Biodegradation of p-nitrophenol using Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6 in a novel upflow packed bed reactor.

A novel packed bed reactor (PBR) was designed with cross flow aeration at multiple ports along the depth to improve the hydrodynamic conditions of the reactor, and the biodegradation efficiency of Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6 on p-nitrophenol (PNP) removal in PBR at different PNP loading rates were evaluated. The novel PBR was designed to improve the hydrodynamic features such as mixing time profile (t(m95)), oxygen mass transfer coefficient (k(L)a), and overall gas hold up capacity (ɛ(G)) of the reactor. PNP concentration in the influent was varied between 600 and 1400 mg l(-1) whereas the hydraulic retention time (HRT) in the reactor was varied between 18 and 7.

Preparation and characterization of quercetin nanocrystals.

This study is to enhance the dissolution rate of a poorly water-soluble drug, quercetin, by fabricating nanocrystals using high-pressure homogenization. The particle size, crystallinity, dissolution, and antioxidant effects of fabricated quercetin nanocrystals have been investigated. Characterization of the original quercetin powder and nanocrystals was carried out by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), laser diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction, dissolution tester, and so on.

Functionalized carbon nanomaterials as nanocarriers for loading and delivery of a poorly water-soluble anticancer drug: a comparative study.

Carbon nanomaterials such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) have been functionalized by highly hydrophilic and biocompatible poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) for loading and delivery of an anticancer drug, camptothecin (CPT). For the first time, CPT was loaded onto MWCNT-PVA and GO-PVA through π-π interactions and its capability to kill human breast and skin cancer cells was investigated.

Patient-specific quality assurance for prostate cancer patients receiving spot scanning proton therapy using single-field uniform dose.

Purpose: To describe our experiences with patient-specific quality assurance (QA) for patients with prostate cancer receiving spot scanning proton therapy (SSPT) using single-field uniform dose (SFUD).

Methods And Materials: The first group of 249 patients with prostate cancer treated with SSPT using SFUD was included in this work. The scanning-beam planning target volume and number of monitor units were recorded and checked for consistency.

Dosimetric comparison of three-dimensional conformal proton radiotherapy, intensity-modulated proton therapy, and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for treatment of pediatric craniopharyngiomas.

Purpose: Cranial irradiation in pediatric patients is associated with serious long-term adverse effects. We sought to determine whether both three-dimensional conformal proton radiotherapy (3D-PRT) and intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) compared with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) decrease integral dose to brain areas known to harbor neuronal stem cells, major blood vessels, and other normal brain structures for pediatric patients with craniopharyngiomas.

Methods And Materials: IMRT, forward planned, passive scattering proton, and IMPT plans were generated and optimized for 10 pediatric patients.

Perchlorate degradation using an indigenous microbial consortium predominantly Burkholderia sp.

An acclimatized mixed microbial consortium, predominantly Burkholderia sp., was isolated from an activated sludge and investigated for its potential to degrade perchlorate in batch shake flasks. The 16S rDNA analysis of the predominant strain in the mixed culture showed the closest homology (98%) with Burkholderia sp.

Recombinant drug development, regulation, and commercialization: an Indian industry perspective.

Introduction: The Indian biopharmaceutical sector comprises nearly 40 companies that manufacture and/or market 14 recombinant drugs that account for nearly 50 products. Among these, 22 companies have manufacturing facilities in India.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the patenting trends, commercialization, and regulatory system for biopharmaceuticals in India.

Verification of patient-specific dose distributions in proton therapy using a commercial two-dimensional ion chamber array.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a two-dimensional (2D) ion chamber array detector quickly and accurately measures patient-specific dose distributions in treatment with passively scattered and spot scanning proton beams.

Methods: The 2D ion chamber array detector MatriXX was used to measure the dose distributions in plastic water phantom from passively scattered and spot scanning proton beam fields planned for patient treatment. Planar dose distributions were measured using MatriXX, and the distributions were compared to those calculated using a treatment-planning system.

The role of functionalized carbon nanotubes in a PA6/LCP blend.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were carboxyl-functionalized in order to improve their dispersion in a polymer matrix. The carboxyl-functionalized MWCNTs (i.e.

Comparative evaluation of vertical body osteotomy and sagittal split osteotomy for mandibular corpus distraction.

Purpose: Mandibular corpus distraction is conventionally carried out by fixing miniaturized intraoral distractors to the body of the mandible after vertical osteotomy posterior to the last tooth. This procedure is not only technically difficult but also has high chances of damaging the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle. The third molars are also required to be extracted.

Characterization of [peptide+(Ag)n]+ complexes using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Silver ion complexes of peptides [M + (Ag)(n) ](+) , M = angiotensin I or substance P where n = 1-8 and 17-23 for angiotensin I and n = 1-5 for substance P, are identified and characterized using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). The Ag(+) coordination number exceeds the number of available amino acid residues in angiotensin I whereas the number of observed complexes in substance P is less than the number of amino acid residues in it. The larger coordination number of angiotensin I with Ag(+) indicates the simultaneous binding of several Ag(+) ions to the amino acid residue present in it.

A CT-based software tool for evaluating compensator quality in passively scattered proton therapy.

We have developed a quantitative computed tomography (CT)-based quality assurance (QA) tool for evaluating the accuracy of manufactured compensators used in passively scattered proton therapy. The thickness of a manufactured compensator was measured from its CT images and compared with the planned thickness defined by the treatment planning system. The difference between the measured and planned thicknesses was calculated with use of the Euclidean distance transformation and the kd-tree search method.

An MCNPX Monte Carlo model of a discrete spot scanning proton beam therapy nozzle.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to validate a discrete spot scanning proton beam nozzle using the Monte Carlo (MC) code MCNPX and use the MC validated model to investigate the effects of a low-dose envelope, which surrounds the beam's central axis, on measurements of integral depth dose (IDD) profiles.

Methods: An accurate model of the discrete spot scanning beam nozzle from The University of Texas M. D.

A linear source table to determine the treatment times for cylindrical applicators used in high-dose rate brachytherapy.

Purpose: It is a good practice for quality assurance purposes to check the high-dose rate brachytherapy source dwell times obtained from any computerized treatment planning system (TPS) by independent hand calculations. The aim of this work was to prepare a table that would help to calculate the total dwell times for cylindrical applicators used for high-dose rate brachytherapy.

Methods And Materials: The results of an earlier investigation of dose rate per unit source strength at different distances from the microSelectron-high-dose rate (192)Ir source and the relative weights for dwell times obtained from optimized plans were used to prepare a linear source table.

Decolourization of synthetic wastewater containing azo dyes by immobilized Phanerochaete chrysosporium in a continuously operated RBC reactor.

A laboratory-scale rotating biological contactor (RBC) reactor with immobilized fungal biomass of Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated for its performance in decolourizing synthetic wastewater containing single or mixture of azo dyes, Direct Red-80 (DR-80) and Mordant Blue-9 (MB-9). Decolourization efficiency in the continuously operated bioreactor was studied by varying dye inlet concentration and disc rotation speed at two different wastewater hydraulic retention times (HRTs), i.e.

A Toxoplasma MORN1 null mutant undergoes repeated divisions but is defective in basal assembly, apicoplast division and cytokinesis.

The membrane occupation and recognition nexus protein 1 (MORN1) is highly conserved among apicomplexan parasites and is associated with several structures that have a role in cell division. Here we dissected the role of MORN1 using the relatively simple budding process of Toxoplasma gondii as a model. Ablation of MORN1 in a conditional null mutant resulted in pronounced defects suggesting a central role for MORN1 in apicoplast segregation and in daughter cell budding.

Current inhibition of human EAG1 potassium channels by the Ca2+ binding protein S100B.

Voltage-dependent human ether à go-go (hEAG1) potassium channels are implicated in neuronal signaling as well as in cancer cell proliferation. Unique sensitivity of the channel to intracellular Ca(2+) is mediated by calmodulin (CaM) binding to the intracellular N- and C-termini of the channel. Here we show that application of the acidic calcium-binding protein S100B to inside-out patches of Xenopus oocytes causes Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of expressed hEAG1 channels.

A family of intermediate filament-like proteins is sequentially assembled into the cytoskeleton of Toxoplasma gondii.

The intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii divides by a unique process of internal budding that involves the assembly of two daughter cells within the mother. The cytoskeleton of Toxoplasma, which is composed of microtubules associated with an inner membrane complex (IMC), has an important role in this process. The IMC, which is directly under the plasma membrane, contains a set of flattened membranous sacs lined on the cytoplasmic side by a network of filamentous proteins.

Determination of average LET of therapeutic proton beams using Al2O3:C optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) detectors.

In this work we present a methodology and proof of concept to experimentally determine average linear energy transfer (LET) of therapeutic proton beams using the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of small Al(2)O(3):C detectors. Our methodology is based on the fact that the shape of the OSL decay curve of Al(2)O(3):C detectors depends on the LET of the radiation field. Thus, one can use the shape of the OSL decay curves to establish an LET calibration curve, which in turn permits measurements of LET.

Biodegradation of 4-chlorophenol by Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6: effect of culture conditions and degradation kinetics.

Among known microbial species, Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6 has shown very good potential to treat phenolic wastewaters. In this study, the levels of various culture conditions, namely initial pH, agitation (rpm), temperature (°C), and inoculum age (h) were optimized to enhance 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) biodegradation and the culture specific growth rate. For optimization, central composite design of experiments followed by response surface methodology (RSM) was applied.

Water use optimization in zero energy cool chambers for short term storage of fruits and vegetables in coastal area.

Suitability of zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) for short term storage of fruits and vegetables was studied in coastal districts of Orissa. Quantity of water applied in ZECC was standardized. The optimum water level of 75 l/day and 90 l/day was required to achieve a steady and conducive storage environment for storage of fruits and vegetables in summer and winter months, respectively.

Dissolution of artemisinin/polymer composite nanoparticles fabricated by evaporative precipitation of nanosuspension.

Objectives: An evaporative precipitation of nanosuspension (EPN) method was used to fabricate composite particles of a poorly water-soluble antimalarial drug, artemisinin, with a hydrophilic polymer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), with the aim of enhancing the dissolution rate of artemisinin. We investigated the effect of polymer concentration on the physical, morphological and dissolution properties of the EPN-prepared artemisinin/PEG composites.

Methods: The original artemisinin powder, EPN-prepared artemisinin nanoparticles and artemisinin/PEG composites were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dissolution testing and HPLC.

Artemisinin-Polyvinylpyrrolidone Composites Prepared by Evaporative Precipitation of Nanosuspension for Dissolution Enhancement.

Nanoparticles of a poorly water-soluble anti-malarial drug, artemisinin (ART), and its composite particles with a hydrophilic polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), were synthesized using a nanofabrication method called the evaporative precipitation of nanosuspension (EPN). ART nanoparticles and ART/PVP composite particles containing ART nanoparticles coated with PVP were successfully prepared with the aim of improving the dissolution rate of ART. The effect of polymer concentration on the physical and morphological properties, and dissolution rate of the EPN-prepared ART/PVP composite particles was investigated.

Cysteine 723 in the C-linker segment confers oxidative inhibition of hERG1 potassium channels.

Excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role under pathophysiological conditions, such as ischaemia/reperfusion and diabetes, potentially contributing to cardiac arrhythmia. hERG1 (KCNH2) potassium channels terminate the cardiac action potential and malfunction can lead to long-QT syndrome and fatal arrhythmia. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of hERG1 channel alteration by ROS, hERG1 and mutants thereof were expressed in HEK293 cells and studied with the whole-cell patch-clamp method.