Gut Microbiome Analysis of Snails: A Biotechnological Approach

Mollusks are a diverse group of animals not only at the species level but also with respect to their habitat and behavior. Gastropods comprise 80% of the mollusks with approximately 62,000 living species including snails. Over the period of time, snails have evolved into marine, freshwater and terrestrial forms with a transitional shift in their feeding habits. From prehistoric times, mollusks have established an intimate relationship with humans. These animals are used as food, medicine, offering to gods and are also responsible for economic losses in the form of agricultural pests. As most of these animals feed on plant biomass, their guts have evolved to digest such lignocellulosic biomass with extraordinary efficiency. The plant fiber digestion in their guts depends predominantly on the metabolic activities of the gastro‐intestinal microflora. Besides digestive functions, the seasonal dynamic and spatial distribution of bacterial gut community largely influences cold hardiness and many other metabolic properties in snails. Here, we assessed an overview of the various bacterial populations dwelling in digestive tracts of snails. This chapter provides insights into the gut microbiome of various snails that can be exploited for various industrial applications such as biomass degradation, production of biofuel, paper, wine and laundry detergents

Design of Super Twisting Integral Sliding Mode Control for Industrial Robot Manipulator

In the present work, integral sliding mode based continuous control algorithm is extended to multi input multi output system. The typical integral sliding mode control (ISMC) contains nominal control with discontinuous feedback control due to which overall control becomes discontinuous in nature. The proposed controller is a fusion of two continuous terms and one of which is able to handle, estimate and reject the disturbance successfully. A proposed robust ISMC technique is applied for industrial robot manipulators which utilizes interactive manipulation activity. Here, robust position tracking control obtained via ISMC principle for two link IRM scheme influenced by parametric uncertainties and external disturbances. The proposed ISMC design replaces the discontinuous part by continuous control, which super twisting control is able to handle the disturbance rejection completely. The effectiveness of the proposed control technique is tested under uncertain conditions and comparison study with other controllers has been done. The simulation result shows that the tracking error is effectively minimized by the proposed technique in presence of uncertain conditions

To study the efficacy of Makarasana as an Agnivardhana Karma

Generally in young age, keeps on doing Mithya Aahara and Vihara which leads to Agnidusthi and which become cause of various diseases. As they work restless, their sedentary habits and stress full lifestyle. They are ought to do Vishamashan, Krodha etc., due to their lifestyle. This type of lifestyle leads to Agnidushti and which becomes cause of various diseases. 80 volunteers of age group 20-40 years were selected for the study. They underwent for clinical study on the basis of number of Lakshanas present. These were taken as subjective parameter and which were Samanya and Vishesh Lakshanas. Those were Arochaka, Vidagdha Udgara, Vishtambha, Aadhmana, Anga-Marda, Atijrumbha, Shirshula, Guru Gatrata, Utklesh. Jarana Kala and Abhyavaharan Shakti were objective parameters, as these two are important to assess Agni of a person. For Jarana Kala gradation was done on the basis of hours of time taken to show Laghuta and Kshuda Bodha, because these are Jeerna Aahara Lakshanas. For Abhyavaran Shakti gradation was done on the basis of quantity of food. To assess Agnivardhana, specific diet chart was prepared by considering their daily requirement of calorie. Volunteers were advised to do three Avartana of Makarasana in the morning; Significant changes were seen in Abhyavaharana Shakti in both groups. 56.7% relief in group A and 72% relief were seen. There were significant changes seen in Jaran Kala in both groups. 54.9% relief in Group A and 74% relief in Group B

Study of Aushadh Sevan Kala in Kaphaja Kasa Vyadhi using Nagaradi Yoga w.s.r. to Grasantar Kala

The present study entitled ‘Study of Aushadha Sevana Kala in Kaphaj Kasa Vyadhi using Nagaradi Yoga with special reference to ‘Grasantar Kala’. Here Clinical study regarding “Kaphaj Kasa” Vyadhi was carried with the help of “Nagaradi Yoga” administered in Grasantar Kala in Group A and at Adhobhakta Kala in Group B 32 patients in each group have been studied with treatment and follow up after each 3 days upto 15 days. Clinical assessment of the patients was done by using criteria regarding Kasa included parameter like no. of Kasa Vega, Kapha Nishtivana, Aruchi, Agnimandya, Chhardi, Utklesha, Gaurava and Peenas. Assessment was done on the basis of scoring pattern designed for them. Asyamadhurya, Kaphapurna Deha, Praliptata, Sashakta Vaishamya and Lomharsha was not observed in any of the patients in this study in any of the group. As data was not available on the above said symptoms, statistical analysis of the symptoms is not needful. When drug was administered at Grasantara Kala more percentage of improvement is observed regarding almost all parameters showed in observation and results. So, it can be statistically concluded that drug administered in Grasantara Bheshaj Kala i.e. 95.84% shows maximum result in Kaphaja Kasa Vyadhi than Adhobhakta Kala i.e. 82.51%

Optimization of Biogenic Synthesis of Colloidal Metal Nanoparticles

Nanotechnology which deals with the synthesis and characterization of dispersed or solid particles in nano-metric range has emerged out to be a novel approach due to its ample applications in biomedical fields. The advancements in the field of nanotechnology and substantial evidences in biomedical applications have led the researchers to explore safe, ecofriendly, rapid and sustainable approaches for the synthesis of colloidal metal nanoparticles. This chapter illustrates superiority of biogenic route of synthesis of nanoparticles over the different approaches such as chemical and physical methods. In biogenic route, plants and microorganisms like algae, fungi, yeast, actinomycetes etc. act as “bio-factories” which reduce the metal precursors and play a crucial role in the synthesis of nanoparticles with distinct morphologies. Thus, the need of hazardous chemicals is eliminated and a safer and greener approach of nanoparticles synthesis can be adopted. This chapter also outlines the effect of optimization of different parameters mainly pH, temperature, time and concentration of metal ions on the nanoparticle synthesis. It is evident that the optimization of various parameters can yield nanoparticles with desired properties suitable for respective biomedical applications

Simultaneous Determination of Rofecoxib and Tizanidine by HPTLC

Abstract: An innovative high performance thin layer chromatography method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of rofecoxib and tizanidine from tablet dosage form. Rosiglitazone maleate was used as an internal standard. The separation was achieved using HPTLC plates (Merck #5548) precoated with silica gel 60F 254 on aluminum sheets and a mobile phase comprising of toluene: ethyl acetate: methanol: triethyl amine in volume ratio of 6:3:0.5:0.1 (v/v/v/v), with chamber saturation of 15 min. The plate was developed up to 8 cm and air dried. The plate was then scanned and quantified at 235 nm. The linearity of rofecoxib and tizanidine were in the range of 3.75 µg/spot to 11.25 µg/spot and 0.30 µg/spot to 0.90 µg/spot respectively. The limit of detection for rofecoxib and tizanidine was found to be 45.00 ng/spot and 30.00 ng/spot respectively. The limit of quantification for rofecoxib and tizanidine was found to be 135.00 ng/spot and 90.00 ng/spot respectively. The percentage assay was found between the range of 99.58% to 103.21% for rofecoxib and 98.73% to 101.55% for tizanidine respectively, whereas recovery was found between 99.97% to 100.43% for rofecoxib and 100.00% to 101.00% for tizanidine by standard addition method. The proposed method is accurate, precise and rapid for the simultaneous determination of rofecoxib and tizanidine in dosage form

Cyclodextrin-based dermatological formulations : dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic applications

The progress in new delivery systems for active ingredients has boosted the dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic fields by allowing formulations to display enhanced skin permeation capabilities. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides able to form host-guest inclusion complexes with guest active molecules, resulting in improved physicochemical properties of such molecules. The incorporation of CDs in dermopharmaceutical and cosmetics formulations has received much attention since the late 1970 s by enhancing modulation of the passage through the skin and vectorization into the target site while simultaneously offering a biocompatible delivery system. This paper features the advantages of CDs in dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, such as the improvement of the apparent solubility and the stability of the active ingredients, the possibility of masking unpleasant odors, among others that are be described, emphasizing that these versatile skin active ingredient carriers are strongly promising both in the treatment of skin diseases and in the improvement of cosmetic formulations

Amyloid Formation by the Pro-Inflammatory S100A8/A9 Proteins in the Ageing Prostate

BACKGROUND: The conversion of soluble peptides and proteins into polymeric amyloid structures is a hallmark of many age-related degenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, type II diabetes and a variety of systemic amyloidoses. We report here that amyloid formation is linked to another major age-related phenomenon--prostate tissue remodelling in middle-aged and elderly men. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: By using multidisciplinary analysis of corpora amylacea inclusions in prostate glands of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer we have revealed that their major components are the amyloid forms of S100A8 and S100A9 proteins associated with numerous inflammatory conditions and types of cancer. In prostate protease rich environment the amyloids are stabilized by dystrophic calcification and lateral thickening. We have demonstrated that material closely resembling CA can be produced from S100A8/A9 in vitro under native and acidic conditions and shows the characters of amyloids. This process is facilitated by calcium or zinc, both of which are abundant in ex vivo inclusions. These observations were supported by computational analysis of the S100A8/A9 calcium-dependent aggregation propensity profiles. We found DNA and proteins from Escherichia coli in CA bodies, suggesting that their formation is likely to be associated with bacterial infection. CA inclusions were also accompanied by the activation of macrophages and by an increase in the concentration of S100A8/A9 in the surrounding tissues, indicating inflammatory reactions. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These findings, taken together, suggest a link between bacterial infection, inflammation and amyloid deposition of pro-inflammatory proteins S100A8/A9 in the prostate gland, such that a self-perpetuating cycle can be triggered and may increase the risk of malignancy in the ageing prostate. The results provide strong support for the prediction that the generic ability of polypeptide chains to convert into amyloids could lead to their involvement in an increasing number of otherwise apparently unrelated diseases, particularly those associated with ageing.Original Publication:Kiran Yanamandra, Oleg Alexeyev, Vladimir Zamotin, Vaibhav Srivastava, Andrei Shchukarev, Ann-Christin Brorsson, Gian Gaetano Tartaglia, Thomas Vogl, Rakez Kayed, Gunnar Wingsle, Jan Olsson, Christopher M Dobson, Anders Bergh, Fredrik Elgh and Ludmilla A Morozova-Roche, Amyloid formation by the pro-inflammatory S100A8/A9 proteins in the ageing prostate., 2009, PloS one, (4), 5, e5562.http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.000556

Biomaterial bridges enable regeneration and re-entry of corticospinal tract axons into the caudal spinal cord after SCI: Association with recovery of forelimb function

Severed axon tracts fail to exhibit robust or spontaneous regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). Regeneration failure reflects a combination of factors, including the growth state of neuronal cell bodies and the regeneration-inhibitory environment of the central nervous system. However, while spared circuitry can be retrained, target reinnervation depends on longitudinally directed regeneration of transected axons. This study describes a biodegradable implant using poly(lactideco-glycolide) (PLG) bridges as a carrier scaffold to support regeneration after injury. In order to detect regeneration of descending neuronal tracts into the bridge, and beyond into intact caudal parenchyma, we developed a mouse cervical implantation model and employed Crym:GFP transgenic mice. Characterization of Crym:GFP mice revealed that descending tracts, including the corticospinal tract, were labeled by green fluorescent protein (GFP), while ascending sensory neurons and fibers were not. Robust co-localization between GFP and neurofilament-200 (NF-200) as well as GFP and GAP-43 was observed at both the rostral and caudal bridge/tissue interface. No evidence of similar regeneration was observed in mice that received gelfoam at the lesion site as controls. Minimal co-localization between GFP reporter labeling and macrophage markers was observed. Taken together, these data suggest that axons originating from descending fiber tracts regenerated, entered into the PLG bridge at the rostral margin, continued through the bridge site, and exited to re-enter host tissue at the caudal edge of the intact bridge. Finally, regeneration through implanted bridges was associated with a reduction in ipsilateral forelimb errors on a horizontal ladder task

Randomized Clinical Trial of High-Dose Rifampicin With or Without Levofloxacin Versus Standard of Care for Pediatric Tuberculous Meningitis: The TBM-KIDS Trial

Background. Pediatric tuberculous meningitis (TBM) commonly causes death or disability. In adults, high-dose rifampicin may reduce mortality. The role of fluoroquinolones remains unclear. There have been no antimicrobial treatment trials for pediatric TBM. Methods. TBM-KIDS was a phase 2 open-label randomized trial among children with TBM in India and Malawi. Participants received isoniazid and pyrazinamide plus: (i) high-dose rifampicin (30 mg/kg) and ethambutol (R30HZE, arm 1); (ii) high-dose rifampicin and levofloxacin (R30HZL, arm 2); or (iii) standard-dose rifampicin and ethambutol (R15HZE, arm 3) for 8 weeks, followed by 10 months of standard treatment. Functional and neurocognitive outcomes were measured longitudinally using Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) and Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL). Results. Of 2487 children prescreened, 79 were screened and 37 enrolled. Median age was 72 months; 49%, 43%, and 8% had stage I, II, and III disease, respectively. Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 58%, 55%, and 36% of children in arms 1, 2, and 3, with 1 death (arm 1) and 6 early treatment discontinuations (4 in arm 1, 1 each in arms 2 and 3). By week 8, all children recovered to MRS score of 0 or 1. Average MSEL scores were significantly better in arm 1 than arm 3 in fine motor, receptive language, and expressive language domains (P < .01). Conclusions. In a pediatric TBM trial, functional outcomes were excellent overall. The trend toward higher frequency of adverse events but better neurocognitive outcomes in children receiving high-dose rifampicin requires confirmation in a larger trial. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02958709