Search

Several pseudo-oligosacchardies and amino acid glycoconjugates were synthesized via an intermolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction using easily accessible carbohydrate and amino acid derived azides and alkynes as building blocks. Conjugation reaction is highly regioselective and high yielding and can be carried out under mild reaction conditions.

Cytokines play an important role in immunological responses and protection against Brucella spp. infection. This article gives an overview of the role of various cytokines involved in the outcome of brucellosis. The susceptibility or resistance to the Brucella infection relies on a finely regulated balance of cytokines rhythmically produced by distinct T cell subsets (Th1 and Th2). The Th1 cytokines (e.g. TNF-α, IFN-γ) induce the CD8+ CTL-mediated cytotoxicity against Brucella-infected Mφ (specific cellular immunity), whereas, the Th2 response (e.g. IL-10) activates B lymphocytes for antibody production, facilitating the opsonization of Brucella (specific humoral immunity). This paper further analyses the information available on the assessment of cytokine profiles underscoring the requirement of more research on the cytokine biomarkers and their rhythmic induction in brucellosis, which may be helpful in establishing quick diagnostic tests as well as developing vaccines against brucellosis. Abbreviations: Th: T helper; TNF-α: Tumour necrosis factor-alpha; IFN-γ: Interferon-gamma; CD: Cluster of differentiation; CTL: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte; Mφ: Macrophage; IL: Interleukin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the rhythmic change in the expression profile of cytokine-related genes in the PBMC of Brucella abortus infected cattle. The whole blood samples were collected from cattle from the state of Rajasthan in Western India. All 20 samples of PBMC cultured cells from the 10 diseased cattle serologically positive for brucellosis, and 10 serologically negative healthy controls, were harvested, and the expression of cytokine-related genes was normalized relative to β-actin for their quantification by SYBR green-based real-time PCR. The subsequent analysis was based on the comparisons within treatment group (unstimulated or B. abortus stimulated) and between infection groups (healthy control versus diseased). The expression profiling of cytokine genes revealed differential expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12p40 and iNOS by PBMCs from healthy cows and Brucella positive cows even without stimulation with Brucella abortus antigen. This unique expression profile with enhanced expression of genes encoding IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6 and iNOS, and reduced expression of TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-12p40; indicates changing of the dynamic immune responses from a predominantly Th1-like pattern to a Th2-like pattern with the development of a chronic form of bovine brucellosis. The rhythmic change in immunological profiles conclusively analyzed in the present investigation will help to implement control measures in Western India. Abbreviations: PBMC: peripheral blood mononuclear cells; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; IFN: Interferon; TNF: Tumour necrosis factor; IL: Interleukin; iNOS: Inducible nitric oxide synthase; Th: T helper [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and efficient protocol for chemoselective deacetylation under ambient conditions was developed using catalytic KMnO4. The stoichiometric use of KMnO4 highlighted the dual role of a heterogeneous oxidant enabling direct access to aromatic aldehydes in one-pot sequential deacetylation–oxidation. The reaction employed an alternative solvent system and allowed the clean transformation of benzyl acetate to sensitive aldehyde in a single step while preventing over-oxidation to acids. Use of inexpensive and readily accessible KMnO4 as an environmentally benign reagent and the ease of the reaction operation were particularly attractive, and enabled the controlled oxidation and facile cleavage of acetate in a preceding step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flameproof (Ex d) enclosures are constructed in such a way that an internal ignition of a flammable atmosphere will not be transmitted outside the enclosure and thereby preventing the ignition of surrounding flammables. The large Ex d enclosure was designed for gas group IIB explosive atmosphere with the help of MATLAB and ANSYS software and further a study of stress analysis due to internal pressure had been carried out on the plates and cover by keeping the thickness of body plate and cover constant. The study showed that stress was observed more in the center of the plate and reducing toward the edges of plates. The value of the length and breadth ratio (a/b) was found out with the help of the curve fitting method to calculate maximum stress (σmax) in the designed Ex d enclosure. The calculated maximum stress of all the plates was less than the simulated results, so the simulated results indicated that the designed enclosure is within the safety limit and suitable for hazardous area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anomeric activation and glycoside formation by using propargyl glycosides are described. Propargyl glycosides are identified as novel and stable glycosyl donors and various aglycones are reacted with propargyl glycosides, resulting in the formation of an alpha,beta-mixture of glycosides and disaccharides in good yields.