Influence of silver nanoparticles on the enhancement and transcriptional changes of glucosinolates and phenolic compounds in genetically transformed root cultures of Brassica rapa ssp. rapa

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Glucosinolates (GSLs) and phenolic compounds (PCs) are biologically active and involved in the defense reaction of plants; these compounds have a beneficial...     

Exploration of green integrated approach for effluent treatment through mass culture and biofuel production from unicellular alga,Acutodesmus obliquus RDS01

Abstract

This study deals with the open pond (OP) pilot scale treatment of cassava effluent and enhancement of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) enzyme through CO₂ utilization by the microalga, Acutodesmus obliquus RDS01. The cassava effluent treatment (ET) revealed maximum reduction of ammonia (96.8%), calcium (94.6%), chloride (95.2%), chlorine (98.5%), inorganic phosphate (94.6%), magnesium (96.8%), nitrate (96.89%), organic carbon (95.9%), organic phosphorus (96.3%), potassium (97.9%), sodium (97.1%), and sulfate (95.4%) on 15^th day using A. obliquus. The microalga produced highest RuBisCO enzyme activity (90%), CO₂ utilization efficiency (95%), biomass (8.9 gL^?1), lipid (176.65?mg mL^?1), carbohydrate (96.78?mg mL^?1), biodiesel (4.1?mL g^?1), and bioethanol (3.7?mL g^?1) during OP treatment. The isolated RuBisCO gene (rbcL) was used to construct the protein model by homology modeling. The microalgal-lipid content was analyzed through thin layer chromatography, the biodiesel produced was analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). The bioethanol production was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography and GCMS analyses. A. obliquus produced of 98.75% biodiesel and 96.83% bioethanol in the OP pilot scale treatment A. obliquus. Overall, the microalga A. obliquus could act as an effective CO₂ capturing and bioremediation agent in the cassava ET, and also for the biodiesel and bioethanol can be produced.     

A Plasmodium homolog of ER tubule-forming proteins is required for parasite virulence

Reticulon and REEP family of proteins stabilize the high curvature of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tubules. Plasmodium berghei Yop1 (PbYop1) is a REEP5 homolog in Plasmodium. Here, we characterize its function using a gene-knockout (Pbyop1∆). Pbyop1∆ asexual stage parasites display abnormal ER architecture and an enlarged digestive vacuole. The erythrocytic cycle of Pbyop1∆ parasites is severely attenuated and the incidence of experimental cerebral malaria is significantly decreased in Pbyop1∆-infected mice. Pbyop1∆ sporozoites have reduced speed, are slower to invade host cells but give rise to equal numbers of infected HepG2 cells, as WT sporozoites. We propose that PbYOP1’s disruption may lead to defects in trafficking and secretion of a subset of proteins required for parasite development and invasion of erythrocytes. Furthermore, the maintenance of ER morphology in different parasite stages is likely to depend on different proteins.     

A combined vaccine against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella abortus</Emphasis> and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis

The present study was undertaken to study the immune response in calves vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain 19, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) vaccines in monovalent form and combined vaccine containing both antigen. The seroconversion of monovalent and combined vaccines was tested in seronegative cattle calves. IBR vaccine alone and combination with live Brucella abortus S19 vaccine elicited an anamnestic response on day 60 post booster but started declining from day 90 onwards against IBR. B. abortus S19 alone and in combination with IBR vaccine gave more than 2 log protection in mice two weeks post challenge. Fluorescence polarization assay analysis with sera samples of calves vaccinated with B. abortus S19 monovalent vaccine alone and in combination with IBR vaccine revealed the presence of B. abortus antibodies. The components of the combined vaccine did not show any evidence of interference in the development of immunity. This combined vaccine may provide economical and affordable biological for the control of brucellosis and IBR.     

Detection and Characterization of ACC Deaminase in Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria

The enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase converts ACC, the precursor of the plant hormone ethylene to α-ketobutyrate and ammonium. The enzyme has been identified in few soil bacteria, and is proposed to play a key role in plant growth promotion. In this study, the isolates of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria were screened for ACC deaminase activity based on their ability to grow on ACC as a sole nitrogen source. The selected isolates showed the presence of other plant growth promoting characteristics such as IAA production, phosphate solubilization and siderophore production. The role of ACC deaminase in lowering ethylene production under cadmium stress condition was also studied by measuring in vitro ethylene evolution by wheat seedlings treated with ACC deaminase positive isolates. Nucleic acid hybridization confirmed the presence of ACC deaminase gene (acdS) in the bacterial isolates.     

Linkage to HIV,TB and Non-Communicable Disease Care from a Mobile Testing Unit in Cape Town,South Africa

Background

HIV counseling and testing may serve as an entry point for non-communicable disease screening.

Objectives

To determine the yield of newly-diagnosed HIV, tuberculosis (TB) symptoms, diabetes and hypertension, and to assess CD4 count testing, linkage to care as well as correlates of linkage and barriers to care from a mobile testing unit.

Methods

A mobile unit provided screening for HIV, TB symptoms, diabetes and hypertension in Cape Town, South Africa between March 2010 and September 2011. The yield of newly-diagnosed cases of these conditions was measured and clients were followed-up between January and November 2011 to assess linkage. Linkage to care was defined as accessing care within one, three or six months post-HIV diagnosis (dependent on CD4 count) and one month post-diagnosis for other conditions. Clinical and socio-demographic correlates of linkage to care were evaluated using Poisson regression and barriers to care were determined.

Results

Of 9,806 clients screened, the yield of new diagnoses was: HIV (5.5%), TB suspects (10.1%), diabetes (0.8%) and hypertension (58.1%). Linkage to care for HIV-infected clients, TB suspects, diabetics and hypertensives was: 51.3%, 56.7%, 74.1% and 50.0%. Only disclosure of HIV-positive status to family members or partners (RR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.04-6.3, p=0.04) was independently associated with linkage to HIV care. The main barrier to care reported by all groups was lack of time to access a clinic.

Conclusion

Screening for HIV, TB symptoms and hypertension at mobile units in South Africa has a high yield but inadequate linkage. After-hours and weekend clinics may overcome a major barrier to accessing care.     

Modulatory effect of sesamol on DOCA-salt-induced oxidative stress in uninephrectomized hypertensive rats

The present study was undertaken to investigate the antihypertensive and antioxidant effects of sesamol on uninephrectomized deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-induced hypertensive rats. Hypertension was induced in surgically single-kidney-removed (left) adult male albino Wistar rats, weighing 180–200 g, by injecting DOCA (25 mg/kg BW) subcutaneously twice a week for 6 weeks, with saline instead of tap water for drinking. Rats were treated with three different doses of sesamol (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg BW) post-orally by gavage daily for 6 weeks. Hypertension was revealed by increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the toxicity of DOCA-salt was determined using hepatic marker enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phospatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase; and, lipid peroxidative markers, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes were assayed. The activities of enzymatic antioxidants, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E and reduced glutathione) were evaluated in erythrocytes, plasma and tissues. Post-oral administration of sesamol at the dosage of 50 mg/kg BW remarkably decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hepatic marker enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation products and also enhanced the antioxidant activity. The biochemical observations were also supported by histopathological examinations of the rat liver, kidney and heart sections. These results suggest that sesamol possesses antihypertensive and antioxidant effects.     

Interactions between visitors and Formosan macaques (Macaca cyclopis) at Shou‐Shan Nature Park,Taiwan

Ecotourism involving feeding wildlife has raised public attention and is a controversial issue, especially concerning nonhuman primates. Between July 2002 and April 2005, the behavior of monkeys and tourists was collected through scan samplings, focal samplings and behavior samplings at the Shou‐Shan Nature Park located in Taiwan's second largest city—Kaohsiung. In addition, the number of tourists and monkeys was counted in different hours and places within the park. Four hundred visitors were interviewed using a questionnaire to gather data on sex, age, purpose and frequency of visit to the park. The number of tourists was significantly higher during weekends than in weekdays in all locations. Humans dominated in the initiation of interspecies interactions—the overall ratio of human‐initiated and monkey‐initiated interactions was 2.44:1. Human–monkey conflicts accounted for only 16.4% of the total interactions (n=2,166), and adult human males and adult male macaques participated in higher rates than other age/sex groups in these conflicts. Visitors showed more affiliative behavior (15.9%) than agonistic behavior (8%) toward the macaques. In response to visitors' threat or attack, the Formosan macaques mostly showed submissive behavior with bared teeth, squealed or ran away to avoid confrontation (69.1%)—only few responded with counteraggression (18.7%). This study for the first time provided evidence that food provisioning increased both the frequency and duration of aggression among Formosan macaques (P<0.001). During food provisioning, the average frequency and the duration of agonistic events of macaques were more than 4 times higher compared with those without food provisioning. The average frequency of food provision by tourists was 0.73 times/hr—more than twice the incident that monkeys grabbed the food from tourists (0.34 times/hr). If people refrain from feeding monkeys and destroying the city park's natural vegetation, monkeys can be used to educate public about nature conservation in an urban setting. Am. J. Primatol. 71:214–222, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.