Biosynthesis of ZnO/SiO 2 nanocatalyst with palash leaves’ powder for treatment of petroleum refinery effluent

This work aims the synthesis and characterization of ZnO/SiO 2 nanocatalyst from plant waste material by green route and application of this ZnO/SiO 2 nanocatalyst for the treatment of petroleum refinery efflu- ent. Butea monosperma (Palash) leaves’ powder was used as reducing and stabilizing agent for synthesis of ZnO/SiO 2 nanocatalyst. Palash leaves contain broad variability of biomolecules which work as reducing and capping agent. In this research work, COD and acenaphthylene which is Polycyclic Aromatic Hydro- carbons (PAH) were degraded by synthesizing ZnO/SiO 2 nanocatalyst under UV-light in an annular photo- catalytic reactor. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), FIELD emission gun-Scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis confirmed the formation of ZnO/SiO 2 nanocatalyst. Characterization studies re- vealed that spherical and hexagonal nanoparticles with particle size ranging from 8 ±5 nm to 40 ±5 nm and mean particle with diameter of 20 ±5 nm were synthesized using this method which is stable in the environment. Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) surface area of ZnO/SiO 2 nanocatalyst is found to be 150.25 m 2 /g. Fractional Factorial design was applied to find optimum condition of process parameters and found that optimum percent. Removal of COD (mg/l), and acenaphthylene were achieved at reaction condition of 1 g/L of ZnO/SiO 2 nanocatalyst loading, 30 °C temperature and 4 h reaction time and found that optimum percent removal of COD (mg/l), and acenaphthylene is 75%, and 73% respectively. Various metals, naturally present in palash leaves’ powder, decrease band gap of energy and improve photocat- alytic activity of nanocatalyst.

A critical period for antidepressant-induced acceleration of neuronal maturation in adult dentate gyrus

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used medications for mood and anxiety disorders, and adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus has been shown to be involved in the behavioral effects of SSRIs in mice. Studies have shown the varied effects of chronic treatment with SSRIs on adult neurogenesis. One such effect is the acceleration of neuronal maturation, which affects the functional integration of new neurons into existing neuronal circuitry. In this study, we labeled new neurons by using GFP-expressing retroviral vectors in mice and investigated the effect of an SSRI, fluoxetine, on these neurons at different time points after neuronal birth. Chronic treatment with fluoxetine accelerated the dendritic development of the newborn neurons and shifted the timing of the expression of the maturational marker proteins, doublecortin and calbindin. This accelerated maturation was observed even after sub-chronic treatment, only when fluoxetine was administered during the second week of neuronal birth. These results suggest the existence of a 'critical period' for the fluoxetine-induced maturation of new neurons. We propose that the modified functional integration of new neurons in the critical period may underlie the behavioral effects of fluoxetine by regulating anxiety-related decision-making processes.

Comparison of Platform Switched and Sloping Shoulder Implants on Stress Reduction in various Bone Densities: Finite Element Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Comparison of platform switched (PS), sloping shoulder, and regular implants on stress reduction in various bone densities with finite element analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 12 three-dimensional finite element models were built to analyze the stress distribution model. Nobel Biocare 4.3 × 8 mm regular platform replace select implant with matching diameter easy abutment, Nobel Biocare 4.3 × 8 mm replace select implant PS with 3.5 mm diameter easy abutment, Bicon 4 × 8 mm implant with 4 mm diameter sloping shoulder abutments were created virtually in compact bone density using software. The 130 N axial force and a 90 N oblique loading force were applied to the abutment to analyze the stress.

RESULTS

Under horizontal and vertical loading, the sloping shoulder implant had lesser stresses in cancellous bone when compared with PS and regular implants. Sloping shoulder implant showed more stress distribution at implant-abutment interface and at crestal area, whereas with regular implants, the stresses were distributed at cortical area.

CONCLUSION

Sloping shoulder implant in subcrestal position is much favorable for bone growth, stress distribution, and preservation of remaining bone.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Use of sloping shoulder implant design distributes the stress apically and creates lesser stresses when compared with PS implants.

Prediction of cardiovascular risk in cancer patients of South India using WHO/ISH risk prediction charts and Framingham score - A prospective study

Objective Despite the fact that cancer and heart diseases are interconnected, there is lack of information about the prevalence of cardiovascular risk in cancer patients in the South Indian population. With this background, the present study sought to predict the cardiovascular disease in cancer patients. Methods A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medical Oncology, Sri Ramachandra University and Hospital, India. Patients' demographic details, medical information, height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were measured. Two risk prediction tools, namely World Health Organization/International Society of hypertension (WHO/ISH) risk prediction charts and Framingham score were used to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk over 10 years. Results A total of 70 patients were included for the study. Breast and stomach cancer were found to be most among the study patients. Cardiovascular disease was assessed using WHO/ISH and Framingham risk assessment tool. With respect to WHO/ISH risk, there is a significant difference in gender, type of cancer, smoking status and age between the risk groups. Males have a high risk compared to females, and smokers have a high risk compared to non-smokers. With respect to Framingham score, there is a significant difference in gender, smoking status and systolic blood pressure between the risk groups. Males have a high risk compared to females, and smokers have a high risk compared to non-smokers. A moderate degree of agreement exists between the two risk prediction tools. Conclusion The findings of the study revealed that there is a low risk of cardiovascular disease in cancer patients.

Can plantar soft tissue mechanics enhance prognosis of diabetic foot ulcer?

AIM

To investigate if the assessment of the mechanical properties of plantar soft tissue can increase the accuracy of predicting Diabetic Foot Ulceration (DFU).

METHODS

40 patients with diabetic neuropathy and no DFU were recruited. Commonly assessed clinical parameters along with plantar soft tissue stiffness and thickness were measured at baseline using ultrasound elastography technique. 7 patients developed foot ulceration during a 12months follow-up. Logistic regression was used to identify parameters that contribute to predicting the DFU incidence. The effect of using parameters related to the mechanical behaviour of plantar soft tissue on the specificity, sensitivity, prediction strength and accuracy of the predicting models for DFU was assessed.

RESULTS

Patients with higher plantar soft tissue thickness and lower stiffness at the 1st Metatarsal head area showed an increased risk of DFU. Adding plantar soft tissue stiffness and thickness to the model improved its specificity (by 3%), sensitivity (by 14%), prediction accuracy (by 5%) and prognosis strength (by 1%). The model containing all predictors was able to effectively (χ² (8, N=40)=17.55, P<0.05) distinguish between the patients with and without DFU incidence.

CONCLUSION

The mechanical properties of plantar soft tissue can be used to improve the predictability of DFU in moderate/high risk patients.

4-Methylanilinium 3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate

In the title molecular salt, C7H10N+·C7H5O6S−, the anion is deprotonated at the hydroxy O atom of the sulfonate group. In the anion, an intra-ionic O—H...O hydrogen bond generates anS(6) graph-set motif. In the crystal, the inter-ionic N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds generate anR24(12) ring-set motif, linking the anions and cations into an infinite three-dimensional framework. The crystal structure also features C—H...π and π–π [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.5946 (11) Å] interactions.

Phosphine-pyridonate ligands containing octahedral ruthenium complexes: access to esters and formic acid

Selective formation of esters from primary alcohols or formic acid from carbon dioxide was achieved in the presence of phosphine-pyridone containing ruthenium catalysts.

Removal of Basic Violet 14 from aqueous solution using sulphuric acid activated materials

In this study the adsorption of Basic Violet, 14 from aqueous solution onto sulphuric acid activated materials prepared from Calophyllum inophyllum (CS) and Theobroma cacao (TS) shells were investigated. The experimental data were analysed by Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. The results showed that CS has a superior adsorption capacity compared to the TS. The adsorption capacity was found to be 1416.43 mg/g for CS and 980.39 mg/g for TS. The kinetic data results at different concentrations were analysed using pseudo first-order and pseudo-second order model. Boyd plot indicates that the dye adsorption onto CS and TS is controlled by film diffusion. The adsorbents were characterised by scanning electron microscopy. The materials used in this study were economical waste products and hence can be an attractive alternative to costlier adsorbents for dye removal in industrial wastewater treatment processes.

Statistical optimization and mutagenesis for high level of phytase production by Rhizopus oligosporus MTCC 556 under solid state fermentation

The present study deals with production of phytase from Rhizopus oligosporus MTCC 556 by solid state fermentation (SSF) using different (ADT27, IR20, PAIYUR1, KG, and RASI) rice bran varieties, in which ADT27 rice bran yield maximum of 6.2 U gds⁻¹ phytase. Statistical optimization was employed by Central Composite Design (CCD); the results showed that 3.0 g dextrose, 2.5 g ammonium nitrate, substrate size of 80 mesh, 10 mg calcium chloride was 116 hr at optimal for phytase production by SSF, with maximum of 23.14 U gds'. Phytase production improved by 4 fold (31.3 U/gds) due to chemical mutagenesis (mutant Rhizopus oligosporus MTCC 1116) in optimized media composition. Partially purified phytase showed approximately 90 kDa of molecular mass and was optimally active at 5.5 pH and 50°C temperature. Substrate specificity exhibited in sodium phytic acid and phytase activity was stimulated by Zn²⁺ and Ca²⁺.

Influence of local structural disorders on spectroscopic properties of multi-component CaF₂-Bi₂O₃-P₂O₅-B₂O₃ glass ceramics with Cr₂O₃ as nucleating agent

Multi-component CaF2-Bi2O3-P2O5-B2O3 glasses doped with different concentrations of Cr2O3 were crystallized through heat treatment. The prepared glass ceramic samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Spectroscopic studies viz., optical absorption, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) were carried out. The XRD, SEM and DTA studies indicated that the samples contain different crystalline phases. Results of optical absorption and EPR studies pointed out the gradual conversion of chromium ions from Cr(3+) state to Cr(6+) state with an increase of Cr2O3 content from 0.1 to 0.5 mol%. The results of FTIR, Raman and EPR studies revealed that Cr(6+) ions participate in the glass network in tetrahedral positions and seemed to increase the polymerization of the glass ceramics. The quantitative analysis of results of the spectroscopic studies further indicated that the glasses crystallized with low concentration of Cr2O3 are favourable for solid state laser devices.

Acetals from primary alcohols with the use of tridentate proton responsive phosphinepyridonate iridium catalysts

The association of the new phosphinepyridonate ligands along with an iridium metallic precursor resulted in the selective acetalization of various primary alcohols via a formal dehydrogenative coupling reaction.

Toxicity evaluation of gold nanoparticles using an Allium cepa bioassay

The size- and dose-dependent cytogenetic effects of gold NPs were evaluated for the first time by a simple and cost-effective Allium cepa (A. cepa) bioassay.

A simple chalcone-based ratiometric chemosensor for silver ion

Herein, we report the selective binding of Ag(+) ion by the anthracene-based chalcone receptor 1. Receptor 1 behaves as a selective and sensitive chemosensor for the recognition of Ag(+) over other heavy and transition metal ions without any interference and is capable of detecting the metal ion down to 0.15 × 10(-6) M. Receptor 1 on binding with Ag(+) ions exhibits a ratiometric fluorescence enhancement, which is due to the inhibition of photoinduced electron transfer along with the intramolecular charge transfer mechanism.

Reprint of: Connections between single-cell biomechanics and human disease states: gastrointestinal cancer and malaria

We investigate connections between single-cell mechanical properties and subcellular structural reorganization from biochemical factors in the context of two distinctly different human diseases: gastrointestinal tumor and malaria. Although the cell lineages and the biochemical links to pathogenesis are vastly different in these two cases, we compare and contrast chemomechanical pathways whereby intracellular structural rearrangements lead to global changes in mechanical deformability of the cell. This single-cell biomechanical response, in turn, seems to mediate cell mobility and thereby facilitates disease progression in situations where the elastic modulus increases or decreases due to membrane or cytoskeleton reorganization. We first present new experiments on elastic response and energy dissipation under repeated tensile loading of epithelial pancreatic cancer cells in force- or displacement-control. Energy dissipation from repeated stretching significantly increases and the cell's elastic modulus decreases after treatment of Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells with sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), a bioactive lipid that influences cancer metastasis. When the cell is treated instead with lysophosphatidic acid, which facilitates actin stress fiber formation, neither energy dissipation nor modulus is noticeably affected. Integrating recent studies with our new observations, we ascribe these trends to possible SPC-induced reorganization primarily of keratin network to perinuclear region of cell; the intermediate filament fraction of the cytoskeleton thus appears to dominate deformability of the epithelial cell. Possible consequences of these results to cell mobility and cancer metastasis are postulated. We then turn attention to progressive changes in mechanical properties of the human red blood cell (RBC) infected with the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We present, for the first time, continuous force-displacement curves obtained from in-vitro deformation of RBC with optical tweezers for different intracellular developmental stages of parasite. The shear modulus of RBC is found to increase up to 10-fold during parasite development, which is a noticeably greater effect than that from prior estimates. By integrating our new experimental results with published literature on deformability of Plasmodium-harbouring RBC, we examine the biochemical conditions mediating increases or decreases in modulus, and their implications for disease progression. Some general perspectives on connections among structure, single-cell mechanical properties and biological responses associated with pathogenic processes are also provided in the context of the two diseases considered in this work.

Dual Functional TiO2-Au Nanocomposite Material for Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Titanium dioxide-gold nanocomposite ((TiO2-Au)(nps)) materials dispersed in poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) polymer electrolyte are employed as solid-state electrolytes in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) containing nanocrystalline TiO2 nanoparticle (P25) or (P25-Au)(nps) thin film photoanode adsorbed with a near-IR dye sensitizer, nickel-phthalocyanine (NiPcTs). The photocurrent-photovoltage characteristics of the DSSCs are evaluated under standard AM 1.5 G simulated solar irradiation of 100 mW/cm2. The (TiO2-Au)(nps) nanocomposite material incorporated into the PDDA polymer electrolyte promotes interfacial charge transfer process, reduces crystallinity of the polymer electrolyte and enhances mobility of the /-/I3- redox couple, which are resulted in -6-fold increase in the overall solar to electrical energy conversion efficiency when compared to the unmodified polymer electrolyte based DSSC. When the P25 photoanode is replaced with the (P25-Au)(nps) photoanode, a further 8-fold increase in the overall energy conversion efficiency is achieved, owing to the increas in the charge transport through the photoanode. The photovoltaic performance of the present DSSC configuration is also compared with that of a cell sensitized by using standard N719 dye.

Correlations of Insulin Resistance and Serum Testosterone Levels with LH:FSH Ratio and Oxidative Stress in Women with Functional Ovarian Hyperandrogenism

Functional ovarian hyperandrogenism (FOH) is a form of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) characterized by elevated circulating levels of androgens derived from the ovary. Insulin resistance (IR) is the most common etiological factor in women with FOH. IR causes the generation of increased oxidative stress (OS) and diminished antioxidant status. OS is directly correlated with both IR and testosterone levels, which consequently contribute to endocrine and biochemical alterations in FOH women. In the current study, elevations in total testosterone, free testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels accompanied by a decrease in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level leading to higher LH:FSH ratio were the prominent endocrine changes observed in women with FOH. A significant increase in fasting blood levels of glucose and insulin, as well as an elevated IR were also seen in FOH women, as compared to their age matched controls. Women with FOH have higher pro-oxidant and lower anti-oxidant levels in blood than their age matched controls. In FOH women, elevations in LH:FSH ratio and OS are correlated more with hyperandrogenemia than with IR. Of the androgens, free rather than total testosterone has better positive correlations with elevated LH:FSH ratio and OS, and hence, the former is a better predictive marker for the development of biochemical PCOS in women with FOH.

Association of insulin resistance with adipocytokine levels in patients with metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) results from the derangement of adipocyte physiology and carbohydrate metabolism. Obesity and insulin resistance (IR) are integral features of MetS. The adipokine alterations in MetS often correlate with IR and body fat content. High adipose tissue content is associated with a decreased production of adiponectin and excessive production of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), all of which induce IR. The present study evaluated the adipokine alterations in MetS and their association with IR. The findings of the current study indicate that MetS is associated with significant decrease in adiponectin and increase in TNF-α and IL-6. The present study also found that the adipocyte derived inflammatory adipokines, TNF-α and IL-6 correlate with IR while the anti-inflammatory adipokines, adiponectin does not correlate with the degree and severity of IR.

Vibrational spectra (FT-IR, FT-Raman), frontier molecular orbital, first hyperpolarizability, NBO analysis and thermodynamics properties of Piroxicam by HF and DFT methods

The solid phase FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 4-Hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(2-pyridinyl)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide-1,1-dioxide (Piroxicam) have been recorded in the region 4000-400 and 4000-100cm(-1) respectively. The molecular geometry, harmonic vibrational frequencies and bonding features of piroxicam in the ground state have been calculated by Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) methods using 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The calculated harmonic vibrational frequencies are scaled and they are compared with experimental obtained by FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra. A detailed interpretation of the vibrational spectra of the title compound has been made on the basis of the calculated potential energy distribution (PED). The electronic properties, such as HOMO and LUMO energies, molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) are also performed. The linear polarizability (α) and the first order hyper polarizability (β) values of the title compound have been computed. The molecular stability arising from hyper conjugative interaction, charge delocalization has been analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis.