Yield potential study of Capsicum annuum L. under the application of PGPR

Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPR) play an important role in the healthy growth and yield improvement of different crops. The use of PGPR includes various groups of bacteria that live freely in the soil and has ability to enhance the growth of various crops through diverse mechanisms. This study was conducted to evaluate the yield enhancing effect of PGPR on Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum). This study was conducted in the experimental fields of FMC United (Pvt) Limited at Sahiwal, Pakistan during the winter under controlled tunnel in the cropping season 2013-14. The various formulations of PGPR (Klebsiella sp. + Burkholderia sp. + Panibacillus sp. + Bacillus sp.) was applied after every 20-30days interval in the field of Bell Pepper to study their effects on per acre yield. Data was recorded and statistically analyzed to evaluate effects of PGPR on bell pepper yield. Results showed consistent per acre yield increase with the increase of PGPR formulations. Significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations were also found between yield per treatment and yield per acre. Higher yield per treatment and yield per acre was recorded at 6-litre/acre application of PGPR formulation. It was concluded that use of PGPR could be helpful to improve the health of crop with increased yield of this important vegetable. It is proposed that further evaluation at multiple locations and compositions will help to chalk out a comprehensive application protocol of PGPR bacteria on vegetable as well as field crops

Characterization and efficiency assessment of PGPR for enhancement of rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield

Background: Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in phosphorous solublization, nutrient uptake and crop productivity. A variety of PGPR and their combinations were supplemented to rice crop for evaluation of their effects on plant height, filled grain per panicle, tillers per plant, 1000 grain weight, panicle length and yield per acre.    Methods: Roots of sugarcane plants and their adhering soil samples were used as an isolation source for PGPR. The nursery plant roots of local rice varieties i.e. Super Basmati and Basmati-515 were inoculated with isolated PGPR formulation. Data was recorded and statistically analyzed to determine analysis of variance, genetic correlation, path coefficient and principle component. Results: 5 out of 11 bacterial strains produced high indole acetic acid (IAA). Other 6 were either average or low producers of the acid. The strains selected for maximum amount of phosphorous solublization were CEMB-22 (Klebsiella sp.) and CEMB-15 (Burkholderia sp.) with best IAA production. It was found that higher genetic advance, heritability, genotypic and phenotypic correlation have positive direct effects on yield properties of rice.Conclusion: Yield of rice can be enhanced by the application of CEMB-22+CEMB-15 PGPR in combined formulation

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Pretreated with HGF and FGF4 Can Reduce Liver Fibrosis in Mice

Stem cells have opened a new avenue to treat liver fibrosis. We investigated in vitro and in vivo the effect of cytokine (HGF and FGF4) pretreated MSCs in reduction of CCl4 liver injury. Mouse MSCs were pretreated with cytokines to improve their ability to reduce CCl4 injury. In vitro we gave CCl4 injury to mouse hepatocytes and cocultured it with untreated and cytokines pretreated MSCs. For in vivo study we labeled MSCs with PKH-26 and transplanted them into CCl4 injured mice by direct injection into liver. In vitro data showed that cytokines pretreated MSCs significantly reduce LDH level and apoptotic markers in CCl4 injured hepatocytes cocultured model. Furthermore the cytokines pretreated MSCs also improved cell viability and enhanced hepatic and antiapoptotic markers in injured hepatocytes cocultured model as compared to untreated MSCs. In vivo data in cytokines pretreated group demonstrated greater homing of MSCs in liver, restored glycogen storage, and significant reduction in collagen, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin levels. TUNEL assay and real time PCR also supported our hypothesis. Therefore, cytokines pretreated MSCs were shown to have a better therapeutic potential on reduction of liver injury. These results demonstrated the potential utility of this novel idea of cytokines pretreated MSCs for the treatment of liver fibrosis

Identification of a Novel Homozygous Missense (c.443A>T:p.N148I) Mutation in BBS2 in a Kashmiri Family with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome

Background. Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder with distinctive clinical feature such as obesity, degeneration of retina, polydactyly, and renal abnormalities. The study was aimed at finding out the disease-causing variant/s in patients exhibiting clinical features of BBS. Methods. The identification of disease-causing variant was done by using whole exome sequencing on Illumina HiSeq 4000 platform involving the SeqCap EZ Exome v3 kit (Roche NimbleGen). The identified variant was further validated by Sanger sequencing. Results. WES revealed a novel homozygous missense mutation (NM_031885: c.443A>T:p.N148I) in exon 3 of the BBS2 gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed this variant as homozygous in both affected subjects and heterozygous in obligate parents, demonstrating autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. To the best of our knowledge, this variant was not present in literature and all publically available databases. The candidate variant is predicted to be pathogenic by a set of in-silico softwares. Conclusion. Clinical and genetic spectrum of BBS and BBS-like disorders is not completely defined in the Pakistani as well as in Kashmiri population. Therefore, more comprehensive genetic studies are required to gain insights into genotype-phenotype associations to facilitate carrier screening and genetic counseling of families with such disorders

<i>ADAMTS1</i>, <i>MPDZ</i>, <i>MVD</i>, and <i>SEZ6</i>:candidate genes for autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing impairment

Hearing impairment (HI) is a common disorder of sensorineural function with a highly heterogeneous genetic background. Although substantial progress has been made in the understanding of the genetic etiology of hereditary HI, many genes implicated in HI remain undiscovered. Via exome and Sanger sequencing of DNA samples obtained from consanguineous Pakistani families that segregate profound prelingual sensorineural HI, we identified rare homozygous missense variants in four genes (ADAMTS1, MPDZ, MVD, and SEZ6) that are likely the underlying cause of HI. Linkage analysis provided statistical evidence that these variants are associated with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic HI. In silico analysis of the mutant proteins encoded by these genes predicted structural, conformational or interaction changes. RNAseq data analysis revealed expression of these genes in the sensory epithelium of the mouse inner ear during embryonic, postnatal, and adult stages. Immunohistochemistry of the mouse cochlear tissue, further confirmed the expression of ADAMTS1, SEZ6, and MPDZ in the neurosensory hair cells of the organ of Corti, while MVD expression was more prominent in the spiral ganglion cells. Overall, supported by in silico mutant protein analysis, animal models, linkage analysis, and spatiotemporal expression profiling in the mouse inner ear, we propose four new candidate genes for HI and expand our understanding of the etiology of HI

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population