Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex that is thought to add telomeric repeats onto the ends of chromosomes during the replicative phase of the cell cycle. We tested this hypothesis by arresting human tumor cell lines at different stages of the cell cycle. Induction of quiescence by serum deprivation did not affect telomerase activity. Cells arrested at the G1/S phase of the cell cycle showed similar levels of telomerase to asynchronous cultures; progression through the S phase was associated with increased telomerase activity. The

Artificial proteins can be engineered to exhibit interesting solid state, liquid crystal or interfacial properties and may ultimately serve as important alternatives to conventional polymeric materials. The utility of protein-based materials is limited, however, by the availability of just the 20 amino acids that are normally recognized and utilized by biological systems; many desirable functional groups cannot be incorporated directly into proteins by biosynthetic means. In this study, we incorporate para-bromophenylalanine (p-Br-phe) into a model target protein, mouse dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), by using a bacterial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PheRS) variant with relaxed substrate specificity. Coexpression of the mutant PheRS and DHFR in a phenylalanine auxotrophic Escherichia coli host strain grown in p-Br-phe-supplemented minimal medium resulted in 88% replacement of phenylalanine residues by p-Br-phe; variation in the relative amounts of phe and p-Br-phe in the medium allows control of the degree of substitution by the analog. Protein expression yields of 20^25 mg/l were obtained from cultures supplemented with p-Br-phe; this corresponds to about two-thirds of the expression levels characteristic of cultures supplemented with phe. The aryl bromide function is stable under the conditions used to purify DHFR and creates new opportunities for post-translational derivatization of brominated proteins via metal-catalyzed coupling reactions. In addition, bromination may be useful in X-ray studies of proteins via the multiwavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD) technique.z 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Objectives:To assess the impact of scaled-up sexually transmitted infection (STI) intervention under National AIDS Control Program (NACP) III and to examine the profile of STI/RTI clinic (now named Suraksha Clinic) attendees.Materials and Methods:A retrospective study by data analysis was done from April 2008 to March 2010. The scaled-up intervention comprised of (i) adopting enhanced syndromic approach, (ii) capacity building by appointing counselors and trainings of staff, (iii) strengthening STI/RTI clinics by provision of logistics and privacy by civil works, and (iv) supervisory support. The outcome which directly influenced service delivery was evaluated within this framework.Results:Sixteen “Suraksha Clinics” have been remodeled, equipped with supplies and laboratory set up. A total of 64,554 clinic visits were reported of which 27,317 [42%] attended the clinics for index STI/RTI complaint(s). Majority of the clients (44%) were young, 25–44 years old. Male to female ratio was 1:1.8. In females, the commonest complaint was lower abdominal pain (25%) and vaginal discharge (33%), the commonest syndrome. Amongst laboratory-confirmed STIs, 305 (1.4%) attendees were positive for trichomoniasis, while bacterial vaginosis was corroborated in 230 (1.07%) patients with clue cells. Amongst antenatal women, 251 were reactive for syphilis (≥1:8 dilutions). 10,579 partners of index STI/RTI patients were notified and partner management was attained to the level of 99%.Conclusion:Preliminary results show increased utilization of STI clinical services, though laboratory services need further strengthening. Continued supportive supervision and capacity building will enable skill development and quality monitoring.

There are an estimated 200 million carriers of the β-thalassemia gene worldwide, 20 million being in India. The mean prevalence in India is 3.3 %. Objective To evaluate the clinico-investigational profile and the demographic characteristics of patients with thalassemia major (TM). Methods This was a retrospective analysis of the clinico-demographic profile at presentation of patients of TM diagnosed in the Paediatric Hematology Clinic of our hospital. Results The clinical profile of 964 patients of TM was analyzed. The mean age at presentation of untransfused children was 13.2 ± 9.7 months. Nearly 2/3(rd) children presented before 1 year of age. Almost 40 % had symptoms for 3 months prior to presentation. The manifestations at presentation included pallor and failure to thrive. About 40 % presented with severe anemia, with a hemoglobin of <5.0 gm/dl. A large number received blood transfusions prior to establishment of the diagnosis. Half of the families had ancestors who hailed originally from Pakistan. Approximately 50 % belonged to the Khatri/Arora castes. The parental literacy rate was about 90 %. Conclusions Thalassemia needs greater public awareness and prevention strategies in our country. Some communities are at high risk as compared to others. Education programs and compulsory antenatal screening appear to be the order of the day.

Alcaligenes sp. HPC 1271 demonstrated antibacterial activity against multidrug resistant bacteria, Enterobacter sp., resistant to sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, azithromycin, and tetracycline, as well as against Serratia sp. GMX1, resistant to the same antibiotics with the addition of netilmicin. The cell-free culture supernatant was analyzed for possible antibacterials by HPLC, and the active fraction was further identified by LC-MS. Results suggest the production of tunicamycin, a nucleoside antibiotic. The draft genome of this bacterial isolate was analyzed, and the 4.2 Mb sequence data revealed six secondary metabolite-producing clusters, identified using antiSMASH platform as ectoine, butyrolactone, phosphonate, terpene, polyketides, and nonribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS). Additionally, the draft genome demonstrated homology to the tunicamycin-producing gene cluster and also defined 30 ORFs linked to protein secretion that could also play a role in the antibacterial activity observed. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that both NRPS and dTDP-glucose 4,6-dehydratase gene clusters are functional and could be involved in antibacterial biosynthesis.

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In addition to being implicated in bacterial immunity and genome editing, the CRISPR-Cas system has recently been demonstrated to regulate endogenous gene expression and biofilm formation. While the function of individual cas genes in controlling Salmonella biofilm has been explored, the regulatory role of CRISPR arrays in biofilm is less studied.

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