Estimation of growth and exopolysaccharide production by two soil cyanobacteria,Scytonema tolypothrichoides and Tolypothrix bouteillei as determined by cultivation in irradiance and temperature crossed gradients

Two filamentous cyanobacteria of the genera Scytonema and Tolypothrix were reported to be effective for stabilizing soil in arid areas due to the production of significant amounts of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). These EPS may also have applications in the biotechnology industry. Therefore, two cyanobacterial species, Scytonema tolypothrichoides and Tolypothrix bouteillei were examined using crossed gradients of temperature (8–40°C) and irradiance (3–21 W m^?2) to identify their temperature and irradiance optima for maximum biomass and EPS production. According to their reported temperature requirements, both strains were considered mesophilic. The optimum growth range of temperature in S. tolypothrichoides (27 to 34°C) was higher than T. bouteillei (22–32°C). The optimum irradiance range for growth of S. tolypothrichoides (9–13 W m^?2) was slightly lower than T. bouteillei (7–18 W m^?2). Maximum EPS production by S. tolypothrichoides occurred at similar temperatures (28–34°C) as T. bouteillei (27–34°C), both slightly higher than for maximum growth. The optimum irradiance range for EPS production was comparable to that for growth in S. tolypotrichoides (8–13 W m^?2), and slightly lower in T. bouteillei (7–17 W m^?2). The Redundancy Analysis confirmed that temperature was the most important controlling factor and protocols for field applications or for mass cultivation can now be developed.     

Differential seminal plasma proteome signatures of acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors

With advances in therapeutic methods, there is a high survival rate among leukemia patients, of an extent more than 80%. However, chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat these patients have adverse effects on their overall health profile including fertility. The primary aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed proteins in seminal plasma of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors compared to age-matched healthy controls, which can provide molecular basis of idiopathic infertility in such survivors. Differential proteome profiling was performed by 2D–differential in-gel electrophoresis, protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry and selective differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were validated by western blotting and ELISA method. Out of eight DEPs identified, five proteins (isocitrate dehydrogenase 1, semenogelin 1, lactoferrin, prolactin-inducible protein, and human serum albumin) were upregulated and three (pepsinogen, prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase) were downregulated. Expression profiles of these proteins are suggestive of reduction in semen quality in ALL survivors and can further be explored to determine their fertility status.     

Discovery of genomic regions and candidate genes controlling shelling percentage using QTL‐seq approach in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important grain legume providing high‐quality cooking oil, rich proteins and other nutrients. Shelling percentage (SP) is the 2nd most important agronomic trait after pod yield and this trait significantly affects the economic value of peanut in the market. Deployment of diagnostic markers through genomics‐assisted breeding (GAB) can accelerate the process of developing improved varieties with enhanced SP. In this context, we deployed the QTL‐seq approach to identify genomic regions and candidate genes controlling SP in a recombinant inbred line population (Yuanza 9102 × Xuzhou 68‐4). Four libraries (two parents and two extreme bulks) were constructed and sequenced, generating 456.89–790.32 million reads and achieving 91.85%–93.18% genome coverage and 14.04–21.37 mean read depth. Comprehensive analysis of two sets of data (Yuanza 9102/two bulks and Xuzhou 68‐4/two bulks) using the QTL‐seq pipeline resulted in discovery of two overlapped genomic regions (2.75 Mb on A09 and 1.1 Mb on B02). Nine candidate genes affected by 10 SNPs with non‐synonymous effects or in UTRs were identified in these regions for SP. Cost‐effective KASP (Kompetitive Allele‐Specific PCR) markers were developed for one SNP from A09 and three SNPs from B02 chromosome. Genotyping of the mapping population with these newly developed KASP markers confirmed the major control and stable expressions of these genomic regions across five environments. The identified candidate genomic regions and genes for SP further provide opportunity for gene cloning and deployment of diagnostic markers in molecular breeding for achieving high SP in improved varieties.     

Late‐onset retinal degeneration pathology due to mutations in CTRP5 is mediated through HTRA1

Late‐onset retinal degeneration (L‐ORD) is an autosomal dominant macular degeneration characterized by the formation of sub‐retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) deposits and neuroretinal atrophy. L‐ORD results from mutations in the C1q‐tumor necrosis factor‐5 protein (CTRP5), encoded by the CTRP5/C1QTNF5 gene. To understand the mechanism underlying L‐ORD pathology, we used a human cDNA library yeast two‐hybrid screen to identify interacting partners of CTRP5. Additionally, we analyzed the Bruch's membrane/choroid (BM‐Ch) from wild‐type (Wt), heterozygous S163R Ctrp5 mutation knock‐in (Ctrp5^S163R/wt), and homozygous knock‐in (Ctrp5^S163R/S163R) mice using mass spectrometry. Both approaches showed an association between CTRP5 and HTRA1 via its C‐terminal PDZ‐binding motif, stimulation of the HTRA1 protease activity by CTRP5, and CTRP5 serving as an HTRA1 substrate. The S163R‐CTRP5 protein also binds to HTRA1 but is resistant to HTRA1‐mediated cleavage. Immunohistochemistry and proteomic analysis showed significant accumulation of CTRP5 and HTRA1 in BM‐Ch of Ctrp5^S163R/S163R and Ctrp5^S163R/wt mice compared with Wt. Additional extracellular matrix (ECM) components that are HTRA1 substrates also accumulated in these mice. These results implicate HTRA1 and its interaction with CTRP5 in L‐ORD pathology.     

Enhancement of heavy metal tolerance and accumulation efficiency by expressing Arabidopsis ATP sulfurylase gene in alfalfa

Abstract

Transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants overexpressing the Arabidopsis ATP sulfurylase gene were generated using Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation to enhance their heavy metal accumulation efficiency. The ATP sulfurylase gene was cloned from Arabidopsis, following exposure to vanadium (V) and lead (Pb), and transferred into an Agrobacterium tumefaciens binary vector. This was co-cultivated with leaf explants of the alfalfa genotype Regen SY. Co-cultivated leaf explants were cultured on callus and somatic embryo induction medium, followed by regeneration medium for regenerating complete transgenic plants. The transgenic nature of the plants was confirmed using PCR and southern hybridization. The expression of Arabidopsis ATP sulfurylase gene in the transgenic plants was evaluated through RT-PCR. The selected transgenic lines showed increased tolerance to a mixture of five heavy metals and also demonstrated enhanced metal uptake ability under controlled conditions. The transgenic lines were fertile and did not exhibit any apparent morphological abnormality. The results of this study indicated an effective approach to improve the heavy metal accumulation ability of alfalfa plants which can then be used for the remediation of contaminated soil in arid regions.     

Binding interaction study on human serum albumin with bactericidal gold nanoparticles synthesized from a leaf extract of Musa balbisiana: a multispectroscopic approach

This study describes the eco‐friendly, low‐cost and room‐temperature synthesis of gold nanoparticles from Musa balbisiana leaf extract, which acts as both reducing and stabilizing agent, and characterized by ultraviolet?visible (UV–vis) light spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) instruments. These nanoparticles showed an average diameter of 33.83 ± 3.39 nm, which was confirmed from the size distribution histogram. The bactericidal activity of these nanoparticles was confirmed using bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at 1 and 2 nM minimum inhibitory concentrations, respectively. The interaction between nanoparticles and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated, as this plays significant roles in biological systems. The nature of interaction, binding parameters and structural variation of HSA in the presence of these nanoparticles have been evaluated using several useful spectroscopic approaches such as UV–vis, FTIR, time‐resolved and steady‐state fluorescence, and circular dichroism in addition to the measurement of zeta potential. This interaction study revealed that static quenching occurs in this process with minimal alteration in the secondary structure, but the native structure of HSA remained unaltered. The binding constant and thermodynamic parameters of this interaction process were also evaluated.     

Mechanical,Optical, Thermal,and Barrier Properties of Poly (Lactic Acid)/Curcumin Composite Films Prepared Using Twin-Screw Extruder

In this present work, we synthesized poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/curcumin composite films using a twin-screw extruder and evaluated their mechanical, optical, thermal, and barrier properties. The composite films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Universal testing machine (UTM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet-visible spectrometry (UV-visible), colorimetry, goniometry, and oxygen permeation analysis. The results confirmed that, the composite films exhibited better ultraviolet radiation-blocking properties and hydrophobicities than did the reference PLA film. The oxygen and water vapor permeabilities of the composite films were also lower than those of the reference PLA film.

     

Hox genes: Downstream “effectors” of retinoic acid signaling in vertebrate embryogenesis

One of the major regulatory challenges of animal development is to precisely coordinate in space and time the formation, specification, and patterning of cells that underlie elaboration of the basic body plan. How does the vertebrate plan for the nervous and hematopoietic systems, heart, limbs, digestive, and reproductive organs derive from seemingly similar population of cells? These systems are initially established and patterned along the anteroposterior axis (AP) by opposing signaling gradients that lead to the activation of gene regulatory networks involved in axial specification, including the Hox genes. The retinoid signaling pathway is one of the key signaling gradients coupled to the establishment of axial patterning. The nested domains of Hox gene expression, which provide a combinatorial code for axial patterning, arise in part through a differential response to retinoic acid (RA) diffusing from anabolic centers established within the embryo during development. Hence, Hox genes are important direct effectors of retinoid signaling in embryogenesis. This review focuses on describing current knowledge on the complex mechanisms and regulatory processes, which govern the response of Hox genes to RA in several tissue contexts including the nervous system during vertebrate development.     

Effect of tannery sludge amendments on the activity of soil enzymes and phytoremediation potential of two economically important cultivars of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

A field experiment was conducted to observe the effect of TS amendments on soil enzymes and phytoremediation potential of two economically important cultivars of geranium. Different doses of TS were applied in soil to examine threshold limit of HMs where geranium cultivars can be grown successfully in contaminated sites. Treatment variation significantly affected pH, EC, OC, N, P, K and HM content in soil after 50 days of incubation. After harvest, both cultivars were examined to assess the impact of various treatments on their fresh herb, dry matter, essential oil yield and HM accumulation. C/G ratio close to 1 was observed at 50 tha^?1 sludge treatment in both cultivars. Urease and β-glucosidase activities in soil were maximum at 50 tha^?1 whereas dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities were maximum at 100 tha^?1 in both cultivars. β-glucosidase, acid and alkaline phosphatase, urease and dehydrogenase activities were relatively high after 85 days over 45 days in both cultivars. Maximum metal uptake was found in roots of cv. Bourbon followed by leaves. Geranium was observed to be a good candidate for phytoremediation as it mitigates metal toxicity by root absorption and cv. Bourbon is better candidate for the same.     

A Simple Multi-band Metamaterial Absorber with Combined Polarization Sensitive and Polarization Insensitive Characteristics for Terahertz Applications

This paper presents a simple multi-band metamaterial absorber for terahertz applications. The unit cell of the proposed structure consists of a single square ring having gaps at the centers on three of its sides. The proposed absorber produces three absorption bands for all polarizations and hence the design can be considered as insensitive to polarization variation. It provides an average absorption of 96.92% for the TE polarization with a peak absorption of 99.44% at 3.87 THz and for the TM polarization, it provides an average absorption of 98.4% with a peak absorption of 99.86% at 3.87 THz. An additional absorption peak is observed for the TE polarization at 1.055 THz that gradually diminishes with the increase in polarization angle and completely vanishes for the TM polarization. Thus, the structure displays a hybrid polarization response with polarization insensitivity in three bands and polarization sensitivity in one band. Parametric analysis has been carried out validating the optimal selection of the design parameters. The simplicity of the design and its combined polarization sensitive and polarization insensitive absorption characteristics can find tremendous applications in the field of terahertz imaging and sensing.