Survivin as a Target for Anti-cancer Phytochemicals According to the Molecular Docking Analysis

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Survivin is a unique member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family. Research has approved Survivin’s ability to interact...     

Application of Bacillus pumilus as a potential biocontrol agent of Fusarium wilt of tomato

The current study aimed at evaluating the possibility of native Bacillus pumilus species to control Fusarium wilt in tomato and examine its effect on plant growth. Biocontrol traits of B. pumilus strains, biofilm assay, root colonisation and in vivo studies under pot conditions were determined. Strain ToIrMA-KC806242 formed biofilm efficiently and could colonise and survive on tomato rhizosphere (3.1 × 10⁴ CFU/g of root). The amount of auxin production was recorded 29.7 μg/ml at the 96th hour of incubation. Siderophore production was determined positive, while ToIrMA was not able to solubilise phosphate compounds or produce cyanide hydrogen. Statistical analysis of data revealed that the increase in root and shoot length was recorded 60 and 84%, respectively, over control. In addition, about 73% reduction in disease incidence was determined in vivo experiments. In conclusion, this study suggests B. pumilus ToIrMA strain as a possible biocontrol agent in the field experiments.     

Using phylogeographic approaches to analyse the dispersal history,velocity and direction of viral lineages — Application to rabies virus spread in Iran

Recent years have seen the extensive use of phylogeographic approaches to unveil the dispersal history of virus epidemics. Spatially explicit reconstructions of viral spread represent valuable sources of lineage movement data that can be exploited to investigate the impact of underlying environmental layers on the dispersal of pathogens. Here, we performed phylogeographic inference and applied different post hoc approaches to analyse a new and comprehensive data set of viral genomes to elucidate the dispersal history and dynamics of rabies virus (RABV) in Iran, which have remained largely unknown. We first analysed the association between environmental factors and variations in dispersal velocity among lineages. Second, we present, test and apply a new approach to study the link between environmental conditions and the dispersal direction of lineages. The statistical performance (power of detection, false‐positive rate) of this new method was assessed using simulations. We performed phylogeographic analyses of RABV genomes, allowing us to describe the large diversity of RABV in Iran and to confirm the cocirculation of several clades in the country. Overall, we estimate a relatively high lineage dispersal velocity, similar to previous estimates for dog rabies virus spread in northern Africa. Finally, we highlight a tendency for RABV lineages to spread in accessible areas associated with high human population density. Our analytical workflow illustrates how phylogeographic approaches can be used to investigate the impact of environmental factors on several aspects of viral dispersal dynamics.     

Physiological Response of Fennel (Foeniculumvulgare Mill.) to Drought Stress and Plant Growth Regulators

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - Implementing strategies for the efficient use of irrigation water is a priority in areas that encounter water shortage. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is an...     

A cytogenetic study of R. constantinopolitanus and R. sericeus (Ranunculaceae) in Iran

With 600 species Ranunculus is the largest genus in Ranunculaceae, and has a broad global distribution. We studied the karyotypes of R. constantinopolitanus and R. sericeus species of Ranunculaceae and identified their symmetry level. New chromosome numbers of 2n = 21 (Nodeh woods population) and 2n ca. 63 (Javaherdeh population) are reported for R. constantinopolitanus. Two different populations of R. sericeus had two different chromosome results. We investigated morphological and karyological studies along with pollens micromorphology. Different populations of R. constantinopolitanus and R. sericeus, with different chromosome numbers showed morphological and micromorphological differences. Therefore, we considered the two populations of R. sericeus as cytotypes. There was a correlation between the studied morphological characters and pollen size with ploidy levels in the two R. constantinopolitanus populations.     

The influence of temperature on plant development in a vernalization-requiring winter wheat: A 2-DE based proteomic investigation

In this work, proteomics was used to study the influence of both optimal and low temperatures on growth and development in a vernalization-requiring winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Cheyenne) after prolonged times of treatment. For this purpose, plants were grown at optimal temperature (20°C) for 14 days (zero point) after which half were transferred to conditioned chambers kept at 4°C for a period of 63 days. Cold tolerance, as estimated from lethal temperatures (LT(50)), and phenological development, as measured by final leaf number (FLN) and shoot apex dissection, were determined. Proteomic analysis indicated a down-accumulation of several photosynthesis-related proteins and a concomitant increase in abundance of some Calvin cycle enzymes. A cold-induced accretion of soluble sugars and proline was observed as well. In parallel, an increase of proteolysis accomplished by an up-modulation of TCA cycle enzymes was also noticed, probably suggesting an efficient recycling of amino acids as energy source. Proteomic analysis of plants grown at optimal temperature allowed to specifically discriminate cold-induced proteins and highlight molecular processes driven by vernalization. Among identified proteins typically involved in vernalization responses and floral transition we observed a marked increase of wrab17, wcor18 and glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins.     

Effect of fungicidal essential oils against Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer rot fungus in vitro conditions

The development of natural crop protection products as alternatives to the use of synthetic fungicides is currently popular. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antifungal effects of several essential oils against the fungal pathogens, Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer, under in vitro condition. Four essential oils (fennel, black caraway, peppermint and thyme) were each tested at five concentrations (0, 200, 400, 600 or 800 μl l^?1). In vitro results showed that the essential oil of black caraway and fennel had the highest fungicidal effect against B. cinerea and R. stolonifer, respectively. The growth of B. cinerea was completely inhibited by the essential oil of black caraway at 400 μl l^?1. Fennel oil perfectly inhibited growth of R. stolonifer fungus colonies at concentration higher than 600 μl L^?1 in potato dextrose agar medium. Percentage of spores germination was the lowest in medium of Fennel and black caraway essential oils, and was the highest in Thyme ones. These results show that plant essential oils can have a strong effect on reducing post-harvest decay. These plant essential oils could provide an alternative to synthetic chemicals to control post-harvest phytopathogenic fungi on fruit.     

Salicylic acid induced changes on antioxidant capacity,pigments and grain yield of soybean genotypes in water deficit condition

Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in the regulation of plant growth and development in response to water deficit. The effect of SA (0, 0.4 and 0.8?mM) on some physiological parameters of three soybean genotypes was investigated in three irrigation schedules included (85%, 65% and 45% of field capacity) during 2014–2015. Results showed that water deficit decreased stomatal conductance, leaf area index, relative water content, membrane stability index, yield components and grain yield particularly in L17 genotype. Activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and concentration of hydrogen peroxide, proline and total protein were increased in response to water deficit as well as SA applications. SA inhibited catalase activity resulting in increased hydrogen peroxide accumulation in soybean genotypes. Application of 0.4?mM SA decreased the adverse effects of water deficit in soybean genotypes by elevation of antioxidant enzymes activity and reducing malondialdehyde formation especially in Williams genotype.