Micropropagation of Curcuma amada (Roxb.)

Rhizome explants of Curcuma amada (Roxb.) produced shoots and roots simultaneously when cultured in B6 medium containing NAA and BAP. This technique would be suitable for field propagation and conservation. &nbsp

Micropropagation of Curcuma amada (Roxb.)

Rhizome explants of Curcuma amada (Roxb.) produced shoots and roots simultaneously when cultured in B6 medium containing NAA and BAP. This technique would be suitable for field propagation and conservation. &nbsp

The Genomic Signature of Crop-Wild Introgression in Maize

The evolutionary significance of hybridization and subsequent introgression has long been appreciated, but evaluation of the genome-wide effects of these phenomena has only recently become possible. Crop-wild study systems represent ideal opportunities to examine evolution through hybridization. For example, maize and the conspecific wild teosinte Zea mays ssp. mexicana, (hereafter, mexicana) are known to hybridize in the fields of highland Mexico. Despite widespread evidence of gene flow, maize and mexicana maintain distinct morphologies and have done so in sympatry for thousands of years. Neither the genomic extent nor the evolutionary importance of introgression between these taxa is understood. In this study we assessed patterns of genome-wide introgression based on 39,029 single nucleotide polymorphisms genotyped in 189 individuals from nine sympatric maize-mexicana populations and reference allopatric populations. While portions of the maize and mexicana genomes were particularly resistant to introgression (notably near known cross-incompatibility and domestication loci), we detected widespread evidence for introgression in both directions of gene flow. Through further characterization of these regions and preliminary growth chamber experiments, we found evidence suggestive of the incorporation of adaptive mexicana alleles into maize during its expansion to the highlands of central Mexico. In contrast, very little evidence was found for adaptive introgression from maize to mexicana. The methods we have applied here can be replicated widely, and such analyses have the potential to greatly informing our understanding of evolution through introgressive hybridization. Crop species, due to their exceptional genomic resources and frequent histories of spread into sympatry with relatives, should be particularly influential in these studies

Quality of life after postmastectomy radiotherapy in patients with intermediate-risk breast cancer (SUPREMO): 2-year follow-up results of a randomised controlled trial

Background Postmastectomy radiotherapy in patients with four or more positive axillary nodes reduces breast cancer mortality, but its role in patients with one to three involved nodes is controversial. We assessed the effects of postmastectomy radiotherapy on quality of life (QOL) in women with intermediate-risk breast cancer. Methods SUPREMO is an open-label, international, parallel-group, randomised, controlled trial. Women aged 18 years or older with intermediate-risk breast cancer (defined as pT1–2N1; pT3N0; or pT2N0 if also grade III or with lymphovascular invasion) who had undergone mastectomy and, if node positive, axillary surgery, were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive chest wall radiotherapy (50 Gy in 25 fractions or a radiobiologically equivalent dose of 45 Gy in 20 fractions or 40 Gy in 15 fractions) or no radiotherapy. Randomisation was done with permuted blocks of varying block length, and stratified by centre, without masking of patients or investigators. The primary endpoint is 10-year overall survival. Here, we present 2-year results of QOL (a prespecified secondary endpoint). The QOL substudy, open to all UK patients, consists of questionnaires (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23, Body Image Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS], and EQ-5D-3L) completed before randomisation, and at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years. The prespecified primary outcomes within this QOL substudy were global QOL, fatigue, physical function, chest wall symptoms, shoulder and arm symptoms, body image, and anxiety and depression. Data were analysed by intention to treat, using repeated mixed-effects methods. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN61145589. Findings Between Aug 4, 2006, and April 29, 2013, 1688 patients were enrolled internationally and randomly assigned to receive chest wall radiotherapy (n=853) or not (n=835). 989 (79%) of 1258 patients from 111 UK centres consented to participate in the QOL substudy (487 in the radiotherapy group and 502 in the no radiotherapy group), of whom 947 (96%) returned the baseline questionnaires and were included in the analysis (radiotherapy, n=471; no radiotherapy, n=476). At up to 2 years, chest wall symptoms were worse in the radiotherapy group than in the no radiotherapy group (mean score 14·1 [SD 15·8] in the radiotherapy group vs 11·6 [14·6] in the no radiotherapy group; effect estimate 2·17, 95% CI 0·40–3·94; p=0·016); however, there was an improvement in both groups between years 1 and 2 (visit effect −1·34, 95% CI −2·36 to −0·31; p=0·010). No differences were seen between treatment groups in arm and shoulder symptoms, body image, fatigue, overall QOL, physical function, or anxiety or depression scores. Interpretation Postmastectomy radiotherapy led to more local (chest wall) symptoms up to 2 years postrandomisation compared with no radiotherapy, but the difference between groups was small. These data will inform shared decision making while we await survival (trial primary endpoint) results. Funding Medical Research Council, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Cancer Australia, Dutch Cancer Society, Trustees of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Transfer of calcium-45 and strontium-90 from medium to plant and their translocation in micropropagated potato

The uptake and translocation of calcium-45 and strontium-90 were studied in potato (Solanum tuberosum) cv. Sierra micropropagated plantlets and cv. Norland microtubers. The absorption of Ca-45 or Sr-90 by plantlets was not significant as the concentrations of either CaCl2 or SrCl2 were increased in the treatment solution. However, the percentage uptake of Ca-45 decreased with increasing concentration of these salts. Uptake by roots, stems, petioles, and leaves differed significantly (p < 0.05) regardless of salt concentration. When shoot-tips were immersed in the treatment solutions containing various concentrations of these salts for 161 h while the plantlets were held in a vertically inverted position, considerable amounts of radiolabel were still translocated towards the roots. The Ca-45/Sr-90 ratio assumed a wide range of values as equal amounts of each radioisotope were fed either through root- or tip-immersion. A differential uptake and translocation between the isotopes occurred for the plantlets independent of feeding mechanism. A drop of Ca-45 or Sr-90 (18.5 kBq) onto the periderm of microtubers was restricted in movement to the periderm with virtually no penetration into the inner cortical or medulary tissues. The diffusion coefficient of Sr-90 on the periderm of Norland microtubers was estimated at 6.5 x 10-8 cm2/s

A spatio-temporal analysis of performance and prospects

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Problems of Teaching Optics in Middle School: A Survey in Batadraba Education Block of Nagaon District, Assam

Abstract- Optics is the branch of Physics which deals with study of nature, propagation and properties of light. Light is a form of energy and moves in all directions in the form of waves. The challenges lie in developing an appropriate learning environment with theory as well as practical knowledge in the field. It is here that an assessment is required regarding the effectiveness of textbooks, the needs of school children and science teacher and the reforms that are needed to make optics an enjoyable learning subject. The main aim of research study was – To teach optics in simplest way by experiments, using modern tools available in schools and at home. As far as our study is concerned, we observed that most of the students of higher classes ignore or give less importance to the branch „optics‟. Therefore it is required to motivate and create interest in this subject in children from school onwards. In this case we think the experimental tools can help in a big way. In order to fulfill the objectives a field study was conducted in 7 Schools of Batadrava Block of Nagaon district. The research tools included the use of questionnaires where school students made respondents. Science teachers as well as Head of the institution were also made respondents. The key findings of the field work are depicted in the form diagrams and tables where required. The study aims to suggest how to teach optics in simplest way. Also it focuses on the needs and competence of students and teachers. T I