Decreased Prevalence of Lymphatic Filariasis among Diabetic Subjects Associated with a Diminished Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Response (CURES 83)

Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse correlation between the incidence of lymphatic filariasis (LF) and the incidence of allergies and autoimmunity. However, the interrelationship between LF and type-2 diabetes is not known and hence, a cross sectional study to assess the baseline prevalence and the correlates of sero-positivity of LF among diabetic subjects was carried out (n = 1416) as part of the CURES study. There was a significant decrease in the prevalence of LF among diabetic subjects (both newly diagnosed [5.7%] and those under treatment [4.3%]) compared to pre-diabetic subjects [9.1%] (p = 0.0095) and non-diabetic subjects [10.4%] (p = 0.0463). A significant decrease in filarial antigen load (p = 0.04) was also seen among diabetic subjects. Serum cytokine levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines—IL-6 and GM-CSF—were significantly lower in diabetic subjects who were LF positive, compared to those who were LF negative. There were, however, no significant differences in the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines—IL-10, IL-13 and TGF-β—between the two groups. Although a direct causal link has yet to be shown, there appears to be a striking inverse relationship between the prevalence of LF and diabetes, which is reflected by a diminished pro-inflammatory cytokine response in Asian Indians with diabetes and concomitant LF.     

Genetic analysis of scattered populations of the Indian eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini Donovan: Differentiation of subpopulations

Deforestation and exploitation has led to the fragmentation of habitats and scattering of populations of the economically important eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini, in north-east India. Genetic analysis of 15 eri populations, using ISSR markers, showed 98% inter-population, and 23% to 58% intra-population polymorphism. Nei's genetic distance between populations increased significantly with altitude (R(2) = 0.71) and geographic distance (R(2) = 0.78). On the dendrogram, the lower and upper Assam populations were clustered separately, with intermediate grouping of those from Barpathar and Chuchuyimlang, consistent with geographical distribution. The Nei's gene diversity index was 0.350 in total populations and 0.121 in subpopulations. The genetic differentiation estimate (Gst) was 0.276 among scattered populations. Neutrality tests showed deviation of 118 loci from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The number of loci that deviated from neutrality increased with altitude (R(2) = 0.63). Test of linkage disequilibrium showed greater contribution of variance among eri subpopulations to total variance. D('2)IS exceeded D('2)ST, showed significant contribution of random genetic drift to the increase in variance of disequilibrium in subpopulations. In the Lakhimpur population, the peripheral part was separated from the core by a genetic distance of 0.260. Patchy habitats promoted low genetic variability, high linkage disequilibrium and colonization by new subpopulations. Increased gene flow and habitat-area expansion are required to maintain higher genetic variability and conservation of the original S. c. ricini gene pool.     

Genetic evaluation of eri silkworm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Samia cynthia ricini</Emphasis>: ISSR loci specific to high and low altitude regimes and quantitative attributes

Genetic structure of populations is under constant pressure from varying geographical conditions that induce phenotypic plasticity in insects. Spatial distribution of 15 populations of Indian eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini originated at various altitudes of sub Himalayas based on Euclidean distance realized from yield attributes showed two population clusters irrespective of their place of origin and altitude. However, DNA amplification profile by inter SSR (ISSR) markers showed genetic variations among the populations depend on low and high altitudes. One ISSR locus each specific to high and low altitude population was identified. The locus from high altitude showed deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium but that from low altitude was in neutrality suggests that the high altitude loci could be under pressure from the altitudinal variations. In association with different yield traits, 18 loci were identified. Of which, three markers showed association with more than one trait indicative of pleiotropic influence. Stepwise addition of markers enhanced the correlation between markers and the associated trait pointed to polygenic influence. Association of markers with altitude and yield traits suggests an imperative relation of rare genetic loci with gene-environment interaction and phenotypic variability in S. c. ricini.     

In silico modeling and experimental evidence of coagulant protein interaction with precursors for nanoparticle functionalization

The design of novel protein–nanoparticle hybrid systems has applications in many fields of science ranging from biomedicine, catalysis, water treatment, etc. The main barrier in devising such tool is lack of adequate information or poor understanding of protein–ligand chemistry. Here, we establish a new strategy based on computational modeling for protein and precursor linkers that can decorate the nanoparticles. Moringa oleifera (MO_2.1) seed protein that has coagulation and antimicrobial properties was used. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPION) with precursor ligands were used for the protein–ligand interaction studies. The molecular docking studies reveal that there are two binding sites, one is located at the core binding site; tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTES) binds to this site while the other one is located at the side chain residues where trisodium citrate (TSC) or Si₆₀ binds to this site. The protein–ligand distance profile analysis explains the differences in functional activity of the decorated SPION. Experimentally, TSC-coated nanoparticles showed higher coagulation activity as compared to TEOS- and APTES-coated SPION. To our knowledge, this is the first report on in vitro experimental data, which endorses the computational modeling studies as a powerful tool to design novel precursors for functionalization of nanomaterials; and develop interface hybrid systems for various applications.     

Molecular characterisation of Trichoderma species using SRAP markers

Trichoderma are commonly used as bio control agents in various agro ecosystems. They are known to produce a variety of compounds that induce resistance responses in plants. Among different species of Trichoderma, T. harzianum, T. viride, T. koningii and T. hamatum are commercially used as bio control agents. In the present study, four commercially important species of Trichoderma isolated from coffee ecosystem were screened with sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers. Among 48 SRAP primer pairs tested, 29 primers were polymorphic and generated 316 distinct scorable fragments. Out of 347 amplified fragments, 177 fragments were found polymorphic with an average of 6.10 fragments per primer combination. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) and resolving power (Rp) of the 29 polymorphic SRAP primer pair were 0.42 and 14.62, respectively. The UPGMA dendrogram clearly divided Trichoderma species into two broad clusters. The highest homology (83.0%) was observed between T. viride and T. Harzianum and the lowest homology (74.0%) was observed between T. Harzianum and T. konangii. Further, among 29 polymorphic SRAP markers screened, four primer pairs (ME1-EM3, ME1-EM20, ME1-EM22 and ME2-EM4) produced unique fragments specific to each species. These markers can be useful in easy and rapid identification of the species.     

Genomic alterations in coding region of tissue culture plants of Coffea arabica obtained through somatic embryogenesis revealed by molecular markers

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - In coffee, the micropropagation technique can be efficiently used in mass multiplication of superior F1 hybrids which is difficult using the...     

Antioxidant and Anti-hypertensive Bioactive Peptides from Indian Mackerel Fish Waste

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - India ranks second in the harvesting and production of fish. The discard of fish is near about 20–40% of total fish weight....     

Genetic analysis of short term callus culture and morphogenesis in pearl millet,Pennisetum glaucum

Genetic analysis of five in vitro characters was made through a 5 × 5 diallel analysis using callus derived from immature inflorescence segments of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). The characters studied were: — volume of total callus, — frequency of embryogenic calli, — embryogenic callus volume, — growth rate in terms of increase in fresh weight, and — frequency of regeneration. High heritability values and heterosis were noticed for all these characters except for E callus frequency. Additive gene action was predominant for callus growth rate and frequency of regeneration. Of the five inbreds, IP 1346 (= P5) was found to be the best genetic background for embryogenic callus volume, embryogenic growth rate and frequency of regeneration. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.