Biology and biotechnological aspect of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.): a commercially important tuber crop.

MAIN CONCLUSION: This review highlights the economic importance of sweet potato and discusses new varieties, agronomic and cultivation practices, pest and disease control efforts, plant tissue culture protocols, and unexplored research areas involving this plant. Abstract Sweet potato is widely consumed in many countries around the world, including India, South Africa and China. Due to its valuable nutritional composition and highly beneficial bioactive compounds, sweet potato is considered a major tuber crop in India. Based on the volume of production, this plant ranks seventh in the world among all food crops. Sweet potato is considered a "Superfood" by the 'Centre for Science in the Public Interest' (CSPI), USA. This plant is mostly propagated through vegetative propagation using vine cuttings or tubers. However, this process is costly, labour-intensive, and comparatively slow. Conventional propagation methods are not able to supply sufficient disease-free planting materials to farmers to sustain steady tuber production. Therefore, there is an urgent need to use various biotechnological approaches, such as cell, tissue, and organ culture, for the large-scale production of healthy and disease-free planting material for commercial purposes throughout the year. In the last five decades, a number of tissue culture protocols have been developed for the production of in vitro plants through meristem culture, direct adventitious organogenesis, callus culture and somatic embryogenesis. Moreover, little research has been done on synthetic seed technology for the in vitro conservation and propagation of sweet potato. The current review comprehensively describes the biology, i.e., plant phenotypic description, vegetative growth, agronomy and cultivation, pests and diseases, varieties, and conventional methods of propagation, as well as biotechnological implementation, of this tuber crop. Furthermore, the explored and unexplored areas of research in sweet potato using biotechnological approaches have been reviewed.

Assessment of prevalence and characteristics of asthma-COPD overlap among patients with chronic airflow obstruction.

Given the paucity of research on asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) and the high prevalence of co-morbidities and healthcare utilization associated with it, the current study looked at the prevalence of ACO and its clinico-radiological phenotype in patients with chronic airflow obstruction. The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in North India. Patients over 40 with COPD or asthma were screened for inclusion in the ACO, asthma, and COPD groups. The ACO and COPD groups were further investigated. The clinical characteristics, lung functions, health-related quality of life, and radiological features of both groups were investigated and compared. ACO was discovered in 16.3% of patients with chronic airflow obstruction (asthma and COPD). The most commonly observed symptoms at presentation in the evaluated ACO patients (n=77) were shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and expectoration (mean age at presentation: 57.9; mean duration of illness: 8.62 years). Exacerbation rates in ACO patients were significantly higher than in COPD patients (p<0.001). The ACO group had a significantly greater mean change in FEV1 post-bronchodilator in millilitres (ml) and percentage (379.61 ml and 37.72%) than the COPD group (p<0.001). The proportion of patients with emphysema was lower in the ACO group than in the COPD group (p<0.001). The ACO and COPD groups did not differ significantly in major airway wall thickness (p=0.3), but the COPD group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with vascular attenuation and distortion (p<0.001). Patients with COPD had a higher degree of hyperinflation, according to high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) indices. This study found that patients with ACO have a distinct phenotype in terms of clinical presentation and HRCT features. More research on the radiological features of ACO is required to identify the anatomical abnormalities involved in the disease's pathogenesis and to validate the radiological features of ACO.

Functional characterization of Mammary Gland Protein-40, a chitinase-like glycoprotein expressed during mammary gland apoptosis.

MGP-40 is a chitinase-like protein which is over expressed during mammary gland involution. However, its physiological function in the mammary gland is poorly understood. In the present investigation, we have reported the functional significance of buffalo specific MGP-40 in the mammary gland by using an in vitro model of the buffalo mammary epithelial cell (BuMEC) line. MGP-40 was highly up regulated in BuMECs in serum starved condition as well as after treatment with prolactin suggesting its role in the stress response. Subsequently, to study the effect of MGP-40 on BuMECs, the cells were transfected with a mammalian expression construct of pCI neo harboring MGP-40 gene. It was observed that over expression of MGP-40 enhanced proliferation of BuMECs and protected the cells from apoptosis under serum free condition. In contrast, MGP-40 attenuated the mitogenic effect of insulin in BuMECs. Besides, over expression of the MGP-40 reduced dome formation, acinar polarization and casein synthesis in BuMECs in the presence of lactogenic hormones, it also induced Stat3 phosphorylation and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) -like features. Together, our data suggest that MGP-40 is involved in protection of BuMECs under stress conditions, inhibits cellular differentiation and induces EMT-like features. A schematic diagram depicting possible association of MGP-40 in various molecular pathways has been presented.

Similar and divergent responses to salinity stress of jamun (Syzygium cumini L. Skeels) genotypes.

Background: Genetic variation for salt tolerance remains elusive in jamun (Syzygium cumini). Methods: Effects of gradually increased salinity (2.0-12.0 dS/m) were examined in 20 monoembryonic and 28 polyembryonic genotypes of jamun. Six genotypes were additionally assessed for understanding salt-induced changes in gas exchange attributes and antioxidant enzymes. Results: Salt-induced reductions in leaf, stem, root and plant dry mass (PDM) were relatively greater in mono- than in poly-embryonic types. Reductions in PDM relative to control implied more adverse impacts of salinity on genotypes CSJ-28, CSJ-31, CSJ-43 and CSJ-47 (mono) and CSJ-1, CSJ-24, CSJ-26 and CSJ-27 (poly). Comparably, some mono- (CSJ-5, CSJ-18) and poly-embryonic (CSJ-7, CSJ-8, CSJ-14, CSJ-19) genotypes exhibited least reductions in PDM following salt treatment. Most polyembryonic genotypes showed lower reductions in root than in shoot mass, indicating that they may be more adept at absorbing water and nutrients when exposed to salt. The majority of genotypes did not exhibit leaf tip burn and marginal scorch despite significant increases in Na+ and Cl-, suggesting that tissue tolerance existed for storing excess Na+ and Cl- in vacuoles. Jamun genotypes were likely more efficient in Cl- exclusion because leaf, stem and root Cl- levels were consistently lower than those of Na+ under salt treatment. Leaf K+ was particularly little affected in genotypes with high leaf Na+. Lack of discernible differences in leaf, stem and root Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents between control and salt treatments was likely due to their preferential uptake. Correlation analysis suggested that Na+ probably had a greater inhibitory effect on biomass in both mono- and poly-embryonic types. Discriminant analysis revealed that while stem and root Cl- probably accounted for shared responses, root Na+, leaf K+ and leaf Cl- explained divergent responses to salt stress of mono- and poly-embryonic types. Genotypes CSJ-18 and CSJ-19 seemed efficient in fending off oxidative damage caused by salt because of their stronger antioxidant defences. Conclusions: Polyembryonic genotypes CSJ-7, CSJ-8, CSJ-14 and CSJ-19, which showed least reductions in biomass even after prolonged exposure to salinity stress, may be used as salt-tolerant rootstocks. The biochemical and molecular underpinnings of tissue tolerance to excess Na+ and Cl- as well as preferential uptake of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ need to be elucidated.

Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Treatment of Hemorrhoids: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) in treating hemorrhoids compared with placebo. Design: This is a double-blind, randomized (1:1), two parallel arms, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: The trial was conducted at the surgery outpatient department of the State National Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Subjects: Patients were 140 women and men, aged between 18 and 65 years, with a diagnosis of primary hemorrhoids grades I-III for at least 3 months. Excluded were the patients with grade IV hemorrhoids, anal fissure, and fistula, hypertrophic anal papillae, inflammatory bowel disease, coagulation disorders, rectal malignancies, obstructed portal circulation, patients requiring immediate surgical intervention, and vulnerable samples. Interventions: Patients were randomized to Group 1 (n = 70; IHMs plus concomitant care; verum) and Group 2 (n = 70; placebos plus concomitant care; control). Outcome measures: Primary-the anorectal symptom severity and quality-of-life (ARSSQoL) questionnaire, and secondary-the EuroQol 5-dimensions 5-levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire and EQ visual analogue scale (VAS); all of them were measured at baseline, and every month, up to 3 months. Results: Out of the 140 randomized patients, 122 were protocol compliant. Intention-to-treat sample (n = 140) was analyzed. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05 two tailed. Statistically significant between-group differences were elicited in the ARSSQoL total (Mann-Whitney U [MWU]: 1227.0, p < 0.001) and EQ-5D-5L VAS (MWU: 1228.0, p = 0.001) favoring homeopathy against placebos. Sulfur was the most frequently prescribed medicine. No harm or serious adverse events were reported from either of the groups. Conclusions: IHMs demonstrated superior results over placebo in the short-term treatment of hemorrhoids of grades I-III. The findings are promising, but need to be substantiated by further phase 3 trials. Clinical Trial Registration Number: CTRI/2020/03/024342.

Identification, validation and quantification of thymoquinone in conjunction with assessment of bioactive possessions and GC-MS profiling of pharmaceutically valuable crop Nigella (Nigella sativa L.) varieties.

Background: Plants have been pivotal in traditional and modern medicine globally, with historical evidence supporting their therapeutic applications. Nigella (Nigella sativa L.) is an annual herbaceous plant of the Ranunculaceae family and is cultivated in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Western and Central Asia. The medicinal use of plants dates back thousands of years, documented in ancient writings from various civilizations. Alkaloids, phenolics, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, anthraquinones, and tannins found in plants exhibit antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activities. Methodology: This study specifically examines the pharmacological potential of Nigella sativa L., emphasizing thymoquinone-a compound with diverse nutraceutical benefits. The extraction, characterization, and quantification of thymoquinone, alongside other physicochemical parameters, were carried out using ethanol through Soxhlet extraction procedures on five nigella varieties. HPLC analysis was performed to determine the maximum accumulation of thymoquinone in the released variety of the plant and the chemical composition of the seed oil isolated from Nigella sativa L., varieties utilized in the study was determined through GC-MS analysis. Results: The research revealed that the Ajmer nigella-20 variety stands out, exhibiting elevated levels of thymoquinone (0.20 ± 0.07%), antioxidants (76.18 ± 1.78%), and substantial quantities of total phenols (31.85 ± 0.97 mg GAEg-1 seed) and flavonoids (8.150 ± 0.360 mg QE 100 g-1 seed) compared to other varieties. The GC-MS profiling showed the presence of 11 major compounds in the studied varieties, with p-cymene, longifolene, and myristic acid identified as the major chemical compounds present in the oil. Conclusion: The observed variations among Nigella varieties indicate the Ajmer nigella-20 variety as particularly promising for thymoquinone and bioactive compound extraction. This study underscores Nigella's potential as a source of pharmacologically active compounds, highlighting the need for further exploration in therapeutic applications.

Optimization of Oral Posaconazole Step Down Therapy in Management of Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM): Outcome of an Institutional Protocol.

All cases of ROCM received antifungal for a prolong period in step down phase. There is no definite guidelines regarding duration. We have formulated and followed an institutional protocol with good results. To determine the outcome of an institutional protocol and required optimum duration of oral posaconazole therapy to cure ROCM in step down phase, 30 ROCM patients were followed up in step down phase. Oral posaconazole tablet was given for minimum 3, 4 & 1/2 and 6 months to stage-II, III & IV cases respectively, with a provision of extension for another 6 weeks in suspected active diseases. Nasal endoscopy, MRI, histopathology /culture of suspected tissue and hematologic investigations were done routinely to identify the residual active disease or recurrences at earliest. Outcome of this protocol proved excellent as all cases of ROCM were cured. Oral posaconazole step down therapy for a duration according to the stages of disease cured 18 cases (60%) of ROCM. Fourteen patients required extended duration of therapy as per provision of our treatment protocol. Only one patient needed re-debridement. The cases with deformities needed extended period of posaconazole therapy. No one needed posaconazole therapy for more than 7and1/2 months.

Development of B cell epitopes-based enzyme linked immune sorbent assay for detection of bovine anti-Mullerian hormone.

The present study aimed to generate antibodies against predicted B cell epitopic peptides encoding bAMH for developing different ELISA models. Sandwich ELISA was determined to be an excellent technique for assessing bAMH in bovine plasma based on sensitivity tests. The assay's specificity, sensitivity, inter- and intra-assay CV, recovery %, Lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), and Upper limit of quantification (ULOQ) were determined. The test was selective since it did not bind to AMH-related growth and differentiation factors (LH and FSH) or non-related components (BSA, progesterone). The intra-assay CV was 5.67%, 3.12%, 4.94%, 3.61% and 4.27% for 72.44, 183.11, 368.24, 522.24 and 732.25 pg/ml AMH levels, respectively. At the same time, the inter-assay CV was 8.77%, 7.87%, 4.53%, 5.76% and 6.70% for 79.30, 161.27, 356.30, 569.33 and 798.19 pg/ml AMH levels, respectively. The average (Mean ± SEM) recovery percentages were 88-100%. LLOQ was 5 pg/ml and ULOQ at 50 µg/ml (CV < 20%). In conclusion, we developed a new highly sensitive ELISA against bAMH using epitope specific antibodies.

Managed pollination is a much better way of increasing productivity and essential oil content of dill seeds crop.

Dill seeds (Anethum graveolens L.) is the most valuable medicinal seed spice crop of Apiaceae. It bears small yellow flowers in the form of umbels. Being a cross-pollinated crop, floral visitors play vital role in pollination and seed sets. Hence, the present study was conducted at the ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer (Rajasthan), India to discover the pollinator's community, foraging behaviour and abundance of most frequent pollinators and different modes of pollination on seed yield and quality of this seed spice crop. The insect visitors community of dill seeds was composed of 28 insect species belonging to 14 families of 6 orders. Most of floral visitors started their foraging activity at 8.00 h, reached peak activity between 12.00 and 14.00 h and their activity ceased at 18.00 h. Apis florea, A. dorsata, A. mellifera, solitary bee, Halictus sp. and two unidentified species of Hymenoptera; Episyrphus balteatus (DeGeer), Episyrphus sp., Eristalis sp and two other Musca species of Diptera were identified as potential and regular floral visitors of dill seeds. The highest seed yield of 1505.63 kg/ha was recorded in the treated plots provided with only 10% jaggery solution and was at par with the open pollination. A lower seed yield of 1432.5 kg/ha was recorded in plots pollinated only with A. mellifera inside insect cages. Open pollination with 10% jaggery solution spray increased the seed yield of dill seed crop by 57%, one-thousand seed test weight by 96% and the essential oil content by 27% over control plots. These results show that managed pollination is a much better way to enhance yields and quality of dill seed crop than other treatments including only honeybee-based pollination.

Identification of critical areas and evaluation of best management practices using SWAT for sustainable watershed management.

Identification of critical erosion-prone areas and selection of best management practices (BMPs) for watersheds are necessary to control their degradation by reducing sediment yields. The current research assesses and proposes a combination of potential BMPs for the Baitarani catchment in India using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). After the successful calibration and validation of the SWAT model developed for this catchment, the model was applied to evaluate the efficacy of eight agricultural and structural management practices and their combinations (three scenarios) for controlling sediment yields at watershed and sub-watershed levels as well as to assess the impacts of combined BMPs on water balance components. A combination of BMPs was found more effective in reducing sediment yields than individual BMPs. Comparative evaluation revealed that structural BMPs (0.66-70%) are better than agricultural BMPs (2-7%) in minimizing sediment yields at watershed level. The costly measures like grade and streambank stabilization structures can reduce the sediment yield up to 70% at the watershed level. The modeling results of the impacts of different combinations of BMPs (three scenarios) indicated that if all the eight BMPs are implemented, the reduction of sediment yields is increased by 76% and 80% at sub-watershed and watershed levels, respectively compared to the Base Scenario. Based on funds availability, a suitable combination of BMPs can be adopted by the concerned decision-makers to effectively reduce sediment yields in the study area. Further, the simulation results of BMPs impacts on water balance components revealed that the annual average surface runoff reduces by 4-14% in the three scenarios, while aquifer recharge (6.8-8.7%), baseflow (8-10.5%), and percolation (1.2-3.9%) increase due to implementation of BMPs. Overall, the findings of this study are very useful for ensuring sustainable management of land and other resources at a catchment scale.

A comparative study on various immunological parameters influencing embryo survivability in crossbred dairy cows.

Since long embryonic mortality has remained an area of concern affecting the reproduction, production, and profitability of dairy cows. We investigated the possible interaction between interleukins, hormones, and neutrophil associated CD markers during the implantation window in Karan Fries (KF) cows naturally coming to heat. Blood collection was done on days 0 i.e. day of Artificial Insemination (AI), 10, 18, 21, 30 and on day 40 post-AI. Total leucocyte count (TLC) and neutrophil to lymphocyte (N:L) ratio were recorded. Blood neutrophils were isolated and their number, phagocytic activity (PA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentration and relative mRNA expression of cell adhesion molecules (CD-11b, CD-31, CD-44, CD-62L) as well as progesterone-inducing-blocking-factor (PIBF) and glucocorticoid receptor alpha (GRα) were examined. Plasma progesterone, cortisol, IL-2, IL-8, IL-6, and IL-10 were also measured. Pregnancy was confirmed by non-return to heat, ultrasonography and per rectal examination along with progesterone assay. Cows were further divided into pregnant (P), early embryonic mortality (EEM) and late embryonic mortality (LEM) groups. Embryonic losses cows showed lower plasma concentration of IL-10 (<100 pg/ml) and a higher concentration of IL-2 (>500 pg/ml). Also, a 4 fold increase in the relative mRNA expression of CD-11b and 2.5 fold changes in CD-44 expression were observed in embryonic mortality. We observed a 1.5 fold increase in the relative mRNA expression of PIBF and a 0.5 fold increase in GRα expression in pregnant cows compared to EEM (on day 21) and LEM (on days 30 and 40) cows. Our results depicted that the hyperimmune status of the dam which could be due to multifactorial events that led to the pregnancy failure. The above basic values may be used for checking the immune status and thus timely management strategies can be taken to prevent embryonic losses.

Implantation associated changes in expression profile of indoleamine-2, 3-dioxygenase 1, Th1-Th2 cytokines and interferon-stimulated genes on neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of crossbred cows.

Effective bidirectional communication between the embryo and dam improves the reproductive efficiency of dairy cows. Possible role of immunosuppressive indolamine-2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) enzyme in the regulation of maternal systemic cytokine balance/shift during early pregnancy establishment along with various interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) expression in neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) were investigated in crossbred cows. Blood was collected on days 0 i.e. day of Artificial Insemination (AI), 10, 18 and 36 post-AI followed by isolation of neutrophils and PBMCs for gene expression study of IDO1, anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10 and TGFß1), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFNγ and TNFα) and ISGs (ISG15, MX1, MX2, OAS1) in pregnant and non-pregnant cows. Cows were grouped as pregnant and non-pregnant after pregnancy confirmation by non-return to heat, ultrasonography, per rectal examination along with progesterone and IFNτ assay. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher relative mRNA expression of IDO1 and anti-inflammatory cytokines on days 10 and 18 post-AI were observed in both neutrophils and PBMCs of pregnant cows. Pregnant cows showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher mRNA transcripts of IFNγ and TNFα genes on days 18 post-AI in both neutrophils and PBMCs. Expression of ISGs was higher (P < 0.05) on day 10th and 18th post AI in both the neutrophils and PBMCs of pregnant cows. The study indicates that systemic immune regulation by IDO1 (through cytokine shift) and ISGs in peripheral immune cells are essential for the establishment of pregnancy and may be targeted in future as biomarkers for pregnancy diagnosis.

Cut Throat Injury: Our Experience in Rural Set-Up.

Cut throat injuries are one of the emergency conditions managed by ENT specialists. If not treated in time, they may lead to death. Prevention of these complications depends on immediate resuscitation by securing the airway by tracheostomy or intubation, prompt control of hemorrhage and blood replacement. The present study was conducted to study the sociodemographic profile of patients of cut throat injury, motives behind cut throat injury, site and depth of the injury, treatment given at our hospital and outcome. A prospective study was done in the department of ENT in a tertiary care hospital of rural West Bengal between January 2014 and December 2015. Patients who were brought dead and minor neck injury were excluded from the study. Endotracheal intubation where possible, or emergency tracheostomy was done below the level of injury. Ryle's tube was inserted where necessary. Injured structures were repaired in layers. Among 22 patients there were 18 male and 4 female. The peak age of incidence was in the 4th decade of life. Suicidal cut throat injury was the most common mode of injury. Most of the injuries were in the zone II (72.73%). Three patients died due to severe haemorrhage and/or aspiration. Decannulation was possible in 9 out of 12 patients. Cut throat injuries have become a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our society. Patients with injury of larynx or upper trachea need preliminary tracheostomy. Post-operative endoscopy identifies nerve injuries and stenosis problems.

Filarial pleural effusion without peripheral blood or pleural fluid eosinophilia.

Lymphatic filariasis is a tropical parasitic disease and is endemic in India. It is present in various forms but its manifestation as pleural effusion is rare. Here, we describe a case of 58-year-old male who presented with complaint of left side chest pain and breathlessness. He was investigated and diagnosed as a case of left side pleural effusion due to filariasis, with peripheral blood lymphocytosis but without peripheral blood or pleural fluid eosinophilia. Our case foregrounds that filariasis can present with peripheral blood lymphocytosis and without peripheral blood or pleural fluid eosinophilia.