Development of transgenics in Indian oilseed mustard (Brassica juncea) resistant to herbicide phosphinothricin

Transgenic lines resistant to herbicide phosphinothricin (PPT) were developed in mustard (Brassica juncea), a major oilseed crop grown in more than 6 million hectares of land in North India. Seedling-derived hypocotyl explants were transformed with a disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3101. The developed constructs contained the bar gene encoding the enzyme phosphinothricin-acetyl-transferase (PAT) which inactivates phosphinothricin (PPT) by acetylating it. The expression of the bar gene was controlled either by the double enhancer version of CaMV35S promoter (35Sdebar) or a CaMV35S promoter with a leader sequence from RNA4 of alfalfa mosaic virus introduced at the 5' end of the bar gene (35SAMVLbar) or without (35Sbar) it. Plant viral leader sequences have been shown to be translational enhancers. In vitro selections for transformed plants were carried out on a medium containing PPT. Transgenic shoots were recovered at a frequency of 23% with 35Sdebar gene construct and at a frequency of 16% with 35SAMVLbar containing construct. Transformation frequencies were low with 35Sbar construct. Individual transgenics with 35Sdebar and 35SAMVLbar constructs were tested for copy number on both the right and left border flanks of T-DNA by Southern hybridization. Single copy transgenic lines were further analysed for transcript levels of the bar gene by Northern blotting and for protein levels by PAT assays. Wide variation in expression levels were observed, particularly amongst the transgenics containing the 35Sdebar construct. Single copy transgenics were selfed to develop homozygous lines which could be used for the study of resistance to herbicide PPT at the field level and to correlate this protection with expression levels observed through molecular analysis. Herbicide- tolerant lines could be used for testing the possibility of low-till or no-till cultivation of mustard in the rain-fed areas where it is extensively grown

Insights into the Research Trends on Bovine Colostrum: Beneficial Health Perspectives with Special Reference to Manufacturing of Functional Foods and Feed Supplements

Bovine colostrum (BC) is the initial mammary secretion after parturition, which is nature’s bountiful source consisting of nutritional and bioactive components present in a highly concentrated low-volume format. All mammalian newborns require colostrum to enhance physiological processes such as lifelong immunity, gastrointestinal development, and resistance to microbial infections. The genetic, environmental, and processing methods can all have an impact on the biochemical contents of BC and its supplements. BC and its derivatives have been intensively researched for their potential use in functional foods, medicines, and animal feed. Evidence from clinical studies suggests that BC products are well-tolerated, nontoxic, and safe for human ingestion. Functional foods, feed, and pharmaceutical formulations based on bovine colostrum are playing noteworthy roles in the development of innovative products for promoting health and the prevention of chronic illnesses. This systematic review sheds light on recent research on (a) the effects of processing techniques on BC components, (b) emerging techniques used in the isolation and identification of novel components, (c) BC-based functional foods for human consumption and animal feed supplements, and (d) the role of BC in current drug delivery, as well as future recommendations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Not all orbital inflammations in the COVID-19 era are due to mucormycosis – A case of orbital pseudotumour leading to vision loss

A 57-year-old male patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had survived severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) presented with loss of vision in the right eye (RE) of 20-day duration. The patient had been diagnosed elsewhere with orbital mucormycosis and had been treated for it. The patient developed vision loss in RE 1 week after the initiation of treatment. At the time of presentation in our institute, vision in RE had reduced to no perception of light. Examination showed a relative afferent pupillary defect and pale optic disc in RE. Gadolinium-enhanced contrast magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, orbit and paranasal sinuses suggested perineuritic type of idiopathic orbital inflammation. In the present COVID-19 scenario, diagnosis other than mucormycosis should be kept in mind when dealing with cases of orbital inflammation

Cranial migration of ventriculoperitoneal shunt

We report a rare case of an 11-month male infant with cranial migration of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt assembly. The shunt chamber was lying inside the ventricles. At the time of shunt revision, outsized burr hole and wide dural opening were observed. The ventricular migrated chamber of VP shunt was first retrieved from the ventricle followed by the removal of whole shunt assembly. A new VP shunt was placed on the other side with the chamber firmly anchored to the pericranium. The diagnosis was timely done and prevented complete shunt migration into the ventricles. We attribute factors such as outsized burr hole, wide dural opening, and poor anchoring of the straight connector of shunt chamber to periosteum because of poor tissue preservation (redo operation). Repeated flushing of the shunt chamber by cranial direction pressing on it by the mother might be a contributing factor for loosening of anchor sutures and cranial migration. Patients undergoing VP shunt procedure must be under regular follow-up for early recognition of this potential complication. Cranial migration of VP shunt is usually not a fatal complication

Gender Differences in Genotypic Distribution of Endothelin-1 Gene and Endothelin Receptor a Gene in Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease

INTRODUCTION: The female gender is a risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, it is unknown whether females with rheumatic mitral valve disease are more predisposed to develop pulmonary hypertension compared to males. AIM: We aimed to investigate whether there was a difference in genotypic distribution of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin receptor A (ET) genes between female and male patients of pulmonary hypertension associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease (PH-MVD). METHODS: We compared prevalence of ET-1 gene (Lys198Asn) and ET gene (His323His) polymorphisms according to gender in 123 PH-MVD subjects and 123 healthy controls. RESULTS: The presence of mutant Asn/Asn and either mutant Asn/Asn or heterozygous Lys/Asn genotypes of Lys198Asn polymorphism when compared to Lys/Lys in females showed significant association with higher risk (odds ratio [OR] 4.5; p =0.007 and OR 2.39; p =0.02, respectively). The presence of heterozygous C/T and either mutant T/T or heterozygous C/T genotypes of His323His polymorphism when compared to wild C/C genotype in females showed a significant association with higher risk (OR 1.96; p =0.047 and OR 2.26; p =0.01, respectively). No significant difference was seen in genotypic frequencies in males between PH-MVD subjects and controls. Logistic regression analysis showed that mutant genotype Asn/Asn (p =0.007) and heterozygous genotype Lys/Asn of Lys198Asn polymorphism (p =0.018) were independent predictors of development of PH in females. CONCLUSIONS: ET-1 and ET gene polymorphisms were more prevalent in females than males in PH-MVD signifying that females with rheumatic heart disease may be more susceptible to develop PH

One- and Two-Photon Uncaging: Carbazole Fused <i>o</i>‑Hydroxycinnamate Platform for Dual Release of Alcohols (Same or Different) with Real-Time Monitoring

A one- and two-photon activated photoremovable protecting group (PRPG) was designed based on a carbazole fused <i>o</i>-hydroxycinnamate platform for the dual (same or different) release of alcohols. The mechanism for the dual release proceeds through a stepwise pathway and also monitors the first and second photorelease in real time by an increase in fluorescence intensity and color change, respectively. Further, its application in staining live neurons and ex vivo imaging with two-photon excitation is shown

High pre-diagnosis attrition among patients with presumptive MDR-TB: an operational research from Bhopal district, India

Abstract Background Pre-diagnosis attrition needs to be addressed urgently if we are to make progress in improving MDR-TB case detection and achieve universal access to MDR-TB care. We report the pre-diagnosis attrition, along with factors associated, and turnaround times related to the diagnostic pathway among patient with presumptive MDR-TB in Bhopal district, central India (2014). Methods Study was conducted under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme setting. It was a retrospective cohort study involving record review of all registered TB cases in Bhopal district that met the presumptive MDR-TB criteria (eligible for DST) in 2014. In quarter 1, Line Probe Assay (LPA) was used if sample was smear/culture positive. Quarter 2 onwards, LPA and Cartridge-based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CbNAAT) was used for smear positive and smear negative samples respectively. Pre-diagnosis attrition was defined as failure to undergo DST among patients with presumptive MDR-TB (as defined by the programme). Results Of 770 patients eligible for DST, 311 underwent DST and 20 patients were diagnosed as having MDR-TB. Pre-diagnosis attrition was 60% (459/770). Among those with pre-diagnosis attrition, 91% (417/459) were not identified as ‘presumptive MDR-TB’ by the programme. TAT [median (IQR)] to undergo DST after eligibility was 4 (0, 10) days. Attrition was more than 40% across all subgroups. Age more than 64 years; those from a medical college; those eligible in quarter 1; patients with presumptive criteria ‘previously treated – recurrent TB’, ‘treatment after loss-to-follow-up’ and ‘previously treated-others’; and patients with extra-pulmonary TB were independent risk factors for not undergoing DST. Conclusion High pre-diagnosis attrition was contributed by failure to identify and refer patients. Attrition reduced modestly with time and one factor that might have contributed to this was introduction of CbNAAT in quarter 2 of 2014. General health system strengthening which includes improvement in identification/referral and patient tracking with focus on those with higher risk for not undergoing DST is urgently required