The 1994 plague epidemic of India: molecular diagnosis and characterization of Yersinia pestis isolates from Surat and Beed

PCR analysis of formalin-fixed human autopsy tissues, rodent tissues, fleas and bacterial isolates from pneumonic patients from the 1994 plague epidemic confirmed the presence of the f1 and pla genes of Yersinia pestis in these samples. Several Y. pestis iso lates from the epidemic areas were studied in respect of their plasmid profile, expression of Fl antigen and ribotype pattern. All the three plasmids known to be associated with virulence were present in the Surat isolates of Y. pestis. Presence of the Fl antigen, clasi cally used for diagnosis of Y. pestis infection, was demonstrated by immunoblotting. All the Indian isolates from the 1994 epidemic showed an identical ribotype profile. This profile, however, was different from those of Y. pestis isolates tested from other regions of the world. Upon digestion with EcoRI and EcoRV, and prob ing with E. coli 168 and 23S rRNA genes, DNA from these Y. pestis isolates gave two distinct profiles which, taken together, suggest that the present Indian isolates represent a new ribotype, The presence of Y. pestis sig nature genes in 5 out of 7 fleas collected from rodents in the affected areas, and the occurrence of the same ribo type in the Y. pestis isolates from domestic rodents, syl vatic rodents and the patients are strongly indicative of a clonal origin of this Indian strain and an epidemiological linkage among wild rodents, domestic rats and humans in the epidemic area

<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Thermodynamics of micellization and interfacial adsorption of polyoxyethylene (10) lauryl ether (C₁₂E₁₀) <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">in<b> </b>water</span></span>

265-269The interfacial and micellization properties of nonionie surfactant, polyoxyethylene (10) lauryl ether [C12E10; CH3 (CH2)11(OCH2CH2)10OH] at different pHs and temperatures have been investigated from surface tension measurements. The surface excess (Γ) and the corresponding interfacial quantities have been evaluated. The Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy of micellization (∆Gom, ∆Hom, ∆Som), and of adsorption at the air/water interface (∆G ad, ∆Ho ad, ∆So ad) have also been computed. Both micellization and adsorption processes have been found to be endothermic at all pH. An enthalpyentropy compensation effect has been observed with an isostructural temperature of 300 K for both the micellization and interfacial adsorption processes. The cloud point of C12E10 is not much affected by pH. </span

Nanoparticle Engineered Photocatalytic Paints: A Roadmap to Self-Sterilizing against the Spread of Communicable Diseases

Applications of visible-light photocatalytic engineered nanomaterials in the preparation of smart paints are of recent origin. The authors have revealed a great potential of these new paints for self-sterilizing of the surfaces in hospitals and public places simply with visible light exposure and this is reported for the first time in this review. A recent example of a communicable disease such as COVID-19 is considered. With all precautions and preventions taken as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 has remained present for a longer time compared to other diseases. It has affected millions of people worldwide and the significant challenge remains of preventing infections due to SARS-CoV-2. The present review is focused on revealing the cause of this widespread disease and suggests a roadmap to control the spread of disease. It is understood that the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus takes place through contact surfaces such as doorknobs, packaging and handrails, which may be responsible for many preventable and nosocomial infections. In addition, due to the potent transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, its ability to survive for longer periods on common touch surfaces is also an important reason for the spread of COVID-19. The existing antimicrobial cleaning technologies used in hospitals are not suitable, viable or economical to keep public places free from such infections. Hence, in this review, an innovative approach of coating surfaces in public places with visible-light photocatalytic nanocomposite paints has been suggested as a roadmap to self-sterilizing against the spread of communicable diseases. The formulations of different nanoparticle engineered photocatalytic paints with their ability to destroy pathogens using visible light, alongwith the field trials are also summarized and reported in this review. The potential suggestions for controlling the spread of communicable diseases are also listed at the end of the review

Nanoparticle Engineered Photocatalytic Paints: A Roadmap to Self-Sterilizing against the Spread of Communicable Diseases

Applications of visible-light photocatalytic engineered nanomaterials in the preparation of smart paints are of recent origin. The authors have revealed a great potential of these new paints for self-sterilizing of the surfaces in hospitals and public places simply with visible light exposure and this is reported for the first time in this review. A recent example of a communicable disease such as COVID-19 is considered. With all precautions and preventions taken as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 has remained present for a longer time compared to other diseases. It has affected millions of people worldwide and the significant challenge remains of preventing infections due to SARS-CoV-2. The present review is focused on revealing the cause of this widespread disease and suggests a roadmap to control the spread of disease. It is understood that the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus takes place through contact surfaces such as doorknobs, packaging and handrails, which may be responsible for many preventable and nosocomial infections. In addition, due to the potent transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, its ability to survive for longer periods on common touch surfaces is also an important reason for the spread of COVID-19. The existing antimicrobial cleaning technologies used in hospitals are not suitable, viable or economical to keep public places free from such infections. Hence, in this review, an innovative approach of coating surfaces in public places with visible-light photocatalytic nanocomposite paints has been suggested as a roadmap to self-sterilizing against the spread of communicable diseases. The formulations of different nanoparticle engineered photocatalytic paints with their ability to destroy pathogens using visible light, alongwith the field trials are also summarized and reported in this review. The potential suggestions for controlling the spread of communicable diseases are also listed at the end of the review

Trapping and Stabilization of Integral Membrane Proteins by Hydrophobically Grafted Glucose-Based Telomers

International audienc

Mechanism of action of NIM-76: a novel vaginal contraceptive from neem oil

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism of spermicidal action of NIM-76, a fraction isolated from neem oil. The spermicidal activity of NIM-76 was confirmed using a fluorescent staining technique. NIM-76 was found to affect the motility of the sperm in a dose-dependent manner. Supplementation of pentoxifylline, which is known to enhance the motility of the sperm, could not prevent the spermicidal action of NIM-76. There was a gradual leakage of cytosolic LDH from the sperm in the presence of NIM-76. Electron microscopic studies revealed the formation of pores and vesicles over the sperm head, indicating the damage to the cell membrane. Membrane fluidization studies did not reveal any significant change in the fluidity of sperm cell membrane structure

Amphipol mediated surface immobilization of FhuA: a platform for label-free detection of the bacteriophage protein pb5

International audienc