The effects of temperature stress on the quality and yield of soya bean [(Glycine max L.) Merrill.]

Reproductive development and growth by crops is especially important for human welfare because we depend on crop fruits and seeds, directly and indirectly, for most of our food. Seed production by crops depends on vegetative development and growth, development of pollen and egg, pollination, and fertilization. The final size of individual seeds generally hinges on cell division within the embryo, followed by seed filling and maturation process. Environmental conditions prior to the shift to reproductive development usually affect by influencing photosynthesis per unit of leaf area, canopy development and interception of solar radiation per unit of ground area, and initiation of potential fruiting site; a strong positive correlation between canopy photosynthesis per unit of ground area and seed number exists for most crops. For many crops where they are now grown, an increase of just a few °C significantly reduce yield. Dependence on soybeans for food and feed has increased rapidly in many countries during the last 30 years. Nutritionists believe that utilization of soybeans should continue to increase in order to provide better nourishment for people throughout the world. For this goal to be realize, present production areas must produce more soybeans and new production areas must be established

Formation of soluble amyloid oligomers and amyloid fibrils by the multifunctional protein vitronectin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The multifunctional protein vitronectin is present within the deposits associated with Alzheimer disease (AD), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), atherosclerosis, systemic amyloidoses, and glomerulonephritis. The extent to which vitronectin contributes to amyloid formation within these plaques, which contain misfolded, amyloidogenic proteins, and the role of vitronectin in the pathophysiology of the aforementioned diseases is currently unknown. The investigation of vitronectin aggregation is significant since the formation of oligomeric and fibrillar structures are common features of amyloid proteins.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We observed vitronectin immunoreactivity in senile plaques of AD brain, which exhibited overlap with the amyloid fibril-specific OC antibody, suggesting that vitronectin is deposited at sites of amyloid formation. Of particular interest is the growing body of evidence indicating that soluble nonfibrillar oligomers may be responsible for the development and progression of amyloid diseases. In this study we demonstrate that both plasma-purified and recombinant human vitronectin readily form spherical oligomers and typical amyloid fibrils. Vitronectin oligomers are toxic to cultured neuroblastoma and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, possibly via a membrane-dependent mechanism, as they cause leakage of synthetic vesicles. Oligomer toxicity was attenuated in RPE cells by the anti-oligomer A11 antibody. Vitronectin fibrils contain a C-terminal protease-resistant fragment, which may approximate the core region of residues essential to amyloid formation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data reveal the propensity of vitronectin to behave as an amyloid protein and put forth the possibilities that accumulation of misfolded vitronectin may contribute to aggregate formation seen in age-related amyloid diseases.</p

PEG-asparaginase induced severe hypertriglyceridemia

Asparaginase (ASP) is an effective chemotherapy agent extensively used in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). There has been a recent interest in using ASP in adults with ALL, particularly the less toxic pegylated (PEG) formulation. Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a rare complication of PEG-ASP therapy. We report two cases of obese patients who developed severe HTG after receiving PEG for ALL. Both patients were incidentally found to have severe HTG (TG of 4,330 and 4,420 mg/dL). In both patients, there was no personal or family history of dyslipidemia or hypothyroidism. There was no evidence of pancreatitis or skin manifestations of HTG. Both patients were treated with PEG cessation, low-fat diet and pharmacotherapy. Both patients were re-challenged with PEG, with subsequent increase in TG but no associated complications. TG returned to baseline after discontinuing PEG and while on therapy for HTG. A literature review of PEG-induced HTG in adults demonstrated similar results: asymptomatic presentation despite very severe HTG. HTG is a rare but clinically important adverse effect of PEG. Underlying obesity and/or diabetes may represent risk factors. Clinicians should monitor TG levels during PEG therapy to avoid TG-induced pancreatitis