Exploring the genetic makeup and population structure among Capsicum accessions for crop improvement and breeding curriculum insights.

BACKGROUND: Capsicum or chilli is an important crop in India which exhibits immense structural and genetic variations reflecting their intra- and inter-specific relationships. The aim of this study was to establish relationships amongst 54 Capsicum accessions through analysis of genetic and population structure using ISSR markers. RESULTS: Out of 19, successful DNA amplifications were shown by 7 ISSR primers and a total of 80 bands were identified ranging between 8 and 14 with an average of 11.43 bands/primer. A significant degree of polymorphic information content (PIC), discriminating power (DP), resolving power (RP), effective multiplex ratio (EMR), and marker index (MI) were identified as 0.39, 0.70, 6.40, 5.88, and 2.30, respectively, using ISSR markers in chillies. The cross-transferability ranged from 8.0 to 72.15% with an average of 52.63% among chillies. Amongst genetic information, grand mean values were 0.264, 0.180, 0.376, 0.296, and 0.180, which correspond to Shannon's information index (I), expected heterozygosity (He), Nei's gene diversity, total diversity among species (Ht), diversity within species (Hs), respectively. Further, the coefficients of gene differentiation (Gst) and gene flow (Nm) were 0.393 and 0.773, representing higher genetic variation among the population which was confirmed by analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). CONCLUSION: ISSR markers represented a potent system for the estimation of relationships or variation studies and generated information useful for planning crop management and improvement strategies in chilli breeding.

Zinc homeostasis in immunity and its association with preterm births.

Preterm birth is among the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes and is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. While trace elements are essential for humans, their specific roles in the prenatal period remain unexplored. Zinc, a ubiquitous element, plays a pivotal role in protein synthesis, cell division, nucleic acid metabolism, apoptosis, ageing, reproduction, immunological and antioxidant defence mechanism. Although zinc quantities are very small in body tissue, it is involved in every conceivable biochemical pathway, which is critical for the performance of various functions necessary to sustain life. Owing to the multifactorial role of zinc, it is not possible to attribute a certain zinc-dependent mechanism in preterm births. Although the effect of zinc deficiency on immunity, its impact on maternal function and health as well as its role in the developing foetus is well documented, much less attention has been given to the understanding of micronutrient zinc homeostasis in immunity and its association with preterm births. Despite extensive research, the pathway by which zinc regulates pregnancy outcomes as well as the function of immune cells in controlling the delivery status (term/preterm) is still obscure. The present review aims to focus on the understanding of relationship of micronutrient zinc homeostasis in immunity and its association with preterm births.

Hsp40s play distinct roles during the initial stages of apolipoprotein B biogenesis.

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is the primary component of atherogenic lipoproteins, which transport serum fats and cholesterol. Therefore elevated levels of circulating ApoB are a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease. During ApoB biosynthesis in the liver and small intestine under nutrient-rich conditions, ApoB cotranslationally translocates into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is lipidated and ultimately secreted. Under lipid-poor conditions, ApoB is targeted for ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Although prior work identified select chaperones that regulate ApoB biogenesis, the contributions of cytoplasmic Hsp40s are undefined. To this end, we screened ApoB-expressing yeast and determined that a class A ER-associated Hsp40, Ydj1, associates with and facilitates the ERAD of ApoB. Consistent with these results, a homologous Hsp40, DNAJA1, functioned similarly in rat hepatoma cells. DNAJA1-deficient cells also secreted hyperlipidated lipoproteins in accordance with attenuated ERAD. In contrast to the role of DNAJA1 during ERAD, DNAJB1-a class B Hsp40-helped stabilize ApoB. Depletion of DNAJA1 and DNAJB1 also led to opposing effects on ApoB ubiquitination. These data represent the first example in which different Hsp40s exhibit disparate effects during regulated protein biogenesis in the ER and highlight distinct roles that chaperones can play on a single ERAD substrate.

The Targeting of Native Proteins to the Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation (ERAD) Pathway: An Expanding Repertoire of Regulated Substrates.

All proteins are subject to quality control processes during or soon after their synthesis, and these cellular quality control pathways play critical roles in maintaining homeostasis in the cell and in organism health. Protein quality control is particularly vital for those polypeptides that enter the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Approximately one-quarter to one-third of all proteins synthesized in eukaryotic cells access the ER because they are destined for transport to the extracellular space, because they represent integral membrane proteins, or because they reside within one of the many compartments of the secretory pathway. However, proteins that mature inefficiently are subject to ER-associated degradation (ERAD), a multi-step pathway involving the chaperone-mediated selection, ubiquitination, and extraction (or "retrotranslocation") of protein substrates from the ER. Ultimately, these substrates are degraded by the cytosolic proteasome. Interestingly, there is an increasing number of native enzymes and metabolite and solute transporters that are also targeted for ERAD. While some of these proteins may transiently misfold, the ERAD pathway also provides a route to rapidly and quantitatively downregulate the levels and thus the activities of a variety of proteins that mature or reside in the ER.

Impact of Asthma on the Quality of Sleep in Young People.

Introduction Asthma has a negative impact on the quality of life of patients and their families. One of the factors responsible for the low quality of life is poor sleep quality in asthmatic patients. Sleep disturbances, such as difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep, are common in asthma. In this study, we aim to determine the quality of sleep in young asthmatic patients in a local setting. Method This case-control study was conducted in the pulmonology and internal medicine unit of a tertiary care hospital, Pakistan from January 2021 to May 2021. After seeking informed consent, 200 patients with a previously confirmed diagnosis of asthma were enrolled in the study. The control group also included 200 participants. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is an efficient measure of the quality and pattern of sleep. A global PSQI score of ≥5 signifies "poor sleep quality." Results The mean PSQI score was significantly higher in the asthmatic group compared to the control group (6.26 ± 2.01 vs. 3.41 ± 0.50; p-value: <0.0001). The percentage of participants with a PSQI score of ≥5 was significantly higher in the asthmatic group compared to the control group (54.5% vs. 17.0%; p-value: <0.0001). Conclusion Sleep disturbance is very common in young patients with asthma. Poor sleep may interfere with their daily performance, which may further have a negative impact on the quality of life in asthmatic patients. Management of asthma should also include improving sleep quality.

System for administering and monitoring hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis for COVID-19 in accordance with a national advisory: preliminary experience of a tertiary care institute in India.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was one of the earliest drugs to be recommended for tackling the COVID-19 threat leading to its widespread usage. We provide preliminary findings of the system, established in a tertiary care academic center for the administration of HCQ prophylaxis to healthcare workers (HCW) based on Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) advisory. METHODS: A dedicated clinical pharmacology and internal medicine team screened for contraindications, administered informed consent, maintained compliance and monitored for adverse events. RESULTS: Among the 194 HCWs screened for ruling out contraindications for prophylaxis, 9 were excluded and 185 were initiated on HCQ. A total of 55 adverse events were seen in 38 (20.5%) HCWs out of which 70.9%, 29.1% were mild and moderate & none were severe. Before the completion of therapy, a total of 23 participants discontinued. Change in QTc interval on day 2 was 5 (IQR: -3.75, 11) ms and the end of week 1 was 15 ms (IQR: 2, 18). Out of the 5 HCW who turned positive for COVID-19, 2 were on HCQ. CONCLUSION: HCQ prophylaxis was found to be safe and well tolerated in HCW when administered after appropriate screening and with monitoring for adverse events.

Variant biochemical responses: intrinsic and adaptive system for ecologically different rice varieties.

India has a diverse range of agro-ecological conditions which support the cultivation of different rice varieties differing in the adaptation which is so important for sustainable development of rice crop. Specific ecotypes of rice adapted to diverse conditions have divergence in their morphology, physiology, biochemistry, molecular function, agronomy, and stress response. In the present study, 12 different rice varieties viz., PB-1, PB-1509, Pusa-RH-10, CSR-30, HKR-47, PR-126, Govind, Sharbati, ADT-37, ADT-39, ADT-45, White Ponni, were selected for the study of intrinsic biochemical behaviour and these varieties belong to different Agro-ecological zones and basmati or non-basmati rice varieties. Amongst intrinsic biochemicals activity, the differential response of radical scavenging, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and guaiacol peroxidase (POX) activities, were observed in the selected rice varieties at 14 days old seedling stage, developed under controlled growth conditions. Comparatively, North India region rice varieties displayed an enhanced intrinsic biochemical response than south India region rice varieties. Similarly, basmati rice varieties showed increased biochemical response compared to non-basmati rice varieties. Thus, the differential biochemical responses (radical scavenging, SOD, CAT, and POX activities) observed creates a significant difference between rice varieties and provides valuable information about rice ecotype-biochemical interaction for sustainable adaptive value under different ecological conditions.

Low-cost bio-based sustainable removal of lead and cadmium using a polyphenolic bioactive Indian curry leaf (Murraya koengii) powder.

There is an increasing trend of developing various low-cost biogenic sorbents for the efficient and economical removal of noxious metals . Curry leaf powder (CLP), a promising non-toxic biosorbent containing several bioactive compounds was prepared by the pulverization of the dried leaves for the effective removal of Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd). Various batch sorption experiments were carried out under constant temperature (25 °C), different pH (4.5-10.5), initial concentrations (50-200 mg L-1), adsorbent dosages (0.10-0.40 g) and contact times (0-60 min) to understand the optimum experimental conditions and simultaneously evaluate the adsorption isotherms and removal kinetics of CLP. Adsorption equilibrium was established in less than an hour interval (50 min). The pseudo-equilibrium process was best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic (R2 ≥ 0.99), Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm model (R2 ≥ 0.94). The removal rate of Pb and Cd gradually increased (15.7 and 12.7 mg g-1 for Pb and Cd) at 100 mg L-1 of initial concentration till 60 min of contact period in a single contaminant system, the effect was non-significant for multiple adsorbent dosage systems (p > 0.05; t-test) though. The regeneration potential of the exhausted biosorbent was excellent upto 5 cycles with the better efficiency observed for Pb. The obtained results explicitly validated the probable utilization of CLP as a promising green adsorbent for metal removal . Future study may highlight the decontamination aspects of emerging contaminants with such green bio sorbents in large scale as well as mimicing the stomach conditions.

Characterization of heavy metal pollution in an anthropogenically and geologically influenced semi-arid region of east India and assessment of ecological and human health risks.

The present study evaluated the heavy metal contamination in groundwater and associated ecological and human health risks of a geologically and anthropogenically diverse semi-arid region of Birbhum district, India. For a reliable evaluation, concentrations of nine heavy metals in 680 groundwater samples (N = 680) which were collected during premonsoon and postmonsoon seasons of consecutive two years from 170 wells were measured. The human health risk assessment using the USEPA model which is based on single value for each parameter may inherit certain inaccuracy and uncertainties in the evaluation. Unlike earlier studies, a higher degree of accuracy in carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risk assessments was achieved through Monte Carlo simulations, sensitivity analysis and uncertainty analysis. The study revealed the occurrence of the target heavy metals in groundwater with mean dominance order of Fe > Zn > Sr > Mn > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cd where mean concentrations of the carcinogens, Pb and Fe exceeded their maximum permissible limits. The water quality status evaluated using the modified heavy metal pollution index, Nemerow index and Heavy metal evaluation index methods resulted in medium to high heavy metal contamination in groundwater within a large portion of the study area which indicated its unsuitability for drinking purpose. The study suspects a moderate to very high risk for the groundwater dependent ecosystems in major part of the study area. The study further revealed cancer risks, ranging from high to very high within the residents due to accumulative exposure of the carcinogenic heavy metals in groundwater through ingestion and dermal contact. Minor populations of the study area were found to be more vulnerable to the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic diseases than teenagers and adults, mainly through oral exposure. The study recommends the residents to consume treated groundwater since the primary route of heavy metal exposure was identified to be the ingestion route.

Downregulation of Candidate Gene Expression and Neuroprotection by Piperine in Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemia and Memory Impairment in Rats.

There is accumulating evidence showing that hyperglycemia conditions like diabetes possess a greater risk of impairment to the neuronal system because high glucose levels exacerbate oxidative stress, accumulation of amyloid-beta peptides, and mitochondrial dysfunction, and impair cognitive functions and cause neurodegeneration conditions like Alzheimer's diseases. Due to the extensive focus on pharmacological intervention to prevent neuronal cells' impairment induced by hyperglycemia, the underlying molecular mechanism that links between Diabetes and Alzheimer's is still lacking. Given this, the present study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of piperine on streptozotocin (STZ) induced hyperglycemia and candidate gene expression. In the present study, rats were divided into four groups: control (Vehicle only), diabetic control (STZ only), piperine treated (20 mg/kg day, i.p), and sitagliptin (Positive control) treated. The memory function was assessed by Morris water maze and probe test. After treatment, biochemical parameters such as HOMA index and lipid profile were estimated in the serum, whereas histopathology was evaluated in pancreatic and brain tissue samples. Gene expression studies were done by real-time PCR technique. Present data indicated that piperine caused significant memory improvement as compared to diabetic (STZ) control. The assessment of HOMA indices in serum samples showed that piperine and sitagliptin (positive control, PC) caused significant alterations of insulin resistance, ß cell function, and insulin sensitivity. Assessment of brain and pancreas histopathology shows significant improvement in tissue architecture in piperine and sitagliptin treated groups compared to diabetic control. The gene expression profile in brain tissue shows significantly reduced BACE1, PSEN1, APAF1, CASPASE3, and CATALASE genes in the piperine and sitagliptin (PC) treated groups compared to Diabetic (STZ) control. The present study demonstrated that piperine not only improves memory in diabetic rats but also reduces the expression of specific AD-related genes that can help design a novel strategy for therapeutic intervention at the molecular level.

Morphological changes in spleen after dietary zinc deficiency and supplementation in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary zinc deficiency and supplementation on the spleen morphology. METHODS: Pre-pubertal Wistar rats (40-50 g) were divided into two groups with 6 sub-groups each viz. zinc control (ZC, 100 µg/g zinc diet), pair fed (PF, 100 µg/g zinc diet), zinc deficient (ZD, <1 µg/g zinc diet, zinc supplementation control (ZCS), zinc supplementation pair-fed (PFS) and zinc supplementation deficient (ZDS, 100 µg/g zinc control diet). Experiments were set for 2- and 4-weeks followed by 4 weeks of zinc supplementation. RESULTS: In the present study body weight and BMI decreased significantly along with incidence of splenomegaly as typified by the increased splenic index in deficient groups compared with that of respective control groups. Histopathological changes such as disorganization of red pulp, several infiltered lymphocytes, vacuolization, loss of cellularity, karyolysis, dissolution of matrix, indistinct differentiation between red and white pulp were evident in spleen of 2ZD and 4ZD group animals. Degeneration was more severe after 4 weeks of zinc deficiency as giant cells formation and hypertrophy were also evident. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that zinc deficiency causes growth retardation and splenomegaly. Degenerative and atrophic changes in rat spleen suggest reduced cellular defense potential which will have a direct effect on immunity. Zinc supplementation may prove to be beneficial as there were varying degrees of cellular recovery after cessation of zinc deficiency.

Efficacy and field applicability of Burmese grape leaf extract (BGLE) for cadmium removal: An implication of metal removal from natural water.

Burmese Grape Leaf Extract (BGLE), a low cost adsorbent was studied for cadmium (Cd(II)) removal from metal solutions and natural water samples. Batch adsorption studies were carried out to examine the influence of contact time and initial metal concentration after characterization under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cd(II)adsorptiononto BGLE was best explained by pseudo-second order kinetics (R2 = 0.99) and best fitted with Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.76). Beside the selective adsorption activity of BGLE towards Cd(II), only 0.1g of BGLE have shown effective adsorption of these ions with a maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of 44.72mgg-1. This study was a unique combination of laboratory experiments and field implication. Study indicates that same efficacy cannot be obtained in natural water samples as obtained in the case of laboratory due to the interference of major ions in water.

A Novel KERA Mutation in a Case of Autosomal Recessive Cornea Plana With Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Keratocan is a cornea-specific keratan sulfate proteoglycan found predominantly in the adult vertebrate eye. In human beings, mutations in keratocan (KERA) are associated with autosomal recessive cornea plana (CNA2), which is characterized by a flattened forward convex curvature of the cornea. Here, we report a novel mutation in a case of autosomal recessive bilateral cornea plana presenting with primary angle-closure glaucoma in a 41-year-old woman from Eastern India. METHODS: The KERA gene of the patient and her sons was directly sequenced. RESULTS: Mutational analysis of the KERA revealed 2 novel mutations. The first mutation was a 3 base-pair deletion (c.371_373delTCT), leading to the loss of a highly conserved amino acid (p.Phe125del). The second mutation was a base substitution resulting in a silent mutation (c.69G>A). One of her 2 sons carried the homozygous substitution (c.69G>A), whereas the other son was heterozygous (c.69G>R). CONCLUSIONS: The mutation that we report here leads to the deletion of a conserved amino acid (p.Phe125del) from the third LRR motif of the keratocan protein, which might lead to an abnormal tertiary structure of the protein, thereby leading to the disease.

Protein carbonyl, 3ß-, and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in testes and serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels in zinc deficient Wistar rats.

The present study evaluated protein oxidation, alteration in hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3ß- and 17ß HSD) in testes and serum hormonal profiles of dietary zinc deficient Wistar rats. Pre-pubertal rats were divided into three groups: zinc control (ZC), pairfed (PF), and zinc deficient (ZD) and fed 100 ppm (ZC and PF groups) and 1.0 ppm (ZD group) zinc diet for 2- and 4-weeks. The testes from zinc deficient groups exhibited significant increase in total protein (2 weeks) and protein carbonyl (2- and 4-weeks) concentration as well as 3ß- and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities (4 weeks), whereas a significant decrease was recorded in total protein (testes 4 weeks; serum 2- and 4-weeks), total zinc (testes and serum 2- and 4-weeks), 3ß- and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities (testes 2 weeks), and serum hormonal profiles (FSH and testosterone 2- and 4-weeks). However, LH was below the detectable limits. These results reflect that zinc deficiency during pre-pubertal period affected total protein and zinc status, elevates protein oxidation, and causes dysregulation of the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. Low level of zinc attenuated the gonadal physiology which indicates that the metabolic regulation of testes is mediated by combined effects of a specific response (caused by decreased zinc concentration) and a nonspecific response (inhibition of gonadotrophin secretion). All these contribute to testicular dysfunction.

Testicular apoptosis after dietary zinc deficiency: ultrastructural and TUNEL studies.

The present study was conducted in Wistar rats to determine whether prepubertal dietary zinc deficiency causes apoptotic changes in testes. Prepubertal male Wistar rats (40-50 gm) were divided into 3 groups: zinc control (ZC), pairfed (PF), and zinc deficient (ZD). Control and pairfed groups were given a 100 ppm zinc diet while the deficient groups received 1 ppm zinc diet for 2 and 4 weeks (w), respectively. Ultrastructural studies revealed several apoptotic features such as wavy basement membrane, displaced nuclei, chromatin condensation, plasma membrane blebbing, nuclear membrane dissolution, loss of inter-Sertoli cell junctional complexes, and intercellular bridges and deformed mitochondria. A variable spectrum of sperm defects had also been visualized e.g., acrosomal deformities such as decapitation and a ring of condensed chromatin around the nuclear periphery, deformed sperm heads with a condensed nucleus, tail-elements with superfluous cytoplasm, and damage to the mitochondrial sheath and aggregation of spermatozoa within the membrane. This was further supported by TUNEL studies. Apoptotic index, epididymal sperm concentration, motility, and fertility index also revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in zinc deficient groups (2 and 4 w) when compared with their respective control and pairfed groups. All the above findings are indicative that changes observed in the testes after dietary zinc deficiency are due to the onset of apoptosis. Increased apoptotic degeneration in testes may cause irreversible changes in the germ cells associated with decreased epididymal sperm concentration, motility, and fertility index which contributes to the low efficiency of spermatogenesis thereby indicating a possible role of zinc in fertility.

Effect of dietary zinc deficiency on testes of Wistar rats: Morphometric and cell quantification studies.

The present study investigates the effect of dietary zinc deficiency on testes of Wistar rats. Pre-pubertal rats (40-50g) were divided into three groups of 10 each viz. zinc control (ZC) and pair fed (PF) [100ppm zinc diet] and zinc deficient (ZD) [1ppm zinc diet]. Experiments were set for 2- and 4-weeks. Pre-pubertal rats fed zinc deficient diet for 2- and 4-weeks exhibited significant (P<0.05) decrease in diet consumption when compared with their respective control groups. Parallel to the reduced diet consumption, a significant (P<0.05) decrease in body and testicular weight of ZD animals was also observed. These observations indicate that the zinc deficiency reduces diet consumption and growth of the animals. Histological studies revealed degeneration in testes of ZD rats as evident by decreased seminiferous tubular diameter and Leydig cell nuclear diameter. Decreased Leydig cell nuclear diameter is responsible for disruption of the biochemical function of Leydig cell. Testicular atrophy (viz. wavy tunica propria, karyolysis, pyknosis, karyorhexis, apoptotic bodies, multinucleated giant cells, few sperms in the lumen, atrophied Leydig cells and accumulation of oedematous fluid in the interstitium) accompanied by significant loss of germ/somatic cells (viz. Type A and Type B spermatogonia, leptotene, zygotene, pachytene spermatocytes, Golgi, cap and acrosome spermatids, Sertoli and Leydig cell) was evident in ZD groups. The degeneration was severe after 4-weeks of zinc deficiency. These observations provide evidence that the functional and morphological changes in testes are probably due to zinc deficiency. Further, the increased oedematous fluid in the interstitial region is due to the cellular death. Impairment of spermatogenesis can be attributed to the direct action of zinc on testes or indirectly from Leydig cell degeneration indicating that zinc is a critical component for maintenance of both mitotic and meiotic stages of spermatogenesis.

Effect on histological and sperm kinetics in DBP exposed Wistar rats.

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, extensively used as a softener for polyvinyl chloride resins. A study was conducted to evaluate its effect on reproductive function of Wistar rats. DBP was given orally at a dose of 500, 1000 and 1500 mg kg(-1) body weight for 7 days. Evaluating histological and fertility parameters assessed reproductive function. Significant reduction in seminiferous tubule diameter, Leydig cell nuclear diameter (except at dose 500 mg), number of primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids were observed. Caudal sperm density and viability reduced significantly. Decrease in serum testosterone was also observed. Evidence indicates that DBP exposure causes dose dependent testicular toxicity and has the potential to induce adverse effect.