Antiviral properties of copper and its alloys to inactivate covid-19 virus: a review.

Copper (Cu) and its alloys are prospective materials in fighting covid-19 virus and several microbial pandemics, due to its excellent antiviral as well as antimicrobial properties. Even though many studies have proved that copper and its alloys exhibit antiviral properties, this research arena requires further research attention. Several studies conducted on copper and its alloys have proven that copper-based alloys possess excellent potential in controlling the spread of infectious diseases. Moreover, recent studies indicate that these alloys can effectively inactivate the covid-19 virus. In view of this, the present article reviews the importance of copper and its alloys in reducing the spread and infection of covid-19, which is a global pandemic. The electronic databases such as ScienceDirect, Web of Science and PubMed were searched for identifying relevant studies in the present review article. The review starts with a brief description on the history of copper usage in medicine followed by the effect of copper content in human body and antiviral mechanisms of copper against covid-19. The subsequent sections describe the distinctive copper based material systems such as alloys, nanomaterials and coating technologies in combating the spread of covid-19. Overall, copper based materials can be propitiously used as part of preventive and therapeutic strategies in the fight against covid-19 virus.

Elevated fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, and Factor VIII confer resistance to dilutional coagulopathy and activated protein C in normal pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Gestational changes in coagulation factor concentrations include elevations in fibrinogen, Factor VIII, and von Willebrand factor (vWF). We hypothesised that blood samples from term pregnant (TP) subjects are less prone to coagulation disturbances from haemodilution compared with those from non-pregnant (NP) females. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 15 NP and 15 TP subjects. In vitro haemodilution with normal saline was assessed by modified Clauss fibrinogen assay, factor activity, flow-chamber assay, and thromboelastometry. The impact of human fibrinogen concentrate (hFC), cryoprecipitate, and vWF/Factor VIII (FVIII) concentrate replacement in diluted TP and NP blood was compared. Thrombin generation and activated protein C sensitivity were assessed. RESULTS: TP blood contained twice the concentrations of fibrinogen, FVIII, and vWF relative to NP blood (P<0.0001). Platelet thrombus formation (PTF) under flow was reduced by 99.2% and 69.2% in diluted NP and TP blood, respectively. Platelet thrombus formation was partially restored by adding vWF/FVIII, but not hFC or cryoprecipitate. Fibrin clot firmness approached the threshold of 10 mm in diluted NP blood, and clot firmness was effectively restored by hFC, but not by vWF/FVIII. In the presence of thrombomodulin, peak thrombin generation was decreased by 86.7% in NP plasma, but by 31.8% in TP plasma (P<0.0001 vs NP plasma), indicating reduced activated protein C sensitivity in TP plasma. Both elevated FVIII and haemodilution contributed to activated protein C insensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our in vitro model showed relative resistance of TP blood to dilutional coagulation changes with respect to platelet adhesion, fibrin polymerisation, and thrombin generation. Careful therapeutic monitoring for different pro-haemostatic agents in pregnant women is warranted.

Dexmedetomidine vs propofol-remifentanil conscious sedation for awake craniotomy: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Awake craniotomy (AC) is performed for the resection of brain tumours in close proximity to areas of eloquent brain function to maximize reduction of tumour mass and minimize neurological injury. This study compares the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine vs propofol-remifentanil-based conscious sedation, during AC for supratentorial tumour resection. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial including 50 adult patients undergoing AC who were randomly assigned to a dexmedetomidine (DEX group, n=25) or propofol-remifentanil group (P-R group, n=25). The primary outcome was the ability to perform intraoperative brain mapping assessed on a numeric rating scale (NRS). Secondary outcome was the efficacy of sedation measured by the modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S) scale. Other outcome measures including haemodynamic and respiratory variables, pain, sedation and anxiety scores, adverse events, and patient satisfaction were also compared. RESULTS: There were no differences between DEX and P-R groups regarding the ability to perform intraoperative brain mapping [mean NRS score (95% CI): 10.0 (9.9-10.0) vs 9.7 (9.5-10.0), P=0.13] and level of sedation during mapping [mean OAA/S score (95% CI): 4.1 (3.5-4.7) vs 4.3 (3.9-4.7), P=0.51], respectively. Respiratory adverse events were more frequent in the P-R group (20 vs 0%, P=0.021). Heart rate was significantly lower in the DEX group across time (P<0.001); however, the need for treatment of bradycardia was not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of intraoperative brain mapping and efficacy of sedation with dexmedetomidine were similar to propofol-remifentanil during AC for supratentorial tumour resection. Dexmedetomidine was associated with fewer respiratory adverse events. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01545297.

Prevalence, risk factors and treatment practices in diarrhoeal diseases in south India.

OBJECTIVES: This study was done to determine the risk factors, management practices and awareness about diarrhoea. METHODS: It was a cross sectional study done in a semi urban and rural areas of South Canara district of India in February 2013. A total of 167 households (575 study population) chosen systematic randomly were visited and one adult member in each house was interviewed. The houses were also inspected to assess the living conditions. RESULTS: Mean age of study population was 31.1 ± 20.2 years. The period prevalence of diarrhoea was 69 (12 %). Commonest associated symptoms in cases of diarrhoea were fever 30 (43.4 %) followed by abdominal cramps 29 (42 %). Nearly half of the cases with diarrhoea 34 (49.3 %) did not take any medications. Commonest treatment taken was allopathic medicines 26 (37.8 %) followed by home remedies 8 (22.9 %). Age ≤10 years (p < 0.001) was associated with risk of developing diarrhoea using binary logistic regression analysis. Among the 167 participants, awareness level about the disease was poor among 16 (9.6 %) and moderate among 149 (89.2 % participants). Awareness level was more among females (p = 0.001) and literate participants (p = 0.013). One hundred and sixteen (69.5 %) participants were not aware of any sign or symptom of dehydration other than loose stools. Majority of the participants 138 (82.6 %) preferred home remedies as the initial management of diarrhoea. Misconception about fluid restriction in diarrhoea was stated by 12(7.2 %) participants. CONCLUSION: Public education program on proper feeding and management practices is required to address the various issues identified and for containment of diarrhoea cases in future.

The dual role of palladium in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of CdS dispersed on NaY-zeolite.

A stable photocatalyst, CdS dispersed on zeolite with Pd as both the dopant and the co-catalyst, has been developed. Enhancement of photocatalytic activity for hydrogen generation is observed for CdS when doped with palladium and dispersed on NaY-zeolite (CdPdS-Z). A further increase in the photocatalytic activity of CdPdS-Z is observed when palladium is added as a co-catalyst (Pd-CdPdS-Z). Cd0.95Pd0.05S-Z is synthesized via a facile soft chemical route and the Pd co-catalyst is loaded onto the composite using a wet impregnation method. This composite catalyst exists as two phases consisting of CdPdS and zeolite and CdPdS exists as a highly dispersed phase on zeolite as revealed by TEM studies. The Pd doped CdS-zeolite composite exhibits increased visible light absorption indicating the alteration of the band structure of CdS as a result of doping. Time resolved fluorescence studies reveal that the lifetime of the charge carriers is higher in the composites than in pure CdS. A detailed characterization using XRD, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that Pd has substituted for Cd in the CdS lattice and Pd exists in the Pd(2+) oxidation state. Solid state MAS NMR studies indicate that an interaction exists between CdS (or CdPdS) and zeolite at the interface and Cd selectively interacts with Al of the zeolite framework. The photocatalytic activity of the Pd-CdPdS-Z catalyst remains unchanged with repeated cycles. Characterization of the used catalyst indicates that it is stable under the present experimental conditions. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Pd-CdPdS-Z is attributed to the enhanced visible light absorption arising due to Pd doping and increased lifetime of the photogenerated charge carriers assisted by zeolite and the Pd co-catalyst. This study highlights the multiple roles played by palladium in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of the CdS-zeolite composite.

Novel approaches facilitating neuraxial anesthesia placement in pregnant women with morbid obesity: case descriptions.

Clinical management of pregnant women with morbid obesity poses challenges in performing neuraxial anesthesia as well as positioning for cesarean delivery. Occupational injuries are also known to occur while caring for patients with morbid obesity. We describe two novel approaches to assist neuraxial anesthesia administration and positioning for cesarean delivery. With the assistance of the Institution's Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Team, a universal high-back sling can be placed to lift the patient into a sitting position before neuraxial anesthesia procedure. After placement of combined spinal epidural anesthesia, the ceiling lift is used to lift the patient into a seated position and then rotate to the appropriate location on the operating room table to facilitate supine positioning. The lifting system reduces shearing of the patient's posterior and compromising the epidural site. Team members also report reduced effort required when positioning patients from seated to supine on the operating room table. The second approach is the application of TraxiTM abdominal pannus retractor to retract fat folds encroaching on the epidural placement site in pregnant women with morbid obesity. This is particularly useful when the traditional taping of fat folds away from the site is inadequate. The pannus retractor results in a flatter surface facilitating epidural placement. We have introduced these two approaches into our clinical practice for pregnant women with morbid obesity requiring cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia.

Right Ventricular Strain Improves the Echocardiographic Diagnosis and Risk Stratification of Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis Among Other Phenotypes of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

AIMS: Cardiac amyloidosis is a diffuse disease affecting all cardiac chambers. The value of right ventricular free-wall strain is uncertain as an echocardiographic red flag. We hypothesized that right ventricular free-wall strain is of added value for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA). METHOD: A diagnosis of ATTR-CA required positive Tc-99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy and negative serum clonal dyscrasia. Patients with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH; interventricular septal thickness ≥1.2 cm) by echocardiography and negative pyrophosphate scintigraphy served as controls after exclusion of amyloid light-chain cardiac amyloidosis. Longitudinal strain was computed with speckle-tracking echocardiography. RESULTS: We studied 108 subjects with ATTR-CA and 106 controls with LVH, retrospectively. Right ventricular free-wall strain was independently associated with the diagnosis of ATTR-CA after adjusting for classical echocardiographic parameters, namely, relative apical sparing (RAS), e', and E/e'. Right ventricular free-wall strain ≥ -16% was incremental to LV RAS in the overall group and in the subgroup without extreme wall thickness (≤1.4 cm; Harrell's C, net reclassification improvement = 0.213, P < .001; and net reclassification improvement = 0.463, P = .015, respectively). Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (heart failure hospitalization, stroke, death) occurred in 47 ATTR-CA patients, during follow-up (median, 38; range, 6-60 months). Right ventricular free-wall strain ≥-16% was associated with 3-fold increased risk of MACCE in ATTR-CA patients independently of age, comorbidities, B-type natriuretic peptide, and tafamidis treatment. Right ventricular free-wall strain was additive to LV ejection fraction for risk stratification (chi square = 10.2; P = .017). CONCLUSIONS: Right ventricular free-wall strain >-16% has incremental value to LV RAS for the differential diagnosis of ATTR-CA among LVH phenotypes and is associated with poor prognosis.

Construction of pSM201v: A broad host range replicative vector based on shortening of RSF1010.

Despite possessing attractive features such as autotrophic growth on minimal media, industrial applications of cyanobacteria are hindered by a lack of genetic manipulative tools. There are two important features that are important for an effective manipulation: a vector which can carry the gene, and an induction system activated through external stimuli, giving us control over the expression. In this study, we describe the construction of an improved RSF1010-based vector as well as a temperature-inducible RNA thermometer. RSF1010 is a well-studied incompatibility group Q (IncQ) vector, capable of replication in most Gram negative, and some Gram positive bacteria. Our designed vector, named pSM201v, can be used as an expression vector in some Gram positive and a wide range of Gram negative bacteria including cyanobacteria. An induction system activated via physical external stimuli such as temperature, allows precise control of overexpression. pSM201v addresses several drawbacks of the RSF1010 plasmid; it has a reduced backbone size of 5189 bp compared to 8684 bp of the original plasmid, which provides more space for cloning and transfer of cargo DNA into the host organism. The mobilization function, required for plasmid transfer into several cyanobacterial strains, is reduced to a 99 bp region, as a result that mobilization of this plasmid is no longer linked to the plasmid replication. The RNA thermometer, named DTT1, is based on a RNA hairpin strategy that prevents expression of downstream genes at temperatures below 30 °C. Such RNA elements are expected to find applications in biotechnology to economically control gene expression in a scalable manner.

Mechanical ventilation and prone positioning in pregnant patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: experience at a quaternary referral center.

BACKGROUND: We present the care of 17 consecutive pregnant patients who required mechanical ventilation for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia at a quaternary referral center in the United States. We retrospectively describe the management of these patients, maternal and fetal outcomes, as well as the feasibility of prone positioning and delivery. METHODS: Between March 2020 and June 2021, all pregnant and postpartum patients who were mechanically ventilated for COVID-19 pneumonia were identified. Details of their management including prone positioning, maternal and neonatal outcomes, and complications were noted. RESULTS: Seventeen pregnant patients required mechanical ventilation for COVID-19. Thirteen patients received prone positioning, with a total of 49 prone sessions. One patient required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. All patients in this series survived until at least discharge. Nine patients delivered while mechanically ventilated, and all neonates survived, subsequently testing negative for SARS-CoV-2. There was one spontaneous abortion. Four emergent cesarean deliveries were prompted by refractory maternal hypoxemia or non-reassuring fetal heart rate after maternal intubation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, maternal and neonatal survival were favorable even in the setting of severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation. Prone positioning was well tolerated although the impact of prone positioning or fetal delivery on maternal oxygenation and ventilation are unclear.

A naturally fluorescent protein C-phycoerythrin and graphene oxide bio-composite as a selective fluorescence 'turn off/on' probe for DNA quantification and characterization.

Highly specific graphene-DNA interactions have been at the forefront of graphene-based sensor design for various analytes, including DNA itself. However, in addition to its detection, DNA also needs to be characterized according to its size and concentration in a sample, which is an additional analytical step. Designing a highly sensitive and selective DNA sensing and characterization platform is, thus, of great interest. The present study demonstrates that a bio-derived, naturally fluorescent protein C-phycoerythrin (CPE) - graphene oxide (GO) bio-composite can be used to detect dsDNA in nanomolar quantities efficiently via fluorescent "turn off/on" mechanism. Interaction with GO temporarily quenches CPE fluorescence in a dose-dependent manner. Analytical characterization indicates an indirect charge transfer with a corresponding loss of crystalline GO structure. The fluorescence is regained with the addition of DNA, while other biomolecules do not pose any hinderance in the detection process. The extent of regain is DNA length dependent, and the corresponding calibration curve successfully quantifies the size of an unknown DNA. The incubation time for detection is ~3-5 min. The bio-composite platform also works successfully in a complex biomolecule matrix and cell lysate. However, the presence of serum albumin poses a hinderance in the serum sample. Particle size analysis proves that CPE displacement from GO surface by the incoming DNA is the reason for the 'turn on' response, and that the sensing process is exclusive to dsDNA. This new platform could be an exciting and rapid DNA sensing and characterization tool.

Milk ribonuclease-enriched lactoferrin induces positive effects on bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women.

UNLABELLED: Current treatments for postmenopausal osteoporosis suffer from side effects. Safe and natural milk proteins, ribonuclease, and lactoferrin promote formation of new capillaries and bone formation. A ribonuclease-enriched lactoferrin supplement studied here, demonstrates significant reduction in resorption and increase in formation, towards restoring the balance of bone turnover within 6 months. INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis, a major health issue among postmenopausal women, causes increased bone resorption and reduced bone formation. A reduction in angiogenesis could also contribute to this imbalance. Current treatments such as hormone replacement therapy and bisphosphonates have drawbacks of severe side effects. Milk ribonuclease (RNase) is known to promote angiogenesis and lactoferrin (LF) to stimulate bone formation by osteoblasts. We examine the effect of ribonuclease-enriched lactoferrin supplement on the bone health of postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 38 healthy, postmenopausal women, aged 45 to 60 years were randomized into placebo or RNAse-enriched-LF (R-ELF) supplement groups. The bone health status was monitored by assessing bone resorption markers, serum N-telopeptides (NTx), and urine deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) crosslinks and serum bone formation markers, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and osteocalcin (OC). RESULTS: R-ELF supplementation demonstrated a decrease in urine Dpd levels by 14% (19% increase for placebo) and serum NTx maintained at 24% of the baseline (41% for placebo), while serum BAP and OC levels showed a 45% and 16% elevation (25% and 5% for placebo). CONCLUSIONS: R-ELF supplementation demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in bone resorption and increase in osteoblastic bone formation, to restore the balance of bone turnover within a short period.

Mechanistic insight by in situ FTIR for the gas phase photo-oxidation of ethylene by V-doped titania and nano titania.

Vanadium-doped titania is found to be a better photocatalyst for gas phase photo-oxidation of ethylene than nano titania. In situ FTIR studies were undertaken to elucidate the mechanistic pathway for ethylene oxidation on these two catalyst surfaces. Vanadium doping leads to formation of more chemisorbed hydroxyl species, which makes it a better photocatalyst. The labile hydroxyls which were responsible for the reduction of V(5+) to V(4+) during the process of calcination were also ascertained. The ethylene decomposition occurs via formation of ethoxy groups, transformed to acetaldehyde or enolates, subsequently to acetates/formates, and then to CO(2). The enolates were more stabilized on the TiO(2) surface, leading to formation of formates along with the acetates. On vanadium-doped TiO(2), acetaldehyde was more stabilized than its enol tautomer, leading to the formation of labile acetic acid and acetates. The formation of the labile acetic acid, adsorbed acetates, and the adsorbed acetate -M salts led to easier oxidation of them to provide higher yield of CO(2). The higher positive charge density over Ti in Ti(0.95)V(0.05)O(2) with respect to nano TiO(2) makes the acetate (stronger nucleophile) a more stable intermediate on it.

Granulomatous inflammatory response in a case of typhoid fever.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of culture-proven typhoid fever in which granulomas were demonstrated histologically in the ileum and mesenteric lymph nodes. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 47-year-old Pakistani man underwent emergency hemicolectomy for severe bleeding per rectum associated with diarrhea. Two large ulcers in the ileum, near the ileocolic junction, as well as mesenteric lymph nodes showed both necrotizing and non-necrotizing granulomas in addition to mixed inflammatory infiltrate on histology. CONCLUSION: Typhoid fever may be considered as one of the causes of the differential diagnoses of granulomatous inflammation of the small intestine.

Efficient Synthesis and in Silico Studies of the Benzimidazole Hybrid Scaffold with the Quinolinyloxadiazole Skeleton with Potential α-Glucosidase Inhibitory, Anticoagulant, and Antiplatelet Activities for Type-II Diabetes Mellitus Management and Treating Thrombotic Disorders.

The current study evaluates antidiabetic, anticoagulant, and antiplatelet activity of novel benzimidazole-containing quinolinyl oxadiazoles. These derivatives are synthesized and characterized using spectroscopy (FT-IR, 1H NMR, and mass spectroscopy) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The inhibitory effects of these compounds were evaluated by the α-glucosidase inhibitory assay and shows the activity in the range of IC50 = 0.66 ± 0.05 to 3.79 ± 0.46 µg/mL. In addition, molecular docking studies revealed that benzimidazole-containing quinolinyl oxadiazoles can correctly dock into the target receptor protein of the human intestinal α-glucosidase, while their bioavailability/drug-likeness was predicted to be acceptable but requires further optimization. On the other hand, compound 8a and 8d showed anticoagulant activity as they enhanced the clotting time from control 180-410 and 180-390 s, respectively, in platelet rich plasma and 230-460 and 230-545 s in platelet poor plasma. Furthermore, only 8a showed antiplatelet activity by inhibiting epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation, and the observed aggregation inhibition was found to be 93.4%. Compounds 8a-f show nontoxic properties because of the non-hydrolyzing properties in the RBC cells. In addition, 8a and 8d show anti-edema and anti-hemorrhagic properties in the experimental mice. These findings reveal that benzimidazole-containing quinolinyl oxadiazoles act as α-glucosidase inhibitors to develop novel therapeutics for treating type-II diabetes mellitus and can act as lead molecules in drug discovery as potential antidiabetic and antithrombotic agents.

Multiple components of the HSP90 chaperone complex function in regulation of heat shock factor 1 In vivo.

Rapid and transient activation of heat shock genes in response to stress is mediated in eukaryotes by the heat shock transcription factor HSF1. It is well established that cells maintain a dynamic equilibrium between inactive HSF1 monomers and transcriptionally active trimers, but little is known about the mechanism linking HSF1 to reception of various stress stimuli or the factors controlling oligomerization. Recent reports have revealed that HSP90 regulates key steps in the HSF1 activation-deactivation process. Here, we tested the hypothesis that components of the HSP90 chaperone machine, known to function in the folding and maturation of steroid receptors, might also participate in HSF1 regulation. Mobility supershift assays using antibodies against chaperone components demonstrate that active HSF1 trimers exist in a heterocomplex with HSP90, p23, and FKBP52. Functional in vivo experiments in Xenopus oocytes indicate that components of the HSF1 heterocomplex, as well as other components of the HSP90 cochaperone machine, are involved in regulating oligomeric transitions. Elevation of the cellular levels of cochaperones affected the time of HSF1 deactivation during recovery: attenuation was delayed by immunophilins, and accelerated by HSP90, Hsp/c70, Hip, or Hop. In immunotargeting experiments with microinjected antibodies, disruption of HSP90, Hip, Hop, p23, FKBP51, and FKBP52 delayed attenuation. In addition, HSF1 was activated under nonstress conditions after immunotargeting of HSP90 and p23, evidence that these proteins remain associated with HSF1 monomers and function in their repression in vivo. The remarkable similarity of HSF1 complex chaperones identified here (HSP90, p23, and FKBP52) and components in mature steroid receptor complexes suggests that HSF1 oligomerization is regulated by a foldosome-type mechanism similar to steroid receptor pathways. The current evidence leads us to propose a model in which HSF1, HSP90 and p23 comprise a core heterocomplex required for rapid conformational switching through interaction with a dynamic series of HSP90 subcomplexes.

HSP90 interacts with and regulates the activity of heat shock factor 1 in Xenopus oocytes.

Transcriptional activation of heat shock genes is a reversible and multistep process involving conversion of inactive heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) monomers into heat shock element (HSE)-binding homotrimers, hyperphosphorylation, and further modifications that induce full transcriptional competence. HSF1 is controlled by multiple regulatory mechanisms, including suppression by additional cellular factors, physical interactions with HSP70, and integration into different cellular signaling cascades. However, the signaling mechanisms by which cells respond to stress and control the HSF1 activation-deactivation pathway are not known. Here we demonstrate that HSP90, a cellular chaperone known to regulate several signal transduction molecules and transcription factors, functions in the regulation of HSF1. The existence of HSF1-HSP90 heterocomplexes was shown by coimmunoprecipitation of HSP90 with HSF1 from unshocked and heat-shocked nuclear extracts, recognition of HSF1-HSE complexes in vitro by using HSP90 antibodies (Abs), and recognition of HSF1 in vivo by HSP90 Abs microinjected directly into oocyte nuclei. The functional impact of HSP90-HSF1 interactions was analyzed by using two strategies: direct nuclear injection of HSP90 Abs and treatment of cells with geldanamycin (GA), an agent that specifically blocks the chaperoning activity of HSP90. Both HSP90 Abs and GA delayed the disassembly of HSF1 trimers during recovery from heat shock and specifically inhibited heat-induced transcription from a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter construct under control of the hsp70 promoter. HSP90 Abs activated HSE binding in the absence of heat shock, an effect that could be reversed by subsequent injection of purified HSP90. GA did not activate HSE binding under nonshock conditions but increased the quantity of HSE binding induced by heat shock. On the basis of these findings and the known properties of HSP90, we propose a new regulatory model in which HSP90 participates in modulating HSF1 at different points along the activation-deactivation pathway, influencing the interconversion between monomeric and trimeric conformations as well as transcriptional activation. We also put forth the hypothesis that HSP90 links HSF1 to cellular signaling molecules coordinating the stress response.

Fetal sex-determination in Delhi: a population-based investigation.

A population-based cross-sectional inquiry was carried out in Delhi to assess the practice of fetal sex determination, sex-selective abortions and awareness about the related law. A total of 1514 respondents, selected through multistage cluster sampling from all across Delhi, were interviewed using a pretested, semistructured questionnaire. Legal awareness (73.6%) was significantly better among the male and urban respondents. Only 39 (2.6%) of the respondents had ever gone for fetal sex determination. In 17 (43.6%) of them, it was done in spite of being aware of its unlawfulness, and in 33 (84.6%), the couple had one or more living male children. Frequency of fetal sex determination was comparable for slum and urban areas. Fifty-six additional cases of fetal sex determination, occurring in the neighbourhood of the respondents, were also reported. A total of 28 cases of female feticide were reported. Awareness about the illegality of fetal sex determination has improved, compared with the 1997-1998 data collected from East Delhi (55.3-73.6%). However, this comparison also shows a marginal increase in the practice of fetal sex determination (2.1-2.6%). In all cases of feticide, a qualified doctor was involved. A number of couples abandoned the abortion plan midway, even after detecting that the fetus was female, and there were occasional cases where the doctor refused to abort the female fetus.

Abiotic stresses as tools for metabolites in microalgae.

Microalgae, due to various environmental stresses, constantly tune their cellular mechanisms to cope with them. The accumulation of the stress metabolites is closely related to the changes occurring in their metabolic pathways. The biosynthesis of metabolites can be triggered by a number of abiotic stresses like temperature, salinity, UV- radiation and nutrient deprivation. Although, microalgae have been considered as an alternative sustainable source for nutraceutical products like pigments and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to cater the requirement of emerging human population but inadequate biomass generation makes the process economically impractical. The stress metabolism for carotenoid regulation in green algae is a 2-step metabolism. There are a few major stresses which can influence the formation of phycobiliprotein in cyanobacteria. This review would primarily focus on the cellular level changes under stress conditions and their corresponding effects on lipids (including omega-3 PUFAs), pigments and polymers.

Correction: Evaluation of 19,460 Wheat Accessions Conserved in the Indian National Genebank to Identify New Sources of Resistance to Rust and Spot Blotch Diseases.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167702.].