Hit to Leads with Cytotoxic Effect in Leukemic Cells: Total Synthesis Intermediates as a Molecule Treasure Chest

A previously designed and developed 12-step total synthesis that includes [1,1′-biphenyl]-2-amine and carbazole intermediates and that ultimately produces the carbazole alkaloid carbazomycin G was exploited as a screening compound library with the goal of identifying potential lead compound(s) with cytotoxic effect. These compounds were investigated by using in-vitro tests involving the two human cell lines HL-60 and MOLM-13, which both model acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The in-vitro biological test results were used together with the molecular structures of the various intermediates in a concise SAR analysis. Several of the intermediates revealed cytotoxicity (IC₅₀<10⁻⁴ M), although the final natural product carbazomycin G did not reveal cytotoxicity versus the two said human cell lines.     

Kinetics of hydrogen evolution on submicron size Co, Ni, Pd and Co–Ni alloy powder electrodes by d.c. polarization and a.c. impedance studies

Submicron size Co, Ni and Co–Ni alloy powders have been synthesized by the polyol method using the corresponding metal malonates and Pd powder by reduction of PdO _x in methanol. The kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 6 M KOH electrolyte have been studied on electrodes made from the pressed powders. The d.c. polarization measurements have resulted in a value close to 120 mV decade^–1 for the Tafel slope, suggesting that the HER follows the Volmer–Heyrovsky mechanism. The values of exchange current density (i _o) are in the range 1–10 mA cm^–2 for electrodes fabricated in the study. The a.c. impedance spectra measured at several potentials in the HER region showed a single semicircle in the Nyquist plots. Exchange current density (i _o) and energy transfer coefficient () have been calculated by employing a nonlinear least square-fitting program.     

Role of substrate temperature on the structural,optoelectronic and morphological properties of (400) oriented indium tin oxide thin films deposited using RF sputtering technique

RF sputtering process has been used to deposit highly transparent and conducting films of tin-doped indium oxide onto quartz substrates keeping the RF power constant at 250 W. The electrical, optical and structural properties have been investigated as a function of substrate temperature. XRD has shown that deposited films are polycrystalline and have (400) preferred orientation. Indium tin oxide layers with low resistivity values and high transmittance in the visible region have been deposited. Detailed Analyses based on X-ray diffraction, optical and electrical results are attempted to gain more insight into the factors that are governed by the influence of varying substrate temperature in this investigation. AFM pictures showed uniform surface morphology with very low surface roughness values. It has been observed that ITO films deposited in this study, keeping the substrate temperature at 150 °C, can provide the required optimum electrical and optical properties rendering them useful for developing many optoelectronic devices at a moderate temperature.     

Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies using Shemamruthaa,a modified indigenous Siddha preparation,in Sprague-Dawley rats

Shemamruthaa (SM), an indigenous herbal formulation (Hibiscus rosa sinensis flowers, Phyllanthus emblica, and pure honey) in a definite ratio was analyzed using acute and sub-acute toxicity studies in Sprague-Dawley rats. The acute toxicity study for 72 h showed no adverse effects in behavior or mortality at a dosage of 75–2,000 mg/kg of BW. The sub-acute toxicity study at 50, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg of BW for 30 days showed transient rises in the white blood cell count, and levels of hemoglobin, free fatty acids, high density lipoproteins, and cholesterol, and a significant decrease in the blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid, and LDL levels. Other parameters remained unchanged. Changes observed were significant only at the highest dosage of 500 mg/kg BW. These results proved that the drug SM is safe and not toxic.     

Suppressors of an Arabidopsis thaliana phyB mutation identify genes that control light signaling and hypocotyl elongation

Ambient light controls the development and physiology of plants. The Arabidopsis thaliana photoreceptor phytochrome B (PHYB) regulates developmental light responses at both seedling and adult stages. To identify genes that mediate control of development by light, we screened for suppressors of the long hypocotyl phenotype caused by a phyB mutation. Genetic analyses show that the shy (short hypocotyl) mutations we have isolated fall in several loci. Phenotypes of the mutants suggest that some of the genes identified have functions in control of light responses. Other loci specifically affect cell elongation or expansion.     

A Novel Approach to Monitor and Maintain Database About Physiological Parameters of (Javelin) Athletes Using Internet of Things (IoT)

Wireless Personal Communications - Real time monitoring of physiological parameters is very important to safeguard Athlete’s life time from severe life-threatening diseases and injuries...     

Dry colour prediction of leather from its wet state

The present investigation describes the development of a regression model for dry colour prediction based on the colour of wet leather. Such a prediction will be useful in the colour matching of leather – the time delay in drying of wet leather and determination of the final colour can be avoided. The use of computer technology interfaced with a reflectance spectrophotometer provides a novel approach to the prediction of dry colour from wet colour. In this study, five different regression models, i.e. linear fit, log fit, quadratic fit, log quadratic fit and cubic fit, were developed, with the dry reflectance of the leather sample as a dependent variable and the wet reflectance of the leather as an independent variable. The relationship between moisture content and surface leather colour, a prerequisite for enabling prediction, was studied. The obtained log quadratic model can be used for accurate prediction of dry colour from wet colour.     

Graphene oxide-coated microbottle resonators for relative humidity sensing

Graphene oxide (GO) is a 2D coating material used to improve fiber optics sensors’ response to relative humidity. Microbottle resonators (MBRs) have garnered more attention as sensing media structures. An MBR with a 190 µm diameter was coated with GO. Then, tapered fiber light coupling was used to investigate the relative humidity sensing performance in the range of 35—70%RH at 25 °C. The MBR showed a higher Q factor before and after GO coating. The sensitivity of 0.115 dB/%RH was recorded with the 190 µm GO-coated MBR sample compared to a sensitivity of 0.022 dB/%RH for the uncoated MBR sample. These results show that the MBR can be used in fiber optic sensing applications for environmental sensing.     

Effects of parameters affecting biomass yield and thermal behaviour of Chlorella vulgaris

Conventional fossil fuels are facing a global challenge which lead scientists to explore alternative fuel production from biological sources. The algae-based fuels are gaining rapid attention as it has potential to replace petroleum-based fuels. An indigenous high lipid producing microalgae was isolated from a freshwater pond in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The isolate was later identified as Chlorella vulgaris, based on partial 28S large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence. The growth kinetics, pyrolytic characteristics and photosynthetic efficiency of Chlorella was evaluated in vitro. The optimized conditions for higher biomass yield of the selected strain were at 4% CO(2), 0.5 g l(-1) NO(3) and 0.04 g l(-1) PO(4), respectively. The pulse amplitude modulation results indicated that C. vulgaris could withstand a light intensity ranging from 150 to 350 μmol photons m(-2)s(-1). Further increase in light intensity resulted in a decline of the electron transport rate. Carbon fixation rate, lipid content and calorific value of C. vulgaris was 6.17 mg l(-1)h(-1), 21% and 17.44 kJ g(-1), respectively. The pyrolitic studies under inert atmosphere at different heating rates of 15, 30, 40 and 50°C min(-1) from ambient temperature to 800°C showed that the overall final weight loss recorded for the four different heating rates was in the range of 78.9-81%. These studies could be useful to appraise the biofuel potential of the isolated C. vulgaris strain, which can later be taken for pilot scale production.