Comparative transcriptome profiling of near isogenic lines PBW343 and FLW29 to unravel defense related genes and pathways contributing to stripe rust resistance in wheat.

Stripe rust (Sr), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is the most devastating disease that poses serious threat to the wheat-growing nations across the globe. Developing resistant cultivars is the most challenging aspect in wheat breeding. The function of resistance genes (R genes) and the mechanisms by which they influence plant-host interactions are poorly understood. In the present investigation, comparative transcriptome analysis was carried out by involving two near-isogenic lines (NILs) PBW343 and FLW29. The seedlings of both the genotypes were inoculated with Pst pathotype 46S119. In total, 1106 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at early stage of infection (12 hpi), whereas expressions of 877 and 1737 DEGs were observed at later stages (48 and 72 hpi) in FLW29. The identified DEGs were comprised of defense-related genes including putative R genes, 7 WRKY transcriptional factors, calcium, and hormonal signaling associated genes. Moreover, pathways involved in signaling of receptor kinases, G protein, and light showed higher expression in resistant cultivar and were common across different time points. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to further confirm the transcriptional expression of eight critical genes involved in plant defense mechanism against stripe rust. The information about genes are likely to improve our knowledge of the genetic mechanism that controls the stripe rust resistance in wheat, and data on resistance response-linked genes and pathways will be a significant resource for future research.

Evidence and opportunities for developing non-transgenic genome edited crops using site-directed nuclease 1 approach.

The innovations and progress in genome editing/new breeding technologies have revolutionized research in the field of functional genomics and crop improvement. This revolution has expanded the horizons of agricultural research, presenting fresh possibilities for creating novel plant varieties equipped with desired traits that can effectively combat the challenges posed by climate change. However, the regulation and social acceptance of genome-edited crops still remain as major barriers. Only a few countries considered the site-directed nuclease 1 (SDN1) approach-based genome-edited plants under less or no regulation. Hence, the present review aims to comprise information on the research work conducted using SDN1 in crops by various genome editing tools. It also elucidates the promising candidate genes that can be used for editing and has listed the studies on non-transgenic crops developed through SDN1 either by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation or by ribo nucleoprotein (RNP) complex. The review also hoards the existing regulatory landscape of genome editing and provides an overview of globally commercialized genome-edited crops. These compilations will enable confidence in researchers and policymakers, across the globe, to recognize the full potential of this technology and reconsider the regulatory aspects associated with genome-edited crops. Furthermore, this compilation serves as a valuable resource for researchers embarking on the development of customized non-transgenic crops through the utilization of SDN1.

CT coronary angiography as an alternative imaging method to ascertain cardiac output and its correlation with echocardiography.

AIM: To assess the feasibility and accuracy of cardiac output (CO) obtained using a test bolus in patients scanned with single-source prospective-gated cardiac computed tomography (CT), and comparing it with CO obtained from unenhanced two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography using biplane Simpson's method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 100 patients with a mean age of 55 ± 12 years who underwent coronary CT angiography with prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated CT in which the scan delay was evaluated using a test bolus. The time-attenuation curves obtained from the test bolus were used to calculate the CO of the patients. The CO obtained was then compared with that obtained after follow-up 2D echocardiography using biplane modified Simpson method. RESULTS: Linear regression was calculated between the CO and contrast enhancement: CO = -0.16(HUmax) + 7.65. The study showed good correlation between the two methods with r=0.77, p<0.001. On Bland-Altman analysis, no significant difference was noted between the two methods. CONCLUSION: This less researched method for CO estimation appears feasible; however, the clinical usefulness of this parameter is uncertain in absence of further clinical and reference standard validation.

Community health volunteer for blood pressure control in rural people with stroke in India: Pilot randomised trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that an Accredited social health activist (ASHA), a community health volunteer in a task-sharing model can help in sustained control of systolic blood pressure (BP) in rural people with Stroke and hypertension at 6 months follow up. METHODS: In this randomized trial two rural areas (Pakhowal and Sidhwan bet) with 70 and 94 villages respectively were screened for people with stroke and hypertension. They were assigned to either ASHA-assisted BP control in addition to standard-of-care (Pakhowal-intervention Group) or standard-of-care alone (Sidhwan bet- Control Group). Assessors blinded to intervention conducted the baseline and 6 months follow-up visits to measure risk factors in both the rural areas. RESULTS: A total of 140 people with stroke with mean age of 63.7 ± 11.5 years and 44.3% females were randomised. The baseline systolic BP was higher in the intervention group (n = 65,173.5 ± 22.9 mmHg) compared to the control group (n = 75,163 ± 18.7 mmHg, p = 0.004). The follow-up systolic BP was lower in the intervention group compared to the control group 145 ± 17.2 mmHg and 166.6 ± 25.7 mmHg respectively (p < 0.0001). According to the intention-to-treat analysis a total of 69.2% of patients in the intervention group achieved systolic BP control compared to 18.9% in the control group patients (OR 9, 95% CI 3.9-20.3; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Task sharing with ASHA a community health volunteer can improve BP control in rural people with stroke and hypertension. They can also help in the adoption of healthy behaviour. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ctri.nic.in, CTRI/2018/09/015709.

Evolution of neural network to deep learning in prediction of air, water pollution and its Indian context.

The scenario of developed and developing countries nowadays is disturbed due to modern living style which affects environment, wildlife and natural habitat. Environmental quality has become or is a subject of major concern as it is responsible for health hazard of mankind and animals. Measurements and prediction of hazardous parameters in different fields of environment is a recent research topic for safety and betterment of people as well as nature. Pollution in nature is an after-effect of civilization. To combat the damage already happened, some processes should be evolved for measurement and prediction of pollution in various fields. Researchers of all over the world are active to find out ways of predicting such hazard. In this paper, application of neural network and deep learning algorithms is chosen for air pollution and water pollution cases. The purpose of this review is to reveal how family of neural network algorithms has applied on these two pollution parameters. In this paper, importance is given on algorithm, and datasets used for air and water pollution as well as the predicted parameters have also been noted for ease of future development. One major concern of this paper is Indian context of air and water pollution research, and the research potential presents in this area using Indian dataset. Another aspect for including both air and water pollutions in one review paper is to generate an idea of artificial neural network and deep learning techniques which can be cross applicable for future purpose.

UNVEILING THE COMPLEX ROLE OF NF-ΚB IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: INSIGHTS INTO BRAIN INFLAMMATION AND POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC TARGETS.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and dementia. One of the major pathologies underlying AD is chronic neuroinflammation mediated by microglia and astrocytes in the brain. The nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signalling pathway is a key regulator of inflammation and has been implicated in the neuroinflammatory processes associated with AD. This review comprehensively summarizes current findings on the complex role of NF-κB signalling in AD pathogenesis. The canonical and non-canonical NF-κB activation pathways are described, along with evidence from human studies and animal models demonstrating increased NF-κB activity in AD brains. The deleterious effects of NF-κB-mediated neuroinflammation are discussed, including the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and enzymes that exacerbate neuronal damage over time. Targeting the NF-κB pathway is proposed as a promising therapeutic approach to dampen neuroinflammation in AD. Preclinical studies utilizing genetic or pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB are reviewed, and key challenges in translating these findings to clinical applications are analyzed. Overall, this review unveils the multifaceted contributions of NF-κB signalling to AD neuropathology and highlights anti-neuroinflammatory NF-κB modulation as a potential avenue for future AD treatments. Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the complex interactions between NF-κB and AD pathogenesis.

Effect of endogenous hormones, antisperm antibody and oxidative stress on semen quality of crossbred bulls.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of factors like hormones, antisperm antibody (ASA), and oxidative stress and its relation with semen quality in crossbred bulls. Ejaculates from two bulls were categorized into good (n = 12) and poor (n = 12) based on initial progressive motility, that is, ≥70% and ≤50%, respectively. The level of hormones like Testosterone (p < 0.05) and PGE2 (p < 0.01) was significantly higher in good-quality ejaculates compared to poor-quality ejaculates; however, estradiol (p < 0.05), progesterone, oxidative stress, and ASAs were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in poor-quality ejaculates compared to good-quality ejaculates. Therefore, it could be concluded that oxidative stress and hormonal imbalance might have resulted in high number of dead and defective spermatozoa which was ultimately responsible for poor quality semen ejaculates.

Challenges and opportunities in productivity and sustainability of rice cultivation system: a critical review in Indian perspective.

Abstract: Rice-wheat cropping system, intensively followed in Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP), played a prominent role in fulfilling the food grains demand of the increasing population of South Asia. In northern Indian plains, some practices such as intensive rice cultivation with traditional method for long-term have been associated with severe deterioration of natural resources, declining factor productivity, multiple nutrients deficiencies, depleting groundwater, labour scarcity and higher cost of cultivation, putting the agricultural sustainability in question. Varietal development, soil and water management, and adoption of resource conservation technologies in rice cultivation are the key interventions areas to address these challenges. The cultivation of lesser water requiring crops, replacing rice in light-textured soil and rainfed condition, should be encouraged through policy interventions. Direct seeding of short duration, high-yielding and stress tolerant rice varieties with water conservation technologies can be a successful approach to improve the input use efficiency in rice cultivation under medium-heavy-textured soils. Moreover, integrated approach of suitable cultivars for conservation agriculture, mechanized transplanting on zero-tilled/unpuddled field and need-based application of water, fertilizer and chemicals might be a successful approach for sustainable rice production system in the current scenario. In this review study, various challenges in productivity and sustainability of rice cultivation system and possible alternatives and solutions to overcome such challenges are discussed in details.

Study on Status of Serum Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in COVID-19 Positive Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents clinically a variety of pathological and clinical organ dysfunctions, ranging in severity from asymptomatic to fatal. The care and monitoring of COVID-19 patients may benefit from the use of biochemical and hematological markers. Objective To observe the alteration of serum biochemical and hematological parameters in COVID-19 positive patients, attending a Tertiary Care Hospital. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on all COVID-19 positive patients attending Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal from 15th December 2021 to 15th February 2022. The test results of different serum biochemical and hematological parameters done for these patients were recorded in clinical laboratory services and obtained retrospectively for the analysis. The data were entered in MS excel and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Result Out of 1537 COVID-11699 declared positive patients, 712 (46.32%) were male and 825 (53.68%) female. Mean age of COVID positive patients was 40.03±20.08 years. The level of serum SGOT, SGPT, ALP and GGT was significantly elevated in 39.9%, 42.8%, 32.3% and 47.2% of COVID positive patients respectively. Blood Urea, creatinine, uric acid and sugar level were significantly elevated in 63%, 56.1%, 33.1% and 47.6% patients respectively. The serum level of LDH, D-dimer, CRP and procalcitonin (PCT) were significantly increased in 52.1%, 75.9%, 71.6% and 61.2% of patients respectively. The serum value of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL were significantly lowered in 52.2%, 43.8%, 70.1% and 60.3% of patients respectively. RBC concentration and level of hemoglobin was reduced in 56.6% and 53.6% of COVID positive patients respectively whereas total leukocyte count was elevated in 80.7% with increase in neutrophil in 87.9% and decrease in lymphocyte in 79.4%. Conclusion A portion of COVID-19 positive patients showed drastically altered test results for various serum biochemical and hematological markers, although many of them had normal findings.

On the detection of surface spin freezing in iron oxide nanoparticles and its long-term evolution under ambient oxidation.

Exchange bias (EB) effects linked to surface spin freezing (SSF) are commonly found in iron oxide nanoparticles, while signatures of SSF in low-field temperature-dependent magnetization curves have been much less frequently reported. Here, we present magnetic properties of dense assemblies of similar-sized (∼8 nm diameter) particles synthesized by a magnetite (sample S1) and a maghemite (sample S2) method, and the influence of long-term (4 year) sample aging under ambient conditions on these properties. The size of the EB field of the different sample (fresh or aged) states is found to correlate with (a) whether a low-temperature hump feature signaling the SSF transition is detected in out-of-phase ac susceptibility or zero-field-cooled (ZFC) dc magnetization recorded at low field and with (b) the prominence of irreversibility between FC and ZFC curves recorded at high field. Sample S1 displays a lower magnetization than S2, and it is in S1 where the largest SSF effects are found. These effects are significantly weakened by aging but remain larger than the SSF effects in S2, where the influence of aging is considerably smaller. A non-saturating component due to spin disorder in S1 also weakens with aging, accompanied by, we infer, an increase in the superspin and the radius of the ordered nanoparticle cores. X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy provide indication of maghemite-like stoichiometry in both aged samples as well as thicker disordered particle shells in aged-S1 relative to aged-S2 (crystallographically-disordered and spin-disordered according to diffraction and Mössbauer, respectively). The pronounced diminution in SSF effects with aging in S1 is attributed to a (long-term) transition, caused by ambient oxidation, from magnetite-like to maghemite-like stoichiometry, and a concomitant softening of the spin-disordered shell anisotropy. We assess the impact of this anisotropy on the nature of the blocking of the nanoparticle superspins.

Serine-glycine-betaine, a novel dipeptide from an endophyte Macrophomina phaseolina: isolation, bioactivity and biosynthesis.

AIMS: Endophytes are a rich source for structurally complex chemical scaffolds with interesting biological activities. Endophytes associated with Brugmansia aurea L. (family: Solanaceae), a medicinal plant, have not yet explored for the bioactive metabolites. METHOD AND RESULTS: Hence, Macrophomina phaseolina, a fungal endophyte, was isolated from the roots of the plant. Its methanolic extract was found active against human cancer cell lines with IC50 <20 µg ml-1 . Later, a di-peptide compound, serine-glycine-betaine, was isolated and characterized. Serine-glycine-betaine consists of a unit of an N-trimethyl glycine attached to serine. It exhibited potent activity against MIA PaCa-2 and HCT-116 cell lines with IC50 8·9 and 15·16 µmol l-1 , respectively. Furthermore, it induced apoptosis in MIA PaCa-2 cells confirmed by microscopy. The apoptotic cell death in MIA PaCa-2 cells was evidenced biochemically with the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species level and leading to loss of mitochondrial membrane potential due to activation of the intrinsic pathway. This study describes the plausible biosynthesis of serine-glycine-betaine based on genomics (genome sequencing, annotation and genes alignment). CONCLUSIONS: A novel di-peptide, serine-glycine-betaine isolated from M. phaseolina induced apoptosis in MIA-Pa-Ca-2 cells. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study confirms that dipeptides like serine-glycine-betaine and tyrosine-betaine might be specific to fungal genera, hence being used for diagnostic purposes.

Utility of silent magnetic resonance angiography in the evaluation and characterisation of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula.

AIM: To evaluate the utility of silent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the diagnosis, characterisation, and therapeutic planning of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with DAVF were enrolled prospectively and were evaluated using silent MRA and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as a part of routine work-up. The diagnosis and location of fistula, Borden and Cognard classification, entire arterial feeders, and venous drainage were analysed. A therapeutic strategy was formulated, and the accessible route and vessel were predicted, which was confirmed on endovascular treatment. RESULTS: Silent MRA was 100% sensitive and accurate for location and classification of fistulas. Silent MRA showed a sensitivity of 82% and 76.5% for entire arterial feeders and draining veins, which improved to a sensitivity of 90% and 94% when prominent feeders and immediate venous drainage was considered. Among the missed veins, thrombosed sinus, slow sinus flow, small calibre, reduced image quality were the causes. The therapeutic decision matched with DSA in all cases and silent MRA accurately identified the potential accessible feeder in 94% cases. CONCLUSION: Silent MRA is a promising MR technique that can provide both diagnostic and therapeutic information similar to that obtained from DSA.

3D Echocardiography Provides Highly Accurate 3D Printed Models in Congenital Heart Disease.

Cardiac 3D printing is mainly performed from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) 3D datasets, though anatomic detail of atrioventricular (AV) valves may be limited. 3D echo provides excellent visualization of AV valves. Thus, we tested the feasibility and accuracy of 3D printing from 3D echo in this pilot series of subjects with congenital heart disease (CHD), with a focus on valve anatomy. Five subjects with CHD were identified. 3D echo data were converted to 3D printable files and printed in collaboration with 3D Systems Healthcare (Golden, Colorado). A novel technique for valve modeling was utilized using commercially available software. Two readers (KM, SA) independently measured valve structures from 3D models and compared to source echo images. 3D printing was feasible for all cases. Table 1 shows measurements comparing 2D echo to 3D models. Bland Altman analysis showed close agreement and no significant bias between 2D and digital 3D models (mean difference 0.0, 95% CI 1.1 to - 1.1) or 2D vs printed 3D models, though with wider limits of agreement (mean difference - 0.3, 95% CI 1.9 to - 2.6). Accuracy of 3D models compared to 2D was within < 0.5 mm. This pilot study shows 3D echo datasets can be used to reliably print AV and semilunar valve structures in CHD. The 3D models are highly accurate compared to the source echo images. This is a novel and value-added technique that adds incremental information on cardiac anatomy over current methods.

Physiologic Specialization and Genetic Differentiation of Puccinia triticina Causing Leaf Rust of Wheat on the Indian Subcontinent During 2016 to 2019.

Wheat is the second most cultivated cereal crop in the world and is an important crop in India. Leaf (brown) rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, was the most prevalent among the three rusts found in all the wheat-growing areas of India, Bhutan, and Nepal during 2016 to 2019. Leaf rust samples from wheat crops in these countries were pathotyped using the wheat differential genotypes and binomial Indian system of nomenclature. To facilitate international communication, each pathotype identified was also tested using the North American differentials. A total of 33 pathotypes were identified from 1,086 samples, including three new pathotypes: 61R47 (162-5 = KHTPM) and 93R49 (49 = NHKTN) from India and 93R57 (20-1 = NHKTN) from Nepal. Two pathotypes, 121R60-1 (77-9/52 = MHTKL) and 121R63-1 (77-5 = THTTM), accounted for 79.46% of the population. Virulence on Lr19 was identified in 0.27% of the samples from Nepal only. The proportion of pathotype 121R60-1 (77-9 = MHTKL) increased to 57.55% during these years. Virulence was not observed on Lr9, Lr24, Lr25, Lr28, Lr32, Lr39, Lr45, and Lr47 in the population of the Indian subcontinent. Eighteen polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs tested on the isolates amplified 48 alleles with an average of 2.66 alleles per primer pair. Based on SSR genotyping, these pathotypes could be grouped into two clades with another two subclades each. Many of the Lr genes present in Indian wheat germplasm (Lr1, Lr3a, Lr10, Lr11, Lr14a, Lr15, Lr16, Lr17, Lr20, Lr23, and Lr26) were ineffective for a majority of pathotypes. Most of these varieties possessed a high degree of leaf rust resistance. The field resistance of wheat varieties could be attributed to the interaction of genes, unknown resistance, or adult plant resistance.

Erratum to "Fragmentation dynamics of single agglomerate-to-wall impaction" [Powder Technology 378 (2021) 561-575, DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2020.10.021].

[This corrects the article PMC8724865.].

Fragmentation dynamics of single agglomerate-to-wall impaction.

The de-agglomeration characteristics of single agglomerate-wall impaction are examined using high-resolution shadowgraph imaging. Experiments are performed to investigate the effects of constituent particle size (D 50 from 3-7 µ m) and air velocity on the individual size and velocity of de-agglomerated fragments at conditions relevant to dry powder inhalation systems. De-agglomerated fragment area and trajectories were used to differentiate between pseudo-elastic and inelastic collisions during de-agglomeration. Advanced image processing techniques have enabled provision of joint population distributions of fragment area and aspect ratio, which identify a bimodal dispersion of fragments during de-agglomeration. The bimodality is destroyed with increasing air velocity and also generally diminishes with time after impact. The experiment presented forms a platform for the detailed quantitative characterisation of de-agglomeration behaviour and can be useful towards the development and validation of related computational models for pharmaceutical dry powder inhalers.

Gap suppression at a Lifshitz transition in a multi-condensate superconductor.

In multi-orbital materials, superconductivity can exhibit several coupled condensates. In this context, quantum confinement in two-dimensional superconducting oxide interfaces offers new degrees of freedom to engineer the band structure and selectively control the occupancy of 3d orbitals by electrostatic doping. Here, we use resonant microwave transport to extract the superfluid stiffness of the (110)-oriented LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface in the entire phase diagram. We provide evidence of a transition from single-condensate to two-condensate superconductivity driven by continuous and reversible electrostatic doping, which we relate to the Lifshitz transition between 3d bands based on numerical simulations of the quantum well. We find that the superconducting gap is suppressed while the second band is populated, challenging Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory. We ascribe this behaviour to the existence of superconducting order parameters with opposite signs in the two condensates due to repulsive coupling. Our findings offer an innovative perspective on the possibility to tune and control multiple-orbital physics in superconducting interfaces.

Characterization of genetic diversity and population structure in wheat using array based SNP markers.

Genetic diversity is crucial for successful adaptation and sustained improvement in crops. India is bestowed with diverse agro-climatic conditions which makes it rich in wheat germplasm adapted to various niches. Germplasm repository consists of local landraces, trait specific genetic stocks including introgressions from wild relatives, exotic collections, released varieties, and improved germplasm. Characterization of genetic diversity is done using morpho-physiological characters as well as by analyzing variations at DNA level. However, there are not many reports on array based high throughput SNP markers having characteristics of genome wide coverage employed in Indian spring wheat germplasm. Amongst wheat SNP arrays, 35K Axiom Wheat Breeder's Array has the highest SNP polymorphism efficiency suitable for genetic mapping and genetic diversity characterization. Therefore, genotyping was done using 35K in 483 wheat genotypes resulting in 14,650 quality filtered SNPs, that were distributed across the B (~ 50%), A (~ 39%), and D (~ 10%) genomes. The total genetic distance coverage was 4477.85 cM with 3.27 SNP/cM and 0.49 cM/SNP as average marker density and average inter-marker distance, respectively. The PIC ranged from 0.09 to 0.38 with an average of 0.29 across genomes. Population structure and Principal Coordinate Analysis resulted in two subpopulations (SP1 and SP2). The analysis of molecular variance revealed the genetic variation of 2% among and 98% within subpopulations indicating high gene flow between SP1 and SP2. The subpopulation SP2 showed high level of genetic diversity based on genetic diversity indices viz. Shannon's information index (I) = 0.648, expected heterozygosity (He) = 0.456 and unbiased expected heterozygosity (uHe) = 0.456. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to include the largest set of Indian wheat genotypes studied exclusively for genetic diversity. These findings may serve as a potential source for the identification of uncharacterized QTL/gene using genome wide association studies and marker assisted selection in wheat breeding programs.

Expression and functional role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in placenta during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The objective of this study was to document the expression and functional role of BMPs in the placental (caruncle; CAR, cotyledon; COT) during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo. Samples collected from Early pregnancy 1 (EP1); Early pregnancy 2 (EP2), Mid pregnancy (MP), Late pregnancy (LP) while the third stage of oestrus cycle (NP) was taken as control. Also, the synergistic role of BMP4/BMP7 or combination on mRNA expression of vWF, PCNA, StAR, CYP11A1, 3ßHSD, and BAX were studied in trophoblast cells cultured (TCC) during an early stage. The qPCR and immunoblotting studies revealed that BMP2, BMPR1A, BMPR1B, and BMPR2 mRNA level was significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated during early pregnancy in COTs while in CARs it was significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) during all the stages of pregnancy.BMP4 mRNA level was significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) during early pregnancy in COTs as well as in CARs. BMP6 expression was significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) during early and late stages of pregnancy. BMP7 mRNA level was upregulated (p < 0.05) during the late stage of pregnancy in COTs. At 100 ng/ml, the BMP4 maximally stimulated the transcripts of StAR, CYP11A1, and 3ßHSD while BMP7 maximally stimulated the transcripts of 3ßHSD that paralleled with P4 accretion in the media (P < 0.05). BMP4 as well as BMP7 upregulated the transcripts of PCNA, vWF, and downregulated BAX in the TCC (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BMPs are expressed in a regulated manner with stage-specific differences in the placenta and promotes the angiogenesis, proliferation, cell survivability, and steroidogenesis thereby regulating placental function in an autocrine/paracrine manner in water buffalo.

A Multicenter Case-control Study of the Effect of Acute Rejection and Cytomegalovirus Infection on Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is associated with morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. In this case-control study, we determined the association between posttransplant PCP and 3 variables: cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, allograft rejection, and prophylaxis. METHODS: Eight transplant centers participated. For each case (SOT recipient with PCP), 3-5 controls (SOT recipients without PCP) were included. Controls were matched to the cases based on transplant center, type of allograft, and date of transplantation (±6 months). RESULTS: We enrolled 53 cases and 209 controls. Transplant types included kidney (n = 198), heart (n = 30), liver (n = 15), kidney-pancreas (n = 14), and lung (n = 5). PCP occurred beyond 12 months after transplantation in 43 (81.1%) cases. Thirty-four cases (64.1%) required admission to the intensive care unit, and 28 (52.8%) had mechanical ventilation. Allograft failure occurred in 20 (37.7%) cases, and 14 (26.9%) died. No patient developed PCP prophylaxis breakthrough. The proportion of female sex (P = .009), kidney dysfunction (P = .001), cardiac diseases (P = .005), diabetes mellitus (P = .03), allograft rejection (P = .001), CMV infection (P = .001), and severe lymphopenia (P = .001) were significantly higher in cases. In the logistic regression model, CMV infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.6 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.0-10.5]) and allograft rejection (aOR, 3.0 [95% CI, 1.5-6.1]) significantly increased the likelihood of PCP. CONCLUSIONS: PCP was mostly a late-onset disease occurring after complete course of prophylaxis, particularly among patients with CMV infection or allograft rejection. PCP is associated with significant allograft loss. Extended prophylaxis targeting recipients with allograft rejection or CMV infection may reduce the risk of PCP.