PTC&B Detection of Maize Intrinsic and Recombinant Cry1Ab Gene Fragment in Genetically Modified Maize

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was performed to detect and identify the genetically modified maize (Bt11). Primer pair Bt11 1-5 ΄ and Cry1Ab 1-3΄ detected the region of the insect resistant Cry1Ab gene sequence inserted in GM Bt11 maize and a primer pair ZE01-ZE02 were used to detect the maize intrinsic zein (Ze1) gene in maize DNA. The presence of the corresponding DNA segments was specifically detected in GM maize by the designed primers. It was concluded that this method is useful for fast and easy screening of Bt gene in the food products and GM Bt crops. The methods of plant genetic transformation are applied for the insertion of genes of interest into specific crop plants for their improvement (Estruch et al. 1997). These transformed plants are commonly known as genetically modified plants or GM plants. A number of GM plants have already been developed for commercial use in different parts of the world (James 2006). Before commercialization, the expression of the introduced trait(s) is needed to be assayed. This detection of the expression of genetically modified trait is essential not only to determine the existence of transgenes in crop plants before commercial exploitation but also to satisfy the required biosafety protocols for the safeguard of human and animal health as well as in protecting the environment. Thus, for the safety assessment of GM products detection of genetically modified trait is very important and it is regarded as the first step of the safety assessment procedure and also for the identification of GM and non-GM plants and their products. Freeze-dried flour from genetically modified (GM) maize and non-GM (Bt11) maize isoline were used as GM and non-GM reference materials for the present study. Genomic DNA was isolated from maize grain powder using phenolchloroform isoamyl method and also carried out using Wizard R Genomic DN

Self-reported harm of adolescent peer aggression in three world regions

While the poor psychosocial outcomes of young people who have experienced bullying are well known, the harm associated with experiences that do not meet the bullying criteria is not well understood. The aim of this study was to examine the level of harm associated with experiences of peer aggression, as well as bullying, by directly measuring the four elements of intent, perceived harm, repetition and power imbalance that comprise the bullying criteria. The purpose of the study was to establish whether bullying was the most harmful form of peer aggression and whether other types of peer aggression that did not comprise all elements of bullying were comparably harmful. Over 6000 students (aged 11–16) from 10 countries completed a student victimization and aggression questionnaire. Data showed that approximately 50% of participants were not intentionally harmed through peer aggression, although this varied across countries, ranging from 10% in India to 87.5% in Taiwan. In all countries, analyses identified a group that had experienced repeated peer aggression, but with no power imbalance, comparable in size to the bullied group, suggesting that bullying is just “the tip of the iceberg”. Victims of bullying self-reported the greatest experiences of harm, although victims of repeated aggression reported comparable harm. The findings show that peer aggression experiences that do not meet the bullying criteria are also rated as harmful by victims. More research is needed to fully understand negative peer interactions that include behaviors outside the scope of the bullying definition, particularly with regard to repeated peer aggression. This study suggests that researchers should consider the level of harm experienced by individuals and avoid terminology such as bullying, while policy makers should place a strong and explicit focus on encompassing a broader realm of harmful peer aggression. © 2018 Elsevier Lt

Harmful Peer Aggression in Four World Regions: Relationship between Aggressed and Aggressor

Research is sparse on who targets whom in peer aggression. In this study, we investigated the harm associated with the type of relationship between aggressed and aggressor with an international sample of over 5,000 students aged 11\u201316, living in 12 nations. Best friends and individuals with whom the respondent had no relationship were the least likely to engage in aggression, while one-third of peer aggression could be attributed to friends (not best friends), and classmates/peers. Greater harm was experienced between best friends only when it involved relational aggression, such as spreading rumors and being left out. Harm from aggression varied by world location and number of different experiences of aggression, while gender and age differences were inconsistent. Intervention programs could take advantage of the vital role that friends play as socializing agents during adolescence that focus on the harmfulness of aggression undertaken in the guise of a joke

Harmful Peer Aggression in Four World Regions: Relationship between Aggressed and Aggressor

Research is sparse on who targets whom in peer aggression. In this study, we investigated the harm associated with the type of relationship between aggressed and aggressor with an international sample of over 5,000 students aged 11–16, living in 12 nations. Best friends and individuals with whom the respondent had no relationship were the least likely to engage in aggression, while one-third of peer aggression could be attributed to friends (not best friends), and classmates/peers. Greater harm was experienced between best friends only when it involved relational aggression, such as spreading rumors and being left out. Harm from aggression varied by world location and number of different experiences of aggression, while gender and age differences were inconsistent. Intervention programs could take advantage of the vital role that friends play as socializing agents during adolescence that focus on the harmfulness of aggression undertaken in the guise of a joke. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC