Efficient protocol for in vitro direct plant regeneration in chickpea Cicer arietinum L

An efficient plant regeneration system was developed for two important Indian chickpea cultivars, C-235 and HC-1. Immature cotyledons (7-8 mm) directly formed shoots without an intervening callus phase on MS medium containing B5 vitamins, BAP (2.0 mg/l), IBA (0.125 mg/l), AgNO3 (1.69 mg/l) and phytagel (2.5 g/l). The regenerated shoots had normal morphology and were successfully rooted in half strength MS medium under partial dark conditions. Regenerated plants were transferred to potted soil. However, the survival rate of pot house transferred plants was 17.6 per cent.     

Connexin43 with a cytoplasmic loop deletion inhibits the function of several connexins

Connexins (Cx) form gap junction channels mediating direct intercellular communication. To study the role of amino acids within the cytoplasmic loop, we produced a recombinant adenovirus containing Cx43 with a deletion of amino acids 130-136 (Cx43del(130-136)). Cx43del(130-136) expressed alone in HeLa cells localized within the cytoplasm and did not allow transfer of ions, neurobiotin or Lucifer yellow. When co-expressed with wild type Cx43, Cx43del(130-136) blocked electrical coupling and transfer of neurobiotin or Lucifer yellow. Cx43del(130-136) and Cx43 co-localized by immunofluorescence and were co-purified from Triton X-100-solubilized cell extracts. Intercellular transfer mediated by Cx37 and Cx45 (but not Cx26 or Cx40) was inhibited when co-expressed with Cx43del(130-136). Cx43del(130-136) co-localized with Cx37, Cx40, or Cx45, but not Cx26. These data suggest that Cx43del(130-136) produces connexin-specific inhibition of intercellular communication through formation of heteromeric connexons that are non-functional and/or retained in the cytoplasm.     

Beneficial effect of fluorocarbon emulsion media on the function of neuromuscular preparations in vitro

The effects of liquid fluorocarbons as bathing media were determined by use of in vitro neuromuscular preparations. Rat hemidiaphragms were bathed in either oxygenated fluorocarbon (FC) emulsion or standard oxygenated Krebs solution. Contractile force in response to simple supramaximal nerve stimuli as well as to high frequency stimulation was greater, while twitch:tetanus ratio was smaller in FC emulsion. With such medium, post-tetanic potentiation of contraction was also more consistently observed. Indirectly stimulated diaphragms survived longer in FC emulsion. After cessation of oxygenation, oxygen tension (ρO(2)) of the medium declined more rapidly with Krebs than with FC emulsion; ρO(2) directly correlated with force of contraction. Similarly, in the chick biventer cervicis preparation, FC emulsion enhanced nerve-stimulated force of contraction; returning the preparation to standard Krebs solution reversed this phenomenon. Dose-resonse curves of muscle contraction in response to acetycholine and KCl administration were shifted upward during FC emulsion superfusion. Frequency of miniature endplate potentials was lower in FC emulsion than that observed in Krebs solution, measured from the same cell of the rat diaphragm. Resting membrane potentials were also greater in muscle cells sampled from FC emulsion-bathed preparations. These data suggest that FC emulsion is superior to standard Krebs solution as a bathing medium for in vitro neuromuscular preparations by virtue of the high solubility of oxygen in it.     

Molecular genetic diversity analysis for heat tolerance of indigenous and exotic wheat genotypes

Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Four hundred and ninety-six indigenous and exotic aestivum and durum wheat accessions were phenotyped for heat tolerance at three locations during...     

Evaluation of the prevalence and economic burden of adverse drug reactions presenting to the medical emergency department of a tertiary referral centre: a prospective study

Background  

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are now recognized as an important cause of hospital admissions, with a proportion ranging from 0.9–7.9%. They also constitute a significant economic burden. We thus aimed at determining the prevalence and the economic burden of ADRs presenting to Medical Emergency Department (ED) of a tertiary referral center in India     

Distribution and Conservation of Nycticebus bengalensis in Northeastern India

We assessed the distribution and conservation status of Bengal slow lorises in Assam and Meghalaya in northeastern India. We surveyed forest reserves, plantations, tea estates, and areas bordering forests in 10 districts of the 2 states and sighted slow lorises in only 4 districts in Assam. Disturbances caused by tree felling, road kills by speeding vehicles, and trapping and hunting are the chief survival threats to the species. We emphasize immediate implementation of conservation measures to ensure the future of the species and recommend additional population surveys to define the distributional extent of Bengal slow lorises.