TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and type 2 diabetes: a case-control study in South Indian population.

TP53 functions primarily as a tumor suppressor, controlling a myriad of signalling pathways that prevent a cell from undergoing malignant transformation. This tumor suppressive function requires an activation and stabilization of TP53 in response to cell stressors. However, besides its cancer-preventive functions, TP53 is also known to be involved in diverse cellular processes including metabolism, reproduction, stem cell renewal and development. Indeed, several lines of evidence strongly suggest that TP53 plays crucial role in diabetes. A number of studies have evaluated the association of genetic alterations (single nucleotide variations) in TP53 gene with the development of diabetes. However, the results have not been consistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the C/G polymorphism at codon 72 (Pro72/Arg72), located in exon 4 of TP53, is associated with type 2 diabetes in South Indian population. A total of 74 type 2 diabetic patients and 54 non-diabetic subjects were screened. None of the three genotypes, namely C/C (Pro/Pro), C/G (Pro/Arg), and G/G (Arg/Arg) was found to be significantly associated with type 2 diabetes in our study group. The findings of this study indicate that TP53 codon 72 polymorphism is not associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes in South Indian population. Further studies with a large cohort size would be necessary to corroborate the observations of this study. Nevertheless, this study represents the first genetic analysis of TP53 variants in South Indian type 2 diabetic patients.

Evaluation of DNA Methylation Changes by CRED-RA Analysis Following Prednisone Treatment of Endophyte, Fusarium oxysporum.

Endophytes that represent a sub-set of plant resident microbes are a reservoir of bioactive metabolites. Many of the secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters of endophytes are silent under axenic culture conditions. Epigenetic reprogramming of such cryptic pathways is possible by use of small molecule modulators like prednisone. Methylation changes induced by prednisone, a hypomethylating epigenetic modulator were studied in endophytic Fusarium oxysporum. CRED-RA analysis following exposure to non-cytotoxic dose (300 µM) revealed prednisone as effective in inducing non-methylation and semi-methylation pattern while inhibiting full-methylation of the genome. Effectiveness of prednisone as a DNA methyl transferase inhibitor can be explored in future to study alterations in secondary metabolite gene expression profile in endophytic F. oxysporum.

Augmenting the effect of solvents on optical nonlinearity by spectroscopic, DFT, solvatochromism and z-scan studies of push-pull chalcone: (2E)-1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one.

In this article, the structural and nonlinear optical behaviour of a chalcone derivative, (2E)-1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one have been studied. FT-IR, FT-Raman, and NMR spectroscopy were analyzed to validate the molecular structure. To predict the nonlinear optical characteristics of the chalcone, the DFT approach was used and the experimental results were corroborated by the computations. The bathochromic shift is obtained in linear absorbance spectra and is validated using TD-DFT. Also, the broad emission in the blue region demonstrates the blue light emission property of the sample. Using the finite-field method, the dipole moments, polarizability, first-order and second-order hyperpolarizability parameters have been computed. Ground and excited state dipole moments were quantified by solvatochromism. The third-order nonlinear optical characteristics of chalcone in polar and non-polar solvent media were examined using the open/closed-aperture z-scan technique. The chalcone displayed considerable two-photon absorption with a positive nonlinear absorption coefficient and a positive index of refraction due to the self-focussing effect. Furthermore, the optical limiting study manifests that the investigated chalcone might well be favourable for NLO applications.

Triple dip La-Nina, unorthodox circulation and unusual spin in air quality of India.

The recent La-Nina phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon unusually lasted for third consecutive year, has disturbed global weather and linked to Indian monsoon. However, our understanding on the linkages of such changes to regional air quality is poor. We hereby provide a mechanism that beyond just influencing the meteorology, the interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere during the retreating phase of the La-Niña produced secondary results that significantly influenced the normal distribution of air quality over India through disturbed large-scale wind patterns. The winter of 2022-23 that coincided with retreating phase of the unprecedented triple dip La-Niña, was marred by a mysterious trend in air quality in different climatological regions of India, not observed in recent decades. The unusually worst air quality over South-Western India, whereas relatively cleaner air over the highly polluted North India, where levels of most toxic pollutant (PM2.5) deviating up to about ±30 % from earlier years. The dominance of higher northerly wind in the transport level forces influx and relatively slower winds near the surface, trapping pollutants in peninsular India, thereby notably increasing PM2.5 concentration. In contrast, too feeble western disturbances, and unique wind patterns with the absence of rain and clouds and faster ventilation led to a significant improvement in air quality in the North. The observed findings are validated by the chemical-transport model when forced with the climatology of the previous year. The novelty of present research is that it provides an association of air quality with climate change. We demonstrate that the modulated large-scale wind patterns linked to climatic changes may have far-reaching consequences even at a local scale leading to unusual changes in the distribution of air pollutants, suggesting ever-stringent emission control actions.

Solvent effect, DFT and NLO studies of A-π-D-π-A and A-π-D-π-D push-pull chromophore of 1,2-diazepin-4-ol based derivatives with optical limiting application.

The nonlinear optical properties of push-pull chromophores, namely (E)-7-(4-bromophenyl)-2,5-bis(4-nitrophenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-1,2-diazepin-4-ol (A-π-D-π-A) and (E)-7-(4-bromophenyl)-5-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-phenyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-1,2-diazepin-4-ol (A-π-D-π-D), have been investigated using the z-scan technique. NMR, FT-IR, and UV-visible spectral analysis have been performed. The results were compared with density functional theory calculations employing the B3LYP/6-311++G (d, p) basis set. Geometry optimization, frontier molecular analysis, and TD-DFT calculations were conducted in various solvent environments to elucidate solute-solvent interactions. Gaussian 09 software was employed for natural bond orbital analysis, natural population analysis, and molecular electrostatic potential exploration. This comprehensive approach provides insights into the molecular structure and electronic properties of the investigated chromophores, shedding light on their potential applications in nonlinear optics. Normal coordinate analysis using the MOLVIB software has been used to assign the vibrational mode unambiguously. Theoretical second-order hyperpolarizability was computed, and NLO investigations have been employed to determine the second-order hyperpolarizability in both the polar and non-polar solvents. Further, the optical limiting capability was also examined.

Enhanced NLO response and switching self-focussing in benzodiazepine derivative with -NO2 and -Br substitution.

Optoelectronic and the cubic nonlinear optical properties of 4-(4-Bromophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2, 3-dihydro-1H-1, 5-benzodiazepine have been studied. Z-scan technique was used for the third-order nonlinear optical measurements namely, nonlinear absorption, nonlinear refraction, and optical power limiting behaviour employing an Nd: YAG laser of 532 nm wavelength having 5 ns Gaussian pulses. B3LYP/6-311 ++ G (d, p) level of theory was employed for structural optimization, vibrational wavenumber, frontier molecular orbitals, natural bond orbital and population analysis. The MOLVIB programme was used to perform unambiguous vibrational assignments based on potential energy distribution values acquired from normal coordinate analysis. B3LYP and CAM-B3LYP hybrid functions have been employed at the DFT level to calculate the theoretical second-order hyperpolarizability. The substitution of -NO2 and -Br in this benzodiazepine compound enhances the second-order hyperpolarizability (γ) to the order of 10-34 esu and, switching of self-defocussing to self-focussing phenomenon. The HOMO-LUMO and optical band gap analysis illustrates that polarizing nature of the molecule vary with substituents. The obtained results indicate that this compound has potential applications in optoelectronics and photonics.

Kaposi's sarcoma: An interesting case report in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive heterosexual male.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative neoplasm that affects skin and other organs. It is one of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining conditions, which tends to occur at low CD4 count. It is the most common neoplasm among patients with AIDS in the Western population. It is rarely reported from India. We report the case of a 38-year-old human immunodeficiency virus-positive heterosexual male, with an unusual presentation of KS.

Polyphenolic characteristics, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Zingiber neesanum (Graham) Ramamoorthy rhizomes and identification of volatile metabolites by GC-MS analysis.

Rhizomes of Zingiber neesanum (Graham) Ramamoorthy, endemic to Western Ghats and subject to few studies, were analysed for bioactivity and phytochemical composition. High total tannin (TT) content in isopropanol extract [55.261 ± 6.623 mg TAE.100 g-1 DW] contributed to antimicrobial activity against gram negative Enterococcus fecalis (21.7 ± 0.6 cm) while high total flavonoid (TF) content in ethyl acetate extract [681.94 ± 33.87 mg CE.100 g-1 DW] accounted for the antifungal activity against Mucor rouxii (9.7 ± 0.6). Isopropanol extracts also showed high anti-oxidant activity as determined by DPPH and FRAP assays. Major bioactive phytochemical constituents in Z. neesanum rhizome identified by GC-MS analysis included 2-Methyl-7-nonadecene (13.99%; antimicrobial), Actinomycin C2 (8.57%; antineoplastic) and Deoxyspergualin (12.55%; immunosuppressive).

Probiotic and prebiotic-probiotic PEC microparticles for sustaining and enhancing intestinal probiotic growth.

The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate Polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) microparticles composing Lactobacillus Acidophilus (probiotic) and Fructo oligosaccharide-Lactobacillus Acidophilus (prebiotic-probiotic), for sustaining and enhancing intestinal growth of probiotic bacteria. Gum Karaya-Chitosan(GK-CH) was used to fabricate PEC microparticles by extrusion method. The prepared microparticles were characterized for FT-IR, DSC and particle size and evaluated for percentage yield, swelling, surface morphology, entrapment rate and further studied for influence of prebiotic over probiotic growth. The fabricated PEC microparticles composed of Probiotic and Prebiotic- Probiotic have exhibited sustainability of probiotic bacteria for 12 hrs in GIT conditions and presence of prebiotic in the preparation enhanced the probiotic cell growth. Hence, it can be concluded that PEC between GK-CH was found to be successful in sustaining cell release and presence of prebiotic was found to enhance the probiotic cell growth.