Artificial neural network-based model for the prediction of optimal growth and culture conditions for maximum biomass accumulation in multiple shoot cultures of Centella asiatica.

An artificial neural network (ANN)-based modelling approach is used to determine the synergistic effect of five major components of growth medium (Mg, Cu, Zn, nitrate and sucrose) on improved in vitro biomass yield in multiple shoot cultures of Centella asiatica. The back propagation neural network (BPNN) was employed to predict optimal biomass accumulation in terms of growth index over a defined culture duration of 35 days. The four variable concentrations of five media components, i.

Analysis of 589,306 genomes identifies individuals resilient to severe Mendelian childhood diseases.

Genetic studies of human disease have traditionally focused on the detection of disease-causing mutations in afflicted individuals. Here we describe a complementary approach that seeks to identify healthy individuals resilient to highly penetrant forms of genetic childhood disorders. A comprehensive screen of 874 genes in 589,306 genomes led to the identification of 13 adults harboring mutations for 8 severe Mendelian conditions, with no reported clinical manifestation of the indicated disease.

Lateral Gene Transfer in a Heavy Metal-Contaminated-Groundwater Microbial Community.

Unlabelled: Unraveling the drivers controlling the response and adaptation of biological communities to environmental change, especially anthropogenic activities, is a central but poorly understood issue in ecology and evolution. Comparative genomics studies suggest that lateral gene transfer (LGT) is a major force driving microbial genome evolution, but its role in the evolution of microbial communities remains elusive. To delineate the importance of LGT in mediating the response of a groundwater microbial community to heavy metal contamination, representative Rhodanobacter reference genomes were sequenced and compared to shotgun metagenome sequences.

Study of paramagnetic defect centers in as-grown and annealed TiO anatase and rutile nanoparticles by a variable-temperature X-band and high-frequency (236 GHz) EPR.

Detailed EPR investigations on as-grown and annealed TiO nanoparticles in the anatase and rutile phases were carried out at X-band (9.6 GHz) at 77, 120-300 K and at 236 GHz at 292 K. The analysis of EPR data for as-grown and annealed anatase and rutile samples revealed the presence of several paramagnetic centers: Ti, O, adsorbed oxygen (O) and oxygen vacancies.

Observation on dengue cases from a virus diagnostic laboratory of a tertiary care hospital in North India.

Background & Objectives: The epidemiology of dengue fever (DF) is complex in the Indian subcontinent as all the four serotypes are circulating. This study reports observations on dengue cases from a virus diagnostic laboratory of a north Indian tertiary care hospital catering to areas in and around Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Methods: Serum samples were obtained from suspected cases of dengue referred to the virus diagnostic laboratory during 2011 to 2013, and detailed history was taken on a pre-structured datasheet.

Indenes and tetralenes analogues attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation: An in-vitro and in-vivo study.

In an effort to evaluate novel pharmacological activity of 1-chloro-2-formyl indene and tetralene analogues possessing potential antitubercular and antistaphylococcal agents, we explored its anti-inflammatory potential against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammation using in-vitro and in-vivo bioassay. Synthesized analogues significantly inhibited the production and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines against LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages isolated from mice. Among all the analogues, TAF-5 (1-Chloro-2-formyl-1-tetralene) exhibited most potent anti-inflammatory activity without any cytotoxic effect.

Ibuprofen abates cypermethrin-induced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and mitogen-activated protein kinases and averts the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration.

Cypermethrin induces oxidative stress, microglial activation, inflammation and apoptosis leading to Parkinsonism in rats. While ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, relieves from inflammation, its efficacy against cypermethrin-induced Parkinsonism has not yet been investigated. The study aimed to explore the protective role of ibuprofen in cypermethrin-induced Parkinsonism, an environmentally relevant model of Parkinson's disease (PD), along with its underlying mechanism.

Synergistic effect of (+)-pinitol from Saraca asoca with β-lactam antibiotics and studies on the in silico possible mechanism.

Saraca asoca bark has been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for female urino-genital disorders. We have recently reported the isolation and characterization of several compounds as markers to develop HPLC profiling of its methanol and aqueous methanol extracts. Now, a HPLC-PDA inactive compound, (+)-pinitol has been isolated and characterized from the bark of this medicinally important tree.

In vitro validation of self designed "universal human Influenza A siRNA".

The genomic variability of Influenza A virus (IAV) makes it difficult for the existing vaccines or anti-influenza drugs to control. The siRNA targeting viral gene induces RNAi mechanism in the host and silent the gene by cleaving mRNA. In this study, we developed an universal siRNA and validated its efficiency in vitro.

Pantoea intestinalis sp. nov., isolated from the human gut.

A novel bacterial strain, 29Y89BT, was isolated from a faecal sample of a healthy human subject. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. Strain 29Y89BT formed cream-coloured colonies 2 mm in diameter on trypticase soy agar and showed optimum growth at 35 °C.

The relation between emotional intelligence and criminal behavior: A study among convicted criminals.

Background: Lack of emotional intelligence (EI) may lead to maladjustment and inability to achieve desired goals. A relationship between low levels of EI and crime has been proposed.

Aim: The aim was to assess the relationship between EI and criminal behavior.

Personality disorder, emotional intelligence, and locus of control of patients with alcohol dependence.

Aim: To assess personality disorder (PD), emotional intelligence (EI), and locus of control of alcohol dependent (AD) patients and its comparison with normal controls.

Materials And Methods: Based on purposive sampling technique, 33 AD patients were selected from the De-Addiction Ward of Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS) and 33 matched normal subjects were selected from Ranchi and nearby places. Both the groups were matched on various sociodemographic parameters, that is, age, gender, and socioeconomic level.

In vivo and in silico investigation of antidiabetic activity of fruit of withania coagulans Dunal.

This study evaluates the antidiabetic activities of methanolic extract of Withania coagulans Dunal (Ashutosh booti) fruit (WCFE) in poloxamer-407 induced type 2 diabetic Wistar rats. The electrochemical behaviour of WCFE with anodic peak of 1.19± 0.

Proposal for creation of a new genus Neomicrococcus gen. nov. to accommodate Zhihengliuella aestuarii Baik et al. 2011 and Micrococcus lactis Chittpurna et al. 2011 as Neomicrococcus aestuarii comb. nov. and Neomicrococcus lactis comb. nov.

Micrococcus lactis and Zhihengliuella aestuarii were described independently in 2011. Their type strains showed high levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (99.3%).

Neurological Complications and Cataract in a Child With Thalassemia Major Treated With Deferiprone.

The oral iron chelator deferiprone is associated with various side effects including agranulocytosis, arthropathy, and deranged liver function tests. Rarely, neurological and visual side effects have been reported with high doses. The authors describe rare neurological manifestations of cerebellar ataxia, hypertonia, and bilateral cataract in an 11-year-old boy with thalassemia major on recommended therapeutic doses of deferiprone.

Physicochemical analysis of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC seeds with fatty acids and total lipids compositions.

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC. is a tropical legume with potential nutritional properties.

Flow and thermal characteristics of high Reynolds number (2800-17,000) dye cell: simulation and experiment.

This paper presents computational and experimental studies on wavelength/frequency fluctuation characteristics of a high pulse repetition rate (18 kHz) dye laser pumped by a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (532 nm). The temperature gradient in the dye solution is found to be responsible for wavelength fluctuations of the dye laser at low flow rates (2800 View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Lignins of bioenergy crops: a review?

Lignin provides structural support, a mechanical barrier against microbial infestation and facilitates movement of water inside plant systems. It is the second most abundant natural polymer in the terrestrial environments and possesses unique routes for the production of bulk and specialty chemicals with aromatic/phenolic skeletons. The commercial applications of lignin are limited and it is often recognized for its negative impact on the biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals.

Synthesis, spectral characterization, thermal behaviour, antibacterial activity and DFT calculation on N'-[bis(methylsulfanyl) methylene]-2-hydroxybenzohydrazide and N'-(4-methoxy benzoyl)-hydrazinecarbodithioic acid ethyl ester.

Two new compounds N'-[bis(methylsulfanyl) methylene]-2-hydroxybenzohydrazide {Hbmshb (1)} and N'-(4-methoxy benzoyl)-hydrazinecarbodithioic acid ethyl ester {H2mbhce (2)} have been synthesized and characterized with the aid of elemental analyses, IR, NMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction data. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in orthorhombic and monoclinic systems with space group Pna21 and P21/n, respectively. Inter and intra molecular hydrogen bonding link two molecules and provide linear chain structure.

Predicting morbidity and mortality in acute pancreatitis in an Indian population: a comparative study of the BISAP score, Ranson's score and CT severity index.

Objective: Our aim was to prospectively evaluate the accuracy of the bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score in predicting mortality, as well as intermediate markers of severity, in a tertiary care centre in east central India, which caters mostly for an economically underprivileged population.

Methods: A total of 119 consecutive cases with acute pancreatitis were admitted to our institution between November 2012 and October 2014. BISAP scores were calculated for all cases, within 24 hours of presentation.

Thermally induced conformational transitions in nascent branched amphiphilic peptide capsules.

Branched amphiphilic peptide capsules (BAPCs) are biocompatible, bilayer delimited polycationic nanospheres that spontaneously form at room temperature through the coassembly of two amphiphilic branched peptides: bis(FLIVI)-K-K4 and bis(FLIVIGSII)-K-K4. BAPCs are readily taken up by cells in culture, where they escape and/or evade the endocytic pathway and accumulate in the perinuclear region, persisting there without apparent degradation or extravasation. Drugs, small proteins, and solutes as well as α particle emitting radionuclides are stably encapsulated for extended periods of time.

Indian story on semen loss and related Dhat syndrome.

India is a country of many religions and ancient cultures. Indian culture is largely directed by the Vedic culture since time immemorial. Later Indian culture is influenced by Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity.

Acridine based (S,N,S) pincer ligand: designing silver(I) complexes for the efficient activation of A³ (aldehyde, alkyne and amine) coupling.

Complexes [AgL(NO3)CH3CN](1) and [AgLNO3] (2) were formed on reacting AgNO3 with L in acetonitrile for 12 h (at room temperature) and 24 h (at 90 °C), respectively, where L is a (S,N,S) pincer ligand, 4,5-bis(phenylthiomethyl)acridine, synthesized by the reaction of in situ generated PhS(-) with 4,5-bis(bromomethyl)acridine under N2 atmosphere. (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR and the mass spectra of L and its two Ag-complexes were characterized. The structures of complexes 1 and 2 were established with single crystal X-ray crystallography.

Therapeutic efficacy of aldoxorubicin in an intracranial xenograft mouse model of human glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor with a median survival of 12 to 15 months after diagnosis. Acquired chemoresistance, high systemic toxicity, and low penetration of the blood brain barrier by many anticancer drugs contribute to the failure of anti-GBM therapies. To circumvent some of these obstacles, we tested a novel prodrug approach to evaluate anti-GBM efficacy by utilizing serum albumin-binding doxorubicin (Doxo), aldoxorubicin (Aldoxo), which is less toxic, is released from albumin in an acidic environment and accumulates in tumor tissues.