Properties and function of the proton-translocating adenosine triphosphatase of Clostridium perfringens.

Growth of Clostridium perfringens was inhibited by compounds which dissipate or prevent the formation of electrochemical proton gradients. Membrane vesicles prepared from this organism exhibited Mg2+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity sensitive to N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. Mg2+-ATPase activity was optimal of 50 degrees C, but no discrete pH optimum was observed. Adenosine triphosphate-dependent quenching of the fluorescence of the weak base quinacrine by everted membrane vesicles suggested that the Mg2+-ATPase is a proton pump capable of generating an electrochemical proton gradient. Adenosine triphosphate-dependent transport of Ca2+ by everted vesicles was sensitive to uncouplers and inhibitors of the Mg2+-ATPase.     

Identification of marker genes in Alzheimer's disease using a machine-learning model

Alzheimer''s Disease (AD) is one of the most common causes of dementia, mostly affecting the elderly population. Currently, there is no proper diagnostic tool or method available for the detection of AD. The present study used two distinct data sets of AD genes, which could be potential biomarkers in the diagnosis. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) curated from both datasets were used for machine learning classification, tissue expression annotation and co-expression analysis. Further, CNPY3, GPR84, HIST1H2AB, HIST1H2AE, IFNAR1, LMO3, MYO18A, N4BP2L1, PML, SLC4A4, ST8SIA4, TLE1 and N4BP2L1 were identified as highly significant DEGs and exhibited co-expression with other query genes. Moreover, a tissue expression study found that these genes are also expressed in the brain tissue. In addition to the earlier studies for marker gene identification, we have considered a different set of machine learning classifiers to improve the accuracy rate from the analysis. Amongst all the six classification algorithms, J48 emerged as the best classifier, which could be used for differentiating healthy and diseased samples. SMO/SVM and Logit Boost further followed J48 to achieve the classification accuracy.     

Essai chimiosystématique sur la tribu des Lotées

A survey of the leaves and flowers of 62 representatives of the tribe Loteae (Leguminosae) showed the presence of several classes of flavonoids: flavonol 7-methyl ethers (rhamnocitrin, rhamnetin), 8-O-substituted flavonols (gossypetin, limocitrin, sexangularetin, corniculatusin), 3′,4′,5′-tri-O-substituted flavonols (myricetin, mearnsetin, syringetin, laricitrin), proanthocyanidins and flavone-C-glycosides. The trisubstitution of the B-ring and the 8-O-substitution of the A-ring allow the definition of a major group including the genera Dorycnium, Bonjeania, Lotus and Tetragonolobus. The presence of proanthocyanidins and 7-O-methylation determine a second group consisting of the genus Anthyllis. Finally, Securigera, on the basis of its flavonoid chemistry, appears to be rather remote from other members of the tribe.     

Preservation of vegetables by microbial activity and radiation

Two locally-produced seasonal vegetables, carrot and patol, were preserved in brine, with and without radiation, with marked changes in their properties as foods and their microbiology. The treated vegetables could be preserved, at optimum salt and irradiation levels, for up to 60 days without becoming unacceptable in terms of appearance, texture, flavour and taste. The optimum salt concentrations for preservation of carrot and patol were 2% (w/v) and 3% (w/v), respectively. The microbial load initially showed an upward trend and then declined after 5 to 10 days of storage. Lactic acid bacteria predominated in treated vegetables.     

Complete nucleotide sequence of an unusual mobile element from trypanosoma brucei

The complete nucleotide sequence of a mobile element from Trypanosoma brucei is presented along with the sequence of its target site, which shows that the insertion has generated a 7 base pair direct repeat. The cloned copy of the element is a dimeric structure, one end of each monomer consisting of a stretch of 14 A residues preceded by a putative trypanosome polyadenylation signal. Six base pairs of DNA of unknown origin are found in the dimer between the two copies of the element. Evidence suggests that the element is present in the genome mainly as a monomer whose sequence is conserved across several species of trypanosome. The element contains an open reading frame encoding the same 160 amino acid protein in both sequenced copies and is extensively transcribed from both strands.     

Repellent efficacy of essential oils and plant extracts against Tribolium castaneum and Plodia interpunctella

This study was conducted to investigate the repellent efficacy of essential oils (Origanum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum, and Tanacetum cinerariifolium) and four plant extracts (Agastache rugosa, Capsicum annuum, Citrus reticulata, and Ginkgo biloba) against Tribolium castaneum (adults and larvae) and Plodia interpunctella (larvae). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of carvacrol, anethole, and jasmolin I as the predominant constituent in O. vulgare, P. anisum, and T. cinerariifolium, respectively. Furthermore, ethyl hexopyranoside, 9,12‐octadecadienoic acid, cyclopentanol, and 2‐cresol were identified in A. rugosa, C. annuum, C. reticulata, and G. biloba, respectively. The repellent efficacy of each essential oil, plant extract, and the combination of oils was evaluated using a specially designed cylinder trap for 120 h. Among the three oils, O. vulgare and T. cinerariifolium had greatest repellent efficacy against P. interpunctella larvae. T. cinerariifolium exhibited effective repellence against the adults and larvae of T. castaneum. Therefore, O. vulgare (O) and T. cinerariifolium (T) were selected for further investigation of combined effects. Two essential oils were mixed in three different ratios of OT1 (1:3), OT2 (1:1), and OT3 (3:1). The repellent efficacies of OT1 and OT2 against the adults of T. castaneum were significantly greater than that of OT3. OT1 was effective against the larvae of T. castaneum, whereas OT2 was effective against the larvae of P. interpunctella. OT1 enhanced the repellent efficacy by approximately five times against larvae of T. castaneum, compared with that of T. cinerariifolium. Overall, OT1 was selected as the best repellent substance against all the tested insects.     

Recent chemo‐/biosensor and bioimaging studies based on indole‐decorated BODIPYs

BODIPY is an important fluorophores due to its enhanced photophysical and chemical properties including outstanding thermal/photochemical stability, intense absorption/emission profiles, high photoluminescence quantum yield, and small Stokes' shifts. In addition to BODIPY, indole and its derivatives have recently gained attention because of their structural properties and particularly biological importance, therefore these molecules have been widely used in sensing and biosensing applications. Here, we focus on recent studies that reported the incorporation of indole‐based BODIPY molecules as reporter molecules in sensing systems. We highlight the rationale for developing such systems and evaluate detection limits of the developed sensing platforms. Furthermore, we also review the application of indole‐based BODIPY molecules in bioimaging studies. This article includes the evaluation of indole‐based BODIPYs from synthesis to characterization and a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of developed reporter systems, making it instructive for researchers in various disciplines for the design and development of similar systems.     

Length weight relationships of five marine fishes from the Bay of Bengal

Length weight relationships (LWR) of five marine fishes were estimated from the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. Fish samples were collected occasionally from fisher's catch with gill net (mesh size: 3 cm) during November 2019 to October 2020. Fishing was done overnight. Total length (0.1 cm) and body weight (0.01 g) of each individual were measured. We recorded maximum total length for P. maculatus (55.0 cm) and P. parmatus (39.0 cm).