Draft genome sequences of five Stenotrophomonas indicatrix strains isolated from soil.

Here, we present genome sequences of five Stenotrophomonas indicatrix strains, isolated from agricultural soil. Stenotrophomonas strains are commonly associated with the rhizosphere and are well-known for their ability to degrade xenobiotics. Yet, to date, knowledge about S. indicatrix is limited.

Recent developments made in the assessment of the antidiabetic potential of gymnema species - From 2016 to 2020.

BACKGROUND: In traditional herbal medicine, the Gymnema species has been well known for various therapeutic activities such as anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-arthritic, anti-hyperlipidemic, cytotoxic, and immunostimulatory activities. This review is an effort to analyse all the recent studies done to explore the anti-diabetic potential of traditional Gymnema species. Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R.Br. ex Sm. is an important member of the Apocynaceae family that has been used to treat a variety of diseases, the most studied of which is diabetes. This action is mostly due to the pharmacologically active phytoconstituents present in its extract, which include gymnemic acids, triterpenoid saponin glycosides, and so on. Numerous other Gymnema species have also demonstrated a similar pharmacological action. INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study is to give a critical overview of the available data on Gymnema species that are used to treat diabetes. The major goal of this study is to give up-to-date knowledge on ethnopharmacology, botany, pharmacology, and structure-activity relationships of Gymnemaspecies from 2016 to 2020, as well as potential future research. The potential of using medicinal plants for alleviating symptoms of diabetes is recently being recognized. This review aims to summarize the available data and highlight both the potential and shortcomings of using Gymnema therapeutically. This knowledge can further be used to develop more therapeutically effective drugs derived from Gymnema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for Gymnema species was obtained using a mix of several search terms from online databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, and Europe PMC. Other literature surveys relevant to traditional knowledge, phytochemistry, pharmacology, or structure-activity relationship activity were also used as reference. Several methods by which Gymnema species extracts exert their effects have been investigated, and a summary of the newly discovered chemicals isolated from the plant in the previous five years has been provided. RESULTS: SAR based evaluation has been carried out for a total of 27 pharmacologically active compounds belonging to three species of Gymnema genus (Gymnema sylvestre, Gymnema latifolium, and Gymnema inodorum).These compounds demonstrated the critical significance of plant medicines for diabetes management. Numerous heterocyclic compounds have anti-diabetic action and may serve as a starting point for the design and identification of new diabetes inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: This study aims to provide researchers with a better understanding of the antidiabetic potential Gymnema species, as well as an outline of prospective future developments. It was concluded after studying the evaluation done in the last 5 years that although extracts of Gymnema have shown good antidiabetic potential, further modifications in the structures could result in the development of more potent and safer compounds.

Current Status of Novel Pyridine Fused Derivatives as Anticancer Agents: An Insight into Future Perspectives and Structure Activity Relationship (SAR).

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by an abnormal and uncontrolled division of the cells leading to tumors that invade the adjacent normal tissues. After cardiovascular diseases, it is the second most prevalent disease accounting for one in every six deaths worldwide. This alarming rate thus, demands an urgent need to investigate more effective drugs to combat the said disease. Oxygen and nitrogen-based heterocyclic compounds have shown remarkable therapeutic activity towards several diseases, including cancer. In this review, we have attempted to summarize the work done in the last decade (2009-2019), highlighting the anticancer activity of pyrido fused fivemembered heterocyclic ring derivatives. Additionally, we have focused on seven heterocyclic pyridine fused rings: Imidazopyridine, Triazolopyridine, Pyrrolopyridine, Pyrazolopyridines, Thienopyridine, and Isoxazolopyridine. A total of forty-nine compounds have been studied based on their invitro cytotoxic activity and their structure-activity relationship, underlining the anticancer activity of their various pharmacophores and substituents. This review, therefore, aims to draw the attention of the researchers worldwide towards the enormous scope of development of heterocyclic drug compounds, focussing mainly on pyrido fused five-membered heterocyclic rings as anticancer drugs.

GPR119 agonists: Novel therapeutic agents for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D) is a group of genetically heterogeneous metabolic disorders whose frequency has gradually risen worldwide. Diabetes mellitus Type 2 (T2D) has started to achieve a pandemic level, and it is estimated that within the next decade, cases of diabetes might get double due to increase in aging population. Diabetes is rightly called the 'silent killer' because it has emerged to be one of the major causes, leading to renal failure, loss of vision; besides cardiac arrest in India. Thus, a clinical requirement for the oral drug molecules monitoring glucose homeostasis appears to be unmet. GPR119 agonist, a family of G-protein coupled receptors, usually noticed in ß-cells of pancreatic as well as intestinal L cells, drew considerable interest for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). GPR119 monitors physiological mechanisms that enhance homeostasis of glucose, such as glucose-like peptide-1, gastrointestinal incretin hormone levels, pancreatic beta cell-dependent insulin secretion and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP). In this manuscript, we have reviewed the work done in the last five years (2015-2020) which gives an approach to design, synthesize, evaluate and study the structural activity relationship of novel GPR119 agonist-based lead compounds. Our article would help the researchers and guide their endeavours in the direction of strategy and development of innovative, effective GPR119 agonist-based compounds for the management of diabetes mellitus type 2.

Novel quinazoline-based EGFR kinase inhibitors: A review focussing on SAR and molecular docking studies (2015-2019).

The over expression of EGFR has been recognized as the driver mechanism in the occurrence and progression of carcinomas such as lung cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, etcetera. EGFR receptor was thus established as an important target for the management of solid tumors. The occurrence of resistance caused as a result of mutations in EGFR has presented a formidable challenge in the discovery of novel inhibitors of EGFR. This has resulted in the development of three generations of EGFR TKIs. Newer mutations like C797S cause failure of Osimertinib and other EGFR TKIs belonging to the third-generation caused by the development of resistance. In this review, we have summarized the work done in the last five years to overcome the limitations of currently marketed drugs, giving structural activity relationships of quinazoline-based lead compounds synthesized and tested recently. We have also highlighted the shortcomings of the currently used approaches and have provided guidance for circumventing these limitations. Our review would help medicinal chemists streamline and guide their efforts towards developing novel quinazoline-based EGFR inhibitors.

Recent advancement in the discovery and development of anti-epileptic biomolecules: An insight into structure activity relationship and Docking.

Although there have been many advancements in scientific research and development, the cause of epilepsy still remains an open challenge. In spite of high throughput research in the field of anti-epileptic drugs, efficacy void is still prevalent before the researchers. Researchers have persistently been exploring all the possibilities to curb undesirable side effects of the anti-epileptic drugs or looking for a more substantial approach to diminish or cure epilepsy. The drug development has shown a hope to medicinal chemists and researchers to carry further research by going through a substantial literature survey. This review article attempts to describe the recent developments in the anti-epileptic agents, pertaining to different molecular scaffolds considering their structure-activity relationship, docking studies and their mechanism of actions.

Asthma-Related Emergency Department Visits Among Low-Income Families With Young Children by Race/Ethnicity and Primary Language.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the existence of racial/ethnic and language disparities in asthma-related emergency department (ED) initial and return visits among young children in low-income families in California. METHODS: Children younger than 6 years with at least 1 asthma-related ED visit recorded in the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development data set between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013, and on Medicaid (Medi-Cal) were assessed. Primary outcomes were hospitalization at the first asthma-related ED visit and a return asthma-related ED visit within 12 months. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 47,657 children, approximately 55% were Hispanic, 20% were black, and 2.7% were Asian/Pacific Islander. For non-English-speaking families, 82% were Hispanic. Among English-speaking families, blacks were less likely to be hospitalized at the first ED visit (odds ratio [OR], 0.787; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.715-0.866) but more likely to return to the ED (OR, 1.291; 95% CI, 1.205-1.383) compared with whites. Conversely, Asian/Pacific Islanders whose primary language was English were more likely to be hospitalized (OR, 2.150; 95% CI, 1.827-2.530) compared with whites. Among families whose primary language was not English, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islanders are more likely to be hospitalized at the first ED visit and all groups are less likely to return to the ED compared with English-speaking whites. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that racial/ethnic and language disparities exist in eventual asthma-related hospitalizations and repeat ED visits. Continued research is needed to understand the existence of these differences and to inform future comprehensive and linguistically appropriate asthma interventions for children in low-income families.

Compound Odontome: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Odontomas generally appear as small, solitary, or multiple radio-opaque lesions found on routine radiographic examinations. Traditionally, odontomas have been classified as benign odontogenic tumors and are subdivided into complex or compound odontomas morphologically. Frequently, they interfere with the eruption of the teeth. CASE REPORT: This paper describes the case of a compound odontoma in a 10-year-old boy diagnosed after extraction of the retained right primary mandibular first molar in the radiograph. A surgical excision was performed and the histopathological examination revealed a compound odontome. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of odontomas and complete removal ensures better prognosis. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Rana V, Srivastava N, et al. Compound Odontome: A Case Report. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(1):64-67.

Recent advancement in the discovery and development of COX-2 inhibitors: Insight into biological activities and SAR studies (2008-2019).

Cyclooxygenase-2 is a very important physiological enzyme playing key roles in various biological functions especially in the mechanism of pain and inflammation, among other roles, making it a molecule of high interest to the pharmaceutical community as a target. COX 2 enzyme is induced only during inflammatory processes or cancer and reflects no role in the guarding stomach lining. Thus, selective COX-2 inhibition can significantly reduce the adverse effects including GI tract damage and hepatotoxic effects of traditional NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. Recent developments on COX-2 inhibitors is primarily focused on improving the selectivity index of the drug towards COX-2 along with enhancing the potency of the drug by modifying the scaffolds of Coxibs currently in the market like Celecoxib, Indomethacin, Oxaprozin, etc. We have reported the progress on new COX-2 inhibitors in the last decade (2008-2019) focussing on five heterocyclic rings- Pyrazole, Indole, Oxazole, Pyridine and Pyrrole. The addition of various moieties to these core rings and their structure-activity relationship along with their molecular modelling data have been explored in the article. This review aims to aid medicinal chemists in the design and discovery of better COX-2 inhibitors constructed on these five heterocyclic pharmacophores.

Correction to: The Prevalence of Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Among Rural Latino Adults with Multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences in California.

The original version of this article unfortunately published without acknowledgement section. The complete funding information is given below.

The Prevalence of Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Among Rural Latino Adults with Multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences in California.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been found to increase health and mental health risks in adulthood. Previous ACE studies tend to have small samples of Latinos; however, as Latinos are projected to be the largest minority group in the United States, it is important to examine how ACEs are associated with self-reported mental distress and alcohol and/or substance abuse among Latino populations. An ACEs survey was conducted in a predominantly Latino town; the sample included 195 individuals (18 or older), and the majority (92%) identified as Latino. Logistic regression showed that respondents with three or more ACEs, compared to those with no ACEs, were three times more likely to report more days of mental distress and eight times more likely to have alcohol and/or substance abuse problems. Further studies are needed to understand the association between ACEs and behavioral health using culturally and linguistically competent mental health screening tools.

Isolation of Scardovia wiggsiae using real-time polymerase chain reaction from the saliva of children with early childhood caries.

AIM: This study aimed to quantitatively assess the levels of Scardovia wiggsiae in caries-free and early childhood caries (ECC)- and severe ECC (SECC)-affected children using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). METHODS: Forty-five children aged <71 months were randomly recruited from the Outpatient Clinic at the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry at Subharti Dental College and Hospital, Meerut, India. Fifteen children suffering from ECC, 15 with SECC, and 15 children without ECC were enrolled in the study. About 1-2 mL of unstimulated saliva was collected and subjected to microbial analysis using RT-PCR. RESULTS: The SECC group (n = 15) was found to have significantly higher mean relative 16s rRNA expression of S. wiggsiae (3.67) than both ECC (n = 15) and controls (n = 15) (1.69 and 0.85, respectively). S. wiggsiae was detected in 86.7% of the SECC and 60% ECC group and was detected negligibly in the control (caries free) group. The correlation of decayed, missing, or filled surface levels with 16s rRNA levels showed significant positive correlation with 16S rRNA in both ECC and SECC patients. CONCLUSION: Salivary levels of S. wiggsiae were significantly associated with ECC in children. S. wiggsiae represents a new frontier in the microbial etiology of ECC. This may lead to the development of new antimicrobial agents targeted to this organism and improve the treatment of ECC.

Bilateral Maxillary Paramolars in an Adolescent.

Paramolars are relatively uncommon supernumerary molars. Limited cases of bilateral maxillary or mandibular paramolars have been reported. This case report describes bilateral maxillary premolars and their management in a 15-year-old girl, whose chief complaint was food lodgment in these regions. After a diagnosis of bilateral maxillary premolars was made and confirmed by orthopantomogram, both of the paramolars were extracted.

Diagnostic potential of inflammatory biomarkers in early childhood caries - A case control study.

BACKGROUND: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is most common chronic infectious disease of childhood. Diagnosis of dental caries has been limited to clinical, visual and radiographic methods but its inflammatory component remained unexplored. Hence, this study aims to evaluate salivary levels of inflammatory cytokines in children with ECC to assess their potential as non-invasive biomarkers. METHODS: 50 subjects were recruited (25 ECC patients and 25 healthy children). Saliva samples were taken from all subjects and collected again from patients after rehabilitative intervention. Levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were determined using ELISA. Cytokines level were statistically correlated with each other and with DMF score along with ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: Salivary levels of IL-6, IL-8 & TNF-α were significantly higher in patients which got significantly reduced after rehabilitative intervention. Levels of these cytokines were significantly associated with severity of dental caries. These cytokines were correlating with each other along with DMF score upon Spearman correlation. ROC curve reveals optimum sensitivity and specificity of these cytokines for diagnosis in ECC with absolute levels observed for IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: Significant elevation of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α with optimum sensitivity and specificity might imply their involvement as potential non-invasive diagnostic/prognostic markers in ECC.