Topcats and underdogs: intraguild interactions among three apex carnivores across Asia's forestscapes

Intraguild interactions among carnivores have long held the fascination of ecologists. Ranging from competition to facilitation and coexistence, these interactions and their complex interplay influence everything from species persistence to ecosystem functioning. Yet, the patterns and pathways of such interactions are far from understood in tropical forest systems, particularly across countries in the Global South. Here, we examined the determinants and consequences of competitive interactions between dholes Cuon alpinus and the two large felids (leopards Panthera pardus and tigers Panthera tigris) with which they most commonly co-occur across Asia. Using a combination of traditional and novel data sources (N = 118), we integrate information from spatial, temporal, and dietary niche dimensions. These three species have faced catastrophic declines in their extent of co-occurrence over the past century; most of their source populations are now confined to Protected Areas. Analysis of dyadic interactions between species pairs showed a clear social hierarchy. Tigers were dominant over dholes, although pack strength in dholes helped ameliorate some of these effects; leopards were subordinate to dholes. Population-level spatio-temporal interactions assessed at 25 locations across Asia did not show a clear pattern of overlap or avoidance between species pairs. Diet-profile assessments indicated that wild ungulate biomass consumption by tigers was highest, while leopards consumed more primate and livestock prey as compared to their co-predators. In terms of prey offtake (ratio of wild prey biomass consumed to biomass available), the three species together harvested 0.4–30.2% of available prey, with the highest offtake recorded from the location where the carnivores reach very high densities. When re-examined in the context of prey availability and offtake, locations with low wild prey availability showed spatial avoidance and temporal overlap among the carnivore pairs, and locations with high wild prey availability showed spatial overlap and temporal segregation. Based on these observations, we make predictions for 40 Protected Areas in India where temporally synchronous estimates of predator and prey densities are available. We expect that low prey availability will lead to higher competition, and in extreme cases, to the complete exclusion of one or more species. In Protected Areas with high prey availability, we expect intraguild coexistence and conspecific competition among carnivores, with spill-over to forest-edge habitats and subsequent prey-switching to livestock. We stress that dhole–leopard–tiger co-occurrence across their range is facilitated through an intricate yet fragile balance between prey availability, and intraguild and conspecific competition. Data gaps and limitations notwithstanding, our study shows how insights from fundamental ecology can be of immense utility for applied aspects like large predator conservation and management of human–carnivore interactions. Our findings also highlight potential avenues for future research on tropical carnivores that can broaden current understanding of intraguild competition in forest systems of Asia and beyond.     

Evaluation of photosynthetic efficiency of yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) at saturating photon flux density under elevated carbon dioxide

Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants - The future CO2 concentration is projected to reach 900–1000 ppm levels by the end of twenty-first century, pertaining to global climatic...     

Design and in silico modeling of Indoloquinoxaline incorporated keratin nanoparticles for modulation of glucose metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The following study was done to assess the glucose utilizing efficiency of Indoloquinoxaline derivative incorporated keratin nanoparticles (NPs) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Indoloquinoxaline derivative had wide range of biological activities including antidiabetic activity. In this view, Indoloquinoxaline moiety containing N, N-dimethyl (3-fluoro-6H-indolo [3,2-b] quinoxalin-6-yl) methanamine compound was designed and synthesized, and further it is incorporated into keratin nanoparticles. The formulated NPs, drug entrapment efficiency, releasing capacity, stability, and physicochemical properties were characterized by various spectral analyzer and obtained results of characterizations were confirmed the properties of NPs. The analysis of mechanism underlying the glucose utilization of NPs was examined through molecular docking with identified target, and observed in silico study reports shown strong interaction of NPs in the binding pockets of AMPK and PTP1B. Based on the in silico screening, the formulated NPs was performed for in vitro cellular viability and glucose uptake studies on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Interestingly, 40 μg of NPs displayed 78.2 ± 2.76% cellular viability, and no cell death was observed at lower concentrations. Further, the concentration dependent glucose utilization was observed at different concentrations of NPs in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The results of NPs (40 μg) on glucose utilization have revealed eminent result 58.56 ± 4.54% compared to that of Metformin (10 μM) and Insulin (10 μM). The identified results clearly indicated that Indoloquinoxaline derivative incorporated keratin NPs significantly increased glucose utilization efficiency and protect the cells against the insulin resistance.     

The First Report on Excellent Cycling Stability and Superior Rate Capability of Na3V2(PO4)3 for Sodium Ion Batteries

Sodium ion batteries are attractive for the rapidly emerging large‐scale energy storage market for intermittent renewable resources. Currently a viable cathode material does not exist for practical non‐aqueous sodium ion battery applications. Here we disclose a high performance, durable electrode material based on the 3D NASICON framework. Porous Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C was synthesized using a novel solution‐based approach. This material, as a cathode, is capable of delivering an energy storage capacity of ～400 mWh/g vs. sodium metal. Furthermore, at high current rates (10, 20 and 40 C), it displayed remarkable capacity retention. Equally impressive is the long term cycle life. Nearly 50% of the initial capacity was retained after 30,000 charge/discharge cycles at 40 C (4.7 A/g). Notably, coulombic efficiency was 99.68% (average) over the course of cycling. To the best of our knowledge, the combination of high energy density, high power density and ultra long cycle life demonstrated here has never been reported before for sodium ion batteries. We believe our findings will have profound implications for developing large‐scale energy storage systems for renewable energy sources.     

Sequence fingerprints distinguish erroneous from correct predictions of intrinsically disordered protein regions

More than 60 prediction methods for intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) have been developed over the years, many of which are accessible on the World Wide Web. Nearly, all of these predictors give balanced accuracies in the ~65%–~80% range. Since predictors are not perfect, further studies are required to uncover the role of amino acid residues in native IDP as compared to predicted IDP regions. In the present work, we make use of sequences of 100% predicted IDP regions, false positive disorder predictions, and experimentally determined IDP regions to distinguish the characteristics of native versus predicted IDP regions. A higher occurrence of asparagine is observed in sequences of native IDP regions but not in sequences of false positive predictions of IDP regions. The occurrences of certain combinations of amino acids at the pentapeptide level provide a distinguishing feature in the IDPs with respect to globular proteins. The distinguishing features presented in this paper provide insights into the sequence fingerprints of amino acid residues in experimentally determined as compared to predicted IDP regions. These observations and additional work along these lines should enable the development of improvements in the accuracy of disorder prediction algorithm.     

Msx1 Gene Variant - its Association in Isolated Hypodontia: A Case Control Genetic study!!!

INTRODUCTION:

Non-syndromic tooth agenesis is a congenital anomaly with significant medical, psychological, and social ramifications. There is sufficient evidence to hypothesize that locus for this condition can be identified by candidate genes.

AIM OF THE STUDY:

The aim of this study was to test whether MSX1 671 T > C gene variant was involved in etiology of non-syndromic tooth agenesis in Raichur patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Blood samples were collected with informed consent from 50 subjects having non-syndromic tooth agenesis and 50 controls. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from the blood samples, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed, and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was performed for digestion products that were evaluated.

RESULTS:

The results showed positive correlation between MSX1671 T > C gene variant and non-syndromic tooth agenesis in Raichur patients.

CONCLUSION:

MSX1 671 T > C gene variant may be a good screening marker for non-syndromic tooth agenesis in Raichur patients.     

IL-10- and TGFβ-mediated Th9 Responses in a Human Helminth Infection

Background

Th9 cells are a subset of CD4⁺ T cells that express the protoypical cytokine, IL-9. Th9 cells are known to effect protective immunity in animal models of intestinal helminth infections. However, the role of Th9 cells in human intestinal helminth infections has never been examined.

Methodology

To examine the role of Th9 cells in Strongyloidis stercoralis (Ss), a common intestinal helminth infection, we compared the frequency of Th9 expressing IL-9 either singly (mono-functional) or co-expressing IL-4 or IL-10 (dual-functional) in Ss-infected individuals (INF) to frequencies in uninfected (UN) individuals.

Principal Findings

INF individuals exhibited a significant increase in the spontaneously expressed and/or antigen specific frequencies of both mono- and dual-functional Th9 cells as well as Th2 cells expressing IL-9 compared to UN. The differences in Th9 induction between INF and UN individuals was predominantly antigen-specific as the differences were no longer seen following control antigen or mitogen stimulation. In addition, the increased frequency of Th9 cells in response to parasite antigens was dependent on IL-10 and TGFx since neutralization of either of these cytokines resulted in diminished Th9 frequencies. Finally, following successful treatment of Ss infection, the frequencies of antigen-specific Th9 cells diminished in INF individuals, suggesting a role for the Th9 response in active Ss infection. Moreover, IL-9 levels in whole blood culture supernatants following Ss antigen stimulation were higher in INF compared to UN individuals.

Conclusion

Thus, Ss infection is characterized by an IL-10- and TGFβ dependent expansion of Th9 cells, an expansion found to reversible by anti-helmintic treatment.     

Immune regulatory molecules as modifiers of semen and fertility: A review

Declining fertility rates in both human and animals is a cause for concern. While many of the infertility cases are due to known causes, idiopathic infertility is reported in 30% of the infertile couples. In such cases, 18% of the infertile males carry antisperm antibodies (ASAs). Such data are lacking in livestock, wherein 20–30% of the animals are being culled due to low fertility. In males, the blood–testis barrier (BTB) and biomolecules in the semen provide an immuno‐tolerant microenvironment for spermatozoa as they traverse the immunologic milieu of both the male and female reproductive tracts. For example, insults from environmental contaminants, infections and inflammatory conditions are likely to impact the immune privilege state of the testis and fertility. The female mucosal immune system can recognize allogenic spermatozoa‐specific proteins affecting sperm kinematics and sperm‐zona binding leading to immune infertility. Elucidating the functions and pathways of the immune regulatory molecules associated with fertilization are prerequisites for understanding their impact on fertility. An insight into biomolecules associated with spermatozoal immune tolerance may generate inputs to develop diagnostic tools and modulate fertility. High‐throughput sequencing technologies coupled with bioinformatics analyses provides a path forward to define the array of molecules influencing pregnancy outcome. This review discusses the seminal immune regulatory molecules from their origin in the testis until they traverse the uterine environment enabling fertilization and embryonic development. Well‐designed experiments and the identification of biomarkers may provide a pathway to understand the finer details of reproductive immunology that will afford personalized therapies.     

Annotated checklist of Senegalia and Vachellia (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) for the Indian subcontinent

An annotated checklist of Senegalia Raf. and Vachellia Wight & Arn. taxa for the Indian subcontinent is presented, following the fragmentation and retypification of the former broadly defined genus Acacia Mill. The countries encompassed by this study include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. All indigenous species (and a few introductions) in this region previously referred to Acacia belong to Senegalia and Vachellia. All Acacia s.s. taxa are introduced (principally from Australia) and are not included in the study. There are 22 species of Senegalia (21 indigenous, 1 introduced; representing 23 taxa) and 21 species of Vachellia (12 indigenous, 9 introduced; representing 27 taxa) currently recognized for the subcontinent. The largest country, India, has most species. This checklist complements that which was recently provided for these genera in southeast Asia and China. Two names formerly recorded for the Indian subcontinent are excluded, namely, Senegalia intsia (L.) Maslin is a nomen confusum and Acacia pennata subsp. hainanensis (Hayata) I. C. Nielsen is now known to be restricted to southern China and Vietnam. Acacia eriantha Desv. is an unresolved name. The following new combinations are made herein: Senegalia tanjorensis (Ragup., Thoth. & A.Mahad.) A.S.Deshpande & Maslin, Vachellia campbellii (Arn.) A.S.Deshp., & Maslin and V. pseudowightii (Thoth.) A.S.Deshpande & Maslin. A lectotype has been selected for Acacia pennata var. canescens Graham ex Kurz (= Senegalia pennata (L.) Maslin).