Radioprotective action of thiadiazole derivatives
Continuing previous investigations on the search for radioprotectors among the sulfurcontaining heterocycles [i, 2], we synthesized and studied the radioprotective properties of derivatives of 1,3,4and 1,2,4-thiadiazoles with various substituents: amino groups, alkyls, and mercapto groups. The following thiadiazole derivatives were investigated: 2alkylamino-5-alkyl-l,3,4-thiadiazoles and their methiodides (I-VII); 2-alkylamino-l,3,4thiadiazole-5-thiones (VIII-XII); 2-alkylamino-5-alkylmercapto-l,3,4-thiadiazoles (XIIIXVIII); 2,5-diamino-l,3,4-thiadiazole and its methiodide (XIX, XX), and 1,2,4-thiadiazoles (XXI-XXIII).
The radioprotective action of guanylthiourea and related compounds.
SummaryCompounds incorporating the thioureido and guanidino structures have been tested for protective action against 900 r whole-body x-radiation in mice. Guanylthiourea (toluene-p-sulphonate) gave 66 per cent survival at 30 days. The more toxic oxidation product, 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-thiadiazole was four times more effective on a molar basis and gave 69 per cent survival. Substituted derivatives and analogues were less protective. Autopsies and histological studies demonstrated little reduction of intestinal causes of death but considerable protection of the bone-marrow. It seems likely that these compounds have a similar mode of action to AET and cysteamine.
Toluene degradation via a unique metabolic route in indigenous bacterial species
Tanneries are the primary source of toluene pollution in the environment and toluene due to its hazardous effects has been categorized as persistent organic pollutant. Present study was initiated to trace out metabolic fingerprints of three toluene-degrading bacteria isolated from tannery effluents of Southern Punjab. Using selective enrichment and serial dilution methods followed by biochemical, molecular and antibiotic resistance analysis, isolated bacteria were subjected to metabolomics analysis. GC–MS/LC–MS analysis of bacterial metabolites helped to identify toluene transformation products and underlying pathways. Three toluene-metabolizing bacteria identified as Bacillus paralicheniformis strain KJ-16 (IUBT4 and IUBT24) and Brevibacillus agri strain NBRC 15538 (IUBT19) were found tolerant to toluene and capable of degrading toluene. Toluene-degrading potential of these isolates was detected to be IUBT4 (10.35 ± 0.084 mg/h), IUBT19 (14.07 ± 3.14 mg/h) and IUBT24 (11.1 ± 0.282 mg/h). Results of GC–MS analysis revealed that biotransformation of toluene is accomplished not only through known metabolic routes such as toluene 3-monooxygenase (T3MO), toluene 2-monooxygenase (T2MO), toluene 4-monooxygenase (T4MO), toluene methyl monooxygenase (TOL), toluene dioxygenase (Tod), meta- and ortho-ring fission pathways. But additionally, confirmed existence of a unique metabolic pathway that involved conversion of toluene into intermediates such as cyclohexene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol. LC–MS analysis indicated the presence of fatty acid amides, stigmine, emmotin A and 2, 2-dinitropropanol in supernatants of bacterial cultures. As the isolated bacteria transformed toluene into relatively less toxic molecules and thus can be preferably exploited for the eco-friendly remediation of toluene.