In vitro micropropagation of Musa sapientum L. (Cavendish Dwarf)

A complete protocol for micropropagation of Musa sapientum using shoot meristems was developed. Multiple shoots were induced in vitro from shoot meristems. Murashige and Skoog’s medium supplemented with BAP and NAA (3.0 + 0.2 mg/l, respectively) was found to be most suitablecombination. Further multiplication of shoots required habituation of cultures up to 3 passages of 21 days each on the same medium after establishment of culture and initiation of shoot buds. Thereafter 3-fold multiplication rate was achieved during every subculture. For rooting the shoots were excised and transferred to same medium. Rooted plantlets were then transferred to primary and secondary hardening and grown in the green house. These hardened plants have been successfully established insoil

In vitro micropropagation of orchid, Oncidium sp. (Dancing Dolls)

A successful procedure was established for in vitro mass multiplication of orchid (Oncidium sp.). In vitro regeneration multiplication and rooting of plantlets were achieved from the immature seeds on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with BAP (2.0 mg/l). Rooted plantlets were then transferred to perforated plastic pots and grown in the green house

Farmers' perceptions on mechanical weeders for rice production in sub-Saharan Africa

Competition from weeds is one of the major biophysical constraints to rice (Oryza spp.) production in sub-Saharan Africa. Smallholder rice farmers require efficient, affordable and labour-saving weed management technologies. Mechanical weeders have shown to fit this profile. Several mechanical weeder types exist but little is known about locally specific differences in performance and farmer preference between these types. Three to six different weeder types were evaluated at 10 different sites across seven countries – i.e., Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda and Togo. A total of 310 farmers (173 male, 137 female) tested the weeders, scored them for their preference, and compared them with their own weed management practices. In a follow-up study, 186 farmers from Benin and Nigeria received the ring hoe, which was the most preferred in these two countries, to use it during the entire crop growing season. Farmers were surveyed on their experiences. The probability of the ring hoe having the highest score among the tested weeders was 71%. The probability of farmers’ preference of the ring hoe over their usual practices – i.e., herbicide, traditional hoe and hand weeding – was 52, 95 and 91%, respectively. The preference of this weeder was not related to gender, years of experience with rice cultivation, rice field size, weed infestation level, water status or soil texture. In the follow-up study, 80% of farmers who used the ring hoe indicated that weeding time was reduced by at least 31%. Of the farmers testing the ring hoe in the follow-up study, 35% used it also for other crops such as vegetables, maize, sorghum, cassava and millet. These results suggest that the ring hoe offers a gender-neutral solution for reducing labour for weeding in rice as well as other crops and that it is compatible with a wide range of environments. The implications of our findings and challenges for out-scaling of mechanical weeders are discussed

Advances in Molecular Imaging Strategies for<i>In Vivo</i>Tracking of Immune Cells

Tracking of immune cellsin vivois a crucial tool for development and optimization of cell-based therapy. Techniques for tracking immune cells have been applied widely for understanding the intrinsic behavior of immune cells and include non-radiation-based techniques such as optical imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiation-based techniques such as computerized tomography (CT), and nuclear imaging including single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). Each modality has its own strengths and limitations. To overcome the limitations of each modality, multimodal imaging techniques involving two or more imaging modalities are actively applied. Multimodal techniques allow integration of the strengths of individual modalities. In this review, we discuss the strengths and limitations of currently available preclinicalin vivoimmune cell tracking techniques and summarize the value of immune cell tracking in the development and optimization of immune cell therapy for various diseases.</jats:p

Inorganic Fertilizer Use and Its Association With Rice Yield Gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa

Where and which countries should receive higher priority for improving inorganic fertilizer use in rice fields in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)? This study addressed this question by assessing the spatial variation in fertilizer use and its association with rice yield and yield gap in 24 SSA countries through a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed papers, theses, and grey literature published between 1995 and 2021. The results showed a large variation in N, P, and K fertilizer application rates and rice yield and an opportunity for narrowing the yield gap by increasing N and P rates, especially in irrigated rice systems. We identified clusters of sites/countries based on nutrient input and yield and suggested research and development strategies for improving yields and optimizing nutrient use efficiencies. Further research is essential to identify the factors causing low fertilizer use and the poor association between its use and yield in rainfed systems

Assessment of Vitamin D Deficiency Prevalence among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in a South Indian Tertiary Care Hospital

Vitamin D deficiency has become a global health issue and is associated with the multifactorial clinical manifestations of diabetes. The objective of this study is to analyze vitamin D deficiency in T2DM patients in association with biochemical parameters and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This study was a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital conducted after the Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC) approval. The available descriptive data of patients, such as age, gender, biochemical parameters, TSH, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), were collected. Vitamin D was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The descriptive parameters were statistically analyzed using chi-square analysis. The results comprise 322 T2DM patients, with 187 males and 135 females. Vitamin D status levels were observed to have severe deficiency 10-20 ng.mL-1 (42.2%), insufficient >20-29 ng.mL-1 (22.7%), and sufficient > 30 ng.mL-1 (11.5%). The male and female patients with vitamin D status were significantly (p<0.001) different between groups. No significant (p = 0.122) association was observed between HbA1c and vitamin D. The high status of vitamin D deficiency with high glycemic levels is associated with poor diabetic control. Therefore, patients require awareness about their vitamin D status; with a proper diet, adequate exposure to sunlight, and exercise can help them improve their health