Field performance of bacterial inoculants to alleviate water stress effects in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Plant and Soil - Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) containing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase can play an important role in abiotic stress tolerance in plants, particularly...     

A new species of the genus Cirrhimuraena (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Bay of Bengal,India

A new species of the genus Cirrhimuraena (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae), Cirrhimuraena indica sp. nov., is described based on eight specimens collected from the Paradip (Odisha) and Petuaghat harbours (West Bengal) along the Bay of Bengal. The species is distinct in having the upper jaw fringed with 16–17 cirri before posterior nostril and 4–5 in between the anterior and posterior nostrils on the side; dorsal fin originates above the level of gill opening, predorsal length is 9.3–10.9 in total length; the head is relatively large, the length is 9.3–9.8 in total length; no infraorbital pores are observed between the nostrils; teeth are numerous, small, conical and in bands on each jaw; pores are present before the gill opening 10–11 and before anus 47–48; pectoral-fin length is 2.4–2.8 in head length; predorsal vertebrae are 8–10, pre-anal vertebrae 43–47 and total vertebrae 164–169. In the maximum likelihood tree analysis for COI gene, the new species belongs to the same clade as the other congener of Cirrhimuraena chinensis and is separated from the species morphologically and genetically.     

BALT development and augmentation of hyperoxic lung injury in mice deficient in NQO1 and NQO2

NAD(P)H/NRH:quinone oxidoreductases (NQO1 and NQO2) protect against oxidative stress and neoplasia. Cross-breeding of NQO1-/- with NQO2-/- mice generated double-knockout (DKO) mice. DKO mice were born normal yet showed myelogenous hyperplasia as observed in single-knockout mice. DKO mice also showed bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) that increased in number and size with age. BALT was absent in wild-type and single-knockout mice. Further analysis demonstrated infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages in BALT and significant increases in the serum cytokines TNFalpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta and increased expression of iNOS and higher nitric oxide in lung macrophages. The development of BALT in DKO mice presumably led to the release of cytokines and higher lung macrophage activation, because histologically spleen, thymus, and blood cultures and urine analysis showed absence of infection. Additionally, the DKO mice upon exposure to hyperoxia demonstrated severe intra-alveolar edema and perivascular inflammation and massive infiltration with neutrophils, compared with wild-type mice. These results suggest that NQO1 and NQO2 combined protect mice against lung inflammation, BALT, and hyperoxic lung injury.     

Role of endothelin (ETA) receptors in neonatal morphine withdrawal

We have previously demonstrated role of central endothelin (ET) receptors in neonatal morphine tolerance. The present study was conducted to investigate involvement of central ET receptors in neonatal rat morphine withdrawal. The aim was to determine activation of G-proteins coupled to opioid and ET receptors by morphine and ET ligands in neonatal rat brains during morphine withdrawal. Pregnant female rats were rendered tolerant to morphine by chronic exposure to morphine pellets over 7 days. Withdrawal was induced on day 8 by removal of pellets. Rat pups were delivered by cesarean section 24 h after pellet removal. G-protein stimulation induced by morphine; ET-1; ETA receptor antagonist, BMS182874; and ETB receptor agonist, IRL1620, was determined in the brain of neonatal rats undergoing morphine withdrawal by [35S]GTPgammaS binding assay. Morphine-induced maximal stimulation of G-protein in morphine withdrawal group (83.60%) was significantly higher compared to placebo control group (66.81%). EC50 value for ET-1-induced G-protein stimulation during morphine withdrawal (170.60 nM) was higher than control (62.5 nM). BMS182874, did not stimulate GTP binding in control but significantly increased maximal stimulation of G-proteins in morphine withdrawal (86.07%, EC50 = 31.25 nM). IRL1620-induced stimulation of G-proteins was similar in control and morphine withdrawal. The present findings indicate involvement of central ETA receptors in neonatal morphine withdrawal.     

Impact of Aldosterone Antagonists on Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention in Heart Failure and Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background and Objectives

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a severe burden of modern medicine. Aldosterone antagonist is publicized as effective in reducing mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) or post myocardial infarction (MI). Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of AAs on mortality including SCD, hospitalization admission and several common adverse effects.

Methods

We searched Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library and clinicaltrial.gov for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assigning AAs in patients with HF or post MI through May 2015. The comparator included standard medication or placebo, or both. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Event rates were compared using a random effects model. Prospective RCTs of AAs with durations of at least 8 weeks were selected if they included at least one of the following outcomes: SCD, all-cause/cardiovascular mortality, all-cause/cardiovascular hospitalization and common side effects (hyperkalemia, renal function degradation and gynecomastia).

Results

Data from 19,333 patients enrolled in 25 trials were included. In patients with HF, this treatment significantly reduced the risk of SCD by 19% (RR 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67–0.98; p = 0.03); all-cause mortality by 19% (RR 0.81; 95% CI, 0.74–0.88, p<0.00001) and cardiovascular death by 21% (RR 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70–0.89, p<0.00001). In patients with post-MI, the matching reduced risks were 20% (RR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66–0.98; p = 0.03), 15% (RR 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76–0.95, p = 0.003) and 17% (RR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74–0.94, p = 0.003), respectively. Concerning both subgroups, the relative risks respectively decreased by 19% (RR 0.81; 95% CI, 0.71–0.92; p = 0.002) for SCD, 18% (RR 0.82; 95% CI, 0.77–0.88, p < 0.0001) for all-cause mortality and 20% (RR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.74–0.87, p < 0.0001) for cardiovascular mortality in patients treated with AAs. As well, hospitalizations were significantly reduced, while common adverse effects were significantly increased.

Conclusion

Aldosterone antagonists appear to be effective in reducing SCD and other mortality events, compared with placebo or standard medication in patients with HF and/or after a MI.     

Senescence of attached leaves: Regulation by developing pods

Analysis of total nitrogen, chlorophyll content, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity and net photosynthesis rate was carried out on the leaves that support the developing pods in pigeon pea [ Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. cv. Prabhat] at several stages during pod filling. A continuous loss in all the above-mentioned parameters was observed during the course of pod development. When no pods were allowed to develop by continuous flower removal treatment, there was a considerable delay in loss of all these metabolic parameters. Excision of pods after their mid-development resulted not only in no further loss, but also in a significant recovery both of total nitrogen and of other investigated characteristics.     

Proteomic Profiling of SupT1 Cells Reveal Modulation of Host Proteins by HIV-1 Nef Variants

Nef is an accessory viral protein that promotes HIV-1 replication, facilitating alterations in cellular pathways via multiple protein-protein interactions. The advent of proteomics has expanded the focus on better identification of novel molecular pathways regulating disease progression. In this study, nef was sequenced from randomly selected patients, however, sequence variability identified did not elicited any specific mutation that could have segregated HIV-1 patients in different stages of disease progression. To explore the difference in Nef functionality based on sequence variability we used proteomics approach. Proteomic profiling was done to compare the effect of Nef variants in host cell protein expression. 2DGE in control and Nef transfected SupT1 cells demonstrated several differentially expressed proteins. Fourteen protein spots were detected with more than 1.5 fold difference. Significant down regulation was seen in six unique protein spots in the Nef treated cells. Proteins were identified as Cyclophilin A, EIF5A-1 isoform B, Rho GDI 1 isoform a, VDAC1, OTUB1 and α-enolase isoform 1 (ENO1) through LC-MS/MS. The differential expression of the 6 proteins was analyzed by Real time PCR, Western blotting and Immunofluorescence studies with two Nef variants (RP14 and RP01) in SupT1 cells. There was contrasting difference between the effect of these Nef variants upon the expression of these six proteins. Downregulation of α-enolase (ENO1), VDAC1 and OTUB1 was more significant by Nef RP01 whereas Cyclophilin A and RhoGDI were found to be more downregulated by Nef RP14. This difference in Nef variants upon host protein expression was also studied through a site directed mutant of Nef RP01 _{(55AAAAAAA61)} and the effect was found to be reversed. Deciphering the role of these proteins mediated by Nef variants will open a new avenue of research in understanding Nef mediated pathogenesis. Overall study determines modulation of cellular protein expression in T cells by HIV-1 Nef variants.     

Enhanced proteolysis leads to pre-mature cell death under the influence of elicitor like mycelial components from karnal bunt (tilletia indica) pathogen in wheat callus cultures

Calli raised from mature embryos of susceptible wheat cultivar WH 542 were used in the present study as in vitro bioassay system to study the influence of disease determinant(s) of Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica), a semi-biotrophic fungal pathogen of wheat. Influence of elicitor and conditioned medium (CM) prepared from fungal cultures of T. indica was investigated on induction of programmed cell death (PCD). Induction of PCD was observed as hypersensitive response (HR) in terms of browning at localized regions of callus cultures and induction of proteolytic enzyme(s). Elicitor treated calli showed higher induction of protease activity than untreated and CM-treated cultures, which showed not much change in the activity. It was further substantiated by gel protease assay and activation of caspase-3 like protein(s) in callus cultures that clearly suggested the presence of signaling molecule(s) in the fungal elicitor preparation rather than in conditioned medium. This study further demonstrated that only elicitor preparation possesses such molecule(s), which might be cell wall bound components, rather than secretory in nature as CM was unable to induce PCD in wheat callus cultivars.     

Secretome analysis of thermophilic mould Myceliophthora thermophila cultivated on rice straw and hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol production

Abstract

Myceliophthora thermophila encodes for large number of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) involved in lignocellulosic biomass degradation. The mould was grown on rice straw in solid state fermentation at pH 5.0 and 45?°C that produced high levels of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes i.e. 2218.12, 515.23, 478.23, 13.34?U/g DMR for xylanase, CMCase, FPase and β-glucosidase, respectively. The secretome analysis of M. thermophila BJAMDU5 by mass spectroscopy, described 124 different proteins with majority of CAZymes consisting of glycosyl hydrolases (GH), lytic polysaccharide mono-oxygenases (LPMO), carbohydrate esterases (CE) and polysaccharide lyases (PL). Furthermore, the enzyme cocktail of the mould was evaluated for hydrolysis of steam treated rice straw that produced 184.59?mg/g substrate reducing sugars after 24?h, which was used for production of bioethanol by using fast fermenting yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulting in high production of bioethanol.