A transcriptomic snapshot of early molecular communication between Pasteuria penetrans and Meloidogyne incognita

© The Author(s). 2018Background: Southern root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919), Chitwood, 1949 is a key pest of agricultural crops. Pasteuria penetrans is a hyperparasitic bacterium capable of suppressing the nematode reproduction, and represents a typical coevolved pathogen-hyperparasite system. Attachment of Pasteuria endospores to the cuticle of second-stage nematode juveniles is the first and pivotal step in the bacterial infection. RNA-Seq was used to understand the early transcriptional response of the root-knot nematode at 8 h post Pasteuria endospore attachment. Results: A total of 52,485 transcripts were assembled from the high quality (HQ) reads, out of which 582 transcripts were found differentially expressed in the Pasteuria endospore encumbered J2 s, of which 229 were up-regulated and 353 were down-regulated. Pasteuria infection caused a suppression of the protein synthesis machinery of the nematode. Several of the differentially expressed transcripts were putatively involved in nematode innate immunity, signaling, stress responses, endospore attachment process and post-attachment behavioral modification of the juveniles. The expression profiles of fifteen selected transcripts were validated to be true by the qRT PCR. RNAi based silencing of transcripts coding for fructose bisphosphate aldolase and glucosyl transferase caused a reduction in endospore attachment as compared to the controls, whereas, silencing of aspartic protease and ubiquitin coding transcripts resulted in higher incidence of endospore attachment on the nematode cuticle. Conclusions: Here we provide evidence of an early transcriptional response by the nematode upon infection by Pasteuria prior to root invasion. We found that adhesion of Pasteuria endospores to the cuticle induced a down-regulated protein response in the nematode. In addition, we show that fructose bisphosphate aldolase, glucosyl transferase, aspartic protease and ubiquitin coding transcripts are involved in modulating the endospore attachment on the nematode cuticle. Our results add new and significant information to the existing knowledge on early molecular interaction between M. incognita and P. penetrans.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Chemical Synthesis of PEDOT–Au Nanocomposite

In this work, gold-incorporated polyethylenedioxythiophene nanocomposite material has been synthesized chemically, employing reverse emulsion polymerization method. Infrared and Raman spectroscopic studies revealed that the polymerization of ethylenedioxythiophene leads to the formation of polymer polyethylenedioxythiophene incorporating gold nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscope studies showed the formation of polymer nanorods of 50–100 nm diameter and the X-ray diffraction analysis clearly indicates the presence of gold nanoparticles of 50 nm in size

Hydrochloride Salt of the GABAkine KRM-II-81

Imidazodiazepine (5-(8-ethynyl-6-(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-benzo[f]imidazole[1,5-α][1,4]diazepin-3-yl) oxazole or KRM-II-81) is a potentiator of GABAA receptors (a GABAkine) undergoing preparation for clinical development. KRM-II-81 is active against many seizure and pain models in rodents, where it exhibits improved pharmacological properties over standard-of-care agents. Since salts can be utilized to create opportunities for increased solubility, enhanced absorption, and distribution, as well as for efficient methods of bulk synthesis, a hydrochloride salt of KRM-II-81 was prepared. KRM-II-81·HCl was produced from the free base with anhydrous hydrochloric acid. The formation of the monohydrochloride salt was confirmed by X-ray crystallography, as well as 1H NMR and 13C NMR analyses. High water solubility and a lower partition coefficient (octanol/water) were exhibited by KRM-II-81·HCl as compared to the free base. Oral administration of either KRM-II-81·HCl or the free base resulted in high concentrations in the brain and plasma of rats. Oral dosing in mice significantly increased the latency to both clonic and tonic convulsions and decreased pentylenetetrazol-induced lethality. The increased water solubility of the HCl salt enables intravenous dosing and the potential for higher concentration formulations compared with the free base without impacting anticonvulsant potency. Thus, KRM-II-81·HCl adds an important new compound to facilitate the development of these imidazodiazepines for clinical evaluation

Spin Glass and Antiferromagnetic Behaviour in a Diluted fcc Antiferromagnet

We report on a Monte Carlo study of a diluted Ising antiferromagnet on a fcc lattice. This is a typical model example of a highly frustrated antiferromagnet, and we ask, whether sufficient random dilution of spins does produce a spin glass phase. Our data strongly indicate the existence of a spin glass transition for spin--concentration $p<0.75$: We find a divergent spin glass susceptibility and a divergent spin glass correlation length, whereas the antiferromagnetic correlation length saturates in this regime. Furthermore, we find a first order phase transition to an antiferromagnet for $1\ge p>0.85$, which becomes continuous in the range $0.85>p>0.75$. Finite size scaling is employed to obtain critical exponents. We compare our results with experimental systems as diluted frustrated antiferromagnets as ${\rm Zn_{1-p}Mn_{p}Te}$.Comment: 29 pages (revtex) and 10 figures uuencoded and Z-compresse

Parkinson's Disease: Basic Pathomechanisms and a Clinical Overview

PD is a common and a debilitating degenerative movement disorder. The number of patients is increasing worldwide and as yet there is no cure for the disease. The majority of existing treatments target motor symptom control. Over the last two decades the impact of the genetic contribution to PD has been appreciated. Significant discoveries have been made, which have advanced our understanding of the pathophysiological and molecular basis of PD. In this chapter we outline current knowledge of the clinical aspects of PD and the basic mechanistic understanding

<i style="">In situ </i>bismuth film modified carbon fiber microelectrode for nanomolar detection of cadmium and lead

699-703In situ bismuth film modified carbon fiber microelectrode is reported for sensitive detection of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in 0.1 M acetate buffer solution of pH 4.5. As compared to the unmodified electrode, in situ bismuth modification improves the detection limit at nanomolar level for individual as well as simultaneous detection of Cd(II) and Pb(II). Electroanalysis carried out using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry shows linear response over the 50-500 nM range. The minimum detection limits are not affected for the individual and simultaneous metal detection. Using the standard addition method, cadmium and lead have been detected in tap water samples successfully