Cloning and characterization of phloroglucinol biosynthetic gene phlC from an Indian strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens

Phloroglucinol or 2,4-diacetyl phloroglucinol (DAPG) is a polyketide compound produced by gram negative soil bacteria Pseudomonas. It shows broad spectrum antibacterial and antifungal properties against soil-borne plant pathogens. In Pseudomonas spp., genes for biosynthesis of 2,4-DAPG are localized in phlABCD operon. All the four genes in phlABCD operon are indispensable and DAPG synthesis is attenuated even in the absence of one of the genes. In the present study, we identified and cloned phlC gene from an Indian strain of Pseudomonas and analyzed its sequence. The structural details ofthe PHLC protein was generated by three-dimensional homology modelling. Additionally, stereo-chemical properties of PHLC were analyzed by Ramachandran plot analysis and the generated model was validated by PDBsum. Our results demonstrate that the cloned PHLC protein contains structural features typical of a condensing enzyme involved inpolyketide synthesis.

Cloning and structural elucidation of a brassinosteroids biosynthetic gene (Atdwarf4) and genetic transformation of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Phytohormones play critical roles in plant growth and development. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are essential group of phytohormones required for optimum growth of plants and their deficiency causes distinctive dwarf phenotypes in plants. Homeostasis of BRs in plants is maintained by DWARF4 enzyme that mediates multiple 22?-hydroxylation steps in brassinosteroid biosynthesis. Arabidopsis plants over-expressing DWARF4 show increase in inflorescence, number of branches and siliques; thereby increased number of seeds/plant. This suggests that engineering DWARF4 biosynthesis in Brassica plant can be strategized to enhance yield in mustard. In the present study (i) we cloned dwarf4 gene from Arabidopsis using gene specific PCR strategy, (ii) elucidated the three-dimensional structure of DWARF4 protein at molecular level where it revealed presence of four beta sheets and 20 alpha-helices, and (iii) transformed mustard cultivar Pusa Jaikisan with an objective to develop transgenic mustard with enhanced number of siliques. We obtained several putative transgenics with an average transformation efficiency of 3.3%. Molecular characterization with nptII specific primers confirmed presence of transgene in six putative transgenic plants.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in patients of chronic kidney disease

Background: Patients of CKD are highly exposed to HBV and HCV because of multiple blood transfusions and exposure to contaminated equipments. Infections by HBV and HCV are significant cause of morbidity in CKD patients by causing liver damage and membranoproliferative GN. Present study was done to observe the prevalence of HBV and HCV in patients of CKD and to compare the prevalence of these infections in patients who were on maintenance haemodialysis and who were not on maintenance hemodialysis.Methods: This study had been conducted on 140 patients. Patients were diagnosed as having CKD on basis of Cockcroft-gault equation as per KDOQI guidelines. Stage 3, 4 or 5 patients were included for the study whereas patients with stage 1 or 2 were excluded. These 140 cases were divided into 2 groups, Group I included 70 cases who were on maintenance hemodialysis and Group II included 70 patients who were not on maintenance hemodialysis. The prevalence of HBV and HCV in the two groups was observed. Diagnosis of HBV was made by detection of HBsAg (one step immunoassay) and diagnosis of HCV was made by detection of antibodies to Hepatitis C(enzyme linked immunoassay). Prevalence data of NCDC was used for comparison with general population.Results: In Group I, 15 (21%) patients were positive for HCV and 9 (12.9%) were positive for HBV which is significantly higher compared to Group II patients in which 6 (8.6%) and 2 (2.9%) were positive respectively. Overall out of 140 patients,21(15%) were positive for HCV and 11(7.9%) were positive for HBV, which is significantly higher compared to data of NCDC for general population in which prevalence of HCV and HBV is 1% and 4% respectivelyConclusions: Prevalence of HBV and HCV was significantly higher in patients of CKD than the general population, which was further higher in patients who were on maintenance hemodialysis and have received multiple blood transfusions, emphasizing the need to implement the methods to limit the spread of HBV and HCV.

Hydropenia induces expression of drought responsive genes (DRGs) erd1, hat, plD-δ, and zfa in Linum usitatissimum L.

Globally, abiotic stresses affect growth and yield of an economically and industrially important field crop flax, Linum usitatissimum. Being genomically unmapped, the molecular details of abiotic stress signaling in flax has not been elucidated. One such important and most damaging abiotic stress in flax is hydropenia or drought that inhibits growth and development of the plant. With the release of its genome sequence, there is a renewed interest in functional genomics study in flax. In an endeavour to get insights into the molecular events of hydropenia i.e., drought stress, an in-depth study of four marker genes induced by drought stress was carried out in flax. Expression profiling of these four drought responsive genes viz. erd1, hat, plD δ and zfa in flax were correlated to the expression profile in model crops such as Arabidopsis and rice. Based on phenotypic expression, relative water content and semi-quantitative PCR expression data, we confirmed the applicability of these four genes in screening drought tolerant varieties of an industrially important crop like flax.

Strengthening Government Health Management Information System (HMIS) and Innovative Monitoring Approaches in Micronutrient Demonstration Programs: Experience from Three Asian Countries.

Objectives: The Micronutrient Initiative (MI) is supporting host governments to demonstrate effective strategies to strengthen zinc supplementation as adjunct to ORS for the treatment of diarrhea and IFA supplementation to reduce anemia among pregnant women across three Asian countries. The objective of this paper is to describe experiences related to designing and implementing a monitoring framework in these programs in Indonesia, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Methods: A monitoring framework was developed with two key components. Key indicators on coverage and stocks were incorporated in the government HMIS. Data on knowledge, and practices were collected through MI district field officers with short and simple checklists. Regular feedback based on this information was provide to the health system managers for program improvements. Results: In Bangladesh and Afghanistan HMIS was modified to record and report on coverage of zinc supplements in treatment of diarrhea among children <5 years. Stock out indicators for zinc and ORS were also incorporated in the system. An indicator receipt of >180 IFA tablets during pregnancy is being introduced.

Pattern and Visual Outcome in Lens Induced Glaucoma.

Lens induced glaucomas are a common occurrence in rural areas of India. Early diagnosis and treatment of mature cataract is very important since delayed treatment of lens-induced glaucoma may result in poor visual outcome. An attempt was made to study the pattern and visual outcome in LIG cases attending the Department of Ophthalmology at Government Medical College, Jammu. A total of 25 patients with a diagnosis of LIG were analyzed. Out of these 15(60%) patients had phacomorphic and 10(40%) had phacolytic glaucoma respectively. All the patients were subjected to ECCE with PC IOL implantation. Postoperative BCVA upto 6/12 was achieved in 6(24%) and upto 6/60 in 16(64%) patients. Only three patients showed poor visual outcome. However, all the patients maintained postoperative IOP of < 20mm Hg without any additional antiglaucoma therapy.