Nano silver entrapped in phospholipids membrane: synthesis, characteristics and antibacterial kinetics

The antimicrobial property of stabilized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with phospholipid membrane was investigated on both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacterial strains. The influence of phospholipid concentrations on antibacterial kinetics actions of AgNPs was studied with two different methodologies in order to understand the bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects. The bacterial inactivation of synthesized AgNPs fitted well to the Chick-Watson model with a high regression coefficient, R(2) > 0.91. The antibacterial properties of AgNPs depend on the particle size, stabilizer and lecithin concentrations. Only the stabilized AgNPs that have the K(lec/Ag) values of 1 and 2 presented the inhabitation zone, while unstabilized AgNPs agglomerated quickly, settled on the wells and did not diffuse in agar. In addition, the specific coefficient of lethality depends on the lecithin concentration. An increase in lecithin concentration caused multilayer creation on the AgNPs' surface and reduced the release of AgNPs which led to low bacterial killing rate.     

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES IN PONDEROSA PINE. I. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VARIATION IN PROTEINS AND MORPHOLOGY

Ponderosa pine from California (Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa) were crossed to one another and also to individuals from the Rocky Mountains (P. p. var. scopulorum). All crosses involved a single mother and a single pollen donor. Patterns of inheritance of electrophoretically-detectable loci followed Mendelian expectations with one exception. Shikimate dehydrogenase showed unpredictable banding patterns in intervarietal crosses. Variability at these biochemical loci was compared to variability at 14 morphometric characters. The relationship between these two levels of variation is complex and permits only one generalization: variability at one level is not a good predictor of variability at the other level.     

Nano photo scouring and nano photo bleaching of raw cellulosic fabric using nano TiO2

Photo catalytic action of nano TiO(2) for decomposing of some organic compounds is a well known phenomenon. This can be extended to the application on nano TiO(2) on the desized cotton fabric to decompose the hydrophobic impurities and coloring matters of the fabric. This can be nominating as a replacement for the conventional scouring and bleaching processes on cotton fabric producing the hydrophilic white cotton fabric. The photo activities of the nano TiO(2) on the desized cotton through decomposition of the cotton impurities compared for two different light exposures: UV rays and daylight. The desized cotton fabrics treated in the ultrasonic bath containing a colloidal aqueous solution of nano TiO(2)/citric acid (CA)/sodium hypophosphite (SHP). Incorporating CA in the treatment bath enhanced the treatment durability against washing, created a durable hydrophilic white cotton fabric even after several successive washings. Increasing the nano TiO(2) content enhanced the fabric hydrophilicity and whiteness features. Overall, the nano photo scouring and nano photo bleaching on the cotton fabric introduced and thoroughly discussed. This gains the application of nano TiO(2) on textile materials besides the other well known characteristics obtained on the textiles including self-cleaning, antibacterial and UV protection.     

Comparison of Carnoy's solution and 96% ethyl alcohol fixation in bloody Pap smears

OBJECTIVE: To compare 2 methods of fixation in bloody Pap smears with Carnoy's solution and 96% ethyl alcohol. STUDY DESIGN: After observation of contact bleeding, 2 samples were prepared from cervical cells with conventional Pap smear. One sample was fixed in 96% ethyl alcohol and another sample was fixed in Carnoy's solution. RESULTS: Of 450 slides, 410 were selected for study. In study of cell adequacy, diagnosis of squamous cells and glandular cells was better in Carnoy's-fixed slides. Blood contamination of slides was reduced in Carnoy's-fixed slides (13.85% vs. 49.51%), and clearance of slides was increased in Carnoy's-fixed slides. Diagnosis of inflammatory cells and pathogenic microorganisms in was increased in Carnoy's-fixed slides, but no difference was seen in diagnosis of epithelial cell and glandular cell abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Carnoy's solution can be used as an effective fixative in bloody smears in conventional Pap tests.     

Regulation of phenylacetic acid degradation genes of Burkholderia cenocepacia K56-2

Background  

Metabolically versatile soil bacteria Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) have emerged as opportunistic pathogens, especially of cystic fibrosis (CF). Previously, we initiated the characterization of the phenylacetic acid (PA) degradation pathway in B. cenocepacia, a member of the Bcc, and demonstrated the necessity of a functional PA catabolic pathway for full virulence in Caenorhabditis elegans. In this study, we aimed to characterize regulatory elements and nutritional requirements that control the PA catabolic genes in B. cenocepacia K56-2.     

Correlation between the immune checkpoints and EMT genes proposes potential prognostic and therapeutic targets in ESCC

Journal of Molecular Histology - PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, and LAG-3, crucial immune checkpoint molecules in the tumor microenvironment, identify as key targets for cancer immunotherapy. There is...     

Influence of temperature on stability of multilamellar liposomes in wool dyeing

Liposomes are lipid vesicles that are composed of amphiphile molecules and can carry hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials. In this research work liposomes used as carrier for transfer of dye molecules into wool fibers. The preparation and production of multilamellar liposomes (MLV) from Soya lecithin were carried out and the behavior of liposomes at different temperature was studied. The effect of different concentration of liposomes in the dye exhaustion profile of two dyes (Namely, Irgalan Blue FBL and Lanaset Blue 2R) at two different temperatures of 85 degrees C and 95 degrees C on the wool fabric was investigated. The results showed that presence of liposomes in the dye-bath helps to increase the dye absorption on the wool fabric before 80 degrees C. Dyeing at higher temperature and longer time leads to a decrease in the final exhaustion along with increase in the liposomes concentration. Liposomes at high temperature converted to the disperse phospholipids unimers that may deposited on the fabric surface and may produce a hydrophobic barrier against absorption of dye. The presence of 1% o.w.f. (on weight of fabric) of liposomes at 85 degrees C improved the dye exhaustion of Irgalan Blue FBL on the wool fabric. The wash fastness properties of samples which dyed in the dye-bath containing liposomes also improved.