Virulence Characteristics and Genetic Affinities of Multiple Drug Resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia coli from a Semi Urban Locality in India

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are of significant health concern. The emergence of drug resistant E. coli with high virulence potential is alarming. Lack of sufficient data on transmission dynamics, virulence spectrum and antimicrobial resistance of certain pathogens such as the uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) from countries with high infection burden, such as India, hinders the infection control and management efforts. In this study, we extensively genotyped and phenotyped a collection of 150 UPEC obtained from patients belonging to a semi-urban, industrialized setting near Pune, India. The isolates representing different clinical categories were analyzed in comparison with 50 commensal E. coli isolates from India as well as 50 ExPEC strains from Germany. Virulent strains were identified based on hemolysis, haemagglutination, cell surface hydrophobicity, serum bactericidal activity as well as with the help of O serotyping. We generated antimicrobial resistance profiles for all the clinical isolates and carried out phylogenetic analysis based on repetitive extragenic palindromic (rep)-PCR. E. coli from urinary tract infection cases expressed higher percentages of type I (45%) and P fimbriae (40%) when compared to fecal isolates (25% and 8% respectively). Hemolytic group comprised of 60% of UPEC and only 2% of E. coli from feces. Additionally, we found that serum resistance and cell surface hydrophobicity were not significantly (p = 0.16/p = 0.51) associated with UPEC from clinical cases. Moreover, clinical isolates exhibited highest resistance against amoxicillin (67.3%) and least against nitrofurantoin (57.3%). We also observed that 31.3% of UPEC were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers belonging to serotype O25, of which four were also positive for O25b subgroup that is linked to B2-O25b-ST131-CTX-M-15 virulent/multiresistant type. Furthermore, isolates from India and Germany (as well as global sources) were found to be genetically distinct with no evidence to espouse expansion of E. coli from India to the west or vice-versa

BIOSYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF INTRACELLULAR TIO2NANOPARTICLES BY LACTOBACILLUS SP: AND ITS POTENTIAL APPLICATION IN DECOLOURIZATION OF METHYL ORANGE DYES

Objective: Nanotechnology is emerging as one of the most important and revolutionizing areas in the research field. Nanoparticles are produced by various methods like physical, chemical, mechanical and biological. Biological methods of microorganisms are often preferred because they are clean, non-toxic, safe, biocompatible and environmentally acceptable.Methods: In the present studies isolation and characterization of Lactobacillus species (LAB) from Curd was done with MRS agar (Hi Media, India. M614). All the isolates were subjected to cell morphology, physiology and an array of biochemical characterization (BCT). The confirmed LAB was used for the TiO2 nanoparticles synthesis. The TiO2 nanoparticles were then characterized by Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).Results: The SEM images of samples revealed that the nanoparticles were spherical, irregularly shaped with no definite morphology. Biosynthesized TiO2 nanoparticles were ranged in size from 20 to 50 nm.Conclusion: The presence of TiO2 nanoparticle was confirmed by face centered cubic structure of synthesized TiO2 nanoparticle was confirmed by FTIR pattern.Â

l-Methionine–succinic acid (2/1)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, 2C5H11NO2S·C4H6O4, comprises two crystallographically independent methionine residues, which exist in the zwitterionic form, and a neutral succinic acid molecule. Both methionine residues have a gauche-I conformation. In the crystal, the various components are linked via O—H...O, N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds forming slabs parallel to the ab plan

A Brief Study on Optical and Mechanical Properties of an Organic Material: Urea Glutaric Acid (2/1)—A Third Order Nonlinear Optical Single Crystal

Urea glutaric acid (UGA), an organic crystal, was synthesized and grown using a low temperature solution technique. Single crystal XRD revealed a monoclinic structure with a C2/C space group. The various cell data were identified. The optical parameters were calculated from UV-visible spectrum. The transmittance spectra showed the cutoff wavelength as 240 nm (low) and the energy gap determined from the spectra was compared with the theoretical energy gap. The transition number revealed the electron transition, which corresponded to direct allowed transition. The diverse optical parameters like reflectance, extinction coefficient, refractive index and optical susceptibility were determined. The least value of Urbach energy caused less defects and a good crystalline nature. The steepness value and electron phonon interaction were calculated. The positions of lower and higher band energy levels were identified. Electronic polarizability was found using the Clausius–Mossoti relation and tabulated. The mechanical fitness was measured from Vickers hardness analysis. The nonlinear optical property was measured from Z-scan analysis. Thus, the optical results support the material suitability and fitness for optical and electronic domain applications

Growth and Characterization of Second and Third Order Acentric Studies of <span style="font-variant: small-caps">l</span>-Phenylalanine <span style="font-variant: small-caps">l</span>-Phenylalaninium Malonate Single Crystal

A single crystal of l-phenylalanine l-phenylalanininum malonate (LPPMA) was synthesized by slow evaporation and was subjected to nonlinear optical examination and physio-chemical characterization. Studies on single X-ray diffraction confirm the arrangement of monoclinic space group P21 which is a vital criterion for the NLO phenomenon. The assessment of functional groups and diverse vibration modes responsible for the characteristics of the material was performed with an FTIR analysis. The UV-visible spectral examination found the wavelength of UV-cutoff at 233 nm and various optical parameters were evaluated. The mechanical strength and different criteria associated with it were assessed. The electric field response of the material was examined in terms of the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, ac conductivity and activation energy. The spectra of emission were detailed. The efficacy of second harmonic generation was studied. The parameters of nonlinearity were investigated to analyse the third-order acentric optical response in the LPPMA by Z-scan procedure