Third Field Survey Collecting Traditionally Grown Crops in Northern Areas of Myanmar, 2011

We made the third joint field survey of Kachin state of Myanmar in March, 2011 after 2006 and 2009. The survey team was organized by Tsukuba University (TU), Japan, the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS), Japan, and the Myanma Agricultural Service (MAS), Myanmar. The survey was partly funded by a Grand-in-Aid for Overseas Scientific Research of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan (Research Project No. 21405017, 2009-2011) in cooperation with the Genebank Project of the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences. Myanmar has been suggested to harbor crop genetic diversity of traditionally cultivated plants and their wild relatives. We surveyed the range between Putao and Myitkyina particularly around Sumprabum. Consequently, we collected 95 plant samples including rice (28 samples), maize (6), foxtail millet (5), leguminous crops (9), cucurbits (8), solanaceous plants (8), zingeberaceous plants (8). The collected materials were divided into two subsets for conservation: one in Myanmar and another in Japan. The former subset for Myanmar is preserved at the Seed Bank of Department of Agricultural Research (DAR). The latter subset is for introduction into Japan. The ginger and turmeric samples are temporally maintained at Tsukuba University, while others are conserved at NIAS Genebank. Those materials are to be characterized and evaluated, and to be used for research and development.ミャンマーは栽培稲や野生稲，そして多くの栽培植物の遺伝的多様性を有していると云われているが，組織的な植物遺伝資源のフィールド調査や収集は必ずしも十分とはいえず，未調査地域も多い． 悪天候のため充分な調査に至らなかった2006年，2009年に引き続き，筑波大学，農業生物資源研究所およびミャンマー農業灌漑省との協力のもとカチン州においてイネ，雑穀，マメ類，ショウガ，ウコン等の遺伝資源の調査と収集を行った．本現地調査研究は文部科学省科学研究費助成　基盤研究（B）課題番号 21405017「国境を超越して生存する少数民族に関わる絶滅危惧植物遺伝資源と伝統知識の保全」代表者 渡邉 和男）によるものである．カチン州南部の州都のミッチーナ周辺の調査の後，北部の町プータオに飛び，四駆車でスンビエン，スンプラボン，ダルカを通って南下し，再びミッチーナに至る経路で現地調査を行うことができた．乾季にあっても場所によって道は雨で泥濘と化し，特にスンプラボン東部の盆地は調査できなかったが，スンプラボン西部の山村等を新たに調査した．栽培時期では無かったので立毛を見ることはできなかったが，現地農家から話を聞き，保存している作物の提供を受け，植物遺伝資源95点を収集した．収集品には栽培稲28点，トウモロコシ6点，アワ5点，マメ類9点，ウリ類8点，ショウガ科8点などが含まれる．なお，収集品は，ミャンマー農業灌漑省農業研究局バイオテクノロジー・植物遺伝資源・植物保護課のシードバンクに保存することし，植物遺伝資源国際条約(ITPGR) の標準移転契約(SMTA) を交わして日本に導入した

Structure–function relationships explain CTCF zinc finger mutation phenotypes in cancer

CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) plays fundamental roles in transcriptional regulation and chromatin architecture maintenance. CTCF is also a tumour suppressor frequently mutated in cancer, however, the structural and functional impact of mutations have not been examined. We performed molecular and structural characterisation of five cancer-specific CTCF missense zinc finger (ZF) mutations occurring within key intra- and inter-ZF residues. Functional characterisation of CTCF ZF mutations revealed a complete (L309P, R339W, R377H) or intermediate (R339Q) abrogation as well as an enhancement (G420D) of the anti-proliferative effects of CTCF. DNA binding at select sites was disrupted and transcriptional regulatory activities abrogated. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics confirmed that mutations in residues specifically contacting DNA bases or backbone exhibited loss of DNA binding. However, R339Q and G420D were stabilised by the formation of new primary DNA bonds, contributing to gain-of-function. Our data confirm that a spectrum of loss-, change- and gain-of-function impacts on CTCF zinc fingers are observed in cell growth regulation and gene regulatory activities. Hence, diverse cellular phenotypes of mutant CTCF are clearly explained by examining structure–function relationships

Evaluation of RT-LAMP and Dry Swab RNA Extraction Free Method for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Background: A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Due to high infectious rate of SARS-CoV-2, detection of positive patients is one of the key points to controlling the outbreak. The gold standard for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 remains RT-PCR. In the current pandemic, a more rapid and high throughput method is in growing concern. Objectives: To evaluate the RT-LAMP and dry swab RNA extraction free method in diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection, using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as gold standard. Methods: A laboratory based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from September 2022 to October 2022 at molecular laboratory of No (1) Defence Services General Hospital. Ninety-four nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR (gold standard), RT-LAMP and dry swab method. Result: In this study, 68 (72.3%) out of 94 patients were positive for SARS CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of RT-LAMP was 76.5%, 100%, 100% and 62%. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of dry swab method was 66%, 100%, 100% and 53%. Hundred percent sensitivity was occurred in RT-LAMP and Dry swab method with Ct<20. In Ct 20-30, sensitivity of RT-LAMP and Dry swab method was 94.8% and 89.7%. Conclusions: RT-PCR method exist as a gold standard for diagnosis of SARS CoV-2, it required molecular laboratory; RT-PCR machine and reagents; they are expensive; trained technician; and it takes several hours to get the results. Although sensitivity and specificity of RT-LAMP and dry swab methods are inferior to RT-PCR, they can be performed easily in the short period of time (less than 2 hours). Therefore, faster, cheaper and easier alternative molecular diagnostic methods should be considered for diagnosis of SARs CoV-2 infection

Study and Analysis of Machine Parameters Effect on Power System Stability

The stability study of a power system is an important factor in the planning or increasing of facilities. The studies are helpful in determining such thing as nature of the relaying system needed, critical clearing time of circuit breakers, voltage level, and transfer capability between systems. In this paper, the effects of machine parameters (inertia constant, damping constant and transient reactance) on the critical clearing time of the power system stability have been analyzed. These parameters are the main contribution to the angular acceleration and power transfer capability that affected the power system stability. The analysis has been done for two types of power system: single machine infinite bus system and multi-machine system. From the analysis, it is found that the stability of the system is affected by studied parameters and important in the design of the improving power system stability and protection system

Acid Hydrolysis of Pretreated Sugarcane Bagasse, Macroalgae Sargassum sp. and its Mixture in Bioethanol Production

Sustainable biofuel feedstock could become a critical issue in the light of the recent fuel crisis. The use of mixed biomass could reinforce to overcome this issue. The present work examined the parallel use of agricultural residue sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and natural invasive marine seaweed Sargassum sp. (SSP) as a single feedstock and its mixture in two-step concentrated acid hydrolysis followed by yeast fermentation in order to produce reducing sugar with minimal formation of furfural, and bioethanol. In this work, alkali pretreated SCB and SSP were used as feedstock in acid hydrolysis. To investigate the influenced parameters of acid hydrolysis, biomass type (SCB, mixed biomass MB (SCB and SSP in 1:1 ratio by weight) and SSP), initial acid concentration (64–80 wt%), reaction time (30–90 min) and solid loading (10–20%w/w) were optimized by using Taguchi method. The optimized conditions were obtained with mixed biomass type, the initial acid concentration of 64 wt%, reaction time of 60 min and solid loading of 10%w/v. Under these conditions, 0.51 g/g of reducing sugar was achieved without furfural formation although ethanol yield was relatively low compared to that of Taguchi experimental runs. The result indicated that biomass type highly influenced the acid hydrolysis on sugar yield and furfural formation. This study provides the potential route for converting pretreated cellulosic biomass to value-added products, such as sugar and ethanol via the biorefinery process

Molecular Detection of Class 1 Integron Gene and Antibiotics Susceptibility Patterns of Pseudomonas Species Isolated from Clinical Specimens

Pseudomonas species is a common cause of health care acquired infection and also stand in second place in WHO critical list for antimicrobial resistance. Acquisition of antibiotic resistance gene in pathogenic bacteria has been a growing problem worldwide. The presence of resistance gene in class 1 integrons is associated with multi- drug resistance among Pseudomonas species. This study aimed to detect the class 1 integron and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Pseudomonas species isolated from clinical specimens at No. (1) Defence Services General Hospital (1000-bedded) during the period of January to September 2020. The hospital and laboratory based descriptive study was conducted among the clinical samples received at Microbiology laboratory. Isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed by Vitek 2 automated systems. All Pseudomonas species were tested for the presence of class 1 integron by PCR. In this study, 77 Pseudomonas species isolated from various clinical specimens. According to the finding, the most common resistance was observed towards cefotaxime (97.4%), while resistance to amikacin was less observed among isolates (22%). Out of 77 Pseudomonas species isolates, 54 (70%) were multidrug resistant (MDR) according to CLSI 2020 guidelines. Among the multidrug resistance, 38 (95%) isolates were class 1 integron positive (p<0.001) and 16 (43.24%) were class 1 integron negative (p<0.001). Therefore, this finding indicates the strong association between the presence of class 1 integron and multidrug resistance. Therefore, integrons play an important role in acquisition and dissemination of antibiotics resistance genes among Pseudomonas species

Effect of alkali pretreatment on removal of lignin from sugarcane bagasse

Lignin is complex polymer compound contained in woody plant tissue. In sugar extraction and bioethanol production from lignocellulosic materials, it is necessary to remove lignin due to its recalcitrant nature. The present work aimed to study the effect of alkali pretreatment on removal of lignin from sugarcane bagasse using sodium hydroxide. Two solid loading conditions (20 %w/v and 10 %w/v) were used in this study. For 20 % loading condition, base concentrations were varied at four levels and autoclaving time was varied at 3 levels, and the experiments were performed in 12 runs for this loading rate. For 20 % w/v solid loading, the concentrations of sodium hydroxide were 0.5 wt%, 1.0 wt%, 1.5 wt%, and 2.0 wt% at 121 °C for 10 min, 30 min and 60 min. For 10 % loading condition, the levels of each factor were increased. The base concentrations were varied at six levels and autoclaving time was varied at 5 levels, and the experiments were also performed, resulting in 30 runs for this loading rate. For 10 % w/v solid loading, concentrations were 0.5, 1.0 wt%, 1.5 wt%, 2.0 wt%, 3.0 wt% and 4.0 wt% at 121 °C for 10 min, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min and 120 min. The maximum removal of lignin for 10 % solid loading was 83.7 % under the conditions of 2.0 wt% sodium hydroxide at 121 °C for 60 min. For 10 % solid loading, 87.3 % of lignin removal was achieved in 1.5 wt% sodium hydroxide at 121 °C for 30 min. The result showed that increased solid loading may cause insufficient removal of lignin during alkaline pretreatment. Copyright © 2017, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.

Detection of Class 1 Integron Among Klebsiella Species Isolated from Clinical Samples at No (1) Defence Services General Hospital (1000 Bedded)

Klebsiella species is commonly associated with serious nosocomial infections. Multi-drug resistant Klebsiella species isolates are becoming increasingly prevalent in the clinical and nosocomial environments. The high prevalence of Klebsiella infections is related to the ability of Klebsiella species to acquire and disseminate exogenous genes associated with mobile elements, such as plasmids, transposons and integrons. This study was conducted to find out the presence of class 1 integron and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Klebsiella species from clinical specimens at No (1) Defence Services General Hospital (1000-Bedded). A laboratory based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from January to september, 2020. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Klebsiella species was performed by VITEK 2 Compact Analyzer. Class 1 integrons were detected by conventional PCR. In this study, 110 Klebsiella species were isolated from various clinical specimens and most of the isolates were from medical ward (52.3%, 63 isolates). The highest rate of resistance was observed for ampicillin (100%) and Cefotaxime (97.3 %) whereas the lowest antibiotic resistance was to Amikacin (15.5%). Out of 110 Klebsiella isolates, 107 (97.3%) were multidrug resistant (MDR). Forty-four (40%) out of 110 Klebsiella isolates carried int1 gene and all these isolates were MDR. However, there was no association between multidrug resistance and integron positivity (p value = 0.273). The presence of class I integron genes among Klebsiella species highlights the continued monitoring is necessary for prevention of wide dissemination of integrons and infections by MDR pathogens