Simultaneous estimation of Amino acids by using HPLC

Various methods for the individual as well as simultaneous estimation of amino acids using various techniques like HPLC and other way outs like electrophoresis have been described in this review paper. The amino acid determination by using HPLC can either be done by using pre-column or post column derivatization. The amino acid is first derivatized into a particular derivative and then is analysed into the column in the case of pre-column derivatization, whereas in the case of post column derivatization, the amino acid is first passed through the column for the sake of separation and then the separated amino acids are derivatized into their such derivatives which can be detected by fluorescence detector. Out of the above two mentioned techniques, pre-column derivatization is used more oftenly than the post column derivatization. Few of the most commonly used derivatization agents are phenylisothiocyanate, o-phthalaldehyde+2-mercaptoethanol, dansyl chloride, phenylthiohydantoin etc

Evaluation of outcome of pregnancy in threatened abortion by serum progesterone levels

Background: Early pregnancy maintenance depends on the progesterone production by the developing trophoblasts of the placenta and the corpus luteum of ovary. Threatened abortion has a psychological impact on patients so we need to have a tool that could predict the outcome of threatened abortion in advance. Serum progesterone level has shown to be a reliable marker of pregnancy outcome. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between maternal serum progesterone level and pregnancy outcome in threatened abortion and to assess the role of maternal serum progesterone levels in the immediate diagnosis of pregnancy failure.Methods: This observational study was conducted in the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lalla Ded Hospital, Government Medical College, Srinagar over a period of 1 year in 100 women presenting with threatened abortion of less than 12 weeks of gestation, having spotting but without cervical dilatation.  Results: Mean maternal serum progesterone level in patients of threatened abortion who aborted was 21.5 ± 10.4 nanograms per millilitre and patients of threatened abortion who progressed normally to the period of viability had mean maternal serum progesterone level of 41.6 ± 10.8 nanograms per millilitre. Considering 24 nanograms per millilitre as cut off  limit, 19% of patients of threatened abortion were having serum progesterone level of lesser than or equal to 24 nanograms per millilitre and 81% of patients of threatened abortion were having serum progesterone level of greater than 24 nanograms per millilitre.  Conclusions: Serum progesterone level is easy and reliable assay for determination of pregnancy outcome

Targeting Apoptotic Pathway of Cancer Cells with Phytochemicals and Plant-Based Nanomaterials

Apoptosis is the elimination of functionally non-essential, neoplastic, and infected cells via the mitochondrial pathway or death receptor pathway. The process of apoptosis is highly regulated through membrane channels and apoptogenic proteins. Apoptosis maintains cellular balance within the human body through cell cycle progression. Loss of apoptosis control prolongs cancer cell survival and allows the accumulation of mutations that can promote angiogenesis, promote cell proliferation, disrupt differentiation, and increase invasiveness during tumor progression. The apoptotic pathway has been extensively studied as a potential drug target in cancer treatment. However, the off-target activities of drugs and negative implications have been a matter of concern over the years. Phytochemicals (PCs) have been studied for their efficacy in various cancer cell lines individually and synergistically. The development of nanoparticles (NPs) through green synthesis has added a new dimension to the advancement of plant-based nanomaterials for effective cancer treatment. This review provides a detailed insight into the fundamental molecular pathways of programmed cell death and highlights the role of PCs along with the existing drugs and plant-based NPs in treating cancer by targeting its programmed cell death (PCD) network

Discutindo a educação ambiental no cotidiano escolar: desenvolvimento de projetos na escola formação inicial e continuada de professores

A presente pesquisa buscou discutir como a Educação Ambiental (EA) vem sendo trabalhada, no Ensino Fundamental e como os docentes desta escola compreendem e vem inserindo a EA no cotidiano escolar., em uma escola estadual do município de Tangará da Serra/MT, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se entrevistas com os professores que fazem parte de um projeto interdisciplinar de EA na escola pesquisada. Verificou-se que o projeto da escola não vem conseguindo alcançar os objetivos propostos por: desconhecimento do mesmo, pelos professores; formação deficiente dos professores, não entendimento da EA como processo de ensino-aprendizagem, falta de recursos didáticos, planejamento inadequado das atividades. A partir dessa constatação, procurou-se debater a impossibilidade de tratar do tema fora do trabalho interdisciplinar, bem como, e principalmente, a importância de um estudo mais aprofundado de EA, vinculando teoria e prática, tanto na formação docente, como em projetos escolares, a fim de fugir do tradicional vínculo “EA e ecologia, lixo e horta”.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Influence of uncompensated solution resistance on diffusion limited chronocoulometric response at rough electrode

Theory is developed for the charge transient under ohmic effect in reversible charge transfer process at disordered electrodes. Preliminary experimental results are also analyzed using this theory. Our results show that the deviation from Anson response is stemming from surface disorder and solution resistance. Detailed theoretical results are obtained and analyzed for fractal roughness with self-affine statistical properties. Expressions for concentration, charge density, and total charge have operator structure in Fourier transformed (deterministic) surface profile function. An elegant mathematical formula between the average charge transient and surface structure factor of roughness is obtained. Initial response is attributed to resistive effects of the electrolyte. The intermediate response is attributed to the interplay between various characteristics of the power spectrum and “ohmic equilibration layer thickness”. The theory marks that ohmic effects penetrate farther in time so much so to merge with time regimes which are outside the diffusion regimes giving nonideal behavior at electrode/electrolyte interface. Our results help with the quantitative understanding of generalized Anson response for Nernstian system affected by the uncompensated resistance at rough electrode/electrolyte interface

Anomalous Warburg impedance: influence of uncompensated solution resistance

We present the theoretical results elucidating the influence of uncompensated solution resistance on anomalous Warburg’s impedance. Here, we obtain the mathematical expression which incorporates the diffusion at the rough electrode/electrolyte interface and bulk solution resistance via phenomenological length scales—diffusion length ((D/&#969;)^1/2) and pseudoreaction penetration length (L_&#937;). The roughness at the interface is contained in the expression through the surface structure factor, which can be used to describe statistically any random surface morphology. Detailed analysis for realistic fractal electrodes, characterized as a finite self-affine scaling property with two lateral cutoff lengths, is presented. Limiting behavior in higher frequency is attributed to resistive effects of the electrolyte, and surface roughness is seen through the roughness factor. In the intermediate frequency regime, the anomalous power law behavior is attributed to the diffusion length weighted spatial frequency features of roughness (marking impedance loss) along with the interplay of L<SUB>&#937;</SUB> and at lower frequencies the response crossover to classical Warburg’s behavior. This crossover frequency is dependent on the smallest of root-mean-square width (h) or lateral correlation length (L), while high-frequency crossover is dependent largely on L<SUB>&#937;</SUB>. Phase response also shows the maximum phase gain for intermediate frequencies owing to the roughness features and is a signature to the fractal or nonfractal roughness at the interface. Our results show that owing to solution resistance the impedance response can mimic pseudo-quasireversibilty inducing a delay in the onset of diffusion-controlled regime and can hack the anomalous response due to roughness partially or completely

Effect of uncompensated solution resistance on quasireversible charge transfer at rough and finite fractal electrode

Theory for the influence of uncompensated solution resistance on quasi-reversible charge transfer at an arbitrary rough electrode is developed. Detailed model analysis is performed for a finite fractal power spectrum; characterized with fractal dimension, lowest, highest cutoff-length scales of roughness and topothesy length (width) of the interface. The composite effect of the real and apparent kinetics is contained in L_H&#937; which is summation of diffusion-kinetics (L_H) and diffusion-ohmic (L_&#937;) coupling lengths. The current time response is therefore an interplay of L_H&#937;, diffusion length, three finite fractal lengths and fractal dimension (manifesting themselves at different times). At short time, diffusion length is smaller than L<SUB>H&#937;</SUB>, current is proportionate to the ratio of real microscopic area and L<SUB>H&#937;</SUB>. These phenomenological coupling delays and curtails the onset of the anomalous response. As diffusion length becomes greater than L<SUB>H&#937;</SUB>, there is an emergence of intermediate anomalous region. However, limiting case of large L<SUB>H&#937;</SUB> approximately constant current is seen, without dynamic roughness effects

Role of <i>Yoga </i> in childhood asthma

21-24Significant amount of money spent in healthcare is used for treatments of lifestyle related problems. Yoga, as a branch of complementary alternative medicine, has emerged and is showing to be an effective treatment against non-communicable diseases. The objective of this study is to conduct a review regarding the problems of the childhood asthma and the benefits of the yoga. Asthma is an ongoing or chronic disease of the airways in the lungs called bronchial tubes. Bronchial tubes carry air in and out of the lungs. In people with asthma, the walls of the airways become swollen (inflamed) and oversensitive. Asthmatic airways overreact to things like viruses, smoke, dust, mould, animal hair, cockroaches, and pollen. Asthma is a problem worldwide with an estimated 300 million affected individuals. According to WHO report, about 3 million annual deaths attributed to this disease. It is estimated that the number of people with asthma will grow by more than 100 million by 2025. The current review shows that yoga can be useful in control of the disease if it is regularly done by the children in their childhood with standard medical treatment