Assessment of density functionals and paucity of non-covalent interactions in aminoylyne complexes of molybdenum and tungsten [(η(5)-C5H5)(CO)2M≡EN(SiMe3)(R)] (E = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb): a dispersion-corrected DFT study.

Electronic, molecular structure and bonding energy analyses of the metal-aminosilylyne, -aminogermylyne, -aminostannylyne and -aminoplumbylyne complexes [(η(5)-C5H5)(CO)2M[triple bond, length as m-dash]EN(SiMe3)(Ph)] (M = Mo, W) and [(η(5)-C5H5)(CO)2Mo[triple bond, length as m-dash]GeN(SiMe3)(Mes)] have been investigated at DFT, DFT-D3 and DFT-D3(BJ) levels using BP86, PBE, PW91, RPBE, TPSS and M06-L functionals. The performance of metaGGA functionals for the geometries of aminoylyne complexes is better than GGA functionals. Significant dispersion interactions between OH, EC(O) and EH pairs appeared in the dispersion-corrected geometries.

Photosynthesis: response to high temperature stress.

Global warming has led to increased temperature of the earth which is a major abiotic stress posing a serious threat to the plants. Photosynthesis is amongst the plant cell functions that is highly sensitive to high temperature stress and is often inhibited before other cell functions are impaired. The primary sites of targets of high temperature stress are Photosystem II (PSII), ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) while Cytochrome b559 (Cytb559) and plastoquinone (PQ) are also affected.

Inhibitory effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on photosynthetic performance are not related to their aromaticity.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are very toxic and highly persistent environmental pollutants which accumulate in soil and affect growth of the plants adversely. This study aims to investigate inhibitory effects of 3 major PAH particularly on photosynthetic processes in Arabidopsis thaliana grown in soil treated with PAH. The 3 PAH chosen differ from each other in aromaticity (number of rings) comprising their structure (2 rings: naphthalene, 3 rings: anthracene and 4 rings: pyrene).

Synthetic aspects, spectral, thermal studies and antimicrobial screening on bis(N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamato-S,S')antimony(III) complexes with oxo or thio donor ligands.

The bis(N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamato-S,S')antimony(III) complexes have been obtained by the reaction of chloro bis(N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamato-S,S')antimony(III) with corresponding oxo or thio donor ligands such as sodium benzoate 1, sodium thioglycolate 2, phenol 3, sodium 1-propanethiolate 4, potassium thioacetate 5, sodium salicylate 6, ethane-1,2-dithiolate 7 and disodium oxalate 8. These complexes have been characterized by the physicochemical [melting point, molecular weight determination and elemental analysis (C, H, N, S and Sb)], spectral [UV-Visible, FT-IR, far IR, NMR (1H and 13C)], thermogravimetric (TG & DTA) analysis, ESI-Mass and powder X-ray diffraction studies. Thermogravimetric analysis of the complexes confirmed the final decomposition product as highly pure antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) and powder X-ray diffraction studies show that the complexes are in lower symmetry with monoclinic crystal lattice and nano-ranged particle size (11.

Impact of increasing Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on photosynthetic processes.

Increased UV-B radiation on the earth's surface due to depletion of stratospheric ozone layer is one of the changes of current climate-change pattern. The deleterious effects of UV-B radiation on photosynthesis and photosynthetic productivity of plants are reviewed. Perusal of relevant literature reveals that UV-B radiation inflicts damage to the photosynthetic apparatus of green plants at multiple sites.

Study on gluco-regulatory potential of glimepiride sulfonamide using in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches.

Glimepiride sulfonamide (GS) is a drug intermediate to synthesize glimepiride (antidiabetic drug). We hypothesized that GS exerts gluco-regulatory effect because GS is comprised of the structural components of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors sitagliptin and DPP-728and glimepiride (sulfonylurea based antidiabetic drug).We analyzed the drug-likeness and docking efficiency of GS with DPP-IV using in silico tools.

Development of fast heating electron beam annealing setup for ultra high vacuum chamber.

We report the design and development of a simple, electrically low powered and fast heating versatile electron beam annealing setup (up to 1000 °C) working with ultra high vacuum (UHV) chamber for annealing thin films and multilayer structures. The important features of the system are constant temperature control in UHV conditions for the temperature range from room temperature to 1000 ºC with sufficient power of 330 W, at constant vacuum during annealing treatment. It takes approximately 6 min to reach 1000 °C from room temperature (∼10(-6) mbar) and 45 min to cool down without any extra cooling.

Successful removal of a 16 mm long pulp stone using ultrasonic tips from maxillary left first molar and its endodontic management.

To present a case report describing successful removal of a 16 mm long pulp stone in a single mass from a maxillary left first molar and its endodontic management. In the presented case, the conventional approach of dissecting the pulp stone was not considered, as radiographically the calcification was extending up to the apex of the palatal root canal and the separation of the coronal and radicular pulp stone would have risked the obliteration of its orifice. A new set of ultrasonic endodontic tips were used for the removal of significantly large pulp stone in single mass.

Low pH-induced regulation of excitation energy between the two photosystems.

Earlier studies have proposed that low pH causes state transitions in spinach thylakoid membranes. Several Arabidopsis mutants (stn7 incapable in phosphorylation of LHC II, stn8 incapable in phosphorylation of PSII core proteins, stn7 stn8 double mutant and npq4 lacking PsbS and hence qE) were used to investigate the mechanisms involved in low pH induced changes in the thylakoid membrane. We propose that protonation of PsbS at low pH is involved in enhancing energy spillover to PS I.

Effects of dual stress (high salt and high temperature) on the photochemical efficiency of wheat leaves (Triticum aestivum).

In this study, we have focused on those components of Photosystem (PS) II which are significantly affected by dual stress (high salt and temperature) on wheat as measured by Plant Efficiency Analyser (PEA). It was observed that some of the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters were temperature dominated, while some other parameters were salt dominated. We have also observed additive effects for parameters like antenna size heterogeneity.

ERK2-mediated phosphorylation of transcriptional coactivator binding protein PIMT/NCoA6IP at Ser298 augments hepatic gluconeogenesis.

PRIP-Interacting protein with methyl transferase domain (PIMT) serves as a molecular bridge between CREB-binding protein (CBP)/ E1A binding protein p300 (Ep300) -anchored histone acetyl transferase and the Mediator complex sub-unit1 (Med1) and modulates nuclear receptor transcription. Here, we report that ERK2 phosphorylates PIMT at Ser(298) and enhances its ability to activate PEPCK promoter. We observed that PIMT is recruited to PEPCK promoter and adenoviral-mediated over-expression of PIMT in rat primary hepatocytes up-regulated expression of gluconeogenic genes including PEPCK.

Supramolecular association via Sb...S and C-H...S interactions in dimeric tris(N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamato-S,S')antimony(III): an approach to overcome the concept of steric bulk on such interactions.

Tris(N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamato-S,S')antimony(III) has been isolated as a dimer in acetonitrile. Single-crystal X-ray analysis shows that the molecule possesses both Sb···S and C-H···S interactions, which results in a supramolecular association in the absence of hydrogen-bonding functionality on the R group. The co-existence in the title compound of such interactions is a unique character of known dimeric antimony(III) alkyl and/or aryl dithiocarbamate complexes.

Cardioprotective effect of vincristine on isoproterenol-induced myocardial necrosis in rats.

This study investigated the protective effect of vincristine (VCR) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac necrosis (CN) in rats. Animals (n=7 in each group) were pretreated with vincristine (25µg/kg) intraperitoneal (i.p.

Trigonelline isolated from fenugreek seed protects against isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury through down-regulation of Hsp27 and αB-crystallin.

Objective: Protective effects of trigonelline (TRG) isolated from fenugreek seed were evaluated in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial dysfunctions in adult rats and a proteomic approach was applied to understand its mechanism of action.

Methods: In a preliminary experiment, effects of TRG at 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg for 20 d were studied in ISO-induced (100 mg/kg) adult rats. As 40 mg/kg was found the most effective concentration, in the final experiment, effects of 40 mg/kg of the test drug were investigated using different indices including cardiac marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, cardiac histology, and electrocardiogram.

A quick investigation of the detrimental effects of environmental pollutant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fluoranthene on the photosynthetic efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum).

The present study describes the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutant fluoranthene (FLT) on photochemical efficiency of plants and hence their growth. Chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements were performed in order to get quick and reliable information about the effects of fluoranthene. The number of active reaction centres decreased by more than 20% in FLT treated samples.

Identification of human erythrocyte cytosolic proteins associated with plasma membrane during thermal stress.

The influence of thermal stress on the association between human erythrocyte membranes and cytosolic proteins was studied by exposing erythrocyte suspensions and whole blood to different elevated temperatures. Membranes and cytosolic proteins from unheated and heat-stressed erythrocytes were analyzed by electrophoresis, followed by mass spectrometric identification. Four major (carbonic anhydrase I, carbonic anhydrase II, peroxiredoxin VI, flavin reductase) and some minor (heat shock protein 90α, heat shock protein 70, α-enolase, peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase A) cytosolic proteins were found to be associated with the erythrocyte membrane in response to in vitro thermal stress.

Alteration in PS II heterogeneity under the influence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (fluoranthene) in wheat leaves (Triticum aestivum).

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, fluoranthene causes significant inhibitory effects on photosynthetic processes, particularly photosystem II. PS II exhibits heterogeneity with regards to antenna size, connectivity and ability to transfer electron beyond QA. This is the first report describing effects of FLT on PS II heterogeneity.

Ovalbumin induced allergic rhinitis and development of prediabetes to rats: possible role of Th2 cytokines.

Diabetes is known to be regulated by cytokines secreted from Th1 cells, while allergic rhinitis (AR) is mainly regulated by Th2 cytokines. In recent past we have reported the development of diabetes in response to parthinium induced AR to rats. These results were contradictory to Th1/Th2 paradigm which suggests that Th1 and Th2 cells reciprocally counteract each other.

Preliminary study on optimization of pH, oxidant and catalyst dose for high COD content: solar parabolic trough collector.

In the present study, solar photocatalytic oxidation has been investigated through laboratory experiments as an alternative to conventional secondary treatment for the organic content reduction of high COD wastewater. Experiments have been performed on synthetic high COD wastewater for solar photocatalytic oxidation using a parabolic trough reactor. Parameters affecting the oxidation of organics have been investigated.

Cardioprotective potential of N,α-L-rhamnopyranosyl vincosamide, an indole alkaloid, isolated from the leaves of Moringa oleifera in isoproterenol induced cardiotoxic rats: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Hitherto unknown protective effect of N,α-L-rhamnopyranosyl vincosamide (VR), isolated from Moringa oleifera leaves in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac toxicity was evaluated in rats. Oral administration of VR at 40 mg/kg for 7 days markedly reduced the ISO-induced increase in the levels of serum cardiac markers such as troponin-T, creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase as well as cardiac lipid peroxidation with a parallel increase in the cellular antioxidants suggesting its cardio-protective and free radical scavenging potential, which was latter confirmed by in vitro study. Rats treated with test compound also improved the ISO-induced abnormal changes in ECG as well as in cardiac histology.

Differential actions of proteinases and neuraminidase on mammalian erythrocyte surface and its impact on erythrocyte agglutination by concanavalin A.

Action of proteinases viz. trypsin and chymotrypsin, and neuraminidase on intact erythrocyte membrane proteins and glycophorins (sialoglycoproteins) exposed to cell surface and its impact on lectin (concanavalin A)-mediated agglutination were studied in Homo sapiens (human), Capra aegagrus hircus (goat) and Bubalus bubalis (buffalo). Membrane proteins and glycophorins analysis by SDS-PAGE as visualized by coomassie brilliant blue and periodic acid-schiff stains, respectively, and agglutination behaviour revealed marked differences: 1) there were prominent dissimilarities in the number and molecular weights of glycophorins in human, goat and buffalo erythrocyte membranes; 2) proteinase action(s) on human and buffalo erythrocyte surface membrane proteins and glycophorins showed similarity but was found different in goat; 3) significant differences in erythrocyte agglutinability with concanavalin A can be attributed to differences in membrane composition and alterations in the surface proteins after enzyme treatment; 4) a direct correlation was found between degradation of glycophorins and concanavalin A agglutinability; 5) action of neuraminidase specifically indicated the negative role of cell surface sialic acids in determining concanavalin A agglutinability of goat and buffalo erythrocytes, similar to human.

Cleaning level acceptance criteria and HPLC-DAD method validation for the determination of Nabumetone residues on manufacturing equipment using swab sampling.

Prevention of cross contamination with active pharmaceutical ingredients is crucial and requires special attention in pharmaceutical industries. Current method validation describes the determination of Nabumetone (NAB) residue on a stainless steel surface using swab sampling with a sensitive HPLC-DAD analysis. The acceptance limit was decided as 2 μg swab per 100 cm.

Inhibition of 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase by mercury in excised greening maize leaf segments.

Mercury (Hg), a potent metallic toxicant, is known for having inhibitory effect on chlorophyll biosynthesis. In vivo supply of HgCl(2) inhibited 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD, EC 4.2.

Structure and Bonding analysis of the cationic electrophilic phosphinidene complexes of iron, ruthenium, and osmium [(η(5)-C5Me5)(CO)2M{PN(i)Pr2}]+, [(η(5)-C5H5)(CO)2M{PNR2}]+ (R = Me, (i)Pr), and [(η(5)-C5H5)(PMe3)2M{PNMe2}]+ (M = Fe, Ru, Os).

Quantum-chemical DFT calculations for the electronic, molecular structure and M-PNR(2) bonding analyses of the experimentally known cationic electrophilic phosphinidene complexes [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))(CO)(2)M{PN(i)Pr(2)}](+) and of the model complexes [(η(5)-C(5)H(5))(CO)(2)M{PNR(2)}](+) (R = (i)Pr, Me) and [(η(5)-C(5)H(5))(PMe(3))(2)M{PNMe(2)}](+) were carried out using BP86/TZ2P/ZORA level of theory. The calculated geometrical parameters of the studied complexes are in good agreement with the reported experimental values. The short M-P bond distances and calculated Pauling bond orders (range of 1.

Enhancement of root growth and nitrogen fixation in Trigonella by UV-exclusion from solar radiation.

A field experiment was conducted to study the impact of solar UV on root growth and nitrogen fixation in Trigonella foenum-graecum. Plants were grown in iron mesh cages covered with polyester filters that could specifically cut off UV-B (280-315 nm) or UV-A + B (280-400 nm) part of the solar spectrum. The control plants were grown under a polythene filter transmissible to UV.