Association between p53?Codon 72 (Arg72Pro) Polymorphism and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in Iranian Patients

Background: Glaucomatous neuropathy is a type of cell death due to apoptosis. The p53 gene is one of the regulatory genes of apoptosis. Recently, the association between the p53 gene encoding for proline at codon 72 and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) has been studied in some ethnic groups. This study is the first association analysis of POAG and p53 codon 72 polymorphism in Iranian patients. Methods: A cohort of 65 unrelated patients with POAG (age range from 12-62 years, mean ± SD of 40.16 ± 17.51 years) and 65 unrelated control subjects (without glaucoma, age range of 14-63 years, mean ± SD of 35.64 ± 13.61 years) were selected. In Iranian POAG patients and normal healthy controls, the p53 codon 72 polymorphism in exon 4 was amplified using polymerase chain reaction. The amplified DNA fragments were digested with the BstUI restriction enzyme, and the digestion patterns were used to identify the alleles for the polymorphic site. Results: Comparisons revealed significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies of Pro72Arg between POAG patients and control group. A higher risk of POAG was associated with allele Pro (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2–3.4) and genotype Pro/Pro (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 0.13-12.7). Conclusion: The p53 Pro72 allele was more frequent in Iranian POAG patients than in the control group (P<0.05). The present findings show that the individuals with the Pro/Pro genotype may be more likely to develop POAG. However, additional studies are necessary to confirm this association. Key Words: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), Glaucoma, p53, Codon 72, Iran     

Exploring influential plant traits for enhancing upland cotton yield under salt stress

This research was conducted to explore genetic material that can yield better under salt stress conditions. The experiment was laid out using 27 upland cotton genotypes in a RCBD 2 factorial arrangement with two replications. Saline water (NaCl at 20 dS/m) was applied after satisfactory emergence was achieved. The crop was raised to maturity and data relating to yield, fiber quality and ionic traits were recorded. Analysis of variance showed significant variations in the germplasm. Plant height, bolls per plant, boll weight, GOT%, staple length, staple strength, K⁺ and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio under salinity stress showed a highly significant correlation with seed-cotton yield. The highest direct effect on seedcotton yield per plant was exhibited by bolls per plant and boll weight. The results from the correlation and path coefficient analyses revealed that although the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio had a strong positively significant association with seedcotton yield, its direct effect on the seed-cotton yield was negative and thus selection on the basis of K⁺/Na⁺ may not be fruitful. Hence, only indirect selection through bolls per plant and boll weight may be effective in increasing the seedcotton yield per plant under salinity stress.     

Effect of humic acid on growth and crop nutrient status of wheat on two different soils

The effect of plant-derived humic acid (PDHA) and coal-derived humic acid (CDHA) on wheat growth was tested on two alkaline calcareous soils in pots. Humic acid derived from plant and coal materials was applied at the rate 0 (control), 50 and 100 kg/ha to wheat in pots carrying two soils viz. clayey loam soil and sandy loam soil separately. Data was collected on plant growth parameters such as spike weight, grain and straw weight, and plant nutrients (macronutrients and micronutrients). Results showed that spike weight increased by 19%, 15%, and 26%, and 11% with application of PDHA at the rate of 50 and 100 mg/kg in clayey loam and sandy loam soil, respectively. Grain yield show an increase of 21% and 11% over control with application of PDHA and CDHA at the rate of 50 mg/kg on both soils, respectively, and 10% and 22% with application of PDHA and CDHA at the rate of 100 mg/kg on both soils.     

Heavy metals in vegetables and their impact on the nutrient quality of vegetables: A review

Vegetables are vital to the human diet, and in particular provide the well-known nutrients to maintain normal physiological functions. The prolonged application of large amount of fertilizers and pesticides has resulted in heavy metal accumulation in vegetable gardens. Exposure to heavy metals by the consumption of contaminated vegetables and its toxicity is a serious concern. This article reviews the presence of heavy metals in different vegetables, their mechanism of absorption, impact of heavy metals on physiology, and nutrient reduction and associated impact on humans with emphasis on pregnant women based on the existing scientific literature. However, a limited number of studies was found in the data base that examined the reduction of nutrients in the vegetables due to heavy metal contamination. The heavy metals were found in 36 vegetables in 61 regions of the world and were above permissible limits in most of the vegetables. Specific study to human toxicity due to the contamination of heavy metals may be conducted with emphasis on pregnant women, children, and elderly people. Furthermore, strategy and policy should be devised to control the heavy metals in vegetables and those vegetables that are hyper-accumulators of heavy metals should be identified for awareness purposes.     

Nutrients balance for improvement of phytoremediation ability of teak seedlings (Tectona grandis)

As a green technique, plant-based remediation systems can be used to remove nitrogen (N) pollutants from N-rich wastewaters. However, the excess amount of N and shortage of other nutrients in this system limits the plant growth and affects the plant remediation efficiency. In this study, the effect of adding phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to the N-enriched wastewater on growth and N-removal efficiency of teak seedlings (Tectona grandis) was evaluated. Twelve ratios of N:P:K were applied to teak seedlings and the related effects were compared with those in control solution containing only N. The results indicated that a ratio of 1N:0.5P:1K increased dry matter accumulation in teak seedlings by improving the balance of nutrients in plants. Teak seedlings grown in nutritionally-improved system eliminated 33.8% N more than those grown in only N solution. The water loss through plant uptake was also enhanced in the improved system up to 56%.     

Evaluation of foot and mouth vaccination for yak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos grunniens</Emphasis>) in Pakistan

In northern Pakistan, many farming communities rely on domestic yak (Bos grunniens) as a principle source of income. A 2006 participatory disease surveillance report from this region indicated that foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is the most prevalent annual disease of yak. Our objectives of this study were to determine exposure levels of yak to FMD virus; implement a vaccination program based on current, regional FMD virus serotypes and subtypes; and quantify immune responses following vaccination. Blood samples were used to determine pre-vaccination exposure of animals to FMD virus by antibody presence to non-structural proteins of FMD virus using a 3-ABC trapping indirect ELISA. Vaccine used consisted of FMD serotypes ‘O’ (PanAsia-2), ‘A’ (Iran-05), and ‘Asia-1’ (Shamir), but changed later during the study to match newly circulating viruses in the country (‘O’-PanAsia-2; ‘A’-Turk-06 and Asia-1-Sindh-08). Three hundred sixty-three blood samples were tested from selected villages to determine pre-vaccination FMD virus exposure in yak with an average of 37.7%. Immune responses from initial vaccination and booster dose 30 days later showed clear protective levels (as mean percent inhibition) of antibodies against structural proteins of serotypes ‘O,’ ‘A,’ and ‘Asia-1.’ These responses remained above threshold positive level even at day 210 following initial vaccination. Results of sero-surveillance and anecdotal information of repeated FMD outbreaks demonstrate the persistence of FMD virus of yak in northern Pakistan. Laboratory results and field observations clearly indicated that yak can be protected against FMD with a good quality vaccine with FMD serotype(s) matching current, regionally circulating FMD virus.     

Gravitropic reaction in the growth of tea roots.

In Japan, tea (Camellia sinenis (L.) Kuntze) seedlings are propagated by cutting. A root system of clonal plants by cutting consists of adventitious roots and lateral roots. Most of the roots grow horizontally, which results in a shallow distribution of the root system. Such a shallow root system could be one of the factors contributing to the deterioration of nutrient uptake and resistance to water stress. Gravitropism of the roots is considered to be a decisive factor that controls the depth of a root system. The authors have investigated changes in the growth direction of roots to gravitative stimulus, using several kinds of roots (seminal roots, lateral roots and adventitious roots). Furthermore, amyloplasts in the root-cap cells, which are considered to be an equipment sensing gravistimulus, were observed. Seminal roots prominently showed orthogravitropism and contained many amyloplast particles in their root cap cells. Most lateral and adventitious roots showed plagiogravitropism, growing in an angle to gravistimulus, and lacked observable amyloplast particles in their root cap cells. The results suggest that the shallowing of root systems of elonal tea plants could be attributed to a gravitropic reaction of the adventitious and lateral roots composing the root system. There could also be a close relationship between the growth direction of roots and the presence of amyloplasts in root-cap cells.     

Fibrosarcoma adjacent to the site of microchip implantation in a cat

A 14-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat presented with an interscapular mass. A computed tomography scan, biopsy, and histological examination revealed a fibrosarcoma adjacent to a pet identification microchip. Because the cat was previously vaccinated at this site, it is not possible to establish definitive causation of the fibrosarcoma, but this is the first report of a tumor in the vicinity of a microchip in a cat. Microchip-associated tumors have been reported in rodents and dogs. Veterinarians should be aware that because inflammation may predispose felines to tumor formation, separation and observation of vaccination and implantation sites are indicated. Adherence to American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) vaccination guidelines and monitoring of microchip implantation sites are recommended.