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In this work, a novel Ferroelectric gate oxide along with high-k dielectric HfO2 is introduced in the Vertical TFET structure to incorporate the negative capacitance effect. The effects of ferroelectric gate oxide in addition with SiGe heterojunction pocket at source-channel junction improve the performance of the device for biosensor application. A negative capacitance (NC) effect is produced by adding the FE layer over HfO2 by EOT (equivalent oxide thickness), which enhances overall capacitance with reduced SS and OFF current. An n + doped of SiGe material pocket at source channel junction will improve the BTBT of the charge carriers due to low band gap SiGe material. For the Biosensing application of this device, a cavity is added above the source channel junction and below the FE layer, in parallel to HfO2. The integration of bio-molecules their charge density (qf), and their dielectric constant (k), collectively modulates the effective dielectric constant of the gate oxide and hence causes a change in the surface potential and drain current though which the sensitivity of the bio-molecules is determined. The impact of the temperature and cavity length variation is also analyzed on the sensitivity determination. A comparative analysis of ferroelectric VTFET vs non ferroelectric vertical TFET and TFET has been done for bio-sensing application with reference to characteristics like drain current, electric field and surface potential. The highest ON current value recorded for FE-VTFET as 1.02169 × 10–4 (A/µm) whereas normal VTFET has 7.56141 × 10–5 for the bio-molecules having relative dielectric constant is k = 12. The results shows that the negative capacitance improves sensitivity of labeled and label free biosensors significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant pathogens and pests pose an increasing threat to worldwide food security. To improve and strengthen food security under increasingly difficult environmental, economic, and geopolitical conditions, the prospect of using microbial biocontrol agents becomes increasingly desirable. One of the most studied, and commercially used, biopesticide microorganisms is the entomopathogenic, gram-positive, soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). While Bt has been known for many years as an insecticidal microorganism and used extensively in agriculture, its possible anti-phytopathogen and plant growth-promoting activities have received comparatively limited attention thus far. Here, we examine the ability of Bt to promote systemic immunity in tomato plants. We investigate how Bt influences plant immunity and disease resistance against several fungal and bacterial plant pathogens, as well as several arthropod pests. In order to determine which component of Bt (i.e., Bt spores or pure crystals) is responsible for the observed effects on pathogens or pests, we dissected the different fractions present in a commercial preparation and assessed their effects on pest and pathogen control. As previously reported in the Bt literature, our results indicate that proteins produced by Bt are likely the primary acting components against pests. In the case of pathogens, however, it appears that both the Bt spores and proteins directly act against pathogens such as the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Bt Spores and produced proteins also both induce plant immunity. Understanding the different Bt mode of action mechanisms will help in developing cost-effective and safe plant protection strategies for enhancing food security. Taken together, our findings suggest that Bt could be used in broad-spectrum pest and disease management strategies. Pending validation in agricultural settings, Bt products on the market could have additional uses in sustainable pest management and plant growth promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental phytohormones regulate many physiological responses in plants, including growth and immunity in response to pathogens. Disease resistance mediated by developmental phytohormones such as cytokinin (CK), gibberellin (GA), and auxin (Aux), is the result of complex interactions between these phytohormones with the salicylic acid (SA)-jasmonate (JA)-ethylene (ET) backbone of immune signaling circuitry. Based on the available findings concerning phytohormone mediated plant resistance, this review attempts to develop the understanding of the defense roles of CKs, GAs, and Auxs, and their interplay with pathogen targeted defense hormones such as SA, JA and ET in plants, during biotic stress. Several phytohormone pathway genes and proteins have been reported to influence biotic stress resistance. In our analysis, we relate to specific roles uncovered for the Aux pathway TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESISTANT 1 (TIR)/AUXIN SIGNALING F-BOX (AFB) and Gretchen Hagen 3 (GH3) proteins, the CK pathway isopentenyl transferase (IPT), CK oxidase (CKX), and Arabidopsis histidine kinase (AHK) proteins, and the GA pathway DELLA and GA20 oxidase proteins, in plant immunity and disease resistance. Additionally, we discuss microbial phytohormones that can enhance plant growth and resistance against pathogens, and the effect of phytohormones on modulation of the plant microbiome. Finally, we provide a concise overview of the possible approaches for modulating hormonal cross talk to improve plant health and resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the numerical solution of the space–time variable-order fractional derivative mobile–immobile advection–dispersion equation. These equations are preferred for dynamical system modeling, which includes determining the solute transport mechanism. We take into account the Caputo class of fractional derivatives. A Chebyshev collocation method in both the space and time directions is utilized for the approximate solution of the equation. The convergence analysis of the method is shown by using the Chebyshev-weighted Sobolev space. Finally, some examples are provided to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the present approach. Comparisons between the results obtained by our method and those obtained by the existing methods are presented to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed methodology. The spectral or exponential convergence of the suggested approach is one of its essential characteristics, which is verified through numerical results and provides additional support for the effectiveness of the suggested technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a triple metal gate -ferroelectric material -with SiGe heterojunction based vertical structure of Tunnel field effect transistor (TMG-FE-SiGe-VTFET) is proposed and investigated. It also demonstrated the effect of ferroelectric gate oxide material gate stack with high-K dielectric constant on heterojunction vertical TFET structure. The ratio of body capacitance to oxide capacitance will be reduced if negative capacitance is added to the gate oxide series such as ferroelectric material. Three of the engineering methods opted for optimized the device ON and OFF current and its ratio. Shape engineering, Heterojunction engineering and device work function opted during the analysis of the proposed devices. Four of the devices designed TMG-VTFET, TMG-FE-VTFET, TMG-SiGe-VTFET and TMG-FE-SiGe-VTFET device designs with and without ferroelectric oxide material and SiGe layer at source-channel interface are evaluated using various simulation characteristics in order to validate and optimize the results. Electrical characteristics performance simulated and compared for analysis of energy band diagram, electron/hole carrier concentration, electric field, BTBT rate (electron and hole), e-mobility, h-mobility, Electron/Hole QFL (quasi-fermi-level), Id vs Vgs, Id vs Vds, surface potential, transconductance of all proposed configurations. The used work function optimized at 4.15 eV, 4.35 eV, 4.15 eV for ϕm1, ϕm2 and ϕm3 respectively. The highest ION current (1.28 × 10−4 A/μm) and minimum IOFF current (7.59 × 10−18 A/μm) is recorded for the TMG-FE-SiGe-VTFET structure respectively. TMG-FE-SiGe-VTFET holds the maximum ION/IOFF current ratio of 10 ~ 13 and the lowest SS of 9.97 mV/decade among all other configurations. Finally, this work found suitable and helpful for analyzing low power application with improved performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a gate stack Silicon doped HfO2 ferroelectric vertical TFET is proposed and its various performance parameters are investigated and compared with the high-K HfO2 vertical TFET and SiO2 vertical TFET with embedded SiGe layer at the source channel Junction to reduce tunneling band gap from 1.1 eV to 0.7 eV. The optimized proportion of the Si to retain the polarization is 3.4% chosen to build the Silicon doped HfO2 ferroelectric. The introduction of a gate stack Silicon doped HfO2 ferroelectric with the HfO2 causes two major phenomena, in first it reduces the surface potential in the off state of the device and prohibited the electron tunneling from the source and hence results in very low off state current. In second, its setup negative gate capacitance and hence increases the overall gate capacitance coupling to ensure high drain current and the low subthreshold slope of the device and thus provide a high switching speed. It is seen that using a gate stack Silicon doped HfO2 ferroelectric, the off current is 2 orders lowers as compared to the HfO2 and 3 orders lower as compared to the SiO2. Also, the proposed device gives subthreshold slope of 14.37 mV/ Dec which is a significant improvement as compared to the HfO2 and SiO2 bases vertical TFET. The highest ON/OFF current ratio is reported to be in the order of 10~13 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant–microbiome interactions are significant determinant for plant growth, fitness and productivity. Depending upon the specific habitat, plants' microbial communities are classified as the rhizo-, phyllo-, and endospheric regions. Understanding the plant microbiome interactions could provide an opportunity to develop strategies for sustainable agricultural practices. There is a necessity to decipher the complex structural and functional diversity within plant microbiomes to reveal its immense potential in agriculture. The plant microbiota harbors enormous microbial communities that defy analytical methodologies to study dynamics underlying plant microbiome interactions. Findings based on conventional approaches have ignored many beneficial microbial strains, which creates a serious gap in understanding the microbial communications along with the genetic adaptations, which favors their association with host plant. The new era of next generation sequencing techniques and modern cost-effective high-throughput molecular approaches can decipher microbial community composition and function. In this review, we have presented the overview of the various compartments of plants, approaches to allow the access to microbiome and factors that influence microbial community composition and function. Next, we summarize how plant microbiome interactions modulate host beneficial properties particularly nutrient acquisition and defense, along with future agricultural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants rely on innate immunity to perceive and ward off microbes and pests, and are able to overcome the majority of invading microorganisms. Even so, specialized pathogens overcome plant defenses, posing a persistent threat to crop and food security worldwide, raising the need for agricultural products with broad, efficient resistance. Here we report a specific mutation in a tomato (S. lycopersicum) helper nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat H-NLR, SlNRC4a, which results in gain of function constitutive basal defense activation, in absence of PRR activation. Knockout of the entire NRC4 clade in tomato was reported to compromise Rpi-blb2 mediated immunity. The SlNRC4a mutant reported here possesses enhanced immunity and disease resistance to a broad-spectrum of pathogenic fungi, bacteria and pests, while lacking auto-activated HR or negative effects on plant growth and crop yield, providing promising prospects for agricultural adaptation in the war against plant pathogens that decrease productivity. Lorena Pizarro, Meirav Leibman-Markus et al. explore the genetic mechanisms for plant innate immunity. They functionally characterize a gain of function mutation in SlNRC4a in tomato. They characterize the structure of the mutant protein and functionally demonstrate that it confers broad-spectrum resistance without triggering a hypersensitive response or negatively impacting plant growth and crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-situ electrochemical deposition of cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCF) on graphene oxide (GO) and its application for the electrocatalytic hydrazine determination in real samples are described in this research study. Co2+ is immobilized on GO and the resulting material, GO-Co2+ is coated on the surface of glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The fabricated electrode (GC/GO-Co2+) is subjected to a continuous potential cycling in the range of 0.0–1.0 V which results in the formation of a thin CoHCF film on the surface of GO coated on the GC electrode (abbreviated as GC/GO-CoHCF). The synthesized GO-CoHCF composite material is characterized by Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy. GC/GO-CoHCF electrode electrocatalytically oxidizes hydrazine at low overpotential (0.63 V) and this phenomenon is subsequently utilized for the sensitive determination of hydrazine in aqueous solutions. It exhibits a wide linear calibration range (0.1–400 µM), high sensitivity (0.93 µA µM−1 cm−2) and low limit of detection (17.5 nM) for the determination of hydrazine. Further, this electrode is employed for hydrazine determination in real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sacrificial template, Fe-MIL-88 is used to synthesize Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide (Ni–Fe LDH). The metal-organic framework (Fe-MIL-88) is synthesized from the precursors, ferric nitrate and terephthalic acid. Electrocatalytic oxidation of kojic acid (KA) is realized by Ni–Fe LDH film which is coated on a glassy carbon electrode (GC). Under the optimized conditions, amperometry measurements at the Ni–Fe LDH coated GC as a function of KA concentration demonstrates a sensitive determination of KA. The calibration curve shows two linear ranges, 1–1500 µM and 1500–4500 µM for the KA determination. Detection limit for the KA determination is estimated as 0.73 µM. The practical applicability of this method is confirmed by measuring the KA concentration present in various real samples. A new sensor for the determination kojic acid is developed based on Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide which is synthesized through the Fe-MIL-88 templated route. Further, the synthesized material is used for the determination of kojic acid present in different brands of commercial tomato sauces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrochemical sensor for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) present in face bleach cream is fabricated using a composite based on bentonite (Bt) clay and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (CuO-Bt). The CuO nanoparticles’ immobilization into Bt was carried out by a two-step process in which Cu2+ is ion-exchanged into Bt layers (Cu2+-Bt) in the first step followed by the chemical reaction of NaOH with Cu2+-Bt in the second step to get the target material, CuO nanoparticles immobilized Bt (CuO-Bt). The successful immobilization of CuO nanoparticles into Bt is investigated by a variety of techniques like scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods. The CuO-Bt composite is coated on a glassy carbon electrode and used as a selective electrochemical sensing platform for the determination of H2O2 based on the significant electrocatalytic property of CuO-Bt towards the H2O2 oxidation. This amperometric electrochemical sensor shows two linear detection ranges (5–50 μM and 50–10000 μM) with a limit of detection of 4.9 μM. The sensitivity is calculated to be 0.06 µA µM−1 cm−2. This electrochemical sensor exhibits high selectivity, stability, and practical applicability for the H2O2 determination in real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, an electrochemical sensing platform is prepared for rifampicin determination based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified with meso-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrinato cobalt(II) (CoTHPP) nanocomposite (abbreviated as MWCNTs-CoTHPP). The material is characterized by different techniques such as UV-Vis, Fourier transform-infrared, Raman, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. For the electrochemical sensing platform, the nanocomposite, MWCNTs-CoTHPP is immobilized on glassy carbon (GC) electrode (represented as GC/MWCNTs-CoTHPP) and applied for electrochemical recognition of rifampicin. It is found that the GC/MWCNTs-CoTHPP electrode facilitates the electrochemical oxidation of rifampicin with decreased overpotential in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.7). Further, GC/MWCNTs-CoTHPP exhibits broad calibration range (0.01 µM-5.0 mM), high sensitivity (217 µA mM−1 cm−2), high reproducibility (relative standard deviation = 4.83%, n = 6), and low detection limit (0.008 µM) for rifampicin determination. In addition, this method is successfully applied for real sample (rifampicin capsule) analysis with consistent results. The results suggest that MWCNTs-CoTHPP is a potential candidate for an effective, rapid, and simple electrochemical sensor to detect rifampicin in pharmaceutical formulations.Graphical Abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nociception is an important physiological process that detects harmful signals and results in pain perception. In this review, we discuss important experimental evidence involving some TRP ion channels as molecular sensors of chemical, thermal, and mechanical noxious stimuli to evoke the pain and itch sensations. Among them are the TRPA1 channel, members of the vanilloid subfamily (TRPV1, TRPV3, and TRPV4), and finally members of the melastatin group (TRPM2, TRPM3, and TRPM8). Given that pain and itch are pro-survival, evolutionarily-honed protective mechanisms, care has to be exercised when developing inhibitory/modulatory compounds targeting specific pain/itch-TRPs so that physiological protective mechanisms are not disabled to a degree that stimulus-mediated injury can occur. Such events have impeded the development of safe and effective TRPV1-modulating compounds and have diverted substantial resources. A beneficial outcome can be readily accomplished via simple dosing strategies, and also by incorporating medicinal chemistry design features during compound design and synthesis. Beyond clinical use, where compounds that target more than one channel might have a place and possibly have advantageous features, highly specific and high-potency compounds will be helpful in mechanistic discovery at the structure-function level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A voltammetric sensor for both the individual and the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and folic acid (FA) is described. It is based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) that was modified with bentonite (Bnt) that was first functionalized with cysteine (Cys) to which gold nanoparticles were linked. The resulting material (referred to as Au-Cys-Bnt) and the other materials were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X-ray analysis and electrochemical methods. The XRD peak positions of bentonite and Cys-functionalized bentonite prove the incorporation of Cys into bentonite. The XPS spectrum of Au-Cys-Bnt confirms the interaction of gold nanoparticles with the thiol group of Cys. The modified GCE displays high electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of AA, UA and FA, typically at 0.19, 0.41, and 0.73 V (vs. SCE), respectively. Differential pulse voltammetric data show a linear response that covers the 1 μM to 25 mM concentration range for AA, the 1 to 200 μM concentration range for UA, and two linear ranges for FA, one from 5 to 100 μM and one from 100 μM to 1.5 mM. The sensor was applied to the determination of AA, UA and FA in (spiked) multi-vitamin syrup, bird serum and milk samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of rutin and gallic acid on growth, phytochemical and defense gene activation of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) was investigated. The seeds of rice were primed with different concentrations of rutin and gallic acid (10-60 µg mL) to explicate the effect on germination on water agar plates. Further, to study the effect of most effective concentrations of gallic acid (60 µg mL) and rutin (50 µg mL), greenhouse pot experiment was set up to determine the changes in growth, antioxidant and defense parameters. The results revealed more pronounced effect of gallic acid on total chlorophyll and carotenoids as well as on total flavonoid content and free radical scavenging activities. Gene expression analysis of OsWRKY71, PAL, CHS and LOX genes involved in strengthening the plant defense further validated the results obtained from the biochemical analysis. Microscopic analysis also confirmed reduction in total reactive oxygen species, free radicals like HO and O by exogenous application of gallic acid and rutin. The data obtained thus suggest that both gallic acid and rutin can affect the growth and physiology of rice plants and therefore can be used to develop effective plant growth promoters and as substitute of biofertilizers for maximizing their use in field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anionic redox mediator-incorporated polymer scaffold on glassy carbon (GC) electrode has been used for the electrocatalytic determination of nitrite. The polymer based on branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) crosslinked with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) (BPEI-EGDE) has been employed as the potent scaffold. BPEI-EGDE film on GC electrode has been used to immobilize anionic redox mediator [Fe(CN)] by ion-exchange and utilized as the scaffold for the electrochemical determination of nitrite. The voltammetric analysis confirms the confinement of the redox mediator inside the polymer film. This polymeric scaffold, GC/BPEI-EGDE/[Fe(CN)] exhibits a reversible redox response for [Fe(CN)] and retains its redox activity and stability even in strong acidic conditions. The redox mediator confined into the polymer scaffold catalyzes the reduction of nitrite. Significant enhancement in the cathodic current associated with the concomitant decrease in the anodic current was observed in the presence of nitrite. The electrocatalytic response of the scaffold was exploited for the amperometric sensing of nitrite at the potential of 450 mV. The polymer scaffold is highly sensitive (28.5 µA mM cm) and it could detect nitrite at micromolar levels (detection limit is 4.8 µM). The scaffold has been successfully used for the real sample analysis and high selectivity, stability, and reproducibility have been achieved. Graphical Abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, metabolites of Streptomyces sp. MTN14 and Trichoderma harzianum ThU significantly enhanced biomass yield (3.58 and 3.48 fold respectively) in comparison to the control plants. The secondary metabolites treatments also showed significant augmentation (0.75-2.25 fold) in withanolide A, a plant secondary metabolite. Lignin deposition, total phenolic and flavonoid content in W. somnifera were maximally induced in treatment having T. harzianum metabolites. Also, Trichoderma and Streptomyces metabolites were found much better in invoking in planta contents and antioxidants compared with their live culture treatments. Therefore, identification of new molecular effectors from metabolites of efficient microbes may be used as biopesticide and biofertilizer for commercial production of W. somnifera globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present manuscript, a simple and easy route to synthesize bentonite (bt) clay-supported gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) is reported (represented as Au-bt). Application of this new environmentally benign material in electrocatalytic determination of arsenite (As(III)) was studied. The successful synthesis and incorporation of Au NPs into the bt clay is supported by spectroscopic, microscopic and electrochemical methods. The synthesized Au-bt material was used to modify glassy carbon electrode (GC) by the evaporation of Au-bt aqueous suspension dropped on the surface of the GC (GC/Au-bt). Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry studies of As(III) solutions were performed with this GC/Au-bt electrode which act as efficient platform for the electro-oxidation of As(III) to As(V) at a very low overpotential. Kinetic parameters were evaluated for the oxidation of As(III) at the GC/Au-bt platforms. A wide linear calibration range for the determination of As(III) from 1 to 1700 μM was obtained with high reproducibility and stability. A limit of detection, 0.1 μM was achieved with high sensitivity. Additionally, it showed a good selectivity for the determination of As(III) in the presence of copper(II) and other interfering ions suggesting a promising new route for trace level determination of As(III) in neutral conditions. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrocatalytic activity of silver nanoparticle-incorporated bentonite clay (Ag-Bt) for hydrogen peroxide (HO) reduction is investigated in 0.1 M pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution. Ag-Bt material-coated glassy carbon (GC) electrode displays high electrocatalytic activity for HO reduction with increased current response in comparison with GC/Bt electrode. The catalytic current increases linearly with incremental addition of HO from 10 µM to 5.0 mM (based on the amperometric experiments at an applied potential −0.3 V). The apparent diffusion coefficient for HO and catalytic rate constant for HO reduction at the GC/Ag-Bt platform are calculated to be 2.3 × 10 cm s and 2.20 × 10 M s, respectively. The practical application using the Ag-Bt material is shown for the determination of HO in real sample. The GC/Ag-Bt platform exhibits low detection limit (9.1 µM), high selectivity, reproducibility and stability. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the vast exploration of rhizospheric microbial wealth for crop yield enhancement, knowledge about the efficacy of microbial agents as biocontrol weapons against root-knot disease is scarce, especially in medicinal plants, viz., Bacopa monnieri. In the present investigation, rhizospheric microbes, viz., Bacillus megaterium, Glomus intraradices, Trichoderma harzianum ThU, and their combinations were evaluated for the management of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood and bacoside content enhancement in B. monnieri var CIM-Jagriti. A novel validated method Fourier transform near infrared was used for rapid estimation of total bacoside content. A significant reduction (2.75-fold) in root-knot indices was observed in the combined treatment of B. megaterium and T. harzianum ThU in comparison to untreated control plants. The same treatment also showed significant enhancement (1.40-fold) in total bacoside contents (plant active molecule) content using Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) method that analyses samples rapidly in an hour without solvent usage and provides ample scope for natural product studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of heavy metals such as hexavalent chromium, Cr (VI) with the environment drastically influences living organisms leading to an ecological imbalance. Caenorhabditis elegans, a saprophytic nematode having 60-80% homology with human genes offers a distinct advantage to be used as a biosensor for the appraisal of heavy metal-induced environmental toxicity and risk monitoring. The present study examines the toxicity effects of K2Cr2O7 as Cr (VI) on stress-related gene expression and morphometric parameters of C. elegans under in vitro conditions to identify genetic markers for environmental pollution. Alterations in growth and modified gene expression were observed in Cr (VI)-exposed N2 worms. The 24-h median lethal concentration for Cr (VI) was observed as 158.5 mgl−1. Use of the responses of stress-related gene expression suggests that C. elegans can be used as an efficient biosensor for figuring out the precise route of Cr (VI)-induced environmental toxicity in a quick, simple, and inexpensive manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-associated beneficial microbes have been explored to fulfill the imperative function for plant health. However, their impact on the host secondary metabolite production and nematode disease management remains elusive. Our present work has shown that chitinolytic microbes viz., Chitiniphilus sp. MTN22 and Streptomyces sp. MTN14 singly as well as in combination modulated the biosynthetic pathway of bacoside A and systemic defense mechanism against Meloidogyne incognita in Bacopa monnieri. Interestingly, expression of bacoside biosynthetic pathway genes (3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase, and squalene synthase) were upregulated in plants treated with the microbial combination in the presence as well as in absence of M. incognita stress. These microbes not only augmented bacoside A production (1.5 fold) but also strengthened host resistance via enhancement in chlorophyll a, defense enzymes and phenolic compounds like gallic acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid and cinnamic acid. Furthermore, elevated lignification and callose deposition in the microbial combination treated plants corroborate well with the above findings. Overall, the results provide novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of priming by beneficial microbes and underscore their capacity to trigger bacoside A production in B. monnieri under biotic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pain is a harmful sensation that arises from noxious stimuli. Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is one target for studying pain mechanisms. TRPA1 is activated by various stimuli such as noxious cold, pungent natural products and environmental irritants. Since TRPA1 is an attractive target for pain therapy, a few TRPA1 antagonists have been developed and some function as analgesic agents. The responses of TRPA1 to agonists and antagonists vary among species and these species differences have been utilized to identify the structural basis of activation and inhibition mechanisms. The TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031 (HC) failed to inhibit frog TRPA1 (fTRPA1) and zebrafish TRPA1 activity induced by cinnamaldehyde (CA), but did inhibit human TRPA1 (hTRPA1) in a heterologous expression system. Chimeric studies between fTRPA1 and hTRPA1, as well as analyses using point mutants, revealed that a single amino acid residue (N855 in hTRPA1) significantly contributes to the inhibitory action of HC. Moreover, the N855 residue and the C-terminus region exhibited synergistic effects on the inhibition by HC. Molecular dynamics simulation suggested that HC stably binds to hTRPA1-N855. These findings provide novel insights into the structure-function relationship of TRPA1 and could lead to the development of more effective analgesics targeted to TRPA1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]