Plastid genetic engineering via somatic embryogenisis

A method of transforming plant plastids and regenerating fertile transplastomic plants by somatic embryogenesis is disclosed. The method involves transforming a plant plastid in a plant cell capable of being regenerated through somatic embryogenesis with a plastid expression cassette comprising one or more selectable marker genes that express in both green and non-green tissue and in light and dark conditions wherein the selectable marker plant cell is cultured in the presence of the plant cell to a selection agent. The transplastomic plant cell is cultured in the presence of the selection agent under conditions to cause the formation of a somatic embryo. The somatic embryo is grown into a fertile transplastomic plant. Preferably, the expression cassette contains two different selectable marker genes that express different proteins that provide plant cell resistance to the same selection agent

Canonical Wnt signaling in Pancreatic Ductal Adenomacarcinoma

Cancer is one of the major diseases causing worldwide death of human, related to some different epigenetic dysregulation. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal cancer due to its rapid clinical progression and resistance to therapies. Recently, PDAC incidences have risen, while 5-year overall survival is about 6%. A primary complicating factor is the remarkable genetic & epigenetic heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer. Vividly, these highly variable alterations also define a core set of twelve signaling pathways along with cellular processes in most of PDAC tumors, including Wnt signaling also. One of the major dysregulation is overexpression of Wnt Proteins. There are 19 set of Wnt proteins found. In this project, novel IWP-2 inhibitor will focus a new light on cancer therapy. The findings indicate that WNT7B can serve as a primary determinant of differential Wnt/B-catenin activation in PDAC. Thereby, disrupting the interaction between Wnt ligands and their receptors may be suitable approach for therapeutic modulation of Wnt/B-catenin signaling in PDAC and other cancer contexts where the Wnt activation is mediated through ligand expression rather than mutations in members of canonical pathwa

An evaluation of liner strategies in the context of contemporary supply chain management practices

Academic researchers published a sophisticated model of world class logistics in 1995 and recently updated it with a model of 21st century logistics. Although such practices are yet to be perfected in the real world, it provides a yardstick for measuring logistical excellence. An innovative world class firm will pursue sustainable competitive advantage through wellintegrated global supply chains. As liner operators are vital members of global supply chains, their contemporary strategies need particular scrutiny to identify elements of congruence or non-congruence. The paper discusses generic liner strategies and identifies the ideal strategy congruent with contemporary supply chain management practices

Editorial

NET 13.2 August 201

Growth Restoration Studies in Frost-Affected Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Orchards in Sub-Himalayan Region

Frost is a major constraint in mango production in the sub- Himalayan region. To restore growth and productivity in frost-affected Dashehari mango orchards, effect of different growth-restoring treatments was studied at highly frost-sensitive, medium frost-sensitive, low frost-sensitive and frost-free locations. Foliar application of urea, benzyladenine, gibberellic acid (individually or in combination) was made during the post-spring season. As the cut ends of branches or damaged open area serve as entry points for the propagation of ice crystals through the vascular system in plants, the experiments were also carried out with and without prior winter covering of cut ends of branches with wax or polythene cover. At low and high frost-sensitive locations, 7 and 5.5 number of news shoots emerged, on average, per scaffold when frost-affected trees were sprayed with benzyladenine (BA 20ppm), followed by 2% urea spray after fifteen days. Better restoration of reproductive growth was observed with this treatment. Pre-winter waxing or polythene covering of the cut ends of branches was very effective in preventing lethal frost-damage (stem injury below 20cm) to the trees. Effect of benzyladenine and urea treatments was found to be additive in trees whose cut surfaces were waxed or covered with polythene sheets

Prediction Models for Frost/Low-Temperature Stress in Subtropical Fruit Plantations

During winters, frost is a phenomenon of common occurrence in subtropical lower Himalayan region. In the recent past, it has caused considerable economic losses to fruit growers. Recommendations for protection against frost do exist, but benefits to orchards are rare due to lack of information on the level of low temperature these crops may experience in a frosty event. Studies have been conducted at Regional Horticultural and Forestry Research Station, Neri, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh on development of prediction models for minimum temperature and temperatureevolution during a frost event. Variables like sunset-time temperature, temperature drop and humidity increase from sunset time until two hours, have been found to explain about 74% of the total variation observed in minimum temperature. Evolution of temperature during a frosty night showed that temperature drop after sunset was an inverse exponential function of time after sunset. It justified about 67% of the total variation in temperature-evolution trend. Thiel's inequality coefficient for predicted versus actual values indicated good to very good forecasting performance of the regression lines developed. Further decomposition of inequality into bias, variance and covariance proportions also supported fitness of these lines for future prediction. Based on the information generated, a grower-friendly frost protection guide-chart (S-chart) has been developed. The chart provides information on intensity and duration of temperature below the critical level of damage for different fruit species. It also serves as a guide for the level of protection needed and for automation of protection methods against frost and low temperature damage

Editorial

Editorial NET 12.