Thermodynamic constraints on the assembly and diversity of microbial ecosystems are different near to and far from equilibrium

Non-equilibrium thermodynamics has long been an area of substantial interest to ecologists because most fundamental biological processes, such as protein synthesis and respiration, are inherently energy-consuming. However, most of this interest has focused on developing coarse ecosystem-level maximisation principles, providing little insight into underlying mechanisms that lead to such emergent constraints. Microbial communities are a natural system to decipher this mechanistic basis because their interactions in the form of substrate consumption, metabolite production, and cross-feeding can be described explicitly in thermodynamic terms. Previous work has considered how thermodynamic constraints impact competition between pairs of species, but restrained from analysing how this manifests in complex dynamical systems. To address this gap, we develop a thermodynamic microbial community model with fully reversible reaction kinetics, which allows direct consideration of free-energy dissipation. This also allows species to interact via products rather than just substrates, increasing the dynamical complexity, and allowing a more nuanced classification of interaction types to emerge. Using this model, we find that community diversity increases with substrate lability, because greater free-energy availability allows for faster generation of niches. Thus, more niches are generated in the time frame of community establishment, leading to higher final species diversity. We also find that allowing species to make use of near-to-equilibrium reactions increases diversity in a low free-energy regime. In such a regime, two new thermodynamic interaction types that we identify here reach comparable strengths to the conventional (competition and facilitation) types, emphasising the key role that thermodynamics plays in community dynamics. Our results suggest that accounting for realistic thermodynamic constraints is vital for understanding the dynamics of real-world microbial communities.     

In Vivo Efficacy of a Synthetic Coumarin Derivative in a Murine Model of Aspergillosis

Despite advances in therapeutic modalities, aspergillosis remains a leading cause of mortality. This has necessitated the identification of effective and safe antifungal molecules. In the present study, in vivo safety and antifungal efficacy of a coumarin derivative, N, N, N-Triethyl-11-(4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-benzopyran-7-yloxy)-11-oxoundecan-1-aminium bromide (SCD-1), was investigated. The maximum tolerable dose of compound was determined according to OECD 423 guidelines. The compound could be assigned to category IV of the Globally Harmonized System and its LD₅₀ cut-off was found to be 2000 mg/kg body weight. The survival increased in Aspergillus fumigatus-infected mice treated with a dose of 200 mg/kg, orally or 100 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally, of SCD-1 in comparison to infected-untreated animals. The SCD-1 treatment resulted in significant reduction in colony counts in vital organs of the animals. Its protective effect was also observed on day 14 as there was marked reduction in fungal colonies. The treatment with SCD-1 also reduced the levels of serum biochemical parameters with respect to infected-untreated animals. It could be concluded that SCD-1 is a quite safe antifungal compound, which conferred dose dependent protection against experimental aspergillosis. Therefore, SCD-1 holds potential for developing new formulations for aspergillosis.     

Hepatic mixed function oxidase system and effect of phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene and 1, 1, 1-trichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane in developing chickens.

Contents of hepatic microsomal protein, aminopyrine N-demethylase, acetanilide hydroxylase, aniline hydroxylase, hydrogen peroxide formation, cytochrome-c-reductase, cytochrome b5 and cytochrome P-450 were examined in control, phenobarbital (PB), 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and 1, 1, 1-trichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) treated group of 1-28 days old chickens. Increase in aminopyrine N-demethylase, acetanilide hydroxylase, aniline hydroxylase, cytochrome-c-reductase, cytochrome b5 and cytochrome P-450 was noticed at all stages of development during administration of PB and 3-MC. But these enzyme activities were not always paralleled by increase in age. Aminopyrine N-demethylase was increased in early stages only during DDT administration, which indicates that the form of cytochrome P-450, responsible for aminopyrine N-demethylation is present in early stages only. However, acetanilide hydroxylase was decreased in all stages of development, in postnatal development the basal activities of the enzymes for various substrates do not exhibit identical pattern, the degree of inducibility by inducers varied in relation to age of animal. Hydrogen peroxide formation increased in all stages of developing chickens due to the administration of PB and DDT. It however decreased due to 3-MC administration which may be due to induction of high spin cytochrome P-450.     

Five different enzymatic activities are associated with the multienzyme complex of fatty acid oxidation from Escherichia coli.

The purified multienzyme complex of fatty acid oxidation from Escherichia coli was found to possess 3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A (CoA) epimerase and cis-delta3-trans-delta2-enoyl-CoA isomerase activities in addition to the previously identified enoyl-CoA hydratase, L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and 3-ketoactyl-CoA thiolase activities. Evidence is presented in support of the proposed association of all five enzyme activities with one protein which apparently is composed of two types of subunits and which can exist in several aggregated forms. The five component enzymes of the complex were rapidly inactivated by tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, whereas they remained active in the presence of potassium phosphate.     

Purification and characterization of 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase from Methanosarcina barken

Abstract 5-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase from the archaebacterium Methanosarcina barken resembles the mammalian and yeast enzymes in its activation by Zn²⁺, whereas its activation by K⁺ resembles the characteristic of bacterial enzymes. This enzyme is activated with Ni²⁺ which is a component of F₄₃₀, a cofactor present mainly in methanogens. The M _r of 280000 for the native enzyme and 30 000 ± 2000 for the individual subunit suggest that the enzyme is composed of eight apparently indentical subunits similar to mammalian and yeast enzymes. The enzyme has two pH optima, at 8.5 and 9.4. Higher levels of 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase in acetate-grown cells suggest the possibility that regulation and control of this enzyme could be different on various growth substrates.     

Genome-wide association study and meta-analysis of intraocular pressure

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor for glaucoma and is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) reported associations with IOP at TMCO1 and GAS7, and with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) at CDKN2B-AS1, CAV1/CAV2, and SIX1/SIX6. To identify novel genetic variants and replicate the published findings, we performed GWAS and meta-analysis of IOP in >6,000 subjects of European ancestry collected in three datasets: the NEI Glaucoma Human genetics collaBORation, GLAUcoma Genes and ENvironment study, and a subset of the Age-related Macular Degeneration-Michigan, Mayo, AREDS and Pennsylvania study. While no signal achieved genome-wide significance in individual datasets, a meta-analysis identified significant associations with IOP at TMCO1 (rs7518099-G, p = 8.0 × 10^?8). Focused analyses of five loci previously reported for IOP and/or POAG, i.e., TMCO1, CDKN2B-AS1, GAS7, CAV1/CAV2, and SIX1/SIX6, revealed associations with IOP that were largely consistent across our three datasets, and replicated the previously reported associations in both effect size and direction. These results confirm the involvement of common variants in multiple genomic regions in regulating IOP and/or glaucoma risk.     

Modulation and Optimization of Drug Release from Uncoated Low Density Porous Carrier Based Delivery System

The purpose of this research work was to explore an application of uncoated porous drug carrier prepared by single-step drug adsorption for a delivery system based on integration of floating and pulsatile principles intended for chronotherapy. This objective was achieved by utilizing 3² factorial design, solvent volume (X ₁) and drug amount (X ₂) as selected variables, for drug adsorption using solvents, methanol, and dichloromethane (DCM), of varying polarity. Nitrogen adsorption (N₂), scanning electron microscopy of cross-sections, and atomic force microscopy were done to study adsorption patterns and their effect on release pattern. Drug release study was customized by performing for 6 h in acidic environment to mimic gastroretention followed by basic environment akin to transit phase. Correlation between porous data from mercury and N₂ adsorption was probably studied for the first time. Observed regression analysis values for pore volume, surface area, and drug release indicated the influence of selected variables. Total release range in acidic medium was 12.77–24.57% for methanol, 8.79–15.26% for DCM, and final release of 69.45–92.23% for methanol, and 60.16–99.99% for DCM influenced by varying internal geometries was observed. Present form of drug delivery system devoid of any additives/excipients influencing drug release shows distinct behavior from other approaches/technologies in chronotherapy by (a) observing desired low drug release (8%) in acidic medium, (b) overcoming the limitations of process variables caused by multiple formulation steps and different characteristic polymers, (c) reducing time consumption due to single step process, and (d) extending as controlled/extended release.     

Sterculia guttata seeds extractives--an effective mosquito larvicide

The larvicidal activity of ethanol, chloroform and hexane soxhlet extracts obtained from S. guttata seeds was investigated against the IVth instar larvae of Dengue fever vector, Aedes aegypti and filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. All extracts including fractions of ethanol extract exhibited 100% larval kill within 24 hr exposure period at 500 ppm concentration. Fraction A1 of ethanol was found to be most promising; its LC50 was 21.552 and 35.520 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti respectively. Naturally occurring S. guttata seed derived fractions merit further study as potential mosquito larval control agents or lead compounds.     

The effect of drug concentration and curing time on processing and properties of calcium alginate beads containing metronidazole by response surface methodology

The purpose of present research work was to prepare calcium alginate beads containing water-soluble drug metronidazole using 3² factorial design, with drug concentration and curing time as variables. Curing time was kept as low as possible to improve entrapment with increasing drug concentration. Mostly the drugs which had been encapsulated were water insoluble to facilitate drug encapsulation; a characteristic drug release as whole process is aqueous based. Entrapment efficiency was in the range of 81% to 96% wt/wt, which decreased with decrease in polymer concentration and increase in curing time. The beads were spherical with size range between 1.4 and 1.9 mm. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photomicrographs revealed increase in the leaching of drug crystals with increased curing time and high drug concentrations. In acidic environment, the swelling ratio was 200% in 30 minutes, but in basic medium, it increased to a maximum of 1400% within 120 minutes. In acidic medium, the swelling and drug release properties were influenced by drug solubility, whereas in phosphate buffer these properties were governed by the gelling of polymer and exhibited curvilinear and quadratic functions of both the variables, respectively.     

Design and synthesis of harzialactone analogues: promising anticancer agents

New homologues of harzialactone were synthesized using D-glucose as chiral template. Wittig reaction to introduce aromatic moiety in 10 and chemoselective anomeric oxidation of 13 were used as key reactions in our synthesis. Anticancer activity of these target molecules was assessed against five cancer cell lines, P388D1, HL60, COLO-205, Zr-75-1 and HeLa. Both compound 5 and 6, showed significant activity against colon cancer (COLO-205) and cervical cancer (HeLa) and moderate with others. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of harzialactone analogues as potent inhibitors of human colon and cervical cancer.