The escalated potential of the novel isolate Bacillus cereus NJD1 for effective biodegradation of LDPE films without pre-treatment

This study focused on the biodegradation of LDPE films using a novel isolate of Bacillus obtained from soil samples collected from a 20-year-old plastic waste dump. The aim was to evaluate the biodegradability of LDPE films treated with this bacterial isolate. The results indicated a 43% weight loss of LDPE films within 120 days of treatment. The biodegradability of LDPE films was confirmed through various testing methods, including BATH, FDA, CO₂ evolution tests, and changes in total cell growth count, protein content, viability, p^H of the medium, and release of microplastics. The bacterial enzymes, including laccases, lipases, and proteases, were also identified. SEM analysis revealed biofilm formation and surface changes in treated LDPE films, while EDAX analysis showed a reduction in carbon elements. AFM analysis demonstrated differences in roughness compared to the control. Furthermore, wettability increased and tensile strength decreased, confirming the biodegradation of the isolate. FTIR spectral analysis showed changes in skeletal vibrations, such as stretches and bends, in the linear structure of polyethylene. FTIR imaging and GC-MS analysis also confirmed the biodegradation of LDPE films by the novel isolate identified as Bacillus cereus strain NJD1. The study highlights the potentiality of the bacterial isolate for safe and effective microbial remediation of LDPE films.

A dense ring of the trans-Neptunian object Quaoar outside its Roche limit

Planetary rings are observed not only around giant planets1, but also around small bodies such as the Centaur Chariklo2 and the dwarf planet Haumea3. Up to now, all known dense rings were located close enough to their parent bodies, being inside the Roche limit, where tidal forces prevent material with reasonable densities from aggregating into a satellite. Here we report observations of an inhomogeneous ring around the trans-Neptunian body (50000) Quaoar. This trans-Neptunian object has an estimated radius4 of 555 km and possesses a roughly 80-km satellite5 (Weywot) that orbits at 24 Quaoar radii6,7. The detected ring orbits at 7.4 radii from the central body, which is well outside Quaoar's classical Roche limit, thus indicating that this limit does not always determine where ring material can survive. Our local collisional simulations show that elastic collisions, based on laboratory experiments8, can maintain a ring far away from the body. Moreover, Quaoar's ring orbits close to the 1/3 spin-orbit resonance9 with Quaoar, a property shared by Chariklo's2,10,11 and Haumea's3 rings, suggesting that this resonance plays a key role in ring confinement for small bodies.

Response surface methodological optimization of L-asparaginase production from the medicinal plant endophyte Acinetobacter baumannii ZAS1

BACKGROUND

This study targets the enhanced production of L-asparaginase, an antitumor enzyme by Acinetobacter baumannii ZAS1. This organism is an endophyte isolated from the medicinal plant Annona muricata. Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and central composite design (CCD) were used for statistical optimization of media components.

RESULTS

The organism exhibited 18.85 ± 0.2 U/mL enzyme activities in unoptimized media. Eight variables: L-asparagine, peptone, glucose, lactose, yeast extract, NaCl, MgSO₄, and Na₂HPO₄ were screened by PBD. Among them, only four factors-L-asparagine, peptone, glucose, and Na₂HPO₄-were found to affect enzyme production significantly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the best possible concentrations and interactive effects of the components that enhance this enzyme's output were chosen by using CCD on these selected variables. The results revealed that an optimized medium produces a higher concentration of enzymes than the unoptimized medium. After optimizing media components, the maximum L-asparaginase activity was 45.59 ± 0.36 U/mL, around the anticipated value of 45.04 ± 0.42 U/mL. After optimization of process parameters, it showed a 2.41-fold increase in the production of L-asparaginase by the endophyte Acinetobacter baumannii ZAS1.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicated that an endophyte, Acinetobacter baumannii ZAS1 that produces L-asparaginase could be used to increase enzyme output. However, using the statistical methods Plackett-Burman design and central composite design of response surface methodology is a handy tool for optimizing media components for increased L-asparaginase synthesis.

Evaluation of Sensitivity and Cost-Effectiveness of Molecular Methods for the Co-detection of Waterborne Pathogens in India

Waterborne microbial diseases are regarded as a major public health concern, particularly in nations with poor sanitation, a lack of social awareness, and problems linked with low socioeconomic status. Waterborne pathogen identification using traditional culture methods is time-consuming and labor-intensive. As a result, there is a growing demand for quick pathogen detection technologies. High sensitivity, specificity, and rapidity are all advantages of using molecular techniques like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in such instances. In this study, we designed multiplex PCR and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays for the co-detection and enumeration of waterborne pathogens such as Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, and Shigella spp. Specific primers were selected against the virulence and species-specific genes of the seven target pathogens. For all seven target organisms, the detection limits for conventional culture methods were in the range of 10³-10⁴ cells/ml. While employing multiplex PCR method in this study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Shigella spp. have a detection sensitivity of 10¹ cells/ml, Vibrio cholerae and Aeromonas hydrophila have a detection sensitivity of 10² cells/ml, whereas Salmonella enterica, E. coli, and Yersinia enterocolitica have a detection sensitivity of only 10³ cells/ml. According to our cost-benefit analysis, these molecular technologies are less expensive, with unit analysis costs of ₹52 and ₹173 for qPCR and multiplex PCR, respectively. Furthermore, all of the target genes had a detection limit of 1 cell/ml in qPCR. Because of their speed, sensitivity, specificity, and cost-effectiveness, these multiplex and qPCR assays could be employed for successful co-detection of aquatic pathogens.

Augmented cellulase production by Bacillus subtilis strain MU S1 using different statistical experimental designs

The production of cellulase by Bacillus subtilis MU S1, a strain isolated from Eravikulam National Park, was optimized using one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) and statistical methods. Physical parameters like incubation temperature and agitation speed were optimized using OFAT and found to be 40 °C and 150 rpm, respectively, whereas, medium was optimized by statistical tools. Plackett-Burman design (PBD) was employed to screen the significant variables that highly influence cellulase production. The design showed carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), yeast extract, NaCl, pH, MgSO4 and NaNO3 as the most significant components that affect cellulase production. Among these CMC, yeast extract, NaCl and pH showed positive effect whereas MgSO4 and NaNO3 were found to be significant at their lower levels. The optimum levels of the components that positively affect enzyme production were determined using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD). Three factors namely CMC, yeast extract and NaCl were studied at five levels whilst pH of the medium was kept constant at 7. The optimal levels of the components were CMC (13.46 g/l), yeast extract (8.38 g/l) and NaCl (6.31 g/l) at pH 7. The maximum cellulase activity in optimized medium was 566.66 U/ml which was close to the predicted activity of 541.05 U/ml. Optimization of physical parameters and medium components showed an overall 3.2-fold increase in activity compared to unoptimized condition (179.06 U/ml).

A novel pathway of chronic allograft rejection mediated by NK cells and alloantibody

Chronic allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in murine heart allografts can be elicited by adoptive transfer of donor specific antibody (DSA) to class I MHC antigens and is independent of complement. Here we address the mechanism by which DSA causes CAV. B6.RAG1(-/-) or B6.RAG1(-/-)C3(-/-) (H-2(b)) mice received B10.BR (H-2(k)) heart allografts and repeated doses of IgG2a, IgG1 or F(ab')(2) fragments of IgG2a DSA (anti-H-2(k)). Intact DSA regularly elicited markedly stenotic CAV in recipients over 28 days. In contrast, depletion of NK cells with anti-NK1.1 reduced significantly DSA-induced CAV, as judged morphometrically. Recipients genetically deficient in mature NK cells (γ-chain knock out) also showed decreased severity of DSA-induced CAV. Direct NK reactivity to the graft was not necessary. F(ab')(2) DSA fragments, even at doses twofold higher than intact DSA, were inactive. Graft microvascular endothelial cells responded to DSA in vivo by increased expression of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK), a response not elicited by F(ab')(2) DSA. We conclude that antibody mediates CAV through NK cells, by an Fc dependent manner. This new pathway adds to the possible mechanisms of chronic rejection and may relate to the recently described C4d-negative chronic antibody-mediated rejection in humans.

Computer aided screening and evaluation of herbal therapeutics against MRSA infections

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a pathogenic bacterium that causes life threatening outbreaks such as community-onset and nosocomial infections has emerged as ‘superbug’. The organism developed resistance to all classes of antibiotics including the best known Vancomycin (VRSA). Hence, there is a need to develop new therapeutic agents. This study mainly evaluates the potential use of botanicals against MRSA infections. Computer aided design is an initial platform to screen novel inhibitors and the data finds applications in drug development. The drug-likeness and efficiency of various herbal compounds were screened by ADMET and docking studies. The virulent factor of most of the MRSA associated infections are Penicillin Binding Protein 2A (PBP2A) and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL). Hence, native structures of these proteins (PDB: 1VQQ and 1T5R) were used as the drug targets. The docking studies revealed that the active component of Aloe vera, β-sitosterol (3S, 8S, 9S, 10R, 13R, 14S, 17R) ­17­ [(2R, 5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl] -10, 13-dimethyl 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17- dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta [a] phenanthren-3-ol) showed best binding energies of -7.40 kcal/mol and ­6.34 kcal/mol for PBP2A and PVL toxin, respectively. Similarly, Meliantriol (1S-1-[ (2R, 3R, 5R)-5-hydroxy-3-[(3S, 5R, 9R, 10R, 13S, 14S, 17S)-3-hydroxy 4, 4, 10, 13, 14-pentamethyl-2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a] phenanthren-17-yl] oxolan-2-yl] -2- methylpropane-1, 2 diol), active compound in Azadirachta indica (Neem) showed the binding energies of ­6.02 kcal/mol for PBP2A and ­8.94 for PVL toxin. Similar studies were conducted with selected herbal compound based on pharmacokinetic properties. All in silico data tested in vitro concluded that herbal extracts of Aloe-vera, Neem, Guava (Psidium guajava), Pomegranate (Punica granatum) and tea (Camellia sinensis) can be used as therapeutics against MRSA infections.

Lack of association of Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1(HTLV-1) infection and rheumatoid arthritis in an endemic area

In South Africa the association of HTLV-1 infection with myelopathy is well described in Kwa Zulu Natal, which is an endemic area for HTLV-1 infection. Japan also has a high background prevalence of HTLV-1 infection, and a significant association of HTLV-1 infection with rheumatoid arthritis has been reported. This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association with HTLV-1 infection among black Africans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. A randomly selected group of 110 black people with RA were studied. The age, sex and duration of disease were recorded and a rheumatoid factor test was performed. The presence of antibodies to HTLV-1 was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The integration of proviral DNA in peripheral blood monocytes was also studied using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Control data were available from a previously reported community-based study of 1018 subjects from the same geographical area. None of the 110 patients studied were positive for HTLV-1 infection by serology or by PCR. Although HTLV-1 infection is reported as a possible triggering agent for RA in Japan, we failed to detect any excess of HTLV-1 infection in black Africans with RA. Our findings are in agreement with observations in the USA and Europe.

In-use testing of extemporaneously prepared suspensions of second generation non-nucleoside reversed transcriptase inhibitors in support of phase I clinical studies

DPC 961 and 963 are two of a series of prospective second generation non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) being considered for the treatment of HIV infections. The 'powder in a bottle' approach was used for drug administration for Phase I clinical studies. This new approach consists of compounding the active drug as a suspension or solution at the clinical site immediately before dosing. Prior to clinical use, studies were conducted to determine the compatibility of the drugs with the suspending agent, the recovery of the drugs using the administration procedure and the dissolution profile of the suspensions. The stability of the DPC 961 and 963 in the dosing formulation was followed over a 24-h period using a stability indicating HPLC method. In addition, the dissolution profiles of the suspensions were established for future comparison with solid dosage forms. Although the two drugs have very similar chemical structures, they clearly exhibited different behaviors in liquid/liquid extraction and dissolution experiments. These differences could be related to the physical characteristics of the powders, such as particle size and surface area. The results of the in-use testing of the suspension showed adequate recovery of the drugs from the bottle at two drug levels. The stability of DPC 961 and 963 in the suspending agent was sufficient for constitution and administration of the suspensions at the clinical site.

Development and validation of a reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method for analysis of aspirin and warfarin in a combination tablet formulation

A stability-indicating liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous analysis of aspirin and warfarin in warfarin sodium/aspirin combination (DuP 647) tablets has been developed and validated. This paper presents linearity, accuracy, precision, robustness, recovery, limits of detection and quantitation, and cross-validation data. The method has been shown to be specific and stability-indicating, and to give results comparable to existing methods for the individual components. Solution stability has been optimized for routine analysis.

Markers of hepatitis B in nurses and domestic staff in an area of high endemicity

Results obtained in two sero-epidemiologic surveys of hospital personnel in Durban were collated to yield information on 423 nurses and 141 domestic staff. The prevalence of antibodies to HBV was 14.9 per cent in 101 white nurses, 52.5 per cent in 322 African nurses and 51.8 per cent in 141 African domestics. This represents a greater than eight times increase for white nurses and a 50 per cent increase for African nurses and domestics over that seen in the equivalent blood donor groups (P less than 0.001 in each case). Antibody prevalence increased with age for all three staff groups, as did the number of individuals exhibiting a marker pattern (HBcAb greater than HBsAb) suggestive of persisting infection. No white nurses but 14 (4.3 per cent) African nurses and 17 (12.1 per cent) African domestics were HBsAg positive, the antigenaemia in domestics representing a significant increase (P less than 0.001) over the 4.0 per cent seen in female African blood donors. Six of the nurses and two of the domestics were also HBeAg positive. African nurses in adult medical wards showed greatest exposure (57 per cent) closely followed by nurses working in outpatient departments (54 per cent) and as theatre staff (52 per cent). Lower exposure rates (40 per cent) were seen in paediatric and renal unit nurses. This contrasts with results obtained for doctors in the two surveys which indicated that while Indian and white doctors are at significantly higher risk in the African hospital, African doctors are not, and that doctors working in surgical and renal departments are at higher risk than doctors on adult medical wards.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)