Structure-Function Studies of DNA Binding Domain of Response Regulator KdpE Reveals Equal Affinity Interactions at DNA Half-Sites

Expression of KdpFABC, a K+ pump that restores osmotic balance, is controlled by binding of the response regulator KdpE to a specific DNA sequence (kdpFABCBS) via the winged helix-turn-helix type DNA binding domain (KdpEDBD). Exploration of E. coli KdpEDBD and kdpFABCBS interaction resulted in the identification of two conserved, AT-rich 6 bp direct repeats that form half-sites. Despite binding to these half-sites, KdpEDBD was incapable of promoting gene expression in vivo. Structure-function studies guided by our 2.5 Å X-ray structure of KdpEDBD revealed the importance of residues R193 and R200 in the α-8 DNA recognition helix and T215 in the wing region for DNA binding. Mutation of these residues renders KdpE incapable of inducing expression of the kdpFABC operon. Detailed biophysical analysis of interactions using analytical ultracentrifugation revealed a 2∶1 stoichiometry of protein to DNA with dissociation constants of 200±100 and 350±100 nM at half-sites. Inactivation of one half-site does not influence binding at the other, indicating that KdpEDBD binds independently to the half-sites with approximately equal affinity and no discernable cooperativity. To our knowledge, these data are the first to describe in quantitative terms the binding at half-sites under equilibrium conditions for a member of the ubiquitous OmpR/PhoB family of proteins

Reverse Landscaping – A proposal for reconstructing the disappearing landscapes through a multi-disciplinary approach

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The fifteenth SDG of the United Nations focuses on halting and reversing land degradations and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems on land. Land degradation is an important environmental crisis of the world. Anthropogenic activities are, directly or indirectly, the critical controlling factor of the geomorphic processes that cause land degradation. This paper suggests the methods to reconstruct or protect the endangered landscapes of the vulnerable environment. Diagnosing the geomorphic processes involved in the evolution of the endangered landscape will help to identify the external factors that redefined the geomorphic processes of the critical land area, including anthropogenic activities and environmental parameters. After recognizing the sole parameters of land degradation, proper natural remedies to reverse the current geomorphic dynamics were suggested. The word 'Reverse Landscaping' is suggested for indicating the whole processes of appreciation of past and present geomorphic processes, diagnosis and interpretation of the factors that redefined the geomorphic activities and suggesting and formulating an environmental management plan for reconstructing the endangered landscape. The authors came up with a pilot study of a subsiding estuarine island ecosystem in this paper. The Munroe Island, a group of brackish islands and islets located in the conjunction of &amp;lt;em&amp;gt;Kallada &amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;River and &amp;lt;em&amp;gt;Ashtamudi &amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;Backwater of Kerala along the SW coast of India, has been experiencing severe environmental degradations such as land subsidence, severe tidal/ monsoon flooding, the subsidence of build-ups and a severe decay of agricultural productivity. The study found that anthropogenic activities such as choking the freshwater discharges and sediment supply due to the construction of the &amp;lt;em&amp;gt;Thenmala&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt; reservoir dam in the &amp;lt;em&amp;gt;Kallada&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt; river and uncontrolled sand mining are the key factors of Munroe Island&amp;amp;#8217;s environmental degradation. The saline water trapped in the sand mining trenches, the tidal dynamics due to the bathymetric changes in the estuary, and changes in the agricultural and constructional practice of the inhabitants also attribute to the land degradation of the region. The temporal bathymetric surveys, salinity measurements, borehole data logs and the electrical resistivity meter surveys of the affected region were incorporated, along with the questionnaire surveys and focus group discussions, to the findings on the geomorphic processes for interpreting the sustainability of the region. The paper describes the role and co-linkages of anthropo-geomorphic and hydrodynamic interventions of the &amp;lt;em&amp;gt;Kallada &amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;river basin and &amp;lt;em&amp;gt;Ashtamudi &amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;backwater systems in charge of environmental degradation and land subsidence crisis of a deltaic backwater island. Finally, the paper came up with proper management plans to retreat the land neutrality in this estuarine island landscape. The management proposals include ways to decrease the river depth and to increase the freshwater flow as and when required by regulating the sediment supply and freshwater flow from the reservoir. It also suggested reducing the soil erosion within the affected area and increasing the agricultural productivity of the soil by supplying additional artificial sedimentation. The Reverse Landscaping plan of Munroe islands comprises the proposals for reducing the land degradation scenario, socio-environmental well-being, and the region's economic growth in a sustainable manner.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;</jats:p

Gastric Adenocarcinoma with Prostatic Metastasis

Metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma to the prostate gland is extremely rare. Herein, we report a case of gastric adenocarcinoma in a 56-year-old man with prostatic metastasis diagnosed through the analysis of biopsy specimens from representative lesions in the stomach and prostate gland. Immunohistochemistry of the prostatic tissue showed positive staining for cytokeratin 7 and negative staining for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), whereas the serum PSA level was normal, confirming the diagnosis of prostatic metastasis from carcinoma of the stomach

Climate Change Impact on Design Waves Using Climate Models

The significant wave height, Hs, with a return period of 100years or the design wave height is traditionally evaluated on the basis of historical observations or simulated wave data. This work examines what can happen if the same is done on the basis of projected or futuristic wave data at a series of coastal locations along the country’s coastline. The design waves were derived at each location n on the basis of numerically simulated wave heights over two time slices of past and future. The wave model was forced by the CanESM2 regional climate model (RCM) run for a moderate warming scenario. The simulated daily values of Hs were fitted to the Generalized Pareto Distribution using the peak-over-threshold (POT) scheme, and 100-year Hs was derived separately for past and projected data at each site. The comparison of design Hs values derived as per projected data with those obtained from the historical data generally showed rise in the design Hs at most of the locations with some exceptions. The western coastal sites showed higher change than the eastern ones. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019