The genus Phytopythium (Peronosporales) has been described, but a complete circumscription has not yet been presented. In the present paper we provide molecular-based evidence that members of Pythium clade K as described by Lévesque & de Cock (2004) belong to Phytopythium. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (LSU and SSU) and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) as well as statistical analyses of pairwise distances strongly support the status of Phytopythium as a separate phylogenetic entity. Phytopythium is morphologically intermediate between the genera Phytophthora and Pythium. It is unique in having papillate, internally proliferating sporangia and cylindrical or lobate antheridia. The formal transfer of clade K species to Phytopythium and a comparison with morphologically similar species of the genera Pythium and Phytophthora is presented. A new species is described, Phytopythium mirpurense.

Diagnosis of dieback and gummosis (caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.)) on mango in Sindh, Pakistan is described, including: taxonomy; symptoms and signs; host range; geographical distribution; pathogen isolation, identification, and storage; and pathogenicity tests. Accepted for publication 16 January 2004. Published 2 March 2004.

Background: ATP-binding cassette super family G2 protein is an active ATP-binding cassette transporter with potential to combat cancer stem cells. Objective: Due to the lack of potential ATP-binding cassette super family G2 inhibitors we screened natural inhibitors, which could be safe source to control multidrug resistance by blocking the regulation of ATP-binding cassette super family G2 protein. Method: Three-dimensional structure of ATP-binding cassette super family G2 protein downloaded from the protein databank and chemical structures of selected 166 compounds of the training dataset retrieved from PubChem. Drug-likeness and docking analysis shortlisted the dataset for pharmacophore generation. LigandScout 4.1.5 used for pharmacophore-based screening of Zbc library of ZINC database and Autodock Vina utilized for molecular docking against the predicted active pocket of the target protein to evaluate potential association of protein and ligands. Physiochemical properties of novel compounds calculated by admetSAR respectively. Results: Through pharmacophore-based screening, ZINC4098704 (Rhein) was identified as a lead compound which demonstrates least binding energy (-8.5) and highest binding affinity with the target protein and showed optimal physiochemical profile. This compound is highly recommended for laboratory test to confirm its activity as ATP-binding cassette super family G2 inhibitors. Conclusion: Our computer-based study systematically selected natural lead compound, which could be effective in inhibiting ATP-binding cassette super family G2 and may be helpful in reversing the effect of multidrug resistance in order to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy in cancer treatment.

No abstract

Strawberry is a non-climacteric fruit but exhibits very limited postharvest life due to rapid softening and decay. Therefore, the current study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different types of edible coatings to extend the postharvest life of strawberry fruit. The strawberry fruits of cultivar Chandler, grown under agro-climatic conditions of Multan, were coated with Aloe vera gel, chitosan (2%) or sodium alginate (2%) and kept in refrigerated storage at 5-7 °C with 50-60% RH for 12 days. The fruits were evaluated for sensory and biochemical quality attributes after every 4 days of storage. The results showed that overall coated fruits had prolonged storage life (8 days) as compared to non-coated fruits (4 days). Aloe vera gel coating maintained various quality attributes of strawberry fruits such as firmness, appearance, TSS (6.8°Brix), titratable acidity (1.14%), pH (3.27), ascorbic acid content (76 mg 100 mL-1), antioxidant activity (93%), anthocyanins (104 mg PE 100 g-1 FW) and total phenolic content (369.45 µg GE mL-1). Generally, all coatings prohibited the decay incidence. The results showed that edible coatings based on Aloe vera gel can be used as an effective alternative for other costly and synthetic chemicals.