Generation, characterization and application of atmospheric pressure plasma jet

The development of a non-thermal plasma jet with a capillary configuration working at atmospheric pressure is reported in this paper. The plasma jet is powered by a power source with frequency of several kilohertz. The working gas is argon. The plasma obtained has been characterized by optical emission spectroscopic measurements and electrical measurements of the discharge using voltage and current probes. The electron temperature has been estimated by using the modified Boltzmann plot method utilizing the Ar 4p-4s transition. The electron temperatures at various positions along the plasma jet length have been obtained and it is found that the electron temperature decreases at position further from orifice. The electron density has been estimated from current and voltage measurements using the power balance method. The effects of gas flow rate, applied voltage and frequency on the characteristics of the plasma jet have also been investigated. The applications of the atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) developed to modify the surface properties of Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) have been tested. Our results showed that the atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma jet can be effectively used to enhance the surface wettability and surface energy of the PET and PC. The plasma jet has also been tested for inactivation of prokaryotic cells (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus). In the case of E. coli, better than 4 log10 reduction can be achieved. The effect of plasma jet on the pH of cell culture medium has suggested that the plasma species, particularly the electrons, are solely responsible for the effect of inactivation of living cells

A role for Ifit2 in restricting west nile virus infection in the brain

Previous studies have demonstrated that type I interferon (IFN-I) restricts West Nile virus (WNV) replication and pathogenesis in peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) tissues. However, the in vivo role of specific antiviral genes that are induced by IFN-I against WNV infection remains less well characterized. Here, using Ifit2(−/−) mice, we defined the antiviral function of the interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) Ifit2 in limiting infection and disease in vivo by a virulent North American strain of WNV. Compared to congenic wild-type controls, Ifit2(−/−) mice showed enhanced WNV infection in a tissue-restricted manner, with preferential replication in the CNS of animals lacking Ifit2. Virological analysis of cultured macrophages, dendritic cells, fibroblasts, cerebellar granule cell neurons, and cortical neurons revealed cell type-specific antiviral functions of Ifit2 against WNV. In comparison, small effects of Ifit2 were observed on the induction or magnitude of innate or adaptive immune responses. Our results suggest that Ifit2 restricts WNV infection and pathogenesis in different tissues in a cell type-specific manner

Formulation and Characterization of Phytostanol Ester Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for the Management of Hypercholesterolemia: An ex vivo Study.

Background: Phytostanols are naturally occurring compounds that reduce blood cholesterol levels significantly. However, their aqueous insolubility poses formulation challenges. Aim: To formulate and characterize solid lipid nanoparticle carriers for phytostanol esters to enhance the bioavailability of phytostanols. Methods: Phytostanol ester solid lipid nanoparticles were formulated by the microemulsion method. They were characterized for particle size distribution, polydispersity index, shape, surface charge, entrapment efficiency, stability, chemical structure, and thermal properties. The uptake of the formulation by cell lines, HepG2 and HT-29, and its effect on cell viability were evaluated. Results: The formulation of solid lipid nanoparticles was successfully optimised by varying the type of lipids and their concentration relative to that of surfactants in the present study. The optimised formulation had an average diameter of (171 ± 9) nm, a negative surface charge of (− 23.0 ± 0.8) mV and was generally spherical in shape. We report high levels of drug entrapment at (89 ± 5)% in amorphous form, drug loading of (9.1 ± 0.5)%, nanoparticle yield of (67 ± 4)% and drug excipient compatibility. The biological safety and uptake of the formulations were demonstrated on hepatic and intestinal cell lines. Conclusion: Phytostanol ester solid lipid nanoparticles were successfully formulated and characterized. The formulation has the potential to provide an innovative drug delivery system for phytostanols which reduce cholesterol and have a potentially ideal safety profile. This can contribute to better management of one of the main risk factors of cardiovascular disease

Grain Yield Stability of Early Maize Genotypes

The objective of this study was to estimate grain yield stability of early maize genotypes. Five early maize genotypes namely Pool-17, Arun1EV, Arun-4, Arun-2 and Farmer's variety were evaluated using Randomized Complete Block Design along with three replications at four different locations namely Rampur, Rajahar, Pakhribas and Kabre districts of Nepal during summer seasons of three consecutive years from 2010 to 2012 under farmer's fields. Genotype and genotype × environment (GGE) biplot was used to identify superior genotype for grain yield and stability pattern. The genotypes Arun-1 EV and Arun-4 were better adapted for Kabre and Pakhribas where as pool-17 for Rajahar environments. The overall findings showed that Arun-1EV was more stable followed by Arun-2 therefore these two varieties can be recommended to farmers for cultivation in both environments

Assessing placement of nasoduodenal tube and its usefulness in maintaining nutrition in critically ill patients

ABSTRACT Nutritional supplements to the critically ill patients are one of the major issues to be discussed. Enteric feeding is advantageous over parentral feeding because it maintains gut integrity and prevents bacterial translocation. Small intestinal feeding shows significant beneficial results. Nasoduodenal tube placement and its confirmation by serial pH monitoring and by radiological examination was done; and time taken to reach duodenum was assessed. This study was done in 40 critically ill patients, who were divided into two groups (group 1 and Group2). Early enteric feeding via a nasoduodenal tube was found to be preferable with parentral therapy when there are no contraindications. Advantages of nasoduodenal tube feeding in critical ill patients were that feeding can be continued even in the absence of bowel sounds and passage of flatus. Insignificant complications were noted

Genome-wide association study and QTL mapping reveal genomic loci associated with Fusarium ear rot resistance in tropical maize germplasm

Published online: 14 October 2016; Open Access JournalFusarium ear rot (FER) incited by Fusarium verticillioides is a major disease of maize that reduces grain quality globally. Host resistance is the most suitable strategy for managing the disease. We report the results of genome-wide association study (GWAS) to detect alleles associated with increased resistance to FER in a set of 818 tropical maize inbred lines evaluated in three environments. Association tests performed using 43,424 single-nucleotide polymorphic (SNPs) markers identified 45 SNPs and 15 haplotypes that were significantly associated with FER resistance. Each associated SNP locus had relatively small additive effects on disease resistance and accounted for 1% to 4% of trait variation. These SNPs and haplotypes were located within or adjacent to 38 candidate genes, 21 of which were candidate genes associated with plant tolerance to stresses, including disease resistance. Linkage mapping in four bi-parental populations to validate GWAS results identified 15 quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with F. verticillioides resistance. Integration of GWAS and QTL to the maize physical map showed eight co-located loci on Chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 10. QTL on chromosomes 2 and 9 are new. These results reveal that FER resistance is a complex trait that is conditioned by multiple genes with minor effects. The value of selection on identified markers for improving FER resistance is limited; rather, selection to combine small effect resistance alleles combined with genomic selection for polygenic background for both the target and general adaptation traits might be fruitful for increasing FER resistance in maize

Prevalence Study of H. pylori infection in Dyspeptic patients coming to Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital, Jorpati, Kathmandu

ABSTRACT Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common human infections worldwide particularly in the developing countries. It has been established as etiology of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosal associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT). During this decade, there have been some reports showing a decline in global prevalence of H. pylori infection and peptic diseases including many Asian countries. Hence to determine prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in dyspeptic patients, this descriptive, non-interventional study was carried out at the Endoscopy sub-unit of the Surgery Department from April 2011 to February 2012. Three hundred nineteen dyspeptic patients (Male 161 and female 152) with a mean age of 20.12 years were examined for the presence of H. pylori infection by histology staining. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 50.47%. The most common endoscopic fi ndings was gastritis (47.6%) followed by normal fi ndings 57 (17.87%). A total of 8.47% of gastric Ulcer, oesophagitis 5.64% and gastric cancer 0.94% were detected. All three cases of gastric cancer were positive for H. pylori infection. Among gastritis, H. pylori was observed in 67 (44%) cases and 18 out of 57 (5.6 %) of normal gastric mucosa showed H. pylori. The endoscopic fi ndings such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and gastro duodenal refl ux are signifi cantly associated with H pyloric infection. The prevalence of H. pylori infection is still high in peptic diseases. H pylori infection is signifi cantly correlated with peptic ulcer diseases than with non-ulcer dyspepsia. Further studies are required to establish the H. pylori positive cases with that of other tests such as serological detection of anti H. pylori antibody by ELISA/ICT and culture to establish a diagnosis quickly without any invasive method and institute proper management thus reducing morbidity