Chemometric approach based characterization and selection of mid-early cauliflower for bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity.

The present study was aimed to analyse bioactive compounds (total phenolics, ascorbic acid and sinigrin) and antioxidant activity in 14 mid-early cauliflower genotypes. Significant differences (pb 0.05) were observed among the genotypes for all bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. Total phenolics content of curd were ranged from 20.36 to 48.93 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) 100 g-1 fresh weight (FW) which showed 2.5 times variation. The ascorbic acid content was maximum in DC522 (88.53 mg 100 g-1 FW) followed by Pusa Sharad (65.64 mg 100 g-1 FW) while minimum in DC310 (39.62 65.64 mg 100 g-1 FW). Wide variation was observed for cupric reducing antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power ranging from 9.04 to 20.83 mg GAE 100 g-1 FW and 13.11 to 26.31 mg GAE 100 g-1 FW, respectively. Sinigrin was found to be highest in DC306 (39.50 µmol 100 g-1 FW) for leaf and in DC326 (36.93 µmol 100 g-1 FW) for curd sample. The cauliflower genotypes were classified based on chemometric approaches namely principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC). The first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) explained 50.62% and 23.28% of total variance, respectively. The AHC as revealed by heat map classified cauliflower genotypes into four main groups based on measured traits. The information is useful for developing varieties and/or hybrids rich in bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity.

An Elevated Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score Is Associated With Morbidity in Infants After Congenital Heart Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate an empirically derived Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score as a clinical assessment tool for the presence and severity of Low Cardiac Output Syndrome and to examine its association with clinical outcomes in infants who underwent surgical repair or palliation of congenital heart defects. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Cardiac ICU at Seattle Children's Hospital. PATIENTS: Infants undergoing surgical repair or palliation of congenital heart defects. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Clinical and laboratory data were recorded hourly for the first 24 hours after surgery. A Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score was calculated by assigning one point for each of the following: tachycardia, oliguria, toe temperature less than 30°C, need for volume administration in excess of 30 mL/kg/d, decreased near infrared spectrometry measurements, hyperlactatemia, and need for vasoactive/inotropes in excess of milrinone at 0.5 µg/kg/min. A cumulative Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score was determined by summation of Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score on arrival to cardiac ICU, and 8, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. Scores were analyzed for association with composite morbidity (prolonged mechanical ventilation, new infection, cardiopulmonary arrest, neurologic event, renal dysfunction, necrotizing enterocolitis, and extracorporeal life support) and resource utilization. Fifty-four patients were included. Overall composite morbidity was 33.3%. Median peak Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score and cumulative Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score were higher in patients with composite morbidity (3 [2-5] vs 2 [1-3]; p = 0.003 and 8 [5-10] vs 2.5 [1-5]; p < 0.001)]. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for cumulative Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score versus composite morbidity was 0.83, optimal cutoff of greater than 6. Patients with cumulative Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score greater than or equal to 7 had higher morbidity, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, cardiac ICU, and hospital length of stay (all p ≤ 0.001). After adjusting for other relevant variables, peak Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score and cumulative Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score were independently associated with composite morbidity (odds ratio, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.12-5.9 and odds ratio, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.09-1.67, respectively). CONCLUSION: Higher peak Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score and cumulative Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Score were associated with increased morbidity and resource utilization among infants following surgery for congenital heart defects and might be a useful tools in future cardiac intensive care research. Independent validation is required.

First Report of Lettuce mosaic virus Infecting Lactuca sativa in India.

In January 2012, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants (19 out of 38) of one of the accessions (EC687345, variety NVRS-10:001818) exhibiting mild mosaic and stunted growth symptoms were observed at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) experimental farm, New Delhi. Similar disease symptoms in lettuce plants in India were previously described (3) and the associated virus was characterized for host range, dilution end point, thermal inactivation point, and longevity in vitro. In this study, definitive molecular evidence is presented for the presence of Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) infecting lettuce in India. Analysis of preparations from leaves of symptomatic samples with an electron microscope revealed flexuous virus particles measuring 750 × 13 nm, suggesting the association of a potyvirus (4). To identify the potyvirus infecting these lettuce plants, the 3' terminal portion of the genome including the part of the nuclear inclusion b (NIb), complete coat protein (CP) region, and 3' untranslated region (UTR) was amplified by RT-PCR, cloned, and sequenced. Total RNA was extracted from infected leaves using an RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) and subjected to RT-PCR using potyvirus specific forward (5' ACCACAGGATCCGGBAAYAAYAGYGGDCARCC 3') and reverse (5' CACGGATCCCGGG(T17)V 3') primers (2). PCR products (~1.8 kb) were cloned into pGEM-T Easy vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JQ794776). Sequence comparisons revealed the CP of the virus infecting lettuce (834 bp) shared 96 to 100% nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence identity with the corresponding regions of LMV isolates AJ306288 and AJ297630 from the United Kingdom, CAA46603 and NC003605 from the United States, AJ278854 and AJ278854 from Brazil, and AJ488153 from China, thus complying with the cut off range of 90 to 99% for identifying isolates/strains of the same virus (1). Similarly, 99 to 100% nucleotide sequence identity was observed with the corresponding region of the 3'UTR (245 bp) while 93 to 96% nucleotide identity of NIb region (654 bp) with LMV isolates. These results confirm that the virus infecting the symptomatic lettuce plants was an isolate of LMV. The amino acid sequences (DAG and WCIEN) conserved among majority of potyviruses were also present. Since the virus is aphid transmissible, its natural infection on other hosts and spread can't be ruled out. References: (1) M. J. Adams et al. Arch Virol. 150:459, 2005. (2) A. Gibbs and A. Mackenzie. J. Virol. Methods 63:9, 1997. (3) T. K. Nariani and P. S. Pathanian. Indian Phytopathol. 13:172, 1960. (4) D. D. Shukla et al. The Potyviridae, page 338, 1994.

A critical appraisal of Vlasselaers D, Milants I, Desmet L, et al: intensive insulin therapy for patients in paediatric intensive care: a prospective, randomised controlled study. Lancet 2009; 373:547-556.

OBJECTIVE: To review findings and discuss implications of strict glycemic control in children. DESIGN: Critical appraisal of a randomized controlled trial. FINDINGS: This is the largest prospective randomized controlled trial to date, comparing intensive insulin therapy (glycemic targets: 50.4-79.2 mg/dL [2.8-4.4 mmol/L] and 70.2-99 mg/dL [3.9-5.5 mmol/L] [for infants and children, respectively]) and conventional insulin therapy (target: 180-215 mg/dl [10-11.9 mmol/L]) among critically ill children. Groups were similar at enrollment and had comparable forms of nutrition and glucose infusion rates. Steroid use and vasoactive-inotrope scores were not compared. Intensive insulin therapy reduced pediatric intensive care unit length of stay (primary outcome measure) and attenuated C-reactive protein concentrations >5 days. The effect of intensive insulin therapy on secondary outcome measures was precise in regards to significant reductions in secondary infection occurrence (absolute risk reduction = 7.6% [95% confidence interval: 0.6-14.4], number needed to treat = 14 [95% confidence interval: 7-179]) and need for vasoactive support beyond 2 days (absolute risk reduction = 10.4% [95% confidence interval: 3-17], number needed to treat = 10 [95% confidence interval: 6-30]). Mortality decreased with intensive insulin therapy (p = .038); however, this finding was imprecise (absolute risk reduction = 3.1% [95% confidence interval: 0.2-5.4], number needed to treat = 33 [95% confidence interval: 18.6-597.3]). The incidence of hypoglycemia was significantly higher with intensive insulin therapy (absolute risk increase = 23.5% [95% confidence interval: 20-25%], number needed to harm = 4 [95% confidence interval: 4-5]). Long-term effects on outcomes were not evaluated, and the authors recognize the need for such follow-up studies. This study demonstrated efficacy of intensive insulin therapy at the same institution where the original adult intensive insulin therapy trial was conducted, but it may not demonstrate effectiveness in populations other than postoperative cardiac patients, which composed the majority of patients enrolled or in institutions without a highly experienced nursing staff to manage intensive insulin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This was a well-designed single-center trial that serves as proof of concept. The effects of intensive insulin therapy on mortality require further investigation, and its practice may need refinement to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. In the meantime, targeting age-adjusted fasting glucose ranges cannot be routinely recommended in critically ill children.

Osteoporosis and ageing affects the migration of stem cells and this is ameliorated by transfection with CXCR4.

OBJECTIVES: Cellular movement and relocalisation are important for many physiologic properties. Local mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from injured tissues and circulating MSCs aid in fracture healing. Cytokines and chemokines such as Stromal cell-derived factor 1(SDF-1) and its receptor chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) play important roles in maintaining mobilisation, trafficking and homing of stem cells from bone marrow to the site of injury. We investigated the differences in migration of MSCs from the femurs of young, adult and ovariectomised (OVX) rats and the effect of CXCR4 over-expression on their migration. METHODS: MSCs from young, adult and OVX rats were put in a Boyden chamber to establish their migration towards SDF-1. This was compared with MSCs transfected with CXCR4, as well as MSCs differentiated to osteoblasts. RESULTS: MSCs from OVX rats migrate significantly (p < 0.05) less towards SDF-1 (9%, sd 5%) compared with MSCs from adult (15%, sd 3%) and young rats (25%, sd 4%). Cells transfected with CXCR4 migrated significantly more towards SDF-1 compared with non-transfected cells, irrespective of whether these cells were from OVX (26.5%, sd 4%), young (47%, sd 17%) or adult (21%, sd 4%) rats. Transfected MSCs differentiated to osteoblasts express CXCR4 but do not migrate towards SDF-1. CONCLUSIONS: MSC migration is impaired by age and osteoporosis in rats, and this may be associated with a significant reduction in bone formation in osteoporotic patients. The migration of stem cells can be ameliorated by upregulating CXCR4 levels which could possibly enhance fracture healing in osteoporotic patients.Cite this article: A. Sanghani-Kerai, M. Coathup, S. Samazideh, P. Kalia, L. Di Silvio, B. Idowu, G. Blunn. Osteoporosis and ageing affects the migration of stem cells and this is ameliorated by transfection with CXCR4. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:-365. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.66.BJR-2016-0259.R1.

First record of Pepper cryptic virus 2 in chilli (Capsicum annuum) in India.

The occurrence of Pepper cryptic virus 2 was confirmed by RT-PCR and partial sequencing of coat protein gene in chilli cultivars Jwalamukhi and Jwalasakhi grown in the experimental farm at IARI, New Delhi. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of occurrence of cryptovirus in chilli in India.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery in medical schools in the United Kingdom.

It has been suggested that oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is better established in dental schools than in medical schools, and as a result, dental students have a greater insight into the scope of the specialty. We explore how much time is allocated to OMFS in the undergraduate curriculum in medical schools in the UK, and the students' perceptions of the specialty. A total of 186 final year students from 5 medical schools were recruited in a questionnaire-based survey. Of them, 141 (76%) reported no exposure to OMFS, and 37 of the 45 students (82%) who had had some exposure reported that it was not part of their timetabled curriculum. The 2 aspects considered most important by students were the long training pathway (n=38, 20%) and the requirement for dual qualification (n=33, 18%). Our results suggest that UK medical schools provide limited exposure to OMFS. We think it is important that the specialty is included in the compulsory undergraduate curriculum to ensure that medical students gain some awareness. This will not only allow junior doctors to make better informed decisions about their chosen careers, but may also help to reduce the number of inappropriate referrals from doctors in other specialties.

Malignant thymoma presenting as intracardiac tumor and superior vena caval obstruction.

A case of malignant thymoma with intracardiac infiltration and intrinsic superior vena caval obstruction due to the tumor is reported. Intracardiac invasion by a thymoma is rare and for this reason is believed worthy of a report.

High versus low approach for internal jugular cannulation with double lumen catheters.

Double lumen cannulae were inserted through the right internal jugular vein (IJV) in 100 children, undergoing open heart surgery. High approach (n = 50, group I) of IJV cannulation was compared with low approach (n = 50, group II). In both the groups, hydromer coated double lumen polyurethane cannulae (Hydrocath) were introduced using Seldinger's technique; 98 per cent success rate was achieved in both the groups. Tip of cannulae was in intrathoracic position in 100 per cent patients. One patient in group I had carotid artery puncture. Catheter blockage occurred in one patient each in both the groups. Double lumen catheters are easy to insert and offer two lumens through single puncture site.

Diazepam induced delirium.

In Ophthalmic practice diazepam is often used a a premedicant. We report a case where administration of diazepam led to a state of acute delirium because of which surgery had to be postponed. The possible mechanisms for this reaction and the treatment is discussed. This side effect of diazepam should be kept in mind while dealing with delirium in the geriatric age group.

Critical illness hyperglycemia in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Critical illness hyperglycemia (CIH) is common in pediatric and adult intensive care units (ICUs). Children undergoing surgical repair or palliation of congenital cardiac defects are particularly at risk for CIH and its occurrence has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in this population. Strict glycemic control through the use of intensive insulin therapy (IIT) has been shown to improve outcomes in some adult and pediatric studies, yet these findings have sparked controversy. The practice of strict glycemic control has been slow in extending to pediatric ICUs because of the documented increase in the incidence of hypoglycemia in patients treated with IIT. Protocol driven approaches with more liberal glycemic targets have been successfully validated in general and cardiac critical care pediatric patients with low rates of hypoglycemia. It is unknown whether a therapeutic benefit is obtained by keeping patients in this more liberal glycemic control target. Definitive randomized controlled trials of IIT utilizing these targets in critically ill children are ongoing.

Biochemical genetics of powdery mildew resistance in pea.

A biochemical study on phenolic (total phenols and orthodihydroxy phenols) content and on the activities of phenol oxidizing enzymes (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) in pea cultivars resistant and susceptible to powdery mildew infection revealed that the resistant cultivars contained higher levels of phenolics and phenol-oxidizing enzymes than the susceptible ones. A further study of their F1s, F2s and backcross progenies suggested a high heritability for all biochemical traits. The correlation coefficients between the biochemical parameters and the disease index were also high. Both additive (d) and dominant (h) components were found to contribute to the inheritance of these constituents.

Goldenhar's syndrome: an analysis of anaesthetic management. A retrospective study of seventeen cases.

Seventeen patients with Goldenhar's syndrome who had surgery 28 times are presented. Various authors have reported problems in the anaesthetic management of these patients, but we encountered significant difficulties in only one. Three anaesthetic techniques were used. A thorough pre-operative assessment with back-up facilities for difficult intubation are important. Additional cardiorespiratory and craniovertebral anomalies may necessitate modifications in the basic techniques.