31st Annual Meeting and Associated Programs of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC 2016) : part two

Background The immunological escape of tumors represents one of the main ob- stacles to the treatment of malignancies. The blockade of PD-1 or CTLA-4 receptors represented a milestone in the history of immunotherapy. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors seem to be effective in specific cohorts of patients. It has been proposed that their efficacy relies on the presence of an immunological response. Thus, we hypothesized that disruption of the PD-L1/PD-1 axis would synergize with our oncolytic vaccine platform PeptiCRAd. Methods We used murine B16OVA in vivo tumor models and flow cytometry analysis to investigate the immunological background. Results First, we found that high-burden B16OVA tumors were refractory to combination immunotherapy. However, with a more aggressive schedule, tumors with a lower burden were more susceptible to the combination of PeptiCRAd and PD-L1 blockade. The therapy signifi- cantly increased the median survival of mice (Fig. 7). Interestingly, the reduced growth of contralaterally injected B16F10 cells sug- gested the presence of a long lasting immunological memory also against non-targeted antigens. Concerning the functional state of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), we found that all the immune therapies would enhance the percentage of activated (PD-1pos TIM- 3neg) T lymphocytes and reduce the amount of exhausted (PD-1pos TIM-3pos) cells compared to placebo. As expected, we found that PeptiCRAd monotherapy could increase the number of antigen spe- cific CD8+ T cells compared to other treatments. However, only the combination with PD-L1 blockade could significantly increase the ra- tio between activated and exhausted pentamer positive cells (p= 0.0058), suggesting that by disrupting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis we could decrease the amount of dysfunctional antigen specific T cells. We ob- served that the anatomical location deeply influenced the state of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. In fact, TIM-3 expression was in- creased by 2 fold on TILs compared to splenic and lymphoid T cells. In the CD8+ compartment, the expression of PD-1 on the surface seemed to be restricted to the tumor micro-environment, while CD4 + T cells had a high expression of PD-1 also in lymphoid organs. Interestingly, we found that the levels of PD-1 were significantly higher on CD8+ T cells than on CD4+ T cells into the tumor micro- environment (p < 0.0001). Conclusions In conclusion, we demonstrated that the efficacy of immune check- point inhibitors might be strongly enhanced by their combination with cancer vaccines. PeptiCRAd was able to increase the number of antigen-specific T cells and PD-L1 blockade prevented their exhaus- tion, resulting in long-lasting immunological memory and increased median survival

Effect of Weed Management Practices on Weed Dynamics,Nutrient Depletion, Productivity and Profitability of SummerMungbean (Vigna radiata) under Zero Tillage Condition (2) (PDF) Effect of Weed Management Practices on Weed Dynamics, Nutrient Depletion, Productivity and Profitability of Summer Mungbean (Vigna radiata) under Zero Tillage Condition.

Not AvailableBackground: Weeds are prime factor that adversely effects on growth, quality and yield of mungbean during summer and rainy season. Being a short duration crop, it faces heavy weed competition right from the early growth stages to harvesting. The critical period of crop weed competition in mungbean was initial 25-30 days, yield may be reduce up to 50-90% if weeds not manage at thisstage. Hence, there is a need to find out the successful weed management strategies to realize higher growth and yield. The progressive transformation of agriculture concerning intensive use of herbicides is gaining status in recent years due to easy, lower cost, time lines and successful controlling weeds. Therefore, keeping above information in view, the present study was undertaken to assess the effect of different weed management practices in summer mungbean under zero tillage condition to find out the better weed management,higher productivity and profitability. Methods: In this field-laboratory investigation during summer season, 2019, different herbicides were applied to manage weeds inmungbean. Eight treatments were applied based on various application windows. In the field and laboratory, the collected samples were determined for crop weed competition, yield attributes, yields and net returns. Result: The results revealed that weed free treatment was recorded lowest weed population at 30 DAS and harvest (1.8 and 2.9),weed dry weight (1.1 and 1.9g) and highest weed control efficiency (96.3 and 94.9%) followed by Pendimethalin (PE) fb one HW andShaked (Propaquizafop + Imezathyper) application. The similar results also observed in nutrients removed by weeds. Among yield attributes, weed free treatment recorded the longest pod length, no. of pods/plant, no. of seeds/pod and test weight (7.9, 21.0, 9.7 and 43.0g, respectively) which was at par with Pendimethalin (PE) fb one HW and Shaked (Propaquizafop + Imezathyper) application.The magnitude of seed yield was increased under weed free (10.1 q/ha) and Shaked (Propaquizafop + Imezathyper) (9.5 q/ha)treatments by 127.9 and 113.8%, respectively over weedy check. Application of Shaked (Propaquizafop + Imezathyper) recorded highest net returns (Rs 55,079/ha) and B: C (2.8) over rest of the treatments. It can concluded that application of Shaked (Propaquizafop+ Imezathyper) @ 2 L/ha at 20 DAS recommended for better weed control, higher yield and net returns of summer mungbean underzero tillage condition.Not Availabl

Effect of Rhizobium Inoculation and Tillage Practices on Fodder Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

Not AvailableBackground: Agriculture and its allied sectors is an important sector in employment, income and food security. The increasing demands for food grains and cash crops, the area under fodder crops has been static since last 3-4 decades (8.4 mha) resulted in to a net deficit in dry and green fodder is around 10 and 35%, respectively making livestock rearing more challenging. Conventional agriculture has largely been characterized by conventional tillage which caused soil degradation and negative impacts on soil physical and biological activity. To mitigate these negative effects, resource conservation technologies (RCTs) was tested and adopted to save substantial quantity of irrigation water, reducing the cost of cultivation, timely sowing, improve input use efficiency and left indirect effect on mitigating the adverse effect of climate changes. Biological N2 fixation (BNF) can make plants self-sustaining for N nutrition and avoiding the need for mineral N fertilization. The current study aimed enhancing fodder production by adoption of modern tillage practices and efficient N management. Methods: In this field-laboratory investigation during 2017-18, experiment was laid out in the split plot design consisting of three tillage practices zero tillage (ZT), conventional tillage (CT) and raised bed (RB) and six N management viz., N0, N75, N75+Rhizo,N100, N100+Rhizo and N125%. The soil of the experimental field was clay loam in texture having pH 7.30, EC; 0.35 dS/m, mediumin organic carbon (0.63%), low in nitrogen (188.48 kg/ha), medium in phosphorus (23.56 kg/ha) and potassium (271.12 kg/ha). The recommended dose of fertilizer and other cultural practices was applied as per treatments with standard process. The crop was harvested at 60 days after sowing and weighed for green fodder yield. The observations growth, yields and quality parameters was recorded as per the standard method. Statistical analysis was done using analysis of variance in split plot design. Result: ZT practices significantly improved growth attributes, fodder yield and available nitrogen. Higher fodder yield of cowpea was recorded with ZT as compared to CT and it was statistically similar in RB. The nitrogen management practices had significant effect on root length and root nodules, plant growth attributes, fodder yield and available N, P and K. The significant fodder yield was increase with successive increase of N application up to 75% N + rhizobium, over 0 and 75% N alone. The present work shows that adoption of ZT and inoculation of rhizobia had significantly improved soil health and stabilized fodder yield of cowpea besides decrease fertilizer nitrogen requirement in the irrigated agro-ecosystem of T-IGP.Not Availabl

Clinical Profile and Prognostic Indicators in Adults Hospitalized with Severe Malaria Caused by Different Species

Introduction Severe malaria remains a major cause of death and morbidity among adults in the Asiatic tropics. This study was planned to evaluate clinical profile and prognostic indicators of severe malaria in adults so as to improve insight into this highly prevalent disease. Materials and Methods This prospective observational study was conducted on 60 confirmed cases of malaria. Cases were divided into two groups: (a) study group: suffering from severe malaria and (b) control group: no severe manifestations. All cases were thoroughly studied for clinical features, laboratory evaluation, and outcome. Prognostic evaluation was also done by different score systems. Results In all, 40 cases suffer from severe malaria (study group), while 20 cases belong to the control group. The majority of our cases were males of age 21–40 years. The most common species of malaria in the study group was vivax (52.5%), followed by falciparum (25%) and mixed malaria species (22.5%). The clinical predictors for severe malaria were rural habitat, longer duration of fever, marked chills, tiredness, giddiness, nausea, vomiting, decreased urine output, jaundice, and altered sensorium. Extreme weakness (80%), jaundice (55%), renal failure (50%), and severe anemia (27.5%) were the most common presenting features in severe malaria. Two patients died of severe mixed malaria. The mortality rate was significantly associated with lower hemoglobin level ( P = 0.002); higher total leukocyte count ( P = 0.006), blood urea ( P < 0.001), serum creatinine ( P < 0.001), SGOT ( P = 0.001), SGPT ( P < 0.007), serum bilirubin ( P = 0.003), and parasite density ( P = 0.033); lower platelet count ( P = 0.043); and those who had more APACHE II score ( P = 0.003), SOFA score ( P = 0.04), and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score ( P < 0.001) and lower Glasgow Coma Scale ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Manifestations of severe malaria is becoming increasingly more prevalent specifically in vivax and mixed malaria cases. Our study proposes that there are certain clinical predictors and prognostic indicators that should be kept in mind for better management of severe malaria

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Not AvailableThe present study was based on primary data collected for 100 farmers from Chitradurga district of Karnataka during the agricultural year 2013-14. Tabular analysis and discriminant function analysis was used in the present study. The analysis of data reveals that human labour occupied the major share (27.07%) of total cost in seed production and bullock and machine labour occupied the major share (29.38%) of total cost in grain production of groundnut. The higher human labour requirement in seed production was mainly due to activities like rouging, gap filling etc. The variable cost was comparatively higher in seed production (Rs. 25745.0 per ha) over grain production (Rs. 20752.0 per ha). The total cost of cultivation in groundnut seed production was around 18% higher than grain production. The gross return was about 27% higher in seed production than grain production and net return from seed production of groundnut was 44% higher than grain production. The BC ratio was 1.73 in case of groundnut seed production as compared to 1.60 in grain production. The discriminant analysis indicated that human labour with 45.56% followed by gross return (35.83%), seed (17.50%), manures and fertilizers (0.69%), bullock and machine labour (0.42%) contributed to discriminate between the seed and grain production of groundnut. The net return from groundnut seed production was encouraging, therefore the area under seed production may be increased for higher profitability and timely supply of quality seed to the farmers.Not Availabl

Nutritional quality of baby corn fodder as influenced by tillage practices and nitrogen management

Not AvailableAn experiment was conducted at Karnal, Haryana to evaluate the effect of tillage practices and nitrogen management on yield and quality of baby corn fodder. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications having a combination of three contrasting tillage practices as main plots and six nitrogen management practices as sub plot treatments. Among tillage practices, significantly higher green fodder and dry matter (DM)yield was observed in raised bed (RB) over zero tillage (ZT) and conventional tillage (CT). Significantly higher cell content and lower neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content was observed in ZT over CT and RB, while significantly higher DM% and lower amount of neutral detergent insoluble crude protein (NDICP) and acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) were observed in RB and ZT over CT. Among nitrogen management options, significantly higher fodder and DM yield, DM%, total ash, CP, NDICP and ADICP was recorded in 125% N over 0, 75, 75 +Azotobacter and 100% N alone. However, 125% N was statistically at par with 100% N + Azotobacter. Significantly higher ether extract (EE) and lower NDF and cellulose content were observed in 100% N + Azotobacter and 125%N. The significant interaction effect was observed in green fodder and dry matter yield and RB with 125% N and 100% N + Azotobacter were superior over rest of the treatments. Among fodder quality parameters, significantly lower NDICP was observed in ZT with 125% N and 100% N + Azotobacter over rest of the treatments. Baby corn grown in RB/ZT with 100% N and seed inoculation with Azotobacter was a better strategy for higher yield and better fodder quality.Not Availabl

Productivity and Profitability of Fodder Cowpea Cultivars under Various Zinc Management Practices in IGP of India

Not AvailableBackground: Soils of North-W estern Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) are deficient in zinc content which may lead to lower forage yield of cowpea. Henceforth, the adequate supply of zinc either through soil or foliar spray and selection of suitable cultivar of cowpea could enhance the fodder productivity. Methods: A field experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design during Kharif season, 2019 to assess the effect ofdifferent zinc management practices (control; 10 kg ZnSO4; 20 kg ZnSO4; 0.5% ZnSO4 foliar spray at 20 DAS; 0.5% ZnSO4 foliar sprayat 20 and 40 DAS) on productivity and profitability of cowpea cultivars (C-152; MFC-08-14; MFC-09-1) and post-harvest fertility statusof soil. Result: Cowpea cv. C-152 showed the highest growth attributes, green fodder yield, nutrient content as well as uptake and net returns. Among different zinc management practices, the application of 20 kg ZnSO4 as basal application or 0.5% ZnSO4 foliar sprayat 20 and 40 DAS recorded significantly highest growth, green fodder yield, nutrient content as well as uptake and net returns. Significantly highest soil OC, available N, K and Zn were also noted under these treatments. It is inferred that cowpea cv. C-152 and application of either 20 kg ZnSO4 as basal or 0.5% ZnSO4 as foliar spray at 20 and 40 DAS were found the most productive and profitable approach and sustained the soil fertility status.Not Availabl

Fodder productivity and profitability of different maize and legume intercropping systems

Not AvailableThe present study was conducted in summer (kharif) 2017 to evaluate the fodder productivity and economics of maize with legumes under varying intercropping combinations. This experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with 7 treatments consisting of 3 different forage crops, viz. maize, cowpea and guar sown in sole as well as in 1:1 and 2:1 intercropping combinations of forage cereal with legume crop components in three replications. All the growth parameters like plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves, number of tillers/branches, stem girth and leaf:stem ratio were significantly higher in (1:1) row ratio of forage cereal/ millet intercropped with legume component at the time of harvest. Among the different forage crops, maximum green fodder yield (449.72 q/ha) and dry matter yield (94.89 q/ha) were obtained in maize+cowpea (2:1) and maize+guar (2:1), respectively. Total uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus was recorded highest with maize + cowpea/guar (2:1) intercropping combinations. Introduction of different forage crops in varying intercropping combinations, the soil nutrient status after harvesting was improved over sole treatment of forage cereal/millet crop. In terms of economics of different treatments, the highest net income (` 38747.27) and B:C ratio (1.78) were recorded with maize+cowpea (2:1) followed by (` 37724.21 and B:C 1.74) in maize+ cowpea (1:1) intercropping combinations. So, to realize higher productivity and farm profitability the planting of 2:1 row ratio is a viable option which may quite helpful to sustain the performance of livestock in terms of health and milk production.Not Availabl

Advances in Rice Production Technologies

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Not AvailableA pot experiment was carried out during Rabi season of 2012-13 at research farm of ICAR-Directorate of Seed Research, Mau, Uttar Pradesh. Growth, seed yield, seed quality parameters and germination of three wheat varieties viz; HD 2733, PBW 550 and PBW 502 were studied.The wheat seeds were soaked in different solutions of 100 ppm concentration of gibberellic acid (GA3), indoleacetic acid (IAA), kinetin, 2,4-D amine salt and 2,4-D sodium salt prior to planting. Hydro-primed and control seeds were also taken. The results of the study showed significant differences in growth, seed yield and seed quality parameters among the wheat varieties and different growth regulator concentrations used. Seeds treated with 100 ppm GA3, IAA and kinetin showed significant increase in plant height, number of tillers/plant, spike length, spike weight, number of seed/spike, test weight, seed yield and harvest index than the rest of treatments. Seeds pre-soaked in distilled water responded poorly. Significant improvement in the seed quality parameters viz, germination %, seedling length, seedling dry weight and vigour index I and II were recorded for100 ppm GA3 over the rest of treatments. Among the varieties PBW 502 recorded significantly higher values for plant height, number of tillers/plant, spike length, spike weight, number of seeds/spike, seed weight/spike, test weight, seed yields, harvest index and seed quality parameters as compared to PBW 550 and HD 2733. The results emphasized that pre-sowing seed treatment of wheat seeds with GA3 and IAA could significantly enhance the germination %, seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigour index I and II.Not Availabl