Use of Annual and Perennial Triticeae Species for Wheat Improvement

Constraints due to global biotic and abiotic stress continue to exist in wheat germ plasm. Novel genetic diversity resides in several annual/perennial Triticeae species that can be introgressed into wheat through intergeneric hybridization, of which Thinopyrum curvifolium is the principle source as it addresses the emphasis here for achieving wheat derivatives resistant to Helminthosporium leaf blight (Cochliobolus sativus). Some additional sources like Th. elongatum (2n=2x= 14) and Secale cereale are also mentioned. The interspecific hybridization strategy offers alien genetic introgression opportunities, for which the closely related Triticum species have a priority. Of these sources, the D genome T. tauschii (Aegilops squarrosa) accessions and some of the A genome species (T. boeoticum, T. monococcum and T. urartu) are being exploited

Temporal trends in hepatitis B and C infection in family blood donors from interior Sindh, Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infections are a serious global and national public health problem. Earlier studies have reported increasing rates of hepatitis infection in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas. Pakistan has no active surveillance program to monitor trends of these infections. The objective of this study was to verify this trend in blood donors from the rural Sindh area of the country.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study analysed the data of blood donors of interior Sindh who donated blood at JPMC blood bank from January 1, 2004 to September 15, 2007. HBsAg status was determined by using HBsAg Serodia kit and antibodies to HCV using the Detect HCV ™ V.3 Kit. Samples repeatedly reactive for HBsAg or anti-HCV were considered positive for HBV or HCV infection respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall seroprevalence of HBV infection among donors was 6.2 % (95% CI 5.5%–6.9%) and did not change significantly over the study period. Overall seroprevalence of HBV infection in literate blood donors was 5.7 %(95% CI 4.7%–6.8%). Prevalence decreased significantly in this group over the study period (p = 0.05). No other significant trends in seroprevalence of HBV infection were seen in the stratified analyses.</p> <p>The overall seroprevalence of HCV among donors was 7.5% (95% CI 6.8%–8.3%) and increased significantly over the study period from 7.2% (95% CI 5.8%–8.7%) in 2004 to 8.9% (95% CI 7.4%–10.6%) in 2007 (p = 0.02). Significant increase in seroprevalence was particularly seen in literate (p = 0.03), non–first time (p = 0.01) and Sindhi speaking (p = 0.01) donors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study finds a steady increase in the prevalence of HCV infection in blood donors from interior Sindh between 2004 and 2007. On the contrary, decreasing prevalence of HBV was found, particularly in literate blood donors. There may be a need to have rural community-based epidemiological studies to identify the determinants of the spread of HCV infection and also those that are limiting the spread of HBV infection particularly in the literate blood donor population.</p

Progress in Polyhaploid Production Techniques of Hexaploid Wheat through Wide Crosses

(Triticum aestivum L.) through wide crosses were evaluated in terms of pollen sources, 2,4-D application, embryo rescue and chromosome retention. Pollen sources included Hordeum bulbosum L., Zea mays L., Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br., Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, and Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L. Maize-mediated polyhaploid production was more stable than the other methods because of a lesser genotypic influence on embryo formation. Application of 2,4-D onto wheat after pollination was critical to promote seed setting and embryo formation in all cross combinations. Embryo rescue was necessary at an appropriate embryo developmental stage to obtain plant regeneration. Paternal chromosomes were eliminated by the stage of active growth of the polyhaploid seedlings. Polyhaploid production frequencies ranged between 10 and 20% of pollinated wheat florets, suggesting germ plasm genotypic effects

A Study of the Precise Alignment of Mask Patterns to the Crystallographic Orientation of Silicon Wafers

In the silicon wet anisotropic etching, which is usually performed in alkaline solutions (e.g. potassium hydroxide (KOH), Tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), etc.), the etch rate is highly orientation-dependent. {111}Si planes are slowest etch rate planes in all kinds of anisotropic etchants. In order to align the mask patterns with respect to the crystallographic directions on silicon wafer, primary flat is commonly employed as reference. In this case, any degree of misorientation in primary flat leads to the misalignment of mask patterns with respect to crystallographic directions. A small degree of misalignment of the mask edge with crystallographic direction result in oversized microstructure due to the underetching at the misaligned mask edges. Hence, in the fabrication of silicon-based microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structures using wet etching, a high precision alignment of mask pattern to crystal orientation is desirable in order to control the dimensions of fabricated structures. Several studies have been performed for the precise alignment of mask patterns with respect to crystallographic directions on {110} and {100} silicon wafers. All these techniques are based on the development of mask patterns to create the pre-etched pattern for the identification of crystallographic directions, for instance, direction on {100}Si wafers. In the existing methods, mask design for pre-etched patterns varies with wafer orientation

Cytological, Phenological and Molecular Characterization of B (S)-Genome Synthetic Hexaploids (2n = 6x = 42; AABBSS)

The B(S) genome diploids (2n = 2x = 14) are a unique reservoir of genetic diversity that can provide wheat breeders a rich source of allelic variation for stress traits that limit productivity. Restricted in practical use essentially due to their complex chromosomal behavior, these diploids have been in limited practical usage. The classic utilization example has been the suppression activity of the Ph locus and role in alien genetic transfer aspects that has been a standard in cytogenetic manipulation studies. For applied efforts focusing on Aegilops speltoides researchers in CIMMYT initiated an ambitious program to make AABBBB(SS) synthetics and made progress by generating over 50 such synthetics. Of these 20 were available for this study in which phenology and powdery mildew screening were evaluated. Four of these 20 synthetics appeared to be useful sources for further exploitation in breeding. These were entries 6, 9, 10 and 11 suited for exploitation in pre-breeding, with positive phenological characters particularly high thousand-kernel weight and are cytologically near euploid at 2n = 6x = 42. The subtle hyper (43) and hypoploid number would not negate their applied use potential. Preference however goes to genotypes 9 and 11

EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON GROWTH AND ESSENTIAL OIL CONTENT IN PALMAROSA (CYMBOPOGON MARTINII)

 Objective: The aim was to examine the responses viz., herbage yield, essential oil content and oil composition to varying levels of gibberellic acid(GA3), kinetin and indole acetic acid (IAA) in Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii).Methods: Essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and oils composition was analyzed by gaschromatography-mass spectrometry. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was evaluated by in-vivo assay. Protein content was evaluated by Lowry method.Chlorophyll was estimated by Arnon method.Results: Plant growth was improved by GA3 significantly, and the increase was maximum at 100 ppm concentration in plant height, leaf area, tillernumber and herbage yield. Chlorophyll content, protein content, NR activity and oil content increased in the plants due to GA3 treatment comparedto untreated plants, and the increase was maximum at 100 ppm concentration. Effect of IAA and kinetin was similar to GA3 but maximum effect wasobserved at 50 ppm concentration. Geraniol content of the essential oil of Palmarosa increased due to GA3 and kinetin treatment while percentage ofgeranyl acetate decreased.Conclusion: On a comparative basis, among the three promotional hormones, GA3 was most effective in stimulating growth, essential oil content, leafarea, tiller number and metabolic parameters (protein content, chlorophyll content and NR activity).Keywords: Cymbopogon martinii, Essential oils, Plant growth regulators, Oil compositon.Â

Spontaneous Ventral Spinal Epidural Hematoma in an Infant: An Unusual Presentation

How to Cite This Article: Abbad A, Afzal K, Mujeeb AA, Shahab T, Khalid M. Spontaneous Ventral Spinal Epidural Hematoma in an Infant: An Unusual Presentation. Iran J Child Neurol. 2013  Spring;7(2):47-50.Abstract Spontaneous ventral spinal epidural hematomas are extremely rare in children and clinically recognized by the appearance of acute asymmetric focal motor and sensory involvement. In infants, the initial presenting symptoms are very non-specific and irritability is often the only initial manifestation. Appearance of other neurological signs may be delayed up to hours or even days later. In the absence of significant precipitating factors such as severe trauma or previously known coagulopathies,the diagnosis is usually delayed until the full picture of severe cord compression is developed. The diagnosis is finally made by performing magnetic resonance imaging. We report a 5-month-old infant with spinal epidural hematoma who presented with symmetrical upper limb weakness and diaphragmatic involvement to highlight the importance of recognizing the atypical manifestations for early diagnosis andintervention. References:1. Phillips TW, Kling TF Jr, McGillicuddy JE. Spontaneous ventral spinal epidural hematoma with anterior cordsyndrome: report of a case. Neurosurgery 1981;9:440-3.2. Patel H, Boaz JC, Phillips JP, Garg BP. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in children. Pediatr Neurol1998;19:302-7. Review.3. Penar PL, Fischer DK, Goodrich I, Bloomgarden GM, Robinson F. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. IntSurg 1987;72:218-21.4. Noth I, Hutter JJ, Meltzer PS, Damiano ML, Carter LP. Spinal epidural hematoma in a hemophilic infant. Am JPediatr Hematol Oncol 1993;15:131-4. Review.5. Beatty RM, Winston KR. Spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma. A consideration of etiology. J Neurosurg1984;61:143-8.6. Alva NS. Traumatic spinal epidural hematoma of a 10-month-old male: a clinical note. Pediatr Neurol2000;23:88-9. Review.7. Aminoff MJ: Vascular disorders of the spinal cord, in Davidoff RA (ed): Handbook of the Spinal Cord.Infections and Cancer, Vol 5. New York: Marcel Dekker, 1986, pp 271-273.8. Blount J, Doughty K, Tubbs RS, Wellons JC, Reddy A, Law C, et al. In utero spontaneous cervical thoracicepidural hematoma imitating spinal cord birth injury. Pediatr Neurosurg 2004;40:23-7.9. Iguchi T, Ito Y, Asai M, Ito J, Okada N, Murakami M. [A case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma]. No ToHattatsu 1993;25:267-70. Review. Japanese.10. Nagel MA, Taff IP, Cantos EL, Patel MP, Maytal J, Berman D. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in a7-year-old girl. Diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 1989;91:157-60.11. Metzger G, Singbartl G. Spinal epidural hematoma following epidural anesthesia versus spontaneous spinalsubdural hematoma. Two case reports. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 1991;35:105-7.12. Patel H, Garg BP. Increasing irritability with sudden onset of flaccid weakness. Semin Pediatr Neurol 1996;3:192-7.13. Tewari MK, Tripathi LN, Mathuriya SN, Khandelwal N, Kak VK. Spontaneous spinal extradural hematomain children. Report of three cases and a review of the literature. Childs Nerv Syst 1992;8:53-5. Review.14. Pecha MD, Able AC, Barber DB, Willingham AC. Outcome after spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in children: case report and review of the literature. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1998;79:460-3. Review

Prevalence of Dystocia in Sheep and Goats: A Study of 70 Cases (2004-2011)

A total of seventy (70) sheep and goats, suffering from dystocia were included in this retrospective study. At the time of presentation 28.57% of the animals were recumbent. More than half (54.29%) of the total cases were referred after unsuccessful handling. Significantly highest prevalence was recorded in sheep during first lambing, in winter season and in the dams carrying male fetuses (p ≤ 0.05). The average weight of male and female fetuses was 3.14 and 2.75 kg respectively. Foetal dystocia (54.29%) out-numbered maternal causes (37.14%). Both maternal and fetal causes accounted for 8.57% of the dystocia. Head deviation, fore limb flexion, breech presentation, dog sitting position and fetal monstrosities were the common fetal causes. Ring womb, the most common maternal cause of dystocia could be treated by hormones in 33.33% (5/15) cases. Fetuses could be delivered by obstetrical mutation and extraction method in 51.43% (36/70) animals and by caesarean section in the remaining cases. Fetal and dam survival was 23.08% and 94.29% respectively. The average total cost for relieving dystocia in small ruminants by obstetrical mutation and by caesarean (including cost of suture and anaesthesia) was Rs. 215.00 and 570.00 respectively. From this study, it is concluded that in order to obtain high fetal and dam survival and also to reduce the cost of treatment, sheep and goats with dystocia should be presented without undue delay

Molecular analysis of genetic diversity in elite II synthetic hexaploid wheat screened against Barley yellow dwarf virus

The presence of sufficient genetic diversity in the germplam is an important prerequisite for the improve-ment and efficient use of available material. Traditionally, the data on agronomic, morphological and physiological plants traits are used to estimate the genetic diversity. But now molecular markers are available for authenticated and reliable studies for genetic diversity. The present study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity of Elite-II synthetic hexaploid (SH) wheat by genome DNA fingerprinting as revealed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Ten decamer RAPD primers (OPG-1, OPG-2, OPG-3, OPG-4, OPG-5, OPA-3, OPA-4, OPA-5, OPA-8, and OPA-15) were used to evaluate the diversity profile of the selected SH entries. Primers OPG-2 andOPA-4 gave the highly polymorphic results. The pair wise similarity values shows that genotypes 1, 20 and 30 have most closest relationship with highest similarity values i.e., 100% while genotypes 9and 13 show dictinct relationship with minimum similarity value that is, 54%. Therefore, the allelic variation of the SH resistance germplasm is a potent means to enrich and improve bread wheat cultivars where BYDV is a production threat and these can be used in future wheat breeding programme