Background: This study attempted to evaluate clinically and histologically the effect of local injection of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF&beta;1) on the rate of orthodontic relapse.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: 24 male albino rabbits were used, that grouped randomly into two groups (12 rabbits in each): positive control and TGF&beta;1 groups. Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups with 4 rabbits in each. Modified orthodontic appliances were cemented to the mandibular central incisors and tooth movement was carried out for 2 weeks, followed by a retention period for 3 weeks where positive control and TGF&beta;1 groups received local injections of phosphate buffer saline and TGF&beta;1 solutions, respectively, then the teeth allowed to relapse after removing the appliances for 20 days. The relapse was estimated clinically. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were carried out following the completion of the experiment.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The TGF&beta;1 group showed a significantly lower rate of relapse than the positive control group. Histologically, during the relapse period, a significant increase in the number of osteoblasts, a decrease in the number of osteoclast, which was also confirmed by immunohistochemical analyses and a lesser PDL width was seen in TGF&beta;1 group when compared to the positive control group. local injection of TGF&beta;1 can significantly reduce the orthodontic relapse in the rabbit model.

Role of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 in Reducing Orthodontic Relapse: Rabbit Model Study

<div>Background: Benthic macro invertebrates have a sedentary and long life span, sensitive community response to organic loading, thermal impacts, substrate alteration and toxic pollution. They are regarded as the most informative bio indicators of water pollution. Macro invertebrates and water quality are interrelated to each other, as macro invertebrates are a potential indicator of water quality and therefore have been most frequently used in biomonitoring studies. 
 
Methods: The study area is the tailrace of Dikhow River, a 65 km. a southern tributary of the mighty river Brahmaputra. The stretch was demarcated into five sectors longitudinally. The study was done for a period of two years during which sampling collection was done using sampling methods. Appropriate sized net was used to sample macroinvertebrates. Identification was done using standard identification keys. Pollution tolerance of the species was measured using standard protocols. Using tolerance values, family biotic Indices were measured by Hilsenhoff standard protocols. 
 
Result: Number of pollution sensitive macroinvertebrates were found to be minimum in almost all stations indicating the level of pollution in the stations. Macroinvertebrates with higher tolerance levels were recorded in maximum numbercompared with the standard values to assess the water quality. A total of thirteen (13) species (Rhynchobdellasp, Physellasp, Soletelinasp, Gammarussp, Fenneropeneussp, Isotomussp, Caeniussp, Gomphussp, Lethocerussp, Hydrophylussp, Chaobarussp, Chironomussp) have been recorded during the study period. Among them the species with high pollution tolerance values were recorded in higher number during the study. While compared the family biotic indices as recorded from the stations with the standard data, then station I and station III have been found to&nbsp; be significant organic pollution and other three stations were found to be Fairly significant organic pollution.</div>

A Study of River Water Quality using Macroinvertebrates as Bio Indicator: A Case Study

<div>Background: Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a globally important grain and vegetable legume crop, providing a substantial portion of the diet protein and minerals for many people in the developing world. However, the genetic studies and improvement on this crop has long been impeded by its recalcitrance to Agrobacterium-mediated whole plant genetic transformation. Established Agrobacterium rhizogenes-based hairy root transformation in common bean heavily relies on the strain K599. 
 
Methods: In order to develop an efficient alternative protocol for hair transformation in common bean, the efficiency of Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain R1000 in inducing hairy roots from 6-day-old seedlings with root below cotyledons excised by the soaking and smearing method were tested. The binary plasmid pBI121 with the reporter gene GUS (pBI121-GUS) or eGFP (pBI121-eGFP) driven by the constitutive promoter was used for transformation and rapid identification of the transgenic hairy roots.&nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
Result: We established a strain R1000-based system for the induction of hairy roots in common bean. The plant receptor genotypes and infection methods were optimized, which led to a high transformation rate of hairy roots up to 60%. This method therefore provides a useful alternative means for functional genomic studies in common bean.</div>

​​An Agrobacterium rhizogenes Strain R1000-mediated Efficient Hairy Root Transformation Protocol for Common Bean

<div>Background: The study showed that phytochrome A (phyA) is involved in alfalfa fall dormancy regulation. To provide the scientific basis for using fall dormancy to predict new varieties&rsquo; dormancy class from the molecular level, cultivate alfalfa varieties with cold solid resistance and weak fall dormancy and improve the fall dormancy level of existing excellent types, we could study its function through gene silencing. But the genetic transformation rate is not high, which affects the research progress. 
 
Methods: To optimize the genetic transformation system in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a binary plasmid vector pART27-phyA was transferred into alfalfa in Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated way. To improve transformation efficiency, we optimized the mediums by screening different Kan (Kanamycin) concentrations, NAA (a-Naphthylacetic acid) concentrations and adding YE (yeast extracts).&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results showed that using cotyledon nodes as explants, the proper concentration of Kan antibiotics resistance screening was 100 mg/L, the appropriate concentration of NAA for inducing cotyledon node differentiation was 0.1 mg/L and 0.2 g/L YE was suitable to add on the root induction medium; The expression of phyA in terminal buds and leaves of transformed plants of T1 and T2 generations of phyA in Reindeer was significantly reduced (P&lt;0.05), but the expression trend in roots and stems had decreasing trend with no significant changes.</div>

Optimization of Genetic Transformation on Phytochrome A by Directly Differentiated Buds in Alfalfa

<div>Background: Optimization of co-cultivation parameters during Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to Oxalis corniculata evaluated were bacterial density, infection period, acetosyringone (AS) concentration and co-cultivation temperature. Five fold transformation efficiency is achieved in transient gus gene expression after optimizing various parameters. The optimized conditions were Agrobacterium tumefaciens growth phase of A600nm 0.17, infection period of 30 min, addition of acetosyringone (AS) in co-cultivation medium (400 &mu;M) and cocultivation temperature of 22&deg;C. 
 
Methods: Oxalis corniculata (L.) were used for&nbsp; transformation. Bacterial culture was added to 50 ml of liquid YEP medium with kanamycin and rifampicin and grown until reaching the growth phase (A600nm). Bacterial density ranged from A600nm 0.17, 0.56,0.80 and 1.34 OD were used in the present study. The co-cultivation medium made of solid MS medium consisted of BAP 2 mg L-1 and NAA 0.5 mg L-1 and various concentrations of AS at 0, 50, 100, 200, 400,600 and 800 &mu;M. Histochemical analysis of gene expression was carried out. 
 
Result: Higher bacterial density resulted in more transformation efficiency, but also higher necrosis in the explants. Dilution of bacterial suspension reduced necrosis in explants and resulted in higher transformation. The transformation efficiency is 64% when the infection process was carried out with acetosyringone in co-cultivation medium (400 &mu;M). Our studies proved that among the optimized conditions, cocultivation temperature and acetosyringone were the critical parameters during Agrobacterium mediated transformation.</div>

Optimization of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated Transformation in Oxalis corniculata (L.)

<div style="text-align: justify;">In planta transformation has been established as an innovative and simple technique involving direct transformation of plant parts without involving the tedious tissue culture step. Methodologies of in planta transformation involve different plant parts and strategies. Agrobacterium strain carrying the gene of interest is targeted to the specific plant part either directly or in the induction medium. Vacuum infiltration is sometimes used to facilitate foreign gene integration. Initial studies of this novel technique involved treatment of whole plants with the inoculum, and later shifted to treatments of shoot tips and floral parts and finally the female reproductive parts have been targeted. Zygotes, embryos and seeds have recently been used extensively yielding successful transformation. The method is simple, convenient and overcomes the problem of tissue culture induced genetic variability in the transformants. The review traces the origin and development in the in planta methodologies used over the past and the various parameters considered by the workers for increased effectiveness viz. developmental stages, Agrobacterium stain, surfactant, induction medium etc., in the various crops compiled. Based on the review it may be inferred that there is immense potential in planta transformation, and the ease of regeneration and selection of transformants in the methods described, can be utilized for crop improvement.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">In Planta&nbsp;Transformation in Plants: A Review</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">The nodular contents of the leguminous species of the genus Hedysarum (H. carnosum, H. spinosissimum subsp capitatum and H. pallidum) consist of cultivable bacteria belonging to the class Gammaproteobacteria, while the rhizobia of these leguminous species are not cultivable. Rhizobium sulla is the specific micro-symbiont of the H. coronarium leguminous species. The aim of this study is to see if the Gammaproteobacteria that inhabit the nodules of the three species of the genus Hedysarum (H. carnosum, H. spinosissimum subsp capitatum and H. pallidum) could have acquired the symbiotic criteria from rhizobia and cause nodulation in these host legume species by the transformation process. Transformation is carried out by extracting the plasmid DNA from the R. sulla strain and incorporate it into the bacterial strains of the Gammaproteobacteria class. Nodulation assay is performed to evaluate the ability of transformed strains to cause nodulation in legume species. The results showed that although there has been a transformation, there is a total failure of nodulation in the three legume species. This is explained by the specificity of molecular signals between bacteria and host plants as well as the genetic information carried by the plasmid is not sufficient to achieve a complete symbiotic relationship.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Contribution to the Study of the Relationship between Gammaproteobacteria and Rhizobia in Legume Species of the Genus Hedysarum</div>

Background: Tissue culture-based transformation approach poses significant challenges for genetic modification of recalcitrant pigeonpea due to poor regeneration efficiency. In this study, we present a comprehensive high-frequency regeneration and transformation protocol using embryonic axesas explants.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Optimization of transformation parameters and culture conditions for different stages of adventitious shoot regeneration, including shoot induction, elongation and rooting, significantly enhanced transformation efficiency. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was carried out using embryonic axes explants with pCAMBIA 2301 vector. Culturing of explants on MS basal media supplemented with BAP 2.5 in Preculture, BAP 2.5 in Selection Medium I, IAA 0.5, GA 0.5 and Zeatin 1 in Selection Medium II resulted in formation of numerous multiple shoots from primordia-forming calli at axillary bud regions. 
 
Result: Shooting efficiency was 82% and 77%, for cultivars, Pusa 992 and Asha respectively. Rooting efficiency was nearly 100% for both when cultured on half-strength MScontaining 15 g/l sucrose and 0.5 mg/l IAA. Regenerated plants exhibited a high level ofsurvival of 90% upon transplantation into pots. Successful gene integration and expression were confirmed through GUS histochemical and molecular analyses, with approximately 57% and 65% transformation efficiencies for cultivars Pusa 992 and Asha, respectively. This study presents a robust and reproducible tissue culture-based transformation system for pigeonpea, applicable across diverse genotypes, offering new possibilities for genetic improvement in this crucial legume crop.

Development of an Efficient and Reproducible Embryonic Axis-targeted Tissue Culture-based Transformation Protocol for Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

<div>Background: The principal component analysis is applied to identify minimum number of combined variables that account for maximum portion of the variance existing in all variables studied. Chitarangi is a lesser known carpet type wool sheep distributed in Fazilka and Muktsar districts of Punjab, Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan and the adjoining areas. The information on body biometry is a prerequisite to characterize the lesser known sheep population available in the country. Hence, it is important to describe the body conformation by recording minimum number of biometric traits. 
 
Methods: Body biometry traits of Chitarangi sheep, a lesser known carpet quality wool producing sheep population were studied using Principal Component Analysis. The traits studied were body length (BL), height at wither (HW), chest girth (CG), paunch girth (PG), ear length (EL), face length (FL), face width (FW), tail length (TL) and adult body weight (BW). The data were collected on 297 ewes in the breeding tract of Chitarangi sheep. The descriptive statistics were determined for all the traits. The phenotypic correlations between different body biometric traits were estimated using partial correlations. Principal components were estimated using correlation matrix. Principal component analysis (PCA), a multivariate approach, is used when the recorded traits are highly correlated. Rotation of principal components was through the transformation of the components to approximate a simple structure. Factor analysis using oblique (promax) rotation was used. All the analysis was carried out using the SPSS statistical package. 
 
Result: The averages for body weight and biometry traits confirmed large size of Chitarangi animals. Most of the phenotypic correlations amongst the studied traits were positive and significant (p&lt;0.01). The three components extracted from nine principal components accounted for 69.06% of the total variance. The first component, which described body size of ewes, accounted for 43.68% of the total variation with high loading for BW, CG, PG, HW, BL and FL. The components two and three explained 13.54 and 11.83% of total variance, respectively. The communalities ranged from 0.490 (FL) to 0.888 (PG). The lower communalities for face length indicated lower contribution of the trait to explain the total variation than others. The study indicates that principal components provided a means of reduction in number of biometric traits to explain body confirmation of adult female Chitarangi sheep.</div>

Study of Body Conformation of Carpet Wool Type Chitarangi Sheep of India using Principal Component Analysis

<div>Background: Phosphorus, an essential element, plays a central role in cell metabolism and reproduction. It is a structural component of energy transferring molecules (ATP, ADP and AMP), nucleic acids, coenzymes, phosphor-proteins, phospholipids and sugar phosphates. In soils, the P does not occur abundantly as nitrogen or potassium. Despite its importance, only a proportion (~ 0.1-1.0 %) of it is available for use by plants and microorganisms because phosphorous has poor solubility and gets fixed in soil. Many studies had been done regarding nutrient management of soil in various parts of the world, but limited study was done in India and in North-East India, it is relatively unexplored. Thus, the main aim of this experiment was to find out how nutrient management influencing P fractions under protected cultivation. 
 
Methods: The investigation area from which soil samples were collected i.e., Horticultural Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-13, Assam. The study was carried out under protected poly house condition in the year 2017-18. The test crop was Capsicum (Capsicum annum var. Swarna). The design of the experiment was Split-Split plot technique. Random soil samples were collected from different treatments under protected cultivation at a depth of 0-15 cm. The soil samples were collected at two different stages of the crop viz., flowering and fruiting stages at 45 and 115 days after planting respectively. 
 
Result: The present study revealed that single factor effect of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) had a significant effect on different forms of P The readily available P forms tend to increase in the fruiting stage while the iron bound phosphates registered a decrease. This implies that iron bound phosphate form predominantly controlled available P in acid soils under protected cultivation. The study indicates that iron bound P may be considered as slowly available labile P for fertilizer scheduling under protected cultivation. The present study also revealed that single factor effect of nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P) had a significant effect on yield of capsicum. Among the various P fractions, Pi-water and Pi-Fe contribute more towards yield of capsicum.</div>

Role of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 in Reducing Orthodontic Relapse: Rabbit Model Study

A Study of River Water Quality using Macroinvertebrates as Bio Indicator: A Case Study

An Agrobacterium rhizogenes Strain R1000-mediated Efficient Hairy Root Transformation Protocol for Common Bean

Optimization of Genetic Transformation on Phytochrome A by Directly Differentiated Buds in Alfalfa

Optimization of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated Transformation in Oxalis corniculata (L.)

In Planta Transformation in Plants: A Review

Contribution to the Study of the Relationship between Gammaproteobacteria and Rhizobia in Legume Species of the Genus Hedysarum

Development of an Efficient and Reproducible Embryonic Axis-targeted Tissue Culture-based Transformation Protocol for Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Study of Body Conformation of Carpet Wool Type Chitarangi Sheep of India using Principal Component Analysis

Effect of Soil Nutrient Management on P transformation under Protected Cultivation