Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is a private university located in&nbsp;Tamil Nadu, India. Founded in 1984, as Vellore Engineering College, the institution offers 20 undergraduate, 34 postgraduate, four integrated and four research programs. It has campuses in Vellore, Amravati, Bhopal and Chennai.

VIT is one of the top ranked private universities in India according to NIRF, THE and QS Rankings.&nbsp;Govt. of India has recognized&nbsp;VIT, Vellore as an&nbsp;Institution of Eminence. This has allowed VIT to take independent quality initiatives and move up in world ranking.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

VIT University

Department of Bio-Sciences

In the present study, we have constructed an interaction network of 29 antibiotic resistant genes along with 777 interactions in E. coli O157:H7. Gene ontology analysis reveals that 94, 89 and 67 genes have roles in the cellular process, biological process and molecular function respectively. Gene complexes related to tripartite efflux pumps mdtEF-tolC and ABC family efflux pump macAB-tolC play key roles in multidrug efflux systems. It is noteworthy to mention that, 19 genes are involved in multi-efflux pumps and they play a significant role in multidrug resistance (MDR); while 18 genes are vital for fatty acid synthesis. Interestingly, we found that the four genes arnABCD are involved in both MDR and in fatty acid synthesis. Hence these genes could be targeted for new drug discovery. On the whole, our results provide a detailed understanding of the mode of MDR mechanisms in E.coli O157:H7.

VIT Unitversity

School of Bio Sciences and Technology

Vellore Campus

Fulltext

Genomics

Exploring the multi-drug resistance in Escherichia coli O157:H7 by gene interaction network: A systems biology approach

Presently, there are no effective vaccines and anti-virals for the prevention and treatment of Hepatitis C virus infections and hence there is an urgent need to develop potent HCV inhibitors. In this study, we have carried out molecular docking, molecular dynamics and 3D-QSAR on heteroaryl 3-(1,1-dioxo-2H-(1,2,4)-benzothiadizin-3-yl)-4-hydroxy-2(1H)-quinolinone series using NS5B protein. Total of 41 quinolinone derivatives is used for molecular modeling study. The binding conformation and hydrogen bond interaction of the docked complexes were analyzed to model the inhibitors. We identified the molecule XXXV that had a higher affinity with NS5B. The molecular dynamics study confirmed the stability of the compound XXXV-NS5B complex. The developed CoMFA descriptors parameters, which were calculated using a test set of 13 compounds, were statistically significant. Our results will provide useful insights and lead to design potent anti-Hepatitis C virus molecules. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Department of Biotechnology

Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics

Comparative Molecular Field Analysis and Molecular Docking Studies on Quinolinone Derivatives Indicate Potential Hepatitis C Virus Inhibitors

The therapeutic potency of ultrasonic nanoemulsified garlic oil blend using a non-ionic surfactant (Tween 80) was assessed on pre-diabetic Wistar rats with microalbuminuria. The pre-diabetic condition was induced in male albino Wistar rats by supplementing high-fat diet. The prolonged period of the pre-diabetic state caused renal dysfunctioning, which was indicated by microalbuminuria. Treatment of pre-diabetic rats with nanoemulsified garlic oil blend significantly ameliorated the lipid profile (p &lt; 0.001), urinary albumin (p &lt; 0.01), microprotein (p &lt; 0.001), urinary triglycerides (p &lt; 0.01), serum triglycerides (p &lt; 0.01), serum albumin (p &lt; 0.05), and protein levels (p &lt; 0.01) in comparison to treatment of pre-diabetic rats with garlic oil blend or atorvastatin. Similarly, histopathological investigations indicated a remarkable attenuation in the mesangial expansion and proliferation, glomerular and tubular basement membrane thickening, and the tubular lipid deposits on administering nanoemulsified garlic oil blend than garlic oil blend or atorvastatin. Moreover, nanoemulsified garlic oil blend significantly promoted renal podocin gene expression by 3.98-fold (p &lt; 0.001) and attenuated increased urinary podocin level by 2.92-fold (p &lt; 0.01). Thus, our study affirms that the efficacy of garlic oil blend was augmented upon nanoemulsification, which substantially ameliorated the renal abnormalities observed in the pre-diabetic condition than garlic oil blend or atorvastatin. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Enhanced Therapeutic Potency of Nanoemulsified Garlic Oil Blend Towards Renal Abnormalities in Pre-diabetic Rats

Staphylococcus aureus infection is a healthcare problem to mankind for a considerable period of time. Once when it enters the bloodstream of an individual, it may potentially result in life-threatening conditions. The resistance of S. aureus to various drugs such as penicillin, methicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin, and tetracycline have been well documented. Presently vancomycin is the drug of choice for methicillin resistant S. aureus. Scientists believe that S. aureus would completely develop resistance to vancomycin as well. Therefore there is a commensurate need to develop a drug to replace vancomycin. In the current study, we have focussed on FtsA, an important and vital cell division protein, which is found only in S. aureus and in other prokaryotic cells. We have carried out virtual screening process for FtsA against ZINC database, the best hit molecules obtained from the preliminary docking studies were subjected to SYBYL X 2.0 docking. The molecules ZINC74432848, ZINC37769607, and ZINC96896268 displayed the highest C-score value of 4.89, 4.49, and 4.22, respectively. The top ranked molecule ZINC74432848 was observed to form 4 hydrogen bonds with FtsA. The simulation study reveals the greater stability of the FtsA-ZINC74432848 complex. If the in vitro and in vivo study turns out affirmative, then ZINC74432848 could be developed as a potent drug for FtsA. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry

FtsA as a cidal target forStaphylococcus aureus: Molecular docking and dynamics studies

Heavy metals are the major cause of pollution and cadmium is one among the highly toxic metals discharged into the environment from various industries. The current study was focused on the bioremoval of cadmium by phyto and rhizoremediation approach using Vetiveria zizanioides. The bacterial strains were isolated from wetland paddy rhizosphere soil and the isolate VITJAN13 was found to be a biofilm forming Cd resistant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed VITJAN13 to be the closest neighbor of Aeromonas sp. and was submitted to Genbank with the accession number KX770741. Further, pot culture studies indicated that the treatments bioaugmented with VITJAN13 increased the root length and shoot height by 21.4 and 17.36%, respectively as compared to the non-augmented plants. Hence, bioaugmentation of Aeromonas sp. in the rhizosphere of Vetiveria zizanioides enhanced the uptake of cadmium by 67.7% in the soil treated with 15 mg/kg of Cd to that of the phytoremediation setup. © 2018, © 2018 Taylor &amp; Francis Group, LLC.

International Journal of Phytoremediation

Enhanced uptake of Cd by biofilm forming Cd resistant plant growth promoting bacteria bioaugmented to the rhizosphere of Vetiveria zizanioides

Neuroblastoma is an embryonic malignancy arises out of the neural crest cells of the sympathetic nervous system. It is the most common childhood tumor and well known for its spontaneous regression via the process of differentiation. The induction of differentiation using small molecule modulators such as all trans retinoic acid is one of the treatment strategies to treat the residual disease. In this study, we have reported the effect of kaempferol, a phytoestrogen in inducing differentiation of neuroblastoma cells in vitro . Treatment of neuroblastoma cells with kaempferol reduced the proliferation and enhanced apoptosis along with the induction of neuritogenesis. Analysis of the expression of neuron specific markers such as β III tubulin, neuron specific enolase and NRDG1 (N-myc down regulated gene 1) revealed the process of differentiation accompanying kaempferol induced apoptosis. Further analysis on understanding the molecular mechanism of action showed that the activity of kaempferol happened through the activation of the endoribonuclease activity of IRE1α (Inositol requiring enzyme 1 alpha), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident transmembrane protein. The in silico docking analysis and biochemical assays using recombinant human IRE1α confirms the binding of kaempferol to the ATP binding site of IRE1α and thereby activating ribonuclease activity. Treatment of cells with the small molecule inhibitor STF083010 which specifically targets and inhibits the endoribonuclease activity of IRE1α showed reduced expression of neuron specific markers and curtailed neuritogenesis. The knock down of IRE1α using plasmid based shRNA lentiviral particles also showed diminished changes in the change in morphology of the cells upon kaempferol treatment. Thus our study suggests that kaempferol induces differentiation of neuroblastoma cells via the IRE1α-XBP1 pathway.

The FEBS Journal

IRE 1α is critical for Kaempferol‐induced neuroblastoma differentiation

Interleukin 17 (IL-17), a proinflammatory cytokine produced by T helper (Th) 17 cells, potentially controls fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS)-mediated disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) via IL-17/ IL-17 receptor type A (IL-17RA)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) signaling cascade. This has suggested that targeting IL-17 signaling could serve as an important strategy to treat FLS-mediated RA progression. Ferulic acid (FA), a key polyphenol, attenuates the development of gouty arthritis and cancer through its anti-inflammatory effects, but its therapeutic efficiency on IL-17 signaling in FLS-mediated RA pathogenesis remains unknown. In the current study, FA markedly inhibited the IL-17-mediated expression of its specific transmembrane receptor IL-17RA in FLS isolated from adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) rats. Importantly, FA dramatically suppressed the IL-17-mediated expression of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR-3), cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61), IL-23, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in AA-FLS via the inhibition of IL-17/IL-17RA/STAT-3 signaling cascade. In addition, FA significantly decreased the formation of osteoclast cells and bone resorption potential in a coculture system consisting of IL-17 treated AA-FLS and rat bone marrow derived monocytes/macrophages. Furthermore, FA remarkably inhibited the IL-17-mediated expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-Β ligand (RANKL) and increased the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in AA-FLS via the regulation of IL-17/IL-17RA/STAT-3 signaling cascade. The therapeutic efficiency of FA on IL-17 signaling was further confirmed by knockdown of IL-17RA using small interfering RNA or blocking of STAT-3 activation with S3I-201. The molecular docking analysis revealed that FA manifests significant ligand efficiency toward IL-17RA, STAT-3, IL-23, and RANKL proteins. This study provides new evidence that FA can be used as a potential therapeutic agent for inhibiting IL-17-mediated disease severity and bone erosion in RA.

Computer Science

School of Computer Science and Engineering

Chennai Campus

Ferulic acid inhibits interleukin 17‐dependent expression of nodal pathogenic mediators in fibroblast‐like synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis

Simultaneous C−N, and N−N bond-forming methods for one-pot transformations are highly challenging in synthetic organic chemistry. In this study, the Cu2O rhombic dodecahedra-catalyzed synthesis of 2H-indazoles is demonstrated with good to excellent yields from readily available chemicals. This one-pot procedure involves Cu2O nanoparticle-catalyzed consecutive C−N, and N−N bond formation followed by cyclization to yield 2H-indazoles with broad substrate scope and high functional group tolerance. Various cell-based bioassay studies demonstrated that 2H-indazoles inhibit the growth of cancer cells, typically through induction of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, 2H-indazoles tested in the MDA-MB-468 cell line were capable of inhibiting cancer cell migration and invasion. Thus, it is shown that 2H-indazoles have potent in vitro anticancer activity that warrant further investigation of this compound class.

Department of Chemistry

School of Advanced Sciences

ChemMedChem

Assembly of Fully Substituted 2H-Indazoles Catalyzed by Cu2O Rhombic Dodecahedra and Evaluation of Anticancer Activity

Fluoride removal in drinking water is usually performed through cost and energy intensive membrane techniques such as reverse osmosis, dialysis and electro-dialysis. Defluoridation using an effective and low cost ultra filtration membrane system is reported in this work. Iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles modified polyethersulfone (PES)/cellulose acetate (CA) blend membranes were fabricated by phase inversion method. Composite membranes were prepared by incorporating incremental amounts of Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Synthesized membranes were analysed for morphological studies and ultra filtration characteristics. It was observed that the inclusion of iron oxide nanoparticles influenced the membrane structure resulting in enhanced ultra filtration properties. All of the iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated PES/CA membranes possessed increased hydrophilicity, porosity, water uptake and pure water flux as compared to pristine PES membrane. Membrane with 0.5 wt% Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibited a maximum water flux of 156 L m–2 h–1. Fluoride removal performance confirmed the defluoridation potential of the Fe2O3 nanoparticles blended PES/CA membranes. Maximum fluoride removal efficiency of 70.3% was observed for a single ultra filtration run. SEM and AFM examinations showed the structural alterations in the composite membranes due to the nanoparticles addition. Reusability studies confirmed the enhanced durability of the blended membrane. Domestic application of the composite membrane was carried out by assessing its fluoride removal ability in natural water samples obtained from fluoride endemic area. © 2019 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.

Department of Chemical Engineering

School of Chemical Engineering

World University root node

DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT

Iron oxide modified polyethersulfone/cellulose acetate blend membrane for enhanced defluoridation application

Media is considered to be an important factor which may influence purchase behaviour. But for medicines bought without prescription of doctors there might be some other factors which the pharmaceutical companies need to probe in.This study envisage about the relationship between Media influence, Personal Reasons, Marketing factors with Brand Experience. Around 236 questionnaires were distributed to women in and around Tamilnadu in the medical shops. The findings of the study show the best relationship by applying multiple regression analysis by using Statistical Package for Social Science SPSS (21.0). The results shows that the brand experience of Indian women (between 18 to 53 years) is not related with respect to media and marketing factors but they are significant with respect to personal reasons alone. This research shall favour the pharmaceutical marketers to understand about the brand experience of Indian women. © 2019, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All rights reserved.