Molecular cloning and in silico analysis of heat stress responsive gene ClpB1 from Ziziphus nummularia genotypes

Heat stress is one of the most destructive abiotic stresses which adversely affect crop plants, resulting in reduced potential yield. Plants that are able to tolerate heat stress possess an intrinsic mechanism which needs to be unravelled at molecular level so as to decipher the role of gene and metabolic pathways involved in heat stress tolerance. To understand the molecular mechanism of heat stress tolerance, studies on isolation and characterization of gene for abiotic stress tolerance, ClpB1 were performed in Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. f.) Wight & Arn, an inherently abiotic stress tolerant plant. Differential expression studies of gene ClpB1 by qRT-PCR in contrasting genotypes of Z. nummularia (genotype Jaisalmer: heat tolerant and genotype Godhra: heat sensitive) was carried out. CDS (Coding DNA sequence) of gene ClpB1 from the genotypes Z. nummularia J and Z. nummularia G were cloned and characterized. These genes ZnJClpB1 (ACNO: MN398267) and ZnGClpB1 (ACNO: MN398268) showed 1.09 and 2.3% dissimilarity at nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively. Computational based analysis revealed the presence of larger functional AAA lid 9 domains in ZnJClpB1 as compared to ZnGClpB1. Phylogenetic relationship and structure modeling was performed to understand isoform type and basic molecular functioning and of gene ZnClpB1 from Z. nummularia genotypes. Possibly, it is the first report on cloning, characterization and comparative in silico based analysis of gene ZnClpB1 in Z. nummularia. Gene ZnClpB1 would be a prospective resource for developing abiotic stress tolerant crops by transgenic or breeding approach

Modified model for mechanical behavior of electroactive polymer in thermal environment

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) belong to electro-active polymers having high stretchability, rapid response, high energy density, etc. which makes them suitable candidature for the fabrication of soft electromechanical devices. In real application properties of DEs deteriorates due to internal heating and thermal environment. In this work, to realize the rate dependent behavior in thermal environment, material model is modified by using Maxwell elements and hyperelastic equilibrium spring. Formulation is based on the theory of multiplicative split of the deformation gradient and consequently non-linear evolution laws are applicable to study time-dependent material behavior. Further, modified material model is validated well with existing data for one-dimensional thermal environment at different strain rate and stretch, under loading and unloading conditions. Obtained results from modified model shows higher accuracy as compared to existing model and will be helpful for the researchers to evaluate the material behavior for soft robotic components at various range of temperature

Phytochemicals in the treatment of inflammation-associated diseases: the journey from preclinical trials to clinical practice

Advances in biomedical research have demonstrated that inflammation and its related diseases are the greatest threat to public health. Inflammatory action is the pathological response of the body towards the external stimuli such as infections, environmental factors, and autoimmune conditions to reduce tissue damage and improve patient comfort. However, when detrimental signal-transduction pathways are activated and inflammatory mediators are released over an extended period of time, the inflammatory process continues and a mild but persistent pro-inflammatory state may develop. Numerous degenerative disorders and chronic health issues including arthritis, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, among others, are associated with the emergence of a low-grade inflammatory state. Though, anti-inflammatory steroidal, as well as non-steroidal drugs, are extensively used against different inflammatory conditions, they show undesirable side effects upon long-term exposure, at times, leading to life-threatening consequences. Thus, drugs targeting chronic inflammation need to be developed to achieve better therapeutic management without or with a fewer side effects. Plants have been well known for their medicinal use for thousands of years due to their pharmacologically active phytochemicals belonging to diverse chemical classes with a number of these demonstrating potent anti-inflammatory activity. Some typical examples include colchicine (alkaloid), escin (triterpenoid saponin), capsaicin (methoxy phenol), bicyclol (lignan), borneol (monoterpene), and quercetin (flavonoid). These phytochemicals often act via regulating molecular mechanisms that synergize the anti-inflammatory pathways such as increased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines or interfere with the inflammatory pathways such as to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other modulators to improve the underlying pathological condition. This review describes the anti-inflammatory properties of a number of biologically active compounds derived from medicinal plants, and their mechanisms of pharmacological intervention to alleviate inflammation-associated diseases. The emphasis is given to information on anti-inflammatory phytochemicals that have been evaluated at the preclinical and clinical levels. Recent trends and gaps in the development of phytochemical-based anti-inflammatory drugs have also been included

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AICRP-IWM Annual Report 2016-17Assessment of surface water and groundwater availability and quality at regional level, design, development and refinement of surface and pressurized irrigation systems , management of rainwater for judicious use and to develop and evaluate groundwater recharge technoloties for augmenting groundwater availability , soil-plant-water-environment relationship under changing scenarios of irrigation water management, conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources for sustainable crop productionICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswa