Genetic transformation of sugarcane variety HSF-240 with marker gene GUS

In the current research an efficient transformation system for sugarcane was established. Shoot tip of variety HSF-240, excised from a six months old field grown plants were used as explant. For transformation, Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA101 with vector pIG121 Hm, harboring GUS, HPTII and NPTII genes were used. HPTII is a hygromycin resistant while NPTII is a kanamycin resistant gene. Effects of Acetosyringone, duration of co-cultivation and pre-selection, concentration of cefotaxime and hygromycin in medium on transformation efficiency were studied. High transformation efficiency and 60% GUS expression was observed when 50 μM acetosyringone was added in the co-cultivation medium. Among different durations of co-cultivation, 48 h produced high (40%) transient GUS positives with an absolute control of bacterial growth. For pre-selection, seven days gave a high transformation efficiency of 10%. Cefotaxime concentration of 1000 mg/L proved optimal for pre-selection of the explants with efficient control of bacterial growth. A high regeneration (31%; P < 0.01) of the transformants was observed at 50 mg/L hygromycin. Presence of GUS gene was confirmed by PCR analysis and only the transgenic plants contained the 430 bp fragment of GUS gene. The new protocol developed in this study could be used for the efficient transformation of sugarcane with desired gene to produce insect/pest resistant, drought tolerant and high yielding sugarcane varieties in future

Structural Transition, Function and Dysfunction of TDP-43 in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Altered cellular localization and pathologic aggregation of RNA binding proteins (RPBs) containing low complexity regions (LCRs) is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Given the importance of RBPs in maintaining a healthy RNA homeostasis, a common mechanism in disease progression is the loss of RNA-related cellular functions. In this review, we summarize and discuss the knowledge gained in the recent years on the molecular mechanisms of TDP-43 proteinopathies that comprise a set of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the mislocalization and aggregation of the RNA-binding protein TDP-43. Based on biophysical, biochemical and in vivo data, we highlight pathways that are misregulated early in disease and contribute to its progression, thereby representing attractive therapeutic targets

The Contextual Issues in the Islamic Architecture of Bengal Mosques

The history of the settlement in Bengal region is probably more than 3,000 years old. The Muslim rule was introduced by the invasionof Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji at around 1204 A.D. In the later years lots of Muslim rulers came in this continentand contributed in the construction of Masjid, Madrasa, and Mausoleums. Unique building materials, climatic considerations, social and contextual impact on spatial quality has given such prominence in these structures that it has become identical as “Bengal Style” among the other styles practiced in Indian sub-continent and outside of India in other Muslim countriesduring 12th-15th century. This paper is an outcome of the search on contextual issues of Bengal mosques practiced from 12th -15th century and put light on the existing practice of mosque architecture in Bangladesh

Radiologically guided fine needle aspiration cytology of retroperitoneal and spinal lesions

Aim: This study was undertaken to assess the role of image-guided, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of retroperitoneal and spinal lesions. Materials and Methods: Over a period of one year, ultrasonography and computerized tomography-guided FNAC was performed in 55 cases who had presented clinically with signs and symptoms related to the retroperitoneum and spine. Histopathological confirmation was available in 27 out of 55 cases. Results: Of the 55 cases, 39 were males and 16 were females. Malignant and benign lesions accounted for 58.2 and 29.1&#x0025; respectively. Among the cases on whom radiologically guided FNAC was performed, the spine contributed the largest proportion of cases (32.7&#x0025;), followed by renal lesions (20&#x0025;). Among the malignant lesions, renal cell carcinoma was the most commonly found malignancy, followed by metastasis to the spine. In the benign and inflammatory category, tuberculosis of the spine and the lymph nodes was the most common lesion accounting for 68.7&#x0025; of all cases. On correlating clinical, radiological, and cytologic features, the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of guided FNAC obtained in this study were 97.1, 84.2, and 92.4&#x0025; respectively. Conclusions: Radiologically guided FNAC is a fairly accurate and safe procedure in diagnosing the most difficult cases in the region of the retroperitoneum and the spine

Hypofractionated Radiotherapy as Local Hemostatic Agent in Advanced Cancer

Purpose : Tumor bleeding continues to remain a challenge in an oncological setting, and radiotherapy has been studied as a local hemostatic agent. We studied the role of local radiotherapy in controlling bleeding at our center. Materials and Methods : We reviewed 25 treated cases (cancer urinary bladder: 12, lung cancer: 5, cervical cancer: 4, uterine cancer: 1, rectal cancer: 2, schwanoma: 1) at our center from March 2008 to December 2010. All patients had either an advanced or recurrent disease. Radiotherapy schedule was either 20 Gray in 5 fractions or 15 Gray in 5 fractions and was delivered with Cobalt 60. Results and Conclusion : Of 25 patients, 22 (88%) responded, and there was complete cessation of bleeding. Both 15 Gray and 20 Gray dose schedule had equal efficacy. Treatment was well tolerated without any intermission. Radiotherapy is a safe and effective option in controlling tumor bleeding

Jellyfish Search Optimization Algorithm for MPP Tracking of PV System

Because of the rapid increase in the depletion rate of conventional energy sources, the energy crisis has become a central problem in the contemporary world. This issue opens the gateway for exploring and developing renewable energy sources to fulfill the exigent energy demand. Solar energy is an abundant source of sustainable energy and hence, nowadays, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are employed to extract energy from solar irradiation. However, the PV systems need to work at the maximum power point (MPP) to exploit the highest accessible power during varying operating conditions. For this reason, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms are used to track the optimum power point. Furthermore, the efficient utilization of PV systems is hindered by renowned partial shading conditions (PSC), which generate multiple peaks in the power-voltage characteristic of the PV array. Thus, this article addresses the performance of the newly developed jellyfish search optimization (JSO) strategy in the PV frameworks to follow the global maximum power point (GMPP) under PSC

A fly trap mechanism provides sequence-specific RNA recognition by CPEB proteins

Cytoplasmic changes in polyA tail length is a key mechanism of translational control and is implicated in germline development, synaptic plasticity, cellular proliferation, senescence, and cancer progression. The presence of a U-rich cytoplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE) in the 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of the responding mRNAs gives them the selectivity to be regulated by the CPE-binding (CPEB) family of proteins, which recognizes RNA via the tandem RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). Here we report the solution structures of the tandem RRMs of two human paralogs (CPEB1 and CPEB4) in their free and RNA-bound states. The structures reveal an unprecedented arrangement of RRMs in the free state that undergo an original closure motion upon RNA binding that ensures high fidelity. Structural and functional characterization of the ZZ domain (zinc-binding domain) of CPEB1 suggests a role in both protein–protein and protein–RNA interactions. Together with functional studies, the structures reveal how RNA binding by CPEB proteins leads to an optimal positioning of the N-terminal and ZZ domains at the 3′ UTR, which favors the nucleation of the functional ribonucleoprotein complexes for translation regulation.ISSN:0890-9369ISSN:1549-547

Theoretical and experimental study on lipophilicity and wound healing activity of ginger compounds

Objective: To correlate the chromatographic and computational method to calculate lipophilicity of selected ginger compounds and to observe the effects of log P on wound healing. Methods: Mixtures of acetonitrile and water with acetonitrile content between 95% and 50% v/v in 5% increments were kept separately in 10 different chromatographic chambers, saturated with solvent for 2 h. Spots were observed under UV light at λ=254 nm p-anisaldehyde used as a spraying reagent. Theoretical calculation was done using the Alogps 2.1 online program at www.vcclab.org/lab/alogps. For percentage wound contraction, five groups of animal (mice) (25-30 g) of either sex were selected. Wound were created on dorsal surface of animals using toothed forceps, scalpel and pointed scissors. The wound areas were calculated using vernier caliper. After making wound mice were orally administered 35 mg/kg 6-shogoal, 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol and 10-gingerol respectively. Group E as the control group received tap water. Results: The lipophilicity values determined in thin layer chromatography were correlated with the theoretically calculated various log P by linear regression analysis. Significant correlations were found between log P values calculated by software program and the experimental reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography data. Order of wound healing property of ginger compounds is directly dependent on lipophilicity i.e. more lipophilic compound has highest activity. Conclusions: Experimentally determined lipophilicity (RMO) values were correlated with log P determined by software's and found satisfactory. Lipophilicity (RMO) is a useful parameter for the determination and prediction of biological activity of ginger compounds