Thiorhodococcus fuscus sp. nov., isolated from a lagoon.

A brown, moderately halophilic, photoautotrophic bacterium designated strain JA363T was purified from a photoheterotrophic enrichment obtained from sediment from Chilika lagoon, Odisha, India. Cells of the isolate were coccoid, motile by means of single polar flagellum and Gram-stain-negative. Strain JA363T had an obligate requirement for NaCl and could tolerate up to 7 % (w/v) NaCl.

Chronic treatment with a selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonist alters the behavioral and neurochemical effects of ethanol in young adult rats.

Experimental evidence indicates a potential role of 5-HT6 receptors in the regulation of addictive behavior. We studied the effects of a potent and selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonist (compound A) on voluntary ethanol intake and behavioral/neurochemical changes induced by ethanol. The pharmacokinetic interaction of compound A and ethanol was assessed.

Synthesis, in vitro anticancer and antimycobacterial evaluation of new 5-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-amino derivatives.

A series of 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives 5a-5l, 7a-7e and 9 have been synthesised and screened for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis MC-155. In addition these compounds have also been screened for cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines HT-29, MDA-MB-231 by MTT colorimetric assay. The compounds are well characterized by spectral analysis viz.

Interpolyelectrolyte complexes of Eudragit® EPO with hypromellose acetate succinate and Eudragit® EPO with hypromellose phthalate as potential carriers for oral controlled drug delivery.

The objective of this study was to compare a novel controlled release tablet formulation based on interpolyelectrolyte complex (PEC). Interpolymer interactions between the countercharged polymers like Eudragit® EPO (polycation) and hypromellose acetate succinate (polyanion) and Eudragit® EPO and hypromellose phthalate (polyanion) were investigated with a view to their use in per oral controlled release drug delivery systems. The formation of inter-macromolecular ionic bonds between cationic polymer and anionic polymer was investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry.

Purification and characterisation of intracellular alpha-galactosidases from Acinetobacter sp.

Two alpha-galactosidases (Ag-I & Ag-II) were purified from Acinetobacter sp. Both the enzymes were monomeric with pH optima of 7.0 and molecular weight of 65 kDa for Ag-I and 37 kDa for Ag-II.

Mechanical chest compression with a medical parallel manipulator for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Background: Chest compression is the primary technique in emergency situations for resuscitating patients who have a cardiac arrest. Even for experienced personnel, it is difficult to perform chest compressions at the correct compression rate and depth.

Methods: We describe a new translational three-revolute-revolute-revolute (3-RRR) parallel manipulator designed for delivering chest compressions.

Role of feed forward neural networks coupled with genetic algorithm in capitalizing of intracellular alpha-galactosidase production by Acinetobacter sp.

Alpha-galactosidase production in submerged fermentation by Acinetobacter sp. was optimized using feed forward neural networks and genetic algorithm (FFNN-GA). Six different parameters, pH, temperature, agitation speed, carbon source (raffinose), nitrogen source (tryptone), and K2HPO4, were chosen and used to construct 6-10-1 topology of feed forward neural network to study interactions between fermentation parameters and enzyme yield.

Pregnancy influences the plasma pharmacokinetics but not the cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics of raltegravir: a preclinical investigation.

Alterations in antiretroviral pharmacokinetics during pregnancy must be understood for the drugs to be used safely and effectively. Present study is an attempt to understand the potential changes in raltegravir plasma and cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics during pregnancy in late pregnant and non-pregnant rats. In vitro plasma protein binding, metabolic stability, intravenous blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and oral pharmacokinetic studies were performed.

Synthesis of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinolinyl substituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives: their evaluation as potential PDE 4B inhibitors possessing cytotoxic properties against cancer cells.

The 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinolinyl substituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives were designed as potential inhibitors of PDE4B. These compounds were synthesized via a multi-step sequence consisting of copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) as a key step in aqueous media. The required alkynes were prepared from nimesulide via N-propargylation and then nitro group reduction followed by a CAN mediated modified Skraup reaction of the resulting amine.

Development of phosphocellulose paper-based screening of inhibitors of lipid kinases: case study with PI3Kβ.

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are lipid kinases that regulate the cellular signal transduction pathways involved in cell growth, proliferation, survival, apoptosis, and adhesion. Deregulation of these pathways are common in oncogenesis, and they are known to be altered in other metabolic disorders as well. Despite its huge potential as an attractive target in these diseases, there is an unmet need for the development of a successful inhibitor.

Bioanalytical method development and validation of milnacipran in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS detection and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.

A simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the quantification of milnacipran (MC) in rat plasma by using the liquid-liquid extraction method. Milnacipran-d10 (MCD10) was used as an internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separation was achieved on Zorbax SB-CN (4.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of nimesulide based new class of triazole derivatives as potential PDE4B inhibitors against cancer cells.

A new class of 1,2,3-triazol derivatives derived from nimesulide was designed as potential inhibitors of PDE4B. Synthesis of these compounds was carried out via a multi-step sequence consisting of copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) as a key step in aqueous media. The required azide was prepared via the reaction of aryl amine (obtained from nimesulide) with α-chloroacetyl chloride followed by displacing the α-chloro group by an azide.

Effect of olanzapine on scopolamine induced deficits in differential reinforcement of low rate 72s (DRL-72s) schedule in rats: involvement of the serotonergic receptors in restoring the deficits.

Scopolamine, a non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist has widespread central nervous system effects. Muscarinic receptors located in the central nervous system play a vital role in the modulation of impulsivity. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of scopolamine on impulsivity using differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 72-s schedule (DRL-72s) and to demonstrate the involvement of serotonergic receptors in mediating the effect of olanzapine (atypical antipsychotic) on scopolamine induced impulsivity.

Detoxification of aflatoxin B1 by an aqueous extract from leaves of Adhatoda vasica Nees.

The effectiveness of aqueous extracts of various medicinal plants in detoxification of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was tested in vitro by thin-layer chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among the different plant extracts, the leaf extract of Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica Nees) showed the maximum degradation of AFB1 (≥ 98%) after incubation for 24h at 37 °C. The aflatoxin detoxifying activity of the A.

Arcobacter anaerophilus sp. nov., isolated from an estuarine sediment and emended description of the genus Arcobacter.

Two strains (JC83, JC84(T)) of obligately anaerobic, H2S-producing bacteria were isolated from estuarine sediment samples collected from Gangasagar, West Bengal, India. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile rods. Both strains were positive for oxidase, negative for catalase, hydrolysed casein, reduced nitrate and utilized citrate.

Elicitation of andrographolide in the suspension cultures of Andrographis paniculata.

Andrographis paniculata belonging to the family Acanthaceae produces a group of diterpene lactones, one of which is the pharmaceutically important-andrographolide. It is known to possess various important biological properties like anticancer, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, etc. This is the first report on the production of andrographolide in the cell suspension cultures of Andrographis paniculata by 'elicitation'.

Abiotic elicitation of gymnemic acid in the suspension cultures of Gymnema sylvestre.

Elicitation is one of the few strategies that find commercial application in the enhancement of secondary metabolite production from plants as well as cell culture systems. Due to their immense medicinal value, production of saponins in suspension cultures has been attempted by many researchers. Gymnema sylvestre is a rich source of gymnemic acids (saponins) that find application in the treatment of diabetes.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in Alpinia galanga (Linn.) Willd. for enhanced acetoxychavicol acetate production.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformations ensure elevated amounts of secondary metabolite accumulation with genetic and biosynthetic stability. In the present study, Alpinia galanga rich in bioactive compounds was genetically transformed using different strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes viz. LBA 9402, A(4), 532, 2364 and PRTGus.

Phytochemical analysis of Gymnema sylvestre and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity.

Gymnema sylvestre (CS 149), known to be a rich source of saponins and other valuable phytochemicals, has been analysed for antimicrobial activity. The chloroform extracts of aerial and root parts of G. sylvestre exhibited higher antimicrobial activity as compared to diethyl ether and acetone.

Direct and indirect organogenesis of Alpinia galanga and the phytochemical analysis.

Alpinia galanga is a rhizomatous herb rich in essential oils and various other significant phytoconstituents. Rapid direct regeneration was obtained from the rhizome explants (15.66 ± 0.

Novel and Potent 5-Piperazinyl Methyl-N 1-aryl Sulfonyl Indole Derivatives as 5-HT6 Receptor Ligands.

The exclusive distribution of 5-HT6 receptors in the brain regions associated with learning and memory makes it an ideal target for cognitive disorders. A novel series of 5-piperazinyl methyl-N 1-aryl sulfonyl indoles were designed and synthesized as 5-HT6R ligands. Most of the synthesized compounds are potent when tested by in vitro radioligand binding assay.

Antibacterial activity of Alpinia galanga (L) Willd crude extracts.

Methanol, acetone and diethyl ether extracts of Alpinia galanga have been evaluated against pathogens viz. Bacillus subtilis MTCC 2391, Enterobacter aerogene, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli MTCC 1563, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 6642, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus epidermis using Agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of all the extracts were determined using the macrodilution method.