Enhancing electrostatic charge stability of corona charged Teflon electret films for radiation dosimetry by optimizing metal electrode backing material.

Metal electrode backing (MEB) material was found to have a significant role on the electrostatic surface charge stability of Teflon polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) electret films. PTFE films of different thicknesses were positively and negatively charged by using our home-made modified point-to-plane corona poling rotating systems. Different MEB materials and thicknesses; aluminum, copper, stainless steel, zinc, silver, and gold were applied. The electrostatic surface charge stability of charged PTFE films was monitored for 200 h at similar storage conditions. Proper MEB material enhances the electrostatic surface charge stability of electret films due to the work function of the metal electrodes and high potential barrier formation at the interface of MEB material and electret film. The studies show that thinner MEB materials provide higher electrostatic surface charge stability in PTFE films. Therefore, thinner MEB material with higher work function is an effective compromise for producing electret films with higher electrostatic surface charge stability. The findings are extremely important for the applications of highly stable electret films for different applications in particular for radiation dosimetry with special regards to radon monitoring.

Uniparental disomy for chromosome 1 with POMGNT1 splice-site variant causes muscle-eye-brain disease.

POMGNT1, encoding protein O-mannose beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1, is one of the genes responsible for dystroglycanopathy (DGP), which includes multiple phenotypes such as muscle-eye-brain disease (MEB), congenital muscular dystrophy with intellectual disability, and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy Here, we report a case of MEB that is the result of a homozygous variant of POMGNT1 that is revealed through uniparental disomy (UPD). An 8-month-old boy was admitted with mental and motor retardation, hypotonia, esotropia, early onset severe myopia, and structural brain abnormalities. A panel testing of genetic myopathy-related genes was used to identify a homozygous c.636C>T (p.Phe212Phe) variant in exon 7 of POMGNT1 in the patient, a heterozygous c.636C>T variant in the father, and the wild type in the mother. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) revealed no abnormal copy numbers in exon 7. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing (trio-WES) revealed a possible paternal UPD on chromosome 1 of the patient. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) revealed a 120,451 kb loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 1p36.33-p11.2, encompassing POMGNT1, and a 99,319 kb loss of heterozygosity on 1q21.2-q44, which indicated UPD. Moreover, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) verified that the c.636C>T variant was a splice-site variant, leading to skipping of exon 7 (p.Asp179Valfs*23). In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, we present the first case of MEB caused by UPD, providing valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying this condition.

Metal-enhanced bioluminescence by detergent stabilized Ag and Au nanoparticles.

The assessment of microbial contamination is an important aspect of ensuring human food safety. One of the modern methods for the evaluation of microbial contamination is the estimation of the amount of ATP using firefly luciferase. In this case, the choice of an effective composition of the extraction buffer is crucial. In this study, we examined the influence of silver and gold nanoparticles on the firefly bioluminescent system during the ATP extraction process. It was found that gold nanoparticles stabilized with benzalkonium chloride and Triton X-100 enhanced bioluminescent system signal intensity due to metal-enhanced bioluminescence. Moreover, silver and gold nanoparticles could be used as extracting agents. So, using gold nanoparticles stabilized with BAC and Triton X-100 as ATP extraction agents with further detection by a bioluminescent system makes it possible to develop an ATP biosensor with higher sensitivity.

Radiofrequency Energy Harvesting Systems for Internet of Things Applications: A Comprehensive Overview of Design Issues.

Radiofrequency energy harvesting (RF-EH) solutions have evolved significantly in recent years due to the ubiquity of electromagnetic waves in any environment. This review presents a comprehensive report on autonomous wireless sensor (WS) design considerations based on RF-EH. The obtainability of RF-EH-WS is driven by development efforts in the areas of RF-EH circuit design, known as rectifying antenna (Rectenna), the minimization of the energy budget of WS (MEB-WS), and finally, power management modules (PMM). The PMM aims to optimize the energy efficiency of the WS. In addition to these three factors, examining the RF power levels harvested related to the rectenna feeding technique (RFT) is essential. Since we did not find any review presenting a holistic view of these design considerations, we strived to provide a detailed picture of recent advances and new enhancements in this review. To address this issue, this review gives an overview of the seminal and contemporary studies in the RF-EH-WS field. The IoT issues are also discussed in terms of their basic requirement to support reduced size or miniaturized smart objects, which are common matters in current applications of WS nodes. Potential open issues that might be considered for future research are also discussed in this article. For a more detailed description of all presented concepts, many significant references are provided for the readers.

A recurrent homozygous missense DPM3 variant leads to muscle and brain disease.

Biallelic pathogenic variants in the genes encoding the dolichol-phosphate mannose synthase subunits (DPM) which produce mannosyl donors for glycosylphosphatidylinositols, N-glycan and protein O- and C-mannosylation, are rare causes of congenital disorders of glycosylation. Pathogenic variants in DPM1 and DPM2 are associated with muscle-eye-brain (MEB) disease, whereas DPM3 variants have mostly been reported in patients with isolated muscle disease-dystroglycanopathy. Thus far, only one affected individual with compound heterozygous DPM3 variants presenting with myopathy, mild intellectual disability, seizures, and nonspecific white matter abnormalities (WMA) around the lateral ventricles has been described. Here we present five affected individuals from four unrelated families with global developmental delay/intellectual disability ranging from mild to severe, microcephaly, seizures, WMA, muscle weakness and variable cardiomyopathy. Exome sequencing of the probands revealed an ultra-rare homozygous pathogenic missense DPM3 variant NM_018973.4:c.221A>G, p.(Tyr74Cys) which segregated with the phenotype in all families. Haplotype analysis indicated that the variant arose independently in three families. Functional analysis did not reveal any alteration in the N-glycosylation pathway caused by the variant; however, this does not exclude its pathogenicity in the function of the DPM complex and related cellular pathways. This report provides supporting evidence that, besides DPM1 and DPM2, defects in DPM3 can also lead to a muscle and brain phenotype.

Ultrastructural changes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) induced by a novel cyclic peptide ASP-1 from Bacillus subtilis: A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study / Cambios ultraestructurales en Staphylococcusaureus resistente a meticilina (SARM) inducidos por un nuevo péptido cíclico ASP-1 de Bacillussubtilis: un estudio con microscopio electrónico de barrido (MEB)

ABSTRACT Increasing antimicrobial resistance amongStaphylococcus aureusnecessitates a new antimicrobial with a different site of action. We have isolated a novel cyclic peptide-1 (ASP-1) fromBacillussubtiliswith potent activity against methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA) at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8-64μg/ml. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated drastic changes in the cellular architecture of ASP-1 treated cells ofS. aureusATCC 29213 and an MRSA clinical isolate at MICs, with damages to the cell wall, membrane lysis and probable leakage of cytoplasmic contents at minimum bactericidal concentrations. The ultrastructure alterations induced by ASP-1 have also been compared with those of oxacillin-treated MRSA cells at its MIC using scanning electron microscopy.

RESUMEN El incremento de la resistencia antimicrobiana entre los tipos deS. aureusexige un nuevo agente antimicrobiano con un sitio de acción diferente. Aislamos un nuevo péptido cíclico (ASP-1) deBacillussubtiliscon potente actividad frente aS. aureusresistente a meticilina (SARM) en una concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) de 8-64μg/ml. Las micrografías obtenidas con microscopio electrónico de barrido mostraron cambios drásticos en la arquitectura celular de las células deS. aureusATCC 29213 tratadas con ASP-1, y un aislamiento clínico de SARM a la CIM, con daños a la pared celular, lisis de la membrana y probable fuga de contenido citoplasmático a concentraciones bactericidas mínimas. Comparamos también, las alteraciones de la ultraestructura inducidas por ASP-1 con las de células de SARM tratadas con oxacilina a su CIM, utilizando microscopio electrónico de barrido.

Effect of Light Sources on Bond Strength of Different Composite Resins Repaired with Bulk-Fill Composite / Efecto del tipo de fuente luz en la resistencia adhesiva de distintas resinas compuestas reparados con una resina bulk-fill

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of different light sources on shear bond strength when bulk-fill composite was used for the repair of different composite resins. A total of 126 samples made from six resin composites with different properties were aged (thermal-cycling with 5000 cycle), exposed to the same surface treatments and adhesive procedure. Then, they were repaired with a bulk-fill composite. At the polymerization step, each group was divided into three subgroups (n=7) and light cured with a QTH light source for 40s and two different LED light sources for 20s. Subsequently, the specimens were aged in distilled water at 37 ºC for 4 weeks and then subjected to shear bond strength test. Then, the specimens were examined under a stereomicroscope to identify modes of failure and visualized by Scanning Electron Microscope. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey HSD Test (α=0.05). In all groups, the light curing units had an impact on shear bond strength (p<0.05). Among the study groups, the greatest bond strength values were observed in the specimens repaired using the LED and the specimens repaired with the QTH light curing unit had the lowest bond strength values. It was concluded that the content of composite resins and light curing units may influence bond strength of different composites repaired with the bulk-fill composite.

Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar y comparar los efectos de diferentes fuentes de luz sobre la resistencia de la unión al cizallamiento cuando se utiliza una resina bulk-fill para la reparación de diferentes resinas compuestas. Se envejecieron un total de 126 muestras fabricadas con seis compuestos de resina con diferentes propiedades (ciclo térmico con 5000 ciclos), expuestas a los mismos tratamientos de superficie y procedimiento adhesivo. Luego, fueron reparadas con una resina bulk- fill. En el paso de polimerización, cada grupo fue dividido en tres subgrupos (n=7) y fotopolimerizado con una fuente de luz QTH por 40s y dos fuentes de luz LED por 20s. Posteriormente, los especímenes se envejecieron en agua destilada a 37 ºC durante 4 semanas y luego se sometieron a una prueba de resistencia adhesiva de cizalla. Luego, los especímenes fueron examinados bajo un estereomicroscopio para identificar los modos de falla y visualizados por el Microscopio Electrónico de Barrido. Los datos obtenidos del estudio fueron analizados usando el ANOVA y la prueba Tukey HSD (α=0.05). En todos los grupos, las unidades de fotopolimerización tuvieron un impacto en la fuerza de adhesión al cizallamiento (p<0,05). Entre los grupos de estudio, los mayores valores de fuerza de adhesión se observaron en los especímenes reparados utilizando el LED y los especímenes reparados con la unidad de fotopolimerización QTH tuvieron los valores de fuerza de adhesión más bajos. Se llegó a la conclusión de que el contenido de las resinas compuestas y las unidades de fotopolimerización pueden influir en la fuerza de adhesión de los diferentes compuestos reparados con resinas bulk-fill.

Ultrastructural changes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) induced by a novel cyclic peptide ASP-1 from Bacillus subtilis: A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study.

Increasing antimicrobial resistance among Staphylococcus aureus necessitates a new antimicrobial with a different site of action. We have isolated a novel cyclic peptide-1 (ASP-1) from Bacillussubtilis with potent activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8-64µg/ml. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated drastic changes in the cellular architecture of ASP-1 treated cells of S. aureus ATCC 29213 and an MRSA clinical isolate at MICs, with damages to the cell wall, membrane lysis and probable leakage of cytoplasmic contents at minimum bactericidal concentrations. The ultrastructure alterations induced by ASP-1 have also been compared with those of oxacillin-treated MRSA cells at its MIC using scanning electron microscopy.

Glycosyltransferase POMGNT1 deficiency strengthens N-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion.

Defects in protein O-mannosylation lead to severe congenital muscular dystrophies collectively known as α-dystroglycanopathy. A hallmark of these diseases is the loss of the O-mannose-bound matriglycan on α-dystroglycan, which reduces cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix. Mutations in protein O-mannose ß1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 (POMGNT1), which is crucial for the elongation of O-mannosyl glycans, have mainly been associated with muscle-eye-brain (MEB) disease. In addition to defects in cell-extracellular matrix adhesion, aberrant cell-cell adhesion has occasionally been observed in response to defects in POMGNT1. However, specific molecular consequences of POMGNT1 deficiency on cell-cell adhesion are largely unknown. We used POMGNT1 knockout HEK293T cells and fibroblasts from an MEB patient to gain deeper insight into the molecular changes in POMGNT1 deficiency. Biochemical and molecular biological techniques combined with proteomics, glycoproteomics, and glycomics revealed that a lack of POMGNT1 activity strengthens cell-cell adhesion. We demonstrate that the altered intrinsic adhesion properties are due to an increased abundance of N-cadherin (N-Cdh). In addition, site-specific changes in the N-glycan structures in the extracellular domain of N-Cdh were detected, which positively impact on homotypic interactions. Moreover, in POMGNT1-deficient cells, ERK1/2 and p38 signaling pathways are activated and transcriptional changes that are comparable with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are triggered, defining a possible molecular mechanism underlying the observed phenotype. Our study indicates that changes in cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion and other EMT-related processes may contribute to the complex clinical symptoms of MEB or α-dystroglycanopathy in general and suggests that the impact of changes in O-mannosylation on N-glycosylation has been underestimated.

Middle-ear barotrauma after hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a five-year retrospective analysis on 2,610 patients.

Introduction: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy is the use of oxygen or gas mixtures at a pressure above atmospheric pressure for therapeutic purposes. This treatment is used in numerous pathological processes. Its main side effect is middle ear barotrauma (MEB), which represents a great concern for iatrogenic HBO2 therapy. The aim of this work is to describe this adverse event in order to highlight clinical elements that can contribute to its prevention and management. Methods: We conducted a five-year retrospective study from January 2013 to December 2017, where 2,610 patients were selected, in the Hyperbaric Medicine Centre, Sainte- Marguerite Hospital of Marseille, France. Results: 262 patients experienced MEB after HBO2, representing a prevalence of 10.04% and incidence of 0.587%. Their average age was 55 ± 19 years. Women were more affected than men. We have not highlighted a seasonality to this condition. Risk factors were: age older than 55 years, female gender, ear, nose and throat history (cancer, radiotherapy, infections or allergies, malformations or benign tumors), general history (smoking, obstructive breathing disorders, thyroid disorders and obesity), HBO2-approved indications of sudden deafness and delayed wound healing, and altered tympanic mobility on initial examination. Although the benign stages of Haines-Harris classification were the most encountered in our study, MEB was responsible for premature discontinuation of HBO2. Conclusion: MEB is a common condition responsible for many premature discontinuations of HBO2. Its origin is multifactorial, associating non-modifiable and modifiable factors. Better management of this affection will further contribute to making HBO2 a low-risk treatment.

Two middle-aged women with the Finnish variant of muscle-eye-brain disease (MEB).

Muscle-eye-brain disease (MEB) is a recessively inherited rare disease. Sixteen different gene mutations are known, with the most common mutations in the POMGNT1 gene. The disease is now called congenital muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy type A3 (MDDGA3). It manifests itself as muscular dystrophy with eye and brain anomalies and intellectual disability. Previous clinical reports describe young patients. We have been able to follow two patients for almost 40 years. Their clinical picture has remained quite stable since adolescence, appearing as severe intellectual and motor disability, extremely limited communication skills, visual impairment, epilepsy, joint contractures, repeated bowel obstructions, teeth abrasion due to bruxism, an irregular sleep pattern and as a previously unreported feature hypothermic periods manifesting as excessive sleepiness.

Middle ear barotrauma during hyperbaric oxygen therapy; a review of occurrences in 5,962 patients.

Hyperbaric-associated middle ear barotrauma (MEB) is one of the most common side effects of the exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy. This retrospective observational study of 5,962 patients undergoing longterm therapy for chronic conditions took place at the local Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (DHMU) in Villafranca-Verona (Italy), a DHMU that administers, in multiplace chambers, more than 20,000 HBO2 treatments per year. The study was designed to weight and analyze both the incidence and severity of MEBs at the facility. Thanks to a systematic recording method over eight years, 2003-2010, we observed 549 MEBs (9.2% of all HBO2 treatments). The majority of them were female patients older than 50. MEBs observed were usually of minor complexity, with minimal otoscopic changes (69.03% of our occurrences were registered as Wallace-Teed Grade 1). MEBs were registered in 20.3% of those patients already suffering from difficulties in equalizing ear pressure, and/or presenting ear pain during the initial compression phase (descent) of the hyperbaric treatment. Inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, with special attention to rhinitis, appear to be a condition capable of predisposing patients in developing MEB. MEB did lead to the suspension of therapy for 89 patients in our case series. This was 16.2% of all the MEBs registered, or 1.49% of all patients who underwent HBO2 at the facility in the considered time lapse.

Compound heterozygous POMGNT1 mutations leading to muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy type A3: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Dystroglycanopathies, which are caused by reduced glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan, are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by variable brain and skeletal muscle involvement. Muscle-eye-brain disease (or muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy type 3 A) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy, ocular abnormalities, and lissencephaly. CASE PRESENTATION: We report clinical and genetic characteristics of a 6-year-old boy affected by muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy. He has severe a delay in psychomotor and speech development, muscle hypotony, congenital myopia, partial atrophy of the optic nerve disc, increased level of creatine kinase, primary-muscle lesion, polymicrogyria, ventriculomegaly, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, cysts of the cerebellum. Exome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous mutations in POMGNT1 gene (transcript NM_001243766.1): c.1539 + 1G > A and c.385C > T. CONCLUSIONS: The present case report shows diagnostic algorithm step by step and helps better understand the clinical and genetic features of congenital muscular dystrophy.

Strigolactones-a novel class of phytohormones as anti-cancer agents.

Chemotherapy shows some promising results in the inhibition of cancer, but resistance to chemotherapy and its severe side effects may occur in due course, resulting in only restricted and narrow benefits. Therefore, there is a pressing need to find alternative chemotherapeutic drugs for combating cancers. Plants have been used since ages in medicine, and by the dawn of 19th century, various potent and promising anti-cancer products have been derived from plants. Strigolactones (SLs) are a novel class of phytohormones involved in regulating the branching of shoots. Recently, many novel synthesized SL analogues have been found to be effective against solid and non-solid tumours. These hormones have been reported to have a unique mechanism of inhibiting cancer cells by lowering their viability and promoting apoptosis and cell death at micromolar concentrations. Therefore, synthetic SL analogues could be future potent anti-cancer drug candidates. Further research is needed to identify and deduce the significance of these synthetic SL analogues.

Palpos labiales de la mariposa Prestonia clarki (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). Ultraestructura de órganos sensoriales y sensilas / Labial palps of the butterfly Prestonia clarki (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). Ultrastructure of sensilla and sensory organs

Resumen Los trabajos sobre palpos labiales son muy escasos en Lepidoptera y requieren del uso del microscopio electrónico de barrido. Los tres artejos de los palpos labiales de la coliadina Prestonia clarki se describen e ilustran, así como la distribución de las sensilas y de sus estructuras más distintivas: la mancha sensitiva de Reuter y el órgano Palp pit; el artejo basal es de mayor longitud y el distal el de menor. Se encontraron sensilas quéticas tipo 1 en la superficie de la vista lateral externa de los tres artejos. Las sensilas son más especializadas en el parche o mancha sensitiva de Reuter y en el órgano Palp pit. En la vista lateral interna de la sección proximal del artejo basal se observó esa mancha, la cual comprende un área alargada que integra cientos de microtriquias, diferenciada en tres secciones, cuya área adyacente muestra menor número de microtriquias y de menor longitud. En un corte longitudinal del artejo distal, en su porción más apical, se observó el órgano Palp pit, con forma de botella; en su interior se alojan dos tipos de estructuras, cuya disposición fue: sensilas celocónicas en la sección basal y microtriquias en la distal. Además, se encontraron en el interior del Palp pit dos tipos sensilares de difícil determinación, se denominaron sensilas quéticas tipos 2 y 3, así como las sensilas quéticas tipo 1, localizadas en el borde del Palp pit. Los tipos encontrados y su distribución en el Palp pit coinciden con lo descrito por varios autores en otras especies de lepidópteros.

Abstract Research on labial palps of Lepidoptera is scarce and requires the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques. We describe and illustrate the three segments composing the labial palps of the Coliadinae butterfly Prestonia clarki, as well as the distribution of sensilla and both of palp's distinctive structures: the Reuter's sensitive patch and the Palp pit organ; in the palps, the basal segment is the longest, and the distal segment is the shortest. We found chaetic sensilla type 1 on the lateral outer surface of the segments. In the Reuter's sensitive patch and the Palp pit organ, sensilla are specialized. In a lateral internal view of the proximal section of the basal segment, Reuter's sensitive patch looks as an elongated area with hundreds of microtrichia, differentiated into three sections; the adjacent area shows fewer microtrichia of shorter length. In a longitudinal view of the distal segment, at the apex of the segment, is the bottle-shaped Palp pit organ; inside the Palp pit are coeloconic sensilla in the basal section and microtrichia in the distal one. In addition, two indeterminate types of sensilla similar to chaetic ones were found within the Palp pit; which we called chaetic sensilla types 2 and 3; chaetic sensilla type 1 are located on the edge of the Palp pit. The sensilla types and their distribution in the Palp pit agree with those described in other species of Lepidoptera. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(3): 1324-1346. Epub 2018 September 01.

Biomineralisation performance of bacteria isolated from a landfill in China.

We report an investigation of microbially induced carbonate precipitation by seven indigenous bacteria isolated from a landfill in China. Bacterial strains were cultured in a medium supplemented with 25 mmol/L calcium chloride and 333 mmol/L urea. The experiments were carried out at 30 °C for 7 days with agitation by a shaking table at 130 r/min. Scanning electron microscopic and X-ray diffraction analyses showed variations in calcium carbonate polymorphs and mineral composition induced by all bacterial strains. The amount of carbonate precipitation was quantified by titration. The amount of carbonate precipitated in the medium varied among isolates, with the lowest being Bacillus aerius rawirorabr15 (LC092833) precipitating around 1.5 times more carbonate per unit volume than the abiotic (blank) solution. Pseudomonas nitroreducens szh_asesj15 (LC090854) was found to be the most efficient, precipitating 3.2 times more carbonate than the abiotic solution. Our results indicate that bacterial carbonate precipitation occurred through ureolysis and suggest that variations in carbonate crystal polymorphs and rates of precipitation were driven by strain-specific differences in urease expression and response to the alkaline environment. These results and the method applied provide benchmarking and screening data for assessing the bioremediation potential of indigenous bacteria for containment of contaminants in landfills.

Morphological response of Yarrowia lipolytica under stress of heavy metals.

The marine dimorphic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has been proposed as a suitable model for the dimorphism study. In this study, the morphological behaviour of two marine strains of Y. lipolytica (NCIM 3589 and NCIM 3590) was studied under stress of different heavy metals. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the morphological features of yeast cells. This study revealed that the normal ellipsoidal shape of yeast cells was changed into oval, rounded, or elongated in response to different heavy-metal stress. Light microscopy was also used to investigate individual properties of yeast cells. The average cell length and radius of both marine strains was increased with increasing concentrations of heavy-metal ions. In addition, the elongation factor was calculated and was increased in the presence of heavy metals like Pb(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Cr(VI), and Zn(II) under the static conditions.

Molecular and insecticidal characterization of Vip3A protein producing Bacillus thuringiensis strains toxic against Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip) represent the second generation of insecticidal proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) during the vegetative growth stage of growth. Bt-based biopesticides are recognized as viable alternatives to chemical insecticides; the latter cause environmental pollution and lead to the emergence of pest resistance. To perform a systematic study of vip genes encoding toxic proteins, a total of 30 soil samples were collected from diverse locations of Kashmir valley, India, and characterized by molecular and analytical methods. Eighty-six colonies showing Bacillus-like morphology were selected. Scanning electron microscopy observations confirmed the presence of different crystal shapes, and PCR analysis of insecticidal genes revealed a predominance of the lepidopteran-specific vip3 (43.18%) gene followed by coleopteran-specific vip1 (22.72%) and vip2 (15.90%) genes in the isolates tested. Multi-alignment of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that vip3 sequences were highly conserved, whereas vip1 and vip2 showed adequate differences in amino acid sequences compared with already reported sequences. Screening for toxicity against Helicoverpa armigera larvae was performed using partially purified soluble fractions containing Vip3A protein. The mortality levels observed ranged between 70% and 96.6% in the isolates. The LC50 values of 2 of the native isolates, JK37 and JK88, against H. armigera were found to be on par with that of Bt subsp. kurstaki HD1, suggesting that these isolates could be developed as effective biopesticides against H. armigera.

Análisis fisicoquímico del MTA Angelus ® y Biodentine ® mediante difracción de rayos X, espectrometría de energía dispersiva, fluorescencia de rayos X, microscopio electrónico de barrido y espectroscopía de rayos infrarrojos / Physicochemical analysis of MTA Angelus ® and Biodentine ® conducted with X ray difraction, dispersive energy spectrometry, X ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscope and infra red spectroscopy

El propósito de este estudio fue caracterizar los componentes de los cementos comerciales para uso en odontología MTA Angelus ® Blanco (Angelus, Lodrina, Paraná Brasil) y de Biodentine TM (Septodont, Saint-Maur-des Fosses, Francia) mediante Microscopia Electrónica de Barrido, difracción de rayos X, fluorescencia de rayos X, espectrometría de dispersión de electrones y espectroscopia infrarroja. Los dos cementos se mezclaron según las indicaciones del fabricante. Se les practicó un estudio de textura de superficie mediante el microscopio electrónico de barrido (MEB), un análisis de difracción de rayos X (DRX), un análisis de fluorescencia de rayos X (FRX), un análisis de espectrometría de energía dispersiva (EDS) y un análisis de espectroscopia infrarroja (IR), para determinar los grupos funcionales. Resultados: Se presentó una diferencia en el análisis XRD entre Biodentine presentó Na2O y ZrO2 mientras que están ausentes en el MTA. El MTA presentó Cr2O3 y BiO2 ausentes en el Biodentine. En el análisis de EDS las diferencias fueron en el agente radiopacador y que el Biodentine presentó Cl a diferencia del MTA y en el análisis estadístico realizado, a pesar de que prácticamente se presentaron los mismos componentes, los porcentajes en los contenidos de éstos fueron estadísticamente signifi cativos. En el análisis de MEB hay una gran diferencia, el MTA presenta una superfi cie porosa e irregular, el Biodentine una forma fi brilar e irregular. Conclusión: Existe una gran similitud en los componentes químicos entre el MTA Angelus y Biodentine con excepción de los componentes químicos para proporcionarles radiopacidad, el tamaño y la forma del grano y en el caso del Biodentine el cloruro de calcio.

The aim of the present study was to characterize components of commercial cements used in dentistry MTA Angelus® White (Angelus Lodrina, Parana Brazil) and Biodentine TM (Septodont, Saint-Maurdes Fosses, France). Techniques used for said characterization were Scanning Electron Microscope, X-Ray Diffraction, X Ray Fluorescence, Electron Dispersion Spectrometry, and Infrared Spectroscopy. Both cements were mixed according to manufactures instructions. A study of surface texture was conducted with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and X Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, and X Ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), an analysis of Dispersive Energy Spectrometry (DES), as well as an Infra Red Spectroscopy (IRS) in order to determine functional groups. Results: In XRD analysis, a difference was found: Biodentine exhibited Na2O and ZrO2. These elements were absent in MTA. MTA presented Cr2O3 and BiO2 which in turn were absent in Biodentine. EDS analysis revealed that differences were found in the radio-opacifying agent, and that Biodentine presented CaCl2 differing in this from MTA. Statistical analysis conducted revealed statistically signifi cant percentages in contents, even though components were found to be practically the same. SEM analysis revealed marked differences: MTA presented irregular and porous surface whereas Biodentine exhibited irregular and filament form. Conclusion: There is a great similarity in the chemical components of MTA Angelus and Biodentine, with the exception of chemical components providing radio-opacity, the size and form of the grain, and, in Biodentine presence of calcium chloride.

[Dormancy of Candida albicans ATCC10231 in the presence of amphotericin B. Investigation using the scanning electron microscope (SEM)]. / Dormance de Candida albicans ATCC10231 en présence d'amphotéricine B. Investigation au microscope électronique à balayage (MEB).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to visualize the morphology of Candida albicans ATCC10231 in the absence and in the presence of amphotericin B at 0.4 µg/mL, to better understand the phenomenon responsible for a large portion of cases of treatment failure called "dormancy phenomenon". The main objective was to determine the morphological changes adopted by C. albicans in the lag phase extended before resuming normal growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to define the morphological characteristics and surface properties of the cells in the absence and in the presence of amphotericin B at 0.4 µg/mL, cells were cultured in Sabouraud medium at 30°C, and the morphology index was determined by reference to the classification of forms in C. albicans determined by Merson-Davies and Odds. Then, the technique of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with image analysis was used to measure the surface and determined the morphological properties using the plugin analysis three-dimensional (3D) integrated into the ImageJ software. RESULTS: The dormant phase in C. albicans ATCC10231 grown in Sabouraud liquid at 30°C in the presence of amphotericin B at 0.4 µg/mL extends to 21 hours. The index morphology obtained for the two samples (in the absence and presence of amphotericin B) indicates that the cell even in the presence of amphotericin B retains its yeast form (Mi<1.5) The analysis of microphotography obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has shown that the cell in the presence of amphotericin B is partially deformed; the deformation is estimated at 33.25%, with various changes in the cell surface. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the morphology of C. albicans ATCC10231 in the presence of amphotericin B at 0.4 µg/mL changes with partial deformation of the cell. This rate is insufficient to induce cell death, which partly explains the phenomenon of dormancy adopted by C. albicans prior to cell repair and resume normal growth.