Characterization of the small RNA component of leaves and fruits from four different cucurbit species

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding small RNAs involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression critical for plant growth and development, stress responses and other diverse biological processes in plants. The Cucurbitaceae or cucurbit family represents some of economically important species, particularly those with edible and medicinal fruits. Genomic tools for the molecular analysis of members of this family are just emerging. Partial draft genome sequence became available recently for cucumber and watermelon facilitating investigation of the small RNA component of the transcriptomes in cucurbits.Results: We generated four small RNA libraries from bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo, and, watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus) in order to identify conserved and novel lineage specific miRNAs in these cucurbits. Deep sequencing of small RNA libraries from these species resulted in 1,597,263, 532,948, 601,388, and 493,384 unique sRNA reads from bottle gourd, moschata, pepo and watermelon, respectively. Sequence analysis of these four libraries resulted in identification of 21 miRNA families that are highly conserved and 8 miRNA families that are moderately conserved in diverse dicots. We also identified 4 putative novel miRNAs in these plant species. Furthermore, the tasiRNAs were identified and their biogenesis was determined in these cucurbits. Small RNA blot analysis or q-PCR analyses of leaf and fruit tissues of these cucurbits showed differential expression of several conserved miRNAs. Interestingly, the abundance of several miRNAs in leaves and fruits of closely related C. moschata and C. pepo was also distinctly different. Target genes for the most conserved miRNAs are also predicted.Conclusion: High-throughput sequencing of small RNA libraries from four cucurbit species has provided a glimpse of small RNA component in their transcriptomes. The analysis also showed considerable variation within four cucurbit species with regards to expression of individual miRNAs.Peer reviewedBiochemistry and Molecular Biolog

WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF JATROPHA TANJORENSIS LEAVES

Objective:  The term “wound” is defined as a disruption of normal anatomical structure. Therefore, “healing” is the complex and dynamic process that results in the restoration of anatomical continuity and function. Methods: Albino Wistar rats (150-180 g) of both sexes were selected. The experiment of Wound Healing Activity by Excision Wound Model and Incision Wound Model by the simple ointment B.P., reference standard drug (0.2% w/w nitrofurazone ointment), stigmasterol ointment (0.2% w/w), hexane, chloroform and methanol extract ointments of 3%, 4% and 5% w/w of leaves in Jatropha tanjorensis in simple ointment base (where 3g, 4g and 5 g of the extracts was incorporated in 100 g of simple ointment separately). Results: The time for wound closure to methanol extract ointment (5% w/w) and stigmasterol (0.2% w/w) was similar to that of standard drug, nitrofurazone ointment (0.2% w/w) 16±2 days in Excision Wound Model. The significant tensile strength at 3%: 4%: 5% w/w methanol extract ointments (p<0.001), followed by chloroform extract and hexane extract. Stigmasterol ointment at 0.2% w/w produced tensile strength comparable with Standard drug, nitrofurazone ointment (0.2% w/w) (p<0.001) in Incision Wound Model. Conclusion: Juice of the Jatropha plant and the pounded leaves are applied to wounds and refractory ulcers. The juice is very successfully used to treat scabies, eczema and ringworm. The present study proved that the leaves have wound healing activity.                  Peer Review History: Received 5 September  2018;   Revised 28 September; Accepted 12 October, Available online 15 November 2018 Academic Editor: Dr. Nuray Arı, Ankara University, Turkiye, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:        Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Mohamed Said Fathy Al-Refaey, University of Sadat City, Menofia, Egypt, [email protected] Prof. Dr. Hüsniye Kayalar, Ege University, Turkey, [email protected] Similar Articles: POTENTIAL OF SNAKEHEAD FISH (OPHIOCEPHALUS STRIATUS) IN ACCELERATING WOUND HEALING ENHANCEMENT OF WOUND HEALING BY TOPICAL APPLICATION OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR IN ANIMAL MODE

Relationships between Oak powdery mildew incidence and severity and commensal fungi

Oak (Quercus robur) powdery mildew is a common and damaging fungal disease. In a local survey at Reading, UK, oak powdery mildew was common on trees of all height classes but was most common on trees of 3-9m. A variety of other fungal species were commonly found growing in association with oak powdery mildew colonies. The abundance of such fungi was estimated through stratified sample surveys for 2.5 years. The taxa most commonly associated with oak powdery mildew were Acremonium sp., Trichoderma sp., Ampelomyces/Phoma sp. and Leptosphaerulina australis. Nearly 90% of mildew colonies were associated with L. australis, which is not generally considered as a mycoparasite or antagonist, in contrast with the other three fungi. Abundance varied between June and October surveys. Acremonium sp. abundance was greater in summer samplings whereas L. australis and Trichoderma sp. abundances were greater in autumn samplings. Ampelomyces/Phoma sp. was never observed in the absence of powdery mildew. Relationships between the mildew-associated fungi and oak powdery mildew appeared curved and differed significantly between sampling years. L. australis was positively correlated with the other three associated fungi studied when powdery mildew was also present. The variety and high population densities of the mildew associated fungi suggest that they may be important in determining the final density of oak mildew and the damage caused by it

Data for: ISSR and ITS analyses to assess genetic diversity and phylogeny to conserve an endemic and critically endangered tree, Memecylon subcordatum, in India

GPS recordings of Memecylon subcordatum from Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in India

Une nouvelle espèce de <i>Gymnema</i> (Asclepiadaceae) des Kollihills en Inde péninsulaire.

Une nouvelle espèce d’Asclepiadaceae, Gymnema kollimalayanum A. Ramachandran & M.B.Viswan., sp. nov. est décrite de la région des Kollihills dans l’est des Ghats d’Inde péninsulaire. Cette espèce est proche de G. hirsutum Wight & Arn. par son aspect, ses tiges ligneuses, son latex laiteux, ses inflorescences ombellées cymeuses, ses fleurs 5-mères, son calice, sa corolle, ses anthères, ses follicules et ses graines avec touffe de poils mais diffère par la taille et la forme des feuilles qui sont elliptiques ou elliptiques-arrondies, subtronquées à la base, abruptement aiguës à l’apex, ses pétioles plus longs, l’arrangement des fleurs, ses pédicelles plus longs, la forme et la taille du calice, de la corolle, et des follicules, graines et touffe de poils de plus grande taille.A new species of Asclepiadaceae, Gymnema kollimalayanum A. Ramachandran & M.B.Viswan., sp. nov. is described here from the Kollihills in the Eastern Ghats of Peninsular India. This species is allied to G. hirsutum Wight & Arn. by habit, woody stems, milky latex, umbellate cymose inflorescence, 5-merous flowers, calyx, corolla, anthers, follicles and comose seeds but differs by size and shape of leaves being elliptic or elliptic-rotund, subtruncate at base, abruptly acute at apex, longer petioles, arrangement of flowers, longer pedicels, shape and size of calyx, corolla, larger size of follicles, seeds and coma

Identification and temporal expression analysis of conserved and novel microRNAs in Sorghum

AbstractSweet Sorghum is largely grown for grain production but also recently emerged as one of the model feedstock plants for biofuel production. In plants, microRNA (miRNA)-guided gene regulation plays a key role in diverse biological processes, thus, their identification in different plant species is essential to understand post-transcriptional gene regulation. To identify miRNAs in Sorghum, we sequenced a small RNA library. Sequence analysis revealed the identity of 29 conserved miRNA families. Importantly, 13 novel miRNAs are identified, seven of which are conserved in closely related monocots. Temporal expression analysis of conserved and novel miRNAs indicated differential expression of several miRNAs. Approximately 125 genes that play diverse roles have been predicted as targets and a few targets were experimentally validated. These results provided insights into miRNA-controlled processes in Sorghum and also laid the foundation for manipulating miRNAs or their targets for improving biomass production and stress tolerance in Sorghum

Venous reflux into renal and spinal veins on MDCT in a surviving patient

In patients of cardiac arrest or near death, opacification of inferior vena cava and renal veins during the arterial phase of intravenous contrast administration at computed tomography (CT) examination is well known. We present a case of extensive reflux into renal and spinal veins in a patient who survived for 1 week following multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) examination without any life supporting devices