A novel approach for estimation of aboveground biomass of a carbon-rich mangrove site in India.

Mangroves can play a crucial part in climate change mitigation policies due to their high carbon-storing capacity. However, the carbon sequestration potential of Indian mangroves generally remained unexplored to date. In this study, multi-temporal Sentinel-1 and 2 data-derived variables were used to estimate the AGB of a tropical carbon-rich mangrove forest of India.

Covalent bonding of aromatic amine daughter products of 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) with model quinone compounds representing humus via nucleophilic addition.

2,4-Dinitroanisole (DNAN) is a component of insensitive munitions (IM), which are replacing traditional explosives due to their improved safety. Incomplete IM combustion releases DNAN onto the soil, where it can leach into the subsurface with rainwater, encounter anoxic conditions, and undergo (a)biotic reduction to aromatic amines 2-methoxy-5-nitroaniline (MENA), 4-methoxy-3-nitroaniline (iMENA, isomer of MENA), and 2,4-diaminoanisole (DAAN). We report here studies of nucleophilic addition mechanisms that may account for the sequestration of aromatic amine daughter products of DNAN into soil organic matter (humus), effectively removing these toxic compounds from the aqueous environment.

A Novel Feature Extraction Framework for Four Class Motor Imagery Classification using Log Determinant Regularized Riemannian Manifold.

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) systems allow the person in communicating with the external world using Electroencephalography (EEG). Motor Imagery (MI) based BCI systems play a vital role in interacting with the external environment. In this paper, we propose a novel robust feature extraction and classification framework for four class MI classification to improve the classification accuracy.

A Real-Time Health 4.0 Framework with Novel Feature Extraction and Classification for Brain-Controlled IoT-Enabled Environments.

In this letter, we propose two novel methods for four-class motor imagery (MI) classification using electroencephalography (EEG). Also, we developed a real-time health 4.0 (H4.

Coupling reactions between reduced intermediates of insensitive munitions compound analog 4-nitroanisole.

Explosives, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals contain toxic nitroaromatic compounds that may form even more toxic azo compounds if they encounter reducing conditions in the environment. We investigated the mechanism by which 4,4'-dimethoxyazobenzene forms in anaerobic sludge incubations of 4-nitroanisole, an analog for the insensitive munitions compound 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN). Because studies have reported the mechanism to involve the coupling of reduced nitroaromatic intermediates, specifically aromatic amines and nitrosoaromatics, by nucleophilic processes, we abiotically paired 10 mM 4-aminoanisole with 2 mM 4-nitrosoanisole in nitrogen-flushed microcosms.

Magnetic resonance imaging of RRx-001 pharmacodynamics in preclinical tumors.

RRx-001 is an anticancer agent that subjects cancer cells to reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and acts as an epigenetic modifier. We have used a thiol-bearing MRI contrast agent, Gd-LC7-SH, to investigate the pharmacodynamics of RRx-001 in CHP-100 Ewing's Sarcoma, HT-29 colorectal carcinoma, and PANC-1 pancreatic carcinoma xenografts in SCID mice. Binding of Gd-LC7-SH to the Cys residue on plasma albumin prolongs retention in the tumor microenvironment and increases tumor enhancement on MRI.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Identifies Differential Response to Pro-Oxidant Chemotherapy in a Xenograft Model.

Induction of oxidative stress is a key component of cancer therapy. Pro-oxidant drugs have been demonstrated to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. An emerging concept is that therapeutic outcomes are dictated by the differential redox buffering reserve in subpopulations of malignant cells, indicating the need for noninvasive biomarkers of tumor redox that can be used for dose identification and response assessment in a longitudinal setting.

Synthesis of 13C and 15N labeled 2,4-dinitroanisole.

Syntheses of [(13)C6]-2,4-dinitroanisole (ring-(13)C6) from [(13)C6]-anisole (ring-(13)C6) and [(15)N2]-2,4-dinitroanisole from anisole using in situ generated acetyl nitrate and [(15)N]-acetyl nitrate, respectively, are described. Treatment of [(13)C6]-anisole (ring-(13)C6) with acetyl nitrate generated in 100% HNO3 gave [(13)C6]-2,4-dinitroanisole (ring-(13)C6) in 83% yield. Treatment of anisole with [(15)N]-acetyl nitrate generated in 10 N [(15)N]-HNO3 gave [(15)N2 ]-2,4-dinitroanisole in 44% yield after two cycles of nitration.

pTyr421 cortactin is overexpressed in colon cancer and is dephosphorylated by curcumin: involvement of non-receptor type 1 protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPN1).

Cortactin (CTTN), first identified as a major substrate of the Src tyrosine kinase, actively participates in branching F-actin assembly and in cell motility and invasion. CTTN gene is amplified and its protein is overexpressed in several types of cancer. The phosphorylated form of cortactin (pTyr(421)) is required for cancer cell motility and invasion.

IMPROVED SYNTHESIS OF 10-(2-ALKYLAMINO-2-OXOETHYL)-1,4,7,10-TETRAAZACYCLODODECANE-1,4,7-TRIACETIC ACID DERIVATIVES BEARING ACID-SENSITIVE LINKERS.

Alkylation of the hydrobromide salts of 1,4,7-tris(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane and 1,4,7-tris(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane with appropriate α-bromoacetamides, followed by hydrolysis, provides convenient access to 10-(2-alkylamino-2-oxoethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid derivatives that contain acid-sensitive functional groups. The utility of the method is demonstrated by improved syntheses of two known DOTA monoamides bearing acid-sensitive ω-tritylthio alkyl chains in much higher yields based on cyclen as the starting material.

Substrate-dependent ligand inhibition of the human organic cation transporter OCT2.

Organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) mediates the initial step in renal secretion of organic cations: uptake from the blood, across the basolateral membrane, and into the renal proximal tubule cells. Because of its potential as a target for unwanted drug-drug interactions (DDIs), considerable attention has been directed toward understanding the basis of OCT2 selectivity. These studies typically assess selectivity based on ligand inhibition profiles for OCT2-mediated transport of a probe substrate.

Redox-active magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents: studies with thiol-bearing 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetracetic acid derivatives.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a homologous series of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid gadolinium(III) complexes bearing thiol-terminated alkyl side chains from three to nine carbons in length are reported. The observed binding with human serum albumin (HSA) of the compounds having C-3 through C-7 side chain lengths was inhibited by homocysteine in a manner consistent with single-site binding. The observed binding with HSA of the compounds having C-8 and C-9 side chain lengths was only partly inhibited by homocysteine, consistent with multisite binding.

Autopsy findings in conjoined twin with single heart and single liver.

Thoracoomphalopagus is the commonest type of conjoined twin where the bodies are fused from upper chest to lower chest. The autopsy done can help counsil the parents for further pregnancies and determine the prognosis depending upon the type of cardiac anomaly by Seo classification when detected antenatally. We describe the detail pathological autopsy of such a case with single heart and single liver.

Tumor Xenograft Response to Redox-Active Therapies Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using a Thiol-Bearing DOTA Complex of Gadolinium.

Gd-LC6-SH is a thiol-bearing DOTA complex of gadolinium designed to bind plasma albumin at the conserved Cys(34) site. The binding of Gd-LC6-SH shows sensitivity to the presence of competing thiols. We hypothesized that Gd-LC6-SH could provide magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement that is sensitive to tumor redox state and that the prolonged retention of albumin-bound Gd-LC6-SH in vivo can be exploited to identify a saturating dose above which the shortening of MRI longitudinal relaxation time (T(1)) of tissue is insensitive to the injected gadolinium dose.

On the Synthesis of 1,4,7-Tris(tert-butoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane.

1,4,7-Tris(tert-butoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane is widely used as an intermediate in the preparation of medically important DO3A and DOTA metal chelators. Despite its commercial availability and importance, the literature describing the preparation and properties of the free base is limited and sometimes unclear. We present herein an efficient synthesis of the hydrobromide salt of 1,4,7-tris(tert-butoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane, characterize this compound spectroscopically and by X-ray crystallographic analysis, describe its simple conversion to the corresponding free base, characterize this compound spectroscopically and by X-ray crystallographic analysis, and make observations on the reactivity of this interesting and useful compound.

α-Tocopheryloxyacetic acid: a novel chemotherapeutic that stimulates the antitumor immune response.

Introduction: α-Tocopheryloxyacetic acid (α-TEA) is a novel ether derivative of α-tocopherol that has generated interest as a chemotherapeutic agent because of its selective toxicity toward tumor cells and its ability to suppress tumor growth in various rodent and human xenograft models. We previously reported that oral α-TEA inhibited the growth of both a transplanted (4T1) and a spontaneous MMTV-PyMT mouse model of breast cancer.

Methods: Because little is known about the possible immunological mechanisms underlying the in vivo α-TEA effects, we evaluated the impact of α-TEA therapy on the immune response by characterizing immune cell populations infiltrating the tumor site.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid derived, redox-sensitive contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.

The design and synthesis of three 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (DO3A) derivatives bearing linkers with terminal thiol groups and a preliminary evaluation of their potential for use in assembling redox-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents are reported. The linkers were selected on the basis of computational docking with a crystal structure of human serum albumin (HSA). Gd(III)-DO3A and Eu(III)-DO3A complexes were synthesized, and the structure of one complex was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Synthesis and characterization of a Eu-DTPA-PEGO-MSH(4) derivative for evaluation of binding of multivalent molecules to melanocortin receptors.

A labeled variant of MSH(4), a tetrapeptide that binds to the human melanocortin 4 receptor (hMC4R) with low microM affinity, was prepared by solid-phase synthesis methods, purified, and characterized. The labeled ligand, Eu-DTPA-PEGO-His-dPhe-Arg-Trp-NH(2), exhibited a K(d) for hMC4R of 9.1+/-1.

Enhanced dissolution and bioavailability of raloxifene hydrochloride by co-grinding with different superdisintegrants.

The present study investigated the effect of co-grinding raloxifene HCL (RHCL) with different superdisintegrants, namely crospovidone (CP), croscarmellose sodium (CCS) and sodium starch glycolate (SSG), using a ball mill, in order to determine the potential effect on dissolution rate and bioavailability of raloxifene hydrochloride (RHCL). The dissolution studies of the co-ground compositions and the corresponding physical mixtures were carried out in U.S.

(S,S)-4''-Cyano-7,7''-dimethoxy-3',6'-dioxodispiro[indane-2,2'-piperazine-5',2''-indane]-4-carboxamide methanol solvate: interrupting the amide-to-amide hydrogen-bonded tape.

The title methanol solvate, C(24)H(22)N(4)O(5).CH(3)OH, forms an extended three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded structure, assisted by the presence of several good donor and acceptor sites. It shows none of the crystal packing features typically expected of piperazinediones, such as amide-to-amide R(2)(2)(8) hydrogen bonding.

Squalene-derived flexible linkers for bioactive peptides.

A regiochemical and stereochemical mixture of flexible linkers bearing terminal azide functionality was synthesized in two steps from squalene and was used to connect two high affinity NDP-alpha-MSH ligands or two low affinity MSH(4) ligands. The ligands were N-terminally acylated using N-hydroxysuccinimidoyl 5-hexynoate and were subsequently attached to the linker via copper-catalyzed 'click' 3+2 cyclization of the azide and alkyne moieties. In vitro biological evaluations showed that the binding affinity to the human melanocortin 4 receptor was not diminished for most linker-ligand combinations relative to the corresponding parental ligand.

Design, synthesis, and validation of a branched flexible linker for bioactive peptides.

A branched flexible linker that incorporates a fluorescent dansyl moiety was synthesized and used to connect two high affinity NDP-alpha-MSH ligands or two low affinity MSH(4) ligands. The linker was incorporated into the conjugate by solid-phase synthesis. In vitro biological evaluations showed that potency of binding to the human melanocortin 4 receptor was not diminished for linker-ligand combinations relative to the corresponding ligand alone.

Monomethylarsonous acid induces transformation of human bladder cells.

Arsenic is a human bladder carcinogen. Arsenic is methylated to both monomethyl and dimethyl metabolites which have been detected in human urine. The trivalent methylated arsenicals are more toxic than inorganic arsenic.

Redox-sensitive contrast agents for MRI based on reversible binding of thiols to serum albumin.

DOTA-based complexes of gadolinium (Gd) bearing a thiol moiety on a propyl or hexyl arm were synthesized. It was hypothesized that these complexes would form reversible covalent linkages with human serum albumin (HSA), which contains a reactive thiol at cysteine-34. The binding constant of the hexyl complex to HSA was measured to be 64 mM(-1) and decreased to 17, 6.

Isolation and characterization of a green tissue-specific promoter from pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.].

Expression of rbcS genes encoding small subunit of rubisco, most abundant protein in green tissue, is regulated by at least three parameters--tissue type, light conditions and stage of development. One of the green tissue-specific promoters of rbcS gene family was isolated from pigeonpea by PCR. Expression of uidA gene encoding beta-glucuronidase in the transgenic tobacco plants under the control of pigeonpea rbcS promoter, clearly showed that this promoter was as strong as pea rbcS3A promoter characterized earlier.