Molecular marker-based characterization of cytoplasm and restorer of male sterility (Ms) locus in commercially grown onions in India.

BACKGROUND: The cytoplasmic-genic male-sterility system has been extensively employed for the production of onion hybrids. Molecular marker-assisted characterization of the cytotypes and genotyping at the restorer-of male-fertility (Ms) locus is important for the accelerated breeding of onion hybrids. Indian onion breeding has focussed more on open-pollinated varieties than hybrids. To accelerate the breeding efforts, marker-assisted selection (MAS) plays a pivotal role. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study aimed to characterize the Indian breeding lines, varieties, hybrids, and exotic accessions for cytotype and Ms locus. For cytoplasm, cytotype markers, accD, and MKFR and for Ms locus identification, PCR markers AcPMS1 and AcSKP1 were employed. Bulk strategy to identify cytoplasm and Ms locus was tested. Sequencing of PCR products amplified by accD was also tried. Both the accD and MKFR were synonymous in cytoplasm identification except in T821 where T cytoplasm was identified. AcPMS1 was more reliable than AcSKP1 for Ms locus identification. Sequencing proved that N and T cytoplasm are identical. Bulking strategy can be used for cytotype identification but not for Ms locus. CONCLUSIONS: Indian onions have a predominance of normal (N) cytoplasm and homozygous recessive (msms) locus. This might be beneficial for hybrid development. S cytoplasm was identified in exotic varieties. For the first time, T cytoplasm has been reported from India. These findings will assist Indian onion breeders to develop MAS strategies for accelerating hybrid development programs. And for the release of onion hybrids with high productivity and uniformity.

Correction: Evaluation of 19,460 Wheat Accessions Conserved in the Indian National Genebank to Identify New Sources of Resistance to Rust and Spot Blotch Diseases.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167702.].

Evaluation of 19,460 Wheat Accessions Conserved in the Indian National Genebank to Identify New Sources of Resistance to Rust and Spot Blotch Diseases.

A comprehensive germplasm evaluation study of wheat accessions conserved in the Indian National Genebank was conducted to identify sources of rust and spot blotch resistance. Genebank accessions comprising three species of wheat-Triticum aestivum, T. durum and T. dicoccum were screened sequentially at multiple disease hotspots, during the 2011-14 crop seasons, carrying only resistant accessions to the next step of evaluation. Wheat accessions which were found to be resistant in the field were then assayed for seedling resistance and profiled using molecular markers. In the primary evaluation, 19,460 accessions were screened at Wellington (Tamil Nadu), a hotspot for wheat rusts. We identified 4925 accessions to be resistant and these were further evaluated at Gurdaspur (Punjab), a hotspot for stripe rust and at Cooch Behar (West Bengal), a hotspot for spot blotch. The second round evaluation identified 498 accessions potentially resistant to multiple rusts and 868 accessions potentially resistant to spot blotch. Evaluation of rust resistant accessions for seedling resistance against seven virulent pathotypes of three rusts under artificial epiphytotic conditions identified 137 accessions potentially resistant to multiple rusts. Molecular analysis to identify different combinations of genetic loci imparting resistance to leaf rust, stem rust, stripe rust and spot blotch using linked molecular markers, identified 45 wheat accessions containing known resistance genes against all three rusts as well as a QTL for spot blotch resistance. The resistant germplasm accessions, particularly against stripe rust, identified in this study can be excellent potential candidates to be employed for breeding resistance into the background of high yielding wheat cultivars through conventional or molecular breeding approaches, and are expected to contribute toward food security at national and global levels.

Help seeking behaviour of psychiatric patients before seeking care at a mental hospital.

BACKGROUND: A wide range of professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, general physicians, faith-healers and religious healers cater to the needs of mentally ill patients. Psychiatric facilities are available at general hospitals, office based practice and mental hospitals. Psychiatrists are preferred the least due to stigma. The present work reports on treatment options used by a group of psychiatric patients before visiting a mental hospital. AIM: To study the help seeking behaviour of patients visiting a mental hospital. METHOD: Patients attending psychiatric outpatient service at a mental hospital were asked specifically about various treatment facilities utilized by them before coming to the hospital and the reasons thereof. RESULTS: A wide range of services was used by the subjects varying from professional care to faith healers. Trust, easy availability and accessibility, recommendations by the significant others and belief in supernatural causation of illness were the important reasons for choosing a particular facility. Thus sociocultural factors appeared to influence the help seeking behaviour. CONCLUSION: A substantial number of patients suffering from severe mental disorders seek non-professional care. There is a need of studies in community to assess the help seeking behaviour of psychiatric patients and factors associated with it.

Epidemiological aspects of visual impairment above 50 years in a rural area.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 5 villages in central India to find out the extent, causes and epidemiological factors for visual impairment among 903 individuals aged above 50 years; 44.3% of them were visually impaired (29.4% with low vision and 14.9% blind). Age-specific visual impairment increased at a rate of 13.2% with each decade of advancing age. Landless labourers suffered more from visual impairment than other occupational groups (p < 0.05). Socioeconomic and literacy status of the population did not significantly influence the prevalence of visual impairment. Major causes of visual impairment were cataract (48.5%), refractive errors (24.5%), age-related macular degeneration (10%), glaucoma (6.8%), and others (10.2%). In view of the high prevalence of visual impairment among the elderly individuals, it is necessary to intensify our efforts in motivating them for early detection and treatment.

Immunization coverage and the knowledge and practice of mothers regarding immunization in rural area.

One hundred and thirty mothers in the age group (15-44) years and 142 children aged (12-59) months were selected by cluster sampling method from nine villages in Wardha district. Out of this 100 mothers and 122 children could be contacted for evaluation of immunization coverage and assessing maternal knowledge and practice regarding immunization. 52.5% children were fully immunized and 45.1% were partially immunized. Vaccine coverage for B.C.G. and primary doses of DPT/OPV was 95.9% and above 85% respectively. It was 57.4% for measles and 63.04% for booster dose of DPT/OPV. Drop-out rate from second to third dose of DPT/OPV was 5.3% and from third to booster dose was 36.96%. Mothers had a fair knowledge regarding need for immunization but a poor knowledge regarding the diseases prevented and doses of the vaccines. Commonest side reactions reported were fever (36%) and pain at injection site (33%). Contraindications listed by mothers were mild cold (41%), mild fever (24%) or loose stools (14%). Health workers were the major source of information and 76% knew the use and maintenance of immunization cards.

Teaching epidemiology of acute diarrheal diseases to medical undergraduates--a new approach.

A total of 165 students of first clinical year were taught the epidemiology of acute diarrheal diseases, during three successive years using a detailed lesson plan. The usual didactic lecture was minimised and supplemented by slide shows, and transparencies based on the contents of a handout on the subject distributed to all students a day prior to the class. This was followed by participatory discussions by the students on the diagnosis and management of some case examples presented. A video clip summarising the entire lesson was screened for reinforcement. Feed-back from the students showed that the teaching methodology was rated very good by 41%, and satisfactory by 59%. While 73% of the students mentioned videoclips as a factor favouring their learning, 69% cited the handouts and 49% felt that case discussions were helpful. Objective evaluation of the performance in the sessional test showed that out of 158 students who attended the test, 75% scored above 50% marks, 21% below 50% and the remaining 4% did not attempt that question.

Evaluation of vitamin A status by conjunctival impression cytology among school aged population.

Conjunctival impression cytology was used to determine the extent of preclinical and clinical vitamin A deficiency in school children aged 8-13 years. Nearly 23% of the examined children had an abnormal cytology reflecting a poor vitamin A status. The differences in cytology results were not significantly affected by either age or sex.