Lipoxygenases (LOXs): Will turning off this genetic switch help safeguard the flavor and nutritional quality of stored lipid-rich staple foods?

Beyond storage capacity, long-term grain storage faces significant challenges due to the activity of lipoxygenases (LOXs). These enzymes catalyze the production of volatiles from free fatty acids, leading to stale odors and off-flavors. These changes degrade the quality of stored grains, even under regulated conditions, affecting the profitability of stored products to the farmers and the assurance of high-quality food for consumers.

Silkless1 gene in maize: development and validation of the gene-based markers for breeding silkless baby corn.

Background: The role of the silkless1 (sk1) gene in developing silkless baby corn, a distinctive trait in maize has been investigated. So far, no sk1 gene-specific marker has been available for accelerated development of silkless baby corn hybrids.

Methods & Results: We developed sk1 gene-based markers and validated them in backcross (BC) and F segregating generations, revealing a polymorphic marker corresponding to a silkless phenotype.

Exploring genetic diversity of potential legume, Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi and Ohashi through agro-morphological traits and SSR markers analysis.

Adzuki bean, an underutilized grain legume, has a significant potential for enhancing food and nutritional security. The main obstacles to developing new cultivars and promoting the adzuki bean as a mainstream pulse crop are a lack of awareness about its potential and insufficient information on crop its genetic diversity. Here, we aimed to explore the untapped potential of adzuki bean germplasm by evaluating its agro-morphological traits and diversity at the molecular level and also to identify trait-specific germplasm by utilizing 100 adzuki bean accessions conserved in the Indian National Genebank.

Enrichment of Vitamin A and Vitamin E in Sweet Corn Kernels Through Genomics-Assisted Introgression of Mutant Version of crtRB1 and vte4 Genes.

Recessive shrunken2 (sh2)-based sweet corn is preferred worldwide as it possesses higher sugar and extended shelf life. However, traditional sh2-based sweet corn is poor in vitamin A and vitamin E. Here, parental lines of two sh2-based sweet corn hybrids, viz.

Position statement on hypertension by Indian Society of Hypertension, 2023.

The Indian Society of Hypertension (InSH) highlights the urgency for India-specific guidelines on hypertension management. Hypertension affects over one billion people worldwide, with India bearing a significant burden due to its population, diversity, and demographics. In India, hypertension affects 21% of women and 24% of men, while pre-hypertension affects 39% of women and 49% of men.

Molecular characterization, haplotype analysis and development of markers specific to gene regulating methionine accumulation in kernels of subtropical maize.

Unlabelled: Maize kernel protein is deficient in sulfur-containing essential amino acid such as methionine. The gene encodes methionine-rich 18-kDa δ-zein in maize kernels. In this study, we sequenced full-length of gene (820 bp) among 10 maize inbreds, revealing 43 SNPs and 22 (average length-7.

Submucosal injection fluid and tattoo agents.

Background And Aims: EMR and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are minimally invasive endoscopic techniques, developed for the removal of benign and early malignant lesions throughout the GI tract. Submucosal injection of a marking agent can help to identify lesions during surgery. Endoscopic resection frequently involves "lifting" of the lesions by injection of a substance within the submucosal space to create a cushion for safe resection.

Chitosan nanoparticles encapsulated Piper betle essential oil alleviates Alzheimer's disease associated pathology in Caenorhabditis elegans.

A multifaceted approach in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative condition that poses health risks in the aging population is explored in this investigation via encapsulating Piper betle essential oil (PBEO) in chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) to improve solubility and efficacy of PBEO. PBEO-ChNPs mitigated AD-like features more effectively than free PBEO by delaying paralysis progression and reducing serotonin hypersensitivity, ROS levels, Aβ deposits, and neurotoxic Aβ-oligomers in the Caenorhabditis elegans AD model. PBEO-ChNPs significantly improved lifespan, neuronal health, healthspan, cognitive function, and reversed deficits in chemotaxis and reproduction.

Unraveling popping quality through insights on kernel physical, agro-morphological, and quality traits of diverse popcorn (Zea mays var. everta) inbreds from indigenous and exotic germplasm.

Popcorn is a specialty corn with worldwide popularity as a snack. Despite having great market demand, genetic improvement in popping quality is limited, which is caused by the limited germplasm utilization and narrow genetic base. An assortment of diverse germplasm, their effective characterization, and integration into popcorn breeding pipeline is the foundation for an efficient breeding program.

Allelic variation and haplotype diversity of () gene governing in vivo maternal haploid induction in maize.

Unlabelled: Diverse haploid inducer lines with > 6% of haploid induction rate are now routinely used to develop doubled haploid lines. Though gene regulates haploid induction, its molecular characterization and haplotype analysis in maize and its related species have not been undertaken so far. In the present study, the entire 1812 bp long gene was sequenced among two mutant and eight wild-type inbreds.

High amylopectin in waxy maize synergistically affects seed germination and seedling vigour over traditional maize genotypes.

Waxy maize grains rich in amylopectin have emerged as a popular food and industrial raw materials. Here, a set of waxy inbreds having recessive waxy1 (wx1) gene derived through marker-assisted selection (MAS), and their original versions were evaluated for germination, seed vigour index-I and vigour index-II, electrical conductivity (EC) and enzymatic activities viz., dehydrogenase (DH), esterase (EST), peroxidase (POX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and α-amylase (AMY).

Analysis of nutritional composition in opaque2- and crtRB1-based single- and double-biofortified super sweet corn.

Sweet corn has emerged as a favorite food item worldwide owing to its kernel sweetness. However, traditional sweet corn cultivars are poor in provitamin-A (proA) and essential amino acids, viz., lysine and tryptophan.

Unique genetic architecture of prolificacy in 'Sikkim Primitive' maize unraveled through whole-genome resequencing-based DNA polymorphism.

'Sikkim Primitive' maize landrace, unique for prolificacy (7-9 ears per plant) possesses unique genomic architecture in branching and inflorescence-related gene(s), and locus Zm00001eb365210 encoding glycosyltransferases was identified as the putative candidate gene underlying QTL (qProl-SP-8.05) for prolificacy. The genotype possesses immense usage in breeding high-yielding baby-corn genotypes.

Understanding the patient and supporter journey in cocaine use disorder.

Background: There is a paucity of literature describing experiences and journey of individuals with cocaine use disorder (CUD) and supporters who care for them. The aim of this study was to understand and document the journey of individuals with current CUD, those in CUD remission, and supporters.

Methods: The online bulletin board (OBB) is a qualitative tool where participants engage in an interactive discussion on a virtual forum.

Patient perspectives on current and potential therapies and clinical trial approaches for cocaine use disorder.

Background: Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is characterized by the continued use of cocaine despite serious impacts on life. This study focused on understanding the perspective of individuals with current CUD, individuals in CUD remission, and their supporters regarding current therapies, future therapies, and views on clinical trials for CUD.

Methods: The online bulletin board (OBB) is a qualitative tool where participants engage in an interactive discussion on a virtual forum.

Prediction of matrilineal specific patatin-like protein governing in-vivo maternal haploid induction in maize using support vector machine and di-peptide composition.

The mutant matrilineal (mtl) gene encoding patatin-like phospholipase activity is involved in in-vivo maternal haploid induction in maize. Doubling of chromosomes in haploids by colchicine treatment leads to complete fixation of inbreds in just one generation compared to 6-7 generations of selfing. Thus, knowledge of patatin-like proteins in other crops assumes great significance for in-vivo haploid induction.

Assessing sequence variation, haplotype analysis and molecular characterisation of aspartate kinase2 (ask2) gene regulating methionine biosynthesis in diverse maize inbreds.

Traditional maize grain is deficient in methionine, an essential amino acid required for proper growth and development in humans and poultry birds. Thus, development of high methionine maize (HMM) assumes great significance in alleviating malnutrition through sustainable and cost-effective approach. Of various genetic loci, aspartate kinase2 (ask2) gene plays a pivotal role in regulating methionine accumulation in maize.