Biological methylation: redefining the link between genotype and phenotype.

The central dogma of molecular biology is responsible for the crucial flow of genetic information from DNA to protein through the transcription and translation process. Although the sequence of DNA is constant in all organs, the difference in protein and variation in the phenotype is mainly due to the quality and quantity of tissue-specific gene expression and methylation pattern. The term methylation has been defined and redefined by various scientists in the last fifty years. There is always huge excitement around this field because the inheritance of something is beyond its DNA sequence. Advanced gene methylation studies have redefined molecular genetics and these tools are considered de novo in alleviating challenges of animal disease and production. Recent emerging evidence has shown that the impact of DNA, RNA, and protein methylation is crucial for embryonic development, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and phenotype production. Currently, many researchers are focusing their work on methylation to understand its significant role in expression, disease-resistant traits, productivity, and longevity. The main aim of the present review is to provide an overview of DNA, RNA, and protein methylation, current research output from different sources, methodologies, factors responsible for methylation of genes, and future prospects in animal genetics.

Metabolomics-a powerful tool in livestock research.

Advancements in the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) along with recent developments in omics sciences have resulted in a better understanding of molecular mechanisms and pathways associated with the physio-pathological state of the animal. Metabolomics is a post-genomics tool that deals with small molecular metabolites in a given set of time which provides clear information about the status of an organism. Recently many researchers mainly focus their research on metabolomics studies due to its valuable information in the various fields of livestock management and precision dairying. The main aim of the present review is to provide an insight into the current research output from different sources and application of metabolomics in various areas of livestock including nutri-metabolomics, disease diagnosis advancements, reproductive disorders, pharmaco-metabolomics, genomics studies, and dairy production studies. The present review would be helpful in understanding the metabolomics methodologies and use of livestock metabolomics in various areas in a brief way.

pH Responsive Release of Doxorubicin to the Cancer Cells by Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

The main aim of the current study is to formulate the Doxorubicin loaded functionalized carbon nanotubes to deliver the drug only to the cancer cells by using pH difference. Multi walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWNTs) have been identified as an efficient drug carrier through π-π linkage, because this covalent bond is sensitive to tumor microenvironments. This bond is acid cleavable, thereby providing a strong pH-responsive drug release, which may facilitate effective release near the acidic tumor microenvironment and thus reduces its overall systemic toxicity. Doxorubicin was released at low pH and taken up by tumor cells via adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent endocytosis. By varying the Concentration of MWNTs with the Doxorubicin, it forms a conjugate. It is due to supra molecular interactions between the drug and MWNTs, so it shows high loading, prolonged release and improved cytotoxicity against cancer cells. This study shows the phenomenal pH responsive drug release to the cancerous microenvironment and prolonged release. This study suggests that MWNTs have a great potential as a drug carrier; the efficient formulation strategy requires further study.

Studies on the defluoridation of water using conducting polymer/montmorillonite composites.

Conducting polymer/inorganic hybrid composites have large surface areas, which makes the adsorbent properties of the polymer composites as good the constituents. Polyaniline/montmorilonite (PANi-MMT) and polypyrrole/montmorillonite (PPy-MMT) composites were prepared, characterized (Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction patterns) and were employed as adsorbents for the removal of fluoride ions from aqueous solution by the batch sorption method. The spectral studies of the adsorbents before and after the adsorption are recorded to get better insight into the mechanism of the adsorption process. The results indicated that the removal of fluoride ions from water by these composites occurs via the combined effect of both the constituents, that is, through a physico-chemical mechanism. The amount of fluoride ion adsorbed by PANi-MMT and PPy-MMT at 30 degrees C is observed to be 2.3 and 5.1 mg g(-1), respectively, when compared to 0.77 and 2.66 mg g(-1), respectively, for the polymers alone. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms were used to describe the adsorption equilibrium.

Dual sensing of methionine and aspartic acid in aqueous medium by a quinoline-based fluorescent probe.

A quinoline-based Schiff base sensor, 6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-quinoline-3-carboxaldehyde-4(N)-phenylsemicarbazone (6MPS), has been developed for selective sensing of methionine and aspartic acid in aqueous medium through "on-off-on" type selective detection of copper ion. Fluorescence imaging of 6MPS, 6MPSC, 6MPSCN, 6MPSC-met, 6MPSCN-met, 6MPSC-asp and 6MPSCN-asp has been successfully demonstrated, in which the sensing probes 6MPSC-met, 6MPSCN-met, 6MPSC-asp and 6MPSCN-asp displayed bright green fluorescence in both in vitro and in vivo live cells.

Electronic, Raman and FT-IR spectral investigations of the charge transfer interactions between ketoconazole and povidone drugs with iodine.

The interaction between ketoconazole and povidone drugs with iodine was found to proceed through initial formation of a charge transfer (CT) complex as an intermediate. The stoichiometry of the complex was found to be 1:1 in the case of povidone-iodine system and 1:2 in the case of ketoconazole-iodine system and the same was confirmed by thermal (TGA/DSC) studies. The formation of I(3)(-) species was confirmed by electronic and laser Raman spectra. The three peaks appeared in Raman spectra, of the isolated adducts corresponds to nu(as)(I-I), nu(s)(I-I) and delta(I(3)(-)), confirmed the presence of asymmetric I(3)(-) ion. The rate of the interaction has been measured as a function of time and solvent. The pseudo-first-order rate constants at various temperatures for the interactions were measured and the activation parameters (DeltaG(#), DeltaS(#) and DeltaH(#)) were computed. Based on the spectral and spectrokinetic evidences a mechanism involving the formation of a polar intermediate and its conversion to the final product has been proposed and discussed.

Removal of fluoride from water using aluminium containing compounds.

Batch adsorption studies were undertaken to assess the suitability of aluminium titanate (AT) and bismuth aluminate (BA) to remove fluoride ions from water. The effect of pH, dose of adsorbent, contact time, initial concentration, co-ions and temperature on fluoride removal efficiency were studied. The amounts of fluoride ions adsorbed, at 30 degrees C from 4 mg/L of fluoride ion solution, by AT and BA were 0.85 and 1.55 mg/g, respectively. The experimental data fitted well to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters such as deltaH0, deltaS0 and deltaG0 indicated that the removal of fluoride ions by AT was exothermic and non-spontaneous while that by BA was endothermic and spontaneous. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the adsorbent before and after adsorption indicated that fluoride ions were chemisorbed by these adsorbents.

Spectroscopic and kinetic studies on the interaction of ketoconazole and povidone drugs with DDQ.

The kinetics and mechanism of the interaction between 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) and ketoconazole and povidone drugs has been investigated spectroscopically. In the presence of large excess of donor, the 1:1 CT complex is transformed into a final product, which has been isolated and characterized by FT-IR and GC-MS techniques. The rate of formation of product has been measured as a function of time in different solvents at three temperatures. The thermodynamic parameters, viz. activation energy, enthalpy, entropy and free energy of activation were computed from temperature dependence of rate constants. Based on the spectro-kinetic results a plausible mechanism for the formation of the complex and its transformation into final product is presented and discussed.

Antifertility activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Ailanthus excelsa (Roxb): an ethnomedicines used by tribals of Nilgiris region in Tamilnadu.

The practice of traditional medicine for the control of fertility in Nilgris is based on the use of plant medicine for many years. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of stem bark of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb (Simaroubaceae) (HEA) has been studied in rats to explore its antifertility activity. A strong antiimplantation (72%) and abortifacient activity (56%) was observed at the tested dose levels (200 and 400mg/kg, p.o.). The extract shows further more, significant (P<0.05) increase in uterine weight in immature ovariectomised rats. Simultaneous administration of extract with ethinyl estradiol cause significant antiestrogenic activity. All these observations suggest that hydroalcoholic extract of Ailanthus excelsa has antifertility effect.

Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies of adsorption of fluoride onto plaster of Paris.

Batch sorption system using plaster of Paris as an adsorbent was investigated to remove fluoride ions from aqueous solutions. The system variables studied include initial concentration of the sorbate, agitation time, adsorbent dose, pH, co-ions and temperature. The experimental data fitted well to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters such as DeltaH degrees , DeltaS degrees and DeltaG degrees were calculated indicating that the adsorption was a spontaneous and exothermic. Kinetic studies reveal that the adsorption is first order. A mechanism involving three stages (external surface adsorption, intraparticle diffusion and final equilibrium) has been proposed for the adsorption of F(-) onto plaster of Paris. XRD patterns of the adsorbent were recorded to get a better in sight into the mechanism of adsorption process.

Solvent effect on the charge transfer complex of oxatomide with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone.

The charge transfer complex (CT-complex) between oxatomide drug and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ) was studied spectrophotometrically in 10 solvents at different temperatures. The donor oxatomide is found to form stable 1:1 stoichiometric complex with DDQ and the stoichiometry was unaffected by change in polarity of the solvent studied. The DeltaH degrees, DeltaS degrees and DeltaG degrees values are all negative, so the studied complex is reasonably stable and exothermic in nature. The ionization potential of the drug was determined using the CT-absorption bands of the complex in all the solvents. The dissociation energy of the charge transfer excited state for the CT-complex in different solvents was also determined and is found to be constant. The spectroscopic and thermodynamic properties were observed to be sensitive to the nature of the solvent.

Anticandidal activity of Santolina chamaecyparissus volatile oil.

A search for naturally occurring drugs with antifungal activity lead to Santolina oil, a volatile oil distillate of Santolina chamaecyparissus. The studies revealed that Santolina oil was effective in controlling experimental candidiasis in vitro and in vivo. It had a synergistic effect on clotrimazole in controlling Candida albicans in vitro. It significantly controlled experimental vaginal candidiasis and experimental systemic candidosis. Santolina oil was able to control the superficial cutaneous mycoses. It is recommended as a potential candidate for further studies, including clinical studies.

Development and validation of dissolution study of sustained release dextromethorphan hydrobromide tablets.

This study describes the development and validation of dissolution tests for sustained release Dextromethorphan hydrobromide tablets using an HPLC method. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column utilizing 0.5% triethylamine (pH 7.5) and acetonitrile in the ratio of 50:50. The detection wavelength was 280 nm. The method was validated and response was found to be linear in the drug concentration range of 10-80 microg mL(-1). The suitable conditions were clearly decided after testing sink conditions, dissolution medium and agitation intensity. The most excellent dissolution conditions tested, for the Dextromethorphan hydrobromide was applied to appraise the dissolution profiles. The method was validated and response was found to be linear in the drug concentration range of 10-80 microg mL(-1). The method was established to have sufficient intermediate precision as similar separation was achieved on another instrument handled by different operators. Mean Recovery was 101.82%. Intra precisions for three different concentrations were 1.23, 1.10 0.72 and 1.57, 1.69, 0.95 and inter run precisions were % RSD 0.83, 1.36 and 1.57%, respectively. The method was successfully applied for dissolution study of the developed Dextromethorphan hydrobromide tablets.

Substituent effect on the electron acceptor property of 1,4-benzoquinone towards the formation of molecular complex with sulfamethoxazole.

UV-Vis, (1)H NMR, FT-IR, LC-MS and fluorescence spectral techniques were employed to investigate the mechanism of interaction of sulfamethoxazole with varying number of methoxy/chloro substituted 1,4-benzoquinones (MQ1-4) and to characterize the reaction products. The interactions of MQ1-4 with sulfamethoxazole (SULF) were found to proceed through the formation of a donor-acceptor complex, containing radical anion and its conversion to the product. Fluorescence quenching studies showed that the interaction between the donor and the acceptors are spontaneous. The results indicated that the progressive replacement of chlorine atom (-I effect) by methoxy group (+M effect) in the quinone decreased the electron acceptor property of the quinone. The results of the correlation of experimentally measured binding constants with electrochemical data and ab initio DFT calculations supported these observations.

Molecular complexes of l-phenylalanine with substituted 1,4-benzoquinones in aqueous medium: spectral and theoretical investigations.

Various spectral techniques such as UV-Vis, FT-IR, and fluorescence have been employed to investigate the charge transfer interaction of L-phenylalanine (LPA) with substituted 1,4-benzoquinones (MQ(1-4)). Kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the complexes were determined in aqueous medium at physiological condition (pH=7). The interaction of MQ(1-4) with L-phenylalanine (LPA) was found to proceed through the formation of donor-acceptor complex, yielding a radical anion. The stoichiometry of the complexes was determined by Jobs continuous variation method and was found to be 1:1 in all the cases. Fluorescence quenching studies showed that the interaction between the donor and the acceptors is spontaneous. The results indicated that the progressive replacement of chlorine atom (-I effect) by methoxy group (+M effect) in the quinone decreased the electron acceptor property of the quinone. The order of the experimentally measured association constant of these complexes was well supported by DFT/B3LYP calculations.

Spectroscopic and spectrofluorimetric studies on the interaction of albendazole and trimethoprim with iodine.

Raman, UV-vis, FT-IR, and fluorescence spectral techniques were employed to investigate the mechanism of interaction of albendazole (ALB) and trimethoprim (TMP) drugs with iodine. Interactions of ALB and TMP with iodine yields triiodide ion and its formation was confirmed by electronic and Raman spectra. The peaks appeared in Raman spectra of the isolated products are at around 145, 113 and 82 cm(-1) are assigned to ν(as)(I-I), ν(s)(I-I) and δ(I(3)(-)) respectively, confirmed the presence of I(3)(-) ion. Formation constant (K), molar extinction coefficient (ɛ) and thermodynamic properties ΔH(#), ΔS(#) and ΔG(#) were determined and discussed. Fluorescence quenching studies indicated that the interaction between the ALB, TMP with iodine are spontaneous and the TMP-iodine interaction is found to be stronger than that the other system. Solvent variation studies indicated that the binding constant increased with an increase in polarity of the medium.

Spectroscopic investigation on the mechanism of formation of molecular complexes of albendazole and trimethoprim with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone.

UV-vis, (1)H NMR, FT-IR, mass and fluorescence spectral techniques were employed to investigate the mechanism of interaction of albendazole and trimethoprim with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) and to characterize the reaction products. The interaction of DDQ with trimethoprim (TMP) and albenadazole (ALB) were found to proceed through the formation of donor-acceptor complex, containing DDQ radical anion and its conversion to the product. Fluorescence quenching studies indicated that the interaction between the donors and the acceptor are spontaneous and the interaction of TMP-DDQ (binding constant=2.9×10(5)) is found to be stronger than that the ALB-DDQ (binding constant=3×10(3)) system. Also, the binding constant increased with an increase in polarity of the medium indicating the involvement of radical anion as intermediate.

Spectroscopic studies on the interaction of cilostazole with iodine and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone.

The electron accepting properties of the 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone and iodine and electron donating properties of the drug cilostazole have been studied using the UV-vis, FT-IR, GC-MS and Far-IR techniques. The interaction of cilostazole drug with iodine and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone resulted via the initial formation of charge-transfer complex as an intermediate. The rate of formation of the product have been measured and discussed as a function of solvent and temperature. The complexes have been found by Job's method of continuous variation revealed that the stoichiometry of the complexes in both the cases was 1:1. The enthalpies and entropies of formation of the complexes have been obtained by determining their rate constant at three different temperature. The ionization potential of the donor was determined using the charge-transfer absorption bands of the complexes and the same was found comparable with that computed using MOPAC PM3 method.

Spectroscopic and spectrofluorimetric studies on the interaction of irbesartan with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone and iodine.

Raman, UV-vis, 1H NMR, FT-IR, mass and fluorescence spectral techniques were employed to investigate the mechanism of interaction of irbesartan (IRB) drug with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) and iodine. Interaction of IRB with iodine yields triiodide ion and its formation was confirmed by electronic and Raman spectra. The peaks appeared in Raman spectrum of the isolated product at 143, 113 and 76 cm(-1) are assigned to νas(I-I), νs(I-I) and δ(I3-) respectively, confirmed the presence of I3- ion. The interaction of DDQ with irbesartan was found to proceed through the formation of outer complex and its conversion to the CT complex. Formation constant (K), molar extinction coefficient (ɛ) and thermodynamic properties ΔH#, ΔS# and ΔG# were determined and discussed. Fluorescence quenching studies indicated that the interaction between the IRB and the acceptors are spontaneous and the IRB-DDQ interaction is found to be stronger than that the other system. Solvent variation studies indicated that the binding constant increased with an increase in polarity of the medium.