Genetic divergence and hybrid performance in mung bean

Summary Genetic divergence in 35 populations (10 parents and 25 F₁'s) of mung bean was studied by D² and canonical analyses. The ten parents formed as many as eight separate clusters, suggesting that the genetic divergence between them was quite substantial. The parent BR-2 was highly divergent from all the other entries. It was found that flowering time, maturity, seed density and seed size (100-seed weight) contributed substantially to the divergence. Canonical analysis supported the divergence pattern obtained by D² analysis and the contribution of different characters to genetic divergence. The relationship between genetic divergence (D²) and heterosis was evaluated. In general, there was fair agreement between the extent of heterosis and the genetic divergence between the parents.     

Phenylphenalenone-type phytoalexins in banana (Musa species): a comprehensive review for new research directions

Phytochemistry Reviews - Bananas are the most produced and exported fresh fruit globally; but their sustainable production is always under threat owing to their vegetative reproduction method, in...     

Quantitative assessment of distant recurrence risk in early stage breast cancer using a nonlinear combination of pathological,clinical and imaging variables

Use of genomic assays to determine distant recurrence risk in patients with early stage breast cancer has expanded and is now included in the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual. Algorithmic alternatives using standard clinical and pathology information may provide equivalent benefit in settings where genomic tests, such as OncotypeDx, are unavailable. We developed an artificial neural network (ANN) model to nonlinearly estimate risk of distant cancer recurrence. In addition to clinical and pathological variables, we enhanced our model using intraoperatively determined global mammographic breast density (MBD) and local breast density (LBD). LBD was measured with optical spectral imaging capable of sensing regional concentrations of tissue constituents. A cohort of 56 ER+ patients with an OncotypeDx score was evaluated. We demonstrated that combining MBD/LBD measurements with clinical and pathological variables improves distant recurrence risk prediction accuracy, with high correlation ( r = 0.98) to the OncotypeDx recurrence score.     

A study on microbiology of biological film layer in rotating biological contactors

Experimental studies were carried out for upgrading the secondary treated domestic sewage effluent using the Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC) as an unit process in the premises of the existing water reclamation plant of Satellite Centre Building Complex of Indian Space Research Organisation at Bangalore. As part of these studies, a brief study was carried out on the microbiological aspects of the biological slime layer developed in the RBC. This study included observations on the development of the biological film on wetted disc surfaces of RBC, measurement of the thickness of the biological film, a discussion on significance of biofilm thickness in substrate removal, effect of wastewater characteristics on the thickness of biofilm and determination of MLSS/MLVSS ratio of biological film obtained in RBC reactor used for upgrading the secondary effluent. The results of these studies are presented in this paper. The results of identification of species of micro-organisms predominant in the biological slime layer in the RBC used for upgradation of secondary treated effluent are discussed separately in another paper.     

TAXODIACEOUS BARK FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS OF ALBERTA

The structure of a piece of silicified bark of Taxodioxylon gypsaceum from near Medicine Hat in Southern Alberta is described. The fossil specimen probably came from Upper Cretaceous beds. The fossil shows affinities with the bark of modern Sequoia. Vectia luccombensis Stopes (1915) from the Lower Greensand (Aptian) of England probably constitutes an isolated piece of taxodiaceous bark, similar to the inner bark of the Alberta specimen.     

Impediment to growth and yeast-to-hyphae transition in Candida albicans by copper oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

The effects of two prominent copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NP and Cu₂O-NP), with the oxidation state of Cu⁺⁺ (cupric) and Cu⁺ (cuprous), on Candida albicans were evaluated. CuO-NP and Cu₂O-NP were synthesized and characterized by XRD, FESEM, HR-TEM and Zeta potential. At sub-MIC (50?µg ml^?1), both cupric and cuprous oxide NPs prevented yeast-to-hyphae switching and wrinkling behaviour in C. albicans. The mechanism for the antifungal action of the two NPs differed; CuO-NP significantly elicited reactive oxygen species, whereas membrane damage was more pronounced with Cu₂O-NP. Real time PCR analysis revealed that CuO-NP suppressed the morphological switching of yeast-to-hyphae by down-regulating cph1, hst7 and ras1 and by up-regulation of the negative regulator tup1. In comparison, Cu₂O-NP resulted in down-regulation of ras1 and up-regulation of the negative regulators nrg1 and tup1. Between the two NPs, CuO exhibited increased antifungal activity due to its stable oxidation state (Cu⁺⁺) and its smaller dimensions compared with Cu₂O-NP.     

Effect of salicylic acid on nodulation, nitrogenous compounds and related enzymes of Vigna mungo

Plants of Vigna mungo raised from seeds presoaked in salicylic acid (0.0, 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 mM) and nodulated with the cowpea strain of Rhizobium leguminosarum were analysed 15 and 30 d after sowing. The foliar nitrate and nitrite contents were varying but soluble protein and total nitrogen contents were lower in treated than control plants. Nitrate reductase activity was increased at the two lower concentrations of 0.01 and 0.1 mM but was inhibited at the highest concentration used (1.0 mM). The number of nodules, their leghemoglobin and protein contents and nitrogenase activity of roots were reduced. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.