The present work elucidates about the structure of bioactive glasses having chemical compositions expressed as (mol %) (50.0 – x)SiO2–xB2O3–9.3Na2O–37CaO–3.7P2O5, where x = 0.0, 12.5, 25, and 37.5, ...and establishes a correlation between the structure and thermal stability. The structural modifications in the parent boron-free glass (B0) with the gradual substitutions of B2O3 for SiO2 are assessed by Raman and 29Si, 31P, 11B, and 23Na magic angle spinning (MAS)-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The structural studies reveal the presence of QSi 2 and QSi 3 structural units in both silicate and borosilicate glasses. However, QSi 4(3B) units additionally form upon incorporating B2O3 in B0 glass. B-containing silicate glasses exhibit both three-coordinated boron (BIII) and four-coordinated boron (BIV) units. The 31P MAS-NMR studies reveal that the majority of phosphate species exist as isolated orthophosphate (QP 0) units. The incorporation of B2O3 in B0 glass increases the cross-linking between the SiO4 and BO4 structural units. However, incorporation of B2O3 lowers the glass thermal stability (ΔT), as shown by differential scanning calorimetry. Although both silicate and borosilicate glasses exhibit good in vitro apatite-forming ability and cell compatibility, the bactericidal action against Escherichia coli bacteria is more evident in borosilicate glass in comparison to silicate base glass. The controlled release of (BO3)3– ions from boron-modified bioactive glasses improves both the cell proliferation and the antibacterial properties, making them promising for hard tissue engineering applications.
Background. Lymphatic filariasis, frequently caused from Wuchereria bancrofti infection, is endemic in several parts of the globe and responsible for human health problems and socioeconomic loss to a ...large extent. Inflammatory consequences originating from host-parasite interaction play a major role in the disease pathology and allied complications. The identity of the key mediator of this process is yet unknown in filarial research. Methods. Microfilarial protein (MfP) was isolated from the sheath of W. bancrofti microfilariae through ultrafiltration, followed by chromatographic separation. Expression of signaling molecules was studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting. Binding of MfP to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was determined by co-immunoprecipitation, fluorescein isothiocyanate-probing, and surface plasmon resonance analysis. Results. We found that MfP (approximately 70 kDa) binds to macrophage-TLR4 and triggers nuclear factor kappa beta activation that upregulates secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Microfilarial protein failed to induce inflammation in either TLRK0 macrophage or macrophage treated with TLR4 inhibitor, indicating that MfP acts through TLR4. We have also detected phenotypic transformation of macrophages from anti-inflammatory (M2) to proinflammatory (M1) subtype after incubation with MfP. Conclusions. Microfilarial protein appears to be a new ligand of TLR4 from W. bancrofti. Determination of its functional attributions in the host-parasite relationship, especially immunopathogenesis of filarial infection, may improve our understanding.
A series of aryl 7-chloroquinolinyl hydrazone derivatives (3a-u) have been synthesized in 55–76% yield using simple reaction condition. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their ...anti-inflammatory activities based on their ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion from the macrophages after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Three compounds appeared as promising anti-inflammatory agents. The mechanism of inflammatory activity of the potent compound 3e was further investigated using a series of biochemical, molecular and microscopic techniques. Further structure activity relationship (SAR) study was carried out to validate the anti-inflammatory activities of the active compounds. Our experimental data revealed that the active moiety i.e. compound 3e majorly causes inhibition of TLR4 signaling pathway and this appears to be the novel functional attribute of this compound.
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Sustainable supply of food and energy without posing any threat to environment is the current demand of our society in view of continuous increase in global human population and depletion of natural ...resources of energy. Cyanobacteria have recently emerged as potential candidates who can fulfil abovementioned needs due to their ability to efficiently harvest solar energy and convert it into biomass by simple utilization of CO2, water and nutrients. During conversion of radiant energy into chemical energy, these biological systems produce oxygen as a by-product. Cyanobacterial biomass can be used for the production of food, energy, biofertilizers, secondary metabolites of nutritional, cosmetics and medicinal importance. Therefore, cyanobacterial farming is proposed as environment friendly sustainable agricultural practice which can produce biomass of very high value. Additionally, cyanobacterial farming helps in decreasing the level of greenhouse gas, i.e., CO2, and it can be also used for removing various contaminants from wastewater and soil. However, utilization of cyanobacteria for resolving the abovementioned problems is subjected to economic viability. In this review, we provide details on different aspects of cyanobacterial system that can help in developing sustainable agricultural practices. We also describe different large-scale cultivation systems for cyanobacterial farming and discuss their merits and demerits in terms of economic profitability.
Green synthesis of silver nanomaterial plays a pivotal role in the growing field of nanotechnology. Development of anti-parasitic drugs from plant metabolites has been in regular practice from the ...ancient period but most of them were discarded due to their inefficiency to control diseases effectively. At present, nanoparticles are used for developing anti-parasitic therapy for their unique properties such as smallest in size, bio-ability, bio-compatibility and penetration capacity into a cell. The present study aims at synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using funicles extract of Acacia auriculiformis and tests its efficacy as antifilarial. Experimental evidence show that AgNPs are effective at a very low concentration compared to crude plant extracts. Synthesis of these nanoparticles is a single-step, biogenic, cost effective and eco-friendly process. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, TEM, SAED, FTIR, EDX, FESEM and Z-potential. The antifilarial efficacy of AgNPs was tested against different life cycle stages of bovine filarial parasite Setaria cervi by morphological study, motility assessment and viability assay. These nanoparticles are found to have antifilarial activity with LC50 of 5.61 μg/mL and LC90 of 15.54 μg/mL against microfilaria of S. cervi. The microscopic findings and the detailed molecular studies confirmed that green synthesized AgNPs were effective enough to induce apoptosis through up regulation of ROS (reactive oxygen species).
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•Nanoparticles were synthesized in the funicles extract of Acacia auriculiformis.•Nanoparticles shows macro and micro-filaricidal activity.•It causes ROS mediated apoptosis in filarial parasite Setaria cervi.•These nanoparticles were nontoxic.
A database on UV-absorbing mycosporines and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) has been constructed that provides information on various mycosporines and MAAs reported in fungi, cyanobacteria, ...macroalgae, phytoplankton and animals from aquatic and terrestrial habitats. It also contains information on biosynthetic routes of MAAs as well as on the absorption maxima and molecular structures of different mycosporines and MAAs (
Table 1S). This database provides necessary information for scientists working in the field of photoprotective compounds in fungi, cyanobacteria, macroalgae, phytoplankton and animals (
Table 2S). (
Tables 1S and 2S are available online as
Supplementary material in the electronic copy of the journal as well as on our server
<http://www.biologie.uni-erlangen.de/botanik1/html/eng/maa_database.htm>.)
Breeding resistance to whitefly‐transmitted begomoviruses is an important goal of tomato breeding programmes worldwide. So far, resistance to begomoviruses in tomato has been achieved using wild ...species, and at least five resistance genes (Ty genes) have been studied. The present study was undertaken to combine Ty‐2 and Ty‐3 and to determine the effect of pyramiding on infection of tomato by three diverse begomovirus species. The diagnostic ability of the markers linked to Ty genes was assessed and marker‐assisted selection was used to develop pyramided tomato lines from the crosses between Ty stocks. Five stable pyramided tomato lines that differ in fruit morphology and yield potential were developed. The horticultural performance of pyramided lines in field trials showed that the yield and horticultural traits are well maintained in the plants. The response of these lines was assessed using agroinoculation and field tests in a disease hotspot. The pyramided lines and Ty‐3‐carrying lines exhibited a high level of resistance to the monopartite and two bipartite begomoviruses tested. The pyramided tomato lines developed in this study could be important genetic resources for sustainable tomato production in areas affected by tomato leaf curl virus disease. The combined results of disease resistance tests also showed that Ty‐3 is critical for achieving broad‐spectrum resistance. The limitations of relying on a single gene and the importance of pyramiding are discussed in the light of available evidence on frequent recombination in begomoviruses.
Background: Acute corneal hydrops is a vision threatening complication of corneal ectasia like keratoconus, keratoconus, keratoglobus, Pellucid marginal degeneration, Terrien's marginal degeneration ...and post refractive surgery keratectasia. The associated risk factors for development of corneal hydrops (CH) are early onset of keratoconus, microtrauma associated with contact lens use, eye rubbing, allergic conjunctivitis, atopy, and Down's syndrome. With the conservative approach of management of CH, it takes longer time (in months) for corneal oedema to get resolved and there is development of vascularization and scarring. This video presents the simple technique of using compression sutures along with pneumodescemetopexy by intracameral air injection for management of CH. It led to rapid resolution of corneal oedema. It is a simple technique, with no need of special gases like C3F8 or SF6 and can be easily performed at a very basic set up. Purpose: To highlight the efficacy of simple technique of applying compression sutures and air tamponade in management of CH and to demonstrate the efficacy of anterior segment OCT in diagnosis and to assess the prognosis of a case of CH. Synopsis: A 9-year-old boy presented with CH, with anterior segment OCT showing torn descemet's membrane and fluid pockets in corneal stroma. Four full-thickness compression sutures were applied and intracameral sterile air was used for pneumodescetopexy. The serial post operative clinical and OCT picture showed rapid resolution of corneal oedema. Highlights: This video highlights the use of OCT imaging in the diagnosis of CH and full-thickness compression sutures as the safe and effective technique in the management of acute CH.
Video link: https://youtu.be/54C3hJB_WTM
Abstract Cyanobacteria are primitive photosynthetic oxygen-evolving prokaryotes that appeared on the Earth when there was no ozone layer to protect them from damaging ultraviolet radiation (UVR). UVR ...has both direct and indirect effects on the cyanobacteria due to absorption by biomolecules and UVR-induced oxidative stress, respectively. However, these organisms have developed several lines of mitigation strategies/defense mechanisms such as avoidance, scavenging, screening, repair and programmed cell death to counteract the damaging effects of UVR. This review presents an update on the effects of UVR on cyanobacteria and the defense mechanisms employed by these prokaryotes to withstand UVR stress. In addition, recent developments in the field of molecular biology of UV-absorbing compounds such as mycosporine-like amino acids and scytonemin, are also added and the possible role of programmed cell death, signal perception as well their transduction under UVR stress is being discussed.
The neodymium chromate nanoparticles are synthesized by the sol–gel process. The phase formation with
Pnma
symmetry of the sample is confirmed by the Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction data. ...The particle size of the sample is determined by transmission electron microscopy. The band gap of the material is found to be 1.78 eV which is obtained by Tauc relation to UV-absorption spectrum. The room temperature Raman spectrum is fitted with the sum of 22 Lorentzian peaks. Dielectric relaxation of the sample has been investigated in the frequency range from 42 Hz to 1.1 MHz and in the temperature range from 303 to 573 K. The Cole–Cole model is used to explain the dielectric relaxation mechanism of the material. The complex impedance plane plot confirms the existence of the grain-boundary contribution to the relaxation of the sample. The frequency-dependent conductivity spectra follow the power law.
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