Jawaharlal Nehru University

About: Jawaharlal Nehru University is a education organization based out in New Delhi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Candida albicans. The organization has 6082 authors who have published 13455 publications receiving 245407 citations. The organization is also known as: JNU.

Efflux pump proteins in antifungal resistance

Abstract: It is now well-known that the enhanced expression of ATP binding cassette (ABC) and major facilitator superfamily (MFS) proteins contribute to the development of tolerance to antifungals in yeasts. For example, the azole resistant clinical isolates of the opportunistic human fungal pathogen Candida albicans show an overexpression of Cdr1p and/or CaMdr1p belonging to ABC and MFS superfamilies, respectively. Hence, azole resistant isolates display reduced accumulation of therapeutic drug due to its rapid extrusion and that facilitates its survival. Considering the importance of major antifungal transporters, the focus of recent research has been to understand the structure and function of these proteins to design inhibitors/modulators to block the pump protein activity so that the drug already in use could again sensitize resistant yeast cells. The review focuses on the structure and function of ABC and MFS transporters of Candida to highlight the recent advancement in the field.

Biosorption potency of Aspergillus niger for removal of chromium (VI).

Abstract: Aspergillusniger isolated from soil and effluent of leather tanning mills had higher activity to remove chromium. The potency of Aspergillusniger was evaluated in shake flask culture by absorption of chromium at pH 6 and temperature 30°C. The results of the study indicated removal of more than 75% chromium by Aspergillusniger determined by diphenylcarbazide colorimetric assay and atomic absorption spectrophotometry after 7 days. Study of microbial Cr(VI) reduction and identification of reduction intermediates has been hindered by the lack of analytical techniques that can identify the oxidation state with subcellular spatial resolution. Therefore, removal of chromium was further substantiated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), which indicated an accumulation of chromium in the fungal mycelium.

Impairment of photosystem 2 activity at the level of secondary quinone electron acceptor in chloroplasts treated with cobalt, nickel and zinc ions

Abstract: The toxicity of heavy metals on photosystem 2 photochemistry, was investigated by monitoring Hill activity, fluorescence, and thermoluminescence properties of photosystem 2 (PS 2) in pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Bombay) chloroplasts. In Co2+-, Ni2+- or Zn2+-treated chloroplasts 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol-Hill activity was markedly inhibited. Addition of hydroxylamine which donates electrons close to PS 2 reaction center did not restore the PS 2 activity. Co2+-, Ni2+ or Zn2+ also inhibited PS 2 activity supported by hydroxylamine in tris (hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris)-inactivated chloroplasts. These observations were confirmed by fluorescence transient measurements. This implies that the metal ions inhibit either the reaction center or the components of PS 2 acceptor side. Flash-induced thermoluminescence studies revealed that the S2Q−A charge recombination was insensitive to metal ion addition. The S2Q−B charge recombination, however, was inhibited with increase in the level of Co2+, Ni2+ or Zn2+. The observed sensitivity of S2−B charge recombination in comparison to the stability of S2Q−A recombination suggests that the metal ions inhibit at the level of secondary quinone electron acceptor. QB. We suggest that Co2+, Ni2+ or Zn2+ do not block the electron flow between the primary and secondary quinone electron acceptor, but possibly, directly modify QB site, leading to the loss of PS 2 activity.

Band Gap Engineering of ZnO using Core/Shell Morphology with Environmentally Benign Ag2S Sensitizer for Efficient Light Harvesting and Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalysis

Abstract: Band gap engineering offers tunable optical and electronic properties of semiconductors in the development of efficient photovoltaic cells and photocatalysts. Our study demonstrates the band gap engineering of ZnO nanorods to develop a highly efficient visible-light photocatalyst. We engineered the band gap of ZnO nanorods by introducing the core/shell geometry with Ag2S sensitizer as the shell. Introduction of the core/shell geometry evinces great promise for expanding the light-harvesting range and substantial suppression of charge carrier recombination, which are of supreme importance in the realm of photocatalysis. To unveil the superiority of Ag2S as a sensitizer in engineering the band gap of ZnO in comparison to the Cd-based sensitizers, we also designed ZnO/CdS core/shell nanostructures having the same shell thickness. The photocatalytic performance of the resultant core/shell nanostructures toward methylene blue (MB) dye degradation has been studied. The results imply that the ZnO/Ag2S core/shell...