Thyroid dysfunction in human immuno-deficiency virus infected patients: a non-randomized, cross-sectional, single-center study

Background: Increasing prevalence of thyroid dysfunction has been reported in human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. However, there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine thyroid screening of asymptomatic individuals. Hence, this study was undertaken in an attempt to resolve these issues. Objectives of this non-randomized, cross-sectional, single-center study was to study thyroid function in HIV positive patients at various stages of disease. Methods: This single-center study was carried out at Al-Ameen Medical College Hospital and Government District Hospital Bijapur, Karnataka, India from December 2020 to December 2022. The final selected study population included newly diagnosed adult and adolescent (17-60 years) HIV+ patients was composed of 100 participants of either gender. Patients were interviewed and enrolled in the study after examining in detail according to the proforma and then by taking their written consent and explaining the purpose of the study. The thyroid hormone assays (S. TSH, FT3 and FT4) were done by chemiluminescence immuno assay (CLIA) using ADVIA Centaur-equipment. Results: Overall mean age was 36 years (range in years: 17–66 years) and 66 patients (66%) were males. Male: female ratio of 1.94:1 was recorded. In the 50 patients having acquired immuno-deficiency virus (AIDS), FT3 levels ranged from 0.230 to 4.0 picogram/ml with a mean of 2.131+0.9826 picogram/ml. In 50 patients having AIDS, the FT4 levels ranged from 0.30 to 1.90 nanogram/dI with a mean 1.179±0.4484 nanogram/dl. Conclusions: All forms of thyroid dysfunction were observed

Pathogenic and Molecular Variability Among Twelve Isolates of Colletotrichum graminicola from Sorghum

Variability in 12 foliar and grain isolates of sorghum anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola was studied through virulence and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA ( RAPD) assay. For virulence analysis, pot grown 21-day-old plants of six differential sorghum lines were spray inoculated with conidia (1 x 105 conidia ml-1). The isolates showed significant (P< 0.05) variations in latent period, aggressiveness and virulence. Overall pathogenic potential was determined as Virulence Index. Hierarchical clustering using euclidean test based on "Virulence Index" grouped the 12 isolates into three groups, while that based on RAPDs using primer OPA8 grouped these into four groups. Monoconidial isolate Cg 226-3 had 85% genetic and pathogenic similarity like its parent, while Cg 227-3 showed virulence variation and 65% genetic similarity with its parent, indicating heterogeneity in Cg 227

Treatment of millet crop plant (Sorghum bicolor) with the entomopathogenic fungus (Beauveria bassiana) to combat infestation by the stem borer, Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Experiments were done to test if Beauveria bassiana can become an endophyte in sorghum and confer protection from stem borer. Four-week-old sorghum seedlings were treated with B. bassiana. The plants were examined for endophytic presence of B. bassiana, 30 and 60 days after treatment. Stem cultures from treated plants showed growth of B. bassiana. PCR amplification using fungal specific primers for a conserved region of β tubulin gene yielded identical 360 bp products from both B. bassiana and treated sorghum plants. In a subsequent experiment, B. bassiana treated and untreated (control) sorghum plants were artificially infested with stem borer (Chilo partellus) larvae 15 days post treatment and the extent of damage was compared. About 40% of the control plants developed dead heart while no plant in the B. bassiana treated plot did. In the surviving control plants, stem tunneling by shoot borer was significantly higher compared to B. bassiana treated sorghum plants

Culture and regeneration of mesophyll-derived protoplasts of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

A protocol for plant regeneration from mesophyll/protoplasts of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was developed. The yield of intact protoplasts, their subsequent divisions and regeneration were genotype-dependent. The genotype 296B was always more responsive than IS 32266. For 296B, the sixth leaf from 18-day-old plants kept in dark for 2 days before harvesting was found to be the most suitable source of viable protoplasts. The first division was observed 10–12 days after plating, and the second division after 12–14 days. The maximum plating efficiency was 4.8% in 296 B, followed by 2.48% in IS 32266. Microcolonies were visible after 25–30 days, and microcalli after 60–75 days. Whole plants were obtained after 6–8 weeks of culture of microcalli on MS medium containing 0.2 mg l–1 kinetin and 2 mg l–1 BAP. The frequency of regeneration in 296B and IS 32266 was 12.80% and 10.58%, respectively. Ten plants transferred to pots in the glasshouse established well. The seeds collected from glasshouse-grown plants were sown in the field where plants were grown to maturity

Assessment of the suitability of Tinopal as an enhancing adjuvant in formulations of the insect pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin

Background: Biopesticides based on Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin hold great promise for the management of a wide range of insect pests. The conidia in the biopesticide formulation require an adjuvant to protect them from photoinactivation by sunlight. The suitability of Tinopal, an optical brightener used as sunscreen for baculovirus formulations, for use with B. bassiana was assessed. The aim was to study the effect of Tinopal on the growth and photoprotection of B. bassiana, and its effect on the susceptibility of insects to B. bassiana. Results: Tinopal was found to have no adverse effect on the growth of B. bassiana. It was found to confer total protection (∼95% conidial germination at 10 g Tinopal L−1) from sunlight up to 3 h of exposure, and a better survival rate than controls even up to 4 h. Helicoverpa armigera Hübner larvae fed on diet with 5 g kg−1 Tinopal were found to have reduced growth. The duration of the larval stage increased by 3-4 days in 1 and 5 g kg−1 Tinopal treatments. Among the moths that emerged from larvae fed on diet with 5 g kg−1 Tinopal, a significantly high number were malformed compared with controls. The larvae that were fed diet with Tinopal showed quicker and higher mortality and required a lower effective lethal dose (LC50) than the controls. Tinopal was found to have a synergistic effect with B. bassiana in causing insect mortality. Conclusions: Tinopal was found to be a suitable adjuvant for B. bassiana-based biopesticide formulations. It conferred tolerance to sunlight and caused stress in the insect, leading to a synergistic effect with B. bassiana

Growth and insect assays of Beauveria bassiana with neem to test their compatibility and synergism

Beauveria bassiana is being used as a biopesticide for many insect pests. Neem oil (azadirachtin) is an eco-safe popular botanical pesticide. A biopesticde with a neem compatible isolate of B. bassiana will enable their simultaneous use in pest management. A sample of 30 isolates of B. bassiana from culture collections was screened for compatibility with a commercial formulation of neem oil (Margoside®) at the field recommended dose (0.3%, v/v). Compatibility was tested in vitro through germination and growth assays. In all isolates, conidial germination was delayed but not significantly decreased by neem. In the growth assays, 23 isolates were found compatible with neem. In the neem sensitive isolates, growth was decreased but not totally inhibited. The effect of combined treatment with B. bassiana and neem in comparison to single treatments with either of them on Spodoptera litura was tested in laboratory bioassays. The combined treatment was found to have synergistic effect on insect mortality when a B. bassiana isolate compatible with neem was used, while, with an isolate sensitive to neem, an antagonistic effect was observed

TOM40 Mediates Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by α-Synuclein Accumulation in Parkinson's Disease.

Alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) accumulation/aggregation and mitochondrial dysfunction play prominent roles in the pathology of Parkinson's disease. We have previously shown that postmortem human dopaminergic neurons from PD brains accumulate high levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions. We now addressed the question, whether alterations in a component of the mitochondrial import machinery -TOM40- might contribute to the mitochondrial dysfunction and damage in PD. For this purpose, we studied levels of TOM40, mtDNA deletions, oxidative damage, energy production, and complexes of the respiratory chain in brain homogenates as well as in single neurons, using laser-capture-microdissection in transgenic mice overexpressing human wildtype α-Syn. Additionally, we used lentivirus-mediated stereotactic delivery of a component of this import machinery into mouse brain as a novel therapeutic strategy. We report here that TOM40 is significantly reduced in the brain of PD patients and in α-Syn transgenic mice. TOM40 deficits were associated with increased mtDNA deletions and oxidative DNA damage, and with decreased energy production and altered levels of complex I proteins in α-Syn transgenic mice. Lentiviral-mediated overexpression of Tom40 in α-Syn-transgenic mice brains ameliorated energy deficits as well as oxidative burden. Our results suggest that alterations in the mitochondrial protein transport machinery might contribute to mitochondrial impairment in α-Synucleinopathies

Comparative Evaluation of Ground and Unground Pearl Millet and Sorghum Grain Samples for Determining Total Iron and Zinc

Rapid and effective methods are needed to analyze large numbers of grain samples for iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) to select cultivars that are denser in these minerals. This study was conducted for the comparative evaluation of ground and unground grain samples for determining total Fe and Zn in pearl millet and sorghum cultivars with a range in seed size. In general, the results of the study with 50 pearl millet and 49 sorghum cultivars showed that grain Fe and Zn, in these relatively small-seeded crops, can be routinely determined using unground samples. Highly significant positive correlations were found between the values of Fe and Zn in grains of these crops determined using ground and ground samples

The 21st Century Paradigm in Supporting Sustainable Development

This book chapter was prepared with the theme "21st century paradigm in supporting sustainable development", with the aim of describing the efforts that have been made to support sustainable development from various fields, not only in the field of education. The material contained in this book chapter illustrates that literacy is very important to apply, so that students are able to face the challenges of a rapidly changing world that requires students to be able to solve every existing problem. In fact, it's not just literacy, but numeracy literacy is also one of the things that must be considered in the learning process. Considering the low level of scientific literacy, if not immediately addressed, it will have an impact on the low quality of human resources and will hinder the progress of science and technology in Indonesia. Literacy in schools is implemented through various learning components that must be designed or prepared by teachers. The application of scientific literacy in science learning should be carried out using scientific inquiry to foster the ability to think, work and behave scientifically and communicate it as an important aspect of life skills

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Litsea glutinosa L. Leaves and Stem Extracts and their Antibacterial Efficacy

The present study explores the green approach for the preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through the reduction of silver nitrate by the cell-free stem and leaf aqueous extracts of Litsea glutinosa (L.glutinosa) and its potential antibacterial activity. The analytical instruments include scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of smaller, uniformly spherical AgNPs (10-40 nm). The average crystalline size of prepared AgNPs produced by L. glutinosa leaf extract was found to be 19 mm. From UV-visible spectral analysis, the maximum absorbance peak appeared at 444 nm for leaf extract AgNPs different from stem extract AgNPs (422 nm), which are found to be specific for AgNPs. The L.glutinosa stem extract-assisted AgNPs have shown significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) in comparison to Gentamycin. Hence, the AgNPs obtained by green synthesis can be therapeutically explored against bacterial infections