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BackgroundObesity is a raising risk factor for many diseases including Cardiovascular risks and Cancer. The present limitations and inaccuracy of anthropometric measures as well as treatment options demand research of integrative management strategies and identification of specific biomarkers of obesity. This study identifies the urine exosome biomarkers and its differential expression profile between 3-timepoints from female obese participants who underwent Ayurveda treatment.MethodologyUrine exosomes were isolated using PEG methods of isolation. The major proteins obtained were identified using label-free quantification in LC-MS/MS. The genes involved in pathway enrichment, functional annotation and disease manifestation were identified and shortlisted based on protein interaction network. The hub genes representing obesity are identified.ResultsThe exosomes isolated were validated using LC-MS/MS. Using UniProt as reference, a total of 210 exosome proteins were identified. 73 genes were overexpressed in pathway enrichment analysis. Further, GO functional annotation identified 15 common genes involved. Finally, the 8 genes common in obesity were identified and its differential expression profile was seen to have corrected at timepoints during treatment.ConclusionThis is the first study to isolate and identify urine exosomes profiles from female obese participants of India. The study results indicate the correction in the differential expression profile of 8 hub genes involved in obesity post treatment. The biomarker signature of the pilot study indicates the specificity of urine exosomes as diagnostic markers. The study also promotes the potential of integrative and complementary treatment approaches like Ayurveda in effective management of many metabolic diseases.

AimMagnetotactic bacteria are gram-negative, prokaryotic organisms which align themselves according to the Earth’s geomagnetic field. They contain organelles called magnetosomes which produce nano-magnetites by the mechanism of biomineralization. These nano-magnetites are arranged in the form of well-ordered chain called magnetosome chain, which are held together by intermolecular forces. The growth of these bacteria is stringent to specific oxygen gradient regions, where there is oxic-anoxic transition zone. In this paper, we report the cultivation and characterisation of magnetotactic bacteria that was accomplished under laboratory conditions and scanning electron microscope respectively.MethodologyBacterial soil samples were collected and cultivated under laboratory conditions using a precise and cost-effective media formulation using coffee bean extract and ferric chloride, which were to provide sufficient iron under the influence of external magnetic field. Experiments were conducted using media, deficient with ferric chloride and coffee bean solution, as control. Pour plate method was carried out for the growth of bacteria under the influence of external magnetic field provided on one-end of the petri-plate.ResultWe observed the growth of the cultivated bacteria in the proximity of the magnetic field only in the presence of iron in media. This emphasises that the media formulated was appropriate for the growth of bacteria under laboratory conditions. Scanning electron microscope analysis confirmed the presence of magnetosome chains in magnetotactic bacteria.InterpretationIn this research, the bacteria were able to sustain in artificial oxygen-transition zones provided in the laboratory. The coffee bean solution contained quinic acid and succinic acid, which along with ferric chloride provided iron in the form of ferric quinate, and succinic acid which are the major sources of growth for the bacteria. Even though magnetosome research has shown promising advances, one of major limitations in its commercialization is its difficulty in cultivation under laboratory conditions.

Background. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of decompensated cirrhosis with increased mortality. Traditional biomarkers such as serum creatinine are not sensitive for detecting injury without functional change. We hypothesize that urinary exosomes potentially carry markers that differentiate the type of kidney injury in cirrhotic patients. Methods. This is a prospective, single-center, and observational study of adult patients with cirrhosis. The patient groups included healthy normal controls, compensated cirrhosis with normal kidney function, decompensated cirrhosis with normal kidney function, and decompensated cirrhosis with AKI. Data were extracted from the electronic health record including etiology of liver disease, MELD score, history of decompensation, Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, history of AKI, and medication exposures. Urine samples were collected at the time of consent. Urine exosome protein content was analyzed, and proteomic data were validated by immunoblotting. Statistical analysis included partial least squares-discriminant analysis coupled with variable importance in projection identification. Results. Eighteen cirrhotic subjects were enrolled, and six healthy control subjects were extracted from our biorepository. Urine exosomes were isolated, and 1572 proteins were identified. Maltase-glucoamylase was the top discriminating protein confirmed by western blotting. Conclusions. Patients with cirrhosis and AKI have upregulation of renal brush border disaccharidase, MGAM, in urinary exosomes which may differentiate the type of kidney injury in cirrhosis; however, the clinical significance of this requires further validation.