High-frequency plant regeneration and histological analysis of callus in Cichorium intybus: An important medicinal plant

An efficient in vitro propagation and in vitro flowering protocols were developed for the medicinal plant Cichorium intybus (Asteraceae) using leaf disc explants. Media supplemented with the growth regulator naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (1.5 mg/l) + 6-benzyle adenine (0.25 mg/l) was used for the initial induction of the callus and further subcultured to the same media for the proliferation of the callus. Pale yellow and green calli were noticed, which depends on incorporation of the growth hormones and their varying concentrations. Murashige and Skoog medium in addition with 2 mg/l kinetin+ 0.5 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IBA) + 500 mg/l casein hydrolysate resulted in maximum regeneration. Media supplemented via IBA (0.5 mg/l) and NAA (0.5 mg/l) (98%) was found to beoptimum for rhizogenesis for in vitro regenerated plants. For acclimatization 5-6 weeks mature in vitro regenerated plants were transferred into the greenhouse for acclimatization. The histological study revealed the presence actively dividing meristematic cells in callus. The occurrence of the peripheral meristematic zone associated with callus was noticed in after 20 days, which formed the shoot meristems after 45 days of incubation. To our knowledge, this is the first report on high-frequency plant regeneration which was carried out indirectly from theleaf explants which was grown in controlled environment with varying concentration of the growth regulators and histology of callus of different stages from leaf explants of C. intybus

Exploring the functionality of ethnic fermented sour beverages and their standardization with improved shelf stability for industrial use

The nutritional and functional characteristics of cereal and millets have been enhanced by fermentation technology and have proven to be a viable option for the cereal industry. The fermentation technique aids in increasing the nutrient content, viz., minerals, vitamins, proteins, phenolics and antinutritional compounds, as phytic acid degrades. The study aimed to investigate the appropriate fermentation technique for developing ethnic fermented sour beverages and standardize the product with improved shelf stability for industrial use. Neeragarams (an indigenous fermented rice product from the southern part of India) were prepared using Mapillai samba, and a notable and nutritious traditional rice variety of Tamil Nadu was taken (T1 - raw - unpolished, T2 - raw - polished, T3 - parboiled - unpolished and T4 - parboiled - polished) with added species such as onions, green chillies and curry leaves. The study observed that among four different treatments of neeragaram, T1 (raw rice - unpolished) was highly acceptable based on consumer acceptability with the sensory value of 9.0 higher nutritional characteristics viz., energy 68.29 Kcal, carbohydrates 11.15 %, protein 4.21 %, fiber 2.59 %, fat 0.93 %, iron 4.21 mg, potassium 181.7 mg, sodium 61.23 mg and zinc 2.32 mg per 100 ml of neeragaram. The developed product will be highly suitable for commercialization with improved shelf stability. Among the four treatments, raw (unpolished) neeragaram was highly acceptable with maximum retention of nutritional characteristics. The developed fermented sour beverages do not involve a high cost of production and earn good returns to entrepreneurs. The development of these fermented sour beverages using rice will increase the suitability for consumers and, in turn, improve persons with nutritional and functional status

Study of ABCB1 polymorphism (C3435T) in HIV-1-infected individuals from South India

Studies on P-glycoprotein expression and function have revealed that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the human ABCB1 gene at 3435 (C > T) results in altered expression and function of P-glycoprotein [1, 2].There have been reports of lower nelfinavir and efavirenz (EFV) concentrations associated with TT genotypes (mutant) of ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism [3, 4].Frequency distribution of this polymorphism is known to vary across populations [3, 5, 6]. We report the genotype distribution of ABCB1 C3435T in 179 individuals (126 HIV-infected and 53 healthy) from South India. The polymorphism was correlated with plasma 12 h EFV and 2 h nevirapine (NVP) concentrations in 55 and 71 patients, respectively. Plasma EFV and NVP were estimated by HPLC [7, 8]. Genotyping was carried out by PCR-RFLP [9]

Exchange of plant genetic resources: Prospects in India

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources has the major responsibility of introducing genetic resources and distributing the same to various research Institutes/organizations within the country. It is involved in enrichment of plant genetic resources through germplasm exchange, procurement and collection from centres of diversity suitable for different agro-climatic conditions. Different biotic and abiotic stresses are the major production constraints in many crops, hence, introduction of crops from the centre of diversity is much needed to bring into superior seeds of various crops with high yield, quality, resistance to pest and diseases and tolerant to abiotic stresses through crop improvements programmes. Future emphasis is to introduce specific genotypes with special characters especially like high quality lines and lines resistant to various biotic and abiotic stresses. During the past five years 211 298 accessions including 467 995 samples of seed/planting material were introduced from 103 countries. Out of theses 116 149 accessions having 138 352 samples were germplasm while 58 024 entries having 329 704 samples were trials/nurseries entries and 1 139 wild species of different agri-horticultural crops were also introduced. During this period a total of 78 298 accessions were exported as per norms/regulation lay down by NBA and with permission of ICAR/DARE, for research purposes only. NBPGR has supplied 50 657 samples of various crops to national users in different institutes/organizations across the country for various crop improvement and breeding programmes

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Malawian Farmers on Pre- and Post-Harvest Crop Management to Mitigate Aflatoxin Contamination in Groundnut, Maize and Sorghum—Implication for Behavioral Change

A knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study was conducted in three districts of Malawi to test whether the training had resulted in increased knowledge and adoption of recommended pre- and post-harvest crop management practices, and their contribution to reducing aflatoxin contamination in groundnut, maize and sorghum. The study was conducted with 900 farmers at the baseline and 624 farmers at the end-line, while 726 and 696 harvested crop samples were collected for aflatoxin testing at the baseline and end-line, respectively. Results show that the knowledge and practice of pre- and post-harvest crop management for mitigating aflatoxin were inadequate among the farmers at the baseline but somewhat improved after the training as shown at the end-line. As a result, despite unfavorable weather, the mean aflatoxin contamination level in their grain samples decreased from 83.6 to 55.8 ppb (p < 0.001). However, it was also noted that increased knowledge did not significantly change farmers’ attitude toward not consuming grade-outs because of economic incentive incompatibility, leaving potential for improving the practices further. This existing gap in the adoption of aflatoxin mitigation practices calls for approaches that take into account farmers needs and incentives to attain sustainable behavioral change

Activity-dependent Golgi satellite formation in dendrites reshapes the neuronal surface glycoproteome

© The Author(s), 2021. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Govind, A. P., Jeyifous, O., Russell, T. A., Yi, Z., Weigel, A., Ramaprasad, A., Newell, L., Ramos, W., Valbuena, F. M., Casler, J. C., Yan, J.-Z., Glick, B. S., Swanson, G. T., Lippincott-Schwartz, J., & Green, W. N. Activity-dependent Golgi satellite formation in dendrites reshapes the neuronal surface glycoproteome. Elife, 10, (2021): e68910, https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.68910.Activity-driven changes in the neuronal surface glycoproteome are known to occur with synapse formation, plasticity, and related diseases, but their mechanistic basis and significance are unclear. Here, we observed that N-glycans on surface glycoproteins of dendrites shift from immature to mature forms containing sialic acid in response to increased neuronal activation. In exploring the basis of these N-glycosylation alterations, we discovered that they result from the growth and proliferation of Golgi satellites scattered throughout the dendrite. Golgi satellites that formed during neuronal excitation were in close association with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit sites and early endosomes and contained glycosylation machinery without the Golgi structural protein, GM130. They functioned as distal glycosylation stations in dendrites, terminally modifying sugars either on newly synthesized glycoproteins passing through the secretory pathway or on surface glycoproteins taken up from the endocytic pathway. These activities led to major changes in the dendritic surface of excited neurons, impacting binding and uptake of lectins, as well as causing functional changes in neurotransmitter receptors such as nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Neural activity thus boosts the activity of the dendrite’s satellite micro-secretory system by redistributing Golgi enzymes involved in glycan modifications into peripheral Golgi satellites. This remodeling of the neuronal surface has potential significance for synaptic plasticity, addiction, and disease.This work was financially supported by NIH RO1 DA035430, DA044760, and DA043361 (WNG) R01 GM104010 (BSG), T32 GM007183 (FV), and Peter F McManus Foundation (WNG)

Occurrence and distribution of aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L) and population density of Aflatoxigenic Aspergilli in Malawi

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is susceptible to pre- and post-harvest infections by Aspergillus spp. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), is the contaminant produced by the fungus in infected grains posing a threat to human and animal health. This paper reports of a study undertaken in Malawi to determine the occurrence and distribution of Aflatoxigenic Aspergilli in the soil and AFB1 contamination in groundnuts. A total of 1397 groundnut samples collected from farm homesteads, local markets, warehouses and shops in 2008 and 2009 were analyzed for AFB1 contamination using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and A. Aspergilli population densities in 1053 soil samples collected from the same sites were estimated using serial dilutions plated on A. Aspergilli medium. Farmer socio-economic profile information was also collected to determine relationships to AFB1 contamination. The results revealed 46% and 23% of the total samples, from 2008 to 2009, respectively, had AFB1 contamination levels greater than 4 ppb, and those above 20 ppb were 21% for 2008 and 8% for 2009, respectively. Fitted smooth curve relationships show that there is a clear increase in the chance of groundnut contamination when the population density of A. Aspergilli in the soil increased beyond 3000 (log (cfu) > 8). The measured level of A. Aspergilli in soil varied by location, as well as ecologies within location. Low-altitude ecologies, which were warmer and experienced low precipitation levels, had the highest densities of A. Aspergilli, whereas cooler high-altitude ecologies had the lowest density of these fungi. Similarly high AFB1 contamination, was recorded across the country with 11–28% of all samples collected from the warm low to mid-altitude ecologies recording contamination ≥20 ppb and low contamination (2–10% of samples) in the mid to high altitude cool ecologies. From a crop management perspective, this study also suggests that both less experienced and older farmers were more likely to produce groundnuts contaminated with aflatoxin. These findings have implications in the design of intervention strategies to avoid short- and long-term human health effects from aflatoxin exposure

Bioactivity, biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties of a chitosan-mineral composite for periodontal tissue regeneration

A composite membrane of the polymer, chitosan, and the silver-exchanged mineral phase, tobermorite, was prepared by solvent casting and characterised by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The in vitro bioactivity, cytocompatibility and antimicrobial activity of the composite were evaluated with respect to its potential application as a guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane. The in vitro bioactivity was verified by the formation of hydroxyapatite on the surface of the membrane in simulated body fluid and its cytocompatibility was established using MG63 human osteosarcoma cells. The presence of silver ions conferred significant antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The findings of this investigation have indicated that the chitosansilver-tobermorite composite is a prospective candidate for GTR applications