Identification,characterization, validation and cross-species amplification of genic-SSRs in Indian Mustard (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica juncea</Emphasis>)

Brassica juncea is an economically important oilseed crop worldwide. It has limited genomic resources at present. We generated 47,962,057 expressed sequence reads which were assembled into 45,280 unigenes. A total of 4108 SSR loci (≥10 bp) were identified in these unigenes. Trinucleotide was the most frequent repeat unit (59.91 %) followed by di- (38.66 %), tetra - (0.71 %), hexa - (0.49 %) and pentanucleotide repeats (0.24 %). Primers were designed for 2863 SSR loci among which 460 were selected for primer synthesis. A total of 339 loci amplified successfully of which 134 (39.5 %) exhibited polymorphism among six B. juncea genotypes with PIC values ranging from 0.18 to 0.81. Further, 25 polymorphic SSRs were used for analysis of genetic variability in 25 genotypes of Brassicas and their wild relatives. Two to five alleles with PIC values 0.22–0.66 were detected at these loci. The dendrogram grouped the genotypes according to their known pedigree/systematic position.     

Plants used by the bhat community for regulating fertility

A survey was conducted among medicinal plant sellers, healers, priests and local people in the rural population of Bhat, India. In this rural community medicinal plants are used for regulating fertility. Due to the fact that the majority of the Bhat community is illiterate, oral interviews were held in the villages. The information was then recorded. Plant samples were collected and preserved for future reference. Information on 28 plants and 11 recipes for doses from 2 or more vegetable species are presented, and popular names, empirical properties, and manner of using recipes are described. More than 90% of the information gathered was consistent among the informants, but some of the informants differed in their reports on the way to use the same plants. There is no certainty as to which of the plants are effective. Since the Bhat community has frequently observed the positive effects of their preparations, they have much faith in their recipes. The acceptability of these preparations is quite high among 95% of the Bhat population.     

Observations on the Developmental Variability of Camptylonema lahorense Ghose

Summary The variability of Camptylonema lahorense Ghose has been studied during its development both in nature and in unialgal cultures. In nature the alga is mostly unbranched whereas in cultures it shows profuse pseudo-branches, both single and geminate. Akinetes have not been found anywhere.Observations have also been recorded on the ecological factors determining the growth of the alga in nature. Slightly alkaline and base-deficient soils with variable nitrate content and moderate to high oxidation intensity determine its growth.In the light of present study, the systematic position and the affinities of the alga have been discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Die Variabilität der Camptylonema lahorense Ghose wurde während ihrer Entwicklung, sowohl in natürlichem Zustand als auch in Einalgenkulturen beobachtet. Im natürlichen Zustand kommt die Alge nur unverzweigt vor. In Kulturen zeigt sie sehr viele Scheinabzweigungen, sowohl einzeln wie doppelt. Dauerzellen wurden nirgends beobachtet.Die ekologischen Einflüsse auf das Wuchstum der Alge in der Natur wurden auch untersucht. Schwach alkalische und Alkalimangelnde Böden mit veränderlichem Nitratgehalt und mittelmässige bis starker Oxidierungs-Intensität bestimmen das Wuchstum.Auch wurden die systematische Stellung und die Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse der Alge erörtert.

     

Effect of altered sterol levels on the transport of amino acids and membrane structure ofMicrosporum gypseum

Ergosterol and cholesterol supplementation resulted in a significant increase (1·5-fold) in the sterol content while phospholipid remained unaffected inMicrosporum gypseum. The levels of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine increased in ergosterol supplemented cells. However, a decrease in phosphatidylcholine and an increase in phosphatidylethanolamine was observed in cholesterol grown cells. The ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids decreased on ergosterol/cholesterol supplementation. The uptake of amino acids (lysine, glycine and aspartic acid) decreased in sterol supplemented cells. Studies with fluorescent probe l-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate showed structural changes in membrane organisation as evident by increased number of binding sites in such cells.     

A standardized nomenclature for endogenous mouse mammary tumor viruses.

We propose a revised standardized nomenclature for endogenous mouse mammary tumor viruses based on characterization by molecular cloning techniques and genetic segregation data.     

Biofilm inhibition and anti-quorum sensing activity of phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles against the nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Quorum sensing (QS), the communication signaling network, regulates biofilm formation and several virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, a nosocomial opportunistic pathogen. QS is considered to be a challenging target for compounds antagonistic to virulent factors. Biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are reported as anti-QS and anti-biofilm drugs against bacterial infections. The present study reports on the synthesis and characterization of Piper betle (Pb) mediated AgNPs (Pb-AgNPs). The anti-QS activity of Pb-AgNPs against Chromobacterium violaceum and the potential effect of Pb-AgNPs on QS-regulated phenotypes in PAO1 were studied. FTIR analysis exhibited that Pb-AgNPs had been capped by phytochemical constituents of Pb. Eugenol is one of the active phenolic phytochemicals in Pb leaves, therefore molecular docking of eugenol-conjugated AgNPs on QS regulator proteins (LasR, LasI and MvfR) was performed. Eugenol-conjugated AgNPs showed considerable binding interactions with QS-associated proteins. These results provide novel insights into the development of phytochemically conjugated nanoparticles as promising anti-infective candidates.