Assessment of genetic diversity and population structure in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) using hypervariable SSR markers

Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants - The present study investigates the genetic diversity and population structure among 42 diverse pomegranate genotypes using a set of twenty one class I...     

Genomic annotation and validation of bacterial consortium NDMC-1 for enhanced degradation of sugarcane bagasse

This study aims at designing a consortium using rumen bacterial isolates for enhancing the hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse (SB) for efficient biofuel formation. The microbial population was screened through biochemical and molecular tools along with enzymatic activity to obtain potential isolates for diverse cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic carbohydrate active enzyme (CAZyme). Five strains (Paenibacillus, Bacillus, Enterobacter, and Microbacterium) were selected for designing the consortium NDMC-1. The hydrolytic efficiency of NDMC-1 was determined based on cellulase production with simultaneous rise in monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) concentration. Cellulolytic machinery of these isolates was further explored using genome sequencing. The isolates selected for consortia NDMC-1 interacted synergistically leading to enhanced cellulase production. Maximal endoglucanase (1.67 μmol ml−1 min−1), exoglucanase (0.69 μmol ml−1 min−1), and β-glucosidase (2.03 μmol ml−1 min−1) activity were achieved with SB as a sole carbon source after 48 h of incubation. Enhancement in SB hydrolysis employing NDMC-1 was evident by the increase in sCOD from 609 to 2589 mg/l and release of 1295 mg/l reducing sugar, comprising 59.8%, 8.23%, and 6.16% of glucose, cellobiose, and cellotriose, respectively, which resulted in 5.5-fold rise in biogas production. On genome annotation, total 472 contigs from glycoside hydrolase family: 84 from Microbacterium arborescens ND21, 72 from Enterobacter cloacae ND22, 61 from Bacillus subtilis ND23, 116 from Paenibacillus polymyxa ND24, and 140 from Paenibacillus polymyxa ND25 were identified. On further analysis, total 33 cellulases, 59 hemicellulases, and 48 esterases were annotated in the reported genomes. This work proposes the application of consortia-based bioprocessing systems over the conventionally favorable single organism approach for efficient hydrolysis of cellulosic substrates to fermentable sugars.     

Removal of chromium by some multipurpose tree seedlings of Indian thar desert

An experiment was conducted to study the potential of chromium (Cr) phytoaccumulatory capabilities of four tree species viz., Anogeissus latifolia, Terminalia arjuna, Tecomella undulata, and Salvadora persica Possibility of enhancement of Cr uptake by citric acid and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAM) amendments were also tried. Cr is a major pollutant of the environment. Chromium can exist in oxidation states from III to VI, but the most stable and common forms of Cr are trivalent and hexavalent species. Cr(VI) was more toxic to the tree growth in terms of collar diameter (CD) increment in all the tree species than Cr(lll). Roots accumulated more Cr than shoots in all the tree species. There was more than 10 fold increase in root Cr content in comparison with shoot Cr content in all the trees at all the concentration of Cr and all sources of Cr. Citric acid significantly increased the Cr content in the tissues of roots in all the species under both speciation of Cr. The highest increase in Cr content brought by 20 mM citric acid addition was in A. latifolia Results suggest that Anogeissus latifolia is a potential Cr accumulator with citric acid as soil amendment.     

Novel SSR markers from BAC-end sequences, DArT arrays and a comprehensive genetic map with 1,291 marker loci for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the third most important cool season food legume, cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The goal of this study was to develop novel molecular markers such as microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-end sequences (BESs) and diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers, and to construct a high-density genetic map based on recombinant inbred line (RIL) population ICC 4958 (C. arietinum)×PI 489777 (C. reticulatum). A BAC-library comprising 55,680 clones was constructed and 46,270 BESs were generated. Mining of these BESs provided 6,845 SSRs, and primer pairs were designed for 1,344 SSRs. In parallel, DArT arrays with ca. 15,000 clones were developed, and 5,397 clones were found polymorphic among 94 genotypes tested. Screening of newly developed BES-SSR markers and DArT arrays on the parental genotypes of the RIL mapping population showed polymorphism with 253 BES-SSR markers and 675 DArT markers. Segregation data obtained for these polymorphic markers and 494 markers data compiled from published reports or collaborators were used for constructing the genetic map. As a result, a comprehensive genetic map comprising 1,291 markers on eight linkage groups (LGs) spanning a total of 845.56 cM distance was developed (http://cmap.icrisat.ac.in/cmap/sm/cp/thudi/). The number of markers per linkage group ranged from 68 (LG 8) to 218 (LG 3) with an average inter-marker distance of 0.65 cM. While the developed resource of molecular markers will be useful for genetic diversity, genetic mapping and molecular breeding applications, the comprehensive genetic map with integrated BES-SSR markers will facilitate its anchoring to the physical map (under construction) to accelerate map-based cloning of genes in chickpea and comparative genome evolution studies in legumes.     

The properties of rabbit alpha1-macroglobulin upon activation are distinct from those of rabbit and human alpha2-macroglobulins

We have characterized native and activated forms of rabbit alpha1M and compared them to rabbit and human alpha2M. Similar to human alpha2M, rabbit alpha1M is a tetramer associated via disulfide bonds and non-covalent interactions that exhibits autolysis into two fragments when heated. Like human alpha2M, rabbit alpha1M is cleaved by trypsin at one site; however, rabbit alpha1M shares characteristics with rabbit alpha2M that are different from the properties of human alpha2M. Amine or trypsin treatment of rabbit alpha-macroglobulins does not result in a significant conformational change or cleavage of four thiolester bonds. Full thiolester cleavage is only observed for rabbit alpha1M after exposure to both trypsin and a small amine. Additionally, amine-treated rabbit alpha-macroglobulins retain trypsin inhibitory potential and do not fully shield bound proteinases. Methylamine and trypsin treatment of rabbit alpha1M results in two dissimilar conformations that display differing exposure of the receptor-recognition site. While ammonia- and methylamine-modified rabbit alpha1M bind to macrophages with similar affinity to that of human alpha2M, trypsin-treated rabbit alpha1M exhibits dramatically lower affinity. This suggests that rabbit alpha1M may not play the same proteinase-inhibiting physiological role as human alpha2M.     

An intra-specific consensus genetic map of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh] derived from six mapping populations

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) is an important food legume crop of rainfed agriculture. Owing to exposure of the crop to a number of biotic and abiotic stresses, the crop productivity has remained stagnant for almost last five decades at ca. 750?kg/ha. The availability of a cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) system has facilitated the development and release of hybrids which are expected to enhance the productivity of pigeonpea. Recent advances in genomics and molecular breeding such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) offer the possibility to accelerate hybrid breeding. Molecular markers and genetic maps are pre-requisites for deploying MAS in breeding. However, in the case of pigeonpea, only one inter- and two intra-specific genetic maps are available so far. Here, four new intra-specific genetic maps comprising 59-140 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci with map lengths ranging from 586.9 to 881.6?cM have been constructed. Using these four genetic maps together with two recently published intra-specific genetic maps, a consensus map was constructed, comprising of 339 SSR loci spanning a distance of 1,059?cM. Furthermore, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for fertility restoration (Rf) conducted in three mapping populations identified four major QTLs explaining phenotypic variances up to 24?%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on construction of a consensus genetic map in pigeonpea and on the identification of QTLs for fertility restoration. The developed consensus genetic map should serve as a reference for developing new genetic maps as well as correlating with the physical map in pigeonpea to be developed in near future. The availability of more informative markers in the bins harbouring QTLs for sterility mosaic disease (SMD) and Rf will facilitate the selection of the most suitable markers for genetic analysis and molecular breeding applications in pigeonpea.     

An unusual presentation of filariasis: a case report

BACKGROUND: Filariasis and its consequences are a major health problem in tropical countries, including the Indian subcontinent. Despite its high incidence, it is unusual to find microfilaria in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) smears. We present a case of subcutaneous firm to cystic swelling, aspiration of which revealed a large number of microfilaria. CASE: A 30-year-old man presented with a chain of intermittent, firm swellings in both arms. FNAC of the swellings revealed a large number of 4 microfilariae with associated giant cell reaction and inflammatory cell-like eosinophils. CONCLUSION: Besides the documented usual mode of presentation of filarial infection, it can present in an atypical manner, so careful examination of aspirates from the subcutaneous swellings, especially in filariasis endemic zones, is very important.     

Not all sugars are sweet for banana multiplication. In vitro multiplication,rooting, and acclimatization of banana as influenced by carbon source-concentration interactions

Carbon sources have been considered as one of the most important factors for in vitro multiplication of excised tissues. The type and concentration of sugars are known to influence the success of any in vitro protocol. In the present investigation, the effect of four carbon sources (glucose, fructose, mannitol, and sucrose) used to supplement Murashige and Skoog medium at three concentrations (1, 2, and 3%) was studied with respect to in vitro multiplication, in vitro rooting, and hardening in ‘Silk’ banana. Fructose (2%) followed by sucrose (3%) were found to be most the congenial carbon sources for obtaining the highest shoot multiplication rates. Growth parameters were also found to be superior in the fructose-containing media; however, it performed poorly in terms of root induction. Whereas, medium containing sucrose (3%) supported 100% root induction of in vitro-derived shoots. Plantlets multiplied initially on glucose-containing (1 and 3%) and sucrose-containing (3%) media exhibited superior growth parameters after secondary hardening. We conclude that a change in the rooting media could improve the number of successfully hardened plants under ex vitro conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the effect of sugars on hardening-related parameters in AAB genome of banana and apparently on any variety of banana.     

Heterocyclic compounds containing antimony 1. Synthesis, physicochemical properties, crystal and molecular structure of 2-(β-hydroxyethylthio) 1,3,2-oxathiastibolane

The compound (HOCH₂CH₂S) ) (1) has been prepared by the reaction of antimony(III) isopropoxide and 2-mercaptoethanol in a 1:2 molar ratio. Reaction of 1 with MOCH₃ (where M = Li, Na and K) yields bimetallic products of the type, M[(OCH₂CH₂S) )]. All these derivatives have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectra and molar conductivity measurements. Crystals of 1 are triclinic, space group P , with a = 6.449(2), b = 10.285(2), c = 13.494(1) Å, α = 78.08(1), β = 75.99(1), γ = 71.54(2)°, V = 815.48 ų, Z = 4, D_calc = 2.239 g cm⁻³, (Mo Kα) λ = 0.7107 Å, μ = 3.55 mm₋₁, F(000) = 528, T = 295 K, final R = 0.0189 for 2344 reflections. One of the two mercaptoethanol moieties in 1 forms a five-membered chelate ring with antimony, Sb(1)---O(11) = 2.023(2) Å and Sb(1)---S(11) = 2.434(1) Å, while the other is bonded through the S atom only, Sb(1)---S(12) = 2.434(1) Å. The angles between these primary bonds with a mean value of 90.2° suggest a basically pyramidal, or pseudo tetrahedral structure if the stereochemically active lone pair is included in the coordination sphere. Two molecules are linked by intermolecular hydrogen bridges. The presence of weak intermolecular secondary bonding, Sb(1)---O(12) = 2.567(3) Å, in the complex indicates that the overall coordination polyhedron is best described in terms of a distorted trigonal bipyramidal arrangement.     

Occurrence of a thermocline in two lakes of the semi-arid region in western Rajasthan,India

Water quality samples were obtained monthly or bimonthly 17 times from May 1974 to May 1975 at three stations in Delaware Bay. In addition, two 12-hour cruises were also conducted at one station in February and April 1975. Surface and bottom water samples were taken. Measurements and analyses included temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, silicate, nitrate and nitrite, orthophosphate, ammonia, chlorophylls a, b, and c, phaeopigments, and carotenoids. The annual pattern of temperature was typical of an estuary in the mid-Atlantic Bight. Salinity and dissolved oxygen ranged from 22.9 to 29.7‰ and from 4.53 to 8.53 ml/l, respectively. Nutrient and pigment values showed seasonal peaks. Silicate (30.3 μg-at/1) and orthosphate (1.59 μg-at/1) were highest in September. Highest concentrations of ammonia were commonly measured in July (6.80 μg-at/1) and September (5.13 μg-at/1), and peak concentrations of nitrate and nitrite were recorded in January (24.27 μg-at/l), February (18.2 μg-at/1), and May (16.37 μg-at/1). Peak concentrations of chlorophyll a were measured in August (17.2 μg-at/1), October (15.70 μg-at/1), and March (15.33 μg-at/1). In general, the annual pattern for chlorophylls b and c were similar to chlorophyll a. Comparison with other estuaries and bays (Narrangansett Bay, Long Island Sound, Raritan Bay, and Chesapeake Bay) indicated that concentrations of nutrients and pigments in Delaware Bay were generally similar in magnitude and seasonality, These are the first set of seasonal water quality data for lower Delaware Bay.