Subodh Verma

High-density linkage map construction and mapping of seed trait QTLs in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) using Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS).

This study reports the use of Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) for large-scale SNP discovery and simultaneous genotyping of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of an intra-specific mapping population of chickpea contrasting for seed traits. A total of 119,672 raw SNPs were discovered, which after stringent filtering revealed 3,977 high quality SNPs of which 39.5% were present in genic regions. Comparative analysis using physically mapped marker loci revealed a higher degree of synteny with Medicago in comparison to soybean. The SNP genotyping data was utilized to construct one of the most saturated intra-specific genetic linkage maps of chickpea having 3,363 mapped positions including 3,228 SNPs on 8 linkage groups spanning 1006.98u2009cM at an average inter marker distance of 0.33u2009cM. The map was utilized to identify 20 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with seed traits accounting for phenotypic variations ranging from 9.97% to 29.71%. Analysis of the genomic sequence corresponding to five robust QTLs led to the identification of 684 putative candidate genes whose expression profiling revealed that 101 genes exhibited seed specific expression. The integrated approach utilizing the identified QTLs along with the available genome and transcriptome could serve as a platform for candidate gene identification for molecular breeding of chickpea.

Development of gene-based markers for use in construction of the chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genetic linkage map and identification of QTLs associated with seed weight and plant height

Seed weight and plant height are important agronomic traits and contribute to seed yield. The objective of this study was to identify QTLs underlying these traits using an intra-specific mapping population of chickpea. A F11 population of 177 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between SBD377 (100-seed weight- 48xa0g and plant height- 53xa0cm) and BGD112 (100-seed weight- 15xa0g and plant height- 65xa0cm) was used. A total of 367 novel EST-derived functional markers were developed which included 187 EST-SSRs, 130 potential intron polymorphisms (PIPs) and 50 expressed sequence tag polymorphisms (ESTPs). Along with these, 590 previously published markers including 385 EST-based markers and 205 genomic SSRs were utilized. Of the 957 markers tested for analysis of parental polymorphism between the two parents of the mapping population, 135 (14.64xa0%) were found to be polymorphic. Of these, 131 polymorphic markers could be mapped to the 8 linkage groups. The linkage map had a total length of 1140.54xa0cM with an average marker density of 8.7xa0cM. The map was further used for QTL identification using composite interval mapping method (CIM). Two QTLs each for seed weight, qSW-1 and qSW-2 (explaining 11.54 and 19.24xa0% of phenotypic variance, respectively) and plant height, qPH-1 and qPH-2 (explaining 13.98 and 12.17xa0% of phenotypic variance, respectively) were detected. The novel set of genic markers, the intra-specific linkage map and the QTLs identified in the present study will serve as valuable genomic resources in improving the chickpea seed yield using marker-assisted selection (MAS) strategies.

A study to know the knowledge, attitude, and practices of patients of bronchial asthma

Introduction: Asthma being a chronic inflammatory disease needs treatment for prolonged duration. To increase treatment compliance, each patient should know the course of disease, its precipitating factors, and management protocol. Despite the magnitude of the asthma, very little is known about its public perception. Aim: This study was done to know the knowledge, attitude, and practices of patients of bronchial asthma. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, subjects were asthmatic patients attending the department of pulmonary medicine, KGMU Lucknow, India. A questionnaire including general understanding of asthma, its triggers and management was given to each patient and results were recorded. Results: A total of 140 patients with confirmed diagnosis of asthma were included in this study. On an average, each patient had already visited 3.2 doctors prior to coming to us. Out of 140 patients, 64% patients were ignorant regarding disease etiology, 47.1% patients thought that their disease is fatal, 30% patients were reluctant to accept the diagnosis of asthma. Regarding precipitating factors, 25.71% patients could not relate to any cause with their disease exacerbation. A total of 62.14% patients used alternative system of medicine too in the hope of getting rid of their disease. Oral medications were preferred by 62.1% patients, while 73.6% were using inhalers and out of them 71.8% were using inhalers incorrectly. Conclusion: Patient education program should augment awareness; eliminate social stigma, and misconcepts in the community regarding asthma. Knowledge about the prevailing perception in community would be the first step in achieving this.

Nano structuring of GaAs(100) surface using low energy ion irradiation

Nanostructuring of semi insulating GaAs (100) has been observed after irradiation of 50 keV Ar+ ion beam in a wide angular range of 0° to 60° with respect to surface normal. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis shows the formation of nano dots at smaller angle of irradiation. At higher angle of irradiation, self organized ripples were developed on the surface. The rms roughness estimated from the AFM analysis shows exponential growth with angle of irradiation. In the high frequency regime, PSD analysis suggests that surface morphology of the irradiated samples is governed by the surface diffusion and mass transport dominated processes.