Type 2 diabetic neuropathy with special reference to mitochondrial role and its effective management

Diabetic neuropathy denotes to a group of nerve disorders caused by diabetes. It may occur in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients. Mitochondria are essential for energy production as well as intermediary metabolism and equally important in the action of insulin on its targeted tissue. Recently, mitochondrial dysfunctions have been recognized as a cause of diabetes. Hyperglycemia enhances the activity of mitochondrial electron transport chain, leading to mitochondrial hyperpolarisation and elevates the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Increased electron availability causes partial reduction of oxygen to superoxide in the proximal electron transport chain which subsequently induces neurodegeneration in diabetes. Currently there is no satisfactory pharmacotherapy for painful diabetic neuropathy. This review summarizes mitochondrial role in type 2 diabetic neuropathy, diagnostic challenges, general treatments and benefits of alternative approach for effective management

Isolation, characterization of Vibrio and Pseudomonas spp from infected fresh water ornamental fishes and evaluation of potential agents for its control

The present work aims at comparing the antibacterial effect of probiotics, plant extracts of Vitex negundo and Clitoria ternatae and antibiotics against the disease causing bacteria isolated from infected ornamental fishes. The molecular characterization of isolated pathogens was performed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. The antibacterial effects of probiotic and plant extracts were analyzed by well diffusion method and antibiotic disc was performed by disc diffusion method. Isolated probiotics such as Bacillus sp. showed maximum antibacterial activity of 18 mm and 16 mm zone against Vibrio  sp (V2) and Pseudomonas sp (Ps1) respectively. Leaf extract of Vitex negundo displayed zone of inhibition of 20 mm on Pseudomonas sp (Ps3) and 16 mm on Vibrio sp (V1). Among the antibiotics,  chloramphenicol and ampicillin showed maximum inhibitory activity against Vibrio sp (V3) (25mm) and Pseudomonas sp (Ps2) (25mm) respectively. Even though, antibiotics showed higher inhibitory activity  than the isolated Bacillus bacteria and plant extract (V. negundo and C. ternatae). This study concluded that the use of probiotics as an alternative strategy to the use of antibiotics because of its effective  antibacterial activity and growing concern in violence of disinfectants and antibacterial agents

Detection and characterization of natural and inducible lectins in human serum

AbstractThis study was performed to detect and characterise the possible occurrence of natural and inducible lectins in human serum by hemagglutination method, wherein, the serum was treated using exogenous elicitors, namely, proteases and detergents.Natural and inducible lectins were detected and characterised in human serum. Untreated serum agglutinated buffalo and rabbit RBC, while serum treated with pronase, trypsin, α-chymotrypsin or SDS for the very first time, agglutinated hen/hen and sheep RBC within 15min in a dosimetric manner. Cross adsorption test revealed that both trypsin and α-chymotrypsin-treated serum showed similar RBC adsorption pattern. The lectin activity in untreated, pronase-treated serum was cation independent and moderately sensitive/insensitive to calcium chelator EDTA, whereas, trypsin-treated serum was cation dependent as well as EDTA sensitive (sheep RBC), cation independent and EDTA insensitive (hen RBC). Hemagglutination of untreated serum was inhibited by certain glycosides and di-, oligo-saccharides, whereas, activity in pronase-treated serum was inhibited by hexosamines. By contrast, hemagglutination of trypsin-treated serum showed specificity for acetylated mannosamine as well as sialic acid for sheep RBC and certain glycoproteins for hen RBC.Thus, we have detected inducible lectins with distinct ligand binding specificity, upon treatment of human serum with proteases, namely, pronase and trypsin. Nevertheless, lectin activity was found in untreated human serum too with different ligand specificity

Heat loss distribution: Impedance and thermal loss analyses in LiFePO4/graphite 18650 electrochemical cell

10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.08.045JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES328413-42

ASK2 Bioactive Compound Inhibits MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae by Antibiofilm Activity, Modulating Macrophage Cytokines and Opsonophagocytosis

The emergence and spread of pathogens harboring extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) like carbapenem resistant Gram negative bacteria are the major emerging threat to public health. Of particular concern Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenamase- producing strains have been recorded worldwide. Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) caused by K. pneumoniae are significantly associated with morbidity and mortality. Hence the present work was aimed to develop a strategy for addressing these issues through an innovative approach of antibiofilm and immunomodulation. These two independent activities were analyzed in a Streptomyces derived ASK2 bioactive compound. While analysing the effect of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs), 0.5x of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was found to be more effective in preventing biofilm formation on coverslip and silicone catheter. The minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) was found to be 15-fold higher MIC with eradication of 75% of 3 day old biofilm. Apart from its antibiofilm potential, ASK2 also acts as an opsonin and enhances phagocytic response of macrophages against multidrug resistant K. pneumoniae. In addition, ASK2 resulted in elevated levels of nitric oxide generation by the macrophages and has a stimulating effect on IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α proinflammatory cytokines. The opsonic role of ASK2 and its potential in modulating proinflammatory cytokines secreted by macrophages implies the importance of ASK2 in modulating cellular immune response of macrophages against MDR K. pneumoniae. The present study proposes ASK2 as a promising candidate for treating MDR K. pneumoniae infections with its dual properties of antibiofilm and immunomodulatory activities

Zeaxanthin and ocular health, from bench to bedside

Cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration are known as major ocular problems which cause blindness among the elderly population worldwide. Oxidative stress plays an important role in both the initiation and progression of ocular problems and with respect to this; dietary antioxidants can serve as a therapeutic strategy for the improvement of ocular health. Zeaxanthin is known as one of the most important and common xanthophyll carotenoids, possessing multiple therapeutic effects such as strong antioxidant and pro-oxidant behaviour as well as anti-inflammatory effects. A growing body of literature shows that zeaxanthin mitigates ocular problems and suppresses oxidative stress in the retinal tissues. This paper aims to critically review the available literature regarding the beneficial effects of zeaxanthin on ocular problems with emphasis on its chemistry, bioavailability, and sources