In the present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using leaf extract of
(
) under different physical parameters. Biosynthesis of ZnO NPs was confirmed by UV-Visible ...spectrophotometer and further, characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Photoluminescence study and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). We have also confirmed that several physical parameters such as pH, temperature, concentration of metal ions and reaction time were able to regulate shape and size of synthesized ZnO NPs. XRD and TEM analysis provided the information about the average size and hexagonal morphology of ZnO NPs. FTIR spectra analysis suggested that phenolic compounds played crucial role in the biosynthesis of ZnO NPs. The significant antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs was observed against
MTCC 9760 (
),
MTCC 1926 (
),
MTCC 430 (
),
MTCC 424
,
MTCC 3310
and
MTCC 40 (
). The synthesized ZnO NPs have shown antibacterial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Synergistic effects of ZnO NPs and streptomycin showed increased efficacy as indicated by the increased zone of clearance in comparison to their individual effects (either ZnO NPs or streptomycin). Overall, the results elucidated a rapid, cost-effective, environmentally friendly and convenient method for ZnO NPs synthesis, which could be used as a potential antimicrobial agent against drug resistant microbes.
Abiotic stresses such as heat, drought, and salinity are major environmental constraints that limit potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production worldwide. Previously, we found a potential ...thermo-tolerance gene, named StnsLTP1 from potato using yeast functional screening. Here, we report the functional characterization of StnsLTP1 and its role in multiple abiotic stresses in potato plants. Computational analysis of StnsLTP1 with other plant LTPs showed eight conserved cysteine residues, and four α-helices stabilized by four disulfide bridges. Expression analysis of StnsLTP1 gene showed differential expression under heat, water-deficit and salt stresses. Transgenic potato lines over-expressing StnsLTP1 gene displayed enhanced cell membrane integrity under stress conditions, as indicated by reduced membrane lipid per-oxidation, and hydrogen peroxide content relative to untransformed (UT) control plants. In addition, transgenic lines over-expressing StLTP1 also exhibited increased antioxidant enzyme activity with enhanced accumulation of ascorbates, and up-regulation of stress-related genes including StAPX, StCAT, StSOD, StHsfA3, StHSP70, and StsHSP20 compared with the UT plants. These results suggests that StnsLTP1 transgenic plants acquired improved tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses through enhanced activation of antioxidative defense mechanisms via cyclic scavenging of reactive oxygen species and regulated expression of stress-related genes.
With 1 figure and 3 tables ABSTRACT: Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) derived from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are important resources for gene discovery and mapping. In this study, we developed ...EST‐based SSR (eSSRs) markers and assessed their ability in mapping and transferability. A total of 10 800 unigenes were detected from 18 522 pea EST sequences (December 2009). Screening of 10 800 unigenes by MISA (MIcroSAtellite) revealed 2612 (14.1%) eSSRs in 2395 (12.9%) SSR‐containing ESTs from which 577 (24.1%) primer pairs were designed. The most abundant repeat motif identified in eSSR was mononucleotide (85.2%), followed by trinucleotide (10.6%) and dinucleotide (2.8%). Among 108 randomly selected primer pairs, 40 were assessed for mapping and 68 to test cross‐species transferability in six leguminous species. Out of 40 primer pairs, 85% produced amplicons, 60% showed polymorphism and 47.5% were mapped. Furthermore, 68 primer pairs revealed high rate of transferability (48–85%) in leguminous species. High levels of polymorphism, reproducibility, presence of alleles (3.8/locus) and transferability revealed the potential use of these eSSR markers in molecular mapping, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis and comparative mapping in pea and other legumes.
The volatile oil obtained by hydrodistillation of the roots of Carissa opaca was analyzed by GC and GC/MS to study its composition. Thirty-five compounds representing 98.3% of the oil were ...identified. Si-gel chromatography of the oil yielded 2-hydroxyacetophenone, which was characterized by spectral methods (1H-, 13C-NMR and mass), as the main component, amounting to 89.5% of the oil.
Lippia alba cultivar ‘Kavach’ is an aromatic, multi-branched, trailing, deep-rooted shrub that can be planted on slopes to control soil erosion. Cuttings of this genotype were planted on the edges of ...field plots developed by depositing agricultural soil on the rocky terrain of Aravalli mountain range land on which the Institute is located in New Delhi. Shoots harvested several times a year in the third, fourth and fifth year from planting were sampled for leaves and flowers bearing inflorescences to determine their biomass yield. The inflorescences and leaves sampled from the harvests of third year were analyzed by GC and GC/MS for their oil quality. Altogether 55 compounds were identified in leaf and inflorescence oils; a set of 47 compounds made up 96.3% of the leaf oil and 46 compounds made up 97.0% of inflorescence oil. The concentrations of linalool and 1,8-cineole were 67.7% and 6.4% in the leaf oil, whereas these were 79.3% and 5.2%, respectively, in inflorescence oil. The inflorescence oil also contained cis- and trans-linalool oxides (2.8%). The importance of the flower oil of L. alba cultivar ‘Kavach’ as a linalool-rich oil resource is discussed in terms of traditional sources of such oil and unique features of the cultivar.
Nanotechnology today has fetched importance in almost all the domains of science as it involves the materials manoeuvred at atomic or molecular level. The nanomaterials behave entirely different in ...physicochemical and biological properties when compared to bulk counterparts. The production of nanomaterials was initiated in the ancient era, but a modern interdisciplinary branch of nanomedicine was established in the late nineties. There is rapid growth in the area of nanomedicine and has progressed tremendously. The advancement opened novel treatment strategies for curing degenerative disorders such as cancer, diabetes, and nanoparticle-mediated targeted drug delivery system. The potential applications of various nano-sized materials such as carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, nanocrystals, nanoshells, nanowires, quantum dots etc include robust drug delivery systems and encapsulating drugs. The progress, challenges, and opportunities in cancer nanomedicine and diabetes along with novel engineering approaches such as nanorobots, liposomes are main highlights of this article.
Cellulose, a linear biopolymer, is present naturally in all plants. Apart from being the planet’s predominant natural polymer, it also offers a variety of features including excellent ...biocompatibility, lower density, substantial strength and the most beneficial mechanical characteristics, inexpensive in cost. Applying the mechanical or chemical techniques, cellulosic materials are transformed into cellulose nanofibres (CNFs) and even cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). These CNFs and CNCs exhibit excellent capabilities in comparison with native cellulose fibre. Nowadays, nanocellulose is being used in a variety of practical applications such as product packaging, papers as well as paperboard, food sector, healthcare, hygiene products, paints, skin care products and sensors. The current review article summarizes the cellulose, processing methods for nanocellulose, techniques used for chemical modification of cellulose surface and consequently its application as reinforcement in polymeric materials. This article also provides a comprehensive discussion of the historical development in the area of nanocellulose.
The present article reports a facile approach to fabrication of mesoporous octahedron-shaped tricobalt tetroxide nanoparticles (Co3O4 NPs) with a very narrow size distribution for eco-friendly ...remediation of toxic dyes. Co3O4 NPs were fabricated by a sol–gel process using cobalt chloride hexahydrate (CoCl2·6H2O) and monosodium succinate (C4H5O4Na) as a chelating/structure-directing agent and sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactant. Moreover, the phase structure, elemental composition, and thermal and morphological facets of Co3O4 NPs were investigated using XRD, FT-IR, EDS, Raman, XPS, TGA, SEM, and TEM techniques. The face-centered cubic spinel crystalline structure of the Co3O4 NPs was confirmed by XRD and SEM, and TEM analysis revealed their octahedron morphology with a smooth surface. Moreover, the narrow pore size distribution and the mesoporous nature of the Co3O4 NPs were confirmed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements. The photocatalytic activity of Co3O4 NPs for degradation of methyl red (MR), Eriochrome Black-T (EBT), bromophenol blue (BPB), and malachite green (MG) was examined under visible light irradiation, and the kinetics of the dye degradation was pseudo-zero-order with the rate constant in the order of MR > EBT > MG > BPB. Furthermore, the mechanism of photo-disintegration mechanism of the dye was examined by a scavenging test using liquid chromatography–mass chromatography, and its excellent photodegradation activities were attributed to the photogenerated holes (h+), superoxide (O2 –) anions, and hydroxyl (·OH) radicals. Finally, the synergistic effect of the nano-interconnected channels with octahedron geometry, mesoporous nature, and charge transfer properties along with photogenerated charge separations leads to an enhanced Co3O4 photocatalytic activity.
Background & objectives: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are the commonest cause of osteomyelitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of an alternative therapy i.e. ...application of S. aureus specific bacteriophages in cases of osteomyelitis caused by MRSA in animal model.
Methods: Twenty two rabbits were included in this study. The first two rabbits were used to test the safety of phage cocktail while the remaining 20 rabbits were divided into three groups; group A (n=4) to assess the establishment of osteomyelitis; group B (n=4) osteomyelitis developed but therapy started only after six weeks; and group C (n=12) osteomyelitis developed and therapy started after three weeks. Groups B and C rabbits were treated with four doses of cocktail of seven virulent bacteriophages at the interval of 48 h. Comparison between three groups was made on the basis of observation of clinical, radiological, microbiological, and histopathological examinations.
Results: Experimental group rabbits recovered from the illness in the subsequent two weeks of the therapy. Appetite and activity of the rabbits improved, local oedema, erythema and induration subsided. There were minimal changes associated with osteomyelitis in X-ray and histopathology also showed no signs of infection with new bone formation. Control B group rabbits also recovered well from the infection.
Interpretation & conclusions: The present study shows a potential of phage therapy to treat difficult infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria.
The genetic landscape of intestinal (INT) and pancreatobiliary (PB) type ampullary cancer (AC) has been evolving with distinct as well as overlapping molecular profiles.
We performed whole-exome ...sequencing in 37 cases of AC to identify the targetable molecular profiles of INT and PB tumors. Paired tumor-normal sequencing was performed on the HiSeq 2500 Illumina platform.
There were 22 INT, 13 PB, and two cases of mixed differentiation of AC that exhibited a total of 1,263 somatic variants in 112 genes (2-257 variants/case) with 183 somatic deleterious variants. INT showed variations in 78 genes (1-31/case), while PB showed variations in 51 genes (1-29/case). Targetable mutations involving one or more major pathways were found in 86.5% of all ACs. Mutations in APC, CTNNB1, SMAD4, KMT2, EPHA, ERBB, and Notch genes were more frequent in INT tumors, while chromatin remodeling complex mutations were frequent in PB tumors. In the major signaling pathways, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3)/AKT and RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were significantly mutated in 70% of cases (82% INT, 46% PB, p = .023), with PI3/AKT mutation being more frequent in INT and RAS/MAPK in PB tumors. Tumor mutation burden was low in both differentiation types, with 1.6/Mb in INT and 0.8/Mb in PB types (p =.217).
The exome data suggest that INT types are genetically more unstable than PB and involve mutations in tumor suppressors, oncogenes, transcription factors, and chromatin remodeling genes. The spectra of the genetic profiles of INT and PB types suggested primary targeting of PI3/AKT in INT and RAS/RAF and PI3/AKT pathways in PB carcinomas.
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