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Herein, a green synthesis methodology for making copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticle clusters in a cost-effective and simple way is reported. While cuprous sulfate pentahydrate is used as a source of copper, the outer layer of green peas (Pisum Sativum) is used as a source of phenol. Extracting the phenol from pea peels is a simple process that uses water as a solvent. Copper salt is reduced by the phenolic content that is so produced. Both physicochemical and microscopic characterization Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were performed on the particles. A variety of pea-peeling samples were used during the procedure's several executions to ensure reproducibility. The preparation process was appropriate, as the outcomes were identical. Analyses were also conducted on the produced particles' electrochemical activity as an application. A well-defined and organized redox reaction was seen at E' = +0.25 V against Ag/AgCl which were also shown to be highly electro-active. With the benchmarked redox mediator (5 mM ferricyanide), the particles also produced an outstanding redox peak at E1/2 = -0.01 V vs. Ag/AgCl. In a common reducing organic reaction, such as the reduction of p-nitro phenol to p-amino phenol, they were also found to be effective catalysts. Additionally, tests were conducted on the produced particles for their anti-bacterial and antifungal properties. Overall, a simple method for the formation of commercially viable CuO nanoparticle clusters is developed with the potential for diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In humans, AMPylation of cellular proteins is carried out by Huntingtin yeast-interacting protein E (HYPE), activated under conditions of endoplasmic reticulum stress, such as in cancer cells. Extracts of the human chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell line, OSU-CLL, were fractionated using immuno-precipitation with antibodies against adenosine-phosphate and then AMP-Tyr. The proteins isolated were modified with AMP, the 'AMPylome.' AMP-labelled peptides isolated from HYPE wild-type (WT) and HYPE knock-out (KO) cells were identified using tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 213 proteins were identified from WT cell extracts, while only 23 of these were pulled down from KO cells, consistent with the presence of another AMPylator, besides HYPE. The KO cells were more sensitive to fludarabine nucleoside (2-FaraA) than WT cells. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of the AMPylated proteins identified in WT cells clustered actin binding proteins of the cytoskeleton, and proteins of the RHO GTPase pathway that would jointly stimulate cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mammals, AMPylation of cellular proteins is carried out by Huntingtin yeast-interacting protein E, and pseudokinase SelO. Lysates from mouse B16-F10 melanoma cells have been fractionated by immuno-precipitation using magnetic Dynabeads coated with antibodies against both adenosine 5′-monophosphate in phosphate ester linkage to tyrosine, and adenosine-phosphate. Proteins pulled down with both these antibodies were subject to post-translational modification, most likely AMPylation. Using tandem mass spectrometry, analysis of these protein fractions identified 333 proteins that could be pulled down by both antibodies. Many of these proteins clustered in 13 functional Ingenuity Pathway Analysis categories of 4 or more adenylated proteins including some from the cytoskeleton, and some involved with initiating the unfolded protein response. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15257770.2021.1995608. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity, a major health concern, is influenced by an individual’s genetic makeup and lifestyle factors (eating, sedentary lifestyle, and sleep disruptions) that affect circadian clock and metabolism. This study investigates the impact of Clock gene variants rs6843722 and rs4864548 on obesity measures in the Pakistani population. Genetic-behavior interaction studies have focused on Western populations, overlooking South Asians. We included 306 overweight/obese and 306 normal-weight controls, matched for age and gender. Anthropometric measures (BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and body fat percentage) were taken using standard procedures while behavioral data (dietary and sleep-related behaviors, shiftwork, and physical activity) was collected by questionnaire. Genotyping was performed by Taqman assays. Data was analyzed using SPSS 19.0. Rank-based inverse normal transformation was executed for quantitative non-normal variables. The linear regression revealed that both Clock gene variants interacted significantly with dietary and sleep-related behaviors and low physical activity, impacting adiposity measures regardless of age and gender. Shiftwork interacted specifically with rs6843722, increasing body fat percentage. This study indicates that Clock gene variants, when interacting with lifestyle factors, play a substantial role in increasing obesity risk highlighting the link between lifestyle choices and disturbances in circadian rhythms controlled by Clock gene variations, ultimately leading to obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Now a days each and every bank in Pakistan has facility of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) throughout country. Many people, especially layman belonging to rural areas, are still reluctant to use it, because of relatively low financial literacy. ATM of every bank has its own layouts which confuse users. The current research discovers problems faced by rural users while using ATMs (Automated Teller Machines). The research aimed to investigate financial literacy among rural ATM users of Ghotki and the language difficulties faced by them while using ATM. The study provided an insight to financial literacy among users of rural Ghotki. The research was conducted in the rural areas of Ghotki. The researcher used mixed framework of research to collect data. The survey questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from a sample of 150 while interviews from fifteen people were conducted to collect qualitative data. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS software while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The results showed that linguistic inadequacy and lack of proper language guidance caused problems for rural population of Ghotki in availing financial services. The results also showed willingness of people towards inclusion of more regional languages in ATM menus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In search of selective and effective anti-cancer agents, eight metabolites of anti-cancer steroid, drostanolone enanthate (1), were synthesized via microbial biotransformation. Enzymes such as reductase, oxidase, dehydrogenase, and hydrolase from Cephalosporium aphidicola, and Fusarium lini were likely involved in the biotransformation of 1 into new metabolites at pH 7.0 and 26◦C, yielding five new metabolites, 2α-methyl-3α,14α,17β-trihydroxy-5α-androstane (2), 2α-methyl-7α-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3,17-dione (3), 2-methylandrosta-11α-hydroxy-1, 4-diene-3,17-dione (6), 2-methylandrosta-14α-hydroxy-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (7), and 2-methyl-5α-androsta-7α-hydroxy-1-ene-3,17-dione (8), along with three known metabolites, 2α-methyl-3α,17β-dihydroxy-5α-androstane (4), 2-methylandrosta-1, 4-diene-3,17-dione (5), and 2α-methyl-5α-androsta-17β-hydroxy-3-one (9), on the basis of NMR, and HREI-MS data, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Interestingly, C. aphidicola and F. lini were able to catalyze hydroxylation only at alpha positions of 1. Compounds 1-9 showed a varying degree of cytotoxicity against HeLa (human cervical carcinoma), PC3 (human prostate carcinoma), H460 (human lung cancer), and HCT116 (human colon cancer) cancer cell lines. Interestingly, metabolites 4 (IC50 = 49.5 ± 2.2μM), 5 (IC50 = 39.8 ± 1.5μM), 6 (IC50 = 40.7 ± 0.9μM), 7 (IC50 = 43.9 ± 2.4μM), 8 (IC50 = 19.6 ± 1.4μM), and 9 (IC50 = 25.1 ± 1.6μM) were found to be more active against HeLa cancer cell line than the substrate 1 (IC50 = 54.7 ± 1.6μM). Similarly, metabolites 2 (IC50 = 84.6 ± 6.4μM), 3 (IC50 = 68.1 ± 1.2μM), 4 (IC50 = 60.4 ± 0.9μM), 5 (IC50 = 84.0 ± 3.1μM), 6 (IC50 = 58.4 ± 1.6μM), 7 (IC50 = 59.1 ± 2.6μM), 8 (IC50 = 51.8 ± 3.4μM), and 9 (IC50 = 57.8 ± 3.2μM) were identified as more active against PC-3 cancer cell line than the substrate 1 (IC50 = 96.2 ± 3.0μM). Metabolite 9 (IC50 = 2.8 ± 0.2μM) also showed potent anticancer activity against HCT116 cancer cell line than the substrate 1 (IC50 = 3.1 ± 3.2μM). In addition, compounds 1-7 showed no cytotoxicity against 3T3 normal cell line, while compounds 8 (IC50 = 74.6 ± 3.7μM), and 9 (IC50 = 62.1 ± 1.2μM) were found to be weakly cytotoxic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Synthesis of urea and thiourea derivatives of tryptamine. • Urease inhibitory activity of synthesized derivatives have been evaluated. • Kinetic study of the compounds (1 – 25) has been performed. • The in silico study of the active compounds was also done. Abstract Urease is an enzyme of amidohydrolase family and is responsible for the different pathological conditions in the human body including peptic ulcers, catheter encrustation, kidney stone formation, hepatic coma, encephalopathy, and many others. Therefore, the search for potent urease inhibitors has attracted major scientific attention in recent years. Urea and thiourea derivatives of tryptamine (1 – 25) were synthesized via reaction of tryptamine with different substituted phenyl isocyanates/isothiocyanates. The synthetic compounds were evaluated for their urease enzyme inhibitory activity and they exhibited good inhibitory potential against urease enzyme in the range of (IC 50 = 11.4 ± 0.4–24.2 ± 1.5 μM) as compared to the standard thiourea (IC 50 = 21.2 ± 1.3 μM). Out of twenty-five compounds, fourteen were found to be more active than the standard. Limited structure-activity relationship suggested that the compounds with CH 3 , and OCH 3 substituents at aryl part were the most potent derivatives. Compound 14 (IC 50 = 11.4 ± 0.4 μM) with a methyl substituent at ortho position was found to be the most active member of the series. Whereas, among halogen substituted derivatives, para substituted chloro compound 16 (IC 50 = 13.7 ± 0.9 μM) showed good urease inhibitory activity. These synthetic derivatives were found to be non-cytotoxic in cellular assay. Kinetic studies revealed that the compounds 11 , 12 , 14 , 17 , 21 , 22 , and 24 showed a non-competitive type of inhibition. In silico study identified the possible bindings interactions of potential inhibitors with the active site of enzyme. These newly identified inhibitors of urease enzyme can serve as leads for further research and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]