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Spiders have a critical role in the ecological web. They are significant ecological indicators. In central India Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh is known for having the highest forest density, biological diversity, and ecological values. In the present study, a total of 65 spider species from 15 families and 47 genera were identified. In total, 2340 individual spiders have been observed in the Wainganga basin of Balaghat. Family Araneidae has the most species (30.76%) out of the 15 families studied. This was followed by Salticidae (21.53%), Lycosidae (10%), Theridiidae (10%), and Tetragnathidae (6.1%). Habitat heterogeneity, availability of water resources, rich vegetation, and an abundance of prey density ultimately increase the abundance and diversity of spiders in the present study site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SNAREs (Soluble N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Fusion Protein Attachment Protein Receptor) are a class of membrane proteins that mediate membrane-membrane fusion in eukaryotic cells. SNAP-23 is a t-SNARE which is a component of cellular machinery is required for membrane fusion. SNAP-23 lacks transmembrane domain. Cysteines in the linker region of SNAP-23 are involved in targeting of SNAP-23 to the membrane. In the present work, a portion of MDR3 gene (MDR3 1-145) and CLP24 (CLP134-195) was subcloned into a plasmid encoding EGFP-SNAP-23 Cys- mutant for the generation of a fusion protein containing the two functional coiled-coil domain of t-SNARE, SNAP 23 and a transmembrane domain of MDR3 gene and CLP24 for mast cell. This fusion protein will be important to study the membrane targeting and raft association of the chimeric SNAP23 protein, which plays an important role in mast cell exocytosis in the mammalian system. A novel bioinformatics approach has been applied to identify the specific transmembrane domain. This novel approach can be used to construct other fusion proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coordination chemistry of the phosphine-tethered diamidophosphine ligands PhP(CH2CH2CH2NHPh)2 (pr[NPN]H2) and PhP(1,2-CH2-C6H4-NHSiMe3)2 (bn[NPN]H2) featuring six-membered N–C3–P chelates was explored with group 4 metals, which allowed for the consecutive development of a new trimethylene-methane-tethered [PN2] scaffold. In the case of the propylene-linked system pr[NPN]H2, access to the sparingly soluble dibenzyl derivative pr[NPN]ZrBn2 (3-Zr) was gained, while thermally sensitive zirconium and hafnium diiodo complexes bn[NPN]MI2 (5-M, M = Zr, Hf) were isolated in the case of the benzylene-linked derivative bn[NPN]H2. Despite the related phosphine-tethered backbone architectures of both of these ligands, their group 4 complexes were found to exhibit either C1-symmetric (bn[NPN]MX2) or averaged CS-symmetric (pr[NPN]MX2) structures in solution. To restrain the overall flexibility of these systems and thereby control the properties of the resulting complexes without disrupting the six-membered chelates, the new trimethylene-methane-tethered N,N′-di-(tert-butyl)-substituted [PN2]H2 protioligand was designed. This tripodal ligand system was prepared on a gram scale and its CS-symmetric dichloro complexes [PN2]MCl2 (6-M, M = Ti, Zr, Hf) were isolated subsequently. The benzene-soluble dibenzyl derivative [PN2]ZrBn2 (7-Zr) was synthesised as well and characterised by X-ray diffraction. These results are discussed not only in conjunction with the known [NPN]-coordinated group 4 complexes incorporating five-membered chelates, but also in the context of “molecular claws” that are related to the new [PN2] tripod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-mode organic solid-state lasers with direct emission into an optical waveguide are attractive candidates for cost-efficient coherent light sources employed in photonic lab-on-a-chip biosensors. Here, we present a combination of a dye-doped organic solid-state distributed feedback laser with a highly sensitive optical waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometer on a silicon nitride photonic platform. This organic-hybrid laser allows for optical pumping with a laser diode in an alignment tolerant manner, which facilitates applications in point-of-care diagnostics. The sensitivity to bulk refractive index changes and the concentration dependent binding of streptavidin on a polyethyleneimine-biotin functionalized surface was studied to demonstrate the practicability of this cost-efficient coherent light source for optical waveguide biosensors., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The transition-metal-mediated reductive activation of nitro compounds and subsequent proton-coupled N-O bond cleavage reactions are key steps of important processes such as the commercially relevant conversions of nitroaryls to aniline derivatives. Here we report the reactivity of selected nitro substrates RNO 2 (R = Me, Ph, p -C 6 H 4 CHO) with pyrazolate-based dinickel(II) dihydride complexes [ML(NiH) 2 ] (M = Na, K); the latter eliminate H 2 upon substrate binding and serve as a masked dinickel(I) platform. The products [MLNi 2 (O 2 NR)] (R = Me, 3 Me - M ; R = Ph, 3 Ph - M ) host a μ- κ O ,κ O ' bridging twice deprotonated dihydroxy amine [RNO 2 ] 2- within the dinickel pocket, and structural analysis as well as NMR evidence show that the alkali cation (Na + or K + ) is closely associated with the reduced substrate. In the case of p -nitrobenzaldehyde, chemoselective reduction of the nitro group is observed to give 3 Bna - K . The 3 Me - M complexes in solution are unstable and show first order decay to a mixture of complexes [LNi 2 (μ-OH)] ( 4 ) and [LNi 2 (ON═CH 2 )] ( 5 ), with the latter containing a μ- κ O ,κ N formaldoximato ligand. The decay rate of 3 Me - M strongly depends on the alkali cation ( k = 2.38 (±0.03) × 10 4 s -1 for 3 Me - K and 4.69 (±0.06) × 10 -6 s -1 for 3 Me - Na ), and a mechanistic scenario is proposed. Protonation of 3 Ph - K induces disproportionation of the bound [PhNO 2 ] 2- to give free PhNO 2 , 4 , and [LNi 2 (ON(H)Ph)] ( 2 Ph - H ) featuring an O-deprotonated μ- κ O ,κ N hydroxylamine in the dinickel(II) cleft; abstraction of the cation K + from 3 Ph -K via addition of cryptand gives the analogous complex [LNi 2 (ONPh)][K(crypt)] ( 2 Ph - K [ crypt ]) with a twice deprotonated hydroxylamine ligand. The results are discussed in light of the intermediates that are proposed to be relevant in the sequence of nitro group reduction and protonation steps, as implicated in the conversion of nitroaryls to anilines.

Mechanical ventilation from birth with normal tidal volumes (V T ) causes lung injury and systemic responses in preterm sheep. The addition of budesonide to surfactant therapy decreases these injury markers. Budesonide and surfactant will decrease the injury from injurious V T ventilation in preterm sheep. Lambs at 126 ± 1 day gestational age were ventilated from birth with either: 1) Normal V T [surfactant 200 mg/kg before ventilation, positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) 5 cmH 2 O, V T 8 mL/kg] or 2) Injury V T (high pressure, 100% oxygen, no PEEP) for 15 min, then further randomized to surfactant + saline or surfactant + 0.25 mg/kg budesonide with Normal V T for 6 h. Lung function and lung, liver, and brain tissues were evaluated for indicators of injury. Injury V T + saline caused significant injury and systemic responses, and Injury V T + budesonide improved lung physiology. Budesonide decreased lung inflammation and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA in the lung, liver, and brain to levels similar to Normal V T + saline. Budesonide was present in plasma within 15 min of treatment in both ventilation groups, and less than 5% of the budesonide remained in the lung at 6 h. mRNA sequencing of liver and periventricular white matter demonstrated multiple pathways altered by both Injury V T and budesonide and the combination exposure. In lambs receiving Injury V T , the addition of budesonide to surfactant improved lung physiology and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine responses in the lung, liver, and brain to levels similar to lambs receiving Normal V T .

Mechanical ventilation with normal tidal volumes (V T ) causes lung and systemic inflammation in preterm sheep. Mechanical ventilation is associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants, and the addition of budesonide to surfactant decreases BPD in clinical trials. Budesonide with surfactant will decrease the lung injury from mechanical ventilation for 24 h in preterm sheep. Lambs at 126 ± 1 day gestational age were delivered and randomized to either: 1 ) surfactant (200 mg/kg) or 2 ) surfactant mixed with budesonide (0.25 mg/kg) before mechanical ventilation with V T of 7-8 ml/kg for 2, 6, or 24 h ( n = 6 or 7/group). Lung physiology and budesonide levels in the plasma and the lung were measured. Lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), liver, and brain tissues were evaluated for indicators of injury. High initial budesonide plasma levels of 170 ng/ml decreased to 3 ng/ml at 24 h. Lung tissue budesonide levels were less than 1% of initial dose by 24 h. Although physiological variables were generally similar, budesonide-exposed lambs required lower mean airway pressures, had higher hyperoxia responses, and had more stable blood pressures. Budesonide decreased proinflammatory mRNA in the lung, liver, and brain. Budesonide also decreased total protein and proinflammatory cytokines in BALF, and decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase activation at 24 h. In ventilated preterm lambs, most of the budesonide left the lung within 24 h. The addition of budesonide to surfactant improved physiology, decreased markers of lung injury, and decreased systemic responses in liver and brain.

Mechanical ventilation causes lung injury and systemic inflammatory responses in preterm sheep and is associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. Budesonide added to surfactant decreased BPD by 20% in infants. We wanted to determine the effects of budesonide and surfactant on injury from high tidal volume (V T ) ventilation in preterm lambs. Ewes at 125 ± 1 days gestational age had fetal surgery to expose fetal head and chest with placental circulation intact. Lambs were randomized to 1) mechanical ventilation with escalating V T to target 15 ml/kg by 15 min or 2) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 5 cmH 2 O. After the 15-min intervention, lambs were given surfactant 100 mg/kg with saline, budesonide 0.25 mg/kg, or budesonide 1 mg/kg. The fetuses were returned to the uterus for 24 h and then delivered and ventilated for 30 min to assess lung function. Budesonide levels were low in lung and plasma. CPAP groups had improved oxygenation, ventilation, and decreased injury markers compared with fetal V T lambs. Budesonide improved ventilation in CPAP lambs. Budesonide decreased lung weights and lung liquid and increased lung compliance and surfactant protein mRNA. Budesonide decreased proinflammatory and acute-phase responses in lung. Airway thickness increased in animals not receiving budesonide. Systemically, budesonide decreased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA and preserved glycogen in liver. Results with 0.25 and 1 mg/kg budesonide were similar. We concluded that budesonide with surfactant matured the preterm lung and decreased the liver responses but did not improve lung function after high V T injury in fetal sheep.

Photosystem 1 (PS1) triggers the most energetic light-induced charge-separation step in nature and the in vivo electron-transfer rates approach 50 e(-)  s(-1)  PS1(-1). Photoelectrochemical devices based on this building block have to date underperformed with respect to their semiconductor counterparts or to natural photosynthesis in terms of electron-transfer rates. We present a rational design of a redox hydrogel film to contact PS1 to an electrode for photocurrent generation. We exploit the pH-dependent properties of a poly(vinyl)imidazole Os(bispyridine)2Cl polymer to tune the redox hydrogel film for maximum electron-transfer rates under optimal conditions for PS1 activity. The PS1-containing redox hydrogel film displays electron-transfer rates of up to 335±14 e(-)  s(-1)  PS1(-1), which considerably exceeds the rates observed in natural photosynthesis or in other semiartificial systems. Under O2 supersaturation, photocurrents of 322±19 μA cm(-2) were achieved. The photocurrents are only limited by mass transport of the terminal electron acceptor (O2). This implies that even higher electron-transfer rates may be achieved with PS1-based systems in general., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The improvement of Z-scheme inspired biophotovoltaics is achieved by fine tuning the properties of redox hydrogels applied as immobilization and electron conducting matrices for the photosystem-protein complexes. The formal potentials of the redox hydrogels are adjusted to the respective redox sites in the photosystems for optimized electron transfer without substantial voltage loss. The anode is based on photosystem 2 (PS2) integrated in a phenothiazine modified redox hydrogel with a formal potential of -1 mV vs. SHE, which is 59 mV more positive than the QB acceptor site in PS2. The cathode is based on photosystem 1 (PS1) contacted via an Os-complex based redox hydrogel with a formal potential of 395 mV vs. SHE, i.e. 28 mV more negative than the primary P700 electron acceptor of PS1. The potential difference between the two redox hydrogels is 396 mV. An open circuit voltage (VOC) of 372.5 ± 2.1 mV could be achieved for the biophotovoltaic cell. The maximum power output is 1.91 ± 0.56 μW cm(-2) and the conversion efficiency (η) is 4.5 × 10(-5), representing a 125-fold improvement in comparison to the previously proposed device exploiting the photosynthetic Z-scheme for electrical energy production.