Spectral detection of thalassemia: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND: Thalassemias (Thal) are forms of inherited autosomal recessive blood disorders arising out of mutations in the chromosomes 11 or 16. These disorders lead to poor oxygen delivery to blood vessels and consequent splenomegaly, bone deformities, and shorter life spans. The most common detection methods for Thal are complete blood count (CBC) followed by electrophoresis and molecular diagnosis methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping. These methods involve sophisticated instrumentations and are cumbersome and expensive. RESULTS: In this study an innovative spectral detection method, based on the fluorescence spectra of a set of biomolecules (tyrosine, tryptophan, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and flavin adenine dinucleotide and porphyrins) found in blood components is presented. An algorithm based on the spectral features of such biomolecules of blood components of 20 Thal patients (10 female and 10 male) and 18 age adjusted normal controls (4 female and 14 male) demonstrate reasonable level of classification with sensitivity and specificity values exceeding 90%. CONCLUSION: This new technique could be of significant value for Thal detection, diagnosis, and subsequent genetic counselling and could be adapted for use in small primary health centres

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Pimpinella anisum seeds: Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity on human neonatal skin stromal cells and colon cancer cells

Background: The present study focused on a simple and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with multipurpose anticancer and antimicrobial activities. Materials and methods: We studied a green synthesis route to produce AgNPs by using an aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum seeds (3 mM). Their antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity on human neonatal skin stromal cells (hSSCs) and colon cancer cells (HT115) were assessed. Results: A biophysical characterization of the synthesized AgNPs was realized: the morphology of AgNPs was determined by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and ultraviolet-vis absorption spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy showed spherical shapes of AgNPs of P. anisum seed extracts with a 3.2 nm minimum diameter and average diameter ranging from 3.2 to 16 nm. X-ray powder diffraction highlighted the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles, ultraviolet-vis absorption spectroscopy was used to monitor their synthesis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the main reducing groups from the seed extract. Energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of elemental silver. We evaluated the antimicrobial potential of green-synthesized AgNPs against five infectious bacteria: Staphylococcus pyogenes (29213), Acinetobacter baumannii (4436), Klebsiella pneumoniae (G455), Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, we focused on the toxicological effects of AgNPs against hSSC cells and HT115 cells by using in vitro proliferation tests and cell viability assays. Among the different tested concentrations of nanoparticles, doses 10 µg led to increased cytotoxicity. Conclusion: Overall, our results highlighted the capacity of P. anisum-synthesized AgNPs as novel and cheap bioreducing agents for eco-friendly nanosynthetical routes. The data confirm the multipurpose potential of plant-borne reducing and stabilizing agents in nanotechnology

Influence of Dietary Seafood on the Prevention of Ocular Disorders: A Clinical Analysis

Age-related macular degeneration, retinal dysfunction, dry eye syndromes, cataract formation, and the prevalence of other vision defects are directly related to nutrients in the diet. People consuming seafood are less prone to several vision disorders. The present study was designed to validate the view. In this study, 712 visitors to tertiary eye care for eye check-ups were interviewed using a standard questionnaire, and from them, 264 persons were identified with some ocular defects. The identified cases were further screened based on their dietary habits with seafood. The isolated cases were clinically examined, and the development of ocular defects such as macular edema, optic neuropathy, myopia, double vision, dry eye syndrome, and color blindness was recorded. The results show that the respondents taking one or another type of three fishes regularly have a low impact on visual disorders. Respondents with fish intake above 500 g/week were less affected by all five ocular disabilities tested when compared with occasional users. Among the total respondents, the percentage of visual defects was seen in 62.12% in seafood users, but among the non-seafood users, the presence of visual defects was 89.6%. Statistical analysis using the Pearson population correlation coefficient, ρ (rho), further confirmed the relationship between eye wellness and a seafood diet. The omega-3 fatty acids linked with vision were also high in the fish consumed by the people. This study confirms that a regular seafood diet is good for eye health and can prevent the epidemics of several eye diseases. As fish intake contains a good amount of long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, people who consume fish in their diet are less susceptible to advanced macular degeneration and other vision impairments responsible for age-related blindness

Biofilm formation on copper and its control by inhibitor/biocide in cooling water environment

The present study has successfully identified the nitrate reducing bacteria present in the cooling water system and also investigated the performance of industrially applied biocide and inhibitor on the bacterial inhibition. In order to carry out the objective of this study, facilities and methods such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing, Lowry assay, SEM, EIS, ICP-MS and weight loss analysis were being utilized. In this study, two out of the five morphologically dis- similar colonies identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, namely the Massilia timonae and the Pseudomonas, were being utilized in the biocorrosion study on copper metal. From the surface analysis using SEM demonstrated the phenomenon of biofilm formation on the copper surface. 2-methylbenzimidazole has the addition of methyl group in the diazole ring position of benzimidazole it has create basicity environment and inhibit the metal deterioration. Meanwhile, it is also deducible from the EIS and protein analysis that com- bination of biocide with either of the inhibitors gives rise to better biocorrosion suppression (0.00178 mpy and 0.00171mpy) as compared to the sole effect of either biocide or inhibitor (0.00219 mpy, 0.00162 and 0.00143). Biocorrosion system biocide with MBM was found to exhibit 65% corrosion inhibition efficiency. Moreover, adoption of 2-Methylbenzimidazole seems to display better performance as compared to Multionic 8151, which is adopted in cooling water system

Biosurfactant-assisted bio-electrokinetic enhanced remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil

BackgroundEnvironmental soil contamination is a serious problem for humans worldwide, as it causes many diseases.MethodsThe present study focuses on utilizing biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas stutzeri (P. stutzeri) NA3 and Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) EN6, as an electrolyte for removing chromium (Cr) from contaminated soil using the electrokinetic (EK) process.ResultsAs a result, biosurfactants produced by P. stutzeri NA3 and B. cereus EN6, being lipopeptides, increase heavy metal mobility in the EK process. The Cr removal efficiency of a novel electrolyte (biosurfactants) in the EK process was compared with that of NA3 and EN6 biosurfactants. The EK results revealed a maximum Cr removal of 75 and 70% by NA3 and EN6, respectively, at the end of 7 days.DiscussionThe biosurfactant aids in the breaking down of the heavy metals that are present deeper into the soil matrix. From the metagenomics analysis, it was identified that biosurfactant changes the microbial community with an enhanced ability to remove heavy metals. The phytotoxicity assay confirms that NA3 biosurfactant solution showed 95% seed germination and can lower hazardous pollutants in the soil.ConclusionThe application of biosurfactants as a potent electrolyte for the remediation of hazardous pollutants is an integrated process. Overall, the results of this study suggest that biosurfactants can serve as an economic and efficient electrolyte in the EK process to remove Cr from polluted soil

Comparative Angiogenic Activities of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Young and Old Mice

Advanced age is associated with decreased stem cell activity. However, the effect of aging on the differentiation capacity of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into cardiovascular cells has not been fully clarified. We investigated whether iPS cells derived from young and old mice are equally capable of differentiating into vascular progenitor cells, and whether these cells regulate vascular responses in vivo. iPS cells from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (young) or 21 month-old mouse bone marrow (old) were used. Fetal liver kinase-1 positive (Flk-1+) cells, as a vascular progenitor marker, were induced after 3 to 4 days of culture from iPS cells derived from young and old mice. These Flk-1+ cells were sorted and shown to differentiate into VE-cadherin+ endothelial cells and α-SMA+ smooth muscle cells. Tube-like formation was also successfully induced in both young and old murine Flk-1+ cells. Next, hindlimb ischemia was surgically induced, and purified Flk-1+ cells were directly injected into ischemic hindlimbs of nude mice. Revascularization of the ischemic hindlimb was significantly accelerated in mice transplanted with Flk-1+ cells derived from iPS cells from either young or old mice, as compared to control mice as evaluated by laser Doppler blood flowmetry. The degree of revascularization was similar in the two groups of ischemic mice injected with iPS cell-derived Flk-1+ cells from young or old mice. Transplantation of Flk-1+ cells from both young and old murine iPS cells also increased the expression of VEGF, HGF and IGF mRNA in ischemic tissue as compared to controls. iPS cell-derived Flk-1+ cells differentiated into vascular progenitor cells, and regulated angiogenic vascular responses both in vitro and in vivo. These properties of iPS cells derived from old mice are essentially the same as those of iPS cells from young mice, suggesting the functionality of generated iPS cells themselves to be unaffected by aging

Fabrication of nano-mosquitocides using chitosan from crab shells: impact on non-target organisms in the aquatic environment

Mosquitoes are arthropods of huge medical and veterinary relevance, since they vector pathogens and parasites of public health importance, including malaria, dengue and Zika virus. Currently, nanotechnology is considered a potential eco-friendly approach in mosquito control research. We proposed a novel method of biofabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using chitosan (Ch) from crab shells. Ch-AgNP nanocomposite was characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, EDX and XRD. Ch-AgNP were tested against larvae and pupae of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi obtaining LC50 ranging from 3.18 ppm (I) to 6.54 ppm (pupae). The antibacterial properties of Ch-AgNP were proved against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhi, while no growth inhibition was reported in assays conducted on Proteus vulgaris. Concerning non-target effects, in standard laboratory considtions the predation efficiency of Danio rerio zebrafishes was 68.8% and 61.6% against I and II instar larvae of A. stephensi, respectively. In a Ch-AgNP-contaminated environment, fish predation was boosted to 89.5% and 77.3%, respectively. Quantitative analysis of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and LPO from hepatopancreas of fresh water crabs Paratelphusa hydrodromous exposed for 16 days to a Ch-AgNP-contaminated aquatic environment were conducted. Notably, deleterious effects of Ch-AgNP contaminating aquatic enviroment on the non-target crab P. hydrodromous were observed, particularly when doses higher than 8–10 ppm are tested. Overall, this research highlights the potential of Ch-AGNP for the development of newer control tools against young instar populations of malaria mosquitoes, also highlighting some risks concerned the employ of nanoparticles in aquatic environments