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In the present study, we studied the distribution of silicate mineral weathering bacteria (SWB) in stressed environments that release potassium from insoluble source of mineral. Out of 972 isolates, 340 isolates were positive and mineral weathering potential ranged from 5.55 to 180.05%. Maximum abundance of SWB occurred 44.71% in saline environment followed by 23.53% in low temperature and 12.35% each in high temperature and moisture deficit. Among isolates, silicate mineral weathering efficiency ranged from 1.9 to 72.8 μg mL−1available K in liquid medium. The phylogenetic tree of SWB discriminated in three clusters viz. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. This is the first report on SWB in stressed environments and identified 27 genera and 67 species which is not reported earlier. Among them Bacilluswas the predominant genera (58.60%) distantly followed by Pseudomonas(6.37%), Staphylococcus(5.10%) and Paenibacillus(4.46%). These bacterial strains could be developed as inoculants for biological replenishment of K in stressed soils.

•Glacier retreat footprints over the Mana Basin.•Spatio-temporal changes in the snout/glacier over the period of 50 years.•Estimation of ice velocity using the SAR technique.•Negative trend in snow cover area and increase of temperature.

The utility of microorganisms for solubilizing the unavailable forms of potassium (K) from soil has led to renewed interest in fabrication of rapid and sensitive plate assays for their isolation and screening. The present study developed a modified plate assay and compared it with previously reported methods for the isolation and screening of K-solubilizing bacteria. The newly developed plate assay is based on improved visualization of halo zone formation around the colonies on agar plates, through inclusion of an acid-base indicator dye, bromothymol blue (BTB), to modify the previously reported Aleksandrov medium. The halo zone exhibited a significant correlation (R= 0.939) with K released in liquid medium. The visualization of potential K solubilizers was improved using this method, which would help in detection of weak/non-acid producers based on secretion of organic acids in the medium. Organic acids in plate diffuse radially and form halo zones in response to reaction with the acid-base indicator dye BTB. Furthermore, K solubilization on plates with this method can be observed within 48–72 h, against the incubation time of 4–5 d needed in the earlier method. Therefore, the newly developed protocol for the plate assay was time saving, more sensitive, and beneficial in comparison to the previously reported Aleksandrov plate assay.

The present study was designed to delineate the immunomodulatory role of histamine receptors (H1R and H2R) and their antibody generation in a rabbit model. Six groups containing 18 rabbits each received either vehicle (sterile distilled water, 1 ml/kg × b.i.d), histamine (100 µg/kg × b.i.d.), H1R agonist (HTMT, 10 µg/kg × b.i.d.), H2R agonist (amthamine, 10 µg/kg × b.i.d.), H1R antagonist (pheniramine, 10 mg/kg × b.i.d.) or H2R antagonist (ranitidine, 10 mg/kg × b.i.d.). All animals were subsequently immunized with an intravenous injection of sheep red bood cells (SRBC). Estimations of total serum immunoglobulins (Igs), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were performed by ELISA and hemagglutination assay (HA) at days 0 (pre-immunization), 7, 14, 21, 28 and 58 (post-immunization). Both the ELISA and the HA showed similar production of Igs, IgM and IgG but the results were found comparatively more significant by ELISAas opposed to HA. Results showed that histamine could influence a detectable antibody response to SRBC early (i.e., at day 7), which lasted until day 58. Immunomodulatory processes showed suppression of an Ig generation in the H1R-antagonist group with enhancement in the H2R-antagonist group. The H1R-agonist group showed an increased Ig production in comparison to the H2R-agonist group. The IgM production was inhibited in the H1R-antagonist group as compared to the H2R-antagonist group, and it was also suppressed in H1R-agonist group as compared to H2R-agonist group. IgG production was inhibited in the H1R-antagonist group as opposed to the H2R-antagonist group. In contrast, the H1R-agonist group increased IgG production as compared to the H2R-agonist group. All the results were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). In conclusion, histamine and its receptor (H1R and H2R) agonists enhance antibody production by triggering the hista-mine receptors (H1R and H2R), and both the H1R antagonist and the H2R antagonist positively or negatively regulate the antibody production. The findings of this study may have clinical significance.

ABSTRACTThe potential of a tumor cell to metastasize profoundly depends on its microenvironment, or “niche” interactions with local components. Tumor-associated-macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant subpopulation of tumor stroma and represent a key component of tumor microenvironment. The dynamic interaction of cancer cells with neighboring TAMs actively drive cancer progression and metastatic transformation through intercellular signaling networks that need better elucidation. Thus, current study was planned for discerning paracrine communication networks operational between TAMs, and breast cancer cells with special reference to cancer cell invasion and dissemination to distant sites. Here, we report role of MIP-1β in enhancing invasive potential of metastatic breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. In addition, the poorly metastatic MCF-7 cells were also rendered invasive by MIP-1β. The MIP-1β-driven cancer cell invasion was dependent on upregulated expression levels of MYO3Agene, which encodes an unconventional myosin super-family protein harboring a kinase domain. Ex ovostudy employing Chick-embryo-model and in vivoSyngenic 4T1/BALB/c mice-model further corroborated aforementioned in vitrofindings, thereby substantiating their physiological relevance. Concordantly, human breast cancer specimen exhibited significant association between mRNA expression levels of MIP-1β and MYO3A. Both, MIP-1β and MYO3Aexhibited positive correlation with MMP9, an established molecular determinant of cancer cell invasion. Higher expression of these genes correlated with poor survival of breast cancer patients. Collectively, these results point toward so far undisclosed MIP-1β/MYO3Aaxis being operational during metastasis, wherein macrophage-derived MIP-1β potentiated cancer cell invasion and metastasis via up regulation of MYO3Agene within cancer cells. Our study exposes opportunities for devising potential anti-metastatic strategies for efficient clinical management of breast cancer.

Piper betleLinn.leaves are traditionally used as a folk medicine in India and other Asiatic countries. Twenty-one P. betlelandraces were analyzed using a Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) mass spectral technique and evaluated on the basis of molecules detected in the leaves. Clustering of landraces based on three well known biologically active phenols (m/z151,165,193) showed two broad groups with high and low phenol contents suggesting differences in their therapeutic potential. Findings of this study could be useful in rapid screening of the landraces for determining their medicinal potential and optimum utilization of the bioresource.