Epigenetic variation: A major player in facilitating plant fitness under changing environmental conditions.

Recent research in plant epigenetics has increased our understanding of how epigenetic variability can contribute to adaptive phenotypic plasticity in natural populations. Studies show that environmental changes induce epigenetic switches either independently or in complementation with the genetic variation. Although most of the induced epigenetic variability gets reset between generations and is short-lived, some variation becomes transgenerational and results in heritable phenotypic traits.

The repetitive DNA sequence landscape and DNA methylation in chromosomes of an apomictic tropical forage grass, .

is an apomictic, allotetraploid pasture grass widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genomic organization and characterize some of the repetitive DNA sequences in this species. Due to the apomictic propagation, various aneuploid genotypes are found, and here, we analyzed a 2 = 4x + 3 = 39 accession.

Multilayered inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique versus standard internal limiting membrane peeling for large macular holes: A comparative study.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of vitrectomy with multilayered inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique (ML-IILM) versus vitrectomy with standard ILM peeling for large macular holes in terms of visual acuity and anatomical closure.

Methods: A hospital-based, prospective, randomized, interventional study was conducted during three calendar years with a total 150 eyes (75 in each group) in two groups-vitrectomy with ILM peeling (Group A) and vitrectomy with ML-IILM flap technique (Group B) after informed consent of study participants who met the inclusion criteria.

Results: The mean minimum and maximum diameter of macular hole did not differ statistically in both the groups.

Central serous chorioretinopathy secondary to solar retinopathy: an unusual presentation.

Solar retinopathy (SR) results from unprotected solar eclipse viewing and also from gazing at the sun for a long duration. It has been known for a long that direct viewing of the sun causes visual disruption. Usually, there is a disruption of the inner segment-outer segment junction, but an association of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) with SR is quite rare.

Formulation development, and evaluation of chitosan engineered nanoparticles for ocular delivery of insulin.

Insulin-dependent diabetic patients have to count on the administration of painful and discomforting insulin injections. However, inadequate insulin absorption and the risk of insulin level escalation in the blood are some disadvantages associated with insulin therapy. Thus, the current study intends to formulate insulin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for refining the systemic absorption of insulin the ocular route.

Traumatic avulsion of the globe with optic nerve transection: an unusual presentation.

Complete globe extrusion, whether traumatic or spontaneous, is a rare clinical entity and if associated with optic nerve avulsion, it has a worse visual outcome, though repositioning of the globe may be attempted. We report a case of road traffic accident, wherein the patient presented with an extrusion of the globe, along with a complete transection of the optic nerve, about 4 cm from the optic nerve head, with only a residual attachment to the orbital rim via the unsevered lateral conjunctival flap, where the enucleation was completed and the conjunctiva was sutured.

Retro-Element 163 Is Differentially Methylated in Reproductive Tissues of Apomictic and Sexual Plants of .

Apomixis, an asexual mode of reproduction through seeds, has immense scope for crop improvement due to its ability to fix hybrid vigor. In , a predominantly apomictically reproducing range grass, apomixis is genetically controlled by an apospory-specific-genomic-region (ASGR) which is enriched with retrotransposons. Earlier studies showed insertional polymorphisms of a few ASGR-specific retrotransposons between apomictic and sexual plants of .

Microsynteny and phylogenetic analysis of tandemly organised miRNA families across five members of Brassicaceae reveals complex retention and loss history.

Plant genomes are characterized by the presence of large miRNA gene families which are few in number. The expansion of miRNA families is thought to be driven by gene and genome duplication. Some members of these miRNA gene families are tandemly arranged and their analysis is of interest because such organisation may indicate origin through tandem duplication and also to investigate whether some such tandem clusters have similar expression patterns, and whether these are regulated through a common set of cis-regulatory elements (eg.

Minimal NF-κB activity in neurons.

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is a ubiquitous transcription factor that regulates immune and cell-survival signaling pathways. NF-κB has been reported to be present in neurons wherein it reportedly responds to immune and toxic stimuli, glutamate, and synaptic activity. However, because the brain contains many cell types, assays specifically measuring neuronal NF-κB activity are difficult to perform and interpret.

Cautionary notes on the use of NF-κB p65 and p50 antibodies for CNS studies.

Background: The characterization and cellular localization of transcription factors like NF-κB requires the use of antibodies for western blots and immunohistochemistry. However, if target protein levels are low and the antibodies not well characterized, false positive data can result. In studies of NF-κB activity in the CNS, antibodies detecting NF-κB proteins have been used to support the finding that NF-κB is constitutively active in neurons, and activity levels are further increased by neurotoxic treatments, glutamate stimulation, or elevated synaptic activity.

Curcuma oil: reduces early accumulation of oxidative product and is anti-apoptogenic in transient focal ischemia in rat brain.

Turmeric is a source of numerous aromatic compounds isolated from powdered rhizomes of Curcuma longa Linn. The constituents are present as volatile oil, the Curcuma oil (C.oil), semi-solid oleoresins and non-volatile compounds such as curcumin.

Reduction in oxidative stress and cell death explains hypothyroidism induced neuroprotection subsequent to ischemia/reperfusion insult.

Hypometabolic state following hypothermia is known to protect tissues from ischemic injury. Hypothyroidism produces a hypometabolic state. The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective effects of hypothyroidism following cerebral ischemia and to ascertain the underlying mechanism.