SYNTHESIS AND ESTIMATION OF TOTAL EXTRACELLULAR PROTEIN CONTENT IN BACILLUS SUBTILIS UNDER MILD STRESS CONDITION OF CERTAIN ANTIMICROBIALS

Objective: The present study was investigated to determine the impact of certain antimicrobials on a novel bacterial isolate for the estimation of totalextracellular protein.Methods: In this regard, isolation and molecular characterization of the isolate from poultry farm feces soil sample was done by serial dilution,followed by morphological characteristics and biochemical tests of pure isolated culture. Further, the identification of bacterium as Bacillus subtilisstrain KPA was confirmed by subjecting its amplicon (483 bp) to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and pairwise alignment through basic localalignment search tool. Different volumes of antimicrobial agents such as Allium sativum, ampicillin and mercuric chloride at their sub-minimalinhibitory concentration (MIC) values were added to the lag phase culture of strain KPA. Total extracellular protein estimation was done throughBradford test. Partially purified extracellular proteins were observed as spots through thin layer chromatography (TLC).Results: The total extracellular protein content in strain KPA was found to be enhanced after 48 hrs of incubation in presence of antimicrobials testedhere. Mercuric chloride was able to enhance total protein in the bacteria even after 24 hrs of incubation. Separation of partially purified extracellularproteins of treated samples by TLC was observed as different spots with different retention factor values, compared with non-treated or controlsample.Conclusion: The stress response is a metabolic program activated due to unfavorable conditions. Hence, B. subtilis strain KPA in the presence of sub-MIC of A. sativum, ampicillin and mercuric chloride could regulate bioactive proteins production.Keywords: Antimicrobials, Bacillus subtilis, Sub-minimal inhibitory concentration, Total protein, Thin layer chromatography

Fulfilling the needs of a metadata creator and analyst : An investigation of RDF browsing and visualization tools

The realization of Semantic Web vision is based on the creation and use of semantic web content which needs software tools both for semantic web developers and end users. Over the past few years, semantic web software tools like ontology editors and triple storage systems have emerged and are growing in maturity with time. While working on a large triple dataset during the course of a research aiming at a life-long “semantic” repository of personal information, besides other semantic web tools, we used several RDF browsing and visualization tools for analyzing our data. This analysis included ensuring the correctness of the data, conformance of instance data to the ontology, finding patterns and trails in the data, cross-checking and evaluating inferred data, etc. We found that many of the features needed by a metadata creator and analyst are missing from these tools. This paper presents an investigation of the tools that are used for browsing and visualizing RDF datasets. It first identifies the browsing and visualization features required by a semantic web developer and a metadata creator and analyst and then based on those features evaluates the most common RDF browsing and visualization tools available till date. We conclude this paper with recommendations for requirements to be fulfilled for future semantic web browsing and visualizationThe past and the future of information systems: 1976-2006 and beyondRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF TABERNAEMONTANA DIVARICATA (APOCYNACEAE) SECONDARY METABOLITES CAPPED SILVER AND GOLD NANOPARTICLES

Objective: To study the antibacterial activity of Tabernaemontana divaricata (Apocynaceae) secondary metabolites capped silver nanoparticles(SNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).Methods: In the present investigation, SNPs and AuNPs were synthesized using an aqueous extract of T. divaricata leaves. Leaf aqueous extractwas mixed with 1 mM silver nitrate and chloroauric acid for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles, and the same was analyzed using ultraviolet-visible(UV-Vis) spectrophotometer and particle size analyzer. The antibacterial activity of SNPs and AuNPs was determined against various bacterial culturesincluding laboratory isolates using the agar well diffusion method.Results: The results recorded from UV-Vis spectrum supported the biosynthesis and characterization of SNPs and AuNPs. The SNPs when comparedto AuNPs, showed the highest antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.Conclusion: The present study envisions on the biosynthesis of SNPs from T. divaricata plant which are emerging as antibacterial therapy in modernmedical applications.Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Gold nanoparticles, Silver nanoparticles, Tabernaemontana divaricata

Fulfilling the needs of a metadata creator and analyst : An investigation of RDF browsing and visualization tools

The realization of Semantic Web vision is based on the creation and use of semantic web content which needs software tools both for semantic web developers and end users. Over the past few years, semantic web software tools like ontology editors and triple storage systems have emerged and are growing in maturity with time. While working on a large triple dataset during the course of a research aiming at a life-long “semantic” repository of personal information, besides other semantic web tools, we used several RDF browsing and visualization tools for analyzing our data. This analysis included ensuring the correctness of the data, conformance of instance data to the ontology, finding patterns and trails in the data, cross-checking and evaluating inferred data, etc. We found that many of the features needed by a metadata creator and analyst are missing from these tools. This paper presents an investigation of the tools that are used for browsing and visualizing RDF datasets. It first identifies the browsing and visualization features required by a semantic web developer and a metadata creator and analyst and then based on those features evaluates the most common RDF browsing and visualization tools available till date. We conclude this paper with recommendations for requirements to be fulfilled for future semantic web browsing and visualizationThe past and the future of information systems: 1976-2006 and beyondRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

The effect of earthworm (Eisenia foetida) meal with vermi-humus on growth performance, hematology, immunity, intestinal microbiota, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of broiler chickens

The present investigation was aimed to evaluate the effect of varied amount of earthworm meal (EW) and vermihumus (VH) on the growth performance of broiler chickens. Three hundred 1-d-old broiler chickens were assigned to 5 starter treatments with 5 pens per treatment, and 12 broiler chickens per pen in a completely randomized design from d 0–14 of the study. Dietary treatments were [per kilogram dry matter (DM)]: control (0 g EW and 0 g VH/kg of DM), and the diets containing 10 g VH/kg of DM supplemented with 0, 10, 20, or 30 g EW/kg of DM. At the end of the study (d 42), one representative broiler chicken per pen, close to the average body weight, was selected for blood sampling using a sterile needle and heparinized vacuum tube. The outcomes of the study depicted the greater overall feed intake value in broiler chicken fed the control diet than those fed the diets containing VH or EW or both, and it decreased linearly and quadratically (P<0.05) as the amount of EW supplementation increased. The average weight gain for the chickens was numerically increased as supplementation of EW was increased (linear, =0.3; quadratic P=0.4). On the other hand, overall feed conversation ratio was slightly greater (P=0.02) in broiler chickens fed the control diet, and it decreased linearly (P=0.03) as dietary EW supplementation increased. Additionally, the serum total protein, albumin, Ca, and P concentrations were lower in broiler chickens fed the control diet, and those variables increased linearly (P<0.05) as dietary EW increased. In like manner, humoral immune response (except heterophil/lymphocyte ratio) and relative weights of immune organs were lower in broiler chickens fed the control diet. Remarkable differences were observed between carcass and ileum characteristics of broiler chickens under treatments. Varied concentrations of EW showed increased total counts of lactic acid bacteria (linear, P<0.05; quadratic, P=0.3) and reduced population of pathogenic intestinal microbiota (linear, P0.05). Similarly, the meat quality of broiler chicken was markedly affected linearly (P<0.05) by the supplementation of increased dietary EW. Briefly, diets containing 30 g EW/kg of DM can positively affect the growth performance of broiler chickens and produce meat with better characteristics

BIOCHEMICAL, MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND SEQUENCE ANALYSIS OF KERATINASE PRODUCING NOVEL STRAIN OF BACILLUS LICHENIFORMIS ISOLATED FROM POULTRY FARM

Objective: To isolate and characterize a novel strain of keratinase producing bacterium from poultry farm. Methods: Preliminary study of bacterial isolation from poultry faeces soil sample was done by serial dilution followed by microscopic analysis, morphological characteristics and biochemical tests of pure isolated culture. Further, the identification of bacterium as novel strain was confirmed by subjecting its amplicon to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and pairwise alignment through BLAST tool. RNA Secondary structure of 16S rRNA gene sequence was predicted through RNAfold Web server and RNA structure tool. Phylogenetic tree based on taxonomic positions was inferred using the Neighbor-joining (NJ) algorithm in Molecular Evolution Genetic Analysis (MEGA) software version 4.0. MAR index value of this strain was determined against six antibiotics using disc diffusion method. Results: The bacterium was identified as Bacillus licheniformis strain 018. Different parameters of RNA Secondary structure of 16S rRNA gene sequence was obtained through Bioinformatics tools. Minimum Free Energy and G+C content were calculated as -247.40 kcal/mol and 54.7% respectively.MAR index of this novel strain was found to be zero. Conclusion: The isolation of bacteria from different sources offers novel bacteria as their potential applications in different biotechnological processes. The present investigation clearly indicates the isolation, molecular characterization and sequence analysis (through Bioinformatics tools) of Bacillus licheniformiss train 018 and its industrial applications

DISCOVERY OF POLYGALACTURONASE PRODUCING BACILLUS TEQUILENSIS STRAIN ARMATI USING 16S rRNA GENE SEQUENCING

Objective: To identify a novel strain of polygalacturonase producing Bacillus tequilensis from poultry farm.Methods: Poultry feces sample was serially diluted, and the pure isolate was subjected to morphological tests, biochemical tests, genomic DNAisolation, polymerase chain reaction amplification, amplicon purification and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The strain was screened for polygalacturonaseproduction using plate assay method. The nucleotide sequences obtained from the isolate were subjected to BLAST tool for the pairwise alignment.RNA secondary structure was predicted through RNAStructure Web Server. Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was determined against sixantibiotics through disc diffusion method. Phylogenetic trees were inferred using the neighbor-joining algorithm in Molecular Evolution GeneticAnalysis software version 4.0.Results: B. tequilensis strain ARMATI showed the production of polygalacturonase. MAR index of this novel strain was found to be zero. RNAsecondary structure with a minimum free energy of −281.40 kcal/mol was obtained. Phylogenetic tree of Bacillus 16S rRNA genes separate eachBacillus according to their taxonomic positions and were supported statistically.Conclusion: The present investigation clearly indicates the isolation, molecular characterization and sequence analysis of B. tequilensis strain ARMATIfrom poultry farm, and industrial application of this novel strain for the production of the enzyme.Keywords: Bacillus tequilensis, Multiple antibiotic resistance index, Polygalacturonase, Phylogenetic tree, RNA secondary structure, RNAStructureWeb Server

BlindSense: An Accessibility-inclusive Universal User Interface for Blind People

A large number of blind people use smartphone-based assistive technology to perform their common activities. In order to provide a better user experience the existing user interface paradigm needs to be revisited. A new user interface model has been proposed in this paper. A simplified, semantically consistent, and blind-friendly adaptive user interface is provided. The proposed solution is evaluated through an empirical study on 63 blind people leveraging an improved user experience in performing common activities on a smartphone