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Sleep quality, key to physical and mental health, requires regular assessment in clinical and non-clinical settings. Despite widespread use, the dimensionality of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is debated, and its Hindi version's factor structure remains unexplored. Our study evaluates the PSQI's dimensionality among Indian adolescents and adults aiming to demonstrate cross-language (Hindi and English) invariance of its factor structure. The PSQI showed satisfactory item reliability, and a best-fitting two-factor model: "sleep efficiency" (comprising sleep duration and habitual sleep efficiency), and "perceived sleep quality" (comprising remaining five PSQI components). This model showed configural invariance across age groups, sexes, and languages. Metric invariance was noted across age groups, but a partial metric non-invariance was observed across languages and sexes as reflected by differences in factor loadings. The second-order factor structure model had an excellent fit indicating the usefulness of aggregate scores of the two factors as a single index of sleep quality. Our findings better support a two-factor structure of sleep quality (both for English and Hindi versions of PSQI) in India. However, further validation in diverse clinical and non-clinical samples is warranted.
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Pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR-1) is an antimicrobial protein involved in systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in plants, but its regulatory role and interactions with other pathways remain unclear. In this study, we functionally characterize WsPR-1 gene of Withania somnifera in Nicotiana tabacum to elucidate its role in plant defense, growth, and development. Interestingly, transgenic tobacco plants with increased levels of cytokinin (CK) and decreased gibberellins (GAs) exhibited stunted shoot growth, an underdeveloped root system, modified leaf morphology, reduced seed pod production, and delayed leaf senescence. Transcriptional analysis revealed that WsPR-1 overexpression downregulated the GA 20-oxidase (GA20ox) gene involved in GA biosynthesis while upregulating GA 2-oxidase (GA2ox), a GA catabolic enzyme. Moreover, transcript levels of FRUITFULL (FUL) and LEAFY (NFL2) flowering genes exhibited a decrease in WsPR-1 plants, which could explain the delayed flowering and reduced seed pod development in transgenic plants. Confocal microscopy confirmed increased lignin deposition in stem cross-sections of WsPR-1 transgenic plants, supported by gene expression analysis and lignin content quantification. Additionally, our findings also suggest the involvement of Knotted1-like homeobox (KNOX) gene in enhancing cytokinin levels. This study highlights PR-1's regulatory role in plant growth and development, with potential to boost crop yields and enhance resilience.
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder impacting millions of people with cognitive impairment and affecting activities of daily living. The deposition of neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins and accumulation of amyloid-ß (Aß) are the main pathological characteristics of AD. However, the actual causal process of AD is not yet identified. Oxidative stress occurs prior to amyloid Aß plaque formation and tau phosphorylation in AD. The role of master antioxidant, glutathione, and metal ions (e.g., iron) in AD are the frontline area of AD research. Iron overload in specific brain regions in AD is associated with the rate of cognitive decline. We have presented the outcome from various interventional trials involving iron chelators intended to minimize the iron overload in AD. To date, however, no significant positive outcomes have been reported using iron chelators in AD and warrant further research.
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Enfermedad de Alzheimer , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Quelantes del Hierro , Humanos , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Quelantes del Hierro/uso terapéutico , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto/métodos , Sobrecarga de Hierro/tratamiento farmacológico , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
MAIN CONCLUSION: Our findings shed light on the regulation of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in chickpea seed coats. Expression of R2R3-MYB transcription factors CaLAP1 and CaLAP2 enhanced the anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins content in chickpea. The seed coat color is a major economic trait in leguminous crop chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins (PAs) are two classes of flavonoids that mainly contribute to the flower, seed coat and color of Desi chickpea cultivars. Throughout the land plant lineage, the accumulation of anthocyanins and PAs is regulated by MYB and bHLH transcription factors (TFs), which form an MBW (MYB, bHLH, and WD40) complex. Here, we report two R2R3-MYB TFs in chickpea belonging to the anthocyanin-specific subgroup-6, CaLAP1 (Legume Anthocyanin Production 1), and CaLAP2 (Legume Anthocyanin Production 2), which are mainly expressed in the flowers and developmental stages of the seeds. CaLAP1 and CaLAP2 interact with TT8-like CabHLH1 and WD40, forming the MBW complex, and bind to the promoter sequences of anthocyanin- and PA biosynthetic genes CaCHS6, CaDFR2, CaANS, and CaANR, leading to anthocyanins and PA accumulation in the seed coat of chickpea. Moreover, these CaLAPs partially complement the anthocyanin-deficient phenotype in the Arabidopsis thaliana sextuple mutant seedlings. Overexpression of CaLAPs in chickpea resulted in significantly higher expression of anthocyanin and PA biosynthetic genes leading to a darker seed coat color with higher accumulation of anthocyanin and PA. Our findings show that CaLAPs positively modulate anthocyanin and PA content in seed coats, which might influence plant development and resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses.
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Antocianinas , Cicer , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Proteínas de Plantas , Proantocianidinas , Semillas , Factores de Transcripción , Cicer/genética , Cicer/metabolismo , Semillas/genética , Semillas/metabolismo , Semillas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Antocianinas/biosíntesis , Antocianinas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Proantocianidinas/biosíntesis , Proantocianidinas/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción/genética , Factores de Transcripción/metabolismo , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Arabidopsis/genética , Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Flores/genética , Flores/metabolismo , Flores/crecimiento & desarrolloRESUMEN
A study was carried out to evaluate phytodiversity along with the metal accumulation potential of native plants growing in the vicinity of a thermal power plant (TPP). We documented 26 tree species, six shrubs, and 35 herbs. Importance value index (IVI), which measures the extent to which a species dominates in an area, was found highest for Senna siamea (95.7) followed by Tectona grandis (56.5), and Pithecellobium dulce (19.6). Soil was acidic (pH 5.4) in nature with higher concentrations of Al and Fe. The pH of ground water was found acidic while pH of nearby river was found slightly alkaline. Values of PM2.5 and PM10 were slightly higher than NAAQS standards for industrial areas. The concentration of metals was found higher in aquatic plants than in terrestrial plants. In general, herbs and shrubs showed more metal accumulation potential than trees. Our results suggest that Senna siamea could be used for revegetation purposes in FA landfills. Further, terrestrial and aquatic plants such as Ageratina adenophora and Stuckenia pectinata could be used for reclamation of Mn, Zn, Al, and Fe from contaminated soils. Hydrilla verticillata (Ni and Mn), Nelumbo nucifera, and Ipomoea aquatica (Cr) can be used for metal removal from contaminated water.
The study focuses on the assessment of phytodiversity, soil and water analysis, ambient air quality, and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in plants growing in and around a thermal power plant. The study assumes significance as more than 65% of India's electricity generation is still by coal-fired power plants, having major implications for air, soil, and water pollution. By selecting native plant species adapted to the region, we can enhance biodiversity, restore habitats, and contribute to the overall ecological health of the area surrounding the power plant.
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Biodegradación Ambiental , Centrales Eléctricas , Contaminantes del Suelo , Contaminantes del Suelo/metabolismo , Plantas/metabolismo , Biodiversidad , Suelo/químicaRESUMEN
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in December 2019 and rapidly became a pandemic as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Apart from other organs, presence of specific receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) and corresponding proteases such as transmembrane serine protease 2, basigin and cysteine protease cathepsin L make follicular somatic cells as well as oocyte as potential targets for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 causes inflammation and hypoxia that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in critically ill patients. In addition, a large number of casualties and insecurity of life due to repeated waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection generate psychological stress and cortisol resulting in the further generation of ROS. The excess levels of ROS under physiological range cause meiotic instability, while high levels result in oxidative stress that trigger various death pathways and affect number as well as quality of follicular oocytes. Although, emerging evidence suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 utilises cellular machinery of ovarian follicular cells, generates ROS and impairs quality of follicular oocytes, the underlying mechanism of viral entry into host cell and its negative impact on the follicular oocyte remains poorly understood. Therefore, this review summarises emerging evidence on the presence of cellular machinery for SARS-CoV-2 in ovarian follicles and the potential negative impact of viral infection on the follicular oocytes that affect ovarian functions in critically ill and stressed women.
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Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 , COVID-19 , Oocitos , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , COVID-19/virología , SARS-CoV-2/fisiología , Femenino , Oocitos/virología , Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2/metabolismo , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/metabolismo , Internalización del Virus , Catepsina L/metabolismo , Basigina/metabolismo , Folículo Ovárico/virología , Folículo Ovárico/metabolismo , Estrés Oxidativo , Serina Endopeptidasas/metabolismoRESUMEN
Seed endophytic bacteria have been shown to promote the growth and development of numerous plants. However, the underlying mechanism still needs to be better understood. The present study aims to investigate the role of a seed endophytic bacterium Lysinibacillus sp. (ZM1) in promoting plant growth and shaping the root architecture of maize seedlings. The study explores how bacteria-mediated auxin biosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism affect plant growth promotion and shape the root architecture of maize seedlings. The results demonstrate that ZM1 inoculation significantly enhances root length, root biomass, and the number of seminal roots in maize seedlings. Additionally, the treated seedlings exhibit increased shoot biomass and higher levels of photosynthetic pigments. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analysis revealed extensive colonization of ZM1 on root hairs, as well as in the cortical and stellar regions of the root. Furthermore, LC-MS analysis demonstrated elevated auxin content in the roots of the ZM1 treated maize seedlings compared to the uninoculated control. Inoculation with ZM1 significantly increased the levels of endogenous ammonium content, GS, and GOGAT enzyme activities in the roots of treated maize seedlings compared to the control, indicating enhanced nitrogen metabolism. Furthermore, inoculation of bacteria under nitrogen-deficient conditions enhanced plant growth, as evidenced by increased root shoot length, fresh and dry weights, average number of seminal roots, and content of photosynthetic pigments. Transcript analysis indicated upregulation of auxin biosynthetic genes, along with genes involved in nitrogen metabolism at different time points in roots of ZM1-treated maize seedlings. Collectively, our findings highlight the positive impact of Lysinibacillus sp. ZM1 inoculation on maize seeds by improving root architecture through modulation of auxin biosynthesis and affecting various nitrogen metabolism related parameters. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential utilization of seed endophytic bacteria as biofertilizers to enhance plant growth and yield in nutrient deficient soils.
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Bacillaceae , Ácidos Indolacéticos , Nitrógeno , Raíces de Plantas , Zea mays , Zea mays/microbiología , Zea mays/metabolismo , Zea mays/crecimiento & desarrollo , Ácidos Indolacéticos/metabolismo , Nitrógeno/metabolismo , Raíces de Plantas/microbiología , Raíces de Plantas/metabolismo , Bacillaceae/metabolismo , Endófitos/metabolismo , Endófitos/fisiología , Semillas/microbiología , Semillas/metabolismo , Semillas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Plantones/microbiología , Plantones/metabolismo , Plantones/crecimiento & desarrolloRESUMEN
We have investigated the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition growth of the phosphorus-doped hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (n-nc-Si:H) film as an electron-selective layer in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. The effect of power densities on the precursor gas dissociation are investigated using optical emission spectra and the crystalline fraction in n-nc-Si:H films are correlated with the dark conductivity. With thePdof 122 mW cm-2and â¼2% phosphorus doping, we observed Raman crystallinity of 53%, high dark conductivity of 43 S cm-1, and activation energy of â¼23 meV from the â¼30 nm n-nc-Si:H film. The n-nc-Si:H layer improves the textured c-Si surface passivation by two-fold to â¼2 ms compared to the phosphorus-doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon (n-a-Si:H) layers. An enhancement in the open-circuit voltage and external quantum efficiency (from >650 nm) due to the better passivation at the rear side of the cell after integrating the n-nc-Si:H layer compared to its n-a-Si:H counterpart. An improvement in the charge carrier transport is also observed with an increase in fill factor from â¼71% to â¼75%, mainly due to a reduction in electron-selective contact resistivity from â¼271 to â¼61 mΩ-cm2. Finally, with the relatively better c-Si surface passivation and carrier selectivity, a power conversion efficiency of â¼19.90% and pseudo-efficiency of â¼21.90% have been realized from the SHJ cells.
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Ironsulfur (FeS) clusters are cofactors of numerous proteins involved in essential cellular functions including respiration, protein translation, DNA synthesis and repair, ribosome maturation, anti-viral responses, and isopropylmalate isomerase activity. Novel FeS proteins are still being discovered due to the widespread use of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and elegant genetic screens targeted at protein discovery. A complex sequence of biochemical reactions mediated by a conserved machinery controls biosynthesis of FeS clusters. In eukaryotes, a remarkable epistasis has been observed: the mitochondrial machinery, termed ISC (Iron-Sulfur Cluster), lies upstream of the cytoplasmic machinery, termed CIA (Cytoplasmic Ironsulfur protein Assembly). The basis for this arrangement is the production of a hitherto uncharacterized intermediate, termed X-S or (Fe-S)int, produced in mitochondria by the ISC machinery, exported by the mitochondrial ABC transporter Atm1 (ABCB7 in humans), and then utilized by the CIA machinery for the cytoplasmic/nuclear FeS cluster assembly. Genetic and biochemical findings supporting this sequence of events are herein presented. New structural views of the Atm1 transport phases are reviewed. The key compartmental roles of glutathione in cellular FeS cluster biogenesis are highlighted. Finally, data are presented showing that every one of the ten core components of the mitochondrial ISC machinery and Atm1, when mutated or depleted, displays similar phenotypes: mitochondrial and cytoplasmic FeS clusters are both rendered deficient, consistent with the epistasis noted above.
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Citoplasma , Proteínas Hierro-Azufre , Mitocondrias , Mitocondrias/metabolismo , Mitocondrias/genética , Proteínas Hierro-Azufre/metabolismo , Proteínas Hierro-Azufre/genética , Humanos , Citoplasma/metabolismo , Proteínas de Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolismo , Proteínas de Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genética , Transportadoras de Casetes de Unión a ATP/metabolismo , Transportadoras de Casetes de Unión a ATP/genética , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolismo , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genética , Proteínas Mitocondriales/metabolismo , Proteínas Mitocondriales/genética , Glutatión/metabolismoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Takayasu Arteritis (TA) is an immune mediated arteritis causing inflammation of the aorta and its branches, which can result in aortic aneurysms. Our aim is to describe the outcome of surgical management in these patients who presented with Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA). METHODS: Between 2003 and 2023, 40 TA patients with TAAA underwent operative repair. RESULTS: There were 24 females and 16 males, in the age group of 19-53 years, with hypertension in 20 patients. Raised Erythrocyte sedimentation Rate was present in 13 patients. According to Crawford classification, there were 2 patients with type I, 2 with type II, 17 with type III, 12 patients with type IV and 7 with type V aneurysm. Multiple steno-occlusive lesions of aortic branches were present in 21 patients, with majority affecting the renal artery. Femoral Artery Femoral Vein Partial cardiopulmonary bypass was used for types I, II, III and V. Separate bypass to visceral branches was done in eight patients, of whom five had multiple bypasses and three patients only had renal bypass. Twelve patients underwent reimplantation of branches, out of which nine had multiple vessel reimplantation. Four patients underwent staged repair of the aneurysm, which included visceral debranching in the first day, followed by repair of the aneurysm in the next day. In the immediate postoperative period, ten patients developed acute kidney injury and two required dialysis. Other morbidities included acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), spinal cord dysfunction, bleeding, and wound complications. Three patients expired in the immediate postoperative period. Mean duration of intensive care unit stay was 4.1 days and hospital stay was 12.7 days. Comparison of disease activity with morbidity and mortality was statistically insignificant. Patients were on follow-up for a range of 6 months to 14 years and median follow-up of 25 months. Over this time period four patients expired and four developed anastomotic pseudoaneurysm requiring intervention. On comparing the disease activity at the time of surgery with the long-term arteritis related complications that required intervention, the P value was 0.653 and hence statistically not significant. The 10-year survival rate is 84.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair has good and satisfactory outcome, with low early and late mortality rates. Progression of disease can occur at any stage of the disease, hence indicating the need for long term follow-up and frequent imaging.
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Aneurisma de la Aorta Toracoabdominal , Implantación de Prótesis Vascular , Complicaciones Posoperatorias , Arteritis de Takayasu , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto Joven , Aneurisma de la Aorta Toracoabdominal/cirugía , Implantación de Prótesis Vascular/efectos adversos , Implantación de Prótesis Vascular/mortalidad , Puente Cardiopulmonar , Angiografía por Tomografía Computarizada , Tiempo de Internación , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/etiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Arteritis de Takayasu/complicaciones , Arteritis de Takayasu/cirugía , Arteritis de Takayasu/diagnóstico por imagen , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Conventional machine learning approaches have shown limited predictive power when applied to continuous biohydrogen production due to nonlinearity and instability. This study was aimed at forecasting the dynamic membrane reactor performance in terms of the hydrogen production rate (HPR) and hydrogen yield (HY) using laboratory-based daily operation datapoints for twelve input variables. Hybrid algorithms were developed by integrating particle swarm optimized with functional link artificial neural network (PSO-FLN) which outperformed other hybrid algorithms for both HPR and HY, with determination coefficients (R2) of 0.97 and 0.80 and mean absolute percentage errors of 0.014 % and 0.023 %, respectively. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) explained the two positive-influencing parameters, OLR_added (1.1-1.3 mol/L/d) and butyric acid (7.5-16.5 g COD/L) supports the highest HPR (40-60 L/L/d). This research indicates that PSO-FLN model are capable of handling complicated datasets with high precision in less computational timeat 9.8 sec for HPR and 10.0 sec for HY prediction.
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Reactores Biológicos , Hidrógeno , Fermentación , Redes Neurales de la Computación , AlgoritmosRESUMEN
Background: Literature on the efficacy and safety of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in pediatric patients is limited. Hence, we aimed to compare ESPB versus caudal epidural block (CEB) in children undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods: In this patient and assessor-blind study, fifty-two ASA I-II patients, between 1 to 9 years of age, were randomized into groups of 26 each. ESPB group received unilateral or bilateral ultrasound (USG)-guided ESPB with 0.5 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine per side. CEB group received USG-guided CEB with 1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine. The primary objective was to estimate the proportion of patients requiring postoperative rescue analgesia. The secondary objectives were to assess postoperative Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scale scores, duration of analgesia, and consumption of rescue analgesic drugs. Results: More patients in the ESPB group (88.4%), compared to the CEB group (42.3%), required rescue analgesics (P value <0.001). FLACC scores in the ESPB group, though satisfactory, were inferior, to the CEB group. The duration of postoperative analgesia was shorter in the ESPB group by 9.54 h (95% CI: 4.51 to 14.57 h, P value <0.001). The median (IQR) consumption of rescue paracetamol was significantly higher in the ESPB group (20 mg/kg (10,20) compared to the CEB group (0.0 mg/kg (0.0,10) P value <0.001)). No adverse effects were reported. Conclusion: In children undergoing abdominal surgery, both ESPB and CEB were safe and efficacious. CEB provided a longer duration and better quality of analgesia. ESPB may be considered when CEB is contraindicated or difficult.
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The in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the first choice of infertile couples worldwide to plan for conception. Besides having a significant advancement in IVF procedure, the success rate is still poor. Although several approaches have been tested to improve IVF protocol, minor changes in culture conditions, physical factors and/or drug treatment generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in oocytes. Due to large size and huge number of mitochondria, oocyte is more susceptible towards ROS-mediated signalling under in vitro culture conditions. Elevation of ROS levels destabilize maturation promoting factor (MPF) that results in meiotic exit from diplotene as well as metaphase-II (M-II) arrest in vitro. Once meiotic exit occurs, these oocytes get further arrested at metaphase-I (M-I) stage or metaphase-III (M-III)-like stage under in vitro culture conditions. The M-I as well as M-III arrested oocytes are not fit for fertilization and limits IVF outcome. Further, the generation of excess levels of ROS cause oxidative stress (OS) that initiate downstream signalling to initiate various death pathways such as apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis and deteriorates oocyte quality under in vitro culture conditions. The increase of cellular enzymatic antioxidants and/or supplementation of exogenous antioxidants in culture medium protect ROS-induced deterioration of oocyte quality in vitro. Although a growing body of evidence suggests the ROS and OS-mediated deterioration of oocyte quality in vitro, their downstream signalling and related mechanisms remain poorly understood. Hence, this review article summarizes the existing evidences concerning ROS and OS-mediated downstream signalling during deterioration of oocyte quality in vitro. The use of various antioxidants against ROS and OS-mediated impairment of oocyte quality in vitro has also been explored in order to increase the success rate of IVF during assisted reproductive health management.
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Antioxidantes , Oocitos , Animales , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/metabolismo , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Estrés Oxidativo , Mamíferos/metabolismoRESUMEN
An integrated approach to nutrient recycling utilizing microalgae could provide feasible solutions for both environmental control and energy production. In this study, an axenic microalgae strain, Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 was evaluated for its potential as a biofuel feedstock and textile wastewater (TWW) treatment. The microalgae isolate was grown on TWW supplemented with different proportions of standard BG-11 medium varying from 0 to 100% (v/v). The results showed that TWW supplemented with 20% (v/v) BG11 medium demonstrated promising results in terms of Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 biomass (3.80 g L-1), lipid production (1.24 g L-1), nutrients (N/P, > 99%) and pollutant removal (chemical oxygen demand (COD), 99.05%). The COD level dropped by 90% after 4 days of cultivation, from 2,593.33 mg L-1 to 215 mg L-1; however, after day 6, the nitrogen (-NO3-1) and total phosphorus (TP) levels were reduced by more than 95%. The biomass-, total lipid- and carbohydrate- production, after 6 days of cultivation were 3.80 g L-1, 1.24 g L-1, and 1.09 g L-1, respectively, which were 2.15-, 2.95- and 3.30-fold higher than Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 grown in standard BG-11 medium (control). In addition, as per the theoretical mass balances, 1 tonne biomass of Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 might yield 294.5 kg of biodiesel and 135.7 kg of bioethanol. Palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid were the dominant fatty acids found in the Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 lipid. This study illustrates the potential use of TWW as a microalgae feedstock with reduced nutrient supplementation (20% of TWW). Thus, it can be considered a promising feedstock for economical biofuel production.
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Chlorella , Microalgas , Biocombustibles , Ácidos Grasos , TextilesRESUMEN
Arsenic (As) toxicity is an escalating problem; however, information about the metabolic events controlling the varied pattern of As accumulation in rice genotypes within their natural environment is still lacking. The present study is thus an advancement in unravelling the response of such rice genotypes. Soil-water-rice samples were analyzed for As accumulation using ICP-MS. Furthermore, we implemented metabolomics through LC-MS/MS and UHPLC to identify metabolic signatures regulating As content by observing the metalloid's composition in rice agrosystem. Results showed that rice genotypes differed significantly in their levels of metabolites, with Mini mansoori and Pioneer having the highest levels. Mini mansoori contained least As which might have been regulated by Ala, Ser, Glu, Phe, Asn, His, Ile, Lys, Gln, Trp, Tyr, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, trans-ferulic, rutin, morin, naringenin, kampferol, and myricetin, while Asp, Arg, Met, syringic, epigalocatechin, and apigenin contributed to the greater As acclimatization ability of Pioneer. Multivariate tools separated the rice genotypes into two major clusters: Pioneer-Mini mansoori and Damini-Sampoorna-Chintu. KEGG identified three major metabolic pathways (aminoacyl-tRNA, phenylpropanoid, and secondary metabolites biosynthesis route) linked with As tolerance and adaptation mechanisms in rice. Overall, these two genotypes symbolize their As hostile and accommodating attitudes probably due to the accumulated metabolites and the physicochemical attributes of the soil-water. Thus, thorough understanding of the metabolic reactions to As may facilitate the emergence of As tolerant/resilient genotypes. This will aid in the selection of molecular markers to cultivate healthier rice genotypes in As-contaminated areas.
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Arsénico , Oryza , Oryza/genética , Arsénico/toxicidad , Cromatografía Liquida , Espectrometría de Masas en Tándem , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Genotipo , Suelo , AguaRESUMEN
Conventional statistical investigations have primarily focused on the comparison of the simple one-dimensional characteristics of protein cavities, such as number, surface area, and volume. These studies have failed to discern the crucial distinctions in cavity properties between thermophilic and mesophilic proteins that contribute to protein thermostability. In this study, the significance of cavity properties, i.e., flexibility and location, in protein thermostability was investigated by comparing structural differences between homologous thermophilic and mesophilic proteins. Three dimensions of protein structure were categorized into three regions (core, boundary, and surface) and a comparative analysis of cavity properties using this structural index was conducted. The statistical analysis revealed that cavity flexibility is closely related to protein thermostability. The core cavities of thermophilic proteins were less flexible than those of mesophilic proteins (averaged B' factor values, -0.6484 and -0.5111), which might be less deleterious to protein thermostability. Thermophilic proteins exhibited fewer cavities in the boundary and surface regions. Notably, cavities in mesophilic proteins, across all regions, exhibited greater flexibility than those in thermophilic proteins (>95% probability). The increased flexibility of cavities in the boundary and surface regions of mesophilic proteins, as opposed to thermophilic proteins, may compromise stability. Recent protein engineering investigations involving mesophilic xylanase and protease showed results consistent with the findings of this study, suggesting that the manipulation of flexible cavities in the surface region can enhance thermostability. Consequently, our findings suggest that a rational or computational approach to the design of flexible cavities in surface or boundary regions could serve as an effective strategy to enhance the thermostability of mesophilic proteins.
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Significance: Reactive oxygen species (ROS), the reactive oxygen-carrying chemicals moieties, act as pleiotropic signal transducers to maintain various biological processes/functions, including immune response. Increased ROS production leads to oxidative stress, which is implicated in xenobiotic-induced adverse effects. Understanding the immunoregulatory mechanisms and immunotoxicity is of interest to developing therapeutics against xenobiotic insults. Recent Advances: While developmental studies have established the essential roles of ROS in the establishment and proper functioning of the immune system, toxicological studies have demonstrated high ROS generation as one of the potential mechanisms of immunotoxicity induced by environmental chemicals, including heavy metals, pesticides, aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene and derivatives), plastics, and nanoparticles. Mitochondrial electron transport and various signaling components, including NADH oxidase, toll-like receptors (TLRs), NF-κB, JNK, NRF2, p53, and STAT3, are involved in xenobiotic-induced ROS generation and immunotoxicity. Critical Issues: With many studies demonstrating the role of ROS and oxidative stress in xenobiotic-induced immunotoxicity, rigorous and orthogonal approaches are needed to achieve in-depth and precise understanding. The association of xenobiotic-induced immunotoxicity with disease susceptibility and progression needs more data acquisition. Furthermore, the general methodology needs to be possibly replaced with high-throughput precise techniques. Future Directions: The progression of xenobiotic-induced immunotoxicity into disease manifestation is not well documented. Immunotoxicological studies about the combination of xenobiotics, age-related sensitivity, and their involvement in human disease incidence and pathogenesis are warranted. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 40, 691-714.
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Estrés Oxidativo , Xenobióticos , Humanos , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno , Xenobióticos/toxicidad , Transducción de Señal , Receptores Toll-LikeRESUMEN
Flavonols are structurally and functionally diverse biomolecules involved in plant biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, pollen development, and inhibition of auxin transport. However, their effects on global gene expression and signaling pathways are unclear. To explore the roles of flavonol metabolites in signaling, we performed comparative transcriptome and targeted metabolite profiling of seedlings from the flavonol-deficient Arabidopsis loss-of-function mutant flavonol synthase1 (fls1) with and without exogenous supplementation of flavonol derivatives (kaempferol, quercetin, and rutin). RNA-seq results indicated that flavonols modulate various biological and metabolic pathways, with significant alterations in camalexin and aliphatic glucosinolate synthesis. Flavonols negatively regulated camalexin biosynthesis but appeared to promote the accumulation of aliphatic glucosinolates via transcription factor-mediated up-regulation of biosynthesis genes. Interestingly, upstream amino acid biosynthesis genes involved in methionine and tryptophan synthesis were altered under flavonol deficiency and exogenous supplementation. Quercetin treatment significantly up-regulated aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis genes compared with kaempferol and rutin. In addition, expression and metabolite analysis of the transparent testa7 mutant, which lacks hydroxylated flavonol derivatives, clarified the role of quercetin in the glucosinolate biosynthesis pathway. This study elucidates the molecular mechanisms by which flavonols interfere with signaling pathways, their molecular targets, and the multiple biological activities of flavonols in plants.
Asunto(s)
Arabidopsis , Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Flavonoles/metabolismo , Glucosinolatos/metabolismo , Quempferoles/metabolismo , Quempferoles/farmacología , Quercetina/metabolismo , Quercetina/farmacología , Vías Biosintéticas , RutinaRESUMEN
The present study examined the ability of Quercus castaneifolia C.A.M., Parrotia persica C.A.M., and Carpinus betulus L. for environmental pollution biomonitoring based on the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI). Four leaf traits, total leaf chlorophyll content, leaf extract pH, ascorbic acid content, and relative water content of leaf, were used to compute the APTI values. The study was conducted at five sites in the Hyrcanian forests at different distances from a cement factory close to the Neka city, northern Iran. Based on the results, a 22.5, 30.1, and 25.8% decrease was thus recorded in total chlorophyll content for Q. castaneifolia, P. persica, and C. betulus, respectively, compared to the reference site. However, ascorbic acid content shows an increment of 179.8, 116.8, and 97.3% for P. persica, C. betulus, and Q. castaneifolia, respectively, in the polluted sites as compared to the reference site. The relative water content of P. persica was significantly higher than of Q. castaneifolia and C. betulus in all studied sites. APTI was significantly different among the species, and P. persica was highly tolerant to air pollution, with the highest values of APTI ranging from 11.8 to 16.9. The APTI values of Q. castaneifolia ranged from 9.5 to 11.3 and showed an intermediate tolerance to air pollution. Also, the most sensitive species to air pollution was C. betulus, with a range of 6.6-7.9 in APTI values. Based on APTI values, it can be suggested that P. persica can be used as a biomonitor, while C. betulus can be used as a bioindicator for atmospheric dust deposition and heavy metal pollution.