Dust-acoustic rogue waves in an electron depleted plasma

A rigorous theoretical investigation is made to study the characteristics of dust-acoustic (DA) waves (DAWs) in an electron depleted unmagnetized opposite polarity dusty plasma system that contains super-thermal ($\kappa$-distributed) ions, mobile positively and negatively charged dust grains for the first time. The reductive perturbation method is employed to obtain the NLSE to explore the modulational instability (MI) conditions for DAWs as well as the formation and characteristics of gigantic rogue waves. The nonlinear and dispersion properties of the dusty plasma medium are the prime reasons behind the formation of rogue waves. The height and thickness of the DARWs associated with DAWs as well as the MI conditions of DAWs are numerically analyzed by changing different dusty plasma parameters, such as dust charges, dust and ion number densities, and ion-temperature, etc. The implications of the results for various space dusty plasma systems (viz., mesosphere, F-rings of Saturn, and cometary atmosphere, etc.) as well as laboratory dusty plasma produced by laser-matter interaction are briefly mentioned.Comment: 6 figures; 6 page

Site-Specific Effects of PECAM-1 on Atherosclerosis in LDL Receptor-Deficient Mice

Objective—Atherosclerosis is a vascular disease that involves lesion formation at sites of disturbed flow under the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Endothelial expression of adhesion molecules that enable infiltration of immune cells is important for lesion development. Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1; CD31) is an adhesion and signaling receptor expressed by many cells involved in atherosclerotic lesion development. PECAM-1 transduces signals required for proinflammatory adhesion molecule expression at atherosusceptible sites; thus, it is predicted to be proatherosclerotic. PECAM-1 also inhibits inflammatory responses, on which basis it is predicted to be atheroprotective. Methods and Results—We evaluated herein the effect of PECAM-1 deficiency on development of atherosclerosis in LDL receptor– deficient mice. We found that PECAM-1 has both proatherosclerotic and atheroprotective effects, but that the former dominate in the inner curvature of the aortic arch whereas the latter dominate in the aortic sinus, branching arteries, and descending aorta. Endothelial cell expression of PECAM-1 was sufficient for its atheroprotective effects in the aortic sinus but not in the descending aorta, where the atheroprotective effects of PECAM-1 also required its expression on bone marrow–derived cells. Conclusion—We conclude that PECAM-1 influences initiation and progression of atherosclerosis both positively and negatively, and that it does so in a site-specific manner. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2008;28:1996-2002

Otpornost bakterija Escherichia coli i Pseudomonas aeruginosa na karbapenem u antilope (Antilope cervicapra) i leoparda (Panthera pardus) iz zatočeništva u Indiji

The study aimed to investigate the occurrence of carbapenem resistant E. coli and P. aeruginosa in apparently healthy, captive blackbucks and leopards of India. Faecal samples of blackbucks (n = 7) and leopards (n = 7) were processed to isolate carbapenem resistant E. coli (CRE) and P. aeruginosa (CRP). Forty (leopards n = 26; blackbuck n = 14) E. coli and two P. aeruginosa (blackbuck n = 2) samples were isolated from the faecal samples (n = 14). Eleven carbapenem resistant isolates were recovered, of which 10 were CRE and one was CRP. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for meropenem for carbapenem resistant isolates and was between 8 and 64 μg/mL. All the CRE and CRP were phenotypically multidrug resistant, and six CRE were extended-spectrum beta- lactamases (ESBL) producers. On genotypic screening, seven CRE and one CRP were positive for the blaNDM carbapenemase gene. Efflux pump-mediated carbapenem resistance was noticed in four CRE isolates (36.4%, 4/11). Of the six ESBL producing CRE, four isolates carried blaCTX-M-1 genes. The CRE isolates also harbored blaTEM-1, blaAmpC, qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, tetA, tetB and sul1 resistance genes. On Shiga toxin virulence screening, Stx1, Stx2 genes were detected in two and one isolates, respectively. Plasmid typing of CRE revealed that the blaNDM genes were carried on an Incl1 plasmid. The plasmid multilocus sequence typing (pMLST) of the isolates showed the Sequence Type (ST) 297. The occurrence of carbapenem resistance bacteria in captive wildlife should be a major public health priority.Cilj rada bio je istražiti slučajeve otpornosti bakterija E. coli i P. aeruginosa na karbapenem u zdravih antilopa i leoparda iz zatočeništva u Indiji. Uzorci izmeta antilopa (n = 7) i leoparda (n = 7) obrađeni su kako bi se izolirale bakterije E. coli (CRE) i P. aeruginosa (CRP) otporne na karbapenem. Iz uzoraka izmeta (n = 14) dobiveno je 40 izolata (leopard n = 26, antilopa n = 14) E. coli i 2 izolata P. aeruginosa (antilopa n = 2). Pronađeno je 11 izolata otpornih na karbapenem, od kojih je 10 E. coli i 1 P. aeruginosa. Određena je minimalna inhibicijska koncentracija (MIK) za meropenem za izolate otporne na karbapenem, od 8 za E. coli i 64 μg/mL za P. aeruginosa. Svi izolati E. coli i P. aeruginosa fenotipski su bili otporni na širok spektar lijekova, a 6 izolata E. coli proizvodilo je beta- laktamaze širokog spektra (ESBL). Genotipskim probirom 7 izolata E. coli i 1 izolat P. aeruginosa bili su pozitivni na karbapenemaza gen blaNDM. Otpornost na karbapenem putem efluks pumpe zabilježena je u 4 izolata E. coli (36,4 %, 4/11). Od 6 ESBL producirajućih CRE, 4 izolata nosila su gen blaCTX-M-1. Izolati E. coli također su sadržavali blaTEM-1, blaAmpC, qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, tetA, tetB i sul1 gene otpornosti. Pretragom na šiga-toksin, Stx1 i Stx2 geni utvrđeni su u dva odnosno jednom izolatu. Tipiziranje plazmida CRE otkrilo je prisutnost blaNDM gena na Incl1 plazmidu. Multilokusno tipiziranje sekvencija plazmida (pMLST) izolata otkrilo je sekvenciju tipa (ST) 297. Pojava otpornosti bakterija na karbapenem u divljih životinja iz zatočeništva trebala bi biti javnozdravstveni prioritet

A comparative study of circulating plasma lipid components and superoxide dismutase activity in pre and postmenopausal women

Background: Menopause is associated with increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidative activity in females which leads to increased risk of cardiovascular and many other diseases. The objective was to compare the lipid profiles and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of pre and postmenopausal women in an attempt to establish the fact that menopause is associated with increased oxidative stress.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was done at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology and biochemistry, Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Dehradun, India. Out of total of 120 women, 60 women were in premenopausal group aged between 30-45 years and 60 women of 55-70 years of age group in post menopause status. Assessment of lipid profile was done by an automated chemistry analyzer (Vitors 5, I FS) and SOD activity was measured by colorimetric activity kit. Statistical analysis was done by Standard Microsoft Excel software.Results: Mean serum SOD level in premenopausal women was 4.80±1.73 U/ml and in postmenopausal was 1.35±0.58 U/ml. This variation was found to be extremely significant (p <0.0001). Changes in lipid components in pre and postmenopausal women showed that total cholesterol and triglycerides levels were higher in postmenopausal than premenopausal participants. These variations were also significant (p = 0.0003). Levels of HDL-C were lower in postmenopausal women than pre-menopausal group with a mean±SD of 51.5±12.20 mg/dl and 54.05±14.03mg/dl respectively.Conclusions: Findings of this study corroborate the hypothesis that gradual loss of ovarian function is associated with a decrease in antioxidant status. Menopause also leads to changes in lipid components, which can predispose women to cardiovascular diseases

Smart Governing System Based on Mesh Algorithm for Industrial Gas and Flame Detection with Alert System

The paper proposes a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) solution for monitoring environmental parameters during industrial fires. The system includes sensors that collect real-time data on temperature ,humidity, and gas emissions. When the system detects a fire orgas out break ,it generates alerts and presents the data on a single webpage for easy visualization by first responders. The solution aims to provide near real time alerting, enabling prompt response to minimize the impact of industrial fires. The paper also presents experimental analysis of sensor node behavior during a fire in a test set-up, which demonstrated the effectiveness of the system in detecting fire outbreaks and generating alerts promptly. The proposed system has the potential to reduce the impact of industrial fires, including loss of human lives, vegetation, economic loss ,and environmental pollution

Molekularna karakterizacija iz psa izdvojenog izolata bakterije Escherichia coli koji proizvodi prošireni spektrum beta-laktamaza i New Delhi metalo-beta-laktamazu-1 (blaNDM1) - prikaz slučaja

In this article, we report the molecular characterization of extensively drug resistant (XDR), extended spectrum, class C beta-lactamases and NDM-1 carbapenemase producing E. coli, isolated from the scrotal fluid of a 3-year-old male dog. In an antibiotic susceptibility test the E. coli isolate was susceptible only to tigecycline and resistant to all clinically applicable antibiotics tested in the study. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of meropenem, cefotaxime and cefepime was 256, 128 and 64 µg/mL, respectively. On genotypic screening by PCR, the isolate was positive for blaNDM, blaCTX-M, blaAmpC, blaTEM and sul1 genes. The isolate was a ESBL, AmpC and metalo beta-lactamase producer. On molecular pathotyping, the isolate harbored the Shiga toxin producing gene (Stx2). The extensively drug resistant, carbapenem resistant and ESBL producing E. coli constitutes a major public health concern, since there is a great chance of dissemination of resistance genes to humans due to the close association of humans and companion animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of blaNDM1 isolated from a dog in India.U radu se izvješćuje o molekularnoj karakterizaciji bakterije E. coli izdvojene iz skrotalne tekućine psa, iznimno otporne na antibiotike širokog spektra, koja proizvodi klasu C beta-laktamaza i NDM-1 karbapenemazu. Pas je bio u dobi od od tri godine. Izolat E. coli bio je osjetljiv samo na tigeciklin, a otporan na sve antibiotike primjenjivane u kliničkoj praksi. Minimalna inhibicijska koncentracija (MIC) za meropenem iznosila je 256, cefotaksim 128 i cefepim 64 µg/mL. Pretragom genotipa lančanom reakcijom polimerazom izolat je bio pozitivan na gene blaNDM, blaCTX-M, blaAmpC, blaTEM i sul1. Proizvodio je ESBL, AmpC i metalo-beta-laktamazu. Molekularnom patotipizacijom dokazano je da posjeduje gen za shiga-toksin (Stx2). E. coli otporna na karbapenem, koja proizvodi beta-laktamaze širokog spektra, velika je prijetnja za javno zdravstvo s obzirom na to da postoji velika mogućnost prijenosa E. coli s genom za rezistenciju na ljude u bliskom dodiru s kućnim ljubimcima. Ovo je prvo izvješće o blaNDM1 dokazanom u psa u Indiji

TLR-3 Stimulation Skews M2 Macrophages to M1 Through IFN-αβ Signaling and Restricts Tumor Progression

During tumor progression, macrophages shift their protective M1-phenotype to pro-tumorigenic M2-subtype. Therefore, conversion of M2 to M1 phenotype may be a potential therapeutic intervention. TLRs are important pathogen recognition receptors expressed by cells of the immune system. Recently, a crucial role of TLR-3 has been suggested in cancer. Consequently, in the current study, we defined the role of TLR-3 in the reversion of M2-macrophages to M1. We analyzed the role of TLR-3 stimulation for skewing M2-macrophages to M1 at mRNA and protein level through qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, western blotting, and ELISA. The effectiveness of TLR-3L stimulation to revert M2-macrophages to M1 was evaluated in the murine tumor model. To determine the role of IFN-αβ signaling in vitro and in vivo, we used Ifnar1−/− macrophages and anti-IFN-αβ antibodies, respectively. We observed upregulation of M1-specific markers MHC-II and costimulatory molecules like CD86, CD80, and CD40 on M2-macrophages upon TLR-3 stimulation. In contrast, reduced expression of M2-indicators CD206, Tim-3, and pro-inflammatory cytokines was noticed. The administration of TLR-3L in the murine tumor reverted the M2-macrophages to M1-phenotype and regressed the tumor growth. The mechanism deciphered for macrophage reversion and controlling the tumor growth is dependent on IFN-αβ signaling pathway. The results indicate that the signaling through TLR-3 is important in protection against tumors by skewing M2-macrophages to protective M1-subtype