Thidiazuron Induced Multiple Shoot Formation in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L)

Thidiazuron (TDZ), a substituted urea with cytokinin-like activity stimulated shoot proliferation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L). Embryonic axis with half portion of both cotyledons was more responsive explant, producing ～22 shootslexplant at 1.0 µM TDZ concentration but higher concentration of TDZ (5.0 µM) reduced both the shoot proliferation and growth. An incubation time of 12 h at 1.0 µM TDZ was sufficient for induction of multiple shoot formation.TD2 induced high frequency of shoot formation as compared to BAP and also minor salts of MS medium played an important role in increasing the number of shoots. Roots could be induced in these shoots in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 µM IBA.     

A synopsis of the species of Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882 (Myxozoa: Bivalvulida) parasitising Indian fishes and a revised dichotomous key to myxosporean genera

A synopsis of 131 nominal species of Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) reported from India is presented. For each species, the relevant morphometric and morphological data are indicated, as well as the host(s), site(s) of infection within the host and locality data. A revised dichotomous key of 59 genera of the class Myxosporea has also been included. This key incorporates 10 additional genera to that proposed in 1991 by Lom & Dyková.     

Novel Plant-Microbe Rhizosphere Interaction Involving Streptomyces lydicus WYEC108 and the Pea Plant (Pisum sativum)

A previously undescribed plant-microbe interaction between a root-colonizing Streptomyces species, S. lydicus WYEC108, and the legume Pisum sativum is described. The interaction is potentially of great importance to the health and growth in nature of this nodulating legume. The root-colonizing soil actinomycete S. lydicus WYEC108 influences pea root nodulation by increasing root nodulation frequency, possibly at the level of infection by Rhizobium spp. S. lydicus also colonizes and then sporulates within the surface cell layers of the nodules. Colonization leads to an increase in the average size of the nodules that form and improves the vigor of bacteroids within the nodules by enhancing nodular assimilation of iron and possibly other soil nutrients. Bacteroid accumulation of the carbon storage polymer, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate, is reduced in colonized nodules. Root nodules of peas taken from agricultural fields in the Palouse hills of northern Idaho were also found to be colonized by actinomycete hyphae. We hypothesize that root and nodule colonization is one of several mechanisms by which Streptomyces acts as a naturally occurring plant growth-promoting bacterium in pea and possibly other leguminous plants.     

Lipid lowering and antioxidant effects of Amomum subulatum seeds (Family Zingiberaceae) in cholesterol fed rabbits

In the present study, hypolipidemic activity of fraction (50:50; CHCl₃:CH₃OH) of Amomum subulatum (Zingiberaceae) seeds was evaluated in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Hyperlipidemia induced by feeding atherogenic diet for 120 days resulted in a significant increase in serum total cholesterol, phospholipid and triglyceride levels when compared with control group. The levels of LDL and VLDL-cholesterol were increased significantly, but the HDL-cholesterol ratio was decreased. The changes in the antioxidant parameters were accompanied by an increase in lipid peroxidation and reduction in glutathione (GSH) and catalase activity. The level of lipid peroxidation was reduced whereas GSH content and catalase activity were elevated after the treatment with A. subulatum fraction at the dose level of 100 mg/kg.b.wt/day. A significant reduction was observed in total cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid, LDL and VLDL cholesterol where as HDL-cholesterol ratio was increased after administration of A. subulatum. The results of the present study indicate that fraction of A. subulatum possesses lipid-lowering and antioxidant activity and could be beneficial in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.     

DNA barcodes for the pipefish genus Corythoichthys (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes) from the Indian Ocean provide insights into cryptic diversity

The syngnathiform genus Corythoichthys comprises a group of taxonomically complex, tail-brooding (Syngnathinae) pipefishes widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region. Due to the presence of overlapping interspecific morphological characters, reliable taxonomic information on Corythoichthys is still lacking. Using 52 CO1 sequences, including seven newly generated, a phylogenetic analysis was carried out to understand the genetic diversity, distribution and ‘species groups’ within the genus Corythoichthys. Species delimitation using Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) analysis confirmed the presence of 13 species which include ‘species-complexes’ previously considered as a single taxon. Our results revealed the presence of three species groups, ‘C. amplexus’, ‘C. conspicillatus’ and ‘C. haematopterus’ and four unidentified/undescribed species in the wider Indo-Pacific realm. Interestingly, 60 sequences and a mitogenome identified as Corythoichthys in GenBank are misidentified at the genus level. Based on our findings, we suggest that the taxonomy and systematics of Corythoichthys need to be re-examined and validated using integrative methods, and care should be taken while selecting specimens for genetic studies.     

The intra-S phase checkpoint protein Tof1 collaborates with the helicase Rrm3 and the F-box protein Dia2 to maintain genome stability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The intra-S phase checkpoint protein complex Tof1/Csm3 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae antagonizes Rrm3 helicase to modulate replication fork arrest not only at the replication termini of rDNA but also at strong nonhistone protein binding sites throughout the genome. We investigated whether these checkpoint proteins acted either antagonistically or synergistically with Rrm3 in mediating other important functions such as maintenance of genome stability. High retromobility of a normally quiescent retrovirus-like transposable element Ty1 of S. cerevisiae is a form of genome instability, because the transposition events induce mutations. We measured the transposition of Ty1 in various genetic backgrounds and discovered that Tof1 suppressed excessive retromobility in collaboration with either Rrm3 or the F-box protein Dia2. Although both Rrm3 and Dia2 are believed to facilitate fork movement, fork stalling at DNA-protein complexes did not appear to be a major contributor to enhancement of retromobility. Absence of the aforementioned proteins either individually or in pair-wise combinations caused karyotype changes as revealed by the altered migrations of the individual chromosomes in pulsed field gels. The mobility changes were RNase H-resistant and therefore, unlikely to have been caused by extensive R loop formation. These mutations also resulted in alterations of telomere lengths. However, the latter changes could not fully account for the magnitude of the observed karyotypic alterations. We conclude that unlike other checkpoint proteins that are known to be required for elevated retromobility, Tof1 suppressed high frequency retrotransposition and maintained karyotype stability in collaboration with the aforementioned proteins.     

Visceral Leishmaniasis and HIV Co-infection in Bihar,India: Long-term Effectiveness and Treatment Outcomes with Liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome)

Background

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL; also known as kala-azar) is an ultimately fatal disease endemic in the Indian state of Bihar, while HIV/AIDS is an emerging disease in this region. A 2011 observational cohort study conducted in Bihar involving 55 VL/HIV co-infected patients treated with 20–25 mg/kg intravenous liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome) estimated an 85.5% probability of survival and a 26.5% probability of VL relapse within 2 years. Here we report the long-term field outcomes of a larger cohort of co-infected patients treated with this regimen between 2007 and 2012.

Methods and Principal Findings

Intravenous AmBisome (20–25 mg/kg) was administered to 159 VL/HIV co-infected patients (both primary infections and relapses) in four or five doses of 5 mg/kg over 4–10 days. Initial cure of VL at discharge was defined as improved symptoms, cessation of fever, improvement of appetite and recession of spleen enlargement. Test of cure was not routinely performed. Antiretroviral treatment (ART) was initiated in 23 (14.5%), 39 (24.5%) and 61 (38.4%) before, during and after admission respectively. Initial cure was achieved in all discharged patients. A total of 36 patients died during follow-up, including six who died shortly after admission. Death occurred at a median of 11 weeks (IQR 4–51) after starting VL treatment. Estimated mortality risk was 14.3% at six months, 22.4% at two years and 29.7% at four years after treatment. Among the 153 patients discharged from the hospital, 26 cases of VL relapse were diagnosed during follow-up, occurring at a median of 10 months (IQR 7–14) after discharge. After accounting for competing risks, the estimated risk of relapse was 16.1% at one year, 20.4% at two years and 25.9% at four years. Low hemoglobin level and concurrent infection with tuberculosis were independent risk factors for mortality, while ART initiated shortly after admission for VL treatment was associated with a 64–66% reduced risk of mortality and 75% reduced risk of relapse.

Significance

This is the largest cohort of HIV-VL co-infected patients reported from the Indian subcontinent. Even after initial cure following treatment with AmBisome, these patients appear to have much higher rates of VL relapse and mortality than patients not known to be HIV-positive, although relapse rates appear to stabilize after 2 years. These results extend the earlier findings that co-infected patients are at increased risk of death and require a multidisciplinary approach for long-term management.