Biodegradation of pyrene by bacterial consortia: Impact of natural surfactants and iron oxide nanoparticles.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are potentially hazardous compounds that could cause a severe impact on many ecosystems. They are very challenging to remove using conventional methods due to their hydrophobic nature. However, this issue can be resolved by utilizing surface-active molecules to increase their bioavailability.

Impact of Surface Charge-Tailored Gold Nanorods for Selective Targeting of Mitochondria in Breast Cancer Cells Using Photodynamic Therapy.

Herein, the impact of surface charge tailored of gold nanorods (GNRs) on breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) upon conjugation with triphenylphosphonium (TPP) for improved photodynamic therapy (PDT) targeting mitochondria was studied. The salient features of the study are as follows: (i) positive (CTAB@GNRs) and negative (PSS-CTAB@GNRs) surface-charged gold nanorods were developed and characterized; (ii) the mitochondrial targeting efficiency of gold nanorods was improved by conjugating TPP molecules; (iii) the conjugated nanoprobes (TPP-CTAB@GNRs and TPP-PSS-CTAB@GNRs) were evaluated for PDT in the presence of photosensitizer (PS), 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in breast cancer cells; (iv) both nanoprobes (TPP-CTAB@GNRs and TPP-PSS-CTAB@GNRs) induce apoptosis, damage DNA, generate reactive oxygen species, and decrease mitochondrial membrane potential upon 5-ALA-based PDT; and (v) 5-ALA-PDT of two nanoprobes (TPP-CTAB@GNRs and TPP-PSS-CTAB@GNRs) impact cell signaling (PI3K/AKT) pathway by upregulating proapoptotic genes and proteins. Based on the results, we confirm that the positively charged (rapid) nanoprobes are more advantageous than their negatively (slow) charged nanoprobes.

ARCHITECT HBsAg Next assay is positioned better to resolve and refine challenging weak reactive clinical samples.

Background: Ultrasensitive HBsAg assays are replacing the previous versions. Unlike the sensitivity, the specificity, and its positioning to resolve weak-reactives (WR) are not studied. We investigated the ability of ARCHITECT HBsAg-Next (HBsAg-Nx) assay to resolve WR and sought its clinical validation and correlation with confirmatory/reflex testing.

Longitudinal assessment of HCV core antigen kinetics to monitor therapeutic response in the age of DAAs.

Background: In the economy of therapeutic monitoring, an affordable viral marker is essential in the era of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). We elucidated the kinetics of HCVcAg to delineate its precise role in monitoring therapeutic response.

Methods: In this longitudinal study, 3208 patients were tested for HCV RNA.

Versatile performance edges of HBsAg Next assay in diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of HBV infection.

Background: HBsAg Next assay (HBsAgNx) claims improved detection of HBsAg. The aim was to investigate its performance in ascertaining HBsAg loss, ability to detect HBsAg in various phases of HBV infection, specificity and its amenability to in-house neutralization.

Methods: Analytical sensitivity was investigated using NIBSC standard (3rd WHO-IS).

Interaction of N-acyltaurines with phosphatidylcholines.

N-acyltaurines (NATs) are biologically active amphiphilic lipids. They come under the group of compounds known as N-acyl amino acids. NATs were first detected in the brain and other tissues in mice lacking the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase FAAH (-/-).

Cryopreservation process alters the expression of genes involved in pathways associated with the fertility of bull spermatozoa.

In bovines, cryopreserved semen is used for artificial insemination; however, the fertility of cryopreserved semen is far lower than that of fresh semen. Although cryopreservation alters sperm phenotypic characteristics, its effect on sperm molecular health is not thoroughly understood. The present study applied next-generation sequencing to investigate the effect of cryopreservation on the sperm transcriptomic composition of bull spermatozoa.

Graphene oxide-rhodamine nanocomposite for picomolar detection of chromium(III) by fluorimetry and its biofilm inhibition.

Graphene oxide-rhodamine B hydrazide (GO-RhB) nanocomposite was prepared by a simple chemical method and characterized by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques. GO-RhB nanocomposite potentially detects Cr ion (excitation/emission = 550 nm/572 nm) via fluorescence turn "on-off" approach. This composite showed high binding affinity (10 M) with Cr and a+ limit of detection (LOD) down to picomolar concentration (LOD = 85.

Function and therapeutic potential of N-acyl amino acids.

N-acyl amino acids (NAAs) are amphiphilic molecules, with different potential fatty acid and head group moieties. NAAs are the largest family of anandamide congener lipids discovered to date. In recent years, several NAAs have been identified as potential ligands, engaging novel binding sites and mechanisms for modulation of membrane proteins such as G-protein coupled receptors (GPRs), nuclear receptors, ion channels, and transporters.

On the poro-elastic models for microvascular blood flow resistance: An in vitro validation.

Nowadays, adequate and accurate representation of the microvascular flow resistance constitutes one of the major challenges in computational haemodynamic studies. In this work, a theoretical, porous media framework, ultimately designed for representing downstream resistance, is presented and compared against an in vitro experimental results. The resistor consists of a poro-elastic tube, with either a constant or variable porosity profile in space.

Revisiting CRISPR/Cas-mediated crop improvement: Special focus on nutrition.

Genome editing (GE) technology has emerged as a multifaceted strategy that instantaneously popularised the mechanism to modify the genetic constitution of an organism. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein-based genome editing (CRISPR/Cas) approach has huge potential for efficacious editing of genomes of numerous organisms. This framework has demonstrated to be more economical in contrast to mega-nucleases, zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) for its flexibility, versatility, and potency.

In the Spotlight: Role of Gla-100 in the Glycemic Management of Hospitalized people with diabetes.

Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia in hospitalized patients represent a major concern as they are associated with adverse outcomes-including increased rates of infection, longer hospital stay, and even death. Insulin therapy is the mainstay in the management of inpatient hyperglycemia. The traditional approach of sliding scale insulin (SSI) therapy for the temporary management of blood glucose levels in hospitalized patients, has now given way to basal-bolus insulin (BBI) therapy.

Characterization of the molecular packing, thermotropic phase behaviour and critical micellar concentration of a homologous series of N-acyltaurines (n = 9-18). PXRD, DSC and fluorescence spectroscopic studies.

N-acyltaurines (NATs) are amides of fatty acids that can be structurally related to endocannabinoids. They show interesting physiological and pharmacological properties. We have synthesized a homologous series of NATs with saturated acyl chains (n = 9-18) and investigated their supramolecular structure and thermotropic phase transitions by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Impact and Role of Bacterial Communities on Biocorrosion of Metals Used in the Processing Industry.

In the present study, the effects of the corrosive bacterial community and the biofilm on cooling water systems made from mild steel (MS) and brass (BR) were studied under field exposure conditions using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction methods. Results from16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the predominant bacteria species detected in the biofilm of MS and BR metals during 360 days of exposure were EN14, EN15, EN16, and EN17. The weight loss results revealed that a higher corrosion rate was observed in MS (0.

A quick, easy and cost-effective method to develop direct transformants in wheat.

mediated method was used to transform Indian elite wheat genotype HD2894 with herbicide-tolerant - (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) gene. The apical meristems of germinated seeds were targeted for introgression of transgene. The obtained T plants were screened by spraying 1% glyphosate and only positive transformants survived.

A novel porous media-based approach to outflow boundary resistances of 1D arterial blood flow models.

In this paper we introduce a novel method for prescribing terminal boundary conditions in one-dimensional arterial flow networks. This is carried out by coupling the terminal arterial vessel with a poro-elastic tube, representing the flow resistance offered by microcirculation. The performance of the proposed porous media-based model has been investigated through several different numerical examples.

Effective elimination of biofilm formed with waterborne pathogens using copper nanoparticles.

In this paper, the self assembling properties of taurolipids were used to prepare stable copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), and demonstrated the ability of CuNPs to eradicate the biofilms formed by waterborne pathogens. The synthesized CuNPs display wine red color and exhibited surface plasmon resonance with a maximum at 590 nm. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the CuNPs are well-dispersed with spherical morphology and the size range between 5 and 12 nm.

Occurrence of flea infestation on goats under stall fed condition and its control.

A total 1862 goats from 12 stall fed goat farms under slatted floor system were examined for the presence flea infestation in six districts of Tamil Nadu. Overall prevalence of flea infestation on goat was 30.79% of which, 72.

A Population Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Analysis of RP5063 Phase 2 Study Data in Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder.

Background And Objective: RP5063 is a novel multimodal dopamine (D)-serotonin (5-HT) stabilizer possessing partial agonist activity for D and 5-HT, antagonist activity for 5-HT and moderate affinity for the serotonin transporter. Phase 2 trial data analysis of RP5063 involving patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder defined: (1) the pharmacokinetic profile; and (2) the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships.

Methods: Pharmacokinetic sample data (175 patients on RP5063; 28 doses/patient) were analyzed, utilized one- and two-compartment models, and evaluated the impact of covariates.

Tick infestation on sheep, goat, horse and wild hare in Tamil Nadu.

The prevalence of tick infestation and their predilection sites on sheep, goat, horse and wild hare were studied at various places of Tamil Nadu, India. The prevalence of tick infestation in Madras red sheep, Tellicherry goat and horse was 77.11, 78.

Tick infestation in human beings in the Nilgiris and Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, India.

Thirteen human beings were infested with ticks at Sandynallah and Gudalur of the Nilgiris district and Mottur Suruvakkam of Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu from January 2016 to December 2016. The collected ticks were identified as , and The tick infestation was observed more on the persons working with animals (sheep and goats) than those working in tea estate. The person infested with revealed erythematous papule (2 mm size) and inflammatory lesion up to 16 days whereas, the people infested with showed continuous itching and irritation for > 6 months and wound formation (0.

Oral Field Cancerization and Its Clinical Implications in the Management in Potentially Malignant Disorders.

Oral cancer is one of the common malignancies reported in India. Most of these cancers are preceded by potentially malignant disorders. Despite improvements in the management strategies of these cancers the posttreatment prognosis has remained poor.

Distribution of larval and pupal stages of (Diptera: Simuliidae) flies in the Nilgiris hills of Tamil Nadu.

Endemicity of onchocerciasis (river blindness) in humans is linked to the location of spp. (black fly). The distribution of immature stages of in Sholur, Pykara, Gudalur, Coonoor and Kotagiri streams of the Nilgiris hills of Tamil Nadu was investigated during the months of May and July 2012.

Sarcoptic mange infestation in rabbits in an organized farm at Tamil Nadu.

are burrowing mites which causes major constraints in rabbit production. Eighty-eight rabbits were examined for mange infestation at University Research Farm, Tamil Nadu. Overall incidence of mange infestation in rabbit was 23.

Dopamine serotonin stabilizer RP5063: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial of safety and efficacy in exacerbation of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

The study objectives were to evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of RP5063 versus placebo. The study was conducted in adults with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. This 28-day, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind study randomized 234 subjects to RP5063 15, 30, or 50mg; aripiprazole; or placebo (3:3:3:1:2) once daily.