Rana Gopal Singh

A study of N, O and S heterocyclic compounds as extreme pressure lubricant additives

Abstract The potential EP activity of certain synthetized 2-arylamino-5-(4′-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles and 2-arylamino-5-(4′-pyridyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles has been evaluated using a four-ball lubricant testing machine. All of the additives were found to be effective at higher loads; however, 2-p-methoxyphenylamino-5-(4′-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole and 2-p-chlorophenyl-amino-5-(4′-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole have shown good activity. The surface topography of the bearing ball wear scars was studies using scanning electron microscopy and electron probe micro-analysis techniques.

Serum prolidase activity and oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy and end stage renal disease: a correlative study with glucose and creatinine.

Association of oxidative stress and serum prolidase activity (SPA) has been reported in many chronic diseases. The study was aimed at evaluating the correlation of glucose and creatinine to SPA and oxidative stress in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) concerned with T2DM. 50 healthy volunteers, 50 patients with T2DM, 86 patients with DN, and 43 patients with ESRD were considered as control-1, control-2, case-1, and case-2, respectively. Blood glucose, creatinine, SPA, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured by colorimetric tests. SPA, TOS, and OSI were significantly increased in case-1 and case-2 than control-1 and control-2, while TAS was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Blood glucose was linearly correlated to SPA, TOS, TAS, and OSI in control-2, case-1 and case-2 (P < 0.001). Serum creatinine was linearly correlated with SPA, TOS, TAS and OSI in control-2 and case-1 (P < 0.001). In case-2, serum creatinine was significantly correlated with SPA only (P < 0.001). Thus, the study concluded that SPA and oxidative stress significantly correlated with blood glucose and creatinine. SPA, TOS, TAS, and OSI can be used as biomarkers for diagnosis of kidney damage.

Comparative evaluation of fosinopril and herbal drug Dioscorea bulbifera in patients of diabetic nephropathy

Worldwide, diabetic nephropathy is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal failure. This hospital-based single-center prospective open-label randomized case-control interventional study was performed to evaluate and compare the native drug Dioscorea bulbifera with fosinopril in the management of diabetic nephropathy. Patients with diabetic nephropathy with proteinuria >500 mg/day or albuminuria >300 mg/ day, S Cr ≤2.5 mg/dL and hypertension controlled with a single drug were included into the study and were divided into three groups according to the interventional drugs that they were given; group A (n = 46) on fosinopril (5-40 mg/day), group B (n = 45) on Dioscorea bulbifera (500 mg BD) and group C (n = 46) on neither of these drugs. All necessary laboratory investigations needed to assess the effect of both the drugs were carried out. Patients were followed-up for six months. The study included 137 patients (M:F 2.61:1) with an age range of 19-76 years. At the sixth-month follow-up, a significant decrease in the systolic blood pressure was noted in all three groups whereas the diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly only in group B. There was significantly better control of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in group B than in the other groups. Although fasting blood sugar was poorly controlled in the initial visit in all three groups, there was a significant decrease at the sixth-month follow-up in all three groups. Moreover, the decrease was significantly more pronounced in group B than in the other two groups. Low-density lipoprotein decreased significantly only in group B. Proteinuria, serum transforming growth factor-β, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein decreased in both group A and group B, more so in the latter, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Importantly, proteinuria and serum IL-6 showed an increasing trend in group C. It can be concluded that Dioscorea bulbifera was more effective than fosinopril in controlling blood pressure, glycemia, cholesterolemia and inflammatory state in diabetic nephropathy. Both agents decreased proteinuria. However, creatinine clearance significantly decreased with both the drugs, more so with Dioscera, and thus further evaluation with a larger trial is needed.

Evaluation of 2, 4-Dithiomalonamides as Extreme Pressure Additives in the Four-Ball Test

Four-ball tests using 12.7 mm diameter steel bearing balls were conducted to evaluate the load-carrying and extreme pressure properties of admixtures of paraffin oil with 1, 5-diaryl-2, 4-dithiomalonamides and a sulphur-phosphorus commercial additive (0.5 per cent wt/vol.). 1, 5-Di-p-methoxyphenyl-2, 4-dithiomalonamide exhibiting wear scar diameter and friction coefficient values of 0.58 mm and 0.058 at 100 kgf (ISL) and 2.18 mm and 0.077 at 500 kgf as compared to the values of 2.05 mm and 0.022 at 56 kgf (ISL) and 2.73 mm and 0.43 at 100 kgf for paraffin oil appeared to be most effective. The surface topography of the wear scars were examined by scanning electron microscope.

Clinicopathologic spectrum of crescentic glomerulonephritis: a hospital-based study.

Recent data regarding the clinical and histopathologic spectrum of crescentic glomerulonephritis (CSGN) among the Indian adult population is unknown. Our aim is to study the clinicopathological features and outcome of CSGN. It is a retrospective observational study from a tertiary care hospital in India over 3.5 years. Biopsy-proven cases of CSGN (i.e., >50% crescents in glomeruli) were included in the study. Cases with insufficient data were excluded. There were 34 cases of CSGN, accounting for an incidence of 5.5% among kidney biopsies. The mean age was 32.2 ± 16.09 years, with male to female ratio of 12:22. Clinical presentations of CSGN include rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in 23 (67.7%), chronic renal failure (CRF) in seven (20.5%), nephrotic syndrome in two (5.8%) and acute nephritic syndrome in two (5.8%) patients. The immunological profile of CSGN showed MPO-ANCA in nine (26.4%), PR3-ANCA in one (2.9%), both PR3 and MPO-ANCA in one (2.9%), anti-GBM antibody in five (14.7%) and lupus nephritis in six (17.6%) patients. All the three antibodies were present in one patient. The percentage of glomeruli showing crescents were 100% in nine (26.4%) and ≥80% in seven (20.5%) patients. Type of crescents seen were cellular in 11 (32.3%) and fibrocellular in 22 (64.7%) patients and fibrous in one (2.9%) patient. Interstitial fibrosis was found in seven (20.5%) patients. Dialysis dependency was seen in 11 (32.3%) patients. After 3 months of follow-up, mortality was seen in three (8.8%), remission in eight (23.5%), CRF in 15 (44.1%) and ESRD in five (14.7%) patients. CSGN carries a poor prognosis. The disorder may have an insidious onset and a slowly progressive course. ANCA, anti-GBM-antibody and anti-dsDNA can coexist in CSGN.

Host-Mimetic Metabolomics of Endophytes: Looking Back into the Future

Endophytic research is now gaining pace together with the technological advancement and refinements. The phenomenal potential of endophytes as prolific producer of a wide range of bioactive compounds occupies a complimentary domain of natural product research. The discovery of paclitaxel (Taxol) as bioactive natural product of endophytic origin seems to draw indisputable attention not only for their antitumor activity but as potential microbial alternative for this high in-demand drug. Plenty of opinion is given by the enthusiasts on microbial production of paclitaxel as phylogenetic process and driving paradigm of evolution; however, skeptics described it as phylogenetic anomalies. But despite being highly controversial, the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) theory still seems quite justifiable. Let’s have another example: “maytansinoid,” a potent cytotoxic agent, was isolated and characterized from microbial endophyte of the same plant; however in both cases, further investigations recorded their occurrence not only in same host but also from deferent distant hosts and even from different endophytes. So the report of taxane and related taxoids from a taxonomically distant host raises several questions. One may assume that this might be due to evolutionary invention; however, it is very unlikely to accept that all modules of gene responsible for biosynthesis of these molecules invented in microbial systems during long evolutionary symbiosis. With this chapter we are trying to get into the mechanistic aspects of host-specific chemicals synthesized by endophytic microbes together with our experience with isolation and characterization of host-specific compounds like piperine and azadirachtin. Nevertheless, the significance of this potential of endophytes cannot be ignored, as it provides not only alternative source to existing pharmaceuticals but also on the other hand save the valuable biodiversity of highly medicinal plants.

Tribological studies of 1-alkyl-2,5-dithiohydrazodicarbonamides and their Mo-S complexes as EP and multifunctional additives

Abstract This communication reports a comparative study of the anti-wear, extreme pressure and friction reducing properties of 0.5% (w/v) admixtures of paraffin oil with 1-alkyl-2,5- dithiohydrazodicarbonamide ligands and their Mo–S complexes, i.e. μ-hydroxo-μ-(1-alkyl-2,5-dithiohydrazodicarbonamido)-bis-[dioxohydroxo molybdenum VI] using 12.7 mm diameter steel bearing balls in a four-ball test. In particular, the additive μ-hydroxo-μ-(1-n-butyl-2,5-dithiohydrazodicarbonamido)-bis-[dioxohydroxo molybdenum VI] exhibits an increase in the load carrying capacity of the lubricant and a decrease in the values of wear and coefficient of friction. The surface analysis of the wear-scar matrix of the used ball specimen has been investigated by SEM and AES techniques.

Mutational screening of PKD2 gene in the north Indian polycystic kidney disease patients revealed 28 genetic variations

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a systemic disorder which adds majority of renal patients to end stage renal disease. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is more prevalent and leading cause of dialysis and kidney transplant. Linkage analysis revealed some closely linked loci, two of which are identified as PKD1, PKD2 and an unidentified locus to ADPKD. This study was performed using PCR and automated DNA sequencing in 84 cases and 80 controls to test potential candidature of PKD2 as underlying cause of PKD by in silico and statistical analyses. Two associated symptoms, hypertension (19%) and liver cyst (31%) have major contribution to PKD. Gender-based analysis revealed that familial female patients (27%) and familial male patients (33%) are more hypertensive. Liver cyst, the second major contributing symptom presented by large percentage of sporadic males (46%). Genetic screening of all 15 exons of PKD2 revealed eight pathogenic (c.854_854delG, c.915C>A, c.973C>T, c.1050_1050delC, c.1604_1604delT, c.1790T>C, c.2182_2183delAG, c.2224C>T) and eight likely pathogenic (g.11732A>G, c.646T>C, c.1354A>G, g.39212G>C, c.1789C>A, c.1849C>A, c.2164G>T, c.2494A>G) DNA sequence variants. In our study, 27.38% (23/84) cases shown pathogenic / likely pathogenic variants in PKD2 gene. Some regions of PKD2 prone for genetic variation suggested to be linked with disease pathogenesis. This noticeable hot spot regions hold higher frequency (50%) of pathogenic / likely pathogenic genetic variants constituting single nucleotide variants than large deletion and insertion that actually represents only 41.08% of coding sequence of PKD2. Statistically significant association for IVS3-22AA genotype was observed with PKD, while association of IVS4+62C>T was found insignificant.

Role of Low Acid Diet in Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction - Acid-base balance is maintained by normal elimination of carbon dioxide by the lungs (which affects the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) and normal excretion of non-volatile acid by the kidneys (which affects the plasma bicarbonate concentration). The role of dietary acid also should be given greater consideration in CKD patients. Objective - The objective of the study was to know the effect of dietary intervention of Low Acid Diet on (CKD) Chronic kidney disease outcomes. Methodology - It is a hospital based interventional study. Patients were recruited from nephrology OPD of Sir Sunderlal Hospital IMS BHU Varanasi, India in the age group of eighteen years and above who were ready to give written consent. Follow-up has been done for six months. Study variables were BMI, Demographic profile, Glomerular filtration rate, bicarbonate level by ABG, Blood levels of Urea, Creatinine. Investigative variables were obtained by standard methods as used in the hospital. Study tools used were Interview Schedule, Electronic weighing scale, Measuring tape, Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and 24hr. dietary recall method were applied for dietary assessment. Data were analyzed by trial version of SPSS 16 software. Results - Results shows that serum bicarbonate was increased from less than 23mmol/L in 5 patients to more than 23mmol/L in 8 patients. Reduction was found in CKD stages 2 and 5. In dietary habits fruit intake was found increased who were taking 2-4 servings per day likewise frequency of 3 servings per day of vegetable intake was found increased from 4 patients to 12 patients. Conclusion - Present study suggest that intervention of low acid diet by increasing fruits and vegetable intake holds promise to be an additional kidney-protective strategy in CKD management.

Prolonged elevated postprandial sugar augments severity in kidney disease: a North Indian hospital-based study

Abstract Aim: Diabetes plays a major role in progression of renal failure. The risk-factor profile changes during the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) from mild/moderate to end-stage renal disease. The relationship between glycemic indices, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and age at diagnosis in Indians has been less investigated. We assessed association of these risk factors with CKD stages in Indian population. Methods: This study was carried out on patients (n = 162) who were diagnosed with CKD and normal control group (n = 155). For BMI, National Institutes for Health criteria were used to categorize the patients. Result: The mean age of CKD patients were significantly increased with the advancement of stage. BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), postprandial sugar level (PP), urea and creatinine were also significantly higher with elevated stages, whereas no differences were observed in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and fasting blood sugar (FBS). The logistic regression study gave a significant result (p = 0.000) when we compared the group of CKD patients with established/prolonged postprandial blood sugar. It was independently associated with mild CKD [odds ratio (OR) = 5.213, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.06–13.21, p = 0.000], moderate CKD (OR = 7.724, 95% CI = 4.05–14.74, p = 0.000) and severe CKD (OR = 7.610, 95% CI = 4.03–14.36, p = 0.000). Conclusion: SBP and PP were the best predictors of prevalent nephropathy in this population, while DBP and FBS were found to be less effective. This may have implication for kidney disease risk stratification and protection.