Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Gamma (PPAR-ɣ): Molecular Effects and Its Importance as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Cerebral Ischemic Injury

Neurochemical Research - Cerebral ischemic injury is a leading cause of death and long-term disability throughout the world. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-?) is a...     

Palynomorph distribution in a mangrove ecosystem along environmental and salinity gradient: a tool for palaeoecological reconstruction

Pollen assemblages closely reflect the local vegetation that characterizes the salinity status, providing useful analogs for paleoecologxical reconstruction in regional deposits. Palynological evidences of surface sediments from the Coringa mangrove wetland were correlated with the physicochemical and sediment salinity records to observe the relationship between them. The statistical analysis of the data obtained here revealed a marked horizontal salinity gradient from north to south.. In this study, ordination (detrended correspondence analysis) of palynomorph groups has identified a salinity gradient of 1.1 to 3.0 PSU from the north to the south in the wetland. High palynomorph deposition and lower salinity are observed along channel margins due to the mixing of estuarine water during the rainy season. The mudflats along the transects show a lower diversity of plants in the pollen record and high total dissolved solids (TDS) than commonly found in the coastal wetlands. The presence of scrubby halophytic vegetation in the upper saltmarsh and oligohaline-freshwater vegetation in the low tidal saline marshes is a zonation pattern related to the localized influence of freshwater conditions. Palynomarine Index (PMI) reveals the highest freshwater/tidal inundation along Ramannapalem due to the presence of numerous riverine channels while the remaining part of the wetland has restricted tidal inundation leading to the conversion of mangrove forests to salt pans and paddy fields. Thus, the health and productivity of the mangrove ecosystem are also governed by hydrodynamics, catchment land use, water discharge in the channels, and tidal flushing.

     

Antifungal efficacy of Thevetia peruviana leaf extract against Alternaria solani and characterization of novel inhibitory compounds by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis

Alternaria solani, a plant pathogenic fungus causes significant economical losses of potato crop. The disease is controlled primarily through some traditional methods and most commonly via the application of chemical fungicides. Fungicides treatment is not protected as chemicals pollute environment, effect health vulnerability in humans and when these harmful chemicals enter into the food chain become hazardous to all living entities. Recent efforts have focused on developing environmentally safe, long-lasting, and effective biocontrol methods for the management of plant diseases. Present research focus on screening of crude and partially purified leaf extract of Thevetia peruviana for the presence of antifungal efficacy against Alternarai solani. It was observed that 100% alcoholic crude and alcoholic fraction of partially purified extract showed maximum inhibitory activity which is due to the presence of different secondary metabolites, revealed by phytochemical screening. Active column fraction (possess best antifungal activity against Alternaria solani) was subjected to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GS-MS) analysis. On the basis of peaks matching of GC-MS chromatogram with available data base showed the presence of benzoic acid and oxo-benzoate in active fraction of Thevetia peruviana leaf extract which is already known chemical among the phytochemicals described for antimicrobial activity. Further research on development of herbal formulation from the same would be very helpful environment friendly approach to manage concern crop disease.     

Natural Variation in Maize Aphid Resistance Is Associated with 2,4-Dihydroxy-7-Methoxy-1,4-Benzoxazin-3-One Glucoside Methyltransferase Activity

Plants differ greatly in their susceptibility to insect herbivory, suggesting both local adaptation and resistance tradeoffs. We used maize (Zea mays) recombinant inbred lines to map a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for the maize leaf aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis) susceptibility to maize Chromosome 1. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the same locus was also associated with high levels of 2-hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one glucoside (HDMBOA-Glc) and low levels of 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one glucoside (DIMBOA-Glc). In vitro enzyme assays with candidate genes from the region of the QTL identified three O-methyltransferases (Bx10a-c) that convert DIMBOA-Glc to HDMBOA-Glc. Variation in HDMBOA-Glc production was attributed to a natural CACTA family transposon insertion that inactivates Bx10c in maize lines with low HDMBOA-Glc accumulation. When tested with a population of 26 diverse maize inbred lines, R. maidis produced more progeny on those with high HDMBOA-Glc and low DIMBOA-Glc. Although HDMBOA-Glc was more toxic to R. maidis than DIMBOA-Glc in vitro, BX10c activity and the resulting decline of DIMBOA-Glc upon methylation to HDMBOA-Glc were associated with reduced callose deposition as an aphid defense response in vivo. Thus, a natural transposon insertion appears to mediate an ecologically relevant trade-off between the direct toxicity and defense-inducing properties of maize benzoxazinoids.     

Determination of Mass Transfer Coefficients for A Mixture of Compost,Sugarcane Bagasse,and Granulated Activated Carbon as Packing Medium in Biofilter

ABSTRACT

A laboratory-scale biofilter unit packed with a mixture of compost, sugarcane bagasse, and granulated activated carbon (GAC) in the ratio of 55:30:15 by weight was used for a biofiltration study of air stream containing benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-xylene (BTEX). The effect of superficial velocity on mass transfer coefficient for the packing was studied by maintaining gas flow rates of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 L min^?1 for inlet concentrations of 0.1, 0.4, and 0.8 g m^?3 for each of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-xylene. The maximum elimination capacity was found to be 20.92, 22.72, 20.73, and 18.94 g m^?3 h^?1 for BTEX, respectively, for stated flow rates. Removal efficiency of BTEX decreased from 99% to 71% for increasing inlet concentration from 0.1 to 0.8 g m^?3. Gas film mass transfer coefficient predicted by modified Onda's equation was within ±10% of the experimental values.     

Molecular diversity in rice blast resistance gene Pi-ta makes it highly effective against dynamic population of Magnaporthe oryzae

Rice blast is one of the important diseases of rice which can be effectively managed by the deployment of resistance genes. Pi-ta is one of the major blast resistant genes effective against pathogen populations in different parts of India. We analysed allelic variants of Pi-ta from 48 rice lines selected after phenotyping of 529 rice landraces across three eco-geographical blast hot spot regions. Besides, Pi-ta orthologue sequences of 220 rice accessions belonging to wild and cultivated species of rice were also included in the study for a better evo–devo perspective of the diversity present in the gene and the selection pressures acting on this locus. We obtained high nucleotide variations (SNPs and insertion–deletions) in the intronic region. We also identified 64 haplotypes based on nucleotide polymorphism in these alleles. Pi-ta orthologues of Indian landraces were scattered in eight major haplotypes indicating its heterogenous nature. We identified a total of 47 different Pi-ta protein variants on the basis of deduced amino acid residues amongst the orthologues. Five unique and novel Pi-ta variants were identified for the first time in rice landraces exhibiting different reaction types against the Magnaporthe oryzae population. A high value of Pi_non/syn was observed only in the leucine-rich domain of the alleles cloned from Indian landraces, indicating strong selective forces acting on this region. The detailed molecular analysis of the Pi-ta orthologues provides insights to a high degree of inter- and intraspecific relationships amongst the Oryza species. We identified rice landraces possessing the effective alleles of this resistance gene which can be used in future blast resistance breeding programmes.     

Short-Term Consequences of Angiographically-Confirmed Coronary Stent Thrombosis

Objectives

To conduct a meta-analysis to quantify the real-world incidence of in-hospital or 30-day death or myocardial infarction (MI), and angiographically-confirmed ST-related treatment costs.

Background

The short-term clinical and economic consequences of coronary stent thrombosis (ST) are thought to be significant.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus from January 2000-July 2012 to identify observational/registry studies that evaluated a cohort of ≥25 patients experiencing angiographically-confirmed thrombosis of a drug-eluting or bare-metal stent, required the use of dual-antiplatelet therapy for guideline-recommended durations, and reported incidences of in-hospital or 30-day death or MI and/or ST-related treatment costs. Incidences and costs from each study were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

Twenty-three studies were included. Of the 13 studies reporting in-hospital outcomes, 12 (N=8,832 STs) reported mortality data, with the pooled incidence rate estimated to be 7.9%, 95%CI=5.4%-11.3%, I²=86%. Ten studies (N=1,294 STs) reported 30-day death, with a pooled incidence of 11.6%, 95%CI=8.8%-15.1%, I²=55%. Patients experiencing early ST (within 30-days of implant) had higher in-hospital and 30-day mortality than those experiencing very-late ST (interaction p<0.04 for both). Stent type had no significant effect on in-hospital or 30-day mortality. In the 5 studies (N=542 STs) and 3 studies (N=180 STs) reporting in-hospital and 30-day MI, respectively, the pooled incidence rates were 6.1%, 95%CI=2.1%-16.2%, I²=88% and 9.5%, 95%CI=3.8%-22.0%, I²=65%. One study reported costs associated with ST, estimating the median/patient cost of hospitalization to treat early ST at $11,134 (in 2000US$).

Conclusions

Regardless of stent type used, the short-term consequences of coronary ST appear significant.     

Molecular cross-talk between sponge host and associated microbes

Marine organisms especially those that live sessile, as sponges, are well known to have specific relationships with a great variety of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. As most simple metazoan phylum, the Porifera, which emerged first during the transition from the non-Metazoa to the Metazoa from the common ancestor, comprise wide arrays of recognition molecules, both for Gram-negative bacteria and for Gram-positive bacteria as well as for fungi. They react specifically with effector molecules to inhibit or kill the invading microorganisms. The elicitation and the subsequent effector reactions of the sponges towards these microbes are outlined. However, besides of the elimination of bacteria and fungi, some of those taxa are kept as symbionts of the sponges, allowing them, for example, to accumulate the essential element manganese or to synthesize carotinoids. The sponges produce low-molecular-weight bioactive compounds, secondary metabolites, to eliminate the microorganisms. In addition, they are armed with cationic antimicrobial peptides allowing them to defend against invasive microorganisms and, in parallel, to kill or repel also metazoan invaders. The broad range of chemically and functionally different compounds qualifies the Porifera as the most important animal phylum to be exploited as a source for the isolation of new potential drugs. First molecular biological strategies have been outlined to obtain those compounds in a sustainable way, by producing them recombinantly.     

Highly Specific Culture-Independent Detection of YGNGV Motif-Containing Pediocin-Producing Strains

A novel method based on (1) initial microbiological screening and (2) a highly specific PCR is described for selection of strains expressing YGNGV motif-containing pediocin. Initial screening is carried out using spot on the lawn assay for selection of acid-free, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-free and secreted heat-stable inhibitory activity producing strains. This is followed by highly specific PCR for amplification of 406-bp fragment using forward primer: 5′-tggccaatatcattggtggt-3′ targeting signal peptide sequence of pediocin structural gene and reverse primer: 5′-ctactaacgcttggctggca-3′ encoding N-terminus of immunity gene. The assay was validated with Pediococcus pentosaceus NCDC273 and Pediococcus acidilactici NCDC252 using (1) digestion of amplified 406-bp fragment with HindIII restriction enzyme-producing two restriction fragments of expected sizes (227 and 179 bp), (2) nucleotide sequencing of 406-bp fragment from both strains found these pediocins identical to pediocin PA-1/AcH and (3) identification of both pediocins as pediocin PA-1 at protein level using RP-HPLC. The assay was used for screening six strains (3 pediococci, 2 lactobacilli and an Enterococcus faecium) producing acid-free, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-free and secreted heat-stable inhibitory activity. This resulted in the detection of three new strains (P. pentosaceus NCDC35, E. faecium NCDC124 and Lactobacillus plantarum NCDC20) producing YGNGV motif-containing pediocins.     

Is There an Association between Work Stress and Diurnal Cortisol Patterns? Findings from the Whitehall II Study

Objective

The evidence on whether there is work stress related dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is equivocal. This study assessed the relation between work stress and diurnal cortisol rhythm in a large-scale occupational cohort, the Whitehall II study.

Methods

Work stress was assessed in two ways, using the job-demand-control (JDC) and the effort-reward-imbalance (ERI) models. Salivary cortisol samples were collected six times over a normal day in 2002–2004. The cortisol awakening response (CAR) and diurnal cortisol decline (slope) were calculated.

Results

In this large occupational cohort (N = 2,126, mean age 57.1), modest differences in cortisol patterns were found for ERI models only, showing lower reward (β = −0.001, P-value = 0.04) and higher ERI (β = 0.002, P-value = 0.05) were related to a flatter slope in cortisol across the day. Meanwhile, moderate gender interactions were observed regarding CAR and JDC model.

Conclusions

We conclude that the associations of work stress with cortisol are modest, with associations apparent for ERI model rather than JDC model.