Genistein effect in cultured ovine ovarian granulosa cells

Genistein, an isoflavone has the potential to mimic, augment, or dysregulate the steroid hormone production pathways. We hypothesized that genistein affects the granulosa cell (GCs) functions through a series of biochemical, molecular, and genomic cascades. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of genistein exposure on GCs viability, apoptosis, and steroidogenesis. The present study involved 3/5 days of exposure to genistein on GCs collected from abattoir-derived ovine ovaries at doses of 0, 1, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µM. The harvested GCs were used for growth, cytotoxicity, and gene expression studies related to apoptosis, growth, and steroidogenesis. We observed that genistein had both stimulatory at 10 and 25 µM levels as well as inhibitory effects at 50 and 100 µM levels on the growth and proliferation of GCs. Genistein significantly decreased the levels of 17β-estradiol at higher exposure (50 and 100 µM), whereas the progesterone level increased significantly as the genistein exposure increased. Additionally, genistein could also alter the mRNA expression of the steroidogenic receptor, enzymes, proteins, and growth-related genes suggesting that genistein could potentially alter the steroidogenic pathways. We conclude that genistein can interfere with cell survival and steroidogenesis by exhibiting a dose-dependent biphasic response on the viability, growth-related parameters, and the synthesis of 17β-estradiol in the cultured GCs.

Biochar influences nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in two texturally different soils

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are vital for crop growth. However, most agricultural systems have limited inherent ability to supply N and P to crops. Biochars (BCs) are strongly advocated in agrosystems and are known to improve the availability of N and P in crops through different chemical transformations. Herein, a soil-biochar incubation experiment was carried out to investigate the transformations of N and P in two different textured soils, namely clay loam and loamy sand, on mixing with rice straw biochar (RSB) and acacia wood biochar (ACB) at each level (0, 0.5, and 1.0% w/w). Ammonium N (NH4-N) decreased continuously with the increasing incubation period. The ammonium N content disappeared rapidly in both the soils incubated with biochars compared to the unamended soil. RSB increased the nitrate N (NO3-N) content significantly compared to ACB for the entire study period in both texturally divergent soils. The nitrate N content increased with the enhanced biochar addition rate in clay loam soil until 15 days after incubation; however, it was reduced for the biochar addition rate of 1% compared to 0.5% at 30 and 60 days after incubation in loamy sand soil. With ACB, the net increase in nitrate N content with the biochar addition rate of 1% remained higher than the 0.5% rate for 60 days in clay loam and 30 days in loamy sand soil. The phosphorus content remained consistently higher in both the soils amended with two types of biochars till the completion of the experiment.

Phenotypic and genetic characterization of unexplored, potential cattle population of Madhya Pradesh

Bawri or Garri, a non-descript cattle population managed under an extensive system in Madhya Pradesh state of India, was identified and characterized both genetically and phenotypically to check whether or not it can be recognised as a breed. The cattle have white and gray colour and are medium sized with 122.5 ± 7.5 cm and 109.45 ± 0.39 cm height at withers in male and female, respectively. Double-digest restriction site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing was employed to identify ascertainment bias free SNPs representing the entire genome cost effectively; resulting in calling 1,156,650 high quality SNPs. Observed homozygosity was 0.76, indicating Bawri as a quite unique population. However, the inbreeding coefficient was 0.025, indicating lack of selection. SNPs found here can be used in GWAS and genetic evaluation programs. Considering the uniqueness of Bawri cattle, it can be registered as a breed for its better genetic management.

Long-term application of agronomic management strategies effects on soil organic carbon, energy budgeting, and carbon footprint under rice-wheat cropping system

In the plains of western North India, traditional rice and wheat cropping systems (RWCS) consume a significant amount of energy and carbon. In order to assess the long-term energy budgets, ecological footprint, and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollutants from RWCS with residual management techniques, field research was conducted which consisted of fourteen treatments that combined various tillage techniques, fertilization methods, and whether or not straw return was present in randomized block design. By altering the formation of aggregates and the distribution of carbon within them, tillage techniques can affect the dynamics of organic carbon in soil and soil microbial activity. The stability of large macro-aggregates (> 2 mm), small macro-aggregates (2.0-2.25 mm), and micro-aggregates in the topsoil were improved by 35.18%, 33.52%, and 25.10%, respectively, over conventional tillage (0-20 cm) using tillage strategies for conservation methods (no-till in conjunction with straw return and organic fertilizers). The subsoil (20-40 cm) displayed the same pattern. In contrast to conventional tilling with no straw returns, macro-aggregates of all sizes and micro-aggregates increased by 24.52%, 28.48%, and 18.12%, respectively, when conservation tillage with organic and chemical fertilizers was used. The straw return (aggregate-associated C) also resulted in a significant increase in aggregate-associated carbon. When zero tillage was paired with straw return, chemical, and organic fertilizers, the topsoil's overall aggregate-associated C across all aggregate proportions increased. Conversely, conventional tillage, in contrast to conservation tillage, included straw return as well as chemical and organic fertilizers and had high aggregate-associated C in the subsurface. This study finds that tillage techniques could change the dynamics of microbial biomass in soils and organic soil carbon by altering the aggregate and distribution of C therein.

Health Emergency Risk Management in World Health Organization - South-East Asia Region during 2014-2023: synthesis of experiences

Health Emergency Risk Management (ERM) has become increasingly critical on the global stage, prompted by the escalating frequency and severity of natural disasters and disease outbreaks. This paper offers a comprehensive synthesis of the World Health Organization's (WHO) experiences in the South-East Asia Region during the period 2014-2023, shedding light on its efforts to manage health emergencies and enhance resilience. The South-East Asia Region's unique environmental and economic diversity exposes it to significant health risks, including emerging infectious diseases and their implications for development, particularly in low-income countries. Here we document the transition from reactive emergency responses to proactive preparedness, catalyzed by prioritizing ERM as one of the regional flagship priorities in 2014. Key components of this initiative included capacity-building, the establishment of the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF), and the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). This synthesis highlights the region's achievements in event reporting, development of national actions plan, successful Early Warning, Alert, and Response System (EWARS) implementation, and improvements in core capacities under IHR (2005). It also underscores the challenges associated with cross-border data sharing and regional collaboration that could strengthen ERM and enhance readiness for effective synergistic response.

Feasibility and outcomes of Desarda vs Lichtenstein hernioplasty by local anesthesia for inguinal hernia: a noninferiority randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

The Desarda autologous tissue repair is comparable to the Lichtenstein hernioplasty for inguinal hernia regarding recurrence, chronic groin pain, and return to work activities. This study was designed to establish the outcomes of Desarda's repair versus Lichtenstein's hernioplasty concerning post-operative recovery to normal gait and its feasibility under local anesthesia (LA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was a single-center, prospective, double-blinded, non-inferiority, randomized trial. Patients undergoing open hernia repair for primary inguinal hernia were included. Patients were randomly assigned and followed up for 2 years. The primary endpoint was the time to return to normal gait post-surgery with comfort (non-inferiority margin fixed as 0.5 days). The secondary outcomes studied were post-operative pain score, the time required to return to work (all previously performed activities), and surgical-site occurrences (SSO).

RESULTS

One hundred ten eligible patients were randomly assigned [56 patients (50.9%) in the Desarda group and 54 patients (49.1%) in the Lichtenstein group]. All the procedures were safely performed under LA. The median (interquartile range) time for resuming gait post-surgery with comfort was 5 days in the Desarda vs 4 days in Lichtenstein's arm (P = 0.16), thereby failing to demonstrate non-inferiority of Desarda against Lichtenstein hernioplasty. However, there were no significant differences in days to return to work, SSO, chronic groin pain, and recurrence within two years of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study could not demonstrate the non-inferiority of the Desarda repair versus Lichtenstein hernioplasty regarding the time taken to return to normal gait. Comparing the days to return to work, pain score, SSO, and chronic groin pain, including recurrence rate, Desarda repair faired equally with Lichtenstein hernioplasty, thereby highlighting its feasibility and efficacy under LA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03512366.

Global DNA methylation, DNA methyltransferase and stress-related gene expression in ovine oocytes and embryos after exposure to metabolic stressors

DNA methylation, considered the most prominent epigenetic mark was important for the gene regulation in embryonic development. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of metabolic stressors [Non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), β-hydroxy-butyric acid (BHB), ammonia and urea] exposure during the in vitro ovine oocyte maturation, global DNA methylation, DNA methyltransferase and stress-related gene expression. Colorimetric analysis of global DNA methylation and the expression of the DNA methyltransferase genes (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B) were assessed in the matured oocytes, 2-cell embryos and blastocysts produced in vitro from oocytes exposed with the metabolic stressors during 24 h of the in vitro maturation (IVM). Further, the mRNA expression of the stress-related genes (SOD1, SOD2) in the matured oocytes, 2-cell embryos and blastocysts produced was assessed. Significant difference in global DNA methylation levels between all the treatments tested was observed when compared with control in oocytes, two-cell embryos and blastocysts. Elevated concentration of metabolic stressors resulted in increased expressions of several stress-related genes, i.e., SOD1, SOD2 and in mRNA expression of DNA methyltransferase genes. The present study is the first to report that the DNA methylation was sensitive to the effects of the metabolic stressors in ovine oocytes/embryos. The aberrant expressions of genes during oocyte development targeted in the present study can provide evidence for the early embryo developmental arrest and blastocysts quality. These results highlighted the sensitivity of the early embryogenesis and more precisely of the reprogramming period to metabolites challenges, in a realistic situation of elevated concentration of metabolic stressors.

Quasi-static indentation damage mechanics of PU foam core reinforced with fly ash particulate

The fly ash (FA) particulates are used in this study to reinforce the polyurethane foam (PUF) core. The FA particles inclusion improves the mechanical performance of the PUF core under compression by increasing its modulus of elasticity. Low-velocity impacts have damage dynamics that are pretty similar to quasi-static indentation. Consequently, the indentation resistance capability of the PUF core is investigated for three types of indenter nose tips with varied FA wt. Percentages (flat-circular, hemispherical, and conical). The results reveal that the reinforced foam core’s resistance varies with reinforcement percentage under indentation. However, FA reinforcement to PUF does not necessarily improve indentation resistance. The damage mechanism of the PUF core under indentation has been evaluated for each type of indenter. The interaction of crushing, shear, and tear of the damaged surface with the change in indenter nose tip has been explained with 0–20% variation of FA particles. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images are taken for the analysis of the damaged PUF core cross-section at the indented location. Earlier mechanical findings of the scatter in deformation behavior with the indenter nose tip geometry are substantiated by the SEM studies.

Energy decomposition and waterswapping analysis to investigate the SNP associated DPD mediated 5-FU resistance

5-fluorouracil is an essential component of systemic chemotherapy for colon, breast, head, and neck cancer patients. However, tumoral overexpression of the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase has rendered 5-FU clinically ineffective by inactivating it to 5'-6'-dihydro fluorouracil. The responses to 5-FU in terms of efficacy and toxicity greatly differ depending upon the population group, because of variability in the DPD activity levels. In the current study, key active site amino acids involved in the 5-FU inactivation were investigated by modelling the 3D structure of human DPD in a complex with 5-FU. The identified amino acids were analyzed for their possible missense mutations available in dbSNP database. Out of 12 missense SNPs, four were validated either by sequencing in the 1000 Genomes project or frequency/genotype data. The recorded validated missense SNPs were further considered to analyze the effect of their respective alterations on 5-FU binding. Overall findings suggested that population bearing the Glu611Val DPD mutation (rs762523739) is highly vulnerable to 5-FU resistance. From the docking, electrostatic complementarity, dynamics, and energy decomposition analyses it was found that the above mutation showed superior scores than the wild DPD -5FU complex. Therefore, prescribing prodrug NUC-3373 or DPD inhibitors (Gimeracil/3-Cyano-2,6-Dihydroxypyridines) as adjuvant therapy may overcome the 5-FU resistance.

Massive Subcutaneous Emphysema and Pneumothorax in a Case of Attacked by a Domesticated Bull - An Autopsy Based Diagnosis

Subcutaneous emphysema is a condition when air or gas gets trapped within the subcutaneous layer. It is characterised by crackling feeling on palpation of the skin known as subcutaneous crepitation which is described as touching rice krispies. A 70 years male from hilly region of Nepal with agricultural background suffered multiple injuries sustained due to an attack by domesticated bull in his house. Upon the incident the injured male was taken to hospital, where he was declared "Brought Dead" by the Emergency Department of Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital. His body was brought for autopsy in Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences. On complete autopsy, massive subcutaneous emphysema and pneumothorax was demonstrated. The details of finding are discussed in detail as follows.

Leaf rust responsive miRNA and their target genes in wheat

Small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) and degradome analysis were used for the identification of miRNAs and their target host genes in a pair of near-isogenic lines (NILs), which differed for the presence of leaf rust resistance gene Lr28. The study led to identification of (i) 506 known and 346 novel miRNAs; and (ii) 5054 target genes including 4557 in silico predicted and 497 degradome-based genes using 105 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs. A subset of 128 targets (67 in silico + 61 degradome-based) was differentially expressed in RNA-seq data that was generated by us earlier using the same pair of NILs; among these 128 targets, 58 target genes exhibited an inverse relationship with the DE miRNAs (expression of miRNAs and activation/suppression of target genes). Eight miRNAs which belonged to the conserved miRNA families and were known to be induced in response to fungal diseases in plants included the following: miR156, miR158, miR159, miR168, miR169, miR172, miR319, miR396. The target genes belonged to the following classes of genes known to be involved in downstream disease resistance pathways; peroxidases, sugar transporters, auxin response signaling, oxidation-reduction, etc. It was also noticed that although a majority of miRNAs and target genes followed the above classical inverse relationship, there were also examples, where no such relationship was observed. Among the target genes, there were also 51 genes that were not only regulated by miRNAs, but were also differentially methylated at sequences including the following segments: promotors, introns, TSS, exons. The results of the present study suggest a complex interplay among miRNA genes, target genes, and various epigenetic controls, which regulate the expression of genes involved in downstream pathways for disease resistance.

Genetic characterization of donkeys of Braj region of India

The grey type donkeys of Braj region of Uttar Pradesh in India were genetically characterized using ten heterologous microsatellite loci. At these loci the PCR product size ranged from 75-95 bp at locus HTG6 to 251-277 bp at locus COR18. The observed number of alleles varied from 4 (HTG15) to 10 (HTG7 and AHT4) with a mean of 7.50 ± 1.96. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.46 (HTG6 and NVHEQ54) to 0.79 (COR18) with a mean of 0.66 ± 0.12. The mean genetic diversity estimate (FIS) was 0.157. When these donkeys were compared on the basis of allelic frequency data at these loci to the brown type donkeys of Ladakh, Spiti and Rayalseema regions in the union territories/states of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, respectively, they clustered independently from these three donkey populations in a dendrogram based on Goldstein's average square distances indicating their genetic distinctness.

Evaluation of Antinociceptive Activity of Ficus Religiosa Root Extract in Swiss Albino Mice

Background Ficus religiosa, commonly known as peepal, is widely distributed in Indian subcontinent. It has been used as an antiepileptic, aphrodisiac, analgesic, antiinflammatory and laxative in traditional medicine. Objective To explore the analgesic effect of aqueous root extract of Ficus religiosa using thermal and chemical models of pain in swiss albino mice. Method The aqueous aerial root extract of Ficus religiosa was prepared using soxhlet apparatus. The anti-nociceptive effect of the extract at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg was evaluated using peripheral (acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing), spinal (tail flick) and supra-spinal (hot plate) behavioral models of pain. All data were presented as Mean ± SEM. Statistical differences between Ficus religiosa (50 and 100 mg/kg) and standard control groups were evaluated using Mann-Whitney U test. Result There was significant dose dependent increase in the mean reaction time compared to the vehicle control in hot plate and tail- flick test. In acetic acid induced writhing test, mice treated with Ficus religiosa (50 and 100 mg/kg) exhibited significant dose-dependent decrease in the mean number of writhes (57.45% and 79.20% respectively) compared to the vehicle control. The activity of Ficus religiosa extract at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg was equipotent to Standard control (Morphine and Indomethacin) used in different test models. Conclusion The extract of Ficus religiosa possesses both central and peripheral analgesic activity thus validating the traditional use of this plant in the management of pain.

Transcriptome profiling reveals the genes and pathways involved in thermo-tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotype Raj 3765

Wheat, one of the most widely consumed staple food crops globally, is relatively vulnerable to high temperature-induced heat stress. It is therefore essential to gain more insight into the comprehensive mechanism of thermotolerance of wheat in order to safeguard its production. In view of this, we analysed heat stress responsive transcriptome data of wheat to determine its gene expression level under heat stress. A total of 7990 DEGs, including 4483 up-regulated and 3507 down regulated genes were identified. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis categorized 3910 DEGs into different ontology families. 146 pathways involving 814 DEGs were enriched during KEGG analysis. Metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites were the major pathways enriched. MYB (myeloblastosis) transcription factors (TFs) and many other TFs as bHLH, WRKY, NAC, ERF, were determined to be quite abundant in the DEGs. Since various reports indicate that these TFs play important role in plants abiotic stress, it is an indication that our DEGs are functional in heat stress tolerance. Verification of few selected DEGs using RT-qPCR produced expression levels similar to the transcriptome data. This indicates that the transcriptome data is reliable. These results could be helpful in enhancing our understanding of the mechanism underlying thermotolerance in wheat.

Anthropogenic arsenic menace in contaminated water near thermal power plants and coal mining areas of India

Coal mining and coal combustion in thermal power plants (TPPs) are the major anthropogenic sources of arsenic (As) contamination in many different industrial regions. In this study of industrial regions of West Bengal and Singrauli, it is observed that there is an anthropogenic contribution to the contamination from As-bearing coal. Up to 14.53 mg/kg of As is obtained in coal of West Bengal which also has very high average Fe concentration (16,095 mg/kg) along with high concentration of Cu, Mn and Hg. Similar observations are also found in Singrauli Industrial Region where 3.14 mg/kg of As with very high concentration of Fe 43,867 mg/kg along with high Cu, Mn and Hg concentration is found in coal samples. This low-grade bituminous coal contains arsenopyrite as observed by SEM-EDX. Arsenopyrite is converted to arsenolite upon combustion in these TPPs as observed in XRD. The fly ash has average As concentration of 1.53 mg/kg for West Bengal and 2.38 mg/kg for Singrauli Industrial Region and high concentration of toxic elements. The soil near these TPPs and mining areas is enriched in As, Fe, Hg, Cu and Mn. Not only As but high concentrations of Fe, Hg, Mn are also observed from analysis of water which relates to the anthropogenic inputs. The dissolution of arsenolite in reducing environments caused by periodic flooding releases As into water. Hence, the As contamination in the study area also has anthropogenic origin from coal consumption in TPPs.

Utility of serum Galactomannan in diagnosing COVID-19 patients with suspected IPA: an observational study in resource limited settings

OBJECTIVE

To study the utility of Galactomannan (GM) antigen as a screening marker for diagnosing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The serum samples from patients with severe COVID-19 diseases admitted to the Critical Care Unit were collected on the 5th day of admission for GM screening. The samples were analysed by enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) and GM index of more than 1 was considered as positive. All GM positive patients were serially followed until discharge or death.

RESULTS

The GM was raised in serum of 12 out of 38 patients, indicating an incidence of possible COVID-19 associated IPA (CAPA) in 31.57% of patients. The median age of these CAPA patients was 56.5 years, males were significantly more affected than females. The inflammatory marker serum ferritin was raised in all 12 patients (median value of 713.74 ng/ml), while IL-6 was raised in 9 patients (median value of 54.13 ng/ml). None of these patients received antifungals. Their median length of hospital stay was 20 days (IQR: 12, 34 days). All these patients succumbed to the illness.

CONCLUSIONS

The serum GM appears to be sensitive diagnostic tool to identify early IPA in COVID-19 patients and pre-emptive antifungal therapy could play a role in salvaging these patients.

Burden of Silicosis among stone crushing workers in India

BACKGROUND

In North India, the mining industry is disorganized and profit-driven. It predisposes its workers towards the development of silicosis. Haryana, a major North Indian state, has developed a compensation-rehabilitation policy for mining workers.

AIMS

This study is the review of the policy's functioning and limitation from the first 4 years of implementation.

METHOD

The labour department does surveillance of workers in the mining industry. All suspected cases of silicosis are evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. Based on the final diagnosis, the compensation is decided.

RESULT

Nearly 5000 workers were screened, and 729 appeared before the medical board. Of these 729, 465 were having silicosis, and their data are presented here (data of 7 patients were missing). All workers were males. The mean age was 44.54 ± 9.6 years, and the mean exposure (work experience) was 17.25 ± 6.7 years. Most of the workers were between the age of 40 and 50 years and had exposure for 10-20 years. Chest radiography examination showed that progressive massive fibrosis (large size type C opacities) was the most common type of presentation (23%). Smaller opacities (p, q, r and s, t, u) were combined for further analysis, given their similar prognostic significance. It was found that age and experience both had a linear and significant correlation with the severity of lung involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly a quarter of subjects were suffering from the worst type of lung involvement at screening itself. The policy has laid a foundation for the welfare of workers, but there is still a long way to go.

Structure based designing of thiazolidinone-pyrimidine derivatives as ERK2 inhibitors: Synthesis and in vitro evaluation

Breast cancer has been associated with an overexpression of various molecular targets; accordingly, various target-specific chemotherapeutic agents have been developed. Inhibition of ERK2, a member of MAPK pathway, is an important target involved in the treatment of both oestrogen receptor-positive and triple-negative breast cancer. Thus, in continuation of our previous work on the ERK2 target, we here report novel inhibitors of this kinase. Out of three lead molecules reported in our previous study, we selected the thiazolidinone-pyrimidine scaffold for further development of small molecule inhibitors of ERK2. Analogues of the lead molecule were docked in the target kinase, followed by molecular dynamic simulations and MM-GBSA calculations. Analogues maintaining key interactions with amino acid residues in the ATP-binding domain of ERK2 were selected and duly synthesized. In vitro biochemical evaluation of these molecules against ERK2 kinase disclosed that two molecules possess significant kinase inhibitory potential with IC₅₀ values ≤ 0.5 µM.

A new host record for Candidatus Phytoplasma cynodontis (16Sr XIV-A) associated with phyllody and fasciation of linseed (Linum usitatissimum) from India

Linseed commonly called as flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum Linn.) is an important oilseed crop cultivated widely in Northern parts of Karnataka. During, 2019 (January-February), a characteristic disease was noticed with symptoms that resembled phytoplasma or like disease symptoms. The incidence was ranged from 6·5 to 16·5% in the experimental station of Raichur Agricultural University. The typical symptoms observed were virescence of floral parts, fasciation of the inflorescence axis, phyllody, stunted and flattened stem with reduced leaves. Symptomatic and healthy samples were collected and processed for molecular detection of phytoplasma. Total DNA was isolated from four infected plants and two healthy plants. The 16S rDNA region was amplified using P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 primer pair which showed the amplification of expected amplicon size from all four infected samples. Furthermore, the SecA gene was amplified using SecA1/SecA3 primers. The PCR amplified products were subjected for direct sequencing from both directions and the consensus sequences were obtained and nBLAST search analysis revealed that the 16Sr RNA and SecA sequences were sharing maximum similarity (100%) with the reference sequence of Ca. P. cynodontis. The sequences were analysed phylogenetically by constructing a Phylogram independently by NJ method along with reference sequence of 16S rRNA region and SecA region retrieved from GenBank database showed that the phytoplasma sequence from linseed phyllody of the present study placed in a distinct clade along with reference sequence of "Ca. P. cynodontis" thus confirming the identity phylogenetically. Furthermore, iPhyClassifier and virtual RFLP proved that the phytoplasma belonged to 16SrXIV (subgroup A) phytoplasma. Previously linseed is known to be associated with 16SrII-D phytoplasma but the association of the 16SrXIV-A group of phytoplasma is not reported so far. Therefore, this is the new host record for Ca. P. cynodontis (16SrXIV-A) phytoplasma associated with linseed stem fasciation, phyllody from India.

Epidemiological and Clinical factors associated with mortality of confirmed Covid-19 cases admitted and treated in a tertiary care hospital of Patna, Bihar

Background: A significant proportion of the individuals having the illness of moderate to severe nature due to COVID-19 infection require immediate critical care. High incidence of mortality among elderly population or those with comorbid conditions were reported. Objectives: The study was carried out with objectives to assess the epidemiological and clinical factors associated with mortality among the COVID-19 cases admitted and treated in AIIMS, Patna. Methods: This was a hospital‑based cross‑sectional analytical study of epidemiological and clinical features of COVID‑19‑positive patients admitted and treated during the outbreak from March 20, to August 31, 2020. Results: The median age of COVID-19 cases was 51.5 years (IQR : 37-62 years) which was significantly higher (p-value = 0.001) as compared to females. Male-female ratio of cases was 2.88:1. Out of 1696 cases, the case-fatality rate was 309 (18.22%). The mean age of cases who died due to COVID-19 was significantly higher (p-value=0.001) as compared to those who survived. The odds of mortality was significantly higher in males as compared to females (Adjusted OR = 1.534, 95% CI = 1.10 – 2.13, p=0.011). The odds of mortality showed a significant increasing trend with increasing age (Mantel-Hanszel p-value for trend = 0.015). The covariates like gender, age groups 45-59, 60-74 and 75>=, breathlessness and CKD were found to be significantly associated with mortality after controlling for the confounders. Conclusions: Factors like gender, higher age, lower oxygen saturation causing breathlessness and chronic kidney diseases could be attributed to high risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Changes in fecal microbiota with CFTR modulator therapy: A pilot study

Studies have demonstrated that people with CF with pancreatic insufficiency (PI) have fecal dysbioses. Evidence suggests the causes of these dysbioses are multifactorial, and that important drivers include antibiotic exposure, dietary intake, and CF gastrointestinal tract dysfunction, including nutrient malabsorption. In this pilot study, we tested whether initiation of the CFTR modulator treatments ivacaftor (in a cohort of pancreatic sufficient (PS) people with CF and an R117H CFTR variant) or lumacaftor/ivacaftor (in a cohort of PI people with CF and an F508del variant) changed fecal measures of malabsorption or fecal microbiomes. While we identified no statistically significant fecal changes with either treatment, we detected trends in the PI cohort when initiating lumacaftor/ivacaftor towards decreased fecal fat content and towards fecal microbiomes that more closely resembled the fecal microbiota of people without PI. While these findings support a model in which nutrient malabsorption resulting from CF-induced PI drives fecal dysbiosis, they must be validated in future, larger studies of fecal microbiome and malabsorption outcomes with highly effective CFTR modulator therapies.

Predictability of Sex from Frontal Sinus in Nepalese Population

Background Various methods had been used for personal identification. Scientific basis of identification was initiated and progressed after 19th century which may be attributed to various scientists. With the invention of X-ray the field of identification further progressed. Modern radiological diagnostic equipments have greatly assisted in the field of forensic. Frontal sinuses are paired lobulated air cavities located posterior to superciliary arches in the frontal bone. Computed Tomography is best used to study frontal sinuses. Objective To evaluate bilateral Frontal sinus for sexual dimorphism using Computed Tomography. Method Anterior posterior length, transverse width and height of the bilateral Frontal sinus were directly measured on CT DICOM image, using Electronic Caliper in DICOM viewer software. A total 100 CT scans, 50 of each sex were collected was analysed using SPSS-20 in present study. Result The mean age distribution for male is 34.74±8.66, and for females 35.34±8.88. The mean of all the measurements take was larger in males in comparison to females with p < 0.00. The paired t test showed left side is larger than right. The discriminant function showed high significance for each measurement and also when all the measurements were combined. Conclusion Though the study being unique for Nepalese population, caution should be taken when frontal sinus is used as the only parameter. However in combination with other morphometric data is advised.

Terbinafine resistance in dermatophytes: Time to revisit alternate antifungal therapy

Resistant superficial dermatophytic infections of the skin and its appendages have emerged as a major health problem in India. Mutations in Squalene epoxidase gene have led to increasing incidence of resistance to terbinafine in dermatophytic isolates. We examined six patients with recalcitrant dermatophytosis attending Dermatology OPD at a tertiary care hospital and demonstrated terbinafine resistance by molecular method. Immediate hyperitivity (IH) reaction to Trichophytin antigen was highlighted in these patients. The patients were treated with alternate antifungals after demonstration of resistance to terbinafine based on the antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST). On follow up the patients responded well to the substitute but the duration of therapy had to be prolonged beyond six weeks.

Bunching of light ions driven by heavy-ion front in multispecies ion beam accelerated by laser

Deeply modulated ion spectra from contaminants present on the target surface were measured at the interaction of ultraintense (2-5)×10^{20}W/cm^{2} and high-contrast laser pulses (≲10^{-10}) with thin (∼μm) and ultrathin (∼nm) targets. This phenomenon, observed over a wide range of laser and target parameters, suggests that it is a generic feature of multispecies ion acceleration at high laser pulse contrast. The modulation is ascribed to the acceleration of various ion species at the rear of the target with steplike density profiles which provide well-separated ion species in the accelerated beam. The observed coincidence of the velocity of the modulated region in the ion spectra with the maximum velocity of another ion with a lower mass-to-charge ratio is consistent with this model. The impact of heavy ions on light ions leads to a spectral "bunching" of light ions. Two-dimensional modeling has shown that high laser contrast prevents backside plasma expansion, which provides a well separated ion species with a steplike density profile that allows for the additional acceleration of "light" ions by the slower moving "heavy"-ion front. Spectral modulations can be controlled by tuning the ratio of heavy to light ions in future experiments with ultrathin rear coatings.

Identification of a new potential native Indian cattle breed by population differentiation based on microsatellite markers

India has a rich heritage of rearing cattle where farmers selected native cattle suitable to their local agro-ecological conditions for centuries. It is reflected in 50 indigenous breeds of cattle, besides many lesser known populations not explored so far. It is the need of the hour to characterize such populations to have prudent improvement and conservation options. Thus, present study was carried out to assess the genetic diversity and relationship between an unexplored local cattle population (Kathani) and four established cattle breeds of adjoining area (Gaolao, Kosali, Ongole and Motu) by using 20 FAO recommended microsatellite markers. High variability was recorded in the Kathani population with a total of 198 alleles that varied between 5 (ILSTS11, TGLA22, INRA05) and 17 (ILSTS34) with a mean of 9.9 ± 0.73. The average observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.658 ± 0.054. Heterozygote deficiency was not significant (F_IS = 0.029 ± 0.063) indicating random mating prevalent across this population. Mean estimates of observed number of alleles and heterozygosity over all the loci and five populations were 9.73 ± 0.421 and 0.617 ± 0.022, respectively. In the overall populations, the homozygote excess (F_IT) of 0.293 ± 0.032, was partly due to the homozygote excess within breeds (F_IS = 0.121 ± 0.025) and to a larger extent due to high (0.05 < F_ST < 0.15) genetic differentiation among them (F_ST = 0.195 ± 0.029). Substantial pairwise Nei's genetic distance and high population differentiation indicated towards separate genetic identity of Kathani cattle. The analysis of genetic structure based on Bayesian approach indicated that the most probable number of clusters is five confirming definitive genetic differentiation among all the popultions. Entire analysis showed that a significant amount of genetic variation is maintained in Kathani, a lesser known cattle population that is distinct from the recognized breeds in the proximity. As this autochthonous cattle plays role in the economic sustainability of a marginal and disadvantaged area, it is important to preserve and develop its breeding.

Allelic sequence variation in the Sub1A, Sub1B and Sub1C genes among diverse rice cultivars and its association with submergence tolerance

Erratic rainfall leading to flash flooding causes huge yield losses in lowland rice. The traditional varieties and landraces of rice possess variable levels of tolerance to submergence stress, but gene discovery and utilization of these resources has been limited to the Sub1A-1 allele from variety FR13A. Therefore, we analysed the allelic sequence variation in three Sub1 genes in a panel of 179 rice genotypes and its association with submergence tolerance. Population structure and diversity analysis based on a 36-plex genome wide genic-SNP assay grouped these genotypes into two major categories representing Indica and Japonica cultivar groups with further sub-groupings into Indica, Aus, Deepwater and Aromatic-Japonica cultivars. Targetted re-sequencing of the Sub1A, Sub1B and Sub1C genes identfied 7, 7 and 38 SNPs making 8, 9 and 67 SNP haplotypes, respectively. Haplotype networks and phylogenic analysis revealed evolution of Sub1B and Sub1A genes by tandem duplication and divergence of the ancestral Sub1C gene in that order. The alleles of Sub1 genes in tolerant reference variety FR13A seem to have evolved most recently. However, no consistent association could be found between the Sub1 allelic variation and submergence tolerance probably due to low minor allele frequencies and presence of exceptions to the known Sub1A-1 association in the genotype panel. We identified 18 cultivars with non-Sub1A-1 source of submergence tolerance which after further mapping and validation in bi-parental populations will be useful for development of superior flood tolerant rice cultivars.

Cost-Effective Home Mechanical Ventilation in Neurosurgery Patients: Case Series of Three Patients

Background  Neurological patients who are ventilator-dependent occupy scarce beds in the hospitals for prolonged periods of time. Most, if not all, can be discharged on home mechanical ventilation (HMV). However, due to lack of insurance and state support, it remains prohibitively expensive for the vast majority of those who require it most.

Materials and Methods  The authors discuss three patients admitted in the Department of Neurosurgery between January and August 2019, who were discharged on HMV after remaining on ventilator support for prolonged period in the hospital. Each patient was discharged with two units (one as standby) of AgVa home ventilator (AgVa Healthcare; New Delhi, India), one Ambu-bag, one pulse oximeter, and one backup power supply unit capable of supplying power to ventilator for a minimum of 24 hours. All the equipment were given free-of-cost through donations by hospital staffs and other donors. All patients were followed up telephonically from their homes and the incidence of complications, ventilator malfunction, and additional cost of HMV on the families were ascertained.

Observation and Results  Of the three patients, two were male and one female. Age ranged from 12 to 17 years. The duration of in-hospital ventilator support prior to discharge on HMV varied from 1 to 5 years. There was no insurance cover available for any of the patients with all expenses being “out of pocket.” The equipment cost Indian Rupees (INR) 115,700 (USD 1,615: two units of AgVa home ventilator costing INR 100,000 [USD 1,396], one Ambu-bag costing INR 1,100 [USD 15], one pulse oximeter costing INR 1,600 [USD 22], and one backup power supply unit costing INR 13,000 [USD 182]). Discharge on HMV was planned on specific request from patients’ families and informed consent was taken from all. All patients had tracheostomies. Mode of HMV was pressure support ventilation in all. Telephonic follow-up ranged from 1 to 7 months. The cost of disposables was INR 100 per month (USD 0.7) for all the patients. No complications occurred in any patient. There was no incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) or ventilator malfunction.

Conclusions  Availability of cost-effective indigenous ventilator like AgVa home has made HMV possible, even for poor patients with neurological diseases, and has the potential to improve quality of life, decrease VAP rates, and free up scarce ventilator beds in hospitals. Longer-term follow-up in larger number of patients will improve the data on safety and feasibility in developing countries like India.

Structure based designing of benzimidazole/benzoxazole derivatives as anti-leishmanial agents

Folates are essential biomolecules required to carry out many crucial processes in leishmania parasite. Dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) and pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1) involved in folate biosynthesis in leishmania have been established as suitable targets for development of chemotherapy against leishmaniasis. In the present study, various computational tools such as homology modelling, pharmacophore modelling, docking, molecular dynamics and molecular mechanics have been employed to design dual DHFR-TS and PTR1 inhibitors. Two designed molecules, i.e. 2-(4-((4-nitrobenzyl)oxy)phenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole and 2-(4-((2,4-dichlorobenzyl)oxy)phenyl)-1H-benzo[d]oxazolemolecules were synthesized. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay was performed to evaluate in vitro activity of molecules against promastigote form of Leishmania donovani using Miltefosine as standard. 2-(4-((4-nitrobenzyl)oxy)phenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole and 2-(4-((2,4-dichlorobenzyl)oxy)phenyl)-1H-benzo[d]oxazolemolecules were found to be moderately active with showed IC₅₀ = 68 ± 2.8 µM and 57 ± 4.2 µM, respectively.

Structural and biochemical studies of phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase from Acinetobacter baumannii with dephospho-coenzyme A and coenzyme A

Phosphopantetheine adenylyl transferase catalyzes a rate limiting penultimate step of the multistep reaction which produces coenzyme A (CoA) as a final product. CoA is required as an essential cofactor in a number of metabolic reactions. Therefore inhibiting the function of this enzyme will lead to cell death in bacteria. Acinetobacter baumannii is multi drug resistant pathogen and causes infections in immunocompromised patients. AbPPAT has been cloned, expressed, purified and crystallized and structures of two complexes of AbPPAT with dephospho coenzyme A (dPCoA) and coenzyme A (CoA) have been determined. Both dPCoA and CoA molecules are observed in the substrate binding site of AbPPAT. A comparison with the structures of the complexes of PPAT from other species shows that the orientations of dPCoA are identical in all the structures. On the other hand, as observed from the structures of the complexes of CoA with PPAT, the orientations of CoA are found to differ considerably. This shows that the substrates occupy identical positions in the substrate binding sites of enzymes whereas the positions of inhibitors may differ. The binding studies carried out using fluorescence method and surface plasmon resonance techniques showed that binding affinity of CoA towards AbPPAT is nearly three times higher than that of dPCoA.

Tracking the adoption of bread wheat varieties in Afghanistan using DNA fingerprinting

BACKGROUND

Wheat is the most important staple crop in Afghanistan and accounts for the main part of cereal production. However, wheat production has been unstable during the last decades and the country depends on seed imports. Wheat research in Afghanistan has emphasized releases of new, high-yielding and disease resistant varieties but rates of adoption of improved varieties are uncertain. We applied DNA fingerprinting to assess wheat varieties grown in farmers' fields in four Afghan provinces.

RESULTS

Of 560 samples collected from farmers' fields during the 2015-16 cropping season, 74% were identified as varieties released after 2000, which was more than the number reported by farmers and indicates the general prevalence of use of improved varieties, albeit unknowingly. At the same time, we found that local varieties and landraces have been replaced and were grown by 4% fewer farmers than previously reported. In 309 cases (58.5%), farmers correctly identified the variety they were growing, while in 219 cases (41.5%) farmers did not. We also established a reference library of released varieties, elite breeding lines, and Afghan landraces, which confirms the greater genetic diversity of the landraces and their potential importance as a genetic resource.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is the first in wheat to apply DNA fingerprinting at scale for an accurate assessment of wheat varietal adoption and our findings point up the importance of DNA fingerprinting for accuracy in varietal adoption studies.

Pain during Injection of Propofol: The Effect of Prior Administration of Ephedrine

Propofol causes pain on intravenous injection in 28 to 90% of patients. A number of techniques have been tried to minimize propofol-induced pain, with variable results. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we compared the efficacy of ephedrine 30 μg/kg pretreatment to lignocaine 40 mg for prevention of propofol-induced pain. Ninety-three adult patients, ASA 1 and 2, undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned to three groups of 31 each. Group 1 received normal saline, group 2 received lignocaine 2% (40 mg) and group 3 received 30 μg/kg ephedrine. All pretreatment drugs were made up to 2 ml. Pain at the time of propofol injection was assessed on a four-point scale: 0=no pain, 1=mild pain, 2=moderate pain, and 3=severe pain. Twenty-seven patients (87%) of ephedrine pretreatment patients had pain during intravenous injection of propofol as compared to 24 (77%) in the normal saline group. In the lignocaine group, propofol-induced pain was observed in only 13 (42%) when compared with other study groups (P<0.05). Pretreatment with ephedrine 30 μg/kg did not attenuate pain associated with intravenous injection of propofol, nor did it improve haemodynamic stability during induction. However, pretreatment with 2% lignocaine (40 mg) was effective in attenuating propofol-associated pain.

Laser Acceleration of Highly Energetic Carbon Ions Using a Double-Layer Target Composed of Slightly Underdense Plasma and Ultrathin Foil

We report the experimental generation of highly energetic carbon ions up to 48 MeV per nucleon by shooting double-layer targets composed of well-controlled slightly underdense plasma and ultrathin foils with ultraintense femtosecond laser pulses. Particle-in-cell simulations reveal that carbon ions are ejected from the ultrathin foils due to radiation pressure and then accelerated in an enhanced sheath field established by the superponderomotive electron flow. Such a cascaded acceleration is especially suited for heavy ion acceleration with femtosecond laser pulses. The breakthrough of heavy ion energy up to many tens of MeV/u at a high repetition rate would be able to trigger significant advances in nuclear physics, high energy density physics, and medical physics.

Response Surface Methodology-Genetic Algorithm Based Medium Optimization, Purification, and Characterization of Cholesterol Oxidase from Streptomyces rimosus

The applicability of the statistical tools coupled with artificial intelligence techniques was tested to optimize the critical medium components for the production of extracellular cholesterol oxidase (COD; an enzyme of commercial interest) from Streptomyces rimosus MTCC 10792. The initial medium component screening was performed using Placket-Burman design with yeast extract, dextrose, starch and ammonium carbonate as significant factors. Response surface methodology (RSM) was attempted to develop a statistical model with a significant coefficient of determination (R² = 0.89847), followed by model optimization using Genetic Algorithm (GA). RSM-GA based optimization approach predicted that the combination of yeast extract, dextrose, starch and ammonium carbonate at concentrations 0.99, 0.8, 0.1, and 0.05 g/100 ml respectively, has resulted in 3.6 folds increase in COD production (5.41 U/ml) in comparison with the un-optimized medium (1.5 U/ml). COD was purified 10.34 folds having specific activity of 12.37 U/mg with molecular mass of 54 kDa. The enzyme was stable at pH 7.0 and 40 °C temperature. The apparent Michaelis constant (K_m) and V_max values of COD were 0.043 mM and 2.21 μmol/min/mg, respectively. This is the first communication reporting RSM-GA based medium optimization, purification and characterization of COD by S. rimosus isolated from the forest soil of eastern India.

Candida auris in critically ill patients: Emerging threat in intensive care unit of hospitals

Candida auris has emerged as the multi-drug resistant non-albican candida species in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) causing bloodstream and other infections. It has often been misidentified as Candida famata, Candida sake, Rhodotorula glutinis, or Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida haemulonii by automated identification systems. We, in this study, discuss three patients who acquired Candida auris infection after 15 to 20days of their stay in medical ICU. Medical equipment, use of multiple antibiotics, and poor hand hygiene are the most probable predisposing factors attributing to its colonization at multiple anatomical sites leading to bloodstream infection. Candida auris might substantially contaminate the environment of colonized or infected patients making its eradication difficult. Patient screening for Candida auris, especially during prolonged ICU stays, along with strict infection prevention and control strategies needs to be adopted to break its persistence.

No yield penalty under favorable conditions paving the way for successful adoption of flood tolerant rice

Flooding is one of the major constraints for rice production in rainfed lowlands, especially in years and areas of high rainfall. Incorporating the Sub1 (Submergence1) gene into high yielding popular varieties has proven to be the most feasible approach to sustain rice production in submergence-prone areas. Introgression of this QTL into popular varieties has resulted in considerable improvement in yield after flooding. However, its impact under non-flooded conditions or years have not been thoroughly evaluated which is important for the farmers to accept and adopt any new version of their popular varieties. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Sub1 on grain yield of rice in different genetic backgrounds, under non-submergence conditions, over years and locations. The study was carried out using head to head trials in farmer’s fields, which enable the farmers to more accurately compare the performance of Sub1 varieties with their recurrent parents under own management. The data generated from different head to head trials revealed that the grain yield of Sub1 varieties was either statistically similar or higher than their non-Sub1 counterparts under non-submergence conditions. Thus, Sub1 rice varieties show no instance of yield penalty of the introgressed gene.

Anesthetic challenges of extrinsic trachea-bronchial compression due to posterior mediastinal mass: Our experience with a large esophageal mucocele

Large posterior mediastinal masses may lead threatening complications such as critical tracheobronchial compression. Airway management in these individuals is a challenge and being a lower airway obstruction; rescue strategies are limited. We encountered one such case of a large esophageal mucocele causing extrinsic tracheobronchial compression. We have described the anesthetic management of this case using awake fiber-optic assessment followed by intubation. Close communication with the surgical team, meticulous planning of airway management, and early drainage of the mucocele are the cornerstones of management in such patients.

Rapid detection of ethambutol-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical specimens by real-time polymerase chain reaction hybridisation probe method

Background

Early diagnosis of drug resistance (DR) to ethambutol (EMB) in tuberculosis (TB) remains a challenge. Simple and reliable method (s) are needed for rapid detection of DR Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in clinical specimens.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to design fluorescence resonance energy transfer hybridisation probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the early detection of EMB-resistant MTB direct from clinical sputa.

Materials and Methods

Primers and probes were designed against 306 codon of embB gene which is commonly associated with EMB resistance. A comparative study was done between Lowenstein-Jenson (L-J) proportion and hybridisation probe-based real-time PCR method for susceptibility testing. DNA sequencing was used in nine representative isolates to validate the efficiency of real-time PCR method to detect emb306 mutation of MTB.

Results

A total of 52 clinical sputum samples and corresponding culture isolates (from category II pulmonary TB cases) were included in this study. Out of 52 MTB isolates, 32 and 20 were resistant and susceptible to EMB, respectively, as determined by L-J proportion method. Real-time PCR showed 95% specificity, 75% sensitivity and 82.69% accuracy when compared with L-J proportion method. A 100% of concordance was observed by validating the real-time PCR results with DNA sequencing.

Conclusions

Our real-time PCR hybridisation probe method promises for rapid detection of EMB-resistant MTB directly from clinical specimens. However, future studies and modifications of method by incorporating other potential loci along with targeted mutation (emb306) are still required to increase the sensitivity of method.

Ambient black carbon particulate matter in the coal region of Dhanbad, India

Light-absorbing, atmospheric particles have gained greater attention in recent years because of their direct and indirect impacts on regional and global climate. Atmospheric black carbon (BC) aerosol is a leading climate warming agent, yet uncertainties in the global direct aerosol radiative forcing remain large. Based on a year of aerosol absorption measurements at seven wavelengths, BC concentrations were investigated in Dhanbad, the coal capital of India. Coal is routinely burned for cooking and residential heat as well as in small industries. The mean daily concentrations of ultraviolet-absorbing black carbon measured at 370nm (UVBC) and black carbon measured at 880nm (BC) were 9.8±5.7 and 6.5±3.8μgm^-3, respectively. The difference between UVBC and BC, Delta-C, is an indicator of biomass or residential coal burning and averaged 3.29±4.61μgm^-3. An alternative approach uses the Ǻngstrom Exponent (AE) to estimate the biomass/coal and traffic BC concentrations. Biomass/coal burning contributed ~87% and high temperature, fossil-fuel combustion contributed ~13% to the annual average BC concentration. The post-monsoon seasonal mean UVBC values were 10.9μgm^-3 and BC of 7.2μgm^-3. Potential source contribution function analysis showed that in the post-monsoon season, air masses came from the central and northwestern Indo-Gangetic Plains where there is extensive agricultural burning. The mean winter UVBC and BC concentrations were 15.0 and 10.1μgm^-3, respectively. These higher values were largely produced by local sources under poor dispersion conditions. The direct radiative forcing (DRF) due to UVBC and BC at the surface (SUR) and the top of the atmosphere (TOA) were calculated. The mean atmospheric heating rates due to UVBC and BC were estimated to be 1.40°Kday^-1 and 1.18°Kday^-1, respectively. This high heating rate may affect the monsoon circulation in this region.

Self-Perception of Halitosis among Undergraduate Students of Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences - A Questionnaire Based Study

Background Halitosis is a frequently reported oral health problem worldwide with a prevalence rate of 10-30% in the general population. It is defined as the disagreeable or foul smelling breath originating consistently from a person's oral cavity. It not only effects the normal daily life activities of the patient but also bring humiliation, reduced self- esteem, ultimately resulting into decreased quality of life. Objective To determine the self-perception of halitosis among undergraduate students of different medical branches of Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS); Kavre, Nepal. Method A descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological survey was conducted among undergraduate students of Physiotherapy, B.Sc Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Sciences (BNS), MBBS and BDS program of Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and were distributed among 500 undergraduate students. Result Out of total 500 distributed questionnaires, 406 were completely filled and returned giving an overall response of 81.2%, in which 70 (89.7%) male and 280 (85.4%) female students from different medical branches were aware of the term halitosis. Among them 29 (7.14%) of students think that they suffer from halitosis. Similarly 178 (43.84%) students had severe impact of halitosis on their social life while 153 (37.68%) and 62 (15.27%) students had moderate and mild impact respectively. Conclusion Due to the multifactorial complexity of halitosis, further longitudinal studies including objective assessment of malodor are required to determine its prevalence and to further investigate the association of this problem with other etiological factors in the context of Nepal. Also, curriculum of different fields should be modified to include this simple but very necessary topic.

Identification of mega-environments and rice genotypes for general and specific adaptation to saline and alkaline stresses in India

In the present study, a total of 53 promising salt-tolerant genotypes were tested across 18 salt-affected diverse locations for three years. An attempt was made to identify ideal test locations and mega-environments using GGE biplot analysis. The CSSRI sodic environment was the most discriminating location in individual years as well as over the years and could be used to screen out unstable and salt-sensitive genotypes. Genotypes CSR36, CSR-2K-219, and CSR-2K-262 were found ideal across years. Overall, Genotypes CSR-2K-219, CSR-2K-262, and CSR-2K-242 were found superior and stable among all genotypes with higher mean yields. Different sets of genotypes emerged as winners in saline soils but not in sodic soils; however, Genotype CSR-2K-262 was the only genotype that was best under both saline and alkaline environments over the years. The lack of repeatable associations among locations and repeatable mega-environment groupings indicated the complexity of soil salinity. Hence, a multi-location and multi-year evaluation is indispensable for evaluating the test sites as well as identifying genotypes with consistently specific and wider adaptation to particular agro-climatic zones. The genotypes identified in the present study could be used for commercial cultivation across edaphically challenged areas for sustainable production.

CR-39 track detector for multi-MeV ion spectroscopy

We present the characteristics of track formation on the front and rear surfaces of CR-39 produced by laser-driven protons and carbon ions. A methodological approach, based on bulk etch length, is proposed to uniquely characterize the particle tracks in CR-39, enabling comparative description of the track characteristics in different experiments. The response of CR-39 to ions is studied based on the energy dependent growth rate of the track diameter to understand the intrinsic particle stopping process within the material. A large non-uniformity in the track diameter is observed for CR-39 with thickness matching with the stopping range of particles. Simulation and experimental results show the imprint of longitudinal range straggling for energetic protons. Moreover, by exploiting the energy dependence of the track diameter, the energy resolution (δE/E) of CR-39 for few MeV protons and Carbon ion is found to be about 3%.

Gold nanotriangles: scale up and X-ray radiosensitization effects in mice

In the past decade, there has been considerable interest in radiosensitization using gold nanoparticles that accumulate specifically in cancerous tissue while sparing normal tissues. Despite this interest, it remains unclear which nanoparticle morphologies, cellular uptake, or cytoplasmic distribution elicit optimal radiosensitization. We introduce gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) as a possible X-ray radiotherapy sensitizer. In this study, we first explored a large-scale synthetic method for the production of high quality monodisperse AuNTs. Second, we conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments to evaluate the effect of PEGylated AuNTs (pAuNTs) on cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, bio-distribution, and radiosensitization on radiation-resistant human Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) cells. Our results suggest that the new scale up synthesis methodology consistently produced high quality AuNTs and pAuNTs which had nonspecific cellular uptake without any obvious cytotoxicity and exhibited excellent radiosensitization.

Molecular dynamics and pharmacophore modelling studies of different subtype (ALK and EGFR (T790M)) inhibitors in NSCLC

Extensively validated 3D pharmacophore models for ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) and EGFR (T790M) (epithelial growth factor receptor with acquired secondary mutation) were developed. The pharmacophore model for ALK (r² = 0.96, q² = 0.692) suggested that two hydrogen bond acceptors and three hydrophobic groups arranged in 3-D space are essential for the binding affinity of ALK inhibitors. Similarly, the pharmacophore model for EGFR (T790M) (r² = 0.92, q² = 0.72) suggested that the presence of a hydrogen bond acceptor, two hydrogen bond donors and a hydrophobic group plays vital role in binding of an inhibitor of EGFR (T790M). These pharmacophore models allowed searches for novel ALK and EGFR (T790M) dual inhibitors from multiconformer 3D databases (Asinex, Chembridge and Maybridge). Finally, the eight best hits were selected for molecular dynamics simulation, to study the stability of their complexes with both proteins and final binding orientations of these molecules. After molecular dynamics simulations, one hit has been predicted to possess good binding affinity for both ALK and EGFR (T790M), which can be further investigated for its experimental in-vitro/in-vivo activities.

Determination of Sex from the Foramen Magnum using 3DCT: A Nepalese Study

Background Identification is of utmost importance in any medicolegal investigation with sex determination being one of the principle indicators of identity. Sexing of bones becomes easy when the skeletal remains are complete. However, the problem arises when the bones are fragmented. Many researchers have undertaken several studies in different populations to determine the sex with reasonable accuracy using numerous measurements of the skull including those of the foramen magnum. Objective The present study was aimed to find the sexual dimorphism of the foramen magnum in the Nepalese population by analyzing the antero-posterior length, transverse diameter and area of the foramen magnum. Method The antero-posterior length and transverse diameter of the foramen magnum were measured using three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) images of the head in a cohort of 100 Nepalese subjects. Radinsky's and Teixeria's formulae were used to calculate the area of the foramen magnum. Discriminate function analysis was used to analyze sex differences. Result Mean values of antero-posterior length and transverse diameter of the foramen magnum in males were higher than in females. The mean of the area calculated using Radinsky's formula was smaller than that calculated by Teixeira's formula and the areas calculated were higher in males. The measurements of the foramen magnum and the areas calculated showed significant difference (p<0.001) between males and females. Discriminate function analysis for the measurements of the foramen magnum and the areas calculated showed high predictability for both the sexes. Discriminate function analysis showed a maximum predictability of 75%. Conclusion Considering the percent of predictability of sex from the various variables related to the foramen magnum in the Nepalese population, it can be concluded that its restricted applicability in forensic investigations should be constrained to cases of fragmentary skull bases.