Evolution of differential regulatory mechanisms can lead to quite distinct physiological attributes. In the present study, we have identified one such regulatory schema that regulates osa-miR408 and responds differentially in drought-sensitive and -tolerant indica rice varieties. A comparison of the drought stress response in drought-sensitive (Pusa Basmati 1 and IR64) and drought-tolerant (Nagina 22 and Vandana) indica rice varieties revealed that, during drought stress, levels of miR408 transcript decrease significantly in sensitive cultivars, whereas they remain elevated in the tolerant cultivars. The trend is reflected in young seedlings, as well as in flag leaf and spikelets of adult plants (heading stage). Members of the plastocyanin-like protein family targeted by miR408 also show the inverse expression profile and thus accumulate at a lower level in tolerant cultivars during drought. Interestingly, some members of this family are implicated in maintaining the cellular redox state and spikelet fertility in Arabidopsis. An investigation of miR408 loci (including promoter) in all four cultivars did not reveal any significant sequence variation indicating an involvement of the upstream regulatory schema. Indeed, a similar variety-specific stress response was found in the Oryza sativa squamosa promoter-binding-like 9 transcription factor that regulates miR408 expression. We further demonstrate that drought-mediated induction of miR408 in Nagina 22 is regulated by [Ca 2+ ] cyt levels. However, [Ca 2+ ] cyt does not appear to regulate miR408 levels in Pusa Basmati 1, suggesting a variety-specific evolution of regulatory schema in rice.

MicroRNAs regulate a spectrum of developmental and biochemical processes in plants and animals. Thus, knowledge of the entire miRNome is essential to understand the complete regulatory schema of any organism. The current study attempts to unravel yet undiscovered miRNA genes in rice. Analysis of small RNA libraries from various tissues of drought-tolerant ‘aus’ rice variety Nagina 22 (N22) identified 71 novel miRNAs. These were validated based on precursor hairpin structure, small RNA mapping pattern, ‘star’ sequence, conservation and identification of targets based on degradome data. While some novel miRNAs were conserved in other monocots and dicots, most appear to be lineage-specific. They were segregated into two different classes based on the closeness to the classical miRNA definition. Interestingly, evidence of a miRNA-like cleavage was found even for miRNAs that lie beyond the classical definition. Several novel miRNAs displayed tissue-enriched and/or drought responsive expression. Generation and analysis of the degradome data from N22 along with publicly available degradome identified several high confidence targets implicated in regulation of fundamental processes such as flowering and stress response. Thus, discovery of these novel miRNAs considerably expands the dimension of the miRNA-mediated regulation in rice.

Human milk samples were collected from 86 mothers included in the study on days 3, 7, 14 and 28 of lactation. The mothers were divided into three groups on the basis of gestation viz. group 1 : 37-41 weeks (n=41), group II : 33-36 (n=23) and group III : <33 weeks gestation (n=22). All the samples were analysed for the estimation of fat, lactose and protein. The results obtained from the investigations were statistically analysed. The analysis of the results revealed a lower amount of fat and lactose in preterm milk as compared to term milk (p < 0.01). These were found to increase in amount with increasing postnatal age (p < 0.05). The protein levels were observed to be significantly higher in preterm than term milk (p < 0.01). These were observed to decrease significantly with increase in postnatal age (p < 0.01). KEY WORDSFat, Human milk, Lactose, Protein.

This paper reviews the literature on the history, efficacy, and putative mechanism of action of enteral nutrition for inflammatory bowel disease in both paediatric and adult patients. It also analyses the reasoning behind the low popularity of exclusive enteral nutrition in clinical practice despite the benefits and safety profile.

Drought-tolerant rice variety, Nagina 22 (N22), has a unique spikelet miRNome during anthesis stage drought as well as transition from heading to anthesis. Molecular characterization of genetic diversity of rice is essential to understand the evolution and molecular basis of various agronomically important traits such as drought tolerance. miRNAs play an important role in regulating plant development as well as stress response such as drought. In this study, we characterized the yet unexplored dynamics of the spikelet miRNA population during developmental transition from 'heading' to 'anthesis' as well as anthesis stage drought stress in a drought-tolerant indica rice variety, N22. A significant proportion of miRNA population (~20 %) in N22 spikelets is modulated during transition from heading to anthesis indicating a unique miRNome at anthesis, a developmental stage highly sensitive to stress (drought/heat). Based on the analysis of degradome data, majority of differentially regulated miRNAs appear to regulate transcription factors, some of which are implicated in regulation of development and fertilization. Similarly, drought during anthesis leads to a global change in miRNA expression pattern including those which regulate ROS homeostasis. It was possible to identify several miRNAs that were not reported to be drought responsive in earlier studies. Interestingly, a significant proportion of the drought-regulated miRNAs co-localize within QTLs related to drought tolerance and associated traits. Comparison of the expression profiles between N22 and Pusa Basmati 1 (drought sensitive) identified miRNAs with variety-specific expression patterns during phase transition (miR164, miR396, miR812, and miR1881) as well as drought stress (miR1881) indicating an evolution of a distinct and variety-specific regulatory mechanism. The promoters of these miRNAs contain LREs (light-responsive elements) and are induced by dark treatment. It was also possible to identify 4 novel miRNAs including an intronic miRNA that was conserved in both rice varieties.