Spirocyclization and Michael addition of 3-benzylidene succinimides: route to spirocyclopentapyrrolidine-tetraones and benzylidene N-arylpyrrolidine-diones.

Reactions of 3-benzylidene succinimides with 2-substituted 2-hydroxy-indane-1,3-diones and unsaturated pyrazolones are carried out under basic conditions to afford spirocyclized derivatives and Michael adducts, respectively, with high regio- and stereo-selectivities. The most notable aspect of the reaction is the ability of highly reactive benzylidene succinimide to act as both an electrophile and a nucleophile causing spirocyclization. The reaction proceeded under mild and metal-free conditions and products were isolated in good to high yields. The current strategy utilizes simple and easily accessible precursors, and provides functionally rich products of medicinal interest with two to four contiguous stereogenic centres and complete regioselectivity with excellent diastereoselectivity.

Quantity and quality of minichromosome maintenance protein complexes couple replication licensing to genome integrity.

Accurate and complete replication of genetic information is a fundamental process of every cell division. The replication licensing is the first essential step that lays the foundation for error-free genome duplication. During licensing, minichromosome maintenance protein complexes, the molecular motors of DNA replication, are loaded to genomic sites called replication origins. The correct quantity and functioning of licensed origins are necessary to prevent genome instability associated with severe diseases, including cancer. Here, we delve into recent discoveries that shed light on the novel functions of licensed origins, the pathways necessary for their proper maintenance, and their implications for cancer therapies.

Sustainable treatment and nutrient recovery from leafy waste through vermicomposting.

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the vermicomposting potential of two cruciferous vegetables' residual biomasses under laboratory conditions. Cabbage and cauliflower residual biomasses were spiked with 60% cow dung and vermicomposted for 90 days. The results showed a decrease in pH (5.3-9.8%), Total Organic Carbon (36.7-42.8%); increase in Electrical Conductivity (33-99.4%) and ash content (144.7-187.8%) after vermicomposting. Significant reduction in C:N ratio (49.5-76.4%) and C:P ratio (62.8-66.04%), increase in Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (49.3-85.3%), Total Available Phosphorus (68.2-98.1%), Total Potassium (91.8-120.3%) were observed. FT-IR spectra of the vermicomposts had lesser band heights and peak intensities than raw materials. This evidenced decomposition of organic compounds and vermicompost stability. Germination Index values was calculated to determine the phytotoxicity level. Earthworms' growth and prolificacy was evaluated in terms of biomass gain, cocoons production and worm growth rate. Finally, it was inferred that cruciferous vegetables' biomass can be used for vermicomposting. The cauliflower residual biomass has shown better decomposition efficiency than cabbage residual biomass.

Management of banana crop waste biomass using vermicomposting technology.

This study reports the vermicomposting of banana crop waste biomass by Eisenia fetida. Cow dung has been used as bulking agent in this study. The experiment was conducted in six vermireactors containing different ratios of banana leaf waste biomass (BL) and cow dung (CD) for 105 days. Earthworm activity significantly reduced pH, TOC, C:N and C:P ratio of the wastes. Whereas macronutrients and micronutrients content increased after vermicomposting. TOC content of wastes reduced by 40-64% and C:N ratio of the vermicomposts was in the range of 8.9-24.3. The benefit ratio for heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn and Cr) was in the range of 0.23-3.44. The results indicated that the growth and fecundity of the earthworms was best in the vermireactors having 20-40% BL. Finally, it was concluded that vermicomposting can be included in the overall scheme of banana crop waste management.

Biotransformation of bakery industry sludge into valuable product using vermicomposting.

The aim of present work was to evaluate periodic changes in bakery industry sludge during vermicomposting. Six different blends of cow dung (CD) and bakery industry sludge (BIS) containing 10 to 50% of BIS were assessed in this study. Changes in physico-chemical parameters were evaluated at 21 days interval up to 105 days. Earthworms significantly increased NPK content and EC, while decreased pH, TOC and C: N ratio of BIS. After vermicomposting, TKN, TAP and TK contents increased 2.0-3.5, 1.2-1.9 and 1.2-1.4 times, respectively as compared to initial blends. A significant reduction (65.4-83.5%) in C: N ratio was observed in all blends. The concentrations of metals were found to be higher in the vermicomposts as compared initial blends. It was inferred that bakery industry sludge spiked with cow dung can be biotransformed into valuable manure employing earthworms.

Cancer Stem Cells: Acquisition, Characteristics, Therapeutic Implications, Targeting Strategies and Future Prospects.

Since last two decades, the major cancer research has focused on understanding the characteristic properties and mechanism of formation of Cancer stem cells (CSCs), due to their ability to initiate tumor growth, self-renewal property and multi-drug resistance. The discovery of the mechanism of acquisition of stem-like properties by carcinoma cells via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has paved a way towards a deeper understanding of CSCs and presented a possible avenue for the development of therapeutic strategies. In spite of years of research, various challenges, such as identification of CSC subpopulation, lack of appropriate experimental models, targeting cancer cells and CSCs specifically without harming normal cells, are being faced while dealing with CSCs. Here, we discuss the biology and characteristics of CSCs, mode of acquisition of stemness (via EMT) and development of multi-drug resistance, the role of tumor niche, the process of dissemination and metastasis, therapeutic implications of CSCs and necessity of targeting them. We emphasise various strategies being developed to specifically target CSCs, including those targeting biomarkers, key pathways and microenvironment. Finally, we focus on the challenges that need to be subdued and propose the aspects that need to be addressed in future studies in order to broaden the understanding of CSCs and develop novel strategies to eradicate them in clinical applications. Graphical Abstract Cancer Stem Cells(CSCs) have gained much attention in the last few decades due to their ability to initiate tumor growth and, self-renewal property and multi-drug resistance. Here, we represent the CSC model of cancer, Characteristics of CSCs, acquisition of stemness and metastatic dissemination of cancer, Therapeutic implications of CSCs and Various strategies being employed to target and eradicate CSCs.

Biosorption and biotransformation of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]: A comprehensive review.

Chromium (VI) is one of the most common environmental contaminant due to its tremendous industrial applications. It is non-biodegradable as it is a heavy metal, and hence, of major concern. Therefore, it is pertinent that the remediation method should be such that brings chromium within permissible limits before the effluent is discharged. Several different strategies are adopted by microorganisms for Cr (VI) removal mostly involving biosorption and biotransformation or both. These mechanisms are based on the surface nature of the biosorbent and the availability of reductants. This review article focuses on chromium pollution problem, its chemistry, sources, effects, remediation strategies by biological agents and detailed chromium detoxification mechanism in microbial cell. A summary of applied in situ and ex situ chromium bioremediation technologies is also listed. This can be helpful for developing technologies to be more efficient for Cr (VI) removal thereby bridging the gap between laboratory findings and industrial application for chromium remediation.

Influence of stocking density on the vermicomposting of an effluent treatment plant sludge amended with cow dung.

This paper reports the effect of earthworm population density on the vermicomposting of effluent treatment plant sludge of a bakery industry. Four waste mixtures containing 0, 10, 20, and 30 % sludge along with cow dung with five different worm population densities were established for 14 weeks under controlled moisture and temperature conditions. The results showed that average worm biomass, growth and cocoon production were lesser at higher population densities. Sexual maturity was attained in 3rd to 5th week in all waste mixtures. Worm growth was inversely related to worm population density in the waste mixture. Results also indicated that lower worm population is favorable to worm biomass production. On the other hand, mineralization and stabilization of the waste mixtures were more at higher worm populations.

Dynamics of microbiological parameters, enzymatic activities and worm biomass production during vermicomposting of effluent treatment plant sludge of bakery industry.

This paper reports the changes in microbial parameters and enzymatic activities during vermicomposting of effluent treatment plant sludge (ETPS) of bakery industry spiked with cow dung (CD) by Eisenia fetida. Six vermibins containing different ratios of ETPS and CD were maintained under controlled laboratory conditions for 15 weeks. Total bacterial and total fungal count increased upto 7th week and declined afterward in all the bins. Maximum bacterial and fungal count was 31.6 CFU × 10(6) g(-1) and 31 CFU × 10(4) g(-1) in 7th week. Maximum dehydrogenase activity was 1921 µg TPF g(-1) h(-1) in 9th week in 100 % CD containing vermibin, whereas maximum urease activity was 1208 µg NH4 (-)N g(-1) h(-1) in 3rd week in 100 % CD containing vermibin. The enzyme activity and microbial counts were lesser in ETPS containing vermibins than control (100 % CD). The growth and fecundity of the worms in different vermibins were also investigated. The results showed that initially biomass and fecundity of the worms increased but decreased at the later stages due to non-availability of the palatable feed. This showed that quality and palatability of food directly affect biological parameters of the system.

Microsatellite DNA typing for assessment of genetic variability in Marwari breed of Indian goat.

AIM: To estimate existing within-breed genetic variability in Marwari goats under field conditions and the generated data that can be used to determine genetic relationships with other breed of goats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 146 blood samples of goats of Marwari breed were randomly collected from genetically unrelated animals from different villages of Bikaner Districts of Rajasthan, India. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood using proteinase K-digestion followed by standard phenol-chloroform extraction procedure at room temperature and confirmed through horizontal electrophoresis on 0.8% agarose gel containing ethidium bromide. Fifteen caprine microsatellite markers were used to estimate genetic variability among the goats of Marwari breed in terms of allelic and genotype frequencies, heterozygosities and polymorphism information content (PIC) value. RESULTS: A total of 74 alleles were contributed by Marwari goat across all 15 microsatellite loci. The number of alleles per locus varied from two (ILSTS-087) to 9 (ILSTS-058) alleles, with a mean of 4.93 whereas the effective number of allele varied from 1.35 (ILSTS-005) to 3.129 (ILSTS011) with a mean of 2.36. The effective number of allele is lesser than observed number at all the loci. Allelic sizes ranged from 125 bp (ILSTS-028 and ILSTS-033) to 650 bp (ILSTS-011 and ILSTS-019). The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.240 (locus ILSTS-005) to 0.681 (locus ILSTS-011), with an average value of 0.544. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.1428 (locus ILSTS-087) to 0.9285 (locus ILSTS-034), with an average value of 0.5485 indicates substantial and very good number of heterozygotes, in the population. The highest PIC value (1.1886) was observed at ILSTS-044 locus and least (0.0768) at ILSTS-065 locus for Marwari goat. CONCLUSION: Microsatellite analysis revealed a high level of polymorphism across studied microsatellite markers and informativeness of the markers for genetic diversity analysis studies in Marwari goats. This high level of polymorphism can be utilized to plan future biodiversity studies to exploit the uniqueness and adaptability of this breed to Western Rajasthan. Most studied microsatellite markers proving to be good candidates for genetic characterization and diversity analysis of this breed of goat.

Management of food industry waste employing vermicomposting technology.

This paper reports the vermicomposting of food industry sludges (FIS) mixed with different organic wastes employing Eisenia fetida. A total of 10 vermicomposting units containing different wastes combinations were established. After 15 weeks significant increase in total nitrogen (N(total)) (60-214%), total available phosphorous (P(avail)) (35.8-69.6%), total sodium (Na(total)) (39-95%), and total potassium (K(total)) (43.7-74.1%), while decrease in pH (8.45-19.7%), total organic carbon (OC(total)) (28.4-36.1%) and C:N ratio (61.2-77.8%) was recorded. The results indicated that FIS may be converted into good quality manure by vermicomposting if spiked with other organic wastes in appropriate quantities.

Vermicomposting--An effective tool for the management of invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus.

This study reports the results of vermicomposting with Eisenia fetida of Parthenium hysterophorus mixed with cow dung in different ratios (25%, 50% and 75%) in a 18 weeks experiment. In all the treatments, a decrease in pH, OC(total) and C:N ratio, but increase in EC, N(total), P(aval), Ca(total), K(total) and heavy metals was recorded. The cocoons production and growth rate (biomass gain worm(-1) day(-1)) were maximum in 100% cow dung. The results indicated that parthenium can be a raw material for vermicomposting if mix with cow dung in appropriate quantity.

Recycling of organic wastes by employing Eisenia fetida.

This paper reports the recycling of nutrients by vermicomposting of cow dung (CD), poultry droppings (PD) and food industry sludge (FIS) employing earthworms (Eisenia fetida). A total of six vermicomposting units were established and dynamics of chemical and biological parameters has been studied for 13 weeks. The waste mixture containing 50% CD+25% PD+25% FIS had better fertilizer value among studied waste combinations. At the end of experiment, vermicomposts showed decrease in pH and organic C, but increase in EC, total Kjeldhal N, total available P and total K contents. The C:N ratio of final vermicomposts also reduced to 10.7-12.7 from 22.8 to 56 in different waste combinations. The earthworms have good biomass gain and cocoon production in all vermicomposting units but CD alone and 50% CD+25% PD+25% FIS were better than other studied combinations.

Feasibility of nutrient recovery from industrial sludge by vermicomposting technology.

Transformation of industrial sludges into vermicompost is of double interest: on the one hand, a waste is converted into value added product, and, on the other, it controls a pollutant that is a consequence of increasing industrialization. This paper reports the feasibility of utilization of vermicomposting technology for nutrient recovery from industrial sludge in laboratory scale experiment employing Eisenia fetida earthworm. A total of nine vermireactors, having different percentage of wastewater treatment plant sludge of a food industry and cow dung, were established and monitored for fertilizer quality of vermicompost and growth and fecundity of the earthworms for 3 months. The earthworms were unable to survive in 100% FIS. There was a decrease in pH, organic carbon content, organic matter, C:N ratio, and increase in ash content, EC, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus content in all the vermireactors. Total Kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN) content increased in the range of 12.2-28.7 g kg(-1) in different vermireactors after vermicomposting. C:N ratio was 1.59-5.24 folds lesser in final vermicomposts than initial raw substrate. The heavy metals' content in final vermicomposts was higher than initial feed mixtures. Maximum worm biomass was observed in control, i.e., 100% CD (836 mg earthworm(-1)) and the lowest in 30% CD+70% FIS feed mixture (280 mg earthworm(-1)). Cocoon production was started during 6-7th week in all feed mixture except in feed mixture no. 9. After 12 weeks maximum cocoons (57) were counted in 100% CD and minimum (2) in 30% CD+70% FIS feed. The results indicated that food industry sludge could be converted into good quality manure by vermicomposting if mixed up to 30% with cow dung.