Dengue outbreak in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh: Entomological investigation and community awareness

Dengue is the most common arboviral infection worldwide. This study aimed to determine the entomological and community-related factors involved in dengue spread during the outbreak in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, 2018. This was a cross-sectional study. The household survey was done to find out the vector responsible for disease transmission and favourable breeding containers. Susceptibility of larvae towards the larvicide being used was carried out. A questionnaire-based survey was undertaken to find out the awareness of residents in the area towards dengue. House index, Container index, and Breteau index were 92.31, 33.14 and 123.34, respectively. Larvae were susceptible to the larvicide being used by the local health department. A high number of wet containers available were contributing to high vector breeding. Community awareness was low in the affected area. Water storage practices and conducive climatic conditions lead to increased vector breeding

Iskorištavanje hrane, metaboliti u krvi i ponašanje pri unosu hrane u teladi sahival pasmina odabrane s obzirom na visoki ili niski ostatni unos hrane

This study aimed to evaluate differences in feed utilization between low and high residual feed intake (RFI) in Sahiwal calves by comparing performance, ingestive behavior and blood metabolites. Eighteen, growing, female Sahiwal calves (aged 10-14 months; body weight (BW) 100-125 kg) were fed ad libitum on a total mixed ration for 90 d. RFI varied from -0.53 to 0.40 kg dry matter (DM)/d with a mean RFI of -0.27 to 0.17 kg DM/d in low and high RFI Sahiwal calves, respectively. Calves with low RFI consumed 26% less DM and required 35% less metabolizable energy for body maintenance (MEm) compared to high RFI, yet gained at a similar rate. Low RFI calves digest feed more efficiently than less efficient calves. Conventional efficiency measures also showed better efficiency in low RFI than high RFI calves. Low RFI calves spent less time in feeding, rumination, and chewing. Higher plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), growth hormone (GH), and creatinine, and lower concentrations of albumin, plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), and triglycerides were observed in the low RFI group than the high RFI group. However, plasma total protein, glucose, cholesterol, non esterified fatty acid (NEFA), beta-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) concentrations were similar in both groups. In summary, low RFI calves utilized feed more efficiently by spending less time and energy in feeding, and the variability in blood metabolites might be due to differences in body metabolism.Ovo istraživanje imalo je za cilj, na temelju proizvodnje, ponašanja kod unosa hrane i metabolita u krvi, procijeniti razlike u iskorištavanju hrane između sahival teladi s niskim ostatnim unosom hrane i visokim ostatnim unosom hrane (Residual Feed Intake - RFI). Osamnaest sahival teladi ženskog spola (u dobi od 10 do -14 mjeseci i tjelesnoj masi od 100 do 125 kg) hranjeno je 90 dana, ad libitum, kompletnim mješovitim obrokom. Ostatni unos hrane kretao se od -0,53 do 0,40 kg suhe tvari/d, sa srednjom vrijednošću od -0,27 kod sahival teladi s niskim ostatnim unosom i srednjom vrijednošću od 0,17 kg kod sahival teladi visokim ostatnim unosom hrane. Iako je telad s niskim ostatnim unosom hrane u odnosu na onu s visokim ostatnim unosom hrane konzumirala 26% manje suhe tvari i zahtijevala 35 % manje uzdržne energije za metabolizam tijela, prirast obje skupne teladi kretao se po sličnoj stopi. Telad s niskim ostatnim unosom hrane imala je učinkovitiju hranidbu što su pokazali i standarni pokazatelji prema kojima je ta telad provela hranidbu u kraćem vremenu, uz kraće žvakanje i preživanje. U usporedbi s teladi koja ima viši ostatni unos hrane, telad s niskim ostatnim unosom hrane imala je u plazmi veće koncentracije inzulinu-sličnog faktora rasta-1 (IGF-1), hormona rasta (GH) i kreatinina, te niže koncentracije albumina, dušika iz ureje i triglicerida. Koncentracije ukupnih proteina, glukoze, kolesterola, neesterificirane masne kiseline (NEFA), betahidroksi maslačne kiseline (BHBA), kalcija (Ca) i fosfora (P) bile su slične u obje skupine teladi. Sažeto, telad s niskim ostatnim unosom hrane iskorištavala je hranu učinkovitije, provodeći kraće vrijeme i trošeći manje energije prilikom hranjenja, a varijacije metabolita u krvi mogle bi biti posljedica razlika u metabolizmu

Influence of hot water treatment on nutritional quality attributes of cold stored apple (Malus × domestica)

The present study was carried out at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 2021–2023 to study the effect of postharvest hot water treatment (HWT) on the nutritional quality attributes of apple [Malus × domestica Borkh.] cv. Royal Delicious. Apple fruits were exposed to hot water at 48, 50, 52 and 54°C for 2, 3, 4 and 5 min. Following the treatment, the fruits were cold stored (2±1°C, 90–95% relative humidity) for 90 days and evaluated for quality changes at every 15 days interval. Our results revealed that HWT of apple fruits at 48°C and 50°C were best for optimum retention of nutritional quality of apple fruits. Exposure of fruits to HWT at 48°C/5 min and 50°C/2 min resulted in least (0.73%, 0.75%) loss of ascorbic acid and anthocyanin content (0.10%, 0.21%), respectively as compared to other temperature-time combinations. At the end of a three month storage period, under control treatment, fruits exhibited 9.56% reduction of antioxidant (AOX) activity in comparison to 0.17–2.21% reduction in HWT apples. The maximum loss in quality attributes was noticed at highest temperature-time exposure (54°C/5 min). Thus, it was observed that the right combination of temperature and time for HWT is crucial to maintain fruit quality attributes without compromising nutritional value

Agricultural bio-waste recycling through efficient microbial consortia

In India and other countries, rice straw, a byproduct of rice production, is burned in enormous amounts, which contributes to environmental pollution and climate change by releasing greenhouse gases viz., CO2, N2O, CH4, into the atmosphere. This study aimed to accelerate the degradation of this enormous amount of agricultural biomass via microbial inoculants. Four treatments—rice straw (RS), rice straw plus water (RSW), rice straw plus water plus Pusa decomposer (RSWF), and rice straw plus water plus Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) biomineralizer (RSWB) were used in the current investigation. The study's findings demonstrated that rice straw treated with microorganisms decomposed more quickly than RS and RSW treatments. According to EDAX spectra of elemental composition, the carbon content of rice straw in the RS, RSW, RSWF, and RSWB treatments was 33.66%, 29.75%, 13.33%, and 20.65% w/w, respectively. The RSWF treatment of rice straw was found to have the highest nitrogen concentration (0.64% w/w), followed by RSWB (0.61% w/w), RSW (0.45%) w/w, and RS (0.43% w/w). Treatments RSWF and RSWB had lower C/N ratios 20.83, and 33.85, respectively, than that RSW (66.11) and RS (78.28). The RSWF and RSWB treatments' porous, distorted, and rough surface structures provided further evidence that both microbial consortia could decompose rice straw more quickly than the RSW and RS treatments. Therefore, the results of this study imply that rice straw could be added to the soil to improve soil fertility for sustainable crop production rather than being burned

Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Reductase-2 Promotes Colorectal Carcinogenesis by Modulating Microtubule-Associated Serine/Threonine Kinase-like/Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

Background: Despite significant progress in clinical management, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. A positive association between PYCR2 (pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase-2), a terminal enzyme of proline metabolism, and CRC aggressiveness was recently reported. However, how PYCR2 promotes colon carcinogenesis remains ill understood. Methods: A comprehensive analysis was performed using publicly available cancer databases and CRC patient cohorts. Proteomics and biochemical evaluations were performed along with genetic manipulations and in vivo tumor growth assays to gain a mechanistic understanding. Results: PYCR2 expression was significantly upregulated in CRC and associated with poor patient survival, specifically among PYCR isoforms (PYCR1, 2, and 3). The genetic inhibition of PYCR2 inhibited the tumorigenic abilities of CRC cells and in vivo tumor growth. Coinciding with these observations was a significant decrease in cellular proline content. PYCR2 overexpression promoted the tumorigenic abilities of CRC cells. Proteomics (LC-MS/MS) analysis further demonstrated that PYCR2 loss of expression in CRC cells inhibits survival and cell cycle pathways. A subsequent biochemical analysis supported the causal role of PYCR2 in regulating CRC cell survival and the cell cycle, potentially by regulating the expression of MASTL, a cell-cycle-regulating protein upregulated in CRC. Further studies revealed that PYCR2 regulates Wnt/β-catenin-signaling in manners dependent on the expression of MASTL and the cancer stem cell niche. Conclusions: PYCR2 promotes MASTL/Wnt/β-catenin signaling that, in turn, promotes cancer stem cell populations and, thus, colon carcinogenesis. Taken together, our data highlight the significance of PYCR2 as a novel therapeutic target for effectively treating aggressive colon cancer

Standardization of protocol for in vitro multiplication of rose (Rosa × hybrida) cv. Happiness

An efficient protocol for in vitro multiplication of Rosa × hybrida L. cv. Happiness was standardized using axillary bud segments. Out of different pre treatments for explants, the highest explant survival (80.25%) was obtained with T1 pre-treatment comprising 0.2% Carbendazim + 0.2% Mancozeb-45 +150 mg/l 8-HQC for 4 hragitation on a horizontal shaker (200 rpm). Sucrose concentration of 30g/l in the medium was found to be optimum for in vitro shoot multiplication. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/l BAP + 5.0 mg/l kinetin + 0.1 mg/l NAA + 0.5 mg/l GA3 was found most effective for culture establishment, however, MS medium comprising 2.5 mg/l BAP + 2.5 mg/l kinetin + 0.1mg/l NAA+ 0.5mg/l GA3 along with 40 mg/l adenine sulphate was found to be better for shoot proliferation with highest number of micro shoots (7.10 shoots/explant). Rooting of micro shoots was induced on half strength MS basal medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg/l) and IBA (0.5 mg/l) rooting growth regulators. The regenerated plantlets were efficiently hardened in glass jars filled with coco peat + vermiculite + perlite (2:1:1) moistened with half strength MS medium salts and covered with polypropylene lids, thereafter, plants were successfully transferred to the glasshouse with good survival

Lignin Residue-Derived Carbon-Supported Nanoscale Iron Catalyst for the Selective Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes and Aromatic Aldehydes

Heterogeneous iron-based catalysts governing selectivity for the reduction of nitroarenes and aldehydes have received tremendous attention in the arena of catalysis, but relatively less success has been achieved. Herein, we report a green strategy for the facile synthesis of a lignin residue-derived carbon-supported magnetic iron (γ-Fe2O3/LRC-700) nanocatalyst. This active nanocatalyst exhibits excellent activity and selectivity for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes to anilines, including pharmaceuticals (e.g., flutamide and nimesulide). Challenging and reducible functionalities such as halogens (e.g., chloro, iodo, and fluoro) and ketone, ester, and amide groups were tolerated. Moreover, biomass-derived aldehyde (e.g., furfural) and other aromatic aldehydes were also effective for the hydrogenation process, often useful in biomedical sciences and other important areas. Before and after the reaction, the γ-Fe2O3/LRC-700 nanocatalyst was thoroughly characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2adsorption-desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Additionally, the γ-Fe2O3/LRC-700 nanocatalyst is stable and easily separated using an external magnet and recycled up to five cycles with no substantial drop in the activity. Eventually, sustainable and green credentials for the hydrogenation reactions of 4-nitrobenzamide to 4-aminobenzamide and benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol were assessed with the help of the CHEM21 green metrics toolkit. © 2022 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved