Comparative Arterial Blood Gas Analysis in Post Septoplasty Patients with Conventional Nasal Packs Versus Nasal Packs with Airway

To evaluate levels of arterial blood gases in patients undergoing septoplasty, with conventional nasal packing versus those with nasal packing with airway. The current prospective comparative study was conducted on 68 patients undergoing septoplasty, who were divided randomly into two groups-conventional nasal packs (ANP) and nasal packs with airway (ANP-A). Arterial blood gas analysis alongwith objective symptoms of patients were recorded and evaluated. The difference between pre and post operative values of SpO2 (ANP = 6.73 ± 1.17, ANP-A = 2.84 ± 0.91) and pO2 (ANP = 15.09 ± 4.34, ANP-A = 3.46 ± 1.49) between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Differences in post operative pH, pCO2 and HCO3 between the two groups was not statistically significant. Significant difference between the two groups was observed in patients' objective symptoms as well. Nasal packs with airway have lesser perturbing effects on septoplasty patients as compared to conventional nasal packs.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene in an important staple crop, potato

The gene editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system has become an important biotechnological tool for studying gene function and improving crops. In this study, we have used CRISPR/Cas9 system for editing the phytoene desaturase gene (PDS) in popular Indian potato cultivar Kufri Chipsona-I. A construct (pHSE401) carrying two target gRNAs with glycine tRNA processing system under the control of Arabidopsis U6 promoter and the Cas9 protein was constructed and transformed in potato plants using Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformations. The regeneration efficiency of 45% was observed in regenerated plants, out of which 81% of the putative transformants shoot lines exhibited mutant or bleached phenotype (albinism). The deletion mutations were detected within the StPDS gene in the genotyped plants and a mutation efficiency of 72% for gRNA1 and gRNA2 has been detected using Sanger sequencing. Hence, we set up a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing protocol which is efficient and generates mutations (deletions) within StPDS gene in potato. The bleached phenotype is easily detectable after only few weeks after Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. This is the first report as a proof of concept for CRISPR/Cas9-based editing of PDS gene in Indian potato cv. Kufri Chipsona-I. This study demonstrates that CRISPR/Cas9 can be used to edit genes at high frequency within the genome of the potato for various traits. Therefore, this study will aid in creating important mutants for modifying molecular mechanisms controlling traits of agronomic importance.

Spraying of dsRNA molecules derived from Phytophthora infestans, along with nanoclay carriers as a proof of concept for developing novel protection strategy for potato late blight

BACKGROUND

Phytophthora infestans is a late blight-causing oomycetes pathogen. It rapidly evolves and adapts to the host background and new fungicide molecules within a few years of their release, most likely because of the predominance of transposable elements in its genome. Frequent applications of fungicides cause environmental concerns. Here, we developed target-specific RNA interference (RNAi)-based molecules, along with nanoclay carriers, that when sprayed on plants are capable of effectively reducing late blight infection.

RESULTS

Targeted the genes unique to sporulation, early satge infection and the metabolism pathway stages based on in an our own microarray data. We used nanoclay as a carrier for sorbitol dehydrogenase, heat shock protein 90, translation elongation factor 1-α, phospholipase-D like 3 and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored acidic serine-threonine-rich HAM34-like protein double-stranded (ds)RNAs, which were assessed by culture bioassay, detached leaf assay and spray methods, and revealed a reduction in growth, sporulation and symptom expression. Plants sprayed with multigene targeted dsRNA-nanoclay showed enhanced disease resistance (4% disease severity) and less sporulation (<1 × 10³ ) compared with plants sprayed with dsRNA alone.

CONCLUSION

The use of nanoclay with multigene targeted dsRNA was assumed to be involved in effective delivery, protection and boosting the action of RNAi as a spray-induced gene silencing approach (SIGS). A significant reduction in growth, sporulation, disease severity and decreased gene expression authenticates the effects of SIGS on late blight progression. This study demonstrated as a proof of concept the dsRNA-nanoclay SIGS approach, which could be used as an alternative to chemical fungicides and transgenic approaches to develop an environmentally friendly novel plant protection strategy for late blight. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

An Observational Cross-sectional Study Section of Factors Causing Delay in Diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancers at a Rural Tertiary Care Centre in Northern India

Introduction: Cancer is a complex genetic disease derived from the accumulation of a variety of genetic changes, which include activation of proto-oncogenes and inactivation of tumour suppressor genes. Head and Neck Cancers (HNC) are rapidly growing tumours with a median potential doubling time of only 6-7 days. Although these cancers are easily accessible, patients rarely present early. In India, most HNCs present in advanced stages resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Hence, it is prudent to ascertain the factors which lead to delay in diagnosis of HNC as early diagnosis and treatment is the cornerstone in reducing consequences of HNC. Aim: To identify patient and professional factors causing delay in diagnosis of HNC and to identify association if any with stage of cancer presentation. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Ear Nose and Throat, at BPS Government Medical College for women, Sonepat, Haryana, India, from September 2019 to January 2021. Study included 55 newly diagnosed histopathologically confirmed head and neck cancer patients. Clinico-demographic details were inferred using elaborate clinical examination. Data were described in terms of range, mean±standard deviation, frequency and relative frequency (percentages). Chi-square and Fisher’s-exact test was used for comparing categorical data. Delay due to patient and professional factors were calculated separately and the association of each delay with important variables were compared. Results: Most patients (43.6%) belonged to the age group of 51 to 60 years, and the mean age was 60.25±9.81 years. Majority of the patients were males (85.5%). The mean total delay from onset of symptoms to final diagnosis was 22.38±7.23 weeks. Delayed patient presentation was the main cause of total delay in diagnosis. The main factors responsible for patient delay were rural residential status, low educational, socio-economic status and poor cancer awareness. Irrational therapies still contributed significantly for delayed patient presentation. Diagnostic delay led to upstaging of disease. Conclusion: Patient delay is the main factor responsible for delay in diagnosis of HNC. Even in this era of easy availability and accessibility of information, lack of awareness still exists at the fundamental level.

Spraying of dsRNA Molecules Derived from Phytophthora Infestans, as a Plant Protection Strategies for the Management of Potato Late Blight.. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.20944/preprints202102.0280.v1]

Phytophthora. infestans is a well known late blight causing oomycetes pathogen. It evolves and adapts to the host background and new fungicide molecules rapidly within a few years of their release, may be due to the predominance of transposable elements in its genome. Frequent and huge applications of fungicides cause environmental concerns. Here we developed target specific RNA interference based molecules, that are capable of effectively reducing the late blight infection. cDNA microarray expression data was used for the selection of genes involved in the early stage of infection process, sporulation etc. The in vitro synthesis of double stranded RNA molecule, targeting SDH, EF-1&alpha;, GPI-HAM344, PLD-3 and HSP-90 encoding genes revealed the reduction in growth, sporulation and symptom expression, which were subsequently assessed by culture bioassay, detached leaf assay and topical application methods. The multiple genes targeted dsRNA nano clay sprayed plants showed enhanced disease resistance (4% disease severity) and least sporulation (&lt;1x103), compared to naked dsRNA spray. Use of nano clay was assumed to be involved in the effective delivery, protection and boosting the action of RNAi in potato plants. A significant difference in the growth, sporulation count, disease severity and reduced expression of the genes and confocal microscopy imaging authenticates the effects of SIGS on late blight disease progression. Our research demonstrated that topical dsRNA nano clay spray under the open-air environment could be an alternative to chemical fungicides and transgenic approaches as a novel plant protection strategy for late blight in an environmentally friendly manner.

Functional genomic approaches to improve crop plant heat stress tolerance

Heat stress as a yield limiting issue has become a major threat for food security as global warming progresses. Being sessile, plants cannot avoid heat stress. They respond to heat stress by activating complex molecular networks, such as signal transduction, metabolite production and expressions of heat stress-associated genes. Some plants have developed an intricate signalling network to respond and adapt it. Heat stress tolerance is a polygenic trait, which is regulated by various genes, transcriptional factors, proteins and hormones. Therefore, to improve heat stress tolerance, a sound knowledge of various mechanisms involved in the response to heat stress is required. The classical breeding methods employed to enhance heat stress tolerance has had limited success. In this era of genomics, next generation sequencing techniques, availability of genome sequences and advanced biotechnological tools open several windows of opportunities to improve heat stress tolerance in crop plants. This review discusses the potential of various functional genomic approaches, such as genome wide association studies, microarray, and suppression subtractive hybridization, in the process of discovering novel genes related to heat stress, and their functional validation using both reverse and forward genetic approaches. This review also discusses how these functionally validated genes can be used to improve heat stress tolerance through plant breeding, transgenics and genome editing approaches.

Giant Warthin's Tumour of the Parotid Gland: A Rare Case Report

Warthin's tumour was first adequately described in 1929 by an American pathologist, Aldred Scott Warthin. It is synonymous with papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum (PCL), cystadenolymphoma or adenolymphoma. Giant salivary gland tumours are usually pleomorphic adenomas. The average size of Warthin's tumour is reported to be about 2-4 cm. In the current fascinating case, an enormous disfiguring salivary gland tumour was reported which turned out to be Warthin's tumour on histopathology, which is probably the largest PCL reported till date.

Recent trends and perspectives of molecular markers against fungal diseases in wheat

Wheat accounts for 19% of the total production of major cereal crops in the world. In view of ever increasing population and demand for global food production, there is an imperative need of 40-60% increase in wheat production to meet the requirement of developing world in coming 40 years. However, both biotic and abiotic stresses are major hurdles for attaining the goal. Among the most important diseases in wheat, fungal diseases pose serious threat for widening the gap between actual and attainable yield. Fungal disease management, mainly, depends on the pathogen detection, genetic and pathological variability in population, development of resistant cultivars and deployment of effective resistant genes in different epidemiological regions. Wheat protection and breeding of resistant cultivars using conventional methods are time-consuming, intricate and slow processes. Molecular markers offer an excellent alternative in development of improved disease resistant cultivars that would lead to increase in crop yield. They are employed for tagging the important disease resistance genes and provide valuable assistance in increasing selection efficiency for valuable traits via marker assisted selection (MAS). Plant breeding strategies with known molecular markers for resistance and functional genomics enable a breeder for developing resistant cultivars of wheat against different fungal diseases.