Macrocycle-facilitated transport of uranyl ions across supported liquid membranes using dicyclohexano-18-Crown-6 as mobile carrier

373-375Transport of uranyl ions from aqueous nitric acid solutions across DC18C6/toluene by supported liquid membrane has been investigated using thin flat-sheet polypropylene membrane films as solid supports. More than 95% of uranium can be transported through 0.4 M  DC18C6/toluene into dilute aqueous nitric acid strip-pant in about 3-4 hr. Stability of the flat sheet membranes has also been tested

Identification of novel S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase inhibitors through homology-model-based virtual screening, synthesis, and biological evaluation

The present study describes a successful application of computational approaches to identify novel Leishmania donovani (Ld) AdoHcyase inhibitors utilizing the differences for Ld AdoHcyase NAD+ binding between human and Ld parasite. The development and validation of the three-dimensional (3D) structures of Ld AdoHcyase using the L. major AdoHcyase as template has been carried out. At the same time, cloning of the Ld AdoHcyase gene from clinical strains, its overexpression and purification have been performed. Further, the model was used in combined docking and molecular dynamics studies to validate the binding site of NAD in Ld. The hierarchical structure based virtual screening followed by the synthesis of five active hits and enzyme inhibition assay has resulted in the identification of novel Ld AdoHcyase inhibitors. The most potent inhibitor, compound 5, may serve as a “lead” for developing more potent Ld AdoHcy hydrolase inhibitors as potential antileishmanial agents

Radiotracer investigation of a pulp and paper mill effluent treatment plant

The pulp and paper industry is highly dependent on water for most of its processes, producing a significant amount of wastewater that should be treated to comply with environmental standards before its discharge into surface-water reservoirs. The wastewater generated primarily consists of substantial amounts of organic, inorganic, toxic and pathogenic compounds in addition to nutrients, which are treated in an effluent treatment plant that often combines primary, secondary, tertiary and advanced treatments. However, the treatment methods vary from industry to industry according to the process utilized. The effective performance of effluent treatment plants is crucial from both environmental and economic points of view. Radiotracer techniques can be effectively used to optimize performance and detect anomalies like dead zones, bypassing, channelling, etc. in wastewater treatment plants. Experiments on the distribution of residence time were performed on the aeration tank and secondary clarifier of a full-scale pulp and paper mill to study the flow behaviour as well as locate system anomalies and hence evaluate the performance of the treatment plants using the radiotracer I-131. The convolution method was applied to model the system with an imperfect impulse radiotracer input. The aeration tank was working efficiently in the absence of any dead zones or bypassing. Various hydrodynamic models available in the literature were applied on the aeration tank and secondary clarifier to obtain the hydraulic representation of the systems

Identification of Novel <i>S-</i>Adenosyl-l-Homocysteine Hydrolase Inhibitors through Homology-Model-Based Virtual Screening, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation

The present study describes a successful application of computational approaches to identify novel Leishmania donovani (<i>Ld)</i> AdoHcyase inhibitors utilizing the differences for <i>Ld</i> AdoHcyase NAD⁺ binding between human and <i>Ld</i> parasite. The development and validation of the three-dimensional (3D) structures of <i>Ld</i> AdoHcyase using the L. major AdoHcyase as template has been carried out. At the same time, cloning of the <i>Ld</i> AdoHcyase gene from clinical strains, its overexpression and purification have been performed. Further, the model was used in combined docking and molecular dynamics studies to validate the binding site of NAD in <i>Ld</i>. The hierarchical structure based virtual screening followed by the synthesis of five active hits and enzyme inhibition assay has resulted in the identification of novel <i>Ld</i> AdoHcyase inhibitors. The most potent inhibitor, compound <b>5</b>, may serve as a “lead” for developing more potent <i>Ld</i> AdoHcy hydrolase inhibitors as potential antileishmanial agents

Table_1_Morphological characterization, pathogenicity screening, and molecular identification of Fusarium spp. isolates causing post-flowering stalk rot in maize.DOCX

Post flowering stalk rot (PFSR) of maize caused by the Fusarium species complex is a serious threat to maize production worldwide. The identification of Fusarium species causing PFSR based on morphology traditionally relies on a small set of phenomic characteristics with only minor morphological variations among distinct Fusarium species. Seventy-one isolates were collected from 40 sites in five agro-climatic zones of India to assess the diversity of Fusarium spp. associated with maize crops showing symptoms of PFSR in the field. To investigate the pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. causing PFSR sixty isolates were toothpick inoculated between the first and second node at 55 days after sowing during the tassel formation stage of the crop in Kharif (Rainy season), and Rabi (Winter season) season field trials. Ten most virulent Fusarium isolates, based on the highest observed disease index, were identified by homology and phylogenetic analyses of partial sequences of the translation elongation factor 1 α (Tef-1α). Based on morphological traits such as mycelial growth patterns and mycelial pigmentation, Fusarium isolates were divided into nine clusters. The isolates were judged to be virulent based on their ability to decrease seedling vigour in in-vivo situations and high disease severity in field experiments. Pathogenicity test during the Kharif season showed 12 isolates with virulent disease symptoms with a mean severity ranging between 50 to 67 percent disease index (PDI) whereas in Rabi season, only five isolates were considered virulent, and the mean severity ranged between 52 to 67 PDI. Based on pathological characterization and molecular identification, 10 strains of Fusarium species namely, Fusarium acutatum (2/10), Fusarium verticillioides (Syn. Gibberella fujikuroi var. moniliformis) (7/10), Fusarium andiyazi (2/10) recorded the highest diseases index. All these species are part of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC). The distribution of virulent isolates is specific to a geographical location with a hot humid climate. Increased knowledge regarding the variability of Fusarium spp. responsible for PFSR of maize occurring across wide geographical locations of India will enable more informed decisions to be made to support the management of the disease, including screening for resistance in maize-inbred lines.</p

Altered cropping pattern and cultural continuation with declined prosperity following abrupt and extreme arid event at ~4,200 yrs BP: Evidence from an Indus archaeological site Khirsara, Gujarat, western India - Fig 2

<p>Archaeological artifacts recovered from Khirsara (A) Mature Harappan ceramics (painted and plain) (B) Red Ware Harappan pot (C) Gold beads (D) Fish hook made of copper (E) Copper objects (F) Beads of semiprecious stones (G) Seal with bison (H) Seal bearing Harappan characters. These antiquities have been stored at the office of Excavation Branch-V, ASI, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.</p