High Entropy Oxides-A Cost-Effective Catalyst for the Growth of High Yield Carbon Nanotubes and Their Energy Applications.

This report anticipates a thorough strategy for the utilization of high entropy oxide (HEO) nanoparticles (1) as a cost-effective catalyst for the growth of high yield carbon nanotubes (CNTs), resulting in HEO-CNT nanocomposites, and (2) the implementation of HEO-CNT nanocomposites for energy applications such as electrochemical capacitors (ECs). In the first step, HEO nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple sol-gel autocombustion method and then the as-synthesized HEO nanoparticles were ground and used as the catalyst for the growth of CNTs by chemical vapor deposition technique. The as-grown CNTs (HEO-CNT nanocomposite) exhibited unexpectedly high yield, a superior specific surface area of ∼151 m g, and encapsulation and diffusion of the catalyst throughout the HEO-CNT nanocomposite, providing remarkably high mechanical strength, which make them a promising candidate for energy applications.

Technical product attributes in development of an oral enteric vaccine for infants.

Development of an oral enteric vaccine for infants is important for Shigella and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) vaccine development. At a recent workshop titled "Technical Product Attributes in Development of an Oral Enteric Vaccine for Infants," at the 2nd International Vaccines Against Shigella and ETEC Conference (VASE Conference), the preferred product attributes for development were discussed for these vaccines. The aims of this workshop were to identify gaps and gather opinions from key experts from preclinical, process development, manufacturing, regulatory, and clinical areas to fine-tune and refine key target product attributes for infant oral vaccine development.

DNA-binding, antioxidant, HO sensing and photocatalytic properties of biogenic silver nanoparticles using L. leaf extract.

Green nanotechnology is gaining widespread interest owing to the elimination of harmful reagents and offers a cost-effective synthesis of expected products. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized from leaf extract (ACLE). UV-visible spectrophotometry showing a characteristic SPR peak at 443 nm verified the phytosynthesis of AC-AgNPs.

GPRC5b Modulates Inflammatory Response in Glomerular Diseases NF-B Pathway.

Background: Inflammatory processes play an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerulopathies. Finding novel ways to suppress glomerular inflammation may offer a new way to stop disease progression. However, the molecular mechanisms that initiate and drive inflammation in the glomerulus are still poorly understood.

A H-NMR spectroscopic method for the analysis of thermolabile chemical markers from the essential oil of black turmeric (Curcuma caesia) rhizome: application in post-harvest analysis.

Introduction: Curcuma caesia (black turmeric), an essential oil-bearing rhizomatous herb has been a part of ethnomedicinal practices in India and southeast Asian countries since ancient time. Oleochemical profile of black turmeric has been investigated previously by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique from different geographical regions showing a large variation in the identity as well as abundance of the constituents.

Objectives: To develop an analytical method for the reliable analysis of essential oil from black turmeric rhizome through identified chemical markers and to show the credibility of the developed method on real samples.

Coro2b, a podocyte protein downregulated in human diabetic nephropathy, is involved in the development of protamine sulphate-induced foot process effacement.

Podocytes have an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Podocyte foot process effacement, mediated largely by the actin-based cytoskeleton of foot processes, is commonly detected in DN and is believed to be a key pathogenic event in the development of proteinuria. In this study, we identified coronin 2b (Coro2b), a member of known actin-regulating proteins, the coronins, as a highly podocyte-enriched molecule located at the cytoplasmic side of the apical plasma membrane.

A cross-species whole genome siRNA screen in suspension-cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells identifies novel engineering targets.

High-throughput siRNA screens were only recently applied to cell factories to identify novel engineering targets which are able to boost cells towards desired phenotypes. While siRNA libraries exist for model organisms such as mice, no CHO-specific library is publicly available, hindering the application of this technique to CHO cells. The optimization of these cells is of special interest, as they are the main host for the production of therapeutic proteins.

The return of the frogs: The importance of habitat refugia in maintaining diversity during a disease outbreak.

Recent decades have seen the emergence and spread of numerous infectious diseases, often with severe negative consequences for wildlife populations. Nevertheless, many populations survive the initial outbreaks, and even undergo recoveries. Unfortunately, the long-term effects of these outbreaks on host population genetics are poorly understood; to increase this understanding, we examined the population genetics of two species of rainforest frogs (Litoria nannotis and Litoria serrata) that have largely recovered from a chytridiomycosis outbreak at two national parks in the Wet Tropics of northern Australia.

Effects of topical tranexamic acid during open reduction and internal fixation of acetabular fractures: A retrospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of topical tranexamic acid on blood loss and transfusion rates in acetabular fracture surgery.

Methods: The medical records of 61 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for acetabular fracture between 2012 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I consisted of 31 patients (19 men and 12 women, mean age: 52 ± 19 years) who received intraoperatively a topical tranexamic acid solution of 3 g and Group 2 consisted of 30 control patients (17 men and 13 women, mean age: 48 ± 24 years) who received only 0.

The Majority of Corona Mortis Are Small Calibre Venous Blood Vessels: A Cadaveric Study of North Indians.

Purpose: Corona mortis is an abnormal arterial or venous anastomosis between the external iliac and the obturator system of vessels and may cause significant hemorrhage during pelvi-acetabular fracture surgeries, hernia repair and laparoscopic gynecological procedures. Previous studies have estimated a prevalence of corona mortis between 34% and 70%. This cadaveric study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of corona mortis in the North Indian population.

Comparative genomics reveals origin of MIR159A-MIR159B paralogy, and complexities of PTGS interaction between miR159 and target GA-MYBs in Brassicaceae.

Whole-genome and segmental duplications coupled with sequence and functional diversification are responsible for gene family expansion, and morphological and adaptive diversity. Although broad contours of such processes are understood, detailed investigations on regulatory elements, such as miRNA-transcription factor modules, especially in non-model crop plants with complex genomes, are few. The present study was performed to understand evolutionary history of MIR159 family, and changes in the miRNA-binding site (MBS) of the targets MYB33, MYB65, and MYB101 that may affect post-transcriptional gene silencing.

Factors Associated with Physical and Psychosocial Problems among Indian Stroke Survivors.

Background: Rehabilitative services in India are inadequate in dealing with the physical and psychosocial problems faced by stroke survivors. The present study assessed these problems and the associated sociodemographic factors.

Methods: Discharged stroke patients were interviewed at home.

Evolutionary Loss of Genomic Proximity to Conserved Noncoding Elements Impacted the Gene Expression Dynamics During Mammalian Brain Development.

Conserved noncoding elements (CNEs) have a significant regulatory influence on their neighboring genes. Loss of proximity to CNEs through genomic rearrangements can, therefore, impact the transcriptional states of the cognate genes. Yet, the evolutionary implications of such chromosomal alterations have not been studied.

Griffithsin carrageenan fast dissolving inserts prevent SHIV HSV-2 and HPV infections in vivo.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) strategies with proven in vivo efficacy rely on antiretroviral drugs, creating the potential for drug resistance and complicated treatment options in individuals who become infected. Moreover, on-demand products are currently missing from the PrEP development portfolio. Griffithsin (GRFT) is a non-antiretroviral HIV entry inhibitor derived from red algae with an excellent safety profile and potent activity in vitro.

Genome-Wide High-Throughput RNAi Screening for Identification of Genes Involved in Protein Production.

With an increasing number of blockbuster drugs being recombinant mammalian proteins, protein production platforms that focus on mammalian proteins have had a profound impact in many areas of basic and applied research. Many groups, both academic and industrial, have been focusing on developing cost-effective methods to improve the production of mammalian proteins that would support potential therapeutic applications. As it stands, while a wide range of platforms have been successfully developed for laboratory use, the majority of biologicals are still produced in mammalian cell lines due to the requirement for posttranslational modification and the biosynthetic complexity of target proteins.

Understanding Podocyte Biology to Develop Novel Kidney Therapeutics.

Over the past two decades it has become increasing clear that injury and loss of podocytes is an early and common clinical observation presented in many forms of glomerulopathy and chronic kidney disease. Identification of disease-causing monogenic mutations in numerous podocyte-expressed genes as well as studies conducted using preclinical animal models have shown that the podocyte plays a central role in establishing kidney dysfunction. In this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding the potential for podocyte-targeted therapies and give our view on how a deeper understanding of the molecular makeup of the podocyte will enable future therapeutic interventions.

Fragmentation of a dioxolanyl radical via nonstatistical reaction dynamics: characterization of the vinyloxy radical by ns time-resolved laser flash photolysis.

The photochemistry of two Barton esters, one derived from a dioxolane carboxylic acid and the other from pivalic acid, was investigated by product analysis and nanosecond laser flash photolysis (LFP). As expected, photolysis of the pivalate ester resulted in formation of the pyridine-2-thiyl and the t-butyl radical. Photolysis of the Barton ester of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid, on the other hand, revealed a complex multi-step fragmentation.

Development of a Vaginal Fast-Dissolving Insert Combining Griffithsin and Carrageenan for Potential Use Against Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Precoital, on-demand topical microbicides to reduce a woman's risk of sexually transmitted infections have been in development for nearly 3 decades, but no product has been approved due to acceptability issues and poor adherence in clinical trials. We set out to develop a self-administered vaginal fast-dissolving insert (FDI) produced by freeze-drying that would deliver safe and effective amounts of the antiviral agents griffithsin (GRFT) and carrageenan (CG) and would have properties women and their partners find acceptable. We evaluated FDI physical criteria, attributes of the gel produced upon dissolving, and GRFT stability.

Differential response of hexaploid and tetraploid wheat to interactive effects of elevated [CO] and low phosphorus.

Hexaploid wheat is more responsive than tetraploid to the interactive effects of elevated [CO] and low P in terms of carboxylate efflux, enzyme activity and gene expression (TaPT1 and TaPAP). Availability of mineral nutrients to plants under changing climate has become a serious challenge to food security and economic development. An understanding of how elevated [CO] influences phosphorus (P) acquisition processes at the whole-plant level would be critical in selecting cultivars as well as to maintain optimum yield in limited-P conditions.

High-throughput screening identified selective inhibitors of exosome biogenesis and secretion: A drug repurposing strategy for advanced cancer.

Targeting exosome biogenesis and release may have potential clinical implications for cancer therapy. Herein, we have optimized a quantitative high throughput screen (qHTS) assay to identify compounds that modulate exosome biogenesis and/or release by aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) CD63-GFP-expressing C4-2B cells. A total of 4,580 compounds were screened from the LOPAC library (a collection of 1,280 pharmacologically active compounds) and the NPC library (NCGC collection of 3,300 compounds approved for clinical use).

Crosstalk Between the Unfolded Protein Response, MicroRNAs, and Insulin Signaling Pathways: In Search of Biomarkers for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by functional defects in glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. Its complex etiology and multifaceted nature have made it difficult to design effective therapies for early diagnosis and treatment. Several lines of evidence indicate that aberrant activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress impairs the β cell's ability to respond to glucose and promotes apoptosis.

Depletion of Gprc5a Promotes Development of Diabetic Nephropathy.

Renal glomeruli are the primary target of injury in diabetic nephropathy (DN), and the glomerular podocyte has a key role in disease progression. To identify potential novel therapeutic targets for DN, we performed high-throughput molecular profiling of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using human glomeruli. We identified an orphan GPCR, Gprc5a, as a highly podocyte-specific gene, the expression of which was significantly downregulated in glomeruli of patients with DN compared with those without DN.

Retinopathy of prematurity screening at ≥30 weeks: urinary NTpro-BNP performance.

Aim: Urinary N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide NTproBNP levels are associated with the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants <30 weeks of gestation. The incidence of ROP in more mature infants who meet other ROP screening criteria is very low. We therefore aimed to test whether urinary NTproBNP predicted ROP development in these infants.

The Palatability of Lopinavir and Ritonavir Delivered by an Innovative Freeze-Dried Fast-Dissolving Tablet Formulation.

Negative hedonic sensory qualities of HIV antiretroviral drugs often reduce patient adherence particularly in pediatric populations requiring oral consumption. This study examines the palatability of an innovative delivery mechanism utilizing a freeze-drying-in-blister approach to create fast-dissolving tablets (FDTs) containing a fixed-dose combination of lopinavir and ritonavir (LPV/r). Consumption patterns of solutions during brief-access and long-term testing and baby foodstuff consumption were analyzed to evaluate the orosensory detection and avoidance of placebo FDTs containing no LPV/r (FDT-) and FDTs containing LPV/r (FDT+).