Dynamic proteome in enigmatic preeclampsia: an account of molecular mechanisms and biomarker discovery

The coevolution of genomics and proteomics has led to advancements in the field of diagnosis and molecular mechanisms of disease. Proteomics is now stepping into the field of obstetrics, where early diagnosis of pregnancy complication such as preeclampsia (PE) is imperative. PE is a multifactorial disease characterized by hypertension with proteinuria, which is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality occurring in 5-7% of pregnancies worldwide. This review discusses the probable molecular mechanisms that lead to PE and summarizes the proteomics research carried out in understanding the pathogenicity of PE, and for identifying the candidate biomarker for diagnosis of the disease.     

Analytical error analysis of Clifford gates by the fault-path tracer method

We estimate the success probability of quantum protocols composed of Clifford operations in the presence of Pauli errors. Our method is derived from the fault-point formalism previously used to determine the success rate of low-distance error correction codes. Here we apply it to a wider range of quantum protocols and identify circuit structures that allow for efficient calculation of the exact success probability and even the final distribution of output states. As examples, we apply our method to the Bernstein–Vazirani algorithm and the Steane [[7,1,3]] quantum error correction code and compare the results to Monte Carlo simulations.     

Study of micro-structural,optical and electrical properties of TiO2 films obtained from micro-controller based SILAR method

The TiO₂ films were obtained from successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. A micro-controller based SILAR unit was used to precisely monitor and control the deposition parameters. The films were uniform and free from physical defects such as pores and cracks. A maximum thickness of about 700?nm was achieved. The films were found to be polycrystalline without any texture or preferred orientations. The crystallite size of the films was found to increase with thickness while the micro strain and stress were found to reduce with the thickness. Post-deposition annealing was also found to produce the similar results. The films were found to possess an indirect bandgap of about 3?eV. Various technically important parameters such as root-mean-square micro strain, Urbach energy, chemical composition, carrier concentration, electrical resistivity etc. were determined. The effects of deposition parameters on the properties of the films is discussed in detail.     

Penetration enhancers and ocular bioadhesives: two new avenues for ophthalmic drug delivery

This review is focused on the two avenues of development that promise a major impact on future ocular drug therapeutics: bioadhesives, including hydrogels and other agents like carbopols, polyacrylic acids, chitosan, etc., and penetration enhancers, including different surfactants, calcium chelators, etc. The capacity of some polymers to adhere to the mucin coat covering the conjunctiva and the corneal surface of the eye forms the basis for ocular mucoadhesion. These systems markedly prolong the residence time of a drug in the conjunctival sac, since clearence is now controlled by the much slower rate of mucus turnover rather than the tear turnover rate. But improving the corneal drug retention alone is inadequate in bringing about a significant improvement of drug bioavailability. Another approach consists of transiently increasing the pentration characteristics of the cornea with appropriate substances, known as penetration enhancers or absorption promoters. The main aim of this article is to give an insight into the potential application of mucoadhesives and corneal penetration enhancers for the conception of innovative opthalmic delivery appraoches, to decrease the systemic side effects, and create a more focused effect, which may be achieved with lower doses of the drug. Ophthalmic formulations based on these mucoadhesives and penetration enhancers are simple to manufacture and exhibit an excellent tolerance when administered into the cornea. The use of the former considerably prolongs the corneal contact time and the use of the latter increases the rate and amount of drug transport. The various corneal epithelial barriers along with the major routes of transport of drugs are discussed. The article includes a list of the various substances in use or under investigation for the aforementioned properties, along with their mechanisms of action. A fair appraisal of the subject with regard to these two therapeutic approaches and any expected ill effects has been made.     

An automatic node relabelling scheme for minimizing a matrix or network bandwidth

An automatic algorithm is presented for reducing the bandwidth of symmetric sparse connectivity matrices. The procedure takes an arbitrary input sequence and creates an optimal bandwidth for complex network systems by renumbering the node labels. Thus, considerable improvement for computer storage and time is achieved in the solution of the systems. A large number of examples is presented to demonstrate the reliability and the efficiency of the method.     

Gas permeation properties of polyamide membrane prepared by interfacial polymerization

Interfacial polymerization technique has been widely employed to prepare reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes. The present study explores the possibility of preparing a polyamide membrane by interfacial polymerization and its utilization for the separation of CO₂ and H₂S from CH₄. A novel ultraporous substrate of polysulfone (PSF) was prepared by phase inversion technique from a solution containing 18% PSF and 4% propionic acid in dimethyl formamide (DMF) solvent. Thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membrane was synthesized on PSF substrate from the reaction between meta-phenylene diamine in an aqueous media and isophthaloyl chloride in hexane. The membrane prepared was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study intermolecular interactions, crystallinity, thermal stability and surface morphology, respectively. Gas permeabilities of pure CO₂, H₂S, CH₄, O₂, and N₂ gases were measured using the indigenously built permeation cell incorporated into a high-pressure gas separation manifold. At the feed pressure of 1 MPa, the membrane exhibited permeances of 15.2 GPU for CO₂ and 51.6 GPU for H₂S with selectivities of 14.4 and 49.1 for CO₂/CH₄ and H₂S/CH₄ systems, respectively. The observed N₂ permeance of 0.95 GPU was close to that of CH_4. The corresponding O₂ permeance was 5.13 GPU with a reasonably high O₂/N₂ selectivity of 5.4. The effect of feed pressure on polyamide membrane performance was examined. Further, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to compute the cohesive energy density (CED), solubility parameter (δ) and sorption of CO₂, H₂S, CH₄, O₂, and N₂ gases in polyamide membrane to corroborate theoretical study with experimentally determined gas transport properties.     

Gold nanorods with finely tunable longitudinal surface plasmon resonance as SERS substrates

Advances in nanophotonics have shown the potential of colloidal metal nanoparticles with sharp tips, such as rods, to focalize plasmonic electromagnetic fields. We report on the synthesis of Au nanorods via a seed mediated approach and the influence of silver ions on the aspect ratio of the Au nanorods. The longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the Au nanorods was successfully tuned with the concentration of silver ions. The surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect of 2-aminothiophenol (2-ATP) as a probe molecule on Au nanorods was systematically studied by varying the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance of the nanorods. The highest electromagnetic enhancement was observed when the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance of the Au nanorods overlapped with the laser excitation wavelength. The variation of the SERS enhancement factor with the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance and laser excitation lines is also discussed in detail.     

Photolytic deposition of aluminum nitride and oxy-nitride films at temperatures ≤ 350k

Aluminum nitride and oxy-nitride thin films have been deposited on Si(100) substrates at temperatures of 300-350K by gas-phase excimer laser photolysis at 193 nm. The precursors used for this deposition process are trimethylamine alane and ammonia. The properties of these laser-deposited films were studied using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, and x-ray diffraction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been extensively used to provide information regarding the chemical compositions on the surface and in the bulk of these laser deposited films, as well as on the chemical states of the components of the films. Well-adhering, smooth, amorphous films of AlN are obtained at a substrate temperature of 350K using this technique.     

Pervaporation of tertiary butanol/water mixtures through chitosan membranes cross‐linked with toluylene diisocyanate

Membranes made from 84% deacetylated chitosan biopolymer were cross‐linked by a novel method using 2,4‐toluylene diisocyanate (TDI) and tested for the separation of t‐butanol/water mixtures by pervaporation. The unmodified and cross‐linked membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies and sorption studies in order to understand the polymer–liquid interactions and separation mechanisms. Thermal stability was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) while tensile strength measurement was carried out to assess mechanical strength. The membrane appears to have good potential for breaking the aqueous azeotrope of 88.2 wt% t‐butanol by giving a high selectivity of 620 and substantial water flux (0.38 kg m^?2 hr^?1). The effects of operating parameters such as feed composition, membrane thickness and permeate pressure on membrane performance were evaluated. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterisation of acidic groups in oxycelluloses. II. Estimation of carboxyl groups and lactones by iodometric method

A differentiation between free carboxyl and various lactone groups in oxycelluloses was carried out based on the variation in their reaction rates with KI–KIO₃ solution. An attempt has been made to identify the various lactone groups present by comparison of the results of different oxycelluloses as well as study on some model compounds. A characteristic and group spectrum was determined for each oxycellulose. On blocking the free carboxyl groups by zinc acetate treatment, the results for the nature and amounts of various lactones present are in good agreement with the results for oxycelluloses themselves. Sodium borohydride treatment for 120 hr has been found to be incapable of reducing all the lactones present. An appreciable decrease in the value for glucono-δ-lactone was observed, whiles glucuronic acid lactone was only partially attacked. Treatment with chlorous acid resulted in an increase in the values for free carboxyl as well as lactones for all oxycelluloses.