Publications by authors named "Balu K"

We recently identified that the cerebral mRNA expression of inducible costimulator (ICOS) and its ligand, ICOSL, both significantly increase during the elimination of cysts from the brains of infected mice by the perforin-mediated cytotoxic activity of CD8 T cells. In the present study, we examined the role of ICOS in activating the effector activity of CD8 T cells in response to the presence of cysts in infected mice. Following the adoptive transfer of splenic CD8 T cells from chronically infected ICOS-deficient (ICOS) and wild-type (WT) mice to infected SCID mice, fewer CD8 T cells were detected in the brains of the recipients of ICOS CD8 T cells than the recipients of WT CD8 T cells.

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Human DNA ligase 1 (LIG1) finalizes DNA repair pathways by an ultimate ligation step and discriminates against nicks containing unusual ends, yet the contribution of the conserved active site residues for faithful end joining remains unknown. Here, using biochemistry, X-ray crystallography, and single-molecule approaches, we comprehensively characterized LIG1 mutants carrying Ala(A) and Leu(L) substitutions at the active site residues Phe(F)635 and Phe(F)872. Our results showed an abolished ligation of nick DNA substrates with all 12 non-canonical mismatches, while the mutagenic nick sealing of oxidatively damaged ends by wild-type enzyme is significantly reduced by F635A/L and F872A/L substitutions.

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Ribonucleotides in DNA cause several types of genome instability and can be removed by ribonucleotide excision repair (RER) that is finalized by DNA ligase 1 (LIG1). However, the mechanism by which LIG1 discriminates the RER intermediate containing a 5'-RNA-DNA lesion generated by RNase H2-mediated cleavage of ribonucleotides at atomic resolution remains unknown. Here, we determine X-ray structures of LIG1/5'-rG:C at the initial step of ligation where AMP is bound to the active site of the ligase and uncover a large conformational change downstream the nick resulting in a shift at Arg(R)871 residue in the Adenylation domain of the ligase.

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Aim: To assess the level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the unstimulated saliva of autism children and normal children.

Methods: A total of 60 children participated in the study (autism children-30; normal children-30) in the age-group of 7-14 years, at a Special Needs Children's Home in Salem district. Both groups were further subdivided into subgroups of 15 children each (caries-free and caries-active).

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For the sustainable advancement of industrial expansion that is environmentally conscious, harmful dyes must be removed from wastewater. Untreated effluents containing colors have the potential to harm the ecosystem and pose major health risks to people, animals, and aquatic life. Here, we have fabricated Ni or Fe modified with BaTiO materials and effectively utilized them for Reactive Red 120 (RR 120) dye degradation under UV-A light.

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Article Synopsis
  • DNA ligase 1 (LIG1) is crucial for repairing broken DNA strands, but it struggles to repair strands with certain oxidative damages produced during the base excision repair (BER) pathway.
  • Researchers determined the 3D structures of LIG1 interacting with nicked DNA that has these damages and found that it still engages with mutated repair intermediates during the repairing process.
  • The study reveals how LIG1, along with other enzymes like DNA polymerase β (polβ) and APE1, work together to handle oxidative DNA damage and maintain effective DNA repair despite the presence of mutagenic issues.
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Human DNA ligase 1 (LIG1) is the main replicative ligase that seals Okazaki fragments during nuclear replication and finalizes DNA repair pathways by joining DNA ends of the broken strand breaks in the three steps of the ligation reaction. LIG1 can tolerate the RNA strand upstream of the nick, yet an atomic insight into the sugar discrimination mechanism by LIG1 against a ribonucleotide at the 3'-terminus of nick DNA is unknown. Here, we determined X-ray structures of LIG1/3'-RNA-DNA hybrids and captured the ligase during pre- and post-step 3 the ligation reaction.

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In recent years, researchers have been actively investigating metal oxide-based materials with narrow bandgaps due to their potential applications toward wastewater treatment and oxygen evolution reactions (OER). In this study, we successfully synthesized g-CN (GCN), FeO and FeO/g-CN (FGCN) using thermal polymerization and hydrothermal methods. We characterized the physicochemical and structural properties of these materials through various analytical techniques including XRD, FT-IR, UV-DRS, XPS, FE-SEM, and HR-TEM analyses, confirming the effective construction of the FGCN composite catalyst.

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Cancer-specific CD8 cytotoxic T cells play important roles in preventing cancer growth, and IFN-γ, in addition to IL-12 and type I interferon, is critical for activating CD8 cytotoxic T cells. We recently identified the capability of the amino-terminus region of dense granule protein 6 (GRA6Nt) of , an intracellular protozoan parasite, to activate IFN-γ production of microglia, a tissue-resident macrophage population. Therefore, in the present study, we examined whether recombinant GRA6Nt protein (rGRA6Nt) functions as an effective adjuvant to potently activate cancer-specific protective immunity using a murine model of MC38 colorectal cancer (CRC).

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Myocardial I/R can alter the expression of different sets of cardiac genes that negatively influence the I/R outcome via epigenetic modifications. Fisetin is known to be cardioprotective against I/R, but its underlying epigenetic mode of action is not known and is addressed in the present study. Male Wistar rats were subjected to I/R by using the Langendorff perfusion system.

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Compositional and structural elucidation of the materials is important to know their properties, chemical stability, and electro-photoactivity. The heterojunction electrocatalyst and photocatalyst activity could open a new window for solving the most urgent environmental and energy problems. Here, for the first time, we have designed and fabricated BiO/bismuth titanates modified with MOF-InS/CdInS materials by a stepwise process.

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In this study, we utilized calcination and simple impregnation methods to successfully fabricate bare g-CN (GCN) and x% Ag/g-CN (x% AgGCN) composite photocatalysts with various weight percentages (x = 1, 3, 5, and 7 wt.%). The synthesized bare and composite photocatalysts were analyzed to illustrate their phase formation, functional group, morphology, and optical properties utilizing XRD, FT-IR, UV-Vis DRS, PL, FE-SEM, and the EDS.

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Groundwater in the Coimbatore region is very much essential for irrigation and human beings' day-to-day life activities. This research focuses on the impact of anthropogenic activities on the surface water quality of four tanks in Coimbatore city and its influences on disturbing the groundwater quality as well. Water quality is degrading as a result of encroachment and other anthropogenic activities.

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Background: Various clinical methods for recording the condylar guidance (CG) are the intraoral check bite method, graphic tracings, and functional recordings. Accuracy of graphic tracings is affected by patient-related factors such as neuromuscular control of the individual, stability of record bases as well as stability of recording media. The current recommended average settings using Hanau's formula questionable, and thus reassessment is needed.

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Chitinase from the leaves of Simarouba glauca, a plant used in traditional anti-inflammatory therapy is purified and characterized. Peptide mass finger print analysis revealed the protein as an endo-chitinase which was further confirmed using chitin-agar assay. The enzyme exhibited significant anti-fungal efficacy against phyto-pathogens such as Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium oxysporum and Sclerotium rolfsii.

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Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate cytotoxicity of tricyclodecane dimethanol diacrylate (TCDDMDA) when added to conventional heat-cure methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer at 10% and 20% (v/v) concentrations.

Materials And Methods: Twenty seven disk-shaped processed specimens were divided into control group ( = 9; comprises specimens made without substituting TCDDMDA in MMA) and two experimental groups ( = 9 each; specimens prepared by substituting TCDDMDA in MMA at 10% and 20% (v/v) concentration). Eluates were prepared by placing three specimens of each group into 9 mL of culture medium and then incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours.

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ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) possess a wide range of biological functions in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications due to their excellent antimicrobial, optical and UV protective properties. This study first reports the toxicological assessment of ZnO NPs green synthesized from Jatropha curcas shells for multifunctional biomedical applications. The hot water extract of J.

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Background: Polymerization shrinkage and fracture are the two common trouble shoots with denture base resins. Polymerization shrinkage affects the dimensional accuracy and fit of the prosthesis. The effect of zirconia (ZrO) nanoparticles on polymerization shrinkage is not documented yet.

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Protease inhibitors from plants play major role in defensive mechanism against various pathogenic organisms. AMTIN from the tubers of Alocasia macrorrhiza has been purified and characterized as multi-functional Kunitz type protease inhibitor. AMTIN is varied from other KTIs by having three different loops specific for binding to trypsin/amylase and subtilisin that are located approximately 30Ǻ away from one another as evidenced from crystallographic efforts.

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The herbal nanoparticles were prepared from shade dried plant leaves employing ball milling technique using different process parameters, like ball ratio/size and milling time. The obtained nanoparticles were comprehensively characterised using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and antimicrobial analysis techniques. The crystallinity of the nanoparticles was retained without altering even though the particle size changes due to milling periods.

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Maxillary defects occur either as a result of surgical resection of malignant tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses or of the congenital causes. Rehabilitation of the patients with maxillectomy defects presents a challenge in restoring the lost form, function and speech. Maxillary interim obturators in prosthetic reconstruction of the defects are often complicated with lack of adequate retention, stability, and support.

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Loss of maxillo facial structures due to neoplasm, trauma and accidents gives inconsolable mental, physical and psychological agony to a person's dignified life in his living society. Surgical reconstruction was not feasible for all cases and certain cases needs prosthetic rehabilitation. In this clinical case report, an innovative, simple three part maxillo orbital prosthesis fabrication using magnets was explained.

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Members of the novel SH2-containing protein (NSP3) and Crk-associated substrate (p130Cas) protein families form a multi-domain signalling platforms that mediate cell signalling process. We analysed the damaging consequences of three mutations, each from NSP3 (NSP3(L469R), NSP3(L623E), NSP3(R627E)) and p130Cas (p130Cas(F794R), p130Cas(L787E), p130Cas(D797R)) protein with respect to their native biological partners. Mutations depicted notable loss in interaction affinity towards their corresponding biological partners.

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Oculocutaneous albinism type 1A (OCA1A) is the most severe form of albinism characterized by a complete lack of melanin production throughout life and is caused by mutations in the TYR gene. TYR gene codes tyrosinase protein to its relation with melanin formation by knowing the function of these SNPs. Based on the computational approaches, we have analyzed the genetic variations that could change the functional behaviour by altering the structural arrangement in TYR protein which is responsible for OCA1A.

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Pre-prosthetic surgery is that part of oral and maxillofacial surgery which restores oral function and facial form. This is concerned with surgical modification of the alveolar process and its surrounding structures to enable the fabrication of a well-fitting, comfortable, and esthetic dental prosthesis. The ultimate goal of pre-prosthetic surgery is to prepare a mouth to receive a dental prosthesis by redesigning and smoothening bony edges.

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