Varietal improvement options for higher rice productivity in salt affected areas using crop modelling

The rice model ORYZA v3 has been recently improved to account for salt stress effect on rice crop growth and yield. This paper details subsequent studies using the improved model to explore opportunities for improving salinity tolerance in rice. The objective was to identify combinations of plant traits influencing rice responses to salinity and to quantify yield gains by improving these traits. The ORYZA v3 model was calibrated and validated with field experimental data collected between 2012 and 2014 in Satkhira, Bangladesh and Infanta, Quezon, Philippines, then used for simulations scenario considering virtual varieties possessing different combinations of crop model parameter values related to crop salinity response and the soil salinity dynamic observed at Satkhira site. Simulation results showed that (i) short duration varieties could escape end of season increase in salinity, while long duration varieties could benefit from an irrigated desalinization period occurring during the later stages of crop growth in the Satkhira situation; (ii) combining short duration growth with salt tolerance (bTR and bPN) above 12 dS m-1 and a resilience trait (aSalt) of 0.11 in a variety, allows maintenance of 65-70% of rice yield under increasing salinity levels of up to 16 dS m-1; and (iii) increasing the value of the tolerance parameter b by 1% results in 0.3-0.4% increase in yield. These results are relevant for defining directions to increase rice productivity in saline environments, based on improvements in phenology and quantifiable salt tolerance traits.

Learning Experience Contribution to Effective Cancer Education?

Background: Cancer patient needs information to make informed decision. A registered cancer society in Malaysia, KanWork supports those affected by cancer by providing such information through regular structured education program. The programs were designed based on the learners needs addressing issues related to medical, clinical, psychological, spiritual, motivational, and healthy lifestyle. The programs were carried out in collaboration with cancer hospitals at their venues. Each program lasted 3 hours. The program was guided by adult learning principles. For accountability and further improvement, there is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. This paper reports the programs and their effectiveness from the participants' perspective. Aim: To determine the relationship between program management (learning experience provided to participants, and facilities), and the cancer education program effectiveness. To determine predictors that contribute toward the program effectiveness. Methods: A customized instrument to measure the education program effectiveness related constructs was developed guided by literature. The questionnaire was administered to 868 participants of 8 cancer education programs carried out between 2015 and 2017. 481 (55%) returned the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlations and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Majority (91%) who attended the education program were women and cancer patient/survivor (50%). There is positive relationship between learning experience (r=0.895, P = 0.00), program facilities (r=0.435, P = 0.00), and program effectiveness. Learning experience (β = .916; P < .000) showed a predictor and major contribution to cancer education program effectiveness. An appropriate learning experience to learner is critical to ensure the education program effectiveness. Adult learners joined the program to solve their problematic situation in their cancer journey. An appropriate learning experience is one that contributes to meeting their needs, they can follow (e.g., conducted in local language) (Bahasa Malaysia) and terms they can comprehend, and with two way communication channel that gives them chance to be engaged. The experienced facilitators, expert in their respective fields were able to provide meaningful learning experience to participants. Conclusion: Appropriate learning experiences and program facilities contributes toward effective cancer education program in a Malaysian context. The findings strengthen adult learning constructs that guide such program. Further research will give insight to education program in different contexts.

Antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENAS) in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: correlations with clinical manifestations and disease activity

The aim was to explore possible correlations of antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) with clinical manifestations and disease activity indices in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. A total of 70 consecutive SLE patients (64 females) were included. Disease activity was assessed by SLE activity index (SLEDAI), and British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG). Anti-Ro/SSA correlated positively with, headache (r=0.24, p=0.04), blurring of vision (r=0.25, p=0.03) and SLEDAI (r=0.25, p=0.04) and negatively with C3 (r=-0.35, p=0.003). Anti-Ro/SSA correlated with anti La/SSB antibodies (r=0.69, p<0.001), but not with anti-DNA, anti-RNP and anti-Sm antibodies. Anti-La/SSB antibodies correlated with headache (r=0.26, p=0.03), SLEDAI (r=0.25, p=0.03) and negatively with C3 (r=-0.34, p=0.004). Anti-La/SSB did not correlate with anti-RNP or anti-Sm antibodies. Anti-Sm antibodies correlated with disease duration (r=0.34, p=0.003), 24 hours urinary proteins (r=0.31, p=0.008), SLEDAI (r=0.31, p=0.009), BILAG renal score (r=0.29, p=0.02) and negatively with age at onset (r=-0.27, p=0.02), WBCs (r=-0.29, p=0.014) and C4 (r=-0.25, p=0.049). In multivariate analyses, anti-Ro/SSA antibodies remained associated with headache, blurring of vision and C3 and anti-La/SSB antibodies remained associated with C3 and with headache. Anti-Sm antibodies were independently associated with disease duration and total SLEDAI scores, while anti-RNP antibodies remained significantly associated with BILAG mucocutaneous scores only. Antibodies to ENAs are associated with clinical aspects of SLE and may play a role in the assessment of disease activity. Insight into these ENAs may lead to new approaches to diagnostic testing, accurate evaluation of disease activity and lead to target approach for SLE.

RENAL ARTERIAL DOPPLER VELOCIMETRIC INDICES AMONG HEALTHY SUBJCTS IN NORTH WEST NIGERIA

BACKGROUND

Doppler sonography is a non-invasive modality for evaluation of renal vascular anatomy and flow dynamics, causes of secondary hypertension and renal diseases.

AIM

To determine the normal reference values for the renal arterial Doppler velocimetric indices in healthy adults and correlate them with gender and age.

METHODOLOGY

The subjects consist of 36 males and 44 females. They were scanned using 3.5MHz transducer. After parenchymal assessment, the renal arteries were identified using colour mapping, followed by measurement of velocimetric indices on spectral Doppler tracings on each side.

RESULTS

The mean peak systolic velocity (PSV) was highest on the left side in males measuring 65.75 ± 28.41cm/sec and 60.7 ± 24.20cm/sec on the right. In females, it measured 61.83 ± 22.50cm/sec and 60.04 ± 24.67cm/sec on the right and left sides. The mean end diastolic velocity (EDV) was higher on the right side, measuring 23.59 ± 11.45cm/sec and 22.50 ± 8.37cm/sec in males and 25.19 ± 10.72cm/sec and 22.33 ± 8.47cm/sec in females. There was age related dependency on the mean resistive index (RI).

CONCLUSION

This study has shown that there was a statistical significant correlation between RI and systolic-diastolic ratio (S/D) with age. However, gender did not show significant correlation with these indices.

Preparation and Characterization of Various Membrane Morphologies for Lateral Flow Immunoassay Development

Lateral flow in nitrocellulose membrane is widely used as the transport medium in immunological test strips. The immunoassay performance depends greatly on the binding mechanism on membrane surface. If the membrane structures could be controlled precisely, various kinds of immunological analysis could be performed effectively and accurately. This study is aimed at a quantitative understanding on (1) the sensitivity of protein quantification on membrane surface by using densitometer and (2) comparison of the protein binding ability on different membrane surface pore structures. Concentration of immobilised protein on membrane surface was measured as a function of colour intensity, which is initially stained with Ponceau S. The findings showed that membrane morphologies significantly affect the sensitivity of membrane protein binding ability. Depending on the membrane pore structures, different red spot sharpness and intensities were observed from the stained protein dot. Membrane with smaller pore creates higher protein immobilization density and thus, increases the sensitivity level of the assay. However, larger membrane pore structure is necessary to induce rapid migration rate for faster assay.

Transfer of humoural immunity over two generations in urban pigeons

Maternal antibodies (MatAb) are known to provide passive protection early in life for young vertebrates but their effects on the development of offspring immune response across generations are still unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of antigen exposure (keyhole limpet haemocyanin, KLH) experienced by urban pigeon (Columba livia) females on the amount of antigen-specific antibodies (Abs) transferred into the egg yolk of their daughters and on the humoural immune response towards this same antigen in their grandchildren. We found that chicks from KLH-injected maternal grandmothers had a higher humoural response than chicks from sham-injected grandmothers. However, we did not detect a significant effect of female KLH exposure on the ability of their daughters to transmit anti-KLH Abs into their eggs. These results suggest that antigen exposure at one generation may shape the immune profile of offspring over two next generations, although the underlying mechanisms remain to be investigated.

Stem cells differentiation and probing their therapeutic applications in hematological disorders: a critical review

Numerous lines of evidence support that bone marrow is a rich source of stem cells that can be used for research purposes and to treat some complex blood diseases and cancers. Stem cells are a potential source for regenerative medicine and tissue replacement after injury or disease, and mother cells that possess the capacity to become any type of cell in the body. They are cells without specific structure and characterized by their ability to self-renew or multiply while maintaining the potential to develop into other types of cells. Stem cells can normally become cells of the blood, heart, bones, skin, muscles or brain. Although, there are different sources of stem cells, all types of stem cells have the same capacity to develop into multiple types of cells. Stem cells are generally described as unspecialized cells with unlimited proliferation capacity that can divide (through mitosis) to produce more stem cells. Several types of adult stem cells have been characterized and can be cultured in vitro, including neural stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, cardiac stem cells and epithelial stem cells. They are valuable as research tools and might, in the future, be used to treat a wide range of diseases such as hematological hereditary diseases, Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and many other diseases. Currently, two types of stem cells have been identified based on their origins, namely embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Collectively, although many kinds of literature have been studying stem cell application in terms of clinical practice, stem cell-based therapy is still in its infancy stage.

Impact of membrane pore structure on protein detection sensitivity of affinity-based immunoassay

Understanding a membrane’s morphology is important for controlling its final performance during protein immobilization. Porous, symmetric membranes were prepared from a polyvinylidene fluoride/N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone solution by phase inversion process, to obtain membrane with various microsized pores. The concentration and surface area of aprotein dotted on the membrane surface were measured by staining with Ponceau S dye. The dotted protein was further scanned and analysed to perform quantitative measurements for relative comparison. The intensity of the red protein spot and its surface area varied depending on the membrane pore size, demonstrating the dependence of protein immobilization on this factor. The membrane with the smallest pore size (M3) showed the highest protein spot intensity and surface area when examined at different protein concentrations. An increase in the applied protein volume showed a linearity proportional trend to the total surface area, and an uneven round dot shape was observed at a large applied volume of protein solution.

Optimization of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane fabrication for protein binding using statistical experimental design

Statistical experimental design was employed to optimize the preparation conditions of polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) membranes. Three variables considered were polymer concentration, dissolving temperature, and casting thickness, whereby the response variable was membrane-protein binding. The optimum preparation for the PVDF membrane was a polymer concentration of 16.55 wt%, a dissolving temperature of 27.5°C, and a casting thickness of 450 µm. The statistical model exhibits a deviation between the predicted and actual responses of less than 5%. Further characterization of the formed PVDF membrane showed that the morphology of the membrane was in line with the membrane-protein binding performance.