5α-androst-1-en-3-one] (1) has been investigated with Macrophomina phaseolina (ATCC730).Methods: Fermented media of  Macrophomina phaseolina (ATCC730) was prepared to cultivate the fungal cultures . Substrate 1 was incubated in liquid media for 16 days. After sixteen days, filtration and extraction of the fermented media was carried out with 9 L DCM in three portions. Resulting organic extract was dried using anhydrous (Na2SO4), and evaporated to afford a brown gum (950 mg). This on chromatographic purification with MeOH in CH2Cl2 afforded the metabolites 2-4 . Results: Three oxidised metabolites of finasteride (1) which were identified as 15-oxo-finasteride (2), 11a-hydroxyfinasteride (3), and 15β-hydroxyfinasteride (4). Metabolite 2 was found to be new. The structure of the oxidised metabolites were elucidated by 1-D (1H, 13C) and 2-D NMR (COSY, HMBC, HMQC, NOESY) techniques and MS analyses.Conclusion: As a result of these study, oxidation at C-7, C-11 and C-15 positions were found. Metabolite 2 was identified as a new metabolite

An analysis of foreign aid and environmental degradation in Pakistan using the ARDL bounds testing technique (1972-2013)

The paper examines the relationship among foreign aid, per capita GDP, energy consumption, foreign direct investment and carbon emissions in Pakistan. Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing technique is used for empirically testing using annual data from 1972 to 2013. The study uses carbon dioxide emission (CO2) as an indicator of environment quality. The two components of foreign aid (foreign loans and foreign grants) are used to measure the environmental impact of foreign assistance in Pakistan. The study finds that energy consumption, per capita GDP and FDI contribute positively to raise the carbon emissions in the country. Furthermore, foreign loans and grants are also found significant contributors to the degradation of environmental quality in case of Pakistan. Similarly, the short run results of the model indicate that the signs of the coefficients are consistent with the long run estimates. On the basis of its findings, the study suggests that effective policies be followed for reducing (CO2) emissions along with regulating FDI-environment and per capita GDP-environment relationshi

MICROBIAL METABOLISM OF AN ANTI-HIV AND ANTI-MALARIAL NATURAL PRODUCT ANDROGRAPHOLIDE

Objective: Andrographolide (1), the main crystalline bitter principle of Andrographis paniculata nees. (also known as rice bitter in the West Indies) was first isolated by Gorter, and characterized as trihydroxy lactone. It was also isolated from Holmskilodia sanguinea in very good yield. It possesses a wide range of biological activities, which is also important in the therapeutic fields including anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, anti-viral, immuno-stimulant, anti-HIV, and cardiovascular properties. In the present study, we first time studied the microbial metabolism of andrographolide (1) with Cunninghamella elegans (TSY 0865) and Cephalosporium aphidicola (IMI-68689). Methods: Microbial cultures of the C. elegans and C. aphidicola were grown on Potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C and stored at 4°C. Medium for C. aphidicola was prepared by mixing Glucose (50.0 g), KH2PO4 (1.0 g), MgSO4.7H2O (2.0 g), Glycin (2.0 g), KCl (1.0 g) and Gibberella trace element solution (2.0 mL) into distilled water (1 L) and maintained pH at 5.6. While C. elegans medium was prepared by adding Glucose (10.0 g), peptone (5.0 g), KH2PO4 (5.0 g), yeast extract (5.0 g), NaCl (5.0 g) and glycerol (10 mL) into distilled water (1 L) and maintained pH at 5.6. Results: Two compounds were obtained as transformed products. Based on physical and spectroscopic data, these have been identified as andropanolide (2) and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydro andrographolide (3). Both compounds were previously obtained by the phytochemical investigation of A. paniculata and biotransformed product as well. Conclusion: It could be concluded that C. elegans and C. aphidicola were able to produce oxidative derivatives of 1 in a regio- and stereoselective manner. Present investigation has been conducted for the first time with C. elegans and C. aphidicola. Incubation of 1 for 9 days with fungal strains yielded isomerized and oxidative products 2 and 3. Structures of all metabolites were elucidated by using spectroscopic techniques

BIOTRANSFORMATION OF DEHYDROABIETIC ACID WITH MICROBIAL CELL CULTURES AND α-GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF RESULTING METABOLITES

Dehydroabietic acid (DHA, 1), a natural occurring diterpene resin acid, is an abundant resin acid in conifers, representing a natural wood protectant. The aim of this study was to use microbial cell cultures as tools for modification of 1 in order to obtain value-added functional derivatives. A scaled-up biotransformation of 1 by filamentous fungus Cunninghamella elegans, Rhizopus stolonifer, Gibberella fujikuroi, and Cephalosporium aphidicola were conducted for the first time. Three hydroxylated metabolites; 1b-hydroxydehydroabietic acid (2); 15-hydroxy dehydroabietic acid (3); and 16-hydroxy dehydroabietic acid (4). The structure of the hydroxylated metabolites were elucidated by 1-D (1H, 13C) and 2-D NMR (COSY, HMBC, HMQC, NOESY) techniques and MS analyses. Dehydroabietic acid (1) and their transformed products 2-4 exhibited a promising α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity. Compound 1 showed 38 times more active than the standard α-Glucosidase inhibitor, deoxynojirimycin. Compound 1 and its transformed metabolites 2-4 also showed significant antibacterial activities

Exploring the role and responsibilities of school principals in managing schools in Karachi, Pakistan

This study intended to explore the role and responsibilities of school principals in managing their schools effectively in the context of Karachi, Pakistan. The study aimed at understanding the role and responsibilities of two principals in two diverse schools settings, including one from the public sector school and other from the private sector school. This study helped me understand how school principals practice their roles and responsibilities as school leaders. What challenges they face and how they minimize these challenges? What opportunities are available for them to improve their leadership practices? Within the qualitative research design, the data for this research study was gathered through semi-structured interviews, school observations and document analysis to ensure validity of the data. Furthermore, a thematic analysis approach was used to make sense of the data. The conclusion of the study was derived on the basis of data analysis and interpretations. The study revealed that both school principals performed their duties as administrators in which they inspect the teaching learning practices of the teachers and students. The leadership behaviour of the school principals emphasized more on moral education. Both school principals had firm belief, that apart from providing quality education, it is their primary responsibility to develop moral and social values in teachers and students, which will help them, become productive members of the society. The schools principals were focusing on the vision, mission and goals of the schools and tried to provide effective learning environments to achieve the set goals within limited resources available to them. Moreover, through this research, it was realized that empowering principals to implement change in their schools is more productive. The policy implication is that for empowering principals, in order to get desirable results will complement the school effectiveness

Demographic and symptom profiles of screened patients with TB treatment history, Karachi 2012.

<p>OPD  =  Outpatient Department.</p><p>TB  =  Tuberculosis.</p

Smear grade by treatment history and screening location, Karachi 2012.

<p>Bold text indicates significance at p<0.05 level.</p><p>ATT  =  Anti-tuberculosis treatment history.</p><p>OPD  =  Outpatient Department.</p><p>GP  =  General Practitioner.</p><p>RR  =  Risk Ratio.</p><p>CI  =  Confidence Interval.</p

Results of tuberculosis screening of private health facility attendees in Karachi, 2012.

<p>TB  =  Tuberculosis.</p><p>SSM  =  Sputum smear microscopy.</p><p>NNS  =  Number needed to screen.</p

Re Rites of Passage : Asian Canada in Motion

" (re)Rites of Passage: Asian Canada in Motion is a special anthology published as part of the Toronto Reel Asian Film International Film Festival’s 25th anniversary celebrations, and a follow-up to Reel Asian: Asian Canada on Screen (published in 2007 for Reel Asian’s 10th anniversary). Drawing inspiration from the vibrant and kinetic histories of independent publishing in Asian diaspora, the anthology features a range of critical responses from Asian Canadian media artists on the contributions, maturations and evolving sensibilities of Asian Canadian film and media creation. " -- Publisher's website