Mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein 15 gene causing defective protein secretion in Cholistani infertile sheep

Abstract Naturally occurring mutations in morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are associated with decreased ovulation rate (OR), litter size (LS), and sterility. It is of a great interest to elucidate BMP15 gene in Cholistani sheep breed to uplift socio-economic status and the knowledge of Cholistani sheep breeding in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. In our study, a total of 50 infertile Cholistani sheep aged between 2-6 years and having no blood relation were screened for BMP15 mutations. For this purpose, a high-quality DNA was extracted from the blood of sheep followed by primer designing, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification, DNA sequencing, and in silico analyses. Out of total 50 samples, 9 samples including case 1 (T3), case 2 (T8), case 3 (T17), case 4 (T22), case 5 (T25), case 6 (T33), case 7 (T40), case 8 (T44), and case 9 (T47) were found positive for a variety of already reported and novel BMP15 mutations. Further in silico analyses of the observed mutations have shown the functional impact of these mutations on different characteristics (molecular weight, theoretical PI, estimated half-life, instability index, sub-cellular localization, and 3D confirmation) of the encoded proteins, possibly altering the normal functionality. In a nutshell, findings of this study have confirmed the possible essential role of the BMP15 mutations in the infertility of the Cholistani sheep.

Organoleptic characteristics and compositional profile of meat of growing Japanese quail fed different levels of poultry byproducts compost

The poultry industry generates a lot of waste, including dead birds, manure, and poultry litter. Poultry waste should never be disposed of improperly because it can seriously harm the environment. The waste can be recycled as a feedstock for use in poultry feed by composting the litter and deceased birds. The compositional profile and organoleptic properties of the meat of growing Japanese quail were examined over the course of a 4-week trial to ascertain the effect of adding compost to the diet. In a completely randomized design (CRD), 1200 newly hatched quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were divided into five treatment groups (diets with 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% compost), each consisting of 40 birds with six replicates. The addition of compost to the diet had no noticeable effects on the organoleptic qualities of appearance, color, aroma, taste, texture, juiciness, tenderness, and acceptability (P>0.05). The compositional profile characteristics for chicks given compost at any level compared to chicks fed the control diet showed no differences (P>0.05). These findings suggest that the sensory characteristics and compositional profile of growing meat quails can be maintained when fed diets including up to 10% compost.

Assessing effect of feeding poultry byproducts compost on organoleptic characteristics and compositional profile of meat of broiler chickens

Large amounts of waste, including dead birds, manure, and poultry litter, are produced by the poultry industry. Poultry waste should be disposed of properly to avoid major pollution and health risks. Composting litter and dead birds could be an option to recycle the waste and use in poultry feed. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding composted poultry waste on the organoleptic qualities and compositional profile of the meat of broiler chickens. A total of 300 day-old broiler chicks (500-Cobb) were randomly allocated to five treatment groups replicated six times with 10 birds each, under a completely randomized design (CRD). Five iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets including composted poultry byproducts at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% were fed ad libitum to the birds from day 0 to day 35. The sensory grading and meat composition profile of 500 Cobb broiler chickens were tested at 35 days of age. The findings showed that there were no variations in the sensory profiles of the meat from birds given various diets (P>0.05). Although the results were somewhat lower for the chicks fed compost-containing diets than for the control group, this difference was deemed to be insignificant (P>0.05). Similarly, there were no variations in the compositional profile values of the meat between meat from birds fed various diets (P>0.05). These findings imply that broiler chickens may be raised on diets containing up to 10% poultry byproduct compost without any negative impacts on the meat's sensory quality or composition. Additionally, using compost into broiler diets may help to lower the cost of feed.

Aspergillus nomiae and fumigatus Ameliorating the Hypoxic Stress Induced by Waterlogging through Ethylene Metabolism in Zea mays L

Transient and prolonged waterlogging stress (WS) stimulates ethylene (ET) generation in plants, but their reprogramming is critical in determining the plants' fate under WS, which can be combated by the application of symbiotically associated beneficial microbes that induce resistance to WS. The present research was rationalized to explore the potential of the newly isolated 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase-producing fungal endophytic consortium of Aspergillus nomiae (MA1) and Aspergillus fumigatus (MA4) on maize growth promotion under WS. MA1 and MA4 were isolated from the seeds of Moringa oleifera L., which ably produced a sufficient amount of IAA, proline, phenols, and flavonoids. MA1 and MA4 proficiently colonized the root zone of maize (Zea mays L.). The symbiotic association of MA1 and MA4 promoted the growth response of maize compared with the non-inoculated plants under WS stress. Moreover, MA1- and MA4-inoculated maize plants enhanced the production of total soluble protein, sugar, lipids, phenolics, and flavonoids, with a reduction in proline content and H2O2 production. MA1- and MA4-inoculated maize plants showed an increase in the DPPH activity and antioxidant enzyme activities of CAT and POD, along with an increased level of hormonal content (GA3 and IAA) and decreased ABA and ACC contents. Optimal stomatal activity in leaf tissue and adventitious root formation at the root/stem junction was increased in MA1- and MA4-inoculated maize plants, with reduced lysigenous aerenchyma formation, ratio of cortex-to-stele, water-filled cells, and cell gaps within roots; increased tight and round cells; and intact cortical cells without damage. MA1 and MA4 induced a reduction in deformed mesophyll cells, and deteriorated epidermal and vascular bundle cells, as well as swollen metaxylem, phloem, pith, and cortical area, in maize plants under WS compared with control. Moreover, the transcript abundance of ethylene-responsive gene ZmEREB180, responsible for the induction of the WS tolerance in maize, showed optimally reduced expression sufficient for induction in WS tolerance, in MA1- and MA4-inoculated maize plants under WS compared with the non-inoculated control. The existing research supported the use of MA1 and MA4 isolates for establishing the bipartite mutualistic symbiosis in maize to assuage the adverse effects of WS by optimizing ethylene production.

Discrimination of Dendropanax morbifera via HPLC fingerprinting and SNP analysis and its impact on obesity by modulating adipogenesis- and thermogenesis-related genes

Dendropanax morbifera (DM), a medicinal plant, is rich in polyphenols and commonly used to treat cancer, inflammation, and thrombosis. However, to date, no study has been conducted on DM regarding the enormous drift of secondary metabolites of plants in different regions of the Republic of Korea and their effects on antiobesity, to explore compounds that play an important role in two major obesity-related pathways. Here, we present an in-depth study on DM samples collected from three regions of the Republic of Korea [Jeju Island (DMJ), Bogildo (DMB), and Jangheung (DMJG)]. We used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and multivariate component analyses to analyze polyphenol contents (neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and rutin), followed by discrimination of the samples in DMJG using single nucleotide polymorphism and chemometric analysis. In silico and in vitro evaluation of major compounds found in the plant extract on two major anti-obesity pathways (adipogenesis and thermogenesis) was carried out. Furthermore, two extraction methods (Soxhlet and ultrasound-assisted extraction) were used to understand which method is better and why. Upon quantifying plant samples in three regions with the polyphenols, DMJG had the highest content of polyphenols. The internal transcribed region (ITS) revealed a specific gel-based band for the authentication of DMJG. PCA and PLS-DA revealed the polyphenol's discriminative power of the region DMJG. The anti-obesity effects of plant extracts from the three regions were related to their polyphenol contents, with DMJG showing the highest effect followed by DMJ and DMB. Ultrasound-assisted extraction yielded a high number of polyphenols compared to that of the Soxhlet method, which was supported by scanning electron microscopy. The present work encourages studies on plants rich in secondary metabolites to efficiently use them for dietary and therapeutic purposes.

Aspergillus welwitschiae BK Isolate Ameliorates the Physicochemical Characteristics and Mineral Profile of Maize under Salt Stress

Abiotic stressors are global limiting constraints for plant growth and development. The most severe abiotic factor for plant growth suppression is salt. Among many field crops, maize is more vulnerable to salt, which inhibits the growth and development of plants and results in low productivity or even crop loss under extreme salinity. Consequently, comprehending the effects of salt stress on maize crop improvement, while retaining high productivity and applying mitigation strategies, is essential for achieving the long-term objective of sustainable food security. This study aimed to exploit the endophytic fungal microbe; Aspergillus welwitschiae BK isolate for the growth promotion of maize under severe salinity stress. Current findings showed that salt stress (200 mM) negatively affected chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, and endogenous IAA, with enhanced values of chlorophyll a/b ratio, carotenoids, total protein, total sugars, total lipids, secondary metabolites (phenol, flavonoids, tannins), antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase), proline content, and lipid peroxidation in maize plants. However, BK inoculation reversed the negative impact of salt stress by rebalancing the chlorophyll a/b ratio, carotenoids, total protein, total sugars, total lipids, secondary metabolites (phenol, flavonoids, tannins), antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase), and proline content to optimal levels suitable for growth promotion and ameliorating salt stress in maize plants. Furthermore, maize plants inoculated with BK under salt stress had lower Na⁺, Cl^- concentrations, lower Na^+/K⁺ and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ ratios, and higher N, P, Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺ content than non-inoculated plants. The BK isolate improved the salt tolerance by modulating physiochemical attributes, and the root-to-shoot translocation of ions and mineral elements, thereby rebalancing the Na⁺/K⁺, Na⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio of maize plants under salt stress.

Simultaneous Study of Analysis of Anti-inflammatory Potential of Dryopteris ramosa (C. Hope) C. Chr. using GC-Mass and Computational Modeling on the Xylene-induced Ear Oedema in Mouse Model

INTRODUCTION

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the extraction and identification of the potential phytochemicals from the Methanolic Extract of Dryopteris ramosa (MEDR) using GC-MS profiling for validating the traditional uses of MEDR its efficacy in inflammations by using in-vitro, in-vivo and in silico approaches in anti-inflammatory models.

METHODS

GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of a total of 59 phytochemical compounds. The human red blood cells (HRBC) membrane stabilization assay and heat-induced hemolysis method were used as in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the extract. The in-vivo analysis was carried out through the Xylene-induced mice ear oedema method. It was found that MEDR at a concentration of 20 μg, 30 μg, and 40 μg showed 35.45%, 36.01%, and 36.33% protection to HRBC in a hypotonic solution, respectively. At the same time, standard Diclofenac at 30 μg showed 45.31% protection of HRBC in a hypotonic solution.

RESULTS

The extract showed inhibition of 25.32%, 26.53%, and 33.31% cell membrane lysis at heating at 20 μg, 30 μg, and 40 μg, respectively. In comparison, standard Diclofenac at 30 μg showed 50.49% inhibition of denaturation to heat. Methanolic extract of the plant exhibited momentous inhibition in xylene-induced ear oedema in mice treated with 30 μg extract were 47.2%, 63.4%, and 78.8%, while inhibition in mice ear oedema treated with 60 μg extract was 34.7%, 43.05%, 63.21% and reduction in ear thickness of standard drug were 57.3%, 59.54%, 60.42% recorded at the duration of 1, 4 and 24 hours of inflammation. Molecular docking and simulations were performed to validate the anti-inflammatory role of the phytochemicals that revealed five potential phytochemicals i.e. Stigmasterol,22,23dihydro, Heptadecane,8methyl, Pimaricacid, Germacrene and 1,3Cyclohexadiene,_5(1,5dimethyl4hexenyl)-2methyl which revealed potential or significant inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL-6) in the docking analysis.

CONCLUSION

The outcome of the study signifies that MEDR can offer a new prospect in the discovery of a harmonizing and alternative therapy for inflammatory disease conditions.

ACC deaminase-producing endophytic fungal consortia promotes drought stress tolerance in M.oleifera by mitigating ethylene and H2O2

INTRODUCTION

Drought has become more prevalent due to dramatic climate change worldwide. Consequently, the most compatible fungal communities collaborate to boost plant development and ecophysiological responses under environmental constraints. However, little is known about the specific interactions between non-host plants and endophytic fungal symbionts that produce growth-promoting and stress-alleviating hormones during water deficits.

METHODS

The current research was rationalized and aimed at exploring the influence of the newly isolated, drought-resistant, ACC deaminase enzyme-producing endophytic fungi Trichoderma gamsii (TP), Fusarium proliferatum (TR), and its consortium (TP+TR) from a xerophytic plant Carthamus oxycantha L. on Moringa oleifera L. grown under water deficit induced by PEG-8000 (8% osmoticum solution).

RESULTS

The current findings revealed that the co-inoculation promoted a significant enhancement in growth traits such as dry weight (217%), fresh weight (123%), root length (65%), shoot length (53%), carotenoids (87%), and chlorophyll content (76%) in comparison to control plants under water deficit. Total soluble sugars (0.56%), proteins (132%), lipids (43%), flavonoids (52%), phenols (34%), proline (55%), GA₃ (86%), IAA (35%), AsA (170%), SA (87%), were also induced, while H₂O₂ (-45%), ABA (-60%) and ACC level (-77%) was decreased by co-inoculation of TP and TR in M. oleifera plants, compared with the non-inoculated plants under water deficit. The co-inoculum (TP+TR) also induced the antioxidant potential and enzyme activities POX (325%), CAT activity (166%), and AsA (21%), along with a lesser decrease (-2%) in water potential in M. oleifera plants with co-inoculation under water deficit compared with non-inoculated control. The molecular analysis for gene expression unraveled the reduced expression of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling-related genes up to an optimal level, with an induction of antioxidant enzymatic genes by endophytic co-inoculation in M. oleifera plants under water deficit, suggesting their role in drought stress tolerance as an essential regulatory function.

CONCLUSION

The finding may alert scientists to consider the impacts of optimal reduction of ethylene and induction of antioxidant potential on drought stress tolerance in M. oleifera. Hence, the present study supports the use of compatible endophytic fungi to build a bipartite mutualistic symbiosis in M. oleifera non-host plants to mitigate the negative impacts of water scarcity in arid regions throughout the world.

Biological synthesis of hybrid silver nanoparticles by Periploca aphylla Dcne. From nanotechnology to biotechnology applications

Nanotechnology is one of the advanced technologies that have almost universal implications in every field of science. The importance is due to the unique properties of nanoparticles; however, green synthesized nanoparticles are considered eco-friendly. The current project was rationalized to prepare green-synthesized biogenic Periploca aphylla Dcne. silver nanoparticles (Pe-AgNPs) and poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate coated AgNPs nanocomposites (PEGMA-AgNPs) with higher potential for their application in plant tissue culture for enhancing the biomass of Stevia rebaudiana calli. The increased biomass accumulation (17.61 g/3 plates) was observed on a medium containing virgin Pe-AgNPs 40th days after incubation, while the maximum increase was found by supplementing virgin Pe-AgNPs and PEGMA capped AgNPs (19.56 g/3 plates), compared with control (12.01 g/3 plates). In this study, PEGMA capped AgNPs supplementation also induced the maximum increase in total phenolics content (2.46 mg GAE/g-FW), total flavonoids content (3.68 mg QE/g-FW), SOD activity (53.78 U/ml protein), GSH content (139.75 μg/g FW), antioxidant activity (54.3 mg AAE/g FW), FRAP (54 mg AAE/g FW), and DPPH (76.3%) in S. rebaudiana calli compared with the control. It was concluded that virgin Pe-AgNPs and PEGMA capped AgNPs (hybrid polymer) are potent growth regulator agents and elicitors that can be exploited in the biotechnology field for growth promotion and induction of essential bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites from various commercially important and medicinally valuable plants such as S. rebaudiana without laborious field cultivation.

Molecular mechanism of Cu metal and drought stress resistance triggered by Porostereum spadiceum AGH786 in Solanum lycopersicum L

Rapid industrialization and global warming have threatened the plants with multiple abiotic stresses, such as heavy metals and drought stress. For crop cultivation, the conventional approach of cleaning the soils by excavation is very costly and not feasible for large scale. Establishing toxin-free and drought-resistant crops is a major challenge in the environment under natural and anthropogenic pressure. In the past decades, copper contamination of agricultural land has become an emerging concern. For dry land reclamation, several new strategies, including bioremediation (phytoremediation and microbial remediation), have been used. Owing to the potential of Cu hyperaccumulators, the current project aims to enhance the drought tolerance and the phytoremediation potential of Solanum lycopersicum L. with the inoculation of copper and 12% polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought stress-tolerant endophytic fungus Porostereum spadiceum AGH786 under the combined stress of copper heavy metal and PEG-induced drought stress. When S. lycopersicum L. was watered with individual stress of copper (Cu) concentration (400 ppm) in the form of copper sulfate (CuSO₄.5H₂O), 12% PEG-induced drought stress and the combined stress of both negatively affected the growth attributes, hormonal, metabolic, and antioxidant potential, compared with control. However, the multistress-resistant AGH786 endophytic fungus ameliorated the multistress tolerance response in S. lycopersicum L. by positively affecting the growth attributes, hormonal, metabolic, and antioxidant potential, and by restricting the root-to-shoot translocation of Cu and inducing its sequestration in the root tissues of affected plants. AGH786-associated plants exhibited a reduction in the severity of copper (Cu) and drought stress, with higher levels of SlCOPT (Cu transporters) and SlMT (metallothionine) gene expressions in root and shoot tissues, indicating that AGH786 contributed to resistance to copper metal toxicity and drought stress in the host S. lycopersicum L.

Aspergillus violaceofuscus alleviates cadmium and chromium stress in Okra through biochemical modulation

Endophytic fungi from the Chilli were used to help okra plants exposed to cadmium (Cd) or chromium (Cr) stress. Initially, the strain Ch06 produced higher amounts of indole acetic acid (IAA) (230.5 μg/mL), sugar (130.7 μg/mL), proteins (128.2 μg/mL), phenolics (525.6 μg/mL) and flavonoids (98.4 μg/mL) in Czapek broth supplemented with Cd or Cr. The production of IAA and other metabolites in such a higher concentration suggested that Ch06 might improve plant growth under heavy metal stress. For this reason, an experiment was designed, in which biomass of Ch06 (at 2g/100g of sand) were applied to the okra plants exposed to Cd or Cr stress (at 100 or 500 μg/g). The results exhibited that Ch06 improved the total chlorophyll (36.4±0.2 SPAD), shoot length (22.6±0.2 cm), root length (9.1±0.6 cm), fresh weight (5±0.6 g), dry weight (1.25±0.01 g), sugars (151.6 μg/g), proteins (114.8 μg/g), proline (6.7 μg/g), flavonoids (37.9 μg/g), phenolics (70.7 μg/g), IAA (106.7 μg/g), catalase (0.75 enzyme units/g tissue) and ascorbic acid oxidaze (2.2 enzyme units/g tissue) of the associated okra plants. Similar observations have been recorded in Ch06 associated okra plants under Cd and Cr stress. Also, Ch06 association reduced translocation of Cd (35% and 45%) and Cr (47% and 53%) to the upper parts of the okra plants and thus reduced their toxicity. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region amplification of 18S rDNA (ribosomal deoxyribo nucleic acid) exhibited that the potent strain Ch06 was Aspergillus violaceofuscus. The results implied that A. violaceofuscus has the ability to promote host species growth exposed to Cd and Cr. Moreover, it helped the host plants to recover in Cd and Cr polluted soils, hence can be used as biofertilizer.

Prognostic implications of cardiac 82-rubidium positron emission tomography in angina patients with no perfusion defects

Background

Myocardial perfusion imaging with 82-Rubidium positron emission tomography (82Rb-PET) is increasingly used in the assessment of stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Among other variables, it provides quantitative measures of myocardial blood flow (MBF) which has shown the prognostic significance of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), also in patients without perfusion defects. However, other 82Rb-PET variables may also be of prognostic significance in these patients.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of 82Rb-PET in patients with symptoms suggestive of CAD but no perfusion defects.

Methods

A study was conducted with 3726 consecutive patients who underwent 82Rb-PET on the suspicion of stable CAD between January 2018 and August 2020. After exclusion of patients with regional perfusion defects, we examined the association of 82Rb-PET derived parameters with a composite endpoint: all-cause mortality, hospitalization for unstable angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure or ischemic stroke in 2175 patients. CMD was defined as myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) <2. Analyses were further stratified to assess differences across gender.

Results

Resting and stress MBF were higher in women, while MBFR was lower and CMD more prevalent (30.5% among women versus 25.3% among men, p=0.008). Over a median follow-up of 1.7 years (IQR 1.1–2.5 years) a total of 148 events were observed. In unadjusted analyses, MBF during stress, MBFR, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LVEF-reserve, heart rate reserve and Ca-score were associated with adverse outcomes in both genders (Figure 1). A joint multivariable Cox model, for both genders, adjusted for patient characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors and 82Rb-PET variables showed reduced MBFR <2 (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.24–2.48), resting LVEF (HR 1.38 per 10% decrease, 95% CI 1.24–1.54) and LVEF-reserve (HR 1.19 per 5% decrease, 95% CI 1.07–1.31) to be significant predictors of outcomes (Figure 2). Results were consistent in subgroups defined by gender, previous history of ischemic heart disease (IHD), reduced LVEF and atrial fibrillation.

Conclusion

MBFR, LVEF and LVEF-reserve derived from 82Rb-PET are predictors of adverse outcome and provide prognostic information in patients with no perfusion defects. This may aid in identifying patients at risk and provide opportunity of prevention.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Department of Cardiology, Bispebjerg Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen

Coronary microvascular disease assessed by 82Rb-PET-CT is an independent prognostic marker of all-cause mortality

Background

Coronary microvascular disease (CMD) is a major contributor to e.g. heart failure and angina pectoris, as well as being associated with an increased risk of adverse events. CMD is diagnosed by reduced myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR), preferably by Positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion CT (PET-CT).

Purpose

We aim to determine whether reduced MBFR is associated with an increased hazard of all-cause mortality independently of the extent of perfusion defects in patients suspected of obstructive coronary artery disease.

Method

We conducted a multicenter study of all patients referred for 82Rubidium PET-CT imaging between January 2018 and August 2020. Rest and stress examinations were performed using standard imaging protocols. Percentage of perfusion defects were calculated based on summed rest- and difference score. CMD was defined as MBFR ≤2. Patients were followed for all-cause mortality through national registries with no loss to follow-up.

Results

Among the 7156 patients studied, 61.8% were men, median age was 69 [61–76 IQR] years, 14.1% had LVEF ≤40%, 58.4% had a previous diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD), 20.1% had atrial fibrillation and 38.9% had MBFR ≤2.

A total of 571 (7.8) deaths were observed, more frequently in MBFR ≤2 compared to MBFR >2 (4.2% vs 13.2%, p<0.001). MBFR was significantly associated with reversible hypoperfusion (r2=−0.33, p<0.0001). In Kaplan-Meier estimation MBFR ≤2 was significantly associated to all-cause mortality in the overall population as well as in clinically relevant subgroups defined by the extent of reversible and/or irreversible perfusion defects (p<0.05 for all, fig. 1). In multivariate Cox-analysis adjusting for age, sex, Charlson's Co-morbidity index, eGFR, LVEF and LVEF-reserve and stratifying by diabetes, MBFR ≤2 remained a robust predictor of all-cause mortality with a HR 1.73, 95% CI: 1.62–2.19, p<0.0001 (fig. 2). No interaction was found between MBFR and reversible hypoperfusion. In subgroup analysis including only patients with no reversible perfusion defects (n=3095), MBFR ≤2 was still strongly associated with a HR of 2.00, 95% CI: 1.29–3.11, p<0.001 for all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

MBFR ≤2 is a robust predictor of all-cause mortality independently of the extent of reversible- and/or irreversible perfusion defects. Information of MBFR should be incorporated in the clinical risk stratification of patients being investigated for ischemia.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Research Committee, Bispebjerg & Frederiksberg University Hospital, scientific scholarship

Myocardial blood flow reserve assessed by 82Rb-PET-CT is associated with small-vessel disease in the kidney and brain

Background

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) may be linked to small-vessel disease in other vascular beds as a part of multisystem disorder. However, there are limited data in support of this.

Purpose

We aim to determine whether reduced myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) is associated with an increased hazard of small-vessel disease in the kidneys and brain.

Method

We conducted a multicenter study of all patients consecutively referred for 82Rubidium-Positron emission tomography (82Rb-PET) myocardial perfusion CT imaging between January 2018 and August 2020. CMD was defined as MBFR ≤2. Patients were followed through national registries using ICD-10 codes with no loss to follow-up for microvascular events (ME) defined as chronic kidney disease, stroke, affective disorders, and dementia. Despite the heterogeneity of outcomes, they all play a crucial role in ME, with vascular dementia, affective disorders, and both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes being major contributors to cerebral ME.

Results

Among the 7156 patients studied, 61.8% were men, median age was 69 [61–76 IQR] years, 14.1% had LVEF ≤40%, 58.4% had a previous diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and 20.1% had atrial fibrillation. 38.9% had MBFR ≤2. MBFR was significantly associated with eGFR at baseline (r2=0.22, p<0.0001). After multivariable adjustment for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, LVEF and reversible perfusion defects, MBFR remained significantly associated with eGFR, also in patients with no perfusion defects (β=0.039, 95% Cl 0.03–0.05, p<0.001 in all patients and β=0.039, 95% Cl 0.02–0.05, p<0.001, in patients with ≤5% reversible- and ≤5% irreversible hypoperfusion). During follow-up, a total of 677 (9.5%) ME were observed (480 (6.7%) cerebral ME and 197 (2.7%) renal ME). ME was more frequent in patients with MBFR ≤2 compared to MBFR >2 (11.2% vs. 5.5%, p<0.001).

In crude analysis MBFR ≤2 was significantly associated with ME (p<0.0001, Fig. 1) as well as renal- and cerebral ME (both p<0.001). Similar results were found in subgroup analysis of patients with diabetes, normal kidney function (eGFR ≥60) or no perfusion defects, respectively (Fig. 1). After multivariate adjusting for demographics, IHD, cardiovascular risk factors, Charlson's Comorbidity index, atrial fibrillation and stratifying by chronic kidney disease stages, MBFR remained a significant predictor of ME (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.15–1.78, p<0.001, fig. 2). In subgroup analysis including only patients with no reversible perfusion defects, MBFR ≤2 was associated with a HR of 2.04, 95% CI 1.43–2.91, p<0.0001 for ME.

Conclusion

This is the first larger cohort study relating CMD to microvascular outcome in the kidneys and brain. We conclude that CMD is an independent predictor of cerebral and renal ME. Data support the hypothesis that CMD is part of a systemic vascular disorder.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Research Committee, Bispebjerg & Frederiksberg University Hospital, scientific scholarship

Biological Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Amaryllis vittata (L.) Herit: From Antimicrobial to Biomedical Applications

The current study sought to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Amaryllis vittata (L.) leaf and bulb extracts in order to determine their biological significance and use the toxic plants for human health benefits. The formation of silver nanoparticles was detected by a change in color from whitish to brown for bulb-AgNPs and from light green to dark brown for leaf-AgNPs. For the optimization of silver nanoparticles, various experimental physicochemical parameters such as pH, temperature, and salt were determined. UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray dispersion spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersion spectroscopy analysis were used to characterize nanoparticles. Despite the fact that flavonoids in plant extracts were implicated in the reduction and capping procedure, the prepared nanoparticles demonstrated maximum absorbency between 400 and 500 nm. SEM analysis confirmed the preparation of monodispersed spherical crystalline particles with fcc structure. The bioinspired nanoparticles were found to show effective insecticidal activity against Tribolium castaneum and phytotoxic activity against Lemna aequincotialis. In comparison to plant extracts alone, the tested fabricated nanoparticles showed significant potential to scavenge free radicals and relieve pain. Antibacterial testing against human pathogenic strains, i.e., Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aureginosa, and antifungal testing against Aspergillus niger revealed the significant potential for microbe resistance using AgNPs. As a result of the findings, the tested silver nanoparticles demonstrated promising potential for developing new and effective pharmacological and agricultural medications. Furthermore, the effects of biogenic AgNPs on an in vitro culture of Solanum tuberosum L. plants were investigated, and the findings indicated that bulb-AgNPs and leaf-AgNPs produced biomass and induced antioxidants via their active constituents. As a result, bulb-AgNPs and leaf-AgNPs may be recommended for use in Solanum tuberosum L. tissue culture for biomass fabrication and metabolic induction.

Growth-Promoting Endophytic Fungus (Stemphylium lycopersici) Ameliorates Salt Stress Tolerance in Maize by Balancing Ionic and Metabolic Status

Climate change is a major cause of the world's food security problems, and soil salinity is a severe hazard for a variety of crops. The exploitation of endophytic fungi that are known to have a positive association with plant roots is preferred for improving plant growth, yield, and overall performance under salt stress. The current study thus rationalized to address how salt stress affected the growth, biochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and the ionic status of maize associated with endophytic fungus (Stemphylium lycopersici). According to the findings, salt stress reduced chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, total protein, sugars, lipids, and endogenous IAA levels. Enhanced values of chlorophyll a/b ratio, carotenoids, secondary metabolites (phenol, flavonoids, and tannins), antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase), proline, and lipid peroxidation were noticed in maize plants under salt stress. Increased ionic content of Na+, Cl-, Na+/K+, and Na+/Ca2+ ratio, as well as decreased Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, N, and P contents, were also found in salt-stressed maize plants. In comparison to the non-saline medium, endophytic association promoted the antioxidant enzyme activities (798.7 U/g protein; catalase activity, 106 U/g protein; ascorbate peroxidase activity), IAA content (3.47 mg/g FW), and phenolics and flavonoids (88 and 1.68 μg/g FW, respectively), and decreased MDA content (0.016 nmol/g FW), Na+ ion content (18 mg/g dry weight), Cl- ion (16.6 mg/g dry weight), and Na+/K+ (0.78) and Na+/Ca2+ (1.79) ratios, in maize plants under salt stress, whereas Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, N, and P contents were increased in maize plants associated with S. lycopersici under salt stress. Current research exposed the role of S. lycopersici as an effective natural salt stress reducer and maize growth promoter; hence, it can be used as a biofertilizer to ameliorate salt stress tolerance in crops along with better growth performance in saline regions.

Immunomodulatory Molecular Mechanisms of Luffa cylindrica for Downy Mildews Resistance Induced by Growth-Promoting Endophytic Fungi

Downy mildew (DM), caused by P. cubensis, is harmful to cucurbits including luffa, with increased shortcomings associated with its control through cultural practices, chemical fungicides, and resistant cultivars; there is a prompt need for an effective, eco-friendly, economical, and safe biocontrol approach. Current research is therefore dealt with the biocontrol of luffa DM1 through the endophytic fungi (EF) consortium. Results revealed that T. harzianum (ThM9) and T. virens (TvA1) showed pathogen-dependent inducible metabolic production of squalene and gliotoxins by higher gene expression induction of SQS1/ERG9 (squalene synthase) and GliP (non-ribosomal peptide synthetase). Gene expression of lytic enzymes of EF was also induced with subsequently higher enzyme activities upon confrontation with P. cubensis. EF-inoculated luffa seeds showed efficient germination with enhanced growth potential and vigor of seedlings. EF-inoculated plants showed an increased level of growth-promoting hormone GA with higher gene expression of GA2OX8. EF-pre-inoculated seedlings were resistant to DM and showed an increased GSH content and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, POD). The level of MDA, H₂O_2, REL, and disease severity was reduced by EF. ACC, JA, ABA, and SA were overproduced along with higher gene expression of LOX, ERF, NCED2, and PAL. Expression of defense-marker genes (PPO, CAT2, SOD, APX, PER5, LOX, NBS-LRR, PSY, CAS, Ubi, MLP43) was also modulated in EF-inoculated infected plants. Current research supported the use of EF inoculation to effectively escalate the systemic immunity against DM corresponding to the significant promotion of induced systemic resistance (ISR) and systemic acquired resistance (SAR) responses through initiating the defense mechanism by SA, ABA, ET, and JA biosynthesis and signaling pathways in luffa.

Fulvic Acid Alleviates Paper Sludge Toxicity in Canola (Brassica napus L.) by Reducing Cr, Cd, and Pb Uptake

Heavy metal toxicity reduces the growth and development of crop plants growing in metal-contaminated regions. Disposal of industrial waste in agricultural areas has negative effects on the physiochemical activities of plants. This research aimed to examine the fulvic acid (FA)-mediated efficacy of Brassica napus L. regarding stress tolerance in soil amended with paper sludge (PS). For this purpose, plants were grown for 90 days under greenhouse conditions at various concentrations of PS-amended soils (0, 5, 10, and 15%) being irrigated with water containing FA (0, 10, and 20%). All the physicochemical parameters of PS were carried out before and after plant transplantation. Paper sludge toxicity reduced the growth (shoot/root length, fresh/dry weight of shoot/root, numbers of flowers and leaves) and physicochemical characteristics of exposed B. napus plants. In comparison, FA application improved growth by reducing the metal uptake in the shoot of plants grown at various concentrations of PS. An increasing trend in antioxidant enzyme activity was observed by increasing the FA concentration (0%-10% and 20%). Post-harvest analysis indicated that the amount of tested metals was significantly reduced at all PS concentrations. Minimum metal uptake was observed at 0% concentration and maximum at 15% concentration of paper sludge. Additionally, FA application at 20% concentration reduced Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), and Lead (Pb) uptake in the shoot from 6.08, 34.42, and 20.6 mgkg^-1 to 3.62, 17.33, and 15.22 mgkg^-1, respectively. At this concentration of paper sludge in the root, 20% FA reduced Cr, Cd, and Pb uptake from 11.19, 44.11, and 35.5 mgkg^-1 to 7.88, 27.01, and 24.02 mgkg^-1, respectively. Thus, FA at 20% concentration was found to be an effective stimulant to mitigate the metal stress in B. napus grown in paper sludge-polluted soil by reducing metal uptake and translocation to various plant parts.

Assessing growth performance, morphometric traits, meat chemical composition and cholesterol content in four phenotypes of naked neck chicken

The present study was conducted to assess the growth performance, morphometric traits, muscle chemical composition and cholesterol content in four phenotypes of naked neck chicken (black, white-black, light brown and dark brown). A total of 320-day-old chicks, 80 from each phenotype, were randomly stratified into 20 replicates (16/replicate), according to a completely randomized design. The results showed higher final body weight, weight gain, and better FCR in both light brown and dark brown phenotypes whereas time of gains was found to be greater in dark brown phenotype. Keel length and shank circumference were greater in dark brown whereas wing spread was found to be higher in light brown phenotype. Drumstick circumference and body length did not show any significant differences (P > 0.05) across the phenotypes. Dry matter was found to be higher in white black, crude protein in black, white black and dark brown, moisture in light brown, and cholesterol content in black whereas ether extract and ash content were found to be greater in black and white black phenotypes. In conclusion, both light brown and dark brown phenotypes showed superior growth performance and morphometric traits. Similarly, from a health point of view, the dark brown and light brown phenotypes seem superior because their cholesterol content was low. Thus, it is strongly recommended that there should be a conscious effort to improve economically important traits of the light and dark brown birds to be used as dual-purpose slow growing chicken, especially in developing countries.

Molecular detection and prevalence of Rotavirus with acute gastroenteritis among the children of rural and urban areas

Rotavirus is the main infective agent of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children under the age of five years and causing significant morbidity as well as mortality throughout the world. The study was carried out to detect the prevalence rate, genotypes strain and risk factors of Rotavirus among the children of rural and urban areas of district Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. A total of 180 stool samples were collected from children under the age of 5 years from two major hospitals of Bannu from January to December (2015). The samples were analyzed by Reverse-transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of Rotavirus, positive samples were further processed for genotyping (G and P type) through specific PCR. Of the total, 41 (23%) samples were positive for Rotavirus. The most prevalent G genotypes found were: G3, G8, G9 (each 29%), followed by G10 (15%), and G11 (10%). Whereas the prevalent P genotypes were: P-8 (25%), P-4 and P-10 (each 20%), P-9 (15%), followed by P-6 and P-11 (each 10%). Moreover, Rotavirus infection was more prevalent in summer (23.73%) and winter (22.7%) than spring (20%) and autumn (21.4%). Rotavirus infection exhibited high frequency in June (14%), October (8%) and November (6%). It is concluded that Rotavirus is more prevalent in children and various genotypes (G and P) of Rotavirus are present in the study area. Lack of studies, awareness and rarer testing of Rotavirus are the principal reasons of virus prevalence in district Bannu, Pakistan.

Biodegradation of petroleum by bacteria isolated from fishes of Indian Ocean

In this study, oil degrading bacteria discovered from fish living near the oil ports at Karachi in Pakistan were characterized. The bacteria isolated from skin, gills, and gut in fish could consume crude oil as a source of carbon and energy. Total 36 isolates were tested using Nutrient Agar (NA) and MSA media with different crude oil concentrations (0.2%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 1%, 2%, and 5%) and 4 out of 36 isolates (two Gram positive and two Gram negative bacteria) were selected for further identification. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the isolates are related to Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus flexus, Pseudomonas brenneri and Pseudomonas azotoforman. Oil degrading potential of these bacteria was characterized by GC-MS analysis of degradation of oil components in crude oil as well as engine oil. We found that one (2, 6, 10, 14-Tetramethylpentadecane) out of 42 components in the crude oil was fully eliminated and the other oil components were reduced. In addition, 26 out of 42 oil components in the engine oil, were fully eliminated and the rest were amended. Taken together, these studies identify that B. velezensis, B. flexus, P. brenneri and P. azotoforman have high oil degrading potential, which may be useful for degradation of oil pollutants and other commercial applications.

Effect of Long-Term Pesticides and Chemical Fertilizers Application on the Microbial Community Specifically Anammox and Denitrifying Bacteria in Rice Field Soil of Jhenaidah and Kushtia District, Bangladesh

In this study, we investigated the effect of long-term pesticides and chemical fertilizers application on the microbial communities specifically anammox and denitrification bacteria in rice field soils. The abundances of microbial communities (16S rDNA), anammox (hszB), and denitrification (narG, nirK, nirS, and nosZ) genes were quantified by q-PCR. 10 pesticides (5 insecticides, 3 fungicides and 2 herbicides) and chemical fertilizers urea, potassium, phosphate, DAP (di-ammonium phosphate), gypsum, and boric acid were used by local farmers. Nitrate, SOC (ammonia, soil organic carbon), N and C content significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the rice field soils as compared to the upland soils. Abundance of 16S rDNA, hszB, narG, nirK, nirS, and nosZ genes significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the rice field soils and positively correlated with chemical properties of soils. Our results provide useful information and further maintenance should be instilled to the potential of chemical and biological factors decreased in rice field soils.

Molecular Mechanisms of the 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid (ACC) Deaminase Producing Trichoderma asperellum MAP1 in Enhancing Wheat Tolerance to Waterlogging Stress

Waterlogging stress (WS) induces ethylene (ET) and polyamine (spermine, putrescine, and spermidine) production in plants, but their reprogramming is a decisive element for determining the fate of the plant upon waterlogging-induced stress. WS can be challenged by exploring symbiotic microbes that improve the plant's ability to grow better and resist WS. The present study deals with identification and application of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase-producing fungal endophyte Trichoderma asperellum (strain MAP1), isolated from the roots of Canna indica L., on wheat growth under WS. MAP1 positively affected wheat growth by secreting phytohormones/secondary metabolites, strengthening the plant's antioxidant system and influencing the physiology through polyamine production and modulating gene expression. MAP1 inoculation promoted yield in comparison to non-endophyte inoculated waterlogged seedlings. Exogenously applied ethephon (ET synthesis inducer) and 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC; ET precursor) showed a reduction in growth, compared to MAP1-inoculated waterlogged seedlings, while amino-oxyacetic acid (AOA; ET inhibitor) application reversed the negative effect imposed by ET and ACC, upon waterlogging treatment. A significant reduction in plant growth rate, chlorophyll content, and stomatal conductance was noticed, while H₂O₂, MDA production, and electrolyte leakage were increased in non-inoculated waterlogged seedlings. Moreover, in comparison to non-inoculated waterlogged wheat seedlings, MAP1-inoculated waterlogged wheat exhibited antioxidant-enzyme activities. In agreement with the physiological results, genes associated with the free polyamine (PA) biosynthesis were highly induced and PA content was abundant in MAP1-inoculated seedlings. Furthermore, ET biosynthesis/signaling gene expression was reduced upon MAP1 inoculation under WS. Briefly, MAP1 mitigated the adverse effect of WS in wheat, by reprogramming the PAs and ET biosynthesis, which leads to optimal stomatal conductance, increased photosynthesis, and membrane stability as well as reduced ET-induced leaf senescence.

An in silico approach to characterize nonsynonymous SNPs and regulatory SNPs in human TOX3 gene

Cancer is one of the deadliest complex diseases having multigene nature where the role of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been well explored in multiple genes. TOX high mobility group box family member 3 (TOX3) is one such gene, in which SNPs have been found to be associated with breast cancer. In this study, we have examined the potentially damaging nonsynonymous SNPs(nsSNPs) in TOX3 gene using in silico tools, namely PolyPhen2, SNP&GO, PhD-SNP and PROVEAN, which were further confirmed by I-Mutant, MutPred1.2 and ConSurf for their stability, functional and structural effects. nsSNPs rs368713418 (A266D), rs751141352 (P273S, P273T), rs200878352 (A275T) have been found to be the most deleterious that may have a vital role in breast cancer. Premature stop codon producing SNPs (Q527STOP), rs1259790811 (G495STOP), rs1294465822 (S395STOP) and rs1335372738 (G8STOP) were also found having prime importance in truncated and malfunctional protein formation. We also characterized regulatory SNPs for its potential effect on TOX3 gene regulation and found nine SNPs that may affect the gene regulation. Further, we have also designed 3D models using I-TASSER for the wild type and four mutant TOX3 proteins. Our study concludes that these SNPs can be of prime importance while studying breast cancer and other associated diseases as well. They are required to be studied in model organisms and cell cultures, and may have potential importance in personalized medicines and gene therapy.

Rare Presentation of Liver Abscess

Liver abscess can present in various manners and in some cases causes delays and misdiagnoses. We are reporting 2 cases of rare presentation of liver abscess. The first case is a 64-year-old gentleman presented with right hypochondriac pain since August 2017 and diagnosed to have liver abscess. He was treated with antibiotics and serial imaging for reassessment. However, he presented again this year with right sided anterior abdominal wall swelling. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed anterior abdominal wall collection with extension into right internal and external oblique muscles with communication with liver collection at segment VII. An open incision and drainage was performed with drain inserted over the anterior abdominal wall collection. He was then referred to hepatobiliary center for further management. Second case is a 30-year-old gentleman underlying Beta thalassemia major- post splenectomy with Klebsiella pneumonia bacteremia noted to have left multiseptated collection with posterobasal consolidation and left parapneumonic effusion which was initially misdiagnosed as splenic abscess. However, with further imaging was confirmed to be a left liver abscess with focal discontinuity in left hemidiaphragm, which communicates between liver abscess and enlarging left lower loculated pleural effusion. Radiological guided pigtail catheter was inserted and serial imaging showed collection decreasing in size. Extra-abdominal manifestation of a liver abscess is a rare clinical entity and is not well documented. The advent of ultrasound and CT scan, there has been improvement in the rate of early diagnosis even with these uncommon presentations. Percutaneous drainage with antimicrobial therapy remains gold standard for a non-ruptured abscess. Surgical intervention should be considered for large, complex, multiseptated abscesses or in whom percutaneous drainage has failed.

SIRT1 gene polymorphisms associated with decreased risk of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) exhibits the rules of the multifactorial hereditary. Notwithstanding, the role of genetic factors in the prevalence of CAD is estimated very high. SIRT1 plays an athero-protective role and alterations in its expression have some important consequence in the metabolism, cholesterol, and fat deposition. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between rs4746720, rs12413112, and rs1467568 polymorphisms in the SIRT1 gene and CAD in the high-risk cases. In the present retrospective case-control study, 150 healthy individuals and 150 cases diagnosed with atherosclerotic lesions were investigated. ARMS PCR was used to determine the genotypes of rs4746720 polymorphism, while tetra primer-ARMS PCR was used for genotyping of rs12413112 and rs1467568 polymorphisms. Considering rs12413112 polymorphism, the frequency of the AG heterozygote genotype was significantly lower in cases than controls (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the frequency of the A-positive (AA+AG vs. GG) genotype was significantly different between groups (P < 0.001). The frequency of the variant A allele was 0.36% in cases and 0.46% in controls (P = 0.01). Except for a borderline protective effect in the present of rs1467568AG genotype, the allele and genotype distributions of both rs1467568 and rs4746720 polymorphisms did not differ between two groups. The haplotype constructed from rs1467568A, rs12413112A, and rs4746720T alleles showed a significant protective effect on the risk of CAD (OR: 0.53; 95%CI: 0.35-0.78; P = 0.001). In conclusion, the SIRT1 gene may contribute to the pathogenesis of CAD, while further investigations were suggested to confirm our results.

National Outcomes of Liver Transplantation for Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score ≥40: The Impact of Share 35

In certain regions of the United States in which organ donor shortages are persistent and competition is high, recipients wait longer and are critically ill with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores ≥40 when they undergo liver transplantation. Recent implementation of Share 35 has increased the percentage of recipients transplanted at these higher MELD scores. The purpose of our study was to examine national data of liver transplant recipients with MELD scores ≥40 and to identify risk factors that affect graft and recipient survival. During the 12-year study period, 5002 adult recipients underwent deceased donor whole-liver transplantation. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year graft survival rates were 77%, 69%, 64% and 50%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year patient survival rates were 80%, 72%, 67% and 53%, respectively. Multivariable analysis identified previous transplant, ventilator dependence, diabetes, hepatitis C virus, age >60 years and prolonged hospitalization prior to transplant as recipient factors increasing the risk of graft failure and death. Donor age >30 years was associated with an incrementally increased risk of graft failure and death. Recipients after implementation of Share 35 had shorter waiting times and higher graft and patient survival compared with pre-Share 35 recipients, demonstrating that some risk factors can be mitigated by policy changes that increase organ accessibility.

In vitro activity of an engineered honey, medical-grade honeys, and antimicrobial wound dressings against biofilm-producing clinical bacterial isolates

OBJECTIVE

Honey is recognised to be a good topical wound care agent owing to a broad-spectrum of antimicrobial activity combined with healing properties. Surgihoney RO (SH1) is a product based on honey that is engineered to produce enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and has been reported to be highly antimicrobial. The objective was to investigate the ability of the engineered honey and its comparators to prevent biofilm formation in vitro.

METHOD

We tested the ability of three medical-grade honeys SH1, Activon manuka honey (MH) and Medihoney manuka honey (Med), alongside five antimicrobial dressings (AMDs) to prevent the formation of biofilms by 16 isolates. Honeys were serially double diluted from 1:3 down to 1:6144 and the lowest dilution achieving a statistically significant reduction in biomass of at least 50%, compared with untreated controls, was recorded.

RESULTS

Although all the honeys were antibacterial and were able to prevent the formation of biofilms, SH1 was the most potent, with efficacy at lower dilutions than the medical honeys for five isolates, and equivalent dilutions for a further six. Additionally, SH1 was superior in antibacterial potency to three commercially available AMDs that contain honey.

CONCLUSION

SH1 is effective at preventing bioflms from forming and is superior to medical honeys and AMDs in in vitro tests.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Surgihoney RO was provided free of charge for testing by Matoke Holdings, UK and the hospital pharmacy provided the other honeys and dressings. This paper presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.

National Outcomes of Liver Transplantation for Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score ≥40: The Impact of Share 35

In certain regions of the United States in which organ donor shortages are persistent and competition is high, recipients wait longer and are critically ill with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores ≥40 when they undergo liver transplantation. Recent implementation of Share 35 has increased the percentage of recipients transplanted at these higher MELD scores. The purpose of our study was to examine national data of liver transplant recipients with MELD scores ≥40 and to identify risk factors that affect graft and recipient survival. During the 12-year study period, 5002 adult recipients underwent deceased donor whole-liver transplantation. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year graft survival rates were 77%, 69%, 64% and 50%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year patient survival rates were 80%, 72%, 67% and 53%, respectively. Multivariable analysis identified previous transplant, ventilator dependence, diabetes, hepatitis C virus, age >60 years and prolonged hospitalization prior to transplant as recipient factors increasing the risk of graft failure and death. Donor age >30 years was associated with an incrementally increased risk of graft failure and death. Recipients after implementation of Share 35 had shorter waiting times and higher graft and patient survival compared with pre-Share 35 recipients, demonstrating that some risk factors can be mitigated by policy changes that increase organ accessibility.

Efficient use of artificial micro-RNA to downregulate the expression of genes at the post-transcriptional level in Arabidopsis thaliana

Micro-RNAs are cellular components regulating gene expression at the post-transcription level. In the present study, artificial micro-RNAs were used to decrease the transcript level of two genes, AtExpA8 (encoding an expansin) and AHL25 (encoding an AT-hook motif nuclear localized protein) in Arabidopsis thaliana. The backbone of the Arabidopsis endogenous MIR319a micro-RNA was used in a site-directed mutagenesis approach for the generation of artificial micro-RNAs targeting two genes. The recombinant cassettes were expressed under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter in individual A. thaliana plants. Transgenic lines of the third generation were tested by isolating total RNA and by subsequent cDNA synthesis using oligo-dT18 primers and mRNAs as templates. The expression of the two target genes was checked through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to confirm reduced transcript levels for AtExpA8 and AHL25. Downregulation of AtExpA8 resulted in the formation of short hypocotyls compared with those of the wild-type control in response to low pH and high salt concentration. This technology could be used to prevent the expression of exogenous and invading genes posing a threat to the normal cellular physiology of the host plant.

Functional characterisation of an intron retaining K(+) transporter of barley reveals intron-mediated alternate splicing

Intron retention in transcripts and the presence of 5' and 3' splice sites within these introns mediate alternate splicing, which is widely observed in animals and plants. Here, functional characterisation of the K(+) transporter, HvHKT2;1, with stably retained introns from barley (Hordeum vulgare) in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and transcript profiling in yeast and transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is presented. Expression of intron-retaining HvHKT2;1 cDNA (HvHKT2;1-i) in trk1, trk2 yeast strain defective in K(+) uptake restored growth in medium containing hygromycin in the presence of different concentrations of K(+) and mediated hypersensitivity to Na(+) . HvHKT2;1-i produces multiple transcripts via alternate splicing of two regular introns and three exons in different compositions. HKT isoforms with retained introns and exon skipping variants were detected in relative expression analysis of (i) HvHKT2;1-i in barley under native conditions, (ii) in transgenic tobacco plants constitutively expressing HvHKT2;1-i, and (iii) in trk1, trk2 yeast expressing HvHKT2;1-i under control of an inducible promoter. Mixed proportions of three HKT transcripts: HvHKT2;1-e (first exon region), HvHKT2;1-i1 (first intron) and HvHKT2;1-i2 (second intron) were observed. The variation in transcript accumulation in response to changing K(+) and Na(+) concentrations was observed in both heterologous and plant systems. These findings suggest a link between intron-retaining transcripts and different splice variants to ion homeostasis, and their possible role in salt stress.

NAC transcription factor speedy hyponastic growth regulates flooding-induced leaf movement in Arabidopsis

In rosette plants, root flooding (waterlogging) triggers rapid upward (hyponastic) leaf movement representing an important architectural stress response that critically determines plant performance in natural habitats. The directional growth is based on localized longitudinal cell expansion at the lower (abaxial) side of the leaf petiole and involves the volatile phytohormone ethylene (ET). We report the existence of a transcriptional core unit underlying directional petiole growth in Arabidopsis thaliana, governed by the NAC transcription factor speedy hyponastic growth (SHYG). Overexpression of SHYG in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana enhances waterlogging-triggered hyponastic leaf movement and cell expansion in abaxial cells of the basal petiole region, while both responses are largely diminished in shyg knockout mutants. Expression of several expansin and xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase genes encoding cell wall-loosening proteins was enhanced in SHYG overexpressors but lowered in shyg. We identified ACC oxidase5 (ACO5), encoding a key enzyme of ET biosynthesis, as a direct transcriptional output gene of SHYG and found a significantly reduced leaf movement in response to root flooding in aco5 T-DNA insertion mutants. Expression of SHYG in shoot tissue is triggered by root flooding and treatment with ET, constituting an intrinsic ET-SHYG-ACO5 activator loop for rapid petiole cell expansion upon waterlogging.

NAC transcription factor ORE1 and senescence-induced BIFUNCTIONAL NUCLEASE1 (BFN1) constitute a regulatory cascade in Arabidopsis

Senescence is a highly regulated process that involves the action of a large number of transcription factors. The NAC transcription factor ORE1 (ANAC092) has recently been shown to play a critical role in positively controlling senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana; however, no direct target gene through which it exerts its molecular function has been identified previously. Here, we report that BIFUNCTIONAL NUCLEASE1 (BFN1), a well-known senescence-enhanced gene, is directly regulated by ORE1. We detected elevated expression of BFN1 already 2 h after induction of ORE1 in estradiol-inducible ORE1 overexpression lines and 6 h after transfection of Arabidopsis mesophyll cell protoplasts with a 35S:ORE1 construct. ORE1 and BFN1 expression patterns largely overlap, as shown by promoter-reporter gene (GUS) fusions, while BFN1 expression in senescent leaves and the abscission zones of maturing flower organs was virtually absent in ore1 mutant background. In vitro binding site assays revealed a bipartite ORE1 binding site, similar to that of ORS1, a paralog of ORE1. A bipartite ORE1 binding site was identified in the BFN1 promoter; mutating the cis-element within the context of the full-length BFN1 promoter drastically reduced ORE1-mediated transactivation capacity in transiently transfected Arabidopsis mesophyll cell protoplasts. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) demonstrates in vivo binding of ORE1 to the BFN1 promoter. We also demonstrate binding of ORE1 in vivo to the promoters of two other senescence-associated genes, namely SAG29/SWEET15 and SINA1, supporting the central role of ORE1 during senescence.

ORE1 balances leaf senescence against maintenance by antagonizing G2-like-mediated transcription

Leaf senescence is a key physiological process in all plants. Its onset is tightly controlled by transcription factors, of which NAC factor ORE1 (ANAC092) is crucial in Arabidopsis thaliana. Enhanced expression of ORE1 triggers early senescence by controlling a downstream gene network that includes various senescence-associated genes. Here, we report that unexpectedly ORE1 interacts with the G2-like transcription factors GLK1 and GLK2, which are important for chloroplast development and maintenance, and thereby for leaf maintenance. ORE1 antagonizes GLK transcriptional activity, shifting the balance from chloroplast maintenance towards deterioration. Our finding identifies a new mechanism important for the control of senescence by ORE1.