The relationship between redox enzyme activity and electrochemical potential—cellular and mechanistic implications from protein film electrochemistry

In protein film electrochemistry a redox protein of interest is studied as an electroactive film adsorbed on an electrode surface. For redox enzymes this configuration allows quantification of the relationship between catalytic activity and electrochemical potential. Considered as a function of enzyme environment, i.e., pH, substrate concentration etc., the activity–potential relationship provides a fingerprint of activity unique to a given enzyme. Here we consider the nature of the activity–potential relationship in terms of both its cellular impact and its origin in the structure and catalytic mechanism of the enzyme. We propose that the activity–potential relationship of a redox enzyme is tuned to facilitate cellular function and highlight opportunities to test this hypothesis through computational, structural, biochemical and cellular studies

Relationship of cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia in remission to disability: a cross-sectional study in an Indian sample

Background: Cognitive deficits in various domains have been consistently replicated in patients with schizophrenia. Most studies looking at the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and functional disability are from developed countries. Studies from developing countries are few. The purpose of the present study was to compare the neurocognitive function in patients with schizophrenia who were in remission with that of normal controls and to determine if there is a relationship between measures of cognition and functional disability. <p/>Methods: This study was conducted in the Psychiatric Unit of a General Hospital in Mumbai, India. Cognitive function in 25 patients with schizophrenia in remission was compared to 25 normal controls. Remission was confirmed using the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and scale for the assessment of negative symptoms (SANS). Subjects were administered a battery of cognitive tests covering aspects of memory, executive function and attention. The results obtained were compared between the groups. Correlation analysis was used to look for relationship between illness factors, cognitive function and disability measured using the Indian disability evaluation and assessment scale. <p/>Results: Patients with schizophrenia showed significant deficits on tests of attention, concentration, verbal and visual memory and tests of frontal lobe/executive function. They fared worse on almost all the tests administered compared to normal controls. No relationship was found between age, duration of illness, number of years of education and cognitive function. In addition, we did not find a statistically significant relationship between cognitive function and scores on the disability scale. <p/>Conclusion: The data suggests that persistent cognitive deficits are seen in patients with schizophrenia under remission. The cognitive deficits were not associated with symptomatology and functional disability. It is possible that various factors such as employment and family support reduce disability due to schizophrenia in developing countries like India. Further studies from developing countries are required to explore the relationship between cognitive deficits, functional outcome and the role of socio-cultural variables as protective factors

An investigation into the use of electrode mass measurement to optimise an electrostatic precipitator unit

Electrostatic precipitators (ESP’s) can be simply described as particle collection devices and service a wide variety of industries. This particle collection can either be classed as a cleansing or product recovery (or both) process. They can be found in fossil fueled power generation plant (municipal incinerators, iron and steel industries (sinter plants, coke ovens), non ferrous industries, rock products (cement, lime), chemical and petrochemical (detarrers, de-oilers) They have been around for approximately 70 years and their fundamental principle of operation has not changed much during this time. What has changed is the demand on their operating efficiency. Environmental pressure as well as the loss of product has forced ESP’s to perform even better than before. This performance enhancement is two-fold : an increase in collection efficiency and a reduction in maintenance and wear costs. This project researches the use of mass measurement techniques to optimise the operation of ESP’s from both the above mentioned perspectives

An investigation into the use of electrode mass measurement to optimise an electrostatic precipitator unit

Electrostatic precipitators (ESP’s) can be simply described as particle collection devices and service a wide variety of industries. This particle collection can either be classed as a cleansing or product recovery (or both) process. They can be found in fossil fueled power generation plant (municipal incinerators, iron and steel industries (sinter plants, coke ovens), non ferrous industries, rock products (cement, lime), chemical and petrochemical (detarrers, de-oilers) They have been around for approximately 70 years and their fundamental principle of operation has not changed much during this time. What has changed is the demand on their operating efficiency. Environmental pressure as well as the loss of product has forced ESP’s to perform even better than before. This performance enhancement is two-fold : an increase in collection efficiency and a reduction in maintenance and wear costs. This project researches the use of mass measurement techniques to optimise the operation of ESP’s from both the above mentioned perspectives