MicroRNAs: potential targets for developing stress-tolerant crops

Crop yield is challenged every year worldwide by changing climatic conditions. The forecasted climatic scenario urgently demands stress-tolerant crop varieties to feed the ever-increasing global population. Molecular breeding and genetic engineering approaches have been frequently exploited for developing crops with desired agronomic traits. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as powerful molecules, which potentially serve as expression markers during stress conditions. The miRNAs are small non-coding endogenous RNAs, usually 20–24 nucleotides long, which mediate post-transcriptional gene silencing and fine-tune the regulation of many abiotic- and biotic-stress responsive genes in plants. The miRNAs usually function by specifically pairing with the target mRNAs, inducing their cleavage or repressing their translation. This review focuses on the exploration of the functional role of miRNAs in regulating plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. Moreover, a methodology is also discussed to mine stress-responsive miRNAs from the enormous amount of transcriptome data available in the public domain generated using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Considering the functional role of miRNAs in mediating stress responses, these molecules may be explored as novel targets for engineering stress-tolerant crop varieties

Morphometric analysis of palatal vault for sex determination in Central Indian population

BACKGROUND: Palate has been a topic of interest regarding sex determination from human skeletal remains in physical anthropology. Palatal index (PI) is an important parameter for the sex determination of deceased individuals with unknown identity. AIM: The study aimed to determine and compare PI, clinically and radiographically, and evaluate its role in sexual dimorphism in the Central Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 392 participants, in the department of anatomy and dentistry of a premium medical college in India. Maxillary casts were used for clinical measurement. Posteroanterior and lateral cephalogram (Ceph) were used for the radiographic method. Palatal length (PL) and palatal breadth (PB) were measured. PI was calculated as PB/PL × 100. Data were analyzed using unpaired Student's t-test. RESULTS: Participants belonged to the age group of 41–50 years (31.63%), 51–60 years (27.04%), and 18–30 years (18.87%). Clinical and radiographic PB was found to be higher in males (37.94 ± 1.28 mm, 38.87 ± 3.11 mm) than females (35.44 ± 1.18 mm, 36.62 ± 2.75 mm). PL demonstrated almost similar clinical values in males (45.25 ± 1.65 mm) and females (45.21 ± 1.51 mm) with no statistical significance. Radiographic PL was significantly higher in males (48.28 ± 1.60 mm) than females (46.41 ± 1.69 mm). Males demonstrated higher PI, clinically and radiographically (83.84 ± 3.82 mm, 80.51 ± 5.32 mm), than females (78.38 ± 4.19 mm, 78.91 ± 5.06 mm). CONCLUSION: Palatal parameters showed significant differences suggesting sexual dimorphism. They serve as important anthropometric, clinical, and radiographic tools useful in the identification of deceased individuals as a part of forensic medicine and odontology

Transport and magnetic properties of Lu₂(Ir_1-xRh_x)₃Si₅

We explored the interplay and competition between superconductivity (SC) and change density wave (CDW) on pseudo-ternary system Lu(Ir1-xRhx)3Si via magnetization and transport measurements. We report the change in CDW transition temperature (TCDW) and the SC transition (TSC) as a function of Rh concentration. Our results show that the TCDW increases rapidly while TSC decreases with increase in Rh concentration

Right-sided diaphragmatic eventration: A rare entity

Eventration of the diaphragm is an abnormal elevation of the dome of diaphragm. It is a condition in which all or part of the diaphragm is largely composed of fibrous tissue with only a few or no interspersed muscle fibers. It can be complete or partial. Complete eventration of the right diaphragm, as seen in this adult patient, is relatively rare