Evidence for Genotoxicity of 3-Hydroxyanthranilic Acid in the Presence of a Metal Cofactor Copper In Vitro

Tryptophan metabolites anthranilic acid (AA) and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-OHAA) have been implicated in the etiology of bladder cancer. Metal-mediated activation of these compounds into mutagens was tested using a plasmid relaxation assay at increasing concentrations of copper (Cu (II) at 5 µM-20 µM in the presence of plasmid pSP-72. One hundred µM 3-OHAA induced plasmid relaxation in the presence of metal cofactor Cu (II) at a concentration as low as 5 µM. The Cu (II) mediated mutagenic activation of 3-OHAA was further investigated using Ames Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assay with reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensitive tester strain Salmonella TA102. A significant increase in TA102 revertants was observed with an increase in concentration of Cu (II) from 2.5 µg to 50 µg incubated with 100 µg 3-OHAA/plate but not AA. This evidence for mutagenicity with only 3-OHAAin the presence of Cu (II) but not with AA suggests that the presence of the hydroxyl group in 3-OHAAis critical for generating ROSmediated mutagenicity. In summary, this study finds that 3-OHAA, in the presence of the metal cofactor copper causes oxidative stress that damages DNA

Management of proximal femur varum deformity in skeletal dysplasia: an illustrative case report

Metaphyseal chondrodysplasia is skeletal dysplasia involving long tubular bones at metaphyseal regions, sparing the epiphysis, predominantly involving lower limbs, hence hindering normal mobilization activity of the individual. Individuals present with pain and deformity due to pathological fracture at the deformity site which necessitates deformity correction and surgical fixation. This is a case of skeletal metaphyseal dysplasia in 47-year female, short statured with bilateral proximal femoral Vara with pathological fracture, treated with deformity correction, surgical fixation. Patient initially presented at 36 years of age with sudden onset left hip pain. She was diagnosed with left femoral neck fracture and coxa Vara deformity. The femoral neck had spontaneously fractured due to increased bending forces acting on the femoral neck due to the coxa Vara deformity. She underwent valgus osteotomy with dynamic hip screw fixation. Further advised for prophylactic corrective osteotomy of contralateral proximal femur however patient was lost to follow-up. At 47 years she presented with pain in the right thigh. She was diagnosed to have right proximal femur pathological fracture due to progressive femur varus deformity for which she underwent right proximal femur valgus closing wedge subtrochanteric osteotomy and fixation using dynamic condylar screw. In our case left proximal femur which was operated did not have any complications. However, right proximal femur which was operated, at four months follow-up revealed no complications except for the foot drop which she developed post-surgery. Hence main aim of the study is to prove that the early prophylactic surgical management of the Vara help to provide successful outcomes

Endocrine disrupting compounds removal methods from wastewater in the United Kingdom: A review

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are contaminants with estrogenic or androgenic activity that negatively impact human and animal communities. These compounds have become one of the significant concerns for wastewater treatment in recent decades. Several studies have evaluated EDC removal methods from wastewater across the globe including the United Kingdom (UK). Accordingly, the current study reviews EDC removal methods from municipal/domestic wastewater in the United Kingdom (UK) for the period of 2010–2017. The research highlights that despite the relative efficacy of existing chemical and physical methods for removing certain EDCs from wastewater there is emerging evidence supporting the need for more widespread application of nature-based and biological approaches, particularly the use of biofilms. The analysis reveals that there have been relatively few research studies on EDC removal methods have been carried out in the UK in the 2010–2017 period and none of the research focused on EDC removal using biofilms. Finally, this review suggests that more research is needed to remove EDCs, particularly through the application of biofilms, from municipal wastewater in current scenarios

Effective Gesture Based Framework for Capturing User Input

Computers today aren't just confined to laptops and desktops. Mobile gadgets like mobile phones and laptops also make use of it. However, one input device that hasn't changed in the last 50 years is the QWERTY keyboard. Users of virtual keyboards can type on any surface as if it were a keyboard thanks to sensor technology and artificial intelligence. In this research, we use the idea of image processing to create an application for seeing a computer keyboard using a novel framework which can detect hand gestures with precise accuracy while also being sustainable and financially viable. A camera is used to capture keyboard images and finger movements which subsequently acts as a virtual keyboard. In addition, a visible virtual mouse that accepts finger coordinates as input is also described in this study. This system has a direct benefit of reducing peripheral cost, reducing electronics waste generated due to external devices and providing accessibility to people who cannot use the traditional keyboard and mouse

Sorption of divalent metal ions from aqueous solution by carbon nanotubes: A review

In this article, the technical feasibility of various kinds of raw and surface oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for sorption of divalent metal ions (Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Zn2+) from aqueous solution is reviewed. The sorption mechanisms appear mainly attributable to chemical interactions between the metal ions and the surface functional groups of the CNTs. The sorption capacities of CNTs remarkably increased after oxidized by NaOCl, HNO3 and KMnO4 solutions and such surface oxidized CNTs show great potential as superior sorbents for environmental protection applications. Effects of process parameters, such as CNT characterizations (surface area, pore size distribution, sorbent mass, and surface total acidity), solution properties (ionic strength, pH, initial sorbate concentration and temperature) and competition for sorption sites by multiple metal ions, on the performance of CNTs are addressed in some detail. The recovery of metal ions and the regeneration of CNTs can be achieved using acid elution with little effect on the CNT performance. The utilization of CNTs for the treatment of water and wastewater containing divalent metal ions is gaining more attention as a simple and effective means of pollution control. Future research works on developing a cost-effective way of CNT production and testing the toxicity of CNTs and CNT-related materials are recommended

Endocrine disrupting compounds removal methods from wastewater in the United Kingdom:a review

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are contaminants with estrogenic or androgenic activity that negatively impact human and animal communities. These compounds have become one of the most significant concerns for wastewater treatment in recent decades. Several studies have evaluated EDC removal methods from wastewater across the globe, including the United Kingdom (UK). Accordingly, the current study reviews EDC removal methods from municipal/domestic wastewater in the United Kingdom (UK) for the period of 2010–2017. The current study analysed original research articles (250), review articles (52), short communication (43), and other associated documents via the ScienceDirect.com database. A total of 25 published articles, which covered EDC removal methods from UK wastewaters, were reviewed rigorously. The research highlights that despite the relative efficacy of existing chemical and physical methods for removing certain EDCs from wastewater, there is emerging evidence supporting the need for more widespread application of nature-based and biological approaches, particularly the use of biofilms. The analysis reveals that there have been relatively few research studies on EDC removal methods carried out in the UK in the 2010–2017 period. Only four papers addressed the removal of specific endocrine disrupting compounds from UK municipal wastewater, and none of the studies addressed EDC removal by using direct biofilms. Finally, this review suggests that more research is needed to remove EDCs, particularly through the application of biofilms, from municipal wastewater in current scenarios

Diminished Phosphorylation of CREB Is a Key Event in the Dysregulation of Gluconeogenesis and Glycogenolysis in PCB126 Hepatotoxicity

The dioxin-like PCB126 elicits toxicity in various target organs. In rat liver, an alteration in the transcript levels of several genes involved in glucose and fatty acid metabolism provides insights into the origin of its hepatotoxicity. To explore the mechanisms, male Sprague–Dawley rats, fed an AIN-93G diet, were injected with PCB126 (1 or 5 μmol/kg) or corn oil and euthanized after 2 weeks. PCB126 significantly decreased serum glucose levels and the transcript levels of genes of many gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic enzymes under the transcriptional control of a nuclear transcription factor, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). As a novel finding, we show that PCB126 significantly decreases CREB phosphorylation, which is important for regulating both gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in the liver and explains CREB’s integrative effects on both carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in PCB126 toxicity

In Vitro Characterization of a Multifunctional Staphylokinase Variant with Reduced Reocclusion, Produced from Salt Inducible E. coli GJ1158

The thrombolytic therapy with clinically approved drugs often ensues with recurrent thrombosis caused by thrombin-induced platelet aggregation from the clot debris. In order to minimize these problems, a staphylokinase (SAK)-based bacterial friendly multifunctional recombinant protein SRH (staphylokinase (SAK) linked with tripeptide RGD and dodecapeptide Hirulog (SRH)) was constructed to have Hirulog as an antithrombin agent and RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) as an antiplatelet agent in the present study. This multifunctional fusion protein SRH was expressed in osmotically inducible E. coli GJ1158 as soluble form and purified with a yield of 0.27 g/L and functionally characterized in vitro. SRH retained the fibrinolytic activity and plasminogen activation rate comparable to the parental counterpart SAK. The antithrombin activity of SRH was significantly higher than SAK. The platelet rich clot lysis assay indicated that SRH had enhanced platelet binding activity and T50% and C50 of SRH were significantly lower than that of SAK. Furthermore, SRH inhibited the ADP-induced platelet aggregation in dose-dependent manner while SAK had no significant effect on platelet aggregation. Thus, the current study suggests that the SAK variant produced from osmotically inducible GJ1158 is more potent thrombolytic agent with antithrombin and antiplatelet aggregation activities for reduction of reocclusion in thrombolytic therapy

Data from: PCB126 inhibits the activation of AMPK-CREB signal transduction required for energy sensing in liver

3,3’,4,4’,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126), a dioxin-like PCB, elicits toxicity through a wide array of non-carcinogenic effects, including metabolic syndrome, wasting, and non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD). Previously, we reported decreases in the transcription of several enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis, before the early onset of lipid accumulation. Hence, this study was aimed at understanding the impact of resultant decreases gluconeogenic enzymes on growth, weight and metabolism in the liver, upon extended exposure. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (75-100 g), fed a defined AIN-93G diet, were injected (ip) with single dose of soy oil (5 ml/kg body weight; n=14) or PCB126 (5 µmol/kg; n=15), 28 d, prior euthanasia. A subset of rats from each group were fasted for 12h (vehicle (n=6) and PCB126 (n=4)). Rats only showed significant weight loss between days 14 and 28 (P<0.05) and some mortality (P=0.0413). As in our previous studies, the expression levels of enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis (Pepck-c, G6Pase, Sds, Pc and Ldh-A) and glycogenolysis (Pygl) were strongly downregulated. The decreased expression of these enzymes in PCB126 treated rats after a 12 h fast decreased hepatic glucose production from glycogen and gluconeogenic substrates, exacerbating the hypoglycemia. Additionally, PCB126 caused hepatic steatosis and decreased the expression of the transcription factor Pparα and its targets, necessary for fatty-acid oxidation. The observed metabolic disruption across multiple branches of fasting metabolism resulted from inhibition in the activation of enzyme AMPK and transcription factor CREB signaling, necessary for “sensing” energy-deprivation and the induction of enzymes that respond to the PCB126 triggered fuel crisis in liver