Mobilized Peripheral Blood Stem Cells Versus Unstimulated Bone Marrow As a Graft Source for T-Cell-Replete Haploidentical Donor Transplantation Using Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide.

Purpose T-cell-replete HLA-haploidentical donor hematopoietic transplantation using post-transplant cyclophosphamide was originally described using bone marrow (BM). With increasing use of mobilized peripheral blood (PB), we compared transplant outcomes after PB and BM transplants. Patients and Methods A total of 681 patients with hematologic malignancy who underwent transplantation in the United States between 2009 and 2014 received BM (n = 481) or PB (n = 190) grafts. Cox regression models were built to examine differences in transplant outcomes by graft type, adjusting for patient, disease, and transplant characteristics. Results Hematopoietic recovery was similar after transplantation of BM and PB (28-day neutrophil recovery, 88% v 93%, P = .07; 100-day platelet recovery, 88% v 85%, P = .33). Risks of grade 2 to 4 acute (hazard ratio [HR], 0.45; P \u3c .001) and chronic (HR, 0.35; P \u3c .001) graft-versus-host disease were lower with transplantation of BM compared with PB. There were no significant differences in overall survival by graft type (HR, 0.99; P = .98), with rates of 54% and 57% at 2 years after transplantation of BM and PB, respectively. There were no differences in nonrelapse mortality risks (HR, 0.92; P = .74) but relapse risks were higher after transplantation of BM (HR, 1.49; P = .009). Additional exploration confirmed that the higher relapse risks after transplantation of BM were limited to patients with leukemia (HR, 1.73; P = .002) and not lymphoma (HR, 0.87; P = .64). Conclusion PB and BM grafts are suitable for haploidentical transplantation with the post-transplant cyclophosphamide approach but with differing patterns of treatment failure. Although, to our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive comparison, these findings must be validated in a randomized prospective comparison with adequate follow-up

Insecticide Resistance in Areas Under Investigation by the International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research: A Challenge for Malaria Control and Elimination

Scale-up of the main vector control interventions, residual insecticides sprayed on walls or structures and/or impregnated in bed nets, together with prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, have led to a global reduction in malaria transmission. However, resistance in vectors to almost all classes of insecticides, particularly to the synthetic pyrethroids, is posing a challenge to the recent trend of declining malaria. Ten International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) located in the most malaria-endemic regions of the world are currently addressing insecticide resistance in the main vector populations, which not only threaten hope for elimination in malaria-endemic countries but also may lead to reversal where notable reductions in malaria have been documented. This communication illustrates the current status of insecticide resistance with a focus on the countries where activities are ongoing for 9 out of the 10 ICEMRs. Most of the primary malaria vectors in the ICEMR countries exhibit insecticide resistance, albeit of varying magnitude, and spanning all mechanisms of resistance. New alternatives to the insecticides currently available are still to be fully developed for deployment. Integrated vector management principles need to be better understood and encouraged, and viable insecticide resistance management strategies need to be developed and implemented

Arsenicosis, possibly from contaminated groundwater, associated with noncirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Idiopathic noncirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension (NCIPH), a chronic microangiopathy of the liver caused by arsenicosis from use of contaminated groundwater, was reported from Asia. This study aimed to see, if in the twenty-first century, arsenicosis was present in NCIPH patients at our hospital and, if present, to look for groundwater contamination by arsenic in their residential locality. METHODS: Twenty-seven liver biopsy proven NCIPH patients, 25 portal hypertensive controls with hepatitis B or C related cirrhosis and 25 healthy controls, matched for residential locality, were studied. Eighty-four percent to 96 % of study subjects belonged to middle or lower socioeconomic category. Arsenicosis was looked for by estimation of arsenic levels in finger/toe nails and by skin examination. Arsenic levels in nails and in ground water (in NCIPH patients with arsenicosis) was estimated by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Nail arsenic levels were raised in five (10 %) portal hypertensive study subjects [two NCIPH patients (both had skin arsenicosis) and three portal hypertensive controls]. All of these five patients were residents of West Bengal or Bangladesh. Skin arsenicosis was noted in three NCIPH patients (11 %) compared to none of disease/healthy controls. Ground water from residential locality of one NCIPH patient with arsenicosis (from Bangladesh) showed extremely high level of arsenic (79.5 μg/L). CONCLUSIONS: Arsenicosis and microangiopathy of liver, possibly caused by environmental contamination continues in parts of Asia. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of such 'poverty-linked thrombophilia'

Enzyme‐assisted aqueous extraction of Kalahari melon seed oil: optimization using response surface methodology

Enzymatic extraction of oil from Kalahari melon seeds was investigated and evaluated by response surface methodology (RSM). Two commercial protease enzyme products were used separately: Neutrase® 0.8 L and Flavourzyme® 1000 L from Novozymes (Bagsvaerd, Denmark). RSM was applied to model and optimize the reaction conditions namely concentration of enzyme (20–50 g kg−1 of seed mass), initial pH of mixture (pH 5–9), incubation temperature (40–60 °C), and incubation time (12–36 h). Well fitting models were successfully established for both enzymes: Neutrase 0.8 L (R 2 = 0.9410) and Flavourzyme 1000 L (R 2 = 0.9574) through multiple linear regressions with backward elimination. Incubation time was the most significant reaction factor on oil yield for both enzymes. The optimal conditions for Neutrase 0.8 L were: an enzyme concentration of 25 g kg−1, an initial pH of 7, a temperature at 58 °C and an incubation time of 31 h with constant shaking at 100 rpm. Centrifuging the mixture at 8,000g for 20 min separated the oil with a recovery of 68.58 ± 3.39%. The optimal conditions for Flavourzyme 1000 L were enzyme concentration of 21 g kg−1, initial pH of 6, temperature at 50 °C and incubation time of 36 h. These optimum conditions yielded a 71.55 ± 1.28% oil recovery

Adolescents' experiences of victimization: the role of attribution style and generalized trust

Positive attribution style, negative attribution style, and generalised peer trust beliefs were examined as mediators in the relationship between adolescents’ peer victimisation experiences and psychosocial and school adjustment. Two hundred and eighty (150 female and 130 males, Mage = 13 years 4 months, SDage = 1 year 1 month) adolescents completed measures of peer victimisation, global self-worth, depressive symptoms, social confidence, school liking, loneliness, attribution styles, and generalised trust beliefs. Multigroup path analysis revealed that: (a) negative attribution style mediated the relationship between cyber victimisation and school liking and depressive symptoms for males and females; (b) positive attribution style mediated the relationship between cyber victimisation, school liking, global self-worth, and depressive symptoms for females; and (c) generalised peer trust beliefs mediated the relationship between social victimisation, depressive symptoms, social confidence, and loneliness for females. Consequently, attribution style and generalised trust beliefs differentially influence the relationship between peer victimisation and adjustment

Field evaluation of Trichoderma harzianum, Pochonia chlamydosporia and Pasteuria penetrans in a root knot nematode infested black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) garden in India

Two fungal bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum and Pochonia chlamydosporia) and a bacterial endoparasite (Pasteuria penetrans) were evaluated for biological control of nematodes in a black pepper garden in Waynad District of Kerala, India for five years (1998-2001) in a randomized block design with six treatments replicated thrice. The yellowing of vines in the experimental plot has decreased in all the treatments after the first year onwards. After four years, the lowest incidence of yellowing (15.25 %) was noticed in plots treated with phorate followed by plots treated with P. chlamydosporia (20.78 %) and P. penetrans (24.13 %). The highest mean yield (1.83 kg vine-1) was obtained in P. chlamydosporia treated plots followed by combined application of phorate and potassium phosphonate (1.50 kg vine-1). The lowest mean population of root-knot nematodes in black pepper roots was observed in phorate + potassium phosphonate treated plants followed by P. penetrans treated plants. The final nematode level was the lowest in P. chlamydosporia treated plots. The study has clearly proved the efficacy of these bioagents, especially P. chlamydosporia for managing root knot nematodes in black pepper gardens

Field evaluation of Trichoderma harzianum, Pochonia chlamydosporia and Pasteuria penetrans in a root knot nematode infested black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) garden in India

Two fungal bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum and Pochonia chlamydosporia) and a bacterial endoparasite (Pasteuria penetrans) were evaluated for biological control of nematodes in a black pepper garden in Waynad District of Kerala, India for five years (1998-2001) in a randomized block design with six treatments replicated thrice. The yellowing of vines in the experimental plot has decreased in all the treatments after the first year onwards. After four years, the lowest incidence of yellowing (15.25 %) was noticed in plots treated with phorate followed by plots treated with P. chlamydosporia (20.78 %) and P. penetrans (24.13 %). The highest mean yield (1.83 kg vine-1) was obtained in P. chlamydosporia treated plots followed by combined application of phorate and potassium phosphonate (1.50 kg vine-1). The lowest mean population of root-knot nematodes in black pepper roots was observed in phorate + potassium phosphonate treated plants followed by P. penetrans treated plants. The final nematode level was the lowest in P. chlamydosporia treated plots. The study has clearly proved the efficacy of these bioagents, especially P. chlamydosporia for managing root knot nematodes in black pepper gardens

Evaluation of fungal bioagents for management of root-knot nematodes in ginger and turmeric fields

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) are important herbaceousspices cultivated extensively in different states of India. Being vegetatively propagated, theyare challenged with several pests and diseases including plant parasitic nematodes. Root-knot nematode problem in these crops is currently managed with nematicides, cover cropsand organic amendments. Realizing the scope of biological control in these crops, a series ofexperiments were conducted at Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut, Kerala to screenand evaluate various fungal bioagents for control of root knot nematodes (Meloidogyneincognita) infesting ginger and turmeric under field conditions. Ten antagonistic fungi wereevaluated in different field experiments conducted in root-knot infested ginger and turmericfields at two locations. The most promising isolates that suppressed root knot nematodeswere Aspergillus nidulans (Is.10),  Fusarium oxysporum (Is.11), Paecilomyces lilacinus (Is.36),Trichoderma viride (Is. 25), Verticillium lecanii (Is.35) and Pochonia chlamydosporia (Is.32). Fromthese, three fungi viz.  F. oxysporum, T. viride and P. chlamydosporia were further tested inginger fields using two delivery systems, soil bed application and seed rhizome dippinggenerally applicable in dry shed treatment. The final results showed that  P. chlamydosporiasignificantly suppressed root knot nematodes in ginger and gave the maximum yieldirrespective of the mode of application. &nbsp

A Study Of Social And Breeding Behaviour In Ostrich (Struthio Camelus) In Captive Environment

The earth is teeming with a distinct variety of life forms, but many species are being threatened due to human encroachment, habitat degradation, climate change and pollution, putting the earth’s magnificent biodiversity at risk. The risk of extinction rises as the gene pool's diversity decreases. Thus, conserving the existing biodiversity based on sustainable development and several conservation strategies like zoological parks plays a key role in providing a home to a wide range of indigenous species and exotic birds in a stress-free environment with high veterinary care. Menagerie plays a role in ex-situ conservation by captive breeding and in-situ conservation by reintroduction into the wild. This research has been conducted to observe the behavioural pattern of Struthio camelus that were reared in captive condition.  Breeding, mating, aggression, pecking and locomotion patterns were investigated. Predominant reproductive behaviour in the wild and captive are kantling, soliciting and agonistic displays. The number of eggs laid by the females within the clutch, the length of laying period, egg shape, size and colour were noted. The male rooster showed more aggressive behaviour and was disturbed at the sight of visitors producing a hissing sound. The population of the ostrich is declining as they are hunted for their feathers and skin, thus by captive breeding strategies, these species can be reestablished in the wild. This research helps in contributing scientific knowledge through observation of animals in their enclosures and increases longevity through improved diet.&nbsp