Management of disease complex of balsam caused by Meloidogyne javanica and Macrophomina phaseolina by using biofertilisers and pesticides

An investigation was conducted to study the effect of biofertilisers (Glomus fasciculatum, Azospirillum brasilense, Azotobacter chroococcum and Micro Phos) and pesticides (carbofuran and bavistin) on the management of root-rot and root-knot disease complex of balsam. The individual application of biofertilisers (G. fasciculatum, A. brasilense and A. chroococcum) significantly improved the plant growth parameters viz., length, dry weight and number of flowers compared to untreated-uninoculated plants. The simultaneous inoculation of plant with Meloidogyne javanica and Macrophomina phaseolina in the pots treated with either of the biofertilisers (G. fasciculatum, A. brasilense and A. chroococcum) and pesticides (carbofuran/bavistin) significantly improved the plant growth parameters and reduced the reproduction factor, number of galls and intensity of root-rot compared to untreated-inoculated plants. On the other hand, the plants treated with Micro Phos neither significantly improved the plant growth parameters nor reduced the reproduction factor, number of galls and intensity of root-rot. Among the biofertilisers and pesticides, carbofuran was found to be the most effective in the management of disease complex of balsam followed by bavistin, G. fasciculatum, A. brasilense and A. chroococcum.     

The E1015K Variant in the Synprint Region of the CaV2.1 Channel Alters Channel Function and Is Associated with Different Migraine Phenotypes

Mutations in the CACNA1A gene, which encodes the pore-forming α1A subunit of the Ca_V2.1 voltage-gated calcium channel, cause a number of human neurologic diseases including familial hemiplegic migraine. We have analyzed the functional impact of the E1015K amino acid substitution located in the “synprint” domain of the α1A subunit. This variant was identified in two families with hemiplegic migraine and in one patient with migraine with aura. The wild type (WT) and the E1015K forms of the GFP-tagged α1A subunit were expressed in cultured hippocampal neurons and HEK cells to understand the role of the variant in the transport activity and physiology of Ca_V2.1. The E1015K variant does not alter Ca_V2.1 protein expression, and its transport to the cell surface and synaptic terminals is similar to that observed for WT channels. Electrophysiological data demonstrated that E1015K channels have increased current density and significantly altered inactivation properties compared with WT. Furthermore, the SNARE proteins syntaxin 1A and SNAP-25 were unable to modulate voltage-dependent inactivation of E1015K channels. Overall, our findings describe a genetic variant in the synprint site of the Ca_V2.1 channel which is characterized by a gain-of-function and associated with both hemiplegic migraine and migraine with aura in patients.     

Serum prostacyclin binding and half-life in the umbilical circulation

Serum prostacyclin binding and half-life was measured in twenty pairs of maternal and umbilical venous samples and in twenty non-pregnant controls. When compared to non-pregnant values both umbilical and maternal samples demonstrated significantly lower albumin concentrations, percentage of prostacyclin binding and shorter prostacyclin half-life.     

IL-17 and IL-22 elicited by a DNA vaccine encoding ROP13 associated with protection against Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice

Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasitic protozoan, is capable of infecting man and all warm-blooded animals. Cell-mediated immunity is vital in mounting protective responses against T. gondii infection. Recent studies have shown that T-helper (Th) 17 responses may play a key role in parasite control. In this current study, we constructed a DNA vaccine encoding T. gondii ROP13 in a pcDNA vector. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with pcROP13 or controls and challenged with the RH strain of T. gondii. The results showed that immunization with pcROP13 could elicit an antibody response against T. gondii. The expression of the canonical Th17 cytokines, interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22, were significantly increased after immunization with pcROP13 compared with control groups ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, vaccination resulted in a significant decrease in parasite load ( p < 0.05). The induction of Th17 related cytokines, using a ROP13 DNA vaccine, against T. gondii should be considered as a potential vaccine approach for the control of toxoplasmosis.     

Production of extracellular enzymes in the entomopathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii

This study investigates the mechanisms as well as strategies for purification and characterization of potential enzymes involved in pathogenesis of entomopathogenic fungi. The test strain of Verticillium lecanii that was screened, during the present investigation, proved to be an efficient producer of protein and polysaccharide degrading enzymes (amylase, protease, and lipase), hence indicating versatility in biochemical mechanisms. Halo zones produced colony growth of V. lecanii on agar confirmed activity of protease, amylase and lipase enzyme by the V. lecanii isolate. Enzymatic Index (EI) observed were: Protease – 2.195, Amylase- 2.196, Lipase- 2.147. Spectrophotometric analysis of enzymatic activity of V.lecanii at five different pH – 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 revealed that highest proteolytic activity of the V. lecanii isolate was reported at pH 7 and 9 whereas proteolytic activity was minimum at acidic pH 3. Maximum amylolytic activity of V. lecanii on the 7^th day of inoculation was at pH 3 i.e. in an acidic environment in contrast to neutral pH 7. Maximum lipolytic activity of V. lecanii was found at pH 7. Since enzyme production in entomopathogenic fungi is specific and forms an important criterion for successful development as well as improvement of mycoinsecticides, hence a significant conclusion from the present analysis is the degree of variation in secretion of enzymes in test strain of Verticillium lecanii.