Effect of stem structural characteristics and cell wall components related to stem lodging resistance in a newly identified mutant of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In wheat, lodging is affected by anatomical and chemical characteristics of the stem cell wall. Plant characteristics determining the stem strength were measured in lodging tolerant mutant (PMW-2016-1) developed through mutation breeding utilizing hexaploid wheat cultivar, DPW-621-50. Various anatomical features, chemical composition, and mechanical strength of the culms of newly developed lodging-tolerant mutant (PMW-2016-1) and parent (DPW-621-50), were examined by light microscopy, the Klason method, prostate tester coupled with a Universal Tensile Machine, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Significant changes in the anatomical features, including the outer radius of the stem, stem wall thickness, and the proportions of various tissues, and vascular bundles were noticed. Chemical analysis revealed that the lignin level in the PMW-2016-1 mutant was higher and exhibited superiority in stem strength compared to the DPW-621-50 parent line. The force (N) required to break the internodes of mutant PMW 2016-1 was higher than that of DPW-621-50. The results suggested that the outer stem radius, stem wall thickness, the proportion of sclerenchyma tissues, the number of large vascular bundles, and lignin content are important factors that affect the mechanical strength of wheat stems, which can be the key parameters for the selection of varieties having higher lodging tolerance. Preliminary studies on the newly identified mutant PMW-2016-1 suggested that this mutant may possess higher lodging tolerance because it has a higher stem strength than DPW-621-50 and can be used as a donor parent for the development of lodging-tolerant wheat varieties

Analysis of clinicolaboratory profile and outcome in COVID-19 positive pediatric patients

COVID-19 infection in children has important public health, social, and economic implications, and even though children may have considerably milder symptoms than individuals >18 years of age, those infected seem to have the same levels of circulating virus in their body and may be as infectious as adults. The objective is to study clincolaboratory profile and outcome in COVID-19 positive pediatrics patients. This hospital based prospective observational study was conducted in the department of Pediatrics , Government Medical College , Haldwani  Uttarakhand. COVID 19 Positive Pediatric patient from birth to 18 years from September 2020 to September 2021 were enrolled in the study. Referred patients were 1 in moderate, 3 in severe and 1 in MIS-C group. Expired patients mostly belong to severe category. 1 patient expired due to celphos poisoning and was diagnosed as covid-19 on routine sampling. In conclusion these laboratory findings and clinical features should raise strong suspicion of COVID-19 infection and severity and could be used as a useful predictor for planning treatment in children with moderate to severe illness