In the present study, comparative genome analysis between Clostridium perfringens and the human genome was carried out to identify genes that are essential for the pathogen's survival, and non-homologous to the genes of human host, that can be used as potential drug targets. The study resulted in the identification of 426 such genes. The number of these potential drug targets thus identified is significantly lower than the genome's protein coding capacity (2558 protein coding genes). The 426 genes of C. perfringens were further analyzed for overall similarities with the essential genes of 14 different bacterial species present in Database of Essential Genes (DEG). Our results show that there are only 5 essential genes of C. perfringens that exhibit similarity with 12 species of the 14 different bacterial species present in DEG database. Of these, 1 gene was similar in 12 species and 4 genes were similar in 11 species. Thus, the study opens a new avenue for the development of potential drugs against the highly pathogenic bacterium. Further, by selecting these essential genes of C. perfringens, which are common and essential for other pathogenic microbial species, a broad spectrum anti-microbial drug can be developed. As a case study, we have built a homology model of one of the potential drug targets, ABC transporter-ATP binding protein, which can be employed for in silico docking studies by suitable inhibitors.

Nagpur mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) peels were subjected to treatment with nanobiocatalysts in the form of cellulase and pectinase immobilized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). MNPs (Fe 3 O 4 ) with average diameter in range of 40-90 nm were immobilized with cellulase and pectinase through APTES and glutaraldehyde. Treatment followed by extraction into organic solvents resulted in 8-9 fold increase in extraction of carotenoidic pigments compared to use of free enzymes. Optimum pH and temperature for the process were determined to be 5.0 and 50°C, respectively. The nanobiocatalysts could be reused across three cycles with only 15 % drop in yield per cycle. Dinitrosalicylic acid assays showed that superior peel hydrolysis also led to greatest extent of pigment extraction.

Niobium(V) and Tantalum(V) Complexes [MLX 4 ] (where M = Nb/Ta; X = Cl/NCS; L = 2-aminothiophenol or 2-aminophenol) have been synthesised and characterised on the basis of elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, Ir, UV-vis and 'H NMR studies. The ligands behaves as mononegative bidentate donor. The value of magnetic moment of 0.35 -0.43 BM is a consequence of combined effects of spin-orbit coupling and distortions of the ligand field from a full octahedral symmetry.

The world we live in today is overpopulated with an unprecedented number of people competing for fewer and fewer precious resources. The struggle to efficiently steward and manage these resources is a global problem in need of concrete and urgent solutions. Nanomaterials have driven innovation in diverse industrial sectors including military, aviation, electronic, and medical among others. Nanoscale materials possess unique surfaces and exquisite opto‐electronic properties that make them uniquely suited to environmental, biological, and ecological defense applications. A tremendous upsurge of research activity in these areas is evident from the exponential increase in publications worldwide. Here we review recent applications of nanomaterials toward soil health and management, abiotic and biotic stress management, plant defense, delivery of the RNA Interference (RNAi), plant growth, manufacture of agro‐products, and ecological investigations related to farming. For example, nanomaterial constructs have been used to counter environmental stresses and in plant defense and disease diagnosis. Nanosensor chemistries have been developed to monitor water quality and measure specific pollutant levels. Specific nanomaterials such as silver, iron oxide, and zinc oxide proffer protection to plants from pathogens. This review describes progress in nanomaterial‐based agricultural and ecological defense and seeks to identify factors that would enable their wider commercialization and deployment. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices

NUMEROUS 3,8-diazabicyclo[3.2.l]octane-2,4-diones (2) have been prepared from pyrrolidine-2,5-dicarboxylic acids (1). The diacids are converted into compounds of this type by cyclisation of the monoamides formed by reaction of their cyclic anhydrides with ammonia or a primary amine.2-4 Interest in 3,8-diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2,4-diones partly derives from their subsequent conversion into bridged analogues of the antifilarial drug, diethylcarbamazine (3) .5Alternatively 3,8-diazabicyclo[3.2.l]octane-2,4-diones have been prepared from piperazine-2,6-diones via cyclo-