Genetic analysis and molecular mapping of a new fertility restorer gene Rf8 for Triticum timopheevi cytoplasm in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using SSR markers

A study on mode of inheritance and mapping of fertility restorer (Rf) gene(s) using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was conducted in a cross of male sterile line 2041A having Triticum timopheevi cytoplasm and a restorer line PWR4099 of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The F1 hybrid was completely fertile indicating that fertility restoration is a dominant trait. Based on the pollen fertility and seed set of bagged spikes in F2 generation, the individual plants were classified into fertile and sterile groups. Out of 120 F2 plants, 97 were fertile and 23 sterile (based on pollen fertility) while 98 plants set ≥5 seeds/spike and 22 produced ≤4 or no seed. The observed frequency fits well into Mendelian ratio of 3 fertile: 1 sterile with χ2 value of 2.84 for pollen fertility and 2.17 for seed setting indicating that the fertility restoration is governed by a single dominant gene in PWR4099. The three linked SSR markers, Xwmc503, Xgwm296 and Xwmc112 located on the chromosome 2DS were placed at a distance of 3.3, 5.8 and 6.7 cM, respectively, from the Rf gene. Since, no known Rf gene is located on the chromosome arm 2DS, the Rf gene in PWR4099 is a new gene and proposed as Rf8. The closest SSR marker, Xwmc503, linked to the Rf8 was validated in a set of Rf, maintainer and cytoplasmic male sterile lines. The closely linked SSR marker Xwmc503 may be used in marker-assisted backcross breeding facilitating the transfer of fertility restoration gene Rf8 into elite backgrounds with ease

Yeast homologs of human MCUR1 regulate mitochondrial proline metabolism

Mitochondria house evolutionarily conserved pathways of carbon and nitrogen metabolism that drive cellular energy production. Mitochondrial bioenergetics is regulated by calcium uptake through the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), a multi-protein complex whose assembly in the inner mitochondrial membrane is facilitated by the scaffold factor MCUR1. Intriguingly, many fungi that lack MCU contain MCUR1 homologs, suggesting alternate functions. Herein, we characterize Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologs Put6 and Put7 of MCUR1 as regulators of mitochondrial proline metabolism. Put6 and Put7 are tethered to the inner mitochondrial membrane in a large hetero-oligomeric complex, whose abundance is regulated by proline. Loss of this complex perturbs mitochondrial proline homeostasis and cellular redox balance. Yeast cells lacking either Put6 or Put7 exhibit a pronounced defect in proline utilization, which can be corrected by the heterologous expression of human MCUR1. Our work uncovers an unexpected role of MCUR1 homologs in mitochondrial proline metabolism. Although some fungal mitochondria lack the calcium uniporter, many intriguingly encode homologs of the uniporter assembly factor MCUR1. Here, the authors show that in budding yeast, the MCUR1 homologs Put6 and Put7 regulate mitochondrial proline metabolism, a function also conserved in human MCUR1

Biomass and Carbon Stock Estimation in Woody Grass (\u3cem\u3eDendrocalamus strictus\u3c/em\u3e L.) in Doon Valley, India

Bamboos commonly kown as woody grass are one of the most important species particularly in Asia, where it is frequently considered as the ―timber of the poor‖ (Rao et al., 1985). With about 23 genera and 136 species, India is the second largest reservoir of bamboos, next only to China (SFR, 2013 and Nath et al., 2009). Bamboos occur extensively in the managed ecosystems of India—both as plantations (and in agroforestry (scattered clumps, hedgerows on farm boundaries etc. Dendrocalamus strictus L. is most commonly found bamboo in India. It is widely distributed in dry deciduous forests and grows rapidly in all climatic conditions and occupies about 53 % of total bamboo area in India. It grows better in the drier parts and on sandstone, granite and coarse grained soils with low moisture- retaining capacity and soils with pH range 5.5–7.6. It grows more than 8 feet in 6–8 months. The species is used widely for as raw material in paper mills and also for variety of purposes such as construction, agricultural implements, musical instruments, furniture etc. The species is also suitable for reclamations of degraded and ravine lands. The accurate assessment of biomass estimates of a forest is important for many applications (Brown, 2002; Chave et al., 2004; Arora et al., 2014; Verma et al., 2014). In recent years, the carbon cycle has become an important issue in the world and plants play a major role in carbon storage. Biomass estimation enables us to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide that can be sequestered from the atmosphere. However, most of the carbon and biomass studies focus on assessing the capability of trees viz., poplar, eucalyptus, shisham, chir teak, subabul etc. The studies related to biomass and carbon stock estimation in bamboos is limited. The present study examine specifically the above ground stand biomass, biomass structure and C storage in D. strictus

Risk factors assessment of bovine tuberculosis among abattoir personnel in Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria: A One-Health approach

Aim: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an important milk-borne zoonosis that affects cattle production and poses serious threat to public health. This study aimed at assessing the risk factors as well as the level of awareness, attitude, and practices of abattoir personnel toward bTB in Gombe Township Abattoir, Gombe State. Materials and Methods: A prospective survey was conducted between October 2015 and December 2015. During the survey, a total of 112 close-ended structured questionnaires were administered to the abattoir personnel to assess their level of awareness of bTB. Results: Of these respondents, the majority were males (79%), butchers (49%) and about 40% were under the productive age brackets of 26-35 years. Majority of the respondents (85.7%) were aware of the zoonotic nature of the disease. However, only a few of the respondents (44.6%) wear personal protective equipments (PPEs) clothes while handling or in contact with carcasses during the slaughtering process. Only a few among the respondents (24.1% and 31.2%) consumed unpasteurized milk and unaware of eating of improperly cooked meat as a risk factor of bTB, respectively. About 75.7% of the respondents believed that the habit of eating and drinking inside the abattoir and during slaughtering operations has no any significant effects on their health. The results obtained show a statistically significant association between respondents' awareness of bTB and their occupational status, duration of exposure to cattle carcasses, and knowledge about the disease (p<0.05); and the odds of being aware of bTB was 10.0, 5.07, and 4.2, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the need for public health authorities to intervene in bTB prevention and control through the creation of avenues for enlightenment on the zoonotic risk associated with bTB. The risk factors associated with bTB transmission as indicated by the personnel's practice and awareness levels in Gombe township abattoir are preventable through the use of PPEs clothing

Novel Energy Sources -Material Architecture and Charge Transport in Solid State Ionic Materials for Rechargeable Li ion Batteries

Since its introduction in the consumer market at the beginning of 1990s by Sony Corporation ‘Li-ion rechargeable battery’ and ‘LiCoO2 cathode’ is an inseparable couple for highly reliable practical applications. However, a separation is inevitable as Li-ion rechargeable battery industry demand more and more from this well serving cathode. Spinel-type lithium manganate (e.g., LiMn2O4), lithium-based layered oxide materials (e.g., LiNiO2) and lithium-based olivine-type compounds (e.g., LiFePO4) are nowadays being extensively studied for application as alternate cathode materials in Li-ion rechargeable batteries. Primary goal of this project was the advancement of Li-ion rechargeable battery to meet the future demands of the energy sector. Major part of the research emphasized on the investigation of electrodes and solid electrolyte materials for improving the charge transport properties in Li-ion rechargeable batteries. Theoretical computational methods were used to select electrodes and electrolyte material with enhanced structural and physical properties. The effect of nano-particles on enhancing the battery performance was also examined. Satisfactory progress has been made in the bulk form and our efforts on realizing micro-battery based on thin films is close to give dividend and work is progressing well in this direction

THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIMARY DYSMENORRHOEA (KASHTARTAVA) - A PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTRIC OPEN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Objective: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of Rajahpravartini vati in the management of primary dysmenorrhoea (Kashtartava) and changes in the quality of life of the subjects. Study design: A multi-centric prospective single arm observational study. Setting and participants: 359 subjects aged between 16 - 35 years suffering from painful menstruation at least for three consecutive regular menstrual cycles were included in the study. Intervention: Rajahpravartini Vati a classical Ayurvedic formulation was administered 250 mg b.d. with lukewarm water for 90 days followed by subsequent 90 days without intervention. Outcome measures: The management of menstrual pain assessing by 10 points Visual Analogue Scale and improvement in the quality of life using SF-36 (RAND) questionnaire. Results: The mean VAS score of pain at baseline was 6.94±1.98, decreasing to 1.7±2.22 at 90th day which further decreased and maintained to 1.24±1.9 up to 180th day. Associated symptoms like nausea, vomiting, constipation, giddiness, breast tenderness, diarrhea, headache and fainting were completely relieved. The improvements of quality of life in 8 domains viz. pain, general health, physical functioning, social functioning, emotional wellbeing, energy/fatigue, limitation due to physical health and emotional problems at the end of 90th day of intervention was also significant (p&lt;0.001) in comparison to baseline. No adverse event occurred during the treatment period. Conclusion: Rajahpravartini Vati has shown a positive role for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea and to improve the quality of life of the subjects

Changes in expression of polyamines and ethylene biosynthesis genes in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes during Sclerotium rolfsii infection

Stem rot disease caused by fungal pathogen, Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., is potential threat to groundnut production in warm and humid condition. After host-pathogen interaction, a multitude of plant resistance associated reactions are initiated. In the present investigation we studied the role of polyamines and ethylene during host-pathogen interaction in stem rot tolerant (CS319, GG17 and GG31) and susceptible (TG37A) groundnut genotypes at 24, 48 and 72 h after infection. Stem rot tolerant genotypes showed higher expression of polyamine biosynthesis genes ornithine decarboxylase (Ordec), spermine synthase (Sms) and lipoxygenase1 (LOX1) gene at 72 h after infection than that of susceptible genotype TG37A. The expression analysis of ethylene biosynthesis genes (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase: ACCO and (ACCS) showed up regulation in stem rot susceptible genotype TG37A than that of tolerant genotypes after infection at all stages (24, 48 and 72 h after infection). The expression of amine oxidase (AMO) gene was observed highest in stem rot susceptible genotype TG37A while minimum in GJG31. Expression of this gene was remarkably induced in TG37A which may leads to higher accumulation of H2O2. Higher content of a polyamine, putrescine was found in the leaves of stem rot tolerant genotypes at 48 and 72 h after infection. These results implied that tolerant genotypes induced higher polyamine biosynthesis which may involve in plant defense and impart tolerance/ resistance. While, susceptible genotype (TG37A), utilized higher flux of S-Adenosyl methionine (SAM) for ethylene biosynthesis which may leads to necrosis of plants. Thus, stem rot resistant genotypes may be developed through genetic manipulation of polyamine biosynthesis pathway