Birla Institute of Technology and Science

About: Birla Institute of Technology and Science is a education organization based out in Pilāni, Rajasthan, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Population. The organization has 8897 authors who have published 13947 publications receiving 170008 citations.

Diminazene aceturate prevents nephropathy by increasing glomerular ACE2 and AT2 receptor expression in a rat model of type1 diabetes.

Abstract: Background and Purpose Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) shows its protective actions through degrading Ang II. ACE2 activity and its expression was found to be reduced in glomeruli of diabetic patients as well as in animal models of diabetes. Several recent studies have also showed the potential role of recombinant ACE2 administration in preventing diabetic nephropathy (DN). Hence, we hypothesized that ACE2 activator, diminazene aceturate (DIZE) may be beneficial in preventing DN. Experimental Approach Male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic using a single dose of Streptozotocin (55mg kg-1, i.p.). After 4 weeks, diabetic animals were grouped in to respective groups and the drug, DIZE, low dose (5mg kg-1day-1), high dose (15mg kg-1day-1) and high dose in presence of AT2 blocker (PD123319, 10mg kg-1day-1) was administered. At the end, kidneys from all the groups were collected and processed separately for glomerular isolation, protein isolation, mRNA extraction and for immunohistochemical studies. Key Results DIZE administration restored the ACE2 expression in glomeruli and increased the AT2 expression in whole kidney and isolated glomeruli of diabetic animals. DIZE administration, reduced the Ang II levels and increased Ang 1-7 levels in diabetic kidney. However, AT2 blockade, reversed all these actions of DIZE. Conclusion and Implications DIZE treatment reduced the diabetes induced renal damage through inhibiting fibrosis and apotosis. Moreover, DIZE failed to show its protective actions in presence of AT2 blocker. Taken together, these results suggest the protective role of DIZE in preventing DN through ACE2/Ang 1-7/AT2 axis.

EEG-Rhythm Specific Taylor─Fourier Filter Bank Implemented With O-Splines for the Detection of Epilepsy Using EEG Signals

Abstract: The neurological disorder which is associated with the abnormal electrical activity generated from the brain causing seizures is typically termed as epilepsy. The automated detection and classification of epilepsy based on the analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal are highly required for its early diagnosis. In this paper, we have developed an EEG-rhythm specific Taylor-Fourier filter-bank implemented with O-splines for the detection and classification of epilepsy from the EEG signal. The energy features are evaluated from the Taylor-Fourier sub-band signals of the EEG signal. The classifiers such as K-nearest neighbor (KNN) and least square support vector machine (SVM) are employed for the classification of normal, seizure-free and seizure from the Taylor-Fourier EEG-band energy (TFEBE) features. The experimental results demonstrate that, for the classification of normal, seizure-free, and seizure classes, the least square SVM classifier has an overall accuracy value of 94.88% using the EEG signals from the Bonn university database. The proposed EEG rhythm specific Taylor-Fourier filter-bank with O-splines can be implemented in real-time for the detection of epileptic seizures from EEG signals.

Antibiotic Resistance Genes Online (ARGO): a Database on vancomycin and beta-lactam resistance genes.

Abstract: UNLABELLED Vancomycin and beta-lactams are antibiotics that inhibit gram positive bacteria by interfering with cell wall synthesis. However, continuous use of antibiotics results in the emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial strains. Here, we describe ARGO, a database containing gene sequences conferring resistance to these two classes of antibiotics. It is designed as a resource to enhance research on the prevalence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes. ARGO is the first attempt to compile the resistance gene sequence data with state specific information. AVAILABILITY AGRO is available for free at http://www.argodb.org/

Recent advances in CO2 uptake and fixation mechanism of cyanobacteria and microalgae

Abstract: Aquatic photosynthetic microorganisms, cyanobacteria and microalgae, account for almost half of the world's photosynthesis. They absorb carbon di oxide (CO2) as the major substrate to support photosynthesis, the beginning of energy flow into living organisms and one of the primary processes comprising the global carbon cycle. Among all photosynthetic mechanisms, inorganic carbon transport into ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) is one of the major limiting steps in photosynthetic carbon fixation which involves active transport of HCO3−, CO2 and/or H+, or an energized biochemical mechanism. In fact, a unique system “carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM)” manages the inorganic carbon assimilation, accumulation of CO2 around RuBisCO, and utilization in algal cells. However, the information on mechanism of CO2 uptake and fixation inside the algal cells is limited. In order to make strategies for enhancement of CO2 fixation, understanding of CCM is crucial. Thus, this review provi...