Pre-clinical evaluation of a whole-parasite vaccine to control human babesiosis

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Biosorption of oxybenzene using biosorbent prepared by raw wastes of Zea mays and comparative study by using commercially available activated carbon

Organic pollutants present in waste water have undesirable effect on the environment. Industry activities are the key sources of organic pollutants. Prime pollutants released from various sources react instantly with the environment and become derived (secondary) pollutants, which stay for an elongated time. The present research work has been carried out using biosorbent prepared from various Zea mays wastes for elimination of oxybenzene. Different parameters viz contact time, initial concentration; adsorbent dose, temperature and pH were optimized for the biosorption of oxybenzene on to the biosorbent samples. BCS (Baby corn silk) showed higher percentage of biosorption at optimum contact time of 3 h, pH between 5 and 6 and temperature at 25 °C. Analysis of equilibrium biosorption data in terms of several isotherm models revealed that Langmuir isotherm and Freundlich isotherm indicates better agreement with the experimental data. The kinetics of oxybenzene biosorption on to the biosorbents was described with the pseudo-first-order model. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that biosorption onto biosorbent was feasible in nature, spontaneous, and endothermic for some biosorbents, but on contrary not feasible, exothermic and non spontaneous for other biosorbents. The result of this study showed that the biosorbent derived from Zea mays can be used as a prospective biosorbent for oxybenzene in wastewater and also can be an alternative for the commercially activated carbon.     

Analysis of biological samples using solid-phase microextraction

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has gained widespread acceptance for analyte-matrix separation and preconcentration. SPME is a simple, effective adsorption/desorption technique that eliminates the need for solvents or complicated apparatus for concentrating volatile or non-volatile compounds in liquid samples or headspace. SPME is compatible with analyte separation/detection by gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography and provides linear results for a wide range of concentrations of analytes. By controlling the polarity and thickness of the coating on the fiber, maintaining consistent sampling time, and adjusting several other extraction parameters, an analyst can ensure highly reliable results for low concentrations of analytes. This review provides updated information on SPME with chromatographic separation for the extraction and measurement of different analytes in biological fluids and materials. Firstly the background to the technique is given in terms of apparatus, fibers used, extraction conditions and derivatisation procedures. Then the different matrices, urine, blood, breast milk, hair and saliva are considered separately. Finally, the future potential of SPME for the analysis of biological samples in terms of the development of new devices and fiber chemistries as well as applications for in vivo studies are discussed.     

Spatial distribution of lead in the roots of human primary teeth

Lead remains one of the most hazardous metals in our environment. The concentrations of lead in coronal dentine and enamel have previously been reported but limited information is available regarding lead levels in radicular dentine and cementum. This study reports the distribution of lead in 26 roots of 16 human maxillary primary teeth from seven individuals. In addition, calcium and phosphorous concentrations were also measured to detect any variations in the degree of mineralization in different regions of the roots. The mean lead concentration in these roots was 1.67 +/- 1.43 microg/g, which is comparable to other studies. In all cases there were higher lead concentrations in the apices of non-resorbed roots of primary maxillary teeth relative to middle and cervical regions. The findings reported here are of potential significance during the process of physiological root resorption whence periapical tissue may be exposed to higher levels of lead.     

Effect of permeabilization on the thermostability of catalase in immobilized yeast cells

Summary Catalase in yeast cells is rendered thermolabile on permeabilization using organic solvents or any process of immobilization that eventually permeabilizes the cells. A stable immobilized catalase preparation can be obtained only if yeast cells are immobilized in an intact or viable form.     

Structural Mechanisms for Regulation of Membrane Traffic by Rab GTPases

In all eukaryotic organisms, Rab GTPases function as critical regulators of membrane traffic, organelle biogenesis and maturation, and related cellular processes. The numerous Rab proteins have distinctive yet overlapping subcellular distributions throughout the endomembrane system. Intensive investigation has clarified the underlying molecular and structural mechanisms for several ubiquitous Rab proteins that control membrane traffic between tubular-vesicular organelles in the exocytic, endocytic and recycling pathways. In this review, we focus on structural insights that inform our current understanding of the organization of the Rab family as well as the mechanisms for membrane targeting and activation, interaction with effectors, deactivation and specificity determination.