Molecular Characterization of Glutenins in Wheat Varieties Differing in Chapati Quality Characteristics

Five wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties differing in chapati quality characteristics viz. C-306, K-68, HD-2745 and HD-2735 with good and Sonalika with poor chapati quality characteristics, were selected for the characterization or distribution of glutenin genes. Polymorphism was observed when genomic DNA of wheat varieties was hybridized with a HMW glutenin probe [glutenin subunit 10 (Dy10)]. No hybridization was observed in Sonalika. PCR amplification of genomic DNA with the LMW glutenin gene-specific primers did not show any polymorphism. However, with HMW glutenin gene-specific primers a single band of ～ 650 by was obtained in all the good chapati characteristic wheat varieties.The amplified fragment was sequenced and found to have sequence homology with HMW glutenin subunit Dx5.The deduced protein structure analysis showed that the peptide was made up of N-terminally placed (x-helices and centrally placed repetitive β-turns.     

Correlation of Tissues in Leaves: 1. Absolute Vein-islet Numbers and Absolute Veinlet Termination Numbers

Vein-islet numbers and veinlet termination numbers of leaveswere found to be inversely proportional to the area of the lamina.The constants obtained by the multiplication of these valuesare termed the absolute numbers. This value is constant in thoseleaves where the differentiation of the veins has been completed.This is shown in the developing leaves of five Solanaceous Plants.     

Honokiol Inhibits Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Migration by Targeting PGE2-Mediated Activation of β-Catenin Signaling

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of death due to its metastasis to distant organs. We have examined the effect of honokiol, a bioactive constituent from the Magnolia plant, on human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell migration and the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect. Using an in vitro cell migration assay, we found that treatment of A549, H1299, H460 and H226 NSCLC cells with honokiol resulted in inhibition of migration of these cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with a reduction in the levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). Celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, also inhibited cell migration. Honokiol inhibited PGE₂-enhanced migration of NSCLC cells, inhibited the activation of NF-κB/p65, an upstream regulator of COX-2, in A549 and H1299 cells, and treatment of cells with caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an inhibitor of NF-κB, also inhibited migration of NSCLC cells. PGE₂ has been shown to activate β-catenin signaling, which contributes to cancer cell migration. Therefore, we checked the effect of honokiol on β-catenin signaling. It was observed that treatment of NSCLC cells with honokiol degraded cytosolic β-catenin, reduced nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and down-regulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, which are the down-stream targets of β-catenin and play a crucial role in cancer cell metastasis. Honokiol enhanced: (i) the levels of casein kinase-1α, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and (ii) phosphorylation of β-catenin on critical residues Ser⁴⁵, Ser^33/37 and Thr⁴¹. These events play important roles in degradation or inactivation of β-catenin. Treatment of celecoxib also reduced nuclear accumulation of β-catenin in NSCLC cells. FH535, an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, inhibited PGE₂-enhanced cell migration of A549 and H1299 cells. These results indicate that honokiol inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cells migration by targeting PGE₂-mediated activation of β-catenin signaling.     

Sustainable approaches towards green synthesis of TiO2 nanomaterials and their applications in photocatalysis-mediated sensing to monitor environmental pollution

Nanomaterials are gaining enormous interests due to their novel applications that have been explored nearly in every field of our contemporary society. In this scenario, preparations of nanomaterials following green routes have attracted widespread attention in terms of sustainable, reliable, and environmentally friendly practices to produce diverse nanostructures. In this review, we summarize the fundamental processes and mechanisms of green synthesis approaches of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs). We explore the role of plants and microbes as natural bioresources to prepare TiO₂ NPs. Particularly, focus has been made to explore the potential of TiO₂-based nanomaterials to design a variety of sensing platforms by exploiting the photocatalysis efficiency under the influence of a light source. These types of sensing are of massive importance for monitoring environmental pollution and therefore for inventing advanced strategies to remediate hazardous pollutants and offer a clean environment.     

Stimulation of Nitrate Reductase by Light and Ammonium in Spirodela oligorrhiza

Light-enhanced nitrate reductase (NR) activity was 8 times greaterthan the dark control. Exogenous application of sucrose, glucoseand fructose increased the induction of NR in the light as wellas in the dark, whereas glycolate had no effect. DCMU [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethyl urea] completely inhibited thedevelopment of NR in light. Sucrose, when added with DCMU, reversedthis inhibitory effect NR in vivo was more stable in light thanin darkness, the half-lives being 9.6 h and 6.4 h, respectively.The addition of sucrose did not change the half-life of NR ineither light or darkness. Ammonium, the end product of the inorganicnitrogen assimilatory pathway, stimulated the NR activity whereasamino acids decreased it. Key words: Spirodela oligorrhiza, nitrate reductase, ammonium, light     

Fine Needle Aspiration of Sister Mary Joseph''s Nodule

A case of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (umbilical metastasis) is described from a primary adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon. Needle aspiration cytology made the diagnosis which was confirmed by immunocytochemical localization of CEA, B72.3, EMA, and cytokeratin in the tumour cells. Extensive mucus production in the tumour cells was demonstrated by alcian blue and mucicarmine stains.     

Morphogenesis in Tissue Cultures of Different Organs of Nigella sativa

Calli were isolated from root, stem and leaf segments of Nigella sativa (Fam. Ranunculaceae) on White's medium containing napthaleneacetic acid and coconut milk. From all the three types of calli, roots were differentiated. Shoot development occurred in stem and leaf calli only after the omission of first coconut milk and then of auxin from the basal medium and also in IAA (2.0 mg/ml) and coconut milk (15 % v/v) in the medium. Frequency of organ formation and the maintenance of this capacity depend upon the nature as well as the age of the callus tissue.     

Developmental Physiology of Sugar-beet: IV. EFFECTS OF GROWTH SUBSTANCES AND DIFFERENTIAL ROOT AND SHOOT TEMPERATURES ON SUBSEQUENT GROWTH

The effects of three growth substances, viz. indol-3yl-aceticacid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA₃), and kinetin (KIN), and differentialshoot and root temperatures on growth of sugar-beet (Beta vulgarisL.) plants have been studied. IAA, GA₃, and KIN were applied in aqueous lanolin at differentconcentrations (50 ppm to 5000 ppm) to decapitated sugar-beetplants at the eight-leaf stage, one group also having alternateleaves removed. The growth substances significantly increasedthe dry weights of the plants when all the leaves were present,which was mainly explained by the large increase in roots. Thegrowth substances probably stimulated cambial activity and hencethe mobilization of substrates resulting in a bigger root whena relatively large leaf area existed. The failure of the plantsto respond to treatments following the removal of alternateleaves suggests that under such conditions the growth substanceshave hardly any major effect on the production of substrates;rather they influence growth by regulating the movement of substratesby altering the ‘sink strength’ if the supply ofsubstrates is not limiting. It could also be that the rootsproduce sufficient growth substances to maintain half the leavesat maximum expansion and maximum photosynthesis. Treatment withgrowth substances would therefore have little effect. When allthe leaves were present, they are limited by insufficient growthsubstances. All combinations of root and shoot temperatures of 17 and 25°C were imposed on plants decapitated at the eight-leafstage, one group also having each alternate leaf removed. Leaf8 expanded most at shoot and root temperature of 25 °C whereasother leaves had the largest areas at shoot and root temperatureof 17 °. When all the leaves were present root growth wasmaximal at shoot temperature of 17°C and root temperatureof 25 °C, but when alternate leaves were removed maximumroot growth occurred at shoot and root temperatures of 25 °C.Generally, a higher concentration of soluble carbohydrates wasfound in the roots and leaves when either the shoot or rootor both were kept at 17 °C. Concentrations of nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium in different organs were less at 17°C than at higher shoot or root temperatures and decreasedwith age.