On the D0D^0 -- DsD_s lifetime difference and τ→7π+ντ\tau\to 7\pi + \nu_\tau decays

In this paper we discuss some aspects of inclusive decays of charmed mesons and also decays of the $\tau$ lepton into $\nu_\tau + 7\pi$. We find that phase space effects are likely to explain the observed lifetime ratio $\tau(D_s^+) / \tau(D^0)$ = 1.17. In particular one need not appeal to a large annihilation contribution in the inclusive $D^0$ decay which, being absent in $D_s^+$ decays could also contribute to the enhanced $D^0$ decay rate relative to that of the $D_s^+$. Examining a separate problem, we find that the rate for $\tau\to \nu_\tau + 7\pi$ is almost completely dominated by the tiny phase space for the final eight particle state. Using an effective chiral Lagrangian to estimate the matrix element yields a branching ratio into the channel of interest far smaller than the present upper bound.Comment: No figure

Novel method for synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 2-arylsulpho-6-hydroxy/chloro/hydrazino/carboxymethoxy- 3(2H)-pyridazinones

956-96

Detection of 65 kD heat shock protein in cerebrospinal fluid of tuberculous meningitis patients

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is difficult. Rapid confirmatory diagnosis is essential to initiate required therapy. There are very few published reports about the diagnostic significance of 65 kD heat shock protein (hsp) in TBM patients, which is present in a wide range of Mycobacterium tuberculosis species and elicits a cellular and humoral immune response. In the present study we have conducted a prospective evaluation for the demonstration of 65 kD hsp antigen in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of TBM patients, by indirect ELISA method using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the 65 kD hsp antigen, for the diagnosis of TBM. METHODS: A total of 160 CSF samples of different groups of patients (confirmed TBM {n = 18}, clinically suspected TBM {n = 62}, non TBM infectious meningitis {n = 35} and non-infectious neurological diseases {n = 45}) were analyzed by indirect ELISA method using mAb to 65 kD hsp antigen. The Kruskal Wallis test (Non-Parametric ANOVA) with the Dunnett post test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The indirect ELISA method yielded 84% sensitivity and 90% specificity for the diagnosis of TBM using mAb to 65 kD hsp antigen. The mean absorbance value of 65 kD hsp antigen in TBM patients was [0.70 ± 0.23 (0.23–1.29)], significantly higher than the non-TBM infectious meningitis group [0.32 ± 0.14 (0.12–0.78), P < 0.001] and also higher than the non-infectious neurological disorders group [0.32 ± 0.13 (0.20–0.78), P < 0.001]. A significant difference in the mean absorbance of 65 kD hsp antigen was noted in the CSF of culture-positive TBM patients [0.94 ± 0.18 (0.54–1.29)] when compared with clinically suspected TBM patients [0.64 ± 0.20 (0.23–0.98), P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: The presence of 65 kD hsp antigen in the CSF of confirmed and suspected cases of TBM would indicate that the selected protein is specific to M. tuberculosis and could be considered as a diagnostic marker for TBM

Cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase activity: A complimentary tool in the early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the commonest form of neurotuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli (MTB). The diagnosis of TBM is often difficult. A reliable, cost-effective and rapid diagnostic test, which can be performed in any standard pathology laboratory, could be of help in the diagnosis of TBM. In the present study we measured the adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of TBM and non-TBM patients. METHOD: ADA activity in CSF was determined according to a method based on the Berthlot reaction, which is the formation of a colored indophenol complex from ammonia liberated from adenosine, and quantified spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: The CSF ADA activity from TBM patients was compared with CSF ADA from non-TBM infectious meningitis patients, and from patients with non-infectious neurological disorders. The mean CSF ADA activity was found to be significantly higher in CSF of TBM patients, 14.31 ± 3.87 (2.99–26.94), mean ± SD with range, than in the CSF from non-TBM infectious meningitis, 9.25 ± 2.14 (4.99–13.96) and from the non-infectious neurological disorders group, 2.71 ± 1.96 (0.00–7.68), P < 0.0001 for both comparisons. A cut-off value of 11.39 U/L/min for the TBM patients was calculated from the mean + SD of the non-TBM patients. The ADA test gave a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 83% for infectious TBM when this cut-off value was used. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that ADA activity in the CSF of TBM patients, using a cut-off value 11.39 U/L/min, can be useful for the early differential diagnosis of TBM. This test can be performed in any pathology laboratory where more sophisticated methods are not available

DESIGN, SYNTHESIS AND IN VITRO ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITY OF NOVEL 1,2,4-TRIAZOLE DERIVATIVES

Objective: DNA topoisomerase is one of the important targets for anticancer agents. Many triazole derivatives have been shown to possess cytotoxic activity. In this paper, we present the design and in silico docking of a virtual library of molecules with DNA topoisomerase II along with their synthesis and In vitro cytotoxicity profile. Methods: Sybyl X 2.1 programmesss were used to perform the docking experiments on DNA topoisomerase II using etoposide as ligand. In vitro anticancer activity was carried out by trypan blue exclusion assay against EAC cells. DNA fragmentation studies were performed by Gel electrophoresis to identify the cause of cell death induced by these compounds. Results: Among the compounds studied for docking, 12c generated the highest docking score (13.66) and showed hydrogen bonding interactions with glycine 778 at a distance of 1.879 A˚. the compounds 12c &amp; 12g showed the highest level of cytotoxicity with IC50 value of 0.55 μM and 0.62 μM respectively. Compounds 12c and12g were subjected to DNA fragmentation studies to identify the cause of cell death induced by these compounds. Gel electrophoresis of these compounds showed a typical feature of apoptosis ladders in agarose gel. Compound 12c was able to induce apoptosis at a concentration of about 3 μM. Conclusion: A series of bis-triazoles were synthesized targeted to DNA topoisomerase II and evaluated their In vitro cytotoxicity. The compound 12c was found to be most active and also exhibited apoptosis inducing potential

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF CANDIDA SPECIES TO ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS IN WESTERN INDIA

Introduction: The increase in candidaemia is associated with high mortality. A shift has been observed in the relative frequency of each Candida spp. isolated from blood. Options of the antifungal drugs available for treatment of systemic & invasive candidiasis are restricted to polyenes, allylamines, azoles and recently developed echinocandin class of molecules. A rise in the incidence of antifungal resistance to Candida spp. has also been reported over the past decade. Studies on prevalence of infections and antifungal susceptibility testing are useful in deciding clinical strategies. Aims: To do species level identification and detect resistance, if any, among Indian clinical isolates of C. albicans. Methodology: From total 135 patients from a tertiary care hospital of Gujarat, Candida species  were  isolated  from different  clinical  specimens. The growth of Candida on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar was confirmed by Gram staining in which gram positive budding fungal cells were observed. Then its growth was examined for colony morphology on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar and chlamydospore production on Corn meal tween 80 agar. Germ tube tests and other biochemical tests like sugar fermentation, sugar assimilation and urease test were performed to identify the species of Candida. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by NCCLS M44-A Disc diffusion method. Results: Out of total 135 samples, C. Albicans were isolated from 52 (38.5%). Among Non Albican Candid (NAC), Candida glabrata was 36 (26.7%) followed by Candida tropicalis 25(18.5%). C. albicans was found resistant to Fluconazole, Itraconazole and Amphotericine B in 3.8%, 3.8% and 1.9% cases respectively. For NAC, resistance of Fluconazole, Itraconazole and Amphotericine B was found in 4.8%, 3.6% and 2.4% cases respectively