Autofluorescence-spectral imaging for rapid and invasive characterization of soybean for pre-germination anaerobic stress tolerance.

The autofluorescence-spectral imaging (ASI) technique is based on the light-emitting ability of natural fluorophores. Soybean genotypes showing contrasting tolerance to pre-germination anaerobic stress can be characterized using the photon absorption and fluorescence emission of natural fluorophores occurring in seed coats. In this study, tolerant seeds were efficiently distinguished from susceptible genotypes at 405 nm and 638 nm excitation wavelengths. ASI approach can be employed as a new marker for the detection of photon-emitting compounds in the tolerant and susceptible soybean seed coats. Furthermore, the accuracy of rapid characterization of genotypes using this technique can provide novel insights into soybean breeding.

Differential gene expression analysis reveals the fast-growth mechanisms in Melia dubia at different stand ages.

BACKGROUND: Melia dubia Cav. is a fast-growing multipurpose tree suitable for agroforestry and has been widely cultivated for wood-based industries, particularly pulp and paper production. Despite its high economic value in India, there is a lack of information regarding the molecular mechanism driving its fast-growth. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for fast-growth by expression analysis of selective candidate genes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Initially, growth traits were assessed, including tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH), across three different ages (one-year-old, two-year-old, and three-year-old) of M. dubia plantations. Tree volume based on tree height and DBH, was also calculated. The analysis of annual tree height increment revealed that the second-year plantation exhibited the higher increment, followed by first and third years. In contrast, DBH was maximum in third-year plantation, followed by the second and first years. Similarly, annual tree volume increment showed a similar trend with DBH that maximum in the third year, followed by second and first years. Furthermore, a differential gene expression analysis was performed using qRT-PCR on four genes such as Phloem Intercalated with Xylem (PXY), Clavata3/Embryo Surrounding Region-Related 41 (CLE41), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS-1) and Hemoglobin1 (Hb1) for downstream analysis. The relative gene expression showed up-regulation of CLE41, ACS-1, and Hb1 genes, while the PXY gene was downregulated across the tree ages. Interestingly, a positive association was observed between tree growth and the expression of the selected candidate genes. CONCLUSION: Our results pave the way for further research on the regulatory mechanisms of genes involved in fast-growth and provide a basis for genetic improvement of Melia dubia.

Whole plant response of Pongamia pinnata to drought stress tolerance revealed by morpho-physiological, biochemical and transcriptome analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pongamia is considered an important biofuel species worldwide. Drought stress in the early growth stages of Pongamia influences negatively on the germination and seedling development. Due to lack of cultivar stability under drought stress conditions, establishment of successful plantation in drought hit areas becomes a major problem. To address this issue, drought stress response of four Pongamia genotypes was studied at morphological, physio-chemical and transcriptome levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: Drought stress was levied by limiting water for 15 days on three months old seedlings of four genotypes. A significant effect of water stress was observed on the traits considered. The genotype NRCP25 exhibited superior morpho-physiological, biochemical drought responses. Also, the genotype had higher root length, photosynthetic pigments, higher antioxidant enzymes and solute accumulation compared to other genotypes. In addition, transcript profiling of selected drought responsive candidate genes such as trehalose phosphate synthase 1 (TPS1), abscisic acid responsive elements-binding protein 2 (ABF2-2), heat shock protein 17 (HSP 17 kDa), tonoplast intrinsic protein 1 (TIP 1-2), zinc finger homeodomain protein 2 (ZFP 2), and xyloglucan endotransglucolase 13 (XET 13) showed only up-regulation in NRCP25. Further, the transcriptome responses are in line with key physio-chemical responses exhibited by NRCP25 for drought tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: As of now, there are no systematic studies on Pongamia drought stress tolerance; therefore this study offers a comprehensive understanding of whole plant drought stress responsiveness of Pongamia. Moreover, the results support important putative trait indices with potential candidate genes for drought tolerance improvement of Pongamia.

Differential responses of sorghum genotypes to drought stress revealed by physio-chemical and transcriptional analysis.

Sorghum is an essential food crop for millions of people in the semi-arid regions of the world, where its production is severely limited by drought stress. Drought in the early stages of crop growth and development irreversibly interferes, which leads to poor yield. The effect of drought stress in sorghum was studied at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels in a set of two genotypes differing in their tolerance to drought. Drought stress was imposed by restraining water for 10 days on 25 days old seedlings. A significant influence of water stress was observed on the considered morpho-physiological and biochemical traits. The genotype DRT1019 exhibited physiological and biochemical indicators of drought avoidance through delayed leaf rolling, osmotic adjustment, ideal gas-exchange system, solute accumulation, an increased level of enzyme synthesis and root trait expression as compared to the ICSV95022 genotype. Furthermore, differences in the metabolite changes viz. total carbohydrate, total amides, and lipids were found between the two genotypes under drought stress. In addition, transcript profiling of potential candidate drought genes such as SbTIP3-1, SbDHN1, SbTPS, and SbDREB1A revealed up-regulation in DRT1019, which corresponded with other important physiological and biochemical parameters exhibited in the genotype. In conclusion, this study provides an improved understanding of whole plant response to drought stress in sorghum. Additionally, our results provide promising candidate genes for drought tolerance in sorghum that can be used as potential markers for drought tolerance breeding programs.

Proportion of beneficiaries and factors affecting Janani Suraksha Yojana direct cash transfer scheme in Puducherry, India.

INTRODUCTION: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) direct benefit transfer scheme was launched in the year 2013 in India and there is a paucity of information affecting it. The study aimed to assess the proportion of eligible beneficiaries utilizing JSY direct cash benefit transfer in Puducherry and to identify its barriers and facilitating factors. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted from January to March 2015 among 152 eligible JSY beneficiaries residing in rural and urban field practice areas of a tertiary care institution in Puducherry, India. Data were collected using a pretested semi structured questionnaire and presented as proportion or percentages. RESULTS: About 144 beneficiaries participated in the study with a response rate of 94.7%. About 46% (66) of them availed cash transfer benefit. The mean time of receiving the benefit is 95.8 days (interquartile range 60-120 days). Among those who have not received (78), about 49 (62.8%) had not applied and 29 (37.18%) filled applications were rejected due to various reasons. About 77.1% (111) of beneficiaries were informed about JSY scheme through health workers. About 52.1% (75/144) still preferred direct bank transfer through the bank. The reasons for not availing benefits includes not having a bank account (24.3%), followed by not having Aadhaar number (9.7%), 11.8% had no ration card, and 13.8% stayed in their mother house. CONCLUSION: Majority of the beneficiaries did not receive direct cash transfer benefits in urban area than rural area and there is a need to simplify the procedures to improve the uptake of services to this group.

Crystal structure of bis-(thio-cyanato-κS)bis-(thio-urea-κS)mercury(II).

In the title complex, [Hg(NCS)2(CH4N2S)2], the Hg(II) atom is four-coordinated having an irregular four-coordinate geometry composed of four thione S atoms of two thio-cyanate groups and two thio-urea groups. The S-Hg-S angles are 172.02 (9)° for the trans-thio-cyanate S atoms and 90.14 (5)° for the cis-thio-urea S atoms. The mol-ecular structure is stabilized by an intra-molecular N-H⋯S hydrogen bond, which forms an S(6) ring motif. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by a number of N-H⋯N and N-H⋯S hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional framework. The first report of the crystal structure of this compound appeared in 1966 [Korczynski (1966 ▶). Rocz. Chem. 40, 547-569] with an extremely high R factor of 17.2%, and no mention of how the data were collected.

Diammonium tetra-kis-(iso-thio-cyanato)-zincate-1,4,10,13,16-hexa-oxa-cyclo-octa-deca-ne-water (1/2/1).

The title compound, (NH4)2[Zn(NCS)4]·2C12H24O6·H2O, the result of the reaction of ammonium thio-cyanate, 18-crown-6 and zinc(II) chloride in aqueous solution, exhibits an unusual supra-molecular structure. The Zn atom, two of the thio-cyanate chains and a water mol-ecule, disordered over two positions, lie on a mirror plane. The macrocycle adopts a conformation with approximate D 3d symmetry. The ammonium mol-ecules are contained within the bowl of the macrocycle via extensive N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and the complex mol-ecules are linked via N-H⋯S hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the c-axis direction. The macrocycle is disordered over two positions [refined occupancy ratio = 0.666 (8):0.334 (8)]. The S atoms of two iso-thio-cyanate ligands are disordered within and about the mirror plane.

(Thio-cyanato-κS)-tris-(thio-urea-κS)mercury(II) chloride.

In the title salt, [Hg(NCS)(CH4N2S)3]Cl, the Hg(2+) ion is coordinated in a severely distorted tetra-hedral manner by three thio-urea groups and one thio-cyanate anion through their S atoms. The S-Hg-S angles vary widely from 87.39 (5) to 128.02 (4)°. Weak intra-molecular N-H⋯S hydrogen bonds are observed, which form S(6) ring motifs. In the crystal, the ions are linked by N-H⋯N and weak N-H⋯Cl inter-actions, generating a three-dimensional network.

Growth, spectroscopic and physicochemical properties of bis mercury ferric chloride tetra thiocyanate: a nonlinear optical crystal.

Single crystal of bis mercury ferric chloride tetra thiocyanate [Hg2FeCl3(SCN)4; (MFCTC)] was grown from ethanol-water (3:1) mixed solvent using slow evaporation solvent technique (SEST) for the first time. The cell parameters of the grown crystal were confirmed by single crystal XRD. The coordination of transition metal ions with the SCN ligand is well-identified using FT-IR spectral analysis. The chemical composition of MFCTC was confirmed using CHNS elemental test. The ESR spectral profile of MFCTC was recorded from 298 K to 110K, which strongly suggests the incorporation of Fe(3+) ion and its environment with respect to SCN ligand. The HPLC chromatogram of MFCTC highlights the purity of the compound. The UV-Vis-NIR studies revealed the ultra violet cut-off wavelength of MFCTC in ethanol as 338 nm. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the sample were studied as a function of frequency and temperature. The TGA-DTA and DSC thermal analysis show that the sample is thermally stable up to 234.31 °C, which is comparatively far better than the thermal stability of Hg3CdCl2(SCN)6; (171.3 °C) and other metal-organic coordination complex crystals such as CdHg(SCN)4 (198.5 °C), Hg(N2H4CS)4Mn(SCN)4 (199.06 °C) and Hg(N2H4CS)4Zn(SCN)4 (185 °C). The SHG conversion efficiency of MFCTC is found to be higher than KDP.

catena-Poly[[bis-(µ(2)-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexa-oxacyclo-octa-deca-ne)dipotassium]-µ(2)-iodido-(iodidocadmium)-di-µ(2)-iodido-(iodidocadmium)-µ(2)-iodido].

The reaction of CdCl(2), 18-crown-6 and KI in water yields the title coordination polymer, [{K(C(12)H(24)O(6))}(2)Cd(2)I(6)](n). The potassium ion lies approximately in the plane of the crown ether, coordinated by all six crown ether O atoms and also by an iodide anion bound to a cadmium atom. A C atom of the crown ether is disordered over two positions with site occupancies of 0.77 (2) and 0.23 (2). Two K(18-crown-6)(+) units are linked by inversion symmetry, forming a [bis-(µ(2)-18-crown-6)dipottasium] system with approximately square-planar K(2)O(2) units. Inversion symmetry also generates the Cd(2)I(6) fragment and the polymeric system is extended along the c axis by the formation of K-I-Cd bridges.

catena-Poly[[bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)cobalt(II)]-di-µ-thio-urea-κ(4)S:S].

In the title polymeric complex, [Co(NCS)(2){SC(NH(2))(2)}(2)](n), the asymmetric unit comprises a Co(II) ion, which is situated on an inversion centre, an N-bound thio-cyanate anion and a µ(2)-bridging thio-urea mol-ecule. The Co(II) atom is coordinated in a distorted octa-hedral fashion within an N(2)S(4) donor set. The bridging thio-urea ligands link Co(II) ions into a polymeric chain extending along [100]. The mol-ecular conformation is stabilized by intra-molecular N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds, which generate S(6) ring motifs. The crystal packing is stabilized by N-H⋯S inter-actions, which connect the chains into a three-dimensional architecture.

catena-Poly[ammonium (cadmium-tri-µ-thio-cyanato-κS:N;κN:S)-1,4,10,13,16-hexa-oxa-cyclo-octa-decane (1/1)].

In the title compound, {(NH(4))[Cd(NCS)(3)]·C(12)H(24)O(6)}(n), the Cd(2+) ion, the ammonium cation, one of the SCN(-) ligands and the macrocycle are located on mirror planes. The thiocyanate anions act as bridging ligands between the Cd(II) ions, leading to a polymeric chain arrangement extending along [001] around a twofold screw axis. The ammonium ions are contained within the bowl of the macrocycle via extensive N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding.

Early puberty in local Naga boar of India: assessment through epididymal spermiogram and in vivo pregnancy.

Male Naga pig of India, a miniature breed is known for its meat quality and early puberty. No scientific efforts were made to verify the farmers' view that this breed reaches puberty at around 2 months of age. A preliminary study was, therefore, conducted with the objectives: (a) to find out the age at puberty based on mature spermiogram and in vivo pregnancy and (b) to record the sperm morphology in different parts of the epididymis. Animals were selected from two different age groups: group I aged 53 days and 2.4 kg and group II of 85 days and 3.0 kg. Semen samples collected from different sections of epididymis were analyzed for sperm motility, live spermatozoa, and morphological abnormalities. Motility increased (P<0.01) and live spermatozoa and total morphological abnormalities decreased (P<0.001) from caput through cauda epididymis in both the groups. Sperm motility, live spermatozoa and morphologically normal spermatozoa in each section of the epididymis were higher (P<0.01) in group II than I. Boars with >60% progressive motility, >70% live spermatozoa, <15% total morphological abnormalities and <10% abnormal acrosomes in cauda epididymal spermatozoa were considered mature spermiogram. As per this definition, pigs of group II had only mature spermiogram. In vivo pregnancy confirmation indicated that Naga boar could impregnate female as early as 90 days of age. In conclusion, Naga boar attained puberty by not later than 3 months with 3.0 kg, which is the lowest body weight at puberty in this species reported so far, as reflected by mature epididymal spermiogram and in vivo pregnancy confirmation.

Pediatric Crohn's disease in South India.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder characterized by discontinuous, transmural, granulomatous inflammation involving any location of the gastrointestinal tract. A retrospective analysis of 10 children diagnosed as Crohn's disease (CD) is presented from Chennai, South India. The children were between 5-15 years of age and majority had primary colonic involvement. Complications such as stricture and fistula were identified. These children were managed medically except one who underwent surgery.

Benign acute childhood myositis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and laboratory features of benign acute childhood myositis. METHODS: 40 children of BACM were seen during October 2001 to February 2002, 22 (52%) were male with mean age of 5.3 years. Duration of illness was 3.97 days. Preceding symptoms included fever, leg pain, vomiting and inability to walk. A provisional diagnosis of viral myositis was made in 26 (66%). Guillian Barre Syndrome was the most common referral diagnosis. RESULTS: 11 (27.5%) children had leucopenia with lymphocytic response and 16 (40%) had thrombocytopenia. CRP was negative in 32 (80%). CPK was markedly elevated (more than 1000 IU/l) in 18 (45%) and more than 500 IU/l in 11 (27.5%) remaining between 200 to 500 IU/l. Associated features were hepatitis (elevated SGOT & SGPT) in 28 (70%) and shock in 5 (12.5%). Serological test were indicative of dengue virus (Elisa PAN BIO) in 20 (50%) of which 8 (25%) were primary dengue and 12 (30%) were secondary dengue. The outcome of therapy mainly supportive were excellent. CONCLUSION: Benign acute myositis occurs often in association with viral infection. In the present study, Dengue virus was positive in 20 (50%) children. Benign acute myositis can be differentiated from more serious causes of walking difficulty by presence of calf and thigh muscle tenderness on stretching, normal power and deep tendon reflex and elevated CPK.