High-efficiency remediation of cadmium (Cd2+) from aqueous solution using poultry manure– and farmyard manure–derived biochars

Farmyard manure (FYM-BC) and poultry manure (PM-BC) derived biochars were applied as adsorbents to remove Cd²⁺ from water. Results indicated that PM-BC was a more efficient adsorbent than FYM-BC at all experimental conditions. Maximum Cd²⁺ adsorption was observed at pH 4, temperature 318 K and contact time 1 h, regardless of biochar type. The Langmuir model predicted maximum adsorption capacity of 90.09 mg g^?1 for PM-BC. The data fitting to pseudo-second-order model proposed chemisorption of Cd²⁺ onto biochars. Thermodynamics indicated that adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. Post-adsorption analysis provided evidences of strong chemical interactions between biochars’ functional groups and Cd²⁺ ions.     

A Novel Sprague-Dawley Rat Model Presents Improved NASH/NAFLD Symptoms with PEG Coated Vitexin Liposomes

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a global threat to the human population, with manifestations resulting from alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, if not treated, may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Furthermore, inflammation leads to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Vitexin, a natural flavonoid, has been recently reported for inhibiting NAFLD. It is a lipogenesis inhibitor and activates lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. In addition, owing to its antioxidant properties, it appeared as a hepatoprotective candidate. However, it exhibits low bioavailability and low efficacy due to its hydrophobic nature. A novel rat model for liver cirrhosis was developed by CCL4/Urethane co-administration. Vitexin encapsulated liposomes were synthesized by the ‘thin-film hydration’ method. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was coated on liposomes to enhance stability and stealth effect. The diseased rats were then treated with vitexin and PEGylated vitexin liposomes, administered intravenously and orally. Results ascertained the liposomal encapsulation of vitexin and subsequent PEG coating to be a substantial strategy for treating liver cirrhosis through oral drug delivery.     

Theranostic Interpolation of Genomic Instability in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a diverse disease caused by mutations in multiple genes accompanying epigenetic aberrations of hazardous genes and protein pathways, which distress tumor-suppressor genes and the expression of oncogenes. Alteration in any of the several physiological mechanisms such as cell cycle checkpoints, DNA repair machinery, mitotic checkpoints, and telomere maintenance results in genomic instability. Theranostic has the potential to foretell and estimate therapy response, contributing a valuable opportunity to modify the ongoing treatments and has developed new treatment strategies in a personalized manner. “Omics” technologies play a key role while studying genomic instability in breast cancer, and broadly include various aspects of proteomics, genomics, metabolomics, and tumor grading. Certain computational techniques have been designed to facilitate the early diagnosis of cancer and predict disease-specific therapies, which can produce many effective results. Several diverse tools are used to investigate genomic instability and underlying mechanisms. The current review aimed to explore the genomic landscape, tumor heterogeneity, and possible mechanisms of genomic instability involved in initiating breast cancer. We also discuss the implications of computational biology regarding mutational and pathway analyses, identification of prognostic markers, and the development of strategies for precision medicine. We also review different technologies required for the investigation of genomic instability in breast cancer cells, including recent therapeutic and preventive advances in breast cancer.     

Acid–base and dyeing properties of Nigerian Merino,Yankasa, and Merino–Yankasa crossbred wools

The acid–base titration curves of three wools, Merino, Yankasa, and a ?–? Merino–Yankasa crossbred wool, grown in Nigeria, were measured at 25°C in the presence of varying amounts of sodium chloride. Amino acid analysis was carried out on these wools and correlated with the acid–base properties. The isoionic point and titration curves of Merino and the crossbred wool are similar, while those of Yanakasa are somewhat different. The acid–base behavior was interpreted by the Gibbs–Donnan treatment for the acid titrations and the pK₀¹ values for the carboxyl groups obtained, showing the existence of normal and salt-linked carboxyl groups in these wools. Dyeing tests with acidic and basic dyes have shown that the crossbred wool responds almost as well as Merino. Together with the similarity of its mechanical properties, it seems that this crossbred wool is suitable for all the textile applications for which Merino wool is normally preferred.     

Potentiation of chlorambucil cytotoxicity in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia by inhibition of DNA-dependent protein kinase activity using wortmannin

In this study, we examined the ability of wortmannin to modulate chlorambucil (CLB) cytotoxicity in lymphocyte samples from patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). It has been suggested previously that enhanced cross-link repair is a primary mechanism of resistance to nitrogen mustards (NMs) in B-CLL. DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is involved in the repair of double-strand breaks and in rejoining steps in recombination mechanisms. Mutants defective in this process are hypersensitive to alkylating agents. We have recently demonstrated that the activity of DNA-PK is a determinant in the cellular response of B-CLL to CLB. The DNA-PK gene has homology to the P110 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K). Wortmannin, an inhibitor of P110 PI 3-K, also inhibits DNA-PK activity in vitro. We investigated the effect of wortmannin on DNA-PK activity and CLB toxicity in the lymphocytes from 11 patients with B-CLL. Our results demonstrate that DNA-PK activity is decreased after exposure to wortmannin in a dose-dependent manner. Wortmannin, at nontoxic concentrations, synergistically sensitized B-CLL lymphocytes to the effects of CLB. Moreover, we observed a significant correlation when we compared the fold decrease in DNA-PK activity and the synergistic value (I), obtained when wortmannin was used at 0.1 microM. In the resistant B-CLL lymphocyte samples, there was a highly significant correlation between the ability of wortmannin at 0.1 and 0.25 microM to decrease the level of DNA-PK activity and to increase CLB sensitivity. In a model of primary human tumor cells, our findings suggest that the inhibition of DNA-PK activity may be a powerful way to overcome resistance to NMs such as CLB and point to new possibilities to improve the effectiveness of NM therapy.     

Investigation of the Heterogeneity of Disruptive Behaviour in Elementary-Age Children.

We evaluated parent and teacher ratings of a large sample (N=1579) of elementary-school children in Canada to determine how different conceptualizations of disruptive behaviour are co-related and related to other measures of functioning. Parent and teacher ratings were consistent, and suggested three separate but correlated aspects of disruptive behaviour in children: (1) reactive/oppositional behaviour, (2) proactive/callous behaviour; and (3) inattention-impulsive-overactive behaviour. These were uniquely and significantly related to DSM-IV diagnostic scores and to other measure of impairment, indicating that they measure distinct aspects of disruptive behaviour in children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The use of intravenous intermediate dose melphalan and dexamethasone as induction treatment in the management of de novo multiple myeloma

The variable absorption of melphalan from the gastrointestinal tract results in response rates between 40 and 60%. High dose melphalan increases response rates but at the cost of increased morbidity and mortality. We have investigated intravenous intermediate dose melphalan and dexamethasone in the treatment of patients presenting with de novo multiple myeloma with the object of reducing toxicity while preserving an improved response rate compared to oral melphalan and prednisolone. The results show that this treatment can be delivered safely on an outpatient basis in patients up to the age of 78 yr; 82% of patients achieved an objective response and 30% a complete haematological and clinical remission. Median overall survival for the whole group is 37 months.