Screening of Brassica germplasm against Albugo candida (White rust disease) on Brassica species (Rapeseed-mustard)

White rust distributed worldwide, caused by Albugo candida (Pers. Ex. Lev.) Kuntze. (A. Cruciferarum S. F. Gray) is one of the major disease responsible in reducing the yield of rapeseed-mustard. Among various management approaches use of resistant varities is consider best, as it is cost effective and environment friendly. However, till now only few resistant sources against the disease has been reported. Therefore, in the present investigation 70 rapeseed-mustard germplasm have been evaluated in field under epiphytotic conditions during 2011-12 and 2012-13 crop seasons. All the germplasms showed similar disease reaction after screening in both the years. Among 70 germplasm, seven germpalsms i.e. DLDC-1, DRMR-100, DRMR-312, EC-339000, GSL-1, NPJ-158 and RH-0644 were found free from the disease with 0% disease severity. These germplasms could be used in breeding programmes for the development of resistant genotypes having high yield potential

Assessment of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and potential biological efficacy of few Pinus species growing in Northern Himalayas

Environmental interventions and ecological adaptations harbor millions of valued substances and metabolites in plants which can be employed and commercialized for human benefits. Present study encompasses the untapped potential of pine needles of Indo-Himalayan region for the production of different metabolites and their pharmacological significance in terms of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid content from the needles of ten pine species was quantified using three different solvent systems. Results revealed that out of 10 different selected Pinus species, Pinus taeda L. showed the highest concentration of total phenolics, Soluble-F phenolics and flavonoids content (approx. 147.02 mg/g, 141.08 mg/g and 21.91 mg/g, respectively) as compared to other species. On the other hand, Pinus greggii Engelm. ex Parl. showed the highest Bound-W phenolic content (approx. 3.62 mg/g). Among all the selected plant species, the needles of Pinus echinata Mill. exhibited the highest and Pinus thunbergii Parl. had the lowest ratio of total flavonoids to total phenolics. Most of these compounds were found to have effective antioxidant activities as well as antimicrobial activity, as estimated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and disk diffusion test, respectively

Perceived Stress, Resilience, and Wellbeing in Seasoned Isha Yoga Practitioners Compared to Matched Controls During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Yoga practices, including breathing, meditation, and posture protocols (asanas), have been shown to facilitate physical and mental wellbeing. Methods: Seasoned yoga practitioners were recruited from the Isha Foundation. Recruitment of the comparison group was achieved using snowball sampling and were not yoga practitioners. Participants in the non-yoga group were randomized to a 3-min Isha practice or a comparator group asked to perform 15-min of daily reading. Participants completed a series of web-based surveys (REDCap) at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. These surveys include validated scales and objective questions on COVID-19 infection and medical history. The validated questionnaires assess for: perceived stress (PSS), mood states [anxiety and depression (PHQ-4), joy (DPES-Joy subscale)], mindfulness attention and awareness (MAAS), resilience (BRS), mental wellbeing (WEMWBS) and recovery from traumatic event (PTGI). Weekly activity diaries were employed as a tool for collecting compliance information from study participants. Perceived stress scale scores were identified as primary outcome for this study. Findings: The median Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score for the yoga practitioners compared to the active and placebo comparators was significantly lower at all time-points: baseline: 11 [IQR 7–15] vs. 16 [IQR 12–21] in both the active and placebo comparators (p \u3c 0.0001); 6 weeks: 9 [IQR 6–13] vs. 12 [IQR 8–17] in the active comparator and 14 [IQR 9–18] in the placebo comparator (p \u3c 0.0001); and 12 weeks: 9 [IQR 5–13] vs. 11.5 [IQR 8–16] in the active comparators and 13 [IQR 8–17] in the placebo comparator (p \u3c 0.0001). Among the randomized participants that were compliant for the full 12 weeks, the active comparators had significantly lower median PSS scores than the placebo comparators 12 weeks [10 (IQR 5–14) vs. 13 (IQR 8–17), p = 0.017]. Further, yoga practitioners had significantly lower anxiety at all three-time points (p \u3c 0.0001), lower depression at baseline and 6 weeks (p \u3c 0.0003), and significantly higher wellbeing (p \u3c 0.0001) and joy (p \u3c 0.0001) at all three-time points, compared to the active and placebo comparator groups. Interpretation: The lower levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and higher level of wellbeing and joy seen in the yoga practitioners compared to the active and placebo comparators illustrate the impact of regular yoga practices on mental health even during the pandemic

Accessory enzymes of hypercellulolytic Penicillium funiculosum facilitate complete saccharification of sugarcane bagasse

BACKGROUND: Sugarcane bagasse (SCB) is an abundant feedstock for second-generation bioethanol production. This complex biomass requires an array of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes), mostly from filamentous fungi, for its deconstruction to monomeric sugars for the production of value-added fuels and chemicals. In this study, we evaluated the repertoire of proteins in the secretome of a catabolite repressor-deficient strain of Penicillium funiculosum, PfMig188, in response to SCB induction and examined their role in the saccharification of SCB. RESULTS: A systematic approach was developed for the cultivation of the fungus with the aim of producing and understanding arrays of enzymes tailored for saccharification of SCB. To achieve this, the fungus was grown in media supplemented with different concentrations of pretreated SCB (0-45 g/L). The profile of secreted proteins was characterized by enzyme activity assays and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 280 proteins were identified in the secretome of PfMig188, 46% of them being clearly identified as CAZymes. Modulation of the cultivation media with SCB up to 15 g/L led to sequential enhancement in the secretion of hemicellulases and cell wall-modifying enzymes, including endo-β-1,3(4)-glucanase (GH16), endo-α-1,3-glucanase (GH71), xylanase (GH30), β-xylosidase (GH5), β-1,3-galactosidase (GH43) and cutinase (CE5). There was ~ 122% and 60% increases in β-xylosidase and cutinase activities, respectively. There was also a 36% increase in activities towards mixed-linked glucans. Induction of these enzymes in the secretome improved the saccharification performance to 98% (~ 20% increase over control), suggesting their synergy with core cellulases in accessing the recalcitrant region of SCB. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide an insight into the enzyme system of PfMig188 for degradation of complex biomass such as SCB and highlight the importance of adding SCB to the culture medium to optimize the secretion of enzymes specific for the saccharification of sugarcane bagasse

Impacts of riverine pollution on greenhouse gas emissions: A comprehensive review

Many recent studies have revealed that polluted rivers are emerging as potent emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs). However, the scientific understanding of GHG emissions is still limited. The present review aims to provide a systematic analysis of GHG emissions from polluted rivers in various eco-regions. The analysis highlighted that high nutrient loadings such as total nitrogen (TN), organic carbon (OC), total phosphorous (TP), and the anoxic condition of rivers are the major influencing factors for CO2, N2O, and CH4 emissions. Moreover, a strong positive correlation of trophic level index (TLI) with CH4 and CO2 fluxes was observed. The state-of-art suggested that based on land use and water quality, GHG fluxes from different rivers vary considerably. For instance, the reported N2O fluxes ranged between 0.007 and 3.721 mmol m-2d-1 for urban-impacted rivers and 0.009–0.049 mmol m-2d-1 for agricultural rivers. The CH4 fluxes ranged between 0.001 and 458 mmol m-2d-1, 0.05–1.02 mmol m-2d-1, and 1.40–14.30 mmol m-2d-1 for urban impacted, agricultural and natural rivers, respectively. Further reported CO2 fluxes range between 19.94 and 895 mmol m-2d-1 for urban-impacted rivers. Overall the in-depth analysis of the existing state of the art revealed that water pollution (i.e. eutrophication) enhances the GHG emissions from rivers; therefore, incorporating effective restoration measures can mitigate the intensity of GHG emissions from rivers and assist in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs)

Studying Exploration & Long-Term Use of Voice Assistants by Older Adults

While past research has examined older adults’ voice assistant (VA) use, it is unclear whether VAs provide enough value to sustain use when compared to technologies such as smartphones. Research also suggests that barriers around structured command input may limit use. In order to investigate these gaps in adoption, we conducted interviews with ten older adults in a long-term care community who have adopted Alexa devices for at least one year. Participants learned to use Alexa through a training program that encouraged exploration. They used Alexa to complement their daily routines, improve their mood, engage in cognitively stimulating activities, and support socialization with others. We discuss our findings in the context of prior work, describe strategies to promote VA learning and adoption, and present design recommendations to support aging.https://doi.org/10.1145/3544548.358092

A Systematic Review of Warfarin Use in Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients: Cases Compiled From a Literature Review

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to provide dosing recommendations for percentage change in weekly warfarin dose and rates of thrombotic and bleeding events in patients requiring long-term warfarin therapy after bariatric surgery. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed (through April 5, 2021), Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar (through April 5, 2021) databases was completed using the keywords warfarin OR vitamin k antagonist AND bariatric surgery. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Retrospective studies and matched-cohort studies evaluating preoperative and postoperative use of warfarin after bariatric surgery for obesity were considered. Weekly dose defined as sum of daily doses of warfarin for 7 consecutive days was a required outcome to be considered in this review. Patients were excluded from review if post-operative dosage change was not reported. DATA SYNTHESIS: Six studies were included with a total of 160 patients who met the criteria. A decrease in average warfarin dose was seen in all studies, with the largest decrease occurring at 1 month postsurgery followed by an upward trend toward baseline about 90 days postsurgery. While thrombotic events were observed in none of the patients, there was an increased risk of bleeding in patients, particularly in those who underwent roux-en-y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: The study provides a specific warfarin dosing titration regimen, as well as embolic and bleed risk in post-bariatric surgery population. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians may consider lowering warfarin weekly dose by about 25% immediately postsurgery, with doses approaching closer to baseline about 90 days postsurgery

Association of subclinical hypothyroidism with atherosclerosis in central India

Introduction: Overt hypothyroidism is widely recognized as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, but recently sub clinical hypothyroidism has also shownas an independent risk for it. Subclinical hypothyroidism also has close association with dyslipidemia and lowgrade inflammation leading to atherosclerosis which can be assessed by carotid intimal medial thickness. Objective: The objective of the study was to explore the correlation of subclinical hypothyroidism with atherosclerosis in the form of dyslipidemia, C Reactive Protein and Carotid Intimal Medial Thickness in patients of central India. Methods: This study was conducted at department of medicine in GMC, Bhopal. It was a case control study among which 100 patientswith raised TSH and normal T3/T4 values were included as cases in the study and 50 controls with normal TSH/T3/T4 were taken. Three groups were made according to TSH values as euthyroids (<5.5), Subclinical Hypothyroids group 1(5.5-10) & group2(>10) and their fasting lipid profile, C Reactive Protein levels and Carotid Intimal Medial Thicknesswere measured. Results: We compared the Subclinical Hypothyroids with euthyroids subjects in which lipid profile was highly significant (<0.01)and showed positive correlation in both groups of Subclinical Hypothyroids except for high density lipoprotein.In cases where TSH(>5.5) the CRP was found to be significantly associated showing presence of low grade in flammation in these patients. The study also showed that mean Carotid Intimal Medial Thickness was higher in Subclinical group as compared to euthyroids but only when TSH(>10). Conclusion: This study concludes that subclinical hypothyroidism is characterized by dyslipidemiawith increased Carotid medial intimal thickness value and positive CReactive Protein suggesting the future development of cardiovascular disease in these patients

Design and comparative in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of starch-acrylate graft copolymer based salbutamol sulphate sustained release tablets

The present work deals with the development of controlled release tablets of salbutamol sulphate (SS) using graft copolymers of methyl methacrylate (St-g-PMMA and Ast-g-PMMA) on starch and acetylated starch. Formulations were evaluated for physical characteristics like hardness, friability, drug release, drug content and weight variations, which fulfilled all the official requirements of tablet dosage form. The release rates from formulated matrix tablets were studied at SGF (pH 1.2) followed by SIF (pH 6.8). Drug release from the graft copolymer based tablets was found to be sustained upto the 14 h with >75% drug release. The in-vitro release study showed that the graft copolymer based matrix formulations (F3 & F4) exhibited highest correlation value (r2) for higuchi kinetic model and Korsmeyer's model with n values between 0.61 and 0.67 proved that release mechanisms were governed by both diffusion and erosion mechanism. There was no significant difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters (tmax, Cmax, AUC, Ke, and t1/2) of the graft copolymers matrices and HPMC K100M matrix tablets, indicating their comparable sustained release effect. The potential of graft copolymers to sustain the drug release is well supported by in-vivo pharmacokinetic studies and their adequate physicochemical properties make them promising excipients for controlled drug delivery system