6q13q14.3 Microdeletion Syndrome with Severe Hypotonia and Facial Dysmorphism: Genotype-Phenotype Correlation.

Hypotonia is a symptom of diminished tone of skeletal muscle and can be nongenetic or a part of genetic syndrome. Hypotonia, developmental delay, and facial dysmorphism are nonspecific findings observed in many genetic syndromes mostly in chromosomal microdeletion and duplication. Here we report a case with severe hypotonia and facial dysmorphism, diagnosed with deletion at 6q13q14.3 by array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) at very early age. Recent genetic diagnostic technologies such as array CGH may enable clinicians to diagnose chromosomal abnormalities earlier and provide appropriate medical management.

Smartphone Use among Anesthesiologists during Work Hours: A Survey-Based Study.

Context: Smartphone use has revolutionized life in all spheres, including the medical field. Smartphones provide immense opportunities but may also lead to negative consequences due to the element of distraction. In the medical profession and more so among anesthesiologists, multitasking has become very common, but the presence of mind is equally important. This study attempts to analyze the smartphone practices and trends among anesthesiologists during work hours in our country. Aims: The study aimed to identify recent trends and practices of smartphone use among anesthesiologists during working hours and its distribution as per designation and institutions. It also intends to determine the purposes of smartphones and their impact on patient care. Settings and Design: Online survey consisting of open-ended multiple-choice questions was conducted and circulated as Google Forms via E-mail and WhatsApp. Subjects and Methods: This survey was conducted to compare the respondents' views as per designation and workplace distribution. In addition, participants were asked about the current practices in smartphone use at their workplace, purposes of use, time spent on smartphones, and any negative medical consequences faced due to the same. Statistical Analysis Used: One-way ANOVA test was used to compare the means between the groups. Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test was used to compare the proportions. Results: Two hundred and sixteen (54%) were resident doctors, whereas 184 (46%) were consultants. Most of the respondents were young, with a mean age around 36 years. 31.5% of the residents used smartphones very often during anesthetized patient care compared to 10.3% of the consultants. Purposes of using smartphones were multiple, with phone calls (100%) being the most common followed by WhatsApp messaging (79.2%). 86.1% of the residents, as compared to 61% of the consultants, had anesthesia/intensive care unit-related apps on their smartphones. There was almost an equivocal response to how the smartphone has impacted patient care. 50.9% of the residents and 43% of the consultants felt improved patient care, whereas 38% of the residents and 43.5% of the consultants believed it had worsened. Conclusion: There was no clear-cut consensus whether smartphone use improved or worsened patient care. On the one hand, there can be distractions leading to adverse medical consequences, while on the other hand, the use of medical apps has been made possible because of the handy and easily accessible smartphones. Thus, the use of smartphones may be carried out with a sense of responsibility by the anesthesiologists during work hours.

An evaluation of inter and intra population structure of Uttar Pradesh, inferred from 24 autosomal STRs.

AIM: The present study was designed to explore the STR diversity and genomic history of the inhabitants of the most populous subdivision of the country. A set of 24 hypervariable autosomal STRs was used to estimate the genetic diversity within the studied population. A panel of 15 autosomal STRs, which is most common in the previously reported data sets, was used to estimate the genetic diversity between the studied population, and obtained unique relations were reported here. METHOD: The genetic diversity and polymorphism among 636 individuals of different ethnic groups, residing in Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, and Varanasi regions of Uttar Pradesh, India, was investigated. This investigation was carried out via 24 autosomal STRs. RESULT: The 24 loci studied showed the highest value of combined power of discrimination (CPD = 1), combined power of exclusion (CPE = 0.99999999985), combined paternity index (CPI = 6.10 × 109) and lowest combined matching probability (CPM = 7.90 × 10-31). CONCLUSION: The studied population showed genetic closeness with the population of Uttarakhand, the Jats of Delhi,the Jat Sikh (Punjab), and the population of Rajasthan. Among the tested loci, SE33 and Penta E were found to be most useful in terms of the highest discrimination power, lowest matching probability, the highest power of exclusion, and highest polymorphism information content for the Uttar Pradesh population .

The Clinical Diagnostic Utility of Array CGH in Children with Syndromic Microcephaly.

Background: A prospective study using array CGH in children with Syndromic microcephaly from a tertiary pediatric healthcare centre in India. Aim: To identify the copy number variations causative of microcephaly detected through chromosomal array CGH. Patients and Methods: Of the 60 patients, 33 (55%) males and 27 (45%) females who consulted the Rare Disease Clinic at Department of Pediatrics, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, with developmental delay/facial dysmorphism/congenital anomalies in combination with microcephaly were included. Exclusion Criteria: Children with acquired or non-genetic causes of microcephaly, craniosynostosis, metabolic diseases, known chromosomal aneuploidy such as trisomy 21, 13, and 18 and abnormal karyotype were excluded. The cohort was analyzed by array CGH in order to identify potentially pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs). Results: Clinically relevant pathogenic or likely pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) were identified in 20/60 (33.3%) patients, variant of uncertain significance (VOUS) in 4/60 (6.6%) cases and benign CNVs in 3/60 (5%) of total cases. Out of 20 cases with pathogenic CNVs, 12 (60%) patients detected with a deletion, five (25%) patients with duplication and three (15%) patients resulted with a complex chromosomal rearrangement. Twelve cases present CNVs containing genes known to be implicated in microcephaly etiology. Conclusion: This research highlights the contribution of submicroscopic chromosomal changes in the etiology of microcephaly in combination with developmental delay/facial dysmorphism/congenital anomalies (syndromic microcephaly). Our studies provide more insights into the benefits derived by using array CGH analysis in patients with syndromic microcephaly.

Comparison of palonosetron and ondansetron in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting in renal transplantation recipients: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: End-stage renal diseases patients have a high risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), which is multifactorial and need acute attention after renal transplantation for a successful outcome in term of an uneventful postoperative period. The study was done to compare the efficacy of palonosetron and ondansetron in preventing early and late-onset PONV in live donor renal transplantation recipients (LDRT). METHODS: The prospective randomized double-blinded study was done on 112 consecutive patients planned for live donor renal transplantation. Patients of both sexes in the age group of 18-60 years were randomly divided into two groups: Group O (Ondansetron) and Group P (Palonosetron) with 56 patients in each group by computer-generated randomization. The study drug was administered intravenously (IV) slowly over 30 seconds, one hour before extubation. Postoperatively, the patients were accessed for PONV at 6, 24, and 72 hours using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) nausea score and PONV intensity scale. RESULTS: The incidence of PONV in the study was found to be 30.35%. There was significant difference in incidence of PONV between Group P and Group O at 6 hours (12.5% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.013) and 72 hours (1.8% vs. 33.9%, p < 0.001), but insignificant difference at 24 hours (1.8% vs. 10.7%, p = 0.113). VAS-nausea score was significantly lower in Group P as compared to Group O at a time point of 24 hours (45.54 ± 12.64 vs. 51.96 ± 14.70, p = 0.015) and 72 hours (39.11 ± 10.32 vs. 45.7 ± 15.12, p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Palonosetron is clinically superior to ondansetron in preventing early and delayed onset postoperative nausea and vomiting in live-related renal transplant recipients.

Viburnum nervosum Leaf Extract Mediated Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles: A Viable Approach to Increase the Efficacy of an Anticancer Drug.

BACKGROUND: There is an urgent need to devise improved alternatives for the efficient delivery of drugs to develop improved therapeutic interventions against cancers. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery vehicles are in-use with obvious issues of toxicity and bio-distribution. Therefore, green synthetic routes are being deployed to replace the conventional nanoparticle formulations for effective drug delivery aiming at developing interventional strategies against cancer. OBJECTIVE: A simple, viable, and fast approach was used for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaf-extract of Viburnum nervosum (VN) and to explore the anti-cancer potential of the crude extract of VN. METHODS: Silver NPs were synthesized by reacting silver nitrate (AgNO3) with leaf extract of VN. Various analytical techniques were used to characterize the AgNPs. Finally, the anti-cancer potential of VN was observed when delivered through AgNPs. RESULTS: The surface plasmon spectra for AgNPs exhibited absorbance peak at 445 nm, and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy investigation revealed the presence of biomolecules acting as an effective reducing and capping agent for converting silver nitrate to AgNPs. Further, our results suggest the spherical size of synthesized AgNPs ranging from 12-17 nm. Moreover, in vitro studies conducted for VN extract with breast (MCF-7) and epidermal carcinoma (A431) cells showed biocompatibility. CONCLUSION: Doxorubicin loaded AgNPs documented an increased bioavailability of the drug compared to the free drug, suggesting the use of AgNPs as "novel drug delivery vectors".

High degree of fluoroquinolone resistance among extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients at a tertiary care center in North India.

Background: The treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) involves various regimens. Among them, the most promising antibiotic regimens are fluoroquinolone (FQ) drugs. Drug susceptibility testing (DST) for FQs is not included as routine assessment for baseline TB diagnosis. Limited resources are available about FQ resistance among extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) cases. Methods: A total of 447 culture-positive specimens were subjected to DST for first-line anti-TB drugs (FLDs) and second-line anti-TB drugs. DST was performed using automated mycobacterium growth indicator tube-960 liquid culture techniques. The study was carried out during the period of April 2016 to March 2017. In addition, DST of FQs was also performed in FLD-sensitive strains. Results: Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from 447 specimens. Of the 447 culture-positive EPTB specimens, 54 were rifampicin-resistant (RR)/multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) isolates, 45 isolates were resistant to any drug, and the remaining 348 were sensitive to FLDs. Monoresistance of FQs was observed in 20.4% (11/54) among RR/MDR-TB isolates and 4.3% (15/348) among FLD-sensitive isolates. Conclusion: The high degree of FQ resistance observed in EPTB specimens among drug-sensitive and MDR-TB isolates is alarming. This study reflects the need to expand culture and DST for EPTB cases and include FQs within first-line DST in such settings. Furthermore, there should be a rational use of FQs for the treatment of other diseases.

Genomic blueprint of population of Rajasthan based on autosomal STR markers.

Aim: Genetic diversity and forensic efficacy of 20 autosomal STR genetic markers were investigated in a highly diverse population of Rajasthan, a state in north-western India.Subjects and methods: In this study, 317 blood samples from unrelated healthy individuals were directly amplified using the PowerPlex® 21 multiplex system (Promega). Amplified products were separated by capillary electrophoresis using a Genetic Analyser -3500 XL (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The data thus obtained was statistically analysed using population genetic software.Results: The studied population showed genetic affinity with the geographically close populations. The locus Penta-E was found to be the most polymorphic with a value of 0.90 in the studied population. The combined discrimination power (CPD) and combined power of exclusion (CPE) were observed as >0.999999999 and 0.999999997, respectively, for all the studied 20 autosomal STR loci. The combined probability of match (CPm) was 1.39 × 10-25 and combined paternity index (CPI) was 3.66 × 108 for all the studied loci.Conclusion: The results conclusively support the hypothesis that the studied autosomal STR loci are polymorphic in nature and, besides being useful in forensic applications they can also be applied in anthropological and other population genetic studies. This study supports the 'isolation-by-distance' model. Genetic data obtained from this study will enrich the population data bank.

Defluoridation of water using autochthonous bacterial isolates.

Prolonged consumption of fluoride-contaminated water poses health problems like dental and skeletal fluorosis in many parts of the world including India. In regions with acute water scarcity, it demands immediate intervention like de-fluoridation of water before consumption. In the current study, fluoride-resistant bacteria were isolated from fluoride-contaminated groundwater and soil samples collected from Dungarpur district, India, for their potential use in defluoridation. Out of a total of 53 bacterial isolates that were recovered and screened for fluoride resistance, three highly fluoride-resistant isolates DWC1, DWC2 and DWB5, resistant to up to 9200 mg L-1, 7200 mg L-1 and 5200 mg L-1 fluoride respectively, were characterized and identified as Aeromonas sp., Brevibacterium sp. and Paenibacillus sp. respectively. The fluoride removal capacity of isolates DWC1, DWC2, DWB5 and a consortium of all the three isolates was found to be 68.7%, 73.4%, 76.7 % and 70.1% respectively on nutrient broth supplemented with NaF (2000 mg L-1) after 8 days of incubation. Defluoridation conditions for the strain showing the best result (Paenibacillus sp.) were optimized for real fluoride-rich water collected from Ajmer District, India, using the Taguchi design of experiment. A defluoridation of up to 73.3% was observed at 40 °C temperature and pH 8 with inoculum: water ratio of 2:1 after 8 days of incubation. To the best of our knowledge, the defluoridation capacity of Paenibacillus sp. is the highest reported in literature to date for real water samples and could be investigated in further detail for commercial application.

Genetic data for PowerPlex 21™ autosomal and PowerPlex 23 Y-STR™ loci from population of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

In the present study, the statistical forensic parameters were evaluated for the loci present in PowerPlex 21 autosomal and PowerPlex 23 Y-STR multiplex systems in 168 unrelated individuals living in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The combined discrimination power (CPD) and combined exclusion power (CPE) was 1 and 0.999999 respectively for all 20 autosomal STR loci. Penta E showed the greatest (0.980) and CSF1PO showed the lowest (0.855) power of discrimination in the studied population. The haplotype diversity for 23 Y-STR loci was observed to be 0.999. The study also presents the first global report on polymorphism on D1S1656, D6S1043 and D12S391 autosomal STR loci in the Indian population. The resulting data revealed that these STR multiplex systems are highly polymorphic and can be used for forensic purposes.

Production and characterization of ß-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase from Bacillus sp. ND1.

A potent ß-CGTase producing bacterium ND1 has been isolated from sugarcane field soil in India. The biochemical, physiologicaland phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene suggest that the isolate belongs to Bacillus cereus group. The enzyme ß-CGTase produced from isolate ND1 catalyzes production of ß-cyclodextrin utilizing starch as a substrate which has diverse applications in various fields. The enzyme production parameters pH, temperature, and substrate concentration were optimized using Central Composite Design (CCD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and were found to be 8.9, 30.55 °C, and 1.88%, respectively for optimal enzyme activity. The crude enzyme was partially purified (29-fold) using ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by ion exchange chromatography. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was found to be 63.53 U mg-1 . The enzyme is monomeric in nature with a molecular weight of 97.4 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE. It is stable in a wide range of pH (6-10) and temperature (40-60 °C) values. The maximum CGTase activity was observed at pH 9 and temperature 50 °C. The Km value was found to be 2.613 ± 0.5 and Vmax was 0.309 ± 0.05 µg min-1 indicating high substrate specificity. Together; these results suggest that the enzyme may be of wide commercial value in various industrial processes.

Metabolomic and biotechnological approaches to determine therapeutic potential of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: A review.

BACKGROUND: Withania somnifera, a high value medicinal plant is a major source of pharmaceutically important active compounds withanolides. Withania somnifera has been used in ayurveda as health restorative and anabolic agent besides having anti-arthritic, antidepressant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-stress, neuroprotective and cardio-protective activities. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The mining of the compound(s) of interest offers opportunity to identify desired attributes in the therapeutic area of interest. Metabolomic has become an important tool in the field of pharmacological and functional genomics of medicinal plants. The analysis supports the information regarding differential outline of the gene expression for increasing important withanolides viz. withanolide A and withaferin A in W. somnifera. STUDY DESIGN: The bioinformatics and biotechnological approaches viz. tissue culture, genetic transformation, genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, gene mining and metabolomic studies have opened new windows about engineering of withanolide production. METHODS: Target and network analysis for maximum therapeutic potential of Withania somnifera have been determined by employing Genemania software for finding interactions among various human genes that are being affected by active constituents. RESULTS: Some of the major bioactive compounds of Withania somnifera have been discussed on protein-protein, protein-DNA and genetic interactions with respect to gene and protein expression data, protein domains, metabolic profiling, root organ culture, genetic transformation and phenotypic screening profiles CONCLUSION: The implementation of latest bioinformatic tools in combination with biotechnological techniques for breeding platforms are important in conservation of medicinal plant species in danger. The current review is based on molecular and in vitro methodologies employed in W. somnifera for accepting their importance in the improvement of this valuable medicinal species.

Band pattern analysis of mutations in rifampicin resistance strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Line Probe assay in patients from Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND: The GenoType MTBDRplus, a commercial Line Probe Assay (LPA) kit from Hain Lifescience, Germany, is endorsed by India's RNTCP Program for diagnosis of DRTB cases among smear-positive sputum samples. Although the LPA has been studied in several laboratories, there is a wide variation in existing M. tuberculosis strains across the globe, and false results can occur due to the presence of unique genetic mutations in different settings. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: An attempt was made to carry out band pattern analysis using LPA and also to observe uncommon mutations in MDR strains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sputum samples were collected from MDR suspects and transported to intermediate reference laboratory (IRL) at New Delhi Tuberculosis Centre in Delhi. Sputum decontamination, DNA extraction, amplification, hybridization, and band pattern analysis of Line Probe assay strips was performed as per manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: Among the 3000 samples with interpretable LPA strips, rifampicin drug resistance with or without isoniazid was observed in 600 samples. The most common mutation detected by LPA in the rpoB gene was Ser516Leu (29.0%). Novel mutations reported in this study include mutation from CAG (Gin) to CAT (His) at codon 517, AGC (Ser)-AGG (Arg) at codon 512, ACA (Thr) to GCA (Ala) at codon 526, TTG (Leu)-CTG (Leu)s at codon 524. CONCLUSION: High frequencies of uncommon mutations in rpoB gene by LPA were observed, highlighting possibility of those in-silico detected mutations that may not impart phenotypic resistance further.

LncRNAs and immunity: watchdogs for host pathogen interactions.

Immune responses combat various infectious agents by inducing inflammatory responses, antimicrobial pathways and adaptive immunity. The polygenic responses to these external stimuli are temporally and coordinately regulated. Specific lncRNAs are induced to modulate innate and adaptive immune responses which can function through various target interactions like RNA-DNA, RNA-RNA, and RNA-protein interaction and hence affect the immunogenic regulation at various stages of gene expression. LncRNA are found to be present in various immune cells like monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells and B cells. They have been shown to be involved in many biological processes, including the regulation of the expression of genes, the dosage compensation and genomics imprinting, but the knowledge how lncRNAs are regulated and how they alter cell differentiation/function is still obscure. Further dysregulation of lncRNA has been seen in many diseases, but as yet very less research has been carried out to understand the role of lncRNAs in regulation during host-pathogens interactions. In this review, we summarize the functional developments and mechanism of action of lncRNAs, in immunity and defense of host against pathogens.

Rapid detection of extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB) strains from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases isolated from smear-negative pulmonary samples in an Intermediate Reference Laboratory in India.

BACKGROUND: Direct sputum smear microscopy is commonly used for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB). The objectives of the study were first, to determine the recovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in smear-negative sputum samples through liquid culture (using MGIT 960) and solid culture (using LJ slant) and second, to screen multidrug-resistant isolates through line probe assay and further third, to identify XDR isolates through MGIT second-line DST from these positive MDR cultures in Delhi region. METHODS: In this study, the sample size was 717 (sputum smear AFB negative and culture positive for M. tuberculosis complex by both solid and liquid culture methods) MDRTB suspects who were enrolled from January 2014 to December 2014 at the Intermediate Reference Laboratory in New Delhi Tuberculosis Centre, New Delhi. Rapid line probe assay was performed on all culture-positive samples, which were direct smear-negative specimens, and LPA-confirmed MDR samples were tested on MGIT 960 second-line DST for identification of XDR strains. RESULTS: An overall increase in the culture positivity (9.4%) among these smear-negative cases shows a good sign of recovery from M. tuberculosis infection in these samples. 717 (9.4%) positive cultures (MGIT+LJ) were subjected to line probe assay. Out of these 717 cultures, 9 (1.2%) were confirmed as NTM, 50 (7%) were MDR, 4 (0.6%) were mono-rifampicin resistant and 654 (91.2%) cultures were sensitive to both drugs Rif and Inh, respectively. Out of these 54 (50 MDR +4 mono-RIF resistant) cultures as screened by LPA, 1 (1.8%) was XDR, 10 (18.6%) were mono-ofloxacin resistant and 1 (1.8%) was mono-Kanamycin resistant. Sensitivity to both drugs KAN and OFX was seen in 42 (77.8%) cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Since the bacterial load in direct smear-negative suspected MDR samples is less, it is important to recover mycobacteria by rapid liquid culture method in such samples. Initial screening for MDRTB is to be done in such cases by performing rapid molecular genotypic drug susceptibility test such as LPA. Baseline second-line DST is also done to rule out the XDR cases among them for rapid and better management of XDRTB patients.

Overexpression of CuZnSOD from Arachis hypogaea alleviates salinity and drought stress in tobacco.

KEY MESSAGE: Overexpression of CuZnSOD gene from Arachis hypogaea demonstrating its involvement in abiotic stress tolerance. Abiotic stress is accompanied by the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals, causing extensive cellular damage and inhibition of photosynthesis that limit the plant productivity. The level of ROS in cells needs to be tightly regulated and the toxic effects of ROS are countered by enzymatic as well as non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. The superoxide dismutase is the first enzyme involved in the detoxification of ROS and converts superoxide (O2(·-)) radicals to H2O2. A full-length cDNA clone encoding a CuZnSOD, named AhCuZnSOD, was isolated from the salt tolerant cell lines of Arachis hypogaea, stably thriving at 200 mM NaCl. The cell line showed higher transcript accumulation under multiple abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, cold and oxidative stress treatment. The functional role of AhCuZnSOD in alleviation of abiotic stress was assessed by its overexpression in transgenic tobacco plants. The T1 transgenic plants showed improved tolerance to salinity and dehydration stress as indicated by higher seed germination and better chlorophyll content. The transgenic plants survived under longer periods of water deficiency and salinity stress and displayed improved recovery after rehydration compared to the wild type (WT) plants. The enhanced level of the transgene correlated with higher relative water content, less electrolyte damage, less malondialdehyde, higher antioxidant enzyme activity, H2O2 and O2(·-) accumulation under stress conditions compared to WT plants. Our results substantiate that increased levels of SOD activity brought about by overexpression of AhCuZnSOD gene may play an important role in ameliorating oxidative injury induced by various environmental stresses.

Expanding the repertoire of microsatellite markers for polymorphism studies in Indian accessions of mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek).

Limited availability of validated, polymorphic microsatellite markers in mung bean (Vigna radiata), an important food legume of India, has been a major hurdle towards its improvement and higher yield. The present study was undertaken in order to develop a new set of microsatellite markers and utilize them for the analysis of genetic diversity within mung bean accessions from India. A GA/CT enriched library was constructed from V. radiata which resulted in 1,250 putative recombinant clones of which 850 were sequenced. SSR motifs were identified and their flanking sequences were utilized to design 328 SSR primer pairs. Of these, 48 SSR markers were employed for assessing genetic diversity among 76 mung bean accessions from various geographical locations in India. Two hundred and thirty four alleles with an average of 4.85 alleles per locus were detected at 48 loci. The polymorphic information content (PIC) per locus varied from 0.1 to 0.88 (average: 0.49 per locus). The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.40 to 0.95 and 0.40 to 0.81 respectively. Based on Jaccard's similarity matrix, a dendrogram was constructed using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) analysis which revealed that one accession from Bundi, Rajasthan was clustered out separately while remaining accessions were grouped into two major clusters. The markers generated in this study will help in expanding the repertoire of the available SSR markers thereby facilitating analysis of genetic diversity, molecular mapping and ultimately broadening the scope for genetic improvement of this legume.