Structural Analysis and Docking of Stilbene Synthase Protein from Chinese Grape Vine Vitis pseudoreticulata.

Aims: The present work aims to perform the molecular modeling of stilbene synthase protein from Chinese grape vine Vitis pseudoreticulata. Place and Duration of Study: The study has been performed in the Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Technology, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, India for a period of 8 months. Methodology: The sequence of Vitis STS protein was obtained by BLAST search from DFCI web server using Arabidopsis Stilbene synthase sequence. To read the amino acid pattern among these sequences, Multiple Sequence alignment have been performed using clustal W. The secondary and 3D structures were predicted for the protein and the stability of the structures was determined through Ramachandran plot and PROSA analysis. 3D structure obtained using Swiss model workspace was utilized for docking studies. Results: In the multiple sequence alignment except Gossypium and Ipomea remaining sequences were aligning well. The secondary structure of the protein is possessing helices, coils and sheets respectively and most of the protein structure is coiled. The predicted model was subjected to evaluation by PROSA with a Z score of -10.1. Ramachandran plot revealed that the predicted that 96.6% residues were in favoured region, 2.6% were in allowed region and 0.8% were in outlier region proving that the predicted model is acceptable. Docking STS protein with secondary metabolite ligands elucidated that anethole, ascorbic acid and arbutin have good binding affinity. Conclusion: The structural model of Vitis pseudoreticulata stilbene synthase has been determined, and in silico docking studies have elucidated that this protein has docked with some of the essential secondary metabolites like anethole, ascorbic acid and arbutin which might enhance the performance when they enter into a biological system.

Formulation and Evaluation of Oral disintegrated tablets of Alfuzosin Hydrochloride using superdisintegrants.

In the present work, orodispersible tablets of Alfuzosin Hcl were prepared by direct compression and sublimation methods with a view to enhance patient compliance. In these methods, varying concentrations of crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate and croscarmellose sodium of 3.3, 6.6 and 10% w/w were used, along with camphor used as subliming agent in sublimation method. The prepared batches of tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, drug content, wetting time, dispersion time, disintegration time and dissolution studies. Based on disintegration time (approximately 13-18 seconds) all the promising formulations (from each method) were tested for in-vitro drug release pattern (in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer), drug-excipient interaction (FTIR spectroscopy) and short term stability studies. Among the promising formulations, the formulation F4 and F14 containing 10% w/w Crospovidone emerged as the overall best formulation (t50%1.79 and 1.21 minutes) based on drug release characteristic (in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer) compared to controlled formulation F1 (t50% >10 minutes).

Preparation and In-vitro characterization of ethylcellulose coated pectin alginate microspheres of 5-fluorouracil for colon targeting.

The main objective of the present study was to prepare and evaluate the colon-specific pectin alginate microspheres of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for the treatment of colon cancer. Calcium alginate beads were prepared by extruding 5-FU loaded alginate solution to calcium chloride solution and gelled spheres were formed instantaneously by ionotropic gelation reaction using different ratios of 5- FU and alginate, alginate and calcium chloride, stirring speeds (500-1500 rpm) and reaction time. The core beads were coated with ethyl cellulose to prevent drug release in the stomach and provide controlled dissolution of enteric coat in the small intestine and maximum drug release in the colon. Morphology and surface characteristics of the formulation were determined by scanning electron microscopy. In vitro drug release studies were performed in conditions simulating stomach to colon transit in the presence and absence of pectinase enzyme. No significant release was observed at acidic pH, however, when it reached the intestinal pH where ethyl cellulose starts to dissolve, drug release was observed. Also, release of drug was found to be higher in presence of pectinase enzyme. The DSC and FT-IR studies were also indicates there were no interactions between the drug and the polymers used.

Distribution of HIV-1 resistance-conferring polymorphic alleles SDF-1-3'A, CCR2-64I and CCR5-Delta32 in diverse populations of Andhra Pradesh, South India.

Polymorphic allelic variants of chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5, as well as of stromal-derived factor-1 SDF-1, the ligand for the chemokine receptor CXCR4, are known to have protective effects against HIV-1 infection and to be involved with delay in disease progression. We have studied the DNA polymorphisms at the loci that encode these proteins in 525 healthy individuals without any history of HIV-1 infection from 11 diverse populations of Andhra Pradesh, South India. The two protective alleles SDF-1-3'A and CCR2-64I at the SDF-1 and CCR2 loci, respectively, are present in all populations studied, although their frequencies differ considerably across populations (from 17% to 35% for the SDF-1-3'A allele, and from 3% to 17% for CCR2-64I). In contrast the CCR5-Delta32 allele is observed only in three populations (Yamani, Pathan and Kamma), all in low frequencies (i.e. 1% to 3%). The mean number of mutant alleles (for the three loci together) carried by each individual varies from 0.475 (in Vizag Brahmins) to 0.959 (in Bohra Muslims). The estimated relative hazard values for the populations, computed from the three-locus genotype data, are comparable to those from Africa and Southeast Asia, where AIDS is known to be widespread.

Hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis in south India--an autopsy study.

This study is aimed at finding the association of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis with hepatitis B surface antigen in a particular geographical area, Andhra Pradesh State in South India. In total, 206 cases of autopsy livers were studied for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen by orcein staining. Of the 114 cases of cirrhosis 67.54% were positive for the antigen. There were 13 cases of macronodular, 55 cases of mixed and 46 cases of micronodular cirrhosis. The antigen positivity was 100%, 98.7% and 21.74% respectively. The difference in positivity between micronodular and the other two types of cirrhosis was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). Of the 58 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 50 were associated with cirrhosis. In 80% of these cases, hepatitis B surface antigen was demonstrated, whereas 75% of cases of hepatocellular carcinoma not associated with cirrhosis, were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. The geographical importance of these findings was discussed.

Absenteeism in leprosy patients in a rural area in Tamil Nadu.

Of the 3382 leprosy patients taking treatment in Hemerijckx Rural Centre Area, 150 randomly selected patients, who were irregular for treatment, were matched with 150 patients who were regular for treatment, by age, sex and type of disease. The characteristics and the reasons for regularity/irregularity in treatment of these 300 patients were studied. There were more Lepromatous patients (20%) among regulars. A greater proportion of irregulars belonged to backward (54%) and scheduled castes (35%). The proportion of irregulars were more (32%) in the initial phase of the disease. There were more irregular patients among the illiterate group (61%). The knowledge of the irregular patients about early sign, causation, spread, curability and duration of treatment were found to be lacking. The clinic timing was unsuitable for 33% of irregular patients. 23% of irregulars experienced some intolerance to DDS. When 94% of regulars attended clinic in order that they may be 'cured', 63% of irregulars stayed away because of 'work'.