27 research outputs found
Gene Therapy in Cardiac Arrhythmias
Gene therapy has progressed from a dream to a bedside reality in quite a few human diseases. From its first application in adenosine deaminase deficiency, through the years, its application has evolved to vascular angiogenesis and cardiac arrhythmias. Gene based biological pacemakers using viral vectors or mesenchymal cells tested in animal models hold much promise. Induction of pacemaker activity within the left bundle branch can provide stable heart rates. Genetic modification of the AV node mimicking beta blockade can be therapeutic in the management of atrial fibrillation. G protein overexpression to modify the AV node also is experimental. Modification and expression of potassium channel genes altering the delayed rectifier potassium currents may permit better management of congenital long QT syndromes. Arrhythmias in a failing heart are due to abnormal calcium cycling. Potential targets for genetic modulation include the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump, calsequestrin and sodium calcium exchanger.Lastly the ethical concerns need to be addressed
Enhanced ionic conductivity in nano-composite solid polymer electrolyte: (PEG)x LiBr: y(SiO2)
In this paper, we report an enhancement in ionic conductivity in a new nano-composite solid polymer electrolyte namely, (PEG)x LiBr: y(SiO2). The samples were prepared, characterized, and investigated by XRD, IR, NMR, and impedance spectroscopy. Conductivity as a function of salt concentration shows a double peak. Five weight percent addition of silica nanoparticles increases the ionic conductivity by two orders of magnitude. Conductivity exhibits an Arrhenius type dependence on temperature. IR study has shown that the existence of nanoparticles in the vicinity of terminal O―H group results in a shift in IR absorption frequency and increase in amplitude of vibration of the terminal O―H group. This might lead to an enhancement in conductivity due to increased segmental motion of the polymer. 7Li NMR spectroscopic studies also seem to support this. Thus addition of nanoparticle inert fillers still seems to be a promising technique to enhance the ionic conductivity in solid polymer electrolytes
Twitter-Based Sentiment Analysis and Topic Modeling of Social Media Posts using Natural Language Processing, to Understand People’s Perspectives Regarding COVID-19 Omicron Subvariants XBB.1.5 and BF.7
Concerns about an increase in cases during the COVID-19 pandemic have been heightened by the emergence of a new Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 that joined the previously reported BF.7 as a source of public health concern. COVID-19 cases have been on the rise intermittently throughout the ongoing pandemic, likely because of the continuous introduction of SARS-CoV-2 subtypes. The present study analyzed the Indian citizen’s perceptions of the latest covid variants XBB.1.5 and BF.7 using the natural language processing technique, especially topic modeling and sentiment analysis. The tweets posted by Indian citizens regarding this issue were analyzed and used for this study. Government authorities, policymakers, and healthcare officials will be better able to implement the necessary policy effectively to tackle the XBB 1.5 and BF.7 crises if they are aware of the people’s sentiments and concerns about the crisis. A total of 8,54,312 tweets have been used for this study. Our sentiment analysis study has revealed that out of those 8,54,312 tweets, the highest number of tweets (n = 3,19,512 tweets (37.3%)) about COVID variants XBB.1.5 and BF.7 had neutral sentiments, 3,16,951 tweets (37.1%) showed positive sentiments and 2,17,849 tweets (25.4%) had negative sentiments. Fear of the future and concerns about the immunity of the vaccines are of prime concerns to tackle the ongoing pandemic
Studies on hydrocarbon degradation by the bacterial isolate Stenotrophomonas rhizophila (PM-1) from oil spilled regions of Western Ghats of Karnataka
The hydrocarbon utilizing capability of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila (PM-1), isolated from oil contaminated soil composts from Western Ghats region of Karnataka was analyzed. In the bioremediation experiment, ONGC heavy crude oil and poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) utilization by the bacterial isolate was studied. Preliminary studies by DCPIP method suggests, the isolate PM-1 having the potential PAHs and crude oil utilization ability. The degradation of 2 % heavy crude oil and other PAHs from the isolate PM-1 was assessed by Total Plate Count (TPC), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) level at regular time intervals. Increased in population densities with simultaneous increase in BOD and COD ratio correlates with the UV spectrophotometry result by change in the λmax (from 249 nm to 278 nm), gas chromatographic analysis (25.00 %) and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) (65.78 %). A substrate specificity test of the isolates on different hydrocarbons (PAHs) showed that the isolate PM-1 had good growth on decanol, hexadecane, toluene, dodecane, engine oil, benzene, phenol, ethyl benzene, pentadecane, tetradecane, octane, oleic acid and naphthalene. The breakdown of the molecular structure in heavy crude oil and in PAHs indicates, the loss of conjugation in parental hydrocarbons shows the degradation potency of the bacterial isolate (PM-1).Keywords: Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Bioremediation, PAHs, Crude oil, Western Ghat
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Not AvailableVirus-resistant transgenic plants form an essential
constituent of crop protection measures. Tomato
is an important vegetable crop grown throughout
the world for its nutritional benefits and tomatobased
processed food consumption. However, the
production levels of tomato are threatened by many
viral infections. In the absence of resistant tomato
genotypes (where available genetic sources or
resistance are scarce), development of transgenic
resistance to pathogenic viruses is indispensable.
The last couple of decades have witnessed substantial
progress in incorporating virus resistance trait
in tomato. This chapter provides overview of the
strategies and successful instances of transgenic
virus resistance with special emphasis on prominent
viruses infecting tomato. Various approaches
to incorporate virus resistance in tomato from
antisense RNA expression, through various RNA
interference (RNAi) based strategies and foray in
to genome editing techniques are discussed. The
significant achievements made in developing transgenic
resistance to combat Tomato leaf curl viruses,
ground nut bud necrosis virus and Cucumber mosaic
virus are presented. Also, the utility of employing
recently emerging genome editing tool in incorporating
resistance to tomato viruses is also discussed.Not Availabl
Not Available
Not AvailableIn addition to expression of foreign proteins, crop genetic engineering based on small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) form an integral component of crop improvement programs. ncRNA-based genetic manipulation is a potent gene silencing tool whenever repression of gene(s) is desired. Gene silencing is achieved mainly by deploying sncRNAs like small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and artificial miRNAs (amiRNAs). It also offers an opportunity for crop metabolic engineering employing synthetic trans-acting siRNAs (syn-tasiRNAs). Since ncRNA-based genetically modified (GM) crops differ significantly from first-generation protein-based transgenics, there are many apprehensions with regard to off-target and nontarget effects as well as mutational effects on the efficacy of ncRNA silencing, etc. Despite the apprehensions associated with ncRNA-based GM crops, the technology has been successfully employed for crop genetic engineering in 12 crops, incorporating traits ranging from resistance to pathogen, allergen removal, nutritional improvement, etc. The chapter discusses other pertinent issues like persistence of ncRNAs, food and feed safety, and future prospects of ncRNA-based GM crops.Not Availabl
Not Available
Not AvailableGenetic engineering (GE) approaches have been effectively deployed to incorporate
foreign genes of economic and/or agricultural importance in crops. Ever
since Powell et al. in 1986 showed virus resistance through GE approach, numerous
crop plants have been genetically modified to impart virus resistance. Greater
understanding of host-virus interactions in the wake of RNA silencing phenomenon
have further opened up small non-coding RNAs based virus management
strategies. This chapter discusses research priorities, approaches and accomplishments
in the field of virus resistant transgenic plants in India. Various genetic
modification strategies namely coat protein mediated resistance through RNA
silencing have been successfully deployed to develop virus resistance. Transgenic
lines have been licensed to private sector, in crops like tomato, and significant
progress has been made in crops like potato, rice etc. However, a major bottle-neck
in developing successful transgenic crop in legumes, cucurbits and other
crops, where viral infection is a serious menace is the lack of suitable regeneration
and transformation protocols. Hence, this chapter also deliberates upon
potential pitfalls of genetic engineering approaches that require intensive research
efforts. Further, as a way forward, it is also proposed to explore recently emerging
genome editing tools to combat phytopathogenic viruses.Not Availabl
Role of silica nanoparticles in conductivity enhancement of nanocomposite solid polymer electrolytes: (PEGx NaBr): YSiO2
Nanocomposite solid polymer electrolytes (NCSPEs) with conducting species other than Li ions are being investigated for solid-state battery applications. Pristine solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) do not show ionic conductivity suitable for batteries. Addition of inert fillers to SPEs is known to enhance the ionic conductivity. In this paper, we present the role of silica nanoparticles in enhancing the ionic conductivity in NCSPEs with sodium as conducting species. Sodium bromide is complexed with the host polyethylene glycol polymer by solution cast method and silica nanoparticles (SiO2, average particle size 7 nm) are incorporated into the complex in small amounts. The composites are characterized by powder XRD and IR spectroscopy. Conductivity measurements are undertaken as a function of concentration of salt and also as a function of temperature using impedance spectroscopy. Addition of silica nanoparticles shows an enhancement in conductivity by 1-2 orders of magnitude. The results are discussed in terms of interaction of nanoparticles with the nonconducting anions. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Not Available
Not AvailableMungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) belonging to the family Geminiviridae and the genus Begomovirus is a severe
pathogen of tropical legumes including soybean. The absence of genetically mapped loci conferring resistance together with
the genetic diversity of begomoviruses infecting soybean warrants the utilization of RNA interference (RNAi) technology
to develop virus resistance. However, viral suppressors of RNAi (VSRs) reduce the efectiveness of RNA silencing. Here,
we report the efectiveness of Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression of shRNA, targeting a conserved region of AC2
ORF (a VSR) of MYMIV, in conferring virus resistance in soybean. Transient expression of shRNA showed progressive
reduction of the viral titre estimated by the MYMIV-derived AC2 gene copy numbers from the initial inoculum by approximately 80-fold 20 days post-application. In addition, the newly emerging leaves exhibited symptom recovery. Thus, this
study proves that AC2 of MYMIV is a potent target gene for obtaining RNAi-mediated virus resistance in soybean. Agroinfltration-based delivery of shRNA was an efcient means of gene silencing and could pave way for the development of
transgenic virus-resistant soybean genotypeNot Availabl