Arousal of Cancer-Associated Stroma: Overexpression of Palladin Activates Fibroblasts to Promote Tumor Invasion

Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts, comprised of activated fibroblasts or myofibroblasts, are found in the stroma surrounding solid tumors. These myofibroblasts promote invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Mechanisms regulating the activation of the fibroblasts and the initiation of invasive tumorigenesis are of great interest. Upregulation of the cytoskeletal protein, palladin, has been detected in the stromal myofibroblasts surrounding many solid cancers and in expression screens for genes involved in invasion. Using a pancreatic cancer model, we investigated the functional consequence of overexpression of exogenous palladin in normal fibroblasts in vitro and its effect on the early stages of tumor invasion. Principal Findings: Palladin expression in stromal fibroblasts occurs very early in tumorigenesis. In vivo, concordant expression of palladin and the myofibroblast marker, alpha smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), occurs early at the dysplastic stages in peri-tumoral stroma and progressively increases in pancreatic tumorigenesis. In vitro introduction of exogenous 90 kD palladin into normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) induces activation of stromal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts as marked by induction of a-SMA and vimentin, and through the physical change of cell morphology. Moreover, palladin expression in the fibroblasts enhances cellular migration, invasion through the extracellular matrix, and creation of tunnels through which cancer cells can follow. The fibroblast invasion and creation of tunnels results from the development o

Standardization of screening techniques for resistance to <em>Lipaphis erysimi</em> (Kalt.) in rapeseed-mustard under field conditions

674-685The population and damage by aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) in Brassica spp. is highly variable across seasons and regions, wherein screening of rapeseed-mustard genotypes under natural infestation conditions has not been rewarding for aphid resistance. Since no reliable screening technique is in place, we developed and evaluated various screening techniques to differentiate diverse mustard genotypes for resistance to L. erysimi under field conditions. Artificial infestation at bud formation stage with 20 mixed stage aphids pinned with bell pins on the top third branch near inflorescence was found most appropriate and effective for establishment of aphids at inoculation site. Evaluation of mustard genotypes under multi-choice natural infestation revealed maximum variability in L. erysimi resistance indices, but plot cage artificial screening technique was found appropriate over natural infestation for multi-choice assays. Genotypes Heera and PDZM 31 showed susceptible to highly susceptible reaction against L. erysimi under all the artificial infestation screening techniques. However, PM 30, PM 21, Pusa Bold and Pusa Vijay displayed variable resistance reactions under different screening techniques. Although no-choice twig cage and plant cage techniques showed significant differences in test mustard genotypes for various aphid resistance indices, the twig cage technique revealed maximum variability and could differentiate them at slightest variation in levels of tolerance/susceptibility to L. erysimi. The rate of L. erysimi multiplication on test mustard genotypes was highly variable under plant cage as compared to twig cage. The twig cage technique also successfully differentiated the double low erucic acid and total glucosinolate, single low erucic acid, and conventional varieties with high erucic acid and total glucosinolate groups of mustard genotypes for L. erysimi resistance. The multiplication rate and ease in scouting of aphids, easy handling and cost of the cage, and natural plant growth conditions are some of the most favourable factors, suggesting twig cage technique more précised, realistic, economical, and efficient for artificial screening of rapeseed-mustard for resistance against the aphid L. erysimi infestation

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Not AvailableAgriculture sector not only contributes to GHGs, but is very sensitive to climate change. Crop yields are influenced by variations in climatic factors such as precipitation, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and the frequency and severity of extreme events like droughts, floods, hot wave, cold wave, windstorms and hailstorms. Adverse impact on agriculture will pose serious risks to economy and livelihood security of agrarian class in particular and the country as a whole. Farmers have, so far, been coping with erratic climatic conditions by adjusting their farming practices. Scientific management practices have also been developed to reduce adverse impacts of natural climate variability. The projected climate change and associated variability, however, brings new risks that will require new adaptation and mitigation strategies. Considering the multi-dimensional facets of climate change, the book has been compiled to address various relevant issues to sensitize the stakeholders about different aspects of climate change and their impacts on arid and semi-arid agriculture.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe criteria of higher severity of yellow stem borer S. incertulas were at Raipur (CG) are: maximum temperature (30-34oC), minimum temperature (22 -23oC), morning relative humidity (89- 92%), and total rainfall (up to10 mm) and sunshine hour 8-9 hr/day on weekly basis. The application of model available through http://www.ncipm.org.in/nicra/ WeatherPrediction.aspx for forewarning of yellow stem borer severity and its integration with in agro-advisory for the region would facilitate timely pest management practices.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableLoss in yield and quality of crop produce due to pest infestation could be reduced considerably if the pest occurrence is known in advance and timely remedial measures are taken. Weather plays an important role in pest development. Therefore, weather based models can be an effective scientific tool for forewarning pests in advance. In this study, weather based forewarning models have been developed for yellow stem borer [Scirpophaga incertulas(Wa \ ker)] and leaf folder [Cnaphalocrocis medinalis(Guenee)] of rice for different locations, viz., Aduthurai (Tamil Nadu), Chinsurah (West Bengal), Karjat (Maharashtra), Mandya (Karnataka), Ludhiana (Punjab) and Raipur (Chhattisgarh). The pest data comprised of population of yellow stem borer and leaf folder moths caught in light trap per week for different locations. Weather data relating to maximum and minimum temperature ( °C ), morning and evening relative humidity (%) and rainfall (mm) in respect of the locations were obtained from the meteorological observatories of the locations per se. Data of pest and weather on weekly basis in respect of Kharif and Rabi seasons of 11 years (2000-2010) for all locations, and of 16 years (1995-2010) for Mandya (KA) were used for developing the forewarning models. Weather of six lag weeks from week of forecast were used for development of weather indices. These weather indices were used as independent variables in model building against the pest population as dependent variables. Stepwise regression models for predicting the yellow stem borer population for peak periods of occurrence during Kharif [Aduthurai (TN), Karjat (MH) & Raipur (CG)] and Rabi [Chinsurah (WB) & Mandya (KA)] were developed with R² > 0.9. Prediction of leaf folder for different weeks of Kharif for Aduthurai (TN) (32-35 SMW) and Ludhiana (PB) (32-36 SMW) and of Rabi for Aduthurai (TN) (44-47 SMW) gave R² between 0.6 and 0.8, respectively indicating better leaf folder prediction for Rabi over Kharif season at Aduthurai (TN). Validation of the models for subsequent years (2011) has been done for all cases. These developed models were converted into web-based forewarning system using 3-tier architecture. Net Beans 8.0.1 IDE (Integrated Development Environment), MS SQL Server, Java Server Pages (JSP) technologies have been used for the development of the web enabled forecasting of the two rice pests.Not Availabl

Book Title: Climate Change and agriculture : Adaptation and Mitigation

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Book Title: Climate Change and agriculture: Adaptation and mitigation

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Prospective study of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy using intensity-modulated radiotherapy and 5 fluorouracil for locally advanced rectal cancer &ndash; toxicities and response assessment

David K Simson,1 Swarupa Mitra,2 Parveen&nbsp;Ahlawat,2 Upasna&nbsp;Saxena,2 Manoj Kumar&nbsp;Sharma,2 Sheh Rawat,2 Harpreet&nbsp;Singh,1 Babita Bansal,1 Lalitha&nbsp;Kameshwari Sripathi,1 Aditi&nbsp;Tanwar2 1Department of Radiation Oncology, Action Cancer Hospital, New Delhi, India; 2Department of Radiation Oncology, Rajiv Gandhi&nbsp;Cancer Institute and Research&nbsp;Centre, New Delhi,&nbsp;India Aims and objectives: The past 2 decades witnessed the strengthening of evidence favoring the role of neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CHRT) in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. The study aims to evaluate the response and acute toxicities to neoadjuvant CHRT using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the treatment of rectal cancer. Predictive factors to achieve pathological complete response (pCR) were analyzed, as a secondary endpoint. Materials and methods: All consecutive patients who underwent IMRT as part of neoadjuvant CHRT in the treatment of rectal cancer between August 2014 and December 2016 at a tertiary cancer care center were accrued for the study. The cohort underwent CHRT with IMRT technique at a dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions concurrent with continuous infusion of 5 fluorouracil during the first and the last 4 days of CHRT. Surgery was performed 6 weeks later and the pathological response to CHRT was noted. Results: Forty-three subjects were accrued for the study. Radiation dermatitis and diarrhea were the only observed grade &ge;3 acute toxicities. Sphincter preservation rate (SPR) was 43.3%. pCR was observed in 32.6%. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression showed that carcinoembryonic antigen was the only independent predictive factor to achieve pCR. Conclusion: IMRT as part of neoadjuvant CHRT in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer is well tolerated and gives comparable results with respect to earlier studies in terms of pathological response and SPR. Further randomized controlled studies are needed to firmly state that IMRT is superior to 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. Keywords: IMRT, rectal cancer, chemoradiation, neoadjuvant, respons