PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD) IN ADULT KASHMIRI POPULATION

Objective: The study was conducted with the objective of studying the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to study various factors associated with it in adult Kashmiri population.Methods: It was a community based prospective cross-sectional observational study conducted by the Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology, GMC Srinagar over a period of 24 mo upon native Kashmiris from urban as well as rural areas as a study group. A total of 2600 subjects above the age of 18 y were studied and the overall prevalence of disease was calculated and also the associated (risk) factors were looked for.Results: The overall prevalence of 20.3% was seen in the study population with female gender being more prone to the development of disease (p<0.001). Other factors of greater significance included body mass index (BMI), smoking, physical activity, intake of spicy foods, posture after meals, dinner to sleep time, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) intake and some underlying ailments like asthma and history of abdominal surgery.Conclusion: The overall prevalence of GERD in Kashmiri community is 20.3% with females being more prone with a definite role of factors like BMI, smoking, physical activity, posture after meals, dinner to sleep time interval, intake of spicy foods, drugs and also the co-morbidities

Whether Hypertensive Diseases in Pregnancy are Associated with Emotional Stress

Objective :Stress plays important role in effecting the cardiovascular disease and most of the risk factors with hypertensive disease in pregnancy [HDP] is caused by stress. Main objective of the study is to find connection between stress and risks for HDP during pregnancy. Place and duration of study: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department Rajab Tayyep Erdogan Indus Hospital, Muzaffargerh. From August 2018 to August 2019.   Material and method:A controlled examination contrasting obstetrical and psychosocial  was conducted by 724 patient and 879 matched control for ages, equality, and educational level. Results: Emotional stress during pregnancy was linked with 1.6 times increase risk for hypertension during pregnancy. Conlusion :Psychosocial involvement to decrease emotional stress during the period of pregnancy can aid to reduce the risk to emerge HDP. Keywords: Hypertensive, Pregnancy, Emotional Stress DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/60-04 Publication date:October 31st 201

Research article Characterization of broad-spectrum biocontrol efficacy of Bacillus velezensis against Fusarium oxysporum in Triticum aestivum L.

Fungi are the most important phytopathogens that cause yield losses. The mycotoxins released by fungi cause spoilage of stored food consumed by humans and feed supplied to animals. Fungi-antagonistic microbes are gaining attention as potential biocontrol agents (BCAs). This study was designed to isolate bacterial isolates from different crops and evaluate their in vitro antifungal assay against three phytopathogens, plant growth promoting (PGP) characteristics, molecular identification, and in vivo efficiency against the most devastating phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. In the in vitro experiment, the 3 isolates BA, GL-1, and 5a out of 360 isolates showed more than 60% inhibitory activity against the selected fungi in this study. On the basis of 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, BA isolate was identified as Bacillus velezensis. All three isolates produced indole acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and cellulase enzymes, while the BA and GL-1 isolates also produced siderophores and the BA isolate also produced ammonia. BA was selected on basis of not only Biocontrol efficacy but also maximum PGPR activity compared to GL-1 and 5a. In vivo assay, the isolate BA showed a significant decrease in disease severity caused by Fusarium oxysporum by 64.97% after 100 days of inoculation on wheat (FD-08) seedlings in a greenhouse assay and enhanced the shoot root height, fresh and dry mass. The wide-ranging antagonistic action of Bacillus velezensis isolated from the phyllosphere of wheat crops showed promising fungicidal and plant growth-promoting capabilities, suggesting it can be used as a biofungicide

The development of cost effective 100 base pair prototype DNA ladder using polymerase chain reaction

Background: In genomics, DNA scale is used as a standard unit for the measurement of unknown DNA fragments, plasmids, and PCR products during gel electrophoresis. The 100 base pair DNA ladder is essential and cost-effective in molecular biological research and is available commercially which is too expensive and not easily accessible to a common researcher for laboratory usage.Methods: The main purpose of this study was to report easily and practical method to prepare 100 base pair DNA ladder by simple PCR using pCAMBIA 1301 plasmid as a template which is an effective cost reduction strategy for laboratories. pCAMBIA 1301 was transformed into Escherichia coli (Top 10) bacteria by using heat shock method for high the yield of the plasmid. Bacteria containing our desire plasmid were cultured and plasmid was extracted from bacteria by using kit method. About 10 pairs of primers were designed from the backbone of the plasmid which amplifies 100 to 1000 base pair of PCR product with an interval of 100 base pair fragments. These fragments were optimized by using gradient thermo cycler and PCR products were purified using kit methods. For the stability of 100 base pair DNA ladder, it was placed in seven different buffers.Results: The outcome of this study shown that polymerase chain reaction was able to amplify 10 different types of DNA fragments which ranges from 100 to 1000 base pair with high qualification and size accuracy. PCR products were purified and sequenced. DNA ladder was pooled in seven different buffers and stored at -20°C. These buffers were used to optimize and evaluate the stability of the prototype DNA ladder.Conclusion: Our laboratory made 100base pair DNA ladder is very cost effective, it only cost 11 USD to prepare DNA ladder. This 100 base pair DNA ladder provides an independent quantitative unit that can be used with any biological application or technology, enabling genomes to be measured using a common metric.Keywords: 100 bp DNA ladder, pCAMBIA 1301 plasmid; PCR technique; Gel electrophoresis; Break Even Point Analysis   

Multiple interval mapping of QTLs and epistasis for iron toxicity tolerance in segregating population of Indica rice

The global average temperature has increased by approximately 0.5 °C, over a last few decades and is projected to continue to increase. Environmental stress factors such as, elevated temperature, salinity, toxic elements (Fe, Al, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn and As), drought and rising CO2 affect plant growth and make a growing threat to agriculture. Rice is a primary food crop in the world and the establishment of rice crop in acidic soil and in marginal soil is a major goal for the improvement of rice production to fulfill the food security. Among environmental stresses, Fe2+ toxicity is one of the main stresses in limiting the cereal crops production. Tolerant rice genotypes that can tolerate the high concentration of Fe2+ toxicity are the potential source genes for rice tolerance improvement in Fe2+ toxicity. In this research work, the genetic basis of seed germination traits and growth traits was investigated in rice using (multiple interval mapping) MIM. Many rice genotypes serve as source of tolerant against toxic metal ion like Fe2+, could be an important factor in controlling the sever effect of Fe2+ toxicity on germination and seedling growth traits.  The F3 progenies of cross between Fe2+ toxicity tolerant cultivar ‘Pokkali’ and susceptible cultivar ‘Pak basmati’ were test against the optimized level of Fe2+ toxicity at germination, to determine the mode of inheritance to Fe2+ toxicity tolerance. Wide range of continues variation was found in F3 progenies. Among the 49 quantitative germination trait and 23 growth trait loci (QTLs) on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9 linked with tolerance to Fe2+ toxicity was mapped. Additionally, 21 QTLs for germination traits and 9 QTLs for growth traits were classified as major QTLs using MIM. For germination and growth traits, notable epistasis between the chromosome 1, 2, 4, 6 and 11 was detected across germination and growth traits. Our results suggest that the tolerance mechanisms at germination and seedling phases could differ for Fe2+ toxicity. QTLs detected in this study for germination and seedling growth could be a source of new alleles for development of tolerance rice to Fe2+ toxicity varieties and transformation, gene cloning and gene editing in the futur

Molecular Characterization of Compartment Boundary Formation during Epithelial Remodeling in Drosophila melanogaster

The ability of epithelial cells to self-organize is crucial for the development of proper tissue structures and organs in multi-cellular organisms. Epithelia consist of inter-connected cells that form flat sheets, and specific groups of cells within these sheets are partitioned into distinct compartments via compartment boundaries (CBs). These CBs are specialized interfaces between cells characterized by stable, high-tension actomyosin cables, which act as fences to prevent movements between adjacent compartments during tissue reorganization. In the early Drosophila embryo, CBs are established in response to the asymmetrical localization of two cell-surface proteins the Leucine-Rich Repeat (LRR) protein Tartan and the Teneurin Ten-m that set the location of future CBs. Furthermore, filamentous actin and myosin II, which are responsible for generating forces within the cell, are highly enriched at CBs compared to normal cell-cell interfaces. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that adherens junction (AJ) complexes, which rely on the proteins E-cadherin and Par-3, are differently arranged at CBs, potentially to handle the increased tension and cell adhesion. However, the specific spatial arrangement of these proteins in relation to each other, which gives CBs their unique properties, remains unclear. In this study, two approaches were taken to investigate the molecular nature of CBs. The first method involved a structure-function analysis of the LRR protein Tartan using UAS/Gal4 system. Transgenic embryos that ubiquitously express different truncated versions of Tartan were created to analyze how these deletions control the localization of another transmembrane protein Ten-m and thereby affecting future CB formation. The second approach addressed what differentiates CB contacts from normal contacts at molecular level. To analyze the ultrastructural localization of cytoskeletal and junctional proteins (e.g., Par-3 and myosin II), Drosophila embryos were physically enlarged by adapting existing Expansion Microscopy (ExM) protocols. Narrowing down the necessary portions of Tartan protein required for CB formation will help the researchers reveal the downstream signaling pathways during developmental stages when cells are still undergoing epithelial remodeling. In addition, the findings of this study will enhance the researchers’ comprehension of how the organization of cellular components involved in tension and adhesion, along with the cell surface proteins that control them, contribute to the distinctive properties of CBs

Molecular Characterization of Compartment Boundary Formation during Epithelial Remodeling in Drosophila melanogaster

The ability of epithelial cells to self-organize is crucial for the development of proper tissue structures and organs in multi-cellular organisms. Epithelia consist of inter-connected cells that form flat sheets, and specific groups of cells within these sheets are partitioned into distinct compartments via compartment boundaries (CBs). These CBs are specialized interfaces between cells characterized by stable, high-tension actomyosin cables, which act as fences to prevent movements between adjacent compartments during tissue reorganization. In the early Drosophila embryo, CBs are established in response to the asymmetrical localization of two cell-surface proteins the Leucine-Rich Repeat (LRR) protein Tartan and the Teneurin Ten-m that set the location of future CBs. Furthermore, filamentous actin and myosin II, which are responsible for generating forces within the cell, are highly enriched at CBs compared to normal cell-cell interfaces. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that adherens junction (AJ) complexes, which rely on the proteins E-cadherin and Par-3, are differently arranged at CBs, potentially to handle the increased tension and cell adhesion. However, the specific spatial arrangement of these proteins in relation to each other, which gives CBs their unique properties, remains unclear. In this study, two approaches were taken to investigate the molecular nature of CBs. The first method involved a structure-function analysis of the LRR protein Tartan using UAS/Gal4 system. Transgenic embryos that ubiquitously express different truncated versions of Tartan were created to analyze how these deletions control the localization of another transmembrane protein Ten-m and thereby affecting future CB formation. The second approach addressed what differentiates CB contacts from normal contacts at molecular level. To analyze the ultrastructural localization of cytoskeletal and junctional proteins (e.g., Par-3 and myosin II), Drosophila embryos were physically enlarged by adapting existing Expansion Microscopy (ExM) protocols. Narrowing down the necessary portions of Tartan protein required for CB formation will help the researchers reveal the downstream signaling pathways during developmental stages when cells are still undergoing epithelial remodeling. In addition, the findings of this study will enhance the researchers’ comprehension of how the organization of cellular components involved in tension and adhesion, along with the cell surface proteins that control them, contribute to the distinctive properties of CBs

Concentration Dependent Improved Spectroscopic Characteristics and Near White Light Emission in Boro Phosphate Glasses Doped with Holmium

The physical, structural, thermal, and optical properties of heavy metal (Ho3+) oxide incorporated lithium-boro-phosphate glass prepared utilizing melt quenching process are presented in this paper as a function of dopant concentration. To support the findings of the FTIR and DSC studies, many theoretical, experimental, physical, and optical parameters were calculated. XRD and FTIR measurements revealed the prepared glasses’ amorphous nature and the presence of significant borate functional groups. The optical band gap, Urbach energy, and steepness characteristics were tested to validate the structural results. The emission spectrums were recorded in the prepared glasses for an excitation of 450 and 550 nm to find powerful emission color. The color co-ordinates (0.33, 0.41) were found to be quite comparable to white light color co-ordinates. The present glasses can, therefore, be ideal candidates for possible applications with light-emitting diodes

Clinical and Histopathological Characteristics of Breast Cancer in People of Baluchistan and Adjoining Territory of Afghanistan Shahab-ud-din, 2

Abstract: Breast cancer is a common type of malignancy in the province of Balochistan. The aim of this study was to see the various features of breast cancer in order to know the pattern of disease in the recent time. The present study was conducted during [2001][2002][2003][2004][2005] to evaluate the clinical and pathological characteristics of breast cancer in people of Balochistan including patients from Afghanistan. This study also aims to assess the geographical features and characteristics of Breast Cancer in patients registered at Centre for Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (CENAR). Study included all patients admitted in Centre for Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (CENAR), with carcinoma of breast during the above mentioned period. Different characteristics like Gender and age distributions, residence, clinical Stages, history of breast feeding and other relevant data, investigations are included in this study. Total of 272 patients were included in the study, out of which there were 256 (294%) female and 16 (6%) male patients including 32 (12%) females and 3 (1%) males from Afghanistan with Breast cancer. Most common age group was 41-50 years with 94 (35%) patients, followed by 31-40 years with 68 (25%) patients. 16 (6%) cases of stage I, 20 (7%) cases of stage 2, 68 (25%) cases of stage 3 and 168 (62%) cases of stage 4 of breast cancer were diagnosed in the study. About 196 (72%) and 76 (27.9%) were of urban and rural area by residence, respectively. Most common type of Breast cancer was infiltrating ductal carcinoma with 212 (78%) patients. Baluchistan province is seemed to be at high risk for Breast cancer. It is also common in Afghanistan and other areas of Pakistan. Breast cancer is a common disease at a young to middle age distribution with ductal carcinoma being the most common type. The ailment of breast cancer in Balochistan including Afghanistan is due to the lack of knowledge and awareness

Isolation and identification of salt-tolerant plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria and their application for rice cultivation under salt stress

Growth and productivity of rice are negatively affected by soil salinity. However, some salt-tolerant rhizosphere-inhabiting bacteria can improve salt resistance of plants, thereby augmenting plant growth and production. Here, we isolated a total of 53 plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from saline and nonsaline areas in Bangladesh where electrical conductivity was measured as >7.45 and <1.80 dS/m, respectively. Bacteria isolated from saline areas were able to grow in a salt concentration of up to 2.60 mol/L, contrary to the isolates collected from non-saline areas that did not survive beyond 854 mmol/L. Among the salt-tolerant isolates, Bacillus aryabhattai, Achromobacter denitrificans, and Ochrobactrum intermedium, identified by comparing respective sequences of 16S rRNA using the NCBI GenBank, exhibited a higher amount of atmospheric nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and indoleacetic acid production at 200 mmol/L salt stress. Salt-tolerant isolates exhibited greater resistance to heavy metals and antibiotics, which could be due to the production of an exopolysaccharide layer outside the cell surface. Oryza sativa L. fertilized with B. aryabhattai MS3 and grown under 200 mmol/L salt stress was found to be favoured by enhanced expression of a set of at least four salt-responsive plant genes: BZ8, SOS1, GIG, and NHX1. Fertilization of rice with osmoprotectant-producing PGPR, therefore, could be a climate-change-preparedness strategy for coastal agriculture