Drought Stress in Brassica napus: Effects,Tolerance Mechanisms,and Management Strategies

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Drought poses serious threats to global crop production and its intensity is continuously soaring due to global warming. Brassica napus L. is an essential...     

Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E): A recap of the cap-binding protein

Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), a fundamental effector and rate limiting element of protein synthesis, binds the 7-methylguanosine cap at the 5′ end of eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) specifically as a constituent of eIF4F translation initiation complex thus facilitating the recruitment of mRNA to the ribosomes. This review focusses on the engagement of signals contributing to growth factor originated maxim and their role in the activation of eIF4E to achieve a collective influence on cellular growth, with a key focus on conjuring vital processes like protein synthesis. The review invites considerable interest in elevating the appeal of eIF4E beyond its role in regulating translation viz a viz cancer genesis, attributed to its phosphorylation state that improves the prospect for the growth of the cancerous cell. This review highlights the latest studies that have envisioned to target these pathways and ultimately the translational machinery for therapeutic intervention. The review also brings forward the prospect of eIF4E to act as a converging juncture for signaling pathways like mTOR/PI3K and Mnk/MAPK to promote tumorigenesis.     

Bioherbicidal ability and weed management of allelopathic methyl esters from Lantana camara

Allelochemicals are secondary metabolites which are not edible and can be used as growth regulators and bio-herbicides. The goal of current study was to assess allelopathic ability of Lantana camara (Sage-plant) flowers against weeds viz. Avena fatua (Wild oat), Euphorbia helioscopia (Sun-spurge), Chenopodium album (Goosefoot), Phalaris minor (Canary-grass), and Rumex dentatus (Knotweed). Bioassay analysis of three methanolic fractions of the Combiflash from L. camara was performed at 50%, 75% and 100% concentration using germination percentage parameters, inhibition of plumule and radicle size. The fraction II of Combiflash strongly suppressed all weeds with negligible effect on T. aestivum. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy was conducted for the fraction, and isolated compounds were used to perform bioassays. From fraction II GC–MS detected four methyl esters of allelopathic fatty acid viz. Methyl oleate, methyl palmitate, methyl stearate and methyl linoleate. The evaluation of physiological effects of the bioassay revealed substantial suppression of chlorophyll, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide, dismutase peroxidase) and protein material in all weeds by methyl palmitate. Bioassay activity and study of physiological parameters revealed that the effective bio-herbicidal compound in Lantana camara flowers is methyl palmitate. This is the first time that methyl palmitate (a fatty acid methyl ester) has been related to herbicidal activity in L. camara flowers. It is proposed that field studies based on hormesis research and the mechanism of action of this compound be carried out.     

Primary paranasal sinus hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma: a case report

Background

Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma (HCCC) is a rare low-grade tumour of salivary glands that was first described as a distinct entity in 1994 by Milchgrub et al. EWSR1-ATF1 fusion was found to be specific for this tumour. The majority of the reported cases of HCCC arise from minor salivary glands within the oral cavity. Primary HCCC of the paranasal sinus is extremely uncommon. To our knowledge, only three cases have been reported in the English literature. Herein, we present a case of HCCC of the posterior ethmoid/maxillary sinus.

Case presentation

A 63-year-old lady who presented with a long history of epistaxis. CT scan revealed a destructive mass in the left ethmoid/posterior maxillary sinus extending to the nasal cavity. Surgical excision was done and microscopic evaluation showed a tumour composed mainly of nests of clear epithelial cells separated by fibrocellular and hyalinized septa with extensive bone destruction. The tumour cells expressed CK5/6, EMA and p63 immunohistochemically but were negative for S100 protein, PAX-8, RCC and CK7. Sinonasal renal cell–like adenocarcinomas, myoepithelial carcinoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma were excluded by radiological and immunohistochemical studies. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed an EWSR1 gene rearrangement. Postoperative radiation was administrated and the patient did not show recurrence or distant metastasis 4 months after the surgery.

Conclusion

Head and neck region have many tumours that demonstrate clear cell changes on histology. Thus, the differential diagnosis for HCCC is wide. Awareness of this rare entity and the possibility of it is arising in unusual location is necessary. EWSR1-AFT1 fusion, a consistent finding in HCCC, can be used to confirm the diagnosis.

     

Effect of Chelators and Substrates on Phytoremediation of Synthetic Leachate for Removal of Trace Elements

The present study deals with technique for improving phytoremediation of trace metals from synthetic leachate in the presence of recycled waste material (crushed brick and steel slag) as substrates. It is an economic and environment-friendly approach as compared to chelators. Chelators induce adverse effects on plant growth, which might affect the phytoextraction capability. This study was conducted to compare the removal of copper and zinc by Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia with chelators (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ～2.5 mmol, citric acid ～2.5 mmol) and substrates (slag ～2 kg, crushed brick ～2 kg) for 21 days. Translocation of copper in T. latifolia and P. australis increased with increase in its applied concentration and this increase was higher in presence of slag as compared to crushed brick. In treatment systems with chelators, translocation decreased with increase in copper concentration. Principal component analysis revealed correlation between the removal of copper and zinc with adsorption by substrates, which statistically proved that slag and crushed brick played a significant role in treating leachate. Phragmites australis and T. latifolia with substrates was found to be equivalent to that of chelators. Phytoremediation with crushed brick and steel slag is an environment friendly, cost effective and practical approach for developing countries.     

Purification and thermodynamic characterization of glucose oxidase from a newly isolated strain of Aspergillus niger

An intracellular glucose oxidase (GOD) was isolated from the mycelium extract of a locally isolated strain of Aspergillus niger NFCCP. The enzyme was partially purified to a yield of 28.43% and specific activity of 135 U mg(-1) through ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. The enzyme showed high specificity for D-glucose, with a K(m) value of 25 mmol L(-1). The enzyme exhibited optimum catalytic activity at pH 5.5. Optimum temperature for GOD-catalyzed D-glucose oxidation was 40 degrees C. The enzyme displayed a high thermostability having a half-life (t(1/2)) of 30 min, enthalpy of denaturation (H*) of 99.66 kJ mol(-1), and free energy of denaturation (G*) of 103.63 kJ mol(-1). These characteristics suggest that GOD from A. niger NFCCP can be used as an analytical reagent and in the design of biosensors for clinical, biochemical, and diagnostic assays.     

Genetic variants in 3′‐UTRs of MTHFR in the pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and bioinformatics analysis

Preeclampsia (PE) as a pregnancy‐specific disorder is the major cause of mortality and morbidity of mothers and fetuses. This study attempts to investigate the possible association between the 2572C>A (rs4846049) and 4869C>G (rs1537514) polymorphisms in the 3′‐ untranslated region of MTHFR gene and the risk of PE. A total of 198 patients diagnosed with PE and 171 unrelated, age matched healthy pregnant women, were recruited for this case‐control study. The MTHFR 2572C>A and 4869C>G genotyping was performed by the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method. The CG genotype of MTHFR 4869C>G was associated with decreased risk of PE, and this genotype was found to be a protective factor for PE susceptibility. There was no significant difference in the genotypes of MTHFR 2572C>A polymorphism between PE patients and control group. The frequency of combined AC/CG genotypes of MTHFR 2572C>A and 4869C>G polymorphisms were less frequent in PE patients and were associated with a lower risk of PE. The C‐G and A‐G haplotypes of MTHFR 2572C>A and 4869C>G polymorphisms were significantly lower in PE patients. In conclusion, the CG genotype of MTHFR 4869C>G polymorphism was associated with a lower risk of PE. No association was found between MTHFR 2572C>A polymorphism and PE.     

Implications of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and other biomarkers in the development of cardiovascular diseases

Objective

To study the putative effects of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPPs) and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Role of diagnostic factors associated with antioxidative status and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in patients with cancer therapy induced ocular disorders

Background

Cancer patients when treated with different chemotherapeutic drugs often develop mild to severe sight threatening diseases during or after chemotherapy. The mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of ocular toxicities is poorly understood. Oxidative stress, inflammation and MMPs (angiogenic factor) are involved in the progression of chemotherapy related ocular disorders.