Studies on the extraction and characterization of thermostable a-amylase from pericarp of Borassus indica

Thermostable a-amylase was extracted and characterized from the fruits (pericarp) of Borassus indica. Analysis on the influence of various physico-chemical parameters on the extracted enzyme revealed a Vmax of 0.793 and a Km of 0.022. The optimum temperature was found to be 370C at pH 4.5. The stability studies on enzyme activity envisaged that the enzyme is stable up to 800C and retained its activity over a wide range of pH (4.0 – 8.5). Significant enhancement in the enzyme activity was observed in the presence of metal ions like Manganese and Strontium and an insignificant decrement in the presence of Sodium ions.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (3), pp. 289-291, 200

Isolation and characterization of lytic bacteriophages of Salmonella Typhimurium and their therapeutic application

Salmonella Typhimurium is an important bacterial pathogen of gastroenteritis revealing multidrug resistance and has zoonotic implication. In an approach towards alternatives to antibiotics, lytic bacteriophages were isolated against Salmonella Typhimurium from sewage effluent using double agar overlay method. The isolated bacteir ohages, viz. fST1, fST2, fST3, fST4 and fST5 were characterized microbiologically and revealed host range 85–92% individually and 100% collectively within the genus. Biophysical characterization revealed that the phages were stable at 16°, 37°, 42°C and pH 4, 7 and 9 for 3h, supporting their therapeutic application. Electron microscopic examination of the fST1 showed icosahedral head (52.5nm), contractile tail (220–250nm) belonging to the family Myoviridae and order Caudovirales. Further, molecular characterization of fST1 revealed 38kb nucleic acid and digested by restriction endonucleases i.e., EcoRI, Bam HI and Hae III. The therapeutic application of the isolated phage cocktail was ascertained in Swiss albino mice models by infecting the control and treatment groups with 3×108 cfu/ml of the organism intramuscularly and orally. Following challenge the treatment group administered with 3×109 pfu/ml of phage mixture showed significant decrease in number of colony forming units of bacteria in vivo

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Boswellia serrata on carrageenan induced paw edema in albino Wistar rats

Background: Inflammation is a response of the immune system, guarding the individual against infection. It is a major burning problem worldwide and billions of individuals are affected. Moreover administration of current anti-inflammatory drugs is often associated with severe side effects. Hence alternative therapeutic modules are necessitated. Now a day’s herbal medicines are using due to their high efficacy and harmless to cure the diseases. In traditional medicine Boswellia serrata (B. serrata) has been widely used to treat various diseases which also include Inflammation. Till now the effect of B serrata on inflammation was not well understood. Hence In the present study we made an attempt to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of B. Serrata against carrageenan induced paw edema which is acute model of inflammation.Methods: Albino wistar rats were divided into five groups, group 1 treated with carrageenan (control) whereas group 2, 3, and 4 treated with different doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/bw) of B. serrata along with carrageenan, respectively. Group 5 treated with standard drug (Indomethacin 10 mg/kg/bw). Carrageenan induced paw edema and histopathological study of paw were evaluated in all experimental rats.Results: The present study clearly demonstarted that carrageenan significantly increased paw edema and cellular infiltrates whereas B. serrata treated rats significantly decreased the paw edema and histopathological finding of cellular infiltrates and found to be greater at higher concentration i.e., 200 mg/kg/b/wt as compared to standard drug. Conclusions: The findings from the above study proves that B. serrata has high anti-inflammatory activity and supports its usage in traditional medicine as herbal anti-inflammatory medicine.

Preparation of transversely isotropic test specimen of glass FRP composite - an innovative approach-I

FRP composites have attracted attention of researchers due to ever increasing demand for lighter and stronger materials from the industry, more so from aerospace and automotive sector. Researchers, particularly in academic institutions, are suffering due to non-availability of detailed information on fabrication techniques for preparing FRP test specimens that are equivalent to an analytical model. Accurate test specimen close to analytical model reduces the compulsion of going for unrealistic assumptions that takes the analysis away from reality. An easy to follow method to design, compute and achieve correct volume fraction is presented in this work. A technique for preparing and dismantling molds with commonly available materials is presented in detail. Using simple tools and tackles coupled with a few precautions followed as described herein, prospective researchers can fabricate FRP test specimen close to their requirement.&nbsp

Preparation of transversely isotropic test specimen of natural FRP composite - an innovative approach-II

Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) composites can be broadly classified as synthetic and natural, based on the type of fibers incorporated. Abundantly available natural fibers like toddy palm, sisal, jute and banana are attracting the attention of researchers due to ever increasing demand for lighter, stronger and eco-friendly materials from the industry. However, natural fibers are limited in length, not so uniform in size and behave differently in different atmospheric conditions. Added to this, the inherent tendency of natural fibers to twist and curl in dry conditions poses many problems to researchers while preparing test specimens. Researchers in general and academicians in particular are handicapped by non-availability of relevant literature on fabrication techniques to prepare natural FRP composite test specimens close to their analytical models. Present paper addresses typical problems faced by researchers during preparation of unidirectional continuous fiber reinforced composite test specimen ensuring transversely isotropic nature. Using simple hand tools coupled with a few precautions taken as described herein, prospective researchers can condition natural fibers and prepare composite specimen to suit their requirements.&nbsp

Modified Assay Procedure for the Estimation of Serum Glucose using

ABSTRACT Determination of blood glucose levels is very important to know the physiological condition of the human beings as the hormonal imbalance may cause abnormalities in glucose metabolism. The traditional methods of glucose estimation by colorimetric and titrimetric methods were involved with huge expenditure and time. The modified colorimetric microwell reader method proposed in the present study was performed with small quantities of sample and reagents with the same linearity that was observed in the normal colorimetric analysis. The modified method not only reduces the cost of the test to almost one third of the normal colorimetric method but also provide an opportunity to screen the large number of samples in a short duration of time

Prostate specific antigen: a new means as diagnostic and prognostic factor for breast cancer

ABSTRACT Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a serine protease expressed at high levels in prostate epithelium and elevated PSA in serum is a well established marker, and also helps in management of prostate cancer. In recent times it has become widely accepted that PSA is also present in many non prostatic sources, creating doubts about the specificity of its tissue expression. Numerous studies have suggested that the molecular forms of PSA imply to signify a potential tool for the risk assessment of breast cancer. Studies have suggested new biological role of PSA in breast physiopathology. Additional studies are essential to enrol PSA indisputably as an additional means as diagnostic and prognostic tool for breast cancer. Here is the summary of how PSA has a potential to become a new diagnostic and prognostic tool

Therapeutic implications of recombinant human erythropoietin in anaemic related clinical manifestations

The introduction of recombinant human erythropoietin (RHUEPO) has revolutionised the treatment strategies for patients suffering with anaemia of chronic renal disease and chronic heart failure. Clinical studies and several observational evidences have demonstrated that RHUEPO is also useful in various non-uraemic conditions including haematological and oncological disorders, prematurity, HIV infection and preoperative therapies. The successful treatment of all the anaemic related malfunctions with recombinant human erythropoietin (RHUEPO) has become a standard treatment tool for dialysis patients and as an interesting therapeutic option for several forms of non-renal anaemia. As a conesquence of both, RHUEPO has achieved the highest annual sales worldwide and the potential of it increases its scope in the future prospective also

Development of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Cry1Ac/Ab Protein for Designing of Sandwich ELISA to Detect BT Toxin from Cotton Seeds and Leaves

The design of the study is to develop monoclonal antibodies against Cry1Ac/Ab protein for designing os sandwich ELISA(hybridoma technology). Hybridoma technology was invented by Cesar Milstein and Georges J.F Kohler in the year 1975 and is an unique method used to produce identical antibodies in maximum quantities. Monoclonal antibodies were developed by immunization of Balb/C mice with Cry1Ac/Ab Protein. Titer values of mice tail bleeds were checked and the best mice with higher titer value was used for fusion. Immunized mice spleen cells were fused with Myeloma cells (SP2-O), using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the fused cells were incubated with HAT medium for 12 days and initially 400 positive hybridoma clones were obtained, of which 13 potential clones were selected using indirect ELISA against Cry1Ac/Ab recombinant antigen. Cross reactivity was ruled out using indriet ELSA against cry proteins such as Cry2A, Cry1F and CP4EPSPS using. Cloning was carried out twice for all 13 clones by limiting dilution factor and pure single clones were selected. The class IgG/IgM/IgA and sub classes IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 antibodies are determined by isotyping. Determination of class and subclass of an antibody is very important for selecting proper purification methods. Commercially available rapid isotyping kits were used for isotyping which provides the information of 1) IgG, IgM, IgA, IgG2a, IgG2b or IgG3 2) Light chain identification as either kappa or lambda. All pure clones were preserved in Liquid Nitrogen for future use to develop immunological kits for detection of Cry1Ac/Ab present in the plant tissue.The design of the study is to develop monoclonal antibodies against Cry1Ac/Ab protein for designing os sandwich ELISA(hybridoma technology). Hybridoma technology was invented by Cesar Milstein and Georges J.F Kohler in the year 1975 and is an unique method used to produce identical antibodies in maximum quantities. Monoclonal antibodies were developed by immunization of Balb/C mice with Cry1Ac/Ab Protein. Titer values of mice tail bleeds were checked and the best mice with higher titer value was used for fusion. Immunized mice spleen cells were fused with Myeloma cells (SP2-O), using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the fused cells were incubated with HAT medium for 12 days and initially 400 positive hybridoma clones were obtained, of which 13 potential clones were selected using indirect ELISA against Cry1Ac/Ab recombinant antigen. Cross reactivity was ruled out using indriet ELSA against cry proteins such as Cry2A, Cry1F and CP4EPSPS using. Cloning was carried out twice for all 13 clones by limiting dilution factor and pure single clones were selected. The class IgG/IgM/IgA and sub classes IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 antibodies are determined by isotyping. Determination of class and subclass of an antibody is very important for selecting proper purification methods. Commercially available rapid isotyping kits were used for isotyping which provides the information of 1) IgG, IgM, IgA, IgG2a, IgG2b or IgG3 2) Light chain identification as either kappa or lambda. All pure clones were preserved in Liquid Nitrogen for future use to develop immunological kits for detection of Cry1Ac/Ab present in the plant tissue

Absence of Spontaneous Peroxisome Proliferation in Enoyl-CoA Hydratase/l-3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase-deficient Mouse Liver: FURTHER SUPPORT FOR THE ROLE OF FATTY ACYL CoA OXIDASE IN PPARα LIGAND METABOLISM

Peroxisomes contain a classical L-hydroxy-specific peroxisome proliferator-inducible beta-oxidation system and also a second noninducible D-hydroxy-specific beta-oxidation system. We previously generated mice lacking fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX), the first enzyme of the L-hydroxy-specific classical beta-oxidation system; these AOX-/- mice exhibited sustained activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), resulting in profound spontaneous peroxisome proliferation in liver cells. These observations implied that AOX is responsible for the metabolic degradation of PPARalpha ligands. In this study, the function of enoyl-CoA hydratase/L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (L-PBE), the second enzyme of this peroxisomal beta-oxidation system, was investigated by disrupting its gene. Mutant mice (L-PBE-/-) were viable and fertile and exhibited no detectable gross phenotypic defects. L-PBE-/- mice showed no hepatic steatosis and manifested no spontaneous peroxisome proliferation, unlike that encountered in livers of mice deficient in AOX. These results indicate that disruption of classical peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation system distal to AOX step does not interfere with the inactivation of endogenous ligands of PPARalpha, further confirming that the AOX gene is indispensable for the physiological regulation of this receptor. The absence of appreciable changes in lipid metabolism also indicates that enoyl-CoAs, generated in the classical system in L-PBE-/- mice are diverted to D-hydroxy-specific system for metabolism by D-PBE. When challenged with a peroxisome proliferator, L-PBE-/- mice showed increases in the levels of hepatic mRNAs and proteins that are regulated by PPARalpha except for appreciable blunting of peroxisome proliferative response as compared with that observed in hepatocytes of wild type mice similarly treated. This blunting of peroxisome proliferative response is attributed to the absence of L-PBE protein in L-PBE-/- mouse liver, because all other proteins are induced essentially to the same extent in both wild type and L-PBE-/- mice