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In the present work, different rheological and physicochemical properties of normal corn starch as affected by different parameters of ultrasound and its simultaneous coupling with acid hydrolysis were studied. The results revealed that sonication and its combination with acid hydrolysis increased solubility of starch granules without destructing crystalline structure, while maximum complex viscosity, breakdown, and activation energy of gelatinisation decreased. Flow behaviour of samples sonicated in acidic solutions experienced a distinct transition from pseudoplastic to Newtonian behaviour. In addition, the gel elasticity, time-dependency, and structural recovery of samples were diminished. The results of present study would be of great value since ultrasound facilitated production of granular acid-thinned starch in less than an hour without using any additional chemicals.

In the present work, different parameters of ultrasound treatment were studied for physical modification of corn starch. The results revealed that the influence of sonication strongly depends on temperature (25–65 °C) and exposure time (5–15 min), while concentration (10–20% w/w) and ultrasound amplitude (50 and 100%) have little influence on functional and rheological properties. SEM micrographs demonstrated the damage induced by ultrasound on starch granules’ surface. The solubility, swelling power, and gel clarity were increased. Ultrasonication decreased the gelatinisation enthalpy and temperature range while the X-ray pattern and crystallinity remained almost unchanged, except for samples treated at onset temperature as measured by DSC. The pseudoplasticity and consistency coefficient decreased; also, apparent viscosity diminished prominently. The pasting behaviour of samples was altered without any clear change in gel strength characterised by loss factor. The results of the present work provide further insight into the mode of action of ultrasound on modifying corn starch granules.

Summary In this study, the influence of different concentrations of plasticisers and fatty acids on functional properties of basil seed gum (BSG) films was investigated. The results revealed that glycerol and sorbitol were effective plasticisers for BSG films. Glycerol-plasticised films exhibited hydrophilic nature with high moisture content (27–49%) and water vapour permeability (4.2–6.5 × 10−11 g Pa−1 m−1 s−1), moisture uptake higher than 100%, solubility ranging 39–50% and moderate mechanical properties. The films containing sorbitol showed lower moisture content, moisture uptake and percentage elongation compared with glycerol-plasticised samples. Presence of fatty acids promoted an increase in hydrophobicity of samples, characterised by lower moisture uptake, solubility, water vapour permeability and higher contact angles. Among investigated fatty acids, oleic acid efficiency on improving the characteristics of films was higher than saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acid). Concluding, BSG films showed a substantial potential to be incorporated into food packaging applications, especially for those that require less hydrophilic films.

The present work dealt with investigating physicochemical, barrier, mechanical and surface properties of sage seed gum (SSG) edible films as a function of plasticiser type (glycerol and sorbitol) and concentration (20, 40, 60, 80 & 100, w/w%). Based on the results, it was revealed that glycerol and sorbitol effectively plasticise the films of SSG while glycerol efficiency was higher than sorbitol. Although the films plasticised by glycerol were of high moisture content (27–49%), moisture uptake (110–140%) and solubility in water (∼80%), but they exhibited low permeability to water vapour, acceptable mechanical properties, surface hydrophilicity, and transparency. In contrast, the films plasticised by different concentrations of sorbitol exhibited a low moisture content (∼14%), water vapour permeability (lower than 4 × 10−11 g/m.s.Pa), and moisture uptake (below 90%) with high surface hydrophobicity but less desirable mechanical properties. The probable mechanisms of plasticising are discussed in details regarding the observed characteristics of SSG edible films. Concluding, the films of SSG in present work showed a substantial potential to be incorporated in food packaging applications.

Shortest path algorithms finds applications in large real world domains. All pair shortest path (APSP) and single source shortest path (SSSP) both have their special applications domains. All though every SSSP can be applied for all vertices to calculate APSP. But APSP cant. In this paper heterogeneous implementation of Floyd warshalls algorithm and Dijkstra’s algorithm is compared on dense graphs have positive edge weights ranging from 1 to 10. It is found that Dijkstra’s algorithm is better than Floyd warshall algorithm in sequencial implementation. But as there is less parallelism identified in dijkstra algorithm as compared to parallel to parallel FW gives less execution time as compared to Dijkstra’s.

Recent discoveries in the non-coding genome have challenged the original central dogma of molecular biology, as non-coding RNAs and related processes have been found to be important in regulating gene expression. MicroRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are among those that have gained attention recently in human diseases, including cancer, with the involvement of many more non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) waiting to be discovered. ncRNAs are a group of ribonucleic acids transcribed from regions of the human genome, which do not become translated into proteins, despite having essential roles in cellular physiology. Deregulation of ncRNA expression and function has been observed in cancer pathogenesis. Recently, the roles of a group of ncRNA known as lncRNA have gained attention in cancer, with increasing reports of their oncogenic involvement. Female reproductive cancers remain a leading cause of death in the female population, accounting for almost a third of all female cancer deaths in 2016. The Wnt signalling pathway is one of the most important oncogenic signalling pathways which is hyperactivated in cancers, including female reproductive cancers. The extension of ncRNA research into their mechanistic roles in human cancers has also led to novel reported roles of ncRNAs in the Wnt pathway and Wnt-mediated oncogenesis. This review aims to provide a critical summary of the respective roles and cellular functions of Wnt-associated lncRNAs in female reproductive cancers and explores the potential of circulating cell-free lncRNAs as diagnostic markers and lncRNAs as therapeutic targets.This article is part of a themed section on WNT Signalling: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.24/issuetoc.

Objective The present study aimed to elucidate the cell death mechanism in Leishmania donovani upon treatment with KalsomeTM10, a new liposomal amphotericin B. Methodology/Principal findings We studied morphological alterations in promastigotes through phase contrast and scanning electron microscopy. Phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and disruption of mitochondrial integrity was determined by flow cytometry using annexinV-FITC, JC-1 and mitotraker, respectively. For analysing oxidative stress, generation of H2O2 (bioluminescence kit) and mitochondrial superoxide O2? (mitosox) were measured. DNA fragmentation was evaluated using terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) and DNA laddering assay. We found that KalsomeTM10 is more effective then Ambisome against the promastigote as well as intracellular amastigote forms. The mechanistic study showed that KalsomeTM10 induced several morphological alterations in promastigotes typical of apoptosis. KalsomeTM10 treatment showed a dose- and time-dependent exposure of PS in promastigotes. Further, study on mitochondrial pathway revealed loss of mitochondrial membrane potential as well as disruption in mitochondrial integrity with depletion of intracellular pool of ATP. KalsomeTM10 treated promastigotes showed increased ROS production, diminished GSH levels and increased caspase-like activity. DNA fragmentation and cell cycle arrest was observed in KalsomeTM10 treated promastigotes. Apoptotic DNA fragmentation was also observed in KalsomeTM10 treated intracellular amastigotes. KalsomeTM10 induced generation of ROS and nitric oxide leads to the killing of the intracellular parasites. Moreover, endocytosis is indispensable for KalsomeTM10 mediated anti-leishmanial effect in host macrophage.

In this study, a face central composite design (FCCD) is applied to optimize the formulation of reduced fat o/w emulsions containing cornstarch nanocrystal (CSNC) as a novel fat replacer. Data analysis shows that independent variables including fat replacement levels (25, 50, and 75%) and CSNC concentration (10, 12, and 14%) significantly (p

Background: The aminoglycoside antibiotics have been the drug of choice for the treatment of tuberculosis and resistant cases of septicaemia, but their use has been selective and restricted due to their known toxicities specially the ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Aminoglycosides have good activity against many multi-drug resistant Gram negative bacilli. Gentamicin, due to it cost effectiveness has been used in most of the trials as compared to other aminoglycoside. Most studies documented the peripheral toxicities of gentamicin without any concern of central neurotoxicity. Objective: the study was planned to observe the effects of gentamicin on the biochemical parameters (specially, sodium, potassium and calcium) in auditory cortex of albino rats. Methods: It was an experimental study. Twenty rats were randomly divided in two groups; Group I (Experimental: n = 10) received intramuscular injection of Gentamicin for twenty one days and Group II (Control: n =10) received normal saline intramuscularly. Tissue samples were taken from the area around lateral sulcus of rat cortex i.e. auditory cortex. The samples were homogenized and digested in concentrated nitric acid (100mg/ml). The supernatant solution was used for estimation of sodium and potassium by Flame Photometry and calcium level by the method of Clark and Collip. Results: The calcium level was increased; the sodium level was decreased while potassium level remained unaltered.Conclusion: Alteration in sodium and calcium level demonstrates central neurotoxicity of gentamicin.