Built in refuge for the management of Pink Bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders (Gelichidae: Lepidoptera) in Bt cotton

Field experiment was conducted at the Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur during 2012-13 to identify and evaluate the suitable refuge strategy systems for pink bollworm resistance management in Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivation. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with nine refuge systems : 0 % N-Bt (BIR), 5 % N-Bt (BIR), 10 % N-Bt (BIR), 15 % N-Bt (BIR), 20% N-Bt perimeter refuge, 100% Non Bt, 50% Non Bt, 10% structured refuge and 20% structured refuge as treatments with three replications in replacement series. Significantly lowest incidence (3.55 larvae/plant) and number of bolls with exit holes (11.22) due to pink bollworm was recorded in 0% BIR (41.25 q/ha) followed by 5 % N-Bt (BIR) with yield of 38.74 q/ha and this was on par with 10 % N-Bt (BIR) with yield of 37.79 is next best refuge systems with Bt cotton for higher production and greater economic benefits

Natural Antimicrobial Nano Composite Fibres Manufactured from a Combination of Alginate and Oregano Essential Oil

Alginate is a linear biodegradable polysaccharide polymer, which is bio-renewable and widely used for various biomedical applications. For the next generation of medical textiles, alginate nanofibres are desirable for their use in wound dressings that are biocompatible, sustainable, and abundantly available. This study has developed a unique manufacturing process for producing alginate nanofibres with exceptional antimicrobial properties of oregano essential oil (OEO) as a natural antimicrobial agent. OEO with varying degrees of concentration was incorporated in an aqueous alginate solution. Appropriate materials and electrospinning process parameter selection allowed us to manufacture alginate fibres with a range of diameters between 38 and 105 nm. A unique crosslinking process for alginate nanofibres using extended water soaking was developed. Mechanical characterisation using micro-mechanical testing of nonwoven electrospun alginate/oregano composite nanofibres revealed that it was durable. An extensive antimicrobial study was carried out on alginate/oregano composite nanofibres using a range of Gram-positive (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Listeria monocytogenes) and Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica), which are common wound and food pathogens. The results indicated that increasing the concentration of OEO from 2 to 3 wt % showed improved antimicrobial activity against all pathogens, and activity was significantly improved against MRSA compared to a non-alginate-based control disk containing OEO. Therefore, our research suggests that all-natural alginate/oregano nanofibre composite textiles offer a new generation of medical textiles for advanced wound dressing technology as well as for food packaging applications

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the mesentery: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mucinous cystic neoplasms arise in the ovary and various extra-ovarian sites. While their pathogenesis remains conjectural, their similarities suggest a common pathway of development. There have been rare reports involving the mesentery as a primary tumour site.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A cystic mass of uncertain origin was demonstrated radiologically in a 22 year old female with chronic abdominal pain. At laparotomy, the mass was fixed within the colonic mesentery. Histology demonstrated a benign mucinous cystadenoma.</p> <p>Methods and results</p> <p>We review the literature on mucinous cystic neoplasms of the mesentery and report on the pathogenesis, biologic behavior, diagnosis and treatment of similar extra-ovarian tumors. We propose an updated classification of mesenteric cysts and cystic tumors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the mesentery present almost exclusively in women and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of mesenteric tumors. Only full histological examination of a mucinous cystic neoplasm can exclude a borderline or malignant component. An updated classification of mesenteric cysts and cystic tumors is proposed.</p

Larval movement of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) under Mosaic or Mixed Refuge Patterns on Bt Cotton

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Restorative fashion: Collaborative research, benign design and the healing powers of the mutuba tree

The potential of a radically Indigenous and endangered textile to improve human well-being and environmental health is the subject of an ongoing cross-disciplinary and multi-faceted research project between the United Kingdom and Uganda. This article presents the researchers’ findings to date on Ugandan barkcloth, produced from the mutuba tree and part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Methods included fieldwork in Uganda, natural dye experiments, testing a biodesign strategy, textile laboratory testing and scientific laboratory testing of the unique antimicrobial properties of barkcloth. Although beginning with artistic, practice-based research, the group uncovers important knowledge that may provide significant medical science benefits. They identify the central role of the mutuba tree in restorative and agroforestry systems; create natural dyes that may confer barkcloth’s properties to other materials. Thus demonstrating barkcloth production as a truly slow fashion textile and well-making system that promotes the well-being of people and planet in multiple ways

Cerebellar Liponeurocytoma: A Rare Fatty Tumor and its Literature Review

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is a rare oncological entity, and the knowledge about the treatment and outcome of these rare tumors is still evolving. Very few cases have been described in literature. We report a middle-aged male who presented with raised intracranial pressure features and gait ataxia. His imaging features revealed classical features of liponeurocytoma in cerebellar vermis, with abundant fat component evident in both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. He underwent resection of the lesion and has been asymptomatic for 4 years. This report describes the classical radiological and immunohistochemical features of this rare entity with favorable outcome and reviews the existing literature

Effect of Elevated Temperature Interaction with Elevated Carbon Dioxide on Physiological Quality of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes under Fate Condition

Four genotypes of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) viz., K-6, Naryani, Darani and K-9 were raised under Free Air Temperature Elevated (FATE) condition. The plants were raised in open rings with elevated temperature (+3°C) and carbon dioxide (550ppm) during rabi 2016 to investigate the effect of increased temperature and its interaction with CO2 on various seed quality parameters. The physiological parameters decreased under elevated CO2 and temperature. The results revealed that germination ranged from 81.5 to 90 per cent between four genotypes i.e., K-6, Naryani, Darani and K-9. Similarly speed of germination 49 to 83.02, shoot length 14.73 to 7.70, root length ranges from 20.80 to 9.50, and seedling vigour index 123.47 to 98.53 and seedling dry weight 0.919 to 0.100 g. Further, biochemical parameters like SOD, MDA and α amylase content increased at eT + eCO2 as compared to control treatment. Limited evidence suggests that only short periods of high-temperature stress at critical seed development stages are required to reduce seed vigour, but further research is required. The predicted environmental changes will lead to losses of seed quality particularly for seed vigour and possibly germination. The present study shows that temperature impacts the groundnut crop’s physiological and quality parameters

A finite element model for predicting impact-induced damage to a skin simulant

A finite element model was developed for assessing the efficacy of rugby body padding in reducing the risk of sustaining cuts and abrasions. The model was developed to predict the onset of damage to a soft tissue simulant from concentrated impact loading (i.e., stud impact) and compared against a corresponding experiment. The damage modelling techniques involved defining an element deletion criterion, whereby those on the surface of the surrogate were deleted if their maximum principal stress reached a predefined value. Candidate maximum principal stress values for element deletion criteria were identified independently from puncture test simulations on the soft tissue simulant. Experimental impacts with a stud were carried out at three energies (2, 4 and 6 J), at three angular orientations (0°, 15° and 30°) and compared to corresponding simulations. Suitable maximum principal stress values for element deletion criteria settings were first identified for the 4 J impact, selecting the candidates that best matched the experimental results. The same element deletion settings were then applied in simulations at 2 and 6 J and the validity of the model was further assessed (difference < 15% for the force at tear and < 30% for time to tear). The damage modelling techniques presented here could be applied to other skin simulants to assess the onset of skin injuries and the ability of padding to prevent them

Hydrocephalus Associated with Large Vestibular Schwannoma: Management Options and Factors Predicting Requirement of Cerebrospinal Fluid Diversion after Primary Surgery

Objective: Obstructive hydrocephalus (HCP) related to vestibular schwannoma occurs in large tumors compressing the fourth ventricle. Symptoms related to HCP are expected to alleviate after resection of the tumor and decompression of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways. However, some patients may require permanent cerebrospinal diversion even after surgery due to persistent HCP. In this study, the authors try to find out the factors associated with the requirement of CSF diversion after vestibular schwannoma surgery in cases of persistent HCP. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 193 cases of vestibular schwannoma operated between 2010 and 2013 in our institute. Cases that underwent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts before surgery were compared to cases which were operated directly. In cases where vestibular schwannomas were operated without prior VP shunts, factors which were associated with persistent postoperative HCP were analyzed. Results: Comparing the group who underwent direct surgery to the group who underwent VP shunt before definitive vestibular schwannoma surgery, the facial nerve preservation rates and surgical morbidity rates were comparable. In cases who underwent direct surgery, 10 out of 75 patients required postoperative permanent CSF diversion. Older age, male gender, duration of symptoms, larger tumor size, solid lesions, severe HCP, and clinical features of HCP were associated with postoperative requirement of CSF diversion but were not statistically significant. The most significant factor that correlated with the need for additional HCP treatment was the presence of postoperative hematoma of volume >10cc. Conclusions: Primary tumor removal is the optimal treatment for vestibular schwannoma associated with HCP. Postoperative hematoma may warrant close observation as these patients are at an increased risk of persistence of HCP