Effects of Sugar Type and Concentration on Batu 55 Mandarin (Citrus Reticulata Blanco.) Somatic Embryo Maturation

When obtaining plantlets, embryo maturation and simultaneous germination are important steps in plant micropropagation via somatic embryogenesis. Several studies have shown that the use of carbohydrates as a carbon source plays a significant role in inducing somatic embryo development in certain plant species. This study aimed to establish a somatic embryo maturation protocol for Batu 55 Mandarin (C. reticulata Blanco.) by examining the effect of various types of sugar and concentrations. The results showed that the type and concentration of sugar added to the medium affect the somatic embryo maturation of Batu 55 Mandarin. Galactose and maltose enhance somatic embryo maturation more effectively than does sorbitol. The combination of galactose or maltose with sorbitol was able to improve somatic embryo maturation more effectively than galactose or maltose alone. The combination of galactose and sorbitol enhanced the maturation of somatic embryos more effectively than did change the concentrations of maltose or sorbitol. It can be concluded that sugar type and concentration had effects on citrus somatic embryo development. The combination of sorbitol (36.5 mM) with galactose 73 mM was able to augment citrus somatic embryo maturation more effectively than the other concentrations applied

The effects of mixed infection of strongyles in experimental animals in the Veterinary Research Institute

This paper reports the relationship between mixed infections of strongyles with fecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV) of the blood and FAMACHA in experimental sheep in VRI. The third larval stage (L3) of strongylid nematode were fed orally to two experimental sheep. Each animal was given 3 ml L3 or equivalent to 3000 larvae. Faecal samples were then collected weekly for a 10 week duration. The FAMACHA scale for anemia estimation was used and blood collection through ear tip was also done twice a week to measure the packed cell volume (PCV) of the blood. The results show that the PCV decreases while faecal egg counts increase over the study period. The FAMACHA scale also increases with time indicating a progressive anemia with the decreasing PCV. As helminth infections are common in small ruminants, the effects of anemia are critical parameters to be monitored in any flock as this will determine its productivity in terms of mortality and morbidity

Telomere maintenance and dysfunction predict recurrence in paediatric ependymoma

We have recently described the enzymatic subunit of telomerase (hTERT) as an important prognostic marker for paediatric ependymoma. Because of the lack of good, representative pre-clinical models for ependymoma, we took advantage of our large cohort of ependymoma patients, some with multiple recurrences, to investigate telomere biology in these tumours. Our cohort consisted of 133 ependymomas from 83 paediatric patients and included 31 patients with recurrences. Clinical outcome was measured as overall survival, progression-free survival and response to therapy. In all 133 tumours, hTERT expression correlated with proliferative markers, including MIB-1 index (P<0.0001) and mitotic index (P=0.005), as well as overall tumour grade (P=0.001), but not with other markers of anaplasia. There was no correlation between telomere length and hTERT expression or survival. Surprisingly, prior radiation or chemotherapy neither induced sustained DNA damage nor affected telomere maintenance in recurrent tumours. There was an inverse correlation between hTERT expression and telomere dysfunction as measured by γH2AX expression (P=0.016). Combining γH2AX and hTERT expressions could segregate tumours into three different survival groups (log rank, P<0.0001) such that those patients whose tumours expressed hTERT and showed no evidence of DNA damage had the worst outcome. This study emphasises the importance of telomere biology as a prognostic tool and telomerase inhibition as a therapeutic target for paediatric ependymoma. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that analysing tumours as they progress in vivo is a viable approach to studying tumour biology in humans

Business model innovation for eco-efficiency: an empirical study

Business model has the potential to create value and capture value for companies, which is critical for their sustainable development [1]. The concept of eco-efficiency can be a useful concept to link an enterprise’s business with sustainable development as well as achieving long-term profits [2,3]. Extant lit- erature reveals that there is a need to study business model innovation and eco- efficiency under one text to achieve a win-win rationale to increase profits while reducing environmental impact [4,5]. This empirical study conducted 8-in-depth case studies with manufacturing companies across UK and China. The author synthesized the cases and concluded the measures of business model innovation for eco-efficiency in five categories, namely (1) Selling of service model, (2) Direct selling model, (3) Collaboration strategy, (4) Whole system design strat- egy, and (5) Technology renovation strategy. The empirical finding suggests the adaptation of strategy and exploitation of the technologies are essential to busi- ness model innovation when manufacturing companies seeking to implement eco-efficiency

Effects of early versus delayed initiation of antiretroviral treatment on clinical outcomes of HIV-1 infection: results from the phase 3 HPTN 052 randomised controlled trial

Use of antiretroviral treatment for HIV-1 infection has decreased AIDS-related morbidity and mortality and prevents sexual transmission of HIV-1. However, the best time to initiate antiretroviral treatment to reduce progression of HIV-1 infection or non-AIDS clinical events is unknown. We reported previously that early antiretroviral treatment reduced HIV-1 transmission by 96%. We aimed to compare the effects of early and delayed initiation of antiretroviral treatment on clinical outcomes