TAL effectors and the predicted host targets of pomegranate bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas citri pv. punicae.

The molecular mechanism of pomegranate susceptibility to bacterial blight, a serious threat to pomegranate production in India, is largely unknown. In the current study, we have used PacBio and Illumina sequencing of Xanthomonas citri pv. punicae (Xcp) strain 119 genome to identify tal genes and RNA-Seq analysis to identify putative host targets in the susceptible pomegranate variety Bhagwa challenged with Xcp119. Xcp119 genome encodes seven transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), three of which are harbored by a plasmid. RVD-based phylogenetic analysis of TALEs of Xanthomonas citri pathovars indicate the TALEs of Xcp as evolutionarily and functionally close to Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum and Xanthomonas citri pv. glycines. Comparative RNA-Seq of Xcp and mock-inoculated leaf tissues revealed Xcp-induced pomegranate transcription modulation. The prediction of TALE binding elements (EBEs) in the promoters of up-regulated genes identified a set of TALE-targeted candidate genes in pomegranate-Xcp interaction. The predicted candidate susceptibility genes include two oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase gene, ethylene-responsive transcription factor and flavanone 3-hydroxylase-like gene, and the further characterization of these would enable blight resistance engineering in pomegranate.

Unexplored Needs of the Older Adults: Experiences From Elders Helpline in Bengaluru.

Elders Helpline has been operational in Bangalore by joint effort of the Nightingales Medical Trust (NMT) and the City Police since its inception in 2002. The Elders Helpline is unique as it is the first of its kind in India that offers services for the welfare of the older people in Bangalore city. The objectives of this article were to review the process of setting up of the helpline services, its evolution, range of services offered, to evaluate the services to ascertain the social difficulties with a focus on abuse experienced by the older people in Bangalore and find out the common themes. From the records, the Elders Helpline has responded to as many as 144058 calls between April 2009 and March 2020. This article reviewed functions of the Elders Helpline including supervision and training to its staff members, offering counselling to the Older adults by resolving family conflicts and other social issues by upholding and safeguarding their rights. The article highlights the need and impact of Elders Helpline suggesting the need to expand this type of Helpline to other Districts of the country. This study indicates that the Elders Helpline has become a platform for the elderly people to express their concerns and to make them feel secure. The Elders Helpline model is now launched nationally in October 2021 through the expansion of helpline services. There is a need to gather more comprehensive data and for ongoing research and training to reach out many needy older people.