Gold Nanowires-Based Hyperbolic Metamaterial Multiband Absorber Operating in the Visible and Near-Infrared Regimes

Plasmonics - Spectral feature of gold nanowires-based hyperbolic metamaterial (NWHMM) absorber was investigated. The absorber has NWHMM surface as the top layer, which is composed of periodically...     

Growth restricted in vitro culture conditions alter the imprinted gene expression patterns of mouse embryonic stem cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived clones and chimeras are often associated with growth abnormalities during fetal development, leading to the production of over/under-weight offspring that show elevated neonatal mortality and morbidity. Due to the role played by imprinted genes in controlling fetal growth, much of the blame is pointed at improper epigenetic reprogramming of cells used in the procedures. We have analyzed the expression pattern of two growth regulatory imprinted genes, namely insulin like growth factor II (Igf2) and H19, in mouse ES cells cultured under growth restricted conditions and after in vitro aging. Culture of cells with serum-depleted media (starvation) and at high cell density (confluence) increased the expression of both imprinted genes and led to aberrant methylation profiles of differentially methylated regions in key regulatory sites of Igf2 and H19. These findings confirm that growth constrained cultures of ES cells are associated with alterations to methylation of the regulatory domains and the expression patterns of imprinted genes, suggesting a possible role of epigenetic factors in the loss of developmental potential.     

Polymorphism of cytokine and innate immunity genes associated with bovine brucellosis in cattle

Genetic susceptibility to brucellosis is multifactorial, and it is known that impairment of the immune system could contribute to risk for getting brucellosis. The aim of the study was to find association of bovine brucellosis with 20 SNPs pertaining to bovine cytokine (IFNG, IFNGR1, IFNGR2, TNFA) and innate immunity (SLC11A1, TLR1, TLR4, and TLR9) genes using PCR-RFLP genotyping technique and it was observed that SLC11A1 (+1066 C/G), TLR1 (+1446 C/A), TLR1 (+1380 G/A), TLR4 (+10 C/T) and TLR4 (+399 C/T) loci were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) associated with bovine brucellosis. The odds ratios (OR) of CG and CC genotypes versus GG genotype were 0.31 (0.12–0.82; 95 % CI) and 0.18 (0.03–1.06; 95 % CI) at SLC11A1 (+1066 C/G) locus in cases of brucellosis affected cattle. For TLR1 (+1380 G/A) locus, the OR for AG and AA genotypes versus GG genotypes were 0.15 (0.05–0.44; 95 % CI) and 0.26 (0.04–1.47; 95 % CI) which indicated that proportion of GG homozygote was significantly higher in brucellosis affected animals as compared to control. At TLR1 (+1446 C/A) locus the OR of AC genotype versus CC genotype was 0.24 (0.08–0.68; 95 % CI) which revealed that relative proportion CC genotypes was significantly higher in case population. The TLR4 (+10 C/T) locus had three genotypes (TT, CT and CC) where OR of CT and CC genotypes versus TT genotype were near to zero. The OR of CT genotypes versus CC genotypes was 8.25 (0.94–71.92; 95 % CI) at TLR4 (+399 C/T) locus and indicated that CT genotype had higher odds of bovine brucellosis than control animals.     

L-Tryptophan-dependent biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) improves plant growth and colonization of maize by <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Burkholderia phytofirmans</Emphasis> PsJN

Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN is a well-known plant growth-promoting bacterium that establishes rhizospheric and endophytic colonization in different plants. PsJN inoculation promotes growth of different horticultural crops. L-Tryptophan (L-TRP) application may further improve its effectiveness, due to substrate (L-TRP)-dependent inoculum (PsJN)-derived auxins in the rhizosphere. In the present study, the substrate (L-TRP)-dependent response of PsJN inoculation to maize growth and auxin biosynthesis was evaluated under pot conditions. In vitro auxin biosynthesis by PsJN was determined in the absence and presence of L-TRP, a physiological precursor of auxins. Surface-disinfected seeds were treated with peat-based inoculum and L-TRP solutions (10^?4 and 10^?5 M). Results revealed that L-TRP application and PsJN inoculation, when applied separately, significantly increased the growth parameters of maize compared to untreated control. However, PsJN inoculation supplemented with L-TRP (10^?5 M) gave the most promising results and significantly increased plant height, photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, root biomass and shoot biomass up to 18, 16, 45, 62 and 55 %, respectively, compared to the uninoculated control. Similarly, higher values of N, P and IAA content were observed with precursor (L-TRP)–inoculum (PsJN) interaction. The inoculant strain efficiently colonized maize seedlings and was recovered from the rhizosphere, root and shoot of plants. The results imply that substrate (L-TRP)-derived IAA biosynthesis in the rhizosphere by PsJN inoculation could be a useful approach for improving the growth, photosynthesis and nutrient content of maize plants.     

Recent advances in mRNA-based vaccine for cancer therapy; bench to bedside

The messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have progressed from a theoretical concept to a clinical reality over the last few decades. Compared to conventional vaccination methods, these vaccines have a number of benefits, such as substantial potency, rapid growth, inexpensive production, and safe administration. Nevertheless, their usefulness was restricted up to now due to worries about the erratic and ineffective circulation of mRNA in vivo. Thankfully, these worries have largely been allayed by recent technological developments, which have led to the creation of multiple mRNA vaccination platforms for cancer and viral infections. The mRNA vaccines have been demonstrated as a powerful alternative to traditional conventional vaccines because of their high potency, safety and efficacy, capacity for rapid clinical development, and potential for rapid, low-cost manufacturing. The paper will examine the present status of mRNA vaccine technology and suggest future paths for the advancement and application of this exciting vaccine platform as a common therapeutic choice.     

A new method for assaying rat liver microsomal 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity and its application in a study of the effect of dietary cholesterol on this effect of dietary cholesterol on this enzyme.

A new method suitable for measuring rat liver 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity is described and its advantages over methods previously available are discussed. An accurate time course was measured for the inhibition of liver microsomal 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity by dietary cholesterol; this enzyme was affected 1 1/4 h after the rats began to consume a cholesterol-rich diet. In this experiment there was no correlation between concentrations of microsomal cholesterol ester and the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary-CoA reductase.     

Treatment of textile effluents with Pistia stratiotes,Eichhornia crassipes and Oedogonium sp.

Abstract

Phytoremediation by aquatic macrophytes is a promising technology with higher efficiency and no energy consumption. For this purpose, two macrophytes (Pistia stratiotes, Eichhornia crassipes), and an alga (Oedogonium sp.) were used to treat textile effluents rich in COD, BOD, dyes, and heavy metals (Pb, Fe, Cd, Cu). The aim of the study was to focus on comparative phytoremediation potential of these species by their metal removal capability. During 7?days experiment (day 0–day 6), the results showed that Oedogonium sp. was the best for COD removal and decolorization. Eichhornia crassipes was the best for BOD and heavy metal removal and proves more efficient than Pistia stratiotes and Oedogonium sp. However, Pistia stratiotes was found to accumulate more concentrations of Pb and Fe than Eichhornia stratiotes.     

Toward Filtering Aspects of Silver Nanowire-Based Hyperbolic Metamaterial

Plasmonics - The theme of paper is pivoted to the spectral characteristics of silver nanowire hyperbolic metamaterial (NWHMM)-based filter. The light waves were allowed to fall upon the NWHMM...     

Homogeneous enzyme immunoassay of chenodeoxycholate conjugates in serum.

It is shown that biased answers are given by the mathematical method used by Stein and his colleagues (Hankin B. L. Hankin, W. R. Lieb, and W. D. Stein (1972)Biochim. Biophys. Acta288, 114–126) to calculate $\text{K}{}_{21}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>ic</mtext>}}$, the half-saturation concentration for the entry of glucose into erythrocytes in infinite-cis conditions. A method for calculating $\text{K}{}_{21}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>ic</mtext>}}$ accurately is described and tested. The published estimates of $\text{K}{}_{21}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>ic</mtext>}}$ are low; nevertheless, even when they are revised upwards, the asymmetrical carrier model of glucose transport still fails to satisfy the “rejection criteria” of Hankin et al. (1972).