Combining ability, heterosis and performance of grain yield and content of Fe, Zn and protein in bread wheat under normal and late sowing conditions.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is inherently low in protein content, Zn and Fe. Boost yield gains have unwittingly reduced grain Zn and Fe, which has had negative impacts on human health. The aim of this study was to understand the inheritance of grain yield per plant and grain Fe, Zn, and protein concentrations in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under normal and late sown conditions. Half diallel crosses were performed using 10 parents. The crosses and parents were evaluated in replicated trials for the two conditions, to assess the possibility of exploiting heterosis to improve micronutrient contents. The per se performance, heterosis, combining ability, and genetic components were estimated for different characters in both environments. The results revealed that hybrid GW 451 × GW 173 exhibited better parent heterosis (BPH) and standard heterotic effects (SH) in all environments. In both sowing conditions, the general combining ability (GCA) effects of poor × poor parents also showed high specific combining ability (SCA) effects of hybrids for both the micronutrients and protein contents. However, σ2A/σ2D greater than unity confirmed the preponderance of additive gene action for protein content, and GW 173 was identified as a good general combiner for these characteristics under both environments. SCA had positive significant (P < 0.001) correlations with BPH, SH1, SH2, and the phenotype for yield component traits and grain protein, Fe, and Zn concentrations in both conditions. A supplementary approach for biofortifying wheat grainis required to prevent malnutrition.

"We Experience What They Experience": Black Nurses' and Community Health Workers' Reflections on Providing Culturally Specific Perinatal Health Care.

INTRODUCTION: Black perinatal health workers are part of a tradition of Black people fighting for the well-being of Black communities. The purpose of this article is to better understand the unique experiences of these professionals. METHOD: Descriptive qualitative research was used to understand Black providers' experiences in a culturally specific perinatal public health program. A focus group was conducted with seven nurses and community health workers, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (a) shared lived experience and parallel process between staff and clients; (b) navigating multiple shifting gazes between clients, public health department, and medical systems; and (c) reproductive justice and community care characterize a culturally informed approach. DISCUSSION: Findings revealed strengths and complexities facing Black nurses and community health workers in their roles. More work is needed in education, practice, and research to better prepare and support nurses and community health workers in culturally specific settings.

High-resolution imaging sheds new light on a multi-tier symbiotic partnership between a "walking" solitary coral, a sipunculan, and a bivalve from East Africa.

Marine symbioses are integral to the persistence of ecosystem functioning in coral reefs. Solitary corals of the species Heteropsammia cochlea and Heterocyathus aequicostatus have been observed to live in symbiosis with the sipunculan worm Aspidosiphon muelleri muelleri, which inhabits a cavity within the coral, in Zanzibar (Tanzania). The symbiosis of these photosymbiotic corals enables the coral holobiont to move, in fine to coarse unconsolidated substrata, a process termed as "walking." This allows the coral to escape sediment cover in turbid conditions which is crucial for these light-dependent species. An additional commensalistic symbiosis of this coral-worm holobiont is found between the Aspidosiphon worm and the cryptoendolithic bivalve Jousseaumiella sp., which resides within the cavity of the coral skeleton. To understand the morphological alterations caused by these symbioses, interspecific relationships, with respect to the carbonate structures between these three organisms, are documented using high-resolution imaging techniques (scanning electron microscopy and µCT scanning). Documenting multi-layered symbioses can shed light on how morphological plasticity interacts with environmental conditions to contribute to species persistence.

A Clinicoepidemiological Study of Psychiatric Co-Morbidity in Hansen's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by mycobacterium leprae. Chronicity of the disease leads to various psychiatric co-morbidities, which are often undiagnosed and untreated. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the frequency and nature of psychiatric co-morbidity in patients of Hansen's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy confirmed cases of Hansen's disease between the ages of 18 and 60 years attending the department of dermatology of Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla were evaluated for various manifestations of Hansen's disease and screened for psychiatric co-morbidity using GHQ-12 and diagnosed using ICD-10 checklist. Severity of depression and anxiety was assessed with HAM-D and HAM-A scales, respectively. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidity was found in 27.14% of enrolled patients. Depression was most prevalent in (20%) mental disorder; followed by anxiety disorder (7.14%). Moderate depressive episode was the commonest seen in 11.42% patients whereas 5.71% patients had mild depression. Generalized anxiety disorder was seen in 1.42% whereas 5.71% patients had mixed anxiety disorder. Patients with higher education status, positive family history of leprosy, lepromatous leprosy, and hand deformities were significantly associated with higher psychiatric co-morbidity. CONCLUSION: Patients suffering from Hansen's disease have significantly high prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidity complicating the Hansen's disease. High index of suspicion is required to diagnose and treat it.

Pandemic and protest in 2020: Questions and considerations for social work research.

The convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and social/political protest concerning structural anti-Black racism marks a moment for deep reflection and revision of many taken-for-granted assumptions about our research and academic lives as social work scholars. In this reflexive essay we, as two non-Black qualitative social work scholars, explore some of the questions and considerations for social work research that have surfaced since the emergence of these complex social, political, and economic crises. We organize our reflection around what we study, why, and how we go about studying it. We then offer a discussion of various constraints and challenges that emerge in this type of reflective scholarly practice, including an analysis of how contexts of white supremacy culture and neoliberalism shape social work scholarship. We close the essay with a number of recommendations for further reflection for social work scholars, such as reviewing research practices, seeking external research funding, practicing reflexivity, interrogating assumptions about knowledge production, self and community care, and integrating scholarly work into social work curriculum.

Centering a pedagogy of care in the pandemic.

This essay is a reflexive account of my experience of teaching a social justice course during the pandemic. Specifically, I reflect on how centering a pedagogy of care within the course provided a framework for me to be responsive to student needs while also disrupting dominant culture and neoliberal forces in academia. In particular, I highlight sharing power and co-creating meaning, community care, and use of creativity and mindfulness as disruptions to dominant paradigms that I employed in my class that were impactful in the context of the pandemic. I also reflect on how this pedagogical praxis of care has been an instructive and anchoring experience for me as an educator and will impact my teaching going forward.

Tests of the positive and functional allometry hypotheses for sexually selected traits in the Jamaican field cricket.

Sexually selected traits, including threat signals, have been shown to scale steeply positively with body size because their exaggeration maximizes honest signalling. However, the functional allometry hypothesis makes the opposite prediction for some weapons: because the biomechanics of force applied in their use may favor relatively smaller size, sexually selected weapons may exhibit negative allometry. Tests of these ideas in insects have largely focused on holometabolous species, whose adult body size is entirely dependent on nutrients acquired during the larval stage. In contrast, hemimetabolous insects may exhibit different patterns of allometry development because they forage throughout development, between successive moults. Here, we tested complementary and competing predictions made by the positive and functional allometry hypotheses, regarding intrasexually selected trait allometry in a hemimetabolous insect, the Jamaican field cricket (Gryllus assimilis). As expected, head width (a dominance and/or combat trait) was more positively allometric than non-sexually selected traits. In contrast, and consistent with the functional allometry hypothesis, mouthparts (weapons) were either isometric or negatively allometric. We also tested whether trait allometry responded to rearing diet by raising males on either a high protein diet or a high carbohydrate diet; we predicted stronger positive allometry under the high protein diet. However, diet did not influence allometry in the predicted manner. Overall, our results support the functional allometry hypothesis regarding sexually selected trait allometry and raise intriguing possibilities for integrating these ideas with recent paradigms for classifying intrasexually selected traits.

Teaching animal behavior online: A primer for the pandemic and beyond.

Behavior courses face numerous challenges when moving to an online environment, as has been made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges occur largely because behavior courses, like most organismal biology courses, often stress experiential learning through laboratories that involve live animals, as well as a lecture component that emphasizes formative assessment, discussion, and critical thinking. Although online behavior courses may be remote, they can still be interactive and social, and designed with inclusive pedagogy. Here, we discuss some of the key decisions that instructors should consider, provide recommendations, and point out new opportunities for student learning that stem directly from the move to online instruction. Specific topics include challenges related to generating an inclusive and engaging online learning environment, synchronous versus asynchronous formats, assignments that enhance student learning, testing format and execution, grade schemes, design of laboratory experiences including opportunities for community science, design of synthetic student projects, and workload balance for students and instructors. We designed this primer both for animal behavior instructors who need to quickly transition to online teaching in the midst of a pandemic, and for those facing such transitions in upcoming terms. Much of the manuscript's content should also be of general interest and value to instructors from all areas of organismal biology who are attempting to quickly transition to online teaching.

A Rare Case of Extensive Pemphigus Vegetans.

Pemphigus vegetans is a rare variant of pemphigus vulgaris characterized by pustules and/or papillomatous vegetations, preferentially affecting intertriginous and periorificial areas. It has two subtypes: Hallopeau variant and Neumann variant. Cerebriform tongue, a morphology with typical pattern of sulci and gyri over dorsum of the tongue, is a well-known sign in pemphigus vegetans. We are presenting an unusual case of pemphigus vegetans with extensive involvement of mucosae, trunk, extremities including both extensors and flexural areas with verrucous paronychia and fissured tongue. During clinical exam we recognized multiple cutaneous vesicles, erosions and ulcers on mucosal sites. Clinical, histopathological, and direct and indirect immunofluorescence findings were compatible with pemphigus vegetans. Patient had completed her family so treated with intravenous dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse (DCP) regimen with excellent response.

Mandating Inclusion: Critical Trans Perspectives on Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy.

In 2013, the Violence Against Women Act became one of the first federal laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination against transgender people, yet little is known about its impact in practice. This qualitative study draws on in-depth interviews with transgender people working in domestic and sexual violence advocacy organizations. Building on critical and intersectional perspectives, the findings suggest that the persistence of inequities for trans survivors are tied to the reliance on criminal legal responses, contingent access to gender-specific services, compliance-focused approaches to inclusion, operating theories of gender-based violence, and the diversion of responsibility to LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) programs. This study highlights the participants' recommendations for change.

The effects of commonly used anaesthetics on colour measurements across body regions in the poeciliid fish, Girardinus metallicus.

The effects of common anaesthetics on the hue, saturation and brightness measurements of the poeciliid fish Girardinus metallicus were investigated in two experiments. For both experiments the coloration of four body regions was measured from digital images of the same males obtained under three conditions: (1) control (in a water-filled chamber); (2) anaesthetised with MS-222; and (3) anaesthetised with eugenol (clove oil). In experiment 1 anaesthetised fish were photographed out of water. In experiment 2 all photographs were taken in a water-filled chamber. Anaesthetics altered coloration in both experiments. In the more methodologically consistent experiment 2 we found significantly different hue, increased saturation and decreased brightness in anaesthetic v. control conditions, consistent with darkening caused by the anaesthetics. The body regions differed in coloration consistent with countershading but did not differentially change in response to anaesthesia. These findings suggest that photographing fish in a water-filled chamber without anaesthetic is preferable for obtaining digital images for colour analysis and that multiple body regions of fish should be measured when assessing coloration patterns meaningful in behavioural contexts, to account for the gradients caused by countershading. We are encouraged that some researchers employ such methods already and caution against using anaesthetics except when absolutely necessary for immobilisation.

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor of the central nervous system: Case series from a regional Tertiary Care Cancer Centre in South India.

BACKGROUND: Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) constitute a rare group of pediatric brain tumors. AIM: To study the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical (IHC) profile, management and outcome of children with AT/RT of the central nervous system who presented between the years 2007 and 2015 in a regional tertiary care center in South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the clinical case files. Archived slides and tissue blocks were retrieved. All cases had hematoxylin and eosin stained sections. IHC was available in all the cases. RESULTS: There were eight cases with the mean age of presentation being 4 years (range: 4 months to 15 years) and with slight male predominance (male:female = 1.66:1). Most of the presenting complaints were due to raised intra-cranial tension. The median duration of symptoms was 0.75 months. About 62.5% of the tumors were infratentorial in location. The tumors were heterogeneous showing variable expression of cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, glial fibrillary acid protein, and synaptophysin. Loss of integrase interactor-1 expression was demonstrated in seven cases in which it was done. Multimodal treatment comprising surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy was tailored based on location of tumor, resectability and patient's age. The median overall survival was 2.5 months (range: 1.5-30 months). CONCLUSION: Awareness of this tumor is important as it portends a poor outcome in most patients, in spite of multi-modal treatment. Several new molecules which aim to prolong survival and improve quality of life are being developed to combat this enigmatic tumor.

Bloodstream infections in febrile neutropenic patients at a tertiary cancer institute in South India: A timeline of clinical and microbial trends through the years.

INTRODUCTION: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is an oncological emergency. The choice of empiric therapy depends on the locally prevalent pathogens and their sensitivities, the sites of infection, and cost. The Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines are being followed for the management of FN in India. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care cancer centre from September 2012 to September 2014. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) To review the pattern of microbial flora, susceptibility pattern, and important clinical variables among bloodstream infections in febrile neutropenic patients with solid tumors and hematological malignancies. (2) As per the institutional protocol to periodically review the antibiotic policy and susceptibility pattern, and compare the findings with an earlier study done in our institute in 2010. This was a prospective study conducted from September 2012 to September 2014. RESULTS: About 379 episodes of FN were documented among 300 patients. About 887 blood cultures were drawn. Of these, 137 (15%) isolates were cultured. Isolates having identical antibiograms obtained from a single patient during the same hospitalization were considered as one. Hence, 128 isolates were analyzed. About 74 (58%) cultures yielded Gram-negative bacilli, 51 (40%) were positive for Gram-positive cocci, and 3 (2%) grew fungi. Among Gram-negative organisms, Escherichia coli followed by Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae accounted for 78% of the isolates. Among Gram-positive cocci, Staphylococcus species accounted for 84% of the isolates. We have noted a changing trend in the antibiotic sensitivity pattern over the years. Following the switch in empirical antibiotics, based on the results of the study done in 2010 (when the empirical antibiotics were ceftazidime + amikacin), the sensitivity to cefoperazone-sulbactam has plunged from about 80% to 60%%. Similar reduction in susceptibility was noted for piperacillin-tazobactam, imipenem, and meropenem. On the contrary, there was a marked increase in sensitivity to ceftazidime (50-76%). Based on these results, we have reverted to ceftazidime + amikacin as the empirical antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Every institute must have a regular revision of antibiotic policy based on periodic assessment of the clinical and microbiological profile in FN. This will combat antibiotic resistance.

Cancer-associated thrombotic microangiopathy.

Cancer-associated thrombotic microangiopathy refers to a group of disorders characterised by microvascular thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, and ischaemic end-organ damage. Haemolytic uraemic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura are the two major subtypes. It can be a manifestation of the malignancy itself or a complication of its therapy. The addition of several new drugs to the therapeutic armamentarium of cancer has brought to light several novel causative factors of this hitherto uncommon complication. This review covers the aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, complications, and the management of cancer-associated thrombotic microangiopathy. Careful review of the patient's medical records coupled with the correlation of clinical findings and laboratory reports can help clinch the diagnosis and institute appropriate treatment on time.

Acute Coronary Syndrome Manifesting as an Adverse Effect of All-trans-Retinoic Acid in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Case Report with Review of the Literature and a Spotlight on Management.

Background. Acute promyelocytic leukemia is characterized by t(15;17). This leads to the formation of PML/RARα which blocks the differentiation of blasts at the stage of promyelocytes. This is reversed by all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), a vitamin A derivative. Acute myocardial ischemia is a rare side effect of ATRA. Case Report. We report a case of acute coronary syndrome manifesting as an adverse effect of ATRA in a lady with APL who had no other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Conclusions. We emphasize the need for high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of this entity. In the light of this case, the rare instances of ATRA associated acute myocardial ischemia recorded in the literature and the options available for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia sans ATRA have been reviewed.

Outcomes, cost comparison, and patient satisfaction during long-term central venous access in cancer patients: Experience from a Tertiary Care Cancer Institute in South India.

INTRODUCTION: Prolonged treatment, frequent administration of chemotherapy, antibiotics and blood products in cancer patients requires long term venous access. Central venous catheters (CVC) inserted into the subclavian vein or internal jugular vein, peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) and chemoport (CP) are the commonly used central venous access devices (CVAD). AIM: This study was envisaged to review our experience of CVADs over a one year period and analyze the outcome with regard to catheter life, reasons for removal, complications, patient satisfaction and cost comparison between the CVAD types in the Indian setting. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective, observational study carried out in a tertiary care cancer institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 180 CVADs placed in patients with hematological malignancies and solid tumors from January 2014 to December 2014 were included. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U test. P <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: 180 CVADs were placed in 160 patients. The median catheter indwelling period was 76 days (16 days to 313 days) for CVC, 59 days (20days - 313 days) for PICC and 137 days (70 days - 258 days) for CP. 66 out of 160 patients developed complications (41.2%). 108 complication events were noted in 66 patients. There were 40 episodes of CRBSI. Out of the 68 mechanical complications, 37 were encountered during insertion of the CVAD and 31 were during the catheter indwelling period. Out of 160 patients, 138 (86.25%) were satisfied with the CVAD. The cost incurred for CVC/PICC (INR 4,480) was lower than that for CP (INR 24,150) and it was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Our patients were highly satisfied with the CVAD. CONCLUSION: Use of CVC and PICC is a safe, reliable and cost saving way of administration of chemotherapy in developing countries. The incidence of complications and catheter loss was acceptable. Our patients were highly satisfied with the CVAD.

Mating behavior and its morphological correlates in two color morphs of Girardinus metallicus (Pisces: Poeciliidae), a species previously thought not to exhibit courtship display.

Girardinus metallicus is a Cuban poeciliid fish whose social behavior has been little studied. The only account involves a colorless morph that is sexually monochromatic and does not exhibit courtship display. We describe the behavior of two other morphs (black and yellow) that exhibit sexual dichromatism. We observed courtship displays in black but not yellow males. Contrary to the pattern in most poeciliids, black males exhibit long gonopodia and courtship; typically, longer gonopodia evolve in species without courtship, because they facilitate coercive mating but circumvent female choice. We focused on the black morph to address whether morphological traits are favored by sexual selection. Larger males with longer gonopodia courted and attempted copulations more often. Black area was not associated with intersexual interactions, but was positively associated with aggressiveness. Dominant males attempted more copulations, consistent with the idea that black coloration may be a badge of status. Black males may possess long gonopodia because the gonopodium itself is a target of female choice. However, there was no difference in gonopodium length between black and yellow males, although the latter do not court. We discuss processes that may maintain the polymorphism and prospects for future studies in this intriguing system.