Stability analysis in linseed (Linum usitatissimum) varieties

A study was conducted during winter season (rabi) 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 under different agro climatic conditions to test the stability of improved and high yielding varieties of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.). Analysis of variance on 13 characters was carried out individually as well as pooled over the years and locations. Kanpur location was relatively better for wider range and higher mean for all the characters except 1000-seed weight. Genotype × environment interaction was significant for plant height, number of tillers/plant, number of branches/plant, days to maturity, number of seeds/capsule, 1000-seed weight, harvest index, iodine value along with seed yield/plant. G × E (linear) was also significant for all these 7 traits and early growth vigour indicating substantial amount of predictable G × E interaction. All 10 genotypes tested for 3 stability parameters, viz. mean, bi and S2di. Out of all the genotypes, the genotypes Garima, Neelum, Gaurav, Laxmi 27 and T 397 were identified to be high yielding and stable. Genotypes, viz. Garima, Neelum, Gaurav, Laxmi 27 and T 397 may be included in any breeding programme to develop high yielding stable genotypes over the environments. Direct selection in the segregating generations of such parents for 1000-seed weight, number of tillers per plant along with simultaneous selection for number of branches per plant will be responsive for improvement of seed yield/plant

How promising are endophytic fungi as alternative sources of plant secondary metabolites?

In this article the authors discusses the use of endophytic fungi as substitute of plant secondary metabolites. It states that endophytic fungi exist internally in plants and enhance the plants' ability to tolerate abiotic and biotic stresses. Endophytic fungi if cultured outside their host can produce secondary metabolites such as anti-cancer, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic and immunosuppressant compounds

Combating antimicrobial resistance in Singapore: a qualitative study exploring the policy context, challenges, facilitators, and proposed strategies

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat that warrants urgent attention. However, the multifaceted nature of AMR often complicates the development and implementation of comprehensive policies. In this study, we describe the policy context and explore experts' perspectives on the challenges, facilitators, and strategies for combating AMR in Singapore. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 participants. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and were analyzed thematically, adopting an interpretative approach. Participants reported that the Ministry of Health (MOH) has effectively funded AMR control programs and research in all public hospitals. In addition, a preexisting One Health platform, among MOH, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (restructured to form the Singapore Food Agency and the Animal & Veterinary Service under NParks in April 2019), National Environment Agency, and Singapore's National Water Agency, was perceived to have facilitated the coordination and formulation of Singapore's AMR strategies. Nonetheless, participants highlighted that the success of AMR strategies is compounded by various challenges such as surveillance in private clinics, resource constraints at community-level health facilities, sub-optimal public awareness, patchy regulation on antimicrobial use in animals, and environmental contamination. This study shows that the process of planning and executing AMR policies is complicated even in a well-resourced country such as Singapore. It has also highlighted the increasing need to address the social, political, cultural, and behavioral aspects influencing AMR. Ultimately, it will be difficult to design policy interventions that cater for the needs of individuals, families, and the community, unless we understand how all these aspects interact and shape the AMR response.This research is funded through the CoSTAR-HS and SPHERiC Collaborative Center Grants from the National Medical Research Council, Singapore

\u3ci\u3eStaphylococcus aureus\u3c/i\u3e Hyaluronidase Is a CodY-Regulated Virulence Factor

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogen that causes a diverse range of bacterial infections. Invasive S. aureus strains secrete an extensive arsenal of hemolysins, immunomodulators, and exoenzymes to cause disease. Our studies have focused on the secreted enzyme hyaluronidase (HysA), which cleaves the hyaluronic acid polymer at the β-1,4 glycosidic bond. In the study described in this report, we have investigated the regulation and contribution of this enzyme to S. aureus pathogenesis. Using the Nebraska Transposon Mutant Library (NTML), we identified eight insertions that modulate extracellular levels of HysA activity. Insertions in the sigB operon, as well as in genes encoding the global regulators SarA and CodY, significantly increased HysA protein levels and activity. By altering the availability of branched-chain amino acids, we further demonstrated CodY-dependent repression of HysA activity. Additionally, through mutation of the CodY binding box upstream of hysA, the repression of HysA production was lost, suggesting that CodY is a direct repressor of hysA expression. To determine whether HysA is a virulence factor, a ΔhysA mutant of a community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) USA300 strain was constructed and found to be attenuated in a neutropenic, murine model of pulmonary infection. Mice infected with this mutant strain exhibited a 4-log-unit reduction in bacterial burden in their lungs, as well as reduced lung pathology and increased levels of pulmonary hyaluronic acid, compared to mice infected with the wild-type, parent strain. Taken together, these results indicate that S. aureus hyaluronidase is a CodY-regulated virulence factor

Cross genera amplification of ginger EST-SSRs in large cardamom using genomic DNA isolated from standardized simplified protocol

323-330Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is one of the most important cash crops of Sikkim. The issues crippling its production have been largely addressed through improved agronomic practices but efforts for genetic improvement have not been made. Being an orphan crop with regard to its genomic resources, the present study was carried out to standardize DNA isolation protocol for large cardamom using minimal resources and cross amplification of ginger expressed sequence tag (EST) based simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in large cardamom. The DNA isolation protocol was standardized through various modifications in the general cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) procedure. The DNA isolated through standardized protocol was of high quality confirmed through both electrophoretic (clear and intact bands) and spectrophotometric studies (A260/A280 ratio 1.68 to 1.97). The isolated DNA of all the six large cardamom samples was employed for PCR studies with 73 EST-SSR primers of ginger, out of which 18 showed cross amplification. Out of 18 primers, only 5 exhibited polymorphism showing maximum of 2 alleles per locus. In total, the PIC ranged from 0 to 0.63. A total of  23 alleles were amplified with average of 1.3 alleles per marker. A null allele marker was also observed. The results indicated low cross amplification rate (24.6%).  DNA isolation protocol standardized in the study can be used across labs for extraction of quality DNA with minimal resources and primers showed cross-amplification may be further used for various molecular studies in large cardamoms

Duration and determinants of delayed tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment in high-burden countries: a mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Thirty countries with the highest tuberculosis (TB) burden bear 87% of the world's TB cases. Delayed diagnosis and treatment are detrimental to TB prognosis and sustain TB transmission in the community, making TB elimination a great challenge, especially in these countries. Our objective was to elucidate the duration and determinants of delayed diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary TB in high TB-burden countries. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative and qualitative studies by searching four databases for literature published between 2008 and 2018 following PRISMA guidelines. We performed a narrative synthesis of the covariates significantly associated with patient, health system, treatment, and total delays. The pooled median duration of delay and effect sizes of covariates were estimated using random-effects meta-analyses. We identified key qualitative themes using thematic analysis. RESULTS: This review included 124 articles from 14 low- and lower-middle-income countries (LIC and LMIC) and five upper-middle-income countries (UMIC). The pooled median duration of delays (in days) were-patient delay (LIC/LMIC: 28 (95% CI 20-30); UMIC: 10 (95% CI 10-20), health system delay (LIC/LMIC: 14 (95% CI 2-28); UMIC: 4 (95% CI 2-4), and treatment delay (LIC/LMIC: 14 (95% CI 3-84); UMIC: 0 (95% CI 0-1). There was consistent evidence that being female and rural residence was associated with longer patient delay. Patient delay was also associated with other individual, interpersonal, and community risk factors such as poor TB knowledge, long chains of care-seeking through private/multiple providers, perceived stigma, financial insecurities, and poor access to healthcare. Organizational and policy factors mediated health system and treatment delays. These factors included the lack of resources and complex administrative procedures and systems at the health facilities. We identified data gaps in 11 high-burden countries. CONCLUSIONS: This review presented the duration of delays and detailed the determinants of delayed TB diagnosis and treatment in high-burden countries. The gaps identified could be addressed through tailored approaches, education, and at a higher level, through health system strengthening and provision of universal health coverage to reduce delays and improve access to TB diagnosis and care. PROSPERO registration: CRD42018107237

POGZ Is Required for Silencing Mouse Embryonic β-like Hemoglobin and Human Fetal Hemoglobin Expression

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked FilesFetal globin genes are transcriptionally silenced during embryogenesis through hemoglobin switching. Strategies to derepress fetal globin expression in the adult could alleviate symptoms in sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia. We identified a zinc-finger protein, pogo transposable element with zinc-finger domain (POGZ), expressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells. Targeted deletion of Pogz in adult hematopoietic cells in vivo results in persistence of embryonic β-like globin expression without affecting erythroid development. POGZ binds to the Bcl11a promoter and erythroid-specific intragenic regulatory regions. Pogz+/- mice show elevated embryonic β-like globin expression, suggesting that partial reduction of Pogz expression results in persistence of embryonic β-like globin expression. Knockdown of POGZ in primary human CD34+ progenitor cell-derived erythroblasts reduces BCL11A expression, a known repressor of embryonic β-like globin expression, and increases fetal hemoglobin expression. These findings are significant, since new therapeutic targets and strategies are needed to treat β-globin disorders.Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, NIH intramural research program of the NHLBI, NIH intramural research program of the NIDDK, NIH USUH

A triple action CDK4/6-PI3K-BET inhibitor with augmented cancer cell cytotoxicity

National Institutes of Health GM125195, GM135671, CA192656, FD00511