A community-based cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of different bundles of nutrition-specific interventions in improving mean length-for-age z score among children at 24 months of age in rural Bangladesh: study protocol

PRIFPRI3; CRP4; ISIPHND; A4NHCGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH

The Integrative Taxonomic Approach Reveals Host Specific Species in an Encyrtid Parasitoid Species Complex

Integrated taxonomy uses evidence from a number of different character types to delimit species and other natural groupings. While this approach has been advocated recently, and should be of particular utility in the case of diminutive insect parasitoids, there are relatively few examples of its application in these taxa. Here, we use an integrated framework to delimit independent lineages in Encyrtus sasakii (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid morphospecies previously considered a host generalist. Sequence variation at the DNA barcode (cytochrome c oxidase I, COI) and nuclear 28S rDNA loci were compared to morphometric recordings and mating compatibility tests, among samples of this species complex collected from its four scale insect hosts, covering a broad geographic range of northern and central China. Our results reveal that Encyrtus sasakii comprises three lineages that, while sharing a similar morphology, are highly divergent at the molecular level. At the barcode locus, the median K2P molecular distance between individuals from three primary populations was found to be 11.3%, well outside the divergence usually observed between Chalcidoidea conspecifics (0.5%). Corroborative evidence that the genetic lineages represent independent species was found from mating tests, where compatibility was observed only within populations, and morphometric analysis, which found that despite apparent morphological homogeneity, populations clustered according to forewing shape. The independent lineages defined by the integrated analysis correspond to the three scale insect hosts, suggesting the presence of host specific cryptic species. The finding of hidden host specificity in this species complex demonstrates the critical role that DNA barcoding will increasingly play in revealing hidden biodiversity in taxa that present difficulties for traditional taxonomic approaches

Prevalence, years lived with disability, and trends in anaemia burden by severity and cause, 1990-2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Anaemia is a major health problem worldwide. Global estimates of anaemia burden are crucial for developing appropriate interventions to meet current international targets for disease mitigation. We describe the prevalence, years lived with disability, and trends of anaemia and its underlying causes in 204 countries and territories. Methods We estimated population-level distributions of haemoglobin concentration by age and sex for each location from 1990 to 2021. We then calculated anaemia burden by severity and associated years lived with disability (YLDs). With data on prevalence of the causes of anaemia and associated cause-specific shifts in haemoglobin concentrations, we modelled the proportion of anaemia attributed to 37 underlying causes for all locations, years, and demographics in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Findings In 2021, the global prevalence of anaemia across all ages was 24·3% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 23·9–24·7), corresponding to 1·92 billion (1·89–1·95) prevalent cases, compared with a prevalence of 28·2% (27·8–28·5) and 1·50 billion (1·48–1·52) prevalent cases in 1990. Large variations were observed in anaemia burden by age, sex, and geography, with children younger than 5 years, women, and countries in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia being particularly affected. Anaemia caused 52·0 million (35·1–75·1) YLDs in 2021, and the YLD rate due to anaemia declined with increasing Socio-demographic Index. The most common causes of anaemia YLDs in 2021 were dietary iron deficiency (cause-specific anaemia YLD rate per 100 000 population: 422·4 [95% UI 286·1–612·9]), haemoglobinopathies and haemolytic anaemias (89·0 [58·2–123·7]), and other neglected tropical diseases (36·3 [24·4–52·8]), collectively accounting for 84·7% (84·1–85·2) of anaemia YLDs. Interpretation Anaemia remains a substantial global health challenge, with persistent disparities according to age, sex, and geography. Estimates of cause-specific anaemia burden can be used to design locally relevant health interventions aimed at improving anaemia management and prevention. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Molecular characterization and in vitro control measures of fruit rot disease of Sweet pepper

Fruit rot disease of sweet pepper is one of the main fungal diseases causing huge economic losses to the grower. An experiment was conducted to find out the fungal pathogen associated with fruit rot disease of sweet pepper, obtained from experimental fields of Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Fruit rot disease-causing fungus was isolated from infected fruits and identified using morphological characterization based on colony features, mycelia, conidia as well as molecular characterization based on internal transcribe spacer (ITS) region of the fungus. ITS sequence of our studied fungus MH368146.1 was genetically 99-100% similar to sequences of Fusarium solani in NCBI database. Typical fruit rot symptoms were reproduced by artificial inoculations of the isolated fungus. The mycelial growth of this fungus was evaluated on ten different solid culture media i.e., Potato Dextrose Agar, Yeast Extract Agar, Honey Peptone Agar, Hansen’s Medium, Sabouraud’s Glucose Agar, Kauffman’s Agar, Potato Sucrose Agar, Richard’s Agar and Carrot Agar. Fungus grew well on all tested solid culture media. Several bio-control agents and two commercial fungicides were evaluated against isolated fungus under in vitro condition, in which the highest percent inhibition of radial growth of the fungus was determined as 64.75% due to Trichoderma reesei isolate 2, and 60.63% by Tilt 250 EC (500 ppm) at 7 days post-incubation. Therefore, T. reesei was found as the most suitable to control the growth of F. solani under laboratory conditions. However, further pot and field trials needed to be confirmed the bio-control potential of it. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 108-116, Dec 202

Molecular characterization and vegetative growth of pathogenic seed-borne fungus, Curvularia lunata of tomato and its in vitro control measures

Present studies were conducted to isolate and identify the seed-borne pathogenic fungus from the selected tomato variety through morphological and molecular techniques based on the sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 18S rDNA. According to the colony and conidial features, the fungus was identified as Curvularia sp. The obtained ITS sequencing showed above 99% similarity with Curvularia lunata in the NCBI database. The sequence of the fungus was deposited in NCBI GenBank under the accession number: ITS, MH382879.1. Besides, the phylogenetic tree further confirmed the taxonomic position of the studied fungus. Growth characteristics of the fungus on nine different fungal culture media were evaluated, in which Honey peptone agar, Carrot agar, Potato sucrose agar, and Kauffman’s agar were found the most suitable. The maximum vegetative growth of the fungus was recorded at 30°C temperature and pH conditions. The bio-control potential of five different antagonists against the studied fungus was assessed, in which Trichoderma harzianum showed the better performance to restrict mycelial growth. Three ethanolic plant extracts were also evaluated, in which Lowsonia inermis L. exhibited above 60% mycelial growth inhibition of the fungus. Among three tested fungicides, Tilt 250 EC was found as an excellent fungicide to inhibit mycelial growth of C. lunata under in vitro conditions. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 124-132, Dec 202

Molecular characterization and in vitro control measures of fruit rot disease of Sweet pepper

Fruit rot disease of sweet pepper is one of the main fungal diseases causing huge economic losses to the grower. An experiment was conducted to find out the fungal pathogen associated with fruit rot disease of sweet pepper, obtained from experimental fields of Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Fruit rot disease-causing fungus was isolated from infected fruits and identified using morphological characterization based on colony features, mycelia, conidia as well as molecular characterization based on internal transcribe spacer (ITS) region of the fungus. ITS sequence of our studied fungus MH368146.1 was genetically 99-100% similar to sequences of Fusarium solani in NCBI database. Typical fruit rot symptoms were reproduced by artificial inoculations of the isolated fungus. The mycelial growth of this fungus was evaluated on ten different solid culture media i.e., Potato Dextrose Agar, Yeast Extract Agar, Honey Peptone Agar, Hansen’s Medium, Sabouraud’s Glucose Agar, Kauffman’s Agar, Potato Sucrose Agar, Richard’s Agar and Carrot Agar. Fungus grew well on all tested solid culture media. Several bio-control agents and two commercial fungicides were evaluated against isolated fungus under in vitro condition, in which the highest percent inhibition of radial growth of the fungus was determined as 64.75% due to Trichoderma reesei isolate 2, and 60.63% by Tilt 250 EC (500 ppm) at 7 days post-incubation. Therefore, T. reesei was found as the most suitable to control the growth of F. solani under laboratory conditions. However, further pot and field trials needed to be confirmed the bio-control potential of it

Molecular characterization and vegetative growth of pathogenic seed-borne fungus, Curvularia lunata of tomato and its in vitro control measures

Present studies were conducted to isolate and identify the seed-borne pathogenic fungus from the selected tomato variety through morphological and molecular techniques based on the sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 18S rDNA. According to the colony and conidial features, the fungus was identified as Curvularia sp. The obtained ITS sequencing showed above 99% similarity with Curvularia lunata in the NCBI database. The sequence of the fungus was deposited in NCBI GenBank under the accession number: ITS, MH382879.1. Besides, the phylogenetic tree further confirmed the taxonomic position of the studied fungus. Growth characteristics of the fungus on nine different fungal culture media were evaluated, in which Honey peptone agar, Carrot agar, Potato sucrose agar, and Kauffman’s agar were found the most suitable. The maximum vegetative growth of the fungus was recorded at 30°C temperature and pH conditions. The bio-control potential of five different antagonists against the studied fungus was assessed, in which Trichoderma harzianum showed the better performance to restrict mycelial growth. Three ethanolic plant extracts were also evaluated, in which Lowsonia inermis L. exhibited above 60% mycelial growth inhibition of the fungus. Among three tested fungicides, Tilt 250 EC was found as an excellent fungicide to inhibit mycelial growth of C. lunata under in vitro conditions

Immunoassay for troponin I using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a hybrid film consisting of graphene and multiwalled carbon nanotubes and decorated with platinum nanoparticles

This article describes a bioelectrode for the determination of human cardiac troponin-I (cTnI). A glassy carbon electrode was coated with a hybrid film of graphene and multiwalled carbon nanotube (G-MWCNT) and modified with platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) that were capped with mercaptopropionic acid. The PtNPs were anchored on the G-MWCNT hybrid film via the cross-linker 1-pyrenemethylamine and subsequently functionalized with antibody against troponin (anti-cTnI). The bioelectrode was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The performance of the immunoelectrode was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and response was fit to Randle's equivalent circuit model. The charge transfer resistance (R-et) at a.c. frequencies of < 1 Hz is found to be a viable sensing parameter. The dissociation constant of the immunoreaction between surface immobilized anti-cTnI and the analyte cTnI is 0.29 nM (with a Hill coefficient of 0.23), this indicating a negative cooperativity and high binding affinity of cTnI for anti-cTnI on the electrode surface. The EIS response is linear in the 1.0 pg mL(-1) to 10 ng mL(-1) concentration range, and the R-et sensitivity is 145.5 a"broken vertical bar cm(2) per decade