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PEGylation is a reductive alkylation of a protein N-terminal/α-amine of protein with mPEG chain by reducing agent. To obtain quantitative and site-specific PEGylation, sodium cyanoborohydride is commonly used as a reducing agent. The reduction process of sodium cyanoborohydride produces highly poisonous hydrogen cyanide, which may render the final product toxic. Herein, we have studied various reducing agents such as dimethylamine borane, triethylamine borane, trimethylamine borane, pyridine borane, morpholine borane, 2-picoline borane, and 5-ethyl-2-methyl-pyridine borane were tested as alternatives to sodium cyanoborohydride for the PEGylation of L-asparaginase. The characterization of reacted pegaspargase was carried out by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, SEC-HPLC, RP-HPLC, SEC-MALS, CD, enzyme activity, and cell proliferation assays using with lymphoblast cells and MTS/PMS as substrate. Pyridine borane was determined to be the best acceptable reducing agent for PEGylation in terms of purity and activity. As a result, instead of sodium cyanoborohydride, pyridine borane can be employed.

In India, stingless bee propolis has not yet been received commercial importance due to lack of information about its chemical composition and health benefits. Therefore, herein, we comprehensively...

OBJECTIVE Neurotrophins are known to influence the development and maturation of the feto-placental unit and affect fetal growth trajectories. This study reports the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived growth factor (BDNF) in the placenta of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS A total number of 60 women with GDM and 70 women without GDM (non-GDM) were included in the study. Placental NGF and BDNF levels were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. RESULTS Placental NGF levels were lower (p

The present study aimed to investigate chemical profile, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Indian Melifera propolis (IMP) samples collected from 13 different states. Chemical characterisation of ethanolic extracts of IMP (EEMP) samples was carried out by using HPLC and 1HNMR spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity of EEMP samples was measured by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assay. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of each EEMP sample tested against bacteria and yeast using a 96 well plate microdilution method. All EEMP samples had remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The antioxidant potential of EEMP samples found to have a moderate positive correlation with their total phenolics and flavonoids content. Majority of EEMP samples had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤1mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus. Chemometric analysis of 1HNMR data indicated that brown, green, green-brown, red and red-brown coloured IMP samples were chemically distinct from each other, and showed two separate clusters for northern and southern states propolis samples. HPLC analysis confirmed phenethyl caffeate was most common and abundant compound in IMP samples among studied compounds. In conclusion, this study may be helpful for defining the quality of IMP as a raw material, and also in finished food and health care products.

To analyze the relationship between first-trimester levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates and preterm births, and to assess predictive utility for these events.A prospective study was conducted among women undergoing first-trimester screening between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013, at two centers in Pune, India. Serum PAPP-A levels, pregnancy course, and outcome were assessed.Overall, 1474 women were included. An association was found between the lowest quintile of PAPP-A levels (0.4 multiples of median) for both SGA (10th centile; 20.9% of cases in this PAPP-A quintile) and preterm birth (37weeks; 15.8%). Women in the lowest quintile of PAPP-A concentration had a significantly increased risk of SGA (10th centile) than did those with higher concentrations (adjusted odds ratio 2.92, 95% confidence interval 2.00-4.27). Their risk of preterm birth (37weeks) was also increased (adjusted odds ratio 1.84, 95% confidence interval 1.25-2.72). The predictive sensitivities of the lowest quintile of PAPP-A were 35.85% for SGA (10th centile) and 27.92% for preterm birth (37weeks).Low levels of PAPP-A were associated with SGA and preterm births; however, poor predictive sensitivity could restrict clinical utility of this marker when used alone.