Identification and functional characterisation of N-acetylglucosamine kinase from Helicoverpa armigera divulge its potential role in growth and development via UDP-GlcNAc salvage pathway.

N-acetylglucosamine kinase (NAGK), a major enzyme of sugar-kinase/Hsp70/actin superfamily, catalyses the conversion of N-acetylglucosamine to N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate, the first step leading to the salvage synthesis of uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine. Here, we present the first report on identification, cloning, recombinant expression and functional characterisation of NAGK from Helicoverpa armigera (HaNAGK). The purified soluble HaNAGK exhibited a molecular mass of ∼39 kDa with monomeric conformation.

Development of loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP): A new tool for rapid diagnosis of cotton leaf curl viral disease.

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) ranks top among all endemic diseases transmitted by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) affecting cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) causing severe economic losses to the cotton growers in the Indian subcontinent. For its effective management, robust tools for detection are a prerequisite and it is important to diagnose the virus titre in early stage of infection in plants as well as in the disease transmitting vector. Considering the limitations in current PCR-based techniques we have standardised rapid and sensitive Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) protocol for the diagnosis of cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) in cotton leaves and in its transmitting vector whitefly.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the plant specific LIM genes in Gossypium arboreum under phytohormone, salt and pathogen stress.

Asiatic cotton (Gossypium arboreum) cultivated as 'desi cotton' in India, is renowned for its climate resilience and robustness against biotic and abiotic stresses. The genome of G. arboreum is therefore, considered as a valued reserve of information for discovering novel genes or gene functions for trait improvements in the present context of cotton cultivation world-wide.

Comprehensive Characterization and Validation of Chromosome-Specific Highly Polymorphic SSR Markers From Pomegranate ( L.) Tunisia Genome.

The simple sequence repeat (SSR) survey of 'Tunisia' genome (296.85 Mb) identified a total of 365,279 perfect SSRs spanning eight chromosomes, with a mean marker density of 1,230.6 SSRs/Mb.

Morpho-physiological and molecular characterization of drought tolerance traits in genotypes under drought stress.

Drought stress is one of the major abiotic stresses affecting lint yield and fibre quality in cotton. With increase in population, degrading natural resources and frequent drought occurrences, development of high yielding, drought tolerant cotton cultivars is critical for sustainable cotton production across countries. Six genotypes identified for drought tolerance, wider adaptability and better fibre quality traits were characterized for various morpho-physiological and biochemical characters and their molecular basis was investigated under drought stress.

Evidence for population expansion of Cotton pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in India.

Pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) infestation on Bt cotton is a major concern to cotton production in India. The genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of the insect in light of PBW resistance needs to be revisited. The objective of this study was to identify different haplotypes of pink bollworm and their distribution in India.

Rapid detection of Tobacco streak virus (TSV) in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) based on Reverse Transcription Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP).

Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV) belongs to the genus Ilarvirus of the family Bromoviridae an emerging pathogen posing threat to the crop species worldwide. Identification of symptoms due to TSV infection by visual observation of plants often results in misdiagnosis as symptoms produced by this virus can match with those reflecting physiological and nutritional disorders affecting cotton. Development of diagnostic tools with rapidity will have immense role to play in detection and management of the emerging virus.

Antimicrobial, anticoagulant and antiplatelet activities of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Selaginella (Sanjeevini) plant extract.

The recent study deals with the synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles bounded to Selaginella bryopteris (Sanjeevini) Plant extract (SPE) as reducing and capping agents. Selaginella bryopteris plant extract silver nanoparticles (SPE@Ag-NPs) was characterized by PXRD, UV-Vis., FESEM, TEM and EDX.

Severe Adult-Onset Still's Disease Mimicking Systemic Infection.

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is an uncommon entity that can mimic infection. Patients present with fever for more than 1-week, joint pain, and rash. We report a case of 22-year-old male who presented with fever, sore throat, and abdominal pain.