Micro-scale composite compliant mechanisms for evaluating the bulk stiffness of MCF-7 cells

Biomechanical assays offer a good alternative to biochemical assays in diagnosing disease states and assessing the efficacy of drugs. In view of this, we have developed a miniature compliant tool to estimate the bulk stiffness of cells, particularly MCF-7 (Michigan Cancer Foundation) cells whose diameter is 12-15 mu m in suspension. The compliant tool comprises a gripper and a displacement-amplifying compliant mechanism (DaCM), where the former helps in grasping the cell and the latter enables vision-based force-sensing. A DaCM is necessary because the microscope's field of view at the required magnification is not sufficient to simultaneously observe the cell and the movement of a point on the gripper, in order to estimate the force. Therefore, a DaCMis strategically embedded within an existing gripper design leading to a composite compliant mechanism. The DaCM is designed using the kinetoelastostatic map technique to achieve a 42 nN resolution of the force. The gripper, microfabricated with SU-8 using photolithography, is within the footprint of about 10 mm by 10 mm with the smallest feature size of about 5 mu m. The experiments with MCF-7 cells suggest that the bulk stiffness of these is in the range of 8090 mN/m. The details of design, prototyping and testing comprise the paper. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stable isotope evidence for ca. 2.7-Ga-old Archean cap carbonates from the Dharwar Supergroup, southern India

Carbon isotope compositions of carbonate rocks from similar to 2.7-Ga-old Neoarchean Vanivilas Formation of the Dharwar Supergroup presented earlier by us are re-evaluated in this study, besides oxygen isotope compositions of a few silica dolomite pairs. The purpose of such a revisit assumes significance in view of recent field evidences that suggest a glaciomarine origin for the matrix-supported conglomerate member, the Talya conglomerate, which underlies the carbonate rocks of the Vanivilas Formation. An in-depth analysis of carbon isotope data reveals preservation of their pristine character despite the rocks having been subjected to metamorphism to different degrees (from lower greenschist to lower amphibolite facies). The dolomitic member of Vanivilas Formation of Marikanive area is characterized by highly depleted delta C-13 value (up to -5 parts per thousand VPDB) and merits as the Indian example of ca. 2.7-Ga-old cap carbonate. This inference is further supported by estimated low temperature of equilibration documented by a few silica dolomite pairs from the Vanivilas Formation collected near Kalche area. These pairs show evidence for oxygen isotopic equilibrium at low temperatures (similar to 0-20 degrees C) with depleted water (delta O-18 = -21 parts per thousand to -15 parts per thousand VSMOW) of glacial origin. We propose that the mineral pairs were deposited during the deglaciation period when the ocean temperature was in its gradual restoration phase. The dolomite of Marikanive area is the first record of cap carbonates from the Indian subcontinent with Neoarchean antiquity.

Halogen Bonding and Chalcogen Bonding in 4,7-Dibromo-5, 6-dinitro-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole

An organic solid, 4,7-dibromo-5,6-dinitro-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole, has been designed to serve as an illustrative example to quantitatively evaluate the relative merits of halogen and chalcogen bonding in terms of charge density features. The compound displays two polymorphic modifications, one crystallizing in a non-centrosymmetric space group (Z' = 1) and the other in a centrosymmetric space group with two molecules in the asymmetric unit (Z' = 2). Topological analysis based on QTAIM clearly brings out the dominance of the chalcogen bond over the halogen bond along with an indication that halogen bonds are more directional compared to chalcogen bonds. The cohesive energies calculated with the absence of both strong and weak hydrogen bonds as well as stacking interaction are indicative of the stabilities associated with the polymorphic forms.

In Vitro Production of Echioidinin, 7-O-Methywogonin from Callus Cultures of Andrographis lineata and Their Cytotoxicity on Cancer Cells

Andrographis lineata is an herbal medicinal plant used in traditional medicine as a substitute for Andrographis paniculata. Here, using mature leaf explants of A. lineata we demonstrate for the first time the callus induction established on MS medium containing 1.0 mg l(-1) IAA. Dried callus was subjected to solvent extraction with acetone. Further the acetone residue was separated by silica gel column chromatography, crystallized and characterized on the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance (proton and c13) and liquid chromatographic mass spectroscopy. This analysis revealed the occurrence of two known flavones namely, 7-O-methylwogonin (MW) and Echioidinin (ED). Furthermore, these compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against leukemic cell line, CEM. We identify that ED and MW induced cytotoxicity in a time-and concentration-dependent manner. Further increase in the LDH release upon treatment with ED and MW further confirmed our cytotoxicity results against leukemic cell line. Strikingly, MW was more potent than ED when compared by trypan blue and MTT assays. Our results recapitulate the utility of callus cultures for the production of plant specific bioactive secondary metabolites instead of using wild plants. Together, our in vitro studies provide new insights of A. lineata callus cultures serving as a source for cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Evidence for N-7 guanine methyl transferase activity encoded within the modular domain of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase L of a Morbillivirus

Post-transcriptional modification of viral mRNA is essential for the translation of viral proteins by cellular translation machinery. Due to the cytoplasmic replication of Paramyxoviruses, the viral-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) is thought to possess all activities required for mRNA capping and methylation. In the present work, using partially purified recombinant RNA polymerase complex of rinderpest virus expressed in insect cells, we demonstrate the in vitro methylation of capped mRNA. Further, we show that a recombinant C-terminal fragment (1717-2183 aa) of L protein is capable of methylating capped mRNA, suggesting that the various post-transcriptional activities of the L protein are located in independently folding domains.

On the Structural Stability of Melt Spun Ribbons of Fe95-x Zr (x) B4Cu1 (x=7 and 9) Alloys and Correlation with Their Magnetic Properties

Melt spun ribbons of Fe95-x Zr (x) B4Cu1 with x = 7 (Z7B4) and 9 (Z9B4) alloys have been prepared, and their structure and magnetic properties have been evaluated using XRD, DSC, TEM, VSM, and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The glass forming ability (GFA) of both alloys has been calculated theoretically using thermodynamical parameters, and Z9B4 alloy is found to possess higher GFA than that of Z7B4 alloy which is validated by XRD results. On annealing, the amorphous Z7B4 ribbon crystallizes into nanocrystalline alpha-Fe, whereas amorphous Z9B4 ribbon shows two-stage crystallization process, first partially to bcc solid solution which is then transformed to nanocrystalline alpha-Fe and Fe2Zr phases exhibiting bimodal distribution. A detailed phase analysis using Mossbauer spectroscopy through hyperfine field distribution of phases has been carried out to understand the crystallization behavior of Z7B4 and Z9B4 alloy ribbons. In order to understand the phase transformation behavior of Z7B4 and Z9B4 ribbons, molar Gibbs free energies of amorphous, alpha-Fe, and Fe2Zr phases have been evaluated. It is found that in case of Z7B4, alpha-Fe is always a stable phase, whereas Fe2Zr is stable at higher temperature for Z9B4. (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2015

Stabilization of Cu-7 clusters in azide networks: syntheses, structures and magnetic behaviour

Two new azide bridged copper(II) coordination polymer compounds, Cu-7(N-3)(14)(C3H10N2)(C4H13N3)]n (I) and Cu-7(N-3)(14)(C3H10N2)(C5H15N3)(2)](n) (II) where C3H10N2 = 1,2-diaminopropane (1,2-DAP); C4H13N3 = di-ethylenetriamine (DETA); C5H15N3 = N-2-aminoethyl-1,3-propanediamine (AEDAP)] were prepared by employing a room temperature diffusion technique involving three layers. Single crystal studies reveal that both compounds I and II, have similar connectivity forming Cu7 clusters through end-on (EO) bonding of the azide. The Cu-7 clusters are connected through end-to-end (EE) connectivity of the azides forming three-dimensional structures. Magnetic studies confirmed the ferromagnetic interactions within the Cu-7 units and revealed the occurrence of concomitant ferro- and antiferro-magnetic interactions between these clusters. As a result I behaves as a weak-ferromagnet with T-C = 10 K.