Association of Chorioamnionitis with Aberrant Neonatal Gut Colonization and Adverse Clinical Outcomes.

ObjectiveChorioamnionitis (inflammation of the placenta and fetal membranes) and abnormal gastrointestinal colonization have been associated with an increased risk of sepsis and death in preterm infants, but whether chorioamnionitis causes abnormal pioneering gastrointestinal colonization in infants is not known. We determined the relationship between chorioamnionitis, altered infant fecal microbiome indicating abnormal gastrointestinal colonization, and adverse outcomes.Study designPreterm infants ≤ 28 weeks at birth were enrolled from 3 level III NICUs in Cincinnati, Ohio and Birmingham, Alabama. Sequencing for 16S microbial gene was performed on stool samples in the first 3 weeks of life. Chorioamnionitis was diagnosed by placental histology. Late onset sepsis and death outcomes were analyzed in relation to fecal microbiota and chorioamnionitis with or without funisitis (inflammation of the umbilical cord).ResultsOf the 106 enrolled infants, 48 infants had no chorioamnionitis, 32 infants had chorioamnionitis but no funisitis (AC), and 26 infants had chorioamnionitis with funisitis (ACF). The fecal samples from ACF infants collected by day of life 7 had higher relative abundance of family Mycoplasmataceae (phylum Tenericutes), genus Prevotella (phylum Bacteroidetes) and genus Sneathia (phylum Fusobacteria). Further, AC and ACF infants had higher incidence of late-onset sepsis/death as a combined outcome. Presence of specific clades in fecal samples, specifically, order Fusobacteria, genus Sneathia or family Mycoplasmataceae, were significantly associated with higher risk of sepsis or death.ConclusionThe results support the hypothesis that specific alterations in the pioneering infant gastrointestinal microbiota induced by chorioamnionitis predispose to neonatal sepsis or death

Strength and Durability of Hybrid Fibre Reinforced Binary Blend Geopolymer Concrete

This paper deals with an investigation on the influence of hybrid fibres on the strength and durability of binary blend geopolymer concrete. Geopolymer concrete was prepared using Fly ash and GGBS as source material and mix design was carried out as per the guidelines of Professor Rangan of Curtin University, Australia. Different fly ash-GGBS proportions namely 50-50%, 60-40%, 70-30%, 80-20% and 90-10% were considered. The tests on Geopolymer concrete reveal that the compressive strength increases as the percentage of GGBS increases up to 30%. Hence the combination of 70% fly ash and 30% GGBS was considered as a base material. In order to improve the engineering properties of the Geopolymer concrete, hybrid fibres which consist of metallic and non-metallic fibres were introduced in the base material. Metallic fibres considered was crimped steel fibres with different percentages of volume fraction viz. 0.5% and 1.0% and non-metallic fibres considered was basalt fibres with different percentages of volume fraction viz. 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%. Strength parameters such as compressive strength, split tensile strength, modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity were obtained for various combinations of steel and basalt fibres. Similarly durability parameters which include permeability, water absorption, marine attack and sulphuric acid attack were also evaluated. The combination of fibres having 0.5% steel and 0.3% basalt gave better results with regard to both strength and durability of binary blend Geopolymer concrete

EVALUATION OF PHYTASE PRODUCTION BY HYPOCREA LIXII SURT01 IN SUBMERGED AND SOLID-STATE FERMENTATIONS

Objective: Phytases have important applications in human and animal nutrition because they hydrolyze the phytate present in legumes, cereal grains and oil seeds to release inorganic phosphate. Supplementation of phosphate to the poultry causes a serious problem of eutrophication. This can be reduced by incorporating phytase in poultry feed. Present study explains extracellular phytase production by SmF and SSF from a fungal strain Hypocrea lixii SURT01. Methods: Extracellular phytase production by Hypocrea lixii SURT01 was evaluated in media containing various refined carbon sources (Fructose, Sucrose, Maltose and lactose in concentration ranging from 1.5% to 7.5%) along with standard medium under submerged fermentation (SmF). At the same time, phytase production was studied under Solid State Fermentation (SSF) with four different substrate such as barley, green gram, bengal gram and black gram. Results: In SmF out of different carbon sources in various concentrations, 6% sucrose showed maximum enzyme production (245U/ml). In SSF, barley showed highest phytase yield (1638 Units/ml) on 5th day of incubation. Conclusion: Evaluation of Solid state fermentation showed enhanced phytase production when compared to Submerged Fermentation

A Feasibility Study on Using Gfrp Composites Bar in Rc Flexural Member

Steel reinforcements are commonly used for Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams all around the world to take flexural tension. But, the durability of the structure is reduced due to reinforcement steel corrosion. Avoiding reinforcement corrosion and finding alternative material to take flexural tension is the contemporary research work in the field of structural engineering. In the present study, RC beams are reinforced with Glass Fibre Reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites bar at tension zone and flexural test was carried out to determine the bending moment resistance of the beam. GFRP bars were prepared in the industry with the help of pultruded U-section box formwork. GFRP bars were coated with sand using epoxy resin to increase the bond between bars and the RC beam. Three GFRP reinforced concrete beam specimens of size 700 mm × 200 mm × 200 mm were prepared. Also, same size of normal steel reinforced cement concrete beam member was prepared. After 28 days curing, three point bending test was carried out for all the four beams. Flexural capacity of beams with GFRP bars were compared with RC beam with steel bars. The results revealed that the flexural capacity of RC beams with GFRP bars is more than that of RC beam with steel bars. Also, theoretical analysis was carried out to determine the flexural strength of RC beam with steel and GFRP bars and compared with experimental results

Potential antioxidative protein-pigment complex Spirulina platensis mediated food grade phycocyanin C -Extraction, purification, antioxidative activity and biocompatibility

230-239Phycocyanin (PC), a photosynthetic pigment produced by cyanobacteria has been gained attention due to its distinct properties such as antioxidant and anti-proliferative. Acute and sub acute toxicity studies were carried out to determine the biocompatibility of the extracted phycocyanin on Wistar rat model. PC was extracted from Spirulina platensis biomass by cold maceration followed by successive purification by ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography. Biocompatibility of the purified phycocyanin was carried out by acute toxicity studies using Wistar rat model. Acute toxicity has been determined by the effect of single oral dose of PC with two different concentrations (250 and 500 mg/Kg) on the body weight, general behaviour, and mortality. In sub-acute treatment. The effect of phycocyanin on the various parameters at the respective concentration as single oral dose daily during 28 days was studied. Cold maceration followed by maceration brought about food grade phycocyanin C (C-PC) which final yield and purity were increased in the successive purification steps. Antioxidative study using DPPH assay reveals the effective free scavenging activity of the phycocynin as concentration-dependent manner. Biocompatibility studies against Wister rat model did not exhibit any harmful effect. Any sign of toxic effect on biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters was not observed in all the tested animals of treatment groups during the study period which reveals a high level of biocompatibility. The present study suggests the possible utilization of phycocyanin C as an effective pharmaceutical agent

The effect of acute noise stress on neutrophil functions”

Abstract: The effect of acute noise stress on albino rats was studied by estimating the plasma corticosterone level, total leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count. Neutrophil function was assessed by Candida phagocytosis and Nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test. The total leukocyte count was significantly decreased. No significant changes were observed in the differential count of the leukocytes. A significant increase in the plasma corticosterone level, Candida phagocytosis and Nitroblue tetrazolium reduction was observed indicating acute noise to be a potent stressor in albino rats

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF NANO ZERO-VALENT IRON IMPREGNATED CASHEW NUT SHELL

Objective: The present study is focussed on the synthesis and evaluation of the antibacterial activity of nano zero-valent iron (NZVI) impregnated cashew nut shell (NZVI-CNS). Antibacterial activity was determined by adopting agar well diffusion method against selected bacteria.Methods: The preparation was carried out by simple liquid-phase reduction method, namely, borohydride reduction method. The anti-bacterial activity of the NZVI-CNS was studied against by adopting well diffusion assay method. Superparamagnetism behaviour has been studied using a permanent bar ferro magnet.Results: The nanoparticles obtained have been characterized with various techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron microscope (TEM) analyses. These techniques showed that the formations of NZVI with an average size of 50 to 100 nm and also it was found to be hexagonal and spherical in shape. The obtained NZVI impregnated CNS exhibits better superparamagnetism phenomenon. The synthesized cashew nut shell impregnated NZVI had the potential to inhibit the bacterial strains Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Serratia marcescens.Conclusion: The synthesis process for NZVI nanoparticles impregnated CNS is simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly. The synthesized NZVI impregnated CNS had the greater potential as effective growth inhibitors in the various microorganisms and this can be applied to the diverse pharmacological applications.Â

ACUTE NOISE-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN THE IMMUNE STATUS OF ALBINO RATS

Abstract : The effect of acute noise induced changes on the immune functions of albino rats was studied. Cell mediated immunity was assessed by Leukocyte migration inhibition index (LMI) and humoral immunity by estimating antibody titre. The organ weight of spleen, thymus, adrenal and lymph node was noted, the cell count of spleen and thymus was enumerated and plasma corticosterone level was estimated. A significant increase in the plasma corticosterone level, thymus weight and cell count along with significant decrease in the antibody titre, spleen weight and cell count was observed in noise stressed animals. No significant changes were observed in the LMI and organ weight of adrenal and lymph node in these animals. Our study shows acute noise to be a potent stressor causing definite alterations in the immune functions of the albino rats

Resolution of Inflammation in Periodontitis: A Comprehensive Review

Inflammation, a natural defence mechanism against injury or infection, can become problematic when it fails to resolve, as observed in conditions like periodontitisThis review explores how inflammation is resolved in periodontitis and seeks potential treatments for this chronic condition, which damages the periodontium, including the gingival tissue, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. The pathogenesis of this disease is initiated by the inflammatory response triggered by resident leukocytes and endothelial cells upon exposure to bacterial biofilms, resulting in vasodilation and immune cell recruitment. The review stresses the importance of researching targeted approaches for periodontitis treatment, such as inducing neutrophil apoptosis, shifting from M1 to M2 macrophages, and exploring M2-based tissue engineering. Additionally, investigating lymphangiogenesis and Treg cell recruitment at the inflammation site offers promising avenues. In conclusion, further studies are needed to refine lymphangiogenesis and assess the potential of pro-resolving lipid mediators and anti-inflammatory cytokines in managing periodontitis. Ongoing research aims to uncover the underlying biomolecular mechanisms governing immune cells and resolving mediators, with the ultimate goal of restoring tissue equilibrium and promoting healing

Cancer cells adapt FAM134B/BiP mediated ER-phagy to survive hypoxic stress

In the tumor microenvironment, cancer cells experience hypoxia resulting in the accumulation of misfolded/unfolded proteins largely in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Consequently, ER proteotoxicity elicits unfolded protein response (UPR) as an adaptive mechanism to resolve ER stress. In addition to canonical UPR, proteotoxicity also stimulates the selective, autophagy-dependent, removal of discrete ER domains loaded with misfolded proteins to further alleviate ER stress. These mechanisms can favor cancer cell growth, metastasis, and long-term survival. Our investigations reveal that during hypoxia-induced ER stress, the ER-phagy receptor FAM134B targets damaged portions of ER into autophagosomes to restore ER homeostasis in cancer cells. Loss of FAM134B in breast cancer cells results in increased ER stress and reduced cell proliferation. Mechanistically, upon sensing hypoxia-induced proteotoxic stress, the ER chaperone BiP forms a complex with FAM134B and promotes ER-phagy. To prove the translational implication of our mechanistic findings, we identified vitexin as a pharmacological agent that disrupts FAM134B-BiP complex, inhibits ER-phagy, and potently suppresses breast cancer progression in vivo