Barriers Affecting Breastfeeding Practices of Refugee Mothers: A Critical Ethnography in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Refugee mothers are vulnerable to cultural stereotyping and socioeconomic hardships when they migrate to a new country. This vulnerability often has a negative impact on refugee mothers' breastfeeding practices. Saskatchewan is one of the growing provinces in Canada that has a noticeable increase in refugee population with young children and limited availability of healthcare settings with baby-friendly status. Considering existing gaps in knowledge, this critical ethnographic study aimed to explore barriers that impede the breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers in Saskatchewan. After seeking ethics approval, data were collected using multiple methods, including in-depth interviews undertaken with 27 refugee mothers with young children of age range 1 day to 24 months, a review of media communications and field observations of community-based services/facilities available to refugee mothers. Findings suggest that psychosocial barriers, healthcare barriers, environmental barriers, and maternal and child health-related barriers impede the breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers in Saskatchewan. Breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers can be promoted through healthcare support, culturally appropriate services, interpretation services in healthcare settings, implementation of baby-friendly initiatives, hospital and community-based breastfeeding campaigns, and follow-up services. Collaborative efforts by healthcare settings, healthcare providers, policymakers, public health agencies, service providers, and governments are essential to support the breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers.

A clinical prevalence of dermatophytic mycoses with an assessment of its clinical manifestations in a tertiary care hospital at Salem, South India.

BACKGROUND: Dermatophytosis is very common among all age groups throughout the world. The incidence of the same is increasing on a steady basis. AIM: Estimating the clinical prevalence of dermatophytes mycoses among the patients visiting the outpatient unit and assessing its distinct manifestations. METHODOLOGY: A prospective observational study was conducted with the patients attending the Skin and STD outpatient unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Salem. A total of 3068 outpatients attended the department, of which 420 patients were diagnosed with dermatophytic mycoses and were taken for investigating the prevalence. RESULTS: A total of 420 dermatophytosis patients were included giving a percentage prevalence of 13.69%. There were more female patients (n = 213, 50.71%) than males (n = 207, 49.29%). The most common afflicted age group was 31-40 years (n = 99, 50.71%). Most of the patients had an atypical lesion called tinea incognita (n = 265, 63.09%) where there was no typical classic appearance of dermatophytic infections. The most prevalent clinical manifestation was tinea corporis (n = 73, 17.38%) followed by tinea cruris (n = 69, 16.43%). There were more newly diagnosed dermatophytosis cases (n = 326) than the previously diagnosed cases (n = 94). CONCLUSION: This study concludes that dermatophytic mycoses were more prevalent among females than males and among the age groups of 31-40 years. The most common clinical presentation was tinea incognita followed by tinea corporis.

Barriers to Women's Menstrual Hygiene Practices during Recurrent Disasters and Displacement: A Qualitative Study.

Disasters that involve displacement are particularly challenging for managing personal and menstrual hygiene, which can increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome, infections and other health conditions that can endanger women's lives. This study aimed to examine the menstrual hygiene challenges experienced by internally displaced women affected by recurrent natural disasters and subsequent displacement in the context of a low-middle-income country, i.e., Pakistan. A critical ethnographic study was undertaken in disaster-relief camps in the northern region of Pakistan. Data were collected using multiple methods, including field observations, review of media reports and in-depth interviews with 18 women. The findings suggested that the key barriers to the personal and menstrual hygiene of women during recurrent disasters and displacement in the mountainous rural region of Pakistan include inadequate housing, lack of infrastructure and humanitarian aid, no waste disposal system and lack of women-friendly spaces in disaster-relief camps. Community-based collaboration is necessary for the implementation of effective interventions. A comprehensive menstrual response to promote the health and well-being of women during disasters must include menstruation supplies, supportive facilities (mainly toilets and bathing facilities), supplementary supplies for storing, washing and drying, disposal/waste management facilities, education and culturally appropriate spaces and supplies.

Pharmacotherapeutic potential of ginkgetin against polystyrene microplastics-instigated testicular toxicity in rats: A biochemical, spermatological, and histopathological assessment.

Polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) have emerged as a ubiquitous environmental toxicant that affects different organs including testes. Ginkgetin (GNG) is a biflavonoid that shows antioxidant properties. The current research was undertaken to evaluate the ameliorative potential of GNG against PSMPs-instigated testicular damages. Forty-eight albino rats (male) were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: control, PSMPs-treated group (0.01 mgkg-1), GNG + PSMPs-exposed group (25 mgkg-1 + 0.01 mgkg-1), and only GNG-supplemented group (25 mgkg-1). After 56 days of treatment, it was revealed that PSMPs significantly reduced the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GSR), while concurrently augmented the levels of lipid peroxidation marker, i.e., malondialdehyde (MDA) along with reactive oxygen species (ROS). Rats administered with PSMPs showed a significant reduction in the spermatogenic indices (sperm count, viability, and motility), HOS coiled tail sperm along with increased sperm structural deformities, i.e., tail, head, and mid-piece. Additionally, PSMPs exposure decreased the levels of testosterone, luteinizing (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH). Besides, administration of PSMPs reduced the steroidogenic enzymes (13ß-HSD, StAR, and 17ß-HSD) and Bcl-2 expression, while augmented the caspase-3 and Bax expression. PSMPs also elevated the levels of inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and NF-κB) and activity of COX-2 in the testes. Furthermore, PSMPs treatment induced various histopathological damages in the testes of rats. Therefore, findings of the current study suggested that GNG effectively mitigated the PSMPs-induced testicular toxicity owing to its chemoprotective potential possibly through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and androgenic properties.

Exploring the diversity of CFTR gene mutations in cystic fibrosis individuals of South Asia.

OBJECTIVE: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. This study aimed to identify the spectrum of CFTR variants reported in individuals with CF from South Asia (ISA). DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: We conducted a PubMed search for CFTR variants reported in ISA. Full text of original articles and case reports was read to compile data on reported variants. To gather additional data, we independently cross-referenced each variant with the CFTR Mutation Database and ClinVar. RESULTS: Our investigation identified a total of 92 CFTR variants reported across 30 articles. The most frequently tested, and reported variant was ΔF508 with a global frequency of 69.74%. Notably, we found 14 pathogenic CFTR mutations shared among ISA, originating from more than one South Asian country: ΔF508, 1525-1 G > A, G542X, S549N, R117H, S549R, R709X, V456A, Y569D, L1077P, 1161delC, 1898 + 1 G > T, G551D, and 2184insA. CONCLUSION: In summary, the higher prevalence of consanguinity and the limited availability of CF diagnostic resources in South Asia considerably contribute to the prevalence of genetic disorders like CF. The spectrum of CFTR mutations exhibits noticeable variations within South Asian and other populations. The inclusion of current study-enlisted CFTR gene variants is highly recommended for CF disease genetic testing in South Asia which may aid in achieving a precise diagnosis, enhancing disease management, and discovering drugs for currently untreatable genetic variants. It is also imperative to conduct a comprehensive study in this region, especially in previously unexplored countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Bangladesh.

Evaluation of Organic and Inorganic Foulant Interaction Using Modified Fouling Models in Constant Flux Dead-End Operation with Microfiltration Membranes.

The goal of this study was to elucidate the interaction of complex feed solutions under modified membrane fouling models for constant flux operation. The polyvinylidene fluoride membrane (PVDF) was tested for three types of solutions containing inorganic foulants (Al, Mn, and Fe), organic foulants, and suspended solids at 0.5 mM Ca2+ ionic strength. The membrane's performance was evaluated by measuring the increase in transmembrane pressure (TMP) during two different filtration scenarios: continuous filtration lasting 1 h and cyclic filtration lasting 12 min, with 3 min backwashing cycles included. Statistical analysis (linear regression results (R2), p-value) was used to verify the fouling model propagation along with the determination of the contributing constant of each fouling model. An increasing TMP percentage of 164-302%, 155-300%, and 208-378% for S1 (HA + Ca2+), S2 (inorganics + kaolin + Ca2+), and S3 (HA + inorganics + kaolin + Ca2+) was recorded for 1 h filtration, respectively. Furthermore, a five percent increase in irreversible resistance was noted for the S3 solution due to the strong adsorption potential of foulants for the PVDF membrane caused by the electrostatic and hydration forces of foulants. In addition to that, the participation equation elucidated the contribution of the fouling model and confirmed that complete blocking and cake layer contribution were dominant for the S1 and S3 solutions, while standard blocking was dominant for the S2 solution with a high significance ratio. Moreover, R2 and cyclic filtration analysis also confirmed the propagation of these fouling models. The statistical confirmation and regression results analysis of the modified model gave comparative results and satisfied the filtration mechanism and can be used for the constant flux dead filtration analysis of water treatment.

Evaluating the influence of green growth, institutional quality and financial inclusion on financial stability: evidence by sustainable finance theory.

Financial stability is essential for economic growth because it fosters confidence and trust and promotes investment in green development. However, it is a dilemma for the world economies to create an equilibrium between financial stability and environmental sustainability. In the extent of these challenges, the present study aims at grabbing the link of financial inclusion to attain financial stability. Further, the present study investigates the association of institutional quality, renewable energy, green growth, environmental sustainability, and financial inclusion with financial stability. Two basic econometric models are applied that focused on the basic and interaction term outcomes. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) is analyzed to design an index for five proxies of financial inclusion. Additionally, the research inspected the interaction term of institutional quality and financial inclusion (FIN*INSQ) and determined the multiplied impact on financial stability in a separate model. This research employed the linear autoregressive distributed lag approach from 1990 to 2020 for long- and short-term dynamics. Theoretically, the research supports the sustainable finance and financial development theory. Hence, results showed that financial inclusion and institutional quality are positively associated with financial stability, while green growth, environmental sustainability, and renewable energy mechanisms are achieved through financial stability. Following our findings, the government should establish consistency between financial development and economic policies to maintain financial instability and ensure financial soundness. Furthermore, countries require viable financial institutions prioritizing green growth and institutional quality to achieve financial stability and long-term development.

Virulence Factors and Antimicrobial Resistance of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli EQ101 UPEC Isolated from UTI Patient in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.

Infectious diseases have been tremendously increasing as the organisms of even normal flora become opportunistic and cause an infection, and Escherichia coli (E. coli EQ101) is one of them. Urinary tract infections are caused by various microorganisms, but Escherichia coli is the primary cause of almost 70%-90% of all UTIs. It has multiple strains, possessing diverse virulence factors, contributing to its pathogenicity. Furthermore, these virulent strains also can cause overlapping pathogenesis by sharing resistance and virulence factors among each other. The current study is aimed at analyzing the genetic variants associated with multi-drug-resistant (MDR) E. coli using the whole genome sequencing platform. The study includes 100 uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) microorganisms obtained from urine samples out of which 44% were multi-drug-resistant (MDR) E. coli. Bacteria have been isolated and antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) was determined by disk diffusion method on the Mueller-Hinton agar plate as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2020, and one isolate has been selected which shows resistance to most of the antibiotics, and that isolate has been analyzed by whole genome sequencing (WGS), accompanied by data and phylogenetic analysis, respectively. Organisms were showing resistance against ampicillin (10 µg), cefixime (5 µg), ceftriaxone (30 µg), nalidixic acid (30 µg), ciprofloxacin (5 µg), and ofloxacin (5 µg) on antimicrobial susceptibility test. WGS were done on selected isolate which identified 25 virulence genes (air, astA, chuA, fyuA, gad, hra, iha, irp2, iss, iucC, iutA, kpsE, kpsMII_K1, lpfA, mchF, ompT, papA_F43, sat, senB, sitA, terC, traT, usp, vat, and yfcV) and seven housekeeping genes (adk, fumC, gyrB, icd, mdh, purA, and recA). Among resistance genes, seven genes (TolC, emrR, evgA, qacEdelta1, H-NS, cpxA, and mdtM) were identified to be involved in antibiotic efflux, three AMR genes (aadA5, mphA, and CTX-M-15) were involved in antibiotic inactivation, and two genes (sul1 and dfrA14) were found to be involved in antibiotic drug replacement. Our data identified antibiotic resistance and virulence genes of the isolate. We suggest further research work to establish region-based resistance profile in comparison with the global resistance pattern.

A clinicoepidemiological study on tinea incognita with assessment of its treatment strategies and drug prescribing practices in a tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of tinea incognita (TI) appears to have increased over recent years owing to the easy availability of topical corticosteroids as over-the-counter preparations. AIM: Describing the various clinicoepidemiological aspects of TI and assessing the treatment strategies and prescribing practices followed for its management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted with 170 patients in the department of Skin and STD of a tertiary care hospital at Salem from Jan 2022 to June 2022. The various sociodemographic information was obtained by interviewing the patients and a detailed dermatological examination was performed by the dermatologists to describe the morphology of lesions, and sites involved. RESULTS: The results were statistically analysed and expressed in the form of percentages. Most of the patients were in the age group of 41-50 years. The majority of patients were illiterate, unskilled workers, married, belonging to the lower middle class, from rural localities, and with positive family histories. Most of the patients were suffering from TI for more than 1 year. The commonly used treatment modality was combinational therapy which comprises oral and topical antifungals and antihistaminic drugs. The commonly prescribed antifungal was itraconazole. CONCLUSION: This study emphasises the need to spread awareness among the pharmacist and the community regarding the adverse consequences of practicing self-medication with topical corticosteroids.

Whole-genome sequencing of multidrug resistance Salmonella Typhi clinical strains isolated from Balochistan, Pakistan.

Introduction: Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, contributing significantly to the global disease burden. Methods: In this study, S. Typhi strains were isolated from 100 patients exhibiting symptoms of typhoid fever at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Antimicrobial testing of all isolates was performed to determine the sensitivity and resistance pattern. Three MDR strains, namely QS194, QS430, and QS468, were subjected to whole genome sequencing for genomic characterization. Results and Discussion: MLST analysis showed that QS194, belonged to ST19, which is commonly associated with Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium. In contrast, QS430 and QS468, belonged to ST1, a sequence type frequently associated with S. Typhi. PlasmidFinder identified the presence of IncFIB(S) and IncFII(S) plasmids in QS194, while IncQ1 was found in QS468. No plasmid was detected in QS430. CARD-based analysis showed that the strains were largely resistant to a variety of antibiotics and disinfecting agents/antiseptics, including fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, monobactams, cephamycins, penams, phenicols, tetracyclines, rifamycins, aminoglycosides, etc. The S. Typhi strains possessed various virulence factors, such as Vi antigen, Agf/Csg, Bcf, Fim, Pef, etc. The sequencing data indicated that the strains had antibiotic resistance determinants and shared common virulence factors. Pangenome analysis of the selected S. Typhi strains identified 13,237 genes, with 3,611 being core genes, 2,093 shell genes, and 7,533 cloud genes. Genome-based typing and horizontal gene transfer analysis revealed that the strains had different evolutionary origins and may have adapted to distinct environments or host organisms. These findings provide important insights into the genetic characteristics of S. Typhi strains and their potential association with various ecological niches and host organisms.

Targeted therapy using nanocomposite delivery systems in cancer treatment: highlighting miR34a regulation for clinical applications.

The clinical application of microRNAs in modern therapeutics holds great promise to uncover molecular limitations and conquer the unbeatable castle of cancer metastasis. miRNAs play a decisive role that regulating gene expression at the post-transcription level while controlling both the stability and translation capacity of mRNAs. Specifically, miR34a is a master regulator of the tumor suppressor gene, cancer progression, stemness, and drug resistance at the cell level in p53-dependent and independent signaling. With changing, trends in nanotechnology, in particular with the revolution in the field of nanomedicine, nano drug delivery systems have emerged as a prominent strategy in clinical practices coupled with miR34a delivery. Recently, it has been observed that forced miR34a expression in human cancer cell lines and model organisms limits cell proliferation and metastasis by targeting several signaling cascades, with various studies endorsing that miR34a deregulation in cancer cells modulates apoptosis and thus requires targeted nano-delivery systems for cancer treatment. In this sense, the present review aims to provide an overview of the clinical applications of miR34a regulation in targeted therapy of cancer.

Solvent-Assisted Crystallization of an α-Fe2O3 Electron Transport Layer for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells Featuring Negligible Hysteresis.

Inorganic-organic metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) show power conversion efficiency values approaching those of state-of-the-art silicon solar cells. In a quest to find suitable charge transport materials in PSCs, hematite (α-Fe2O3) has emerged as a potential electron transport layer (ETL) in n-i-p planar PSCs due to its low cost, UV light stability, and nontoxicity. Yet, the performance of α-Fe2O3-based PSCs is far lower than that of state-of-the-art PSCs owing to the poor quality of the α-Fe2O3 ETL. In this work, solvent-assisted crystallization of α-Fe2O3 ETLs was carried out to examine the impact of solvents on the optoelectronic properties of α-Fe2O3 thin films. Among the various solvents used in this study (deionized water, ethanol, iso-propanol, and iso-butanol), optimized ethanol-based α-Fe2O3 ETLs lead to champion device performance with a power conversion efficiency of 13% with a reduced hysteresis index of 0.04 in an n-i-p-configured PSC. The PSC also exhibited superior long-term inert and ambient stabilities compared to a reference device made using a SnO2 ETL. Through a series of experiments spanning structural, morphological, and optoelectronic properties of the various α-Fe2O3 thin films and their devices, we provide insights into the reasons for the improved photovoltaic performance. It is noted that the formation of a pinhole-free compact morphology of ETLs facilitates crack-free surface coverage of the perovskite film atop an α-Fe2O3 ETL, reduces interfacial recombination, and enhances charge transfer efficiency. This work opens up the route toward novel ETLs for the development of efficient and photo-stable PSCs.

High throughput biochemical profiling, and functional potential analysis for valorization of grape peduncles.

Vitis vinifera L., commonly known as grape is a major fruit crop in the world. Grapes seem to confer health benefits due to their chemical components, biological and antioxidant activities. The present study is conducted to evaluate the biochemical constituents, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potential of ethanolic grape peduncles (EGP) extract. The result of phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various phytochemicals such as flavonoid, tannin, carbohydrates, alkaloids, cardiac glycoside, phenol, steroid, terpenoids, quinones and anthraquinones. Furthermore, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) were 7.35 ± 0.25 mg GAE/g (Gallic Acid Equivalent per gram) and 29.67 ± 0.13 mg QE/g (Quercetin Equivalent per gram) respectively. DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay revealed IC50 = 159.3 µg/mL. The antibacterial and antifungal study disclosed that the extract was highly potent against Salmonella typhi with maximum zone of inhibition of 27.2 ± 1.60 mm and Epidermophyton floccosum with 74 ± 1.81% inhibition. The extract was analyzed for its cytotoxicity and antileishmanial activity and showed no activity against HeLa cell line and promastigotes of Leishmania major. Elements Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and approximately 50 compounds were identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Current work suggest that grape peduncles can be a promising source of bioactive medicinal component.

Frequency of Congenital Cardiac Disease in Various Divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Based on a Six-Month Analysis of Inpatients at a Tertiary Care Hospital's Pediatric Cardiology Unit.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency of congenital heart disease (CHD) in various Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) divisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To perform this research, we reviewed the medical records of pediatric cardiology patients hospitalized between January 2022 and July 2022. Data was taken from the cardiology department's computerized data system between January 1 and July 31, 2022. To prevent any errors in diagnosis and address them during input by the ward clerk, patients' addresses, diagnoses, and gender were verified with the computerized medical record. Data were analyzed, and frequency and percentages were calculated. Per the digital mapping of KPK districts, we stratified and examined the data among various KPK divisions. RESULTS: Out Of the 371 patients with CHD who were admitted, 36.98% (137) were from the Peshawar division, 28.84% (107) from the Malakand division, 16.71% (62) from the Mardan division, 6.1% (23) from the Kohat division, 4.3% (16) from the Bannu division, 3.5% (13) from the Dera Ismail Khan division, and 3.5% (13) from the Hazara division. A total of 371 had CHD, of which 234 (63.07%) were cyanotic and 137 (36.92%) were cyanotic. The most prevalent acynotic congenital heart defect was patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) at 36.32% (85), followed by a ventricular septal defect (VSD) at 35.04 (82). The most frequent acyanotic congenital cardiac abnormality was tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) at 49.63% (68), which was followed by transposition of the great arteries (TGA) at 33.57% (46). CONCLUSION: In KPK, congenital heart disease is most prevalent in the divisions of Peshawar and Malakand, while it is least prevalent in Hazara.

An effective technique for developing the graphical polynomials of certain molecular graphs.

Counting Polynomial is the mathematical function that was initially introduced for application in chemistry in 1936 by G. Polya. Partitioning of graphs can be seen in the coefficients of these mathematical functions, which also reveal the frequency with which these partitions happen. We developed a novel and efficient method for constructing the necessary counting polynomials for a zigzag-edge coronoid formed by the fusion of a Starphene graph and a Kekulenes graph. The study's methods expand our knowledge, and its findings potentially provide insight on the topology of these chemical structures.

Sociocultural Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Practices of Mothers During Natural Disasters: A Critical Ethnography in Rural Pakistan.

Natural disasters affect the health and well-being of mothers with young children. During natural disasters, this population is at risk of discontinuation of their breastfeeding practices. Pakistan is a middle-income country that is susceptible to natural disasters. This study intended to examine sociocultural factors that shape the breastfeeding experiences and practices of internally displaced mothers in Pakistan. This critical ethnographic study was undertaken in disaster-affected villages of Chitral, Pakistan. Data were collected utilizing multiple methods, including in-depth interviews with 18 internally displaced mothers and field observations. Multiple sociocultural factors were identified as either barriers or facilitators to these mothers' capacities to breastfeed their children. Informal support, formal support, breastfeeding culture, and spiritual practices facilitated displaced mothers to sustain their breastfeeding practices. On the other hand, lack of privacy, cultural beliefs, practices and expectations, covert oppression, and lack of healthcare support served as barriers to the breastfeeding practices of displaced mothers.

Impact of travel distance on outcomes for clinical trial patients: the Kinghorn Cancer Centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Geographic isolation and travel distance to specialist care is a known social determinant of health and contributes to poorer oncology survival outcomes. AIMS: To compare survival and toxicity outcomes for patients travelling long distances (>50 km) for treatment on clinical trials with local patients (<10 km and 10-50 km). METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study based at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, a comprehensive cancer care centre in metropolitan Sydney. We included adult patients with advanced solid-organ malignancies who were enrolled on therapeutic clinical trials between July 2015 and December 2017. Outcome measures included overall survival, progression-free survival, rates of grade 3-4 toxicity and unplanned hospital admissions for the duration of the clinical trial. RESULTS: We included 173 patients, of whom 27% lived within 10 km, 29% lived between 10 and 50 km and 44% lived further than 50 km. We did not identify significant differences between survival or toxicity outcomes between patients travelling long distances and local patients. CONCLUSIONS: All patients should be considered for clinical trial referral based on clinical parameters and preference, regardless of geographic proximity. In the meantime, improving access to clinical trials for rural and regional patients continues to be a priority.

Exogenous menadione sodium bisulphite alleviates detrimental effects of alkaline stress on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Menadione sodium bisulphite (MSB) is known to augment plant defense responses against abiotic and biotic stresses. Wheat is an essential cereal with significant sensitivity to alkaline stress. The present study investigated the effects of MSB seed priming (5 and 10 mM) in alleviating the damaging effects of alkaline stress on hydroponically grown wheat cultivars (salt-sensitive cv. MH-97 and salt-tolerant cv. Millat-2011). Our findings revealed a significant reduction in growth, chlorophyll contents, total soluble proteins, free amino acids, K+, Ca2+, P, and K+/Na+ in wheat cultivars under alkaline stress. In contrast, a noteworthy accretion in lipid peroxidation, H2O2 production, proline levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, soluble sugars, antioxidant compounds, and Na+ levels was noticed in wheat plants grown in alkaline hydroponic medium. MSB priming significantly lowered chlorophyll degradation, Na+ levels, and osmolyte accumulation. Further, K+/Na+ ratio, antioxidant compounds, and antioxidant enzyme activities were higher in plants primed with MSB. Therefore, seed priming eminently protected plants by regulating osmotic adjustment and strengthening oxidative defense under alkaline stress. Plants administered 5 mM MSB as seed priming manifested better tolerance to alkaline stress. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01250-z.

A Study of Anatomical Variations of Sphenoid Sinus on CT PNS: Our Experience.

Sphenoid sinus anatomical variations are very common, its prior knowledge is very essential while doing skull base surgery to avoid catastrophic complications which might be due to damage of surrounding neurovascular structures. This retrospective observational study was done to examine the different anatomical variations of sphenoid sinus on CT PNS which was conducted in KMCH, Katihar from May 2019 to April 2020 involving 60 cases above 15 years of age who had undergone CT PNS. Sellar type of pneumatization was seen in 66.7%, pterygoid process pneumatization was seen in 25%. Single septation was present in 43.3%, septum attached to optic nerve was seen in 33.3%, onodi cell was seen in 36.7%, anterior clinoid process pneumatization was seen in 13.3% of cases. By this study we came to a conclusion that preoperative assessment of sphenoid sinus anatomy and its variations is mandatory to avoid surrounding neurovascular structure damage and CSF leak.