Modified DeeplabV3+ with multi-level context attention mechanism for colonoscopy polyp segmentation.

The development of automated methods for analyzing medical images of colon cancer is one of the main research fields. A colonoscopy is a medical treatment that enables a doctor to look for any abnormalities like polyps, cancer, or inflammatory tissue inside the colon and rectum. It falls under the category of gastrointestinal illnesses, and it claims the lives of almost two million people worldwide. Video endoscopy is an advanced medical imaging approach to diagnose gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel, ulcerative colitis, esophagitis, and polyps. Medical video endoscopy generates several images, which must be reviewed by specialists. The difficulty of manual diagnosis has sparked research towards computer-aided techniques that can quickly and reliably diagnose all generated images. The proposed methodology establishes a framework for diagnosing coloscopy diseases. Endoscopists can lower the risk of polyps turning into cancer during colonoscopies by using more accurate computer-assisted polyp detection and segmentation. With the aim of creating a model that can automatically distinguish polyps from images, we presented a modified DeeplabV3+ model in this study to carry out segmentation tasks successfully and efficiently. The framework's encoder uses a pre-trained dilated convolutional residual network for optimal feature map resolution. The robustness of the modified model is tested against state-of-the-art segmentation approaches. In this work, we employed two publicly available datasets, CVC-Clinic DB and Kvasir-SEG, and obtained Dice similarity coefficients of 0.97 and 0.95, respectively. The results show that the improved DeeplabV3+ model improves segmentation efficiency and effectiveness in both software and hardware with only minor changes.

Healthy eating encouragement and socio-demographic factors associated with cognitive development among pre-schoolers: a cross-sectional evaluation in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive development in pre-schoolers through healthy eating and socio-demographic support is crucial for their later lives. We investigated healthy eating encouragement, socio-demographic factors and their association with cognitive development in pre-schoolers. METHODS: Quantitative data were collected using a multi-stage random sampling between February and April 2021. Pre-schoolers 36 and 71 months and their primary caregivers were recruited from three local government units of Rupandehi district. We compared healthy eating encouragement, socioeconomic and demographic factors with cognitive development using t-test, one-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regression analysis to identify the predictors of the cognitive development among pre-schoolers. RESULTS: Cognitive development in pre-schoolers is significantly positively associated with age 36-48 months (ß = 0.153; 95% CI: 0.12, 13.96), living in a nuclear family (ß = 0.121; 95% CI: 0.59, 6.88) and following Buddhism (ß = 0.148; 95% CI: 0.88, 14.32). Conversely, children from specific caste/ethnic backgrounds, such as Dalit (ß = -0.126; 95% CI: -10.79, -0.68), Janajati (ß = -0.237; 95% CI: -6.14, -2.09) and non-Dalit Tarai caste or ethnicity (ß = -0.133; 95% CI: -3.46, -0.25) and mothers employed (ß = -0.134; 95% CI: -10.62, -1.44) show significantly lower levels of cognitive development. CONCLUSIONS: The finding shows that socioeconomic factors have an influence on cognitive development and also stimulate the adoption of healthy eating encouragement practices.

Higher intake of ß-glucan impairs reproduction in a female teleost, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822).

Although the immuno-modulatory and stress-relieving properties of ß-glucan is well elucidated in humans and other animal models, including fish, its role as a dietary supplement on reproduction is extremely scarce. Therefore, in this study, adult female fish were fed one of four test diets having 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 1.5% ß-D-glucan for 130 days and its effect on reproductive performance, ovarian and liver histology, sex hormones, and transcript abundance of selected reproduction-related genes was assessed. Low dietary intake of ß-glucan improved fertilization and hatching rates (p<0.05). The relative fecundity and percentage of spawning females were higher (non-significant) in 0.5% ß-glucan-fed groups. Surprisingly, even after 130 days, spawning did not occur in 1.5% ß-glucan-fed individuals. Irrespective of ß-glucan intake, all the brooders recorded similar plasma 17ß-estradiol and maturation-inducing hormone (p>0.05). Higher intake of ß-glucan (1.5%) upregulated aromatase genes without a parallel increase in 17ß-estradiol. However, plasma vitellogenin increased with increasing ß-glucan up to 1.0% then declined at 1.5% (p<0.05). The fish that received control, 0.5, and 1.5% ß-glucan recorded similar vitellogenin levels in their plasma. Significantly higher plasma cortisol was evidenced in 1.5% ß-glucan fed brooders (p<0.05). Histologically, higher follicular atresia and leaking of yolk material was evidenced in 1.5% ß-glucan-fed group. Liver histology revealed the highest nutrient/lipid accumulation in fish that received 1.0% and 1.5% ß-glucan. This study demonstrated the stimulatory effect of ß-glucan intake at a lower dose (0.5%) on reproduction. However, higher intake (1.5%) could perturb normal reproductive function in a fish model and caused an increased number of atretic follicles leading to spawning/reproductive failure.

Danazol for the Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Systematic Review.

Purpose To study the potential utility of danazol for treating patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, with a focus on efficacy and adverse effects (AEs). Methods MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus were searched for relevant publications from inception June 1, 1950, until June 28, 2022. The studies were screened by title and abstract, followed by full-text screening. The quality of the included studies was assessed via a prespecified set of questionnaires. Data on the efficacy measures and adverse outcomes were extracted and included in a descriptive summary. Results Nine studies consisting of 246 participants were included in our review. The overall quality of the included studies was fair. The age of the participants ranged from 61 to 78 years. In all 9 studies, more male patients had been enrolled than female patients. Overall, a proportion of patients in all the studies reported a desired major response to a danazol dose of 400 to 800 mg/day. Few studies did not observe any improvement in the platelet count. Elevated liver enzyme levels, weight gain, headache, dermatitis, and weakness were the most common AEs observed. One study reported a fatal intracerebral hemorrhage in 1 participant. Conclusions Danazol has been effective in increasing platelet count and hemoglobin level. Despite a few AEs, danazol is a safe drug for the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Serial estimations of serum albumin levels as a prognostic marker in critically ill patients admitted in ICU in tertiary center: An observational study.

Critical illness is a severe condition that poses a significant threat to multiple organ systems and can lead to substantial morbidity and mortality. Serum albumin concentration can serve as an independent predictor of mortality risk in critically ill patients. This study aimed to determine the role of serial monitoring of serum albumin (SA) levels as a prognostic marker of mortality and morbidity. This observational prospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital over a period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, among critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Data collection was performed using a prestructured proforma. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 23, employing appropriate tests. The P-value <.05 was considered statistically significant. The study included 78 patients with 59 (75.6%) were survivors, and 19 (24.4%) were non-survivors. Mean SA levels did not significantly differ between non-survivors (3.30 ±â€…0.40 g/dL) and survivors (3.42 ±â€…0.35 g/dL) on admission (day 1) (P = .234). However, on day 3, non-survivors had significantly lower levels (3.02 ±â€…0.46 g/dL) compared to survivors (3.31 ±â€…0.29 g/dL) (P = .001). This trend continued on day 5, with non-survivors having significantly lower levels (2.92 ±â€…0.30 g/dL) compared to survivors (3.31 ±â€…0.33 g/dL) (P = .003). The decline in SA levels from day 1 to day 3 and from day 1 to day 5 was statistically significant in non-survivors (P = .001). In survivors, a significant decline was observed from day 1 to day 3 (P = .019), while the decline from day 1 to day 5 was not statistically significant (P = .074). Serial estimation of SA levels in critically ill patients can serve as a valuable prognostic marker, aiding in the identification of individuals at a higher risk of mortality and morbidity.

The association of multiple sclerosis with thyroid disease: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with T-cell-mediated inflammation showing different clinical and pathological phenotypes. The relationship between MS and thyroid diseases has been debated, with varying research outcomes. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the association between different thyroid diseases and MS. METHODS: Databases PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science were searched electronically for the studies investigating the association of thyroid disorders in MS. Studies were selected based on the eligibility criteria and meta-analysis was performed on Review Manager Version 5.4 using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the clinical subtypes of thyroid disorders and forest plots were generated to interpret the findings. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's and Begg's tests and interpreted into funnel plots. Sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the effect of the exclusion of each study on the pooled odds ratio. RESULTS: Inclusive of thirteen studies comprising 13,012 MS cases and 56,850 controls, our analysis unveiled notable findings. pwMS displayed a significantly elevated prevalence of both hypothyroidism (Odds Ratio [OR]: 2.29, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.16-4.49, pvalue: 0.02, I2 = 27 %) and autoimmune thyroid disorder (OR: 1.70, 95 % CI: 1.02-2.85, pvalue: 0.04, I2 = 79 %). The collective prevalence of all thyroid diseases among pwMS was markedly higher (OR: 1.60, 95 % CI: 1.20-2.11, p-value: 0.001, I2 = 61 %). Furthermore, gender-specific analyses revealed that females with MS experienced a significantly increased prevalence of thyroid disorders compared to their male counterparts. (pooled odds ratio 2.38,95 % CI 1.11-5.10, p-value: 0.03, I2 = 28 %) CONCLUSION: This comprehensive meta-analysis establishes a significant association between thyroid diseases and MS, substantiating the increased risk of thyroid disorders in pwMS. Moreover, the gender-based analysis implicates a potentially significant interaction between gender and the observed association. These findings collectively contribute to a better understanding of the complex interplay between MS and thyroid diseases, offering crucial insights for both clinical management and future research endeavors.

Microsatellite diversity in four cultivated species of Actinidiaceae and Rutaceae.

Microsatellites or Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) are short iterations of 1-6 bp in the genomes of almost all living organisms. Our study aimed to explore the microsatellite diversity in four cultivated species, namely Actinidia chinensis, Actinidia eriantha, Citrus maxima, and Citrus sinensis of the Actinidiaceae and Rutaceae families. We present a comprehensive analysis of microsatellite abundance, distribution, and motif composition in the genomes of these species. The association of microsatellite abundance with genomic features such as genome size, GC content, number of microsatellites, relative abundance, and relative density was also examined. The results revealed significant variations in the frequency and distribution of microsatellites across the genomes of these four species. Notably, a positive correlation was observed between genome size and microsatellite number as well as with GC content, indicating that larger genomes provide more opportunities for the accumulation of microsatellites. Furthermore, a negative correlation of genome size with relative microsatellite abundance and relative density was observed. These findings provide new insights into the microsatellite landscape of Actinidiaceae and Rutaceae, which could be explored for the development of microsatellite markers for diverse applications in the characterization of genetic diversity, molecular plant breeding, and phylogenetic analysis.

A case of hemoptysis unveiling the unlikely culprit - pulmonary arteriovenous malformation.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a rare vascular anomaly characterized by abnormal communication between the pulmonary artery and vein. It is a rare cause of hemoptysis. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) has become the preferred and dependable diagnostic approach for identifying PAVM. PAVM embolization is the primary recommended treatment for this condition. We present a case of a 43-year-old male with a complex PAVM in the left lower lobe presenting with hemoptysis treated with an endovascular approach. Following the procedure, the patient's symptoms resolved.

Early experience with percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture in Nepal: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Balloon kyphoplasty is a promising treatment option for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with posterior cortical defect, offering pain relief, vertebral height restoration, and low risk of cement leakage. Abstract: Millions of people worldwide suffer from osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) annually, which cause pain and functional limitations, particularly in the elderly. Conservative treatments such as pain management, rest, and medication are frequently used, while surgical options such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are considered. We present a case of 68-year-old female with vertebral compression fracture of L1 vertebra with posterior cortical defect and posterior wall retropulsion. She was treated successfully with balloon kyphoplasty. Kyphoplasty appears to be a better option than vertebroplasty in cases with posterior cortical defect due to lower chance of cement leakage.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome secondary to isoniazid and ethambutol: a case report and literature review.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe, potentially life-threatening condition precipitated by reaction of therapeutic drugs. The prevalence of potential antitubercular therapy (ATT)-induced DRESS is 1.2%. Case presentation: A 71-year-old female patient after 5 weeks of starting ATT complaints of fever, vomiting, dizziness, and generalized itchy maculopapular rash over the body. It was associated with marked eosinophilia (absolute eosinophil count 3094 cell/mm3, 36% in peripheral blood smear). Discussion: Fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, and internal organ involvement with marked eosinophilia constitute the major clinical manifestations of DRESS. RegiSCAR scoring system is usually used to diagnose DRESS. Identification of the culprit drug is based on the temporal correlation of symptoms with drug exposure and rechallenge test, patch test and lymphocytic transformation tests may be valuable adjunctive tools. Treatment includes withdrawal of offending agent and use of topical or systemic corticosteroids, antihistamines, cyclosporin or JAK inhibitor with clinical judgement. Conclusion: Clinicians from the tuberculosis burden region must be aware of DRESS associated with ATT and they must counsel the patient properly before prescription and manage them without delay if DRESS ensues.

Nonparaneoplastic anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in an adolescent girl: a case report.

Anti-N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune neurologic disorder that classically presents with psychiatric, neurologic, and autonomic symptoms, often with a viral prodrome. Case presentation: A 17-year-old female presented to the hospital with an 11-day history of fever, altered behavior, abnormal body movements, and altered sensorium. Upon examination, she was found to be febrile, tachycardic, and tachypneic, with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8. Discussion: The diagnosis of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is usually confirmed by the presence of anti-NMDA receptor antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. The first-line treatment options include steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis, while second-line therapies such as rituximab and cyclophosphamide may be necessary for some patients. While most patients respond well to treatment, complications can arise, and as in this case, death can occur. Conclusion: New onset symptoms like alteration in behavior, abnormal body movement, altered sensorium, and psychiatric symptoms in a young female should raise suspicion of this disease. Immunotherapy is promising; however, anticipation and management of complication are essential in reducing mortality.

Nutritional status and psychosocial stimulation associated with cognitive development in preschool children: A cross-sectional study at Western Terai, Nepal.

Quality education at the age of foundation to produce dynamic manpower is a public concern in developing countries including Nepal. Preschool children do not get proper care and support from their parents due to insufficient knowledge of proper feeding habits, nutrition status and methods of psychosocial stimulation, which may affect their proper cognitive development. This study aimed to identify the factors that influence cognitive development in preschool children aged 3-5 years in Rupandehi district of western Terai, Nepal. In this school based cross-sectional survey, a total of 401 preschool children were selected using a multistage random sampling technique. The study was conducted from 4th February to 12th April, 2021 in Rupandehi district of Nepal. Data on the children's socio-economic and demographic status, level of psychosocial stimulation, nutritional status, and stage of cognitive development were collected through scheduled interviews and direct observation. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of cognitive development in preschool children. A p-value less than 0.05 considered as statistical significance. Of 401 participants, 44.1% had a normal nutritional status based on height for age Z-score (HAZ). Only 1.2% of primary caregivers provided their children with high levels of psychosocial stimulation, and 49.1% of children had a medium level of cognitive development. Furthermore, cognitive development in preschoolers is positively associated with nutritional status based on the height for age z score (ß = 0.280; p<0.0001), psychological stimulation from caregivers (ß = 0.184; p<0.0001), and advantageous castes/ethnicity (ß = 0.190; p<0.0001), but negatively associated with the child's age (ß = - 0.145; p = 0.002) and family type (ß = -0.157; p = 0.001). Nutritional status and psychosocial stimulation appear to be major factors affecting cognitive development of preschoolers. Nutritional promotion strategies, as well as techniques for optimal psychosocial stimulation behavior, may play an important role in enhancing preschoolers' cognitive development.

Exposure to different temperature regimes at early life stages affects hatching, developmental morphology, larval growth, and muscle cellularity in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

In this study, the effects of temperature on hatching, yolk-sac absorption, larval metamorphosis, post-metamorphic growth, developmental morphology, and muscle cellularity were assessed in rainbow trout, during its early development (until 52 days post-hatching, dph). From the eyed-ova stage, embryos were exposed to either low (8 ± 1 °C, LT-8) or high (16 ± 1 °C, HT-16) temperatures until hatching. Following hatching, half of the sac-fry from LT-8 group were shifted to higher temperature (16 ± 1 °C, LHT-16), and half from HT-16 group were shifted to medium temperature (13 ± 1 °C, HMT-13), for larval rearing. Incubating the eyed-ova at 16 °C preceded the hatching by 6 days, synchronized hatching duration, and minimized hatchlings' size-variation. However, it yielded smaller and morphologically less developed individuals compared to those incubated continuously at 8 ± 1 °C. Post-hatch shifting of sac-fry to high and medium temperatures, respectively, from the initial low and high regimes differentially affected the length and weight of fish. The effect on length was immediate and temporary, but on weight, it appeared to be permanent. Red muscle hypertrophy was observed to be high in HT-16 and HMT-13 individuals (high-temperature incubated groups). White muscle hypertrophy was high in HT-16 and LHT-16 individuals (high post-hatch rearing temperature groups). The effect of early-life temperature regimes on developmental morphology was found to be strong at 22 dph (82.5%) and comparatively weak at 52 dph (65%). The post-hatch rearing temperature caused an immediate but temporary effect on fin development, mainly pectoral, caudal, and anal fin (seen only at 22 dph, not at 52 dph). Contrarily, incubation temperature affected fin position, in a delayed but persistent manner (subtle at 22 dph, but stronger at 52 dph). Overall, this study provides new insights on temperature-dependent changes in developmental morphology, muscle cellularity, and larval growth in rainbow trout and shows that incubation temperature affects ontogeny profoundly than post-hatch thermal regimes.

Current trends in solid tannery waste management.

The tannery is one of the leading revenue-generating sectors in developing countries. The ever-increasing demand for leather products in the global market requires converting large amounts of rawhide/skins into resilient non-putrescible finished leather. Only 20% of the raw material is converted into a finished product; the rest 80% is discarded as solid and liquid wastes during leather processing. A heavy discharge of improperly treated solid tannery waste (STW) causes a severe impact on the surrounding environment by polluting soil, surface water, and groundwater resources, posing severe hazards to human and animal health. STW comprises proteinaceous untanned and tanned waste, which requires proper treatment for eco-friendly disposal. Several strategies have been developed over the years for the reduction and recycling of STW for producing renewable energy (biogas and biohydrogen), biofuels (biodiesel and briquettes), construction material, fertilizers, commercial products (adsorbents, animal feeds, proteins, fats, and enzymes), and biodegradable packaging and non-packaging materials. In this review, we discuss various strategies adopted for recycling, reutilization, and reduction of STW in an environment-friendly manner. Furthermore, an overview of the current perspectives toward achieving a zero-waste policy is also presented to reduce the environmental burden using green-clean technology to aid the survival of present-day tanneries.

Distribution of simple sequence repeats, transcription factors, and differentially expressed genes in the NGS-based transcriptome of male and female seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia).

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia) is a perennial, multipurpose wonder plant, popular for its immense medicinal, nutritional, and therapeutic properties. However, due to the lack of whole-genome-based studies, the molecular mechanism governing distinct sexual phenotypes is still not clear. We employed the high-throughput NGS Illumina NovaSeq paired-end technology to generate whole transcriptome profiles of male and female plants of H. salicifolia. In total, 3.2 million raw short reads were generated with an average length of 150 bp, including 50911358 reads from the male leaf tissue samples and 45850364 reads from the female leaf tissue samples. Clustering of the high-quality reads yielded de novo short read assembly of 50259 transcripts of >100 bp length. The final transcripts were assigned Gene Ontology (GO) terms. The digital expression of genes was studied using the DESeq2 of R package that identified 7180 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the male and female plant samples. Further, 10,850 simple sequence repeats, and 8,351 transcription factors, distributed in more than 85 transcription families, were also mined from the final assembled transcriptome. Next, COG and KEGG pathway analyses were performed to assign biological functional terms to the DEGs. The findings of the present study will provide a valuable resource for gene expression discovery and other functional genomics studies aiming towards the selection of candidate genes for the development of sex-specific markers in seabuckthorn and other closely related species.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Functional validation of miRNA target genes in abiotic stress in Hippophae salicifolia.

miRNAs are non-coding, single-stranded RNAs and are known to regulate the expression of genes during the post-transcription process. Seabuckthorn (Hippophae sp.; Elaeagnaceae) plant grows in different regions in harsh environmental conditions and is tolerant to various abiotic stress prevailing in the Indian Himalayas. Therefore, it is of interest to document the functional assignment of miRNA target genes to abiotic stress in Hippophae salicifolia using available bioinformatics tools. We identified eleven miRNA target genes in the seabuckthorn transcriptome. The expression analysis of these miRNA target genes provides important information about the regulation of stressresponsive defense mechanisms in seabuckthorn. Understanding of the role of these putative miRNAs and their target genes in cold and heat tolerance provides insights to determine the potential targets for the exploitation towards the development of stress-tolerant crop plants.

Essential Thrombocythemia among Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms in Haematology Unit of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Essential thrombocythemia, a myeloproliferative condition with an increased number of circulating platelets, is a rare hematological malignancy. The aim of the study is to find out the prevalence of essential thrombocythemia among patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms presenting in haematology unit of a tertiary care centre. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study at a tertiary care centre from September, 2020 to September, 2021 (Reference number: 48 (6-11) E2077/076). All the patients with a diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia and willing to give consent were included in the study while the patients with incomplete investigations were excluded. A sample size of 72 patients was taken and convenience sampling was done. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2010 and analysis was done by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 22.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data along with mean and standard deviation for continuous data. Results: Among 72 patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, the prevalence of essential thrombocythemia was found to be 17 (23.61%) (13.80-33.42 at a 95% Confidence Interval). The mean age of patients was 55.41±11.20 years with a male to female ratio of 9:8. The mean hemoglobin level and platelet count in patients were found to be 11.20±2.1 g/dl and 677000±262067.70 cells/mm3. Twelve (70.58%) of total patients were under low risk of essential thrombocythemia while 3 (17.64%) of them were at high risk. Conclusions: The prevalence of essential thrombocythemia was similar to other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: essential thrombocythemia; hematology; mutation.

Morphometric and Microsatellite Diversity in Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Natural Populations Originating from the Different Geographical Regions of the Indian Himalayas.

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), an upcoming superfood plant, has attracted researchers' attention worldwide for its medicinal, nutritional, and socio-economic value, along with its characteristic features to sustain extreme climatic conditions. We have studied microsatellite marker-based genetic and morphometric diversity in 93 collections of H. rhamnoides from different geographic sites representing two regions, namely Leh and Lahaul of the Indian Himalayas. Microsatellite markers were isolated using two different approaches, including screening of microsatellite-enriched genomic library, and in silico screening of in-house developed seabuckthorn EST database and whole transcriptome assembly. In Leh and Lahaul collections, 32 and 30 microsatellite markers were found polymorphic, respectively. All the markers developed for H. rhamnoides showed cross-species transferability to H. salicifolia and H. tibetana. Two to six alleles were recorded in the two sets of collections with an average of 3.71 and 3.53 alleles per locus in Leh and Lahaul collections, respectively. Mean polymorphic information content (PIC) values for microsatellite markers were 0.39 and 0.41 for Leh and Lahaul collections, respectively. The average expected heterozygosity was less than the observed heterozygosity. Wright's fixation index (F IS) varied from (-)0.2045 to 1.0 and (-)0.1688 to 1.0 for Leh and Lahaul collections, respectively. Shannon's informative index (I) remained in the range of 0.6745 to 1.8621, and 0.6824 to 1.6308 for Leh and Lahaul collections, respectively. The UPGMA-based combined dendrogram showed clear demarcation between Leh and Lahaul collections, although a few ecotypes were regrouped with collections from the other region. No significant relationship was observed between the morphological distance matrix and molecular marker distance matrix. The findings of the present study may prove helpful in future breeding and conservation strategies aiming for seabuckthorn improvement. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11105-022-01338-6.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling reveals substantial metabolome diversity in seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) berries originating from different geographical regions in the Indian Himalayas.

INTRODUCTION: Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a high-altitude plant with immense medicinal, nutritional, and therapeutic value. Earlier studies have documented the presence of various useful bioactive substances in this species; however, comprehensive metabolome profiling of seabuckthorn berries originating from different regions of the Indian Himalayas has not been undertaken. OBJECTIVE: Metabolomic profiling of seabuckthorn berries originating from different geographical sites in the Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir regions of the Indian Himalayas was performed by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The GC-MS metabolome profiles of seabuckthorn berries collected from different sites (altitude 1,400-4,270 m; average temperature 8°C-27°C) were subjected to multivariate analysis following principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis. RESULTS: The GC-MS results showed substantial variability for berry metabolites, including fatty acids, alkyl ethers, and alkyl esters. Fatty acids and their esters were mainly responsible for the variation in the berry metabolome. The metabolite expression profile heat map revealed two distinct groups of seabuckthorn berries originating from Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul and Spiti) and Jammu & Kashmir (Leh, Nubra, and Kargil), the former showing higher expression of metabolites. Interestingly, a strong negative association existed between altitude and the amounts of metabolites such as amides, alkyl esters, alcohols, sugars, and sugar esters. In contrast, temperature showed a strong positive association with ketone and alkyl ether levels. CONCLUSION: GC-MS profiling provides important phytochemical indicators to distinguish between seabuckthorn berries from different geographical sites. Our metabolome profiling analysis generated valuable information that will be useful in the formulation of various seabuckthorn products, benefiting farmers and industries.