Heterogeneity in Ty1-copia group of retroelements in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) genome

Retrotransposons constitute a major fraction of plant genomes and these elements may have played a significant role in evolution and sequence organization of genomes. In order to access the diversity of Ty1-copia group of retroelements, reverse transcriptase (RT) sequences were amplified from chickpea genome, using the primers derived from two conserved domains of RT region. Thirty-six RT regions from independent amplicons were cloned and sequenced. On the basis of homology of deduced amino acids, the RT sequences could be grouped into three major families. The intra-family divergence at amino acid level ranges from 2 to 19%. Though intra-family RT sequences were conserved but no two sequences were identical. The results indicate a high degree of heterogeneity among the Ty1-copia group of retroelements from chickpea. It was possible to isolate RT specific sequences from RNA isolated from stressed seedlings, indicating that some of the retroelements may be functional under certain stress conditions

Study of Broadside Linear Array Antenna with Different Spacing and Number of Elements

A uniform linear antenna array has all its elements placed along a straight line with same spacing between them. This paper presents the comparative study of the consequences of different spacing and number of elements in terms of array factor, antenna directivity and half power beam-width (HPBW) for Broadside array. The results were obtained through the antenna parameters algorithm and simulations were done with MATLAB. The algorithm has been designed to operate with random number of elements with specific spacing. Output was studied with 2, 10, 40, 70 and 100 numbers of elements having specific spacing. The particular spacings are 0.1λ, 0.25λ, 0.5λ and 0.75λ. With the increase of number of elements and spacing between them, the directivity and array factor increases

Nutrient Dynamics and Inventory in Tropical Grassland Ecosystem in Southern India

The present study was to ascertain the distribution of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) in the different plant components and in the soil top 30 cm at Kalikesam in Western Ghats region of southern India. Magnesium concentration increased in the order: dead shoots \u3e belowground \u3e litter \u3e aboveground live. Sodium concentration in live shoots was maximum in February (0.51%) and minimum in August (0.05%). Annually 8.94 g/m2 Ca, 2.41g/ m2 Mg and 2.30g/ m2 Na was taken up by plants. The distribution of the three nutrients in plant/soil system indicated that the major portion of the nutrients in the system was retained in the soil, while small fraction of it stayed in plant components. Less than 0.4% of Mg entered the vegetation. Ca and Na entered 16% and 6% respectively

Nutrient Cycling in a Tropical Grazing Land Ecosystem of Southern India

The nutrient component of any ecosystem operates in a dynamic state through a series of inputs and outputs of the essential elements. Nutrients from plants are continuously transferred to soil via litter formation, which act as a reservoir for the plants in an ecosystem. Most of the studies on nutrient budgets and flux rates have been reported in forest communities and to a lesser degree in grassland. The present study was, therefore, aims to understand the variation of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the vegetation compartments and to quantify annual budget by estimating the annual uptake from soil and its release to soil

Assess the role of syndesmotic screw fixation in ankle injuries of AO type B and weber type C

BACKGROUND: Ankle fractures with syndesmotic injury are not uncommon in orthopaedic practice. OBJECTIVE: of this study is to assess the functional outcome of syndesmotic screw fixation in ankle fractures of Weber type C. DESIGN: Prospective study. MATERIALS: In our study of 20 patients (12 male and 6 female) with ankle fracturs of Weber type C treated withnsyndesmotic screw fixation using 3.5 mm cortical screws in addition to fixation of medial and lateral maaleolus. patients were followed for 20 months. METHODS: Functional outcome was analysed at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months. Follow up analysis was made using AOFAS scoring and AOFAS grading criteria. RESULTS: 20 patients were operated out of which two patients lost follow up hence excluded from the study. The longest follow up period was 20 months and shortest follow up period was 9 months, mean follow up period was 14 months. Follow up analysis was made using AOFAS scoring and AOFAS grading criteria. In this study, 50% of patients had excellent outcome, 38.89% patients had good outcome and 5.56% had fair outcome, while 5.56% had poor outcome. In this study, only 1 patient developed medial malleolar screw prominence and wound infection, treated with IV antibiotics. One patient had implant failure as patient started walking on second post operative day. CONCLUSION: For all cases of Ankle fractures with syndesmotic diastasis, open reduction and screw fixation of ankle fracture with syndesmotic screw fixation helped to achieve good union of fractures and pain free, stable ankle joint. Syndesmotic screw fixation with three cortex purchase (3.5 mm cortical screw) does not lead to screw breakage on weight bearing. In conclusion, treatment of ankle fracture with syndesmotic injury with open reduction and screw fixation facilitated early mobilization of the patients and helped achieving stable, pain free ankle joints and preventing ankle joint arthritis

Nature versus nurture: A case report comparing the clinical and cephalometric pattern in twins

Malocclusion is a manifestation of genetic and environmental interaction on the development of the orofacial region. Orthodontists may be interested in genetics to help understand why a patient has a particular occlusion. Orthodontists usually assume that the genetic factors are of major significance to the development of malocclusion. Studies of twin similarities have lent support to this concept. Twin study is one of the most effective methods available for investigating genetically determined variables of malocclusion. Discordancy is a frequent finding in dizygotic twins. However, discordancy in monozygotic (MZ) twins is a rare finding. Here, we report the case of MZ female twins aged 16 years and a comparison of the clinical and cephalometric pattern was done in both the twins. The present case shows discordancy between MZ female twins in relation to their extraoral and intraoral findings. The purpose of this study of MZ twins is to assess the genetic and environmental components of variation within the cranio-dento-facial complex