Digital tools in cardiac reperfusion pathways: A systematic review.

With health and surgery increasingly aided by digital technologies, there exists a growing impetus to understand how such tools must integrate into existing clinical pathways to ensure a positive impact on patient and organisational outcomes. Consequently, this study sought to collate evidence on the use of digital technology in cardiac reperfusion surgeries. We systematically searched three scientific databases for relevant articles. In total, 1,092 articles were retrieved, with 126 screened using inclusion/exclusion criteria, and 21 selected for analysis. Articles reported on the use of virtual reality, mHealth and telehealth in cardiovascular reperfusion procedures, ranging from surgical training regimens to postoperative rehabilitation. Here, despite clinical advantages, limitations were highlighted, including cost, ineffective interfaces and extensive training needed to operate novel digital tools. Nevertheless with further development and input from patient stakeholders, many limitations look set to dematerialise and provide tangible improvements to the benefit of patients and hard-pressed health institutions.

Local incomplete combustion emissions define the PM2.5 oxidative potential in Northern India.

The oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) is a major driver of PM-associated health effects. In India, the emission sources defining PM-OP, and their local/regional nature, are yet to be established. Here, to address this gap we determine the geographical origin, sources of PM, and its OP at five Indo-Gangetic Plain sites inside and outside Delhi. Our findings reveal that although uniformly high PM concentrations are recorded across the entire region, local emission sources and formation processes dominate PM pollution. Specifically, ammonium chloride, and organic aerosols (OA) from traffic exhaust, residential heating, and oxidation of unsaturated vapors from fossil fuels are the dominant PM sources inside Delhi. Ammonium sulfate and nitrate, and secondary OA from biomass burning vapors, are produced outside Delhi. Nevertheless, PM-OP is overwhelmingly driven by OA from incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels, including traffic. These findings suggest that addressing local inefficient combustion processes can effectively mitigate PM health exposure in northern India.

Conceptual Overview of Prevalence of Prediabetes.

Prediabetes increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, chronic renal disease, and cardiovascular disease in a person. In current practice, five alternative definitions of prediabetes are utilized, each based on different HbA1C, fasting glucose, and 2-hour glucose cut points. Prediabetes is a common condition that occurs between normal glycemia and diabetes. It is more common in elderly and obese people. The prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes can be influenced by a variety of individual, family, and societal variables. Additionally, as diabetes is the primary contributor to non-communicable diseases (NCD), it is crucial to identify the key temporal variables for diabetes early diagnosis. In turn, effective prediabetes and diabetes awareness, control, and preventive programs may be created by policymakers and public health professionals worldwide. Popular pathogenic pathways in prediabetes include insulin resistance, inflammation, and sensitivity to insulin. HBA1C, OGTT, and FPG are discussed as the diagnostic criteria in order of frequency. The most commonly researched therapies in the realm of prediabetes are metformin, exercise, and physical activity. Physiological markers including BMI, blood pressure, and waist circumference prompted relatively significant concern. Despite declining trends, the study demonstrates that prediabetes and diabetes are widely prevalent. In order to prevent non-communicable illnesses, the research suggests encouraging healthy lifestyles and regular screenings.

Phenylalanine treatment induces tomato resistance to Tuta absoluta via increased accumulation of benzenoid/phenylpropanoid volatiles serving as defense signals.

Tuta absoluta ("leafminer"), is a major pest of tomato crops worldwide. Controlling this insect is difficult due to its efficient infestation, rapid proliferation, and resilience to changing weather conditions. Furthermore, chemical pesticides have only a short-term effect due to rapid development of T. absoluta strains. Here, we show that a variety of tomato cultivars, treated with external phenylalanine solutions exhibit high resistance to T. absoluta, under both greenhouse and open field conditions, at different locations. A large-scale metabolomic study revealed that tomato leaves absorb and metabolize externally given Phe efficiently, resulting in a change in their volatile profile, and repellence of T. absoluta moths. The change in the volatile profile is due to an increase in three phenylalanine-derived benzenoid phenylpropanoid volatiles (BPVs), benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, and 2-phenylethanol. This treatment had no effect on terpenes and green leaf volatiles, known to contribute to the fight against insects. Phe-treated plants also increased the resistance of neighboring non-treated plants. RNAseq analysis of the neighboring non-treated plants revealed an exclusive upregulation of genes, with enrichment of genes related to the plant immune response system. Exposure of tomato plants to either benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, or 2-phenylethanol, resulted in induction of genes related to the plant immune system that were also induced due to neighboring Phe-treated plants. We suggest a novel role of phenylalanine-derived BPVs as mediators of plant-insect interactions, acting as inducers of the plant defense mechanisms.

Taurine dynamics in serum during the oestrous cycle in buffaloes.

Estrus identification is one of the common issues in buffaloes because of their short estrus duration and silent estrus problem. Hence, specific biomarkers facilitating in identifying the estrus stage would be helpful to buffalo farmers and researchers. In our previous studies, taurine, a non-protein amino acid that helps in the secretion of reproductive hormones such as GnRH, was found to be associated with postpartum anestrus in buffaloes. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the level of taurine in serum during different stages of the oestrous cycle in healthy cyclic buffaloes. Blood samples were collected from healthy cyclic buffaloes (n = 4), and taurine was estimated at the estrus (0th day), proestrus (-2nd day), metestrus (3rd day) and diestrus (+10th day) stages using TLC method. The days of the oestrous cycle were determined by ultrasonography and observation of behavioural signs by trained professionals. The results revealed that taurine was consistently present in the serum. However, the highest concentration of taurine was observed at the proestrus (0.20 ± 0.03 mg/mL) stage, which was greater (p < .05) than metestrus (0.10 ± 0.05 mg/mL) and diestrus (0.13 ± 0.03 mg/mL) stages, but comparable with the estrus stage. These results were also validated in the simulated population datasets of population size 6 to 10,000. Further, ROC curve analysis for the large simulated population indicated the efficiency of taurine to distinguish proestrus from metestrus and diestrus stages at a lower cutoff value of <0.1643 mg/mL with 60% sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the present study concludes that serum taurine concentration could help in detecting proestrus stage of buffalo estrous cycle.

Medical education and creative writing: Poetry and how it can assist trainees in developing psychiatric formulation skills.

OBJECTIVE: To reflect on the importance of teaching formulation skills in psychiatry training and explore how creative writing, particularly writing poetry, can help achieve this goal. CONCLUSIONS: It is vital that formulation skills are embedded throughout psychiatry training. Formulations have an artistic element, and writing poetry can help foster a capacity for curiosity that can assist trainees in developing these skills.

Mucin and salt combination simulate typical fern-like pattern of buffalo saliva smear at estrus.

Estrus detection in buffaloes primarily relies on behavioral and physiological signs. Especially during summer, these signs are less prominent to recognize. Thus, estrus detection is a pronounced challenge within the realm of buffalo husbandry, particularly in the summer. Therefore, a simple and accurate estrus detection method is required for buffalo farmers. The observation of fern-like salivary crystallization patterns is one such simple method to detect estrus in buffaloes, bactrian camels, beagle bitches, and cows. However, the exact mechanism for the formation of typical fern-like is not known. We hypothesized that it might be because of the estrus-specific mucins and salts. To test this hypothesis, we prepared the smears by combining different concentrations of mucin type -2 (MUC2) and -3 (MUC3) with sodium chloride (NaCl). Microscopic examination confirmed that fern-like patterns resulted from a combination of the MUC3 and NaCl produced more realistic fern patterns than that of MUC2 or BSA with salt. To predict possible mucin and salt concentration showing natural fern-like patterns at the estrus stage in buffalo saliva, we constructed a guide tree of artificially generated fern-like patterns using an image analysis online tool. This computation analysis revealed that most of the natural buffalo estrus saliva samples showing typical fern-like patterns clustered in the cluster 2 of the guide tree comprising of 13 clusters. In the cluster 2, MUC3 in combination with the salt concentrations of 100, 150, and 250 mM was commonly found in a close proximity to the natural typical fern-like patterns of saliva smear of buffaloes at estrus. Conclusively, the buffalo saliva at estrus is predicted to have a gel-forming heavily glycosylated protein such as mucin along with at least 100 mM of NaCl. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Glycoprotein and salts combination replicates fern-like pattern of buffalo saliva at estrus. MUC3 and NaCl salt combination produces more realistic fern-like patterns compared with MUC2 or BSA and salt combination. MUC3 with NaCl at 100, 150, and 250 mM consistently resembled natural estrus saliva fern-like patterns. During estrus, buffalo saliva is expected to contain heavily glycosylated mucin and at least of 100 mM NaCl.

Association of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio with bone mineral density in post-menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels between women with post-menopausal osteopenia or osteoporosis to those with normal bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: We used Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus to conduct a systematic search for relevant publications published before June 19, 2022, only in English language. We reported standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Because a significant level of heterogeneity was found, we used the random-effects model to calculate pooled effects. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for quality assessment. RESULTS: Overall, eight articles were included in the analysis. Post-menopausal women with osteoporosis had elevated levels of NLR compared to those without osteoporosis (SMD = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.18 to 1.88, p = 0.017, I2 = 98%). In addition, there was no difference between post-menopausal women with osteopenia and those without osteopenia in neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI=-0.08 to 1.25, p = 0.085, I2 = 96.8%). However, there was no difference between post-menopausal women with osteoporosis and those with osteopenia in NLR levels (SMD = 0.75, 95% CI=-0.01 to 1.51, p = 0.05, I2 = 97.5%, random-effect model). CONCLUSION: The results of this study point to NLR as a potential biomarker that may be easily introduced into clinical settings to help predict and prevent post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Aged AG129 mice support the generation of highly virulent novel mouse-adapted DENV (1-4) viruses exhibiting neuropathogenesis and high lethality.

Dengue virus infection in humans ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe infection, with ∼2.5 % overall disease fatality rate. Evidence of neurological manifestations is seen in the severe form of the disease, which might be due to the direct invasion of the viruses into the CNS system but is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that the aged AG129 mice are highly susceptible to dengue serotypes 1-4, and following the adaptation, this resulted in the generation of neurovirulent strains that showed enhanced replication, aggravated disease severity, increased neuropathogenesis, and high lethality in both adult and aged AG129 mice. The infected mice had endothelial dysfunction, elicited pro-inflammatory cytokine responses, and exhibited 100 % mortality. Further analysis revealed that aged-adapted DENV strains induced measurable alterations in TLR expression in the aged mice as compared to the adult mice. In addition, metabolomics analysis of the serum samples from the infected adult mice revealed dysregulation of 18 metabolites and upregulation of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, phosphocreatine, and taurocholic acid. These metabolites may serve as key biomarkers to decipher and comprehend the severity of dengue-associated severe neuro-pathogenesis.

Estrogen genotoxicity causes preferential development of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy in females.

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a genetically complex, age-related, female-predominant disorder characterized by loss of post-mitotic corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs). Ultraviolet-A (UVA) light has been shown to recapitulate the morphological and molecular changes seen in FECD to a greater extent in females than males, by triggering CYP1B1 upregulation in females. Herein, we investigated the mechanism of greater CEnC susceptibility to UVA in females by studying estrogen metabolism in response to UVA in the cornea. Loss of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) resulted in increased production of estrogen metabolites and mitochondrial-DNA adducts, with a higher CEnC loss in Nqo1-/- female compared to wild-type male and female mice. The CYP1B1 inhibitors, trans-2,3',4,5'-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS) and berberine, rescued CEnC loss. Injection of wild-type male mice with estrogen (E2; 17ß-estradiol) increased CEnC loss, followed by increased production of estrogen metabolites and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, not seen in E2-treated Cyp1b1-/-male mice. This study demonstrates that the endo-degenerative phenotype is driven by estrogen metabolite-dependent CEnC loss that is exacerbated in the absence of NQO1; thus, explaining the mechanism accounting for the higher incidence of FECD in females. The mitigation of estrogen-adduct production by CYP1B1 inhibitors could serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for FECD.

Incorporation of Photo- and Thermoresponsive N-Salicylidene Aniline Derivatives into Cobalt and Zinc Layered Hydroxides.

In search of new multifunctional hybrid materials and in order to investigate the influence of chemical modification on the possible synergy between properties, the carboxylate and sulfonate derivatives of photo- and thermochromic N-salicylidene aniline were successfully inserted into Co(II)- and Zn(II)-based layered simple hydroxides, resulting in four novel hybrids: Co-N-Sali-COO, Co-N-Sali-SO3, Zn-N-Sali-COO, and Zn-N-Sali-SO3. All synthesized hybrids adopt a double organic layered configuration, which prevents the cis-trans photoisomerization ability of N-Sali-R molecules in the hybrids. However, the Zn hybrids exhibit fluorescence upon exposure to UV light due to the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism. The thermally stimulated keto-enol tautomerization of N-salicylidene aniline in the hybrids was related with the changes in interlamellar spacings observed by temperature-dependent PXRD. This tautomerization process was prominently evident in the Co-N-Sali-SO3 hybrid (about 11% increase in d-spacing upon decreasing the temperature to -180 °C). Finally, the Co-N-Sali-R hybrids exhibit the typical magnetic behavior associated with Co(II)-based LSHs (ferrimagnetic ordering at TN = 6.8 and 7.7 K for Co-N-Sali-COO and Co-N-Sali-SO3, respectively). This work offers insights into isomerization in LSHs and the ESIPT mechanism's potential in new luminescent materials and prospects for designing new multifunctional materials.

Physiological alterations and heavy metal accumulation in the transplanted lichen Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl. in Lucknow city, Uttar Pradesh.

Air pollution has become a major concern due to its detrimental effects on living beings. The present study is aimed at assessing the current status of air pollution in Lucknow city using lichen transplantation technique and assesing its effect on physiology of Pyxine cocoes. The samples of P. cocoes were collected from relatively pollution-free area Malihabad and transplanted in 10 designated sites in five regions for 30 days. Various parameters such as heavy metals, chlorophyll pigments, carotenoid, chlorophyll degradation, and electrolyte conductivity were estimated in transplanted lichens. The study revealed that the concentration of all 10 heavy metals was higher in all transplanted samples than in the control sample, which was found in order of Al > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Ni > Co > Cd. Among all 10 transplanted sites, the significantly increased accumulation of aluminum (5.11 to 5.47 µg L-1), iron (4.73 to 5.46 µg L-1), manganese (110.99 to 144.58 µg g-1), and zinc (87.96 to 97.40 µg g-1) was found in Charbagh, Qaisarbagh, and Alambagh sites. Further, in all samples, chlorophyll a (3.98 µg L-1), chlorophyll b (1.22 µg L-1), total chlorophyll (5.20 µg L-1), and chlorophyll degradation (0.55 µg g-1) were significantly decreased, whereas elevated levels of carotenoid (0.71 µg g-1), and electrolyte conductivity (64.99 µS cm-1), were observed. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigated the morphological changes in transplanted lichen samples, and significant damage to the anatomy of mycelium was found in most of the polluted site's samples, which correlated with the pollution levels. The present study clearly demonstrated that the transplanted lichen P. cocoes is an efficient bioaccumulator and bioindicator of air quality in urban environments.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Disrupts Mitochondrial Bioenergetics, Dynamics and Causes Corneal Endothelial Cell Apoptosis.

Purpose: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial stress are independently associated with corneal endothelial cell (CEnC) loss in many corneal diseases, including Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). However, the role of ER stress in mitochondrial dysfunction contributing to CEnC apoptosis is unknown. The purpose of this study is to explore the crosstalk between ER and mitochondrial stress in CEnC. Methods: Human corneal endothelial cell line (HCEnC-21T) and human corneal endothelial tissues were treated with ER stressor tunicamycin. ER stress-reducing chemical 4-phenyl butyric acid (4-PBA) was used in HCEnC-21T after tunicamycin. Fuchs' corneal endothelial cell line (F35T) was used to determine differential activation of ER stress with respect to HCEnC-21T at the baseline. ER stress, mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic apoptotic, mitochondrial fission, and fusion proteins were determined using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Mitochondrial bioenergetics were assessed by mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss and ATP production at 48 hours after tunicamycin. Mitochondria dynamics (shape, area, perimeter) were also analyzed at 24 hours using transmission electron microscopy. Results: Treatment of HCEnC-21T cell line with tunicamycin activated three ER stress pathways (PERK-eIF2α-CHOP, IRE1α-XBP1, and ATF6), reduced cell viability, upregulated mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic apoptotic molecules (cleaved caspase 9, caspase 3, PARP, Bax, cytochrome C), downregulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, initiated mitochondrial dysfunction by loss of MMP and lowering of ATP production, and caused mitochondrial swelling and fragmentation with increased expression of mitochondrial fission proteins (Fis1 and p-Drp1). Fuchs' CEnC (F35T) cell line also showed activation of the ER stress-related proteins (p-eIF2α, GRP78, CHOP, XBP1) compared to HCEnC-21T at the baseline. The 4-PBA ameliorated cell loss and reduced cleaved caspase 3 and 9, thereby rescuing tunicamycin-induced cell death but not mitochondrial bioenergetics in HCEnC-21T cell line. Conclusions: Tunicamycin-induced ER stress disrupts mitochondrial bioenegetics, dynamics and contributes to the loss of CEnC viability. This novel study highlights the importance of ER-mitochondria crosstalk and its contribution to CEnCs apoptosis, seen in many corneal diseases, including FECD.

Detection and quantification of TIMP1 and miR-141 through RT-LAMP and TT-LAMP in serum samples during estrous cycle in buffalo.

Estrus identification is a common problem in the reproductive management of farm animals. Hence, several studies have been conducted to explore biomarkers for estrus detection. One of our previous studies identified the abundance of RNA biomarkers such as TIMP1 and miR-141 in buffalo saliva during the estrus stage. However, the level of these RNA biomarkers in buffalo serum during estrous cycle is undetected. Therefore, the present study was designed to quantify TIMP1 and miR-141 in serum during buffalo estrous cycle. Blood samples were collected in different stages of estrous cycle from four healthy cyclic buffaloes. The quantification of TIMP1 and miR-141 was performed with direct serum using RT-LAMP and TT-LAMP technologies, respectively. The LAMP amplification was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis and the color change was quantified in comparison to a non-template control using ImageJ software. A decreased abundance of TIMP1 at the diestrus stage and a decreasing trend of miR-141 from proestrus to diestrus stages were observed, which was further reinforced by simulated random populations generated with R programming. Specifically, TIMP1 was found significantly (P < 0.0001) abundant at estrus and metestrus stages as compared to the diestrus stage, whereas miR-141 was significantly (P < 0.001) higher during the proestrus stage as compared to the other stages of estrous cycle. The ROC curve analysis showed miR-141 to be a better biomarker than TIMP1 as it distinguished the proestrus stage from diestrus with a sensitivity and specificity of 83 % and 98 %. This study also marked the first use of TT-LAMP technology for rapid miRNA detection in livestock.

LoCKAmp: lab-on-PCB technology for <3 minute virus genetic detection.

The recent COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the need for lab-on-chip diagnostic technology fit for real-life deployment in the field. Existing bottlenecks in multistep analytical microsystem integration and upscalable, standardized fabrication techniques delayed the large-scale deployment of lab-on-chip solutions during the outbreak, throughout a global diagnostic test shortage. This study presents a technology that has the potential to address these issues by redeploying and repurposing the ubiquitous printed circuit board (PCB) technology and manufacturing infrastructure. We demonstrate the first commercially manufactured, miniaturised lab-on-PCB device for loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) genetic detection of SARS-CoV-2. The system incorporates a mass-manufactured, continuous-flow PCB chip with ultra-low cost fluorescent detection circuitry, rendering it the only continuous-flow µLAMP platform with off-the-shelf optical detection components. Ultrafast, SARS-CoV-2 RNA amplification in wastewater samples was demonstrated within 2 min analysis, at concentrations as low as 17 gc µL-1. We further demonstrate our device operation by detecting SARS-CoV-2 in 20 human nasopharyngeal swab samples, without the need for any RNA extraction or purification. This renders the presented miniaturised nucleic-acid amplification-based diagnostic test the fastest reported SARS-CoV-2 genetic detection platform, in a practical implementation suitable for deployment in the field. This technology can be readily extended to the detection of alternative pathogens or genetic targets for a very broad range of applications and matrices. LoCKAmp lab-on-PCB chips are currently mass-manufactured in a commercial, ISO-compliant PCB factory, at a small-scale production cost of £2.50 per chip. Thus, with this work, we demonstrate a high technology-readiness-level lab-on-chip-based genetic detection system, successfully benchmarked against standard analytical techniques both for wastewater and nasopharyngeal swab SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Alterations in plant anatomy and higher lignin synthesis provides drought tolerance in cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.].

Four contrasting varieties of guar, RGC-1002 and RGC-1038, drought tolerant, while, Sarada and RGC-936, drought sensitive, were monitored in watered and drought. The water status, phenolics, plant anatomy and transcript level of genes related to anatomical traits were assessed. The study aimed to decipher the anatomical adaptations of guar plants in response to water stress. The physiological determinants, relative water content (RWC), water potential (ψ), and leaf membrane damage, declined under drought in all four varieties although, the decrement was lesser in the tolerant varieties. Furthermore, the tolerant cultivars subjected to water stress recorded higher accumulation of total phenolic content, anthocyanin and lignin, which efficiently scavenge the reactive oxygen species. The results suggest that the cultivars RGC-1002 and RGC-1038 are better able to resist drought-induced oxidative stress than Sarada and RGC-936. Moreover, leaf, petiole, stem and root anatomical traits viz. size of epidermal cell, parenchyma, width of cortex layer, and diameter of xylem vessels were narrowed in all the varieties although, the decrement was lesser in the tolerant varieties under drought. The expression analysis of genes revealed that drought-tolerant varieties showed enhanced mechanical support for water conduction by up-regulation of genes, Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase1 (PAL1), cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H), 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL), cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR), caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (CCOMT), and cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD6) in water stress conditions. The alterations in physio-anatomical, biochemical and gene expression traits in tolerant guar varieties enabled them to maintain steady nutrient transport while reducing the risk of embolisms and increasing water-flow resistance for better survival in water stressed conditions.

Phenylalanine in motion: A tale of an essential molecule with many faces.

Phenylalanine has a unique role in plants as a source of a wide range of specialized metabolites, named phenylpropanoids that contribute to the adjustment of plants to changing developmental and environmental conditions. The profile of these metabolites differs between plants and plant organs. Some of the prominent phenylpropanoids include anthocyanins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, stilbenes, lignins, glucosinolates and benzenoid phenylpropanoid volatiles. Phenylalanine biosynthesis, leading to increased phenylpropanoid levels, is induced under stress. However, high availability of phenylalanine in plants under non-stressed conditions can be achieved either by genetically engineering plants to overproduce phenylalanine, or by external treatment of whole plants or detached plant organs with phenylalanine solutions. The objective of this review is to portray the many effects that increased phenylalanine availability has in plants under non-stressed conditions, focusing mainly on external applications. These applications include spraying and drenching whole plants with phenylalanine solutions, postharvest treatments by dipping fruit and cut flower stems, and addition of phenylalanine to cell suspensions. The results of these treatments include increased fragrance in flowers, increased aroma and pigmentation in fruit, increased production of health promoting metabolites in plant cell cultures, and increased resistance of plants, pre- and post-harvest, to a wide variety of pathogens. These effects suggest that plants can very efficiently uptake phenylalanine from their roots, leaves, flowers and fruits, translocate it from one organ to the other and between cell compartments, and metabolize it into phenylpropanoids. The mechanisms by which Phe treatment increases plant resistance to pathogens reveal new roles of phenylpropanoids in induction of genes related to the plant immune system. The simplicity of treatments with phenylalanine open many possibilities for industrial use. Many of the phenylalanine-treatment effects on increased resistance to plant pathogens have also been successful in commercial field trials.

Time-Resolved Molecular Characterization of Secondary Organic Aerosol Formed from OH and NO3 Radical Initiated Oxidation of a Mixture of Aromatic Precursors.

Aromatic hydrocarbons (ArHCs) and oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons (ArHC-OHs) are emitted from a variety of anthropogenic activities and are important precursors of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in urban areas. Here, we analyzed and compared the composition of SOA formed from the oxidation of a mixture of aromatic VOCs by OH and NO3 radicals. The VOC mixture was composed of toluene (C7H8), p-xylene + ethylbenzene (C8H10), 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (C9H12), phenol (C6H6O), cresol (C7H8O), 2,6-dimethylphenol (C8H10O), and 2,4,6-trimethylphenol (C9H12O) in a proportion where the aromatic VOCs were chosen to approximate day-time traffic-related emissions in Delhi, and the aromatic alcohols make up 20% of the mixture. These VOCs are prominent in other cities as well, including those influenced by biomass combustion. In the NO3 experiments, large contributions from CxHyOzN dimers (C15-C18) were observed, corresponding to fast SOA formation within 15-20 min after the start of chemistry. Additionally, the dimers were a mixture of different combinations of the initial VOCs, highlighting the importance of exploring SOAs from mixed VOC systems. In contrast, the experiments with OH radicals yielded gradual SOA mass formation, with CxHyOz monomers (C6-C9) being the dominant constituents. The evolution of SOA composition with time was tracked and a fast degradation of dimers was observed in the NO3 experiments, with concurrent formation of monomer species. The rates of dimer decomposition in NO3 SOA were ∼2-3 times higher compared to those previously determined for α-pinene + O3 SOA, highlighting the dependence of particle-phase reactions on VOC precursors and oxidants. In contrast, the SOA produced in the OH experiments did not dramatically change over the same time frame. No measurable effects of humidity were observed on the composition and evolution of SOA.

Grain nitrogen content and productivity of rice and maize under variable doses of fertilizer nitrogen.

The rice-maize system is a dominant cropping system of south Asia and consumes a considerable amount of fertilizer. The indiscriminate use of fertilizer particularly nitrogen (N) is degrading the soil health and polluting the environment. Lower N-use efficiency is a major problem and needs to be improved for higher yield, lower cost of cultivation and better environment. The grain quality is also altered by the N-application as N is a major constituent of protein. Studies on the effect of N-application on grain N-content is still lacking. We hypothesised that optimization of N application would result in economising N dose, improving yield and NUE and improving grain quality. Under that context, a field experiment was conducted with different doses of fertilizer N for rice and maize. Fertilizer N was applied at the rate of 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240 kg ha-1 (N0-N240). An increase in grain yield was observed up to 80 and 160 kg ha-1 for rice and maize, respectively. The N content of grain increased with N rates and a significant increase was noted in N200 (1.42%) being at par with N240 (1.49%) but significantly higher than others by 13-32%. With an increase of each kilogram of N, the grain N content increased by 14 and 20 µg (microgram) for rice and maize, respectively. The leaf N content registered a decreasing trend with the progress of the crop growth for both rice and maize. The agronomic efficiency (AE) of N initially increased with an increase in the rate of fertilizer N followed by a decrease with higher doses of N. Unlike the AE, the partial factor productivity (PFP) of N decreased gradually with an increase in the rate of fertilizer N. The chlorophyll content of flag leaves also registered an increasing trend with an increasing rate of fertilizer N. On the surface soil (0-15 cm), the treatments which received lower (N0, N40) and higher (N240) fertilizer N recorded a comparatively higher total soil N than other treatments. The mean NUE was 0.42 and 0.75 for rice and maize, respectively. The study suggests an economic fertilizer N rate of 165 and 167 kg N ha-1, for rice and maize, respectively. It also concludes that the grain N content can be altered by N-application rates though more research is needed.

Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Pain Control: Insights on Current Contemporary Practices in the US.

OBJECTIVES: Among patients with cancer with moderate to severe, intractable pain, intrathecal drug delivery using an intrathecal drug delivery system (IDDS) offers effective pain control. In this study, we evaluate the trends of IDDS therapy among patients with cancer, associated comorbidities, complications, and outcomes, using a large representative US administrative inpatient data base. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data base contains data from 48 states and the District of Columbia. The NIS was used to identify patients with cancer who underwent IDDS implantation between 2016 and 2019. Patients with cancer with intrathecal pumps for the treatment of chronic pain were identified using administrative codes. Baseline demographics, hospital characteristics, type of cancer associated with IDDS implantation, palliative care encounters, hospitalization costs, length of stay, and prevalence of bone pain were evaluated in the study. RESULTS: A total of 22,895 (0.32%) individuals with hospital admission for IDDS surgery were included for analysis among 7.06 million individuals with cancer in the final cohort. The IDDS cohort consisted of patients predominantly in the 65-to-79 years age group (40.49%), female sex (50.42%), and Caucasian ethnicity (75.82%). The top five cancers in patients receiving IDDS were lung (27.15%), colorectal (24.9%), liver (16.44%), bone (8.01%), and liver (7.99%) cancer. In addition, the length of stay was six days (interquartile range [IQR] four-nine days) and the median cost of hospital admission was $29,062 (IQR $19,413-$42,261) in the patients who received an IDDS. These factors were greater than those in patients without IDDS. CONCLUSIONS: A very few patients with cancer received IDDS in the US during the study period. Despite recommendations supporting its use, there are significant racial and socioeconomic disparities in IDDS use.