Non-Muscle MLCK Contributes to Endothelial Cell Hyper-Proliferation through the ERK Pathway as a Mechanism for Vascular Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, uncontrolled proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance resulting in great morbidity and poor survival. Bone morphogenetic protein receptor II (BMPR2) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PAH as the most common genetic mutation. Non-muscle myosin light chain kinase (nmMLCK) is an essential component of the cellular cytoskeleton and recent studies have shown that increased nmMLCK activity regulates biological processes in various pulmonary diseases such as asthma and acute lung injury. In this study, we aimed to discover the role of nmMLCK in the proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs) in the pathogenesis of PAH. We used two cellular models relevant to the pathobiology of PAH including BMPR2 silenced and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulated HPAECs. Both models demonstrated an increase in nmMLCK activity along with a robust increase in cellular proliferation, inflammation, and cellular migration. The upregulated nmMLCK activity was also associated with increased ERK expression pointing towards a potential integral cytoplasmic interaction. Mechanistically, we confirmed that when nmMLCK is inhibited by MLCK selective inhibitor (ML-7), proliferation and migration are attenuated. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that nmMLCK upregulation in association with increased ERK expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of PAHby stimulating cellular proliferation and migration.

Sustainable development goals under threat? Multidimensional impact of COVID-19 on our planet and society outweigh short term global pollution reduction

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call on all nations to accomplish 17 broad global development goals by 2030. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presents a challenging period in human history, causing large-scale impacts on society and the environment as governments shift priorities and divert funding in response to this pandemic. Through a literature survey and data acquirement from various international organizations (e.g. United Nations and European Space Agency), this manuscript is intended to provide critical insights into the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the SDGs. We briefly describe this pandemic's positive and short-term effects on the environment, followed by a critical evaluation of its potential long-term impacts on the environment, society, and the SDGs. On the basis of COVID-19 effects, the SDGs are classified into three categories: directly-affected SDGs, indirectly-affected SDGs, and a stand-alone category. The COVID-19-induced lockdowns and restrictions resulted in a short-term decline in environmental pollution and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, providing valuable data for climate advocates and researchers. These positive impacts were essentially temporary due to the synchronized global response to the pandemic. The halted focus on the progress of the SDGs greatly impacts the global green transition to a healthy and sustainable world. COVID-19 threatens to impede the progress toward a prosperous, environment-friendly, and sustainable global development in multiple ways. These multi-dimensional threats have been critically evaluated, along with a description of potential solutions to curtail the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the SDGs. Considering the limited data regarding the impacts of the pandemic on the SDGs, diverse collaborative studies at the regional and global levels are recommended.

Contrast echocardiogram in diagnosing rare type of persistent left superior vena cava

We report a rare case of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) with direct drainage into the left atrium in a 3-yearsold boy who had been electively admitted for hypospadias repair, when he was noticed to have finger clubbing and mild hypoxia but was otherwise asymptomatic. The diagnosis of PLSVC can be made without an invasive tool as direct drainage of PLSVC into the left atrium be visualised using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) by injecting agitated saline into the left arm.

Pre-culturing of nodal explants in thidiazuron supplemented liquid medium improves in vitro shoot multiplication of Cassia angustifolia

An in vitro propagation system for Cassia angustifolia Vahl. has been developed. Due to the presence of sennosides, the demand of this plant has increased manyfold in global market. Multiple shoots were induced by culturing nodal explants excised from mature plants on a liquid Murashige and Skoog [8] medium supplemented with 5-100 μM of thidiazuron (TDZ) for different treatment duration (4, 8, 12 and 16 d). The optimal level of TDZ supplemented to the culture medium was 75 μM for 12 d induction period followed by subculturing in MS medium devoid of TDZ as it produced maximum regeneration frequency (87%), mean number of shoots (9.6 ± 0.33) and shoot length (4.4 ± 0.46 cm) per explant. A culture period longer than 12 d with TDZ resulted in the formation of fasciated or distorted shoots. Ex vitro rooting was achieved when the basal cut end of regenerated shoots was dipped in 200 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for half an hour followed by their transplantation in plastic pots filled with sterile soilrite where 85% plantlets grew well and all exhibited normal development. The present findings describe an efficient and rapid plant regeneration protocol that can further be used for genetic transformation studies.

Assessment of the potentiality of TDZ on multiple shoot induction in Bauhinia tomentosa L., a woody legume

An efficient and reproducible protocol for in vitro multiplication of Bauhinia tomentosa L. was developed. Multiple shoots were regenerated from cotyledonary node and stem nodal segments excised from in vitro raised seedlings on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0 μM) of thidiazuron (TDZ). The maximum response (62.6%) was recorded on MS medium amended with 0.8 μM TDZ. A long exposure to TDZ for 8 weeks showed abnormalities such as fasciation and compact shoots formation. To avoid adverse effects of prolonged exposure to TDZ in long-term establishment, the culture were transferred to TDZ free MS medium for further multiplication and elongation. The highest number of shoots and shoot length were recorded at the end of fourth subculture passage. Ex vitro rooting was achieved when the basal cut end of regenerated shoots were dipped in 200 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for half an hour followed by their transplantation in plastic pots filled with sterile Soilrite™ where 60% plantlets grew well and all expressed normal development.

Fermentation and recovery of glutamic acid from palm waste hydrolysate by Ion-exchange resin column

Glutamic acid produced from palm waste hydrolysate by fermentation with Brevibacterium lactofermentum ATCC 13869 is produced with a remarkably high yield compared with that produced from pure glucose as a carbon source. The produce yield is 70 g/L with glucose, wherease, when palm waste hydrolysate is the fermentation medium in the same bioreactor under same conditions, it is 88 g/L. The higher yield may be attributed to the fact that this organism has the ability to convert sugars other than only glucose present in the hydrolysate. Bioreactor conditions most conducive for maximum production are pH 7.5, temperature of 30 degrees rmentation period of 48 h, inoculum size 6%, substrate concentration of 10 g per 100 mL, yeast extract 0.5 g per 100 mL as a suitable N source, and biotin at a concentration of 10 pg/L. Palm waste hydrolysate used in this study was prepared by enzymic saccharification of treated palm press fiber under conditions that yielded a maximum of 30 g/L total reducing sugars. Glutamic acid from fermentation broth was recovered by using a chromatographic column (5cm x 60 cm) packed with a strong ion-exchange resin. The filtered broth containing glutamic acid and other inorganic ions was fed to the fully charged column. The broth was continuously recycled at a flow rate of 50 mL/min (retention time of 55 min) until glutamic acid was fully adsorbed on the column leaving other ions in the effluent. Recovery was done by eluting with urea and sodium hydroxide for total displacement of glutamic acid from the resin. The eluent containing 88 g/L of glutamic acid was concentrated by evaporation to obtain solid crystals of the product. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Pulmonary nocardiosis: a comparative analysis of Nocardia asteroides and non-asteroides species

Our study compares the risk factors, clinical presentations and outcomes of pulmonary infections caused by Nocardia asteroides and non-asteroides species. We performed a retrospective cohort study comparing pulmonary infections by both species in patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Forty-one patients were identified with pulmonary nocardiosis, with 58.5% belonging to the N. asteroids complex. The most common clinical findings were fever and a cough for both groups, with lobar infiltrates being the most common finding on chest radiographs. In vitro testing showed a sensitivity of all species to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ), aminoglycosides, ceftriaxone and imipenem. The majority of the patients were treated with TMP-SMZ in combination with other drugs. The results of our study suggest that there is no significant difference in the risk factors, presentations and outcomes of pulmonary infections by N. asteroides and non-asteroides species. Immunocompromised patients are more likely to have unfavorable outcomes.

Dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis: coronary artery bypass grafting

Dextrocardia with situs inversus is a rare congenital abnormality involving a left-handed mal rotation of the visceral organs. The incidence of coronary artery disease is the same as that in the general population. Performing coronary artery bypass surgery on patients with dextrocardia poses a more challenging task. It is recommended that the right internal mammary artery be the first choice of graft for the anterior descending artery for a "situs inversus" situation. We report 2 cases of patients with Dextrocardia who developed coronary artery disease and underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Also mentioned is the slight difference in our technique.

Assessment of factors affecting micropropagation and ex vitro acclimatization of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L

Rapid differentiation of multiple shoots was observed in 94% of nodal explants of one year old Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. plants. Shoot bud induction and multiplication took place on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with two cytokinins, i.e. Benzyladenine (BA) or Kinetin (Kn) either alone or in combination with different auxins, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Between different media, pH levels and growth regulators tried, the optimum condition for maximum regenerative response was obtained on MS + Kn (2.5 μM) + N AA (0.5 μM) media at 5.8 pH, forming cultures with 23.26 ± 0.89 number of shoots and 6.36 ± 0.80 cm shoot length after 8 weeks of culture. Histological sections confirmed the formation of multiple buds from nodal explants. Rooting was achieved ex vitro by dipping the basal ends of microshoots in 200 μM IBA for 30 min followed by their transplantation in sterile soilrite. The plantlets with well-developed shoot and root system were successfully established in garden soil and grown outside in a greenhouse with a 80% survival rate.

Antibacterial activity of aerial parts as well as in vitro raised calli of the medicinal plant Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde

Leaves, stem, and flowers of Saraca asoca, an endangered medicinal plant in India, and young explants cultivated on Murashige & Skoog's medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine were analyzed for antibacterial potential. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts from parent explants and their in vitro raised calli were tested by an agar well diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extracts were determined by broth microdilution method. Aqueous extracts showed antibacterial activity against limited bacterial species, whereas alcoholic extracts were active against a wider range of bacteria. Although the alcoholic extracts of all the explants and calli showed antibacterial activity, the extracts derived from flowers and their calli showed better results. Extracts derived from calli showed comparable results to the extracts from explants. Overall, the MICs of the extracts ranged from 0.039 to 1.25 mg/mL. MICs against gram-positive bacteria ranged from 0.078 to 1.25 mg/mL, whereas they ranged between 0.039 and 0.625 mg/mL against gram-negative bacteria. A MIC distribution plot showed that gram-negative bacteria were more susceptible to the extracts than gram-positive bacteria. It is concluded that extracts of S. asoca contain antibacterial agent, and as the calli gave good results, in vitro cultivation of the explants may be used to obtain antibacterial compounds. This is the first report on antibacterial activity of S. asoca, especially through in vitro raised calli.

Comparative analysis of mitotic aberrations induced by diethyl sulphate (DES) and sodium azide (SA) in Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae)

The present investigation provides a comparative account of different concentrations (0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05 and 0.06%) of diethylsulphate (DES) and Sodium Azide (SA) on mitotic aberrations, seed germination, seedling survival, plant height and mitotic index in Vicia faba L. variety major. The control plants were normal while as treated ones showed significant alterations. The mutagens caused dose dependent decrease in seed germination, seedling survival, plant height and mitotic index. All the parameters were found negatively affected and were positively correlated with mutagenic concentrations. The cytological study revealed various types of mitotic aberrations, among them the dominant were fragments, stickiness, precocious separation, c-metaphase, ring chromosomes, unequal separation, laggards, bridges, micronuclei, disturbed anaphase etc. Stickiness and fragments were more frequent as compared to other types.

Herbal ethnomedicine of the gwalior forest division in madhya pradesh, India

Ethnomedicinal studies carried out in the Gwalior Forest Division, Madhya Pradesh, India, led to interesting therapeutic applications of 102 plant species. Information on medicinal claims was collected from the tribal people called 'Sahariya' and the traditional healers who had knowledge of the traditional uses of medicinal plants. This study describes details of botanical identity, local name, parts of the plants used, mode of preparation, administration of the drug, and diseases for which the given plants are used.

Growth characteristics and transformability of soybean embryogenic cultures

Embryogenic cultures of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Jack and Asgrow A2872] were established in liquid Finer and Nagasawa medium, maintained by transfer to fresh medium at biweekly intervals, and subjected to microprojectile bombardment over time. Cultures were not amenable to transformation until they were at least 6 months old. Over time, different cell lines of the same genotype acquired very different culture phenotypes. Histological analysis of cell lines differing in transformation ability showed that the most transformable cultures had cytoplasmic-rich cells in the outermost layers of the tissue. In contrast, the outer layers of less transformable cultures contained cells with prominent vacuoles. Although fresh weight accumulation of the cultures was curvilinear during the 2-week subculture period, a burst of mitotic activity was evident shortly after transfer to fresh medium. This activity usually lasted from the 2nd to the 6th day following subculture, and peaked on the 4th day. Tissues at or near this stage always produced more transient expression of a reporter gene than did bombardments at other times. In addition, the cell lines most amenable to transformation also exhibited the highest mitotic index. Thus any treatment to increase the mitotic index, especially when the cell lines are less than 6 months old, may facilitate the transformation of cell lines from which efficient recovery of transgenic plants is still possible.