Lipid‐Embedded Molecular Dynamics Simulation Model for Exploring the Reverse Prostaglandin D2 Agonism of CT‐133 towards CRTH2 in the Treatment of Type‐2 Inflammation Dependent Diseases

Chemoattractant receptor‐homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) has been involved in several inflammation dependent diseases by mediating the chemotaxis of pro‐inflammatory cells in response to allergy and other responses through PGD2 ligation. This CRTH2‐PGD2 signaling pathway has become a target for treating allergic and type 2 inflammation dependent diseases, with many inhibitors developed to target the PGD2 binding pocket. One of such inhibitors is the ramatroban analog, CT‐133, which exhibited therapeutic potency cigarette smoke‐induced acute lung injury in patients. Nonetheless, the molecular mechanism and structural dynamics that accounts for its therapeutic prowess remain unclear. Employing computational tools, this study revealed that although the carboxylate moiety in CT‐133 and the native agonist PGD2 aided in their stability within the CRTH2 binding pocket, the tetrahydrocarbazole group of CT‐133 engaged in strong interactions with binding pocket residues which could have formed as the basis of the antagonistic advantage of CT‐133. Tetrahydrocarbazole group interactions also enhanced the relative stability CT‐133 within the binding pocket which consequently favored CT‐133 binding affinity. CT‐133 binding also induced an inactive or ‘desensitized’ state in the helix 8 of CRTH2 which could conversely favor the recruitment of arrestin. These revelations would aid in the speedy development of small molecule inhibitors of CRTH2 in the treatment of type 2 inflammation dependent diseases.     

Waste paper derived three-dimensional carbon aerogel integrated with ceria/nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide as freestanding anode for high performance and durable microbial fuel cells

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Despite the green energy generation with low cost compared to conventional fuel cells, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) still suffer with anode related...     

Aphid population abundance and pestiferous effect on various bean plant species

The population abundance, infestation, and harmful effects of the aphid Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were studied on four bean plant species, namely the country bean (Lablab purpureus var. BARI Seem 1), the yard‐long bean (Vigna sesquipedalis var. BARI Borboti 1), the hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab var. BARI Seem 6), and the bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris var. BARI Jar Seem 3). Aphid abundance and infestation on the leaves, inflorescences, flowers, and pods differed significantly among the bean plant species, with P. vulgaris and V. sesquipedalis having the lowest and highest results, respectively. Aphid severity grade and the number of trichomes of the bean plant species were negatively correlated. The duration of the growth stages among the bean plant species were significantly different, with V. sesquipedalis having the shortest durations. Aphid abundance and infestation significantly affected the physical and phytochemical characteristics of the bean plant species. The highest reduction of number of leaves, flower inflorescences, and pod inflorescences per plant, and moisture and chlorophyll content in the leaves was found in L. purpureus. The results for V. sesquipedalis revealed the highest reduction in plant height, seed weight, and pH, while those of D. lablab showed the highest reduction in leaf area.     

Identifying Metal Nanoparticle Size Effect on Sensing Common Human Plasma Protein by Counting the Sensitivity of Optical Absorption Spectra Damping

Colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) interact with biological fluids such as human plasma to form a protein coating (corona) on the surface of NPs (NP-protein complex). However, the impact of size and type of NPs on binding of the hard corona to the surface of NPs as well as damping of their optical spectra has not been systematically explored. To elucidate the interaction between biological environment (human plasma) and NPs, a photophysical measurement was conducted to quantify the interaction of two different types of NPs (gold (Au) and silver (Ag)) with common human plasma proteins. The colloidal AuNPs and AgNPs were electrostatically stabilized and varied in diameter from 10 to 80 nm in the presence of common human plasma. The sizes of the NPs were determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Optical absorption spectra were obtained for the complexes. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement and zeta potential were used to characterize the sizes, hydrodynamic diameters, and surface charges of the protein-NPs complexes. Protein separation was performed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to isolate and identify the protein bands. The absorption of proteins to the NPs was found to be strongly dependent on the size and type of NPs. The distance between surface of NPs by absorbed protein bound to the NPs gradually increased with size of NPs, particularly for AgNPs with primary diameter of < 50 nm. The chi-square test proved that AgNPs are a good candidate in sensing the protein complex in human plasma compared with AuNPs mainly for the AgNPs with diameter sized 50 nm.

     

Competitive interactions between entomopathogenic nematodes and parasitoid venom

Entomopathogenic nematodes and parasitoid larvae of some wasps play important roles in the natural control of the pest insects. However, it has not been excluded that competition between nematodes and wasps may in some cases reduce their efficacy in the pest control. Using caterpillars of Spodoptera littoralis, we examined interactions between the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae and the venom of the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor. The survival of S. littoralis caterpillars was reduced in a dose-dependent manner when 5 to 500 nematodes or 0.005–0.1 venom units were applied to single caterpillars. High doses of either nematodes or the venom caused death within 1–3 days in all treated hosts. The low doses of nematodes killed caterpillars within a week, in some cases when they attempted to pupate. Caterpillars receiving low venom doses were characterized by extended survival time terminated with death due to starvation. Combined treatment of nematodes and the venom were mutually synergistic and elicited severe lethal effects. The nematodes were fully resistant to the venom and can feed and grow on the symbiotic bacteria in vitro. The venom impairs food processing and causes death of caterpillars due to starvation. Disruption of the hormonal regulation of metamorphosis by ecdysteroids and juvenile hormone could be responsible for defective moults block at different stages of the moulting process, regionally restricted moulting, moults to “intermediates” combining regions of newly secreted larval and pupal cuticles.     

Phenotypic and Molecular Assessment of Wheat Genotypes Tolerant to Leaf Blight,Rust and Blast Diseases

Globally among biotic stresses, diseases like blight, rust and blast constitute prime constraints for reducing wheat productivity especially in Bangladesh. For sustainable productivity, the development of disease-resistant lines and high yielding varieties is vital and necessary. This study was conducted using 122 advanced breeding lines of wheat including 21 varieties developed by Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute (BAMRI) with aims to identify genotypes having high yield potential and resistance to leaf blight, leaf rust and blast diseases. These genotypes were evaluated for resistance against leaf blight and leaf rust at Dinajpur and wheat blast at Jashore under field condition. Out of 122 genotypes tested, 20 lines were selected as resistant to leaf blight based on the area under the diseases progress curve (AUDPC) under both irrigated timely sown (ITS) and irrigated late sown (ILS) conditions. Forty-two genotypes were found completely free from leaf rust infection, 59 genotypes were identified as resistant, and 13 genotypes were identified as moderately resistant to leaf rust. Eighteen genotypes were immune against wheat blast, 42 genotypes were categorized as resistant, and 26 genotypes were identified as moderately resistant to wheat blast. Molecular data revealed that the 16 genotypes showed a positive 2NS segment among the 18 immune genotypes selected against wheat blast under field conditions. The genotypes BAW 1322, BAW 1295, and BAW 1203 can be used as earlier maturing genotypes and the genotypes BAW 1372, BAW 1373, BAW 1297 and BAW 1364 can be used for lodging tolerant due to short plant height. The genotypes WMRI Gom 1, BAW 1349 and BAW 1350 can be selected for bold grain and the genotypes WMRI Gom 1, BAW 1297, BAW 1377 can be used as high yielder for optimum seeding condition but genotypes BAW 1377 and BAW 1366 can be used for late sown condition. The selected resistant genotypes against specific diseases can be used in the further breeding program to develop wheat varieties having higher disease resistance and yield potential.     

Redescription of Rugopharynx australis (Mönnig, 1926) and the description of R. moennigi n. sp. (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) from kangaroos (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) in Australia

Systematic Parasitology - Rugopharynx australis (Mönnig, 1926) (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) is redescribed based on specimens from the type host, Osphranter rufus (Desmarest), together with...