Rorippa indica HSPRO2 expression in transgenic Brassica juncea induces tolerance against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi

We have previously established that RiHSPRO2, a nematode resistance protein-like homolog from wild crucifer Rorippa indica (L.) Hiern is a potent candidate to control mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi. The present study further exploits this protein through structure prediction, biosafety assessment and transgenic study. The RiHSPRO2 protein showed an abundance of alpha helices intervened with loops in the homology-based three-dimensional model. No allergenic moiety was found in its amino acid sequence based on homology search in Protein Data Base. The secondary structure of RiHSPRO2 was unstable at temperatures above 50 °C. In vitro pepsin digestion assay revealed the protein to be digested in pepsin supplemented Simulated Gastric Fluid (SGF) within 2 minutes. The protein is proved to be biologically safe as per the FAO/WHO guidelines. An efficient Agrobacterium-mediated Brassica juncea transformation involving direct organogenesis with mean transformation frequency of 5.06?±?0.28% is reported. RiHSPRO2, under the influence of constitutive promoter CaMV35S, was transformed into susceptible B. juncea cv. B85. Southern hybridization confirmed stable integration of the transgene and Western blotting confirmed consistent expression of RiHSPRO2 in the genetically modified Brassica lines. The transgene segregated following Mendelian 3:1 ratio in the successive generation. Detached leaf aphid bioassay and in planta aphid bioassay in transgenic B. juncea lines revealed a reduction in aphid survivability by 45% and a decrease in aphid fecundity by 45.6%.

     

Phytoremediation of Parboiled Rice Mill Wastewater Using Water Lettuce (Pistia Stratiotes)

Phytoremediation is an emerging technology applied for treatment of wastewater. It is a suitable option notably in developing countries as it is simple, sustainable and cost effective. In the present lab-based batch study the free floating aquatic plant water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is used for treatment of parboiled rice mill wastewater having low pH, high chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen, and phosphate. In raw rice mill wastewater (undiluted) growth of water lettuce is found to be inhibited. Later on, two different dilution approaches (raw and facultative pond effluent 1:1; raw and tap water 1:1) are applied in order to effectively use this technology. In all cases a control (without plant) is maintained to compare the performance with the Aquatic Plant based Treatment (APT) system. In the APT system results reveal that removal of soluble COD (SCOD), ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₄-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N), and soluble phosphorus (sol. P) are upto 65%, 98%, 70%, and 65% respectively. The study highlights the efficacy of water lettuce in removing organics and nutrients from parboiled rice mill wastewater.     

Assessment of Pulmonary Function in Young and Elderly Shift Workers of a Steel Plant

The present investigation was undertaken to examine the effects of shift work on pulmonary function. 217 subjects from a local steel plant, volunteered for this study. Of these, 65 were day workers (DWs) and 152 were shift workers (SWs). Pulmonary function, such as vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and percent deviation of PEFR from the expected PEFR in each subject was measured between 09:00 to 11:00. Both day workers (DWs) and shift workers (SWs) were divided into two groups, based on age, i.e., ≤ 40 y and ≥ 41 y. The results indicate that the average levels of VC, FVC, FEV₁ and PEFR were significantly lower in older age in both DWs and SWs when compared to their younger counterparts. Although elderly shift workers had higher levels of VC, FVC and FEV₁ than day workers of comparable age, the difference was not statistically significant for FVC and FEV₁. In contrast, average value of PEFR was lower in older shift workers. Further, mean percent deviation of observed PEFR from the expected value was conspicuously low in elderly shift workers. In summary, shift work appears to accelerate age-related decline in PEFR at least in elderly shift workers. Results of multiple regression analysis and correlation analysis compliment this finding.