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Cisplatin is a widely used cancer therapy drug that unfortunately has major side effects in normal tissues, notably nephrotoxicity in kidneys. Despite intensive research, the mechanism of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity remains [...]

Newcastle disease (ND) is an acute viral disease of poultry as distributed throughout the world and causing severe economic losses to the farmers by means of drop-in egg production and sudden mortality of entire flock in severe cases. The main limiting factor in controlling the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is controlling the disease spread because of its wide host range including domestic, backyard, wild and migratory birds. The ND samples were collected from an outbreak in backyard poultry and processed the samples (n=27). Detection of Avian Paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1) or NDV in birds was studied by using haemagglutination (HA), haemagglutination inhibition (HI), histopathology, embryonic mean death time (MDT), IntraCerebral Pathogenicity Index (ICPI) in day-old chicks and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Proventriculus, spleen, trachea, lung and brain samples were collected and tissue lysates were propagated in allantoic fluids for haemagglutination (HA) by using chicken erythrocytes and serum from vaccinated birds for haemagglutination inhibition (antibody titers>1/16) tests. The RT-PCR product of 356 bp was amplified from HI positive infected allantoic fluids by targeting a partial Fusion (F) protein gene. Tissue lysates grown in Embryonated Chicken Eggs (ECE) showed virulent pathotype based on Embryonic Mean Death Time (MDT) of 52 hours and the Intra-Cerebral Pathogenicity Index (ICPI) in day-old chicks was 1.6 by means of Velogenic pathotype. This is the first instance of NDV identification in the Karnataka region in backyard poultry. In this scenario, more epidemiological works are suggested for surveillance of NDV in backyard poultry of an area of work with suitable prevention and control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many researchers have developed models which are capable of analyzing the effects of process parameters on the responses of different welding operations carried out on 17-4 PH steel which bears extensive properties and have wide range of applications. The weld quality of any material plays a major role in determining the strength of the joint. Hence a proper and procedural analysis has to be made in order to assess the quality of the weld. This could happen only when the analysis of the weld quality is reviewed. Here in this work, RSW of special kind of stainless steel is welded considering the very important parameters which alter the response characteristics to a greater extent. From literature it is evident that no full proof plan is available to conduct welding process of any kind. Hence, an attempt is made to design experiments of welding on the material with the help of Taguchi method and the same is analyzed using ANOVA for the superiority of the parameters on basis of which the optimization of responses can be done. The weld quality can be assessed using one of the responses known as tensile test which determines the breaking load required for the failure of the welded specimen. The micro structural analysis is then carried out using Scanning Electron Microscope which yields the results of failure analysis. It can be clearly seen from the results that the electrode force is the most effecting factor which behaves linearly and then the weld current which drastically or nonlinearly change the characteristics of the response (tensile strength). The micro structural analysis shows that the dimple and ridges are present at the break point which is the evidence for the ductile property of the material. From the pictures of the SEM results, the even distribution of the secondary phase particles is clearly visible, this is again the evidence for the ductile property or the increase in the yield strength. Also pores and cracks are visible but up to a very smaller extent, hence more resistance of the joint for breaking when the load is applied can be seen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the experimental tests were carried out to explore the performance, combustion and emissions by modifying the different nozzles hole size injectors such as (3 holes × Ø = 0.20 mm (modified)), (3 holes × Ø = 0.28 mm (Base)) and (3 holes × Ø = 0.20 mm (modified)). The experiments are performed on Kirloskar 4-stroke computerised solitary cylinder diesel engine fuelled with diesel at 1500 rpm, water-cooled direct injection diesel engine with eddy current dynamometer with the standard injection timing of 23° bTDC with an injection pressure of 210 bar was maintained constant throughout the experiment. From the results, it was pointed out that in all the three different nozzles (3 holes × Ø = 0.20 mm (modified)) improves the vaporisation, atomisation and air-fuel mixing are resulting in a shorter duration. The impressive results are seen in the performance, combustion and emissions. The only negative aspect is the NOx increasing with small orifice Nozzle Hole Diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The edible and non-edible are the most important feedstocks is to produce biodiesel. Expressions regarding "first generation" and "second generation" of biodiesel are in popular usage. Among both the generations, the second generation is having a very good scope in the future. In this present article, the crude Mahua raw oil has 21% of free fatty acids (FFA). To minimize the FFA to less than 1%, Mahua methyl ester (MME) was produced with an open container as the reactor by two-step of esterification and transesterification methods. The first step was done by the acid catalyzed process by using 0.35 v/v i.e. 175ml of methanol and 1% v/v i.e. 5ml of concentrated H2SO4 mixed together and poured in 500ml of warmed preheated Mahua raw oil. The second step was done by alkaline catalyst process by using 0.25 v/v i.e. 125ml of methanol and 0.7% w/v i.e. 3.5gm KOH as catalyst are added in a product produced from the reaction of acid esterification. After two-step process, the crude biodiesel was washed with distilled water over again and later it was added with anhydrous CaCl2 (Calcium chloride) and heated gently at 50°C. The biodiesel with anhydrous CaCl2 was shaken vigorously and later separated from the biodiesel to obtain a clean MME biodiesel. These experimental method processes obtained a yield of 85% MME. The high FFA level for crude raw oil was improved to less than 1%. The obtained biodiesel of fuel chemical composition and properties were tested and compared the requirement of American standard for testing materials (ASTM D-6751). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut microbiota are associated with a variety of complex polygenic diseases. The usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics by patients affected by such diseases is an important environmental factor to consider, because antibiotics, which are widely prescribed to curb pathological bacterial infections, also indiscriminately eliminate gut commensal microbiota. However, the extent to which antibiotics reshape gut microbiota and per se contribute to these complex diseases is understudied. Because genetics play an important role in predisposing individuals to these modern diseases, we hypothesize that the extent to which antibiotics influence complex diseases depends on the host genome and metagenome. The current study tests this hypothesis in the context of hypertension, which is a serious risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. A 3 × 2 factorial design was used to test the blood pressure (BP) and microbiotal effects of three different antibiotics, neomycin, minocycline, and vancomycin, on two well-known, preclinical, genetic models of hypertension, the Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat and the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), both of which develop hypertension, but for different genetic reasons. Regardless of the class, oral administration of antibiotics increased systolic blood pressure of the S rat, while minocycline and vancomycin, but not neomycin, lowered systolic blood pressure in the SHR. These disparate BP effects were accompanied by significant alterations in gut microbiota. Our study highlights the need to consider an individualized approach for the usage of antibiotics among hypertensives, as their BP could be affected differentially based on their individual genetic and microbiotal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DC-DC converter of a Spacecraft is one of the vital components of a satellite, which has a major role in ensuring the complete success of the mission. For providing a regulated voltage to various subsystems of satellites with variation in input voltage, DC-DC converter comes in picture. This paper presents the design and implementation of 30W flyback converter for providing supply for the telemetry tracking transmitter subsystem of the satellite. The input EMI filters responses and compensator for PWM UC1825 is simulated in MATLAB. The requirements for space applications are taken into consideration while designing and is successfully implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotavirus (RV), a leading cause of severe diarrhea, primarily infects intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) causing self-limiting illness. To better understand innate immunity to RV, we sought to define the extent to which IEC activation of anti-viral responses required viral replication or could be recapitulated by inactivated RV or its components. Using model human intestinal epithelia, we observed that RV-induced activation of signaling events and gene expression typically associated with viral infection was largely mimicked by administration of ultraviolet (UV)-inactivated RV. Use of anti-interferon (IFN) neutralizing antibodies revealed that such replication-independent anti-viral gene expression required type I IFN signaling. In contrast, RV-induction of nuclear factor-κB-mediated interleukin-8 expression was dependent on viral replication. The anti-viral gene expression induced by UV-RV was not significantly recapitulated by RV RNA or RV virus-like particles although the latter could enter IEC. Together, these results suggest that RV proteins mediate viral entry into epithelial cells leading to intracellular detection of RV RNA that generates an anti-viral response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mucosal immune system is charged with defending the host's vast interfaces with the outside world from the enormous and diverse group of microbes that colonizes these surfaces. A key means by which the mucosal immune system protects the host from such diverse microbes is using germ-line-encoded receptors that target structurally conserved motifs that mediate important bacterial functions. This review focuses on one embodiment of this notion, namely, the mucosal innate immune targeting of flagellin, the primary structural component of flagella, which afford bacteria the ability of directed locomotion. Specifically, we discuss the mechanisms by which flagellin is recognized by the innate immune system, their role in host defense, chronic inflammatory disease, and potential approaches to pharmacologically manipulate these pathways to benefit the host. Discussion will focus on the intestinal tract but will also incorporate key findings in other mucosal surfaces.Mucosal Immunology (2009) 2, 197–205; doi:10.1038/mi.2009.9; published online 25 February 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since MIT’s bold announcement of the OpenCourseWare initiative in 2001, the content of over 700 of its courses have been published on the Web and made available for free to the world. Important infrastructure initiatives have also been launched recently with a view to enabling the sustainable implementation of these educational programmes, through strengthening organizational capacity as well as through building open, standards‐based technology. Each of these initiatives point to a rich palette of transformational possibilities for education; together with the growing open source movement, they offer glimpses of a sustainable ecology of substantial and quality educational resources. This discussion piece will highlight some of the educational opportunity presented by MIT’s current information technology‐enabled educational agenda and related initiatives, along with their strategic underpinnings and implications. It will address various dimensions of their impact on the form and function of education. It will examine how these ambitious programmes achieve a vision characterized by an abundance of sustainable, transformative educational opportunities, not merely pervasive technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and Objective Systemic chronic inflammation is linked to metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, and heart disease. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a Gram negative microbial product, triggers inflammation through toll-like-receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling. It has been reported that dietary fatty acids also modulate inflammation through TLR-4. We investigated whether fish oil (FO) rich diet in comparison to saturated fat (SF) rich diet would confer protection from pathologies induced by LPS. Methods Twenty C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups. One group received FO-diet and other received SF-diet ad libitum for 60 days. Diets were isocaloric containing 45% energy from fat. After 60-days of feeding, blood was collected after overnight fast. Mice were allowed to recover for 4-days, fasted for 5-hours, challenged with 100 ng/mL of LPS intraperitonially, and bled after 2-hours. After 7-days of recuperation, mice were challenged with 500 ng/mL of LPS intraperitonially and observed for physical health. Results Food intake was similar in FO- and SF-fed mice. FO-fed mice compared to SF-fed mice had significantly less body weight gain (P = 0.005), epididymal fat weight (P = 0.005), fasting blood glucose (70.8 vs 83.3 ng/dL; P < 0.05), HOMA-IR (5.0 vs 13.6; P < 0.019), and serum cholesterol (167 vs 94 mg/dL; P < 0.05). When challenged with LPS, FO-fed mice had significantly lower serum IL-1β compared to SF-fed mice (2.0 vs 30.0 pg/mL; P < 0.001). After LPS-challenge, SF-fed mice had higher mortality, lost more body weight, and had greater decrease in blood glucose compared to FO-fed mice. Conclusion Overall, FO-diet compared to SF-diet offered protection against deleterious effects of LPS in mice.

Abstract Background Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) triggers inflammatory signaling in response to microbial lipoploysaccharide. It has been reported that loss of TLR4 protected against saturated fat-induced inflammation and insulin resistance. It is not known whether loss of TLR4 function offers protection against trans fat (TF) induced obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance. We investigated whether mice with loss of function mutation in TLR4 were resistant to TF-induced pathologies such as obesity, inflammation, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia. Methods C57BL/6j and C57BL/10 mice were cross bred to generate TLR4 mutant and wild type (WT). TLR4 mutant (n = 12) and WT (n = 12) mice were fed either low fat (LF) (13.5% fat energy) or high TF diets (60% fat energy) for 12 weeks. In vitro experiments were conducted on mouse macrophage cells (RAW 264.7 and J774A.1) to investigate whether elaidic (trans 18:1) or oleic acid (cis 18:1) would upregulate inflammatory markers. Results TLR4 mutant mice were ~26.4% heavier than WT mice. In both genotypes, mice that received TF diet were significantly heavier than those mice that received LF diet (P < 0.01). TLR4 mutant mice compared to WT mice had significantly higher fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, insulin resistance, serum leptin, and serum cholesterol when they received TF diet (P < 0.05). No upregulation of iNOS or COX2 in response to either elaidic or oleic acid in macrophage cells was observed. Conclusions Loss of function mutation in TLR4 not only did not protect mice from TF-induced obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hypercholesterolemia but also exacerbated the above pathologies suggesting that functional TLR4 is necessary in attenuating TF-induced deleterious effects. It is likely that TF induces pathologies through pathways independent of TLR4.

Some novel substituted pyramidinopyrazoles and pyrimidinotriazoles have been synthesized by using 6-anisyl-5-cyano-2-hydrazino-3-N-methyl-3, 4-dihydropyrimidine-4-one as the starting material. Structures of these compounds have been established by IR, 1H NMR, Mass and elemental analysis data and have been evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. Significant antimicrobial activity was observed for some members of these series.