beta-Catenin has sequential roles in the survival and specification of ventral dermis

The dermis promotes the development and maintains the functional components of skin, such as hair follicles, sweat glands, nerves and blood vessels. The dermis is also crucial for wound healing and homeostasis of the skin. The dermis originates from the somites, the lateral plate mesoderm and the cranial neural crest. Despite the importance of the dermis in the structural and functional integrity of the skin, genetic analysis of dermal development in different parts of the embryo is incomplete. The signaling requirements for ventral dermal cell development have not been established in either the chick or the mammalian embryo. We have shown previously that Wnt signaling specifies the dorsal dermis from the somites. In this study, we demonstrate that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is necessary for the survival of early ventral dermal progenitors. In addition, we show that, at later stages, Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is sufficient for ventral dermal cell specification. Consistent with the different origins of dorsal and ventral dermal cells, our results demonstrate both conserved and divergent roles of beta-catenin/Wnt signaling in dermal development.     

Species of Gonostomum and Paragonostomum (Ciliophora, Hypotrichida, Oxytrichidae) from the Valley of Flowers, India, with descriptions of Gonostomum singhii sp nov, Paragonostomum ghangriai sp nov and Paragonostomum minuta sp nov

Soil samples taken from the Valley of Flowers, a component of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in the Himalayan regions of India showed the presence of twenty two free living species of ciliates. There is a preponderance of species which exhibit oral ciliature and ontogenesis in the Gonostomum pattern. Of the four species of the genus Gonostomum, three viz., G affine, G gonostomoida and G kuehnelti are similar to described species; Gonostomum singhii is new. The two species of genus Paragonostomum viz., P minuta and P ghangriai are new. The three new species are described in the present paper. All these species show prominent hypertrophied ciliary structures. Their paroral membranes reveal characteristic differences with respect to their position, number of constituent cilia and the distance between adjacent cilia. It is proposed that such species specific features of the paroral membrane have a bearing in exercising different food organism preferences as they co-exist at many sites. This single factor has possibly played an important role in species diversification of this group of hypotrichs in this isolated habitat.     

Tissue engineering: Dentin – pulp complex regeneration approaches (A review)

Dental pulp is a highly specialized tissue that preserves teeth. It is important to maintain the capabilities of dental pulp before a pulpectomy by creating a local restoration of the dentin-pulp complex from residual dental pulp. The articles identified were selected by two reviewers based on entry and exit criteria. All relevant articles indexed in PubMed, Springer, Science Direct, and Scopus with no limitations from 1961 to 2016 were searched. Factors investigated in the selected articles included the following key words: Dentin-Pulp Complex, Regeneration, Tissue Engineering, Scaffold, Stem Cell, and Growth Factors. Of the 233 abstracts retrieved, the papers which were selected had evaluated the clinical aspects of the application of dentin-pulp regeneration. Generally, this study has introduced a new approach to provoke the regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex after a pulpectomy, so that exogenous growth factors and the scaffold are able to induce cells and blood vessels from the residual dental pulp in the tooth root canal. This study further presents a new strategy for local regeneration therapy of the dentin-pulp complex. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the potential beneficial effects derived from the interaction of dental materials with the dentin-pulp complex as well as potential future developments in this exciting field.     

Conquering the night: understanding nocturnal migration in birds

Abstract

Migration is a biologically distinct and unique phenomenon that enables the birds to migrate twice-a-year between the breeding and wintering grounds. These movements are known as spring and autumn migration, respectively. Depending on their inherent programming, the migratory birds may fly during day or night or both. Different environmental factors such as, temperature, food, predator pressure and physiological demands of energy storage and expenditure, contribute to the pattern of migrations, day or nighttime. Since, most of them are nighttime migrants they have to make dramatic changes in their physiology and behavior to transform them from being diurnal to predominantly nocturnal. These changes result in different life history stages (LHSs) such as migration, reproduction and molt, in their annual cycle, which are regulated by endogenous circadian and circannual clocks. As a result, the birds start preparing well in advance for the approaching LHS. The present review focuses on behavioral strategies of a nocturnal migrant and understanding of the possible physiological responses to ensure successful migration.     

Cytotoxin antibody-based colourimetric sensor for field-level differential detection of elapid among big four snake venom

Development of a rapid, on-site detection tool for snakebite is highly sought after, owing to its clinically and forensically relevant medicolegal significance. Polyvalent antivenom therapy in the management of such envenomation cases is finite due to its poor venom neutralization capabilities as well as diagnostic ramifications manifested as untoward immunological reactions. For precise molecular diagnosis of elapid venoms of the big four snakes, we have developed a lateral flow kit using a monoclonal antibody (AB1; IgG₁ – κ chain; Kd: 31 nM) generated against recombinant cytotoxin-7 (rCTX-7; 7.7 kDa) protein of the elapid venom. The monoclonal antibody specifically detected the venoms of Naja naja (p < 0.0001) and Bungarus caeruleus (p<0.0001), without showing any immunoreactivity against the viperidae snakes in big four venomous snakes. The kit developed attained the limit of quantitation of 170 pg/μL and 2.1 ng/μL in spiked buffer samples and 28.7 ng/μL and 110 ng/μL in spiked serum samples for detection of N. naja and B. caeruleus venoms, respectively. This kit holds enormous potential in identification of elapid venom of the big four snakes for effective prognosis of an envenomation; as per the existing medical guidelines.     

Novel functional polymorphism on PADI-4 gene and its association with arthritis onset

BackgroundCitrullinated proteins formed by peptidyl arginine deiminases (PADIs) deimination of arginine residues in proteins are of particular interest in arthritis pathogenesis. Polymorphisms on the PADI-4 gene lead to the malfunctioning of PADIs leading to the onset of arthritis.ObjectiveThe present study was conducted to determine the polymorphisms on the PADI-4 gene and their association with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as Osteoarthritis (OA).MethodologyTo achieve the above-mentioned objective a case-control study was conducted. Blood samples were collected from RA, OA, and control subjects. DNA was extracted from each blood sample by modified organic method and was quantified as well as qualified by DNA gel electrophoresis and Nanodrop. Patients were tested for rs874881, rs11203366, rs11203367, rs2240336, rs2240337, rs2240339, rs1748033 and rs2240340 polymorphic sites by amplifying targeted regions through PCR with site-specific primers. Genotyping was performed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism and direct sequencing method. Mutations were identified by analyzing sequences on BioEdit software. Allelic, genetic, and multiple site analysis were performed by SHEsis and PLINK software. Change in the amino acid sequence was identified by MEGA 6.0 software.ResultsPolymorphisms were identified on all targeted polymorphic sites except rs2240337 in both RA and OA individuals. In addition, two novel mutations were also identified in exon 4 identified i-e SCV000804840: c.218T > C and SCV000807675: c.241G > T. All the SNPs except rs11203366 were found to be significantly associated with RA at an allelic level whereas all SNP’s have been significant risk factors in the onset of OA. At genotypic level rs874881, rs11203366, rs2240339, SCV000804840 and SCV000807675 were significantly associated to RA development whereas rs874881, rs11203366, rs11203367, rs2240339, SCV000804840 and SCV000807675 were genetic risk factors in OA onset. Haplotype analysis indicated that GACCACGCC and GACCACGCT were highly significant in disease development. Polymorphisms identified altered the functioning of PADIs by altering their amino acid sequence.ConclusionIn conclusion, it was found that PADI-4 gene polymorphism was not only involved in the onset of RA but was also found to be a significant risk factor in OA onset.     

Invasion history of Lycium ferocissimum in Australia: The impact of admixture on genetic diversity and differentiation

Aim

We investigated the invasion history of Lycium ferocissimum, a spine-covered shrub native to South Africa that was introduced to Australia in the mid-1800s, and has since developed into a damaging invasive plant of undisturbed landscapes and pastures. In addition to identifying the provenance of the Australian plants, we tested for evidence of admixture, and contrasted genetic diversity and structuring across the native and introduced ranges.

Location

Samples were collected across South Africa (24 localities) and Australia (26 localities).

Methods

We used genotyping-by-sequencing (3117 SNPs across 381 individuals) to assess population genetic structuring in L. ferocissimum across Australia and South Africa. Coalescent analyses were used to explicitly test contrasting invasion scenarios.

Results

Clear geographic genetic structuring was detected across South Africa, with distinct clusters in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces. The L. ferocissimum plants in Australia form their own genetic cluster, with a similar level of genetic diversity as plants in South Africa. Coalescent analyses demonstrated that the lineage in Australia was formed by admixture between Eastern Cape and Western Cape plants, with most of the genetic material from the Australian lineage originating from the Western Cape. Our analyses suggest that L. ferocissimum plants were originally introduced to South Australia, though it is unclear whether admixture occurred before or after its introduction to Australia. We detected little evidence of geographic genetic structure across Australia, although many of the populations were genetically distinct from one another.

Main Conclusions

Our results illustrate how admixture can result in genetically diverse and distinct invasive populations. The complex invasion history of L. ferocissimum in Australia poses particular challenges for biological control. We suggest potential biological control agents should be screened against admixed plants (in addition to plants from the Eastern and Western Cape) to test whether they provide effective control of the genetically distinct invasive lineage.     

Carbon Quantum Dots as Multi-Purpose Nanomaterial in Stem Cell Therapy

During stem cell therapy, some issues, such as obscure fate of stem cells or their low survival rate in the body, should be addressed to boost their therapeutic efficiency. Nanotechnology offers a suitable solution to combat such limitations. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are carbon-based nanomaterials and may be used as multi-purpose compounds in stem cell therapy. CQDs are excellent choices for stem cell labeling thanks to their special features such as optical properties and good biocompatibility. Besides, they can modulate the biological function of stem cells, such as their proliferation, homing ability, and differentiation properties. Considering the charismatic feature of CQDs and their broad unique effect on stem cells, the current review aims to summarize the most advancements in this field. Hence, we first focused on CQDs synthesis and their applications. In the next section, the stem cell categories will be discussed, and the final part is dedicated to the recent research evaluating the impact of CQDs on stem cell therapy.     

A New Strain of Cucumber Mosaic Virus Causing Mosaic Disease of Muskmelon

The virus causing mosaic of muskmelon in the Punjab is transmitted through seed, sap and aphids but not through beetle, whitefly, fungi or contact. It systemically infected Nicotiana tabacum (var. “White Burley” and CTRI-Special), N. glutinosa, N. rustica and Capsicum annuum besides various cucurbit hosts when inoculated mechanically. The virus gave positive reaction with the antiserum of cucumber mosaic virus and the particles are spherical in shape. The virus has been identified as a distinct strain of cucumber mosaic virus and is designated as muskmelon strain of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV-mst.).