Trace-gas metabolic versatility of the facultative methanotroph Methylocella silvestris

The climate-active gas methane is generated both by biological processes and by thermogenic decomposition of fossil organic material, which forms methane and short-chain alkanes, principally ethane, propane and butane1, 2. In addition to natural sources, environments are exposed to anthropogenic inputs of all these gases from oil and gas extraction and distribution. The gases provide carbon and/or energy for a diverse range of microorganisms that can metabolize them in both anoxic3 and oxic zones. Aerobic methanotrophs, which can assimilate methane, have been considered to be entirely distinct from utilizers of short-chain alkanes, and studies of environments exposed to mixtures of methane and multi-carbon alkanes have assumed that disparate groups of microorganisms are responsible for the metabolism of these gases. Here we describe the mechanism by which a single bacterial strain, Methylocella silvestris, can use methane or propane as a carbon and energy source, documenting a methanotroph that can utilize a short-chain alkane as an alternative to methane. Furthermore, during growth on a mixture of these gases, efficient consumption of both gases occurred at the same time. Two soluble di-iron centre monooxygenase (SDIMO) gene clusters were identified and were found to be differentially expressed during bacterial growth on these gases, although both were required for efficient propane utilization. This report of a methanotroph expressing an additional SDIMO that seems to be uniquely involved in short-chain alkane metabolism suggests that such metabolic flexibility may be important in many environments where methane and short-chain alkanes co-occur

Invasive meningococcal disease in patients with complement deficiencies: a case series (2008-2017).

BACKGROUND: To describe patients with inherited and acquired complement deficiency who developed invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in England over the last decade. METHODS: Public Health England conducts enhanced surveillance of IMD in England. We retrospectively identified patients with complement deficiency who developed IMD in England during 2008-2017 and retrieved information on their clinical presentation, vaccination status, medication history, recurrence of infection and outcomes, as well as characteristics of the infecting meningococcal strain. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients with 20 IMD episodes were identified, including four with two episodes. Six patients had inherited complement deficiencies, two had immune-mediated conditions associated with complement deficiency (glomerulonephritis and vasculitis), and eight others were on Eculizumab therapy, five for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria and three for atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Cultures were available for 7 of 11 episodes among those with inherited complement deficiencies/immune-mediated conditions and the predominant capsular group was Y (7/11), followed by B (3/11) and non-groupable (1/11) strains. Among patients receiving Eculizumab therapy, 3 of the 9 episodes were due to group B (3/9), three others were NG but genotypically group B, and one case each of groups E, W and Y. CONCLUSIONS: In England, complement deficiency is rare among IMD cases and includes inherited disorders of the late complement pathway, immune-mediated disorders associated with low complement levels and patients on Eculizumab therapy. IMD due to capsular group Y predominates in patient with inherited complement deficiency, whilst those on Eculizumab therapy develop IMD due to more diverse capsular groups including non-encapsulated strains

Ayurvedic management of Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Study

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease with remitting and relapsing pattern in which long term or repeated cortico-steroid and biological medicines are only available treatment which have limited effect and carrying many serious adverse effects.[1] Purpose: Inflammation invariably involves the rectum (proctitis) and may spread proximally to involve sigmoid colon (procto-sigmoiditis) and in some cases, it involves whole colon (pancolitis). The major symptom of ulcerative colitis is blood in stools.[2] In conventional medicine there is no any treatment which give completely relief or surgical treatment. But in Ayurveda treatment approaches are helpful in such diseases. With the changing demand and awareness among these days, the role of Ayurveda is an emerging reality. Brief case history: A 36-year-old male pharmaceutical manager by occupation at Canada, patient came to the P D Patel Ayurveda Hospital, Nadiad with confirmed diagnosis of ulcerative colitis since 10 years. He has more than 10 times stool frequency in which average 5 frequencies contain blood and mucus. Before he came to us, he took conventional medicine for the same complaints but didn’t get any satisfactory result. He was hospitalized and treated with Basti and oral Ayurvedic medicines for one month period. His stool frequency reduced significantly in a day without bleeding and mucus. After one month of treatment, he is continuing oral medicine at OPD. Now he has one or two frequencies with normal consistency of stool without blood or slime. His haemoglobin level was also increased significantly. Result: He got an excellent result with complete relief from all symptoms as well as marked reduction in objective criteria (lab investigation) within 1 month

Assay strategies for the discovery and validation of therapeutics targeting <i>Brugia pahangi</i> Hsp90

The chemotherapy of lymphatic filariasis relies upon drugs such as diethylcarbamazine and ivermectin that largely target the microfilarial stages of the parasite, necessitating continued treatment over the long reproductive life span of the adult worm. The identification of compounds that target adult worms has been a long-term goal of WHO. Here we describe a fluorescence polarization assay for the identification of compounds that target Hsp90 in adult filarial worms. The assay was originally developed to identify inhibitors of Hsp90 in tumor cells, and relies upon the ability of small molecules to inhibit the binding of fluorescently labelled geldanamycin to Hsp90. We demonstrate that the assay works well with soluble extracts of Brugia, while extracts of the free-living nematode C. elegans fail to bind the probe, in agreement with data from other experiments. The assay was validated using known inhibitors of Hsp90 that compete with geldanamycin for binding to Hsp90, including members of the synthetic purine-scaffold series of compounds. The efficacy of some of these compounds against adult worms was confirmed in vitro. Moreover, the assay is sufficiently sensitive to differentiate between binding of purine-scaffold compounds to human and Brugia Hsp90. The assay is suitable for high-throughput screening and provides the first example of a format with the potential to identify novel inhibitors of Hsp90 in filarial worms and in other parasitic species where Hsp90 may be a target

A Brief Update on the CMZoom Survey

The inner few hundred parsecs of the Milky Way, the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ), is our closest laboratory for understanding star formation in the extreme environments (hot, dense, turbulent gas) that once dominated the universe. We present an update on the first large-area survey to expose the sites of star formation across the CMZ at high-resolution in submillimeter wavelengths: the CMZoom survey with the Submillimeter Array (SMA). We identify the locations of dense cores and search for signatures of embedded star formation. CMZoom is a three-year survey in its final year and is mapping out the highest column density regions of the CMZ in dust continuum and a variety of spectral lines around 1.3 mm. CMZoom combines SMA compact and subcompact configurations with single-dish data from BGPS and the APEX telescope, achieving an angular resolution of about 4" (0.2 pc) and good image fidelity up to large spatial scales

Clinical Importance of the knowledge of Ṣadkriyākāla w.s.r. to Kuṣṭha Samprāpti

Ayurveda believes that healthy person stay healthy by equalizing the Doṣas, Dhātus and Malas. The concept of Kriyākāla advocated by Suśruta Samhitā.&nbsp; Kriyākāla refers to the recognition of the stage of a disease's progression. It is also referred as Cikitsā Avasara (opportunity to treat). Kriyā means Cikitsā (treatment) and Kāla refers to the stage of progression of a disease. The knowledge of Kriyākāla helps to determine appropriate therapy to correct the imbalance in Doṣas in early stage. In Ayurveda, most of the skin diseases have been described under the broad heading of Kuṣṭha. In the present study, concept of Kriyākāla is tried to elaborate with the special reference of Kuṣṭha Samprāpti.&nbsp; Aim &amp; Objective: To study the samprāpti of Kuṣṭha in accordance to concept of Kriyākāla. Material &amp; Methods: Material has been collected from Suśruta Saṁhitā with various commentaries, Research articles, and electronic databases. Discussion: Early detection of diseases and its progress will help to cure the Disease with minute efforts. However if the Disease will progress it might be difficult to treat. And later on it become incurable. In the same way on young plant can be uprooted completely whereas the same plant is allowed to grow as a big tree cannot uproot easily. Kuṣṭha is Cirakālīna (chronic) Tridoṣaja Vyādhi manifested on Tvak (skin) if untreated later on it intrude to all Dhātus. Conclusion:&nbsp; This article will help in to understand the journey of Kuṣṭha Vyādhi from its Nidānasevan to Samprāpti in accordance with the stage of Ṣadvidh Kriyākāla

Building Babies - Chapter 16

In contrast to birds, male mammals rarely help to raise the offspring. Of all mammals, only among rodents, carnivores, and primates, males are sometimes intensively engaged in providing infant care (Kleiman and Malcolm 1981). Male caretaking of infants has long been recognized in nonhuman primates (Itani 1959). Given that infant care behavior can have a positive effect on the infant’s development, growth, well-being, or survival, why are male mammals not more frequently involved in “building babies”? We begin the chapter defining a few relevant terms and introducing the theory and hypotheses that have historically addressed the evolution of paternal care. We then review empirical findings on male care among primate taxa, before focusing, in the final section, on our own work on paternal care in South American owl monkeys (Aotus spp.). We conclude the chapter with some suggestions for future studies.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (HU 1746/2-1) Wenner-Gren Foundation, the L.S.B. Leakey Foundation, the National Geographic Society, the National Science Foundation (BCS-0621020), the University of Pennsylvania Research Foundation, the Zoological Society of San Dieg

Preventive aspect of Obesity in Ayurveda

Background: In this present scenario, over stress and unhealthy food habits with faulty lifestyle reduces individual happiness and predispose to many lifestyle disorders. Obesity is one among them. Obesity has significant negative effects on an individual's quality of life as well as their life expectancy. Obesity becomes prime etiological factors for other comorbidities. Purpose: The treatment for obesity through modern sciences which involves multi-drug regimens which can be associated with a variety of side effects as well as they are expensive. Here Nidānaparivarjana&nbsp;and lifestyle modifications can play a key role in the management Obesity. Material &amp; Methods: Review of relevant literature for subject available in Ayurveda Samhitas, previous research works, medical text books, journals, database and internet. Discussion: The preventive aspect of the Ayurveda is shown in various do’s and don’ts forms such as Dīncaryā, Rātricaryā, Sadvṛtta, Rasāyaṇa, and Saṁśodhana therapy. Nidānaparivarjana&nbsp;- The prime approach of an Ayurvedic treatment is analyzing the root of the disease and evading the causal or the contributory aspects of a disease is the best way to get rid of it and prevent the same in the future as well. Lifestyle modification involves altering long-term habits, typically for eating or physical activity, and maintaining the new behavior for months, years, and till lifetime. Lifestyle modification can be used to treat a range of diseases, including obesity.&nbsp;Conclusion: Ayurveda can manage the obesity in better way through modification in Āhāra (Diet), Vihāra (Lifestyle) and Nidānaparivarjana. The role of the Ayurveda as in preventive aspect in Obesity is trying to explain in the article

Prevalence and correlates of alcohol dependence disorder among TB and HIV infected patients in Zambia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and correlates of alcohol dependence disorders in persons receiving treatment for HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) at 16 Primary Health Care centres (PHC) across Zambia. METHODS: 649 adult patients receiving treatment for HIV and/or TB at PHCs in Zambia (363 males, 286 females) were recruited between 1st December 2009 and 31st January 2010. Data on socio-demographic variables, clinical disease features (TB and HIV), and psychopathological status were collected. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to diagnose alcohol dependence disorder. Correlates of alcohol dependence were analyzed for men only, due to low prevalence in women. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), using general estimating equations to allow for within-PHC clustering. RESULTS: The prevalence of alcohol dependence was 27.2% (95%CI: 17.7-39.5%) for men and 3.9% (95%CI: 1.4-0.1%) for women. Factors associated with alcohol dependence disorder in men included being single, divorced or widowed compared with married (adjusted OR = 1.47, 95%CI: 1.00-2.14) and being unemployed (adjusted OR=1.30, 95%CI: 1.01-1.67). The highest prevalence of alcohol dependence was among HIV-test unknown TB patients (34.7%), and lowest was among HIV positive patients on treatment but without TB (14.1%), although the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Male TB/HIV patients in this population have high prevalence of alcohol dependence disorder, and prevalence differs by HIV/TB status. Further work is needed to explore interventions to reduce harmful drinking in this population

Measurement of the inclusive and dijet cross-sections of b-jets in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The inclusive and dijet production cross-sections have been measured for jets containing b-hadrons (b-jets) in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The measurements use data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 34 pb^-1. The b-jets are identified using either a lifetime-based method, where secondary decay vertices of b-hadrons in jets are reconstructed using information from the tracking detectors, or a muon-based method where the presence of a muon is used to identify semileptonic decays of b-hadrons inside jets. The inclusive b-jet cross-section is measured as a function of transverse momentum in the range 20 < pT < 400 GeV and rapidity in the range |y| < 2.1. The bbbar-dijet cross-section is measured as a function of the dijet invariant mass in the range 110 < m_jj < 760 GeV, the azimuthal angle difference between the two jets and the angular variable chi in two dijet mass regions. The results are compared with next-to-leading-order QCD predictions. Good agreement is observed between the measured cross-sections and the predictions obtained using POWHEG + Pythia. MC@NLO + Herwig shows good agreement with the measured bbbar-dijet cross-section. However, it does not reproduce the measured inclusive cross-section well, particularly for central b-jets with large transverse momenta.Comment: 10 pages plus author list (21 pages total), 8 figures, 1 table, final version published in European Physical Journal