Radiosensitivity of sunflower inbred lines to mutagenesis

For much of the past century, mutagenesis has gained popularity in plant genetics research as a means of inducing novel genetic variation. Induced mutations have been applied for the past 40 years to produce mutant cultivars in sunflower by changing plant characteristics that significantly increase plant yield and quality. The present study is focused on generating baseline data to elucidate the role of genotypic differences in the response of sunflower to induced mutagenesis with the aim of expanding the applicability of the use of induced mutant stocks in the genetic improvement of the crop and in its functional genomics. The strategy adopted was to estimate the optimal treatment conditions (doses of mutagens) through relating the extent of damage in seedling progeny to the exposure levels of the initiating propagates to mutagens. Seeds of fifteen elite sunflower genotypes of commonly used as breeding stocks and grown on commercial scales were treated with a range of mutagens: gamma rays (γ rays); fast neutrons and with ethyl-methane-sulphonate (EMS) at different treatment doses. The three mutagenic agents affected seedling height, reducing it with increasing dosage. Based on the mutagen damage on seedling height, the 50% and 30% damage indices (D50 and D30, respectively) were estimated for the 15 sunflower genotypes for the three mutagens. The D50 (D30) values for the sunflower lines ranged from 120 to 325 Gy (5 to 207 Gy) for gamma irradiation; 9 to 21 Gy (0.1 to 10 Gy) for fast neutrons and 0.69 to 1.55% (0.01 to 0.68%) concentration of EMS

Characterization of wide cross derivatives in rice Oryza sativa L. using genomic in situ hybridization (GISH)

Interspecific crosses provide a bridge by which the gene pool of rice can be increased. Introduction of alien genes requires hybridization followed by meiotic pairing and recombination between the chromosomes of cultivated and wild species. Attempts have been made to visualize the genomic constitution of wide-cross derivatives. Genomic in situ hybridization was used to detect Oryza australiensis chromosomes and introgressed segment from O. australiensis into the Oryza sativa background. Genomic DNA from O. australiensis was labeled with biotin-14-dATP and hybridized to the homologous chromosomes in hybrids, back cross progenies, monosomic alien addition line (MAAL) and introgression line. The probe hybridization fluoresced green and non-labeled O. sativa chromosomes appeared red due to counterstaining with propidium iodide (PI). This differential painting of chromosomes unequivocally detected the O. australiensis chromatin introgressed into the O. sativa genome. The probe produced uniform labeling pattern over the entire length of all the O. australiensis chromosomes. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) detected 12 O. australiensis chromosomes in the hybrid, O. sativa x O. australiensis in BC1 progenies, and a single chromosome in MAAL. Small segment of O. australiensis was localized on the chromosome 12 of the introgression line. However, results showed that GISH is a powerful technique to be used as an aid in selecting segregating progenies.Key words: Genomic in situ hybridization, wide hybrid, localizing introgression

Intervarietal Differences in Response of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to Different Mutagenic Treatments

For much of the past century, mutagenesis has gained popularity in plant genetics research as a means of inducing novel genetic variation. Induced mutations have been applied for the past 40 years to produce mutant cultivars in sunflower by changing plant characteristics that significantly increase plant yield and quality. The present study was focused on generating baseline data to elucidate the role of genotypic differences in the response of sunflower to induced mutagenesis with the aim of expanding the applicability of the use of induced mutant stocks in the genetic improvement of the crop and in its functional genomics. The strategy adopted was to estimate the optimal treatment conditions (doses of mutagens) through relating the extent of damage in seedling progeny to the exposure levels of the initiating propagules to mutagens. Seeds of 15 elite sunflower genotypes commonly used as breeding stocks and grown on commercial scales were treated with a range of mutagens: Gamma-rays (γ rays); fast neutrons and with ethyle-methane-sulphonate (EMS) at different treatment doses. The three mutagenic agents affected seedling height, reducing it with increasing dosage. Based on the mutagen damage on seedling height, the 50% and 30% damage indices (D50 and D30, respectively) were estimated for the 15 sunflower genotypes for the three mutagens. The D50 (D30) values for the sunflower lines ranged from 120 to 325Gy (5 to 207Gy) for gamma irradiation; 9 to 21Gy (0.1 to 10Gy) for fast neutrons and 0.69 to 1.55% (0.01 to 0.68%) concentration of EMS

Efficacy and safety of a Unani compound drug– Habb-e-Asgand in Waja‘al-Mafāsil (Rheumatoid Arthritis) cases- A preliminary study

8-14Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 24.5 million people worldwide as of 2015. Modern medicine still eludes satisfactory cure for this problem. Therefore, world is looking forward for some traditional medicines in this direction. In the present work, therapeutic efficacy of a Unani compound drug Habb-e-Asgand has been evaluated at Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (RRIUM), Aligarh, during 2016-2018. A total of 68 patients were selected from the lot of patients attending outpatient department (OPD). The drug Habb-e-Asgand was given 2 tablets for 84 days and results evaluated statistically by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dennett’s’ test. The results of the present study were evaluated on clinical, biochemical, and haematological parameters have amply demonstrated that the drug Habb-e-Asgand is therapeutically effective in the treatment of Waja ‘al-mafasil (rheumatoid arthritis). The study has also shown the drug non-toxic and safe. Further studies are suggested in large population

MICALs in control of the cytoskeleton, exocytosis, and cell death

MICALs form an evolutionary conserved family of multidomain signal transduction proteins characterized by a flavoprotein monooxygenase domain. MICALs are being implicated in the regulation of an increasing number of molecular and cellular processes including cytoskeletal dynamics and intracellular trafficking. Intriguingly, some of these effects are dependent on the MICAL monooxygenase enzyme and redox signaling, while other functions rely on other parts of the MICAL protein. Recent breakthroughs in our understanding of MICAL signaling identify the ability of MICALs to bind and directly modify the actin cytoskeleton, link MICALs to the docking and fusion of exocytotic vesicles, and uncover MICALs as anti-apoptotic proteins. These discoveries could lead to therapeutic advances in neural regeneration, cancer, and other diseases

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions. </jats:sec

Radiosensitivity and in vitro mutagenesis in African accessions of cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz

Induced mutagenesis holds promise for the subtle manipulation of traits of interest in crop plants. For a vegetatively propagated crop like cassava with severe constraints posed on its genetic improvement by inherent biological systems, the adoption of this methodology seems even the more appealing. However, there is scant information on protocols for inducing mutations in this crop. We present in this report the preliminary data on the determination of radiosensitivities for some African cassava accessions. The optimal doses of gamma ray irradiation varied from as low 12 Gy to 25 Gy. The probable implication of genotypic variation in response to gamma irradiation as was found in this study buttresses the need to carry out this larger scale study in order to avail cassava scientists intending to adopt induced mutagenesis of requisite information in this regard. A modified in vitro culture medium, half strength MS without growth hormones, was also shown to greatly enhance the growth of the plantlets without producing callus