Plants are constantly threatened by a virus infection, i.e., Potyviruses, the second largest genus of plant viruses which results in several million-dollar losses in various essential crops globally. ...Yam bean (
Pachyrhizus erosus
) is considered to be one of the essential tuberous legume crops holding a great potential source of starch. Yam Bean Mosaic Virus (YBMV) of Potyvirus group belonging to the family potyviridae affects Yam bean and several angiosperms both in the tropical and sub-tropical regions causing large economical losses in crops. In this study, we attempted to understand the sequence-structure relationship and mode of RNA binding mechanism in YBMV CP using in silico integrative modeling and all-atoms molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The assembly of coat protein (CP) subunits from YBMV and the plausible mode of RNA binding were compared with the experimental structure of CP from Watermelon mosaic virus potyvirus (5ODV). The transmembrane helix region is present in the YBMV CP sequence ranging from 76 to 91 amino acids. Like the close structural-homolog, 24 CPs monomeric sub-units formed YBMV a conserved fold. Our computational study showed that ARG
124
, ARG
155
,
and TYR
151
orient towards the inner side of the virion, while, THR
122
, GLN
125
, SER
92
, ASP
94
reside towards the outer side of the virion. Despite sharing very low sequence similarity with CPs from other plant viruses, the strongly conserved residues Ser, Arg, and Asp within the RNA binding pocket of YBMV CP indicate the presence of a highly conserved RNA binding site in CPs from different families. Using several bioinformatics tools and comprehensive analysis from MD simulation, our study has provided novel insights into the RNA binding mechanism in YBMV CP. Thus, we anticipate that our findings from this study will be useful for the development of new therapeutic agents against the pathogen, paving the way for researchers to better control this destructive plant virus.
•Scenedesmus dimorphus was high CO2 tolerant strain.•CO2 supplementation system designed using low density polyethylene sleeves.•Alpha linolenic acid levels increased with increased CO2 ...concentration.•Carbon content and CO2 bio-fixation increased with higher CO2 levels.•S. dimorphus tolerated pH range (5–11) and NaCl up to 100mM with increased lipids.
Five indigenous microalgal strains of Scenedesmus, Chlorococcum, Coelastrum, and Ankistrodesmus genera, isolated from Indian fresh water habitats, were studied for carbon-dioxide tolerance and its effect on growth, lipid and fatty acid profile. Scenedesmus dimorphus strain showed maximum growth (1.5g/L) and lipid content (17.83% w/w) under CO2 supplementation, hence selected for detailed evaluation. The selected strain was alkaline adapted but tolerated (i) wide range of pH (5–11); (ii) elevated salinity levels (up to 100mM, NaCl) with low biomass yields and increased carotenoids (19.34mg/g biomass); (iii) elevated CO2 levels up to 15% v/v with enhancement in specific growth rate (0.137d−1), biomass yield (1.57g/L), lipid content (19.6% w/w) and CO2 biofixation rate (0.174gL−1d−1). Unsaturated fatty acid content (alpha linolenic acid) increased with CO2 supplementation in the strain.
•Freshwater microalga Desmodesmus sp. produced ALA-rich lipids under low temperature, UV treatment and nutrient stress.•Low temperature led to a 1.8 fold increase in ALA fraction of total fatty ...acids.•UV treated cultures at low temperature showed a 2.6 fold increase in lipid content.•UV treated cultures at low temperature showed maximum ALA content of biomass.
The indigenous microalga, Desmodesmus sp. produced alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) rich lipids in response to low temperature and UV treatment. Incubation at 5 °C showed a 1.5 fold increase in lipid content (34% w/w) with 44% ALA fraction of total fatty acids. The UV treatment (UV 60 min) exhibited a 1.4 fold increase in biomass productivity and 1.6 fold increase in lipid content (37% w/w) with ALA fraction as 31% of total fatty acids. The nitrogen stress enhanced the lipid content (39% w/w) with a reduced ALA fraction (18%) of total fatty acids. The UV treated cultures (UV 40 and 60 min) on incubation at 5 °C showed maximum lipid accumulation (59 to 62% w/w) with ALA fraction of total fatty acids as 39 to 42%. The incubation of nutrient-replete and UV treated cultures at low-temperature could therefore be used for the production of ALA-rich lipids in microalgae.
Haiti endures the poorest water and sanitation infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere, where waterborne diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality. Most of these diseases are reported to be ...caused by waterborne pathogens. In this study, we examined the overall bacterial diversity of selected source and point-of-use water from rural areas in Central Plateau, Haiti using pyrosequencing of 16s rRNA genes. Taxonomic composition of water samples revealed an abundance of Firmicutes phyla, followed by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. A total of 38 bacterial families and 60 genera were identified. The presence of several Klebsiella spp. (tentatively, K. pneumoniae, K. variicola and other Klebsiella spp.) was detected in most water samples. Several other human pathogens such as Aeromonas, Bacillus, Clostridium, and Yersinia constituted significantly higher proportion of bacterial communities in the point-of-use water samples compared to source water. Bacterial genera traditionally associated with biofilm formation, such as Chryseobacterium, Fusobacterium, Prevotella, Pseudomonas were found in the point-of-use waters obtained from water filters or domestic water storage containers. Although the pyrosequencing method utilized in this study did not reveal the viability status of these pathogens, the abundance of genetic footprints of the pathogens in water samples indicate the probable risk of bacterial transmission to humans. Therefore, the importance of appropriate handling, purification, and treatment of the source water needed to be clearly communicated to the communities in rural Haiti to ensure the water is safe for their daily use and intake.
When ice forms on solid surfaces, it can cause issues in many different sectors (aircraft, electricity lines, etc.). Surfaces and coatings with hydrophobic qualities may be used in anti-icing ...applications. The purpose of this work is to utilize RF Magneton Sputtering to deposit AZO thin coatings, which will slow the accumulation of ice on the surface. The effects of changes in argon partial pressure on the anti-icing, wettability, optical, and structural properties of the resulting thin films have been experimentally investigated. X-ray diffraction demonstrated a (002) peak of ZnO, the intensity of the peak diminishes with an increase in partial pressure. The band gap was measured to be between 2.98 and 3.15 eV, and the average maximum transmittance was observed to be around 82% for 50% partial pressure and 71% for 33% partial pressure, confirming the transparency of the thin films. Wettability studies revealed that the films are hydrophobic with a maximum contact angle of 127.5°, which was deposited at lower partial pressure. Films deposited at 33% partial pressure delayed the formation of ice on the surface by 4.5 folds when compared to an uncoated substrate.
The composition of resident microbes in the human body is linked to various diseases and their treatment outcomes. Although studies have identified pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-associated ...bacterial communities in the oral and gut samples, herein, we hypothesize that the prevalence of microbiota in pancreatic tumor tissues is different as compared with their matched adjacent, histologically normal appearing tissues, and these microbial molecular signatures can be highly useful for PDAC diagnosis/prognosis. In this study, we performed comparative profiling of bacterial populations in pancreatic tumors and their respective adjacent normal tissues using 16S rRNA-based metagenomics analysis. This study revealed a higher abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinomycetota in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Interestingly, the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) scores unambiguously revealed an enrichment of Delftia in tumor tissues, whereas Sphingomonas, Streptococcus, and Citrobacter exhibited a depletion in tumor tissues. Furthermore, we analyzed the microbial composition between different groups of patients with different tumor differentiation stages. The bacterial genera, Delftia and Staphylococcus, were very high at the G1 stages (well differentiated) compared with G2 (well to moderate/moderately differentiated) and G3/G4 (poorly differentiated) stages. However, the abundance of Actinobacter and Cloacibacterium was found to be very high in G2 and G3, respectively. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation of programmed death-ligand (PDL1) expression with the abundance of bacterial genera in tumor lesions. Our results indicated that three genera such as Streptomyces, Cutibacterium, and Delftia have a positive correlation with PD-L1 expression. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that PDAC lesions harbor relatively different microbiota compared with their normal tumor adjacent tissues, and this information may be helpful for the diagnosis and prognosis of PADC patients.
With the objective of identifying an ecologically sustainable substrate for commercial gerbera production, we conducted an experiment to assess the effects of super absorbent polymer and organic ...vermi-products on the physico-chemical properties of the growing media, and plant growth and flower yield in gerbera cv. Yosemite. CPV (Cocopeat: Perlite: Vermiculite) and soil amended with vermicompost (VC, 20%), Pusa hydrogel (PHG, 0.25%) and horn bio-manure (HBM, 1%) had significant positive effects on growth and flowering of gerbera. The lowest (0.29 ± 0.02 g cm−3) bulk density was recorded in CPV + PHG + HBM while the maximum (59.75 ± 0.63%) water holding capacity was observed in CPV + PHG + VC substrate. The maximum electric conductivity (0.99 ± 0.06 dS m−1) and pH (7.90 ± 0.04) were recorded in Soil + PHG + VC. Plants grown on CPV + PHG + VC media and sprayed with 20% of vermiwash produced the highest number of leaves during the entire period (31 ± 0.58), maximum leaf length (30.18 ± 0.18 cm) and width (8.30 ± 0.16 cm), maximum number of primary roots (42 ± 1.53), highest flowers per plant (19.67 ± 0.33), stalk length (41.08 ± 0.10 cm) and flower head diameter (10.11 ± 0.03 cm). Flowers produced on this medium also had an extended attractive appearance (20.33 ± 0.33 days) and longer vase life (14.33 ± 0.33 days). Water requirement of gerbera (litre/crop season) on CPV + PHG + VC medium, with or without Vermiwash spray was also considerably lower than other treatments. Overall results suggest that CPV amended with PHG and VC coupled with Vermiwash spray provide congenial conditions for gerbera plant growth and flower production while also simultaneously reducing irrigation water use considerably.
•COD and BOD removal of up to 75% and 82% respectively was achieved.•NO3-N and PO4-P removal of up to 65% and 71.29% respectively was observed.•An enhanced growth of microalgae was observed with 60% ...effluent.•The palmitic acid and α-linolenic acid were the major fatty acids of microalgae.
A mixed culture of microalgae, containing two Scenedesmus species, was analysed to determine its potential in coupling of pulp and paper mill effluent treatment and microalgal cultivation. Laboratory studies suggested that 60% concentration of wastewater was optimum for microalgal cultivation. A maximum of 82% and 75% removal of BOD and COD respectively was achieved with microalgal cultivation in outdoor open pond. By the end of the cultivation period, 65% removal of NO3-N and 71.29% removal of PO4-P was observed. The fatty acid composition of mixed microalgal culture cultivated with effluent showed the palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid as major fatty acids. The results obtained suggest that pulp and paper mill effluent could be used effectively for cultivation of microalgae to minimise the freshwater and nutrient requirements.