Te mperature Dependent Decline in Soil Methane Oxidizing Bacterial Population in Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest Ecosystems

Abstract: Culturable methanotrophic bacteria (CMB) were studied in the soils of forest and savanna of tropical dry deciduous forest ecosystems employing most probable number (MPN) technique. The spatiotemporal study was conducted at the six sites differing in the soil physicochemical properties and vegetational cover. CMB population was high in the moist sites compared to the dry sites and in sub soil below 10 cm depth. The top soil population ranged between 7.0 × 10 4 to

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Novel gene transfer technologies

Gene transfer is the process by which a gene from any source can be introduced into plant cells or tissues. Gene transfer technologies are used to manipulate plant cells for scientific research as well as for commercial purposes like production of transgenics. Transgenic plants generated using these technologies are used either for field deployment or for identifying and evaluating gene and promoter function. In the last few decades, significant developments have been made in gene transfer technology since the discovery of Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a natural tool for plant transformation, and there is a long list of transgenic crop varieties that have now been released for commercial production. These advances are related to major improvements in Agrobacterium-mediated and direct DNA delivery techniques, along with modifications in tissue culture techniques for regenerating transgenic plants from transformed cells or tissues. Bananas are not lagging too far behind in this race, with many laboratories engaged in field trials of transgenic bananas carrying genes of interest. With efficient gene transfer technologies available for banana, banana transformation research is now more focussed on the problems associated with generating cell suspensions of recalcitrant cultivars, identifying useful gene/trait associations, promoters and problems associated with stable integration and reliable expression of the DNA once it has been integrated. This chapter focuses on the gene transfer technologies currently available for generating transgenic banana cultivars and summarises the various traits of interest for which genes have been transformed into bananas

Exploring complexity of class-A Beta-lactamase family using physiochemical-based multiplex networks

Abstract The Beta-lactamase protein family is vital in countering Beta-lactam antibiotics, a widely used antimicrobial. To enhance our understanding of this family, we adopted a novel approach employing a multiplex network representation of its multiple sequence alignment. Each network layer, derived from the physiochemical properties of amino acids, unveils distinct insights into the intricate interactions among nodes, thereby enabling the identification of key motifs. Nodes with identical property signs tend to aggregate, providing evidence of the presence of consequential functional and evolutionary constraints shaping the Beta-lactamase family. We further investigate the distribution of evolutionary links across various layers. We observe that polarity manifests the highest number of unique links at lower thresholds, followed by hydrophobicity and polarizability, wherein hydrophobicity exerts dominance at higher thresholds. Further, the combinations of polarizability and volume, exhibit multiple simultaneous connections at all thresholds. The combination of hydrophobicity, polarizability, and volume uncovers shared links exclusive to these layers, implying substantial evolutionary impacts that may have functional or structural implications. By assessing the multi-degree of nodes, we unveil the hierarchical influence of properties at each position, identifying crucial properties responsible for the protein’s functionality and providing valuable insights into potential targets for modulating enzymatic activity

In vitro micro propagation of Nicotiana benthamiana via axillary shoots

Axillary shoots of Nicotiana benthamiana were regenerated from nodal explants in two weeks using MS media supplemented with the cytokinin, kinetin (0.5 mg/L), and the auxin, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (0.1 mg/L). Ninety two percent of shoots were 2.1-20 mm tall, a size ideal for root induction. After transfer to hormone-free MS they readily produced roots within seven days, with phenotypically normal, fully developed plants being obtained within four weeks. Leaf chlorosis due to iron deficiency was observed in plants over time, however, this was overcome by doubling the concentration of inorganic iron. This rapid micro-propagation system is particularly useful for the in vitro mass production of N. benthamiana plants for various biotechnological applications

Seed germination and seedling development in taro (Colocasia esculenta)

Two taro (Colocasiaesculenta (L.) Schott var. esculenta) cultivars from Fiji and Papua New Guinea were grown at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, Fiji to produce seeds for seed storage experiments. Gibberellic acid at a 500ppm concentration was used to induce flowering. Very few flowering shoots (inflorescence) were observed in the Fiji cultivar and all pollinations were unsuccessful. However the PNG cultivar flowered well and was used to obtain seed after hand pollination. Hand pollination was carried out to ensure seed setting in developing fruits in the inflorescence. Seeds were extracted in the laboratory after harvesting mature inflorescences. Experiments were conducted on seed moisture content, desiccation, germination, seedling development and seed storage behaviour of taro (Colocasiaesculenta) seeds. Seed moisture content was determined using oven methods and air-drying. Results demonstrated that taro seeds have a moisture content of 12-13% after air-drying for three to four weeks. Seeds were dried to desired moisture contents in a desiccator over silica gel. After drying to 5% moisture content seed viability was tested by germinating seeds on moist filter paper at room temperature with 65% relative humidity and seven to eight hours day length. Preliminary seed germination tests demonstrated up to 83% germination for seeds with 13% moisture content. Germination occurred within five to seven days. Maximum germination was achieved within 21 days. The highest germination (80%) was achieved with seeds with 12% moisture content. Results indicated there was no relationship between moisture content and seed germination. Normal seedling development and growth was recorded after germination

Improving taro (Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta) production using biotechnological approaches

Taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) is an important crop worldwide but is of particular significance in many Pacific Island countries where it forms part of the staple diet and serves as an export commodity. Escalating pest and disease problems are jeopardizing taro production with serious implications to food security and trade. Biotechnological approaches to addressing pest and disease problems, such as somatic embryogenesis and transgenesis, are potentially viable options. However, despite biotechnological advancements in higher profile agronomic crops, such progress in relation to Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta has been slow. This paper reviews taro biology, highlights the cultural and economic significance of taro in Pacific Island countries and discusses the progress made towards the molecular breeding of this important crop to date

Factors affecting somatic embryogenesis and transformation in modern plant breeding

Somatic embryogenesis and transformation systems are indispensable modern plant breeding components since they provide an alternative platform to develop control strategies against the plethora of pests and diseases affecting many agronomic crops. This review discusses some of the factors affecting somatic embryogenesis and transformation, highlights the advantages and limitations of these systems and explores these systems as breeding tools for the development of crops with improved agronomic traits. The regeneration of non-chimeric transgenic crops through somatic embryogenesis with introduced disease and pest-resistant genes for instance, would be of significant benefit to growers worldwide