Atta (whole wheat flour) with multi-wholegrains: flour characterization, nutritional profiling and evaluation of chapati making quality.

Non-wheat grains, complementing the nutritional profile of wheat were utilized for the development of atta with multi-whole grains. Based on the dimensions, selected grains were segregated and the grinding techniques were applied for the production of multi whole grains flour. Multi whole grains flour was replaced with whole wheat flour to obtain five different formulations and further compared with control atta. With the increase in incorporation of the multi whole grain flours reduction in brightness (L*) from 79.73 to 78.47 and redness (a*) from 2.47 to 12.12 while the increase in yellowness (b*) was observed (12.10-12.70). Protein content increased from 13.44 to 14.83% while dietary fibre content was also found to be increased in all the formulations compared to control atta. Ash content, an indicator of mineral content showed an increasing trend with the increase in the level of non-wheat grains. Shear force required for tearing the chapatis at 0 h was observed to be in the range of 15.6 and 10.1 N and moisture content between 32.6 and 30.4%. Mineral analysis carried out for the 10% replacement showed an increase in the level of the estimated minerals. An overall eating quality of the chapatis was found to be acceptable up to 10% replacement compared to control atta chapati.

Correction: Efficient planar n-i-p type heterojunction flexible perovskite solar cells with sputtered TiO2 electron transporting layers.

Correction for 'Efficient planar n-i-p type heterojunction flexible perovskite solar cells with sputtered TiO2 electron transporting layers' by Sawanta S. Mali et al., Nanoscale, 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c6nr09032j.

Efficient planar n-i-p type heterojunction flexible perovskite solar cells with sputtered TiO2 electron transporting layers.

The development of hybrid organo-lead trihalide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) comprising an electron transporting layer (ETL), a perovskite light absorber and a hole transporting layer (HTL) has received significant attention for their potential in efficient PSCs. However, the preparation of a compact and uniform ETL and the formation of a uniform light absorber layer suffer from a high temperature processing treatment and the formation of unwanted perovskite islands, respectively. A low temperature/room temperature processed ETL is one of the best options for the fabrication of flexible PSCs. In the present work, we report the implementation of a room temperature processed compact TiO2 ETL and the synthesis of extremely uniform flexible planar PSCs based on methylammonium lead mixed halides MAPb(I1-xBrx)3 (x = 0.1) via RF-magnetron sputtering and a toluene dripping treatment, respectively. The compact TiO2 ETLs with different thicknesses (30 to 100 nm) were directly deposited on a flexible PET coated ITO substrate by varying the RF-sputtering time and used for the fabrication of flexible PSCs. The photovoltaic properties revealed that flexible PSC performance is strongly dependent on the TiO2 ETL thickness. The open circuit voltage (VOC) and fill factor (FF) are directly proportional to the TiO2 ETL thickness while the 50 nm thick TiO2 ETL shows the highest current density (JSC) of 20.77 mA cm-2. Our controlled results reveal that the room temperature RF-magnetron sputtered 50 nm-thick TiO2 ETL photoelectrode exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) in excess of 15%. The use of room temperature synthesis of the compact TiO2 ETL by RF magnetron sputtering results in an enhancement of the device performance for cells prepared on flexible substrates. The champion flexible planar PSC based on this architecture exhibited a promising power conversion efficiency as high as 15.88%, featuring a high FF of 0.69 and VOC of 1.108 V with a negligible hysteresis under AM 1.5 G illumination. Furthermore, the mechanical bending stability revealed that the fabricated devices show stable PCE up to 200 bending cycles. The interface properties revealed that the 50 nm thick TiO2 ETL provides superior charge injection characteristics and low internal resistance. The present work provides a simplistic and reliable approach for the fabrication of highly efficient stable flexible perovskite solar cells.

Volatile organic compounds emitted by filamentous fungi isolated from flooded homes after Hurricane Sandy show toxicity in a Drosophila bioassay.

Superstorm Sandy provided an opportunity to study filamentous fungi (molds) associated with winter storm damage. We collected 36 morphologically distinct fungal isolates from flooded buildings. By combining traditional morphological and cultural characters with an analysis of ITS sequences (the fungal DNA barcode), we identified 24 fungal species that belong to eight genera: Penicillium (11 species), Fusarium (four species), Aspergillus (three species), Trichoderma (two species), and one species each of Metarhizium, Mucor, Pestalotiopsis, and Umbelopsis. Then, we used a Drosophila larval assay to assess possible toxicity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by these molds. When cultured in a shared atmosphere with growing cultures of molds isolated after Hurricane Sandy, larval toxicity ranged from 15 to 80%. VOCs from Aspergillus niger 129B were the most toxic yielding 80% mortality to Drosophila after 12 days. The VOCs from Trichoderma longibrachiatum 117, Mucor racemosus 138a, and Metarhizium anisopliae 124 were relatively non-toxigenic. A preliminary analysis of VOCs was conducted using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from two of the most toxic, two of the least toxic, and two species of intermediate toxicity. The more toxic molds produced higher concentrations of 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanone, 3-octanol, 2-octen-1-ol, and 2-nonanone; while the less toxic molds produced more 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-methyl-1-propanol, or an overall lower amount of volatiles. Our data support the hypothesis that at certain concentrations, some VOCs emitted by indoor molds are toxigenic.

Switching Power Universality in Unipolar Resistive Switching Memories.

We investigate the resistive switching power from unipolar resistive switching current-voltage characteristics in various binary metal oxide films sandwiched by different metal electrodes, and find a universal feature (the so-called universality) in the switching power among these devices. To experimentally derive the switching power universality, systematic measurements of the switching voltage and current are performed, and neither of these correlate with one another. As the switching resistance (R) increases, the switching power (P) decreases following a power law P ∝ R(-ß), regardless of the device configurations. The observed switching power universality is indicative of the existence of a commonly applicable switching mechanism. The origin of the power universality is discussed based on a metallic filament model and thermo-chemical reaction.

Computerized cognitive remediation training for schizophrenia: an open label, multi-site, multinational methodology study.

A recent single-site study (Fisher et al., 2009. Am J Psychiatry. 166 (7) 805-11) showed that repeated training with the Brain Fitness Program (BFP) improved performance on a battery of neuropsychological tasks. If replicated these data suggest an important non-pharmacological method for ameliorating cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Our study evaluated the BFP training effects in an open-label, multi-site, multinational clinical trial. Fifty-five stable adult patients with schizophrenia on regular antipsychotic medication completed ≥ 32 BFP training sessions over 8-10 weeks. Training effects on cognitive performance and functional capacity outcome measures were measured using CogState® schizophrenia battery, UCSD Performance based Skills Assessment (UPSA-2) and Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI). BFP training showed a large and significant treatment effect on a training exercise task (auditory processing speed), however this effect did not generalize to improved performance on independent CogState® assessment. There were no significant effects on UPSA-2 or CAI scores. Our study demonstrated the feasibility of implementing BFP training in a multi-site study. However, BFP training did not show significant treatment effects on cognitive performance or functional capacity outcome measures despite showing large and significant effects on a training exercise.

Surfactant-mediated growth of nanostructured zinc oxide thin films via electrodeposition and their photoelectrochemical performance.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were electrodeposited from an aqueous zinc acetate solution onto fluorine-doped thin oxide (FTO) coated conducting glass substrates. The effect of organic surfactants like polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), ethylene glycol (EG) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on their structural, morphological, optical and photoelectrochemical properties was studied. The x-ray diffraction patterns revealed the formation of phase-pure ZnO thin films. The films deposited using organic surfactants exhibit different surface morphologies. It was observed that the organic surfactants play important roles in modifying the surface morphology and size of the crystallites. A compact granular morphology was observed for the ZnO samples grown without organic surfactants. The films exhibit nanoparticles of size 100-150 nm for PVP, EG and PVA mediated growth. The vertically aligned thin and compact hexagonal crystallites stem from the SDS, whereas microporous corrugated morphology is observed for PEG-mediated growth. All the samples exhibit room temperature photoluminescence (PL). Oxygen vacancies contribute to the active luminescent centers for the emission of green light in ZnO thin films. PL gets quenched for the SDS surfactant. All the samples were post-treated with ethanol to remove stray surfactant molecules. FTIR study was used to confirm the removal of adsorbed surfactant molecules from the samples. Moreover the samples are photoelectrochemically (PEC) active and exhibit the highest photocurrent of 231 µA, a photovoltage of 492 mV and 0.42 fill factor for the ZnO:SDS films.

Platelet volume indices in patients with coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction: an Indian scenario.

AIMS: To study platelet volume indices (PVI) in the spectrum of ischaemic heart diseases. METHODS: A total of 210 cases were studied; 94 patients had unstable angina (UA) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) diagnosed on the basis of history, characteristic electrocardiographic changes, and increased cardiac enzyme activities. Seventy patients had stable coronary artery disease (stable CAD) or were admitted for a coronary angiography or coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The third group comprised 30 age and sex matched healthy controls with no history of heart disease and a normal electrocardiogram. RESULTS: All PVI-mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR)-were significantly raised in patients with AMI and UA (mean MPV, 10.43 (SD, 1.03) fL; mean PDW, 13.19 (SD, 2.34) fL; mean P-LCR, 29.4% (SD, 7.38%)) compared with those with stable CAD (mean MPV, 9.37 (SD, 0.99) fL; mean PDW, 11.35 (SD, 1.95) fL; mean P-LCR, 22.55% (SD, 6.65%)) and the control group (mean MPV, 9.2 (SD, 0.91) fL; mean PDW, 10.75 (SD, l.42) fL; mean P-LCR, 20.65% (SD, 6.14%)). CONCLUSIONS: Larger platelets are haemostatically more active and are a risk factor for developing coronary thrombosis, leading to myocardial infarction. Patients with larger platelets can easily be identified during routine haematological analysis and could possibly benefit from preventive treatment. Thus, PVI are an important, simple, effortless, and cost effective tool that should be used and explored extensively, especially in countries such as India, for predicting the possibility of impending acute events.

Serious cutaneous adverse drug reactions: pathomechanisms and their implications to treatment.

Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to the medical community. Understanding the pathomechanisms can prevent their onset and improve their management, while timely and judicious intervention can reduce their mortality.

Koebner phenomenon in PLEVA.

Koebner phenomenon has been described in relation to many immunological, inflammatory and infectious dermatoses since the time of its first description. We report a man with pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta showing Koebner phenomenon.

Typing the HLA-B locus by a nested primer approach and oligonucleotide hybridization.

A system for intermediate level identification of the HLA-B locus alleles was devised. This system can be extended to identify individual alleles in any sample. The first step used primers which amplify all HLA-B alleles. This amplicon was subjected to SSOP hybridization to allow intermediate level typing of samples. In the second step, group-specific primers were utilized to obtain specific amplification of groups consisting of a few alleles. The oligotypes within each group were identified by the use of SSOP. The separation of groups of alleles by amplification allowed the use of a limited number of probes to identify oligotypes present in a sample. Additional probes can be added as new alleles are identified, increasing the flexibility of the system. HLA typing software was developed to determine the resolution of the system and to identify HLA oligotypes. PCR-SSOP methods are in wide use and have been extensively validated. The procedures reported here will be relatively easy to implement for large-scale DNA-based typing of the HLA-B locus.

Molecular and serological characterization of HLA-B71 in association with different class I haplotypes or in different ethnic groups.

The HLA-B70 antigen is among the most common antigens present in African Americans; however, monospecific serologic reagents defining B70 and its subtypes, B71 and B72, are rare. We have recently reported the molecular characterization of a B71 allele (B*1510) from an African American individual carrying the haplotype HLA-A30, Cw3, B71(w6). In order to better define the degree of polymorphism of molecules carrying the B71 serological specificity in the human population, we have used serology, cDNA sequencing, and PCR/SSOP typing to characterize B71 alleles from additional individuals from different ethnic populations and carrying different class I haplotypes. All carried either B*1510 or B*1518 alleles. Other HLA-B alleles isolated from these individuals (B*5001, B*4901, B*3501, B*3701) were identical to previously reported sequences except for a novel B41 allele (B*4102) identified in one Hispanic individual. This allele has concurrently been identified by Rufer and colleagues in Caucasian individuals. The B*4102 allele differs from B*4101 at codons 95 (Leu/Trp) and 97 (Ser/Arg). In addition, the B*4102 allele differs from B*4101 by two silent substitutions at codons 94 (ACC/ACT) and 99 (TAC/TAT). Since the polymorphic sequence present in B*4102 is also present in other HLA-B alleles (e.g.., B*2707, B*4002, B*0702), it may represent a gene conversion cassette. The allelic diversity at the class I loci and the scarcity of monospecific alloantisera support the importance of the application of molecular based methods to identify HLA class I alleles in matching unrelated donor/recipient pairs for bone marrow transplantation.

Localization and sequence analysis of morphological transforming region III within human cytomegalovirus strain Towne.

A 7.6-kbp BamHI/XbaI EJ subfragment of the Towne XbaI-E fragment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strain Towne has been previously designated as morphological transforming region III (mtrIII) because it induced focal and tumorigenic transformation of rodent fibroblasts. However, in two separate cell systems, mtrIII sequences were not retained because they were not detected in either the focal, tumor or tumor-derived cell lines. In this report, mtrIII was localized to a 2.1-kbp SalI/XbaI DNA fragment. The sequence of the 2,085-bp region was determined and compared to the colinear DNA from HCMV strain AD169. DNA sequence analysis revealed the presence of five open reading frames in Towne mtrIII, two of which are conserved in strain AD169. The localization and sequence analysis of mtrIII will allow further investigation as to the mechanism(s) by which HCMV may play a role in human cancer.

Differences in retention and expression of transfected human cytomegalovirus Towne XbaI-E transforming fragment in human cervical and NIH 3T3 lines.

Human cervical and NIH 3T3 cells were transfected with the XbaI-E-transforming fragment of human cytomegalovirus strain Towne. Southern blot hybridization showed that 3 of 4 transformed NIH 3T3 cell lines retained only the mtrII subfragment of Towne XbaI-E, but not the mtrIII subfragment. Even though mtrII was retained, no viral transcripts were detected. Analysis of genomic DNAs isolated from three independently derived lines of Towne XbaI-E-transfected human exocervical epithelial cells previously immortalized by human papillomavirus type 16 (CX16-2/Towne-E) revealed the retention of both mtrII and mtrIII subfragments of Towne XbaI-E even after greater than 30 subpassages. Southern blot hybridizations indicated the integration and rearrangement of mtrII as well as mtrIII. Poly (A)+RNA analysis of CX16-2/Towne-E line revealed a 1.9-kb transcript which hybridized to mtr III. In contrast, no viral transcript from the mtrII region was detected in these cells. The pattern of HPV-16 DNA sequences and the profile of RNA transcripts were similar in the parental human exocervical cells (CX16-2) and in the CX16-2/Towne-E cells. Thus far, the CX16-2/Towne-E lines are nontumorigenic in nude mice. This study highlights not only differences in the ability of Towne XbaI-E to transform rodent cells and not human cells but also differences in the retention and expression of mtrII and mtrIII in these cells.

Identification of two promoters within human cytomegalovirus morphologic transforming region II.

A 980-bp subfragment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strain Towne has been previously identified as morphologic transforming region II (mtrII) because of its ability to induce focal transformation of NIH 3T3 cells. Transcripts from this region, which could encode the three open reading frames (ORFs), 79, 83, and 34 amino acids (aa), detected by DNA sequence analysis, are expressed early during HCMV infection. In this report, the mRNA start sites for promoters (P1 and P2) were mapped within Towne mtrII by primer extension using RNAs isolated from transformed NIH 3T3 cells. The Towne mtrII promoters exhibited similar activities to the SV40 enhancerless early promoter. Equivalent promoter activities were detected within the mtrII colinear nontransforming region from HCMV strain Tanaka. Two subclones of Towne mtrII (5' 440-bp and 3' 540-bp), each containing one promoter, were generated utilizing a unique BgII site which also interrupted the 79-aa ORF. In transfection assays, neither the 5' 440-bp promoter subclone containing a truncated 79-aa ORF nor the 3' 540-bp subclone containing intact 83- and 34-aa ORFs exhibited transforming activity. These data indicated that transformation by HCMV mtrII did not occur by promoter insertion. The identification of these early promoters will allow further studies on the regulation of important HCMV early genes known to be involved in viral/host interactions.

Amplified expression of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in pBR322-transformants of Anacystis nidulans.

Prior research suggested that the genes for large (L) and small (S) subunits of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) are amplified in ampicillin-resistant pBR322-transformants of Anacystis nidulans 6301. We now report that chromosomal DNA from either untransformed or transformed A. nidulans cells hybridizes with nick-translated [32P]-pBR322 at moderately high stringency. Moreover, nick-translated [32-P]-pCS75, which is a pUC9 derivative containing a PstI insert with L and S subunit genes (for RuBisCO) from A. nidulans, hybridizes at very high stringency with restriction fragments from chromosomal DNA of untransformed and transformed cells as does the 32P-labeled PstI fragment itself. The hybridization patterns suggest the creation of two EcoRI sites in the transformant chromosome by recombination. In pBR322-transformants the RuBisCO activity is elevated 6- to 12-fold in comparison with that of untransformed cells. In spite of the difference in RuBisCO activity, pBR322-transformants grow in the presence of ampicillin at a similar initial rate to that for wild-type cells. Growth characteristics and RuBisCO content during culture in the presence or absence of ampicillin suggest that pBR322-transformants of A. nidulans 6301 are stable. The data also collectively suggest that a given plasmid in the transformed population replicates via a pathway involving recombination between the plasmid and the chromosome.