Understanding heterogeneity of human bone marrow plasma cell maturation and survival pathways by single-cell analyses.

Human bone marrow (BM) plasma cells are heterogeneous, ranging from newly arrived antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) to long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs). We provide single-cell transcriptional resolution of 17,347 BM ASCs from five healthy adults. Fifteen clusters are identified ranging from newly minted ASCs (cluster 1) expressing MKI67 and high major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II that progress to late clusters 5-8 through intermediate clusters 2-4.

The microbiome and rheumatic heart disease: current knowledge and future perspectives.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a cardiovascular disease caused by an autoimmune response to group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection resulting in the damage of heart valves. RHD is the most commonly acquired heart disease among children and young adults with a global burden of over 40 million cases accounting for 306,000 deaths annually. Inflammation in the heart valves caused due to molecular mimicry between the GAS antigens and host cardiac proteins is facilitated by cytokines, cross-reactive antibodies and CD4 T cells.

Human Bone Marrow Plasma Cell Atlas: Maturation and Survival Pathways Unraveled by Single Cell Analyses.

Human bone marrow (BM) plasma cells are heterogeneous, ranging from newly arrived antibody-secreting cells (ASC) to long-lived plasma cells (LLPC). We provide single cell transcriptional resolution of 17,347 BM ASC from 5 healthy adults. Fifteen clusters were identified ranging from newly minted ASC (cluster 1) expressing MKI67 and high MHC Class II that progressed to late clusters 5-8 through intermediate clusters 2-4.

Individualized Constellation of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors and Cognate HLA Class I Ligands that Controls Natural Killer Cell Antiviral Immunity Predisposes COVID-19.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in some individuals, while the majority remain asymptomatic. Natural killer (NK) cells play an essential role in antiviral defense. NK cell maturation and function are regulated mainly by highly polymorphic killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and cognate HLA class I ligands.

Validation of crystal structure of 2-acetamidophenyl acetate: an experimental and theoretical study.

In this present study, we have determined the crystal structure of 2-acetamidophenyl acetate (2-AAPA) commonly used as influenza neuraminidase inhibitor, to analyze the polymorphism. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics have been performed for the 2-AAPA-neuraminidase complex as the ester-derived benzoic group shows several biological properties. The X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that the 2-AAPA crystals are stabilized by N-H···O type of intermolecular interactions.

Concurrent typing of over 4000 samples by long-range PCR amplicon-based NGS and rSSO revealed the need to verify NGS typing for HLA allelic dropouts.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from HLA-matched donors significantly decreases the risks of graft-rejection and graft-versus-host disease. Long-range PCR- amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) is increasingly used as a standalone method in clinical laboratories to determine HLA compatibility for HSCT and solid-organ transplantation. We hypothesized that an allelic dropout is a frequent event in the long-range PCR amplicon-based NGS HLA typing method.

Novel synthesis of ZnO by Ice-cube method for photo-inactivation of .

The ZnO particle with varieties of morphology was prepared from ice-cube of zinc ammonium complex at boiling water surface in 1 min induction of thermal shock. The zinc ammonium complex in ice cube was developed using zinc acetate and biologically activated ammonia in 1 hr and kept in the freezer. Temperature gradient behaviour of the water medium during thermal shock was captured by the thermal camera and thermometer.

Exploration of biogenic nitrogen doped carbon microspheres derived from resorcinol-formaldehyde as anode for lithium and sodium ion batteries.

The study explores biogenic nitrogen doped carbon microspheres derived from resorcinol, formaldehyde (BNCMs), for battery application. Ureolytic bacteria were used to produce biogenic ammonia in the form of ammonium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate. Copolymerization of resorcinol, formaldehyde and biogenic ammonia at 60-80 °C produces BNCMs.

The control of microbially induced corrosion by methyl eugenol - A dietary phytochemical with quorum sensing inhibitory potential.

The development of biofilms by microorganisms is conventionally attributed to microbially induced corrosion on stainless steel surfaces and leads to severe consequences in industrial and environmental settings. Since bacterial biofilm formation is regulated by the signal mediated quorum sensing (QS) system, targeting biofilms through QS inhibitors will possibly control biologically induced corrosion on the metal surface. In this study, biofilm formation on 316L stainless steel (SS 316L) immersed in a natural pond water system was effectively inhibited in the presence of the QS inhibitor methyl eugenol, as evidenced through epifluorescence microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses.

Inhibitory natural killer cell receptor KIR3DL1 with its ligand Bw4 constraints HIV-1 disease among South Indians.

Objective: To investigate the role of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class-1 ligands in HIV-1 disease progression.

Study Design And Methods: This is a nested case-control study including 347 HIV seropositive (HIV-1+) individuals from South India constituting 45 long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs) and 302 disease progressors. KIR genotyping was performed by multiplex sequence-specific primer-directed PCR (SSP-PCR).

Biocompatibility evaluation of sputtered zirconium-based thin film metallic glass-coated steels.

Thin film metallic glasses comprised of Zr48Cu36Al8Ag8 (at.%) of approximately 1.5 μm and 3 μm in thickness were prepared using magnetron sputtering onto medical grade 316L stainless steel.

A Strategy to Develop Bioactive Nanoarchitecture Cellulose: Sustained Release and Multifarious Applications.

Cellulose membranes were engineered to produce hydrophobic surfaces via a simple and soft chemical process to introduce multifunctional properties of an otherwise hydrophilic cellulose surface with polymer-grafted nanosilver to form a core-shell nanostructure. A superhydrophobic domain of the polymer on cellulose was created through the amide bond formation between the anhydride units of the polymer and the aminosiloxane-functionalized cellulose through layer-over-layer formulation. This formulation was confirmed through XPS, XRD, 29Si-NMR, and FTIR studies.

Predominance of B haplotype associated KIR genes in Tamil Speaking Dravidians.

Killer cell immunoglobulin like receptors (KIRs) are a group of activating (aKIRs) and inhibitory receptors (iKIRs) expressed on subsets of lymphoid cells. Their interaction with HLA class I molecules modulate the innate and adaptive immune response against infections and malignancies. KIR haplotypes varies in gene content and also at allelic level, thereby, distinguishing individuals and populations.

Tunable release of clavam from clavam stabilized gold nanoparticles--design, characterization and antimicrobial study.

A facile one-step approach is developed to synthesize highly stable (up to 6months) gold nanoparticles (GNPs) using Clavam, pharmaceutical form of amoxicillin which contains a mixture of amoxicillin and potassium salt of clavulanic acid, at room temperature (25-30°C). The clavam stabilized GNPs are characterized using various techniques including UV-Visible, FT-IR spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Tunable release of clavam from clavam stabilized GNPs is demonstrated using intracellular concentrations of glutathione (GSH).

Bio-approach: Ureolytic bacteria mediated synthesis of ZnO nanocrystals on cotton fabric and evaluation of their antibacterial properties.

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) synthesis on cotton fabric through the formation of biologically activated ammonia from urea broth in the presence of the ureolytic bacterial species Serratia ureilytica (HM475278) has been described in the present contribution. The cotton fabric was immersed in biogenic zinc ammonium complex medium and subjected to heat treatment at an optimum temperature of 50 °C for different durations of time (30, 60, 90 min). The crystal growth of ZnO nanoparticles on cotton fabric was characterized by analytical techniques such as SEM-EDAX, XRD, TGA, CHNS and UV-visible spectra, and evaluation of antibacterial activity was carried out against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Studies on the distribution of bacterial isolates in rare earth environment.

Rare earth soil is precious, but very common across Arabian coast especially in Chavara, (Quilon district, Kerala) south west coast of India. They are widely distributed but usually occur in small amounts and enhance the soil properties. In the present study, 18 different bacterial isolates were identified from three different samples such as soil and biofilm formed on metal surfaces from the rare earth environment of Chavara using 16S rDNA gene sequencing.

Bioaccumulation of cerium and neodymium by Bacillus cereus isolated from rare earth environments of Chavara and Manavalakurichi, India.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are among the common minerals in the Rare earth environment that are very precious and also enhance soil properties. The aim of this present study is to evaluate the accumulation of REEs by bacterial isolates of rare earth environment. Morphological and biochemical characterization were done for 37 bacterial isolates and also molecular studies were carried out using 16S rRNA sequencing method.

One pot synthesis of polypyrrole silver nanocomposite on cotton fabrics for multifunctional property.

Polymer-silver nanocomposites modified cotton fabrics were prepared by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization using pyrrole and silver nitrate. In a redox reaction between pyrrole and silver nitrate, silver ions oxidize the pyrrole monomer and get reduced. This reduced silver as nanoparticles deposited on/into the polypyrrole/cotton matrix layer and the interaction between silver and polypyrrole was by adsorption or electrostatic interaction.

Bio-mediated synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles and its photocatalytic effect on aquatic biofilm.

The nano-TiO(2) was synthesized biologically employing Bacillus subtilis (FJ460362). These nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR, TGA-DTA, UV-Visible spectroscopy, XRD and TEM. FTIR and TGA results confirm that the organic impurities were completely removed while calcinating the resultant products.

Improved lead recovery and sulphate removal from used lead acid battery through electrokinetic technique.

This paper presents improvement in lead (Pb) recovery and sulphate removal from used Pb acid battery (ULAB) through Electrokinetic technique, a process aimed to eliminate environmental pollution that arises due to emission of gases and metal particles from the existing high temperature pyrometallurgical process. Two different cell configurations, (1) one with Nafion membrane placed between anode and middle compartments and Agar membrane between cathode and middle compartments and (2) another with only Agar membrane placed between both sides of the middle compartments were designed for the Pb and sulphate separation from ULAB. This paper concludes that the cell with only Agar membranes performed better than the cell with Nafion and Agar membranes in combinations and also explains the mechanism underlying the chemical and electrochemical processes in the cell.

Accumulation of rare earth elements by siderophore-forming Arthrobacter luteolus isolated from rare earth environment of Chavara, India.

In this study, Arthrobacter luteolus, isolated from rare earth environment of Chavara (Quilon district, Kerala, India), were found to produce catechol-type siderophores. The bacterial strain accumulated rare earth elements such as samarium and scandium. The siderophores may play a role in the accumulation of rare earth elements.

Rapid biological synthesis of platinum nanoparticles using Ocimum sanctum for water electrolysis applications.

The leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum was used as a reducing agent for the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles from an aqueous chloroplatinic acid (H(2)PtCl(6)·6H(2)O). A greater conversion of platinum ions to nanoparticles was achieved by employing a tulsi leaf broth with a reaction temperature of 100 °C. Energy-dispersive absorption X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the platinum particles as major constituent in the reduction process.

A highly efficient green synthesis of 1, 8-dioxo-octahydroxanthenes.

SmCl3 (20 mol%) has been used as an efficient catalyst for reaction between aromatic aldehydes and 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione at 120°C to give 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthene derivatives in high yield. The same reaction in water, at room temperature gave only the open chain analogue of 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthene. Use of eco-friendly green Lewis acid, readily available catalyst and easy isolation of the product makes this a convenient method for the synthesis of either of the products.

Elecrokinetic separation of sulphate and lead from sludge of spent lead acid battery.

A novel electrokinetic (EK) technique is applied to separate lead and sulphate from the sludge of used/spent lead acid battery. XRD reveals that the sludge is a mixture of (PbO)(4) [Pb(SO(4))], Pb(2)O(3), PbSO(4), Pb(S(2)O(3)) and Pb(2)(SO(4)) which upon DC voltage application in a EK cell employing either titanium electrodes or titanium substrate insoluble anode as electrodes caused migration of sulphates and lead ions respectively into anode and cathode compartments, and accumulation of insoluble lead oxides at the central compartment. The insoluble lead oxides accumulated at the central compartment in the ratio 1:3, respectively for the high oxygen over-voltage Ti-anode (Ti-EK cell) and low oxygen over-voltage TSIA-anode (TSIA-EK cell) shows the superiority of Ti anode over TSIA anode.

Biosynthesis of calcium hydroxylapatite coating on sputtered Ti/TiN nano multilayers and their corrosion behavior in simulated body solution.

Titanium/titanium nitride (Ti/TiN) nanoscale multilayered films were deposited onto 316L stainless steel substrates by reactive magnetron sputtering using a Ti target. Coatings characterized by X-ray diffraction showed that the stack possesses centered cubic structure. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy survey spectra on the etched surfaces of the stack film on steel exhibited the characteristic Ti2p, N1s, and O1s peaks at the corresponding binding energies 454.