Proteome of human endometrium: Identification of differentially expressed proteins in proliferative and secretory phase endometrium

Purpose: To exploit the potential of proteomics to identify and study additional yet‐unidentified important proteins present in human endometrium. Experimental design: The proteome of human endometrium would be established using 2‐DE and MALDI and the data analyzed to identify differential protein expression in the proliferative and secretory phase of the menstrual cycle using PDQuest software and MALDI. Results: In the present work, 2‐DE of human endometrium protein led to the resolution of over 200 spots. Subsequent MALDI analysis of 215 spots allowed the identification of 194 proteins. A total of 57 out of the 215 spots were found to be differentially expressed, out of which 49 could be identified using MALDI. These differentially expressed proteins included structural proteins, molecular chaperones, signaling proteins, metabolic proteins, proteins related to immunity, RNA biogenesis, protein biosynthesis and others. The differential expressions of seven representative proteins in secretory and proliferative phase endometrium tissue were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. Conclusion and clinical relevance: This study establishes the 2‐D proteome of human endometrium represented by 194 identified protein spots. The present data provides an important clue towards determining the function of these proteins with respect to endometrium related diseases.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured CaSiO3 biomaterial

Here we report a successful preparation of nanostructured calcium silicate by wet chemical approach. The synthesized sample was characterized by various physico-chemical methods. Thermal stability was investigated using thermo-gravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). Structural characterization of the sample was carried out by the X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) which confirmed its single phase hexagonal structure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the nanostructure of the ceramics while homogeneous grain distribution was revealed by scanning electron microscopy studies (SEM). The elemental analysis data obtained from energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) were in close agreement with the starting composition used for the synthesis. Superhydrophilic nature of CaSiO₃ was investigated at room temperature by sessile drop technique. Effect of porous nanosized CaSiO₃ on early adhesion and proliferation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and cord blood mesenchymal stem (CBMSCs) cells was measured in vitro. MTT cytotoxicity test and cell adhesion test showed that the material had good biocompatibility and promoted cell viability and cell proliferation. It has been stated that the cell viability and proliferation are significantly affected by time and concentration of CaSiO₃. These findings indicate that the CaSiO₃ ceramics has good biocompatibility and that it is promising as a biomaterial.     

On the measurement of sorption kinetics by differential test: Effect of the heat of sorption

It is shown by a simplified theoretical analysis of the heat dissipation from the adsorbent particles during the measurement of sorption kinetics that even a small change in the adsorbent temperature can cause significant error in the calculation of the sorption diffusivity by the assumption of isothermal behavior. Thus, the use of a differential step change in the adsorbate loading during the kinetic measurements, which produces a small change in the adsorbent temperature, may not assure correct interpretation of the data by the isothermal models.     

Studies on lipid and fatty acid compositions of puffer livers from Indian coastal waters with seasonal variation

The puffer fishes Chelonodon patoca, Sphaeroides oblongus, Lagocephalus lunaris, and L. inermis of Indian coastal waters are wasted in huge quantity. The livers of these fishes were investigated for their lipid contents and fatty acid compositions in different seasons. It was found that monsoon season is the suitable time to obtain the maximal lipids (40.1–48.8%) from their livers, an amount similar to cod liver lipid content (39.5–55.0%). The fatty acids were mostly saturates and monoenes (60–70%). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations (7–12%) were high during monsoon season. Neutral lipids were the predominant lipid class (>80%) and comprised triglycerides (277–674 mg/g) and cholesterol (0.6–3.1 mg/g). Quality indices of puffer liver lipids, e.g., specific gravity, refractive index, acid value, iodine value, saponification value and unsaponifiable matter, were evaluated. Puffer liver lipids were quantitatively and qualitatively comparable to other commercially important marine fish oils. The overall study suggests the possibility of future commercial utilization of liver lipids from puffer, an unconventional, cheap, and easily available source.     

Optimisation of Detergent Ingredients for Stain Removal Using Statistical Modelling

Artificially soiled test fabrics are widely used to study the cleaning performance of detergents formulations. In this study, artificial soiled cotton test fabrics were prepared in the laboratory using carbon black as a model soil. Design of experiments was used to optimise the concentration of detergent ingredients for stain removal. A multi‐factorial analysis of variance was used to model the effect of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, nonylphenol ethoxylate, sodium silicate, sodium citrate and sodium carbonate as builders on soil removal. A colourimetric evaluation using the CIELAB system was used to measure soil removal. In general, performance increases with increasing concentration of surfactant, silicate and soda ash.     

Sorption of carbon dioxide on activated carbons: Effect of the heat of sorption during kinetic measurements

The temperature changes of the adsorbent particles during ad(de)sorption of CO₂ on BPL activated carbon and MSC V molecular sieve carbon were measured using a volumetric sorption apparatus. The tests showed that the adsorbent temperature and the adsorbent loading for both carbons rose (or fell) almost instantaneously to a plateau level after the gas-solid contact was made and then they slowly decreased (or increased) to, respectively, the starting temperature and the final equilibrium loading value at the starting temperature. It was found that the adsorbents were very close to equilibrium with the instantaneous gas phase pressure and the adsorbent temperature at all times during the kinetic runs. Neither carbons exhibited internal pore diffusion resistance to sorption of CO₂. Heat transfer from or to the carbons was the controlling factor in determining the uptake or desorption curves.Equilibrium sorption isotherms for CO₂ on BPL and MSC V carbons were also measured at different temperatures.     

Potentiometric and Thermodynamic Studies of (N-[-(4-Chlorophenyl) Methylene]Nicotinohydrazide) and Its Transition Metal Complexes

Abstract

Pharmacologically active organic ligands (N-[-(4-chlorophenyl) methylene] nicotinohydrazide) synthesized through the condensation of equimolar mixture of anti-mycobacterial agent (nicotinohydrazide) with aromatic aldehyde. The reaction progress and purity of organic ligands were verified by thin layer chromatography. Formation of organic ligands was confirmed with the help of MP, IR, ¹H NMR, 13C NMR and elemental analysis. Further formation of complexes of transition elements such as Mn(II), CO(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with organic ligand (Schiff base) N-[-(4-chlorophenyl)methylene] nicotinohydrazide were studied by the pH-metric technique at 25?°C, 35?°C and 45?°C in 70% (v/v)ethanol – water medium at 1?M (NaClO₄) ionic strength. The stability constants of these binary complexes were evaluated and order of stability constant found as Co (II) < Mn (II) < Ni (II) < Cu (II) < Zn (II). The thermodynamic parameters associated with the complexation reactions also were calculated. It is found that the change in enthalpy (ΔH) and change in Gibb’s free energy (ΔG) were negative for all of the systems which suggested that all of the reactions were exothermic. The change in entropy (ΔS) found positive for most of the complexes which indicate in metal-ligand binding process is entropy favorable.     

Performance of Na2O promoted alumina as CO2 chemisorbent in sorption-enhanced reaction process for simultaneous production of fuel-cell grade H2 and compressed CO2 from synthesis gas

The performance of a novel thermal swing sorption-enhanced reaction (TSSER) concept for simultaneous production of fuel-cell grade hydrogen and compressed carbon dioxide as a by-product from a synthesis gas feed is simulated using Na₂O promoted alumina as a CO₂ chemisorbent in the process. The process simultaneously carries out the water gas shift (WGS) reaction and removal of CO₂ from the reaction zone by chemisorption in a single unit. Periodic regeneration of the chemisorbent is achieved by using the principles of thermal swing adsorption employing super-heated steam purge.