Plants as Antileishmanial Agents: Current Scenario.

Leishmaniasis is a clinical manifestation caused by the parasites of the genus Leishmania. Plants are reservoirs of bioactive compounds, which are known to be chemically balanced, effective and least injurious as compared with synthetic medicines. The current resistance and the toxic effects of the available drugs have brought the trend to assess the antileishmanial effect of various plant extracts and their purified compound/s, which are summarized in this review.

Pyrazole-based potent inhibitors of GGT1: Synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular docking studies.

In this study, a series of pyrazole-based structural analogues of GGTI-DU40 (1) have been synthesized and biologically evaluated for geranylgeranyltransferase 1 (GGT1) and farnesyltransferase (FT) inhibition. The screening results revealed that 2 (IC = 2.4 μM) and 5 (IC = 3.

Organocatalyzed Novel Synthetic Methodology for Highly Functionalized Piperidines as Potent α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

An efficient atom-economic one-pot synthesis of highly functionalized piperidines was achieved by catalytic multicomponent reaction. A wide range of heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts were explored; however, promising results were achieved when a β-keto-ester was reacted with selected aromatic aldehydes and anilines by using N-acetyl glycine (NAG) as catalyst. The implication of this methodology is straightforward since the products were precipitated out from the reaction solution, eliminating the need of column chromatography purifications.

Different physicochemical, structural and digestibility characteristics of myofibrillar protein from PSE and normal pork before and after oxidation.

PSE pork has a weaker texture than normal pork due to the denaturation by endogenous protease. Changes in the nutritional quality and characteristics of myofibrillar protein (MP) from PSE pork have been scarcely documented. MPs were isolated from both PSE (MPP) and normal pork (MPN) and were oxidized for 12h at 4°C by a hydroxyl radical generating system (10μM FeCl3, 100μM ascorbic acid, 0.

Molecular characterization and growth optimization of halo-tolerant protease producing Bacillus Subtilis Strain BLK-1.5 isolated from salt mines of Karak, Pakistan.

Microbial proteolytic enzyme is one of the most important industrial enzymes that hydrolyze proteins. The applications of proteases under harsh industrial conditions like alkalinity, salinity, and temperature make them inactive and unstable. This suggests need for search for novel microbial sources for protease production having diverse properties.

Enantioselective [4 + 2]-Annulation of Oxadienes and Allenones Catalyzed by an Amino Acid Derived Phosphine: Synthesis of Functionalized Dihydropyrans.

An enantioselective [4 + 2]-annulation process between cyano-activated oxadienes and allenones is developed. An l-valine-derived phosphine was efficient in catalyzing the reaction, and a wide range of highly functionalized dihydropyrans were prepared in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.

Potential of Glycosidase from Non-Saccharomyces Isolates for Enhancement of Wine Aroma.

The aim of this work was to rapidly screen indigenous yeasts with high levels of β-glucosidase activity and assess the potential of glycosidase extracts for aroma enhancement in winemaking. A semiquantitative colorimetric assay was applied using 96-well plates to screen yeasts from 3 different regions of China. Isolates with high β-glucosidase activity were confirmed by the commonly used pNP assay.

Hedera nepalensis K. Koch: A Novel Source of Natural Cancer Chemopreventive and Anticancerous Compounds.

Traditional medicinal plants are often used for both the prevention and the treatment of local diseases. Taking into consideration the medicinal importance of Hedera nepalensis within local Pakistani traditions, the present study was undertaken to analyze the in vitro cancer chemopreventive and cytotoxic properties of the plant. The in vitro cancer chemopreventive testing was performed using nitrite assay, NFκB assay, aromatase assay, and quinone reductase 1 (QR1) assay.

Protein Geranylgeranyltransferase Type 1 as a Target in Cancer.

The process of protein prenylation involves the covalent linkage of either farnesyl (15-carbon) or geranylgeranyl (20-carbon) isoprenoid lipds to conserved cysteine residues in the carboxyl-terminus of proteins. Protein geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGTase-I) is the enzyme that catalyzes the addition of the geranylgeranyl moiety from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate to the target protein, which contains a Cterminal consensus sequence termed a CaaX motif. Geranylgeranylation is important to the function of a number of proteins, including the majority of Rho GTPases, G protein gamma subunits, and several other regulatory proteins.

A PROSPECTIVE PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW OF MEDICINAL HERBS, CUCUMIS MELO AND BERBERIS VULGARIS, COMMONLY USED IN THE TREATMENT OF RENAL DISEASES IN PAKISTAN.

The kidneys are important organs which have many functions in the body, including the production of hormones, absorbtion of minerals and the filtration of blood, producing urine. Their failure can be fatal, therefore, to focus the study of such herbs which may be useful in treating renal disease is the need of hour. In Pakistan, Cucumis melo and Berberis vulgaris has been commonly used for renal problems.

From Genetics to Functional Genomics: Improvement in Drought Signaling and Tolerance in Wheat.

Drought being a yield limiting factor has become a major threat to international food security. It is a complex trait and drought tolerance response is carried out by various genes, transcription factors (TFs), microRNAs (miRNAs), hormones, proteins, co-factors, ions, and metabolites. This complexity has limited the development of wheat cultivars for drought tolerance by classical breeding.

A novel extracellular glycosidase activity from Rhodotorula mucilaginosa: its application potential in wine aroma enhancement.

Unlabelled: The aim of the work was to evaluate the application potential of a glycosidase extract of one indigenous non-Saccharomyces strain in wine aroma enhancement. The isolate was selected from a local winemaking region in China for its high β-glucosidase level and was identified as Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. The tolerance of the glycosidase extract to the typical winemaking conditions was assessed using the activity of its β-glucosidase.

Novel biphenyl bis-sulfonamides as acetyl and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors: Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling studies.

A series of new biphenyl bis-sulfonamide derivatives 2a-3p were synthesized in good to excellent yield (76-98%). The inhibitory potential of the synthesized compounds on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) was investigated. Most of the screened compounds showed modest in vitro inhibition for both AChE and BChE.

Potential Biomarker of Myofibrillar Protein Oxidation in Raw and Cooked Ham: 3-Nitrotyrosine Formed by Nitrosation.

The stability of cured meat products is increased by the protection of its proteins from oxidation by sodium nitrite (NaNO2) during processing. This study investigated the effects of NaNO2 (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) on the physiochemical and structural characteristics of myofibrillar protein (MP) in raw and cooked ham. The NaNO2 showed a dose-dependent antioxidant effect, by inhibiting carbonyl formation, dityrosine formation, and denaturation of MP, and a nitrosative effect, through the formation of 3-Nitrotyrosine (3-NT).

Risk of In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Among Medicare Beneficiaries Undergoing Video Electroencephalographic Monitoring.

Purpose: Sudden cardiac death is the dominant reason of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Anecdotal reports have documented cardiac arrest during video electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring. We performed this study to determine the rate of cardiac arrest and need for cardiac resuscitation during video EEG monitoring.

Correlation studies on nitrogen for sunflower crop across the agroclimatic variability.

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is an important yield limiting factor for sunflower production. The correlation between yield components and growth parameters of three sunflower hybrids (Hysun-33, Hysun-38, Pioneer-64A93) were studied with five N rates (0, 60, 120, 180, 240 kg ha(-1)) at three different experimental sites during the two consecutive growing seasons 2008 and 2009. The results revealed that total dry matter (TDM) production and grain yield were positively and linearly associated with leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), and crop growth rate (CGR) at all three sites of the experiments.

NSAIDs do not require the presence of a carboxylic acid to exert their anti-inflammatory effect - why do we keep using it?

The carboxylic acid group (-COOH) present in classical NSAIDs is partly responsible for the gastric toxicity associated with the administration of these drugs. This concept has been extensively proven using NSAID prodrugs. However, the screening of NSAIDs with no carboxylic acid at all has been neglected.

Susceptibility of whey protein isolate to oxidation and changes in physicochemical, structural, and digestibility characteristics.

Oxidation is an important factor for denaturing of whey protein isolate (WPI) during food processing. We studied the effects of chemical oxidation on physicochemical and structural changes along with in vitro digestibility of WPI in this work. Evaluation of physicochemical changes showed that carbonyl level and dityrosine content increased, whereas total and free thiol group levels decreased for oxidized WPI samples.

Characterization of Bacterial Cellulose by Gluconacetobacter hansenii CGMCC 3917.

In this study, comprehensive characterization and drying methods on properties of bacterial cellulose were analyzed. Bacterial cellulose was prepared by Gluconacetobacter hansenii CGMCC 3917, which was mutated by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment. Bacterial cellulose is mainly comprised of cellulose Iα with high crystallinity and purity.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Dural Thickness in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

Background And Purpose: We performed this study to evaluate the prevalence of and factors associated with dural thickening in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative participants with axial FLAIR sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were analyzed. Dural thickness was defined by a linear strip of hyperintense tissue signal along the dura mater observed in at least two different images without evidence of leptomeningeal involvement.

Evaluation of the fate of arsenic-contaminated groundwater at different aquifers of Thar coalfield Pakistan.

In present study, the ground water at different aquifers was evaluated for physicochemical parameters, iron, total arsenic, total inorganic arsenic and arsenic species (arsenite and arsenate). The samples of groundwater were collected at different depths, first aquifer (AQ1) 50-60 m, second aquifer (AQ2) 100-120 m, and third aquifer (AQ3) 200-250 m of Thar coalfield, Pakistan. Total inorganic arsenic was determined by solid phase extraction using titanium dioxide as an adsorbent.

Caffeine prevents d-galactose-induced cognitive deficits, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in the adult rat brain.

d-galactose has been considered a senescent model for age-related neurodegenerative disease. It induces oxidative stress which triggers memory impairment, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Caffeine act as anti-oxidant and has been used in various model of neurodegenerative disease.

Trends in aptamer selection methods and applications.

Aptamers are target specific ssDNA, RNA or peptide sequences generated by an in vitro selection and amplification method called SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment), which involves repetitive cycles of binding, recovery and amplification steps. Aptamers have the ability to bind with a variety of targets such as drugs, proteins, heavy metals, and pathogens with high specificity and selectivity. Aptamers are similar to monoclonal antibodies regarding their binding affinities, but they offer a number of advantages over the existing antibody-based detection methods, which make the aptamers promising diagnostic and therapeutic tools for future biomedical and analytical applications.

Lead Assessment in Biological Samples of Children with Different Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Lead (Pb) levels have been evaluated in the biological samples of children with different gastrointestinal disorders. Blood, scalp hair, and urine samples of children (of age 4-10 years) complaining about different gastrointestinal disorders were analyzed. For comparison, age matched healthy subjects were also included in this study.

Kinetin modulates physio-hormonal attributes and isoflavone contents of Soybean grown under salinity stress.

Crop productivity continues to decline due to a wide array of biotic and abiotic stresses. Salinity is one of the worst abiotic stresses, as it causes huge losses to crop yield each year. Kinetin (Kn) has been reported as plant growth regulator since long, but its role in improving plant growth and food quality under saline conditions through mediating phytohormonal cross-talk is poorly studied.