Anren Hu

Antimicrobial study of newly synthesized 6-substituted indolo[1,2-c]quinazolines

A new series of indolo[1,2-c]quinazoline derivatives were prepared in good yield through reaction of 2-(o-aminophenyl)indole with a variety of arylaldehydes. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and mass spectral studies and elemental analysis. All the title compounds were investigated for their activity against certain strains of Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus pyogenes), Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia) and pathogenic Fungi (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Trichoderma viridae). Ampicillin and ketoconazole were used as reference compounds. The results revealed that some of synthesized compounds displayed marked activity against all the tested microorganisms.

Efficient pH Dependent Drug Delivery to Target Cancer Cells by Gold Nanoparticles Capped with Carboxymethyl Chitosan

Doxorubicin (DOX) was immobilized on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) capped with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) for effective delivery to cancer cells. The carboxylic group of carboxymethyl chitosan interacts with the amino group of the doxorubicin (DOX) forming stable, non-covalent interactions on the surface of AuNPs. The carboxylic group ionizes at acidic pH, thereby releasing the drug effectively at acidic pH suitable to target cancer cells. The DOX loaded gold nanoparticles were effectively absorbed by cervical cancer cells compared to free DOX and their uptake was further increased at acidic conditions induced by nigericin, an ionophore that causes intracellular acidification. These results suggest that DOX loaded AuNPs with pH-triggered drug releasing properties is a novel nanotheraputic approach to overcome drug resistance in cancer.

Simultaneous determination of trace benzodiazepines from drinks by using direct electrospray probe/mass spectrometry (DEP/MS)

This study presents a novel means of rapidly determining benzodiazepines in various drinks. Electrospray mass spectrometry with a direct probe design is used as the analytical instrument. Samples are treated only by a simple liquid-liquid extraction prior to direct electrospray probe/mass spectrometry (DEP/MS) analysis. The proposed method provides a relatively easy and efficient means of identifying the drugs in a very short time interval. On average, sample analysis is completed in less than five minutes including sample pretreatment. It is especially useful in forensic science since the technology can provide a rapid identification for unknown samples. Thus, the method proposed herein is highly appropriate for rapidly screening a large number of samples.

Neonatal toluene exposure alters N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit expression in the hippocampus and cerebellum in juvenile rats.

Recent evidence indicates that toluene is a non-competitive inhibitor of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated synaptic currents. The NMDA receptor plays a major role in neuronal development and differentiation. The present study characterized the long-term effects of toluene exposure during synaptogenesis on the expression of NMDA receptor subunits (NR1, NR2A and NR2B). Neonatal rats were administered toluene (500 mg/kg, ip) daily over postnatal days (PN) 4-9. The expression of NMDA receptor subunits in rat brain was measured on PN 30. Western blot analysis demonstrated that toluene exposure significantly increased NR2A expression in the hippocampus and cerebellum. Immunohistochemical results indicated that the increased NR2A expression is mainly in hippocampal CA1-stratum oriens, CA1-stratum radiatum, CA1-lacunosm molecular, CA2- stratum oriens, and dentate gyrus-molecular layer and the cerebellar Purkinje cell layer, respectively. In contrast, the levels of NR2B in the toluene-exposed rats were decreased in the molecular layer. These results suggest that the region-specific changes in the expression of NMDA receptor subunits may be related to the neurobehavioral dysfunction following toluene exposure during synaptogenesis.

Synthesis, Spectral and Antibacterial Studies of Copper(II) Tetraaza Macrocyclic Complexes

A novel family of tetraaza macrocyclic Cu(II) complexes [CuLX2] (where L = N4 donor macrocyclic ligands) and (X = Cl−, NO3 −) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic moments, IR, EPR, mass, electronic spectra and thermal studies. The magnetic moments and electronic spectral studies suggest square planar geometry for [Cu(DBACDT)]Cl2 and [Cu(DBACDT)](NO3)2 complexes and distorted octahedral geometry to the rest of the ten complexes. The biological activity of all these complexes against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was compared with the activity of existing commercial antibacterial compounds like Linezolid and Cefaclor. Six complexes out of twelve were found to be most potent against both gram-positive as well as gram-negative bacteria due to the presence of thio group in the coordinated ligands.

Genomic analysis of bacteriophage ϕAB1, a ϕKMV-like virus infecting multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

We present the complete genomic sequence of a lytic bacteriophage ϕAB1 which can infect many clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The recently isolated bacteriophage displays morphology resembling Podoviridae family. The ϕAB1 genome is a linear double-stranded DNA of 41,526 bp containing 46 possible open reading frames (ORFs). The majority of the predicted structural proteins were identified as part of the phage particle by mass spectrometry analysis. According to the virion morphology, overall genomic structure, and the phylogenetic tree of RNA polymerase, we propose that ϕAB1 is a new member of the ϕKMV-like phages. Additionally, we identified four ORFs encoding putative HNH endonucleases, one of which is presumed to integrate and create a genes-in-pieces DNA polymerase. Also, a potential lysis cassette was identified in the late genome. The lytic power of this bacteriophage combined with its specificity for A. baumannii makes ϕAB1 an attractive agent for therapeutic or disinfection applications.

Synthesis of some new mono, bis-indolo[1, 2-c]quinazolines: evaluation of their antimicrobial studies

A convenient three-step strategy is proposed for the synthesis of mono and bis-indolo[1,2-c] quinazolines from 2-(2-aminophenyl)indole and various aryl aldehydes. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopic investigation. All the derivatives were screened for antibacterial (S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. pyogenes, S. typhimurium, E. coli, K. pneumonia) and antifungal (A. niger, C. albicans, T. viridae) activities by cup plate method. Among the compounds tested, mono- indolo[1,2-c] quinazolines (15-18) exhibited good antibacterial activities while 15 and 18 also showed notable antifungal activity. Especially, 19 and 20 exhibited stronger antibacterial as well as antifungal activity against all tested strains.

Identification and characterisation of the putative phage-related endolysins through full genome sequence analysis in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978.

Acinetobacter baumannii has recently emerged as a major cause of healthcare-associated infections owing to an increase in its antimicrobial resistance to virtually all available drugs. The ability of endolysins (lysozymes) to digest cell walls when applied exogenously to bacterial cells has enabled their use as novel antibacterials. In order to utilise endolysins as a therapeutic alternative to antibiotics, we surveyed the genome sequence of A. baumannii ATCC 17978 and successfully identified two phage-related endolysin genes, A1S_1600 and A1S_2016 (termed lysAB3 and lysAB4, respectively). Following cloning and expression/purification, various antibacterial activities of these two phage-related endolysins were determined in vitro. Zymographic assays showed that only purified LysAB3 could lyse the peptidoglycan of the A. baumannii cell wall. When applied exogenously, both LysAB3 and LysAB4 were active against most Acinetobacter spp. tested but had virtually no activity against other non-Acinetobacter spp. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that exposure to 100μg/mL LysAB3 and LysAB4 for up to 60min caused a remarkable modification of the cell shape of A. baumannii. These results indicate that the genes encoding phage-related endolysins can be readily isolated from the bacterial genome and have potential for the development of novel antimicrobial agents.

Potential of bacteriophage ΦAB2 as an environmental biocontrol agent for the control of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

BackgroundMultidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) is associated with nosocomial infections worldwide. To date, the use of a phage to prevent infections caused by MDRAB has not been demonstrated.ResultsThe MDRAB-specific phage ϕAB2 was stable at 4°C and pH 7 in 0.5% chloroform solution, and showed a slight decrease in plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml of 0.3–0.9 log after 330 days of storage. The addition of ϕAB2 at a concentration of at least 105 PFU/ml to an A. baumannii M3237 suspension killed >99.9% of A. baumannii M3237 after 5 min, regardless of A. baumannii M3237 concentration (104, 105, or 106 colony-forming units (CFU)/ml). The addition of ϕAB2 at a concentration of 108 PFU/slide (>107 PFU/cm2) to glass slides containing A. baumannii M3237 at 104, 105, or 106 CFU/slide, significantly reduced bacterial numbers by 93%, 97%, and 99%, respectively. Thus, this concentration is recommended for decontamination of glass surfaces. Moreover, infusion of ϕAB2 into 10% glycerol exhibited strong anti-MDRAB activity (99.9% reduction), even after 90 days of storage. Treatment of a 10% paraffin oil-based lotion with ϕAB2 significantly reduced (99%) A. baumannii M3237 after 1 day of storage. However, ϕAB2 had no activity in the lotion after 1 month of storage.ConclusionsPhages may be useful for reducing MDRAB contamination in liquid suspensions or on hard surfaces. Phages may also be inoculated into a solution to produce an antiseptic hand wash. However, the phage concentration and incubation time (the duration of phage contact with bacteria) should be carefully considered to reduce the risk of MDRAB contamination.

Synthesis of mono, bis-2-(2-arylideneaminophenyl) indole azomethines as potential antimicrobial agents

A series of mono and bis 2-2-(arylidineaminophenyl)indole azomethines have been synthesized by a condensation reaction of 2-(2-amino phenyl) indole with various mono and diketones R-CO-Rl /R-CO-X-CO-Rl (1:1/2:1 ratio) in ethanol media. The synthesized azomethines were characterized via IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial activity of these compounds against different bacteria and fungi was also evaluated.