Showing papers by "Asif Ahmed published in 2022"

A local human Vδ1 T cell population is associated with survival in nonsmall-cell lung cancer

Abstract: Murine tissues harbor signature γδ T cell compartments with profound yet differential impacts on carcinogenesis. Conversely, human tissue-resident γδ cells are less well defined. In the present study, we show that human lung tissues harbor a resident Vδ1 γδ T cell population. Moreover, we demonstrate that Vδ1 T cells with resident memory and effector memory phenotypes were enriched in lung tumors compared with nontumor lung tissues. Intratumoral Vδ1 T cells possessed stem-like features and were skewed toward cytolysis and helper T cell type 1 function, akin to intratumoral natural killer and CD8+ T cells considered beneficial to the patient. Indeed, ongoing remission post-surgery was significantly associated with the numbers of CD45RA-CD27- effector memory Vδ1 T cells in tumors and, most strikingly, with the numbers of CD103+ tissue-resident Vδ1 T cells in nonmalignant lung tissues. Our findings offer basic insights into human body surface immunology that collectively support integrating Vδ1 T cell biology into immunotherapeutic strategies for nonsmall cell lung cancer.

The Therapeutic Potential of Milk Extracellular Vesicles on Colorectal Cancer

Abstract: Colorectal cancer remains one of the leading prevalent cancers in the world and is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer. Unfortunately, the currently utilized chemotherapies fail in selectively targeting cancer cells and cause harm to healthy cells, which results in profound side effects. Researchers are focused on developing anti-cancer targeted medications, which is essential to making them safer, more effective, and more selective and to maximizing their therapeutic benefits. Milk-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from camels and cows have attracted much attention as a natural substitute product that effectively suppresses a wide range of tumor cells. This review sheds light on the biogenesis, methods of isolation, characterization, and molecular composition of milk EVs as well as the therapeutic potentials of milk EVs on colorectal cancer.

Polysaccharide Based Nano Materials: Health Implications

Abstract: Polysaccharides are present everywhere as important biomolecules having great potential as biomaterial with numerous applications in biotechnology and food industry sectors. These natural substances have characteristics of biodegradability, low immunogenicity, and low toxicity, thus they found their way into food and pharma products. In these industries, application of new technologies has emerged to improve the permeability, bioavailability, and retention time of polysaccharide material with limited interaction with drugs. The use of these polysaccharides as nanoparticles emerged as a result of research interventions to act as effective carriers in the food and pharmaceutical industry. During this decade, polysaccharide based nano polymers was applied to fabricate biomaterial for different biomedical applications such as drug carriers, cell encapsulation, and delivery of therapeutics to tumor tissues. New ideas are generated to use these nanopolymers in food products that can act as a carrier for drugs and nutrients. Some of these polysaccharides materials such as cellulose, chitosan, pectin, beta-glucan, and dextran can be modified into nanomaterials through chemical, mechanical or biochemical treatment to enhance their bioactive properties. These polysaccharide nanofibers, can be incorporated into food products such as muffins, meatballs, ice-cream further improving their nutritional quality while providing health benefits. This review, discusses the development of polysaccharide nanoparticles from various sources and its applications in food and pharma products in relation to health implications.

Extraction and determination of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of buckwheat seed milling fractions

Abstract: Buckwheat is a precious source of various bioactive compounds like phenolics, flavonoids, rutin, and quercetin, etc. This research work was performed to harvest the nutraceutical potential of indigenous buckwheat varieties and their milling fractions (fine flour, coarse flour, bran flour, and husk). Common buckwheat (CBW) and Tartary buckwheat (TBW) were analyzed in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH scavenging activity. When compared to common buckwheat, Tartary buckwheat had a higher total phenolic content (2101.421 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoid content (1233.990 mg QEQ/100 g), and DPPH scavenging activity (44.51%).In the same context, throughout comparisons among milling fractions, the highest TPC and TFC were observed in the husk part of Tartary buckwheat while the lowest was found in common buckwheat. During the comparison of different solvents and their concentrations, it was observed that Ethanol 70% extracted a greater quantity of phytochemicals as compared to the rest of the other solvents and concentrations. This study recognized variability among buckwheat varieties and milling fractions for nutraceutical potential and nutritional qualities that can be used in the treatment of different maladies and food products.`

On‐going consequences of in utero exposure of Pb: An epigenetic perspective

Abstract: Epigenetic modifications by toxic heavy metals are one of the intensively investigated fields of modern genomic research. Among a diverse group of heavy metals, lead (Pb) is an extensively distributed toxicant causing an immense number of abnormalities in the developing fetus via a wide variety of epigenetic changes. As a divalent cation, Pb can readily cross the placental membrane and the fetal blood brain barrier leading to far‐reaching alterations in DNA methylation patterns, histone protein modifications, and micro‐RNA expression. Over recent years, several human cohorts and animal model studies have documented hypermethylation and hypomethylation of developmental genes along with altered DNA methyl‐transferase expression by in utero Pb exposure in a dose‐, duration‐, and sex‐dependent manner. Modifications in the expression of specific histone acetyltransferase enzymes along with histone acetylation and methylation levels have been reported in rodent and murine models. Apart from these, down‐regulation and up‐regulation of certain microRNAs crucial for fetal development have been shown to be associated with in utero Pb exposure in human placenta samples. All these modifications in the developing fetus during the prenatal and perinatal stages reportedly caused severe abnormalities in early or adult age, such as impaired growth, obesity, autism, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, risks of cancer development, and Alzheimer's disease. In this review, currently available information on Pb‐mediated alterations in the fetal epigenome is summarized. Further research on Pb‐induced epigenome modification will help to understand the mechanisms in detail and will enable us to formulate safety guidelines for pregnant women and developing children.

Anti-lung cancer drug discovery approaches by polysaccharides: an in silico study, quantum calculation and molecular dynamics study

Abstract: Abstract Lung cancer (LC) is one of the major and risky health defects even the serious cause for death in concurrent era. But no potential drugs even chemotherapeutic agents have been discovered with approval of health safety although some non-toxic biological macromolecules, such as polysaccharides and polysaccharide–protein complexes, have obtained as anti-lung cancer properties. This study conveys the anti-lung cancer properties of 45 polysaccharide derivatives collected from PubChem database. Primarily, the PASS prediction was performed to depict their anti-cancer activity, and 37 compounds showed the desired results. Next, the chemical descriptors, such as HOMO, LUMO, softness, and hardness etc, were calculated through the density functional theory (DFT) for quantum properties. Secondly, the auto molecular docking was executed to delineate the protein-ligand interactions, binding ability and inhibition of active sites of proteins. Additionally, the compounds showed docking score more than −6.40 kcal/mol, and the highest binding affinity was at −10.00 kcal/mol even 15 compounds have higher binding score (-8.6 to −10.0) than approved drugs, Gemcitabine. Succeeding, the most common protein residue, VAL 647, was blocked by ligands for the main protein (1X2J). In addition, five protein’s active sites were determined to make the relative study of protein-ligand interactions. As a result, the target docking against five proteins was performed, and it was found that the targeted docking score as the binding affinity is lower than auto docking. Finally, a comparative study between auto docking and targeted docking was performed for the most common five lung cancer proteins founded in three organisms. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Field Determination of Unsaturated Permeability and Flow Properties through Subgrade Instrumentation

Abstract: Due to the representation of a particular field condition of soil rather than the real time scenario from laboratory experiments, the selection of unsaturated permeability and flow parameters becomes challenging when conducting numerical modeling. Keeping this in mind, the objective of the study was to determine the permeability in both directions along with the unsaturated flow parameters from field data. Although it is conventional to determine the flow parameters from the curve fitting of laboratory results, a novel approach was carried out during the course of study, wherein field soil water characteristic curves were used to determine the unsaturated flow parameters. Two two-lane roads in Kaufman County and Ellis County, Texas were selected for data acquisition and monitoring in this study. For the investigation of in situ moisture content and matric suction, soil moisture and suction sensors were installed at up to a depth of 4.5 m into the ground, while the precipitation was recorded using rain gauges installed at the sites. Field determination yielded hydraulic conductivity values in the range of 10−4 to 10−5 m/s, representing the rapid flow of water due to desiccation cracks on expansive soil. Field-generated unsaturated flow parameters also indicated variability while constructing the SWCC. Finally, PLAXIS 2D was used for the transient flow analysis. The close agreement of the FE results with the direct field measurements validated the estimated flow parameters. The approach described in the study can be used for determining permeability and unsaturated flow parameter values from field data, which offers a dynamic situation in contrast to the static laboratory condition.

Optimization of ultrasonic assisted extraction of insoluble dietary fiber from wheat bran and its characterization

Abstract: Ultrasonic-assisted extraction technique by means of response surface methodology was used to study optimized conditions for extraction of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) from wheat bran varieties, namely Zincol-2016 (ZL), Borlaug-2016 (BG), NARC (NC), and Pakistan-2013 (PN). Optimized parameters for time, temperature, and amplitude ranged from 10 to 11 min for 30–40°C, and 64%–65% for all varieties with extracted IDF (39%–41%). FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of IDF in extracted material. DSC showed endothermic behavior near 100°C during the melting process. TGA showed stability at 99°C and complete degradation at 372°C. Chemical characterization of IDF extract showed a reduction in protein and fat, thus improving purity and IDF content. Tested technique also improved functional properties like cation exchange capacity (meq/kg) 16.30–17.66, emulsifying capacity (%) 32.1–32.98, and swelling capacity (ml/g) 4.43–5.98 to a high level. Briefly, under-tested extraction parameters, the IDF has improved chemical and functional characteristics. Practical applications The study concludes that ultrasonic extraction, under-explored moderate, and optimized conditions will prove an efficient extraction technique yielding considerable quantity and quality of IDF from wheat bran. The above results show the possibility for the application of all tested samples of IDFs in the food industry, especially to expand the thermal stability of food for various purposes. The ultrasonically extracted IDFs have better structural integrity and functional characteristics which play an important part in preparation and quality maintenance of food products, especially cereal food products.

Quality attributes of cookies enriched with functional protein isolate from red kidney beans

Abstract: Red kidney bean protein isolate was prepared and incorporated into wheat flour at levels of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% to prepare protein-enriched cookies which were then evaluated for various quality attributes. Nutritional evaluation of cookies showed that the supplementation of bean protein isolate increased the protein content of the cookies from 7.87% in T1 (control or wheat flour cookies) to 16.92% in T6 (cookies supplemented with 20% bean protein isolate), which indicated a 115% increase in protein content. The physical characteristics of cookies such as width, thickness and spread factors differed significantly. Sensory attributes of all the supplemented cookies were within the acceptable range but cookies supplemented with 20% level of protein isolate were less preferred due to slightly darker colour and harder texture. Conclusively, the red kidney bean protein isolate can be successfully utilised for the production of high-protein cookies. Such high-protein products can be advantageously utilised to cope with the problem of protein-energy malnutrition. Moreover, such nutritious products can also be used as emergency foods during natural disasters as well as during war times.

Chest radiograph classification and severity of suspected COVID-19 by different radiologist groups and attending clinicians: multi-reader, multi-case study

Abstract: Abstract Objectives To quantify reader agreement for the British Society of Thoracic Imaging (BSTI) diagnostic and severity classification for COVID-19 on chest radiographs (CXR), in particular agreement for an indeterminate CXR that could instigate CT imaging, from single and paired images. Methods Twenty readers (four groups of five individuals)—consultant chest (CCR), general consultant (GCR), and specialist registrar (RSR) radiologists, and infectious diseases clinicians (IDR)—assigned BSTI categories and severity in addition to modified Covid-Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema Score (Covid-RALES), to 305 CXRs (129 paired; 2 time points) from 176 guideline-defined COVID-19 patients. Percentage agreement with a consensus of two chest radiologists was calculated for (1) categorisation to those needing CT (indeterminate) versus those that did not (classic/probable, non-COVID-19); (2) severity; and (3) severity change on paired CXRs using the two scoring systems. Results Agreement with consensus for the indeterminate category was low across all groups (28–37%). Agreement for other BSTI categories was highest for classic/probable for the other three reader groups (66–76%) compared to GCR (49%). Agreement for normal was similar across all radiologists (54–61%) but lower for IDR (31%). Agreement for a severe CXR was lower for GCR (65%), compared to the other three reader groups (84–95%). For all groups, agreement for changes across paired CXRs was modest. Conclusion Agreement for the indeterminate BSTI COVID-19 CXR category is low, and generally moderate for the other BSTI categories and for severity change, suggesting that the test, rather than readers, is limited in utility for both deciding disposition and serial monitoring. Key Points • Across different reader groups, agreement for COVID-19 diagnostic categorisation on CXR varies widely. • Agreement varies to a degree that may render CXR alone ineffective for triage, especially for indeterminate cases. • Agreement for serial CXR change is moderate, limiting utility in guiding management.

Subgrade Seasonal Variation Detection through Field Instrumentation in Central New York

Abstract: Seasonal variation introduces modulus alteration for pavement in cold region. With the onset of freezing, the pavement gains strength with the formation of ice while the opposite occurs when spring thawing takes place. As the literature asserts the layers below the zone of freezing show very little seasonal weakening, the freezing depth is of most importance for better understanding of the seasonal behavior of pavements. To better comprehend the subgrade behavior in different seasons, instrumentation was carried out in pavement subgrade in Central New York. Moisture and temperature sensors were installed up to different depths to record the real-time change of the variables with time. In addition, installed weather station provided the climatic data. Moisture variation from 0.14 m3/m3 to 0.40 m3/m3 was observed at different depths of the instrumentation from 0.31 m to 1.21 m (1 ft to 4 ft). In addition, the temperature variation exhibited a sinusoidal pattern with the peak in July and lowest in March. With the response of climate change in Northeast part, it produced a warmer 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 winter seasons. As a result, the installed sensors recorded all above zero ground temperature during the monitoring period. Preliminary seasonal models were generated using the two years monitoring data. Long-term monitoring will further reveal the true behavior of the subgrade soil with response to climatic loading.

Application of nanoparticles for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater

Abstract: Heavy metals along with diverse chemicals, released from different anthropogenic sources are alarmingly contaminating drinking water which has become a global concern. Quality of drinking water in Pakistan is overlooked, poorly monitored and managed both surface and groundwater drinking water sources are being contaminated. This drinking water being polluted is relatively a new problem directly related to unprecedented growth in population, urbanization, and industrialization in recent years as a result stress is arising. Human health and environment face major consequences due to this contamination of water resources. To combat these problems and to meet the basic human right of safe drinking water, novel water treatment technologies are emerging. Developing sustainable methods for water treatment is a major concern. Nanotechnology is one of its kind in this perspective. This technology has immense potential to restore polluted water efficiently and effectively. The present study’s aim was to determine the potential of Green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater

Estimation of Unsaturated Design Parameters for Landfill Alternative Cover Using Electrical Resistivity Method

Abstract: Electrical Resistivity (ER) is a non-destructive geophysical method for geotechnical and geo-environmental investigation. This technique is promising in producing soil moisture map and obtaining subsoil profile information. Additionally, the saturated and unsaturated soil parameters can be evaluated through the electrical resistivity method. The saturated and unsaturated soil properties are critical parameters for earthen infrastructure design, especially the landfill bottom liners and top covers, whereas the soil hydraulic properties play a significant role in the overall performance. On the other hand, Soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) determination is the primary step in the landfill alternative cover design providing values of field capacity (θFC) and wilting point (θWP), water storage capacity, hydraulic conductivity, etc., However, the existing methods for obtaining SWCC have limitations in efficacy. Consequently, the design parameters for landfill top cap may have certain degrees of inadequacies. Thus, this study attempts to use electrical resistivity method as an alternative to determine the essential unsaturated design parameters (θFC and θWP) of landfill alternative cover. In this study, the quantitative relationships between resistivity-moisture content and resistivity-suction were constructed using field data followed by the van Genuchten model. These relationships among the resistivity-suction-moisture content were used to estimate the θFC and θWP. The magnitude of θFC and θWP was found slightly underestimated than the actual design values. However, the methodology developed in this study to estimate the design parameters of landfill cover proved to be a viable alternative method. An analytical approach was also introduced to compute water storage capacity of alternative cover system using resistivity data.

Soil Water Characteristic Curves of Earthen Cover Subjected to Varying Environmental Conditions

Abstract: Soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) is a fundamental property of geomaterials to determine its unsaturated behavior. The SWCC is essentially important to design the geo-infrastructures such as earthen dams and levees, pavement subgrade, clay liners, soil covers, etc., and determine the ground response under varied environmental conditions. Although there are numerous methods to determine the SWCC in the laboratory, field measurements and evaluation of SWCC are very limited, especially in the geo-environmental application. The objective of this study was to determine and evaluate the change in the SWCC flow parameters of an earthen final cover of landfill under varied climatic conditions. To fulfill the objective, field test section (lysimeter) was instrumented with pairs of moisture content sensors and tensiometers at varied depths to capture the hydraulic response of the cover to a series of variable environmental cycles. The field SWCCs were monitored and evaluated for two years. The SWCCs determined from field investigation were also described mathematically using the van Genuchten’s equation, and two extreme conditions: maximum drying curve (MDC) and maximum wetting curve (MWC) were identified. Based on the field investigation, considerable changes in the SWCCs were observed at different depths. The upper portion of the earthen lysimeter was found to be significantly responsive under the influence of the environmental variation than the lower portion. Non-equilibrium occurrences were detected while portraying the field moisture-suction characteristics, especially in the lower region of the cover soil. Considerable discrepancies were observed in the van Genuchten’s curve fitting parameters in the MDC and MWC.

Effect of different solvents on phytochemical and antimicrobial potential of licorice extract

Abstract: Effect of the solvents ethanol, acetone, and distilled water at several concentrations on the antimicrobial potential, antioxidant activity, total flavonoid and phenolic content, and biochemical screening was studied for licorice extract. All extract at 100% solvent concentration showed the presence of phenols, carbohydrates, alkaloids, steroids, coumarins, tannins, saponins, and flavonoids followed by 75% and 50% concentrations except fatty acids, proteins, and quinones. The highest total phenolic content (114.17 mg/GAE) was observed in 100% ethanol extract and total flavonoid content (56 mg/QE) in 100% distilled water extract. The ethanol 100% extract had greatest antioxidant activity (62.3%) at 400µg/mL concentration. Antimicrobial effect was recorded higher against Streptococcus pyogenes (21mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (20mm) in 100% ethanol extract. Gram-negative bacteria showed resistance against all licorice extract. Due to various bioactive compounds in licorice extract it would be a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent in the pharmaceutical and food industry with multiple health benefits

Real-Time Temperature Modeling in Expansive Pavement Subgrade in Texas

Abstract: Behavior of expansive subgrade is influenced by the role of temperature variation with time. Temperature gradients can generate moisture flow in subgrade which ultimately results in variation of shear strength and hydraulic conductivity. While experimental set up have asserted the weakening of clay with increasing temperature, distressed field performance is also observed with temperature variation. In the case of low-volume load, especially, the asphaltic layer, whose stiffness decreases with increasing temperature, serves more as a surface seal than as the main load carrying component. As such, the behavior of the subgrade layer in response to temperature variation is of great interest. Accurate measurements of soil temperature can be obtained through soil sampling and testing; however, this process can be extensive and costly. Thus, developing models that can accurately predict the temperature profile in an expansive subgrade becomes of great interest. The objective of the current study is to develop temperature models using real-time field monitoring data from hot mix asphalt roads in North Texas. Subgrade soils were instrumented using temperature sensors up to various depths. The results obtained from this study produced a temperature prediction model that was dependent on depth and day of the year. The squared correlation coefficient between the observed and predicted soil temperature was around 0.70. Application of the developed models could allow for noninvasive estimation of the response of soil strength and stiffness properties due to variations in temperature.