Selection of parents for crossing based on genotyping and phenotyping for stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) resistance and agronomic traits in bread wheat breeding

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm consisting of 45 genotypes were clustered phenotypically using ten morphological traits and Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) as measure of stripe rust resistance. The clustering was ratified by using twenty three molecular markers (SSR, EST and STS) linked to stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) resistant QTLs. The aim was to asses the extent of genetic variability among the genotypes in order to select the parents for crossing between the resistant and susceptible genotypes with respect to stripe rust. The Euclidian dissimilarity values resulted from phenotypic data regarding morphological traits and AUDPC were used to construct a dendrogram for clustering the accessions. Using un-weighted pair group method with arithmetic means, another dendrogram resulted from the similarity coefficient values was used to distinguish the genotypes with respect to stripe rust. Clustering based on phenotypic data produced two major groups and five clusters (with Euclidian dissimilarity ranging from 2.44 to 16.16) whereas genotypic data yielded two major groups and four clusters (with percent similarity coefficient values ranging from 0.1 to 46.0) to separate the gene pool into highly resistant, resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible and susceptible genotypes. With few exceptions, the outcome of both type of clustering was almost similar and resistant as well as susceptible genotypes came in the same clusters of molecular genotyping as yielded by phenotypic clustering. As a result seven genotypes (Bakhtawar-92, Frontana, Saleem 2000, Tatara, Inqilab-91, Fakhre Sarhad and Karwan) of diverse genetic background were selected for pyramiding stripe rust resistant genes as well as some other agronomic traits after hybridization.45 генотипов мягкой пшеницы (Triticum aestivum L.) были фенотипически кластеризованы по десяти морфологическим признакам и Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) как показателя устойчивости к желтой ржавчине. Кластеризация была подтверждена использованием 23 молекулярных маркеров (SSR, EST and STS), связанных с QTL локусами устойчивости к Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici. Целью работы было оценить степень генетической изменчивости, чтобы отобрать родителей для скрещиваний между устойчивыми и чувствительными к желтой ржавчине генотипами. Показатели отклонения, полученные из анализа морфологических признаков и AUDPC, были исполь-зованы для построения дендрограмм для кластеризации образцов. С использованием невзвешенного попарно-группового метода со среднеарифметическими значениями другая дендрограмма, полученная на основе сходства значений коэффициентов, была использована для того, чтобы отличить генотипы по устойчивости к желтой ржавчине. Кластеризация по фенотипическим признакам дала в результате две основные группы и пять кластеров, в то время как генотипические данные дали две основные группы и четыре кластера, что позволило выделить высокоустойчивые, устойчивые, среднеустойчивые, среднечувствительные и чувствительные генотипы. За некоторыми исключениями, результат обоих способов кластеризации был почти одинаков: устойчивые и чувствительные генотипы попали в одни и те же кластеры как в результате молекулярного генотипирования, так и фенотипической кластеризации. В итоге было отобрано семь генотипов (Bakhtawar-92, Frontana, Saleem-2000, Tatara, Inqilab-91, Fakhre Sarhad and Karwan) с разным генетическим фоном для генов устойчивости к желтой ржавчине и некоторых других агрономических признаков после гибридизации

First report on detection of Hepatozoon ayorgbor in Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and Hepatozoon colubri in Haemaphysalis sulcata and Hyalomma anatolicum: risks of spillover of Hepatozoon spp. from wildlife to domestic animals

This study aimed to detect Hepatozoon spp. in ticks infesting asymptomatic domestic animals and to provide insight into their potential spillover from wild to domestic animals. In total, 537 tick specimens were collected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and morphologically identified. The most prevalent tick species was Haemaphysalis cornupunctata (69; 12.8%), followed by Haemaphysalis kashmirensis (62; 11.5%), Rhipicephalus microplus (58; 10.8%), Haemaphysalis montgomeryi (51; 9.5%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (49; 9.1%), each Haemaphysalis bispinosa and Haemaphysalis sulcata (43; 8.0%), each Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus turanicus (37; 6.9%), Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (33; 6.1%) Hyalomma scupense (30; 5.6%), and Hyalomma isaaci (25; 4.7%). The extracted DNA from a subset of each tick species was subjected to PCR to amplify 18S rRNA fragments of Hepatozoon spp. By BLAST analysis, the Hepatozoon sp. detected in Hy. anatolicum infesting cows and in Ha. sulcata infesting sheep showed 99.7% maximum identity with Hepatozoon colubri. Similarly, the Hepatozoon sp. detected in R. haemaphysaloides infesting goats shared 99.49% maximum identity with Hepatozoon ayorgbor, and the Hepatozoon sp. detected in R. sanguineus infesting dogs exhibited 99.7% identity with Hepatozoon canis. Having an overall infection rate (9.3%; 16/172), the highest infection rate was recorded for each H. canis, and H. colubri (3.5%; 6/172), followed by H. ayorgbor (2.3%; 4/172). In the phylogenetic tree, H. colubri clustered with corresponding species from Iran, H. ayorgbor clustered with the same species from Croatia, Ghana, and Portugal, and H. canis clustered with the conspecifics from Iran, Israel, Romania, and Zambia. Regarding the potential spillover of Hepatozoon spp. from wildlife through ticks, free ranging animals was at higher risk compared to confined animals (RR = 3.05), animals consuming food from wildlife habitats were at higher risk compared to those consuming domestic food (RR = 3.06), and animals residing in farm buildings located in wildlife habitats were at higher risk compared to those residing in farm buildings located in villages (RR = 3.28). In addition to the first report on H. canis in R. sanguineus in Pakistan, this is the earliest data showing H. ayorgbor in R. haemaphysaloides and H. colubri in Ha. sulcata and Hy. anatolicum. These preliminary findings suggest a potential spillover of Hepatozoon spp. from wild to domestic animals via ticks under certain risk factors

Letrozole-loaded nonionic surfactant vesicles prepared via a slurry-based proniosome technology: Formulation development and characterization

Slurry-based Letrozole (LTZ)-loaded proniosomes were designed using sucrose or sorbitol as carriers and various ratios of cholesterol (CH) and Tween 80 (T80) as lipid composition. Proniosomes were hydrated and probe-sonicated to generate nano-vesicles. The proniosome powders were characterized in terms of morphology using scanning electron microscopy, and drug crystallinity using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The niosomes generated from proniosomes were characterized and compared to conventional niosomes, in terms of size, zeta potential, drug entrapment, storage stability, and drug release. All formulations had size measurements in the range of 100–194 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) values below 0.3, and zeta potential values below – 23 mV. Drug entrapment was the highest for niosomes generated from sucrose-based proniosomes (CH:T80; 1:1), reaching 74% compared to less than 50% for conventional niosomes. Storage for 3 months at 4 °C resulted in minor drug leakage whilst most drug was leaked from vesicles stored at room temperature. DSC and XRD studies showed that LTZ was converted into its amorphous form upon incorporation into proniosomes. Drug release exhibited a biphasic pattern, being fast at the first 24 h (up to 65% released) followed by a very slow release phase for a duration of one month, releasing at least 95%. The release profile of niosomes fits best with the Higuchi model. Overall, in this study, a facile approach to generating niosomes incorporating LTZ using a slurry-based proniosome technology was demonstrated. The niosomes provided high drug entrapment and controlled biphasic release over one month

Intravenous iron plus erythropoietin versus erythropoietin alone for treatment of anaemia in patients of end stage renal disease: A comparative prospective unblinded trial

Objective: To determine the efficacy of intravenous iron along with erythropoietin for treatment of anemia in patients of chronic kidney disease undergoing maintenance haemodialysis. Study Design: Randomized comparative prospective, unblinded study. Study Place: Divisional Headquarter Teaching Hospital Mirpur Azad Kashmir. Duration Of Study: 06 Months, from June 2021 to December 2021. Methodology: This study was conducted in Divisional Headquarter Teaching Hospital Mirpur AJK and it included 107 patients with metabolically stable chronic kidney disease with hemoglobin of 8-11 g/dl. Patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups,, ”EPO group” which received subcutaneous erythropoietin only with each hemodialysis session and the “Iron group” which received erythropoietin with each session of hemodialysis and 200mg of intravenous iron once a month with up or down titration every monthly according to hemoglobin and transfer in saturation level in serum. Standard CKD measurement was same in both groups. Serum hemoglobin and serum transferrin saturation was measured at the start of the treatment. Both groups were followed every monthly for efficacy and side effect profile and assessed at 3 months with serum hemoglobin and seum transferrin saturation level.&nbsp

Enhanced IoT Composition Architecture based on DIY Business Process Modeling: CoAP based Prototype

Internet of Things has been the focus of research and development in the recent years. This increased attention has resulted in various approaches for the realization of the vision that every physical entity should be a part of global network of things. Representation of real world entities as virtualized entities in the cyber world is one such approach where the behavior of virtual objects is exposed as services and it can be accessed and manipulated like real world objects. The problem with the implementation is that most of the users lack the skills to utilize the services of these connected objects to create their own applications. We present a novel Business Process Modeling based approach to provide an intuitive Do-It-Yourself interface for generic users to easily compose their own IoT applications regardless of their programming skills. The proposed architecture has been implemented as a prototype which utilizes Constrained Application Protocol for connecting the things. A primary performance analysis of the major functionalities has been presented in this paper

Increased household exposure to respiratory pathogens in HIV exposed uninfected children due to maternal HIV

Little is known about household exposures to respiratory pathogens in HIV-exposed uninfected children (HEU) in Indian families. This case series investigates the nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and respiratory viruses at multiple points in three mother child pairs: (1) an HIV-infected child and mother, (2) an HEU child and HIV-infected mother, and (3) an HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) child and mother. Nasopharyngeal carriage densities of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were higher in mothers and children living in HIV-affected households, regardless of the child's HIV status. Maternal HIV and ART status impact these household exposures

Micronutrients deficiency among ulcerative colitis patients

Background and Aim: Malnutrition is a significant concern in inflammatory bowel disease with incidence varied from 18% to 62% among ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the ulcerative colitis patients for micronutrient status. Patients and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 56 ulcerative colitis patients in the Endoscopic Unit of Dr. Fida Painless & General Hospital, Peshawar for the duration from April 2022 to April 2023. Newly diagnosed ulcerative patients confirmed by colonoscopy and histopathology were enrolled. All the patients were divided into three different categories based on disease severity: Group-I (mild), Group-II (moderate), and Group-III (severe). Each individual underwent complete physical examination, laboratory investigations, and colonoscopy. Serum was obtained and tested for selenium, iron, copper, and magnesium levels. SPSS version 27 was used for data analysis. Results: Of the total 56 UC patients, there were 21 (37.5%) male and 35 (62.5%) female. The overall mean age was 34 years. Based on histopathological examination, the grading of disease severity were as follows: Group-I (mild) 4 (7.1%), Group-II (moderate) 28 (50%), and Group-III (severe) 24 (42.9%). UC patients group and healthy group had similarity in terms of age and gender

Determinants of vaccine uptake in HIV-affected families from West Bengal

Children living with Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV; CLH) have special vaccine needs. Determinants of household-level uptake of vaccines need to be examined in high-risk families with CLH. We previously conducted a study on the impact of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) in 125 HIV-affected families and 47 HIV-unaffected families in West Bengal. We then interviewed 99 of these 172 families who had participated in the study to understand the household-level factors that determine vaccine uptake. Sixty-four of the 99 families had one or more CLH. Within these 64 families, 30% of CLH had missed vaccines under the universal immunization program (UIP), compared to only 6% of HIV-uninfected children (HUC) (p = .001). Maternal HIV positivity in a family increased risk of missing UIP vaccines nearly five times (4.82, p = .001). Almost all families accessed UIP vaccines at local primary vaccination centers, but 14% of families experienced stigma due to HIV and avoided getting one or more vaccine doses. In contrast, in our study, 100% of HIV-affected families actively sought PCV-13 and HibCV, despite having to travel. Factors that influenced uptake included awareness generation and activation by an outreach worker and availability of vaccines on pick-up days for anti-retroviral therapy. Eighty-six percent of families strongly recommended PCV-13 to other families. To conclude, while we found that CLH have barriers to getting vaccinations, a program designed to take into consideration the obstacles that HIV-affected families face showed a high rate of vaccine uptake

An Adaptive Hybrid Control of Reduced Switch Multilevel Grid Connected Inverter for Weak Grid Applications

Grid-connected inverters have a very significant role in the integration of renewable energy resources with utility grids. However, in recent studies, it is revealed that grid-connected inverters are vulnerable to instability when the nature of the grid changes from strong to weak, which produces uncertainty and performance degradation. An increase in grid impedance decreases stability margins, tremendously increases total harmonic distortion after a certain limit, and amplifies the voltage harmonics in the grid. A cascaded reduced switch symmetrical multilevel inverter along with an adaptive hybrid control technique is proposed for injecting power generated from distributed energy resources efficiently and stably to the utility grid. This research contributes twofold: a multilevel inverter topology and the other is its control method. The multilevel inverter reduces total harmonic distortion and size of the filter while increasing power handling capability. The control unit of the proposed system further consists of two parts: one is the synchronous frame current controller, and the other is stationary frame adaptive harmonic compensators. The grid current controller which is working in a synchronous reference frame ensures regulated current injection to the grid. It is not favorable to implement a harmonic compensator in a synchronous reference frame due to computation complexities. Therefore, the stationary reference frame controllers are used for harmonic compensations. But the resultant harmonic compensators have narrow bandwidth. Thus, these are not robust against variation in grid frequency. In this research, this problem is resolved by adding the adaptive features within the harmonic compensators, which shift its passing band according to the frequency of the grid while remaining with the same bandwidth. The proposed design of the hybrid frame controller is validated by considering a nine-level inverter connected with a weak grid