Quantitative assessment of oil palm pollen after 23 years of cryobanking.

Cryopreservation of pollen grains is an effective means of conserving desired germplasm of crop plants. Cryoconserved pollen are expected to be long-lived and thus can be suitably retrieved to overcome hybridization constraints imposed by a variety of reasons. We ascertained the performance of oil palm pollen grains (Tenera hybrids) that were cryobanked 23 years ago using liquid nitrogen (-196 degree C). Cryostored pollen were assessed for viability, in-vitro germinability and vigour. Our analysis showed a marginal decline in viability, assessed through fluorochromatic reaction test, of cryopreserved pollen as compared to fresh ones (pre-storage assessment); however, the viability did not decline in the cryostate since it was last tested 15 years back. On the other hand, germinability and vigour of cryopreserved pollen were maintained to the levels of fresh pollen. Our study, for the first time, demonstrates the amenability of pollen grains for cryopreservation of any plant species beyond a period of two decades in general, and that for oil palm in particular. doi.org/10.54680/fr23110110512.

Apathy, depression, and motor symptoms have distinct and separable resting activity patterns in idiopathic Parkinson disease.

Apathy and depression are heterogeneous syndromes with symptoms that overlap clinically. This clinical overlap leads to problems with classification and diagnosis in clinical populations. No functional imaging study has attempted to separate brain regions altered in apathy from those altered in depression in a clinical population. Parkinson disease (PD) is a disorder in which apathy and depression co-exist in a single population. We evaluate the relationship between apathy, depression, and motor severity of disease in PD, focusing on the relationship between these factors and the amplitude of the low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in the resting state. We first evaluated if the resting ALFF signal is a reliable measure for our clinical question. For this, we develop and introduce a cross validation approach we term the "Regional Mapping of Reliable Differences" (RMRD) method to evaluate reliability of regions of interest deemed "significant" by standard voxel-wise techniques. Using this approach, we show that the apathy score in this sample is best predicted by ALFF signal in the left supplementary motor cortex, the right orbitofrontal cortex, and the right middle frontal cortex, whereas depression score is best predicted by ALFF signal in the right subgenual cingulate. Disease severity was best predicted by ALFF signal in the right putamen. A number of additional regions are also statistically (but not reliably) correlated with our neuropsychological measures and disease severity. Our results support the use of resting fMRI as a means to evaluate neuropsychiatric states and motor disease progression in Parkinson disease, and the clinical and epidemiologic observation that apathy and depression are distinct pathological entities. Our finding that "significance" and "reliability" are dissociated properties of regions of interest identified as significant using standard voxel-wise techniques suggests that including reliability analyses may add useful scientific information in neurobehavioral research.

Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease: the last 50 years.

Rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continue to be a major health hazard in most developing countries as well as sporadically in developed economies. Despite reservations about the utility, echocardiographic and Doppler (E&D) studies have identified a massive burden of RHD suggesting the inadequacy of the Jones' criteria updated by the American Heart Association in 1992. Subclinical carditis has been recognized by E&D in patients with acute RF without clinical carditis as well as by follow up of RHD patients presenting as isolated chorea or those without clinical evidence of carditis. Over the years, the medical management of RF has not changed. Paediatric and juvenile mitral stenosis (MS), upto the age of 12 and 20 yr respectively, severe enough to require operative treatement was documented. These negate the belief that patients of RHD become symptomatic ≥20 years after RF as well as the fact that congestive cardiac failure in childhood indicates active carditis and RF. Non-surgical balloon mitral valvotomy for MS has been initiated. Mitral and/or aortic valve replacement during active RF in patients not responding to medical treatment has been found to be life saving as well as confirming that congestive heart failure in acute RF is due to an acute haemodynamic overload. Pathogenesis as well as susceptibility to RF continue to be elusive. Prevention of RF morbidity depends on secondary prophylaxis which cannot reduce the burden of diseases. Primary prophylaxis is not feasible in the absence of a suitable vaccine. Attempts to design an antistreptococcal vaccine utilizing the M-protein has not succeeded in the last 40 years. Besides pathogenesis many other questions remain unanswered.

Phenotypic evaluation of severely damaged ocular surface after reconstruction by cultured limbal epithelial cell transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical outcome of autologous cultured limbal epithelial cell transplantation (CLECT) followed by deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in paediatric eyes and to correlate the clinical outcome with the phenotype of rejuvenated corneal epithelium. METHODS: Four patients with total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) underwent autologous CLECT. Cultivated cell sheets were transplanted onto the damaged ocular surface followed by DALK surgery. Excised corneal buttons were subjected to histopathological analysis. Data recorded included age, sex, laterality, nature of injury, follow-up period, severity of stem cell deficiency, visual acuity, Schirmer's test and impression cytology. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up period of 19.5 ± 7.4 (range 9-26) months after CLECT, all 4 eyes showed epithelialized and clinically stabilized ocular surface. Manual DALK was performed in all 4 eyes, with a mean follow-up of 9.75 ± 4.5 (range 5-15) months. All eyes exhibited smooth and clear corneal epithelium with improved visual acuity. Excised corneal buttons demonstrated organized corneal epithelial morphology and showed expression of cornea-specific CK3/12 marker. CONCLUSION: Restoration of severely damaged ocular surface following chemical injury by using 2-stage meticulous approaches offers a new modality for the treatment of severe LSCD. Transplantation of cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cell sheet followed by DALK surgery can efficiently restore the corneal phenotype with improved vision.

Effect of non-zero Schottky barrier on the J-V characteristics of organic diodes.

Current-voltage (J-V) characteristics of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) are studied at different temperatures upto high voltages approximately 20V in the hole-only device configuration. The characteristics are studied in the temperature range 310-210K. In the intermediate voltage range the J-V characteristics follow J proportional to V(l+1), where l > 1. As the voltage increases to high values J still varies as a power law i.e. as V(m), but contrary to the literature result m becomes < 2. This behavior is explained theoretically in terms of non-zero injection Schottky barriers. The complete analytical expressions for the actual trap filled limit voltage (V'(TFL)) and J-V curves beyond V'(TFL) are presented.

Fecal shedding of infectious feline leukemia virus and its nucleic acids: a transmission potential.

Although it is assumed that fecal shedding of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) constitutes a transmission potential, no study has been performed showing that feces of infected cats can be a source of infection. In this study, we investigated fecal viral shedding of FeLV and its role in viral pathogenesis with the goal to improve infection control. FeLV RNA and DNA levels were determined in rectal swabs of experimentally infected cats by real-time PCR, and the results were correlated with proviral and viral loads in whole blood and plasma, respectively, and plasma p27 levels. All antigenemic cats shed FeLV RNA and DNA in feces. To determine whether the viral RNA detected was infectious, virus isolation from feces was also performed. Infectious virus was isolated from feces of antigenemic cats, and these results perfectly correlated with the isolation of virus from plasma. Naïve cats exposed to these feces seroconverted, showing that infection through feces took place, but remained negative for the presence of FeLV provirus and p27 in blood, an outcome so far not described. Some of the organs collected after euthanasia were provirus positive at low copy numbers. From these results it is concluded that fecal shedding of FeLV plays a role in transmission, but it is probably of secondary importance in viral pathogenesis. Nevertheless, sharing of litter pans by susceptible and viremic cats could increase the environmental infectious pressure and appropriate measures should be taken to avoid unnecessary viral exposure.

Synthesis and characterization of sol-gel derived PZT nano powder.

Single phase nanocrystalline lead zirconate titanate (PZT) powder of composition Pb(Zr(0.52)Ti(0.48))O3 has been prepared by sol-gel process by using lead acetate trihydrate, zirconium propoxide and titanium propoxide as lead, zirconium and titanium precursor materials respectively. XRD, FTIR and TGA/DTA techniques are used to characterize structural, vibrational and thermal changes involved during the formation of PZT nanocrystalline powder with tetragonal phase. XRD pattern exhibits the polycrystalline nature of the powder heat treated at 800 degrees C with preferential orientation of (110) plane. Simultaneous TGA/DTA studies of the gel powder show endothermic and exothermic peaks corresponding to weight loss at different temperatures and increase in weight between 750 degrees C and 800 degrees C which confirms the improvement in crystallization. IR transmittance spectra of the powders heat treated at 650 degrees C and 750 degrees C show the coexistence of rhombohedral and teragonal phases and above this temperature only teragonal phase exists.

Single-stage treatment of spina bifida with hydrocephalus based on a prediction rule derived from preoperative cranial ultrasound.

AIMS: It was the aim of this study to report a prospective study of 110 spina bifida patients with hydrocephalus treated by simultaneous ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt and repair of the meningomyelocele. METHODS: Between January 2005 and February 2008, 264 patients with spina bifida were admitted to the author's department. Those patients in whom the preoperative cranial ultrasonography measurement of the bifrontal diameter was >26 mm, the bicaudate diameter >20 mm and the diameter of the body of the lateral ventricle >26 mm were predicted to develop postoperative hydrocephalus (n = 245). Of these, 110 patients underwent simultaneous (group 1) VP shunt with repair of the meningomyelocele, while 135 (group 2) underwent sequential surgery due to the preference of the attending consultant. RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 110 patients in group 1 developed complications (wound problems, cerebrospinal fluid leak, shunt malfunction, death) compared with 38 of 135 patients in group 2. The remaining patients had an uneventful postoperative and follow-up course. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous VP shunt with surgery for hydrocephalus was feasible in our setup. The rate of complications was not higher than in staged surgery. Single-stage repair of spina bifida with hydrocephalus offers considerable advantage in the form of a reduction in hospital burden, costs and patient morbidity.

Modified method of primary esophageal anastomosis with improved outcome in cases of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.

Survival rates for infants who have esophageal atresia (EA) with or without fistula (TEF) have improved dramatically in the past 50 years. Despite excellent long-term survival for patients with esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF), many significant complications can occur. Anastomotic leak at the esophagoesophagostomy site is one such problem resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality in these patients. The methods of esophageal anastomosis for long period has remained the simple end to end anastomosis of esophageal ends with various modifications described from time to time. The present study aims to study the effect on the early postoperative complications, following horizontal mattress suture technique on the primary esophageal anastomosis in cases of EA-TEF. A total of 32 patients with EA-TEF, were operated by our technique during a period of 1 year (2007-2008). The results were compared with the patients (n = 66), who were operated by the traditional simple technique during the same period. Among those patients in whom the esophageal anastomosis was done by horizontal mattress suture, only one had major anastomotic leak, while two had minor anastomotic leaks, as compared to six and nine cases correspondingly in other patients in whom anastomosis was done by simple technique. There was single mortality. We propose that, the utilization of our technique of horizontal mattress suture in primary anastomosis of esophagus in cases of EA-TEF significantly reduces the risk of anastomotic leaks and subsequent morbidity and mortality.

Evaluation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a tertiary health center of a developing country: management and survival.

AIM: The purpose was to evaluate the diagnosis and efficacy of management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in a tertiary health center of a developing country. METHODS: Forty-six children aged from 1 day to 7 years were studied. Parameters studied were age, sex, clinical features, and management. RESULTS: Fifty-six percent of patients presented in the neonatal period; however, none of them presented on the first day of life. The majority (91.3%) of patients had left-sided CDH. Respiratory distress was the most common clinical feature observed (91.3%). Chest X-ray confirmed the diagnosis in 82.6% of patients, and contrast study was needed in the remaining 17.4%. The survival rate was 87%. It was better in patients presenting late than those presenting in the early neonatal period. Stabilization in the preoperative period improved survival. Not using a chest tube had no adverse effect on survival. CONCLUSION: The relatively increased survival rate of CDH in a tertiary health center of a developing country is attributed to delayed arrival to the center. Respiratory infections compound the survival. More studies are needed before it can be safely said that not using a chest tube has no adverse outcome. Late presentation has been associated with varied manifestations, hence proper clinical evaluation, a high index of suspicion and adequate management, which includes imaging and surgery after stabilization, gives excellent results.

Surgical management of colonic redundancy following esophageal replacement.

Colonic redundancy is the most common late complication following esophageal replacement by colonic interposition. Redundancy in the colonic graft leads to mechanical dysfunction of the neo-conduit, causing disabling symptoms that may develop decades after the original surgery. When symptoms caused by food retention in the colonic loop occur, surgical correction may be necessary to improve quality of life and to prevent complications such as aspiration if lifestyle modifications fail. We describe two cases where remedial surgery was performed for redundancy in interposed colonic grafts. Particularly attention is given to preoperative work-up and surgical technique. The literature is reviewed for the etiology, clinical features and management options of this condition. These cases illustrate a successful surgical technique for correcting this complication.

Anastomotic strictures and delayed gastric emptying after esophagectomy: incidence, risk factors and management.

The aim of this study was to report the incidence, risk factors, and management of gastric conduit dysfunction after esophagectomy in 177 patients over a 3-year period in a single center. Patients with anastomotic strictures or delayed gastric emptying (DGE) were identified from a prospective database. Anastomotic strictures occurred in 48 patients (27%). Eighty-three percent of early anastomotic strictures (<1 year) were benign, and all late strictures (>1 year) were malignant. Dilatation was effective in 98% of benign and 64% of malignant strictures. DGE occurred in 21 patients (12%), and was associated with both anastomotic leak (P = 0.001) and anastomotic stricture (P = 0.001). 4/8 patients with late DGE (>3 months postesophagectomy) were tumor-related. Pyloric dilatation was effective in 92% of early and 63% of late DGE. Pyloric stents were inserted in 3 patients with tumor-related DGE. After esophagectomy, early anastomotic strictures (within 1 year) and early delayed gastric emptying (within 3 months) are usually benign and respond to dilatation. However, patients presenting later with tumor-related obstruction are unlikely to respond to anastomotic or pyloric dilatation and should be stented.

Sutureless amniotic membrane fixation with fibrin glue in symptomatic bullous keratopathy with poor visual potential.

PURPOSE: To report a sutureless method of amniotic membrane fixation using fibrin glue in two cases of symptomatic bullous keratopathy with poor visual potential. METHODS: Under topical anesthesia, the loose epithelium was debrided up to 1.0 mm from the limbus and fibrin glue was applied uniformly and thinly onto the corneal surface. Cryopreserved amniotic membrane was evenly placed over the cornea and once a firm and uniform adhesion was achieved, excess membrane was trimmed off. A bandage contact lens was applied. RESULTS: In both the cases, complete relief from symptoms was obtained and 3 weeks later, the ocular surface had completely re-epithelialized. At 6 months follow-up, both patients were symptom free without the need for any medication. No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This technique of amniotic membrane fixation is a simple, effective, and safe procedure whereby a stable and secure adherence of the amniotic membrane with the corneal surface is achieved avoiding the use of sutures.

Anorectal junction stenosis: diagnosis and management.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to describe the management of 9 patients with anorectal junction stenosis and present the diagnostic features together with a single-stage surgical technique with reproducible results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients with anorectal junction stenosis were seen over a period of 12 years. The children (aged from 2 months to 15 years) presented with constipation . Anorectal junction stenosis was diagnosed by rectal examination during which the tip of the finger was unable to pass beyond the stenosis in all cases. Contrast study showed the dilated rectosigmoid proximal to the stenosis. RESULTS: Six patients (who did not have significant rectal dilation) underwent single-stage surgery by posterior Y-V plasty which was curative. Two patients were operated through the posterior sagittal route with a covering colostomy done during the same session; the oldest child required resection of the megasigmoid with abdominoperineal pull-through. None of the six patients operated with Y-V plasty experienced any complications. One of the patients operated via the posterior sagittal route had a leak from the anorectal anastomosis requiring revision. The follow-up ranged from 6 months to 12 years. All patients are alive and well and there was no recurrence of stenosis in any case. CONCLUSION: Anorectal junction stenosis is a rare anorectal anomaly easily diagnosed by digital rectal examination. Single-stage surgery by posterior Y-V plasty is effective in curing the majority of these patients if significant rectosigmoid dilation is not present.

Oxidative stress in hypertension: association with antihypertensive treatment.

There is growing evidence that oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Our aim was to measure oxidative stress in hypertensive subjects, and assess the potential confounding influences of antihypertensive therapy. Serum malondialdehyde and antioxidant levels were estimated in patients at the time of presentation and also after a antihypertensive therapy for 3 months. During the period of study no antioxidant/s was given to the patients and control subjects. Mean blood pressure values were altered in the hypertensive patients following antihypertensive therapy from their respective values observed at the time of presentation. Serum malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive patients in comparison to control cases. The antioxidant activity of enzymes super oxide dismutase, glutathione and non enzymatic antioxidant levels of vitamins E and C were significantly lower in patients compared to controls. After 3 months of antihypertensive treatment all the above parameters showed reversal in the respective levels of serum malondialdehyde and antioxidant activity. Antihypertensive medications lower the blood pressure and thereby results in reduced oxidative stress which indicates that oxidative stress is not the cause, but rather a consequence, of hypertension.

Floral contrivances and specialised pollination mechanism strongly influence mixed mating in Wrightia tomentosa (Apocynaceae).

Reproductive success of a plant species is largely influenced by the outcome of mating pattern in a population. It is believed that a significantly larger proportion of animal-pollinated plants have evolved a mixed-mating strategy, the extent of which may vary among species. It is thus pertinent to investigate the key contributors to mating success, especially to identify the reproductive constraints in depauperate populations of threatened plant species. We examined the contribution of floral architecture, pollination mechanism and breeding system on the extent of outcrossing rate in a near-threatened tree species, Wrightia tomentosa. The breeding system was ascertained from controlled pollination experiments. In order to determine outcrossing rate, 60 open-pollinated progeny were analysed using an AFLP markers. Although the trees are self-compatible, herkogamy and compartmentalisation of pollen and nectar in different chambers of the floral tube effectively prevent spontaneous autogamy. Pollination is achieved through specialised interaction with moths. Differential foraging behaviour of settling moths and hawkmoths leads to different proportions of geitonogamous and xenogamous pollen on the stigma. However, most open-pollinated progeny were the result of xenogamy (outcrossing rate, tm = 0.68). The study shows that floral contrivances and pollination system have a strong influence on mating pattern. The differential foraging behaviour of the pollinators causes deposition of a mixture of self- and cross-pollen to produce a mixed brood. Inbreeding depression and geitonogamy appear to play a significant role in sustaining mixed mating in this species.

Increase in weight induced by muraglitazar, a dual PPARalpha/gamma agonist, in db/db mice: adipogenesis/or oedema?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Muraglitazar, a dual PPARalpha/gamma agonist, caused a robust increase in body weight in db/db mice. The purpose of the study was to see if this increase in weight was due to oedema and/or adipogenesis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The affinity of muraglitazar at PPARalpha/gamma receptors was characterized using transactivation assays. Pre-adipocyte differentiation, expression of genes for adipogenesis (aP2), fatty acid oxidation (ACO) and sodium reabsorption (ENaCgamma and Na+, K+-ATPase); haemodilution parameters and serum electrolytes were measured to delineate the role of muraglitazar in causing weight gain vis a vis rosiglitazone. KEY RESULTS: Treatment with muraglitazar (10 mg kg(-1)) for 14 days significantly reduced plasma glucose and triglycerides. Reduction in plasma glucose was significantly greater than after similar treatment with rosiglitazone (10 mg kg(-1)). A marked increase in weight was also observed with muraglitazar that was significantly greater than with rosiglitazone. Muraglitazar increased aP2 mRNA and caused adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells similar to rosiglitazone. It also caused a marked increase in ACO mRNA in the liver of the treated mice. Expression of mRNA for ENaCgamma and Na+, K+-ATPase in kidneys was up-regulated after either treatment. Increased serum electrolytes and decreased RBC count, haemoglobin and haematocrit were observed with both muraglitazar and rosiglitazone. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Although muraglitazar has a better glucose lowering profile, it also has a greater potential for weight gain than rosiglitazone. In conclusion, muraglitazar causes both robust adipogenesis and oedema in a 14-day treatment of db/db mice as observed in humans.

Hepatic calcification following dengue virus-induced fulminant hepatic failure.

Hepatic calcification can be seen with various infectious and neoplastic conditions. We report a 32-year- old man who developed massive calcification in the right lobe of liver following recovery from dengue virus-associated fulminant liver failure.