Controlled Environment Ecosystem: A Cutting-Edge Technology in Speed Breeding.

The controlled environment ecosystem is a meticulously designed plant growing chamber utilized for cultivating biofortified crops and microgreens, addressing hidden hunger and malnutrition prevalent in the growing population. The integration of speed breeding within such controlled environments effectively eradicates morphological disruptions encountered in traditional breeding methods such as inbreeding depression, male sterility, self-incompatibility, embryo abortion, and other unsuccessful attempts. In contrast to the unpredictable climate conditions that often prolong breeding cycles to 10-15 years in traditional breeding and 4-5 years in transgenic breeding within open ecosystems, speed breeding techniques expedite the achievement of breeding objectives and F1-F6 generations within 2-3 years under controlled growing conditions. In comparison, traditional breeding may take 5-10 years for plant population line creation, 3-5 years for field trials, and 1-2 years for variety release. The effectiveness of speed breeding in trait improvement and population line development varies across different crops, requiring approximately 4 generations in rice and groundnut, 5 generations in soybean, pea, and oat, 6 generations in sorghum, Amaranthus sp., and subterranean clover, 6-7 generations in bread wheat, durum wheat, and chickpea, 7 generations in broad bean, 8 generations in lentil, and 10 generations in Arabidopsis thaliana annually within controlled environment ecosystems. Artificial intelligence leverages neural networks and algorithm models to screen phenotypic traits and assess their role in diverse crop species. Moreover, in controlled environment systems, mechanistic models combined with machine learning effectively regulate stable nutrient use efficiency, water use efficiency, photosynthetic assimilation product, metabolic use efficiency, climatic factors, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, and carbon footprints. However, any negligence, even minor, in maintaining optimal photoperiodism, temperature, humidity, and controlling pests or diseases can lead to the deterioration of crop trials and speed breeding techniques within the controlled environment system. Further comparative studies are imperative to comprehend and justify the efficacy of climate management techniques in controlled environment ecosystems compared to natural environments, with or without soil.

Detection and molecular characterization of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma australasiaticum' in Aegle marmelos: a fruit of high medicinal values in India.

In surveys conducted from 2020 to 2022, five leaf samples each from symptomatic Agele marmelos trees and seedlings, along with five samples from asymptomatic trees and seedlings, were collected in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. The DNA extraction from all the samples was subjected to nested PCR assays, using the universal phytoplasma-specific primers set (P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2). The resulting 1.2 kb amplified products were observed in all the symptomatic samples but not in the asymptomatic samples. Bael phytoplasma strain sequences from the trees and seedlings were found 100% identical within themselves and only two representative sequences (one each from tree and seedling) were deposited in GenBank (NCBI) as PP415872 (AmA-1) and PP415873 (AmA-2). BLASTn searches revealed the maximum (100%) sequence identity with a phytoplasma strain from murraya little leaf strain of Faizabad (GenBank Acc.no. OP984129) and lowest (99.84%) with arecanut crown choking of Shimoga (GenBank Acc. no. OM417502) from Karnataka. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the bael phytoplasma isolates with peanut witches' broom group phytoplasma strains. Virtual RFLP analysis confirmed their identity as 'Ca. P. australasiaticum', a 16SrII-D subgroup strain. This study presents the first identification of a phytoplasma strain in A. marmelos, emphasizing its potential threat to fruit crops and the need for vigilance in nursery practices to prevent further dissemination.

Neural adaptations to congenital deafness: enhanced tactile discrimination through cross-modal neural plasticity - an fMRI study.

BACKGROUND: This study explores the compensatory neural mechanisms associated with congenital deafness through an examination of tactile discrimination abilities using high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the neural substrates underlying tactile processing in congenitally deaf individuals and compare them with hearing controls. METHODS: Our participant pool included thirty-five congenitally deaf individuals and thirty-five hearing controls. All participants engaged in tactile discrimination tasks involving the identification of common objects by touch. We utilized an analytical suite comprising voxel-based statistics, functional connectivity multivariate/voxel pattern analysis (fc-MVPA), and seed-based connectivity analysis to examine neural activity. RESULTS: Our findings revealed pronounced neural activity in congenitally deaf participants within regions typically associated with auditory processing, including the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, and right rolandic operculum. Additionally, unique activation and connectivity patterns were observed in the right insula and bilateral supramarginal gyrus, indicating a strategic reorganization of neural pathways for tactile information processing. Behaviorally, both groups demonstrated high accuracy in the tactile tasks, exceeding 90%. However, the deaf participants outperformed their hearing counterparts in reaction times, showcasing significantly enhanced efficiency in tactile information processing. CONCLUSION: These insights into the brain's adaptability to sensory loss through compensatory neural reorganization highlight the intricate mechanisms by which tactile discrimination is enhanced in the absence of auditory input. Understanding these adaptations can help develop strategies to harness the brain's plasticity to improve sensory processing in individuals with sensory impairments, ultimately enhancing their quality of life through improved tactile perception and sensory integration.

Mapping the unique neural engagement in deaf individuals during picture, word, and sign language processing: fMRI study.

Employing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of neural responses during sign language, picture, and word processing tasks in a cohort of 35 deaf participants and contrasted these responses with those of 35 hearing counterparts. Our voxel-based analysis unveiled distinct patterns of brain activation during language processing tasks. Deaf individuals exhibited robust bilateral activation in the superior temporal regions during sign language processing, signifying the profound neural adaptations associated with sign comprehension. Similarly, during picture processing, the deaf cohort displayed activation in the right angular, right calcarine, right middle temporal, and left angular gyrus regions, elucidating the neural dynamics engaged in visual processing tasks. Intriguingly, during word processing, the deaf group engaged the right insula and right fusiform gyrus, suggesting compensatory mechanisms at play during linguistic tasks. Notably, the control group failed to manifest additional or distinctive regions in any of the tasks when compared to the deaf cohort, underscoring the unique neural signatures within the deaf population. Multivariate Pattern Analysis (MVPA) of functional connectivity provided a more nuanced perspective on connectivity patterns across tasks. Deaf participants exhibited significant activation in a myriad of brain regions, including bilateral planum temporale (PT), postcentral gyrus, insula, and inferior frontal regions, among others. These findings underscore the intricate neural adaptations in response to auditory deprivation. Seed-based connectivity analysis, utilizing the PT as a seed region, revealed unique connectivity pattern across tasks. These connectivity dynamics provide valuable insights into the neural interplay associated with cross-modal plasticity.

Ecological and human health risk assessment of pharmaceutical compounds in the Sirsa River of Indian Himalayas.

The Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) region of Indian Himalayas is one of the most important pharmaceutical industrial clusters in Asia. This study investigated the distribution, and ecological and human health risks of four most frequently used pharmaceuticals [ciprofloxacin (CIP), norfloxacin (NOR), cetirizine (CTZ) and citalopram oxalate (ECP)] when co-occurring with metal ions in the Sirsa river water of the BBN region. The concentration range of the selected pharmaceuticals was between 'not detected' to 50 µgL-1 with some exception for CIP (50-100 µgL-1) and CTZ (100-150 µgL-1) in locations directly receiving wastewater discharges. A significant correlation was found between the occurrences of NOR and Al (r2 = 0.65; p = 0.01), and CTZ and K (r2 = 0.50; p = 0.01) and Mg (r2 = 0.50; p = 0.01). A high-level ecological risk [risk quotient (RQ) > 1] was observed for algae from all the pharmaceuticals. A medium-level risk (RQ = 0.01-0.1) was observed for Daphnia from CIP, NOR and ECP, and a high-level risk from CTZ. A low-level risk was observed for fishes from CIP and NOR, whereas CTZ and ECP posed a high-level risk to fishes. The overall risk to ecological receptors was in the order: CTZ > CIP > ECP > NOR. Samples from the river locations receiving water from municipal drains or situated near landfill and pharmaceutical factories exhibited RQ > 1 for all pharmaceuticals. The average hazard quotient (HQ) values for the compounds followed the order: CTZ (0.18) > ECP (0.15) > NOR (0.001) > CIP (0.0003) for children (0-6 years); ECP (0.49) > CTZ (0.29) > NOR (0.005) > CIP (0.001) for children (7-17 years), and ECP (0.34) > CTZ (0.21) > NOR (0.007) > CIP (0.001) for adults (>17 years). The calculated risk values did not readily confirm the status of water as safe or unsafe because the values of predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) would depend on various other environmental factors such as quality of the toxicity data, and species sensitivity and distribution, which warrants further research.

Neurotopographical Transformations: Dissecting Cortical Reconfigurations in Auditory Deprivation.

Within the intricate matrices of cognitive neuroscience, auditory deprivation acts as a catalyst, propelling a cascade of neuroanatomical adjustments that have, until now, been suboptimally articulated in extant literature. Addressing this gap, our study harnesses high-resolution 3 T MRI modalities to unveil the multifaceted cortical transformations that emerge in tandem with congenital auditory deficits. We conducted a rigorous cortical surface analysis on a cohort of 90 congenitally deaf individuals, systematically compared with 90 normoacoustic controls. Our sample encompassed both male and female participants, ensuring a gender-inclusive perspective in our analysis. Expected alterations within prototypical auditory domains were evident, but our findings transcended these regions, spotlighting modifications dispersed across a gamut of cortical and subcortical structures, thereby epitomizing the cerebral adaptive dynamics to sensory voids. Crucially, the study's innovative methodology integrated two pivotal variables: the duration of auditory deprivation and the extent of sign language immersion. By intersecting these metrics with structural changes, our analysis unveiled nuanced layers of cortical reconfigurations, elucidating a more granulated understanding of neural plasticity. This intersectional approach bestows a unique advantage, allowing for a discerning exploration into how varying durations of sensory experience and alternative communication modalities modulate the brain's morphological terrain. In encapsulating the synergy of neuroimaging finesse and incisive scientific rigor, this research not only broadens the current understanding of adaptive neural mechanisms but also paves the way for tailored therapeutic strategies, finely attuned to individual auditory histories and communicative repertoires.

In Vitro Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Novel Fluoroquinolone, Levonadifloxacin (WCK 771) Against Multi-Drug-Resistant Clinical Isolates from Cancer Patients in India.

Introduction: Rapid increase in antimicrobial-resistance is leading to urgent need for newer broad-spectrum antimicrobials. Therefore, we have evaluated the antimicrobial résistance spectrum of India-discovered novel antibiotics (levonadifloxacin) against clinical isolates recovered from cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the microbiology department, over a period of 1 year between May 2021 and June 2022 and 374 consecutive and nonduplicate Gram-positive (GPC) and MDR Gram Negative Bacteria (GNB) isolate were analyzed from 3,880 cancer patients in study. The identification and antimicrobial sensitivities of bacterial isolates were performed according to standard laboratory protocols by using automated identification system (VITEK-2-8.01; BioMérieux, Germany). The activity of levonadifloxacin and comparator antibiotics was evaluated using disk diffusion methods as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute 2022 guidelines. Results: The mean age of the patients were 51.6 ± 14.59 years with male: female ratio of 1.2:1. The prevalence of GPC was 167 (44.65%) and MDR-GNB was 207 (55.34%). The most common GPC was Staphylococcus aureus; 97 (58.08%) followed by Enterococcus species 66 (39.52%). In GNB, Escherichia coli; 93 (44.92%) was the most common followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae; 45 (21.73%). Levonadifloxacin susceptibility was present in 98.7% methicillin-resistant S. aureus and 96% methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and 77.1% Enterococcus-species. Additionally, all the fluoroquinolones-resistant S. aureus isolates were susceptible to levonadifloxacin (WCK-771) except one isolate. Also, levonadifloxacin-(WCK-771) exhibits 100% susceptibility fluoroquinolone susceptible GNB, such as E. coli, K. pneumoniae, Pseudomonas species, and Acinetobacter species. Interestingly, all fluoroquinolones-resistant Salmonella species and Stenotrophomonas maltophilla exhibited 100% susceptibility to levonadifloxacin (WCK-771). Conclusion: Levonadifloxacin (WCK-771) possesses potent activity against all the MDR Gram-positive pathogens including the coverage of susceptible Enterobacterales and MDR S. maltophilla and Burkholderia cepacia suggesting its potential utility in the management of polymicrobial infections.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu expression in urothelial carcinomas.

Introduction: Urothelial carcinomas of the bladder are more common in males, making them the sixth-most common cancer in men and the tenth-most common cancer overall, worldwide. Current guidelines do not recommend routine testing for human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2/neu) expression on the biopsy specimens of patients with urothelial carcinoma. This study was aimed at determining the expression pattern of HER2/neu and its usefulness in muscle-invasive and nonmuscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma. Methods: HER2/neu expression was assessed in 89 specimens of urothelial cancer by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and equivocal cases were subjected to fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: On IHC for HER2/neu, 17.9% (7/39) of the muscle-invasive bladder cancers (MIBCs) showed a 3+ expression, whereas 22% (11/50) of the non-muscle invasive cancers were positive with a score of 3+. A significant correlation between HER2/neu status and muscle invasion could not be established in the current study (P = 0.74, Fisher's exact test). Three cases of muscle-invasive (7.7%) and 2 cases (4%) among nonmuscle invasive cancers showed equivocal expression. All the cases with equivocal (2+) expression on IHC were subjected to FISH and none showed gene amplification on hybridization and were considered as negative. Conclusion: Overexpression of HER-2/neu was seen in 17.9% of MIBCs and 22% of non-MIBCs. There are no norms for routine testing of HER2/neu expression in the biopsy specimens of urothelial carcinoma. There is an unmet need to establish guidelines for HER2/neu scoring, similar to that for breast and gastric cancers, to determine the proportion of positive cases and help in identification of those who may benefit from targeted therapies.

Noncanonical interaction with microtubules via the N-terminal nonmotor domain is critical for the functions of a bidirectional kinesin.

Several kinesin-5 motors (kinesin-5s) exhibit bidirectional motility. The mechanism of such motility remains unknown. Bidirectional kinesin-5s share a long N-terminal nonmotor domain (NTnmd), absent in exclusively plus-end-directed kinesins. Here, we combined in vivo, in vitro, and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies to examine the impact of NTnmd mutations on the motor functions of the bidirectional kinesin-5, Cin8. We found that NTnmd deletion mutants exhibited cell viability and spindle localization defects. Using cryo-EM, we examined the structure of a microtubule (MT)-bound motor domain of Cin8, containing part of its NTnmd. Modeling and molecular dynamic simulations based on the cryo-EM map suggested that the NTnmd of Cin8 interacts with the C-terminal tail of ß-tubulin. In vitro experiments on subtilisin-treated MTs confirmed this notion. Last, we showed that NTnmd mutants are defective in plus-end-directed motility in single-molecule and antiparallel MT sliding assays. These findings demonstrate that the NTnmd, common to bidirectional kinesin-5s, is critical for their bidirectional motility and intracellular functions.

Using ALE coordinate-based meta-analysis to observe resting-state brain abnormalities in subjective tinnitus.

The origin of tinnitus remains a topic of discussion; however, numerous resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) studies interpret it as a disruption in neural functional connectivity. Yet, there's notable inconsistency in the resting-state data across these studies. To shed light on this discrepancy, we conducted a meta-analysis of extant rsfMRI studies, aiming to identify potential regions that consistently signify core abnormalities in individuals with tinnitus. METHODS: A systematic search on MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases was performed to identify rsfMRI studies on tinnitus published up to October 2022. Coordinates related to the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) brain maps that showed significant differences between tinnitus patients and controls were extracted. Meta-analysis was performed using the activation likelihood estimation method. Data were included from 17 rsfMRI studies that reported a total of 63 distinct foci in ALFF and 46 foci in ReHo. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis revealed several regions where tinnitus patients demonstrated increased ALFF and ReHO values, both individually and collectively, when compared to control subjects. These regions encompassed the insula, middle temporal gyrus, and inferior frontal gyrus on both sides. Additionally, increased activity was also noted in the cerebellum posterior lobe bilaterally and the right superior frontal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrates a unique pattern of resting-state brain abnormalities involving both the auditory and non-auditory brain regions as neuroimaging markers, which helps understand the neuro-pathophysiological mechanisms of tinnitus.

Advancements and prospects of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies for abiotic and biotic stresses in sugar beet.

Sugar beet is a crop with high sucrose content, known for sugar production and recently being considered as an emerging raw material for bioethanol production. This crop is also utilized as cattle feed, mainly when animal green fodder is scarce. Bioethanol and hydrogen gas production from this crop is an essential source of clean energy. Environmental stresses (abiotic/biotic) severely affect the productivity of this crop. Over the past few decades, the molecular mechanisms of biotic and abiotic stress responses in sugar beet have been investigated using next-generation sequencing, gene editing/silencing, and over-expression approaches. This information can be efficiently utilized through CRISPR/Cas 9 technology to mitigate the effects of abiotic and biotic stresses in sugar beet cultivation. This review highlights the potential use of CRISPR/Cas 9 technology for abiotic and biotic stress management in sugar beet. Beet genes known to be involved in response to alkaline, cold, and heavy metal stresses can be precisely modified via CRISPR/Cas 9 technology for enhancing sugar beet's resilience to abiotic stresses with minimal off-target effects. Similarly, CRISPR/Cas 9 technology can help generate insect-resistant sugar beet varieties by targeting susceptibility-related genes, whereas incorporating Cry1Ab and Cry1C genes may provide defense against lepidopteron insects. Overall, CRISPR/Cas 9 technology may help enhance sugar beet's adaptability to challenging environments, ensuring sustainable, high-yield production.

Drought stress in maize: stress perception to molecular response and strategies for its improvement.

Given the future demand for food crops, increasing crop productivity in drought-prone rainfed areas has become essential. Drought-tolerant varieties are warranted to solve this problem in major crops, with drought tolerance as a high-priority trait for future research. Maize is one such crop affected by drought stress, which limits production, resulting in substantial economic losses. It became a more serious issue due to global climate change. The most drought sensitive among all stages of maize is the reproductive stages and the most important for overall maize production. The exact molecular basis of reproductive drought sensitivity remains unclear due to genes' complex regulation of drought stress. Understanding the molecular biology and signaling of the unexplored area of reproductive drought tolerance will provide an opportunity to develop climate-smart drought-tolerant next-generation maize cultivars. In recent decades, significant progress has been made in maize to understand the drought tolerance mechanism. However, improving maize drought tolerance through breeding is ineffective due to the complex nature and multigenic control of drought traits. With the help of advanced breeding techniques, molecular genetics, and a precision genome editing approach like CRISPR-Cas, candidate genes for drought-tolerant maize can be identified and targeted. This review summarizes the effects of drought stress on each growth stage of maize, potential genes, and transcription factors that determine drought tolerance. In addition, we discussed drought stress sensing, its molecular mechanisms, different approaches to developing drought-resistant maize varieties, and how molecular breeding and genome editing will help with the current unpredictable climate change.

Graphene Scaffolds: A Striking Approach to Combat Dermatophytosis.

Exclusive physicochemical and biological properties of carbon allotrope graphene have attracted the peer attention of researchers for the synthesis and development of newer topical remedies including films, scaffolds, microspheres, and hydrogels. Here, graphene nanoplatelets (GN) were embedded into a different ratio of polymeric ERL100/ERS100 solution and fabricated in the form of a scaffold through the electrospinning process. FTIR spectra displayed characteristic similar peaks present both in GN and GN-loaded scaffold owing to the compatibility of GN and polymeric mixture. XRD curve revealed a distinct GN peak at nearly 26° whereas from DSC/TGA thermal stability was observed between polymers and graphene nanoplatelets. FESEM images showed ultrathin architecture of GN-loaded scaffold in a range of 280 ± 90 nm. The fabricated scaffold exhibited hydrophilicity (contact angle 48.8 ± 2.8°) and desirable swelling index (646% in skin pH media) which were desired criteria for the scaffold for topical application. In vitro, antifungal activity was conducted through the broth microdilution method against different virulent dermatophytes i.e., Microsporum gypseum, M. canis, M. fulvum, and Trychophyton rubrum. For in vivo evaluation, T. rubrum inoculum was applied on the dorsal surface of each group of Swiss albino mice, and the degree and intensity of mycelial growth or erythema on skin surfaces was visually investigated. The study depicted complete signs of cure after 14 days of application of G3-loaded scaffold on the infected dorsal site. Hence graphene-loaded scaffold represented a possible alternative for the treatment of topical fungal infections caused by dermatophytes.

The kinesin-5 tail and bipolar minifilament domains are the origin of its microtubule crosslinking and sliding activity.

Kinesin-5 crosslinks and slides apart microtubules to assemble, elongate, and maintain the mitotic spindle. Kinesin-5 is a tetramer, where two N-terminal motor domains are positioned at each end of the motor, and the coiled-coil stalk domains are organized into a tetrameric bundle through the bipolar assembly (BASS) domain. To dissect the function of the individual structural elements of the motor, we constructed a minimal kinesin-5 tetramer (mini-tetramer). We determined the x-ray structure of the extended, 34-nm BASS domain. Guided by these structural studies, we generated active bipolar kinesin-5 mini-tetramer motors from Drosophila melanogastor and human orthologues which are half the length of native kinesin-5. We then used these kinesin-5 mini-tetramers to examine the role of two unique structural adaptations of kinesin-5: 1) the length and flexibility of the tetramer, and 2) the C-terminal tails which interact with the motor domains to coordinate their ATPase activity. The C-terminal domain causes frequent pausing and clustering of kinesin-5. By comparing microtubule crosslinking and sliding by mini-tetramer and full-length kinesin-5, we find that both the length and flexibility of kinesin-5 and the C-terminal tails govern its ability to crosslink microtubules. Once crosslinked, stiffer mini-tetramers slide antiparallel microtubules more efficiently than full-length motors.

Drought and salinity stresses induced physio-biochemical changes in sugarcane: an overview of tolerance mechanism and mitigating approaches.

Sugarcane productivity is being hampered globally under changing environmental scenarios like drought and salinity. The highly complex nature of the plant responses against these stresses is determined by a variety of factors such as genotype, developmental phase of the plant, progression rate and stress, intensity, and duration. These factors influence plant responses and can determine whether mitigation approaches associated with acclimation are implemented. In this review, we attempt to summarize the effects of drought and salinity on sugarcane growth, specifically on the plant's responses at various levels, viz., physiological, biochemical, and metabolic responses, to these stresses. Furthermore, mitigation strategies for dealing with these stresses have been discussed. Despite sugarcane's complex genomes, conventional breeding approaches can be utilized in conjunction with molecular breeding and omics technologies to develop drought- and salinity-tolerant cultivars. The significant role of plant growth-promoting bacteria in sustaining sugarcane productivity under drought and salinity cannot be overlooked.

Large Solitary Fibrous Tumor (SFT) of the penis- a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are very rare spindle cell neoplasms of mesenchymal origin with largely benign course of disease. Genital SFT's can be managed providing excellent functional and psychological outcomes by timely intervention. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the largest and possibly the second only reported case of penile SFT in a 34 year male presenting with a gradually increasing perineal mass with clinically normal appearing phallus. MRI revealed a 9.8 × 3.2 cm soft tissue mass arising from left corpora cavernosae, the mass was excised en-bloc via a perineal approach under spinal anaesthesia. Histopathology revealed spindle cell tumor embedded in myxohyaline stroma along with hyalinized vascular channels demonstrating IHC positivity for CD34 and STAT6. The patient is disease free post 2 years of resection with no sexual or urinary dysfunctions. CONCLUSION: Genital SFTs, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of well-circumscribed, painless, slow growing solid masses and histopathologists must be vigilant of its malignant characteristics.

Altered white matter integrity in euthymic children with bipolar disorder: A tract-based spatial statistical analysis of diffusion tensor imaging.

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a serious mental illness that affects children and adolescents, characterized by episodes of mania, depression, and mixed episodes. Recent studies have suggested that abnormalities in the white matter (WM) may be a contributing factor. The neuropathogenesis of BD in children is not well-described, and research in this area is limited. Euthymic phase is a period in which clinical symptoms are present but not severe enough to significantly impact mood and daily behavior. In order to better understand the WM changes associated with BD in children, this study utilized Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), to investigate alterations in WM microstructure. 20 confirmed euthymic BD children (aged 7-16) and 20 typically developing children were included in the study. DTI scans were obtained using a 3 T Magnetom Skyra and were analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) to examine changes in fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), and mean diffusivity (MD). Results showed that compared to the healthy control group, the euthymic BD group exhibited increased FA, AD, RD, and MD values in several brain regions, including the thalamus, precentral corticospinal tract, and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Conversely, decreased values were observed in the body of the corpus callosum and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus. These findings suggest that alterations in WM microstructure are a hallmark of pediatric bipolar disorder. These findings provide important insights into the brain changes associated with pediatric bipolar disorder and open the door for new avenues of research.

Evaluation of modified RENAL nephrometry score in the prediction of perioperative outcomes of open partial nephrectomy.

Introduction: RENAL nephrometry score (RNS) is a standardized system to grade the complexity of renal masses, but it does not correlate well with the perioperative outcomes of open partial nephrectomy (OPN). To overcome these shortcomings, a modified RNS (MRNS) has been proposed. In this study, we evaluated the MRNS and its role in predicting the perioperative outcomes of OPN. Methods: This was a prospective observational study performed at a tertiary care hospital to evaluate the efficacy of MRNS in predicting the perioperative outcomes of OPN. Sixty-four cases were included in the study. Demographic parameters, tumor characteristics, and perioperative outcomes were analyzed. Correlation with the post-operative outcomes and the strengths of MRNS were compared with various other nephrometry scores. Results: The mean age of the patients was 52.89 years, 60.9% were male and 53.1% had a right-sided mass. The comorbidities, body mass index, and performance scores were evenly distributed across the complexity groups (P > 0.05). The mean tumor size was 4.13 cm and the mean MRNS and RNS were 9.45 and 6.1, respectively. 60.9% of the cases had no complications. Major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade [CDG] 3+) were noted in five cases (7.8%). The trifecta of neargin, ischemia, and complications (MICs) score was achieved in 85.9% and was achieved in 71.9% of the cases. MRNS was found to be an independent predictor of the trifecta outcomes (P = 0.04). Receiver-operating characteristic curve of MRNS analyzing the major complications as per the CDG showed an area under the curve of. 804, indicating good prediction of complications by the MRNS. Conclusions: MRNS improves the predicting power of RNS by attributing enhanced scores to key elements and by adding new elements. Also, MRNS has good ability to predict the achievement of the trifecta and MIC.

Production of, Factors Affecting, Gene Regulations, and Challenges in Tissue Cultured Plant through Soilless Culture.

Soilless culture also known as water based culture and substrate based culture has immense potential to grow tissue cultured plants in a closed and controlled environment system. This review analyzes the various factors that affect the vegetative growth, reproductive growth, metabolic processes, and gene regulatory functions of tissue cultured plants and the suitability of soilless culture for tissue culture plants. Experiments show that morphological and reproductive abnormalities are mitigated in tissue cultured plants by gene regulation in a closed and controlled environment system. Various factors of a soilless culture influence gene regulation and enhance cellular, molecular, and biochemical processes and compensate constraints in tissue cultured plants in closed and controlled environment conditions. The soilless culture can be utilized to harden and grow tissue culture plants. The tissue cultured plants counter water logging problems and are supplied with nutrients at 7 day intervals in the water based culture. It is necessary to analyze the involvement of regulatory genes in detail in combating challenges of tissue cultured plants in soilless cultures under closed systems. Detailed studies are also required to determine anatomy, genesis, and function of microtuber cells in tissue cultured plants.

To determine correlation between VIRADS scoring and pathological staging in bladder cancer: A prospective study and review of literature.

The development of standardized reporting systems is of paramount importance in medical-imaging. Based on the "RADS" methodology, PIRADS and BI-RADS have been successfully used. The management of bladder cancer (BC) depends on the stage at the time of identification. Accurate assessment of the muscle-invasive stage can alter therapies that are radically different. MRI can accurately diagnose this in a standardized manner (Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System: VIRADS) and spare additional procedures. The aim of the study is to determine diagnostic accuracy of VIRADS scoring in evaluation of muscle invasiveness in patients with BC. This study was conducted in a single center over a period of 2 years from April 2020. A total of 76 patients with bladder SOL/diagnosed BC were included. Final VIRADS scoring was calculated and compared with histopathological report.76 patients were evaluated which included 64 males and 12 females. Most of the cases came under the VIRADS-II category (23, 30.26%) followed by VIRADS-V (17, 22.36%). VIRADS-I was reported in 14 cases (18.42%). A total of 8 cases (10.52 %) were reported as VIRADS III and 14 cases (18.42%) as VIRADS IV. VIRADS-III was taken as cut off and found to have a sensitivity of 94.44%, a specificity of 87.50%, a positive predictive value of 87.17% and a negative predictive value of 94.59%. Though number of cases are still less to accurately predict test characteristics of VIRADS, our results are consistent with previously done retrospective studies and VIRADS has got good correlation with pathological staging.