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The cover gas space is an inert isolation layer provided for sodium systems in sodium-cooled fast reactors. During normal reactor operation, sodium aerosols are generated continuously in the cover gas space. Understanding the complex dynamics of the evolution and transport of the aerosol is essential from the perspective of the reactor operation. Such assessments provide vital insights into deposition patterns of aerosols to the components mounted on the roof slab. In the present manuscript, the evolution and transport of aerosol in the cover gas space as well as in roof-slab annular gaps are studied in detail with the help of computational fluid dynamics tool. The present model is validated against the experimental data from the literature. There is good agreement between temperature variation, aerosol number and mass concentration across the cover gas height. Post validation, the study of thermal and aerosol transport in the full-scale reactor cover gas for a medium-sized reference reactor is carried out. It is observed that aerosol sizes greater than ∼31 μm are mostly concentrated near either the sodium pool surface, component wall or near the vessel boundary. It is found that the average mass concentration in the cover gas space is uniform (∼ 29 g/m3). However, the annular regions are found to have a non-uniform distribution of aerosols with heavier particles confined to the lower annular regions in wavy like patterns having the same Count Mean Diameter (CMD) as in the bulk cover gas space. The CMD in the top annular regions is ∼ 2 μm. Copyright © 2023 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barium Titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticles were mixed with a stock paste containing an acrylate-based binder to prepare pigment paste. The formulated paste was applied to the cotton fabric by utilizing screen printing followed by drying and curing. The coated fabric was characterized for surface and elemental composition and uniform deposition of BaTiO3 nanoparticles was observed with minimal agglomeration. The resultant fabric showed an effective bacterial reduction greater than 99% against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and after 15 laundering cycles, the modified fabric showed a bacterial reduction of over 98%. The loaded fabric is capable of blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiations. The modification of the cotton surface did not significantly change its intrinsic properties like water vapor permeability, air permeability, fabric stiffness, and other mechanical properties. The developed product has considerable possibilities and provides a good substitute for antibiotic materials for use in medical products and everyday apparel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In search of selective carbonic anhydrase (CA) IX inhibitors endowed with apoptotic inducing properties, we designed and synthesised two subsets of 4- and 3-(5-aryl-(4-phenylsulphonyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)benzene-sulphonamides. All compounds were assayed for human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) isoforms I, II, IV, and IX inhibition. Isoforms hCA I and hCA IV were weakly inhibited by most of the synthesised compounds. Many four-substituted benzenesulphonamides displayed low nanomolar inhibition against isoform hCA II, unlike the three-substituted analogues. All target compounds exhibited good inhibition profile with KI values ranging from 16.4 to 66.0 nM against tumour-associated isoform hCA IX. Some selective and potent inhibitors of hCA IX were assayed for in vitro apoptotic induction in goat testicular cells. Compounds 10d and 10h showed interesting apoptotic induction potential. The present study may provide insights into a strategy for the design of novel anticancer agents based on hCA inhibitors endowed with apoptotic interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present investigation genetic variability in humoral response to classical swine fever (CSF) vaccination was explored. The aim of the study was to find association of 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (IL-1β, MX1, IRF3 and SLA genes) with humoral response measured in terms of percentage inhibition of E2 antibody by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The post-vaccination response of CSF vaccination was low to moderate inDesipiglets ranged from 25.29% to 92.23% whereas it was moderate to high inDesi×Landracepiglets ranged from 69.30% to 100%. The response to CSF vaccination was significantly (P< 0.0001) differing inDesiandDesi×Landracepiglets. The mean percentage inhibition inDesipiglets was 62.73% but inDesi×Landracecross-bred it was 97.24%. None of the SNPs of present investigation was significantly associated with humoral immune response inDesipiglets. Two SNPs namely rs80937718 (SLA DQA1) and rs80929898 (SLA DQA1) were significantly (P< 0.01) affecting the humoral response of CSF vaccination inDesi×Landracepiglets. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway controls embryonic development and adult stem cell maintenance through the regulation of transcription. Failure to downregulate Wnt signaling can result in embryonic malformations and cancer, highlighting the important role of negative regulators of the pathway. The Wnt pathway activates several negative feedback targets, including axin2 and Dkk1, that function at different levels of the signaling cascade; however, none have been identified that directly target active β-catenin/Tcf1 transcriptional complexes. We show that Zfp703 is a Wnt target gene that inhibits Wnt/β-catenin activity in Wnt reporter assays and in Wnt-dependent mesoderm differentiation in embryonic stem cells. Zfp703 binds directly to Tcf1 to inhibit β-catenin/Tcf1 complex formation and does so independently of the Groucho/Tle transcriptional corepressor. We propose that Zfp703 is a novel feedback suppressor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling that functions by inhibiting the association of β-tenin with Tcf1 on Wnt response elements in target gene enhancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, polymorphisms at two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)  and one microsatellite locus of SLC11A1 gene were investigated for finding their association with susceptibility to bovine tuberculosis trait (tuberculin reaction) in Indian cattle. A total of 245 animals were tested with single intradermal tuberculin test for screening positive animals for tuberculin reaction. At rs109915208 locus very low polymorphism information content of 0.0454 was observed, whereas it was moderate (0.352) at rs109453173 locus of SLC11A1. At rs109915208 locus the genotypic as well as allelic frequencies were differing significantly (p-value < .05) in case–control animals where the odds ratio (OR) of ‘CC’verses‘CT’ genotype and the OR of ‘C’verses ‘T’ allele were approaching towards infinity, suggesting that animals having ‘CT’ genotype and ‘T’ allele were less susceptible for tuberculin reaction as compared to their contemporary genotype/allele. The significantly associated SNP was non-synonymous causing an amino acid change. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) pathway is one of the central routes that enhances cell survival, division, and migration, and it is frequently deregulated in cancer. PI3K catalyzes formation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate [PI(3,4,5)P3] after cell activation; PTEN subsequently reduces these lipids to basal levels. Activation of the ubiquitous p110β isoform precedes that of p110β at several points during the cell cycle. We studied the potential connections between p110β and p110β activation, and we show that cell stimulation promotes p110β and p110β association, demonstrating oligomerization of PI3K catalytic subunits within cells. Cell stimulation also promoted PTEN incorporation into this complex, which was necessary for PTEN activation. Our results show that PI3Ks dimerize in vivo and that PI3K and PTEN activities modulate each other in a complex that controls cell PI(3,4,5)P3 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Washingtonia filifera seeds have revealed to possess antioxidant properties, butyrylcholinesterase and xanthine oxidase inhibition activities. The literature has indicated a relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type-2 diabetes (T2D). Keeping this in mind, we have now evaluated the inhibitory properties of W. filifera seed extracts on α-amylase, α-glucosidase enzyme activity and the Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (IAPP) fibrils formation. Three extracts from seeds of W. filifera were evaluated for their enzyme inhibitory effect and IC50 values were calculated for all the extracts. The inhibition mode was investigated by Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis and the inhibition of IAPP aggregate formation was monitored. W. filifera methanol seed extract appears as the most potent inhibitor of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and for the IAPP fibril formation. Current findings indicate new potential of this extract that could be used for the identification or development of novel potential agents for T2D and AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytolacca, which belongs to the family of Phytolaccaceae, are known for their use in popular medicine. Bioactivity of five extracts from Phytolacca dioica seeds were evaluated in four bioassays. A selected group of compounds from the extract that displayed the best bioactivity was analysed. The ethyl acetate extract (EAE) possessed the highest content of phenolics, the highest inhibitory activity on the tyrosinase and xanthine oxidase enzymes and showed a high antioxidant activity. HPLC-DAD-MS was employed to identify the phenolics profile of the most active one (EAE). HSCCC analysis of the EAE led to the isolation of phytolaccoside B and a mixture of 4 isomers, isoamericanol B1, B2, C1 and C2. These isoamericanol isomers presented activity against tyrosinase and xanthine oxidase. Our results revealed for the first time an interesting biological activity of the extract and isolated compounds from P. dioica seeds, which could be considered as a source of bioactive molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric high grade gliomas (HGG) are primary brain malignancies that result in significant morbidity and mortality. One of the challenges in their treatment is inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Precision medicine approaches have the potential to enhance diagnostic, prognostic and/or therapeutic information. In this case study we describe the molecular characterization of a pediatric HGG and the use of an integrated approach based on genomic, in vitro and in vivo testing to identify actionable targets and treatment options. Molecular analysis based on WGS performed on initial and recurrent tumor biopsies revealed mutations in TP53, TSC1 and CIC genes, focal amplification of MYCN, and copy number gains in SMO and c-MET. Transcriptomic analysis identified increased expression of MYCN, and genes involved in sonic hedgehog signaling proteins (SHH, SMO, GLI1, GLI2) and receptor tyrosine kinase pathways (PLK, AURKA, c-MET). HTS revealed no cytotoxic efficacy of SHH pathway inhibitors while sensitivity was observed to the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus, the ALK inhibitor ceritinib, and the PLK1 inhibitor BI2536. Based on the integrated approach, temsirolimus, ceritinib, BI2536 and standard therapy temozolomide were selected for further in vivo evaluation. Using the PDX animal model (median survival 28 days) we showed significant in vivo activity for mTOR inhibition by temsirolimus and BI2536 (median survival 109 and 115.5 days respectively) while ceritinib and temozolomide had only a moderate effect (43 and 75.5 days median survival respectively). This case study demonstrates that an integrated approach based on genomic, in vitro and in vivo drug efficacy testing in a PDX model may be useful to guide the management of high risk pediatric brain tumor in a clinically meaningful timeframe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was conducted to investigate the post parturient behavioural activities of Surti buffaloes (n = 25) and their calves using low light-intensity cameras and digital video recorder at five stages (I: from calving to half an hour, II: 6-6:30 hours, III: 12-12:30 hours, IV: 18-18:30 hours and V: 24-24:30 hours after calving) over a period of 24 h immediately after calving. Based on their maternal behaviour score (MBS) dams were categorized into two classes that is, group 1 (MBS = 1: very aggressive and 2: very attentive) and group 2 (MBS = 3: indifferent and 4: apathetic) where dam scored MBS 1 represented very aggressive and 4 apathetic. Overall eating time was significantly (P < .05) higher in buffalo cows of group 2 (8.87 ± 1.34 min) than in group 1 (5.37 ± 0.50 min). Dams of both the groups spent significantly (P < .05) longer time in sniffing and licking calf's body and licking ano-genital area of calf during stage I than later stages. Significantly (P < .05) longer time intervals from birth to standing (53.03 ± 3.04 min) were observed in group 2 calves. A positive correlation (P < .01) was observed between the time interval from birth to suckling and duration of active teat seeking (0.525). It may be inferred that post parturient neonatal behaviour have certain level of relationship with maternal behaviour score, whereas, parity and sex did not show any significant effect on MBS in Surti buffaloes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escherichia coli are important pathogens among bacterial causes of neonatal piglet diarrhoea. Their adhesion to the intestinal epithelial cells is an essential prerequisite for incidence of diarrhoea, which makes certain animal innately resistant and this adhesion pattern is genetically controlled. Among the candidate genes associated with adhesion pattern, MUC13 is the most likely responsible gene examined in diverse outbred swine populations. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the native Indian (desi) pigs in terms of E. coli adhesion pattern (with Indian isolate) and MUC13 expression profile across adhesion phenotypes. Out of 80 pigs screened, 27 were found to be non-adhesive, 46 adhesive and 7 were weakly adhesive. Effect of sex was found to be significant (P<.05) with non-significant age effect. RT-PCR analysis revealed that although, porcine MUC13 mRNA expression was highest in adhesive (2.67±0.69 fold), moderate in weakly adhesive (1.22±0.35 fold) and low levels in non-adhesive (calibrator) phenotypes, differences were statistically non-significant (P<.05). While the availability of non-adhesive phenotypes among Indian desi pigs implicates abundance of input genetic resources to start a breeding programme against diarrhoea, the descending expression of MUC 13 in adhesive and weakly adhesive samples speculates its important role in adhesion of E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]