Response of grape rootstocks to salinity: changes in root growth, polyamines and abscisic acid

Effects of salinity (0, 50, 100 and 250 mM NaCl) on growth, root:shoot dry mass ratio, osmotic potential (ψ_x), electrolyte leakage and contents of Na⁺ and K⁺, polyamines and abscisic acid (ABA) were studied in the grape rootstocks Dogridge, 1613, St. George and Salt Creek. In control rootstocks, the root length was highest in Dogridge and contents of K⁺ and ABA in Salt Creek. Salinity treatments increased root Na⁺ and decreased K⁺ content and St. George exhibited highest Na⁺ content and Na⁺:K⁺ ratio. The root:shoot dry mass ratio in all rootstocks increased upto 100 mM NaCl. With increasing NaCl concentration, putrescine, spermine and spermidine contents showed consistent increase and putrescine increase was highest in St. George and spermidine and spermine in the Dogridge and Salt Creek. Under salinity, the ABA content increased in all the rootstocks but more in Salt Creek and Dogridge than in St. George.     

Localized Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy as a Life-saving Treatment Paradigm for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Plasmonics - Lung failure is the main reason for mortality in COVID-19 patients, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To date, no drug has been clinically...     

25 Years after Vi Typhoid Vaccine Efficacy Study,Typhoid Affects Significant Number of Population in Nepal

Salmonella Typhi, first isolated in 1884, results in infection of the intestines and can end in death and disability. Due to serious adverse events post vaccination, whole cell killed vaccines have been replaced with new generation vaccines. The efficacy of Vi polysaccharide (ViPS) vaccine, a new generation, single-dose intramuscular typhoid vaccine was assessed in Nepal in 1987. However, despite the availability of ViPS vaccine for more than 25 years, Nepal has one of the highest incidence of typhoid fever. Therefore we collected information from hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley from over the past five years. There were 9901 enteric fever cases between January 2008 and July 2012. 1,881 of these were confirmed typhoid cases from five hospitals in the Kathmandu district. Approximately 70% of the cases involved children under 15 years old. 1281 cases were confirmed as S. Paratyphi. Vaccines should be prioritized for control of typhoid in conjunction with improved water and sanitation conditions in Nepal and in endemic countries of Asia and Africa.     

Increased oxidative-modifications of cytosolic proteins in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy)-exposed rat liver

It is well established that 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) causes acute liver damage in animals and humans. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize oxidative modification and inactivation of cytosolic proteins in MDMA‐exposed rats. Markedly increased levels of oxidized and nitrated cytosolic proteins were detected 12 h after the second administration of two consecutive MDMA doses (10 mg/kg each). Comparative 2‐DE analysis showed markedly increased levels of biotin‐N‐methylimide‐labeled oxidized cytosolic proteins in MDMA‐exposed rats compared to vehicle‐treated rats. Proteins in the 22 gel spots of strong intensities were identified using MS/MS. The oxidatively modified proteins identified include anti‐oxidant defensive enzymes, a calcium‐binding protein, and proteins involved in metabolism of lipids, nitrogen, and carbohydrates (glycolysis). Cytosolic superoxide dismutase was oxidized and its activity significantly inhibited following MDMA exposure. Consistent with the oxidative inactivation of peroxiredoxin, MDMA activated c‐Jun N‐terminal protein kinase and p38 kinase. Since these protein kinases phosphorylate anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 protein, their activation may promote apoptosis in MDMA‐exposed tissues. Our results show for the first time that MDMA induces oxidative‐modification of many cytosolic proteins accompanied with increased oxidative stress and apoptosis, contributing to hepatic damage.     

Improved Recovery of Bacillus Spores from Nonporous Surfaces with Cotton Swabs over Foam,Nylon, or Polyester,and the Role of Hydrophilicity of Cotton in Governing the Recovery Efficiency

Evaluating different swabbing materials for spore recovery efficiency (RE) from steel surfaces, we recorded the maximum RE (71%) of 10⁷ Bacillus subtilis spores with Tulips cotton buds, followed by Johnson''s cotton buds and standard Hi-Media cotton, polyester, nylon, and foam (23%) swabs. Among cotton swabs, instant water-absorbing capacity or the hydrophilicity index appeared to be the major indicator of RE, as determined by testing three more brands. Tulips swabs worked efficiently across diverse nonporous surfaces and on different Bacillus spp., registering 65 to 77% RE.     

Physiological performance of two contrasting rice varieties under water stress

Two rice varieties PR-115 and Super-7 were imposed to water stress and different physiological traits were monitored to evaluate the performance of these varieties under drought. Under water stress condition although the relative water content, osmotic potential, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, carbon discrimination and biomass decreased in both the varieties however, the reduction was more pronounced in Super-7 variety. Oryzanol a trans-ester of ferulic acid functions as antioxidant and it increased along with total phenolic and anthocyanin content in both the varieties under drought stress. However, gallic acid, 4 hydroxy benzoic acid, syringic acid and chlorogenic acid showed differential pattern in both of the varieties under water limiting conditions. Under drought, grain yield was penalized by 17 and 54% in PR-115 and Super-7 varieties, respectively in comparison to watered plants. Super-7 variety showed pronounced electrolyte leakage and MDA enhancement under water stress condition. High non photochemical quenching and reduction in Y(NO) and Y(II) indicated balanced energy management in tolerant PR-115 variety. The studies showed that PR-115 is a drought tolerant variety while Super-7 is drought sensitive in nature.     

Comment on causality and pathway search in microarray time series experiment

Contact: nagarajanradhakrish{at}uams.edu Associate Editor: Martin Bishop     

Alterations in rat gut bacteria and intestinal epithelial cells following experimental exposure of antimicrobials

The intestinal bacteria are known to play a significant role in intestinal homoeostasis and the mucosal immune system. In vitro interactions of Ampicillin (0.5-2.0 microg mL(-1)), Amphotericin-B (25-200 microg mL(-1)) and Ciprofloxacin (50-500 ng mL(-1)) with Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp. (Gram-negative), Lactobacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp. (Gram-positive), total mixed population of gut bacteria and intestinal epithelial cells were studied. In vitro exposure of Ciprofloxacin showed significant dose-dependent inhibition throughout the growth phase in bacteria. Similar patterns of concentration-dependent changes in membrane transport enzymes and structural constituents, dehydrogenase activity associated with respiratory and energy-producing processes and esterase activity test linked to the general heterotrophic activity of the cell were observed in both bacteria and epithelial cells. The antibiotic effects were in the order of Amphotericin-B相似文献