CRISPR/Cas StNRL1 gene knockout increases resistance to late blight and susceptibility to early blight in potato

With the development of genome editing technologies, editing susceptible genes is a promising method to modify plants for resistance to stress. NPH3/RPT2-LIKE1 protein (NRL1) interacts with effector Pi02860 of Phytophthora infestans and creates a protein complex, promoting the proteasome-mediated degradation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor SWAP70. SWAP70, as a positive regulator, enhances cell death triggered by the perception of the P. infestans pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) INF1. Using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system, a construct was made to introduce four guide RNAs into the potato cultivar Agria. A total of 60 putative transgenic lines were regenerated, in which 10 transgenic lines with deletions were selected and analyzed. A mutant line with a four-allelic knockdown of StNRL1 gene was obtained, showing an ~90% reduction in StNRL1 expression level, resulting in enhanced resistance to P. infestans. Surprisingly, mutant lines were susceptible to Alternaria alternata, suggesting that StNRL1 may play a role as a resistance gene; hence, silencing StNRL1 enhances resistance to P. infestans

Rising rural body-mass index is the main driver of the global obesity epidemic in adults

Body-mass index (BMI) has increased steadily in most countries in parallel with a rise in the proportion of the population who live in cities(.)(1,2) This has led to a widely reported view that urbanization is one of the most important drivers of the global rise in obesity(3-6). Here we use 2,009 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in more than 112 million adults, to report national, regional and global trends in mean BMI segregated by place of residence (a rural or urban area) from 1985 to 2017. We show that, contrary to the dominant paradigm, more than 55% of the global rise in mean BMI from 1985 to 2017-and more than 80% in some low- and middle-income regions-was due to increases in BMI in rural areas. This large contribution stems from the fact that, with the exception of women in sub-Saharan Africa, BMI is increasing at the same rate or faster in rural areas than in cities in low- and middle-income regions. These trends have in turn resulted in a closing-and in some countries reversal-of the gap in BMI between urban and rural areas in low- and middle-income countries, especially for women. In high-income and industrialized countries, we noted a persistently higher rural BMI, especially for women. There is an urgent need for an integrated approach to rural nutrition that enhances financial and physical access to healthy foods, to avoid replacing the rural undernutrition disadvantage in poor countries with a more general malnutrition disadvantage that entails excessive consumption of low-quality calories.Peer reviewe

Rising rural body-mass index is the main driver of the global obesity epidemic in adults

Body-mass index (BMI) has increased steadily in most countries in parallel with a rise in the proportion of the population who live in cities. This has led to a widely reported view that urbanization is one of the most important drivers of the global rise in obesity. Here we use 2,009 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in more than 112 million adults, to report national, regional and global trends in mean BMI segregated by place of residence (a rural or urban area) from 1985 to 2017. We show that, contrary to the dominant paradigm, more than 55% of the global rise in mean BMI from 1985 to 2017—and more than 80% in some low- and middle-income regions—was due to increases in BMI in rural areas. This large contribution stems from the fact that, with the exception of women in sub-Saharan Africa, BMI is increasing at the same rate or faster in rural areas than in cities in low- and middle-income regions. These trends have in turn resulted in a closing—and in some countries reversal—of the gap in BMI between urban and rural areas in low- and middle-income countries, especially for women. In high-income and industrialized countries, we noted a persistently higher rural BMI, especially for women. There is an urgent need for an integrated approach to rural nutrition that enhances financial and physical access to healthy foods, to avoid replacing the rural undernutrition disadvantage in poor countries with a more general malnutrition disadvantage that entails excessive consumption of low-quality calories

Rising rural body-mass index is the main driver of the global obesity epidemic in adults

Body-mass index (BMI) has increased steadily in most countries in parallel with a rise in the proportion of the population who live in cities 1,2 . This has led to a widely reported view that urbanization is one of the most important drivers of the global rise in obesity 3�6 . Here we use 2,009 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in more than 112 million adults, to report national, regional and global trends in mean BMI segregated by place of residence (a rural or urban area) from 1985 to 2017. We show that, contrary to the dominant paradigm, more than 55 of the global rise in mean BMI from 1985 to 2017�and more than 80 in some low- and middle-income regions�was due to increases in BMI in rural areas. This large contribution stems from the fact that, with the exception of women in sub-Saharan Africa, BMI is increasing at the same rate or faster in rural areas than in cities in low- and middle-income regions. These trends have in turn resulted in a closing�and in some countries reversal�of the gap in BMI between urban and rural areas in low- and middle-income countries, especially for women. In high-income and industrialized countries, we noted a persistently higher rural BMI, especially for women. There is an urgent need for an integrated approach to rural nutrition that enhances financial and physical access to healthy foods, to avoid replacing the rural undernutrition disadvantage in poor countries with a more general malnutrition disadvantage that entails excessive consumption of low-quality calories. © 2019, The Author(s)

Comparative efficacy of selenate and selenium nanoparticles for improving growth, productivity, fruit quality, and postharvest longevity through modifying nutrition, metabolism, and gene expression in tomato; potential benefits and risk assessment.

This study attempted to address molecular, developmental, and physiological responses of tomato plants to foliar applications of selenium nanoparticles (nSe) at 0, 3, and 10 mgl-1 or corresponding doses of sodium selenate (BSe). The BSe/nSe treatment at 3 mgl-1 increased shoot and root biomass, while at 10 mgl-1 moderately reduced biomass accumulation. Foliar application of BSe/nSe, especially the latter, at the lower dose enhanced fruit production, and postharvest longevity, while at the higher dose induced moderate toxicity and restricted fruit production. In leaves, the BSe/nSe treatments transcriptionally upregulated miR172 (mean = 3.5-folds). The Se treatments stimulated the expression of the bZIP transcription factor (mean = 9.7-folds). Carotene isomerase (CRTISO) gene was transcriptionally induced in both leaves and fruits of the nSe-treated seedlings by an average of 5.5 folds. Both BSe or nSe at the higher concentration increased proline concentrations, H2O2 accumulation, and lipid peroxidation levels, suggesting oxidative stress and impaired membrane integrity. Both BSe or nSe treatments also led to the induction of enzymatic antioxidants (catalase and peroxidase), an increase in concentrations of ascorbate, non-protein thiols, and soluble phenols, as well as a rise in the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme. Supplementation at 3 mgl-1 improved the concentration of mineral nutrients (Mg, Fe, and Zn) in fruits. The bioaccumulated Se contents in the nSe-treated plants were much higher than the corresponding concentration of selenate, implying a higher efficacy of the nanoform towards biofortification programs. Se at 10 mgl-1, especially in selenate form, reduced both size and density of pollen grains, indicating its potential toxicity at the higher doses. This study provides novel molecular and physiological insights into the nSe efficacy for improving plant productivity, fruit quality, and fruit post-harvest longevity

STATs: An Old Story, Yet Mesmerizing

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are cytoplasmic transcription factors that have a key role in cell fate. STATs, a protein family comprised of seven members, are proteins which are latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that convey signals from the cell surface to the nucleus through activation by cytokines and growth factors. The signaling pathways have diverse biological functions that include roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, development, apoptosis, and inflammation which place them at the center of a very active area of research. In this review we explain Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT signaling and focus on STAT3, which is transient from cytoplasm to nucleus after phosphorylation. This procedure controls fundamental biological processes by regulating nuclear genes controlling cell proliferation, survival, and development. In some hematopoietic disorders and cancers, overexpression and activation of STAT3 result in high proliferation, suppression of cell differentiation and inhibition of cell maturation. This article focuses on STAT3 and its role in malignancy, in addition to the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) on STAT3 activation in certain cancers

Electromagnetic Field Effects on Production of Salicylic Acid and Phenylalanine ammonia lyase in Tobacco Infected with Potato Virus X (PVX)

Introduction: Potato virus x (PVX) is one of the most devastating viruses in the fields of tobacco and no effective method to control the virus has been provided yet. Magnetism is known as one of the environmental stresses that can directly or indirectly affect the plants, especially plants under stress. The magnetic fields can have beneficial affects plants. Materials and Methods: In the present study to investigate the effects of electromagnetic fields on PVX control, an experiment based on completely randomized design with eleven treatments (10, 50 and 90 mT in a period of 60, 90 and 120 minutes on tobacco seedlings infected with the virus and two control, and the other one is free from analog infected with the virus) in tobacco seedlings carried on six repeats.. After inoculation at the four-leaf stage and after 14 days, the amount of turbidity virus infection rate is calculated and then ensure equality of tobacco seedlings, where the electromagnetic device. 30 days after applying an electromagnetic field analysis of the results of ELISA test two samples were tested with antisera Chndhmsanh of PVX. The amount of salicylic acid and the enzyme phenylalanine ammonia in systemic acquired resistance and plant defense mechanisms are involved, the treatments were measured, for evaluation of HPLC as salicylic acid and phenylalanine ammonia-based assessment of trans-cinnamic acid was used. Results and Discussion: Statistical analysis ELISA test results revealed that there is a significant difference between treatments 0/05. So that the treatment was a no pollution treatment and 11 who were infected but had not been exposed to the electromagnetic field had a significant difference compared to other treatments, among the treatments that were exposed to the electromagnetic field treatment 8 (100 mT, 120 minutes) showed the lowest OD in ELISA and later treatment 7 (50 mT and 60 minutes) was the lowest OD, the two treatments were observed in less than two OD. If the treatment number 11, OD (2/85) and in pollution-free treatment that was an OD (0/35) was observed. The OD also in other treatments were not exposed between 2.00 to 2.46 were visible. The results showed that the treatment 11 (infected control) actually infected treatment that has not been exposed, and treatment 8 is the most desirable treatment for a reduction in the OD, the difference in the OD are available 0/98. The results suggest that the electromagnetic field decreases the amount of OD in tobacco seedlings are infected with PVX. Researchers said electromagnetic field growth rate and the number of spores grown in three species are affected. In another study, it was found that the impact on dry and wet mycorrhiza. The electromagnetic field decreases witches' broom disease infected lemon trees that were probably due to the decline phytoplasmas in plant tissues. Another study on the antibacterial effects of electromagnetic fields on Serratia marcescens was conducted, which resulted in the inhibition of bacterial growth. The results of salicylic acid and PAL determine the tobacco crop treatments, there are significant differences in the level of 0/05. So that treatment (7) (50 mT, 60 min) the highest salicylic acid and treatment 1 (control non-infected) showed the lowest rates. Also, reviews PAL treatment and treatment (7) most (1) (see non-polluting) had the lowest. In fact, with the arrival of the pathogen to the host salicylic acid and phenylalanine ammonia will increase. But the electromagnetic stress in some treatments of both traits, from infected plants, should take over. However, some treatments less than 11 treatments (infection control) is (but treatment Salicylic acid (4) was less than healthy plant). Interestingly, in both treatments was the highest for both traits in treatments of 7, 6 and 5, respectively. Pre-plant treatments with salicylic acid caused a significant increase in the PAL activity, which indicates the role of these enzymes in plant defense mechanism, the researchers concluded that electromagnetic frequency is very low, possibly because of the resistance of tobacco to TMV and increased Ca2+ signaling pathway involving PAL and ODC hormones in plants. Conclusions: Comparing results of ELISA plants that had been under different electromagnetic fields the survey showed that 11 infected untreated control treatment without exposure possession was the highest infection. While treatment 8 (100 mT and 120 minutes) and 7 (50 mT for 60 minutes) showed the least amount of turbidity virus. Also in measuring hormone salicylic acid and PAL significant difference between treatments in both studies showed that treatment trait No. 7 in both traits were seen as the highest value. These results suggest a positive effect in reducing turbidity electromagnetic virus, an increase of salicylic acid and phenylalanine ammonia enzymes, hormones and enzymes that are involved in plant defense mechanisms as well