Development of a protocol for the elimination of Cyrtanthus elatus virus-A from Narcissus tazetta by in vitro chemotherapy in combination with electrotherapy.

Narcissus (Narcissus tazetta) is a bulbous ornamental plant propagated vegetatively from bulbs. The Cyrtanthus elatus virus-A (CyEV-A) had been reported to cause a severe mosaic and yellow stripe disease in narcissus. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a protocol for the elimination of CyEV-A from infected bulblets by in vitro chemotherapy (30-50 mg/L ribavirin for 30 days) and electrotherapy (10-30 mA for 20 min), individually and in combination, to produce virus-free plants. The regenerated plants obtained from these treatments were screened for the absence of the CyEV-A by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assays using a set of degenerate primers specific for a potyvirus coat protein gene. The results showed that in vitro chemotherapy (30 mg/L ribavirin for 30 days) alone produced 46.0 % (14/30) of virus-free plants, while electrotherapy (20 mA for 20 min) alone produced 40.0 % (12/30) of virus-free plants. In comparison, a combination of chemotherapy (30 mg/L ribavirin for 30 days) and electrotherapy (20 mA for 20 min) produced 50.0 % (15/30) of virus-free plants. The virus-free plants obtained from this combination treatment exhibited better growth and produced more bulbs compared to the other treatments and control. The protocol may be used for the control of the virus disease in narcissus.

Ovalbumin-induced allergic inflammation lead to structural alterations in mouse model and protective effects of intranasal curcumin: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Antigen exposure and persistent inflammation leads to structural changes in the asthmatic airways which are collectively termed as "airway remodelling". Presently available asthma medications ameliorate inflammations but are unable to prevent or reverse the airway remodelling process as most of the treatment strategies are only focused on inflammation instead of remodelling. METHODS: Curcumin, a phytochemical present in the rhizome of Curcuma longa is well known for its anti-inflammatory activity; however, the main drawback is its poor bioavailability which limits its therapeutic approval. So, the effect of nasal curcumin on acute and chronic asthma has been studied where short exposure to ovalbumin (4 days) represents acute phase whereas repeated exposures for longer (twice per week till 5 weeks) represents chronic asthma. Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG, 50mg/kg, i.p.) and dexamethasone (1mg/kg, i.p.) were used as standard drugs in acute and chronic model of asthma respectively. RESULTS: OVA-induced airway inflammation initiated in acute stage led to remodelling due to persistent inflammation, epithelial and sub epithelial thickening (smooth muscle thickening), extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus plug formation. Intranasal curcumin is effective in inhibiting airway inflammation and remodelling both by maintaining the structural integrity of lungs in terms of inflammation, airway wall thickening and mucus production. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that curcumin administered through nasal route might prove therapeutically efficient in inhibiting allergic airway inflammations and maintaining structural integrity in the mouse model of allergic asthma. This may lead to the development of curcumin aerosol in near future.

Paenibacillus lentimorbus enhances growth of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in chromium-amended soil.

Chromium (Cr), with its great economic importance in industrial use, is a major metal pollutant of the environment. It affects soil microbial activity and soil fertility, resulting in losses in yield of plants. Paenibacillus lentimorbus B-30488(r) (B-30488(r)) tolerated 200 µg ml(-1) of Cr under in vitro conditions and produced the plant growth promoting substance indole acetic acid in the presence of Cr. Our in vitro study indicates enhancement in B-30488(r) biofilm formation by sodium alginate (SA) and calcium chloride (CaCl(2)) both in absence and presence of supplemented Cr(VI) as compared to unsupplemented control. The plant growth promoting effects caused by the B-30488(r) biofilm in rhizosphere of chickpea under Cr(VI) stress suggests a phytoprotective role of B-30488(r) biofilm. Our study reflects the multifarious role of strain B-30488(r) and presents it as a potent plant growth promoting and bioremediation agent useful in Cr-contaminated rhizosphere soil, whereby the SA and CaCl(2) induced B-30488(r) biofilm on plant root acts as a shield in preventing the direct access of toxic Cr to plant tissues, thus reducing its uptake in plants.

Narrowband ultraviolet B versus psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy for severe plaque psoriasis: an Indian perspective.

There is a dearth of studies comparing the efficacy of psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) and narrowband (NB)-UVB in psoriasis in South Asian patients. Patients having plaque psoriasis with > 20% body surface area involvement were randomly assigned to one of two groups (group A: NB-UVB, group B: PUVA). The response to treatment was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) at baseline and every 2 weeks thereafter. The maximum possible treatment duration was 16 weeks. In total, 43 patients (21 NB-UVB, 22 PUVA) completed the study. Marked improvement was seen in 80.9% of the patients in group A and 81.8% in group B (NS: P > 0.05). The mean ± SD time taken to achieve marked improvement was 9.9 ± 3.3 and 9.9 ± 3.5 weeks, respectively. In total, 29 patients were available for the analysis of the remission data at 6 months after treatment completion; 26.7% of the patients in group A and 42.8% in group B were in remission (NS: P > 0.05). Both methods seem to be equally effective in achieving clearance and maintaining remission of severe chronic plaque psoriasis in patients with Fitzpatrick skin type 4 and 5.