Investigation of miscibiliy and physicochemical properties of synthetic polypeptide with collagen blends and their wound healing characteristics.

A suitable condition is needed to foster a rapid recovery of wounds, which is a dynamic and intricate process. The development and characterization of mats of plastic-like peptide polymer (PLP) with collagen for wound healing applications are reported in this work. Viscosity parameters such as the Huggins coefficient [K], the intrinsic viscosity [η], α by Sun, ∆[η] by Garcia ∆B and μ suggested by Chee, ∆K, and β advocated by Jiang and Han, recommend the miscibility of the polypeptide in solution phase.

Different TLR signaling pathways drive pathology in experimental cerebral malaria vs. malaria-driven liver and lung pathology.

Malaria infection causes multiple organ-specific lethal pathologies, including cerebral malaria, and severe liver and lung pathologies by inducing strong inflammatory responses. Gene polymorphism studies suggest that TLR4 and TLR2 contribute to severe malaria, but the roles of these signaling molecules in malaria pathogenesis remain incompletely understood. We hypothesize that danger-associated molecular patterns produced in response to malaria activate TLR2 and TLR4 signaling and contribute to liver and lung pathologies.

Disulfide bond and crosslinking analyses reveal inter-domain interactions that contribute to the rigidity of placental malaria VAR2CSA structure and formation of CSA binding channel.

VAR2CSA, a multidomain Plasmodium falciparum protein, mediates the adherence of parasite-infected red blood cells to chondroitin 4-sulfate (C4S) in the placenta, contributing to placental malaria. Therefore, detailed understanding of VAR2CSA structure likely help developing strategies to treat placental malaria. The VAR2CSA ectodomain consists of an N-terminal segment (NTS), six Duffy binding-like (DBL) domains, and three interdomains (IDs) present in sequence NTS-DBL1x-ID1-DBL2x-ID2-DBL3x-DBL4ε-ID3-DBL5ε-DBL6ε.

Introduction to the Complexity of Cell Surface and Tissue Matrix Glycoconjugates.

This chapter provides an overview of structures and functions of complex carbohydrates (commonly called glycans) that are covalently linked to proteins or lipids to form glycoconjugates known as glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycans. To understand the complexity of the glycan structures, the nature of their monosaccharide building blocks, how the monomeric units are covalently linked to each other, and how the resulting glycans are attached to proteins or lipids are discussed. Then, the classification, nomenclature, structural features, and functions of the glycan moieties of animal glycoconjugates are briefly described.

Impact of oxidative stress in response to malarial infection during pregnancy: Complications, histological changes, and pregnancy outcomes.

Background And Objectives: Pregnancy malaria is a major underestimated global public health problem. To understand the involvement of oxidative stress (OS) in the pathophysiology of placental malaria, OS biomarkers, malondialdehyde (MDA), uric acid (UA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were analyzed and correlated to placental histopathological changes and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted in Mangaluru, Karnataka, India, to analyze the changes in hematological parameters and the serum OS biomarker levels.

IL-4Rα signaling by CD8α dendritic cells contributes to cerebral malaria by enhancing inflammatory, Th1, and cytotoxic CD8 T cell responses.

Persistent high levels of proinflammatory and Th1 responses contribute to cerebral malaria (CM). Suppression of inflammatory responses and promotion of Th2 responses prevent pathogenesis. IL-4 commonly promotes Th2 responses and inhibits inflammatory and Th1 responses.

Multitarget-directed therapeutics: (Urea/thiourea) derivatives of diverse heterocyclic-Lys conjugates.

The synthesis of a new small library of molecules containing bis-urea/thiourea pendants in lysine conjugated to three different heterocycles is described. The heterocycles used in this study have benzisoxazole/piperazine/piperidine units. After a detailed antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory evaluation, it was found that the most active compounds are 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 19 and 10, 11, 19 and 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, respectively.

IL-4 Treatment Mitigates Experimental Cerebral Malaria by Reducing Parasitemia, Dampening Inflammation, and Lessening the Cytotoxicity of T Cells.

Cytokine responses to malaria play important roles in both protective immunity development and pathogenesis. Although the roles of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-γ, and IL-10 in immunity and pathogenesis to the blood stage malaria are largely known, the role of IL-4 remains less understood. IL-4 targets many cell types and induces multiple effects, including cell proliferation, gene expression, protection from apoptosis, and immune regulation.

Molecular architecture and domain arrangement of the placental malaria protein VAR2CSA suggests a model for carbohydrate binding.

VAR2CSA is the placental-malaria-specific member of the antigenically variant erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family. It is expressed on the surface of infected host red blood cells and binds to specific chondroitin-4-sulfate chains of the placental proteoglycan receptor. The functional ∼310 kDa ectodomain of VAR2CSA is a multidomain protein that requires a minimum 12-mer chondroitin-4-sulfate molecule for specific, high affinity receptor binding.

Acquired antibody responses against merozoite surface protein-1 antigen during and infections in South Indian city of Mangaluru.

Merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) of malaria parasites has been extensively studied as a malaria vaccine candidate and the antibody response to this protein is an important indicator of protective immunity to malaria. Mangaluru city and its surrounding areas in southwestern India are endemic to malaria with being the most widespread and prevalent species although also frequently infects. However, no information is available on the level of protective immunity in this population.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH1 regulates antimalaria immunity through interferon signaling and T cell activation.

Malaria infection induces complex and diverse immune responses. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying host-parasite interaction, we performed a genetic screen during early (24 h) infection in mice and identified a large number of interacting host and parasite genes/loci after transspecies expression quantitative trait locus (Ts-eQTL) analysis. We next investigated a host E3 ubiquitin ligase gene () that was clustered with interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs) based on the similarity of the genome-wide pattern of logarithm of the odds (LOD) scores (GPLS).

Clinical features and haematological parameters among malaria patients in Mangaluru city area in the southwestern coastal region of India.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical profile, severity and complications of patients suffering from malaria in Mangaluru, a southwestern coastal city in India. A total of 579 patients, who were treated at the District Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru, and 168 healthy controls were recruited in this study. The clinical profile, haematological and biochemical parameters, and disease complications were assessed.

Association between inflammatory cytokine levels and anemia during and infections in Mangaluru: A Southwestern Coastal Region of India.

Background And Objectives: Dysregulated production of inflammatory cytokines might play important role in anemia during malaria infection. The objective of this study was to assess the extent of anemia due to malaria, associated complications, and inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-10) across varying anemic intensity during malaria infections.

Materials And Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at District Wenlock hospital in Mangaluru city.

Amino acids conjugated quinazolinone-Schiff's bases as potential antimicrobial agents: Synthesis, SAR and molecular docking studies.

A series of amino acids conjugated quinazolinone-Schiff's bases were synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. All the synthesized analogues (8-43) and the intermediates (1-7) were screened for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. In antimicrobial activity, compounds 12-16, 21-25, 30-34 and 39-43 showed excellent antibacterial activity which is better than the antibacterial standard Streptomycin.

Association between Inflammatory Cytokine Levels and Thrombocytopenia during and Infections in South-Western Coastal Region of India.

Background: Thrombocytopenia is a most commonly observed complication during malaria infections. Inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10 have been documented in malaria induced thrombocytopaenia. This study was aimed to understand the possible relationship between inflammatory cytokines across varying degrees of thrombocytopenia during , and mixed infections.

Anticancer and DNA binding studies of potential amino acids based quinazolinone analogs: Synthesis, SAR and molecular docking.

A novel series of amino acids conjugated quinazolinone-Schiff's bases were synthesized and screened for their in vitro anticancer activity and validated by molecular docking and DNA binding studies. In the present investigations, compounds 32, 33, 34, 41, 42 and 43 showed most potent anticancer activity against tested cancer cell lines and DNA binding study using methyl green comparing to doxorubicin and ethidium bromide as a positive control respectively. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) revealed that the tryptophan and phenylalanine derived electron donating groups (OH and OCH) favored DNA binding studies and anticancer activity whereas; electron withdrawing groups (Cl, NO, and F) showed least anticancer activity.

Miscibility studies of plastic-mimetic polypeptide with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose blends and generation of non-woven fabrics.

In the current investigation, the results of viscometric measurements, thermal property, SEM, XRD and FTIR of the polymer blends containing synthetic plastic-based polypeptide (PLP) with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) on miscibility is discussed. Various interaction parameters; K, Δ[η]m, ΔB, μ, α, β and ΔK indicated the miscibility of polypeptide/HPMC up to 40% of the PLP in the blend at room temperature. The calorimetric results a single glass transition event for miscible systems.

Malaria Severity in Mangaluru City in the Southwestern Coastal Region of India.

Dakshina Kannada district in the Southwestern region of Karnataka state, India, including Mangaluru city is endemic to malaria. About 80% of malaria infections in Mangaluru and its surrounding areas are caused by and the remainder is due to . Malaria-associated clinical complications significantly occur in this region.

Imidazolo and tryptophan-imidazolo hybrid derived ureas/thioureas as potent bioactive agents - SAR and molecular modelling studies.

Herein, we used an imidazole derivative (IMD) which showed promising antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties in our earlier investigation. Prompted by this, we converted IMD to hydrazide (IMH) by hydrazinolysis which was derivatized to various ureas (3-7) and thioureas (8-12). On the other hand, IMH was conjugated to Boc-Trp-OH as it has been shown in the past that hybridization of two molecules produced promising biologically active compounds.

Parasite Recognition and Signaling Mechanisms in Innate Immune Responses to Malaria.

Malaria caused by the family of parasites, especially . and , is a major health problem in many countries in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The disease presents a wide array of systemic clinical conditions and several life-threatening organ pathologies, including the dreaded cerebral malaria.

Epidemiology, drug resistance, and pathophysiology of malaria.

Malaria, caused by the protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, is a major health problem in many countries of the world. Five parasite species namely, Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P.

A malaria protein factor induces IL-4 production by dendritic cells via PI3K-Akt-NF-κB signaling independent of MyD88/TRIF and promotes Th2 response.

Dendritic cells (DC) and cytokines produced by DC play crucial roles in inducing and regulating pro-/anti-inflammatory and Th1/Th2 responses. DC are known to produce a Th1-promoting cytokine, interleukin (IL)-12, in response to malaria and other pathogenic infections, but it is thought that DC do not produce Th2-promoting cytokine, IL-4. Here, we show that a protein factor of malaria parasites induces IL-4 responses by CD11cMHCIICD3ϵCD49bCD19FcϵRI DC via PI3K-Akt-NF-κB signaling independent of TLR-MyD88/TRIF.

Presence of novel triple mutations in the pvdhfr from Plasmodium vivax in Mangaluru city area in the southwestern coastal region of India.

Background: Genes encoding dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) are the targets of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) present in artemisinin based combination therapy (ACT; artesunate + sulfadoxine pyrimethamine) for Plasmodium falciparum. Although SP is generally not used to treat vivax infection, mutations in dhfr and dhps that confer antifolate resistance in Plasmodium vivax are common; which may be attributed to its sympatric existence with P. falciparum.

A correlation study of biological activity and molecular docking of Asp and Glu linked bis-hydrazones of quinazolinones.

The present investigation involves the synthesis and spectroscopic and biological activity studies of the bis-hydrazones of quinazolinones derived from aspartic acid and glutamic acid. The antioxidant activities of the compounds were evaluated using DPPH, DMPD and ABTS radical scavenging assays whose results revealed that the IC of compounds 6, 7, 11, 12, 20, 21, 25 and 26 was lower than those of the standard references. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated with a haemolysis assay using a human blood erythrocytes suspension and the results demonstrated that compounds 8, 9, 13, 14, 22, 23, 27 and 28 were excellent anti-inflammatory agents.