Production of Wild Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) Embryos by Interspecies Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Using Domestic Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Oocytes

The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of producing wild buffalo embryos by interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) through handmade cloning using wild buffalo somatic cells and domestic buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocytes. Somatic cells derived from the ear skin of wild buffalo were found to express vimentin but not keratin and cytokeratin‐18, indicating that they were of fibroblast origin. The population doubling time of skin fibroblasts from wild buffalo was significantly (p < 0.05) higher, and the cell proliferation rate was significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared with that of skin fibroblasts from domestic buffalo. Neither the cleavage (92.6 ± 2.0% vs 92.8 ± 2.0%) nor the blastocyst rate (42.4 ± 2.4% vs 38.7 ± 2.8%) was significantly different between the intraspecies cloned embryos produced using skin fibroblasts from domestic buffalo and interspecies cloned embryos produced using skin fibroblasts from wild buffalo. However, the total cell number (TCN) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower (192.0 ± 25.6 vs 345.7 ± 42.2), and the apoptotic index was significantly (p < 0.05) higher (15.1 ± 3.1 vs 8.0 ± 1.4) for interspecies than that for intraspecies cloned embryos. Following vitrification in open‐pulled straws (OPS) and warming, although the cryosurvival rate of both types of cloned embryos, as indicated by their re‐expansion rate, was not significantly different (34.8 ± 1.5% vs 47.8 ± 7.8), the apoptotic index was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for vitrified–warmed interspecies than that for corresponding intraspecies cloned embryos (48.9 ± 7.2 vs 23.9 ± 2.8). The global level of H3K18ac was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in interspecies cloned embryos than that in intraspecies cloned embryos. The expression level of HDAC1, DNMT3a and CASPASE3 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher, that of P53 was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in interspecies than in intraspecies embryos, whereas that of DNMT1 was similar between the two types of embryos. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that wild buffalo embryos can be produced by iSCNT.     

Inheritance of albinism in certain interspecific and intersubspecific crosses in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Summary A study of the several interspecific and inter-subspecific crosses indicated that albinism in groundnut is recessive and in these crosses is controlled by triplicate recessive loci.ICRISAT Paper No. JA-336     

Inheritance of leaf angle in Triticum aestivum L.

Summary A 6×6 diallel was prepared to study the inheritance of leaf angle in T. aestivum L. Genetic analysis in terms of diallel cross parameters and graphic analysis indicated the control of additive gene effects in the expression of this character. The results of F₁ analysis were supported by the analysis of F₂ data.     

Inheritance of traits associated with seed size in groundnut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arachis hypogaea</Emphasis> L.)

A new wheat-Thinopyrum substitution line AS1677, developed from a cross between wheat line ML-13 and wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium ssp. trichophorum partial amphiploid TE-3, was characterized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), sequential Giemsa-C banding, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), seed storage protein electrophoresis, molecular marker analysis and disease resistance screening. Sequential Giemsa-C banding and GISH using Pseudoroegneria spicata genomic DNA as probe indicated that a pair of St-chromosomes with strong terminal bands were introduced into AS1677. FISH using pTa71 as a probe gave strong hybridization signals at the nuclear organization region and in the distal region of the short arms of the St chromosome. Moreover, FISH using the repetitive sequence pAs1 revealed that a pair of wheat 1D chromosomes was absent in accession AS1677. Seed storage proteins separated by acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (APAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) confirmed that AS1677 lacked the gliadin and glutenin bands encoded by Gli-D1 and Glu-D1, further confirming the absence of chromosome 1D. The introduced St chromosome pair belonging to homoeologous group 1 was identified by newly produced genome specific markers. AS1677 is a new 1St (1D) substitution line. When inoculated with stripe rust and powdery mildew isolates, AS1677 expressed stripe rust resistance possibly derived from its Thinopyrum parent. AS1677 can be used as a donor source for introducing novel disease resistance genes to wheat in breeding programs aided by molecular and cytogenetic markers.     

Vacuum Squeezing of Solids: Macroscopic Quantum States Driven by Light Pulses

Femtosecond laser pulses and coherent two-phonon Raman scattering were used to excite KTaO3 into a squeezed state, nearly periodic in time, in which the variance of the atomic displacements dips below the standard quantum limit for half of a cycle. This nonclassical state involves a continuum of transverse acoustic modes that leads to oscillations in the refractive index associated with the frequency of a van Hove singularity in the phonon density of states.     

Low-Temperature Nonoxidative Activation of Methane over H-Galloaluminosilicate (MFI) Zeolite

Conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons by its low-temperature activation without forming undesirable carbon oxides is of great scientific and practical importance. Methane can be highly activated, yielding high rates of conversion to higher hydrocarbons and aromatics (10 to 45 percent) at low temperatures (400° to 600°C), by its reaction over H-galloaluminosilicate ZSM-5 type (MFI) zeolite in the presence of alkenes or higher alkanes. The methane activation results from its hydrogen-transfer reaction with alkenes.