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Background: Cancer is a genetic disease and mainly arises due to a number of reasons include activation of oncogenes, malfunction of tumor suppressor genes or mutagenesis due to external factors. Methods: This article was written from the data collected from PubMed, Nature, Science Direct, Springer and Elsevier groups of journals. Results: Oncogenes are deregulated form of normal proto-oncogenes required for cell division, differentiation and regulation. The conversion of proto-oncogene to oncogene is caused due to translocation, rearrangement of chromosomes or mutation in gene due to addition, deletion, duplication or viral infection. These oncogenes are targeted by drugs or RNAi system to prevent proliferation of cancerous cells. There have been developed different techniques of molecular biology used to diagnose and treat cancer, including retroviral therapy, silencing of oncogenes and mutations in tumor suppressor genes. Conclusion: Among all the techniques used, RNAi, zinc finger nucleases and CRISPR hold a brighter future towards creating a Cancer Free World.

Petunia is an important and beautiful ornamental flowering plant, grown throughout the world for its beauty and attraction. Different Petunia hybrids have been developed by petunia growing countries of the world. The prescribed study was conducted to investigate the association of abscisic acid with seed yield and its contributing traits of petunia line. Data for different physiological, morphological and petunia seed yield traits was recorded, analyzed and interpreted for final inferences. From results it was showed that the petunia lines IAGS-P8, IAGS-P9 and IAGS-P11 performed well for most of the studied traits. It was shown from multivariate analysis techniques that stomata conductance, chlorophyll b contents, seed area, chlorophyll a contents, flower fresh mass, flowers per plant, seed mass and abscisic acid contributed higher to seed yield per plant in petunia. The abscisic acid contents showed positive and significant association and contribution towards seed yield of petunia genotypes. It was suggested that selection on the basis of abscisic acid may be useful to develop good seed yield per plant and large number of flowers per plant in petunia under stressful environmental conditions.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the chief contributor to global burden of disease. In 2010, HIV was the fifth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years in people of all ages and leading cause for people aged 30–44 years. It is classified as a member of the family Retroviridae and genus Lentivirus based on the biological, morphological, and genetic properties. It infects different cells of the immune system, such as CD4+ T cells (T-helper cells), dendritic cells, and macrophages. HIV has two subtypes: HIV-1 and HIV-2. Among these strains, HIV-1 is the most virulent and pathogenic. Advanced diagnostic methods are exploring new ways of treatment and contributing in the reduction of HIV cases. The diagnostic techniques like PCR, rapid test, EIA, p24 antigen, and western blot have markedly upgraded the diagnosis of HIV. Antiretroviral therapy and vaccines are promising candidates in providing therapeutic and preventive regimes, respectively. Invention of CRISPR/Cas9 is a breakthrough in the field of HIV disease management.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167562.].

In this paper, by introducing the concept of generalized Ćirić-type weak ( ϕ g , R ) -contraction, we prove some common fixed point results in partial metric spaces endowed with binary relation R . We also deduce some useful consequences showing the usability of our results. Finally, we present an application to establish the solution of a system of integral equations.

This article is devoted to study sustainability of entropy generation in an incompressible thermal flow of Newtonian fluids over a thin needle that is moving in a parallel stream. Two types of Newtonian fluids (water and air) are considered in this work. The energy dissipation term is included in the energy equation. Here, it is presumed that u∞ (the free stream velocity) is in the positive axial direction (x-axis) and the motion of the thin needle is in the opposite or similar direction as the free stream velocity. The reduced self-similar governing equations are solved numerically with the aid of the shooting technique with the fourth-order-Runge-Kutta method. Using similarity transformations, it is possible to obtain the expression for dimensionless form of the volumetric entropy generation rate and the Bejan number. The effects of Prandtl number, Eckert number and dimensionless temperature parameter are discussed graphically in details for water and air taken as Newtonian fluids.

Background Antibiotic misuse and overuse have contributed to the emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, posing a serious public health problem across the globe. Phage cocktails, which combine multiple phages, provide an efficient method to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. This study integrated a computational pipeline to design a phage cocktail against the bacterial strains Acinetobacter baumannii AB0057 , Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae HS11286, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa UCBPP-PA14 . Methods The whole genome sequences of selected multidrug-resistant bacteria were accessed. Prophage sequences were identified from them which could be expressed to produce viable lytic phages against MDR bacterial strains, thereby reducing the severity of infection. Prophages were annotated for open reading frames (ORFs), putative promoters, virulence factors, transcriptional terminators, ribosomal RNAs, and transfer RNAs. A dot plot was also generated to investigate similar phages and phylogenetic analysis was performed. Results A total of 11 prophages were predicted from the bacterial genomes. About 472 open reading frames were predicted along with 3 transfer RNAs. Additionally, the presence of 754 putative promoters and 281 transcription terminator sequences was also detected. Comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses provided insight into the diversity, relatedness, and lytic potential of the phages. The final designed phage cocktail consisted of five selected prophages including Acinetobacter baumannii prophages (2759376-2809756) and (3311844-3364667), and Klebsiella pneumoniae prophages (1288317-1338719), (1778306-1808606), and (2280703-2325555). Conclusion The phage cocktail designed in this study might be useful against MDR Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, especially where conventional antibiotics fail. Sequence similarity analysis suggested that the phage cocktail may also be effective against other carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae strains.

Unleavened flat bread (chapatti) was prepared from wheat–pulse composite flours wherein wheat flour was replaced from 5–20% by kidney bean and black gram flours. Water absorption for dough making increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in composite flours. Sensory evaluation of flat breads produced from wheat–pulse composite flours showed significant decrease in color, taste, aroma, breakability, and overall acceptability score at 15% or higher level of replacement. Pasting properties of composite flours and breads produced thereof displayed significant decrease in peak, trough, final, and setback viscosity while increase in pasting temperature was observed. This suggested that starch has gelatinized considerably and flat breads have been baked sufficiently. Significant lower setback viscosity of composite flour than control wheat flour indicates that composite flat breads can maintain freshness for longer time than control bread.

Fresh strawberries, analyzed for the physicochemical properties, showed average fruit length, width, weight, total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acidity, total sugar, and reducing sugar of 26.27 mm, 24.19 mm 6.33 g, 8.0°Brix, 1.28, 5.25, and 4.26%, respectively. The ascorbic acid and anthocyanin content was found to be 38.64 and 452 mg/100 g FW, respectively. Strawberries were processed into crush and divided into four treatments. T1 was stored at ambient temperature, T2 was pasteurized at 60°C for 20 min before storage at ambient temperature, T3 was stored under refrigeration, and T4 was pasteurized at 60°C for 20 min before storage under refrigeration. Among the treatments, T3 showed the lowest decrease in the acidity (1.43–1.34%), the highest anthocyanin (90.54–45.25 mg/100 g) and ascorbic acid contents (11.00–6.38 mg/100 g). The sensory attributes including color (8.25–7.75), taste (8.50–7.85), flavor (7.50–5.70), and overall acceptability (7.93–7.15) were also superior for T3 over the storage study of 120 days. T2 showed the maximum decrease in the acidity (1.40–1.12%) and corresponding increase in the pH (2.47–2.97), TSS (60.30–60.75°B), and reducing sugar (22.08–26.56%). However, its nutritional and sensory attributes were poor, showing the lowest anthocyanin (36.55–2.68 mg/100 g), ascorbic acid (8.64–0.85 mg/100 g), color (7.50–6.20), consistency (7.75–5.40), and overall acceptability (7.42–6.50) during the storage. Therefore, T3 could be explored for the best preservation and storage of strawberry crush.

Potato virus Y has emerged as a threatening problem in all potato growing areas around the globe PVY reduces the yield and quality of potato cultivars. During last 30 years, significant genetic changes in PVY strains have been observed with an increased incidence associated with crop damage. In the current study, computational approaches were applied to predict Potato derived miRNA targets in PVY genome. PVY genome is about 9 thousand nucleotides approximately which transcribes 6 genes CI, NIa, NIb-Pro, HC-Pro, CP and VPg. A total of 343 mature miRNAs were retrieved from miRbase database and searched for their target sequences in PVY genes using minimum free energy (mfe), minimum folding energy, sequence complementarity and mRNA-miRNA hybridization approaches. Identified Potato miRNAs against viral mRNA targets have antiviral activities leading to either translational inhibition by mRNA cleavage/mRNA blockage or both. We have found 86 miRNAs targeting PVY genome at 151 different sites on PVY genome. Moreover, only 36 miRNA potentially targeted the PVY genome at 101 loci. CI gene of PVY genome was targeted by 32 miRNAs followed by complementarity by 26, 19, 18, 16 and 13 miRNAs respectively. Most importantly, we found 5 miRNAs (miR160a-5p, miR7997b, miR166c-3p, miR399h and miR5303d) could target CI, NIa, NIb-Pro, HC-Pro, CP and VPg genes of PVY. The predicted miRNAs can be used for development of PVY resistant potato crops in future.

The aim of this study is to identify the molecular basis of autosomal recessive congenital cataracts (arCC) in a large consanguineous pedigree.All participating individuals underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination. Each patient's medical history, particularly of cataracts and other ocular abnormalities, was compiled from available medical records and interviews with family elders. Blood samples were donated by all participating family members and used to extract genomic DNA. Genetic analysis was performed to rule out linkage to known arCC loci and genes. Whole-exome sequencing libraries were prepared and paired-end sequenced. A large deletion was found that segregated with arCC in the family, and chromosome walking was conducted to estimate the proximal and distal boundaries of the deletion mutation.Exclusion and linkage analysis suggested linkage to a region of chromosome 6p24 harboring GCNT2 (glucosaminyl (N-acetyl) transferase 2) with a two-point logarithm of odds score of 5.78. PCR amplifications of the coding exons of GCNT2 failed in individuals with arCC, and whole-exome data analysis revealed a large deletion on chromosome 6p in the region harboring GCNT2. Chromosomal walking using multiple primer pairs delineated the extent of the deletion to approximately 190 kb. Interestingly, a failure to amplify a junctional fragment of the deletion break strongly suggests an insertion in addition to the large deletion.Here, we report a novel insertion/deletion mutation at the GCNT2 locus that is responsible for congenital cataracts in a large consanguineous family.

To identify the molecular basis of non-syndromic autosomal recessive congenital cataracts (arCC) in a consanguineous family.All family members participating in the study received a comprehensive ophthalmic examination to determine their ocular phenotype and contributed a blood sample, from which genomic DNA was extracted. Available medical records and interviews with the family were used to compile the medical history of the family. The symptomatic history of the individuals exhibiting cataracts was confirmed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. A genome-wide linkage analysis was performed to localize the disease interval. The candidate gene, LIM2 (lens intrinsic membrane protein 2), was sequenced bi-directionally to identify the disease-causing mutation. The physical changes caused by the mutation were analyzed in silico through homology modeling, mutation and bioinformatic algorithms, and evolutionary conservation databases. The physiological importance of LIM2 to ocular development was assessed in vivo by real-time expression analysis of Lim2 in a mouse model.Ophthalmic examination confirmed the diagnosis of nuclear cataracts in the affected members of the family; the inheritance pattern and cataract development in early infancy indicated arCC. Genome-wide linkage analysis localized the critical interval to chromosome 19q with a two-point logarithm of odds (LOD) score of 3.25. Bidirectional sequencing identified a novel missense mutation, c.233G>A (p.G78D) in LIM2. This mutation segregated with the disease phenotype and was absent in 192 ethnically matched control chromosomes. In silico analysis predicted lower hydropathicity and hydrophobicity but higher polarity of the mutant LIM2-encoded protein (MP19) compared to the wild-type. Moreover, these analyses predicted that the mutation would disrupt the secondary structure of a transmembrane domain of MP19. The expression of Lim2, which was detected in the mouse lens as early as embryonic day 15 (E15) increased after birth to a level that was sustained through the postnatal time points.A novel missense mutation in LIM2 is responsible for autosomal recessive congenital cataracts.

Flours of two local cowpea cultivars namely Red cowpea and Black cowpea were analysed for proximate composition, pasting and functional properties. The crude protein and fat contents were higher for Black cultivar than the Red cultivar. The apparent amylose content was significantly higher for Red cowpea (25.54%) than Black cowpea (15.09%). Polyphenols were significantly higher for Red cowpea than Black cowpea. The pasting profile of two cultivars revealed significantly higher values of peak viscosity (1873 cP), setback viscosity (701.00 cP), breakdown viscosity (705.33 cP) and final viscosity (1868.67 cP) for Red cowpea than Black cowpea. Water absorption capacity and oil absorption capacity were found in the range of 1.22–1.39 g/g and 0.71–0.72 g/g, respectively, for the two cultivars. Emulsifying properties varied significantly between the two cultivars. Foaming capacity (198.67%) and foaming stability (84.85%) were significantly higher for Red cowpea than Black cowpea (73.81% and 75.43%). Swelling power was observed significantly higher for Black cowpea than Red cowpea at 90°C. Solubility index was also significantly higher for Black cowpea than Red cowpea throughout the temperature range.

Technological advances have led to increased constraints regarding food packaging due to environmental issues, consumer health concerns, and economic restrictions associated therewith. Hence, food scientists and technologists are now more focused on developing biopolymer packages. Starch satisfies all the principle aspects, making it a promising raw material for edible coatings/films. Starch as a package material has grabbed much attention both at academic as well as industrial levels. Besides this, the role of various plasticizers, polys, sugars, and wetting agents are discussed and their importance in packaging industries. Herein, the role of starch as packaging material and nanofillers/composites is discussed in detail. The review summons a comprehensive and current overview of the widely available information and recent advances in starch film packaging.

More than 50 countries around the globe cultivate cotton on a large scale. It is a major cash crop of Pakistan and is considered white gold because it is highly important to the economy of Pakistan. In addition to its importance, cotton cultivation faces several problems, such as insect pests, weeds, and viruses. In the past, insects have been controlled by insecticides, but this method caused a severe loss to the economy. However, conventional breeding methods have provided considerable breakthroughs in the improvement of cotton, but it also has several limitations. In comparison with conventional methods, biotechnology has the potential to create genetically modified plants that are environmentally safe and economically viable. In this study, a local cotton variety VH 289 was transformed with two Bt genes (Cry1Ac and Cry2A) and a herbicide resistant gene (cp4 EPSPS) using the Agrobacterium mediated transformation method. The constitutive CaMV 35S promoter was attached to the genes taken from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and to an herbicide resistant gene during cloning, and this promoter was used for the expression of the genes in cotton plants. This construct was used to develop the Glyphosate Tolerance Gene (GTGene) for herbicide tolerance and insecticidal gene (Cry1Ac and Cry2A) for insect tolerance in the cotton variety VH 289. The transgenic cotton variety performed 85% better compared with the non-transgenic variety. The study results suggest that farmers should use the transgenic cotton variety for general cultivation to improve the production of cotton.

We establish some unique fixed point theorems in complete partial metric spaces for generalized weakly S-contractive mappings, containing two altering distance functions under certain assumptions. Also, we discuss some examples in support of our main results.