http://tdudspace.texicon.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/102 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:27:11 GMT 2026-04-14T16:27:11Z http://tdudspace.texicon.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/734 Title: Study of genetic diversity of Aconitum heterophyllum and its root microbiome Authors: Amandeep Kumar Abstract: Maximum 2048 characters: In the present study, Genetic diversity and root microbiome of a medicinally important medicinal plant- Aconitum heterophyllum, commonly known as Atis, was studied. The roots of A. heterophyllum have been documented to possess various pharmacological properties. They are abundant in diterpene alkaloids and contain atisine, a low-toxicity alkaloid. The species medicinal value fuelled extensive harvesting from the wild, leading it to be critically endangered in natural habitats. The population status was evaluated by studying genetic diversity and structure by utilizing the genetic markers. This analysis encompassed 36 accessions from 8 distinct populations located in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, India. The characterization of the markers (Microsatellites) involved assessing their transferability and employing primers with a 5'-anchor designed repeat motifs. Ten primers were identified through the transferability assessment from related Aconitum species, and another 4 primers were characterized using identified repeat motifs along with a 5’-anchor. Using these 14 primers across the studied populations, 55 alleles were observed in total with 40.18% average polymorphic loci. Molecular variance analysis demonstrated that most of the genetic variation (92%) occurred among populations, with only 8% within populations. Consequently, the species exhibited sparse genetic diversity, accompanied by significant differentiation at genetic level (Fst = 0.490) and restricted gene flow. The findings suggest a potential decline in the species population stemming from this limited genetic diversity, restricted gene flow and high differentiation. The root microbiome of the target species rhizosphere was examined using a 16S rRNA metagenomic approach. By comparing the root microbiomes of wild and cultivated A. heterophyllum, unique microbes were identified. This study reports several beneficial rhizospheric bacteria, known as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), associated with the wild populations. Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://tdudspace.texicon.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/734 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z http://tdudspace.texicon.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/733 Title: Investigating the TCA cycle during hematopoiesis: a temporal and spatial characterization in the Drosophila lymph gland Authors: Ajay Kumar Abstract: Hematopoietic progenitors must balance proliferation, self-renewal, and lineage commitment, but how central carbon metabolism achieves this balance in vivo remains poorly defined. Using a comprehensive zone-specific RNAi screen targeting every step of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in the Drosophila larval lymph gland, we reveal that progenitor maintenance requires complete TCA cycling, while growth and differentiation are governed by distinct metabolic modules. Knockdown of TCA enzymes in progenitors consistently reduced Dome⁺ progenitors and expanded plasmatocytes, indicating that cyclical TCA flux is essential for preventing premature differentiation. In contrast, loss of citrate synthase, mitochondrial Aconitase, or α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase uniquely impaired lymph gland growth, defining a growth-specific metabolic branch. Core progenitors required TCA activity for survival but not for global differentiation control, while the intermediate and cortical zones selectively used TCA nodes to restrain terminal differentiation. Temporally controlled perturbations demonstrated that early hematopoiesis relies on two independent modules a citrate/Aconitase branch for progenitor identity and an α-KG producing α-Kdh/Gdh branch for proliferation whereas late hematopoiesis transitions to a unified cyclical TCA loop that maintains MZ to CZ homeostasis. Dietary citrate supplementation uniquely rescued CS loss during a defined early metabolic window, establishing citrate as a critical early metabolite for progenitor identity. Together, our study uncovers a previously unrecognized modular-to-cyclical transition in TCA metabolism that coordinates organismal growth, progenitor maintenance, and lineage output in vivo. Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://tdudspace.texicon.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/733 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z http://tdudspace.texicon.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/731 Title: Cell shape transition during epithelial fusion in inner ear development Authors: Tamilkumar, Varsha N. Abstract: Epithelial fusion is a recurrent morphogenetic event in embryogenesis. It is one contiguous sheet of epithelium giving rise to two sheets of epithelium. This involves the exchange of cellular neighbours through transient loss and gain of junction components and the formation of an intact basement membrane. Some examples are the formation of optic cup, otic vesicle, neural tube, and the body wall (Chan, Moosajee, & Rainger, 2021; Fernández-Santos et al., 2021; Lubarsky & Krasnow, 2003; Millard & Martin, 2008; Pyrgaki, Trainor, Hadjantonakis, & Niswander, 2010; Schöck & Perrimon, 2002). Failure of fusion leads to a variety of birth defects such as, cleft palate, spina bifida and omphalocele. Approximately 4 of 1000 live births in India have spina bifida, a neural tube closure defect (Allagh et al., 2015). While the process seems similar across embryonic development, studies have proved otherwise (Ray & Niswander, 2012) Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://tdudspace.texicon.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/731 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z http://tdudspace.texicon.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/727 Title: Indigenous Healing Practices Among the Adiyan and Mavilan Tribal Communities of Kerala: An Anthropological Study Authors: G, Sukanya Abstract: Among the indigenous healing systems of the Adiyan and Mavilan communities, disease diagnosis is a multi-stage process involving self-diagnosis, community involvement, ethnomedical specialists, and hospital consultations. Sociocultural factors shape the diagnosis, with visible external symptoms and internal cues guiding the identification. Various rituals also play a crucial role in uncovering supernatural causes. These diverse methods reflect the community's deep connection to their traditions, ancestor spirits, and holistic understanding of health. Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://tdudspace.texicon.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/727 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z