Dark fermentative hydrogen production: Potential of food waste as future energy needs.

Globally, food waste (FW) is found to be one of the major constituents creating several hurdles in waste management. On the other hand, the energy crisis is increasing and the limited fossil fuel resources available are not sufficient for energy needed for emerging population. In this context, biohydrogen production approach through valorization of FW is emerging as one of the sustainable and eco-friendly options. The present review explores FW sources, characteristics, and dark fermentative production of hydrogen along with its efficiency. FW are highly biodegradable and rich in carbohydrates which can be efficiently utilized by anaerobic bacteria. Based on the composition of FW, several pretreatment methods can be adapted to improve the bioavailability of the organics. By-products of dark fermentation are organic acids that can be integrated with several secondary bioprocesses. The versatility of secondary products is ranging from energy generation to biochemicals production. Integrated approaches facilitate in enhanced energy harvesting along with extended wastewater treatment. The review also discusses various parameters like pH, temperature, hydraulic retention time and nutrient supplementation to enhance the process efficiency of biohydrogen production. The application of solid-state fermentation (SSF) in dark fermentation improves the process efficiency. Dark fermentation as the key process for valorization and additional energy generating process can make FW the most suitable substrate for circular economy and waste based biorefinery.

Use of tobramycin-impregnated antibiotic beads in frontal sinus osteomyelitis.

OBJECTIVE: Osteomyelitis of the frontal bone is a rare but devastating complication of frontal sinusitis. Treatment involves aggressive surgery to remove all sequestra in combination with long-term antibiotic therapy. However, systemic antibiotics may struggle to penetrate any remaining infection in devascularised areas, and the morbidity associated with surgical resection of some areas of the skull base is too high. In contrast, locally implanted antibiotics provide a reliable, high concentration of treatment to these areas while also minimising potential systemic side effects. The clinical application of tobramycin beads has primarily been used in orthopaedics as an adjunct to the treatment of tibial osteomyelitis or prosthetic joint infection. CASE REPORT: To the best of the authors' knowledge, the two cases discussed here represent the first use of tobramycin antibiotic beads in frontal sinus osteomyelitis secondary to chronic rhinosinusitis. CONCLUSION: These cases show promising use of tobramycin beads in recalcitrant frontal osteomyelitis.

Novel targets and therapies for keloid.

Keloids are the result of aberrant tissue scarring typically occurring in injured skin, and are caused by the overgrowth of granulation tissue or collagen type III during the healing process. There is a genetic component, thus a predisposition can be genetically transmitted. Keloids are difficult to treat because of their postexcisional recurrence, and they have an impact on patient quality of life due to psychological distress caused by cosmetic concerns and functional disability. Treatment ranges from classic corticosteroid therapy to multimodal approaches such as injections, cryotherapy, laser, radiation, radiofrequency ablation and extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Recent discoveries into the pathogenesis of keloid have enabled clinicians to expand the therapeutic options for treatment. The aim of this paper was to review the literature, clarify the general concept of keloid development, and assess emerging treatment options such as stem cell therapy, mitomycin C, bleomycin, interferon, botulinum toxin type A, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and fat grafting, and the evolutionary advancement towards epigenetic modifications and gene therapy.

9-Arylimino noscapinoids as potent tubulin binding anticancer agent: chemical synthesis and cellular evaluation against breast tumour cells.

A library of 9-arylimino derivatives of noscapine was developed by coupling of Schiff base containing imine groups. Virtual screening using molecular docking with tubulin revealed three molecules, 12-14 that bind with high affinity. An improved predicted free energy of binding (FEB) of -5.390, -6.506 and -6.679 kcal/mol for the molecules 12-14 was found compared to noscapine (-5.135 kcal/mol). Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation in combination with Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) revealed robust binding free energy of -166.03, -169.75 and -170.63 kcal/mol for the molecules 12, 13 and 14, respectively. These derivatives were strategically synthesized and experimentally validated for their anticancer activity. Tubulin binding assay revealed substantial binding of molecules 12-14 with purified tubulin. Further, their anticancer activity was demonstrated using two cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDAMB-231) and a panel of primary breast tumour cells. All these derivatives inhibited cellular proliferation in all the cancer cells that ranged between 30.1 and 5.8 µM, which is 1.7 to 7.52 fold lower than that of noscapine. Further, these novel derivatives arrest cell cycle in the G2/M-phase followed by induction of apoptosis. Thus, 9-arylimino noscapinoids 12-14 have a great potential to be a novel therapeutic agent for breast cancers.

Endonasal surgery in the coronavirus era - Birmingham experience.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 a pandemic on 11th March 2020. There is concern regarding performing endonasal surgical procedures because of a high viral load in the nasopharynx. This paper describes our experience in conducting emergency and urgent endonasal operations during the peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in the UK. OBJECTIVES: To show the outcome of endonasal surgery during the peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and to assess the post-operative rate of nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 infection. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all patients who underwent high priority endoscopic nasal surgery or anterior skull base surgery between 23rd March and 15th June 2020 at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients underwent endonasal surgery during the study period, 12 were males and 12 were females. There was no coronavirus-related morbidity in any patient. CONCLUSION: This observational study found that it is possible to safely undertake urgent endonasal surgery; the nosocomial risk of coronavirus disease 2019 can be mitigated with appropriate peri-operative precautions.

Reactive oxygen species overproduction and MAP kinase phosphatase-1 degradation are associated with gastroparesis in a streptozotocin-induced male diabetic rat model.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic gastroparesis in human and animal models suggest different developmental causes in females vs males. Previously, we demonstrated that although male and female diabetic gastroparetic rats exhibited similarity in disease pathology, molecular mechanisms were different: slow gastric emptying in male diabetic gastroparetic rats was not associated with the level of expression and dimerization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase α in gastric tissues, as was demonstrated in females. Male gastroparesis may involve other mechanisms, such as oxidative stress. We hypothesize that sustained increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and degradation of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 with subsequent unregulated activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38MAP kinase pathways are associated with gastroparesis in a male diabetic rat model. METHODS: Using a male rat model of diabetic gastroparesis, we analyzed serum and pyloric tissue for ROS and antioxidant enzyme levels using ELISA; MAP kinase phosphatase-1, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, and p38MAP kinase levels utilized western blotting techniques and phospho-specific antibodies. KEY RESULTS: Both diabetic and diabetic gastroparetic rats demonstrated overproduction of ROS. However, loss of MAP kinase phosphatase-1, a MAP kinase pathway negative regulator, with subsequent activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2 and p38MAP kinase pathways, were observed only in diabetic gastroparetic rats. Diabetic rats without gastroparesis had no significant pathway activation. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: These results suggest that sustained, increased ROS and degradation of MAP kinase phosphatase-1, with subsequent unregulated activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38MAP kinase pathways, are likely to be factors in diabetic gastroparesis phenotype in a male diabetic rat model.

Intraoperative intracameral pilocarpine after capsular tension ring and capsule/iris hook insertion in pediatric eyes with subluxated cataract.

UNLABELLED: Capsular tension rings and iris hooks have proved to be useful devices in cataract surgery in cases of zonular weakness and dialysis. We describe the use of intracameral pilocarpine-induced pupillary miosis to couple the iris and the capsulorhexis edge with iris hooks during phacoemulsification in pediatric cases with posttraumatic subluxated cataractous lens. The coupled iris and capsule act as a single unit, eliminating the space between them and significantly reducing the possibility of vitreous or ophthalmic viscosurgical device passing through the zonular defect. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Micrometer-sized negative-ion accelerator based on ultrashort laser pulse interaction with transparent solids.

We report here energetic (>100 keV) negative hydrogen ions (H(-)) generated in the interaction of moderately intense (10(18) W cm(-2)) ultrashort laser pulses (45 fs) with transparent hydrogen containing solid targets. An unambiguous and consistent detection of negative hydrogen ions, with a flux of 8×10(11)H(-) ions/sr, has been observed in every single laser shot, using a Thomson parabola ion spectrograph. Simple estimates based on charge transfer cross sections match well with experimental observations. Our method offers the implementation of an intense, ultrashort laser based negative-ion source at a higher repetition rate, which can be important for various applications.

Combined molecular dynamics and continuum solvent approaches (MM-PBSA/GBSA) to predict noscapinoid binding to γ-tubulin dimer.

γ-tubulin plays crucial role in the nucleation and organization of microtubules during cell division. Recent studies have also indicated its role in the regulation of microtubule dynamics at the plus end of the microtubules. Moreover, γ-tubulin has been found to be over-expressed in many cancer types, such as carcinomas of the breast and glioblastoma multiforme. These studies have led to immense interest in the identification of chemical leads that might interact with γ-tubulin and disrupt its function in order to explore γ-tubulin as potential chemotherapeutic target. Recently a colchicine-interacting cavity was identified at the interface of γ-tubulin dimer that might also interact with other similar compounds. In the same direction we theoretically investigated binding of a class of compounds, noscapinoids (noscapine and its derivatives) at the interface of the γ-tubulin dimer. Molecular interaction of noscapine and two of its derivatives, amino-noscapine and bromo-noscapine, was investigated by molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy calculation. All noscapinoids displayed stable interaction throughout simulation of 25 ns. The predictive binding free energy (ΔGbind) indicates that noscapinoids bind strongly with the γ-tubulin dimer. However, bromo-noscapine showed the best binding affinity (ΔGbind = -37.6 kcal/mol) followed by noscapine (ΔGbind = -29.85 kcal/mol) and amino-noscapine (ΔGbind = -23.99 kcal/mol) using the MM-PBSA method. Similarly using the MM-GBSA method, bromo-noscapine showed highest binding affinity (ΔGbind = -43.64 kcal/mol) followed by amino-noscapine (ΔGbind = -37.56 kcal/mol) and noscapine (ΔGbind = -34.57 kcal/mol). The results thus generate compelling evidence that these noscapinoids may hold great potential for preclinical and clinical evaluation.

De Novo Assembly of Bitter Gourd Transcriptomes: Gene Expression and Sequence Variations in Gynoecious and Monoecious Lines.

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a nutritious vegetable crop of Asian origin, used as a medicinal herb in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine. Molecular breeding in bitter gourd is in its infancy, due to limited molecular resources, particularly on functional markers for traits such as gynoecy. We performed de novo transcriptome sequencing of bitter gourd using Illumina next-generation sequencer, from root, flower buds, stem and leaf samples of gynoecious line (Gy323) and a monoecious line (DRAR1). A total of 65,540 transcripts for Gy323 and 61,490 for DRAR1 were obtained. Comparisons revealed SNP and SSR variations between these lines and, identification of gene classes. Based on available transcripts we identified 80 WRKY transcription factors, several reported in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses; 56 ARF genes which play a pivotal role in auxin-regulated gene expression and development. The data presented will be useful in both functions studies and breeding programs in bitter gourd.

Antibacterial action of doped CoFe2O4 nanocrystals on multidrug resistant bacterial strains.

The bactericidal effect of pristine and doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles has been evaluated against multiple drug resistant clinical strains by assessing the number of colony-forming units (CFU). Monophasic polycrystalline ferrites have been prepared by the malate-glycolate sol-gel autocombustion method as confirmed by the X-ray diffraction study. Various changes occurring during the preparative stages have been demonstrated using TG-DTA analysis which is well complemented by the FTIR spectroscopy. The antibacterial studies carried out demonstrate a bactericidal effect of the nanoparticles wherein the number of CFU has been found to decrease with doping. Cellular distortions have been revealed through SEM. Variation in the number of CFU with dopant type has also been reported herein.

Phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN) from Pseudomonas sp. strain PUP6 selectively induced apoptosis in lung (A549) and breast (MDA MB-231) cancer cells by inhibition of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins.

Phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN), a naturally occurring simple phenazine derivative isolated from Pseudomonas sp. strain PUP6, exhibited selective cytotoxic activity against lung (A549) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cell lines in differential and dose-dependent manner compared to normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. PCN-treated cancer cells showed the induction of apoptosis as evidenced by the release of low level of LDH, morphological characteristics, production of reactive oxygen species, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and induction of caspase-3. At molecular level, PCN instigates apoptosis by mitochondrial intrinsic apoptotic pathway via the overexpression of p53, Bax, cytochrome C release and activation of caspase-3 with the inhibition of oncogenic anti-apoptotic proteins such as PARP and Bcl-2 family proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-w and Bcl-xL). The in silico docking studies of PCN targeted against the anti-apoptotic members of Bcl-2 family proteins revealed the interaction of PCN with the BH3 domain, which might lead to the induction of apoptosis due to the inhibition of antiapoptotic proteins. Due to its innate inhibition potential of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, PCN may be used as potent anticancer agent against both lung and breast cancer.

5-Methyl phenazine-1-carboxylic acid: a novel bioactive metabolite by a rhizosphere soil bacterium that exhibits potent antimicrobial and anticancer activities.

A new rhizosphere soil bacterium that exhibits antimicrobial potential against human pathogens was isolated. On the basis of 16S ribosomal RNA nucleotide sequence homology and subsequent phylogenetic tree analysis, the strain PUW5 was identified as Pseudomonas putida. A bioactive metabolite was extracted and purified using silica gel column chromatography and preparative HPLC. Characterization of metabolite was done by employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy (MS). On the basis of spectroscopic data, the metabolite was structurally elucidated as 5-methyl phenazine-1-carboxylic acid betaine (MPCAB). The MPCAB exhibits selective cytotoxicity towards lung (A549) and breast (MDA MB-231) cancer cell lines in dose-dependent manner with IC50 value of 488.7±2.52 nM and 458.6±2.48 nM respectively. The MPCAB exhibited inhibition of cell viability, DNA synthesis, induced G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. The docking and interaction studies confirmed the binding potential of MPCAB with Bcl-2 than Bcl-xL and Bcl-w proteins. These results strongly suggest that the MPCAB induces apoptosis in A549 and MDA MB-231 cancer cells through mitochondrial intrinsic pathway via activation of caspase-3 and down regulation of Bcl-2 protein.

Role of target material in proton acceleration from thin foils irradiated by ultrashort laser pulses.

We report on the proton acceleration studies from thin metallic foils of varying atomic number (Z) and thicknesses, investigated using a 45 fs, 10 TW Ti:sapphire laser system. An optimum foil thickness was observed for efficient proton acceleration for our laser conditions, dictated by the laser ASE prepulse and hot electron propagation behavior inside the material. The hydrodynamic simulations for ASE prepulse support the experimental observation. The observed maximum proton energy at different thicknesses for a given element is in good agreement with the reported scaling laws. The results with foils of different atomic number Z suggest that a judicious choice of the foil material can enhance the proton acceleration efficiency, resulting into higher proton energy.

Reactivity of Cl atom with triple-bonded molecules. An experimental and theoretical study with alcohols.

The reactivities of the Cl atom with triple-bonded molecules were examined by determining the rate coefficients of reactions of four triple-bonded alcohols (TA), namely, 2-propyn-1-ol, 3-butyn-1-ol, 3-butyn-2-ol, and 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, using the relative rate method, at 298 K. The rate coefficients (k) of reaction of the four alcohols with Cl vary in the range (3.5-4.3) × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). These values imply significant contribution of the Cl reaction in the tropospheric degradation of TAs in the conditions of the marine boundary layer. A striking difference is observed in the reactivity trend of Cl from that of OH/O3. Although the reactivity of OH/O3 is lower with triple-bonded molecules, as compared to the double-bonded analogues, the reactivity of the Cl atom is similar for both. For a deeper insight, the reactions of Cl and OH with the simplest TA, 2-propyn-1-ol, are investigated theoretically. Conventional transition state theory is applied to compute the values of k, using the calculated energies at QCISD and QCISD(T) levels of theory of the optimized geometries of the reactants, transition states (TS), and the product radicals of all the possible reaction pathways at the MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level. The k values calculated at the QCISD level for Cl and the QCISD(T) level for OH reactions are found to be very close to the experimental values at 298 K. In the case of the Cl reaction, the abstraction of α-H atoms as well as the addition at the terminal and middle carbon atoms have submerged TS and the contribution of the abstraction reaction is found to be significant at room temperature, at all levels of calculations. Addition at the terminal carbon atom is prominent compared to that at the middle carbon. In contrast to the Cl reaction, only addition at the middle carbon is associated with such low lying TS in the case of OH. The individual rate coefficients of addition and abstraction of OH are lower than that of Cl. The negative temperature dependence of the computed rate coefficients in the temperature range 200-400 K shows that the difference in the TS energy of Cl and OH affects the pre-exponential factor more than the activation energy.

Design and synthesis of 6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline analogs as multi-targeted ligands for α1- and AII-receptors antagonism.

Multiple-targeted ligands can have certain advantages for the management of hypertension which has multiple controls. Molecules with dual bioactivities are available in literature for treating metabolic disorders like diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. After scrutinizing the SAR of prazosin-type α1-blockers and AII-antagonists it was planned to develop dual α1- and AII-antagonists. Five series of quinazoline derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as dual α1- and AII-antagonists on rat aortic strips for the blockade of known α1- and AII-agonist mediated contractions. Many compounds showed balanced activity on both the receptors but compound (22) was found to be the most active derivative having higher antagonistic activity on both the receptors. In the in vivo experiments the chosen compound (22) was slightly less active than prazosin but was found to be equipotent to losartan. These findings shed a new light on the structural requirements for both α1- as well as AII-receptor antagonists.

First measurement of the form factors in the decays D0 → ρ- e+ ν(e) and D+ → ρ0 e+ ν(e).

The beauty to up quark coupling constant |V(ub)| can be extracted from B → ρ e+ ν(e) combined with the form factors for D → K* e+ ν(e) and B → V ℓ+ ℓ- and D → ρ e+ ν(e). Using the entire CLEO-c ψ(3770) → DD event sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 818 pb(-1) and approximately 5.4×10(6) DD events, we measure the form factors for the decays D0 → ρ- e+ ν(e) and D+ → ρ0 e+ ν(e) for the first time and the branching fractions with improved precision. A four-dimensional unbinned maximum likelihood fit determines the form factor ratios to be V(0)/A1(0)=1.48±0.15±0.05 and A2(0)/A1(0)=0.83±0.11±0.04. Assuming Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa unitarity, the known D meson lifetimes, and our measured branching fractions we obtain the form factor normalizations A1(0), A2(0), and V(0). We also present a measurement of the branching fraction for D+ → ω e+ ν(e) with improved precision.

Primary pleomorphic liposarcoma of liver: a case report and review of the literature.

Primary liver liposarcoma is a rare disease. The knowledge of the clinical course, management, and prognosis of primary liver liposarcoma are all limited because of its rarity. Twelve cases of primary liposarcoma of the liver have been previously reported. We present the thirteenth case, which occurred in an adult male patient. A 42-year-old male patient came to our outpatient department with complaints of pain abdomen, mass per abdomen, and weight loss. Ultrasonography showed a mass arising from the the left lobe of liver. CT abdomen showed a heterogenous enhancing mass from left lobe of liver with multiple cystic and necrotic areas compressing the stomach and spleen with no evidence of metastasis. Differential diagnosis included adenoma and primary malignancy. Exploratory laparotomy and resection were done. HPE was found to be pleomorphic liposarcoma of liver.

Pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones as antiplasmodial falcipain-2 inhibitors.

Plasmodium falciparum cysteine protease falcipain-2 (FP-2) is a promising target for antimalarial chemotherapy and inhibition of this protease affects the growth of parasite adversely. A series of pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro FP-2 inhibitory potential. Compounds (14,17) showed excellent FP-2 inhibition and can serve as lead compounds for further development of potent FP-2 inhibitors as potential antimalarial drugs.