Spectroscopic, computational, cytotoxicity, and docking studies of 6-bromobenzimidazole as anti-breast cancer agent

6-Bromobenzimidazole (6BBZ) has been calculated in this study utilizing the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set and the Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr density functional approaches. The basic frequencies and geometric optimization are known. FTIR, FT-Raman, and UV-Vis spectra of the substance are compared between its computed and observed values. The energy gap between highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and molecule electrostatic potentials has been represented by charge density distributions that may be associated with the biological response. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations in the gas phase and dimethyl sulfoxide were carried out to ascertain the electronic properties and energy gap values using the same basis set. Molecular orbital contributions are investigated using the overlap population, partial, and total densities of states. Natural bond analysis was found to have strong electron delocalization by means of π(C4-C9) → π*(C5-C6), LP (N1) → π*(C7-C8), and LP(Br12) → π*(C5-C6) interactions. The Fukui function and Mulliken analysis have been explored on the atomic charges of the molecule. The nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts for 1 H and 13 C have been computed using the gauge-independent atomic orbital technique. With the highest binding affinity (-6.2 kcal mol-1 ) against estrogen sulfotransferase receptor (PDB ID: 1AQU) and low IC50 value of 17.23 μg/mL, 6BBZ demonstrated potent action against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Studies on the antibacterial activity and ADMET prediction of the molecule have also been carried out.

Morpho-molecular and mating-type locus diversity of Ustilaginoidea virens: an incitant of false smut of rice from Southern parts of India

AIMS

To characterize the geo-distinct isolates of Ustilaginoidea virens for morpho-molecular and mating-type locus diversity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sixty-one isolates of U. virens collected from Southern India exhibited significant diversity in mycelial width (3·45-5·50 µm), colony colour (yellow, pale yellow, and white), and growth pattern (thick leather mat, raised-fluffy, flat-fluffy, and raised). Field-borne chlamydospores of each isolate were significantly smaller in size (3·34-5·26 µm² ) compared to those formed on culture media (18·6-100·89 µm² ). The phylogenetic study based on internal transcribed sequences revealed two clusters; however, most isolates (n = 54) were grouped in cluster-I, indicating common ancestral origin. We also identified 42 haplotypes; among them, Hap_3 has the highest number of isolates (n = 19). Mating-type locus (MAT1) analysis revealed all sixty-one isolates as heterothallic, wherein 37 and 24 isolates belonging to MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 heterothallic mating types, respectively. The microsynteny analysis of MAT1 loci of one of the Indian strain (Uv-Gvt) along with Uv-8b (China) strain revealed synteny conservation at MAT1 locus, which is flanked by conserved genes SLA2 and a hypothetical protein in the upstream and APN2, COX12 and APC5 in the downstream of the locus.

CONCLUSIONS

Morpho-molecular study revealed the significant diversity among geo-distinct isolates, and MAT1 loci analysis indicated the distribution of heterothallic mating types in south Indian paddy fields. And also, complete synteny conservation between Indian and Chinese strain was observed at the MAT1 locus.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report describing the sexuality of Indian strains of the U. virens, which would help better understand the genetic diversity of the U. virens prevailing in Southern India and aid in developing resistant rice cultivars against this pathogen population.

Alteration in polysomnographic profile in 'migraine without aura' compared to healthy controls

OBJECTIVE

Studies related to sleep macroarchitecture in migraines are far and few between. We studied the polysomnographic (PSG) abnormalities in subjects of 'migraine without aura' as compared to healthy controls.

METHODS

Thirty patients of 'migraine without aura' were prospectively recruited. The frequency and severity of headaches was assessed using the migraine disability assessment score (MIDAS). Patients were evaluated for their sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), respectively. Their overnight PSGs were compared with 32 healthy controls who were group matched for age.

RESULTS

The mean age of the cases (33.5±8.6years) and controls (30.2±9.6years) was comparable. There was a female preponderance among the migraineurs (80%). The sleep efficiency was significantly lower in the cases as compared to the controls (P=0.003). Stage 4 sleep (p=0.008) and total NREM sleep (p=0.001) was also significantly less in the cases as compared to the controls. Sleep onset (p=0.021) and stage 1 latency (p=0.048) was significantly prolonged in cases as compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed significantly lower sleep efficiency, prolonged sleep onset latency, lesser stage 4 and NREM sleep, and more number of total awakenings in migraineurs compared to the controls. Further studies are required to detect whether these abnormalities are due to migraine per se or associated comorbidities.

Sleep disturbances in 'migraine without aura'--a questionnaire based study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the sleep abnormalities in patients with 'migraine without aura' in comparison to an age and gender matched control population.

METHODOLOGY

Ninety patients with 'migraine without aura' who were not on migraine prophylaxis were prospectively recruited. Ninety age/gender matched healthy controls were recruited from a cohort of 1150 individuals who were for detection of the prevalence of sleep abnormalities in the general population. The frequency and duration of migraine attacks/disability was assessed using the migraine disability assessment score (MIDAS) scale. Sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness were assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). NIMHANS comprehensive sleep disorders questionnaire (NCSDQ) was used to screen for various sleep abnormalities.

RESULTS

Among the 90 patients, 60 patients (66.7%) had a poor sleep quality as determined by a PSQI score of ≥6 as against 7 controls (7.8%) and this was statistically significant (p=0.001). Thirteen patients (14.4%) had excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) as measured by ESS score of ≥ 11 as compared to 1.1% in the controls (p=0.001). Patients with 'migraine without aura' have a much higher prevalence of non-refreshing sleep, nocturnal sweating and morning dryness of mouth as compared to healthy controls (p=0.001). They also had a higher prevalence of sleep paralysis, restless legs syndrome, nocturnal myoclonic jerks and sedative usage as compared to the controls (p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with 'migraine without aura' have a much higher prevalence of sleep abnormalities as compared to controls which may be due to multiple contributory factors.