Classification of drug molecules for oxidative stress signalling pathway

In humans, oxidative stress is involved in the development of diabetes, cancer, hypertension, Alzheimers’ disease, and heart failure. One of the mechanisms in the cellular defence against oxidative stress is the activation of the Nrf2‐antioxidant response element (ARE) signalling pathway. Computation of activity, efficacy, and potency score of ARE signalling pathway and to propose a multi‐level prediction scheme for the same is the main aim of the study as it contributes in a big amount to the improvement of oxidative stress in humans. Applying the process of knowledge discovery from data, required knowledge is gathered and then machine learning techniques are applied to propose a multi‐level scheme. The validation of the proposed scheme is done using the K‐fold cross‐validation method and an accuracy of 90% is achieved for prediction of activity score for ARE molecules which determine their power to refine oxidative stress.Inspec keywords: cancer, cellular biophysics, biochemistry, drugs, molecular biophysics, proteins, learning (artificial intelligence), medical computingOther keywords: oxidative stress, Nrf2‐antioxidant response element signalling pathway, ARE signalling pathway, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, Alzheimers’ disease, heart failure, machine learning techniques, K‐fold cross‐validation method, ARE molecules     

Classical light scattering quantitation of protein aggregates: off-line spectroscopy versus HPLC detection

This paper describes the development and validation of a new off-line approach to quantitate both covalent and noncovalent, in-solution aggregates present in protein formulations and compares the new assay to established HPLC methods. This off-line analysis is well suited for use in QC release testing, formulation development and stability indicating applications. An inexpensive, continuous source HPLC fluorometer has been adapted with the addition of second order filters for use as a sensitive right-angle scatterometer which can determine the molecular weight of protein aggregates in solution. When used as an HPLC detector, right-angle light scattering is a sensitive method which can determine the molecular weight of peaks separable by HPLC, thus discriminating between monomers of different conformations and aggregates. The weight-averaged molecular weight of aggregate peaks can be calculated with system calibration, yielding the average number of monomers per aggregate. If the protein concentration is high enough for an adequate signal, the off-line technique of right-angle light scattering of protein formulations has advantages of convenience and speed over the HPLC approach. Samples are placed in standard fluorometer cuvettes and toluene is used as a calibrator. Data are presented which show the off-line (static) method to be extremely rapid, rugged and precise. The accuracy of this approach is demonstrated through cross-validation to traditional GPC analysis of protein aggregate distributions. This non-invasive light scattering approach is particularly useful when non-covalent protein aggregation is reversible and readily altered by chromatographic separations typically used for characterizing aggregates.     

The anti-microbial activity of titania-nickel ferrite composite nanoparticles

A novel approach to synthesize a new generation of composite nanoparticles consisting of a photocatalytic shell of anatase-titania and a magnetic core of nickel ferrite has been adopted combining reverse micelle and chemical hydrolysis techniques. Titania is an effective anti-microbial agent that can be directly sprayed on infected areas of the human body or environment. Unfortunately, titania is an electrical insulator and is difficult to extract from the sprayed surface after treatment. The titania photocatalytic shell provides good antimicrobial capability that renders the bacteria inactive and removes the organic pollutants, while the nickel ferrite magnetic core enables controlled delivery of composite nanoparticles through the application of a small magnetic field, encouraging their application as removable anti-microbial photocatalyst nanoparticles. For more information, contact R.D.K. Misra, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Center for Structural and Functional Materials, P.O. Box 44130, Lafayette, LA 70504-4130; (337) 482-6430; e-mail dmisra@louisiana.edu.     

Current distribution and input impedance of printed dipoles

Printed dipole antennas find increasing use in microwave as well as far infrared frequencies. The current distribution, input impedance, and radiation pattern are computed for wire antennas printed on a dielectric substrate. The current distribution is obtained by solving Pocklington's equation by moment methods. The Green's function pertinent to the problem involves improper Sommerfeld-type integrals. These integrals are computed by a real-axis integration technique which involves analytical and numerical steps. The effect of surface modes is carefully taken into account.     

Analysis of nutritional transport through a capillary: Normal and stenosed

Presented herein are the studies of nutritional transport from capillary to tissues in normal and stenosed arteries. The model incorporates modified Casson's fluid representation for the blood and symmetric stenosis has been assumed at some distance from the entry. Assessment of the severity of the disease could be made possible through the variation of a parameter named as retention parameter. Nutritional flux at the capillary wall is affected by the growing stenosis and its variation has been observed through a decreasing trend of the retention parameter from 1 to 0. Results for local variation of viscosity contrary to Fahraeus-Lindquist effect have been explained. Symmetry of the distribution of the wall shearing stress and resistance to flow and their growth with the developing stenosis is another important feature of this analysis. Taylor diffusivity coefficient increases considerably with growing stenosis and the nutritional transport to the deeper cells of the tissue will naturally decrease.     

Outpatient management of deep vein thrombosis

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) could be satisfactorily treated on an outpatient basis with low molecular weight (LMW) heparin and warfarin. DESIGN: A 22 month prospective study of adults attending St Peter's Hospital accident and emergency department with DVT. RESULTS: 1093 patients were referred and assessed; 160 were venogram positive, of which 159 patients between the ages of 22 and 89 years of age have now been treated with LMW heparin as outpatients. Direct liaison with community nurses has minimised the impact on general practitioner workload. CONCLUSIONS: 1272 bed days were saved during this period (an estimated 320,000 pounds). The outpatient treatment of thromboembolism has been shown to be effective and safe.