Characterization of rhinovirus subviral A particles via capillary electrophoresis, electron microscopy and gas-phase electrophoretic mobility molecular analysis: Part I

During infection, enteroviruses, such as human rhinoviruses (HRVs), convert from the native, infective form with a sedimentation coefficient of 150S to empty subviral particles sedimenting at 80S (B particles). B particles lack viral capsid protein 4 (VP4) and the single-stranded RNA genome. On the way to this end stage, a metastable intermediate particle is observed in the cell early after infection. This subviral A particle still contains the RNA but lacks VP4 and sediments at 135S. Native (150S) HRV serotype 2 (HRV2) as well as its empty (80S) capsid have been well characterized by capillary electrophoresis. In the present paper, we demonstrate separation of at least two forms of subviral A particles on the midway between native virions and empty 80S capsids by CE. For one of these intermediates, we established a reproducible way for its preparation and characterized this particle in terms of its electrophoretic mobility and its appearance in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, the conversion of this intermediate to 80S particles was investigated. Gas-phase electrophoretic mobility molecular analysis (GEMMA) yielded additional insights into sample composition. More data on particle characterization including its protein composition and RNA content (for unambiguous identification of the detected intermediate as subviral A particle) will be presented in the second part of the publication.     

The synthesis of novel nonclassical reversed bridge quinazoline antifolates as inhibitors of thymidylate synthase

2‐Amino‐6‐methyl‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐ylsulfanyl)‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐one ( 3 , AG337) a lipophilic thymidylate synthase inhibitor, is currently in clinical trials as an antitumor agent. On the basis of the crystal structure of 3 and the classical inhibitor 10‐propargyl‐5,8‐dideazafolic acid ( 1 , PDDF) with thymidylate synthase, we designed and synthesized a series of nonclassical 2‐amino‐6‐substituted‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐ones 4–13 , with a variety of electron withdrawing groups in the side chain (with the exception of compound 4 ). Molecular modeling indicates that these reversed bridge (N9–C10) 6‐substituted analogues orient their side chain C10‐substituent such that it lies between that of 1 and 3 . These compounds were obtained by reduc tive amination of 6‐aminoquinazoline 16 and the appropriate aryl aldehyde 17 or aryl ketone 18 . For ana logues 11–13 , the yield depended on the substitutents on the aryl ketone 18 (comparison of 11 and 13 ). With the exception of analogue 13 , all the compounds in the series were poor inhibitors of thymidylate synthase from Lactobacillus casei, Pneumocystis carinii and human sources.     

Performance studies of compact GGAG:Ce,B thermal neutron detector coupled to Si-based photosensors

Pramana - This work concerns the modelling of the dynamics of polarisation of a centrosymmetric material subjected to an amplitude-modulated excitation (AME). The dynamic equation obtained for the...     

Robust Adaptive Fuzzy Identification of Time-Varying Processes with Uncertain Data. Handling Uncertainties in the Physical Fitness Fuzzy Approximation with Real World Medical Data: An Application

This study considers the problem of Robust Fuzzy approximation of a time-varying nonlinear process in the presence of uncertainties in the identification data using a Sugeno Fuzzy System while maintaining the interpretability of the fuzzy model during identification. A recursive procedure for the estimation of fuzzy parameters is proposed based on solving local optimization problem that attempt to minimize the worst-case effect of data uncertainties on approximation performance. To illustrate the approach, several simulation studies on numerical examples are provided. The developed scheme was applied to handle the vagueness, ambiguity and uncertainty inherently present in the general notion of a Medical Expert about Physical Fitness based on a set of various Physiological parameters measurements.     

Robust Solution to Fuzzy Identification Problem with Uncertain Data by Regularization

This study considers the robust identification of the parameters describing a Sugeno type fuzzy inference system with uncertain data. The objective is to minimize the worst-case residual error using a numerically efficient algorithm. The Sugeno type fuzzy systems are linear in consequent parameters but nonlinear in antecedent parameters. The robust consequent parameters identification problem can be formulated as second-order cone programming problem. The optimal solution of this second-order cone problem can be interpreted as solution of a Tikhonov regularization problem with a special choice of regularization parameter which is optimal for robustness (Ghaoui and Lebret (1997). SAIM Journal of Matrix Analysis and Applications 18, 1035–1064). The final regularized nonlinear optimization problem allowing simultaneous identification of antecedent and consequent parameters is solved iteratively using a generalized Gauss–Newton like method. To illustrate the approach, several simulation studies on numerical examples including the modelling of a spectral data function (one-dimensional benchmark example) is provided. The proposed robust fuzzy identification scheme has been applied to approximate the physical fitness of patients with a fuzzy expert system. The identified fuzzy expert system is shown to be capable of capturing the decisions (experiences) of a medical expert.     

Use of a self-assembling organogel as a reverse template in the preparation of imprinted porous polymer films

The concept of reverse templating of an organogel to form imprinted porous divinylbenzene polymer films with submicrometer channels is demonstrated. The organogel comprising a 1:1 molar ratio of two organogelators, that is, bis(2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate and 4-chlorophenol, was formed in divinylbenzene. The gel was cast as a thin film before UV polymerization of the solvent, and the organogelators were later removed by simple washing with water and isooctane. The integrity of the fiber bundles of the organogel was preserved during polymerization, and an exact hollow replica was obtained after the organogelators were leached away. It is easily possible to imprint gel fiber bundle structures into polymeric films through this technique. The gel can also be formed on macroporous substrates to yield supported thin porous polymeric films. With the incorporation of functional nanoparticles in AOT inverse micelles and hence the organogel, nanoparticle-containing porous polymer films exhibiting luminescence or magnetic properties are envisioned.     

Freeze fracture direct imaging of a viscous surfactant mesophase

Freeze fracture direct imaging (FFDI) has been used to image microstructures present in a highly viscous four-component mesophase containing water, isooctane, AOT [bis(2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate], and lecithin. As water is added to a fixed amount of a ternary solution of isooctane and the two surfactants, the microstructure evolves from a water-in-oil microemulsion, to a highly viscous columnar hexagonal, and then to multilamellar vesicles. Each of these microstructures is imaged directly. Previous small-angle neutron scattering measurements have identified the lamellar phase, but the FFDI technique demonstrates that these are onionlike curved multilamellar structures rather than planar bilayers. Freeze fracture direct imaging expands the range of cryo-transmission microscopy to highly viscous, high-organic-content systems that typically have been difficult to visualize.     

Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Agent

This work reports an innovative, effortless and inexpensive method for the preparation of ZnO nanoparticles by green approach using leaf extract of Piper betleas a reducing-stabilizing negotiator. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized through XRD, FTIR, UV–Visible spectroscopy, and EDX etc. The band gap energy of the sample was estimated as 3.41 eV which is larger than the bulk ZnO (E_g?=?3.37 eV). The observed blue shift is attributed to the quantum confinement of excitons. FTIR analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and terpenoid. TEM analysis showed that each nanoparticle comprised of 1 to 2 nano-crystallites. Photocatalytic activity results revealed that ZnO-NPs prepared through green synthesis route were found to be efficient in the degradation of toxic reactive red dye with degradation efficiency of 96.4% having high photodegradation rate-constant of 1.6?×?10^–2 min^?1. As an antimicrobial agent, the ZnO NPs are effective against both gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), with the zones of clearance as 16.4 and 14.3 mm, respectively. Therefore, present research signifies an effective approach to utilize as-prepared ZnO NPs as efficient photocatalysts as well as antimicrobial agent.

     

Enhancement of antimicrobial activity by synthetic ion channel synergy

Hydraphile synthetic ion channels were found to enhance the cytotoxicity to E. coli and B. subtilis of erythromycin, kanamycin, rifampicin, and tetracycline when co-administered with the antibiotic at sublethal concentrations of channel.