Photoproduction of iodine with nanoparticulate semiconductors and insulators

The crystal structures of different forms of TiO2 and those of BaTiO3, ZnO, SnO2, WO3, CuO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, ZrO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles have been deduced by powder X-ray diffraction. Their optical edges have been obtained by UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra. The photocatalytic activities of these oxides and also those of SiO2 and SiO2 porous to oxidize iodide ion have been determined and compared. The relationships between the photocatalytic activities of the studied oxides and the illumination time, wavelength of illumination, concentration of iodide ion, airflow rate, photon flux, pH, etc., have been obtained. Use of acetonitrile as medium favors the photogeneration of iodine

Effect of Feeding Time and Nutrient Degradability in Sorghum Stover Based Feeding System on Ruminal Microbial Protein Synthesis in Crossbred Cattle

Farmers fed sorghum stover as staple roughages for low milk yielding dairy cattle was surveyed followed by in vitro and in vivo experiments to enhance rumen microbial protein synthesis in cattle without altering the quantity of forage / feed ingredients. The survey revealed that majority of farmers fed roughages twice daily during morning and evening and supplemented with groundnut cake at forenoon and evening along with de-oiled rice bran in drinking water. The in vitro degradability characteristics of the sorghum stover and supplemental feeds viz., groundnut cake, sesame cake, coconut cake and de-oiled rice bran were studied by Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC). The half time (t1/2) of organic matter and nitrogen for sorghum stover were 27 ± 4 and 34 ± 4 hour, respectively. The respective t1/2 time of organic matter and nitrogen for the commonly fed supplemental feeds viz., coconut cake and de-oiled rice bran were 7 ± 1 and 15 ± 2 and 8 ± 0 and 7 ± 1 hour, respectively. Altering the feeding strategy based on t1/2 value of organic matter and nitrogen sources did not increased the rumen microbial protein yield by in vitro / in vivo experiments. There was comparable microbial nitrogen synthesis per kg metabolic body weight of animal between evolved and farmer’s feeding strategies in sorghum stover based feeding system (0.480 vs. 0.485 g / d). Hence, it was concluded that altering the feeding time based on nutrient degradability in sorghum stover based feeding system did not increased the rumen microbial protein synthesis

Effect of blend ratio and single, double and plated yarn on moisture management properties of bamboo/cotton jersey knitted fabrics

Effect of bamboo/cotton blend ratio on the moisture management properties of single, double and plated yarn singlejersey knitted fabrics has been studied. The moisture management properties of the fabrics are measured by SDL-ATLASmoisture management tester. Absorption rate, wetting time, maximum wetted radius, spreading speeds, one-waytransportation capability and overall moisture management capacity are measured and discussed. The results show that thebamboo composition has a significant influence on moisture management properties

Monogenic Diabetes due to ABCC8/KCNJ11 Mutation: Case Study and Review of Literature

Monogenic diabetes arises due to mutation in a single-gene and is recognized by their striking familial inheritance pattern. This form of diabetes is inherited in an autosomal dominant or recessive fashion, unlike polygenic Type 1 (autoimmune) or type 2 diabetes caused by the combined action of more than one gene [1-11]. Monogenic diabetes is classified into three main groups: Neonatal diabetes mostly presents in the first six months of birth, maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) and maternally inherited mitochondrial diabetes. These mutations run in the family and have a predictable course. Most of the monogenic diabetes is treated with oral medications like sulfonylurea rather than insulin. ABCC8/KCNJ11 gene mutations also cause monogenic diabetes. This gene mutation has been found in ~50% of congenital hyperinsulinemia (CHI) patients. In such cases diabetes commonly presents in the neonatal period (transient or permanent) or at adolescence / early adulthood [1]. We present a 58-year-old diabetic lady, who was detected with ABCC8 mutation during the cascade testing [8]. She was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 12 [8]. Her son had history of neonatal hypoglycaemia and developed diabetes at the age of 15. He was the index case who was found to have ABCC8 mutation. The family has several other members diagnosed with diabetes. The aim of the article is to increase awareness and understanding of monogenic diabetes among the medical practitioners in adult population with diabetes so that the genetic testing can be offered in a cost effective manner

Biodesalination: an emerging technology for targeted removal of Na+and Cl−from seawater by cyanobacteria

Although desalination by membrane processes is a possible solution to the problem of freshwater supply, related cost and energy demands prohibit its use on a global scale. Hence, there is an emerging necessity for alternative, energy and cost-efficient methods for water desalination. Cyanobacteria are oxygen-producing, photosynthetic bacteria that actively grow in vast blooms both in fresh and seawater bodies. Moreover, cyanobacteria can grow with minimal nutrient requirements and under natural sunlight. Taking these observations together, a consortium of five British Universities was formed to test the principle of using cyanobacteria as ion exchangers, for the specific removal of Na+ and Cl− from seawater. This project consisted of the isolation and characterisation of candidate strains, with central focus on their potential to be osmotically and ionically adaptable. The selection panel resulted in the identification of two Euryhaline strains, one of freshwater (Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803) and one of marine origin (Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002) (Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen). Other work packages were as follows. Genetic manipulations potentially allowed for the expression of a light-driven, Cl−-selective pump in both strains, therefore, enhancing the bioaccumulation of specific ions within the cell (University of Glasgow). Characterisation of surface properties under different salinities (University of Sheffield), ensured that cell–liquid separation efficiency would be maximised post-treatment, as well as monitoring the secretion of mucopolysaccharides in the medium during cell growth. Work at Newcastle University is focused on the social acceptance of this scenario, together with an assessment of the potential risks through the generation and application of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plan. Finally, researchers in Imperial College (London) designed the process, from biomass production to water treatment and generation of a model photobioreactor. This multimodal approach has produced promising first results, and further optimisation is expected to result in mass scaling of this process

Bioinformatic Analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis Polymorphic Membrane Proteins PmpE, PmpF, PmpG and PmpH as Potential Vaccine Antigens

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most important infectious cause of infertility in women with important implications in public health and for which a vaccine is urgently needed. Recent immunoproteomic vaccine studies found that four polymorphic membrane proteins (PmpE, PmpF, PmpG and PmpH) are immunodominant, recognized by various MHC class II haplotypes and protective in mouse models. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate genetic and protein features of Pmps (focusing on the N-terminal 600 amino acids where MHC class II epitopes were mapped) in order to understand antigen variation that may emerge following vaccine induced immune selection. We used several bioinformatics platforms to study: i) Pmps' phylogeny and genetic polymorphism; ii) the location and distribution of protein features (GGA(I, L)/FxxN motifs and cysteine residues) that may impact pathogen-host interactions and protein conformation; and iii) the existence of phase variation mechanisms that may impact Pmps' expression. We used a well-characterized collection of 53 fully-sequenced strains that represent the C. trachomatis serovars associated with the three disease groups: ocular (N=8), epithelial-genital (N=25) and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) (N=20). We observed that PmpF and PmpE are highly polymorphic between LGV and epithelial-genital strains, and also within populations of the latter. We also found heterogeneous representation among strains for GGA(I, L)/FxxN motifs and cysteine residues, suggesting possible alterations in adhesion properties, tissue specificity and immunogenicity. PmpG and, to a lesser extent, PmpH revealed low polymorphism and high conservation of protein features among the genital strains (including the LGV group). Uniquely among the four Pmps, pmpG has regulatory sequences suggestive of phase variation. In aggregate, the results suggest that PmpG may be the lead vaccine candidate because of sequence conservation but may need to be paired with another protective antigen (like PmpH) in order to prevent immune selection of phase variants.AN is a recipient of a post-doctoral fellowship (SFRH/BPD/75295/2010) from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)

Determination of magnesium and residual manganese in rocks and minerals with 8-hydroxy-quinoline

The magnesia and residual manganese have been precipitated together with oxine, the content of the latter determined colorimetrically and that of the former calculated by difference in the analyses of samples of charnockite, leptynite and garnet. The results obtained are compared with those obtained in parallel determinations carried out by the pyrophosphate method and improved accuracy in the estimation of residual manganese as well as magnesia claimed

Samarskite from Nellore District. Part II. Chemical composition

1. A typical sample of samarskite has been analysed and the results reported. 2. The thoria content of the sample is 1·98%. 3. The percentage of cerium earths present in this sample is relatively much smaller than found in samples from North America. Our sample contains 0·4% ceria. 4. Hexavalent uranium has not been found in the sample but this is of no special significance. 5. The radium contents is 1·0 gr. in 39·71 tons and the Nellore samarskite is nearly as rich as Katanga Carnotite in this element

A double-blind study of oral salbutamol supplement and repeat sputum smear microscopy in enhancing diagnosis of smear-negative tuberculosis in south India

Background: As routine culture facilities are not available in TB control programme in low income countries like India, there is an urgent need to improve the sensitivity of sputum microscopy, especially in diagnosis of smear negative pulmonary TB. Methodology: In a double blind placebo controlled study, the role of repeat sputum microscopy after antibiotics and oral salbutamol supplement in improving the diagnosis of smear negative TB suspects was investigated in an urban TB clinic. We undertook culture examinations for all study patients to find out proportions of TB cases in this series. Results: Of 206 enrolled, (101 salbutamol (S), 105 placebo (P) groups) 26 were positive by repeat sputum smear examination; similar in two groups (S 16, P 10, p = 0.25). In all, 40 (S 23, P 17) including 26 smear- positives, were culture -positive for M. tuberculosis. Conclusions: Two thirds of initially smear negative but culture positive TB patients were smear positive on repeat sputum examination. Thus, repeat sputum smear microscopy for TB suspects improved the diagnosis, nevertheless oral salbutamol therapy was not beneficial. In resource poor settings, repeat sputum smear microscopy after a trial of antibiotics, could significantly improve the diagnosis of smear-negative PTB patients