Characterization of Aspergillus species associated with commercially stored triphala powder

About 82 triphala powder samples were analyzed for the association of different fungi. Results reveal the predominance of Aspergillus as the major genera with six predominant species namely, A. niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. nidulans and A. amstelodami. Therefore, these six isolated Aspergillus species were characterized morphologically, microscopically and molecularly. In addition, an attempt was made to characterize the frequently occurring aflatoxigenic and non toxic Aspergillus species at molecular level along with their identification. Morphological variability was detected among isolates in regard to colony morphology, conidia colouration, exudates and reverse, colony texture and growth rate. Microscopic characteristics for the identification were conidial heads, stipe, colour and length of vesicles, shape and seriation, metulae covering, conidia size and shape. For molecular characterization, internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-4, a universal fungal primer was utilized. Differences in band patterns and number of bands obtained after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification clearly differentiates between the Aspergillus species. Results also reveal that only A. flavus showed amplification with all the three aflatoxigenic primers apa-2, ver-1 and omt-1, which means that only A. flavus was identified as aflatoxigenic and other Aspergillus species as non-toxigenic after PCR analysis. Hence, morphological, microscopic and molecular methods are important for the complete identification of important Aspergillus species and other fungi isolated from stored commodities.Key words: Aspergillus, triphala, identification, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, molecular methods

Performance analysis of non-circular microchannels flooded with CuO-water nanofluid

This paper was presented at the 3rd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2011), which was held at the Makedonia Palace Hotel, Thessaloniki in Greece. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Thessaly, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute.In this study the performances of various non-circular microchannel heat sinks (normalized with circular shape) have been comparatively analyzed for CuO-water nanofluid and baseline pure water flow. Nusselt number and Poiseuille number for each microchannel and thermo-physical properties of CuO-water nanofluid (viz., thermal conductivity, viscosity, specific heat and density) have been designed either empirically or from literature. Results for trapezoidal shape gives highest normalized pressure drops among all cases. Thermal performances for constant heat flux and constant wall temperature boundary conditions have been assessed in terms of normalized outlet wall temperature and normalized heat exchange rate. Results show that when thermal performance of any microchannel heat sink (MHS) improves, the hydraulic performance deteriorates. Trapezoidal microchannel gives best thermal performance in terms of normalized heat exchange rate specially with CuO-water nanofluids flow

Powdery mildew of Celtis australis: a report from Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract A detailed study of a powdery mildew observed on Celtis australis leaves was carried out in the present study. The symptoms appeared as white mycelia on leaves with embedded small black to brown spherical ascomata. Morphological and microscopic analyses of diseased samples revealed that this fungus belongs to Erysiphe section Uncinula. Further investigation identified it as Erysiphe kusanoi which is new to Himachal Pradesh. A description and an illustration of the specimen are given

First checklist of rust fungi in the genus Puccinia from Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract A checklist of rust fungi belonging to the genus Puccinia was prepared for Himachal Pradesh, India. All Puccinia species published until 2014 are included in this list. A total of 80 species have been reported on 91 plant species belonging to 33 families. The family Poaceae supports the highest number of species (26 species) followed by Ranunculaceae (8), Asteraceae (7), Apiaceae and Polygonaceae (6 each), Rubiaceae and Cyperaceae (3 each), Acanthaceae, Berberidaceae, Lamiaceae and Saxifragaceae (2 each). The other host plant families are associated with a single species of Puccinia. This study provides the first checklist of Puccinia from Himachal Pradesh

Puccinia himachalensis -a new rust fungus from Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract A new species of rust, Puccinia himachalensis, was recorded on Clematis grata from Himachal Pradesh, India. The species is compared morphologically with other Puccinia species described on the same plant host. A close resemblance was observed with P. wattiana but it differed in morphological characteristics including spore size and septal colouration in teliospores. Therefore, it is justified to introduce a new species of Puccinia. The taxonomic details of the new taxon, including field photographs and microphotographs, are presented and its distinctive characters are discussed

Molecular dynamic simulation and inhibitor prediction of cysteine synthase structured model as a potential drug target for trichomoniasis

In our presented research, we made an attempt to predict the 3D model for cysteine synthase (A2GMG5-TRIVA) using homology-modeling approaches. To investigate deeper into the predicted structure, we further performed a molecular dynamics simulation for 10 ns and calculated several supporting analysis for structural properties such as RMSF, radius of gyration, and the total energy calculation to support the predicted structured model of cysteine synthase. The present findings led us to conclude that the proposed model is stereochemically stable. The overall PROCHECK G factor for the homology-modeled structure was -0.04. On the basis of the virtual screening for cysteine synthase against the NCI subset II molecule, we present the molecule 1-N, 4-N-bis [3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) phenyl] benzene-1,4-dicarboxamide (ZINC01690699) having the minimum energy score (-13.0 Kcal/Mol) and a log P value of 6 as a potential inhibitory molecule used to inhibit the growth of T. vaginalis infection. © 2013 Satendra Singh et al

Scaling Up Safer Birth Bundle Through Quality Improvement in Nepal (SUSTAIN)a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial in public hospitals

BackgroundEach year, 2.2 million intrapartum-related deaths (intrapartum stillbirths and first day neonatal deaths) occur worldwide with 99% of them taking place in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the accelerated increase in the proportion of deliveries taking place in health facilities in these settings, the stillborn and neonatal mortality rates have not reduced proportionately. Poor quality of care in health facilities is attributed to two-thirds of these deaths. Improving quality of care during the intrapartum period needs investments in evidence-based interventions. We aim to evaluate the quality improvement packageScaling Up Safer Bundle Through Quality Improvement in Nepal (SUSTAIN)on intrapartum care and intrapartum-related mortality in public hospitals of Nepal.MethodsWe will conduct a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial in eight public hospitals with each having least 3000 deliveries a year. Each hospital will represent a cluster with an intervention transition period of 2months in each. With a level of significance of 95%, the statistical power of 90% and an intra-cluster correlation of 0.00015, a study period of 19months should detect at least a 15% change in intrapartum-related mortality. Quality improvement training, mentoring, systematic feedback, and a continuous improvement cycle will be instituted based on bottleneck analyses in each hospital. All concerned health workers will be trained on standard basic neonatal resuscitation and essential newborn care. Portable fetal heart monitors (Moyo (R)) and neonatal heart rate monitors (Neobeat (R)) will be introduced in the hospitals to identify fetal distress during labor and to improve neonatal resuscitation. Independent research teams will collect data in each hospital on intervention inputs, processes, and outcomes by reviewing records and carrying out observations and interviews. The dose-response effect will be evaluated through process evaluations.DiscussionWith the global momentum to improve quality of intrapartum care, better understanding of QI package within a health facility context is important. The proposed package is based on experiences from a similar previous scale-up trial carried out in Nepal. The proposed evaluation will provide evidence on QI package and technology for implementation and scale up in similar settings.Trial registration numberISRCTN16741720. Registered on 2 March 2019.</p

Role of Bax in resveratrol-induced apoptosis of colorectal carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND: The natural plant polyphenol resveratrol present in some foods including grapes, wine, and peanuts, has been implicated in the inhibition, delay, and reversion of cellular events associated with heart diseases and tumorigenesis. Recent work has suggested that the cancer chemoprotective effect of the compound is primarily linked to its ability to induce cell division cycle arrest and apoptosis, the latter possibly through the activation of pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax. METHODS: The expression, subcellular localization, and importance of Bax for resveratrol-provoked apoptosis were assessed in human HCT116 colon carcinoma cells and derivatives with both bax alleles inactivated. RESULTS: Low to moderate concentrations of resveratrol induced co-localization of cellular Bax protein with mitochondria, collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspases 3 and 9, and finally, apoptosis. In the absence of Bax, membrane potential collapse was delayed, and apoptosis was reduced but not absent. Resveratrol inhibited the formation of colonies by both HCT116 and HCT116 bax -/- cells. CONCLUSION: Resveratrol at physiological doses can induce a Bax-mediated and a Bax-independent mitochondrial apoptosis. Both can limit the ability of the cells to form colonies