NOPR Collection:

Molecular characterization of OAS1 as a biomarker molecule for early pregnancy diagnosis in Bubalus bubalis

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Molecular characterization of OAS1 as a biomarker molecule for early pregnancy diagnosis in Bubalus bubalis Authors: Batra, Kanisht; Nanda, Trilok; Kumar, Aman; Kumari, Rajni; Kumar, Vinay; Maan, Sushila Abstract: OAS1 (2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase) is a type I interferon molecule which is responsible for antiviral activity and known for its action in innate immunity. It was also reported to be stimulated by the release of interferon tau (IFN-t) in the serum of pregnant animals during conceptus implantation. OAS1 is studied in most of the ruminants except for buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), which is well known for high milk production. Therefore, in the present study OAS1 mRNA was isolated from pregnant buffalo (B. bubalis) at 18-21 day of pregnancy. The ORF region of OAS1 was amplified and sequenced for characterization of this protein. In silico analysis of protein was done in order to find the suitability of protein as a candidate molecule for early pregnancy diagnostic kits. The functional characterization identifies various motifs present in the protein which are responsible for its interaction with other proteins. Physiochemical properties predict the protein nature during in vitro conditions. Further, immunogenic studies revealed OAS1 is highly antigenic nature and its suitability for use in vivo conditions. In conclusion, OAS1 protein expression in buffalo is a good indicator of conceptus implantation and has suitable properties for being used in early and precise pregnancy diagnostic kits. Page(s): 97-107

Garlic extract based preparation of size controlled superparamagnetic hematite nanoparticles and their cytotoxic applications

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Garlic extract based preparation of size controlled superparamagnetic hematite nanoparticles and their cytotoxic applications Authors: Rath, Kalyani; Sen, Shampa Abstract: Magnetic nanoparticles have been researched extensively recently for site specific cancer cell treatment. Typically, ultrafine, stable and biocompatible particles prepared using simple, economical and environment friendly approaches are greatly desirable. In the present study hematite nanoparticles were prepared by a semi-synthetic approach using aqueous garlic extract. The Allium sativum (as) prepared particles were appropriately characterized and checked for in vitro cytotoxic effects and hemocompatability. Well dispersed (polydispersity index 0.144), superparamagnetic (Ms: 15.677 emu/g), spherical particles possessing an average 10 nm diameter and good colloidal stability (zeta potential: -36.8 mV) were obtained. Nanoparticles displayed a UV absorption maximum at 450 nm and a characteristic peak at 587 cm^-1 in the Infra-red (IR) spectra representing Fe-O bond. Various bioactive components present in the garlic extract could reduce the metal precursors as well as help in coating the nanoparticles. Nanoparticles exhibited negligible percentage hemolysis and concentration dependent cytotoxicity with inhibition concentration fifty percent (IC₅₀) values of 230 µg/ml, 346 µg/ml and 285 µg/ml for cell lines of colorectal cancer (HCT 116), breast cancer (MCF-7) and cervical cancer (HeLa), respectively. In contrast normal lung fibroblast MRC-5 cell line did not exhibit any apparent cytotoxicity in the studied concentration range. Hence, biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles were green synthesized for potential therapeutic application. Page(s): 108-118

Designing of siRNAs for various target genes of Cucumber mosaic virus subgroup IB

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Designing of siRNAs for various target genes of Cucumber mosaic virus subgroup IB Authors: Revathy, K A; Bhat, A I Abstract: Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a major production constraint in black pepper causing stunted disease. Resistant varieties are unavailable and control measures are not effective till now. Recently, RNA interference (RNAi) is the most promising strategy for combating virus infection in plants but the effectiveness depends on sequence specificity between the transgene and the targeting virus. This study was undertaken to design the most suitable region for double stranded RNA synthesis with maximum specificity and minimized off–targets for all the five genes of CMV from black pepper. A 400 bp off–target minimized region identified from each of the five genes was subjected to sequence polymorphism study with selected CMV subgroup IB strains and common ‘siRNAs’ were designed in silico. As 3b gene had the least variations (of 17%) with four common and potential siRNAs designed from this region in silico, a hairpin construct was assembled using this region in Agrobacterium that can be used for developing black pepper resistant to selected CMV subgroup IB strains. Page(s): 119-125

Comparative studies on biomass of Anabaena ambigua grown in an external loop airlift photobioreactor using cross-shaped and circular sparger

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Comparative studies on biomass of Anabaena ambigua grown in an external loop airlift photobioreactor using cross-shaped and circular sparger Authors: Reddy, M B Venkataramana; Vani, M Mukunda Abstract: An external loop airlift photobioreactor of 5 litre capacity was fabricated with glass as per the design. Blue green algae Anabaena ambigua was cultured in this external loop airlift photobioreactor using cross-shaped and circular sparger. For each type of sparger different sets of air velocities viz., 1 m/s, 1.5 m/s, 2 m/s, 2.5 m/s and 3 m/s were maintained and, once the culture reached stationary phase, the biomass was estimated by gravimetric method. For cross-shaped sparger maximum biomass was obtained at air velocity of 1.5 m/s and for circular sparger maximum biomass was obtained at air velocity of 2 m/s. Statistical analysis two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using Microsoft Excel 2007. It was observed that there is a significant change in the biomass formed by changing the air velocity as well as changing the type of sparger. A maximum biomass of 0.809 g/L was obtained using cross-shaped sparger at air velocity of 1.5 m/s. Page(s): 126-131