Antimicrobial Substance Produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Slaughterhouse Sediment: Physicochemical Characterization,Purification, and Identification

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - This study aimed to produce the novel bacteriocin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa 43. The bacteriocin was purified through 80% ammonium...     

Recovery and utilization of proteinous wastes of leather making: a review

Hides and skins, by-product of the meat industry is converted into a value added product namely leather by the tanners. Tanning essentially is the process of converting raw hides and skins into imputrescible substance. The tanning process has number of steps and generates significant quantities of by products and wastes. These solid and liquid wastes pose major environmental problem if not managed effectively. Large–scale production systems are adopted for leather processing in clusters and therefore, the industry receives focus of environmentalists and society. Consequently tremendous pressure is exerted by various pollution regulatory bodies. The hides and skins, after trimming, removal of flesh and fat, are treated with chemicals, which cross-link the collagen fibers to form a stable, durable material. The chemicals used may be derived from traditional vegetable products, or inorganic metal salts. During leather processing number of size reduction, leveling and purification operations are carried out which results in generation of untanned and tanned proteinous waste materials. In this paper, various recovery processes and utilization methodologies of proteinous solid wastes, emanating from leather processing operations prior to tanning is reviewed.     

HIV-1 Gag Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Epitopes Vary in Presentation Kinetics Relative to HLA Class I Downregulation

Although CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are protective in HIV-1 infection, the factors determining their antiviral efficiency are poorly defined. It is proposed that Gag targeting is superior because of very early Gag epitope presentation, allowing early killing of infected cells before Nef-mediated downregulation of human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I). To study Gag epitope presentation kinetics, three epitopes (SL9_77-85, KF11_162-172, and TW10_240-249) were genetically translocated from their endogenous location in the Rev-dependent (late) gag gene into the Rev-independent (early) nef gene with concomitant mutation of the corresponding endogenous epitopes to nonrecognized sequences. These viruses were compared to the index virus for CTL-mediated suppression of replication and the susceptibility of this antiviral activity to Nef-mediated HLA-I downregulation. SL9-specific CTLs gained activity after SL9 translocation to Nef, going from Nef sensitive to Nef insensitive, indicating that translocation accelerated infected cell recognition from after to before HLA-I downregulation. KF11-specific CTL antiviral activity was unchanged and insensitive to HLA-I downregulation before and after KF11 translocation, suggesting that already rapid recognition of infected cells was not accelerated. However, TW10-specific CTLs that were insensitive to Nef at the baseline became sensitive with reduced antiviral activity after translocation, indicating that translocation retarded epitope expression. Cytosolic peptide processing assays suggested that TW10 was inefficiently generated after translocation to Nef, compared to SL9 and KF11. As a whole, these data demonstrate that epitope presentation kinetics play an important role in CTL antiviral efficiency, that Gag epitopes are not uniformly presented early, and that the epitope context can play a major role in presentation kinetics.     

Metabolomic fingerprinting of bull spermatozoa for identification of fertility signature metabolites

The objective of the study was to identify the fertility‐associated metabolites in bovine spermatozoa using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). Six Holstein Friesian crossbred bulls (three high‐fertile and three low‐fertile bulls) were the experimental animals. Sperm proteins were isolated and protein‐normalized samples were processed for metabolite extraction and subjected to LC‐MS/MS analysis. Mass spectrometry data were processed using iMETQ software and metabolites were identified using Human Metabolome DataBase while, Metaboanalyst 4.0 tool was used for statistical and pathway analysis. A total of 3,704 metabolites belonging to various chemical classes were identified in bull spermatozoa. After sorting out exogenous metabolites, 56 metabolites were observed common to both the groups while 44 and 35 metabolites were found unique to high‐ and low‐fertile spermatozoa, respectively. Among the common metabolites, concentrations of 19 metabolites were higher in high‐fertile compared to low‐fertile spermatozoa (fold change > 1.00). Spermatozoa metabolites with variable importance in projections score of more than 1.5 included hypotaurine, d ‐cysteine, selenocystine. In addition, metabolites such as spermine and l ‐cysteine were identified exclusively in high‐fertile spermatozoa. Collectively, the present study established the metabolic profile of bovine spermatozoa and identified the metabolomic differences between spermatozoa from high‐ and low‐fertile bulls. Among the sperm metabolites, hypotaurine, selenocysteine, l ‐malic acid, d ‐cysteine, and chondroitin 4‐sulfate hold the potential to be recognized as fertility‐associated metabolites.     

A Metal Organic Framework Derived Solid Electrolyte for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are currently considered as promising candidates for next‐generation energy storage technologies. However, their practical application is hindered by the critical issue of the polysulfide‐shuttle. Herein, a metal organic framework (MOF)‐derived solid electrolyte is presented to address it. The MOF solid electrolyte is developed based on a Universitetet i Oslo (UIO) structure. By grafting a lithium sulfonate (‐SO₃Li) group to the UIO ligand, both the ionic conductivity and the polysulfide‐suppression capability of the resulting ‐SO₃Li grafted UIO (UIOSLi) solid electrolyte are greatly improved. After integrating a Li‐based ionic liquid (Li‐IL), lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide in 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, the resulting Li‐IL/UIOSLi solid electrolyte exhibits an ionic conductivity of 3.3 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 at room temperature. Based on its unique structure, the Li‐IL/UIOSLi solid electrolyte effectively restrains the polysulfide shuttle and suppresses lithium dendritic growth. Lithium–sulfur cells with the Li‐IL/UIOSLi solid electrolyte and a Li₂S₆ catholyte show stable cycling performance that preserves 84% of the initial capacity after 250 cycles with a capacity‐fade rate of 0.06% per cycle.     

A Simple Intervention to Prevent Cutaneous Larva Migrans among Devotees of the Nallur Temple in Jaffna,Sri Lanka

Background

A cross sectional study conducted during the annual festival at Nallur temple in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, in 2010, showed that the prevalence of cutaneous larva migrants (CLM) among the devotees who performed the side roll ritual was 58.2% (95%CI: 51.2%–65.0%).

Objective

To test the hypothesis that the deworming stray dogs around the temple premises effectively reduces the prevalence of CLM among devotees.

Methodology/Principal Findings

All stray dogs (8) in the vicinity of the temple were treated, with mebendazole (100 mg) crushed and filled into sausages, 10 days before the commencement of festival in 2011. The same procedure was repeated a week later to ensure complete coverage. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 systematically selected devotees in August 2011 using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and the clinical examination of the skin. Baermann''s technique was used for the recovery of nematode larvae from 40 soil samples collected from the temple premises. Ten samples of dog faeces collected from the same premises were also examined for nematode eggs. Prevalence of CLM among devotees in 2010 (Pre intervention) and 2011(Post intervention) were compared to test the hypothesis. Prevalence of CLM declined from 58% to 8% (Chi-square = 112.90, p<0.001) following the intervention. None of the subjects practiced new precautionary measures compared to the previous year. Soil and fecal samples were negative for parasites.

Conclusions/Significance

Regular dog deworming is an important and effective method for the prevention of CLM among the devotees doing side roll ritual and represents a pragmatic intervention that municipal authorities could perform on annual basis.     

Hyperglycemia Enhances the Proliferation of Non-Tumorigenic and Malignant Mammary Epithelial Cells through Increased leptin/IGF1R Signaling and Activation of AKT/mTOR

Obesity and diabetes are associated with increased breast cancer risk and worse disease progression once cancer is diagnosed; however, the exact etiology behind these observations remains to be fully elucidated. Due to the global obesity/diabetes pandemic, it is imperative to understand how these diseases promote and enhance breast cancer and other common cancers. In this study we demonstrate that hyperglycemia promotes breast cancer by altering leptin/IGF1R and AKT/mTOR signaling. To our knowledge, we show for the first time that in breast epithelial cells, hyperglycemia alone directly impacts leptin signaling. Hyperglycemia increased proliferation of both non-tumorigenic and malignant mammary epithelial cells. These observations coincided with increased leptin receptor and IGF1R receptor, as well as, increased levels of GRB2, pJAK2, pSTAT3, pIRS1/2, pAKT, and p-mTOR. Moreover, pJAK2 was almost completely colocalized with leptin receptor under high glucose conditions. These results demonstrate how hyperglycemia can potentially increase the risk of breast cancer in premalignant lesions and enhance cancer progression in malignant cells.     

Inhibition of NADPH Oxidase Activation in Oligodendrocytes Reduces Cytotoxicity Following Trauma

Spinal cord injury is a debilitating neurological disorder that initiates a cascade of cellular events that result in a period of secondary damage that can last for months after the initial trauma. The ensuing outcome of these prolonged cellular perturbations is the induction of neuronal and glial cell death through excitotoxic mechanisms and subsequent free radical production. We have previously shown that astrocytes can directly induce oligodendrocyte death following trauma, but the mechanisms regulating this process within the oligodendrocyte remain unclear. Here we provide evidence demonstrating that astrocytes directly regulate oligodendrocyte death after trauma by inducing activation of NADPH oxidase within oligodendrocytes. Spinal cord injury resulted in a significant increase in oxidative damage which correlated with elevated expression of the gp91 phox subunit of the NADPH oxidase enzyme. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the presence of gp91 phox in oligodendrocytes in vitro and at 1 week following spinal cord injury. Exposure of oligodendrocytes to media from injured astrocytes resulted in an increase in oligodendrocyte NADPH oxidase activity. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase activation was sufficient to attenuate oligodendrocyte death in vitro and at 1 week following spinal cord injury, suggesting that excitotoxicity of oligodendrocytes after trauma is dependent on the intrinsic activation of the NADPH oxidase enzyme. Acute administration of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin and the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate channel blocker 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo[f]quinoxaline-2,3-dione significantly improved locomotor behavior and preserved descending axon fibers following spinal cord injury. These studies lead to a better understanding of oligodendrocyte death after trauma and identify potential therapeutic targets in disorders involving demyelination and oligodendrocyte death.     

Human gingival derived neuronal cells in the optimized caffeic acid hydrogel for hemitransection spinal cord injury model

Spinal cord injury induces scar formation causes axonal damage that leads to the degeneration of axonal function. Still, there is no robust conceptual design to regenerate the damaged axon after spinal injury. Therefore, the present study demonstrates that human gingival derived neuronal stem cells (GNSCs) transplants in the injectable caffeic acid bioconjugated hydrogel (CBGH) helps to bridge the cavity and promote the engraftment and repopulation of transplants in the injured spinal tissue. Our study reports that the bioluminescence imaging in vivo imaging system (IVIS) provides a satisfactory progression in CBGH-GNSCs transplants compare to lesion control and CBGH alone. Immune regulators interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α, neutrophil elastase are decreased, IL-10 is increased. Likewise, immunostaining (TAU/TUJ-1, SOX-2/NeuN, MAP-2/PSD93, NSE, S100b, and GFAP) shown repopulated cells. Also, TRA-1-81 expression confirms the absence of immune rejection in the CBGH-GNSCs transplants. However, locomotor recovery test, gene (IL-6, CASPASE3, p14-ARF, VEGF, LCAM, BDNF, NT3, NGN2, TrKc, FGF2, Sox-2, TUJ-1, MAP-2, Nestin, and NeuN) and protein expression (TAU, TUJ-1, SOX-2 MAP-2, PSD93, NeuN, TRA-1-81, GFAP, TAU, and MBP) shows functional improvements in the CBGH-GNSCs group. Further, GABA and glutamine level demonstrates the new synaptic vesicle formation. Hence, the CBGH scaffold enhances GNSCs transplants to restore the injured spinal tissue.     

Level of Trace Elements (Copper,Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium) and Toxic Elements (Lead and Mercury) in the Hair and Nail of Children with Autism

Autism is a multi-factorial pathology observed in children with altered levels of essential and elevated levels of toxic elements. There are also studies reporting a decrease in nutritional trace elements in the hair and nail of autistic children with healthy controls; moreover, bioelements have been shown to play an important role in the central nervous system. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to assess the levels of trace elements like copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and selenium (Se) and toxic elements like mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in the hair and nail samples of autistic children and to evaluate whether the level of these elements could be correlated with the severity of autism. The subjects of the study were 45 autistic children with different grades of severity (low (LFA), medium (MFA), and high (HFA) functioning autism) according to Childhood Autism Rating Scale, n = 15 children in each group and 50 healthy children (age and sex matched). The boys and girls ratio involved in this study was 4:1, and they were 4-12 years of age. The study observed a valid indication of Cu body burden in the autistic children. The children with different grades of autism showed high significance (p < 0.001) in the level of copper in their hair and nail samples when compared to healthy controls. The level of Cu in the autistic children could be correlated with their degree of severity (more the Cu burden severe is autism). The study showed a significant elevation (p < 0.001) in the levels of toxic metals Pb and Hg in both hair and nail samples of autistic children when compared to healthy control group. The elevation was much pronounced in LFA group subjects when compared among autistic groups MFA and HFA. The levels of trace elements Mg and Se were significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in autistic children when compared to control. The trace element Zn showed significant variation in both hair and nails of LFA group children when compared to control group and other study groups. The significant elevation in the concentration of Cu, Pb, and Hg and significant decrease in the concentration of Mg and Se observed in the hair and nail samples of autistic subjects could be well correlated with their degrees of severity.