Evaluation of pharmacological and catalytic activity of CuO and Zn doped CuO nanoparticles

124-129CuO and Zn doped CuO nanoparticles (Zn-CuO NPs) with varying concentration i.e., ZnxCu1−xO (where x = 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5%) have been prepared via microwave assisted method. The spheroid structure of CuO NPs and the nanorod structure of Zn- CuO NPs have been determined using High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HR-SEM) analysis. Elemental analysis has been carried out using Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX). The particle size and surface area of CuO and Zn-CuO NPs have been confirmed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. The antibacterial studies have been revealed that Zn(1.5%)-CuO NPs exhibited maximum zone of inhibition (19-29 mm) against the tested four bacterial strains. Zn-CuO NPs have been displayed robust action of antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.09 μM against Campylobacter coli (C. Coli). DPPH and H2O2 radical scavenging assay investigation have been revealed that the significant scavenging activity has showed by Zn(1.5%)-CuO. The in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of synthesized material against human breast (MCF7) and human lung (A549) cancer cell lines have been demonstrated that Zn(1.5%)-CuO NPs exhibited better cytotoxic activity against MCF7 cell lines (97.5% cell death) than A549 cell lines (90% cell death)

A novel EGFR inhibitor, HNPMI, regulates apoptosis and oncogenesis by modulating BCL-2/BAX and p53 in colon cancer

Background and Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most lethal disease, with high mortality due to its heterogeneity and chemo-resistance. Here, we have focused on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as an effective therapeutic target in CRC and studied the effects of polyphenols known to modulate several key signalling mechanisms including EGFR signalling, associated with anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic properties. Experimental Approach: Using ligand- and structure-based cheminformatics, we developed three potent, selective alkylaminophenols, 2-[(3,4-dihydroquinolin-1(2H)-yl)(p-tolyl)methyl]phenol (THTMP), 2-[(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-1-yl)(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]phenol (THMPP) and N-[2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl(4′-methylphenyl)methyl]indoline (HNPMI). These alkylaminophenols were assessed for EGFR interaction, EGFR-pathway modulation, cytotoxic and apoptosis induction, caspase activation and transcriptional and translational regulation. The lead compound HNPMI was evaluated in mice bearing xenografts of CRC cells. Key Results: Of the three alkylaminophenols tested, HNPMI exhibited the lowest IC50 in CRC cells and potential cytotoxic effects on other tumour cells. Modulation of EGFR pathway down-regulated protein levels of osteopontin, survivin and cathepsin S, leading to apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed that HNPMI induced G0/G1 phase arrest in CRC cells. HNPMI altered the mRNA for and protein levels of several apoptosis-related proteins including caspase 3, BCL-2 and p53. HNPMI down-regulated the proteins crucial to oncogenesis in CRC cells. Assays in mice bearing CRC xenografts showed that HNPMI reduced the relative tumour volume. Conclusions and Implications: HNPMI is a promising EGFR inhibitor for clinical translation. HNPMI regulated apoptosis and oncogenesis by modulating BCL-2/BAX and p53 in CRC cell lines, showing potential as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of CRC.Peer reviewe

Further Study on Sg∗- Closed Sets and Nsg∗ Closed Sets in Nano Topological Spaces

In this paper, we focused the set Strongly g∗d#, Strongly d0, Strongly d1, Strongly d2, Strongly g∗-kernel of A in topological spaces and studied some of their characters. We also introduce the Nano Sg∗ closed sets and studied few properties

A REVIEW ON DIAGNOSIS OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS IN PLANT LEAF IMAGE USING DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING

Plants, for their growth and survival, need 13 mineral nutrients. Toxicity or deficiency in any one or more of these nutrients affects the growth of plant and may even cause the destruction of the plant. Hence, a constant monitoring system for tracking the nutrient status in plants becomes essential for increase in production as well as quality of yield. A diagnostic system using digital image processing would diagnose the deficiency symptoms much earlier than human eyes could recognize. This will enable the farmers to adopt appropriate remedial action in time. This paper focuses on the review of work using image processing techniques for diagnosing nutrient deficiency in plants

Evaluation of certain insecticides on nettings for their efficacy and wash resistance against mosquito species

439-442Five insecticides (Bifenthrin, Deltamethrin, Etofenprox, Permethrin and Lamda cyhalothrin) recommended by WHO, at their recommended dose were compared for their efficacy and wash resistance through bioassay against mosquito vectors, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi. Etofenprox treated nettings exhibited better knockdown and mortality than the other insecticides. The order of efficacy of the insecticides treated nettings was Etofenprox ≥ Deltamethrin > Lambda cyhalothrin > Permethrin > Bifenthrin

Pulse reactor studies on La2CuO4 catalysed decomposition of isopropanol

508-509The dehydrogenation reaction of isopropanol on La2CuO4 catalyst having K2NiF4 structure has been studied by microcatalytic pulse reactor technique at different temperatures and flow rates. The kinetic parameters, activation energy and adsorption equilibrium constant have been calculated by analysis of the data

Fire Related Temperature Resistance of Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Mortar

The study presented in this paper is on the effect of heat treatment on fly ash based geopolymer mortar synthesized from fly ash (Class F –Low lime) using alkaline binary activator solution containing sodium hydroxide (18 M) and sodium silicate solution (MR 2.0), cured at 80oC for 24 h. 7 days aged specimen heated at elevated temperature (200°C, 400°C, 600°C and 800°C) for the sustained period of 2hrs. The TGA/DTA analysis and thermal conductivity measurement as per ASTM C113 were carried out besides the compressive strengths. The thermal stability of the fly ash mortar at elevated temperature was found to be high as reflected in the observed value of f800°C/f30°C being more than 1 and this ratio was raised to about 1.3 with the addition of 2% Zirconium di oxide (ZrO2). No visible cracks were found on the specimens with and without ZrO2 when 800°C was sustained for 4 hrs in smaller specimens of size: 50 mm diameter x 100 mm height and in also bigger size specimens: 22 cm × 11 cm × 7 cm) specimens. TGA/DTA analysis of the geopolymer paste showed that the retention of mass was around 90%. The addition of ZrO2 improved thermal resistance. The micro structure of the matrix found to be intact even at elevated temperature that was evident from the FESEM studies

Titania based catalysts for photoreduction of carbon dioxide: Role of modifiers

1263-1283 Photocatalytic conversions on titania utilizing sunlight as the energy source have been studied extensively for a variety of processes/ synthesis, like removal of pollutants in air and liquid streams, self-cleaning, anti-fogging and anti-bacterial applications, splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen and photoreduction of CO2 by water to yield hydrocarbons. These processes are receiving global attention as an off-shoot of the frantic search for alternative energy sources. Though titania continues to be the preferred catalyst in view of its low toxicity, ability to resist photo-corrosion, versatility, and abundant availability at low cost, critical limitations do exist in terms of its inability to get activated with visible light and in achieving high conversion efficiency and quantum yield. Several techniques of modifying titania to improve its performance have evolved over the years resulting in correlations and concepts on structure-property-activity and the role of preparation methods. Such modifications have lead to changes in light absorption efficiency, electronic structure, energy levels, morphology, phase composition and other photophysical properties with moderate improvements in the performance. Efforts to understand the mode of action of the modifiers in terms of the first principles, i.e., rationalization of the activity in terms of electronic and structural properties and establishing theoretical basis for the photocatalytic action, have met with only partial success, due to conflicting observations/results.   The objectives towards modifications, namely, extending the light absorption range, retarding charge carrier re-combination, facilitating their fast transport to the active sites on titania surface and incorporation of active elements suitable for redox reactions, have been achieved to a reasonable level. However, commensurate improvement in activity/CO2 conversion has not been observed. Maximization of selectivity (to methane or methanol) and arresting catalyst deactivation are the two major issues yet to be understood in clear terms. An in-depth study to understand the surface transformations at molecular level under activation by light energy, is needed to achieve further improvements in the activity of the catalysts and the process. This review brings forth an account of the investigations on modified titania, capturing some significant and selected contributions out of the vast literature available, with an emphasis on application for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 with water.</sub