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Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is the third most important vegetable in Asia and of considerable importance in the Mediterranean belt. Although global eggplant production has been increasing in recent years, productivity is limited due to insects, diseases, and abiotic stresses. Genetic engineering offers new traits to eggplant, such as seedless parthenocarpic fruits, varieties adapted to extreme climatic events (i.e., sub- or supra-optimal temperatures), transcription factor regulation, overexpressing osmolytes, antimicrobial peptides, Bacillusthuringiensis (Bt) endotoxins, etc. Such traits either do not occur naturally in eggplant or are difficult to incorporate by conventional breeding. With controversies, Bt-expressing eggplant varieties resistant to eggplant fruit and shoot borers have already been adopted for commercial cultivation in Bangladesh. However, to maximize the benefits of transgenic technology, future studies should emphasize testing transgenic plants under conditions that mimic field conditions and focus on the plant’s reproductive stage. In addition, the availability of the whole genome sequence, along with an efficient in vitro regeneration system and suitable morphological features, would make the eggplant an alternative model plant in which to study different aspects of plant biology in the near future.

Plants synthesize a diversity of volatile molecules that are important for reproduction and defense, serve as practical products for humans, and influence atmospheric chemistry and climate. Despite progress in deciphering plant volatile biosynthesis, their release from the cell has been poorly understood. The default assumption has been that volatiles passively diffuse out of cells. By characterization of a Petunia hybrida adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette (ABC) transporter, PhABCG1, we demonstrate that passage of volatiles across the plasma membrane relies on active transport. PhABCG1 down-regulation by RNA interference results in decreased emission of volatiles, which accumulate to toxic levels in the plasma membrane. This study provides direct proof of a biologically mediated mechanism of volatile emission.

Vehicular safety messaging is warranted mostly in turbulent traffic situations in which even cluster based MAC protocols are beset by problems of cluster rupture, which leads to non-availability of channels to vehicles even when channels are idle. To solve this, motion parameters based cluster medium access (MPMAC) protocol is presented in this paper. The vehicles organize themselves into headless clusters without any messaging. The members of a cluster are not spatially bunched and may belong to different lanes. Each cluster has channels earmarked with the flexibility of utilizing idle channels belonging to other clusters. Safety messages are accorded higher priority with one channel dedicated exclusively for these messages. To enhance channel utilization and avoid the hidden station problem, the RSU monitors the channels and periodically advertises the channel usage map. The MPMAC protocol increases the system’s throughput by enhancing channel utilization and facilitates the availability of channels during traffic conditions like phantom jams, lane changing and congestion. The delivery of safety messages to intended vehicles is ensured make provisions for flexible and prioritized channel access in addition to an earmarked channel. Simulation results show that the proposed MPMAC protocol is able to provide sufficient channels for dissemination of safety and other messages with enhanced throughput, fair access, and increased channel utilization while minimizing cluster formation overheads.

The Old City Cemetery in Murfreesboro TN is a 3.5-acre cemetery site which encompasses the buried archaeological remains of the 1820 Old First Presbyterian Church and associated burial sites. To understand burial signatures, verify the location of the church and assist the Rutherford County Archaeological Society (RCAS) with their conservation and restoration project, we have conducted an integrated geophysical investigation using the ground penetrating radar (GPR), magnetic and electromagnetic methods. Our results show numerous magnetic anomalies arranged in a quasi-regular grid pattern over portions of the site where headstones are absent. The dimensions, and separation of the anomalies are consistent with graves. Other unmarked graves are indicated by diffraction hyperbolae in GPR profiles. In some cases, GPR, electromagnetic and magnetic anomalies are related to existing graves, indicated with headstones in the northern part of the cemetery. Geophysical signatures in the southern portion of the cemetery are interpreted as potential locations for burials. A rectangular grouping of anomalies is also observed at the church location. This verifies the area of the church foundation which was previously excavated. Additionally, a long linear anomaly (LLA) is identified in all three datasets and is thought to possibly indicate a brick path or similar feature. The study provides a useful combination of GPR, magnetic and electromagnetic methods for historical cemetery characterization.

Among the diverse array of heat shock proteins across the three domains of life, mitochondria-targeted small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are evolved in the plant lineage. However, they remained mysterious and understudied. In this study, we reported a systematic study of a novel mitochondria-targeted nuclear sHSP from eggplant ( Solanum melongena L.; SmsHSP24.1). Differential expression of SmsHSP24.1 indicated its positive role exerted during stress conditions. Escherichia coli -BL21 cell line overexpressing the SmsHSP24.1 showed excellent thermo-tolerance ability, tolerating up to 52°C. Spectrometry and electron microscopy revealed a multimeric structure of the protein which acted as a molecular chaperone at high temperatures. Overexpression of SmsHSP24.1 significantly enhanced resistance against heat, drought, and salt stresses and showed rapid germination in constitutively overexpressed eggplant lines. RNA-seq analysis reveals an apparent upregulation of a set of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes of the glutathione (GHS) pathway and mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC). Significant upregulation was also observed in auxin biosynthesis and cell-wall remodeling transcripts in overexpressed lines. qPCR, biochemical and physiological analysis further aligned with the finding of transcriptome analysis and suggested an essential role of SmsHSP24.1 under various stress responses and positive physiological influence on the growth of eggplants. Therefore, this gene has immense potential in engineering stress-resilient crop plants.

Seismic velocity modeling is being frequently applied for void detection within the first few meters from the surface. Velocity of the medium would likely to be affected at the transition due to construction artifacts, which results in velocity contrast at the boundary between two mediums. These variations indicate a deviation of the medium from natural conditions and provide information on the state of the material or the nature of compaction associated with void. We have demonstrated a combination of surface wave inversion to generate shear velocity models (VS) using two Rayleigh wave and Love wave datasets each, to model two well documented pipes and a poorly documented backfill. Data was acquired using two different sources, which are—Source (1) betsy seisgun, and Source (2) thumper (weight drop). Overall, all the VS models show anomalous structure in the location of the backfill with velocity increase of ~ 400 m/s except the VS from source 2 Love wave (~ 300 m/s). On the other hand, the western pipe also presents a common anomalous zone with elevated velocity within a background velocity of 200 m/s. Although the eastern pipe did not show any detectable anomalous characteristics, still the combination of all the VS models resolved the backfilled area and the western pipe indicating that comparable VS models derived from various data can be effectively applied for void detection.

Drought is one of the most important constraints on the growth and productivity of many crops, including soybeans. However, as a primary sensing organ, the plant root response to drought has not been well documented at the proteomic level. In the present study, we carried out a proteome analysis in combination with physiological analyses of soybean roots subjected to severe but recoverable drought stress at the seedling stage. Drought stress resulted in the increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent lipid peroxidation. The proline content increased in drought-stressed plants and then decreased during the period of recovery. The high-resolution proteome map demonstrated significant variations in about 45 protein spots detected on Comassie briliant blue-stained 2-DE gels. Of these, 28 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry; the levels of 5 protein spots were increased, 21 were decreased and 2 spots were newly detected under drought condition. When the stress was terminated by watering the plants for 4 days, in most cases, the protein levels tended towards the control level. The proteins identified in this study are involved in a variety of cellular functions, including carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism, cell wall modification, signal transduction, cell defense and programmed cell death, and they contribute to the molecular mechanism of drought tolerance in soybean plants. Analysis of protein expression patterns revealed that proteins associated with osmotic adjustment, defense signaling and programmed cell death play important roles for soybean plant drought adaptation. The identification of these proteins provides new insight that may lead to a better understanding of the molecular basis of the drought stress responses.

Small heat shock proteins are involved in stress tolerance. We previously isolated and characterized a rice cDNA clone, Oshsp26 , encoding a chloroplast-localized small heat shock protein that is expressed following oxidative or heat stress. In this study, we transferred this gene to tall fescue plants by an Agrobacterium -mediated transformation system. The integration and expression of the transgene was confirmed by PCR, Southern, northern, and immunoblot analyzes. Compared to the control plants, the transgenic plants had significantly lower electrolyte leakage and accumulation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances when exposed to heat or methyl viologen. The photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (Fv/Fm) in the transgenic tall fescue plants was higher than that in the control plants during heat stress (42°C). These results suggest that the OsHSP26 protein plays an important role in the protection of PSII during heat and oxidative stress in vivo.

The bacterial species Campylobacter jejuni RM1221 (CjR) is the primary cause of campylobacteriosis which poses a global threat for human health. Over the years the efficacy of antibiotic treatment is becoming more fruitless due to the development of multiple drug resistant strains. Therefore, identification of new drug targets is a valuable tool for the development of new treatments for affected patients and can be obtained by targeting essential protein(s) of CjR. We conducted this in silico study in order to identify therapeutic targets by subtractive CjR proteome analysis. The most important proteins of the CjR proteome, which includes chokepoint enzymes, plasmid, virulence and antibiotic resistant proteins were annotated and subjected to subtractive analyses to filter out the CjR essential proteins from duplicate or human homologous proteins. Through the subtractive and characterization analysis we have identified 38 eligible therapeutic targets including 1 potential vaccine target. Also, 12 potential targets were found in interactive network, 5 targets to be dealt with FDA approved drugs and one pathway as potential pathway based drug target. In addition, a comprehensive database 'CampyNIBase' has also been developed. Besides the results of this study, the database is enriched with other information such as 3D models of the identified targets, experimental structures and Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) sequences. This study, including the database might be exploited for future research and the identification of effective therapeutics against campylobacteriosis. URL: (http://nib.portal.gov.bd/site/page/4516e965-8935-4129-8c3f-df95e754c562#Banner).

Objectives: This research aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize a new strain of Bacillus cereus through different molecular biology approaches so that it could be further studied for therapeutic purposes against selective enteric pathogens. Materials and Methods: Pure isolates of B. cereus were prepared from buffalo yogurt samples in REMBA medium. Initially, the morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties were studied accordingly. Following the tests, the molecular identification for the strain identification was conducted through plasmid DNA extraction, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, and 16S rRNA sequencing up to 1.37 kb. Afterward, the antibiotic sensitivity [Epsilometer test (E-Test)] and anti¬fungal activity were tested considering different concentrations. Being classified from the aforementioned tests, a comprehensive antimicrobial activity test was conducted using the cell-free-su¬pernatant (CFS) of the test strain against selective enteric pathogens in humans in vitro. Besides, the different clusters of genes were identified and characterized for understanding the presump¬tive bacteriocins present in the CFS of the strain in silico, where molecular string properties were calculated. Finally, the evolutionary relationship among diversified bacteriocins synthesized by different Bacillus strains was studied to predict the CFS-containing bacteriocins of the new strain. Results: Purified isolates of B. cereus were Gram-positive rods and showed significant tolerance (p < 0.0001) to different concentrations of pH, phenol, bile salt, and NaCl. 16S rRNA revealed the strain as LOCK 1002, which was strongly sensitive to all the antibiotics used and resistant to selec¬tive antifungal agents. The CFS of B. cereus LOCK 1002 was found to be a very promising antago¬nist to all the enteric pathogens used in the culture condition. Two gene clusters were predicted to be interconnected and responsible for different presumptive bacteriocins. Conclusion: The newly identified LOCK 1002 can be a very potent strain of B. cereus in use as an antimicrobial agent for having different bacteriocin coding gene clusters.