Seed Priming with Phytohormones: An Effective Approach for the Mitigation of Abiotic Stress

Plants are often exposed to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, cold, and heavy metals that induce complex responses, which result in reduced growth as well as crop yield. Phytohormones are well known for their regulatory role in plant growth and development, and they serve as important chemical messengers, allowing plants to function during exposure to various stresses. Seed priming is a physiological technique involving seed hydration and drying to improve metabolic processes prior to germination, thereby increasing the percentage and rate of germination and improving seedling growth and crop yield under normal and various biotic and abiotic stresses. Seed priming allows plants to obtain an enhanced capacity for rapidly and effectively combating different stresses. Thus, seed priming with phytohormones has emerged as an important tool for mitigating the effects of abiotic stress. Therefore, this review discusses the potential role of priming with phytohormones to mitigate the harmful effects of abiotic stresses, possible mechanisms for how mitigation is accomplished, and roles of priming on the enhancement of crop production

Attitude of Tribal Parents Towards the Higher Education of Girls in India

The paper focuses on the attitude of tribal parents regarding the education of girls. This review paper intends to understand the attitudes of tribal parents towards the education of girls in India and West Bengal, according to their gender, educational level, and socioeconomic position. We determined that tribal parents have a positive mindset for their daughters’ education. They realize the importance of education, however they cannot control certain situations, such as migration and the negligence of the girls towards their coeducation. The essential point in all these instances is that tribal parents in India desire to educate their daughters; the majority of them face severe challenges due to a lack of schools or lack of basic infrastructure within the area’s current schools

MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE POTENTIATES THE CONTRACTION OF THE VISCERAL SMOOTH MUSCLE OF DUODENUM BY AUGMENTING THE ACTIVITY OF INTRINSIC CHOLINERGIC EFFERENTS, INDUCING OXIDATIVE STRESS AND PROLIFERATING SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the contraction of visceral smooth muscle (VSM) of the duodenum in a rat model to understand the MSG-induced impairment of the function of the small intestine. Methods: Male albino rats of Charles Foster strain were exposed with MSG at three different dosages (632, 1264, and 2528 mg/kg BW/day) for 30-day duration. The records of the contraction of the duodenum were achieved with isotonic transducer (IT-2245) coupled with RMS-Polyrite D by our standard laboratory protocol. Results: We have observed potentiation of contraction of duodenum ex vivo dose-dependently in MSG exposed groups of rats compared to control. Furthermore, the enzymatic activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in VSM tissue homogenate and expression of AChE protein in fixed duodenal muscle cell layers have been decreased in a dosage response manner comparing to control rats. We have found a significant decrease in the activities of some antioxidant enzymes such as Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-s-transferase, and increase in the level of malondialdehyde in MSG exposed VSM tissue homogenate of the duodenum. We have also observed thickening of muscularis externa layer and increase in the number of muscle cells in circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the duodenal wall in transverse duodenal wall sections stained with eosin-hematoxylin. Conclusion: MSG potentiates the contraction of VSM of duodenum by augmenting the activity of intrinsic cholinergic efferents predominantly, and inducing oxidative stress and proliferating smooth muscle cells

A Rare HBV Subgenotype D4 with Unique Genomic Signatures Identified in North-Eastern India –An Emerging Clinical Challenge?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: HBV has been classified into ten genotypes (A-J) and multiple subgenotypes, some of which strongly influence disease outcome and their distribution also correlate with human migration. HBV infection is highly prevalent in India and its diverse population provides an excellent opportunity to study the distinctiveness of HBV, its evolution and disease biology in variegated ethnic groups. The North-East India, having international frontiers on three sides, is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse region of the country. Given the paucity of information on molecular epidemiology of HBV in this region, the study aimed to carry out an in-depth genetic characterization of HBV prevailing in North-East state of Tripura. METHODS: From sera of chronically HBV infected patients biochemical/serological tests, HBV DNA quantification, PCR-amplification, sequencing of PreS/S or full-length HBV genomes were done. HBV genotype/subgenotype determination and sequence variability were assessed by MEGA5-software. The evolutionary divergence times of different HBV subgenotypes were estimated by DNAMLK/PHYLIP program while jpHMM method was used to detect any recombination event in HBV genomes. RESULTS: HBV genotypes D (89.5%), C (6.6%) and A (3.9%) were detected among chronic carriers. While all HBV/A and HBV/C isolates belonged to subgenotype-A1 and C1 respectively, five subgenotypes of HBV/D (D1-D5) were identified including the first detection of rare D4. These non-recombinant Indian D4 (IndD4) formed a distinct phylogenetic clade, had 2.7% nucleotide divergence and recent evolutionary radiation than other global D4. Ten unique amino acids and 9 novel nucleotide substitutions were identified as IndD4 signatures. All IndD4 carried T120 and R129 in ORF-S that may cause immune/vaccine/diagnostic escape and N128 in ORF-P, implicated as compensatory Lamivudine resistance mutation. CONCLUSIONS: IndD4 has potential to undermine vaccination programs or anti-viral therapy and its introduction to North-East India is believed to be linked with the settlement of ancient Tibeto-Burman migrants from East-Asia

A study to assess the level of knowledge regarding prevention and management of acute respiratory infection among mothers of children 0-5 years in selected hospital in Siliguri

Background: In developing countries like India acute respiratory infection (ARI) contributes in child mortality upto 75% and out of 10, 7 deaths are due to ARI. The knowledge of the mothers towards the disease is a significant determinant of child’s health.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study included 100 mothers of children 0-5 years admitted in pediatric ward and postnatal ward in selected hospital Siliguri during the year 2022 in the month of March. Data was collected using structured interview method.Results: 20% of mothers have good knowledge in prevention and 33% had good knowledge in management of ARI.Conclusions: As the leading cause of death among children, knowledge assessment about ARI among the mothers is very important, which helps for better understanding of the intensity of the problem

Mechanisms Underlying Hepatitis C Virus-Associated Hepatic Fibrosis

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often causes liver diseases, including fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver fibrosis is the outcome of the wound healing response to tissue damage caused by chronic HCV infection. This process is characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as collagen fibers secreted by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Activation of HSCs from the quiescent stage is mediated by different mechanisms, including pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines released from HCV-infected hepatocytes and liver macrophages. HCV infection modulates the expression of different microRNAs that can be transported and delivered to the HSCs via exosomes released from infected cells, also leading to the development of advanced disease pathogenesis. Although recent advancements in direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment can efficiently control viremia, there are very few treatment strategies available that can be effective at preventing pathogenesis in advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in patients. Assessment of fibrosis is considered to be the major part of proper patient care and decision making in clinical practice. In this review, we highlighted the current knowledge of molecular mechanisms responsible for the progression of liver fibrosis in chronically HCV-infected patients, and currently available methods for evaluation of fibrosis in patients. A detailed understanding of these aspects at the molecular level may contribute to the development of new therapies targeting HCV-related liver fibrosis

Detection of multidrug resistance Aeromonas hydrophila in farm raised fresh water prawns

This study was undertaken for isolation, identification and determination of antibiogram profile of Aeromonas hydrophila in farm raised fresh water prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) on five commercial ghers. Fresh water prawns (n=25) were collected from five ghers located at Satkhira, Bagerhat and Khulna districts of Bangladesh. Brain (n=25), muscle (n=25) and intestine (n=25) samples were collected aseptically from fresh water prawn and inoculated into alkaline peptone (APW) water for enrichment at 37℃ for 8 h. Enriched cultured was streaked into Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salt Sucrose (TCBS) agar to isolate bacteria. Bacteria were identified by cultural, Gram staining, biochemical properties and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The antibiogram profiles of bacteria were investigated against 5 commonly used antibiotics (Gentamicin, Cefalexin, Ampicillin, Azithromycin and Ciprofloxacin) by disc diffusion method. Thirteen A. hydrophila isolates were identified and the prevalence of the A. hydrophila in fresh water prawn was 17.33%. All 13 (100%) isolates were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Azithromycin and resistant to Ampicillin and Cefalexin. The results of this study indicate that farm raised fresh water prawn harbor multidrug resistant A. hydrophila which might causes public health problem if enter into human food chain

Detection of antibiotic resistant Avibacterium paragallinarum from broiler chickens in Bangladesh

Objective: An attempt was undertaken for the detection and characterization of Avibacterium paragallinarum from clinically sick broiler chickens during field outbreaks. Materials and methods: Nasal and ocular discharges (n=6), tracheal swab (n=6), tracheal washing (n=4) and infraorbital sinus exudates (n=4) were collected aseptically from broiler chickens (n=10). To isolate A. paragallinarum, the clinical samples were cultured onto blood agar and chocolate agar enriched with Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) and feeder organism (Staphylococcus aureus). Identification of A. paragallinarum was performed by Gram staining reaction, sugar fermentation profiles using five basic sugars (Dextrose, Maltose, Sucrose, Lactose and Mannitol) and biochemical tests (Indole, Voges Proskauer and Methyl red tests). Antibiogram of the bacterial isolates of infected chicken was performed against five antibiotics namely Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin, Gentamicin, Ampicillin and Cefalexin using disk diffusion method. Results: Results of colonial morphology, Gram staining reaction, sugar fermentation and biochemical tests confirmed one isolate as A. paragallinarum. The overall prevalence of IC in broiler chicken was 10% (1 of 10). This isolate was found to be sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Azithroycin and Gentamicin and resistant to Ampicillin and Cefalexin. Conclusion: This is the first report of detection of A. paragallinarum from broiler chicken in Bangladesh. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(2.000): 173-177