Virulence Factor Production in PyrE Mutants of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

It has been shown previously in our lab that mutations in the pyrimidine pathway reduced the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to produce virulence factors. Knockout mutations in pyrB, pyrC and pyrD genes of the pyrimidine pathway showed that virulence factor production was decreased. Pyoverdin, pyocyanin, hemolysin, iron chelation, motility, and adherence are all considered virulence factors. Here I further investigate the effects of mutations in the pyrimidine pathway by studying a pyrE mutant. I studied the effect of the pyrE mutation on the production of the above virulence factors. Just like the effect of pyrB, pyrC and pyrD mutations,the pyrE mutation also showed that the bacteria were deficient in producing virulence factors when compared to the wild type. The broader impact of this research would be the possibility of finding drugs that could treat patients infected with P. aeruginosa and possibly extend the lives of chronically infected patients with cystic fibrosis

Normalizability, integrability and monodromy maps of singularities in three-dimensional vector fields

In this thesis we consider three-dimensional dynamical systems in the neighbourhood of a singular point with rank-one and rank-two resonant eigenvalues. We first introduce and generalize here a new technique extending previous work which was described by Aziz an Christopher (2012), where a second first integral of a 3D system can be found if the system has a Darboux-analytic first integral and an inverse Jacobi multiplier. We use this new technique to find two independent first integrals one of which contains logarithmic terms, allowing for non-zero resonant terms in the formal normal form of vector field. We also consider sufficient conditions for the existence of one analytic first integral for three dimensional vector fields around a singularity. Starting from the generalized Lotka-Volterra system with rank-one resonant eigenvalues, using the normal form method, we find an inverse Jacobi multiplier of the system under suitable conditions. Moreover, these conditions are sufficient conditions for the existence of one analytic first integral of the system. We apply this to demonstrate the sufficiency of the conditions in Aziz and Christopher (2014). In the case of two-dimensional systems, Christopher et al (2003) addressed the question of orbital normalizability, integrability, normalizability and linearizability of a complex differential system in the neighbourhood at a critical point. We here address the question of normalizability, orbital normalizability, and integrability of three-dimensional systems in the neighbourhood at the origin for rank-one resonance system. We consider the case when the eigenvalues of three-dimensional systems have rank-one resonance satisfying the condition the sum of eigenvalues is equal to zero a typical example, and we use a further change of coordinates to bring the formal normal form for three-dimensional systems into a reduced normal form which contains a finite number of resonant monomials. By using this technique, we can find two independent first integrals formally. The first one of these first integrals is of Darboux-analytic type, and other first integral contains logarithmic terms corresponding to non-zero resonant monomials of the original system. We introduce the monodromy map in three-dimensional vector fields by using these two independent first integrals to study a relationship between normalizability and integrability of systems. In the case of rank-one resonant eigenvalues, we get a monodromy map which is in normal form, and then in the same way as the case of vector fields, we use a further change of coordinates to reduce this map into a reduced map which contains only a finite number of resonant monomials. This thesis also examines briefly the case of rank-two resonant eigenvalues of three-dimensional systems. The normal form in this case contains an infinite number of resonant monomials, we were not able to find a reduced normal form with a finite number of resonant monomials. This situation is therefore much more complex than the rank-one case. Thus, we simplify the investigation by truncating the 3D system to a 3D homogeneous cubic system as a first step to understanding the general case. Even though we can find two independent first integrals, the second one involves the hypergeometric function, leading to some interesting topics for further investigation.Kurdistan Regional Government-Ira

Survey on IoT: Security Threats and Applications

the rapid growth of the internet of things (IoT) in the world in recent years is due to its wide range of usability, adaptability, and smartness. Most of the IoT applications are performing jobs an automatic manner without interactions of human or physical objects. It’s required that the current and upcoming devices will be smart, efficient and able to provide the services to the users to implement such a new technology with a secure manner. Thus the security issues are exploring day by day by the researchers. IoT devices are most portable and light in nature so it has several issues such as battery consumption, memory, and as these devices are working open range so the most important is security. In this survey paper, we have elaborated on the security attacks with reference to the different kinds of IoT layers. In the last, we have presented some of the applications of the IoT. This study will provide assistance to the researchers and manufacturers to evaluate and decrease the attacks range on IoT devices

Die Rolle zytoplasmatischer Signalmotive des Herpes Simplex Virus Typ 1 Glykoprotein B für die endosomale Sortierung von Komponenten des MHC Klasse II Prozessierungsweges

Das Herpes Simplex Virus Typ 1 (HSV-1) ist ein persistierendes Humanpathogen, das mit Hilfe von Evasionsstrategien die komplette Elimination des Virus aus infizierten Wirten verhindert. Durch die Interaktion des humanen Klasse II (HLA-DR) mit HSV-1 Glykoprotein B, ist der MHC Klasse II Prozessierungsweg ein Ziel für die virale Immunevasion. Das Hüllprotein Glykoprotein B (gB) ist ein trimeres Typ 1 Membranprotein, das eine zentrale Rolle bei der Fusion von HSV-1 mit der Membran der Wirtszelle spielt. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war es den intrazellulären Transport von gB und den Einfluss des gB auf die Biogenese endosomaler Vesikel zu untersuchen und festzustellen, ob die Expression von gB die Lokalisation von MHC Klasse II Proteinen beeinflusst. gB verändert die Morphologie transfizierter Zellen durch die Bildung stark vergrößerter Vesikel, die durch die homotypische Fusion früher Endosomen entstehen. Diese Fusion wird durch gB gesteigert und benötigt die frühendosomale Fusionsmaschinerie und die Bildung von Phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphat an frühendosomalen Membranen. HLA-DR kolokalisiert in stark vergrößerten frühendosomalen Vesikeln mit gB, während untransfizierten Zellen kaum Kolokalisation mit dem frühendosomalen Marker EEA1. Die zytoplasmatische Domäne des gB ist notwendig für die endosomale Sortierung des viralen Glykoproteins. Der C-terminale zytoplasmatische Teil enthält zwei Tyrosin-basierte Signalmotive (eins von ihnen ein Internalisierungssignal, das andere möglicherweise ein Golgi-Targeting Motiv) und ein Di-Leucin-Motiv. Die frühendosomale Lokalisation von gB und die Bildung stark vergrößerter Vesikel ist abhängig von der Sequenz 889YTQVPN894, die das Tyrosin-basierte Motiv 889YTQV892 enthält. Das Tyrosin-basierte Motiv 849YMAL852 ist wichtig für den Export von gB aus dem Endoplasmatischen Retikulum und die Lokalisation des viralen Glykoproteins in Endosomen. Alle gB-Mutanten, die dieses Motiv enthalten, finden sich auch in CD63 positiven Vesikeln und in Exosomen. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass zytoplasmatische Signalmotive von gB den endosomalen Transport, die Bildung stark vergrößerter Vesikel und die fehlerhafte Sortierung von MHC Klasse II Proteinen kontrollieren.The role of cytoplasmic signaling motifs of herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein B for endosomal sorting of components of the MHC class II processing pathways Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a persistent human pathogen, which prevents complete elimination of the virus from infected hosts by viral evasion strategy. By interaction of human class II (HLA-DR) to virus-encoded glycoprotein B (gB), the MHC class II processing pathway is a molecular target for immune evasion. gB is a trimeric type 1 membrane protein, which plays a central role in fusion of HSV-1 to the host cell membrane. The aim of this work was to examine intracellular transport of gB and its influence on biogenesis of endosomal vesicles and to examine whether expression of gB affects localization of MHC class II proteins. gB changes morphology of transfected cells by formation of giant endocytic vesicles, which are produced by homotypic fusion of early endosomes. This fusion is augmented by gB and requires active early endosomal fusion machinery and production of phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate on early endosomal membranes. HLA-DR colocalizes with gB in enlarged early endosomal vesicles, but shows only poor colocalization with early endosomal marker EEA1 in untransfected cells. The cytoplasmic tail of gB is crucial for endosomal sorting of the viral glycoprotein. The C-terminal cytoplasmic domain contains two tyrosine-based sequences (an internalization and a putative Golgi-targeting signal) and a di-leucine motif. Early endosomal localization of gB and giant vesicle formation depends on the sequence 889YTQVPN894, which contains tyrosine-based motif 889YTQV892. The tyrosine-based motif 849YMAL852 is important for export of gB from the Endoplasmatic Reticulum and localization of the viral glycoprotein in endosomes. All gB mutants containing this motif were localized in CD63 positive vesicles and secreted by exosomes. My data suggest that cytosolic motifs of gB control endocytic trafficking, formation of giant vesicles and miss-sorting of class II molecules

A novel protein-based fruit fly trap in melon flies Bactrocera cucurbitae for effective pest control management

ACKNOWLE DGE MENTSThis study was carried out in collaboration with the Indian Gherkin Export Association (IGEA). We would like to thank anonymous re-viewers and the editors for useful comments on the manuscript. NN conducted this work during her NERC QUADRAT REP program (NE/S007377/1) in JM's lab. JM and AWM are supported by a BBSRC grant (BB/V015249/1).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Low platelet to lymphocyte ratio and high platelet distribution width have an inferior outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients

Introduction.  Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is an incurable disease of the elderly, characterised by gradual accu­mulation of small mature B lymphocytes which escape apoptosis through inflammatory signals from the microenviron­ment. Elevated inflammatory markers are associated with very poor prognosis in different types of cancer. Therefore, we examined retrospectively the impact of platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and platelet distribution width (PDW) on 180 CLL patients’ outcome. Materials and methods.  This retrospective study included 180 patients with CLL who were diagnosed and selected among cases referred to the Oncology Center Mansoura University between January 1st, 2008 and June 30th, 2016. All the relevant information was collected from the electronic medical records of the selected patients. Results.  Our results revealed that low PLR (<2.5) was more frequently observed in patients with stage C (p < 0.001), with 17p deletion (p = 0.017), and CD38 expression (p = 0.08), but not with seropositive HCV patients (p = 0.2). High PDW (≥18.5 fl) was more frequently associated with intention to treat population (p = 0.038), and CD38 expression (p = 0.068), but not with 17p deletion (p = 0.25) and seropositive HCV patients (p = 0.4). Multivariate analysis for overall survival showed that stage A and low PDW were independent factors for overall survival (p = 0.014 and 0.04 respectively), while high PLR (p = 0.05), and seronegative HCV patients (p = 0.1) lost their significance. Conclusion.  Our data showed that low PLR and high PDW were associated with poor prognostic markers. Stage C-CLL and high PDW were independent predictors of survival

Individual-related factors associated treatment adherence among hypertensive patients

Background: currently, some of the most prevalent illnesses are attributable to external sources, such as chronic disorders that threaten people's health. The goal of the study was to investigate the differences in individual characteristics associated with treatment adherence among hypertension patients. Methods: in this descriptive cross-sectional study, 176 hypertensive patients who reviewed primary healthcare facilities in Babylon Province were included. Experts were used to ensure the study questionnaire's validity, and a pilot study was used to ensure its reliability. Using standardized questionnaire and interviewing methods, data were collected and analyzed. Results: according to the study's findings, participants' average ages were 59 (10.86), 67% of them were over 60, 55.1% and 65.3% of them were men and married respectively, nearly half of them had moderate monthly income, the unemployed percentage was 61.9%, and 36.4% had completed their secondary education. Two-thirds, or 70.5%, of hypertension patients reported poor treatment adherence. Ages 30-59, male patients, married, high-income, and college-educated patients showed significantly better treatment compliance (P<0.05). Conclusions: every individual characteristic for patients with high blood pressure is regarded as a predictor of therapy adherence. The current study is one of the few in Iraq to evaluate treatment adherence and look into the various elements that may influence it using the survey approach. Future research on the subject of antihypertensive treatment adherence in the hypertensive population in Iraq employing a representative sample, a qualitative methodology, and more factor exploration may offer additional insights