Direct and indirect in vitro plant regeneration of two commercial cultivars of perennial ryegrass

Experiments were conducted on direct and indirect regeneration fromthe meristem tip and mature caryopsis explants of Lolium perenne L. ʻNumanʼ and ʻGrasslandʼ. De-husked caryopses were cultured both intact and longitudinally sliced on MS media supplemented with 2,4-D alone, and in combinations with BA. The highest percentage of callus induction obtained from intact-sliced caryopses were 71 and 87% for ʻGrasslandʼ on MS basal medium supplemented with 6 mg L-1 2,4-D+ 0.02 mg L-1 BA, and 5 mg L-1 2,4-D. While, for ʻNumanʼ, the highest callus induction was achieved by the same explants as 55% and 72% with 5 mg L-1 2,4-D + 0.02 mg L-1 BA, and 4 mg L-1 2,4-D + 0.02 mg L-1 BA, respectively.The best regeneration medium for ʻGrasslandʼ was MS medium supplemented with 10 g L-1 maltose and 2 mg L-1 ABA. In a separate experiment, meristem tip cultures were incubated on two type combination of plants growth regulators along with control treatment. The best regeneration rate was obtained in both cultivars on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg L-1 2,4-D + 0.5 mg L-1 Kin. Plantlets with well-developed roots were transferred to greenhouse condition. Four weeks later, all acclimatized plants were survived

An economical survey on polyculture of Indian and Chinese carps and its market

Regarding the natural potential and socio-economic advantages of aquaculture development, extension of aquaculture has been raised as one of the priorities of the second to fifth national programs of the Islamic Republic of Ira in the fisheries sector in the past ten years. Proliferation and aquaculture development also plays an important role in increasing employment, exportation, and rural development in rural areas. Although the physical capacities of aquaculture development may be clear, it is necessary to analyze the profitability of farmers and fish market as well. In recent years, reproduction and breeding of new species, in order to increase the income of farmers, have been put on the agenda of the Fisheries Research Institute. In order to increase the maximum utilization of production capacity and increase the warm water pond valume per unit area of land, three species of Indian carp has been imported. The main problems of aquaculture economical research include inadequate information and lack of the collaboration between different experts and aquaculture farmers. The objective of the research was to survey of economical aspects for culturing the imported Indian carp. The fingerlings of the imported species were transferred to the target centers, Southern aquaculture Research institute and Inland waters Aquaculture Research institute. The experiment was carried out as three treatments in triplicates for 9 months. To determine the cost of production and the share of the cost of production factors for farmed fish carp, including the cost of labor, cost of fingerlings, feed and fertilizer costs, maintenance costs, energy costs, depreciation of structures, equipment and buildings for administrative and other costs; past experiences, information and other resources and external experiences questionnaire was employed

Echoenvironmental survey on fisheries site selection in the Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan province

The lack of sustainable management programs has resulted in the drastic decline of sturgeons stocks in the Caspian Sea in the past two decades. Legal catch quotas for all Caspian littoral states has dropped from 28500 tons in 1985 to 460 tons in 2007 while caviar production in the Caspian Sea during the same period decreased from 3000 tons to 70 tons. Caviar production in the I.R. of Iran dropped from 305 tons in 1985 to about 11 tons in 2007. The "Strategic and applied research planning for sturgeon management and conservation" was developed with the collaboration of academicians from universities, researchers, experts, fishery authorities and representatives of the executive government to maintain sustainable development and rational management of sturgeon stocks in the Caspian Sea. The preparation and development of this planning was carried out through 121 sessions (2100 person hours) A comprehensive report (375 pg) was prepared which was divided into five volumes; Volume I comprises an introduction, objectives, strategies and planning, present status of production and caviar harvest, catch and export quotas, revenue generated and release of sturgeon fingerlings, Volume II comprises analysis of the problem by constructing a problem tree with 8 broad categories to analyze 344 problems and an objective tree which is the hierarchic flowchart of objectives with 9 broad categories with 241 items, Volume III comprises a review and analysis of previous and ongoing research (414 projects) on different aspects of sturgeon during the past 40 years, Volume IV comprises prioritizing research objectives outlined by the objective tree and finally Volume V which prioritizes primary objectives for 14 executive and 10 research programs. On the basis of the evaluation of the present status and for the sustainable development and rational management of sturgeon stocks a strategic and applied research planning program was proposed and developed within the framework of three primary objectives; 1) Management and sustainable use of Caspian Sea resources (5 programs), 2) Rehabilitation and restoration of stocks (5 programs), 3) Development of aquaculture (4 programs). The applied research program for each proposed executive program was outlined in 10 programs, 42 comprehensive plans and 222 projects. The primary objective on management and sustainable use of Caspian Sea resources includes 5 programs, 14 comprehensive plans and 63 projects, while the primary objective on rehabilitation and restoration of stocks includes 4 programs, 16 comprehensive plans and 87 projects. The primary objective to address sturgeon aquaculture includes 1 program, 12 comprehensive plans and 72 projects. The impacts and outcome of each of these programs was determined and presented. It is evident that if the present situation persists, the catch figures for adult sturgeon specimens and caviar production in Iran will reach zero in 2021. But if concerted efforts are taken and the proposed strategic and applied research planning program is executed (commencing from 2009) we can put a halt to these declining trends. By producing sturgeon fingerlings to restore population abundances, by conserving and protecting them in the Caspian Sea and by conducting applied research we can produce 206.4 tons of caviar by the year 2033. Apart from harvesting caviar from the Caspian Sea we can also annually produce 3000 tons sturgeon meat and 60 tons farmed caviar starting from the year 2023. The total budget proposed for implementation of this program for a period of 14 years (2008-2022) is USD 2483 million. If this budget is allocated in time and the proposed strategic program is properly and totally implemented, we can not only save many sturgeon populations from extinction but also ensure job opportunities for 6000 fisherman, provide 1480 new job opportunities and annually produce 266 tons of caviar which will generate USD 4957 million

Fouling characteristics and cleaning approach of ultrafiltration membrane during xylose reductase separation

Many operating parameters of ultrafiltration (UF) are playing a crucial role when using a polyethersulfone membrane to separate xylose reductase (XR) enzyme from reaction mixtures during xylitol synthesis. The present study focuses on the separation of XR enzyme using a cross-flow ultrafiltration (UF) membrane. The filtration process was analyzed using the three effective variables such as filtration time, cross-flow velocity (CFV), and the transmembrane pressure (TMP), which were ranging from 0 to 100 min, 0.52 to 1.2 cm/s and 1–1.6 bar, respectively. Then, using the resistance in series model, the hydraulic resistance for alkali chemical cleaning during XR separation was estimated. During separation, increased TMP showed a positive-flux effect as a driving force, however, fouling and polarized layer were more prominent under higher TMP. Increased CFV, on the other hand, was found more efficient in fouling control. In terms of the membrane cleaning techniques, an alkaline solution containing 0.1 M sodium hydroxide was shown to be the most effective substance in removing foulants from the membrane surface in this investigation. Cleaning with an alkaline solution resulted in a maximum flux recovery of 93% for xylose reductase separation. This work may serve as a useful guide to better understand the optimization parameters during XR separation and alleviating UF membrane fouling induced during XR separation

Lessons from the development process of the Afghanistan integrated package of essential health services

In 2017, in the middle of the armed conflict with the Taliban, the Ministry of Public Health decided that the Afghan health system needed a well-defined priority package of health services taking into account the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and injuries and benefiting from the latest evidence published by DCP3. This leads to a 2-year process involving data analysis, modelling and national consultations, which produce this Integrated Package of Essential health Services (IPEHS). The IPEHS was finalised just before the takeover by the Taliban and could not be implemented. The Afghanistan experience has highlighted the need to address not only the content of a more comprehensive benefit package, but also its implementation and financing. The IPEHS could be used as a basis to help professionals and the new authorities to define their priorities

Chromenone-based GSK-3ß inhibitors as potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases: In silico study, molecular dynamics, and ADMET profiles

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3ß) regulates glycogen metabolism and many different cellulars, including apoptosis, signaling, and neural. It is a crucial therapeutic receptor in heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. In this study, using computational methods, flavonoid compounds were investigated for potential inhibitors against GSK-3ß. Virtual screening was utilized to investigate flavonoid compounds obtained from the PubChem database. Structure of human heart mitochondria of GSK-3ß receptor constructed by homology modeling. Best binding poses were discovered via in silico molecular docking simulation. We surveyed noncovalent interactions among amino acid residues involved in the active site of the modeled Protein and compounds via molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD). Moreover, ADMET characteristics of best docking conformers have been investigated. The obtained results revealed that compound 1 containing chromenone moiety with binding energy H-bond -11.4 kcal/mol inhibited effectively binding pocket of the GSK-3ß receptor. Moreover, MD simulation analysis (RMSD and radius of gyration indicated complex of the compound and GSK-3b receptor remained stable throughout 100 ns MD simulation, and also analysis of ADMET profiles revealed that selected compounds had good drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. Hence, it was suggested that compounds with chromenone scaffold could potentially inhibit GSK3ß. Structural modification of the chromenone derivatives may result in the discovery of promising candidates for identifying novel drugs as GSK-3ß inhibitors

The global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer in 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: In estimating the global burden of cancer, adolescents and young adults with cancer are often overlooked, despite being a distinct subgroup with unique epidemiology, clinical care needs, and societal impact. Comprehensive estimates of the global cancer burden in adolescents and young adults (aged 15–39 years) are lacking. To address this gap, we analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, with a focus on the outcome of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), to inform global cancer control measures in adolescents and young adults. Methods: Using the GBD 2019 methodology, international mortality data were collected from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, and population-based cancer registry inputs modelled with mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Incidence was computed with mortality estimates and corresponding MIRs. Prevalence estimates were calculated using modelled survival and multiplied by disability weights to obtain years lived with disability (YLDs). Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated as age-specific cancer deaths multiplied by the standard life expectancy at the age of death. The main outcome was DALYs (the sum of YLLs and YLDs). Estimates were presented globally and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles (countries ranked and divided into five equal SDI groups), and all estimates were presented with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). For this analysis, we used the age range of 15–39 years to define adolescents and young adults. Findings: There were 1·19 million (95% UI 1·11–1·28) incident cancer cases and 396 000 (370 000–425 000) deaths due to cancer among people aged 15–39 years worldwide in 2019. The highest age-standardised incidence rates occurred in high SDI (59·6 [54·5–65·7] per 100 000 person-years) and high-middle SDI countries (53·2 [48·8–57·9] per 100 000 person-years), while the highest age-standardised mortality rates were in low-middle SDI (14·2 [12·9–15·6] per 100 000 person-years) and middle SDI (13·6 [12·6–14·8] per 100 000 person-years) countries. In 2019, adolescent and young adult cancers contributed 23·5 million (21·9–25·2) DALYs to the global burden of disease, of which 2·7% (1·9–3·6) came from YLDs and 97·3% (96·4–98·1) from YLLs. Cancer was the fourth leading cause of death and tenth leading cause of DALYs in adolescents and young adults globally. Interpretation: Adolescent and young adult cancers contributed substantially to the overall adolescent and young adult disease burden globally in 2019. These results provide new insights into the distribution and magnitude of the adolescent and young adult cancer burden around the world. With notable differences observed across SDI settings, these estimates can inform global and country-level cancer control efforts. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, St Baldrick's Foundation, and the National Cancer Institute

Tracking development assistance for health and for COVID-19 : a review of development assistance, government, out-of-pocket, and other private spending on health for 204 countries and territories, 1990-2050

Background The rapid spread of COVID-19 renewed the focus on how health systems across the globe are financed, especially during public health emergencies. Development assistance is an important source of health financing in many low-income countries, yet little is known about how much of this funding was disbursed for COVID-19. We aimed to put development assistance for health for COVID-19 in the context of broader trends in global health financing, and to estimate total health spending from 1995 to 2050 and development assistance for COVID-19 in 2020. Methods We estimated domestic health spending and development assistance for health to generate total health-sector spending estimates for 204 countries and territories. We leveraged data from the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database to produce estimates of domestic health spending. To generate estimates for development assistance for health, we relied on project-level disbursement data from the major international development agencies' online databases and annual financial statements and reports for information on income sources. To adjust our estimates for 2020 to include disbursements related to COVID-19, we extracted project data on commitments and disbursements from a broader set of databases (because not all of the data sources used to estimate the historical series extend to 2020), including the UN Office of Humanitarian Assistance Financial Tracking Service and the International Aid Transparency Initiative. We reported all the historic and future spending estimates in inflation-adjusted 2020 US$, 2020 US$ per capita, purchasing-power parity-adjusted US$per capita, and as a proportion of gross domestic product. We used various models to generate future health spending to 2050. Findings In 2019, health spending globally reached$8. 8 trillion (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 8.7-8.8) or $1132 (1119-1143) per person. Spending on health varied within and across income groups and geographical regions. Of this total,$40.4 billion (0.5%, 95% UI 0.5-0.5) was development assistance for health provided to low-income and middle-income countries, which made up 24.6% (UI 24.0-25.1) of total spending in low-income countries. We estimate that $54.8 billion in development assistance for health was disbursed in 2020. Of this,$13.7 billion was targeted toward the COVID-19 health response. $12.3 billion was newly committed and$1.4 billion was repurposed from existing health projects. $3.1 billion (22.4$2.4 billion (17.9%) was for supply chain and logistics. Only $714.4 million (7.7$1519 (1448-1591) per person in 2050, although spending across countries is expected to remain varied. Interpretation Global health spending is expected to continue to grow, but remain unequally distributed between countries. We estimate that development organisations substantially increased the amount of development assistance for health provided in 2020. Continued efforts are needed to raise sufficient resources to mitigate the pandemic for the most vulnerable, and to help curtail the pandemic for all. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe