Structural organization of cholera toxin gene and its expression in an environmental non-pathogenic strain of Vibrio cholerae

Non-pathogenic, environmental strain ofVibrio cholerae, ELTOR Ogawa EW6 carries a copy of the cholera toxin gene in its chromosome. Restriction enzyme digestion followed by Southern blot analysis revealed that the structure of the cholera toxin gene in this organism is different from that found in the virulent strains. The xbaI site which has been found to be conserved in the cholera toxin of the virulent strains examined so far, is absent here. Results of the RNA dot blot analysis indicated that the cholera toxin gene in EW6 is transcribed much less efficiently compared to the cholera toxin gene present in the virulent strainVibrio cholerae classical Inaba 569B

Repression of the alkaline phosphatase of Vibrio cholerae

The synthesis of alkaline phosphatase by two strains of Vibrio cholerae belonging to the Inaba and Ogawa serotypes has been examined in relation to the phosphate concentration of the culture medium. The synthesis of the enzyme in both strains was repressed in cells grown in the presence of a high concentration of inorganic phosphate. Lowering the phosphate content of the growth medium led to a derepression of enzyme activity. The presence of glucose in low phosphate medium stimulated the degree of derepression. The synthesis of the enzyme by strain Inaba 569B was more sensitive to inorganic phosphate than that of strain Ogawa 154. The enzyme was presumably located in the periplasmic space since it was released when the organisms were converted to spheroplasts

Fast response and low temperature sensing of acetone and ethanol using Al-doped ZnO microrods

We report low temperature acetone and ethanol sensing properties of Al-doped ZnO microrods synthesized using hydrothermal technique. We observe the acetone detection at room temperature as well as ethanol and acetone detection at low temperature of 150 °C using Al-doped ZnO microrods. 3 wt% Al-doped ZnO microrods sensor exhibits the highest response of 231 toward 8100 parts per million (ppm) of ethanol at 150 °C. The response & recovery time are found to be ultrafast of 60 ms & 870 ms for ethanol and 110 ms & 330 ms for acetone of the Al-doped ZnO microrods at an operating temperature of 150 °C, respectively. In addition, sensing mechanism has explained to illuminate the improved sensing performances of Al-doped ZnO microrods. Thus it is revealed that Al-doped ZnO microrods are promising as an ultrafast gas sensor

Enterotoxin production, DNA repair and alkaline phosphatase of Vibrio cholerae before and after animal passage

Summary: Three strains of Vibrio cholerae differing in biotype, serotype and/or toxinogenicity were studied. The capability for dark repair of DNA and stability of alkaline phosphatase decreased concomitantly with toxinogenicity on laboratory passage of highly enterotoxinogenic strain 569B. These properties could be restored by passaging strain 569B once through a guinea-pig

Deregulation of LIMD1-VHL-HIF-1α-VEGF pathway is associated with different stages of cervical cancer.

To understand the mechanism of cellular stress in basal-parabasal layers of normal cervical epithelium and during different stages of cervical carcinoma, we analyzed the alterations (expression/methylation/copy number variation/mutation) of HIF-1α and its associated genes LIMD1, VHL and VEGF in disease-free normal cervix (n = 9), adjacent normal cervix of tumors (n = 70), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN; n = 32), cancer of uterine cervix (CACX; n = 174) samples and two CACX cell lines. In basal-parabasal layers of normal cervical epithelium, LIMD1 showed high protein expression, while low protein expression of VHL was concordant with high expression of HIF-1α and VEGF irrespective of HPV-16 (human papillomavirus 16) infection. This was in concordance with the low promoter methylation of LIMD1 and high in VHL in the basal-parabasal layers of normal cervix. LIMD1 expression was significantly reduced while VHL expression was unchanged during different stages of cervical carcinoma. This was in concordance with their frequent methylation during different stages of this tumor. In different stages of cervical carcinoma, the expression pattern of HIF-1α and VEGF was high as seen in basal-parabasal layers and inversely correlated with the expression of LIMD1 and VHL. This was validated by demethylation experiments using 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine in CACX cell lines. Additional deletion of LIMD1 and VHL in CIN/CACX provided an additional growth advantage during cervical carcinogenesis through reduced expression of genes and associated with poor prognosis of patients. Our data showed that overexpression of HIF-1α and its target gene VEGF in the basal-parabasal layers of normal cervix was due to frequent inactivation of VHL by its promoter methylation. This profile was maintained during different stages of cervical carcinoma with additional methylation/deletion of VHL and LIMD1.This work was supported by CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India)-JRF/NET grant [File No.09/030(0059)/2010-EMR-I] to Mr. C.Chakraborty, grant [Sr. No. 2121130723] from UGC (University Grants Commission, Government of India) to Mr. Sudip Samadder, grant [SR/SO/HS-116/2007] from DST (Department of Science and Technology, Government of India) to Dr. C. K. Panda and grant [ No. 60(0111)/14/EMR-II of dt.03/11/2014] from CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India) to Dr. C. K. Pand

India: <i>Regional Political Developments</i>: Anjali Ghosh: Peaceful Transition to Power: A Study of Marxist Political Strategies in West Bengal 1967–77. Firma KLM, Calcutta, 1981, 174 p., Rs. 80

BALRAJ PURI: Jammu and Kashmir: Triumph and Tragedy of Indian Federalisation. Sterling Publishers, New Delhi 1981, x, 280 p., Rs. 90 </jats:p

Unveiling the Complex Facets of Poverty: Unidimensional and Multidimensional Insights from Rural Areas of Suri Sadar Sub-Division, Birbhum District, Eastern India

Poverty, particularly in developing regions, is a complex, multifaceted issue deeply embedded in various interrelated factors. It extends beyond mere financial insufficiency, encompassing limited access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and overall living standards. This study examines both the unidimensional and multidimensional aspects of rural poverty in Suri Sadar Sub-Division, located in Eastern India. For the unidimensional aspect, this study employs the poverty headcount ratio and the Poverty Gap Index to gauge the incidence and intensity of poverty. In contrast, the multidimensional approach utilized three dimensions and 12 indicators to assess the incidence, severity, and multidimensional poverty index utilizing the Alkire–Foster (AF) methodology. The unidimensional analysis, focusing on income and consumption, highlights significant economic disparities, particularly in the western Community Development Blocks, namely, Khoyrasole, Md. Bazar, and Rajnagar. The highest levels of multidimensional poverty are generally consistent with the unidimensional findings, particularly in the western blocks. These results underscore the need for comprehensive poverty reduction strategies that address both economic and broader aspects of poverty. In areas like the western blocks, where both income-based and multidimensional poverty rates are high, strategies should integrate economic development, improved healthcare access, enhanced educational quality, and living standards improvement. Therefore, this study serves not only as an academic endeavor but also as a vital tool for informed policymaking in poverty alleviation, providing planners, administrative officials, and researchers with essential insights to develop effective, localized, and sustainable poverty reduction strategies