Effect of plant geometry on rabi and kharif onion production

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of plant geometry on production of onion bulbs during rabi 2008–09 and kharif–2009. Eight week old seedlings of variety Agrifound Light Red in Rabi and seven week old seedlings of variety Agrifound Dark Red in kharif were transplanted in raised beds during the last week of December in rabi and August in kharif in different geometry i.e. S1- Normal planting 15 cm × 10 cm whole bed, straight row, S2-Zig zag planting 2 rows 30 cm × 10 cm whole bed, S3- Straight strip planting 10 cm × 10 cm (one strip 4 rows between strip 30 cm), S4-Zig zag strip planting 20 cm × 10 cm (one strip 4 rows between strip 30 cm) and S5-Paired row planting 30 cm × 10 cm (2 rows between pair 20 cm. Rabi data revealed that significantly higher equatorial bulb diameter (5.61 cm), polar diameter (3.93 cm), bulb size index (22.07 cm2), and 20 bulb weight (1.38 kg) were noted in S5 and was at par with S4 (5.59 cm), (3.90 cm), (21.87 cm2) and (1.33 kg), respectively. Treatment S5 showed highest total soluble solids (12%) and dry matter content (14%). Significantly highest gross yield (305 q ha-1) and marketable yield (291 q ha-1) were noted in S5 and was at par with S4 (302 q ha-1) and (205 q ha-1), respectively. In kharif, highest plant height (61.00 cm) was observed for S5-Paired row planting 30 cm × 10 cm (2 rows between pair 20 cm) which was, however, at par with S1-Normal planting 15 cm × 10 cm whole bed, straight row, and S4-Zig zag strip planting 20 cm × 10 cm (one strip 4 rows between strip 30 cm). The highest equatorial bulb diameter (5.42 cm), polar diameter (4.12 cm), 20 bulbs weight (1.18 kg) and bulb size index (22.28 cm2) were noted in S5- Paired row planting 30 cm × 10 cm (2 rows between pair 20 cm). The minimum thrips incidence (58 %) and number of thrips per plant (3) were noted in S5- Paired row planting 30 cm × 10 cm (2 rows between pair 20 cm). Highest and significant gross yield (226 q ha-1) and marketable yield (207 q ha-1) were noted in S5. It is concluded from the experiment that S5-Paired row planting 30 cm × 10 cm (2 rows between pair 20 cm) gave better results over other geometry in rabi as well as in kharif. &nbsp

SFRP-mediated Wnt sequestration as a potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease

The extracellular ligand, Wnt, and its receptors are involved in sign al transduction and play an important role in axis formation and neural development. In neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), a decrease of the intracellular Wnt effector, ß-catenin, has been linked to amyloid-ß-peptide-induced neurotoxicity. Despite this knowledge, targeting Wnt inhibitors as potential biomarkers has not been explored, and harnessing Wnt activators as therapeutic candidates remains largely not investigated. A wide acting family of Wnt mediators, secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs), has not been probed so far as molecular indicators of disease occurrence and progression of Alzheimer's. Unlike the effect of the Dickkopf (DKK) family of Wnt antagonists on AD, the sFRP molecules have a more pleiotropic impact on the Wnt signaling cascade and probably have a far-reaching involvement in neurodegeneration. The role of sFRPs has been poorly described in AD, and in this review, we analyze the present status of the role of sFRPs on neurodegeneration, their likely involvement, and potential implications in treatment modalities of AD. This information would provide valuable clues for the development of potential therapeutic targets for aberrant neurodegenerative disorders

Correlation and path coefficient studies in garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Correlation and path coefficient analysis were studied in 32 promising germplasm lines of garlic (Allium sativum) at Karnal (Haryana). Marketable yield was positively and significantly correlated with leaves plant-1, bulb diameter, bulb size index, weight of 20 bulbs and cloves bulb-1 at genotypic and phenotypic levels and negatively correlated with weight of 50 cloves at both levels. Gross yield was positively and significantly correlated with plant height, neck thickness and negatively correlated with clove diameter and clove size index at genotypic and phenotypic levels, indicating that selection based on these traits will help in increasing the yield. At genotypic level, traits such as leaves plant-1, clove diameter, cloves bulb-1 and weight of 50 cloves showed a positive direct effect on yield. Clove diameter had maximum positive direct effect (0.744) followed by weight of 50 cloves (0.547), cloves bulb-1 (0.313) and leaves plant-1 (0.288). The highest negative direct effect was noted for clove size index (-0.874), followed by neck thickness (-0.341), weight of 20 bulbs (-0.264) and plant height (-0.057). The estimates of direct and indirect effect on yield were more pronounced in genotypic path than phenotypic path coefficient. The study thus indicated that weight of 20 bulbs, bulb size index, weight of 50 cloves and cloves bulb-1 produced higher positive direct effect on yield and should be given emphasis during selection for improvement of garlic. &nbsp

Dioxin Exposure Blocks Lactation Through a Direct Effect on Mammary Epithelial Cells Mediated by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Repressor

In mammals, lactation is a rich source of nutrients and antibodies for newborn animals. However, millions of mothers each year experience an inability to breastfeed. Exposure to several environmental toxicants, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), has been strongly implicated in impaired mammary differentiation and lactation. TCDD and related polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons are widespread industrial pollutants that activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Despite many epidemiological and animal studies, the molecular mechanism through which AHR signaling blocks lactation remains unclear. We employed in vitro models of mammary differentiation to recapitulate lactogenesis in the presence of toxicants. We demonstrate AHR agonists directly block milk production in isolated mammary epithelial cells. Moreover, we define a novel role for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) in mediating this response. Our mechanistic studies suggest AHRR is sufficient to block transcription of the milk gene β-casein. Since TCDD is a prevalent environmental pollutant that affects women worldwide, our results have important public health implications for newborn nutrition

Purification and Characterization of an Active Principle, Lawsone, Responsible for the Plasmid Curing Activity of Plumbago zeylanica Root Extracts

Plasmid curing is the process of obviating the plasmid encoded functions such as antibiotic resistance, virulence, degradation of aromatic compounds, etc. in bacteria. Several plasmid curing agents have been reported in literature, however, no plasmid curing agent can eliminate all plasmids from different hosts. Hence, there is always a need for novel plasmid curing agents that can be effectively used for reversal of plasmid encoded functions such as virulence, antibiotic resistance, etc. In the present study, an active principle responsible for the plasmid curing activity was purified from roots of Plumbago zeylanica by bioassay guided fractionation and identified as 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (lawsone), on the basis of spectral and analytical data such as NMR, GCMS, FTIR. Plasmid curing activity of lawsone was observed against reference as well as wild plasmids (pBR322, pRK2013, R136, pUPI281, and pUPI282) residing in a range of hosts. Curing of plasmid was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. MICs of antibiotics against A. baumannii A24 (pUPI281) and E. coli (pRK2013) decreased significantly in presence of lawsone suggesting synergy between lawsone and antibiotics. Lawsone also inhibited transfer of plasmid pRK2013 to E. coli either by transformation or conjugation. Viability assays (MTT) revealed that lawsone was not toxic to mammalian cells. Thus, the present investigation has revealed lawsone as an effective plasmid curing agent capable of suppressing development and spread of antibiotic resistance. Further, lawsone has important application in basic research to identify phenotypes encoded by the plasmids in plasmid curing experiments. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of plasmid curing activity of lawsone isolated from roots of P. zeylanica

A Small Molecule Swertisin from Enicostemma littorale

Aim. Stem cell therapy is one of the upcoming therapies for the treatment of diabetes. Discovery of potent differentiating agents is a prerequisite for increasing islet mass. The present study is an attempt to screen the potential of novel small biomolecules for their differentiating property into pancreatic islet cells using NIH3T3, as representative of extra pancreatic stem cells/progenitors. Methods. To identify new agents that stimulate islet differentiation, we screened various compounds isolated from Enicostemma littorale using NIH3T3 cells and morphological changes were observed. Characterization was performed by semiquantitative RT-PCR, Q-PCR, immunocytochemistry, immunoblotting, and insulin secretion assay for functional response in newly generated islet-like cell clusters (ILCC). Reversal of hyperglycemia was monitored after transplanting ILCC in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Results. Among various compounds tested, swertisin, an isolated flavonoid, was the most effective in differentiating NIH3T3 into endocrine cells. Swertisin efficiently changed the morphology of NIH3T3 cells from fibroblastic to round aggregate cell cluster in huge numbers. Dithizone (DTZ) stain primarily confirmed differentiation and gene expression studies signified rapid onset of differentiation signaling cascade in swertisin-induced ILCC. Molecular imaging and immunoblotting further confirmed presence of islet specific proteins. Moreover, glucose induced insulin release (in vitro) and decreased fasting blood glucose (FBG) (in vivo) in transplanted diabetic BALB/c mice depicted functional maturity of ILCC. Insulin and glucagon expression in excised islet grafts illustrated survival and functional integrity. Conclusions. Rapid induction for islet differentiation by swertisin, a novel herbal biomolecule, provides low cost and readily available differentiating agent that can be translated as a therapeutic tool for effective treatment in diabetes

Quantitative model for inferring dynamic regulation of the tumour suppressor gene p53

Background: The availability of various "omics" datasets creates a prospect of performing the study of genome-wide genetic regulatory networks. However, one of the major challenges of using mathematical models to infer genetic regulation from microarray datasets is the lack of information for protein concentrations and activities. Most of the previous researches were based on an assumption that the mRNA levels of a gene are consistent with its protein activities, though it is not always the case. Therefore, a more sophisticated modelling framework together with the corresponding inference methods is needed to accurately estimate genetic regulation from "omics" datasets. Results: This work developed a novel approach, which is based on a nonlinear mathematical model, to infer genetic regulation from microarray gene expression data. By using the p53 network as a test system, we used the nonlinear model to estimate the activities of transcription factor (TF) p53 from the expression levels of its target genes, and to identify the activation/inhibition status of p53 to its target genes. The predicted top 317 putative p53 target genes were supported by DNA sequence analysis. A comparison between our prediction and the other published predictions of p53 targets suggests that most of putative p53 targets may share a common depleted or enriched sequence signal on their upstream non-coding region. Conclusions: The proposed quantitative model can not only be used to infer the regulatory relationship between TF and its down-stream genes, but also be applied to estimate the protein activities of TF from the expression levels of its target genes

Conditioned Medium Reconditions Hippocampal Neurons against Kainic Acid Induced Excitotoxicity: An In Vitro

Stem cell therapy is gaining attention as a promising treatment option for neurodegenerative diseases. The functional efficacy of grafted cells is a matter of debate and the recent consensus is that the cellular and functional recoveries might be due to “by-stander” effects of grafted cells. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of conditioned medium (CM) derived from human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells in a kainic acid (KA) induced hippocampal degeneration model system in in vitro condition. Hippocampal cell line was exposed to KA (200 µM) for 24 hrs (lesion group) whereas, in the treatment group, hippocampal cell line was exposed to KA in combination with HEK-CM (KA + HEK-CM). We observed that KA exposure to cells resulted in significant neuronal loss. Interestingly, HEK-CM cotreatment completely attenuated the excitotoxic effects of KA. In HEK-CM cotreatment group, the cell viability was ~85–95% as opposed to 47% in KA alone group. Further investigation demonstrated that treatment with HEK-CM stimulated the endogenous cell survival factors like brain derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) and antiapoptotic factor Bcl-2, revealing the possible mechanism of neuroprotection. Our results suggest that HEK-CM protects hippocampal neurons against excitotoxicity by stimulating the host’s endogenous cell survival mechanisms

Islet-Like Cell Aggregates Generated from Human Adipose Tissue Derived Stem Cells Ameliorate Experimental Diabetes in Mice

BACKGROUND: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is caused by auto immune destruction of insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. Currently available treatments include transplantation of isolated islets from donor pancreas to the patient. However, this method is limited by inadequate means of immuno-suppression to prevent islet rejection and importantly, limited supply of islets for transplantation. Autologous adult stem cells are now considered for cell replacement therapy in diabetes as it has the potential to generate neo-islets which are genetically part of the treated individual. Adopting methods of islet encapsulation in immuno-isolatory devices would eliminate the need for immuno-suppressants. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In the present study we explore the potential of human adipose tissue derived adult stem cells (h-ASCs) to differentiate into functional islet like cell aggregates (ICAs). Our stage specific differentiation protocol permit the conversion of mesodermic h-ASCs to definitive endoderm (Hnf3β, TCF2 and Sox17) and to PDX1, Ngn3, NeuroD, Pax4 positive pancreatic endoderm which further matures in vitro to secrete insulin. These ICAs are shown to produce human C-peptide in a glucose dependent manner exhibiting in-vitro functionality. Transplantation of mature ICAs, packed in immuno-isolatory biocompatible capsules to STZ induced diabetic mice restored near normoglycemia within 3-4 weeks. The detection of human C-peptide, 1155±165 pM in blood serum of experimental mice demonstrate the efficacy of our differentiation approach. CONCLUSIONS: h-ASC is an ideal population of personal stem cells for cell replacement therapy, given that they are abundant, easily available and autologous in origin. Our findings present evidence that h-ASCs could be induced to differentiate into physiologically competent functional islet like cell aggregates, which may provide as a source of alternative islets for cell replacement therapy in type 1 diabetes