I read this book the same weekend that the Packers took on the Rams, and the experience of the latter event, obviously, colored my judgment. Although I abhor anything that smacks of being a handbook (like, \"How to Earn a Merit Badge in Neurosurgery\") because too many volumes in biomedical science already evince a boyscout-like approach, I must confess that parts of this volume are fast, scholarly, and significant, with certain reservations. I like parts of this well-illustrated book because Dr. Sj6strand, without so stating, develops certain subjects on technique in relation to the acquisition of judgment and sophistication. And this is important! So, given that the author (like all of us) is somewhat deficient in some areas, and biased in others, the book is still valuable if the uninitiated reader swallows it in a general fashion, realizing full well that what will be required from the reader is a modulation to fit his vision, propreception, adaptation and response, and the kind of problem he is undertaking. A major deficiency of this book is revealed by comparison of its use of physics and of chemistry to provide understanding and background for the application of high resolution electron microscopy to problems in biology. Since the volume is keyed to high resolution electron microscopy, which is a sophisticated form of structural analysis, but really morphology in a modern guise, the physical and mechanical background of The instrument and its ancillary tools are simply and well presented. The potential use of chemical or cytochemical information as it relates to biological fine structure , however, is quite deficient. I wonder when even sophisticated morphol-ogists will consider fixation a reaction and not a technique; only then will the fundamentals become self-evident and predictable and this sine qua flon will become less mystical. Staining reactions (the most inadequate chapter) ought to be something more than a technique to selectively enhance contrast of morphological elements; it ought to give the structural addresses of some of the chemical residents of cell components. Is it pertinent that auto-radiography gets singled out for more complete coverage than other significant aspects of cytochemistry by a high resolution microscopist, when it has a built-in minimal error of 1,000 A in standard practice? I don't mean to blind-side (in strict football terminology) Dr. Sj6strand's efforts for what is \"routinely used in our laboratory\"; what is done is usually well done. It's just that …

Methods in Enzymology.

▶ Addresses a wide range of timely environment, economic and energy topics ▶ A forum to review, analyze and stimulate the development, testing and implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies at regional, national and global scales ▶ Contributes to real-time policy analysis and development as national and international policies and agreements are discussed and promulgated ▶ 94% of authors who answered a survey reported that they would definitely publish or probably publish in the journal again

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

The current demands of the world’s biotechnological industries are enhancement in enzyme productivity and development of novel techniques for increasing their shelf life. These requirements are inevitable to facilitate large-scale and economic formulation. Enzyme immobilization provides an excellent base for increasing availability of enzyme to the substrate with greater turnover over a considerable period of time. Several natural and synthetic supports have been assessed for their efficiency for enzyme immobilization. Nowadays, immobilized enzymes are preferred over their free counterpart due to their prolonged availability that curtails redundant downstream and purification processes. Future investigations should endeavor at adopting logistic and sensible entrapment techniques along with innovatively modified supports to improve the state of enzyme immobilization and provide new perspectives to the industrial sector.

/pdf/enzyme-immobilization-an-overview-on-techniques-and-support-23u8nfucrt.pdf

Enzyme immobilization: an overview on techniques and support materials.

This research is focused on the ultrasound-assisted removal of Auramine-O (AO) dye from aqueous solutions using ZnS:Cu nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (ZnS:Cu-NP-AC) as an adsorbent. ZnS:Cu nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using FESEM (Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) analysis. The experiments were designed by response surface methodology. A quadratic model was used to predict the variables. Analysis of variance was used for investigation of variables and interaction between them. High F-value (48.91), very low P-value (<0.00001), non-significant lack of fit, and the determination coefficient (R2 = 0.977) demonstrate good correlation between experimental and predicted values of the response. The highest removal percent attained was 99.76%, and the optimum parameters achieved are: adsorbent amount (0.02 g), initial dye concentration (20 mg L−1), sonication time (3 min) and pH = 7. Adsorption processes of AO by ZnS:Cu-NP-AC could be well described by a Langmuir isotherm and a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacity of AO by ZnS:Cu-NP-AC was determined as 183.15 mg g−1, suggesting a highly promising potential for ZnS:Cu-NP-AC to be used as a new adsorbent.

/pdf/removal-of-basic-dye-auramine-o-by-zns-cu-nanoparticles-2lw3r67uhc.pdf

Removal of basic dye Auramine-O by ZnS:Cu nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon: optimization of parameters using response surface methodology with central composite design

Removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution with magnetite loaded multi-wall carbon nanotube: kinetic, isotherm and mechanism analysis.

Machining of shape-memory alloys using electrical discharge machining with an elaborate study of optimization approaches: a review

Background: Molecular genetics is useful in indeterminate thyroid nodules. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has possible role in tumorogenesis of various cancers. Objective: We determined expression of lncRNA from plasma in individuals with indeterminate thyroid nodules. Methods: Patients underwent ultrasonography (USG) and guided FNAC, surgery (where indicated). Total RNA was extracted from plasma using standard kits and expression of specific lncRNA was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Initially a cutoff was determined by comparing ÄCt of benign, malignant with healthy controls and it this was validated in indeterminate category. Results: FNA (n =182) suggested benign (n= 97) and malignant (n=31) and they underwent histopathological confirmation. PVT1 & MALAT1 lncRNA were significantly up regulated in malignant cases compared to healthy and benign group. A PVT1 (ÄCt) cut-off of 2.29, AUC of 0.995 (95% CI, 0.98-1.0) and a MALAT1 (ÄCt) cut-off of 3.33, AUC of 0.997 (95% CI, 0.99-1.0) was established to predict malignant nodules. Using this cut-off in indeterminate nodules (n=54w) were able to determine malignancy (sensitivity and specificity for PVT1 was 93.5%, 95.6% and for MALAT1 was 77.4% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: PVT1 & MALAT1 expression from plasma could help in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules in indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Abstract 18: Circulating cell free long-noncoding RNA (PVT1 and MALAT1) expression in determining malignancy in indeterminate category of thyroid nodules

Background: Exact etiology forFibro Calculous Pancreatic Diabetes (FCPD) is not well understood, hypothesised to be a multifactorial, with role of both genetic and environmental components. Few genetic mutations have been postulated to be associated with FCPD in previous studies, serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 gene (SPINK1) being the most common. Association of Cationic trypsinogen (PRSS1), Anionic trypsinogen (PRSS2), Chymotrypsinogen C (CTRC), Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations too have been observed, though the data is very scarce & conflicting. We are not aware of a single study which has comprehensively looked into various mutations together. Objectives: To look for panel of known genetic mutations (SPINK, PRSS1, PRSS2, CTRC & CFTR) in FCPD patients Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from July 2021 to October 2022. Patients attending Endocrine OPD who fulfilled the Mohan et al criteria for FCPD were recruited for the study. DNA was isolated from whole blood using commercially available kits. Quantification and purity of the isolated DNA was determined in duplicate by measuring absorbance at 260 nm and 280 nm using a Bio Spectrometer. The allele-specific PCR and nested PCRwas performed followed by Agarose gel electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing method confirmed mutation positive sample. Results: Overall 13/30 (43%) patients have been detected positive for known mutations. Maximum mutations were found in SPINK gene. While 8/30 (27%) patients were SPINK mutation positive, 4/30 (13%) patients were PRSS mutation positive and one patient was positive for CTRC mutation. No mutation was detected in CFTR gene in these 30 patients. Among SPINK gene mutations, SPINK N34S mutation is the most common, detected in 6 (20%) patients. SPINK 1 IVS1-37T>C and SPINK1 P55S mutations were detected in 2 patients each & SPINK 1 IVS3+2T>C was detected 01 patient. Those two patients who were positive for SPINK1 P55S had SPINK N34S mutation as well. Similarly one out of the two patients positive for SPINK 1 IVS1-37T>C mutation, also had SPINK N34S mutation. Only patient who had SPINK 1 IVS3+2T>C mutation positivity, was also positive for SPINK N34 S & PRSS1N29I. Among PRSS1 gene mutations, PRSS1N29I is the most common, detected in 04 patients. One patient has PRSS1 R122H mutation positivity; however, that patient was also positive for PRSS1N29I gene mutation. Only one patient was positive for CTRC gene in CTRC EXON 2-3. No mutation wasdetected in CTRC promoter region & other Exons. Conclusion: In our study of 30 FCPD patients, 43% patients are associated with various known genetic mutations. SPINK mutations are most common (27%) with SPINK N34S being most common (20%). PRSS mutations are the second most common mutations, seen in 13% patients with PRSS1N29I being present in all such cases.

Abstract 113: Fibro Calculous Pancreatic Diabetes (FCPD): Panel of genetic mutations

Background: Anemia is a very important preventable nutritional disorder affecting pregnant ladies which may have some adverse effects on the neonatal survival and development. Birth weight was correlated with changes in maternal hemoglobin concentration in various trimesters as it is important for determining child survival and development.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between maternal hemoglobin levels in various trimesters and neonatal birth weight. 

Materials and Methods: The study enrolled all pregnant women within age group 15–35 years who gave birth at Agartala Government Medical College and GBP Hospital from June 15, 2017 to August 15, 2017. Pregnant women were included into the study following delivery by simple random sampling into cases (Pregnant women who delivered low birth weight babies <2500 g) and control group (Pregnant women who delivered normal birth weight babies ≥2500 g). Antenatal data were collected from hospital case sheet and labor room register. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented as Mean + SD. P < 0.05 (P < 0.05) was considered statistically significant. 

Results: Mean hemoglobin concentration was normal (˃11 g/dl) in all three trimesters among the controls but it is found to be <11 g/dl in second and third trimesters of the case group. The mean birth weight of the babies was 2.151(± 0.2386) kg in case group and 3.047(± 0.3666) kg in control group. 

Conclusions: It was found that maternal hemoglobin concentration has a positive correlation (r > 0) with neonatal birth weight in all three trimesters in both cases and controls which is statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Susmita Dutta

Papers

Machining of shape-memory alloys using electrical discharge machining with an elaborate study of optimization approaches: a review

Abstract 18: Circulating cell free long-noncoding RNA (PVT1 and MALAT1) expression in determining malignancy in indeterminate category of thyroid nodules

Abstract 113: Fibro Calculous Pancreatic Diabetes (FCPD): Panel of genetic mutations

Maternal anemia in various trimesters of singleton pregnancies and its correlation with birth weight: An observational study

Abatement of cyanide and ammoniacal-N from coke-oven wastewater using natural adsorbents: A comparative study