Mass transfer efficiency of a tall and low plate free area liquid pulsed sieve-plate extraction column

Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge Chakwal group of industries for funding the project. Ms. Madiha, Ms. Zona, Mr. Sohaib, Mr. Abdullah, Mr. Mudassar, and Mr. Salahuddin also deserve our acknowledgements for their assistance in different ways.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Accidental diagnosis and conservative management of a case of first-trimester caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy

Cases of Caesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancy (CSEP) are becoming increasingly common at tertiary care hospitals because of increase in rate of CS. It may lead to horrible consequences, such as uncontrolled bleeding and uterine rupture (UR), which might require hysterectomy and result in subsequent loss of fertility. This report covers a case of a CSEP discovered early at 9 weeks of gestation in a 25-year-old woman coming for antenatal care. Conservative management of the uterus was performed with removal of the sac and repair of the uterine scar. The patient’s postoperative period was uneventful, and she was discharged 3 days after surgery. CSEP should be detected early to prevent its catastrophic sequences. Although it is a rare complication of cesarean section, CSEP must be kept in the minds of obstetricians facing emergency cases

Inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay reduces the tumorigenicity of human fibrosarcoma cells.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a eukaryotic RNA decay pathway with roles in cellular stress responses, differentiation, and viral defense. It functions in both quality control and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. NMD has also emerged as a modulator of cancer progression, although available evidence supports both a tumor suppressor and a pro-tumorigenic role, depending on the model. To further investigate the role of NMD in cancer, we knocked out the NMD factor SMG7 in the HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line, resulting in suppression of NMD function. We then compared the oncogenic properties of the parental cell line, the SMG7-knockout, and a rescue cell line in which we re-introduced both isoforms of SMG7. We also tested the effect of a drug inhibiting the NMD factor SMG1 to distinguish NMD-dependent effects from putative NMD-independent functions of SMG7. Using cell-based assays and a mouse xenograft tumor model, we showed that suppression of NMD function severely compromises the oncogenic phenotype. Molecular pathway analysis revealed that NMD suppression strongly reduces matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9) expression and that MMP9 re-expression partially rescues the oncogenic phenotype. Since MMP9 promotes cancer cell migration and invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis, its downregulation may contribute to the reduced tumorigenicity of NMD-suppressed cells. Collectively, our results highlight the potential value of NMD inhibition as a therapeutic approach

New Tetra-dentate Schiff Base Ligand N2O2 and Its Complexes with Some of Metal Ions: Preparation, Identification, and Studying Their Enzymatic and Biological Activities

في هذا البحث، تم تحضير ليجند جديد رباعي المخلب، بعنوان 5و3-بس (5- برومو-2-هايدروكسي بنزالدين امينو) حمض البنزويك (H3L) ، من خلال عملية التكثيف المحفز بالحامض. تم أيضًا تحضير أربعة معقدات فلزية جديدة مع أيونات Co (II) و Ni (II) و Cu (II) و Zn (II) ، من مفاعلة مولات مكافئة. تركيب الليكاند ومعقداته تم تأكيدها من خلال العديد من طرائق التوصيف، بما في ذلك الأشعة فوق البنفسجية المرئية، الأشعة تحت الحمراء، مطياف الكتلة، أطياف الرنين المغناطيسي النووي للبروتون والكاربون، الامتصاص الذري اللهبي، الحساسية المغناطيسية، وقياسات التوصيلية المولارية. أثبتت نتائج التحاليل الطيفية أن الليكاند المحضر يعمل كرابط رباعي المخلب ثنائي الشحنة السالبة ويرتبط مع ألايونات الفلزية بواسطة ذرتين من النيتروجين من مجموعتي الآزوميثين وبواسطة ذرتين من الأوكسجين من مجموعتي هيدروكسيل الفينول بعد فقدانهما لبروتونيهما. تم اقتراح بنية ثماني السطوح لجميع المعقدات المحضرة. تم فحص النشاطات (المضادة للبكتيريا) و (المضادة للفطريات) لهذه المركبات ضد بكتريا (E. coli) ، (S. aureus)، (Klebsiella spp.)، (S. epidermidis)، وفطر ال (Candida albicans). أشارت النتائج إلى أن هذه المركبات لها سلوك تثبيط معتدل. كما تمت دراسة نشاط المركبات المحضرة ضد إنزيم أستيل كولين استيراز (AChE) وتشير البيانات التي تم الحصول عليها إلى وجود سلوك تثبيط مختلف.In present work, new tetra-dentate ligand, titled 3,5-bis ((E)-5-Bromo-2-hydroxy benzylidene amino) benzoic acid (H3L), was prepared via an acid-catalyzed condensation process. New four metallic ligand complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions, were also prepared from the refluxing of equivalent moles. Ligand's structure and its complexes; were confirmed by numerous characterization methods, including Ultraviolet-Visible, Infrared, Mass Spectrometer, 1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectra, atomic absorption, magnetic moments, and molar conductivity measurements. The results of the spectroscopic analyzes proved that the prepared ligand acts as tetradentate bi-ionic ligand and it was bonded to the metal ions by two nitrogen atoms of the two azomethine groups and by two oxygen atoms of the two phenolic hydroxyl groups after losing their two protons. Octahedral structure proposed to all prepared complexes. The (anti-bacterial) and (anti-fungal) activities of these compound were screened against (E. coli, S. aureus, Klebsiella spp., S. epidermidis,), and (Candida albicans). The results indicated that these compounds have moderated inhibition behavior. The activity of the prepared compounds against Acetyl Choline Esterase Enzyme (AChE) have also studied and the obtained data indicated the presence of different inhibition behavior

Pretreatment with ethinylestradiol-drospirenone and metformin enhances ovulation and pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a major cause of anovulatory infertility and affects 5-10% women of reproductive age. High serum anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) is associated with lack of ovulation in PCOS women. Combined oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol and drospirenone suppress androgen production and reduce AMH concentration which may optimize the women with PCOS for better response to ovulation induction. This study aimed to assess the effects of ethinylestradiol-drospirenone (EE-DRSP) and metformin combination as pretreatment for ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome in comparison to metformin only pretreatment. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial conducted on a total 62 subfertile PCOS women having high serum AMH (≥5 ng/dl). They were randomly assigned into 2 groups. In group A 31 participants received EE-DRSP and metformin combination and in group B 31 participants received only metformin for 3 months. After 3 months the participants had ovulation induction with letrozole for 3 cycles. The outcome variables were the rates of ovulation and pregnancy. Results: Ovulation rate per cycle was higher in group A than group B. Cumulative ovulation rate per participant was also 1.36 times higher in group A than B (100.0% versus 73.3%). Cumulative pregnancy rate was 1.91 times higher in combination group than metformin alone group (67.7% versus 35.5%). Conclusions: Pretreatment with ethinylestradiol-drospirenone and metformin for three months before ovulation induction is more effective than metformin only in terms of higher ovulation and pregnancy rate in subfertile PCOS women

Convergent evolution of two mammalian neuronal enhancers by sequential exaptation of unrelated retroposons

The proopiomelanocortin gene (POMC) is expressed in a group of neurons present in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Neuron-specific POMC expression in mammals is conveyed by two distal enhancers, named nPE1 and nPE2. Previous transgenic mouse studies showed that nPE1 and nPE2 independently drive reporter gene expression to POMC neurons. Here, we investigated the evolutionary mechanisms that shaped not one but two neuron- specific POMC enhancers and tested whether nPE1 and nPE2 drive identical or complementary spatiotemporal expression patterns. Sequence comparison among representative genomes of most vertebrate classes and mammalian orders showed that nPE1 is a placental novelty. Using in silico paleogenomics we found that nPE1 originated from the exaptation of a mammalian- apparent LTR retrotransposon sometime between the metatherian/ eutherian split (147 Mya) and the placental mammal radiation (≈90 Mya). Thus, the evolutionary origin of nPE1 differs, in kind and time, from that previously demonstrated for nPE2, which was exapted from a CORE-short interspersed nucleotide element (SINE) retroposon before the origin of prototherians, 166 Mya. Transgenic mice expressing the fluorescent markers tomato and EGFP driven by nPE1 or nPE2, respectively, demonstrated coexpression of both reporter genes along the entire arcuate nucleus. The onset of reporter gene expression guided by nPE1 and nPE2 was also identical and coincidental with the onset of Pomc expression in the presumptive mouse diencephalon. Thus, the independent exaptation of two unrelated retroposons into functional analogs regulating neuronal POMC expression constitutes an authentic example of convergent molecular evolution of cell-specific enhancers.Fil:Gelman, D.M. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil:Rubinstein, M. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

A topology-marginal composite likelihood via a generalized phylogenetic pruning algorithm.

Bayesian phylogenetics is a computationally challenging inferential problem. Classical methods are based on random-walk Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), where random proposals are made on the tree parameter and the continuous parameters simultaneously. Variational phylogenetics is a promising alternative to MCMC, in which one fits an approximating distribution to the unnormalized phylogenetic posterior. Previous work fit this variational approximation using stochastic gradient descent, which is the canonical way of fitting general variational approximations. However, phylogenetic trees are special structures, giving opportunities for efficient computation. In this paper we describe a new algorithm that directly generalizes the Felsenstein pruning algorithm (a.k.a. sum-product algorithm) to compute a composite-like likelihood by marginalizing out ancestral states and subtrees simultaneously. We show the utility of this algorithm by rapidly making point estimates for branch lengths of a multi-tree phylogenetic model. These estimates accord with a long MCMC run and with estimates obtained using a variational method, but are much faster to obtain. Thus, although generalized pruning does not lead to a variational algorithm as such, we believe that it will form a useful starting point for variational inference

Unraveling the tripartite interaction of volatile compounds of Streptomyces rochei with grain mold pathogens infecting sorghum

Sorghum is a major grain crop used in traditional meals and health drinks, and as an efficient fuel. However, its productivity, value, germination, and usability are affected by grain mold, which is a severe problem in sorghum production systems, which reduces the yield of harvested grains for consumer use. The organic approach to the management of the disease is essential and will increase consumer demand. Bioactive molecules like mVOC (volatile organic compound) identification are used to unravel the molecules responsible for antifungal activity. The Streptomyces rochei strain (ASH) has been reported to be a potential antagonist to many pathogens, with high levels of VOCs. The present study aimed to study the inhibitory effect of S. rochei on sorghum grain mold pathogens using a dual culture technique and via the production of microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). mVOCs inhibited the mycelial growth of Fusarium moniliforme by 63.75 and Curvularia lunata by 68.52%. mVOCs suppressed mycelial growth and inhibited the production of spores by altering the structure of mycelia in tripartite plate assay. About 45 mVOCs were profiled when Streptomyces rochei interacted with these two pathogens. In the present study, several compounds were upregulated or downregulated by S. rochei, including 2-methyl-1-butanol, methanoazulene, and cedrene. S. rochei emitted novel terpenoid compounds with peak areas, such as myrcene (1.14%), cymene (6.41%), and c-terpinene (7.32%) upon interaction with F. moniliforme and C. lunata. The peak area of some of the compounds, including furan 2-methyl (0.70%), benzene (1.84%), 1-butanol, 2-methyl-(8.25%), and myrcene (1.12)%, was increased during tripartite interaction with F. moniliforme and C. lunata, which resulted in furan 2-methyl (6.60%), benzene (4.43%), butanol, 2-methyl (18.67%), and myrcene (1.14%). These metabolites were implicated in the sesquiterpenoid and alkane biosynthetic pathways and the oxalic acid degradation pathway. The present study shows how S. rochei exhibits hyperparasitism, competition, and antibiosis via mVOCs. In addition to their antimicrobial functions, these metabolites could also enhance plant growth.Peer reviewe

Characteristics of CNG Bubbles in Diesel Flow under the Influence of the Magnetic Field

This paper conducts an analytic study of the hydrodynamics of a small CNG bubbles in laminar horizontal Diesel flow under the influence of the magnetic field. Investigation based on experiments was carried out to identify the effects caused by varying the magnetic field intensity on the trajectory, the formation of bubbles and their shape and velocity. Different images at different positions were captured through a high speed camera, image processing technique and downstream from the CNG bubbles injection point delivered information on bubble velocity, bubbles size, spatial location and gas area fraction as a function of changing magnetic field intensity. The outcomes confirmed that CNG bubbles under magnetic field grow up vertically to have a bigger elliptical shape in the Diesel phase with the twofold of diameter. Also, it has been noted that the CNG bubbles velocity decreased as the magnetic field strengthened