Effect of individual, simultaneous and sequential inoculation of pseudomonas fluorescens and meloidogyne incognita on growth, biochemical, enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum l.)

This study was conducted on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. K-21) to investigate the bioprotective nature of Pseudomonas fluorescens and its interactive effects with Meloidogyne incognita in terms of growth biomarkers, changes in biochemical attributes and modulation in antioxidant enzymes of the tomato plant. In this study, we grew tomato plants with M. incognita and P. fluorescens in separate pots, simultaneously and sequentially (15 days prior or post) after 15 days of seed sowing. The sequential inoculation of Mi15→Pf maximally increased the root-knot index and decreased the nematode population. It was also noted that inoculation suppressed the plant growth biomarkers in comparison to control. However, maximum suppression in nematode reproduction and increment in growth and physiological attributes were observed when P. fluorescens was applied 15 days prior to the nematode (Pf15→Mi) as compared to control. All the treatments showed an increase in antioxidant enzymes. Expression of phenol content and defensive enzymes such as peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased, in contrast to a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) contents when compared with the untreated inoculated plants. However, the highest levels of POX and SOD, and a lowest of phenol, MDA and H2 O2 were displayed in the treatment Pf15→Mi, followed by Mi+Pf and Mi15→Pf

National survey of outcomes and practices in acute respiratory distress syndrome in Singapore

The authors acknowledge the following as the total funding sources for this study: 1. SICM NICER grant: logistical, non-monetary, support from the Society of Intensive Care Medicine Singapore. This was in the form of Ngee Ann Polytechnic students (8) who collected the data for the study for one month. 2. NMRC (National medical research council) grant for Dr, Matthew Cove (partial support for this study): This was in the shape of salary support for all his research related activity. (NMRC/TA/0015/2013) (MEC)

Adding 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy to postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of short-course versus no androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised controlled trial

Background Previous evidence indicates that adjuvant, short-course androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves metastasis-free survival when given with primary radiotherapy for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the value of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy is unclear. Methods RADICALS-HD was an international randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of ADT used in combination with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to radiotherapy alone (no ADT) or radiotherapy with 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT), using monthly subcutaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue injections, daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as distant metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. Standard survival analysis methods were used, accounting for randomisation stratification factors. The trial had 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 80% to 86% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·67). Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00541047. Findings Between Nov 22, 2007, and June 29, 2015, 1480 patients (median age 66 years [IQR 61–69]) were randomly assigned to receive no ADT (n=737) or short-course ADT (n=743) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 121 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 9·0 years (IQR 7·1–10·1), metastasis-free survival events were reported for 268 participants (142 in the no ADT group and 126 in the short-course ADT group; HR 0·886 [95% CI 0·688–1·140], p=0·35). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 79·2% (95% CI 75·4–82·5) in the no ADT group and 80·4% (76·6–83·6) in the short-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 121 (17%) of 737 participants in the no ADT group and 100 (14%) of 743 in the short-course ADT group (p=0·15), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Metastatic disease is uncommon following postoperative bed radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. Adding 6 months of ADT to this radiotherapy did not improve metastasis-free survival compared with no ADT. These findings do not support the use of short-course ADT with postoperative radiotherapy in this patient population

Duration of androgen deprivation therapy with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of long-course versus short-course androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised trial

Background Previous evidence supports androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with primary radiotherapy as initial treatment for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the use and optimal duration of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy remains uncertain. Methods RADICALS-HD was a randomised controlled trial of ADT duration within the RADICALS protocol. Here, we report on the comparison of short-course versus long-course ADT. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after previous radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to add 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT) or 24 months of ADT (long-course ADT) to radiotherapy, using subcutaneous gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (monthly in the short-course ADT group and 3-monthly in the long-course ADT group), daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. The comparison had more than 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 75% to 81% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·72). Standard time-to-event analyses were used. Analyses followed intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT00541047 . Findings Between Jan 30, 2008, and July 7, 2015, 1523 patients (median age 65 years, IQR 60–69) were randomly assigned to receive short-course ADT (n=761) or long-course ADT (n=762) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 138 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 8·9 years (7·0–10·0), 313 metastasis-free survival events were reported overall (174 in the short-course ADT group and 139 in the long-course ADT group; HR 0·773 [95% CI 0·612–0·975]; p=0·029). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 71·9% (95% CI 67·6–75·7) in the short-course ADT group and 78·1% (74·2–81·5) in the long-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 105 (14%) of 753 participants in the short-course ADT group and 142 (19%) of 757 participants in the long-course ADT group (p=0·025), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Compared with adding 6 months of ADT, adding 24 months of ADT improved metastasis-free survival in people receiving postoperative radiotherapy. For individuals who can accept the additional duration of adverse effects, long-course ADT should be offered with postoperative radiotherapy. Funding Cancer Research UK, UK Research and Innovation (formerly Medical Research Council), and Canadian Cancer Society

AGE AND RADIAL GROWTH ANALYSIS OF CONIFER TREE SPECIES FROM SHANGLA, PAKISTAN

Dendrochronological studies were conducted in 40 different sites in conifer dominated forests from Shangla District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. Wood samples in the form of cores were obtained by using Swedish increment borers including Pinus wallichiana A. B Jackson, Abies pindrow Royle, Picea smithiana (Wall) Boiss and Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Donf. In order to determine their ages, growth rates based on annual ring-width characteristics. Diameter and age showed significant correlation (P<0.001) in Pinus wallichiana, Picea smithiana and Cedrus deodara except Abies pindrow which showed no relationship. Highest growth rate (1.1 +/- 0.06 year/cm) was recorded in Pinus wallichiana while for Abies pindrow growth (5.4 +/- 1.7 year/cm) was extremely slow. We concluded that age and growth rate greatly varies from tree to tree and site to site even in the same sized trees. It is also shown that largest tree in diameter is not necessarily the oldest. Present study confirmed previous finding that diameter is not a good indicator of age

PRESENT STATE AND FUTURE TRENDS OF PINE FORESTS OF MALAM JABBA, SWAT DISTRICT, PAKISTAN

Present state and future trend of pine forests of Malam Jabba, Swat district, Pakistan explored. We focused on vegetation composition, structure, diversity and forests dynamics. Thirteen stands were sampled by Point Centered Quarter method. Among all stands four monospecific forests of Pinus wallichiana attained highest density ha(-1) except in one stand where Picea smithiana attained 401 trees ha-1. Unlike density, the basal area m(2) ha(-1) of these stands varies stand to stand. Based on floristic composition and importance value index, five different communities viz Pinus wallichiana-Picea smithiana; Picea smithiana-Pinus wallichiana; Abies pindrow-Pinus wallichiana; Pinus wallichiana-Abies pindrow; Abies pindrow-Picea smithiana and 4 monospecific forests of Pinus wallichiana were recognized. Size class structure of forests showed marked influence of anthropogenic disturbance because not a single stand showed ideal regeneration pattern (inverse J shape distribution). Future of these forests is worst due to absence trees in small size classes. Gaps are also evident in most of the forest stands. Stand diversity, richness, equitability and Simpson's dominance values formulated on single stand basis. Diversity of Abies pindrow and Pinus wallichiana stand was highest because these stand occupied dominant species, while lowest diversity observed in some Pinus wallichiana and Picea smithiana stand as these stands have mark difference between the dominance of two species. In the monospecific forests, the diversity level was zero, suggesting the monopolization of resources by one species or elimination of other tree species in these stands

Association of Serum Thyroid Hormones and Serum Leptin with Body Mass Index

Leptin is a hormone secreted by adipose tissues and is considered as a satiety hormone, which inhibits feeding. Much research is being carried out internationally to understand role of leptin in obesity and related disorders. Thyroid hormones are important in metabolism and energy expenditure. Very few researches are done to investigate the possible association of serum leptin and thyroid hormones with body mass index in Pakistan. Objective of this study was to find any possible association of serum leptin levels and thyroid hormones, namely, thyroxine (T 4 ), triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) with body mass index (BMI). This prospective, randomized study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan. The subjects were selected from Outpatient Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Hospital and British Sliming Center. The consent from the patients was taken before their participation in this study. The subjects were classified into two categories; obese (BMI&gt;30) and Non-Obese (BMI&lt;25). The nutritional status of all subjects was assessed by means of anthropometric measurements. The body weight of each individual dressed in light clothing was measured using a carefully calibrated weighing balance. The height of each individual was measured using a vertical-measuring rod; a waist and hip circumference was also measured to calculate waist/hip ratio. Blood samples were taken early in the morning, 12 hours postprandial. About 10 ml of venous blood was drawn from the subjects. The serum samples were stored at 2-5°C for not more than 24 hours prior to Thyroid hormones (T 3 , T 4 &amp; TSH) and plasma Leptin measurements. Serum T 3, T4, TSH and Leptin concentration was measured by using ELISA. Data was processed and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. The mean age of the patients was 45.35 ± 5.96 years with minimum and maximum age 32-58 years respectively. Total 91 subjects were selected. 43 (47.3%) of them were males and 48 (52.7 %) females. The results showed positive significant correlation in BMI and Serum Leptin, r=0.316 (0.002), BMI and Thyroxine (T4), r= 0.113 (0.008), BMI and Tri-iodothyronine (T3), r= 0.171 (0.017) and BMI and Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), r= 0.276 (0.000). These results suggest that there is a relationship between plasma leptin levels and thyroid hormones. Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that there exists some relationship between thyroid hormones and plasma leptin. Further studies must be carried out to further investigate how leptin interacts with thyroid hormones and vice versa

Amine-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents for Alizarin Extraction from Aqueous Media

Alizarin dye is toxic and has a negative influence on human life and the environment. Consequently, the scientific community faces a difficult issue in developing efficient approaches for removing alizarin from water streams. Six distinct deep eutectic solvents (DESs) containing different hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs), namely trioctylphosphine, trioctylamine and trihexylamine, and two hydrogen bond donors (HBDs), namely salicylic acid and malonic acid, were used to rapidly remove alizarin from high concentration solutions up to 2000 mg/L at room temperature using the liquid–liquid micro-extraction method (LLE). DES-3 had the highest extraction efficiency for alizarin among the other synthesized DESs. The effect of process variables such pH, contact time, dye initial concentration, volume ratio, temperature and salt on alizarin extraction efficiency from water stream was explored, optimized and reported. Statistical analysis was conducted to ensure the accuracy of values for the optimized parameters. For a 1000 mg/L solution of alizarin with a DES/alizarin volume ratio of 1:10 at room temperature, the maximum elimination of 98.02 percent was achieved in 5 min. FTIR was used to analyze the structural properties of DES and the interaction between DES and alizarin. The thermal stability of DES-3 was determined using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and indicated that DES-3 has excellent thermal stability up to 320 °C. Human saline was used to test the toxicity of the synthesized DES in vitro. It was determined that synthesized DES is less harmful and more effective at removing alizarin

Efficient Extraction of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution Using Phosphine-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents with Carboxylic Acid

Methylene blue (MB), an organic thiazine dye, has numerous industrial and medical applications. However, MB is a wastewater contaminant that is harmful to humans and aquatic life. Hence, its removal from water bodies is essential. In this work, five novel deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were synthesized using different precursors, screened, and studied for the extraction of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution using liquid–liquid extraction. The first, TOP-SA, was synthesized using trioctylphosphine (TOP) as a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and 2-hydroxy benzoic acid as a hydrogen bond donor (HBD). Among these, TOP-SA had the highest MB removal efficiency. The effects of pH, contact time, initial MB concentration, volumetric ratio, temperature, and ionic strength were studied and optimized. A 99.3% removal was achieved in 5 min for a 200 mg dm−3 MB solution mixed in a 1:10 ratio with TOP-SA at 25.0 °C. The structural properties of TOP-SA and its interactions with MB were investigated using FTIR. TOP-SA’s toxicity was investigated using human cells in vitro. TOP-SA was found to be comparatively less toxic and is a more efficient MB remover than other literature reported ionic liquids (ILs)