Meta-QTLs, ortho-meta QTLs and related candidate genes for yield and its component traits under water stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Meta-QTLs (MQTLs), ortho-MQTLs, and related candidate genes (CGs) for yield and its seven component traits evaluated under water deficit conditions were identified in wheat. For this purpose, a high density consensus map and 318 known QTLs were used for identification of 56 MQTLs. Confidence intervals (CIs) of the MQTLs were narrower (0.7-21 cM; mean = 5.95 cM) than the CIs of the known QTLs (0.4-66.6 cM; mean = 12.72 cM). Forty-seven MQTLs were co-located with marker trait associations reported in previous genome-wide association studies. Nine selected MQTLs were declared as 'breeders MQTLs' for use in marker-assisted breeding (MAB). Utilizing known MQTLs and synteny/collinearity among wheat, rice and maize, 12 ortho-MQTLs were also identified. A total of 1497 CGs underlying MQTLs were also identified, which were subjected to in-silico expression analysis, leading to identification of 64 differentially expressed CGs (DECGs) under normal and water deficit conditions. These DECGs encoded a variety of proteins, including the following: zinc finger, cytochrome P450, AP2/ERF domain-containing proteins, plant peroxidase, glycosyl transferase, glycoside hydrolase. The expression of 12 CGs at seedling stage (3 h stress) was validated using qRT-PCR in two wheat genotypes, namely Excalibur (drought tolerant) and PBW343 (drought sensitive). Nine of the 12 CGs were up-regulated and three down-regulated in Excalibur. The results of the present study should prove useful for MAB, for fine mapping of promising MQTLs and for cloning of genes across the three cereals studied. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01301-z.

Complete cure of Fusarium solani sp. complex onychomycosis with Qs NdYAG treatment.

The incidence of non dermatophytic mould (NDM) onychomycosis (OM) has been steadily increasing Fusarium spp is the most common cause of NDM OM in most geographical locations. Fusarium spp and other NDMs are largely resistant to commonly used anti-fungals. The successful use of laser and light based devices has been demonstrated in dermatophytic OM, but there is no previous report of their successful use in any NDM OM. We describe a patient with OM caused by Fusarium solani spp, who was clinically (with a normal appearing nail) and mycologically (with negative microscopy and culture on repeated samples) cured of her infection following treatment with 2 sessions of Qs NdYAG (532nm and 1064nm) given 1 month apart.

Observations on traditional usage of ethnomedicinal plants in humans and animals of Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh in North-Western Himalaya, India.

ETHNOBOTANICAL RELEVANCE: Medicinal plants are frequently used by Gaddi and Gujjar tribes of Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh, India to cure various ailments in humans and livestock. Therefore, extensive field work was conducted to document the traditional use of ethnomedicinal plants by these tribes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Direct interviews of 208 informants were conducted. The data generated through interviews was analysed using quantitative tools such as use-value (UV), factor informant consensus (Fic) and fidelity level (Fl). RESULTS: A total of 73 plant species in 67 genera and 40 families were observed to be medicinal and used to cure 22 ailment categories. The highest number of ethnomedicinal plants was recorded from the family Asteraceae followed by Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Acanthaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Polygonaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae and Rutaceae. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part used to treat various ailments followed by whole plant and roots or rhizomes. Ajuga parviflora, Berberis lycium, Viola canescens, Vitex negundo and Zanthoxylum armatum were the most important medicinal plants used for treating human diseases, whereas Achyranthes bidentata, Aloe sp., Cassia fistula, Podophyllum hexandrum and Pogostemon benghalensis were the most important medicinal plants used for treating animal diseases as per use value. The important ailment categories classified on the basis of factor informant consensus were gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that people of the study area are extensively using the ethnomedicinal plants to cure various ailments. Plants with high use value and fidelity level should be subjected to pharmacological investigation for scientific validation.

Indigenous traditional knowledge and usage of folk bio-medicines among Rongmei tribe of Tamenglong district of Manipur, India.

BACKGROUND: Rongmei tribe (Kooki), are inhabitant of the Charoi Chagotlong village, Tupul, Tamenglong district of Manipur have the traditional knowledge of folk bio-medicine based on diverse plant species for the prevention and cure of certain chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to document and preserve the indigenous knowledge of the Rongmei tribe on folk medicines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present work was based on methodical field survey conducted between 2010, to 2013. Local people of within 30-70 age groups of both sexes were interviewed and a group discussion (using a structured interview schedule), was held to know about the type of plant parts used in folk bio-medicines, and their mode of use. The interviewers were drawn from a wide array of disciplines (Vendors, Farmers club, NGO's, scientific societies, etc.), to obtain maximum information in relation to folk bio-medicine. RESULTS: A total of 60 species belonging to 36 different families (ranging from gymnosperm to angiosperm with medicinal benefits), were discussed briefly with significant emphasis on their local name, scientific name, family, parts used; they claimed to cure various ailments from these plants in this mode of folk bio-medicine. The different plant parts used were leaves, fruits, bulbs, bark, roots, seeds, tuber, trunk, flower, shoot, whole plant, rhizome, stem, wood and berries. Based on a life form of the reported plants comprise herbs, shrubs, trees, grasses, bulb, vine, climber, tuber and succulent. CONCLUSION: Efforts should be made to promote the use of traditional biomedicines within rural communities to preserve the traditional knowledge.

Apatite accumulation enhances the mechanical property of anammox granules.

The strength of granular sludge is essential for the mechanical stability of the granules. Inorganic precipitants form a major factor influencing the strength of the granules. To check the possibility of apatite accumulation in anammox granules, and study its contribution to the mechanical strength of granules, anammox granular sludge was collected from Dokhaven municipal wastewater treatment plant, the Netherlands. Mineral precipitation inside the granules was visualized by micro-computed tomography, and apatite was identified by electron probe microanalysis and X-ray powder diffraction. The mechanical strength of anammox granules was measured by a low load compression tester. The contribution of apatite to the mechanical strength was evaluated by the generalized Maxwell model. Ca-PO4 minerals are reported to accumulate in anammox granules. A transformation of Ca-PO4 happens, and apatite is the final stable form. The accumulation of apatite increases the mechanical strength of anammox granules. A fast method to monitor and evaluate the accumulation of minerals in anammox granules was proposed.

Role of serotonin in seasonal affective disorder.

This review was prepared with an aim to show role of serotonin in seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder, which is also called as winter depression or winter blues, is mood disorder in which persons with normal mental health throughout most of the year will show depressive symptoms in the winter or, less commonly, in the summer. Serotonin is an important endogenous neurotransmitter which also acts as neuromodulator. The least invasive, natural, and researched treatment of seasonal affective disorder is natural or otherwise is light therapy. Negative air ionization, which acts by liberating charged particles on the sleep environment, has also become effective in treatment of seasonal affective disorder.  

Ethnobotanical studies in northwest and Trans-Himalaya. V. Ethno-veterinary medicinal plants used in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Nomadic tribes and pastoral communities dwelling in the North-West and Trans-Himalaya are reputed to have mastered their traditional practices and knowledge about plants used to combat different diseases of their livestock. Ethnobotanical explorations carried out during the past 3 years have brought to light 18 plant species which have been used to alleviate the common sufferings of livestock in this region. The botanical identity of these plants is given along with their local names, methods of preparation and administration.

Radioactive uranium in various Indian tobaccos and consumable products (snuff, chutta, bidi and cigarette).

Tobacco is chewed in the form of snuff and thus its radioactivity--if there is any--goes directly into the body. Besides normal smoking, tobacco is also smoked in reverse manner in the form of "chutta", an indigenously prepared cigar made from the home grown plants of Nicotinia tobacum in South East coastal towns and villages in India. The burnt residue and the radioactive element--if there is any--in the case of chutta smoking will also go directly in the body causing hazardous effects. Uranium traces were determined in commercially available samples of snuff, chutta, bidi and cigarette tobacco using radiation damage etch technique. The analysis showed that uranium levels varied from 7.4 to 19.1 ppm in snuff, 0.16 to 0.37 ppm in chutta, 0.13 to 0.23 in bidi and 0.037 to 0.12 ppm in cigarette tobacco.