102 research outputs found
Fingerprinting method for phylogenetic classification and identification of microorganisms based on variation in 16S rRNA gene sequences
The paper describes a method for the classification and identification of microorganisms based on variations in 16S rRNA sequences. The 16S rRNA is one of the most conserved molecules within a cell. The nature of the variable and spacer regions has been found to be specific to a given organism. Thus, the method presented here can be very useful for the classification and identification of microorganisms for which very little information is available. To automate the method, a comprehensive computer program called FPMAP has been developed for the analysis of restriction fragment pattern data. The method involves the restriction digestion of genomic DNA, preferably using four-cutters that may recognize 6-9 sites within the 16S rDNA. The fragments are separated on a polyacrylamide gel along with a suitable marker, then transferred into a nylon membrane and hybridized with a radiolabeled 16S rDNA probe. After autoradiography, the fragment sizes are calculated, and the data are analyzed using the FPMAP software. We demonstrate that the method can be used for identification of strains of Streptomyces and mycobacteria. The software is available from our ftp site ftp://imtech.chd.nic.in/pub/com/fpmap/unix/
Note on a large sized Indian squid landed
Indian squid, Uroteuthis (Photololigo) duvauceli
(Orbigny, 1835) locally called as Narsingha, forms
an important cephalopod resource in Gujarat. The
present specimen was collected on 20th January 2017
from the Veraval Fishing Harbour caught by a
singleday trawler operating at a depth zone of 40
to 60 m off Gujarat coast. The particular trawler
also landed about 20 kg of considerably bigger size
squids. U. (P.) duvauceli show differential allometric
growth and the asymptotic length for male is higher
than females, whereas the female grows faster
compared to males
भारतीय तटीय जल में तेल प्रदूषण की स्थिति
भारतीय तटीय जल में तेल प्रदूषण की स्थित
High-Throughput Sequencing-Based Analysis of Rhizosphere and Diazotrophic Bacterial Diversity Among Wild Progenitor and Closely Related Species of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. Inter-Specific Hybrids)
Considering the significant role of genetic background in plant-microbe interactions and
that most crop rhizospheric microbial research was focused on cultivars, understanding
the diversity of root-associated microbiomes in wild progenitors and closely related
crossable species may help to breed better cultivars. This study is aimed to fill a critical
knowledge gap on rhizosphere and diazotroph bacterial diversity in the wild progenitors
of sugarcane, the essential sugar and the second largest bioenergy crop globally. Using a
high-throughput sequencing (HTS) platform, we studied the rhizosphere and diazotroph
bacterial community of SaccharumofficinarumL. cv. Badila (BRS), Saccharumbarberi (S.
barberi) Jesw. cv Pansahi (PRS), Saccharum robustum [S. robustum; (RRS), Saccharum
spontaneum (S. spontaneum); SRS], and Saccharum sinense (S. sinense) Roxb. cv Uba
(URS) by sequencing their 16S rRNA and nifH genes. HTS results revealed that a total
of 6,202 bacteria-specific operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified, that were
distributed as 107 bacterial groups. Out of that, 31 rhizobacterial families are commonly
spread in all five species. With respect to nifH gene, S. barberi and S. spontaneum
recorded the highest and lowest number of OTUs, respectively. These results were
validated by quantitative PCR analysis of both genes. A total of 1,099 OTUs were identified for diazotrophs with a core microbiome of 9 families distributed among all the
sugarcane species. The core microbiomes were spread across 20 genera. The increased
microbial diversity in the rhizosphere was mainly due to soil physiochemical properties.
Most of the genera of rhizobacteria and diazotrophs showed a positive correlation,
and few genera negatively correlated with the soil properties. The results showed
that sizeable rhizospheric diversity exists across progenitors and close relatives. Still,
incidentally, the rhizosphere microbial abundance of progenitors of modern sugarcane
was at the lower end of the spectrum, indicating the prospect of Saccharum species
introgression breeding may further improve nutrient use and disease and stress tolerance
of commercial sugarcane. The considerable variation for rhizosphere microbiome seen
in Saccharum species also provides a knowledge base and an experimental system for
studying the evolution of rhizobacteria-host plant association during crop domestication
Economic evaluation of shortened, bedaquiline-containing treatment regimens for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (STREAM stage 2): a within-trial analysis of a randomised controlled trial
BACKGROUND: The STREAM stage 2 trial assessed two bedaquiline-containing regimens for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis: a 9-month all-oral regimen and a 6-month regimen containing an injectable drug for the first 2 months. We did a within-trial economic evaluation of these regimens. METHODS: STREAM stage 2 was an international, phase 3, non-inferiority randomised trial in which participants with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis were randomly assigned (1:2:2:2) to the 2011 WHO regimen (terminated early), a 9-month injectable-containing regimen (control regimen), a 9-month all-oral regimen with bedaquiline (oral regimen), or a 6-month regimen with bedaquiline and an injectable for the first 2 months (6-month regimen). We prospectively collected direct and indirect costs and health-related quality of life data from trial participants until week 76 of follow-up. Cost-effectiveness of the oral and 6-month regimens versus control was estimated in four countries (oral regimen) and two countries (6-month regimen), using health-related quality of life for cost-utility analysis and trial efficacy for cost-effectiveness analysis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN18148631. FINDINGS: 300 participants were included in the economic analyses (Ethiopia, 61; India, 142; Moldova, 51; Uganda, 46). In the cost-utility analysis, the oral regimen was not cost-effective in Ethiopia, India, Moldova, and Uganda from either a provider or societal perspective. In Moldova, the oral regimen was dominant from a societal perspective. In the cost-effectiveness analysis, the oral regimen was likely to be cost-effective from a provider perspective at willingness-to-pay thresholds per additional favourable outcome of more than US1900 in India, 7900 in Uganda, and from a societal perspective at thresholds of more than 3150 in India, and 1·81 to $1·00 per tablet made the oral regimen cost-effective in the provider-perspective cost-utility analysis in India and Moldova and dominate over the control regimen in the provider-perspective cost-effectiveness analysis in India. INTERPRETATION: At current costs, the oral bedaquiline-containing regimen for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis is unlikely to be cost-effective in many low-income and middle-income countries. The 6-month regimen represents a cost-effective alternative if injectable use for 2 months is acceptable. FUNDING: USAID and Janssen Research & Development
A self assembled monolayer based microfluidic sensor for urea detection
Urease (Urs) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) have been covalently co-immobilized onto a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) comprising of 10-carboxy-1-decanthiol (CDT) via EDC–NHS chemistry deposited onto one of the two patterned gold (Au) electrodes for estimation of urea using poly(dimethylsiloxane) based microfluidic channels (2 cm × 200 μm × 200 μm). The CDT/Au and Urs-GLDH/CDT/Au electrodes have been characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, contact angle (CA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electrochemical cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. The electrochemical response measurement of a Urs-GLDH/CDT/Au bioelectrode obtained as a function of urea concentration using CV yield linearity as 10 to 100 mg dl−1, detection limit as 9 mg dl−1 and high sensitivity as 7.5 μA mM−1 cm−2
Sugarcane-Legume Intercropping Can Enrich the Soil Microbiome and Plant Growth
Soil microbes have a direct impact on plant metabolism and health. The current
study investigates the comparative rhizobiome between sugarcane monoculture and
sugarcane–soybean intercropping. A greenhouse experiment was performed with two
treatments: (1) sugarcane monoculture and (2) sugarcane–soybean intercropped. We
used a high-throughput sequencing (HTS) platform to analyze the microbial community.
We used the 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer region primers to identify
the microbial diversity. HTS results revealed that a total of 2,979 and 124 bacterial and
fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were observed, respectively.Microbial diversity
results concluded that the intercropping system has a beneficial impact on soil microbes.
The highest numbers of bacterial and fungal OTUs were found in the intercropping
system, and these results also collaborated with quantitative PCR results. Additionally,
intercropped sugarcane plants showed a higher weight of above- and below-ground
parts than the monoculture. Soil chemical analysis results also complemented that the
intercropping systemnourished organic carbon, total nitrogen, and soil enzyme activities.
Correlation analysis of the diversity index and abundance concluded that soil nutrient
content positively influenced the microbial abundance that improves plant growth. The
present study frames out the profound insights of microbial community interaction
under the sugarcane–soybean intercropping system. This information could help improve
or increase the sugarcane crop production without causing any negative impact on
sugarcane plant growth and development
Bedaquiline, Delamanid, Linezolid and Clofazimine for Treatment of Pre-extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND
Treatment success rates for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remain low globally. Availability of newer drugs has given scope to develop regimens that can be patient-friendly, less toxic, with improved outcomes. We proposed to determine the effectiveness of an entirely oral, short-course regimen with Bedaquiline and Delamanid in treating MDR-TB with additional resistance to fluoroquinolones (MDR-TBFQ+) or second-line injectable (MDR-TBSLI+).
METHODS
We prospectively determined the effectiveness and safety of combining two new drugs with two repurposed drugs - Bedaquiline, Delamanid, Linezolid, and Clofazimine for 24-36 weeks in adults with pulmonary MDR-TBFQ+ or/and MDR-TBSLI+. The primary outcome was a favorable response at end of treatment, defined as two consecutive negative cultures taken four weeks apart. The unfavorable outcomes included bacteriologic or clinical failure during treatment period.
RESULTS
Of the 165 participants enrolled, 158 had MDR-TBFQ+. At the end of treatment, after excluding 12 patients due to baseline drug susceptibility and culture negatives, 139 of 153 patients (91%) had a favorable outcome. Fourteen patients (9%) had unfavorable outcomes: four deaths, seven treatment changes, two bacteriological failures, and one withdrawal. During treatment, 85 patients (52%) developed myelosuppression, 69 (42%) reported peripheral neuropathy, and none had QTc(F) prolongation >500msec. At 48 weeks of follow-up, 131 patients showed sustained treatment success with the resolution of adverse events in the majority.
CONCLUSION
After 24-36 weeks of treatment, this regimen resulted in a satisfactory favorable outcome in pulmonary MDR-TB patients with additional drug resistance. Cardiotoxicity was minimal, and myelosuppression, while common, was detected early and treated successfully
Economic evaluation of shortened, bedaquiline-containing treatment regimens for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (STREAM stage 2): a within-trial analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Background
The STREAM stage 2 trial assessed two bedaquiline-containing regimens for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis: a 9-month all-oral regimen and a 6-month regimen containing an injectable drug for the first 2 months. We did a within-trial economic evaluation of these regimens.
Methods
STREAM stage 2 was an international, phase 3, non-inferiority randomised trial in which participants with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis were randomly assigned (1:2:2:2) to the 2011 WHO regimen (terminated early), a 9-month injectable-containing regimen (control regimen), a 9-month all-oral regimen with bedaquiline (oral regimen), or a 6-month regimen with bedaquiline and an injectable for the first 2 months (6-month regimen). We prospectively collected direct and indirect costs and health-related quality of life data from trial participants until week 76 of follow-up. Cost-effectiveness of the oral and 6-month regimens versus control was estimated in four countries (oral regimen) and two countries (6-month regimen), using health-related quality of life for cost-utility analysis and trial efficacy for cost-effectiveness analysis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN18148631.
Findings
300 participants were included in the economic analyses (Ethiopia, 61; India, 142; Moldova, 51; Uganda, 46). In the cost-utility analysis, the oral regimen was not cost-effective in Ethiopia, India, Moldova, and Uganda from either a provider or societal perspective. In Moldova, the oral regimen was dominant from a societal perspective. In the cost-effectiveness analysis, the oral regimen was likely to be cost-effective from a provider perspective at willingness-to-pay thresholds per additional favourable outcome of more than US1900 in India, 7900 in Uganda, and from a societal perspective at thresholds of more than 3150 in India, and 1·81 to $1·00 per tablet made the oral regimen cost-effective in the provider-perspective cost-utility analysis in India and Moldova and dominate over the control regimen in the provider-perspective cost-effectiveness analysis in India.
Interpretation
At current costs, the oral bedaquiline-containing regimen for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis is unlikely to be cost-effective in many low-income and middle-income countries. The 6-month regimen represents a cost-effective alternative if injectable use for 2 months is acceptable
Evaluation of two short standardised regimens for the treatment of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (STREAM stage 2): an open-label, multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial.
The STREAM stage 1 trial showed that a 9-month regimen for the treatment of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis was non-inferior to the 20-month 2011 WHO-recommended regimen. In STREAM stage 2, we aimed to compare two bedaquiline-containing regimens with the 9-month STREAM stage 1 regimen. We did a randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority trial in 13 hospital clinics in seven countries, in individuals aged 15 years or older with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis without fluoroquinolone or aminoglycoside resistance. Participants were randomly assigned 1:2:2:2 to the 2011 WHO regimen (terminated early), a 9-month control regimen, a 9-month oral regimen with bedaquiline (primary comparison), or a 6-month regimen with bedaquiline and 8 weeks of second-line injectable. Randomisations were stratified by site, HIV status, and CD4 count. Participants and clinicians were aware of treatment-group assignments, but laboratory staff were masked. The primary outcome was favourable status (negative cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis without a preceding unfavourable outcome) at 76 weeks; any death, bacteriological failure or recurrence, and major treatment change were considered unfavourable outcomes. All comparisons used groups of participants randomly assigned concurrently. For non-inferiority to be shown, the upper boundary of the 95% CI should be less than 10% in both modified intention-to-treat (mITT) and per-protocol analyses, with prespecified tests for superiority done if non-inferiority was shown. This trial is registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN18148631. Between March 28, 2016, and Jan 28, 2020, 1436 participants were screened and 588 were randomly assigned. Of 517 participants in the mITT population, 133 (71%) of 187 on the control regimen and 162 (83%) of 196 on the oral regimen had a favourable outcome: a difference of 11·0% (95% CI 2·9-19·0), adjusted for HIV status and randomisation protocol (p<0·0001 for non-inferiority). By 76 weeks, 108 (53%) of 202 participants on the control regimen and 106 (50%) of 211 allocated to the oral regimen had an adverse event of grade 3 or 4; five (2%) participants on the control regimen and seven (3%) on the oral regimen had died. Hearing loss (Brock grade 3 or 4) was more frequent in participants on the control regimen than in those on the oral regimen (18 [9%] vs four [2%], p=0·0015). Of 134 participants in the mITT population who were allocated to the 6-month regimen, 122 (91%) had a favourable outcome compared with 87 (69%) of 127 participants randomly assigned concurrently to the control regimen (adjusted difference 22·2%, 95% CI 13·1-31·2); six (4%) of 143 participants on the 6-month regimen had grade 3 or 4 hearing loss. Both bedaquiline-containing regimens, a 9-month oral regimen and a 6-month regimen with 8 weeks of second-line injectable, had superior efficacy compared with a 9-month injectable-containing regimen, with fewer cases of hearing loss. USAID and Janssen Research & Development
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