Plant transcriptional responses to explosives as revealed by \u3cem\u3eArabidopsis thaliana\u3c/em\u3e microarrays and its application in phytoremediation and phytosensing

This research focused on understanding genetic responses of plants to explosives, which is necessary to produce plants to detect and clean soil and water contaminated with toxic explosive compounds. The first study used microarray technology to reveal transcriptional changes in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to the explosive compounds RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine; Royal Demolition Explosive or Research Department Explosive) and TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene). This study yielded a list of genes up- and downregulated by explosive compounds, which can be potentially used for phytoremediation (remediation using plants) or phytosensing (detection using plants) of explosive compounds. The second study presented biotechnology tools to enhance phytosensing that might have application in not only explosives phytosensing but also sensing of other contaminants or important biological agents. This study addressed the problem of low detectable levels of reporter gene signal from a phytosensor and the results suggest the potential use of a site-specific recombination system to amplify the reporter gene signal. The final study addressed microarray data analysis and best practices for statistical analysis of microarray data. Standard parametric approaches for microarray analysis can be very conservative, indicating no unusable information from expensive microarray experiments. A nonparametric method of analysis on a variety of microarray datasets proved to be effective in providing reliable and useful information, when the standard parametric approach used was too conservative

Phase shifting transformer to reduce power congestions and to redistribute power in interconnected systems

The increased penetration of wind and solar power, as well as the liberalized electricity market, makes the power system network interconnected and complex. As the power demand is increasing daily, the complexity of operating large power systems is also increasing. Congestion in the transmission network may become more common than previously, making power flow management a problem that becomes increasingly important. Unexpected power flows (also known as loop flows) are becoming a bigger issue in today's linked power networks. These flows have a detrimental impact on the safe functioning of integrated power networks, which hinders their ability to conduct cross-border trade. Phase shifting transformers (PSTs) allow real power flow to be controlled by changing the phase shift across the device. This study deals with two interconnected parallel power system networks and the power flow controlled through a PST in between. The simulation results emphasize the importance of the PST in facilitating the transfer of energy throughout the regional transmission interconnection

Synthesis of azoarenes by reductive dimerization of nitroarenes using ammonium bromide and magnesium

A simple and efficient protocol for the synthesis of symmetrically substituted azoarenes from nitroarenes by using ammonium bromide as hydrogen donor and magnesium powder as catalyst at room temperature in methanol media is described. Various azoarenes containing few additional substituents such as halogen, methyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy etc. functions have been synthesized in a single step by the use of this reagent. The conversion is clean, rapid, chemo-selective and high yielding

An Analysis of the Day-of-the-Week Effect in the Indian Stock Market: Evidence from Bombay Stock Exchange

A major apprehension in the market efficiency hypothesis is the existence of calendar anomalies or seasonality in the stock market returns. One of the most prominent calendar anomalies is the”Day-of-the-Week” effect. Thus, investors are more worried about which day of the week is the best day for the trade. The current study aims to study empirically the Day-of-the-Week effect anomaly in the emerging stock market of a developing economy like India for the period 2004 to 2014 using end of day data for the benchmark Indian equity market index BSE Sensex using dummy variables regression. Empirical results conclude that BSE Sensex does not show any presence of “Day-of-the-Week” effect or seasonality. Hence one can conclude that the BSE Index is efficient and there is no Day-of-the-Week anomaly in Indian stock market

ISOLATED ENTERIC SPLENIC LESION IN AN IMMUNOCOMPETENT HOST: AN INTERESTING CASE REPORT

Splenic abscess is often an unrecognized complication of enteric fever. Diagnosis is difficult because of its rarity, insidious onset, and non-specific presentation. We report an interesting case of splenic lesion in an immunocompetent adolescent with no other comorbidities, who presented with history and clinical presentation more suggestive of tubercular etiology. However, culture from the CT-guided fine-needle aspirate grew Gram-negative bacilli, identified as Salmonella Typhi which was sensitive to ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone. He responded favorably with oral antibiotics without any further surgical intervention. High degree of clinical awareness with timely and appropriate microbiological evaluation helped into an early definitive diagnosis of enteric splenic abscess. This case highlights that in this era of emerging infections, we should not miss the atypical presentations of the endemic diseases. Safe and minimally invasive radiological intervention with good microbiological correlation is a successful spleen conserving treatment alternative to surgery in suitable patients of splenic abscess

COLISTIN RESISTANCE IN CARBAPENEM-RESISTANT KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE STRAINS

Objective: There is an increasing use of colistin consequent to increase in the infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.The present study was conducted to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of colistin and the resistance pattern of colistin in carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) strains in our intensive care unit (ICU).Methods: Antibiotic susceptibility testing for other antimicrobial agents was done by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. MIC of colistin was determined by agar dilution method. The results of antibiotic susceptibility testing were interpreted as per Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines 2016 and MIC of colistin were interpreted as per European Committee on Antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The carbapenem resistance was phenotypically detected by modified hodge test and imipenem/imipenem ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disk method.Results: Out of 518 K. pneumoniae, 329 were resistant to carbapenems, and 91 isolates showed resistance to colistin. The MIC of colistin ranged between 4 and >512 ug/ml and MIC90 was 16 ug/L and MIC50 was 4 ug/ml. A majority of the colistin-resistant isolates were found in multidisciplinary ICU (85/91).Conclusion: The emergence of colistin-resistant strains is a major problem due to limited treatment options for infections caused by CRKP carbapenemase producing K. pneumoniae. Colistin should not be used alone, combination therapy should be preferred

Schiff Base Moiety Could be a Possible Inhibitor of Mutated Nrf2/KEAP1 Associated Cancer

In recent studies, the cap’n’collar (CNC) bZIP transcription factor Nrf2 plays a pivotal role in cancer drug development. The Nrf2/KEAP1 pathway is the most important signalling cascade involved in the resistance of oxidative damage induced by external chemicals. The Nrf2 maintains cellular homeostasis, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties by activating downstream signalling pathways and their cell survival. But, a recent literature survey suggested that mutated KEAP1/Nrf2 is responsible for cancer formation by suppressing apoptosis and metabolic reprogramming. More importantly, Nrf2 is proven to contribute to the chemoresistance and radioresistance of cancer cells as well as inflammation-induced carcinogenesis. A number of Nrf2 inhibitors, particularly Schiff base molecules discovered for cancer treatment, were reviewed in this chapter. Schiff bases or azomethines are compounds formed by a condensation reaction between primary amines and aldehydes, and have various biological, medicinal, clinical, pharmacological and analytical applications. These provide a new strategy that targeting Nrf2 could be a promising therapeutic approach against cancer. This review emphasises the role of Schiff base to summarise the effects of Nrf2 in cancer, revealing its function both in cancer prevention and inhibition, to further synthesise the novel Schiff base-related anticancer treatment

Interleukin-1β Disruption Protects Male Mice From Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Pathogenesis

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a significant unmet need in cardiovascular medicine and remains an untreatable cardiovascular disease. The role and mechanism of interleukin-1β in HFpEF pathogenesis are poorly understood. Methods and Results: C57/Bl6J and interleukin-1β(-/-) male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. Groups 1 and 2: C57/Bl6J and interleukin-1β(-/-) mice were fed a regular diet for 4 months and considered controls. Groups 3 and 4: C57/Bl6 and interleukin-1β(-/-) mice were fed a high-fat diet with N[w]-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 0.5 g/L) in the drinking water for 4 months. We measured body weight, blood pressure, diabetes status, cardiac function/hypertrophy/inflammation, fibrosis, vascular endothelial function, and signaling. C57/Bl6 fed a high-fat diet and N[w]-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester in the drinking water for 4 months developed HFpEF pathogenesis characterized by obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, lung edema, low running performance, macrovascular and microvascular endothelial dysfunction, and diastolic cardiac dysfunction but no change in cardiac ejection fraction compared with control mice. Interestingly, the genetic disruption of interleukin-1β protected mice from HFpEF pathogenesis through the modulation of the inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress mechanisms. Conclusions: Our data suggest that interleukin-1β is a critical driver in the development of HFpEF pathogenesis, likely through regulating inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways. Our findings provide a potential therapeutic target for HFpEF treatment

The Perception of In-vitro Meat (IVM) by New Zealand Consumers

Purpose- The purpose of the study was to investigate the perception of in-vitro meat (IVM) among New Zealand consumers and to understand their purchase and consumption behaviour using a customized conceptual framework developed in this study. In addition, preliminary trials for production of IVM using stem cells, biopolymers, edible 3D scaffolds and bioprinting technology were carried out as an alternative to traditional 2D cell culturing technique. Methodology – An online survey questionnaire was created using Qualtrics software to understand the perception of IVM, based on the conceptual framework. Participants (n=206) were recruited personally to take part in the survey. The data collected in the survey were subjected to PLS-PM analysis. The conceptual framework was tested for validity, Goodness of fit (GoF), Cronbach’s alpha. Whereas, the internal validity was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, KMO value, inter-item correlation values (β-coefficients) and p-values. All the analyses were carried out using R Studio 1.1.463 with R version 3.5.1 PLSPM package. Findings- The findings suggest that variables such as environment and sustainability, health and safety, current purchase and consumption behaviour have a strong relationship and a robust effect on IVM purchase and consumption behaviour. Consumers’ cultural beliefs had minimal influence on IVM purchase likelihood. Results in this study also indicated that most New Zealand consumers had neutral opinions in terms of engaging with IVM. Hence, if NZ consumers are educated about IVM and its potential benefits, then IVM will be more acceptable. Whereas, preliminary trials to produce 3D IVM using stem cells were unsuccessful due to damage and fungal contamination of the cell-laden scaffolds. Research limitations – The online survey in this study was open to all consumers in New Zealand (NZ), however, the majority of the participants were young and educated consumers. Thus, the sample population may not be a representative of the general population. Furthermore, this study was focussed on New Zealander participants. It would be beneficial to have comparisons across participants from different countries. Practical implications – This study fills the research gap by providing insights into the opinions of New Zealanders on IVM. The findings from our study will be beneficial for future IVM/ sustainable meat alternatives industry, as it provides information on in-vitro meat purchase and consumption behaviour based on New Zealand consumers opinion. Originality/ value – This is the first study on New Zealand consumers that addresses the consumer's purchase and consumption behaviour towards IVM