Effect of harmones on callus induction in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Callus induction from explants is a critical process in regeneration, micropropagation and transformation of maize (Zea mays L.) plants. Formation of callus from plant tissues on culture is affected by several factors. This study revealed to establish the effect of genotype, source of explants and auxin concentration on callus induction from five genotypes UMI 757 (G1), UMI 615 (G2), UMI 112 (G3), UMI 285 (G4) and CO 1 (G5) and one hybrid CO H (M) 5 (G6). Callus induction of the six maize varieties was investigated using immature embryos (E1), leaf bits (E2), root tips (E3), hypocotyls (E4) and seeds (E5) as explants with different concentrations of hormones. In this study, immature embryo was taken from 10 to 12 days after pollination (DAP) to get maximum response. The highest percentage of callus induction was observed (99.10) in immature embryo culture and seed culture gave the highest percentage of rhizogenic callus formation when compare to immature embryo. Among the genotypes tested, CO H (M) 5 recorded the highest callus induction percentage on (2D2K2) medium composition

Impact of pollination strategies on fruit set and fruit growth attributes in jasmine

Jasmine occupies predominant position among the flower crops in India in terms of area, production and productivity. The demand for jasmine flowers is growing day by day owing to its wide range of uses and there is a pressing need for improving the crop by exploring strategies to evolve diverse genotypes. The present study focuses on the hybridization of Jasminum spp with the objective of introgression of desirable traits that would aid in creation of wider genetic variability. Pollination is the basis in any hybridization programme. The main aim of this research study was to determine the suitable pollination methods among self, open and cross pollination and to assess the effect of the pollination methods on the fruit set and fruit characteristics. The results of the study revealed that the overall response of J. auriculatum was found effective with maximum fruit set percentage. J. auriculatum cv Parimullai yielded the highest fruit set of 76.43% under open pollination and the least fruit set rate of 2.14% under self-pollination. Among the possible cross combination involving J. auriculatum and J. grandiflorum cultivars as seed parents with various pollen parents, J. flexile showed considerable results. Cross combination of J. auriculatum x J. flexile recorded maximum fruit set revealing best cross compatibility while crosses involving J. sambac resulted in no fruit set indicating the prevalence of fertilization barriers that hinder hybridization

Studies on Correlation and Path Analysis in Mutants of Coleus (Coleus forskohlii Briq.) for Yield and forskolin Content in V2M1 Generation

The present investigation was carried out during 2003-2007 involving terminal cuttings of coleus ecotype 'Garmai'. Genotypic correlation coefficient between yield and its components in mutants of coleus was studied, viz., plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of leaves plant-1, number of tubers plant-1, tuber length and tuber girth were found to have positive and highly significant correlation with yield. However, forskolin and essential oil content showed negative correlation with yield. Path analysis of component characters on yield of Coleus in V2M1 generation exerted positive direct effect through the characters plant height, number of leaves plant-1 and number of tubers plant-1. Similarly, direct effect was observed to be negative through number of branches plant-1 (-0.930), total amount of alkaloids (-0.066) and forskolin content (-0.026). The current investigation resulted in residual effect of 0.158 indicating the accuracy and appropriate selection of component character for crop improvement programme. Weightage must be given to component characters exhibiting positive attributes towards fresh tuber yield in Coleus. However, some traits with negative attributes are also chosen for getting improved quality, i.e., forskolin content, without much inhibition on fresh tuber yield plant-1

Efficiency of gamma irradiation and ethyl methane sulphonate in inducing variations in Jasminum auriculatum Vahl.

Vegetatively propagated crops like Jasminum auriculatum have a constraint in genetic variation due to a narrow genetic base that restricts the insights in any crop breeding programme. Mutation breeding is a potential tool that directs a way to create desirable variation effectively in vegetatively propagated crops. The optimum dose of mutagen is the one which produces the maximum frequency of mutation in turn the variation, with minimum killing. The aim of the present paper unveils the Lethal Dose (LD50) and the growth reduction dose (GR50) for both Gamma irradiation (GI) and Ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) for the ecotype ‘Muthu Mullai’ of Jasminum auriculatum. These parameters of GR and EMS treated cuttings were analysed by considering the GR50 values of the mortality rate (57%, 48%), survival percentage (12.479Gy, 13.268mM), shoot length (18.59Gy, 18.28mM), root length (20.39Gy, 18.17mM), number of leaves (22.29Gy, 17.47mM), number of sprouts (22.97Gy, 16.17mM), vigour index (10.43Gy, 11.05mM), leaf length (21.61Gy, 19.90mM) and leaf width (19.2Gy, 16.17mM). The LD50 value was 12.479 Gy for GI and 13.268 mM for EMS treatment. The GR50 for different growth parameters ranged from 14.93 to 22.9 Gy for GI and 1.05 to 19.9 mM for EMS treatment. The mutagenic efficiency and effectiveness were 214.96 and 89.36 for GI and 48.66 and 33.77 for EMS treatment, respectively. These doses can be used for generating considerable variation, which can be put to use in future crop improvement programmes for Jasmine

Synthesis of gamma ferric oxide by direct thermal decomposition of ferrous carbonate

Ferrous carbonate was precipitated from the reaction of ferrous sulfate and sodium carbonate in an aqueous medium. The precipitate was calcined at different heating rates (2, 5 and 10 °C/min, respectively) up to 500°C and the iron oxides produced were found to be magnetic. X-ray diffraction studies indicated the presence of gamma ferric oxide as a major phase in all the cases. It was found that wet precipitates, faster heating rate and short residence time in the furnace produced gamma ferric oxides with better magnetic properties (coercivity of around 360 Oe and saturation magnetization of 64 emu/g). The effect of aging time of ferrous carbonate precipitates on the magnetic properties was also studied

A high-throughput regeneration protocol for recalcitrant tropical Indian maize (Zea mays L) inbreds

Immature embryos from five select recalcitrant maize (Zea mays L) inbreds used as explants were evaluated for their ability to form callus, somatic embryos and subsequent regeneration into plants. The embryos were placed on N6 basal media with varying levels of 2,4-D (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mg l-1) and were regenerated on MS me¬dium supplemented with BAP (2 - 10 mg l-1), 2,4-D (0.25 mg l-1) and silver nitrate (0.85 mg l-1). Explants cultured on N6 medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2.0 mg l-1) were associated with the highest frequency of embryogenic calli and that of UMI 29 were highly embryogenic (78.67%). When synergism between dicamba and 2,4-D on Type II callus production in UMI 29 was sought to be investigated using 2,4-D (1 or 2 mg l-1) individually and in combina¬tion with dicamba (3.7 mg l-1) production of Type II callus with the greatest frequency of 83.33% was observed on N6 medium containing 3.7 mg l-1 dicamba + 1 mg l-1 2,4-D. The greatest percentage of shoot induction (82.67%) was observed on MS medium supplemented with BAP (10 mg l-1). Among the five genotypes tested, UMI 29 was associated with the highest percentage of callus initiation, shoot induction and mean number of developed shoots. The protocol described in this study can reliably be used to transform tropical maize inbreds as a routine

Is Adherence to Imatinib Mesylate Treatment Among Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Associated with Better Clinical Outcomes in Qatar?

Background: Despite the revolutionary success of introducing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as imatinib mesylate (IM), for treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a substantial proportion of patients' treatments fail. Aim: This study investigates the correlation between patient adherence and failure of TKIs' treatment in a follow-up study. Methods: This is a follow-up study of a new cohort of CML patients. Adherence to IM is assessed using the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS 6 TrackCap, AARDEX Ltd). The 9-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, medication possession ratio (MPR) calculation, and the electronic medical records are used for identifying potential factors that influence adherence. Clinical outcomes are assessed according to the European LeukemiaNet 2013 guidelines via reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction measurement of the level of BCR-ABL1 transcripts in peripheral blood. Response is classified at the hematological, cytogenetic, and molecular levels into optimal, suboptimal, or failure. Results: A total of 36 CML patients (5 citizens and 31 noncitizen residents) consented to participate in the study. The overall mean MEMS score was 89. Of the 36 patients, 22 (61%) were classified as adherent (mean: 95) and 14 (39%) were classified as nonadherent (mean: 80.2). Adherent patients were significantly more likely to obtain optimal response (95%) compared to the nonadherent group (14.3%; P < 0.0001). The rate of poor adherence was as high as 39% using MEMS, which correlates with 37% treatment failure rate. The survey results show that 97% of patients increased the IM dose by themselves when they felt unwell and 31% of them took the missing IM dose when they remembered. Other factors known to influence adherence show that half of patients developed one or more side effects, 65% of patients experienced lack of funds, 13% of patients declared unavailability of the drug in the NCCCR pharmacy, and 72% of patients believed that IM would cure the disease. The MPR results reveal that 16% of patients had poor access to treatment through the hospital pharmacy. Discussion and conclusion: This is the first prospective study to evaluate CML patients' adherence and response to IM in Qatar. The high rate of treatment failure observed in Qatar is explained by poor adherence. An economic factor (unaffordable drug prices) is one of the main causes of nonadherence and efforts should be made locally to improve access to medication for cancer diseases. Other risk factors associated with poor adherence could be improved by close monitoring and dose adjustment. Monitoring risk factors for poor adherence and patient education that include direct communication between the health-care teams, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and patients are essential components for maximizing the benefits of TKI therapy and could rectify this problem. The preliminary results show that patients' response to treatment may be directly linked to patients' adherence to treatment. However, further in-depth and specific analysis may be necessary in a larger cohort

Cardiac Function and Serum Biomarkers throughout Staged Fontan Palliation:A Prospective Observational Study

Fontan patients undergo multiple cardiothoracic surgeries in childhood. Following these procedures, ventricular function is temporarily decreased, and recovers over months. This is presumably related to cardiopulmonary bypass, but this is incompletely understood. Throughout the Fontan palliation, cardiac function is also affected by volume unloading. We aimed to gain insight into the biological processes related to impaired ventricular function and recovery following Fontan palliations using a panel of biomarkers. Furthermore, we described changes in ventricular function across the Fontan palliation due to volume unloading. We performed a prospective multicenter observational study in patients undergoing partial (PCPC) or total cavo-pulmonary connection (TCPC). Patients underwent assessment-including echocardiography and blood sampling-before surgery (T1), at first follow-up (T2), and 1 year after their procedures (T3). Blood samples were analyzed using a biomarker panel (OLINK CVD-III). Ninety-two biomarkers were expressed as principal components (PC) to limit multiple statistical testing. We included 32 PCPC patients aged 7.2 [5.3-10.3] months, and 28 TCPC patients aged 2.7 [2.2-3.8] years. The single ventricular longitudinal strain (SV GLS) temporarily decreased for PCPC patients at T2 (-15.1 ± 5.6 (T1) to -13.5 ± 5.2 (T2) to -17.3 ± 4.5 (T3), p &lt; 0.047 for all differences), but not following TCPC. The serum biomarkers were expressed as 4 PCs. PC1, including biomarkers of cell-cell adhesion, was not related to any patient characteristic. PC2, including biomarkers of superoxide anion regulation, increased at T2. PC3, including biomarkers of cardiovascular development, related to the stage of Fontan palliation. PC4 was of uncertain biological or clinical significance. No PC was found that related to ventricular performance. The SV GLS was temporarily diminished following PCPC, but not following TCPC. Several biomarkers were related to post-operative stress and adaptation to the PCPC or TCPC circulation, but none were related to the outcome. </p

A Self-Assembling Lanthanide Molecular Nanoparticle for Optical Imaging

Chromophores that incorporate f-block elements have considerable potential for use in bioimaging applications because of their advantageous photophysical properties compared to organic dye, which are currently widely used. We are developing new classes of lanthanide-based self-assembling molecular nanoparticles as reporters for imaging and as multi-functional nanoprobes or nanosensors for use with biological samples. One class of these materials, which we call lanthanide "nano-drums", are homogeneous 4d-4f clusters approximately 25 to 30 angstrom in diameter. These are capable of emitting from the visible to near-infrared wavelengths. Here, we present the synthesis, crystal structure, photophysical properties and comparative cytotoxicity data for a 32 metal Eu-Cd nano-drum [Eu8Cd24L12(OAc)(48)] (1). We also explored the imaging capabilities of this nano-drum using epifluorescence, TIRF, and two-photon microscopy platforms.Welch Foundation F-816, F-1018, F1515Ministry of High Education (MOHE), Malaysia under High Impact Research (HIR) - MOHE project UM.C/625/1/HIR/MoE/CHAN/13/6 H-50001-00-A000034NIH/NIAID 1U01AI078008-3Centre for Blast Injury Study at Imperial College LondonCPRIT R1003NIH-NCI CA68682National Institutes of HealthNational Science FoundationCancer Prevention Research Institute of TexasNational Science Foundation CHE-0741973Chemistr

Cell Suspension Culture of Mucuna pruriens For Production and Improvement of L-3, 4-Dihydroxy Phenylalanine Concentration

The production and improvement of L-3, 4-dihydroxy phenylalanine (L-Dopa) content in Mucuna pruriens was carried out through cell suspension culture. Thirty days old healthy, friable and soft calli derived from leaf and stem of two varieties of M. pruriens: (IIHR Selection 3 and Arka Dhanvantari) were used for the cell suspension in Murashige and Skoog’s liquid medium supplemented with IAA (1.0mg/L), NAA (1.5mg/L) and BAP (1.5mg/L) with treatment of elicitors: chitin and pectin (100, 150, and 200mg/L), precursor: L-tyrosine (5, 10, and 15mg/L) and ascorbic acid (250mg/L). The highest percentage of packed cell volume (PCV) (42.4 ± 0.1) was observed in leaf-derived callus of AD variety with treatment L4: MS + NAA (1.5mg/L) + Pectin (100mg/L) + ascorbic acid (250mg/L). From the HPLC analysis, treatment T3c: MS + IAA (1.0mg/L) + L-tyrosine (15mg/L) + ascorbic acid (250mg/L) recorded highest peak area percentage of 31.19 at retention time (RT) of 2.36 against control (1.39) at 2.35 RT. L-Dopa concentration was observed to increase with increase in elicitor and precursor treatment. This shows that L-Dopa can be produced from natural source in desired concentration through cell suspension culture