Search

A shell and tube heat exchanger (STHE) for heat recovery applications was studied to discover the intricacies of its optimization. To optimize performance, a hybrid optimization methodology was developed by combining the Neural Fitting Tool (NFTool), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Grey Relational Analysis (GRE). STHE heat exchangers were analyzed systematically using the Taguchi method to analyze the critical elements related to a particular response. To clarify the complex relationship between the heat exchanger efficiency and operational parameters, grey relational grades (GRGs) are first computed. A forecast of the grey relation coefficients was then conducted using NFTool to provide more insight into the complex dynamics. An optimized parameter with a grey coefficient was created after applying PSO analysis, resulting in a higher grey coefficient and improved performance of the heat exchanger. A major and far-reaching application of this study was based on heat recovery. A detailed comparison was conducted between the estimated values and the experimental results as a result of the hybrid optimization algorithm. In the current study, the results demonstrate that the proposed counter-flow shell and tube strategy is effective for optimizing performance., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Kiran et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Objectives: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 75-85% of all lung cancer diagnoses. This meta-analysis sought to estimate the overall survival (OS) of NSCLC based on randomized control trials which had compared docetaxel with kinase inhibitors, antineoplastic agents, and monoclonal antibodies as second-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC., Methods: We selected 18 randomized control trials which used docetaxel as the standard treatment arm, while kinase inhibitors, antineoplastic agents, and monoclonal antibodies constituted the experimental arm. The methodological quality of the trial was classified according to the Modified Jadad score. Several steps were taken to reduce publication bias. A forest plot was used to graphically summarize the meta-analysis., Results: The Hedge's g value of antineoplastic agents was 0.11 (95% CI: -0.03-0.26), while for kinase inhibitors was 0.04 (95% CI: -0.10-0.17) and monoclonal antibodies was 0.05 (95% CI: -0.02-0.13). Forest plot showed a clear though only slightly higher overall survival using docetaxel compared to those of the antineoplastic agents, kinase inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies, due to the existence of moderate heterogeneity and lower impact., Conclusions: Overall, the patients in these studies who were in the standard (docetaxel) treatment arm had slightly better OS than those in the intervention treatment arm. As per the results, docetaxel was more effective in the second-line treatment of advanced NSCLC than antineoplastic agents, monoclonal antibodies, and kinase inhibitors. We infer that docetaxel-based second-line therapy for patients with advanced NSCLC is supported by our meta-analysis., (The OMJ is Published Bimonthly and Copyrighted 2022 by the OMSB.)

Background: Fluorine-18 is one of the promising radiotracers that can report target specific information related to its physiology to understand the disease status through the PET modality. In the current study, the radiochemical synthesis, purification, and molecular docking studies of fluorine-18 (18F) radiolabeled coumarin-triazole hybrid have been performed., Objective: To develop target specific fluorine-18 radiotracer for the diagnosis in oncology., Methods: GE Tracer-lab FX2N module with few modifications in the line connections was used for the radiosynthesis and purification of target molecule [ 18 F]SG-2, 4-((2,6-dimethylmorpholino) methyl)-7-((1-(4-(fluoro- 18 F) benzyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl) oxy)-2H-chromen-2-one, through the nucleophilic radiofluorination mechanism. The radiochemical purity was measured by HPLC, and TLC analytical methods. The kryptofix levels were also evaluated by using the TLC method. The residual solvents like DMF, ethanol were measured using GC. The Schrödinger drug discovery suite 2018 was used to study the protein and ligand interactions., Results: The quality control parameters revealed the purity, chemical identity, and limits of residual solvents. The radiochemical purity was 95.5 ± 2.3%, and dimethylformamide solvent limit was 89 ± 3 ppm. The molecular docking results had suggested that the cold target molecule has made strong electronic interactions and showed the possible pharmacokinetic (ADME) properties with galectin-1 protein. Overall, these results showed that [[ 18 F]SG-2 radiolabeling with 18F radionuclide was feasible, and support of molecular docking studies suggest possible interactions with Galectin- 1., Conclusion: we reported a feasibility study for labeling coumarin-triazole hybrid with fluorine-18 through aromatic nucleophilic fluorination reaction (S N Ar)., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Human induced pluripotent stem cells derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) are increasingly used to study genetic diseases on a human background. However, the lack of a fully mature adult cardiomyocyte phenotype of hiPSC-CM may be limiting the scope of these studies. Muscular dystrophies and concomitant cardiomyopathies result from mutations in genes encoding proteins of the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC), which is a multi-protein membrane-spanning complex. We examined the expression of DAPC components in hiPSC-CM, which underwent maturation in 2D and 3D culture protocols. The results were compared with human adult cardiac tissue and isolated cardiomyocytes. We found that similarly to adult cardiomyocytes, hiPSC-CM express dystrophin, in line with previous studies on Duchenne's disease. β-dystroglycan was also expressed, but, contrary to findings in adult cardiomyocytes, none of the sarcoglycans nor α-dystroglycan were, despite the presence of their mRNA. In conclusion, despite the robust expression of dystrophin, the absence of several other DAPC protein components cautions for reliance on commonly used protocols for hiPSC-CM maturation for functional assessment of the complete DAPC., Competing Interests: TE is co-founder of EHT Technologies GmbH, Hamburg. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Gilbert, Kadur Nagaraju, Duelen, Amoni, Bobin, Eschenhagen, Roderick, Sampaolesi and Sipido.)

Background: Sympathetic activation in ischemic heart disease can cause lethal arrhythmias. These often are preceded by premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), which at the cellular level could result from delayed afterdepolarizations., Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify and map vulnerable areas for arrhythmia initiation after myocardial infarction (MI) and to explore the link between PVCs and cellular events., Methods: Anterior-septal wall MI was induced by 120 minutes of coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion (27 MI and 16 sham pigs). After 4 weeks, EnSite™ electroanatomic mapping combined with imaging was performed to precisely locate PVC sites of origin and subsequently record monophasic action potentials. Cardiomyocytes were isolated from different regions to study regional cellular remodeling. Isoproterenol was used as a surrogate for adrenergic stimulation both in vivo and in cardiomyocytes., Results: PVCs originated from the MI border zone (BZ) and occurred at discrete areas with clusters of PVCs within the BZ. At these sites, frequent delayed afterdepolarizations and occasional associated spontaneous action potentials translating to a PVC were present. Cardiomyocytes isolated from the MI BZ exhibited more spontaneous action potentials than cardiomyocytes from remote regions. Sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation was increased in MI, in vivo and in cardiomyocytes. In awake, freely moving MI animals, frequent PVCs, ventricular arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death occurred spontaneously at moderately elevated heart rates., Conclusion: Post-MI, arrhythmias initiate from discrete vulnerable areas within the BZ, where delayed afterdepolarizations, related to increased adrenergic response of BZ cardiomyocytes, can generate PVCs., (Copyright © 2021 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A series of novel substituted bisurea 1,4-Diisocyanatobenzene compounds were designed, synthesized and introduced as potent anticancer compounds and screened for their in vitro anti-proliferative activities in human cancer cell lines. The structures of all titled compounds were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared mass spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, elemental analysis and evaluated their sustainability using biological experiments. A selected group of ten derivatives were apprised for their anti-proliferative activity. The compounds 3d and 3e displayed potent anticancer activity with low IC 50 value of 5.40, and 5.89 μM against HeLa cancer cell lines. The observed apoptosis data has demonstrated that compounds 3d and 3e induce the activaties of caspase-9 and caspase-3, the compounds 3d and 3e regulated fungal zone inhibition. Due to promising growth inhibitions, the all synthesized compounds were allowed to campaign includes quantum-polarized-ligand, quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical, docking experiments. The compounds 3d and 3e have exhibited a higher affinity for ERK/MAP kinase and CDK2 proteins. The molecular docking interactions have demonstrated two stage inhibition of cancer cells by binding with ERK/MAP kinase and CDK2 leads to inactivation of cell proliferation,cell cycle progression,cell divisionanddifferentiation, and hypo-phosphorylation of ribosome leading cells to restricts at point boundary of the G1/S phase. The long-range molecular dynamics, 150 ns, simulations were also revealed more consistency by 3d. Our study conclude good binding propensity for active-tunnel of ERK/MAP kinase and CDK2 proteins, by 3d (1,1'-(1,4-phenylene) bis(3-(2-chlorobenzyl)urea)), to suggest that the designed and synthesized 3d is to use as selective novel nuclei in anti-cancer chemotherapeutics., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The objectives of the present work are to design, syhthesize and introduce novel urea/thiourea derivatives of 2-(piperazine-1-yl)-pyrimidine and 1-(4-Fluoro/4-Chloro phenyl)-piperazine molecules as tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) inhibitors. A series of urea/thiourea derivatives containing pyrimidine and piperazine moieties were synthesized, characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) mass spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis and evaluated their sustainability using biological experiments. The anti-viral bioassay of the title compounds showed an antiviral activity against TMV. The compounds synthesized, 9j, 6g and 3d, showed highly-potential curative, protective, and inhibitory activities against TMV at 500 mg/mL formulation. All these compounds were allowed to quantum-polarized-ligand (quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM)) docking experiments. The compounds 9j, 6g and 3d structurally exhibited identical higher affinity towards TMV-Helicase and TMV-Coat proteins. The docking interactions proposed had two stage inhibition of TMV virus by binding to coat protein and helicase for inhibition of RNA replication. The long-range molecular dynamics (150 ns) simulations has revealed more consistency by 9j, 6g and 3d. The present study outcomes good binding propensity for active-tunnel of TMV-Hel enzyme, by these thiourea, urea derivatives, 9j, 6g and 3d, to suggest that the designed and synthesized were ideal for proposing as selective novel inhibitors to target for TMV., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Mechanical right ventricular (RV) support in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients has been feared to cause pulmonary hemorrhage and to be detrimental for the after-load-sensitive RV. Continuous low-flow pumps offer promise but remain insufficiently tested., Methods: The pulmonary artery was banded in 20 sheep in this study. Eight weeks later, a Synergy micro-pump (HeartWare International, Framingham MA) was inserted in 10 animals, driving blood from the right atrium to the pulmonary artery. After magnetic resonance imaging, hemodynamics and RV pressure-volume loop data were recorded. Eight weeks later, RV function was assessed in the same way, followed by histologic analysis of the ventricular tissue., Results: During the 8 weeks of support, RV volumes and central venous pressure decreased significantly, whereas RV contractility increased. Pulmonary artery pressure increased modestly, particularly its diastolic component. RV contribution to total right-sided cardiac output increased from 12 ± 12% to 41 ± 9% (p < 1 × 10 -4 ). After pump inactivation, and compared with 8 weeks earlier, RV volumes had significantly decreased, tricuspid valve regurgitation had almost disappeared, and RV contractility had significantly increased, resulting in significantly increased RV forward power (0.25 ± 0.05 vs 0.16 ± 0.06 W, p = 0.014). Fulton index and RV myocyte size were significantly smaller, and without changes in fibrosis, when compared with controls., Conclusions: Prolonged continuous low-flow RV mechanical support significantly unloads the chronic pressure-overloaded RV and improves cardiac output. After 8 weeks, RV hemodynamic recovery and reverse remodeling begin to occur, without increased fibrosis., (Copyright © 2018 International Society for the Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A series of Schiff base molecules derived from a phthalimide scaffold was investigated as efficient antibacterial, antioxidant and DNA-interacting agents. The spectroscopic characterization of these derivatives was studied in detail using elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques. The DNA-binding profile of title molecules against Ct-DNA (calf thymus) was investigated by absorbance, fluorescence, hydrodynamics and thermal denaturation investigations. The bacterial inhibition potential of these molecules was investigated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Molecule 3c emerged as the most active against S. aureus (IC 50 : 14.8 μg/mL), whereas compounds 3a and 3b displayed potential antibacterial activities against E. coli (IC 50 : 49.7 and 67.6 μg/mL). Molecular docking studies of these compounds against GlcN-6-P synthase were carried out to rationalize antibacterial efficiency of these molecules. These newly synthesized molecules were screened for their scavenging capacity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and H 2 O 2 free radicals and the results were compared with ascorbic acid as synthetic antioxidant. The title molecules 3a, 3b and 3e showed less than 20% hemolysis, which indicated their significant non-toxic behavior., (Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

A novel ring contraction/rearrangement sequence leading to functionalized 2,8-oxymethano-bridged di- and triquinane compounds is observed in the reaction of various substituted 1-methyl-4-isopropenyl-6-oxabicylo[3.2.1]octan-8-ones with Lewis acids. The reaction is novel and is unprecedented for the synthesis of di- and triquinane frameworks., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Synthesis of isochromanones and isoquinolones comprising a quaternary center with high diastereoselectivity was realized via a AuCl3 catalyzed tandem intramolecular exo-dig heterocyclization/enol isomerization/Claisen rearrangement sequence in excellent yields. The reaction is general and amenable for the synthesis of structurally diverse analogues.

Hydrogel nanoparticles have gained attention in recent years as they demonstrate the features and characters of hydrogels and nanoparticles at the same time. In the present study chitosan and carrageenan have been used, as hydrogel nanoparticles of mercaptopurine are developed using natural, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymers like chitosan and carrageenan. As these polymers are hydrophilic in nature, the particles will have a long life span in systemic circulation. Hydrogel nanoparticles with mercaptopurine is form an antileukemia drug by the counter polymer gelation method. Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) studies have shown a compatibility of polymers with the drug. The diameter of hydrogel nanoparticles was about 370 - 800 nm with a positive zeta potential of 26 - 30 mV. The hydrogel nanoparticles were almost spherical in shape, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Drug loading varied from 9 to 17%. Mercaptopurine released from the nanoparticles at the end of the twenty-fourth hour was about 69.48 - 76.52% at pH 7.4. The drug release from the formulation was following zero order kinetics, which was evident from the release kinetic studies and the mechanism of drug release was anomalous diffusion, which indicated that the drug release was controlled by more than one process.