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School of Studies in Chemistry, Jiwaji University, Gwalior-474 011, India E-mail : radhatomar@mantrafreenet.com Fax : 91-0751-341450 Manuscript received 21 May 2001, revised 16 October 2001, accepted 28 December 2001 Sorption of Cd has been studied on the synthesized gel close to potassium fluorophlogopite [KMg3(Si3AIO10)F2] as a function of initial solution concentration at pHs 2, 4 and 7. The parameters like equilibration time, weight of the exchanger and temperature have also been investigated. The uptake of Cd has been expressed in terms of distribution coefficient (Kd).

Sodium Alanate (NaAlH4) is a promising hydrogen storage material due to its high hydrogen content (7.6 wt% of H2), and relatively moderate dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation temperatures. The addition of an appropriate catalyst to NaAlH4 results in a reversible release of 5.5 wt% H2 in a low temperature range of about 90 to 150 °C. Catalyst nano particles of MmNi4.5Al0.5 (henceforth referred to as Mm) to NaAlH4 were added by mechanical ball milling (BM) in mass ratios of 100:5, 100:10, and 100:20, respectively. Thermal decomposition studies were performed at various temperatures (90–150 °C) and a significant improvement in the dehydrogenation was observed after the addition of Mm to the NaAlH4. Un-doped ball milled NaAlH4 released 1.55 wt% of H2 at 150 °C in 60 min, and Mm added NaAlH4 released 3.10–3.25 wt% of H2 were released, respectively. Kinetics analysis was done by using model fit, model free fitting and the obtained activation energy values for both have shown good agreement and the possible decomposition mechanism in all samples by nucleation-growth-saturation mechanism. The improved thermodynamics and kinetics can be attributed to the uniform dispersion and catalytic effect of the Mm nanoparticles, and also to the effect of ball milling.

The present communication describes the use of titania (TiO2) nanomaterials of different sizes (16 nm, 35 nm, 70 nm, 200 nm, and 1000 nm) as heterogeneous catalysts for the preparation of a series of medicinally significant poly-substituted quinoline derivatives via Friedlander hetero-annulation. These TiO2 nanomaterials exhibited remarkable catalytic activity with a high substrate to catalyst molar ratio (20 : 1) to achieve the synthetic targets in excellent yields ranging from 81–94%. The effect of catalyst particle size on the yield of the quinolines was also investigated. Yields of product were found to decrease when the TiO2 particle size increased from 16 nm to 1000 nm. GC-MS data indicated that TiO2 nanoparticles having 16 nm and 35 nm size of anatase phase provided better yields of the target compound, followed by particles of 70 nm in size, whereas 200 nm and 1000 nm size of anatase phase did not show the formation of the product under the same reaction conditions. The use of catalyst in solvent-free reaction conditions and its reusability up to five-cycles with similar catalytic response are the unique features of this heterogeneous catalysis. Furthermore, greater selectivity, cost-efficiency, clean reaction profiles, simple work-up procedure and high yield are the noteworthy features of this eco-friendly green protocol.

Imatinib mesylate (IM) is the standard first-line treatment for most CML patients. After an initial response, approximately 30 to 40% patients develop resistance to the drug. Various mechanisms of resistance to Imatinib therapy have been identified. One of the mechanisms proposed is varying expression levels of the drug transporters. In the present study, we determined the relative expression levels of Imatinib transporter genes (hOCT1, ABCB1, ABCG2) in CML patients by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and correlated these levels with molecular response. One hundred and ten CML patients were considered for gene expression analysis study for hOCT1 gene and eighty seven CML patients were considered for gene expression analysis study for ABCB1 and ABCG2 genes. CML patients who were on IM therapy for more than 2 years were divided into two groups: Responders: patients who achieve a Complete Molecular response (CMR) or a Major Molecular Response (MMR) [bcr/abl: abl ratio 1% as assessed by RQ-PCR). The relative transcript expression levels of the three genes were compared between responders and non-responders. No significant difference in the expression levels of hOCT1, ABCB1 and ABCG2 was found between the two categories - responders versus non-responders (p value > 0.05). The median transcript expression levels of hOCT1, ABCB1 and ABCG2 genes in responders were 30.63, 10.14 and 0.59 versus 40.13, 8.34 and 0.53 in non-responders, respectively. We conclude that, in our study, the mRNA expression levels of IM transporter genes did no correlate with molecular response in CML patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

7079 Background: One of the reasons proposed for suboptimal responses in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) patients receiving standard-dose Imatinib has been low blood levels of the drug. Our study aimed to determine the correlation between mean trough Imatinib plasma levels and molecular response in CML chronic phase patients at our centre. We also attempted to compare imatinib plasma levels in patients receiving Gleevec (Novartis) versus patients who were on the generic version of the drug. Methods: One hundred and thirty one (131) CML Chronic phase patients were included in this study. All patients had received 400 mg of imatinib for more than 2 year. Plasma Imatinib trough levels were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In order to estimate a threshold for plasma imatinib level that correlates with a favorable response, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed. Patients were divided into two groups: those with Major Molecular Response (MMR) [bcr/abl : abl ratio 1% as assessed by RQ-PCR) [Non Responders]. Imatinib plasma levels were also compared in patients who were on Gleevec versus those who were on the generic version of the drug. Results: The mean trough imatinib plasma level in the responders was significantly higher (2.10±1.18µg/ml) than in the non responders (1.31±0.72µg/ml) with p value of 0.001. The area under ROC curve was 0.733, with best sensitivity (51.85%) and specificity (89.42%) at a plasma threshold of 0.988 µg/ml. There was no significant difference between the mean trough plasma imatinib levels of the patients who were on Gleevec as compared to those who were on generic Imatinib (p value > 0.05). Conclusions: Plasma Imatinib trough levels were statistically similar in the Gleevec and generic Imatinib groups. These levels showed a statistically significant correlation with molecular response. Trough plasma imatinib levels may be a marker for suboptimal response to Imatinib and may identify patients in whom increase of drug dose or change to second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be indicated.

Background: In recent years there has been a re-awakening of interest in the identification of Medicinal plants and their derivatives for the treatment of human diseases including cancer. The present work aims to investigate the in-vitro activity of two plants used in traditional Indian medicine - Zingiber Officinale Rose(Rhizome) and Nerium Oleander L(Leaves) against a human leukemic cell line. Method: The plants were extracted with methanol and ethanol using soxalate apparatus. In-vitro anti-cancer activity was screened against leukemic cell line K562 using the SRB and MTT assay. Apoptosis and DNA fragmentation were characterized by PI staining flow cytometry and Gel electrophoresis, respectively. Results: Notable cancer cell growth inhibition was observed for extracts from Zingiber Officinale Rose and Nerium Oleander L with IC50 values ranging between 10 -28 μg/ml. Furthermore, treatment of cells with both the extracts was shown to produce cell cycle arrest and DNA damage indicating that the observed cytotoxicity was mediated via apoptosis. Conclusion: Extracts of Ginger and Oleander has anti-cancer activity against the K572 cell line in an in-vitro system. Based upon this initial screening work reported here, further studies aimed at the identification of active components of these extracts are planned. The activity of these agents against cell lines developed from actual patient samples are also planned. Citation Format: Hemant Malhotra, Bharti Malhotra, Shipra Bhargava, Om Singh Rathode, Pratibha Sharma, Ashwin Mathur, Sandeep Jasuja, Shubha V. Chiplunkar. Anti-leukemic activities of alcoholic extracts of two traditional Indian medicinal plants. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2248. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2248

An 8-year-old boy presented with recurrent chest pain and haemoptysis since 3 years of age. He had taken multiple courses of antitubercular treatment without any symptomatic relief. His chest x-ray showed opacity consistent with right sided lung collapse. Further detailed work-up including high-resolution CT scan of thorax, pulmonary angiogram and radionucleide study confirmed intrathoracic gastrogenic cyst. Complete control of symptoms was achieved with pantaprazole 40 mg once daily.

Institute of Chemical Sciences, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, lndore-452 001 Manuscript received 19 October 1993, revised 18 February 1994, accepted 18 May 1994 Electrochemical Way of Functioning of Cadmium(II) andNickel(II) with N-Methylpiperazine at DME

The cDNA encoding PDE10A (phosphodiesterase 10A) was cloned and a stable recombinant HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney-293) cell line expressing high levels of PDE10A was generated. Transient transfection of pCRE-Luc plasmid, harbouring the luciferase reporter gene under the control of CRE (cAMP-response element)-binding sequence, into the stable recombinant cell line, followed by treatment with PDE10 inhibitor, resulted in a dose-dependent increase in luciferase activity. This method provides a simple and sensitive cell-based assay for screening of PDE10 inhibitors for development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Imatinib Mesylate, a molecular target therapy is the first line treatment for all CML patients. We prospectively studied 50 CML patients (37 pre-treated with interferon Alfa) for response to Imatinib. Patients median age was 32 years, range, 11 to 62 years with male to female ratio being 2.5: 1. All patients were in chronic phase and received 400 mg imatinib daily for a mean time period of 18 months (range 3 to 38 months). Patients were monitored closely for clinical, hematological, cytogenetic & molecular response. Bone marrow examination was done at 3, 6, 9 then 4–6 months interval for cytogenetic response (CGR) and also for presence of BCR-ABL transcript types (b2a2, b3a2, e1a2 and e19a2) by multiplex and nested RT-PCR technique. All patients achieved complete hematological remission with in 3 months of starting Imatinib. 20/50 patients achieved Major CGR (complete -8, Partial CGR-12). Of these, 12/20(60%) patients had b2a2 transcript, 3/20 (15%) b3a2 transcript and 5/20 (25%) had both the transcripts. 24/50 had minor CGR (b2a2-10/24 (41.6%), b3a2-14/24 (58.3%). Remaining 6 patients had no Cytogenetic response (4/6-b3a2, 2/6-b2a2). Patients with BCR-ABL transcript b2a2 had a significant probability of achieving Major cytogenetic response 12/50(24%) compared with b3a2 transcripts, 3/50 (6%), p

The effect of 60CO gamma radiation on polypropylene and glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene was investigated. The glass fiber content in the reinforced polypropylene was observed to influence the mechanical properties of the original polypropylene. The initial modulus and off-set yield strength (at 0.25% strain) increased with the dose and glass fiber content. The tensile strength showed an initial decrease with the increase in glass fiber content followed by an increasing trend. A similar behavior was found with increasing dosage. The extent of fiber breakage during processing was higher at higher glass fiber content. However, the fiber length distribution became narrower beyond 2.45% glass fiber content in the polypropylene.

SummaryUpward flux of water and deep-placed (8–10 cm) P was studied in columns of sandyloam and silty clay loam, with water tables of 60 and 90 cm, each subjected to potential evaporation rates of 2–2 and 7–5 mm/day, for 15 days. An amount of 300 mg P/kg soil, labelled with 20 /tCi 32P/g P, was applied as diammonium hydrogen orthophosphate.Evaporation losses increased with increase in potential evaporation (PE) and decrease in depth to water table in both soils, but the ratio of actual to potential evaporation (AE/PE) decreased with increasing PE, indicating that the evaporative losses in both the soils were mainly controlled by their hydraulic conductive properties. Under no circumstances did AE equal PE. Evaporation, in general, was higher from sandy loam than from silty clay loam.Corresponding to water flux, total upward P flux increased with increasing PE and decreasing depth to water. In the sandy loam, with 2–2 mm PE/day, 21 % of the deepplaced P moved to the soil surface with the 60 cm water table, against 5 % with the 90 cm water table. Under 7–5 mm PE/day, 39% P migrated to the surface with the 60 cm water table, but no 3aP was detected at the surface with the 90 cm water table. In the silty clay loam, however, P movement was much restricted.

The title compounds have been prepared. Infrared spectra of these compounds indicate that titanium is four-coordinate in them. These compounds form complexes of the type Ti(OR)Cl3·L or 2L (where R = C2H4Cl or C2H2F3 and L is monodentate ligand) with various oxygen and nitrogen ligands. The complexes have been characterized by their analyses and infrared spectra.

In this paper we demonstrate for the first time that pre-vulcanized NR latex can be doped by iodine to become electrically conducting. The study reveals that pre-vulcanisation will not hinder the formation of conjugated sequences, which is widely accepted as a prerequisite for developing intrinsic electrical conductivity in polymers. The samples in thin film form and in solution showed the characteristic colour change on doping and the conductivities were at par with iodine-doped unvulcanised rubber. The resulting structural changes were further confirmed by UV/Vis and FTIR measurements. These strong vulcanized films can ensure fairly good flexibility and processability in coalition with conductivity. The band gap of this conducting latex film was evaluated to be 1.38eV. These findings are of far-reaching consequences for the rubber industry, as it is now possible to develop interpenetrating rubber composites for bulk polymer heterojunctions for use in microelectronics. Doped vulcanized NR latex promises to be a cost effective and highly efficient material for use in solar cells and light emitting diode materials.

The blending of conducting polyaniline (PANI) with elastomers (natural rubber (NR) and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR)) by a wet mixing process has been studied with the goal of fabricating flexible ultra thin conducting films. Good conductive properties were found for NR composite films with 30 wt% of HCl treated PANI and NBR composite films with 20 wt% of HCl treated PANI. There was a gradual decrease in surface resistivity with increasing PANI (HCl) concentration. The UV/VIS spectra indicated the presence of conjugated sequences of conducting polyaniline in the composite films. The FT-IR/ ATR results indicated the compatibility of HCl doped PANI with both NR and NBR and hence better mechanical properties, as indicated by an increase in the Young's modulus. Thus the conducting component acted simultaneously as reinforcement and conductive filler for both matrices. However the NBR composites became harder and more brittle with the increase in PANI concentration. The results have been correlated with swelling measurements confirming the formation of an interpenetrated network, which inhibits rubber solubilization. The method opens up a new technique for preparing stable conductive thin films of PANI using dopants such as HCl.

Background MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate mRNA expression at the post - transcriptional level and thereby many fundamental biological processes. A number of methods, such as multiplex polymerase chain reaction, microarrays have been developed for profiling levels of known miRNAs. These methods lack the ability to identify novel miRNAs and accurately determine expression at a range of concentrations. Deep or massively parallel sequencing methods are providing suitable platforms for genome wide transcriptome analysis and have the ability to identify novel transcripts. Results The results of analysis of small RNA sequences obtained by Solexa technology of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells, tumor cell lines K562 and HL60 are presented. In general K562 cells displayed overall low level of miRNA population and also low levels of DICER. Some of the highly expressed miRNAs in the leukocytes include several members of the let-7 family, miR-21, 103, 185, 191 and 320a. Comparison of the miRNA profiles of normal versus K562 or HL60 cells revealed a specific set of differentially expressed molecules. Correlation of the miRNA with that of mRNA expression profiles, obtained by microarray, revealed a set of target genes showing inverse correlation with miRNA levels. Relative expression levels of individual miRNAs belonging to a cluster were found to be highly variable. Our computational pipeline also predicted a number of novel miRNAs. Some of the predictions were validated by Real-time RT-PCR and or RNase protection assay. Organization of some of the novel miRNAs in human genome suggests that these may also be part of existing clusters or form new clusters. Conclusions We conclude that about 904 miRNAs are expressed in human leukocytes. Out of these 370 are novel miRNAs. We have identified miRNAs that are differentially regulated in normal PBMC with respect to cancer cells, K562 and HL60. Our results suggest that post - transcriptional processes may play a significant role in regulating levels of miRNAs in tumor cells. The study also provides a customized automated computation pipeline for miRNA profiling and identification of novel miRNAs; even those that are missed out by other existing pipelines. The Computational Pipeline is available at the website: http://mirna.jnu.ac.in/deep_sequencing/deep_sequencing.html