Deleterious Activities Research Articles

Cobalt-phenolic nanoparticles-driven self-assembly of hyaluronic acid hydrogels providing a multifactorial approach for chronic wound management

Chronic wounds are persistent non-healing lesions whose complex management is due to the interplay of multiple factors promoting chronicity, such as oxidative stress, overexpressed enzyme activities impeding the tissue repair and bacterial contamination. Currently marketed chronic wound dressings are designed mainly to absorb wound exudate, and at most to release antimicrobial agents, usually ionic silver. However, an effective wound repair requires addressing the multifactorial nature of the wound in a holistic approach. This study explores the potential of metal phenolic network (MPN) nanoparticles (NPs), comprised of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and cobalt, as active agents and structural elements in wound dressings. The MPN NPs were able to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), disturb bacterial membrane, and inhibit the biofilm of both gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Owing to the high interfacial activity of their phenolic shells, the NPs drove the self-assembly of thiolated hyaluronic acid (THA) hydrogels featuring injectability, self-healing, stimuli-responsive NPs delivery in wound microenvironment, and control over deleterious enzyme activities, oxidative stress and bacterial colonisation. Specifically, the hydrogels inhibited matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) by 60 and 80 %, respectively, and achieved 4-log reduction of S. aureus and 2-log reduction of P. aeruginosa concentrations. Finally, the hydrogels were in-vivo validated in a mouse animal model, showing lack of toxicity and similar wound healing efficiency as an antibiotic-containing commercial product.

Using citizen science data to assess the vulnerability of bottlenose dolphins to human impacts along England's South Coast

AbstractCoastal bottlenose dolphin populations are highly vulnerable due to their small population sizes and proximity to human activities. Long‐term studies in the UK have monitored populations protected within Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) since the 1990s, but a small community of bottlenose dolphins inhabiting the coastal waters of southern England has received much less attention. The English Channel is one of the most heavily impacted marine ecosystems worldwide and increasing anthropogenic pressures pose a severe threat to the long‐term viability of this population. Conservation measures to protect these animals have been hindered by a lack of knowledge of population size, distribution and ranging behaviour. This study aimed to fill these knowledge gaps. A citizen science sighting network yielded 7458 sighting reports of bottlenose dolphins between 2000 and 2020. Resightings of identified individuals were used to estimate abundance, distribution, and ranging behaviour. Social structure analysis revealed a discrete interconnected group of animals in shallow coastal waters, which did not appear to mix with conspecifics identified further offshore. A Bayesian multi‐site mark–recapture analysis estimated that this population comprises around 48 animals (CV = 0.18, 95% HPDI = 38–66). These dolphins ranged between North Cornwall and Sussex, with an average individual range of 530 km (68–760 km). Areas of high‐modelled habitat suitability were found to overlap with high levels of anthropogenic pressure, with pollution and boat traffic identified as the most pervasive threats. Although adult survival rates indicated that the population was relatively stable from 2008 to 2019 (0.945 (0.017 ± SE)), the small population size implies a significant risk to their long‐term viability and resilience to environmental change. By highlighting the most deleterious anthropogenic activities and regions of conservation significance, our results will be useful for developing management policies for threat mitigation and population conservation, to protect this vulnerable group of dolphins.

Enhancing the pyrolytic conversion of biosolids to value-added products via mild acid pre-treatment

High concentrations of inorganic matter such as silicates, alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs), and heavy metals (HMs) in biosolids limit their pyrolysis conversion to high-value products. Therefore, the reduction or passivation of the deleterious pyrolytic activities of these native inorganics in biosolids can enhance the yield and quality of products obtained during pyrolysis. The pyrolysis of raw and 3% sulfuric acid pre-treated biosolids was carried out in a fluidised bed reactor at 300–700 ℃, and the influence of pre-treatment was examined on biochar properties, gas production, and bio-oil composition. At all temperatures, the selective removal of ash-forming elements (demineralisation) in biosolids by pre-treatment improved organic matter devolatilisation yielding higher bio-oil and lower biochar than untreated biosolids. Demineralisation weakened gas production, particularly at higher pyrolysis temperatures. At 700 ℃, the in-situ formation of acidic metal sulfate salts in sulfuric acid-infused biosolids facilitated H+ release, thereby increasing H2 yield to a maximum of 15 mol% compared to 8 mol% from untreated biosolids and 4 mol% from demineralised biosolids. Biochar produced from treated biosolids had considerably lower HMs concentration and higher organic matter retention compared to raw biosolids biochar. The effect of pre-treatment on biochar properties was profound at 700 ℃ pyrolysis temperature. Pre-treatment increased biochar fixed carbon by 57%, calorific value by 37%, fuel ratio by 44%, doubled the specific surface area from 55 to 107 m2/g, and enhanced porous structure formation. At 300 ℃, the major chemical compounds in the bio-oil were amides (20%), N-heterocyclics (25%), and ketones (30%), and higher temperatures favoured phenols and aromatic hydrocarbon production. Pre-treatment enhanced the selectivity of furans by 10-fold, anhydrosugars by 2-fold, and aromatic hydrocarbons by 1.5-fold relative to the raw biosolids bio-oil. Acid pre-treatment is a promising strategy for improving biosolids quality as feedstock for pyrolysis to generate high-value products.

Current Knowledge of Th22 Cell and IL-22 Functions in Infectious Diseases

T helper 22 (Th22) cells, a newly defined CD4+ T-cell lineage, are characterized by their distinct cytokine profile, which primarily consists of IL-13, IL-22 and TNF-α. Th22 cells express a wide spectrum of chemokine receptors, such as CCR4, CCR6 and CCR10. The main effector molecule secreted by Th22 cells is IL-22, a member of the IL-10 family, which acts by binding to IL-22R and triggering a complex downstream signaling system. Th22 cells and IL-22 have been found to play variable roles in human immunity. In preventing the progression of infections such as HIV and influenza, Th22/IL-22 exhibited protective anti-inflammatory characteristics, and their deleterious proinflammatory activities have been demonstrated to exacerbate other illnesses, including hepatitis B and Helicobacter pylori infection. Herein, we review the current understanding of Th22 cells, including their definition, differentiation and mechanisms, and the effect of Th22/IL-22 on human infectious diseases. According to studies on Th22 cells, Th22/IL-22 may be a promising therapeutic target and an effective treatment strategy for various infections.

Canthin-6-one (CO) from Picrasma quassioides (D.Don) Benn. ameliorates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced astrocyte activation and associated brain endothelial disruption

BackgroundCanthin-6-one (CO) is an active ingredient found in Picrasma quassioides (D.Don) Benn. (PQ) that displays various biological activities including anti-inflammatory properties. Several studies reported PQ displayed neuroprotective activities, but its effects on astrocytes have not yet been investigated. Astrocytes are crucial regulators of neuroinflammatory responses under pathological conditions in the central nervous system (CNS). Proinflammatory astrocytes can induce the blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, which plays a key role in the progression of neurodegenerative disorder (ND). PurposeThis study aims to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of CO in LPS-induced astrocyte activation and its underlying mechanisms in protecting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro. MethodsMouse astrocytes (C8-D1A) were activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without CO pretreatment. Effects of CO on astrocyte cell viability, secretions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and nitric oxide (NO) were determined. Intracellular transcriptions and translations of proinflammatory mediators, molecular signaling, [Ca2+] and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated by RT-PCR, western blotting, and flow cytometry, respectively. Astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) was further prepared for incubating endothelial monolayer (bEnd.3) grown on transwell. Endothelial disruptions were evaluated by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), FITC-dextran permeability and monocyte adhesion assays. Endothelial tight junctions (TJs) and molecular signaling pathways were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. ResultsCO attenuated LPS-induced expression of astrocytic proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NO) and inhibited deleterious molecular activities including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), p-NFκB and p-STAT3 in astrocytes. Incubation of ACM collected from CO-treated astrocytes significantly ameliorated endothelial disruptions, reduced expressions of endothelial cytokine receptors (IL-6R, gp130 (IL-6RB), TNFR and IL-1R), suppressed proinflammatory pathways, MAPKs (p-AKT, p-MEK, p-ERK, p-p38, p-JNK) and p-STAT3, restored endothelial stabilizing pathways (p-Rac 1) and upregulated beneficial endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). ConclusionOur study demonstrates for the first time CO exhibited potent protective effects against astrocyte-mediated proinflammatory responses and associated endothelial barrier disruptions.

Some Traits of Meiofauna in the Surf Region of the Southern Mediterranean Sea Coast

During the winter and summer of 2019, eight study sites in eastern Libya were used to establish meiofauna diversity in the Southern Mediterranean Sea's near-shore sandy bottom surf region. The physicochemical characteristics of surface water at the study sites were mostly similar. Seventeen taxa of floatable meiofauna (extracted from sediment samples by floatation) were identified, sixteen during winter and ten during summer: By number of individuals per taxon, Nematoda and Foraminifera were the most abundant taxa. The other available taxa were Rhabdocoela, Xanacoelomorpha, Gastrotrichs, Polychaeta, Kinorhyncha, and Urodasys. Four non-floatable meiofauna taxa were encountered (Foraminifera, Mussel, Gastropod, and Ostracoda). This low diversity of floatable and non-floatable meiofauna was possibly due to the strong wave action prevailing in the region and the adjacent deleterious anthropogenic activities. Meiofaunal diversity was higher in winter than in summer, possibly due to the higher dissolved phosphorus concentration during this season. The causes of the between-site differences in meiofaunal diversity are unclear, but differences in adjacent coastal anthropogenic activities might had more impact than differences in the prevailing physicochemical traits of the interstitial habitat. New practical techniques for collecting and identifying the smaller meiofauna are needed.

Application of the Rule of Locus Standi in Climate Change Litigations in Nigeria

Locus Standi is a vital rule that allows for the courts or tribunals to determine who the aggrieved party is and who is an interloper. Its application to the issue of climate change in Nigeria is very strict as compared to other jurisdictions of the world. This paper examined the application of the concept in climate change litigation by Nigeria. It observed that the jurisprudence of Nigerian courts on this issue has remained overly rigid to allow for a robust legal redress for injuries caused by activities arising from majorly the oil industry, which is the prime culprit of environmental damage and greenhouse gas emissions. The paper concludes that the courts in Nigeria should adopt the liberal approach to locus standi in climate change litigation by giving premium to concerns about the impact deleterious activities on the environment and people rather than upholding rules of legal technicalities. Keywords: locus standi, jurisdiction, climate change, litigation, pollution, greenhouse gas DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/101-07 Publication date: September 30 th 2020

Membrane insertion exacerbates the α-Synuclein-Cu(II) dopamine oxidase activity: Metallothionein-3 targets and silences all α-synuclein-Cu(II) complexes

Copper binding to α-synuclein (α-Syn), the major component of intracellular Lewy body inclusions in substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons, potentiate its toxic redox-reactivity and plays a detrimental role in the etiology of Parkinson disease (PD). Soluble α-synuclein-Cu(II) complexes possess dopamine oxidase activity and catalyze ROS production in the presence of biological reducing agents via Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox cycling. These metal-centered redox reactivities harmfully promote the oxidation and oligomerization of α-Syn. While this chemistry has been investigated on recombinantly expressed soluble α-Syn, in vivo, α-Syn is acetylated at its N-terminus and is present in equilibrium between soluble and membrane-bound forms. This post-translational modification and membrane-binding alter the Cu(II) coordination environment and binding modes and are expected to affect the α-Syn-Cu(II) reactivity. In this work, we first investigated the reactivity of acetylated and membrane-bound complexes, and subsequently addressed whether the brain metalloprotein Zn7-metallothionein-3 (Zn7MT-3) possesses a multifaceted-role in targeting these aberrant copper interactions and consequent reactivity. Through biochemical characterization of the reactivity of the non-acetylated/N-terminally acetylated soluble or membrane-bound α-Syn-Cu(II) complexes towards dopamine, oxygen, and ascorbate, we reveal that membrane insertion dramatically exacerbates the catechol oxidase-like reactivity of α-Syn-Cu(II) as a result of a change in the Cu(II) coordination environment, thereby potentiating its toxicity. Moreover, we show that Zn7MT-3 can efficiently target all α-Syn-Cu(II) complexes through Cu(II) removal, preventing their deleterious redox activities. We demonstrate that the Cu(II) reduction by the thiolate ligands of Zn7MT-3 and the formation of Cu(I)4Zn4MT-3 featuring an unusual redox-inert Cu(I)4–thiolate cluster is the molecular mechanism responsible for the protective effect exerted by MT-3 towards α-Syn-Cu(II). This work provides the molecular basis for new therapeutic interventions to control the deleterious bioinorganic chemistry of α-Syn-Cu(II).

Some respite for India's dirtiest river? Examining the Yamuna's water quality at Delhi during the COVID-19 lockdown period

The Yamuna's stretch within Delhi is considered as the dirtiest river reach in India and despite numerous restoration plans, pollution levels have risen unabated. However, the enforcement of a nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic can possibly provide a ray of hope. We analyze the lockdown's impact on the water quality status of this stretch using a combination of measured parameters and satellite image derived indices. Class C Water Quality Index estimates of nine stations indicate an improvement of 37% during the lockdown period. The Biological Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand values reduced by 42.83% and 39.25%, respectively, compared to the pre-lockdown phase, while Faecal Coliform declined by over 40%. Similar analysis of 20 major drains that meet the Yamuna revealed declining effluent loads and discernable improvements in drain contaminant status were ascertained via a hierarchical cluster analysis. Reach-wise suspended particulate matter content, turbidity and algal signatures were derived from multi-temporal Landsat-8 images of prior and ongoing lockdown periods for 117 channel segment zones. These parameters also declined notably within most stretches, although their extents were spatially varied. While the partial/non-operational status of most industries during the lockdown enabled significant reduction in effluent loads and a consequent betterment in the river water quality, its spatial variations and even deterioration in some locations resulted from the largely undiminished inflow of domestic sewage through multiple drains. This study provides an estimate of possible river recovery extents and degree of improvement if deleterious polluting activities and contaminants are regulated properly.

Stability of regulatory T cells in T helper 2-biased allergic airway diseases.

Regulatory T (Treg) cells potentially suppress the deleterious activities of effector T cells and maintain a state of tolerance against antigens in the airway mucosa. A decrease in the number and function of Treg cells is observed in T helper 2 (Th2)-biased allergic airway diseases. However, adoptive transfer of naturally occurring Treg (tTreg) cells or peripherally derived Treg (pTreg) cells in asthmatic mouse models did not yield satisfactory results in any previous studies. Here, we review the recent progress in the identification and plasticity of tTreg and pTreg cells in Th2-biased airway diseases and summarize the factors affecting the stability and function of Treg cells. This review may serve as foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the stability of tTreg and pTreg cells and development of effective strategies for treating allergic airway diseases.

Lipopolysaccharides: structure, function and bacterial identification

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are the main components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. They are glycolipids containing a lipid moiety called lipid A, more often made of a bis-phosphorylated glucosamine disaccharide, carrying fatty acids in ester and amide linkages. Lipid A is linked to a core oligosaccharide of about 10 sugars, substituted in the wild-type strains, by long-chain oligosaccharide repetitive units, extending outside the bacteria and representing their main antigens. In addition to determine the serotype of the bacterium, LPS are highly potent biological molecules, capable of eliciting at the level of minute amounts, beneficial, as well as deleterious activities.

Evaluation of two outreach tools, an educator program and a mobile tidepool exhibit, in reducing deleterious visitor activities and raising marine protected area awareness in rocky intertidal ecosystems of southern California, USA

Rocky intertidal habitats in urbanized settings, such as in southern California, USA, are heavily perturbed by human visitors (tidepoolers) through the deleterious activities of collecting, handling, and trampling. To protect rocky intertidal biota, certain locations have been designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), yet MPA status can be ineffective when public knowledge of regulations is low and regulations do not protect flora and fauna from the impacts of handling and trampling. To help reduce detrimental activities of visitors, propagate environmentally-safe tidepooling behaviors, and increase public knowledge of MPA regulations, two outreach tools were instituted in southern California, USA: 1) an education program whereby trained educators are on-site, interacting with the public and educating visitors about MPA regulations, and 2) the ISOpod (Interactive Sealife Outreach pod) vehicle, a mobile tidepool exhibit parked near the site for visitors to observe organisms in a controlled setting and where MPA awareness is emphasized. To determine if these tools were effective in reducing deleterious activities, visitors were discretely observed at two sites, counted, and placed into behavior categories under four scenarios based on combinations of the presence and absence of both the ISOpod and educators. A questionnaire was conducted at one site to determine if MPA regulation and conservation knowledge increased with public interaction with outreach programs. The ISOpod and, in part, educators were effective in reducing the frequency of individuals engaged in detrimental activities. This occurred despite high MPA awareness of visitors, which was further increased by public interaction with the ISOpod. Results from this study suggest that outreach programs focused on conservation education can be effective options to assist with protection of coastal ecosystems.

Antiretroviral Therapy‐Induced Cerebellar Disorders: Efavirenz, Lamivudine, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate; Which is Guilty?

IntroductionCombination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has transformed the landscape of managing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. However, there have been various reports on the deleterious activities of the therapy on patients' cerebellar function. Therefore, the aim of this study is to ascertain the effects of individual administration of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, Lamivudine and efavirenz (ingredients of cART) on the cerebellum.Materials and MethodsForty adult Wistar rat were used for this study. They were divided into four groups according to the substances administered: distilled water, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lamivudine and efavirenz. After 35 days of administration, the animals underwent open field and beam walk tests. They were euthanized and the brain was prepared for oxidative stress assay, histological (Giemsa stain, Hematoxylin and Eosin stain) and immunohistochemical (GFAP and Dopamine) analysis. Ethical clearance protocol number: CMUL/HREC/03/17/113.ResultsThere was significant decrease in rearing, grooming, and line crossing in treatment groups most especially lamivudine group compared to control group. The latency, right and left hind limb slips increased significantly (p<0.01) in lamivudine group compared to control. There was a statistically significant decrease in the superoxide dismutase levels in the efavirenz group compared to control group (p<0.001). Tenofovir showed a significant increase in catalase level compared to the control group (p<0.001). Tenofovir, lamivudine and Efavirenz showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation level compared to the control group. Histology analysis showed a degeneration/decrease in the granular and Purkinje cells in treatment groups compared to the control group. There was also a significant proliferation of astrocytes and a decrease in dopamine expression in Lamivudine groups compared to control.ConclusionThis study shows that tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and efavirenz cause various toxicities on the motor function of the cerebellum. However, Lamivudine is the major culprit in cART‐induced cerebellar disorders.Support or Funding InformationResearch reported in this publication was supported by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number D43TW010134, through the Building Research and Innovation in Nigeria's Science (BRAINS).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Microbial uptake by the respiratory epithelium: outcomes for host and pathogen.

Intracellular occupancy of the respiratory epithelium is a useful pathogenic strategy facilitating microbial replication and evasion of professional phagocytes or circulating antimicrobial drugs. A less appreciated but growing body of evidence indicates that the airway epithelium also plays a crucial role in host defence against inhaled pathogens, by promoting ingestion and quelling of microorganisms, processes that become subverted to favour pathogen activities and promote respiratory disease. To achieve a deeper understanding of beneficial and deleterious activities of respiratory epithelia during antimicrobial defence, we have comprehensively surveyed all current knowledge on airway epithelial uptake of bacterial and fungal pathogens. We find that microbial uptake by airway epithelial cells (AECs) is a common feature of respiratory host-microbe interactions whose stepwise execution, and impacts upon the host, vary by pathogen. Amidst the diversity of underlying mechanisms and disease outcomes, we identify four key infection scenarios and use best-characterised host-pathogen interactions as prototypical examples of each. The emergent view is one in which effi-ciency of AEC-mediated pathogen clearance correlates directly with severity of disease outcome, therefore highlighting an important unmet need to broaden our understanding of the antimicrobial properties of respiratory epithelia and associated drivers of pathogen entry and intracellular fate.

Physiological Genomics of Multistress Resistance in the Yeast Cell Model and Factory: Focus on MDR/MXR Transporters.

The contemporary approach of physiological genomics is vital in providing the indispensable holistic understanding of the complexity of the molecular targets, signalling pathways and molecular mechanisms underlying the responses and tolerance to stress, a topic of paramount importance in biology and biotechnology. This chapter focuses on the toxicity and tolerance to relevant stresses in the cell factory and eukaryotic model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Emphasis is given to the function and regulation of multidrug/multixenobiotic resistance (MDR/MXR) transporters. Although these transporters have been considered drug/xenobiotic efflux pumps, the exact mechanism of their involvement in multistress resistance is still open to debate, as highlighted in this chapter. Given the conservation of transport mechanisms from S. cerevisiae to less accessible eukaryotes such as plants, this chapter also provides a proof of concept that validates the relevance of the exploitation of the experimental yeast model to uncover the function of novel MDR/MXR transporters in the plant model Arabidopsis thaliana. This knowledge can be explored for guiding the rational design of more robust yeast strains with improved performance for industrial biotechnology, for overcoming and controlling the deleterious activities of spoiling yeasts in the food industry, for developing efficient strategies to improve crop productivity in agricultural biotechnology.

Effects of corilagin on alleviating cholestasis via farnesoid X receptor-associated pathways in vitro and in vivo.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effects of corilagin on intrahepatic cholestasis induced by regulating liver farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-associated pathways in vitro and in vivo. Cellular and animal models were treated with different concentrations of corilagin. In the cellular experiments, FXR expression was up-regulated by either lentiviral transduction or GW4064 treatment and down-regulated by either siRNA technology or treatment with guggulsterones. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the mRNA and protein levels of FXR, SHP1, SHP2, UGT2B4, BSEP, CYP7A1, CYP7B1, NTCP, MRP2 and SULT2A1. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of BSEP in liver tissues. Rat liver function and pathological changes in hepatic tissue were assessed using biochemical tests and haematoxylin and eosin staining. Corilagin increased the mRNA and protein levels of FXR, SHP1, SHP2, UGT2B4, BSEP, MRP2 and SULT2A1, and decreased those of CYP7A1, CYP7B1 and NTCP. After either up- or down-regulating FXR using different methods, corilagin could still increase the mRNA and protein levels of FXR, SHP1, SHP2, UGT2B4, BSEP, MRP2 and SULT2A1 and decrease the protein levels of CYP7A1, CYP7B1 and NTCP, especially when administered at a high concentration. Corilagin also exerted a notable effect on the pathological manifestations of intrahepatic cholestasis, BSEP staining in liver tissues and liver function. Corilagin exerts a protective effect in hepatocytes and can prevent the deleterious activities of intrahepatic cholestasis by stimulating FXR-associated pathways.

A plant growth promoting rhizospheric Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain inhibits seed germination in Triticum aestivum (L) and Zea mays (L)

Various rhizobacteria strains are isolated and tested worldwide for their plant growth promoting activities. A strain is said to be a plant growth promoter if it has the ability to influence plant growth directly or indirectly. Though the main focus has always been to realize the plant growth promoting traits of rhizobacteria and use them as biofertilizers, but the disadvantages or deleterious effects of such plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) if any have also been ignored to a greater extent. The present study deals with the characterization of both promoting as well as deleterious activities of an isolated strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on plants. The bacterium was isolated from the soil of the college campus of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and was characterized as P. aeruginosa by various positive biochemical tests such as oxidase, catalase, citrate tests and confirmed by MALDI-TOF-MS. Its growth as well as IAA producing ability at different salt (NaCl) concentrations was tested. Tests examining HCN, Ammonia and siderophore production, flocculation ability, phosphate and zinc solubilization by the strain were carried out. Its anti-microbial property was tested against three phytopathogenic fungi: Fusarium solani, Aspergillus niger and Curvularia lunata and two bacterial strains - Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli. Its effect over seed germination of Triticum aestivum and Zea mays was inspected in plates as well as in pots. The strain showed a great potential as a plant growth promoter growing up to 10% NaCl concentration and producing considerable amount of IAA upto 8% NaCl concentration. It showed antagonistic nature against the three phytopathogenic fungi, solubilized phosphate and produced siderophore and NH3. Though supernatant of the bacterial culture did not show any deleterious effect over seed (of the test plants T. aestivum and Z. mays) germination but the seeds inoculated with the strain itself, failed to germinate. The seed turned dormant and grew a pale brown color showing bacterial growth over it. Thus it maybe concluded that the isolated strain of P. aeruginosa has abilities to both promote and at the same time inhibit plant growth (by inhibiting seed germination).

Autocracy and Poetic Resistance in Tanure Ojaide’s The Fate of Vultures and Delta Blues and Home Songs

Contemporary African poets either consciously or unconsciously utilize their art in scrutinizing the consequences of the actions of state operators on their societies. This essay explores the imaginative configuration of the trauma, civil violations etcetera visited on citizens by corrupt politicians of Nigeria’s Second Republic and the succeeding autocratic military rulers. Tanure Ojaide’s The Fate of Vultures and Delta Blues and Home Songs are therefore scrutinized in their depictions of the chicanery of politicians and the tyranny of military rulers in a postcolonial African State. This study adopts a contextualist template that locates the poetic constructs within Nigeria’s recent experiences. It highlights the corruption, violations of human rights, and muffling of critical voices by the rulers. It equally notes the poet’s celebration of the heroic acts of some citizens who defied the draconian rule. Also the study stresses the poet’s deployment of satirical devices in embellishing his art as he seeks to highlight the deleterious activities of both regimes. The essay concludes that the poet’s optimistic vision distinguishes his generation from the preceding one that had been less optimistic in its artistic works.

Protein Complex Affinity Capture from Cryomilled Mammalian Cells.

Affinity capture is an effective technique for isolating endogenous protein complexes for further study. When used in conjunction with an antibody, this technique is also frequently referred to as immunoprecipitation. Affinity capture can be applied in a bench-scale and in a high-throughput context. When coupled with protein mass spectrometry, affinity capture has proven to be a workhorse of interactome analysis. Although there are potentially many ways to execute the numerous steps involved, the following protocols implement our favored methods. Two features are distinctive: the use of cryomilled cell powder to produce cell extracts, and antibody-coupled paramagnetic beads as the affinity medium. In many cases, we have obtained superior results to those obtained with more conventional affinity capture practices. Cryomilling avoids numerous problems associated with other forms of cell breakage. It provides efficient breakage of the material, while avoiding denaturation issues associated with heating or foaming. It retains the native protein concentration up to the point of extraction, mitigating macromolecular dissociation. It reduces the time extracted proteins spend in solution, limiting deleterious enzymatic activities, and it may reduce the non-specific adsorption of proteins by the affinity medium. Micron-scale magnetic affinity media have become more commonplace over the last several years, increasingly replacing the traditional agarose- and Sepharose-based media. Primary benefits of magnetic media include typically lower non-specific protein adsorption; no size exclusion limit because protein complex binding occurs on the bead surface rather than within pores; and ease of manipulation and handling using magnets.

Protein Complex Affinity Capture from Cryomilled Mammalian Cells

Affinity capture is an effective technique for isolating endogenous protein complexes for further study. When used in conjunction with an antibody, this technique is also frequently referred to as immunoprecipitation. Affinity capture can be applied in a bench-scale and in a high-throughput context. When coupled with protein mass spectrometry, affinity capture has proven to be a workhorse of interactome analysis. Although there are potentially many ways to execute the numerous steps involved, the following protocols implement our favored methods. Two features are distinctive: the use of cryomilled cell powder to produce cell extracts, and antibody-coupled paramagnetic beads as the affinity medium. In many cases, we have obtained superior results to those obtained with more conventional affinity capture practices. Cryomilling avoids numerous problems associated with other forms of cell breakage. It provides efficient breakage of the material, while avoiding denaturation issues associated with heating or foaming. It retains the native protein concentration up to the point of extraction, mitigating macromolecular dissociation. It reduces the time extracted proteins spend in solution, limiting deleterious enzymatic activities, and it may reduce the non-specific adsorption of proteins by the affinity medium. Micron-scale magnetic affinity media have become more commonplace over the last several years, increasingly replacing the traditional agarose- and Sepharose-based media. Primary benefits of magnetic media include typically lower non-specific protein adsorption; no size exclusion limit because protein complex binding occurs on the bead surface rather than within pores; and ease of manipulation and handling using magnets.