A comparative genetic diversity analysis in mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to study the DNA polymorphism in elite mungbean genotypes. A total of nine AFLP primer combination and 22 ISSR primers were used. Amplification of genomic DNA of the 30 genotypes, using AFLP analysis, yielded 300 fragments that could be scored, of which 192 were polymorphic, with an average of 21.3 polymorphic fragments per primer. Number of amplified fragments with AFLP primers ranged from 29 (E-AAC: M-CAG) to 10 (E-ACG: M-CAT). Percentage polymorphism ranged from 46.3% (E-AAC: M-CCA) to a maximum of 100% (E-AAC: M-CAC), with an average of 64%. The 22 ISSR primers used in the study produced 108 bands across 30 genotypes, of which 68 were polymorphic. The number of amplified bands varied from two UBC820) to ten URP 6F). The average numbers of bands per primer and polymorphic bands per primer were 4.9 and 3.1, respectively. Percentage polymorphism ranged from 25% (UBC844) to 85% (UBC846, UBC864, UBC895), with an average percentage polymorphism of 58.3% across all the genotypes. AFLP markers were more efficient than the ISSR assay, as they detected 64% polymorphic DNA markers in Vigna radiata as compared to 58.3% for ISSR markers. The Mantel test between the two Jaccard's similarity matrices gave r = 0.19, showing low correlation between AFLP- and ISSR-based similarities. Clustering of genotypes within groups was not similar when AFLP and ISSR derived dendrograms were compared.Key words: AFLP, ISSR, Vigna radiata (mung bean), marker index, unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA)

Seasonal incidence of pod fly (Melanogromyza Obtusa Malloch) and pod bug (Clavigralla Gibbosa Spinola) in short duration pigeon pea

The present study was aimed at observing the incidence pattern of pod fly and pod bug in pigeonpea ecosystem. The experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during the kharif season of the year 2010-11.The short duration pigeon pea was infested with the number of insect pests at various stages of crop growth. Out of which the incidence pattern of pod fly M. obtusa and pod bug C. gibbosa was studied. The first appearance of pod fly M. obtusa was noticed in the 42 standard week with a mean population of 0.10 maggot/Plant whose maggot population peaked in 45 standard weeks with a mean population of 0.30 maggot/Plant during year 2010-11. Similarly the first occurrence of pod bug C. gibbosa was recorded in 40 standard weeks with a mean population of 0.03 larvae/Plant which attained the peak during 44 and 45 standard weeks, in both the week themean population was 0.40 larvae/Plant. The incidence of all the insect pests although declined after attainment of their respective peak, but pod bug were noticed in the field till the harvest of the crop. To undertake an effective IPM strategy in pigeonpea crop, location specific information on occurrence and seasonal dynamics of insect pests is indispensible

Deep optical survey of the stellar content of Sh2-311 region

The stellar content in and around Sh2-311 region have been studied using the deep optical observations as well as near-infrared (NIR) data from 2MASS. The region contains three clusters, viz. NGC 2467, Haffner 18 and Haffner 19. We have made an attempt to distinguish the stellar content of these individual regions as well as to re-determine their fundamental parameters such as distance, reddening, age, onto the basis of a new and more extended optical and infrared photometric data set. NGC 2467 and Haffner 19 are found to be located in the Perseus arm at the distances of 5.0 $\pm$ 0.4 kpc and 5.7 $\pm$ 0.4 kpc, respectively, whereas Haffner 18 is located at the distance of 11.2 $\pm$ 1.0 kpc. The clusters NGC 2467 and Haffner 19 might have formed from the same molecular cloud, whereas the cluster Haffner 18 is located in the outer galactic arm, i.e. the Norma-Cygnus arm. We identify 8 class II young stellar objects (YSOs) using the NIR $(J - H)/(H - K)$ two colour diagram. We have estimated the age and mass of the YSOs identified in the present work and those by Snider et al. (2009) using the $V/(V - I)$ colour-magnitude diagram. The estimated ages and mass range of the majority of the YSOs are $\lesssim$1 Myr and $\sim$0.4 - 3.5 \msun, respectively, indicating that these sources could be T-Tauri stars or their siblings. Spatial distribution of the YSOs shows that some of the YSOs are distributed around the H II region Sh2-311, suggesting a triggered star formation at its periphery.Comment: 19 pages, 13 figures, 9 table; Accepted for publication in New Astronom

Pre-main-sequence population in NGC 1893 region: X-ray properties

Continuing the attempt to understand the properties of the stellar content in the young cluster NGC 1893 we have carried out a comprehensive multi-wavelength study of the region. The present study focuses on the X-ray properties of T-Tauri Stars (TTSs) in the NGC 1893 region. We found a correlation between the X-ray luminosity, $L_X$, and the stellar mass (in the range 0.2$-$2.0 \msun) of TTSs in the NGC 1893 region, similar to those reported in some other young clusters, however the value of the power-law slope obtained in the present study ($\sim$ 0.9) for NGC 1893 is smaller than those ($\sim$1.4 - 3.6) reported in the case of TMC, ONC, IC 348 and Chameleon star forming regions. However, the slope in the case of Class III sources (Weak line TTSs) is found to be comparable to that reported in the case of NGC 6611 ($\sim$ 1.1). It is found that the presence of circumstellar disks has no influence on the X-ray emission. The X-ray luminosity for both CTTSs and WTTSs is found to decrease systematically with age (in the range $\sim$ 0.4 Myr - 5 Myr). The decrease of the X-ray luminosity of TTSs (slope $\sim$ -0.6) in the case of NGC 1893 seems to be faster than observed in the case of other star-forming regions (slope -0.2 to -0.5). There is indication that the sources having relatively large NIR excess have relatively lower $L_X$ values. TTSs in NGC 1893 do not follow the well established X-ray activity - rotation relation as in the case of main-sequence stars.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, Accepted for publication in New Astronom

An expeditious green route toward 2-aryl-4- phenyl-1H-imidazoles

Background: Azaheterocycles are an important class of compounds because of their highly potent medicinal activities, and the imidazole subcategory is of special interest in regard to drug discovery research. Findings: An expeditious synthetic protocol of 2-aryl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazoles has been accomplished by reacting phenylglyoxal monohydrate, ammonium acetate, and aldehyde under sonication. Following this green approach a series of 2-aryl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazoles has been synthesized using diversely substituted aldehydes. Conclusions: A rapid and simple synthetic procedure to synthesize diversely substituted 2-aryl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazoles has been reported. Other salient features of this protocol include milder conditions, atom-economy, easy extraction, and minimum wastes. The present procedure may find application in the synthesis of biologically active molecules

Plant regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

Abstract Using seedling explants, a highly efficient and reproducible plant regeneration and transformation system was developed in Brassica juncea genotypes RH-406 and RH-555. Hypocotyl and cotyledon explants excised from in vitro-grown 5-days-old seedlings were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of growth regulators. Cotyledon explants grown on MS medium supplemented with 1 and 2.5 mg/L BAP produced higher per cent shoot formation in genotypes RH-555 (60.3±4.19) and RH-406 (64.9± 1.42), respectively. Among the eight rooting media used for root formation in regenerated shoots, maximum rooting response was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/L NAA. Among the regenerated plants, 81.8 % in RH-406 and 67% in RH-555 survived when transferred on sand and soil in 1:1 mixture in pots. Transformation protocol was developed in genotype RH-406 using GUS reporter gene and hypocotyls and cotyledon explants. Histochemical GUS assay showed that cotyledon and hypocotyl explants respectively, had 75% and 80% transient GUS expressions

Diversity of use and local knowledge of wild edible plant resources in Nepal

Background Wild edible plants (WEP) provide staple and supplement foods, as well as cash income to local communities, thus favouring food security. However, WEP are largely ignored in land use planning and implementation, economic development, and biodiversity conservation. Moreover, WEP-related traditional knowledge is rapidly eroding. Therefore, we designed this study to fulfill a part of the knowledge gap by providing data on diversity, traditional knowledge, economic potential, and conservation value of WEP from Nepal. Methods The information was collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Percentage of general utility of the plants among the study communities was evaluated using the Chi-square (χ2) test of homogeneity. High priority species were identified after consultation with the local stakeholders followed by scoring based on defined criteria. Pairwise ranking was used to assess ethnoecological knowledge to identify the threats to WEP. Results We documented 81 species belonging to Angiosperms (74), Pteridophytes (5), and Fungi (2). Most of the species were used as fruits (44 species) followed by vegetables (36). Almost half of the species (47%) were also used for purposes other than food. From the species with market value (37% of the total), 10 were identified as high priority species. Pairwise ranking revealed that WEP are threatened mostly by habitat destruction, land-use change and over-harvesting. Some of these plants are crop wild relatives and could thus be used for crop improvement. Interestingly, our study also revealed that young people who spend most of the time in the forest as herdsmen are particularly knowledgeable of wild fruit plants. Conclusion We provide empirical evidence from a relatively large area of Nepal about diversity and status of WEP, as well as methodological insights about the proper knowledge holders to consult. Regarding the unique and important knowledge they have on WEP, young people should be included when recruiting participants to ethnobotanical studies or to any type of consultation about WEP. The habit of using wild edible plants is still alive and is a traditional culinary practice that demonstrates rich traditional knowledge of local people. WEP were found to be important for livelihood as well as showing great potential for crop improvement. Priority species should be promoted for income generation activities through sustainable collection and trade. Communities should engage in minimizing the threats to these valuable resources

Elevated Homocysteine Level and Brain Atrophy Changes as Markers to Screen the Alzheimer Disease: Case Series

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide. Its clinical manifestations include a progressive loss of memory and other cognitive domains, as well as brain atrophy. An elevated homocysteine level (>15 µmol/L), known as hyperhomocysteinemia, is also an attributing risk factor for AD, vascular pathologies, and brain atrophy. Neuroimaging studies including T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed white matter hyperintensities in the periventricular and deep white matter, enlarged ventricles, widened sulci, and decreased white matter mass, which are features of aging, as well as cerebrovascular changes. This case series investigated changes in biochemical marker levels including serum homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12, and the degree of atrophic variations in cortical-subcortical white matter in AD. The present study hypothesized that serum homocysteine levels might be used as a surrogate marker to screen for AD at an earlier stage