Abstract Paclitaxel (PTX) is a potent anticancer drug. In the present study, PTX was loaded in poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalarate (PHBV) to fabricate the PTX/PHBV (drug-loaded) nanoparticles via the nanoprecipitation method. Blank PHBV nanoparticles were also prepared. The drug-encapsulation efficiency of PTX/PHBV nanoparticles was 45±0.4%. The PTX/PHBV nanoparticles exhibited a pH-sensitive release profile and followed a quasi-Fickian diffusion mechanism. Cytotoxic properties of PHBV and PTX/PHBV nanoparticles were checked against the MCF-7 and Caco-2 cell lines. The PHBV nanoparticle did not inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 and Caco-2 cell lines, thus depicting their non-toxic and biocompatible nature. On the other hand, the PTX/PHBV nanoparticles demonstrated 1.03-fold higher cytotoxicity and 1.61-fold enhanced apoptosis after treatment with the PTX/PHBV nanoparticles versus free PTX. In summary, the PHBV nanoparticles could be a potential candidate for the delivery of PTX for cancer treatment. (PTX drug study poly3hydroxybutyrateco3hydroxyvalarate polyhydroxybutyratecohydroxyvalarate poly 3 hydroxybutyrate co hydroxyvalarate (PHBV PTXPHBV drugloaded (drug-loaded method prepared drugencapsulation encapsulation 4504 45 0 4 45±0.4% pHsensitive pH sensitive quasiFickian quasi Fickian mechanism MCF7 MCF 7 MCF- Caco2 Caco 2 Caco- lines nontoxic non toxic nature hand 1.03fold 103fold fold 1.03 1 03 1.61fold 161fold 1.61 61 summary hydroxybutyrateco 450 45±0.4 03fold 103 1.0 61fold 161 1.6 6 45±0. 10 1. 16 45±0 45±

Resumo Paclitaxel (PTX) é um potente medicamento anticancerígeno. No presente estudo, o PTX foi carregado em poli-3-hidroxibutirato-co-3-hidroxivalarato (PHBV) para fabricar as nanopartículas de PTX / PHBV (carregadas com drogas) através do método de nanoprecipitação. Nanopartículas de PHBV em branco também foram preparadas. A eficiência de encapsulamento do fármaco das nanopartículas de PTX/PHBV foi de 45±0,4%. As nanopartículas de PTX/PHBV exibiram um perfil de liberação sensível ao pH e seguiram um mecanismo de difusão quase Fickiano. As propriedades citotóxicas das nanopartículas de PHBV e PTX/PHBV foram verificadas em relação às linhagens celulares MCF-7 e Caco-2. A nanopartícula de PHBV não inibiu a proliferação das linhagens celulares MCF-7 e Caco-2, retratando assim sua natureza atóxica e biocompatível. Por outro lado, as nanopartículas de PTX/PHBV demonstraram citotoxicidade 1,03 vezes maior e apoptose 1,61 vezes maior após tratamento com as nanopartículas de PTX/PHBV versus PTX livre. Em resumo, as nanopartículas de PHBV podem ser candidatas potenciais para a entrega de PTX no tratamento do câncer. (PTX anticancerígeno estudo poli3hidroxibutiratoco3hidroxivalarato polihidroxibutiratocohidroxivalarato poli 3 hidroxibutirato co hidroxivalarato (PHBV carregadas drogas nanoprecipitação preparadas PTXPHBV 4504 45 0 4 45±0,4% Fickiano MCF7 MCF 7 MCF- Caco2. Caco2 Caco 2. 2 Caco-2 Caco2, 2, biocompatível lado 103 1 03 1,0 161 61 1,6 livre resumo câncer hidroxibutiratoco 450 45±0,4 Caco- 10 1, 16 6 45±0, 45±0 45±

Abstract: Ferrocement panels are thin section comprised of hydraulic mortar reinforced with steel wire mesh, and are susceptible to micro cracks at service conditions. The moisture and rainwater may infiltrate through these cracks and cause the reduction in capacity due to the corrosion of steel wire mesh. In the present study, a polypropylene (PP) wire mesh has been used to overcome this problem. The main objective of the study is to investigate the punching shear and bending capacity of the ferrocement panels using PP wire mesh. Experimental tests conducted on 32 simply supported square slabs panels of 450x450 mm subjected to concentrated load for punching shear and four-point loading to investigate the bending capacity. The test variables were the number PP layers (volume fraction ratio) and slab thickness i.e., 20, 30 and 40 mm. Test results showed that punching capacity improved by increasing both the number of PP layers and panel thickness. However, bending strength the function of tension membrane action provided by exterior PP layers. Moreover, panels with 20 mm thickness are to flimsy and do not show sufficient capacity. In general, PP wire mesh provide adequate resistance against punching and bending for slab thickness 30mm and 40mm, and can be used as replacement of conventional steel wire mesh.

Resumen: Los paneles de ferrocemento están constituidos por una sección delgada de mortero hidráulico reforzado con malla de alambre de acero y están expuestos a que se produzcan microgrietas en condiciones de servicio. La humedad y el agua de lluvia pueden infiltrarse a través de estas grietas y provocar una reducción en su capacidad debido a la corrosión de la malla de alambre de acero. En el presente estudio, se ha utilizado una malla de polipropileno (PP) para superar este problema. El objetivo principal del presente estudio es investigar la capacidad de punzonado y flexión de los paneles de ferrocemento utilizando malla de PP. Se realizaron ensayos experimentales en 32 paneles de losas cuadradas de 450x450 mm con apoyo simple sometidos a carga concentrada por punzonamiento y carga de cuatro puntos para investigar su capacidad de flexión. Las variables experimentales fueron el número de capas de PP (fracción de volumen) y el espesor de la losa, de 20, 30 y 40 mm. Los resultados de las pruebas mostraron que la resistencia a la perforación mejoró al aumentar tanto el número de capas de PP como el grosor del panel. Sin embargo, la resistencia a la flexión es función de la acción de la membrana de tensión proporcionada por las capas exteriores de PP. Además, los paneles con un espesor de 20 mm son demasiado endebles y no muestran una resistencia suficiente. En general, la malla de PP proporciona una resistencia adecuada contra perforaciones y flexiones para losas de 30 mm y 40 mm de espesor, y se puede utilizar como reemplazo de la malla de alambre de acero convencional.

Resumo As frutas cítricas ocupam um lugar de considerável importância na economia do Paquistão, assim como o resto do mundo. A doença da tristeza causada pelo Vírus da Tristeza dos Citros (CTV) existe em várias formas que podem ou não apresentar sintomas nas plantas. Os compostos bioativos e antioxidantes estão naturalmente presentes nas plantas e fornecem um mecanismo de defesa que é geralmente acelerado em resposta a um estresse. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar as alterações causadas pelo CTV nos antioxidantes enzimáticos e não enzimáticos de laranjas doces. Foi observado que, em resposta ao ataque de CTV, os antioxidantes não enzimáticos como flavonoides totais, ácido ascórbico, ácido fenólico e antioxidantes enzimáticos, como as atividades de catalase, superóxido dismutase e peroxidase, geralmente mostram uma tendência crescente. O perfil de antioxidantes em resposta a um ataque viral pode ajudar na descoberta de novos biomarcadores que podem ser usados como uma ferramenta de monitoramento no gerenciamento de doenças.

Abstract Citrus fruit production occupies a place of considerable importance in the economy of the world including Pakistan. Tristeza disease caused by Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) exists in various forms that may or may not cause symptoms in the plants. The bioactive compounds and antioxidants are naturally present in plants and provide a defense mechanism that is generally accelerated in response to a stress. The objective of the present study was to target and analyze the citrus plants that were CTV positive to observe the changes in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants of citrus (Sweet Oranges only). It was observed that in response to CTV infection, both the non-enzymatic antioxidants (total flavonoid, ascorbic acid, phenolic acid) and enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase) activities showed an increasing trend overall. The profiling of antioxidants in response to a viral infection may help in the discovery of new biomarkers that can be used as a monitoring tool in disease management.

The response of hybrid tomato cultivars (Solanum lycopersicumL. Cvs. TSS7 and TCAV10) inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Claroideoglomus etunicatum(AMF-1) and Funneliformis mosseae(AMF-2) under 2% saline stress was evaluated with regard to growth, yield, quality, nutrient acquisition, AMF colonization, relative permeability and soil properties in two potted plant experiments. Inoculation with AMF-2 caused a significant increase (~30%) in the fruit yield of TCAV10, particularly under saline stress. The highest tomato juice extraction ratio was achieved for TCAV10 treated with AMF-2. Under saline stress, TCAV10 inoculated with AMF-2 demonstrated significantly enhanced N, P, K and Ca content in fruits; N, K and Mg content in roots; and N, P and Ca content in shoots. Fruits of TSS7 and TCAV10 grown under saline stress coupled with AMF-2 treatment showed a significant decrease in Na content (23.6 and 31.1%, respectively) as compared with fruits of non-inoculated hybrid cultivars grown under saline stress. Residual Na in soil, AMF-2 colonization ratios and relative permeability were higher in TCAV10 inoculated with AMF-2 under saline condition compared with the non-inoculated treatments. TCAV10 inoculated with AMF-2 achieved higher fruit yield, quality and nutrient acquisition compared with the non-inoculated TCAV10. The results of this study are important for the selection of appropriate cultivars and microbial species for sustaining yield and quality under saline stress.

Kinetics of a lipase isolated from Bacillus sp. was studied. The enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 9 and temperature 60ºC. The Michaelis constant (K M 0.31 µM) obtained from three different plots i.e., Lineweaver-Burk, Hanes-Wolf and Hofstee, was found to be lower than already reported lipases that confirmed higher affinity of the enzyme for its substrate p-NPL (p-nitrophenyl laurate). Vmax of the enzyme was found to be 7.6 µM/mL/min. Energy of activation calculated from Arrhenius plot was found to be 20.607 kJmol-1. Activation enthalpy (ΔH*) had negative trend and the value for the hydrolysis of p-NPL by the enzyme at optimum temperature was -2.748 kJmol-1 . Activation entropy (ΔS*) and free energy of activation (ΔG*) of the enzyme were found to be 1.468 Jmol-1K-1 and -3.237 kJmol-1, respectively at optimum temperature. Low value of Q10 (0.04788) shows high catalytic activity of the enzyme. Mn2+, Fe2+ and Mg2+ enhanced the lipase activity whereas Cu2+, Na+ and Co2+ inhibited the enzyme activity. However, the enzyme activity was not affected significantly by K+ ions. EDTA and SDS also significantly inhibited the lipase activity. Activity of the enzyme was increased in n-hexane while decreased with increase in concentration of acetone, chloroform, ethanol and isopropanol.