Effect of omega fatty acid-rich oil blend supplementation on the growth,carcass, meat quality,and gene expression of Barbari goats

This study investigated the effect of supplementing omega fatty acids-rich oil blend, composed of sunflower oil (1.5% and 3.0%), linseed oil (1.5% and 3.0%), and FineXNV1810 (20 g) on the carcass, meat quality, fatty acid profile, and genes (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A, and leptin) of Barbari goats. The goat kids (n = 18) were divided into three groups, namely, group A: basal diet; group B: basal diet + oil blend level 1; and group C: basal diet + oil blend level 2, and subjected to the feeding trial for 120 days followed by slaughter and meat quality studies. No treatment effect was recorded in carcass characteristics, pH, water holding capacity, and proximate composition of meat. However, a significant (p < 0.05) treatment effect was observed in cooking loss, lightness, yellowness, and shear force values of meat. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in linoleic acid, α-linolenic acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), n − 3 and n − 6 PUFA, PUFA/saturated fatty acids and n − 6/n − 3 ratios, and thrombogenic index among groups. An upregulation of the studied genes in the supplemented groups was observed. There were upregulations in the studied genes in the supplemented groups. Practical applications: Goat meat is in great demand the world over, especially in tropical countries, including India, and does not carry any social or religious prohibition. Although goat meat has relatively less fat, consumers express their concern over the presence of undesirable fatty acids. The present study shows that the fatty acid configuration of goat meat can be improved by a dietary supplementation of an oil blend rich in omega fatty acids. The amount of n − 3 PUFA, n − 6 PUFA, and CLA in goat meat was significantly increased due to the dietary oil blend making it healthy for the consumers. Moreover, the dietary oil blend at the studied levels did not significantly affect the growth and meat quality parameters of the goats. Thus, the studied approach can be successfully followed to produce healthier goat meat.     

Synthesis of Red-Light-Responsive Pheophorbide-a Tryptamine Conjugated Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy

Six methyl pheophorbide-a derivatives were prepared by linking a tryptamine side chain at the C-13 ¹ , C-15 ² and C-17 ³ positions of pheophorbide-a. P repared conjugates were characterized and evaluated for their photocytotoxicity against A549 cells. The conjugate 6 a with strong absorption at 413 nm (Soret band), 663–671 nm (Q bands) and comparable fluorescence quantum yield (0.26) was found to exhibit significant cytotoxicity (659 nM). Molecular integration of pheophorbide-a and tryptamines showed synergistic effects as the most potent conjugate 6 a was identified with enhanced photocytotoxicity when compared to methyl pheophorbide-a. T he conjugate 6 a was smoothly taken up by A549 cells and exhibited intracellular localization predominantly to lysosome in the cytoplasm. Upon photoirradiation 6 a generated singlet oxygen to show potent cytotoxicity toward A549 cells.     

Model predictive in vitro dissolution testing in pharmaceutical continuous manufacturing: An equivalence study

A predictive mathematical model for tablet dissolution was developed and implemented in an end-to-end integrated continuous manufacturing pilot plant. The tablets were produced for immediate release with a proprietary extrusion-molding-coating (EMC) unit operation. Besides the mass balance of API solute in the buffer solution, the model consisted of the dissolution, diffusion, and population balance of API particles in the swollen tablet, which was mainly controlled by the swelling and erosion of the polymeric excipient matrix. An equivalence study was investigated by comparing the model prediction to the experiments that were conducted according to USP42-NF37 General Chapter <711> Dissolution, during which the drug dose level was varied in a range from 60 to 80 wt%. Consistent equivalence was demonstrated with the similarity factor f₂ > 50 for all sampled tablets. Concluding remarks and industrial perspectives on model predictive in vitro dissolution testing are provided.     

Chromophore‐Linked Substrate (CLS405): Probing Metallo‐β‐Lactamase Activity and Inhibition

Serine‐ and metallo‐β‐lactamases present a threat to the clinical use of nearly all β‐lactam antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems. Efforts to develop metallo‐β‐lactamase (MBL) inhibitors require suitable screening platforms to allow the rapid determination of β‐lactamase activity and efficient inhibition. Unfortunately, the platforms currently available are not ideal for this purpose. Further progress in MBL inhibitor identification requires inexpensive and widely applicable assays. Herein the identification of an inexpensive and stable chromogenic substrate suitable for use in assays of clinically relevant MBLs is described. (6R,7R)‐3‐((4‐Nitrophenoxy)methyl)‐8‐oxo‐7‐(2‐phenylacetamido)‐5‐thia‐1‐azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct‐2‐ene‐2‐carboxylic acid 5,5‐dioxide (CLS405) was synthesised in a three‐step protocol. CLS405 was then characterised spectroscopically, and its stability and kinetic properties evaluated. With a Δλ_max value of 100 nm between the parent and hydrolysis product, a higher analytical accuracy is possible with CLS405 than with commonly used chromogenic substrates. The use of CLS405 in assays was validated by MBL activity measurements and inhibitor screening that resulted in the identification of N‐hydroxythiazoles as new inhibitor scaffolds for MBLs. Further evaluation of the identified N‐hydroxythiazoles against a panel of clinically relevant MBLs showed that they possess inhibitory activities in the mid‐ to low‐micromolar range. The findings of this study provide both a useful tool compound for further inhibitor identification, and novel scaffolds for the design of improved MBL inhibitors with potential as antibiotics against resistant strains of bacteria.     

Indole‐based polymer and its silver nanocomposite as advanced antibacterial agents: synthetic path,kinetics of polymerization and applications

Atom transfer radical polymerization of 1‐allylindole‐3‐carbaldehyde (AIC) was studied by employing 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide as initiator in toluene. It led to controlled radical polymerization of AIC, with an increase of molecular weight along with the conversion of the monomer, and a relatively narrow molar mass distribution was obtained, as determined by gel permeation chromatography. The living nature of poly(1‐allylindole‐3‐carbaldehyde) (PAIC) was confirmed by the chain extension polymerization whereas ¹H NMR analysis showed that the major population of PAIC retained the chain‐end functional group. PAIC and its silver nanocomposite were found to be biologically active against some tested bacterial pathogens. Minimum inhibitory concentration tests revealed that PAIC exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumonae whereas PAIC/Ag nanocomposite showed antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis and K. pneumonae. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

A mass spectrometric and molecular modelling study of cisplatin binding to transferrin

A combination of mass spectrometry, UV/Vis spectroscopy and molecular modelling techniques have been used to characterise the interaction of cisplatin with human serum transferrin (Tf). Mass spectrometry indicates that cisplatin binds to the hydroxy functional group of threonine 457, which is located in the iron(III)-binding site on the C-terminal lobe of the protein. UV/Vis spectroscopy confirms the stoichiometry of binding and shows that cisplatin and iron(III) binding are competitive. The binding of cisplatin has been modelled by using molecular dynamic simulations and the results suggest that cisplatin can occupy part of both the iron(III)- and carbonate-binding sites in the C-terminal lobe of the protein. Combined, the studies suggest that cisplatin binding sterically restricts iron(III) binding to the C-terminal lobe binding site, whereas the N-terminal lobe binding site appears to be unaffected by the cisplatin interaction, possibly allowing the iron(III)-induced conformational change necessary for binding to a Tf receptor.     

Low-Temperature High-Pressure Consolidation of Amorphous Al2O3–15 mol% Y2O3

This study examined pressure consolidation of amorphous Al₂O₃–15 mol% Y₂O₃ powders prepared by co-precipitation and spray pyrolysis. The two amorphous powders had similar true densities and crystallization sequences. Uniaxial hot pressing was carried out at 450°–600°C with a moderate pressure of 750 MPa. The co-precipitated powder could be hot pressed to a maximum relative density of 98% and remained amorphous. Pressure adversely affected the densification of the spray-pyrolyzed powder by favoring an early crystallization of γ-Al₂O₃ phase at 580°C. Plastic deformation of the amorphous phase is believed to be responsible for the large densification of the amorphous powders.     

A Novel Low-Temperature Synthesis of Nanosized NiZn Ferrite

Nanosized NiZn ferrite powder is synthesized by a low-temperature method, using a unique combination of citric acid and glycine. An appropriate molar ratio of both citric acid and glycine offers a low-temperature synthetic route by incorporating the complexation behavior of citric acid and the combustion nature of glycine. Thermal decomposition/controlled autocatalytic combustion of the composite gel occurs at a low temperature of around 175°C, with the evolution of a large amount of gases. Transmission electron microscopic studies showed that the average particle size of the ferrite obtained is ∼2.5 nm, with a narrow size distribution. Uniformly distributed fine-grained microstructure with low porosity is obtained for a sample sintered at 1000°C.     

Catalytic oxidation of toluene and m-xylene by activated carbon fiber impregnated with transition metals

The catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into mainly CO₂ and H₂O appears promising in the context of the abatement of atmospheric gaseous pollutants and is the subject of this paper. The catalytic oxidation of toluene and m-xylene was carried out in a tubular reactor on a phenolic resin based activated carbon fiber (ACF) impregnated with nitrates of Co, Cr, Ni, and Cu at the reaction temperatures below 300 °C. The extent of the removal (i.e. conversion) of toluene and m-xylene was examined through the breakthrough curves and was found to strongly depend on the types and loading of the metal precursors. The experimental results showed that the reaction rate was significantly affected by O₂ concentration below 3% (v/v). The performance of the ACFs impregnated with 5% (w/w) of Ni oxide was found to be superior to that of other metal oxides at reaction temperature between 170 and 290 °C. A surface kinetic mechanism for the catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compound was proposed and incorporated in a transport model developed to explain the experimental breakthrough data.     

Influence of grain boundary sliding on diffusion in yttria doped zirconia

Grain boundary sliding during high temperature deformation can lead to stress concentrations and an enhancement of diffusion in mobile boundaries. Experiments were conducted on a fine grained 3 mol% yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia, under conditions associated with superplastic flow involving grain boundary sliding. Tracer diffusion studies under creep conditions and without load indicate that there is no enhancement in either the lattice or grain boundary diffusivities. The experimental creep data are consistent with an interface controlled diffusion creep mechanism.