Allele-specific primer based identification of dimeric alpha-amylase inhibitor

Wheat is one of the most important staple food crops cultivated over 200 mha in the range of environment throughout the world. Wheat production must continue to increase by 2% annually, more particularly in developing world including south-east Asia. Besides increasing the inherent productivity of wheat, it is important to minimize the losses caused to production by various abiotic and biotic factors. Alpha–amylase inhibitors are attractive candidates for the control of seed weevils as these insects are highly dependent on starch as the energy source. They play an important role in the carbohydrate metabolism of many heterotrophic and autotrophic organisms. In this study, we aimed to make sequence comparison and phylogenetic relationship among dimeric alpha-amylase inhibitor genes. These genes were clustered into two major groups based on phylogenetic analysis. Multiple alignments show at least 24 candidates single nucleotide polymorphisms in inhibitor genes, which could further be exploited for SNPs based haplotype diversity among Indian released wheat genotype. We have detected dimeric alpha-amylase inhibitor genes in cultivated and wild ancestors of wheat using genome specific primers. Genes encoding dimeric alpha-amylase belong to the family of 24 kDa alpha-amylase inhibitors. In this study, specific primer pairs were designed based on SNPs of these genes and chromosome locations of inhibitor genes confirmed by amplification in accession of T. urartu, A. tauschii, and A. speltoides. Results obtained under this study support that inhibitor genes amplified with primer PSWDAIAF1/PSWDAIAF2 and PSWDAIBF1/PSWDAIBF2 is present on genome B. These results further support evidence at molecular level that dimeric alpha-amylase inhibitor in cultivated wheat is encoded by a multigene family.

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Systematics, evolution and development in Opiliones (Arachnida)

This dissertation investigates evolutionary relationships within a diverse and ancient group of arachnids, the order Opiliones, with emphasis on relationships within the suborder Laniatores. Laniatorid harvestmen encompass over two-thirds of opilionid diversity, but this suborder has received far less than commensurate phylogenetic attention. The ancient age and narrow species distributions of Laniatores, in conjunction with their representation throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world, herald models of unparalleled utility for study of tropical diversity and biogeography. Herein I infer the phylogeny of Laniatores using a ten-gene molecular dataset, which samples for the first time every described family of the group. Based upon morphological and molecular sequence data, I describe three new families of Laniatores--two endemic to Southeast Asia and one to the Afrotropics. Focusing on the biogeography of Australasia, I contrast the evolutionary histories of two families: Sandokanidae, which are restricted to the Indo-Malay Archipelago, and Zalmoxidae, which occurs in the Neotropics and Australasia. Using molecular phylogenetic tools, I demonstrate that sandokanid distribution is largely attributable to continental vicariance in Sundaland, whereas zalmoxid distribution is attributable to a New World origin, followed by colonization of the Indo-Pacific by transoceanic dispersal

Emerging Issues on GST

In the present globalized scenario, goods and services tax or GST as it is known is all set to be a game changer for the Indian economy. GST has far reaching consequences and implications and effects especially on the attainment of cost effectiveness. This is a concept which revolutionizes the face of fiscal federalism in the country and there could be a fundamental deviation from the existing powers relating to tax structure between centre and states. GST would repeal the powers to work out and impose excise duties, custom, VAT, SERVICES TAX, sales tax and purchases tax which are under the purview of centre or states. A sound, effective and easy GST regime should be implemented to all sectors of the economy. The main purpose of the GST is to bring to end existing tax administration. Thus going forward on all transactions in business of goods and services, only one tax will apply, it is GST. GST is comprising of CGST and SGST. IGST would be applied instead of SGST for interstate transactions. For successful implementation of GST, it is necessary that the government at both centre and state levels, agree to merge all their taxes into CGST/SGST

Case of acute abdomen due to acute pancreatitis: a uncommon presentation of leptospirosis

 Even though, Leptospiral infection is not rare, it can have different rare presentations. Acute pancreatitis is one such uncommon gastrointestinal manifestation of acute pancreatitis. Apart from the classic clinical features, elevated serum lipase, along with radiological proof and positive leptospiral serology confirms this infrequent association.

THE MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX: A REVIEW

One of the important components of the immune system, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules allow T-lymphocytes to detect cells, such as macrophages, B-lymphocytes, and dendritic cells that ingest infectious microorganisms or the self-cells infected with microorganism. On being engulfed a microorganism, macrophage partially digests it and displays peptide fragments of the microbe on its surface, bound to MHC molecules and the T-lymphocyte recognizes the foreign fragment attached to the MHC molecule and binds to it, lead to stimulation of an immune response. The MHC molecule presents peptides from its own cell (self-peptides) in healthy self-cells to which T-cells do not normally react.Keywords: MHC, B Cells, T Cells, Antigen Processing.Â

Internet and its Impact on the Patient-Physician Relationship Patient Visiting Various Dental Clinics in Northern India

INTRODUCTION: Readily available health-related information over the internet has led to increased patient awareness, and this might be a possible factor straining the patient-physician relationship. AIM: To assess the impact of the internet on the patient-physician relationship amongst patient visiting various dental clinics in Northern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 600 pre-tested online questionnaires distributed, a total of 456 (response rate 76%) adequately filled questionnaires were analysed for the impact of internet on the patient-physician relationship. Responses were subsequently tabulated and analysed using SPSS Version 21.0. Statistical significance was kept as p≤0.05. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (p=.04) was seen amongst males and females regarding their internet usage with a higher proportion of health information being seeked by males. Most internet users (66.6%) followed their physician’s advice before they began using the internet with behavioural changes seen mostly in the 18-30 years age group (75.64%), yet only 14.38% of them informing their physician about such changes. CONCLUSION: It is important that people be advised about the potential risks of believing in sources from the internet with physicians also being advised to spend more quality time with their patients to alleviate them of their fears and doubts

Connect Exchange Programs: A Critical Component in Media Studies for Indian Media Schools

This article addresses the objectives, philosophy, and need assessment of connect exchange programmes (CEP) in media studies. It underlines the importance of CEPs as an effort to mitigate the chasms created by a discriminatory, hierarchical, and fragmented society. Simultaneously, this article questions how CEPs can contribute to the paradigm of media studies when the institutions of media and media Studies still abide by the vision of age-old understanding of the constitution of Media and its function. This article raises a pitch for viewing media studies as a discipline with an integral commitment to society and social issues rather than relying upon the training of ‘graduates’ to fit in the needs and demands of the job market. This article emphasizes that how a CEP can contribute to the making of a ‘universal global citizenry.

SCOPE OF YOGA PRACTICES IN HEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ALTERATIONS

For thousands of years, yoga an ancient holistic relaxation practice has been used as an effective therapeutic tool that counteracts the adverse clinicalconditions of human beings. A host of bodily changes has been observed under the influence of yoga. Such practices are really helpful in numerousdisorders including hypertension, obesity, anxiety, insomnia and aging itself and a number of other disorders. However, the underlying molecularmechanisms that explain these clinical benefits are still an enigma. The efficacy of yoga and meditation as an adjunct to routine management of variousdiseases and disorder is a great challenge in the present scenario. Ayurvedic knowledge of yoga is much more incompatible with its understanding ofbiochemical and hematological changes. Exploring the biochemical association with various yogic postures and practices will definitely improve thepractice as therapeutic adjuvant and thus, will improve the quality of life.Keywords: Yoga, Biochemical alterations, Hematological alterations

A tutorial on the stability and bifurcation analysis of the electromechanical behaviour of soft materials

Soft materials, such as liquids, polymers, foams, gels, colloids, granular materials, and most soft biological materials, play an important role in our daily lives. From a mechanical viewpoint, soft materials can easily achieve large deformations due to their low elastic moduli; meanwhile, surface instabilities, including wrinkles, creases, folds, and ridges, among others, are often observed. In particular, soft dielectrics when subjected to electrical stimuli can achieve significantly large deformations that are often accompanied by instabilities. While instabilities are conventionally thought to cause failures in the engineering context and carry a negative connotation, they can also be harnessed for various applications such as surface patterning, giant actuation strain, and energy harvesting. In the biological world, instability and bifurcation phenomena often precede important events such as endocytosis, cell fusion, among others. Stability and bifurcation analysis (especially for soft materials) is challenging and often presents a formidable barrier to entry in this important field. A multidisciplinary audience may lack the background in one or more areas that are needed to carry out the requisite modeling or even understand papers in the literature. Furthermore, combining electrostatics together with large deformations brings its own challenges. In this article, we provide a tutorial on the basics of stability and bifurcation analysis in the context of soft electromechanical materials. The aim of the article is to use simple examples and gently lead a reader, unfamiliar with either stability analysis or electrostatics of deformable media, to develop the ability to understand the pertinent literature that already exists and position them to embark on the state-of-the-art research on this topic