Λ_{c}^{+} Production and Baryon-to-Meson Ratios in pp and p-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV at the LHC

The prompt production of the charm baryon Λ_{c}^{+} and the Λ_{c}^{+}/D^{0} production ratios were measured at midrapidity with the ALICE detector in pp and p-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. These new measurements show a clear decrease of the Λ_{c}^{+}/D^{0} ratio with increasing transverse momentum (p_{T}) in both collision systems in the range 2<p_{T}<12  GeV/c, exhibiting similarities with the light-flavor baryon-to-meson ratios p/π and Λ/K_{S}^{0}. At low p_{T}, predictions that include additional color-reconnection mechanisms beyond the leading-color approximation, assume the existence of additional higher-mass charm-baryon states, or include hadronization via coalescence can describe the data, while predictions driven by charm-quark fragmentation processes measured in e^{+}e^{-} and e^{-}p collisions significantly underestimate the data. The results presented in this Letter provide significant evidence that the established assumption of universality (colliding-system independence) of parton-to-hadron fragmentation is not sufficient to describe charm-baryon production in hadronic collisions at LHC energies.

Visual estimate of coronary artery calcium predicts prevalent coronary artery disease in patients with respiratory disease

Background

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) measured using ECG-triggered coronary computed tomography correlates strongly with overt cardiovascular disease risk. Evidence is emerging to suggest CAC measured on non-gated thoracic CT scans may also correlate with cardiovascular disease. Herein, we sought to ascertain the utility of Weston scoring (visual score for CAC) in predicting prevalent coronary artery disease (CAD) and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) for patients undergoing lung cancer screening or follow-up for interstitial lung disease with a non-triggered high-resolution CT (HRCT) thorax.

Methods

The Computerised Radiology Information Service (CRIS) database was manually searched to determine all HRCT scans performed in a single UK trust from 01/05/2016 to 01/05/2017 for the aforementioned indications. Radiology reports and images of selected studies were reviewed. For patients with evidence of CAC, we calculated the calcium score using the Agatston and Weston methods. Clinical events were determined from the electronic medical record without knowledge of patients' CAC findings. At baseline, significant CAC was defined as Agatston &gt;400 and Weston &gt;7.

Results

2152 scans were analysed. Data at follow up was available for 100% of patients, with a median duration of follow up of 3.6 years. A history of CAD was reported by 8% (172) of subjects at baseline, who were subsequently excluded from analysis. Significant CAC was found in 450 (22.5%) and 650 (32.5%) by Weston and Agatston scores respectively, with a significant correlation between the two scores (r-0.71, p&lt;0.01). During follow up 7.4% (160) of patients developed incident CVD. Patients with low Weston scores of ≤7 and Agatston scores of ≤400 had a lower incidence of CVD compared to those with Weston &gt;7 and Agatston &gt;400 (31 [19.3%] vs 129 [80.6%]; P=0.003 for Weston scores; 37 [23.1%] vs 123 [76.9%] for Agatston scores; P&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

In this retrospective study of patients with respiratory disease attending for HRCT scanning, the Weston visual score for CAC performs well in predicting prevalent CAD and future CVD events. With previous data demonstrating excellent inter- and intra- observer agreement, our study demonstrates Weston scoring is a valid tool in reporting non-gated CT scans, removing the need for dedicated software analysis as required with the Agatston score, and has a high overall positive and negative predictive value for future CVD. Further multi-centre prospective studies of this strategy, should be conducted to clarify the utility of Weston CAC scoring in non-gated CTs as a prediction tool which may be used to modify cardiac risk and reduce the risk of incident cardiovascular events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

An evaluation of patient outcomes following transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation: a meta-analysis

Background

Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation has emerged as an effective alternative to surgery in patients with congenital Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Dysfunction (RVOT). There is demonstrable evidence that Percutaneous Pulmonary Valve Implantation (PPVI) effectively restores conduit graft viability with a consequent improvement in right ventricular pressures.

Aim

The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of all previously published studies examining the outcome of PPVI and the associated early and late peri-procedural factors in patients with RVOT dysfunction. Data from procedures performed within our own centre have also been included.

Methodology

We performed a meta-analysis of all observational studies investigating early and late outcomes following PPVI. Risk ratios and risk differences were pooled in a random-effects model. The I2 statistic was used to quantify heterogeneity between studies. We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychInfo and Cochrane databases from their inception until 2021. Studies were included if they reported any comparative data regarding study endpoints. Primary endpoint was mean RVOT gradient. Secondary end points include pulmonary regurgitation fraction, left and right ventricular end-diastolic and systolic volume indexes, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Complication rates were considered a safety endpoint.

Results

A total of 23 studies with 1501 participants enrolled were included in the final meta-analysis. The RVOT gradient decreased significantly [weighted mean difference (WMD) = −20.32 mmHg; 95% confidence interval (CI): −22.15, −19.11; p&lt;0.001]. Mean right ventricular (RV) systolic pressures fell significantly [(WMD)= −18.4 mmHg; 95% CI: −16.4, −20.2; p&lt;0.001) and RV diastolic pressures decreased significantly [(WMD) = −6.3 mmHg, 95% CI: −4.3, −8.9; p&lt;0.001). Pulmonary regurgitation fraction (PRF) also decreased notably (WMD = −24.38%, 95% CI: −28.27, −17.32; p&lt;0.001).The incidence of infective endocarditis was 1.8% (95% CI: 0.7–3.8).

Conclusion

PPVI is an effective and safe strategy in relieving right ventricular remodelling and improving haemodynamic and clinical outcomes in patients with RVOT dysfunction. Multi-centre collaborations are essential to further determine the long-term effects of PPVI on cardiac function, exercise tolerance and quality of life in RVOT dysfunction.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Deciphering the impact of novel coronavirus pandemic on agricultural sustainability, food security, and socio-economic sectors-a review

The Spanish flu, Asian flu, Hong Kong flu, HIV/AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and Swine flu, among others, have had a significant impact on agriculture, education, the economy, and human activities, including leisureliness, shipping, healthiness, fisheries, mining, industry, and trade. Currently, manhood is dealing with a new epidemic, the infection of the latest coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which causes a deadly disease named COVID-19. This article aims to examine COVID-19's effect on agriculture, education, and the economy. There are existing estimates to conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic has a significant influence on agriculture and the food supply chain, mostly influencing food demand and, as a result, food security, with a disproportionate impact on the most disadvantaged. To overcome spread of COVID-19, a non-contact food delivery system has been used by utilizing drown for this purpose. This epidemic crisis also introduced a digital education system that is challenging for students and teachers who are not educated in it. Weak infrastructure, such as electricity, poor access to the Internet connection, and a lack of technology literacy, has hampered the online education system. Coronavirus has an undesirable influence on the global economy by affecting tourism, the financial market, commerce, shipping, manufacturing, and the service sector. The exchange market was also down during the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, we should strictly follow SOP's to improve our agriculture, education, economy, and other ways of normal life. We should also be vaccinated to fulfill our all losses in different fields.

Multi-enzyme co-immobilized nano-assemblies: Bringing enzymes together for expanding bio-catalysis scope to meet biotechnological challenges

Co-immobilization of multi-enzymes has emerged as a promising concept to design and signify bio-catalysis engineering. Undoubtedly, the existence and importance of basic immobilization methods such as encapsulation, covalent binding, cross-linking, or even simple adsorption cannot be ignored as they are the core of advanced co-immobilization strategies. Different strategies have been developed and deployed to green the twenty-first century bio-catalysis. Moreover, co-immobilization of multi-enzymes has successfully resolved the limitations of individual enzyme loaded constructs. With an added value of this advanced bio-catalysis engineering platform, designing, and fabricating co-immobilized enzymes loaded nanostructure carriers to perform a particular set of reactions with high catalytic turnover is of supreme interest. Herein, we spotlight the emergence of co-immobilization strategies by bringing multi-enzymes together with various types of nanocarriers to expand the bio-catalysis scope. Following a brief introduction, the first part of the review focuses on multienzyme co-immobilization strategies, i.e., random co-immobilization, compartmentalization, and positional co-immobilization. The second part comprehensively covers four major categories of nanocarriers, i.e., carbon based nanocarriers, polymer based nanocarriers, silica-based nanocarriers, and metal-based nanocarriers along with their particular examples. In each section, several critical factors that can affect the performance and successful deployment of co-immobilization of enzymes are given in this work.

Multiharmonic Correlations of Different Flow Amplitudes in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76 TeV

The event-by-event correlations between three flow amplitudes are measured for the first time in Pb-Pb collisions, using higher-order symmetric cumulants. We find that different three-harmonic correlations develop during the collective evolution of the medium when compared to correlations that exist in the initial state. These new results cannot be interpreted in terms of previous lower-order flow measurements since contributions from two-harmonic correlations are explicitly removed in the new observables. A comparison to Monte Carlo simulations provides new and independent constraints for the initial conditions and system properties of nuclear matter created in heavy-ion collisions.

Antibiotic-exposed patients with non-small-cell lung cancer preserve efficacy outcomes following first-line chemo-immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Prior antibiotic therapy (pATB) is known to impair efficacy of single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), potentially through the induction of gut dysbiosis. Whether ATB also affects outcomes to chemo-immunotherapy combinations is still unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this international multicentre study, we evaluated the association between pATB, concurrent ATB (cATB) and overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with first-line chemo-immunotherapy at eight referral institutions.

RESULTS

Among 302 patients with stage IV NSCLC, 216 (71.5%) and 61 (20.2%) patients were former and current smokers, respectively. Programmed death-ligand 1 tumour expression in assessable patients (274, 90.7%) was ≥50% in 76 (25.2%), 1%-49% in 84 (27.9%) and <1% in 113 (37.5%). Multivariable analysis showed pATB-exposed patients to have similar OS {hazard ratio (HR) = 1.42 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91-2.22]; P = 0.1207} and PFS [HR = 1.12 (95% CI: 0.76-1.63); P = 0.5552], compared to unexposed patients, regardless of performance status. Similarly, no difference with respect to ORR was found across pATB exposure groups (42.6% versus 57.4%, P = 0.1794). No differential effect was found depending on pATB exposure duration (≥7 versus <7 days) and route of administration (intravenous versus oral). Similarly, cATB was not associated with OS [HR = 1.29 (95% CI: 0.91-1.84); P = 0.149] and PFS [HR = 1.20 (95% CI: 0.89-1.63); P = 0.222] when evaluated as time-varying covariate in multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to what has been reported in patients receiving single-agent ICIs, pATB does not impair clinical outcomes to first-line chemo-immunotherapy of patients with NSCLC. pATB status should integrate currently available clinico-pathologic factors for guiding first-line treatment decisions, whilst there should be no concern in offering cATB during chemo-immunotherapy when needed.

Soft-Dielectron Excess in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A measurement of dielectron production in proton-proton (pp) collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC, is presented in this Letter. The data set was recorded with a reduced magnetic solenoid field. This enables the investigation of a kinematic domain at low dielectron (ee) invariant mass m_{ee} and pair transverse momentum p_{T,ee} that was previously inaccessible at the LHC. The cross section for dielectron production is studied as a function of m_{ee}, p_{T,ee}, and event multiplicity dN_{ch}/dη. The expected dielectron rate from hadron decays, called hadronic cocktail, utilizes a parametrization of the measured η/π^{0} ratio in pp and proton-nucleus collisions, assuming that this ratio shows no strong dependence on collision energy at low transverse momentum. Comparison of the measured dielectron yield to the hadronic cocktail at 0.15<m_{ee}<0.6  GeV/c^{2} and for p_{T,ee}<0.4  GeV/c indicates an enhancement of soft dielectrons, reminiscent of the "anomalous" soft-photon and soft-dilepton excess in hadron-hadron collisions reported by several experiments under different experimental conditions. The enhancement factor over the hadronic cocktail amounts to 1.61±0.13(stat)±0.17(syst,data)±0.34(syst,cocktail) in the ALICE acceptance. Acceptance-corrected excess spectra in m_{ee} and p_{T,ee} are extracted and compared with calculations of dielectron production from hadronic bremsstrahlung and thermal radiation within a hadronic many-body approach.

The application of ammonium sulphate and amino acid on cotton: effects on can improve growth, yield, quality and nitrogen absorption

A field study was carried out to determine the influence of foliage applied plant growth promoter and retardant in improving soil applied sulphur fertilizer use efficiency in cotton during two consecutive summers 2014 and 2015. Experimental trial comprised of three different sources of sulphur (ammonium sulphate, potassium sulphate and elemental sulphur) and foliar spray of plant growth promoter and growth retardant including tap water was taken as control. Among treatments soil applied ammonium sulphate with foliage applied amino acid produced maximum plant height, sympodial branches, pods per plant, seed cotton yield, fiber yield, biological yield, protein contents, oil contents and leaf nitrogen uptake as compared to the other treatments. Whereas, soil applied potassium sulphate with foliar spray of mepiquat chloride on cotton significantly improved the boll weight and leaf potassium uptake. We conclude that soil applied ammonium sulphate and foliage spray of amino acid was more effective in improving the productivity and quality attributes of cotton.

Exogenous application of bio-stimulant and growth retardant improved the productivity of cotton cultivars under different planting arrangement

Optimum planting arrangement is an important attribute for efficient utilization of available resources and to obtain high yield of cotton. Application of plant growth promoter and retardant on cotton in improved planting density are the innovative techniques in the establishment of more productive cotton crop. Therefore, we planned a field study to assess the role of bio-stimulant and growth retardant in the resource utilization efficiency of cotton cultivars planted under variable row spacing at Agronomic Research Area Bahauddin Zakariya University and Usmania Agricultural Farm Shujabad during Kharif 2012. Experimental treatments consisted of cotton genotypes viz. CIM-573 and CIM-598, cultivated under conventional (75 cm), medium (50 cm) and ultra-narrow row spacing (25 cm) with foliar spray of bio-stimulant (moringa leaf extract) and growth retardant (mepiquate chloride), either sole or in combination, keeping distilled water as a control. Exogenously applied MLE alone and MLE + MC significantly enhanced the number of squares, flowers and green bolls per plant leading to higher cotton seed and lint yield of CIM 598 cultivar cultivated under conventional row spacing. While application of MC alone and MLE + MC produced maximum micronaire value, fiber strength and fiber uniformity ratio of CIM 573 cultivar cultivated under conventional row spacing. The results suggested that application of MLE is a possible approach to enhance the cotton productivity and the use of MC to enhance the fiber quality attributes under conventional row spacing.

Exogenously applied nutrients can improve the chickpea productivity under water stress conditions by modulating the antioxidant enzyme system

Water stress is one of the major factor restricting the growth and development of chickpea plants by inducing various morphological and physiological changes. Therefore, the present research activity was designed to improve the chickpea productivity under water stress conditions by modulating antioxidant enzyme system. Experimental treatments comprised of two chickpea genotypes i.e. Bhakhar 2011 (drought tolerant) and DUSHT (drought sensitive), two water stress levels i.e. water stress at flowering stage and water stress at flowering + pod formation + grain filling stage including well watered (control) and three exogenous application of nutrients i.e. KCl 200 ppm, MgCl2, 50 ppm and CaCl2, 10 mM including distilled water (control). Results indicated that water stress at various growth stages adversely affects the growth, yield and quality attributes of both chickpea cultivars. Exogenous application of nutrients improved the growth, yield and antioxidant enzyme activities of both chickpea genotypes even under water stress conditions. However, superior results were obtained with foliar spray of potassium chloride on Bhakhar 2011 under well-watered conditions. Similarly, foliar spray of potassium chloride on chickpea cultivar Bhakhar 2011 cultivated under stress at flowering + pod formation + grain filling stage produced significantly higher contents of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase. These results suggests that the application of potassium chloride mitigates the adverse effects of water stress and enhanced tolerance in chickpea mainly due to higher antioxidant enzymes activity, demonstrating the protective measures of plant cells in stress conditions.

Antioxidant status and their enhancements strategies for water stress tolerance in chickpea

Water stress executes severe influences on the plant growth and development through modifying physio-chemical properties. Therefore, a field experiment was designed to evaluate the antioxidant status and their enhancements strategies for water stress tolerance in chickpea on loam and clay loam soils under agro-ecological conditions of Arid Zone Research Institute, Bahawalpur (29.3871 °N, 71.653 °E) and Cholistan farm near Derawer (28.19°N, 71.80°E) of Southern Punjab, Pakistan during winter 2014-15. Experimental treatments comprised of two chickpea cultivars i.e. Bhakhar 2011 (drought tolerant) and DUSHT (drought sensitive), two water stress levels i.e. water stress at flowering stage and water stress at flowering + pod formation + grain filling stage including well watered (control) and two exogenous application of osmoprotectants i.e. glycine betaine (GB) 20 ppm and proline 10 uM including distilled water (control). Results indicated that water stress at various growth stages adversely affects the growth, yield and quality attributes of both chickpea cultivars. Exogenous application of GB and proline improved the growth, yield and quality parameters of both chickpea cultivars even under water stress conditions. However, superior results were obtained with exogenously applied GB on Bhakhar 2011 under well-watered conditions. Similarly, foliar spray of GB on chickpea cultivar Bhakhar 2011 under stress at flowering + pod formation + grain filling stage produced maximum superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase contents. These results suggested that application of GB mitigates the adverse effects of water stress and enhanced tolerance in chickpea mainly due to higher antioxidant enzymes activity, demonstrating the protective measures of plant cells in stress condition. Hence, antioxidants status might be a suitable method for illustrating water stress tolerance in chickpea.

Elliptic Flow of Electrons from Beauty-Hadron Decays in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The elliptic flow of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity (|y|<0.8) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The azimuthal distribution of the particles produced in the collisions can be parametrized with a Fourier expansion, in which the second harmonic coefficient represents the elliptic flow, v_{2}. The v_{2} coefficient of electrons from beauty hadron decays is measured for the first time in the transverse momentum (p_{T}) range 1.3-6  GeV/c in the centrality class 30%-50%. The measurement of electrons from beauty-hadron decays exploits their larger mean proper decay length cτ≈500  μm compared to that of charm hadrons and most of the other background sources. The v_{2} of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity is found to be positive with a significance of 3.75  σ. The results provide insights into the degree of thermalization of beauty quarks in the medium. A model assuming full thermalization of beauty quarks is strongly disfavored by the measurement at high p_{T}, but is in agreement with the results at low p_{T}. Transport models including substantial interactions of beauty quarks with an expanding strongly interacting medium describe the measurement within uncertainties.

Development and characterization of chitosan and acrylic acid-based novel biodegradable polymeric films for soil conditioning

In this study, biodegradable polymeric films (BPFs) based on chitosan and acrylic acid cross-linked with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) were developed for water retention and soil-conditioning applications in areas sufferings from water scarcity. A series of BPFs were prepared by varying the amount of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) (0.67% to 2.6%) and a correlation of the optimum amount of SiNPs with thermal stability, morphology, swellability (at various pH), degradability, and anti-microbial activity were deduced. The obtained results showed that the NP 8 (containing 2.51% of SiNPs) exhibited the maximum absorption capacity (1815%) in distilled water, whereas NP6 (including 1.88% of SiNPs) expressed the maximum thermal stability (T_50% at 375.61 °C). The microscopic images further strengthen this observation because the maximum number of micro-porous cavities was shown on the surface of NP8. The time-dependent swelling response in distilled water accomplished that hydrophilicity (percentage swelling) of films was enhanced with an increase in the concentration of SiNPs. All BPFs samples exhibited inhibitory response against both gram-positive (for Staphylococcus aureus was 2.9 cm for NP6) and gram-negative (for Escherichia coli was 0.9 cm for NP8) bacteria. The biodegradation test inferred that the degradation of BPFs in soil did not affect the soil fertility as nano-silica is proven as growth-promoting miniatures. It can be concluded that these BPFs may be efficiently employed in the agriculture sector for water retention and as a soil conditioner.

Sodium nitroprusside application improves morphological and physiological attributes of soybean (Glycine max L.) under salinity stress

Salinity is among the major abiotic stresses negatively affecting the growth and productivity of crop plants. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) -an external nitric oxide (NO) donor- has been found effective to impart salinity tolerance to plants. Soybean (Glycine max L.) is widely cultivated around the world; however, salinity stress hampers its growth and productivity. Therefore, the current study evaluated the role of SNP in improving morphological, physiological and biochemical attributes of soybean under salinity stress. Data relating to biomass, chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, activities of various antioxidant enzymes, ion content and ultrastructural analysis were collected. The SNP application ameliorated the negative effects of salinity stress to significant extent by regulating antioxidant mechanism. Root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll contents, activities of various antioxidant enzymes, i.e., catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were improved with SNP application under salinity stress compared to control treatment. Similarly, plants treated with SNP observed less damage to cell organelles of roots and leaves under salinity stress. The results revealed pivotal functions of SNP in salinity tolerance of soybean, including cell wall repair, sequestration of sodium ion in the vacuole and maintenance of normal chloroplasts with no swelling of thylakoids. Minor distortions of cell membrane and large number of starch grains indicates an increase in the photosynthetic activity. Therefore, SNP can be used as a regulator to improve the salinity tolerance of soybean in salt affected soils.

Isolation and functional characterization of exopolysaccharide produced by Lactobacillus plantarum S123 isolated from traditional Chinese cheese

During the past few years, there are growing interests in the potential use of exopolysaccharide (EPS) in the food industry as an efficient biopolymer because of its exceptional biological features. Therefore, the aim of the present study is EPS production by Lactobacillus Plantarum S123 (S123 EPS), its partial structural and biopotential characterization. The results from this study suggested that the major portion of S123 EPS has an amorphous sponge-like structure with partial crystalline nature. The FTIR and NMR results suggested that the S123 EPS consists of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, respectively. Furthermore, the results of technological as well as biotechnological characterization suggested that the S123 EPS was exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (7.2 mm) and Gram-negative bacteria (11.5 mm), DPPH radical scavenging activity (> 65%), water holding capacity (326.6 ± 0.5%), oil holding capacity (995.3 ± 0.2%), flocculation (89.5 ± 0.6%), and emulsifying (80.1 ± 1.1%) activities. Overall, the present results suggested that due to the highly porous structure and efficient biotechnological potential, S123 EPS from Lactobacillus plantarum S123 (L. plantarum S123) can be used in the functional food product.

Resource use efficiency of cotton in improved vs conventional planting geometry with exogenous application of bio-stimulant and synthetic growth retardant

Plant growth regulators and improved planting density are the innovative techniques in the establishment of more productive cotton crop. A field study was planned to assess the role of growth regulators in the resource utilization efficiency of cotton cultivars under different row spacing at Agronomic Research Area, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan and Usmania Agricultural Farm, Shujaabad during Kharif 2012. The study was comprised of cotton cultivars viz. CIM-573 and CIM-598, cultivated under conventional (75 cm), medium (50 cm) and improved ultra-narrow row spacing (25 cm) and foliar spray of growth regulators viz. moringa leaf extract (MLE) and mepiquat chloride (MC), either alone or in combination, distilled water as a control. The application of MLE alone and in combination (MLE + MC) showed the promoting effect on crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, leaf area index, leaf area duration, sympodial branches and number of bolls leading to higher seed cotton yield of both cotton cultivars grown under conventional row spacing. While application of MC averts the plant growth without considerably improving the productivity. MLE being rich source of growth promoting hormone and nutrients showed its potential to a far greater extent under conventional row spacing in efficient utilization of available resources compared to MC and distilled water.

Spontaneous intestinal perforation associated with premature twin infants

OBJECTIVE

Identify perinatal risk factors associated with SIPSTUDY DESIGN:This was a retrospective case-control study of SIP in infants born at ≤28 weeks of gestation and admitted between 1995 and 2016 at a tertiary care NICU. Infants with NEC or other GI abnormalities were excluded. Cases of SIP were matched with gestational age-matched controls with the closest birth date. Maternal, infant and birth related factors were evaluated using univariate analyses and significant factors were evaluated using multiple logistic regression.

RESULT

25 cases of SIP were matched with 25 controls. No maternal factors reached statistical significance. Being one of twins increased the odds of SIP 29-fold. Birth-order or weight-discrepancy in twin had no association of SIP within twin pairs.

CONCLUSION

Twins are at significantly higher risk for SIP. The association of SIP and twin gestation was independent of previously reported risk factors of perinatal indomethacin or magnesium sulfate and merits further study.

Use of oral rivaroxaban in cerebral venous thrombosis

Background

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon cause of stroke in humans and the mainstay of treatment is anticoagulation unless contraindicated. Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants have not been duly evaluated in randomized controlled trials in CVT.

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of oral rivaroxaban with vitamin K anticoagulant (warfarin) in preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with CVT.

Methods

Adult patients with CVT, who were stable after 5-12 days of treatment with parenteral heparin 1 mg/kg, were screened for eligibility. The patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive oral rivaroxaban 20-30 mg daily or warfarin 1, 3 or 5 mg daily (with the dose adjusted to maintain an INR of 2-3), for 3-12 months. Recanalization rates, periprocedural complications, and clinical outcomes were assessed by Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at 3rd, 6th and 12th month follow-ups.

Results

In total, 45 patients with CVT were randomized to the two treatment groups (21 to rivaroxaban and 24 to warfarin). Overall recanalization was achieved by 18 (86%) and 20 (83%) cases from rivaroxaban and warfarin group, respectively at 6th month follow-up; and by all 45 (100%) cases from the both groups at 12th month follow-up. Excellent outcome (NIHSS score 0) was obtained by 20 (95%) cases from rivaroxaban group at 3rd to 12th month follow-ups; and by 23 (96%) cases at 6th to 12th month follow-ups. There were no major bleeding events during the trial. None of the patients developed recurrence of thrombosis. Statistically, no significant difference between the two treatment groups in terms of recanalization and clinical outcomes could be observed.

Conclusion

Rivaroxaban is a safe option in CVT however; larger randomized controlled studies will impact the results validity.

Measurement of the Low-Energy Antideuteron Inelastic Cross Section

In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions at low particle momenta, covering a range of 0.3≤p<4  GeV/c. The measurement is carried out using p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC and utilizing the detector material as an absorber for antideuterons and antiprotons. The extracted raw primary antiparticle-to-particle ratios are compared to the results from detailed ALICE simulations based on the geant4 toolkit for the propagation of (anti)particles through the detector material. The analysis of the raw primary (anti)proton spectra serves as a benchmark for this study, since their hadronic interaction cross sections are well constrained experimentally. The first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions averaged over the ALICE detector material with atomic mass numbers ⟨A⟩=17.4 and 31.8 is obtained. The measured inelastic cross section points to a possible excess with respect to the Glauber model parametrization used in geant4 in the lowest momentum interval of 0.3≤p<0.47  GeV/c up to a factor 2.1. This result is relevant for the understanding of antimatter propagation and the contributions to antinuclei production from cosmic ray interactions within the interstellar medium. In addition, the momentum range covered by this measurement is of particular importance to evaluate signal predictions for indirect dark-matter searches.

Calmodulin-binding transcription activator (CAMTA) genes family: Genome-wide survey and phylogenetic analysis in flax (Linum usitatissimum)

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is a member of family linaceae with annual growth habit. It is included among those crops which were domesticated very early and has been used in development related studies as a model plant. In plants, Calmodulin-binding transcription activators (CAMTAs) comprise a unique set of Calmodulin-binding proteins. To elucidate the transport mechanism of secondary metabolites in flax, a genome-based study on these transporters was performed. The current investigation identified nine CAMTAs proteins, classified into three categories during phylogenetic analysis. Each group had significant evolutionary role as illustrated by the conservation of gene structures, protein domains and motif organizations over the distinctive phylogenetic classes. GO annotation suggested a link to sequence-specific DNA and protein binding, response to low temperature and transcription regulation by RNA polymerase II. The existence of different hormonal and stress responsive cis-regulatory elements in promotor region may directly correlate with the variation of their transcripts. MicroRNA target analysis revealed that various groups of miRNA families targeted the LuCAMTAs genes. Identification of CAMTA genes, miRNA studies and phylogenetic analysis may open avenues to uncover the underlying functional mechanism of this important family of genes in flax.

Probing the Effects of Strong Electromagnetic Fields with Charge-Dependent Directed Flow in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC

The first measurement at the LHC of charge-dependent directed flow (v_{1}) relative to the spectator plane is presented for Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. Results are reported for charged hadrons and D^{0} mesons for the transverse momentum intervals p_{T}>0.2  GeV/c and 3<p_{T}<6  GeV/c in the 5%-40% and 10%-40% centrality classes, respectively. The difference between the positively and negatively charged hadron v_{1} has a positive slope as a function of pseudorapidity η, dΔv_{1}/dη=[1.68±0.49(stat)±0.41(syst)]×10^{-4}. The same measurement for D^{0} and D[over ¯]^{0} mesons yields a positive value dΔv_{1}/dη=[4.9±1.7(stat)±0.6(syst)]×10^{-1}, which is about 3 orders of magnitude larger than the one of the charged hadrons. These measurements can provide new insights into the effects of the strong electromagnetic field and the initial tilt of matter created in noncentral heavy ion collisions on the dynamics of light (u, d, and s) and heavy (c) quarks. The large difference between the observed Δv_{1} of charged hadrons and D^{0} mesons may reflect different sensitivity of the charm and light quarks to the early time dynamics of a heavy ion collision. These observations challenge some recent theoretical calculations, which predicted a negative and an order of magnitude smaller value of dΔv_{1}/dη for both light flavor and charmed hadrons.