Distress Signal Tracker Using GPS and SMS Technology: A Prototype

There is no time in history that tracking has become a part and parcel of almost everyone’s lives than it is today. Due to the need of a device that enables easy access in locating a particular person, things or vehicles, the proponents aim to develop a study which comprises of the communication between a distress signal tracker incorporated in a server through mobile communication (SMS) that contributes to public safety, delivers accurate location of the user to the corresponding recipients and provides a real-time monitoring system using VB.Net and MySQL. The method of research used, in this study, is experimental method which involves the identification of response time and availability of the network signal. A series of testing was performed in 30 different locations in Calamba, Laguna demonstrating the versatility and accuracy of the device and server under various circumstances. Based from the evaluation of the data gathered, the results are proved to satisfy the required objectives and specifications of the study

Membrane Localization of HspA1A, a Stress Inducible 70-kDa Heat-Shock Protein, Depends on Its Interaction with Intracellular Phosphatidylserine

HspA1A is a cytosolic molecular chaperone essential for cellular homeostasis. HspA1A also localizes at the plasma membrane (PM) of tumor and stressed cells. However, it is currently unknown how this cytosolic protein translocates to the PM. Taking into account that HspA1A interacts with lipids, including phosphatidylserine (PS), and that lipids recruit proteins to the PM, we hypothesized that the interaction of HspA1A with PS allows the chaperone to localize at the PM. To test this hypothesis, we subjected cells to mild heat-shock and the PM-localized HspA1A was quantified using confocal microscopy and cell surface biotinylation. These experiments revealed that HspA1A’s membrane localization increased during recovery from non-apoptotic heat-shock. Next, we selectively reduced PS targets by overexpressing the C2 domain of lactadherin (Lact-C2), a known PS-biosensor, and determined that HspA1A’s membrane localization was greatly reduced. In contrast, the reduction of PI(4,5)P2 availability by overexpression of the PLCδ-PH biosensor had minimal effects on HspA1A’s PM-localization. Implementation of a fluorescent PS analog, TopFluor-PS, established that PS co-localizes with HspA1A. Collectively, these results reveal that HspA1A’s PM localization and anchorage depend on its selective interaction with intracellular PS. This discovery institutes PS as a new and dynamic partner in the cellular stress response

Activity of endophytic extract from Zingiber officinale rhizomes against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Endophytic secondary crude metabolite obtained from Zingiber officinale rhizomes were subjected to phytochemical screening, antibacterial property and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination. Identification through DNA analysis was also done on four endophytes that produced crude extracts with antibacterial activity. Multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Methicilin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum β-lactamase Escherichia coli (ESBL E.coli) and Multi-drug resistant Acinebacter spp. (MDR-A) were used to test antibacterial activity. Antibacterial activity for test microorganisms yielded 10.5mm, 2mm and 3mm zones of inhibition for MRSA, ESBL E. coli and MDR-A respectively. Both antibacteriala ctivities of 100 µg crude extracts against MRSA and MDR-A were similar to the standards used: 10 µg Vancomycin (11mm) for MRSA and 10 µg Chloramphenicaol (3mm) for MDR-A. Only one crude extracts was able to inhibit the growth of ESBL E. coli at 15% inhibition compared to the standard, Meropenem. All crude extracts showed inhibition against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with the highest being 68% in comparison with the standard, Isoniazid. MIC values for ESBL E. coli and MDR-A were 100 µg and 50 µg for MRSA. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins and coumarins. Chryseoibacterium indologenes, Pseudomonas nitroreducens, SPhingobacterium sp. B29 and Bacillus amyloliquifaciens were successfully isolated from Zingiber officinale rhizomes that produced antibacterial crude metabolites. Two solvent systems (DCM: Hexane:Ethyl acetate and Ethyl Acetate:Hexane) through Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) were used to separate three to four compounds present from the endophytic extract able to inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis and can be considered for used as template for subsequent future expansion of the study

Activity of endophytic extract from Zingiber officinale rhizomes against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Endophytic secondary crude metabolite obtained from Zingiber officinale rhizomes were subjected to phytochemical screening, antibacterial property and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination. Identification through DNA analysis was also done on four endophytes that produced crude extracts with antibacterial activity. Multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Methicilin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum β-lactamase Escherichia coli (ESBL E.coli) and Multi-drug resistant Acinebacter spp. (MDR-A) were used to test antibacterial activity. Antibacterial activity for test microorganisms yielded 10.5mm, 2mm and 3mm zones of inhibition for MRSA, ESBL E. coli and MDR-A respectively. Both antibacteriala ctivities of 100 µg crude extracts against MRSA and MDR-A were similar to the standards used: 10 µg Vancomycin (11mm) for MRSA and 10 µg Chloramphenicaol (3mm) for MDR-A. Only one crude extracts was able to inhibit the growth of ESBL E. coli at 15% inhibition compared to the standard, Meropenem. All crude extracts showed inhibition against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with the highest being 68% in comparison with the standard, Isoniazid. MIC values for ESBL E. coli and MDR-A were 100 µg and 50 µg for MRSA. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins and coumarins. Chryseoibacterium indologenes, Pseudomonas nitroreducens, SPhingobacterium sp. B29 and Bacillus amyloliquifaciens were successfully isolated from Zingiber officinale rhizomes that produced antibacterial crude metabolites. Two solvent systems (DCM: Hexane:Ethyl acetate and Ethyl Acetate:Hexane) through Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) were used to separate three to four compounds present from the endophytic extract able to inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis and can be considered for used as template for subsequent future expansion of the study

Membrane Localization of HspA1A, a Stress Inducible 70-kDa Heat-Shock Protein, Depends on Its Interaction with Intracellular Phosphatidylserine

HspA1A is a cytosolic molecular chaperone essential for cellular homeostasis. HspA1A also localizes at the plasma membrane (PM) of tumor and stressed cells. However, it is currently unknown how this cytosolic protein translocates to the PM. Taking into account that HspA1A interacts with lipids, including phosphatidylserine (PS), and that lipids recruit proteins to the PM, we hypothesized that the interaction of HspA1A with PS allows the chaperone to localize at the PM. To test this hypothesis, we subjected cells to mild heat-shock and the PM-localized HspA1A was quantified using confocal microscopy and cell surface biotinylation. These experiments revealed that HspA1A’s membrane localization increased during recovery from non-apoptotic heat-shock. Next, we selectively reduced PS targets by overexpressing the C2 domain of lactadherin (Lact-C2), a known PS-biosensor, and determined that HspA1A’s membrane localization was greatly reduced. In contrast, the reduction of PI(4,5)P2 availability by overexpression of the PLCδ-PH biosensor had minimal effects on HspA1A’s PM-localization. Implementation of a fluorescent PS analog, TopFluor-PS, established that PS co-localizes with HspA1A. Collectively, these results reveal that HspA1A’s PM localization and anchorage depend on its selective interaction with intracellular PS. This discovery institutes PS as a new and dynamic partner in the cellular stress response

Anti-stress effects of lemon balm-containing foods

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has been used historically and contemporarily as a modulator of mood and cognitive function, with anxiolytic effects following administration of capsules, coated tablets and topical application. Following a pilot study with lemon balm extract administered as a water based drink, which confirmed absorption of rosmarinic acid effects on mood and cognitive function, we conducted two similar double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover studies. These evaluated the mood and cognitive effects of a standardised M. officinalis preparation administered in palatable forms in a beverage and in yoghurt. In each study a cohort of healthy young adults' self-rated aspects of mood were measured before and after a multi-tasking framework (MTF) administered one hour and three hours following one of four treatments. Both active lemon balm treatments were generally associated with improvements in mood and/or cognitive performance, though there were some behavioral "costs" at other doses and these effects depended to some degree on the delivery matrix

Distress signal tracker using GPS and SMS technology: A prototype

There is no time in history that tracking has become a part and parcel of almost everyone\u27s lives than it is today. Due to the need of a device that enables easy access in locating a particular person, things or vehicles, the proponents aim to develop a study which comprises of the communication between a distress signal tracker incorporated in a server through mobile communication (SMS) that contributes to public safety, delivers accurate location of the user to the corresponding recipients and provides a real-time monitoring system using VB.Net and MySQL. The method of research used, in this study, is experimental method which involves the identification of response time and availability of the network signal. A series of testing was performed in 30 different locations in Calamba, Laguna demonstrating the versatility and accuracy of the device and server under various circumstances. Based from the evaluation of the data gathered, the results are proved to satisfy the required objectives and specifications of the study