X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis utilizes particle size which is resulted from milling of a material. The milling ensures uniform and fine grained powder. The finer and more uniform the particle size is, the better t...X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis utilizes particle size which is resulted from milling of a material. The milling ensures uniform and fine grained powder. The finer and more uniform the particle size is, the better the result and easier it is for material quality control. To ensure uniformity in particle size and finer powder, a comparative analysis was conducted with different grinding aids and pressed pellet method was used in obtaining analysis results. Pressed pellets of cement raw meal sample milled with different grinding aids (graphite, aspirin and lithium borate) were subjected to XRF. Graphite produced better particle size uniformity with a corresponding standard deviation that made quality control of raw meal easier and better than aspirin and lithium borate.展开更多
Antioxidants have been widely studied in various naturally occurring substances as a bioavailable cancer prevention treatment. Proanthocyanidins (PACs), which are abundant polyphenols in Early Black (EB) Cranberry (Va...Antioxidants have been widely studied in various naturally occurring substances as a bioavailable cancer prevention treatment. Proanthocyanidins (PACs), which are abundant polyphenols in Early Black (EB) Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), are readily available and we have shown their anticancer activity in several cancer cell lines. This work focused on the activity of these compounds when incorporated into the zebrafish (Danio rerio) system. We began investigating the in vivo effect of these phytochemicals, the protective role of several other cranberry compounds, and the metabolic activity of the vertebrate model organism. Proanthocyanidin fractions were separated from fresh EB Cranberry fruit by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 in order to acquire a workable stock solution in DMSO. Various concentrations of proanthocyanidins in solution were tested against fish ranging in age from 1-cell stage to adult level of growth. Acridine orange apoptosis indicator dye was incorporated into the treatment protocol, and it was observed that irregular epithelial cell death was occurring in treated embryos but not in the control group. Further apoptosis assays were carried out utilizing Dihydroethidium (DHE) superoxide sensitive dye in the treatment protocol. Fluorescing red nuclei were visible along the outer surface of the epithelium cell layer;an indication of superoxide release within cells leading to the nicking of DNA within the nucleus. It was also possible to screen for superoxide release in PACs treated CCD-CO18 and HT-29 cells using confocal microscopy and cell apoptosis was investigated by trypan blue cytotoxicity assay;cell apoptosis results were statistically significant as confirmed by ANOVA analysis. Results indicate that the phytochemicals may induce apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells.展开更多
The generation of cellular energy in the form of ATP occurs mainly in mitochondria by oxidative phosphorylation.Cytochrome c oxidase(CytOx),the oxygen accepting and rate-limiting step of the respiratory chain,regulate...The generation of cellular energy in the form of ATP occurs mainly in mitochondria by oxidative phosphorylation.Cytochrome c oxidase(CytOx),the oxygen accepting and rate-limiting step of the respiratory chain,regulates the supply of variable ATP demands in cells by“allosteric ATP-inhibition of CytOx.”This mechanism is based on inhibition of oxygen uptake of CytOx at high ATP/ADP ratios and low ferrocytochrome c concentrations in the mitochondrial matrix via cooperative interaction of the two substrate binding sites in dimeric CytOx.The mechanism keeps mitochondrial membrane potentialΔΨm and reactive oxygen species(ROS)formation at low healthy values.Stress signals increase cytosolic calcium leading to Ca^2+-dependent dephosphorylation of CytOx subunit I at the cytosolic side accompanied by switching off the allosteric ATPinhibition and monomerization of CytOx.This is followed by increase ofΔΨm and formation of ROS.A hypothesis is presented suggesting a dynamic change of binding of NDUFA4,originally identified as a subunit of complex I,between monomeric CytOx(active state with highΔΨm,high ROS and low efficiency)and complex I(resting state with lowΔΨm,low ROS and high efficiency).展开更多
Fatliquor is an oil-in-water emulsion that improves the physical properties of leather such as tensile strength,flexibility,and softness by lubricating the leather fibres.Sulfonated Sesamum indicum oil was synthesized...Fatliquor is an oil-in-water emulsion that improves the physical properties of leather such as tensile strength,flexibility,and softness by lubricating the leather fibres.Sulfonated Sesamum indicum oil was synthesized,characterized,and examined for consideration as a substitute for imported fatliquor in Nigeria.The sulfonation of the oil was confirmed by the significant observations made in the FTIR,1 H NMR,13 C NMR,and 13 C NMR DEPT analysis results.A remarkable difference was observed in the physicochemical properties results of both unsulfonated and sulfonated oils.The sulfonated sesame fatliquor was applied onto goatskin and compared with a commercial sulfated fatliquor in the processing of shoe upper leather using standard methods.The average results for tensile strength,double edge tear,elongation,and softness results for the commercial and synthesized fatliquors are as follows:14.27 N/mm^(2);13.77 N/mm^(2),50.61N;60.11 N,38.06%;54.28%,25.2;25.0.A comparable level of lubrication of the leather treated with the sulfonated Sesamum indicum oil and that treated with the commercial leather fatliquor was revealed by the Sudan IV stain test as well as scanning electron microscopy analysis results.Experimental analyses,therefore,show that the as-synthesized sulfonated Sesamum indicum oil could be considered as a substitute for imported fatliquor in the leather industry.展开更多
Background We were interested in determining how the tumor suppressor gene RBM5 is regulated in lung cancers. Previous studies suggested that the gene expression is related to histological subtype and smoking exposure...Background We were interested in determining how the tumor suppressor gene RBM5 is regulated in lung cancers. Previous studies suggested that the gene expression is related to histological subtype and smoking exposure, since in small cell lung cancers the RBM5 gene is deleted whereas in non-small cell lung carcinomas （NSCLC） RBM5 expression is reduced. Of particular interest was the recent finding that in lung adenocarcinomas, a histological subtype of NSCLC, smoking exposure correlated with mutational activity in the transforming growth factor alpha （TGF-c~） signaling pathway. Lung adenocarcinomas from smokers were associated with activating KRAS mutations, whereas lung adenocarcinomas from never-smokers were associated with activating epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） mutations. We hypothesized that inhibition of RBM5 in lung adenocarcinomas is achieved indirectly via these activating mutations. The objective of the research described herein was to determine if EGFR activation and RBM5 expression are negatively correlated. Methods EGFR expression in the lung adenocarcinoma cell line NCI-H1975 was inhibited using small interfering RNA. RBM5 expression was examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Results Reduced EGFR expression did not correlate with any change in RBM5 expression at either the RNA or protein level. Conclusion These results suggest that RBM5 expression is not directly regulated by EGFR in non-smoker related lung adenocarinomas, and that some other mechanism operates to inhibit either the expression or function of this potential tumour suppressor in lung cancers that retain the RBM5 gene.展开更多
文摘X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis utilizes particle size which is resulted from milling of a material. The milling ensures uniform and fine grained powder. The finer and more uniform the particle size is, the better the result and easier it is for material quality control. To ensure uniformity in particle size and finer powder, a comparative analysis was conducted with different grinding aids and pressed pellet method was used in obtaining analysis results. Pressed pellets of cement raw meal sample milled with different grinding aids (graphite, aspirin and lithium borate) were subjected to XRF. Graphite produced better particle size uniformity with a corresponding standard deviation that made quality control of raw meal easier and better than aspirin and lithium borate.
文摘Antioxidants have been widely studied in various naturally occurring substances as a bioavailable cancer prevention treatment. Proanthocyanidins (PACs), which are abundant polyphenols in Early Black (EB) Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), are readily available and we have shown their anticancer activity in several cancer cell lines. This work focused on the activity of these compounds when incorporated into the zebrafish (Danio rerio) system. We began investigating the in vivo effect of these phytochemicals, the protective role of several other cranberry compounds, and the metabolic activity of the vertebrate model organism. Proanthocyanidin fractions were separated from fresh EB Cranberry fruit by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 in order to acquire a workable stock solution in DMSO. Various concentrations of proanthocyanidins in solution were tested against fish ranging in age from 1-cell stage to adult level of growth. Acridine orange apoptosis indicator dye was incorporated into the treatment protocol, and it was observed that irregular epithelial cell death was occurring in treated embryos but not in the control group. Further apoptosis assays were carried out utilizing Dihydroethidium (DHE) superoxide sensitive dye in the treatment protocol. Fluorescing red nuclei were visible along the outer surface of the epithelium cell layer;an indication of superoxide release within cells leading to the nicking of DNA within the nucleus. It was also possible to screen for superoxide release in PACs treated CCD-CO18 and HT-29 cells using confocal microscopy and cell apoptosis was investigated by trypan blue cytotoxicity assay;cell apoptosis results were statistically significant as confirmed by ANOVA analysis. Results indicate that the phytochemicals may induce apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells.
文摘The generation of cellular energy in the form of ATP occurs mainly in mitochondria by oxidative phosphorylation.Cytochrome c oxidase(CytOx),the oxygen accepting and rate-limiting step of the respiratory chain,regulates the supply of variable ATP demands in cells by“allosteric ATP-inhibition of CytOx.”This mechanism is based on inhibition of oxygen uptake of CytOx at high ATP/ADP ratios and low ferrocytochrome c concentrations in the mitochondrial matrix via cooperative interaction of the two substrate binding sites in dimeric CytOx.The mechanism keeps mitochondrial membrane potentialΔΨm and reactive oxygen species(ROS)formation at low healthy values.Stress signals increase cytosolic calcium leading to Ca^2+-dependent dephosphorylation of CytOx subunit I at the cytosolic side accompanied by switching off the allosteric ATPinhibition and monomerization of CytOx.This is followed by increase ofΔΨm and formation of ROS.A hypothesis is presented suggesting a dynamic change of binding of NDUFA4,originally identified as a subunit of complex I,between monomeric CytOx(active state with highΔΨm,high ROS and low efficiency)and complex I(resting state with lowΔΨm,low ROS and high efficiency).
基金This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public,commercial,or not-for-profit sectors.
文摘Fatliquor is an oil-in-water emulsion that improves the physical properties of leather such as tensile strength,flexibility,and softness by lubricating the leather fibres.Sulfonated Sesamum indicum oil was synthesized,characterized,and examined for consideration as a substitute for imported fatliquor in Nigeria.The sulfonation of the oil was confirmed by the significant observations made in the FTIR,1 H NMR,13 C NMR,and 13 C NMR DEPT analysis results.A remarkable difference was observed in the physicochemical properties results of both unsulfonated and sulfonated oils.The sulfonated sesame fatliquor was applied onto goatskin and compared with a commercial sulfated fatliquor in the processing of shoe upper leather using standard methods.The average results for tensile strength,double edge tear,elongation,and softness results for the commercial and synthesized fatliquors are as follows:14.27 N/mm^(2);13.77 N/mm^(2),50.61N;60.11 N,38.06%;54.28%,25.2;25.0.A comparable level of lubrication of the leather treated with the sulfonated Sesamum indicum oil and that treated with the commercial leather fatliquor was revealed by the Sudan IV stain test as well as scanning electron microscopy analysis results.Experimental analyses,therefore,show that the as-synthesized sulfonated Sesamum indicum oil could be considered as a substitute for imported fatliquor in the leather industry.
文摘Background We were interested in determining how the tumor suppressor gene RBM5 is regulated in lung cancers. Previous studies suggested that the gene expression is related to histological subtype and smoking exposure, since in small cell lung cancers the RBM5 gene is deleted whereas in non-small cell lung carcinomas （NSCLC） RBM5 expression is reduced. Of particular interest was the recent finding that in lung adenocarcinomas, a histological subtype of NSCLC, smoking exposure correlated with mutational activity in the transforming growth factor alpha （TGF-c~） signaling pathway. Lung adenocarcinomas from smokers were associated with activating KRAS mutations, whereas lung adenocarcinomas from never-smokers were associated with activating epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） mutations. We hypothesized that inhibition of RBM5 in lung adenocarcinomas is achieved indirectly via these activating mutations. The objective of the research described herein was to determine if EGFR activation and RBM5 expression are negatively correlated. Methods EGFR expression in the lung adenocarcinoma cell line NCI-H1975 was inhibited using small interfering RNA. RBM5 expression was examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Results Reduced EGFR expression did not correlate with any change in RBM5 expression at either the RNA or protein level. Conclusion These results suggest that RBM5 expression is not directly regulated by EGFR in non-smoker related lung adenocarinomas, and that some other mechanism operates to inhibit either the expression or function of this potential tumour suppressor in lung cancers that retain the RBM5 gene.
