Molecular and functional diversity in Capsicum landraces of Andaman Islands

The present study analyzed the diversity in 26 landraces of Capsicum from Andaman Islands using 20 morphological, 16 biochemical and 10 DNA markers. Significant differences were observed in tested landraces and 16 reference genotypes from mainland India. Biochemical markers grouped all the genotypes into eight clusters with inter-cluster distance of 0.5 to 1.9 while seven quantified morphological traits divided the test genotypes into three major clusters and seven sub-clusters with 0.1 to 1.6 inter-cluster distance value. The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers assured the genetic nature of diversity in landraces. The similarity matrix from RAPD and ISSR markers revealed 48% diversity among 42 genotypes with polymorphism information content (PIC) values of 0.43 and 0.41, respectively. The correspondence in morphological and biochemical markers indicates their interdependence for observed traits. However, poor correlation between DNA profiles and functional markers suggest further screening of more number of markers.The study identified phytochemical rich landraces CA-334, SPG-7, CARI-1 and CCB-2. The information will be useful in chemo-taxonomic foot-printing of Capsicum landraces and devising apposite conservation and utilization strategies.Keywords: Capsicum, landraces, functional diversity, chemo-taxonomic diversity, DNA markersAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(39), pp. 5729-573

Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma of the kidney

Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC) is a unique neoplasm attributing to less than 1% of all renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The median age is 6th decade with a significant female preponderance.1 These tumors classically consist of tightly packed, elongated, and anastomosing tubules which merge with bland spindle cells in a myxoid stroma in variable proportions. Tubules with tufting or small papillae and foci of foamy macrophages may occur. The tumor cells are low-grade and may show clear cytoplasm or oncocytic changes with rare mitosis. Immunohistochemically, PAX8, CK7, AMACR, and CD10 are positive in this tumor.1,2 Though it is a morphological diagnosis, it can be challenging to differentiate from a solid variant of papillary RCC, sarcomatoid RCC, or myoid-predominant angiomyolipoma. Immunohistochemistry may be of little help due to overlapping profiles.3 Copy number analyses can help establish a diagnosis in challenging cases or core biopsies since these are associated with multiple chromosomal losses involving chromosomes 1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, and 22. Novel biomarkers like VSTM2A overexpression are also emerging, which can be detected by RNA in-situ hybridization. Recurrent Hippo pathway aberrations have been defined as the molecular signature of MTSCC with increased nuclear YAP1 protein expression.4 Adverse features such as necrosis, solid growth, single file infiltration, sarcomatoid transformation, lymphovascular invasion, and increased mitoses are indicators of metastatic disease. Although it has indolent behavior, rare cases with classic morphology have been seen to develop metastases.5-6 We describe gross and histopathological findings of mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma in a 65-year-old male patient. He presented with right abdominal pain for one month. The pain was dull and mild to moderate in intensity. On contrast-enhanced ultrasound, a well-defined, smoothly marginated heterogeneous hyperechoic lesion measuring 5.5x6cm was noted at the upper pole of the right kidney. The lesion was hyper enhancing compared to the rest of the renal parenchyma. Based on the radiological findings, possibilities of chromophobe RCC and oncocytoma were considered. The abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a hyperdense lesion in the upper pole of the right kidney with a relatively well-defined margin measuring 63x65x69mm with no evidence of significant post-contrast enhancement in the either arterial, venous or delayed phase. The patient underwent a right radical nephrectomy. On gross examination, a well-encapsulated mass was seen wholly occupying the upper pole of the kidney measuring 6.9x6.5x5.5cm. The cut surface was variegated with grey-white, firm areas admixed with mucinous and hemorrhagic foci (Figure 1A). No capsular breach or perinephric fat extension was noted. The renal pelvis, sinus, and renal vessels were free of tumor. Figure 1 A - gross nephrectomy specimen showing a large, well-demarcated tumor involving the upper pole of the kidney measuring 6.9x6.5x5.5cm. The cut surface is variegated and appears grey-white and firm, along with intervening mucinous and hemorrhagic areas (scale bar = 5 cm); B - microscopically, the tumor is well-circumscribed with sharp demarcation from adjacent normal renal parenchyma (H&E; 40x); C - the dominant epithelial component is seen against the background stroma containing significant extracellular mucin (H&E; 100x); D - higher magnification showing tightly packed anastomosing tubules lined by low-grade cuboidal cells with cytoplasmic vacuoles against mucinous background (H&E; 400x).: Microscopically, the tumor was well-demarcated from the adjacent native renal parenchyma (Figure 1B). It was composed of the dominant epithelial element against the background of extracellular mucinous stroma (Figure 1C). The epithelial component contained tightly packed, elongated, tufted, and anastomosing tubules lined by low-grade cuboidal cells and are seen merging with bland spindle cells (Figure 1D). The nuclei display fine vesicular chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, and moderate cytoplasm with vacuolations. Mitotic figures are infrequent (<1/10HPF). No necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, or high-grade transformation was found. However, foamy macrophage collections and lymphoid aggregates are admixed. Cholesterol clefts with focal foreign body giant cell response indicated the long-standing nature of the tumor. Based on the gross and microscopy findings, the diagnosis of mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma [(pT1bpNx; American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual; 8th edition)] was rendered

Performance of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties with and without straw-mulch at Shankharapur, Kathmandu, Nepal

The suitability of crop varieties in a particular location determines the productivity of crops. A field experiment was conducted from February to May 2020 at Shankharapur, Kathmandu, Nepal to evaluate the growth and productivity of potato varieties with and without mulch. Five potato varieties (Cardinal, Janakdev, Khumal Bikas, MS- 42.3, Panauti Local) were evaluated under straw-mulch and no-mulch conditions. The treatments were arranged in two factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The results revealed that the highest tuber yield was produced by Janakdev (34.29 t ha-1) followed by Panauti Local (29.52 t ha-1). Similarly, straw-mulch gave higher yield (25.9 t ha-1) as compared with no mulch condition (21.73 t ha-1). The higher tuber yield in the Janakdev and Panauti Local was because of higher tuber weight per hill, higher number and weight of medium size (50 -100 g) and oversize (> 100 g) tuber per hill. Similarly, higher yield in straw mulch was due to higher number and weight of tuber per hill. Higher gross return, net return was observed and the benefit cost ratioin varieties Janakdev (4.08) and Panauti Local (3.53) and rice straw mulch (2.88). Therefore, potato varieties Janakdev and Panauti Local with straw mulch are most suitable for Kathmandu like climate for improving productivity and profitability

Diagnostic utility of α-methylacyl CoA racemase (P504S) & HMWCK in morphologically difficult prostate cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate the diagnostic utility of alpha-methylacyl CoA racemase (P504S) & HMWCK (34beta E12) in morphologically difficult prostate cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 1034 cases were reviewed and divided into benign (585) malignant (399) and suspicious (50). Immunohistochemistry with HMWCK and AMACR was done on the 50 suspicious cases along with controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Forty nine suspicious cases were resolved by using both markers where as 1 case was resolved by further support with CD68. The original diagnosis was changed in 15 of 50 (30%) suspicious cases from benign to malignant, one case from benign to high grade PIN and in one case from malignant to benign. Change of diagnosis was seen in 17 of 50 (34%) suspicious cases with a significant p value of 0.002. The overall diagnosis was changed in 17 of 1034 cases (1.64%) of prostatic disease (p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A combination of HMWCK and AMACR is of great value in combating the morphologically suspicious cases and significantly increasing the diagnostic accuracy in prostate cancer. Although, in this study the sensitivity and specificity of HMWCK and AMACR were high, yet it should be used with caution, keeping in mind all their pitfalls and limitations.</p

Nitrogen uptake and economics of black rice (Oryza sativa L. indica) under different crop geometries and nitrogen management practices

Black rice&nbsp;has more antioxidants than any other rice variety.&nbsp; It is considered to have multiple benefits in human health due to the presence of different antioxidants. A field experiment was conducted during rainy season of 2015-2016 to assess the nitrogen uptake, use efficiency and economics of black rice production under different crop geometry and nitrogen (N) management practices in Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with three replications. The experiment consisted of&nbsp; treatment combination of three crop geometry (20 cm × 20 cm, 20 cm × 15 cm and 15 cm × 15 cm) in vertical plots and three nitrogen management practices (N level: 30 kg N ha-1, 60 kg N ha-1, and LCC based N-management) in horizontal plots. The results showed that the highest N uptake was recorded from closer spacing (15 cm × 15 cm) with LCC based N management. The net return and B: C ratios were higher at a closer spacing of 15 cm × 15 cm with LCC based N management and closer spacing of 15 cm × 15 cm with N application of 60 kg ha-1. The overall analysis revealed that LCC based N management under closer crop geometry (15 cm × 15 cm) was the best management practices because of high nitrogen uptake and highest monetary return with B: C ratio of 5.76

Genetic diversity of morphological, biochemical and mineral traits in Indian onion (Allium cepa) genotypes

The present study was carried out during 2021 and 2022 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to evaluate the diversity among 83 onion (Allium cepa L.) genotypes utilizing morphological, biochemical, and mineral profiling. Substantial genetic variances were observed across all the investigated traits. Traits such as bulb phenol content, bulb pyruvic acid content, neck thickness, average bulb weight, iron, zinc, and sulphur recorded high genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) values, whereas plant height, total soluble solids, marketable yield, dry matter, and calcium had moderate GCV as well as PCV values. High heritability was observed for all traits except for iron content, which ranged from 98.32% (bulb phenol content) to 37.93% (Iron). Principle Component Analysis (PCA) extracted 5 principal components (PC1–PC5), accounting for a cumulative variance of 59.88%. The primary contributors to PC1 were average bulb weight, marketable yield, and equatorial diameter, while PC2 was primarily influenced by iron content, bulb pyruvic acid content, and neck thickness. On the basis of Euclidean distance and Ward’s D2 analysis, all the genotypes were grouped into three clusters. Cluster 1 showed the highest values for dry matter, iron and zinc content. Cluster 2 consisted of genotypes with higher values for plant height, polar diameter, average bulb weight, calcium, potassium, and sulphur content, whereas it showed lower values for neck thickness. Cluster 3 exhibited higher values for equatorial diameter, total soluble solids and marketable yield. Greater genetic diversity offers breeders enhanced opportunities to identify promising genotypes for selection or utilization as parents in hybrid breeding programmes

Evidence for Conical Magnetic Structure in M-type BaFe12O19 Hexaferrite: A Combined Single-Crystal XMCD and Neutron Diffraction Study

The magnetic ground state of BaFe12O19 (BFO) was investigated using X-ray absorption at 1.2 K and 1.5 K, respectively. The XMCD measurements on single-crystals of BFO in grazing incidence geometry reveal the canting of the spins away from the c-axis of the hexagonal unit cell. Single-crystal neutron diffraction studies reveal magnetic satellite peaks along the 00l reciprocal lattice row around the forbidden l = 2n +/- 1 positions confirming conical-type magnetic structure in the ground state of BFO. The observation of the conical magnetic structure of BFO opens the possibility of type-II multiferroicity in undoped BFO also.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure

Effect of Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) on performance, emissions, deposits and durability of a constant speed compression ignition engine

To meet stringent vehicular exhaust emission norms worldwide, several exhaust pre-treatment and post-treatment techniques have been employed in modern engines. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) is a pre-treatment technique, which is being used widely to reduce and control the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission from diesel engines. EGR controls the NOx because it lowers oxygen concentration and flame temperature of the working fluid in the combustion chamber. However, the use of EGR leads to a trade-off in terms of soot emissions. Higher soot generated by EGR leads to long-term usage problems inside the engines such as higher carbon deposits, lubricating oil degradation and enhanced engine wear. Present experimental study has been carried out to investigate the effect of EGR on soot deposits, and wear of vital engine parts, especially piston rings, apart from performance and emissions in a two cylinder, air cooled, constant speed direct injection diesel engine, which is typically used in agricultural farm machinery and decentralized captive power generation. Such engines are normally not operated with EGR. The experiments were carried out to experimentally evaluate the performance and emissions for different EGR rates of the engine. Emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), NOx, carbon monoxide (CO), exhaust gas temperature, and smoke opacity of the exhaust gas etc. were measured. Performance parameters such as thermal efficiency, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) were calculated. Reduction in NOx and exhaust gas temperature were observed but emissions of particulate matter (PM), HC, and CO were found to have increased with usage of EGR. The engine was operated for 96 h in normal running conditions and the deposits on vital engine parts were assessed. The engine was again operated for 96 h with EGR and similar observations were recorded. Higher carbon deposits were observed on the engine parts operating with EGR. Higher wear of piston rings was also observed for engine operated with EGR.Exhaust Gas Recirculation Engine durability Exhaust emissions Engine performance

A Rare Case of Continuous Type Splenogonadal Fusion in a Young Male with Primary Infertility

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare developmental anomaly in which an abnormal connection between splenic tissue and gonads or mesonephric derivatives is present. Here we present a case of young man with the complaint of primary infertility for 3 years. On evaluation (USG and MRI abdomen and pelvis), his right scrotal testis was atrophied and left intra-abdominal undescended testis. On laparoscopic assessment, a mass was seen on the left side due to continuous type of splenogonadal fusion for which excision and left orchidectomy were done. Postoperative period was uneventful and he was discharged under satisfactory condition. Splenogonadal fusion is a rare entity and it is commonly mistaken for testicular tumour. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of testicular masses especially when there are associated congenital anomalies and preoperative laparoscopic assessment, should be done to avoid unnecessary radical surgery