The role of chitosan in mitigating tert-butylhydroquinone induced cognitive impairment and neurotoxicity in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), chitosan, and their combination on memory and neurobiochemical parameters in a rat model. The primary objectives were to assess the cognitive effects of TBHQ, explore the cognitive-enhancing properties of chitosan, and evaluate the combined effects of these substances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rat model was employed for behavioral tests, biochemical analyses, and histological examinations. Rats were exposed to TBHQ, chitosan, or a combination of both, and cognitive function was assessed through behavioral tests. Biochemical analyses focused on neurobiochemical parameters associated with memory and oxidative stress. Histological examinations were conducted to observe any structural changes in the brain. RESULTS: TBHQ exposure was associated with memory impairments and increased oxidative stress, indicating potential neurotoxic effects. Chitosan supplementation demonstrated cognitive-enhancing effects and showed promise in mitigating the memory impairments and oxidative stress induced by TBHQ. The combination of chitosan and TBHQ presented a potential protective effect on neurological health. CONCLUSIONS: Chitosan supplementation alongside TBHQ may mitigate memory impairments and oxidative stress associated with TBHQ exposure in a rat model. The study provides valuable insights into the cognitive effects of TBHQ and the neuroprotective potential of chitosan, highlighting the need for further research to elucidate molecular pathways and clinical implications. These findings contribute to understanding chitosan's role in safeguarding neurological health in conditions where TBHQ exposure is a concern, warranting further investigations for translational applications in human health.

Identification of genomic region(s) responsible for high iron and zinc content in rice.

Micronutrient especially iron and zinc-enriched rice hold immense promise for sustainable and cost-effective solutions to overcome malnutrition. In this context, BC2F5 population derived from cross between RP-Bio226 and Sampada was used to localize genomic region(s)/QTL(s) for grain Fe (iron) and Zn (zinc) content together with yield and yield-related traits. Genotyping of mapping population with 108 SSR markers resulted in a genetic map of 2317.5 cM with an average marker distance of 21.5 cM. Mean grain mineral content in the mapping population across the two seasons ranged from 10.5-17.5 ppm for Fe and 11.3-22.1 ppm for Zn. Based on the multi-season phenotypic data together with genotypic data, a total of two major QTLs for Fe (PVE upto 17.1%) and three for Zn (PVE upto 34.2%) were identified. Comparative analysis across the two seasons has revealed four consistent QTLs for Fe (qFe1.1, qFe1.2, qFe6.1 and qFe6.2) and two QTL for Zn content (qZn1.1 and qZn6.2). Additionally, based on the previous and current studies three meta-QTLs for grain Fe and two for grain Zn have been identified. In-silico analysis of the identified QTL regions revealed the presence of potential candidate gene(s) such as, OsPOT, OsZIP4, OsFDR3, OsIAA5 etc., that were previously reported to influence grain Fe and Zn content. The identified QTLs could be utilized in developing high yielding, Fe and Zn denser varieties by marker assisted selection (MAS).

Identification and analysis of QTLs controlling cold tolerance at the reproductive stage and validation of effective QTLs in cold-tolerant genotypes of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Low temperature or cold stress is one of the major constraints of rice production and productivity in temperate rice-growing countries and high-altitude areas in the tropics. Even though low temperature affects the rice plant in all stages of growth, the percent seed set is damaged severely by cold and this reduces the yield potential of cultivars significantly. In this study, a new source of cold-tolerant line, IR66160-121-4-4-2, was used as a donor parent with a cold-sensitive cultivar, Geumobyeo, to produce 153 F(8) recombinant inbred lines (RILs) for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. QTL analysis with 175 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and composite interval mapping identified three main-effect QTLs (qPSST-3, qPSST-7, and qPSST-9) on chromosomes 3, 7, and 9. The SSR markers RM569, RM1377, and RM24545 were linked to the identified QTLs for cold tolerance with respect to percent seed set using cold-water (18-19 degrees C) irrigation in the field and controlled air temperature (17 degrees C) in the greenhouse. The total phenotypic variation for cold tolerance contributed by the three QTLs was 27.4%. RILs with high percent seed set under cold stress were validated with linked DNA markers and by haplotype analysis that revealed the contribution of progenitor genomes from the tropical japonica cultivar Jimbrug (Javanica) and temperate japonica cultivar Shen-Nung89-366. Three QTLs contributed by the cold-tolerant parent were identified which showed additive effect on percent seed set under cold treatment. This study demonstrated the utility of a new phenotyping method as well as the identification of SSR markers associated with QTLs for selection of cold-tolerant genotypes to improve temperate rice production.

Potential of Amaranthus seeds in supplementary feed and its impact on growth in some carps.

Amaranthus seeds were used at three different levels (20%, 35%, 50%) in fish diets under a semi-intensive fish culture system and their impact on the growth of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, and rohu, Labeo rohita, was studied. Growth in terms of body weight gain was maximum in fish fed on diets containing 20% Amaranthus seeds, that replaced rice bran and groundnut oil cake in the feed. Overall, the fish fed on diets containing Amaranthus seeds at different levels showed better growth than the control, because of the good-quality proteins available in Amaranthus seeds. In the two species used, L. rohita showed better growth performance than C. carpio.

Genetic basis for co-adaptive gene complexes in rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces.

One hundred and twenty-two AFLP markers were mapped using an IR64 x Azucena rice doubled-haploid (DH) population. The distribution of these mapped markers was monitored across a set of 48 diverse landraces of rice. Strong statistical associations were observed between 960 of the 7381 possible pairs of markers across the diverse material. These 960 strongly associated pairs of markers mapped to the same chromosomes in only 111 cases. The remaining 849 pairs were the result of association between markers found on different chromosomes. More than 21% of these genetically unlinked but strongly associated markers are not randomly distributed across the genome but instead occupy blocks of DNA on different rice chromosomes. Amongst associated blocks, there has clearly been maintenance of combinations of marker alleles across very diverse germplasm. Analyses have also revealed that markers are found in association with performance for each of four quantitative traits in both the diverse landrace material and a DH mapping population. It is proposed that the present data provide strong evidence for the co-adaptation of geographically distinct landraces and that this has resulted over time in the maintenance of 'adaptive gene complexes' involving agronomically important quantitative traits.

The major facilitator superfamily.

In 1998 we updated earlier descriptions of the largest family of secondary transport carriers found in living organisms, the major facilitator superfamily (MFS). Seventeen families of transport proteins were shown to comprise this superfamily. We here report expansion of the MFS to include 29 established families as well as five probable families. Structural, functional, and mechanistic features of the constituent permeases are described, and each newly identified family is shown to exhibit specificity for a single class of substrates. Phylogenetic analyses define the evolutionary relationships of the members of each family to each other, and multiple alignments allow definition of family-specific signature sequences as well as all well-conserved sequence motifs. The work described serves to update previous publications and allows extrapolation of structural, functional and mechanistic information obtained with any one member of the superfamily to other members with limitations determined by the degrees of sequence divergence.

Use of RAPD for the study of diversity within plant germplasm collections.

As part of the development of a molecular toolkit for the study of diversity within large plant germplasm collections, RAPD technology has been applied to accessions of rice (Oryza sativa) obtained from the major world collection held at IRRI (the International Rice Research Institute) which supplies germplasm to breeders. Methods for the speedy extraction of DNA representative of a rice accession, its amplification by PCR to reveal reproducible products, and the analysis of the banding data using numerical techniques have been established. The biological meaningfulness of RAPD data has also been demonstrated by reference to previous work on classification and crossability.

The identification of duplicate accessions within a rice germplasm collection using RAPD analysis.

A set of accessions of Oryza sativa from the International Rice Research Institute (Philippines) that included known and suspected duplicates as well as closely related germplasm has been subjected to RAPD analysis. The number of primers, the number of polymorphic bands and the total number of bands were determined that will allow the accurate discrimination of these categories of accessions, including the identification of true and suspected duplicates. Two procedures have been described that could be employed on a more general basis for identifying duplicates in genetic resources collections, and further discussion on the values of such activities is presented.

The genetical basis of hybrid vigour in a highly heterotic cross of Nicotiana tabacum.

The genetical control of F1 heterosis, observed in a cross of desirable Nicotiana tabacum varieties, was investigated by analysing the data of the basic generations, triple test cross-families and random samples of doubled haploids (DH) and single-seed descent (SSD) lines. Analyses of the first-degree statistics revealed a complex control underlying the genetic variation, including the presence of epistasis, linkage, maternal effects and their interactions, in addition to the additive and dominance effects of the genes segregating in the cross. These analyses identified gene dispersion, directional dominance, and duplicate epistasis, as the main causes of heterosis. The triple test-cross analysis also confirmed the presence of non-allelic interactions and indicated that the dominance ratio, although inflated by epistasis, is consistently partial for all the traits. The extent of transgression in the recombinant inbred lines finally established unequivocally that, as in numerous other crosses, gene dispersion and unidirectional, but partial, dominance are the true causes of heterosis in this cross too.

Interaction of motor neurone disease plasma with glucose transport.

Abnormal glucose metabolism has been implicated in motor neurone disease (MND) and this was studied by measuring the transport of non-metabolisable glucose analogue, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose in normal erythrocyte at 20 degrees C, pH 7.4, in the presence of plasma from normal controls and patients with MND. The glucose uptake was elevated by 34% in the presence of plasma from MND patients (n = 21) when compared with age matched controls (n = 28; p < 0.001). The uptake of glucose was not influenced by gender or any age dependent variations. The relationship of this effect to glucose under-utilisation in the CNS needs to be explored.

Weighted regression analysis for comparing varietal adaptation.

The normally used joint linear regression analysis (OLS) is not appropriate for comparing estimates of stability parameters of varieties when the error variances of site means are heterogeneous. Weighted regression analysis (WLS), in these situations, yields more precise estimates of stability parameters. A comparison of the two analytical methods using the grain yield (kg ha(-1)) data of 12 varieties and one hybrid of pearl millet [Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.) S. & H.], tested at 26 sites in India, revealed that the weighted regression analysis yields more efficient estimates of regression coefficients (b i ) than the ordinary regression analysis, and that the standard errors of b i values were reduced by up to 43%. The estimated b i differed with the two procedures. The number of varieties with b i ssignificantly deviating from unity was not only more (five varieties) with weighted regression analysis than the ordinary regression analysis (one variety), but the classification of varieties as possessing general or specific adaptation differed with the two procedures.

Comparative genetic analyses of metric traits using diallel and factorial mating designs in bread wheat.

For studying the inheritance of metric traits, diallel cross and factorial mating designs are commonly used. Since factorial mating design is less restrictive in crossing plans, the genetic information drawn from it was compared with that from a diallel cross. The comparison was made using graphical, genetic components and combining ability analyses for grain yield, grain weight and spike length in a field experiment of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Analyses were made on a nine parent diallel cross and a 4 ♀ × 5 ♂ factorial mating design which was sampled from the diallel cross. In general, there was a high degree of agreement between the results obtained from factorial mating design and diallel cross analyses showing thereby that the former provides almost equivalent genetic information to the latter.