Rajeshwara N. Achur

Circulating Cytokines as Biomarkers of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

There are currently no consistent objective biochemical markers of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Development of reliable diagnostic biomarkers that permit accurate assessment of alcohol intake and patterns of drinking is of prime importance to treatment and research fields. Diagnostic biomarker development in other diseases has demonstrated the utility of both open, systems biology, screening for biomarkers and more rational focused efforts on specific biomolecules or families of biomolecules. Long-term alcohol consumption leads to altered inflammatory cell and adaptive immune responses with associated pathologies and increased incidence of infections. This has led researchers to focus attention on identifying cytokine biomarkers in models of alcohol abuse. Alcohol is known to alter cytokine levels in plasma and a variety of tissues including lung, liver, and very importantly brain. A number of cytokine biomarker candidates have been identified, including: tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1-alpha, IL-1-beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. This is an emerging and potentially exciting avenue of research in that circulating cytokines may contribute to diagnostic biomarker panels, and a combination of multiple biomarkers may significantly increase the sensitivity and specificity of the biochemical tests aiding reliable and accurate detection of excessive alcohol intake.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole-benzimidazole derivatives.

In this report, we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of 2-(imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazol-5-yl)-1H-benzimidazole derivatives (5a-ac). The molecules were analyzed by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, mass spectral and elemental data. The structure of one of the pre-final compounds, 6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methylphenyl)imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole-5-carbaldehyde (4d) and that of a target compound, 2-[2-methyl-6-(4-methyl phenyl) imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazol-5-yl]-1H-benzimidazole (5aa) were confirmed by single crystal XRD studies. All the target compounds were screened for inxa0vitro anti-tuberculosis activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain. Seven (5c, 5d, 5l, 5p, 5r, 5z and 5aa) out of twenty nine compounds showed potent anti-tubercular activity with a MIC of 3.125xa0μg/mL. A p-substituted phenyl group (p-tolyl or p-chlorophenyl) in the imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole ring and/or a chloro group in the benzimidazole ring enhance anti-tuberculosis activity whereas a nitro group in the benzimidazole ring reduces the activity. In the antibacterial screening, compounds 5i, 5w and 5ac showed promising activity against the tested bacterial strains. Further, antifungal and antioxidant activities of these molecules were also investigated. In the cytotoxicity study, the active antitubercular compounds exhibited very low toxicity against a normal cell line.

Synthesis of new pyrazole-triazole hybrids by click reaction using a green solvent and evaluation of their antitubercular and antibacterial activity

AbstractA new series of pyrazole-based 1,2,3-triazole derivatives (6a–x) were synthesized by employing click reaction using a 2:1 mixture of PEG-400 and water as green solvent. The synthesized intermediate and final compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectra and elemental analysis techniques. The structure of one of the final compounds, 6a was evidenced by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Among the twenty-four compounds, five compounds (6a, 6b, 6d, 6f, and 6g) showed significant antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)xa0≤xa06.25xa0µg/mL. The 4-(((5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)methoxy)methyl)-1-cyclohexyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole (6g) was the most potent compound of the series, which showed a MIC of 3.13xa0µg/mL. The cytotoxicity study of active anti-TB compounds on normal Vero cells revealed that the compounds are non-toxic with a high selectivity index (>37). Most of the pyrazole-1,2,3-triazole derivatives with a 4-chlorophenyl substitution at position-5 of the pyrazole ring showed a better anti-TB activity than the corresponding 4-bromophenyl or 4-methoxyphenyl substituted derivatives. The target compounds were also evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity and six compounds (6a, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6l, and 6w) showed promising inhibition activity against four tested strains.nGraphical AbstractA new series of pyrazole-1,2,3-triazole derivatives were synthesized by employing a multicomponent one pot click reaction. The most potent anti-TB agent of the series showed a MIC of 3.13xa0µg/mL.

Need for PCR Analysis in Assessing Severe Malaria Infections with Plasmodium vivax

Even though Plasmodium vivax is highly prevalent in India, the studies are limited not only due to its benign nature but also because of the magnitude of severity caused by P. falciparum malaria. In a recent interesting case report published in this journal it has been reported that this is the first reported case of vivax malaria associated with acute pancreatitis, which resulted in mortality [1]. In this case report, the diagnosis has been made on the basis of traditional smear microscopy and malaria rapid diagnostic test. However, we consider that, the patients’ blood could have been subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to confirm the P. vivax mono-infection. The 18S rRNA PCR diagnostics has been employed in some of the severe vivax malaria case studies reported from India, which is particularly important to evaluate the actual burden of vivax malaria [2, 3, 4]. In a recent observational and prospective PCR-based study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Northwestern India, the involvement of P. vivax mono-infection has clearly been proven unequivocally among thirteen children with cerebral malaria and multi-organ dysfunction [5]. Similarly, there is an urgent need for multi-centric and prospective studies by using PCR detections of severely ill malaria patients along with traditional detection methods to assess the genuine burden of severe and fatal disease associated with vivax malaria.

Optimization of novel halophilic lipase production by Fusarium solani strain NFCCL 4084 using palm oil mill effluent

Among different sources of lipases, fungal lipases have continued to attract a wide range of applications. Further, halophilic lipases are highly desirable for biodiesel production due to the need to mitigate environmental pollution caused as result of extensive use of fossil fuels. However, currently, the high production cost limits the industrial application of lipases. In order to address this issue, we have attempted to optimize lipase production by Fusarium solani NFCCL 4084 and using palm oil mill effluent (POME) based medium. The production was optimized using a combinatory approach of Plackett-Burman (PB) design, one factor at a time (OFAT) design and face centred central composite design (FCCCD). The variables (malt extract, (NH4)2SO4, CaCl2, MgSO4, olive oil, peptone, K2HPO4, NaNO3, Tween-80, POME and pH) were analyzed using PB design and the variables with positive contrast coefficient were found to be K2HPO4, NaNO3, Tween-80, POME and pH. The significant variables selected were further analyzed for possible optimum range by using OFAT approach and the findings revealed that K2HPO4, NaNO3, and Tween-80 as the most significant medium components, and thus were further optimized by using FCCCD. The optimum medium yielded a lipase with an activity of 7.8 U/ml, a significant 3.2-fold increase compared to un-optimized medium. The present findings revealed that POME is an alternative and suitable substrate for halophilic lipase production at low cost. Also, it is clearly evident that the combinatory approach employed here proved to be very effective in producing high activity halophilic lipases, in general.

Drug resistance genes: Pvcrt-o and pvmdr-1 polymorphism in patients from malaria endemic South Western Coastal Region of India

BackgroundMalaria is highly prevalent in many parts of India and is mostly caused by the parasite species Plasmodium vivax followed by Plasmodium falciparum. Chloroquine (CQ) is the first-line treatment for blood stage P. vivax parasites, but cases of drug resistance to CQ have been reported from India. One of the surveillance strategies which is used to monitor CQ drug resistance, is the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the associated gene markers. Susceptibility to CQ can also be determined by copy number assessment of multidrug resistant gene (mdr-1). The current study has examined the prevalence of SNPs in P. vivax orthologs of P. falciparum chloroquine resistant and multi-drug resistant genes (pvcrt-o and pvmdr-1, respectively) and pvmdr-1 copy number variations in isolates from the highly endemic Mangaluru city near the South Western Coastal region of India.MethodsA total of 140 blood samples were collected from P. vivax infected patients attending Wenlock Hospital Mangaluru during July 2014 to January 2016. Out of these 140 samples, sequencing was carried out for 54 (38.5%) and 85 (60.7%) isolates for pvcrt-o and pvmdr-1, respectively. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the pvcrt-o and pvmdr-1 genes were analysed by direct sequencing method, while copy number variations of 60 isolates (42. 8%) were determined by real time PCR.ResultsOut of 54 clinical isolates analysed for pvcrt-o, three (5.6%) showed K10 insertion and the rest had wild type sequence. This is the first report to show K10 insertion in P. vivax isolates from India. Further, out of 85 clinical isolates of P. vivax analysed for mutations in pvmdr-1 gene, only one isolate had wild type sequence (~xa01%) while the remaining (99%) carried mutant alleles. Seven non-synonymous mutations with two novel mutations (I946V and Y1028C) were observed. Of all the observed mutations in pvmdr-1 gene, T958M was most highly prevalent (present in 90% of samples) followed by F1076L (76%), and Y976F (7%). Amplification of pvmdr-1 gene was observed in 31.6% of the isolates, out of 60 amplified.ConclusionThe observed variations both in pvmdr-1 and pvcrt-o genes indicate a trend towards parasite acquiring CQ resistance in this endemic area.

Malaria prevalence in Mangaluru city area in the southwestern coastal region of India

BackgroundMalaria is highly prevalent in many parts of India and the Indian subcontinent. Mangaluru, a city in the southwest coastal region of Karnataka state in India, and surrounding areas are malaria endemic with 10–12 annual parasite index. Despite high endemicity, to-date, very little has been reported on the epidemiology and burden of malaria in this area.MethodsA cross-sectional surveillance of malaria cases was performed among 900 febrile symptomatic native people (long-time residents) and immigrant labourers (temporary residents) living in Mangaluru city area. During each of dry, rainy, and end of rainy season, blood samples from a group of 300 randomly selected symptomatic people were screened for malaria infection. Data on socio-demographic, literacy, knowledge of malaria, and treatment-seeking behaviour were collected to understand the socio-demographic contributions to malaria menace in this region.ResultsMalaria is prevalent in Mangaluru region throughout the year and Plasmodium vivax is predominant species compared to Plasmodium falciparum. The infection frequency was found to be high during rainy season. Infections were markedly higher in males than females, and in adults aged 16–45xa0years than both younger and older age groups. Also, malaria incidence was high among immigrants compared to native population. In both groups, infection rate was directly correlated with their literacy level, knowledge on malaria, dwelling environment, and protective measures used. There was also a significant difference in treatment-seeking behaviour between these two groups.ConclusionsMalaria incidences in Mangaluru region are predominantly localized to certain hotspot areas within the city, where socioeconomically underprivileged and immigrant labourers are densely populated. These areas have inadequate sanitation and constant water stagnation, harbouring high vector density and contributing to high infection incidences. Additionally, people in these areas seldom practice preventive measures such as using bed nets. The high incidences of malaria in adults are due to minimal cloth wearing, and long working hours stretching to late evenings in places with high vector density. Instituting heightened preventive public measures by governments and creating awareness on using preventive protective and environmental hygienic measures through educational programmes may substantially reduce the risk of contracting infections in these areas and spreading to other areas.

Malaria Transmission Under an Unusual Circumstance Causing Death in Two Siblings

Two school-going siblings from a family residing in a presumed malaria non-endemic locality ∼90 km from Mangalore city in southwestern India contracted Plasmodium falciparum infection. In both cases, misunderstanding of initial clinical symptoms as due to viral hepatitis resulted in progression to severe malaria before malaria treatment was initiated. Despite treatment at a tertiary hospital, the children died of cerebral malaria and multi-organ dysfunction. Active case detection in the affected locality suggested that the infection was transmitted from infected individuals who worked in nearby malaria-endemic areas and periodically visited their families. A lesson from this study is that lethal falciparum malaria can be transmitted in regions of India, believed to be non-endemic for the disease, resulting in fatal outcomes if diagnosis is missed or delayed. Implementation of effective surveillance and control measures as well as preparedness for malaria detection and diagnosis are necessary in areas that are potentially disposed to malaria transmission even though they are presumed to be non-endemic.

Presence of novel triple mutations in the pvdhfr from Plasmodium vivax in Mangaluru city area in the southwestern coastal region of India

BackgroundGenes encoding dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) are the targets of sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (SP) present in artemisinin based combination therapy (ACT; artesunateu2009+u2009sulfadoxine pyrimethamine) for Plasmodium falciparum. Although SP is generally not used to treat vivax infection, mutations in dhfr and dhps that confer antifolate resistance in Plasmodium vivax are common; which may be attributed to its sympatric existence with P. falciparum. Current study was aimed to determine the pattern of mutations in dhfr and dhps in P. vivax isolates from Mangaluru region.MethodsA total of 140 blood samples were collected from P. vivax-infected people attending Wenlock Hospital Mangaluru during July 2014 to January 2016. Out of 140 isolates, 25 (18%) and 50 (36%) isolates were selected randomly for sequence analysis of pvdhfr and pvdhps genes respectively. Fragment of pvdhps and full length pvdhfr were amplified, sequenced and analysed for single nucleotide polymorphisms. dhps was analysed by PCR–RFLP also, to detect the two specific mutations (A383G and A553G).ResultsAnalysis of pvdhps sequences from 50 isolates revealed single and double mutants at 38 and 46% respectively. Three non-synonymous mutations (K55R, S58R and S117N) were identified for pvdhfr. Among these, K55R was detected for the first time.ConclusionsThe current study indicates that P. vivax dhps and dhfr mutant alleles are prevalent in this area, suggesting significant SP pressure.

Subdural haematoma in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax mixed infection presenting multiple clinical complications

A 40-year-old man was admitted to hospital with a 5 day history of fever, restlessness and altered sensorium. Peripheral blood smears showed a Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum mixed infection as revealed by the presence of rings, schizonts and gametocyte forms of the parasites. The patient soon became unconscious due to subdural haematoma (SDH) associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombocytopenia. Immediate intervention with a right fronto-parieto temporal craniectomy, evacuation of the SDH and intravenous quinine administration resulted in the patients complete recovery within 8 days of admission, and he was discharged in good clinical condition.