Plant-microbe interactions: novel applications for exploitation in multipurpose remediation technologies

Soil remediation that revitalizes degraded or contaminated land while simultaneously contributing to biomass biofuel production and carbon sequestration is an attractive strategy to meet the food and energy requirements of the burgeoning world population. As a result, plant-based remediation approaches have been gaining in popularity. The drawbacks of phytoremediation, particularly those associated with low productivity and limitations to the use of contaminant-containing biomass, could be addressed through novel biotechnological approaches that harness recent advances in our understanding of chemical interactions between plants and microorganisms in the rhizosphere and within plant tissues. This opinion article highlights three promising approaches that provide environmental and economic benefits of bioremediation: transgenics, low-input 'designer' plants and nanotechnology.     

Modeling CICR in rat ventricular myocytes: voltage clamp studies

Background  

The past thirty-five years have seen an intense search for the molecular mechanisms underlying calcium-induced calcium-release (CICR) in cardiac myocytes, with voltage clamp (VC) studies being the leading tool employed. Several VC protocols including lowering of extracellular calcium to affect Ca ²⁺ loading of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and administration of blockers caffeine and thapsigargin have been utilized to probe the phenomena surrounding SR Ca ²⁺ release. Here, we develop a deterministic mathematical model of a rat ventricular myocyte under VC conditions, to better understand mechanisms underlying the response of an isolated cell to calcium perturbation. Motivation for the study was to pinpoint key control variables influencing CICR and examine the role of CICR in the context of a physiological control system regulating cytosolic Ca ²⁺ concentration ([Ca ²⁺] _myo ).     

Impact of VIP and cAMP on the regulation of TNF-alpha and IL-10 production: implications for rheumatoid arthritis

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an anti-inflammatory immunomodulatory neuropeptide with therapeutic potential demonstrated for collagen-induced arthritis. The aim of this study was to characterise its potential anti-arthritic effect on human monocytes, macrophages, T cells, and rheumatoid arthritis synovial membrane cells. Monocytes, macrophages, and T cells derived from human peripheral blood were treated with VIP and compared with other cAMP-elevating drugs for a range of activating stimuli. Cytokine production was assessed for cell cultures and, in addition, the ability of VIPs to activate cAMP response element binding protein. VIP partially suppressed monocyte- and macrophage-derived tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) with no effect on IL-10, whereas VIP fails to regulate IL-10 and TNF-alpha production by T lymphocytes. No such modulation of cytokine profile was observed for rheumatoid arthritis synovial membrane cells. Elevation of intracellular cAMP, on the other hand, potently suppressed macrophage TNF-alpha production and modulated T-cell response by inhibiting TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. VIP's lack of effect on IL-10 and its slight effect on TNF-alpha results from cAMP being rapidly degraded as the phosphodiesterase IV inhibitor, rolipram, rescues cAMP-dependent activation of cAMP response element binding protein. Interestingly, macrophages stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin displayed an augmented IL-10 response upon addition of dibutyryl cAMP, with corresponding downregulation in TNF-alpha, suggesting a complex interaction between protein kinase C and protein kinase A in cytokine regulation. In conclusion, VIP may represent an efficaceous anti-arthritic treatment modulating macrophage and T-cell cytokine profiles when used alongside a phosphodiesterase inhibitor.     

Hybrid Polymer Electrolyte Encased Cathode Particles Interface-Based Core–Shell Structure for High-Performance Room Temperature All-Solid-State Batteries

A smooth interfacial contact between electrode and electrolyte, alleviation of dendrite formation, low internal resistance, and preparation of thin electrolyte (<20 µm) are the key challenging tasks in the practical application of Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZO)-based solid-state batteries (SSBs). This paper develops a unique strategy to reduce interfacial resistance by designing an interface-based core–shell structure via direct integration of Al-LLZO ceramic nanofibers incorporated poly(vinylidene fluoride)/LiTFSI on the surface of a porous cathode electrode (HPEIC). This yields an ultrathin solid polymer electrolyte with a thickness of 7 µm. The integrated HPEIC/Li SSB with LiFePO₄/C exhibits an initial specific capacity of 166 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C and 159 mAh g⁻¹ with capacity retention of 100% after 120 cycles at 0.5 C (25 °C). The HPEIC/Li SSB with LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ cathode delivers a good discharge capacity of 134 mAh g⁻¹ after 120 cycles at 0.5 C. The rational design of interface-based core–shell structure outperforms the conventional assembly of solid-state cells using free-standing solid electrolytes in specific capacity, internal resistance, and rate performance. The proposed strategy is simple, cost-effective, robust, and scalable manufacturing, which is essential for the practical applicability of SSBs.     

QSAR study on pK(a) vis-à-vis physiological activity of sulfonamides: a dominating role of surface tension (inverse steric parameter)

The paper describes the dominating role of surface tension (ST) on the modeling, monitoring, and estimating pK(a) for a large series of 43 substituted sulfonamides. Because of the direct correlation of ST with parachor (Pc) vis-a-vis molecular volume (MV), ST is considered as a steric parameter. Single as well as multi-parametric regressions have indicated that ST has a dominating role in QSAR of the set of sulfonamides used and that excellent results are obtained in multi-parametric regression analysis. The results are discussed critically on the basis of statistical parameters.     

Bioaerosols in the landfill environment: an overview of microbial diversity and potential health hazards

Aerobiologia - Landfilling is one of the indispensable parts of solid waste management in various countries. Solid waste disposed of in landfill sites provides nutrients for the proliferation of...     

Molecular Genetic Diversity of Major Indian Rice Cultivars over Decadal Periods

Genetic diversity in representative sets of high yielding varieties of rice released in India between 1970 and 2010 was studied at molecular level employing hypervariable microsatellite markers. Of 64 rice SSR primer pairs studied, 52 showed polymorphism, when screened in 100 rice genotypes. A total of 184 alleles was identified averaging 3.63 alleles per locus. Cluster analysis clearly grouped the 100 genotypes into their respective decadal periods i.e., 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. The trend of diversity over the decadal periods estimated based on the number of alleles (Na), allelic richness (Rs), Nei’s genetic diversity index (He), observed heterozygosity (Ho) and polymorphism information content (PIC) revealed increase of diversity over the periods in year of releasewise and longevitywise classification of rice varieties. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) suggested more variation in within the decadal periods than among the decades. Pairwise comparison of population differentiation (Fst) among decadal periods showed significant difference between all the pairs except a few. Analysis of trends of appearing and disappearing alleles over decadal periods showed an increase in the appearance of alleles and decrease in disappearance in both the categories of varieties. It was obvious from the present findings, that genetic diversity was progressively on the rise in the varieties released during the decadal periods, between 1970s and 2000s.     

X-ray structure of a galactose-specific lectin from Spatholobous parviflorous

A galactose-specific seed lectin from Spatholobous parviflorus (SPL) has been purified, crystallized and its X-ray structure solved. It is the first lectin purified and crystallized from the genus Spatholobus (family: Fabaceae). The crystals belong to the space group P1, with a = 60.792 Å, b = 60.998 Å, c = 78.179 Å, α = 78.68°, β = 88.62°, γ = 104.32°. The data were collected at 2.04 Å resolution under cryocondition, on a MAR image-plate detector system, mounted on a rotating anode X-ray generator. The coordinates of Dolichos biflorus lectin (1lu1) were successfully used for the structure solution by molecular replacement method. The primary structure of the SPL was not known earlier and it was unambiguously visible in the electron density. S. parviflorus lectin is a hetero-dimeric-tetramer with two alpha and two beta chains of 251 and 239 residues respectively. SPL has two metal ions, Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺, bound to a loop region of each chain. The SPL monomers are in jelly roll form.