Epidemiological and Molecular Characterization of Dengue Virus Circulating in Bhutan, 2013-2014

Dengue is one of the most significant public health problems in tropical and subtropical countries, and is increasingly being detected in traditionally non-endemic areas. In Bhutan, dengue virus (DENV) has only recently been detected and limited information is available. In this study, we analyzed the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of DENV in two southern districts in Bhutan from 2013–2014. During this period, 379 patients were clinically diagnosed with suspected dengue, of whom 119 (31.4%) were positive for DENV infection by NS1 ELISA and/or nested RT-PCR. DENV serotypes 1, 2 and 3 were detected with DENV-1 being predominant. Phylogenetic analysis of DENV-1 using envelope gene demonstrated genotype V, closely related to strains from northern India.     

Identifying important conservation areas for the clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa in a mountainous landscape: Inference from spatial modeling techniques

The survival of large carnivores is increasingly precarious due to extensive human development that causes the habitat loss and fragmentation. Habitat selection is influenced by anthropogenic as well as environmental factors, and understanding these relationships is important for conservation management. We assessed the environmental and anthropogenic variables that influence site use of clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa in Bhutan, estimated their population density, and used the results to predict the species’ site use across Bhutan. We used a large camera‐trap dataset from the national tiger survey to estimate for clouded leopards, for the first time in Bhutan, (1) population density using spatially explicit capture–recapture models and (2) site‐use probability using occupancy models accounting for spatial autocorrelation. Population density was estimated at (0.10 SD) and (0.12 SE) per 100 km². Clouded leopard site use was positively associated with forest cover and distance to river while negatively associated with elevation. Mean site‐use probability (from the Bayesian spatial model) was (0.076 SD). When spatial autocorrelation was ignored, the probability of site use was overestimated, (0.066 SD). Predictive mapping allowed us to identify important conservation areas and priority habitats to sustain the future of these elusive, ambassador felids and associated guilds. Multiple sites in the south, many of them outside of protected areas, were identified as habitats suitable for this species, adding evidence to conservation planning for clouded leopards in continental South Asia.     

Photo-oxidation modulates green fern spore longevity during dry storage

Desiccation tolerance and longevity of plant propagules in the dry state have significant implications for biotechnological applications. In this study fern spores were used as a unicellular model to characterize some of the mechanisms of ageing during dry storage of plant propagules (at relative humidity ca. 15%). More specifically, we compared the potential relationships among indicators of photo-oxidative stress and spore viability during dry storage between green (chlorophyllous) spores of Todea barbara and non-green spores of Christella dentata. Green spores stored under the light aged faster than those stored in the dark, and faster than light- and dark-stored non-green spores of C. dentata. This rapid ageing in light-stored green spores was associated with significantly lower antioxidant activity (relative to time zero and dark-stored spores) during storage, and a burst of hydrogen peroxide during the latter stages of storage, which was not a feature of dark-stored spores. We attribute these signs of enhanced oxidative-stress mediated ageing in light-stored spores to photo-oxidative processes, similar to those described in other homoiochlorophyllous organisms. Additionally, high antioxidant activity and low levels of reactive oxygen species in green spores compared with non-green spores suggests differing mechanisms of coping with life in the dry state.     

Soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in forests along an altitudinal gradient in the eastern Himalayas and a meta‐analysis of global data

High‐altitude soils potentially store a large pool of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). The assessment of total C and N stocks in soils is vital to understanding the C and N dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we examined effects of altitude and forest composition on soil C and N along a transect from 317 to 3300 m a.s.l. in the eastern Himalayas. We used meta‐analysis to establish the context for our results on the effects of altitude on soil C, including variation with depth. Total C and N contents of soils significantly increased with altitude, but decreased with soil depth. Carbon and N were similarly correlated with altitude and temperature, and temperature was seemingly the main driver of soil C along the altitudinal gradient. Altitude accounted for 73% of the variation in C and 47% of the variation in N stocks. Soil pH and cation exchange capacity were correlated with both soil C and N stocks. Increases in soil C and N stocks were related to forest composition, forest basal area as well as quantity of leaf litter that were in turn influenced by altitude and temperature. Concentrations of C in foliage increased by 2.1% for every 1000 m rise in altitude, while that in leaf litter increased by 2.3%.     

A Bemisia tabaci midgut protein interacts with begomoviruses and plays a role in virus transmission

Begomoviruses are a major group of plant viruses, transmitted exclusively by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) in a persistent circulative non‐propagative manner. The information regarding molecular and cellular basis underlying Begomovirus – whitefly interaction is very scarce. Evidences have suggested that the insect gut possesses some crucial protein receptors that allow specific entry of virus into the insect haemolymph. We have performed yeast two hybrid gut cDNA expression library screening against coat protein of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCV) and Cotton leaf curl Rajasthan virus (CLCuV) as bait. Midgut protein (MGP) was the common protein found interacting with both ToLCV and CLCuV. MGP was localized in whole mount B. tabaci as well as in dissected guts through confocal microscopy. Pull down and dot blot assays confirmed in vitro interaction between ToLCV/CLCuV coat protein and MGP. Immunolocalization analysis also showed colocalization of ToLCV/CLCuV particles and MGP within insect's gut. Finally, anti‐MGP antibody fed B. tabaci, exhibited 70% reduction in ToLCV transmission, suggesting a supportive role for MGP in virus transmission.     

Automatic real-time calibration,assessment, and maintenance of generic Raman models for online monitoring of cell culture processes

Raman spectroscopy is a multipurpose analytical technology that has found great utility in real-time monitoring and control of critical performance parameters of cell culture processes. As a process analytical technology (PAT) tool, the performance of Raman spectroscopy relies on chemometric models that correlate Raman signals to the parameters of interest. The current calibration techniques yield highly specific models that are reliable only on the operating conditions they are calibrated in. Furthermore, once models are calibrated, it is typical for the model performance to degrade over time due to various recipe changes, raw material variability, and process drifts. Maintaining the performance of industrial Raman models is further complicated due to the lack of a systematic approach to assessing the performance of Raman models. In this article, we propose a real-time just-in-time learning (RT-JITL) framework for automatic calibration, assessment, and maintenance of industrial Raman models. Unlike traditional models, RT-JITL calibrates generic models that can be reliably deployed in cell culture experiments involving different modalities, cell lines, media compositions, and operating conditions. RT-JITL is a first fully integrated and fully autonomous platform offering a self-learning approach for calibrating and maintaining industrial Raman models. The efficacy of RT-JITL is demonstrated on experimental studies involving real-time predictions of various cell culture performance parameters, such as metabolite concentrations, viability, and viable cell density. RT-JITL framework introduces a paradigm shift in the way industrial Raman models are calibrated, assessed, and maintained, which to the best of authors' knowledge, have not been done before.     

Role of adipokines and cytokines in obesity-associated breast cancer: Therapeutic targets

Obesity is the cause of a large proportion of breast cancer incidences and mortality in post-menopausal women. In obese people, elevated levels of various growth factors such as insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are found. Elevated insulin level leads to increased secretion of estrogen by binding to the circulating sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). The increased estrogen-mediated downstream signaling favors breast carcinogenesis. Obesity leads to altered expression profiles of various adipokines and cytokines including leptin, adiponectin, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β. The increased levels of leptin and decreased adiponectin secretion are directly associated with breast cancer development. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines within the tumor microenvironment promote tumor development. Efficacy of available breast cancer drugs against obesity-associated breast cancer is yet to be confirmed. In this review, we will discuss different adipokine- and cytokine-mediated molecular signaling pathways involved in obesity-associated breast cancer, available therapeutic strategies and potential therapeutic targets for obesity-associated breast cancer.