Xanthan gum coatings augmented with lemongrass oil preserve postharvest quality and antioxidant defence system of Kinnow fruit under low-temperature storage.

Kinnow mandarin is an important citrus fruit that undergoes various postharvest qualitative losses. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of polysaccharide-based xanthan gum (XG) coatings and lemongrass essential oil (LG) on the nutritive quality of Kinnow mandarins stored at 5-7 °C, 90-95 % RH for 75 days. The results revealed that in comparison to control the coatings maintained the fruit titratable acidity (TA), soluble solid content (SSC), ascorbic acid (AsA) content, total flavonoid content (TFC), and juice content, along with reduced weight loss and spoilage incidence. The coated fruits also exhibited higher sensory quality, total antioxidant activity (TAA), and activities of enzymes; catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). At the end of storage, the fruits coated with XG 1.0 % + LG 1.0 % exhibited maximum TA (0.69 %), AsA content (203.5 mg L-1), and TFC (0.21 mg g-1) with minimum weight loss (7.57 %) and spoilage (3.01 %) and SSC (11.87 %). The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images of the coated fruits also exhibited smooth surfaces with closed stomata pores. Overall, XG 1.0 % + LG 1.0 % proved as a potential postharvest treatment for maintaining the nutritive quality of Kinnow under low-temperature storage.

Molecular cues of sugar signaling in plants.

Sugars, the chemically bound form of energy, are formed by the absorption of photosynthetically active radiation and fixation in plants. During evolution, plants availed the sugar molecules as a resource, balancing molecule, and signaling molecule. The multifaceted role of sugar molecules in response to environmental stimuli makes it the central coordinator required for growth, survival, and continuity. During the course of evolution, the molecular networks have become complex to adapt or acclimate to the changing environment. Sugar molecules are sensed both intra and extracellularly by their specific sensors. The signal is transmitted by a signaling loop that involves various downstream signaling molecules, transcriptional factors and, most pertinent, the sensors TOR and SnRK1. In this review, the focus has been retained on the significance of the sugar sensors during signaling and induced modules to regulate plant growth, development, biotic and abiotic stress. It is interesting to visualize the sugar molecule as a signaling unit and not only a nutrient. Complete information on the downstream components of sugar signaling will open the gates for improving the qualitative and quantitative elements of crop plants.

Evaluation and screening of elite wheat germplasm for salinity stress at the seedling phase.

Salinity is one of the most important constraints for global cereal production, and breeding for salinity tolerance is a challenge. The limited gene pools, merged information regarding osmotic stress/tissue tolerance mechanism(s) including the accumulation of Na+ , over-stressed on the Na+ exclusion mechanism, and inadequate suitable screening methods further weaken the progress. In the present study, an attempt was made to evaluate the salt tolerance in Triticum aestivum lines using the membership function value (MFV) of certain traits viz., the root and shoot length (RL & SL), shoot and root fresh weight (SFW & RFW), shoot and root dry weight (SDW & RDW) and germination percentage (GP). This study screened 314 wheat lines (278 linked top cross population [LTPs] and 36 normal wheat cultivars) under lab conditions to evaluate their salt tolerance. A positive, and the highest, correlation coefficient was recorded between salt tolerance index (STI) of SL and the STI of RL.0.11 highly salt tolerant (HST), 59 salt tolerant (ST), 100 moderately salt tolerant (MST), 137 salt sensitive (SS), and seven highly salt sensitive (HSS) were observed with a distance of 2.2 between each category. The R-square value was maximum (0.836) between the STI of SFW and the mean MFV, which can be used as the most reliable trait for the salinity tolerance in T. aestivum at the germination phase. Wheat tolerant lines had higher tolerance to salt stress in comparison with the used normal wheat cultivars were detected at the seedling stage.

ROS and oxidative burst: Roots in plant development.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are widely generated in various redox reactions in plants. In earlier studies, ROS were considered toxic byproducts of aerobic metabolism. In recent years, it has become clear that ROS act as plant signaling molecules that participate in various processes such as growth and development. Several studies have elucidated the roles of ROS from seed germination to senescence. However, there is much to discover about the diverse roles of ROS as signaling molecules and their mechanisms of sensing and response. ROS may provide possible benefits to plant physiological processes by supporting cellular proliferation in cells that maintain basal levels prior to oxidative effects. Although ROS are largely perceived as either negative by-products of aerobic metabolism or makers for plant stress, elucidating the range of functions that ROS play in growth and development still require attention.

Serotyping and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Escherichia coli Isolates from Urinary Tract Infections in Pediatric Population in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pediatric population are associated with high morbidity and long term complications. In recent years, there is increased prevalence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains producing extended spectrum ß-lactamase, Amp C, and Metallo ß-lactamase, making the clinical management even more difficult. This study was aimed to detect the serotypes and to determine antimicrobial susceptibility profile of E. coli isolates from urine samples of children <10 yrs old. A total of 75 pure E. coli strains isolated from patients with symptoms of UTI and colony count ≥10(5) organisms/mL were included in the study. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern showed maximum resistance to nalidixic acid (98.7%), followed by ampicillin (97.3%), amoxi-clavulanate (96%), and fluoroquinolones (92%) while most of the isolates were found sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactam (13.3%), nitrofurantoin (5.3%), and meropenem (1.3%). 48% of the strains were ESBL producer (extended spectrum beta lactamase). 44% strains were typable withantisera used in our study and the most common serogroup was O6 (33.3%) followed by O1 (15.1%) and O15 (15.1%). To conclude, judicious use of antibiotics according to hospital antibiotic policy and infection control measures should be implemented to prevent spread of multidrug resistant organisms.

Urinary tract infection: aetiology and antimicrobial resistance pattern in infants from a tertiary care hospital in northern India.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in childhood. Present study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of the uropathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in infants (< 1yr) suspected with UTI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in the Microbiology Department on urine samples received from infants for a period of two years from September 2011 to August 2013. RESULTS: Culture positivity rate was found to be 15.7%. There was an overall male preponderance in cases of UTI (70.1%). Most common bacterial isolate was E.coli (45.4%) followed by Klebsiella (16.7%) and Enterococcus spp (13.2%). Isolation of candida was 21.1%, maximum from ICU (63.1%). Maximum gram negative isolates (50%) showed high resistance to gentamicin, amikacin, cefotaxime and norfloxacin while most of the isolates (5%) were found susceptible to nitrofurantoin and piperacillin-tazobactam. 45.1% of gram negative bacilli were ESBL producer. We recommend continuous monitoring of changes in bacterial pathogens causing UTI and antibiotic sensitivity in each area for effective treatment of UTI. CONCLUSION: Since antimicrobial resistance is a major problem, such study will help in formulating a strict antibiotics prescription policy in our country.

Pagophagia - a common but rarely reported form of pica.

Pagophagia is a particular form of pica characterized by ingestion of ice, freezer frost or iced drinks often associated with iron or calcium deficiency. It occurs due to a complex interplay in between behavioural components. Only few cases of pagophagia have been reported from India.We report a case, a married lady, who presented with pagophagia and responded to fluoxetine.

Frequency and characteristics of infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing organisms in neonates: a prospective cohort study.

This prospective cohort study was conducted to determine the frequency of infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing organisms, various bacteria producing ESBL, antibiotic susceptibility of these organisms, and the risk factors associated with these infections in a neonatal intensive care unit in a tertiary care hospital in North India. Of the 150 neonates enrolled in the study, 47 culture-positive neonates were included in the study cohort and were divided into two groups: ESBL-positive (8 neonates) and ESBL-negative (39 neonates) cohorts. Various organisms were isolated from 72 culture samples in these 47 neonates. Of these, 10 culture samples grew ESBL-positive organisms and 62 samples grew ESBL-negative organisms. The frequency of ESBL-producing organisms was found to be 5.3%. ESBL infection incidence densities were found to be 3.4 per 1000 patient-days. Klebsiella (60%) was the most common organism producing ESBL followed by Escherichia coli (30%) and Pseudomonas (10%). Eighty percent of the ESBL-producing organisms were sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactam. Risk factors found significant by univariate analysis (P < 0.05) were preterm, low birthweight, perinatal asphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome, anaemia, metabolic acidosis, prolonged mechanical ventilation (>7 days), length of hospitalization, length of level 3 stay, prior antibiotic use, central venous catheter duration, peripherally inserted central venous catheter duration, and total parenteral nutrition duration. Factors that retained significance in the logistic regression model were duration of hospital stay (adjusted OR: 0.958, CI: 0.920-0.997, and P value = 0.037) and gestational age (adjusted OR: 1.39, CI: 1.037-1.865, and P value = 0.028). There was no significant difference in the mortality between the two groups.

Bactericidal effect of trypan blue and fluorescein sodium in ophthalmic practice.

OBJECTIVE: Trypan blue and fluorescein sodium are two commonly used dyes in ophthalmic practice. The staining of anterior lens capsule is achieved using trypan blue while fluorescein finds its application in fluorescent angiography. We assessed the 'in vitro' bactericidal effect of these two agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cidal properties of these two dyes were tested in vitro against thirty representative strains of four commonly isolated bacteria from the eye. The concentration of dyes used were 0.6 mg/ml, 0.1 mg/ml, and 0.05 mg/ml for trypan blue and 20 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml for fluorescein sodium. RESULT: We found that trypan blue and fluorescein sodium at an optimum concentration of 0.6 mg/ml and 20 mg/ml respectively could produce a significant fall (p less than .05) in the bacterial count of representative Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. CONCLUSION: The use of prophylactic antibiotics/antiseptic eye drops can be avoided if these two dyes are used at an optimum bactericidal concentration but side effects of the same at these concentrations need to be kept in mind.

Childhood trauma and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Childhood trauma is known to predispose to a variety of psychiatric disorders, including mood, anxiety, eating, and personality disorders. However, the relationship between childhood trauma and obsessive-compulsive symptoms has not been well studied. This study examines the relationship between childhood trauma, personality facets, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in 938 college students using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Leyton Obsessional Inventory, and the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised. Between 13 and 30% of subjects met criteria for childhood trauma, with emotional neglect the most commonly reported experience. There was a small but significant association between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and childhood trauma, specifically emotional abuse and physical neglect, all of which was accounted for by co-occurring anxiety symptoms. An independent association was also seen between emotional abuse, physical abuse, and high levels of obsessive-compulsive symptoms ("probable obsessive-compulsive disorder"), which remained significant in the context of co-occurring anxiety symptoms. A similar association was seen between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and conscientiousness, and between emotional neglect and sexual abuse and conscientiousness, suggesting that an indirect role for childhood trauma in the development of obsessive-compulsive symptoms may also exist.