On Weighted Generalized Residual Information Measure

In this paper, we have proposed the concept of weighted generalized residual entropy of order α and type β, and have shown that the proposed measure characterizes the distribution function uniquely

Traits for Screening and Selection of Cowpea Genotypes for Drought Tolerance at Early Stages of Breeding

The association of leaf water content with yield-attributes such as pod setting and number of pods/plant and seed yield in cowpea was examined using midday drop of leaf relative water content (RWC) determined from morning (800 h) and midday (1330 h) measurements of RWC. Midday drop of RWC was significantly correlated to pod setting ratio (R2 = 0.80, P 0.01), number of pods/plant (R2 = 0.87, P 0.01) and seed yield (R2 = 0.37, P 0.05). There was a significant genotypic variation for leaf water potential (LWP) at 800 and 1330 h and for RWC at 1330 h. Significant genotypic differences were also observed in pod setting ratio, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, 1000-seed weight, biomass and seed yield. Pod setting ratio was significantly and positively correlated with number of pods/plant (R2 = 0.80, P 0.01) and seed yield (R2 = 0.38, P 0.05). These results showed that the genotypes with a smaller reduction in midday drop of RWC produced a larger number of pods/plant and consequently had higher seed yield as compared with a larger midday drop of RWC. The results also showed that there was a large genotypic variation in the midday drop of RWC, which was correlated with yield-attributes and seed yield. It may therefore be possible to use midday drop of RWC as a screening and selection trait for drought tolerance of cowpea genotypes

Rapid Bispecific Antibodies Based Homogeneous Immunoassay for Detection of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

Development of rapid and economical method for detection of prostate- specific antigen (PSA) in human blood. Methods: The usual procedure for the detection of prostate cancer markers in human is prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in blood (normal level ≤ 4 ng/mL) using heterogeneous immunoassay enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, a rapid homogeneous immunoassay for the detection of PSA in serum, based on bispecific antibodies, is more convenient due to its speed, accuracy and obviating the need of multiple washing steps. The assay using bispecific antibody P57 (against PSA and peroxidase) and monospecific antibody B87 (against PSA) conjugated with glucose oxidase was developed in the presence of excess catalase. Similarly, in solid phase homogeneous immunoassay the monospecific antibody B87 (against PSA) and glucose oxidase were immobilized onto a solid support (plastic) and other reagents, bio-chemicals, and bispecific antibody P57 were taken in homogeneous solution. All variables, viz., glucose oxidase, peroxidase and catalase were optimized at different PSA concentrations. Results: Homogeneous immunoassay (HIA) showed linearity of PSA detection 1-10 ng/mL whereas, solid phase homogeneous immunoassay (SPHIA) showed in the range of 1-50 ng/mL suggesting SPHIA has a broader operating range, thus much better than HIA. Detection of PSA in a homogeneous solution can be completed in 90 minutes without involving any washing and incubation steps. Conclusions: Homogeneous assay is a rapid, economical method that eliminates all washing and incubation steps of conventional ELISA

Mitochondria mediates caspase-dependent and independent retinal cell death in Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis

Bacterial endophthalmitis, a vision-threatening complication of ocular surgery or trauma, is characterized by increased intraocular inflammation and retinal tissue damage. Although significant vision loss in endophthalmitis has been linked to retinal cell death, the underlying mechanisms of cell death remain elusive. In this study, using a mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis and cultured human retinal Müller glia (MIO-M1 cell line), we demonstrate that S. aureus caused significant apoptotic cell death in the mouse retina and Müller glia, as evidenced by increased number of terminal dUTP nick end labeling and Annexin V and propidium iodide-positive cells. Immunohistochemistry and western blot studies revealed the reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1 staining), release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, translocation of Bax to the mitochondria and the activation of caspase-9 and -3 in S. aureus-infected retina/retinal cells. In addition, the activation of PARP-1 and the release of apoptosis inducing factor from mitochondria was also observed in S. aureus-infected retinal cells. Inhibition studies using pan-caspase (Q-VD-OPH) and PARP-1 (DPQ) inhibitors showed significant reduction in S. aureus-induced retinal cell death both in vivo and in vitro. Together, our findings demonstrate that in bacterial endophthalmitis, retinal cells undergo apoptosis in the both caspase-dependent and independent manners, and mitochondria have a central role in this process. Hence, targeting the identified signaling pathways may provide the rationale to design therapeutic interventions to prevent bystander retinal tissue damage in bacterial endophthalmitis