Chronic intake of 4-Methylimidazole induces hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycaemia via pancreatic beta cell hyperplasia and glucose dyshomeostasis

Caramel colours are the preferential food colouring agent globally, reaches wide age groups through eatables. Colas, a sweetened carbonated drink are most common caramel coloured beverage and its consumption is linked with diabetes, obesity, pancreatic cancer and other endocrine disorders. A major by-product produced during caramelization is 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) that is detected in noteworthy concentrations in colas and other beverages. Previous studies revealed the neurotoxic and carcinogenic potential of 4-MEI in animals at higher doses but the effect of 4-MEI at theoretical maximum daily intake dose on glucose homeostasis is unexplored. Here, mice treated with 4-MEI (32 µg/kg bodyweight/day) for seven weeks exhibited severe hypoglycaemia and hyperinsulinemia mediated by hyperplasia of pancreatic beta cells and induces metabolic alterations. On combinatorial treatment, 4-MEI suppressed the glucogenic potential of non-artificial sweeteners and promotes lipogenesis. Furthermore, increased levels of C-peptide, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were observed in the humans with regular intake of 4-MEI containing beverages. In summary, 4-MEI induced pancreatic beta cell hyperplasia and leads to disruption of glucose and lipid homeostasis. This study suggests the need for further assessment and reconsideration of the wide usage of 4-MEI containing caramels as food additives

Genome Degradation in Brucella ovis Corresponds with Narrowing of Its Host Range and Tissue Tropism

Brucella ovis is a veterinary pathogen associated with epididymitis in sheep. Despite its genetic similarity to the zoonotic pathogens B. abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis, B. ovis does not cause zoonotic disease. Genomic analysis of the type strain ATCC25840 revealed a high percentage of pseudogenes and increased numbers of transposable elements compared to the zoonotic Brucella species, suggesting that genome degradation has occurred concomitant with narrowing of the host range of B. ovis. The absence of genomic island 2, encoding functions required for lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, as well as inactivation of genes encoding urease, nutrient uptake and utilization, and outer membrane proteins may be factors contributing to the avirulence of B. ovis for humans. A 26.5 kb region of B. ovis ATCC25840 Chromosome II was absent from all the sequenced human pathogenic Brucella genomes, but was present in all of 17 B. ovis isolates tested and in three B. ceti isolates, suggesting that this DNA region may be of use for differentiating B. ovis from other Brucella spp. This is the first genomic analysis of a non-zoonotic Brucella species. The results suggest that inactivation of genes involved in nutrient acquisition and utilization, cell envelope structure and urease may have played a role in narrowing of the tissue tropism and host range of B. ovis

Glandular odontogenic cyst mimicking central mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare developmental cyst of the jaws. The most common site of occurrence is the anterior mandible, and it is most commonly seen in middle-aged people. It is a destructive lesion with a high rate of recurrence. A predilection for men is observed. Clinical and radiographic findings are not specific, and it can mimic as any other destructive lesion of the jaw. The histopathological features of GOC and those of low-grade central mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) are similar. Often, they are misdiagnosed as MEC. We present a case of GOC in the posterior maxilla, which is a rare site. The similarities and differences between GOC and central MEC are also discussed

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Not AvailableRPHR-1005 is a stable, elite restorer line of rice possessing highly desirable medium-slender grain type and is the male parent of the popular public bred hybrid DRRH-3. However, both RPHR-1005 and DRRH-3 are highly susceptible to major diseases like bacterial blight (BB) and blast. As genes conferring effective resistance are available against both BB and blast along with availability of gene-specific markers, the present study was carried out to introgress a major BB resistance gene, Xa21 and a major blast resistance gene, Pi2 into the genetic background of RPHR-1005 through marker-assisted backcross breeding. RPBio Patho-1, a breeding line in the genetic background of the popular variety, Samba Mahsuri and possessing Xa21 and Pi2 served as the donor. Marker-assisted backcross breeding strategy was deployed for targeted introgression of the two resistance genes into RPHR-1005. This involved two rounds of backcrossing and at each backcross generation, foreground selection was carried out using PCR based molecular markers specific for Xa21 (i.e. pTA248) and Pi2 (i.e. AP5659-5) along with the markers specific for the major fertility restorer genes, Rf3 (i.e. DRRM-RF3-10) and Rf4 (i.e. DRCG-RF4-14) and background selection was done using a set of 61 parental polymorphic SSR markers spread across the rice genome. At BC2F2, a single plant possessing all the targeted genes along with maximum recurrent parent genome recovery (~ 93.4%; plant # RP-9-27-79-179) was selected and advanced through selfing and pedigree-based selection for morphological traits. AT BC2F4, three lines, viz., RP-9-27-79-179-74-9, RP-9-27-79-179-74-79 and RP-9-27-79-179-74-105, possessing high level of resistance against BB and blast along with complete fertility restoration and all the elite features of RPHR-1005 were identified.Department of Biotechnology, Government of India File no. BT/PR11705/AGR/02/646/2008

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Not AvailableIn marker-assisted breeding for bacterial blight (BB) resistance in rice, three major resistance genes, viz., Xa21, xa13 and xa5, are routinely deployed either singly or in combinations. As efficient and functional markers are yet to be developed for xa13 and xa5, we have developed simple PCR-based functional markers for both the genes. For xa13, we designed a functional PCR-based marker, xa13-prom targeting the InDel polymorphism in the promoter of candidate gene Os8N3 located on chromosome 8 of rice. With respect to xa5, a multiplex-PCR based functional marker system, named xa5FM, consisting of two sets of primer pairs targeting the 2-bp functional nucleotide polymorphism in the exon II of the gene TFIIAɤ5 (candidate for xa5), has been developed. Both xa13-prom and xa5FM can differentiate the resistant and susceptible alleles for xa13 and xa5, respectively, in a co-dominant fashion. Using these two functional markers along with the already reported functional PCR-based marker for Xa21 (pTA248), we designed a single-tube multiplex PCR based assay for simultaneous detection of all the three major resistance genes and demonstrated the utility of the multiplex marker system in a segregating population.Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India (Grant Nos. BT/AB/FG-2 (PH-II)/2009 and BT/PR11705/AGR/02/646/2008