Unlocking genetic insights: Evaluating wheat RILs for physiobiochemical traits under terminal heat stress conditions.

BACKGROUND: The increasing impacts of heat stress on wheat production due to climate change has entailed the development of heat-resilient crop varieties. To address this, two hundred recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between WH711/WH1021 were evaluated in a randomized block design (RBD) with two replications at CCSHAU, Hisar, during 2018-19 under heat stress and non-stress conditions. Heat stress was induced by altering the date of sowing so that the grain filling stage coincide with heat stress. RESULTS: Heat stress adversely affects RILs performance, as illustrated by alterations in phenotypic traits. Highest coefficients of variations were recorded for TAA, CTD 1, WUE, CTD 2, Cc and A under non-stress and heat stress conditions whereas gs, WUEi and GY under non-stress and SPAD 1, SPAD 2, GY and NDVI 2 under heat-stress conditions recorded moderate estimates of coefficient of variations. CTD 2, TAA, E, WUE and A displayed a significant occurrence of both high heritability and substantial genetic advance under non-stress. Similarly, CTD 2, NDVI 2, A, WUEi, SPAD 2, gs, E, Ci, MDA and WUE exhibited high heritability with high genetic advance under heat-stress conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Complementary and duplicate types of interactions with number of controlling genes were observed for different parameters depending on the traits and environments. RILs 41, 42, 59, 74, 75, 180 and 194 were categorized as heat tolerant RILs. Selection preferably for NDVI 1, RWC, TAA, A, E and WUEi to accumulate heat tolerance favorable alleles in the selected RILs is suggested for development of heat resilient genotypes for sustainable crop improvement. The results showed that traits such as such as NDVI, RWC, TAA, A, E, and WUEi, can be effective for developing heat-resilient wheat genotypes and ensuring sustainable crop improvement.

Correction: Anwer et al. Molecular and Morphological Characterization of Exserohilum turcicum (Passerini) Leonard and Suggs Causing Northern Corn Leaf Blight of Maize in Bihar. Bioengineering 2022, 9, 403.

In the original publication [...].

Molecular and Morphological Characterization of Exserohilum turcicum (Passerini) Leonard and Suggs Causing Northern Corn Leaf Blight of Maize in Bihar.

Maize is considered the third most important cereal crop in Asia after rice and wheat. Many diseases affect this crop due to the cultivation of various hybrids. This research aimed to characterize the causative agent of northern corn leaf blight disease in Bihar, India, caused by Exserohilum turcicum (Passerini) Leonard and Suggs. Leaf samples were collected from infected fields in five maize growing districts of Bihar in 2020-2022. A total of 45 fungal isolates from 135 samples were examined for cultural, morphological, and molecular characteristics and were identified as E. turcicum. The isolates were grouped into four groups based on colony color, i.e., olivaceous brown, blackish brown, whitish black, and grayish, and into two groups based on regular and irregular margins. The conidial shapes were observed to be elongated and spindle-shaped with protruding hilum, with conidial septa ranging from 2-12. Similarly, conidial length varied from 52.94 µm to 144.12 µm. ß-tubulin gene sequences analysis made it possible to verify the identities of fungal strains and the phylogenetic relationships of all isolates, which were clustered in the same clade. The ß-tubulin gene sequences of all the isolates showed a high level of similarity (100%) with reference isolates from GenBank accession numbers KU670342.1, KU670344.1, KU670343.1, KU670341.1, and KU670340.1. The findings of this study will serve as a baseline for future studies and will help to minimize yield losses.

Forgotten Chemo-Port Leading to Chylothorax: A Rare Presentation.

Chylothorax is an uncommon cause of pleural effusion in routine clinical practice. Thoracic surgery, trauma and malignancy are the leading causes of chylothorax accounting for more than 90% of cases.1,2 We report this rare case of a middle aged lady with treated carcinoma breast who presented with left-sided chylothorax secondary to subclavian vein and superior vena cava thrombosis caused by a longstanding indwelling chemo-port in the right internal jugular vein. Patient was managed on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) leading to complete resolution of chylothorax.

Air flow limitation in smokers - A cause of concern.

Introduction: In India smoking is a common habit prevalent in both urban and rural areas irrespective of mode of smoking i.e., cigarettes, bidis, pipes, cigar, hookah etc., Spirometry can be helpful to determine effects of smoking on pulmonary functions. We aimed to study the effect of smoking on the pulmonary function tests. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 300 subjects including 150 smokers and 150 non-smokers aged between 25 and 60 years attending a tertiary health care center in northern part of our country. Quantification of tobacco smoking was performed by calculating smoking index. All the study subjects underwent spirometry. Results: All the spirometric variables (FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FEF 25-75%) were lower in smokers as compared to non-smokers and this difference was statistically significant. 76% of the smokers had obstructive, 10.7% had normal, 6.7% had restrictive, and 6.7% had mixed pattern on spirometry. 65.3% of the non-smokers had normal, 28.7% had obstructive and 6% had restrictive pattern on spirometry. Conclusion: Almost all the pulmonary function parameters were significantly reduced in smokers compared to non-smokers and obstructive impairment was common amongst smokers. As early quitting is associated with improved survival, it is important that these asymptomatic smokers are identified early and helped to quit. Primary care physicians being the first point of contact, can play a major role.

Exserohilum turcicum (Passerini) Leonard and Suggs: Race Population Distribution in Bihar, India.

Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) of maize, caused by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard and Suggs., is an important foliar disease common across maize-producing areas of the world, including Bihar, India. In this study, virulence and distribution of races were observed against Ht-resistant genes and also identified the E. turcicum race population distribution in Bihar. For that, 45 E. turcicum isolates were collected from maize fields in Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar and Samastipur districts between 2020 and 2022. These isolates were screened on maize differential lines containing Ht1, Ht2, Ht3 and HtN1 resistance genes. Five different physiological races were observed based on the symptoms response of the differential maize lines. These races are race 0, race 1, race 3, race 23N and race 123N. E. turcicum race 3 was the most prevalent race having 26.6% frequency followed by race 0 (24.4%) and race 1 (22.2%) and the least prevalent races were race 23N and 123N having 13.3% each. Varied resistance response of different isolates was observed on differential lines having different resistant genes. Despite the fact that virulence was seen against all Ht resistance genes, NCLB control might be increased by combining qualitative Ht resistance genes with quantitative resistance.

A Curious case of Vasovagal Shock following Transesophageal Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Needle Aspiration (EUS-B-NA).

Esophageal ultrasound-guided bronchoscopic needle aspiration (EUS-B-NA) is a relatively safe procedure with rare complications. A vasovagal attack after EUS-B-NA has not been reported to date. Usually benign and self-limiting, it can cause refractory bradycardia and sudden cardiac arrest. Timely intervention reduces morbidity and mortality. Here, we report a novel case of vasovagal attack after EUS-B-NA and was managed successfully. Management includes identifying the triggering event and keeping the patient in the Trendelenburg position. Atropine is reserved for refractory cases. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Esophageal Cancer, Central Airway Obstruction, and Lots More: A Collaborative Approach to a Challenging Scenario.

Esophageal cancer is the most common cause of extrapulmonary malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO). MCAO is usually managed by a multidisciplinary approach involving tumor debulking, stent placement, and palliative radiotherapy. MCAO is a challenge in itself; here, it becomes even more challenging as it was accompanied by grade 3 oral submucous fibrosis, nasal synechiae, and multiple enlarged cervical nodes causing excessive compression of the trachea along with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. Herein, a 65-year-old woman with multiple challenges, where death was imminent, managed with a collaborative approach involving awake nasal intubation in the sitting position and placement of a stent via a flexible bronchoscope, as rigid bronchoscopy was not possible in view of limited mouth opening. Overcoming these challenges led to completing the procedure successfully and palliating the symptoms.

Vascular patterns on narrow band imaging (NBI) video bronchoscopy of lung cancer patients and its relationship with histology: an analytical cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Narrow band imaging (NBI) video bronchoscopy provides better visualisation of submucosal vascular patterns in malignant airway lesions compared to white light bronchoscopy. This analytical cross-sectional study was aimed to look for any relationship between these NBI vascular patterns and the histologic type of lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After screening 78 patients with suspected lung cancer, 53 subjects underwent video bronchoscopy. Thirty-two patients showing abnormal bronchial mucosa or endobronchial growth with any of the NBI vascular patterns on bronchoscopy were enrolled in the study. These abnormal areas were then biopsied and sent for histologic examination. RESULTS: NBI bronchoscopy revealed a dilated tortuous vascular pattern in 54.8% of the patients, a non-specific pattern in 32%, a dotted pattern in 9.7% and an abrupt ending vessels pattern in 3.2% of the patients. We did not find any statistically significant relationship between a dilated tortuous pattern and squamous-cell carcinoma (p = 0.48), adenocarcinoma (p = 0.667) or small-cell carcinoma (p = 1); between a dotted pattern and squamous-cell carcinoma (p = 1), adenocarcinoma (p = 0.54) or small-cell carcinoma (p = 1), and between an abrupt ending capillary pattern and squamous-cell carcinoma (p = 1), adenocarcinoma (p = 1) or small-cell carcinoma (p =1). CONCLUSION: No relationship exists between NBI vascular patterns and the histology of lung cancer. Endobronchial lesions showing any vascular pattern on NBI needs to be adequately sampled for proper histologic and molecular studies in lung cancer patients.

Viral Ribonucleic Acid Shedding and Transmission Potential of Asymptomatic and Paucisymptomatic Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients.

We studied the pattern and duration of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) shedding in 32 asymptomatic and 11 paucisymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 cases. Viral RNA shedding in exhaled breath progressively diminished and became negative after 6 days of a positive reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction test. Therefore, the duration of isolation can be minimized to 6 days.

A review of Ciclesonide in COVID-19. Still a long way to go.

As no definitive therapy or vaccine is yet available for COVID-19, in a desperate attempt repurposed drugs are being explored as an option. A drug repurposing study identified Ciclesonide as a potential candidate. We reviewed the available evidence and clinical trials on the use of Ciclesonide in COVID-19. At present the evidence is limited to a report of three cases. However, five clinical trials are underway, and their results will help in elucidating the role of Ciclesonide in COVID-19.

Post partum female with sudden-onset breathlessness.

Management of pulmonary embolism in post partum females is a challenge. Lower segment caesarean section in past 3 weeks is a contraindication to systemic thrombolysis. Heparin, fondaparinux and warfarin can be safely used in breast-feeding mothers. http://bit.ly/39Nr7qY.

Using a simple open-source automated machine learning algorithm to forecast COVID-19 spread: A modelling study.

INTRODUCTION: Machine learning algorithms have been used to develop prediction models in various infectious and non-infectious settings including interpretation of images in predicting the outcome of diseases. We demonstrate the application of one such simple automated machine learning algorithm to a dataset obtained about COVID-19 spread in South Korea to better understand the disease dynamics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 20th January 2020 (when the first case of COVID-19 was detected in South Korea) to 4th March 2020 was accessed from Korea's centre for disease control (KCDC). A future time-series of specified length (taken as 7 days in our study) starting from 5th March 2020 to 11th March 2020 was generated and fed to the model to generate predictions with upper and lower trend bounds of 95% confidence intervals. The model was assessed for its ability to reliably forecast using mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) as the metric. RESULTS: As on 4th March 2020, 145,541 patients were tested for COVID-19 (in 45 days) in South Korea of which 5166 patients tested positive. The predicted values approximated well with the actual numbers. The difference between predicted and observed values ranged from 4.08% to 12.77% . On average, our predictions differed from actual values by 7.42% (MAPE) over the same period. CONCLUSION: Open source and automated machine learning tools like Prophet can be applied and are effective in the context of COVID-19 for forecasting spread in naïve communities. It may help countries to efficiently allocate healthcare resources to contain this pandemic.

Revisiting bronchoscopic intratumoral chemotherapy in malignant central airway obstruction via EUS-B approach and its review of literature.

Critical central airway obstruction has always been a dreaded complication to which interventional pulmonologist commonly encounters. There have been various modalities which are used for the management and palliation, which includes mechanical coring, laser, cryoextraction, electrocautery and airway stenting. Rigid bronchoscopy with or without jet ventilation has been corner stone of therapeutics and palliation of central airway obstruction. There are only a few conditions where it is not possible to use rigid bronchoscopy. Here we report a case of metastatic tracheal tumour which presented with critical airway obstruction in a patient who had atlantoaxial instability (AAI) due to rheumatoid arthritis. Here we used endobronchial ultrasound scope (EBUS) via esophageal route, i.e. EUS-B guided approach for sampling of the tracheal tumour, and intratumoral chemotherapy was instilled in multiple sessions, which resulted in shrinking of tumour, thus relieving the critical airway obstruction. This is the first report of using EUS-B approach for intratumoral chemotherapy for tracheal tumors. Bronchoscopic intratumoral chemotherapy therapy (BITC) in tracheal tumors is also one of the options but has not been explored much and there has been a dearth of literature for it.

Cotrimoxazole-induced SIADH - a unique challenge during treatment of pulmonary nocardiosis.

A 62 year old male non-smoker diagnosed with pulmonary nocardiosis was initiated on Cotrimoxazole therapy at a dose of 20 mg/kg per day in three divided doses. He developed hyponatremia (serum sodium 105 mEq/L) on day 3 of therapy. The potential causes of hyponatremia were evaluated. After ruling out other causes, the cause was suspected to be Cotrimoxazole-induced syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). We subsequently re-initiated therapy with Cotrimoxazole and the hyponatremia (serum sodium 110 mEq/L) recurred. Upon discontinuation of therapy, serum sodium levels returned to normal. The patient was started on Amoxycillin-Clavulanic Acid as an alternative therapy for pulmonary nocardiosis which resulted in resolution of the hyponatremia. Cotrimoxazole-induced SIADH is a rare occurrence. This case is representative of a patient with Cotrimoxazole-induced SIADH and the causal relationship was confirmed once resumption of therapy with the offending medi-cation resulted in hyponatremia. Clinicians should be aware of this rare adverse effect of Cotrimoxazole and should monitor serum electrolytes during therapy, especially in the elderly and in those receiving high doses.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection amongst newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients and their clinico-radiological profile: A prospective study from Western India.

BACKGROUND: Since time immemorial tuberculosis (TB) has been and continues to be one of the most significant infections causing human disease. In tropical countries, TB remains a leading cause of death. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic continues to fuel this global TB epidemic. The rapid growth of the HIV epidemic in many countries has resulted in an equally dramatic rise in the estimated number of new TB cases, which present therefore the integration of HIV and TB testing at the primary level is need of the hour. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on newly diagnosed, untreated TB patients aged 15-45 year and patients were screened for HIV infection. Clinico-radiological spectrum of TB among HIV seropositive and seronegative patients was evaluated. RESULTS: Out of a total of 307 patients screened, 17 (5.54%) were found to be HIV seropositive. Seroprevalence was found significantly (P < 0.01, χ2 9.301) more common in 26-35 year age group and higher in Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) patients than that in pulmonary TB (PTB) patients (9.90% vs 3.4%). Fever was the most common presenting symptom for TB in HIV seropositive patients. On examination pallor (58.82% vs. 15.86%), oral ulcer (35.3% vs. 0.35%) was found more common and on chest X-ray mid-lower zone involvement and mediastinal lymphadenopathy were more common in HIV seropositive patients. CONCLUSION: HIV seropositivity rates among newly diagnosed TB patients aged 15-45 year was 5.54 percent. The presentation of TB was more often atypical among these patients. Thus, an integrated model of TB and HIV at primary healthcare service delivery is an efficient use of resources that would address the two very important co-epidemics and thereby result in better management.

Early trends of socio-economic and health indicators influencing case fatality rate of COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019, i.e. COVID-19, started as an outbreak in a district of China and has engulfed the world in a matter of 3 months. It is posing a serious health and economic challenge worldwide. However, case fatality rates (CFRs) have varied amongst various countries ranging from 0 to 8.91%. We have evaluated the effect of selected socio-economic and health indicators to explain this variation in CFR. Countries reporting a minimum of 50 cases as on 14th March 2020, were selected for this analysis. Data about the socio-economic indicators of each country was accessed from the World bank database and data about the health indicators were accessed from the World Health Organisation (WHO) database. Various socioeconomic indicators and health indicators were selected for this analysis. After selecting from univariate analysis, the indicators with the maximum correlation were used to build a model using multiple variable linear regression with a forward selection of variables and using adjusted R-squared score as the metric. We found univariate regression results were significant for GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita, POD 30/70 (Probability Of Dying Between Age 30 And Exact Age 70 From Any of Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, Diabetes or Chronic Respiratory Disease), HCI (Human Capital Index), GNI(Gross National Income) per capita, life expectancy, medical doctors per 10000 population, as these parameters negatively corelated with CFR (rho = -0.48 to -0.38 , p<0.05). Case fatality rate was regressed using ordinary least squares (OLS) against the socio-economic and health indicators. The indicators in the final model were GDP per capita, POD 30/70, HCI, life expectancy, medical doctors per 10,000, median age, current health expenditure per capita, number of confirmed cases and population in millions. The adjusted R-squared score was 0.306. Developing countries with a poor economy are especially vulnerable in terms of COVID-19 mortality and underscore the need to have a global policy to deal with this on-going pandemic. These trends largely confirm that the toll from COVID-19 will be worse in countries ill-equipped to deal with it. These analyses of epidemiological data are need of time as apart from increasing situational awareness, it guides us in taking informed interventions and helps policy-making to tackle this pandemic.