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Summary: Developing early maturing lentil has the potential to minimize yield losses, mainly during terminal drought. Whole‐genome resequencing (WGRS) based QTL‐seq identified the loci governing earliness in lentil. The genetic analysis for maturity duration provided a good fit to 3:1 segregation (F2), indicating earliness as a recessive trait. WGRS of Globe Mutant (late parent), late‐flowering, and early‐flowering bulks (from RILs) has generated 1124.57, 1052.24 million raw and clean reads, respectively. The QTL‐Seq identified three QTLs (LcqDTF3.1, LcqDTF3.2, and LcqDTF3.3) on chromosome 3 having 246244 SNPs and 15577 insertions/deletions (InDels) and 13 flowering pathway genes. Of these, 11 exhibited sequence variations between bulks and validation (qPCR) revealed a significant difference in the expression of nine candidate genes (LcGA20oxG, LcFRI, LcLFY, LcSPL13a, Lcu.2RBY.3g060720, Lcu.2RBY.3g062540, Lcu.2RBY.3g062760, LcELF3a, and LcEMF1). Interestingly, the LcELF3a gene showed significantly higher expression in late‐flowering genotype and exhibited substantial involvement in promoting lateness. Subsequently, an InDel marker (I‐SP‐383.9; LcELF3a gene) developed from LcqDTF3.2 QTL region showed 82.35% PVE (phenotypic variation explained) for earliness. The cloning, sequencing, and comparative analysis of the LcELF3a gene from both parents revealed 23 SNPs and InDels. Interestingly, a 52 bp deletion was recorded in the LcELF3a gene of L4775, predicted to cause premature termination of protein synthesis after 4 missense amino acids beyond the 351st amino acid due to the frameshift during translation. The identified InDel marker holds significant potential for breeding early maturing lentil varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the important abiotic stresses in mungbean which significantly reduces yield and quality of the produce. This study was conducted to evaluate the genetic variability for tolerance to pre-harvest sprouting in diverse mungbean genotypes while simultaneously deciphering the association of yield contributing traits with PHS. Eighty-three diverse mungbean genotypes (23 released varieties, 23 advanced breeding lines and 37 exotic germplasm lines) were investigated for tolerance to PHS, water imbibition capacities by pods, pod and seed physical traits. Wide variation in PHS was recorded which ranged between 17.8% to 81% (mean value 54.34%). Germplasm lines exhibited higher tolerance to PHS than the high-yielding released varieties. Correlation analysis revealed PHS to be positively associated with water imbibition capacity by pods (r = 0.21) and germinated pod % (r = 0.78). Pod length (r = −0.13) and seeds per pod (r = −0.13) were negatively influencing PHS. Positive associations between PHS and water imbibition capacity by pods, germinated pod % and 100-seed weight was further confirmed by multivariate analysis. Small-seeded genotypes having 100-seed weight <3 g exhibited higher tolerance to PHS compared to bold-seeded genotypes having 100-seed weight more than 3.5 g. Fresh seed germination among the selected PHS tolerant and susceptible genotypes ranged from 42% (M 204) to 98% (Pusa 1131). A positive association (r = 0.79) was recorded between fresh seed germination and PHS. Genotypes M 1255, M 145, M 422, M 1421 identified as potential genetic donors against PHS could be utilized in mungbean breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oxidative stress occurs due to the imbalance between reactive oxygen species generation & antioxidant defense which is more in pregnancy in comparison to normal population & it is also further augmented in hypothyroidism which is often detrimental for the fetus.We try to find the oxidative stress and its effect on mother and baby in the pregnant hypothyroid women. Materials & Methods: we compared the total oxidative stress (TOS) by modified free oxygen radical test in 250 pregnant women (out of which 78 were hypothyroid & 172 euthyroid) compare the same in 250 non pregnant women from antenatal & G&O OPD of NRS Medical College, Kolkata. fT4 & TSH were estimated by ELISA method using standardized kit. Fetal outcome was measured in terms of birth asphyxia, neonatal hypothyroidism, low birth weight & early neonatal sepsis. Result: Significantly higher levels of TOS (p<0.001) has been found in hypothyroid pregnant population than euthyroid. One way ANOVA test done between nonpregnant, pregnant euthyroid & pregnant hypothyroid population, came statistically significant (F=410.4 & p<0.05). posthoc ANOVA shows significant difference with each other between all the 3 groups. Significanltly increased levels of neonatal hypothyroidism, birth asphyxia & low birth weight has been found with babies of hypothyroid mothers. Discussion: oxidative stress has been proved here to be augmented in pregnancy which is further worsen in hypothyroidism causing poor fetal outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Increased demand of service 24 hours around the clock has divided the workers into 2 domains as "Fixed duty" and "Shift duty". Personals associated with shift duty are increasing in numbers day by day. Shift duty or more specifically night duty is associated with increased stress which results in high morbidity and decrease in work efficiency. Cortisol hormone and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) are useful parameters to determine the effects of stress. Aim: To find any change in cortisol levels, HRV, Athens score among the fixed duty and shift duty healthcare providers. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital at Kolkata between July, 15th to Sept, 15th 2021. Predesigned and pretested questionnaire was made and ethical clearance was taken from institutional IEC. Then after taking consent total 120 (60 fixed duty and 60 shift duty) healthcare providers were recruited for the study. Subjects of the study filled up a questionnaire {including Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS)}. After applying exclusion criteria (any cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, sleep disorder) 120 health individuals were taken five minutes short-term HRV (time and frequency domain) recording in supine posture and 4 PM blood sample (for cortisol) were obtained from the participants which was further analysed in Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLI). Data was analysed in SPSS version 20.0. Statistical tests like student t-test, Cron bach's alpha and chi-square tests were applied significant p<0.05 (95% CI). Results: After analysis, shift duty workers showed a significant (p<0.001, Odd's 10.706) higher chance of having insomnia (Athens score >6) than fixed duty workers. Blood test showed that shift duty workers had significantly high evening cortisol level than fixed duty workers (p= 0.036). The time domain of HRV showed that the parameters like Standard Deviation all NN interval (SDNN) (p=0.001), Mean HR (p=0.037), RMSSD (p <0.001), NN50 (p=0.006), pNN50 (p=0.002) were significantly different in the two groups. Whereas the frequency domain of HRV showed that HF power was lower and LF power (p=0.002), LF/HF ratio (p <0.001) were significantly higher in shift duty workers. Conclusion: The study showed that shift duty workers had comparatively higher stress levels resulting in significantly high sympathetic drive and increased risk of insomnia. This can be associated with morbidity and ill health in the shifting duty workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India growth of oil-based decentralized (backup and non-backup) power-generating systems is an outcome of the increasing demand for power with security in supply from the consumers. Given the projections on demand for and supply of power through the centralized grid, growth of these systems is bound to be on the rise. The present study, based on primary data collected from a field survey, builds up a database for this decentralized power-generating sector to assess its role in the context of the Indian economy. Cost calculations and on-the-spot measurements of sound pollution and a standard estimate of air pollution from conventional oil-based power generators bring out clearly the problems of the existing systems. It has been shown that if pollution abatement costs and the scarcity value of diesel are included in cost calculation for widely used conventional diesel-based decentralized systems, along with standard accounting costs, then solar photovoltaic (SPV) technologies may be an ideal alternative to conventional oil-based systems in the decentralized power-generating sector. However, to encourage existing private entrepreneurs to go for this new technology, government intervention is necessary in a number of ways.