Effect of different growth regulators on in vitro micro-propagation of Kufri Frysona

In the present investigation, experiment was conducted for in vitro micro-propagation with different concentration of growth regulators in different explants Sprouts and Shoot tips of potato cultivar Kufri Frysona. The maximum survival percentage (40) of sprouts and (100%) of shoot tips were obtained when the explants were surface sterilized with 0.2% bavistin & 0.4% streptocyclin (45minutes) and 0.1% mercuric chloride (60seconds). Sterilized explants were inoculated on MS basal supplemented with various growth regulators and established successfully. The maximum shoot induction (62.5±1.44%) in 11.3±0.33 days and (74.0 ± 2.13 %) in 10.0 ± 0.50 days were reported on medium PM1 (BAP 0.25 mg/l) in sprouts and shoot tip explants respectively. The sprouted explants were further sub-cultured on MS media supplemented with various growth regulator alone and in combination for in vitro multiplication. In Kufri Frysona (11.2) shoots were obtained on MS medium fortified with 0.25mg/l BAP + 0.01mg/l IAA on 42th day of subculture. In vitro rooting was observed on MS basal medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l NAA in Kufri Frysona after 10 days. Rooted plantlets were successfully hardened in green house using different types of potting mixture and finally transferred to field. The protocol will be very useful for large-scale production of disease free planting material of potato (S. tuberosum) in future

Impacts of Colombo-Katunayake Expressway Bridge Opening on Water Quality at Madabokka in Negambo Lagoon, West Coast of Sri Lanka

The proposed 5 year Colombo- Katunayake expressway construction project which is targetto reduce travelling time between Colombo and Katunayake international airport in SriLanka. This project would build 42 bridges and 88 culverts. One of the bridges opened atMadabokka inside the Negambo Lagoon is identified as highly productive ecosystem whichprovides breeding, feeding and security grounds for variety of aquatic lives. Thus, currentStudy the seasonal impact on Madabokka is carried out using water quality analysis.Water samples from nine locations of three main sites (southern side, Northern side andoutside of the Madabokka) are analysed for physical, (temperature, salinity, pH andtransparency or sechchi depth) chemical, [NO3, NO2, PO4, SiO2, Total suspended solids(TSS), and Dissolved Oxygen (DO)], and biological parameters (chlorophyll a,phytoplankton and zooplankton) once in two months during the year 2012.Results indicate that average salinity and temperature are varied from 14.24-24.54 PSU and310C (September) – 340C (March) respectively, while the warmest water is existed insouthern part of Maddabokka which has no free exchange with Negambo lagoon. However,the observed spatial and temporal variation would be related to climatic conditions ratherthan bridge constructions. Both the lowest (4.6) and the highest values (7.9) pH values andwere recorded outside Maddabokka during June and March respectively. Low pH values inmonth of June would be associated with South-West monsoon and particular low valuescould be a result of fresh water runoff canals from Katunayake airport area. Sechchi depth isalways ≤ 1.00m and higher depth remained as turbid water due to rapid constructions. DOvalues are varied from 5.9 - 8.3 mg l-1 with no impacts from the bridge constructions. TSSvalues are varied from 13.9-84.3 mg l-1 and the highest value is recorded in southern side ofthe bridge during November. Level of nutrients, (Nitrite; 0.05-5.34 mg l-1, Nitrate; 0.06-0.17mgl-1, Phosphate; 0.00-0.84 mg l-1, Silicates; 2.68-14.88 mg l-1) are varied temporally andthere is no construction interferences. Chlorophyll a (1.10-20.51 mg l-1) is distinctive intemporally and no spatial variations. The highest abundance (355000 Ind/L) of Phytoplanktonare recorded in Southern side of the bridge in March. All guilds were dominated by centricdiatoms. The lowest and the highest Zooplankton abundance (27 ind/l and 530 ind/L) arerecorded at outside of Madabokka during March and September respectively. Speciesdiversity (7 groups) is high in southern part of the Madabokka and dominated by Calanoids inJune and November.

Effect of bio control agent Trichoderma (T. viride and T. konnigiil on basal rot of Cloropytum comosum 'Iaxum' caused by Sclerotium rolfsii

At present, the biological control of soil borne fungal diseases is becoming popular in foliage industryof Sri Lanka, which is a nature-friendly ecological approach to overcome the problems caused bystandard chemical methods of plant protection. With a suitable bio control agent pathogen can besuppressed and reduced the disease incidence could be reduced effectively. This experiment wasconducted over a period of six months in poly tunnel to identify a potential bio control agent for basalrot of Cloropytum comosum 'Iaxum' caused by Sclerotium rolfsii with five treatments of Trichodermaviride, Trichoderma konnigii and combination of Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma konnigii,Porrnarsol forte 80% wp and control. The mean disease incidences of above treatments were! .75,2.75, J .5, 1.75 and 10.75 respectively. It was revealed that Trichoderma viride and combination ofTricodernia spp. are suitable for the highly effective control of plant diseases caused by Sclerotiumrolfsi i

Investigation of Optimum pH and Temperature for In-Vitro Crystallization of Urinary Cystine

Cystinuria contributes in formation of urinary stones. But, it has been reported that cystinuria is diagnosed when someone experiences with cystine stones. Therefore, early diagnosis of this condition is important. Thus, the objective of the study was to determine the optimum pH and temperature for crystallization of urine cystine in-vitro. Cystinuria solutions were prepared with the concentrations of 40, 60, 70, 75, 80, 90, 100 and 120 mg/dL. The pH of each solution was changed with the addition of acetic acid. Then solutions were exposed to temperature +4°C and 37°C, for 15, 30 and 45min. The sediments were observed microscopically for cystine crystals formation. Then acetone was added to cystinuria with the ratio of cystinuria:acetone, 8:1, 4:1, 2:1 and 1.1 and pH was altered with acetic acid and were subjected to +4 °C and 37 °C, for 15, 30 and 45 minutes and sediment was observed for cystine crystals under the microscope. Cystine crystallization had been occurred in the cystinuria of ≥100 mg/dL at pH 5 at 37 ° C and +4 °C, 30min after the addition of acetic acid whereas with the addition of acetone at cystinuria of ≥75mg/dL at pH 5 in both 37°C and at +4°C, 30min after the addition of acetic acid. The number of cystine crystals per High Power Field (HPF) was highest where cystinuria:acetone was 8:1.  The optimum conditions for cystine crystallization is at pH 5, 37 °C and +4 °C, 30min after acidifying with acetic acid at the minimum concentration of 100 mg/dL  of cystinuria. With the addition of acetone, at the ratio of cystinuria:acetone 8:1 with minimum concentration of cystinuria of 75 mg/dL.   KEYWORDS: Cystine, Crystallization, Acetic acid, Acetone, Temperature, p

Occurrence of Urinary Crystals among Urinary Tract Infections Suspected Paediatric Patients, Sri Lanka

Crystalluria has become one of the most vital biomarkers in urinalysis in detecting several disease conditions. It has been reported that urinary tract infections (UTI) may be the presenting sign of Urolithiasis in children. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify and estimate the different types of crystals in the urine samples collected from UTI suspected children who admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for children, Sri Lanka. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using 400 children belong to age<12 years suspected with UTI. The participants included 242 males and 158 females. The urine samples were collected prior to start antibiotics. Each sample was examined macroscopically and centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 5 minutes. The urine sediment was examined under the light microscope and different crystal types were identified and counted at x40 magnification. Out of 400 samples 82 samples (82/400) were positive for crystalluria. The crystal types present were uric acid, calcium oxalate, triple phosphate, ammonium biuate and ammonium urate. None of the samples showed abnormal crystal types. The distribution of each crystal type was as follow; uric acid 25/82, calcium oxalate 34/82, triple phosphate 12/82, ammonium biuate 7/82 and ammonium urate 4/82. The quantity of crystals per mL of urine was ranged as follow; uric acid 850-130,000, calcium oxalate 350- >250,000, triple phosphate 650-6,000, ammonium biurate and ammonium urate were presented in clumps. KEYWORDS: Crystalluria, Uric Acid, Calcium Oxalate, Triple Phosphate, Ammonium Biurate, Ammonium Urate, Urolithiasis, Urinary Tract Infections

Media properties of different vermicompost and coir dust mixtures

In recent years, the demand for coir dust has increased as it is widely used as a growth medium in soilless culture. Since it is low in nutrients, when mixed with vermicompost, will provide a better growthmedium for plant establishment. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the properties ofdifferent verrnicornpost and coir dust mixtures. Tomato was used as the test plant and four differentmedia compositions were tested with and without nutrient supplement. Media properties includingchemical (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg levels, pH and Electrical conductivity [ECl) and physical properties(Bulk density, Field capacity and drying pattern) were measured in the time period.Nutrient levels, pH, EC, bulk density, and drying rates were found to be decreased and only fieldcapacity increased with increasing the proportion of coir dust. According to the result obtained,vermicompost alone can be used as a plant growth medium. But poor porosity and aeration ofvermicompost limit the root growth and lowered the water holding capacity. Therefore, medium with75% verrnicompost and 25% coil' dust is more suitable than vennicompost alone. Medium with 50%verrnicornpost and 50% coir dust has better physical properties, but nutrient level is not sufficient tosupport plant growth. Therefore nutrient supplement is needed to use it as growing medium.

Exploring Variability of Trichodesmium Photophysiology Using Multi-Excitation Wavelength Fast Repetition Rate Fluorometry

Fast repetition rate fluorometry (FRRf) allows for rapid non-destructive assessment of phytoplankton photophysiology in situ yet has rarely been applied to Trichodesmium. This gap reflects long-standing concerns that Trichodesmium (and other cyanobacteria) contain pigments that are less effective at absorbing blue light which is often used as the sole excitation source in FRR fluorometers—potentially leading to underestimation of key fluorescence parameters. In this study, we use a multi-excitation FRR fluorometer (equipped with blue, green, and orange LEDs) to investigate photophysiological variability in Trichodesmium assemblages from two sites. Using a multi-LED measurement protocol (447+519+634 nm combined), we assessed maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), functional absorption cross section of PSII (σPSII), and electron transport rates (ETRs) for Trichodesmium assemblages in both the Northwest Pacific (NWP) and North Indian Ocean in the vicinity of Sri Lanka (NIO-SL). Evaluating fluorometer performance, we showed that use of a multi-LED measuring protocol yields a significant increase of Fv/Fm for Trichodesmium compared to blue-only excitation. We found distinct photophysiological differences for Trichodesmium at both locations with higher average Fv/Fm as well as lower σPSII and non-photochemical quenching (NPQNSV) observed in the NWP compared to the NIO-SL (Kruskal–Wallis t-test df = 1, p < 0.05). Fluorescence light response curves (FLCs) further revealed differences in ETR response with a lower initial slope (αETR) and higher maximum electron turnover rate ((Formula presented.)) observed for Trichodesmium in the NWP compared to the NIO-SL, translating to a higher averaged light saturation EK (= (Formula presented.) /αETR) for cells at this location. Spatial variations in physiological parameters were both observed between and within regions, likely linked to nutrient supply and physiological stress. Finally, we applied an algorithm to estimate primary productivity of Trichodesmium using FRRf-derived fluorescence parameters, yielding an estimated carbon-fixation rate ranging from 7.8 to 21.1 mgC mg Chl-a–1 h–1 across this dataset. Overall, our findings demonstrate that capacity of multi-excitation FRRf to advance the application of Chl-a fluorescence techniques in phytoplankton assemblages dominated by cyanobacteria and reveals novel insight into environmental regulation of photoacclimation in natural Trichodesmium population

Early Life Child Micronutrient Status, Maternal Reasoning, and a Nurturing Household Environment have Persistent Influences on Child Cognitive Development at Age 5 years : Results from MAL-ED

Funding Information: The Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development Project (MAL-ED) is carried out as a collaborative project supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for the NIH, and the National Institutes of Health/Fogarty International Center. This work was also supported by the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health (D43-TW009359 to ETR). Author disclosures: BJJM, SAR, LEC, LLP, JCS, BK, RR, RS, ES, LB, ZR, AM, RS, BN, SH, MR, RO, ETR, and LEM-K, no conflicts of interest. Supplemental Tables 1–5 and Supplemental Figures 1–3 are available from the “Supplementary data” link in the online posting of the article and from the same link in the online table of contents at https://academic.oup.com/jn/. Address correspondence to LEM-K (e-mail: [email protected]). Abbreviations used: HOME, Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment inventory; MAL-ED, The Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development Project; TfR, transferrin receptor; WPPSI, Wechsler Preschool Primary Scales of Intelligence.Peer reviewe

Early life child micronutrient status, maternal reasoning, and a nurturing household environment have persistent influences on child cognitive development at age 5 years: Results from MAL-ED

Background: Child cognitive development is influenced by early-life insults and protective factors. To what extent these factors have a long-term legacy on child development and hence fulfillment of cognitive potential is unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relation between early-life factors (birth to 2 y) and cognitive development at 5 y. Methods: Observational follow-up visits were made of children at 5 y, previously enrolled in the community-based MAL-ED longitudinal cohort. The burden of enteropathogens, prevalence of illness, complementary diet intake, micronutrient status, and household and maternal factors from birth to 2 y were extensively measured and their relation with the Wechsler Preschool Primary Scales of Intelligence at 5 y was examined through use of linear regression. Results: Cognitive T-scores from 813 of 1198 (68%) children were examined and 5 variables had significant associations in multivariable models: mean child plasma transferrin receptor concentration (β: −1.81, 95% CI: −2.75, −0.86), number of years of maternal education (β: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.45), maternal cognitive reasoning score (β: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.15), household assets score (β: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.24, 1.04), and HOME child cleanliness factor (β: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.15). In multivariable models, the mean rate of enteropathogen detections, burden of illness, and complementary food intakes between birth and 2 y were not significantly related to 5-y cognition. Conclusions: A nurturing home context in terms of a healthy/clean environment and household wealth, provision of adequate micronutrients, maternal education, and cognitive reasoning have a strong and persistent influence on child cognitive development. Efforts addressing aspects of poverty around micronutrient status, nurturing caregiving, and enabling home environments are likely to have lasting positive impacts on child cognitive development.publishedVersio