ISOLATION, SCREENING, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CHITINASE PRODUCING BACTERIA FROM MARINE WASTES

Objective: Aim of this study deals with screening and characterization of chitinase-producing bacteria from marine waste and its deposited soil along the coastal regions in Chennai.Methods: The soil samples were collected aseptically and subjected to serial dilution to isolate the bacterial strains. Totally, 35 morphologically different microorganisms were isolated and were screened for their chitinolytic activity in colloidal chitin incorporated media through zone assay using Congo red stain. The biochemical tests were performed for the isolated to prove their validity and further with sequencing to determine the species.Results: The isolates were screened based on the size of the zone formed. Best chitinase producers were subjected to biochemical tests and 16s ribosomal RNA sequencing. A novel strain, Acinetobacter ASK18, a gram-negative, motile organism was identified. Thus, the isolate may be a potent producer of chitinase, and the marine wastes can be utilized efficiently to generate a high value-added product.Conclusion: A novel strain, Acinetobacter ASK18, would further be subjected to purification of the enzyme produced, and hence the active principle could be evaluated as an effective pharmacological drug in anticancer and antibacterial properties.Keywords: Marine wastes, Chitinase, Congo red, Biochemical tests, 16s rRNA sequencin

THEORETICAL APPROACH ON TARGETING PLANT FUNGAL PATHOGENIC PROTEINS AGAINST NATURALLY ISOLATED COMPOUNDS FROM CHITINIPHILUS SHINANONENSIS

Objective: The objective of this study was to find the potency and bioefficacy of Asiatic acid and triterpene against four different plant fungal pathogens using a structure-based drug designing approach. Methods: The pathogenic fungus which causes a dreadful effect on plants is reviewed from literature study, and its three-dimensional structures are retrieved from the protein data bank database. On the other hand, ligands are prepared. Finally, prepared fungal drug targets are docked with naturally isolated compounds using AutoDock tools. Results: Both compounds Asiatic acid and triterpene structures are complementary to bind at the active site of four different drug targets. Comparatively, it is more favorable for Avr2 effector protein from Fusarium oxysporum with Ki value of 126.60 μM, 1.76 μM, and dock score value of −5.32 kcal/mol and −7.85 kcal/mol for Asiatic acid and triterpene, respectively. Thus, interaction analysis was carried out only for these protein-ligand complexes. Conclusion: The computational biology study states that these two compounds can be the lead candidate for treating disease caused by plant fungal pathogen F. oxysporum. However, further study has to be done in vitro and in vivo to prove its same efficacy

Fuel enhancement of parallel hybrid electric two-wheeler motorcycle

In this paper, design and simulation of a parallel hybrid electric two-wheeler motorcycle (PHETM) by means of continuous variable transmission (CVT) is illustrated. For simulation, the parallel hybrid electric power train model type in MATLAB/ADVISOR is customized. The internal combustion engine (ICE) be supposed to drive at elevated efficiency areas, in order to attain enhanced fuel economy and a reduced amount of emission. Simultaneously, the ICE must not activate at values of low torque areas. For that reason, get better it whilst ICE is ON, a new energy control strategy is proposed. In the new strategy, the electrical machine absorbs the extra torque of the ICE. This article proposes a PHETM system to propel the vehicle efficiently with reduced amounts of emission on comparing witha conventional vehicle. This system includes two modes of operations for achieving the better results known as motoring mode and generating mode. The switching from one mode to other is based on the vehicle speed which is sensed in real time. A drive cycle is generated by running the vehicle in normal and slightly gradient condition and finally the results are compared

Immediate Effect of Scalp Acupuncture at Vasomotor Area on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Hypertension

BACKGROUND: High Blood pressure is defined as abnormally high arterial blood pressure, a major public health problem. High BP is positively correlated to the risk of coronary and heart disease stroke. Besides stroke, coronary and heart disease, its complications include heart failure, renal impairment, peripheral vascular disease, retinal hemorrhage, and visual impairment. This study aims to find the effect of scalp acupuncture in the vasomotor area on blood pressure and heart rate variability in patients with hypertension. Elevated odds of being hypertensive were found in male subjects, married subjects, eldest age group, and subjects of upper socioeconomic status, illiterate subjects, and retired subjects. Alcohol consumption, tobacco, overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity were also associated with hypertension. Hypertension is defined as a systolic BP level of ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP level ≥ of 90 mmHg. The grey area declining between 120–139 mmHg systolic BP and 80–89 mmHg diastolic BP is defined as “pre-hypertension”. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial will be adopted for this study, and all the subjects were randomly allocated to either a study group or a control group using computerized randomization among 80 patients with hypertension between 35-80 years from patients of Govt. Yoga and Naturopathy medical college and hospital, Arumbakkam, Chennai. They were selected after satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A study group will receive only one session of acupuncture treatments for 20 minutes a day. In contrast, the control group will be in their normal routine for the same duration without acupuncture treatments. Assessments will be done before and after the intervention. RESULTS: This study showed a significant reduction in the systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and increased RR interval in analysis within the study group. In contrast, no such significant changes were found in the other parameters of the HRV, diastole blood pressure, and control group within the analysis and comparison between the groups. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the immediate effect of the practice of scalp acupuncture on the vasomotor area effectively reduces the blood pressure by controlling the actions of basal sympathetic discharge, LV ejection, and RAAS

Moisture management finish on woven fabrics

486-491Moisture management behaviour of four different woven fabrics, such as cotton, polyester/cotton blend, microdenier polyester and nylon, has been studied. A wetting agent of ethoxylated alcohol blend and moisture management finishing agents, such as amino silicone polyether copolymer and hydrophilic polymer, have been prepared and used. Moisture management finishes with wetting agent and without wetting agent are imparted onto woven fabrics. The effect of moisture management finishing process parameters on the comfort properties of woven fabrics has been studied. The optimization of comfort level by varying the moisture management finishing process parameters in order to achieve suitability for making sports wear is done. It is found that the type of fibre and linear density of yarn affect the comfort properties of woven fabrics which include wicking, wetting, water absorbency and moisture vapour transmission characteristics. Based on the test results, microdenier polyester fabrics and cotton fabrics exhibit good wicking, wetting and water absorbency characteristics than the polyester/cotton blend and nylon. It is found that the combination of ethoxylated alcohol (wetting agent) and the recipe containing amino silicone polyether copolymer and hydrophilic polymer in the ratio of 1:2 with pH of 5.5 at 600-700 C temperature is the optimum finishing process than the other two combinations so as to attain better comfort properties for sportswear

Molecular docking analysis on 16 therapeutic ligands of Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (Tulasi) and their prospects in drug design for COVID-19

The PyRx software and Discovery studio were used in the present molecular docking studies of the 16 ligands of Ocimum tenuiflorum L., selected based on their high therapeutic potentials, viz., (E)-6-hydroxy-4,6-dimethylhept-3-en-2-one, Apigenin, Bieugenol, Cirsilineol, Cirsimaritin, β-Caryophyllene epoxide, Dehydrodieugenol B, Eugenol, Ferulaldehyde, Isothymonin, Isothymusin, Linalool, Luteolin, Ocimarin, Rosmarinic acid, and Thymol. Saquinavir was used as a positive control. The binding affinities of the 16 ligands to the main proteases of COVID-19 6LU7 and 6Y2E (critical for viral replication) and their ability to arrest the virus replication were recorded. The binding affinities of the ligands to 6LU7 and 6Y2E ranged from -4.3 and -4.7 kcal/mol (for (E)-6-hydroxy-4,6-dimethylhept-3-en-2-one) to -7.6 (for Rosmarinic acid to both target proteins). While the corresponding values for the control drug Saquinavir were -7.8 and -7.6 respectively. The Rosmarinic acid, in binding with both the proteases (-7.6 and -7.6 kcal/mol) showed six conventional hydrogen bonds, one carbon hydrogen bond (ASP 153 had one conventional hydrogen bond and one carbon hydrogen bond), one Pi-alkyl bond, one Pi-Pi stacked bond, eight van der waals bonds for 6LU7 protease; it formed three conventional hydrogen bonds, two Pi-alkyl bonds, one unfavourable donor – donor bond and 14 van der waals bonds with 6Y2E protease. The control drug – Saquinavir in binding with 6LU7 protease showed 12 van der waals, one alkyl, one Pi-alkyl, one Pi-cation, one Pi-stacked and four conventional hydrogen bonds, which indicates that it has less affinity when compared with Rosmarinic acid. Similarly, the control drug on binding with 6Y2E protease exhibited ten van der waals, four Pi-alkyl, one cation and three hydrogen bonds. The results are in conformity to similar other studies, and herald a promising scope for Rosmarinic acid as lead molecule in the drug discovery for COVID-19

Moisture management finish on woven fabrics

Moisture management behaviour of four different woven fabrics, such as cotton, polyester/cotton blend, microdenierpolyester and nylon, has been studied. A wetting agent of ethoxylated alcohol blend and moisture management finishingagents, such as amino silicone polyether copolymer and hydrophilic polymer, have been prepared and used. Moisturemanagement finishes with wetting agent and without wetting agent are imparted onto woven fabrics. The effect of moisturemanagement finishing process parameters on the comfort properties of woven fabrics has been studied. The optimization ofcomfort level by varying the moisture management finishing process parameters in order to achieve suitability for makingsports wear is done. It is found that the type of fibre and linear density of yarn affect the comfort properties of woven fabricswhich include wicking, wetting, water absorbency and moisture vapour transmission characteristics. Based on the testresults, microdenier polyester fabrics and cotton fabrics exhibit good wicking, wetting and water absorbency characteristicsthan the polyester/cotton blend and nylon. It is found that the combination of ethoxylated alcohol (wetting agent) and therecipe containing amino silicone polyether copolymer and hydrophilic polymer in the ratio of 1:2 with pH of 5.5 at 600-700 Ctemperature is the optimum finishing process than the other two combinations so as to attain better comfort propertiesfor sportswear

Functional differentiation and scalable production of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells in a dynamic culture system

Objective: To provide a standardized protocol for large-scale production of proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC). Methods: The hPSC were expanded and differentiated into PTEC on matrix-coated alginate beads in an automated levitating fluidic platform bioLevitator. Differentiation efficacy was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry, ultrastructure visualized by electron microscopy. Active reabsorption by PTEC was investigated by glucose, albumin, organic anions and cations uptake assays. Finally, the response to cisplatin-treatment was assessed to check the potential use of PTEC to model drug-induced nephrotoxicity. Results: hPSC expansion and PTEC differentiation could be performed directly on matrix-coated alginate beads in suspension bioreactors. Renal precursors arose 4 days post hPSC differentiation and PTEC after 8 days with 80% efficiency, with a 10-fold expansion from hPSC in 24 days. PTEC on beads, exhibited microvilli and clear apico-basal localization of markers. Functionality of PTECs was confirmed by uptake of glucose, albumin, organic anions and cations and expression of KIM-1 after Cisplatin treatment. Conclusion: We demonstrate the efficient expansion of hPSC, controlled differentiation to renal progenitors and further specification to polarized tubular epithelial cells. This is the first report employing biolevitation and matrix-coated beads in a completely defined medium for the scalable and potentially automatable production of functional human PTEC

Soy Phosphatidylinositol–Containing Lipid Nanoparticle Prolongs the Plasma Survival and Hemostatic Efficacy of B-domain–Deleted Recombinant Canine Factor VIII in Hemophilia A Dogs

Soy phosphatidylinositol (PI) containing lipid nanoparticles prolong plasma survival, improve hemostatic efficacy, and decrease immunogenicity of human B-domain deleted Factor VIII (BDD FVIII) in Hemophilia A (HA) mice. We hypothesize that PI associated BDD FVIII is more potent than the free protein, and using mathematical modeling, have projected that PI associated BDD FVIII could be used for once-weekly prophylactic dosing in patients. To facilitate translation to the clinic, comparative plasma survival and ex vivo efficacy of PI associated recombinant canine FVIII (PI-rcFVIII) were evaluated in HA dogs. 2 HA dogs were administered a 50 U/kg iv dose of free or PI-rcFVIII. rcFVIII activity measurements and ex vivo efficacy analyses like whole blood clotting time (WBCT) and thromboelastography (TEG) were conducted on recovered plasma and whole blood samples. PI association decreased clearance (~25%) and increased plasma exposure (~1.4 fold) of rcFVIII. PI-rcFVIII treated animals had prolonged improvements in WBCTs and TEG parameters compared to free rcFVIII treated animals. Since rcFVIII is a BDD form of FVIII, these studies provide proof-of-principle that observations with human BDD FVIII in mice translate to higher animal species. Additionally, PI-rcFVIII has potential applications in canine HA management and as a bypass therapy in inhibitor-positive HA patients

Proposed classification for interproximal contacts of primary molars using CBCT: a pilot study [version 2; referees: 2 approved]

Background: Interproximal contact areas in primary teeth are known to be broader, flatter, and situated more gingivally than in permanent teeth. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the different types of intact interproximal contact areas in primary teeth using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) among children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed with 74 contacts from 28 existing CBCT images of children aged between 3 and 14 years, obtained from the Indian Dental Education Academy, Chennai, India. The shape of the contact area was observed at three levels, the coronal, middle, and apical thirds, in three different sections of CBCT. Prevalence of the types of contact areas was expressed in the form of numbers and percentages. Results: The weighted Cohen’s kappa values for inter-examiner reliability was 0.893 at baseline. Results exhibited four different types of contact areas between the primary molars, namely, O type, X type, I type, and S type, based on the shapes observed; hence, the proposed classification is referred to as OXIS. The most common pattern seen was I (66.2%), followed by X (21.6%), O (9.4%) and the least common was S (2.7%). Conclusion: The three-dimensional evaluation of intact interproximal contact areas between primary molars are of four types, O,X, I and S