Multilocational evaluation of sweet-stalk sorghum genotypes for alternate uses

Some 100 sweet-stalk sorghum genotypes (G) were evaluated for stalk sugar percentage (Brix), grain and biomass yields and other agronomic traits during 1967 at Anantpur (shallow soil and low rainfall), Parbhani (adequate rainfall) and Patancheru (postrainy season; irrigated). Significant effects of G, environment (E) and G X E interactions were observed for all the characters studied. Most genotypes belonged to the medium maturity group (108 to 150 days). Genotypes IS6962, IS7555, IS9901, IS18162, IS18164, IS19674 and IS21005 gave high grain (1.34-2.49 t/ha) and biomass yields (13 to 20.6 t/ha) across environments; these lines may be suitable for breeding dual-purpose sorghums. IS131, IS11496, IS15102, IS19674 and IS11152 showed consistently high stalk sugar (17-21%) and biomass (13-21 t/ha) in all three environments; they could be used as parents for breeding sweet-stalk sorghums. IS776, IS18162 and IS18164 showed appreciable grain yield and high percentage of stalk sugar and the last two accumulated high biomass; these lines may be useful as parents for breeding multipurpose sorghums. IS3940 was early, and showed least differences (+- 2.9) in time to flowering across all environments, and showed high stalk sugar (15.5%) levels except at Anantpur., 11 ref., Some 100 sweet-stalk sorghum genotypes (G) were evaluated for stalk sugar percentage (Brix), grain and biomass yields and other agronomic traits during 1967 at Anantpur (shallow soil and low rainfall), Parbhani (adequate rainfall) and Patancheru (postrainy season; irrigated). Significant effects of G, environment (E) and G X E interactions were observed for all the characters studied. Most genotypes belonged to the medium maturity group (108 to 150 days). Genotypes IS6962, IS7555, IS9901, IS18162, IS18164, IS19674 and IS21005 gave high grain (1.34-2.49 t/ha) and biomass yields (13 to 20.6 t/ha) across environments; these lines may be suitable for breeding dual-purpose sorghums. IS131, IS11496, IS15102, IS19674 and IS11152 showed consistently high stalk sugar (17-21%) and biomass (13-21 t/ha) in all three environments; they could be used as parents for breeding sweet-stalk sorghums. IS776, IS18162 and IS18164 showed appreciable grain yield and high percentage of stalk sugar and the last two accumulated high biomass; these lines may be useful as parents for breeding multipurpose sorghums. IS3940 was early, and showed least differences (+- 2.9) in time to flowering across all environments, and showed high stalk sugar (15.5%) levels except at Anantpur

Enhanced oral bioavailability and hepatoprotective activity of thymoquinone in the form of phospholipidic nano-constructs

Background: The poor biopharmaceutical properties of thymoquinone (TQ) obstruct its development as a hepatoprotective agent. To surmount the delivery challenges of TQ, phospholipid nanoconstructs (PNCs) were constructed. Method: PNCs were constructed employing microemulsification technique and systematic optimization by three-factor three level Box-Behnken design. Result: Optimized PNC composition exhibited nano size (90%), controlled drug release pattern, and neutral surface charge (zeta potential of −0.65 mV). After oral administration of a single dose of PNC, it showed a relative bioavailability of 386.03% vis-à-vis plain TQ suspension. Further, TQ-loaded PNC demonstrated significant enhanced hepato-protective effect vis-à-vis pure TQ suspension and silymarin, as evidenced by reduction in the ALP, ALT, AST, bilirubin, and albumin level and ratified by histopathological analysis. Conclusion: TQ-loaded PNCs can be efficient nano-platforms for the management of hepatic disorders and promising drug delivery systems to enhance oral bioavailability of this hydrophobic molecule

Interpretation of CIs in clinical trials with non-significant results: systematic review and recommendations

Objectives: Interpretation of CIs in randomised clinical trials (RCTs) with treatment effects that are not statistically significant can distinguish between results that are ‘negative’ (the data are not consistent with a clinically meaningful treatment effect) or ‘inconclusive’ (the data remain consistent with the possibility of a clinically meaningful treatment effect). This interpretation is important to ensure that potentially beneficial treatments are not prematurely abandoned in future research or clinical practice based on invalid conclusions. Design: Systematic review of RCT reports published in 2014 in Annals of Internal Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, JAMA Internal Medicine and The Lancet (n=247). Results: 85 of 99 articles with statistically non-significant results reported CIs for the treatment effect. Only 17 of those 99 articles interpreted the CI. Of the 22 articles in which CIs indicated an inconclusive result, only four acknowledged that the study could not rule out a clinically meaningful treatment effect. Conclusions: Interpretation of CIs is important but occurs infrequently in study reports of trials with treatment effects that are not statistically significant. Increased author interpretation of CIs could improve application of RCT results. Reporting recommendations are provided

Research design characteristics of published pharmacologic randomized clinical trials for irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pelvic pain conditions: an ACTTION systemic review

Chronic pain conditions occurring in the lower abdomen and pelvis are common, often challenging to manage, and can negatively affect health-related quality of life. Methodological challenges in designing randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for these conditions likely contributes to the limited number of available treatments. The goal of this systematic review of RCTs of pharmacologic treatments for irritable bowel syndrome and 3 common chronic pelvic pain conditions are to (1) summarize the primary endpoints and entry criteria and (2) evaluate the clarity of reporting of important methodological details. In total, 127 RCTs were included in the analysis. The most common inclusion criteria were a minimum pain duration (81%), fulfilling an established diagnostic criteria (61%), and reporting a minimum pain intensity (42%). Primary endpoints were identified for only (57%) of trials. These endpoints, summarized in this article, were highly variable. The results of this systematic review can be used to inform future research to optimize the entry criteria and outcome measures for pain conditions occurring in the lower abdomen and pelvis, to increase transparency in reporting to allow for proper interpretation of RCT results for clinical and policy applications, and to facilitate the aggregation of data in meta-analyses

Research design characteristics of published pharmacologic randomized clinical trials for irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pelvic pain conditions: an ACTTION systemic review

Chronic pain conditions occurring in the lower abdomen and pelvis are common, often challenging to manage, and can negatively affect health-related quality of life. Methodological challenges in designing randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for these conditions likely contributes to the limited number of available treatments. The goal of this systematic review of RCTs of pharmacologic treatments for irritable bowel syndrome and 3 common chronic pelvic pain conditions are to (1) summarize the primary endpoints and entry criteria and (2) evaluate the clarity of reporting of important methodological details. In total, 127 RCTs were included in the analysis. The most common inclusion criteria were a minimum pain duration (81%), fulfilling an established diagnostic criteria (61%), and reporting a minimum pain intensity (42%). Primary endpoints were identified for only (57%) of trials. These endpoints, summarized in this article, were highly variable. The results of this systematic review can be used to inform future research to optimize the entry criteria and outcome measures for pain conditions occurring in the lower abdomen and pelvis, to increase transparency in reporting to allow for proper interpretation of RCT results for clinical and policy applications, and to facilitate the aggregation of data in meta-analyses