104 research outputs found
Suitability and use of two molecular markers to track race-specific resistance striga gesnerioides in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)
The obligate root parasitic weed Striga gesnerioides poses a severe constraint to cowpea productivity in the dry savannahs of West and Central Africa, where cowpea is a major crop. At least seven races of S.gesnerioides have been identified within the cowpea-growing regions of West and Central Africa, based onhost differential response and genetic diversity analysis. Molecular markers linked to resistance to different races of S. gesneriodes have been identified. It was desirable to demonstrate the applicability and efficiency for use in marker-assisted selection (MAS) to fast-track the development of cowpea for resistance to S. gesnerioides. The objective of the study was to determine the suitability of two molecular markers in tracking race-specific S. gesnerioides resistance in cowpea (SG3), the predominant race found in Nigeria. F2 mapping populations and recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross involving IT97K-499-35 and a susceptible local landrace (Borno Brown), and another resistant parent B301 with the same susceptible land race (Borno Brown) were assayed using two linked markers. Genetic analysis showed that resistance to S. gesnerioides in cowpea is qualitatively inherited with single dominant gene action. Two SCAR markers, 61RM2 and C42-2B were validated in the same F2 populations and subsequent recombinant inbred lines (RILs). The two markers were able to discriminate between resistance and susceptibility and the genotypic score was quite similar to the phenotypic score with the markers score showing greater efficiency in selection than phenotypic score. The 61RM2 had two bands in resistant cultivars and amplified a ~450 bp fragment with marker efficiency of 98% while C42-2B amplified a single ~250 bp fragment with marker efficiency of 96% in resistant cultivars and absent in susceptible cultivars. The genetic distance between 61RM2 and phenotypic score was 3.5 cM while that of C42-2B and phenotypic score was 8.5 cM. The two marker data set were significantly correlated with the phenotypic data (r=0.95). Based on the tight linkage with the resistant locus, 61RM2 was found to be a utility marker to initiate MAS in cowpea breeding for resistance to S. gesnerioides.Key words: Cowpea, Striga, molecular marker, genetic distance, race-specific, obligate parasitic weed, Vigna unguiculata
The disruption of GDP-fucose de novo biosynthesis suggests the presence of a novel fucose-containing glycoconjugate in <i>Plasmodium</i> asexual blood stages
Glycosylation is an important posttranslational protein
modification in all eukaryotes. Besides
glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors and N-glycosylation,
O-fucosylation has been recently reported in key sporozoite
proteins of the malaria parasite. Previous analyses showed the
presence of GDP-fucose (GDP-Fuc), the precursor for all
fucosylation reactions, in the blood stages of Plasmodium
falciparum. The GDP-Fuc de novo pathway, which requires the
action of GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydratase (GMD) and GDP-L-fucose
synthase (FS), is conserved in the parasite genome, but the
importance of fucose metabolism for the parasite is unknown. To
functionally characterize the pathway we generated a PfGMD
mutant and analyzed its phenotype. Although the labelling by the
fucose-binding Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) was
completely abrogated, GDP-Fuc was still detected in the mutant.
This unexpected result suggests the presence of an alternative
mechanism for maintaining GDP-Fuc in the parasite. Furthermore,
PfGMD null mutant exhibited normal growth and invasion rates,
revealing that the GDP-Fuc de novo metabolic pathway is not
essential for the development in culture of the malaria parasite
during the asexual blood stages. Nonetheless, the function of
this metabolic route and the GDP-Fuc pool that is generated
during this stage may be important for gametocytogenesis and
sporogonic development in the mosquito
Definitive hypofractionated radiotherapy for early glottic carcinoma: experience of 55Gy in 20 fractions
Introduction: A wide variety of fractionation schedules have been employed for the treatment of early glottic cancer. The aim is to report our 10-year experience of using hypofractionated radiotherapy with 55Gy in 20 fractions at 2.75Gy per fraction. Methods: Patients treated between 2004 and 2013 with definitive radiotherapy to a dose of 55Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks for T1/2 N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis were retrospectively identified. Patients with prior therapeutic minor surgery (eg. laser stripping, cordotomy) were included. The probabilities of local control, ultimate local control (including salvage surgery), regional control, cause specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. Results: One hundred thirty-two patients were identified. Median age was 65 years (range 33–89). Median follow up was 72 months (range 7–124). 50 (38 %), 18 (14 %) and 64 (48 %) of patients had T1a, T1b and T2 disease respectively. Five year local control and ultimate local control rates were: overall - 85.6 % and 97.3 % respectively, T1a - 91.8 % and 100 %, T1b - 81.6 and 93.8 %, and T2 - 80.9 % and 95.8 %. Five year regional control, CSS and OS rates were 95.4 %, 95.7 % and 78.8 % respectively. There were no significant associations of covariates (e.g. T-stage, extent of laryngeal extension, histological grade) with local control on univariate analysis. Only increasing age and transglottic extension in T2 disease were significantly associated with overall survival (both p <0.01). Second primary cancers developed in 17 % of patients. 13 (9.8 %) of patients required enteral tube feeding support during radiotherapy; no patients required long term enteral nutrition. One patient required a tracheostomy due to a non-functioning larynx on long term follow up. Conclusions: Hypofractionated radiation therapy with a dose of 55Gy in 20 fractions for early stage glottic cancer provides high rates of local control with acceptable toxicity
Both habitat change and local lek structure influence patterns of spatial loss and recovery in a black grouse population
The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10144-015-0484-3Land use change is a major driver of declines in wildlife populations. Where human economic or recreational interests and wildlife share landscapes this problem is exacerbated. Changes in UK black grouse Tetrao tetrix populations are thought to have been strongly influenced by upland land use change. In a long-studied population within Perthshire, lek persistence is positively correlated with lek size, and remaining leks clustered most strongly within the landscape when the population is lowest, suggesting that there may be a demographic and/or spatial context to the reaction of the population to habitat changes. Hierarchical cluster analysis of lek locations revealed that patterns of lek occupancy when the population was declining were different to those during the later recovery period. Response curves from lek-habitat models developed using MaxEnt for periods with a declining population, low population, and recovering population were consistent across years for most habitat measures. We found evidence linking lek persistence with habitat quality changes and more leks which appeared between 1994 and 2008 were in improving habitat than those which disappeared during the same period. Generalised additive models (GAMs) identified changes in woodland and starting lek size as being important indicators of lek survival between declining and low/recovery periods. There may also have been a role for local densities in explaining recovery since the population low point. Persistence of black grouse leks was influenced by habitat, but changes in this alone did not fully account for black grouse declines. Even when surrounded by good quality habitat, leks can be susceptible to extirpation due to isolation
Genomic Profiling of Advanced-Stage Oral Cancers Reveals Chromosome 11q Alterations as Markers of Poor Clinical Outcome
Identifying oral cancer lesions associated with high risk of relapse and predicting clinical outcome remain challenging questions in clinical practice. Genomic alterations may add prognostic information and indicate biological aggressiveness thereby emphasizing the need for genome-wide profiling of oral cancers. High-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization was performed to delineate the genomic alterations in clinically annotated primary gingivo-buccal complex and tongue cancers (n = 60). The specific genomic alterations so identified were evaluated for their potential clinical relevance. Copy-number changes were observed on chromosomal arms with most frequent gains on 3q (60%), 5p (50%), 7p (50%), 8q (73%), 11q13 (47%), 14q11.2 (47%), and 19p13.3 (58%) and losses on 3p14.2 (55%) and 8p (83%). Univariate statistical analysis with correction for multiple testing revealed chromosomal gain of region 11q22.1–q22.2 and losses of 17p13.3 and 11q23–q25 to be associated with loco-regional recurrence (P = 0.004, P = 0.003, and P = 0.0003) and shorter survival (P = 0.009, P = 0.003, and P 0.0001) respectively. The gain of 11q22 and loss of 11q23-q25 were validated by interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (I-FISH). This study identifies a tractable number of genomic alterations with few underlying genes that may potentially be utilized as biological markers for prognosis and treatment decisions in oral cancers
Progressive hemorrhage and myotoxicity induced by echis carinatus venom in murine model: neutralization by inhibitor cocktail of n,n,n `,n `-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethane-1,2-diamine and silymarin
Viperbite is often associated with severe local toxicity, including progressive hemorrhage and myotoxicity, persistent even after the administration of anti-snake venom (ASV). In the recent past, investigations have revealed the orchestrated actions of Zn2+ metalloproteases (Zn(2+)MPs), phospholipase A(2)s (PLA(2)s) and hyaluronidases (HYs) in the onset and progression of local toxicity from the bitten site. As a consequence, venom researchers and medical practitioners are in deliberate quest of potent molecules alongside ASV to tackle the brutal local manifestations induced by aforesaid venom toxins. Based on these facts, we have demonstrated the protective efficacy of inhibitor cocktail containing equal ratios of N,N,N', N'-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethane-1,2-diamine (TPEN) and silymarin (SLN) against progressive local toxicity induced by Echis carinatus venom (ECV). In our previous study we have shown the inhibitory potentials of TPEN towards Zn(2+)MPs of ECV (IC50: 6.7 mu M). In this study we have evaluated in vitro inhibitory potentials of SLN towards PLA(2)s (IC50: 12.5 mu M) and HYs (IC50: 8 mu M) of ECV in addition to docking studies. Further, we have demonstrated the protection of ECV induced local toxicity with 10 mM inhibitor cocktail following 15, 30 min (for hemorrhage and myotoxicity); 60 min (for hemorrhage alone) of ECV injection in murine model. The histological examination of skin and thigh muscle sections taken out from the site of ECV injection substantiated the overall protection offered by inhibitor cocktail. In conclusion, the protective efficacy of inhibitor cocktail is of high interest and can be administered locally alongside ASV to treat severe local toxicity
Aloe barbadensis: how a miraculous plant becomes reality
Aloe barbadensis Miller is a plant that is native to North and East Africa and has accompanied man for over 5,000 years. The aloe vera plant has been endowed with digestive, dermatological, culinary and cosmetic virtues. On this basis, aloe provides a range of possibilities for fascinating studies from several points of view, including the analysis of chemical composition, the biochemistry involved in various activities and its application in pharmacology, as well
as from horticultural and economic standpoints. The use of aloe vera as a medicinal plant is mentioned in numerous ancient texts such as the Bible. This multitude of medicinal uses has been described and discussed for centuries, thus transforming this miracle plant into reality. A summary of the historical uses, chemical composition and biological activities of this species is presented in this review. The latest clinical studies involved in vivo and in vitro assays conducted with aloe vera gel or its metabolites and the results of these studies are reviewed
Contribution of Microbe-Mediated Processes in Nitrogen Cycle to Attain Environmental Equilibrium
Nitrogen (N), the most important element, is required by all living organisms for
the synthesis of complex organic molecules like amino acids, proteins, lipids etc.
Nitrogen cycle is considered to be the most complex yet arguably important cycle
next to carbon cycle. Nitrogen cycle includes oxic and anoxic reactions like
organic N mineralization, ammonia assimilation, nitrification denitrification,
anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox), dissimilatory nitrate reduction to
ammonium (DNRA), comammox, codenitrification etc. Nitrogen cycling is one
of the most crucial processes required for the recycling of essential chemical
requirements on the planet. Soil microorganisms not only improve N-cycle
balance but also pave the way for sustainable agricultural practices, leading to
improved soil properties and crop productivity as most plants are opportunistic in
the uptake of soluble or available forms of N from soil. Microbial N
transformations are influenced by plants to improve their nutrition and vice
versa. Diverse microorganisms, versatile metabolic activities, and varied biotic and abiotic conditions may result in the shift in the equilibrium state of different
N-cycling processes. This chapter is an overview of the mechanisms and genes
involved in the diverse microorganisms associated in the operation of nitrogen
cycle and the roles of such microorganisms in different agroecosystems
Variations in killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor and human leukocyte antigen genes and immunity to malaria
Malaria is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world. Immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum malaria vary among individuals and between populations. Human genetic variation in immune system genes is likely to play a role in this heterogeneity. Natural killer (NK) cells produce inflammatory cytokines in response to malaria infection, kill
intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum parasites by cytolysis, and participate in the initiation and development of adaptive immune responses to plasmodial infection. These functions are
modulated by interactions between killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and human leukocyte antigens (HLA). Therefore, variations in KIR and HLA genes can have a direct
impact on NK cell functions. Understanding the role of KIR and HLA in immunity to malaria can help to better characterize antimalarial immune responses. In this review, we summarize the different KIR and HLA so far associated with immunity to malaria.This work was supported through the DELTAS Africa Initiative (Grant no. 107743), that funded Stephen Tukwasibwe through PhD fellowship award, and Annettee Nakimuli through group leader award. The DELTAS Africa Initiative is an independent funding scheme of the African Academy of Science (AAS), Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa
(AESA) and supported by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) with funding from the Wellcome Trust (Grant no. 107743) and the UK government. Francesco Colucci is funded by Wellcome Trust grant 200841/Z/16/Z. The project received funding from the European Research Council (ERC)
under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement No. 695551) for James Traherne and John Trowsdale. Jyothi Jayaraman is a recipient of fellowship from the Centre for Trophoblast Research
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