Single laser light source multi-channel PSK optical communication

Two light waves which have same wavelength and same plane of polarization can interact with each other and produce interference pattern only if the path difference between two waves is less than coherent length. It also means that if path difference is more than coherent length then waves will not create interference pattern or decoding of signal will not be possible. Using this property, it was demonstrated that more than one channel can be transmitted as long as the difference in their path lengths is more than the coherence length of the light source used. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Informatio

Transient combustion modeling of an oscillating lean premixed methane/air flame

The main objective of the present study is to demonstrate accurate low frequency transient turbulent combustion modeling. For accurate flame dynamics some improvements were made to the standard TFC combustion model for lean premixed combustion. With use of a 1D laminar flamelet code, predictions have been made for the laminar flame speed and the critical strain rate to improve the TFC (Turbulent Flame Speed Closure) combustion model. The computational fluid dynamics program CFX is used to perform transient simulations. These results were compared with experimental data of Weigand et al [1]. Two different\ud turbulence models have been used for predictions of the turbulent flow

Antioxidant effects of some selected flavonoids: a structure-activity relationship based study

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of some selected flavonoids with respect to identify key positions responsible for antioxidant effects as well as the effect of derivatisation on the antioxidative effects. Design and method: Antioxidant potential was evaluated using different sets of assays viz., rapid test by dot blot, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ABTS+ radical cation scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant powder (FRAP) and xanthine oxidase inhibitory (XOI) assays. Results: It was determined that the total number and the configuration of hydroxyl group play an important role in regulating bioactivity of flavonoids in scavenging DPPH radical, ABTS+ radical cation and FRAP assays. Presence of catechol and the absence of C-2-C-3 double bond as well as ketonic group at C-4 reduced the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Methylation and acetylation of hydroxyl groups at particular positions were also found to decrease the in vitro bioactivity of flavonoids. Conclusions: The results of this study will further help to understand the role of flavonoids as natural antioxidants which might facilitate in the development of nutritional products and semi synthetic analogs that retain substantial antioxidant capacity with minimal adverse effects. Keywords: Flavonoids; antioxidant activity; derivatisation, structure activity relationshi

Patient Satisfaction in Chamber Setting in Bangladesh measured by Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9 Bangla)

Background: Assessment of patient satisfaction is crucial but there is significant lagging in this sector. Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of health care quality as well as a predictor of treatment adherence. The Good patient-doctor relationship is considered as an integral part of the patient satisfaction. In Bangladesh, this domain is yet to be explored in a large scale. Aim: It was aimed to look into the patient satisfaction level in chamber setting in Bangladesh measured using the patient-doctor relationship questionnaire (PDRQ-9 Bangla). Methods: PDRQ-9 is a short yet excellent tool for assessing the patient-doctor relationship. The data collection was done in private chamber setting by the PDRQ-9 and analyzed. Results: Though the result was not completely in line with the existing literature, the PDRQ-9 was found to be a useful and brief measurement tool in the context of the patient-doctor relationship. Conclusion: Large-scale research in this particular aspect of patient satisfaction in future may provide a more succinct resul

Enzymatic hydrolysis for the removal of 3- monochloropropanediol esters in edible oils using Candida rugosa lipase in the presence of deep eutectic solvents and nanocellulose

3-monochloropropanediol ester (3-MCPDE) is identified as a food-borne contaminant in edible oils and are classified as a possible carcinogen. This study reports an efficient enzymatic technique for the removal of 3-MCPDE from extra virgin olive oil (EVO) using Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) as the biocatalyst in the presence of choline chloride and fructose-based natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) and nanocellulose (NC) extracted from almond shells. The validity of the method was confirmed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showing adequate precision with relative standard deviation values ≤ 2.37%. The quantification and detection limit are within the permissible levels of 3-MCPD in edible oils. Under optimized conditions of 30 min at 90 °C with 60 µL of phenylboronic acid (PBA), the enzymatic hydrolysis resulted in the removal of 79.8% of spiked 3-MCPD in EVO. No adverse effects of the EVO were detected from this technique with respect to the oil quality testing. The application of DESs and NCs as the support material for the CRL biocatalyst for the removal of 3-MCPDE has yet to be explored. This could have a significant impact on the edible oil industry for producing oils of higher quality free from 3-MCPDE

Nanocellulose and natural deep eutectic solvent as potential biocatalyst system toward enzyme immobilization

This study reports the immobilization of Candida Rugosa lipase (CRL) onto nanocellulose (NC) extracted from almond shells using p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) and sulfuric acid (ASS) with sugar-based natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES1a) as a biocatalyst system. The properties of both immobilized lipases were studied and compared to the free enzyme counterpart. Under optimized conditions (2 h, 40 ºC and pH 7.0), the immobilized CRL-PTSA-NADES1a and CRL-ASS-NADES1a gave a maximum specific activity of 4.9 U mg−1 and 6.57 U mg−1, respectively, compared to the free CRL (4.52 U mg−1). Both immobilized CRL showed better thermal stability, high catalytic activity and reusability up to 7 consecutive cycles. The half- life of the immobilized lipase was 14 ∼ 16 days greater than free lipase (27 days). The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of NC-ASS (20.76 m2 g−1) is higher compared to NC-PTSA (4.81 m2 g−1). The functional groups and morphology of the free and immobilized CRL were further determined by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These findings revealed that the immobilized CRL onto NCs and NADES1a as green materials and solvent, respectively had higher lipase immobilization efficiency and stability for the treatment of food contaminants in oils in order to satisfy increasing commercial demands in the oil industry

Outcomes of High-Dose-Rate Interstitial Brachytherapy in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Long-term Results

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine locoregional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), and toxicity of high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-ISBT) in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between March 1996 and May 2009, 116 patients with cervical cancer were treated. Of these, 106 (91%) patients had advanced disease (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB-IVA). Ten patients had stage IB, 48 had stage II, 51 had stage III, and 7 had stage IVA disease. All patients were treated with a combination of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to the pelvis (5040 cGy) and 2 applications of HDR-ISBT to a dose of 3600 cGy to the implanted volume. Sixty-one percent of patients also received interstitial hyperthermia, and 94 (81%) patients received chemotherapy. RESULTS: Clinical LRC was achieved in 99 (85.3%) patients. Three-year DFS rates were 59%, 67%, 71%, and 57% for patients with stage IB, II, III, and IVA disease, respectively. The 5-year DFS and overall survival rates for the entire group were 60% and 44%, respectively. Acute and late toxicities were within acceptable limits. CONCLUSIONS: Locally advanced cervical cancer patients for whom intracavitary BT is unsuitable can achieve excellent LRC and OS with a combination of EBRT and HDR-ISBT

3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD): a review on properties, occurrence, mechanism of formation, toxicity, analytical approach and mitigation strategy

3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) is one of the most common food contaminants in processed oils which forms mostly during the deodorization step of edible oil refining process. It has been detected in many types of food products such as infant formula, margarine, bread and soy sauce, which could result in kidney and testicular damage. The presence of 3-MCPD contaminant have been occurring for more a decade, which warrants a maximum permissible amount of 2 µg/kg body weight in food products in national and international levels. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview in the past 12 years on its physicochemical properties, occurrence, potential precursors and formation mechanism of 3-MCPD in foodstuffs. The toxicity, its quantification methods and mitigation strategy are also reviewed with an emphasis on the applicability, efficiency and issues encountered during the analysis. This review provides an elucidation regarding 3-MCPDEs and their food safety implications

Deep-phenotyping of Tregs identifies an immune signature for idiopathic aplastic anemia and predicts response to treatment

Idiopathic aplastic anemia (AA) is an immune-mediated and serious form of bone marrow failure. Akin to other autoimmune diseases, we have previously shown that in AA regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are reduced in number and function. The aim of this study was to further characterize Treg subpopulations in AA and investigate the potential correlation between specific Treg subsets and response to immunosuppressive therapy (IST) as well as their in-vitro expandability for potential clinical use. Using mass cytometry (CyTOF) and an unbiased multidimensional analytical approach, we identified two specific human Treg subpopulations (Treg A and Treg B) with distinct phenotypes, gene-expression, expandability and function. Treg subpopulation B, predominates in IST responder patients, has a memory/activated phenotype (with higher expression of CD95, CCR4 and CD45RO within FOXP3hi, CD127lo Tregs), expresses the IL- 2/STAT5 pathway and cell-cycle commitment genes. Furthermore, in-vitro expanded Tregs become functional and with the characteristics of Treg subpopulation B. Collectively, this study identifies human Treg subpopulations that can be used as predictive biomarkers for response to IST in AA and potentially other autoimmune diseases. We also show that Tregs from AA patients are IL-2 sensitive and expandable in-vitro, suggesting novel therapeutic approaches such as low dose IL-2 therapy and/or expanded autologous Tregs and meriting further exploration

Peptide and nucleic acid-directed self-assembly of cationic nanovehicles through giant unilamellar vesicle modification: targetable nanocomplexes for in vivo nucleic acid delivery

One of the greatest challenges for the development of genetic therapies is the efficient targeted delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids. Towards this goal, we have introduced a new engineering initiative in self-assembly of biologically safe and stable nanovesicle complexes (∼90-140 nm) derived from giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) precursors and comprising plasmid DNA or siRNA and targeting peptide ligands. The biological performance of the engineered nanovesicle complexes were studied both in vitro and in vivo and compared with cationic liposome-based lipopolyplexes. Compared with cationic lipopolyplexes, nanovesicle complexes did not show advantages in transfection and cell uptake. However, nanovesicle complexes neither displayed significant cytotoxicity nor activated the complement system, which are advantageous for intravenous injection and tumour therapy. On intravenous administration into a neuroblastoma xenograft mouse model, nanovesicle complexes were found to distribute throughout the tumour interstitium, thus providing an alternative safer approach for future development of tumour-specific therapeutic nucleic acid interventions. On oropharyngeal instillation, nanovesicle complexes displayed better transfection efficiency than cationic lipopolyplexes. The technological advantages of nanovesicle complexes, originating from GUVs, over traditional cationic liposome-based lipopolyplexes are discussed. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The efficient targeted delivery of nucleic acids in vivo provides some of the greatest challenges to the development of genetic therapies. Giant unilamellar lipid vesicles (GUVs) have been used mainly as cell and tissue mimics and are instrumental in studying lipid bilayers and interactions. Here, the GUVs have been modified into smaller nanovesicles. We have then developed novel nanovesicle complexes comprising self-assembling mixtures of the nanovesicles, plasmid DNA or siRNA, and targeting peptide ligands. Their biophysical properties were studied and their transfection efficiency was investigated. They transfected cells efficiently without any associated cytotoxicity and with targeting specificity, and in vivo they resulted in very high and tumour-specific uptake and in addition, efficiently transfected the lung. The peptide-targeted nanovesicle complexes allow for the specific targeted enhancement of nucleic acid delivery with improved biosafety over liposomal formulations and represent a promising tool to improve our arsenal of safe, non-viral vectors to deliver therapeutic cargos in a variety of disorders