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Background: Three new analogs of berberine with aryl/arylalkyl amino carbonyl methyl substituent at the 9-position of the isoquinoline chromophore along with berberrubine were studied for their binding to tRNAphe by wide variety of biophysical techniques like spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry, circular dichroism, thermal melting, viscosity and isothermal titration calorimetry. Methodology/Principal Findings: Scatchard binding isotherms revealed that the cooperative binding mode of berberine was propagated in the analogs also. Thermal melting studies showed that all the 9-O-N-aryl/arylalkyl amino carbonyl methyl substituted berberine analogs stabilized the tRNAphe more in comparison to berberine. Circular dichroism studies showed that these analogs perturbed the structure of tRNAphe more in comparison to berberine. Ferrocyanide quenching studies and viscosity results proved the intercalative binding mode of these analogs into the helical organization of tRNAphe. The binding was entropy driven for the analogs in sharp contrast to the enthalpy driven binding of berberine. The introduction of the aryl/arylalkyl amino carbonyl methyl substituent at the 9-position thus switched the enthalpy driven binding of berberine to entropy dominated binding. Salt and temperature dependent calorimetric studies established the involvement of multiple weak noncovalent interactions in the binding process. Conclusions/Significance: The results showed that 9-O-N-aryl/arylalkyl amino carbonyl methyl substituted berberine analogs exhibited almost ten folds higher binding affinity to tRNAphe compared to berberine whereas the binding of berberrubine was dramatically reduced by about twenty fold in comparison to berberine. The spacer length of the substitution at the 9-position of the isoquinoline chromophore appears to be critical in modulating the binding affinities towards tRNAphe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic absorption and emission spectral characteristics of two ketocyanine dyes have been studied in solution in the presence of alkaline earth metal ions. Absorption spectral studies indicate complex formation between the ions and the dyes in the ground state. Values of the equilibrium constant and the enthalpy change characterizing dye (S0)−metal ion interaction have been determined from the absorption spectral data. In the presence of the metal ions the fluorescence spectrum of the dyes shows two bands pointing to the existence of two emitting species, viz., the solvated and the complexed dye in solution. Time-resolved studies of the dyes in solution containing the metal ions can be explained by a two-state model and indicate the presence of two emitting species in equilibrium. Values of the equilibrium constant for the interaction of metal ion and the dyes in the S1state have also been estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: MCM-41 was functionalized with (EtO)3SiCH2Cl, (MeO)3SiCH2CH2CH2Cl, and (CH3)Cl2SiCH2Cl. The functionalized materials were characterized by solid-state NMR (CPMAS, 29Si and 13C) and XPS. The NMR data indicate that three new silicon environments were created by (EtO)3SiCH2Cl and (MeO)3SiCH2CH2CH2Cl, whereas with (CH3)Cl2SiCH2Cl, two new silicon environments were obtained. XPS results from Si 2p core level and the valence band from the material functionalized by (MeO)3Si(CH2)3Cl was found to be the same as that of the corresponding fresh catalyst (1a), in contrast to that of the materials functionalized by the other two silane reagents. After further functionalization with triethylamine, these materials were used as inorganic anion exchangers to support the cluster anion [Pt12(CO)24]2−. Solid-state NMR (29Si, 13C, 15N) was used to establish the presence of the quaternary ammonium group in the cluster-supported species. Analogous materials were also created using fumed silica as the support, and all of the cluster-supported materials were tested as catalysts for the hydrogenation of methyl pyruvate, acetophenone, nitrobenzene, benzonitrile, ethylacetoacetate, 4-nitrotoluene, cyclohexanone, allyl alcohol, and styrene. The best activity was obtained for the catalyst that had MCM-41 as the support and chloropropyl as the spacer group. TEM showed that the supports and the spacer groups had observable effects on the platinum crystallite size of the catalysts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper attempts to argue for the theory-ladenness of evidence. It does so by employing and analysing an episode from the history of eighteenth century chemistry. It delineates attempts by Joseph Priestley and Antoine Lavoisier to construct entirely different kinds of evidence for and against a particular hypothesis from a set of agreed upon observations or (raw) data. Based on an augmented version of a distinction, drawn by J. Bogen and J. Woodward, between data and phenomena it is shown that the role of theoretical auxiliary assumptions is very important in constructing evidence for (or against) a theory from observation or (raw) data. In revolutionary situations, rival groups hold radically different theories and theoretical auxiliary assumptions. These are employed to construct very different evidence from the agreed upon set of observations or (raw) data. Hence, theory resolution becomes difficult. It is argued that evidence construction is a multi-layered exercise and can be disputed at any level. What counts as unproblematic observation or (raw) data at one level may become problematic at another level. The contingency of these constructions and the (un)problematic nature of evidence are shown to be partially dependent upon the scientific knowledge that the scientific community possesses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The interfacial strengths of the FeCrAl/Al2O3 and FeCrAlY/Al2O3 interfaces in both as-deposited and annealed state were measured quantitatively by the laser spallation technique. The results show that in the as-deposited state, the presence of Y significantly improved the interfacial strength from 330±31 to 686±36 MPa. However, after annealing the films at 850 °C for 16 h, the interfacial strength of the Y-free samples increased to 545±68 MPa, while the interfacial strength of Y-containing sample decreased to 599±22 MPa. The increase in the interfacial strength of the Y-free films was attributed to an improvement in the crystalline quality of the interface. The decrease in interfacial strength of the annealed Y-containing film in spite of the improvement in the crystalline quality of the interface was attributed to the depletion of Y at the interface due to formation of yttrium oxide precipitates. This is further proved that the presence of Y improves the strength of FeCrAl/Al2O3 interfaces significantly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Focuses on the development of institution for scientific research in India. Influence of the European chemistry on the institution; Background of the chemistry education; Impact of the political struggle on chemical research.

• Chemistry of iron-based chemo and photo-chemotherapeutic agents reviewed. • Iron-based organometallic and coordination complexes as anticancer agents. • Iron complexes for photo-induced in vivo cytotoxicity and for cellular imaging. The discovery of cisplatin followed by its success in anticancer therapy laid the foundation of metal-based drug design and development. Further research led to discovery of other platinum containing complexes, namely, carboplatin and oxaliplatin. The disadvantages of the platinum-based drugs are their untoward side effects and drug resistance. This paved way for new metal-based anticancer drugs with a prospect for iron-based anticancer agents. Initial interest on the anticancer activities of iron complexes stemmed from the prolific activities reported for naturally occurring iron-bleomycins and ferrocenium salts like ferrocenium picrate and trichloroacetate. Their efficacy was ascribed to the disruption of the oxidative homeostasis in cancer cells causing oxidative DNA damage. In this review, the early developments of iron complexes as chemotherapeutic agents that eventually encouraged further advances in the field of cancer therapy and diagnostics, rendering them as promising candidates for further research are presented. The aspects of photocytotoxicity, including the photo-release of active molecules, redox activity, organometallic complexes and multinuclearity of anticancer iron complexes are highlighted. We have concluded our review with a discussion on the existing hurdles and the prospective solutions for the development of iron-based anticancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound, [Sn2(C6H5)5(C11H11NO3)Cl], is a dinuclear organotin adduct in which the two Sn atoms are bridged via the carboxyl­ate O—C—O group of a 2-[( E)-1-(2-hydroxy­aryl)­alkyl­idene­amino]­acetate ligand. Each Sn atom has a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry, with the Ph3SnCl moiety being less distorted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3467 An Expeditious Synthesis of 6-Alkyl-5-(4′-aminophenyl)-pyrimidine-2,4-diamines Daniel D. Holsworth,1,* Michael Stier,1 Jeremy J. Edmunds,1 Wei He,2 Samuel Place,2 and Samarendra Maiti21Pfizer Global Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; 2Naeja Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Department of Chemistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3477 The Convenient Synthesis of Amphiphilic Phenanthroline Derivatives Zu-Qian Bian,1 Ke-Zhi Wang,1,* Lin-Pei Jin,1 and Li-Hua Gao21Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, P.R. China; 2School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, P.R. China The convenient synthesis of three amphiphilic phenanthroline derivatives is described. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3483 Nitrogen Heterocyclic Bases as Catalysts for the Selective Synthesis of Symmetric P,P′-Disubstituted Bisphosphonate Esters Dominique C. Stepinski, Jacob N. Hess, and Albert W. Herlinger* Department of Chemistry, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA Nitrogen heterocyclic bases were investigated as potential catalysts for the selective synthesis of symmetric P,P′-disubstituted partial esters of methylenebisphosphonic acid. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3491 PTC Sulfanylation of Arylacetates Liliana Marzorati,* Marco Antonio da Silva, Blanka Wladislaw, and Claudio Di Vitta Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, S.P., Brazil Sulfanylation of six arylacetates was performed under solvent-free PTC conditions. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3497 Convenient Synthesis of 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroquinolin-8-Ylamine and 6,7-Dihydro-5H -Quinolin-8-One E. J. McEachern,* Wen Yang, Gang Chen, Renato T. Skerlj, and Gary J. Bridger AnorMED Inc., Langley, British Columbia, Canada A novel two-step synthesis of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolin-8-ylamine, involving regioselective nitrosation of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline followed by oxime reduction, is described. Oxime hydrolysis affords 6,7-dihydro-5H-quinolin-8-one. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3503 tris(2-Carboxyethyl)Phosphine (TCEP) for the Reduction of Sulfoxides, Sulfonylchlorides, N-Oxides, and Azides Anne-Marie Faucher* and Chantal Grand-Maître Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd., Research and Development, Laval (Québec), Canada Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3513 A Novel and Efficient Strategy for the Preparation of 2,4-Disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles Yun Luo and Yongzhou Hu* Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China We have developed a novel and efficient method for the preparation of 2,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles. These compounds 3a–3p were synthesized in good yield by refluxing α-aminoacetophenones and hydrazines in glacial acetic acid. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and is compatible with various functional groups. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3519 New Synthesis of Thymidylate Synthase Inhibitor Raltitrexed Sheng-Li Cao,1,* Rong Wan,2 and Yu-Ping Feng21Department of Chemistry, Capital Normal University, Beijing, P.R. China; 2Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, P.R. China A new synthetic route was elaborated to yield thymidylate synthase inhibitor Raltitrexed using 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid as starting material via 6 steps in 18.2% overall yield. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3527 Studies on Flavans. III. The Total Synthesis of (±)-7,4′-Dihydroxy-3′-methoxyflavan, (±)-7,3′-Dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavan, and (±)-7,4′-Dihydroxyflavan Jijun Xue, Xianshu Zhang, Xuesong Chen, Yingpeng Zhang, and Ying Li* National Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, People's Republic of China The first total synthesis of (±)-7,3′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavan (1) and (±)-7,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methoxyflavan (2), along with the synthesis of (±)-7,4′-dihydroxyflavan (3), three naturally occurring flavans, were described. The key step is the cyclization of 1,3-diaryl-1-propanol by BF3·Et2O. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3537 Facile Synthesis of 2H-1,4-Benzothiazin-3(4H)-ketoximes and 2H-1,4-Benzoselenazin-3(4H)-ketoximes Promoted by SmI2 Xiaoliang Xu1 and Yongmin Zhang1,2,* 1Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University (Campus Xixi), Hangzhou, P.R. China; 2State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China 2H-1,4-Benzothiazin-3(4H)-ketoximes and 2H-1,4-benzoselenazin-3(4H)-ketoximes were synthesized by the reductive cyclization of bis(o-nitrophenyl) disulfides or diselenides with aromatic or aliphatic β-nitroethylenes using SmI2 in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3545 A Soluble Block Copolymer-Supported bis-Cinchona Alkaloid Ligand for the Asymmetric Dihydroxylation of Olefins Yong-Qing Kuang, Sheng-Yong Zhang,* and Ling-Ling Wei Department of Chemistry, Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an, China A soluble block copolymer-supported ligand was prepared via polycondensation of a bis-cinchona alkaloid derivative, polyethylene glycol, and terephthaloyl chloride. Its application in the asymmetric dihydroxylation of olefins delivered very good enantioselectivity. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3551 Samarium Diiodide Mediated Barbier-Type Reaction of 2-Chloromethylbenzoxazole and 2-Chloromethylbenzothiazole with Carbonyl Compounds: A Convenient Synthesis of 1-(β-Hydroxyalkyl)benzoxazoles and 1-(β-Hydroxyalkyl) Benzothiazoles Xiaoliang Xu1 and Yongmin Zhang1,2,* 1Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University (Campus Xixi), Hangzhou, P.R. China; 2State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3561 Synthesis of Substituted 2-Alkoxycarbonyl or 2-Cyano-1,3-butadienes Yu-Xiu Liu, Cheng-Fu Xu, Ru-Zhen Cao, and Lun-Zu Liu* National Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, China A series of 2-butoxycarbonyl-1,4-diaryl-1,3-butadienes and 2-cyano-1,4-diaryl-1,3-butadienes are synthesized by one pot reaction of 2-butoxycarbonyl or 2-cyanoethenylphosphonate with aromatic aldehyde and tributylphosphine. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3567 PEG-Supported Liquid-Phase Parallel Synthesis of Phenyloxyacetyl Thioureas Zheng Li, Junke Wang, and Xicun Wang* College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Gansu, Lanzhou, P.R. China An efficient PEG-supported liquid-phase parallel synthesis of phenyloxyacetyl thioureas is described. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3575 Substitution of the BenzotriazoLyl Group in N-(α-Amidoalkyl)benzotriazoles and N-(α-Sulfonamidoalkyl)benzotriazoles with Allylsamarium Bromide Xiaoxia Wang,1 Jian Li,1 and Yongmin Zhang1,2,* 1Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University (Campus Xixi), Hangzhou, P.R. China; 2State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3583 Ruthenium-Catalyzed Coupling Reaction of Benzylic Halides Yanjun Li* and Taeko Izumi Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yamagata University, Yonezawa, Japan Reported herein is a novel method on dechlorination coupling reaction of halides by using RuCl2(PPh3)3 catalyst under a hydrogen atmosphere with benzene as the solvent, which affords alkanes in excellent yields. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3589 Robinson's Annelation: Synthesis of Sydnone-Containing 3′-Arylcyclohexenone Derivatives Under Solvent Free Conditions Balakrishna Kalluraya* and Ganesha Rai Department of Studies in Chemistry, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, Karnataka, India An eco-friendly solvent free method for Robinson's annelation is described. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3597 The Ester and Amide Derivatives of 4-(4-Methyl Piperazino-methyl) Benzoic Acid P. Sairam1,* Ramachandra Puranik,1 Avijit. S. Kelkar,1 S. Sasikiran,1 M. Veerender,1and A. Parvathi21Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., IDA Bolaram, Hyderabad, A. P., India; 2Aurangabad College for Women, Maratwada University, Aurangabad, Maharastra, India Synthesis of 4-(4-methyl piperazinomethyl) benzoic acid (1) from a commercially available and inexpensive starting material with enhanced yields. This acid (1) is then further used for the synthesis of the ester and amide. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3607 Copper (I) Chloride Catalyzed Synthesis of Diaryl Ethers in Ionic Liquids Under Mild Conditions S. M. S. Chauhan,* Nidhi Jain, Anil Kumar, and K. A. Srinivas Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India The reaction of different aryl halides with aryl oxides catalyzed by CuCl in 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate [bmim][BF4] and 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate [bmim][PF6] ionic liquids to give diaryl ethers in 54–90% yields has been studied under mild reaction conditions. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3615 An Expedient Synthesis of Allylic/Secondary Bromides From Dehydration of Tertiary-β-Bromo Alcohols B. K. Bettadaiah and P. Srinivas* Plantation Products, Spices and Flavour Technology Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India Tertiary-β-bromo alcohols, derived from simple monoterpenes and olefins, react with BF3·OEt2 in refluxing benzene in 1–2 h to afford the corresponding allylic/secondary bromides in 45–90% yield. In case of substrates containing olefinic or hydroxyl groups, formation of cyclic ethers was observed. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3621 N-Iodosuccinimide: an Efficient Reagent for Regioselective Heterocyclization of 3-Allyl-4-hydroxy[1]benzopyran-2-ones K. C. Majumdar,* P. K. Basu, and B. Roy Department of Chemistry, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, India Thermal Claisen rearrangement of 4-allyloxy[1]benzopyran-2-ones in refluxing chlorobenzene gave 3-allyl-4-hydroxy[1]benzopyran-2-ones in 82–90% yield. A number of 3-iodopyrano[3,2-c][1]benzopyran-5(2H)-ones were synthesized in 80–92% yield by the regioselective heterocyclization of 3-allyl-4-hydroxy[1]benzopyran-2-ones with N-iodosuccinimide in acetonitrile at 0–5°C. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3631 Efficient Route to the Pineal Hormone Melatonin by Radical-Based Indole Synthesis Douglas W. Thomson, Aurélien G. J. Commeureuc, Stefan Berlin, and John A. Murphy* Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK The hormone melatonin, which is known to have a range of important biological effects, has been prepared in a high-yielding route that features formation of the indole nucleus by radical cyclization. Mediation of the radical cyclization by tristrimethylsilylsilane (TTMSS) is more efficient than by N-ethylpiperidine hypophosphite. Synth. Commun.2003, 33, 3643 The One-Pot Synthesis and Diels-Alder Reactivity of 2,5-Dihydrothiophene-1,1-Dioxide-3-Carboxylic Acid Genara S. Andrade,1 Joachim E. Berkner,1 Charles L. Liotta,1 Charles Eckert,2 David A. Schiraldi,3 Arthur Andersen,4 and David M. Collard1,* 1School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; 2School of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; 3KoSa, Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA; 4DuPont, Experimental Station, Wilmington, Deleware, USA [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are the major vectors of arboviral diseases. As effective vaccines are not available for most of the arboviral diseases, vector control by using insecticides play the key role to reduce the disease transmission. The emergence and spread of resistance to different classes of insecticides by the vectors is a major obstacle to control the disease transmission. Information about vector susceptibility to different insecticides and their mechanisms are very important for formulating proper vector control measures. The present study was designed to assess the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti against three different classes of adulticides, one larvicidal agent available and polymorphisms in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) gene related to insecticide resistance. Methods: Immature stages of Ae. aegypti were collected from three dengue endemic municipal areas of West Bengal and reared in the laboratory. Larvae and adults (F1 progeny) were used for insecticide bioassay as per WHO protocols. Knock down resistance gene (kdr) mutations were assessed by direct sequencing of PCR products. Results: The Ae. aegypti population was found to be susceptible to type II pyrethroids and malathion but highly resistant to DDT. A high rate of polymorphisms in the VGSC gene was observed among the collected mosquitoes. A double mutant V1016G + F1534C was found to be associated with DDT resistance but neither V1016G nor F1534C alone showed the same association. Association between the kdr mutations and the susceptibility status of pyrethroids could not be established due to very small sample size. A low to moderate level of resistance was noticed against temephos among the larval population based on WHO criteria. Conclusion: The replacement of DDT by type II pyrethroids for the management of dengue vectors is an appropriate decision taken by the national program which is supported by the findings of a higher level of resistance to DDT. Persistence of polymorphisms in the VGSC gene might be an indication of emergence of resistance against pyrethroid insecticides that should be monitored at a regular interval. Attempts should be made to determine the effectiveness of other larvicides for replacement of temephos if needed in future. Along with the chemical insecticides different biological vector control methods as well as biopesticides should also be used in vector control programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are anticipated to decrease the zinc and iron concentrations of crops. The associated disease burden and optimal mitigation strategies remain unknown. We sought to understand where and to what extent increasing carbon dioxide concentrations may increase the global burden of nutritional deficiencies through changes in crop nutrient concentrations, and the effects of potential mitigation strategies.Methods and Findings: For each of 137 countries, we incorporated estimates of climate change, crop nutrient concentrations, dietary patterns, and disease risk into a microsimulation model of zinc and iron deficiency. These estimates were obtained from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, US Department of Agriculture, Statistics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and Global Burden of Disease Project, respectively. In the absence of increasing carbon dioxide concentrations, we estimated that zinc and iron deficiencies would induce 1,072.9 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally over the period 2015 to 2050 (95% credible interval [CrI]: 971.1-1,167.7). In the presence of increasing carbon dioxide concentrations, we estimated that decreasing zinc and iron concentrations of crops would induce an additional 125.8 million DALYs globally over the same period (95% CrI: 113.6-138.9). This carbon-dioxide-induced disease burden is projected to disproportionately affect nations in the World Health Organization's South-East Asia and African Regions (44.0 and 28.5 million DALYs, respectively), which already have high existing disease burdens from zinc and iron deficiencies (364.3 and 299.5 million DALYs, respectively), increasing global nutritional inequalities. A climate mitigation strategy such as the Paris Agreement (an international agreement to keep global temperatures within 2°C of pre-industrial levels) would be expected to avert 48.2% of this burden (95% CrI: 47.8%-48.5%), while traditional public health interventions including nutrient supplementation and disease control programs would be expected to avert 26.6% of the burden (95% CrI: 23.8%-29.6%). Of the traditional public health interventions, zinc supplementation would be expected to avert 5.5%, iron supplementation 15.7%, malaria mitigation 3.2%, pneumonia mitigation 1.6%, and diarrhea mitigation 0.5%. The primary limitations of the analysis include uncertainty regarding how food consumption patterns may change with climate, how disease mortality rates will change over time, and how crop zinc and iron concentrations will decline from those at present to those in 2050.Conclusions: Effects of increased carbon dioxide on crop nutrient concentrations are anticipated to exacerbate inequalities in zinc and iron deficiencies by 2050. Proposed Paris Agreement strategies are expected to be more effective than traditional public health measures to avert the increased inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudohyphal growth is a nutrient-regulated program in which budding yeast form multicellular filaments of elongated and connected cells. Filamentous growth is required for virulence in pathogenic fungi and provides an informative model of stress-responsive signaling. The genetics and regulatory networks modulating pseudohyphal growth have been studied extensively, but little is known regarding the changes in metabolites that enable pseudohyphal filament formation. Inositol signaling molecules are an important class of metabolite messengers encompassing highly phosphorylated and diffusible inositol polyphosphates (InsPs). We report here that the InsP biosynthesis pathway is required for wild-type pseudohyphal growth. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions that can induce filamentation, InsPs exhibit characteristic profiles, distinguishing the InsP7 pyrophosphate isoforms 1PP-InsP5 and 5PP-InsP5. Deletion and overexpression analyses of InsP kinases identify elevated levels of 5PP-InsP5 relative to 1PP-InsP5 in mutants exhibiting hyper-filamentous growth. Overexpression of KCS1, which promotes formation of inositol pyrophosphates, is sufficient to drive pseudohyphal filamentation on medium with normal nitrogen levels. We find that the kinases Snf1p (AMPK), Kss1p, and Fus3p (MAPKs), required for wild-type pseudohyphal growth, are also required for wild-type InsP levels. Deletion analyses of the corresponding kinase genes indicate elevated InsP3 levels and an absence of exaggerated 5PP-InsP5 peaks in trace profiles from snf1Δ/Δ and kss1Δ/Δ mutants exhibiting decreased pseudohyphal filamentation. Elevated 5PP-InsP5:1PP-InsP5 ratios are present in the hyperfilamentous fus3 deletion mutant. Collectively, the data identify the presence of elevated 5PP-InsP5 levels relative to other inositol pyrophosphates as an in vivo marker of hyper-filamentous growth, while providing initial evidence for the regulation of InsP signaling by pseudohyphal growth kinases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The control and prevention of dengue largely depends on vector control measures, environmental management, and personal protection. Dengue control programmes are facing great challenges due to development of insecticide resistance among vector mosquitoes. Information on susceptibility status to different insecticides is important for national programmes to formulate vector control strategies. Methods: We have studied the larval susceptibility of Aedes albopictus to temephos and adult susceptibility to 4% DDT, 0.05% deltamethrin, and 5% malathion as per WHO protocols in the northern districts of West Bengal. Polymorphisms in the VGSC gene were studied by direct sequencing of PCR products. Results: The Ae. albopictus larval population showed sensitive [Resistance Ratio (RR99)<3] to moderate levels of resistance (510) to temephos at different study sites. Adult bioassay results revealed that Ae. albopictus was highly resistant to DDT [Corrected Mortality (CM) < 90%] in all the study sites and susceptible to deltamethrin and malathion (CM > 98%), except in Dhupguri where a low level of resistance to deltamethrin (CM = 96.25%) was recorded. None of the six important kdr mutations (S953P, I975M/V, L978, V980G, F1474C, D1703Y) were found in the VGSC of studied mosquitoes, but we identified 11 synonymous and 1 non-synonymous mutation in the VGSC gene. Conclusion: The higher susceptibility level to deltamethrin and malathion, along with the absence of important kdr mutations indicates that these two insecticides are still effective against Ae. albopictus in the study areas. The susceptibility status of temephos should be monitored closely as low to moderate levels of resistance were observed in few sites. A similar study is recommended for monitoring and early detection of insecticide resistance in other parts of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each cycle of translation initiation in bacterial cell requires free 50S and 30S ribosomal subunits originating from the post-translational dissociation of 70S ribosome from the previous cycle. Literature shows stable dissociation of 70S from model post-termination complexes by the concerted action of Ribosome Recycling Factor (RRF) and Elongation Factor G (EF-G) that interact with the rRNA bridge B2a/B2b joining 50S to 30S. In such experimental models, the role of full-length nascent protein was never considered seriously. We observed relatively slow release of full-length nascent protein from 50Sof post translation ribosome, and in that process, its toe prints on the rRNA in vivo and in in vitro translation with E.coli S30 extract. We reported earlier that a number of chemically unfolded proteins like bovine carbonic anhydrase (BCA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), lysozyme, ovalbumin etc., when added to free 70Sin lieu of the full length nascent proteins, also interact with identical RNA regions of the 23S rRNA. Interestingly the rRNA nucleotides that slow down release of the C-terminus of full-length unfolded protein were found in close proximity to the B2a/B2b bridge. It indicated a potentially important chemical reaction conserved throughout the evolution. Here we set out to probe that conserved role of unfolded protein conformation in splitting the free or post-termination 70S. How both the RRF-EFG dependent and the plausible nascent protein–EFG dependent ribosome recycling pathways might be relevant in bacteria is discussed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis affects nearly 0.7 to 1.3 million people annually. Treatment of this disease is difficult due to lack of appropriate medication and the growing problem of drug resistance. Natural compounds such as coumarins serve as complementary therapeutic agents in addition to the current treatment modalities. In this study, we have performed an in-silico screening of the coumarin derivatives and their anti-leishmanial properties has been explored both in-vitro and in-vivo. One of the compounds (compound 2) exhibited leishmanicidal activity and to further study its properties, nanoliposomal formulation of the compound was developed. Treatment of cutaneous lesions in BALB/c mice with compound 2 showed significantly reduced lesion size as compared to the untreated mice (p<0.05) suggesting that compound 2 may possess anti-leishmanial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linear PEI is a cationic polymer commonly used for complexing DNA into nanoparticles for cell-transfection and gene-therapy applications. The polymer has closely-spaced amines with weak-base protonation capacity, and a hydrophobic backbone that is kept unaggregated by intra-chain repulsion. As a result, in solution PEI exhibits multiple buffering mechanisms, and polyelectrolyte states that shift between aggregated and free forms. We studied the interplay between the aggregation and protonation behavior of 2.5 kDa linear PEI by pH probing, vapor pressure osmometry, dynamic light scattering, and ninhydrin assay. Our results indicate that: Despite its simple chemical structure, linear PEI displays intricate solution dynamics, which can be harnessed for environment-sensitive biomaterials and for overcoming current challenges with DNA delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presently, plant oils which contain high percentage of linoleic acid 1 are perceived to be a viable alternative to mineral oil for biolubricant applications due to their biodegradability and technical properties. In order to get biodegradable lubricant, triester derivatives compounds (1–5) were synthesized and characterized. The processes involved were monoepoxidation of linoleic acid 2, oxirane ring opening 3, esterification 4 and acylation 5. The structures of the products were confirmed by FTIR, 1H and 13C-NMR and LC-MS. The results that showed lowest temperature properties were obtained for triester 5, with a pour point value (PP) of -73°C, highest onset temperature (260°C) and lowest volatility at 0.30%. Viscosity index (VI) increased for the ester’s synthetic compounds (2, 3, 4, 5), while the PP decreased. This behavior is the result of the increase of the chain length of the branching agents. Triester based linoleic acid has improved properties such as low-temperature and tribological properties. These results will make it feasible for plant oil to be used for biolubricants, fuels in chain saws, transmission oil and brake fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 264 suspected dengue patients in two districts (Dang and Chitwan) of Nepal from June 2013 to November 2013. The anti-dengue IgM positivity was found to be (51/264)19.31% by capture ELISA, of which 21 (41.2%) were male and 30 (58.8%) were female. Symptoms of seropositive cases were fever, anorexia, nausea, headache, retro-orbital pain, skin rashes, and myalgia. Hematological features like thrombocytopenia and leucopenia were found to be significantly associated with the dengue fever (DF). Discarded tires were found as the commonest breeding habitats for the dengue vectors. Higher sero-positivity was recorded from the area having higher Breteau index (BI). The pH, chloride ion concentration and the salinity of the water from breeding habitats were found to be ranging from 6.9±0.82 to 8, 103.33±17.52 mg/L to 140.65 mg/L, and 0.19±0.032 ppt to 0.25 ppt respectively. This study may be helpful for the health authorities and public health workers for early diagnosis of DF and for the improved preventive measures to be adopted in the epidemic and possible epidemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with Partha Basu group members from Duquesne University in Pennsylvania is presented. When asked about a study they conducted on water contamination, they talked about the danger posed by heavy metals. They mentioned a study on pyranopterin cofactor. They also offered information on the cover design that they provided for the "European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry."

The current fuel system icing inhibitor (FSII) additives used for commercial and military aircraft are ethylene glycol mono methyl ether (EGME) and diethylene glycol mono methyl ether (DiEGME). Propylene glycol is used for wing deicing. Fuel deicing additives are required inmilitary fuels an optional in commercial fuels with wing deicing being weather dependent. The acetals and ketals of reduced sugars are being synthesized and modeled computationally because they are less toxic and more environmentally benign than EGME and DiEGME. Each compound is being studied with an emphasis on deicing effectiveness, human toxicity, and environmental hazard. This paper reports on three compounds derived from the sugar mannose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]