Does "swapping" maize ( L.) inbred parents affect hybrid grain yield? - a seed production research case study.

Maize ( L.) is a globally important crop, thriving across diverse environments. Breeding maize inbreds with good combining ability for stable yields under both optimal and stress-prone conditions has been successful.

Transcending the challenge of evolving resistance mechanisms in through β-lactam-enhancer-mechanism-based cefepime/zidebactam.

Compared to other genera of Gram-negative pathogens, is adept in acquiring complex non-enzymatic and enzymatic resistance mechanisms thus remaining a challenge to even novel antibiotics including recently developed β-lactam and β-lactamase inhibitor combinations. This study shows that the novel β-lactam enhancer approach enables cefepime/zidebactam to overcome both non-enzymatic and enzymatic resistance mechanisms associated with a challenging panel of . This study highlights that the β-lactam enhancer mechanism is a promising alternative to the conventional β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor approach in combating ever-evolving MDR .

In vitro evolution of cefepime/zidebactam (WCK 5222) resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: dynamics, mechanisms, fitness trade-off and impact on in vivo efficacy.

Objectives: To study the dynamics, mechanisms and fitness cost of resistance selection to cefepime, zidebactam and cefepime/zidebactam in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Methods: WT P. aeruginosa PAO1 and its ΔmutS derivative (PAOMS) were exposed to stepwise increasing concentrations of cefepime, zidebactam and cefepime/zidebactam.

Levonadifloxacin, a Novel Broad-Spectrum Anti-MRSA Benzoquinolizine Quinolone Agent: Review of Current Evidence.

Levonadifloxacin and its prodrug alalevonadifloxacin are novel broad-spectrum anti-MRSA agents belonging to the benzoquinolizine subclass of quinolone, formulated for intravenous and oral administration, respectively. Various in vitro and in vivo studies have established their antimicrobial spectrum against clinically significant Gram-positive, Gram-negative, atypical, and anaerobic pathogens. The potent activity of levonadifloxacin against MRSA, quinolone-resistant , and hetero-vancomycin-intermediate strains is an outcome of its well-differentiated mechanism of action involving preferential targeting to DNA gyrase.

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Targets of Levonadifloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus in a Neutropenic Murine Lung Infection Model.

Levonadifloxacin is a novel benzoquinolizine subclass of fluoroquinolone, active against quinolone-resistant A phase 3 trial for levonadifloxacin and its oral prodrug was recently completed. The present study identified area under the concentration-time curve for the free, unbound fraction of a drug divided by the MIC (AUC/MIC) as an efficacy determinant for levonadifloxacin in a neutropenic murine lung infection model. Mean plasma AUC/MIC requirement for static and 1 log kill effects against 9 were 8.

Carbon nanotube-based lateral flow immunoassay for ultrasensitive detection of proteins: application to the determination of IgG.

Authors report on a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFI) for ultrasensitive detection of proteins. Shortened multiwalled CNTs were used as a colored (black) tag. The detection antibody was covalently immobilized on the CNT surface via diimide-activated conjugation between the carboxyl groups on the CNT surface and amino groups of antibodies.

and Activities of β-Lactams in Combination with the Novel β-Lactam Enhancers Zidebactam and WCK 5153 against Multidrug-Resistant Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Zidebactam and WCK 5153 are novel bicyclo-acyl hydrazide (BCH) agents that have previously been shown to act as β-lactam enhancer (BLE) antibiotics in and The objectives of this work were to identify the molecular targets of these BCHs in and to investigate their potential BLE activity for cefepime and aztreonam against metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing strains and Penicillin binding protein (PBP) binding profiles were determined by Bocillin FL assay, and 50% inhibitory concentrations (ICs) were determined using ImageQuant TL software. MICs and kill kinetics for zidebactam, WCK 5153, and cefepime or aztreonam, alone and in combination, were determined against clinical isolates producing MBLs VIM-1 or NDM-1 (plus ESBLs and class C β-lactamases) to assess the enhancer effect of BCH compounds in conjunction with β-lactams. Additionally, murine systemic and thigh infection studies were conducted to evaluate BLE effects Zidebactam and WCK 5153 showed specific, high PBP2 affinity in The MICs of BLEs were >64 μg/ml for all MBL-producing strains.

The Novel β-Lactam Enhancer Zidebactam Augments the Pharmacodynamic Activity of Cefepime in a Neutropenic Mouse Lung Infection Model.

WCK 5222 is a combination of cefepime and the high-affinity PBP2-binding β-lactam enhancer zidebactam. The cefepime-zidebactam combination is active against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including carbapenemase-expressing The mechanism of action of the combination involves concurrent multiple penicillin binding protein inhibition, leading to the enhanced bactericidal action of cefepime. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of the zidebactam-mediated enhanced bactericidal action in modulating the percentage of the time that the free drug concentration remains above the MIC (percent >MIC) for cefepime required for the killing of Cefepime and cefepime-zidebactam MICs were comparable and ranged from 2 to 16 mg/liter for the strains ( = 5) employed in the study.

Lateral flow assay for carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in whole blood by using magnetized carbon nanotubes.

The authors describe a rapid, low-cost and sensitive approach for the determination of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in whole blood by using magnetized carbon nanotube (MCNT) and lateral flow strip biosensor (LFSB). MCNTs were synthesized by depositing magnetite (FeO) nanoparticles on multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) via co-precipitation of ferric and ferrous ions within a dispersion of shortened multiwalled CNTs. Antibody against CA 19-9 (Ab) was covalently immobilized on the MCNTs and were used to capture CA 19-9 in blood.

Magnetized carbon nanotubes for visual detection of proteins directly in whole blood.

The authors describe a magnetized carbon nanotube (MCNT)-based lateral flow strip biosensor for visual detection of proteins directly in whole blood avoiding complex purification and sample pre-treatments. MCNT were synthesized by coating FeO nanoparticles on the shortened multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) surface via co-precipitation of ferric and ferrous ions within a dispersion of shorten multiwalled CNTs. The antibody-modified MCNTs were used to capture target protein in whole blood; the formed MCNT-antibody-target protein complexes were applied to the lateral flow strip biosensor, in which a capture antibody was immobilized on the test zone of the biosensor.

Development of quantitative immunochromatographic assay for rapid and sensitive detection of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in human plasma.

A quantitative immunochromatographic assay (QIA) was developed by using gold nanoparticle (GNP)-based lateral flow strip biosensor (LFSB) and a portable strip reader for rapid and sensitive quantitation of Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in human plasma. CA 19-9 is a biomarker that has been associated with cancers (such as pancreatic and colorectal cancers) and various non-cancerous diseases. The principle is based on sandwich-type immunoreactions between gold nanoparticle (GNP)-labelled detection antibody, anti-CA 19-9 capture antibody and CA 19-9to capture the GNPs on the test zone of LFSB.

Fluorescent carbon nanoparticle-based lateral flow biosensor for ultrasensitive detection of DNA.

We report a fluorescent carbon nanoparticle (FCN)-based lateral flow biosensor for ultrasensitive detection of DNA. Fluorescent carbon nanoparticle with a diameter of around 15nm was used as a tag to label a detection DNA probe, which was complementary with the part of target DNA. A capture DNA probe was immobilized on the test zone of the lateral flow biosensor.

Use of Genomic Estimated Breeding Values Results in Rapid Genetic Gains for Drought Tolerance in Maize.

More than 80% of the 19 million ha of maize ( L.) in tropical Asia is rainfed and prone to drought. The breeding methods for improving drought tolerance (DT), including genomic selection (GS), are geared to increase the frequency of favorable alleles.

Gold Nanoparticle Coated Silica Nanorods for Sensitive Visual Detection of microRNA on a Lateral Flow Strip Biosensor.

We present a rapid and highly sensitive approach for visual detection of microRNA (miRNA) using a gold nanoparticles coated silica nanorod label and lateral flow strip biosensor. Gold nanoparticles were decorated on the silica nanorod surface by a seeding and growth procedure. A single strand DNA probe was immobilized on the gold nanoparticles-silica nanorod surface by a self-assembling process, and the formed DNA-gold nanoparticles-silica nanorod conjugate was used to construct the lateral flow nucleic acid biosensor for detecting miRNA.

Carbon nanotube-based lateral flow biosensor for sensitive and rapid detection of DNA sequence.

In this article, we describe a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based lateral flow biosensor (LFB) for rapid and sensitive detection of DNA sequence. Amine-modified DNA detection probe was covalently immobilized on the shortened multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via diimide-activated amidation between the carboxyl groups on the CNT surface and amine groups on the detection DNA probes. Sandwich-type DNA hybridization reactions were performed on the LFB and the captured MWCNTs on test zone and control zone of LFB produced the characteristic black bands, enabling visual detection of DNA sequences.

Gold-nanoparticle-decorated silica nanorods for sensitive visual detection of proteins.

We report a rapid and highly sensitive approach based on gold-nanoparticle-decorated silica nanorods (GNP-SiNRs) label and lateral-flow strip biosensor (LFSB) for visually detecting proteins. Owing to its biocompatibility and convenient surface modification, SiNRs were used as carriers to load numerous GNPs, and the GNP-SiNRs were used as labels for the lateral-flow assay. The LFSB detection limit was lowered 50 times compared to the traditional GNP-based lateral-flow assay.

Design of Upelow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket reactor for treatment of organic wastewaters.

The Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Reactor is widely applied anaerobic wastewater treatment method all over the world. Uniform distribution of wastewater at reactor bottom is necessary to establish proper contact between sludge and wastewater. In addition, proper functioning of Gas-Liquid-Solid (GLS) separator is crucial to ensure maximum sludge retention in the reactor and to achieve maximum COD removal rate in the reactor.