Effect of nacl- salinity on metabolism of proline in salt- sensitive and salt- resistant cultivars of rice

The effect of NaCl at sublethal concentration was observed on germinating seeds of salt-sensitive and -resistant rice cultivars with respect to the level of proline regulatory enzymes and the growth of seedlings on different days of early germination period. The two enzymes of proline biosynthesis and catabolism, Δ-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase and L-proline dehydrogenase, were taken into consideration to observe the effects of 100 mM NaCl on their activities in both rice cultivars. The activity of Δ-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase in salt-resistant cultivar was increased twice after 5 d in 100 mM NaCl. Simultaneously, the activity of L-proline dehydrogenase was decreased significantly. High activities of Δ-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase may be regarded as a biological marker for screening the sensitive and resistant cultivars of rice seed under NaCl-salinity.     

Nisin Adsorption in Colloidal Systems Formed with Phytoglycogen Octenyl Succinate

While antimicrobial compounds are often used against food pathogens, they are liable to quick degradations in foods. One way to achieve their sustained efficacy is through the use of protective delivery systems. The overall goal of this study was to understand the interactions between nisin, an antimicrobial peptide, and phytoglycogen octenyl succinate (PG-OS), a dendrimer-like amphiphilic carbohydrate polymer in aqueous (non-emulsion) and emulsion based colloidal systems. Nisin interacts with PG-OS particulates following a Langmuir monolayer adsorption pattern in both systems. The monolayer adsorption capacity (Q_m) ranged from 37.6 to 106.4 μg/mL in non-emulsion, and was 181.8 μg/mL in PG-OS stabilized emulsion. At the same doses of PG-OS (5.0 mg/mL) and nisin (200 μg/mL), the concentration of adsorbed nisin in emulsion and non-emulsion were 157 and 22 μg/mL, respectively. This study showed that both the chemical nature and physical distribution of PG-OS particulates would affect nisin adsorption, which may provide a method for designing carbohydrate colloidal systems to achieve effective protection of antimicrobial compounds for foods.     

Structural characterization and study of immunoenhancing properties of heteroglycan isolated from a somatic hybrid mushroom (PfloVv1aFB) of Pleurotus florida and Volvariella volvacea

A water soluble polysaccharide isolated from the hot aqueous extract of the fruit bodies of the somatic hybrid mushroom (PfloVv1aFB), raised through protoplast fusion between the strains of Pleurotus florida and Volvariella volvacea was found to consist of d-glucose, d-galactose, and d-mannose in a molar ratio of nearly 4:1:1 and showed macrophage, splenocyte, and thymocyte activation. On the basis of sugar analysis, methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, and NMR studies (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT-135, DQF-COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, ROESY, HMQC and HMBC), the structure of the repeating unit of the polysaccharide was established as:     

A comparative evaluation of end-emic and non-endemic region of visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in India with ground survey and space technology

In visceral leishmaniasis, phlebotomine vectors are targets for control measures. Understanding the ecosystem of the vectors is a prerequisite for creating these control measures. This study endeavours to delineate the suitable locations of Phlebotomus argentipes with relation to environmental characteristics between endemic and non-endemic districts in India. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 25 villages in each district. Environmental data were obtained through remote sensing images and vector density was measured using a CDC light trap. Simple linear regression analysis was used to measure the association between climatic parameters and vector density. Using factor analysis, the relationship between land cover classes and P. argentipes density among the villages in both districts was investigated. The results of the regression analysis indicated that indoor temperature and relative humidity are the best predictors for P. argentipes distribution. Factor analysis confirmed breeding preferences for P. argentipes by landscape element. Minimum Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, marshy land and orchard/settlement produced high loading in an endemic region, whereas water bodies and dense forest were preferred in non-endemic sites. Soil properties between the two districts were studied and indicated that soil pH and moisture content is higher in endemic sites compared to non-endemic sites. The present study should be utilised to make critical decisions for vector surveillance and controlling Kala-azar disease vectors.     

Potential use of polyphenol oxidases (PPO) in the bioremediation of phenolic contaminants containing industrial wastewater

The present review emphasizes on the use of Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme in the bioremediation of phenolic contaminants from industrial wastewater. PPO is a group of enzyme that mainly exists in two forms; tyrosinase (E.C. 1.14.18.1) and laccase (E.C. 1.10.3.1) which are widely distributed among microorganisms, plants and animals. These oxidoreductive enzymes remain effective in a wide range of pH and temperature, particularly if they are immobilized on some carrier or matrices, and they can degrade a wide variety of mono and/or diphenolic compounds. However, high production costs inhibit the widespread use of these enzymes for remediation in industrial scale. Nevertheless, bench studies and field studies have shown enzymatic wastewater treatment to be feasible options for biodegradation of phenols through biological route. Nanomaterials-PPO conjugates have been also applied for removal of phenols which has successfully lower down the drawbacks of enzymatic water treatment. Therefore in this article various approaches and current state of use of PPO in the bioremediation of wastewater, as well as the benefits and disadvantages associated with the use of such enzymes have been overviewed.     

S-Nitrosation of arginase 1 requires direct interaction with inducible nitric oxide synthase

Arginase constrains endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity by competing for the common substrate, L -Arginine. We have recently shown that inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) S-nitrosates and activates arginase 1 (Arg1) leading to age-associated vascular dysfunction. Here, we demonstrate that a direct interaction of Arg1 with NOS2 is necessary for its S-nitrosation. The specific domain of NOS2 that mediates this interaction is identified. Disruption of this interaction in human aortic endothelial cells prevents Arg1 S-nitrosation and activation. Thus, disruption of NOS2-Arg1 interaction may represent a therapeutic strategy to attenuate age related vascular endothelial dysfunction.     

Expedient synthesis of the pentasaccharide repeating unit of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-antigen of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> O86 and its conformational analysis

Synthesis of the pentasaccharide with a 2-aminoethyl linker attached to the reducing end corresponding to the cell wall O-antigen of Escherichia coli O86 strain is reported. The synthetic strategy involves sequential glycosylation of suitably protected monosaccharide intermediates under similar glycosylation reaction conditions. Thioglycosides have been used as glycosyl donor throughout the synthetic strategy. Conformational analysis of the synthesized pentasaccharide has been carried out using 2D ROESY NMR spectral analysis and all atom explicit molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technique.

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Graphical abstract Facile synthesis of the pentasaccharide with a 2-aminoethyl linker attached to the reducing end corresponding to the cell wall O-antigen of Escherichia coli O86 strain is reported. Conformational analysis of the synthesized pentasaccharide has been carried out using 2D ROESY NMR spectral analysis and all atom explicit molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technique.

     

Optical scatter patterns facilitate rapid differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae on CHROMagarTM Orientation medium

Enterobacteriaceae family comprised pathogens and commensals and has a significant impact on food safety and public health. Enterobacteriaceae is often enumerated and presumptively identified on chromogenic media, such as CHROMagar^TM Orientation medium based on colony profile; however, classification is highly arbitrary, and some could not be differentiated due to similar chromogen production. Here, we investigated the ability of the laser optical sensor, BARDOT (bacterial rapid detection using optical scattering technology) for rapid screening and differentiation of colonies of the major bacterial genera from Enterobacteriaceae on CHROMagar^TM Orientation. A total of 36 strains representing 12 genera and 15 species were used to generate colony scatter image library that comprised 1683 scatter images. This library was used to differentiate mixed cultures of Enterobacteriaceae family – Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter freundii and Serratia marcescens (KECS group); Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii and Providencia rettgeri (PMP group); and non‐Enterobacteriaceae family: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp. and Staphylococcus aureus (PAS group) – and data show high accuracy (83–100%) for intra‐group classification of colonies in 10–22 h or even before visible production of chromogens. BARDOT successfully differentiated the major genera, including the ones that do not produce visually distinguishable chromogens on CHROMagar^TM Orientation, providing a label‐free, real‐time on‐plate colony screening tool for Enterobacteriaceae.