Unveiling the Biocontrol Potential of Rhizoplane Bacillus Species against Sugarcane Fusarium Wilt through Biochemical and Molecular Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Biocontrol is regarded as a viable alternate technique for managing sugarcane wilt disease caused by Fusarium sacchari. Many fungal antagonists against F. sacchari, have been reported, but the potential of bacterial antagonists was explored to a limited extent, so the present study evaluated the antagonistic potential of rhizoplane Bacillus species and their mode of action. RESULTS: A total of twenty Bacillus isolates from the rhizoplane of commercially grown sugarcane varieties were isolated. The potential isolate SRB2 had shown inhibition of 52.30, 33.33, & 44.44% and SRB20 of 35.00, 33.15, & 36.85% in direct, indirect, and remote confrontation respectively against F. sacchari. The effective strains were identified as Bacillus inaquosorum strain SRB2 and B. vallismortis strain SRB20, by PCR amplification of 16S-23S intergenic region. The biochemical studies on various direct and indirect biocontrol mechanisms revealed the production of IAA, Protease, Cellulase, Siderophores, and P solubilization. The molecular analysis revealed the presence of antimicrobial peptides biosynthetic genes like fenD (Fengycin), bmyB (Bacyllomicin) ituC (Iturin) and spaS (Subtilin) which provided a competitive edge to these isolates compared to other Bacillus strains. Under greenhouse experiments, the sett bacterization with SRB2, significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the seedling mortality by > 70% followed by SRB20 in F. sacchari inoculated pots. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the isolates B. inaquosorum SRB2 and B. vallismortis SRB20 can be used as potential bioagents against sugarcane Fusarium wilt.

Lignocellulosic biomass-based glycoconjugates for diverse biotechnological applications.

Glycoconjugates are the ubiquitous components of mammalian cells, mainly synthesized by covalent bonds of carbohydrates to other biomolecules such as proteins and lipids, with a wide range of potential applications in novel vaccines, therapeutic peptides and antibodies (Ab). Considering the emerging developments in glycoscience, renewable production of glycoconjugates is of importance and lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is a potential source of carbohydrates to produce synthetic glycoconjugates in a sustainable pathway. In this review, recent advances in glycobiology aiming on glycoconjugates production is presented together with the recent and cutting-edge advances in the therapeutic properties and application of glycoconjugates, including therapeutic glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and nutraceuticals, emphasizing the integral role of glycosylation in their function and efficacy. Special emphasis is given towards the potential exploration of carbon neutral feedstocks, in which LCB has an emerging role. Techniques for extraction and recovery of mono- and oligosaccharides from LCB are critically discussed and influence of the heterogeneous nature of the feedstocks and different methods for recovery of these sugars in the development of the customized glycoconjugates is explored. Although reports on the use of LCB for the production of glycoconjugates are scarce, this review sets clear that the potential of LCB as a source for the production of valuable glycoconjugates cannot be underestimated and encourages that future research should focus on refining the existing methodologies and exploring new approaches to fully realize the potential of LCB in glycoconjugate production.

Recent developments on graphene and its derivatives based electrochemical sensors for determinations of food contaminants.

The sensing of food contaminants is essential to prevent their adverse health effects on the consumers. Electrochemical sensors are promising in the determination of electroactive analytes including food pollutants, biomolecules etc. Graphene nanomaterials offer many benefits as electrode material in a sensing device. To further improve the analytical performance, doped graphene or derivatives of graphene such as reduced graphene oxide and their nanocomposites were explored as electrode materials. Herein, the advancements in graphene and its derivatives-based electrochemical sensors for analysis of food pollutants were summarized. Determinations of both organic (food colourants, pesticides, drugs, etc.) and inorganic pollutants (metal cations and anions) were considered. The influencing factors including nature of electrode materials and food pollutants, pH, electroactive surface area etc., on the sensing performances of modified electrodes were highlighted. The results of pollutant detection in food samples by the graphene-based electrode have also been outlined. Lastly, conclusions and current challenges in effective real sample detection were presented.

Halides and oxyhalides-based photocatalysts for abatement of organic water contaminants - An overview.

Recently, halides (silver halides, AgX; perosvkite halides, ABX3) and oxyhalides (bismuth oxyhalides, BiOX) based nanomaterials are noticeable photocatalysts in the degradation of organic water pollutants. Therefore, we review the recent reports to explore improvement strategies adopted in AgX, ABX3 and BiOX (X = Cl, Br and I)-based photocatalysts in water pollution remediation. Herein, the photocatalytic degradation performances of each type of these photocatalysts were discussed. Strategies such as tailoring the morphology, crystallographic facet exposure, surface area, band structure, and creation of surface defects to improve photocatalytic activities of pure halides and BiOCl photocatalysts are emphasized. Other strategies like metal ion and/or non-metal doping and construction of composites, adopted in these photocatalysts were also reviewed. Furthermore, the way of production of active radicals by these photocatalysts under ultraviolet/visible light source is highlighted. The deciding factors such as structure of pollutant, light sources and other parameters on the photocatalytic performances of these materials were also explored. Based on this literature survey, the need of further research on AgX, ABX3 and BiOX-based photocatalysts were suggested. This review might be beneficial for researchers who are working in halides and oxyhalides-based photocatalysis for water treatment.

Ecological Drawbacks of Nanomaterials Produced on an Industrial Scale: Collateral Effect on Human and Environmental Health.

Currently, hundreds of different nanomaterials with a broad application in products that make daily lives a little bit easier, in every aspect, are being produced on an industrial scale at thousands of tons per year. However, several scientists, researchers, politics, and ordinary citizens have stated their concern regarding the life cycle, collateral effects, and final disposal of these cutting-edge materials. This review summarizes, describes, and discusses all manuscripts published in the Journal Citation Reports during the last 10 years, which studied the toxicity or the effects of nanomaterials on human and environmental health. It was observed that 23.62% of the manuscripts analyzed found no ecological or human risks; 54.39% showed that several nanomaterials have toxicological effects on the ecosystems, human, or environmental health. In comparison, only 21.97% stated the nanomaterials had a beneficial impact on those. Although only 54.39% of the manuscripts reported unfavorable effects of nanomaterials on ecosystems, human, or environmental health, it is relevant because the potential damage is invaluable. Therefore, it is imperative to make toxicological studies of nanomaterials with holistic focus under strictly controlled real conditions before their commercialization, to deliver to the market only innocuous and environmentally friendly products.

Visible light driven exotic p (CuO) - n (TiO2) heterojunction for the photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol and antibacterial activity.

The treatment of industrial waste and harmful bacteria is an important topic due to the release of toxins from the industrial pollutants that damage the water resources. These harmful sources frighten the life of every organism which was later developed as the carcinogenic and mutagenic agents. Therefore, the current study focuses on the breakdown or degradation of 4-chlorophenol and the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli). As a well-known catalyst, pure titanium-di-oxide (TiO2) had not shown the photocatalytic activity in the visible light region. Hence, band position of TiO2 need to be shifted to bring out the absorption in the visible light region. For this purpose, the n-type TiO2 nanocrystalline material's band gap got varied by adding different ratios of p-type CuO. The result had appeared in the formation of p (CuO) - n (TiO2) junction synthesized from sol-gel followed by chemical precipitation methods. The optical band gap value was determined by Kubelka-Munk (K-M) plot through UV-Vis diffusive reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Further, the comprehensive mechanism and the results of photocatalytic and antibacterial activities were discussed in detail. These investigations are made for tuning the TiO2 catalyst towards improving or eliminating the existing various environmental damages.

Investigation of patent foramen ovale as a mechanism for brain metastasis in patients without prior lung involvement.

PURPOSE: The mechanisms of brain metastasis are incompletely understood. Circulating tumor cells travel to the right heart and through the pulmonary circulation, where they may become lung metastases, and can circulate further to the left heart and brain. In patients who develop brain metastases without lung involvement, we hypothesized that cancer cells may travel directly from the right atrium to left atrium via a patent foramen ovale (PFO), akin to paradoxical embolism. If the prevalence of PFO is greater in these individuals compared to the general population (20-30%), PFO may play a role in brain metastasis, and prophylactic closure may provide benefit. Accordingly, we investigated the prevalence of PFO in patients with brain metastases without prior lung involvement. METHODS: We prospectively identified patients with brain metastases from a non-lung primary cancer with no preceding or concurrent lung involvement. Nine eligible participants underwent a transcranial Doppler study with intravenous agitated saline to assess for PFO. RESULTS: Among nine participants, primary cancers were breast (n = 6), upper gastrointestinal (n = 2), and thyroid (n = 1). A positive bubble study was identified in 2/9 (22.2%) participants: one female with breast cancer and one male with duodenal adenocarcinoma. No participants developed lung metastases on subsequent chest imaging. CONCLUSION: In this prospective pilot study, we found a similar prevalence of PFO in patients who developed brain metastases without preceding lung involvement compared to estimates for the general population. Through a larger study is needed, the development of brain metastases in these individuals may primarily reflect tumor-specific biological factors diecting metastasis organotropism.

Expression of p27 and p16 and their clinical significance in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Deregulated expression of cell cycle regulators p27 and p16 is associated with cancer progression. p27kip1 and p16INKa are a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor whose major target is the cyclinE/CDK2 and cyclinD/CDK4/6 complex, respectively, that governs cell cycle transition from late G1 to S phase. METHODS: We recruited biopsies of a total of 84 subjects including 72 primary tumor biopsies from histopathologically proven gastric carcinoma, 8 adjacent controls and 12 independent controls. We used gastric cancer cell line, AGS, for validation of our data. Expression profiling at transcript level was done by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and at proteome level by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Receiver operator characteristics analysis was done for determining the diagnostic utility of p27 and p16 with respect to the sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: We demonstrate that p27 and p16 are frequently over expressed in early stages of gastric carcinoma. Our semi-quantitative data show a significant upregulation of p27 (Mean ± SEM, 0.4771 ± 0.0895; p = 0.0001) and p16 (Mean ± SEM, 0.4676 ± 0.04305; p = 0.0001) at mRNA level. Concordant to semi-quantitative data, immunohistochemistry data also showed a significant upregulation of p27 (Mean ± SEM, 196.4 ± 10.84; p < 0.0001) and p16 (Mean ± SEM, 100.4 ± 23.71; p < 0.0001) at protein level. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that the significant upregulation of p27 and p16 were associated with early events in gastric carcinogenesis. Our data suggests that clinical correlation of these differentially expressed genes may be useful as diagnostic biomarkers for early detection of gastric carcinoma and promising therapeutics target for GC patients.

Persistent diarrhoea in a 5-month-old baby carrying Vibrio cholerae nonO1/nonO139 producing Haitian cholera toxin.

Cholera toxin (CT) is the principal virulence factor of Vibrio cholerae for fatal cholera diarrhoea. Serogroups O1 and O139 harbour CT and are known to be epidemic strains. The remaining serogroups (nonO1/nonO139) are non-toxigenic and may be associated with mild disease. O1 serogroup emerged with a variant of CT known as Haitian cholera toxin (HCT). The HCT strains are hypervirulent and have been associated with severe cholera outbreaks in India, Western Africa and Haiti. Here, we report the presence of HCT (ctxB7) in a nonO1/nonO139 isolate causing persistent diarrhoea.

Haitian variant ctxB producing Vibrio cholerae O1 with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin is persistent in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India, after causing a cholera outbreak.

Vibrio cholerae O1 biotype El Tor producing Haitian variant Cholera Toxin (HCT) and showing reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin caused a cholera outbreak associated with a high case fatality rate (4.5) in India. HCT-secreting strains responsible for severe cholera epidemics in Orissa (India), Western Africa and Haiti were associated with increased mortality. There is a pressing need for an integrated multidisciplinary approach to combat further spread of newly emerging variant strains. The therapeutic effect of ciprofloxacin was diminished whereas use of doxycycline in moderate to severe cholera patients was found to be effective in outbreak management.

Leg length, skull circumference, and the prevalence of dementia in low and middle income countries: a 10/66 population-based cross sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Adult leg length is influenced by nutrition in the first few years of life. Adult head circumference is an indicator of brain growth. There is a limited literature linking short legs and small skulls to an increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia in late life. METHODS: One phase cross-sectional surveys were carried out of all residents aged over 65 years in 11 catchment areas in China, India, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico and Peru (n = 14,960). The cross-culturally validated 10/66 dementia diagnosis, and a sociodemographic and risk factor questionnaire were administered to all participants, and anthropometric measures taken. Poisson regression was used to calculate prevalence ratios for the effect of leg length and skull circumference upon 10/66 dementia, controlling for age, gender, education and family history of dementia. RESULTS: The pooled meta-analyzed fixed effect for leg length (highest vs. lowest quarter) was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.68-0.98) and for skull circumference 0.75 (95% CI, 0.63-0.89). While point estimates varied between sites, the proportion of the variability attributable to heterogeneity between studies as opposed to sampling error (I2) was 0% for leg length and 22% for skull circumference. The effects were independent and not mediated by family history of dementia. The effect of skull circumference was not modified by educational level or gender, and the effect of leg length was not modified by gender. CONCLUSIONS: Since leg length and skull circumference are said to remain stable throughout adulthood into old age, reverse causality is an unlikely explanation for the findings. Early life nutritional programming, as well as neurodevelopment may protect against neurodegeneration.

Prevalence of dementia in Latin America, India, and China: a population-based cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that the prevalence of dementia is lower in developing than in developed regions. We investigated the prevalence and severity of dementia in sites in low-income and middle-income countries according to two definitions of dementia diagnosis. METHODS: We undertook one-phase cross-sectional surveys of all residents aged 65 years and older (n=14 960) in 11 sites in seven low-income and middle-income countries (China, India, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, and Peru). Dementia diagnosis was made according to the culturally and educationally sensitive 10/66 dementia diagnostic algorithm, which had been prevalidated in 25 Latin American, Asian, and African centres; and by computerised application of the dementia criterion from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV). We also compared prevalence of DSM-IV dementia in each of the study sites with that from estimates in European studies. FINDINGS: The prevalence of DSM-IV dementia varied widely, from 0.3% (95% CI 0.1-0.5) in rural India to 6.3% (5.0-7.7) in Cuba. After standardisation for age and sex, DSM-IV prevalence in urban Latin American sites was four-fifths of that in Europe (standardised morbidity ratio 80 [95% CI 70-91]), but in China the prevalence was only half (56 [32-91] in rural China), and in India and rural Latin America a quarter or less of the European prevalence (18 [5-34] in rural India). 10/66 dementia prevalence was higher than that of DSM-IV dementia, and more consistent across sites, varying between 5.6% (95% CI 4.2-7.0) in rural China and 11.7% (10.3-13.1) in the Dominican Republic. The validity of the 847 of 1345 cases of 10/66 dementia not confirmed by DSM-IV was supported by high levels of associated disability (mean WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II score 33.7 [SD 28.6]). INTERPRETATION: As compared with the 10/66 dementia algorithm, the DSM-IV dementia criterion might underestimate dementia prevalence, especially in regions with low awareness of this emerging public-health problem.

Influence of Helium-Neon laser photostimulation on excision wound healing in Wistar rats.

The importance of laser photostimulation is now accepted generally but the laser light facilitates wound healing and tissue repair remains poorly understood. So we have examined the hypothesis that the laser photo stimulation can enhances the collagen production in excision wounds using excision wound model in Wister rat model. The circular wounds were created on the dorsum of the back of the animals. The animals were divided into two groups. The experimental group (n = 12) wound was treated with 632.8 nm He-Ne laser at a dose of 2.1J cmƒ{2 for five days a week until the complete healing. The control group was sham irradiated. The parameters studied were wound area, period of epithelization and hydroxyproline. Significant increase in the hydroxyproline content (p<0.001) and reduction in the wound size (p<0.001) was observed in study group when compared to controls. The significant epithelization (p<0.001) was noticed. The experimental wounds were, on average, fully healed by the 15th day, whereas the control group healed, on average by 22nd day. Wound contraction together with the hydroxyproline and experimental observations suggested that low intensity Helium-Neon laser photo stimulation facilitates the tissue repair process by accelerating collagen production in chronic wounds.

Urinary retention and the role of indwelling catheterization following total knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the rate of urinary retention after knee arthroplasty, the various factors involved in predicting those at risk for retention and to assess the impact of retention and catheterization on joint sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all available case notes of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty in a consecutive 2-year period (2000-2002). Adequate data was available for 142 patients. RESULTS: 142 patients underwent total knee arthroplasty. 19 patients were catheterized preoperatively for monitoring urine output. 123 patients were not catheterized. Urinary retention occurred in 19.7% (28/142). The mean day of catheterization for retention was 0.66. The mean duration of catheterization in patients developing retention was 3.58 days and was 3 days in the patients catheterized pre- or perioperatively. Deep joint sepsis occurred in 2.1% (3/142)--only one had been catheterized and that was preoperatively. No case of infection had urinary retention or had a symptomatic urinary tract infection. The only factors predicting those at significant risk of retention following knee arthroplasty was a past medical history of urinary retention (p = 0.049) and postoperative morphine requirement (p = 0.035). No patients required urological surgical intervention at mean follow up of 1.97 years. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the use of indwelling urinary catheterization for patients developing urinary retention after total knee arthroplasty.

Urinary retention and the role of indwelling catheterization following total knee arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the rate of urinary retention after knee arthroplasty, the various factors involved in predicting those at risk for retention and to assess the impact of retention and catheterization on joint sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all available case notes of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty in a consecutive 2-year period (2000-2002). Adequate data was available for 142 patients. RESULTS: 142 patients underwent total knee arthroplasty. 19 patients were catheterized preoperatively for monitoring urine output. 123 patients were not catheterized. Urinary retention occurred in 19.7 percent (28/142). The mean day of catheterization for retention was 0.66. The mean duration of catheterization in patients developing retention was 3.58 days and was 3 days in the patients catheterized pre - or perioperatively. Deep joint sepsis occurred in 2.1 percent (3/142) - only one had been catheterized and that was preoperatively. No case of infection had urinary retention or had a symptomatic urinary tract infection. The only factors predicting those at significant risk of retention following knee arthroplasty was a past medical history of urinary retention (p = 0.049) and postoperative morphine requirement (p = 0.035). No patients required urological surgical intervention at mean follow up of 1.97 years. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the use of indwelling urinary catheterization for patients developing urinary retention after total knee arthroplasty.

Immunoglobulin heavy chain constant-region gene polymorphism in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with immunoglobulin allotypes in several ethnic groups. In this study, we investigated the association of a Bst EII immunoglobulin heavy chain constant-region gene restriction fragment length polymorphism with SLE in patients from the US and Mexico. A 3-kb restriction fragment was observed with significantly decreased frequency in randomly selected Mexican SLE patients and in Mexican SLE patients in multiplex families. However, no such association was observed in SLE patients from the US. Thus, the absence of a 3.0-kb Bst EII restriction fragment from immunoglobulin heavy chain constant-region genes provides a marker for SLE in Mexican individuals.