Molecular heterogeneity in the 18s DNA gene of Alternaria sp. and Fusarium sp. producing mycotoxins in rice and maize grains

Background

Food contaminated with fungi and their toxins is a problem that threatens many developing countries. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia depends on the exported grain and legume seeds.

Defining lung cancer stem cells exosomal payload of miRNAs in clinical perspective

Since the first publication regarding the existence of stem cells in cancer [cancer stem cells(CSCs)] in 1994, many studies have been published providing in-depth information about their biology and function. This research has paved the way in terms of appreciating the role of CSCs in tumour aggressiveness, progression,recurrence and resistance to cancer therapy. Targeting CSCs for cancer therapy has still not progressed to a sufficient degree, particularly in terms of exploring the mechanism of dynamic interconversion between CSCs and non-CSCs. Besides the CSC scenario, the problem of cancer dissemination has been analyzed indepth with the identification and isolation of microRNAs(miRs), which are now considered to be compelling molecular markers in the diagnosis and prognosis of tumours in general and specifically in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.Paracrine release of miRs via "exosomes"(small membrane vesicles(30-100 nm),the derivation of which lies in the luminal membranes of multi-vesicular bodies)released by fusion with the cell membrane is gaining popularity. Whether exosomes play a significant role in maintaining a dynamic equilibrium state between CSCs and non-CSCs and their mechanism of activity is as yet unknown.Future studies on CSC-related exosomes will provide new perspectives for precision-targeted treatment strategies.     

Bacterial endophytes enhance phytostabilization in soils contaminated with uranium and lead

The combined use of plants and bacteria is a promising approach for the remediation of polluted soil. In the current study, the potential of bacterial endophytes in partnership with Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth was evaluated for the remediation of uranium (U)- and lead (Pb)-contaminated soil. L. fusca was vegetated in contaminated soil and inoculated with three different endophytic bacterial strains, Pantoea stewartii ASI11, Enterobacter sp. HU38, and Microbacterium arborescens HU33, individually as well as in combination. The results showed that the L. fusca can grow in the contaminated soil. Bacterial inoculation improved plant growth and phytoremediation capacity: this manifested in the form of a 22–51% increase in root length, 25–62% increase in shoot height, 10–21% increase in chlorophyll content, and 17–59% more plant biomass in U- and Pb-contaminated soils as compared to plants without bacterial inoculation. Although L. fusca plants showed potential to accumulate U and Pb in their root and shoot on their own, bacterial consortia further enhanced metal uptake capacity by 53–88% for U and 58–97% for Pb. Our results indicate that the combination of L. fusca and endophytic bacterial consortia can effectively be used for the phytostabilization of both U- and Pb-contaminated soils.     

Strain and cultivar specificity in the Agrobacterium-chickpea interaction

The susceptibility of four genotypes of chickpea to four wild strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens was evaluated. Successful transformation was dependent on specific bacterial strain-plant cultivar interactions. Agropine strain A281 was the most effective for tumor induction. Tumors displayed hormone autonomous growth, were opine positive and contained DNA that was homologous to the T-DNA of the inciting strain.