Participatory cotton breeding for organic and low input farming in Central India

Up to 80% of world’s organic cotton is produced in India. However, involved producers are facing increased difficulties to find suitable cultivars. Few hybrids selected for high input farming and genetically-modified (GM) cotton, which is explicitly excluded in organic farming, are presently dominating the Indian seed market. In addition farmers have lost their traditional knowledge on seed production and hybrid seed needs to be purchased each season

Participatory cotton breeding for organic and low input farming in India

Organic cotton production currently takes place in 22 countries resulting in 241’697 metric tons of fibre and 1.1% of the global cotton production (Truscott et al. 2010). Up to 80% of world’s organic cotton is produced in India. However, this market is threatened due to the displacement of traditional cotton species and cultivars by genetically modified (GM) hybrids selected for high input farming. Organic cotton farmers are facing increased difficulties in finding suitable cultivars in India (Nemes, 2010). Moreover, there is a big risk of physical and genetic contamination of organic cotton with GM cotton and the loss of locally adapted genetic resources. Therefore fast action is needed to re-establish a GM-free seed chain and breeding programs for cultivars suited for organic and low input farming conditions

Rotavirus Rearranged Genomic RNA Segments Are Preferentially Packaged into Viruses Despite Not Conferring Selective Growth Advantage to Viruses

The rotavirus (RV) genome consists of 11 double-stranded RNA segments. Sometimes, partial sequence duplication of an RNA segment leads to a rearranged RNA segment. To specify the impact of rearrangement, the replication efficiencies of human RV with rearranged segments 7, 11 or both were compared to these of the homologous human wild-type RV (wt-RV) and of the bovine wt-RV strain RF. As judged by viral growth curves, rotaviruses with a rearranged genome (r-RV) had no selective growth advantage over the homologous wt-RV. In contrast, r-RV were selected over wt-RV during competitive experiments (i.e mixed infections between r-RV and wt-RV followed by serial passages in cell culture). Moreover, when competitive experiments were performed between a human r-RV and the bovine wt-RV strain RF, which had a clear growth advantage, rearranged segments 7, 11 or both always segregated in viral progenies even when performing mixed infections at an MOI ratio of 1 r-RV to 100 wt-RV. Lastly, bovine reassortant viruses that had inherited a rearranged segment 7 from human r-RV were generated. Although substitution of wt by rearranged segment 7 did not result in any growth advantage, the rearranged segment was selected in the viral progenies resulting from mixed infections by bovine reassortant r-RV and wt-RV, even for an MOI ratio of 1 r-RV to 107 wt-RV. Lack of selective growth advantage of r-RV over wt-RV in cell culture suggests a mechanism of preferential packaging of the rearranged segments over their standard counterparts in the viral progeny

Ability of Group IVB metallocene polyethers containing dienestrol to arrest the growth of selected cancer cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Monomeric Group IVB (Ti, Zr and Hf) metallocenes represent a new class of antitumor compounds. There is literature on the general biological activities of some organotin compounds. Unfortunately, there is little information with respect to the molecular level activity of these organotin compounds. We recently started focusing on the anti-cancer activity of organotin polymers that we had made for other purposes and as part of our platinum anti-cancer effort.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>For this study, we synthesized a new series of metallocene-containing compounds coupling the metallocene unit with dienestrol, a synthetic, nonsteroidal estrogen. This is part of our effort to couple known moieties that offer antitumor activity with biologically active units hoping to increase the biological activity of the combination. The materials were confirmed to be polymeric using light scattering photometry and the structural repeat unit was verified employing matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy results.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The polymers demonstrated the ability to suppress the growth of a series of tumor cell lines originating from breast, colon, prostrate, and lung cancers at concentrations generally lower than those required for inhibition of cell growth by the commonly used antitumor drug cisplatin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These drugs show great promise in vitro against a number of cancer cell lines and due to their polymeric nature will most likely be less toxic than currently used metal-containing drugs such as cisplatin. These drugs also offer several addition positive aspects. First, the reactants are commercially available so that additional synthetic steps are not needed. Second, synthesis of the polymer is rapid, occurring within about 15 seconds. Third, the interfacial synthetic system is already industrially employed in the synthesis of aromatic nylons and polycarbonates. Thus, the ability to synthesize large amounts of the drugs is straight forward.</p

Quantitative radiologic criteria for the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis: a systematic literature review

Background: Beside symptoms and clinical signs radiological findings are crucial in the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). We investigate which quantitative radiological signs are described in the literature and which radilogical criteria are used to establish inclusion criteria in clincical studies evaluating different treatments in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods: A literature search was performed in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane library to identify papers reporting on radiological criteria to describe LSS and systematic reviews investigating the effects of different treatment modalities. Results: 25 studies reporting on radiological signs of LSS and four systematic reviews related to the evaluation of different treatments were found. Ten different parameters were identified to quantify lumbar spinal stenosis. Most often reported measures for central stenosis were antero-posterior diameter (< 10 mm) and cross-sectional area (< 70 mm2) of spinal canal. For lateral stenosis height and depth of the lateral recess, and for foraminal stenosis the foraminal diameter were typically used. Only four of 63 primary studies included in the systematic reviews reported on quantitative measures for defining inclusion criteria of patients in prognostic studies. Conclusions: There is a need for consensus on well-defined, unambiguous radiological criteria to define lumbar spinal stenosis in order to improve diagnostic accuracy and to formulate reliable inclusion criteria for clinical studies

3D planning and surgical navigation of clavicle osteosynthesis using adaptable patient-specific instruments

BACKGROUND Preoperative three-dimensional planning and intraoperative navigation by patient-specific instruments is a promising method for the exact correction of bone deformities. Nevertheless, disadvantages of current concepts are the missing options of adapting the surgical plan intraoperatively. By providing the surgeons with a controlled length adjustment through the patient-specific instruments, the application area can usefully be expanded in the treatment of clavicle osteosyntheses. METHODS In three cases, preoperative three-dimensional surgical planning with the intraoperative use of patient-specific instruments was applied. The computer-assisted assessments of clavicle deformities, the preoperative plan, and the design of patient-specific instruments were created on the basis of computed tomography data. Reduction guides for restoring length and rotation according to the mirrored healthy contralateral side were enhanced with adaptable length adjustment functions. The screw thread of the reduction guides enabled temporary distraction of the clavicle fracture fragments and a controlled compression of the optionally used interposed bone block between clavicle fragments. RESULTS Navigated clavicle osteosyntheses by enhanced patient-specific instruments was executed uneventful in all three cases. The surgeon was able to adapt clavicle length in a planned axis intraoperatively as clinically desired. CONCLUSION Computer-assisted planning of clavicle osteosynthesis and surgical navigation with additional adaptable patient-specific instruments can usefully expand the previous application areas. By using guided length adjustments, the fragments and optionally the graft can be compressed along a planned axis as desired to ensure optimal bone healing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Basic science study, Surgical technique

Triquetrum osteotomy to approach an otherwise inaccessible coronal malunion of the hamate

Fractures of the hamate are rare, and a clear treatment algorithm does not exist. Nonetheless, surgical treatment is generally recommended for displaced fractures using a dorsal approach. There is also a lack of data on hamate malunion. We present a case of a 28-year-old female with a coronal malunion of the hamate and hamate hook fracture. Because the triquetrum prevented direct access to the fracture, we planned and undertook a transtriquetral coronal osteotomy based on three-dimensional computed tomography imaging data. After removing the bone callus, reduction was possible with subsequent fixation. We recommend performing a transtriquetral osteotomy to treat an otherwise inaccessible fracture or malunion of select hamate fractures