Key message
Knowledge of genetic variation, genetics, physiology/molecular basis and breeding (including biotechnological approaches) for biofortification and bioavailability for Zn, Fe and Se will ...help in developing nutritionally improved wheat.
Biofortification of wheat cultivars for micronutrients is a priority research area for wheat geneticists and breeders. It is known that during breeding of wheat cultivars for productivity and quality, a loss of grain micronutrient contents occurred, leading to decline in nutritional quality of wheat grain. Keeping this in view, major efforts have been made during the last two decades for achieving biofortification and bioavailability of wheat grain for micronutrients including Zn, Fe and Se. The studies conducted so far included evaluation of gene pools for contents of not only grain micronutrients as above, but also for phytic acid (PA) or phytate and phytase, so that, while breeding for the micronutrients, bioavailability is also improved. For this purpose, QTL interval mapping and GWAS were carried out to identify QTLs/genes and associated markers that were subsequently used for marker-assisted selection (MAS) during breeding for biofortification. Studies have also been conducted to understand the physiology and molecular basis of biofortification, which also allowed identification of genes for uptake, transport and storage of micronutrients. Transgenics using transgenes have also been produced. The breeding efforts led to the development of at least a dozen cultivars with improved contents of grain micronutrients, although land area occupied by these biofortified cultivars is still marginal. In this review, the available information on different aspects of biofortification and bioavailability of micronutrients including Zn, Fe and Se in wheat has been reviewed for the benefit of those, who plan to start work or already conducting research in this area.
Prolonged treatment of tuberculosis (TB) often leads to poor compliance, default and relapse, converting primary TB patients into category II TB (Cat IITB) cases, many of whom may convert to ...multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB). We have evaluated the immunotherapeutic potential of Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) as an adjunct to Anti-Tubercular Treatment (ATT) in Cat II pulmonary TB (PTB) patients in a prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, multicentric clinical trial. 890 sputum smear positive Cat II PTB patients were randomized to receive either six intra-dermal injections (2 + 4) of heat-killed MIP at a dose of 5 × 10
bacilli or placebo once in 2 weeks for 2 months. Sputum smear and culture examinations were performed at different time points. MIP was safe with no adverse effects. While sputum smear conversion did not show any statistically significant difference, significantly higher number of patients (67.1%) in the MIP group achieved sputum culture conversion at fourth week compared to the placebo (57%) group (p = 0.0002), suggesting a role of MIP in clearance of the bacilli. Since live bacteria are the major contributors for sustained incidence of TB, the potential of MIP in clearance of the bacilli has far reaching implications in controlling the spread of the disease.
A review on manufacturing flexibility Jain, Ajai; Jain, P.K.; Chan, Felix T.S. ...
International journal of production research,
10/2013, Volume:
51, Issue:
19
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Flexibility has become one of the most useful and necessary tool in today's competitive markets. Manufacturing flexibility is widely recognised as a critical component to achieving a competitive ...advantage in the market place. It is one of the most sought after properties for manufacturing enterprises and has aroused considerable interest among researchers and professionals. This paper presents a review of various issues related with manufacturing flexibility specifically concept, need, dimensions, measurement, relationship among various dimensions, implementation aspect in a company and management of manufacturing flexibility and its aim to contribute to the conceptual systemisation of the material.
Chronic, non-healable wounds have been a threat throughout history and have consumed centuries of traditional and modern research. In wound repair, a growing variety of novel treatments have been ...developed. At various stages of wound healing, nanostructure systems are employed. The drug may be synthesized at the nanoscale to act as a “provider,” or nanomaterial could be employed as biomedical devices. Capparis zeylanica was used to synthesize Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) under ambient temperature. The UV–Vis spectrophotometer was used to confirm the illumination of fabricated TiO2NPs tuned to a size of 352 nm TiO2NPs have been revealed to be spherical and linked to one another using scanning electron microscopy. Biologically active functionality molecules involved in green synthesized TiO2NPs were indicated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy peaks. The TiO2NPs are amorphous, according to X-ray diffraction spectra. Skin diseases causing pathogens were studied for anti-microbial activity using the agar well diffusion method, and the results indicated significant anti-microbial properties. Furthermore, the wound healing ability of fabricated TiO2NPs was investigated in an excision wound model in Swiss albino mice. Finally, our findings revealed that TiO2NPs had provided a unique therapeutic approach for wound healing and in the planning of therapies.
•Green synthesize of TiO2 NPs is using Capparis zeylanica leaf extract for the first time.•The average size of the green synthesized nanoparticles is around 18 nm.•XRD pattern confirmed TiO2 NPs hexagonal phase (wurtzite structure).•The bio synthesized TiO2 NPs have shown excellent antimicrobial and wound repair activities.
Abstract Background 15-F2t -isoprostane (15-F2t -IsoP), a prostaglandin F2 -like compound, is widely recognized as a biomarker of chronic heart failure. This study investigated the potential role and ...prognostic significance of plasma 15-F2t -IsoP in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Methods Plasma 15-F2t -IsoP concentrations were determined in 80 consecutive IPAH patients at the time of their first right heart catheterization, and monitored for 30 ± 12 months. The expression of 15-F2t -IsoP protein in autopsy lung samples was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Results Plasma 15-F2t -IsoP concentrations were significantly increased in patients with IPAH compared with healthy controls (91 pg/ml vs. 30 pg/ml, respectively; P < 0.001). Patients with baseline 15-F2t -IsoP concentrations ≥ 97 pg/ml had a significantly lower survival rate than those with lower baseline concentrations ( P < 0.001). During follow-up, 15-F2t -IsoP concentrations in survivors decreased, whereas concentrations in non-surviving patients increased further ( P < 0.05). Elevated concentrations of 15-F2t -IsoP were correlated with a severity of WHO functional class, lower 6-minute walking distance and mixed venous oxygen saturation, higher mean right atrial pressure and brain natriuretic peptide. Multivariate analysis revealed that the plasma 15-F2t -IsoP concentration was an independent factor associated with mortality. Histological studies showed that the expression of 15-F2t -IsoP was up-regulated in remodeled pulmonary vessels. Conclusions An elevated plasma 15-F2t -IsoP concentration and a further increase during follow-up may be a risk factor for higher mortality in patients with IPAH.
Sheath blight of rice (Oryza sativa L.) caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a major disease and attempts are being made to develop microbe based technologies for biocontrol of this pathogen. However, the ...mechanisms of biocontrol are not fully understood and still require indepth study in the backdrop of emerging concepts in biological systems. The present investigation was aimed at deciphering the mechanisms of biocontrol of sheath blight of rice employing Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma harzianum as model agents for biocontrol. Initially 25, 5 and 5 strains of P. fluorescens, T. viride and T. harzianum, respectively, were screened for their biocontrol potential. Out of which, six strains with higher value of percent inhibition of fungal mycelium in dual plate assay were selected. The role of P. fluorescens, T. viride and T. harzianum were investigated in induction and bioaccumulation of natural antioxidants, defence-related biomolecules and other changes in plant which lead not only to growth promotion but also protection from pathogenic stress conditions in rice. The two most promising strains, P. fluorescens PF-08 and T. harzianum UBSTH-501 selected on the basis of in planta evaluation, when applied individually or in combination, significantly enhanced the accumulation of defence-related biomolecules, enzymes and exhibited biocontrol potential against R. solani. A modified/newly developed delivery system was applied for the first time in the experiments involving inoculation of plants with both bioagents, viz. P. fluorescens PF-08 and T. harzianum UBSTH-501. Results suggested that application of P. fluorescens PF-08 and T. harzianum UBSTH-501 alone or in combination, not only helps in control of the disease but also increases plant growth along with reduction in application of toxic chemical pesticides.
Abstract
Background
In TB, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is recommended for linezolid; however, implementation is challenging in endemic settings. Non-invasive saliva sampling using a mobile ...assay would increase the feasibility of TDM.
Objectives
To validate a linezolid saliva assay using a mobile UV spectrophotometer.
Methods
The saliva assay was developed using NanoPhotometer NP80® and linezolid concentrations were quantified using second-order derivative spectroscopy. Sample preparation involved liquid–liquid extraction of saliva, using saturated sodium chloride and ethyl acetate at 1:1:3 (v/v/v). The assay was validated for accuracy, precision, selectivity, specificity, carry-over, matrix effect, stability and filters. Acceptance criteria were bias and coefficient of variation (CV) <15% for quality control (QC) samples and <20% for the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ).
Results
Linezolid concentrations correlated with the amplitude between 250 and 270 nm on the second-order derivative spectra. The linezolid calibration curve was linear over the range of 3.0 to 25 mg/L (R2 = 0.99) and the LLOQ was 3.0 mg/L. Accuracy and precision were demonstrated with bias of −7.5% to 2.7% and CV ≤5.6%. The assay met the criteria for selectivity, matrix effect, carry-over, stability (tested up to 3 days) and use of filters (0.22 μM Millex®-GV and Millex®-GP). Specificity was tested with potential co-medications. Interferences from pyrazinamide, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifampicin, abacavir, acetaminophen and trimethoprim were noted; however, with minimal clinical implications on linezolid dosing.
Conclusions
We validated a UV spectrophotometric assay using non-invasive saliva sampling for linezolid. The next step is to demonstrate clinical feasibility and value to facilitate programmatic implementation of TDM.
Bovine rotavirus (BRoV) and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) are major enteric viral pathogens responsible for calve diarrhoea. They are widespread both in dairy and beef cattle throughout the world and ...causing huge economic losses. The diagnosis of these agents is very difficult due to non-specific nature of lesions and the involvement of some intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors. We performed postmortem of 45 calves, which was below three months of age. Out of 45 necropscid calves, three (6.66%) cases were positive for BRoV and four (8.88%) cases were found positive for BCoV, screened by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Further RT-PCR positive cases were confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in paraffin-embedded intestinal tissue sections. Three cases of enteritis caused by BRoV showed the hallmark lesions of the shortening and fusion of villi, denudation and infiltration of mononuclear cells in the lamina propria. The BRoV antigen distribution was prominent within the lining epithelium of the villi, peyer's patches in the ileum and strong immunoreactions in the lymphocytes and some macrophages of the mesenteric lymph nodes. Four cases in which BCoV was detected, grossly lesions characterized by colonic mucosa covered with thick, fibrinous and diphtheritic membrane. Histopathologically, jejunum showed skipping lesion of micro-abscesses in crypts. The BCoV antigen distribution was prominent within the necrotic crypts in the jejunum and cryptic micro-abscesses in the colon and ileum. It is the first report of BRoV and BCoV antigen demonstration in the jejunum, colon, ileum, Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes of naturally infected calves from India by using IHC.
•The present study was to investigation of natural cases of BRoV and BCoV infection causing enteritis in dairy calves.•Out of 45 necropscid calves, 6.66% cases for BRoV and 8.88% cases for BCoV were found positive.•BRoV and BCoV antigen demonstration in the jejunum, colon, ileum, Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes of infected calves by using IHC.
The suspension system plays a major role in automobiles to improve passenger comfort, passenger safety and road handling. It isolates the body of a vehicle from road disturbances. The full vehicle ...would be subjected to disturbances from all four wheels or a full suspension model of the vehicle and, thus, a full-suspension model of the vehicle should be added to the idea of an enhanced control preview. The input data for the fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is the velocity and acceleration of the front and rear wheels. Controller outputs are considered to be active forces that improve driver comfort, safety and road handling characteristics. The objective of this work is to model and analyse an active full vehicle suspension. The model is optimized using advanced FLC to improve driver comfort, safety and road handling. The mathematical model for the active full vehicle suspension model has been derived. The necessary background for the Simulink fuzzy logic and FLC has been presented. All the simulations are carried out using MATLAB/SIMULINK, a high-performance numeric computation and visualization software package. The fuzzy logic-controlled active values have been compared with ordinary passive simulated values for road profiles. The result of the simulation show that the designed advanced FLC has improved ride comfort by effectively reducing the vehicle body displacement. There is also an appreciable reduction in velocity and acceleration with no increase in suspension travel.
Fusarium wilt caused by
Fusarium oxysporum
f.sp.
cubense
(Foc) is regarded as the most recurring and deadliest threat to banana cultivation worldwide. Among three physiological races of the ...pathogen capable of infecting
Musa
spp., Tropical race 4 (TR4) is considered the most virulent race of Foc without any known source for resistance. In India, race 1 was commonly observed to affect the cultivars of Pisang Awak, Rasthali (Silk), and Malbhog (Silk) while the Grand Naine (G9) the most popular and extensively grown cultivar of Cavendish banana in subtropics of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) and Bihar was free from the disease till 2018. But in 2018, the incidence of wilt was first time observed in Sohawal, Ayodhya (U.P.) later in Katihar (Bihar) of India. The Association of TR4 was later confirmed with diseased samples. In the current study, the distribution and incidence of TR4 was assessed in the subtropics covering the states of U.P. and Bihar. Forty-one isolates pathogenic to the banana plant were collected from 6 states, which varied in terms of aggressiveness, and morphological characteristics like colony color, spore size, and shape. The isolates from U.P. and Bihar were characterized as TR4 using two primer sets targeting the
SIX1a
(secreted in the xylem) gene however isolates from Gujarat, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu (TN) were identified as Race 1 using two primer sets targeting
SIX6b
and a hypothetical protein (XM_018394505.1). Genetic variability was assessed using 8 ISSR markers and divided all 41 isolates into two major groups, with a set of isolates from the U.P. and Bihar in group A and isolates from other states in group B. In the comparative analysis of three TR4-specific primers, only 1 out of 3 primer sets was confirmed to be more accurate in the characterization of the TR4. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that genetic variations among the regions and within the region accounted for 37.0 per cent and 63.0 per cent. The current study signified that the spread of the TR4 in U.P. and Bihar suggests the need for efforts for management with emphasis on biosecurity practices and the use of antagonistic biological agents to prevent further spread.
PDF
