Application of multipoint dose rate measurement for radioactive inventory estimation in waste drums.

Dose-to-Curie (DTC) conversion is a fast and simple method for quantification of radionuclide content in solid waste packages with a prior knowledge of waste matrix and radionuclide composition of the waste stream. A dose to curie conversion factor generated based on an assumed radioactivity distribution in the package is used for conversion of the measured dose rate to activity. The difference between the radionuclide distribution for drum from field and the assumed distribution is a major source of error in activity estimation using this technique. In this work, the systematic error of DTC method, due to the spatial variation of a single hot-spot in 200 L solid waste drum is subjected to systematic analysis using Monte-Carlo simulation. Data analysis was carried out with 1920 source locations within the drum and up to sixteen measurement points for dose rates around the drum. The span of error obtained for different configurations of detectors were compared to optimise the waste drum assay system. The general trends observed in simulation were found to be in good agreement with the experimental measurements done using a 137Cs (318.2 MBq) standard source placed at selected locations. The results presented here clearly establish the advantage of multipoint dose rate measurement to improve the accuracy in activity estimation using DTC method.

D-carvone induced ROS mediated apoptotic cell death in human leukemic cell lines (Molt-4).

The immature lymphoid cells with chromosomal structural and numerical abnormalities cause the acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This hematologic disorder constitutes about 25% of cancer prognosis among children and adolescents. D-Carvone, a monocyclic monoterpene obtained from the essential oils extracted from plants is reported to possess the various biological activities. The present study was aimed to investigate the anticancer potential of D-Carvone against the human leukemic Molt-4 cells. The cytotoxicity of DCarvone was analyzed by MTT assay. The level of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were determined. The intracellular ROS, MMP and apoptosis were demonstrated by fluorescent staining techniques. The MTT assay revealed that the D-Carvone treatment suppressed the viability of Molt-4 cells and the IC50 was determined at 20 µM/ml. The D-Carvone treatment was increased the oxidative stress and reduced the level of antioxidants in the Molt-4 cell lines. The increased intracellular ROS, apoptotic cell death, and diminished MMP was noted in the D-Carvone treatment. In the Molt-4 cells, D-carvone induced the apoptosis in a time and dose dependent manner by the activation of caspases-8, -9 and -3. Thus, data provide insights for the clinical application of D-Carvone in the treatment of blood cancer Molt-4 cells. Our study suggests the therapeutic potential D-Carvone for the treatment of leukemia in future.

Fucoxanthin induced apoptotic cell death in oral squamous carcinoma (KB) cells.

Fucoxanthin (Fx) is an active compound commonly found in the many types of seaweed with numerous biological activities. The main goal of this investigation is to explore the effect of Fx against the cell proliferation, apoptotic induction and oxidative stress in the oral squamous (KB) cell line. Cytotoxicity of Fx was determined by MTT assay. The intracellular ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and apoptosis induction in KB cells were examined through DCFH-DA, Rhodamine-123 and DAPI, and dual staining techniques. Effect of Fx on the antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in the KB cells was studied through the standard procedures. Fx treated KB cells showed morphological changes and reduced cell survival, which is exhibited by the cytotoxic activity of 50 µM/ml (IC50) Fx against the KB cells. The Fx treatment considerably induced the apoptotosis cells (EB/AO) and decreased the MMP (Rh-123) in KB cells. Further, it was pointed out that there was an increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) with decreased antioxidants (CAT, SOD and GSH). These results concluded that Fx has the cytotoxic effect against KB cells and has the potential to induce the apoptosis via increased oxidative stress. Hence, the Fx can be a promising agent for the treatment of oral cancer and it may lead to the development of cancer therapeutics.

LIF/LIFR oncogenic signaling is a novel therapeutic target in endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the fourth most common cancer in women. Advanced-stage EC has limited treatment options with a poor prognosis. There is an unmet need for the identification of actionable drivers for the development of targeted therapies in EC. Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) and its ligand LIF play a major role in cancer progression, metastasis, stemness, and therapy resistance. However, little is known about the functional significance of the LIF/LIFR axis in EC progression. In this study using endometrial tumor tissue arrays, we identified that expression of LIF, LIFR is upregulated in EC. Knockout of LIFR using CRISPR/Cas9 in two different EC cells resulted in a significant reduction of their cell viability and cell survival. In vivo studies demonstrated that LIFR-KO significantly reduced EC xenograft tumor growth. Treatment of established and primary patient-derived EC cells with a novel LIFR inhibitor, EC359 resulted in the reduction of cell viability with an IC50 in the range of 20-100 nM and induction of apoptosis. Further, treatment with EC359 reduced the spheroid formation of EC cancer stem cells and reduced the levels of cancer stem cell markers SOX2, OCT4, NANOG, and Axin2. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that EC359 treatment attenuated the activation of LIF-LIFR driven pathways, including STAT3 and AKT/mTOR signaling in EC cells. Importantly, EC359 treatment resulted in a significant reduction of the growth of EC patient-derived explants ex vivo, EC cell line-derived xenografts, and patient-derived xenografts in vivo. Collectively, our work revealed the oncogenic potential of the LIF/LIFR axis in EC and support the utility of LIFR inhibitor, EC359, as a novel targeted therapy for EC via the inhibition of LIF/LIFR oncogenic signaling.

CD44 variant 6 is involved in the attachment and invasion of endometrial cells to peritoneum.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of CD44 standard (CD44s), CD44v3, and CD44v6 overexpression (OE) on immortalized human endometrial epithelial (iEECs) and stroma cells (human endometrial stromal cells [hESCs]) using in vitro assays and a nude mouse xenograft model. Menstrual endometrial cells from women with endometriosis have increased adhesion and also express higher levels of CD44 variant 6 (v6), but not v3, compared to menstrual endometrial cells from women without endometriosis. DESIGN: In vitro studies and in vivo xenograft model. SETTING: Academic center. PATIENTS(S): Deidentified immortalized endometrial epithelial tissue samples of a reproductive-age woman. INTERVENTION(S): Overexpression of CD44s, CD44v3, and CD44v6 was carried out using lipofectamine, and their expression was verified with mRNA and protein in iEEC and hESCs. The OE cells were used in in vitro studies and an in vivo xenograft model compared to plasmid control. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The effect of CD44s, CD44v3, and CD44v6 OE on attachment and invasion assays and a xenograft model with immortalized human stromal and epithelial cells. RESULT(S): Expression of mRNA and protein confirmed appropriate OE of CD44s, CD44v3, and CD44v6 in the different cell types. CD44v6 OE increased attachment of hESCs compared with controls. CD44v6 OE did not change the attachment of iEECs. There was no difference in attachment in iEECs or hESCs with OE of CD44s or CD44v3. CONCLUSION(S): Overexpression of CD44v6 increases attachment of hESCs to peritoneal mesothelial cells in an in vitro assay and an in vivo xenograft model. Menstrual endometrial cell type and CD44 variants play a complex role in the development of the early endometriotic lesion.

Effect of troxerutin on 2-aminoanthracene and DNA interaction and its anti-mutagenic property.

One of the pivotal mechanisms projected for bioflavonoids in cancer chemoprevention is through their intervention against mutagen-DNA interaction. Recent literatures emphasize the role of troxerutin (TXER) as an emerging anticancer agent. However, there are no reports on its intervention in any carcinogen-DNA interaction. The present study investigates the possibility of TXER, in prevention of 2-aminoanthracene (2-AA) contact with DNA. Steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy results, highlight the direct contact of 2-AA with DNA, while presence of TXER prevented this interaction. Gel-electrophoresis study clearly revealed that, TXER inhibits 2-AA+UVA radiation induced DNA damage. Fluorescence microscopic studies elucidated that, TXER treatment obstructs the 2-AA interaction with cellular DNA, while molecular docking showed the energetically favourable structure of TXER/2-AA/TXER complex. Further anti-mutagenicity experiment revealed that, TXER prevents the mutation induced colony formation in mutant strain of S. typhymurium. Our in vitro and ex vivo experimental findings provide imperative evidence about the protective role of TXER against environmental carcinogens through the inhibition of carcinogen-DNA interaction, implicating its potential for therapeutic applications in cancer.

Ethyl trans-12-(pyridin-4-yl)-9,10-ethano-anthracene-11-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C24H21NO2, the residues at the central ethyl-ene bridge are trans to each other. The dihedral angles between the pyridine and benzene rings are 67.09 (6) and 61.41 (5)°. In the crystal, centrosymmetrically related mol-ecules are linked into dimers by pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

1,7,8,9,10,10-Hexachloro-4-(thio-phen-2-ylmeth-yl)-4-aza-tricyclo-[5.2.1.0]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione.

In the title compound, C(14)H(7)Cl(6)NO(2)S, the six-membered ring of the aza-tricyclo system has a boat conformation whereas the five-membered rings have an envelope conformation. The thio-phene ring and the ring of the succinimide moiety enclose a dihedral angle of 67.2 (1)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

1,7,8,9,10,10-Hexachloro-4-(2-phenyl-eth-yl)-4-aza-tricyclo-[5.2.1.0]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione.

In the title compound, C(17)H(11)Cl(6)NO(2), the six-membered ring of the norbornene moiety adopts a boat conformation whereas the two five-membered rings adopt envelope conformations. The phenyl ring and the ring of the succinimide moiety are almost coplanar [dihedral angle = 7.44 (14)°]. The crystal packing is stabilized by a weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond.

Adsorption of uranium from aqueous solution using chitosan-tripolyphosphate (CTPP) beads.

Chitosan-tripolyphosphate (CTPP) beads were prepared using in-liquid curing method and used for the adsorption of uranium from aqueous solution. Beads were prepared at two different cross-linking densities by adjusting the pH of the tripolyphosphate solution. The synthesized beads were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy before and after adsorption of uranium. Beads having higher cross-linking are found to have better adsorption capacity for uranium. Factors that influence the uranium adsorption onto CTPP beads such as solution pH, contact time and initial uranium concentration were studied in detail. The experimental results were fitted into Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. From Langmuir adsorption model the adsorption capacity of CTPP beads for uranium is estimated as 236.9 mg/g. Pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion model were applied to the observed kinetics data and the results shows that the pseudo-second order model is more suitable to explain the kinetics of adsorption of uranium on CTPP beads. FTIR spectroscopic characterization of the beads showed that the phosphate groups may be more responsible for the adsorption of uranium on CTPP beads.

Characterizing breast cancer tissues through the spectral correlation properties of polarized fluorescence.

We study the spectral correlation properties of the polarized fluorescence spectra of normal and cancerous human breast tissues, corresponding to patients belonging to diverse age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. The emission range in the visible wavelength regime of 500 to 700 nm is analyzed, with the excitation wavelength at 488 nm, where flavin is one of the active fluorophores. The correlation matrices for parallel and perpendicularly polarized fluorescence spectra reveal correlated domains, differing significantly in normal and cancerous tissues. These domains can be ascribed to different fluorophores and absorbers in the tissue medium. The spectral fluctuations in the perpendicular component of the cancerous tissue clearly reveal randomization not present in the normal channel. Random matrix-based predictions for the spectral correlations match quite well with the observed behavior. The eigenvectors of the correlation matrices corresponding to large eigenvalues clearly separate out different tissue types and identify the dominant wavelengths, which are active in cancerous tissues.

Removal of chromium(VI) from water and wastewater using surfactant modified coconut coir pith as a biosorbent.

Coconut coir pith, an agricultural solid waste was used as biosorbent for the removal of chromium(VI) after modification with a cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. Optimum pH for Cr(VI) adsorption was found to be 2.0. Reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) occurred to a slight extent during the removal. Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms were used to model the adsorption equilibrium data and the system followed all the three isotherms. The adsorption capacity of the biosorbent was found to be 76.3 mg g(-1), which is higher or comparable to the adsorption capacity of various adsorbents reported in literature. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption obeyed second order and Elovich model. Thermodynamic parameters such as delta G0, delta H0 and delta S0 were evaluated, indicating that the overall adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous. Effects of foreign anions were also examined. The adsorbent was also tested for the removal of Cr(VI) from electroplating effluent.

Pyridine biodegradation in a novel rotating rope bioreactor.

A novel immobilised bioreactor has been developed especially for the treatment of pollutants characterized by high volatility along with high water solubility and low microbial yields. The new bioreactor referred to as the rotating rope bioreactor (RRB) provides higher interfacial area (per unit reactor liquid volume) along with high oxygen mass transfer rate, greater microbial culture stability; and consequently higher substrate loadings and removal rates in comparison to other conventional rectors for the treatment of volatile compounds. Pyridine was used as a model compound to demonstrate the enhanced performance with RRB, when compared to that reported with other conventional bioreactors. The experimental results indicate that the novel RRB system is able to degrade pyridine with removal efficiency of more than 85% at higher pyridine concentration (up to 1000 mg/l) and loading [up to 400 mg/m(2)/h (66.86 g/m(3)/h)], with a shorter hydraulic retention time (9-18 h). The reactor has been in operation for the past 15 months and no loss of activity has been observed.

Hypoglycemic effect of ethanolic extract of Musa sapientum on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats and its relation with antioxidant potential.

The antihyperglycemic effect of ethanolic extract of flowers of Musa sapientum (Musaceae), a herb (used in Indian folklore medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus) in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of the ethanolic extract showed significant (p < 0.001) blood glucose lowering effect at 200 mg/kg in alloxan induced diabetic rats (120 mg/kg, i.p.) and the extract was also found to significantly (p < 0.001) scavenge oxygen free radicals, viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and also protein, malondialdehyde and ascorbic acid in vivo. Musa sapientum induced blood sugar reduction may be due to possible inhibition of free radicals and subsequent inhibition of tissue damage induced by alloxan. The antidiabetic activity observed in this plant may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroid and glycoside principles.