Smart Diary - A Guide to Man's Daily Planning

In this paper we present Smart phone app that senses and analyses mobile data to understand, predict, and summarize a man?s daily activities, such as his daily routine. These activities are used to represent knowledge, which helps in generating digital personal diaries in an automatic manner. Here we make use of different sensors for the purpose of sensing. Smart Diary is able to make predictions based on a wide range of information sources, like phone?s sensor readings, locations, along with interaction history with the users, by integrating such information into a sustainable mining model.. This Android app is specifically developed to handle heterogeneous and noisy data, and it is made to be extensible in which people can define their own logic rules which will express predictions like short-term, mid-term, and long-term events and patterns about their daily routine. The app?s evaluation results are based on the platform provided by Android

Detection of miRNA cancer biomarkers using light activated Molecular Beacons

Early detection of cancer biomarkers can reduce cancer mortality rate. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs whose expression changes upon the onset of various types of cancer. Biosensors that specifically detect such biomarkers can be engineered and integrated into point-of-care devices (POC) using label-free detection, high sensibility and compactness. In this paper, a new engineered Molecular Beacon (MB) construct used to detect miRNAs is presented. Such a construct is immobilized onto biosensor surfaces in a covalent and spatially oriented way using the photonic technology Light Assisted Molecular Immobilization (LAMI). The construct consists of a Cy3 labelled MB covalently attached to a light-switchable peptide. One MB construct contains a poly-A sequence in its loop region while the other contains a sequence complementary to the cancer biomarker miRNA-21. The constructs have been characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and HPLC. LAMI led to the successful immobilization of the engineered constructs onto thiol functionalized optically flat quartz slides and Silicon on Insulator (SOI) sensor surfaces. The immobilized Cy3 labelled MB construct has been imaged using confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM). The bioavailability of the immobilized engineered MB biosensors was confirmed through specific hybridization with the Cy5 labelled complementary sequence and imaged by CFM and FRET. Hybridization kinetics have been monitored using steady state fluorescence spectroscopy. The label-free detection of miRNA-21 was also achieved by using integrated photonic sensing structures. The engineered light sensitive constructs can be immobilized onto thiol reactive surfaces and are currently being integrated in a POC device for the detection of cancer biomarkers

Microalgae production in fresh market wastewater and its utilization as a protein substitute in formulated fish feed for oreochromis spp.

Rapid growing of human population has led to increasing demand of aquaculture production. Oreochromis niloticus or known as tilapia is one of the most globally cultured freshwater fish due to its great adaptation towards extreme environment. Besides, farming of tilapia not only involves small scales farming for local consumption but also larger scales for international market which contributes to a foreign currency earning. Extensive use of fishmeal as feed for fish and for other animals indirectly caused an increasing depletion of the natural resource and may consequently cause economic and environmental unstable. Microalgae biomass seems to be a promising feedstock in aquaculture industry. It can be used for many purposes such as live food for fish larvae and dried microalgae to substitute protein material in fish feed. The microalgae replacement in fish feed formulation as protein alternative seem potentially beneficial for long term aqua-business sustainability. The present chapter discussed the potential of microalgae as an alternative nutrition in fish feed formulations, specifically Tilapia

Curcumin and derivatives function through protein phosphatase 2A and presenilin orthologues in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Natural compounds often have complex molecular structures and unknown molecular targets. These characteristics make them difficult to analyse using a classical pharmacological approach. Curcumin, the main curcuminoid of turmeric, is a complex molecule possessing wide-ranging biological activities, cellular mechanisms and roles in potential therapeutic treatment including Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Here, we investigate the physiological effects and molecular targets of curcumin in Dictyostelium discoideum We show curcumin causes acute effects on cell behaviour, reduces cell growth, and slows multicellular development. We then employ a range of structurally related compounds to show the distinct role of different structural groups cell behaviour, growth, and development, highlighting active moieties in cell function, and showing that these cellular effects are unrelated to the well-known antioxidant activity of curcumin. Molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of curcumin and one synthetic analogue (EF24) were then investigated to identify a curcumin-resistant mutant lacking the protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit (PsrA) and an EF24-resistant mutant lacking the presenilin 1 orthologue (PsenB). Using in-silico docking analysis, we then show that curcumin may function through direct binding to a key regulatory region of PsrA. These findings reveal novel cellular and molecular mechanisms for the function of curcumin and related compounds

Permeation of skin with (C60) fullerene dispersions

Dispersions in transcutol/isopropyl myristate make C60 fullerene molecules suitable for transdermal delivery. We found that C60 can successfully permeate the skin using pig skin in Franz diffusion cells. Molecular dynamics simulations and transmission electron microscopy confirmed these observations. Basic cosmetic formulations with transcutol/ isopropyl myristate without harsh organic solvents show a high potential for delivery of C60 for biopharmaceutical and cosmetics applications.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI01-0145-FEDER-006684).). Artur Ribeiro thanks FCT for the SFRH\BPD\98388\2013 grant.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Design of Polyherbal Powder Drink Formulation as an Immunity Booster

Purpose: Now days, Immunity boosting or maintaining immunity system is becoming a first and most important priority. The main purpose of the study is to prepare a poly-herbal Immunity Booster powder drink. It was developed by using some traditional herbs having proved nutritional potential. Methods: The key ingredients were selected as Bramhi, Ashwagandha, Curcumin, Almond, Flax seed, Jaggery, Coco powder which is used to improve immunity, give energetic feeling since ages. Results: After many experiments, the most suitable combination is finally selected based on taste, physical and chemical properties. Conclusion: Herbal drink is designed to offer consumers an affordable choice with great taste and health benefits. All herbs used in this preparation are easily available in all seasons and are not expensive. The prepared formulation is useful for all the people. It is made with natural herbs and therefore is less likely to cause side effects than soft drinks. These herbal energy drinks are a natural alternative to artificial drinks with many health benefits

Formulation and Evaluation of Calendula Officinalis and Melaleuca Alternifolia- based Poly-Herbal Paper Soap for Enhanced Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Efficacy.

Background: Herbal hygiene products have become incredibly popular in a time when people are gravitating toward natural and sustainable options. This study investigates the possibility for developing novel personal care products using two well-known medicinal plants: Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) and Calendula officinalis (pot marigold). While tea tree oil has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties, calendula officinalis is renowned for its wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The goal of the study was to create and evaluate product that combine both herbal agents for better skincare and hygiene: polyherbal paper soap.   Methodology: Three formulations (F1, F2, and F3) with different ratios of herbal oils and excipients were created in the form of paper soap. The liquid soap coating process was used to make the paper soap. Agar diffusion was used to assess its pH, moisture content, skin irritation, foam retention, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties against S. aureus and E. coli. Results and Discussion: F3 was the most successful formulation out of all of them. It had the most antioxidant capacity and the strongest antibacterial action, especially against S. aureus. The product\u27s effectiveness was greatly enhanced by the addition of calendula and tea tree oil, which worked in concert to provide antibacterial and skin-soothing effects. Conclusion: Three forms of a safe, all-natural, and efficient herbal hygiene product were effectively developed by the study

Formulation and Evaluation of an Phyto-Gel Blend of Typha Domingensis, Turmeric and Aloe Vera for Enhanced Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antifungal Efficacy.

Background: Typha domingensis, a perennial aquatic plant native to the Americas, is known for its antioxidant properties and antimicrobial effects. Its leaves, flowering parts, seeds, rhizomes, stems, and leaves have been used in traditional medicine for wound healing, weaving, and crafts. The plant\u27s male and female sections prevent bacteria and fungi growth, while curcumin and aloe vera possess antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Methodology: Phyto-gels are herbal gel formulations that combine various components and active constituents to provide specific effects, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. These gels are popular in wound healing due to their promotion of physiological processes and hastening the healing process. The formulation process involves extracting the herbal extract, choosing excipients, gelling agents, and preservatives. Results and discussion: Various methods are employed in the production of polyherbal gels, with the dispersion method being the most effective. Physical attributes such as appearance, pH, spreadability, viscosity, and homogeneity are assessed, along with chemical attributes like flavonoid tests. Antimicrobial tests were conducted using the disc diffusion method (Kirby Bauer method) against E. coli and B. subtilis, and the antioxidant test was executed by Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity using the Fenton method with a minor amendment. Conclusion: In summary, Typha domingensis, Curcumin, and Aloe vera are combined to create an antiseptic Phyto-gel, promoting synergistic effects of antifungal, antimicrobial, and reducing oxidative stress

Surface Modification Chemistries of Materials Used in Diagnostic Platforms with Biomolecules

Biomolecules including DNA, protein, and enzymes are of prime importance in biomedical field. There are several reports on the technologies for the detection of these biomolecules on various diagnostic platforms. It is important to note that the performance of the biosensor is highly dependent on the substrate material used and its meticulous modification for particular applications. Therefore, it is critical to understand the principles of a biosensor to identify the correct substrate material and its surface modification chemistry. The imperative surface modification for the attachment of biomolecules without losing their bioactivity is a key to sensitive detection. Therefore, finding of a modification method which gives minimum damage to the surface as well as biomolecule is highly inevitable. Different surface modification technologies are invented according to the type of a substrate used. Surface modification techniques of the materials used as platforms in the fabrication of biosensors are reviewed in this paper