Effect of nutritional supplements on queen cell production in honey bee (Apis mellifera)

Honey bees are an important means of earning a living both at small and commercial levels. Maximum benefits can be obtained from strong colonies and in order to maintain strong colonies a good beekeeper requeens the colonies every second year. This requires a number of queens. The advances in beekeeping technology have made it possible to rear queens artificially or naturally. There is scope for improvement of these methods. The aim of the present study was to investigate if nutritional supplements could facilitate queen cell production in spring and autumn seasons. Becosule, thiamine, yeast and sugar solutions were fed to the honey bee colonies. The greatest number of queen cells was produced in the yeast fed colonies in spring. Bee mortality was observed in case of becosule. Perhaps the formulation contained some components which were toxic to honey bees. The effect on queen cell production by the different nutrients was in the order of Yeast > Thiamine > Becosule

A Self-Attention Deep Neural Network Regressor for real time blood glucose estimation in paediatric population using physiological signals

With the advent of modern digital technology, the physiological signals (such as electrocardiogram) are being acquired from portable wearable devices which are being used for non-invasive chronic disease management (such as Type 1 Diabetes). The diabetes management requires real-time assessment of blood glucose which is cumbersome for paediatric population due to clinical complexity and invasiveness. Therefore, real-time non-invasive blood glucose estimation is now pivotal for effective diabetes management. In this paper, we propose a Self-Attention Deep Neural Network Regressor for real-time non-invasive blood glucose estimation for paediatric population based on automatically extracted beat morphology. The first stage performs Morphological Extractor based on Self-Attention based Long Short-Term Memory driven by Convolutional Neural Network for highlighting local features based on temporal context. The second stage is based on Morphological Regressor driven by multilayer perceptron with dropout and batch normalization to avoid overfitting. We performed feature selection via logit model followed by Spearman's correlation among features to avoid feature redundancy. We trained as tested our model on publicly available MIT/BIH-Physionet databases and physiological signals acquired from a T1D paediatric population. We performed our evaluation via Clarke's Grid error to analyse estimation accuracy on range of blood values under different glycaemic conditions. The results show that our tool outperformed existing regression models with 89% accuracy under clinically acceptable range. The proposed model based on beat morphology significantly outperformed models based on HRV features

Uncertainty Characterization for Soil Cohesion in a Project Site in Nasiriyah Using Bayesian Methods

High uncertainties arias through the characterization of soil parameters because of the lack of data obtained from geotechnical reports. Reducing these uncertainties may improve the characteristic values of soil parameters. This research aims to probabilistically characterize a soil's cohesion parameter in Nasiriyah. The Bayesian approach has been applied to soil data obtained through a project in Nasiriyah. The soil at the site is classified as lean clay, and the soil cohesion has been evaluated using two Bayesian methods: the ordinary, normal distribution method (OND) and the Marcove Chain Monte Carlo-based Bayesian approach (MCMC) method. The previous knowledge utilized in the Bayesian approach was based on 20 boreholes, and the subjective probability approach has functioned in the prior probability distribution. The OND method deduced a mean value of cohesion of (195.9 kPa) and a standard deviation of (14.68 kPa), (COV) 7.49%. It was noted that the probability distribution has a more significant effect than the previous distribution on the posterior distribution. The MCMC method summarized the probabilistic description of the soil characteristic, through which it reached the mean and the subsequent standard deviation (167.49) kPa (109.8) kPa, respectively, and the coefficient of Variation (COV) was 65.6%. It is considered the most appropriate and common method, especially in high-dimensional data when the results are not well known because it can provide a probabilistic value for the not well-known data

Low Concentrations of Vitamin C Reduce the Synthesis of Extracellular Polymers and Destabilize Bacterial Biofilms

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by bacteria form a matrix supporting the complex three-dimensional architecture of biofilms. This EPS matrix is primarily composed of polysaccharides, proteins and extracellular DNA. In addition to supporting the community structure, the EPS matrix protects bacterial biofilms from the environment. Specifically, it shields the bacterial cells inside the biofilm, by preventing antimicrobial agents from getting in contact with them, thereby reducing their killing effect. New strategies for disrupting the formation of the EPS matrix can therefore lead to a more efficient use of existing antimicrobials. Here we examined the mechanism of the known effect of vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) on enhancing the activity of various antibacterial agents. Our quantitative proteomics analysis shows that non-lethal concentrations of vitamin C inhibit bacterial quorum sensing and other regulatory mechanisms underpinning biofilm development. As a result, the EPS biosynthesis in reduced, and especially the polysaccharide component of the matrix is depleted. Once the EPS content is reduced beyond a critical point, bacterial cells get fully exposed to the medium. At this stage, the cells are more susceptible to killing, either by vitamin C-induced oxidative stress as reported here, or by other antimicrobials or treatments

TRANSETHOSOMES AS BREAKTHROUGH TOOL FOR CONTROLLED TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY OF DEXKETOPROFEN TROMETAMOL: DESIGN, FABRICATION, STATISTICAL OPTIMIZATION, IN VITRO, AND EX VIVO CHARACTERIZATION

Objective: Transethosomes (TEs) have introduced an emerging avenue of interest in vesicular research for transdermal delivery of drugs and can be a proper delivery system for painkillers like NSAIDS. This study aimed to formulate and characterize the potential of TE to enhance the transdermal transport of Dexketoprofen trometamol (DKT) to achieve controlled pain management compared to DKT solution. Methods: Factorial design (23) was adopted to appraise the influence of independent variables, namely, Lipoid S100 and surfactant concentrations and surfactant type (X3) on the % solubilization efficiency (% SE), vesicle size (VS), and % release efficiency (% RE). Thin film hydration was the preferred approach for preparing TEs where vesicle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, %SE and %RE were investigated. The optimized formula was nominated and subjected to several studies. For the permeation study, optimum TE was incorporated into carbapol gel base for comparison with DKT solution. Also, an accelerated stability study was assessed for optimized formula. Results: All the prepared DKT-loaded TEs revealed acceptable VS, PDI, and ZP. The highest %SE (86.08±1.05 %) and lowest %RE (44.62±1.36 %) were observed in case of F1. The optimized formula (F1) displayed VS of 133.2±1.62 nm, PDI of 0.342±0.03 and ZP of-21.6±2.45 mV. F1 revealed enhanced skin permeation of a 2.6-fold increase compared with DKT solution. Moreover, F1 was stable upon storage and a non-significant change (P>0.05) was observed. Conclusion: DKT was successfully incorporated into vesicle carrier and can signify an alternative option for providing this therapy, bypassing the poor bioavailability and considerable adverse consequences of using the oral route besides improved patient compliance

Overexpression of adrenomedullin gene markedly inhibits proliferation of PC3 prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

The expression of the gene encoding adrenomedullin (AM), a multifunctional peptide hormone, in the prostate is localized to the epithelial cells. Prostate cancer cells are derived from prostatic epithelial cells. To elucidate the potential role of the AM gene in prostate cancer progression, we have stably-transfected the PC3 human prostate cancer cell line with an AM gene expression vector. The AM-transfected PC3 sublines were studied along with parental and empty vector transfected PC3 cells as controls. The average level of AM in the conditioned media of AM-transfected cells was 0.959+/-0.113 nM, a physiologically relevant concentration. The ectopic expression of AM gene inhibited the proliferation of PC3 cells in culture dishes. In addition, anchorage-independent growth of the transfected sublines was virtually abolished in soft agar assays. Flow cytometry studies showed that overexpression of AM gene caused a very significant G(1)/G(0) cell cycle arrest. In vivo experiments demonstrated that AM gene expression markedly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice. Our in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that AM could strongly suppress the malignancy of prostate cancer cells, via autocrine and/or paracrine mechanisms

QTL for seed protein and amino acids in the Benning × Danbaekkong soybean population

Soybean, rather than nitrogen-containing forages, is the primary source of quality protein in feed formulations for domestic swine, poultry, and dairy industries. As a sole dietary source of protein, soybean is deficient in the amino acids lysine (Lys), threonine (Thr), methionine (Met), and cysteine (Cys). Increasing these amino acids would benefit the feed industry. The objective of the present study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with crude protein (cp) and amino acids in the ‘Benning’ × ‘Danbaekkong’ population. The population was grown in five southern USA environments. Amino acid concentrations as a fraction of cp (Lys/cp, Thr/cp, Met/cp, Cys/cp, and Met + Cys/cp) were determined by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Four QTL associated with the variation in crude protein were detected on chromosomes (Chr) 14, 15, 17, and 20, of which, a QTL on Chr 20 explained 55 % of the phenotypic variation. In the same chromosomal region, QTL for Lys/cp, Thr/cp, Met/cp, Cys/cp and Met + Cys/cp were detected. At these QTL, the Danbaekkong allele resulted in reduced levels of these amino acids and increased protein concentration. Two additional QTL for Lys/cp were detected on Chr 08 and 20, and three QTL for Thr/cp on Chr 01, 09, and 17. Three QTL were identified on Chr 06, 09 and 10 for Met/cp, and one QTL was found for Cys/cp on Chr 10. The study provides information concerning the relationship between crude protein and levels of essential amino acids and may allow for the improvement of these traits in soybean using marker-assisted selection

The Spectrum of Angiographic Findings in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Kidney

The spectrum of angiographic finding in 20 patients with transitional cell carcinomas of the kidney is described. In 15 of 20 patients (75%), prospective diagnosis of transitional cell carcinomas were made because of a combination of the angiographic findings; tumour vessels, tumour stain, prominent pelviureteric arteries and arterial encasement. In 4 patients with negative angiograms the lesions were relatively small in size and were situated within the renal parenchyma, primarily involving the calyces. The use of pharmacoangiographic agents such as epine-phrine and priscoline improved the angiographic visualization of transitional cell carcinomas of the kidney. For the past several years angiography has had a central role in the evaluation of patients with hematuria and renal masses 1 . 5,6,7,8. Although the use of diagnostic ultrasound and renal puncture have eliminated angiography from the diagnosis of renal cysts, most renal masses which are solid or which have equivocal findings at ultrasound still undergo angiography. At the same time, the decreasing use of retrograde urography has resulted in more frequent angiography in patients with unilateral nonfunctioning kidneys. Transitional cell carcinomas of the renal pelvis are an important cause of both hematuria and non-functioning kidneys. We have therefore reviewed our material to reassess the angiographic abnormalities caused by the transitional cell carcinomas and the overall accuracy of the angiography in the diagnosis of these lesions.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73228/1/j.1440-1673.1977.tb03191.x.pd

An Investigation of Gene Action on Different Traits of Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) Using Partial Diallel Crosses System

Abstract: The present study was carried out to investigate the genetic structure of 10 hybrids generated by crossing five cultivars of barley with their first (F 1 ) and Second (F 2 ) progeny in growing season 2011-2012 to evaluate these genotypes under normal (0.0 g l -1 sea salt) and salinity stress (7 g l -1 sea salt) conditions in form of randomized complete block design with three replications in a half diallel fashion. The studied traits included spike length (cm), no. of kernels/spike, no. of spikelets/spike, no. of spikes/plants, chlorophyll a, b contents, calcium and magnesium content. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes (5 parents + 10 F 1 's+ 10 F 2 's) and for all the studied traits, except chlorophyll b. The results showed that components additive and dominance effects of genes were significant for all studied traits. The estimated value of average degree of dominance (H 1 /D) 0.5 revealed that non-additive genetic effects was more pronounced in the inheritance of the chlorophyll a, b contents, calcium and magnesium in all the two generations (F 1 and F 2 crosses) and spike length (cm), no. of kernels/spike, no. of spikelets/spike and no. of spikes/plants for F 1 crosses. . On contrary, additive genetic effects was evident for spike length (cm), no. of kernels/spike, no. of spikelets/spike and no. of spikes/plants for F 2 crosses. The traits including, chlorophyll a, b and calcium were controlled by over dominance in all the two generations (F 1 and F 2 crosses). The traits including spike length (cm), no. of kernels/spike, no. of spikelets/spike and no. of spikes/plants controlled by over dominance in F 1 crosses and partial dominance in F 2 .While, magnesium were controlled by partial dominance effects of genes. The genetic component (H 2 ) was recorded with low magnitude than (H 1 ) for all traits in both F 1 and F 2 under 0.0 and 7 gl -1 sea salt. The f value was positive for most traits of F 1 and F 2 generations, while it was negative for magnesium in both of F 1 and F 2 generations in all cases of sea salt treatments. The narrow sense heritability was high to moderate for most the studied traits. Moreover, the lowest value was also detected in some cases