Stripe rust analysis of D-genome synthetic wheats (2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD) and their molecular diversity

Stripe or yellow rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is a threat to many of the existing cultivars of Pakistan. Many attempts are being made to evolve new varieties resistant to stripe rust to reduce the losses caused by this disease. For this purpose, novel genes are needed to incorporate into the existing cultivars. These genes are found in the wild progenitors of wheat that are D-genome donors to wheat. As a result of extensive research, wheat synthetic hexaploids have been developed. These synthetics have resistances against biotic as well as abiotic stresses including the yellow rust. A group of such synthetics has been identified which seems resistant to this destructive disease. This group was tested under field conditions to identify resistance against stripe rust. The same population was analysed at molecular level to explore the genetic diversity for rust resistance. Genetic diversity among 34 selected synthetic hexaploid wheats was studied by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. A set of 12 RAPD primers was applied, and the level of polymorphism was found to be 46.67%. The coefficients in the range of 71–100% were detected by genetic similarity matrix based on Nei and Li's index. These coefficients were used for constructing a dendrogram using unweighted pair group of arithmetic means. Synthetic hexaploid line 34 was found to exhibit maximum genetic distances among the 34 selected lines. The same accession also showed excellent phenotypic characters with above average grain weight. These synthetic hexaploids carrying genetic potential for stripe rust resistance and morphological traits should be useful for improvement of existing wheat cultivars.     

Molecular Characterization and Genetic Diversity of Insecticidal Crystal Protein Genes in Native Bacillus thuringiensis Isolates

The Western Ghats of Karnataka natural ecosystem are among the most diverse and is one of the eight hottest hotspots of biological diversity in the world, that runs along the western part of India through four states including Karnataka. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains were isolated from soils of Western Ghats of Karnataka and characterized by molecular and analytical methods as a result of which 28 new Bt-like isolates were identified. Bt strains were isolated from soil samples using sodium acetate selection method. The morphology of crystals was studied using light and phase contrast microscopy. Isolates were further characterized for insecticidal cry gene by PCR, composition of toxins in bacterial crystals by SDS-PAGE cloning, sequencing and evaluation of toxicity was done. As a result 28 new Bt-like isolates were identified. Majority of the isolates showed the presence of a 55 kDa protein bands on SDS-PAGE while the rest showed 130, 73, 34, and 25 kDa bands. PCR analysis revealed predominance of Coleopteran-active cry genes in these isolates. The variations in the nucleotide sequences, crystal morphology, and mass of crystal protein(s) purified from the Bt isolates revealed genetic and molecular diversity. Three strains containing Coleopteran-active cry genes showed higher activity against larvae Myllocerus undecimpustulatus undatus Marshall (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) than B. thuringiensis subsp. Morrisoni. Results indicated that Bt isolates could be utilized for bioinsecticide production, aiming to reduce the use of chemical insecticide which could be useful to use in integrated pest management to control agriculturally important pests for sustainable crop production.     

Sediment type and the clonal size greatly affect the asexual reproduction,productivity, and nutrient absorption of Vallisneria natans

Most aquatic vegetation restorations involve the transplantation of submerged macrophytes. Sediment type and the clonal size are of great significance as they determine the fate of submerged macrophytes. In order to ensure successful restoration, a simulation experiment was conducted using aquarium mesocosms to investigate the response of stolon propagation capacity, the morphological features and productivity of Vallisneria natans for four types of sediment (lake mud [L], lake mud + sand [L + S, 50:50, v/v mixture], sand [S], clay [C]), and three types of clonal sizes. Results showed that sediment types significantly affected V. natans biomass accumulation, stolon propagation ability, ramet morphological characteristics, and productivity, where the asexual reproduction ability and productivity ranked as L > L + S > S > C in four sediment types. Total biomass, maximum net production, number of ramets, root diameter, number of stolons, and stolon propagation rate were all highest in L. In L and L + S, the plant chlorophyll content was higher than in S and C. The root diameter and the ratio of aboveground/underground biomass in S were the smallest among the four sediments. Moreover, when more V. natans seedlings were linked, more ramets and biomass were produced. The stolon propagation rate was ranked as the stolon with single seedling greater than the stolon with two‐linked seedlings greater than the stolon with three‐linked seedlings in L and L + S. The concentration of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and NO₃^?‐N in water was remarkably reduced in four aquariums. Findings provide a scientific basis for restoring submerged macrophytes in different sediment settings.     

Chemical Composition and Bioactivities of Essential Oil from Leaves of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Native to Punjab,Pakistan

Herbal medicines are widely used for the treatment of different types of diseases like skin and throat infections and other diseases in developing countries. Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels fruit, leaves and bark were used for the remedies of different diseases anciently. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical profile of Syzygium cumini leaves essential oil (EO) from Punjab, Pakistan. The essential oil was isolated using hydrodistillation technique and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Free radical scavenging capacity and antioxidant activity were assessed by using DPPH radical scavenging ability, inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation, bleaching of β‐carotene in linoleic acid system and reducing power assays. Antimicrobial potential was assessed by disc diffusion assay and measurement of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using resazurin microtiter‐plate assay. The anti‐heme biocrystallization activity of EO was also assessed. The major components (>3%) found in Syzygium cumini leaves EO were β‐farnesene (3.42 %), caryophyllenol (3.46 %), terpinen‐4‐ol (3.61 %), β‐myrcene (3.90 %), γ‐cadinene (4.09 %), fenchol (4.22 %), cis‐β‐ocimene (4.40 %) and 5‐methyl‐1,3,6‐heptatriene (4.90 %). Excellent antioxidant, antimicrobial and weak antimalarial potential was observed. It can be concluded that Syzygium cumini leaves EO has potential application for food and pharmaceutical industries.     

The Role of Statins in Prevention and Treatment of Community Acquired Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Emerging epidemiological evidence suggests that statins may reduce the risk of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and its complications.

Purpose

Performed a systematic review to address the role of statins in the prevention or treatment of CAP.

Data Source

Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus from inception through December 2011 were searched for randomized clinical trials, cohort and case-control studies.

Study Selection

Two authors independently reviewed studies that examined the role of statins in CAP.

Data Extraction

Data about study characteristics, adjusted effect-estimates and quality characteristics was extracted.

Data Synthesis

Eighteen studies corresponding to 21 effect-estimates (eight and 13 of which addressed the preventive and therapeutic roles of statins, respectively) were included. All studies were of good methodological quality. Random-effects meta-analyses of adjusted effect-estimates were used. Statins were associated with a lower risk of CAP, 0.84 (95% CI, 0.74–0.95), I² = 90.5% and a lower short-term mortality in patients with CAP, 0.68 (95% CI, 0.59–0.78), I² = 75.7%. Meta-regression did not identify sources of heterogeneity. A funnel plot suggested publication bias in the treatment group, which was adjusted by a novel regression method with a resultant effect-estimate of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.77–0.93). Sensitivity analyses using the rule-out approach showed that it is unlikely that the results were due to an unmeasured confounder.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis reveals a beneficial role of statins for the risk of development and mortality associated with CAP. However, the results constitute very low quality evidence as per the GRADE framework due to observational study design, heterogeneity and publication bias.     

Taurine ameliorates potassium bromate-induced kidney damage in rats

Potassium bromate (KBrO₃) is widely used as a food additive and is a major water disinfection by-product. Several studies have shown that it causes nephrotoxicity in humans and experimental animals. We have investigated the potential role of the sulfonic amino acid taurine in protecting the kidney from KBrO₃-induced damage in rats. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: control, KBrO₃ alone, taurine alone and taurine + KBrO₃. Administration of single oral dose of KBrO₃ alone caused nephrotoxicity as evident by elevated serum creatinine and urea levels. Renal lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls were increased while total sulfhydryl groups and reduced glutathione levels were decreased suggesting the induction of oxidative stress. The enzymes of renal brush border membrane were inhibited and those of carbohydrate metabolism were altered. There was an increase in DNA damage and DNA–protein cross-linking. Treatment with taurine, prior to administration of KBrO₃, resulted in significant attenuation in all these parameters but the administration of taurine alone had no effect. Histological studies supported these biochemical results showing extensive renal damage in KBrO₃-treated animals and greatly reduced tissue injury in the taurine + KBrO₃ group. These results show that taurine is an effective chemoprotectant against bromate-induced renal damage and this amino acid could prove to be useful in attenuating the toxicity of this compound.     

Multi-strain Inoculation with PGPR Producing ACC Deaminase is More Effective Than Single-strain Inoculation to Improve Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i>) Growth and Yield

Rhizosphere bacteria that colonize plant roots and confer beneficial effects are referred as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Among all PGPR, some rhizobacteria have an ability to produce ACC deaminase enzyme. This enzyme catalyzes stress ACC into a-ketobutyrate and ammonia instead of letting it to be converted to ethylene. Ethylene level rises in plants under stress conditions i.e., drought, salinity, poor soil fertility etc. As poor soil fertility is a big hurdle to achieve the optimum yield of crops, inoculation of ACC deaminase PGPR can overcome this problem to some extent. The aim of the current study was to examine the influence of multi-strain and single-strain inoculation of different ACC deaminase producing PGPR on wheat growth and yield. There were three PGPR strains, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia ficaria and Burkholderia phytofirmans which were used as consortia and single-strain inoculations. The results showed that inoculation of E. cloacae + S. ficaria + B. phytofirmans significantly increased plant height (63%), spike length (61%), number of spikelets spike^-1 (61%), number of grains spike-1 (131%), 1000 grains weight (33%), grains yield (71%), straw yield (71%) and biological yield (68%) of wheat as compared to control. A significant improvement in N (37 and 200%), P (46 and 166%) and K (39 and 61%) of seeds and shoot respectively, validated the efficacious and more effective role of multi-strain (E. cloacae + S. ficaria + B. phytofirmans) inoculation over control. It is obviously concluded that multi-strain ACC deaminase producing PGPR inoculation is a better approach as compared to singlestrain inoculation for the improvement in growth and yield of wheat.     

Distribution and Mobility of Foliar-Applied Boron (10B) in Citrange Rootstock Under Different Boron Conditions

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Although foliar-applied boron (B) could rapidly and effectively relieve B deficiency of plants, the distribution and mobility of foliar-applied B in citrange,...