Dual emission carbon dots from carotenoids: Converting a single emission to dual emission

Dual emission carbon dots have a high potential for use as fluorescence‐based sensors with higher selectivity and sensitivity. This study demonstrated the possibility of conversion of a biological molecular system with a single emission peak to a double emission carbon dots system. This report is the first to describe the synthesis of dual emission carbon dots by tuning the electronic environment of a conjugated system. Here we prepared carbon dots from a natural extract, from which carotenoids were used as a new source for carbon dots. Formation of the carbon dots was confirmed by images obtained under a transmission electron microscope as well as from a dynamic light scattering study. The prepared carbon dots system was characterized and its optical property was monitored. The study showed that, after irradiation with microwaves, the fluorescence intensity of the whole system changed, without any change in the original peak position of the carotenoid but with the appearance of an additional peak. A Fourier transform infrared study confirmed breaking of the conjugated system. When using ethylene glycol as a surface passivating agent added to these carotenoid carbon dots, the dual emission spectra became more distinct.     

Activated charcoal filter effectively reduces p-benzosemiquinone from the mainstream cigarette smoke and prevents emphysema

In this paper, we have made a comparative evaluation of the cytotoxicity and pathophysiological effects of mainstream smoke from cellulose acetate (CA)-filtered cigarettes with that of charcoal-filtered cigarettes developed in our laboratory. Previously, we had demonstrated that the mainstream smoke from an Indian CA-filtered commercial cigarette contains p-benzosemiquinone (p-BSQ), a major, highly toxic, long-lived water-soluble radical. Here, we have examined 16 brands of different CA-filtered cigarettes including Kentucky research cigarettes, and observed that mainstream smoke from all the cigarettes contains substantial amounts of p-BSQ (100–200 μg/cigarette). We also show that when the CA filter is replaced by a charcoal filter, the amount of p-BSQ in the mainstream smoke is reduced by 73–80%, which is accompanied by a reduction of carbonyl formation in bovine serum albumin to the extent of 70–90%. The charcoal filter also prevented cytotoxicity in A549 cells as evidenced by MTT assay, apoptosis as evidenced by FACS analysis, TUNEL assay, overexpression of Bax, activation of p53 and caspase 3, as well as emphysematous lung damage in a guinea pig model as seen by histology and morphometric analysis. The results indicate that the charcoal filter developed in our laboratory may protect smokers from cigarette smoke-induced cytotoxity, protein modification, apoptosis and emphysema.     

Antagonizing canonical Wnt signaling pathway by recombinant human sFRP4 purified from E. coli and its implications in cancer therapy

During the last two decades, new insights into proteasome function and its role in several human diseases made it a potential therapeutic target. In this context, Amblyomin-X is a Kunitz-type FXa inhibitor similar to endogenous tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and is a novel proteasome inhibitor. Herein, we have demonstrated Amblyomin-X cytotoxicity to different tumor cells lines such as pancreatic (Panc1, AsPC1BxPC3) and melanoma (SK-MEL-5 and SK-MEL-28). Of note, Amblyomin-X was not cytotoxic to normal human fibroblast cells. In addition, Amblyomin-X promoted accumulation of ER stress markers (GRP78 and GADD153) in sensitive (SK-MEL-28) and bortezomib-resistant (Mia-PaCa-2) tumor cells. The intracellular calcium concentration [Ca²⁺] _i was slightly modulated in human tumor cells (SK-MEL-28 and Mia-PaCa-2) after 24 h of Amblyomin-X treatment. Furthermore, Amblyomin-X induced mitochondrial dysfunction, cytochrome-c release, PARP cleavage, and activation of caspase cascade in both human tumor (SK-MEL-28 and Mia-PaCa-2) cells. These investigations might help in further understanding of the antitumor properties of Amblyomin-X.     

Habitat Attributes and Waterbird-Use of Four Wetlands in Manas National Park,Assam, India

We studied the relationship between habitat characteristics and the use of wetlands by the waterbirds over 5 years in Manas National Park, Assam. Patterns of temporal and spatial variation in waterbird diversity, abundance and community composition were quantified in relation to eight wetland attributes. There were significant declines in majority of the waterbird species during the course of this study; carnivorous and omnivorous birds being the major sufferers. The waterbird communities exhibited both spatial and temporal shifts in distribution and community composition along with the shifts in their major food resources, and primary productivity of the wetlands did not appear to play a major role in these shifts. Our study also demonstrates that the observed declines in waterbird abundances were associated with declines in zooplankton and macroinvertebrate densities. Temporal changes in wetland size also played some roles in the waterbird decline and community composition.     

Sequences, geographic variations and molecular phylogeny of venom phospholipases and threefinger toxins of eastern India Bungarus fasciatus and kinetic analyses of its Pro31 phospholipases A2

Eight phospholipases A2 (PLAs) and four three-finger-toxins (3FTx) from the pooled venom of Bungarus fasciatus (Bf) were previously studied and sequenced, but their expression pattern in individual Bf venom and possible geographic variations remained to be investigated. We herein analyze the individual venom of two Bf specimens from Kolkata (designated as KBf) to address this question. Seven PLAs and five 3FTx were purified from the KBf venoms, and respective cDNAs were cloned from venom glands of one of the snakes. Comparison of their mass and N-terminal sequence revealed that all the PLAs were conserved in both KBf venoms, but that two of their 3FTx isoforms were variable. When comparing the sequences of these KBf-PLAs with those published, only one was found to be identical to that of Bf Vb-2, and the other five were 94-98% identical to those of Bf II, III, Va, VI and XI-2, respectively. Notably, the most abundant PLA isoforms of Bf and KBf venoms contain Pro31 substitution. They were found to have abnormally low k(cat) values but high affinity for Ca2+. Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of venom group IA PLAs showed a close relationship between Bungarus and Australian and marine Elapidae. As the five deduced sequences of KBf-3FTx are only 62-82% identical to the corresponding Bf-3FTx from the pooled venom, the 3FTx apparently have higher degree of individual and geographic variations than the PLAs. None of the KBf-3FTx was found to be neurotoxic or very lethal; phylogenetic analyses of the 3FTx also revealed the unique evolution of Bf as compared with other kraits.     

Occurrence of non-protein low molecular weight cardiotoxin in Indian King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) Cantor 1836, venom

Pathophysiology due to snakebite is a combined effect of various actions of the complex venom constituents. Importance of protein toxins in snake envenomation is well known. The present investigation reports the existence of nonprotein/nonpetide low molecular weight toxin in Indian King Cobra venom, which plays an important role in envenomation consequences in experimental animal models. A group of non-peptidic toxins (OH-NPT1) was isolated from Indian King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah by thin layer chromatography and silica gel column chromatography. UV, IR, NMR and (ESI) TOF-MS studies characterized the OH-NPT1 as a mixture of aliphatic acids having molecular weights 256, 326 and 340Da. The minimum lethal dose of OH-NPT1 was found to be 2.5 microg/20g (iv) and 4microg/20g (ip) in male albino mice. The cardiotoxic property of OH-NPT1 was established through studies on isolated guinea pig heart and auricle preparations, ECG studies in albino rat and estimation of LDH1/LDH and CPK-MB/CPK ratio in Swiss albino mice. Commercial antiserum failed to neutralize the lethality and cardiotoxicity of the toxin. However, calcium and magnesium effectively neutralized the lethal action.     

Viper and cobra venom neutralization by β-sitosterol and stigmasterol isolated from the root extract of Pluchea indica Less. (Asteraceae)

We reported previously that the methanolic root extract of the Indian medicinal plant Pluchea indica Less. (Asteraceae) could neutralize viper venom-induced action [Alam, M.I., Auddy, B., Gomes, A., 1996. Viper venom neutralization by Indian medicinal plant (Hemidesmus indicus and P. indica) root extracts. Phytother. Res. 10, 58-61]. The present study reports the neutralization of viper and cobra venom by beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol isolated from the root extract of P. indica Less. (Asteraceae). The active fraction (containing the major compound beta-sitosterol and the minor compound stigmasterol) was isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography and the structure was determined using spectroscopic analysis (EIMS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR). Anti-snake venom activity was studied in experimental animals. The active fraction was found to significantly neutralize viper venom-induced lethal, hemorrhagic, defibrinogenation, edema and PLA(2) activity. Cobra venom-induced lethality, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, respiratory changes and PLA(2) activity were also antagonized by the active component. It potentiated commercial snake venom antiserum action against venom-induced lethality in male albino mice. The active fraction could antagonize venom-induced changes in lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activity. This study suggests that beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol may play an important role, along with antiserum, in neutralizing snake venom-induced actions.     

Clove Oil Efficacy on the Red Spider Mite, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oligonychus coffeae</Emphasis> Nietner (Acari: Tetranychidae) Infesting Tea Plants

The tea red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae Nietner (Tetranychidae), is an economically important pest of agricultural and ornamental crops and considered one of the major pests of tea plants in North-east India. In view of increasing resistance recorded in insect and mite pests against pesticides, a study was conducted to determine the acaricidal, antiovipositional, repellent and ovicidal activities of clove oil (an essential oil from the clove plant, Syzygium aromaticum L. Merr. & Perry: Myrtaceae) against tea-red-spider-mite. Mortality of O. coffeae varied with the concentrations and the duration of exposure time of the mites after application of oil. Rate of deposition of eggs by mites on treated leaf surfaces as well as the viability rate of eggs decreased significantly. In addition, certain concentrations of clove oil have been proved effective against adult mites.     

GroES and GroEL are essential chaperones for refolding of recombinant human phospholipid scramblase 1 in <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis>

Human phospholipid scramblase 1(hPLSCR1), when expressed in E. coli (BL-21 DE3), forms inclusion bodies that are functionally inactive. We studied the effects of various stress inducing agents and chaperones on soluble expression of hPLSCR1 in E. coli (BL-21 DE3). Addition of 3% (v/v) ethanol before induction and decreasing the post-induction temperature to 15°C increased the solubility of hPLSCR1 to ~10 and ~15% respectively. Presence of groES-groEL complex solubilized the hPLSCR1 to ~30% of the total hPLSCR1. Absence of groES-groEL did not improve the solubility of hPLSCR1 suggesting that groES and groEL are the essential chaperones for the correct folding of hPLSCR1 when over-expressed in E. coli.