Surface curvature both emerges from, and influences the behavior of, living objects at length scales ranging from cell membranes to single cells to tissues and organs. The relevance of surface ...curvature in biology is supported by numerous experimental and theoretical investigations in recent years. In this review, first, a brief introduction to the key ideas of surface curvature in the context of biological systems is given and the challenges that arise when measuring surface curvature are discussed. Giving an overview of the emergence of curvature in biological systems, its significance at different length scales becomes apparent. On the other hand, summarizing current findings also shows that both single cells and entire cell sheets, tissues or organisms respond to curvature by modulating their shape and their migration behavior. Finally, the interplay between the distribution of morphogens or micro‐organisms and the emergence of curvature across length scales is addressed with examples demonstrating these key mechanistic principles of morphogenesis. Overall, this review highlights that curved interfaces are not merely a passive by‐product of the chemical, biological, and mechanical processes but that curvature acts also as a signal that co‐determines these processes.
Curvature as a local descriptor for shape has been revealed to play a fundamental role in the development of biological systems. Advanced 3D characterization methods allow its quantification across time and length scales indicating that cells and tissue growth can cause emergence of curved surfaces but in turn curvature also acts as a trigger for specific biological processes.
► Indian varieties of potatoes were screened for their ability to form acrylamide. ► Irradiation reduces sprouting, and hence the reducing sugars. ► Irradiated potatoes showed lower content of ...acrylamide in potato chips.
The content of reducing sugars and asparagine, responsible for the formation of acrylamide, was determined in eight Indian potato varieties. Among these,
Kufri chipsona-2 and
Kufri lavkar showed the lowest level of reducing sugar (680.68
±
56.50
mg/kg) and asparagine (2074.36
±
122.27
mg/kg), respectively. The acrylamide content in potato chips prepared from
Kufri chipsona-2, the variety that is used commercially in India for making potato chips was also the lowest. Irradiation of this variety of potatoes at the sprout inhibition dose of 60
Gy and subsequent storage for six months showed a 10.7% lower content of reducing sugars at both 14 and 4
°C. The acrylamide content was 8.41% and 6.95% lower in chips from irradiated potatoes stored at 14 and 4
°C than the corresponding non-irradiated controls. The colour of the chips was also better in irradiated potatoes as judged from the
L∗ and
a∗ values.
The NAPRTCS has collected clinical information on children undergoing renal transplantation since 1987 and now includes information on 12 920 renal transplants in 11 870 patients. Since the first ...data analysis in 1989, NAPRTCS reports have documented marked improvements in patient and allograft outcomes after pediatric renal transplantation in addition to identifying factors associated with both favorable and poor outcomes. The registry has served to document and influence practice patterns, clinical outcomes, and changing trends in renal transplantation and also provides historical perspective. This report highlights current practices in an era of major changes in DD kidney allocation and continuing steroid minimization. This report presents outcomes of the patients in the NAPRTCS transplant registry up to end of 2017. In particular, an increase in the cumulative incidence of late first AR has occurred in the most recent cohort, while all prior cohorts had a lower cumulative incidence of late first AR.
Contrast-associated nephropathy (CaN) has become a major cause of iatrogenic acute renal failure, especially with the increasing use of radiographic contrast media in both diagnostic and ...interventional procedures. CaN is the third most common cause of iatrogenic acute renal failure, and is associated with increased morbidity and in-hospital mortality. CaN typically presents as an acute rise in serum creatinine levels, usually within 48 hours after exposure to contrast media. Renal medullary ischemia secondary to contrast-induced vasoconstriction is now believed to be the most likely cause of CaN, although direct renal tubular cytotoxicity does appear to play a role. The occurrence of CaN is directly related to the number of coexisting clinical risk factors. Among the many risk factors, preexisting renal impairment, the presence of diabetes mellitus and the volume of the contrast agent administered are the most important. The most effective means of reducing the incidence of CaN is through prevention, by first identifying the risk factors and then attempting to correct for them before the administration of contrast material. Although the earliest and most well-tested preventive measure, namely intravenous hydration, continues to be the most effective way to prevent CaN, recent studies have provided many new preventive modalities. The growing use of these new agents, such as acetylcysteine, endothelin blockers, and most recently fenoldopam, has increased the options available for the prevention of CaN.
▶ The maximum soil moisture content, infiltration rate and grain yield of maize and wheat recorded higher in mulching practices over no mulch treatment. ▶ Polythene mulch and straw mulch were almost ...equally valuable in maize and wheat sequence. ▶ Tillage (minimum) and mulch (polythene and straw) have pronounced effect on soil physical properties (improved infiltration rate and conserve soil water), energy requirement, economics and growth of maize and wheat.
Different tillage systems (conventional, minimum, raised bed and no tillage) and four mulch levels (control, polythene, straw and soil) were compared in maize (Z
ea mays) and wheat (T
riticum aestivum) production for three years on an experimental field (sandy loam) located at Dry Land Research Sub Station, Dhiansar, Jammu. Each treatment was replicated four times in split plot design. The aim of the research was to determine the influence of tillage and mulch practices on economics, energy requirement, soil physical properties and performance of maize and wheat. Tillage methods significantly affected the soil physical properties as change in soil moisture contents and infiltration rate of soil was recorded. The soil moisture contents in minimum tillage (MT) were maximum (12.4%, 16.6%) in surface soil as compared to conventional tillage (CT) in maize and wheat crops, respectively. Comparing to the CT infiltration rate was (1.16times, 1.21times and 1.11times) higher in minimum tillage (MT), no tillage (NT) and raised bed (RB), respectively in
kharif season. Similar results were also found in
rabi season. The greatest maize yield of 1865
kg
ha
−1 was achieved with CT system while not significantly lower yield was achieved with MT system (1837
kg
ha
−1). However, wheat yield was recorded higher in MT as compare to the CT system. Comparing to the energy requirement of different operations, MT required 34.3% less, NT 31.1% less and RB 46.0% less than the CT system. MT system saved 2.5 times energy in tillage operation compared to the CT system. The economic analysis also revealed that the maximum benefits could be obtained from MT (EUR 202.4
ha
−1) followed by RB (EUR 164.2
ha
−1) and NT (EUR 158.3
ha
−1) and lowest in CT (EUR 149.5
ha
−1). Benefit-cost ratio was highest in MT (0.71) and lowest in CT (0.44). Results revealed that mulch significantly affected the soil physical properties and growth of maize. The maximum soil moisture content, infiltration rate and grain yield of maize and wheat recorded higher in mulching practices over no mulch treatment. Polythene mulch and straw mulch were almost equally valuable in maize and wheat sequence. Tillage (minimum) and mulch (polythene and straw) have pronounced effect on soil physical properties (improved infiltration rate and conserve soil water), energy requirement, economics and growth of maize and wheat.
Objective
Deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2) is a potentially fatal monogenic syndrome characterized by variable manifestations of systemic vasculitis, bone marrow failure, and ...immunodeficiency. Most cases are diagnosed by pediatric care providers, given the typical early age of disease onset. This study was undertaken to describe the clinical phenotypes and treatment response both in adults and in children with DADA2 in India.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of pediatric and adult patients with DADA2 diagnosed at various rheumatology centers across India was conducted. Clinical characteristics, diagnostic findings, and treatment responses were analyzed in all subjects.
Results
In total, 33 cases of DADA2 were confirmed in this cohort between April 2017 and March 2020. Unlike previous studies, nearly one‐half of the confirmed cases presented during adulthood. All symptomatic patients exhibited features of vasculitis, whereas constitutional symptoms and anemia were more common in pediatric patients. Cutaneous and neurologic involvement were common, and 18 subjects had experienced at least one stroke. In addition, the clinical spectrum of DADA2 was expanded by recognition of novel features in these patients, including pancreatic infarction, focal myocarditis, and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) was initiated in 25 patients. All of the identified disease manifestations showed marked improvement after initiation of TNFi, and disease remission was achieved in 19 patients. Two cases were complicated by tuberculosis infection, and 2 deaths were reported.
Conclusion
This report presents the first case series of patients with DADA2 from India, diagnosed by adult and pediatric care providers. The findings raise awareness of this syndrome, particularly with regard to its presentation in adults.
In recent years, the widely explored phenomenon “aggregation-induced emission (AIE)” has played a crucial role in the development of luminescent materials for light-emitting applications. In the same ...direction, the contribution of its sister concept “AIE switching” has been impressive. In comparison, the application of this concept in the field of biosensing or bioimaging is still in its infancy. Therefore, to shed light into the sensing of bioanalytes, we have developed a new perylenediimide (PDI)-based small fluorescent probe, benzoannulated PDI (Bp(Im)2MA), that selectively detects diamines and biogenic amines (BAs) in solution via an “AIE-switching” phenomenon. The synthesized probe containing the bay-annulated anhydride moiety exhibits strong cyan emission in solution. In the mechanism, we have shown that the terminal free amine group of BAs readily reacts with a highly reactive anhydride moiety, which opens the cyclic anhydride moiety. In the open conformation, the free amine group along with a carboxylate group modulates the polarity of the system strikingly. Because of this induced polarity, the monomer of Bp(Im)2MA-BAs conjugate aggregated in solution, thereby exhibiting a significant change in emission property in solution. This method may also be called a very simple and straightforward “naked eye” detection of BAs in solution, with a nanomolar detection limit. A detailed spectroscopic and microscopic investigation demonstrated the existence of the aggregated state. As the reporter dye also emits strongly in the solid state (yellowish orange), it therefore instantly made vapor-phase detection of BAs feasible. Finally, this vapor-phase detection of BAs by the probe was applied very effectively in the determination of spoilage of raw fish.
In this report, we report a green, rapid and scalable synthetic route for the production of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using an environment-friendly reducing agent (l-glutathione/L-Glu) to test its ...feasibility for CO & NO2 gas sensing. The structure, morphology, and thermal stability of as-synthesized rGO are investigated via Raman spectroscopy, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Field emission scanning electron microscope, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The L-Glu-rGO shows higher sp2 carbon hybridization (42at.%) than graphene oxide (GO) (29 at.%). The results indicate that L-Glu-rGO exhibits good relative response at 150 °C to both gases (10 ppm of NO2 and CO). Further, L-Glu-rGO shows a smaller response time (∼10.61 s for NO2 and ∼5.05 s for CO) than GO (∼16.64 s, ∼11.92 s to NO2 and CO respectively) at 150 °C, indicating the potential application of L-Glu-rGO for gas sensing.
•Reduced graphene oxide synthesized by using an organic reducing agent l-glutathione.•XPS shows high percentage (42%) of sp2 carbon in L-Glu-rGO.•GO reduced through green method used for gas sensing of CO and NO2 gases.•Lower response and recovery time observed for L-Glu-rGO as compared to that for GO for both gases.
We present the results of a detailed investigation of the prompt and afterglow emission in the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.)-detected GRB 190829A. Swift and Fermi observations of the ...prompt phase of this gamma-ray burst (GRB) reveal two isolated subbursts or episodes, separated by a quiescent phase. The energetic and the spectral properties of the first episode are in stark contrast to the second. The first episode, which has a higher spectral peak ∼120 keV and a low isotropic energy ∼1050 erg is an outlier to the Amati correlation and marginally satisfies the Yonetoku correlation. However, the energetically dominant second episode has lower peak energy and is consistent with the above correlations. We compared this GRB to other low-luminosity GRBs (LLGRBs). Prompt emission of LLGRBs also indicates a relativistic shock breakout origin of the radiation. For GRB 190829A, some of the properties of a shock breakout origin are satisfied. However, the absence of an accompanying thermal component and energy above the shock breakout critical limit precludes a shock breakout origin. In the afterglow, an unusual long-lasting late-time flare of duration ∼104 s is observed. We also analyzed the late-time Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) emission that encapsulates the H.E.S.S. detection. Some of the LAT photons are likely to be associated with the source. All of the above observational facts suggest GRB 190829A is a peculiar low-luminosity GRB that is not powered by a shock breakout, and has an unusual rebrightening due to patchy emission or a refreshed shock during the afterglow. Furthermore, our results show that teraelectronvolt-energy photons seem common in both high-luminosity GRBs and LLGRBs.
PDF
