Stage specific comparative transcriptomic analysis to reveal gene networks regulating iron and zinc content in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.].

Pearl millet is an important staple food crop of poor people and excels all other cereals due to its unique features of resilience to adverse climatic conditions. It is rich in micronutrients like iron and zinc and amenable for focused breeding for these micronutrients along with high yield. Hence, this is a key to alleviate malnutrition and ensure nutritional security. This study was conducted to identify and validate candidate genes governing grain iron and zinc content enabling the desired modifications in the genotypes. Transcriptome sequencing using ION S5 Next Generation Sequencer generated 43.5 million sequence reads resulting in 83,721 transcripts with N50 of 597 bp and 84.35% of transcripts matched with the pearl millet genome assembly. The genotypes having high iron and zinc showed differential gene expression during different stages. Of which, 155 were up-regulated and 251 were down-regulated while during flowering stage and milking stage 349 and 378 transcripts were differentially expressed, respectively. Gene annotation and GO term showed the presence of transcripts involved in metabolic activities associated with uptake and transport of iron and zinc. Information generated will help in gaining insights into iron and zinc metabolism and develop genotypes with high yield, grain iron and zinc content.

VigSatDB: genome-wide microsatellite DNA marker database of three species of Vigna for germplasm characterization and improvement.

Genus Vigna represented by more than 100 species is a source of nutritious edible seeds and sprouts that are rich sources of protein and dietary supplements. It is further valuable because of therapeutic attributes due to its antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. A highly diverse and an extremely ecological niche of different species can be valuable genomic resources for productivity enhancement. It is one of the most underutilized crops for food security and animal feeds. In spite of huge species diversity, only three species of Vigna have been sequenced; thus, there is a need for molecular markers for the remaining species. Computational approach of microsatellite marker discovery along with evaluation of polymorphism utilizing available genomic data of different genotypes can be a quick and an economical approach for genomic resource development. Cross-species transferability by e-PCR over available genomes can further prioritize the potential SSR markers, which could be used for genetic diversity and population differentiation of the remaining species saving cost and time. We present VigSatDB-the world's first comprehensive microsatellite database of genus Vigna, containing >875 K putative microsatellite markers with 772 354 simple and 103 865 compound markers mined from six genome assemblies of three Vigna species, namely, Vigna radiata (Mung bean), Vigna angularis (Adzuki bean) and Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea). It also contains 1976 validated published markers. Markers can be selected on the basis of chromosomes/location specificity, and primers can be generated using Primer3core tool integrated at backend. Efficacy of VigSatDB for microsatellite loci genotyping has been evaluated by 15 markers over a panel of 10 diverse genotype of V. radiata. Our web genomic resources can be used in diversity analysis, population and varietal differentiation, discovery of quantitative trait loci/genes, marker-assisted varietal improvement in endeavor of Vigna crop productivity and management.

Superimposed inspiratory work of the Siemens Servo 300 ventilator during continuous positive airway pressure.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the superimposed inspired work of breathing (SIW) of the Siemens Servo 300 ventilator with the Siemens Servo 900 C ventilator. DESIGN: Comparisons made at continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) levels of 0, 4, and 8 cmH2O, and at trigger sensitivities of -1 and -2 cmH2O, and flow triggering. SETTING: General intensive care unit in a University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 7 patients receiving CPAP. At all levels of CPAP, the SIW was significantly less with the Siemens Servo 300 ventilator as compared to the Siemens Servo 900 C ventilator despite similar trigger sensitivities. No significant difference was found in the SIW of the Servo 300 ventilator when comparing trigger sensitivities of -1 cmH2O, -2 cmH2O, and flow triggering. Different levels of CPAP had no effect on SIW. CONCLUSIONS: The Siemens Servo 300 ventilator entails less superimposed inspiratory work of breathing than the Siemens Servo 900 C ventilator.

Potassium homeostasis during & after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Potassium homeostasis was studied in 30 patients undergoing cardiac surgery by employing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and moderate hypothermia, and using morphine, N2O, relaxant anaesthesia. There was a trend for hypokalemia, and for maintaining a K+ level of 4-4.5 mmol/l, K+ infusion was required during CPB (9.017 mmol/m2 BSA/h). K+ infusion required in the post-operative period was considerably less (1.532 mmol/m2 BSA/h). There was no significant difference in the K+ levels of patients receiving preoperative diuretic therapy, as compared to those not receiving such therapy. Potassium requirement was significantly higher in patients under-going CABG and valvular heart disease, as compared to congenital heart disease. The mean urinary loss of K+ during bypass was found to be 2.95 mmol/m2 BSA/h, which was only 32 per cent of that required to be infused (9.017 mmol/m2 BSA/h). The mean excretion of K+ in the post operative period was significantly higher (4.53 mmol/m2 BSA/h) than K+ required to be infused during this period (1.532 mmol/m2 BSA/h).

Anesthetic considerations for parturients with primary pulmonary hypertension: review of the literature and clinical presentation.

Primary pulmonary hypertension, though uncommon, is found relatively frequently in women of childbearing age and carries a high peripartum mortality. We present a patient with severe primary pulmonary hypertension who underwent two cesarean sections 3 and 6 years after the diagnosis of primary pulmonary hypertension was made. Epidural anesthesia was provided on both occasions and resulted in a good maternal and fetal outcome. We have reviewed the literature as it relates to the choice of anesthetic technique and maternal outcome in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.

Carbon dioxide dynamics during apneic oxygenation: the effects of preceding hypocapnia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the rate of increase of arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) during apneic oxygenation preceded by acute respiratory hypocapnia with that during apnea preceded by respiratory eucapnia. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, single crossover study. SETTING: Operating room at a teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 19 ASA physical status I, II, and III patients requiring general endotracheal anesthesia and invasive monitoring for elective surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Two ventilatory states preceding apneic oxygenation were studied in each patient. The first respiratory state was established using controlled mechanical ventilation in the stable, anesthetized patient, followed by a 5-minute period of apneic oxygenation. Arterial and mixed central venous blood gas samples were obtained simultaneously prior to and at 1-minute intervals during apnea. Ventilatory parameters were then changed to establish the second respiratory state. During the subsequent period of apnea, the study was repeated as above. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Arterial and mixed central venous partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) levels were measured. A greater increase in PaCO2 was found during the first minute of apneic oxygenation in the hypocapneic group compared with the eucapneic group. The venoarterial gradient of pCO2 was also greater in the hypocapneic group prior to apnea. CONCLUSIONS: Acute hypocapnia compared with eucapnia prior to apneic oxygenation is associated with a greater rise in PaCO2 in the anesthetized patient. This finding may be due in part to widening of the venoarterial gradient of pCO2.

Silicon drift detector based X-ray spectroscopy diagnostic system for the study of non-thermal electrons at Aditya tokamak.

Silicon drift detector based X-ray spectrometer diagnostic was developed to study the non-thermal electron for Aditya tokamak plasma. The diagnostic was mounted on a radial mid plane port at the Aditya. The objective of diagnostic includes the estimation of the non-thermal electron temperature for the ohmically heated plasma. Bi-Maxwellian plasma model was adopted for the temperature estimation. Along with that the study of high Z impurity line radiation from the ECR pre-ionization experiments was also aimed. The performance and first experimental results from the new X-ray spectrometer system are presented.

Measurement of spatial and temporal behavior of H(α) emission from Aditya tokamak using a diagnostic based on a photomultiplier tube array.

A photo multiplier tube (PMT) array based spectroscopic diagnostic with fast time response of 10 µs and spatial resolution ∼3 cm has been developed and installed on Aditya tokamak to study the spatial and temporal behavior of Hα emissions from typical discharges. Collimated light has been collected from the plasma along 16 lines of sight passing through entire plasma poloidal cross section of Aditya and detected by two 8 channels PMT arrays after selecting Hα emission using interference filter. The studies are carried out during plasma formation phase of Aditya by changing vertical field and its delay with respect to loop voltage. It is observed that plasma initiated in the high field side in typical discharges of Aditya. The plasma formation position is matched with null field location estimated through simulation.

Onset-potency relationship of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants: a reexamination using simulations.

Nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (MRs) display an inverse onset-potency relationship, that is, less potent MRs display a more rapid onset. We have conducted the current investigation to estimate the impact of variable pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties of the MRs on potency and onset time, and on the onset-potency relationship. Using a model of neuromuscular transmission, we changed either the affinity of MRs for the postsynaptic receptors or the pharmacokinetic properties of the MRs. The elimination rate constant, k(10), which defines the systemic clearance, was assigned one of 9 values and the transport rate constant, k(12), one of 5 values. The transport rate constant into the effect compartment was constant (k(e1) = 0.2 min(-1)). Only one parameter was altered at a time. With constant pharmacokinetics, a 100-fold decrease in affinity caused a proportional decrease in potency, but little change (0.02 min) in onset time. With constant affinity, increasing the clearance from 1 to 250 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) shortened the onset time from 7.2 to 0.7 min and decreased the potency 12-fold. In a double logarithmic plot, the onset-potency relationship was linear. Lesser affinities produce a nearly parallel rightward shift of the regression lines. The inverse onset-potency relationship may be explained by the pharmacokinetic factors producing changes in both the potency and onset times.

The minilink breathing system: resistance and suitability for spontaneous ventilation.

The Portex infant breathing/ventilation systems with 8.5 mm and 15 mm internal diameter connectors were compared with a standard T-piece which had a 15 mm connector and 22 mm internal diameter tubing. The differential pressures across each system were measured at constant fresh gas flows up to 30 l.min-1 dry air. Resistance was calculated at flows compatible with quiet respiration and peak inspiratory flow. Flow resistance of the 3.0 mm internal diameter tracheal tube in conjunction with the minilink breathing systems were similar to those previously reported for tracheal tubes alone. However, the minilink breathing system assumed a greater influence on resistance when tracheal tubes of larger internal diameter were used. It added considerably more resistance than the standard tubing. This may have a deleterious effect during spontaneous ventilation in older children.

Effects of PEEP on dynamic hyperinflation in patients with airflow limitation.

We have studied the effects of extrinsically applied PEEP (PEEPe) and intrinsic PEEP (PEEPi) on lung volume and peak airway pressure (Paw,peak) in 10 patients with airflow limitation during mechanical ventilation. PEEPe was applied in 2-4 cm H2O increments until values greater than PEEPi were reached. Total lung hyperinflation was quantified by measuring the expired volume resulting from deflation (starting at end inspiration) until cessation of expiratory flow. The previous expired tidal volume was subtracted from this volume to obtain the change in functional residual capacity (delta FRC), the hyperinflation resulting from PEEPi and PEEPe. PEEPi (0.49-1.66 kPa) was demonstrated in all patients before the application of PEEPe and correlated with delta FRC (r = 0.71), with delta FRC increasing by 582 ml/kPa PEEPi (P < 0.05). PEEPe at pressures less than PEEPi increased delta FRC by (mean) 186 (SEM) 34 ml/kPa PEEPe (P < 0.05) and increased Paw,peak by 0.6 (0.12) kPa/kPa PEEPe (P < 0.05). In contrast, PEEPe at pressures greater than PEEPi, increased delta FRC by 695 (128) ml/kPa PEEPe (P < 0.05) and Paw,peak by 1.8 (0.26) kPa/kPa PEEPe. We conclude that PEEPe may be applied cautiously at values less than PEEPi when clinically indicated, but the application of PEEPe at values greater than PEEPi may substantially aggravate lung hyperinflation.

Effect of dobutamine on oxygen supply and uptake in healthy volunteers.

We have measured the changes in VO2 and the VO2:DO2 relationship during infusion of dobutamine in healthy volunteers. Nine healthy, adult, non-obese, male physicians were infused with an incremental infusion of dobutamine starting at 2.5 micrograms kg-1 min-1 increasing to 5.0 and then 7.5 micrograms kg-1 min-1 for 15 min each. VO2 and cardiac index were measured every five minutes. VO2I (VO2m-2) increased from a baseline of 128 (SEM 6.1) ml min-1 m-2 to 159 (8.0) ml min1 m-2 (P < 0.05) at the end of infusion with 7.5 micrograms kg-1 min-1. The corresponding changes for DO2I (DO2 m-2) were from 643 (35) ml min-1 m-2 to 1240 (142) ml min-1 m-2 (P < 0.05). The coefficient of correlation for pairs of VO2 and DO2 values, at baseline and each dobutamine infusion in individual subjects, ranged from 0.89 to 0.99 (mean 0.95, SD 0.03). Dobutamine has potent calorigenic effects; demonstration of a positive correlation between VO2 and DO2 after infusion of dobutamine does not necessarily imply an underlying tissue oxygen debt.

Resistance and additional inspiratory work imposed by the laryngeal mask airway. A comparison with tracheal tubes.

Laryngeal mask airways and tracheal tubes were studied to determine both their resistance to constant gas flows and additional inspiratory work during simulated inspiration. Laryngeal mask airways imposed less resistance and required lower additional inspiratory work compared with the corresponding sized tracheal tubes. If inspiratory loading during anaesthesia is an important consideration, then the laryngeal mask airway may be preferable to a tracheal tube.

Pressure support ventilation during isoflurane anaesthesia.

We have studied the respiratory effects of 5 and 10 cmH2O pressure support ventilation during anaesthesia with 1.5% end-tidal concentration of isoflurane in nine healthy, spontaneously breathing, adult patients. Some of the patients demonstrated an irregular respiratory pattern with periods of apnoea and we therefore went on to study a further seven patients with a continuous 500 s recording of airflow. Pressure support ventilation augmented mean (SD) tidal volume from 212 (56) ml to 360 (88) ml at 5 cmH2O and to 509 (108) ml at 10 cmH2O (n = 16, p < 0.05). Mean (SD) respiratory rate decreased from 26 (6) min-1 to 22 (6) min-1 at 5 cmH2O and 17 (5) min-1 at 10 cmH2O pressure support (n = 16, p < 0.05). Mean (SD) inspiratory work of breathing decreased from 1.77 (0.70) J. min-1 to 0.31 (0.36) J.min-1 at 5 cmH2O and 0.16 (0.26) J.min-1 at 10 cmH2O pressure support ventilation (n = 9, p < 0.05). Analysis of the respiratory rhythm in the second group of seven patients revealed an oscillating respiratory pattern in four patients at 5 cmH2O and six of the seven patients at 10 cmH2O pressure support ventilation. The metabolic advantage of the decreased work of breathing during pressure support ventilation during anaesthesia is unlikely to balance the disadvantage of an oscillating respiratory rhythm.