Field Application of the Mycorrhizal Fungus Rhizophagus irregularis Increases the Yield of Wheat Crop and Affects Soil Microbial Functionalities
Posted by Acubiz | BlogABSTRACT:
The aim of this study was to test the impact of Rhizophagus irregularis, an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), on durum wheat growth and soil microbial functionalities in a field inoculation trial conducted in Morocco.
The results showed that
i) the R. irregularis inoculum effectively improved wheat growth
ii) wheat growth promotion depended on the soil mycorrhizal infectivity
iii) functional abilities of soil microflora depended on AMF inoculation.
This study confirms that field AMF inoculation can be proposed as an effective agronomic practice in wheat production and as a sustainable cultural practice to manage soil biofunctioning. To fully promote inoculation practices, a better knowledge of AMF ecology has to be acquired to better adapt AMF inoculation to environmental conditions, and thus warrant better yields and agricultural sustainability.
Allergies in Children: What’s New?—A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study
Posted by Acubiz | BlogAuthor(s)： Daniela Simoncin, Anna Peirolo, Alberto Macchi, Stefania Porcu, Daniela Graziani, Luigi Nespoli
ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of respiratory allergies is increasing worldwide, with important consequences especially for little children. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory allergies, such as rhinitis and asthma, and to point out the risk factors and their relationship with allergic diseases in a specific area of Northern Italy.
Methods: 110 children, male and female, from our outpatient service for allergic children, between 3 and 17 years old, were examined. After a skin prick test and a nasal cytology, the written questionnaire of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood was filled by parents together with their children. Results: 110 children were examined. 74% of children had rhinitis and 71% asthma. 88 patients were allergic, grass pollen and house dust mite was the most frequent allergens. A family history of atopy, family background, geographic area, active and passive smoking and home pets were associated to allergies. Older children (6 – 15 years old) had more often rhinitis associated with asthma and conjunctivitis as compared to younger. 21 Children were also affected by non-allergic rhinitis.
Conclusions: Respiratory allergies are widespread and associated to a low quality of life among little children. Sensitization to Ragweed is increasing with important consequences. Rhinitis precedes the onset of asthmatic symptoms. Moreover non allergic rhinitis is increasing and frequently underdiagnosed.
Influence of Antiretroviral Therapy on the Metabolic Profile of People Living with HIV Followed at University Hospital, Cotonou, Benin
Posted by Acubiz | BlogAuthor(s)： Djimon Marcel Zannou, Angèle Azon-Kouanou, Manoela Christelle Ahomadegbe, Kuessi Anthelme Agbodande, Jocelyn Akakpo, Comlan Albert Dovonou, Kuassi Daniel Amoussou-Guenou, Yessoufou Tchabi, Gabriel Ade, Fabien Houngbe
Introduction: Since the advent of antiretroviral therapy, the vital prognosis of people living with HIV (PLWHA) has improved significantly. However, the risk of metabolic complications is high, thus making the bed of cardiovascular disease. Our objective was to compare the prevalence of metabolic abnormalities among PLWHA receiving ARVs to that observed in those who are not treated.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study (January to April 2010) at the PLWHA ambulatory care centre of national university hospital (CNHU-Hubert K. Maga) in Cotonou, Bénin. We recruited 420 PLWHA (210 treated for at least 6 months and 210 untreated). We determined the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) defined by the criteria of NCEP-ATP III, and the prevalence of abnormal glucose and lipid, and lipodystrophy. Association between metabolic syndrome and ARVs used was analysed by binomial regression. Confidence intervals were calculated at 95% and 5% alpha level.
Results: The prevalence of MS was 16% (18% of patients treated vs. 13% of non-treated, p = 0.18). That of hyperglycaemia was 18% (30% of patients treated vs. 6% of untreated; p < 0.001) and of diabetes 7% (12% of patients treated vs 2% of untreated; p < 0.0001). The total cholesterol prevalence was 29% (44% of treated vs 13% of untreated; p <0.02). That of lipodystrophy in 210 patients was 29% (lipoatrophy16%, lip hypertrophy 8%, mixed form 6%). Factors associated with metabolic syndrome were age, hypertension, diabetes (personal or family), BMI, exposure to stavudine (OR = 1.59 [1.02 to 2.47], p = 0.04) and indinavir booted with ritonavir (OR = 2.23 [1.11 to 4 46], p = 0.02).Conclusion: The metabolic abnormalities are more common in PLWHA treated with ARVs. Preventing these anomalies should be made to the initiation of antiretroviral therapy and during the therapeutic monitoring.
Melanin Uptake Reduces Cell Proliferation of Human Epidermal Keratinocytes
Posted by Acubiz | BlogAuthor(s)： Xianghong Yan, Ta-Min Wang, Yung-Ching Ming, Yuan-Ming Yeh, Tzu-Ya Chen, Jong-Hwei Su Pang
MELANIN INHIBITED THE IN VIVO KI-67 EXPRESSION IN KERATINOCYTES. THE KI-67 EXPRESSION IN HUMAN
LENTIGO TISSUE WAS REVEALED BY IMMUNOSTAINING THE PROTEIN AND DEVELOPED INTO BLUE COLOR. YELLOW ARROW
INDICATED THE CELL WITH MELANIN UPTAKE AND RED ARROW INDICATED THE CELL WITHOUT MELANIN UPTAKE. REPRESENTATIVE
PHOTO WAS SHOWN FROM FIVE DIFFERENT LENTIGO TISSUES WITH SIMILAR RESULTS.
Melanin, synthesized by melanocyte, is transferred to neighbouring keratinocyte and finally accumulates in perinuclear site. Except functioning as an internal sunscreen to protect from UV damage, the potential effect of melanin on modulating the bioactivity of keratinocyte has not yet been fully investigated. In this study, we added melanin directly to the culture of human epidermal keratinocytes and the uptake of melanin was found to be dose- and time-dependent as determined by spectrophotometric method. The up taken melanin accumulated perinuclear in keratinocytes that is similar to the pattern observed in human solar lentigo tissue by microscopic examination. Pre-treatment of keratinocytes with either niacin amide or trypsin inhibitor reduced the uptake of melanin dose-dependently, indicating a PAR-2-dependent pathway involved. Melanin uptake by keratinocytes inhibited cell proliferation as demonstrated both by the decrease of cell number and nuclear Ki-67 expression. Inhibited Ki-67 expression in melanin-containing keratinocyte was also found in human lentigo tissue. The cell cycle arrested at G1 phase in melanin-up taken keratinocytes was confirmed by flow cytometric method. The protein expressions of cyclin -dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), CDK2, cyclin E, cyclin A and cyclin B were significantly reduced by melanin treatment. Microarray analysis, RT/real-time PCR and western blot demonstrated the inhibited expression of DKK1, a protein known to reduce skin pigmentation, in melanin-up taken keratinocytes. Together, the direct incubation of keratinocyte with melanin might serve as a useful model to study the potential mechanisms involved in melanin uptake and pigmentation process.
Anti bacteria Corings, Perspective and Opportunities
Posted by Acubiz | BlogWritten by – Anees Ahmed
Bacteria are present everywhere in the environment. In most of the time during sampling or collection of certain materials in certain environment for laboratory experiments and other industrial purposes it is important to have aseptic technique or the technique to reduce or to remove the microbes during sampling process. Most of biopharmaceutical processes for analysis of their samples involves this kind of techniques. One of the typical methods involves antibacterial corings. It is basically antibacterial substance used to form polymer. It is a method of sample collection. These are monomers having antibacterial properties and these monomers are used to form polymer which are cored. Generally they are heterocyclic, quaternary ammonium compounds.
A view to develop this antibacterial technique:
Typically these antibacterial monomers are made of quaternary ammonium compounds. A lot of research has been carried out to make use of organic and inorganic, heterocyclic, quaternary ammonium compounds. This technique has a wide variety of application. Basically it is a monomer having antibacterial properties and this monomer is used to form polymer in the form of gels are coated over instruments or sampling materials to provide antimicrobial effect. It becomes an integral part of any surface to which it is applied. This antibacterial coring has its application on obtaining crust rock sample, in oceanography, textile industry and other corer for sampling purposes. One of the present inventions provides a method for obtaining core samples crust. This method provides extraction of core samples crust, including the crust drilling, wherein, the crust core sample is coated with an antimicrobial polymer gel state obtained; the gel is obtained by polymerizing a monomer antibacterial polymer. This polymer obtained is a phosphonium salt compound and is hydrophilic in nature.
Other sampling techniques include use of polyvinyl corer preferably for soil sampling.
This antibacterial coring technique is also used in textile industry provides antibacterial finishing to the cloth material. On this research has been done for development of this textile material by making use of organic and inorganic compounds, heterocyclic, quaternary ammonium compounds, etc. Some recent developments in antibacterial products include a process involving the preparation of antibacterial resins containing phenol derivatives (Nonaka 1997).
Many other products are also available nowadays which employs polymerized antibacterial corings. Door fittings, knobs, wash basins, glass, etc are made with antibacterial protection which is a polymer structure of nylon and this cored antibacterial will not wash away easily and remain active for longer period thus providing permanent antibacterial effect.
A Review on this antibacterial corings:
The antibacterial coring method for obtaining crust core samples by polymer was invented in 2000s and was patented. This method was found to be most widely studied and popular at present. Other sampling corer were studied from many years and was in practice till now, this includes simple soil sampling corer. However the there is always a challenging situation in antibacterial corer and sampling materials. The invention of antibacterial cored glasses, handles, etc are advance study using nylon polymer. Textile with antimicrobial finishing is also a popular and was studied for a long years.
Links for reference:
- www.google.com/patents/CN1369612A?cl=en
- https://books.google.co.in/books?isbn=9380026536
- http://www.hellochem.com/patentfmen/pt44/438087_1FF5B.htm
Observations:
From all the above described inventions and studies carried out for antibacterial corings it was observed that there is a very little research has been done on this aspects and this type of study is not so popular and not widely studied. One of the key feature is that everything is made of a polymer and synthetic one and has a wide application, hence there is a scope of developing this antibacterial coring technique , wide spread opportunities and still there is lot to study and research can be carried out in view to develop this antibacterial coring technique.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND ITS DISEASE MODELS ON A CHIP
Posted by Acubiz | BlogWritten by – Gowri Dass
Central nervous system consists of brain, spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, nerve cells etc. any disease which occurs in the CNS are lethal as they damage the response mechanism of the body. Earlier these diseases were studied in the living animal models internally i.e. in vivo. But it was a very tedious process and time consuming. And there were many parameters which had to be taken care of. In recent times the discovery of BIOCHIPS made the studies of CNS diseases less tiring. Various microplatforms mimicking in vivo microenvironments of CNS can be reviewed.
BIOCHIP
Biochip is an array of miniaturized chemical or biological test sites that is arranged on a substrate so that many tests can be performed simultaneously and that is used to sequence genes, analyse proteins, and identify toxins. A computer chip made from organic molecules. This is also called as microchip. They can perform hundreds of functions and enable researchers to quickly screen large numbers of biological analytes for a variety of purposes.
Biochip, in addition to the microarray technology requires transduction and the signal processing technologies to output the results of sensing experiments.
USE OF BIOCHIPS IN STUDIES OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)
In an article which was produced in the journal Trends in Biotechnology, Korean Researchers say that chip technology can replace cell culture for further understanding of disease. They suggest that the advance study of CNS diseases is possible using compact, accessible chip technology than in current method i.e. cell culture. These microchip systems could serve as mini brains, complete with neurons, glia and connected neuronal circuitry. Earlier, these microchips were used to study the behaviour of microganglia and the cells that play a role in MS inflammation.
USE OF CHIP IN ANALYSIS OF LYMPHOMA
Lymphoma in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be difficult to identify or study by using molecular profiling as the amount of CSF sample collected using lumbar puncture is very limited. So, the use microfluidic platform for complete analysis of CSF is nowadays implemented by the researchers to save time and for effective studies by using less amount of CSF sample.
Biochips also have various applications, like it can also be used to screen and test drugs, food, cosmetics and other toxic materials. It can also be used in the discovery of disease mechanisms, and also its diagnosis and treatment using personalised or tailored disease model and medicine.
NOTE:
According to the Author, the discovery of biochip has been a milestone in understanding diseases. It can be used not only in studying CNS diseases but also diseases of gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract etc. Although it is in developing stage now, it will be of great use in the near future especially its use in personalised disease model and treatment.
Antibacteria corings, Prespective & Oppurtunities
Posted by Acubiz | BlogWritten by – Priti Gunashekar
Corings are basically are seen when alloy such as copper and nickle are heated and cooled in an non equilibrium condition. Corings mostly occur on surface of any metals or an the bark of the tree. Corings can be removed by using microbes.
Initially, corings are the act of removing a core or cutting from the central part.Corings are now a days, considered as an essential purpose. Antibacterial corings are rapidly emerging in primary component af the global mitigation and statergy of bacterial pathogen.recent concurrent advances in materials science, biotechnolgy methodologies and a growing understanding of environmental microbiology have made easier to design antibacterial properties. Antibacterial coatings are widely spread in the field of clinical researches.Recent researches aims at controlling the release of antibacterial agents,imparting multifunctionality and enhancing long term stability. Bacteral isolates have been labled sensitive or resistance to antimicrobial agents ever since such agents were brought into use. Minimum bactericidal concentration of an anti-biotech are determined i.e MIC.
Cotings realising antibacterial agents have shown grate potential to reduce nosocomial infection development of controlled realase strategies is necessary to optimise therapeutic effect. Antibacterial corings are today widely used in protection of mobile screens. It is formulated to protect touch surfaces. Antibacterial corings claims its implementation of the glass with silver that can inhibit the growth of algae,fungi,and molds. Corings matain its stability for long term applications.
Wearable devices
Posted by Acubiz | BlogWritten by – Abhidnya Parab
We all know that our busy life gives no time for ourselves. But still it is very important to take care of our health by doing medical check-up. Hence people prefer to use such medical applications which consumes very less time for detection of a desired component and also gives very faster results compare to the traditional methods of detection. Now a days various gadgets have come in the market which will help in quick detection of biological components. They are made such that it as affordable to many people, easy to operate by just knowing its steps given in its manual.
Such devices have been modified as in people can carry that with themselves. Thus these devices are called as wearable devices. They are portable and can be handled easily. Such devices includes lot of different examples like smartphone, smart watch etc.
There is an use of principle which is similar to that of bio-sensors which is used for detection of many biological material. For example diabetes, pollutants in environment etc. are detected by bio-sensors.
There is lot of research carried out on such devices. Invention of such devices definitely has lot of benefits. The use of lightweight wearable micro camera is one of the example of such device. There is poor knowledge about the daily intake of micro-nutrients by free living people. In this case the use of such wearable micro camera played a role in proper detection.
There is always a need of proper sleep, exercising and limiting sedentary activities. If this is maintained properly then in turn it helps in maintaining health. Wearable devices are now used to measure 24 hour activity cycle, sedentary behaviour, light intensity physical activity and moderate to physical activity.
There is also a smartphone available which can assess mental, physical and emotional stress through analysis of physiological signals.
Apart from this there are many such examples of wearable devices those are used on daily base and help peoples in maintaining or knowing about their health. But care should be taken or studies should be carried out on these devices in order to know whether they have any adverse effects on persons life.
GENE THERAPY
Posted by Acubiz | BlogWritten by – Suraj Kahar
Gene therapy is a therapeutic approach towards treatment of genetic disorders and diseases. The start of gene therapy can be dated back to 1972. Basically it’s the delivery of a functional gene inside the body, replacing the inactive or the damaged gene. Well gene therapy can be called as a boon for human society, but yes, it does have many flaws and ethical issues. Nevertheless gene therapy has been proved to cure many severe diseases like Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (ADA-SCID, Chronic Granulomatus Disorder (CGD), Hemophilia, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease etc.
Gene therapy has two major types:
- Somatic gene therapy: transfer of genes into somatic cells (organs).
- Germ line gene therapy: gene transfer into germ cells (sperm and ova).
Though this seems to be fascinating, germ line therapies can have a disastrous effect and can lead to mutations that will be permanent in that individual and will pass on to the next generations. Somatic therapies are almost with no dangers but their success rates are very low. Still people look forward towards these therapies because it completely treats the disorders, and generally one would prefer gene therapy instead of using costly drugs which have many side-effects and leads to microbial resistance.
BASIC OUTLINE OF GENE THERAPY
In in-vivo therapy, genes are modified in the cell, inside the body. The method involves use of ballistic gene gun, plasmid DNA, recombinant virus, DNA liposomes, tissue injection and systematic infusion.In ex-vivo therapy, cells of the patient are modified outside the body and transplanted back in the patient.Viral vectors are important since they are precise in gene delivery.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH GENE THERAPY:
• Multiple rounds of treatment requied since it is short-lived
• Leads to immune response because a foreign object in introduced in the body.
• Can cause a disease since viral vectors are used.
• Some cases have seen multi-gene disorders due to insertion.
All these above mentioned problems can be easily solved and this could make the therapy much advanced and better.
CONCLUSION:
As many of these methods are still in Phase 3 & 4 clinical trials, modification and enhancement will make it safe. Gene therapy is the future of medicine industry and will be a boon for humans.
DESIGNER BABIES WITH ALTERED GENES
Posted by Acubiz | BlogWritten by – Ashwathy Nair
A thought for the parents…..
Will you go for a baby with blond or aubum hairs?? Do you want your baby to be tall or short?? Smart or funny?? One with brown or hazel colored eyes??
Once the selection is done, its time to design your baby!!
This sounds quite amusing. However with rapid advances in understanding of human genome and the ability to alter/modify specific genes, it is now possible to “design” a baby in near future. Designer babies as the name itself suggests “Babies that are designed in such a way that their genetic makeup is altered when in the womb either to achieve desired looks, characters, skills by removing certain gene or by incorporating particular gene”. The basic aim of creating such designer babies is to carefully carry out gene editing to make controlled modifications to specific areas of genome to combat many of the diseases that is not possible until now. It is estimated that about 7.9 million children each year are born with serious genetic birth defects. So by carefully editing such defective genes at the embryonic stage can virtually help to eradicate most of the birth defects and can be a promising approach for reduction in infant mortality.
The basic principle of this concept is that during the invitro fertilization of egg from the mother and sperm from the father in a small petridish, mitochondria from the third parent can be inserted into the embryo and then transferred to the mother’s uterus. These mitochondria from the third parent hold the genes that will bring about the desired effect.
Dr.Perry carried out the precise editing of the genome of mice at the point DNA from the sperm and egg came together using a pair of molecular scissors and molecular sat-nav. It was known that injecting the egg cells with sperm, along with cas9 and guide RNA efficiently produces embryos and offsprings with edited genomes [1]. CRISPR technology is the most widely used by biologists as a tool to alter the DNA and can be a promising approach to treat illnesses like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anaemia, Alzheimer’s, etc. Having background knowledge of the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells and controlling the cell differentiation, it is possible to control the tissue formation and size of organs and expression of genes that control human traits, thereby allowing the creation of designer babies. It is a gene editing technology to replace the defective part of the DNA sequence with a healthy one or to tamper with the DNA to alter the faulty gene causing the disease.
This novel concept deals with many ethical issues. Many argue that its unethical and unnatural to create babies the way you want. Also it is morally wrong since the parents are not accepting the child the way it was. Other issue with designer babies is that if the parents selected a particular trait and if that trait is not expressed due to some reasons then it might disappoint the parents as they paid for a trait that didn’t pay off. It may even hurt the child and affect the parent- child relationship. So only after the ethical problems are sorted out, this technology can be made in use in near future for treatment of various diseases.
REFERENCES :
- C.F. Perry et al, “Asymmetric parental genome engineering by cas9 during mouse meiotic exit”; Scientific reports, 2014, art no.7621.
WEBSITES :
- http://www.nhs.uk/news/2015/01january/pages/could-dna-editing-lead-to-designer-babies.aspx
- https://designerbabiesethics.wordpress.com/