Radio-frequency (RF) room temperature plasma treatment of sweet basil seeds (Ocimum basilicum L.) for germination potential enhancement by immaculation.

Ocimum basilicum L. is an antiviral and immunity boosting medicinal plant and culinary herb. Potential use of sweet basils in COVID 19 prevention and management is making its demand rise. This study is aimed at germination potential enhancement of sweet basil seeds. Reported study is evidenced with scientific data of radio-frequency cold plasma treatment using Ar + O2 feed gas. O. basilicum seeds, placed inside the rotating glass bottle, were directly exposed to RF (13.56 MHz) plasma produced in Ar + O2 feed gas. Seed treatment was done using RF source power (60 W, 150 W, 240 W), process pressure (0.2 mbar, 0.4 mbar, 0.6 mbar), and treatment time (5 min, 10 min, 15 min) at different combinations. Results show that, the most efficient treatment provide up to ∼89 % of the germination percentage which is an enhancement by 32.3 % from the control. SEM images revealed slight shrinkage in the seed size with eroded appearance over the seed. Enhancement of lipid peroxidation, show that oxidation of seed coat may propagate internally. Water imbibition analysis, of the treated seeds, was carried out for 2-12 hours. Further analysis of seed weight, on every one hour, after soaking shows enhanced water absorption capability except the treatment at 240 W, 0.6 mbar and 15 min. Plasma treatment enhanced carbohydrate content and protein content which is reported to be due to increased primary metabolism. Whereas, increased activity of secondary metabolism results in the enhancement of enzymatic (catalase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (proline). Vital growth parameters, such as SVI I and SVI II, got amplified by 37 % and 133 % respectively after treatment. Ameliorative effects of plasma treatment are found highly significant with a positive and significant correlation value (p < 0.01) between germination percentages, SVI I, SVI II, carbohydrate, protein and proline show their interrelationship. Ar + O2 plasma treatment is found to bring forth significant changes in the O. basilicum seeds which eventually enhanced the germination potential and it could be a very promising technology for the medicinal crop.

Large-Sized Aun- Core-Shell Clusters (n = 61-66): Enduring Structure of the Icosahedral Au13 Core.

Large-sized gold Aun- anion clusters exhibit structural characteristics drastically different from other coinage metals. Typically, coinage metal nanoclusters exhibit a 13-atom icosahedral core at the cluster size of 55. Gold clusters, contrarily, do not entail this core until the size reaches 60. Here, we investigated the robustness of the icosahedral core within the large-sized Aun- anion clusters. We found that the icosahedral core persists over the size of range of n = 61-66. To adapt the exceptional robustness of the icosahedral core, the shells of the clusters tend to undergo notable structural deformations with polygonal defects. As the cluster size increases from 61 to 66, the core starts to become distorted at n = 64 and the space between the core and shell becomes enlarged. To our knowledge, this is the first theoretical study that provides the simulated photoelectron spectra of the two largest sized gold clusters: Au65- and Au66-.

How O2-Binding Affects Structural Evolution of Medium Even-Sized Gold Clusters Aun- (n = 20-34).

We report the first joint anion photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical study on how O2-binding affects the structures of medium even-sized gold clusters, Aun- (n = 20-34), a special size region that entails a variety of distinct structures. Under the temperature conditions in the current photoelectron spectroscopy experiment, O2-bound gold clusters were observed only for n = 22-24 and 34. Nevertheless, O2 binding with the clusters in the size range of n = 20-34 can be still predicted based on the obtained global-minimum structures. Consequently, a series of structural transitions, from the pyramidal to fused-planar to core-shell structures, are either identified or predicted for the AunO2- clusters, where the O2-binding is in either superoxo or peroxo fashion. The identified global-minimum structures of AunO2- (n = 20-34) also allow us to gain improved understanding of why the clusters Aun- (n = 26-32) are less reactive with O2 in comparison to others.

Programmed death-ligand 1 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in non-small cell lung cancer: association with clinicopathologic parameters

Background@#Data on the prevalence of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their clinical significance in Indian patients are limited. @*Methods@#Newly diagnosed NSCLC cases (adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma [SqCC] histology) were included in the present study. The TILs were evaluated based on morphology on hematoxylin and eosin–stained slides. PD-L1 expression in tumors was assessed using immunohistochemistry with rabbit monoclonal antibody (SP263) on the Ventana automated immunostainer. Tumors with PD-L1 expression > 50% on tumor cells were considered PD-L1–positive. Tumors in which TILs occupy > 25% of stroma were considered to have high TILs. The association of PD-L1 expression and TILs with various clinical parameters including overall survival (OS) was investigated. @*Results@#The present study included 128 cases of NSCLC (67 adenocarcinoma, 61 SqCC). PD-L1 positivity was observed in 17.2% of the patients with NSCLC. Baseline characteristics of PD-L1–positive subjects were similar to PD-L1–negative subjects except for a higher prevalence of liver metastasis (18.2% vs. 2.8%; p = .018) and a higher probability of diagnosis from extrapulmonary biopsies. High TILs were observed in 26.6% of the subjects. However, PD-L1 expression and high TIL did not affect OS. @*Conclusions@#PD-L1 positivity and high TILs were observed in 20% and 25% of the patients with NSCLC, respectively, however, neither were predictors of survival in SqCC.

Determination of CO Adsorption Sites on Gold Clusters Au n- ( n = 21-25): A Size Region That Bridges the Pyramidal and Core-Shell Structures.

We perform a joint photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical study to investigate CO adsorption sites on midsized gold clusters, Au n- ( n = 21-25), a special size region that bridges the highly symmetric pyramidal cluster Au20- (Li et al. Science 2003, 299, 864) and the prevailing core-shell clusters starting from Au26- (Schaefer et al. ACS Nano 2014, 8, 7413). Particular attention is placed on whether the CO binding can significantly change structures of the host clusters in view of the fact that the size-dependent structural change already occurs for bare gold clusters in this size range. A transition from hollow-tubular to fused-planar structures is identified for the Au nCO- clusters even though the CO molecule mostly binds to an apex gold atom. The computed CO adsorption energy and HOMO-LUMO gap of the gold clusters suggest that among the five gold clusters the Au23- cluster exhibits the strongest CO binding and thereby could be a good catalytic model system.

Structural Evolution of Gold Clusters Aun- (n = 21-25) Revisited.

We performed a combined theoretical and experimental photoelectron spectroscopy study of the structural evolution of gold anion clusters Aun- in the size range n = 21-25, a special size range for gold anion clusters where extensive structural changes from the pyramidal structure at Au20- toward the core-shell structure at Au26- were expected to occur. Density functional theory calculations with inclusion of spin-orbit effects were employed to produce the simulated spectra for the selected low-energy isomers obtained from basin-hopping global minimum search. The comparison of these simulated spectra with reasonably well-resolved experimental photoelectron spectra resulted in the identification of the low-lying structures of the gold clusters. The fused-planar and hollow-tubular structures are found dominant in this special size range. The highly stable tetrahedral Au20 unit (viewed as the fragment of face-centered cubic (FCC) bulk gold) was found intact only in the minor isomer at n = 21, whereas hollow-tubular structures were found prevalent in the n = 22-25 range. At n = 25, the dominant structure is a hollow-tubular one with two of gold pyramids fused together, but not a core-shell one as previously believed.

Probing the structures of gold-aluminum alloy clusters AuxAly(-): a joint experimental and theoretical study.

Besides the size and structure, compositions can also dramatically affect the properties of alloy nanoclusters. Due to the added degrees of freedom, determination of the global minimum structures for multi-component nanoclusters poses even greater challenges, both experimentally and theoretically. Here we report a systematic and joint experimental/theoretical study of a series of gold-aluminum alloy clusters, AuxAly(-) (x + y = 7,8), with various compositions (x = 1-3; y = 4-7). Well-resolved photoelectron spectra have been obtained for these clusters at different photon energies. Basin-hopping global searches, coupled with density functional theory calculations, are used to identify low-lying structures of the bimetallic clusters. By comparing computed electronic densities of states of the low-lying isomers with the experimental photoelectron spectra, the global minima are determined. It is found that for y ≥ 6 there is a strong tendency to form the magic-number square bi-pyramid motif of Al6(-) in the AuxAly(-) clusters, suggesting that the Al-Al interaction dominates the Au-Au interaction in the mixed clusters. A closely related trend is that for x > 1, the gold atoms tend to be separated by Al atoms unless only the magic-number Al6(-) square bi-pyramid motif is present, suggesting that in the small-sized mixed clusters, Al and Au components do not completely mix with one another. Overall, the Al component appears to play a more dominant role due to the high robustness of the magic-number Al6(-) square bi-pyramid motif, whereas the Au component tends to be either "adsorbed" onto the Al6(-) square bi-pyramid motif if y ≥ 6, or stays away from one another if x < y < 6.

Functionality of alternative protein in gluten-free product development.

Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disease triggered in genetically susceptible individuals by ingested gluten from wheat, rye, barley, and other closely related cereal grains. The current treatment for celiac disease is life-long adherence to a strict gluten-exclusion diet. The replacement of gluten presents a significant technological challenge, as it is an essential structure-building protein, which is necessary for formulating high-quality baked goods. A major limitation in the production of gluten-free products is the lack of protein functionality in non-wheat cereals. Additionally, commercial gluten-free mixes usually contain only carbohydrates, which may significantly limit the amount of protein in the diet. In the recent past, various approaches are attempted to incorporate protein-based ingredients and to modify the functional properties for gluten-free product development. This review aims to the highlight functionality of the alternative protein-based ingredients, which can be utilized for gluten-free product development both functionally as well as nutritionally.

A study to find the status of probiotics in New Delhi, India and review of strains of bacteria used as probiotics.

CONTEXT: Probiotics are living microorganisms, principally bacteria, that are safe for human consumption and, when ingested in sufficient quantities, have beneficial effects on human health, beyond basic nutrition. However, in India people are not aware of their benefits and availability. AIMS: To find status of probiotics in India and to assess the awareness regarding probiotics among chemists in New Delhi, India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 chemist shops in different areas of New Delhi, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, which was responded by the chemist in the course of a telephonic interview. The questionnaire addressed on the availability of probiotic products at their chemist shop. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data so gathered were subjected for descriptive analysis using t test. RESULTS: As per availability of probiotic products, total of 25 probiotic products were available at different chemist shops. None of the chemist shop had all the 25 products available. 10% shops had 75% products available and there were 5% such shops which didn't have any of the products available. CONCLUSION: Efforts should be made to increase the awareness among chemists about the probiotic products.

Recommended screening and preventive practices for long-term survivors after hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Advances in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) technology and supportive care techniques have led to improvements in long-term survival after HCT. Emerging indications for transplantation, introduction of newer graft sources (e.g. umbilical cord blood) and transplantation of older patients using less intense conditioning regimens have also contributed to an increase in the number of HCT survivors. These survivors are at risk for developing late complications secondary to pre-, periand post-transplant exposures and risk-factors. Guidelines for screening and preventive practices for HCT survivors were published in 2006. An international group of transplant experts was convened in 2011 to review contemporary literature and update the recommendations while considering the changing practice of transplantation and international applicability of these guidelines. This review provides the updated recommendations for screening and preventive practices for pediatric and adult survivors of autologous and allogeneic HCT.

Recommended screening and preventive practices for long-term survivors after hematopoietic cell transplantation

Advances in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) technology and supportive care techniques have led to improvements in long-term survival after HCT. Emerging indications for transplantation, introduction of newer graft sources (e.g. umbilical cord blood) and transplantation of older patients using less intense conditioning regimens have also contributed to an increase in the number of HCT survivors. These survivors are at risk for developing late complications secondary to pre-, periand post-transplant exposures and risk-factors. Guidelines for screening and preventive practices for HCT survivors were published in 2006. An international group of transplant experts was convened in 2011 to review contemporary literature and update the recommendations while considering the changing practice of transplantation and international applicability of these guidelines. This review provides the updated recommendations for screening and preventive practices for pediatric and adult survivors of autologous and allogeneic HCT.

Os avanços na tecnologia do transplante de células hematopoéticas (TCH) e do tratamento de suporte levaram a melhoria na sobrevida a longo prazo após os TCH. Indicações emergentes de transplante, introdução de novas fontes de células (p.ex. sangue de cordão umbilical) e transplante de pacientes mais velhos utilizando regimes de condicionamento menos intensos também contribuíram para o aumento no número de sobreviventes após TCH. Estes sobreviventes estão sob risco de desenvolver complicações tardias devido a exposições e fatores de risco pré, peri e pós-transplante. Práticas recomendadas para a triagem e a prevenção de complicações em sobreviventes de TCH foram publicadas em 2006. Um grupo internacional de especialistas foi formado em 2011 para rever a literatura contemporânea e atualizar as recomendações, considerando as mudanças nas práticas de transplante e a aplicabilidade internacional destas recomendações. Esta revisão fornece as recomendações atualizadas para o diagnóstico precoce e práticas para prevenção de complicações aos sobreviventes de TCH autólogo e alogênico, adultos e crianças.