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Today's industries need to be more productive, especially those that shape and machine materials. As a result, engineers and scientists are seeking for cutting tool materials and technologies that have high hot hardness, chemical stability, wear resistance, and toughness while also improving tool life or contact time. Cryogenic treatment of cutting tools has been proven to be a good way for increasing the contact time of any cutting tool material. This study presents the results of turning alloy steel (EN24 grade) using P20 grade carbide inserts under various conditions under continuous machining. Cutting speeds varied from 100 to 500 m/min (in increments of 100 m/min), with feed rates ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 mm/rev in stages of 0.1 mm/rev and a constant radial depth of cut of 1.5 mm were considered under dry machining conditions. Cryogenic treated/coated inserts are better than other inserts in terms of tool life for optimized parameters such as cutting speed 100 m/min, feed rate 0.1 mm/rev, and depth of cut 1.5 mm, according to the study's findings. Under similar conditions of cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut, coated/cryotreated inserts had a tool life increase of about 97.5% over uncoated/untreated inserts, a 50.58% increase over uncoated/crytreated inserts, and a 23.89% increase over coated and untreated inserts, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Rh system is an extremely important RBC antigen system with over 50 antigens, 5 of which (D, C, E, c and e) are considered most clinically significant. The rare Rhnull phenotype can result from mutations in the RHD and RHCE genes or the RHAG gene that affects their expression. This is a case report of the second type. Case Report: This case reports a multiparous lady who had to be evaluated for a panreactive antibody. The discrepancy was first identified at the centre she reported to. A thorough immunohematological workup was performed at a second reference laboratory. Suspecting Rhnull phenotype, a third referral (molecular typing) was requested at International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL), Bristol. Results: A novel RHAG null allele (c.1138+2t>a), causing a Rhnull phenotype was identified. The antibody was most likely an anti‐Rh 29 antibody. Conclusion: The novel c.1138+2 t > a mutation in the RHAG gene causing the Rhnull phenotype and development of a pan reacting antibody(ies) made the patient's pregnancy challenging. Confirmation of the diagnosis, an important step in her management, required use of both serological immunohematology and molecular techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical cannabis has received significant interest in recent years due to its promising benefits in the management of pain, anxiety, depression and neurological and movement disorders. Specifically, the major phytocannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant such as (−) trans‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have been shown to be responsible for the pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Recently, these phytocannabinoids have also attracted special attention in cancer treatment due to their well‐known palliative benefits in chemotherapy‐induced nausea, vomiting, pain and loss of appetite along with their anticancer activities. Despite the enormous pharmacological benefits, the low aqueous solubility, high instability (susceptibility to extensive first pass metabolism) and poor systemic bioavailability restrict their utilization at clinical perspective. Therefore, drug delivery strategies based on nanotechnology are emerging to improve pharmacokinetic profile and bioavailability of cannabinoids as well as enhance their targeted delivery. Here, we critically review the nano‐formulation systems engineered for overcoming the delivery limitations of native phytocannabinoids including polymeric and lipid‐based nanoparticles (lipid nano capsules (LNCs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), nanoemulsions (NE) and self‐emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS)), ethosomes and cyclodextrins as well as their therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we described the synthesis of isatin‐pyrazole hybrids (6 a–o) using Acyl‐Sonogashira coupling reaction and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines such as A549, PC3 and MCF‐7 by using MTT assay and 5‐fluorouracil as the reference drug. Some of the compounds 6 a, 6 j and 6 n were found to be more active than the standard 5‐fluorouracil against three human cancer cell lines. The in vitro VEGFR‐2 tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity reveals that 6 j has exhibited double inhibitory potency with IC50 value of 16.28±1.21 nM compared to reference drug sorafenib and 6 a and 6 n were also shown more inhibition capacity than the standard. Molecular docking studies of the compounds 6 a, 6 j and 6 n towards human VEGFR2 kinase shown that they have good binding interactions with the target protein with binding energies ranging from −10.30 kcal/mol to −10.80 kcal/mol. Finally, the in silico pharmacokinetic profile (ADMET) of potent compounds 6 a, 6 j and 6 n were also studied, where all of them have followed Lipinski rule, Ghose rule, Veber rule, Egan rule and Muegge rule without any deviation and the compounds 6 a and 6 j have shown lead likeness in medicinal chemistry point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel N‐cycloalkyl/aryl‐4‐(1,3‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carbonyl)piperazine‐1‐carboxamides 9a‐g has been synthesized for biological interest by simple base catalyzed reaction of various N‐cycloalkyl/aryl isocyanates with (1,3‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)(piperazin‐1‐yl)methanone hydrochloride 8. The compound 8 was synthesized in excellent yield by the reaction of 1,3‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carbonyl chloride with boc‐piperazine followed by deprotection of boc group with dioxane‐HCl. All the novel intermediates and urea derivatives have been screened for antimicrobial activity. The compound 9a was found an excellent compound to be active against all Gram (−ve) and Gram (+ve) bacterial strains E. coli, Y. enterocolitica, B. cereus, and S. aureus. It also showed comparable antifungal activity against C. albicans with MIC 78.1 μg/ml as compared to reference standard miconazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent compilation of traits across culturable species of bacteria and archaea allows relationships to be quantified between genome size and other traits and habitat. Cell morphology, size, motility, sporulation and doubling time were not strongly correlated with genome size. Aerobic species averaged ca 35% larger genomes than anaerobic, adjusted for growth temperature. Aerobes had a similar mix of gene functions compared to anaerobes of the same genome size. Shifting proportions of aerobes to anaerobes accounted for about half of previously‐known differences in mean genome size between habitats. One possible factor in these results could be if effective population sizes are larger for aerobes, reducing the potential for gene loss via genetic drift. Larger genomes also confer versatility. They can transport and metabolise a wider range of substrates. More of their genome is engaged in signal detection and response, indicating they benefit from different resources at different times or under different condition. Aerobic habitats might well present opportunities and challenges that vary through time more than anaerobic habitats. The genome size trait‐dimension contributes a useful quantitative descriptor for ecological strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are being presented as a prominent solution to the various imminent issues associated with the integration of variable renewable energy sources in the distribution system. Performance of grid‐connected BESS depends on the type of application (power and energy), grid operating parameters and level of interconnection point, which shows the necessity of benefit assessment of BESS technology and its applications in terms of economic and grid operations before investment at a larger scale. In this study, real‐time analysis and evaluation of two different battery technologies connected in a medium voltage (MV) distribution system are carried out. The main objective of this paper is focused on the impact analysis of large‐scale BESS on MV distribution feeder. A real case of installation of lithium‐ion and advanced lead‐acid battery systems into the Indian distribution system has been considered for this study. Different operational strategies of BESS such as frequency regulation and energy time‐shift have been performed with real‐time data. The effectiveness in usage of BESS with these functionalities has been verified in terms of peak shaving, improvement in voltage profile and reduction in power losses in the feeder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four cycloaurated phosphine sulfide complexes, [Au{κ2‐2‐C6H4P(S)Ph2}2][AuX2] [X=Cl (2), Br (3), I (4)] and [Au{κ2‐2‐C6H4P(S)Ph2}2]PF6 (5), have been prepared and thoroughly characterized. The compounds were found to be stable under physiological‐like conditions and showed excellent cytotoxicity against a broad range of cancer cell lines and remarkable cytotoxicity in 3D tumor spheroids. Mechanistic studies with cervical cancer (HeLa) cells indicated that the cytotoxic effects of the compounds involve the inhibition of thioredoxin reductase and induction of apoptosis through mitochondrial disruption. In vivo experiments in nude mice bearing HeLa xenografts showed that treatment with compounds 4 and 5 resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth (35.8 and 46.9 %, respectively), better than that of cisplatin (29 %). The newly synthesized gold complexes were also evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity through the study of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated macrophages and carrageenan‐induced hind paw edema in rats, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient green and sustainable protocol has been devised for the selective oxidative halogenation of acetanilides, benzanilides, sulphonamides, and heterocyclic compounds, using easily available NaX as a halogen source and Oxone as a powerful oxidant. Reaction products were analyzed by GC‐MS. Defined experimental conditions provided the mono and dihalo compounds. The present protocol is simple and environmentally benign to conduct the laboratory scale halogenations and can be extended to prepare industrially important compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An enolate mediated aldehyde‐azomethine imine [3+2] cycloaddition of various aldehydes with N,N‐cyclic azomethine imines is reported under DBU or tBuOK‐catalysis. High reaction rate, ease of operation, simple catalyst, easily accessible starting materials and a wide substrate scope with numerous applications make this reaction an ideal addition to the click chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The syntheses of lithium and alkaline earth metal complexes with the bis(borane-diphenylphosphanyl)amido ligand ( 1- H) of molecular formulas [{ κ2-N(PPh2(BH3))2}Li(THF)2] ( 2) and [{κ3-N(PPh2(BH3))2}2 M(THF)2] [( M = Ca ( 3), Sr ( 4), Ba ( 5)] are reported. The lithium complex 2 was obtained by treatment of bis(borane-diphenylphosphanyl)amine ( 1- H) with lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in a 1:1 molar ratio via the silylamine elimination method. The corresponding homoleptic alkaline earth metal complexes 3- 5 were prepared by two synthetic routes - first, the treatment of metal bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and protio ligand 1- H via the elimination of silylamine, and second, through salt metathesis reaction involving respective metal diiodides and lithium salt 2. The molecular structures of lithium complex 2 and barium complex 5 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In the solid-state structure of 2, the lithium ion is ligated by amido nitrogen atoms and hydrogen atoms of the BH3 group in κ2-coordination of the ligand 1 resulting in a distorted tetrahedral geometry around the lithium ion. However, in complex 5, κ3-coordination of the ligand 1 was observed, and the barium ion adopted a distorted octahedral arrangement. The metal complex 5 was tested as catalyst for the ring opening polymerization of ϵ-caprolactone. High activity for the barium complex 5 towards ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ϵ-caprolactone with a narrow polydispersity index was observed. Additionally, first-principle calculations to investigate the structure and coordination properties of alkaline earth metal complexes 3- 5 as a comparative study between the experimental and theoretical findings were described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of an excipient on the surface energetics of Efavirenz (EFV) drug. The net retention volumes, VN, for n-alkanes and polar solutes on the two columns, namely, EFV drug and a blend of EFV with cellulose acetate propionate have been measured by inverse gas chromatography. The dispersive surface free energy, γdS, Lewis acid parameter, Ka, and Lewis base parameter, Kb, have been determined using VN values. The γdS values are decreased linearly with increase of temperature for pure EFV as well as for the blend. Further more, the γdS values of EFV are higher than in the blend, for example, γdS values at T = 318.15K for EFV, and for the blend are 28.09 ± 6.02mJ/m2 and 28.30 ± 2.31mJ/m2, respectively. The specific component of surface free energy -ΔHSa(k J=mol) has been obtained by the Schultz method as well as by the Dong et al.method. The -ΔSa (k J=mol) values have been used to calculate Lewis acid-base parameters for the EFV as well as the blend. The Ka values for the EFV and the blend are almost similar, where as the Kb values are higher in EFV than in the blend. Similar trend in Ka and Kb has been observed in both methods studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale Adhatoda vasica Nees is a well-known Ayurvedic medicinal plant, belonging to the family Acanthaceae. This study aims to seek identification and characterization of flavonoid C- and O-glycosides in the aqueous fraction of the plant leaves. Methods A method was developed for simultaneous characterization of flavonoids and their glycosides using high-pressure liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). The chromatographic separation was carried on an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column (4.6 × 150 mm, 2.7 µm) operated with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and methanol as the mobile phase. Results The fragmentations of the studied [M-H]− ions of C-glycosides were shown to be cross-ring cleavages of the glycoside moiety [M-H-(60/90/120)]− whereas O-glycosides were shown to eliminate the sugar moiety (Y0− or [Y0-H]−) from the aglycone unit; 6- C-glycosides exhibited [M-H-18]−, a characteristic ion, and also a higher abundance of 0,3X6 or 8 ions in comparison to 8- C glycosides; flavonoid 6,8-di- C-glycosides exhibited cross-ring cleavages of the sugar attached to the C-6 position preferentially. Conclusions This method was successfully applied for analysis of flavonoids and their glycosides in Adhatoda vasica leaves. A total of 29 compounds were tentatively identified including 17 C-, nine O-glycosides and three flavonoids. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RATIONALE: Adhatoda beddomei and Adhatoda vasica are popular Ayurvedic medicinal plants in India, belonging to the family Acanthaceae. Tricyclic quinazoline alkaloids are found to be the most abundant in these plants which are responsible for broad-spectrum medicinal properties. This study aims to seek identification and characterization of those alkaloids based on their fragmentation patterns. METHODS: A method was developed to elucidate the main fragmentation pathways of tricyclic quinazoline alkaloids in positive ion mode using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). Chromatographic separation was carried on a Supelco DiscoveryHSC18 column (15 cm x 4.6mm, 3 µm) with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile as amobile phase. RESULTS: In full scan mass spectra, protonated molecules were observed for all the quinazoline alkaloids. Ring cleavages of the tricyclic quinazoline moiety were observed in MS2 spectra and the characteristic ions provide valuable structural information of these alkaloids. Fragmentation pathways and fragment ion structures were proposed in two groups of quinazoline alkaloids. CONCLUSIONS: The established fragmentation patterns have been successfully used to identify 23 tricyclic quinazoline alkaloids in the alkaloidal fraction of A. beddomei and A. vasica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study is to determine the fetal modified myocardial performance index (Mod-MPI) and E-wave/A-wave peak velocities (E/A ratio) in deteriorating grades of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and its link to adverse outcomes defined as perinatal death, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, neonatal resuscitation, neonatal cord pH <7.15, intraventricular hemorrhage and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Method Forty three pregnant women with IUGR defined as the abdominal circumference <10th percentile for gestational age and umbilical resistance index >2 standard deviations in the third trimester of pregnancy were matched for gestational age and maternal age with 43 women with appropriate-for-gestational-age fetuses. The IUGR group was subdivided on the basis of multivessel Doppler anomalies into different grades of growth restriction. Mod-MPI and E/A ratio were determined and linked to perinatal outcome. Results The median Mod-MPI was significantly higher in growth-restricted fetuses compared with controls (0.59 vs 0.37, p < 0.001) and increased with severity of IUGR, the classification of which was based on degree of abnormality of the umbilical resistance index, presence of arterial redistribution and degree of abnormality of the ductus venosus (DV) Doppler indices. A cut-off Mod-MPI value of 0.54 conferred a sensitivity of 87% [confidence interval (CI): 66-97%], specificity of 75% (CI: 55-91%) and a likelihood ratio (LR) of 3.47 for an adverse outcome. A cut-off Mod-MPI value of 0.67 conferred a sensitivity of 100% (CI: 54-100%), specificity of 81% (CI: 65-92%) and LR of 5.28 for perinatal death. No abnormal outcomes occurred in controls. In logistic regression analysis, the MPI remained a significant predictor of adverse outcome after adjusting for gestational age of delivery, fetal weight, E/A ratio, maternal age, DV Doppler indices, amniotic fluid index and umbilical artery resistance index [adjusted odds ratio, 95% CI: 2.60 (1.15-5.83), p-value 0.02]. MPI fared significantly better than the E/A ratio as a predictor of adverse outcome (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.94 and 0.76, p < 0.001). Conclusion Fetal myocardial performance deteriorates with severity of growth restriction. There is an association between severity of the MPI elevation and rates of adverse perinatal outcome. The Mod-MPI and E/A ratio have the potential to be integrated into routine surveillance techniques of the growth-restricted fetus. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptin and oestradiol have overlapping functions in energy homeostasis and fertility, and receptors for these hormones are localised in the same hypothalamic regions. Although, historically, it was assumed that mammalian adult neurogenesis was confined to the olfactory bulbs and the hippocampus, recent research has found new neurones in the male rodent hypothalamus. Furthermore, some of these new neurones are leptin-sensitive and affected by diet. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that diet and hormonal status modulate hypothalamic neurogenesis in the adult female mouse. Adult mice were ovariectomised and implanted with capsules containing oestradiol (E2) or oil. Within each group, mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or maintained on standard chow (STND). All animals were administered i.c.v. 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) for 9 days and sacrificed 34 days later after an injection of leptin to induce phosphorylation of signal transducer of activation and transcription 3 (pSTAT3). Brain tissue was immunohistochemically labelled for BrdU (newly born cells), Hu (neuronal marker) and pSTAT3 (leptin sensitive). Although mice on a HFD became obese, oestradiol protected against obesity. There was a strong interaction between diet and hormone on new cells (BrdU+) in the arcuate, ventromedial hypothalamus and dorsomedial hypothalamus. HFD increased the number of new cells, whereas E2 inhibited this effect. Conversely, E2 increased the number of new cells in mice on a STND diet in all hypothalamic regions studied. Although the total number of new leptin-sensitive neurones (BrdU-Hu-pSTAT3) found in the hypothalamus was low, HFD increased these new cells in the arcuate, whereas E2 attenuated this induction. These results suggest that adult neurogenesis in the hypothalamic neurogenic niche is modulated by diet and hormonal status and is related to energy homeostasis in female mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pd-mediated construction of pyridine scaffold and subsequent Suzuki-based C-C in one pot has been accomplished for the synthesis of 4-biaryl substituted 2-amino-3-cyanopyridines via . The present is useful in structural elaboration of pyridine framework and also helpful in design and synthesis of novel and diverse analogs of complex heterocyclic compounds other than present reported molecules. Antibacterial activities of the synthesized compounds were systematically evaluated. The correlation between functional group variation and biological activities of the compounds has been evaluated against human pathogenic gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper oxide nanoparticles that are supported on graphene oxide as a catalytic system have been utilized for ligand-free and solvent-free CS cross-coupling reactions with weak bases such as triethylamine. Symmetrical/unsymmetrical aryl sulfides have been synthesized by the coupling of different aryl halides with aromatic as well as aliphatic sulfides. Surprisingly, aryl chlorides also well reacted with different types of sulfides in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide and cesium carbonate. Besides, this catalytic system is suitable for the synthesis of phenothiazines via cascade CS and CN cross-coupling of ortho-dihalides and ortho-aminobenzothiazoles. In addition, this alternative approach is extremely useful for the synthesis of a variety of symmetrical diaryl sulfides by using thiourea as a sulfur source that is devoid of the foul smell of thiols. Indeed, the calculated E-factor value of our present protocol is 2.52. Furthermore, this protocol is particularly attractive as an environmentally benign and practical method for the synthesis of different aryl sulfides. Moreover, the heterogeneous catalytic system described in this process represents not only a greener approach but retains its significant activity for up to six catalytic cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco streak virus (TSV) recently caused an epidemic in peanut (= groundnut, Arachis hypogaea) crops in Andhra Pradesh, India. In the epidemic area TSV occurred in many widely distributed weeds of which Parthenium hysterophorus probably plays a major role in its spread by thrips. Three thrips species, Megalurothrips usitatus, Frankliniella schultzei and Scirtothrips dorsalis were vectors in the presence of infected pollen. Of crop species, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) and Tagetes patula (marigold) could act as sources of inoculum. In limited tests, the virus was not seed-transmitted in the peanut cultivar JL-24 or in the sunflower hybrids KBSH-41, -42, -44, and -50, MSFH-17 and ZSH-976. Strategies adopted to reduce the incidence of TSV are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotaxis-competent cells respond to a variety of ligands by activating second messenger pathways leading to changes in the actin/myosin cytoskeleton and directed cell movement. We demonstrate that Dictyostelium Akt/PKB, a homologue of mammalian Akt/ PKB, is very rapidly and transiently activated by the chemoattractant cAMP. This activation takes place through G protein-coupled chemoattractant receptors via a pathway that requires homologues of mammalian p110 phosphoinositide-3 kinase. pkbA null cells exhibit aggregation-stage defects that include aberrant chemotaxis, a failure to polarize properly in a chemoattractant gradient and aggregation at low densities. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the PH domain of Akt/ PKB fused to GFP transiently translocates to the plasma membrane in response to cAMP with kinetics similar to those of Akt/PKB kinase activation and is localized to the leading edge of chemotaxing cells in vivo. Our results indicate Akt/PKB is part of the regulatory network required for sensing and responding to the chemoattractant gradient that mediates chemotaxis and aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activation of docosahexaenoic acid by rat brain microsomes was studied using an assay method based on the extraction of unreacted [1-14C]docosahexanoic acid and the insolubility of [1-14C]docosahexaenoyl-CoA in heptane. This reaction showed a requirement for ATP, CoA, and MgCl2 and exhibited optimal activity at pH 8.0 in the presence of dithiothreitol and when incubated at 45 °C. The apparent Km values for ATP (185 µM), CoA (4.88 µM), MgCl2 (555 µM) and [1-14C]docosahexaenoic acid (26 µM) were determined. The presence of bovine serum albumin or Triton X-100 in the incubation medium caused a significant decrease in the Km and Vm values for [1-14C]docosahexaenoic acid. The enzyme was labile at 45 °C (t1/2 : 3.3 min) and 37 °C (t1/2 : 26..5 min) and lost 36% of its activity after freezing and thawing. The transition temperature (Tc) obtained from Arrhenius plot was 27 °C with the activation energies of 74 kJ/mol between 0 °C and 27 °C and 30 kJ/mol between 27 °C and 45 °C. [1-14C]Palmitic acid activation in rat brain and liver microsomes showed apparent Km values of 25 µM and 29 µM respectively, with V values of 13 and 46 nmol x min-1. The presence of Triton X-100 (0.05%) in the incubation medium enhanced the V value of the liver enzyme fourfold without affecting the Km value. Brain palmitoyl-CoA synthetase, on the other hand, showed a decreased Km value in the presence of Triton X-100 with unchanged V. The Tc obtained were 25 °C and 28 °C for brain and liver enzyme with an apparent activation energy of 109 and 24 kJ/mol below and above Tc for brain enzyme and 86 and 3.3 kJ/mol for liver enzyme. The similar results obtained for the activation of docosahexaenoate and palmitate in brain microsomes suggest the possible existence of a single long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase. The differences observed in the activation of palmitate between brain and liver microsomes may be due to organ differences. Fatty acid competition studies showed a greater inhibition of labeled docosahexaenoic and palmitic acid activation in the presence of unlabeled unsaturated fatty acids. The Ki values for unlabeled docosahexaenoate and arachidonate were 38 µM and 19 µM respectively for the activation of [1-14C]docosahexaenoate. In contrast, the activation of unlabeled saturated fatty acids for activation of labeled docosahexaenoate is much less than that for activation of labeled palmitate. The preferential inhibition by unsaturated fatty acids, especially the polyunsaturated fatty acids, of the activation of docosahexaenoic and palmitic acids, as compared to inhibition by saturated fatty acids may be the results of the higher affinity or ready accessibility of these more unsaturated substrates to the membrane-bound enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solubility of four dental cement bases was measured in simulated dentinal fluid and distilled water to evaluate the relevancy of the American Dental Association solubility test for cement bases in contact with vital dentine. A simulated dentinal fluid was formulated utilizing glucose, distilled water, and sterile human plasma. Cement-base samples were immersed in either distilled water or simulated dentinal fluid at 37°C in a shaker water-bath for 1, 2, or 3 months. Weight loss values were compared utilizing a three-way analysis of variance. Zinc oxide-eugenol cements were significantly more soluble in simulated dentinal fluid than distilled water, while the calcium hydroxide cement bases were significantly more soluble in distilled water than simulated dentinal fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Andrographis lineata (Acanthaceae) extracts in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats. Male Wistar rats with chronic liver damage, induced by subcutaneous injection of 50% v/v carbon tetrachloride in liquid paraffin at a dose of 3 mL/kg on alternate days for a period of 4 weeks, were treated with methanol and aqueous extracts of A. lineata orally at a dose of 845 mg/kg/day. The biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were estimated to assess the liver function. Histopathological studies of the liver were also carried out to confirm the biochemical changes. Histopathological examinations of liver tissue corroborated well with the biochemical changes. The activities of extracts were comparable to a standard drug. Hepatic steatosis, hydropic degeneration and necrosis were observed in the carbon tetrachloride treated group, while these were completely absent in the standard and extract treated groups. A. lineata extracts exhibited hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury. The present investigation established pharmacological evidence to support the folklore claim that it is used traditionally as a hepatoprotective agent. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of labeled palmitic, linoleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids to their respective acyl CoA's was studied in homogenates and microsomes of rat tissues. The highest activity, both in homogenates and microsomes, was seen in liver and heart. There was moderate activity in retina, brain, lung, kidney and testes and the lowest activity was found in spleen. Docosahexaenoic acid was activated much less actively in heart tissue than the other fatty acids. In all tissues examined, the highest activation was observed with arachidonic acid and the lowest with docosahexaenoic acid. Except for liver, those tissues that contained high levels of docosahexaenoic acid also had the highest activation capacity for this fatty acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]