Source Tracking Of Dissolved Organic Nitrogen At Molecular Level During Storm Events In An Agricultural Watershed

Most Shirina Begum(Begum Most Shirina),Jin Hur(허진),Seung Yoon Lee(이승윤) 대한환경공학회 2021 대한환경공학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.2021 No.11

Interaction of Delta-like 1 Homolog (<i>Drosophila</i>) with Prohibitins and Its Impact on Tumor Cell Clonogenicity

Begum, Asma,Lin, Qun,Yu, Chenye,Kim, Yuri,Yun, Zhong American Association for Cancer Research 2014 Molecular Cancer Research Vol.12 No.1

<P>Cancer stem cell characteristics, especially their self-renewal and clonogenic potentials, play an essential role in malignant progression and response to anticancer therapies. Currently, it remains largely unknown what pathways are involved in the regulation of cancer cell stemness and differentiation. Previously, we found that delta-like 1 homolog (<I>Drosophila</I>) or DLK1, a developmentally regulated gene, plays a critical role in the regulation of differentiation, self-renewal, and tumorigenic growth of neuroblastoma cells. Here, we show that DLK1 specifically interacts with the prohibitin 1 (PHB1) and PHB2, two closely related genes with pleiotropic functions, including regulation of mitochondrial function and gene transcription. DLK1 interacts with the PHB1–PHB2 complex via its cytoplasmic domain and regulates mitochondrial functions, including mitochondrial membrane potential and production of reactive oxygen species. We have further found that PHB1 and especially PHB2 regulate cancer cell self-renewal as well as their clonogenic potential. Hence, the DLK1–PHB interaction constitutes a new signaling pathway that maintains clonogenicity and self-renewal potential of cancer cells.</P><P><B>Implications:</B> This study provides a new mechanistic insight into the regulation of the stem cell characteristics of cancer cells. <I>Mol Cancer Res; 12(1); 155–64. ©2013 AACR</I>.</P>

CA 15-3 (Mucin-1) and Physiological Characteristics of Breast Cancer from Lahore, Pakistan

Begum, Mumtaz,Karim, Sajjad,Malik, Arif,Khurshid, Rukhshan,Asif, Muhammad,Salim, Asmat,Nagra, Saeed Ahmed,Zaheer, Ahmad,Iqbal, Zafar,Abuzenadah, Adel Mohammed,Alqahtani, Mohammed Hussain,Rasool, Mahmo Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

Background: High incidence of breast cancer and its fatal effect has reached an alarming stage across the globe, including the third world countries. Many factors have been reported to be associated with the development of breast cancer but detailed structural and functional information is missing. CA 15-3 is one of the known potential tumor marker of breast cancer; however little is known about structure and functional site of this protein. Present study aims to investigate the functional role of CA 15-3 in breast cancer, especially in development and metastasis. Material and Methods: Hundred female breast cancer patients confirmed by histopathological reports were included in the study. Their physiological characters were recorded in a performa. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to estimate serum CA 15-3 level. Immunohistochemistry was done for estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and Her2/neu receptors expression. Results: The study revealed the details of physiological characteristics of female breast cancer. Mean age was $37.72{\pm}5.99$ and $55.05{\pm}7.28$ years and serum CA 15-3 (MUC1) level was $60.47{\pm}8.59$ and $63.17{\pm}4.58$ U/ml in pre and post-menopause respectively, and both groups of women had sedentary life style. Their receptor status especially of progesterone, estrogen and HER-2/neu were positive in 50% of premenopausal women and 65% of postmenopausal women. Conclusion: There are multiple physiological factors promoting breast cancer. High serum CA 15-3 level and hormonal imbalance of ER, PR and Her2/neu appears to be the main cause of breast cancer. It may be possible that the functional sites of these proteins may be altered which may increase the chances of metastasis in breast cancer.

Effect of Aerva lanata against oxalate mediated free radical toxicity in urolithiasis

Begum, Vava Mohaideen Hazeena,Mahesh, Ramalingam,Ramesh, Thiyagarajan,Soundararajan, Periasamy Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2008 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.8 No.1

This study was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant potential of A. lanata on oxalate mediated free radical toxicity in ethylene glycol induced calcium oxalate urolithic rats. Calcium oxalate (CaOX) stone was induced by 0.75% ethylene glycol in drinking water for 28 days. From $29^{th}$ day onwards, the CaOX urolithic rats were treated with A. lanata aqueous suspension (2,000 mg/kg body weight/dose/day) orally for another 28 days. At the end of experimental periods the animals were sacrificed, samples were collected and analyzed the lipid peroxidation product, protein oxidation product, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in normal and experimental groups. Lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation products were significantly elevated while enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels were significantly decreased in ethylene glycol induced CaOX urolithic rats when compared with control rats. The above alterations were reverted to near control in rats treated with aqueous suspension of A. lanata. This study suggests that A. lanata could prevent the free radical formation from calcium oxalate urolithiasis in rats and protecting the renal cells from oxidative injury.

Sources of Carbonaceous Materials in the Airborne Particulate Matter of Dhaka

Begum, Bilkis A.,Hossain, Anwar,Saroar, Golam,Biswas, Swapan K.,Nasiruddin, Md.,Nahar, Nurun,Chowdury, Zohir,Hopke, Philip K. Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment 2011 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.5 No.4

To explore the sources of carbonaceous material in the airborne particulate matter (PM), comprehensive PM sampling was performed (3 to 14 January 2010) at a traffic hot spot site (HS), Farm Gate, Dhaka using several samplers: AirMetrics MiniVol (for $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$) and MOUDI (for size fractionated submicron PM). Long-term PM data (April 2000 to March 2006 and April 2000 to March 2010 in two size fractions ($PM_{2.2}$ and $PM_{2.2-10}$) obtained from two air quality-monitoring stations, one at Farm Gate (HS) and another at a semi-residential (SR) area (Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka Campus, (AECD)), respectively were also analyzed. The long-term PM trend shows that fine particulate matter concentrations have decreased over time as a result of government policy interventions even with increasing vehicles on the road. The ratio of $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ showed that the average $PM_{2.5}$ mass was about 78% of the $PM_{10}$ mass. It was also found that about 63% of $PM_{2.5}$ mass is $PM_1$. The total contribution of BC to $PM_{2.5}$ is about 16% and showed a decreasing trend over the years. It was observed that $PM_1$ fractions contained the major amount of carbonaceous materials, which mainly originated from high temperature combustion process in the $PM_{2.5}$. From the IMPROVE TOR protocol carbon fraction analysis, it was observed that emissions from gasoline vehicles contributed to $PM_1$ given the high abundance of EC1 and OC2 and the contribution of diesel to $PM_1$ is minimal as indicated by the low abundance of OC1 and EC2. Source apportionment results also show that vehicular exhaust is the largest contributors to PM in Dhaka. There is also transported $PM_{2.2}$from regional sources. With the increasing economic activities and recent GDP growth, the number of vehicles and brick kilns has significantly increased in and around Dhaka. Further action will be required to further reduce PM-related air pollution in Dhaka.

Initiating Smokeless Tobacco Use across Reproductive Stages

Begum, Shahina,Schensul, Jean J.,Nair, Saritha,Donta, Balaiah Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.17

Background: The use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) among women is increasing in India, especially among those with limited education and resources. Preventing the initiation of SLT among women is critical since it has known negative consequences for oral and reproductive health. Most research on tobacco initiation in India focuses on adolescents. This paper addresses the unrecognized issues of post marital initiation among women of reproductive age, highlighting the importance of reproductive stages in women's tobacco initiation. The objective is to examine the correlates of SLT initiation among low income women in Mumbai from pre-marriage through early marriage, first pregnancy and beyond, using case examples to illustrate initiation during each of these stages. Materials and Methods: In 2011-2012, cross-sectional community level survey data were collected from a representative sample of 409 daily SLT-using married women aged 18-40 years in a low income community in Mumbai. Information on socio-demographics, initiation by reproductive stage, types of tobacco use, childhood exposure to tobacco, learning to use, and initiation influences and reasons were collected through a researcher-administered survey. Univariate and bivariate analysis assessed factors influencing initiation of SLT use by reproductive stage. In addition 42 narratives of tobacco use were collected from a purposive sample of pregnant and non-pregnant married women addressing the same questions in detail. Narratives were transcribed, translated, and coded for key concepts including initiation of tobacco use. Results: Thirty-two percent of women initiated SLT use before marriage, 44% initiated after marriage but before pregnancy, 18.1% initiated during their first pregnancy and the remainder started after their first pregnancy. Mean age of marriage among women in this study was 16 years. Younger women (i.e. age at time of the interview of less than 30 years) were 0.47 [95% CI (0.32, 0.87)] percent less likely to initiate after marriage than women aged more than 30 years. Women who got married before 18 years of age were 2.34 [95% CI (1.40, 3.93)] times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Childhood exposure was a predictor for initiating SLT use prior to marriage but not after. Women reporting tooth and gum pain were 1.85 times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Husband and neighbours were the most significant influences on post-marital initiation. Narratives highlighted differences in processes of initiation pre and post marriage and during pregnancy. Conclusions: Most tobacco prevention interventions are directed to adolescents in school. This study suggests that especially for low literate or illiterate women, school based interventions are ineffective. To be effective strategies to prevent SLT initiation must reach women in urban areas at or immediately after marriage and during their first pregnancy. Messages must negate culturally rooted beliefs about the health benefits of SLT in order to prevent initiation and onset of daily use.

Freestanding palladium nanonetworks electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells

Begum, Halima,Ahmed, Mohammad Shamsuddin,Cho, Sung,Jeon, Seungwon Elsevier 2018 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.43 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Still it's a main challenge to design of highly efficient electrocatalysts to reduce the high overpotential of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The 1 dimensional (1D) palladium nanonetworks (Pd-Net) can be a promising alternative to platinum (Pt)-based electrocatalyst for ORR. In this study, the Pd-Net electrocatalysts have been synthesized via a simple wet-chemical method with the assistance of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and zinc precursor. Further investigation indicates that the thickness of Pd-Net can be regulated by simply changing the molar ratio of CTAB and the 5 ± 0.1 nm is proven as an efficient ORR electrocatalyst without any support material. The freestanding 1D Pd-Net has shown 2.2 and 3.6-fold higher electrochemical surface area than that of commercially available Pt/C and homemade Pd nanoparticles (PdNPs) catalysts, respectively. As a result, it provides a higher density of ORR active sites and facilitated the electron transport. The Pd-Net catalyst shows 2.1 and 4.1 times higher mass activity and 1.3 and 3.1 higher specific activity at 0.85 V (vs. RHE) with better ORR kinetics than that of Pt/C and PdNPs, respectively. Additionally, the Pd-Net catalyst has been demonstrated a significant tolerance to the anodic fuels (i.e. methanol) and enhanced durability than the Pt/C and PdNPs catalysts for ORR.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Tunable Pd-Net has been developed for catalyzing ORR in alkaline electrolyte. </LI> <LI> The Pd-Net has shown 2.2- and 3.6-fold higher ECSA than Pt/C and PdNPs, respectively. </LI> <LI> The Pd-Net has shows 2.1 and 4.1 times higher MA than Pt/C and PdNPs, respectively. </LI> <LI> Pd-Net has proven better catalysis than Pt/C due to better crystalline porous network. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Secondary metabolites (Triterpenes) from Couroupita guianensis

Begum, Rokeya,Rahman, Mohammad S,Chowdhury, A M Sarwaruddin,Hasan, Choudhury M,Rashid, Mohammad A Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2009 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.9 No.2

The n-hexane and carbon tetrachloride soluble fractions of a methanolic extract of the stem bark of the Couroupita guianensis furnished three compounds, identified as $\beta$-amyrin (1), betulin-$3{\beta}$-caffeate (2) and lupeol-$3{\beta}$-caffeate (3). The structures of the isolated compounds were deduced by extensive spectroscopic analysis as well as by comparison with published values. Compounds 1-3 were subjected to antioxidant screening through free radical scavenging activity by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), where compound 2 showed moderate antioxidant activity with $IC_{50}$ value $108.0{\mu}g/ml$.

Evaluation and Identification of Promising Bivoltine Breeds in the Silkworm Bombyx mori L.

Begum, Azeezur Rehman Naseema,Basavaraja, Hadikere Kallappa,Joge, Punjab Govindrai,Palit, Aditya Kumar Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2008 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.16 No.1

Under the all India programme of evaluation of mulberry and silkworm genotypes, twelve bivoltine silkworm breeds obtained from Central Silkworm Germplasm Resource Centre, Hosur (CSGRC) were evaluated at the bivoltine silkworm breeding laboratory, Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore (CSR&TI). These breeds were tested during September-October 2003, August-September 2004 and February-March 2005. The average temperature and humidity during September-October 2003 was $26.5^{\circ}C$ and 72.6% RH, while during August-September 2004, it was $26.5^{\circ}C$ and 75.2% RH and during February-March 2005 it was $24^{\circ}C$ and 48% RH respectively. The performance of the breeds in respect of 21 traits was studied and statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (Singh and Choudhary, 1985). Silkworm breeds were short-listed using multiple trait evaluation index method as suggested by Mano et at., (1993). Evaluation Index values were calculated for all the 11 traits of economic importance and six breeds were short-listed based on average index value 50 and above 50. Two breed viz., BV 183 (SMGS-1) have recorded average E.I. >50 in 10 traits (except in neatness) and ranked first and the breed BV 262 (SMGS9) with E.I. value >50 in nine traits except in cocoon weight and neatness ranked second, in the order of merit. These two breeds may be selected as resource material for evolving region specific silkworm breeds.

Electrodeposited Palladium Nanotubes on Nanoclusters Mosaic Basement for Electrooxidation of Hydrazine

Begum, Halima,Ahmed, Mohammad Shamsuddin,Jeon, Seungwon American Scientific Publishers 2017 Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Vol.17 No.7

<P>A series of electrochemically deposited palladium nanotubes (e-PdNTs) on nanoclusters (e-PdNCs) mosaic basement have been prepared with variation of cycle number and scan rate through a facile electrochemical deposition method using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique in 20 mM HCl solution and have been used as an anode electrocatalyst for hydrazine (N2H4) oxidation reaction. The morphology and structure of the self-formed e-PdNTs catalysts have characterized by scanning electron microscopy. As observed, the size and amount of e-PdNTs increased with the increasing of cycle number and decreased with respect to the increasing of scan rate. The overall experimental parameters have determined that the superior and direct electrocatalytic N2H4 oxidation obtained with lowering NH3 formation upon 6 cycles deposited e-PdNTs at 50 mV s(-1) scan rate in 0.1 M KOH solution than that of other prepared e-PdNTs and Pd/C in respect to the onset potential, current intensity and durability. The lower detection limit (3.6 mu M) and the linear range of N2H4 (up to 14 mM) have also been determined on e-PdNTs via amperometry for further sensor application.</P>