Late occurrence of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia complicating pregnancy: A case report

Diaphragmatic hernia complicating pregnancy is rare and results in a high fetal and maternal mortality particularly if early surgical intervention is not undertaken. A very high degree of suspicion in needed for diagnosis as the symptoms produced by this hernia are seen in normal pregnancy also. We present here a patient with CDH who became acutely symptomatic for the first time during the pregnancy and was managed successfully

Strategizing well locations in unconfined, heterogeneous hydrate reservoirs for maximizing gas production

Natural gas hydrates are a potential alternative to conventional energy due to their high energy density and low carbon with wide distribution across the globe. Producing methane from the gas hydrate reservoirs is technically challenging as they are present in complex geological environments which are highly heterogeneous. In this work, using numerical reservoir simulations of gas production from oceanic gas-hydrate reservoirs underlain with an aquifer we show that warm-water injection is necessary when the water layer below the hydrates is unconfined. Our simulations reveal that the aquifer characterization is essential to design the gas production strategy and estimating the gas recovery. We demonstrate that for a gas-hydrate reservoir attached to a moderately unconfined aquifer, warm-water injection in the hydrate-zone leads to more recovery. If the hydrate-zone is layered then the gas recovery improves by injecting the water into a more porous layer. However, for highly unconfined reservoirs water should be injected near the aquifer for efficient recovery of gas. Our findings will help in developing gas production plans from the hydrate reservoirs around the world

Biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles eclipse fungal and bacterial contamination in micropropagation of Capparis decidua (FORSK.) Edgew: A substitute to toxic substances

336-343Microbial contamination is a serious challenge in plant tissue culture, particularly in micropropagation of threatened and rare medicinally important plants for conservation purpose. Use of antibiotics exhibit harmful effects on plants, and continuous use makes bacteria more resistant. Also, chemicals used to control such contaminations are either toxic to the explant or have limited efficiency. Though nanobiotechnology offers an effective alternate to deal with the bacterial and fungal contamination, chemical synthesis of metal nanoparticles has limitations and found to be toxic, flammable and hard to get disposed. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) employing plant extracts, being environment friendly, cost-effective, and single step, is gaining attention as better alternative method. In this study, the green synthesised silver nanoparticles were confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy (462.73 nm, 0.473 Abs) and Transmission Electron microscopy (TEM). The fruit extract of Capparis decidua served as an environmentally benign reducing agent and the phytochemicals of the extract as non-toxic agent to stabilize the AgNP (FTIR) upholding its significance as an eco-friendly approach compared to hazardous chemicals. The nano size (1.5-15 nm) makes the green synthesized AgNPs a better antimicrobial agent allowing easy diffusion into the cells. Evaluation of decontamination as well as the survival rate of the explants was monitored using the explants (shoot tip and nodal segment) immersion in three different concentrations of AgNP solution (100, 300, and 500 mg/L) and controlled by 0.1% mercuric chloride treatment demonstrating promising decrease in decontamination. However, the survival was expedient excluding immersion in 100 mg/L for 20 or 30 min. The MS media supplementation by AgNP solution (50, 100, 300 and 500 mg/L), controlled by 70% ethanol treatment divulged the superior decontamination rate at 150 mg/L of AgNPs (90.2% for bacteria and 94.4% for fungal contamination) with 80.5% survival. The increased concentration gave 100% bacterial and 98.6% fungal decontamination but a reduced survival percent (68.5%). This work potentially showed that nanosized AgNPs could serve as an appropriate antimicrobial substitute to chemicals being innocuous to the explant regeneration

HMGB1 Protein Interactions in Prostate and Ovary Cancer Models Reveal Links to RNA Processing and Ribosome Biogenesis through NuRD, THOC and Septin Complexes

[Abstract] This study reports the HMGB1 interactomes in prostate and ovary cancer cells lines. Affinity purification coupled to mass spectrometry confirmed that the HMGB1 nuclear interactome is involved in HMGB1 known functions such as maintenance of chromatin stability and regulation of transcription, and also in not as yet reported processes such as mRNA and rRNA processing. We have identified an interaction between HMGB1 and the NuRD complex and validated this by yeast-two-hybrid, confirming that the RBBP7 subunit directly interacts with HMGB1. In addition, we describe for the first time an interaction between two HMGB1 interacting complexes, the septin and THOC complexes, as well as an interaction of these two complexes with Rab11. Analysis of Pan-Cancer Atlas public data indicated that several genes encoding HMGB1-interacting proteins identified in this study are dysregulated in tumours from patients diagnosed with ovary and prostate carcinomas. In PC-3 cells, silencing of HMGB1 leads to downregulation of the expression of key regulators of ribosome biogenesis and RNA processing, namely BOP1, RSS1, UBF1, KRR1 and LYAR. Upregulation of these genes in prostate adenocarcinomas is correlated with worse prognosis, reinforcing their functional significance in cancer progression.This research was funded by the Wellcome Trust (grant no. 206194/Z/17/Z) and by Plan Estatal I+D+i, Instituto Carlos III (ISCIII, Spain) (grants no. PI14/01031 and PI18/01417) cofunded by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-FEDER (The European Regional Development Fund-ERDF) “A way of Making Europe”, and by Xunta de Galicia (Consolidación Grupos Referencia Competitiva grant no. ED431C 2020-08)Reino Unido. Wellcome Trust; 206194/Z/17/ZXunta de Galicia; ED431C 2020-0

Financial Management Strategies for Sustainable Farming Practices

This paper delves into the multifaceted realm of sustainable farming, offering a holistic view of its definition, significance, and the manifold benefits it brings to the agricultural landscape. Sustainable farming represents a paradigm shift in agriculture, emphasizing environmental responsibility, societal well-being, and economic viability. The benefits it offers span across the realms of environmental conservation, social equity, and financial sustainability, making it a compelling and pressing approach for modern farmers. The financial fundamentals of sustainable farming are explored, covering crucial aspects such as budgeting, cash flow management, and the integration of sustainable technologies. Sound financial management is pivotal for ensuring that eco-friendly practices align with economic stability and long-term prosperity. Risk management is another cornerstone, with a focus on identifying and mitigating potential threats, as well as the role of insurance and hedging in safeguarding farming operations. Access to capital is addressed from both traditional and alternative sources, highlighting the significance of financial support for the adoption of sustainable practices. Record-keeping and financial analysis are essential tools for farmers, facilitating informed decision-making, performance tracking, and the adaptability of strategies to achieve maximum sustainability benefits. Study underscores the pivotal role of government support, encapsulating policies, incentives, and tax benefits designed to encourage sustainable farming practices and compliance with regulatory standards. By adhering to these guidelines, farmers not only contribute to environmental conservation but also secure their economic future

Extending dynamic capabilities towards lean thinking in humanitarian supply chains

Humanitarian supply chain (HSC) research is still in its infancy and remains an enigma, due to its profound differences with the much-researched field of global supply chains. Thus, humanitarian operations (HO) remain obstinately difficult to manage, despite attempts by key stakeholders to keep abreast of all the contemporary challenges. A key concern is wastage of disaster relief materials along the supply chain, which strains already scarce resources. Moreover, humanitarian research is plagued by a dearth of theory development and redeployment of existing theories from other fields, which are critical in enhancing methodological rigour. To address these gaps, we undertake an in-depth qualitative study which draws on data from humanitarian organisations that responded to the major earthquake in Nepal (2015). Using a novel approach, we adapt the theory of constraints (TOC) and dynamic capabilities to conduct our investigation. First, we apply TOC at an analytical level to unearth the constraints perturbing HO. Second, using dynamic capabilities as an overarching theoretical lens, we draw insights which contribute towards effective HSC management. To conclude, our study contributes by extending the dynamic capabilities theory for Lean thinking in HO. We achieve this by proffering ‘sustaining’ as a key extension of dynamic capabilities in HSC

Comparative Study of Human and Mouse Postsynaptic Proteomes Finds High Compositional Conservation and Abundance Differences for Key Synaptic Proteins

Direct comparison of protein components from human and mouse excitatory synapses is important for determining the suitability of mice as models of human brain disease and to understand the evolution of the mammalian brain. The postsynaptic density is a highly complex set of proteins organized into molecular networks that play a central role in behavior and disease. We report the first direct comparison of the proteome of triplicate isolates of mouse and human cortical postsynaptic densities. The mouse postsynaptic density comprised 1556 proteins and the human one 1461. A large compositional overlap was observed; more than 70% of human postsynaptic density proteins were also observed in the mouse postsynaptic density. Quantitative analysis of postsynaptic density components in both species indicates a broadly similar profile of abundance but also shows that there is higher abundance variation between species than within species. Well known components of this synaptic structure are generally more abundant in the mouse postsynaptic density. Significant inter-species abundance differences exist in some families of key postsynaptic density proteins including glutamatergic neurotransmitter receptors and adaptor proteins. Furthermore, we have identified a closely interacting set of molecules enriched in the human postsynaptic density that could be involved in dendrite and spine structural plasticity. Understanding synapse proteome diversity within and between species will be important to further our understanding of brain complexity and disease

Proteomic analysis of NMDA receptor–adhesion protein signaling complexes

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) mediate long-lasting changes in synapse strength via downstream signaling pathways. We report proteomic characterization with mass spectrometry and immunoblotting of NMDAR multiprotein complexes (NRC) isolated from mouse brain. The NRC comprised 77 proteins organized into receptor, adaptor, signaling, cytoskeletal and novel proteins, of which 30 are implicated from binding studies and another 19 participate in NMDAR signaling. NMDAR and metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes were linked to cadherins and L1 cell-adhesion molecules in complexes lacking AMPA receptors. These neurotransmitter– adhesion receptor complexes were bound to kinases, phosphatases, GTPase-activating proteins and Ras with effectors including MAPK pathway components. Several proteins were encoded by activity-dependent genes. Genetic or pharmacological interference with 15 NRC proteins impairs learning and with 22 proteins alters synaptic plasticity in rodents. Mutations in three human genes (NF1, Rsk-2, L1) are associated with learning impairments, indicating the NRC also participates in human cognition

Neurotransmitters Drive Combinatorial Multistate Postsynaptic Density Networks

The mammalian postsynaptic density (PSD) comprises a complex collection of ~1100 proteins. Despite extensive knowledge of individual proteins, the overall organization of the PSD is poorly understood. Here, we define maps of molecular circuitry within the PSD based on phosphorylation of postsynaptic proteins. Activation of a single neurotransmitter receptor, the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), changed the phosphorylation status of 127 proteins. Stimulation of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors and dopamine receptors activated overlapping networks with distinct combinatorial phosphorylation signatures. Using peptide array technology, we identified specific phosphorylation motifs and switching mechanisms responsible for the integration of neurotransmitter receptor pathways and their coordination of multiple substrates in these networks. These combinatorial networks confer high information-processing capacity and functional diversity on synapses, and their elucidation may provide new insights into disease mechanisms and new opportunities for drug discover