Genetic diversity and population structure of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.- a potential medicinal legume tree

Three molecular marker systems, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) and Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) were employed to investigate the genetic structure and diversity among the 14 natural populations of Butea monosperma collected from different geographical regions of India. Detected by 17 RAPD, 15 ISSR and 11 SRAP primer combinations, the proportions of polymorphic bands were 84.2 %, 77.2 % and 91.9 %, respectively, and the mean Nei’s genetic distances among the populations were 0.13, 0.10 and 0.13, respectively. Partitioning of genetic variability by Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the high genetic diversity was distributed within the populations. AMOVA also revealed that the coefficient of gene differentiation among populations based on F_ST was very high irrespective of markers used. The overall gene flow among populations (Nm) was very low. Cophenetic correlation coefficients of Nei’s distance values and clustering pattern by Mental test were statistically significant for all three marker systems used but poor fit for ISSR data than for RAPD, SRAP and combined data set of all three markers. For all markers, a high similarity in dendrogram topologies was obtained, although some differences were observed with ISSR. The dendrogram obtained by RAPD, SRAP and combined data set of all three markers reflect relationship of most of the populations according to their geographic distribution.     

Risk factors for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coxiella burnetii</Emphasis> antibodies in bulk tank milk from Danish dairy herds

The aim was to identify risk factors associated with Coxiella burnetii antibody positivity in bulk tank milk (BTM) samples from 100 randomly selected Danish dairy cattle herds. Antibody levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay. Before testing the herds, the farm managers were interviewed about hired labour, biosecurity, housing and herd health during the 12 months prior to the study. Variables considered important for C. burnetii antibody positivity in multivariable logistic regression analysis included the sharing of machines between farms (OR?=?3.6), human contacts (OR?=?4.2), artificial insemination by other people than artificial insemination technicians (OR?=?7.7), routine herd health contract with the veterinarian (OR?=?4.3) and hygiene precautions taken by veterinarians (OR?=?5). In addition, herd size, hired labour, trading of cattle between farms, quarantine and use of calving and disease pens also showed significant association in univariable analysis. This study demonstrates that strict biosecurity is important for the prevention of infections with C. burnetii.     

Impact of Diffusion Barriers to Small Cytotoxic Molecules on the Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Breast Cancer

Molecular-focused cancer therapies, e.g., molecularly targeted therapy and immunotherapy, so far demonstrate only limited efficacy in cancer patients. We hypothesize that underestimating the role of biophysical factors that impact the delivery of drugs or cytotoxic cells to the target sites (for associated preferential cytotoxicity or cell signaling modulation) may be responsible for the poor clinical outcome. Therefore, instead of focusing exclusively on the investigation of molecular mechanisms in cancer cells, convection-diffusion of cytotoxic molecules and migration of cancer-killing cells within tumor tissue should be taken into account to improve therapeutic effectiveness. To test this hypothesis, we have developed a mathematical model of the interstitial diffusion and uptake of small cytotoxic molecules secreted by T-cells, which is capable of predicting breast cancer growth inhibition as measured both in vitro and in vivo. Our analysis shows that diffusion barriers of cytotoxic molecules conspire with γδ T-cell scarcity in tissue to limit the inhibitory effects of γδ T-cells on cancer cells. This may increase the necessary ratios of γδ T-cells to cancer cells within tissue to unrealistic values for having an intended therapeutic effect, and decrease the effectiveness of the immunotherapeutic treatment.     

Association of Genetic Variants with Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma in Two Different Populations

Purpose

A recent large genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified multiple variants associated with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). The present study investigated the role of these variants in two cohorts with PACG recruited from Australia and Nepal.

Method

Patients with PACG and appropriate controls were recruited from eye clinics in Australia (n = 232 cases and n = 288 controls) and Nepal (n = 106 cases and 204 controls). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs3753841 (COL11A1), rs1015213 (located between PCMTD1 and ST18), rs11024102 (PLEKHA7), and rs3788317 (TXNRD2) were selected and genotyped on the Sequenom. Analyses were conducted using PLINK and METAL.

Results

After adjustment for age and sex, SNP rs3753841 was found to be significantly associated with PACG in the Australian cohort (p = 0.017; OR = 1.34). SNPs rs1015213 (p = 0.014; OR 2.35) and rs11024102 (p = 0.039; OR 1.43) were significantly associated with the disease development in the Nepalese cohort. None of these SNPs survived Bonferroni correction (p = 0.05/4 = 0.013). However, in the combined analysis, of both cohorts, rs3753841 and rs1015213 showed significant association with p-values of 0.009 and 0.004, respectively both surviving Bonferroni correction. SNP rs11024102 showed suggestive association with PACG (p-value 0.035) and no association was found with rs3788317.

Conclusion

The present results support the initial GWAS findings, and confirm the SNP’s contribution to PACG. This is the first study to investigate these loci in both Australian Caucasian and Nepalese populations.     

Potential for Controlling Cholera Using a Ring Vaccination Strategy: Re-analysis of Data from a Cluster-Randomized Clinical Trial

IntroductionVaccinating a buffer of individuals around a case (ring vaccination) has the potential to target those who are at highest risk of infection, reducing the number of doses needed to control a disease. We explored the potential vaccine effectiveness (VE) of oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) for such a strategy.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that high-level protection can be achieved if individuals living close to cholera cases are living in a high coverage ring. Since this was an observational study including participants who had received two doses of vaccine (or placebo) in the clinical trial, further studies are needed to determine whether a ring vaccination strategy, in which vaccine is given quickly to those living close to a case, is feasible and effective.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00289224","term_id":"NCT00289224"}}NCT00289224     

Isolation and characterization of biosurfactant producing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> sp. from diesel fuel-contaminated site

Among hydrocarbon pollutants, diesel oil is a complex mixture of alkanes and aromatic compounds which are often encountered as soil contaminants leaking from storage tanks and pipelines or as result of accidental spillage. One of the best ecofriendly approaches is to restore contaminated soil by using microorganisms able to degrade those toxic compounds in a bioremediation process. In the present study, nineteen bacteria were isolated by enrichment culture technique from diesel spilled soil collected from electric generator shed of NBAIM, Mau. All the isolates were subjected to screening for lipase production and twelve isolates were found to be positive for lipase. When the isolates were screened for biosurfactant production using CTAB-methylene blue agar plates, only one isolate viz. 2NBDSH3 was found positive which was found to be phylogenetically closely related with Bacillus flexus. Despite having low emulsification index, the bacterium could degrade 88.6% of diesel oil in soil. Biosurfactant from the isolate was extracted and characterized through infra-red spectroscopy which indicated its possible lipopeptide nature which was further supported by strong absorption in UV range in the UV-Vis spectrum. The results of the present study indicated that the isolate either does not produce any bioemulsifier or produces very low amount of emulsifier rather it produces a lipopeptide biosurfactant which helps in degradation of diesel oil by lowering the surface tension. The bacterium thus isolated and characterized can serve as a promising solution for ecofriendly remediation of bacterium diesel contaminated soils.     

Impact of food processing and detoxification treatments on mycotoxin contamination

Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites commonly occurring in food, which pose a health risk to the consumer. Maximum levels for major mycotoxins allowed in food have been established worldwide. Good agricultural practices, plant disease management, and adequate storage conditions limit mycotoxin levels in the food chain yet do not eliminate mycotoxins completely. Food processing can further reduce mycotoxin levels by physical removal and decontamination by chemical or enzymatic transformation of mycotoxins into less toxic products. Physical removal of mycotoxins is very efficient: manual sorting of grains, nuts, and fruits by farmers as well as automatic sorting by the industry significantly lowers the mean mycotoxin content. Further processing such as milling, steeping, and extrusion can also reduce mycotoxin content. Mycotoxins can be detoxified chemically by reacting with food components and technical aids; these reactions are facilitated by high temperature and alkaline or acidic conditions. Detoxification of mycotoxins can also be achieved enzymatically. Some enzymes able to transform mycotoxins naturally occur in food commodities or are produced during fermentation but more efficient detoxification can be achieved by deliberate introduction of purified enzymes. We recommend integrating evaluation of processing technologies for their impact on mycotoxins into risk management. Processing steps proven to mitigate mycotoxin contamination should be used whenever necessary. Development of detoxification technologies for high-risk commodities should be a priority for research. While physical techniques currently offer the most efficient post-harvest reduction of mycotoxin content in food, biotechnology possesses the largest potential for future developments.     

Expressions of visual pigments and synaptic proteins in neonatal chick retina exposed to light of variable photoperiods

Light causes damage to the retina, which is one of the supposed factors for age-related macular degeneration in human. Some animal species show drastic retinal changes when exposed to intense light (e.g. albino rats). Although birds have a pigmented retina, few reports indicated its susceptibility to light damage. To know how light influences a cone-dominated retina (as is the case with human), we examined the effects of moderate light intensity on the retina of white Leghorn chicks (Gallus g. domesticus). The newly hatched chicks were initially acclimatized at 500 lux for 7 days in 12 h light: 12 h dark cycles (12L:12D). From posthatch day (PH) 8 until PH 30, they were exposed to 2000 lux at 12L:12D, 18L:6D (prolonged light) and 24L:0D (constant light) conditions. The retinas were processed for transmission electron microscopy and the level of expressions of rhodopsin, S- and L/M cone opsins, and synaptic proteins (Synaptophysin and PSD-95) were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Rearing in 24L:0D condition caused disorganization of photoreceptor outer segments. Consequently, there were significantly decreased expressions of opsins and synaptic proteins, compared to those seen in 12L:12D and 18L:6D conditions. Also, there were ultrastructural changes in outer and inner plexiform layer (OPL, IPL) of the retinas exposed to 24L:0D condition. Our data indicate that the cone-dominated chick retina is affected in constant light condition, with changes (decreased) in opsin levels. Also, photoreceptor alterations lead to an overall decrease in synaptic protein expressions in OPL and IPL and death of degenerated axonal processes in IPL.