UV Spectrum of 1,3-Dithiolan-2-one in Cyclohexane

1094-109

Genetic variability in CMS backcross generations and their maintainers in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Twelve genotypes of eggplant in BC3, BC4 and BC5 generations of CMS-lines derived from Solanum ae-thiopicum × Solanum melongena cross along with their maintainers were evaluated for eighteen quantitative charac-ters at Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana. Analysis of variance depicted significant variation (P ? 0.05) for all the characters in all generations. High PCV and GCV values were observed for fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, number of fruits plant-1 and yield plant-1 in all generations indicating high variability in the germplasm. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was found for peduncle length, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, number of fruits plant-1 and yield plant-1 in all generations indicating the predominance of additive gene action for these traits. Thus, selections can be made from present germplasm for the development of improved CMS inbred lines with varying fruit traits

Vitamin B6 Deficiency and Galactose Induced Alterations in Morphology and Osmotic Fragility of Rat Erythrocytes

Recently, red blood cells have been investigated mainly for alterations in ion transporting capacity, membrane bound enzymes or modifications in the structure of its individual constituents in clinical and experimental urolithiasis. However, the implication of such modifications on the physical state or morphology of cells has not been investigated. Scanning electron microscopic studies performed in vitamin B6 deficient and/or galactose fed rat (established hyperoxaluric models) erythrocytes, showed the presence of large number of stomatocytes, spherocytes and other variously deformed cells as compared to discocytic cells seen in normal control group. These changes in shape were in concurrence with red cell osmotic fragility, which decreased both in vitamin B6 deficient and vitamin B6 deficient + galactose fed group (19% and 33% hemolysis at 4 g/l NaCl, respectively) while it increased in galactose control group (73% hemolysis at 4 g/l NaCl) as compared to normal control group (55 % hemolysis at 4 g/l NaCl). These morphological and physical state alterations could be correlated with red blood cells\u27 membrane cholesterol and phospholipid sub-class distribution. These findings suggest that some structural membrane changes occur due to vitamin B6 deficiency and/or galactose feeding, which may be responsible for the altered membrane functions known to be associated with pathogenesis of urolithiasis

ASCORBIC ACID AS A GROWTH ADJUVANT IN ENCAPSULATED PROTOCORM-LIKE-BODIES OF RHYNCHOSTYLIS RETUSA BL. (ORCHIDACEAE)

In the present study, effect of ascorbic acid, a known growth adjuvant on encapsulated protocorm-like-bodies (PLBs) of Rhynchostylis retusa Bl. was investigated. PLBs were encapsulated in calcium alginate (3.5% sodium alginate and 100mM calcium chloride) prepared in Mitra et al. (1976) basal medium and supplemented with different concentration of ascorbic acid (5, 10, 15, 20mM). The encapsulated PLBs were stored at 25°C. Their germination response and germination potential was evaluated after every 4 weeks on basal media. Control set of encapsulated PLBs, failed to germinate after 32 weeks. However, PLBs with 15mM ascorbic acid in the encapsulated matrix showed the best response; nearly 90% germinated even after 32 weeks of storage. The survival and germination frequency was directly proportional to the level of ascorbic acid in the alginate mix upto 15mM level but declined on further increase. Differentiation of PLBs into plantlet was better in synthetic seeds containing lower concentration of ascorbic acid (5mM) as compared to higher levels (15, 20mM) whereas multiplication of secondary PLBs was more pronounced at higher levels. Chlorophyll content was inversely proportional to the level of ascorbic acid in the nutrient mix; lush green PLBs were observed at low concentration of ascorbic acid (5mM). This study highlights the potential of ascorbic acid as an aid to growth and survival of encapsulated PLBs upon storage

Near simultaneous measurements of NO2 and NO3 over tropics by ground-based absorption spectroscopy

The present study concentrates on measurements of NO2 and NO3. NO2 has been measured during twilight period using zenith sky absorption spectrometric technique in the 436 to 448 nm region. NO3 has been measured during night time using direct moon as a source of light in the 655 to 667 nm region. These measurements have been taken at low latitude station, Ahmedabad (23 deg N, 76 deg E), India for the past two years

Two-center experience of cannabidiol use in adults with Dravet syndrome

We describe real-world experience with cannabidiol (CBD) in adults with Dravet Syndrome (DS) via GW Pharma early access programme at two UK neurology centres. Adults with genetically-confirmed DS had CBD added to existing therapy, titrated up to 20 mg/kg, as tolerated. The primary outcome measure was percentage reduction in convulsive seizures. Secondary outcome measures included changes in myoclonic seizures, and in cognition and quality of life as assessed by the Caregiver Global Impression of Change (CGIC), and incidence of adverse events (AEs). 18 adults (7 female; median age 27.5 years; range 20–51) were included. Median follow-up was 176 days. In one, another antiseizure drug, clobazam, was introduced during the programme. 3/17 (17.6%) had >30% reduction in convulsive seizures (range: 87.5–100%). AEs occurred in all, the most common being transaminitis (52.9%). Behavioural AEs led to discontinuation in 3/18 (16.7%), including a seizure-free responder. In 7/18, CBD was stopped due to lack of effect. 8/18 continue on treatment. Improvements in CGIC were reported in 41.2% and 47.1% by physicians and families, respectively. 17.6% achieved sufficient reduction in convulsive seizure frequency to qualify for NHS funding. AEs led to withdrawal in only 16.7%. Close monitoring and dose adjustments of other antiseizure drugs were necessary

Distributions of fecal markers in wastewater from different climatic zones for human fecal pollution tracking in Australian surface waters

Recreational and potable water supplies polluted with human wastewater can pose a direct health risk to humans. Therefore, sensitive detection of human fecal pollution in environmental waters is very important to water quality authorities around the globe. Microbial source tracking (MST) utilizes human fecal markers (HFMs) to detect human wastewater pollution in environmental waters. The concentrations of these markers in raw wastewater are considered important because it is likely that a marker whose concentration is high in wastewater will be more frequently detected in polluted waters. In this study, quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were used to determine the concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., HFMs Bacteroides HF183, human adenoviruses (HAdVs), and polyomaviruses (HPyVs) in raw municipal wastewater influent from various climatic zones in Australia. E. coli mean concentrations in pooled human wastewater data sets (from various climatic zones) were the highest (3.2 × 10 gene copies per ml), followed by those of HF183 (8.0 × 10 gene copies per ml) and Enterococcus spp. (3.6 × 10 gene copies per ml). HAdV and HPyV concentrations were 2 to 3 orders of magnitude lower than those of FIB and HF183. Strong positive and negative correlations were observed between the FIB and HFM concentrations within and across wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To identify the most sensitive marker of human fecal pollution, environmental water samples were seeded with raw human wastewater. The results from the seeding experiments indicated that Bacteroides HF183 was more sensitive for detecting human fecal pollution than HAdVs and HPyVs. Since the HF183 marker can occasionally be present in nontarget animal fecal samples, it is recommended that HF183 along with a viral marker (HAdVs or HPyVs) be used for tracking human fecal pollution in Australian environmental waters

Examining the effectiveness of technology use in classrooms: A tertiary meta-analysis

Identifying effective literacy instruction programs has been a focal point for governments, educators and parents over the last few decades (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2004, 2006; Council of Ontario Directors of Education, 2011). Given the increasing use of computer technologies in the classroom and in the home, a variety of information communication technology (ICT) interventions for learning have been introduced. Meta-analyses comparing the impact of these programs on learning, however, have yielded inconsistent findings (Andrews, Freeman, Hou, McGuinn, Robinson, & Zhu, 2007; Slavin, Cheung, Groff, & Lake, 2008; Slavin, Lake, Chambers, Cheung, & Davis, 2009; Torgerson & Zhu, 2003). The present tertiary meta-analytic review re-assesses outcomes presented in three previous meta-analyses. Four moderator variables assessed the impact of the systematic review from which they were retrieved, training and support, implementation fidelity and who delivered the intervention (teacher versus researcher). Significant results were found when training and support was entered as a moderator variable with the small overall effectiveness of the ICTs (ES = 0.18), similar to those found in previous research, increasing significantly (ES = 0.57). These findings indicate the importance of including implementation factors such as training and support, when considering the relative effectiveness of ICT interventions