The impact of different plant extracts on biological parameters of Housefly [Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)]: Implications for management

Housefly is a significant domestic pest, which causes nuisance. The use of insecticides is discouraged to manage housefly; therefore, alternative management strategies are inevitable. The current study investigated the impact of different plant extracts, i.e., Moringa oleifera (moringa), Allium sativum (garlic) and Piper nigrum (black pepper) on biological parameters of house fly. Two different concentrations (i.e., 25 and 50%) of the extracts were blended in larval diet made through mixing of wheat bran, yeast and dried milk powder. The results indicated significant differences for larval duration. Maximum larval duration was recorded for garlic followed by black pepper and moringa, respectively. In case of pupal duration, non-significant differences were observed among plant extracts. Increase rate of oviposition was noticed with moringa at 25% concentration, while decreased oviposition rate was noted for garlic with 50% concentration. Egg hatching percentage remained non-significant for the botanical extracts. The highest survival was observed with moringa, while garlic resulted in the lowest survival. The highest repellency was noticed for garlic followed by black pepper, whereas moringa resulted in the lowest repellency after 30, 60 and 90 min. Prolonged developmental time was observed for bot concentrations of garlic, whereas moringa noted the shortest developmental time. Thus moringa was found to be a promoter of housefly development. Minimum adult emergence was found with both concentrations of garlic followed by 50% concentration of black pepper. The 50% concentration of black pepper promoted the population of adult males, while both concentrations of moringa and 25% concentration of black pepper encouraged the population of female adults. Study outcomes depicted that tested botanical extracts had significant potential for disturbing biological parameters of housefly. The garlic extracts can potentially be used to manage housefly. However, further investigations on the larval and adult mortality are needed.     

In-silico network-based analysis of drugs used against COVID-19: Human well-being study

IntroductionResearchers worldwide with great endeavor searching and repurpose drugs might be potentially useful in fighting newly emerged coronavirus. These drugs show inhibition but also show side effects and complications too. On December 27, 2020, 80,926,235 cases have been reported worldwide. Specifically, in Pakistan, 471,335 has been reported with inconsiderable deaths.Problem statementIdentification of COVID-19 drugs pathway through drug-gene and gene−gene interaction to find out the most important genes involved in the pathway to deal with the actual cause of side effects beyond the beneficent effects of the drugs.MethodologyThe medicines used to treat COVID-19 are retrieved from the Drug Bank. The drug-gene interaction was performed using the Drug Gene Interaction Database to check the relation between the genes and the drugs. The networks of genes are developed by Gene MANIA, while Cytoscape is used to check the active functional association of the targeted gene. The developed systems cross-validated using the EnrichNet tool and identify drug genes'' concerned pathways using Reactome and STRING.ResultsFive drugs Azithromycin, Bevacizumab, CQ, HCQ, and Lopinavir, are retrieved. The drug-gene interaction shows several genes that are targeted by the drug. Gene MANIA interaction network shows the functional association of the genes like co-expression, physical interaction, predicted, genetic interaction, co-localization, and shared protein domains.ConclusionOur study suggests the pathways for each drug in which targeted genes and medicines play a crucial role, which will help experts in-vitro overcome and deal with the side effects of these drugs, as we find out the in-silico gene analysis for the COVID-19 drugs.     

Evidence for regulated interleukin-4 expression in chondrocyte-scaffolds under in vitro inflammatory conditions

Objective

To elucidate the anti-inflammatory and anabolic effects of regulated expression of IL-4 in chondrocyte-scaffolds under in vitro inflammatory conditions.

Methods

Mature articular chondrocytes from dogs (n = 3) were conditioned through transient transfection using pcDNA3.1.cIL-4 (constitutive) or pCOX-2.cIL-4 (cytokine-responsive) plasmids. Conditioned cells were seeded in alginate microspheres and rat-tail collagen type I matrix (CaReS®) to generate two types of tissue-engineered 3-dimensional scaffolds. Inflammatory arthritis was simulated in the packed chondrocytes through exogenous addition of recombinant canine (rc) IL-1β (100 ng/ml) plus rcTNFα (50 ng/ml) in culture media for 96 hours. Harvested cells and culture media were analyzed by various assays to monitor the anti-inflammatory and regenerative (anabolic) properties of cIL-4.

Results

cIL-4 was expressed from COX-2 promoter exclusively on the addition of rcIL-1β and rcTNFα while its expression from CMV promoter was constitutive. The expressed cIL-4 downregulated the mRNA expression of IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2 in the cells and inhibited the production of NO and PGE₂ in culture media. At the same time, it up-regulated the expression of IGF-1, IL-1ra, COL2a1 and aggrecan in conditioned chondrocytes in both scaffolds along with a diminished release of total collagen and sGAG into the culture media. An increased amount of cIL-4 protein was detected both in chondrocyte cell lysate and in concentrated culture media. Neutralizing anti-cIL-4 antibody assay confirmed that the anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects seen are exclusively driven by cIL-4. There was a restricted expression of IL-4 under COX-2 promoter possibly due to negative feedback loop while it was over-expressed under CMV promoter (undesirable). Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory /anabolic outcomes from both scaffolds were reproducible and the therapeutic effects of cIL-4 were both scaffold- and promoter-independent.

Conclusions

Regulated expression of therapeutic candidate gene(s) coupled with suitable scaffold(s) could potentially serve as a useful tissue-engineering tool to devise future treatment strategies for osteoarthritis.     

Boron application through seed coating improves the water relations, panicle fertility, kernel yield, and biofortification of fine grain aromatic rice

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of boron (B) application through seed coating on leaf elongation, tillering, water relations, panicle sterility, kernel yield, and grain biofortification of fine grain aromatic rice. Boron was applied as seed coating at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 g B kg^?1 seed in two rice cultivars Super Basmati and Shaheen Basmati. Boron seed coating significantly affected the leaf elongation, water relations, panicle fertility, kernel yield and grain biofortification in both rice cultivars. However, seed coating with 1.0–2.0 g B kg^?1 seed was effective in improving the leaf emergence and elongation, and tillering. Whereas water relations (water and osmotic potential) were improved by all B seed coating treatments, but pressure potential was only improved from seed coating with 2.0–3.0 g B kg^?1 seed. Kernel yield was improved by all B seed coating treatments; however seed coating with 2 g B kg^?1 seed was the most effective treatment in this regard. Increase in kernel yield, by B seed coating, was attributed to decrease in panicle sterility. Leaf and kernel B contents were increased with increase in B concentration in seed coating.     

Time of day affects heart rate recovery and variability after maximal exercise in pre-hypertensive men

ABSTRACT

Previous literature suggests that human behaviour and physiology are somehow altered by the moon-cycle, with particular emphasis on poorer sleep quality and increased aggressive behaviour during full moon. The latter variables can negatively impact athletes’ recovery and increase the likelihood of injury resulting from collision with another athlete. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the association between the lunar cycle and injury risk in professional football players (soccer). We monitored injuries and player exposure in the premier professional league in Qatar during four consecutive seasons (2013–2014 through 2016–2017). Acute (sudden-onset traumatic) injuries (n = 1184; 587 from contact with another player and 597 without player contact) recorded during matches and training were classified according to the lunar cycle characteristics on the date of injury: (i) moon illumination, (ii) lunar distance from earth and (iii) tidal coefficient, acquired from the lunar calendar and tide tables. We used a Poisson regression model to examine the relationship between injury risk and lunar cycle characteristics. We did not detect any association between injury risk and moon illumination, earth-to-moon distance or tidal coefficient, not for all acute injuries, nor for contact and non-contact injuries when examined separately. The findings suggest that the full moon or new moon or the gravitational pull have no effect on football injuries. Thus, organisers need not consult moon or tide tables when planning future event schedules.     

Evaluating surface drying and re-drying for wheat seed priming with polyamines: effects on emergence,early seedling growth and starch metabolism

This study was conducted to investigate the benefits associated with re-drying after seed priming with polyamines. Wheat (cv. AS-2002) seeds were soaked in 10 and 20 mg L⁻¹ aerated solutions of spermidine (Spd), putrescine (Put) and spermine (Spm), and distilled water (CK2) for 12 h at 28 ± 2°C. Untreated seeds (CK1) and priming in distilled water (CK2) were taken as control treatments. Seeds were primed in two sets: In one set, after each treatment, seeds were given three surface washings with distilled water and dried closer to original moisture; in the other, seeds were only surface dried and used immediately. Use of surface-dried seeds after priming was more effective since it reduced emergence time and synchronized the emergence. Moreover, final emergence, shoot and root length, seedling fresh and dry weight were also improved. Improved starch metabolism was considered possible reason of seed invigoration. All the seed treatments resulted in a lower electrical conductivity of seed leachates compared with control; however, there was more decrease in seeds re-dried after priming than the seeds surface dried after priming. Although the effect of all the polyamines was stimulatory, Spd was the more effective for most of the attributes studied. Nonetheless, Put was more effective for seedling fresh and dry weights. All the polyamines were more effective at lower concentrations except Spm, which improved the coefficient of uniformity of emergence at high concentration. To conclude, if immediate sowing is possible, use of surface-dried seeds after priming may be more effective; seed priming with 10 mg L⁻¹ Spd was the most effective technique when surface dried.     

Heat Stress in Wheat during Reproductive and Grain-Filling Phases

Ambient temperatures have increased since the beginning of the century and are predicted to continue rising under climate change. Such increases in temperature can cause heat stress: a severe threat to wheat production in many countries, particularly when it occurs during reproductive and grain-filling phases. Heat stress reduces plant photosynthetic capacity through metabolic limitations and oxidative damage to chloroplasts, with concomitant reductions in dry matter accumulation and grain yield. Genotypes expressing heat shock proteins are better able to withstand heat stress as they protect proteins from heat-induced damage. Heat tolerance can be improved by selecting and developing wheat genotypes with heat resistance. Wheat pre-breeding and breeding may be based on secondary traits like membrane stability, photosynthetic rate and grain weight under heat stress. Nonetheless, improvement in grain yield under heat stress implies selecting genotypes for grain size and rate of grain filling. Integrating physiological and biotechnological tools with conventional breeding techniques will help to develop wheat varieties with better grain yield under heat stress during reproductive and grain-filling phases. This review discusses the impact of heat stress during reproductive and grain-filling stages of wheat on grain yield and suggests strategies to improve heat stress tolerance in wheat.     

Expression and inducibility of endosulfan metabolizing gene in Rhodococcus strain isolated from earthworm gut microflora for its application in bioremediation

The metabolizing potential of a bacterial strain Rhodococcus MTCC 6716, isolated from the gut of an Indian earthworm (Metaphire posthuma) was studied for endosulfan bioremediation. In the present work, the optimum conditions for the maximum growth, kinetic of endosulfan degradation, regression equation, half life and correlation coefficient were studied. Endosulfan induced alterations in the expression of mRNA and protein of specific endosulfan metabolizing marker gene (Esd) was studied. Maximum growth of bacteria was observed at pH 7.0, 30°C and 0.085 M sodium chloride concentration in a liquid culture medium. Endosulfan was degraded by Rhodococcus strain up to 97.23% within 15 days without producing toxic metabolite and with strong correlation coefficient (-0.728) and half life 5.99 days. Endosulfan degradation was mediated through gene(s) present in genomic DNA. Expression of marker gene was found endosulfan concentration dependent. The results suggest that this novel strain (Rhodococcus) may be utilized for bioremediation of endosulfan.     

Ginger rhizome as a potential source of milk coagulating cysteine protease

A milk coagulating protease was purified ∼10.2-fold to apparent homogeneity from ginger rhizomes in 34.9% recovery using ammonium sulfate fractionation, together with ion exchange and size exclusion chromatographic techniques. The molecular mass of the purified protease was estimated to be ∼36 kDa by SDS-PAGE, and exhibited a pI of 4.3. It is a glycoprotein with 3% carbohydrate content. The purified enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 5.5 and at a temperature of ∼60 °C. Its protease activity was strongly inhibited by iodoacetamide, E-64, PCMB, Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺. Inhibition studies and N-terminal sequence classified the enzyme as a member of the cysteine proteases. The cleavage capability of the isolated enzyme was higher for α_s-casein followed by β- and κ-casein. The purified enzyme differed in molecular mass, pI, carbohydrate content, and N-terminal sequence from previously reported ginger proteases. These results indicate that the purified protease may have potential application as a rennet substitute in the dairy industry.