Broad and potent cross clade neutralizing antibodies with multiple specificities in the plasma of HIV-1 subtype C infected individuals.

Broadly Cross clade Neutralizing (BCN) antibodies are recognized as potential therapeutic tools and leads for the design of a vaccine that can protect human beings against various clades of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In the present study, we screened plasma of 88 HIV-1 infected ART naïve individuals for their neutralization potential using a standard panel of 18 pseudoviruses belonging to different subtypes and different levels of neutralization. We identified 12 samples with good breadth of neutralization (neutralized >90% of the viruses). Four of these samples neutralized even the difficult-to-neutralize tier-3 pseudoviruses with great potency (GMT > 600). Analysis of neutralization specificities indicated that four samples had antibodies with multiple epitope binding specificities, viz. CD4-binding site (CD4BS), glycans in the V1/V2 and V3 regions and membrane proximal external region (MPER). Our findings indicate the strong possibility of identifying highly potent bNAbs with known or novel specificities from HIV-1 subtype C infected individuals from India that can be exploited as therapeutic tools or lead molecules for the identification of potential epitopes for design of a protective HIV-1 vaccine

A loss-of-function homozygous mutation in DDX59 implicates a conserved DEAD-box RNA helicase in nervous system development and function.

We report on a homozygous frameshift deletion in DDX59 (c.185del: p.Phe62fs*13) in a family presenting with orofaciodigital syndrome phenotype associated with a broad neurological involvement characterized by microcephaly, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and white matter signal abnormalities associated with cortical and subcortical ischemic events. DDX59 encodes a DEAD-box RNA helicase and its role in brain function and neurological diseases is unclear. We showed a reduction of mutant cDNA and perturbation of SHH signaling from patient-derived cell lines; furthermore, analysis of human brain gene expression provides evidence that DDX59 is enriched in oligodendrocytes and might act within pathways of leukoencephalopathies-associated genes. We also characterized the neuronal phenotype of the Drosophila model using mutant mahe, the homolog of human DDX59, and showed that mahe loss-of-function mutant embryos exhibit impaired development of peripheral and central nervous system. Taken together, our results support a conserved role of this DEAD-box RNA helicase in neurological function

Nature’s protection: Harnessing essential oils for sustainable plant pathogen control

Essential oils (EOs) are volatile, aromatic compounds obtained from different plant parts. They contain bioactive compounds, including terpenes, phenolics and aldehydes. phenylpropanoids and other aromatic and aliphatic compounds. Due to the presence of these bioactive compounds, EO possess strong antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties, making EOs effective at combating a wide range of plant pathogens. Typically, EO is composed of two to three primary components and a mixture of numerous minor components, each of which contributes to its biological activity, such as the disruption of microbial cell membranes, the induction of oxidative stress, the impairment of mitochondrial activity and the inhibition of spore germination and biofilm formation. These diverse modes of action contribute to the broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy of EOs against plant pathogens. For instance, essential oils extracted from Cymbopogon spp. (lemongrass), Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) and Thymus vulgaris (thyme) have shown significant antimicrobial activity against pathogens such as Magnaporthe oryzae (rice blast fungus), Pseudomonas syringae (a bacterial plant pathogen) and Tomato leaf curl virus (a viral disease affecting tomato crops). Due to their potent monoterpenes, EOs are considered promising candidates for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Their biodegradability and relative safety further enhance their potential as plant-protective agents, underscoring their role in promoting agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability

Morphological, micro and macro nutrient analysis of the medicinal plant glory lily (Gloriosa superba L.)

In this study the three different treated tuber and seed samples of Glory lily were collected from farmer field's of Udayarpalayam and analyzed for the possible presence of colchicines using SEM technique. The results of SEM have shown that the presence of elements Ca and Fe are found only in Organic Manure Treatment. Also the quantitative estimation of EDX spectra observation confirms the percentage of Zn in Organic Manure Treatment (T3) was the highest among all the treatments. In conclusion from the results, Glory Lily may be considered as colchicines sources for the chemical constituents of medicine industry. Further it would be useful of producing high amount of colchicines for pest control based on natural products

FTIR spectroscoptc study and antifungal activity of the medicinal plant glory lily (Gloriosa superba)

In this present study, the presence of the phyto compound (i.e.) Colchicine and other chemical constituents present in three different treated tuber and seed samples of Glory Lily (Gloriosa superbd) was confirmed using FTIR. An attempt has been made to correlate the extinction coefficient (K) values of all the samples. And also the samples were extensively studied for their antifungal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella phemoniae, and Salmonella typhi. The results indicated that the Organic Manure treated samples were highly active against the three fungi

Polymer-mediated delivery of agrochemicals

A major challenge in modern agriculture is the inefficient delivery and utilization of agrochemicals, which often leads to their overuse, causing environmental pollution and harming beneficial organisms such as earthworms and bees. This challenge can potentially be addressed by using advanced and efficient methods such as polymer-mediated delivery systems. Polymers offer the potential to enhance the efficiency of agrochemicals used in agriculture. Incorporating polymers into agrochemical delivery systems can overcome the limitations associated with conventional methods. This article aims to analyse the potential role of polymers in agrochemical delivery system. Polymer can enable the precise delivery of active ingredients, nutrients, pesticides and herbicides into plants, making the process more resilient to agrochemical loss associated with conventional delivery methods. Enhancing our understanding of polymers and their properties may improve the efficiency and efficacy of agrochemicals by influencing their interaction with plants, carrier capabilities and release mechanisms

Effect of Industrial Effluent on the Growth of Marine Diatom, Chaetoceros simplex (Ostenfeld, 1901)

The marine centric diatom,Chaetoceros simplex (Ostenfeld, 1901) was exposed to five different concentrations of industrial effluent for 96 hrs to investigate the effect on growth. The physico-chemical parameters viz. colour, odour, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, alkalinity, hardness, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, inorganic phosphate, total phosphorous, reactive  silicate, calcium and magnesium were estimated in the effluent. The Ammonia  (326 μg. L-1), Nitrite (19.53 μg. L-1) and Nitrate (471.4 μg. L-1) were observed at higher levels. About 50% of the cell density of C. simplex reached a lesser dilutions of effluent viz. 1:625 and 1:1250 than the control. The highest cell density (14.3 × 104 cell ml-1) was recorded in 1:10000 diluted effluent followed by control and the lowest cell density was observed in 1:625 diluted effluents. From the results, it is evidenced that the lower volume of effluent discharge into higher volume of water could not affect the growth rate of phytoplankton. It is more important that to reduce the effect of pollution and environmental sustainability. @JASEMJ. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. December, 2010, Vol. 14 (4) 35 - 3

Isolation and characterization of altered root growth behavior and salinity tolerant mutants in rice

Generation, screening and isolating mutants for any developmental and adaptive traits plays a major role in plant functional genomics research. Identification and exploitation of mutants possessing contrasting root growth behavior and salinity tolerance in rice will help us to identify key genes controlling these traits and in turn will be useful for manipulating abiotic stress tolerance through tilling and genetic engineering in rice. In this study, we have screened about 1500 mutants (M2 generation) generated by treating an upland drought tolerant genotype Nagina 22 with Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS), for their root growth behavior and salinity tolerance under hydroponic conditions. Six independent mutant lines possessing significantly shorter roots and three mutant lines exhibiting greater degree of salinity tolerance than the wild type plants were identified. The identified mutant lines were advanced to M5 generation to allow the mutants to reach homozygosity, and the fixed mutants were confirmed for their phenotype. One mutant namely N22-C-241-5-6 was found to possess significantly shorter roots than wild type N22, and it was also noticed that the mutant was devoid of root cap. Among the three salinity tolerant mutant lines identified, N22-C-334-3 was found to possess a greater degree of tolerance upto 250 mM Nacl stress at germination stage. These identified mutant lines can be used for further physiological, biochemical and molecular biology experiments to identify candidate gene(s) controlling root growth behavior and salinity tolerance in rice.Keywords: Rice, mutation, EMS, altered rood growth and salinity tolerant mutantAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(40), pp. 5852-585

Nanofertilizers in vegetable crops: Harnessing nanotechnology for improved crop nutrition and environmental sustainability

Nanofertilizers represent a groundbreaking advancement in agricultural technology, offering a sustainable solution to enhance crop nutrition and address the challenges of global food security. Traditional fertilizers, while essential for crop production, often result in significant nutrient losses, environmental pollution and soil degradation due to low nutrient use efficiency (NUE). In contrast, nanofertilizers, engineered at the nanoscale, provide precise and controlled nutrient delivery, minimizing losses and maximizing plant uptake. These innovative fertilizers improve NUE, enhance crop yields and reduce environmental impacts such as nutrient leaching and water pollution. By leveraging nanotechnology, nanofertilizers facilitate better nutrient absorption, improved root development and enhanced stress tolerance in plants, leading to higher-quality produce and extended shelf life, particularly in fresh-cut vegetables. This review explores the transformative potential of nanofertilizers in sustainable agriculture, highlighting their mechanisms of action, benefits and applications across various crops. Despite their promise, challenges such as regulatory concerns, production costs and potential ecological risks must be addressed to ensure their safe and widespread adoption. As the global population continues to grow, nanofertilizers stand at the forefront of agricultural innovation, offering a pathway to sustainable crop production and food security. Future research should focus on optimizing nanofertilizer formulations, assessing long-term environmental impacts and developing cost-effective production strategies to facilitate their large-scale adoption