Coumarin-Thiourea Hybrids Show Potent Carbonic Anhydrase IX and XIII Inhibitory Action

A series of coumarin-thiourea hybrids ( 4 a – o ) has been synthesized, and the compounds have been evaluated against the tumour associated transmembrane isoform, human (h) carbonic anhydrase (CA) hCA IX and the less-explored cytosolic isoform, hCA XIII. All compounds exhibited potent inhibition of both isoforms, with K_I values of <100 nM against hCA IX. Compound 4 b was the best inhibitor (K_I=78.5 nM). All the compounds inhibited hCA XIII in the low-nanomolar to sub-micromolar range, with compound 4 b again showing the best inhibition (K_I=76.3 nM). With compound 4 b as a lead, more-selective inhibitors of hCA IX and hCA XIII or dual hCA IX/XIII inhibitors might be developed.     

Pressure distribution in a fluid film between two axially oscillating parallel circular plates in the presence of a transverse magnetic field

A study of a viscous incompressible electrically conducting fluid between two parallel circular plates, one of which is oscillating axially, in the presence of a transverse magnetic field shows that the pressure in the fluid film increases with both the Hartmann number and the Reynolds number. The increase in pressure due to inertia is not significant for a large Hartmann number. The effects of inertia and of the magnetic field on the pressure distribution when the plate is in its downwards motion are qualitatively similar to those effects in a hydromagnetic squeeze film bearing.     

Study on structural,optical and electrical properties of CdO and Cd<Subscript>0.98</Subscript>Al<Subscript>0.02</Subscript>O films prepared by innovative sol–gel screen-printing method

In present work for the first time we report the synthesis and characterization of pure CdO and Cd_0.98Al_0.02O films by innovative sol–gel screen-printing technique. The prepared films were characterized for their structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties. XRD studies reveals the polycrystalline nature of the films, exhibiting cubic structure with preferred orientation of grains along (111) plane. SEM image of CdO and Cd_0.98Al_0.02O indicates that surface of the films were uniformly covered and have smooth surface area on the entire film. EDAX analysis confirms the presence of Cd, O, Al along with some impurities as films were prepared on glass substrate. A UV–Visible spectroscopy confirms the direct band gap of 2.53 eV for CdO and 2.51 eV for Cd_0.98Al_0.02O films. The refractive index for the Cd_0.98Al_0.02O films firstly increases and then decreases with photon energy. The emission features of pure CdO and Cd_0.98Al_0.02O films were studied through PL spectra. Semiconducting nature of films was confirmed by the DC electrical conductivity measurement via standard two-probe method.     

β-Glucosidase Activity of Lactobacilli for Biotransformation of Soy Isoflavones

Thirty isolates of lactobacilli were screened for β-glucosidase production and isoflavones biotransformation. The isolates exhibited enzyme activities in the range of 0.14–3.31 IU. Five highest enzyme producers were assessed for isoflavones biotransformation potential in soymilk that varied greatly among the isolates with an increase of 2–3 fold in genistein and 6–14 fold in daidzein. The biochemical and molecular identification classified the isolates as Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Among isolates, L. rhamnosus D13 was the highest enzyme producer, while L. rhamnosus D7 was the highest isoflavone aglycone producer. Our results are distinct because of no proportional relation between enzyme activity and isoflavones biotransformation. The study further confirms that the degree of biotransformation of isoflavones is characteristic of an individual strain.     

Identification and molecular docking study of novel cholesterol esterase inhibitory peptides from camel milk proteins

Novel bioactive peptides from camel milk protein hydrolysates (CMPH) were identified and tested for inhibition of cholesterol esterase (CEase), and their possible binding mechanisms were elucidated by molecular docking. Papain-generated CMPH showed the highest degree of hydrolysis. All CMPH produced upon enzymatic degradation demonstrated a dramatic enhancement of CEase inhibition compared with intact camel milk proteins, with papain-generated hydrolysate P₉ displaying the highest inhibition. Peptide identification and their modeling through PepSite 2 revealed that among 20 potential bioactive peptides in alcalase-generated hydrolysate A₉, only 3 peptides, with sequences KFQWGY, SQDWSFY, and YWYPPQ, showed the highest binding toward CEase catalytic sites. Among 43 peptides in 9-h papain-generated hydrolysate P₉, 4 peptides were found to be potent CEase inhibitors. Molecular docking revealed that WPMLQPKVM, CLSPLQMR, MYQQWKFL, and CLSPLQFR from P₉ hydrolysates were able to bind to the active site of CEase with good docking scores and molecular mechanics–generalized born surface area binding energies. Overall, this is the first study reporting CEase inhibitory potential of peptides generated from milk proteins.     

Pure phase LaFeO3 perovskite with improved surface area synthesized using different routes and its characterization

Three different wet chemistry routes, namely co-precipitation, combustion and sol–gel methods were used to synthesize LaFeO₃ perovskite with improved surface area. The synthesized perovskite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption, ultraviolet diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UVDRS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. Improved surface area was observed for all three methods as compared to the previously reported values. The perovskite synthesized using sol–gel method yields comparatively pure, crystalline phase of LaFeO₃ and relatively higher surface area of 16.5 m² g^?1 and porosity. The material synthesized using co-precipitation method yielded other phases in addition to the targeted phase. The morphology of perovskite synthesized using co-precipitation method was uniform agglomerates. Combustion method yields flakes type morphology and that of sol–gel method was open pore type morphology. The selection of method for perovskite synthesis largely depends on the targeted application and the desired properties of perovskites. The results reported in this study are useful for establishing a simple scalable method for preparation of high surface area LaFeO₃ as compared to solid-oxide method. Further, the typical heating cycle followed for calcinations resulted in relatively high surface area in the case of all three methods.     

Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide after Matched Sibling and Unrelated Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Non-relapse mortality due to GVHD and infections represents a major source of morbidity and mortality in pediatric HSCT recipients. Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) has emerged as an effective and safe GVHD prophylaxis strategy, with improved GVHD and relapse-free survival in matched (related and unrelated) and mismatched haploidentical HSCT adult recipients. However, there are no published data in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia who received matched-donor HSCT with PTCy. We demonstrate, in this case series, that the use of PTCy in this population is potentially safe, effective in preventing acute GVHD, does not impair engraftment, is associated with reduced non-relapse mortality, and does not hinder immune reconstitution post HSCT.     

Non-deterministic approach to allay replay attack on iris biometric

Pattern Analysis and Applications - Biometric-based verification system has emerged as a powerful authentication tool. Despite its advantages over traditional systems, it is prone to several...     

Evaluation of flocculation characteristics and biodegradation studies of reduced gum rosin and psyllium-based hydrogel

Present study explored the swelling behavior, biodegradability and flocculation efficiency of hydrogel polymer based on renewable backbones-psyllium and gum rosin. Swelling studies revealed that the polymer sample exhibit pH and temperature-dependent swelling behavior. The polymer sample was assessed for its flocculation efficiency by optimizing the process parameters such as polymer dose, pH, and temperature. The polymer sample illustrated the maximum flocculation efficiency of 96% in 500 mg/L kaolin suspension under optimized experimental conditions. Investigation of biodegradation behavior was carried out using the soil burial and composting method. The percentage degradation of the polymer sample was observed to be 86.8% and 90.4% in 63 days using soil burial and composting method, respectively. The progress of biodegradation was analyzed through Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Thus, the polymer sample was found to be cost effective, eco-friendly, biodegradable material that has significant flocculation characteristics, and hence can be utilized for treatment of kaolinated wastewater.