Isolation and characterization of a biosurfactant-producing heavy metal resistant Rahnella sp. RM isolated from chromium-contaminated soil

Objective of the study was to isolate heavy metal resistant bacteria from chromium-contaminated subsurface soil and investigate biosurfactant production and heavy metal bioremediation. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis, the isolate was identified as Rahnella sp. RM. The biosurfactant production by heavy metal resistant Rahnella sp. RM was optimized using Box- Behnken design (BBD). The maximum emulsification activity was obtained 66% at 6% soybean meal in pH 7.0 and 33.5°C. The biosurfactant was characterized using Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). The highest metal removal rates using the biosurfactant were found 74.3, 72.5, and 70.1%, respectively, at the 100 mg/L amended flasks at 48 h. This study indicated the biosurfactant from heavy metal resistant Rahnella sp. RM could be used as a potential tool to remediate the metals in contaminated environments

Depolarization of sperm membrane potential is a common feature of men with subfertility and is associated with low fertilization rate at IVF

STUDY QUESTION. Are significant abnormalities in outward (K+) conductance and resting membrane potential (Vm) present in the spermatozoa of patients undertaking IVF and ICSI and if so, what is their functional effect on fertilization success? SUMMARY ANSWER. Negligible outward conductance (≈5% of patients) or an enhanced inward conductance (≈4% of patients), both of which caused depolarization of Vm, were associated with a low rate of fertilization following IVF. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY. Sperm-specific potassium channel knockout mice are infertile with defects in sperm function, suggesting that these channels are essential for fertility. These observations suggest that malfunction of K+ channels in human spermatozoa might contribute significantly to the occurrence of subfertility in men. However, remarkably little is known of the nature of K+ channels in human spermatozoa or the incidence and functional consequences of K+ channel defects. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION. Spermatozoa were obtained from healthy volunteer research donors and subfertile IVF and ICSI patients attending a hospital assisted reproductive techniques clinic between May 2013 and December 2015. In total, 40 IVF patients, 41 ICSI patients and 26 normozoospermic donors took part in the study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS. Samples were examined using electrophysiology (whole-cell patch clamping). Where abnormal electrophysiological characteristics were identified, spermatozoa were further examined for Ca2+ influx induced by progesterone and penetration into viscous media if sufficient sample was available. Full exome sequencing was performed to specifically evaluate potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily M α 1 (KCNMA1), potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily U member 1 (KCNU1) and leucine-rich repeat containing 52 (LRRC52) genes and others associated with K+ signalling. In IVF patients, comparison with fertilization rates was done to assess the functional significance of the electrophysiological abnormalities. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE. Patch clamp electrophysiology was used to assess outward (K+) conductance and resting membrane potential (Vm) and signalling/motility assays were used to assess functional characteristics of sperm from IVF and ICSI patient samples. The mean Vm and outward membrane conductance in sperm from IVF and ICSI patients were not significantly different from those of control (donor) sperm prepared under the same conditions, but variation between individuals was significantly greater (P< 0.02) with a large number of outliers (>25%). In particular, in ≈10% of patients (7/81), we observed either a negligible outward conductance (4 patients) or an enhanced inward current (3 patients), both of which caused depolarization of Vm. Analysis of clinical data from the IVF patients showed significant association of depolarized Vm (≥0 mV) with low fertilization rate (P= 0.012). Spermatozoa with electrophysiological abnormities (conductance and Vm) responded normally to progesterone with elevation of [Ca2+]i and penetration of viscous medium, indicating retention of cation channel of sperm (CatSper) channel function. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION. For practical, technical, ethical and logistical reasons, we could not obtain sufficient additional semen samples from men with conductance abnormalities to establish the cause of the conductance defects. Full exome sequencing was only available in two men with conductance defects. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS. These data add significantly to the understanding of the role of ion channels in human sperm function and its impact on male fertility. Impaired potassium channel conductance (Gm) and/or Vm regulation is both common and complex in human spermatozoa and importantly is associated with impaired fertilization capacity when the Vm of cells is completely depolarized

Ocular Side Effects of Hydroxychloroquine used in the treatment of Autoimmune Disease

Hydroxychloroquine is a widely used antimalarial drug, used in the treatment of autoimmune disease. Even though toxicity due to this is rare, it is widely studied because of the irreversible vision loss it causes. This study was done to assess the ocular effects of hydroxychloroquine used in the treatment of autoimmune disease and to assess the dosage and duration at which the side effects occur and to find the resolution status of ocular lesion. 200 eyes of 100 patients, who were diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis/systemic lupus erythematosus, on HCQ treatment for a duration of more than 7 years, referred from dermatology and rheumatology department were included in the study. The study was done in Stanley Medical College. Our study found out that 13% of patients out of 100 developed ocular manifestations which increased in incidence after prolonged duration of treatment. The incidence of bull’s eye maculopathy was found to be 2.4% (in 7-10year duration) and 5.5% (more than 10year duration). The incidence of side effects increased when the dose is taken as a higher daily dose, more duration and presence of kidney disease was found to be a significant risk factor. Out of the 13 patients, on cessation of treatment 10 patients showed stable course where 2 patients showed worsening and one needed to be followed up

Measurement of two-halo neutron transfer reaction p(11^{11}Li,9^{9}Li)t at 3AA MeV

The p(\nuc{11}{Li},\nuc{9}{Li})t reaction has been studied for the first time at an incident energy of 3$A$ MeV delivered by the new ISAC-2 facility at TRIUMF. An active target detector MAYA, build at GANIL, was used for the measurement. The differential cross sectionshave been determined for transitions to the \nuc{9}{Li} ground andthe first excited states in a wide range of scattering angles. Multistep transfer calculations using different \nuc{11}{Li} model wave functions, shows that wave functions with strong correlations between the halo neutrons are the most successful in reproducing the observation.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Lifetimes of states in 19Ne above the 15 O + alpha breakup threshold

The 15O(alpha,gamma)19Ne reaction plays a role in the ignition of Type I x-ray bursts on accreting neutron stars. The lifetimes of states in 19Ne above the 15O + alpha threshold of 3.53 MeV are important inputs to calculations of the astrophysical reaction rate. These levels in 19Ne were populated in the 3He(20Ne,alpha)19Ne reaction at a 20Ne beam energy of 34 MeV. The lifetimes of six states above the threshold were measured with the Doppler shift attenuation method (DSAM). The present measurements agree with previous determinations of the lifetimes of these states and in some cases are considerably more precise

Lifetime of 19Ne*(4.03 MeV)

The Doppler-shift attenuation method was applied to measure the lifetime of the 4.03 MeV state in 19Ne. Utilizing a 3He-implanted Au foil as a target, the state was populated using the 20Ne(3He,alpha)19Ne reaction in inverse kinematics at a 20Ne beam energy of 34 MeV. De-excitation gamma rays were detected in coincidence with alpha particles. At the 1 sigma level, the lifetime was determined to be 11 +4, -3 fs and at the 95.45% confidence level the lifetime is 11 +8, -7 fs.Comment: 6 pages, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Sanctity and Exclusion of Sanctified Women and Exempted Women

The people of the Sangam period, who lived within a multi-professional social structure such as hunting, agriculture, and war, developed some spells and rituals whenever they had disruptions in those occupations. It is the function of anticipating material needs through nature. The mantras and rituals of ancient society are mostly based on prosperity. In that aspect, the woman who is the core nucleus of human opulence is seen as a symbol of prosperity in various events. The woman is entitled to high respect in the stages of puberty, marriage, and maternity. Especially for the sake of puberty and maternity, the woman is sanctified and forbidden. This article sets out to illustrate how mantra is transformed into religion when the consecrated woman is elevated to the status of a deity

Impact of Technology on the Financial Performance of Indian Commercial Banks

The banks' freedom to choose their capital structure is restricted by the capital adequacy rules. The implementation of the capital adequacy ratio may have a detrimental effect on the banks' profitability. Since debt repayment imposes restraint on managers' behaviour, It has been argued that when capital ratios are larger, agency costs between managers and shareholders typically increase.. However, the improved monitoring required by the capital adequacy rules and the larger surplus brought about by a positive bank-borrower relationship will have a favourable effect on the banks' profitability. Indian banking. stated that in terms of cost and profit efficiencies, Indian public sector banks were more effective than private and foreign banks. The use of technology enabled banks to create their own websites that their clients may view from the comfort of their homes or offices using web browsers.      &nbsp

Carbon Isotopes Near Drip Lines in the Relativistic Mean-Field Theory

We have investigated the ground-state properties of carbon isotopes in the framework of the relativistic mean-field (RMF) theory. RMF calculations have been performed with the non-linear scalar self-coupling of the $\sigma$ meson using an axially symmetric deformed configuration. We have also introduced the vector self-coupling of the $\omega$ meson for the deformed mean-field calculations. The results show that the RMF predictions on radii and deformations are in good agreement with the available experimental data. It is shown that several carbon isotopes possess a highly deformed shape akin to a superdeformation. The single-particle structure of nuclei away from the stability line has been discussed with a view to understand the properties near the neutron drip line. Predictions of properties of carbon isotopes away from the stability line are made.Comment: Revtex, 29 pages, 11 postscript figures include

Probabilistic analysis of time to recruit and recruitment time in manpower system with two groups,

Abstract: In this paper, we consider the Manpower System of an organization with two groups. Breakdown occurs in the two groups of the Manpower System due to attrition process. Group A consists of employees other than top management level executives; group B consists of top management level executives. Two models are studied in this paper. In Model-1, group A is exposed to Cumulative Shortage Process (CSP) due to attrition and group B has an exponential life distribution. In Model-2, both the groups A and B are exposed to CSP and have exponential thresholds. Inter occurrence time of shortages to them have exponential distribution. In each model, two cases are discussed. In one case, after the threshold, recruitment policy to compensate the shortages one by one is followed. Joint Laplace transforms of Time to Recruit and Recruitment time have been found. In the second case, recruitment policy of filling vacancies simultaneously is followed. Here, marginal Recruitment time distributions have been obtained