Microwave sterilized media supports better microbial growth than autoclaved media

Microwave treated media were compared with media sterilized through conventional autoclaving in terms of their ability to support microbial growth, spore germination, and revival of lyophilized bacterial cultures. Microwave sterilized media were found to support better microbial growth. Both bacteria and yeast were able to achieve higher cell density at a faster growth rate in microwaved media. Microwave treatment was found to be  suitable for media of varying compositions. Better retention of nutrient quality in microwave  treated growth media due to shorter heat exposure seems to be the major reason for better microbial growth in it. Microwave sterilization can prove an attractive alternative of conventional autoclaving, especially when media are needed for immediate use, and also when high biomass yield is of particular interest

Rare Occurrence of Single Rooted Mandibular Left First and Third Permanent Mandibular Molar: A Case Report

For any practicing clinician, successful endodontic therapy is highly dependent upon complete knowledge of the anatomy and the variations present in the human dentition. There are variances in anatomical configurations in teeth seen across the globe and might needs specialized treatment techniques. The tendency of Asians to show a C- shaped canal morphology has been documented in the literature, however, in contrast to those findings, we report a unique and a rare case of  left mandibular first and third molar

Hepatic adenoma-an unusual case report

A 70-year-old female visited to tertiary care hospital with complains of abdominal pain on and off for 2 years. Pain gradually increased and was associated with vomiting. Patient is a known case of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The patient`s complete blood count was normal with increased coagulation profile. Provisional clinical diagnosis was fibronodular variant of hepatocellular carcinoma. Computed tomography scan suggestive of fibronodular hyperplasia. Specimen received in pathology department, which on gross examination showed well circumscribed, well encapsulated tumour with variegated appearance. Histopathological diagnosis of Hepatic adenoma was made

Predicting suicidal behavior among Indian adults using childhood trauma, mental health questionnaires and machine learning cascade ensembles

Among young adults, suicide is India's leading cause of death, accounting for an alarming national suicide rate of around 16%. In recent years, machine learning algorithms have emerged to predict suicidal behavior using various behavioral traits. But to date, the efficacy of machine learning algorithms in predicting suicidal behavior in the Indian context has not been explored in literature. In this study, different machine learning algorithms and ensembles were developed to predict suicide behavior based on childhood trauma, different mental health parameters, and other behavioral factors. The dataset was acquired from 391 individuals from a wellness center in India. Information regarding their childhood trauma, psychological wellness, and other mental health issues was acquired through standardized questionnaires. Results revealed that cascade ensemble learning methods using a support vector machine, decision trees, and random forest were able to classify suicidal behavior with an accuracy of 95.04% using data from childhood trauma and mental health questionnaires. The study highlights the potential of using these machine learning ensembles to identify individuals with suicidal tendencies so that targeted interinterventions could be provided efficiently.Comment: 11 pages, presnted at the 4th International Conference on Frontiers in Computing and Systems (COMSYS 2023), Himachal Pradesh, October 202

Biochemical defense in maize against Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) through activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants

54-63Biochemical defense against herbivores is one of the most important components of plant resistance to insects. Here, we studied the constitutive and induced biochemical defense through activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants in response to damage by the spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) in six maize genotypes including resistance and susceptible checks. The levels of total sugars, total soluble protein and starch were significantly lower, while total phenol and total antioxidant higher in resistant than susceptible maize genotypes both under damaged and healthy plant conditions. The activity of antioxidant enzymes like AO, CAT, APX, PAL and TAL were significantly higher in resistant than susceptible genotype, Basi Local, which further increased in response to damage by C. partellus. The nonenzymatic antioxidant scavenging activity of FRAP was also significantly higher in resistant maize genotypes, which further increased upon damage by C. partellus. Total antioxidant activity increased from 22.2 to 96.3% across test maize genotypes in response to damage by C. partellus, wherein maximum increase was recorded in CML 345. These findings clearly demonstrate that both constitutive and induced biochemical compounds through activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems impart resistance against C. partellus in CPM 8, CPM 13, CPM 15, CPM 18 and CML 345, thus could be used in insect resistance breeding program. These studies could also be useful for detailed understanding on metabolic pathways regulating biochemical defense and up- and down-regulation of associated genes in plant defense against biotic stresses

Biochemical defense in maize against Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) through activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants

Biochemical defense against herbivores is one of the most important components of plant resistance to insects. Here, we studied the constitutive and induced biochemical defense through activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants in response to damage by the spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) in six maize genotypes including resistance and susceptible checks. The levels of total sugars, total soluble protein and starch were significantly lower, while total phenol and total antioxidant higher in resistant than susceptible maize genotypes both under damaged and healthy plant conditions. The activity of antioxidant enzymes like AO, CAT, APX, PAL and TAL were significantly higher in resistant than susceptible genotype, Basi Local, which further increased in response to damage by C. partellus. The nonenzymatic antioxidant scavenging activity of FRAP was also significantly higher in resistant maize genotypes, which further increased upon damage by C. partellus. Total antioxidant activity increased from 22.2 to 96.3% across test maize genotypes in response to damage by C. partellus, wherein maximum increase was recorded in CML 345. These findings clearly demonstrate that both constitutive and induced biochemical compounds through activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems impart resistance against C. partellus in CPM 8, CPM 13, CPM 15, CPM 18 and CML 345, thus could be used in insect resistance breeding program. These studies could also be useful for detailed understanding on metabolic pathways regulating biochemical defense and up- and down-regulation of associated genes in plant defense against biotic stresses

Statistical Analysis of the Precipitation Isotope Data with Reference to the Indian Subcontinent

The isotopic analysis of precipitation provides useful information on a variety of hydrological and atmospheric processes. The dynamical characteristics of precipitation isotopes have been well investigated, but a systematic study of their statistical behavior seems to be lacking. We have performed the statistical analysis, basically the distribution characteristics of precipitation isotopes vis-a-vis rainfall data for specific regions. The probability distribution functions of precipitation isotopes have been calculated from local to global scales. It has been observed that the isotopic values, in general, followed a pattern that is similar to the normal distribution, though the rainfall distribution patterns are very different. Under certain circumstances, the isotopic distribution patterns closely resemble the normal distribution, implying a well-constrained moisture source contributing to precipitation. The distribution patterns of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes on continental and global scales show similar behavior. It was observed that the distribution patterns of primary isotopic variables (δ18O and δD) are not very sensitive to the outliers. On the contrary, the secondary parameter, d-excess, is very sensitive to outliers, which offers an effective means to quality control of the precipitation isotopic values

Genome wide expression profiling of two accession of G. herbaceum L. in response to drought

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Genome-wide gene expression profiling and detailed physiological investigation were used for understanding the molecular mechanism and physiological response of <it>Gossypium herbaceum</it>, which governs the adaptability of plants in drought conditions. Recently, microarray-based gene expression analysis is commonly used to decipher genes and genetic networks controlling the traits of interest. However, the results of such an analysis are often plagued due to a limited number of genes (probe sets) on microarrays. On the other hand, pyrosequencing of a transcriptome has the potential to detect rare as well as a large number of transcripts in the samples quantitatively. We used Affymetrix microarray as well as Roche's GS-FLX transcriptome sequencing for a comparative analysis of cotton transcriptome in leaf tissues under drought conditions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fourteen accessions of <it>Gossypium herbaceum </it>were subjected to mannitol stress for preliminary screening; two accessions, namely Vagad and RAHS-14, were selected as being the most tolerant and most sensitive to osmotic stress, respectively. Affymetrix cotton arrays containing 24,045 probe sets and Roche's GS-FLX transcriptome sequencing of leaf tissue were used to analyze the gene expression profiling of Vagad and RAHS-14 under drought conditions. The analysis of physiological measurements and gene expression profiling showed that Vagad has the inherent ability to sense drought at a much earlier stage and to respond to it in a much more efficient manner than does RAHS-14. Gene Ontology (GO) studies showed that the phenyl propanoid pathway, pigment biosynthesis, polyketide biosynthesis, and other secondary metabolite pathways were enriched in Vagad under control and drought conditions as compared with RAHS-14. Similarly, GO analysis of transcriptome sequencing showed that the GO terms <it>responses to various abiotic stresses </it>were significantly higher in Vagad. Among the classes of transcription factors (TFs) uniquely expressed in both accessions, RAHS-14 showed the expression of ERF and WRKY families. The unique expression of ERFs in response to drought conditions reveals that RAHS-14 responds to drought by inducing senescence. This was further supported by transcriptome analysis which revealed that RAHS-14 responds to drought by inducing many transcripts related to senescence and cell death.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The comparative genome-wide gene expression profiling study of two accessions of <it>G.herbaceum </it>under drought stress deciphers the differential patterns of gene expression, including TFs and physiologically relevant processes. Our results indicate that drought tolerance observed in Vagad is not because of a single molecular reason but is rather due to several unique mechanisms which Vagad has developed as an adaptation strategy.</p

Association of Cutibacterium acnes with human thyroid cancer

IntroductionThe diverse subtypes of thyroid carcinoma have distinct clinical outcomes despite a comparable spectrum of underlying genetic alterations. Beyond genetic alterations, sparse efforts have been made to characterize the microbes associated with thyroid cancer. In this study, we examine the microbial profile of thyroid cancer.MethodsWe sequenced the whole transcriptome of 70 thyroid cancers (40 papillary and 30 anaplastic). Using Infectious Pathogen Detector IPD 2.0, we analysed the relative abundance of 1060 microbes across 70 tumours from patients with thyroid cancer against 118 tumour samples from patients with breast, cervical, colorectal, and tongue cancer.ResultsOur analysis reveals a significant prevalence of Cutibacterium acnes in 58.6% thyroid cancer samples compared to other cancer types (p=0.00038). Immune cell fraction analysis between thyroid cancer samples with high and low Cutibacterium loads identify enrichment of immunosuppressive cells, including Tregs (p=0.015), and other anti-inflammatory cytokines in the tumour microenvironment, suggesting an immune evasion/immunosuppression milieu is associated with the infection. A higher burden of Cutibacterium acnes was also found to be associated with poor survival defining a distinct sub-group of thyroid cancer.ConclusionCutibacterium acnes is associated with immune suppression and poor prognosis in a subpopulation of thyroid cancer. This study may help design novel therapeutic measures involving appropriate antibiotics to manage the disease better

SOCIAL NETWORK INFLUENCE ON DISTRACTED DRIVING BEHAVIORS: THE ROLE OF PROXIMAL AND DISTAL SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS ON TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

Texting while driving (TWD) continues to be a prevalent issue among emerging adults, with approximately 51.4% of people ages 16-19 and 45.1% of people ages 20-24 stating they had sent text messages while driving during the last 30 days. Social Norms Theory suggests that individuals are influenced by perceptions of how their social groups act; however, a gap in the literature persists for what degree different types of social relationships influence TWD. This dissertation included two distinct, but interrelated studies using multiple methodologies to explore if different types of relationships impact TWD among emerging adults. Study 1 was a secondary data analysis utilizing National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NEXT Generation Health Study data. The objectives of this study were two-fold: Aim 1: To assess the static and prospective relationships between peer-reported (W4 and W6) TWD on emerging adult (W6) TWD; Aim 2: To examine this association of TWD after characterizing the type of social relationship (proximal vs. distal) of nominated peers at W4 and W6. Study 2 utilized focus groups to explore whether specific social relationship types influence college students’ TWD, and distinguish whether these types of relationships impact how prevention messages are received, and whether these relationships should be included in message content to inform prevention interventions (Aim 3). Findings from Study 1, aim 1 showed participants whose W4 peers were non-texters had greater odds of being non-texters at W6. Aim 2 results indicated participants with W4 proximal peers and W6 distal peers who were non-texters had greater odds of being non-texters at W6. Findings from Study 2 revealed that both proximal and distal peers influence participants TWD, and messaging strategies should capitalize on these significant relationships to identify and create components of prevention campaign development. Emphasis was given to messaging factors such as message appeals and delivery modalities for optimal message acceptance. Participants described their preference in messages to include sympathetic and empathetic appeal. This research extends the knowledge base on the influence of social relationships on emerging adults’ TWD, and has implications for message development for prevention efforts