Evaluation of rice genotypes for brown planthopper (BPH) resistance using molecular markers and phenotypic methods

Twenty eight (28) rice genotypes were used to evaluate the genetic variability based on known BPH resistant loci spread through most of the genome (chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12), using closely linked simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and by different phenotypic screening methods. A total number of 155 alleles were detected by 30 polymorphic markers with an average of 4.6 per locus. The genetic diversity, polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.15 to 0.89 and 0.13 to 0.88, respectively and the allele frequency ranged from 0.21 to 0.89. These microsatellite markers linked to BPH resistance loci classified rice genotypes into three clusters with additional sub groups and sub sub groups. Our study reveals high genetic variation and clear genotypic relationship for BPH resistance based on BPH resistance linked markers and known phenotypic screening methods such as standard seedbox screening technique, honey dew test and nymphal survival method. Phenotypic evaluation showed clear distinction between resistant and susceptible type by clearly revealing moderately resistant types as well. Combined use of phenotypic and genotypic evaluation methods can improve the efficiency of marker assisted selection and utilization of resistant genotypes for crop improvement by rice breeders.Keywords: Nilaparvata Lugens, microsatellite markers, polymorphism, genetic diversityAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(19), pp. 2515-252

New Geographical Record for Muraenid Eels (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae) along the Northeast Arabian Sea, Western Indian Ocean

Fishes of family Muraenidae, popularly known as moray eels, are one of the most diverse groups among true eels. Gymnothorax is the most predominant genus in terms of diversity along Indian coastline (31 species including recent description and distributional records), but they rarely form the fishery of commercial importance. Gymnothorax dorsalis, species of elongated unpatterned moray eels characterized by eight to nine pre-dorsal vertebrae, three infraorbital pores and low dorsal and anal fin united with caudal fins is reported for the first time from the west coast of India. Gymnothorax reticularis, reticulated patterned eel with 18–19 vertical dark bars, five pre-dorsal vertebrae and 10–11 vomerine teeth is also reported for the first time from the northwest coast of India

New Distributional Records for Cardinalfishes (Perciformes/ Apogonidae) from North East Arabian Sea, Western Indian Ocean

Fishes of family Apogonidae popularly known as cardinalfishes are of high ecological importance owing to its trophic role. Though the presence of apogonids from the coastal waters of the northeastern Arabian sea are reflected in diets of predatory fishes of the region and bycatch of trawls, limited reports are available on species composition. Three species namely Apogonichthyoides pseudotaeniatus (Gon, 1986), Jaydia queketti (Gilchrist, 1903) and Jaydia lineata (Temmink& Schlegal, 1842) have been reported for the first time from the region, adding to the apogonids diversity of the region. Ostorhinchus fasciatus (White, 1790) is also reported for the first time from the coastal waters of Gujarat. Morphometric assessment of the four species revealed several discriminating attributes capable of separating the species from each other

Marker-Assisted Improvement of the Elite Maintainer Line of Rice, IR 58025B for Wide Compatibility (S5n) Gene

The degree of heterosis in different hybrid rice varieties is reported to be at the highest in indica/japonica cross combination, however, there is a problem of sterility and semi-sterility in such inter sub specific hybrids. To overcome this problem, it is essential to develop parental lines having wide compatibility (S5n) gene. In this study, a functional marker S5-InDel was used for marker-assisted backcrossing (MABB) to introgress S5n gene from Dular into the genetic background of a widely grown recurrent parent IR 58025B, a maintainer line of wild-abortive (WA) cytoplasmic male sterile line, IR 58025A. Further, a closely linked marker nksbadh2 was used for the identification of plants devoid of aroma in backcross population to develop hybrids with no aroma. The stringent phenotypic selection followed by background selection of BC3F4 identified plants with 94.51–98.90% of the recurrent parent genome recovery of lines carrying S5n gene. Subsequently, at 10 promising BC3F5 lines possessing S5n gene with high yielding and long-slender grain type were validated for their maintainer behavior through test crosses with IR 58025A. Also the improved lines showed significantly improved spikelet fertility performance while crossed with japonica and javanica testers in comparison to the original recurrent parent. The improved lines developed in the present study, are being converted to CMS lines through marker-assisted backcross breeding to facilitate precise and improved hybrid breeding program in rice

Environmental Response and Genomic Regions Correlated with Rice Root Growth and Yield under Drought in the OryzaSNP Panel across Multiple Study Systems

Funding: This research was funded by the Generation Challenge Program (GCP) project G3008.06, “Targeting Drought-Avoidance Root Traits to Enhance Rice Productivity under Water-Limited Environments". The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Global investments in pandemic preparedness and COVID-19: development assistance and domestic spending on health between 1990 and 2026

Background The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in health surveillance systems, disease prevention, and treatment globally. Among the many factors that might have led to these gaps is the issue of the financing of national health systems, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), as well as a robust global system for pandemic preparedness. We aimed to provide a comparative assessment of global health spending at the onset of the pandemic; characterise the amount of development assistance for pandemic preparedness and response disbursed in the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic; and examine expectations for future health spending and put into context the expected need for investment in pandemic preparedness. Methods In this analysis of global health spending between 1990 and 2021, and prediction from 2021 to 2026, we estimated four sources of health spending: development assistance for health (DAH), government spending, out-of-pocket spending, and prepaid private spending across 204 countries and territories. We used the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s Creditor Reporting System (CRS) and the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database (GHED) to estimate spending. We estimated development assistance for general health, COVID-19 response, and pandemic preparedness and response using a keyword search. Health spending estimates were combined with estimates of resources needed for pandemic prevention and preparedness to analyse future health spending patterns, relative to need. Findings In 2019, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, US$9·2 trillion (95$7·3 trillion (95% UI 7·2–7·4) in 2019; 293·7 times the $24·8 billion (95$43·1 billion in development assistance was provided to maintain or improve health. The pandemic led to an unprecedented increase in development assistance targeted towards health; in 2020 and 2021, $1·8 billion in DAH contributions was provided towards pandemic preparedness in LMICs, and$37·8 billion was provided for the health-related COVID-19 response. Although the support for pandemic preparedness is 12·2% of the recommended target by the High-Level Independent Panel (HLIP), the support provided for the health-related COVID-19 response is 252·2% of the recommended target. Additionally, projected spending estimates suggest that between 2022 and 2026, governments in 17 (95% UI 11–21) of the 137 LMICs will observe an increase in national government health spending equivalent to an addition of 1% of GDP, as recommended by the HLIP. Interpretation There was an unprecedented scale-up in DAH in 2020 and 2021. We have a unique opportunity at this time to sustain funding for crucial global health functions, including pandemic preparedness. However, historical patterns of underfunding of pandemic preparedness suggest that deliberate effort must be made to ensure funding is maintained

Therapeutic roles of antioxidant and nutraceuticals in the prevention and management of Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has emerged as a serious and challenging neurological disorder in the ageing population worldwide. The progressive decline of mental health in AD patients causes memory loss, cognition decline, and motor impairment, which impacts adversely on the quality of life of afflicted individuls. Health care costs of mental diseases, dementia and AD are escalating globally, because the AD patients need continuous attention either by the family members or by the health care providers. Also, pharmaceutical treatment and hospital cost of AD is very expensive for the society. Therefore,  there is an urgent need to develop cost-effective, affordable, and safe alternative remedies for the prevention/mitigation and management of AD. Plant-derived anti-oxidant/anti-inflammation macromolecules (e.g., curcumin, genistein, melatonin, resveratrol, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, berberine) and nutraceuticals (Gingko Biloba) appear to be the safer and cost-effective promising options for the prevention/progression and management of AD patients. The underlying causes and pathological mechanisms of AD are multiple and complex, which include genetic, epigenetic, non-genetic and environmental risk factors. Lifestyle aspects (e.g., excessive tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse), unhealthy dietary habits, accumulation of heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cobalt, mercury) in CNS, and chronic viral infections are considered some other risk factors in memory loss and AD. Brain has relatively low levels of antioxidants and low repair capacity of neuronal cells. Reduced blood supply and impaired mitochondria promote lesser ATP synthesis and energy support in the brain. Many studies have suggested that excessive oxidative stress in the brain leads to the overproduction of free radicals like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) from mitochondrial damage and reduction of ATP synthesis. The unabated over production of ROS/RNS cause insults to brain lipids by intiating lipid peroxidation and damage to cellular molecules, resulting in pathological injury and neuronal death. Antioxidant and anti-inflammation phytomolecules, dietary flavonoids, and nutraceuticals have gained significant importance for scavenging the free radicals and producing neuro-protective and memory-enhancing effects. Systematic searches were done using PUBMED, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and Web of Science databases. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that dietary antioxidant/anti-inflammation flavonoids, micronutrients (vitamins, trace metals, amino acids), and plant-derived polyphenols synergistically exhibit neuroprotective activity in AD animal models by stimulating transcription of the endogenous antioxidant system in the brain. The aims and objectives of this review are to recapitulate the current knowledge about the pathophysiology of AD and to shed light on the therapeutic strategies being used for slowing down the progression of dementia and cognitive decline.  We will also provide an overview of the proposed underlying mechanisms of different neutraceuticals and their recommended dosages in the prevention/mitigation of AD along with a summary of the antioxidant/anti-inflammation ingredients present in patented formulations

Molecular mapping of early vigour related QTLs in rice

ABSTRACT Upland rice plays a major role in the sustainable food security of the country. Early vigour trait is important in the drill-sown rice for weed suppression as well as initial establishment. The IR64/Azucena was used as a reference population to identify Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) for early vigour related traits. The Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers flanking QTLs in IR64/Azucena and other populations were used for validation in the new populations (BPT5204/A67 and BPT5204/Dodiga). Twenty-two QTLs distributed on chromosomes 1 to 6 were identified for different vigour related traits. The QTLs controlling germination were located on chromosome 1 in the region RM5-RM306 near to alpha-amylase genes which controls germination. The congruence of QTLs was observed on Chromosome 5 in the region RM87-RM334 for rate of germination, seedling dry weight and vigour index. RM253 (Chromosome 6) was associated with the shoot length at 10th and 14th day after sowing (DAS) with 9.6% and 10.1% contribution in BPT5204/A67. RM178 (Chromosome 5) was associated with shoot length (18%) and root length (11.2%) at 10th DAS in BPT5204/Dodiga

Heritability, Correlation and Path Analysis among Yield and Yield Attributing Traits for Drought Tolerance in an Interspecific Cross Derived from <i>Oryza sativa x O. glaberrima </i>Introgression Line under Contrasting Moisture Regimes

Drought is a major constraint for rainfed lowland and upland rice productivity throughout world. A backcross inbred population derived from ‘Swarna’ and ‘WAB450-I-B-P-157-2-1’ (Oryza sativa L. x O. glaberrima) was evaluated under both irrigated and lowland drought stresses for yield and yield related traits across three different seasons. Significant differences were found among all the analyzed traits. Coefficients of variation were recorded relatively high for filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility, test weight, harvest index and grain yield and low for panicle length under both conditions during the study interval. Broad sense heritability varied from 0.28 (panicle number) to 0.83 (plant height) under stress and 0.31 (test weight) to 0.86 (plant height) under control. However, heritability estimates for grain yield and harvest index were found to be similar under both conditions. Traits such as filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility, harvest index and grain yield recorded higher values of both heritability, as well as genetic advance under both conditions, indicating the suitability of these traits as selection criteria to derive high yielding genotypes for drought prone regions. Harvest index exhibited maximum positive direct effect on grain yield under both the conditions; in addition, filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility and biomass had positive direct effect on grain yield under both irrigated and lowland drought stresses state. Hence, for improving the rice yield under lowland drought ecology, a genotype should posses a large number of panicles per plant, filled grains per panicle, high spikelet fertility and maintains higher biomass and harvest index