Biogenesis,characterization, and the effect of vicenin‐gold nanoparticles on glucose utilization in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes: A bioinformatic approach to illuminate its interaction with PTP 1B and AMPK

This study reported the synthesis of Vicenin‐2 gold nanoparticles (VN‐AuNPs) and evaluated their effect on the glucose utilization efficiency of 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. The VN‐AuNPs were characterized by microscopic, DLS and spectral analysis. The bio‐reducing efficiency of Vicenin‐2 (VN) was computed and confirmed by HPLC analysis. The stability of VN‐AuNPs in various physiological media was explored. The cytotoxicity and glucose uptake assays were performed in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. The docking of VN with PTP1B and AMPK was also performed. The color change and UV absorption at 537 nm preliminarily confirmed the VN reduced gold nanoparticles. The VN‐AuNPs appeared as spherical particles (57 nm) and face centered cubic crystals under TEM and XRD analysis, respectively. Its zeta potential was found to be ?6.53 mV. The FT‐IR spectra of VN and its AuNPs confirmed its stability. The computed reducing potential of VN was similar to the extent of VN utilized during the synthesis of VN‐AuNPs. The VN‐AuNPs showed a remarkable stability in different physiological media. At 100 µM concentration, VN‐AuNPs displayed 78.21% cell viability. A concentration dependent increase in glucose uptake was noted in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes when incubated with VN‐AuNPs. The docking data revealed a strong interaction of VN with the binding pockets of PTP1B and AMPK. This demonstrates that the fabricated VN‐AuNPs might enhance the intracellular VN availability mediated cellular glucose utilization and this would serve as a novel nanodrug for the management of diabetes. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:1096–1106, 2015     

Formulation and evaluation of ketorolac tromethamine-loaded albumin microspheres for potential intramuscular administration

The objective of this work was to prepare and evaluate ketorolac tromethamine-loaded albumin microspheres using a factorial design. Albumin microspheres were prepared by emulsion cross-linking method. Selected formulations were characterized for their entrapment efficiency, particle size, surface morphology, and release behavior. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for entrapment efficiency indicated that entrapment efficiency is best fitted to a response surface linear model. From the statistical analysis it was observed that as the drug:polymer (D∶P) ratio and volume of glutaraldehyde increased, there was a significant increase in the encapsulation efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy of the microspheres revealed a spherical, nonporous and uniform appearance, with a smooth surface. Based on the entrapment efficiency and physical appearance, 9 formulations were selected for release study. The maximum particle size observed was below 40 μm. The release pattern was biphasic, characterized by an initial burst effect followed by a slow release. All selected microspheres, except those having less polymer proportion (D∶P ratio is 1∶1), exhibited a prolonged release for almost 24 hours. On comparingr ² values for Higuchi and Peppas kinetic models, different batches of microspheres showed Fickian, non-Fickian, and diffusion kinetics. The release mechanism was regulated by D∶P ratio and amount of cross-linking agent. From the experimental data obtained with respect to particle size and extent of drug relaase, it could be concluded that the prepared microspheres are useful for once-a-day intramuscular administration of ketorolac tromethamine. Published: February 23, 2007     

Soft tissue re-growth after different crown lengthening techniques among Indian patients

Patients often report complaining of fractured or decayed teeth with severe morphological deformities. However, all these clinical scenarios require the same level of care and consideration to rehabilitate form, function and esthetics. Some cases have sufficient clinical crown height while others often require an interdisciplinary approach in the form of orthodontic/surgical extrusion or surgical periodontal options. A common factor delaying treatment is soft tissue regrowth after crown lengthening which delays the impression required for final prosthesis. Therefore, it is of interest to compare the prevalence of soft tissue regrowth a week after different crown lengthening techniques including laser gingivectomy, electrocautery gingivectomy, modified Widman flap and apically repositioned. The parameters assessed included 1-week postoperative soft tissue regrowth after crown lengthening, age of patients and gender. It was observed that laser and electrocautery-assisted gingivectomy had a higher rate of soft tissue regrowth as compared to surgical techniques. It was further noted that laser and electrocautery assisted gingivectomy had a higher frequency of soft tissue rebound growth compared to surgical crown lengthening using modified widman flap and apically repositioned flap, which was statistically insignificant. Patients within the age groups of 26-60 years were found to have a higher tendency of soft tissue regrowth, which was found to be clinically and statistically significant (p<0.05).     

Nano-optical Switch Based on Photonic Crystal Ring Resonator

Plasmonics - In recent trend, the ultra-speed nanophotonics components are highly attractive for the scientific community and next-generation high-speed optical communication systems. In this...     

Beneficial impact of L-carnitine in liver: a study in a rat model of syndrome X

The present study was designed to explore whether L-carnitine (CA) regulates insulin signaling and modulates the changes in liver in a well-characterized insulin resistant rat model. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups I and IV animals received starch-based control diet, while groups II and III rats were fed a high fructose-diet (60 g/100 g). Groups III and IV animals additionally received CA (300 mg/kg/day i.p). After a period of 60 days hepatic tyrosine phosphorylation status was determined by assaying protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activities. Oxidative damage was monitored by immunohistochemical localization of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and dinitrophenol (DNP)-protein adducts. In addition protein kinase C beta II (PKC beta II) expression, propidium iodide staining of isolated hepatocytes and histology of liver tissue were determined to examine liver integrity. Fructose-fed rats displayed reduced insulin action, increased expression of PKC beta II, altered histology, fragmentation of hepatocyte nuclear DNA, and accumulation of oxidatively modified proteins. Simultaneous treatment with CA alleviated the abnormalities associated with fructose feeding. In summary the data suggest that elevated oxidative damage and PKC expression could in part induce insulin resistance and CA has beneficial impact on liver during insulin resistance with modulatory effects at the post-receptor level.     

Analysis of optimal phenotypic space using elementary modes as applied to Corynebacterium glutamicum

Background  

Quantification of the metabolic network of an organism offers insights into possible ways of developing mutant strain for better productivity of an extracellular metabolite. The first step in this quantification is the enumeration of stoichiometries of all reactions occurring in a metabolic network. The structural details of the network in combination with experimentally observed accumulation rates of external metabolites can yield flux distribution at steady state. One such methodology for quantification is the use of elementary modes, which are minimal set of enzymes connecting external metabolites. Here, we have used a linear objective function subject to elementary modes as constraint to determine the fluxes in the metabolic network of Corynebacterium glutamicum. The feasible phenotypic space was evaluated at various combinations of oxygen and ammonia uptake rates.     

The Structure of the RLIP76 RhoGAP-Ral Binding Domain Dyad: Fixed Position of the Domains Leads to Dual Engagement of Small G Proteins at the Membrane

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Biofilm Effects of the Soil Bacillus cereus Metabolites: Isolation,Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - The methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes serious health problems such as community-acquired infections and...