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Liming and unhairing is the conventional operation in the tannery where raw animal skins are treated with sodium sulphide and calcium hydroxide to remove keratin proteins e.g., hair and wool epidermis and to dissolve nonstructural proteins. The hair dissolving liming process discharges wastewater containing soluble sulphide. In acidification, the sulphide in wastewater generates toxic hydrogen sulphide, which has a negative impact on the environment. In this present study, the efficiency of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium chlorite (NaClO2) oxidizers are compared to remove sulphide from the hair dissolving liming wastewater. The soluble sulphide in the raw liming wastewater was 3666 mg/L. At optimized dose and pH for H2O2 and NaClO2 soluble sulphide in the solution were 109.2 and 54.6 mg/L, respectively. The sulphide removal efficiency for H2O2and NaClO2 were 97.0% and 98.5%, respectively at an optimum pH (pH 7). Before and after treatment the physicochemical parameters of the liming wastewater were analysed by observing different water quality parameters viz: pH, TDS, EC and salinity. At optimized condition TDS and salinity removal efficiency was 47.2%, 52.3% and 8.1%, 11.2% for H2O2 and NaClO2, respectively. This simple and easy method would be effective for treating hair dissolving liming wastewater in reducing soluble sulphide discharge from the tanneries. Journal of Engineering Science 12(3), 2021, 67-72

Abstract Usability of a Web Based Library Systems (WBLS) is a major quality attribute. Checklists have become common and easy method to evaluate the usability of these WBLS; however the available checklists support evaluation of general usability aspects of WBLS only. The domain specific usability aspects are required to maximize the usability for such systems. This research proposes and validates a checklist based usability evaluation method that supports the evaluation of general as well as specific usability aspects of WBLS. The usability evaluation checklist is proposed based on analysis of literature and data of a controlled experiment. The checklist is validated in comparison to the “Academic Library Website Evaluation Checklist” via another controlled experiment. The proposed checklist is applied to the WBLS of universities in Pakistan. The manual and statistical result shows that, the proposed usability evaluation checklist identifies more general and specific usability aspects. It is found that both the checklists are equally efficient while identifying the usability errors. The proposed checklist is beneficial for the academia as well as industry to evaluate the usability of WBLS to an optimal level.

Leishmaniasis is a severe public health problem, caused by the protozoan Leishmania. This parasite has two developmental forms, extracellular promastigote in the insect vector and intracellular amastigote in the mammalian host where it resides inside the phagolysosome of macrophages. Little is known about the virulence factors that regulate host-pathogen interactions and particularly host signalling subversion. All the proteomes of Leishmania extracellular vesicles identified the presence of Leishmania casein kinase 1 (L-CK1.2), a signalling kinase. L-CK1.2 is essential for parasite survival and thus might be essential for host subversion. To get insights into the functions of L-CK1.2 in the macrophage, the systematic identification of its host substrates is crucial, we thus developed an easy method to identify substrates, combining phosphatase treatment, in vitro kinase assay and Stable Isotope Labelling with Amino acids in Cell (SILAC) culture-based mass spectrometry. Implementing this approach, we identified 225 host substrates as well as a potential novel phosphorylation motif for CK1. We confirmed experimentally the enrichment of our substratome in bona fide L-CK1.2 substrates and showed they were also phosphorylated by human CK1δ. L-CK1.2 substratome is enriched in biological processes such as “viral and symbiotic interaction,” “actin cytoskeleton organisation” and “apoptosis,” which are consistent with the host pathways modified by Leishmania upon infection, suggesting that L-CK1.2 might be the missing link. Overall, our results generate important mechanistic insights into the signalling of host subversion by these parasites and other microbial pathogens adapted for intracellular survival.

Abstract Background We have developed a simple and easy method of estimating the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of serum creatinine in Japanese children (eGFRUemura). The eGFR equation is for children aged 2–18 years. Therefore Uemura et al. developed an equation for children younger than 2 years (eGFRunder 2). The aim of the present study was to validate this new equation. Methods We collected the data of 13 patients from previous studies and compared the results of eGFRunder 2, eGFRUemura, and updated eGFR developed by Schwartz (eGFRSchwartz) with measured GFR using mean error (ME), root mean square error (RMSE), P30 and Bland–Altman analysis. Results The ME of eGFRunder 2, eGFRUemura and eGFRSchwartz were 2.3 ± 15.9, 7.7 ± 14.5, and 16.0 ± 18.2 ml/min/1.73m2, respectively. The RMSEs were 15.5, 15.9, and 49.6, respectively. The P30 values were 76.9%, 76.9%, and 53.8%, respectively. The graph of Bland–Altman bias analysis showed fan-shape. The eGFRunder 2 equation was the most accurate in the three equations. Conclusion The eGFRunder 2 equation was useful for Japanese children younger than 2 years.

The main idea of the work is the development of a cheap and easy method for the manufacture of nanostructured systems based on the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Beginning with a new class of materials for interference optics in the infrared (IR) range of the spectrum, the evaporation of composites of systems germanium-metal chalcogenide (oxide), in particular, of the Ge-ZnS and Ge-Sb2Se3 systems was studied. They evaporate in vacuum congruently, and upon condensation on substrates form nano-structured thin-film coatings. In the first of these systems, the coating has an X-ray amorphous nature: the formation of a nano-dispersed composite in a Ge-ZnS film is confirmed by the absence of characteristic peaks of Ge and ZnS in X-ray diffraction patterns, but the formation of a characteristic halo takes place. At the same time, upon evaporation and condensation of a sample of the Ge-Sb2Se3 system, a glassy structure is formed; this is confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), where no crystalline regions were found. The energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy measurements of the coating (about 10 at.% of Ge, 40 at.% of Sb and Se, respectively) indicate a certain deviation from the stoichiometry compared to the initial sample of the system. This may indicate a slightly lower volatility of germanium selenides compared to antimony selenides. The EDX line scans along the cross-section of the coating exhibited strong fluctuations in the concentration of elements, and, consequently, the heterogeneity of the coating in terms of composition. Both coatings have high mechanical strength (group 0). At the same time, their optical properties differ significantly: the refractive indices are 3.00 and 3.66 for the Ge-ZnS and Ge-Sb2Se3 systems, respectively. It is believed that nano-structuring in the above systems is due to the high capability of germanium to amorphize upon condensation on a glass substrate.

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems have become very popular in the field of drug screening and discovery. There is an immense demand for highly efficient and easy methods to produce 3D spheroids in any cell format. We have developed a novel and easy method to produce spheroids from the newly isolated KAIMRC1 cell line in vitro. It can be used as a 3D model to study proliferation, differentiation, cell death, and drug response of cancer cells. Our procedure requires growth media supplemented with 10% new born calf serum (NBCS) and regular cell culture plates to generate KAIMRC1 spheroids without the need for any specialized 3D cell culture system. This procedure generates multiple spheroids within a 12–24-h culture. KAIMRC1 spheroids are compact, homogeneous in size and morphology with a mean size of 55.8 µm (±3.5). High content imaging (HCI) of KAIMRC1 spheroids treated with a panel of 240 compounds resulted in the identification of several highly specific compounds towards spheroids. Immunophenotyping of KAIMRC1 spheroids revealed phosphorylation of FAK, cJUN, and E-cadherin, which suggests the involvement of JNK/JUN pathway in the KAIMRC1 spheroids formation. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of cell junction genes, GJB3, DSC1, CLDN5, CLDN8, and PLAU. Furthermore, co-culture of KAIMRC1 cells with primary cancer-associated-fibroblasts (CAFs) showcased the potential of these cells in drug discovery application.

The indiscriminate use of first-line drugs contributed to the spread of resistant bacteria, a major concern for both human and veterinary medicine. Methicillin resistance is acquired through the mecA gene, which encodes for the PBP2a protein and lends the resistance to β-lactams. Verifying the correspondence between gene harboring and protein expression and accelerating methicillin resistance diagnosis is critical to improve the management of antimicrobial administration and to reduce the spread of drug resistances. We tested the applicability of immunofluorescence targeting PBP2a protein to identify a new potential methicillin resistance screening test, ancillary to conventional culture methods. We collected 26 clinical Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) isolates: 25 from canine pyoderma and 1 from dermatitis in a dog owner. SP is one of the most important etiological agents in canine pyoderma and can harbor the mecA gene. We performed PCR for mecA gene detection, broth microdilution (BMD) for phenotypic methicillin resistance, and immunofluorescence targeting PBP2a protein. Compared to the PCR as the gold standard, immunofluorescence showed an apparent prevalence of 34.6% vs. a true prevalence of 53.8%, with 100% specificity, 64.3% sensitivity, and 80.8% diagnostic accuracy. PBP2a expression showed isolate-dependent variability: in some isolates, most of the bacterial cells showed an intense and clearly membranous pattern, while in others only a few of them could be detected. Performing the assay in duplicate improved the diagnostic accuracy. Since the mecA gene is shared among the members of the Staphylococcus genus, the test can be applied to identify methicillin resistance independently from the staphylococcal species, both in human and animal samples. Being a rapid and easy method and providing the unique possibility to study the expression of PBP2a by directly visualizing the morphology, it could represent a new interesting tool for both research and diagnostics. To accelerate methicillin resistance diagnosis, it would be worth further testing of its performance on cytological samples.

Abstract In contrast to its normal-oleic counterpart, high-oleic peanut has better keeping quality and multiple health benefits. Breeding high-oleic peanut through conventional means is a tedious process generally requiring several years. Genome editing may shorten the duration. In this study, node injection method was used to transform normal-oleic Huayu 23, a popular peanut cultivar having loss-of-function FAD2A, with CRISPR/Cas9 construct targeting FAD2B, and two peanut mutants with over 80% oleic acid and 442A insertion in FAD2B were obtained. As a genotype-independent, simple and easy method for peanut genetic transformation, node injection has great potential in factional analysis of genes and in peanut varietal improvement.

Global warming is caused by lack of N and P by the elimination of NOx and NP in seven developed countries. Global warming can be protected, if enough amounts of nutrients containing nitrogen and phosphorous are supplied. Most easily available substances containing N and P are NOx and NP in waste water. If developed countries stop the elimination of NOx and NP, CO2 assaulting is activated and global warming will stop. In addition, production of grain and fish will increase and GDP will increase. The goal “CO2 zero and growth” described in Paris Agreement could be accomplished sooner than in 2050.

Background: Systemic candidiasis is associated with a high crude mortality rate, even with first line antifungal therapy. C. albicans is the predominant cause of invasive fungal diseases which is a serious public health issue. The main objective was to assess the reliability of different media for germ tube production in Candida albicans isolated from various clinically diagnosed pulmonary samples.Methods: All Candida isolates were identified and speciated by conventional methods such as Gram’s staining, germ tube test, chlamydospore formation on corn meal agar, sugar fermentation test, sugar assimilation test, and growth on Hi-chrome candida agar.Results: Out of 108 clinical isolates of Candida albicans, 5 different methods were used for germ tube production. Pooled human sera showed 93/108 (86.1%) was the most sensitive method wherein YEPD (yeast extract peptone dextrose) broth 91/108 (84.7%) was the reliable and easy method for detection of germ tube, followed by trypticase soy broth 81/108 (81.4%); peptone water 80/108 (74.7%) and 2% sucrose 71/108 (65.7%).Conclusions: YPED broth is found to be a better serum free substrate and subsequently for the presumptive differentiation of C. albicans from non-albicans candida (NAC), without the extensive time required for the preparation and testing of pooled human serum. Furthermore, this medium is commercially available, more stable, effective, and is not bio hazardous.