Rice Phospholipase A Superfamily: Organization, Phylogenetic and Expression Analysis during Abiotic Stresses and Development

Background: Phospholipase A (PLA) is an important group of enzymes responsible for phospholipid hydrolysis in lipid signaling. PLAs have been implicated in abiotic stress signaling and developmental events in various plants species. Genome-wide analysis of PLA superfamily has been carried out in dicot plant Arabidopsis. A comprehensive genome-wide analysis of PLAs has not been presented yet in crop plant rice. Methodology/Principal Findings: A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis identified a total of 31 PLA encoding genes in the rice genome, which are divided into three classes; phospholipase A 1 (PLA 1), patatin like phospholipases (pPLA) and low molecular weight secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) based on their sequences and phylogeny. A subset of 10 rice PLAs exhibited chromosomal duplication, emphasizing the role of duplication in the expansion of this gene family in rice. Microarray expression profiling revealed a number of PLA members expressing differentially and significantly under abiotic stresses and reproductive development. Comparative expression analysis with Arabidopsis PLAs revealed a high degree of functional conservation between the orthologs in two plant species, which also indicated the vital role of PLAs in stress signaling and plant development across different plant species. Moreover, sub-cellular localization of a few candidates suggests their differential localization and functional role in the lipid signaling. Conclusion/Significance: The comprehensive analysis and expression profiling would provide a critical platform for th

Interaction of bases and base pairs with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as finite size model of graphene

Interaction of DNA bases and base pairs with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as finite size models of graphene were studied theoretically using the Density Functional Theory (DFT). The finite size PAH optimized in a plane were used as finite size models of graphene. These structures were optimized at the B3LYP, B98 and MPW1PW91 functionals of DFT along with the 6–31G(d,p) basis set. For the stability of bases and base pairs, binding energies with and without basis set superposition error (BSSE) were calculated at mentioned levels. The calculated binding energies indicates that edges of PAHs are more feasible for reactions

Z-ring Structure and Constriction Dynamics in E. coli

The Z-ring plays a central role in bacterial division. It consists of FtsZ filaments, but the way these reorganize in the ring-like structure during septation remains largely unknown. Here, we measure the effective constriction dynamics of the ring. Using an oscillating optical trap, we can switch individual rod-shaped E. coli cells between horizontal and vertical orientations. In the vertical orientation, the fluorescent Z-ring image appears as a symmetric circular structure that renders itself to quantitative analysis. In the horizontal orientation, we use phase-contrast imaging to determine the extent of the cell constriction and obtain the effective time of division. We find evidence that the Z-ring constricts at a faster rate than the cell envelope such that its radial width (inwards from the cytoplasmic membrane) grows during septation. In this respect, our results differ from those recently obtained using photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) where the radial width of the Z-ring was found to be approximately constant as the ring constricts. A possible reason for the different behavior of the constricting Z-rings could be the significant difference in the corresponding cell growth rates

Pharmacognostic evaluation and antibacterial activity of dry fruits of Piper attenuatum buch-ham

Objective: The aim of the present work was to perform complete pharmacognostic evaluation of Piper attenuatum. Antibacterial activity was performed to explore the possible inhibitory property of dry fruit extract of Piper attenuatum against different microorganisms. Methods: Extensive pharmacognostic evaluation of dry fruits of P. attenuatum was performed which includes morphology, microscopy, phytochemical screening, physicochemical parameters (loss on drying, extractive values, ash values and pH) and high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) profile. We also performed antibacterial activity for methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of dry fruit powder of P. attenuatum by agar diffusion method. Results: The morphology of fruits of P. attenuatum was found similar to that of Piper nigrum with less folding on the fruits of P. attenuatum. The fruits have bland taste unlike the dry fruits of P. nigrum which are pungent. Powder microscopy showed the presence of different cellular structures. Phytochemical screening tests revealed the presence of different chemical constituents like alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates, steroids and volatile oil. The HPTLC profile of crude sample showed many spots indicating its chemical diversity. Conclusion: All these tests gave the valuable data which may be helpful for its qualitative identification and further study. Antibacterial activity did not show prominent inhibitory property except at higher concentrations in methanol extract

Polyradicals of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons as Finite Size Models of Graphene: Highly Open-Shell Nature, Symmetry Breaking, and Enhanced-Edge Electron Density

Properties of polyradicals (all CH bonds dissociated) of benzene and certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied. The occurrence of symmetry breaking is revealed in going from benzene and the PAHs to their polyradicals. Polyradicals would serve as finite size models of graphene with unpassivated edges in a more realistic way than the PAHs. Monoradicals (one CH bond dissociated) of benzene and all of the PAHs and higher radicals of benzene and one PAH (two to all CH bonds successively dissociated) were also investigated. Reliability of the methodology employed was ascertained by a comparison of our calculated single CH bond dissociation energy of benzene with the available previous experimental and theoretical results. Besides ground-state geometries, the aspects studied include single and successive CH bond dissociation energies, and electron density, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), and spin density distributions. All of the monoradicals studied were found to have doublet spin multiplicity, while polyradicals with 4 to 16 rings and zigzag or mixed-type edges were found to have spin multiplicities varying from triplet to 11et. Bond lengths and bond angles of rings located at the edges are appreciably modified in going from PAHs to polyradicals. Electron density and spin density are found to be enhanced at the edges of monoradicals and polyradicals of PAHs, as found previously for PAHs. However, MEP maps of polyradicals have significantly different features from those of monoradicals and PAHs, which has a significant implication

Interferons as a Potential Therapeutic Drug for COVID-19: A Literature Review of Mechanisms, Current Clinical Trials, and Challenges

The 2019 COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in many fatalities worldwide. Despite various types of supportive care, mortality rates for patients with comorbidities remain high. To explore alternative treatment options, interferons (IFNs) have emerged as promising therapeutic drugs for SARS-CoV-2. This review aims to investigate the potential of IFNs as a drug with details on their mechanisms of action, and available data on their use with ongoing clinical trials, results, potential limitations, and challenges.  Recently published research articles, which are systematically searched through online databases, have been selected and found that IFNs have colossal potential in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection by modulating the host’s immune response and inhibiting viral replication and decreasing the severity of disease and hospitalization (p = 0.03, ± 0.05) and (p = 0.04, ± 0.05) respectively. However, due to less available data, more controlled and randomized trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of IFN therapy.  The optimal dosing and duration of IFN therapy also remain to be determined. Although further research is needed the wait for ongoing clinical trial results under investigation is also important for a better understanding of IFN therapy

Concept of Panchmahabhut and its utility

The universe is called Pancabhautic. It simply means that everything in this universe is derived from these five basic elements. As it is the embodiment of the universe, everything which exists in the universe (Bramhanda) must be presented in the body (Pinda). In Samkhya Philosophy Panchamahabhutas are included under sixteen Vikaras (final products). According to Vaisheshika Philosophy, grossness appears in Bhutas in the stage of Trisarenu and they are called Mahabhutas. Ayurveda itself says human body is made up of Panchbhautik Sanghatana (Akasha, Agni, Vayu, Jala and Prithavi). Ayurveda emphasis on that development and maintenance of the body is done through the healthy lifestyles and diet (Ahara) etc. Ahara itself is Panchbhautic in nature. In this review utility of Panchmabhuta is elaborated in the context of Ayurvedic relevance.&nbsp