Maternal inheritance of chloroplast DNA in Coffea arabica hybrids

Intergenic spacers of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) are very useful in phylogenetic and population genetic studies of plant species. Their integration in phylogenetic analysis leads to a deep understanding of species relationships. Mode of chloroplast DNA inheritance was investigated in the genus Coffea arabica (Rubiaceae) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of cpDNA fragments using universal primer pair rrn23 – trnR (ACG) region of chloroplast genome. A total of 30 F1 plants from five different C. arabica parent varieties were examined. Two crosses involving C. arabica var. Sln.10 and C. arabica var. Devamachy, and C. arabica var.S.881 and another cross involving C. arabica var. Agaro with C. arabica var. Tafarikela were analyzed. Length polymorphism was observed in all three hybrids at rrn23 – trnR (ACG) region of cpDNA. In each case, it was the maternal cpDNA marker that appeared in the F1 individuals. Further it was observed that the length polymorphism  observed within parental plants led to the identification of five different banding patterns at rrn23 – trnR (ACG) region of coffee cpDNA. The possible reasons for the observed differences are discussed

Development and validation of a UPLC-MS method for determination of atazanavir sulfate by the “analytical quality by design” approach

A UPLC-MS method for the estimation of atazanavir sulfate was developed using the “analytical quality by design” approach. The critical chromatographic quality attributes identified were retention time, theoretical plates and peak tailing. The critical method parameters established were percent of organic modifier, flow rate and injection volume. Optimization performed using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) established 10 % organic modifier, 0.4 mL min–1 flow rate and 6-µL injection volume as the optimum method conditions. Atazanavir sulfate eluted at 5.19 min without any interference. Method validation followed international guidelines. The method has proven linearity in the range of 10–90 µg mL–1. Recovery was between 100.2–101.0 % and precision within the accepted limits (RSD 0.2–0.7 %). LOD and LOQ were 2.68 and 8.14 µg mL–1, resp. Stress testing stability studies showed atazanavir sulfate to degrade under acidic and basic conditions. The suggested technique is simple, rapid and sustainable.It is, therefore, suggested for routine analysis of atazanavir sulfate

Test-Tube Fertilization in dicranostigma franchetianum (Prain) Fedde

This article does not have an abstract

A Recombinant Rift Valley Fever Virus Glycoprotein Subunit Vaccine Confers Full Protection against Rift Valley Fever Challenge in Sheep

Citation: Faburay, B., Wilson, W. C., Gaudreault, N. N., Davis, A. S., Shivanna, V., Bawa, B., . . . Richt, J. A. (2016). A Recombinant Rift Valley Fever Virus Glycoprotein Subunit Vaccine Confers Full Protection against Rift Valley Fever Challenge in Sheep. Scientific Reports, 6, 12. doi:10.1038/srep27719Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic pathogen causing disease outbreaks in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The virus has great potential for transboundary spread due to the presence of competent vectors in non-endemic areas. There is currently no fully licensed vaccine suitable for use in livestock or humans outside endemic areas. Here we report the evaluation of the efficacy of a recombinant subunit vaccine based on the RVFV Gn and Gc glycoproteins. In a previous study, the vaccine elicited strong virus neutralizing antibody responses in sheep and was DIVA (differentiating naturally infected from vaccinated animals) compatible. In the current efficacy study, a group of sheep (n=5) was vaccinated subcutaneously with the glycoprotein-based subunit vaccine candidate and then subjected to heterologous challenge with the virulent Kenya-128B-15 RVFV strain. The vaccine elicited high virus neutralizing antibody titers and conferred complete protection in all vaccinated sheep, as evidenced by prevention of viremia, fever and absence of RVFV-associated histopathological lesions. We conclude that the subunit vaccine platform represents a promising strategy for the prevention and control of RVFV infections in susceptible hosts

Understanding the role of grain boundaries on charge-carrier and ion transport in Cs2AgBiBr6 thin films

Halide double perovskites have gained significant attention, owing to their composition of low-toxicity elements, stability in air, and recent demonstrations of long charge-carrier lifetimes that can exceed 1 s. In particular, Cs2AgBiBr6 has been the subject of many investigations in photovoltaic devices. However, the efficiencies of solar cells based on this double perovskite are still far from the theoretical efficiency limit of the material. Here, we investigate the role of grain size on the optoelectronic properties of Cs2AgBiBr6 thin films. We show through cathodoluminescence measurements that grain boundaries are the dominant non-radiative recombination sites. We also demonstrate through field-effect transistor and temperature-dependent transient current measurements that grain boundaries act as the main channels for ion transport. Interestingly, we find a positive correlation between carrier mobility and temperature, which resembles the hopping mechanism often seen in organic semiconductors. These findings explain the discrepancy between the long diffusion lengths >1 m found in Cs2AgBiBr6 single crystals versus the limited performance achieved in their thin film counterparts. Our work shows that mitigating the impact of grain boundaries will be critical for these double perovskite thin films to reach the performance achievable based on their intrinsic single-crystal properties

Experimental infection of calves by two genetically-distinct strains of rift valley fever virus

Citation: Wilson, W. C., Davis, A. S., Gaudreault, N. N., Faburay, B., Trujillo, J. D., Shivanna, V., . . . Richt, J. A. (2016). Experimental infection of calves by two genetically-distinct strains of rift valley fever virus. Viruses, 8(5). doi:10.3390/v8050145Additional Authors: McVey, D. S.Recent outbreaks of Rift Valley fever in ruminant livestock, characterized by mass abortion and high mortality rates in neonates, have raised international interest in improving vaccine control strategies. Previously, we developed a reliable challenge model for sheep that improves the evaluation of existing and novel vaccines in sheep. This sheep model demonstrated differences in the pathogenesis of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection between two genetically-distinct wild-type strains of the virus, Saudi Arabia 2001 (SA01) and Kenya 2006 (Ken06). Here, we evaluated the pathogenicity of these two RVFV strains in mixed breed beef calves. There was a transient increase in rectal temperatures with both virus strains, but this clinical sign was less consistent than previously reported with sheep. Three of the five Ken06-infected animals had an early-onset viremia, one day post-infection (dpi), with viremia lasting at least three days. The same number of SA01-infected animals developed viremia at 2 dpi, but it only persisted through 3 dpi in one animal. The average virus titer for the SA01-infected calves was 1.6 logs less than for the Ken06-infected calves. Calves, inoculated with either strain, seroconverted by 5 dpi and showed time-dependent increases in their virus-neutralizing antibody titers. Consistent with the results obtained in the previous sheep study, elevated liver enzyme levels, more severe liver pathology and higher virus titers occurred with the Ken06 strain as compared to the SA01 strain. These results demonstrate the establishment of a virulent challenge model for vaccine evaluation in calves. © 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Atlas of Clam Resources of Karnataka

Among the renewable molluscan resources in India, the clams of the estuarine and backwater regions provide livelihood for the poor who exploit them for their meat and shells. The clam meat is rich in protein and is also cheap when compared to prawns and fishes. It is relished by the rich and the poor alike in Karnataka. The clam shells, made up of mostly calcium carbonate, are used for industrial purposes. The export of frozen clam meat started recently during the eighties enhanced the rate of exploitation considerably in states like Kerala causing concern. Therefore the study of this resource has gained Importance in recent years

Genetic architecture and evolution of the S locus supergene in Primula vulgaris

Darwin’s studies on heterostyly in Primula described two floral morphs, pin and thrum, with reciprocal anther and stigma heights that promote insect-mediated cross-pollination. This key innovation evolved independently in several angiosperm families. Subsequent studies on heterostyly in Primula contributed to the foundation of modern genetic theory and the neo-Darwinian synthesis. The established genetic model for Primula heterostyly involves a diallelic S locus comprising several genes, with rare recombination events that result in self-fertile homostyle flowers with anthers and stigma at the same height. Here we reveal the S locus supergene as a tightly-linked cluster of thrum-specific genes that are absent in pins. We show that thrums are hemizygous not heterozygous for the S locus, which suggests that homostyles do not arise by recombination between S locus haplotypes as previously proposed. Duplication of a floral homeotic gene 51.7 MYA, followed by its neofunctionalisation, created the current S locus assemblage which led to floral heteromorphy in Primula. Our findings provide new insights into the structure, function and evolution of this archetypal supergene

Hypothermia for encephalopathy in low and middle-income countries (HELIX): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic hypothermia reduces death and disability after moderate or severe neonatal encephalopathy in high-income countries and is used as standard therapy in these settings. However, the safety and efficacy of cooling therapy in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 99% of the disease burden occurs, remains unclear. We will examine whether whole body cooling reduces death or neurodisability at 18-22 months after neonatal encephalopathy, in LMICs. METHODS: We will randomly allocate 408 term or near-term babies (aged ≤ 6 h) with moderate or severe neonatal encephalopathy admitted to public sector neonatal units in LMIC countries (India, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka), to either usual care alone or whole-body cooling with usual care. Babies allocated to the cooling arm will have core body temperature maintained at 33.5 °C using a servo-controlled cooling device for 72 h, followed by re-warming at 0.5 °C per hour. All babies will have detailed infection screening at the time of recruitment and 3 Telsa cerebral magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy at 1-2 weeks after birth. Our primary endpoint is death or moderate or severe disability at the age of 18 months. DISCUSSION: Upon completion, HELIX will be the largest cooling trial in neonatal encephalopathy and will provide a definitive answer regarding the safety and efficacy of cooling therapy for neonatal encephalopathy in LMICs. The trial will also provide important data about the influence of co-existent perinatal infection on the efficacy of hypothermic neuroprotection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02387385. Registered on 27 February 2015