Transient expression of βC1 protein differentially regulates host genes related to stress response, chloroplast and mitochondrial functions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Geminiviruses are emerging plant pathogens that infect a wide variety of crops including cotton, cassava, vegetables, ornamental plants and cereals. The geminivirus disease complex consists of monopartite begomoviruses that require betasatellites for the expression of disease symptoms. These complexes are widespread throughout the Old World and cause economically important diseases on several crops. A single protein encoded by betasatellites, termed βC1, is a suppressor of gene silencing, inducer of disease symptoms and is possibly involved in virus movement. Studies of the interaction of βC1 with hosts can provide useful insight into virus-host interactions and aid in the development of novel control strategies. We have used the differential display technique to isolate host genes which are differentially regulated upon transient expression of the βC1 protein of chili leaf curl betasatellite (ChLCB) in <it>Nicotiana tabacum</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Through differential display analysis, eight genes were isolated from <it>Nicotiana tabacum</it>, at two and four days after infitration with βC1 of ChLCB, expressed under the control of the <it>Cauliflower mosaic virus </it>35S promoter. Cloning and sequence analysis of differentially amplified products suggested that these genes were involved in ATP synthesis, and acted as electron carriers for respiration and photosynthesis processes. These differentially expressed genes (DEGs) play an important role in plant growth and development, cell protection, defence processes, replication mechanisms and detoxification responses. Kegg orthology based annotation system analysis of these DEGs demonstrated that one of the genes, coding for polynucleotide nucleotidyl transferase, is involved in purine and pyrimidine metabolic pathways and is an RNA binding protein which is involved in RNA degradation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>βC1 differentially regulated genes are mostly involved in chloroplast and mitochondrial functions. βC1 also increases the expression of those genes which are involved in purine and pyrimidine metabolism. This information gives a new insight into the interaction of βC1 with the host and can be used to understand host-virus interactions in follow-up studies.</p

Lactobacilli: Application in Food Industry

Lactobacillus is an important class of Gram-positive, non-spore-forming bacteria for food industrial applications. The genus Lactobacillus is a potential candidate in fermentation technology for the production of fermented food, feed, and pharmaceutical products. The diverse features of Lactobacilli based on their capability to produce acids, enzymes, bacteriocins by fermenting carbohydrates. Lactobacilli have probiotic potential and therefore applied in dairy [cheese, yoghurt, fermented milk] and nondairy products such as sausages, juices as well as in animal feed in the form of starter culture. Among Lactobacilli, lactic acid-producing bacteria are applied as starter cultures in a variety of fermented foods. Lactobacilli are the natural microflora of the gastrointestinal tract and play a beneficial role against infections. The ability of Lactobacilli to produce bacteriocins and other antifungal compound lead to the development of bioprotective cultures for use in different foods. Bacteriocins has wide applications in food industries for preventing the attack of foodborne pathogens and for manufacturing active packaging materials. This chapter aimed to review significant industrial applications of Lactobacilli with specified strains and also starter cultures with their potential beneficial effects are engrossed. The chapter highlights the commercial applications of Lactobacilli in the food, feed, wine and pharmaceutical industries

Application of glucose oxidase for the production of metal gluconates by fermentation

The present study deals with the application of glucose oxidase (GOX) for the production of metal gluconates by fermentation method. It provides a method for the conversion of glucose into gluconic acid and its derivatives using the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOX). Due to the presence of calcium carbonate in fermentation medium the gluconic acid is converted into calcium gluconate. Conditions like concentration of substrate, temperature, pH, fermentation period and different phosphate sources were optimized during fermentation. The maximum GOX activity was observed at 35°C (pH 5.5) after 44 h of incubation at 100 rpm. At the maximum enzyme activity, the percentage yield of gluconates are also maximum; both go side by side. Sulphuric and oxalic acids method were employed for the production of gluconic acid. Derivatives of gluconic acid that is, calcium lactate gluconate, sodium gluconate, potassium gluconate, zinc gluconate and copper gluconate were formed by using double displacement and direct methods. The direct method gave the better yield. The percentage yields were 73, 89.63, 81.93, 92.86 and 81.53%, respectively. Keywords: Glucose oxidase (GOX), metal gluconate, double displacement

Essential Oils Based Nano Formulations against Postharvest Fungal Rots

Postharvest phytopathogenic rot fungi affect the quality and quantity of perishable fruits and vegetables. About 30–40% peaches deteriorate annually after harvest in world whereas 40–50% losses are reported from Pakistan. Our research envisages importance of an eco-friendly plant essential oils based nano formulations as a management strategy against postharvest deteriorating fungal rots by enhancing their shelf-life and to attenuate reliance on synthetic fungicides. Plant essential oils mode of action against fungal postharvest rots is responsible of rupturing plasma membrane of fungal cell wall. The natural ripening process of perishable commodities does not get affected by the presence of antifungal packaging in the form of plant essential oil nano formulations as no significant alteration in weight loss of produce was recorded. Challenges in applying EOs for microbial suppression in postharvest systems include optimizing their positioning in commercial fruit storage containers. Several innovative approaches are analyzed in terms of work environment and implementation regarding disease management along with future perspectives in concerning field

Impoverished Rural Districts of Pakistan: An Independent Evaluation of Impact on Educational and Cognitive Outcomes in Sindh Province, Pakistan

This article presents findings of cognitive and performance assessment among recipient and non?recipient school girls in the catchment schools of the Tawana Pakistan Project using standardised matrices. This is the first such evaluation of the relationship of a school feeding programme with developmental outcomes in rural Pakistan. There was evidence of benefits of the school feeding programme on a range of outcomes with significant improvement in the literacy and numeracy scores. The paired analysis showed a significant improvement (p&lt;0.001) in Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices and Draw?a?Person test while no association was established in grade performance assessment (GPA). The correlation analyses in terms of the effects of intervention on child cognitive development confirmed the positive correlation in all aspects. DID estimates also revealed an improvement in cognitive outcomes due to the programme. Findings support such potential programmes for improving educational and cognitive outcomes of primary school girls in impoverished districts of Pakistan