Citric acid/β-alanine carbon dots as a novel tool for delivery of plasmid DNA into E. coli cells

Successful delivery of plasmid DNA into the microbial cells is fundamental in recombinant DNA technology. Natural bacterial transformation is limited to only certain species due in part to the repulsive forces between negatively charged DNA and bacterial membranes. Most common method of DNA delivery into bacteria is artificial transformation through heat shock and electroporation. These methods require sophisticated instruments and tedious steps in preparation of competent cells. Transformation by conjugation is also not applicable to all plasmids. Nanoparticles have been used successfully in therapeutics for drug delivery into animal cells. They are starting to gain popularity in plant sciences as novel DNA nano carriers. Despite their promise as tool for DNA delivery, their use in microbial cell transformation has not been reported yet. Here we report the synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) from citric acid and β-alanine and their use in DNA delivery into E. coli cells. CDs were fabricated using microwave assisted synthesis. Plasmids carrying RFP reporter and ampicillin resistance genes were transferred to bacterial cells and further confirmed using polymerase chain reaction. Our findings indicate that CDs can be used successfully for delivery of foreign DNA of up to 10 kb into E. coli. We have demonstrated the use of β-alanine/citric acid carbon dots as nanocarriers of DNA into E. coli cells and identified their limitation in terms of the size of plasmid DNA they could carry. Use of these carbon dots is a novel method in foreign DNA delivery into bacterial cells and have a potential for the transformation of resistant organism for which there is still no reliable DNA delivery systems

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus against clinically isolated Klebsiella pneumoniae: an in vitro study

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae are Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae that can cause severe nosocomial infections particularly in immuno-compromised individuals. They exhibit co-resistance to multiple antibiotics which emphasize the need for non-antibiotic therapies. The goal of the presented study was to investigate the antimicrobial ability of probiotic Lactobacilli on clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, antimicrobial activities of probiotic L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus on K. pneumoniae were evaluated by Agar overlay interference technique. Clear zone around Lactobacilli were taken as positive inhibition. Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of K. pneumoniae were determined by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, analyzed using interpretive standards of CLSI M100-S33 and categorized into MDR, XDR and Non MDR groups. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard error and inferential statistics such as ANOVA single factor. Results: K. pneumoniae exhibited positive inhibition with both the probiotic strain. On comparing the zone of inhibition of L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus (both treated-pH adjusted and untreated), L. acidophilus had greater zone of inhibition against K. pneumoniae but concluded that statistically the values are insignificant (p>0.05). Based on antibiotic susceptibility pattern of K. pneumoniae, 63% of isolates were XDR, 3% were MDR and 34% were Non MDR Conclusions: It can be concluded that L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus had significant inhibitory effect against K. pneumoniae in vitro and should be further studied for their human health benefit

Characterization Of Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria From Honey And Assessment Of Their Effects On Consumption By Type-2- Diabetes Using Wistar Rat

The relevance of probiotic, especially lactic acid bacteria cannot be over emphasized. In this present study three honey sources were serially diluted and cultured on De Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) agar among which only one of this sources grew on MRS agar. The pure Lactobacilli isolate were subjected to gram staining, biochemical tests, physiological test, molecular analysis using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques and Deoxyribonucleotide (DNA) sequencing. Only one isolate was obtained known as Enterococcus fecalis. The isolate was subjected to probiotic selection and was found fit for consumption, however their effect when consumed by type-2 diabetic are alarming and based on the outcome of this study, diabetic patient are advised not consume honey

Production of Pectinase from Bacillus sonorensis MPTD1

U radu je ispitanaproizvodnja pektinaze na podlozi s agarom s pomoću sedam sojeva bakterija izoliranih iz pokvarenog voća i povrća. Najučinkovitiji soj, MPTD1, identificiran je kao soj bakterije Bacillus sonorensis. Primjenom Plackett-Burman i Box-Behnken statističkih planova optimirani su različiti parametri, te je utvrđeno da udjeliekstrakta kvasca, K2HPO4,NaNO3i KCl te vrijeme inkubacije negativno utječu na proizvodnju pektinaze. Najveća postignuta aktivnost enzima bila je 2,43 (μM/mL)/min. U ovom je radu po prvi put opisana proizvodnja pektinaze s pomoću bakterije Bacillus sonorensis.Seven isolates from spoiled fruits and vegetables were screened for pectinase produc¬tion using pectin agar plates and the most efficient bacterial strain, MPTD1, was identified as Bacillus sonorensis. Optimisation of various process parameters was done using Plack¬ett-Burman and Box-Behnken designs and it was found that parameters like yeast extract, K2HPO4, incubation time, NaNO3 and KCl have a negative impact on pectinase production. Parameters like pH and MgSO4 and pectin mass fractions have a positive impact on pecti¬nase production. The maximum obtained enzyme activity was 2.43 (μM/mL)/min. This is the first report on pectinase production by Bacillus sonorensis

Heat shock protein 70-2 (HSP70-2) overexpression in breast cancer

Supplementary Methods, Supplementary table, Supplementary Figure Legends. (DOCX 41 kb

Enhanced heat transfer using oil-based nanofluid flow through conduits

The application of nanofluids for enhancing the heat transfer rate is widely used in various heat exchanger applications. The selection of oil as the base to prepare nanofluids significantly enhances the thermal performance, due to its high heat carrying capacity as compared to conventional base fluid. A review is performed of various heat exchanger conduits having base fluid as nanoparticles with oil. It is reported that the heat transfer rate of a heat exchanger is significantly increased with the use of oil-based nanofluids. The rate of heat transfer depends on the type of nanoparticle, its concentration and diameter, the base fluid, as well as factors like the mixture of more than two nanoparticles (hybrid nanofluids) and stability. A review is also performed of the thermal performance of the different nanofluids analyzed by various investigators. The heat transfer system reviewed in this work includes triangular, square, and circular conduits, as well as rib surface conduits. The review of various applications viz. solar thermal systems, heat exchangers, refrigerators, and engines, is carried out where the inclusion of the oil base is used. It is reported that the amalgamation of the nanomaterial with the oil as base fluid is a prolific technique to enhance thermal performance. The performance of the reviewed research work is comparatively analyzed for different aspects viz. thermal oil, mineral oil, hybrid, and conventional nanoparticles, concentration of nanoparticles, etc. The novelty of the present work is the determination of the effective performing oil-based nanofluid in various applications, to figure out the selection of specific mineral oil, thermal oil, nanoparticle concentration, and hybrid nanofluids.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/energiesam2023Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineerin

A coherent feed-forward loop drives vascular regeneration in damaged aerial organs of plants growing in a normal developmental context

Aerial organs of plants, being highly prone to local injuries, require tissue restoration to ensure their survival. However, knowledge of the underlying mechanism is sparse. In this study, we mimicked natural injuries in growing leaves and stems to study the reunion between mechanically disconnected tissues. We show that PLETHORA (PLT) and AINTEGUMENTA (ANT) genes, which encode stem cell-promoting factors, are activated and contribute to vascular regeneration in response to these injuries. PLT proteins bind to and activate the CUC2 promoter. PLT proteins and CUC2 regulate the transcription of the local auxin biosynthesis gene YUC4 in a coherent feed-forward loop, and this process is necessary to drive vascular regeneration. In the absence of this PLT-mediated regeneration response, leaf ground tissue cells can neither acquire the early vascular identity marker ATHB8, nor properly polarise auxin transporters to specify new venation paths. The PLT-CUC2 module is required for vascular regeneration, but is dispensable for midvein formation in leaves. We reveal the mechanisms of vascular regeneration in plants and distinguish between the wound-repair ability of the tissue and its formation during normal development.Peer reviewe

Mapping of variations in child stunting, wasting and underweight within the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 2000–2017

Background To inform actions at the district level under the National Nutrition Mission (NNM), we assessed the prevalence trends of child growth failure (CGF) indicators for all districts in India and inequality between districts within the states. Methods We assessed the trends of CGF indicators (stunting, wasting and underweight) from 2000 to 2017 across the districts of India, aggregated from 5 × 5 km grid estimates, using all accessible data from various surveys with subnational geographical information. The states were categorised into three groups using their Socio-demographic Index (SDI) levels calculated as part of the Global Burden of Disease Study based on per capita income, mean education and fertility rate in women younger than 25 years. Inequality between districts within the states was assessed using coefficient of variation (CV). We projected the prevalence of CGF indicators for the districts up to 2030 based on the trends from 2000 to 2017 to compare with the NNM 2022 targets for stunting and underweight, and the WHO/UNICEF 2030 targets for stunting and wasting. We assessed Pearson correlation coefficient between two major national surveys for district-level estimates of CGF indicators in the states. Findings The prevalence of stunting ranged 3.8-fold from 16.4% (95% UI 15.2–17.8) to 62.8% (95% UI 61.5–64.0) among the 723 districts of India in 2017, wasting ranged 5.4-fold from 5.5% (95% UI 5.1–6.1) to 30.0% (95% UI 28.2–31.8), and underweight ranged 4.6-fold from 11.0% (95% UI 10.5–11.9) to 51.0% (95% UI 49.9–52.1). 36.1% of the districts in India had stunting prevalence 40% or more, with 67.0% districts in the low SDI states group and only 1.1% districts in the high SDI states with this level of stunting. The prevalence of stunting declined significantly from 2010 to 2017 in 98.5% of the districts with a maximum decline of 41.2% (95% UI 40.3–42.5), wasting in 61.3% with a maximum decline of 44.0% (95% UI 42.3–46.7), and underweight in 95.0% with a maximum decline of 53.9% (95% UI 52.8–55.4). The CV varied 7.4-fold for stunting, 12.2-fold for wasting, and 8.6-fold for underweight between the states in 2017; the CV increased for stunting in 28 out of 31 states, for wasting in 16 states, and for underweight in 20 states from 2000 to 2017. In order to reach the NNM 2022 targets for stunting and underweight individually, 82.6% and 98.5% of the districts in India would need a rate of improvement higher than they had up to 2017, respectively. To achieve the WHO/UNICEF 2030 target for wasting, all districts in India would need a rate of improvement higher than they had up to 2017. The correlation between the two national surveys for district-level estimates was poor, with Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.7 only in Odisha and four small north-eastern states out of the 27 states covered by these surveys. Interpretation CGF indicators have improved in India, but there are substantial variations between the districts in their magnitude and rate of decline, and the inequality between districts has increased in a large proportion of the states. The poor correlation between the national surveys for CGF estimates highlights the need to standardise collection of anthropometric data in India. The district-level trends in this report provide a useful reference for targeting the efforts under NNM to reduce CGF across India and meet the Indian and global targets. Keywords Child growth failureDistrict-levelGeospatial mappingInequalityNational Nutrition MissionPrevalenceStuntingTime trendsUnder-fiveUndernutritionUnderweightWastingWHO/UNICEF target

Proceedings of Patient Reported Outcome Measure’s (PROMs) Conference Oxford 2017: Advances in Patient Reported Outcomes Research

A33-Effects of Out-of-Pocket (OOP) Payments and Financial Distress on Quality of Life (QoL) of People with Parkinson’s (PwP) and their Carer