Devitrite (Na2Ca3Si6O16) phase dominated nanostructured 45S5 bioactive glass: exploring its structural and biological properties.

This research study is primarily centred around calcination temperature and time influence on phase formation in bioactive glasses (BGs). In the present study, BG with a nominal composition of 45S5 was synthesized through the sol-gel process. The developed BGs then underwent heat treatment for various sintering durations and temperatures. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the BGs reveals that the sintering process led to the crystallization of both devitrite (Na2Ca3Si6O16) and combeite (Na2Ca2Si3O9) phases. The field emission scanning electron microscopy study divulges morphological alterations, from sheet-like to rod-like structures to eventually transforming into spherical and sheet-like structures. The surface area and Type-IV mesoporous porosity were validated through Brunauer Emmett Teller analysis, highlighting a notable increase in pore volume and mechanical strength at a lower sintering temperature.In vitroapatite formation was carried out in Hank's balance salt in order to evaluate the bioactivity of the glass. After 7 d of immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), XRD patterns and scanning electron microscopy micrographs results showed that formation of hydroxyapatite layer on the surface of the BGs. The BG compatibility with erythrocytes (red blood cells) was also studied, and the results revealed that there was only a low 2% lysis, showing good hemocompatibility. The drug loading and release behaviour of the BGs was studied in thein vitroanalysis. The findings showed a high drug encapsulation effectiveness of up to 90% and continuous drug release from the BGs for 24 h. The materials biocompatibility was unambiguously confirmed by cytocompatibility and proliferation studies. This study provides compelling evidence for the exceptional efficacy and promise of the distinct 45S5 BGs in advancing the field of regenerative medicine.

Surgical outcomes of Turnbull-Cutait delayed coloanal anastomosis with pull-through versus immediate coloanal anastomosis with diverting stoma after total mesorectal excision for low rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Theoretical advantages of Turnbull-Cutait pull-through delayed coloanal anastomosis (DCAA) are a reduced risk of anastomotic leak and therefore avoidance of stoma. Gradually abandoned in favor of immediate coloanal anastomosis (ICAA) with diverting stoma, DCAA has regained popularity in recent years in reconstructive surgery for low RC, especially when combined with minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The aim of this study was to perform the first meta-analysis, exploring the safety and outcomes of DCAA compared to ICAA with protective stoma. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL and Google Scholar databases was performed for studies published from January 2000 until December 2020. The systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review on Interventions recommendations and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: Out of 2626 studies screened, 9 were included in the systematic review and 4 studies in the meta-analysis. Outcomes included were postoperative complications, pelvic sepsis and risk of definitive stoma. Considering postoperative complications classified as Clavien-Dindo III, no significant difference existed in the rate of postoperative morbidity between DCAA and ICAA (13% versus 21%; OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.38-3.62; p = 0.78; I2 = 20%). Patients in the DCAA group experienced a lower rate of postoperative pelvic sepsis compared with patients undergoing ICAA with diverting stoma (7% versus 14%; OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.16-0.85; p = 0.02; I2 = 0%). The risk of definitive stoma was comparable between the two groups (2% versus 2% OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.15-3.85; p = 0.75; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: According to the limited current evidence, DCAA is associated with a significant decrease in pelvic sepsis. Further prospective trials focusing on oncologic and functional outcomes are needed.

Coronary risk equivalence of diabetes assessed by SPECT-MPI.

BACKGROUND: Several publications and guidelines designate diabetes mellitus (DM) as a coronary artery disease (CAD) risk equivalent. The aim of this investigation was to examine DM cardiac risk equivalence from the perspective of stress SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined cardiovascular outcomes (cardiac death or nonfatal MI) of 17,499 patients referred for stress SPECT-MPI. Patients were stratified into four categories: non-DM without CAD, non-DM with CAD, DM without CAD, and DM with CAD, and normal or abnormal perfusion. Cardiac events occurred in 872 (5%), with event-free survival best among non-DM without CAD, worst in DM with CAD, and intermediate in DM without CAD, and non-DM with CAD. After multivariate adjustment, risk remained comparable between DM without CAD and non-DM with CAD [AHR 1.0 (95% CI 0.84-1.28), P =0.74]. Annualized event rates for normal subjects were 1.4% and 1.6% for non-DM with CAD and DM without CAD, respectively (P = 0.48) and 3.5% (P = 0.95) for both abnormal groups. After multivariate adjustment, outcomes were comparable within normal [AHR 1.4 (95% CI 0.98-1.96) P = 0.06] and abnormal [AHR 1.1 (95% CI 0.83-1.50) P = 0.49] MPI. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic patients without CAD have comparable risk of cardiovascular events as non-diabetic patients with CAD after stratification by MPI results. These findings support diabetes as a CAD equivalent and suggest that MPI provides additional prognostic information in such patients.

Prophage-Driven Genomic Structural Changes Promote Bartonella Vertical Evolution.

Bartonella is a genetically diverse group of vector-borne bacteria. Over 40 species have been characterized to date, mainly from mammalian reservoirs and arthropod vectors. Rodent reservoirs harbor one of the largest Bartonella diversity described to date, and novel species and genetic variants are continuously identified from these hosts. Yet, it is still unknown if this significant genetic diversity stems from adaptation to different niches or from intrinsic high mutation rates. Here, we explored the vertical occurrence of spontaneous genomic alterations in 18 lines derived from two rodent-associated Bartonella elizabethae-like strains, evolved in nonselective agar plates under conditions mimicking their vector- and mammalian-associated temperatures, and the transmission cycles between them (i.e., 26 °C, 37 °C, and alterations between the two), using mutation accumulation experiments. After ∼1,000 generations, evolved genomes revealed few point mutations (average of one-point mutation per line), evidencing conserved single-nucleotide mutation rates. Interestingly, three large structural genomic changes (two large deletions and an inversion) were identified over all lines, associated with prophages and surface adhesin genes. Particularly, a prophage, deleted during constant propagation at 37 °C, was associated with an increased autonomous replication at 26 °C (the flea-associated temperature). Complementary molecular analyses of wild strains, isolated from desert rodents and their fleas, further supported the occurrence of structural genomic variations and prophage-associated deletions in nature. Our findings suggest that structural genomic changes represent an effective intrinsic mechanism to generate diversity in slow-growing bacteria and emphasize the role of prophages as promoters of diversity in nature.

Pancreatic cancer screening in high-risk individuals with germline genetic mutations.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a deadly disease that is most commonly diagnosed at an incurable stage. Different high-risk genetic variants and cancer syndromes increase the lifetime risk of developing PC. This study aims to assess the yield of initial PC screening in patients with high-risk germline mutations. METHODS: Asymptomatic adults underwent PC screening by EUS, magnetic resonance imaging, or CT during a 10-year period and were retrospectively identified. High-risk individuals were defined as carrying germline mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, p53 (Li-Fraumeni), STK11 (Peutz-Jeghers), MSH2 (Lynch), ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia), or APC (familial adenomatous polyposis). Patients without germline mutations were excluded. RESULTS: In total, 86 patients met the study criteria. The median age was 48.5 years (interquartile range, 40-58), 79.1% (68) were women, and 43.0% (37) had a family history of PC. The genetic mutations were BRCA2 (50, 58.1%), BRCA1 (14, 16.3%), p53 (12, 14.0%), STK11 (5, 5.8%), MSH2 (3, 3.5%), ATM (1, 1.2%), and APC (1, 1.2%). Screening detected a pancreatic abnormality (PA) in 26.7% (23/86), including cysts (11, 47.8%), hyperechoic strands and foci (10, 43.5%), and mild pancreatic duct dilation (2, 8.7%). Patients older than 60 years were more likely to have a PA detected (P = .043). EUS detected more PAs than magnetic resonance imaging or CT. No cases of PC were diagnosed by screening or during follow-up (median, 29.8 months; interquartile range, 21.7-43.5). CONCLUSIONS: Unless indicated otherwise by family or personal history, PC screening under the age of 50 is low yield. Linear EUS may be the preferred modality for initial PC screening.

A cross strain Plasmodium falciparum microarray optimized for the transcriptome analysis of Plasmodium falciparum patient derived isolates.

Malarial parasite P. falciparum, an apicomplexan protozoan has a 23.3 MB nuclear genome and encodes ~ 5600 transcripts. The genetic diversity of the parasite within and across geographical zones is a challenge to gene expression studies which are essential for understanding of disease process, outcome and developing markers for diagnostics and prognostics. Here, we describe the strategy involved in designing a custom P. falciparum 15K array using the Agilent platform and Genotypic's Right Design methodology to study the transcriptome of Indian field isolates for which genome sequence information is limited. The array contains probes representing genome sequences of two distinct geographical isolates (i.e. 3D7 and HB3) and sub-telomeric var gene sequences of a third isolate (IT4) known to adhere in culture condition. Probes in the array have been selected based on their efficiency to detect transcripts through a 244K array experimentation. Array performance for the 15K array, was evaluated and validated using RNA materials from P. falciparum clinical isolates. A large percentage (91%) of the represented transcripts was detected from Indian P. falciparum patient isolates. Replicated probes and multiple probes representing the same gene showed perfect correlation between them suggesting good probe performance. Additional transcripts could be detected due to inclusion of unique probes representing HB3 strain transcripts. Variant surface antigen (VSA) transcripts were detected by optimized probes representing the VSA genes of three geographically distinct strains. The 15K cross strain P. falciparum array has shown good efficiency in detecting transcripts from P. falciparum parasite samples isolated from patients. The low parasite loads and presence of host RNA makes arrays a preferred platform for gene expression studies over RNA-Seq.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Himalayan honey bee, Apis laboriosa.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Himalayan bee Apis laboriosa, from Mizoram, India, has been sequenced using Illumina NextSeq500 platform and analysed. The mitogenome was assembled and found to be 15 266 bp in length and the gene arrangement is similar to other honey bee species. The A. laboriosa mitogenome comprises of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs and an A + T-rich region of 346 bp. Based on the concatenated PCGs, in the phylogenetic tree, A. laboriosa is placed as a sister group along with the cavity nesting honey bees. The present study reports the first complete mitochondrial genome sequence of A. laboriosa, which will enhance our knowledge on Apinae mitogenomes and phylogeny.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Indian honey bee, Apis cerena cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apinae).

The complete mitogenome of Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apinae) was sequenced using Illumina NextSeq500 platform and found to be 15 831 bp long. The mitogenome contains 37 genes (13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs) and a control region. The base composition is biased towards A-T (83.9%). The control region is 498 bp long with polyT stretch and poly [TA (A)]n-like stretch. The phylogenetic tree constructed using concatenated PCGs showed that A. cerana cerana clustered with other cavity nesting Apis species.

Structural, Morphological and Antibacterial Investigation of Ag-Impregnated Sol-Gel-Derived 45S5 NanoBioglass Systems.

An increasing percentage of ageing population requires 30-year survivability of orthopedic devices that is not possible with the current bioinert materials, having a maximum of 15-year survivability. To satisfy this growing need, a shift is needed from replacement of tissues to regeneration of tissues. This is highly possible through the use of silica-bioactive glasses. However, a failure of implant can occur due to infections even by using such materials. Advances in using silver for antibacterial applications have been commercialized. However, higher concentrations of silver also lead to toxic effects. In this study, nanoBioglass 45S5 (NBG) and Ag-NBG were synthesized by using sol-gel method followed by solution-phase method, respectively. The bioactive crystals such as Na2Ca2Si3O9, CaCO3, and AgPO3, very much needed in the field of bone tissue engineering and in antibacterial strategies, were obtained in the NBG Matrix. The morphological investigation of NBG with 1 mM Ag+ concentrations shows the nanospikes arrangement of size 30-40 nm with spherical porous structure of size 10-20 nm, which supports the formation of collagen molecular fibrils on the surface of NBG matrices and enhances osseointegration. Both gram-positive and gram-negative strains show higher antibacterial activity for nanoBioglass with 1 mM Ag+ concentration.

Natural antisense transcripts in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from patients with complicated malaria.

Mechanisms regulating gene expression in malaria parasites are not well understood. Little is known about how the parasite regulates its gene expression during transition from one developmental stage to another and in response to various environmental conditions. Parasites in a diseased host face environments which differ from the static, well adapted in vitro conditions. Parasites thus need to adapt quickly and effectively to these conditions by establishing transcriptional states which are best suited for better survival. With the discovery of natural antisense transcripts (NATs) in this parasite and considering the various proposed mechanisms by which NATs might regulate gene expression, it has been speculated that these might be playing a critical role in gene regulation. We report here the diversity of NATs in this parasite, using isolates taken directly from patients with differing clinical symptoms caused by malaria infection. Using a custom designed strand specific whole genome microarray, a total of 797 NATs targeted against annotated loci have been detected. Out of these, 545 NATs are unique to this study. The majority of NATs were positively correlated with the expression pattern of the sense transcript. However, 96 genes showed a change in sense/antisense ratio on comparison between uncomplicated and complicated disease conditions. The antisense transcripts map to a broad range of biochemical/metabolic pathways, especially pathways pertaining to the central carbon metabolism and stress related pathways. Our data strongly suggests that a large group of NATs detected here are unannotated transcription units antisense to annotated gene models. The results reveal a previously unknown set of NATs that prevails in this parasite, their differential regulation in disease conditions and mapping to functionally well annotated genes. The results detailed here call for studies to deduce the possible mechanism of action of NATs, which would further help in understanding the in vivo pathological adaptations of these parasites.

Dataset of natural antisense transcripts in P. vivax clinical isolates derived using custom designed strand-specific microarray.

Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) have been detected in many organisms and shown to regulate gene expression. Similarly, NATs have also been observed in malaria parasites with most studies focused on Plasmodium falciparum. There were no reports on the presence of NATs in Plasmodium vivax, which has also been shown to cause severe malaria like P. falciparum, until a recent study published by us. To identify in vivo prevalence of antisense transcripts in P. vivax clinical isolates, we performed whole genome expression profiling using a custom designed strand-specific microarray that contains probes for both sense and antisense strands. Here we describe the experimental methods and analysis of the microarray data available in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) under GSE45165. Our data provides a resource for exploring the presence of antisense transcripts in P. vivax isolated from patients showing varying clinical symptoms. Related information about the description and interpretation of the data can be found in a recent publication by Boopathi and colleagues in Infection, Genetics and Evolution 2013.

An in vivo transcriptome data set of natural antisense transcripts from Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates.

Antisense transcription is pervasive among biological systems and one of the products of antisense transcription is natural antisense transcripts (NATs). Emerging evidences suggest that they are key regulators of gene expression. With the discovery of NATs in Plasmodium falciparum, it has been suggested that these might also be playing regulatory roles in this parasite. However, all the reports describing the diversity of NATs have come from parasites in culture condition except for a recent study published by us. In order to explore the in vivo diversity of NATs in P. falciparum clinical isolates, we performed a whole genome expression profiling using a strand-specific 244 K microarray that contains probes for both sense and antisense transcripts. In this report, we describe the experimental procedure and analysis thereof of the microarray data published recently in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) under accession number GSE44921. This published data provide a wealth of information about the prevalence of NATs in P. falciparum clinical isolates from patients with diverse malaria related disease conditions. Supplementary information about the description and interpretation of the data can be found in a recent publication by Subudhi et al. in Experimental Parasitology (2014).

Crystal growth and spectroscopic characterization of Aloevera amino acid added lithium sulfate monohydrate: a non-linear optical crystal.

Non-linear optical crystals of lithium sulfate monohydrate added with Aloevera amino acid were grown successfully by slow evaporation technique moderately at low cost. Initially the Aloevera amino acid extract was prepared from the 3 years old plant leaves and the amino acids present in that were identified by high performance liquid chromatography. The grown crystal was clear, transparent and they attained the size about 1.3×0.8×0.6 cm(3) within a time span of 20-25 days. The crystal was subjected to Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, UV-Vis-NIR, thermal and mechanical studies. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance, thin layer chromatography and colorimetric estimation techniques are carried out to confirm and identify the amino acid in the grown crystal.

Revealing natural antisense transcripts from Plasmodium vivax isolates: evidence of genome regulation in complicated malaria.

Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread human malaria parasite causing approximately 130-435 million infections annually. It is an economic burden in many parts of the world and poses a public health challenge along with the other Plasmodium sp. The biology of this parasite is less studied and poorly understood, in spite of these facts. Emerging evidence of severe complications due to infections by this parasite provides an impetus to focus research on the same. Investigating the parasite directly from infected patients is the best way to study its biology and pathogenic mechanisms. Gene expression studies of this parasite directly obtained from the patients has provided evidence of gene regulation resulting in varying amount of transcript levels in the different blood stages. The mechanisms regulating gene expression in malaria parasites are not well understood. Discovery of Natural Antisense Transcripts (NATs) in Plasmodium falciparum has suggested that these might play an important role in regulating gene expression. We report here the genome-wide occurrence of NATs in P. vivax parasites from patients with differing clinical symptoms. A total of 1348 NATs against annotated gene loci have been detected using a custom designed microarray with strand specific probes. Majority of NATs identified from this study shows positive correlation with the expression pattern of the sense (S) transcript. Our data also shows condition specific expression patterns of varying S and antisense (AS) transcript levels. Genes with AS transcripts enrich to various biological processes. To our knowledge this is the first report on the presence of NATs from P. vivax obtained from infected patients with different disease complications. The data suggests differential regulation of gene expression in diverse clinical conditions, as shown by differing sense/antisense ratios and would lead to future detailed investigations of gene regulation.

A stable hybrid containing haploid genomes of two obligate diploid Candida species.

Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis are diploid, predominantly asexual human-pathogenic yeasts. In this study, we constructed tetraploid (4n) strains of C. albicans of the same or different lineages by spheroplast fusion. Induction of chromosome loss in the tetraploid C. albicans generated diploid or near-diploid progeny strains but did not produce any haploid progeny. We also constructed stable heterotetraploid somatic hybrid strains (2n + 2n) of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis by spheroplast fusion. Heterodiploid (n + n) progeny hybrids were obtained after inducing chromosome loss in a stable heterotetraploid hybrid. To identify a subset of hybrid heterodiploid progeny strains carrying at least one copy of all chromosomes of both species, unique centromere sequences of various chromosomes of each species were used as markers in PCR analysis. The reduction of chromosome content was confirmed by a comparative genome hybridization (CGH) assay. The hybrid strains were found to be stably propagated. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays with antibodies against centromere-specific histones (C. albicans Cse4/C. dubliniensis Cse4) revealed that the centromere identity of chromosomes of each species is maintained in the hybrid genomes of the heterotetraploid and heterodiploid strains. Thus, our results suggest that the diploid genome content is not obligatory for the survival of either C. albicans or C. dubliniensis. In keeping with the recent discovery of the existence of haploid C. albicans strains, the heterodiploid strains of our study can be excellent tools for further species-specific genome elimination, yielding true haploid progeny of C. albicans or C. dubliniensis in future.

Genes involved in pancreatic islet cell rejuvenation.

Pancreas plays an important role in maintaining the glucose homeostasis. The deterioration of ß-cells in the pancreas is a crucial factor in the progression of diabetes mellitus; therefore, the restoration of ß-cell mass and its function is of vital importance for effective therapeutic strategies. The precise mechanism for increase in functional ß-cell mass is still unknown. This review focuses on the importance of certain genes which are involved in the rejuvenation of pancreas. These genes are divided according to their functions into three categories: participate either in proliferation (mitotic division of differentiated ß-cells), neogenesis/transdifferentiation (development from precursor cells) or inhibition of ß-cell apoptosis (programmed cell death). The rate of ß-cell rejuvenation is the balance among the rates of ß-cell proliferation, neogenesis and apoptosis. Understanding these genes and their pathways may lead to the discovery of new drugs, target based gene delivery and development of safer antidiabetic drugs.

De Novo transcriptome assembly (NGS) of Curcuma longa L. rhizome reveals novel transcripts related to anticancer and antimalarial terpenoids.

Herbal remedies are increasingly being recognised in recent years as alternative medicine for a number of diseases including cancer. Curcuma longa L., commonly known as turmeric is used as a culinary spice in India and in many Asian countries has been attributed to lower incidences of gastrointestinal cancers. Curcumin, a secondary metabolite isolated from the rhizomes of this plant has been shown to have significant anticancer properties, in addition to antimalarial and antioxidant effects. We sequenced the transcriptome of the rhizome of the 3 varieties of Curcuma longa L. using Illumina reversible dye terminator sequencing followed by de novo transcriptome assembly. Multiple databases were used to obtain a comprehensive annotation and the transcripts were functionally classified using GO, KOG and PlantCyc. Special emphasis was given for annotating the secondary metabolite pathways and terpenoid biosynthesis pathways. We report for the first time, the presence of transcripts related to biosynthetic pathways of several anti-cancer compounds like taxol, curcumin, and vinblastine in addition to anti-malarial compounds like artemisinin and acridone alkaloids, emphasizing turmeric's importance as a highly potent phytochemical. Our data not only provides molecular signatures for several terpenoids but also a comprehensive molecular resource for facilitating deeper insights into the transcriptome of C. longa.

Multiplex analysis of cytokines/chemokines as biomarkers that differentiate healthy contacts from tuberculosis patients in high endemic settings.

Differentiation of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) from active disease is one of the crucial elements in the control of tuberculosis. Earlier in Indian population which is tuberculosis endemic, we identified that 10 Mycobacterium tuberculosis secreted protein fractions, induced IFN-γ response only in healthy contacts of TB patients (HCs) and not in tuberculosis patients (TB). These fractions were termed as "Contact Specific Fractions" ("CS" fractions) and found useful for differentiating HC from TB. Proteomic analysis revealed that "CS" fractions have 16 different proteins, of which three were novel T cell antigens. Using these "CS" fractions as stimulants, earlier IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-4 cytokine responses were studied. In the present study, in order to identify the other useful cytokine biomarkers that were differentially expressed between HC and TB, Cytokine/chemokine response to "CS" fractions were analyzed using multiplex cytokine assay system. This preliminary investigation in our tuberculosis endemic population showed six cytokine (G-CSF, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, and PDGF) and one receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) that were differentially expressed between HC and TB, for the first time. Especially IL-6 and PDGF were more promising biomarkers. IL-6 measurement identified seven as HC out of 10 HC analyzed. The measurement of PDGF identified eight as TB out of 10TB tested. Studies are underway to further validate these biomarkers for the differentiation of LTBI from active tuberculosis.

Next generation sequencing and de novo transcriptome analysis of Costus pictus D. Don, a non-model plant with potent anti-diabetic properties.

BACKGROUND: Phyto-remedies for diabetic control are popular among patients with Type II Diabetes mellitus (DM), in addition to other diabetic control measures. A number of plant species are known to possess diabetic control properties. Costus pictus D. Don is popularly known as "Insulin Plant" in Southern India whose leaves have been reported to increase insulin pools in blood plasma. Next Generation Sequencing is employed as a powerful tool for identifying molecular signatures in the transcriptome related to physiological functions of plant tissues. We sequenced the leaf transcriptome of C. pictus using Illumina reversible dye terminator sequencing technology and used combination of bioinformatics tools for identifying transcripts related to anti-diabetic properties of C. pictus. RESULTS: A total of 55,006 transcripts were identified, of which 69.15% transcripts could be annotated. We identified transcripts related to pathways of bixin biosynthesis and geraniol and geranial biosynthesis as major transcripts from the class of isoprenoid secondary metabolites and validated the presence of putative norbixin methyltransferase, a precursor of Bixin. The transcripts encoding these terpenoids are known to be Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) agonists and anti-glycation agents. Sequential extraction and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) confirmed the presence of bixin in C. pictus methanolic extracts. Another significant transcript identified in relation to anti-diabetic, anti-obesity and immuno-modulation is of Abscisic Acid biosynthetic pathway. We also report many other transcripts for the biosynthesis of antitumor, anti-oxidant and antimicrobial metabolites of C. pictus leaves. CONCLUSION: Solid molecular signatures (transcripts related to bixin, abscisic acid, and geranial and geraniol biosynthesis) for the anti-diabetic properties of C. pictus leaves and vital clues related to the other phytochemical functions like antitumor, anti-oxidant, immuno-modulatory, anti-microbial and anti-malarial properties through the secondary metabolite pathway annotations are reported. The data provided will be of immense help to researchers working in the treatment of DM using herbal therapies.

Growth and spectral characterization of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) doped zinc sulphate hepta hydrate - a semi organic NLO material.

Semi-organic non-linear optical single crystals of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) doped zinc sulphate hepta hydrate crystals were grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique, at room temperature, using de-ionized water as solvent. The modes of vibrations of different molecular groups present in the grown crystal were identified by FT-IR technique. The optical absorbance/transmittance was recorded in the wavelength range of 190-1100 nm. Thermal properties of the grown crystal were studied by thermo gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. The melting point of the grown crystal was estimated by differential scanning calorimetric analysis. The inclusion of the dopant (EDTA) was confirmed by colorimetric estimation method. The second harmonic generation efficiency is about 30% of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate.