Activity of glucose oxidase functionalized onto magnetic nanoparticles

BACKGROUND: Magnetic nanoparticles have been significantly used for coupling with biomolecules, due to their unique properties. METHODS: Magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by thermal co-precipitation of ferric and ferrous chloride using two different base solutions. Glucose oxidase was bound to the particles by direct attachment via carbodiimide activation or by thiophene acetylation of magnetic nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the size and structure of the particles while the binding of glucose oxidase to the particles was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. RESULTS: The direct binding of glucose oxidase via carbodiimide activity was found to be more effective, resulting in bound enzyme efficiencies between 94–100% while thiophene acetylation was 66–72% efficient. Kinetic and stability studies showed that the enzyme activity was more preserved upon binding onto the nanoparticles when subjected to thermal and various pH conditions. The overall activity of glucose oxidase was improved when bound to magnetic nanoparticles CONCLUSION: Binding of enzyme onto magnetic nanoparticles via carbodiimide activation is a very efficient method for developing bioconjugates for biological application

Reading The Bible, Ecologically: Re-Imagining Our Theological Hermeneutics

Commencing with a personal prelude to ecological biblical hermeneutics and inspired by a prophetic call of Pope Francis, the present paper outlines how in times of profound crisis, the need to choose what counts is urgent. With recourse to the same model of crisis and choice, a brief overview of some of the salient eco-biblical proposals is presented which then sets the stage for the author’s eco-hermeneutical reading of Isaiah 34-35, which brings to the fore the prophetic portrayal wherein otherwise marginal/ized earth-companions meaningfully show similarity with the cherished Israelite traditions and theological visions

Daughter Zions Contemporary Sibling Dalit Assertions vis--vis a Postcolonial Reading of the Book of Lamentations

Taking a cue from a perceptive and a widely-received work of Carleen Mandalfo (Daughter Zion Talks Back to the Prophets: A Dialogic Theology of the Book of Lamentations), the present paper aims to glean some of the salient multi-disciplinary insights of the author. The same insights are grouped around some of the salient postcolonial features that R. S. Sugirtharajah outlines, which together constitute postcolonial construal with attendant illustrations. Then, the paper shifts the spotlight on commensurate features in contemporary Dalit assertions from the Indian subcontinent in order to propose that the latter can be viewed as a meaningful, contemporary sibling of Daughter Zion. Despite the chronological and cultural distances between the Dalits and Daughter Zion of Lamentations, it is proposed here that the assertions of these two likewise siblings may profitably be appropriated by todays readers of courage and commitment in order to come to terms with the angsts and outbursts of people, particularly of those who reel under immense pain and fissure

Isozyme Analysis on Different Varieties of Sugarcane

Isozymic and protein diversity among five sugarcane varieties viz., Co 6304, Co 85019, Co 8371, Co 89003 and Co 91010 were studied to understand the varietal interrelationship and to identify the biochemical marker for the disease resistance and stress tolerance. The standard technique of vertical gel electrophoresis PAGE was employed for size separation of isozymes. The gel was stained with different staining solutions for different isozyme systems viz. peroxidase, esterase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and proteins. Rf values of the banding profiles, similarity index and variation between the varieties were analysed. Among the four enzyme systems, peroxidase profile reveals the difference between the disease resistant / susceptible and abiotic stress tolerant / non tolerant varieties. The two isoperoxidase bands with Rf values 0.62 and 0.66 showed their presence in disease resistant and abiotic tolerant varieties. The presence of two marker bands (0.62, 0.66) of resistant and stress tolerant varieties suggest that the variety Co 6304 may also be resistant to smut, wilt and moderately resistant to red rot and tolerant to drought

Ultrasound-guided nanobubbles for targeted drug delivery

In a large number of biological and environmental applications, ultrasound (US)-powered micro- and nano-motors have attracted considerable attention. However, their applications in biological settings have been limited due to the incompatibility of metallic motors and the lack of precision guiding. Here, we demonstrate that cellulosic polymer nanobubbles (200-800nm) can be propelled, aligned, accelerated, and assembled in solution using Doppler ultrasound beam (DUB) and simultaneously imaged using low-frequency ultrasound. Results show that by utilizing Doppler ultrasound beam (DUB), nanobubbles accumulation at a pre-determined site can be enhanced. Moreover, bubbles’ trajectory and velocity can be also be manipulated. Related parameters associated with nanobubble accumulation and velocity change such as bubble size, ultrasound intensity, frequency, and beam angle were investigated using a factorial design of experiments. Frequency and intensity of the DUB were found to be significant for nanobubble accumulation whereas beam intensity was significant in changing the velocity of nanobubbles. The precise beam steering using the Doppler ultrasound and simultaneous ultrasound imaging contrast enhancement offered by nanobubbles holds considerable promise for various applications

Fundamental Characterization of Oxygen Nanobubbles

A hypoxic environment is created by tumors’ incredible growth rate. Hypoxia provides radioresistance to the tumors, thus making radiation treatment less effective. The issue is that increasing the radiation leads to increased side effects in patients. Our goal for the oxygen-filled nanobubble is to deliver oxygen to the tumor to lessen radioresistance and make radiation treatment more efficient. However, we need preliminary research to understand and improve the nanobubbles before further research and implementation. To do this, we synthesized different batches of nanobubbles to optimize the production method and find the best container and temperature to store nanobubbles. We measured the oxygen release profile of the nanobubbles and obtained Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) data to characterize the nanobubbles. The nanobubbles’ peak oxygenation happened 4-5 days after synthesis, and 3 mL SKS glass vials were optimal for storing the nanobubbles. We have not chosen the best synthesis technique or storage temperature yet, due to inadequate TEM images and inconclusive oxygen profile data. We will eventually conduct a proof-of-concept experiment on mice to see if nanobubbles improve irradiation. The optimal storing condition aids our chances for a successful experiment by limiting undesired oxygen release before entering the mouse’s body

Preliminary Phytochemical and Anti-Bacterial Studies on \u3cem\u3ePassiflora edulis\u3c/em\u3e

Preliminary phytochemical and antibacterial activity of the leaf and callus of Passiflora edulis Sims, were examined using extracts of benzene, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, chloroform and petroleum ether. Of these, chloroform extract of the leaf and callus showed the maximum solubility and antimicrobial activity with the MIC ranging from 100 to 250 µl. Extracts of benzene, petroleum ether and isopropanol were ineffective in inhibiting the selected bacteria. In addition, this phytochemical study confirmed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and triterpenes from ethanol and chloroform extracted sources

How to Identify Rare and Endangered Ferns and Fern Allies

Identification of rare and endangered plant species is the first requirement for any conservation programme. The IUCN guideline is the only available method to identify the rare and endangered species and it requires vast data on the wild population of the target species. None of the biological characters, which are playing main role in the survival and distribution of several species, is used in IUCN guideline. In the meantime there are several difficulties in following IUCN guideline, particularly the non availability of complete field data. Moreover, the same guideline can not be used for all the groups of species in equal importance. The vascular cryptogams, pteridophytes, are also an important component of any mountainous flora and they have also to be conserved in nature. As they are the primitive vascular plants on the earth, they are getting depleted in the flora due to various reasons and it is the right time to identify the rare and endangered pteridophytes to conserve them. By considering various difficulties of IUCN method for the identification rare and endangered pteridophytes, a very simple method has been adopted by using just four criteria and this method can be applied to Pteridophytes from any region of the world

Lifecycle cost analysis for modular design of solar power systems

Solar power systems are becoming increasingly popular due to the fact that solar power can offer time and money saving solutions for off-grid and grid-connected homes, cabins, and businesses with clean and affordable energy. However, there are still significant opportunities to reduce the cost of solar power systems by optimizing system design. This paper presents a methodology for evaluating the lifecycle labor costs of solar power systems. This methodology can help optimize system designs relative to cost. It can also support solar power system selection decisions based on a holistic lifecycle view. The methodology accomplishes this by first presenting a method to evaluate the modularity of competing systems, or design variants. It then describes a method of gathering data and modeling the systems so that it can be communicated to relevant stakeholders. Finally, it uses discrete event simulation to generate an estimate of relative lifecycle labor cost performance. Verification and validation of the methods described are presented through a case study of the MegaModule residential solar power system, designed by the team at GTRI. The paper concludes with a review of limitations and proposed future work.M.S

High performance liquid chromatography for the detection and estimation of amino acids in relation to Fusarium wilt (panama disease) in banana

Panama disease of banana is an obnoxious disease caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. The variation in the degree of susceptibility and resistivity depends upon several macronutrients, micronutrients, polyphenols and primary metabolites-carbohydrates, protein and lipids and free amino acids in the host. Studies on such relationships between free amino acids and host-pathogen interaction are limited in agricultural crops particularly on materials based on the traditionally cultivated land are scarce. In order to understand the role of free amino acids of the host-banana in relation to Fusarium-wilt disease, HPLC study was carried out in five susceptible (Healthy/Infected) and five resistant varieties of banana from Tirunvelveli district. The results show the quantitative difference in amino acids of susceptible-healthy, susceptible-infected and resistant varieties. Inter-varietal difference in quantity of various amino acids in each group of samples has also been observed. Except two amino acids, tyrosine and lysine, all the other 13 amino acids are present in maximum amount in the infected samples of Monthan and Nadu in which the healthy samples are with very low amount of amino acids. Lysine and tyrosine are present in maximum amount in healthy samples of Rasthali and Rasakathali respectively. Major change in the quantity of arginine is related with the production of Nitric Oxide, an important chemical related to disease resistance. Occurrence of enormous quantity of glutamic acid, an important cellular osmolyte, in infected sample has been attributed to the role in controlling water loss by controlling the stomatal movement and thus ultimately save the infected plant from wilting