Summary Background Serious bacterial infections are a major cause of death in early infancy in developing countries. Inexpensive and accessible interventions that can add to the effect of standard ...antibiotic treatment could reduce infant mortality. We measured the effect of zinc as an adjunct to antibiotics in infants with probable serious bacterial infection. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we enrolled infants aged 7–120 days with probable serious bacterial infection at three hospitals in New Delhi, India, between July 6, 2005, and Dec 3, 2008. With computer-generated sequences, we randomly assigned infants in permuted blocks of six, stratified by whether patients were underweight or had diarrhoea at enrolment, to receive either 10 mg of zinc or placebo orally every day in addition to standard antibiotic treatment. The primary outcome was treatment failure, which was defined as a need to change antibiotics within 7 days of randomisation, or a need for intensive care, or death at any time within 21 days. Participants and investigators were masked to treatment allocation. All analyses were done by intention-to-treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT00347386. Findings 352 infants were randomly assigned to receive zinc and 348 to placebo. 332 given zinc and 323 given placebo could be assessed for treatment failure. Significantly fewer treatment failures occurred in the zinc group (34 10%) than in the placebo group (55 17%; relative risk reduction 40%, 95% CI 10–60, p=0·0113; absolute risk reduction 6·8%, 1·5–12·0, p=0·0111). Treatment of 15 (95% CI eight to 67) infants with zinc would prevent one treatment failure. Ten infants receiving zinc died compared with 17 given placebo (relative risk 0·57, 0·27–1·23, p=0·15). Interpretation Zinc could be given as adjunct treatment to reduce the risk of treatment failure in infants aged 7–120 days with probable serious bacterial infection. Funding Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; the European Commission; the Meltzer Foundation; and the Research Council of Norway.
Abstract
Herein, we prepared the zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver doped zinc oxide (Ag-ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) using
Berberis aristata
plant extract as a reducing, capping and stabilizing agent. The ...x-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirms the formation of pure hexagonal wurtzite structure for both the samples with
P4mm
space group. The crystallite size reduces from 21.313 nm to 18.179 nm with the Scherrer technique with doping of Ag ions on ZnO NPs, while the Williamson Hall (WH) approach likewise demonstrates a decrease in crystallite size from 26.602 nm to 21.522 nm. The lattice strain increases from 0.0031 to 0.0064, indicating the presence of Ag-ions in the crystal lattice of ZnO NPs. For both samples, the metal-oxygen bond formation is supported by the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra. For ZnO, the peak in the UV-visible spectrum is approximately around 365 nm, but for Ag-ZnO, two peaks are observed around 235 nm and 360 nm. With the Ag doping, the bandgap increases from 3.01 eV to 3.02 eV. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) micrographs show the formation of crystalline particles and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) pictures show the formation of aggregated NPs with a spherical shape. Energy Dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and x-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) demonstrate the chemical purity of both the samples. The antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs was highest against
Staphylococcus aureus
i.e., 15 ± 0.53 mm, whereas, for Ag-ZnO NPs the highest activity was against
Salmonella typhi
i.e., 19 ± 0.53 mm.
Phytophthora blight caused by Phytophthora cajani is an emerging disease of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) affecting the crop irrespective of cropping system, cultivar grown and soil types. Current ...detection and identification methods for Phytophthora species rely primarily on cultural and morphological characteristics, the assessment of which is time-consuming and not always suitable. Sensitive and reliable methods for isolation, identification, zoospore production and estimating infection severity are therefore desirable in case of Phytophthora blight of pigeonpea. In this study, protocols for isolation and identification of Phytophthora blight of pigeonpea were standardized. Also the method for zoospore production and in planta infection of P. cajani was developed. Quantification of fungal colonization by P. cajani using real-time PCR was further standardized. Phytophthora species infecting pigeonpea was identified based on mycological characters such as growth pattern, mycelium structure and sporangial morphology of the isolates and confirmed through molecular characterization (sequence deposited in GenBank). For Phytophthora disease development, zoospore suspension of 1 x 10.sup.5 zoospores per ml was found optimum. Phytophthora specific real-time PCR assay was developed using specific primers based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and 2. Use of real-time PCR allowed the quantitative estimation of fungal biomass in plant tissues. Detection sensitivities were within the range of 0.001 pg fungal DNA. A study to see the effect of elevated CO.sub.2 on Phytophthora blight incidence was also conducted which indicated no significant difference in disease incidence, but incubation period delayed under elevated CO.sub.2 as compared to ambient level. The zoospore infection method for Phytophthora blight of pigeonpea will facilitate the small and large scale inoculation experiments and thus devise a platform for rapid and reliable screening against Phytophthora blight disease of pigeonpea. qPCR allowed a reliable detection and quantification of P. cajani in samples with low pathogen densities. This can be useful in early warning systems prior to potential devastating outbreak of the disease.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The challenge of pigeonpea breeding lies in its photosensitivity and seasonal specificity. This poses a problem to the breeder, as it restricts to single generation advancement in a year. Currently, ...the cross to cultivar gap is twelve to thirteen years resulting in a limited number of varietal releases over the past six decades. Shortening the breeding cycle was need of the hour, unlikely achieved by conventional breeding. To overcome these hindrances speed breeding was a necessary leap. An experiment was planned to optimize the speed breeding coupled with single seed descent and seed or pod chip-based genotyping to shorten the breeding cycle in pigeonpea at ICRISAT, Hyderabad. Monitored photoperiod, light wavelength, temperature and crop management regime were the indicators attributing to the success of speed breeding.
A photoperiod of 13 h: 8 h: 13 h at vegetative: flowering and pod filling stages is ideal for shortening the breeding cycle. Broad spectrum light (5700 K LED) hastened early vegetative growth and pod formation. Whereas far-red (735 nm) light favoured early flowering. A significant difference between the photoperiods, genotypes as well as photoperiod x genotype interaction for both days to flowering and plant height was noted.
The optimized protocol serves as a road map for rapid generation advancement in pigeonpea. Deploying this protocol, it is possible to advance 2-4 generations per year. The breeding cycle can be reduced to 2-4 years which otherwise takes 7 years under conventional breeding. Single Seed Descent and seed or pod chip-based genotyping for early generation marker assisted selection, strengthened the precision of this technique aiding in high throughput line development.
In the present work we investigate the aluminium doped cadmium sulphide (Al:CdS) nanoparticles embedded in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix by chemical route and density functional theory (DFT) based ...simulations. Supertetrahedron (Tn) cluster models are considered for the simulation of CdS nanoparticles. Using DFT simulations on Tn clusters, we observe that band gap of ligated clusters is slightly more as compare to bare clusters. This indicates the ability of organic ligands (PVA) to open the band gap of inorganic CdS nanoclusters. Negative value of binding energy indicates the stability of the inorganic–organic hybrid system. Frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) indicate the charge transfer between organic and inorganic moieties which provides stability and longevity to nanoparticles, a prime function of ligands in nanocomposites. Absorption spectra of pure and doped clusters are calculated using time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). CdS/PVA and Al:CdS/PVA samples are synthesized at room temperature by chemical method. Their structure, size and band gap is characterized by XRD, TEM, FTIR and UV spectroscopy. Optical band gap values as observed experimentally are in agreement with simulated TDDFT results.
Display omitted
•Highly c-axis oriented Al doped CdS/PVA nanocomposites were deposited on glass slide using aqueous solutions.•Optical band gap reduced on Al doping.•DFT is used to simulate atomistic models of inorganic–organic hybrid nanocomposites.•FMOs used to study charge transfer behaviour between inorganic and organic moieties.
Abstract
Introduction
Conventional
n
-butyl-cyanoacrylate (CYA) recommended for secondary prophylaxis of gastric varices (GV) is associated with significant rebleeding and glue embolism. Limited ...data are available on more successful and less risky endoscopic ultrasound-guided coils and CYA (EUS-Coils-CYA) injection in GV.
Methods
We present a retrospective case series of 12 patients with GV bleeding managed successfully with EUS-Coils-CYA injection leading to variceal eradication in 11 patients.
Results
From January 2018 to June 2019, 12 cases of GV, which were either bleeding or bled recently, were included. Complete obliteration was achieved in 91.6% of patients with 100% technical success. Mean number of deployed coils and volume of injected CYA glue were 1.16 and 1.58 mL, respectively.
Conclusions
EUS-guided angiotherapy is an effective and safe intervention for managing GV bleeding with high technical success rate.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Pigeonpea
Cajanus cajan
(L.) Millsp., a multipurpose and nutritious grain legume crop, is cultivated for its protein-rich seeds mainly in South Asia and Eastern and Southern Africa. In spite of ...large breeding efforts for pigeonpea improvement in India and elsewhere, genetic enhancement is inadequate largely due to its narrow genetic base and crop susceptibility to stresses. Wild
Cajanus
species are novel source of genetic variations for the genetic upgradation of pigeonpea cultivars. In the present study, 75 introgression lines (ILs), derived from crosses involving cultivated pigeonpea variety ICPL 87119 and wild
Cajanus cajanifolius
and
Cajanus acutifolius
from the secondary gene pool, were evaluated for yield and yield-attributing traits in diverse environments across locations and years. Restricted maximum likelihood (REML) analysis revealed large genetic variations for days to 50% flower, days to maturity, plant height, primary branches per plant, pods per plant, pod weight per plant, 100-seed weight, and grain yield per plant. Superior ILs with mid-early to medium maturity duration identified in this study are useful genetic resources for use in pigeonpea breeding. Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis unfolded large influence of environment and genotype × environment interaction for variations in yield. A few lines such as ICPL 15023 and ICPL 15072 with yield stability were identified, while a number of lines were completely resistant (0%) to sterility mosaic diseases and/or
Fusarium
wilt. These lines are novel genetic resources for broadening the genetic base of pigeonpea and bring yield stability and stress tolerance. High-yielding lines ICPL 15010, ICPL 15062, and ICPL 15072 have been included in the initial varietal trials (IVTs) of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on pigeonpea for wider evaluation across different agro-ecological zones in India for possible release as variety(ies).
Fusarium wilt (FW), caused by
Fusarium udum
Butler (FU), is among the challenging factors in the production of pigeonpea. Therefore, exploring a superior pigeonpea genotype from landraces or local ...cultivars through the selection of innate resistance to FW using different biological and molecular approaches, and validating its resistance response, could be an alternative to sustainable crop improvement. Five distinct pigeonpea genotypes, with resistant (ICP2894) and susceptible (ICP2376) controls, were selected on the basis of the incidence percentage of FW, from three different states of India. Among them, the cultivar Richa, which displayed low incidence of FW (10.0%) during the genotype evaluation, was further examined for its innate resistance to FW. Molecular characterization of antioxidant (AO) enzyme
APX
and
SOD
and pathogenesis-related (PR) protein
CHS
and β
-1, 3-glucanase
families were performed. The obtained results of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-based expression study and
in silico
analysis showed a higher level of induction of PR and AO genes, and the strong interaction of their putative proteins with fungal cellobiohydrolase-c protein established their antifungal activity, conferring early plant defense responses to FU in Richa. Our study demonstrated a strong and combinatorial approach involving biological assay, molecular experiments, and
in silico
analysis to identify a superior pigeonpea genotype that was resistant to FW across a major biogeographic region.
Doubled haploid plants are very important for the development of complete homozygous plants from heterozygous parents in one generation as they possess duplicate copy of haploid chromosome. Haploid ...production is easily obtained from in vitro anther culture. The present study was undertaken with the objective to develop doubled haploids using anthers for in vitro induction of callus on N6 medium supplemented with various combinations and concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) (0.5-2.5 mg/L), Kinetin (0.5-1.0 mg/L) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (2.0 mg/L) as callus induction medium (CIM). The highest callus induction frequency was obtained when N6 medium fortified with 2,4-D (2.5 mg/L), Kinetin (0.5 mg/L) and NAA (2 mg/L) of 10.07 per cent. The induced callus was sub cultured for shoot regeneration on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with growth regulators: Kinetin and NAA (0.5 mg/L each) in combination with BAP (0.0 - 2.5 mg/L). MS medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg/L), Kinetin (0.5 mg/L) and BAP (1.5 mg/L) was most responsive exhibiting regeneration frequency of 28.1 per cent which resulted in maximum regeneration of green plantlets and only 5.21 per cent of albinos. Individual plantlets were separated and immersed in liquid MS medium augmented with NAA (0.5-1.0 mg/L) and BAP (0.5-1.0 mg/L). Maximum rooting was observed in MS medium with NAA (0.5 mg/L) and BAP (1.0 mg/L). The survival rate of in-vitro raised plants was 51.51 per cent. Of these surviving plants, 21 plants were observed to have the sterility percentage above 50 percent and hence can be considered as the doubled haploid plants. Plant DH8 is susceptible and DH20 is heterozygous for gene Xa21. Two plants are susceptible for gene xa13
Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) is an emerging biotic risk to the cultivation of pigeonpea throughout the Indian subcontinent. The prevalence and distribution of SMD documented from diverse ...agro-climatic zones are still poorly known. In this investigation, we determined the spatial distribution of SMD covering major pigeonpea-growing states of Southern India namely, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh by considering 2 years of exploratory survey data. Geospatial approaches were employed to determine the SMD incidence levels at unvisited locations using neighboring observations. The results indicated enormous variability in disease incidence ranging from 0 to 82.64% and 0 to 36.84%, respectively, in Kharif 2021–22 and 2022–23 in pigeonpea-growing states. Spatial autocorrelation analysis and Ripley’s K function established the presence of average clustering over sampling locations. Two main clusters were identified via agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis. From the Local Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation (LISA) analysis, most of the districts were clustered together at (I<0). From the p -values, Bidar and Krishnagiri districts recorded the highest spatial dependence, while the remaining districts recorded medium spatial dependence ( p < 0.05). Based on kriging, the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Medak and Ranga Reddy districts of Telangana, Bijapur district of Karnataka, and Latur district in Maharashtra states were found to be vulnerable to SMD occurrence in the future. The Matern and Spherical models were shown to be the best of the several semivariogram experimental models tested for spatial patterns of SMD incidence, from which OK and IK maps were created. Based on the interpolation results, the potential SMD hotspots/risk areas were most prominent in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu states. These identified hotspots for SMD revealed high levels of disease probability rates (>25%) above the threshold level and must be closely monitored to restrict and minimize further disease spread across the studied areas in Southern India. In pigeonpea, this is the first study in India that attempted to understand the spatial pattern of SMD using geostatistical methodologies. The results of the study will aid in the design and dissemination of specific management practices and curb the further spread of SMD.
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