Genetic transformation of flax (Linum usitatissimum) by Agrobacterium tumefaciens: regeneration of transformed shoots via a callus phase

Genetic transformation of flax (Linum usitatissimum) has been achieved using an A. tumefaciens strain carrying a non-oncogenic Ti plasmid-derived vector containing a chimaeric npt-II gene and a wild type nopaline synthase gene. Fertile, transformed shoots were most easily obtained from Km^r callus developing on hypocotyl sections. The totipotency of the Km^r callus was dependent upon its origin. T-DNA was visualised by Southern blotting in all Km^r tissues. Efficient expression of nopaline synthase and the chimaeric npt-II gene was found in transformed Km^r callus and regenerated shoots.Abbreviations npt-II neomycin phosphotransferase II gene - NPT-II neomycin phosphotransferase II - nos nopaline synthase gene promoter - Km^r kanamycin resistant - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - MSD4×2 medium D4×2 based on Murashige & Skoog medium (see Scott & Draper, 1987)     

Selection of buffalo bulls: Sexual behavior and its relationship to semen production and fertility

Forty-four buffalo bulls, used for artificial insemination, were studied to develop libido, mating ability and sexual behavior indices for selection purposes. For each index, 5 categories (i.e., excellent, very good, good, fair and poor) were established. The sexual behavior index was found to be more reliable than the libido and mating ability indices. Buffalo bulls in good to excellent categories were considered acceptable sires.

Reaction time, sexual aggressiveness, and scores of libido, mating ability and sexual behavior differed significantly among the various categories of the 3 indices. Libido significantly correlated with mating ability (r=0.89; P<0.001). Sexual behavior expressed significant relationship with age (r=0.41; P<0.01) and body weight (r=0.48; P<0.01), but was nonsignificant with the scrotal circumference (r=0.28; P>0.05) of buffalo bulls. However, these relationships were absent (P>0.05) in the acceptable sires. Semen production was correlated with sexual behavior in only the fair and poor categories of buffalo bulls (r=0.84; P<0.005). Sexual behavior had no relationship with the fertility rate of buffalo bulls (r=0.44; P>0.05). It is concluded that the sexual behavior index can be used successfully for the selection of buffalo bulls. Excellent- to good bulls should be used in an artificial breeding program if they qualify in the other selection indices.     

Plant–soil feedback during biological invasions: effect of litter decomposition from an invasive plant (Sphagneticola trilobata) on its native congener (S. calendulacea)

生物入侵过程中的植物-土壤反馈：一种入侵植物的凋落物分解对其本地近缘植物的影响 植物入侵可通过正或负的植物-土壤反馈效应改变土壤的生物和非生物性质,从而影响入侵栖息地的土壤理化性质。许多入侵物种的凋落物分解可增加土壤养分,降低本地植物多样性,并导致进一步的植物入侵。关于入侵植物凋落物在不同土壤类型及深度分解及反馈效应的研究依然很少。本研究旨在明确入侵植物南美蟛蜞菊(Sphagneticola trilobata)凋落物在不同土壤类型和不同土壤深度条件下的分解情 况及其对本地近缘植物蟛蜞菊(S. calendulacea)生理生长的影响。将装有南美蟛蜞菊凋落物的尼龙袋加入到不同深度(即0、2、4 和6 cm)的砂土、营养土和粘土中,经6个月的分解后,回收凋落物袋并计算分解速率,随后在凋落物分解处理后的土壤中种植本地蟛蜞菊,并在生长期结束时测量其生理生态指标。研究结果表明,所有处理土壤类型中,凋落物在土壤深度为2和4 cm处分解后显著增加了土壤养分,而对本 地蟛蜞菊的叶片叶绿素、叶氮含量等生长指标表现为负效应。因此,入侵植物南美蟛蜞菊凋落物分解对土壤养分表现为正的反馈效应,而对本地植物蟛蜞菊的生长表现为负效应。我们的研究结果还表明,入侵植物的凋落物分解对土壤和本地物种的影响还因凋落物分解所在的土壤深度而显著不同。未来的研究应侧重于入侵栖息地中更多本地和入侵物种的植物-土壤反馈效应,以及更多土壤类型和土壤深度的入侵植物凋落物效应。     

Synthesis,In Vitro,and In Silico Studies of N-(Substituted-Phenyl)-3-(4-Phenyl-1-Piperazinyl)propanamides as Potent Alkaline Phosphatase Inhibitors

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - In the present research work, a new series of N-(substituted-phenyl)-3-(4-phenyl-1-piperazinyl)propanamides were synthesized. The synthesis was initiated...     

Exploring human-animal host interactions and emergence of COVID-19: Evolutionary and ecological dynamics

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that emerged in December 2019 had caused substantial morbidity and mortality at the global level within few months. It affected economies, stopped travel, and isolated individuals and populations around the world. Wildlife, especially bats, serve as reservoirs of coronaviruses from which the variant Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged that causes COVID-19. In this review, we describe the current knowledge on COVID-19 and the significance of wildlife hosts in its emergence. Mammalian and avian coronaviruses have diverse host ranges with distinct lineages of coronaviruses. Recombination and reassortments occur more frequently in mixed-animal markets where diverse viral genotypes intermingle. Human coronaviruses have evolved through gene gains and losses primarily in interfaces where wildlife and humans come in frequent contact. There is a gap in our understanding of bats as reservoirs of coronaviruses and there is a misconception that bats periodically transmit coronaviruses to humans. Future research should investigate bat viral diversity and loads at interfaces between humans and bats. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to evaluate viral strains circulating in mixed animal markets, where the coronaviruses circulated before becoming adapted to humans. We propose and discuss a management intervention plan for COVID-19 and raise questions on the suitability of current containment plans. We anticipate that more virulent coronaviruses could emerge unless proper measures are taken to limit interactions between diverse wildlife and humans in wild animal markets.     

Galinsosides A and B,bioactive flavanone glucosides from Galinsoga parviflora

Galinsosides A (1) and B (2), new flavanone glucosides together with two known flavanones, 7,3′,4′-trihydroxyflavanone (3) and 3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxyflavanone (4) have been isolated from an ethyl acetate- soluble fraction of Galinsoga parviflora. Their structures were assigned on the basis of spectral studies. Compound 1 showed significant antioxidant and urease inhibitory activity while compound 2 was moderately active. On the other hand, 2 showed inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase.     

Toxicity of cypermethrin: hsp70 as a biomarker of response in transgenic Drosophila

Heat shock protein induction is often associated with a cellular response to a harmful environment or to adverse life conditions. The main aims of our study were (1) to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of cypermethrin; and (2) to investigate the suitability of stress-induced heat shock protein Hsp70 as a biomarker for environmental pollutants in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (Hsp70-lacZ)Bg⁹. Different concentrations of cypermethrin (0.002, 0.2, 0.5 and 50.0 p.p.m.) were mixed with food. Third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster were allowed to feed on these mixtures for different time intervals (2, 4, 6, 12, 24 and 48h). Following feeding, hsp70 induction and tissue damage were evaluated. In the highest concentration treatment group (50 p.p.m.), 100% larval mortality was recorded after 12 h exposure. Hsp70 was found to be induced even at the lowest concentration (0.002 p.p.m.) of the insecticide, while tissue damage was observed in the larvae exposed for 48 h. While an insignificant decline in hsp70 expression was observed in the larvae exposed to cypermethrin at a dietary concentration of 0.002 p.p.m. after 48 h compared with those exposed for 24 h, in the next two higher concentrations of the toxicant, a similar but significant decline in hsp70 expression was evident in the exposed larvae after 48 h. The present study reveals the cytotoxic potential of cypermethrin and further proposes that hsp70 induction in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster could be used as a sensitive biomarker in risk assessment.     

Inhibition of Mushroom Formation and Induction of Glycerol Release—Ecological Strategies of Burkholderia terrae BS001 to Create a Hospitable Niche at the Fungus Lyophyllum sp. Strain Karsten

We investigated the ecological strategies exerted by the soil bacterium Burkholderia terrae BS001 at the hyphae of the soil saprotrophic fungus Lyophyllum sp. strain Karsten. Recently, this bacterium has been reported to form biofilms around, and to comigrate with, growing hyphae of Lyophyllum sp. strain Karsten. In addition, it was found to be able to utilize fungal metabolites. Here, we extend this work to shed some light on the interactions between the bacterial and fungal partner which allow ecological success for the former. In standing liquid microcosms inoculated with Lyophyllum sp. strain Karsten, we detected, upon prolonged incubation, the formation of a mycelial mat at the liquid–air interface. From this mat, primordia were formed after 4–6 weeks, which eventually resulted in mushrooms. However, upon addition of strain BS001 to the bulk liquid, mushroom formation from the fungal mat was clearly inhibited, as evidenced by (1) the formation of significantly lower numbers of primordia and (2) a delay of the onset of primordia formation. Moreover and importantly, the presence of strain BS001 caused the fungus to secrete large amounts of exudates at the mycelial mat, whereas such exudation was absent from control (uninoculated) or Escherichia coli K12- or Variovorax paradoxus BS64-inoculated microcosms. In the exudates, glycerol was the main carbonaceous component, and this compound could be easily utilized by strain BS001. Thus, in different experimental set-ups with the fungal partner, strain BS001 was shown to grow in the fungal exudates on the mat. The two fungal-interactive phenotypes were specific for B. terrae strain BS001, as the other bacteria used in our study, i.e. E. coli K12 and V. paradoxus BS64, did not exhibit any of these phenomena.     

Triphala,a formulation of traditional Ayurvedic medicine,shows protective effect against X-radiation in HeLa cells

Ayurveda is a holistic medical system of traditional medicine, and Triphala is one of the most popular formulations in Ayurveda. Triphala is composed of three kinds of herb, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, and Emblica officinalis. Since Triphala is shown to exhibit a protective activity against ionizing radiation in mice, we investigated its activity in HeLa cells. We found that Triphala showed the protective effects against X-radiation and bleomycin, both of which generate DNA strand breaks, in HeLa cells. Further, Triphala efficiently eliminated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HeLa cells. Thus, the antioxidant activity of Triphala would likely play a role in its protective actions against X-radiation and bleomycin because both agents damage DNA through the generation of ROS. These observations suggested that the radioprotective activity of Triphala can be, at least partly, studied with the cells cultured in vitro. The simple bioassay system with human cultured cells would facilitate the understanding of the molecular basis for the beneficial effects of Triphala.     

Genetic variations of NOD2 and MD2 genes in hepatitis B virus infection

Objectives: Nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) and myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD-2) have crucial roles in the innate immune system. NOD2 is a member of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), while MD-2 is a co-receptor for Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which comprises another group of PRRs. Genetic variations in the NOD2 and MD-2 genes may be susceptibility factors to viral pathogens including hepatitis B virus (HBV). We investigated whether polymorphisms at NOD2 (rs2066845 and rs2066844) or at MD-2 (rs6472812 and rs11466004) were associated with susceptibility to HBV infection and advancement to related liver complications in a Saudi Arabian population. Methods: A total of 786 HBV-infected patients and 600 healthy uninfected controls were analyzed in the present study. HBV-infected patients were categorized into three groups based on the clinical stage of the infection: inactive HBV carriers, active HBV carriers, and patients with liver cirrhosis + hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results: All four SNPs were significantly associated with susceptibility to HBV infection although none of the SNPs tested in NOD2 and MD-2 were significantly associated with persistence of HBV infection. We found that HBV-infected patients that were homozygous CC for rs2066845 in the NOD2 gene were at a significantly increased risk of progression to HBV-related liver complications (Odds Ratio = 7.443 and P = 0.044). Furthermore, haplotype analysis found that the rs2066844-rs2066845 C-G and T-G haplotypes at the NOD2 gene and four rs6472812-rs11466004 haplotypes (G-C, G-T, A-C, and A-T) at the MD-2 gene were significantly associated with HBV infection in the affected cohort compared to those found in our control group. Conclusion: We found that the single nucleotide polymorphisms rs2066844 and rs2066845 at NOD2 and rs6472812 and rs11466004 at MD-2 were associated with susceptibility to HBV infection in a Saudi population.