Nonlinear ptychographic coherent diffractive imaging

Ptychographic Coherent diffractive imaging (PCDI) is a significant advance in imaging allowing the measurement of the full electric field at a sample without use of any imaging optics. So far it has been confined solely to imaging of linear optical responses. In this paper we show that because of the coherence-preserving nature of nonlinear optical interactions, PCDI can be generalised to nonlinear optical imaging. We demonstrate second harmonic generation PCDI, directly revealing phase information about the nonlinear coefficients, and showing the general applicability of PCDI to nonlinear interactions

The Effect of Biased Ligand Signaling on Cardiomyocyte Proliferation

Myocardial infarction (MI) (i.e. heart attack) is the permanent death (necrosis) of heart muscle resulting from prolonged lack of oxygen supply (ischemia) (NHLBI, 2015). Without immediate restoration of blood flow, death of heart muscle will ensue (NHLBI, 2015). Every year, more than one million Americans experience MI, and approximately half of them die (Medline Plus, 2015). Though successful return to normal activities post-infarction is highly possible, individuals are nevertheless at risk for complications due to ischemic cardiac tissue (Brown, 2015). The mammalian heart has poor regenerative capabilities – cardiomyocytes cannot proliferate; therefore, cardiac muscle does not repair itself. Recently, the notion that adult cardiomyocytes are unable to proliferate has been challenged (Bergmann, 2009). However, despite intensive research efforts, the mechanisms governing cardiomyocyte cell cycle reentry and proliferation remain unknown. The Dzau lab has recently identified a novel paracrine protein synthesized by mesenchymal stem cells, C3orf58, which they have termed hypoxia and Akt induced stem cell factor (HASF) (Beigi, 2013). Preliminary data has indicated that it harbors the capacity to promote neonatal and adult cardiomyocyte proliferation, and thereby, cardiac regeneration (Beigi, 2013). Previously, I hypothesized that HASF promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation via the CAK complex/ERK signaling pathway (Baksh, 2016). However, I observed that it was IGF-1, not HASF, that promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation via the CAK complex/AKT signaling pathway (Baksh, 2016). Therefore, the goal of this study was to delineate the molecular pathway by which IGF1-AKT-activated CAK complex promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation. IGF1-activated CDKs and cyclins were identified by incubating cells with IGF-1 for 12hr and performing Western blot analysis, probing with cyclin E1 and pCDK2 antibodies. Additionally, the AKT signaling pathway was inhibited by triciribine to assess to effect of AKT inhibition on CDK2 phosphorylation and cyclin E1 expression. IGF-1 was observed to enhance CDK2 phosphorylation via AKT stimulation and CAK activation. This finding will serve to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying cardiomyocyte cell cycle reentry, and will thus make IGF-1 a potential therapeutic candidate for myocardial repair post-infarction

PATTERN OF FARMING PRACTICES AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY ON THE LINKAGE

Agricultural development is the sine qua non for socio-economic development of a nation in general and developing countries in particular. The sustainable agriculture can be traced that it enhances the environmental quality and the resource base upon which agriculture depends. This form of agriculture is expected to provide basic human food and other major needs which are socially desirable and economically viable. This awareness has come to the centre stage of global debate as a result of degradation of natural resources and environment. The present study is an attempt to examine the farming practices in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The study is an empirical investigation based upon the data collected from the above mentioned field. The data were collected from 335 respondents of the district who were selected through multi-stage stratified random sampling method. In the first phase one developed taluk, a backward taluk, and a most backward taluk were identified. In the second phase one community development block is selected from each taluk. Third phase is the selection of five villages from each block. And at the final stage from each village 10 per cent of the farm households were selected at random. From the selected respondents the data were collected by using the tool of interview-schedule. The farming pattern of each educational group is associated with the views on advantages of cultivating traditional crop variety and the awareness of impact of chemical fertilizer on land and crops

PATTERN OF FARMING PRACTICES AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY ON THE LINKAGE

Agricultural development is the sine qua non for socio-economic development of a nation in general and developing countries in particular. The sustainable agriculture can be traced that it enhances the environmental quality and the resource base upon which agriculture depends. This form of agriculture is expected to provide basic human food and other major needs which are socially desirable and economically viable. This awareness has come to the centre stage of global debate as a result of degradation of natural resources and environment. The present study is an attempt to examine the farming practices in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The study is an empirical investigation based upon the data collected from the above mentioned field. The data were collected from 335 respondents of the district who were selected through multi-stage stratified random sampling method. In the first phase one developed taluk, a backward taluk, and a most backward taluk were identified. In the second phase one community development block is selected from each taluk. Third phase is the selection of five villages from each block. And at the final stage from each village 10 per cent of the farm households were selected at random. From the selected respondents the data were collected by using the tool of interview-schedule. The farming pattern of each educational group is associated with the views on advantages of cultivating traditional crop variety and the awareness of impact of chemical fertilizer on land and crops

Human palatine tonsil: a new potential tissue source of multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells

INTRODUCTION: Mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) are multipotent progenitor cells in adult tissues, for example, bone marrow (BM). Current challenges of clinical application of BM-derived MPCs include donor site morbidity and pain as well as low cell yields associated with an age-related decrease in cell number and differentiation potential, underscoring the need to identify alternative sources of MPCs. Recently, MPC sources have diversified; examples include adipose, placenta, umbilicus, trabecular bone, cartilage, and synovial tissue. In the present work, we report the presence of MPCs in human tonsillar tissue. ----- METHODS: We performed comparative and quantitative analyses of BM-MPCs with a subpopulation of adherent cells isolated from this lymphoid tissue, termed tonsil-derived MPCs (T-MPCs). The expression of surface markers was assessed by fluorescent-activated cell sorting analysis. Differentiation potential of T-MPCs was analyzed histochemically and by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for the expression of lineage-related marker genes. The immunosuppressive properties of MPCs were determined in vitro in mixed lymphocyte reactions. ----- RESULTS: Surface epitope analysis revealed that T-MPCs were negative for CD14, CD31, CD34, and CD45 expression and positive for CD29, CD44, CD90, and CD105 expression, a characteristic phenotype of BM-MPCs. Similar to BM-MPCs, T-MPCs could be induced to undergo adipogenic differentiation and, to a lesser extent, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. T-MPCs did not express class II major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens, and in a similar but less pronounced manner compared with BM-MPCs, T-MPCs were immunosuppressive, inhibiting the proliferation of T cells stimulated by allogeneic T cells or by non-specific mitogenic stimuli via an indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-dependent mechanism. ----- CONCLUSION: Human palatine T-MPCs represent a new source of progenitor cells, potentially applicable for cell-based therapies

Integrated weed management of medicinal plants in India

The present as well as future need is to diversify the agro-ecosystem and to minimize or overcome the bad effects of global warming and climate change. Medicinal plants survive very well in the current scheme of crop diversification in various types of agro-climatic conditions of India. Agronomists are posed with challenge of scientifically fitting most suitable medicinal plants in different ago-climatic regions. Among the losses caused by different pests in the agriculture, the weeds account for about 45% and it may be more or less equal in the case of medicinal plants. Integrated weed management increases the factor productivity, income of the farmer, quality of produce and is eco-friendly in nature. By taking examples of two important medicinal plants viz. Satawar (Asparagus racemosus Willd.) and Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees.), the present review discusses the different methods of weed management and how they may be integrated to develop new paradigm as an integrated weed management

Cognitive-behaviour therapy for post-traumatic stress in schizophrenia: a randomised controlled trial

Background. There is limited evidence for effective interventions in the treatment of posttraumatic stress symptoms within individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Clinicians have concerns about using exposure treatments with this patient group. The current trial was designed to evaluate a 16-session cognitive restructuring programme, without direct exposure, for the treatment of posttraumatic stress symptoms specifically within individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Method. A multicentre randomized controlled single-blinded trial with assessments at 0 months, 6-months (post-treatment) and 12 months (follow-up) was conducted. Sixty-one participants diagnosed with schizophrenia and exhibiting posttraumatic stress symptoms were recruited. Those randomized to treatment were offered up to 16 sessions of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT, including psychoeducation, breathing training and cognitive restructuring) over a 6-month period, with the control group offered routine clinical services. The main outcome was blind rating of posttraumatic stress symptoms using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for Schizophrenia (CAPS-S). Secondary outcomes were psychotic symptoms as measured by the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS). Results. Both the treatment and control groups experienced a significant decrease in posttraumatic stress symptoms over time but there was no effect of the addition of CBT on either the primary or secondary outcomes. Conclusions. The current trial did not demonstrate any effect in favour of CBT. Cognitive restructuring programmes may require further adaptation to promote emotional processing of traumatic memories within people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder