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Accomplishing slow translocation speed with high sensitivity has been the most critical mission for solid-state nanopore (SSN) device to electrically detect nucleobases in ssDNA. In this study, a method to detect nucleobases of ssDNA using a 2D SSN is introduced by considerably reducing the translocation speed and effectively increasing its sensitivity. The ultra-thin titanium dioxide coated hexagonal boron nitride nanopore was fabricated, along with an ionic-liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate/2.0 M KCl aqueous (cis/trans) interface, for increasing both the spatial and the temporal resolutions. As the ssDNA molecules entered the nanopore, a brief surge of electrical conductivity occurred, which was followed by multiple resistive pulses from nucleobases during the translocation of ssDNA and another brief current surge flagging the exit of the molecule. The continuous detection of nucleobases using a 2D SSN device is a novel achievement: the water molecules bound to ssDNA increased the molecular conductivity and amplified electrical signals during the translocation. Along with the experiment, computational simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics are presented to explain the pivotal role of water molecules bound to ssDNA to detect nucleobases using a 2D SSN.

Ischemia reperfusion injury contributes to adverse cardiovascular diseases in part by producing a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that induce oxidations of many muscular proteins. Glutathionylation is one of the major protein cysteine oxidations that often serve as molecular mechanisms behind the pathophysiology associated with ischemic stress. Despite the biological significance of glutathionylation in ischemia reperfusion, identification of specific glutathionylated cysteines under ischemic stress has been limited. In this report, we have analyzed glutathionylation under oxygen-glucose-deprivation (OGD) or repletion of nutrients after OGD (OGD/R) by using a clickable glutathione approach that specifically detects glutathionylated proteins. Our data find that palmitate availability induces a global level of glutathionylation and decreases cell viability during OGD/R. We have then applied a clickable glutathione-based proteomic quantification strategy, which enabled the identification and quantification of 249 glutathionylated cysteines in response to palmitate during OGD/R in HL-1 cardiomyocyte cell line. The subsequent bioinformatic analysis found 18 glutathionylated cysteines whose genetic variants are associated with muscular disorders. Overall, our data report glutathionylated cysteines under ischemic stress that may contribute to adverse outcomes or muscular disorders.

Phosphorus (P) fertilizers contain cadmium (Cd) as a contaminant at levels varying from trace amounts to high levels and therefore, can be a major source of Cd to agricultural systems. This study was designed to assess the impact on application of Eppawala rock phosphate (ERP) and triple super phosphate (TSP) as P fertilizers and different soil amendments on P and Cd uptake in maize (Zea mays L.). The field trial was carried out at Field Crop Research and Development Institute at Mahailluppallama, Sri Lanka. A randomized complete block design was employed with three replicates as ERP and TSP separately applied with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and three types of amendments (biochar, compost and dolomite) and the control without adding P fertilizers. Phosphorus content and Cd content of soil, maize roots and seeds were quantified. Results revealed that available soil Cd and total accumulated root and seed Cd amounts were significantly higher in TSP added treatments with and without amendments compared with ERP added soil. Considering soil available P, root and seed P, there was no significant difference observed in different treatments of TSP and ERP added treatments. A similar phenomenon was also observed in growth and yield parameters with both fertilizers added and with the added amendments. There was no colonization of AMF in maize roots in TSP applied soil while 25-60% of colonization was recorded with ERP. Synthetic fertilizer (TSP) must have inhibited the AMF colonization and thereby increasing the Cd content in maize seeds. AMF colonization increased with comparatively low soil available P in ERP added treatments. The results revealed that TSP could be effectively substituted by ERP as a source of P for maize soils. The addition of AMF, compost and biochar further increased the effect.

The Ca2+ signal is essential in both hypoxia- and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells. This finding suggests that Ca2+-permeable ion channels participate in the induction of expression of some mesenchymal markers such as vimentin. However, the ion channels involved in vimentin expression induction have not been fully characterized. This work sought to define how differential modulation of the calcium signal effects the induction of vimentin and the Ca2+ influx pathways involved. We identified that the intracellular Ca2+ chelator EGTA-AM, cytochalasin D (a modulator of cytoskeletal dynamics and cell morphology), and the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin are all inducers of vimentin in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells. EGTA-AM- and thapsigargin-mediated induction of vimentin expression in MDA-MB-468 cells involves store-operated Ca2+ entry, as evidenced by sensitivity to silencing of the molecular components of this pathway, STIM1 and ORAI1. In stark contrast, cytochalasin D-mediated vimentin induction was insensitive to silencing of ORAI1, despite sensitivity to silencing of its canonical activator the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ sensor STIM1. Cytochalasin D-mediated vimentin induction was, however, sensitive to silencing of another reported STIM1 target, TRPC1. Subsequent studies identified that EGTA-AM-induced vimentin expression also partially involved a TRPC1-dependent pathway. These studies define a complex interplay between vimentin expression in this model and the specific Ca2+-permeable ion channels involved. The complexity in the engagement of different Ca2+ influx pathways that regulate vimentin induction are opportunities but also potential challenges in targeting Ca2+ signaling to block EMT in cancer cells. Our findings further highlight the need to identify potential indispensable ion channels that can regulate induction of specific mesenchymal markers via different stimuli.

Peptide nanosponges of low polydispersity are spontaneously formed from trigonal supramolecular building blocks in aqueous buffers, which feature cationic and/or anionic oligopeptides (n = 5–20) and a hydrophobic unit. In contrast to classical liposomes/vesicles, nanosponges feature interwoven hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanodomains and are readily taken up by mammalian cells. Perillyl alcohol is known to be a simple, but effective small molecule drug against glioma multiforme. However, its efficacy is limited by a poor bioavailability. In order to make perillyl alcohol bioavailable, two nanosponges consisting of 10 aspartates, to which perillyl alcohol is attached by means of an ester bond, and 20 lysines or arginines (type (D-POH)10K20 and (D-POH)10R20) were synthesized, purified, and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). These nanosponges were then tested in cell cultures of murine glioma cells (GL26) and murine neural progenitor cells (NPC) because the latt...

Photo-inhibitory high light stress in Arabidopsis leads to increases in markers of protein degradation and transcriptional upregulation of proteases and proteolytic machinery, but proteostasis is largely maintained. We find significant increases in the in vivo degradation rate for specific molecular chaperones, nitrate reductase, glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate dehydrogenase, and phosphoglycerate kinase and other plastid, mitochondrial, peroxisomal, and cytosolic enzymes involved in redox shuttles. Coupled analysis of protein degradation rates, mRNA levels, and protein abundance reveal that 57% of the nuclear-encoded enzymes with higher degradation rates also had high light-induced transcriptional responses to maintain proteostasis. In contrast, plastid-encoded proteins with enhanced degradation rates showed decreased transcript abundances and must maintain protein abundance by other processes. This analysis reveals a light-induced transcriptional program for nuclear-encoded genes, beyond the regulation of PSII D1 subunit and the function of PSII, to replace key protein degradation targets in plants and ensure proteostasis under high light stress.

Pot experiment was carried out in dry zone of Sri Lanka in the year 2015 with the aim of investigating the effects of organic manure, biofertilizers and synthetic fertilizer application on growth, yield and seed nutrient quality of soybean (Glycine max L.). Treatments were field soil only (T0), field soil and 5% biochar (T1), field soil and 5% cow dung (T2), field soil, 2.5% biochar and 2.5% cow dung (T3), field soil, 5% biochar and Bradyrhizobium (T4), field soil, 5% biochar and mycorrhizae (T5), field soil, 5% cow dung and Bradyrhizobium (T6) field soil, 5% cow dung and mycorrhizae (T7), field soil and synthetic fertilizer (T8), field soil, 2.5% cow dung 2.5% biochar and synthetic fertilizer (T9), field soil, 5% cow dung, mycorrhizae and Bradyrhizobium (T10), field soil, 5% biochar, mycorrhizae and Bradyrhizobium (T11). The treatments were tested in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six replicates. The results indicated that application of organic and biofertilizers with synthetic fertilizers (T9) significantly (p

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important signaling molecules, but their overproduction is associated with many cardiovascular diseases, including cardiomyopathy. ROS induce various oxidative modifications, among which glutathionylation is one of the significant protein oxidations that occur under oxidative stress. Despite previous efforts, direct and site-specific identification of glutathionylated proteins in cardiomyocytes has been limited. In this report, we used a clickable glutathione approach in a HL-1 mouse cardiomyocyte cell line under exposure to hydrogen peroxide, finding 1,763 glutathionylated peptides with specific Cys modification sites, which include many muscle-specific proteins. Bioinformatic and cluster analyses found 125 glutathionylated proteins, whose mutations or dysfunctions are associated with cardiomyopathy, many of which include sarcomeric structural and contractile proteins, chaperone, and other signaling or regulatory proteins. We further provide functional implication of glutathionylation for several identified proteins, including CSRP3/MLP and complex I, II, and III, by analyzing glutathionylated sites in their structures. Our report establishes a chemoselective method for direct identification of glutathionylated proteins and provides potential target proteins whose glutathionylation may contribute to muscle diseases.

Domain walls in superfluid 3He-B have gained renewed interest in light of experimental progress on confining helium in nanofabricated geometries. Here, we study the effect of strong-coupling corrections on domain wall width and interfacial tension by determining self-consistent solutions to spatially-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations. We find that the formation of domain walls is generally energetically favored in strong coupling over weak coupling. Calculations were performed over a wide range of temperatures and pressures, showing decreasing interface energy with increasing temperature and pressure. This has implications for the observability of such domain walls in 3He-B, which are of both fundamental interest and form the basis for spatially-modulated pair-density wave states, when stabilized by strong confinement., 9 pages, 6 figures, accepted version, includes appendix with alternative Wiman beta parameters

Identification of autophagic protein cargo in plants by their abundance in autophagy related genes (ATG) mutants is complicated by changes in both protein synthesis and protein degradation. To detect autophagic cargo, we measured protein degradation rate in shoots and roots of Arabidopsis atg5 and atg11 mutant plants. These data show that less than a quarter of proteins changing in abundance are probable cargo and revealed roles of ATG11 and ATG5 in degradation of specific cytosol, chloroplast and ER-resident proteins, and a specialized role for ATG11 in degradation of proteins from mitochondria and chloroplasts. Our data support a role for autophagy in degrading glycolytic enzymes and the chaperonin containing T-complex polypeptide-1 complex. Autophagy induction by Pi limitation changed metabolic profiles and the protein synthesis and degradation rates of atg5 and atg11 plants. A general decrease in the abundance of amino acids and increase in several secondary metabolites in autophagy mutants was consistent with altered catabolism and changes in energy conversion caused by reduced degradation rate of specific proteins. Combining measures of changes in protein abundance and degradation rates, we also identify ATG11 and ATG5 associated protein cargo of low Pi induced autophagy in chloroplasts and ER-resident proteins involved in secondary metabolism.Single Sentence SummaryProtein cargo of autophagy in plants can be discovered by identifying proteins that increase in abundance and decrease in degradation rate in mutants deficient in autophagy machinery

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that plays an essential role under nutrient starvation condition and influences different developmental processes. We observed that seedlings of autophagy mutants (atg2, atg5, atg7, and atg9) germinated in the dark showed delayed chloroplast development following illumination. The delayed chloroplast development was characterized by a decrease in photosynthetic and chlorophyll biosynthetic proteins, lower chlorophyll content, reduced chloroplast size, and increased levels of proteins involved in lipid biosynthesis. Confirming the biological impact of these differences, photosynthetic performance was impaired in autophagy mutants 12h post illumination. We investigated if the delayed chloroplast development could be explained by lower lipid import to the chloroplast or lower triglyceride (TAG) turnover. We observed that the limitations in the chloroplast lipid import imposed by trigalactosyldiacylglycerol1 are unlikely to explain the delay in photomorphogenesis. However, we found that lower TAG mobility in the triacylglycerol lipase mutant sugardependent1 significantly affected photomorphogenesis. Moreover, we showed that lower levels of carbon resources exacerbated the delay in photomorphogenesis whereas higher levels of carbon resources had an opposite effect. This work provides evidence that autophagic process operate during de-etiolation in a manner that contributes to photomorphogenesis through increasing lipid turnover to physically or energetically sustain photomorphogenesis.

Recently, there is a trend among food manufacturers in producing functional foods containing fruit and milk. On the other hand, there is an increasing demand for buffalo milk as an alternative to cow milk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of adding bael fruit extract on microbial, physiochemical and sensory characteristics of buffalo yoghurt containing the EPS-producing probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) during 21 days of refrigerated storage. Four formulations of buffalo yoghurt: a control yoghurt manufactured with conventional yoghurt culture (CON); a probiotic yoghurt containing Lb. rhamnosus GG plus yoghurt culture (PY); a probiotic yoghurt containing 5% (w/v) bael (PY5); and 10% (w/v) bael (PY10) were evaluated for changes in pH, syneresis, hardness, probiotic viability and sensory attributes during the storage. Control yoghurt experienced significant post acidification and a higher rate of syneresis. Addition of probiotics had a positive effect on post acidification and syneresis rate. Addition of bael did not affect post-acidification, but significantly decreased the level of syneresis. All probiotic formulations maintained LGG counts of >107 cfu/mL and the highest counts were observed in 5% (w/v) bael incorporated yoghurt. Results showed that buffalo yoghurt is an ideal matrix to deliver LGG and 5% bael incorporation would be ideal or symbiotic product development.

Herein, we have successfully synthesized a novel N-Succinyl chitosan/gold nanocomposite (N-SuC/Au NC) using N-SuC and gold(III) chloride, and investigated the biocompatibility and antifungal activity. The synthesized N-SuC/Au NC was characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The N-SuC/Au NC exhibited a strong inhibition effect towards pathogenic Candida albicans. Morphological analysis revealed the destruction of C. albicans cell membrane due to N-SuC/Au NC treatment. The in vitro and in vivo toxicity of N-SuC/Au NC was analyzed with HEK293T mammalian cells and zebrafish larvae, respectively. The synthesized N-SuC/Au NC demonstrated no cytotoxicity towards HEK293T cells up to 1200 μg/mL concentration. The survival rate of the zebrafish larvae at 120 hpf, was found as 100% up to 1200 μg/mL of N-SuC/Au NC exposure. The in vivo studies further confirmed the inhibitory effects of N-SuC/Au NC on the formation of C. albicans hyphae in infected zebrafish muscle tissue.

High-energy nickel cobalt manganese oxides have been studied intensively as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. However, several hurdles need to be overcome to adopt these cathodes in commercial lithium-ion batteries. Herein, aluminum oxide (Al2O3) coating was applied to high-energy nickel cobalt manganese oxides (HE-NCM, Li1.33Ni0.27Co0.13Mn0.60O2+d) by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and its effects on HE-NCM/graphite full cells were investigated. HE-NCM/graphite full cells have better cycling performance and efficiency when HE-NCM is coated with Al2O3. ICP-MS measurements show that the Al2O3 coating can effectively prevent transition metal dissolution from HE-NCM. XPS and FT-IR analysis suggests that the surface film on HE-NCM cathodes does not change significantly with the Al2O3 coating even after 50 cycles, however the surface film on graphite anodes shows a significant change. The resistance of graphite electrodes cycled with the uncoated HE-NCM is higher than that of graphite electrodes cycled with the Al2O3-coated HE-NCM due to the increased SEI thickness. The improved cycling performance of HE-NCM/graphite cells with Al2O3 coating can be attributed to the minimized resistance increase on graphite as well as the suppression of cathode active material loss.

Solid desiccants play a major role as well as liquid desiccants today in the dehumidification appliances. Although salt adsorbents have a better moisture adsorbing capacity than organic adsorbents, deliquescence limits their performance. Therefore, the study was carried out to identify a suitable recycling mechanism for salt adsorbent. Damprid one of the commercially developed moisture absorber was used for the experiment. A drum dryer was designed to regenerate Damprid from its hydrate solution. For computational fluid dynamic analysis, ANSYS Fluent fluid flow systems in ANSYS Workbench was used. Simulation results were obtained to determine the temperature and velocity distribution for 3 different RPMs. Experiments were conducted by varying parameters: heat input, drum rotating RPM and liquid spray rate, to obtain the maximum recovery rate. The highest recovery rate, 433.3g/h was gained at 1.18 RPM and 22ml/min. It was identified that the recovery rate can be optimized by improving the heat utilization.

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)-glycine] is a broad-spectrum non-selective herbicide that is commonly used to control perennial weeds in agriculture. Glyphosate losses to the environment are undesirable because of possible environmental hazards – e.g. soil and water contamination. It is important to develop methods for enhancing glyphosate degradation and elimination in soil and water. Microbes play a crucial role in degrading organic contaminants . Hence, the capabilities of glyphosate degrading microorganisms in soil and water could effectively be used as a sustainable solution for glyphosate contamination. Two bacterial isolates, Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp. and mixed culture of Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. were isolated by using constituted basal medium from the long-term glyphosate exposed rice field . Following the same isolation technique mixed culture of native forest soil bacteria was also isolated. Isolated microorganisms capable of degrading glyphosate were used in four treatments and tested for their abilities to utilize glyphosate at different concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 mg/ml. The utilization of glyphosate by the isolates was studied by monitoring their biomass production in a basal medium containing glyphosate by spectrophotometry at 660 nm wavelength. The rate of glyphosate degradation in the medium by these isolates was also studied by assessing the remaining glyphosate concentration in the medium at 265 nm wavelength. The results revealed that Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., and the mix of both organisms showed significant growth at low concentrations and degrade glyphosate efficiently. Further, it was emphasized that the Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. mix of approximately 1.5 × 108 (CFU/ml), which was isolated soil from a glyphosate contaminated field, capable of degrading glyphosate even at high concentrations (150 mg/ml) of glyphosate additions. It was evident that the bacterial isolates tested can be used as effective bioremediating agents for treating glyphosate contaminated soils and aquifers.

Contamination of water with heavy metals is a rising concern for human health and the environment. Removal of heavy metal contaminants in soil- water environment is challenging. Therefore, feasible and effective methods are needed to remove those contaminants from soil and water. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are specific rhizospheric microorganisms that have beneficial effects on plant growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizae share a mutualistic symbiosis with the roots of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (water hyacinth), which is capable of absorbing cadmium (Cd) from contaminated water, making it an effective phytoremediating aquatic plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of AMF on the phytoremediation potential of water hyacinth in cadmium uptake and to examine the growth of water hyacinth plants in different cadmium concentrations. A pot experiment was carried out using water hyacinth inoculated with and without AMF, with the addition of different Cd levels (0, 5, 10, 20, 50 ppm) for a period of 52 days. Water, soil, root and shoot were analyzed for Cd using an atomic absorption spectrophotometry . The highest AMF colonization (74.98%), Cd concentration in shoot (0.22 ppm) and root (0.25 ppm), relative growth rate of plants (0.52 g/day), dry biomass of roots (0.56 g) and shoots (0.62 g) were displayed by AMF inoculated plants. Further, the treatments that comprised of AMF inoculated plants were shown the reduced Cd concentration in both soil and water for each Cd addition. A positive correlation was observed AMF colonization and relative growth rates of plants and AMF colonization and Cd concentrations of plant roots and shoots. The research findings have proved that AMF was capable to augment the phytoremediation potential of Eichhornia crassipes from cadmium contaminated soil-water environment. Thus, it was concluded that AMF can be used as inoculums alongside water hyacinth to phytoremediate contaminated soil and water.

The structure of novel binary nanosponges consisting of (cholesterol-(K/D)nDEVDGC)3-trimaleimide units possessing a trigonal maleimide linker, to which either lysine (K)20 or aspartic acid (D)20 are tethered, has been elucidated by means of TEM. A high degree of agreement between these findings and structure predictions through explicit solvent and then coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations has been found. Based on the nanosponges' structure and dynamics, caspase-6 mediated release of the model drug 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein has been demonstrated. Furthermore, the binary (DK20) nanosponges have been found to be virtually non-toxic in cultures of neural progenitor cells. It is of a special importance for the future development of cell-based therapies that DK20 nanosponges were taken up efficiently by leucocytes (WBC) in peripheral blood within 3 h of exposure. The percentage of live cells among the WBC was not significantly decreased by the DK20 nanosponges. In contrast to stem cell or leucocyte cell cultures, which have to be matched to the patient, autologous cells are optimal for cell-mediated therapy. Therefore, the nanosponges hold great promise for effective cell-based tumor targeting.

With recent advances, fluorescent imaging has gained momentum as an important tool for in vivo imaging. FRET systems consist of molecules that absorb in the near-infrared region which are efficient candidates for in vivo imaging, basic research, and clinical applications. Nontoxic, photostable fluorophores, such as fluorescent proteins and dyes, can successfully be used to visualize spatial and temporal dynamics of living cells. Selected cells to be injected are first tagged with the FRET-based biosensor and then injected to the living animal. Then, these foreign cells in the host body can be visualized under fluorescence microscope via excitation of the fluorophores at the correct wavelength.

Protein S-glutathionylation is one of the important cysteine oxidations that regulate various redox-mediated biological processes. Despite several existing methods, there are few proteomic approaches to identify and quantify specific cysteine residues susceptible to S-glutathionylation. Previously, we have developed a clickable glutathione approach that labels intracellular glutathione with azido-Ala by using a mutant of glutathione synthetase. In this report, we developed a quantification strategy with clickable glutathione by using isotopically-labelled heavy and light derivatives of azido-Ala, which provides the relative quantification of glutathionylated peptides in the mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. We have applied isotopically-labelled clickable glutathione to HL-1 cardiomyocytes, quantifying relative levels of 1,398 glutathionylated peptides upon addition of hydrogen peroxide. Importantly, we highlight elevated levels of glutathionylation on sarcomere-associated muscle proteins while validating glutathionylation of two structural proteins, α-actinin and desmin. Our report provides a chemical proteomic strategy to quantify specific glutathionylated cysteines.

A CTAB based method for extracting RNA, which is particularly useful for tough tissues. This has been adapted from a protocol that was originally used for pine tree tissue, which is difficult due to the high concentrations of polysaccharides, phenolics, and RNase (Chang, S., Puryear, J. & Cairney, J. Plant Mol Biol Rep (1993) 11: 113. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02670468). The protocol described herein was an effective alternative to TRIzol based extractions for recovering RNA from juvenile de-etiolated tissues.

The ability to calculate the oil droplet size distribution (DSD) and its dynamic behavior in the water column is important in oil spill modeling. Breaking waves disperse oil from a surface slick into the water column as droplets of varying sizes. Oil droplets undergo further breakup and coalescence in the water column due to the turbulence. Available models simulate oil DSD based on empirical/equilibrium equations. However, the oil DSD evolution due to subsequent droplet breakup and coalescence in the water column can be best represented by a dynamic population model. This paper develops a phenomenological model to calculate the oil DSD in wave breaking conditions and ocean turbulence and is based on droplet breakup and coalescence. Its results are compared with data from laboratory experiments that include different oil types, different weathering times, and different breaking wave heights. The model comparisons showed a good agreement with experimental data.

Ongoing inflammation in controlled HIV infection contributes to non-AIDS comorbidities. High bilirubin appears to exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect in vivo. We therefore examined whether increased bilirubin in persons with HIV was associated with differences in markers of inflammation and cardiovascular, bone, renal disease, and neurocognitive (NC) impairment.This cross-sectional study examined inflammatory markers in individuals with stable HIV infection treated with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and a boosted protease inhibitor. Individuals recruited were those with a normal bilirubin (NBR; 0-17 μmol/L) or high bilirubin (2.5 × upper limit of normal). Demographic and anthropological data were recorded. Blood and urine samples were taken for analyses. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement, carotid intimal thickness (CIT), and calcaneal stiffness (CSI) were measured. Males were asked to answer a questionnaire about sexual function; NC testing was performed using CogState.101 patients were screened, 78 enrolled (43 NBR and 35 HBR). Atazanavir use was significantly higher in HBR. Whilst a trend for lower CIT was seen in those with HBR, no significant differences were seen in PWV, bone markers, calculated cardiovascular risk (Framingham), or erectile dysfunction score. VCAM-1 levels were significantly lower in the HBR group. HBR was associated with lower LDL and triglyceride levels. NBR was associated with a calculated FRAX significantly lower than HBR although no associations were found after adjusting for tenofovir use. No difference in renal markers was observed. Component tests of NC testing revealed differences favouring HBR but overall composite scores were similar.High bilirubin in the context of boosted PI therapy was found not to be associated with differences in with the markers examined in this study. Some trends were noted and, on the basis of these, a larger, clinical end point study is warranted.

Rice is considered as the most important food crop in Sri Lanka and most of the Asian countries. Over the past three decades, rice farmers have become increasingly dependent on synthetic chemical phosphorous fertilizers, mainly triple super phosphate (TSP) as a source of phosphorous (P). However, dramatically increasing costs, serious environmental and health issues attached to chemical fertilizers, forced researchers to develop supplementary or alternate sources of P for rice. Hence, this study was done to evaluate the potential use of biofertilizers and natural soil amendments as alternatives to chemical P fertilizers in rice (Oryza sativa L.) farming in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. A field trial was carried out at Ranpathwela in Anuradhapura, North Central Province, Sri Lanka, during the Yala season in 2016. The experiment was designed as follows: CON: control; AMF: AMF inoculants (2 Mg ha-1); RAMF: ERP (153.3 kg ha-1) with the AMF inoculants (2 Mg ha-1); MC: mixed microbial culture (5 kg ha-1); RMC: ERP (153.3 kg ha-1) with a mixed microbial culture [consortium of Azospirillum sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. (5 L ha-1)]; BC: biochar (6 Mg ha-1); CP: standard compost (10 Mg ha-1) and IF: inorganic synthetic fertilizer (125 N kg ha-1, 62.5 P2O5 kg ha-1 and 50 K2O kg ha-1). Three indigenous and two improved rice varieties were used. The experiment comprised of 24 plots and three replicates. Soil, roots and grains of rice were analyzed for phosphorus. Some other elements were shown to have an effect on plant available soil P such as aluminum and iron, were also estimated. It was revealed that significant differences (p

The usage of organic amendments and microbial inoculant together can be a reliable solution to avoid soil heavy metal pollution and to increase crop production in sustainable farming. This study was done to determine the effectiveness of organic amendments and Bradyrhizobium sp. in improving soybean (Glycine max L.) growth and yield. Control (T1) and the other seven treatments were comprised as, field soil + compost (15% by weight) (T2), field soil + wood biochar (15% by weight) (T3), field soil + synthetic chemical fertilizer [0.01 kg m–2 urea, 0.01 kg m–2 P2O5 (triple super phosphate) and 0.008 kg m–2 K2O (muriate of potash)] (T4), field soil + Bradyrhizobium inoculum. (108 CFU ml-1) (T5), field soil + compost (15% by weight) + Bradyrhizobium inoculum (108 CFU ml-1) (T6), field soil + wood biochar (15% by weight) + Bradyrhizobium inoculum. (108 CFU ml-1) (T7), field soil + synthetic chemical fertilizer (111.5 kg N ha–1, 111.5 kg P ha–1, and 82.9 kg K ha–1) + Bradyrhizobium inoculum. (108 CFU ml-1) (T8), The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design with ten replicates. In wood biochar amendment together with Bradyrhizobium sp. inoculation significantly (p

LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO), which has an operating voltage of 4.8 vs Li/Li+ and a theoretical capacity of 147 mAh g−1, is an interesting cathode material for advanced lithium ion batteries. However, electrolyte decomposition at the electrode can gradually decrease the capacity of the battery. In this study, the surface of the LNMO cathode has been modified with phosphoric acid (PA) to improve the capacity of the LNMO/graphite full cell. Modification of LNMO cathodes by PA is confirmed by surface analysis. Additionally, the presence of lithium bis-(oxalato) borate (LiBOB) as an electrolyte additive further enhances the performance of PA modified LNMO/graphite cells. The improved performance of PA modified cathodes and electrolytes containing LiBOB can be attributed to the suppressed Mn and Ni deposition on the anode. Elemental analysis suggests that the Mn and Ni dissolution is significantly reduced compared to unmodified LNMO/graphite cells with standard electrolyte.

Land plants are considered monophyletic, descending from a single successful colonization of land by an aquatic algal ancestor. The ability to survive dehydration to the point of desiccation is a key adaptive trait enabling terrestrialization. In extant land plants, desiccation tolerance depends on the action of the hormone abscisic acid (ABA) that acts through a receptor-signal transduction pathway comprising a PYRABACTIN RESISTANCE 1-like (PYL)–PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2C (PP2C)–SNF1-RELATED PROTEIN KINASE 2 (SnRK2) module. Early-diverging aeroterrestrial algae mount a dehydration response that is similar to that of land plants, but that does not depend on ABA: Although ABA synthesis is widespread among algal species, ABA-dependent responses are not detected, and algae lack an ABA-binding PYL homolog. This raises the key question of how ABA signaling arose in the earliest land plants. Here, we systematically characterized ABA receptor-like proteins from major land plant lineages, including a protein found in the algal sister lineage of land plants. We found that the algal PYL-homolog encoded by Zygnema circumcarinatum has basal, ligand-independent activity of PP2C repression, suggesting this to be an ancestral function. Similarly, a liverwort receptor possesses basal activity, but it is further activated by ABA. We propose that co-option of ABA to control a preexisting PP2C-SnRK2-dependent desiccation-tolerance pathway enabled transition from an all-or-nothing survival strategy to a hormone-modulated, competitive strategy by enabling continued growth of anatomically diversifying vascular plants in dehydrative conditions, enabling them to exploit their new environment more efficiently.

Objective This review updates previous reviews regarding the optimal risk stratification tools for stroke and bleeding prediction, and treatment options for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. Data sources We searched PubMed®, Embase®, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for relevant English-language comparative studies published from January 1, 2000, to February 14, 2018. Review methods Two investigators screened each abstract and full-text article for inclusion, abstracted data, rated quality and applicability, and graded evidence. When possible, random-effects models were used to compute summary estimates of effects. Results Our review included 320 articles (185 unique studies). This included 61 studies relevant to predicting thromboembolic risk, 38 relevant to predicting bleeding risk, and 117 relevant to interventions for preventing thromboembolic (TE) events. Data suggest that the CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and ABC risk scores have the best evidence predicting TE risk (moderate strength of evidence [SOE] for limited prediction ability of each score) and that the HAS-BLED score has the best evidence to predict bleeding risk (moderate SOE). We found that a thrombin inhibitor (dabigatran 150 mg) was superior to warfarin in preventing stroke (including hemorrhagic) or systemic embolism (relative risk [RR] 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53 to 0.82), with no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of major bleeding (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.81 to 1.07) (high SOE for both outcomes). The Xa inhibitor apixaban was superior to warfarin in preventing stroke or systemic embolism (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.95; high SOE), major bleeding (HR 0.69; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.80; high SOE), and all-cause mortality (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.80 to 0.998; low SOE) Apixaban was also superior to aspirin in preventing stroke or systemic embolism (HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.62), with similar risk for major bleeding (HR 1.13; 95% CI 0.74 to 1.75) in patients who are not suitable for warfarin (moderate SOE for both outcomes). The Xa inhibitor edoxaban reduced hemorrhagic stroke and major bleeding compared to warfarin (moderate SOE for both outcomes) but had no evidence of a difference in stroke or systemic embolism (moderate SOE) or myocardial infarction (moderate SOE). The Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban was similar to warfarin in preventing stroke or systemic embolism (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.03; moderate SOE), with similar rates of major bleeding (low SOE) and death (moderate SOE). Low SOE for major bleeding was due to a trend toward an increase in risk of major bleeding with rivaroxaban seen in observational studies. Comparative effectiveness findings for stroke prevention were limited by the direct comparisons between individual direct oral anticoagulants. Evidence regarding nonpharmacologic interventions was sparse, but left atrial appendage (LAA) closure devices showed a trend toward benefit over warfarin for strokes, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality that did not reach statistical significance. Higher adverse events (excessive bleeding or procedure-related complications) were observed with LAA (low SOE). Conclusions Overall, we found that CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and ABC scores have similar evidence regarding their ability to predict stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation, whereas HAS-BLED has the best evidence to predict bleeding risk. Direct oral anticoagulants (specifically apixaban and dabigatran) demonstrate reductions in stroke events and reductions (apixaban) or similar (dabigatran) rates in bleeding events when compared with warfarin, while rivaroxaban was similar in both benefits and harms to warfarin. Edoxaban reduced hemorrhagic stroke and major bleeding compared to warfarin but had no evidence of a difference in other outcomes. More studies are needed directly comparing oral anticoagulants, including thrombin inhibitors and individual Xa inhibitors.

The comparative safety and effectiveness of treatments to prevent thromboembolic complications in atrial fibrillation (AF) remain uncertain.To compare the effectiveness of medical and procedural therapies in preventing thromboembolic events and bleeding complications in adults with nonvalvular AF.English-language studies in several databases from 1 January 2000 to 14 February 2018.Two reviewers independently screened citations to identify comparative studies of treatments to prevent stroke in adults with nonvalvular AF who reported thromboembolic or bleeding complications.Two reviewers independently abstracted data, assessed study quality and applicability, and rated strength of evidence.Data from 220 articles were included. Dabigatran and apixaban were superior and rivaroxaban and edoxaban were similar to warfarin in preventing stroke or systemic embolism. Apixaban and edoxaban were superior and rivaroxaban and dabigatran were similar to warfarin in reducing the risk for major bleeding. Treatment effects with dabigatran were similar in patients with renal dysfunction (interaction P0.05), and patients younger than 75 years had lower bleeding rates with dabigatran (interaction P0.001). The benefit of treatment with apixaban was consistent in many subgroups, including those with renal impairment, diabetes, and prior stroke (interaction P0.05 for all). The greatest bleeding risk reduction was observed in patients with a glomerular filtration rate less than 50 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P = 0.003). Similar treatment effects were observed for rivaroxaban and edoxaban in patients with prior stroke, diabetes, or heart failure (interaction P0.05 for all).Heterogeneous study populations, interventions, and outcomes.The available direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are at least as effective and safe as warfarin for patients with nonvalvular AF. The DOACs had similar benefits across several patient subgroups and seemed safe and efficacious for a wide range of patients with nonvalvular AF.Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. (PROSPERO: CRD42017069999).

Heavy metal pollution of soil and water is a major environmental problem, and most conventional remediation approaches do not provide acceptable solutions. Wetland plants are being used successfully for the phytoremediation of trace elements in natural and constructed wetlands. The present study was aimed at assessing the potential of Cadmium (Cd) removal from contaminated soil and water by Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms with the inoculated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). A pot experiment was carried out in the planthouse at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale. The water hyacinth plants of similar heights and with number of leaves were taken from the Mihintale tank as the test plants. Pots were filled with the wetland soil, tank water and water hyacinth was introduced with the inoculated AMF and non-inoculated AMF. Different cadmium concentrations were applied to water as 0, 5, 10, 20 and 50 ppm in different treatments. Water samples were collected at several time intervals (1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 52nd days) and on the 52nd day, soil, roots and shoots of the E.crassipes were collected for the analysis of Cd using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The percentage AMF colonization, relative growth rate, dry biomass of shoots and roots of E. crassipes were also estimated. The significantly different high (p

Numerous proteases, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cathepsins (CTS), and urokinase plasminogen activator (UpA), are dysfunctional (that is, over- or under-expressed) in solid tumors, when compared to healthy human subjects. This offers the opportunity to detect early tumors by liquid biopsies. This approach is of particular advantage for the early detection of pancreatic cancer, which is a “silent killer”. We have developed fluorescence nanobiosensors for ultrasensitive (sub-femtomolar) arginase and protease detection, consisting of water-dispersible Fe/Fe3O4 core/shell nanoparticles and two tethered fluorescent dyes: TCPP (Tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin) and cyanine 5.5. Upon posttranslational modification or enzymatic cleavage, the fluorescence of TCPP increases, which enables the detection of proteases at sub-femtomolar activities utilizing conventional plate readers. We have identified an enzymatic signature for the detection of pancreatic adenocarcinomas in serum, consisting of arginase, matrix metalloproteinase-1, -3, and - 9, cathepsin-B and -E, urokinase plasminogen activator, and neutrophil elastase, which is a potential game-changer.

Previous models on simulating gas releases in deepwater were not focused on the dissolved component and its impact on water quality. This paper presents a new model developed for simulating the transport/spread of dissolved methane from an underwater release and its impact on dissolved oxygen in ambient water. Methane dissolves into ambient water from gas phase, direct from hydrate phase, and from dissociating hydrates formed earlier. Dissolved methane affects the dissolved oxygen levels in ambient water due to microbial interaction and possible direct absorption of oxygen into methane bubbles. We use new model simulations of Deepspill field experiments to compare with instantaneous profiles which were unpublished until now. The comparisons are very good with a short time lag, but are within the acceptable discrepancy for models for emergency response and contingency planning. Scenario simulations show the effect on dissolved oxygen due to different methane release situations.

Pharmacokinetic (PK) data describing a prolonged time course of antiretrovirals in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are important for understanding and managing late or missed doses and to assess the appropriateness of compounds for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This study aimed to evaluate the PK of coformulated tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DF), emtricitabine, and rilpivirine in plasma and of the intracellular (IC) anabolites tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) and emtricitabine triphosphate (FTC-TP) in healthy volunteers up to 9 days after drug cessation. Individuals received daily tenofovir DF-emtricitabine-rilpivirine (245/200/25 mg) for 14 days. Drug intake was stopped, and serial sampling occurred prior to the final dose and up to 216 h (9 days) after stopping drug intake. Concentrations were quantified and PK parameters calculated. Eighteen volunteers completed the study. The terminal elimination plasma half-lives for tenofovir and emtricitabine over 216 h (geometric mean [90% confidence interval]) were higher than those seen over 0 to 24 h (for tenofovir, 31 h [27 to 40 h] versus 13.3 h [12.5 to 15.1 h]; for emtricitabine, 41 h [36 to 54 h] versus 6.4 h (5.9 to 7.6 h]). Model-predicted IC half-lives (0 to 168 h) were 116 h (TFV-DP) and 37 h (FTC-TP). The plasma rilpivirine concentration at 216 h was 4.5 ng/ml (4.2 to 6.2 ng/ml), and half-lives over 0 to 216 h and 0 to 24 h were 47 h (41 to 59 h) and 35 h (28 to 46 h), respectively. These data contribute to our understanding of drug behavior following treatment interruption; however, adherence to therapy should be promoted. Validated plasma and IC target concentrations are necessary to allow interpretation with respect to sustained virus suppression or HIV prevention. (The trial was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki [EudraCT 2012-002781-13].)

It is the nature of the calcium signal, as determined by the coordinated activity of a suite of calcium channels, pumps, exchangers and binding proteins that ultimately guides a cell's fate. Deregulation of the calcium signal is often deleterious and has been linked to each of the ‘cancer hallmarks’. Despite this, we do not yet have a full understanding of the remodeling of the calcium signal associated with cancer. Such an understanding could aid in guiding the development of therapies specifically targeting altered calcium signaling in cancer cells during tumorigenic progression. Findings from some of the studies that have assessed the remodeling of the calcium signal associated with tumorigenesis and/or processes important in invasion and metastasis are presented in this review. The potential of new methodologies is also discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane channels and transporters in cancers.

Agarose or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is a common technique used to separate nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) according to their molecular weight, which generates images that can be analyzed automatically by a system. The separated DNA fragments of different molecular weights give a series of bands with positions in the gel image corresponding to their molecular weights. Automated image analysis of the gels removes much of the subjectivity of manual interpretation of band positions and sizes. In this paper, an automated system was designed for analyzing DNA bands using image and signal processing techniques. The proposed algorithm consists of four main steps: preprocessing to enhance the image, detecting lanes and bands, identifying band lengths and clustering; in which it can identify the similarities of the biological samples based on shared bands. The proposed technique eliminates defects due to noise and double bands in images. Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 44 (1) : 45-54, 2015

The structure of novel binary nanosponges consisting of (cholesterol-(K/D)ₙDEVDGC)₃-trimaleimide units possessing a trigonal maleimide linker, to which either lysine (K)₂₀ or aspartic acid (D)₂₀ are tethered, has been elucidated by means of TEM. A high degree of agreement between these findings and structure predictions through explicit solvent and then coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations has been found. Based on the nanosponges' structure and dynamics, caspase-6 mediated release of the model drug 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein has been demonstrated. Furthermore, the binary (DK20) nanosponges have been found to be virtually non-toxic in cultures of neural progenitor cells. It is of a special importance for the future development of cell-based therapies that DK20 nanosponges were taken up efficiently by leucocytes (WBC) in peripheral blood within 3 h of exposure. The percentage of live cells among the WBC was not significantly decreased by the DK20 nanosponges. In contrast to stem cell or leucocyte cell cultures, which have to be matched to the patient, autologous cells are optimal for cell-mediated therapy. Therefore, the nanosponges hold great promise for effective cell-based tumor targeting.

Fatty acid alkanolamides (FAAA) are lipid derivatives with industrial applications as biosurfactants and biolubricants. Although conventionally produced from vegetable oils, use of alternative renewable sources that do not compete with the food supply chain, such as microalgae, is desirable. We studied the production of FAAA through direct in situ amidation of algal biomass or by amidation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) recovered from in situ transesterification of algae. In situ transesterification resulted in spontaneous formation of a distinct FAME phase, which could be easily recovered and converted to FAAA. With this two-step transesterification-followed-by-amidation method, >95% of algal lipids were recovered as FAAA products. In situ amidation did not result in a separate product phase, likely because of the amphiphilic nature of the product. However, extraction with ethyl acetate allowed recovery of nearly 90% of the biomass lipids as FAAA after in situ amidation.

Aims To assess levels of the calcium permeable transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily melastatin, member 8 (TRPM8) in breast cancer molecular subtypes and to assess the consequences of TRPM8 pharmacological inhibition with AMTB (an inhibitor of TRPM8) on breast cancer cell lines. Materials and methods Cell viability and migration of breast cancer cells was determined using MTS assays and wound healing assays, respectively. RNA-Seq analysis of breast tumours and qPCR in breast cancer cell lines were used to assess mRNA levels of ion channels. Membrane potential assays were employed to assess the effects of AMTB against specific voltage gated sodium channels (Na V ). Key findings TRPM8 levels were significantly higher in breast cancers of the basal molecular subtype. AMTB decreased viable cell number in MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell lines (30 and 100 μM), and also reduced the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells (30 μM). However, these effects were independent of TRPM8, as no TRPM8 mRNA was detected in MDA-MB-231 cells. AMTB was identified as an inhibitor of Na V isoforms. Na V 1.1–1.9 were expressed in a number of breast cancer cell lines, with Na V 1.5 mRNA highest in MDA-MB-231 cells compared to the other breast cancer cell lines assessed. Significance TRPM8 levels may be elevated in basal breast cancers, however, TRPM8 expression appears to be lost in many breast cancer cell lines. Some of the effects of AMTB attributed to TRPM8 may be due to effects on Na V channels.

Microbial solubiliztion is more environmentally sound method of modifying rock phosphate to use in sustainable agriculture as an alternative to chemical acidulation. Therefore, the present study was carried out to find the strategies for microbial solubilization of Eppawala rock phosphate with using biochar and microbial inoculants and effect of these on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield. A pot experiment was carried out in the plant house at Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, during July to December 2015. After searching the literature the following ratios of biochar and RP were selected assuming that the better comparison obtained in different treatments. Treatments were comprised of T1: soil only, T2: sterilized soil and 3% RP, T3: soil and 3% RP, T4: soil, 20% biochar and 3% RP, T5: soil, mycorrhizae and 3% RP, T6: soil, Pseudomonas fluorescens and 3% RP, T7: soil, 20% biochar, mycorrhizae and 3% RP, T8: soil, 20% biochar, P. fluorescens and 3% RP, T9: soil, mycorrhizae, P. fluorescens and 3% RP, and T10: soil, 20% biochar, mycorrhizae, P. fluorescens and 3% RP. The treatments were arranged in a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with eight replicates. Maize was grown as a test plant. Growth parameters were recorded in four weeks intervals and relative growth rate was estimated. After 120 days of seeding, chemical characteristics and yield parameters were also measured. Results indicated that there was a significant difference among treatments (p

The meat industry is among the largest agriculture sectors in many countries, especially in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the developed countries of Europe and the Americas. The meat industry employs enzymes in four specific areas: meat tenderization, cross-linking meats, flavor development and nutrition improvement. This chapter deals with a summary of the regulations that govern the use of recombinant enzymes in food processing. Both texture and flavor are essential indicators of meat quality. The two main components that contribute to tenderness are myofibril integrity and connective tissue robustness. Dry-cured meats are uncooked meat products that are made after eight to 24 months of ripening, during which an uncontrolled microbial population proliferates on the surface of the meat. In contrast to other meats, fish meat softens more rapidly than mammalian or poultry meat. The determination of safety of meat-processing enzyme preparations is based on scientific evidence and is assessed under the conditions in which it is used directly or indirectly.

A novel type of supramolecular aggregate, named a “nanosponge” was synthesized through the interaction of novel supramolecular building blocks with trigonal geometry. The cholesterol-(K/D) n DEVDGC) 3 -trimaleimide unit consists of a trigonal maleimide linker to which homopeptides (either K or D) of variable lengths (n = 5, 10, 15, 20) and a consensus sequence for executioner caspases (DEVDGC) are added via Michael addition. Upon mixing in aqueous buffer cholesterol-(K) n DEVDGC) 3 -trimaleimides and a 1:1 mixture of cholesterol-(K/D) n DEVDGC) 3 -trimaleimides form stable nanosponges, whereas cholesterol-(D) n DEVDGC) 3 -trimaleimide is unable to form supramolecular aggregates with itself. The structure of the novel nanosponges was investigated through explicit solvent and then coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The nanosponges are between 80 nm and several micrometers in diameters and virtually non-toxic to monocyte/macrophage-like cells.

Due to the concerns over limited fossil resources and increasing CO2 emissions, there is a strong interest in use of renewable resources in production of valuable synthetic materials. PA11, 12, and 13, more commonly known as Nylon, are high-strength polymers that find use in various industrial sectors. They are traditionally produced from petroleum-derived material or exotic fatty acids using reaction sequences that involve 4–6 steps. Herein we report a simple three-step synthesis of these polyamide precursors from oleic acid, an abundant natural fatty acid available from common plant sources as well as oleaginous micro-organisms such as microalgae. This approach represents the first example where ring-closing metathesis was used for the key C–C bond forming step, featuring introduction of amine functionality required in the final product. Our versatile approach allows preparation of nylon precursors of various chain-lengths from a single starting material for economical and sustainable production of thes...

The nutritional quality of the food has become a serious concern in existing agricultural system as the present world aims to enhance only the food production. A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of different fertilizers on growth, vitamin C and calcium content in yield of Capsicum chinense at Regional Agricultural Research and Development Center, Makandura consisting four treatments as without fertilizer (control/ T1), only compost (T2), compost + inorganic fertilizer (T3) and only inorganic fertilizer (T4) with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicating four times. Vitamin C content was measured by Indophenol dye redox titration method and calcium content was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance. The highest growth was recorded in T3 and no significant differences between treatments in growth parameters at 50% flowering stage.The Vitamin C content was highest in treatment with only compost (T2) and the lowest in treatment compost + inorganic fertilizer (T3). The results indicated that yield from organically managed crops contain significantly higher amount of vitamin C (9.24±2.27 mg/100g, p= 0.0274). The highest calcium content was found in T1 (control) (1.1±0.05 %) and a significant difference (p= 0.0296) was observed between T1 (control) and T3 (calcium=0.75±0.12 %). Compost alone can be used to produce food with high amount of vitamin C. Use of inorganic fertilizer alone or integration of compost with inorganic fertilizer was less effective in producing high quality nutritious foods.

Atazanavir (ATV) causes an elevation of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (HBR) as a result of UDP glucuronyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 inhibition. Zinc sulfate (ZnSO 4 ) reduces unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in individuals with Gilbert's syndrome. We assessed the changes in total, conjugated, and unconjugated bilirubin and the effect on ATV pharmacokinetics (PK) after single and 14-day dosing of ZnSO 4 . HIV patients, stable on ATV/ritonavir (ATV/r)-containing regimens with a total bilirubin level of >25mmol/liter received 125 mg daily of ZnSO 4 as Solvazinc tablets for 14 days. ATV/r and bilirubin concentrations were measured pre-ATV/r dose and 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 h post-ATV/r dose; before ZnSO 4 initiation (phase 1), after a single dose (phase 2) and after 14 days (phase 3). Changes in bilirubin and ATV/r concentrations in the absence or presence of ZnSO 4 were evaluated by geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and 90% confidence intervals (CIs; we used phase 1 as a reference). Sixteen male patients completed the study maintaining virologic suppression; ZnSO 4 was well tolerated. Statistically significant declines in total bilirubin C max and AUC 0–24 of 16 and 17% were seen in phase2 and 20% in phase 3. Although there were no significant changes in conjugated bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin C max and AUC 0–24 of were lower (17 and 19%, phase 2; 20 and 23% during phase 3). The ATV GMRs (90% CI) for C trough , C max , and AUC 0–24 were 0.74 (0.62 to 0.89), 0.82 (0.70 to 0.97), and 0.78 (0.70 to 0.88). Intake of ZnSO 4 decreases total and unconjugated bilirubin and causes modest declines in ATV exposure. ZnSO 4 supplementation may be useful in management of ATV-related HBR in selected patients.