TLR-9 Expression in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells induced with Lipopolysaccharide

The study conducted here was to investigate the gene and protein expression of Toll like receptor 9 when human bronchial epithelial cells were induced by lipopolysaccharide. TLRs are pattern recognition receptor (PRR) which plays a key role in innate immunity. They recognise the molecules that are shared by pathogens but distinguishes from the host which is referred to as pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The HBECs were first cultured and once it becomes confluent they were induced with 10ng/ml of LPS. In order to find out whether the gene was expressed in the cells, the RNA was isolated and RT-PCR was carried out. Before carrying out the RT-PCR, RNA gel electrophoresis was carried out to show the 28S and 18S bands. Once the gene expression was analysed protein expression was carried out by extracting the protein using RIPA buffer and running the SDS-PAGE followed by staining. Silver staining and western blotting results revealed clear bands at 116kDa illustrating that the TLR9 protein had been expressed. RT-PCR results showed that a smear of bands for TLR9 and the in protein expression bands were seen in TLR9 protein region which indicates that TLR9 was expressed in the HBEC by LPS

Human Biological Monitoring of Diisononyl Phthalate and Diisodecyl Phthalate: A Review

High molecular-weight phthalates, such as diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), are widely used as plasticizers in the manufacturing of polymers and consumer products. Human biological monitoring studies have employed the metabolites of DINP and DIDP as biomarkers to assess human exposure. In this review, we summarize and analyze publicly available scientific data on chemistry, metabolism, and excretion kinetics, of DINP and DIDP, to identify specific and sensitive metabolites. Human biological monitoring data on DINP and DIDP are scrutinised to assess the suitability of these metabolites as biomarkers of exposure. Results from studies carried out in animals and humans indicate that phthalates are metabolised rapidly and do not bioaccmulate. During Phase-I metabolism, ester hydrolysis of DINP and DIDP leads to the formation of hydrolytic monoesters. These primary metabolites undergo further oxidation reactions to produce secondary metabolites. Hence, the levels of secondary metabolites of DINP and DIDP in urine are found to be always higher than the primary metabolites. Results from human biological monitoring studies have shown that the secondary metabolites of DINP and DIDP in urine were detected in almost all tested samples, while the primary metabolites were detected in only about 10% of the samples. This indicates that the secondary metabolites are very sensitive biomarkers of DINP/DIDP exposure while primary metabolites are not. The NHANES data indicate that the median concentrations of MCIOP and MCINP (secondary metabolites of DINP and DIDP, resp.) at a population level are about 5.1 μg/L and 2.7 μg/L, respectively. Moreover, the available biological monitoring data suggest that infants/children are exposed to higher levels of phthalates than adults

A Modified Leather Processing Method for Water and Pollution Reduction in Tannery

Current practice of leather manufacture subjects the hides/skins to repeated acid and alkali treatments. Conventional process protocol results in high total dissolved solid (TDS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the wastewater. Further, the process employs huge amount of water and subsequently discharges the same as wastewater. The cost for the treatment of wastewater is directly proportional to the volume of wastewater generated. In this study, the leather processing sequence has been modified for water and pollution reductions as well as better quality leather production. The modified process treats the delimed pelt with post-tanning chemicals first followed by chrome tanning salt. This is possible due to appropriate choice of charge of the hide matrix and post tanning chemicals and pH profiles of leather processing. This process logic eventually eliminates several acid and alkali treatment and washing steps that are followed in the conventional process. The percentage offer of post tanning chemicals is determined based on pelt weight to split weight relation. The leather from modified process is characterized through stratigraphic distribution of chromium, percentage oils and fats, scanning electron microscopy, softness and physical testing. The performance of the leathers is found to be on par with that of conventionally processed leathers through hand and physical evaluation. The modified process significantly reduces the usage and discharge of water by 62 and 62%, respectively. It also enjoys the reduction in COD and (TDS) loads by 49 and 70%, respectively. Further, the process reduces the usage of chemicals by 41% by avoiding acid and alkali treatment steps. The modified process appears to be technically feasible and economically viable.ResumenLas presentes prácticas de fabricación del cuero someten a las pieles a repetidos tratamientos con ácido y álcali. El protocolo convencional resulta en altos valores de sólidos solubles totales (SST) y demanda química de oxígeno (DQO) en los efluentes. Más aun, el proceso utiliza enormes cantidades de agua que subsecuentemente se descargan en las aguas residuales. El costo de tratamiento del agua residual es proporcional al volumen del agua residual generado. En este estudio, la secuencia de procesamiento del cuero se ha modificado para así reducir la generación de agua y contaminación como también para producir una mejor calidad de cuero. El proceso modificado trata la piel ya desencalada con agentes químicos recurtientes luego de ser tratada con sal de cromo curtiente. Esto es posible dada la acertada carga seleccionada para la matriz de la piel y los recurtientes que le siguen en términos de los perfiles del pH en el proceso. La lógica tras el proceso permite eliminar varios tratamientos con ácido y álcali y los lavados posteriores que siguen en el proceso convencional. El porcentaje de recurtientes ofrecidos se determina por la relación basada en los pesos de la piel desencalada a la piel ya dividida. El cuero obtenido en el proceso modificado es caracterizado a través de la distribución estratigráfica del cromo, porcentaje de aceites y grasas, microscopía electrónica por barrido, blandura y pruebas físicas. Los rendimientos del cuero se encontraron ser a la par con cueros convencionalmente procesados tanto por tacto como por evaluación física. El proceso modificado reduce el uso y la descarga de agua en 62 y 62% respectivamente. También goza de una reducción de la carga en DQO y SST del 49 y 70%, respectivamente. Adicionalmente, el proceso reduce el consumo de de agentes químicos en un 41% evitando tratamientos concurrentes ácidos y alcalinos. El proceso modificado aparenta ser técnicamente factible y económicamente viable

Fabrication of Chitosan/TPP Nano Particles as a Carrier Towards the Treatment of Cancer

Cancer one of the deadliest disease and resistance of cancer cells has been the major issue in both the modern molecular targeted therapeutics as well as in the conventional chemotherapeutics. As on date chitosan has been the ideal choice as a carrier for delivering anticancer drugs like doxorubicin and cisplatin for targeted delivery. The present study focusses on the fabrication of chitosan nanoparticles using TPP by ionic gelation method loaded with 5-FU, an anticancer drug. The morphology of the nanoparticles synthesized were analysed using SEM and the size, zeta potential using particle size analyser. The mechanism of drug release was studied by fitting the release kinetics with Peppas model. Cellular uptake of the drug was analysed and using MTT the cytotoxicity & metabolic activity of the normal and the cancerous cells were evaluated. Results of the study showed that the synthesized nanoparticles possessed a positive charge and the release of the drug was through diffusion and degradation mediated. Also the cellular uptake of the drug showed the amount of drug uptake reduced with the cancerous cell as the time increase which was further confirmed using the MTT assay which showed the metabolic activity of the cancerous cell got reduced. The results of the study showed that the fabricated nanoparticles could potentially be used as a carrier towards the treatment of cancer

The Phytochemical Composition of Medicinal Plants: Brazilian Semi-Arid Region (Caatinga)

Carnauba wax, the most important vegetable wax under the economic and extracted from the leaves of the carnauba (Copernicia prunifera (Miller) H. E. Moore), is extensively applied in food due to its physiochemical characteristics with a majority of esters. p-Methoxycinnamic acid diesters obtained from the ceriferous powder of carnauba wax (PCO-C) have been associated with biological actions. However, being a versatile product, many types of research have been carried out seeking to expand the possibilities of applications of this raw material. Furthermore, different experimental studies on the pharmacological activities have also been undertaken in recent years and have tested various biological activities, such as hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic effects in mice. Therefore, in this book chapter, it is reviewing the development of a process of extraction of 4-hydroxycinnamic acid diesters of carnauba wax powder and investigates their biological actions and physical and chemical characteristics

NATURAL DYEING OF LEATHERS USING NATURAL MATERIALS

Environmental constraints on discharge of dye containing wastewater has forced us to look for natural dyes, which have several advantages like low toxicity, cheap and easy availability etc. Natural dyes are obtained from plants (e.g., Alizarin, Catechu, Indigo and Logwood), from animals (e.g., cochineal, kermes and tyrian purple) and from certain naturally occurring minerals (e.g., Ocher and Prussian blue). In this study, an attempt has been made to develop leathers, colored using natural dyes such as Rhine, Rhine M, Indus, Pacific, Caspian, Henna and modified Logwood. This study would be more beneficial to the leather industry. Also, an effort has been made to produce wide range of shades through mordanting with eco-benign metals such as aluminium, copper and tin. Twenty four shades were developed using combination of seven natural colorants by mordanting with three metal ions. The reflectance spectra for all colors have been studied. The visual appearance and their fastness properties have also been evaluated and the test results are satisfactory. Developed colors have potential value in the global leather market in the context of environmentally benign leather processing.Resumen:Limitaciones en relación al medio ambiente sobre las descargas líquidas que contengan colorantes nos han obligado a buscar colorantes naturales, los cuales tienen ciertas ventajas como baja toxicidad, bajo costo y fácil disponibilidad, etc. Colorantes naturales son obtenibles de plantas (Vg. Alizarina, [extracto de] Mimosa, Índigo, Haematoxylum campechianum), de animales (Vg. Cochinilla, Kermés Ilicis y/oVemilio, Bolinus brandaris [púrpura]) y de minerales de natural ocurrencia (Vg. Ocre y Azul de Prusia). En este estudio se trató de desarrollar cueros, el coloreado utilizado por medio de colorantes naturales tales como [El río] Rin, Rin M, Indus, Pacifico, Caspio, Henna y Púrpura modificado. Este estudio sería más benéfico a la industria de cuero. Un esfuerzo también se ha hecho para producir una extensa gama de tonos por medio de mordientes metálicos eco-benignos tales como el aluminio, cobre y estaño. Veinticuatro tonos fueron desarrollados utilizando combinaciones de siete colorantes naturales amordantados con tres iones metálicos. Los espectros de reflexión de todos los colores fueron estudiados. El aspecto y propiedades de firmeza también fueron evaluados y los resultados son satisfactorios. Los colores desarrollados tienen potencial valor en el mercado mundial debido al contexto benigno del procesamiento en el medio-ambiente

DNA2 drives processing and restart of reversed replication forks in human cells

Accurate processing of stalled or damaged DNA replication forks is paramount to genomic integrity and recent work points to replication fork reversal and restart as a central mechanism to ensuring high-fidelity DNA replication. Here, we identify a novel DNA2- and WRN-dependent mechanism of reversed replication fork processing and restart after prolonged genotoxic stress. The human DNA2 nuclease and WRN ATPase activities functionally interact to degrade reversed replication forks with a 5'-to-3' polarity and promote replication restart, thus preventing aberrant processing of unresolved replication intermediates. Unexpectedly, EXO1, MRE11, and CtIP are not involved in the same mechanism of reversed fork processing, whereas human RECQ1 limits DNA2 activity by preventing extensive nascent strand degradation. RAD51 depletion antagonizes this mechanism, presumably by preventing reversed fork formation. These studies define a new mechanism for maintaining genome integrity tightly controlled by specific nucleolytic activities and central homologous recombination factors

Benzimidazolium picrate single crystal: Synthesis, growth, characterization and their biological activity

Knowledge on charge-transfer complexes of drugs is important to understand the drug-receptor binding mechanism. Here, we have been synthesized the organic charge transfer complex of Benzimidazolium picrate (BP) and confirmed its molecular structure and carbon skeleton by 1H and 13C NMR spectral analysis. Asymmetric unit of BP consists of one benzimidazolium cation and a monovalent anion of picric acid. Decomposition pattern and thermal stability BP have been investigated using TG/DTA analysis. The interaction of the compound with calf thymus DNA is investigated by electronic absorption spectroscopy which indicates that the compound could interact with DNA through intercalation. The CT complex demonstrated significant free radical scavenging with 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl. The BP complex has been also screened for its antimicrobial activity

Benzimidazolium picrate single crystal: Synthesis, growth, characterization and their biological activity

1305-1312Knowledge on charge-transfer complexes of drugs is important to understand the drug-receptor binding mechanism. Here, we have been synthesized the organic charge transfer complex of Benzimidazolium picrate (BP) and confirmed its molecular structure and carbon skeleton by 1H and 13C NMR spectral analysis. Asymmetric unit of BP consists of one benzimidazolium cation and a monovalent anion of picric acid. Decomposition pattern and thermal stability BP have been investigated using TG/DTA analysis. The interaction of the compound with calf thymus DNA is investigated by electronic absorption spectroscopy which indicates that the compound could interact with DNA through intercalation. The CT complex demonstrated significant free radical scavenging with 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl. The BP complex has been also screened for its antimicrobial activity