Plant Defense Gene Regulation and Transcription Factor Dynamics

Plants respond to different pests and pathogens by activating a set of resistance genes that involve in substantial transcriptional reprogramming integrating hormonal, metabolic, and physiological movements.

These cumulative downstream defense responses alleviate pathogen and pest by subsequent local or systemic induced resistance. Hormone signaling and trans-acting regulatory factors/ Transcription factors (TFs) are the major factors that facilitate downstream defense responses in plants.

Approximately, 7% of plant genome coding sequences represent TFs. Among many different type of TFs available in plants, the most common TFs mainly belong to six groups; AP2/ERF, MYB, BZIP, WRKY, MYC and NAC. 

PDF LINK

Utilization of By-product from Tomato Processing Industry for the Development of New Product

Extrusion cooking is recognized as a smart technology for food processors. It is a low cost, high temperature, short-time process. In this the starchy ingredients are input to create a puffed snack.

However it contains multiple parameters that need to be rigorously controlled to develop an optimal process. Present study investigated the blends of corn flour, rice flour and tomato pomace (peel and seed), processed in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and examined the effect of incorporation of tomato byproduct derivatives on final extruded product quality of the ready -to-eat expanded product.

Furthermore, the physio-chemical properties, post cooking quality were analyzed for the extruded product. As tomato pomace, corn and rice flour are naturally gluten free, the extruded product would appeal to people who suffer from gluten intolerances, allergies and celiac disease.

PDF LINK

A New Nuclear DNA Marker Revealing Both Microsatellite Variations and Single Nucleotide Polymorphic Loci

Plant cultivars are important germplasm resources for socio-economic development. However, it is difficult to conduct accurate genetic evaluation on plant diversity solely on the basis of morphological traits which are easily affected by environmental conditions and may change during developmental stages of the planta.

Developing DNA markers with high resolution and sensitivity, especially at cultivar level, is a global challenge. We report a good methodology for rapid and efficient detection of plant genetic diversity at cultivar level.

A unique nucleotide molecular formula (NMF) was constructed for each crape myrtle using polymorphic nucleotide sites. Our results showed that the DNA sequence from chromatin remodeling gene region of the ubiquitin-proteasome system is useful for molecularly characterizing crape myrtle cultivars.

PDF LINK

Bioaerosol Formation and Bacterial Transfer from Commercial Automatic Hand Dryers

Hand hygiene is a critical factor in reducing the spread of diseasecausing microorganisms resulting in published guidelines on hand hygiene for health care workers and retail and food service workers.

An essential but frequently forgotten step in adequate hand hygiene is the drying method. The importance of hand drying was demonstrated by Patrick et al.

Hampton demonstrated that hand drying is an essential step in reducing the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitals but most hand washing protocols do not stipulate a hand drying technique.

PDF LINK

Nutritional Practices, Interventions and Recommendations for Junior Rugby League Players

Rugby league football is played at junior (Under 12-Under 20) and senior levels in several countries worldwide. For players over 13 years, the game is played under the international rules. It is a physical contact sport lasting between 60-80 minutes (depending on the standard of competition), during which players are subjected to high impact collisions, frequent intense bouts of running and tackling interspersed with short bouts of recovery. 

Players are required to have a highly developed level of strength, power, speed and agility, as well as both aerobic and anaerobic endurance; the levels of which increase with the level of competition. Further, the coordination of neuromuscular tasks including power, speed, strength into functional movements with appropriate psychological skills including pattern recognition, decision-making, dual-task and anticipation within the game are the key factors underpinning success.

Changes of Phospholipids in Duck Muscle by Different Heating Methods

Phospholipids comprise the main constituent of membranes, and are thus one of the chemical foundations of life. They are also important in nutrition and as flavor precursors. Phospholipids are formed from one molecule of glycerol, one molecule of a phosphorylated alcohol, and two molecules of a characteristic fatty acid. They have a high hydrolyzable capability due to their molecular structure and are prone to oxidation due to the high unsaturated fatty acid content in the fatty acid component.

Phospholipids and triacylglycerol are the major substrate of lipid oxidation. The degree of phospholipid hydrolyzation varies with animal species and muscle type and affects the storability of meat and cooking methods. The high oxidation activity of phospholipids is due to the component long-chainpolyunsaturated fatty acids, which are easily oxidized. In addition, as membrane components, phospholipids are in close contact with lipid oxidation catalysts in the cytoplasm. 

Bacillus thuringiensis Insecticides: Source of 2-Aminoacetophenone Formation in Wine?

The so-called “untypical aging off-flavor” (UTA) in wine is a negative change in the wine bouquet developed during storage, which leads to a considerable loss of wine quality.

A correlation between the appearance of UTA and the formation of 2-aminoacetophenone (AAP) in wine has been identified therefore, numerous studies concerning the source and formation pathways of AAP have been conducted with the aim of creating new knowledge about, and ultimately preventing the development of UTA.

However, the reasons for the formation of AAP and the associated appearance of UTA in wine have not yet been clarified in detail. In a previous publication, we showed that AAP can be formed by UV light irradiation of free and lysozyme-bound tryptophan (TRP) after transformation into model wine and storage.

PDF LINK

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Orthopaedic Patients in Abuth, Zaria

Staphylococcus aureus is commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy individuals. It is an important pathogen in human infections causing illness ranging from minor skin infections and abscesses to life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome and septicaemia which may be rapidly fatal. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been recognized since the first drugs were introduced for clinical use.

Penicillin was first introduced in 1941, when less than 1% of Staphylococcus aureus strains were resistant to its action. By 1947, 38% of hospital strains had acquired resistance and currently over 90% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates are resistant to penicillin. Increasing resistance to antibiotics is a consequence of selective pressure.

In orthopaedics, S. aureus has been implicated in surgical site infection, painful infection of joint fluid known as septic or infective arthritis, post-operative infection, implant devices, infection following trauma, chronic osteomyelitis subsequent to an open fracture, meningitis following skull fracture.

Effect of Nano-Zinc Oxide on the Leaf Physical and Nutritional Quality of Spinach

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a green-leafy vegetable belongs to family Amaranthaceae. It is often recognized as one of the functional foods for its wholesome nutritional, antioxidants and anti-cancer composition.

The major micronutrients in spinach are vitamins A (from β-carotene), C, K and folate, and the minerals, calcium, iron and potassium. Spinach also provides fibre and is low in calories.

Its tender, crispy, dark-green leaves are one of the favorite ingredients of chefs all around the world. Vegetables are also valuable in maintaining alkaline reserve of the body. They are valued mainly for high carbohydrate, vitamin and mineral contents.

PDF LINK

Management of Faba Bean Gall Disease (Kormid) in North Shewa Highlands, Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the world’s second largest producer of faba bean, but its share is only 6.96% of world production and 40.5% of Africa. Faba bean (Vicia fabae L.) is the major cool season food legumes produced in Ethiopia next to cereals.

It serves as major source of protein & income. The crop also fixes atmospheric nitrogen and improves soil fertility. Because of its wide importance to the nation it is cultivated in large area in the country as well as in Amhara region.

Production of faba bean is inhibited by several yield limiting factors, among which diseases are the main. In Ethiopia more than 17 disease causing pathogens are reported on faba bean. Major diseases recoded in faba bean includes, chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae), rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae), ascochyta blight (Ascochyta fabae), zonate leaf spot (Cercospora zonatae), and black root.

PDF LINK

Check how this probiotic can control dandruff

The skin is colonized by a diverse array of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. The skin microbiome is defined as the collection of all microbes that colonize the skin. Environments at various topographical areas of skin can affect the microbial colonization.

The major bacterial-fungal populations colonizing human scalps have been characterized. Furthermore, the dysbiosis of bacterial-fungal populations has been implicated in scalp dandruff, which presents as significant problems to large numbers of people.

Dandruff scalps are associated with a higher abundance of Malassezia restricta and Staphylococcal species. The severity of dandruff can range from mild scale formation similar to dry skin to seborrheic dermatitis.

PDF LINK

Check how this probiotic can control dandruff

The skin is colonized by a diverse array of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. The skin microbiome is defined as the collection of all microbes that colonize the skin. Environments at various topographical areas of skin can affect the microbial colonization.

The major bacterial-fungal populations colonizing human scalps have been characterized. Furthermore, the dysbiosis of bacterial-fungal populations has been implicated in scalp dandruff, which presents as significant problems to large numbers of people.

Dandruff scalps are associated with a higher abundance of Malassezia restricta and Staphylococcal species. The severity of dandruff can range from mild scale formation similar to dry skin to seborrheic dermatitis.

PDF LINK

Check how this probiotic can control dandruff

The skin is colonized by a diverse array of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. The skin microbiome is defined as the collection of all microbes that colonize the skin. Environments at various topographical areas of skin can affect the microbial colonization.

The major bacterial-fungal populations colonizing human scalps have been characterized. Furthermore, the dysbiosis of bacterial-fungal populations has been implicated in scalp dandruff, which presents as significant problems to large numbers of people.

Dandruff scalps are associated with a higher abundance of Malassezia restricta and Staphylococcal species. The severity of dandruff can range from mild scale formation similar to dry skin to seborrheic dermatitis.

PDF LINK

Check how this probiotic can control dandruff

The skin is colonized by a diverse array of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. The skin microbiome is defined as the collection of all microbes that colonize the skin. Environments at various topographical areas of skin can affect the microbial colonization.

The major bacterial-fungal populations colonizing human scalps have been characterized. Furthermore, the dysbiosis of bacterial-fungal populations has been implicated in scalp dandruff, which presents as significant problems to large numbers of people.

Dandruff scalps are associated with a higher abundance of Malassezia restricta and Staphylococcal species. The severity of dandruff can range from mild scale formation similar to dry skin to seborrheic dermatitis.

PDF LINK

Effects of Supplemental Virgin Coconut Oil and Condensed Tannin Extract from Pine Bark in Lactation Dairy Diets on Ruminal Fermentation in a Dual-flow Continuous Culture System

Improving feed efficiency and reducing nutrient excretion into the environment are essential elements for sustainable dairy production worldwide. In high quality forage diets fed ruminants, majority of dietary proteins can be rapidly degraded, releasing between 56 and 65% of dietary nitrogen (N) in the rumen during microbial fermentation.

Consequently, large losses of N as urea into urine (25-35%) occur after ammonia is absorbed through rumen wall, which is the primary source of volatile N to the environment. Thus, losses of dietary N can be reduced by decreasing protein degradation in the rumen. Simultaneously, methane (CH4) is produced in the rumen as a part of the normal process of ruminal feed digestion.

Typically, about 6 to 10% of the total gross energy consumed by dairy cows is converted to CH4 which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions in the environment. A variety of strategies have been studied to improve ruminal N metabolism and mitigate CH4 production, and feeding or supplementing specific substances as rumen modifiers that directly or indirectly inhibit ruminal N degradation as well as methanogenesis has been one of the most sought opportunities.

PDF LINK

Molecular and Morphological Characterisation of Back Cross Generations for Yield and Blast Resistance in Rice

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) being one of the prime staple crops of the world has a crucial role in the global food security and contributes for the livelihood of majority of the Asian population. Rice production and productivity are constrained by biotic and abiotic stresses in the growing areas.

Rice blast caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae has been recognized as one of the most serious diseases and is distributed across 85 countries globally. Host plant resistance has been recognized as an important strategy to manage blast disease compared to chemical control measures.

More than 100 blast resistance genes have been identified in rice but effective and durable use of these reported genes has been limited because of evolution of new virulent races of the fungus. Enhancing host plant resistance through pyramiding of multiple resistance genes is one of the useful strategies to avoid frequent breakdown of resistance.

PDF LINK

Microbiological Connection to Our Food, Nutrition, Health, and Disease

With ever-increasing population, governments across the globe keep feeling the pressure of ensuring availability of food to their masses. Malnutrition has been plaguing a large part of the world population, particularly in the developing and under-developed world.

Malnutrition also makes the victims more susceptible to different infections and physiological disorders. There are large scale social, economic, and political implications of failure of governments in tackling the problem of malnutrition. This problem is related to both quantity as well as quality of the food.

Microorganisms in the human gut are intimately associated with digestion and absorption of the food. The human gut microbiome has now been well demonstrated to have a strong connection to our health and disease. There are approximately 1014 microbial cells inside human gut, which weigh approximately 1 kg.  

PDF LINK

Sugarcane Juice Processing: Microbiological Monitoring

The demand for the production of safe high quality food, whichhas both thesensory and nutritional characteristics similar to the raw material used and extended shelf life, is ever growing in the national market.

However, some products, such as sugarcane juice, which is largely consumed in an informal marketplace, are frequently offered and sold in hygienic and sanitary conditions that are precarious at best. This presentsa threat to the health of consumers.A clear example of this potential danger is the 2005 incident in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina where sugarcane juice contaminated with the Trypanossomacruzi, an etiological agent forBarber Bug fever (Chagas), was sold and publically ingested.

Sugarcane juice is a low acidity drink (pH>4.6) with a high water activity (Aw=0.99) and composedof approximately 80% water and 20% total dissolved solids. Among these solids, one may highlight saccharose (17%), glucose (0.4%) and fructose (0.2%), as well as nitrogenous substances such as organic acids and also mineralsand such as iron, calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium.

PDF LINK

The mPEG-PCL Copolymer for Selective Fermentation of Staphylococcus lugdunensis Against Candida parapsilosis in the Human Microbiome

The skin is colonized by a diverse array of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. The skin microbiome is defined as the collection of all microbes that colonize the skin. Environments at various topographical areas of skin can affect the microbial colonization. The major bacterial-fungal populations colonizing human scalps have been characterized.

Furthermore, the dysbiosis of bacterial-fungal populations has been implicated in scalp dandruff, which presents as significant problems to large numbers of people. Dandruff scalps are associated with a higher abundance of Malassezia restricta and Staphylococcal species. The severity of dandruff can range from mild scale formation similar to dry skin to seborrheic dermatitis.

The impairment of proper hydration in skin barrier can result in the typical epidermal proliferation, keratinocyte differentiation and stratum corneum maturation, which may cause dandruff. Excessive secretion of the sebaceous gland also can underlie dandruff development. Besides dysfunction of the skin barrier and sebaceous gland, fungal/bacterial dysbiosis may be one of the factors that result in the progression of human dandruff.

PDF LINK

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Enterobacteriaceae and Coliforms Isolated on Farm, Packaged and Loose Vegetables in Kentucky

Over the last three decades the global consumption of fresh vegetables has increased significantly, thus the market segment for fresh produce has expanded by more than 20%. A survey conducted on American consumers’ choice of supermarkets revealed that freshness of the produce and its availability across the year was the single most deciding factor.

In an effort to understand consumers’ attitudes toward produce packaging, the Produce Marketing Association, Yerecic Label and the Perishables Group conducted a three-part study. Almost 90% of the participants responded that the most important feature of packaged produce is its ability to preserve freshness and taste.

All this has led to a greater availability of “four range” produce, a term that refers to packaged, cleaned, possibly chopped and sometimes-mixed produce ready for consumption.

PDF LINK