In vitro response and effect of gamma irradiation on four local indica rice varieties

In vitro response of four local Indica rice cultivars viz. Sadamota, Kachamota, Moulata and Dudhkalam was evaluated. The aim of this study is to develop an efficient protocol for callus induction, plant regeneration and to observe the effect of gamma radiation on plant regeneration for creating possible genetic variability. In Different concentration of 2,4-D and growth regulators were supplemented with MS medium (Murashige and Skoog’s) to observe their callus induction frequency using mature embryo as explant. Among the cutivars, the highest primary callus (92.55%) as well as embryogenic callus induction (56.26%) was showed in sadamota at 3.0 mgl-1 2,4-D and 10 mgl-1 kinetin under dark condition. Twenty one days old embryogenic calli were exposed to 0, 2, 4 and 6 Gy of gamma rays and transferred to regeneration medium. Both callus growth and regeneration capacity were found to be decreased with increasing level of exposure to gamma rays. The doses of 4 Gy of gamma radiation were found to be the 50% inhibition dose for callus growth and plant regeneration in sadamota and kachamota, repectively whereas the 50% inhibition dose for moulata and dudhkalam at 2 Gy. This results indicate that sentivity of gamma radiation on rice callus depends on genotype of a genus

A High-Throughput Size Exclusion Chromatography Method to Determine the Molecular Size Distribution of Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine

Molecular size distribution of meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine is a readily identifiable parameter that directly correlates with the immunogenicity. In this paper, we report a size exclusion chromatography method to determine the molecular size distribution and distribution coefficient value of meningococcal polysaccharide serogroups A, C, W, and Y in meningococcal polysaccharide (ACWY) vaccines. The analyses were performed on a XK16/70 column packed with sepharose CL-4B with six different batches of Ingovax® ACWY, a meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine produced by Incepta Vaccine Ltd., Bangladesh. A quantitative rocket immunoelectrophoresis assay was employed to determine the polysaccharide contents of each serogroup. The calculated distribution coefficient values of serogroups A, C, W, and Y were found to be 0.26±0.16, 0.21±0.11, 0.21±0.11, and 0.14±0.12, respectively, and met the requirements of British Pharmacopeia. The method was proved to be robust for determining the distribution coefficient values which is an obligatory requirement for vaccine lot release

Direct in vitro organogenesis from leaf and internode of Coccinia cordifolia (L.) Cogn.

The current study was carried out to elucidate a reproducible protocol to develop plants directly from leaf and internodes to facilitate the genetic transformation in Coccinia cordifolia (L.) Cogn., a medicinal plant of the cucurbitaceae family. In vitro grown leaf and internodes were used, which were collected for regenerated shoots from field-grown nodal segments that were sterilized by 0.1% HgCl2 treatment for 6 minutes. The nodal segment cultured on BAP, Kn and BAP, NAA combination where 1.5 mg/L BAP solitary supplement and augmented supplement with 0.1 mg/L NAA was most effective as 80% shoots regenerated with 4.0±0.37 and 2.7±0.45 shoots per culture, respectively. Collected leaf and internode responded 90% at 1.5 mg/L BAP + 0.1 mg/L NAA fortified full-strength MS medium. The highest number of shoots also regenerated in the same combination which were 8.1 ± 0.30 and 10.2±0.40, respectively and found internode as the best explant for direct organogenesis. For root induction, half strength of MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L IBA was found most effective. The highest number of roots regenerated per shoot (6.8±0.10) and root length (2.8±0.20). The successful acclimatization of the in vitro (80%) grown plantlets proved the validity of the developed protocol of using biotechnological techniques for improving the plant

Propagation of Coccinia cordifolia (L.) Cogn. from shoot tip and nodal segment through micropropagation techniques

The present work was undertaken to develop a reproducible protocol for the micropropagation of an important medicinal plant of the Cucurbitaceae family, Coccinia cordifolia (L.) Cogn., by using shoot tips and nodal segments to overcome the impediment in seed settings and seed germination of conventional reproduction. To develop an efficient protocol, 0.1% HgCl2 treatment for 6 minutes was found effective for surface sterilization of field-grown explants to eliminate microbes and fungus and to get healthy tissues. Throughout the study, different concentrations of auxin, cytokine, and gibberellin were used either alone or in combination as supplemented in MS medium to find suitable conditions and suitable explant (nodal segment). BAP was the best cytokine source as 2.0 mg/l BAP produced 4.0±0.20 and 4.8±0.09 shoots per culture and gained 5.8±0.11 cm and 6.7±0.32 cm length with regeneration rate of 90 and 100 percent in shoot tips and node, respectively. The highest percentage (90%) of regeneration for axillary shoot proliferation was obtained in node explants at MS medium containing 2.0 mg/l BAP + 0.1 mg/l NAA. The highest number of shoots regenerated per culture was 3.0±0.41, with a length of 6.0±0.16 cm. GA3 was also found effective in producing longer shoots with the combination of BAP, but the average shoot number was reduced drastically. Although full-strength MS medium was found to be ideal for shoot regeneration and used in shoots proliferated experiments, half and full-strength of MS medium with auxins supplements of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/l either of IBA, NAA, and IAA) were used for roots growth and half strength nutrients supplemented with 0.5 mg/l IBA was found most compelling. The highest number of roots regenerated per shoot was 3.1±0.30, and the average root length was 1.8±0.30 cm. Rooted plantlets were finally transplanted into small plastic pots containing sun sterilized sand, soil and humus (1: 2: 1) to adapt the plantlet in ex vitro environment, and acclimatized plantlets showed 95% survival rate in outdoor condition which proved the effectiveness of using biotechnology to improve plant’s growth rate and mass production

Changes in protein interaction networks between normal and cancer conditions: Total chaos or ordered disorder?

New insights to understand the dynamics of enormous modifications during cancer in comparison to healthy condition have made the ground for the emergence of sophisticated systemic approaches like Network Systems Biology in the twenty first century which is potentially effective to model different biological phenomena such as regulation of gene-expression and protein-protein interaction. In the current study, the construction and computational analysis of protein interaction networks (PINs) based on expression data of proteins involved in 10 major cancer signal transduction pathways were done in case of five different tissues e.g. bone, breast, colon, kidney and liver for both normal and cancer conditions. Differential expression database GeneHubs-Gepis, and protein-protein interaction prediction tools PIPs and STRING were applied for primary data retrieval. Upregulation and downregulation of proteins in various cancers were analyzed to identify patterns in PINs during cancer signaling. Different network parameters were evaluated and comparisons were made among normal and cancer networks for each tissue and for different cancer based on Cytoscape software package. The networks for cancer show notable differences and fluctuations from normal ones for various network parameters. A cluster of 34 upregulated proteins with 76 relevant interactions was also found to be conserved in all five cancerous tissues

Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. associated with dairy cattle and farm environment having public health significance

Aim: The present study was carried out to determine load of total bacteria, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in dairy farm and its environmental components. In addition, the antibiogram profile of the isolated bacteria having public health impact was also determined along with identification of virulence and resistance genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) under a one-health approach. Materials and Methods: A total of 240 samples of six types (cow dung - 15, milk - 10, milkers' hand wash - 10, soil - 10 water - 5, and vegetables - 10) were collected from four dairy farms. For enumeration, the samples were cultured onto plate count agar, eosin methylene blue, and xylose-lysine deoxycholate agar and the isolation and identification of the E. coli and Salmonella spp. were performed based on morphology, cultural, staining, and biochemical properties followed by PCR. The pathogenic strains of E. coli stx1, stx2, and rfbO157 were also identified through PCR. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test against 12 commonly used antibiotics by disk diffusion method. Detection of antibiotic resistance genes ereA, tetA, tetB, and SHV were performed by PCR. Results: The mean total bacterial count, E. coli and Salmonella spp. count in the samples ranged from 4.54±0.05 to 8.65±0.06, 3.62±0.07 to 7.04±0.48, and 2.52±0.08 to 5.87±0.05 log colony-forming unit/g or ml, respectively. Out of 240 samples, 180 (75%) isolates of E. coli and 136 (56.67%) isolates of Salmonella spp. were recovered through cultural and molecular tests. Among the 180 E. coli isolates, 47 (26.11%) were found positive for the presence of all the three virulent genes, of which stx1 was the most prevalent (13.33%). Only three isolates were identified as enterohemorrhagic E. coli. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that both E. coli and Salmonella spp. were found highly resistant to azithromycin, tetracycline, erythromycin, oxytetracycline, and ertapenem and susceptible to gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, and imipenem. Among the four antibiotic resistance genes, the most observable was tetA (80.51-84.74%) in E. coli and Salmonella spp. and SHV genes were the lowest one (22.06-25%). Conclusion: Dairy farm and their environmental components carry antibiotic-resistant pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella spp. that are potential threat for human health which requires a one-health approach to combat the threat

The reactive cholera vaccination campaign in urban Dhaka in 2022: experience, lessons learned and future directions

Introduction: An upsurge of diarrheal cases occurred in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with approximately 30% of the cases being identified as cholera in 2022. To combat this situation, a reactive Oral Cholera Vaccination campaign was organized in five highly cholera-affected areas of Dhaka city. The paper is a descriptive tale of experience gathering, organization and implementation of reactive oral cholera vaccination campaign. Study design: This is a descriptive report of a reactive oral cholera vaccination campaign. Methods: Population density maps were generated using GIS technology before launching the campaign. The target population comprised individuals aged over one year, excluding pregnant women, totaling 2,374,976 people residing in above mentioned areas. The campaign utilized Euvichol-Plus, an OCV with adherence to the necessary cold chain requirements. Total 700 teams, each consisting of six members, were deployed across the five zones. The campaign was conducted in two rounds, where first round took place in June–July 2022, followed by second round in August 2022. During the campaign, data on adverse events following immunization (AEFI) was collected. Expert teams from various government and non-government organizations monitored regularly and ensured the campaign's success. Results: The first round achieved a coverage rate of 99%, whereas in the second round, 86.3% of individuals among the first dose recipients. During the campaigns, a total of 57 AEFIs were reported. Conclusions: This campaign serves as a model for a multispectral approach in combating cholera epidemics, highlighting the collaborative efforts of policymakers, health authorities, local communities, and health partners