SSR marker based DNA fingerprinting and diversity study in rice (Oryza sativa. L)

The genetic diversity and DNA fingerprinting of 15 elite rice genotypes using 30 SSR primers on chromosome numbers 7-12 was investigated. The results revealed that all the primers showed distinct polymorphism among the cultivars studied indicating the robust nature of microsatellites in revealing polymorphism. Cluster analysis grouped the rice genotypes into 10 classes in which japonica types DH-1 (Azucena) and Moroborekan clustered separately from indica types. Principal component analysis was done to visualize genetic relationships among the elite breeding lines. The results were similar toUPGMA results. Based on this study, the larger range of similarity values for related cultivars using microsatellites provides greater confidence for the assessment of genetic diversity and relationships. The information obtained from the DNA fingerprinting studies helps to distinctly identify andcharacterize 9 varieties using 18 different RM primers. This information can be used in background selections during backcross breeding program

Comparison of thruster configurations in attitude control systems

Several aspects concerning reaction control jet systems as used to govern the attitude of a spacecraft were considered. A thruster configuration currently in use was compared to several new configurations developed in this study. The method of determining the error signals which control the firing of the thrusters was also investigated. The current error determination procedure is explained and a new method is presented. Both of these procedures are applied to each of the thruster configurations which are developed and comparisons of the two methods are made

The eye that binds : Feature integration is not disrupted by saccadic eye movements

Open Access via the Springer Compact Agreement FundRef James S. McDonnell Foundation The data for both experiments, as well as a file containing the stimuli of experiment 1 are available at https://osf.io/k49mf/, where experiment 1 was also preregistered. Acknowledgements: The authors thank Johanna Barclay, Rachel Buhler, Qjan Li, Jesus Rendon, Caitlyn Smith, Alejandro Suarez and Vasilena Voynikova, who collected the data of experiment 2 as part of a group project.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Use of probiotic Lactobacillus preparation to prevent diarrhoea associated with antibiotics: randomised double blind placebo controlled trial

Objective To determine the efficacy of a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus for the prevention of any diarrhoea associated with antibiotic use and that caused by Clostridium difficile. Design Randomised double blind placebo controlled study. Participants 135 hospital patients (mean age 74) taking antibiotics. Exclusions included diarrhoea on admission, bowel pathology that could result in diarrhoea, antibiotic use in the previous four weeks, severe illness, immunosuppression, bowel surgery, artificial heart valves, and history of rheumatic heart disease or infective endocarditis. Intervention Consumption of a 100 g (97 ml) drink containing Lactobacillus casei, L bulgaricus, and Streptococcus thermophilus twice a day during a course of antibiotics and for one week after the course finished. The placebo group received a longlife sterile milkshake. Main outcome measures Primary outcome: occurrence of antibiotic associated diarrhoea. Secondary outcome: presence of C difficile toxin and diarrhoea. Results 7/57 (12%) of the probiotic group developed diarrhoea associated with antibiotic use compared with 19/56 (34%) in the placebo group (P=0.007). Logistic regression to control for other factors gave an odds ratio 0.25 (95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.85) for use of the probiotic, with low albumin and sodium also increasing the risk of diarrhoea. The absolute risk reduction was 21.6% (6.6% to 36.6%), and the number needed to treat was 5 (3 to 15). No one in the probiotic group and 9/53 (17%) in the placebo group had diarrhoea caused by C difficile (P=0.001). The absolute risk reduction was 17% (7% to 27%), and the number needed to treat was 6 (4 to 14). Conclusion Consumption of a probiotic drink containing L casei, L bulgaricus, and S thermophilus reduce the incidence of antibiotic associated diarrhoea and C difficile associated diarrhoea. This has the potential to decrease morbidity, healthcare costs, and mortality if used routinely in patients aged over 50

METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION FOR THE ESTIMATION OF ENTECAVIR IN BULK AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORMS BY RP-HPLC

Objective: The objective and purpose of the analysis have sensibly assessed by selecting of a rapid and sensitive RP-HPLC method for Entecavir in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form by using the most commonly employed C-18column with UV detection.Methods: In estimation by RP-HPLC method Agilent 1120 compact LC system with variable programmable UV detector and Rheodyne injector with 20 µl fixed loop was used for the chromatographic separation. The mode of operation was isocratic with the components of a solution consisting of methanol: acetonitrile(70:30v/v) and triethanolamine (2-4drops)at the flow rate of 1.2 ml/min and run time was 10 min. Forced degradation studies were conducted to evaluate the stability and specificity of the method along with the validation parameters.Results: Validation parameters of HPLC were found at a detection wavelength of 255 nm. Linearity was observed with the concentration range (Beer's law range) 20-100µg/ml with R2=0.9991. Robustness with detection wavelengths 253 and 257 nm with a flow rate of 1 ml/min and 1.4 ml/min showed good results. The retention time of the drug was 2.64 min and assay showed 98.1%.Conclusion: The proposed RP-HPLC method was validated as per the ICH Q2B Guidelines, and was found to be applicable for routine quantitative analysis of Entecavir by RP-HPLC using UV detector in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The results of linearity, precision, accuracy and specificity, were proved, that does not exceed certain specified limits. The method provides selective quantification with no interference from other formulation excipients. The proposed method was highly sensitive, reproducible, reliable, robust and specific. Therefore, this method is a simple, rapid analysis may actually be more desirable than a more complicated and time-consuming process. The degradation studies at various stress conditions like thermal and hydrolytic, drug gets degraded at a temperature of 80 °c and refluxing with water at 70 °c for 24hours.Â

Cassava Bagasse: A Potential and Low Cost Substrate for Cellulase Production in an Economical Fermentation

ABSTRACT The purpose of this work was to produce cellulase by cellulomonas cellulans using solid waste materials such as cassava bagasse, pine leaves, wheat bran and rice bran in solid state fermentation (SSF). According to the maximum production of cellulase, cassava bagasse was selected as solid substrate among four solid substrates and used for further studies. Various nitrogen compounds like yeast extract, beef extract, peptone, malt extract were taken. Among them, yeast extract was selected as a best nitrogen source for cellulase production. Maximum production of cellulase was obtained at an initial moisture content of 80% with an initial pH of 6

Norfloxacin and metronidazole topical formulations for effective treatment of bacterial infections and burn wounds.

INTRODUCTION: Our various previous findings have shown the suitability of norfloxacin in the treatment of bacterial infections and burn wounds in alone as well as in combination with Curcuma longa in various topical (ointments, gels, and creams) and transdermal drug delivery systems. AIMS AND METHODS: Keeping these facts in consideration, we have made an another attempt to prepare semisolid formulations containing 1% w/w of norfloxacin and metronidazole with different bases like Carbopol, polyethylene glycol, and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose for effective treatment of bacterial infections and burn wounds. The prepared formulations were evaluated for physicochemical parameters, in vitro drug release, antimicrobial activity, and burn wound healing properties. RESULTS: The prepared formulations were compared with Silver Sulfadiazine cream 1%, USP. Antimicrobial activity of norfloxacin semisolid formulations was found to be equally effective against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in comparison to a marketed formulation of Silver Sulfadiazine 1% cream, USP. Based on the burn wound healing property, the prepared norfloxacin semisolid formulation was found to be in good agreement with marketed Silver Sulfadiazine 1% cream, USP. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest formulations containing norfloxacin and metronidazole may also prove as an effective alternative for existing remedies in the treatment of bacterial infections and burn wounds

C-reactive protein predicts further ischemic events in patients with transient ischemic attack or lacunar stroke

Patients who have experienced a first cerebral ischemic event are at increased risk of recurrent stroke. There is strong evidence that low-level inflammation as measured by high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a predictor of further ischemic events. Other mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of stroke may play a role in determining the risk of secondary events, including oxidative stress and the adaptive response to it and activation of neuroprotective pathways by hypoxia, for instance through induction of erythropoietin (EPO). This study investigated the association of the levels of CRP, peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1, an indicator of the physiological response to oxidative stress) and EPO (a neuroprotective factor produced in response to hypoxia) with the risk of a second ischemic event. Eighty patients with a diagnosis of lacunar stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) were included in the study and a blood sample was collected within 14 days from the initial event. Hs-CRP, PRDX1 and EPO were measured by ELISA. Further ischemic events were recorded with a mean follow-up of 42 months (min 24, max 64). Multivariate analysis showed that only CRP was an independent predictor of further events with an observed risk (OR) of 1.14 (P = 0.034, 95% CI 1.01-1.29). No association was observed with the levels of PRDX1 or EPO. A receiver operating curve (ROC) determined a cut-off CRP level of 3.25 μg/ml, with a 46% sensitivity and 81% specificity. Low-level inflammation as detected by hs-CRP is an independent predictor of recurrent cerebrovascular ischemic events

Fundamental units of numerosity estimation

Humans can approximately enumerate a large number of objects at a single glance. While several mechanisms have been proposed to account for this ability, the fundamental units over which they operate remain unclear. Previous studies have argued that estimation mechanisms act only on topologically distinct units or on units formed by spatial grouping cues such as proximity and connectivity, but not on units grouped by similarity. Over four experiments, we tested this claim by systematically assessing and demonstrating that similarity grouping leads to underestimation, just as spatial grouping does. Ungrouped objects with the same low-level properties as grouped objects did not cause underestimation. Further, the underestimation caused by spatial and similarity grouping was additive, suggesting that these grouping processes operate independently. These findings argue against the proposal that estimation mechanisms operate solely on topological units. Instead, we conclude that estimation processes act on representations constructed after Gestalt grouping principles, whether similarity based or spatial, have organised incoming visual input