Polymer Antimicrobial Synergy Research

Recent studies have shown that certain polymers, such as branched polyethylenimine (BPEI), have the potential to be antimicrobial. We have been growing certain strains of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and adding in concentrations of ampicillin to find the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). This allows us to add in different concentrations of BPEI to test for synergy between our antibiotic and our polymer. To find the MIC of each antibiotic, we grew an overnight of the bacteria in Lysogeny Broth (LB) and let it inoculate for 20 hours. We then inoculated a 24 well culture cluster with LB, ampicillin, and bacteria. The volume of bacteria was 10μL to 1,000μL of LB, making a 1% concentration. The plates were checked after inoculating for 20 hours, and the results of whether there was growth or no growth would be charted. After finding the MICs of our bacteria, we began adding different amounts of BPEI, at a 1μg/mL concentration, to our bacteria and ampicillin concentrations to look for any signs of synergy. The same procedures as before were used when testing using the polymer. The results of the MIC of each bacteria are as the following: B. subtilis 1A578 was between 250μg/mL and 125μg/mL, B. subtilis 6051 was between 250μg/mL and 125μg/mL, and E. Coli ATTC11775 was between 4μg/mL and 2μg/mL. No clear synergy has been seen between BPEI and ampicillin

Explain It: Precipitation Use Efficiency

Precipitation use efficiency involves designing cropping systems to use precipitation effectively. The first strategy prevents runoff. Increasing soil health with better soil structure helps intense rainfalls infiltrate the soil rather than run off the field and not be captured by the crop. The second strategy reduces surface evaporation. Keeping residue on the soil surface through no-till reduces wasteful evaporation. The third strategy eliminates nonproductive uptake of soil water by eliminating weeds. Continuous no-till cropping keeps the soil covered, reduces weeds and increases infiltration. Thus, precipitation is used for growing crops for forage or grain rather than for nonproductive uses

To translate, or not to translate: viral and host mRNA regulation by interferon-stimulated genes.

Type I interferon (IFN) is one of the first lines of cellular defense against viral pathogens. As a result of IFN signaling, a wide array of IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) products is upregulated to target different stages of the viral life cycle. We review recent findings implicating a subset of ISGs in translational regulation of viral and host mRNAs. Translation inhibition is mediated either by binding to viral RNA or by disrupting physiological interactions or levels of the translation complex components. In addition, many of these ISGs localize to translationally silent cytoplasmic granules, such as stress granules and processing bodies, and intersect with the microRNA (miRNA)-mediated silencing pathway to regulate translation of cellular mRNAs

Letter from Cha[rle]s E. Rice to John Muir, 1912 Feb 10.

Feb 10 1912[letterhead]Mr John MuirMartinez, Cal.Dear Mr Muir:We have here a very large and complete collection of autograph letters of our scientific & Literary men.Will you kindly allow us to have just a few lines from your own pen to add to and help complete this valuable set? These letters, together with the portraits, are kept in bound volumes, and whatever you send us will be05155most carefully preserved and highly appreciated here. We will be under obligations.This college was Mr. McKinley\u27s home Institution, & is the alma mater of our present secretary of state Knox.I am very coridally andSincerelyChas. E. RiceMt. Union CollegeAlliance, OhioFeb. 10 1912