Universal Plant DNA Barcode Loci May Not Work in Complex Groups: A Case Study with Indian Berberis Species

BACKGROUND: The concept of DNA barcoding for species identification has gained considerable momentum in animals because of fairly successful species identification using cytochrome oxidase I (COI). In plants, matK and rbcL have been proposed as standard barcodes. However, barcoding in complex genera is a challenging task. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We investigated the species discriminatory power of four reportedly most promising plant DNA barcoding loci (one from nuclear genome--ITS, and three from plastid genome--trnH-psbA, rbcL and matK) in species of Indian Berberis L. (Berberidaceae) and two other genera, Ficus L. (Moraceae) and Gossypium L. (Malvaceae). Berberis species were delineated using morphological characters. These characters resulted in a well resolved species tree. Applying both nucleotide distance and nucleotide character-based approaches, we found that none of the loci, either singly or in combinations, could discriminate the species of Berberis. ITS resolved all the tested species of Ficus and Gossypium and trnH-psbA resolved 82% of the tested species in Ficus. The highly regarded matK and rbcL could not resolve all the species. Finally, we employed amplified fragment length polymorphism test in species of Berberis to determine their relationships. Using ten primer pair combinations in AFLP, the data demonstrated incomplete species resolution. Further, AFLP analysis showed that there was a tendency of the Berberis accessions to cluster according to their geographic origin rather than species affiliation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We reconfirm the earlier reports that the concept of universal barcode in plants may not work in a number of genera. Our results also suggest that the matK and rbcL, recommended as universal barcode loci for plants, may not work in all the genera of land plants. Morphological, geographical and molecular data analyses of Indian species of Berberis suggest probable reticulate evolution and thus barcode markers may not work in this case

Vegetational Diversity in Tons Valley, Garhwal Himalaya (Uttaranchal) India with Special Reference to Phytogeographical Affinities of the Flora

The diversity in vegetation and flora of Tons Valley in Garhwal Himalaya has been extensively studied during 1994-98. On the whole 761 species of phanerogams referable to 480 genera and 132 families could be recognised in the flora of Tons Valley. The vegetation predominantly is of forest communities which is evergreen type intermixed with deciduous species. The vegetational diversity of the area is discussed broadly under: forest vegetation, seasonal vegetation, and aquatic and marshy vegetation. An analysis of the phytogeographical affinities of the flora shows that the flora of Tons Valley has affinities with surrounding regions. There is predominance of Indian, Indo-Malayan, African-Asiatic-Australian and Palaeotropical elements in the flora. Euro-Siberian and Sino-Jananese species have also found their ways to the Tons Valley

Soor: a traditional alcoholic beverage in Tons Valley, Garhwal Himalaya

This article does not have an abstract

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59-65 The aboriginal communities in the hilly and mountainous Tons Valley have traditionally had recourse to Soor ─ a traditional alcoholic beverage to cope with adverse climatic conditions and also on ceremonial occasions as well as festivals. This paper describes the indigenous method of preparing Soor. It also explores the role of Soor in the life and culture of aboriginal people. </smarttagtype

ON THE IDENTITY OF TWO TAXA OF BERBERIS (BERBERIDACEAE) FROM TIBET

Volume: 16Start Page: 17End Page: 2

Strategies for sustainable utilization of plant resources of the Tons-Valley, Western Himalaya

This article does not have an abstract

Breaking the barrier: Successful kidney transplant in two patients from a SARS-CoV-2-Infected deceased donor in India: Case report and short review

There is the acute shortage of organs in India due to very low deceased organ donation rate. The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on organ transplant programs, leading to slowing down of these programs worldwide. At present, with the SARS-CoV-2 infection becoming endemic and frequently presenting as asymptomatic or mild infection, deceased donors are likely to be incidentally positive for this infection. Most guidelines worldwide advocate rejecting the organs from such donors. Utilization of organs from these donors can improve the donor pool. Data suggest that carefully selected nonlung organs from such donors, with asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, dying of other causes, are not associated with adverse outcomes. We present the cases of two end-stage kidney disease patients on hemodialysis, who were transplanted with kidneys from a deceased donor, infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. Over 3 months of follow-up, the patients did not show any sign of COVID-19 infection or COVID-related kidney dysfunction and are now maintaining normal kidney function. This was the first incident of a successful kidney transplant from donor infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus, in India

Vegetational diversity in Tons Valley, Garhwal Himalaya (Uttaranchal) India with special reference to phytogeographical affinities of the flora

The diversity in vegetation and flora of Tons Valley in Garhwal Himalaya has been extensively studied during 1994-98. On the whole 761 species of phanerogams referable to 480 genera and 132 families could be recognised in the flora of Tons Valley. The vegetation predominantly is of forest communities which is evergreen type intermixed with deciduous species. The vegetational diversity of the area is discussed broadly under: forest vegetation, seasonal vegetation, and aquatic and marshy vegetation. An analysis of the phytogeographical affinities of the flora shows that the flora of Tons Valley has affinities with surrounding regions. There is predominance of Indian, Indo-Malayan, African-Asiatic-Australian and Palaeotropical elements in the flora. Euro-Siberian and Sino-Jananese species have also found their ways to the Tons Valley

Inferior polar nephrectomy and vesicocalicostomy for complete ureteric stricture following antibody-mediated rejection in ABO-incompatible living donor kidney transplant: a report of a rare case

Renal transplant recipients are prone to urological complications, the most common of which is stricture of the transplant ureter. We present a rare case of complete ureteric stricture in a 37-year-old man who had undergone spousal living donor kidney transplantation with ABO incompatibility. Initially, treatment involved creating an anastomosis between the native right ureter and the renal pelvis of the transplanted kidney. However, the stricture recurred. Subsequently, the patient was successfully treated with inferior polar nephrectomy and vesicocalicostomy, which entailed anastomosing the lower calyx of the transplanted kidney to the bladder. After 7 months of follow-up, the patient continued to exhibit stable renal function without stricture recurrence

Role of Direct Antiviral Agents in Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection in Renal Transplant Recipients

Background. Since the introduction of direct antiviral agents (DAAs), morbidity of HCV has considerably decreased but still no guidelines have been formulated in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). We studied efficacy and tolerability of direct antiviral agents in RTRs. Methods. This prospective observational study was conducted at Army Hospital Research & Referral, Delhi, from June 2016 to May 2017. Forty-five HCV infected RTRs with stable graft function were included. Results. Median time between renal transplantation and the start of anti-HCV therapy was 36 months (1–120 months). The majority (66.7%) were infected with genotype 3. Baseline median HCV RNA level was 542648 IU/ml (1189–55028534 IU/ml). Sofosbuvir-Ribavirin combination (24 weeks) was given to 30 patients including 3 cirrhotics, Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir combination to 8 patients, and Daclatasvir-Sofosbuvir combination to 7 patients, including 2 cirrhotics. Rapid virological response was observed in 29 patients treated with Sofosbuvir/Ribavirin, all 8 patients on Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir, and all 7 patients on Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir. End treatment response and sustained virological response (12 weeks) were achieved in all patients irrespective of genotype or treatment regimen. Decrease in mean HCV RNA level and transaminase level was statistically significant (p<0.01). Ribavirin was significantly associated with anaemia (p=0.032). Conclusions. DAA regimens are well tolerated and highly efficacious. Response to DAA is good irrespective of genotype, drug combination, initial HCV RNA level, age or sex of patient, or graft age. However, Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir combination is preferable