Functional Characterization Of The 40 bp Internal Repeat Of Murine Gamma Herpesvirus-68

Gamma herpesvirus genomes have been observed to contain different kinds of repeat sequences, the functions of which range from immune evasion to being a part of the lytic origin of replication. The MHV 68 genome also contains two such internal repeats. In this study, we addressed the role of the 40 bp internal repeat and the hypothetical ORF M6 (which contains the 40 bp repeat) in in vitro replication and pathogenesis in mice. The 40 bp internal repeat and/or ORF M6 of MHV-68 are dispensable for lytic replication both in vitro and in vivo, however, it might be possible that the 40 bp internal repeat contains sequences involved in lytic replication, i.e., an origin of lytic replication. The 40 bp internal repeat plays an important role for the amplification of latency, as demonstrated by the reduction in the extent of splenomegaly and reduced reactivation. This phenotype is dependent on the number of 40 bp internal repeat units present in the genome, and is not associated with expression of ORF M6. During latency, the expression of the MHV-68 ORF MK3, known for its role in immune evasion, is reduced in the absence of the 40 bp repeat, suggesting that the 40 bp repeat is involved in the establishment of latency via regulation of the expression of ORF MK3 in a tissue specific/infection cycle specific fashion. For the first time, we have demonstrated the importance of an internal repeat in latency of a gamma herpesvirus and in the pathogenesis. Our data suggest that internal repeats could act as enhancer regions for certain virus specific genes, thus playing a role in affecting the phenotype of virus-induced disease

Physicochemical analysis of hot water springs of Sikkim-Polok Tatopani, Borong Tatopani and Reshi Tatopani

Fenced by the geo-political features all around, Sikkim sits magnificently in the lap of The Himalayas with Mount Khanchengdzonga signifying the peaks of divinity and cultural proximity. Sikkim is the natural ecological host to many Hot springs of geothermal characteristics. Hot Springs of Sikkim are regarded as ethical and holistic elements having importance of locale panacea. Hot springs are any natural geothermal spring or a natural discharge of groundwater with elevated temperature with respect to the surrounding. The characteristics or the suitability of these hot springs for human use is determined by its chemical constituents. Most of the Hot Springs is rich in several kinds of chemicals and minerals. Presence of these chemicals and minerals along with higher temperature of these hot springs determine its balneotherapeutic properties. The average temperature of the studied Hot springs being 60°C according to Kent classification as “Scalding” can be regarded as the best ecological niche for thermophilic microorganisms. These Hot springs are supposed to cure off many bone related diseases like arthritis and is also equivalently used in treatment of skin infections and diseases. For curing the Gastrointestinal and bowel associated diseases, water from these hot springs is also drunk. Hence a complete detailed study of the chemicals and the physical properties of the three Hot springs of Sikkim were studied. 30 different physicochemical parameters of the water samples collected from these study areas were analyzed using the ICPMS Spectroscopic methods and Kit method. Physical properties like colour, conductivity, turbidity etc. and chemical parameters like the quantification of anions, cations, trace elements and other chemical constituents of the Tatopani were analysed. A comparison with W.H.O. standards showed that the water sample of Polok and Borong Tatopani water is suitable for drinking purposes whereas Reshi Tatopani water showed higher concentration of TDS (i.e. 608mg/l)

Effect of Carum carvi and Curcuma longa on hormonal and reproductive parameter of female rats

Background: Rhizome of Curcuma longa and seeds of Carum Carvi a folk medicinal plant used as have antifertility potentials. Present investigation study the effect of both the plant on hormone and reproductive parameter of female rat. The aqueous and ethanolic extract of rhizome of Curcuma longa and seeds of Carum Carvi used for testing antifertility activity in female rat. Aqueous and ethanolic extract of plants were administered orally to female rat for 30 consecutive days. Estrous cycle, reproductive hormones (LH, FSH and estrogen) and weight of reproductive organ were studied in both control and extract-administered groups by using standard methods Results: The female albino rats after oral administration of different doses of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Carum carvi and Curcuma longa, showed a significant antifertility activity. FSH and LH level was significantly decreased in both drugs while amount of estrogen in ethanolic extract of both the drugs treated animals was found to be increased. The blockage of estrus phase induced by treatment of aqueous and ethanolic extract of both drug. They also increase the weight of ovary, uterus and body weights while uterine weight in immature rats increased in extract treated group. Conclusions: The present study which was undertaken to find endocrinological and physiological changes in the reproductive system of female albino rats after oral administration of different doses of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Carum carvi and Curcuma longa, showed a significant antifertility activity

Preclinical evaluation of nephroprotective potential of a probiotic formulation LOBUN on Cyclosporine-A induced renal dysfunction in Wistar rats

The aim of present study was to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of probiotic formulation LOBUN on Cyclosporine A (CsA) induced renal dysfunction in Wistar rats. CsA (20 mg/kg body weight s.c) was administered for 15 days to cause renal dysfunction in Wistar rats. The probiotic formulation LOBUN was administered with the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight (p.o) for twice (TGI) and thrice a day (TGII). The samples were analyzed for the parameters like blood urine nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, serum uric acid, total serum protein and urine proteins, urine potassium, urine sodium. The renal functional and histopathological studies revealed that the oral administration of probiotic formulation LOBUN has provided appreciable renoprotection and possibly alleviated the symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight administered thrice a day and also the results were supported by histopathological findings

First report on metagenomics and their predictive functional analysis of fermented bamboo shoot food of Tripura, North East India

Moiya pansung, mileye amileye, moiya koshak, and midukeye are naturally fermented bamboo shoot foods of Tripura. The present study aimed to reveal the whole microbial community structure of naturally fermented moiya pangsung, mileye amileye, moiya koshak, and midukeye along with the prediction of microbial functional profiles by shotgun metagenomic sequence analysis. The metataxonomic profile of moiya pangsung, mileye amileye, moiya koshak, and midukeye samples showed different domains, viz., bacteria (97.70%) followed by the virus (0.76%), unclassified (0.09%), eukaryotes (1.46%) and archaea (0.05%). Overall, 49 phyla, 409 families, 841 genera, and 1,799 species were found in all the fermented bamboo shoot samples collected from different places of Tripura. Firmicutes was the most abundant phylum (89.28%) followed by Proteobacteria (5.13%), Bacteroidetes (4.38%), Actinobacteria (1.02%), and Fusobacteria (0.17%). Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was the most abundant species in moiya pangsung, mileye amileye, moiya koshak, and midukeye followed by Lactococcus lactis, Levilactobacillus brevis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Weissella paramesenteroides, Leuconostoc kimchii, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Leuconostoc gasicomitatum, and Lacticaseibacillus casei. A few phyla of fungus were found, viz., Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Glomeromycota, where Ascomycota was present in high abundance. Functional analysis of moiya pangsung, mileye amileye, moiya koshak, and midukeye metagenome revealed the genes for the synthesis and metabolism of a wide range of bioactive compounds including, various essential amino acids, and conjugated amino acids. The abundance profile and predictive analysis of fermented bamboo shoots revealed a huge plethora of essential microorganisms and KEGG analysis revealed genes for amino acid metabolism, pectin degradation, lipid metabolism, and many other essential pathways that can be essential for the improvement of nutritional and sensory qualities of the fermented bamboo shoot products

A Gammaherpesviral Internal Repeat Contributes to Latency Amplification

BACKGROUND: Gammaherpesviruses cause important infections of humans, in particular in immunocompromised patients. The genomes of gammaherpesviruses contain variable numbers of internal repeats whose precise role for in vivo pathogenesis is not well understood. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We used infection of laboratory mice with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) to explore the biological role of the 40 bp internal repeat of MHV-68. We constructed several mutant viruses partially or completely lacking this repeat. Both in vitro and in vivo, the loss of the repeat did not substantially affect lytic replication of the mutant viruses. However, the extent of splenomegaly, which is associated with the establishment of latency, and the number of ex vivo reactivating and genome positive splenocytes were reduced. Since the 40 bp repeat is part of the hypothetical open reading frame (ORF) M6, it might function as part of M6 or as an independent structure. To differentiate between these two possibilities, we constructed an N-terminal M6STOP mutant, leaving the repeat structure intact but rendering ORF M6 unfunctional. Disruption of ORF M6 did neither affect lytic nor latent infection. In contrast to the situation in lytically infected NIH3T3 cells, the expression of the latency-associated genes K3 and ORF72 was reduced in the latently infected murine B cell line Ag8 in the absence of the 40 bp repeat. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These data suggest that the 40 bp repeat contributes to latency amplification and might be involved in the regulation of viral gene expression

A systematic review of the genera Geobacillus and Parageobacillus: their evolution, current taxonomic status and major applications

The genus Geobacillus , belonging to the phylum Firmicutes, is one of the most important genera and comprises thermophilic bacteria. The genus Geobacillus was erected with the taxonomic reclassification of various Bacillus species. Taxonomic studies of Geobacillus remain in progress. However, there is no comprehensive review of the characteristic features, taxonomic status and study of various applications of this interesting genus. The main aim of this review is to give a comprehensive account of the genus Geobacillus . At present the genus acomprises 25 taxa, 14 validly published (with correct name), nine validly published (with synonyms) and two not validly published species. We describe only validly published species of the genera Geobacillus and Parageobacillus . Vegetative cells of Geobacillus species are Gram-strain-positive or -variable, rod-shaped, motile, endospore-forming, aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, obligately thermophilic and chemo-organotrophic. Growth occurs in the pH range 6.08.5 and a temperature of 37–75 °C. The major cellular fatty acids are iso-C15:o, iso-C16:0 and iso-C17:o. The main menaquinone type is MK-7. The G­+C content of the DNA ranges between 48.2 and 58 mol%. The genus Geobacillus is widely distributed in nature, being mostly found in many extreme locations such as hot springs, hydrothermal vents, marine trenches, hay composts, etc. Geobacillus species have been widely exploited in various industrial and biotechnological applications, and thus are promising candidates for further studies in the future.</jats:p