Proline, a multifaceted signalling molecule in plant responses to abiotic stress: understanding the physiological mechanisms.

Abiotic stresses have a detrimental impact on plant growth and productivity and are a major threat to sustainable crop production in rapidly changing environments. Proline, an important amino acid, plays an important role in maintaining the metabolism and growth of plants under abiotic stress conditions. Many insights indicate a positive relationship between proline accumulation and tolerance of plants to various abiotic stresses. Because of its metal chelator properties, it acts as a molecular chaperone, an antioxidative defence molecule that scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as having signalling behaviour to activate specific gene functions that are crucial for plant recovery from stresses. It also acts as an osmoprotectant, a potential source to acquire nitrogen as well as carbon, and plays a significant role in the flowering and development of plants. Overproduction of proline in plant cells contributes to maintaining cellular homeostasis, water uptake, osmotic adjustment and redox balance to restore the cell structures and mitigate oxidative damage. Many reports reveal that transgenic plants, particularly those overexpressing genes tailored for proline accumulation, exhibit better adaptation to abiotic stresses. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive update on proline biosynthesis and accumulation in plants and its putative regulatory roles in mediating plant defence against abiotic stresses. Additionally, the current and future directions in research concerning manipulation of proline to induce gene functions that appear promising in genetics and genomics approaches to improve plant adaptive responses under changing climate conditions are also highlighted.

Single-Pot Synthesis of ⟨001⟩-Faceted N-Doped Nb2O5/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting.

Due to exciting catalytic activity and selectivity, tailoring of nanocatalysts consisting of preferred crystal facets and desired structural properties remains at the forefront of materials engineering. A facile one-step nonhydrolytic solvothermal synthesis of a nanocomposite of reduced graphene oxide and one-dimensional nitrogen-doped Nb2O5 (N-NbOx) with exposed ⟨001⟩ facet is described. Triethylamine performed the dual role as nitrogen source and capping agent to control the size and unidirectional growth of Nb2O5 nanocrystallites. The nanocomposite showed efficient visible-light-mediated (λ > 420 nm) water splitting in a photoelectrochemical cell. A plausible mechanism for the formation of N-NbOx nanorods and improved photoelectrochemical efficacy in terms of their oriented growth is proposed.

Removal of sulfur compounds from diesel using ArF laser and oxygen.

A laser-based technique for deep desulfurization of diesel and other hydrocarbon fuels by removal of dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT), a persistent sulfur contaminant in fuel oils has been developed. We report a selective laser excitation of DMDBT in diesel and model compounds such as n-hexane in a reaction chamber under oxygen environment where oxidative reactions can take place. ArF laser emitting at 193 nm was employed for excitation of oxygen and DMDBT, while for process optimization, the laser energy was varied from 50 to 200 mJ/cm(2). The laser-irradiated DMDBT solution under continuous oxygen flow was analyzed by UV absorption spectrometer to determine the photochemical oxidative degradation of DMDBT. In just 5 min of laser irradiation time, almost 95% DMDBT was depleted in a diesel containing 200 ppm of DMDBT. This article provides a new method for the removal of sulfur compounds from diesel by laser based photochemical process.

Chromium removal from water by activated carbon developed from waste rubber tires.

Because of the continuous production of large amount of waste tires, the disposal of waste tires represents a major environmental issue throughout the world. This paper reports the utilization of waste tires (hard-to-dispose waste) as a precursor in the production of activated carbons (pollution-cleaning adsorbent). In the preparation of activated carbon (AC), waste rubber tire (WRT) was thermally treated and activated. The tire-derived activated carbon was characterized by means of scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, FTIR spectrophotometer, and X-ray diffraction. In the IR spectrum, a number of bands centred at about 3409, 2350, 1710, 1650, and 1300-1000 cm(-1) prove the present of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the surface of AC in addition to C═C double bonds. The developed AC was tested and evaluated as potential adsorbent removal of chromium (III). Experimental parameters, such as contact time, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage and pH were optimized. A rapid uptake of chromium ions was observed and the equilibrium is achieved in 1 h. It was also found that the adsorption process is pH dependent. This work adds to the global discussion of the cost-effective utilization of waste rubber tires for waste water treatment.

Clinical experience with BIAsp 30: Results from the Bangladesh cohort of the global A1chieve study.

The aim of A1chieve was to remedy the deficit of data on the efficacy and safety of insulin analogues in routine clinical care in less well-resourced developed countries. To present results from the Bangladesh cohort of the A1chieve study receiving BIAsp 30 ± oral anti diabetic drugs. A1chieve was a 6-month, observational study of 66,726 people with type 2 diabetes, started on insulin detemir, insulin aspart or biphasic insulin aspart (BIAsp 30) in 28 countries across four continents. A total of 1,093 subjects were recruited from 49 sites in Bangladesh and 580 subjects initiated on BIAsp 30 were studied. In the entire cohort, treatment with BIAsp 30 for 24 weeks significantly reduced mean HbA(1c) (2.8%, p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (4.0 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and post prandial plasma glucose (6.6 mmol/L, p < 0.001) levels from baseline. The rate of overall hypoglycaemic events in the entire cohort also reduced significantly at 24 weeks (1.86 to 0.02 events/person year, p < 0.0001). BIAsp 30 can be considered as a safe and effective option for initiating as well as intensifying insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes.

Options in the treatment of totally intrathoracic stomach with volvulus.

Gastric volvulus is a rare life-threatening condition resulting from rotation of the stomach by 180 degrees. We describe two patients with unusual chronic totally intrathoracic gastric volvulus that were treated by different laparoscopic techniques. Preoperatively, upper gastrointestinal contrast studies are diagnostic and, gastroscopy is helpful. Rapid progress in laparoscopy has shifted treatment away from traditional and complex open surgery. Reduction of the intrathoracic stomach, hernia sac excision and closure of the hiatal defect is now possible laparoscopically. Surgeon preference guides the addition of a fundoplication, gastropexy or gastrostomy to maintain gastric reduction. Advances in minimal access techniques mean a variety of options are now available, enabling the surgeon to successfully modify treatment for individual patients with intrathoracic gastric volvulus.

Etiological pattern of atrial fibrillation.

An attempt to find out the causes of atrial fibrillation was made in this study; although this does not represent total picture of whole population as the number of cases was limited and taken from a particular area for a limited period. Among the causes in our country, rheumatic mitral valvular disease topped the list followed by rheumatic multiple valvular disease IHD, HHD; lone atrial fibrillation came in the aetiology sequentially. This information is valuable in regard to management as rheumatic heart disease, the prime cause of atrial fibrillation in our country.

Risk factors & clinical presentations--a study of eighty-five hospital admitted stroke cases.

Stroke is the commonest neurological cause of morbidity and mortality. Changes in risk factors may influence stroke incidence. Definitive diagnosis of the type of stroke is necessary for management and it has a strong impact on stroke outcome. A total of eighty-five consecutive stroke patients irrespective of age and sex admitted during the period of August 2000 to June 2001 were studied. They were asked about occupation, area of habitat, smoking habit, family history of ischaemic heart disease and/or stroke, any febrile illness, recent history of productive cough, dysuria and diarrhoea. They were searched for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease, valvular heart disease and dislipidaemia. In every patient complete blood count, urine examination, fasting blood glucose and serum lipids, ECG, x-ray chest were performed. CT scan of brain was performed in 68 cases. Male was found 81.18% of cases with age 62.54 +/- 13.08 (m +/- SD) years. Female were 18.82% of cases with age 58.81 +/- 12.77 (m +/- SD). 75.29% of patients were belongs to middle class family. 51.76% of patients came from rural area and 48.24% of patients came from urban area. 78.82% of patients were hypertensive. Infection was associated with 37.65% of cases. Hemiplegia was commonest presentation (88.24%). Though altered consciousness was found more in haemorrhagic stroke (54.84%) but it was not significantly. High from ischaemic cases (p > 0.10) Male suffer more from stroke. Hypertension is the commonest risk factor. Infection is a common association of stroke. Altered consciousness is not a reliable guide to differentiate between ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke is hospitalized cases.

Turner syndrome: a case of gonadal dysgenesis.

An eighteen years old girl came from Ishargang, Mymensingh complaining of short stature, absence of development of breast, lack of menstruation and other secondary sex characters. She was found in infantile appearance with a height of 123 cm, body weight of 28 kg. She had short, broad, webbed neck, cuvitus valgus, absence of development of breast, axillary and public hairs with infantile external genitalia. Hormonal profile revealed high level of LH and FSH, low level of estrogens. Ultrasonography revealed uterine hypoplasia and ill defined gonadal streaks, Karyotype showed typical 45, X0 pattern. She was diagnosed as a case of gonadal dysgenesis due to Turner syndrome.

Dietary fibre and coronary heart disease.

Intake of dietary fibres lowers plasma lipids. Fibres particularly soluble ones lower serum total cholesterol (TC) and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) without significant alteration in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triacylglyccrol (TG). Consequently, the incidence of atherosclerotic heart diseases is lower in those who take high dietary fibre. Persons taking diet rich in saturated fat and poor in dietary fibre is more prone to develop coronary artery diseases. Dietary fibres also lower TC: HDL-C and LDL-C: HDL-C ratios. Higher TC: HDL-C and LDL-C: HDL-C ratios are in favour of development and progression of atherosclerotic vascular diseases, a pioneer cause of myocardial infarction (MI).

Hypomagnesaemia in postoperative patients: an important contributing factor in postoperative mortality.

Magnesium is the second most abundant intracellular cation and the fourth most abundant cation in the body. Clinical manifestations of hypomagnesaemia include neuromusclar, neurological, psychiatric and cardiac arrhythmias including torsade de pointes resulting in sudden death. Incidence of hypomagnesaemia in hospitalised patients in common and there is a lack of clinical awareness. Clinicians should become familiar with the common conditions and therapeutics that are risk factors for underlying hypomagnesaemia and become familiar with magnesium replacement regimens. Two patients who suffered fatal complications in whom hypomagnesaemia was an important contributing factor are presented. Hypokalaemia and hypocalcaemia are common in severe magnesium deficiency and require concurrent monitoring and correcting.