Computational Insights and In Vitro Validation of Antibacterial Potential of Shikimate Pathway-Derived Phenolic Acids as NorA Efflux Pump Inhibitors

The expression of the efflux pump systems is the most important mechanism of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, as it contributes to reduced concentration and the subsequent inactivity of administered antibiotics. NorA is one of the most studied antibacterial targets used as a model for efflux-mediated resistance. The present study evaluated shikimate pathway-derived phenolic acids against NorA (PDB ID: 1PW4) as a druggable target in antibacterial therapy using in silico modelling and in vitro methods. Of the 22 compounds evaluated, sinapic acid (−9.0 kcal/mol) and p-coumaric acid (−6.3 kcal/mol) had the best and most prominent affinity for NorA relative to ciprofloxacin, a reference standard (−4.9 kcal/mol). A further probe into the structural stability and flexibility of the resulting NorA-phenolic acids complexes through molecular dynamic simulations over a 100 ns period revealed p-coumaric acid as the best inhibitor of NorA relative to the reference standard. In addition, both phenolic acids formed H-bonds with TYR 76, a crucial residue implicated in NorA efflux pump inhibition. Furthermore, the phenolic acids demonstrated favourable drug likeliness and conformed to Lipinski’s rule of five for ADME properties. For the in vitro evaluation, the phenolic acids had MIC values in the range 31.2 to 62.5 μg/mL against S. aureus, and E. coli, and there was an overall reduction in MIC following their combination with ciprofloxacin. Taken together, the findings from both the in silico and in vitro evaluations in this study have demonstrated high affinity of p-coumaric acid towards NorA and could be suggestive of its exploration as a novel NorA efflux pump inhibitor.     

Flow-through immunomagnetic separation system for waterborne pathogen isolation and detection: Application to Giardia and Cryptosporidium cell isolation

Simultaneous sample washing and concentration of two waterborne pathogen samples were demonstrated using a rotational magnetic system under continuous flow conditions. The rotation of periodically arranged small permanent magnets close to a fluidic channel carrying magnetic particle suspension allows the trapping and release of particles along the fluidic channel in a periodic manner. Each trapping and release event resembles one washing cycle.The performance of the magnetic separation system (MSS) was evaluated in order to test its functionality to isolate magnetic-labelled protozoan cells from filtered, concentrated tap water, secondary effluent water, and purified water. Experimental protocols described in US Environmental Protection Agency method 1623 which rely on the use of a magnetic particle concentrator, were applied to test and compare our continuous flow cell separation system to the standard magnetic bead-based isolation instruments. The recovery efficiencies for Giardia cysts using the magnetic tube holder and our magnetic separation system were 90.5% and 90.1%, respectively, from a tap water matrix and about 31% and 18.5%, respectively, from a spiked secondary effluent matrix. The recovery efficiencies for Cryptosporidium cells using the magnetic tube holder and our magnetic separation system were 90% and 83.3%, respectively, from a tap water matrix and about 38% and 36%, respectively, from a spiked secondary effluent matrix. Recoveries from all matrices with the continuous flow system were typically higher in glass tubing conduits than in molded plastic conduits.     

Single‐Electron Pumps and Quantum Current Metrology in the Revised SI

The consequences of the revision of the International System of Units for electrical quantum metrology are discussed herein. Possible applications of single‐electron transport pump devices and other topical state‐of‐the‐art metrology methodologies based on quantum electrical effects are reviewed, with a focus on their potential for and implications on electrical metrology in the future.     

Novel reduced pressure-balance syringe for chromatographic analysis

When withdrawing a fluid sample (for additional chromatographic analyses) from an apparatus operated at a reduced pressure, a typical syringe proves to be ineffective (even if it is equipped with a gas tight plunger). It simply does not create enough pressure differential to remove a fluid sample from a reduced pressure environment. We encountered such a situation as part of efforts to extend the operation of the advanced distillation curve protocol to reduced pressures. The problem was solved by the development of a pressure balance syringe that allows reliable and precise sampling from an apparatus operating at sub-ambient pressures. This new device uses an external vacuum source to evacuate a syringe barrel, allowing a user to withdraw fluid samples from environments with pressures as low as 0.5kPa. To demonstrate the operation of the newly developed device, distillate analyses were performed on two fluids at low pressure: a predefined validation mixture, and a commercial soy based biodiesel fuel. The pressure balance syringe was used successfully for sampling in both cases. The use of the pressure balance syringe is not limited to reduced pressure distillations; indeed it can be used for a variety of applications in which chemical/compositional analyses are desired on a fluid contained in a reduced pressure environment.     

高温超导体磁悬浮轴承在低温液体泵中应用的可行性分析

目前低温液体泵用轴承一般为机械轴承,由于机械磨损其工作寿命有限;工作在低温环境下,该轴承润滑条件恶劣,不能满足高转速、重载荷条件下的长期连续应用.高温超导体磁悬浮轴承则直接工作在低温条件下,没有机械接触且无源自稳定,是代替机械轴承的一种选择.近年来关于高温超导磁悬浮轴承的应用研究很多,其承载能力等性能参数提升很多,并在...     

Untersuchungen zur Treibmittelrückströmung an Diffusionspumpen mit radioaktiv markiertem Treibmittel

Die Rückströmung von Treibmitteldämpfen 1–7 in den Rezipienten führt zur unerwünschten Kontamination der zu evakuierenden Materialien. Die herkömmlichen Analysenmethoden zum Nachweis dieses Effektes können auf Grund verbesserter Pumpsysteme und damit geringerer Rückdiffusionsraten nicht mehr befriedigen. Eine erste Arbeit im Jahre 1965 mit Anmehr befriedigen.     

Flow injection on-line dilution for flame atomic absorption spectrometry by micro-sample introduction and dispersion using syringe pumps

A robust flow injection (FI) on-line dilution system based on micro-sample introduction was developed for flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Two computer programmed and stepper-motor driven syringe pumps were used for the precise and reproducible sample metering in micro-liters and carrier delivery. Factors, which might influence the performance of the system, such as sample matrix and carryover, were investigated. No inferior effects were observed with various matrices including 10% glycerol. Sample carryover effects were less than 0.4%, tested by analyzing a blank and a sample alternately. Dilution factors were decided and keyed in manually. The system was calibrated using a set of concentrated standard solutions for a given dilution factor. At a sampling frequency of 60 h⁻¹, precisions were better than 2% R.S.D. (n=40) for dilution factors of 10-2000. The long-term stability of the system was examined by continuously running the system for a whole working day, and a precision of 2.6% R.S.D. (n=345) was obtained at a dilution factor of 1000. The system was verified by analyzing a standard copper alloy with a certified concentration of 57.4% Cu, resulting in a measurement solution with 574 mg l⁻¹ Cu.     

An analytical and experimental investigation of flow characteristics generated by rotating porous disk

This paper is concerned with investigations of the gas flow around and in the cell-porous rotating disk. A simple 1D model of gas flow is presented. Usually the cell-porous materials are applied in heat exchangers and stationary filters. On the other hand, peculiarities of the flow revealed under theoretical analysis and some experimental observations demonstrate that rotating porous disks may also be effectively exploited in the shear-force machines for the gas transport purposes.     

Liquid range temperature of ionic liquids as potential working fluids for absorption heat pumps

The liquid range temperature of six ionic liquids (ILs) was determined in this work with the aim to propose suitable absorbents for heat pump systems. The selected ILs have three different cations, imidazolium, pyridinium and choline and each was combined with four different anions [NTf₂]⁻, [OTf]⁻, [MeSO₃]⁻ and [BETI]⁻. The lower limit, given by solid − liquid transitions, was determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The upper limit is given by the degradation temperature. This temperature is determined using thermogravimetric technique (TGA). Dynamic and isothermal methods have been combined to estimate the maximum operation temperature. ILs ageing effect was also analysed in this work.