Inhibition of the nitrate reductase complex from spinach by oxylamines

The nitrate reductase complex from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) was found to be inhibited by oxylamine compounds such as aminooxyacetate, hydroxylamine and O-methoxylamine. These compounds appear to interact with reduced cytochrome b₅₅₇ during catalysis of the enzyme. However, if the enzyme is maintained in a reduced state by NADH in the absence of nitrate, an additional component involved in FMNH₂-nitrate reductase is also affected by them. The binding of the oxylamines with the enzyme is non-covalent in nature as the inhibition can be reversed by treatment with 2-oxoglutarate.     

Enzyme activities in Pennisetum seedlings germinated in the presence of abscisic and gibberellic acids

Effects of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA₃), alone and in combination, on growth and activity of alanine aminotransferase (GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (GOT), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) were studied in aerial parts of Pennisetum typhoides seedlings. ABA inhibited growth and activity of GLDH, but stimulated the activity of GPT and weakly that of GOT. GA₃, on the other hand, did not affect the activity of any of the enzymes tested, but in combination with ABA tended to antagonise the efrect of the latter.     

Pareto-based multi-objective optimization for classification in data mining

This paper explores the possibility of classification based on Pareto multi-objective optimization. The efforts on solving optimization problems using the Pareto-based MOO methodology have gained increasing impetus on comparison of selected constraints. Moreover we have different types of classification problem based on optimization model like single objective optimization, MOO, Pareto optimization and convex optimization. All above techniques fail to generate distinguished class/subclass from existing class based on sensitive data. However, in this regard Pareto-based MOO approach is more powerful and effective in addressing various data mining tasks such as clustering, feature selection, classification, and knowledge extraction. The primary contribution of this paper is to solve such noble classification problem. Our work provides an overview of the existing research on MOO and contribution of Pareto based MOO focusing on classification. Particularly, the entire work deals with association of sub-features for noble classification. Moreover potentially interesting sub-features in MOO for classification are used to strengthen the concept of Pareto based MOO. Experiment has been carried out to validate the theory with different real world data sets which are more sensitive in nature. Finally, experimental results provide effectiveness of the proposed method using sensitive data.     

Cytopathologic diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis and coexistent lesions. A prospective study of 31 cases

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of preoperative ultrasound (US)-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) and coexistent lesions (carcinoma) and also to evaluate the possibility ofmissing either carcinoma or XGC on cytology. STUDY DESIGN: The cytologic diagnoses of XGC and coexistent lesions were made according to standard criteria. In a prospective, 5-year study, preoperative US-guided FNAC from 42 cases of XGC was compared with follow-up histologic diagnoses, which were available in 31 cases. When FNAC after the first aspiration showed the aspirate to be nondiagnostic, FNAC was repeated under US guidance. RESULTS: Preoperative US-guided FNAC diagnoses of XGC were made in 31 cases, for which follow-up histology was available in all cases. US-guided FNAC diagnosis ofXGC only was made in 30 cases and coexistent lesions in 1 case. Followup histology revealed 26 cases of XGC, 4 of a coexistent lesion and 1 of squamous cell carcinoma only. The overall diagnostic accuracy of preoperative US-guided FNAC was 96.77%. The overall possibility of missing XGC was 3.33% and that of carcinoma, 12.01%. CONCLUSION: Preoperative US-guided FNAC is safe, rapid, reliable, cost-effective and accurate in diagnosing XGC. However, the possibility ofcoexistent carcinoma cannot be definitely ruled out. It is therefore recommended that FNAC be performed from multiple suspicious sites under radiologic guidance. Thus, preoperative US-guided FNAC diagnosis would help in determining the urgency of treatment and also in planning the surgical procedure for gallbladder lesions.     

Energy analysis of solar water heating systems in india

This analysis can be called energy accounting of solar water heating systems. Five types of solar water heating systems have been considered. With the help of material balance, energy content has been found in these systems. Yearly output of systems has been found by conducting transient simulations using hourly data of radiation and ambient temperature. Such analysis has been done separately for one representative city of each of six climatic zones of India. The energy payback for India ranges from 0.73 to 4.16 years for the thirty cases considered here.     

Functional stability and structural transitions of Kallikrein: spectroscopic and molecular dynamics studies

Kallikrein, a physiologically vital serine protease, was investigated for its functional and conformational transitions during chemical (organic solvents, Gdn-HCl), thermal, and pH induced denaturation using biochemical and biophysical techniques and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations approach. The enzyme was exceptionally stable in isopropanol and ethanol showing 110% and 75% activity, respectively, after 96 h, showed moderate tolerance in acetonitrile (45% activity after 72 h) and much lower stability in methanol (40% activity after 24 h) (all the solvents [90% v/v]). Far UV CD and fluorescence spectra indicated apparent reduction in compactness of KLKp structure in isopropanol system. MD simulation studies of the enzyme in isopropanol revealed (1) minimal deviation of the structure from native state (2) marginal increase in radius of gyration and solvent accessible surface area (SASA) of the protein and the active site, and (3) loss of density barrier at the active site possibly leading to increased accessibility of substrate to catalytic triad as compared to methanol and acetonitrile. Although kallikrein was structurally stable up to 90 °C as indicated by secondary structure monitoring, it was functionally stable only up to 45 °C, implicating thermolabile active site geometry. In GdnHCl [1.0 M], 75% of the activity of KLKp was retained after incubation for 4 h, indicating its denaturant tolerance. A molten globule-like structure of KLKp formed at pH 1.0 was more thermostable and exhibited interesting structural transitions in organic solvents. The above results provide deeper understanding of functional and structural stability of the serine proteases at molecular level.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial studies of novel 1-benzhydryl-piperazine sulfonamide and carboxamide derivatives

A series of novel substituted 1-benzhydryl-piperazine sulfonamide 8(a-f) and benzamides 9(a-h) were synthesized and their antimicrobial activities evaluated in vitro by paper disc diffusion and micro dilution method against standard strains of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25953, Staphylococcus epidermis 25212, Bacillus cereus 11778, Bacillus substilis 6051) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 2853, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 2853 and Salmonella typhi ATCC 9484) bacteria. Among the synthesized new compounds 8d, 8e, 9c, 9e, 9f and 9 h showed potent antimicrobial activities compared to the standard drug streptomycin.