Effect of Various Nutritional Supplements on Hyaluronic Acid Production

Effect of various nutritional supplementations on production of hyaluronic acid (HA) using Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus ATCC 39920 was evaluated at shake flask. Among the different carbon sources used, maltodextin showed HA of 0.9 g/L followed by 0.7 g/L for dextrose. L-arginine HCl at 2.0 g/L increased the yield of HA from 0.7 g/L to 0.85 g/L. L-arginine and L-glutamine showed the yield of HA of 0.7 g/L and 1.0 g/L, respectively at 2.0 g/L concentration. L-glutamine (2.0 g/L) and uridine (0.75 g/L) showed HA yield of 0.8 and 1.045 g/L, respectively. Addition of sodium glucuronate at 0.25 g/L concentration at 8 h, the yield of HA was increased from 0.7 g/L to 0.85 g/L. Pantothenic acid at concentration of 8.33 mg/L supplemented to the P10 medium, yield of 0.87 g/L of HA was obtained. Active dry yeast at 5.0 g/L increased yield of HA from 0.7 g/L to 0.85 g/L. Tween 80 at higher concentration reduced HA production. The addition of MgSO4.7H2O at 1.0 g/L improved the production of HA. Other metal ions like manganese, ferrous, copper, and zinc have no significant effect on HA production. Thus, it has been found that various nutritional supplements have effect on production of HA using S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus ATCC 39920

Effect of Various Physical Parameters and Statistical Medium Optimization on Production of Hyaluronic Acid Using S. Equi Subsp. Zooepidemicus ATCC 39920

It has been shown that initial conditions for bacterial cultivation are extremely important for the successful production of hyaluronic acid (HA) by fermentation. We investigated several physical parameters that affect productivity of HA under shake flask. i.e. transfer criteria of seed, agitation and aeration of fermentation flasks. Among the various physical parameters studied, inoculum age of 8-10 h, pH 6.4, optical density (600 nm) 2.0 and 3% level inoculum transfer found to be optimum. After inoculating with Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus ATCC 39920, the temperature 37 0C and 90 rpm found optimum during growth as well as for the HA production. The fractional factorial design of six factors with two levels showed yeast extract, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium bicarbonate as significant model terms. The factor potassium dihydrogen phosphate was relatively more significant than yeast extract.

ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF LIPASE MODIFIED FLAVONOIDS FROM CITRUS LIMETTA

Objective: The aim of the present study is to bring about enzymatic modification of flavonoids from Citrus limetta in order to increase their antifungal activity. Methods: Methanolic extraction of flavonoids from citrus peels was carried out and their presence was confirmed by various tests. Crude extract of flavonoids was subjected to enzymatic modification by enzyme lipase in presence of acyl donor tributyrin in order to bring about esterification. Esterification was confirmed using IR spectroscopy and sodium hydroxide- phenolphthalein test. Antifungal activity of the treated sample and control sample were tested against Candida albicans and compared with fluconazole by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: Methanolic extract showed the presence of flavonoids on carrying out various test. While testing enzymatic modification, IR spectra did not show a significant difference between treated and control; however, enhanced esterification was confirmed by sodium hydroxide-phenolphthalein test. On carrying out antifungal activity, treated samples showed a 56.52% increase in zone of inhibition against Canidida albicans as compared to the control and was also found to be more in comparison to fluconazole. Conclusion: The results signify that enzymatic modification increases the antifungal activity of flavonoids from Citrus limetta

Study of Behaviour of Square and Rectangular Footings Resting on Cohesive Soils Based on Model Tests

The estimation of a reliable value of bearing Capacity of soil is the most important step in the foundation design work. Number of theoretical approaches and in-situ tests for the estimation of bearing capacity of footing are available. The reliability of any theory can be demonstrated by comparing the experimental test results on field footings with theoretical predictions. One of the reliable methods is the load test on full sized footing. However, this test as covered under IS 1888-1982 is too expensive and time consuming. Model tests can be conducted on footings of various sizes. The surface characteristics for different loading conditions can provide information on qualitative and quantitative contribution of such parameters on bearing of footings in absence of field test results. It is revealed that research work (Sawant et al (2000), Rajgopal et al (2000), Sawaf et al (2005), Mohmoud et al (1989), Harikrishna et al(2000), Sahu et al (1970) etc.)has been carried out for load tests on model footings resting on sand as foundation medium. However no work has been reported so far on c – Φ soil. In this present study a laboratory model with loading frame has been developed in Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory of College of Engineering, Pune to conduct small scale load tests, to determine Bearing capacity characteristics of footings resting on c-Φ soil. Load tests were conducted on two square, two circular and five rectangular footings resting on c – Φ soil in the laboratory model. The bearing capacity, time – settlement relationship, pressure settlement relationship of footing resting on c – Φ soil and effect of various parameters such as L/B ratio, shape and size of footing on bearing capacity of footing were studied. Comparison is made between bearing capacity of footings estimated by the conventional methods such as Vesic’s, Tezaghi’s method and that estimated by Model Test Results. The model tests provide qualitative information on parameters influencing bearing capacity of footings. These tests can be used to check the bearing capacity estimated by analytical method

A long-term "memory" of HIF induction in response to chronic mild decreased oxygen after oxygen normalization

Background Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is functionally characterized by decreased vasorelaxation, increased thrombosis, increased inflammation, and altered angiogenic potential, has been intimately associated with the progression and severity of cardiovascular disease. Patients with compromised cardiac function oftentimes have a state of chronic mild decreased oxygen at the level of the vasculature and organs, which has been shown to exacerbate ED. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is a transcription factor complex shown to be the master regulator of the cellular response to decreased oxygen levels and many HIF target genes have been shown to be associated with ED. Methods Human endothelial and aortic smooth muscle cells were exposed either to A) normoxia (21% O2) for three weeks, or to B) mild decreased oxygen (15% O2) for three weeks to mimic blood oxygen levels in patients with heart failure, or to C) mild decreased oxygen for two weeks followed by one week of normoxia ("memory" treatment). Levels of HIF signaling genes (HIF-1α, HIF-2α, VEGF, BNIP3, GLUT-1, PAI-1 and iNOS) were measured both at the protein and mRNA levels. Results It was found that chronic exposure to mild decreased oxygen resulted in significantly increased HIF signaling. There was also a "memory" of HIF-1α and HIF target gene induction when oxygen levels were normalized for one week, and this "memory" could be interrupted by adding a small molecule HIF inhibitor to the last week of normalized oxygen. Finally, levels of ubiquitylated HIF-1α were reduced in response to chronic mild decreased oxygen and were not full restored after oxygen normalization. Conclusion These data suggest that HIF signaling may be contributing to the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction and that normalization of oxygen levels may not be enough to reduce vascular stress

Mucinous neoplasia of appendix: imaging and its relevance to management

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare pathology of the appendix that can present with non-specific symptoms. Therefore, imaging evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis and proper management. To document importance of pre-operative imaging, we reviewed the scans, reports, and clinical data of nine patients with appendiceal mucocele who were treated at our institute. We also studied the literature on CT findings, histopathology, surgical management, prognosis, and recent guidelines for appendiceal mucocele. We suggest that pre-operative imaging can aid surgeons in selecting the most appropriate treatment plan for each patient, resulting in better outcomes. Certain critical imaging features, such as mural nodularity, irregular wall thickening, lymphadenopathy, cecal involvement, presence of free mucus, or pseudomyxoma peritonei, can alert surgeons to prepare for frozen section and an appropriate surgical approach. In conclusion, we recommend pre-operative imaging as a crucial tool for the diagnosis and management of appendiceal mucocele. Its use in identifying critical imaging features can help surgeons decide on the best surgical approach for each patient and ultimately lead to better outcomes

Study on Basic Mechanism of Reactive Armour

Two basic mechanisms which operate in the functioning of reactive armour are presented. Both the explosive effect and cutting of metal plates by a jet have been investigated. The angle of attack and the confinement of the explosive have been found most significant factors in reducing the penetrating power of the jet. The effect of detonating explosives has been investigated with radiography. Some of the significant effects, like detonation of explosive by the impact of the jet, expansion of covering plates, disturbance in coherence and reduction in the penetration of the jet have been observed. It is found that the jet penetration in a stack of mild steel plates is reduced to 30 per cent of its blank penetration in present set-ups. A theoretical model has been conceived to study the interaction of moving plates and the jet. The critical thickness and surface cut in plates have been calculated