BackgroundNitrogen [N] is a critical limiting nutrient for plants and has to be exogenously supplied to many crops, to achieve high yield with significant economic and environmental costs, specifically for rice. Development of low-input nitrogen sustainable crop is necessary for sustainable agriculture. Identification of regulatory elements associated with low-N tolerance is imperative for formulating innovative approaches for developing low-N tolerant crop plants, using gene manipulation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to play crucial roles in the modulation of gene expression in plants under various environmental conditions.Methodology/Principal FindingsMiRNAs associated with low-N tolerance have not been identified so far. In this study, we investigated microarray-based miRNA expression in low-N tolerant and low-N sensitive rice genotypes under low N condition. Expressions of 32 miRNAs differed significantly in the two genotypes. Of these 32 miRNAs, expressions of nine miRNAs were further validated experimentally in leaves as well as in roots. Of these differentially expressed miRNAs, six miRNAs (miR156, miR164, miR528, miR820, miR821 and miR1318) were reported in leaves and four (miR164, miR167, miR168 and miR528) in roots. Target genes of all the 32 miRNAs were predicted, which encode transcription factors, and proteins associated with metabolic processes or stress responses. Expression levels of some of the corresponding miRNA targets were analysed and found to be significantly higher in low N-tolerant genotype than low-N sensitive genotype. These findings suggested that miRNAs played an important role in low-N tolerance in rice.Conclusions/SignificanceGenome-wide differences in expression of miRNA in low N-tolerant and low N-sensitive rice genotypes were reported. This provides a platform for selection as well as manipulation of genotypes for better N utilization efficiency.

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The Indian healthcare industry is experiencing rapid transformation owing to the ever-rising demand for quality healthcare. With the increased standard of living in India people are becoming health conscious, shaping a new market which is giving increasing importance to healthy teeth and dental cosmetics. Though great deals of funds have been raised and numerous acts and institutions formulated to up bring the health status of poor and needy ones and ensure equitable distribution of dental health care facilities. To deliver the dental services to masses and improve the quality in dental practices, standards have been set which will ensure that masses receive high quality of dental care and treatment. Various modes to measure the quality in dental care have been implemented but still certain challenges act as hindrance to deliver proper quality of dental practice. Despite of that improvement has taken place in the field of dental practice. Still further improvement can be done by increasing manpower, its equal distribution, raising funds to improve the quality, opening new government colleges and timely inspection of existing educational institution. Properly synchronized strategies need to be developed for improving quality in dental practice in India harbouring all the needs of the consumers and dental personnel.