Investigation of the effect of Ni and Cu variant MOF-74 in the Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMMs) for efficient gas separation applications.

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been an emerging and promising membrane technology to contribute to different gas separation applications including carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) separation, because of their large surface areas and distinctive gas adsorption features. In this work, the fabrication process of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based MMMs was reported, in which 0.5 to 2 wt.% of each type of (Cu, Ni)-based MOF-74 variants were incorporated into a PDMS matrix in order to achieve high CO2/N2, O2/N2, and CO2/O2 separation efficiency. These MMMs and their nanofillers (MOF-74) were extensively characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) mapping, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), a single gas permeation testing system, and an ultimate tensile strength testing (UTS) unit in order to gain insight into their properties in relation to their gas separation performance. The 1 wt.% of both (Cu and Ni)-MOF-74@PDMS were selected as the most optimum MMMs due to their uniform morphology and enhanced tensile strength, which exhibited high CO2 permeabilities of 4432 Barrer (37.9% increase) and 4288 Barrer (33.5% increase), respectively. Furthermore, in the case of 1 wt.% Ni-MOF-74@PDMS, the CO2/N2, O2/N2, and CO2/O2 selectivities were also enhanced to 36.2 (141.6% increase), 3.2 (21.9% increase), and 11.25 (98.1% increase), respectively. While, in the case of 1 wt.% Cu-MOF-74@PDMS the CO2/N2 and O2/N2 selectivities showed an increment up-to 94.7 (531.5% increase) and 6.47 (145% increase), respectively, Whereas, at 0.5 wt.%, Cu-MOF-74@PDMS showed the best CO2/O2 selectivity of 25.26 (344.7% increase).

Developmental landscape of computational techniques to explore the potential phytochemicals from Punica granatum peels for their antioxidant activity in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is more commonly found in women than in men as the risk increases with age. Phytochemicals are screened in silico from Punica granatum peels for their antioxidant activity to be utilized for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is inhibited by the hormone estrogen, which protects the brain from the bad effects of amyloid beta and acetylcholine (ACh), and is important for memory processing. For the purpose, a library of about 1,000 compounds from P. granatum were prepared and studied by applying integrated computational calculations like 3D-QSAR, molecular docking, MD simulation, ADMET, and density functional theory (DFT). The 3D-QSAR model screened the active compounds B25, B29, B35, B40, B45, B46, B48, B61, and B66 by the field points and activity atlas model from the prepared library. At the molecular level, docking was performed on active compounds for leading hit compounds such as B25 and B35 that displayed a high MolDock score, efficacy, and compatibility with drug delivery against the antioxidant activity. Optimization of the structure and chemical reactivity parameter of the hit compound was calculated by DFT. Moreover, ADMET prediction was evaluated to check the bioavailability and toxicity of the hit compound. Hesperidin (B25) is found to be a hit compound after the whole study and can be synthesized for potent drug discovery in the future.

Making Group Decisions within the Framework of a Probabilistic Hesitant Fuzzy Linear Regression Model.

A fuzzy set extension known as the hesitant fuzzy set (HFS) has increased in popularity for decision making in recent years, especially when experts have had trouble evaluating several alternatives by employing a single value for assessment when working in a fuzzy environment. However, it has a significant problem in its uses, i.e., considerable data loss. The probabilistic hesitant fuzzy set (PHFS) has been proposed to improve the HFS. It provides probability values to the HFS and has the ability to retain more information than the HFS. Previously, fuzzy regression models such as the fuzzy linear regression model (FLRM) and hesitant fuzzy linear regression model were used for decision making; however, these models do not provide information about the distribution. To address this issue, we proposed a probabilistic hesitant fuzzy linear regression model (PHFLRM) that incorporates distribution information to account for multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems. The PHFLRM observes the input-output (IPOP) variables as probabilistic hesitant fuzzy elements (PHFEs) and uses a linear programming model (LPM) to estimate the parameters. A case study is used to illustrate the proposed methodology. Additionally, an MCDM technique called the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is employed to compare the PHFLRM findings with those obtained using TOPSIS. Lastly, Spearman's rank correlation test assesses the statistical significance of two rankings sets.

Therapeutic potential and bioactive phenolics of locally grown Pakistani and Chinese varieties of ginger in relation to extraction solvents

Abstract Current study compares the Therapeutic/nutra-pharmaceuticals potential and phenolics profile of Pakistani grown Pakistani and Chinese varieties of ginger. Crude yield of bioactive components from the varieties tested, using different extraction solvents including chloroform, ethyl acetate, ether, methanol, ethanol and distilled water. The crude bioactives varied from 14.1-82.5%. The highest extraction yield was noted for Pakistani species. The HPLC analysis revalued significant amounts of phenolics including vanillin, protocatechuic, vanillic, ferulic, sinapinic and cinnamic acids. The highest anti-inflammatory activity was shown by ethanolic extract of Pakistani variety (IC50: 26.5±1.8) whereas Chinese variety exhibited potent anticancer potential against MCF-7 cell line (Inhibition: 91.38 %). The Chinese variety in general showed higher phenolics and anticancer, while the Pakistani exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity. Pakistani grown ginger and ethanolic extract of Chinese ginger showed highest antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18.0±0.02 & 15.00±0.02 mm respectively. Minimum results obtained with water for both varieties of ginger with range of 7.2±0.22 and 6±0.07 respectively. Moreover, the phenolics composition, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer activities of both tested varieties of ginger were notably affected as a function of extraction solvents. Our findings advocate selection of appropriate solvent for recovery of effective phenolic bioactive compounds from ginger verities to support the Nutra-pharmaceutical formulation.

Phytochemical investigation and effective therapeutic potential of plants extracts against breast and ovarian cancer cell lines: compounds from zizyphus mauritiana and triticum aestivum.

ancer is the leading cause of death, accounting for approximately one out of six people dying with this disease worldwide. Among all, the breast and ovarian cancers are top-ranked causes of women mortalities compared to other disorders. Although, there is advancement in technologies, but still, there are unresolved concerns to overcome the global disease burden. Currently, plants are being explored as a natural remedy to cure disorders. This research was planned to explore phytochemicals in methanolic extracts of Zizyphus mauritiana and Triticum aestivum, and their pharmacological activities were studied through Agrobacterium tumefaciens bacteria, in vitro breast cancer cell line and ovarian cancer cell line to find out novel candidates in disease control and prevention. Eleven different types of bioactive compounds were analysed in the tested extracts. The highest crude extracts percentage (75±0.02) was observed with Z. mauritiana. The extracts showed promising cell growth inhibition and tumor initiation inhibition in potato disc assay. MTT assay and Incucytes imaging analysis revealed that Z. mauritiana extract had a higher anticancer potential with 40 ± 0.92 cell viability against breast cancer cells (SKBR3) and 45 ±0.29 against ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3). In conclusion, these extracts could be used as chemotherapeutics owing to their cheapness, and easy availability. While detailed study is required for further purification and characterization of bioactives/target compounds and in-vivo activity confirmations.

In Vitro Antioxidant Activities and the Therapeutic Potential of Some Newly Synthesized Chalcones Against 4-Acetaminophenol Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats.

The lack of safety and efficacy of existing hepatoprotective agents urge the need to explore novel hepatoprotective agents. The research work was planned to study the therapeutic potential of some newly synthesized chalcones against 4-acetaminophenol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male albino rats (N = 30) were divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each i.e. group I; Toxic control (4-acetaminophenol), group II; normal control (Normal saline), group III; Positive control (silymarin; 50 mg/kg bw) and groups IV-VI (test groups) treated with 3 chalcone analogues i-e 3a, 3f & 3 g (100, 150, 150 mg/kg bw, respectively). All the study group animals were administered with 4-acetaminophenol to induce hepatotoxicity except normal control. Following hepatotoxicity induction, test group animals were administered with selected doses of test compounds and toxic group animals left untreated. Liver enzymes including ALT, AST, ALP and serum bilirubin were determined photometrically. Antioxidant activities of test compounds were also determined. Histopathological examination of liver biopsies was also carried out through H & E staining. The test chalcones (3a, 3f & 3 g) significantly decreased the levels of liver enzymes and serum bilirubin toward normal and the pattern of results in the test group animals were comparable to silymarin administered animals indicating the hepatoprotective potential of test compounds. Moreover, the test chalcones (3a, 3f & 3 g) antagonized the effect of 4-acetaminophenol and thus, raised the catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) while decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) in experimental animals. The test chalcones (3a, 3f & 3 g) on histological examination of liver showed improvement of tissue morphology. The study concluded that the tested compounds have antioxidant potential and may act as hepatoprotective agent. However, in-depth studies are required to validate their safety and to elucidate the exact mechanism of action.

Correction to: An efficient protocol for the synthesis of highly sensitive indole imines utilizing green chemistry: optimization of reaction conditions.

In the original publication, one of the co-authors name Sana Jamshaid was missed out. The correct authors' group is updated in this correction.

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of highly sensitive indole imines utilizing green chemistry: optimization of reaction conditions.

Novel and highly sensitive indole-based imines have been synthesized. Their synthesis has been compared employing a variety of protocols. Ultimately, a convenient, economical and high yielding set of conditions employing green chemistry have been designed for their synthesis.

Assessment of Blood Glucose and Electrolytes during Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients of Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION: Perioperative hyperglycemia has been shown to be related to higher levels of morbidity and mortality in patients on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), both diabetic and non-diabetic. Blood electrolytes, like sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride play a very important role in the normal functioning of the body and can lead to a variety of clinical disorders if they become deficient. A minimal number of studies have been conducted on the simultaneous perioperative changes in both blood glucose and electrolyte levels during CPB in Pakistan. Therefore, our aim is to record and compare the changes in blood glucose and electrolyte levels during CPB in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. MATERIALS & METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study conducted on 200 patients who underwent CABG with CPB, from October 2014 to March 2015. The patients were recruited from the Cardiac Surgery Ward, Civil Hospital Karachi after they complied with the inclusion criteria. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the trend of the changes perioperatively for the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in changes in blood glucose between the two groups (P = 0.62). The only significant difference detected between the two groups was for PaCO2 (P = 0.001). Besides, further analysis revealed insignificant group differences for the trend changes in other blood electrolytes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings highlighted that there is no significant difference in blood electrolytes changes and the increase in blood glucose levels between diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Actin depolymerisation and crosslinking join forces with myosin II to contract actin coats on fused secretory vesicles.

In many secretory cells actin and myosin are specifically recruited to the surface of secretory granules following their fusion with the plasma membrane. Actomyosin-dependent compression of fused granules is essential to promote active extrusion of cargo. However, little is known about molecular mechanisms regulating actin coat formation and contraction. Here, we provide a detailed kinetic analysis of the molecules regulating actin coat contraction on fused lamellar bodies in primary alveolar type II cells. We demonstrate that ROCK1 and myosin light chain kinase 1 (MLCK1, also known as MYLK) translocate to fused lamellar bodies and activate myosin II on actin coats. However, myosin II activity is not sufficient for efficient actin coat contraction. In addition, cofilin-1 and α-actinin translocate to actin coats. ROCK1-dependent regulated actin depolymerisation by cofilin-1 in cooperation with actin crosslinking by α-actinin is essential for complete coat contraction. In summary, our data suggest a complementary role for regulated actin depolymerisation and crosslinking, and myosin II activity, to contract actin coats and drive secretion.

Predictors of Knowledge of Coronary Intervention in a Group of PCI Patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to assess the knowledge of CAD risk factors and post management of coronary intervention among sample of population who were hospitalized for PCI. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey was conducted in Cardiology ward of a tertiary care hospital from July 2013 to May 2015 on 600 patients. A structured questionnaire was used to interview the patients. In univariate analysis, t-tests were employed to assess association of knowledge of CAD risk factors with gender, education level and monthly household income. RESULTS: The mean score of participants with no education was 4.42 and patients with education of bachelors or higher was 8.59 (p-value: 0.01). Similarly, the mean score for participants with monthly household income less than 5000 was 3.32 and participants with income higher than 50,000 had a score of 8.31 (p-value: 0.01). Furthermore, only 28% (N=168) claimed aerobic exercise as a key part of angioplasty recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the lack of good level of knowledge of risk factors for CAD and post management of coronary intervention among PCI patients of Pakistan. There is urgent need for targeted educational programs on national basis to reduce mortality associated with CAD in Pakistani population.

Differential association of the Na+/H+ Exchanger Regulatory Factor (NHERF) family of adaptor proteins with the raft- and the non-raft brush border membrane fractions of NHE3.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Trafficking, brush border membrane (BBM) retention, and signal-specific regulation of the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3 is regulated by the Na+/H+ Exchanger Regulatory Factor (NHERF) family of PDZ-adaptor proteins, which enable the formation of multiprotein complexes. It is unclear, however, what determines signal specificity of these NHERFs. Thus, we studied the association of NHE3, NHERF1 (EBP50), NHERF2 (E3KARP), and NHERF3 (PDZK1) with lipid rafts in murine small intestinal BBM. METHODS: Detergent resistant membranes ("lipid rafts") were isolated by floatation of Triton X-incubated small intestinal BBM from a variety of knockout mouse strains in an Optiprep step gradient. Acid-activated NHE3 activity was measured fluorometrically in BCECF-loaded microdissected villi, or by assessment of CO2/HCO3(-) mediated increase in fluid absorption in perfused jejunal loops of anethetized mice. RESULTS: NHE3 was found to partially associate with lipid rafts in the native BBM, and NHE3 raft association had an impact on NHE3 transport activity and regulation in vivo. NHERF1, 2 and 3 were differentially distributed to rafts and non-rafts, with NHERF2 being most raft-associated and NHERF3 entirely non-raft associated. NHERF2 expression enhanced the localization of NHE3 to membrane rafts. The use of acid sphingomyelinase-deficient mice, which have altered membrane lipid as well as lipid raft composition, allowed us to test the validity of the lipid raft concept in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The differential association of the NHERFs with the raft-associated and the non-raft fraction of NHE3 in the brush border membrane is one component of the differential and signal-specific NHE3 regulation by the different NHERFs.

Rescue of epithelial HCO3- secretion in murine intestine by apical membrane expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutant F508del.

This study investigated whether expression of the common cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutant F508del in the apical membrane of enterocytes confers increased bicarbonate secretory capacity on the intestinal epithelium of F508del mutant mice compared to that of CFTR knockout (KO) mice. CFTR KO mice, F508del mutant mice (F508del) and wild-type (WT) littermates were bred on the FVB/N background. F508del isolated brush border membrane (BBM) contained approximately 5-10% fully glycosylated band C protein compared to WT BBM. Similarly, the forskolin (FSK)-induced, CFTR-dependent short-circuit current (I(sc)) of F508del mucosa was approximately 5-10% of WT, whereas the HCO(3)(-) secretory response ( ) was almost half that of WT in both duodenum and mid-colon studied in vitro and in vivo. While WT intestine retained full FSK-induced in the absence of luminal Cl(-), the markedly higher than I(sc) in F508del intestine was dependent on the presence of luminal Cl(-), and was blocked by CFTR inhibitors. The Ste20-related proline-alanine-rich kinases (SPAK/OSR1), which are downstream of the with-no-lysine (K) protein kinases (WNK), were rapidly phosphorylated by FSK in WT and F508del, but significantly more slowly in CFTR KO intestine. In conclusion, the data demonstrate that low levels of F508del membrane expression in the intestine of F508del mice significantly increased FSK-induced HCO(3)(-) secretion mediated by Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange. However, in WT mucosa FSK elicited strong SPAK/OSR1 phosphorylation and Cl(-)-independent HCO(3)(-) efflux. This suggests that therapeutic strategies which deliver F508del to the apical membrane have the potential to significantly enhance epithelial HCO(3)(-) secretion.

Loss of PDZ-adaptor protein NHERF2 affects membrane localization and cGMP- and [Ca2+]- but not cAMP-dependent regulation of Na+/H+ exchanger 3 in murine intestine.

Trafficking and regulation of the epithelial brush border membrane (BBM) Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) in the intestine involves interaction with four different members of the NHERF family in a signal-dependent and possibly segment-specific fashion. The aim of this research was to study the role of NHERF2 (E3KARP) in intestinal NHE3 BBM localization and second messenger-mediated and receptor-mediated inhibition of NHE3. Immunolocalization of NHE3 in WT mice revealed predominant microvillar localization in jejunum and colon, a mixed distribution in the proximal ileum but localization near the terminal web in the distal ileum. The terminal web localization of NHE3 in the distal ileum correlated with reduced acid-activated NHE3 activity (fluorometrically assessed). NHERF2 ablation resulted in a shift of NHE3 to the microvilli and higher basal fluid absorption rates in the ileum, but no change in overall NHE3 protein or mRNA expression. Forskolin-induced NHE3 inhibition was preserved in the absence of NHERF2, whereas Ca2+ ionophore- or carbachol-mediated inhibition was abolished. Likewise, Escherichia coli heat stable enterotoxin peptide (STp) lost its inhibitory effect on intestinal NHE3. It is concluded that in native murine intestine, the NHE3 adaptor protein NHERF2 plays important roles in tethering NHE3 to a position near the terminal web and in second messenger inhibition of NHE3 in a signal- and segment-specific fashion, and is therefore an important regulator of intestinal fluid transport.

rac-2-Iodo-3,4-dihydro-naphthalen-1(2H)-one.

In the title compound, C(10)H(9)IO, the asymmetric unit contains two mol-ecules, in which the iodo-bearing six-membered rings adopt envelope conformations [displacements of the flap atoms = 0.419 (3) and 0.431 (3) Å]. In both mol-ecules, the I atoms are disordered over two set of sites in 0.54 (4):0.46 (4) and 0.71 (3):0.29 (3) ratios. In the crystal, the packing features a weak C-H⋯π inter-action.

Amplification of mecA gene in multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains from hospital personnel.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic resistance is common among bacterial pathogens associated with both community acquired and nosocomial infections. In view of the present problem of drug resistance we investigated the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and amplified the mecA gene in the isolates from the hand swabs of the hospital personnel. METHODOLOGY: The nuc gene was amplified to characterize these isolates at species level. The S. aureus isolates were analyzed for their susceptibility to different classes of antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. The spot inoculation test was performed to detect methicillinase production in these isolates. RESULTS: In the screened isolates of S. aureus, 14.2 and 15 kb of plasmids were present. These isolates showed pronounced resistance against beta-lactam antibiotics including second- and third-generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, macrolides and fluoroquinolone. Some of the isolates included in this study were resistant to three or more antibiotics. Expression of methicillinase was detected by spot inoculation test, and a few of the isolates were found to produce methicillinase. Moreover, mecA gene was also amplified. Of 17 isolates only 7 showed presence of mecA gene. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the emerging trend of multiple drug resistance in S. aureus strains isolated from hospital personnel working in a premier hospital in North India.