The genome sequence of Trypanosoma cruzi, etiologic agent of Chagas disease

Whole-genome sequencing of the protozoan pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi revealed that the diploid genome contains a predicted 22,570 proteins encoded by genes, of which 12,570 represent allelic pairs. Over 50% of the genome consists of repeated sequences, such as retrotransposons and genes for large families of surface molecules, which include trans-sialidases, mucins, gp63s, and a large novel family (>1300 copies) of mucin-associated surface protein (MASP) genes. Analyses of the T. cruzi, T. brucei, and Leishmania major (Tritryp) genomes imply differences from other eukaryotes in DNA repair and initiation of replication and reflect their unusual mitochondrial DNA. Although the Tritryp lack several classes of signaling molecules, their kinomes contain a large and diverse set of protein kinases and phosphatases; their size and diversity imply previously unknown interactions and regulatory processes, which may be targets for intervention.     

Nutrient management and submergence-tolerant varieties antecedently enhances the productivity and profitability of rice in flood-prone regions

Abstract

Poor productivity of rice in rainfed lowlands is due to complete submergence as it is a major abiotic stress of these regions. For enhancing the rice productivity of these areas, better nutrient management options are required and results may even better when combined with stress tolerant cultivars, even when tested under natural conditions of farmers’ field. For supporting the above statement, the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus in graded doses was evaluated for submergence tolerance in controlled conditions and the results obtained were tested and validated at farmers’ field in Cuttack, Odisha, India. Shoot elongation, leaf senescence and lodging were lowest with the application of higher phosphorus (60?kg ha^?1). Highest dose i.e. 100-60-40 NPK kg ha^?1 resulted in higher plant survival of all the varieties by 90–170% over no nutrient application, it was also reflected in the higher growth after recovery, leaf greenness, leaf and stem growth, chlorophyll and carbohydrate concentrations and ultimately higher grain yield. At farmers’ field, application of basal P, K and post-flood N management practice resulted in overall better performance of Swarna and Swarna-Sub1 showing higher yield attributes leading to 65.7 and 37.9% higher grain yield, over conventional practices followed by farmers. Apart from that results were more positive if post-flood nitrogen was applied as urea foliar spray might be due to quick absorption of N by plant leaves and also spraying helps in removing the silt of flood water sticking to the leaf surface and facilitated the plants to photosynthesize and survive after desubmergence. These cost-effective management options may enhance the productivity and profitability of rice in the flood-prone areas where farmers hesitate to apply nutrients.     

Genetic analysis of growth and wood variations in Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit.

We selected 28 populations of Leucaena leucocephala from different geographical locations in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Orissa of India on the basis of height and girth at breast height (GBH). We evaluated fiber length, optical density, wall thickness, vessel element length, vessel element diameter, specific gravity and lignin of these populations of L. leucocephala in different sites. Populations had significant variations for all growth, wood and paper parameters. Girth at breast height (GBH) and specific gravity were the most important parameters for heritability and genetic gain, respectively. The minimum heritability was reported for vessel element length and genetic gain for fiber length. The populations were grouped into six clusters, cluster II had maximum number of populations (14) and clusters IV and VI had one population each. GBH contributed maximum of 34.39 % towards total divergence followed by specific gravity (14.02%). An economic technique to produce quality seed by establishing seed orchards with genetically divergent parents was suggested. The hybridization among the populations selected from diverse clusters could produce greater heterosis needed for higher growth and suitable wood and paper manufacturing parameters.     

Simulating Runoff from Small Grazed Pasture Watersheds Located at North Appalachian Experimental Watershed in Ohio

Runoff from grazing pasture lands can impact water quality in receiving streams if not well managed. Management consists of conservation practices to reduce runoff and pollutants transport. Simulation models have been effectively used to design and implement these conservation practices. The Agricultural Policy Environmental Extender (APEX), a process-based hydrologic model, was used in this study to simulate the management impacts on surface runoff from three small grazed pasture watersheds located at the North Appalachian Experimental Watersheds near Coshocton, Ohio. Specific objectives of this study were to 1) calibrate the APEX model and test runoff predictions against measured runoff and 2) simulate the long-term impacts of different management scenarios on surface runoff. Results show that the APEX model simulated surface runoff reasonably well with the coefficient of determination (R²) and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency values varying from 0.49 to 0.72 and from 0.25 to 0.60 for calibration and validation, respectively. After validation, the APEX model was run for 37 yr (1975 ? 2011) for long-term scenarios to analyze the impacts of soil properties and management on surface runoff. Data from this study indicated that keeping the watershed land use as a hay meadow instead of grazing significantly reduced cumulative runoff by 58 ? 67%. Buffer strips of perennial grasses resulted in decreased simulated runoff. To simulate the impacts of soils on runoff, the surface (0 ? 5 cm) soil properties of the toe position were applied to the entire grazed watershed. Subsequently, the increase in soil richness resulted in reduction (≤ 5%) in surface runoff. The simulation results from the present study demonstrate the benefits of hayed meadow over grazed pasture and further predict the decreased trend of runoff due to soil properties change and buffer strips.     

Partial purification and characterization of a methyl-parathion resistance-associated general esterase in Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Increased hydrolytic metabolism of organophosphate insecticides has been associated with resistance among Nebraska western corn rootworm populations. In this study, resistance-associated esterases were partially purified by differential centrifugation, ion exchange, and hydroxyapatite column chromatography, with a final purification factor of 100-fold and recovery of approximately 10%. Kinetic analysis of the partially purified enzyme indicated that the K_m of the group II esterases was identical for the two populations, although V_max was consistently threefold higher in the resistant population. A putative esterase, DvvII, was further purified to homogeneity by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. DvvII is a monomer with a molecular weight of approximately 66 kDa, although three distinct isoforms with similar pIs were evident based on isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis. Immunoassays with the Myzus persicae E4 antiserum indicated that group II esterases from D. v. virgifera were cross-reactive and expressed at much higher titers in the resistant population relative to the susceptible counterpart. These results suggest that the resistance is likely associated with overproduction of an esterase isozyme in resistant D. v. virgifera populations.     

Effect of phosphorus on bacterial leaf spot disease incidence,and chemical composition and storage quality ofPiper betle leaves

Biochemical analysis of betel leaves infected by leaf spot and blight caused byXanthomonas campestris pv.betlicola showed a decrease in moisture, chlorophyll, protein, phenol and total carbohydrate contents as compared with healthy leaves. The decrease in these five parameters was 31-42%, 29-70%, 20-79%, 30-53% and 53-87%, respectively. Application of 100 kg P₂O₅/ha gave maximum height of vine, number of leaves per vine and fresh weight of 100 leaves, as compared with treatments of 25, 50, 75 and 125 kg P₂O₅/ha. Except for 25 kg P₂O₅/ha, all treatments enhanced the keeping quality compared with the control (no P₂O₅). Incidence of bacterial leaf spot decreased significantly as phosphorus level increased.     

White wine induced cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury is mediated by life extending Akt/FOXO3a/NFkappaB survival pathway

Recent studies on the protection afforded by moderate wine consumption against cardiovascular diseases have focused mainly on the activity of red wine in view of its high content of antioxidants, especially polyphenols. White wine lacks polyphenols, but it contains other compounds such as hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic acid) and monophenols (tyrosol), which are known to have antioxidant properties. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the effect of white wine in myocardial ischemic-reperfusion injury. The experimental rats were gavaged with white wine (Soave Suavia "Le Rive" 2004) at a dosage of 6.5 mL/(kg.rat.day) for 30 days. Rats were divided into four groups: control sham (CS), wine-treated sham (WS), control ischemia (I)/reperfusion (R) (CIR), and wine + IR (WIR). All the rats in both IR groups underwent 30 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 8, 24 h, and 30 days of reperfusion (R). Significant reduction in infarct size (21 vs 39%, n = 6), cardiomyocyte (274 vs 384 counts/100 HPF, n = 6), and endothelial cell apoptosis (387 vs 587 counts/100 HPF) was observed in WIR as compared with CIR after 24 h of reperfusion. Echocardiography demonstrated significant increased fractional shortening (32 vs 22%) and ejection fraction (60 vs 44%) following 30 days of reperfusion in WIR rats compared to CIR ( n = 6). In addition, increased phosphorylation of AKT, Foxo3a, and eNOS were found in WS and WIR, as compared to their respective controls. The gel-shift analysis demonstrated significant upregulation of DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB in the white wine-treated groups. This report demonstrated for the first time that the white wine mediated cardioprotection in ischemic reperfused myocardium is through the PI-3kinase/Akt/FOXO3a/e-NOS/NF-kappaB survival pathway.