Physical and chemical characteristics of pearl millet grains and their relationship to roti quality

Physical characteristics such as swelling capacity of grain and flour and water-soluble flour fraction, and chemical characteristics such as protein, starch, amylose, soluble sugars and fat content in pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) grains from 20 cultivars comprising local types, popular hybrids and prerelease lines were determined. Rotis were made from the grains of the 20 cultivars and evaluated for color, texture, odor, taste, and acceptability by a trained taste panel. The correlations between physicochemical characters and roti quality of 20 cultivars were worked out. The swelling capacity, water-soluble flour fraction, water-soluble protein, and amylose content of flour influenced the roti qualit

A microRNA cluster in the Fragile-X region expressed during spermatogenesis targets FMR1.

Testis-expressed X-linked genes typically evolve rapidly. Here, we report on a testis-expressed X-linked microRNA (miRNA) cluster that despite rapid alterations in sequence has retained its position in the Fragile-X region of the X chromosome in placental mammals. Surprisingly, the miRNAs encoded by this cluster (Fx-mir) have a predilection for targeting the immediately adjacent gene, Fmr1, an unexpected finding given that miRNAs usually act in trans, not in cis Robust repression of Fmr1 is conferred by combinations of Fx-mir miRNAs induced in Sertoli cells (SCs) during postnatal development when they terminate proliferation. Physiological significance is suggested by the finding that FMRP, the protein product of Fmr1, is downregulated when Fx-mir miRNAs are induced, and that FMRP loss causes SC hyperproliferation and spermatogenic defects. Fx-mir miRNAs not only regulate the expression of FMRP, but also regulate the expression of eIF4E and CYFIP1, which together with FMRP form a translational regulatory complex. Our results support a model in which Fx-mir family members act cooperatively to regulate the translation of batteries of mRNAs in a developmentally regulated manner in SCs

Selection of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) varieties resistant to the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth

Pot and field experiments were performed in Burkina Faso in 1987 and 1988 to evaluate the resistance of selected ‘low-stimulant’ sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) varieties to the parasitic weed (Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. In a pot experiment, the variety IS-7777 supported the lowest number and had the latest emergence of Striga, compared with the other varieties tested. The varieties IS-14825, IS-6961, IS-7739, IS-14928 and IS-14975 also had signifi cantly lower numbers of emerged Striga per pot than the resistant control Framida. The resist ance of IS-7777 was confirmed in field experi ments, as was that of IS-7739, IS-6961 and IS-14928. However, the yield potential of these poorly adapted varieties was low in Striga-infested fields. The varieties IS-14975, IS–14825 and Seguetana Niarabougou exhibited a low susceptibility associated with a grain yield equivalent to that of the other varieties in farm fields infested by Striga. As Seguetana is already grown by Sahelian farmers, its use could be recommended in the absence of resistant varieties adapted to Sahelian agroclimatic conditions. The exceptionally high level of restance exhibited by IS-7777 could be exploited in studies on the genetics and mechanisms of resistance of the host plant to the parasite, as well as in sorghum improvement programme

Growth and characterization of SiC epitaxial layers on Si- and C-face 4H SiC substrates by chemical-vapor deposition

High-quality Schottky junctions have been fabricated on n-type 4H SiC epitaxial layers grown by chemical-vapor deposition on C- and Si-face substrates in order to understand the effect of growth direction on the growth mechanism and formation of defects. Atomic force microscopy analysis showed dramatic differences between the surfaces of SiC epilayers grown on C and Si faces. There was a significant step bunching in the SiC grown on Si-face substrates. Current-voltage, capacitance-voltage, and deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) measurements were carried out on the Schottky junctions to analyze the junction characteristics. The Schottky junctions on C-face SiC showed larger barrier heights than those on Si-face SiC, showing that each face has a different surface energy. The barrier heights of Ni Schottky junctions were found to be 1.97 and 1.54 eV for C-face and Si-face materials, respectively. However, the deep-level spectra obtained by DLTS were similar, regardless of the increased surface roughness of the Si-face 4H SiC

Two decades of public health achievements in lymphatic filariasis (2000–2020): reflections, progress and future challenges

We are pleased to provide an editorial to introduce this series of articles on the achievements of the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) over the last 2 decades. We are delighted that so many of the major players in this journey have agreed to contribute to this supplement, which tracks the successes and identifies the challenges faced over 2 decades of work as well as also looking towards the coming years

Studies on sandal spike. Part VI. A study of the amino-acid make-up and some organic acids of sandal (Santalum album L.) in health and disease

The following amino-acids have been detected in the healthy and the diseased tissues of sandal (green foliage): alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, histidine leucine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, proline, hydroxy proline, serine, threonine, valine and α-aminobutyric acid. Quantitative estimations have been made of alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid as also those of the corresponding ketocarboxylic acids, namely, pyruvic, oxalacetic and α-ketoglutaric acids which are involved in the aminoacid and carbohydrate metabolisms, respectively. Distinct differences have been noticed in regard to the quantities of these acids present in the healthy and diseased tissues and their significance has been discussed

Phylogenetic relations in section Arachis based on seed protein profile

Seed protein profiles of nine diploid species (2n = 20), ten tetraploid accessions, two synthetic amphidiploids and two autotetraploids (2n = 40) were studied using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. While the general profiles suggested considerable homology among these taxa in spite of speciation and ploidy differences, appreciable genetic differences were present to support the existing genomic divisions and sub-divisions in the section Arachis. A high degree of relationship was indicated between the two diploid species (A. duranensis containing the A genome and A. batizocoi (ICG 8210) containing the B genome) and tetraploids A. monticola/A. hypogaea (2n = 40) containing AABB genome. Similar relationships were recorded between the AABB synthetic amphidiploid and the profile obtained from the mixture of protein of A. duranensis and A. batizocoi, suggesting that these two diploid species were the donors of the A and B genome, respectively, to tetraploid A. monticola/A. hypogaea