Screening of efficient rhizobacteria associated with cauliflower (Brassica oleraceavar. botrytis L.) for plant growth promoting traits

In the current study, a total of 25 isolates were isolated from the rhizosphere and roots of cauliflower (Brassica oleraceavar. botrytis L.) from the vicinity of Una district of Himachal Pradesh. The isolates were tested in vitro for their ability to solubilise phosphorous and produce siderophore, indole acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and antifungal metabolites against the soil borne pathogens. Results revealed that out of 25, only 4 rhizospheric isolates (SB5, SB11, SB8 and SB10) have maximum plant growth promoting attributes. The isolates were identified as Bacillus sp. on the basis of Bergey’s manual of systematic bacteriology. The isolate SB11 recorded highest phosphate solubilizing efficiency in solid medium (109.09%) and in liquid medium (350?g/ml). Maximum production of IAA (51.96?g/ml), siderophore (91.41%) and HCN were also observed for the same isolate. Further-more, the isolate SB11 produced highest antifungal metabolite production against Rhizoctoniasolani(37.11%), Sclerotiniasclerotiorum(41.11%), and Pythium sp. (71.11%) causing root rot, stalk rot and damping off diseases in cauliflower, respectively. The selected isolate (SB11) showed optimum growth at a pH of 7.0, 35°C temperature and 2% NaCl. On the basis of multifarious PGP-traits the SB11 isolate has tremendous potential to be used as a bioferti-lizer/bioprotectant for growth promotion and natural protection of cauliflower under low hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Deciphering the Role of the Barr Body in Malignancy: An insight into head and neck cancer

X chromosome inactivation is the epitome of epigenetic regulation and long non-coding ribonucleic acid function. The differentiation status of cells has been ascribed to X chromosome activity, with two active X chromosomes generally only observed in undifferentiated or poorly differentiated cells. Recently, several studies have indicated that the reactivation of an inactive X chromosome or X chromosome multiplication correlates with the development of malignancy; however, this concept is still controversial. This review sought to shed light on the role of the X chromosome in cancer development. In particular, there is a need for further exploration of the expression patterns of X-linked genes in cancer cells, especially those in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), in order to identify different prognostic subpopulations with distinct clinical implications. This article proposes a functional relationship between the loss of the Barr body and the disproportional expression of X-linked genes in HNSCC development

Deciphering the Role of the Barr Body in Malignancy: An insight into head and neck cancer

X chromosome inactivation is the epitome of epigenetic regulation and long non-coding ribonucleic acid function. The differentiation status of cells has been ascribed to X chromosome activity, with two active X chromosomes generally only observed in undifferentiated or poorly differentiated cells. Recently, several studies have indicated that the reactivation of an inactive X chromosome or X chromosome multiplication correlates with the development of malignancy; however, this concept is still controversial. This review sought to shed light on the role of the X chromosome in cancer development. In particular, there is a need for further exploration of the expression patterns of X-linked genes in cancer cells, especially those in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), in order to identify different prognostic subpopulations with distinct clinical implications. This article proposes a functional relationship between the loss of the Barr body and the disproportional expression of X-linked genes in HNSCC development

The Brain-Specific Beta4 Subunit Downregulates BK Channel Cell Surface Expression

The large-conductance K+ channel (BK channel) can control neural excitability, and enhanced channel currents facilitate high firing rates in cortical neurons. The brain-specific auxiliary subunit β4 alters channel Ca++- and voltage-sensitivity, and β4 knock-out animals exhibit spontaneous seizures. Here we investigate β4's effect on BK channel trafficking to the plasma membrane. Using a novel genetic tag to track the cellular location of the pore-forming BKα subunit in living cells, we find that β4 expression profoundly reduces surface localization of BK channels via a C-terminal ER retention sequence. In hippocampal CA3 neurons from C57BL/6 mice with endogenously high β4 expression, whole-cell BK channel currents display none of the characteristic properties of BKα+β4 channels observed in heterologous cells. Finally, β4 knock-out animals exhibit a 2.5-fold increase in whole-cell BK channel current, indicating that β4 also regulates current magnitude in vivo. Thus, we propose that a major function of the brain-specific β4 subunit in CA3 neurons is control of surface trafficking

Awareness of myopia amongst parents of school going children in a survey done in a tertiary care centre in Vidarbha region

Background: There is a increase in prevalence and burden of myopia in India, hence extent of myopia awareness among Indian parents is required to prepare future public health initiatives and interventions. Hence a survey was conducted. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the level of myopia awareness among a group of parents based in Vidarbha region of India. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey, 150 parents with at least one child under the age of 16 years participated in the study. Age, gender, educational qualification and number of children were asked, the amount of time a child spends on his device, the acceptable distance between the eyes and device screen, the preventive measures of myopia and awareness of symptoms of myopia in their children were collected via a written questionnaire. Results: Eighty-three participants (55.33%) thought that the safe distance between device screen and eyes was less than 30cms. Fifteen 10% (15/150) participants were aware that outdoor activity and natural light has a preventive effect on myopia and onset and progression

Lichenoid tissue reaction/interface dermatitis: Recognition, classification, etiology, and clinicopathological overtones

Lichenoid tissue reaction or interface dermatitis embrace several clinical conditions, the prototype of which is lichen planus and its variants, drug induced lichenoid dermatitis, special forms of lichenoid dermatitis, lichenoid dermatitis in lupus erythematosus, and miscellaneous disorders showing lichenoid dermatitis, the salient clinical and histological features of which are described to facilitate their diagnosis. Background of lichenoid reaction pattern has been briefly outlined to enlighten those interested in this entity

Impact of different levels of caries experience on the quality of life of preschool children and their families in Pimpri, Pune: A cross-sectional study

Background: As per WHO, it is important to measure quality of life indictors along with the clinical disease measurement. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of different levels of caries experience on the quality of life of preschool children and their families assessed using the Marathi Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Materials and Methods: The Marathi version of ECOHIS was developed through a standard translation and back translation procedure. A total of 145 preschool children underwent an oral examination, and their caries experience was recorded (decayed, missing, and filled teeth [dmft]) and their parents filled the Marathi ECOHIS questionnaire. The overall ECOHIS score was calculated for each child. Based on the dmft scores, three groups were made (0, 1–3, >3). Impact was assessed by comparing the mean Marathi ECOHIS scores of the three dmft groups using Kruskal–Wallis test with post hoc analysis at 5% level of significance. Results: The overall prevalence of dental caries in the present study was 73.10%. Mean dmft was 3.16 ± 3.61. The overall child impact ECOHIS score was 7.54 ± 8.40, and family impact score was 2.50 ± 3.33. The child impact and family impact ECOHIS score significantly differed in the three dmft groups (P 0, significantly had higher child impact and family impact score as compared to those with dmft = 0. However, there was no difference in the scores between dmft 1 and 3 and dmft >3. Conclusion: This study showed that the Marathi ECOHIS significantly discriminates amongst children with and without caries but does not differentiate between children with lower dmft (1–3) and higher dmft (>3) levels

A seizure-induced gain-of-function in BK channels is associated with elevated firing activity in neocortical pyramidal neurons.

A heritable gain-of-function in BK channel activity has been associated with spontaneous seizures in both rodents and humans. We find that chemoconvulsant-induced seizures induce a gain-of-function in BK channel current that is associated with abnormal, elevated network excitability. Action potential half-width, evoked firing rate, and spontaneous network activity in vitro were all altered 24 h following picrotoxin-induced seizures in layer 2/3 pyramidal cells in the neocortex of young mice (P13-P16). Action potential half-width and firing output could be normalized to control values by application of BK channel antagonists in vitro. Thus, both inherited and acquired BK channel gain-of-functions are linked to abnormal excitability. Because BK channel antagonists can reduce elevated firing activity in neocortical neurons, BK channels might serve as a new target for anticonvulsant therapy.</p

Awareness of Myopia Amongst Parents of School Going Children in A Survey Done in A Tertiary Care Centre in Vidarbha Region

Background: There is a increase in prevalence and burden of myopia in India, hence extent of myopia awareness among Indian parents is required to prepare future public health initiatives and interventions. Hence a survey was conducted.&nbsp;Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the level of myopia awareness among a group of parents based in Vidarbha region of India. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey, 150 parents with at least one child under the age of 16 years participated in the study. Age, gender, educational qualification and number of children were asked, the amount of time a child spends on his device, the acceptable distance between the eyes and device screen, the preventive measures of myopia and awareness of symptoms of myopia in their children were collected via a written questionnaire. Results: Eighty-three participants (55.33%) thought that the safe distance between device screen and eyes was less than 30cms. Fifteen 10% (15/150) participants were aware that outdoor activity and natural light has a preventive effect on myopia and onset and progression