Understanding the pathogenesis of endometriosis through proteomics: Recent advances and future prospects

Endometriosis is a complex gynecological disease, characterized by the presence and growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, resulting in pelvic pain and infertility. It occurs in 10% of women in their reproductive age. The viable endometrial cells enter the peritoneal cavity by retrograde menstruation, implant, and cause lesions ectopically; depending on their ability to survive, attach, grow, and invade. These “normal” endometrial cells turn “endometriotic” apparently because of inherent abnormalities present in them. Information on these molecular abnormalities is now being sought through proteomic approaches. Recent proteome-based comparisons between the eutopic endometrium from normal women and patients with endometriosis have revealed several proteins (many of which are shown to have a role in several cancers), of which a few have been validated as potential players in the etiology of endometriosis. After an initial in-flow of information from these proteome studies of eutopic endometrium, focus now needs to be expanded to the changes in the various protein PTMs and their upstream effectors present in these tissues. Early diagnosis of endometriosis through noninvasive means is the need of the hour as well—which would require the use of the presently existing immunoassays, along with the advancing MS-based proteomics. In this review, we aim to discuss these future thrust areas of human endometriosis proteomics and also present the proteomic advances made so far in understanding the molecular basis of endometriosis.     

Plasma treated fabrics coated with naturally derived Ag‐NPs for biomedical application

Ethnic value of many known plants are underexploited for medicinal application besides their proven traditional qualities. One such plant known for wound healing is Tridax procumbens. This plant has wound healing property and is commercially unexploited. Silver nanoparticle (Ag‐NP) were synthesized using this plant extracts using different solvents (methanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous), which exhibit resonance at 426, 424 and 418 nm, respectively. This plant‐mediated Ag‐NPs have strong anti‐bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia, Serratia marcescens and Bacillus subtilis with methanol extract. Further instance, elemental composition was confirmed by energy dispersive X‐ray analysis and particle size ranges were observed at 80–200 nm with spherical shape nanoparticles by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The biocompatibility of Ag‐NPs was assessed using fibroblast cell line (L929) by MTT assay with 109.35 µg IC₅₀ value. The oxygen plasma treated and non‐treated bamboo spunlaced nonwoven fabrics were coated with the Ag‐NPs by exhaust method. Contact angle and water retention revealed significant difference in absorption ability of plasma treated fabric. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of Ag‐NPs in plasma coated fabrics. The fabricated cloth was studied for anti‐microbial and microbial penetration ability.Inspec keywords: solvents (industrial), organic compounds, woven composites, field emission scanning electron microscopy, plasma materials processing, contact angle, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, fabrics, biomedical materials, wounds, silver, nanoparticles, particle size, nanofabrication, thermal analysis, antibacterial activity, microorganisms, X‐ray chemical analysisOther keywords: biomedical application, ethnic value, medicinal application, wound healing property, silver nanoparticle synthesis, methanol, ethyl acetate, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia, nonwoven fabrics, field emission scanning electron microscopy, plasma coated fabrics, fabricated cloth, solvents, antibactericidal activity, Staphylococcus aureus, particle size, transmission electron microscopy, oxygen plasma treatment, bamboo material, Tridax procumbens extracts, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis, elemental composition, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, material biocompatibility, fibroblast cell line, exhaust method, contact angle, water retention, absorption ability, antimicrobial property, microbial penetration ability, size 424.0 nm, size 418.0 nm, size 80.0 nm to 200.0 nm, size 426.0 nm, Ag     

A Novel Cross-Layer Cross-Domain Routing Model and It’s Optimization for Cluster-Based Dense WSN

Wireless Personal Communications - Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) plays its adorable performance in the current day communication as it could sense different environmental and physical parameters...     

Novel design and performance of a medical oxygen concentrator using a rapid pressure swing adsorption concept

A novel design of a compact rapid pressure swing adsorption system consisting of a single adsorber enclosed inside a product storage tank is proposed for application as a medical oxygen concentrator (MOC). A self‐contained test unit for the process is constructed which is capable of directly and continuously producing 1–3 sl/m of 90% O₂ from compressed air. Pelletized LiLSX zeolite is used as the air separation adsorbent. Steady state process performance data [bed size factor (BSF) and O₂ recovery (R) as functions of total cycle time (t_c)], as well as transient, cyclic, adsorber pressure, and temperature profiles are presented. A four‐step Skarstrom‐like pressure swing adsorption cycle was used. Two options for column pressurization, (a) using compressed feed air cocurrently or (b) using a part of the oxygen‐enriched product gas counter‐currently were evaluated. Option (b) exhibited superior performance. The optimum total cycle time for option (b) was 5–6 s where the BSF was lowest (～45 kgs/TPD O₂) and the corresponding R was ～29.3%. These numbers indicate that the adsorbent inventory of a MOC can be potentially reduced by a factor of three while offering a ～10–20% higher O₂ recovery compared to a typical commercial unit. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3330–3335, 2014     

Phytofabrication of silver nanoparticles using Bacopa monnieri leaf extract and its antibacterial activity as well as oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis of lung cancer

The biological method for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Bacopa monneri leaves and its anti‐proliferation against human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) was studied. The AgNPs synthesis was determined by an ultraviolet–visible spectrum and was confirmed primarily by the colour change and surface plasmon resonance was observed at 450 nm and its reduction of functional groups stretched in AgNPs was identified by Fourier transform infrared and the crystalline nature of AgNPs was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. The structural morphology of the AgNPs was found to be spherical and polygonal shape and size (> 35 nm) were determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis and its purity was identified by energy dispersive analysis of X‐rays (EDAX). A further, antibacterial activity of biosynthesised AgNPs against Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria was assessed. The cytotoxic effect of synthesised AgNPs was analysed against human lung adenocarcinoma cells by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The GI₅₀ was found to be 20 µg/ml at 24 h incubation. The apoptosis cells containing condensate and marginalised chromatin stages were analysed by propidium iodide staining and DNA damage was observed in A549 treated cells. The present study strongly emphasised that the bioactive molecule‐coated AgNPs could have potential for biomedical applications and significant anticancer effects against human lung adenocarcinoma cells.Inspec keywords: antibacterial activity, biomedical materials, lung, cancer, oxidation, nanoparticles, silver, nanofabrication, nanomedicine, cellular biophysics, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, surface plasmon resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray diffraction, particle size, field emission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray chemical analysis, microorganisms, toxicology, DNA, molecular biophysics, molecular configurationsOther keywords: silver nanoparticles, phytofabrication, Bacopa monnieri leaf extract, antibacterial activity, oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis, biological method, antiproliferation, human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549, AgNPs synthesis, ultraviolet‐visible spectrum, colour change, surface plasmon resonance, stretched functional groups, Fourier transform infrared spectra, crystalline nature, X‐ray diffraction, geometric spherical shape, polygonal shape, field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis, EDAX, biosynthesised AgNPs, gram negative bacteria, gram positive bacteria, cytotoxic effect, 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, incubation, apoptosis cells, condensate, marginalised chromatin stages, propidium iodide staining, DNA damage, A549 treated cells, bioactive molecule‐coated AgNPs, biomedical applications, anticancer effects, time 24 h, Ag     

Nutritive value of raw,parboiled, stabilised and deoiled rice bran for growing chicks

The proximate analysis of different types of rice bran (raw, parboiled, stabilised and deoiled) showed wide differences in the oil, fibre, ash and available carbohydrate contents. Free fatty acids in the fat extracted from the raw, parboiled and stabilised rice brans were 500.6, 277.8 and 163.1 g kg^?1 respectively. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids constituted about 94.5% of the total fatty acids in oils extracted from those rice bran types. In chick growth trials, the average metabolisable energy of raw, parboiled, stabilised and deoiled rice brans was found to be 12.34, 11.67, 12.11 and 9.08 MJ kg^?1 DM, respectively. The bodyweight gain of broiler chicks over a period of 6 weeks was depressed by 183, 79, 49 and 200 g when the level of the respective brans was raised from 200 to 400 g kg^?1 in the diet. However, the food and protein conversions were significantly depressed at both levels of rice bran in the diets.     

Selection of cutting parameters in side milling operation using graph theory and matrix approach

This paper presents the selection of cutting parameters of heavy cutting process in side milling using graph theory and matrix approach (GTMA). The multiple attribute decision-making methods are also applied to rank and select the cutting parameters for the given application. The objective is to find the optimized cutting parameters in side milling operation. The considered performance characteristics are tool wear rate and metal removal rate. In GTMA approach, a ??performance suitability index (PSI)?? evaluates and ranks the performance characteristics from the given alternatives. It is registered that the performance, for which the value of PSI is highest, is the best choice for the given application. The index is derived from the graph of performance selection factors. An example is included to illustrate the approach.     

Performance of a medical oxygen concentrator using rapid pressure swing adsorption process: Effect of feed air pressure

The effects of feed air pressure on the steady‐state performance of a medical oxygen concentrator (MOC) were experimentally evaluated using a novel design of a MOC unit which produced a continuous stream of ～90% O₂ employing a rapid pressure swing adsorption (RPSA) process scheme. Dry, CO₂ free air containing ～1% Ar at different feed gas pressures was used in the tests in conjunction with a commercial sample of LiLSX zeolite as the N₂ selective adsorbent in the process. The bed size factor (BSF) can be systematically reduced by increasing the feed air pressure for any given total cycle time. The effect of feed air pressure on the oxygen recovery (R) is, however, more complex; it increases with increasing feed pressure only at longer cycle times while the effect is marginal at shorter cycle times. The BSF cannot be indefinitely reduced by lowering total process cycle time at any pressure—a minimum is exhibited in the BSF‐cycle time plot. The minimum value of the BSF decreases as the feed pressure is increased. The cycle time for the minimum BSF is, however, not significantly altered by the feed pressure in the data range of this work. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 1212–1215, 2016     

Water Quality Prediction of Gangapur Reservoir (India) Using LS‐SVM and Genetic Programming

Water quality analysis involves analysis of physio‐chemical, biological and microbiological parameters that reflect the abiotic and biotic status of ecosystems. This assessment facilitates planning for the utilization, antipollution and conservation strategies for sustainable use of aquatic ecosystem. Many mathematical models are available for predicting water quality. They have complex structures and require detailed information about sources and receptors, which are difficult and non‐economical. Difficulties in applying mathematical models promote the application of alternative approaches for data‐driven techniques for analysis of the results. The present study focuses on water quality predictions for the Gangapur Reservoir for a 30 days in advance scenario, using genetic programming (GP) and least square support vector machines (LS‐SVMs). A data period of 11 years (2000–2011) of Gangapur Reservoir temporal water quality was evaluated. The data were taken from a single sampling point representing climatological, hydrological and surface water quality measurements. One of the most important steps in application of data‐driven technique is selection of significant input parameters. Genetic programming equations were used for selecting significant input parameters. These significant input parameters are used for 30 days advance predictions of faecal coliform. A performance analysis of GP and LS‐SVM models was carried out with the help of coefficient of determination, root‐mean‐square error and correlation coefficient. In the absence of availability of data, a typical situation for Indian case studies, the model runs were conducted with the use of available parameters. The developed models, along with their performance indicators, also are discussed.