Protein landmarks for diversity assessment in wheat genotypes

Grain proteins from 20 Indian wheat genotypes were evaluated for diversity assessment based seed storage protein profiling on sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Genetic diversity was evaluated using Nei’s index, Shannon index and Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis by constructing dendrogram of fractions of proteins, which were used for the calculation of similarity coefficients between these varieties. Diversity analysis attributes exhibited the importance of seed storage as a marker system. The similarity ranged from 32.14% to as high as 100% between genotypes. Adoption of this technology would be useful to plant protection regulatory systems, especially for plant variety identification and registration of new plant varieties, breeding programs and protection purposes.Keywords: Sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), genetic diversity, population diversity index, coefficient of similarity.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(29), pp. 4640-464

Simultaneous Estimation of Twenty Eight Phenolic Compounds by a Novel and Expeditious Method Developed on Quaternary Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography System with a Photodiode Array Detector

Plant secondary metabolites including phenolics and flavonoidsare synthesized through phenylpropanoid and phenylpropanoid–acetate pathways and significantly contribute against adverse effect of abiotic and biotic stresses. Herein, we present the development and execution of a novel and expeditious ultra-performance liquid chromatographic-photodiode array (UPLC–PDA) method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of 28 phenolic compounds comprising of flavonoids, phenolic acids, aldehydes and alcohols. The method is able to separate phenolic compounds in just 17 min with the separation of isobaric species such as 3,4 dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3,5 dihydroxy benzoic acid; quercetin and taxifolin. Linear curves concentrations ranged from 6–18 µg/mL (3,5 dihydroxy benzoic acid), 4–12 µg/mL (catechin and salicylic acid) and 2–6 µg/mL for rest of the compounds and correlation coefficients were >0.994. The limit of detection (LOD) varied from 0.04–0.45 µg/mL. Cotton root samples were used to assess the method in terms of recovery efficiency (85–120%), precision (0.12–4.09%) and intermediate precision (0.32–4.0%).Phenolics and flavonoidsin root samples of healthy and diseased plants as well as leaf samples of healthy plants were successfully quantified using this novel method without an expensive Mass Spectrometer

Pitfalls in diagnostic imaging: A case report

The new millennium has witnessed a sea change in diagnostic imaging sciences and the unfortunate ′tilt′ toward ′over imaging′ and ′over relying′ on modern imaging needs to be relooked. This case report emphasizes the need to strengthen conventional diagnostic skills/acumen and the importance of case history taking in all its grandeur as a part of comprehensive patient work up. In this case report of a 7-year-old child, the entire prognosis and treatment outcome was fortuitous since the imaging findings and suspected diagnosis on magnetic resonance imaging were relegated to the findings of history and clinical examination

Studies on improved Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in two indica rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Agrobacterium tumefaciens   strain EHA 105 carrying binary vector pCAMBIA 1301 was used for transformation in two economically important highly recalcitrant indica rice cultivars HKR-46 and HKR-126. High concentrations of acetosyringone in the Agrobacterium culture and co-cultivation medium proved to be indispensable for successful transformation. Embryogenic scutellar calli were used for transformation studies. Binary vector pCAMBIA 1301 have been proved efficient for transformation. The percent transient GUS expression found to be higher in cutivar HKR-126 (44.4%) as compared to HKR-46 (28.9%). The percent recovery of hygromycin resistant calli after 4-6 weeks on selection medium was maximum in HKR-126 (52.6%)

High frequency plant regeneration from desiccated calli of indica rice (Oryza Sativa l.)

An efficient and reproducible protocol is required to achieve high frequency transformation from transformed calli. We report here high frequency plant regeneration from mature seed derived embryogenic calli of two recalcitrant indica rice cultivars HKR-46 and HKR-126 after partial desiccation treatment. Embryogenic and nodular callus was initiated on MS basal medium supplemented with 2.5 mg l-1 2,4-D, 500 mg l-1 proline, 500 mg l-1 casein hydrolysate, 30 g l-1 sucrose and 2.5 g l-1 gelrite. Several media with different combinations of growth regulators were tried. Maximum shoot regeneration frequency (63%) was observed in partially desiccated calli for 48 h in cv. HKR 46 and 82.1 per cent in cv. HKR-126 on the MS modified medium supplemented with 2 mg l-1 kinetin + 0.5 mg l-1 NAA + 30 gl-1 sucrose + 6 g l-1 gelrite followed by in the medium supplemented with 1 mgl-1 2ip + 30 g l-1 sucrose + 6 g -1 gelrite (61% in cv. HKR-46 and 79.2 % in cv. HKR-126). Highly significant regeneration differences were observed in partially desiccated calli (48 h) in comparison to non-dehydrated (0 h desiccation) calli. Shoot regeneration frequency increased from 1.2 to 5.6 fold after 48 h of desiccation in both the cultivars on different regeneration media. Shoot regeneration frequency declined at 72 h desiccation treatment as compared to 48 h treatment. Well-developed plantlets were hardened and transferred to the green house

Development, characterization, and evaluation of Zn-SA-chitosan bionanoconjugates on wheat seed, experiencing chilling stress during germination

This study aimed to develop and characterize the chitosan bionanoconjugates (BNCs) loaded with zinc (Zn) and salicylic acid (SA) and test their efficacy on wheat seed exposed to chilling stress. BNCs developed were spherical (480 ± 6.0 nm), porous, and positively charged (+25.2 ± 2.4 mV) with regulated nutrient release properties. They possessed complexation efficiency of 78.4 and 58.9 % for Zn, and SA respectively. BET analysis further confirmed a surface area of 12.04 m2/g. Release kinetics substantiated the release rates of Zn and SA, as 0.579 and 0.559 % per hour, along with a half-life of 119.7 and 124.0 h, respectively. BNCs positively affected the germination potential of wheat seeds under chilling stress as observed by significantly (p < 0.05) reduced mean emergence time (18 %), and increased germination rate (22 %), compared to the control. Higher activities of reserve mobilizing enzymes (α-amylase- 6.5 folds, protease −10.2 folds) as well as faster reserve mobilization of starch (64.4 %) and protein (63.5 %) molecules were also observed. The application further led to increased levels of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and reduced oxidative damage (MDA and H2O2). Thus, it is inferred that the developed BNCs could help substantially improve the germination and reserve mobilization potential, thereby increasing the crop yield

Perinatal HIV

HIV pandemic is one of the most serious health crises the world faces today. Approximately 5–10% of all cases of HIV are children. Majority of children acquire infection through mother-to-child transmission either during pregnancy, delivery, or by breast-feeding. MTCT can be reduced to &#60;2% by antiretroviral prophylaxis to women during pregnancy and labour and to the infant in the first weeks of life, obstetrical interventions including elective cesarean delivery and complete avoidance of breastfeeding. Guidelines for postnatal diagnosis of HIV infection, feeding, immunization and administration of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis have been described in the protocol

Intervention of Fungi in Nano-Particle Technology and Applications

Biosynthesis of nanomaterial is of particular attention for material scientists due to its environmentally benign perspective and durability in a natural medium. Nanoparticles synthesized by using the whole cell, either inside the biological entity (intracellular) or extract/lysate/peptide-template (extracellular) believed to have a wide range of biological application. The chapter focuses primarily on the mechanistic investigation of metal and metal oxide nanoparticle synthesis and their potential applications in the agricultural and biomedical sector. So far fungus is explored more for silver nanoparticle synthesis among all other nanoparticles and their use as an antimicrobial agent either bare nanoparticles or as a synergetic agent with existing counterparts. In addition, fungus-nanotechnology explored for the synthesis of agriculturally important nutrient for native phosphorus mobilization and enhancement in photosynthetic activity

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Not AvailableThis article reviews the importance of culturing marine sponges, considering its applications in the field of drug development and pharmaceutics. Although the biomedical potential of sponges is known, sponge mariculture is an unexplored field in India. Sponges produce bioactive metabolites which have potential applications in drug development, as since sponges yield very low amount of bioactive compounds, mariculture technologies are to be standardized in order to ensure steady supply of sponges in required quantities without disturbing the wild sponge populations. The review also reveals several candidate sponges in India like Stylissa massa, Hyrtios erectus, Mycale sp., Dysidea sp. and Plakortis sp. with reports of high bioactive potential, and can be taken up for mariculture. The possibilities of fish-sponge integrated aquaculture are also discussed as opportunities. With the emergence of rare and uncommon diseases, marine organisms, particularly sponges hold much promise to resolve critical issues in the field of drug development. The review calls on importance in demonstration of feasible mariculture technology of potential candidate marine sponges in India, which could cater to the pharmaceutical needs, without disturbing their wild population.Not Availabl