Recent advances in role of chromium and its antioxidant combinations in poultry nutrition: A review

Poultry is reared in open side houses in most of the tropical countries, which results in huge temperature variation in shed causing stress resulting in increased demand of antioxidant supplementation. Since cooling of poultry houses or environment control is very expensive, thus methods focused on nutritional modifications appears to be the much logical approach. Stress increases mineral and vitamin mobilization from tissues and their excretion. Effect of some minerals and vitamin supplements such as chromium (Cr) and ascorbic acid to elevate the negative effects of environmental stress is well documented. Cr functions as an antioxidant and its deficiency are said to disrupt carbohydrate and protein metabolism. Cr has been utilized for weight gain, to improve feed conversion ratio, increase relative organ weight, muscle development, decrease cholesterol, increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and improve nutrient digestion. Therefore, the present review discusses the beneficial aspects of Cr with its effect in different doses and antioxidant combinations to explore and promote its optimum utilization in poultry nutrition and production.

Conversion of a Single Polypharmacological Agent into Selective Bivalent Inhibitors of Intracellular Kinase Activity

Loss-of-function studies are valuable for elucidating kinase function and the validation of new drug targets. While genetic techniques, such as RNAi and genetic knockouts, are highly specific and easy to implement, in many cases post-translational perturbation of kinase activity, specifically pharmacological inhibition, is preferable. However, due to the high degree of structural similarity between kinase active sites and the large size of the kinome, identification of pharmacological agents that are sufficiently selective to probe the function of a specific kinase of interest is challenging, and there is currently no systematic method for accomplishing this goal. Here, we present a modular chemical genetic strategy that uses antibody mimetics as highly selective targeting components of bivalent kinase inhibitors. We demonstrate that it is possible to confer high kinase selectivity to a promiscuous ATP-competitive inhibitor by tethering it to an antibody mimetic fused to the self-labeling protein SNAPtag. With this approach, a potent bivalent inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase Abl was generated. Profiling in complex cell lysates, with competition-based quantitative chemical proteomics, revealed that this bivalent inhibitor possesses greatly enhanced selectivity for its target, BCR-Abl, in K562 cells. Importantly, we show that both components of the bivalent inhibitor can be assembled in K562 cells to block the ability of BCR-Abl to phosphorylate a direct cellular substrate. Finally, we demonstrate the generality of using antibody mimetics as components of bivalent inhibitors by generating a reagent that is selective for the activated state of the serine/threonine kinase ERK2.

Ternatin and improved synthetic variants kill cancer cells by targeting the elongation factor-1A ternary complex

Cyclic peptide natural products have evolved to exploit diverse protein targets, many of which control essential cellular processes. Inspired by a series of cyclic peptides with partially elucidated structures, we designed synthetic variants of ternatin, a cytotoxic and anti-adipogenic natural product whose molecular mode of action was unknown. The new ternatin variants are cytotoxic toward cancer cells, with up to 500-fold greater potency than ternatin itself. Using a ternatin photo-affinity probe, we identify the translation elongation factor-1A ternary complex (eEF1A·GTP·aminoacyl-tRNA) as a specific target and demonstrate competitive binding by the unrelated natural products, didemnin and cytotrienin. Mutations in domain III of eEF1A prevent ternatin binding and confer resistance to its cytotoxic effects, implicating the adjacent hydrophobic surface as a functional hot spot for eEF1A modulation. We conclude that the eukaryotic elongation factor-1A and its ternary complex with GTP and aminoacyl-tRNA are common targets for the evolution of cytotoxic natural products.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10222.001

Many plants, fungi, and bacteria have evolved to produce small molecules that have powerful effects on the cells of other living organisms, and can even kill them. These naturally produced compounds are often used as starting points for developing new drugs. One such class of compounds are the cyclic peptides, which can be relatively easily produced in the laboratory and are able to penetrate cells. Some cyclic peptides have also proved to be useful for treating cancer and immune diseases, so researchers are keen to identify others that have similar effects. One promising prospect, called ternatin, is produced by several species of fungi. In high doses, ternatin can kill mammalian cells, but it was not clear how it does so.

To learn more, Carelli et al. searched a chemical database for cyclic peptides related to ternatin and identified several similar compounds that were reported to kill cancer cells. Inspired by the structures of these cyclic peptides, Carelli et al. synthesized modified versions of ternatin. One of these was 500 times more potent than ternatin, which means a much lower dose of the compound is still able to kill cancer cells.

Further experiments showed that ternatin blocks the production of new proteins in cells. Specifically, ternatin binds to a complex that includes a protein called elongation factor-1A (eEF1A). Mutations in a particular region of eEF1A prevent ternatin from killing cells, suggesting a potential binding site for ternatin.

The next challenge is to dissect the mechanism by which compounds binding to this site on eEF1A block protein synthesis and kill cells. A related challenge is to understand why certain cancer cells are hypersensitive to ternatin and other eEF1A inhibitors, while other cancer cells are relatively resistant. These questions are relevant to the development of eEF1A inhibitors as cancer treatments.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10222.002

Ultrathin Silicon Sheet in the Management of Unilateral Post-traumatic Temporo-Mandibuar Joint Ankylosis in Children: A Good Alternative to Conventional Techniques

We have described a new technique of using ultra-thin silicon sheet (0.2 mm) between two transected bony ends for temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis in children with advantages of short operative time, minimal foreign material insertion and faster recovery time post-operatively which makes our technique a good alternative to conventional techniques. Our study is a non-randomized prospective study conducted on 10 children aged between 4 and 15 years who presented to our tertiary care institute with severe trismus after traumatic injury and were willing to undergo this new technique. The main outcome measure taken into consideration was difference between pre-operative, intra-operative (on table) and post-operative mouth opening (minimum 2 years follow-up). The pre-operative mouth opening in our cases varied from 1 to 5 mm. The intra-operative mouth opening achieved ranged from 2.8 to 3.2 cm. The mouth opening was about more than 2.7 cm in all our cases at 2 years of follow-up. Our technique is a good alternative to conventional techniques used for TMJ ankylosis in children but few more randomized controlled trials are required to assess its effectiveness in comparison to conventional techniques and for universal adoption of this technique.

Englerin A Agonizes the TRPC4/C5 Cation Channels to Inhibit Tumor Cell Line Proliferation

Englerin A is a structurally unique natural product reported to selectively inhibit growth of renal cell carcinoma cell lines. A large scale phenotypic cell profiling experiment (CLiP) of englerin A on ¬over 500 well characterized cancer cell lines showed that englerin A inhibits growth of a subset of tumor cell lines from many lineages, not just renal cell carcinomas. Expression of the TRPC4 cation channel was the cell line feature that best correlated with sensitivity to englerin A, suggesting the hypothesis that TRPC4 is the efficacy target for englerin A. Genetic experiments demonstrate that TRPC4 expression is both necessary and sufficient for englerin A induced growth inhibition. Englerin A induces calcium influx and membrane depolarization in cells expressing high levels of TRPC4 or its close ortholog TRPC5. Electrophysiology experiments confirmed that englerin A is a TRPC4 agonist. Both the englerin A induced current and the englerin A induced growth inhibition can be blocked by the TRPC4/C5 inhibitor ML204. These experiments confirm that activation of TRPC4/C5 channels inhibits tumor cell line proliferation and confirms the TRPC4 target hypothesis generated by the cell line profiling. In selectivity assays englerin A weakly inhibits TRPA1, TRPV3/V4, and TRPM8 which suggests that englerin A may bind a common feature of TRP ion channels. In vivo experiments show that englerin A is lethal in rodents near doses needed to activate the TRPC4 channel. This toxicity suggests that englerin A itself is probably unsuitable for further drug development. However, since englerin A can be synthesized in the laboratory, it may be a useful chemical starting point to identify novel modulators of other TRP family channels.

Engineered single-chain variable fragment antibody for immunodiagnosis of groundnut bud necrosis virus infection

Few studies have been done on engineered antibodies for diagnosis of tospovirus infections. The present study was undertaken to develop a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) for specific diagnosis of infection by groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV), the most prevalent serogroup IV tospovirus in India. Heavy chain (372 nucleotide [nt]) and light chain (363 nt) variable region clones obtained from a hybridoma were used to make an scFv construct that expressed a ~29-kDa protein in E. coli. The scFv specifically detected GBNV in field samples of cowpea, groundnut, mung bean, and tomato, and it did not recognize watermelon bud necrosis virus, a close relative of GBNV belonging to tospovirus serogroup IV. This study for the first time demonstrated the application of a functional scFv against a serogroup-IV tospovirus.

The asparagine residue in the FRNK box of potyviral helper-component protease is critical for its small RNA binding and subcellular localization

The multifunctional potyviral helper-component protease (HcPro) contains variable regions with some functionally conserved domains, such as the FRNK box. Natural variants occur at the FRNK box, a conserved central domain, known for its role in RNA binding and RNAi suppression activities, although no dominant natural variants for the N(182) residue are known to occur. Here, a mutant at HcPro(N182L) was developed to investigate its role in natural populations. Using in vitro studies, we found an increase in the small RNA (sRNA) binding potential of HcPro(N182L) without affecting its protein-protein interaction properties, suggesting that the presence of N(182) is critical to maintain threshold levels of sRNAs, but does not interfere in the self-interaction of HcPro. Furthermore, we found that expression of HcPro(N182L) in Nicotiana benthamiana affected plant growth. Transient expression of HcPro(N182L) induced reporter gene expression in 16c GFP transgenic plants more than HcPro did, suggesting that replacement of asparagine in the FRNK box favours RNA silencing suppression. HcPro was found to be distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasm, whereas HcPro(N182L) was observed only in cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in N. benthamiana leaves, when fused to a GFP tag and expressed by agro-infiltration, suggesting mutation favours oligomerization of HcPro. These findings suggest that amino acid N(182) of the conserved FRNK box may regulate RNA silencing mechanisms, and is required for maintenance of the subcellular localization of the protein for its multi-functionality. Hence, the N(182) residue of the FRNK box seems to be indispensable for potyvirus infection during evolution.

ST elevation after intracoronary administration of Papaverine for fractional flow reserve estimation

INTRODUCTION

Intracoronary (IC) papaverine which is one of the commonly used agents for Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) estimation has been reported to cause transient ST elevation in some patients. This phenomenon has not been systematically studied.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a prospective, observational study. Consecutive patients, who underwent FFR at our institute using IC papaverine from May 2012 to April 2013, were included. FFR was done when clinically indicated. The procedure involved administration of 20 mg papaverine (Paparin)--Troikaa, Ahmedabad) as a fast bolus by intracoronary route followed by a 10 cc contrast flush, following which pressure measurements were made. Continuous ECG recording by Philips Hemodynamic Laboratory was obtained for all patients throughout the procedure. Post procedure, they were observed for any delayed effects and eventual outcome was documented. Fischer's mid-p test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULT

Twenty-five patients (18 males, 7 females, mean age 57.9 ± 20 years) underwent FFR using Papaverine. The mean LVEF was (51 ± 15%). Fourteen patients (56%) developed transient ST elevation ≥0.5 mm in one or more leads which resolved spontaneously in all cases without any sequelae. The presence of a significant lesion either in the coronary artery being evaluated or in a remote coronary artery did not predict the ST elevation. 70.5% of diabetics (p = 0.02), 75% of hypertensives (p = 0.008) and 75% of patients with LVH (p = 0.008) had ST elevation. None of the 5 patients without any one of these comorbidities showed ST elevation.

CONCLUSION

Transient ST elevation occurs in a significant proportion of cases receiving IC papaverine which is not associated with any adverse clinical outcomes. Micro vascular dysfunction is the most likely mechanism of this phenomenon.

Pharmacologic reperfusion therapy with indigenous tenecteplase in 15,222 patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction - the Indian Registry

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy and safety of single intravenous bolus administration of indigenously developed tenecteplase (TNK-tPA) in the management of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in clinical practice.

METHODS

Observational, prescription-event monitoring study.

RESULTS

Data of 15,222 patients who had STEMI and received weight adjusted TNK injection was analyzed. Overall 95.43% patients had clinically successful thrombolysis (CST). In the different subgroups, hypertensives, diabetics, smokers and hyperlipidemic patients had CST rates comparable to the general patient data. CST rates were significantly lower in the elderly patients (>70 years; 92.11%; p < 0.0001), in patients with history of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD, 93.86%; p = 0.0004) and in patients receiving delayed treatment (>6 h after onset of chest pain; 85.38%; p < 0.0001). CST was significantly higher in patients who received an early thrombolysis (<3 h after onset of chest pain; 96.54%; p = 0.006). Overall mortality was 1.69%, while it was significantly higher in the elderly (4.42%), patients with history of IHD (2.67%), females (2.93%) and in those who received delayed treatment (4.98%). The overall incidences of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), bleeding excluding ICH, stroke and ventricular tachyarrhythmia were 0.39%, 2.01%, 0.16% and 2.35% respectively. Age >70 years, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and history of IHD were associated with a higher incidence of heart failure, myocardial re-infarction or ventricular tachyarrhythmias. However, incidence of ICH and bleeding other than ICH was comparable amongst all patient subgroups.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the safety and efficacy of indigenous tenecteplase in Indian patients with STEMI, including high risk subgroups. It also highlights the fact that delayed treatment denotes denial of benefits of pharmacologic reperfusion therapy.

A highly efficient and compact long pulse Nd:YAG rod laser with 540 J of pulse energy for welding application

We have developed an efficient and high average power flash lamp pumped long pulse Nd:YAG laser capable of generating 1 kW of average output power with maximum 540 J of single pulse energy and 20 kW of peak power. The laser pulse duration can be varied from 1 to 40 ms and repetition rate from 1 to 100 Hz. A compact and robust laser pump chamber and resonator was designed to achieve this high average and peak power. It was found that this laser system provides highest single pulse energy as compared to other long pulsed Nd:YAG laser systems of similar rating. A slope efficiency of 5.4% has been achieved, which is on higher side for typical lamp pumped solid-state lasers. This system will be highly useful in laser welding of materials such as aluminium and titanium. We have achieved 4 mm deep penetration welding of these metals under optimized conditions of output power, pulse energy, and pulse duration. The laser resonator was optimized to provide stable operation from single shot to 100 Hz of repetition rate. The beam quality factor was measured to be M(2) ~ 91 and pulse-to-pulse stability of ±3% for the multimode operation. The laser beam was efficiently coupled through an optical fiber of 600 μm core diameter and 0.22 numerical aperture with power transmission of 90%.

First Report of Lettuce mosaic virus Infecting Lactuca sativa in India

In January 2012, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants (19 out of 38) of one of the accessions (EC687345, variety NVRS-10:001818) exhibiting mild mosaic and stunted growth symptoms were observed at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) experimental farm, New Delhi. Similar disease symptoms in lettuce plants in India were previously described (3) and the associated virus was characterized for host range, dilution end point, thermal inactivation point, and longevity in vitro. In this study, definitive molecular evidence is presented for the presence of Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) infecting lettuce in India. Analysis of preparations from leaves of symptomatic samples with an electron microscope revealed flexuous virus particles measuring 750 × 13 nm, suggesting the association of a potyvirus (4). To identify the potyvirus infecting these lettuce plants, the 3' terminal portion of the genome including the part of the nuclear inclusion b (NIb), complete coat protein (CP) region, and 3' untranslated region (UTR) was amplified by RT-PCR, cloned, and sequenced. Total RNA was extracted from infected leaves using an RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) and subjected to RT-PCR using potyvirus specific forward (5' ACCACAGGATCCGGBAAYAAYAGYGGDCARCC 3') and reverse (5' CACGGATCCCGGG(T17)V 3') primers (2). PCR products (~1.8 kb) were cloned into pGEM-T Easy vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JQ794776). Sequence comparisons revealed the CP of the virus infecting lettuce (834 bp) shared 96 to 100% nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence identity with the corresponding regions of LMV isolates AJ306288 and AJ297630 from the United Kingdom, CAA46603 and NC003605 from the United States, AJ278854 and AJ278854 from Brazil, and AJ488153 from China, thus complying with the cut off range of 90 to 99% for identifying isolates/strains of the same virus (1). Similarly, 99 to 100% nucleotide sequence identity was observed with the corresponding region of the 3'UTR (245 bp) while 93 to 96% nucleotide identity of NIb region (654 bp) with LMV isolates. These results confirm that the virus infecting the symptomatic lettuce plants was an isolate of LMV. The amino acid sequences (DAG and WCIEN) conserved among majority of potyviruses were also present. Since the virus is aphid transmissible, its natural infection on other hosts and spread can't be ruled out. References: (1) M. J. Adams et al. Arch Virol. 150:459, 2005. (2) A. Gibbs and A. Mackenzie. J. Virol. Methods 63:9, 1997. (3) T. K. Nariani and P. S. Pathanian. Indian Phytopathol. 13:172, 1960. (4) D. D. Shukla et al. The Potyviridae, page 338, 1994.

Study on incidence of bleeding in hospitalized patients after antithrombotic therapy at a tertiary care hospital

OBJECTIVES

To monitor the different antithrombotic drug combinations, determine the incidence, magnitude of bleeding and the association of HAS-BLED risk scoring schema with the magnitude of bleeding as defined using TIMI bleeding criteria.

METHODS

A prospective observational study in a cohort of patients for a period of 8 months, at one of the tertiary care center-Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, was conducted. Consecutive patients were enrolled and followed from the date of admission till the adverse events are perceived/date of discharge. Pearson Correlation Statistics (Fisher's z Transformation) is applied to assess the association between HAS-BLED risk factors and the total risk score with bleeding criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 400 cases were collected during the 8-month study period, of which 372 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Among them 34 (9.1%) bleeding cases were reported with mean (+/- SD) age of 57.8 (+/- 14.19) years. Bleeding occurred mostly in males 79.4% and a HAS-BLED Score of > or = 3 has been observed in 67.6% (n = 23) patients out of 34 bled patients. Two antiplatelets + One anticoagulant is the most common combination which caused bleeding in 41.2% (n = 14). Stroke history, bleeding predisposition, labile INR's are the HAS-BLED risk factors which are significant (< 0.05) with the TIMI Bleeding Criteria.

CONCLUSION

There was a linear correlation between the HAS-BLED risk score and the TIMI bleeding criteria-higher the risk score the more frequent is the incidence of major bleeding. A HAS-BLED risk score of > or = 3 is associated with TIMI major bleeding.

Abstract P3-12-03: Combined targeting of HER2 and VEGFR2 for effective treatment of HER2-amplified breast cancer brain metastases

Brain metastases remain a serious obstacle in the treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-amplified breast cancer. Unlike HER2-amplified breast tumors growing in extra-cranial locations, brain metastases do not respond well to HER2 inhibitors and are often the reason for treatment failure. One of the major challenges in studying brain metastases is the lack of preclinical models. We developed a HER2-amplified mouse model of brain metastasis using an orthotopic xenograft of BT474 cells in mice. As seen in patients, the HER2 inhibitors trastuzumab and lapatinib failed to contain brain metastatic tumor growth.

Based on previous findings from our laboratory suggesting a role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the resistance of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer brain metastases to trastuzumab, we combined HER2 inhibitors with the anti-VEGFR2 antibody DC101. The combination of either trastuzumab and DC101 or lapatinib and DC101 significantly slowed metastatic tumor growth in the brain, and resulted in a striking improvement in overall survival. The benefit is due largely to an anti-angiogenic effect. The combination of anti-HER2 and anti-VEGFR2 therapy reduced both the total and functional microvascular density in the brain metastatic tumors. Moreover, tumor tissues under combination therapy showed a marked increase in necrosis.

Preclinical and clinical evidence suggest that the combination of trastuzumab and lapatinib is superior to either agent alone – though this has never been tested in the brain metastatic setting. We consistently observed increased phosphorylation of HER2 in breast tumor cells growing in the brain compared with the mammary fat pad. In addition, while short-term lapatinib treatment significantly reduced HER2 activation in the brain, it could do so only to the level of that observed in the untreated mammary fat pad - and this effect disappeared over time. We hypothesized that more pronounced HER2 inhibition would be beneficial to these brain metastases with increased HER2 activation. We show here a significant growth delay with the combination of the two HER2 inhibitors compared with monotherapy. Moreover, we found a dramatic brain metastatic tumor growth delay in mice treated with both HER2 inhibitors, trastuzumab and lapatinib, and DC101. The triple combination prolonged overall survival 5 times longer than control-treated mice.

Brain metastasis from breast cancer is considered the “final frontier” of breast cancer research and treatment. Our findings support the clinical development of a three-drug regimen of trastuzumab, lapatinib and a VEGF pathway inhibitor for the treatment of HER2-amplified breast cancer brain metastases. While the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy has shown some promise in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patient, there are no data on its efficacy in the context of brain metastases. A clinical trial is now recruiting patients to evaluate the efficacy of bevacizumab in breast cancer patients with active brain metastases, including its combination with trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive disease. This trial may provide clinical evidence for the approach presented here.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-03.

First Report of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 Infecting Grapevines in India

Viticulture, one of the most remunerative farming enterprises of India, is seriously affected by leafroll disease, which accounts for 62% of the losses in grape production worldwide due to viral diseases (4). Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 and 1 (GLRaV-3 and GLRaV-1) of the family Closteroviridae are the two most common viruses associated with the leafroll disease of grapevine (1). GLRaV-3 was previously confirmed in India through RT-PCR, cloning, and sequencing (2). A survey was conducted during 2010 and 2011 in the Nashik and Pune regions of western India and reddening of interveinal areas and downward rolling, typical symptoms of leafroll disease in dark fruited cultivars, were observed, first in 2010 and subsequently in 2011. Fourteen leafroll symptomatic samples from seven cultivars of seven vineyards were collected during 2011. Samples were subjected to double antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA using commercially available antibodies against GLRaV-3 and GLRaV-1 (Bioreba, Reinach, Switzerland) (2). An asymptomatic sample from another cultivar of a different vineyard and samples from two plantlets of two different cultivars produced in tissue culture were used as negative controls. GLRaV-1 was detected in two cultivars, Shiraj (Nashik region) and Pinot Noir (Pune region) using DAS-ELISA. GLRaV-1 was detected either alone in cultivar Pinot Noir or as mixed infection with GLRaV-3 in cultivar Shiraj. To further confirm the presence of GLRaV-1 in these two cultivars, crude extract from petioles of these two cultivars were subjected to one step reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using GLRaV-1 specific primers pORF9F and pORF9R (GGCTCGAGATGGCGTCACTTATACCTA and CCTCTAGACACCAAATTGCTAGCGA, respectively) (3). The ˜650 bp amplicons were cloned in pGEM-T easy vector and three independent clones of each amplicon were sequenced in both directions. The cloned amplified product was 646 bp, including 630 bp of p24 protein (ORF9) of GLRaV-1. Comparative sequence analysis, using the BioEdit 7.0.3 program ( http://www.mbio.ncsu.edu/BioEdit/BioEdit.html ), of ORF9 of the virus under study from the cultivars Pinot Noir and Shiraj shared maximum sequence identity of 95.8 and 96.1%, respectively, at the nucleotide level with the Clatervine isolate from the United States (GenBank Accession No. HQ833477). The corresponding values of maximum identities at the amino acid level were 96.6 and 96.1%, respectively, with the same Clatervine isolate. The maximum identity between these two isolates of GLRaV-1 was 96.1% at nucleotide level and 95.7% at amino acid level. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report of GLRaV-1 from India. Grape production in India could be impacted by this virus; thus, identification of the virus is important. References: (1) B. Akbas et al. Hort. Sc. (Prague). 36: 97, 2009. (2) S. Kumar et al. Virus Genes. 45:195, 2012. (3) A. Little and M. A. Rezaian. Arch. Virol. 151:753, 2006. (4) A. Little et al. Virus Res. 80:109, 2001.

First Report of Groundnut bud necrosis virus in Tomato in Bangladesh

An unusual disease of tomato characterized by leaf mottling and necrotic streaks on veins, shortened internodes, necrosis of terminal buds, and concentric rings on fruits was observed during 2010 to 2011 surveys in tomato growing regions of Godagari Upzila, Rajshahi district, Bangladesh. Disease incidence in popularly grown F1 hybrid cultivars, which include Sobal, Abhiruchi, Salamat, Bangobir, and BARI hybrid tomato-5 and -6 in about 40 commercial fields, ranged from 40 to 90%. Extracts from the field samples (n = 10) reacted with polyclonal antiserum to Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) in direct antigen coated ELISA, suggesting the association of a tospovirus antigenically related to serogroup IV topsovirus (1). To identify whether the tospovirus was a distinct virus species, ELISA-positive samples were subjected to total RNA extraction with an RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Chatsworth, CA) followed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR with tospovirus-specific primers (5'-ATGGTTGAAAAGAGCAAGAATGATGC-3') and degenerate primer (5'-CTTCTTATGAAGTGTACTCACCATAAGTCATCC-3') derived from the conserved sequences of GBNV, Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV), and Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV) (2). The RT-PCR product was cloned into pGEM-T Easy vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced at Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi, South Campus, Delhi, India (GenBank Accession No. JQ692083). The sequences of cloned fragments were assembled. Analysis of the 477-bp region of the nucleocapsid protein (N) gene revealed that the tomato tospovirus shared maximum identity both at the nucleotide (96%) and amino acid (97%) levels with the corresponding region of GBNV. In contrast, only 78 to 81% and 85 to 87% identity at nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively, was observed with the corresponding region of the N genes of CaCV, WBNV, and Watermelon silver mottle virus. These results suggested the association of GBNV with the diseased tomato samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of GBNV infecting tomato in Bangladesh and regular surveys are necessary to ascertain the prevalence and incidence of GBNV in other crops. References: (1) R. K. Jain et al. J. Virol. Methods 130:162, 2005. (2) M. Tsompana and J. W. Moyer. Tospovirus. Page 157 in: Encyclopedia of Virology. Academic Press, New York, 2009.

Protein surface recognition by porphyrin-based receptors

Protein surface recognition is largely unexplored owing to the large solvent exposed surface and lack of proper molecular scaffolds to match the binding residues. This review describes the design, synthesis, and fluorescence binding studies of functionalized porphyrins aimed at targeting surface residues of proteins through complementary recognition. The pattern of lysine residues surrounding the heme-edge of horse heart cytochrome c has been targeted by tetraphenylporphyrin and tetrabiphenylporphyrin receptors that bind with nano- and sub-nanomolar affinity. Other designed porphyrin-based receptors also recognize potassium channel as a target. The strategies for protein surface recognition offer a new use for porphyrins as molecular scaffolds.

Aerobic rice genotypes displayed greater adaptation to water-limited cultivation and tolerance to polyethyleneglycol-6000 induced stress

Water scarcity and drought have seriously threatened traditional rice cultivation practices in several parts of the world including India. In the present investigation, experiments were conducted to see if the water-efficient aerobic rice genotypes developed at UAS, Bangalore (MAS25, MAS26 and MAS109) and IRRI, Philippines (MASARB25 and MASARB868), are endowed with drought tolerance or not. A set of these aerobic and five lowland high-yielding (HKR47 and PAU201, Taraori Basmati, Pusa1121 and Pusa1460) indica rice genotypes were evaluated for: (i) yield and yield components under submerged and aerobic conditions in field, (ii) root morphology and biomass under aerobic conditions in pots in the nethouse, (iii) PEG-6000 (0, -1, -2 and -3 bar) induced drought stress at vegetative stage using a hydroponic culture system and (iv) polymorphism for three SSR markers associated with drought resistance traits. Under submerged conditions, the yield of aerobic rice genotypes declined by 13.4-20.1 % whereas under aerobic conditions the yield of lowland indica/Basmati rice varieties declined by 23-27 %. Under water-limited conditions in pots, aerobic rice genotypes had 54-73.8 % greater root length and 18-60 % higher fresh root biomass compared to lowland indica rice varieties. Notably, root length of MASARB25 was 35 % shorter than MAS25 whereas fresh and dry root biomass of MASARB25 was 10 % and 64 % greater than MAS25. The lowland indica were more sensitive to PEG-stress with a score of 5.9-7.6 for Basmati and 6.1-6.7 for non-aromatic indica rice varieties, than the aerobic rice genotypes (score 2.7-3.3). A set of three microsatellite DNA markers (RM212, RM302 and RM3825) located on chromosome 1 which has been shown to be associated with drought resistance was investigated in the present study. Two of these markers (RM212 and RM302) amplified a specific allele in all the aerobic rice genotypes which were absent in lowland indica rice genotypes.

First Report of Garlic virus X Infecting Garlic in India

Garlic (Allium sativum) is an important crop in several states of India. Filamentous viruses such as Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV), Shallot latent virus (SLV), and Garlic common latent virus (GarCLV) have been reported previously in different garlic cultivars from India (4). These viruses are transmitted from generation to generation through cloves and cause severe reduction in yield and quality. During December 2010, garlic plants were observed with mosaic leaf symptoms and stunting in an experimental field at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi. Cloves and leaves from 3-month-old symptomatic plants of five different cultivars (G-282, IC-375416, Ruag, Yamuna Safed, and ACC-40), originally from different regions of India, were collected from the field in Delhi and total RNA was extracted using an RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA). The presence of OYDV and GarCLV was confirmed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR in all cultivars, while the presence of SLV was only confirmed in cv. G-282 by RT-PCR. Since Allexiviruses are common in garlic, their detection in cloves was confirmed by RT-PCR using primers ALLEX 1 and ALLEX 2 (2). An ~200-bp amplification product was observed in all five cultivars. To further characterize the Allexivirus in these cultivars, an amplicon of ~900 bp was amplified with Allex-CP (1) and ALLEX 2 (2) primers and cloned and sequenced. BLAST analysis of the nucleotide sequences from five garlic cultivars showed identity with different allexiviruses, Garlic virus A (GarV-A) (74 to 83%), Garlic virus E (GarV-E) (74 to 80%), Garlic virus D (GarV-D) (76 to 79%), and Garlic virus X (GarV-X) (75 to 78%). Since species demarcation in the genus Allexivirus is based on the coat protein (CP) gene (3), another set of primers, 5'-MYT KGA GTG GCT VAC ACA YAT-3' and 5'-ATT RAA GTC GTG RGG ATG CAT-3' was designed. These primers were derived from conserved regions of ORF4 and ORF5 (CP) sequences of allexiviruses available in the NCBI database and used in RT-PCR to obtain the complete CP. An ~1.5-kb amplicon was obtained only in cv. G-282 that originated from the southern part of India. A similar amplicon was obtained from Chenopodium amaranticolor mechanically inoculated with leaf sap from cv. G-282. Sequences (1,422 bp) obtained from three clones each from garlic cv. G-282 and C. amaranticolor were identical and BLAST analysis of the consensus nucleotide sequence showed maximum identity of 75 to 81% with isolates of GarV-X. The 1,422 nucleotide sequence was comprised of 690 bp of ORF4 (partial) and 732 bp of the CP. The coat protein sequence (GenBank Accession No. HQ822272) shared a 79.6 to 81.1% identity in nucleotide and 89.3 to 90.9% in amino acid sequence with different isolates of GarV-X (GenBank Accession Nos. AJ292229, U89243, and GQ475426). To our knowledge, this is the first report of GarV-X in a garlic cultivar from India. The characterization and identification of allexiviruses is important for production of virus-free garlic plants through tissue culture in India. References: (1) J. Chen et al. Arch. Virol. 149:435, 2004. (2) C. I. Dovas et al. J. Phytopathol.149:731, 2001. (3) C. M. Fauquet et al. Virus Taxonomy-VIIIth Report of the ICTV, Academic Press, London, 2005. (4) S. Majumder and V. K. Baranwal. Plant Dis. 93:106, 2009.

Role of measurement of antioxidant enzymes in evaluation of antioxidant therapy in tobacco abusers with oral leukoplakia

Antioxidants are widely used in chemoprevention of malignancy. Numerous studies in medical literature have reported the evaluation of this treatment protocol by indirect methodology-epidemiology, invitro studies, pharmacology and animal models etc. However, there is a paucity of literature on the measurement of antioxidant enzymes as a parameter for assessing the outcome of antioxidant therapy. This study explores the efficacy and outcome of antioxidant enzyme assay in relation to antioxidant therapy in tobacco abusers, hitherto unreported in medical literature. A prospective cohort study with control in 50 patients carried out at a tertiary care teaching Institution (Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India). Out of these patients, 10 patients acted as control, rest 40 patients-all tobacco users in some form, were divided into three groups on the basis of histopathological grading of dysplasia-no dysplasia, mild or moderate dysplasia. The levels of Lipid peroxidase (LPO), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) in mucosa and serum were assayed in each group, and re-evaluated at the end of 3 months after intervention with antioxidant treatment. To detect any alteration in degree of dysplasia a repeat biopsy was also done at the end of 3 months. The results were statistically analysed using paired t test. A statistically significant decrease in level of LPO and SOD, and an increase in CAT levels were recorded both in mucosa and serum. However, no change in dysplasia and no new case of dysplasia were observed. Further, antioxidant treatment was continued for a year and the final out come of the lesion was assessed by "Carter's criteria". A final success rate of 74.19% was recorded in terms of partial or complete regression of the lesion. This study confirms the therapeutic efficacy of antioxidants in oral leukoplakia, and cites the importance of LPO, SOD and CAT in evaluating the efficacy of antioxidant treatment. However, the study failed to elucidate any relationship between enzyme measurement and the final outcome of the lesion.

Two IPMC Fingers Based Micro Gripper for Handling

This paper presents the behavior of two finger based micro gripper which is made of Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC), an Electro Active Polymer (EAP). An IPMC shows great potential as high-displacement and light weight actuator. Low mass force generation capability is utilized for micro gripping in micro assembly. IPMC responds to low voltage in the range of 0-3V. The material contains an electrolyte which transport ions in response to an external electric field. IPMC actuation for micro gripping is produced by deflecting material according to bending moment theory. An external electric field generated by suitable RC circuit causes this deflection. It is found that an IPMC actuates from 1–5 seconds. The maximum jaw opening and closing position of micro gripper are found to be 5 mm and 0.5 mm respectively. The effect of tempearture, as observed, shows that the acceptable limit varies from 23.1°C to 30.4°C while an IPMC is in operation. An experimental proto type is developed for evaluation of performance.