A novel tunable metal-clad planar waveguide with 0.62PMN-0.38PT material for detection of cancer cells

A dynamically tunable metal clad planar waveguide having 0.62PMN-0.38PT material is simulated and optimized for detection of cancer cells. Angular interrogation of the TE0 mode of waveguide shows that critical angle increases greater than the resonance angle with increasing of cover refractive index, which limits the detection range of waveguide. To overcome this limitation, proposed waveguide applies a potential on the PMN-PT adlayer. Although a sensitivity of 105.42 degree/RIU was achieved at 70 Volts in testing the proposed waveguide, it was found that the optimal performance parameters were obtained at 60 Volts. At this voltage, the waveguide demonstrated detection range 1.3330-1.5030, a detection accuracy 2393.33, and a figure of merit 2243.59 RIU-1 , which enabled the detection of the entire range of the targeted cancer cells. Therefore, it is recommended to apply a potential of 60 Volts to achieve the best performance from the proposed waveguide.

Effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde nanoemulsion wash on chicken embryo development in fertilized eggs

Cleanliness of eggs is critical in successful hatching egg operations. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde nanoemulsion (TCNE) wash treatments, as a sanitation strategy, on embryonic development in fertilized eggs. Trans-cinnamaldehyde is a generally recognized as safe status phytochemical obtained from cinnamon bark. TCNE were prepared with emulsifiers Tween 80 (Tw.80) or gum Arabic and lecithin (GAL) by sonication. Day-old fertilized eggs were subjected to TCNE wash treatments at 34°C for 5 min, followed by 18 d of incubation at 37.7°C. Washing of fertilized eggs with TCNE-Tw.80 or GAL at 0.48% concentration did not significantly alter the egg weight at d 18 of incubation, as compared to baseline and control (P > 0.05). The egg weight loss (calculated as percentage) did not differ significantly between eggs subjected to nanoemulsion wash treatments and control eggs (P > 0.05). In case of embryo fertility and mortality, for baseline and control, ∼ 95% fertility rate was achieved, with combined early and midterm mortality at 16%. Likewise, TCNE-Tw.80 or TCNE-GAL resulted in 95% fertility (P > 0.05), with 11% and 17% combined early and midterm mortality, respectively. Furthermore, TCNE wash treatments did not differ significantly in yolk sac and embryo weight (as compared to control) and did not affect the length of the d 18 embryo (P > 0.05). Moreover, TCNE wash treatments did not alter tibia weight and length (P > 0.05). Results suggest that TCNE could potentially be used as a natural antimicrobial for fertilized egg sanitation. Further studies in industry settings are warranted.

Effects of Ayurveda interventions on acute pain and quality of life of a trigeminal neuralgia patient - A case report

Classical trigeminal neuralgia (CTN) is a disease characterized by severe pain in the facial area related to the trigeminal nerve. CTN occurs due to neurovascular compression of the Trigeminal nerve presenting with recurrent pain episodes. This case reports the effect of Ayurveda interventions on CTN. Thirty-nine-year-old male patient with pain on the right side of the face for two years presented to the National Institute of Ayurveda, Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. The pain was distributed on the right side of the upper lip, cheek, and chin. Paroxysms of pain appeared at the interval of 1-2 h and were lasting of 1-2 min. The case was diagnosed with the help of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as right-side classical trigeminal neuralgia due to indentation of the vascular loop of the right superior cerebellar artery. The patient had a treatment history of two years with allopathic medicine, and he sought Ayurveda treatment due to recurrence and excessive pain. The patient was given Ayurvedic interventions (oral medication, Nasya, Kavalagraha, and Gandusha) for three months. The improvement were observed on the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and Short Form -36 questionnaire (SF-36) for quality of life. After three months of the treatment, the VAS scale for pain and the HADS scale for anxiety and depression showed marked improvement. Improvement in all the domains of SF-36 was observed, with a total percentage improvement from 10.7% to 83.2%. Observations of this case highlight the usefulness of Ayurveda interventions, i.e., Oral medication, Nasya, Kavalagraha, and Gandusha, in reducing the acute paroxysms of pain in Classical TN and improving the quality of life of CTN patients.

Outcome of adalimumab monotherapy in paediatric non-infectious uveitis

BACKGROUND

Adalimumab in combination with other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) such as methotrexate has a proven efficacy in the management of paediatric non-infectious uveitis. However, many children experience significant intolerance to methotrexate while on this combination, leaving a dilemma for clinicians for choosing the subsequent therapeutic roadmap. Continuation of adalimumab monotherapy might be an alternative feasible option under such settings. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of adalimumab monotherapy in paediatric non-infectious uveitis.

METHODS

Children with non-infectious uveitis on adalimumab monotherapy (from August 2015 to June 2022) following intolerance to accompanying methotrexate or mycophenolate mofetil were included in this retrospective study. Data were collected at the initiation of adalimumab monotherapy and at three monthly intervals until the last visit. The primary outcome was to evaluate disease control on adalimumab monotherapy as determined by the proportion of patients who had less than a 2-step worsening in uveitis (as per SUN score) and no additional systemic immunosuppression during follow-up. Secondary outcome measures were visual outcome, complications and side-effect profile of adalimumab monotherapy.

RESULTS

Data was collected for 28 patients (56 eyes). The most common uveitis type and course were anterior and chronic uveitis respectively. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis was the most common underlying diagnosis. During the study period, 23 (82.14%) of the study subjects met the primary outcome. On Kaplan-Meier survival analysis 81.25% (95% CI; 60.6-91.7%) children maintained remission at 12 months on adalimumab monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Continuation of adalimumab monotherapy is an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of non-infectious uveitis in children who are intolerant to the combination of adalimumab and methotrexate or mycophenolate mofetil.

Trans-cinnamaldehyde nanoemulsion wash inactivates Salmonella Enteritidis on shelled eggs without affecting egg color

Salmonella Enteritidis is a major foodborne pathogen that causes enteric illnesses in humans, primarily through the consumption of contaminated poultry meat and eggs. Despite implementation of traditional disinfection approaches to reduce S. Enteritidis contamination, egg-borne outbreaks continue to occur, raising public health concerns and adversely affecting the popularity and profitability for the poultry industry. Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status phytochemicals such as Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) have previously shown to exhibit anti-Salmonella efficacy, however, the low solubility of TC is a major hurdle in its adoption as an egg wash treatment. Therefore, the present study investigated the efficacy of Trans-cinnamaldehyde nanoemulsions (TCNE) prepared with emulsifiers Tween 80 (Tw.80) or Gum Arabic and lecithin (GAL) as dip treatments, at 34°C, for reducing S. Enteritidis on shelled eggs in presence or absence of 5% chicken litter. In addition, the efficacy of TCNE dip treatments in reducing trans-shell migration of S. Enteritidis across shell barrier was investigated. The effect of wash treatments on shell color were evaluated on d 0, 1, 7, and 14 of refrigerated storage. TCNE-Tw.80 or GAL treatments (0.06, 0.12, 0.24, 0.48%) were effective in inactivating S. Enteritidis by at least 2 to 2.5 log cfu/egg as early as 1 min of washing time (P < 0.05). In presence of organic matter, nanoemulsions (0.48%) reduced S. Enteritidis counts by ∼ 2 to 2.5 log cfu/egg as early as 1 min, (P < 0.05). Nanoemulsion wash also inhibited trans-shell migration of S. Enteritidis, as compared to control (P < 0.05). The nanoemulsion wash treatments did not affect shell color (P > 0.05). Results suggest that TCNE could potentially be used as an antimicrobial wash to reduce S. Enteritidis on shelled eggs, although further studies investigating the effect of TCNE wash treatments on organoleptic properties of eggs are necessary.

Tomographic imaging of carbon dioxide in the exhaust plume of large commercial aero-engines

We report here the first implementation of chemically specific imaging in the exhaust plume of a gas turbine typical of those used for propulsion in commercial aircraft. The method used is chemical species tomography (CST) and the target species is CO₂, absorbing in the near-infrared at 1999.4 nm. A total of 126 beams propagate transverse to the plume axis, along 7 m paths in a coplanar geometry, to probe a central region of diameter ≈1.5m. The CO₂ absorption spectrum is measured using tunable diode laser spectroscopy with wavelength modulation, using the second harmonic to first harmonic (2f/1f) ratio method. The engine is operated over the full range of thrust, while data are recorded in a quasi-simultaneous mode at frame rates of 1.25 and 0.3125 Hz. Various data inversion methodologies are considered and presented for image reconstruction. At all thrust levels a persistent ring structure of high CO₂ concentration is observed in the central region of the measurement plane, with a raised region in the middle of the plume assumed to be due to the engine's boat tail. With its potential to target various exhaust species, the CST method outlined here offers a new approach to turbine combustion research, turbine engine development, and aviation fuel research and development.

Effect of Ayurveda interventions in non-alcoholic grade II fatty liver associated with obesity - A case report

Fatty Liver, one of the most common liver diseases worldwide, usually emerges due to lipid accumulation, mostly triglycerides in hepatocytes. Fat exists in the liver naturally, but if it surpasses 5-10% of the liver's total weight, it can result in fatty liver. In this case, report effect of Ayurveda intervention in grade II fatty liver is reported. Thirty-five-year-old obese male with grade II fatty liver presented with fatigue, abdominal pain, heaviness, and incomplete bowel evacuation to the National Institute of Ayurveda hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. On examination, there was no significant clinical abnormality except a high body mass index (BMI = 30.2). Hematological examinations revealed altered Alanine transaminase, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides. The patient was diagnosed sonologically with a grade II fatty liver. The patient was given Ayurveda treatment for two months with three treatment regimens. The patient was assessed for improvement in signs and symptoms, hematological parameters, and quality of life using a chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ). After two months, significant improvement was observed in signs and symptoms, BMI (24.7), and CLDQ. No fatty tissue was reported sonologically, and all altered biochemical parameters were within normal limits. Present case highlights the potential of Ayurveda interventions in managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity.

A peptide from the staphylococcal protein Efb binds P-selectin and inhibits the interaction of platelets with leukocytes

AIMS

P-selectin is a key surface adhesion molecule for the interaction of platelets with leukocytes. We have shown previously that the N-terminal domain of Staphylococcus aureus extracellular fibrinogen-binding protein (Efb) binds to P-selectin and interferes with platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation. Here, we aimed to identify the minimal Efb motif required for binding platelets and to characterize its ability to interfering with the formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using a library of synthetic peptides, we mapped the platelet-binding site to a continuous 20 amino acid stretch. The peptide Efb68-87 was able to bind to resting and, to a greater extent, thrombin-stimulated platelets in the absence of fibrinogen. Dot blots, pull-down assays and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) competitive binding experiments identified P-selectin as the cellular docking site mediating Efb68-87 platelet binding. Accordingly, Efb68-87 did not bind to other blood cells and captured platelets from human whole blood under low shear stress conditions. Efb68-87 did not affect platelet activation as tested by aggregometry, flow cytometry and immunoblotting, but inhibited the formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLAs). Efb68-87 also interfered with the platelet-dependent stimulation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified Efb68-87 as a novel selective platelet-binding peptide. Efb68-87 binds directly to P-selectin and inhibits interactions of platelets with leukocytes that lead to PLA and NET formation. As PLAs and NETs play a key role in thromboinflammation, Efb68-87 is an exciting candidate for the development of novel selective inhibitors of the proinflammatory activity of platelets.

Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of an industrial SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic facility

On 11th March 2020, the UK government announced plans for the scaling of COVID-19 testing, and on 27th March 2020 it was announced that a new alliance of private sector and academic collaborative laboratories were being created to generate the testing capacity required. The Cambridge COVID-19 Testing Centre (CCTC) was established during April 2020 through collaboration between AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and the University of Cambridge, with Charles River Laboratories joining the collaboration at the end of July 2020. The CCTC lab operation focussed on the optimised use of automation, introduction of novel technologies and process modelling to enable a testing capacity of 22,000 tests per day. Here we describe the optimisation of the laboratory process through the continued exploitation of internal performance metrics, while introducing new technologies including the Heat Inactivation of clinical samples upon receipt into the laboratory and a Direct to PCR protocol that removed the requirement for the RNA extraction step. We anticipate that these methods will have value in driving continued efficiency and effectiveness within all large scale viral diagnostic testing laboratories.

Principles underlying the complex dynamics of temperature entrainment by a circadian clock

Autonomously oscillating circadian clocks resonate with daily environmental (zeitgeber) rhythms to organize physiology around the solar day. Although entrainment properties and mechanisms have been studied widely and in great detail for light-dark cycles, entrainment to daily temperature rhythms remains poorly understood despite that they are potent zeitgebers. Here we investigate the entrainment of the chronobiological model organism Neurospora crassa, subject to thermocycles of different periods and fractions of warm versus cold phases, mimicking seasonal variations. Depending on the properties of these thermocycles, regularly entrained rhythms, period-doubling (frequency demultiplication) but also irregular aperiodic behavior occurs. We demonstrate that the complex nonlinear phenomena of experimentally observed entrainment dynamics can be understood by molecular mathematical modeling.

A Mycobacterial Systems Resource for the Research Community

Functional characterization of bacterial proteins lags far behind the identification of new protein families. This is especially true for bacterial species that are more difficult to grow and genetically manipulate than model systems such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis To facilitate functional characterization of mycobacterial proteins, we have established a Mycobacterial Systems Resource (MSR) using the model organism Mycobacterium smegmatis This resource focuses specifically on 1,153 highly conserved core genes that are common to many mycobacterial species, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in order to provide the most relevant information and resources for the mycobacterial research community. The MSR includes both biological and bioinformatic resources. The biological resource includes (i) an expression plasmid library of 1,116 genes fused to a fluorescent protein for determining protein localization; (ii) a library of 569 precise deletions of nonessential genes; and (iii) a set of 843 CRISPR-interference (CRISPRi) plasmids specifically targeted to silence expression of essential core genes and genes for which a precise deletion was not obtained. The bioinformatic resource includes information about individual genes and a detailed assessment of protein localization. We anticipate that integration of these initial functional analyses and the availability of the biological resource will facilitate studies of these core proteins in many Mycobacterium species, including the less experimentally tractable pathogens M. abscessus, M. avium, M. kansasii, M. leprae, M. marinum, M. tuberculosis, and M. ulceransIMPORTANCE Diseases caused by mycobacterial species result in millions of deaths per year globally, and present a substantial health and economic burden, especially in immunocompromised patients. Difficulties inherent in working with mycobacterial pathogens have hampered the development and application of high-throughput genetics that can inform genome annotations and subsequent functional assays. To facilitate mycobacterial research, we have created a biological and bioinformatic resource (https://msrdb.org/) using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a model organism. The resource focuses specifically on 1,153 proteins that are highly conserved across the mycobacterial genus and, therefore, likely perform conserved mycobacterial core functions. Thus, functional insights from the MSR will apply to all mycobacterial species. We believe that the availability of this mycobacterial systems resource will accelerate research throughout the mycobacterial research community.

Multiple random phosphorylations in clock proteins provide long delays and switches

Theory predicts that self-sustained oscillations require robust delays and nonlinearities (ultrasensitivity). Delayed negative feedback loops with switch-like inhibition of transcription constitute the core of eukaryotic circadian clocks. The kinetics of core clock proteins such as PER2 in mammals and FRQ in Neurospora crassa is governed by multiple phosphorylations. We investigate how multiple, slow and random phosphorylations control delay and molecular switches. We model phosphorylations of intrinsically disordered clock proteins (IDPs) using conceptual models of sequential and distributive phosphorylations. Our models help to understand the underlying mechanisms leading to delays and ultrasensitivity. The model shows temporal and steady state switches for the free kinase and the phosphoprotein. We show that random phosphorylations and sequestration mechanisms allow high Hill coefficients required for self-sustained oscillations.

Carvacrol attenuates Campylobacter jejuni colonization factors and proteome critical for persistence in the chicken gut

Campylobacter jejuni is a major foodborne pathogen that causes gastroenteritis in humans. Chickens act as the reservoir host for C. jejuni, wherein the pathogen asymptomatically colonizes the ceca leading to contamination of carcasses during slaughter. The major colonization factors in C. jejuni include motility, intestinal epithelial attachment, acid/bile tolerance, and quorum sensing. Reducing the expression of the aforementioned factors could potentially reduce C. jejuni colonization in chickens. This study investigated the efficacy of subinhibitory concentration (SIC; compound concentration not inhibiting bacterial growth) of carvacrol in reducing the expression of C. jejuni colonization factors in vitro. Moreover, the effect of carvacrol on the expression of C. jejuni proteome was investigated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The motility assay was conducted at 42°C, and the motility zone was measured after 24 h of incubation. For the adhesion assay, monolayers of primary chicken enterocytes (∼10⁵ cells/well) were inoculated with C. jejuni (6 log cfu/well) either in the presence or absence of carvacrol, and the adhered C. jejuni were enumerated after 90 min of incubation at 42°C. The effect of carvacrol on C. jejuni quorum sensing and susceptibility to acid/bile stress was investigated using a bioluminescence assay and an acid–bile survival assay, respectively. The SIC (0.002%) of carvacrol reduced the motility of C. jejuni strains S-8 and NCTC 81-176 by ∼50 and 35%, respectively (P < 0.05). Carvacrol inhibited C. jejuni S-8 and NCTC 81-176 adhesion to chicken enterocytes by ∼0.8 and 1.5 log cfu/mL, respectively (P < 0.05). Moreover, carvacrol reduced autoinducer-2 activity and increased the susceptibility of C. jejuni to acid and bile in both the strains (P < 0.05). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry revealed that the SIC of carvacrol reduced the expression of selected C. jejuni colonization proteins critical for motility (methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein), adhesion (GroL), growth and metabolism (AspA, AcnB, Icd, Fba, Ppa, AnsA, Ldh, Eno, PurB-1), and anaerobic respiration (NapB, HydB, SdhA, NrfA) (P < 0.05). Results suggest the mechanisms by which carvacrol could reduce C. jejuni colonization in chickens.

An Inactivation Switch Enables Rhythms in a Neurospora Clock Model

Autonomous endogenous time-keeping is ubiquitous across many living organisms, known as the circadian clock when it has a period of about 24 h. Interestingly, the fundamental design principle with a network of interconnected negative and positive feedback loops is conserved through evolution, although the molecular components differ. Filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa is a well-established chrono-genetics model organism to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The core negative feedback loop of the clock of Neurospora is composed of the transcription activator White Collar Complex (WCC) (heterodimer of WC1 and WC2) and the inhibitory element called FFC complex, which is made of FRQ (Frequency protein), FRH (Frequency interacting RNA Helicase) and CK1a (Casein kinase 1a). While exploring their temporal dynamics, we investigate how limit cycle oscillations arise and how molecular switches support self-sustained rhythms. We develop a mathematical model of 10 variables with 26 parameters to understand the interactions and feedback among WC1 and FFC elements in nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. We performed control and bifurcation analysis to show that our novel model produces robust oscillations with a wild-type period of 22.5 h. Our model reveals a switch between WC1-induced transcription and FFC-assisted inactivation of WC1. Using the new model, we also study the possible mechanisms of glucose compensation. A fairly simple model with just three nonlinearities helps to elucidate clock dynamics, revealing a mechanism of rhythms' production. The model can further be utilized to study entrainment and temperature compensation.

Pectin or chitosan coating fortified with eugenol reduces Campylobacter jejuni on chicken wingettes and modulates expression of critical survival genes

Campylobacter jejuni infection in humans is strongly associated with the consumption of contaminated poultry products. With increasing consumer demand for minimally processed and natural product, there is a need for novel intervention strategies for controlling C. jejuni. Antimicrobial coatings are increasingly being used for preventing food contamination due to their efficacy and continuous protection of product. This study investigated the efficacy of pectin and chitosan coating fortified with eugenol to reduce C. jejuni on chicken wingettes. Pectin, chitosan, and eugenol are generally recognized as safe status compounds derived from berries, crustaceans, and cloves respectively. Each wingette was inoculated with a mixture of 4 wild-type strains of C. jejuni (approximately 10⁷ CFU/sample) and randomly assigned to controls, pectin (3%), chitosan (2%), eugenol (0.5, 1, or 2%), or their combinations. Following 1 min of coating, wingettes were air-dried, vacuum sealed, and sampled on 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 d of refrigerated storage for C. jejuni and aerobic counts (n = 5 wingettes/treatment/d). In addition, the effect of treatments on wingette color and expression of C. jejuni survival/virulence genes was evaluated. All 3 doses of eugenol or chitosan significantly reduced C. jejuni and aerobic bacteria from 0 d through 7 d. Incorporation of 2% eugenol in chitosan improved coating efficiency and reduced C. jejuni counts by approximately 3 Log CFU/sample at the end of 7 d of storage (P < 0.05). Similarly, the antimicrobial efficacy of pectin was improved by 2% eugenol and the coating reduced C. jejuni by approximately 2 Log CFU/sample at 7 d of storage. Chitosan coating with 2% eugenol also showed greater reductions of total aerobic counts as compared to individual treatments of eugenol and chitosan. No significant difference in the color of chicken wingettes was observed between treatments. Exposure of C. jejuni to eugenol, chitosan, or combination significantly modulated select genes encoding for motility, quorum sensing, and stress response. Results demonstrate the potential of pectin or chitosan coating fortified with eugenol as a postharvest intervention against C. jejuni contamination on poultry products.

Expected health benefits from mitigation of emissions from major anthropogenic PM2.5 sources in India: Statistics at state level

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is one of the leading risk factors for the mortality and morbidity burden in India. Health benefit expected from mitigation of emissions from individual sectors is the key policy information to address this issue. Here we quantify the relative shares of four major year-round anthropogenic sources to ambient PM_2.5 in India using a chemical transport model and estimate premature deaths that could have been avoided due to complete mitigation of emissions from these sources at state level. Population-weighted all-India averaged (±1σ) annual ambient PM_2.5 exposures due to residential, transport, industrial and energy sectors in 2010 are estimated to be 26.2 ± 12.5, 3.8 ± 4.3, 5.5 ± 2.7 and 2.2 ± 2.3 μg m^-3, respectively. Complete mitigation of emissions from the transport, industrial and energy sectors combined would avoid 92,380 (95% uncertainty interval (UI), 40,918-140,741) premature deaths annually, primarily at the urban hotspots. For the residential sector, this would result in avoiding 378,295 (95% UI, 175,002-575,293) premature deaths due to a reduction in ambient PM_2.5 exposure in addition to the benefit of avoiding all premature deaths from household exposure. Bihar and Goa are expected to have the largest (289) and smallest (48) premature mortality burden per 100,000 population due to anthropogenic PM_2.5 exposure. From policy perspective, controlling residential sources should be prioritized in view of the effectiveness of implementing mitigation measures and the expected larger health benefit at a regional scale. However, additional mitigation measures are advised at the urban hotspots to curb emissions from the other sectors to get maximum possible health benefit.

Distinctive phosphoinositide- and Ca2+-binding properties of normal and cognitive performance-linked variant forms of KIBRA C2 domain

Kidney- and brain-expressed protein (KIBRA), a multifunctional scaffold protein with around 20 known binding partners, is involved in memory and cognition, organ size control via the Hippo pathway, cell polarity, and membrane trafficking. KIBRA includes tandem N-terminal WW domains, a C2 domain, and motifs for binding atypical PKC and PDZ domains. A naturally occurring human KIBRA variant involving residue changes at positions 734 (Met-to-Ile) and 735 (Ser-to-Ala) within the C2 domain affects cognitive performance. We have elucidated 3D structures and calcium- and phosphoinositide-binding properties of human KIBRA C2 domain. Both WT and variant C2 adopt a canonical type I topology C2 domain fold. Neither Ca²⁺ nor any other metal ion was bound to WT or variant KIBRA C2 in crystal structures, and Ca²⁺ titration produced no significant reproducible changes in NMR spectra. NMR and X-ray diffraction data indicate that KIBRA C2 binds phosphoinositides via an atypical site involving β-strands 5, 2, 1, and 8. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that KIBRA C2 interacts with membranes via primary and secondary sites on the same domain face as the experimentally identified phosphoinositide-binding site. Our results indicate that KIBRA C2 domain association with membranes is calcium-independent and involves distinctive C2 domain-membrane relative orientations.

Study of efficacy and safety of modified adjuvant intraperitoneal chemotherapy regimen in carcinoma ovary

OBJECTIVE

It has been demonstrated in few trials that intraperitoneal and intravenous (IP/IV) chemotherapy improves survival in advanced stage ovarian cancer (OC). However, in view of high treatment-related toxicities, various modifications in treatment schedules have been tried. In this study, response and tolerability of IP paclitaxel on day 8 with IV paclitaxel on day 1 and IV cisplatin day 2 in carcinoma ovary were evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this prospective observational study, from March 2013 to December 2015, the efficacy and tolerability of adjuvant IP/IV chemotherapy in optimally cytoreduced Stage III epithelial OC (EOC) patients were assessed.

RESULTS

Totally, sixty patients were enrolled. The median age of patients was 53 years (32-67 years). Out of a total of 360 IP cycles, 316 cycles (88%) were completed. Forty-five patients (76%) received all the 6 cycles by IP route. Eight out of those 45 patients had one or more adjustment including delay or dose reduction. After median follow-up of 22 months, eight patients (14%) had local or systemic recurrence. Median progression-free survival not reached yet. Catheter block was seen in five cases. Two cases had needle displacement and extravasations of drug around the port chamber. Six patients had Grade 3 abdominal pain and cramp. Grade 3/4 leukopenia was experienced by thirty patients (50%), but febrile neutropenia occurred in only 6 (10%) patients. Renal complication present in 4 (7%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In Indian patients, adjuvant chemotherapy with day 8 I/P paclitaxel in optimally cytoreduced EOC is associated with comparable survival outcomes, less side effects and high treatment completion rate relative to literature published from Western countries.

Measurement of atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor in built-up urban areas in the Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad region in India using a portable tunable diode laser spectroscopy system

This paper reports open-path in situ measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide at Gandhinagar (23.2156°N, 72.6369°E) and Ahmedabad (23.0225°N, 72.5714°E) in the heavily industrialized state of Gujarat in western India. Calibration-free second harmonic wavelength modulation spectroscopy (2f WMS) is used to carry out accurate and fully automated measurements. The mean values of the mole fraction of carbon dioxide at four locations were 438 ppm, 495 ppm, 550 ppm, and 740 ppm, respectively. These values are much higher than the current global average of 406.67 ppm. A 1 mW, 2004-nm vertical cavity surface-emitting laser is used to selectively interrogate the R16 transition of carbon dioxide at 2003.5 nm (4991.2585 cm^-1). The 2f WMS signal corresponding to the gas absorption line shape is simulated using spectroscopic parameters available in the HITRAN database and relevant laser parameters that are extracted in situ from non-absorbing spectral wings of the harmonic signals. The mole fraction of carbon dioxide is extracted in real-time by a MATLAB program from least-squares fit of the simulated 2f WMS signal to the corresponding experimentally obtained signal. A 10-mW, 1392.54-nm distributed feedback laser is used at two of the locations to carry out water vapor measurements using direct absorption spectroscopy. This is the first instance of a portable tunable diode laser spectroscopy system being deployed in an urban location in India to measure atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor under varying traffic conditions. The measurements clearly demonstrate the need to adopt tunable diode laser spectroscopy for precise long-term monitoring of greenhouse gases in the Indian subcontinent.

β-Resorcylic Acid, a Phytophenolic Compound, Reduces Campylobacter jejuni in Postharvest Poultry

Human Campylobacter infections, a leading foodborne illness globally, has been linked with the high prevalence of this bacterium on raw retail chicken products. Reduction of Campylobacter counts on poultry products would greatly reduce the risk of subsequent infections in humans. To this end, this study investigated the potential of the phytophenolic compound β-resorcylic acid (BR) to reduce Campylobacter counts on postharvest poultry (chicken skin or meat). Four trials in total, two each on thigh skin or breast meat, were conducted in which chicken skin or meat samples (2 ± 0.1 g; 10 samples per treatment) were inoculated with 50 μL (∼10⁶ CFU per sample) of a cocktail of four wild strains of C. jejuni. After 30 min of attachment, inoculated samples were dipped in a 0, 0.5, 1, or 2% BR solution for 30 s immediately followed by vigorously vortexing the samples in Butterfield's phosphate diluent and plating the supernatant for Campylobacter enumeration. In addition, the effect of BR on the color of skin and meat samples was studied. Moreover, the change in the expression of survival and virulence genes of C. jejuni exposed to BR was evaluated. Data were analyzed by the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS (P < 0.05; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). All BR treatments significantly reduced Campylobacter populations on both chicken or meat samples by 1 to 3 log CFU/g compared with non-BR-treated washed controls. No significant difference in the lightness, redness, and yellowness of skin and meat samples was observed on exposure to BR wash (P > 0.05). Real-time PCR results revealed that BR treatment down-regulated expression of select genes coding for motility (motA, motB) and attachment (cadF, ciaB) in the majority of C. jejuni strains. Stress response genes (sodB, katA) were upregulated in C. jejuni S-8 (P < 0.05). Overall, our results suggest that BR could be effectively used as antimicrobial dip treatment during poultry processing for reducing Campylobacter on chicken carcasses.

Absolute noninvasive measurement of CO2 mole fraction emitted by E. coli and S. aureus using calibration-free 2f WMS applied to a 2004 nm VCSEL

We report the first demonstration, to the best of our knowledge, of accurate real-time noninvasive measurement of the absolute cumulative mole fraction of metabolic carbon dioxide emitted by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus over a period of several hours of their life cycles using a recently developed calibration-free wavelength modulation spectroscopy technique. A 1 mW vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser is used to interrogate a single rotational vibrational absorption line of carbon dioxide at 2003.5 nm. The measurements are immune to laser intensity fluctuations and variable optical coupling that is inevitable in such free-space coupled experiments that run over 10-18 h. The cumulative carbon dioxide mole fraction follows the characteristic modified Gompertz model that is typical of bacterial growth in batch cultures. The characteristic growth parameters are extracted from this curve. The technique can be readily extended to study multiple volatile organic compounds that bacteria are known to emit.

Epidemiology and resistance pattern of bacterial isolates among cancer patients in a Tertiary Care Oncology Centre in North India

OBJECTIVES

To examine the epidemiology of microbiologically documented bacterial infection and the resistance pattern, among cancer patients undergoing treatment at RGCIRC, Delhi.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective observational study in which culture reports obtained over 1 year in 2013, were analyzed.

RESULTS

13329 cultures were obtained over 1 year in 2013 and were analyzed. 23.6 % samples showed positive culture with majority being gram negative isolates (67.9 %). E. coli was the commonest gram negative isolate (49.4%) followed by klebsella (29.7%) and Staph. aureus was the commonest gram positive isolate. There was high incidence of ESBL in blood and urine (87.2% & 88.5%) and BLBLI were also high (78% & 83.9%). Carbapenem resistance was comparatively low (10%) and colistin sensitivity was quiet high (> 95%).

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of MRSA and VRE in our institute is very less, whereas prevalence of ESBLs and BLBLI isolates amongst gram negative infections is around 80%. Gram negative isolates had poor sensitivity to cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones.

A convenient electro-catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of 4H-thiopyran derivatives

A convenient one pot electro-synthesis of 4H-thiopyrans by condensation of aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile, carbon disulfide and primary amines.

An Unmanned Tracked Vehicle for Snow Research Applications

<p>Lightweight robotic vehicles can be designed for over-snow mobility to carry out a variety of snow and glacier related studies like carrying out GPR survey of cracks &amp; crevasses over ice crusts that cannot support foot travel, for collecting snow samples and carrying out sub-surface experiments with penetrometers on terrain that are dangerous for human, GPS mapping of avalanche debris etc. Sinkage, resistance to snow compaction, loss of traction and ingestion of snow into the driving system are some of the challenges that an unmanned lightweight tracked vehicle faces in snowbound terrain. In present work, a lightweight and unmanned remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is conceptualized and developed as a technological solution. In this paper design and features of this vehicle, named <em>HimBot</em>, are presented along with the results obtained from tests carried over snow at Solang Nullah field observatory of SASE in February 2013. The outcome of this work will help in developing an optimized design of an ROV for over snow mobility for a variety of applications.</p>

Characterization and anti-microbial susceptibility of bacterial isolates: Experience from a tertiary care cancer center in Delhi

BACKGROUND

Hospitalization for fever in cancer patients is associated with considerable morbidity, mortality, and cost.

AIM

The aim of this study was to study the bacterial spectrum and susceptibility patterns of pathogens in culture positive patients from the oncology unit of our hospital.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients admitted in our cancer center (medical, radiation, and surgical oncology) from January to December 2013. Blood and respiratory secretions from the indoor patients were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the total 693 samples, 76.4% were Gram-negative and 23.6% were Gram-positive. The most common bacterial isolates among Gram-negative organisms in blood were Escherichia coli, Salmonella and among the Gram-positive organism were Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus. Among the blood isolates extended spectrum of beta-lactamase, multidrug-resistant (carbapenem-resistant) and pan resistant bugs were seen in 47%, 15%, and 5% of the blood isolates. Among the Gram-positive organisms, 25% respiratory isolates were vancomycin-resistant Enterococci.

CONCLUSION

We observed a high incidence of Gram-negative isolates with clinically significant resistance to first-line antibiotics such as cephalosporin's, piperacillin tazobactum, and fluoroquinolones.

A Modular Bioplatform Based on a Versatile Supramolecular Multienzyme Complex Directly Attached to Graphene

Developing generic strategies for building adaptable or multifunctional bioplatforms is challenging, in particular because protein immobilization onto surfaces often causes loss of protein function and because multifunctionality usually necessitates specific combinations of heterogeneous elements. Here, we introduce a generic, modular bioplatform construction strategy that uses cage-like supramolecular multienzyme complexes as highly adaptable building blocks immobilized directly and noncovalently on graphene. Thermoplasma acidophilum dihydrolipoyl acyltransferase (E2) supramolecular complexes organize as a monolayer or can be controllably transferred onto graphene, preserving their supramolecular form with specific molecular recognition capability and capacity for engineering multifunctionality. This E2-graphene platform can bind enzymes (here, E1, E2's physiological partner) without loss of enzyme function; in this test case, E1 catalytic activity was detected on E2-graphene over 6 orders of magnitude in substrate concentration. The E2-graphene platform can be multiplexed via patterned cotransfer of differently modified E2 complexes. As the E2 complexes are robust and highly customizable, E2-graphene is a platform onto which multiple functionalities can be built.

Proteomic characterization of oyster shell organic matrix proteins (OMP)

Oysters are economically and ecologically important bivalves, with its calcareous shell and delicious meat. The shell composition is a blend of inorganic crystals and shell proteins that form an organic matrix which protects the soft inner tissue of the oyster. The objective of the study was to compare the composition of organic matrix proteins (OMP) of two phylogenetically related species: the Hong Kong oyster (Crassostrea hongkongensis) and the Portuguese oyster (Crassostrea angulata) which differ in their shell hardness and mechanical properties. C. hongkongensis shells are comparatively stronger than C. angulata. Modern shotgun proteomics has been used to understand the nature of the OMP and the variations observed in the mechanical properties of these two species of oyster shells. After visualizing proteins on the one (1DE) and two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) gels, the protein spots and their intensities were compared using PDQuest software and 14 proteins of C. hongkongensis were found to be significantly different (student׳s t-test; p<0.05) when compared to the C. angulata. Furthermore, shell OMP separated on 1DE gels were processed using Triple TOF5600 mass spectrometry and 42 proteins of C. hongkongensis and 37 of C. angulata identified. A Circos based comparative analysis of the shell proteins of both oyster species were prepared against the shell proteome of other shell forming gastropods and molluscs to study the evolutionary conservation of OMP and their function. This comparative proteomics expanded our understating of the molecular mechanism behind the shells having different hardness and mechanical properties.

Conventional and fluorescent based semen quality assessment in Karan Fries bulls

Aim:

The present study was carried out on semen ejaculates of 15 Karan Fries (KF) bulls maintained at Artificial Breeding Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India with an objective to evaluate the relationship between the conventional and fluorescent based semen quality analysis of the bulls.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 96 ejaculates were collected from 15 KF (Holstein Friesian [HF] crossbred) bulls. Semen were evaluated for color, volume, mass activity (MA) and percentage of individual motility (IM), sperm concentration, percent live spermatozoa, hypo-osmotic swelling test and acrosome integrity, chromatin integrity, sperm viability, and membrane integrity. Data were analyzed using SPSS software package for descriptive analysis. The correlation between rankings of sires based on conventional and fluorescent semen parameters were calculated by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

Results:

The average ejaculates volume (ml), sperm concentration (10⁶/ml), MA, IM (%), live (%), morphological abnormalities (%), host (%), acrosome integrity (%), chromomycin A3 (CMA3) (%), SYBR-PI (%), and fluorescent isothiocyanate-peanut agglutinin (FITC-PNA) (%) were 4.57±0.36, 1162.98±97.93, 2.95±0.09, 60.8±1.22, 71.41±2.10, 9.31±1.15, 65.5±1.81, 86.6±1.59, 3.53±0.43, 65.39±2.23 and 74.47±2.53, respectively. Rank correlations were found to be significant for SYBR-PI and FITC-PNA with most of the parameters evaluated by conventional methods. Overall, among conventional criteria, IM revealed ranking of bulls almost similar to that of fluorescent criteria.

Conclusion:

Overview of our results indicated that, among conventional criteria, MA and IM revealed ranking of bulls almost similar to that of fluorescent criteria.

Extracellular Fibrinogen-binding Protein (Efb) from Staphylococcus aureus Inhibits the Formation of Platelet-Leukocyte Complexes

Extracellular fibrinogen-binding protein (Efb) from Staphylococcus aureus inhibits platelet activation, although its mechanism of action has not been established. In this study, we discovered that the N-terminal region of Efb (Efb-N) promotes platelet binding of fibrinogen and that Efb-N binding to platelets proceeds via two independent mechanisms: fibrinogen-mediated and fibrinogen-independent. By proteomic analysis of Efb-interacting proteins within platelets and confirmation by pulldown assays followed by immunoblotting, we identified P-selectin and multimerin-1 as novel Efb interaction partners. The interaction of both P-selectin and multimerin-1 with Efb is independent of fibrinogen. We focused on Efb interaction with P-selectin. Excess of P-selectin extracellular domain significantly impaired Efb binding by activated platelets, suggesting that P-selectin is the main receptor for Efb on the surface of activated platelets. Efb-N interaction with P-selectin inhibited P-selectin binding to its physiological ligand, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), both in cell lysates and in cell-free assays. Because of the importance of P-selectin-PSGL-1 binding in the interaction between platelets and leukocytes, we tested human whole blood and found that Efb abolishes the formation of platelet-monocyte and platelet-granulocyte complexes. In summary, we present evidence that in addition to its documented antithrombotic activity, Efb can play an immunoregulatory role via inhibition of P-selectin-PSGL-1-dependent formation of platelet-leukocyte complexes.

An innovative approach for determination of air quality health index

Fuzzy-analytical hierarchical process (F-AHP) can be extended to determine fuzzy air quality health index (FAQHI) for deducing health risk associated with local air pollution levels, and subjective parameters. The present work aims at determining FAQHI by considering five air pollutant parameters (SO2, NO2, O3, CO, and PM10) and three subjective parameters (population sensitivity, population density and location sensitivity). Each of the individual pollutants has varying impacts. Hence the combined health effects associated with the pollutants were estimated by aggregating the pollutants with different weights. Global weights for each evaluation alternatives were determined using fuzzy-AHP method. The developed model was applied to determine FAQHI in Howrah City, India from daily-observed concentrations of air pollutants over the three-year period between 2009 and 2011. The FAQHI values obtained through this method in Howrah City range from 1 to 3. Since the permissible value of FAQHI (as calculated for NAAQS) for residential areas is 1.78, higher index values are of public health concern to the exposed individuals. During the period of study, the observed FAQHI values were found to be higher than 1.78 in most of the day in the months of January to March, and October to December. However, the index values were below the recommended limit during rest of the months. In conclusion, FAQHI in Howrah city was above permissible limit in winter months and within acceptable values in summer and rainy months. Diurnal variations of FAQHI showed a similar trend during the three-year period of assessment.