Publications by authors named "Akanksha Gandhi"

The degradation of cellulose generates cellooligomers, which function as damage-associated molecular patterns and activate immune and cell wall repair responses via the CELLOOLIGOMER RECEPTOR KINASE1 (CORK1). The most active cellooligomer for the induction of downstream responses is cellotriose, while cellobiose is around 100 times less effective. These short-chain cellooligomers are also metabolized after uptake into the cells.

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The productivity of plants is hindered by unfavorable conditions. To perceive stress signals and to transduce these signals to intracellular responses, plants rely on membrane-bound receptor-like kinases (RLKs). These play a pivotal role in signaling events governing growth, reproduction, hormone perception, and defense responses against biotic stresses; however, their involvement in abiotic stress responses is poorly documented.

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The integrity of the cell wall is important for plant cells. Mechanical or chemical distortions, tension, pH changes in the apoplast, disturbance of the ion homeostasis, leakage of cell compounds into the apoplastic space or breakdown of cell wall polysaccharides activate cellular responses which often occur via plasma membrane-localized receptors. Breakdown products of the cell wall polysaccharides function as damage-associated molecular patterns and derive from cellulose (cello-oligomers), hemicelluloses (mainly xyloglucans and mixed-linkage glucans as well as glucuronoarabinoglucans in Poaceae) and pectins (oligogalacturonides).

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We have recently demonstrated that the cellulose breakdown product cellotriose is a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) which induces responses related to the integrity of the cell wall. Activation of downstream responses requires the Arabidopsis malectin domain-containing CELLOOLIGOMER RECEPTOR KINASE1 (CORK1). The cellotriose/CORK1 pathway induces immune responses, including NADPH oxidase-mediated reactive oxygen species production, mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/6 phosphorylation-dependent defense gene activation, and the biosynthesis of defense hormones.

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Cell wall integrity (CWI) maintenance is central for plant cells. Mechanical and chemical distortions, pH changes, and breakdown products of cell wall polysaccharides activate plasma membrane-localized receptors and induce appropriate downstream responses. Microbial interactions alter or destroy the structure of the plant cell wall, connecting CWI maintenance to immune responses.

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Plants and insect herbivores are in a relentless battle to outwit each other. Plants have evolved various strategies to detect herbivores and mount an effective defense system against them. These defenses include physical and structural barriers such as spines, trichomes, cuticle, or chemical compounds, including secondary metabolites such as phenolics and terpenes.

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Plants are under constant attack by a suite of insect herbivores. Over millions of years of coexistence, plants have evolved the ability to sense insect feeding via herbivore-associated elicitors in oral secretions, which can mobilize defense responses. However, herbivore-associated elicitors and the intrinsic downstream modulator of such interactions remain less understood.

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Background: Socio-economic status, health awareness, and dietary habits have been reported as common risk factors of dental caries and obesity. The present study aimed to explore shared mediators between caries and obesity and to estimate the effects of caries-related factors on adiposity.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among adolescents aged 18 years.

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Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of toxic metabolites of the heme pathway. It rarely presents in the prepubertal age group. AIP often presents with nonspecific and nonlocalizing symptoms.

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This study evaluated the effects of sodium chloride reduction and its substitution with potassium chloride on Akawi cheese during storage for 30 d at 4 °C. Survival of probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium longum) and starter bacteria (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus), angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory and antioxidant activities, and concentrations of standard amino acids as affected by storage in different brine solutions (10% NaCl, 7.

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Identifying the stress-response mechanism of probiotic bacteria has always captivated the interest of food producers. It is crucial to identify probiotic bacteria that have increased stress tolerance to survive during production, processing, and storage of food products. However, in order to achieve high resistance to environmental factors, there is a need to better understand stress-induced responses and adaptive mechanisms.

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The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of varying sodium chloride concentrations (0-5%) on viability and membrane integrity of three probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium longum, using conventional technique and flow cytometry. Double staining of cells by carboxyfluorescein diacetate (cFDA) and propidium iodide (PI) enabled to evaluate the effect of NaCl on cell esterase activity and membrane integrity. Observations from conventional culture technique were compared with findings from flow cytometric analysis on the metabolic activities of the cells and a correlation was observed between culturability and dye extrusion ability of L.

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The present investigation examined the effects of supplementation of milk peptide fractions produced by enzymatic hydrolysis on the fermentation of reconstituted skim milk (RSM). Changes in pH, cell growth, proteolytic activity, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity were monitored during fermentation of RSM by pure cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, and Streptococcus thermophilus.

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Excessive intake of NaCl has been associated with the increased risk of several diseases, particularly hypertension. Strategies to reduce sodium intake include substitution of NaCl with other salts, such as KCl. In this study, the effects of NaCl reduction and its substitution with KCl on cell membranes of a cheese starter bacterium (Lactococcus lactis ssp.

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The effects of sodium chloride concentration and varying pH levels on the structural and functional properties of Lactobacillus acidophilus were investigated. Reconstituted skim milk was inoculated with Lb. acidophilus at varying salt concentrations (0, 1, 2, 5 and 10% NaCl) and pH levels (4.

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In this study, the impact of fermentation of Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat) by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis was investigated. The interaction between starter culture and buckwheat dough matrix was evaluated with respect to microbial count, final pH, organic acids, total phenolic content and antioxidant potential.

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Although malaria is endemic in India, neonatal disease is considered rare. We report a case of neonatal malaria in a 26-day-old neonate with fever and splenomegaly who was diagnosed after a long and unsuccessful battery of tests for splenomegaly. Routine screening for malaria is essential for all neonates with fever in endemic areas.

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