Advancements in genetic techniques and functional genomics for enhancing crop traits and agricultural sustainability.

Genetic variability is essential for the development of new crop varieties with economically beneficial traits. The traits can be inherited from wild relatives or induced through mutagenesis. Novel genetic elements can then be identified and new gene functions can be predicted. In this study, forward and reverse genetics approaches were described, in addition to their applications in modern crop improvement programs and functional genomics. By using heritable phenotypes and linked genetic markers, forward genetics searches for genes by using traditional genetic mapping and allele frequency estimation. Despite recent advances in sequencing technology, omics and computation, genetic redundancy remains a major challenge in forward genetics. By analyzing close-related genes, we will be able to dissect their functional redundancy and predict possible traits and gene activity patterns. In addition to these predictions, sophisticated reverse gene editing tools can be used to verify them, including TILLING, targeted insertional mutagenesis, gene silencing, gene targeting and genome editing. By using gene knock-down, knock-up and knock-out strategies, these tools are able to detect genetic changes in cells. In addition, epigenome analysis and editing enable the development of novel traits in existing crop cultivars without affecting their genetic makeup by increasing epiallelic variants. Our understanding of gene functions and molecular dynamics of various biological phenomena has been revised by all of these findings. The study also identifies novel genetic targets in crop species to improve yields and stress tolerances through conventional and non-conventional methods. In this article, genetic techniques and functional genomics are specifically discussed and assessed for their potential in crop improvement.

A Preliminary Report of Maximum Voluntary Bite Force of Young Indian Population.

Introduction: The measurement of bite force is increasingly gaining importance in dentistry. This preliminary report evaluates the maximum voluntary bite force (MVBF) of young healthy individuals with normal occlusion and correlates the effect of age and gender with the maximum bite force (MBF). Materials and Methods: 405 participants in the age group of 18 to 40 years were selected from the outpatient department meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. MVBF was measured with the help of a digital device called "Byte" at incisors, right first molar, and left first molar region. Results: There was a strong correlation between age with bite force. Bite force increased with age. Males had more bite force than females. The posterior region had higher bite force than the anterior region. Conclusion: Measurement of bite force is very important for every patient undergoing restorative treatment. The "Byte" device was found to be very efficient.

Analysis of the Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Removable Partial Denture Base Materials.

Background: Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing have introduced novel materials for removable partial dentures (RPD) base fabrication, promising improved mechanical properties, and biocompatibility. Materials and Methods: In this study, three different RPD base materials were evaluated: conventional heat-cured acrylic resin (Control), biocompatible 3D-printed resin (Test Group A), and a novel nanocomposite 3D-printed resin (Test Group B). A total of 30 standardized RPD base specimens (n = 10 per group) were fabricated according to established protocols. Microstructural analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the mechanical properties, including flexural strength and modulus, were determined using a universal testing machine. Results: Microstructural analysis revealed distinct differences among the materials. SEM images showed a well-defined and homogeneous microstructure in Test Group B, while Test Group A exhibited fewer voids compared to the Control group. Mechanical testing results indicated that Test Group B had the highest flexural strength (120 ± 5 MPa), followed by Test Group A (90 ± 4 MPa), and the Control group (75 ± 3 MPa). Similarly, Test Group B demonstrated the highest flexural modulus (3.5 ± 0.2 GPa), followed by Test Group A (2.8 ± 0.1 GPa), and the Control group (2.1 ± 0.1 GPa). Conclusion: These findings suggest that 3D-printed RPD base materials, particularly nanocomposite resins, hold promise for improving the overall quality and durability of removable partial dentures.

Assessment of Nursing Staff's Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Oral Hygiene Care in Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Oral care is one of the fundamental nursing care procedures used to decrease oral colonization, dental plaque, respiratory infections, patient stay, and cost. The importance of good oral hygiene for patients in intensive care units (ICUs) is well recognized, however, the most effective way to achieve good oral care in the ICU is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nursing professionals regarding oral healthcare in ICUs among various medical institutes across India. Materials and methods: A questionnaire-based multicentric cross-sectional survey was conducted among registered nursing professionals employed at ICUs of three government tertiary healthcare centers (THC) of India: THC-I, THC-II, and THC-III located in the eastern and northern parts of India between February 2022 and July 2022. Results: A total of 150 nurses completed the questionnaire form (response rate: 62.5%) comprised of 49 (32.7%) males and 101 (67.3%) females with a mean age of 35.69 ± 7.7 years. Nursing officers' knowledge surpassed that of staff nurses regarding the duration of toothbrushing (p = 0.033). Among interinstitutional comparisons, THC-I nurses showed the greatest knowledge regarding the duration of toothbrushing and the mechanism of preventing saliva accumulation to reduce microbial growth (p = 0.013 and p = 0.003, respectively). Based on total work experience, participants were segregated into three groups: Group I (<7 years), group II (7.1-13.9 years), and group III (>14 years). Group II surpassed the knowledge of denture removal during sleep, cleaning after every meal, and storing in personalized air-tight containers (p = 0.001 and p = 0.036, respectively). The majority from group II recommended plain saline as the material for oral hygiene maintenance in ICU patients (p = 0.008). Group III predominantly practiced the ideal handwashing technique pre- and post-patient contact which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study observed that a knowledge gap exists among the nurses of the three institutes across India pertaining to the oral hygiene care of ICU patients. Nurse's education and implementation of the proper oral hygiene measures for intubated patients in ICU setup is an essential need. How to cite this article: Kumar S, Singh B, Mahuli AV, Kumar S, Singh A, Jha AK. Assessment of Nursing Staff's Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Oral Hygiene Care in Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(1):48-57.

Revealing the interface chemistry of polyaniline grafted biomass via statistical modeling of multi-component dye systems: optimization, kinetics, thermodynamics, and adsorption mechanism.

The growing need to examine the adsorption capabilities of innovative materials in real-world water samples has encouraged a shift from single to multicomponent adsorption systems. In this study, a novel composite, PANI-g-SM was synthesized by covalently grafting a lignocellulosic biomass, Saccharum munja (SM) with polyaniline (PANI). The as-synthesized composite was investigated for the simultaneous adsorption of cationic (Methylene Blue (MB); Crystal Violet (CV)) and anionic dyes (Reactive Red 35 (RR); Fast Green FCF (FG)) from four single components and two binary systems, MB + RR and CV + FG. Further, the effect and interaction of pH (2-11), dosage (0.01-0.04 g/10 mL), and initial concentration (0.0313 to 0.1563 mmol/L) on the elimination of dyes by PANI-g-SM were studied through a novel design of Box-Behnken of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) technique which was found to be highly useful for revealing the chemistry of interfaces in multi-component systems. The extended Langmuir model for the binary system indicated the presence of synergism, as result the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity increased by 44.44%, 645.83%, 67.88%, and 441.07% for MB, RR, CV, and FG dye, respectively. Further, the adsorption process mainly followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the thermodynamic studies revealed the exothermic nature of adsorption for RR and FG dye while endothermic for MB and CV dye, respectively with Δ G varying from - 1.68 to - 6.12 kJ/mol indicating the spontaneity of the process. Importantly, the efficacy of the composite was evaluated for the treatment of textile industry effluent highlighting its potential as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment.

Solanum tuberosum tuber-driven starch-mediated green-hydrothermal synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles for efficient photocatalysis and antimicrobial activities.

In this study, we are reporting for the first time the utilization of Solanum tuberosum tuber-driven, starch-mediated, green-hydrothermally synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (G-CeO2 NPs) for the antibacterial activity and photodegradation of cationic (methylene blue, MB) and anionic (methyl orange, MO) dyes separately and in combination, aimed at environmental remediation. The XRD analysis confirms the fluorite structure of G-CeO2 NPs, displaying an average crystallite size of 9.6 nm. Further, XPS confirms the existence of 24% of Ce3+ oxidation states within G-CeO2 NPs. Morphological studies through FE-SEM and TEM reveal that starch-driven OH- ion production leads to a high percentage of active crystal facets, favoring the formation of Ce3+-rich CeO2 NPs. Photocatalytic experiments conducted under UV-A illumination demonstrate the superior degradation performance of G-CeO2 NPs, with MB degradation reaching 93.4% and MO degradation at 77.2% within 90 min. This outstanding catalytic activity is attributed to the mesoporous structure (pore diameter of 5.63 nm) with a narrow band gap, a large surface area (103.38 m2g-1), and reduced charge recombination, as validated by BET, UV-visible, and electrochemical investigations. The identification of photogenerated intermediates is achieved through LCMS, while the mineralization is monitored via total organic carbon analysis. Moreover, the scavenging experiments point towards the involvement of reactive oxygen species in organic oxidation, demonstrating efficiency over five consecutive trials. Additionally, G-CeO2 NPs exhibit potent antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. This study presents an innovative, and efficient approach to environmental remediation, shedding light on the potential of G-CeO2 NPs in addressing environmental pollution challenges.

In situ growth of a redox-active metal-organic framework on electrospun carbon nanofibers as a free-standing electrode for flexible energy storage devices.

The rational construction of free-standing and flexible electrodes for application in electrochemical energy storage devices and next-generation supercapacitors is an emerging research focus. Herein, we prepared a redox-active ferrocene dicarboxylic acid (Fc)-based nickel metal-organic framework (MOF) on electrospun carbon nanofibers (NiFc-MOF@CNFs) via an in situ approach. This in situ approach avoided the aggregation of the MOF. The NiFc-MOF@CNF flexible electrode showed a high redox-active behavior owing to the presence of ferrocene and flexible carbon nanofibers, which led to unique properties, including high flexibility and lightweight. Furthermore, the prepared electrode was utilized in a supercapacitors (SC) without the use of any binder, which achieved a specific capacity of 460 C g-1 at 1 A g-1 with an excellent cyclic retention of 82.2% after 25 000 cycles and a good rate capability. A flexible asymmetric supercapacitor device was assembled, which delivered a high energy density of 56.25 W h kg-1 and a long-lasting cycling performance. Also, the prepared electrode could be used as a freestanding electrode in flexible devices at different bending angles. The obtained cyclic voltammetry curves showed negligible changes, indicating the high stability and good flexibility of the electrode. Thus, the use of the in situ strategy can lead to the uniform growth of redox-active MOFs or other porous materials on CNFs.

Evaluation of Impact Strength and Flexural Strength of Polyether Ether Ketone vs. Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing Polymethyl Methacrylate Denture Base Materials: An In-Vitro Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to comparatively assess the impact strength and flexural strength of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) vs. computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) polymethyl methacrylate denture base material. METHODS: A total of 90 samples were fabricated with traditional heat cure PMMA, PEEK, and CAD/CAM PMMA and divided into three groups of 30 samples each. The impact strength of all the samples was measured using an Izod impact tester with a pendulum in the air at 23±2°C. A three-point bending test was used in a Universal Testing Machine to assess the flexural strength of all the samples. The impact strength and flexural strength mean values were computed using a one-way ANOVA test. RESULT: Impact strength and flexural strength of PEEK (IS=10.22±1.25 kJ/m2 and FS=120±8.0 MPa) is almost identical to CAD/CAM PMMA sample (IS=9.595±3.313 kJ/m2 and FS=118.11±5.00 MPa) whereas for conventional heat cure PMMA (IS=4.00±.011 kJ/m2 and FS=75.4±4.50 MPa) the values are least among the three. CONCLUSION:  PEEK or CAD/CAM PMMA share almost identical and superior mechanical properties, and both can be used as better alternatives for complete denture fabrication rather than using conventional heat cure PMMA.

Estimation of SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in Healthcare Worker-Administered Covishield and Covaxin Vaccines at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Jharkhand, India.

Introduction To mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, global distribution of vaccines such as Covishield and Covaxin has been undertaken. This research aimed to assess the responses and potential differences between these vaccines by examining the presence and levels of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in healthcare professionals who received them. Methodology A comprehensive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care facility in Ranchi involving 227 healthcare professionals who had completed both doses of either Covishield or Covaxin. Blood samples were collected and subjected to chemiluminescence immunoassay analysis to measure IgG antibodies. Demographic data, immunization records, and previous COVID-19 infections were recorded. Statistical analyses, including analysis of variance (ANOVA), linear regression, and independent sample t-tests were performed. Results Antibody titers exhibited variability, potentially influenced by factors. There was no difference in antibody titers between recipients of Covishield and Covaxin vaccines. Linear regression analysis revealed a correlation between antibody levels and the number of days after vaccination. Factors such as age, gender, blood group, and prior COVID-19 infections did not significantly impact antibody titers. Conclusions This study contributes to responses elicited by Covishield and Covaxin vaccines among healthcare workers. The results highlight that Covishield showed a higher mean titer value than Covaxin, which is not statistically significant. The overall model showed statistically significant results indicating age, type of vaccine, number of days after vaccination, blood group, and previous history of COVID-19 infection collectively influenced the CoV-2 IgG titer values. The findings indicate that age, number of days after vaccination, and prior history of COVID-19 infection have substantial relationships with the CoV-2 IgG titer, but sex, vaccine type, and blood group show lesser, nonsignificant associations.

Small Heat Shock Protein (sHsp22.98) from Trialeurodes vaporariorum Plays Important Role in Apple Scar Skin Viroid Transmission.

Trialeurodes vaporariorum, commonly known as the greenhouse whitefly, severely infests important crops and serves as a vector for apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd). This vector-mediated transmission may cause the spread of infection to other herbaceous crops. For effective management of ASSVd, it is important to explore the whitefly's proteins, which interact with ASSVd RNA and are thereby involved in its transmission. In this study, it was found that a small heat shock protein (sHsp) from T. vaporariorum, which is expressed under stress, binds to ASSVd RNA. The sHsp gene is 606 bp in length and encodes for 202 amino acids, with a molecular weight of 22.98 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.95. Intermolecular interaction was confirmed through in silico analysis, using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and northwestern assays. The sHsp22.98 protein was found to exist in both monomeric and dimeric forms, and both forms showed strong binding to ASSVd RNA. To investigate the role of sHsp22.98 during ASSVd infection, transient silencing of sHsp22.98 was conducted, using a tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing system. The sHsp22.98-silenced whiteflies showed an approximate 50% decrease in ASSVd transmission. These results suggest that sHsp22.98 from T. vaporariorum is associated with viroid RNA and plays a significant role in transmission.

A Systematic Review on Prosthodontic Rehabilitation of Hemimandibulectomy Defects.

Restoration of hemimandibulectomy defects following tumour extirpation to restore oral function is a herculean task for practitioners. Prosthetic treatment alternatives available for rehabilitation of acquired hemimandibulectomy defects according to mandibular reconstruction type and extent (Cantor-Curtis classification) are unclear. This systematic review aims to assess the spectrum of prosthodontic rehabilitation approaches with regard to reconstruction type and extent of mandibular surgical defects. The databases incorporated for literature search were Google Scholar and Medline (PubMed). Relevant search terms for hemimandibulectomy and reconstruction with prosthetic rehabilitation were used. Two reviewers independently assessed the articles using eligibility criteria; published case reports and case series in the English language and depicting prosthodontic treatment modality of patients greater than 15 years were included. A total of 202 records were identified from the database search of which 19 duplicates were removed. The remaining articles were assessed for eligibility, and 55 articles (comprising 58 cases) were finally included in the study. This review revealed various prosthetic alternatives ranging from guide flange, twin occlusion, palatal ramp, conventional to hybrid partial and complete dentures to implant-supported prosthesis including a few innovative prosthetic approaches. This systematic review provides a plethora of prosthodontic rehabilitation approaches according to the extent of hemimandibular surgical defect and type of reconstruction. This will facilitate practitioners and prosthodontists in sequential treatment planning and management of hemimandibulectomy cases in their routine practice.

Ligand-Induced Symmetry Breaking as the Origin of Multiexponential Photoluminescence Decay in CdSe Quantum Dots.

The bright photoluminescence (PL) of colloidal CdSe quantum dots (QDs) makes them interesting for optical applications. For most of them, well-defined PL properties, dominated by a single excitonic state, are required. However, in many PL experiments with QD ensembles, multiexponential decay was observed. On the basis of spin-orbit density functional theory and screened configuration interaction calculations, we show that highly symmetric and defect-free CdSe QDs with diameters of 1.7 and 2.0 nm possess a multiexponential low-temperature PL at the single-dot level. This is a consequence of ligand-induced symmetry breaking with a subsequent rearrangement of the lowest eight excitonic states in two sets of four singly degenerate excitonic states. For each set, the lowest state is dark and the other three are bright. We find that the splitting between the sets can be modified by the coverage and choice of the ligand, which facilitates the engineering of the PL properties of CdSe QDs.

Unusual Case of Secondary Pneumothorax in a Patient of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA).

Pulmonary aspergillosis is a well-recognized fungal lung disease caused by the Aspergillus species (especially Aspergillus fumigatus). Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is milder form of pulmonary aspergillosis compared to other more invasive forms. However, if left untreated, ABPA can cause significant lung damage. We present the case of a 33-year-old man who came with complaints of shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and productive cough. The patient underwent High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) scan of the chest which, suggested the diagnosis of ABPA with secondary tension pneumothorax.

First report of tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) and detection of other viruses in field-grown tomatoes in North-Western region of India.

Tomato crop is known to be infected by large number of viruses across the globe causing severe losses in its yield. Accurate information on the distribution and incidence of different viruses is essential to implement virus control strategies. This study provides information on prevalence and distribution of different viruses infecting tomato crop in North-western region of India. Leaf samples of 76 symptomatic tomato and 30 symptomatic and asymptomatic plants of Chenopodium sp. (weed) were collected from eight villages. DAS-ELISA and/or RT-PCR/PCR were used to detect occurrence of nineteen viruses and one viroid in tomatoes. Nine viruses viz. cucumber mosaic virus, groundnut bud necrosis virus, potato virus M, potato virus S, potato virus X, potato virus Y, tomato chlorosis virus, tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus and tomato mosaic virus were detected in 58 of 76 tomato samples. Detection of viruses was confirmed by cloning of specific amplicons followed by sequencing and submission of sequences to the GenBank database. None of the targeted pathogens were found in collected weed samples. Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) was the most prevalent virus (64.47%) followed by potato virus Y (PVY) (23.68%). Double, triple, quadruple and quintuple infections were also noticed. Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences was also carried out. Nine viruses infecting tomato crop from North-western region of India were detected. ToLCNDV was most prevalent with highest incidence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of ToCV on tomato from India. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13337-022-00801-y.

Clinicopathologic Correlation of CD44 + /CD24 - Expression in Breast Cancer: a Report from Tertiary Care Medical University in India.

CD44 + /CD24 - phenotype has been associated with stem cell-like characteristics with enhanced invasive properties, radiation resistance, and with distinct genetic profiles suggesting a correlation to adverse prognosis in western literature. The aim of this study was to study CD44 + /CD24 - phenotype as an adverse prognostic marker in Indian breast cancer patients. N = 61 breast cancer patients included in a tertiary care facility in India were evaluated for receptor studies (estrogen receptor ER, progesterone receptor PR, Herceptin antibody Her2 neu receptor, CD44 & CD24 stem cell markers). CD44 + /CD24 - phenotype was statistically related to adverse factors like estrogen and progesterone receptors non-expression, her 2 neu expression, and triple-negative breast cancer. Of the 39 patients with ER-ve status, 33 (84.6%) were found to have CD44 + /CD24 - phenotype and 82.5% of all the CD 44 + /CD24 - patients were ER negative (p = 0.001). Thirty-four (75.5%) of the PR-ve patients showed the CD44 + /CD24 - phenotype, and of all the CD 44 + /CD24 - patients, 85% of were PR negative (p = 0.006). Thirty-six (75%) of Her-2-Neu + ve were CD44 + /CD24 - . Approximately 90% of the Her 2 Neu patients expressed CD44 + /CD24 - and 76.9% of all the triple-negative patients were found to be CD44 + /CD24 - expression (p = 0.001). CD44 + /CD24 - had a significant association with adverse prognostic factors like stage of disease, hormonal receptor status, and molecular subtypes in Indian breast cancer patients like the Western data.

Perception, Awareness, and Practice about Missing Teeth, Prosthetic Options, and Knowledge about Dental Implants as a Treatment Modality in the Adult Population of Jharkhand State: A Hospital-Based Study.

Context: Several options to restore the missing teeth are currently available; however, minimal information is there regarding the tooth loss consequences and knowledge of the various prosthetic options in the Indian population. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the perception, awareness, and practice about missing teeth, prosthetic options, and knowledge about dental implants among the adult population of Jharkhand state. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 400 participants. The questionnaire was divided into two sections, i.e., perception awareness and practice about missing teeth, its consequences, and prosthetic options and the second part was about the knowledge of dental implants. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test was applied for comparison, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Maximum numbers of people 178 (44.5%) were interested to get their teeth replaced as a definite requirement. Loss of esthetics as a consequence after tooth loss was known to 72.5% followed by tilting of adjacent teeth (47%). Awareness for prosthetic options available after tooth loss was highest (71.5%) for fixed partial denture's (Bridge). Sixty-three percentage of the studied population had not replaced their missing teeth with any dental prosthesis. Knowledge about dental implants was restricted to a meager of 84 (21%) of the participants. Dentist was the main source of information for dental implants, followed by media. Conclusion: Awareness of patients toward missing teeth and its consequences requires more emphasis. Special effort is needed to improve the knowledge of dental implants among the less educated population of this region.

Management of Hypertension in Patients with Diabetes: A Comprehensive Review of the Perceptions and Practices of Health Care Providers in India.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the perception and practices of health care providers (physicians, diabetologists, and endocrinologists) regarding the treatment of hypertension in patients with diabetes in India. METHODS: Health care providers throughout India who treated patients with diabetes and hypertension were invited to participate in an online survey and periodic 21 virtual meetings. They were questioned about their perception and practices in managing these patients, and strategies to improve blood pressure (BP). RESULTS: The online survey was completed by 2,513 health care providers, and 344 participated in virtual meetings. More than 50% reported that 31-50% of their patients with diabetes also had hypertension. Home BP monitoring was recommended by 88%, and lifestyle modifications were consistently recommended. Choice of antihypertensive treatment varied based on comorbidities, and a renin-angiotensin system blocker plus a calcium channel blocker (CCB) was the most common combination for dual antihypertensive therapy. Suggested strategies to improve BP control included patient awareness/education, lifestyle modifications, better follow-up/monitoring, and optimization of therapy. CONCLUSION: Indian health care providers were aware of clinical recommendations and practices regarding treatment of patients with diabetes and hypertension, and generally make clinical decisions consistent with current guidelines. Optimization of care for these patients is essential to reduce cardiovascular disease risk and improve patient outcomes.

Homeobox 27, a Homeodomain Transcription Factor, Confers Tolerances to CMV by Associating with Cucumber Mosaic Virus 2b Protein.

Transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in plant development; however, their role during viral infection largely remains unknown. The present study was designed to uncover the role transcription factors play in Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infection. During the screening of an Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) transcription factor library, using the CMV 2b protein as bait in the yeast two-hybrid system, the 2b protein interacted with Homeobox protein 27 (HB27). HB27 belongs to the zinc finger homeodomain family and is known to have a regulatory role in flower development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stress. The interaction between CMV 2b and HB27 proteins was further validated using in planta (bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay) and in vitro far-Western blotting (FWB) methods. In the bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay, these proteins reconstituted YFP fluorescence in the nucleus and the cytoplasmic region as small fluorescent dots. In FWB, positive interaction was detected using bait anti-MYC antibody on the target HB27-HA protein. During CMV infection, upregulation (~3-fold) of the HB27 transcript was observed at 14 days post-infection (dpi) in A. thaliana plants, and expression declined to the same as healthy plants at 21 dpi. To understand the role of the HB27 protein during CMV infection, virus accumulation was determined in HB27-overexpressing (HB27 OE) and knockout mutants. In HB27-overexpressing lines, infected plants developed mild symptoms, accumulating a lower virus titer at 21 dpi compared to wild-type plants. Additionally, knockout HB27 mutants had more severe symptoms and a higher viral accumulation than wild-type plants. These results indicate that HB27 plays an important role in the regulation of plant defense against plant virus infection.