Chrome mining activity has contributed intensively towards pollution of hexavalent chromium around Sukinda Valley, Orissa, India. In an attempt to study the specific contribution of ...exopolysaccharides (EPS) extracted from indigenous isolates towards Cr(VI) reduction, three chromium (VI) tolerant strains were isolated from the effluent mining sludge. Based on the tolerance towards Cr(VI) and EPS production capacity, one of them was selected for further work. The taxonomic identity of the selected strain was confirmed to be
Enterobacter
cloacae
(showing 98% similarity in BLAST search to
E
.
cloacae
) through 16S rRNA analysis. The EPS production was observed to increase with increasing Cr(VI) concentration in the growth medium, highest being 0.078 at 100 mg/l Cr(VI). The extracted EPS from
Enterobacter
cloacae
SUKCr1D was able to reduce 31.7% of Cr(VI) at 10 mg/l concentration, which was relevant to the prevailing natural concentrations at Sukinda mine effluent sludge. The FT-IR spectral studies confirmed the surface chemical interactions of hexavalent chromium with EPS.
Summary
As opposed to cloud servers, fog servers, and fog users may be malicious, so developing a mutual identity‐preserving authentication mechanism between them is a crucial and difficult problem ...in fog computing. Such a technique must conceal the user's true identity from the adversary; otherwise, the adversary will be able to determine which fog user and fog server are in communication. This article suggests a secure and reliable anonymous mutual authentication system for use at the network's edge between fog users and fog servers. With the aid of the registration authority (RA) in our system, they can verify one another and decide on a new session key that will be used to encrypt messages throughout the session. Fog users don't need to re‐register with RA to wander freely over the network and authenticate to any fog server that is within their range. The proposed technique only needs a small number of symmetric encryption/decryption and one‐way hash functions, making it easy to implement for fog‐user devices with limited resources. The new scheme's performance is evaluated in comparison to the existing one, showing that it is more resilient to various types of assaults (such as known plaintext attacks, man‐in‐the‐middle attacks, session hijacking, etc.). The widely used Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications tool is used to verify the proposed system. The outcomes demonstrate that our approach can safely withstand different attacks and accomplish the desired outcomes. Additionally, the proposed method is tested in real‐world scenarios with the NS3 simulator.
This study investigates about the designing and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of the exhaust system of a formula student vehicle. Based on FSAE rules KTM Duke 390 engine is used and the ...noise level is to keep below 110 dB. The main aim of the design is to have a smooth flow exhaust gases without restriction to increase engine efficiency and to keep minimal backpressure. An absorptive type of muffler is finalized to attenuate the sound levels. Based on three different equations, exhaust runner dimensions are calculated and CFD analysis is performed to choose the optimum runner dimensions. Using ASHRAE guidelines muffler dimensions range is calculated. Using Ricardo software based on effective volumetric efficiency analysis, volume of muffler that fits in ASHRAE dimension range was finalized. Both runner and muffler are analyzed and CFD analysis was carried out which resulted in streamline velocity profile of the exhaust gas and acceptable values of pressure, velocity and velocity streamline was found. CFD analysis of the full exhaust system was carried out to understand the flow characteristics of exhaust gases.
Retz. forms a key component of traditional folk medicine and is also reported to possess antihepatitis C virus (HCV) and immunomodulatory activities. However, information on the intermolecular ...interactions of phytochemicals from this plant with HCV and human proteins are yet to be established. Thus, by this current study, we investigated the HCV NS3/4A inhibitory and host immune-modulatory activity of phytocompounds from
through in silico strategies involving network pharmacology and structural bioinformatics techniques. To start with, the phytochemical dataset of
was curated from biological databases and the published literature. Further, the target ability of the phytocompounds was predicted using BindingDB for both HCV NS3/4A and other probable host targets involved in the immune system. Further, the identified targets were docked to the phytochemical dataset using AutoDock Vina executed through the POAP pipeline. The resultant docked complexes with significant binding energy were subjected to 50 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in order to infer the stability of complex formation. During network pharmacology analysis, the gene set pathway enrichment of host targets was performed using the STRING and Reactome pathway databases. Further, the biological network among compounds, proteins, and pathways was constructed using Cytoscape 3.6.1. Furthermore, the druglikeness, side effects, and toxicity of the phytocompounds were also predicted using the MolSoft, ADVERpred, and PreADMET methods, respectively. Out of 41 selected compounds, 10 were predicted to target HCV NS3/4A and also to possess druglike and nontoxic properties. Among these 10 molecules, Chebulagic acid and 1,2,3,4,6-Pentagalloyl glucose exhibited potent HCV NS3/4A inhibitory activity, as these scored a lowest binding energy (BE) of -8.6 kcal/mol and -7.7 kcal/mol with 11 and 20 intermolecular interactions with active site residues, respectively. These findings are highly comparable with Asunaprevir (known inhibitor of HCV NS3/4A), which scored a BE of -7.4 kcal/mol with 20 key intermolecular interactions. MD studies also strongly suggest that chebulagic acid and 1,2,3,4,6-Pentagalloyl glucose as promising leads, as these molecules showed stable binding during 50 ns of production run. Further, the gene set enrichment and network analysis of 18 protein targets prioritized 10 compounds and were predicted to potentially modulate the host immune system, hemostasis, cytokine levels, interleukins signaling pathways, and platelet aggregation. On overall analysis, this present study predicts that tannins from
have a potential HCV NS3/4A inhibitory and host immune-modulatory activity. However, further experimental studies are required to confirm the efficacies.
In this study, antioxidant activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of
Brassica oleracea
L. var.
italica
were investigated. The antioxidant properties of both extracts of
Brassica oleracea
L. ...var.
italica
were evaluated using different antioxidant tests, including 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, inhibition of microsomal lipid peroxidation, reduction of power, and metal ion chelating activities. Inhibition of superoxide scavenging by aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed an IC
50
of 0.93 and 0.25 mg/ml, respectively. Metal ion chelation showed an IC
50
of 0.35 mg/ml of both the extracts and was equipotent to positive control, ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid. The ethanolic extract of
Brassica oleracea
L. var.
italica
exhibited higher antioxidant activity in DPPH radical and superoxide anion scavenging than that of aqueous extract. The results obtained in the in vitro models clearly suggest that,
Brassica oleracea
L. var.
italica
is a natural source for antioxidants, which could serve as a nutraceutical with potential applications in reducing the level of oxidative stress and related health benefits. However, comprehensive studies need to be conducted to ascertain the in vivo safety of such extracts in experimental animal models.
•Canine parvovirus NS1 (CPV2.NS1) protein does not activate extrinsic pathway of apoptosis.•Expression of CPV2.NS1 results in mitochondrial depolarization and opening of permeability transition ...pores.•CPV2.NS1 induced apoptosis is mitochondria mediated i.e., it proceeds through intrinsic pathway.•Expression of CPV2.NS1 also causes accumulation of reactive oxygen species.•Inclusion of an anti-oxidant in the medium reduces the extent of apoptosis.
The non-structural protein (NS1) of parvoviruses plays an important role in viral replication and is thought to be responsible for inducing cell death. However, the detailed mechanism and the pathways involved in canine parvovirus type 2 NS1 (CPV2.NS1) induced apoptosis are not yet known. In the present study, we report that expression of CPV2.NS1 in HeLa cells arrests cells in G1 phase of the cell cycle and the apoptosis is mitochondria mediated as indicated by mitochondrial depolarization, release of cytochrome-c and activation of caspase 9. Treatment of cells with caspase 9 inhibitor Z-LEHD-FMK reduced the induction of apoptosis significantly. We also report that expression of CPV2.NS1 causes accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and treatment with an antioxidant reduces the ROS levels and the extent of apoptosis. Our results provide an insight into the mechanism of CPV2.NS1 induced apoptosis, which might prove valuable in developing NS1 protein as an oncolytic agent.
•Non-Boussinesq variable density approach is used to model buoyancy.•The critical Grashof number is identified above which instabilities intensifies leading to chaos.•Flow is found to be oscillating ...and bidirectional through the horizontal passage.•Significant change in flow behavior with increase in Grashof number.•Reduced vent thickness results in higher oscillation frequency and enhances the mixing rates between the enclosures.
The buoyancy driven flow characteristics through horizontal passage between two enclosures are numerically investigated. The two-dimensional physical model consists of upper and lower enclosures filled with cold and hot fluids connected through ceiling vent. Non-Boussinesq variable density approach is used to model the density variations by primitive variable method. The governing equations are solved by Simplified Marker and Cell (SMAC) algorithm on non-staggered grid using high accuracy compact finite difference schemes. The Grashof number is varied from Gr=106 to 5×107. The nonlinear exchange of lighter and heavier fluids through vent are investigated by varying vent aspect ratio. The net mass flow rate through horizontal passage are oscillatory and bidirectional. The critical Grashof number is identified, and beyond this instabilities intensifies leading to complex flow behavior inside enclosures. The vent widths D=0.05H and 0.2H reduces flow perturbations and enhances stable flow behavior across the vent. Chaotic flow originates for critical vent widths 0.1H⩽D⩽0.15H, and nonlinear oscillations evolves till the system reaches quasi-steady state. Reduced vent thickness results in higher oscillation frequencies and better mixing rates between enclosures. The present mathematical model and numerical method showed good agreement with the existing results available in literature.
Adipose tissue functions as a key endocrine organ which releases multiple bioactive substances and regulate obesity-linked complications. Dysregulation of adipocyte differentiation, triglyceride ...metabolism, adipokines production and lipid transport contributes to impaired lipid metabolism resulting in obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
plant is frequently used in Ayurveda for treatment of diabetes and obesity. Gymnemagenin is a major bioactive compound of
. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of gymnemagenin in lipid metabolism by
and computational approaches.
A panel of twelve genes viz.,
essential in lipid metabolism were selected and gene expression pattern and triglyceride content were checked in adipocytes (3T3L1 cells) with/without treatment of gymnemagenin by Real time PCR and colorimetric estimation, respectively. Mode of action of gymnemagenin on Pparg and Fabp4 was accomplished by computational studies. Gene set enrichment and network pharmacology were performed by STRING and Cytoscape. Molecular docking was performed by AutoDock vina by POAP pipeline. Molecular dynamics, MM-PBSA were done by Gromacs tool.
study showed that gymnemagenin improved triglyceride metabolism by up regulating the expression of lipase genes viz.,
which hydrolyse triglyceride. Gymnemagenin also up regulated the expression of anti-inflammatory gene
. Importantly, gymnemagenin treatment up regulated the expression of
gene and the downstream target genes (
) which are associated with adipogenesis. However, gymnemagenin has no effect on expression of
, codes for a lipid transport protein.
study revealed that gymnemagenin targeted 12 genes were modulating 6 molecular pathways involved in diabetes and obesity. Molecular docking and dynamics revealed that gymnemagenin stably bind to active site residue of Pparg and failed to bind to Fabp4 active site compared to its standard molecules throughout 100 ns MD production run. Gymnemagenin scored binding free energy of -177.94 and -25.406 kJ/mol with Pparg and Fabp4, respectively.
Gymnemagenin improved lipid metabolism by increasing triglyceride hydrolysis (lipolysis), up regulating the crucial gene of adipogenesis and increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory adipokine proving its therapeutic importance as anti-obesity and anti-diabetic phytocompound.
Louvre-equipped generic enclosed (LEGE) space with heat source and guiding vents is commonly seen in many buildings, heat transfer equipment and has plenty of practical applications. In the current ...work, natural wind- driven convection in a LEGE space system with a mono-centric heat source under five louvre configurations and different wind speeds are analyzed. The system walls are assumed adiabatic, and a heat source is introduced at the centre with five different levels of heating in the range of 100 and 400 W/m2. The system is placed in an ample rectangular space to generate natural wind flow conditions. The efforts of conducting several experiments are reduced by applying Taguchi method and Anova is used to rank the experiments based on the responses from CFD simulations. Firstly 3D steady RANS equations are solved using the Finite volume approach where RNG k-ω the model was chosen for turbulence modelling. The Nusselt number and temperature of the heat source were noted down as responses for each case. Secondly, the percentage contribution of different factors on the temperature of heat source and optimum experiment were explored using ANOVA technique. The results are reported in contours and velocity vectors inside the enclosure, disclosing the heat flow and air circulation under different design configurations. Results show that louvres position had a maximum of 5 percent effect on the responses than other factors. From the ANOVA method, results show that the contribution of air velocity is around 80%.
The purpose of this study was to establish a mode of action for diosgenin against breast cancer employing a range of system biology tools and to corroborate its results with experimental facts.
The ...diosgenin-regulated domains implicated in breast cancer were enriched in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database to establish diosgenin-protein(s)-pathway(s) associations. Later, molecular docking and the lead complexes were considered for molecular dynamics simulations, MMPBSA, principal component, and dynamics cross-correlation matrix analysis using GROMACS v2021. Furthermore, survival analysis was carried out for the diosgenin-regulated proteins that were anticipated to be involved in breast cancer. For gene expression analyses, the top three targets with the highest binding affinity for diosgenin and tumor expression were examined. Furthermore, the effect of diosgenin on cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, and the partial Warburg effect was tested to validate the computational findings using functional outputs of the lead targets.
The protein-protein interaction had 57 edges, an average node degree of 5.43, and a
-value of 3.83e-14. Furthermore, enrichment analysis showed 36 KEGG pathways, 12 cellular components, 27 molecular functions, and 307 biological processes. In network analysis, three hub proteins were notably modulated:
,
, and
, diosgenin with the highest binding affinity with
(binding energy -8.6 kcal/mol). Furthermore, during the 150 ns molecular dynamics (MD) projection run, diosgenin exhibited robust intermolecular interactions and had the least free binding energy with
(-35.143 kcal/mol) compared to
(-34.619 kcal/mol), and
(-17.944 kcal/mol). Diosgenin exhibited the highest cytotoxicity against MCF7 cell lines (IC
12.05 ± 1.33) µg/ml. Furthermore, in H
O
-induced oxidative stress, the inhibitory constant (IC
7.68 ± 0.51) µg/ml of diosgenin was lowest in MCF7 cell lines. However, the reversal of the Warburg effect by diosgenin seemed to be maximum in non-cancer Vero cell lines (EC
15.27 ± 0.95) µg/ml compared to the rest. Furthermore, diosgenin inhibited cell proliferation in SKBR3 cell lines more though.
The current study demonstrated that diosgenin impacts a series of signaling pathways, involved in the advancement of breast cancer, including FoxO, PI3K-Akt, p53, Ras, and MAPK signaling. Additionally, diosgenin established a persistent diosgenin-protein complex and had a significant binding affinity towards
,
, and
. It is possible that this slowed down cell growth, countered the Warburg phenomenon, and showed the cytotoxicity towards breast cancer cells.
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