Plant defense approach of Bacillus subtilis (BERA 71) against Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid in mung bean

This study was aimed to elucidate the mitigation mechanism of an endophytic bacterium, Bacillus subtilis (BERA 71) against Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid disease in mung bean. M. phaseolina reduced the plant growth by inducing disease, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and lipid peroxidation. The inoculation of B. subtilis to diseased plants increased chlorophyll, ascorbic acids, and superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities, and while inhibited H₂O₂ and lipid peroxidation for enhancing plant growth. In addition, B. subtilis association in plants mitigated the M. phaseolina infection due to increase of indole acetic acids and indole butyric acid, and also a decrease of abscisic acid. However, the nutrients (N, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe) were increased, except Na in M. phaseolina diseased plants treated with B. subtilis. The result of this study suggests that B. subtilis interaction with plants can modulate the metabolism of pigments, hormones, antioxidants and nutrients against M. phaseolina to induce disease resistance in mung bean.     

Calcium application enhances growth and alleviates the damaging effects induced by Cd stress in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

In this study, the effects of calcium (Ca²⁺) application on acquired systemic tolerance mechanism to cadmium (Cd) stress in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) were studied. The Cd stress reduced the root and shoot growth of sesame, and plant contents of photosynthetic pigments; however, the application of Ca²⁺ improved these parameters under Cd stress condition. The hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and soluble sugar contents were higher under Cd stress, and were reduced by Ca²⁺ treatment. The antioxidant enzyme activities in the leaves of sesame, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were higher under Cd stress, whereas reduced concentration was observed in Ca²⁺-treated plants. Cd stress increased the contents of diacylglycerol and sterol ester; however Ca²⁺ treatment resulted in a significant increase in phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine. Our results indicated that application of calcium enables sesame plants to withstand the deleterious impact of cadmium through upregulating acquired systemic tolerance system as lipid fractions (galactolipids, phospholipids, neutral lipids), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT, APX, GR) hence protect membrane functions.     

Detection of pyrogenic toxins of Staphylococcus aureus in sudden infant death syndrome

It has been suggested that pyrogenic toxins of Staphylococcus aureus are involved in the series of events leading to some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The objectives of the study were to screen tissues from SIDS infants for pyrogenic toxins and to compare incidence of identification of these toxins among these infants from different countries. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a flow cytometry method were used to screen body fluids and frozen or formalin-fixed tissues for pyrogenic toxins of S. aureus, toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST), staphylococcal enterotoxins A (SEA), B (SEB), and C1 (SEC). Toxins were identified in tissues of 33/62 (53%) SIDS infants from three different countries: Scotland (10/ 19, 56%); France (7/13, 55%); Australia (16/30, 53%). In the Australian series, toxins were identified in only 3/19 (16%) non-SIDS deaths (chi2 = 5.42, P < 0.02). The flow cytometry method was useful for toxin detection in both frozen and fixed tissues, but ELISA was suitable only for frozen tissues or those fixed for less than 12 months. Identification of pyrogenic toxins in > 50% of SIDS infants from three different countries indicated further investigation into the role the toxins play in cot deaths might result in development of additional measures to reduce further the incidence of these infant deaths.     

Elemental iron does repress transferrin, haemopexin and haemoglobin receptor expression in Haemophilusinfluenzae

The iron repressible nature of Haemophilus influenzae transferrin binding proteins suggests a regulatory role for elemental iron in their expression. The existence of a Haemophilus ferric uptake repressor (Fur) binding motif identified in the promoter region of both tbpA and tbpB further supports this hypothesis. However, a recent study using brain heart infusion growth medium suggested that transferrin binding protein synthesis in H. influenzae was haem- rather than iron-regulated. The present study re-investigates this observation and using a chemically defined medium, we demonstrate that elemental iron haem or protoporphyrin IX can each regulate Haemophilus influenzae transferrin, haemopexin and haemoglobin receptor expression.     

Vibrational assignments and derived potential energy distributions for tri- and difluoromethyl ketene by density functional calculations

The structures of 3,3,3-trifluoromethyl ketene and 3,3-difluoromethyl ketene were studied by utilizing ab initio calculations with the 6-311++G** basis set at the (B3LYP) Density Functional level. Full optimization was performed for both molecules in their ground and transition states. Energy optimization of the systems under investigation shows that trifluoromethyl ketene exists only in the cis conformation (fluorine atom eclipses the ketene group). Difluoromethyl ketene was predicted to have two stable conformations: the cis (hydrogen atom eclipses the ketene group) and the gauche (fluorine atom eclipses the ketene group) form. The conformational stability of the molecules was found to be governed mainly by electrostatic and molecular orbital interactions. The vibrational frequencies were computed and complete assignments were provided on the basis of normal coordinate calculations and comparison with similar molecules. The potential energy distributions (PED) among symmetry coordinates were derived for the stable conformations of the two molecules.     

Evolution in technology and changes in the perspective of stuttering therapy: A review study

Technology has been revolutionizing health care. The current article is split into three parts, the first portion discusses the usage of technological devices in stuttering treatment, the scan of technical devices may be used specifically in treatment or can be used to offer guidance and thereby improve the pace of expression. They will even help to create physiological improvements. The second section of the article refers to telehealth as a means of providing services to people with stuttering. This approach has become a simple benevolence of technology and has managed to enter the unreached. Teletherapy can also be utilized for individuals who are robbed of treatment owing to isolation from financial restrictions. The third part of the analysis is regarding the apps. Apps may be used as an adjunct to speech language training or can be used during the repair process.     

Amphibians distribution and habitats in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia

This study surveyed 205 wetland sites in the Southwestern Saudi Arabia. We found seven species of amphibians (Anura), which belong to four families: Bufonidae; which includes four species, Sclerophrys tihamica; S. Arabica, Duttaphrynus dhufarensis, and Bufotes viridis; Hylidae, represented by only one species, the tree frog Hyla savignyi; Ranidae, which represented by one species, Pelophylax ridibundus and finally the Dicroglossidae, represented by one species, Euphlyctis ehrenbergii. The reasonable amount of rain received in southwest Arabia, and habitat diversity contribute to the relative abundance of amphibians in the region. Five types of wetland habitats were found in the study area. Valley streams, irrigated farms, seasonal ponds, dam reservoir and lagoons of treated sewage water. The current study revealed the wide spread of amphibians in southwestern Saudi Arabia than what had been reported earlier and confirmed the presence of the Bufotes viridis at three new sites in Asir Heights. It also showed the wide spread of S. arabica in all types of habitats in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. Habitat degradation was evident in the region, which might lead to species loss.     

Comparative efficacy of alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid to attenuate valproic acid-induced autism-like features

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3, ω-3) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3, ω-6) on experimental autism features induced by early prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) in albino wistar pups. The pups were scrutinized on the accounts of behavioral, biochemical, and inflammatory markers, and the results suggested that the GLA can impart significant protection in comparison to ALA against VPA-induced autism features. When scrutinized histopathologically, the cerebellum of the GLA-treated animals was evident for more marked protection toward neuronal degeneration and neuronal loss in comparison to ALA. Concomitant administration of ALA and GLA with VPA demonstrated a marked cutdown in the Pgp 9.5 expression with GLA having more pronounced effect. Henceforth, it can be concluded that ALA and GLA can impart favorable protection against the VPA-induced autism-like features with GLA having pronounced effect.     

Centaurea bruguierana inhibits cell proliferation,causes cell cycle arrest,and induces apoptosis in human MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells

Molecular Biology Reports - Centaurea bruguierana, of the Asteraceae family, has a long history of use in traditional medicines for the treatment of various ailments. However, the anticancer...     

Evaluation of the genetic diversity of wild Salvadora persica ‘Arak’ from Saudi Arabia

Molecular Biology Reports - Assessment of genetic diversity is crucial for efficient selection genotypes in plant breeding and improvement programs. Studies of genetic diversity of&nbsp;S....