Characterization of genes involved in the regulation of programmed cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana

Geprogrammeerde celdood (PCD) is een belangrijk onderdeel in de levenscyclus van meercellige organismen. Het is de eliminatie van ongewenste of ernstig beschadigde cellen via een complex en genetisch gecontroleerd proces. Het doel van het onderzoek van Kamran Qureshi was genen te karakteriseren die betrokken zijn bij de regulatie van PCD in de onderzoeksmodelplant Arabidopsis thaliana . PCD is een complex en genetisch gecontroleerd proces, waarbij zowel AAL-toxines als ROS fungeren als signaalmoleculen die de inductie en uitvoering starten van de PCD-cascade in planten. AAL-toxines zijn gastheerspecifieke stoffen, uitgescheiden door de ziekteverwekkende schimmel Alternaria alternata f. sp. lycopersici, die giftig zijn voor planten. ROS zijn reactieve zuurstof deeltjes. Beide soorten signaalmoleculen leiden tot een massale herprogrammering op het transcriptionele niveau. In het bijzonder bestudeerde Qureshi de rol van vroeg gereguleerde genen tijdens de door ROS en AAL-toxines veroorzaakte PCD. Daarnaast heeft hij genen geïsoleerd en gekarakteriseerd met een mogelijkerol in de door ROS en AAL-toxines veroorzaakte PCD. Qureshi wist zodoende aan te tonen dat mutaties in deze genen leiden tot tolerantie voor ROS-en AAL-toxines, wat wijst op een relatie tussen AAL-toxines en ROS tijdens de PCD. De identificatie van regulators is van belang voor het begrijpen van het complexe proces van PCD. Daarnaast kunnen deze regulators nuttig zijn bij het begrijpen van verdedigingsmechanismen van planten tegen pathogene aanvallen en ophoping van ROS veroorzaakt door externe prikkels. Kamran Qureshi (Pakistan, 1981) studeerde Plant Breeding & genetics aan de University of Agriculture in Faisalabad. Zijn promotieonderzoek deed hij aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, bij het Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB). Het werd gefinancierd door gelden van de Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan, en vanhet GBB

Effect of Heritability, Genetic Advance and Correlation on Yield Contributing Traits in Upland Cotton

This research was planned to study the heritability (broad sense), correlation, genetic advance and behavior of different characters in segregating population of upland cotton. The material consists of segregating population of fourteen crosses along with their seven parents. Parental varieties and segregating population show significant difference for all traits under the study. Plant height, ginning out turn (GOT), bolls per plant and yield per plant showed heritability ranging from 78.9 to 27.3. Significant genotypic correlation of yield with plant height was 0.698, bolls per plant was 0.930, GOT was 0.692, fiber strength was 0.548 and with fiber fineness was 0.435. Phenotypic correlation of yield per plant with plant height was 0.520, boll per plant was 0.894 and GOT was 0.476. It can be suggested that plant height, GOT and bolls per plant are important yield contributing traits as they are positively correlated with seed cotton yield per plant. High value for bolls per plant, GOT and yield per plant was recorded in BH-167 × V4 and CIM-534 × V4, which can be utilized in future breeding program

Determination of genotype differences through restriction endonuclease in Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Tyrosinase gene or C locus has long been implicated in the coat colour determination. This gene a copper-containing enzyme located on chromosome 11q14.3 is expressed in melanocytes and controls the major steps in pigment production. In camel, C locus a restriction site provoked by the T variant of the mutation was used in a special restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) for genotyping of camels from six different Pakistani camel breeds (Marecha, Dhatti, Larri, Kohi, Campbelpuri and Sakrai). Significant differences in the genotype frequency between the breeds were estimated. The Sakrai breed showed in comparison to other studied breeds a distinctly higher frequency of the homozygous with restriction genotype. The objective of the present study was to screen the camel breeds using modern genetic technique that have been so far classified on the basis of performance and tribal ownership.Keywords: Camel, genotype, restriction endonucleas

Applied gamification to enhance customer loyalty for fintech industry

In this study, a mobile application prototype for fintech industry is proposed which aims to addresses users’ problems and engage them based on incentivized mechanism through applied gamification used for the users. Users will perform transactions and in return get some points as rewards, which they can use for cashback rewards or send these points to someone they want. For this research, Figma is used as a tool for designing wireframes and prototypes which later included in UseBerry to perform usability tests from users to collect their responses. Around 50 participants have been invited to collect their responses based on using the prototype and answering a few questions based on that. Results have shown an enormously positive response from users who really want to get incentives through their daily transactions and can get whatever benefits they are provided. However, this research is limited to a few features and more features and testing can be done based on the current response from the users which will directly impact user’s daily life and improve conversions for the banking and fintech industry

Clinical and electrophysiological efficacy of leaf extract of Gingko biloba L (Ginkgoaceae) in subjects with diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy

Purpose: To investigate the health benefits of Gingko biloba L. leave extract EGb 761 in patients with diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSP).Method: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo trial, patients (n = 156) received Gingko biloba (120 mg/day) or placebo for 6 months. Efficacy of Gingko biloba extract EGb 761 was assessed on the reduction in the scores of “Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire” (SF-MPQ) and improvements in latency, amplitude and conduction velocity of four sensory (ulnar, median, peroneal and sural) and four motor (ulnar, median, peroneal and tibial) nerves.Results: Gingko biloba significantly improved the mean scores of sensory, affective, visual analogue score (VAS) and present pain intensity (PPI) of SF-MPQ on 3 and 6 month post-treatment. At the start of experiment in the Gingko biloba-treated group, scores for sensory, affective, VAS and PPI domains were 12.90 ± 7.21, 4.40 ± 1.79, 4.38 ± 1.69 and 3.24 ± 0.78 respectively. After 6-months treatment with Gingko biloba, scores for sensory, affective, VAS and PPI domains were reduced (p < 0.01) to 7.24 ± 4.91, 3.11 ± 1.81, 3.37 ± 1.35 and 2.45 ± 0.65 respectively. Contrarily, in the placebo-administered group, sensory domain was (p < 0.01) deteriorated after 6 month (4.70 ± 1.87) compared to the baseline (4.04 ± 1.67). Gingko biloba extract EGb 761 failed to influence the electrophysiological measures when compared with the placebo group. The common adverse effects observed with Gingko biloba were somnolence and dryness of mouth compared with the placebo-treated patientsConclusion: Gingko biloba extract EGb 761 seems to be an effective and safe drug for reducing symptoms of DSP without any apparent effect on the electrophysiological attributes of sensorimotor nerves.Keywords: Diabetic polyneuropathy, Diabetes mellitus, Electrophysiological parameters, Gingko biloba, Sensorimotor nerves, Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnair

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020