Global Regulator SATB1 Recruits β-Catenin and Regulates TH2 Differentiation in Wnt-Dependent Manner

Chromatin organizer SATB1 and Wnt transducer β-catenin form a complex and regulate expression of GATA3 and TH2 cytokines in Wnt-dependent manner and orchestrate TH2 lineage commitment

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Not AvailableAlmost one-third of the 1.3 billion tonnes of food produced is wasted or lost in the complicated journey from field to consumers. Improper postharvest handling, unfavorable environment and storage regimes, insect pests, and diseases are some important factors that cause this huge loss. Synthetic chemicals have been popularly commercialized for the control of postharvest pathogens and insect infestations. However, growing concerns due to potential health hazards have restricted the use of chemicals in postharvest management. Researchers have, therefore, felt the urgent need to develop safe, effective, and nondamaging physical treatments for disinfection and disinfestation of horticultural produce. This chapter discusses the beneficial uses of heat treatment of fruits and vegetables for maintaining produce quality and reducing postharvest losses.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableRapid pericarp browning generates unmarketable litchi fruit leading to huge postharvest losses to growers and traders. Salicylic acid (SA) at three different concentrations (0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 mM) was tested as a postharvest dip treatment to ascertain the effect on fruit quality and storage behaviour of litchi. Freshly harvested litchi fruit 'Shahi' were dipped in the solutions, maintained at 10°C for 30 min, and thereafter surface dried before packing in perforated and unsealed polythene bags. They were then stored under refrigerated conditions (6±1°C and 80-90% RH). SA-treated (1.2 mM) fruit maintained significantly higher membrane stability index (78.44) compared to control (67.64) over 22 days of storage. SA treatment also resulted in maintenance of higher anthocyanin content compared to control during storage. Untreated fruit had hardly 12.5% marketable fruits (˂50% browning) after 18 days. The corresponding figure in case of SA-treated (1.2 mM) fruit was 68%, thereby indicating that SA treatment helps in reduction of pericarp browning in litchi. Also, the incidence of decay was only 6.25% in fruit treated with 1.2 mM SA, a significant reduction in decay from control (43.75%) after 18 days of storage. No significant differences due to SA treatment were recorded with respect to changes in fruit quality parameters such as soluble solids concentrate and titratable acidity. Our results suggest that salicylic acid at 1.2 mM can be integrated as a part of hydro-cooling of litchi fruit to reduce pericarp browning and fruit decay.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableFruit processing is often associated with high investment, deterring small farmers to take up value addition. ICAR with its simple technology and initial handholding support, has helped litchi farmers in Bihar achieve big dreams.Not Availabl

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Not Available'Shahi' litchi is known for its unique fragrance and high demanding fruits, not only in Bihar but throughout the whole of India. In the juvenile stage (7-14 years tree age), litchi plants shows erratic and irregular bearing behavior due to continuous growth flushes and the farmers suffer for such a long period in order to get regular fruiting. Since 2006, through National Horticulture Board and State Horticulture Mission, more than 15,000 ha area has been brought under cultivation and orchards older than 4 years were in majority and were the target group. An experiment was conducted at NRC Litchi farm to induce the flowering in litchi through growth regulators in 8-9 years old litchi orchards (junior bearing stage), consecutively for 2 years comprising of 12 treatments of four PGR's, i.e., GA3 (25, 50, 75 ppm), Ethrel (100, 150 ppm), NAA (15, 25, 40 ppm), MH (15, 20, 25 ppm) and control (water spray) with three replications. Three sprayings of NAA, Ethrel, MH along with control and two spraying of GA3 were applied at pre-flowering stage from the 1st week of October with a 30-days interval while the 3rd spraying of GA3 was given after fruit set. Data revealed that PGRs treated plants showed comparatively lesser twig length, number of leaflet per twig, twig length and twig diameter ratio, leaflet and twig diameter ratio and more twig diameter, emergence of pure panicle and fruit yield than control. Plants treated with Ethrel at 100 and 150 ppm, expressed significantly higher number of pure panicle emergence (86.67 and 91.67%, respectively) and fruit yield (53.33 and 52.50 kg plant-1, respectively) than other treatments. Relationship of pure panicle with fruit yield showed positive and moderately strong correlation (r=0.71, R2=0.51). PGRs treated plant expressed more fruit weight, pulp recovery and higher TSS than control.Not Availabl

Farmer's feedback on technological interventions in East Champaran, Bihar

Technical article in ICAR Magazine i.e. Indian FarmingUnder Farmer FIRST Project supported by Agriculture Extension Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, an effort was made to enhance income of the rural people living in selected blocks of East Champaran District of Bihar through technology led innovation systems. Very often emphasis on one component in rural areas, particularly among those people whose livelihood is threatened cannot lead to overall livelihood improvement of a household. Accordingly, interventions in crop-livestock-enterprise module were planned and demonstrated, keeping in view the overall need of the area, available technological options, market accessibility both for input and produce etc.SMD, Agriculture Extension, ICAR HQ, New Delh

Defined Sensing Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways Contribute to the Global Inflammatory Gene Expression Output Elicited by Ionizing Radiation

Environmental insults are often detected by multiple sensors that activate diverse signaling pathways and transcriptional regulators, leading to a tailored transcriptional output. To understand how a tailored response is coordinated, we examined the inflammatory response elicited in mouse macrophages by ionizing radiation (IR). RNA-sequencing studies revealed that most radiation-induced genes were strongly dependent on only one of a small number of sensors and signaling pathways, notably the DNA damage-induced kinase ATM, which regulated many IR-response genes, including interferon response genes, via an atypical IRF1-dependent, STING-independent mechanism. Moreover, small, defined sets of genes activated by p53 and NRF2 accounted for the selective response to radiation in comparison to a microbial inducer of inflammation. Our findings reveal that genes comprising an environmental response are activated by defined sensing mechanisms with a high degree of selectivity, and they identify distinct components of the radiation response that might be susceptible to therapeutic perturbation

Opposing roles of Toll-like receptor and cytosolic DNA-STING signaling pathways for <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> cutaneous host defense

<div><p>Successful host defense against pathogens requires innate immune recognition of the correct pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) to trigger the appropriate gene program tailored to the pathogen. While many PRR pathways contribute to the innate immune response to specific pathogens, the relative importance of each pathway for the complete transcriptional program elicited has not been examined in detail. Herein, we used RNA-sequencing with wildtype and mutant macrophages to delineate the innate immune pathways contributing to the early transcriptional response to <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, a ubiquitous microorganism that can activate a wide variety of PRRs. Unexpectedly, two PRR pathways—the Toll-like receptor (TLR) and Stimulator of Interferon Gene (STING) pathways—were identified as dominant regulators of approximately 95% of the genes that were potently induced within the first four hours of macrophage infection with live <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i>. TLR signaling predominantly activated a pro-inflammatory program while STING signaling activated an antiviral/type I interferon response with live but not killed <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i>. This STING response was largely dependent on the cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic guanosine-adenosine synthase (cGAS). Using a cutaneous infection model, we found that the TLR and STING pathways played opposite roles in host defense to <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i>. TLR signaling was required for host defense, with its absence reducing interleukin (IL)-1β production and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in increased bacterial growth. In contrast, absence of STING signaling had the opposite effect, enhancing the ability to restrict the infection. These results provide novel insights into the complex interplay of innate immune signaling pathways triggered by <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> and uncover opposing roles of TLR and STING in cutaneous host defense to <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i>.</p></div