Spectroscopic (far or terahertz, mid-infrared and Raman) investigation, thermal analysis and biological activity of piplartine.

Research in the field of medicinal plants including Piper species like long pepper (Piper longum L.- Piperaceae) is increasing all over the world due to its use in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine. Piplartine (piperlongumine, 5,6-dihydro-1-[(2E)-1-oxo-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-propenyl]-2(1H)-pyridinone), a biologically active alkaloid/amide was isolated from the phytochemical investigations of Piper species, as long pepper. This alkaloid has cytotoxic, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-tumoral, anxiolytic, anti-depressant, anti-leishmanial, and genotoxic activities, but, its anticancer property is the most promising and has been widely explored. The main purpose of the work is to present a solid state characterization of PPTN using thermal analysis and vibrational spectroscopy. Quantum mechanical calculations based on the density functional theory was also applied to investigate the molecular conformation and vibrational spectrum, which was compared with experimental results obtained by Raman scattering, far (terahertz) and mid-infrared adsorption spectroscopy. NBO analysis has been performed which predict that most intensive interactions in PPTN are the hyperconjugative interactions between n(1) N6 and π*(O1C7) having delocalization energy of 50.53kcal/mol, Topological parameters have been analyzed using 'AIM' analysis which governs the three bond critical points (BCPs), one di-hydrogen, and four ring critical points (RCPs). MEP surface has been plotted which forecast that the most negative region is associated with the electronegative oxygen atoms (sites for nucleophilic activity). Theoretically, to confirm that the title compound has anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-platelet aggregation activities, it was analyzed by molecular docking interactions with the corresponding target receptors. The obtained values of H-bonding parameters and binding affinity prove that its anti-cancer activity is the more prominent than the other properties.

Study of polymorphism in imatinib mesylate: a quantum chemical approach using electronic and vibrational spectra.

Imatinib mesylate, 4-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-u[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidine-2-ylamino)phenyl]benzamide methanesulfonate is a therapeutic drug that is approved for the treatment of chronic myelogeneous leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). It is known that imatinib mesylate exists in two polymorphic forms α and ß. However, ß-form is more stable than the α-form. In this work, we present a detailed vibrational spectroscopic investigation of ß-form by using FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra. These data are supported by quantum mechanical calculations using DFT employing 6-311G(d,p) basis set, which allow us to characterize completely the vibrational spectra of this compound. The FT-IR spectrum of α-form has also been discussed. The importance of hydrogen-bond formation in the molecular packing arrangements of both forms has been examined with the vibrational shifts observed due to polymorphic changes. The red shift of the NH stretching bands in the infrared spectrum from the computed wavenumber indicates the weakening of the NH bond. The UV-vis spectroscopic studies along with the HOMO-LUMO analysis of both polymorphs (α and ß) were performed and their chemical activity has been discussed. The TD-DFT method was used to calculate the electronic absorption spectra in the gas phase as well as in the solvent environment using IEF-PCM model and 6-31G basis set. Finally, the results obtained complements to the experimental findings.

Study of noise pollution for three consecutive years during Deepawali festival in Meerut City, Uttar Pradesh (India).

The present paper deals with monitoring of noise pollution at different places of Meerut City (India) on the night of Deepawali festival. During the present study the noise levels were measured with the help of sound meter. The noise pollution is decreasing considerably for the last three years and it is recorded minimum in 2009 as compared to 2008 and 2007. The main reason of this decrement is the growing environmental awareness in the people of Meerut City. Needless to say, students of most of the school in Meerut City now prefer to celebrate Deepawali, festival of lights without sound and smoke. The campaign for eco-friendly Deepawali is expected to catch on with people in Meerut City which has already demonstrated its commitment towards environment conservation. Mainly fire crackers are used during Deepawali. The present paper is an attempt to create awareness among the people of Meerut City about the bitter truth of fire crackers.

Retroperitoneal hamartoma: a rare entity.

Retroperitoneal hamartoma in adult is an extremely rare entity. Here we report a case of 23-years-old lady who presented with a large retroperitoneal mass and abdominal pain. The mass was surgically removed and the diagnosis of hamartoma was made on histological findings.

Development of tiger habitat suitability model using geospatial tools-a case study in Achankmar Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWLS), Chhattisgarh India.

Geospatial tools supported by ancillary geo-database and extensive fieldwork regarding the distribution of tiger and its prey in Anchankmar Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWLS) were used to build a tiger habitat suitability model. This consists of a quantitative geographical information system (GIS) based approach using field parameters and spatial thematic information. The estimates of tiger sightings, its prey sighting and predicted distribution with the assistance of contextual environmental data including terrain, road network, settlement and drainage surfaces were used to develop the model. Eight variables in the dataset viz., forest cover type, forest cover density, slope, aspect, altitude, and distance from road, settlement and drainage were seen as suitable proxies and were used as independent variables in the analysis. Principal component analysis and binomial multiple logistic regression were used for statistical treatments of collected habitat parameters from field and independent variables respectively. The assessment showed a strong expert agreement between the predicted and observed suitable areas. A combination of the generated information and published literature was also used while building a habitat suitability map for the tiger. The modeling approach has taken the habitat preference parameters of the tiger and potential distribution of prey species into account. For assessing the potential distribution of prey species, independent suitability models were developed and validated with the ground truth. It is envisaged that inclusion of the prey distribution probability strengthens the model when a key species is under question. The results of the analysis indicate that tiger occur throughout the sanctuary. The results have been found to be an important input as baseline information for population modeling and natural resource management in the wildlife sanctuary. The development and application of similar models can help in better management of the protected areas of national interest.

Vitamin C in leaves and seed oil composition of the Amaranthus species.

The foliage of 62 specimens of Amaranthus belonging to 10 species of grain and four of vegetable type were analysed for vitamin C content. The overall range of vitamin C was from 69 (A. cruentus, AG-122) to 288 mg/100 g (A. hypochondriacus, Rasna) in the grain type and 62 (A. tricolor, Amar-peet) to 209 mg/100 g (A. tricolor, AV-101, exp) in the vegetable type (fresh weight). Variation of vitamin C with leaf position (age) was also studied. While the oil content in 110 lines of A. hypochondriacus varied from 4.4 to 13.2%, most of the specimens had promising oil composition with regard to unsaturated fatty acids.

Application of ICAP-AES for the determination of Dy, Eu, Gd, Sm and Th in uranium after chemical separation.

A method has been developed for the determination of Dy, Eu, Gd, Sm and Th in uranium (after chemical separation) by use of an inductively-coupled argon plasma in conjunction with a direct-reading spectrometer. The method can be used for the determination of Dy and Eu down to 0.02 mug ml , Gd to 0.05 mug ml , Sm to 0.1 mug ml and Th to 0.20 mug ml .

Trace metal assay of U(3)O(8) powder by electrothermal AAS.

Methods have been developed for the direct determination of Ag, Ca, K., Li, Mg, Na, Pb, Sn and Zn in U(3)O(8) powder samples by electrothermal AAS. Nanogram and lower amounts of these elements have been determined with a relative standard deviation of 6-16% in mg amounts of sample (either alone or mixed with an equal weight of graphite). The results for NBL reference samples were in reasonable agreement with the certified values. X-Ray diffraction studies on the residues left from the graphite mixtures after the atomization cycle, confirmed the formation of uranium carbide (UC(2)).

Changes in the blood glucose and liver glycogen contents of healthy and trypanosome infected fish, Clarias batrachus, following intramuscular injection of glucose solution.

Changes in the blood glucose and liver glycogen contents in healthy and trypanosome infected fish Clarias following the intramuscular injection of glucose solution showed a rise in both the parameters within an hour. Peak levels were obtained almost simultaneously by the 2 groups in both the tissues. However, there was a rapid rise and an equally rapid decline of increased carbohydrate contents in the trypanosome infected fishes. This is attributed to the rapid consumption of sugars by the trypanosomes in diseased fish, besides replenishment of sugar reserves of various body tissues from the liver via blood.

Pituitary gonadotropin content and gonadosomatic index in Clarias batrachus a fresh water teleost.

The pituitary gonadotropin content in Clarias batrachus was determined by radiophosphorus assay in chicks. The levels in spawning male, post spawning male, spawning female and post spawning female were found to be 65.66, 27.7, 36.69 and 49.98 micrograms LH activity/kg body weight respectively. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) in the above groups was found to be 0.3599, 0.0763, 9.2327 and 0.4334 respectively. Correlation between the gonadotropins and GSI was also worked out but was found to be statistically non-significant (P > 0.05).

Determination of refractory elements in U(3)O(8) by carrier distillation emission spectrography.

An emission spectrographic method using carrier distillation for the determination of the refractory impurities Ta, Hf, Nb, Th, and W in uranium is described. Different carriers, such as Ga(2)O(3), AgCl, AgCl + LiF, and AgCl + NaF in various proportions, were investigated: a 1% NaF + 9% AgCl mixture as carrier at 10% of total charge arced was found to be the most suitable. Spectra were excited in a d.c. arc at 12 A and were photographed with 35-sec exposures. Palladium was used as an internal standard. The lowest limits of determination lie in the range 1-10 ppm for a 100-mg charge. The precision of the method is about 16% or better.

Chemical separation and spectrographic estimation of rare earths and yttrium in PuO(2) and (U,Pu)O(2).

An emission spectrographic method for the estimation of rare-earth impurities in plutonium oxide and the mixed oxide (U,Pu)O(2) (30% PuO(2)-70% UO(2)) has been developed. Rare-earth impurities are separated from the matrix by solvent extraction with tri-n-octylamine in xylene and are estimated after concentration. Thulium is used as internal standard and LiF-AgCl as carrier. The spectra are excited in a d.c. arc. The detection limits lie in the range 0.004-0.1 mug and the coefficient of variation ranges from 5 to 23%.