Genetic differentiation of Indian dromedary and Bactrian camel populations based on mitochondrial ATP8 and ATP6 genes.

Camelids are acknowledged worldwide to endure hostile conditions prevalent in the hot as well cold deserts across the globe. Adaptations to climatic extremes have been associated with mitochondrial protein variants such as ATP8 and ATP6 in different species. The camel genetic resources of India are represented by 9 breeds of dromedary camels which inhabit hot arid and semi-arid zones of the country and a small population of Bactrian camels found in the cold desert of Ladakh. In this study, within and between breed genetic diversity in Indian dromedaries and their divergence from Bactrian camels was investigated based on ATP8/6 genes. Sequence analysis of a mitochondrial DNA fragment encompassing ATP8 and ATP6 genes identified 15 haplotypes in the dromedaries of India and 3 haplotypes in Bactrian camels. The values of haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were 0.647 and 0.00187 in the former and 0.679 and 0.00098, respectively in the latter. AMOVA analysis revealed 97.81% variance between the two species. Median-Joining network delineated three distinct mitochondrial haplogroups for Camelus dromedarius, Camelus ferus and Camelus bactrianus. Clear demarcation of the old world (Dromedary and Bactrian camels) and new world camelids (Alpaca, llama, guanaco and vicugna) was evident through the phylogenetic analysis.

Tracing the genetic footprints: India's role as a gateway for pig migration and domestication across continents.

This study explored the maternal genetic diversity in the pig genetic resources of India by analyzing a mitochondrial D-loop fragment and comparing it with the corresponding sequences of previously published studies involving domestic pigs and wild boars. Sequencing of 103 samples representing different domestic pig populations revealed existence of 32 maternal haplotypes. The indices of haplotype and nucleotide diversity in Indian domestic pigs were 0.9421 and 0.015, respectively. Median-Joining network revealed that Indian pigs belong to Clade A and show conformity to 6 haplogroups reported worldwide (D1a, D1a1, D1a2, D1e, D1h and D3a). Among these, D1e and D1a2 were shared with Asian wild boars too. Interestingly, haplotype sharing was evident between Indian pigs and samples from other countries representing Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania. This study substantiates India's contribution as a possible pig domestication center and highlights the importance of the Indian subcontinent in dispersal of the species to other continents. Additionally, genetic evidence suggested the influence of trading routes and historical interactions in shaping pig genetic exchange. Overall, this investigation provides valuable insights into the genetic diversity, historical migration, and domestication of Indian domestic pigs, contributing to the broader understanding of global pig genetic resources and their evolutionary history.

Stroke virtual rehabilitation in rural communities: exploring the perceptions of stroke survivors, caregivers, clinicians, and health administrators.

PURPOSE: Rural-dwelling stroke survivors have unmet rehabilitation needs after returning to community-living. Virtual rehabilitation, defined as the use of technology to provide rehabilitation services from a distance, could be a viable and timely solution to address this need, especially within the COVID-19 pandemic context. There is still a minimal understanding of virtual rehabilitation delivery within rural contexts. This study sought to explore the perceptions of rural stakeholders about virtual stroke rehabilitation. METHODS: Following an interpretive description approach, 17 qualitative interviews were conducted with stroke survivors (n = 5), caregivers (n = 2), clinicians (n = 7), and health administrators (n = 3), and analyzed to understand their experiences and perceptions of virtual stroke rehabilitation. RESULTS: We identified three overarching themes from the participant responses (1) The Root of the (Rural) Problem considered how systemic inequities impact stroke survivors' and caregivers' access to stroke recovery services; (2) Common Benefits, Different Challenges identified the unique benefits and challenges of delivering virtual rehabilitation within rural contexts; and (3) Ingredients for Success described important considerations for implementing virtual rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: Virtual rehabilitation is generally accepted by all stakeholders as a supplement to in-person services. Addressing the unique barriers faced by rural clinicians and stroke survivors is necessary to provide successful virtual rehabilitation.

Understanding the perceptions of virtual rehabilitation from various stakeholders may contribute to more effective provision of stroke services.Understanding unique rural practice challenges faced by clinicians may inform future protocols for virtual rehabilitation.The need for additional support for clinicians and stroke survivors is a determining factor for successful virtual rehabilitation.Incorporating virtual rehabilitation as an adjunct to face-to-face services is accepted by all stakeholders.

Assessment of Fertility Outcomes Following Combined Clomiphene and Letrozole Versus Letrozole Therapy for the Treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Subfertility.

BACKGROUND: Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 8-13% of women in their reproductive age and is one of the foremost causes of female subfertility. Traditionally, clomiphene citrate has been the first-line treatment for ovulation induction in PCOS. However, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) international evidence-based guidelines in 2018 recommended the use of letrozole as first-line therapy for ovulation induction in anovulatory PCOS women, due to better pregnancy and live birth rates. Here we aimed to evaluate the effect of combined - clomiphene and letrozole versus letrozole for the treatment of PCOS subfertility. METHODS: It was a retrospective cohort study conducted on reproductive-age women fulfilling Rotterdam Criteria for PCOS with a history of subfertility. All participants receiving at least one cycle of letrozole and clomiphene combination were recruited as cases. However, women receiving letrozole only for ovulation induction were taken as controls. Hospital records were abstracted for data on baseline characteristics such as age, duration of infertility, PCOS phenotype, body mass index (BMI), past medical and fertility history, treatment with ovulation induction agents, and metformin use. The mean size of the largest follicle, number of dominant follicles of size greater than 15 mm and endometrial thickness on Days 12-14 or on the day of the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge were recorded. A cycle was termed ovulatory if serum progesterone levels were > 5.0 ng/ml on the seventh day after the LH surge or day 22 in the absence of the LH surge. Data pertaining to therapy-associated side effects were also abstracted from the clinical records. RESULTS: Amongst the ovulatory cycles in both groups, there was no significant difference in the day of the LH surge. Serum progesterone levels on the seventh day post-ovulation were higher with combination therapy (19.35 v/s 26.71, p=0.004). The number of ovulatory cycles was also greater with combination therapy, but the difference was just short of significant (25 vs 18, p=0.08). The mean diameter of the largest follicle, incidence of multi-follicular ovulation, and thin endometrium were similar in both groups. The adverse effect profile was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Combination treatment of clomiphene citrate with letrozole may potentially improve fertility outcomes in PCOS subfertility in terms of the likelihood of ovulation and higher post-ovulatory progesterone levels, however, larger studies are required.

Identification of Eight High Yielding Strains via Morpho-Molecular Characterization of Thirty-Three Wild Strains of Calocybe indica.

Calocybe indica, generally referred as milky mushroom, is one of the edible mushroom species suitable for cultivation in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. However, lack of potential high yielding strains has limited its wider adaptability. To overcome this limitation, in this study, the germplasms of C. indica from different geographical regions of India were characterized based on their morphological, molecular and agronomical attributes. Internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS4)-based PCR amplification, sequencing and nucleotide analysis confirmed the identity of all the studied strains as C. indica. Further, evaluation of these strains for morphological and yield parameters led to the identification of eight high yielding strains in comparison to the control (DMRO-302). Moreover, genetic diversity analysis of these thirty-three strains was performed using ten sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers/combinations. The Unweighted Pair-group Method with Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA)-based phylogenetic analysis categorized the thirty-three strains along with the control into three clusters. Cluster I possesses the maximum number of strains. Among the high yielding strains, high antioxidant activity and phenol content was recorded in DMRO-54, while maximum protein content was observed in DMRO-202 and DMRO-299 as compared with the control strain. The outcome of this study will help the mushroom breeders and growers in commercializing C. indica.

Mitochondrial DNA diversity divulges high levels of haplotype diversity and lack of genetic structure in the Indian camels.

Camels represent an important genetic resource of the desert ecosystems of India, with the dromedary and Bactrian camels inhabiting the hot and cold deserts, respectively. This study is the first attempt to investigate mitochondrial DNA based genetic diversity in the Indian camel populations and explores their relationship in the context of global genetic diversity of all the three large camel species (Camelus ferus, Camelus bactrianus and Camelus dromedaries). A mitochondrial DNA fragment encompassing part of cytochrome b gene, tRNAThr, tRNAPro and the beginning of the control region was amplified and analyzed in 72 dromedary and 8 Bactrian camels of India. Sequence analysis revealed that the haplotype and nucleotide diversity (Hd: 0.937 and π: 0.00431) in the Indian dromedaries was higher than the indices reported so far for the dromedary or Bactrian camels across the globe. The corresponding values in the Indian Bactrian camels were 1.000 and 0.00393, respectively. Signals of population expansion were evident in the dromedaries of India on the basis of mismatch analysis and Fu's Fs values. The analysis of molecular variance attributed most of the genetic variance (92.15%) between the dromedary, wild Bactrian and domestic Bactrian camels indicating separate maternal origins. The existence of three mitochondrial lineages in the old world camels (C. bactrianus: Lineage A; C. ferus: Lineage B and C. dromedarius: Lineage C) was also substantiated by the topology of the Median-Joining network.

Evaluation of Photocatalytic Performance of Nano-Sized Sr0.9La0.1TiO3 and Sr0.25Ca0.25Na0.25Pr0.25TiO3 Ceramic Powders for Water Purification.

Water pollution is a significant issue nowadays. Among the many different technologies for water purification, photocatalysis is a very promising and environment-friendly approach. In this study, the photocatalytic activity of Sr0.9La0.1TiO3 (SLTO) and Sr0.25Ca0.25Na0.25Pr0.25TiO3 (SCNPTO) nano-sized powders were evaluated by degradation of pindolol in water. Pindolol is almost entirely insoluble in water due to its lipophilic properties. The synthesis of the SCNPTO was performed using the reverse co-precipitation method using nitrate precursors, whereas the SLTO was produced by spray pyrolysis (CerPoTech, Trondheim Norway). The phase purity of the synthesized powders was validated by XRD, while HR-SEM revealed particle sizes between 50 and 70 nm. The obtained SLTO and SCNPTO powders were agglomerated but had relatively similar specific surface areas of about 27.6 m2 g-1 and 34.0 m2 g-1, respectively. The energy band gaps of the SCNPTO and SLTO were calculated (DFT) to be about 2.69 eV and 3.05 eV, respectively. The photocatalytic performances of the materials were examined by removing the pindolol from the polluted water under simulated solar irradiation (SSI), UV-LED irradiation, and UV irradiation. Ultra-fast liquid chromatography was used to monitor the kinetics of the pindolol degradation with diode array detection (UFLC-DAD). The SLTO removed 68%, 94%, and 100% of the pindolol after 240 min under SSI, UV-LED, and UV irradiation, respectively. A similar but slightly lower photocatalytic activity was obtained with the SCNPTO under identical conditions, resulting in 65%, 84%, and 93% degradation of the pindolol, respectively. Chemical oxygen demand measurements showed high mineralization of the investigated mixtures under UV-LED and UV irradiation.

Identification of Key Regulatory Pathways of Basidiocarp Formation in Pleurotus spp. Using Modeling, Simulation and System Biology Studies.

Pleurotus (Oyster mushroom) is an important cultivated edible mushroom across the world. It has several therapeutic effects as it contains various useful bio-molecules. The cultivation and crop management of these basidiomycete fungi depends on many extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as substrate composition, growing environment, enzymatic properties, and the genetic makeup, etc. Moreover, for efficient crop production, a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental properties viz. intrinsic-extrinsic factors and genotype-environment interaction analysis is required. The present study explores the basidiocarp formation biology in Pleurotus mushroom using an in silico response to the environmental factors and involvement of the major regulatory genes. The predictive model developed in this study indicates involvement of the key regulatory pathways in the pinhead to fruit body development process. Notably, the major regulatory pathways involved in the conversion of mycelium aggregation to pinhead formation and White Collar protein (PoWC1) binding flavin-chromophore (FAD) to activate respiratory enzymes. Overall, cell differentiation and higher expression of respiratory enzymes are the two important steps for basidiocarp formation. PoWC1 and pofst genes were participate in the structural changes process. Besides this, the PoWC1 gene is also involved in the respiratory requirement, while the OLYA6 gene is the triggering point of fruiting. The findings of the present study could be utilized to understand the detailed mechanism associated with the basidiocarp formation and to cultivate mushrooms at a sustainable level.

Self-organized nanopatterning of polycarbonate surfaces by argon ion sputtering.

Polycarbonate surfaces were sputtered using 40 keV Ar+ ions at off normal incidence of 30° with ion fluences ranging from 1 × 1016 Ar+ cm-2 to 5 × 1016 Ar+ cm-2. Surface topography along with structural modification has been studied using atomic force microscope (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. Substantial smoothing of polymeric surfaces along with evolution of some random dot like nano structures after ion irradiation has been revealed. Average size of dots varied from 34 to 95 nm while density of dots varied from 0.17 to 14.7 × 107 dots cm-2 for various ion fluences. Power spectral density spectrum has been obtained from fast Fourier analysis of respective AFM images to get the information about underlying mechanism of sputtering induced nano structuring and smoothing of polymeric surfaces. AFM results have been well correlated with the disordering parameters calculated from the deconvoluted Raman spectra. These nanopatterned substrates are useful in a wide range of important applications, for example, in bioengineering, binary optics, making organic thin-film transistors and light-emitting diodes.

Dysregulated invertebrate tropomyosin-dectin-1 interaction confers susceptibility to allergic diseases.

The key factors underlying the development of allergic diseases-the propensity for a minority of individuals to develop dysfunctional responses to harmless environmental molecules-remain undefined. We report a pathway of immune counter-regulation that suppresses the development of aeroallergy and shrimp-induced anaphylaxis. In mice, signaling through epithelially expressed dectin-1 suppresses the development of type 2 immune responses through inhibition of interleukin-33 (IL-33) secretion and the subsequent recruitment of IL-13-producing innate lymphoid cells. Although this homeostatic pathway is functional in respiratory epithelial cells from healthy humans, it is dramatically impaired in epithelial cells from asthmatic and chronic rhinosinusitis patients, resulting in elevated IL-33 production. Moreover, we identify an association between a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the dectin-1 gene loci and reduced pulmonary function in two cohorts of asthmatics. This intronic SNP is a predicted eQTL (expression quantitative trait locus) that is associated with reduced dectin-1 expression in human tissue. We identify invertebrate tropomyosin, a ubiquitous arthropod-derived molecule, as an immunobiologically relevant dectin-1 ligand that normally serves to restrain IL-33 release and dampen type 2 immunity in healthy individuals. However, invertebrate tropomyosin presented in the context of impaired dectin-1 function, as observed in allergic individuals, leads to unrestrained IL-33 secretion and skewing of immune responses toward type 2 immunity. Collectively, we uncover a previously unrecognized mechanism of protection against allergy to a conserved recognition element omnipresent in our environment.

NHERF family and NHE3 regulation.

The intestinal and renal proximal tubule brush border (BB) Na+-H+ exchanger NHE3 binds to members of the NHERF (Na+-H+ exchanger regulatory factor) family. These are four proteins (current most used names include NHERF1, NHERF2, PDZK1 and IKEPP) which are related to each other, are present in locations in or close to the BB, and scaffold a variable series of proteins in NHE3-containing complexes in a dynamic manner that is altered by changes in signal transduction which affects NHE3 activity. The specific roles of these proteins in terms of NHE3 regulation as well as interactions with each other and with their many other substrates are only now being defined. Specificity for only one member of the NHERF family in one example of NHE3 regulation, inhibition by elevation in cGMP, is used to describe how NHERF family proteins are involved in NHE3 complex formation and its regulation. In this case, NHERF2 directly binds cGKII in the brush border to form an NHE3 complex, with cGKII also associating with the BB via its myristoylation.