Search

Maturation of the 3′ end of almost all eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) requires cleavage and polyadenylation. Most mammalian mRNAs are polyadenylated at different sites within the last exon, generating alternative polyadenylation (APA) isoforms that have the same coding region but distinct 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs). The 3′UTR contains motifs that regulate mRNA metabolism; thus, changing the 3′UTR length via APA can significantly affect gene expression. Endochondral ossification is a central process in bone healing, but the impact of APA on gene expression during this process is unknown. Here, we report the widespread occurrence of APA, which impacts multiple pathways that are known to participate in bone healing. Importantly, the progression of endochondral ossification involves global 3′UTR shortening, which is coupled with an increased abundance of shortened transcripts relative to other transcripts; these results highlight the role of APA in promoting gene expression during endochondral bone formation. Our mechanistic studies of transcripts that undergo APA in the fracture callus revealed an intricate regulatory network in which APA enhances the expression of the collagen, type I, alpha 1 (Col1a1) and Col1a2 genes, which encode the 2 subunits of the abundantly expressed protein collagen 1. APA exerts this effect by shortening the 3′UTRs of the Col1a1 and Col1a2 mRNAs, thus removing the binding sites of miR-29a-3p, which would otherwise strongly promote the degradation of both transcripts. Taken together, our study is the first to characterize the crucial roles of APA in regulating the 3′UTR landscape and modulating gene expression during fracture healing.

ZrO2 and ZrO2:Dy3+ (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 mol%) powders are synthesized via solution combustion method. Structural, luminescent, and optical characterization of the synthesized series is performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, respectively. XRD pattern reveals that ZrO2:Dy3+ (1 mol%) has a single-phase tetragonal crystal structure with space group P42/nmc. FTIR spectrum reveals the presence of Zr–O vibration mode of the t-ZrO2 phase. PL result of ZrO2 reveals that a broad band is obtained in the blue region when excited under 240 nm and for ZrO2:Dy3+, three characteristic emission peaks are obtained at 484, 585, and 680 nm that are ascribed to the electronic transition of Dy3+ ion. The optimal molar concentration is obtained at 1 mol% and exchange interaction is the main cause for the concentration quenching process in ZrO2:Dy3+ samples. The optical bandgap of ZrO2 and ZrO2:Dy3+ is found to be 3.27 and 3.50 eV, respectively.

The thermoluminescence (TL) response and kinetic parameters of CaMgB2O5:Tb3+ phosphor against UV-C radiations (λ = 254 nm) had been investigated. The powder X-ray diffraction results confirm the formation of the monoclinic phase. TL results depict that the glow curve exhibited a broad peak centered at 430 K. The position and the shape of the curve were not influenced by the increase in dose, which is one of the requirements for dosimetric application. TL response curve was studied and showed a linear behavior against the studied dose (10–180 min). The effect of different heating rates on the TL intensity and the position of the glow peak were discussed in detail. In addition to this, the detailed examination of the glow peaks using variable heating rate and glow curve deconvolution methods was done to reveal the trapping parameters and to check the suitability of the present nanophosphor for UV-C dosimetry application.

The present investigation aimed to explore the potential of different organs and group of cells (calli) of the same plant for the biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using leaf and aerial part of the plant as organ and leaf derived calli as a group of cells of choice. Zinc nitrate and zinc acetate were used as a precursor for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. The callus was generated on MS basal medium with 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) (0.25–3.0 mgl−1) and kinetin (Kn) (0.5–2.0 mgl−1) in all possible combinations as a growth regulator. Maximum callus induction frequency (96.56 ± 0.20%) was reported in cultures having 2,4-D+Kn in 2.0 mgl−1 + 1.0 mgl−1 concentration. The synthesized nanoparticles were preliminarily characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy for their confirmation of synthesis and stability after 10 days. The characterization of synthesized nanoparticles was carried by using XRD, TEM for their crystal shape, size and morphology. XRD analysis suggests crystalline nature with wurtzite hexagonal shape of all synthesized nanoparticles for different plant material used, confirming the potential of Calli as an alternate source of plant material for the synthesis of nanoparticles. TEM analysis suggests the size of nanoparticles, with the smallest nanoparticles (less than 15 nm) were synthesized using aerial parts of the plant. The functional groups present in the plant extract may responsible for the bio-reduction and capping of nanoparticles were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy and results revealed the presence of phytochemicals on the surfaces of synthesized nanoparticles. The antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles was tested against different bacterial strains, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumonia, and E. coli and clear zone of inhibition showed their anti-bacterial potential.

An efficient in vitro propagation protocol for an important medicinal endangered herb Ferula jaeschkeana has been developed through somatic embryogenesis. 12 week old friable calli were derived from petiole explants on a medium supplemented with 2.0 mgl−1 2,4-D and 1.0 mgl−1 Kn and used as mother source for somatic embryogenesis. Different auxins (2,4-D, IBA, IAA and NAA) in different concentrations (0.2–4.0 mgl−1) was used to produce embryogenic callus. Eighty four percent calli produced globular embryos on a medium supplemented with 4.0 mgl−1 2,4-D. The globular embryo then mature on culture medium (Control) or supplemented with different addictives (auxin, proline and ABA), maturation was significantly affected by ABA, proline and number of subcultures with maximum number of mature embryo (32.1 ± 0.2) was formed on medium fortified with 2.0 mgl−1 proline. Mature embryos had two well-developed cotyledons and an elongated hypocotyl root axis. 78% of these embryos were transformed into plantlets when placed in culture medium fortified with 0.2 + 0.01 + 0.05 mgl−1 (BAP:IBA:GA3) respectively. Regenerated plants were hardened in vermiculite with a 23% survival rate. The regenerated plants showed normal diploid chromosome number (2n = 22) and leaf morphology was comparable to in vivo plant.

Valeriana wallichii DC. (Valerianaceae), a threatened medicinal plant of Himalayan region, has individuals showing 3 patterns of sex expression (female, hermaphrodite, and gynomonoecious). In the present study, the effect of floral size reduction on pollination efficiency of female flowers on female plants of Valeriana wallichii has been determined. To check entomophily as the possible mode of pollination, plants growing in nature are monitored whether or not the flowers are visited by some insects. Apis dorsata and Apis cerana are observed to be the main pollinators of this species. Female plants receive less pollinator service as compared to hermaphrodite plants. Reduced floral size in females offers more number of stigmas to get pollinated in a single visit as greater number of flowers get in contact with the visiting insect. The time of stigma receptivity also varies in female and hermaphrodite flowers. In females, it remains receptive for longer duration. Further, the pollen load on stigmata of open pollinated hermaphrodite as well as female flowers is studied. It is experimentally demonstrated that at the end of the season, the amount of pollen load is lesser in females as compared to hermaphrodites. Reproductive output of both types of individuals is estimated, and seed germination experiments are performed. Reproductive output and seed germination are more in females.

Assessment of the geomorphometric parameters using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools forms an important part in routing the runoff and other hydrological processes. The current study uses a geospatial model based on geomorphometric parameters for the categorization of surface runoff and identification of the erosion-prone areas in the watershed of the Kuttiyadi River. The 4th order Kuttiyadi river is dominated by a dendritic to semi-dendritic drainage pattern in the subwatersheds. The linear aspect of the subwatersheds indicates towards the presence of permeable surface and subsurface materials with uniform lithology. The aerial and relief aspects of the subwatersheds shows fine drainage texture, gentle slopes, delayed peak flow, flatter hydrograph, and large concentration time which shows that subwatersheds are quite capable of managing flash floods during storm events. The estimated values of surface runoff (Q) and sediment production rate (SPR) are range from 2.13 to 32.88 km2-cm/km2 and 0.0004–0.017 Ha-m/100km2/year respectively and suggest that Subwatershed 1 (SW1) will generate more surface runoff and is prone to soil erosion followed by subwatershed 2 (SW2) in comparison to other subwatersheds. This paper aims to fill the knowledge gap regarding categorization of flow and erosion dynamics in a coastal river watershed. We believe that our work may work help in providing the crucial information for decision-makers and policymakers responsible for establishing suitable policies and sustainable land use practices for the watershed.

This paper reports the spectroscopic investigation of Ba3Zr2O7 phosphors. A series of Ba3Zr2O7: Eu3+ with the different molar concentrations (0–4 mol.%) of europium (Eu3+) ion is synthesized by the solution combustion method. The synthesized powders are characterized systematically using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction results indicate that the synthesized powder has a tetragonal crystal structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to study the elemental composition of the synthesized phosphor. Field emission scanning electron microscopy result reveals that non-uniform morphology is formed. Photoluminescence spectroscopy result shows several emission peaks due to electronic transitions of Eu3+ ion, and the dominant peak is observed at 613 nm due to electric dipole transition 5D0 → 7F2. CIE coordinates of Eu3+-activated Ba3Zr2O7 phosphor is found to be (x = 0.64, y = 0.36) which gives bright red emission. The optical band gap of the phosphors is obtained from the diffuse reflectance spectrum and found in the range of 4.62–4.83 eV.

The inducement of this paper was the revelation of true microstructure-hardening relationship in heat affected zones (HAZs) of P91B steels. This work reports erroneous metallographic practices in revealing true microstructure and establishes prior austenite grain (PAG) hardening and softening phenomenon. Different HAZs were simulated having distinguished microstructural features. True microstructure of simulated and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) samples were revealed completely and discussed with respect to microhardness indicating the degree of hardening. It was revealed that true microstructure features of sub-HAZs were governed by peak temperature, hold time at peak temperature, PAG size, and microhardness. The simulated samples showed different microstructural features on using different reagents/etchants. Rate of revealing microstructural features and degree of keying force influencing PAG size were observed to be dependent on peak temperature and hold time at peak temperature. However, true-microstructural features of furnace simulated and PWHT samples were independent of reagents’ composition. Degree of hardening varied due to the difference in solid solution strengthening and formation of second phases at a given peak temperature and hold time at peak temperature. In simulated samples, PAG softening was observed for coarse-grained HAZ (CGHAZ) after PWHT, while in furnace simulated samples, softening occurred in inter-critical HAZ (furnace simulated ICHAZ). Interpass temperature with second pass led to the formation of mixed PAGs and PAG hardening. This hardening was retained in inter-critically reheated CGHAZ after PWHT, whereas it was absent in super-critically reheated CGHAZ.

We have disclosed the synthesis of pyranoquinoline derivatives via a one-pot reaction of 4-nitro benz aldehyde, malononitrile/ethyl cyanoacetate and 8-hydroxyquinoline using 30 mol.% DMAP in ethanol under reflux conditions. The Fourier transform infrared spectra of ethyl 2-amino-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-4H-pyra no[3,2-h]quinoline-3-carboxylate were recorded within the range 4000–400 cm–1. The Hartree–Fock and density functional theory on the 6-311G basis set have been utilized to calculate molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies, atomic charges and thermodynamic parameters. Further, the vibrational energy distribution analysis program was applied to assign the vibrational wavenumbers based on potential energy distribution. The HOMO–LUMO energies, the temperature dependence of the thermodynamic properties, the total electron density, and molecular electrostatic potential maps are also studied.

An efficient protocol for in-direct in vitro regeneration of Viola canescens is described using petiole derived callus. Proliferation of callus was achieved using 2,4-D, 2,4-D: Kn, 2-4D: BAP; IBA alone or in combination with Kn on Murashige and Skoog medium. The callus differentiated into multiple shooting buds on MS medium fortified with different concentrations of various cytokinins (Kn, BAP, Zeatine and Gibberellin). Maximum average number of shoots (19.93 ± 1.79) and maximum average length of petiole (5.41 ± 0.47) was achieved when medium was fortified with 22.20 µM BAP and 18.60 + 4.0 µM Kn + Gibberellin, respectively. The microshoots were separated and rooted on full and half strength MS medium fortified with different concentrations of various auxins (IBA and NAA). Maximum average number (14.30 ± 2.24) and length (3.98 ± 0.73) of root was recorded on half strength medium fortified with 4.92 µM IBA. The regenerated plantlets were phenotypically normal and successfully transplanted to soil conditions with 90% survival percentage.

Hydrothermal synthesis of pure, europium doped sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF4: Eu3+) and NaYF4: Eu3+@NaGdF4 core–shell nanostructures by using trisodium citrate as chelating agent is reported. The control of nanostructure morphology as function of heating time intervals under same reaction condition at 180 °C has been achieved. The synthesized nanostructures were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Rietveld refinenement, field emission electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. PXRD analysis reveals that all synthesized nanostructures have hexagonal phase without any impurity. Thermogravimetric analysis suggests appreciable thermal stability of synthesized lanthanide doped fluorides and core–shell nanostructures. Photoluminescence spectra of the as synthesized nanocomposites were investigated in details which indicate that the emission intensities are modulated by the morphology of nanostructures which in turn is regulated by varying heating time intervals.

In an attempt to understand the effect of boron addition on creep deformation behavior under high stress and high temperature in martensitic P91 steel, impression creep tests were carried out on boron-free P91 (P91) and boron-added P91 (P91B) steels. The experimental program consisted of three steps, i.e., characterization of as-received steels by microhardness, optical microscopy (OM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and wavelength-dispersive spectroscopy (WDS); impression creep tests at 445 MPa and 625 °C on as-received steels; characterization at deformed plastic zones of impression-crept specimens by microhardness, OM, EBSD, TEM and WDS. Impression creep tests were run till a depth of penetration of 1.8 mm was achieved for both cases which ensured a sufficient plastic zone underneath indenter for subsequent microstructural investigations. Coarsening of M23C6 carbides was observed in P91 steel during high-temperature creep loading, which leads to extensive strain hardening in deformed plastic region, resulting in impaired creep performance. On the contrary, dynamic recrystallization in P91B steel results in formation of small strain-free grains during creep loading which are responsible for increased resistance of the material to shear stresses during an impression creep test.

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is an important plant used for rearing silkworm (Bombyx mori L.). Its fruit is also used for human consumption with several medicinal properties. Most of the mulberry cultivation in India is under the risk of either intermittent or terminal drought, as 50% of the country’s mulberry acreage falls under arid and semi-arid conditions. Triazole-induced abiotic stress tolerance has been used successfully in many horticultural crops including planted trees. In order to understand the underlying mechanism, the effect of paclobutrazol (PBZ), a triazole, was studied on physiological tolerance in mulberry under water stress, and rainfed conditions. During pot experiment, PBZ improved photosynthetic accumulation of CO2 under water stress conditions, thus improving survival percentage. Different concentrations of PBZ (5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 mg L−1) were applied in field during rainfed conditions. Lower concentration (10–25 mg L−1) of PBZ significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved leaf biomass by increasing net photosynthetic rates. Increase in the photochemical efficiency of PSII and higher NPQ mediated through xanthophyll cycle was found to be the mechanism for these physiological effects. PBZ also reduced lipid peroxidation by inducing enzymatic antioxidants and redox metabolites. Bioassays do not suggest any negative interactions on silkworm or on downstream processing of silk. This study, therefore, provides mechanism of physiological tolerance and recommends the use of PBZ to mitigate stressful environment in planted trees under water stress and rainfed conditions. Results have been discussed in context of improving commercial silk yield.

In the present study, the chromosomes of three species of tribe Eristalini (family Syrphidae) were studied for karyotypic details, morphometric data, C-banding and meiosis. Two species Eristalinus laetus and E. obscuritarsis showed 2n = 10 diploid chromosome number and the remaining third species E. obliquus revealed 2n = 12 chromosomes as diploid number. All the three species exhibited XY sex mechanism in males. The morphology of Y chromosome was similar in all the three species studied. C-banding revealed the presence of constitutive heterochromatin at pericentromeric locations and established the euchromatic or heterochromatic nature of sex chromosomes. Meiotic observations included leptotene, pachytene, diplotene, metaphase-II and anaphase-II. The study is useful in chromosomal evolution and in the solution of taxonomic problems within the family Syrphidae.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has surfaced as a global pandemic and has created an unprecedented global demand for medical equipment. The shortage of onsite workforce, need for social distancing and less time available for sourcing have further made it difficult for the governments and the medical professionals to combat the pandemic. This study’s prime objective is to review the advancements in the area of 3D printing to develop medical equipment and explore the potential of 3D printing in addressing the shortage of medical equipment mainly the personal protective equipment (PPE) amidst COVID-19 pandemic. 3D printing or additive manufacturing has emerged as a new manufacturing process with tremendous potential to develop complex products in short time with minimal human interventions. The paper summarises 3D printing’s potential to serve the increasing need for medical equipment, mainly personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilator equipment in the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. The minimum human interventions required to carry out production using 3D printing also make the technology an excellent option to deal with the current situation. The recommendations and opinions presented in the paper shall act as a stimulant to develop components very critical for the pandemic and help save precious lives globally.

A chitinolytic bacterium Chitinophaga sp. S167 producing extracellular chitinases was isolated from a soil sample in India. The extracellular chitinases produced by S167 were concentrated by ammonium sulphate precipitation (AS70) and seven bands corresponding to chitinases were observed by zymography. Optimum temperature and pH of AS70 were between 40 and 45 °C and pH 6.0 respectively with high stability at 20-40 °C and pH 5-7. AS70 inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium sp. in vitro. The culture conditions for the high level production of extracellular chitinases were optimized resulting in 48-folds higher chitinase production. As the combination of chitinases could be more potent in biocontrol of plant diseases, it was checked if AS70 could control postharvest fungal infection caused by Fusarium oxysporum on tomatoes. AS70 treated tomatoes showed significant lower incidence of infection (11%) by F. oxysporum as compared with 100% in the control at 5 days post inoculation. Further, AS70 caused significant mortality in second stage juveniles of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, a major agriculture pest responsible for economic losses in agriculture. This study highlights the antifungal and nematicidal activity of chitinases produced by Chitinophaga sp. S167. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the biocontrol potential of the chitinases produced by Chitinophaga sp.

Graft versus host disease (GvHD) is the main complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Here we report studies of a patient with chronic GvHD (cGvHD) carrying persistent CD4 T cell clonal expansion harboring somatic mTOR, NFKB2, and TLR2 mutations. In the screening cohort (n = 134), we detect the mTOR P2229R kinase domain mutation in two additional cGvHD patients, but not in healthy or HSCT patients without cGvHD. Functional analyses of the mTOR mutation indicate a gain-of-function alteration and activation of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling pathways, leading to increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing and real-time impedance measurements support increased cytotoxicity of mutated CD4 T cells. High throughput drug-sensitivity testing suggests that mutations induce resistance to mTOR inhibitors, but increase sensitivity for HSP90 inhibitors. Our findings imply that somatic mutations may contribute to aberrant T cell proliferations and persistent immune activation in cGvHD, thereby paving the way for targeted therapies. + +, This work was supported by the European Research Council (M-IMM project), Academy of Finland (Decisions 287224, 314442), Finnish special governmental subsidy for health sciences, research and training, Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Instrumentarium Science foundation, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences Fellow funding, Cancer Foundation Finland, and Finnish Cancer Institute. T.L. was supported by the Academy of Finland (Decisions 311081 and 314557). This study was supported by Finnish Functional Genomics Center, University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University and Biocenter Finland. IT Center for Science LTD (CSC) is acknowledged for their help and computing resources.

Background Earthworm communities are generally very sensitive to physico-chemical properties of the soil in different agro-ecosystem i.e. cultivated or non-cultivated which directly or indirectly influence the earthworm survival. The difference in physico-chemical properties of soil at different sites contributed to the formation of population patches for earthworm species. Understanding the physico-chemical properties of soil at a particular site could facilitate the prediction of earthworm species at that site. The objective of the present study was to investigate the diversity, abundance, and distribution of earthworms in cultivated and non-cultivated agroecosystems and their physico-chemical properties affecting the earthworm diversity and abundance. Results Total 10 species of earthworms i.e. Amynthas alexandri, Amynthas morrisi, Eutyphoeus incommodus, Eutyphoeus waltoni, Metaphire birmanica, Metaphire houlleti, Metaphire posthuma, Octochaetona beatrix, Perionyx excavatus, and Polypheretima elongata, were reported. Out of all the reported species, Metaphire posthuma was found to be the most abundant earthworm species in both cultivated and non-cultivated agroecosystems with the occurrence at 56.81% sites. The Shannon-Wiener index (H), Margalef species richness index (DMg) and Pielou species evenness (E) was ranged from 0 to 0.86, 0 to 0.64 and 0.78 to 1 respectively. The principal component analysis resulted in four principal components i.e. PC1, PC2, PC3 and PC4 which contributing variance (%) of 22.96, 19.37, 14.23 and 10.10 respectively. The principal component analysis also showed that physico-chemical parameters of soil such as EC, pH, TDS, texture, OC, moisture, etc. play a critical role in earthworm distribution. Conclusion The conventional farming system has a negative effect on the earthworm diversity in the soil while the physico-chemical properties of soil also have a determinant effect on the same. Earthworms abundance in the present study have significant direct relation with soil properties at a particular site and vice versa. The diversity indices also change due to the conventional farming system which directly affects the earthworm abundance.