Mathematical modeling of laser based potato cutting and peeling

A mathematical model is developed and validated to predict the depth of cut in potato tuber slabs as a function of laser power and travel speed. The model considers laser processing parameters such as input power, spot size and exposure time as well as the properties of the material being cut such as specific heat, thermal conductivity, surface reflectance, etc. The model also considers the phase change of water in potato and the ignition temperature of the solid portion. The composition of the potato tuber is assumed to be of water and solid. The model also assumes that the ablation process is accomplished through ejection of liquid water, debris and water vapour, and combustion of solid. A CO₂ laser operating in c.w. mode was chosen for the experimental work because water absorbs laser energy highly at 10.6 μm, and CO₂ laser units with relatively high output power are available. Slabs of potato tuber were chosen to be laser processed since potato contains high moisture and large amounts of relatively homogeneous tissue. The results of the preliminary calculations and experiments concluded that the model is able to predict the depth of cut in potato tuber parenchyma when subjected to a CO₂ laser beam.     

In vitro infection of immortalized primary hepatocytes by HCV genotype 4a and inhibition of virus replication by cyclosporin

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. We previously reported that cyclosporin A (CsA) inhibits HCV-1b replication. However, its inhibition of JFH-1 (HCV-2a) was much less. Since HCV genotype clearly affects the in vitro and in vivo response to anti-viral therapy, we wished to examine the effect of CsA and its non-immunosuppressive derivative NIM811 on HCV genotype 4a replication. We first established an in vitro system supporting HCV-4a infection and replication using immortalized human hepatocytes, HuS-E7/DN24 (HuS) cells, and these cells were infected with sera obtained from Egyptian patients with chronic HCV-4a infection. HuS cells supported more robust HCV-4a replication than both HuH-7.5 and PH5CH8 cells, and HCV-4a infection and replication were completely inhibited by 3 mug/ml CsA and 0.5 mug/ml NIM811. Thus, HuS cells are a good model system supporting the infection and high-level replication of HCV-4a, and both CsA and NIM811 effectively inhibit HCV-4a replication in this system.     

Effect of "no added salt diet" on blood pressure control and 24 hour urinary sodium excretion in mild to moderate hypertension

Background

The incidence of Hypertension as a major cardiovascular threat is increasing. The best known diet for hypertensives is 'no added salt diet'. In this study we evaluated the effect of 'no added salt diet' on a hypertensive population with high dietary sodium intake by measuring 24 hour urinary sodium excretion.

Methods

In this single center randomized study 80 patients (60 cases and 20 controls) not on any drug therapy for hypertension with mild to moderate hypertension were enrolled. 24 hour holter monitoring of BP and 24 hour urinary sodium excretion were measured before and after 6 weeks of 'no added salt diet'.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between age, weight, sex, Hyperlipidemia, family history of hypertension, mean systolic and diastolic BP during the day and at night and mean urinary sodium excretion in 24 hour urine of case and control groups. Seventy eight percent of all patients had moderate to high salt intake. After 6 week of 'no added salt diet' systolic and diastolic BP significantly decreased during the day (mean decrease: 12.1/6.8 mmhg) and at night (mean decrease: 11.1/5.9 mmhg) which is statistically significant in comparison to control group (P 0.001 and 0.01). Urinary sodium excretion of 24 hour urine decreased by 37.1 meq/d ± 39,67 mg/dl in case group which is statistically significant in comparison to control group (p: 0.001). Only 36% of the patients, after no added salt diet, reached the pretreatment goal of 24 hour urinary sodium excretion of below 100 meq/dl (P:0.001).

Conclusion

Despite modest effect on dietary sodium restriction, no added salt diet significantly decreased systolic and diastolic BP and so it should be advised to every hypertensive patient.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrial.govnumber NCT00491881     

Proteomic analysis revealed the biofilm-degradation abilities of the bacteriophage UPMK_1 and UPMK_2 against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Biotechnology Letters - The degradation activity of two bacteriophages UPMK_1 and UPMK_2 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus phages were examined using gel...     

Molecular species of oxidized phospholipids in brain differentiate between learning- and memory impaired and unimpaired aged rats

Amino Acids - Loss of cognitive function is a typical consequence of aging in humans and rodents. The extent of decline in spatial memory performance of rats, assessed by a hole-board test, reaches...     

Copper (II) complexes with N,S donor pyrazole-based ligands as anticancer agents

BioMetals - A group of bidentate nitrogen and sulfur donor pyrazole derivative ligands abbreviated as Na[RNCS(Pz)], Na[RNCS(PzMe2)], Na[RNCS(PzMe3)], Na[RNCS(PzPhMe)], Na[RNCS(PzPh2)], where...     

Identification of New Sources of Resistance to Septoria Tritici Blotch Caused by Zymoseptoria tritici

Twenty‐nine synthetic hexaploid wheats (SHWs) were evaluated for resistance to five isolates of Zymoseptoria tritici, a devastating wheat pathogen worldwide. The five Z. tritici isolates varied in their virulence spectra towards wheat genotypes, indicating that they have distinct set of avirulence genes. New isolate‐specific resistances were identified that could be used in wheat breeding programmes. Comparing with the previous studies, the number of specific resistances identified in this study is considerable. Among 150 interactions, 78 isolate‐specific resistances were identified. Interestingly, 21 wheat genotypes showed specific responses to one or more isolates tested. Of these, 12 genotypes were highly resistant to all isolates, indicating that they possess known or novel effective resistance genes. The Stb15 and Stb16/Stb17 are effective resistance genes towards isolates used in this study, indicating that the conferred resistance in these genotypes is due to the presence of either of these genes in combination or individually. Alternatively, they may carry novel broad‐spectrum resistance gene(s) that their identification is of interest. Our data suggest that the presence of complete resistance to various Z. tritici isolates in SHWs justifies the need for more in‐depth research to characterize the likely novel genes.     

Molecular docking analysis of known flavonoids as duel COX-2 inhibitors in the context of cancer

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) catalyzed synthesis of prostaglandin E2 and it associates with tumor growth, infiltration, and metastasis in preclinical experiments. Known inhibitors against COX-2 exhibit toxicity. Therefore, it is of interest to screen natural compounds like flavanoids against COX-2. Molecular docking using 12 known flavanoids against COX-2 by FlexX and of ArgusLab were performed. All compounds showed a favourable binding energy of >-10 KJ/mol in FlexX and > -8 kcal/mol in ArgusLab. However, this data requires in vitro and in vivo verification for further consideration.     

Opportunities of marker‐assisted selection for rice fragrance through marker–trait association analysis of microsatellites and gene‐based markers

Developing fragrant rice through marker‐assisted/aided selection (MAS) is an economical and profitable approach worldwide for the enrichment of an elite genetic background with a pleasant aroma. The PCR‐based DNA markers that distinguish the alleles of major fragrance genes in rice have been synthesised to develop rice scent biofortification through MAS. Thus, the present study examined the aroma biofortification potential of these co‐dominant markers in a germplasm panel of 189 F₂ progeny developed from crosses between a non‐aromatic variety (MR84) and a highly aromatic but low‐yielding variety (MRQ74) to determine the most influential diagnostic markers for fragrance biofortification. The SSRs and functional DNA markers RM5633 (on chromosome 4), RM515, RM223, L06, NKSbad2, FMbadh2‐E7, BADEX7‐5, Aro7 and SCU015RM (on chromosome 8) were highly associated with the 2AP (2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline) content across the population. The alleles traced via these markers were also in high linkage disequilibrium (R² > 0.70) and explained approximately 12.1, 27.05, 27.05, 27.05, 25.42, 25.42, 20.53, 20.43 and 20.18% of the total phenotypic variation observed for these biomarkers, respectively. F₂ plants harbouring the favourable alleles of these effective markers produced higher levels of fragrance. Hence, these rice plants can be used as donor parents to increase the development of fragrance‐biofortified tropical rice varieties adapted to growing conditions and consumer preferences, thus contributing to the global rice market.