Drought is the most critical environmental factor across the continents affecting food security. Roots are the prime organs for water and nutrient uptake. Fine tuning between water uptake, efficient ...use and loss determines the genotypic response to water limitations. Targeted breeding for root system architecture needs to be explored to improve water use efficiency in legumes. Hence, the present study was designed to explore root system architecture in lentil germplasm in response to drought. A set of 119 lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes was screened in controlled conditions to assess the variability in root traits in relation to drought tolerance at seedling stage. We reported significant variation for different root traits in lentil germplasm. Total root length, surface area, root volume and root diameter were correlated to the survival and growth under drought. Among the studied genotypes, the stress tolerance index varied 0.19–1.0 for survival and 0.09–0.90 for biomass. Based on seedling survival and biomass under control and drought conditions, 11 drought tolerant genotypes were identified, which may be investigated further at a physiological and molecular level for the identification of the genes involved in drought tolerance. Identified lines may also be utilised in a lentil breeding program.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor has been demonstrated in squamous papillomas of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis patients. This case series aimed at studying the feasibility and efficacy of ...systemic use of VEGF inhibitor Bevacizumab in advanced Juvenile Onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (JORRP) patients. Three pediatric patients with advanced RRP were included in this study. A detailed bronchoscopic and radiological follow-up is presented. All patients responded well to the treatment. We conclude that systemic Bevacizumab can be tried as a feasible and rational adjuvant treatment in advanced JORRP patients.
Bread wheat (
L.) is widely grown in sub-tropical and tropical areas and, as such, it is exposed to heatstress especially during the grain filling period (GFP). Global warming has further affected ...its production and productivity in these heat-stressed environments. We examined the effects of heatstress on 18 morpho-physiological and yield-related traits in 96 bread wheat accessions. Heat stress decreased crop growth and GFP, and consequently reduced morphological and yield-related traits in the delayed sown crop. A low heat susceptibility index and high yield stability were used for selecting tolerant accessions. Under heatstress, the days to 50% anthesis, flag-leaf area, chlorophyll content, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), thousand grain weight (TGW), harvest index and grain yield were significantly reduced both in tolerant and susceptible accessions. The reduction was severe in susceptible accessions (48.2% grain yield reduction in IC277741). The plant height, peduncle length and spike length showeda significant reduction in susceptible accessions, but a non-significant reduction in the tolerant accessions under the heatstress. The physiological traits like the canopy temperature depression (CTD), plant waxiness and leaf rolling were increased in tolerant accessions under heatstress. Scanning electron microscopy of matured wheat grains revealed ultrastructural changes in endosperm and aleurone cells due to heat stress. The reduction in size and density of large starch granules is the major cause of the yield and TGW decrease in the heat-stress-susceptible accessions. The most stable and high-yielding accessions, namely, IC566223, IC128454, IC335792, EC576707, IC535176, IC529207, IC446713 and IC416019 were identified as the climate-smart germplasm lines. We selected germplasm lines possessing desirable traits as potential parents for the development of bi-parent and multi-parent mapping populations.
The Russia-Ukraine war has undeniably impacted global science and healthcare in Ukraine. Many Ukrainian researchers have had their projects disrupted by this war, either due to loss of life, ...displacement, or destruction of resources. Despite these challenges, these researchers have sought to make their voices heard. This scoping review highlights the trend of healthcare-related publications on the current Russia-Ukraine war and characterizes the contribution of Ukrainian authors to these publications.
A comprehensive literature search was performed using two databases (Scopus and Pubmed) for publications related to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. We included articles only related to healthcare. We then extracted and analyzed bibliometric data.
One hundred and eighty-three articles were identified, including 12 (6.6%) original articles, 26 (14.2%) cross-sectional studies, 19 (10.4%) letters to the editor, 10 (5.5%) commentaries, 5 (2.7%) perspectives, 35 (19.1%) editorials, 2 (1.1%) randomized controlled trials, 11(6.0%) correspondences, 13 (7.1%) opinions, 8 (4.4%) reviews and 42 (23.0%) are identified as others. 180 (98.4%) studies were in English, and 3 (1.7%) were in German. 54 (29.5%) papers on the war had at least one author affiliated with a Ukrainian institution, and 29 (15.9%) studies had authors with Ukrainian affiliation as first authors.
our study shows that there has been a significant number of publications on the Russia-Ukraine war and only a small portion of first authors, co-authors, and last authors of these publications are affiliated to an institution in Ukraine. Therefore, despite the relatively high number of publications, most publications do not arise from the perspective of Ukrainian authors.
Cold shock proteins are characterized by the presence of one or more cold shock domains that bestow them with nucleic acid binding ability. Although cold shock proteins are well characterized in ...bacteria, plants and humans, there is no information on their existence and role in malaria parasite. Here, we have identified and delineated the function of a cold shock protein of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) ‘PfCoSP’. We demonstrate that PfCoSP exhibits nucleic acid binding properties and regulates gene expression. PfCoSP promotes microtubule assembly by interacting with Pf α/β tubulin. We identified a human cold shock protein LIN28A inhibitor ‘LI71’ as a binding partner of PfCoSP which inhibited PfCoSP–DNA and α/β tubulin interactions and, also inhibited the development of asexual blood stages and gametocyte stage of malaria parasite. Because PfCoSP is essential for parasite survival, characterization of its interacting partners may form the basis for development of future anti-malarials.
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•PfCoSP exhibits nucleic acid binding properties and regulates gene expression•PfCoSP binds Pf α/β tubulin and promotes microtubule assembly•LI71 interacts with PfCoSP and inhibits its binding with DNA and tubulin•LI71 inhibits asexual and sexual development of malaria parasite
Biological sciences; Molecular biology; Parasitology; Cell biology
Native germplasm resources are adapted to specific ecological niches. They have sustained over generations owing to the preference of local communities for their unique taste, the utility to ...particular dishes, and the low cost of cultivation. They may help eradicate malnutrition and act as a source for trait-linked genes. The present dataset comprises thirty-three native germplasm of maize collected from Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh states of India with an altitudinal variation of 386-2,028 m. They were evaluated for proximate composition, minerals, nutritional attributes, and antioxidant activity and compared with the standard values reported in the Indian Food Composition Table 2017 (IFCT2017). The nutritional profile showed moisture content in the range of 7.16-10.9%, ash 0.73-1.93%, crude protein 8.68-12.0%, crude fat 3.72-8.03%, dietary fiber 5.21-11.2%, and available carbohydrates 60.6-69.8%. Three accessions, namely, Malan 11 (7.06%), Malan 24 (7.20%), and Yellow Chamba Local 02 (8.03%) exhibited almost double the crude fat content as compared with the values notified in IFCT2017 (3.77). Total sugar content obtained was in the range of 5.00-11.3%, whereas the starch content was found between 50.9 and 64.9%. All the germplasm except Yellow Chamba Local reflected a higher protein content than reported values in IFCT2017 (8.80). Sathi, Safed Chamba Local, and Ragal Makka had nearly 12% protein content. Mineral malnutrition, mainly due to iron (Fe) deficiency, is a worldwide issue to science, humanity, and society. The mineral profile revealed that most germplasm had a higher iron content. Accessions with the iron content of nearly three times of IFCT2017 reported value were identified in germplasm belonging to three states. A negative relationship was observed between the altitude of the sample collection site and available carbohydrate content. In contrast, available carbohydrate showed inverse correlations with dietary fiber, protein, and fat content. The information generated in this study can be utilized to promote these germplasm as nutrifood, nutritional surveillance, labeling, and crop improvement programs.
The North-Eastern Himalayan (NEH) region of India is endowed with rich maize genetic resources which is important from both genetics and evolutionary viewpoints.
Mimban
landrace of maize is a popular ...choice in Mizoram as food among the locals due to its stickiness caused by recessive
wx1
gene resulting in high amylopectin in the grains. In the present study, a set of 24
Mimban
accessions possessing high amylopectin (mean 89.72%, range 80.2–93.7%) content were analyzed. 93 SSRs markers generated a total of 334 alleles with a range of 2–9 and mean of 3.59 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content varied from 0.117 to 0.829 with an average of 0.528. A total of 20 unique and 24 rare alleles were detected. Twenty-seven major alleles with individual frequencies exceeding 0.70 were also identified across the accessions. Cluster analyses classified 24 genotypes into three major clusters each having 2, 14 and 9 accessions. The clustering pattern was largely congruent with the geographical information. Diverse origin of the accessions was also depicted by the SSR based principal coordinate analysis. These accessions with high amylopectin content from diverse clusters may be crossed to derive heterotic hybrid and also might be used for novel gene identification. Thus information generated here possesses great potential in their utilization in the waxy corn genomics and breeding and emphasizes the need for further exploration of unique trait specific genepool from unexplored areas. This is the first report of molecular characterization of
Mimban
landrace accessions from NEH region.
Wheat is one of the major staple cereal food crops in India. However, most of the wheat-growing areas experience several biotic and abiotic stresses, resulting in poor quality grains and reduced ...yield. To ensure food security for the growing population in India, there is a compelling need to explore the untapped genetic diversity available in gene banks for the development of stress-resistant/tolerant cultivars. The improvement of any crop lies in exploring and harnessing the genetic diversity available in its genetic resources in the form of cultivated varieties, landraces, wild relatives, and related genera. A huge collection of wheat genetic resources is conserved in various gene banks across the globe. Molecular and phenotypic characterization followed by documentation of conserved genetic resources is a prerequisite for germplasm utilization in crop improvement. The National Genebank of India has an extensive and diverse collection of wheat germplasm, comprising Indian wheat landraces, primitive cultivars, breeding lines, and collection from other countries. The conserved germplasm can contribute immensely to the development of wheat cultivars with high levels of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Breeding wheat varieties that can give high yields under different stress environments has not made much headway due to high genotypes and environmental interaction, non-availability of truly resistant/tolerant germplasm, and non-availability of reliable markers linked with the QTL having a significant impact on resistance/tolerance. The development of new breeding technologies like genomic selection (GS), which takes into account the G × E interaction, will facilitate crop improvement through enhanced climate resilience, by combining biotic and abiotic stress resistance/tolerance and maximizing yield potential. In this review article, we have summarized different constraints being faced by Indian wheat-breeding programs, challenges in addressing biotic and abiotic stresses, and improving quality and nutrition. Efforts have been made to highlight the wealth of Indian wheat genetic resources available in our National Genebank and their evaluation for the identification of trait-specific germplasm. Promising genotypes to develop varieties of important targeted traits and the development of different genomics resources have also been highlighted.
This paper presents the implementation of decision criteria template to incorporate qualitative indicators in functionality, resiliency and sustainability assessments of stormwater infrastructure ...using the Functionality–Resiliency–Sustainability Framework. Qualitative attributes, even though deemed important, are usually not included, or adequately considered because of their inherent subjectivity associated with assessing them. Whenever qualitative indicators are used in practice, an ordinal scale such as poor, fair, good, very good is frequently applied. However, depending on the understanding and priorities of the evaluator, the meaning of poor, fair, good and very good score can differ significantly. Such indicators were generally not intended to facilitate engineering solutions but rather management related concerns. However, understanding the issues behind using qualitative measures is critical for stormwater infrastructure because many non-conventional indicators—which are frequently non-technical measures—can be used to assess the resiliency and sustainability of stormwater system. Moreover, there are few resources to adapt specific qualitative factors to quantitative equivalents. To address this gap, a decision criteria template is developed to score qualitative indicators within a multi-criteria assessment approach so that consistency, transparency, and subjectivity in the assessment can be addressed. The indicator scoring template is illustrated in an example stormwater system in city of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Based on the analysis done using the decision criteria matrix, it was found that city of Windsor's stormwater infrastructure resiliency is relatively better than its assessed functionality and sustainability.
Drought is one of the major constraints in wheat production and causes a huge loss at grain-filling stage. In this study we highlighted the response of different wheat genotypes under drought stress ...at the grain-filling stage. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate 72 wheat (
Triticum aestivum
L.) genotypes under two water regimes: irrigated and drought condition. Four wheat genotypes, two each of drought tolerant (IC36761A, IC128335) and drought-susceptible category (IC335732 and IC138852) were selected on the basis of agronomic traits and drought susceptibility index (DSI), to understand their morphological, biochemical and molecular basis of drought stress tolerance. Among agronomic traits, productive tillers followed by biomass had high percent reduction under drought stress, thus drought stress had a great impact. Antioxidant activity (AO), total phenolic and proline content were found to be significantly higher in IC128335 genotype. Differential expression pattern of transcription factors of ten genes revealed that transcription factor qTaWRKY2 followed by qTaDREB, qTaEXPB23 and qTaAPEX might be utilized for developing wheat varieties resistant to drought stress. Understanding the role of TFs would be helpful to decipher the molecular mechanism involved in drought stress. Identified genotypes (IC128335 and IC36761A) may be useful as parental material for future breeding program to generate new drought-tolerant varieties.
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