MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are present in both plant and animal kingdoms and represents a growing family of non-coding RNAs. These tiny RNAs act as small guides and direct negative regulations usually in the process of development through sequence complementarity to target mRNAs. Although a large number of miRNAs have been identified from various animals, so far plant miRNA studies have focused mainly ...

The striped stemborer (SSB), Chilo suppressalis Walker, 1863 is a widely distributed pest of the rice agroecosystem. It bores and feeds inside the stalks of the rice plant during larval stage using its strong mandibles. Host-plant resistance has played a very important role in the management of this pest however; many cultivated types have succumbed to infestation even those with hard stems. Si...

Skeletal muscle injuries are common in athletes, occurring with direct and indirect mechanisms and marked residual effects, such as severe long-term pain and physical disability. Current therapy consists of conservative management including RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and intramuscular corticosteroids. However, current management o...

Gene pyramiding is an efficient approach for the genetic improvement of multiple agronomic traits simultaneously. In this study, we pyramided two foreign genes, cry1Ac driven by the rice Actin I promoter, and lysine-rich protein (LRP), driven by the endosperm-specific GLUTELIN1 (GT1) promoter, into the elite indica cultivar 9311. These two genes were chosen in an attempt to enhance insect-resis...

1 Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America, 2 James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America, 3 Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America, 4 Departm...

The component of protein in rice, at 7-9% by weight, is relatively low, but the total amount of rice protein potentially available is significant because the production of rice worldwide, at 380 million tons annually, is huge. Rice proteins are recognized as nutritional, hypoallergenic, and healthy for human consumption, and rice protein products have been in demand in recent years. However, be...

We consider samples of n geometric random variables (Γ1, Γ2,. .. Γn) where P{Γj = i} = pq i−1 , for 1 ≤ j ≤ n, with p + q = 1. The parameter we study is the position of the first occurrence of the maximum value in a such a sample. We derive a probability generating function for this position with which we compute the first two (factorial) moments. The asymptotic technique known as Rice's method...

The genes for the beta and epsilon subunits of ATP synthase were cloned from rice chloroplast DNA. The nucleotide sequences and the deduced amino acid sequences of these genes were determined. The site of initiation of transcription was examined by S1-mapping analysis. The relation between stability of mRNA and that of a stem and loop structure at the 3' end of mRNA is discussed.