A multifunctional, synthetic Gaussia princeps luciferase reporter for live imaging of Candida albicans infections

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The Best Approximation of Generalized Fuzzy Numbers Based on Scaled Metric

The ongoing study has been vehemently allocated to propound an ameliorated α-weighted generalized approximation of an arbitrary fuzzy number. This method sets out to lessen the distance between the original fuzzy set and its approximation. In an effort to elaborate the study, formulas are designed for computing the ameliorated approximation by using a multitude of examples. The numerical samples will be exemplified to illuminate the improvement of the nearest triangular approximation (Abbasbandy et al., Triangular approximation of fuzzy numbers using α-weighted valuations, Soft Computing, 2019). A variety of features of the ameliorated approximation are then proved. © 2022 Tofigh Allahviranloo et al

Effects of thermophoresis and Brownian motion for thermal and chemically reacting Casson nanofluid flow over a linearly stretching sheet

The current research explores the problem of steady laminar flow of nanofluid on a two dimensional boundary layer using heat transfer of Cassona cross the linearly stretching sheet. The governing equations are partial differential equations which are transformed into non-linear ordinary differential equations by using some similarity transformation. The converted form of the combined non-linear higher-order ODEswith a set of boundary conditions are solved by means of Runge-Kutta 4th-order approach along with the shooting method. The nanoparticle concentration profiles, velocity, and temperature are examined by taking account of their influence of Prandtl number, "Brownian motion parameter ", Lewis number, thermophoresis, and Casson fluid parameter. It is reported that the temperature increase as Nt and Nb increases which causes thickening of the thermal boundary layer. Also it is observed that, there is increment in temperature profile for increasing values of Brownian motion parameter and the energy distribution grows with increment in the values of Thermophoresis parameter. The comparison for the local Nusselt & local Sherwood number has been tabulated with respect to variation of the Brownian Motion Parameter and Thermophoresis parameter. All the findings of the results are graphically represented and discussed.Funding The work of U.F.-G. was supported by the government of the Basque Country for the ELKARTEK21/10 KK-2021/00014 and ELKARTEK22/85 research programs, respectively

Vertically-aligned graphene nanowalls grown via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition as a binder-free cathode in Li-O_2 batteries

In the present report, vertically-aligned graphene nanowalls are grown on Ni foam (VA-G/NF) using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method at room temperature. Optimization of the growth conditions provides graphene sheets with controlled defect sites. The unique architecture of the vertically-aligned graphene sheets allows sufficient space for the ionic movement within the sheets and hence enhancing the catalytic activity. Further modification with ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru NPs) drop-casted on VA-G/NF improves the charge overpotential for lithium–oxygen (Li–O_2) battery cycles. Such reduction we believe is due to the easier passage of ions between the perpendicularly standing graphene sheets thereby providing ionic channels

Vertically-aligned graphene nanowalls grown via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition as a binder-free cathode in Li-O_2 batteries

In the present report, vertically-aligned graphene nanowalls are grown on Ni foam (VA-G/NF) using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method at room temperature. Optimization of the growth conditions provides graphene sheets with controlled defect sites. The unique architecture of the vertically-aligned graphene sheets allows sufficient space for the ionic movement within the sheets and hence enhancing the catalytic activity. Further modification with ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru NPs) drop-casted on VA-G/NF improves the charge overpotential for lithium–oxygen (Li–O_2) battery cycles. Such reduction we believe is due to the easier passage of ions between the perpendicularly standing graphene sheets thereby providing ionic channels

Silver colloidal nanoparticles : effect on matrix composition and structure of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata biofilms

Aim : The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different silver nanoparticles (SN) concentrations on the matrix composition and structure of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata biofilms. Methods and Results : Candida biofilms were developed in 6-well microtiter plates during 48 h. After, these biofilms were exposed to 13·5 or 54 μg SN ml−1 for 24 h. Then, extracellular matrices were extracted from biofilms and analysed chemically in terms of proteins, carbohydrates and DNA. To investigate the biofilm structure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and epifluorescence microscopy were used. SN interfered with the matrix composition of Candida biofilms tested in terms of protein, carbohydrate and DNA, except for the protein content of C. albicans biofilm. By SEM, Candida biofilms treated with SN revealed structural differences, when compared with the control groups. Further, SN showed a trend of agglomeration within the biofilms. Epifluorescence microscopy images suggest that SN induced damage on cell walls of the Candida isolates tested. Conclusions : In general, irrespective of concentration, SN affected the matrix composition and structure of Candida biofilms and these findings may be related to the mechanisms of biocide action of SN. Significance and Impact of the Study : This study reveals new insights about the behaviour of SN when in contact with Candida biofilms. SN may contribute to the development of therapies to prevent or control Candida infections.We thank David Williams (Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK) for providing strain 324LA/94. The authors also thank CAPES (grant BEX 1221/10-8) and FAPESP (2009/15146-5), Brazil, for supporting Douglas Roberto Monteiro work. The colloidal suspension of silver nanoparticles used herein was prepared and characterized by LIEC-CMDMC and INCTMN/FAPESP-CNPq, Sao Carlos, Brazil

Gymnemic acids inhibit hyphal growth and virulence in Candida albicans

Candida albicans is an opportunistic and polymorphic fungal pathogen that causes mucosal, disseminated and invasive infections in humans. Transition from the yeast form to the hyphal form is one of the key virulence factors in C. albicans contributing to macrophage evasion, tissue invasion and biofilm formation. Nontoxic small molecules that inhibit C. albicans yeast-to-hypha conversion and hyphal growth could represent a valuable source for understanding pathogenic fungal morphogenesis, identifying drug targets and serving as templates for the development of novel antifungal agents. Here, we have identified the triterpenoid saponin family of gymnemic acids (GAs) as inhibitor of C. albicans morphogenesis. GAs were isolated and purified from Gymnema sylvestre leaves, the Ayurvedic traditional medicinal plant used to treat diabetes. Purified GAs had no effect on the growth and viability of C. albicans yeast cells but inhibited its yeast-to-hypha conversion under several hypha-inducing conditions, including the presence of serum. Moreover, GAs promoted the conversion of C. albicans hyphae into yeast cells under hypha inducing conditions. They also inhibited conidial germination and hyphal growth of Aspergillus sp. Finally, GAs inhibited the formation of invasive hyphae from C. albicans-infected Caenorhabditis elegans worms and rescued them from killing by C. albicans. Hence, GAs could be useful for various antifungal applications due to their traditional use in herbal medicine

Architecture and roles of periplasmic adaptor proteins in tripartite efflux assemblies.

Recent years have seen major advances in the structural understanding of the different components of tripartite efflux assemblies, which encompass the multidrug efflux (MDR) pumps and type I secretion systems. The majority of these investigations have focused on the role played by the inner membrane transporters and the outer membrane factor (OMF), leaving the third component of the system - the Periplasmic Adaptor Proteins (PAPs) - relatively understudied. Here we review the current state of knowledge of these versatile proteins which, far from being passive linkers between the OMF and the transporter, emerge as active architects of tripartite assemblies, and play diverse roles in the transport process. Recognition between the PAPs and OMFs is essential for pump assembly and function, and targeting this interaction may provide a novel avenue for combating multidrug resistance. With the recent advances elucidating the drug efflux and energetics of the tripartite assemblies, the understanding of the interaction between the OMFs and PAPs is the last piece remaining in the complete structure of the tripartite pump assembly puzzle

Cell Surface Expression of Nrg1 Protein in Candida auris

Candida auris is an emerging antifungal resistant human fungal pathogen increasingly reported in healthcare facilities. It persists in hospital environments, and on skin surfaces, and can form biofilms readily. Here, we investigated the cell surface proteins from C. auris biofilms grown in a synthetic sweat medium mimicking human skin conditions. Cell surface proteins from both biofilm and planktonic control cells were extracted with a buffer containing β-mercaptoethanol and resolved by 2-D gel electrophoresis. Some of the differentially expressed proteins were excised and identified by mass spectrometry. C. albicans orthologs Spe3p, Tdh3p, Sod2p, Ywp1p, and Mdh1p were overexpressed in biofilm cells when compared to the planktonic cells of C. auris. Interestingly, several proteins with zinc ion binding activity were detected. Nrg1p is a zinc-binding transcription factor that negatively regulates hyphal growth in C. albicans. C. auris does not produce true hypha under standard in vitro growth conditions, and the role of Nrg1p in C. auris is currently unknown. Western blot analyses of cell surface and cytosolic proteins of C. auris against anti-CalNrg1 antibody revealed the Nrg1p in both locations. Cell surface localization of Nrg1p in C. auris, an unexpected finding, was further confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Nrg1p expression is uniform across all four clades of C. auris and is dependent on growth conditions. Taken together, the data indicate that C. auris produces several unique proteins during its biofilm growth, which may assist in the skin-colonizing lifestyle of the fungus during its pathogenesis

CIFSRF final technical report : Scaling up small millet post-harvest and nutritious food products project (CIFSRF Phase 2)

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)This report details the scaling up of two innovations: 1) appropriate scale small millet hulling and processing machines 2) development and production of appealing small millet foods. The project employed “on-site business incubation” of small and medium enterprises, and customised capacity building of cottage enterprises and Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs). 26 cottage enterprises, two micro enterprises and 14 NGOs have begun production and marketing of small-millet-based food products. 173 processing units have been supplied for small millet processing in 54 districts in 10 States; 1015 tonnes of millet rice and grits have been produced, reaching 288,500 consumers