Begomovirus and Associated Satellite Components Infecting Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) in Pakistan

Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) is a legume that is grown widely on the Indian subcontinent. Leaf curl symptoms of cluster bean plants collected in the Punjab, Pakistan, were shown to be associated with the begomovirus Papaya leaf curl virus; the first time this virus has been identified infecting cluster bean in Pakistan. The virus was shown to be associated with Tomato leaf curl betasatellite. Additionally, some cluster bean plants were shown to also harbour Cotton leaf curl Multan alphasatellite. The significance of these findings is discussed.     

Sooty Falcon Falco concolor reproduction and population dynamics on the islands in the Sea of Oman

Knowledge of demographic parameters affecting population dynamics is critical to the formulation of effective conservation strategies. Sooty Falcon Falco concolor is a little‐studied, Near‐threatened species; estimates of global population size and trend for this species are uncertain. They lay eggs during mid‐summer and sometimes nest in colonies. This unusual breeding ecology suggests that demographic parameters driving their population growth rate may differ from those of most other falcons. We studied Sooty Falcon reproduction at breeding aggregations on Fahal Island and the Daymaniyat islands in the Sea of Oman during 2007–2014, modelled population growth and identified important life history parameters using elasticity analysis. The mean (± se) clutch and brood size was 2.83 ± 0.06 and 2.11 ± 0.07, respectively. Overall, 11.7% of nests failed between the egg and nestling stages, and the failure rate differed significantly between Fahal and the Daymaniyats, and across years. The mean proportion of eggs that hatched annually was 0.66 ± 0.02, and broods were significantly smaller on the Daymaniyats than on Fahal. Falcons on Fahal Island had a higher rate of hatching, a higher rate of nests that produced at least one chick, and produced more chicks per nest than on the Daymaniyats. We suggest that Fahal's proximity to the mainland gives breeding Sooty Falcons access to a more plentiful and stable source of food, especially during the period between arrival from the wintering grounds and the onset of the autumn migration of prey birds, resulting in the better reproductive rates for falcons on Fahal Island, relative to those on the Daymaniyat Islands. The annual asymptotic population growth rate (λ) was 0.87 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75–0.99), suggesting a declining population, although Sooty Falcons enjoyed a slightly higher population growth rate on Fahal than on the Daymaniyats. Because our study population is on the edge of the breeding range and is isolated from other breeding areas, measures to improve reproductive success of Sooty Falcons breeding on the islands in the Sea of Oman could be important for conservation of Sooty Falcons in Oman.     

Biological degradation of plastics: a comprehensive review

Lack of degradability and the closing of landfill sites as well as growing water and land pollution problems have led to concern about plastics. With the excessive use of plastics and increasing pressure being placed on capacities available for plastic waste disposal, the need for biodegradable plastics and biodegradation of plastic wastes has assumed increasing importance in the last few years. Awareness of the waste problem and its impact on the environment has awakened new interest in the area of degradable polymers. The interest in environmental issues is growing and there are increasing demands to develop material which do not burden the environment significantly. Biodegradation is necessary for water-soluble or water-immiscible polymers because they eventually enter streams which can neither be recycled nor incinerated. It is important to consider the microbial degradation of natural and synthetic polymers in order to understand what is necessary for biodegradation and the mechanisms involved. This requires understanding of the interactions between materials and microorganisms and the biochemical changes involved. Widespread studies on the biodegradation of plastics have been carried out in order to overcome the environmental problems associated with synthetic plastic waste. This paper reviews the current research on the biodegradation of biodegradable and also the conventional synthetic plastics and also use of various techniques for the analysis of degradation in vitro.     

Comparison of different methods for erythroid differentiation in the K562 cell line

Objective

To compare methods for erythroid differentiation of K562 cells that will be promising in the treatment of beta-thalassemia by inducing γ-globin synthesis.

Results

Cells were treated separately with: RPMI 1640 medium without glutamine, RPMI 1640 medium without glutamine supplemented with 1 mM sodium butyrate, RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 1 mM sodium butyrate, 25 µg cisplatin/ml, 0.1 µg cytosine arabinoside/ml. The highest differentiation (84 %) with minimum toxicity was obtained with cisplatin at 15 µg /ml. Real-time RT-PCR showed that expression of the γ-globin gene was significantly higher in the cells differentiated with cisplatin compared to undifferentiated cells (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Cisplatin is useful in the experimental therapy of ß-globin gene defects and can be considered for examining the basic mechanism of γ-reactivation.

     

Curcumin mediated epigenetic modulation inhibits TREM-1 expression in response to lipopolysaccharide

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed on macrophage and neutrophils and is emerging as a potent amplifier of TLR initiated inflammatory responses. Blockade of TREM-1 improves survival in animal models of sepsis. In this study, we show that curcumin or diferuloylmethane, a yellow pigment present in turmeric, a major ingredient of curry spice inhibited the expression of TREM-1 in vitro in primary bone marrow derived macrophages and in vivo in lungs of mice with sepsis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay confirmed that curcumin inhibits the binding of p65 to TREM-1 promoter in response to LPS. Further we show that curcumin inhibited p300 activity in the TREM-1 promoter region leading to hypoacetylation of histone 3 and 4 in the lysine residues. Inhibition of TREM-1 by curcumin is oxidant independent. These studies are the first report to define a detailed molecular mechanism by which curcumin exerts anti-inflammatory effects through regulation of TREM-1 gene activity and provide additional mechanistic insights into the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin.     

Nanotherapeutic approaches targeting angiogenesis and immune dysfunction in tumor microenvironment

Tumor microenvironment (TME) comprising cellular and non-cellular components is a major source of cancer hallmarks. Notably, angiogenesis responsible for normal physiological remodeling process can otherwise harness vessel abnormalities during tumorigenesis eliciting severe therapeutic inefficiency. Currently, FDA approved antiangiogenic drugs have only shown modest clinical success owing to tumor hypoxia, antiangiogenic therapeutic resistance, and limited knowledge in understanding TME. In order to overcome these limitations, targeting angiogenesis combined with immunosuppressive TME could offer potential therapeutic opportunities. Indeed, these therapeutic approaches can be further revisited with the advent of nanotechnology that can target the key cellular components of TME and tumor cells more precisely. Synergetic targeting without eliciting systemic toxicity achieved by integration of antiangiogenic and immunotherapy in a single nanoplatform is vital for therapeutic success. In this review, we will discuss the most promising nanotechnological advancements oriented to modulate the immunosuppressive TME in association with antiangiogenic therapy that has gained immense popularity in cancer treatment.