Genome Scale Metabolic Modelling of Arabidopsis thaliana and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Recent advances in genome sequencing technology have enabled the elucidation of complete genome sequence for plants and algae. Genome scale metabolic models constructed from genome annotations represent the entire metabolic characteristics of the organism and can be used to integrate other data and study metabolic capabilities of the organisms under different conditions. This framework can help develop new insight about operating characteristic of the organism and propose new hypotheses that can be tested experimentally. In order to advance our understanding of photosynthetic metabolism in plants and algae, GSMs of A. thaliana and C. reinhardtii have been constructed using annotations from their respective BioCyc databases. They satisfy all theoretical considerations and are able to represent known biological behaviors and thus can be used in subsequent investigations. In collaboration with experimental partners, the arabidopsis model was used to study the knock-out phenotype of the Calvin Cycle enzymes. This correctly predicted the viability of single knockouts of 4 Calvin cycle enzymes. Alternate metabolic routes that make such change possible were identified using flux balance analysis. The analysis demonstrated a complementary role of SBPase and FBPase in the Calvin cycle and further proposed a novel role of transaldolase in daytime metabolism under knockout conditions. Both models, were used to investigate likely coordinated changes in metabolic networks to dissipate excess energy under high light conditions. Methods that use correlation coefficient and mixed integer linear programming have been developed for this purpose. Proteomics data obtained under high light conditions was integrated in the model to propose energy dissipating modes that are more likely to occur in vivo. Further, removal of reactions involved in energy dissipation mechanisms showed improve biomass yield

A systems-wide understanding of photosynthetic acclimation in algae and higher plants

The ability of phototrophs to colonise different environments relied on the robust protection against oxidative stress in phototrophs, a critical requirement for the successful evolutionary transition from water to land. Photosynthetic organisms have developed numerous strategies to adapt their photosynthetic apparatus to changing light conditions in order to optimise their photosynthetic yield, crucial for life to exist on Earth. Photosynthetic acclimation is an excellent example of the complexity of biological systems, in which highly diverse processes, ranging from electron excitation over protein protonation to enzymatic processes coupling ion gradients with biosynthetic activity interact on drastically different timescales, ranging from picoseconds to hours. An efficient functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus and its protection is paramount for efficient downstream processes including metabolism and growth. Modern experimental techniques can be successfully integrated with theoretical and mathematical models to promote our understanding of underlying mechanisms and principles. This Review aims to provide a retrospective analysis of multidisciplinary photosynthetic acclimation research carried out by members of the Marie Curie Initial Training Project “AccliPhot”, placing the results in a wider context. The Review also highlights the applicability of photosynthetic organisms for industry, particularly with regards to the cultivation of microalgae. It aims to demonstrate how theoretical concepts can successfully complement experimental studies broadening our knowledge of common principles in acclimation processes in photosynthetic organisms, as well as in the field of applied microalgal biotechnology

Breastfeeding and female labor force participation: the probability of survival of children in Nepal under 3 years old

Abstract Background The number of breastfeeding mothers participating in a labor force to generate income has been increasing in Nepal. In this regard, the study aims to assess the survival of Under 3 children in Nepal from the mother based on their labor force participation and breastfeeding status. Methods Data for the study were obtained from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016. The sample size of the study was 2,994 live births children, born in the last three years prior to the day of the interview. The robust hazard ratio and cox proportional hazard regression were conducted between dependent and independent variables with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to conclude. Results From a total of 2,994 live births, 85 children died within 36 months of birth. More than 80% of the non-working mothers were breastfeeding their children. The findings shows that the survival of children under-3 is positively associated with the interaction with the mother’s work and breastfeeding status (Hazard Ratio 0.428, 95% CI 0.24, 0.75), family structure (Hazard Ratio 1.511; 95% CI 1.37, 1.655), relationship with the household head (Hazard Ratio 0.452; 95% CI 0.311, 0.65), wealth quintiles (Hazard Ratio 0.390; 95% CI 0.33, 0.46), caste (Hazard Ratio 0.652; 95% CI 0.60, 0.69), and religion (Hazard Ratio 2.015; 95% CI 1.09, 3.70) with model CI 95%, Log pseudo likelihood = -521.39236, prob. χ2 = 0.005 and time at risk = 52,748. Conclusions The highest rate of child survival was from the working mothers as well as continuing breastfeeding their children followed by mothers breastfeeding the child but not working, compared to mothers working but not breastfeeding the child, and mothers who were neither working nor breastfeeding their children respectively. This study provides clear evidence that breastfeeding is very important for the probability of survival of the child aged below 36 months and work of mother also have some positive impact on child survival. Employers should be encouraged to have a breastfeeding policy in the workplace through the establishment of a breastfeeding facility, and a flexible work schedule. At the same time government should also regulate the paid maternity leave and encourage societal support for the breastfeeding mothers

Knowledge, attitude and practice on hypertension among antihypertensive medication users

Introduction: Hypertension is growing among the population of Nepal. We aimed to determine the current knowledge, attitude and practice of hypertension among hypertensive patients taking antihypertensive medication in the community of Central Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the hypertensive patients in Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal from July 2015 to September 2015 using clustered sampling technique. Suitably designed and validated questionnaire of knowledge, attitude and practice on hypertension consisting of 27 questions were used to determine the KAP scores. The difference in the median KAP scores between sex, level of education and duration of hypertension were assessed using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: A total of 200 patients met the inclusion criteria and majority of them were male (60%), had received primary education (36%) and had hypertension for >5 years (46.5%). The blood pressure ranged from 100-180/60-110 mmHg. The median K, A and P scores were 8 (6), 5 (1) and 6 (3) respectively. K and A were statistically associated with sex both at

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Hypertension among Antihypertensive Medication Users

Introduction: Hypertension is growing among the population of Nepal. We aimed to determine the current knowledge, attitude and practice of hypertension among hypertensive patients taking antihypertensive medication in the community of Central Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the hypertensive patients in Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal from July 2015 to September 2015 using clustered sampling technique. Suitably designed and validated questionnaire of knowledge, attitude and practice on hypertension consisting of 27 questions were used to determine the KAP scores. The difference in the median KAP scores between sex, level of education and duration of hypertension were assessed using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: A total of 200 patients met the inclusion criteria and majority of them were male (60%), had received primary education (36%) and had hypertension for ≥5 years (46.5%). The blood pressure ranged from 100-180/60-110 mmHg. The median K, A and P scores were 8 (6), 5 (1) and 6 (3) respectively. K and A were statistically associated with sex both at p<0.001 and level of education (K at p<0.001 and A at p=0.016). Conclusions: The current knowledge, attitude and practice among hypertensive patients using antihypertensive medication can be improved. Keywords: attitude; hypertension; knowledge; practice. | PubMe

Living with a large predator: Assessing the root causes of Human–brown bear conflict and their spatial patterns in Lahaul valley, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract Brown bear‐mediated conflicts have caused immense economic loss to the local people living across the distribution range. In India, limited knowledge is available on the Himalayan brown bear (HBB), making human–brown bear conflict (HBC) mitigation more challenging. In this study, we studied HBC in the Lahaul valley using a semi‐structured questionnaire survey by interviewing 398 respondents from 37 villages. About 64.8% of respondents reported conflict in two major groups—crop damage (30.6%) and livestock depredations (6.2%), while 28% reported both. Conflict incidences were relatively high in summer and frequently occurred in areas closer to the forest (<500 m) and between the elevations range of 2700 m to 3000 m above sea level (asl). The dependency of locals on forest resources (70%) for their livelihood makes them vulnerable to HBC. The “upper lower” class respondents were most impacted among the various socioeconomic classes. Two of the four clusters were identified as HBC hot spots in Lahaul valley using SaTscan analysis. We also obtained high HBC in cluster II with a 14.35 km radius. We found that anthropogenic food provisioning for HBB, livestock grazing in bear habitats, and poor knowledge of animal behavior among the communities were the major causes of HBC. We suggest horticulture crop waste management, controlled and supervised grazing, ecotourism, the constitution of community watch groups, and others to mitigate HBC. We also recommend notifying a few HBB abundant sites in the valley as protected areas for the long‐term viability of the HBB in the landscape

Challenges in Accessing and Delivering Maternal and Child Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Rapid Survey from Six States of India

Background/Objectives: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention and control policies have impacted maternal and child health (MCH) services. This study documents the challenges faced by patients in accessing MCH services, and the experiences of health care providers in delivering those services during the COVID-19 outbreak, explicitly focusing on the lockdown period in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study (rapid survey) was conducted in 18 districts from 6 states of India during March to June, 2020. The sample size included 540 MCH patients, 18 gynaecologists, 18 paediatricians, 18 district immunisation officers and 108 frontline health workers. Bivariate analysis and multivariable analysis were used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics, and challenges faced by the patients. Results: More than one-third of patients (n = 212; 39%) reported that accessing MCH services was a challenge during the lockdown period, with major challenges being transportation-related difficulties (n = 99; 46%) unavailability of hospital-based services (n = 54; 23%) and interrupted outreach health services (n = 39; 18.4%). The supply-side challenges mainly included lack of infrastructural preparedness for outbreak situations, and a shortage of human resources. Conclusions/Recommendations: A holistic approach is required that focuses on both preparedness and response to the outbreak, as well reassignment and reinforcement of health care professionals to continue catering to and maintaining essential MCH services during the pandemic