Amrinder Singh

Transformation of gas‐phase amino acid clusters to dipeptides: a nice approach to demonstrate the formation of prebiotic peptides

RATIONALE Exploring prebiotic developments is a fascinating area of research which is continually drawing the attention of the scientific community. It is probable that first the biomolecules were formed and then they became aggregated to generate life. Formation of one such biomolecules (peptide ions) is shown in the present experiments. METHODS All amino acid solutions for recording mass spectra were prepared in 3:6.9:0.1 (v/v/v) acetonitrile/water/formic acid at a concentration of 50 μM. The studies were performed using a Bruker MicroTOF QII mass spectrometer. Before carrying out experiments in the collision cell, atmospheric pressure in-source fragmentations were also performed. The formation of different chemical species was detected with high-resolution mass spectrometry. RESULTS Here, we show experimentally the formation of amino acid cluster ions of varied populations, when a solution of an amino acid was injected into an electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight (ESI-QTOF) mass spectrometer. During in-source fragmentation/collision cell fragmentation, the non-covalent interaction between two identical amino acids forms either the [M2 + H](+) dimer cluster ion and/or the [M2 + K](+) adduct ion which, by elimination of one molecule of water, form the covalent linked dipeptide. CONCLUSIONS After the formation of the amino acid cluster, it was established that the creation of the dipeptides, by a covalent bond resulting from the loss of a water molecule, was the initial step towards the formation of the primordial peptides.

H-Bond activated glycosylation of nucleobases: implications for prebiotic nucleoside synthesis

Glycosylation of nucleobases is achieved by heating metal free aqueous solution of nucleobase and sugar. It seems that abstraction of N9/N1 H by C1′-OH promotes N9/N1(nucleobase)-C1′ (sugar) covalent bond formation.

Physical and Physiological Characteristics of Elite Indian National Football Players

Physical and Physiological Characteristics of Elite Indian National Football Players The characteristics of professional footballers have been well documented however, research into elite Asian particularly Indian players, remains relatively unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of elite Indian footballers and compare the results according to outfield playing positions.Football is the most popular sport globally and there is a growing interest for this sport in India. However, the Indian national team is currently ranked 147 of 207 according to the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). This ranking suggests that Indian playing standards need to be improved through a focus on the three key areas of physical, technical and tactical skills, as they have been reported to being related to successful football performance.

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among urban sikh population of Amritsar

Context: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) refers to a group of common metabolic disorders that share the phenotype of Hyperglycemia. More than 60% of the worlds population with diabetes comes from Asia. Aim: To study the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Sikh individuals living in the urban localities of Amritsar. Settings and Design: The study was designed in the Faculty of Sports Medicine & Physiotherapy, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India. The data collection was carried out in various urban localities of Amritsar. Blood samples were analyzed in the Biochemistry laboratory, whereas data analysis and article preparation was carried out in the Faculty of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Multi-stage random sampling was done with a sample size of 1089 patients. Statistical Analysis: The data was analyzed in Stata 11.2 software. Various tests used in the study are Mean ± SD, Pearson Chi Square Test, Students’ t test and multiple logistic regression test. Results: Our study showed that the prevalence rate of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is 23.2% with the confidence interval of 20.7–25.7. Proportionately more patients with T2DM had hypertension (46.6%). Likewise proportionately more patients, 67.5% had hypertrigylerdemia, 67.6% had low HDL levels, 59.2 % had hypercholesterolemia and 73.1% suffered from metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: Our study clearly indicates that the young Sikh adults below 40 years of age have similar high BMI, WC and WHR to that of the older adults above 40 years of age. It is necessary to adopt appropriate preventive strategies and interventions in high-risk individuals to curb the growing epidemic of diabetes. Innovative community outreach programs need to be designed and implemented to create awareness and early screening and treatment of diabetes, especially in the urban population.

Formation of amino acids from NH3/NO2, CO2 and H2O: Implications for the prebiotic origin of biomolecules

RATIONALE The search for the conditions which must have prevailed in the long-distant past during the conversion of inanimate matter into animate matter is a fascinating area of research and it continues to draw the attention of the scientific community. The initiation of life on this planet must have been preceded by the development of biomolecules, amongst which amino acids have unique importance. Formation of amino acids under a certain set of conditions is shown in the present experiments. METHODS Solutions of ammonium carboxylates or the mixture of two such salts were prepared in 3:6.9:0.1 (v/v/v) acetonitrile/water/formic acid at a concentration of 50 μM. The studies were performed using a quadrupole time-of-flight (QqTOF) mass spectrometer. The formation of different amino acids was detected with high-resolution mass spectrometry. RESULTS Here, we show the formation of amino acids when a solution of ammonium salts was injected into an electrospray ionization (ESI)-QqTOF-MS instrument. The ammonium salts were the source of NH3 and CO2 and H2 O was available in the medium. It seems that the combination of NH3 , CO2 , and H2 O leads to the formation of amino acids. CONCLUSIONS Further to the literature reports of formation of amino acids under the reduced atmosphere represented by gases such as NH3 , CH4 , H2 and H2 O, here we demonstrate the formation of amino acids by the combination of NH3 /NO2 , CO2 and water vapours in the ESI source of the mass spectrometer.

Stitching of tyrosine and 10H-acridin-9-one: turn-ON fluorescence in the narrow pH range 7.4–8.5 and intracellular labelling of cancer cells

We tailored 10H-acridin-9-one and (S)-tyrosine into 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-[(9-oxo-9,10-dihydroacridine-4-carbonyl) amino]propionic acid (2). 2 underwent pH dependent protonation/deprotonation and the effect was harnessed in terms of change in the fluorescence. The characteristic fluorescence change in the molecule in the pH 7.5 ± 1 range and its cell permeability allowed us to label cancer cells.

Effect of a 6 Week Plyometric Training Program on Agility, Vertical Jump Height and Peak Torque Ratio of Indian Taekwondo Players

Purpose: Taekwondo demands for quick change in direction while keeping balance, strength, speed and body control through high level of lower limb strength, agility to improve performance. Methodology: 30 elite national level male Taekwondo players (mean age 22.0±1.6 years; mean Height, 174.4±4.4; mean mass 62.4±6.9 kg, training experience were 21±2.29 years, 5±1.70 years respectively) were divided into two groups, G1 (n=15) has undergone plyometric training for 6 weeks and G2 (n=15) control group. Before and before after 6 weeks all subjects underwent for Illinois agility test, vertical jump by kinematic measurement system t and isotonic muscles (Hamstrings quadriceps) peak torque ratio by isokinetic dynamometer. Result: After 6 week of plyometric training program agility, vertical jump height and peak torque ratio was improved significantly (p<0.05) in G1 group (plyometric training group). No significant changes found in G2 group (control group). Conclusion: Improvement in agility, vertical jump and peak torque ratio of taekwondo players occur after 6 week of plyometric training which will reducing the risk of lower limb injuries.

Effect of a 6-week agility training program on lower limb isometric strength and fatigue index of indian taekwondo players

Background Taekwondo is a martial art sport requiring high level of agility and lower limb strength as it helps improve performance in activities. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a 6-week agility training program on lower limb isometric strength and fatigue index of Indian taekwondo players. Materials and methods A total of 30 elite national-level taekwondo players (mean age: 19.86±1.81 years, mean height: 1.70±7 m, and mean mass: 60.36±13.74 kg) volunteered and were randomly assigned into two groups: group 1 (n=15) agility training group and group 2 (n=15) control group. Both agility training group and control group were assessed for lower limb isometric strength and fatigue index assessed by HUR 5340 leg extension/curl computer controlled isotonic/isometric dynamometer. Control group had followed their routine training schedule, and agility training group had performed agility training for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks of training, post-training measures were taken. Results Significant changes (P<0.05) in group 1 (agility training group) were observed in all the variables tested. No significant changes/decline in performance was found in group 2 group (control group). Conclusion This program significantly improved the performance and may be implemented as a regular part of the training schedule.

Human Upper Limbs (Distal Radius) Show Direct Dependency on Vitamin D as Osteogenic Factor but it is not seen for The Lower Limbs (Midshaft Tibia) - Evolutionary Insights for Human Bipedalism

ABSTRACT Lower limbs bear the entire body weight under the influence of gravity in various activities of daily living like walking. Upper limbs are not having any comparable weight bearing role in modern bipedal human beings. Thus, there may be evolutionary differences in limbs for their dependency on osteogenic factors like nutrition, weight bearing, and environmental aspects. The level of vitamin D may be predominantly important for the non-weight bearing upper extremity skeletal mineralization during winters as compared to lower limbs in modern bipedal humans. Vitamin Ds association with quantitative ultrasound derived T and Z scores were checked and its osteogenic role explored in this study. Vitamin D level using enzyme - linked immunoassay (ELISA) and ultrasound derived T and Z scores of radius and tibia were checked during winters for a correlational study on 20 participants. Present study results show significant positive correlation (r=+0.491; p=.038) and significant positive linear regression analysis for quantitative ultrasound derived T score of distal radius (p=0.033 *, R2=.241, b0= - 1.51, b1=0.053) with vitamin D levels; whereas the correlation of vitamin D was not significantly positive for midshaft tibias T score (r=+0.298; p=.229). Thus, a direct dependency of vitamin D for only the upper limb has been seen, for osteogenic function.

Effect of combined resistance and plyometric training program on explosive strength in indian taekwondo players

Introduction: Sport Taekwondo was developed in the 1950s and may have a somewhat different focus, especially in terms of its emphasis on speed and competition (as in Olympic sparring). Explosive strength is a combination of strength and speed. It can be defined as the ability to overcome a resistance with high speed. In Taekwondo and many other games, the ability to generate maximum strength in shortest time period has been considered as essential to obtain high sports performance level. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to observe the effects of a combined training program (weight training and plyometrics) on explosive strength development in adolescents, Taekwondo players. Methodology: Twenty Taekwondo national level players (experimental group, n = 10 and control group, n = 10) aged 18–21 years volunteered to take part in this study. The experimental group underwent resistance training program, followed by plyometrics training program 3 days in a week for 6 weeks. The participants were assessed before and after 6 weeks of training program for upper and lower extremities explosive strength. Results: The results of the present study support the use of combined resistance and plyometric training program to improve the upper and lower body explosive strength level in Indian Taekwondo players. Conclusion: The study shows the use of combined resistance and plyometric training program can improve the upper and lower body explosive strength level in Indian Taekwondo players