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Background: High protein content with good quality maize is likely to gain wider acceptance if hybrids are produced that have agronomic performance similar to normal hybrids and retain an enhanced nutritional quality. Thus, an attempt was made to develop quality protein maize hybrids for the benefit of different sections of society depending on maize. Methods: During the Rabi season of 2016-17 (hybrids were obtained crossing ten inbred lines and four testers following line x tester mating design) and 2017-18 (evaluation of hybrids and parents involved along with two commercial checks based on different agromorphological traits). Result: Highly significant differences were observed among lines, testers and crosses. Combining ability revealed SCA variances was higher indicating preponderance of non-additive gene action. The contribution of line x tester interaction was higher suggesting parents used in this study can provide high heterotic cross combinations. The parents CML 508, CML 163-D and CML 169 were superior general combiners, indicating their efficacy as parents in future maize breeding programs. Heterosis identified superior yield advantage of the crosses namely, CML508 x CML154-2, CML170 x CML169 and CML163-D x DMRQPM103 over the standard commercial checks HQPM1 and 900 M Gold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighty one rice genotypes were studied using 30 SSR markers and data obtained were analyzed using STRUCTURE software which classified the population into two sub groups or subpopulations, designated as subpopulation 1 and 2. Subpopulation 1 mostly comprised of 60 germplasms majority of which are Indica in origin, whereas subpopulation 2 mostly comprised of tropical and temperate Japonica subspecies. Cluster analysis was performed using UPGMA and Dendrogram was constructed which consisted of 4 clusters comprising of Indica accessions in majority and 3 clusters of tropical and temperate Japonica subspecies, thereby suggesting large diversity in the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study extensively evaluates 51 genotypes for their fertility restoration potential using test crosses with five WA (wild abortive) Cytoplasmic Male Sterile lines namely IR58025A, IR6897A, IR79156A, IR80559A and APMS6A. Also the genotypes were screened using SSR markers RM6100 and RM10313, tightly linked with the fertility restorer genes Rf4 and Rf3 respectively. The two way approach helped in identifying potential restorers for five WA-CMS lines and also detected the presence of dominant Rf genes in their genetic background. The R-lines identified can be safely presumed to be strong restorers for consecutive A-lines they were crossed with. The study also identified a potential maintainer CN1039-9 for the A-line IR58025A. The maintainer line identified can be later exploited for developing new CMS lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, harvested mushroom substrate (HMS) has been explored for the first time through a comprehensive optimization study for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). A multiple response central composite design with three parameters: pH of the reaction mixture, temperature, and incubation period at three distinct levels was employed in the optimization study. The particle size of AgNPs, UV absorbance, and the percentage of Ag/Cl elemental ratio were considered as the response parameters. For each response variable examined the model used was found to be significant (P < 0.05). The ideal conditions were: pH 8.9, a temperature of 59.4 °C, and an incubation period of 48.5 h. The UV–visible spectra of AgNPs indicated that the absorption maxima for AgNP–3 were 414 nm, 420 for AgNPs–2, and 457 for AgNPs-1. The XRD analysis of AgNPs-3 and AgNPs-2 show a large diffraction peak at ∼38.2°, ∼44.2°, ∼64.4°, and ∼77.4°, respectively, which relate to the planes of polycrystalline face-centered cubic (fcc) silver. Additionally, the XRD result of AgNPs–1, reveals diffraction characteristics of AgCl planes (111, 200, 220, 311, 222, and 400). The TEM investigations indicated that the smallest particles were synthesized at pH 9 with average diameters of 35 ± 6 nm (AgNPs–3). The zeta potentials of the AgNPs are −36 (AgNPs–3), −28 (AgNPs–2), and −19 (AgNPs–1) mV, respectively. The distinct IR peak at 3400, 1634, and 1383 cm−1 indicated the typical vibration of phenols, proteins, and alkaloids, respectively. The AgNPs were further evaluated against gram (+) strain Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 736) and gram (−) strain Escherichia coli (MTCC 68). All of the NPs tested positive for antibacterial activity against both bacterial strains. The study makes a sustainable alternative to disposing of HMS to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). [Display omitted] • Harvested Mushroom Substrate utilized for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. • The synthesis process was further optimized with central composite design. • PH > 9 yielded better morphology of synthesized silver nanoparticles. • The average size of the silver nanoparticles at pH > 9 was 35 ± 6 nm. • Highest bactericidal activity of silver nanoparticles were observed in 6.96 ± 0.03 ppm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines whether 1,5,8-tri-hydroxy- 3-methoxy xanthone (TMX) isolated from Swertia chirata could restrict colon cancer cells by downregulating proliferation and inducing apoptosis. The chemotherapeutic activity of TMX was evaluated in several colon cancer and normal cell lines using in vitro assays like MTT assay, cell-cycle analysis, caspase-3 activity assay, annexin V/PI staining, JC10 assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level determination by dicholorofluorescein di-acetate (DCFH-DA). The present study revealed that TMX from S. chirata could effectively inhibit proliferation of metastatic colon cancer cell lines. The chemotherapeutic potential of TMX against metastatic colon cancer cell lines was achieved by downregulating several critical regulatory genes enabling the suppression of the proliferative potential of colon cancer cells and driving them towards apoptosis in a ROS dependent manner. In addition, TMX showed chemosensitization potential in colon cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]