Effect of Synthetic Truncated Apolipoprotein C-I Peptide on Plasma Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Nonhuman Primates

The present studies were conducted to determine whether a synthetic truncated apoC-I peptide that inhibits CETP activity in baboons would raise plasma HDL cholesterol levels in nonhuman primates with low HDL levels. We used 2 cynomolgus monkeys and 3 baboons fed a cholesterol- and fat-enriched diet. In cynomolgus monkeys, we injected synthetic truncated apoC-I inhibitor peptide at a dose of 20 mg/kg and, in baboons, at doses of 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg at weekly intervals. Blood samples were collected 3 times a week and VLDL + LDL and HDL cholesterol concentrations were measured. In cynomolgus monkeys, administration of the inhibitor peptide caused a rapid decrease in VLDL + LDL cholesterol concentrations (30%–60%) and an increase in HDL cholesterol concentrations (10%–20%). VLDL + LDL cholesterol concentrations returned to baseline levels in approximately 15 days. In baboons, administration of the synthetic inhibitor peptide caused a decrease in VLDL + LDL cholesterol (20%–60%) and an increase in HDL cholesterol (10%–20%). VLDL + LDL cholesterol returned to baseline levels by day 21, whereas HDL cholesterol concentrations remained elevated for up to 26 days. ApoA-I concentrations increased, whereas apoE and triglyceride concentrations decreased. Subcutaneous and intravenous administrations of the inhibitor peptide had similar effects on LDL and HDL cholesterol concentrations. There was no change in body weight, food consumption, or plasma IgG levels of any baboon during the study. These studies suggest that the truncated apoC-I peptide can be used to raise HDL in humans

Residual effect of nitrogen levels and weed control methods on growth, yield and economics of wheat grown after rice

A field experiment was laid out in split plot design on residual effect of treatments comprising three nitrogen levels viz. N75 (N1), N100 (N2) and N125 (N3) in main-plot treatments and seven weed control treatments viz. (W1-butachlor + 1 Hand Weeding, W2-butachlor + 2 Mechanical Weeding, W3-butachlor + 2,4-D, W4-bispyribac sodium, W5-butachlor + bispyribac sodium, W6-HW-2, W7- control) as sub-plot treatments conducted during 2015-16 and 2016-17 at the Rajaula Agriculture Farm, MGCGVV, Satna (M.P.) to study the residual effect of N-levels and weed control methods on growth, yield and economics of wheat grown after rice. In case of succeeding wheat, the residual 125 kg N/ha performed the best with respect to growth, yield-attributes with the result 31.11 q/ha grain yield and Rs.33509/ha income. While, under sub plot treatments, Hand weedings two times were recorded significant grain yield (28.66 q/ha) and straw yield (38.17 q/ha) at (P <0.05) over control. However it was found non-significant different and also noticed higher over rest treatments. In this succession, Butachlor + 2, 4-D (0.80 kg/ha) was higher but in second position and similar trend was observed in successive way with rest of treatments

First principles insights into improved catalytic performance of BaTiO₃- graphene nanocomposites in conjugation with experimental investigations

The present work aims to provide first principles insights into the catalytic performance of composites based on BaTiO3 particles decorated over reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Examination regarding the orbital contributions of valence states, conduction states, interaction. surface and anchoring of perovskite over rGO have been carried out. Theoretical results thus obtained have been validated using experimental investigation. Further experiments have also been conducted to analyze the catalytic performance of composites with respect to multiple advanced oxidation processes. Charge separation has been improved due to rGO acting as macromolecular photosensitizer. Degradation of xanthene dye (Rhoda mine B) and methyl orange (MO) assisted in evaluation of the catalytic performance. Acoustic irradiation provides an additional route to improve degradation by ameliorating catalytic activity (from 0.036 min to 0.099 min in RhB especially). Synergistic effect obtained through conjugated benefits of oxidation processes with proposed composite, played a crucial role in improving the overall efficiency. The cumulative outcome of the results indicates superior performance of BaTiO3-rGO composites for green and sustainable water treatment applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved