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WRKY transcription factor (TF) family regulates various developmental and physiological functions in plants. PAL genes encode enzymes which are involved in plant defense responses, but the direct regulation of PAL genes and phenylpropanoid pathway through WRKY TF’s is not well characterized. In the present study, we have characterized an OscWRKY1 gene from O. sanctum which shows induced expression after methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), and wounding. Recombinant OscWRKY1 protein binds to the W-box cis-element TTGAC[C/T] and activates the reporter gene in yeast. Overexpression of OscWRKY1 enhances Arabidopsis resistance towards Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato Pst DC3000. Upstream activator sequences of PAL and C4H have identified the conserved W-box cis-element (TTGACC) in both O. sanctum and Arabidopsis. OscWRKY1 was found to interact with W-box cis-element present in the PAL and C4H promoters. Silencing of OscWRKY1 using VIGS resulted in reduced expression of PAL, C4H, COMT, F5H and 4CL transcripts. OscWRKY1 silenced plants exhibit reduced PAL activity, whereas, the overexpression lines of OscWRKY1 in Arabidopsis exhibit increased PAL activity. These results revealed that OscWRKY1 positively regulates the phenylpropanoid pathway genes and enhances the resistance against bacterial pathogen in Arabidopsis.

Binyam Gintamo,1 Mohammed Azhar Khan,1 Henok Gulilat,1 Zeleke Mekonnen,2 Rakesh Kumar Shukla,1 Tabarak Malik3 1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Bajhol, HP, India; 2School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 3Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tabarak Malik Email malikitrc@gmail.comBackground: Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) is one of the child health programs and it provides an integrated approach and focuses on the well-being of the whole child. Globally, nearly nine million children pass away every year with preventable and treatable conditions. IMNCI program is provided by the health facilities to aid children under five years of age from illness. This study is aimed at assessing the implementation of the IMNCI program in public health centers of Soro District, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: The implementation of the IMNCI program was studied using a facility-based cross-sectional study design integrating both qualitative and quantitative data collected from 9 public health centers in Soro district, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 390 (92%) caregivers were included in the study by the proportion of under-five outpatient coverage from each public health center. Data were collected through face to face interviewer-administered questionnaires, document review checklist, observation checklist, and in-depth interview guide.Results: Based on agreed criteria resources’ availability was 80.11% and judged as fair. Less than 50% of health centers (HCs) had cotrimoxazole and gentamycin. The compliance of health workers was 85.5% and judged as good. Below 85% of prescribed drugs were given correctly for the classified disease. Counseling on medication and follow updates were given for less than 80% of caretakers. The overall satisfaction of clients on IMNCI was 79.5% according to the judging criteria. The caretakers who took less than 30 minutes to reach the health center on foot (AOR=7.7, 95% CI [3.787– 15.593]), caretakers who waited for less than 30 minutes to see the health care provider (AOR=2, 95% CI [1.00– 3.77]), the caretakers who found prescribed drugs in HCs pharmacy (AOR = 3.7,95% CI [1.91– 7.34]), the caretakers who have less than four family size (AOR=2, 95% [1.109– 4.061]) were more satisfied in IMNCI services, whereas, caregivers who measured the weight of child were negatively associated with satisfaction (AOR= 0.24, 95% CI [0.13– 0.45]).Conclusion: This study found that the overall implementation of the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses was good. All health centers had trained health workers, ORS, paracetamol, vitamin A, chart booklet, and IMNCI guidelines were available; however, cotrimoxazole, gentamycin, ampicillin, and mebendazole were less abundant drugs in health centers. Further, a large-scale study is required to be conducted in future in other districts to ensure proper implementation of the IMNCI program in Ethiopia.Keywords: IMNCI, healthcare provider, practice, Hadiya zone, southern Ethiopia

The present review highlights the regulatory roles of microRNAs in plant secondary metabolism and focuses on different bioengineering strategies to modulate secondary metabolite content in plants. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the class of small endogenous, essential, non-coding RNAs that riboregulate the gene expression involved in various biological processes in most eukaryotes. MiRNAs has emerged as important regulators in plants that function by silencing target genes through cleavage or translational inhibition. These miRNAs plays an important role in a wide range of plant biological and metabolic processes, including plant development and various environmental response controls. Several important plant secondary metabolites like alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolics are well studied for their function in plant defense against different types of pests and herbivores. Due to the presence of a wide range of biological and pharmaceutical properties of plant secondary metabolites, it is important to study the regulation of their biosynthetic pathways. The contribution of miRNAs in regulating plant secondary metabolism is not well explored. Recent advancements in molecular techniques have improved our knowledge in understanding the molecular function of genes, proteins, enzymes, and small RNAs involved in different steps of secondary metabolic pathways. In the present review, we have discussed the recent progress made on miRNA biogenesis, its regulation, and highlighted the current research developed in the field of identification, analysis, and characterizations of various miRNAs that regulate plant secondary metabolism. We have also discussed how different bioengineering strategies such as artificial miRNA (amiRNA), endogenous target mimicry, and CRISPR/Cas9 could be utilized to enhance the secondary metabolite production in plants.

ABSCISIC ACID REPRESSOR-1 (ABR1), an APETALA2 (AP2) domain containing transcription factor (TF) contribute important function against variety of external cues. Here, we report an AP2/ERF TF, AtERF60 that serves as an important regulator of ABR1 gene. AtERF60 is induced in response to drought, salt, abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), and bacterial pathogen PstDC3000 infection. AtERF60 interacts with DEHYDRATION RESPONSE ELEMENTS (DRE1/2) and GCC box indicating its ability to regulate multiple responses. Overexpression of AtERF60 results in the drought and salt stress tolerant phenotype in both seedling and mature Arabidopsis plants in comparison with the wild type (WT-Col). However, mutation in AtERF60 showed hyperactive response against drought and salt stress in comparison with its overexpression and WT. Microarray and qRT-PCR analysis of overexpression and mutant lines indicated that AtERF60 regulates both abiotic and biotic stress inducible genes. One of the differentially expressing transcripts was ABR1 and we found that AtERF60 interacts with the DRE cis-elements present in the ABR1 promoter. The mutation in AtERF60 showed ABA hypersensitive response, increased ABA content, and reduced susceptibility to PstDC3000. Altogether, we conclude that AtERF60 represses ABR1 transcript by binding with the DRE cis-elements and modulates both abiotic and biotic stress responses in Arabidopsis.

Aim: This original research article aims to study Psoriatic Arthritis in the Eastern Part of Uttar Pradesh. Material & Method: Two hundred twenty-eight patients of psoriasis regardless of age, sex, religion, occupation, attending the skin, and V. D. outpatients Department, B.R.D. Medical College, Gorakhpur for were taken because of the subject of this study. The bulk of patients belonged to the Eastern U.P. and adjoining areas of Bihar and Nepal. The clinical criteria for diagnosis of psoriasis were the presence of Erythematous and papulosquamous lesions with loosely adherent silvery-white scales. The auspitz's sign was demonstrated all told the cases. The detailed clinical history and examination were recorded with Tests for Rheumatoid factor and serum uric acid, Radiographs of both hands and feet, Radiographs of the lumbosacral Spine and both sacroiliac joints and Radiographs of affected joints (if any). Each patient was categorised into mild to severe psoriasis. Result: The total number of psoriatic arthritis cases was found, 26 of which male were 17 and female were 9. The maximum number of Arthritis cases, 18.5%, were seen with severe disease (PASI score > 15) with higher occurrence in males. The maximum number of joints involved distal interphalangeal joint was 69.2 3%, and the minimum number of joints involved was significant joint 7.69%. Conclusion: Psoriasis care is unbalanced, with men being more likely to undergo specialist treatment than women, causing higher distal interphalangeal (D.I.P.) joint arthropathy.

Aim: This original research article aims to study the Prevalence of Bronchogenic carcinoma in the North Indian Population. Material & Method: The present study includes 150 patients with intrathoracic space-occupying lesions, of which 42 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma were seen at SS hospital Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP. Most of the patients studied were from the thoracic surgery section, while few patients were taken from other departments of SS hospital. The age of those patients varied widely, starting from 10 years to 60 years. The bulk of the patients were young adults and middle-aged persons, with 35 males and seven females. During this study, patients were investigated in systemic order with the progression of symptoms from the onset, development of latest symptoms and treatment taken before if any, history of tuberculosis, chronic cough, smoking, and contact with were recorded. The patient's vitals were recorded, and routine pathological investigation including blood count, hemoglobin and specific procedure like radiological method, sputum and bronchoscopy were performed. Result: Maximum patients were in the age group of 41 to 50 years. Forty-two patients were diagnosed with Bronchogenic carcinoma, a definitive diagnosis was confirmed by Clinical & Radiological (chest X-ray & CT Scan) in 24 (16%), by Bronchoscopic examination & Biopsy in 15 (10%) and by thoracotomy in 03(2%). The maximum age group among the cases were 41-60. The most common symptom was Cough with expectoration in 33 patients (78.5%), followed by Haemoptysis and Dyspnea in 30 cases (71.4%). Fever was least common with 6 cases. It was observed that 18 patients (43%) had the habit of smoking for more than 18 years. Conclusion: This study provides a framework for assessing the prevalence of bronchogenic carcinoma in the North Indian population and proves that smoking is a potential risk factor in bronchogenic carcinoma. Prevalence of Bronchogenic Carcinoma among all cases of Intrathoracic Lesions Cases 28 % and among all subjects who undergone for screening in one year – 2.84%

Aim: This study aims to study precipitating factors of psoriasis in the north Indian population.Material & Method:Two hundred twenty-eight psoriasis patients regardless of age, sex, religion,occupation, attending the skin, and V.D. outpatients Department, B.R.D. Medical College, Gorakhpurfor were taken because of the subject of this study. The bulk of patients belonged to the Eastern U.P.and adjoining areas of Bihar and Nepal. The clinical criteria for diagnosis of psoriasis were thepresence of Erythematous and papulosquamous lesions with loosely adherent silvery-white scales.The auspitz's sign was demonstrated all told the cases. The detailed clinical history and examinationwere recorded. Each patient was categorized into mild to severe psoriasis. Result: The maximumpercentage of cases was aggravated by weather (winter), 55.26%, next to that was trauma 27.19%, and least after infections 4.35%. The summer and spring seasons showed an improved effecton the condition of psoriasis. Alcohol, smoking, and mental stress found no relation with psoriasis.In most cases, where the infection was associated with the disease, it had been aggravated only inchildren, and young adults and lesions were of guttate type. Pregnancy had no effect in 25.43% ofcases, while the disease was improved in 3.50% of patients and worsen in 4.35% of cases.Conclusion: Psoriasis is positively correlated with the winter season and negatively associated withSummer and Spring.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding, endogenous RNAs containing 20–24 nucleotides that regulate the expression of target genes involved in various plant processes. A total of 1,429 conserved miRNAs belonging to 95 conserved miRNA families and 12 novel miRNAs were identified from Bacopa monnieri using small RNA sequencing. The Bm-miRNA target transcripts related to the secondary metabolism were further selected for validation. The Bm-miRNA expression in shoot and root tissues was negatively correlated with their target transcripts. The Bm-miRNA cleavage sites were mapped within the coding or untranslated region as depicted by the modified RLM-RACE. In the present study, we validate three miRNA targets, including asparagine synthetase, cycloartenol synthase and ferulate 5 hydroxylase (F5H) and elucidate the regulatory role of Bm-miR172c-5p, which cleaves the F5H gene involved in the lignin biosynthesis. Overexpression (OE) of Bm-miR172c-5p precursor in B. monnieri suppresses F5H gene, leading to reduced lignification and secondary xylem thickness under control and drought stress. By contrast, OE of endogenous target mimics (eTMs) showed enhanced lignification and secondary xylem thickness leading to better physiological response under drought stress. Taken together, we suggest that Bm-miRNA172c-5p might be a key player in maintaining the native phenotype of B. monnieri under control and different environmental conditions.

BmG10H-1 transcript from B. monnieri was functionally active. BmG10H-1 promoter drives GUS activity in response to MeJA and wounding. BmMYB35 regulates BmG10H-1 transcript by binding to its promoter. Geraniol 10-hydroxylase (G10H) is one of the important regulatory cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, which is involved in the biosynthesis of monoterpene alkaloids. However, G10H is not characterized at the enzymatic or at the regulatory aspect in B. monnieri. In the present study, we have identified two transcripts of BmG10H (BmG10H-1and BmG10H-2) and characterized the methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and wound responsive BmG10H-1 transcript from B. monnieri. BmG10H-1 showed induced expression after 3 h of MeJA and wounding treatment in the shoot. Yeast purified recombinant BmG10H-1 protein is enzymatically active, having Vmax of 0.16 µMsec−1 μg−1 protein and catalyzes the hydroxylation of geraniol to 10-hydroxy geraniol. The BmG10H-1 promoter was isolated by using the genome walking method. BmG10H-1 promoter can drive GUS expression in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana. GUS activity of MeJA and wound-treated Arabidopsis seedlings were found to be increased as compared to the control untreated seedlings, whereas no GUS activity was found in deleted MeJA responsive and W-box cis-elements. This shows that the BmG10H-1 promoter contains functional MeJA (TGACG) and wound responsive (TGACCT) cis-elements. Further, shoot specific and MeJA responsive recombinant BmMYB35 protein was purified, which binds with the MYB recognition cis-element (TGGTTA) present in the BmG10H-1 promoter and transcriptionally activates the reporter gene in yeast. In conclusion, the characterization of MeJA and wound responsive BmG10H-1 provides novel information about its transcriptional regulation by binding with MYB transcription factor in B. monnieri.

Study of flow characteristics of human airways using Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) analysis is very important in the context of prognosis, diagnostic and treatment of respiratory diseases. The present study is focused on effect of elasticity on the respiratory wall during inhalation. Airflow in Computed Tomography (CT) scan model with rigid and compliant airway walls is studied. FSI technique is used to simulate the airflow in the model. The comparison for the two different respiratory models (rigid and compliant) shows that FSI technique brings out more realistic results as compared to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. It is found that respiratory wall elasticity affects the different flow parameters (pressure, wall shear stress, etc.) at different location of the model. Wall shear stress (WSS) and airway pressure were decreased due to flexibility effect of the airway wall. This will help medical practitioners to correlate the clinical assessment with this FSI results.

Summary As waterlogging and successive events severely influence growth and development of economically important plants, we attempted to characterize the role of a waterlogging‐responsive group I (A‐6) ethylene response factor (MaRAP2‐4) from Mentha arvensis. Waterlogging, ethylene and methyl jasmonate rapidly induced the expression of MaRAP2‐4. MaRAP2‐4 interacted with multiple cis‐elements like dehydration response elements (DRE1/2), anoxia/jasmonic acid response element (JARE) and GCC box showing its involvement in multiple responses. MaRAP2‐4 localizes in the nucleus and acts as a transcriptional activator. Truncation and internal deletion identified a 20 amino acids potential transactivation domain (PLPSSVDAKLEAICQSLAIN) in MaRAP2‐4. MaRAP2‐4 transgenic Arabidopsis showed enhanced waterlogging and subsequent oxidative stress tolerance. Microarray analysis revealed that within up‐regulated genes 483, 212 and 132 promoters carry either single or multiple copies of DRE, JARE and GCC cis‐element/s, respectively. Within these promoters, a large section belongs to carbohydrate metabolism/transport, including many SWEET transporters. Further analysis showed MaRAP2‐4 specifically targets two positions in AtSWEEET10 promoter carrying DRE and/or GCC box that might regulate carbohydrate availability and waterlogging tolerance. These results demonstrate that MaRAP2‐4 is a positive regulator of waterlogging tolerance, and as energy‐consuming processes such as carbohydrate biosynthesis are reduced under waterlogging‐induced hypoxia, sugar transport through SWEETs may be the primary option to make sugar available to the required tissue.

Sandwich honeycomb panels are used in wing-fuselage fairings, rudder and elevator surfaces, and the leading and trailing edge of wing panels etc.It consists of thin facesheetswith high stiffness and a thick corewith high shear strength, between them. It is advantageous due to high strength to weight ratio.Interlaminar stresses are developed due to mismatch of elastic moduli and fibre orientation angle between the layers, which causes delamination. The possibility of delamination growth is more when even a small delamination is present in the sandwich panel. In this study, the effect of delamination between core and facesheet on interlaminar stresses is analysed. Ansys 14.0 software is used to perform the finite element analysis.A uniformtransverse load is applied on the top facesheet. The interlaminar stresses along the circumference of selected concentric rings, around the delamination are observed. The variation in interlaminar stresses, along three concentric rings, due to the presence of delamination of different sizes are presented.

Present review describes the structure, evolution, transport mechanism and physiological functions of SWEETs. Their application using TALENs and CRISPR/CAS9 based genomic editing approach is discussed. Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEET) proteins were first identified in plants as the novel family of sugar transporters which mediates the translocation of sugars across cell membranes. The SWEET family of sugar transporters is unique in terms of their structure which contains seven predicted transmembrane domains with two internal triple-helix bundles which possibly originate due to prokaryotic gene duplication. SWEETs perform diverse physiological functions such as pollen nutrition, nectar secretion, seed filling, phloem loading, and pathogen nutrition which we have discussed in the present review. We also discuss how transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and CRISPR/CAS9 genome editing tools are used to engineer SWEET mutants which modulate pathogen resistance in plants and its applications in the field of agriculture. The expression of SWEETs promises to implement insights into many other cellular transport mechanisms. To conclude, the present review highlights the recent aspects which will further develop better understanding of molecular evolution, structure, and function of SWEET transporters in plants.

In this work, Computational analysis of air flow in human respiratory tract model is done by the use of CFD technique. Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) method is used on the third-to-sixth generation simplified respiratory tract model for computational study. The modulus of Elasticity is varied in a range of 1 to 5 MPa and its effect on flow-physics is captured inside human airway model. The variation of velocity and its effect on deformation has been captured for both rigid and flexible model and its analysis is carried out. The result from simulation shows that as the Modulus of elasticity increases, wall deformation decreases.

This research paper conducts a study of aerodynamic drag coefficient of a sounding rocket named Rohini300 MK-II. There are various factor which plays important role in rocket stability and aerodynamic drag coefficient is one of them. Zero-lift drag coefficient, CD (i.e. drag coefficient at attack angle of zero degree) is evaluated and its behavior is observed with the different mach numbers. This paper defines the development of a CFD model of the RH 300 MK-II in the modeling software, then importing the 3D model into CFD software and then the creation of CFD domain, meshing of the domain of CFD, application of various boundary conditions and then obtaining plots and results for coefficient of drag. And Finally Result is cocluded to get its Zero Drag coefficient.

The present study computationally investigate the respiratory wall behaviour and airflow characteristics inside trachea and first generation bronchi considering fluid structure interaction (FSI) between air flow and the human respiratory wall. The deformation in the respiratory tract is found to be insignificant for the elasticity modulus above 40 kPa. A considerable amount of deformation is observed when the elasticity modulus is below 30 kPa. The flexibility considered in the respiratory tract wall decreases the maximum flow velocity by 24%. It is observed that the wall shear stress in compliant respiratory model is reduced to one-third of that in rigid respiratory model. The comparison of results of rigid and compliant models show that FSI technique offers more realistic results as compared to conventional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of rigid tract. The results will help medical practitioners to correlate the clinical findings with the more accurate computational results.

Withania somnifera Dunal (Ashwagandha), is an Indian medicinal plant with significant pharmacological properties. Withanolides (steroidal lactones) are the chief constituents potentially responsible for its activity. Some of its chemotypes includes NMITLI-101, NMITLI-118, NMITLI-128. The present work elaborates the optimization and development of a ready to fill capsule powder blend (NMITLI118RT+CFM) for efficient delivery of NMITLI118RT+ (a standardized extract of a new chemotype of Withania somnifera Dunal) and to investigate their protective effects against cerebral stroke in rats. NMITLI118RT+CFM was prepared by solid liquid compacting technique and filled into capsules; it was characterized on the basis of loss on drying, flow properties, IR, disintegration time, weight variation, content uniformity and DSC analysis. NMITLI118RT+ and NMITLI118RT+CFM were evaluated for biological activity utilizing middle cerebral artery occlusion model in rats. NMITLI118RT+CFM was found to be pharmaceutically acceptable. Results showed that NMITLI118RT+ and NMITLI118RT+CFM possess significant neuroprotective activity against cerebral ischemia at 50 mg kg−1 in rats. NMITLI118RT+ and its pharmaceutical compositions exhibit sufficient biological promise for management of cerebral stroke. The investigation discloses potent and prudent therapeutic potential of a new formulation using standardized fraction of a new variety of Withania somnifera (NMITLI118RT+) for brain function restoration and protection from neurological failures.

A. racemosus is a rich source of pharmacologically active steroidal saponins. Most of the studies are related to its chemistry and pharmacology, but the pathway involved in the biosynthesis of steroidal saponin is not much emphasized. Squalene epoxidase acts as a rate-limiting enzyme in this biosynthesis. In this study, we have selected root specific squalene epoxidase ArSQE from A. racemosus for its characterization. ArSQE was able to complement ergosterol auxotrophy in erg1 yeast mutants. Mutants were sensitive to the antifungal drug terbinafine, whereas ArSQE complementation made them tolerant to the same drug. ArSQE plays a significant role in early germination in transgenic tobacco. The transgenic tobacco seedlings overexpressing ArSQE were tolerant to terbinafine and abiotic stress. Expression analysis of transcripts in ArSQE transgenic lines suggests that it mostly affects ABA, GA, stress, and sterol related functions in transgenic tobacco. Further, root specific MeJA responsive A. racemosus bZIP transcription factors (TFs), ArTGA1 and ArTGA2, were identified that bind to MeJA responsive cis-element present in the promoter region of ArSQE. Characterization of ArSQE of A. racemosus provides new information about its regulation through MeJA responsive bZIP TF along with its role in the development and abiotic stress response in transgenic tobacco.

Steroidal saponins exhibited numerous pharmacological activities due to the modification of their backbone by different cytochrome P450s (P450) and UDP glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Plant-derived steroidal saponins are not sufficient for utilizing them for commercial purpose so in vitro production of saponin by tissue culture, root culture, embryo culture, etc, is necessary for its large-scale production. Saponin glycosides are the important class of plant secondary metabolites, which consists of either steroidal or terpenoidal backbone. Due to the existence of a wide range of medicinal properties, saponin glycosides are pharmacologically very important. This review is focused on important medicinal properties of steroidal saponin, its occurrence, and biosynthesis. In addition to this, some recently identified plants containing steroidal saponins in different parts were summarized. The high throughput transcriptome sequencing approach elaborates our understanding related to the secondary metabolic pathway and its regulation even in the absence of adequate genomic information of non-model plants. The aim of this review is to encapsulate the information related to applications of steroidal saponin and its biosynthetic enzymes specially P450s and UGTs that are involved at later stage modifications of saponin backbone. Lastly, we discussed the in vitro production of steroidal saponin as the plant-based production of saponin is time-consuming and yield a limited amount of saponins. A large amount of plant material has been used to increase the production of steroidal saponin by employing in vitro culture technique, which has received a lot of attention in past two decades and provides a way to conserve medicinal plants as well as to escape them for being endangered.

The AP2/ERFs are one of the most important family of transcription factors which regulate multiple responses like stress, metabolism and development in plants. We isolated PsAP2 a novel AP2/ERF from Papaver somniferum which was highly upregulated in response to wounding followed by ethylene, methyl jasmonate and ABA treatment. PsAP2 showed specific binding with both DRE and GCC box elements and it was able to transactivate the reporter genes in yeast. PsAP2 overexpressing transgenic tobacco plants exhibited enhanced tolerance towards both abiotic and biotic stresses . Real time transcript expression analysis showed constitutive upregulation of tobacco Alternative oxidase1a and Myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase in PsAP2 overexpressing tobacco plants. Further, PsAP2 showed interaction with NtAOX1a promoter in vitro, it also specifically activated the NtAOX1a promoter in yeast and tobacco BY2 cells. The silencing of PsAP2 using VIGS lead to significant reduction in the AOX1 level in P. somniferum. Taken together PsAP2 can directly bind and transcriptionally activate NtAOX1a and its overexpression in tobacco imparted increased tolerance towards both abiotic and biotic stress.

Background: The mental foramen is one of the two holes (“foramina”) located on the anterior surface of the mandible. It permits passage of the mental nerve and vessels. The mental foramen descends slightly in edentulous individuals. Methods: The present study was carried out in the department of anatomy on 70 Adult North Indian dry Mandibles of unknown age and sex which were obtained from the osteology section of Integral Institute of Medical Sciences and Research & King George medical university. The Mandibles were observed macroscopically for the presence of mental foramen. Results: In our study we observed that the oval shape of mental foramen was 87.1% on right side and 88.6% on left side. Round mental foramen was observed to be 12.9% on the right side and 11.4% on left side. The Position of Mental foramen in relation to borders left side were found Central (87.1%), upper border (7.1%), lower side (5.7%) and right side Central (85.7%) , upper border (10%) and lower side (4.3%). Conclusions: Knowledge of the mental foramen and it’s variation in different population is essential for dentists, orthopedicians and anatomists. A future prospect of interest lies in their possible contribution to the maxillofacial anthropologic characteristic identification for different population and races.

Background Bacopa monnieri commonly known as Brahmi is utilized in Ayurveda to improve memory and many other human health benefits. Bacosides enriched standardized extract of Bacopa monnieri is being marketed as a memory enhancing agent. In spite of its well known pharmacological properties it is not much studied in terms of transcripts involved in biosynthetic pathway and its regulation that controls the secondary metabolic pathway in this plant. The aim of this study was to identify the potential transcripts and provide a framework of identified transcripts involved in bacosides production through transcriptome assembly. Results We performed comparative transcriptome analysis of shoot and root tissue of Bacopa monnieri in two independent biological replicate and obtained 22.48 million and 22.0 million high quality processed reads in shoot and root respectively. After de novo assembly and quantitative assessment total 26,412 genes got annotated in root and 18,500 genes annotated in shoot sample. Quality of raw reads was determined by using SeqQC-V2.2. Assembled sequences were annotated using BLASTX against public database such as NR or UniProt. Searching against the KEGG pathway database indicated that 37,918 unigenes from root and 35,130 unigenes from shoot were mapped to 133 KEGG pathways. Based on the DGE data we found that most of the transcript related to CYP450s and UDP-glucosyltransferases were specifically upregulated in shoot tissue as compared to root tissue. Finally, we have selected 43 transcripts related to secondary metabolism including transcription factor families which are differentially expressed in shoot and root tissues were validated by qRT-PCR and their expression level were monitored after MeJA treatment and wounding for 1, 3 and 5 h. Conclusions This study not only represents the first de novo transcriptome analysis of Bacopa monnieri but also provides information about the identification, expression and differential tissues specific distribution of transcripts related to triterpenoid sapogenin which is one of the most important pharmacologically active secondary metabolite present in Bacopa monnieri. The identified transcripts in this study will establish a foundation for future studies related to carrying out the metabolic engineering for increasing the bacosides biosynthesis and its regulation for human health benefits. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-3865-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Multiple environmental stresses affect growth and development of plants. Plants try to adapt under these unfavourable condition through various evolutionary mechanisms like physiological and biochemical alterations connecting various network of regulatory processes. Transcription factors (TFs) like APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTORS (AP2/ERFs) are an integral component of these signalling cascades because they regulate expression of a wide variety of down stream target genes related to stress response and development through different mechanism. This downstream regulation of transcript does not always positively or beneficially affect the plant but also they display some developmental defects like senescence and reduced growth under normal condition or sensitivity to stress condition. Therefore tight auto/cross regulation of these TFs at transcriptional, translational and domain level is crucial to understand. The present manuscript discuss the multiple regulation and advantage of plasticity and specificity of these family of TFs to a wide or single downstream target(s) respectively. We have also discussed the concern which comes with the unwanted associated traits, which could only be averted by further study and exploration of these AP2/ERFs.

The changing environment always questions the survival mechanism of life on earth. The plant being special in the sense of their sessile habit need to face many of these environmental fluctuations as they have a lesser escape option. To counter these adverse conditions, plants have developed efficient sensing, signaling, and response mechanism. Among them the role of phytohormones in the management of hostile ecological situations is remarkable. The strigolactone, a newly emerged plant hormone has been identified with many functions such as growth stimulant of parasitic plants, plant architecture determinant, arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis promoter, and also in many other developmental and environmental cues. Despite of their immense developmental potential, the strigolactone research in the last few years has also established their significance in adverse environmental condition. In the current review, its significance under drought, salinity, nutrient starvation, temperature, and pathogenic assail has been discussed. This review also opens the research prospects of strigolactone to better manage the crop loss under hostile ecological conditions.

Introduction: Ischemic stroke at later stages (>4.5 hour) have very few treatment options left. In those cases Nitric Oxide (NO) may provide promising results. NO is active in signaling pathways. Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor was tested earlier in rat Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) model in early stages (5-60 minutes) and found useful but in delayed stroke cases (60-120 minutes) found useless. This was due to local inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Enzyme (iNOS) and superoxide (causes destructive effect) formation which was skipped. Aim: To evaluate the effect of Intracarotid Sodium Nitroprusside (ICSNP) in MCAO rat model of ischemic stroke (I/R model) fifth post ischemic stroke day. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 250 gm to 280 gm, at CDRI-Lucknow, India were used. Rats were divided in three groups. Group A (n=4) were taken as sham with standard procedure but without any injection on fifth day, Group B (n=8) as control with injection of saline on fifth day and Group C (n=12) received SNP at dose of 3 mcg/kg/minute given directly in internal carotid artery via External Carotid Artery (ECA) with a modified intraluminal stump technique as Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R) in ipsilateral MCAO at intracarotid artery region as a single dose therapy on fifth day and then wound was closed. Waited for full recovery for two hours, then neurobehavioural assessment scores were noted. Thereafter, the brains were quickly removed and sliced at 2 mm intervals. Animals showing no sign of neurological deficit, were excluded from the study. Tested animals were compared with control animals for neurological deficit, percentage of infarction by 2,3,5-Triphenyl Tetrazolium Chloride (TTC) staining, nNOS expression and scores were summed up. The statistical analysis was done by Newman–Keuls test, Graph Pad prism (version.5.0) and p

Drought stress is a major abiotic factor that affects the quality and yield of plants that are of agronomic and economic importance. Frequent climatic alterations make plants more prone to drought stress, resulting in huge losses. A wide interconnected network regulates drought-responsive adaptable changes that occur over time. Transcriptional regulation by AP2/ERF (Apetella2/Ethylene response factor), WRKY and NAC [=NAM (no apical meristem); ATAF (Arabidopsis transcription activation factor); different types of CUC (CUC1, CUC2, etc] transcription factors and biochemical regulation by kinases, phytohormones, and antioxidants have a central role in the complex cascade of drought response. Collectively, we have focused on the vast signaling network and their downstream regulation under drought response in plants along with future prospects in this area of research.

Plants posses a complex co-regulatory network which helps them to elicit a response under diverse adverse conditions. We used an in silico approach to identify the genes with both DRE and ABRE motifs in their promoter regions in Arabidopsis thaliana. Our results showed that Arabidopsis contains a set of 2,052 genes with ABRE and DRE motifs in their promoter regions. Approximately 72% or more of the total predicted 2,052 genes had a gap distance of less than 400 bp between DRE and ABRE motifs. For positional orientation of the DRE and ABRE motifs, we found that the DR form (one in direct and the other one in reverse orientation) was more prevalent than other forms. These predicted 2,052 genes include 155 transcription factors. Using microarray data from The Arabidopsis Information Resource (TAIR) database, we present 44 transcription factors out of 155 which are upregulated by more than twofold in response to osmotic stress and ABA treatment. Fifty-one transcripts from the one predicted above were validated using semiquantitative expression analysis to support the microarray data in TAIR. Taken together, we report a set of genes containing both DRE and ABRE motifs in their promoter regions in A. thaliana, which can be useful to understand the role of ABA under osmotic stress condition.

Background Pyrethrins are monoterpenoids and consist of either a chrysanthemic acid or pyrethric acid with a rethrolone moiety. Natural pyrethrins are safe and eco-friendly while possessing strong insecticidal properties. Despite such advantages of commercial value coming with the eco-friendly tag, most enzymes/genes involved in the pyrethrin biosynthesis pathway remain unidentified and uncharacterized. Since the flowers of Tanacetum cinerariifolium are rich in major pyrethrins, next generation transcriptome sequencing was undertaken to compare the flowers and the leaves of the plant de novo to identify differentially expressed transcripts and ascertain which among them might be involved in and responsible for the differential accumulation of pyrethrins in T. cinerariifolium flowers. Results In this first tissue specific transcriptome analysis of the non-model plant T. cinerariifolium, a total of 23,200,000 and 28,500,110 high quality Illumina next generation sequence reads, with a length of 101 bp, were generated for the flower and leaf tissue respectively. After functional enrichment analysis and GO based annotation using public protein databases such as UniRef, PFAM, SMART, KEGG and NR, 4443 and 8901 unigenes were identified in the flower and leaf tissue respectively. These could be assigned to 13344 KEGG pathways and the pyrethrin biosynthesis contextualized. The 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway was involved in the biosynthesis of acid moiety of pyrethrin and this pathway predominated in the flowers as compared to the leaves. However, enzymes related to oxylipin biosynthesis were found predominantly in the leaf tissue, which suggested that major steps of pyrethrin biosynthesis occurred in the flowers. Conclusions Transcriptome comparison between the flower and leaf tissue of T. cinerariifolium provided an elaborate list of tissue specific transcripts that was useful in elucidating the differences in the expression of the biosynthetic pathways leading to differential presence of pyrethrin in the flowers. The information generated on genes, pathways and markers related to pyrethrin biosynthesis in this study will be helpful in enhancing the production of these useful compounds for value added breeding programs. Related proteome comparison to overlay our transcriptome comparison can generate more relevant information to better understand flower specific accumulation of secondary metabolites in general and pyrethrin accumulation in particular. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3409-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: The placenta reflect the status of maternal hypertension as it is mirror of maternal and fetal health. Aim: The aim of this original research article is to present status of maternal cotyledons in placenta of Pregnancy induced hypertensive women compare to Normotensive women. Method: This study was done in Rama Medical College Kanpur. Placentas from forty cases of PIH and forty cases of normotensive women delivered collected and studied. Result: Macroscopic study revealed that compare to normotensive women’s placenta, PIH women’s have lower number of maternal cotyledons. Conclusion: - Hypertension during the pregnancy lead to reduced number of maternal cotyledons.

Submergence, whether partial or complete, imparts some serious consequences on plants grown in flood prone ecosystems. Some plants can endure these conditions by embracing various survival strategies, including morphological adaptations and physiological adjustments. This review summarizes recent progress made in understanding of the stress and the acclimation responses of plants under waterlogged or submerged conditions. Waterlogging and submergence are often associated with hypoxia development, which may trigger various morphological traits and cellular acclimation responses. Ethylene, abscisic acid, gibberellic acid and other hormones play a crucial role in the survival process which is controlled genetically. Effects at the cellular level, including ATP management, starch metabolism, elemental toxicity, role of transporters and redox status have been explained. Transcriptional and hormonal interplay during this stress may provide some key aspects in understanding waterlogging and submergence tolerance. The level and degree of tolerance may vary depending on species or climatic variations which need to be studied for a proper understanding of waterlogging stress at the global level. The exploration of regulatory pathways and interplay in model organisms such as Arabidopsis and rice would provide valuable resources for improvement of economically and agriculturally important plants in waterlogging affected areas.

The use of processed arecanut is on the increase. In the impending danger of increased occurrence of oral submucous fibrosis and subsequent oral cancer following this habit is colossal. So an attempt is made to clinically evaluate the condition and to evaluate the effect of triamcinolone on this condition. Using the clinical data collected from the patients presenting in the ENT OPD of NSCB Medical College Hospital, Jabalpur, a cross sectional study was done and the effect of intralesional triamcinolone on this condition is noted by biweekly submucosal injections of 40 mg triamcinolone for 12 weeks and followed up for 1 year. The effect of therapy was evaluated subjectively by improvement in symptoms and objectively by increase in mouth opening. The age of occurrence and sex predilection also showed a significant change with more young males being affected by the condition. There was no significant correlation between effect of triamcinolone therapy and duration of addiction but a significant correlation (P

We reported earlier that ectopic expression of CAP2, a single AP2 domain containing transcription activator from chickpea (Cicer arietinum) in tobacco improves growth and development, and tolerance to dehydration and salt stress, of the transgenic plants. Here, we report that, in addition, the CAP2-transgenic tobacco seeds also exhibit higher germination efficiency at high temperature and show higher expression levels of genes for tobacco heat shock proteins and a heat shock factor. CAP2 was able to activate the 5'-upstream activating sequence of tobacco heat shock factor. Surprisingly, expression of CAP2 cDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae also enhanced heat tolerance, with increased expression of the gene for yeast heat shock factor 1 (Hsf1) and its target, the gene for yeast heat shock protein 104 (Hsp104). Sequence analysis of the Hsf1 promoter revealed the presence of a dehydration-responsive element/C-repeat-like element (DRE/CRE). Recombinant CAP2 protein bound to the DRE/CRE in the Hsf1 promoter in a gel shift assay and transactivated the Hsf1 promoter-His reporter construct. The full-length CAP2 protein was required to provide thermotolerance in yeast. If these findings are taken together, our results suggest that CAP2 is involved in the heat stress response and provides an example of functioning of a plant transcription factor in yeast, highlighting the strong evolutionary conservation of the stress response mechanism.