Growth estimation during hardening phase of tissue cultured banana plantlets using bootstrapped artificial neural network

Aim: The study aims to develop an advanced non-destructive method to estimate the plant growth rate of tissue culture propagated banana plantlets during primary hardening phase inside the greenhouse using Bootstrapped Artificial Neural Network (BANN). Methodology: Both non-destructive growth parameters like plant height, girth, number of leaves, leaf length and leaf breadth, and destructive growth parameters like number of roots, longest root length, fresh and dry weight were measured periodically on selected plants of one week to nine week old which were kept in greenhouse at ICAR-National Research Centre for banana. In addition to plant growth parameters, greenhouse temperature, radiation and carbon dioxide concentration were also recorded daily. The experimental data obtained using destructive measurements were recorded on a small sample of size n, and hence re-sampling for bootstrap involves n repeated trials of simple random sampling with replacement. These sets of bootstrap samples were finally used as input to develop neural model using a novel methodology of bootstrap re-sampling based artificial neural network (ANN) for studying the progress of plant ontogeny. Results: The growth estimation analysis of plants in terms of its leaf area and biomass production was performed without physically handling the test plants using bootstrap ANN. The notion of prediction performance is validated through statistical indices namely Nash and Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient, root means square error and mean absolute error. The approximate estimates of mean relative growth and net assimilation rate of plants were 0.036 and 0.027, and the corresponding variance were 1.5 x 10-6 and 2.12 x 10-6, respectively. Interpretation: Based on the non-destructive plant growth observations, the measures to increase the overall plant growth can be significantly predicted well in advance. This projected plant growth statistics at an early stage of hardening serves as an essential component in planning and evaluation of investments on protected structure to improve the productivity and profitability of banana tissue culture industry.

Improvement of banana cv. Rasthali (Silk, AAB) against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (VCG 0124/5) through induced mutagenesis: Determination of LD50 specific to mutagen, explants, toxins and in vitro and in vivo screening for Fusarium wilt resistance.

Shoot tips and in vitro grown proliferating buds of banana cv. Rasthali (Silk, AAB) were treated with various concentrations and durations of chemical mutagens viz., EMS, NaN3 and DES. LD50 for shoot tips based on 50% reduction in fresh weight was determined as 2% for 3 h, 0.02% for 5 h and 0.15%for 5 h, while for proliferating buds, they were 0.6% for 30 min, 0.01% for 2 h and 0.06% for 2 h for the mutagens EMS, NaN3 and DES, respectively. Subsequently, the mutated explants were screened in vitro against fusarium wilt using selection agents like fusaric acid and culture filtrate. LD50 for in vitro selection agents calculated based on 50% survival of explants was 0.050 mM and 7% for fusaric acid and culture filtrate, respectively and beyond which a rapid decline in growth was observed. This was followed by pot screening which led to the identification of three putative resistant mutants with an internal disease score of 1 (corm completely clean, no vascular discolouration). The putative mutants identified in the present study have also been mass multiplied in vitro.

Evolution Of Classification Of Bladder (Urothelial) Cancer.

The classification of bladder tumors has undergone a change over the years but still has not achieved success in predicting the behavior. The correct cellular classification of a tumor helps initiate appropriate treatment. Recently functional, genomic and proteomic data have been of help in aiding prognosis and modifying the treatment in many cancers. However, this data is not routinely integrated into the classification, and treatment protocols in bladder carcinoma hinge on grade and depth of invasion. An in depth understanding of the implication of grade, stage, molecular features on survival is necessary to understand the behavior of the tumor. The classification of Urothelial cancer has undergone a lot of change in terminology over the past century but we have still not identified markers (both morphologic and molecular) for preventing recurrences. It is believed that the treatment protocols should be based on a combination of these and we still have to conduct large-scale follow-up studies to identify these parameters. We present here the changes in bladder cancer classifications over the past century and the implications thereof in this review.

Saponins isolated from roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum reduce acute and chronic inflammation and histone deacetylase / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The roots of Chlorophytum borivilanum are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of arthritis and inflammation. The aim of the work was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of isolated saponins from Chlorophytum borivilianum (ISCB).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The ISCB was screened using the carrageenan-induced paw edema, histamine-induced paw edema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma, and Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats at orally administered doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg. Effect of ISCB on histone deacetylase (HDAC) level was measured by the HDAC assay at the highest dose (30 mg/kg).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that the ISCB significantly reduced carrageenan-induced inflammation, histamine-induced inflammation, cotton pellet-induced granuloma and Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. The ISCB at a dose of 30 mg/kg significantly inhibited HDAC level in rat paw tissue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is concluded that saponins isolated from roots of C. borivilianum possess anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. ISCB may act by inhibiting histamine, prostaglandin and HDAC. This suggests that ISCBs have potential for therapeutic use in the treatment of inflammation and arthritis.</p>

Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum in H1N1 Infection.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon pediatric emergency which usually occurs secondary to bronchial asthma in children. We report a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a 7 year child following Swine Flu (H1N1) infection.

Vitamin B12 deficiency & levels of metabolites in an apparently normal urban south Indian elderly population.

Background & objectives: There is no published literature on the extent of vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly Indians as determined by plasma vitamin B12 levels and methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels. Vitamin B12 deficiency is expected to be higher in elderly Indians due to vegetarianism, varied socio-economic strata and high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection. We therefore, studied the dietary habits of south Indian urban elderly population and measured vitamin B12, MMA red cell folate and homocysteine (Hcy) levels. Methods: Healthy elderly urban subjects (175, >60 yr) were recruited. Detailed history, physical examination and neurological assessment were carried out. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for dietary analysis for daily intake of calories, vitamin B12, folate and detailed psychological assessment for cognitive functions was carried out. Blood samples were analyzed for routine haematology and biochemistry, vitamin B12, red cell folate, MMA and Hcy. Results: The mean age of the study population was 66.3 yr. Median values for daily dietary intake of vitamin B12 and folate were 2.4 and 349.2 μg/day respectively. Sixty two (35%) participants consumed multivitamin supplements. Plasma vitamin B12 level and the dietary intake of vitamin B12 was significantly correlated (P=0.157). Plasma vitamin B12 and Hcy were inversely correlated (P= -0.509). Red cell folate was inversely correlated with Hcy (P= -0.550). Significant negative correlation was observed between plasma vitamin B12 and MMA in the entire study population (P= -0.220). Subjects consuming vitamin supplements (n=62) had significantly higher plasma vitamin B12 levels, lower MMA levels and lower Hcy levels. There was no significant correlation between plasma vitamin B12, MMA, Hcy and red cell folate and any of the 10 cognitive tests including Hindi Mental Status Examination (HMSE). Interpretation & conclusions: Our study is indicative of higher vitamin B12 (2.4 μg/day) intakes in urban south Indian population. Thirty five per cent of the study population consumed multivitamin supplements and therefore, low plasma vitamin B12 levels were seen only in 16 per cent of the study subjects. However, MMA was elevated in 55 per cent and Hcy in 13 per cent of the subjects.

Effect of Ocimum sanctum, turmeric extract and vitamin E supplementation on the salivary gland and bone marrow of radioiodine exposed mice.

Significant increase in the salivary gland weight was observed after exposure to single therapeutic dose of 3.7 MBq of 131I in mice. Pre-supplementation of antioxidants, O. sanctum leaf extract, turmeric extract and vitamin E for 15 days before 131I exposure demonstrated significant reduction in the salivary gland weight. No major histopathological changes were observed in the salivary gland of experimental animals at 24 h of exposure. Micronuclei index in the bone marrow of polychromatic (PCEs) and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs) remained unchanged in all the experimental groups. However, PCE/NCE ratio in the bone marrow decreased significantly in all the 131I exposed animals irrespective of antioxidant supplementation status. The normalization of salivary gland weight by antioxidant pre-supplementation in radioiodine exposed mice is suggestive of the possible ameliorating effect of antioxidants on the salivary gland weight recommending further detailed studies regarding the functional aspect of the salivary gland in higher animals.

A pilot study on hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp based insulin sensitivity in young adult Indian males with low body mass index.

Background & objectives: Indians have decreased insulin sensitivity (IS) and a greater adiposity at a lower body mass index (BMI) when compared with other ethnic groups. Despite this, IS has not been studied in Indians of low BMI. This study thus used the hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp (HEC) technique to compare IS in young normal weight (NW) and low BMI (LBMI) Indian males. Clamp IS was also compared with convenient indices of insulin sensitivity such as the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA). In the NW group, clamp IS was compared with published data of similarly measured IS in other studies and ethnic groups. Methods: Ten NW [body mass index (BMI): 18.5-25 kg/m2] and ten LBMI (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) young healthy Indian males aged between 19-32 yr were recruited through advertisements from Bangalore slums. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin, glucose disposal rates (GDR) and IS were the parameters measured during the HEC technique. Results: The NW group had a Clamp IS of 4.5 (3.8, 5.3) (median, lower, upper quartile, mg/(kg. min)/μU/ml) that was close to half that of the LBMI group; 9.9 (7.1, 13.4: P<0.001). Clamp IS in the NW group was significantly lower than that observed in published studies involving other ethnic groups (P<0.05). Clamp IS and per cent body fat (% BF), were significantly and negatively correlated (n=20, ρ = -0.7, P<0.001). Correlations between Clamp IS and other IS indices ranged from ρ = -0.5 for HOMA2-%B to ρ = 0.5 for HOMA2-%S (P<0.05); however, the correlation with HOMA1-IR was not significant (ρ = 0.4). Interpretation & conclusions: The significantly lower Clamp IS of the NW group compared with the LBMI group and other ethnic groups indicated that IS was impaired in Indians at relatively low BMIs. Most of the convenient indices of IS were significantly correlated with Clamp IS, however, the Clamp IS was more sensitive method with greater discriminatory power, since IS differences between LBMI and NW groups were only apparent with Clamp IS.

Protective effect of Ocimum sanctum L after high-dose 131iodine exposure in mice: an in vivo study.

Radioprotective effect of aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum (40 mg/kg body weight, for 15 days) in mice exposed to high-doses (3.7 MBq) of oral 131iodine was investigated by studying the organ weights, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense enzymes in various target organs like liver, kidneys, salivary glands and stomach at 24 hr after exposure in adult Swiss mice. The mean weight of the salivary glands showed significant increase after 131iodine administration. 131iodine exposure significantly increased lipid peroxidation in kidneys and salivary glands in comparison to control animals. Pretreatment with O. sanctum in radioiodine exposed group showed significant reduction in lipid peroxidation in both kidneys and salivary glands. In liver, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels showed significant reduction after radioiodine exposure while pretreatment with O. sanctum exhibited less depletion in GSH level even after 131iodine exposure. However, no such changes were observed in stomach. The results indicate the possibility of using aqueous extract of O. sanctum for ameliorating 131Iodine induced damage to the salivary glands.

Type 1 (11;22)(q24:q12) translocation is common in Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumour in south Indian patients.

The Ewing's sarcoma family can present diagnostic difficulties. In the past the basis of diagnosis has been a exclusion. Identification of a specific translocation especially t(11;22) (EWS-FLI 1 fusion gene), which is seen in nearly 85 percent of Ewing's sarcoma cases can help in precise diagnosis. We have carried out a study on twenty patient samples diagnosed to have Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumour (PNET)/small round cell malignant tumour. The study involved RT-PCR analysis for the fusion transcript, followed by sequencing to identify the specific type of fusion. Ninety percent (18/20) of the samples tested were found to be t(11;22) translocations involving EWS-FLI 1 genes. Sixty-one percent (11/18) were found to be type 1 fusion and seven were type 2 (39 percentage). This is the first study in India with quantitative information about the types of EWS-FLI 1 translocations present in Ewing's family of tumours in south Indian patients.