Z-Portal Continuum Dark Matter.

We examine the possibility that dark matter (DM) consists of a gapped continuum, rather than ordinary particles. A weakly interacting continuum (WIC) model, coupled to the standard model via a Z portal, provides an explicit realization of this idea. The thermal DM relic density in this model is naturally consistent with observations, providing a continuum counterpart of the "WIMP miracle.

Extraskeletal Intramuscular Chondroma of the Knee - Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Extraskeletal chondromas are small nodular cartilaginous lesions not attached to bone or the periosteum. They are rare tumors commonly occurring in the hands and feet. The objective of the present study is to describe a case of extraskeletal intramuscular chondroma (EIC) in the left knee and the diagnostic challenges faced by us.

Nanohydroxyapatite incorporated photocrosslinked gelatin methacryloyl/poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate hydrogel for bone tissue engineering.

The development of novel strategies that aim to augment the regenerative potential of bone is critical for devising better treatment options for bone defects or injuries. Facilitation of bone repair and regeneration utilizing composite hydrogels that simulates bone matrix is emerging as a viable approach in bone tissue engineering. The present study aimed to develop nanohydroxyapatite-incorporated gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)/poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel (GMPH hydrogel).

Sulfated polysaccharide ascophyllan from Padina tetrastromatica enhances healing of burn wounds by ameliorating inflammatory responses and oxidative damage.

Sulfated polysaccharide ascophyllan from marine brown algae has been identified to have burn wound healing properties. Thus, we examined the effects of ascophyllan fraction (AF3) on the inflammatory response and oxidative damage in burn wounds. Full-thickness burn wounds in rats were then treated twice per day with topical AF3 ointment (5%), while control groups were treated with 10% povidone-iodine (positive control) and petroleum jelly-based ointment (negative control).

Biologically synthesized ZnS quantum dots as fluorescent probes for lead (II) sensing.

This manuscript presents a robust strategy for selective Pb(II) sensing based on a fluorescence turn-off mechanism using ZnS quantum dots (QDs) biosynthesized using Aspergillus sp. The biogenic nanoprobe displayed marked sensing efficiency in the presence of Pb ions over concentration ranges from 5 to 100 μM with limits of detection of around 2.45 μM.

Identification of a receiver triplet state in the ultrafast intersystem crossing of carbonylpyrenes.

The near-unity triplet quantum yield of photoexcited carbonyl functionalized pyrenes is theoretically investigated. The estimated energetics of singlet-triplet manifolds and relevant spin-orbit coupling parameters strongly suggest triplet state formation via the S→ T/T pathway. Quantum wavepacket dynamics of triplet manifolds within the linear vibronic coupling approach reveal that the receiver triplet state would undergo rapid internal conversion decay to the lower triplet state(s), facilitating efficient triplet generation by minimizing the reverse intersystem crossing possibilities.

Application of high-frequency ultrasound standing waves for the recovery of lipids from high-fat dairy effluent.

Effect of high-frequency ultrasonication was examined on wastewater of a cheese manufacturing plant. Tests were carried out at two frequencies (500 kHz and 1 MHz) and two temperatures (22 and 40 °C). Samples were subjected to different energy densities; 7.

Sulfated polysaccharides from the edible marine algae Padina tetrastromatica attenuates isoproterenol-induced oxidative damage via activation of PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway - An in vitro and in vivo approach.

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced oxidative stress is an inevitable factor for the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The edible marine algae-derived sulfated polysaccharides gained special attention as novel bioactive compounds having potential pharmacological activities. The present study evaluated in vitro and in vivo cardioprotective properties of sulfated polysaccharides from the edible brown marine algae Padina tetrastromatica (PSPS) against isoproterenol (ISO) induced cardiac damage.

The efficacy of sulfated polysaccharides from Padina tetrastromatica in modulating the immune functions of RAW 264.7 cells.

Immunomodulation is a collective term of immunostimulation and immunosuppression. Immunotherapy by means of immunomodulation is gaining additional significance as the frequency of mutant microbes as well as cancer cases are increasing in the present time. A wide population of marine vegetation has contributed to the traditional and modern therapeutic regimens owing to the abundance of bioactive molecules.

Alginic acid isolated from Sargassum wightii exhibits anti-inflammatory potential on type II collagen induced arthritis in experimental animals.

The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of alginic acid isolated from the brown algae Sargassum wightii in type II collagen induced arthritic rats, a well established arthritic model that resembles more closely to human rheumatoid arthritis in its clinical, pathological, immunological and histological aspects. Type II collagen induced arthritic rats showed increased activities of inflammatory marker enzymes like cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), lipoxygenase (5-LOX), xanthine oxidase (XO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) along with increased concentration of rheumatoid factor (RF), ceruloplasmin and C-reactive protein (CRP). Treatment with alginic acid significantly reduced the activities of COX-2 and 5-LOX along with reduction in MPO, XO, RF and CRP.

An efficient protocol for the Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Algal-based recombinant protein production has gained immense interest in recent years. The development of algal expression system was earlier hindered due to the lack of efficient and cost-effective transformation techniques capable of heterologous gene integration and expression. The recent development of Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation method is expected to be the ideal solution for these problems.

Effect of lycopene from Chlorella marina on high cholesterol-induced oxidative damage and inflammation in rats.

Even though the role of all-trans lycopene from tomato in controlling atherosclerosis was reported, but no report is available on the cis-isomer of lycopene obtained from an easily available source green algae Chlorella marina. So in this study, Sprague Dawley rats fed with high-cholesterol diet were given standard drug lovastatin; algal lycopene (AL) (cis/all-trans 40:60) and tomato all-trans lycopene (TL) and the following parameters were studied. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides were decreased significantly and the high-density lipoprotein levels were increased on treatment with AL.

Effect of ascophyllan from brown algae Padina tetrastromatica on inflammation and oxidative stress in carrageenan-induced rats.

Sulfated polysaccharide ascophyllan was isolated from the brown algae Padina tetrastromatica and purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Anti-inflammatory effect of ascophyllan fraction against carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats was studied. Paw edema in rats was induced by injecting 0.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of alginic acid isolated from the marine algae, Sargassum wightii on adjuvant-induced arthritic rats.

The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of alginic acid isolated from brown algae Sargassum wightii in arthritic rats. Arthritis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by intradermal injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the right hind paw, produce inflammation of the joint tissue. Paw edema volume, enzymes linked to inflammation such as cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and myeloperoxidase, and the level of ceruloplasmin, C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor were evaluated in all the experimental groups.

A phantom study to determine the optimum size of a single collimator for shortening the treatment time in CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery of spherical targets.

Prolonged treatment execution time is a concern in CyberKnife robotic radiosurgery. Beam reduction and node reduction technique, and monitor unit optimization methods are adopted to reduce the treatment time. Usage of single collimator in the CyberKnife treatment plan can potentially reduce collimator exchange time.

Field-free particle focusing in microfluidic plugs.

Particle concentration is a key unit operation in biochemical assays. Although there are many techniques for particle concentration in continuous-phase microfluidics, relatively few are available in multiphase (plug-based) microfluidics. Existing approaches generally require external electric or magnetic fields together with charged or magnetized particles.

Shape dependent Laplace vortices in deformed liquid-liquid slug flow.

Understanding the hydrodynamics of liquid-liquid slug flow is important in the emerging field of plug-based microfluidics; however, the subtle aspects of the vortex geometry are still not comprehensively understood. This paper discusses the hydrodynamics of deformation dependent vortices that develop inside a water-in-oil slug as it flows through a channel. In contrast to prior studies, our simulations and experiments on slug flow reveal multiple vortices inside the moving slug, caused by the deformation of the hemispherical caps by Laplace pressures.

High speed low noise multiplexed three color absorbance photometry.

Multispectral photometry is often required to distinguish samples in flow injection analysis and flow cytometry; however, the cost of multiple light detectors, filters, and optical paths contribute to the high cost of multicolor and spectral detection systems. This paper describes frequency division multiplexing (FDM), a simple approach for performing multi-wavelength absorbance photometry with a single light detector and a single interrogation window. In previous efforts, modulation frequencies were <10 KHz, resulting in a detector bandwidth of <20 Hz.

A modular approach for the generation, storage, mixing, and detection of droplet libraries for high throughput screening.

The desire to make microfluidic technology more accessible to the biological research community has led to the notion of "modular microfluidics", where users can build a fluidic system using a toolkit of building blocks. This paper applies a modular approach for performing droplet-based screening, including the four integral steps of library generation, storage, mixing, and optical interrogation. Commercially available cross-junctions are used for drop generation, flexible capillary tubing for storage, and tee-junctions for serial mixing.

Antioxidant activity of Aulosira fertilisima on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Free radicals cause cell injury, when they are generated in excess or when the antioxidant defense is impaired. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is used as a model for liver injury. In this study antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of A.

Lipid metabolism in tumour bearing mice treated withAeromonas L-asparaginase.

The anticancerous drug isolated in our laboratory from estuarineAeromonas was characterised and is found to be an enzyme, L-asparaginase. The antileukaemic effect of this drug was studied in mice by inducing leukaemia with Ehrlich ascites cell lines. It was compared with commercially available drug, Leunase, isolated fromE.

Diet, nutrition intake, and metabolism in populations at high and low risk for colon cancer. Determination of fiber and fiber constituents in food and stools.

A procedure is described for the determination of total neutral detergent fiber in composite food and stool samples. This procedure also determines hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, and cutin + silica in these samples. The quantitation of pectins which involves a separate independent procedure is also described.

Diet, nutrition intake, and metabolism in populations at high and low risk for colon cancer. Composition, intake, and excretion of fiber constituents.

The role of fiber in human diet in preventing a number of chronic diseases has been a widely debated topic in recent years. The claim that populations at low risk for colon cancer generally consume a more fiber-rich diet than those at high risk, has been used to postulate a protective role for this group of substances. In this study we asked the question whether populations leading different dietary lifestyles and who are at varying risks for colon cancer show marked differences in their dietary and fecal profiles of various fiber components.