Changes in Growth,Photosynthetic Pigments,Cell Viability,Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Defense System in Two Varieties of Chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum</i> L.) Subjected to Salinity Stress

Salinity is one of the most severe abiotic stresses for crop production. The present study investigates the salinity-induced modulation in growth indicators, morphology and movement of stomata, photosynthetic pigments, activity of carbonic anhydrase as well as nitrate reductase, and antioxidant systems in two varieties of chickpea (Pusa-BG5023, and Pusa-BGD72). On 20^th day of sowing, plants were treated with varying levels of NaCl (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM) followed by sampling on 45 days of sowing. Recorded observations on both the varieties reveal that salt stress leads to a significant decline in growth, dry biomass, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments, protein content, stomatal behavior, cell viability, activity of nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase with the rise in the concentration of salt. However, quantitatively these changes were less in Pusa-BG5023 as compared to Pusa-BGD72. Furthermore, salinity-induced oxidative stress enhanced malondialdehyde content, superoxide radicals, foliar proline content, and the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. The variety Pusa-BGD72 was found more sensitive than Pusa-BG5023 to salt stress. Out of different graded concentrations (50, 100, 150 and 200 mM) of sodium chloride, 50 mM was least toxic, and 200 mM was most damaging. The differential behavior of these two varieties measured in terms of stomatal behavior, cell viability, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant defense system can be used as prospective indicators for selection of chickpea plants for salt tolerance and sensitivity.     

Ribbon structure stabilized by C10 and C12 turns in αγ hybrid peptide

The present study describes the synthesis and crystallographic analysis of αγ hybrid peptides, Boc‐Gpn‐L‐Pro‐NHMe ( 1 ), Boc‐Aib‐Gpn‐L‐Pro‐NHMe ( 2 ), and Boc‐L‐Pro‐Aib‐Gpn‐L‐Pro‐NHMe ( 3 ). Peptides 1 and 2 adopt expanded 12‐membered (C₁₂) helical turn over γα segment. Peptide 3 promotes the ribbon structure stabilized by type II β‐turn (C₁₀) followed by the expanded C₁₂ helical γα turn. Both right‐handed and left‐handed helical conformations for Aib residue are observed in peptides 2 and 3 , respectively Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

IL-3 attenuates collagen-induced arthritis by modulating the development of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells

IL-3, a cytokine secreted by Th cells, functions as a link between the immune and the hematopoietic system. We previously demonstrated the potent inhibitory role of IL-3 on osteoclastogenesis, pathological bone resorption, and inflammatory arthritis. In this study, we investigated the novel role of IL-3 in development of regulatory T (Treg) cells. We found that IL-3 in a dose-dependent manner increases the percentage of Foxp3(+) Treg cells indirectly through secretion of IL-2 by non-Treg cells. These IL-3-expanded Treg cells are competent in suppressing effector T cell proliferation. Interestingly, IL-3 treatment significantly reduces the severity of arthritis and restores the loss of Foxp3(+) Treg cells in thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen in collagen-induced arthritis mice. Most significantly, we show that IL-3 decreases the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-α, and IL-1 and increases the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-10 in collagen-induced arthritis mice. Thus, to our knowledge, we provide the first evidence that IL-3 play an important role in modulation of Treg cell development in both in vitro and in vivo conditions, and we suggest its therapeutic potential in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.     

Overview on immobilization of enzymes on synthetic polymeric nanofibers fabricated by electrospinning

The arrangement and type of support has a significant impact on the efficiency of immobilized enzymes. 1-dimensional fibrous materials can be one of the most desirable supports for enzyme immobilization. This is due to their high surface area to volume ratio, internal porosity, ease of handling, and high mechanical stability, all of which allow a higher enzyme loading, release and finally lead to better catalytic efficiency. Fortunately, the enzymes can reside inside individual nanofibers to remain encapsulated and retain their three-dimensional structure. These properties can protect the enzyme's tolerance against harsh conditions such as pH variations and high temperature, and this can probably enhance the enzyme's stability. This review article will discuss the immobilization of enzymes on synthetic polymers, which are fabricated into nanofibers by electrospinning. This technique is rapidly gaining popularity as one of the most practical ways to fibricate polymer, metal oxide, and composite micro or nanofibers. As a result, there is interest in using nanofibers to immobilize enzymes. Furthermore, present research on electrospun nanofibers for enzyme immobilization is primarily limited to the lab scale and industrial scale is still challanging. The primary future research objectives of this paper is to investigate the use of electrospun nanofibers for enzyme immobilization, which includes increasing yield to transfer biological products into commercial applications.     

Bioconversion of garden waste,kitchen waste and cow dung into value-added products using earthworm Eisenia fetida

Solid waste management is a worldwide problem and it is becoming more and more complicated day by day due to rise in population, industrialization and changes in our life style. Transformation of industrial sludges into vermicompost is of double interest: on the one hand, a waste is converted into value added product, and, on the other, it controls a pollutant that is a consequence of increasing industrialization. Garden waste, kitchen waste and cow dung were subjected to recycle through vermicomposting by using the epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida under field conditions. The pH, moisture content, total organic carbon, humus, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in vermicompost was analysed. It was found that moisture content, total organic carbon, humus, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium was high in cow dung, followed by kitchen waste and garden waste. This study clearly indicates that vermicomposting of garden waste, kitchen waste and cow dung can not only produce a value added produce (vermicomposting) but at the same time reduce the quantity of waste.     

Growth promotion of maize by phosphate-solubilizing bacteria isolated from composts and macrofauna

Five bacterial strains with phosphate-solubilizing ability and other plant growth promoting traits increased the plant biomass (20-40%) by paper towel method. Glasshouse and field experiments were conducted using two efficient strains Serratia marcescens EB 67 and Pseudomonas sp. CDB 35. Increase in plant biomass (dry weight) was 99% with EB 67 and 94% with CDB 35 under glasshouse conditions. Increase in plant biomass at 48 and 96 days after sowing was 66% and 50% with EB 67 and 51% and 18% with CDB 35 under field conditions. Seed treatment with EB 67 and CDB 35 increased the grain yield of field-grown maize by 85% and 64% compared to the uninoculated control. Population of EB 67 and CDB 35 were traced back from the rhizosphere of maize on buffered rock phosphate (RP) medium and both the strains survived up to 96 days after sowing.     

同域分布柽柳属两种植物的传粉生物学研究

以同域分布于新疆南部的早春开花植物短穗柽柳(Tamarix laxa Willd)和紫杆柽柳(T.androssowii Litw)为材料,对它们的开花式样、花部特征、花报酬特点、传粉特性及交配方式进行比较研究。结果表明,2种植物居群和个体水平的花期及单花寿命间存在显著差异;紫杆柽柳的居群花期比短穗柽柳短,而短穗柽柳个体花期和单花寿命比紫杆柽柳长。2种柽柳的花瓣、雌雄蕊长度、花粉胚珠数及花粉/胚珠比值(P/O)间也存在显著差异。二者的花瓣、雌雄蕊均能分泌香味,访花频率与花蜜量均存在正相关。主要传粉者在短穗柽柳上的访花频率和沉积花粉效率高于紫杆柽柳,且存在显著差异。2种植物通过自花和异花授粉均可结实,属于混合交配系统;二者的自交不亲和指数及花粉限制程度间存在显著差异;紫杆柽柳的自交亲和性高于短穗柽柳,而短穗柽柳的花粉限制指数高于紫杆柽柳。因此,2种柽柳的开花式样、花部特征及花报酬的差异,是它们在传粉者受限的早春环境中为吸引更多的访花昆虫、提高雌性繁殖率所形成的繁殖对策。