Distribution of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in different parts of tomato plants: A serological perspective

Serological detection of tomato yellow leaf curl virus in different parts of tomato through DAS-ELISA revealed that its branches have highest virus concentration followed by twigs, mature leaves and middle leaves. The samples derived from the branches gave highest mean OD value 0.517 whereas, the recorded mean OD values in case of twigs, mature leaves and middle leaves were 0.470, 0.444 and 0.419, at A405 nm, respectively. The virus was not found to be present in flowers and fruits as indicated by lower mean OD values, i.e. 0.215 and 0.159, respectively. On the basis of findings of the our experiment, the branches, twigs, mature leaves and middle leaves had high concentration of the virus and hence these parts could be used in the detection of TYLCV, whereas, flowers and fruits had very low titer of virus, thus, not recommended to be used for serological detection

Production of Virus-free Carnation Plants through Heat Therapy

The effect of exposure of carnation plants infected with carnation, latent virus (CLV) to two temperature regimes (35 + 2 "C and 40 +2 "C) for different periods (1 to 4 weeks) revealed thatthe exposure to different temperatures for different periods has a negative correlation with the survival of plants. Whereas only 33.33 per cent plants survived after 4 weeks at 35 + 2 "C, the plants when exposed to 40+ 2 "C for the same period could not tolerate the heat shock. However, only those plants which were exposed to 35 + 2 "C for 4 weeks and those exposed to 40 + 2 "C for 3 weeks were free from CLV. However, because of better survival rate, the higher temperature regime of 40 + 2 "C is recommended for production of virus-tested carnation plants

Confirmation of Radish Isolate of Turnip mosaic virus in India through biological and serological evidences

Background and Objective: Oilseed brassica are one of the most exploited agricultural commodities in International trade with diversified use in human and animal consumption besides their potential use in producing green energy in the form of biofuels. Turnip mosaic virus is one of the limiting factors for declining oil content in brassica. The present studies were therefore conducted to confirm the presence of this important virus in brassica through biological and serological assays. Materials and Methods: A total of 518 samples collected from 84 locations spanning across 5 states and 1 union territory from symptomatic plants were collected and assayed in DAS-ELISA using Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) specific polyclonal antiserum. Biological and serological host range of the virus isolate was established and different varieties/breeding lines of oilseed brassica were screened for developing a resistance panel against TuMV. Results: Turnip mosaic virus incidence ranged between 0.6-8.3% in oilseed brassica and 0.2-17.6% in crucifer vegetables. Turnip mosaic virus was recorded in very high concentration from radish as indicated by the optical density values. Mustard variety Tender Green was established as the best propagative host of Indian radish isolate of Turnip mosaic virus. Out of 32 varieties/breeding lines of oilseed brassica collected from different sources in India, 25 varieties/lines were found to be susceptible to Turnip mosaic virus under glasshouse conditions and DAS-ELISA further confirmed these findings. Conclusion: A radish isolate of Turnip mosaic virus has been identified on the basis of biological and serological assays and results obtained for screening of brassica germplasm against Turnip mosaic virus are expected to help in ascertaining the sources of resistance against this virus

Sepbox Technique in Natural Products

Natural compounds still play an increasingly important role in many areas of research and development. Their structural diversity is enhanced by the synthetic potential of combinatorial chemistry. Fractionation and separation of samples obtained from nature remain time-consuming, tedious and extremely expensive even though the assays for testing these samples have become faster and more cost-effective thanks to advanced high-throughput screening (HTS) processes. Today, sepbox is the standard technology used for separating compounds from natural resources. Fractionations and separation of samples obtained from nature remain very difficult. Automation of sample preparation therefore has great economic potential. The unique sepbox concept allows processing sample automatically and will make up to 30 times faster than by using a conventional process

A field-grown transgenic tomato line expressing higher levels of polyamines reveals legume cover crop mulch-specific perturbations in fruit phenotype at the levels of metabolite profiles, gene expression, and agronomic characteristics

Genetic modification of crop plants to introduce desirable traits such as nutritional enhancement, disease and pest resistance, and enhanced crop productivity is increasingly seen as a promising technology for sustainable agriculture and boosting food production in the world. Independently, cultural practices that utilize alternative agriculture strategies including organic cultivation subscribe to sustainable agriculture by limiting chemical usage and reduced tillage. How the two together affect fruit metabolism or plant growth in the field or whether they are compatible has not yet been tested. Fruit-specific yeast S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (ySAMdc) line 579HO, and a control line 556AZ were grown in leguminous hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) (HV) mulch and conventional black polyethylene (BP) mulch, and their fruit analysed. Significant genotype×mulch-dependent interactions on fruit phenotype were exemplified by differential profiles of 20 fruit metabolites such as amino acids, sugars, and organic acids. Expression patterns of the ySAMdc transgene, and tomato SAMdc, E8, PEPC, and ICDHc genes were compared between the two lines as a function of growth on either BP or HV mulch. HV mulch significantly stimulated the accumulation of asparagine, glutamate, glutamine, choline, and citrate concomitant with a decrease in glucose in the 556AZ fruits during ripening as compared to BP. It enables a metabolic system in tomato somewhat akin to the one in higher polyamine-accumulating transgenic fruit that have higher phytonutrient content. Finally, synergism was found between HV mulch and transgenic tomato in up-regulating N:C indicator genes PEPC and ICDHc in the fruit

Neuropilin-2 Mediated β-Catenin Signaling and Survival in Human Gastro-Intestinal Cancer Cell Lines

NRP-2 is a high-affinity kinase-deficient receptor for ligands belonging to the class 3 semaphorin and vascular endothelial growth factor families. NRP-2 has been detected on the surface of several types of human cancer cells, but its expression and function in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer cells remains to be determined. We sought to determine the function of NRP-2 in mediating downstream signals regulating the growth and survival of human gastrointestinal cancer cells. In human gastric cancer specimens, NRP-2 expression was detected in tumor tissues but not in adjacent normal mucosa. In CNDT 2.5 cells, shRNA mediated knockdown NRP-2 expression led to decreased migration and invasion in vitro (p<0.01). Focused gene-array analysis demonstrated that loss of NRP-2 reduced the expression of a critical metastasis mediator gene, S100A4. Steady-state levels and function of β-catenin, a known regulator of S100A4, were also decreased in the shNRP-2 clones. Furthermore, knockdown of NRP-2 sensitized CNDT 2.5 cells in vitro to 5FU toxicity. This effect was associated with activation of caspases 3 and 7, cleavage of PARP, and downregulation of Bcl-2. In vivo growth of CNDT 2.5 cells in the livers of nude mice was significantly decreased in the shNRP-2 group (p<0.05). Intraperitoneal administration of NRP-2 siRNA-DOPC decreased the tumor burden in mice (p = 0.01). Collectively, our results demonstrate that tumor cell–derived NRP-2 mediates critical survival signaling in gastrointestinal cancer cells

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions. </jats:sec

Growth Pattern In &#x2032;Pure&#x2032; Atopic Dermatitis

A topic dermatitis (AD) in children has been shown to be associated with growth impairment in a few recent studies. There however, has been no report published on the growth pattern of children who have &#x00E2;&#x20AC;&#x02DC;pure&#x00E2;&#x20AC; AD, i.e., not accompanied by bronchial asthma. The objectives of our study were :I) To examine the growth pattern of children suffering from &#x00E2;&#x20AC;&#x02DC;pure&#x00E2;&#x20AC; AD and ii) to ascertain the relationship, if any, of selected disease parameters with growth attainments of children. A total of 108 children (63 males and 45 females), aged 1-5&#x002B; years with &#x00E2;&#x20AC;&#x02DC;pure&#x00E2;&#x20AC; AD were aross-sectionally examined for selected anthropometric parameters including height, weight, mid- upper arm circumference and biceps and triceps skin fold thickness. Fifty eight (54&#x0025;) subjects weighed below the 10th centile and 23 (28&#x0025;) were below the 10th centile for height of the NCHS standards. Boys showed relatively worse growth performance than girls from 1-4 years of age. There was no significant correlation between disease severity of extent and growth attainments. Our findings point to an impaired somatic growth in pre-school children with AD, boys faring worse than the girls, and to no association of growth performance with severity or extent of the diseas

Tender Subcutaneous Nodules In A Female Patient-Is It Simple Panniculitis

A 48 year old Postmenopausal woman with asymptomatic pancreatitis developed tender subcutaneous nodules with fat necrosis. Thus panniculitis may be the first presenting feature of an asymptomatic pancreatic disease. In any case of panniculitis detailed work up should be done to rule out underlying associated pathology. Treatment of Pancreatitis in our patient resulted in resolution of her skin lesions