The molecular basis of host specialization in bean pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae

Biotrophic phytopathogens are typically limited to their adapted host range. In recent decades, investigations have teased apart the general molecular basis of intraspecific variation for innate immunity of plants, typically involving receptor proteins that enable perception of pathogen-associated molecular patterns or avirulence elicitors from the pathogen as triggers for defense induction. However, general consensus concerning evolutionary and molecular factors that alter host range across closely related phytopathogen isolates has been more elusive. Here, through genome comparisons and genetic manipulations, we investigate the underlying mechanisms that structure host range across closely related strains of Pseudomonas syringae isolated from different legume hosts. Although type III secretionindependent virulence factors are conserved across these three strains, we find that the presence of two genes encoding type III effectors (hopC1 and hopM1) and the absence of another (avrB2) potentially contribute to host range differences between pathovars glycinea and phaseolicola. These findings reinforce the idea that a complex genetic basis underlies host range evolution in plant pathogens. This complexity is present even in host–microbe interactions featuring relatively little divergence among both hosts and their adapted pathogens

Ethnobotanical studies on Berberis aristata DC. root extracts

The aqueous and alcoholic extract of fresh Berberis aristata DC roots, as well as aqueous extract of dried roots were compared for their antibacterial and antifungal activities by the disc diffusion method.All three extracts showed wide antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Among the Gramnegative bacteria tested, the antibacterial activity was limited to Escherichia coli, Salmonellatyphimurium, Shigella dysenteriae type 1 and Vibrio cholerae; with the best activity against V. cholerae. MICs of the alcoholic extracts against Gram-positive bacteria ranged between 3.8 ×10-3 to 6.1 ×10-3 mg/ml and for Gram-negative bacteria from 6.1 ×10-3 to 7.6 10-3 mg/ml. The MICs for Candida species ranged between 0.02 to 3.8 ×10-3 mg/ml and for Aspergillus species, it was 3 × 10-3 mg/ml. All three extracts also had antifungal activity against the fungal species tested, except Candida krusei. The extracts of B. aristata also demonstrated anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities.Chemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, amino acids, tannins, terpenes, resins, phenols and reducing sugars as major compounds. FTIR-spectral analysis of all the extracts revealed thepresence of berberine, as a major constituent, along with other chemical constituents

Effect of fulvic acids on lead-induced oxidative stress to metal sensitive Vicia faba L. plant

Lead (Pb) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant capable to induce various morphological, physiological, and biochemical functions in plants. Only few publications focus on the influence of Pb speciation both on its phytoavailability and phytotoxicity. Therefore, Pb toxicity (in terms of lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide induction, and photosynthetic pigments contents) was studied in Vicia faba plants in relation with Pb uptake and speciation. V. faba seedlings were exposed to Pb supplied as Pb(NO3)2 or complexed by two fulvic acids (FAs), i.e. Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA) and Elliott Soil fulvic acid (ESFA), for 1, 12, and 24 h under controlled hydroponic conditions. For both FAs, Pb uptake and translocation by Vicia faba increased at low level (5 mg l−1), whereas decreased at high level of application (25 mg l−1). Despite the increased Pb uptake with FAs at low concentrations, there was no influence on the Pb toxicity to the plants. However, at high concentrations, FAs reduced Pb toxicity by reducing its uptake. These results highlighted the role of the dilution factor for FAs reactivity in relation with structure; SRFA was more effective than ESFA in reducing Pb uptake and alleviating Pb toxicity to V. faba due to comparatively strong binding affinity for the heavy metal

Not just bricks and mortar: planning hospital cancer services for Aboriginal people

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Aboriginal people in Australia experience higher mortality from cancer compared with non-Aboriginal Australians, despite an overall lower incidence. A notable contributor to this disparity is that many Aboriginal people do not take up or continue with cancer treatment which almost always occurs within major hospitals.</p> <p>Thirty in-depth interviews with urban, rural and remote Aboriginal people affected by cancer were conducted between March 2006 and September 2007. Interviews explored participants' beliefs about cancer and experiences of cancer care and were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded independently by two researchers. NVivo7 software was used to assist data management and analysis. Information from interviews relevant to hospital services including and building design was extracted.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Relationships and respect emerged as crucial considerations of participants although many aspects of the hospital environment were seen as influencing the delivery of care. Five themes describing concerns about the hospital environment emerged: (i) being alone and lost in a big, alien and inflexible system; (ii) failure of open communication, delays and inefficiency in the system; (iii) practicalities: costs, transportation, community and family responsibilities; (iv) the need for Aboriginal support persons; and (v) connection to the community.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Design considerations and were identified but more important than the building itself was the critical need to build trust in health services. Promotion of cultural safety, support for Aboriginal family structures and respecting the importance of place and community to Aboriginal patients are crucial in improving cancer outcomes.</p

Determination of Alpha-i Antitrypsin Genetic Deficiency in Duodenal Ulcer by Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective: To confirm alpha-I-AT deficiency status in duodenal ulcer using a combination of PCR and restricted enzyme digestion. Methods: Fifty patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer and hundred controls with no signs of the disease were included. Alpha-i-AT phenotypes were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Results:Alpha-I-AT concentration in duodenal ulcer patients showed a mean value of 2.12 ± 0.11g/1 (range: 0.52-3.95 g/1, p Conclusion: Alpha-1 AT deficiency was found in 10% of duodenal ulcer patients. DNA analysis more accurately resolved the phenotypes as S and Z mutations (JPMA 52:545; 2002)

COVID-19 as a global challenge: towards an inclusive and sustainable future

COVID-19 is a global challenge that demands researchers, policy makers, and governments address multiple dimensions which go far beyond the implications of this pandemic for health and wellbeing. Just as the UN Sustainable Development Goals call for focus on the connections between development policy sectors, the pandemic has exposed the complex global interdependencies that underpin economies and highlighted fault lines in societal structures that perpetuate ethnic, economic, social, and gender inequalities. Here, we highlight the pandemic's emerging potential consequences for achieving sustainable development with respect to the six global challenge areas we collectively address at the UK Research and Innovation's Global Challenges Research Fund:1 food systems; education; cities and sustainable infrastructure; security, protracted conflict, refugee crises, and forced displacement; environmental resilience; and global health. As the immediate health consequences of the pandemic unfold and begin to be superseded by the impact of public health containment measures, we call for a refocusing of research and action not only to mitigate these impacts but to build sustainability and strengthened resilience into future recovery

Solid-state NMR study of the YadA membrane-anchor domain in the bacterial outer membrane.

MAS-NMR was used to study the structure and dynamics at ambient temperatures of the membrane-anchor domain of YadA (YadA-M) in a pellet of the outer membrane of E. coli in which it was expressed. YadA is an adhesin from the pathogen Yersinia enterocolitica that is involved in interactions with the host cell, and it is a model protein for studying the autotransport process. Existing assignments were sucessfully transferred to a large part of the YadA-M protein in the E. coli lipid environment by using 13C-13C DARR and PDSD spectra at different mixing times. The chemical shifts in most regions of YadA-M are unchanged relative to those in microcrystalline YadA-M preparations from which a structure has previously been solved, including the ASSA region that is proposed to be involved in transition-state hairpin formation for transport of the soluble domain. Comparisons of the dynamics between the microcrystalline and membrane-embedded samples indicate greater flexibility of the ASSA region in the outer-membrane preparation at physiological temperatures. This study will pave the way towards MAS-NMR structure determination of membrane proteins, and a better understanding of functionally important dynamic residues in native membrane environments

Long-term field metal extraction by pelargonium:phytoextraction efficiency in relation to plant maturity

The long length of periods required for effective soil remediation via phytoextraction constitutes a weak point that reduces its industrial use. However, these calculated periods are mainly based on short-term and/or hydroponic controlled experiments. Moreover, only a few studies concern more than one metal, although soils are scarcely polluted by only one element.In this scientific context, the phytoextraction of metals and metalloids (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu,and As) by Pelargonium was measured after a long-term field experiment. Both bulk and rhizosphere soils were analyzed in order to determine the mechanisms involved in soil-root transfer. First, a strong increase in lead phytoextraction was observed with plant maturity, significantly reducing the length of the period required for remediation. Rhizosphere Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, and As accumulation was observed (compared to bulk soil), indicating metal mobilization by the plant, perhaps in relation to root activity. Moreover, metal phytoextraction and translocation were found to be a function of the metals’ nature. These results, taken altogether, suggest that Pelargonium could be used as a multi-metal hyperaccumulator under multi-metal soil contamination conditions, and they also provide an interesting insight for improving field phytoextraction remediation in terms of the length of time required, promoting this biological technique

Atrial natriuretic peptide levels in Plasma and in Cardiac tissues after chronic hypoxia in Rats

1. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels were measured in cardiac tissues and in plasma from adult rats exposed to chronic alveolar hypoxia for periods of 2 h, 24 h and 7 days. Levels were also measured in rats that were maintained in hypoxia for 7 days and then returned to air for 24 h. 2. Plasma ANP was not altered at 2 h but was significantly increased at both 24 h and at 7 days. Plasma ANP in animals exposed to hypoxia for 7 days was normal 24 h after returning to air breathing, despite the persistence of indices of pulmonary hypertension. 3. No significant right atrial hypertrophy was observed under these conditions of chronic hypoxia. A reduction in right atrial ANP content was found at 24 h and was accompanied by a decrease in the number of electrondense granules per right atrial muscle cell. After exposure to hypoxia for 7 days, right atrial ANP and granule number was not different from control, and no alteration was found in right atrial ANP level after removal from the hypoxic environment. 4. No significant right ventricular hypertrophy was produced by exposure to hypoxia for 2 or 24 h. In the former group ventricular ANP had decreased significantly compared with control. Right ventricular hypertrophy was found in both the hypoxic groups after exposure for 7 days, when selective increases in right ventricular ANP content were found. 5. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that ANP release occurs on exposure to chronic hypoxia and is independent of the associated cardiac hypertrophy and pulmonary vascular remodelling. The findings may have relevance to the natriuresis and reported changes in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis under hypoxic conditions