Identification of a diverse mini‐core panel of Indian rice germplasm based on genotyping using microsatellite markers

Identification of a small core germplasm set representing the available genetic diversity is essential for its proper evaluation and subsequent utilization in rice improvement programmes. For constituting a small diverse mini‐core panel of Indian rice germplasm, a representative set of 6912 accessions drawn based on their geographic origin from the whole rice germplasm collection available in the National Gene Bank was genotyped using 36 microsatellite markers. Automated fragment analysis of amplicons yielded a total of 435 alleles, with an average 12.4 and range of 3–29 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.08 (RGNMS190) to 0.86 (RM552) with an average of 0.528. Based on genotyping data, a mini‐core consisting of 98 genotypes was identified. Ninety‐four per cent of the alleles present in the core set were present in the mini‐core. The identified small but diverse panel will be useful for further intensive trait‐specific evaluation and utilization in allele mining.     

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis and the adult muscle sodium channel alpha-subunit gene

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by episodes of muscle weakness due to depolarization of the muscle cell membrane associated with elevated serum potassium. Electrophysiological studies have implicated the adult muscle sodium channel. Here, portions of the adult muscle sodium channel alpha-subunit gene were cloned and mapped near the human growth hormone locus (GH1) on chromosome 17. In a large pedigree displaying HYPP with myotonia, these two loci showed tight linkage to the genetic defect with no recombinants detected. Thus, it is likely that the sodium channel alpha-subunit gene contains the HYPP mutation.     

Identification of a dynamic atmosphere at Enceladus with the Cassini magnetometer

The Cassini magnetometer has detected the interaction of the magnetospheric plasma of Saturn with an atmospheric plume at the icy moon Enceladus. This unanticipated finding, made on a distant flyby, was subsequently confirmed during two follow-on flybys, one very close to Enceladus. The magnetometer data are consistent with local outgassing activity via a plume from the surface of the moon near its south pole, as confirmed by other Cassini instruments.     

A systematic survey of loss-of-function variants in human protein-coding genes

Genome-sequencing studies indicate that all humans carry many genetic variants predicted to cause loss of function (LoF) of protein-coding genes, suggesting unexpected redundancy in the human genome. Here we apply stringent filters to 2951 putative LoF variants obtained from 185 human genomes to determine their true prevalence and properties. We estimate that human genomes typically contain ~100 genuine LoF variants with ~20 genes completely inactivated. We identify rare and likely deleterious LoF alleles, including 26 known and 21 predicted severe disease-causing variants, as well as common LoF variants in nonessential genes. We describe functional and evolutionary differences between LoF-tolerant and recessive disease genes and a method for using these differences to prioritize candidate genes found in clinical sequencing studies.     

Effect of dispersing agents on synthesis of nano titanium oxide and its application for antimicrobial property

With the growing demand for comfortable, clean and hygienic textile goods, an urgent need for production of antimicrobial textiles has arisen. In this work, synthesis of nano titanium oxide has been done by sol gel method and the effect of dispersing agents with varying ionic character during synthesis on the particle size of the synthesised nano particles in terms of crystallinity and particle size was studied. It was observed that cationic as well as non-ionic dispersing agents led to reduction in size of the titania particles produced whereas anionic dispersing agent led to increase in the particle size. This method provides a simple method for reduction in size of titanium dioxide particles with a minor modification of a standard process. The synthesized nano titanium dioxide particles were successfully applied onto cotton to obtain Antimicrobial activity. The Durability of the antimicrobial activity was upto 10 washes with the help of Binder. The effect of the application of nano titanium oxide on the physical properties of the substrate, such as tensile strength, bending length, and crease recovery angle has been analysed.     

Removal of Dyes Using Graphene-Based Composites: a Review

Water contamination has reached an alarming state due to industrialization and urbanization and has become a worldwide issue. Dyes contaminate water and are addressed extensively by researchers. Various technologies and materials have been developed for the treatment of contaminated water. Among them, adsorption has attracted great attention due to its ease and cost-effective nature. In recent years, graphene-based composites have shown great potential for the removal of contaminants from water. The literature reveals the usefulness of composites of graphene with metal oxides, carbon derivatives, metal hybrids and polymers for the removal of organic dyes from contaminated water. In this review, efforts have been made to compile the studies on the removal of cationic and anionic dyes from water using graphene-based composites.     

Physiological response of cauliflower in relation to manganese-boron interaction

Summary

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) was grown in refined sand at low (0.0011 mg l^?1), normal (0.55 mg l^?1) and excess (5.5 mg l^?1) Mn, each at three levels of B, deficient (0.0033 mg l^?1), normal (0.33 mg H) and excess (3.3 mg l^?1). In Mn deficient cauliflowers a deficiency of B accentuated visible symptoms of Mn deficiency and aggravated the Mn deficiency effects i.e. a decrease in dry matter, leaf Mn, sugars, starch, chlorophyll, Hill reaction and specific activity of aldolase and an increase in the concentrations of proline and inorganic phosphorus. In cauliflowers exhibiting B toxicity symptoms under conditions of excess B, excess Mn increased leaf Mn, sugars, nucleic acids, protein P, nucleic acid P, acid-labile P and leaf B. Excess Mn decreased the concentrations of DNA, protein nitrogen, chlorophyll and activities of peroxidase, aldolase and leaf B, leaf Mn in boron deficient cauliflowers.     

Effect of CIPC [Isopropyl-N(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate] on total nitrogen content and polyphenol oxidase activity in relation to processing of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) stored under different conditions

Two varieties of potatoes viz. Kufri Chandramukhi and Kufri Sindhuri were treated with Isopropyl-N(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate at two different concentrations viz. 4000 and 5000 ppm. The treated potatoes were stored for a period of four months under different storage conditions i.e. room temperature, cold and evaporative cooling chamber storage and analysed for polyphenol oxidase activity, total nitrogen content and quality of dried slices produced from these at different stages of storage. Higher nitrogen content was observed in CIPC treated potatoes as compared to control. Polyphenol oxidase activity decreased more in Kufri Chandramukhi than in Kufri Sindhuri in CIPC treated as well as in control experiments. The changes in nitrogen content and polyphenol oxidase activity were more pronounced in evaporating cooling chamber and in room storage than in the cold storage. The quality of potato slices prepared from both varieties confirmed the superiority of Kufri Chandramukhi over Kufri Sindhuri for processing purposes.     

Short term effect of applied nitrate on nitrogen metabilism of Acacia catechu seedlings

Nitrogen metabolism of Acacia catechu seedlings was studied after 5, 10 and 15 days of daily 20 mM nitrate application. Fresh weight of shoots and total nitrogen content of the plants increased significantly with applied nitrate but there was no effect on nodulation. An increase in the nitrate reductase activity, nitrate and nitrite content in nodules and leaves of the treated plants was also observed. However, the total soluble protein content declined and the amino acid content increased in different parts of the treated plants.