Subcellular Localization of Tobacco SABP2 under Normal and Stress Conditions

Subcellular Localization of Tobacco SABP2 under Normal and Stress Conditions Salicylic acid (SA), a phytohormone, plays an important role in plant physiology. SA mediated innate immune pathway is an important pathway for plant immunity against pathogens. Plants resisting pathogen infection synthesize higher levels of Methyl Salicylate (MeSA), which is then converted to SA by the esterase activity of Salicylic Acid Binding Protein 2 (SABP2). The high level of the converted SA leads to enhanced pathogen resistance. The study of subcellular localization of a protein is critical in explaining its potential biochemical functions. SABP2 tagged with eGFP was expressed transiently in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The SABP2-eGFP expressing leaves were challenged with bacterial and viral pathogens and observed under confocal microscopy. Fluorescent signals were seen throughout the cell and more concentrated towards the cell periphery. To verify the localization, mCherry fluorescent organelle markers with specific targeting sequences were used. The results indicate that the SABP2 is likely a cytoplasmic protein, and there is no change in its localization upon infection by plant pathogens

A Case History of Site Instability Due to the Presence of a Shale Layer Above Sloping Bedrock

A study conducted for St. Louis County of Missouri, United States of America classified several areas of the county as unstable for any type of construction because of the presence of high plastic shaley clay or clayey shale on sloping bedrock. These areas are considered to have a potential for site instability to occur due to any change in natural conditions that may increase the moisture content of the high plastic shaley clay or clayey shale. A two-story parking garage, founded on shallow foundations, constructed in one of the potentially unstable zones, showed some movement after several years of its construction. After movements in the structure were observed, further review of the subsurface conditions revealed that as a result of construction at the site, the clayey shale layer became exposed, thus, creating easy access for water to enter this layer. Infiltration of water caused softening of the clayey shale layer, which in turn caused movements in the structures constructed on the site. This paper presents the detailed information about the subsurface conditions and type of structures constructed on the site

Constraining primordial black hole masses through f(R)f(R) gravity scalarons in Big Bang Nucleosynthesis

Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) is a strong probe for constraining new physics including gravitation. $f(R)$ gravity theory is an interesting alternative to general relativity which introduces additional degrees of freedom known as scalarons. In this work we demonstrate the existence of black hole solutions in $f(R)$ gravity and develop a relation between scalaron mass and black hole mass. We have used observed bound on the freezeout temperature to constrain scalaron mass range by modifying the cosmic expansion rate at the BBN epoch. The mass range of primordial black holes (PBHs) which are astrophysical dark matter candidates is deduced. The range of scalaron mass which does not spoil the BBN era is found to be $10^{-16}-10^4 \text{ eV}$. The scalaron mass window $10^{-16}-10^{-14}\text{ eV}$ is consistent with the $f(R)$ gravity PPN parameter derived from solar system experiments. The PBH mass range is obtained as $10^6-10^{-14}\text{ }M_{\odot}$. Scalarons constrained by BBN are also eligible to accommodate axion like dark matter particles. Estimation of deuterium (D) fraction and relative D+$^3$He abundance in the $f(R)$ gravity scenario shows that the BBN history mimics that of general relativity. While the PBH mass range is eligible for non-baryonic dark matter, the BBN bounded scalarons provide with an independent strong field test of $f(R)$ gravity.Comment: 24 pages, 3 figures, comments are welcome

The Role of Phenytoin in the Treatment of Localization Related Epilepsy: An International Internet-Based Survey of Neurologists and Epileptologists

Phenytoin (PHT) has been the most widely used medication to treat both partial and generalized seizures. However, over the past twenty years, a variety of new compounds have been released with comparable efficacy, fewer adverse effects, and more predictable pharmacokinetic properties. We surveyed neurologists and epileptologists to determine current practice patterns relating to the use of PHT using an online survey instrument. A total of 200 responses were obtained though response rates for each survey question varied. Of the respondents, 78.1% were epilepsy specialists; 60% were adult practitioners; and the remainder saw either, only children or both adults and children. For new onset partial seizures only 10 respondents said PHT would be their first or second choice, while 45% reported that they would not consider PHT. This study shows that in the era of newer medications, the role of PHT has been placed in the category of a reserve medication in intractable epilepsy

COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF EFFICACY AND EFFECTS ON OXIDATIVE STRESS OF AMLODIPINE AND RAMIPRIL IN THE HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS OF NORTH EAST INDIA

Objective: To compare the efficacy and the effect of the oxidative stress of Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB), Amlodipine and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, Ramipril in the hypertensive patients of North East India.Methods: It is a prospective randomized controlled parallel study of the clinically used antihypertensive drug. Total 75 subjects were included in the study. Out of 75 subjects, 25 numbers were normal healthy subjects and remaining 50 were hypertensive patients. The patients were randomized and divided into two groups; Amlodipine treated group (n=25) and Ramipril treated group (n=25). Amlodipine group received Amlodipine (5-10) mg/day and Ramipril group received Ramipril daily (5-10) mg. All patients were newly detected hypertensive subjects suffering from essential hypertension without any prior antihypertensive therapy. Patients included were either sex (male/female) in age group of 20-65 y with normal fasting blood sugar level (FBS) and free from any other diseases. All groups was subjected to measurement of blood pressure, estimation of blood parameters like FBS, serum lipid profiles, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate oxaloacetate (SGOT) before antihypertensive treatment. The height, age, weight, health status and lifestyle pattern of patients were recorded. The patients were followed up during 8 w of antihypertensive treatment. Serum levels of glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated before and after 8 w of antihypertensive therapy.Results: The present study indicated that both amlodipine and ramipril have significant effects on normalizing systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) after 8 w of treatment. Ramipril significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increased the serum levels of GSH, TAS and SOD during antihypertensive treatment. Ramipril reduces oxidative stress because of its antioxidant activity during antihypertensive therapy.Conclusion: Amlodipine and Ramipril are effective antihypertensive drugs. ACE inhibitor (Ramipril) has additional benefit of reducing oxidative stress thereby restoring the endothelial dysfunction in the hypertensive patient.Â

Evaluation of susceptibility testing methods for polymyxin

SummaryBackgroundThe widespread resistance in Gram-negative bacteria has necessitated evaluation of the use of older antimicrobials such as polymyxins. In the present study we evaluated the different susceptibility testing methods for polymyxins B and E against Gram-negative bacteria using the new Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.MethodsThe susceptibility of 281 multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) to polymyxin B was evaluated, comparing broth microdilution (BMD; reference method), agar dilution, E-test, and disk diffusion. Disk diffusion testing of polymyxin B was also performed against 723 MDR GNB.ResultsTwenty-four of 281 (8.5%) isolates were found to be resistant to polymyxin B by the reference BMD method. The rates of very major errors for agar dilution and E-test (for polymyxin B) were 0.7% and 1%, respectively, and those for disk diffusion (for polymyxin B and polymyxin E) were 1% and 0.7%, respectively. For the 257 isolates found sensitive by reference BMD, the rates of major errors by agar dilution and E-test (for polymyxin B) were 2.4% and 0%, respectively, and those for disk diffusion (polymyxin B and polymyxin E) were 0% and 0.7%, respectively. Twenty-six (3.6%) of the 723 Gram-negative isolates were resistant to polymyxin B by disk diffusion.ConclusionThe E-test and agar dilution methods showed good concordance with BMD. The disk diffusion method can be useful for initial screening in diagnostic laboratories