Search

This work demonstrates a simple and inexpensive electrochemical biosensing pathway for selective and sensitive recognition of 17β-estradiol (E2) in environmental and food samples. The biosensing system is based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and a conductive polymer 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The proposed biosensor shows the ability to detect E2 in attomolar levels within a wide linear logarithm concentration range of 1×10− 6 to 1×10− 18 molL− 1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 9.9×10− 19 molL− 1. The selectivity of the developed biosensor was confirmed by conducting the DPV of similarly structured hormones and naturally occurring substances. The proposed biosensor is highly stable and applicable to detect E2 in the presence of Spiked food and environmental samples with satisfactory recoveries ranging from 96.8 to 104.8%. So, the designed electrochemical biosensor might be an effective alternative tool for the detection of E2 and other endogenous substances to attain food safety.

The lung surfactant monolayer (LSM) is the main barrier for particles entering the lung, including steroid drugs used to treat lung diseases. The present study combines Langmuir experiments and coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the concentration-dependent effect of steroid drug prednisolone on the structure and morphology of a model LSM. The surface pressure-area isotherms for the Langmuir monolayers reveal a concentration-dependent decrease in area per lipid (APL). Results from simulations at a fixed surface tension, representing inhalation and exhalation conditions, suggest that at high drug concentrations, prednisolone induces a collapse of the LSM, which is likely caused by the inability of the drug to diffuse into the bilayer. Overall, the monolayer is most susceptible to drug-induced collapse at surface tensions representing exhalation conditions. The presence of cholesterol also exacerbates the instability. The findings of this investigation might be helpful for better understanding the interaction between steroid drug prednisolone and lung surfactants in relation to off-target effects.

Acquisition of the trace-element molybdenum

Metal-organic framework-808 has been functionalized with 11 amino acids (AA) to produce a series of MOF-808-AA structures. The adsorption of CO2 under flue gas conditions revealed that glycine- and DL-lysine-functionalized MOF-808 (MOF-808-Gly and -DL-Lys) have the highest uptake capacities. Enhanced CO2 capture performance in the presence of water was observed and studied using single-component sorption isotherms, CO2/H2O binary isotherm, and dynamic breakthrough measurements. The key to the favorable performance was uncovered by deciphering the mechanism of CO2 capture in the pores and attributed to the formation of bicarbonate as evidenced by 13C and 15N solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies. Based on these results, we examined the performance of MOF-808-Gly in simulated coal flue gas conditions and found that it is possible to capture and release CO2 by vacuum swing adsorption. MOF-808-Gly was cycled at least 80 times with full retention of performance. This study significantly advances our understanding of CO2 chemistry in MOFs by revealing how strongly bound amine moieties to the MOF backbone create the chemistry and environment within the pores, leading to the binding and release of CO2 under mild conditions without application of heat.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative nosocomial pathogen associated with significant disease. Crucial to the survival and pathogenesis of A. baumannii is the ability to acquire essential micronutrients such as Zn(II). Recruitment of Zn(II) by A. baumannii is mediated, at least in part, by the periplasmic solute-binding protein ZnuA and the ATP-binding cassette transporter ZnuBC. Here, we combined genomic, biochemical, and structural approaches to characterize A. baumannii AB5075_UW ZnuA. Bioinformatic analyses using a diverse collection of A. baumannii genomes determined that ZnuA is highly conserved, with the binding site comprised by three strictly conserved histidine residues. The structure of metal-free ZnuA was determined at 2.1 Å resolution, with molecular dynamics analyses revealing loop α2β2, which harbors the putative Zn(II)-coordinating residue His41, to be highly mobile in the metal-free state. The contribution of the putative binding site histidine residues to Zn(II) interaction was further probed by mutagenesis. Analysis of ZnuA mutant variants was performed by quantitative metal binding assays, differential scanning fluorimetry, and affinity measurements, which showed that all three histidine residues contributed to Zn(II)-recruitment, albeit to different extents. Collectively, these analyses provide insight into the mechanism of Zn(II)-binding by A. baumannii ZnuA and expand our understanding of the functional diversity of Zn(II)-recruiting proteins.

Corticosteroids are drugs used to treat inflammatory conditions. In the case of lung diseases, corticosteroids can be administered by inhalation. The main barrier for inhaled particles is the lung surfactant monolayer (LSM) that lines the alveolar air–water interface and reduces surface tension during breathing. In this study, we use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to study the concentration-dependent interaction of cortisone with an LSM composed of neutral and negatively charged phospholipids, cholesterol, and surfactant proteins. Simulations were carried out at surface tensions mimicking inhalation and exhalation conditions and different compressibilities. In-depth analysis shows that cortisone causes a concentration-dependent expansion of the monolayer that at high surface tension and high drug concentrations results in the monolayer collapsing. This instability is associated with the accumulation of drugs and surfactant proteins that prevent adsorption into the monolayer. Our findings help to improve the understanding of how corticosteroids alter lung surfactants structure and assist efforts to improve drug adsorption.

Acquisition of the trace-element molybdenum via the high-affinity ATP-binding cassette permease ModABC is essential for Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiration in anaerobic and microaerophilic environments. This study determined the X-ray crystal structures of the molybdenum-recruiting solute-binding protein ModA from P. aeruginosa PAO1 in the metal-free state and bound to the group 6 metal oxyanions molybdate, tungstate, and chromate. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 ModA has a non-contiguous dual-hinged bilobal structure with a single metal-binding site positioned between the two domains. Metal binding results in a 22° relative rotation of the two lobes with the oxyanions coordinated by four residues, that contribute six hydrogen bonds, distinct from ModA orthologues that feature an additional oxyanion-binding residue. Analysis of 485 Pseudomonas ModA sequences revealed conservation of the metal-binding residues and β-sheet structural elements, highlighting their contribution to protein structure and function. Despite the capacity of ModA to bind chromate, deletion of modA did not affect P. aeruginosa PAO1 sensitivity to chromate toxicity nor impact cellular accumulation of chromate. Exposure to sub-inhibitory concentrations of chromate broadly perturbed P. aeruginosa metal homeostasis and, unexpectedly, was associated with an increase in ModA-mediated molybdenum uptake. Elemental analyses of the proteome from anaerobically grown P. aeruginosa revealed that, despite the increase in cellular molybdenum upon chromate exposure, distribution of the metal within the proteome was substantially perturbed. This suggested that molybdoprotein cofactor acquisition may be disrupted, consistent with the potent toxicity of chromate under anaerobic conditions. Collectively, these data reveal a complex relationship between chromate toxicity, molybdenum homeostasis and anaerobic respiration.

The lung surfactant monolayer (LSM) is a thin layer of lipids and proteins that forms the air/water interface of the alveoli. The primary function of the LSM is to reduce the surface tension at the air/water interface during breathing. The LSM also forms the main biological barrier for any inhaled particles, including drugs, to treat lung diseases. Elucidating the mechanism by which these drugs bind to and absorb into the LSM requires a molecular-level understanding of any drug-induced changes to the morphology, structure, and phase changes of the LSM.Molecular dynamics simulations have been used extensively to study the structure and dynamics of the LSM. The monolayer is usually simulated in at least two states: the compressed state, mimicking exhalation, and the expanded state, mimicking inhalation. In this chapter, we provide detailed instructions on how to set up, run, and analyze coarse-grained MD simulations to study the concentration-dependent effect of a sterol drug on the LSM, both in the expanded and compressed state.

The lung surfactant monolayer (LSM) is a thin layer of lipids and proteins that forms the air/water interface of the alveoli. The primary function of the LSM is to reduce the surface tension at the air/water interface during breathing. The LSM also forms the main biological barrier for any inhaled particles, including drugs, to treat lung diseases. Elucidating the mechanism by which these drugs bind to and absorb into the LSM requires a molecular-level understanding of any drug-induced changes to the morphology, structure, and phase changes of the LSM.Molecular dynamics simulations have been used extensively to study the structure and dynamics of the LSM. The monolayer is usually simulated in at least two states: the compressed state, mimicking exhalation, and the expanded state, mimicking inhalation. In this chapter, we provide detailed instructions on how to set up, run, and analyze coarse-grained MD simulations to study the concentration-dependent effect of a sterol drug on the LSM, both in the expanded and compressed state.

The lung surfactant monolayer (LSM) forms the main biological barrier for any inhaled particles to enter our bloodstream, including gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) present as air pollutants and under investigation for use in biomedical applications. Understanding the interaction of AuNPs with lung surfactant can assist in understanding how AuNPs enter our lungs. In this study, we use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the effect of four different shape D AuNPs (spherical, box, icosahedron and rod) on the structure and dynamics of a model LSM, with a particular focus on differences resulting from the shape of the AuNP. Monolayer-AuNP systems were simulated in two different states: the compressed state and the expanded state, representing inhalation and exhalation conditions, respectively. Our results indicate that the compressed state is more affected by the presence of the AuNPs than the expanded state. Our results show that in the compressed state, the AuNPs prevent the monolayer from reaching the close to zero surface tension required for normal exhalation. In the compressed state, all four nanoparticles (NPs) reduce the lipid order parameters and cause a thinning of the monolayer where the particles drag surfactant molecules into the water phase. Comparing the different properties shows no trend concerning which shape has the biggest effect on the monolayer, as shape-dependent effects vary among the different properties. Insights from this study might assist future work of how AuNP shapes affect the LSM during inhalation or exhalation conditions.

Mometasone is an investigational anti-inflammatory steroidal drug to treat inflammation via pulmonary administration. For steroid drugs to be effective they need to be adsorbed by lung surfactants, a thin monolayer at the air-water interface in alveoli that reduces surface tension. Information on the molecular-level interactions of the drug with lung surfactants is useful to understand the mechanism of adsorption. In this study, we use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation to understand the concentration-dependent effect of mometasone on a lung surfactant monolayer (LSM) composed of lipids and surfactant proteins, under two different breathing conditions (exhalation, at surface tension 0 mNm−1 and inhalation, surface tension 20–25 mNm-1). A series of fixed-APL and fixed-surface tension simulations were used to demonstrate that in the absence of drugs, the model LSM reproduces the surface tensions for the compressed and expanded states, as well as compressibility at different surface tensions. In-depth analysis of simulations of a LSM in the presence of five different drug concentrations shows that mometasone alters the structure and dynamics of the LSM in a concentration-dependent manner. Mometasone induces a collapse in the monolayer that is affected by the surfactant protein and surface tension. Overall, these findings suggest that the surfactant proteins, surface tension and drug concentration are all critical components affecting monolayer stability and drug adsorption. The outcomes of this study may be beneficial for a more in-depth understanding of how mometasone is adsorbed by lung surfactants.

This research focuses on predicting the International Roughness Index (IRI) of rigid pavements using the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model that uses climate and traffic parameters as inputs. A Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database is used to extract data from wet-freeze, wet no-freeze, dry-freeze, and dry no-freeze climatic zones. The climate and traffic parameters are Mean Annual Air Temperature, Annual Average Freezing Index, Annual Average Maximum and Minimum Humidity, Annual Average Precipitation, Annual Average Daily Traffic, and Annual Average Daily Truck Traffic. The ANN model is trained with 70% of climate, traffic and IRI data, rest 15% data is used to test the model, and remaining 15% data is used to validate the model. The trained and the validated models are compared by calculating Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). Among many results, the datasets that are tested with 7–9–9–1 ANN structure with hyperbolic tangent sigmoidal transfer function generated the best prediction models with an RMSE value of 0.01 and MAPE value of 0.01 (1% error) for a rigid pavement located in the wet no-freeze climatic zone.

Development of different fish products using boneless muscle is popular in this subcontinent. The present study was conducted to assess the changes in percent moisture content and sensory quality parameters of noodles prepared with silver carp mince along with wheat flour and to study the consumer’s preference to the fish noodles. Silver carp fish mince and other ingredients were incorporated with wheat flour in substitution levels of 0, 20, 25 and 30%. The prepared noodles were oven dried, cooled and stored in polythene and vacuum sealed packs during storage at ambient temperature (30 to 35 °C) for 6 months. During this storage period no remarkable change could be observed in the color, flavor, texture and taste of the noodle samples accept the moisture content of the samples. The percent moisture content of noodle samples slightly increased (i.e., percent moisture content increased from 6.37 to 12.38 in sealed polythene pack after 90 days of storage and to 10.02 in vacuum sealed pack after 180 days of storage in control noodle sample whereas in sample with 30% substitution level of fish mince the value increased from 11.94 to 13.44 in sealed polythene pack and to 12.88 in vacuum sealed pack after 90 days and 180 days of storage, respectively) with the lapse storage period. No mold growth could be found on noodle samples. Fish noodles prepared with 25% silver carp mince had the highest score 7.9 (out of 9) for taste though scores for the color (7.9), flavor (7.8), texture (8.1) and overall acceptability (8.4) were higher for the noodles prepared with 30% silver carp mince. Therefore, the study could be concluded as- fish noodles can be stored at room temperature for about 6 months in polythene pack and vacuum sealed packs without any major deterioration in sensory quality parameters accept little increase in moisture.

Fish stick was developed from silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) by using different kinds of food additives (0, 10, 15 and 20% mashed potato, wheat flour, 1.5% NaCl, 2% oil, 5% spices such as onion, ginger, garlic, green chili paste, hot spices (garam masala), 1.0% MSG and 1.0% sugar). Sensory, chemical and microbiological changes of silver carp fish stick were determined to evaluate it‟s quality changes at ambient temperature (28 to 32°C) during storage. It was observed that, the moisture, pH and protein contents in silver carp fish stick decreased than those parameters for fish mince but lipid and ash contents increased. Among the variable levels of mashed potato, 10% showed the best sensory performance and was recommended for further production. At room temperature, the sensory quality parameters deceased significantly (p

Lung surfactant (LS) monolayers that continuously expand and compress during breathing cycles, act as the first line barrier for inhaled nanoparticles. It is known that nanoparticles which adsorb to the surface of the surfactant layer facilitate the rearrangement of lipids and peptides at various stages of the breathing cycle. However, the structural mechanisms for this ability of the lipid rearrangement are not yet fully understood. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations are performed to investigate the role of surfactant protein B (SP-B) segments (SP-B1-25) in modulating the biophysical properties of the surfactant monolayer in the presence of polydisperse gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) at different concentrations. Herein, we observe that the AuNPs significantly alter the inherent structural and dynamical properties of the monolayer and its components in three different breathing states. When adsorbed into the monolayer, the AuNPs inhibit the ability of the monolayer to recover its surface tension and other properties. The presence of SP-B1-25 in the monolayer accelerates the diffusion of the monolayer phospholipids, contrarily to the role of AuNPs on phospholipid diffusion. Also, the AuNPs and the peptides in the monolayer significantly increase their agglomeration in the presence of one another. Overall, the simulations predict that the presence of polydisperse AuNPs hampers the stability and biophysical functions of the LS in contrast to the role of the peptide. This study provides a clear view of the hydrophobic peptide role in the LS monolayer at the interface along with the interactions and the translocation of AuNPs that could have a significant impact to assess the NPs inhalation.

The mass transfer mechanisms and rates of CO2 and N2 in 13X zeolite beads were determined using volumetric frequency response (VFR) methods. The VFR experiments were conducted with each gas over a wide range of frequencies from 7 × 10–5 to 9.5 Hz at 100, 200, and 750 Torr at 25 °C for CO2 and at 200, 400, and 750 Torr at 25 °C and at 40 and 55 °C at 400 Torr for N2. The resulting experimental intensity response curves were fitted to four different non-isothermal mass transfer models, including micropore diffusion, macropore gas diffusion, macropore viscous (Poiseuille) flow, and macropore surface diffusion. The resulting experimental phase lag response curves were predicted from the resulting model parameters. The macropore gas diffusion model fitted and predicted the experimental response curves the best for both gases, confirming the mass transport of both CO2 and N2 in 13X zeolite beads is macropore gas diffusion controlled. The corresponding diffusional time constant Dp/Rp2 values were 3.32 s–1 for CO...

An experiment was carried out at Germplasm Centre and Plant Biotechnology Lab, Department of Horticulture, PSTU to evaluate the growth, seed yield and quality of hybrid F1 chilli (cv. Sonic) crossing male line (LTSL-004-M) and female line (LTSL-004-F) along the viability of productive seeds influenced by NPK fertilizers during the period from November 2015 to October 2016. Ten different treatments of NPK fertilizers were used. Result showed that all the characteristics except primary branches and1000 seed weight were influenced significantly due to the application of NPK fertilizers. The tallest plant (69.88 cm), more leaves plant–1 (2491.33), highest number of secondary branches plant-1, tertiary branches plant-1 (5.00 and 88.00, respectively), number of flowers and hybrid fruits plant–1 (1533.00 and 12.33, respectively) and weight of seeds (4.03 g plant–1) along with required more time (54.67 days) for flowering were obtained from the application of 145 kg N ha–1, 175 kg P ha–1 and 96 kg K ha–1 (T4) which produced the highest final seed yield of chilli (4.03 kg ha–1). Application of T5 and T9 showed the highest number of primary branches (2.33). In seed viability characteristics T9 treated seeds showed the highest germination (100, 97.33 and 94.97%) at 1st, (1 MAH - Month After Harvest), 2nd (2 MAH) and 3rd (4 MAH) observations, respectively. The T3 treated seeds performed well in respect of Seed Vigour Index (SVI) at 1st and 2nd observations (8.00 and 7.48, respectively) but T9 treated seeds showed the highest SVI (6.32) at 3rd observation. Above indicating all characteristics were lowest under only recommended doses of NPK T1 as control treatment except days to first flowering. The observations suggested that production of hybrid chilli seeds could be enhanced by applying T4. While seeds of chilli treated by T9 in field level showed long time viable. Application of 145 kg N ha–1, 175 kg P ha–1 and 96 kg K ha–1 may be suggested for seed production of chilli and 110 kg N ha–1, + 175 kg P ha–1 + 115 kg K ha–1 for keeping the long time seed viability. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 9 (1): 35-41, June, 2019

A straightforward method for imparting superhydrophobic character to cotton textiles using methods based in textile processing and organic synthesis was developed. Cotton fabric was first treated with a common dye anchor, cyanuric chloride, which was subsequently reacted with cysteamine to yield a thiol function on the surface. Thiol–ene click chemistry was employed to attach alkyl chains to render the surface hydrophobic. Effects of temperature and reaction time on the click reaction step were investigated to optimize the process, and a water contact angle exceeding 150° was obtained after reaction at 100 °C and 60 min. Furthermore, it was shown that both AIBN and hydrogen peroxide are effective initiators for the click reaction. The efficacy of the resulting textile in separating hydrocarbons from water was demonstrated. This straightforward preparation of a superhydrophobic textile is most promising in that it is accomplished without incorporating perfluorinated functional groups or nanoparticles.

A new volumetric frequency response (VFR) system was developed for studying the mass transfer characteristics of gases in microporous adsorbents. For this VFR system, the differential pressure response from a small perturbation in volume was measured in a closed system after equilibrium was established for a gas adsorbate–adsorbent pair at constant temperature and pressure. It operates over a wide range of frequencies from 10–5 to 10 Hz, from atmospheric pressure down to vacuum pressures of 100 Torr, and at temperatures from 5 to 80 °C. The sample chamber holds up to 100 g of adsorbent. These operating ranges make this new VFR system capable of measuring mass transfer characteristics of adsorbate–adsorbent systems at conditions relevant to many commercial separation processes using a relatively large volume of adsorbent in a unique packed bed arrangement. The apparatus and procedure were described in detail, including the use of runs with different gases and different porous and nonporous solid beads and ...

Metal organic frameworks are frequently examined as potential solutions to complex gas phase separations problems. In many cases, the gas phase adsorption properties of these materials are quantified using single component gas adsorption isotherms and breakthrough experiments. In adsorption separations, however, it is common that the adsorbent participates in a multicomponent adsorption event. In the literature there is a general absence of multicomponent adsorption data with most data predicted via the Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory or molecular simulations. Therefore, in this work, binary adsorption data of CO2 and water on UiO-66 were measured experimentally using a volumetric method at three different water loadings. Molecular simulations of isotherms were compared to the experimental measurements and the impact of two different MOF defect sites on the multicomponent CO2/H2O adsorption behavior was determined. The experimental data show a slight enhancement of CO2 loading when CO2 is co-adsorbed with water, which is a result that was confirmed via molecular simulations. Also, the simulation results show that defect sites can have a greater influence on low-pressure CO2 adsorption in MOFs than the co-adsorption of water. Furthermore, the simulations provide a molecular-level understanding of the role of these defects on the single and binary adsorption behavior.

The experiments were conducted for grading unknown agarwood, to analyze the total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant status of agarwood and its crude oil and also to identify the existing bacteria that assist in the fermentation of agarwood during soaking period. Grades of unknown agarwoods were determined based on density metric method and cross checked for ether extract. Total phenolics of agar wood and oils were analyzed through Foli¬n-Ciocalteu method and total flavonoid contents of agar oils were estimated using Aluminium chloride colorimetric method. For the determination of antioxidant status of agarwood oil, the inhibitory effects of oil extracts on DPPH radical was measured. To identify the bacterial genus, several biochemical tests were conducted. Results showed that insect infested agarwood was classified as Grade-1 agarwood (Calculated density was 0.641 g/cm3) and contained the highest amount ether extract of 18.90 ± 0.60%, total phenolic content of 3.5 ± 0.06 (mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content of 7.82 ± 0.23 (µg QE/ml). IC50 values obtained by DPPH activity for Aquillaria malaccensis oil extract was found to be 0.904µg/ml. Bacillus spp. was recognized as the mostly prevalent bacteria responsible for fermentation of agarwood which exhibit special role in increasing the yield of agar oil. If agarwood and agar oil can be graded properly high market value will be obtained by exporting them. [ J Adv Biotechnol Exp Ther 2019; 2(2.000): 44-50]

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. Inhaled nanoparticles (NPs) are experienced by the first biological barrier inside the alveolus known as lung surfactant (LS), a surface tension reducing agent, consisting of phospholipids and proteins in the form of the monolayer at the air-water interface. The monolayer surface tension is continuously regulated by the alveolus compression and expansion and protects the alveoli from collapsing. Inhaled NPs can reach deep into the lungs and interfere with the biophysical properties of the lung components. The interaction mechanisms of bare gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with the LS monolayer and the consequences of the interactions on lung function are not well understood. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to elucidate the interactions of AuNPs with simplified LS monolayers at the nanoscale. It was observed that the interactions of AuNPs and LS components deform the monolayer structure, change the biophysical properties of LS and create pores in the monolayer, which all interfere with the normal lungs function. The results also indicate that AuNP concentrations >0.1 mol% (of AuNPs/lipids) hinder the lowering of the LS surface tension, a prerequisite of the normal breathing process. Overall, these findings could help to identify the possible consequences of airborne NPs inhalation and their contribution to the potential development of various lung diseases.

ZnTe thin films were deposited on FTO-coated glass substrates by a low-cost, easy and simple electrodeposition method. The grown layers of ZnTe have been characterized by photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) measurement for determining carrier type, UV–visible spectrophotometer for optical characterization, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for structural analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the surface morphology. An annealing effect of the as-deposited thin films has also been investigated. PEC measurements of ZnTe film showed p type electrical conductivity. Optical measurement showed that ZnTe films have very high transmittance in the UV–visible region; moderate transmittance in the visible range; and moderate to lower transmittance in the visible–infrared region and have higher absorbance in the middle of the visible region to near-infrared region. Band gap values are estimated to vary from 2.3 to 1.90 eV for the ZnTe films deposited at different conditions. Band gap of ZnTe films is observed to decrease when the films are annealed at different temperatures in nitrogen environment. From the XRD and SEM study, ZnTe films are found to be polycrystalline with (111) preferential orientation of the cubic structure and appeared dense crack-free surfaces with regular granular-shaped grains without any cauliflower-like appearance. After annealing the as-deposited film transmittance, absorbance and intensity in XRD pattern are observed to increase and a good ZnTe crystal structure is observed to form. The values of average crystallite size are estimated to be 22.82 nm and 30.82 nm for as-deposited and annealed ZnTe films, respectively.

The diffusion mechanism and the concentration dependence of the mass transfer rate of water vapor adsorbing in the zirconium-based metal organic framework (MOF) UiO-66 has been determined using a c...

Objective Racial/ethnic disparities in pain are well-recognized, with non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs) experiencing greater pain severity and pain-related disability than non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). Although numerous risk factors are posited as contributors to these disparities, there is limited research addressing how resilience differentially influences pain and functioning across race/ethnicity. Therefore, this study examined associations between measures of psychosocial resilience, clinical pain, and functional performance among adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and assessed the moderating role of race/ethnicity on these relationships. Methods In a secondary analysis of the Understanding Pain and Limitations in Osteoarthritic Disease (UPLOAD-2) study, 201 individuals with knee OA (NHB = 105, NHW = 96) completed measures of resilience (ie, trait resilience, optimism, positive well-being, social support, positive affect) and clinical pain, as well as a performance-based measure assessing lower-extremity function and movement-evoked pain. Results Bivariate analyses showed that higher levels of psychosocial resilience were associated with lower clinical pain and disability and more optimal physical functioning. NHBs reported greater pain and disability, poorer lower-extremity function, and higher movement-evoked pain compared with NHWs; however, measures of psychosocial resilience were similar across race/ethnicity. In moderation analyses, higher optimism and positive well-being were protective against movement-evoked pain in NHBs, whereas higher levels of positive affect were associated with greater movement-evoked pain in NHWs. Conclusion Our findings underscore the importance of psychosocial resilience on OA-related pain and function and highlight the influence of race/ethnicity on the resilience-pain relationship. Treatments aimed at targeting resilience may help mitigate racial/ethnic disparities in pain.

A comprehensive understanding of airflow characteristics and particle transport in the human lung can be useful in modelling to inform clinical diagnosis, treatment, and management, including prescription medication and risk assessment for rehabilitation. One of the difficulties in clinical treatment of lung disorders lies in the patients’ variable physical lung characteristics caused by age, amongst other factors, such as different lung sizes. A precise understanding of the comparison between different age groups with various flow rates is missing in the literature, and this study aims to analyse the airflow and aerosol transport within the age-specific lung. ANSYS Fluent solver and the large-eddy simulation (LES) model were employed for the numerical simulation. The numerical model was validated with the available literature and the computational results showed airway size-reduction significantly affected airflow and particle transport in the upper airways. This study reports higher deposition at the mouth-throat region for larger diameter particles. The overall deposition efficiency (DE) increased with airway size reduction and flow rate. Lung aging effected the pressure distribution and a higher pressure drop was reported for the aged lung as compared to the younger lung. These findings could inform medical management through individualised simulation of drug-aerosol delivery processes for the patient-specific lung.

We aimed to assess the effect of Colonoscopy Skills Improvement (CSI) training on patient comfort and sedation-related complications during colonoscopy.This retrospective cohort study was performed on 19 endoscopists practicing in a Canadian tertiary care center who completed CSI training between October 2014 and May 2016. Data from 50 procedures immediately prior to, immediately after, and eight months following CSI training were included for each endoscopist. The primary outcome variable was intraprocedural comfort, and secondary outcomes included intraprocedural hypotension and hypoxia. Data were extracted from an electronic medical record and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Univariate analysis and stepwise multivariable logistic regression were performed to determine if there was an association between patient comfort and CSI training. Predictors of these outcomes including patient age, gender, sedation use and dosing, procedure completion, quality of bowel preparation, endoscopist experience, and specialty were included in the analysis.2533 colonoscopies were included in the study. The mean dose of sedatives was reduced immediately following CSI training and at 8 months for both Fentanyl (75.4 mcg v. 67.8 mcg v. 65.9 mcg, p 0.001) and Midazolam (2.57 mg v. 2.27 mg v. 2.19 mg, p 0.001). The percentage of patients deemed to have a comfortable exam improved following endoscopist participation in CSI training and remained improved at 8 months (55.1% v. 70.2% v. 69.8%, p 0.001). No significant change in rates of intraprocedural hypoxia or hypotension were noted following CSI training.CSI training is associated with improved patient comfort and reduced sedation requirements during colonoscopy.

Astrocytoma is the commonest primary brain tumor. These are feared due to their invasiveness in brain parenchyma so are less amenable to surgical removal and current chemotherapy regimens with a high mortality rate. Cell adhesion molecule (CAM) E-cadherin (CDH1) downregulation has been associated with tumors of different system and organs featuring invasion and metastasis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to find out the level of E-cadherin gene expression in low grade astrocytoma. In this cross-sectional study, 22 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue were taken as cases. Three non tumorous brain tissue and 1fresh post-mortem brain tissue were taken as control. Histological features were studied under light microscope with Haematoxylin and Eosin (HE stain). Expression of CDH1 gene was analyzed by real time - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by comparative cyclic threshold (Ct) value method. The change in E-cadherin expression was measured by fold change in comparison with the control brain tissue. The data was tabulated and statistical analysis was performed. Among the 22 study cases 8(36.36%) were World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I and 14(63.63%) were WHO Grade II. All tumors showed downregulation of CDH1 gene in comparison with non-tumorous control tissue. The result is statistically significant (p=0.019). So, the study data revealed that downregulation of E-cadherin gene occurs in low grade astrocytoma and tumors of WHO Grade II showed more downregulation than Grade I tumors.

Migraine is one of the most disabling types of headache. It affects 4-6% of men and 13-18% of women; more than 80% of them are under 30 years. Many theories to explain mechanism of migraine are present; role of serum magnesium is one of them. This Cross-sectional analytical study was designed to see serum magnesium level status of migraine patients in Bangladesh and to find out any relation. The study was carried out in Outpatient Department of Neurology of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from July 2017 to September 2018. Seventy (70) patients between 18-60 years of both sexes with headache fulfilling the criteria for migraine were enrolled as migraine group. Patients with headache who did not fulfill the criteria of migraine enrolled as non migraine group. Patients were included in both groups after exclusion of structural lesions, magnesium containing drug intake, pregnancy, menstruation, alcoholism, renal or GIT problems. Serum magnesium levels were studied in both groups and compared with each other. All related factors such as age, sex, family history of migraine, occupation were assessed. Fifty one (51) of 70 patients (72.85%) was female and 19(27.15%) were male in migraine group. Thirty eight (54.28%) of cases were between 18 and 30 years old. Thirty nine (55.71%) of migraine patients had history of similar headache in their family. Severe headache in 51.43% of migraine patients and 30% had more than three attacks per month. Mean serum magnesium level was 1.70 mg/dl in migraine group and 1.85 mg/dl in non migraine group (p=0.001). Serum magnesium level was also lower in severe migraine headache in comparison to mild to moderate headache (p=0.01). No significant difference was found in serum magnesium level compared according to age, sex, frequency of attack and presence or absence of aura. The study concludes that serum magnesium in migraine patients was significantly lower than non migraine group. It was also lower in migraine patient having severe headache in comparison with mild to moderate headache, though in both conditions they were within normal range.

Background Due to the lack of high-quality evidence which has hindered the development of evidence-based guidelines, there is a need to provide general guidance on cranioplasty (CP) following traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well as identify areas of ongoing uncertainty via a consensus-based approach. Methods The international consensus meeting on post-traumatic CP was held during the International Conference on Recent Advances in Neurotraumatology (ICRAN), in Naples, Italy, in June 2018. This meeting was endorsed by the Neurotrauma Committee of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Neurotrauma, and several other neurotrauma organizations. Discussions and voting were organized around 5 pre-specified themes: (1) indications and technique, (2) materials, (3) timing, (4) hydrocephalus, and (5) paediatric CP. Results The participants discussed published evidence on each topic and proposed consensus statements, which were subject to ratification using anonymous real-time voting. Statements required an agreement threshold of more than 70% for inclusion in the final recommendations. Conclusions This document is the first set of practical consensus-based clinical recommendations on post-traumatic CP, focusing on timing, materials, complications, and surgical procedures. Future research directions are also presented.

Colloidal nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), are promising materials for the delivery of hydrophilic drugs via the pulmonary route. The inhaled nanoparticle drug carriers primarily deposit in lung alveoli and interact with the alveolar surface known as lung surfactants. Therefore, it is vital to understand the interactions of nanocarriers with the surfactant layer. To understand the interactions at the molecular level, here we simulated model lung surfactant monolayers with phospholipid (PL)-wrapped AuNPs at the vacuum-water interface using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. The PL-wrapped AuNPs quickly adsorbed into the surfactant layer, altered the structural properties of the monolayer, and at high concentrations initiated the compressed monolayer to collapse/buckle. Among the surfactant monolayer lipid components, cholesterol adsorbed to the AuNPs preferentially over PL species. The position of the adsorbed PL-AuNPs within the monolayer, and subsequent monolayer perturbation, vary depending on the monolayer phase, monolayer composition, and species of PL used as a ligand. Information provided by these molecular dynamic simulations helps to rationalize why some colloidal nanoparticles work better as nanocarriers than others and aid the design of new ones, to avoid biological toxicity and improve efficacy for pulmonary drug delivery.

Background The ongoing acute respiratory disease pandemic termed COVID-19 caused by a newly emerged coronavirus has jeopardized the world’s health and economic sectors. As of 20 July 2020, the virus now known as SARS-CoV-2 has already infected more than 14 million individuals and killed 612,815 patients with a mortality rate of 4.12% around the world regardless of age, gender, and race. Main body Bangladesh has become one of its worst sufferers, with 207,453 infected people and 2668 related deaths with a mortality rate of 1.29% until 20 July 2020. More than 50% of COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh are aged between 21 and 40, but elderly people aged more than 60 have the highest mortality rate (44.7%). Male individuals are also more susceptible to the virus than females and consist of 71% and 79% among the infected and deceased patients, respectively. The most prevalent clinical features following the virus incubation period are fever, fatigue, and dry cough. A phylogenetic analysis study elucidated that the virus strain found in the country has 9 single-nucleotide variants, mostly in the ORF1ab gene, and a sequence containing 3 successive variants in the N protein, which reflects a weaker strain of SARS-CoV-2, implicating a possibility of its lower mortality rate. Another investigation of 184 genome samples of SARS-CoV-2 across the country implicated a close homology with a European haplotype of SARS-CoV-2. The country has also joined the race of vaccine development and started phase III clinical trials of a candidate vaccine developed by Sinovac Research and Development Co Ltd, China. Conclusion Bangladesh, as a developing country, still struggles with the pandemic and needs to scale up its response operation and improve healthcare facilities such as testing capacity, institutional quarantine, and isolation centers and promote awareness. Preventive measures such as strict lockdown, social distancing, and boosting the existing immune system are thus considered the only contrivances.

Research on lung surfactant (LS) and drug interaction promote the development of drug adsorption mechanism on the LS. The in-depth understanding of prednisolone interaction with the LS is important for drug design. Previous studies report the stability and surface activity of the LS for various drug molecules such as prednisolone, prednisone, glucocorticoid, budesonide, and beclometasone. However, proper knowledge of prednisolone concentration effect on the model LS monolayer is essential for better understanding the drug delivery in the targeted area, which is still missing in the existing literature. The current study deals with the concentration effects of prednisolone drug molecules adsorption, diffusing, and transfer on the model LS monolayers. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation has been employed to understand the stability of model LS by using the MARTINI force field. The present study has been conducted for two different surface tensions to replicate the inhalation and exhalation process of breathing. Different structural and dynamical characteristics of the system have computed in this study. Structural changes, for instance, phase behavior, area per lipids, diffusion coefficient, mean square displacement, and lipids chain order parameter may be affected by the aggregation of prednisolone. The findings of this study could be helpful in drug designing through the understanding of the prednisolone diffusion and aggregation mechanism in the surfactant monolayer.

Introduction Vitamin D is important for its immunomodulatory role and there is an independent association between vitamin D deficiency and pneumonia. We assessed the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the outcome in children hospitalized for severe pneumonia. Methods This was a randomised, double blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in children aged >2–59 months with severe pneumonia attending Dhaka Hospital, icddr,b. Children received age-specific megadose of vitamin D3 (20,000IU: Findings We enrolled 100 children in placebo group and 97 in vitamin D group. On admission, 50 (52%) and 49 (49%) of children in vitamin D and placebo groups, respectively were vitamin D deficient. Among children with a sufficient serum vitamin D level on admission, a lower trend for duration of resolution of severe pneumonia in hours [72(IQR:44–96)vs. 88(IQR:48–132);p = 0.07] and duration of hospital stay in days [4(IQR:3–5)vs.5(IQR:4–7);P = 0.09] was observed in vitamin D group compared to placebo. No beneficial effect was observed in vitamin D deficient group or irrespective of vitamin D status. Conclusion Age-specific mega dose of vitamin D followed by a maintenance dose shown to have no statistical difference between the two intervention groups, however there was a trend of reduction of time to recovery from pneumonia and overall duration of hospital stay in under-five children with a sufficient serum vitamin D level on hospital admission.

Traditional rice-based crop production in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) region of South Asia are energy, water, and labor intensive and inefficient, with relatively low productivity and profitability. Additionally, crop management in these systems typically does not consider the emission of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases, which is often relatively high. The EGP is currently a highly impoverished region, but it has natural resources sufficient to become a leading food-producing region in South Asia. Conservation agriculture-based sustainable intensification (CASI) crop management practices improve crop productivity and profitability while reducing energy, water and labor requirements, and greenhouse gas emissions. The introduction of CASI practices within villages and districts of the EGP provides opportunities for farming households to sustainably diversify and/or intensify their crop production. It also enables the micro-entrepreneurship and employment opportunities within rural communities.

This paper presents a case study on a pile integrity test for assessing the integrity of piles as well as a physical dimension (e.g., cross-sectional area, length), continuity, and consistency of the pile materials. The recent boom in the socio-economic condition of Bangladesh has given rise to the building of high-rise commercial and residential infrastructures. The advantage of the pile integrity test lies in the fact that it is possible to get an approximate indication regarding the quality of the sub-structure before commencing the construction of the super-structure. This paper aims at providing a classification of cast-in-situ piles based on characteristic reflectograms obtained using the Sonic Integrity Testing program for the sub-soil condition of Narayanganj, Bangladesh. The piles have been classified as 'Pile Type-1', 'Pile Type-2', 'Pile Type-3', 'Pile type- 4', 'Pile Type-5' or 'Pile Type-6' from the visual observations of reflections from the generated stress waves by striking the pile head with a handheld hammer. With respect to construction quality and integrity, piles have been further classified into three distinct categories, i.e., satisfactory, may be satisfactory, and unsatisfactory.

Lung surfactant (LS) monolayers that continuously expand and compress during breathing cycles, act as the first line barrier for inhaled nanoparticles. It is known that nanoparticles which adsorb to the surface of the surfactant layer facilitate the rearrangement of lipids and peptides at various stages of the breathing cycle. However, the structural mechanisms for this ability of the lipid rearrangement are not yet fully understood. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations are performed to investigate the role of surfactant protein B (SP-B) segments (SP-B