Differences in means-end exploration between infants at risk for autism and typically developing infants in the first 15 months of life

Our study compared means-end exploration in infants at risk (AR) for autism and typically developing (TD) infants using a nested box paradigm. Sixteen AR and 16 TD infants were observed at 9, 12, and 15 months with follow-up at 18 and 24 months. We collected video data on three tasks involving retrieval of a small toy by opening (a) an opaque box, (b) a transparent box, and (c) two nested boxes. Dependent variables included hand bias, time to completion, bilateral hand use, problem-solving strategies used, and tester assistance required. There were no group differences in terms of hand biases. Compared to TD infants, AR infants had lower bilateral hand use, poor problem solving skills, and required greater assistance. Both groups demonstrated age-related improvements in motor and cognitive skills. Means-end exploration provides a window into the bilateral coordination and motor planning/problem-solving abilities of young infants at risk for autism. Lastly, object retrieval tasks could serve as important learning contexts for at-risk infants.     

Insight towards Nucleation Mechanism and Change in Morphology for Nanostructured Platinum Thin Film Directly Grown on Carbon Substrate via Electrochemical Deposition

Nanocrystalline platinum with different morphologies is synthesized via electrochemical deposition technique. The nucleation mechanism and its structural effect over the electrodeposited Pt on carbon electrodes have been systematically studied. Powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy are employed to study nucleation, oxidation states, and Pt structure growth on a carbon electrode. This study reports significant development of Pt metal nanoparticles with different morphologies such as a sphere, flower, core-flower, and rod-like structure directly fabricated on carbon electrode while tuning the deposition parameters such as current density, time, temperature, pH during the deposition process. The proposed electrochemical route represents a superior fabrication procedure for large-scale electrode fabrication compared to a conventional method for preparing membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cell stacks.     

Valorization of food processing wastes and by-products for bioplastic production

The global plastic production is reaching new altitudes every year. Growing production of petroleum-based plastics has incurred in disposal issues raising the concerns of plastic pollution and impact to the environment. These issues have encouraged innovation and research activities in the field of bioplastics, offering alternatives for conventional plastics. In recent years, global bioplastic production has also witnessed tremendous growth and expansion. Some of the main drivers of this growth are innovative biopolymers such as Polylactic acid (PLA) and Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). However, industrial expenses to produce bioplastics are much higher when compared to petroleum-derived plastics (e.g. industrial PHA production is estimated to be 5–10 times more expensive than petroleum-derived polymers). In this regard, globally many researchers have investigated for more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternatives to produce plastics. One potential option to pursue would be to explore agri-food wastes and by-products for bioplastic production. This would not only reduce the volume of wastes and by-products, but also production costs incurred. This review paper provides an overview of bioplastics, including production methods and possibilities of industrial food waste valorization for bioplastic production.     

SGLT1 inhibition boon or bane for diabetes-associated cardiomyopathy

Chronic hyperglycaemia is a peculiar feature of diabetes mellitus (DM). Sequential metabolic abnormalities accompanying glucotoxicity are some of its implications. Glucotoxicity most likely corresponds to the vascular intricacy and metabolic alterations, such as increased oxidation of free fatty acids and reduced glucose oxidation. More than half of those with diabetes also develop cardiac abnormalities due to unknown causes, posing a major threat to the currently available marketed preparations which are being used for treating these cardiac complications. Even though impairment in cardiac functioning is the principal cause of death in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), reducing plasma glucose levels has little effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that inhibitors of sodium glucose transporter (SGLT) represent a putative therapeutic intervention for these pathological conditions. Several clinical trials have reported the efficacy of SGLT inhibitors as a novel and potent antidiabetic agent which along with its antihyperglycaemic activity possesses the potential of effectively treating its associated cardiac abnormalities. Thus, hereby, the present review highlights the role of SGLT inhibitors as a successful drug candidate for correcting the shifts in deregulation of cardiac energy substrate metabolism together with its role in treating diabetes-related cardiac perturbations.     

Targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis Topoisomerase I by Small-Molecule Inhibitors

We describe inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis topoisomerase I (MttopoI), an essential mycobacterial enzyme, by two related compounds, imipramine and norclomipramine, of which imipramine is clinically used as an antidepressant. These molecules showed growth inhibition of both Mycobacterium smegmatis and M. tuberculosis cells. The mechanism of action of these two molecules was investigated by analyzing the individual steps of the topoisomerase I (topoI) reaction cycle. The compounds stimulated cleavage, thereby perturbing the cleavage-religation equilibrium. Consequently, these molecules inhibited the growth of the cells overexpressing topoI at a low MIC. Docking of the molecules on the MttopoI model suggested that they bind near the metal binding site of the enzyme. The DNA relaxation activity of the metal binding mutants harboring mutations in the DxDxE motif was differentially affected by the molecules, suggesting that the metal coordinating residues contribute to the interaction of the enzyme with the drug. Taken together, the results highlight the potential of these small molecules, which poison the M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis topoisomerase I, as leads for the development of improved molecules to combat mycobacterial infections. Moreover, targeting metal coordination in topoisomerases might be a general strategy to develop new lead molecules.     

Traumatic bone cyst--a case report

Traumatic bone cyst is an asymptomatic, slow growing, non expansile lesion commonly diagnosed during routine radiographic examination of the jaw bones. It is more frequently seen in young age, with predilection for anterior region of the mandible leading to a dramatic healing of the lesion. A typical case of traumatic bone cyst in a 12 year old girl is reported. A routine radiologic assessment of the patient with panoramic radiograph revealed a fairly large lesion in the anterior region of the mandible. On surgical exploration, clinical diagnosis was confirmed. Post operative successive radiograph shows progressive osseous healing.