Antibacterial finish of textile using papaya peels derived silver nanoparticles

The present study is aimed at the extracellular synthesis of highly stable silver nanoparticles for the development of nanosafe textile using the extracts of yellow papaya peel. Fabric is treated with nanoparticles using dip and dry method to observe the effect of antibacterial activity. The synthesized nanoparticles are also characterized and quantified. Due to their potent antibacterial activity, papaya peels derived silver nanoparticles can be incorporated into fabrics and the manufacturers can make textiles free from spoilage by microorganisms

ENHANCED PRODUCTION OF CELLULASE-FREE XYLANASE BY ALKALOPHILIC BACILLUS SUBTILIS ASH AND ITS APPLICATION IN BIOBLEACHING OF KRAFT PULP

This paper reports high level production of a cellulase-free xylanase using wheat bran, a cost-effective substrate, under submerged fermentation by alkalophilic Bacillus subtilis ASH. Production of xylanase was observed even at alkaline pH up to 11.0 and temperature 60 °C, although the highest enzyme titer was recorded at neutral pH and 37 °C. The enzyme production under optimized fermentation was 1.5-fold greater than under unoptimized conditions. Pre-treatment of unbleached pulp of 10% consistency with crude xylanase (6 IU/g o.d. pulp) at 60 ºC for 2 h increased the final brightness by 4.9%. The enzyme treatment reduced the chlorine consumption by 28.6% with the same brightness as in the control. A reduction in kappa number and increase in viscosity was observed after enzyme pre-treatment. Scanning electron microscopy revealed loosening and swelling of pulp fibers. The strength properties viz. grammage, fiber thickness, beating degree, tensile index, breaking length, tear index and double fold of the treated pulp were improved as compared to the control pulp. This study reveals the potential of B. subtilis ASH xylanase as a biobleaching agent for the paper and pulp industry

Genetic analysis of yield and heat stress related traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) using microsatellite markers

Microsatellite markers were used for genetic analysis of terminal heat tolerance in F2 (PBW373 × WH1081) population of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell). Two parents were evaluated in field under normal sown and late sown conditions. For genotyping DNA from both parents PBW373 and WH1081 was amplified using 200 SSRs. Only 22 SSRs produced polymorphic bands, of size between 100 to 300 bp and an average of 1.45 alleles. The single marker analysis identified 19 markers indicating the putative QTLs for yield, its components and heat stress related physiological traits. The number of markers on these 16 linkage groups varied from one to four. On A genome 13 QTLs on B genome 5 QTLs and on D genome 9 QTLs were identified, respectively. The A, B and D genomes had 1360.3 cM, 272.4 cM and 919.5 cM of linkage coverage with average interval distances of 104.63 cM, 54.48 cM and 102.16 cM/Marker. A total of nine QTLs were resolved following composite interval mapping, one QTL was detected at a LOD score equal to threshold value of 2.5 while eight at LOD scores above the threshold value. All the nine QTLs were shown to be on definitive location on chromosome 3A (QDh.CCSHAU-3A, QDa.CCSHAU-3A and QPm.CCSHAU-3A), chromosome (QBm.CCSHAU-5A, QCtd.CCSHAU-5A and QCl.fl.CCSHAU-5A), chromosome6A (QPh.CCSHAU-6A) and chromosome3B (QTgw.CCSHAU and QMts.CCSHAU-3B). Use of these markers save times, resources and energy that are needed not only for raising large segregating populations for sveral generations, but also for estimating the parameters used for selection

In Silico Targeting of influenza virus haemagglutinin receptor protein using Diosmetin, Tangeritin, and Anthocyanidins as potential drugs

Influenza viruses cause acute respiratory illnesses in birds, humans, and other mammals, and are a major public health concern around the world. Pandemic flu could be caused by an unforeseen human adaptation of an influenza subtype or strain rather than currently circulating influenza viruses. The need for plant metabolites-based new anti-influenza drugs appears to be urgent. Blocking Haemeagglutinin (HA) protein is one of the most appealing drug targets to halt the growth of the virus. The influenza virus can acquire resistance to currently existing therapies, therefore necessitating the development of new medications. The plant's bioactive metabolites, flavanoids are having potential medicinal efficacy. The current study aimed to identify certain flavonoids (Diosmetin, Tangeritin, and Anthocyanidins) that might interact with the HA protein of the influenza virus and help in inhibiting its growth. We used PyRx v0.8 for virtual screening and docking studies. The highest binding affinity docked structures were analyzed using PyMOL and Discovery Studio Visualizer. The present study revealed that these naturally occurring compounds interacted with HA protein, resulting in the minimization of energy in the range of -5.2 to -7.0 kcal/mol. Diosmetin showed the best binding affinity of -7.0Kcal/mol. The molecular binding studies revealed that Diosmetin, Tangeritin, and Anthocyanidins are potential compounds to test against HA protein and can be used to develop effective anti-influenza agents

Coding roles of long non-coding RNAs in breast cancer: Emerging molecular diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets with special reference to chemotherapy resistance

Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms have been depicted in several pathological consequence such as cancer. Different modes of epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation (hypomethylation or hypermethylation of promotor), histone modifications, abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs, and small nucleolar RNAs), are discovered. Particularly, lncRNAs are known to exert pivot roles in different types of cancer including breast cancer. LncRNAs with oncogenic and tumour suppressive potential are reported. Differentially expressed lncRNAs contribute a remarkable role in the development of primary and acquired resistance for radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. A wide range of molecular subtype specific lncRNAs have been assessed in breast cancer research. A number of studies have also shown that lncRNAs may be clinically used as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer. Such molecular biomarkers have also been found in cancer stem cells of breast tumours. The objectives of the present review are to summarize the important roles of oncogenic and tumour suppressive lncRNAs for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, metastatic potential, and chemotherapy resistance across the molecular subtypes

A systematic review and meta-analysis of neurological soft signs in relatives of people with schizophrenia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neurological soft signs are subtle but observable impairments in motor and sensory functions that are not localized to a specific area of the brain. Neurological soft signs are common in schizophrenia. It has been established that soft signs meet two of five criteria for an endophenotype, namely: association with the illness, and state independence. This review investigated whether soft signs met a further criterion for an endophenotype, namely familial association. It was hypothesized that if familial association were present then neurological soft signs would be: (a) more common in first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia than in controls; and (b) more common in people with schizophrenia than in their first-degree relatives.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A systematic search identified potentially eligible studies in the EMBASE (1980-2011), OVID - MEDLINE (1950-2011) and PsycINFO (1806-2011) databases. Studies were included if they carried out a three-way comparison of levels of soft signs between people with schizophrenia, their first-degree relatives, and normal controls. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and cross-checked by double entry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After screening 8678 abstracts, seven studies with 1553 participants were identified. Neurological soft signs were significantly more common in first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia than in controls (pooled standardised mean difference (SMD) 1.24, 95% confidence interval (c.i) 0.59-1.89). Neurological soft signs were also significantly more common in people with schizophrenia than in their first-degree relatives (SMD 0.92, 95% c.i 0.64-1.20). Sensitivity analyses examining the effects of age and group blinding did not significantly alter the main findings.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Both hypotheses were confirmed, suggesting that the distribution of neurological soft signs in people with schizophrenia and their first-degree relatives is consistent with the endophenotype criterion of familial association.</p

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Electrochemical Sensor for Rapid and Selective Detection of Hypoxanthine

In this paper, we report on the coupling of an electrochemical transducer with a specifically designed biomimetic and synthetic polymeric layer that serves as a recognition surface that demonstrates the molecular memory necessary to facilitate the stable and selective identification of the meat-freshness indicator hypoxanthine. Consumer preferences and the food safety of meat products are largely influenced by their freshness, so it is crucial to monitor it so as to quickly identify when it deteriorates. The sensor consists of a glassy-carbon electrode, which can be regenerated in situ continuously, functionalized with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and a nanocomposite of curcumin-coated iron oxide magnetic nanospheres (C-IO-MNSs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) that enhance the surface area as well as the electroactive characteristics. The electrochemical behavior of the fabricated sensor was analyzed by both cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Differential pulse voltammetric studies revealed the rapid response of the proposed sol-gel-MIP/MWCNT/C-IO-MNS/GCE sensor to hypoxanthine in a concentration range of 2&ndash;50 &micro;g/mL with a lower limit of detection at 0.165 &mu;g/mL. Application of the newly fabricated sensor demonstrated acceptable recoveries and satisfactory accuracy when used to measure hypoxanthine in different meat samples