Activity

Computer simulation indicated good bioactivity prediction by the ‘Lipinski rule’ and synthesized analogues did not violate this rule. Docking study of isoleucine sulfonamide analogues (I1-I6) were carried out to determine the possible interaction sites of the analogues with p53 tumor suppressor-DNA complex and demonstrate that the analogues confirmed binding and inhibition with the most mutated residues of p53. Density functional theory has been used to correlate the electronic and chemical properties of analogues and they were found to be stable and chemically reactive. Thus the results suggest that isoleucine substituted sulfonamide analogues can serve as a structural model for the design of anticancer agents, antibacterial agents as well as antifungal agents with better inhibitory potential.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 and responsible for the current global pandemic. We and others have previously demonstrated that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and can efficiently transmit the virus to naïve cats. Here, we address whether cats previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2 can be re-infected with SARS-CoV-2. In two independent studies, SARS-CoV-2-infected cats were re-challenged with SARS-CoV-2 at 21 days post primary challenge (DPC) and necropsies performed at 4, 7 and 14 days post-secondary challenge (DP2C). Sentinels were co-mingled with the re-challenged cats at 1 DP2C. Clinical signs were recorded, and nasal, oropharyngeal, and rectal swabs, blood, and serum were collected and tissues examined for histologic lesions. Viral RNA was transiently shed via the nasal, oropharyngeal and rectal cavities of the re-challenged cats. Viral RNA was detected in various tissues of re-challenged cats euthanized at 4 DP2C, mainly in the upper respiratory tract and lymphoid tissues, but less frequently and at lower levels in the lower respiratory tract when compared to primary SARS-CoV-2 challenged cats at 4 DPC. Viral RNA and antigen detected in the respiratory tract of the primary SARS-CoV-2 infected cats at early DPCs were absent in the re-challenged cats. Naïve sentinels co-housed with the re-challenged cats did not shed virus or seroconvert. Together, our results indicate that cats previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 can be experimentally re-infected with SARS-CoV-2; however, the levels of virus shed was insufficient for transmission to co-housed naïve sentinels. We conclude that SARS-CoV-2 infection in cats induces immune responses that provide partial, non-sterilizing immune protection against re-infection.Studies have shown that sexual transmission, both heterosexually and homosexually, is one of the main ways of HBV infection. Based on this fact, we propose a mathematical model to study the sexual transmission of HBV among adults by classifying adults into men and women and considering both same-sex and opposite-sex transmissions of HBV in adults. selleck products Firstly, we calculate the basic reproduction number R 0 and the disease-free equilibrium point E 0 . Secondly, by analysing the sensitivity of R 0 in terms of model parameters, we find that the infection rate among people who have same-sex partners, the frequency of homosexual contact and the immunity rate of adults play important roles in the transmission of HBV. Moreover, we use our model to fit the reported data in China and forecast the trend of hepatitis B. Our results demonstrate that popularizing the basic knowledge of HBV among residents, advocating healthy and reasonable sexual life style, reducing the number of adult carriers, and increasing the immunization rate of adults are effective measures to prevent and control hepatitis B.Objectives. The aim of this study was to identify major determinants for neck and lower back pain (LBP) among office workers of different ages. Methods. Computer workers (N = 2000) responded to a questionnaire on demographics, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), lifestyle characteristics, ergonomics of computer work and psychosocial and physical job characteristics. Results. Over 48% of respondents complained of MSDs last year, in particular neck pain and LBP. The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that prolonged computer time (odds ratio [OR] 1.92) and increased job demands (OR 1.06) were likely to increase the risk of neck pain, while social support (OR 0.96) and the use of seat-plate height adjustment (OR 0.64) would help to reduce the risk. Risk factors for LBP included smoking more than 14 cigarettes a day (OR 2.21), long hours spent working with a computer (OR 1.94), increased physical exertion at work (OR 1.29), increased work demands (OR 1.03) and older age (OR 1.03). Conclusions. The most effective way to eliminate MSD hazards in the workplace is to develop health programmes aimed at advocating healthy lifestyle behaviours and raising workers’ awareness of workstation ergonomics and work organization, especially for women and older workers.Considerable research exercises have been directed towards the development of efficient and safe drug delivery systems. Various materials are used in different pharmaceutical formulations for the development of efficient drug delivery systems in the treatment of disease. Biopolymers are a choice of research as an excipient delivery system due to their biodegradability, low toxicity, safe, stable, and renewable nature. Biopolymers are naturally occurring polymers or polymer matrix composites, that are extracted from animals, bacteria, fungi, and plants. Cellulose, starches are carbohydrate-based polymers, and wool, silk, gelatin, and collagen are protein-based biopolymers. Biopolymers are obtained from various sources but biopolymers, that belong to the carbohydrate origin, have been found very promising in drug delivery through various routes. The review mainly focuses on the biopolymers currently in use for buccal-mediated pharmaceutical drug delivery systems because the buccal route is an efficient drug delivery system that allows direct systemic circulation of drugs. It also prevents the hydrolysis of the drug molecule in the gastrointestinal tract and thus increases the bioavailability of the drug. The present review discusses the overview of other drug delivery routes, challenges with conventional drug delivery systems, pharmaceutical applications of some biopolymers used in buccal drug delivery systems, that are published recently, currently in use, or used over the past decade.