The Potential of Re-exports: A Probability for Fiji’s Trade Growth

This study investigates the significance of re-exports in Fiji. The dominance of the re-export of domestic exports is indisputable in Fiji; however, there is lack of literature concerning the performance of re-exports to total exports transiting the Fijian economy. This study aspires to fill that gap offering suggestions to strengthen the total exports of Fiji by diversifying the trade policies. Time series data is used for total exports, re-exports and domestic exports from 1985 to 2018 to establish an ARDL model. The model was subjected to diagnostic testing with a favorable outcome regarding the stability of the model for hypothesis testing. The findings re-affirm that re-exports are a significant predictor of Fiji’s total exports and trade growth. This research signifies the need for national policies to include the promotion of re-exports. Conclusively, the finding of this study is instrumental in updating or reshaping development policies for inclusive growth

Sequence similarity based identification of abiotic stress responsive genes in chickpea

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important food legume crop, particularly for the arid regions including Indian subcontinent. Considering the detrimental effect of drought, temperature and salt stress on crop yield, efforts have been initiated in the direction of developing improved varieties and designing alternate strategies to sustain chickpea production in adverse environmental conditions. Identification of genes that confer abiotic stress tolerance in plants remains a challenge in contemporary plant breeding. The present study focused on the identification of abiotic stress responsive genes in chickpea based on sequence similarity approach exploiting known abiotic stress responsive genes from model crops or other plant species. Ten abiotic stress responsive genes identified in other plants were partially amplified from eight chickpea genotypes and their presence in chickpea was confirmed after sequencing the PCR products. These genes have been functionally validated and reported to play significant role in stress response in model plants like Arabidopsis, rice and other legume crops. Chickpea EST sequences available at NCBI EST database were used for the identification of abiotic stress responsive genes. A total of 8,536 unique coding long sequences were used for identification of chickpea homologues of these abiotic stress responsive genes by sequence similarity search (BLASTN and BLASTX). These genes can be further explored towards achieving the goal of developing superior chickpea varieties providing improved yields under stress conditions using modern molecular breeding approaches

Effect of Cr and Fe Doping on the Structural and Optical Properties of ZnO Nanostructures

In the present study, we have synthesized Cr and Fe doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-structures (Zn1-δCraFebO; where δ= a + b=20%, a = 5, 6, 8 & 10% and b=15, 14, 12 & 10%) via sol-gel method at different doping concentrations. The synthesized samples were characterized for structural properties by X-ray diffractometer and field emission scanning electron microscope and the optical properties were carried out through photoluminescence and UV-visible spectroscopy. The particle size calculated through field emission scanning electron microscope varies from 41 to 96 nm for the samples synthesized at different doping concentrations. The optical band gaps calculated through UV-visible spectroscopy are found to be decreasing from 3.27 to 3.02 eV as the doping concentration of Cr increases and Fe decreases

Studies on Diagnosis and Pathogenesis of Equine Herpesviruses-1 and -4 by Polymerase Chain Reaction

The work presented in this thesis focuses on the development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for diagnosis and differentiation of equid herpes viruses-1 and -4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4) infections in suspected field cases and contact animals and in experimentally infected specific-pathogen-free (SPF) foals. The technique has been applied to study the pathogenesis of EHV-1 and EHV-4 infections in these foals. Further, the effect of homologous (EHV-1:EHV-1) challenge on nasal virus excretion and duration of viremia has been studied. Studies on heterologous (EHV-4:EHV-1) challenge have also been conducted with one objective being to determine whether challenge virus could reactivate virus inoculated to produce primary infection (reactivation of EHV-4 by EHV-1 in this instance). Following secondary challenge (homologous or heterologous), dexamethasone administration was performed in order to reactivate latent virus(es). The chapterwise details of the thesis are as follows: Chapter 1 describes the general features the family Herpesviridae structure of herpesvirion, genomes of herpesviruses, classification of herpesviruses, their replicative cycles and latency. A brief account of various equid herpesviruses (equid herpesviruses-1 to -8) is given and the literature on various aspects of EHV-1 and EHV-4 has been reviewed comprehensively. The general materials and methods used throughout the course of study are described in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 gives an account of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its application in various fields of science. The EHV-1/EHV-4 PCR assay is detailed. Type common primers derived from the conserved regions of homologues of HSV genes encoding glycoproteins gH and gC and a nested set comprising a primer derived from thymidine kinase (tk) gene and three from the gH gene have been used to amplify specific regions of EHV-1 and EHV-4. The targets for amplification in the PCR assays were; tissue culture supernatants from EHV-1 and EHV-4 infected cultures and recombinant plasmic DNAs containing EHV-1 and EHV-4 target. The amplified products could be distinguished by type-specific probes selected from the divergent regions of the genes and internal to the primers. Reaction conditions were optimised and assay sensitivity assessed. Chapter 4 describes the use of PCR techniques to the detection of EHV-1 or EHV-4- specific DNA in nasopharyngeal swab samples from suspected field cases and their in-contacts. The primers used in the PCR assay were: inner gH, nested set and gC. The assays were conducted blind and later decoded and compared with virus isolation data. Of 98 samples, 91 of which were EHV-1 and EHV-4-negative and 7 positive, all 7 positives were confirmed by PCR and 5 virus-negative were PCR-positive. The results indicated that PCR is a sensitive and rapid technique for the diagnosis of EHV-1 and EHV-4 infections. The studies on the experimental infections of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) foals are described in Chapter 5. The experiment was conducted in three phases: primary infection, secondary infection/challenge and reactivation. Two groups of two SPF foals were infected by inoculating 107 pfu of EHV-1 strain Ab4 or EHV-4 strain MD intranasally. Nasal secretions and peripheral blood leucocytes (PBMCs) were collected at days -2, 1, 3, 5, 8, 11 and 18 post-infection (p.i.) and analysed by PCR. Results were compared with the virus isolation and co-cultivation data. The latter work was carried out by research group at Cambridge led by Dr Hugh Field. Rectal temperatures as high as 106F were recorded in EHV-1 infected foals and classical signs of EHV-1 induced disease were observed. The EHV-4 infected foals exhibited a mild disease. EHV-1 specific DNA was detected in the nasal secretions of the EHV-1 infected foals til day 18 post-infection, the day of last sampling. In the PBMCs of EHV-1 infected foals, EHV-1 specific DNA was detectable till day 11 p.i. At the peak of infection at day 5 in one foal and at day 8 in another foal. 5 x 10+ and 5 x 104 PBMCs respectively gave a positive signal in PCR assay. Nasal virus excretion by virus isolation was demonstrable till day 11 p.i. in both the EHV-1 infected foals. EHV-1 viraemia was observed by infectious centre assay at days 3, 5 and 11 in one foal and at day 11 post infection in another. The EHV-4-specific DNA in EHV-4 infected group was detectable till day 18 and 15 respectively in the nasal secretions of the two foals. EHV-4 specific DNA was detectable till day 15 p.i.; the infection was mild throughout as 5 x 105 cells gave a positive signal in PCR assay. In another foal, EHV-4 specific DNA was detectable till day 11 p.i. in the PBMCs, the peak of infection observed at day 11 when 5 x 104 cells gave a positive signal. No infectious centre was demonstrated in co-cultivation studies of leucocytes of EHV-4 infected foals indicating thereby that the assay is less sensitive as compared to PCR. Our studies provide definitive evidence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 specific DNA sequences in PBMCs of foals infected under specific pathogen-free conditions, following primary infection with EHV-1 and EHV-4. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)

Behavioral problems in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome: An ignored aspect!

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common chronic renal disorder in children. Oral glucocorticoids are required in high doses for prolonged periods adding to various comorbidities including psychosocial issues and behavioral problems. Objectives: This study was done to analyze the behavioral profile of children with steroid-sensitive NS (SSNS), also its association with other factors such as mothers’ education, socioeconomic status, and age distribution. Materials and Methods: This was a questionnaire (child behavior checklist)-based cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care center. Children from 6 to 15 years with diagnosis of SSNS for the duration of 1 year or more were included in the study. Cases were divided into two groups: Infrequent and frequent relapsing NS (IFRNS)/steroid-dependent NS (SDNS). Equal number of children in 6–15 years age group attending outpatient clinic was taken as controls. Results: Children with SSNS (n=161) had behavioral problems in significant percentage (39.13%) compared to the control group (8.75%). It was observed more in boys (73.02%) who had more hyperactive, aggressive behavior, and externalizing problems. Internalizing problems (anxious/depressed, withdrawn/depressed, and somatic complaints) were significantly more in the study group (17.39%) as compared to none in the control group. Children with FRNS/SDNS course had more significant problems compared to relapse IFRNS group. Age distribution, socioeconomic status, and mother’s education had no significant effect on its occurrence. Conclusion: Significant behavioral problems are observed in children with SSNS and are related to the type of SSNS

A Rare Case of Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Colon Presenting as Ileoileal Intussusception in an Adult

Intussusception is the cause of around 1% of all bowel obstructions in adults. Unlike in children, where intussusception is most often idiopathic in nature, cases in adults usually have an identifiable etiology, most commonly malignancy. Symptoms are usually non-specific, but timely identification and management is crucial due to high rates of carcinoma as the lead point of intussusception. Here we present a rare case of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon that presented as ileoileal intussusception. Diagnostic and treatment issues are also discussed