DNA hybridization detection with organic thin film transistors: toward fast and disposable DNA microarray chips

We demonstrate a novel DNA hybridization detection method with organic thin film transistors. DNA molecules are immobilized directly on the surface of organic semiconductors, producing an unambiguous doping-induced threshold voltage shift upon hybridization. With these shifts, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) are differentiated successfully. This method is expected to result in higher sensitivity than the main competitive technology, ISFET-based sensors because of the direct exposure of DNA molecules to sensitive layers. Factors that influence sensor sensitivity have been analyzed and optimum conditions have been determined using statistically designed experiments. Under the optimum conditions, the maximum difference between saturation current ratios caused by ssDNA and dsDNA reaches as high as 70%. In order to make DNA detection fast, we also demonstrate rapid on-chip electrically enhanced hybridization using the TFTs. These technologies together will enable the realization of disposable, rapid-turnaround tools for field-deployable genomic diagnosis.     

Ancient population genomics and the study of evolution

Recently, the study of ancient DNA (aDNA) has been greatly enhanced by the development of second-generation DNA sequencing technologies and targeted enrichment strategies. These developments have allowed the recovery of several complete ancient genomes, a result that would have been considered virtually impossible only a decade ago. Prior to these developments, aDNA research was largely focused on the recovery of short DNA sequences and their use in the study of phylogenetic relationships, molecular rates, species identification and population structure. However, it is now possible to sequence a large number of modern and ancient complete genomes from a single species and thereby study the genomic patterns of evolutionary change over time. Such a study would herald the beginnings of ancient population genomics and its use in the study of evolution. Species that are amenable to such large-scale studies warrant increased research effort. We report here progress on a population genomic study of the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae). This species is ideally suited to ancient population genomic research because both modern and ancient samples are abundant in the permafrost conditions of Antarctica. This species will enable us to directly address many of the fundamental questions in ecology and evolution.     

Resveratrol protects diabetic kidney by attenuating hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress and renal inflammatory cytokines via Nrf2-Keap1 signaling

Hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Hence, the present study was hypothesized to explore the renoprotective nature of resveratrol by assessing markers of oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines and antioxidant competence in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of resveratrol to diabetic rats showed a significant normalization on the levels of creatinine clearance, plasma adiponectin, C-peptide and renal superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and NF-κB p65 subunit and activities of renal aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in comparison with diabetic rats. The altered activities of renal aldose reductase, sorbitol dehydrogenase and glyoxalase-I and elevated level of serum advanced glycation end products in diabetic rats were also reverted back to near normalcy. Further, resveratrol treatment revealed a significant improvement in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase activities and vitamins C and E, and reduced glutathione levels, with a significant decline in lipid peroxides, hydroperoxides and protein carbonyls levels in diabetic kidneys. Similarly, mRNA and protein analyses substantiated that resveratrol treatment notably normalizes the renal expression of Nrf2/Keap1and its downstream regulatory proteins in the diabetic group of rats. Histological and ultrastructural observations also evidenced that resveratrol effectively protects the kidneys from hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative damage. These findings demonstrated the renoprotective nature of resveratrol by attenuating markers of oxidative stress in renal tissues of diabetic rats.     

The influence of sunlight on the localized corrosion of UNS S31600 in natural seawater

Tests were conducted on the performance of UNS S31600 stainless steel (SS) in a natural day/night cycle vs full darkness under conditions of natural marine biofilm accumulation. In quiescent flowing seawater tests in the laboratory as well as under natural immersion in the sea, diffuse sunlight (～10% of natural) counteracted the influence of marine biofilms and produced substantial inhibition of the corrosion of SS. Thus, the probabilities (percentage attack) and propagation rates (depths of attack) in multiple crevice tests were substantially lower in the day/night cycle than in the dark. A benefit was also observed for welded SS in terms of the time to corrosion initiation and the mass loss. SS in the passive state showed broader passive regions, well-defined breakdown potentials and markedly smaller anodic and cathodic current densities under the diurnal cycle. The overall reduction in corrosion is attributed to a combination of electrochemical photoinhibition and simultaneous photoinactivation of microbially mediated metal redox reactions linked to cathodic kinetics. These data offer fresh insights into the behaviour of SS under practical seawater situations and the proposed potential use of illumination in the mitigation of biologically influenced consequences.     

Ability to use the diazo dye, C.I. Acid Black 1 as a nitrogen source by the marine cyanobacterium Oscillatoria curviceps BDU92191

Ten different strains of marine cyanobacteria were tested for their ability to decolourise and degrade a recalcitrant diazo dye, C.I. Acid Black 1. Of them, Oscillatoria curvicepsBDU92191 was able to grow up to a tested concentration of 500 mG L⁻¹. The organism degraded 84% of the dye at 100 mG L⁻¹ in 8 days in a medium free of combined nitrogen. The dye degrading ability is attributed to the activities of the enzymes: laccase, polyphenol oxidase and azoreductase. The absence of the doublet amine peak in addition to the overall reduction of absorption in the IR spectra confirmed the mineralisation of the tested azo dye. The nitrogen assimilating enzyme studies along with nitrogenase assay strongly suggested the ability of the non-heterocystous, filamentous marine cyanobacterium, O. curvicepsBDU92191 to use C.I. Acid Black 1 as a nitrogen source in an oligotrophic environment.     

Evaluation and elimination of inhibitory effects of salts and heavy metal ions on biodegradation of Congo red by Pseudomonas sp. mutant

In this study, it was attempted to evaluate the influences and also recommended some elimination methods for inhibitory effects offered by salts and heavy metal ions. Congo red dye solution treated with mutant Pseudomonas sp. was taken as a model system for study. The salts used in this study are NaCl, CaCl₂ and MgSO₄·7H₂O. Though the growth was inhibited at concentrations above 4 g/l, toleration was achieved by acclimatization process. In case of heavy metal ions, Cr (VI) showed low inhibition up to 500 mg/l of concentration, compared to Zn (II) and Cu (II). It was due to the presence of chromium reductase enzyme which was confirmed by SDS-PAGE. Zn (II) and Cu (II) ion inhibitions were eliminated by chelation with EDTA. The critical ion concentrations obtained as per Han-Levenspiel model for Cr (VI), Zn (II) and Cu (II) were 0.8958, 0.3028 and 0.204 g/l respectively.     

Antihypertensive and antioxidant potential of vanillic acid, a phenolic compound in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats: a dose-dependence study

We investigated the antihypertensive and antioxidant potential of vanillic acid (VA) in N(ω)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) - treated adult male albino Wistar rats. Treatment of rats with L-NAME (40 mg/kg Bw for 30 days) caused a sustained increase in systolic- (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and significantly decreased the concentration of nitrite/nitrate (NO(x)) in plasma as compared with that in the control. Rats treated with VA restored SBP and DBP to normal level and preserve the plasma NO metabolites concentration. Moreover, VA reduced lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides, conjugated dienes) and significantly restored enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, and reduced glutathione) in the plasma. To assess the toxicity if any of VA treatment, hepatic and renal function markers were measured. Our results showed that the effect at a dose of 50 mg/kg Bw of VA was more pronounced than that of the other two doses, 25 and 100 mg/kg Bw. These results were supported by histopathology studies. We conclude that VA possesses an antihypertensive and antioxidant activity in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats.