Application of large-scale sequencing to marker discovery in plants.

Advances in DNA sequencing provide tools for efficient large-scale discovery of markers for use in plants. Discovery options include large-scale amplicon sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, gene-enriched genome sequencing and whole genome sequencing. Examples of each of these approaches and their potential to generate molecular markers for specific applications have been described. Sequencing the whole genome of parents identifies all the polymorphisms available for analysis in their progeny. Sequencing PCR amplicons of sets of candidate genes from DNA bulks can be used to define the available variation in these genes that might be exploited in a population or germplasm collection. Sequencing of the transcriptomes of genotypes varying for the trait of interest may identify genes with patterns of expression that could explain the phenotypic variation. Sequencing genomic DNA enriched for genes by hybridization with probes for all or some of the known genes simplifies sequencing and analysis of differences in gene sequences between large numbers of genotypes and genes especially when working with complex genomes. Examples of application of the above-mentioned techniques have been described.

Hair dye poisoning: A case report.

A case is reported of an 18 year-old female who ingested a toxic quantity of a hair dye containing paraphenylenediamine (PPD), and presented with severe metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis leading to acute renal failure, and toxic myocarditis leading to myocardial dysfunction. Haemodialysis, cardiac supportive treatment, and ICU care resulted in complete recovery over a 1-month period.

Structural and histochemical studies on grain-filling in the caryopsis of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

The endosperm and embryo that constitute the filial tissues of rice caryopsis are isolated from the maternal tissues by the absence of any symplastic continuity. Nutrients are transported to the endosperm through a single ovular vascular trace present on the ventral side of the ovary. Initially solute enters through the chalaza into the nucellar projection and then into the endosperm. At later stages transport occurs through the nucellar epidermis, centripetally towards the endosperm. The cell walls of the nucellar epidermis are provided with rib-like thicken ings. A comparison of grain-filling in C3 and C4 cereals suggests that rice has structural features allied to C3 cereals, such as wheat, but with significant differences.

Tufted angioma in a case of neurofibromatosis type I.

Tufted angiomas are rare benign tumours with a characteristic histopathological appearance. Their occurrence in neurofibromatosis type 1, a genodermatosis in which vascular malformations are not uncommon, has hitherto not been reported. Some of the characteristic features of tufted angiomas are discussed.

The branching pattern of major groups of land plants inferred from parsimony analysis of ribosomal RNA sequences.

The parsimony and bootstrap branching pattern of major groups of land plants derived from relevant 5S rRNA sequence trees have been discussed in the light of paleobotanical and morphological evidences. Although 5S rRNA sequence information is not useful for dileneating angiosperm relationships, it does capture the earlier phase of land plant evolution. The consensus branching pattern indicates an ancient split of bryophytes and vascular plants from the charophycean algal stem. Among the bryophytes, Marchantia and Lophocolea appear to be phylogenetically close and together with Plagiomnium form a monophyletic group. Lycopodium and Psilotum arose early in vascular land plant evolution, independent of fem-sphenopsid branch. Gymnosperms are polyphyletic; conifers, Gnetales and cycads emerge in that order with ginkgo joining Cycas. Among the conifers, Metasequoia, Juniperus and Taxus emerge as a branch independent of Pinus which joins Gnetales. The phylogeny derived from the available ss-RNA sequences shows that angiosperms are monophyletic with monocots and dicots diverging from a common stem. The nucleotide replacements during angiosperm descent from the gymnosperm ancestor which presumably arose around 370 my ago indicates that monocots and dicots diverged around 180 my ago, which is compatible with the reported divergence estimate of around 200 my ago deduced from chloroplast DNA sequences.

Study of leprosy among slum dwellers in Pune. Part II--Disabilities.

While conducting a leprosy survey in an urban slum in Pune 45 cases of leprosy were detected in a population of 4915 and only 7 of these cases had some disability. Disability rate in the leprosy cases was 15.56 percent, and maximum number had Grade 2 disability of hands or feet. Disability was higher in the higher age groups, males, Hindus, widower/widows, unemployed and lower socio-economic classes. Majority of the cases had a very low Disability Index DI (2) between 0.10 to 0.69 which is heartening and proves the successful implementation of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme.

Immunologic parameters in infective endocarditis: a prospective study.

To evaluate the role of immunoglobulins, complement, circulating immune complexes (CIC), heart antibodies (HAb) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in infective endocarditis, we studied 28 consecutive patients before and after therapy. Statistically significant elevation was seen in IgG (p less than 0.001) and IgA (P less than 0.001) level prior to initiation of therapy as compared to a control group. Following drug treatment a fall was noted in IgA (P less than 0.01) and IgM (p less than 0.01) level as compared to basal values. Low C3 levels were seen in those with renal involvement (p less than 0.05). CIC levels estimated by 4% PEG precipitation assay were found to be elevated in 64% of patients. Patients with shorter duration of illness (less than three months) had higher levels of CIC containing IgG (P less than 0.005), IgA (P less than 0.05) and IgM (P less than 0.05), as compared to those with a longer duration. Initial CIC levels did not predict the clinical course and were found to be of no value in prognosis, although an improvement in congestive heart failure was associated with a rise in C3 (P less than 0.05) and IgM (P less than 0.05) containing CIC and an overall clinical improvement with a rise in IgA (p less than 0.05) containing CIC. There was no statistically significant difference in CIC level, for the entire group studied, before and after therapy. Patients who had rheumatoid factor in their initial serum sample demonstrated a fall in IgG, IgA and IgM containing CIC and a rise in C3 with therapy. The converse was true for those who lacked RF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)