Antibacterial activity of nano goldparticles synthesized by Bacillus Sps.

The synthesis and bioactivity of gold nanoparticles has been extensively studied. However, the antibacterial activity of gold nano particles individually or in combination with different antibiotics has not been demonstrated. In the present study the effect of gold nano particles on the antibacterial activity of different antibiotics was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, k.pnemonea, P.aureginosa, E.coli. Disk diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activity of various antibiotics in the absence and presence of sub inhibitory concentration of gold nano particles. A clinical isolates of S. aureus, k.pnemonea, p.aureginosa,E.coli.  were used as the test strains. In the presence of sub-inhibitory concentration of gold nano particles the antibacterial activities of all antibiotics have . Increased from minimum 2 mm to a maximum of 8 mm. The highest increase was observed for ceftazidime followed by genthamycin. These results signify that the gold nano particles potentiate the antimicrobial action of cephalosporins and amino glycosides, suggesting a possible utilization of nano compounds in combination therapy against S. aureus, k.pnemonea, p.aureginosa,E.coli

Development and validation of analytical methods for the simultaneous estimation of Nimorazole and Ofloxacin in tablet dosage form

Two simple, rapid, accurate and precise spectrophotometric methods have been developed for simultaneous estimation of Nimorazole and Ofloxacin from tablet dosage form. Method І involves formation of ‘simultaneous equations’ at 304 nm (λ max of Nimorazole) and 287.5 nm (λ max of Ofloxacin); while Method ІІ involves, formation of ‘Absorbance ratio equation’ at 301(isoabsorptive point) and 287.5 nm (λ max of Ofloxacin) using distilled water as a solvent. The linearity was observed in the concentration range of 5 - 25 μg/ml for Nimorazole and 2 - 10 μg/ml for Ofloxacin. The results of analysis have been validated statistically and by recovery studies and were found satisfactory

Influence of Torrefaction on Lignocellulosic Woody Biomass of Nigerian Origin

Torrefaction process is a thermal treatment that can improve quality of lignocellulosic biomass into a carbon-rich and hydrophobic feedstock which is applicable as fuel and metallurgical reductant. Biomass (Melina and Teak wood) of Nigerian origin was subjected to mild (240o C) and severe (300o C) torrefaction treatment at different residence times (30 and 60 min) and particle sizes (+0.5 - 2 mm and +4 - 6.35 mm). Raw biomass and biochar from torrefaction were subjected to proximate, ultimate, higher heating value and SEM analyses. The mass yield obtained for mild treatment conditions for both biomass was in the range of 72 - 84 (wt. %) compared to 40 - 54 (wt. %) under severe treatment conditions. However, 33 - 56 % increment in higher hating value was observed for severe treatment conditions as against 11 - 17 % of mild treatment condition. This ultimately led to a 60 - 72 (wt. %) energy yield for severe treatment conditions and 73 - 94 (wt. %). The fixed carbon content increased from the range of 8 - 11 (wt. %) to 20 - 61 (wt. %) after torrefaction. The volatile matter content under mild condition was reduced by 7 - 10 % for both biomass as against 41 - 47 % under severe treatment condition. The fuel ratio increased from 0.11 and 0.15 for Melina and Teak woods respectively to a range of 0.22 - 0.25 for mild treatment conditions and 0.97 - 1.75 for severe treatment condition. The H/C and O/C atomic ratios of biochar were lowered towards that of sub-bituminous coal and peat. A honey-comb-like structure with cylindrical holes were observed for biochar compared to the fibrous and spongy nature of the raw biomass. Biomass of Nigerian origin were improved under torrefaction and thus can be suitable as feedstock in thermal or metallurgical applications

Effects of Training on Physical Performance Wearing Personal Protective Equipment

We evaluated the effects of wearing a weighted vest during 6 weeks of military-style training. Forty-three subjects were randomly assigned to a control group or a vest group (carrying 4-5 kg for 2 weeks, and 8-10 kg for 4 weeks), with 37 completing the study (17 vest, 20 control). Both groups performed stair climbing in addition to standard Marine Corps training for 1 hour, four times per week. Pre- and post-tests were performed while wearing military personal protective equipment, with the exception of the Marine Physical Readiness Test (PRT). Both groups significantly improved PRT scores (8.4% 3-mile run, 28-38% calisthenics) and an agility drill (4.4%). Significant improvements in uphill treadmill performance (6.8% vest, 3.0% control) and maximal oxygen consumption (10.7% vest, 6.8% control) were approximately twice as much in the vest versus control group, although these differences did not reach significance (p = 0.16 and 0.13, respectively)

Seperation, identification and analysis of pigment (melanin) production in Streptomyces

Nine strains among 180 Streptomyces isolates produce a diffusible dark brown pigment on both peptone-yeast extract agar and synthetic tyrosine-agar. They also show the positive reaction to Ltyrosine or L-dopa substrates. The pigment has been referred to be as merely as dark brown watersolublepigment, as melanoid or melanin. The different carbon and nitrogen sources which influence the pigment production in the Streptomyces isolates were also investigated, and the carotenoid content in the pigment was analyzed. The melanin formation in the Streptomyces species is the key feature for the classification of the Stretomyces grou

Differential Effects of Leptin on the Invasive Potential of Androgen-Dependent and -Independent Prostate Carcinoma Cells

Obesity has been linked with an increased risk of prostate cancer. The formation of toxic free oxygen radicals has been implicated in obesity mediated disease processes. Leptin is one of the major cytokines produced by adipocytes and controls body weight homeostasis through food intake and energy expenditure. The rationale of the study was to determine the impact of leptin on the metastatic potential of androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) cells as well as androgen-insensitive (PC-3 and DU-145) cells. At a concentration of 200 nm, LNCaP cells showed a significant increase (20% above control; P < .0001) in cellular proliferation without any effect on androgen-insensitive cells. Furthermore, exposure to leptin caused a significant (P < .01 to P < .0001) dose-dependent decrease in migration and invasion of PC3 and Du-145 prostate carcinoma cell lines. At the molecular level, exposure of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells to leptin stimulates the phosphorylation of MAPK at early time point as well as the transcription factor STAT3, suggesting the activation of the intracellular signaling cascade upon leptin binding to its cognate receptor. Taken together, these results suggest that leptin mediates the invasive potential of prostate carcinoma cells, and that this effect is dependent on their androgen sensitivity

Belladamadugu Village at a Glance

The Village Dynamics in South Asia (VDSA) Project of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi- Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has chosen 42 villages as part of the project. These villages – 18 in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) of peninsular India, 12 in the Humid Tropics of East India and 12 in Bangladesh – were selected based on certain relevant characteristics to track rural poverty in household and village economies in the region, to provide the most efficient way to understand the farming systems in rural areas, and to identify the socioeconomic constraints faced by the farming community. In the SAT region, 18 villages spread across 9 districts in 5 states were identified for the study. Of these, 6 were chosen way back in 1975 under the erstwhile Village Level Studies (VLS) project of the Economics Program of ICRISAT, while 12 new villages were included in the expanded VDSA project during 2009. Belladamadugu is one of these 12 new villages

Enhancing methane production from lignocellulosic biomass by combined steam‑explosion pretreatment and bioaugmentation with cellulolytic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii

Background: Biogas production from lignocellulosic biomass is generally considered to be challenging due to the recalcitrant nature of this biomass. In this study, the recalcitrance of birch was reduced by applying steam-explosion (SE) pretreatment (210 °C and 10 min). Moreover, bioaugmentation with the cellulolytic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii was applied to possibly enhance the methane production from steam-exploded birch in an anaerobic digestion (AD) process under thermophilic conditions (62 °C). Results: Overall, the combined SE and bioaugmentation enhanced the methane yield up to 140% compared to untreated birch, while SE alone contributed to the major share of methane enhancement by 118%. The best methane improvement of 140% on day 50 was observed in bottles fed with pretreated birch and bioaugmentation with lower dosages of C. bescii (2 and 5% of inoculum volume). The maximum methane production rate also increased from 4-mL CH4/ g VS (volatile solids)/day for untreated birch to 9-14-mL CH4/ g VS/day for steam-exploded birch with applied bioaugmentation. Bioaugmentation was particularly effective for increasing the initial methane production rate of the pretreated birch yielding 21-44% more methane than the pretreated birch without applied bioaugmentation. The extent of solubilization of the organic matter was increased by more than twofold when combined SE pretreatment and bioaugmentation was used in comparison with the methane production from untreated birch. The beneficial effects of SE and bioaugmentation on methane yield indicated that biomass recalcitrance and hydrolysis step are the limiting factors for efficient AD of lignocellulosic biomass. Microbial community analysis by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing showed that the microbial community composition was altered by the pretreatment and bioaugmentation processes. Notably, the enhanced methane production by pretreatment and bioaugmentation was well correlated with the increase in abundance of key bacterial and archaeal communities, particularly the hydrolytic bacterium Caldicoprobacter, several members of syntrophic acetate oxidizing bacteria and the hydrogenotrophic Methanothermobacter. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the potential of combined SE and bioaugmentation for enhancing methane production from lignocellulosic biomass

The Occurrence of potential and novel isolates of Oceanobacillus sp. JAS12 and Salinicoccus sp. JS20 recovered from West Coast of Arabian Sea, India

Many halophiles were considered to be extremophiles due to their inborn industrial potentials and tolerance to hostile environmental conditions. The isolated halophilic bacteria described in the present study are not only grown at environmentally adverse conditions, also they can be able to produce bioactive molecules. Among the isolated strains, Oceanobacillus iheyensis strain JAS12 and Salinicoccus roseus strain JS20 are known for the unique biotechnological applications. The isolate Oceanobacillus sp. grows well at 35-55 degrees C (optimum 45 degrees C) and pH 6 to 12 (maximum growth at pH 8), interestingly the strain could hydrolyze casein, starch and gelatin. The G+C content was 40.2 mol % and the major fatty acids are iso-15:0: 30.52%, primary-C15: 0 (29.29 %), iso-14:0 (16.15%) anteiso-C17: 0 (4.03%). Another isolate was Salinicoccus sp. JS20 The DNA G+C content was 50.4 mol % and the major fatty acids are anteiso-C15: 0 (26.23%), iso15:0, (17.62%)Y, 16:0 (11.5%), anteiso-C17: 0 (7.7 %), iso- C16: 0 (10.20 %), iso-17:0: (5.43%) and iso-C14: 0 (3.97 %). These isolates are also producers of many extracellular enzymes such as protease, amylase, inulinases, gelatinase and beta-fructofurinosidase above the optimal conditions. Oceanobacillus sp. JAS12 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity is 99% similar to the reported genera. Salinicoccus sp. JS20 indicated 96% 16S rRNA sequence similarity with near species Salinicoccus genus, thus, they were found to be novel concerning to their genetic makeup and biochemical features.Peer reviewe