Production of laccase from Pleurotus florida NCIM 1243 using Plackett–Burman Design and Response Surface Methodology

Statistically‐based experimental designs were applied to optimize the fermentation for the production of laccase by Pleurotus florida NCIM 1243. Eleven components were screened for their significant effect on laccase production using Plackett–Burman factorial design. Glucose (carbon source), asparagine (nitrogen source), CuSO₄(inducer) and incubation period were found to have highest positive influence on the laccase production. The combined effect of these factors on laccase production was studied using central composite design of Response surface methodology. The optimal point of variables for maximum laccase production using Response surface methodology are glucose (15.21 g/l), asparagine (6.40 g/l), CuSO₄ (91.78 μM) and incubation period (178.55 h), respectively. The maximum enzyme activity predicted by the model was 5.0 U/ml which was in perfect agreement with the actual experimental value (4.8 U/ml). Further, partially purified laccase from the optimized cultural condition was used for the decolorization of reactive dyes, Reactive Blue 198 and Reactive Red 35. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effects of extract of soapnut Sapindus emarginatus on esterases and phosphatases of the vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Our earlier investigations with kernels from the soapnut Sapindus emarginatus revealed it as a new source of botanical biocide with potent antimosquito activity, as evident from the proven unique ability of the aqueous kernel extract to kill all the developmental stages of three important vector mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. This extract was also found to be safe for two non-target aquatic insects. As a sequel to these findings, we have further examined quantitative and qualitative changes in total proteins, esterases, and phosphatases in whole body homogenates of fourth instar larvae and pupae of A. aegypti exposed to this extract at an appropriate threshold time for its lethal effect to gain insights into the impact of the botanical biocide on biochemical characteristics of the target vector mosquito at two distinct developmental stages. The profiles of proteins, esterases (acetylcholinesterse, α- and β-carboxylesterases), and phosphatases (acid and alkaline) exhibited distinct patterns of variation during normal development of fourth instar larvae and pupae, indicating intrinsic difference in biochemical features between these two developmental stages of A. aegypti. Upon exposure of the larvae to the extract, significant reduction in the activities of acetylcholinesterse, β-carboxylesterase, and acid phosphatases were recorded, whereas the total proteins, α-carboxylesterase and alkaline phosphatase activities were unaffected. By contrast, only alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly affected in pupae exposed to the extract. Analysis of these enzymes in native PAGE revealed that they exist in isoforms in both the larvae and pupae. The alterations in the levels of enzymatic activities observed from the quantitative assays of various enzymes were reflected by the respective zymograms with perceptible differences in the intensity and the number of bands detected especially with β-carboxylesterase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity between the control and exposed test organisms. Despite the fact that the soapnut kernel extract causes mortality of both the larvae and pupae of A. aegypti, the findings of this study demonstrate that the impact of this extract is most pronounced in various enzyme profiles of the larvae rather than the pupae. Such discrepancy implicates the presence of unique biochemical mechanisms in the pupae of mosquito for detoxification of botanical biocides.     

Prostaglandin E2 receptors have differential effects on Leishmania major infection

Through their receptors, prostaglandins play crucial roles in various infections. Although prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) is implicated as a susceptibility factor in Leishmania infection, the relative contributions of its four receptors – EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4 – to this infection remain unknown. We report that Leishmania major infection of BALB/c‐derived peritoneal macrophages up‐regulated EP1 and EP3 expressions but down‐regulated EP2 and EP4 expressions. EP2 and EP4 agonists reduced parasite load, but EP1 and EP3 agonists increased parasite load in macrophages in vitro. Agonists of EP2 and EP4, antagonists of EP1 and EP3, or lentivirally expressed EP1‐shRNA and EP3‐shRNA significantly reduced parasite burden in susceptible BALB/c mice. These novel data suggest differential regulation and counteractive functions of EP receptor subsets.     

The impact of TNF-alpha induction on therapeutic efficacy following high dose spatially fractionated (GRID) radiation

A variety of cytokines especially TNF-alpha and TGF-beta are known to be released in response to high dose radiation of tumors. However, these are not normally measurable in systemic circulation unless high levels of these cytokines are produced by tumor cells. This study was undertaken to see if circulating levels of these cytokines could be measured in the serum of patients treated with high dose spatially fractionated (GRID) radiation and to correlate the finding of these cytokines with clinical response to treatment. Thirty-four patients (31 patients had single treatment site and 3 patients had 2 treatment sites) treated with spatially fractionated (GRID) radiation were entered in this study. Serum samples were collected before treatment and at 24, 48 and 72 hours after GRID radiation. Sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to estimate the levels of TNF-alpha and activated TGF-beta1 proteins. Seven of 37 patients studied had no TNF-alpha protein before treatment but showed induction of TNF-alpha after GRID radiation. Three patients showed faint basal level of TNF-alpha protein before treatment and these levels were induced after treatment. Three patients showed a basal level of TNF-alpha protein before treatment and these levels decreased after treatment. In 21 cases no TNF-alpha protein was detected before or after treatment at the time points measured. In the case of TGF-beta1 protein, 2 patients showed no TGF-beta1 protein before GRID radiation and an induction of TGF-beta1 protein was observed after treatment. Seven patients showed basal level of TGF-beta1 protein prior to treatment and these levels were induced after treatment. Seventeen patients showed a basal level of TGF-beta1 protein before treatment and these levels decreased after treatment. In 8 cases no TGF-beta1 protein was detected before or after treatment. Complete clinical response (CR) to GRID therapy was seen in 12/37 (32%) treatment sites and partial response (PR) in 18/37 (49%) treatment sites. A strong correlation was observed between clinical CR rate and TNF-alpha induction. The rate of CR was 6/10 (60%) in patients where TNF-alpha was induced as compared to 6/27 (23%) treatment sites in patients where TNF-alpha induction was not seen (p = 0.029). No significant correlation with CR rate and TGF-beta1 induction (44% vs. 28%, p = 0.36) was observed. High dose spatially fractionated (GRID) radiation results in significant induction of TNF-alpha that can be measured in serum of some patients 24 72 hours after radiation. Complete tumor response strongly correlated with the induction of TNF-alpha levels in the serum.     

Biosorption of Metal Ions from Aqueous Solution and Electroplating Industry Wastewater by Aspergillus japonicus: Phytotoxicity Studies

No abstract available.     

Combating blood stream infections during induction chemotherapy in children with acute myeloid leukemia: Single center results in India

Optimal management of infectious complication is the biggest challenge in children receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We have analyzed the data of children undergoing AML induction chemotherapy at our center from 2002 to 2016 and found that Gram‐negative infections are more predominant when compared to the published literature. There also has been a surge in multidrug‐resistant (MDR) infections over the last 4 years, which has increased the need for supportive care and escalated the cost of care. We have introduced certain novel methods to combat MDR sepsis and decrease mortality rates.     

Highly sensitive naphthalimide based Schiff base for the fluorimetric detection of Fe3+

A simple 1,8-naphthalimide based Schiff base probe (E)-6-((4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)-2-(2-morpholinoethyl)-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione (NDSM) has been designed and synthesized for the specific detection of Fe³⁺ based on a fluorimetric mode. The absorbance of NDSM at 360 nm increased significantly in acetonitrile : water (7 : 3, v/v) medium only in the presence of Fe³⁺ ions with a visible colour change from yellow to golden yellow. Likewise, fluorescence emission intensity at 531 nm was almost wholly quenched in the presence of Fe³⁺. However, other competitive ions influenced insignificantly or did not affect the optical properties of NDSM. Lysosome targetability was expected from NDSM due to the installation of a basic morpholine unit. The LOD was found to be 0.8 μM with a response time of seconds. The fluorescence reversibility of NDSM + Fe³⁺ was established with complexing agent EDTA. Fe³⁺ influences the optical properties of NDSM by complexing with it, which blocks C N isomerization in addition to the ICT mechanism. The real-time application of Fe³⁺ was demonstrated in test paper-based detection, by the construction of a molecular logic gate, quantification of Fe³⁺ in water samples and fluorescence imaging of Fe³⁺.

A simple 1,8-naphthalimide based Schiff base probe NDSM has been designed and synthesized for the specific detection of Fe³⁺ based on a fluorimetric mode.