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Block scheduling is difficult to implement in P2P network since there is no central coordinator. This problem can be solved by employing network coding technique which allows intermediate nodes to perform the coding operation instead of store and forward the received data. There is a general assumption in this area of research so far that a target download rate is always attainable at every peer as long as coding operation is performed at all the nodes in the network. An interesting study is made that a maximum download rate can be attained by performing the coding operation at relatively small portion of the network. The problem of finding the minimal set of node to perform the coding operation and links to carry the coded data is called as a network code minimization problem (NCMP). It is proved to be an NP hard problem. It can be solved using genetic algorithm (GA) because GA can be used to solve the diverse NP hard problem. A new NCMP model which considers both minimize the resources needed to perform coding operation and dynamic change in network topology due to disconnection is proposed. Based on this new NCMP model, an effective and novel GA is proposed by implementing problem specific GA operators into the evolutionary process. There is an attempt to implement the different compositions and several options of GA elements which worked well in many other problems and pick the one that works best for this resource minimization problem. Our simulation results prove that the proposed system outperforms the random selection and coding at all possible node mechanisms in terms of both download time and system throughput. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the existing peer-to-peer (P2P) content distribution schemes carry out a random or rarest piece first content dissemination procedure to avoid duplicate transmission of the same pieces of data and rare pieces of data occurring in the network. This problem is solved using P2P content distribution based on network coding scheme. Network coding scheme uses random linear combination of coded pieces. Hence, the above-stated problem is solved easily and simply. Our proposed mechanism uses network coding mechanism in which several contents having the same message are grouped into different groups and coding operation is performed only within the same group. The interested peers are also divided into several groups with each group having the responsibility to spread one set of contents of messages. The coding system is designed to assure the property that any subset of the messages can be utilized to decode the original content as long as the size of the subset is suitably large. To meet this condition, dynamic smart network coding (DSNC) scheme is defined which assures the preferred property, then peers are connected in the same group to send the corresponding message, and connect peers in different groups to disseminate messages for carrying out decoding operation. Moreover, the proposed system is readily expanded to support topology change to get better system performance further in terms of reliability, link stress and throughput. The simulation results prove that the proposed system can attain 20–25% higher throughput than existing systems, good reliability, link failure and robustness to peer churn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant antimicrobial peptides are the interesting source of studies in defense response as they are essential components of innate immunity which exert rapid defense response. In spite of abundant reports on the isolation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from many sources, the profile of AMPs expressed/identified from single crop species under certain stress/physiological condition is still unknown. This work describes the AMP signature profile of black pepper and their expression upon Phytophthora infection using label-free quantitative proteomics strategy. The differential expression of 24 AMPs suggests that a combinatorial strategy is working in the defense network. The 24 AMP signatures belonged to the cationic, anionic, cysteine-rich and cysteine-free group. As the first report on the possible involvement of AMP signature in Phytophthora infection, our results offer a platform for further study on regulation, evolutionary importance and exploitation of theses AMPs as next generation molecules against pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Immunological characterization of mycobacterial peptides may help not only in the preparation of a vaccine for leprosy but also in developing in vitro T-cell assays that could perhaps be used as an in vitro correlate for treatment outcome. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the use of Mycobacterium bovis recombinant 32-kDa protein (r32-kDa) antigen-stimulated T-cell assay as a surrogate marker for treatment outcome and monitor vitamin D receptor (VDR)-mediated anti-microbial responses during multidrug therapy (MDT) in leprosy. Methods:Newly diagnosed tuberculoid and lepromatous leprosy patients were enrolled and followed up during their course of MDT at 6 and 12 months. IFN-Υ, IL-10, IL-17 and IL-23 levels in culture supernatants and expression of VDR, TLR2, LL37 and DEFB in r32-kDa-stimulated PBMCs were measured. Controls comprised household contacts (HHCs) and healthy endemic subjects (HCs). Results:Significant differences were observed in the levels of IFN-Υ, IL-17, IL-23, VDR and anti-microbial peptides LL37 and DEFB after treatment and when compared with that of HHCs and HCs, respectively. Conclusions:These findings suggest that responses to r32-kDa antigen reflect an improved immunological and antimicrobial response in leprosy patients during therapy, thereby indicating its potential use as an immune correlate in the treatment of leprosy patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel jamming detection technique to detect the presence of jamming in the downstream direction for cluster based wireless sensor networks is proposed in this paper. The proposed technique is deployed in base station and in cluster heads. The proposed technique is novel in two aspects: Firstly, whenever a cluster head receives a packet it verifies whether the source node is legitimate node or new node. Secondly if a source node is declared as new node in the first step, then this technique observes the behavior of the new node to find whether the new node is legitimate node or jammed node. In order to monitor the behavior of the existing node and new node, the second step uses two metrics namely packet delivery ratio (PDR) and received signal strength indicator (RSSI). The rationality of using PDR and RSSI is presented by performing statistical test. PDR and RSSI of every member in the cluster is measured and assessed by the cluster head. And finally the cluster head determines whether the members of the cluster are jammed or not. The CH can detect the presence of jamming in the cluster at member level. The base station can detect the presence of jamming in the wireless sensor network at CH level. The simulation result shows that the proposed technique performs extremely well and achieves jamming detection rate as high as 99.85%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ralstonia solanacearum race 4 isolates were obtained from Zingiberaceae plants in India during bacterial wilt outbreaks. Polyphasic phenotypic and genotypic analysis revealed intraracial diversity and dominance of biovar 3 over biovar 4. Biovar 3 strains were isolated from very severely wilted Zingiberaceae plants in the field and found to be present across diverse geographical, host and seasonal boundaries. It was hypothesized that these isolates belong to a single, 'fast wilting', lineage. Using one 'fast wilting' isolate in controlled inoculations, rapid wilt was observed in ginger within 5-7 days. Wilting was also observed in several other closely and distantly related hosts such as turmeric (Curcuma longa), aromatic turmeric (Curcuma aromatica), black turmeric (Curcuma caesia), sand ginger (Kaempferia galanga), white turmeric (Curcuma zeodaria), awapuhi (Zingiber zerumbet), greater galangal (Alpinia galanga), globba (Globba sp.), small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) and large cardamom (Ammomum subulatum) of the Zingiberaceae family, and in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Molecular analysis, including multiplex PCR-based phylotyping, sequence analysis of 16S rDNA, 16-23S intergenic spacer and the recN gene, and multilocus sequence typing, revealed minimal differences between fast wilting isolates, confirming that almost all belong to the same lineage. Biovar 4 was isolated from plants showing slow wilt progression and self-limiting wilting in restricted geographical locations instead, and was identified to be genetically distinct from the fast wilting biovar 3 isolates. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of host range and genetic analysis of R. solanacearum race 4 in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA samples from a family (parents and a son) with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) condition were subjected to amplification of a 1.214 kbp DNA fragment from β-globin gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The aim of this study was to identify the type of HPFH i.e. deletional or non deletional. Non deletional type of HPFH was identified in two samples and moreover, these samples were found to be associated with 619bp β°-thalassemia deletion. This is the first report on the association of non deletional HPFH with 619bp β°-thalassemia deletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employing Illumina Hiseq whole genome metagenome sequencing approach, we studied the impact of Trichoderma harzianum on altering the microbial community and its functional dynamics in the rhizhosphere soil of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). The metagenomic datasets from the rhizosphere with (treatment) and without (control) T. harzianum inoculation were annotated using dual approach, i.e., stand alone and MG-RAST. The probiotic application of T. harzianum in the rhizhosphere soil of black pepper impacted the population dynamics of rhizosphere bacteria, archae, eukaryote as reflected through the selective recruitment of bacteria [Acidobacteriaceae bacterium (p=1.24e-12), Candidatus koribacter versatilis (p=2.66e-10)] and fungi [(Fusarium oxysporum (p=0.013), Talaromyces stipitatus (p=0.219) and Pestalotiopsis fici (p=0.443)] in terms of abundance in population and bacterial chemotaxis (p=0.012), iron metabolism (p=2.97e-5) with the reduction in abundance for pathogenicity islands (p=7.30e-3), phages and prophages (p=7.30e-3) with regard to functional abundance. Interestingly, it was found that the enriched functional metagenomic signatures on phytoremediation such as benzoate transport and degradation (p=2.34e-4), and degradation of heterocyclic aromatic compounds (p=3.59e-13) in the treatment influenced the rhizosphere micro ecosystem favoring growth and health of pepper plant. The population dynamics and functional richness of rhizosphere ecosystem in black pepper influenced by the treatment with T. harzianum provides the ecological importance of T. harzianum in the cultivation of black pepper., (Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Expression of symptoms in black pepper plants (Piper nigrum) infected with Piper yellow mottle virus (PYMoV) vary depending on the season, being high during summer months. Here, we explored the influence of temperature on symptom expression in PYMoV infected P. nigrum. Our controlled environment study revealed increase in virus titer, total proteins, IAA and reducing sugars when exposed to temperature stress. There was change in the 2-D separated protein before and after exposure. The 2-D proteomics LC-MS identified host and viral proteins suggesting virus-host interaction during symptom expression. The analysis as well as detection of host biochemical compounds may help in understanding the detailed mechanisms underlying the viral replication and damage to the crop, and thereby plan management strategies.

In this study, 100 PGPR strains isolated from different varieties of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) were first characterized for their morphological, biochemical, and nutrient mobilization traits in vitro. The PGPR were also screened in vitro for inhibition of Pythium myriotylum causing soft rot in ginger. Results revealed that only five PGPR showed >70% suppression of P. myriotylum. These 5 PGPR viz., GRB (Ginger rhizobacteria) 25--Burkholderia cepacia, GRB35--Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; GRB58--Serratia marcescens; GRB68--S. marcescens; GRB91--Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used for further growth promotion and biocontrol studies in the green house and field. The green house study revealed that GRB35 (B. amyloliquefaciens) and GRB68 (S. marcescens) registered markedly higher sprouting (96.3%) and lower disease incidence (48.1%) and greater rhizome yield (365.6 g pot(-1) and 384.4 g pot(-1), respectively), while control registered the lowest sprouting (66%), maximum soft rot incidence (100%) and lowest rhizome yield (134.4 g pot(-1)). In the field experiments also, GRB68 (S. marcescens) and GRB35 (B. amyloliquefaciens) registered the greatest sprouting (80% each), markedly lower soft rot incidence (5.2% and 7.3%, respectively) and higher yield (5.0 and 4.3 kg(3)m(-2), respectively) compared to chemicals like Streptomycin sulphate (73.0%, 18.5% and 2.3 kg(3)m(-2), respectively), Metalaxyl-Mancozeb (73.0%, 14.0% and 3.8 kg(3)m(-2), respectively) and control (73.0%, 25.1% and 2.2 kg 3m(-2), respectively). Overall, the results suggested that for growth promotion and management of soft rot disease in ginger, GRB35 B. amyloliquefaciens and GRB68 S. marcescens could be good alternatives to chemical measures. Since, the latter has been reported to be an opportunistic human pathogen, we recommend the use of B. amyloliquefaciens for integration into nutrient and disease management schedules for ginger cultivation., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Network coding (NC) makes content distribution more effective and easier in P2P content distribution network and reduces the burden of the original seeder. It generalizes traditional network routing by allowing the intermediate nodes to generate new coded packet by combining the received packets. The randomization introduced by network coding makes all packets equally important and resolves the problem of locating the rarest block. Further, it reduces traffic in the network. In this paper, we analyze the performance of traditional network coding in P2P content distribution network by using a mathematical model and it is proved that traffic reduction has not been fully achieved in P2P network using traditional network coding. It happens due to the redundant transmission of noninnovative information block among the peers in the network. Hence, we propose a new framework, called I2NC (intelligent-peer selection and incremental-network coding), to eliminate the unnecessary flooding of noninnovative coded packets and thereby to improve the performance of network coding in P2P content distribution further. A comparative study and analysis of the proposed system is made through various related implementations and the results show that 10-15% of traffic reduced and improved the average and maximum download time by reducing original seeder's workload.

Bacterial wilt in ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most important production constraints in tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperature regions of the world. Lack of resistant genotype adds constraints to the crop management. However, mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.), which is resistant to R. solanacearum, is a potential donor, if the exact mechanism of resistance is understood. To identify genes involved in resistance to R. solanacearum, we have sequenced the transcriptome from wilt-sensitive ginger and wilt-resistant mango ginger using Illumina sequencing technology. A total of 26387032 and 22268804 paired-end reads were obtained after quality filtering for C. amada and Z. officinale, respectively. A total of 36359 and 32312 assembled transcript sequences were obtained from both the species. The functions of the unigenes cover a diverse set of molecular functions and biological processes, among which we identified a large number of genes associated with resistance to stresses and response to biotic stimuli. Large scale expression profiling showed that many of the disease resistance related genes were expressed more in C. amada. Comparative analysis also identified genes belonging to different pathways of plant defense against biotic stresses that are differentially expressed in either ginger or mango ginger. The identification of many defense related genes differentially expressed provides many insights to the resistance mechanism to R. solanacearum and for studying potential pathways involved in responses to pathogen. Also, several candidate genes that may underline the difference in resistance to R. solanacearum between ginger and mango ginger were identified. Finally, we have developed a web resource, ginger transcriptome database, which provides public access to the data. Our study is among the first to demonstrate the use of Illumina short read sequencing for de novo transcriptome assembly and comparison in non-model species of Zingiberaceae.

Background: Leprosy is an infectious disease in which the susceptibility to the pathogen Mycobacterium leprae and the clinical manifestations are attributed to host immune cell response. Receptor mediated events and signalling in the immune cells are mediated by protein phosphorylation. The main signalling pathways and protein kinases known to be involved in the regulation of immune cells are cAMP dependent kinases, calcium/calmodulin dependent kinases, protein kinase C and mitogen activated protein kinases. The cumulative consequence of alterations in signalling pathways can be evaluated by intrinsic cellular protein phosphorylation by gamma-P32 ATP. The present study was designed to assess the protein phosphorylation in the immune cells of leprosy patients as compared with normal individuals., Methodology: Lymphocyte protein phosphorylation was conducted in 15 leprosy patients and 9 normal individuals. Protein phosphorylation of lymphocytes was carried out in the presence/absence of protein kinase modulators. The phosphorylation patterns were documented and analysed consequent to SDS-PAGE, staining, destaining, drying and autoradiography., Results: The major phosphorylated proteins in lymphocytes were of molecular weights 20-22, 24-29, 30-35, 43, 46-50 and 66-68 kDa. In general, the major phosphorylated proteins were similar in the controls and in the patients. The phosphorylatability of these proteins varied with different modulators. Variations in the phosphorylation pattern were observed in 25% of the leprosy patients where there was a decrease of the 66 kDa protein and a decrease of 20-22 kDa protein phosphorylation., Conclusion: The observed alterations in the protein phosphorylation pattern could be due to alteration in kinases and/or their substrates or due to the effect of M. leprae on immune cells.

Eight females with a family history of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) were analysed for their carrier status by m-calpain test, which monitors the m-calpain (milli-calpain), a proteolytic enzyme in the platelets, using an ELISA technique. Four of the eight females were identified as carriers by virtue of their elevated enzyme levels as compared to control. DNA samples of these members were analysed to ascertain the carrier status, by PCR followed by dosage analysis by densitometry. DNA analysis confirmed the findings by calpain test, which underlines the reliability of this phenotypic test for carrier detection in DMD. Calpain test has been informative in a large group of patients and carriers tested so far. Since the calpain test is cost and labour effective, it is suited for routine and widespread screening purposes.

A 772bp DNA fragment from human beta-globin gene has been amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subjected to restriction enzyme analysis using Bsu 361, an isoschizomer of restriction enzyme Mst II. This protocol has been designed basically to enhance the analytical facility for the detection of sickle cell mutation. A 430bp DNA fragment was found to be associated with the mutant locus, whereas 228bp and 202bp DNA fragments were generated from the normal locus. This difference of about 202bp in the resulting fragments from the mutant and normal loci has improved discriminatory power in the genotype analysis of the sickle cell mutation.

To study the mechanism of haemolysis in G6PD deficient erythrocytes, studies were undertaken in G6PD deficiency and in normal erythrocytes artificially loaded with calcium. Significantly increased concentrations of calcium, calcium activated neutral protease (CANP) and calcium ATPase were found in patients of G6PD deficiency. However, the membrane bound calcium, the total glycoprotein and sulphydryl groups of membrane were observed to be decreased. Similar results were also observed in the normal erythrocytes when loaded with calcium. These results point to the role of the proteolytic process in membrane modification, and altered membrane permeability during the haemolytic process. Our observations in G6PD deficiency and in in vitro point to the existence of a calcium dependent proteolytic preconditioning of erythrocyte accelerating the haemolysis.

Calcium and calcium dependent enzymes viz., calcium ATPase, protein kinase C and calcium activated neutral protease (milli CANP mCANP) were studied in the erythrocytes, platelets and lymphocytes of obligate carriers, in order to assess the usefulness of these indices for detection of carriers for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). With the exception of mCANP and lymphocyte calcium ATPase, other calcium dependent enzyme activities showed considerable overlap between carriers and control. Since the increase in the level of platelet mCANP was found in all affected boys (no false negatives) and obligate carriers, and patients with other myopathic conditions and some neurogenic causes did not show high platelet mCANP activity, this parameter could be considered as a good phenotypic index. Unlike SCK, the platelet mCANP of carriers did not overlap that of controls, hence tests are to be carried out to verify its usefulness as an index of carrier state in mutations other than DNA deletion since testing of non-deletion is both costly and has practical limitations.