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During a pandemic, the availability of specific pathogen free chicken eggs is a major bottleneck for up-scaling response to the demand for influenza vaccine. This has led us to explore the use of Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells for the manufacture of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) that provides production flexibility and speed. The present study reports the comparison of the immunogenicity and efficacy of two MDCK-based LAIVs against two egg-based LAIVs prepared from the same pandemic potential strains of H5 and H7 subtypes after a single dose of the vaccine followed by a challenge with a homologous wild type strain. The vaccine strains have been generated by classical method of reassortment using the A/Leningrad/134/17/57 master donor strain. Additionally, a prime-boost regimen of the MDCK-based vaccine followed by a challenge with a homologous wild type strain for H5 and H7 immunized ferrets and also a heterologous wild type strain for the H5 immunized animals was studied. No difference in the hemagglutination inhibition and virus neutralization antibody titers against the homologous virus was observed following a single dose of either egg-based or MDCK-based H5 and H7 LAIV vaccine. A second dose of MDCK-based vaccine significantly boosted antibody titers in the vaccinated animals. Both a single dose or two doses of LAIV provided complete protection from lower respiratory tract infection and resulted in a significant reduction in the virus titers recovered from the throat, nasal turbinates and lungs after challenge with the homologous wild type strain. Protection from a challenge with a heterologous strain of H5 was also observed after two doses of the MDCK-based LAIVs. This data strongly supports the use of MDCK as a substrate for the manufacture of LAIV which ensures reliable quality, safety, production flexibility, speed and breadth of protection, features that are highly critical during a pandemic.

Yellow fever vaccine associated neurovirulence and viscerotropism have been reported by various countries. In this study, the neurovirulence, viscerotropism and immunogenicity of yellow fever vaccine seed lots (master and working) and final product manufactured at Serum Institute of India (SII) were evaluated in cynomolgus monkeys. WHO reference virus 168-73 and Stamaril™ as a control vaccine was used for comparison. Neurovirulence and viscerotropism scores of the seed lots and final product were lower than Stamaril™. The SII seed virus and vaccine complies to the WHO requirement for neurovirulence, viscerotropism and immunogenicity, when tested in comparison to WHO reference seed virus 168/73. All challenged animals showed 100 % seroconversion as early as day 14 and neutralizing antibody titers were sustainable at day 30 in all animals.

Cell culture based live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV) as an alternative to egg-based LAIV have been explored because of lack of easy access to SPF eggs for large scale production. In this study, feasibility of MDCK platform was assessed by including multiple LAIV strains covering both type A (H1 and H3) and type B seasonal strains as well as the candidate pandemic potential strains like A/H5 and A/H7 for the growth in MDCK cells. A risk assessment study was conducted on the cell banks to evaluate safety concerns related to tumorigenicity with a regulatory perspective. Tumorigenic potential of the MDCK cells was evaluated in nude mice (107cells/mouse) model system. The 50% tumor producing dose (TPD50) of MDCK cells was studied in SCID mice to determine the amount of cells required for induction of tumors. Further, we conducted an oncogenicity study in three sensitive rodent species as per the requirements specified in the WHO guidelines. We determined TPD50 value of 1.9 X 104 cells/mice through subcutaneous route. Our results suggest that, the intranasal route of administration of the cell culture based LAIV pose minimal to no risk of tumorigenicity associated with the host cells. Also, non-oncogenic nature of MDCK cells was demonstrated. Host cell DNA in the vaccine formulations was The present study clearly establishes the suitability of MDCK cells as a substrate for the manufacture of a safe and viable LAIV.

A ferret challenge study was conducted to address the efficacy of the egg-based and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)-based live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) strains. Vaccines derived as 6:2 reassortants from the A/Leningrad/134/17/57 master donor strain and the HA and NA components from the A/California/07/2009 (A/Cal)- and A/Michigan/45/2015 (A/Mich)-like strains of type A H1N1 influenza virus were used in the study. Monovalent, trivalent and quadrivalent formulations of the LAIV containing either of the two H1N1 strains were analysed. A total of ten groups of six animals each were immunised intranasally (i.n.) with a single dose of 0.5-ml vaccine formulation or placebo and challenged on day 28 with the homologous wild-type A/Cal or A/Mich strain. Immune response post immunisation and virus replication post challenge were studied. Both the strains derived from embryonated eggs or MDCK cells, irrespective of the vaccine valency, were capable of rendering complete protection from virus replication in the lung. The A/Mich vaccine strain showed higher immune titres and efficacy than the A/Cal vaccine strain in all the vaccine formulations. The haemagglutination inhibition and virus neutralisation antibody titres were induced, and the reduction in the virus load in the respiratory tract was observed to be higher in animals treated with the monovalent formulation compared to the trivalent and quadrivalent formulations. Overall, it appears that the monovalent formulations render better protection from infection and would therefore be the best candidate during a pandemic.

In the event of a highly pathogenic influenza pandemic, the Indian subcontinent would need 1.2 billion doses of vaccine to immunize its entire population, double if two doses were required to assure immunity. Serum Institute of India Limited (SII) thus became one of six initial grantees of the World Health Organization (WHO) technology transfer initiative to create capacity in developing countries to manufacture H5N1 pandemic influenza vaccine. At the outbreak of the A(H1N1) 2009 influenza pandemic, experience gained from the H5N1 project was used to develop a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), since this was the only option for the level of surge capacity required for a large-scale immunization campaign in India. SII took

A new series of complexes is synthesized by template condensation of glyoxal and oxalyldihydrazide in methanolic medium in the presence of divalent cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc and cadmium salts forming complexes of the type: [M(C8H8N8O4)X2] where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and X = Cl−1, Br−1, NO 3 −1 , OAc−1. The complexes have been characterized with the help of elemental analyses, conductance measurements, magnetic susceptibility measurements, electronic, n.m.r., infrared and far infrared spectral studies. On the basis of these studies, a six coordinate octahedral geometry for these complexes has been proposed. The biological activities of the metal complexes have been tested in vitro against a number of pathogenic bacteria to assess their inhibiting potential. Most of the compounds have been found to exhibit remarkable antibacterial activities.

The regioselective synthesis of 1-heteroaryl-5-amino-4-phenylpyrazoles 3a–g and 1-heteroaryl-5-amino-3-methyl-4-phenylpyrazoles 3h–n was achieved by the treatment of heteroarylhydrazines 1a–g with α-phenylformylacetonitrile 2a and α-phenylacetylacetonitrile 2b, respectively. The structures of the compounds 3 were established by the combined use of 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. All the fourteen compounds were tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity against three Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria. Six compounds 3a, 3d, 3e, 3g, 3l, and 3n from this series were found to be equipotent or more potent than the commercial antibiotics (Linezolid and Cefroxime axetil).

Antibacterial Schiff bases derived from 1,2,4-triazoles as well as their metal complexes incorporating cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) have been synthesized and characterized. Physico-chemical studies suggest that an octahedral geometry for the cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II)and square-planer geometry for the copper(II) complexes. These complexes have been screened for antibacterial activity against three Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis) and two Gram-negative (Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial strains, and results compared with the activity of the free ligands. The metal complexes were found to be more potent against one or more bacterial strains than the free ligands.

Powdery mildew resistance genes were postulated in 63 Indian genotypes belonging to Triticum aestivum L., T. durum, T. dicoccum and triticale. Gene Pm3c in combination with some unidentified gene(s) was postulated in genotype, K 9441. Some unknown gene(s) alongwith Pm5 were identified in eight genotypes, while Pm 5+Pm 8 were detected in genotype WH 681. Resistance in 22 genotypes was attributed to gene Pm8 while, 12 genotypes showed additional resistance ascribed to the unknown gene(s). Seven genotypes viz., K 9453, HD 2689, HW 3003, HD 2680, MACS 3011, MACS 3018 and HD 2700 showing differential behavior to the test cultures. However, infection type matching technique, could not attribute resistance in these gnotypes. Triticale genotypes viz., DT 95, DT 46 and DT 91, Triticum dicoccum genotypes namely, DDK 1013, DDK 1014, MACS 2574, MACS 2912, MACS 2919, DDK 1009 and DDK 1015 and T. aestivum genotype UP 2450 were resistant to all the cultures and hence, no resistance gene in these genotypes could be postulated.

A novel series of complexes of the type [M(TML)X2]; where TML is Tetradentate Macrocyclic Ligand; M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)or Cd(II); X = Cl-, CH3COO- or NO3- have been synthesized by template condensation of glyoxal and thiocarbohydrazide in the presence of divalent metal salts in methanolic medium. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, conductance measurements, molecular weight determination, magnetic measurements, electronic, NMR, infrared and far infrared spectral studies. Electronic spectra along with magnetic moments suggest a six coordinate octahedral geometry for these complexes. The low molar conductance values indicates them to be non-electrolytes. The biological activities of the metal complexes have been tested in vitro against a number of pathogenic bacteria to assess their inhibitory potential.

Schiff bases have been synthesized by the reaction of p-nitrobenzaldehyde, o-nitrobenzaldehyde and p-toluyaldehyde with 4-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole. The ligands react with Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) metals to yield (1:1) and (1:2) [metal:ligand] complexes. Elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR, electronic spectral data, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductivity measurements and thermal studies have investigated the structure of the ligands and their metal complexes. The electronic spectral data suggests octahedral geometry for Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II). The antibacterial activities of the ligands and their metal complexes have been screened in vitro against three Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis) and two Gram-negative (Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) organisms. The coordination of the metal ion had a pronounced effect on the microbial activities of the ligands and the metal complexes have higher antimicrobial effect than the free ligands.

Treatment of 1,1,1-trifluoromethyl-3-cyano-3-phenylpropanone ( 1 ) with several heteroarylhydrazines ( 2a – e ) in refluxing ethanol affords 1-heteroaryl-5-amino-4-phenyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazoles ( 4 ) in a regioselective manner. The location of trifluoromethyl group at position-3 was established by a combined use of 13 C and 19 F NMR spectroscopy. The reaction proceeds through the intermediacy of the hydrazone which was isolated and characterized in one case ( 3e ) by performing the reaction at room temperature. The compounds 3e and 4 were tested for their antibacterial property against six Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria. Two compounds, namely 1-(benzothiazol-2′-yl)-5-amino-4-phenyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazole ( 4a ) and 1-(6′-methylbenzothiazol-2′-yl)-5-amino-4-phenyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazole ( 4b ) have displayed antibacterial activity comparable to the commercial antibiotics.

Treatment of 1,1,1-trifluoromethyl-3-cyano-3-phenylpropanone ( 1 ) with several heteroarylhydrazines ( 2a – e ) in refluxing ethanol affords 1-heteroaryl-5-amino-4-phenyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazoles ( 4 ) in a regioselective manner. The location of trifluoromethyl group at position-3 was established by a combined use of 13 C and 19 F NMR spectroscopy. The reaction proceeds through the intermediacy of the hydrazone which was isolated and characterized in one case ( 3e ) by performing the reaction at room temperature. The compounds 3e and 4 were tested for their antibacterial property against six Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria. Two compounds, namely 1-(benzothiazol-2′-yl)-5-amino-4-phenyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazole ( 4a ) and 1-(6′-methylbenzothiazol-2′-yl)-5-amino-4-phenyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazole ( 4b ) have displayed antibacterial activity comparable to the commercial antibiotics.

A series of metal complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) have been synthesized with newly prepared biologically active ligands. These ligands were prepared by the condensation of 4-amino-5-mercapto-3-methyl-s-triazole (AMMT), 4-Amino-3-ethyl-5-mercapto-s-triazole (AEMT) with 2-acetylpyridine. The structure of the complexes have been proposed by elemental analyses, spectroscopic data i.e. IR, 1H NMR, electronic and magnetic measurements. Thermal studies of the complexes are also reported. Antibacterial activities of 10 complexes have been studied in vitro. Heterocyclic bidentate Schiff bases were associated with substantially higher antibacterial activities than some commercial antibiotics.