228 research outputs found
Effect of osmotic stress on seed germination and seedling characters of Mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wildzek]
The Screening of osmotic stress was undertaken to investigate the effect of water stress and salinity stress on the seeds of mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) and its responses to drought tolerance at seedling stage. Water stress was simulated by non-ionic water-soluble polymer polyethylene glycol of molecular weight 6000 and salinity stress was induced with NaCl. The experiment demonstrated that osmotic stress caused by NaCl and PEG has a negative impact on the germination rate and seedling growth of Vigna radiata. Both NaCl and PEG inhibited germination and seedling growth in mung bean, but the effects of NaCl compared to PEG was less on germination and seedling growth
Toxicological Profiling of Onion-Peel-Derived Mesoporous Carbon Nanospheres Using In Vivo Drosophila melanogaster Model
Toxicological profiling of the novel carbon materials has become imperative, owing to their wide applicability and potential health risks on exposure. In the current study, the toxicity of mesoporous carbon nanospheres synthesized from waste onion peel was investigated using the genetic animal model Drosophila melanogaster. The survival assays at different doses of carbon nanoparticles suggested their non-toxic effect for exposure for 25 days. Developmental and behavioral defects were not observed. The biochemical and metabolic parameters, such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein level, triglyceride level, and glucose, were not significantly altered. The neurological toxicity as analyzed using acetylcholinesterase activity was also not altered significantly. Survival, behavior, and biochemical assays suggested that oral feeding of mesoporous carbon nanoparticles for 25 days did not elicit any significant toxicity effect in Drosophila melanogaster. Thus, mesoporous carbon nanoparticles synthesized from waste onion peel can be used as beneficial drug carriers in different disease models
Genetic analysis of variation in human meiotic recombination
The number of recombination events per meiosis varies extensively among individuals. This recombination phenotype differs between female and male, and also among individuals of each gender. In this study, we used high-density SNP genotypes of over 2,300 individuals and their offspring in two datasets to characterize recombination landscape and to map the genetic variants that contribute to variation in recombination phenotypes. We found six genetic loci that are associated with recombination phenotypes. Two of these (RNF212 and an inversion on chromosome 17q21.31) were previously reported in the Icelandic population, and this is the first replication in any other population. Of the four newly identified loci (KIAA1462, PDZK1, UGCG, NUB1), results from expression studies provide support for their roles in meiosis. Each of the variants that we identified explains only a small fraction of the individual variation in recombination. Notably, we found different sequence variants associated with female and male recombination phenotypes, suggesting that they are regulated by different genes. Characterization of genetic variants that influence natural variation in meiotic recombination will lead to a better understanding of normal meiotic events as well as of non-disjunction, the primary cause of pregnancy loss. © 2009 Chowdhury et al
Detection of autoantibodies against reactive oxygen species modified glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 in type 1 diabetes associated complications
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Autoantibodies against glutamate decarboxylase-65 (GAD<sub>65</sub>Abs) are thought to be a major immunological tool involved in pathogenic autoimmunity development in various diseases. GAD<sub>65</sub>Abs are a sensitive and specific marker for type 1 diabetes (T1D). These autoantibodies can also be found in 6-10% of patients classified with type 2 diabetes (T2D), as well as in 1-2% of the healthy population. The latter individuals are at low risk of developing T1D because the prevalence rate of GAD<sub>65</sub>Abs is only about 0.3%. It has, therefore, been suggested that the antibody binding to GAD<sub>65 </sub>in these three different GAD<sub>65</sub>Ab-positive phenotypes differ with respect to epitope specificity. The specificity of reactive oxygen species modified GAD<sub>65 </sub>(ROS-GAD<sub>65</sub>) is already well established in the T1D. However, its association in secondary complications of T1D has not yet been ascertained. Hence this study focuses on identification of autoantibodies against ROS-GAD<sub>65 </sub>(ROS-GAD<sub>65</sub>Abs) and quantitative assays in T1D associated complications.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From the cohort of samples, serum autoantibodies from T1D retinopathic and nephropathic patients showed high recognition of ROS-GAD<sub>65 </sub>as compared to native GAD<sub>65 </sub>(N-GAD<sub>65</sub>). Uncomplicated T1D subjects also exhibited reactivity towards ROS-GAD<sub>65</sub>. However, this was found to be less as compared to the binding recorded from complicated subjects. These results were further proven by competitive ELISA estimations. The apparent association constants (AAC) indicate greater affinity of IgG from retinopathic T1D patients (1.90 × 10<sup>-6 </sup>M) followed by nephropathic (1.81 × 10<sup>-6 </sup>M) and uncomplicated (3.11 × 10<sup>-7 </sup>M) T1D patients for ROS-GAD<sub>65 </sub>compared to N-GAD<sub>65</sub>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Increased oxidative stress and blood glucose levels with extended duration of disease in complicated T1D could be responsible for the gradual formation and/or exposing cryptic epitopes on GAD<sub>65 </sub>that induce increased production of ROS-GAD<sub>65</sub>Abs. Hence regulation of ROS-GAD<sub>65</sub>Abs could offer novel tools for analysing and possibly treating T1D complications.</p
- …