Myconanoparticles Break Antibiotic Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii.

In this current study, the extracts of endophytic fungi (Aspergillus niger) were utilized to synthesize the silver nanoparticles (AnNps). In silico screening was carried out by docking secondary metabolites of Aspergillus niger with drug-resistant proteins such as penicillin-binding protein (pbp2a) and clumping factor A of Staphylococcus aureus, penicillin-binding protein (PBP3), and outer membrane protein of Acinetobacter baumannii. The molecular docking analysis revealed the interaction between secondary metabolites of Aspergillus niger with virulence factors of the pathogenic bacteria. AnNps are characterized by various physicochemical methods to determine the size, shape, and stability. Antibacterial efficacy of synthesized nanoparticles (AnNps) was screened in clinical pathogens. AnNp treatment significantly reduced the growth of MDR pathogens. The results suggested that AnNps can be incorporated to produce antimicrobial agents to control drug resistant pathogenic bacteria.

Influential role of 7-Ketocholesterol in the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Millions of people are affected by neurodegenerative diseases worldwide. They occur due to the loss of brain functions or peripheral nervous system dysfunction. If untreated, prolonged condition ultimately leads to death. Mostly they are associated with stress, altered cholesterol metabolism, inflammation and organelle dysfunction. Endogenous cholesterol and phospholipids in brain undergo auto-oxidation by enzymatic as well as non-enzymatic modes leading to the formation of by-products such as 4-hydroxynonenal and oxysterols. Among various oxysterols, 7-ketocholesterol (7KCh) is one of the major toxic components involved in altering neuronal lipid metabolism, contributing to inflammation and nerve cell damage. More evidently 7KCh is proven to induce oxidative stress and affects membrane permeability. Loss in mitochondrial membrane potential affects metabolism of cell organelles such as lysosomes and peroxisomes which are involved in lipid and protein homeostasis. This in turn could affect amyloidogenesis, tau protein phosphorylation and accumulation in pathological conditions of neurodegenerative diseases. Lipid alterations and the consequent pathogenic protein accumulation, results in the damage of cell organelles and microglial cells. This could be a reason behind disease progression and predominantly reported characteristics of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. This review focuses on the role of 7KCh mediated neurodegenerative Alzheimer's disease with emphasis on alterations in the lipid raft microdomain. In addition, current trends in the significant therapies related to 7KCh inhibition are highlighted.

Complications and benefits of intrahospital transport of adult Intensive Care Unit patients.

BACKGROUND: The transport of critically ill patients for procedures or tests outside the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is potentially hazardous; hence, the transport process must be organized and efficient. Plenty of data is available on pre- and inter-hospital transport of patients; the data on intrahospital transport of patients are limited. We audited the complications and benefits of intrahospital transport of critically ill patients in our tertiary care center over 6 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty adult critically ill cancer patients transported from the ICU for either diagnostic or therapeutic procedure over 6 months were included. The data collected include the destination, the accompanying person, total time spent outside the ICU, and any adverse events and adverse change in vitals. RESULTS: Among the 120 adult patients, 5 (4.1%) required endotracheal intubation, 5 (4.1%) required intercostal drain placement, and 20 (16.7%) required cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Dislodgement of central venous catheter occurred in 2 (1.6%) patients, drain came out in 3 (2.5%) patients, orogastric tube came out in 1 (0.8%) patient, 2 (1.6%) patients self-extubated, and in one patient, tracheostomy tube was dislodged. The adverse events were more in patients who spent more than 60 min outside the ICU, particularly requirement of CPR (18 [25%] vs. 2 [4.2%], ≤60 min vs. >60 min, respectively) with P < 0.05. Transport led to change in therapy in 32 (26.7%) patients. CONCLUSION: Transport in critically ill cancer patients is more hazardous and needs adequate pretransport preparations. Transport in spite being hazardous may lead to a beneficial change in therapy in a significant number of patients.

Complications of tracheal intubation in critically ill pediatric cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The oncologists are treating cancer more aggressively, leading to increase in number of pediatric admissions to the ICU. Due to anatomical and physiological differences, pediatric patients are at high risk of complications during intubation. We evaluated the incidence of complications during intubations in pediatric patients in our ICU. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed retrospective analysis of complications occurring during intubation in 42 pediatric patients. All intubations were orotracheal. We recorded number of attempts at intubation, need for use of intubation adjuncts and complications during laryngoscopy and intubation. The incidence of difficult intubation, hypoxia, and severe cardiovascular collapse was also noted. RESULTS: Complications occurred during 13 (31%) intubations. Hypoxia and severe cardiovascular collapse occurred in during 7 (16.7%) intubations each, while 4 patients (9.5%) (n=4) had cardiac arrest during intubation. Thirty three (78.6%) intubations were successful in first attempt and difficult intubation was recorded in 4 patients. CONCLUSION: Critically ill pediatric cancer patients have a high rate of complications during intubation.

Genetic diversity based on 28S rDNA sequences among populations of Culex quinquefasciatus collected at different locations in Tamil Nadu, India.

The basis of the present study was to distinguish the existence of any genetic variability among populations of Culex quinquefasciatus which would be a valuable tool in the management of mosquito control programmes. In the present study, population of Cx. quinquefasciatus collected at different locations in Tamil Nadu were analyzed for their genetic variation based on 28S rDNA D2 region nucleotide sequences. A high degree of genetic polymorphism was detected in the sequences of D2 region of 28S rDNA on the predicted secondary structures in spite of high nucleotide sequence similarity. The findings based on secondary structure using rDNA sequences suggested the existence of a complex genotypic diversity of Cx. quinquefasciatus population collected at different locations of Tamil Nadu, India. This complexity in genetic diversity in a single mosquito population collected at different locations is considered an important issue towards their influence and nature of vector potential of these mosquitoes.

A new species of the Choroterpes Eaton, 1881 subgenus Monophyllus Kluge, 2012 and a new record of the subgenus Choroterpes, s.s. (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) from southern Western Ghats, India.

A new species of Choroterpes (Monophyllus) is described based on larvae collected from rivers of Karnataka part of the Western Ghats. Choroterpes (Monophyllus) nandini n. sp. can be distinguished from the only other species viz., C. (Monophyllus) monophyllus by the following combination of characters: (i) median emargination of labrum moderately deep, without denticles; (ii) gills 2-7 without tracheation and (iii) abdominal segment 6 and 7 without colour pattern. Choroterpes (Choroterpes) petersi Tong and Dudgeon 2003 is newly recorded based on larval collections from the eastern and western regions of southern Western Ghats.

A new record of Potamanthellus caenoides Ulmer 1939 (Ephemeroptera: Neoephemereidae) from the southern Western Ghats of India.

BACKGROUND: As part of ongoing exploration of the mayflies of hill streams of the southern Western Ghats of India, we establish a new record of mayfly. NEW INFORMATION: Potamanthellus caenoides Ulmer 1939 is newly recorded based on larval collection from the upstream of Silent Valley National Park of the southern Western Ghats. Brief ecological notes are appended.

Agreement between inferior vena cava diameter measurements by subxiphoid versus transhepatic views.

CONTEXT: Correcting hypovolemia is extremely important. Central venous pressure measurement is often done to assess volume status. Measurement of inferior vena cava (IVC) is conventionally done in the subcostal view using ultrasonography. It may not be possible to obtain this view in all patients. AIMS: We therefore evaluated the limits of agreement between the IVC diameter measurement and variation in subcostal and that by the lateral transhepatic view. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective study in a tertiary care referral hospital intensive care unit. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: After Institutional Ethics Committee approval and informed consent, we obtained 175 paired measurements of the IVC diameter and variation in both the views in adult mechanically ventilated patients. The measurements were carried out by experienced researchers. We then obtained the limits of agreement for minimum, maximum diameter, percentage variation of IVC in relation to respiration. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Bland-Altman's limits of agreement to get precision and bias. RESULTS: The limits of agreement were wide for minimum and maximum IVC diameter with variation of as much as 4 mm in both directions. However, the limits of agreement were much narrower when the percentage variation in relation to respiration was plotted on the Bland-Altman plot. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that when it is not possible to obtain the subcostal view, it is possible to use the lateral transhepatic view. However, using the percentage variation in IVC size is likely to be more reliable than the absolute diameter alone. It is possible to use both views interchangeably.

Synthesis, growth and spectral, optical and thermal characterization studies on L-Tryptophan p-nitrophenol (LTPN) single crystals for NLO applications.

The novel nonlinear optical single crystal of L-Tryptophan p-nitrophenol (LTPN) has been successfully synthesized by taking the appropriate amount of L-Tryptophan and p-nitrophenol. The single crystals have been grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. The single crystal XRD studies confirmed that the grown crystal belongs to the monoclinic system. The various functional groups presented in the crystal were confirmed by FT-IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopic studies. The absorptions of the grown crystals were analyzed using UV-Vis-NIR spectral studies. The thermal analysis was performed to study the thermal stability of the grown crystals. The second harmonic generation behavior of L-Tryptophan p-nitrophenol crystal was tested by Kurtz-Perry powder technique.

Genetic diversity based on 28S rDNA sequences among populations of Culex quinquefasciatus collected at different locations in Tamil Nadu, India

The basis of the present study was to distinguish the existence of any genetic variability among populations of Culex quinquefasciatus which would be a valuable tool in the management of mosquito control programmes. In the present study, population of Cx. quinquefasciatus collected at different locations in Tamil Nadu were analyzed for their genetic variation based on 28S rDNA D2 region nucleotide sequences. A high degree of genetic polymorphism was detected in the sequences of D2 region of 28S rDNA on the predicted secondary structures in spite of high nucleotide sequence similarity. The findings based on secondary structure using rDNA sequences suggested the existence of a complex genotypic diversity of Cx. quinquefasciatus population collected at different locations of Tamil Nadu, India. This complexity in genetic diversity in a single mosquito population collected at different locations is considered an important issue towards their influence and nature of vector potential of these mosquitoes.

Acaricidal activity of Ocimum basilicum and Spilanthes acmella against the ectoparasitic tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Arachinida: Ixodidae).

The ectoparasitic tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus collected at various cattle farms in and around Chennai was subjected to treatment of different crude solvent extracts of leaves of Ocimum basilicum and Spilanthes acmella for acaricidal activity. Among various solvent extracts of leaves of O. basilicum and S. acmella used, chloroform extract of O. basilicum at concentrations between 6% and 10% exhibited 70% and 100% mortality of ticks when compared to control. The LC50 and LC90 values of the chloroform extract of leaves of O. basilicum treatment on the ticks after 24 h were observed as 5.46% and 7.69%. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of α- and ß- carboxylesterase enzymes in the whole gut homogenate of cattle tick, R. microplus treated with chloroform extract of leaves of O. basilicum revealed higher level of activities for the enzymes. This indicated that there was an induced response in the tick, R. microplus against the toxic effects of the extract of O. basilicum.

Two new genera and five new species of Teloganodidae (Ephemeroptera) from South India.

Two new genera and five new species of teloganodid mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Pannota: Ephemerelloidea) are described based on larvae from south India: Janohyphella indica, n. gen., n. sp., Indoganodes jobini, n. gen., n. sp., Teloganodes sartorii, n. sp., Dudgeodes palnius, n. sp., and Derlethina tamiraparaniae, n. sp.  Janohyphella, n. gen., is distinguished from the larvae of other teloganodid genera by having a combination of three subequal caudal filaments, lamellate gills on abdominal segments II through V and posterolateral processes well-developed on abdominal segments II through IX, except III. Indoganodes, n. gen., is distinguished from the larvae of other teloganodid genera by having three subequal caudal filaments, lamellate gills on abdominal segments II through VI, posterolateral projections weakly developed on abdominal segments I through V, but distinct on segments VI through IX. Our new species of Dudgeodes Sartori, 2008 and Derlethina Sartori, 2008 represent the first discoveries of these genera outside Southeast Asia, with the latter genus previously considered endemic to Borneo. Emendations to the larval species key of known Oriental Teloganodidae are provided. We hypothesize that the occurrence of the new taxa in southern India is a result of the tectonic events associated with the split-up of Gondwana. This illustrates the profound biogeographical significance of how vicariance led to the establishment of some distinct oriental lineages initially on the rafting Indian Deccan Plate, which might have triggered dispersal events for subsequent species diversification in Southeast Asia. 

Growth of N-Glycyl-L-Valine (GV) single crystal and its spectral, thermal and optical characterization.

A nonlinear optical crystal of N-Glycyl-L-Valine (GV) single crystals was grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique from an aqueous solution. The unit cell parameters and the crystal structure were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) spectral studies were carried out to identify the functional groups of the grown crystals. The ultraviolet visible near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectrum was recorded to study the optical transparency of the grown crystal. The thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal (DTA) analyses revealed the thermal stability of the sample. The presence of second harmonic generation (SHG) for the grown crystal was confirmed by Kurtz-Perry powder technique.

Influence of certain forces on evolution of synonymous codon usage bias in certain species of three basal orders of aquatic insects.

Forces that influence the evolution of synonymous codon usage bias are analyzed in six species of three basal orders of aquatic insects. The rationale behind choosing six species of aquatic insects (three from Ephemeroptera, one from Plecoptera, and two from Odonata) for the present analysis is based on phylogenetic position at the basal clades of the Order Insecta facilitating the understanding of the evolution of codon bias and of factors shaping codon usage patterns in primitive clades of insect lineages and their subtle differences in some of their ecological and environmental requirements in terms of habitat-microhabitat requirements, altitudinal preferences, temperature tolerance ranges, and consequent responses to climate change impacts. The present analysis focuses on open reading frames of the 13 protein-coding genes in the mitochondrial genome of six carefully chosen insect species to get a comprehensive picture of the evolutionary intricacies of codon bias. In all the six species, A and T contents are observed to be significantly higher than G and C, and are used roughly equally. Since transcription hypothesis on codon usage demands A richness and T poorness, it is quite likely that mutation pressure may be the key factor associated with synonymous codon usage (SCU) variations in these species because the mutation hypothesis predicts AT richness and GC poorness in the mitochondrial DNA. Thus, AT-biased mutation pressure seems to be an important factor in framing the SCU variation in all the selected species of aquatic insects, which in turn explains the predominance of A and T ending codons in these species. This study does not find any association between microhabitats and codon usage variations in the mitochondria of selected aquatic insects. However, this study has identified major forces, such as compositional constraints and mutation pressure, which shape patterns of codon usage in mitochondrial genes in the primitive clades of insect lineages.

Bioreduction of Cr(VI) by alkaliphilic Bacillus subtilis and interaction of the membrane groups.

Detoxification of Cr(VI) under alkaline pH requires attention due to the alkaline nature of many effluents. An alkaliphilic gram-positive Bacillus subtilis isolated from tannery effluent contaminated soil was found to grow and reduce Cr(VI) up to 100% at an alkaline pH 9. Decrease in pH to acidic range with growth of the bacterium signified the role played by metabolites (organic acids) in chromium resistance and reduction mechanism. The XPS and FT-IR spectra confirmed the reduction of Cr(VI) by bacteria into +3 oxidation state. Chromate reductase assay indicated that the reduction was mediated by constitutive membrane bound enzymes. The kinetics of Cr(VI) reduction activity derived using the monod equation proved (K s = 0.00032) high affinity of the organism to the metal. This study thus helped to localize the reduction activity at subcellular level in a chromium resistant alkaliphilic Bacillus sp.

Detection of genetic polymorphism in the populations of brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenee).

In the present study six different populations of L. orbonalis were collected and subjected to analysis of genetic variability in terms of carboxylesterase isozyme pattern and DNA polymorphism using RAPD-PCR. Pattern of carboxylesterase revealed a similar isozyme cluster in the populations namely, sivaganga (population-3), dindigal (population-4), virudhunagar (population-5) and coimbatore (population-6). Similarly, the populations of L. orbonalis recorded 3 distinct randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers in all populations grouped above. This pattern of genetic variability in the populations was also supported by the analysis of the similarity indices and UPGMA dendrogram.

Toxicity assessment of wild bean seed protein--arcelin on Asian armyworm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius).

Arcelin, an anti-metabolic protein was purified from the seeds of wild bean, Lablab purpureus. The feeding assay containing arcelin at 5, 10 and 15 microg concentrations revealed no antifeedant effect against fifth instar larvae of S. litura. However, the enhanced activity of alpha- and beta-naphthyl esterases in the mid-gut samples of S. litura treated with arcelin suggests countermeasure against the toxic effect of arcelin.

Use of RAPD in assessing the genetic variability in Spodoptera litura.

A polymerase chain reaction based assay to distinguish six different ecotypes of the Spodoptera litura, a sporadic insect pest and a predominant defoliator of various crops was carried out. A total of 40 random primers were screened to reveal the existence of polymorphism between the populations. Among them eight showed scorable banding patterns and three primers (OPA-01, OPA-05, OPM-01) exhibited distinguishable banding patterns. However, Chengalpattu and Chennai populations revealed their closed relatedness and Coimbatore population stood distantly from others.