Biophysical and studies on the structure-function relationship of protein disulfide isomerase.

Human Lymphatic filariasis is caused by parasitic nematodes and Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), a redox-active enzyme, helps to form and isomerize the disulfide bonds, thereby acting as a chaperone. Such activity is essential for activating many essential enzymes and functional proteins. protein disulfide isomerase (BmPDI) is crucial for parasite survival and an important drug target.

Molecular cloning and characterization of protein disulfide isomerase of Brugia malayi, a human lymphatic filarial parasite.

Lymphatic filariasis results in an altered lymphatic system and the abnormal enlargement of body parts, causing pain, serious disability and social stigma. Effective vaccines are still not available nowadays, drugs against the disease is required. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is an essential catalyst of the endoplasmic reticulum which is involved in folding and chaperone activities in different biological systems.

Insights into the structure-function relationship of Brugia malayi thymidylate kinase (BmTMK).

Lymphatic filariasis is a debilitating disease caused by lymph dwelling nematodal parasites like Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori. Thymidylate kinase of B. malayi is a key enzyme in the de novo and salvage pathways for thymidine 5'-triphosphate (dTTP) synthesis.

Using Technology to Claim Rights to Free Maternal Health Care: Lessons about Impact from the My Health, My Voice Pilot Project in India.

My Health, My Voice is a human rights-based project that pilots the use of technology to monitor and display online data regarding informal payments for maternal health care in two districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. SAHAYOG, an organization based in Uttar Pradesh, partnered with a grassroots women's forum to inform women about their entitlements, to publicize the project, and to implement a toll-free hotline where women could report health providers' demands for informal payments. Between January 2012 and May 2013, the hotline recorded 873 reports of informal payment demands.

Synthesis and bioevaluation of novel 4-aminoquinoline-tetrazole derivatives as potent antimalarial agents.

A series of novel tetrazole derivatives of 4-aminoquinoline were synthesized and screened for their antimalarial activities against both chloroquine-senstive (3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (K1) strains of Plasmodium falciparum as well as for cytotoxicity against VERO cell lines. Most of the synthesized compounds exhibited potent antimalarial activity as compared to chloroquine against K1-strain. Compounds with significant in vitro antimalarial activity were then evaluated for their in vivo efficacy in Swiss mice against Plasmodium yoelii following both intraperitoneal (ip) and oral administration, wherein compounds 20 and 23 each showed in vivo suppression of 99.