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Background: Patients with high dental anxiety are found to visit dental offices less frequently and have a higher number of severely diseased teeth so they are at a greater need for intensive oral care and rehabilitation. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental anxiety and its impact on the dental status of Nepali adult patients. Material and Methods: A semi‐structured questionnaire of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) in the Nepali version was used for data collection. The data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS IBM, Chicago, IL, USA, version 24). Variables were calculated as frequency and percentage, while the comparisons of different factors were done using the ANOVA and t‐test. A difference with p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study population consisted of 446 subjects, among them 205 were male (45.96%), 241 were female (54.04%), 357 (80.04%) were married, and 222 (49.78%) were employed. The mean age of the patients was 41.24 years (ranging between 18 and 79 years). Only 41 subjects (9.19%) showed high dental anxiety (MDAS ≥ 19). The mean MDAS for the total study population was 10.81. The highest mean MDAS was seen in the age group 30–39 (11.78) and the lowest mean MDAS was seen in the age group 40–49 (9.64). While comparing dental anxiety among genders, dental anxiety was higher in females (mean MDAS = 11.78) compared to males (mean MDAS = 9.67). Patients having high dental anxiety had a significantly higher number of decayed teeth (p‐value = 0.001, t‐test). Conclusion: Oral health and dental status both are negatively affected by dental anxiety. It interferes with dental attendance, service delivery, prevention of dental diseases, and early diagnosis. Thus, dental practitioners have a major role to play in the management of dental anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inner membrane associated protein of 30 kDa (IM30), a member of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT‐III) superfamily, is crucially involved in the biogenesis and maintenance of thylakoid membranes in cyanobacteria and chloroplasts. In solution, IM30 assembles into various large oligomeric barrel‐ or tube‐like structures, whereas upon membrane binding it forms large, flat carpet structures. Dynamic localization of the protein in solution, to membranes and changes of the oligomeric states are crucial for its in vivo function. ESCRT‐III proteins are known to form oligomeric structures that are dynamically assembled from monomeric/smaller oligomeric proteins, and thus these smaller building blocks must be assembled sequentially in a highly orchestrated manner, a still poorly understood process. The impact of IM30 oligomerization on function remains difficult to study due to its high intrinsic tendency to homo‐oligomerize. Here, we used molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the stability of individual helices in IM30 and identified unstable regions that may provide structural flexibility. Urea‐mediated disassembly of the IM30 barrel structures was spectroscopically monitored, as well as changes in the protein's tertiary and secondary structure. The experimental data were finally compared to a three‐state model that describes oligomer disassembly and monomer unfolding. In this study, we identified a highly stable conserved structural core of ESCRT‐III proteins and discuss the advantages of having flexible intermediate structures and their putative relevance for ESCRT‐III proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nepal harbors a rich diversity of cultures and traditions, including the unique practice of creating an indigenous grain called Marcha by various ethnic groups such as Newar, Tamang, Sherpa, Rai, Limbu, Gurung, Magar, and Tharu people. In the eastern region of Nepal, Marcha producers utilize over 42 different plants, including Vernonia cinerea, Clematis grewiae, Polygala arillata, Buddleja asiatica, Inula sp., Scoparia, and more, which shows regional diversity. The primary objective of the study was to explore the diversity of yeast present in Marcha samples. The studied Marcha samples were collected from 10 different geographic regions of Nepal, which included altogether 27 samples. The isolates were grouped into Groups A, B, and C based on morphological and physiological characteristics. Notably, Group B yeast displayed high amylase production, an enzyme responsible for starch breakdown, and exhibited the ability to produce ethanol. To further investigate the potential of these isolates, stress exclusion tests were conducted, with 30 isolates (70%) showing positive responses. The yeast isolates demonstrated resilience to high glucose concentrations of up to 36% (w/v) at a pH above 3 and a temperature of 37°C, which is the ideal growth condition. The study observed a direct correlation between the yeast isolates' ethanol production capabilities and their tolerance to different ethanol concentrations. Considering that all tested Marcha samples contained yeast capable of starch degradation and ethanol production, it was expected that these yeast isolates would actively participate in the fermentation of starch‐based alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The increasing antibiotic resistance and the ability to form biofilms in medical devices have become the leading cause of severe infections associated with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Since the bacteria living in biofilms can exhibit 10- to 1,000-fold increase in antibiotic resistance and implicate chronic infectious diseases, the detection of S. aureus ability to form biofilms is of great importance for managing, minimizing, and effectively treating infections caused by it. This study aimed to compare the tube and tissue culture methods to detect biofilm production and antibiotic susceptibility in MRSA and MSSA. Materials and Methods. The S. aureus isolates were identified by the examination of the colony morphology, Gram staining, and various biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of all isolates was performed by the modified Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method as recommended by CLSI guidelines. MRSA screening was performed phenotypically using a cefoxitin disc (30 µg). Isolates were tested for inducible resistance using the D-test, and two phenotypic methods detected biofilm formation. Results. Among 982 nonrepeated clinical specimens, S. aureus was isolated from 103 (10.48%). Among 103 clinical isolates of S. aureus, 54 (52.42%) isolates were MRSA, and 49 (47.57%) were MSSA. Among 54 MRSA isolates, the inducible MLSB phenotype was observed in 23/54 (42.59%) with a positive D-test. By TCP method, 26 (48.1%) MRSA isolates were strong biofilm producers, whereas, among all MSSA isolates, only 6 (12.2%) were strong biofilm producers. Conclusion. MRSA showed strong biofilm production in comparison with MSSA. The TCP method is a recommended reliable method to detect the biofilm among S. aureus isolates, and the TM method could be useful for the screening of biofilm production in S. aureus in the routine clinical laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Bacterial biofilm is a significant virulence factor threatening patients, leading to chronic infections and economic burdens. Therefore, it is crucial to identify biofilm production, its inhibition, and reduction. In this study, we investigated biofilm production among Gram-negative isolates and assessed the inhibitory and reduction potential of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) towards them. In addition, we studied the antimicrobial resistance pattern of the Gram-negative isolates. Methods. Bacterial isolation and identification was done using standard microbiological techniques, following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guideline, 28th edition. The Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method was used to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates, and β-lactamase production was tested via the combination disk method. Biofilm formation was detected through the tissue culture plate (TCP) method. Different concentrations of EDTA and DMSO were used to determine their inhibitory and reduction properties against the biofilm. Both inhibition and reduction by the various concentrations of EDTA and DMSO were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results. Among the 110 clinical isolates, 61.8% (68) were found to be multidrug resistant (MDR). 30% (33/110) of the isolates were extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers, 14.5% (16/110) were metallo-β-lactamase (MBL), and 8% (9/110) were Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) producers. Biofilm formation was detected in 35.4% of the isolates. Biofilm-producing organisms showed the highest resistance to antibiotics such as cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and carbapenem. The inhibition and reduction of biofilm were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for 1 mM of EDTA and 2% of DMSO. Conclusion. Isolates forming biofilm had a higher resistance rate and β-lactamase production compared to biofilm nonproducers. EDTA and DMSO were found to be potential antibiofilm agents. Hence, EDTA and DMSO might be an effective antibiofilm agent to control biofilm-associated infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline protease is one of the most important industrial enzymes which are excessively used in the detergent industry, food industry, feed industry, pharmaceutical industry, leather industry, etc. 60% of the produced alkaline protease is consumed by the detergent industry alone. In the present study, bacterial isolates that can produce alkaline protease for purpose of bio-detergent were screened among the isolates isolated from kinema (an alkaline fermented food of eastern Nepal). Selected bacterial isolates were further screened for hemolysis activity and the production of other hydrolytic enzymes. Four bacterial isolates selected were tested for their capacity to produce alkaline protease in five different fermentation mediums. Isolate BKHE produces a high amount of alkaline protease (0.4705 ± 0.035 U/mL/min) in fermentation medium M2 (sucrose, 11 g/L; yeast extract, 5 g/L; and KNO3, 5.2 g/l, pH 9). The selected isolate was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BKHE based on 16S rRNA sequencing and phenotypic features. This bacterial strain was also found to be thermotolerant (confluent growth at 50°C) and salt tolerant up to 10% NaCl concentration. With its versatile ability, bacterial isolate or purified enzymes have potential applications in the food and detergent industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The incidence of chronic liver disease is increasing in the Nepalese population. Liver transplantation (LT) is the best option for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Nepal's first liver transplant was performed in 2016 in an international collaborative effort at Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Centre (SDNTC), Bhaktapur, Nepal. We aim to report details of the first five patients who had undergone liver transplantation in SDNTC before the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in the history of transplantation in Nepal. Method. A descriptive analysis of the clinical data of five adult recipients of liver transplantation at SDNTC was done. We described the patient's demographics, length of stay, and survival of all the first five patients who had undergone four living donor liver transplantations and one brain-dead donor liver transplantation in SDNTC before the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. Results. Recipients were between 36 and 63 years old. The recipients of the four live donor liver transplants (LDLT) and one brain-dead donor liver transplant (DDLT) had alcoholic liver disease and cryptogenic liver disease, leading to end-stage liver disease. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores ranged from 23 to 34. Out of five, four recipients and four donors are doing well and relishing the prospect of a normal life, while the recipient of a brain-dead donor liver transplant passed away due to postoperative primary graft failure. Conclusion. Despite the small number of liver transplants that have been done, the success of these has created confidence in a sustainable liver transplantation program in Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most common causes of nosocomial infections. One of the potential risk factors for nosocomial staphylococcal infections is colonization of the anterior nares of healthcare workers (HCWs). Our study aimed to determine the rate of nasal carriage MRSA among HCWs at Manmohan Memorial Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu. Methods. Two hundred and thirty-two nasal swabs were collected from HCWs of Manmohan Memorial Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, within six months (February 2018–July 2018). Nasal swabs were cultured, and S. aureus isolates were subjected to the antimicrobial susceptibility test by the modified Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. MRSA and iMLSB (inducible macrolide lincosamide streptogramin B) resistance was screened using the cefoxitin disc (30 μg) and D-test (clindamycin and erythromycin sensitivity pattern), respectively, following CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute) guidelines. Risk factors for MRSA colonization were determined using the chi-square test considering the p value ˂0.05 as significant. Results. A total of 34/232 (14.7%) S. aureus were isolated, out of which 12 (35.3%) were MRSA. The overall rate of nasal carriage MRSA among HCWs was 5.2% (12/232). Colonization of MRSA was higher in males (8.7%) than in females (4.3%). MRSA colonization was found to be at peak among the doctors (11.4%). HCWs of the postoperative ward were colonized highest (18.2%). All MRSA isolates were sensitive to linezolid and tetracycline. iMLSB resistance was shown by 7(20.6%) of the isolates. MRSA strains showed higher iMLSB resistance accounting for 33.3% (4/12) in comparison to methicillin-susceptible strains with 13.6% (3/22). Smoking was found to be significantly associated with MRSA colonization (p = 0.004). Conclusion. Rate of nasal carriage MRSA is high among HCWs and hence needs special attention to prevent HCW-associated infections that may result due to nasal colonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: COVID-19; early postoperative period; infection; renal transplantation EN COVID-19 early postoperative period infection renal transplantation 1 3 3 06/22/22 20220601 NES 220601 CASE SERIES All three renal transplant recipients were from living donors and were performed at Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Centre (SDNTC), Bhaktapur, Nepal. All patients developed symptoms during the hospital stay, triggering COVID test. Though the definitive source was not identified, exposure to presymptomatic hospital staff or other prospective kidney transplant recipient patients is possible since we identified a large number of staff and potential kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19 at the time. [Extracted from the article]

The Langtang catchment is a high mountain, third order catchment in the Gandaki basin in the Central Himalaya (28.2°N, 85.5°E), that eventually drains into the Ganges. The catchment spans an elevation range from 1400 to 7234 m a.s.l. and approximately one quarter of the area is glacierized. Numerous research projects have been conducted in the valley during the last four decades, with a strong focus on the cryospheric components of the catchment water balance. Since 2012 multiple weather stations and discharge stations provide measurements of atmospheric and hydrologic variables. Full weather stations are used to monitor at an hourly resolution all four radiation components (incoming and outgoing shortwave and longwave radiation; SWin/out and LWin/out), air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and precipitation, and cover an elevational range of 3862–5330 m a.s.l. Air temperature and precipitation are monitored along elevation gradients for investigations of the spatial variability of the high mountain meteorology. Dedicated point‐scale observations of snow cover, depth and water equivalent as well as ice loss have been carried out over multiple years and complement the observations of the water cycle. All data presented is openly available in a database and will be updated annually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To analyze the association between personal health conditions (self‐rated health, physical function, and chronic conditions) and symptoms of depression in Indonesia. Methods: Data were collected from the Indonesian family life survey 5. This study used a cross‐sectional study design with a sample size of 17,734 respondents. We included depressive symptoms, self‐rated health, physical function, chronic conditions, demographics and socioeconomic variables. The center for epidemiologic studies depression scale was used to measure symptoms of depression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that 23.47% of respondents had depressive symptoms, 20.04% had poor self‐rated health, 55.93% had a poor physical function, and 32.37% had at least one chronic disease. Respondents who had poor self‐rated health, had poor physical function, or had a chronic condition were all had a significantly higher odds of experiencing symptoms of depression after controlling for demographic variables (age, sex, married, and education level), social‐economic, and smoking status. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with personal health conditions including self‐rated health, physical functioning, and chronic conditions among community residents. Strategies that can improve personal health conditions needed to be studied at the community level to improve the level of mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease (Mpro) cleaves along the two viral polypeptides to release non‐structural proteins required for viral replication. MPro is an attractive target for antiviral therapies to combat the coronavirus‐2019 disease. Here, we used native mass spectrometry to characterize the functional unit of Mpro. Analysis of the monomer/dimer equilibria reveals a dissociation constant of Kd=0.14±0.03 μM, indicating MPro has a strong preference to dimerize in solution. We characterized substrate turnover rates by following temporal changes in the enzyme‐substrate complexes, and screened small molecules, that bind distant from the active site, for their ability to modulate activity. These compounds, including one proposed to disrupt the dimer, slow the rate of substrate processing by ≈35 %. This information, together with analysis of the x‐ray crystal structures, provides a starting point for the development of more potent molecules that allosterically regulate MPro activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungicide application is an effective management option to control late blight of potato (caused by Phytophthora infestans). Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of recently introduced and previously used fungicides on late blight management and potato yields in the western plains of Nepal in 2015 and 2016 crop seasons. Fungicides and a non‐treated control (NTC) were replicated three times in a randomized block design planted with late blight susceptible cultivar Cardinal. Chlorothalonil, copper oxychloride, dimethomorph, fenamidone + mancozeb, mancozeb and metalaxyl were sprayed in 2015. In 2016, carbendazim was used instead of chlorothalonil. The area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) was consistently reduced in years by dimethomorph (90% and 65% in 2015 and 2016, respectively), fenamidone + mancozeb (68% and 62%) and mancozeb (40% and 47%) compared with the NTC. Similarly, tuber yield was increased with the application of dimethomorph (266% and 146% in 2015 and 2016, respectively), fenamidone + mancozeb (211% and 155%) and mancozeb (136% and 116%) compared with the NTC. Chlorothalonil reduced AUDPC by 43% and increased tuber yield by 170% in 2015. Other fungicides either had inconsistent results or did not reduce late blight severity and consequent effects on potato yield. The overall benefit–cost ratio was highest for dimethomorph in both years. These results show efficacy of dimethomorph, fenamidone + mancozeb and mancozeb in reducing late blight severity and increasing potato tuber yield in the plains of Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In organic semiconductors, optical excitation does not necessarily produce free carriers. Very often, electron and hole are bound together to form an exciton. Releasing free carriers from the exciton is essential for the functioning of photovoltaics and optoelectronic devices, but it is a bottleneck process because of the high exciton binding energy. Inefficient exciton dissociation can limit the efficiency of organic photovoltaics. Here, nanoscale features that can allow the free carrier generation to occur spontaneously despite being an energy uphill process are determined. Specifically, by comparing the dissociation dynamics of the charge transfer (CT) exciton at two donor–acceptor interfaces, it is found that the relative orientation of the electron and hole wavefunction within a CT exciton plays an important role in determining whether the CT exciton will decompose into the higher energy free electron–hole pair or relax to the lower energy tightly‐bound CT exciton. The concept of the entropic driving force is combined with the structural anisotropy of typical organic crystals to devise a framework that can describe how the orientation of the delocalized electronic wavefunction can be manipulated to favor the energy‐uphill spontaneous dissociation of CT excitons over the energy‐downhill CT exciton cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aimed to utilize the prebiotic potential of yacon fruit by preparation of synbiotic yacon juice containing probiotic microorganism Lactobacillus acidophilus (La5) and studying the changes in physicochemical properties during storage. The fresh juice extracted was added with probiotic microorganism and was subjected for storage at refrigerated (4°C) and room condition (25°C) along with control (nonfermented) juice. The viability of probiotic strains in the juice was found to be at the satisfactory level (106 CFU/ml) for 27 and 15 days, respectively, in refrigerated and room condition. Total soluble solid, pH, acidity, bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, carotenoid content, and total phenol), and antioxidant capacity of the products were evaluated. Total soluble solid of the prepared synbiotic juice stored at refrigerated and nonrefrigerated conditions decreased from 7.8 ± 0.05 to 5.5 ± 0.26 and 5.3 ± 0.10 while the acidity increased from 0.067 ± 0.05 to 0.80 ± 0.06 and 1.02 ± 0.04 after 27 and 15 days of storage, respectively. Similarly, yeast and mold count, total plate count, and the coliform count were determined during the storage period. The low amount of yeast and mold count and absence of coliform in the synbiotic juice even after 27 and 15 days of storage indicated that the synbiotic juice can be continued to be consumed as a normal juice even after the viability decreased below the satisfactory level. Ascorbic acid, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity were higher in fermented juice when compared to control juice stored at the refrigerated conditions for the same period (p <.05). High therapeutic properties and numerous health benefits of yacon, when combined with the health benefits of probiotic bacteria, could lead to the development of commercial beverages with high health and nutritional values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydatid disease is a significant health problem in many livestock-rearing areas especially in the developing world, mainly caused by Echinococcus granulosus. The liver and lung are the most common affected sites. However, hydatid disease can occur anywhere in the body. Simultaneous involvement of two organs or sites is very unusual, mainly for organs other than the lung and liver. We thus report a very unusual combination of hepatic and left iliac fossa with hydatid disease in an adult patient. A 37-year-old farmer from a village presented with intermittent right upper quadrant and left iliac fossa pain associated with distention of abdomen for one month. Abdominal radiological investigations reported hydatid cyst disease; one cyst was found in the right lobe of the liver and another in the left iliac fossa. Positive IgG antibody by the ELISA test also confirmed the diagnosis. Pericystectomy and excision of hydatid cyst without spillage of content for the liver and left iliac fossa were done, respectively. Patient was discharged on the 10th postoperative day with an uneventful postoperative course. There was no recurrence of the lesion during one-year follow-up period. A combination of hydatid disease in the liver and iliac fossa is very unusual, so clinician should have thoughts regarding this rare entity as an important differential diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim. The aim of this study is to assess the awareness of biomedical waste management in dental students of various dental colleges of Nepal. Methodology. A structured pretested questionnaire was used among 434 (323 males and 111 females) undergraduate dental students of five different dental colleges of Nepal. First part of the questionnaire was used to describe demographic profile of the participants. Second part of the questionnaire assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding biomedical waste management. Chi-square test was applied to find out the association between different responses obtained from different colleges. Result. Majority (91.82%) of participants had a positive attitude towards safe management of biomedical waste. Regarding the knowledge of BMW management policies, majority of the students (83.1% to 98.9%) had positive attitude towards the safe management of biomedical waste, whereas more than 50% of the students were unaware of the guidelines laid down by Government of Nepal. Regarding biomedical waste disposal technique in the hospital, only 29.9% to 79.8% are aware; this shows that there is lack of strict protocol in the BMW management. Association between different responses and colleges for "improper waste management causes various health hazards" ranged from 93.3% to 98.9%. Conclusion. There exists a lacuna in the knowledge and practice of biomedical waste management among the undergraduate dental students in Nepal. Since the students had positive attitude towards addressing this concern, workshops and trainings related to proper biomedical waste management would be a step forward towards attaining a healthy environment for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The research was aimed to study the effect of the addition of Osmo‐air‐dried mulberry (TSS 29.33%) in yoghurt on syneresis and a bioactive component of yoghurt. Two types of yoghurts, with or without Osmo‐dried mulberry, were developed using standard culture (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus), and changes at refrigerated temperature (<5°C) were studied. Fruit yoghurt showed high total soluble solids (TSSs) and low‐fat content (dry basis) (17.67% and 11.84%) compared with normal yoghurt (9.5% and 17.21%). The addition of fruits increased the ascorbic acid (0.77 to 5.96 mg/100 g yoghurt), anthocyanins content (0 to 7.9 mg/100 g yoghurt), total phenol content (TPC) (6.63 to 68.03 mg GAE/100 g yoghurt), and antioxidant activity (20.73% to 47.6% radical scavenging activity) in yoghurt. During 18 days of storage at refrigerated condition (<5°C), the acidity of all samples increased, while pH decreased. Syneresis increased with a storage period in control samples while fruit incorporated yoghurt showed decreased syneresis with time. The viability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count went on decreasing at similar rates for both with and without the Osmo‐dried mulberry incorporated yoghurt. There is an ample opportunity for utilization of Osmo‐air‐dried mulberry in yoghurt to prevent syneresis during storage with increased bioactive components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The research was aimed to observe the effect of malting and fermentation on antinutritional component and functional characteristics of sorghum flour. For whole sorghum flour, cleaned sorghum grain was milled to pass through 40 mesh sieve. For malting, cleaned sorghum grain was steeped in 0.2% calcium hydroxide solution for 24 hr and then germinated for 48 hr at 90% RH and 27 ± 2°C. Sprout was removed, dried in hot air oven at 50 ± 2°C for 24 hr and milled to pass through 40 mesh sieve. For fermented sorghum flour, 13.3 mg% diastase and 2 mg % pepsin (on the basis of whole sorghum flour weight) was added to cooked (88 ± 2°C) sorghum flour and left for 1 hr. Lactobacillus plantarum (107 cfu/g) was inoculated and incubated at temperature 30 ± 2°C for 48 hr. The fermented slurry was dried at 50 ± 2°C in hot air oven for 24 hr and milled to pass through 40 mesh sieve. The lower yield of sorghum flour was obtained compared to whole and malted sorghum flour. Germination of sorghum reduced phytate, tannin, and oxalate by 40%, 16.12% and 49.1%, respectively, whereas fermentation of sorghum flour reduced above by 77%, 96.7% and 67.85%, respectively. There was no significant change in hydrogen cyanide in malted sorghum flour compared to whole sorghum flour, but fermentation of sorghum flour reduced hydrogen cyanide by 52.3%. Bulk density and viscosity was significantly reduced by the malting and fermentation, whereas water absorption capacity and oil absorption capacity was markedly increased by the malting and fermentation. Fermented flour was good due to reduced ANF and improved functional property despite of lower yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to isolate the yeast strains that could be used effectively as baker’s yeast and compare them with the commercial baker’s yeast available in the market of Nepal. A total of 10 samples including locally available sources like fruits, Murcha, and a local tree “Dar” were collected from different localities of Bhaktapur, Kavre, and Syangja districts of Nepal, respectively. Following enrichment and fermentation of the samples, 26 yeast strains were isolated using selective medium Wallerstein Laboratory Nutrient Agar. From the differential tests which included morphological and microscopic observation and physiological and biochemical characterization such as nitrate reduction and lactose utilization tests, 8 strains were selected as possible Saccharomyces strain. The selected strains were further assessed for their efficient leavening ability by tests such as ethanol tolerance, osmotolerance, invertase test, and stress exclusion test. The three most potent strains ENG, MUR3B, and SUG1 isolated from grape, Murcha, and sugarcane, respectively, were used in the fermentation and baking of dough. These strains also carried a possibility of being used as industrial baker’s yeast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. A cutaneous horn is a common clinical entity which usually presents as a cutaneous lesion. Because of its subtle nature, patients usually tend to present late unless the lesion is big or complications develop. Because of its resemblance to animal horn, it has been given the term "horn." Cutaneous horn seems to have a remarkable history. Though cutaneous horn is benign most of the times, chances of malignancy (20–25%) should be kept in mind. Old age, giant cutaneous horn carries more chances of transformation into malignancy like in our case. Thus, early diagnosis and treatment is required in all cases. Case Presentation. We report a case of a 74-year-old farmer with a cutaneous projection measuring ∼8 × 5 × 3 cm3 over the medial surface of the right pinna for 1 year. It started as a small projection which was progressively enlarging. The primary reason behind him presenting to us was cosmetic reason since it resembled an animal horn. The projection was not associated with pain or similar lesions anywhere else in body. Understanding the malignancy risks and the cosmetic benefits, he was planned for excision biopsy of the horn. He had no systemic signs of malignancy. Histopathological reports were consistent with malignancy. Conclusions. Cutaneous horns are usually benign lesions and mostly found in the head and neck region. Because of the chances of malignancy, cutaneous horns should undergo surgical removal and biopsy for early and definitive diagnosis and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola (synonym: Zymoseptoria tritici; asexual stage: Septoria tritici), is an important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Management of the disease usually is by host resistance or fungicides. However, M. graminicola has developed insensitivity to most commonly applied fungicides, so there is a continuing need for well-characterized sources of host resistance to accelerate the development of improved wheat cultivars. Gene Stb3 has been a useful source of major resistance, but its mapping location has not been well characterized. On the basis of linkage to a single marker, a previous study assigned Stb3 to a location on the short arm of chromosome 6D. However, the results from the present study show that this reported location is incorrect. Instead, linkage analysis revealed that Stb3 is located on the short arm of wheat chromosome 7A, completely linked to microsatellite (simplesequence repeat) locus Xwmc83 and flanked by loci Xcfa2028 (12.4 cM distal) and Xbarc222 (2.1 cM proximal). Linkage between Stb3 and Xwmc83 was validated in BC1F3 progeny of other crosses, and analyses of the flanking markers with deletion stocks showed that the gene is located on 7AS between fraction lengths 0.73 and 0.83. This revised location of Stb3 is different from those for other STB resistance genes previously mapped in hexaploid wheat but is approximately 20 cM proximal to an STB resistance gene mapped on the short arm of chromosome 7Am in Triticum monococcum. The markers described in this study are useful for accelerating the deployment of Stb3 in wheat breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) in the rat supraoptic nucleus display clustered firing during hyperosmolality or dehydration. This response is beneficial because this type of activity potentiates vasopressin secretion from axon terminals in the neurohypophysis and thus promotes homoeostatic water reabsorption from the kidney. However, the mechanisms which lead to the generation of clustering activity in MNCs remain unknown. Previous work has shown that clustered firing can be induced in these neurons through the pharmacological activation ofNMDA receptors (NMDARs) and that silent pauses observed during this activity are mediated by apamin-sensitive calcium activated potassium (SK) channels. However, it remains unknown if clustered firing can be induced in situ by endogenous glutamate release from axon terminals. Here we show that electrical stimulation of glutamatergic osmosensory afferents in the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT) can promote clustering in MNCs via NMDARs and apamin-sensitive channels. We also show that the rate of spike clustering induced by NMDA varies as a bell-shaped function of voltage, and that partial inhibition of SK channels can increase cluster duration and reduce the rate of clustering. Finally, we showthatMNCsexpress neurotensin type 2 receptors, and that activation of these receptors can simultaneously depolarize MNCs and suppress clustered firing induced by bath application of NMDA or by repetitive stimulation of glutamate afferents. These studies reveal that spike clustering can be induced in MNCs by glutamate release fromafferent nerve terminals and that that this type of activity can be fine-tuned by neuromodulators such as neurotensin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora triticirepentis, is an important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Pathogenic races of P. tritici-repentis have been identified on the basis of their ability to induce tan necrosis and/or chlorosis symptoms on differential wheat genotypes. A group of isolates of P. triticirepentis collected from Arkansas did not fit into the current race classification system because they lack the ToxA gene. In this study, 535 spring wheat accessions were inoculated with a representative novel isolate (AR CrossB10) of P. tritici-repentis from Arkansas. An association mapping approach and 832 polymorphic diversity array technology markers were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to the isolate AR CrossB10. Two models (QK1 and QK2) with the least mean square difference were selected among nine linear regression models tested, and 11 QTL involved in resistance to AR CrossB10 were identified, which are located on chromosomes 1A, 1D, 2B, 2D, 6A, and 7A. The results suggest that multiple disease resistance genes also are clustered around a few of the significant markers and will be useful for wheat breeding programs and for search of candidate genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common root rot ( CRR) and spot blotch, caused by Cochliobolus sativus (Ito and Kurib.) Drechsl. ex Dast., are important diseases of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. However, the population biology of C. sativus is still poorly understood. In this study, the genetic structure of three C. sativus populations, consisting of isolates sampled respectively from barley leaves ( BL), barley roots ( BR) and wheat roots ( WR) in North Dakota, was analysed with amplified fragment length polymorphism ( AFLP) markers. A total of 127 AFLP loci were generated among 208 C. sativus isolates analysed with three primer combinations. Gene diversity ( H = 0.277-0.335) were high in all three populations. Genetic variation among C. sativus individuals within population accounted for 74%, whereas 26% of the genetic variation was explained among populations. Genetic differentiation was high ( ØPT = 0.261, corrected [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tan spot (TS, caused by Pyrenophora tritici- repentis), Stagonospora nodorum blotch (SNB, caused by Phaeosphaeria nodorum), spot blotch (SB, caused by Cochliobolus sativus), and Septoria tritici blotch (STB, caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola) are important leaf spot diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. subsp. aestivum) worldwide. Most commercial wheat cultivars are often resistant to one pathogen but susceptible to the others. Our objective was to identify resistance to multiple leaf spot diseases in a subset of winter wheat accessions from the core collection of the National Small Grains Collection of the USDA-ARS. In total, 633 winter wheat accessions were evaluated for resistance in a greenhouse and 205, 278, 146, and 68 accessions were resistant to TS, SNB, SB, and STB, respectively. Resistance to STB, SNB, and SB were positively associated, but resistance to TS was positively associated only with STB. Except for STB, resistance was more common among accessions from Europe than accessions from Asia. Cultivars and breeding lines were more likely to be resistant to SNB and STB compared with landraces. Fifty-six accessions were resistant to three or more diseases, and of these, five (Citri6595, PI 278612, PI 351330, PI 361858, and PI 351983) were resistant to all four diseases. On the basis of Germplasm Resources Information Network data, 17 of the 56 wheat accessions were resistant to at least two additional diseases. These multiple disease resistance sources will be useful in wheat breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmodium falciparum, the commonest cause of severe malaria in children, is an important cause of mortality in developing nations like Nepal. Duodenal perforation in a case of complicated malaria, although a rare entity, can occur in children. Early diagnosis, proper medical treatment, and early surgical repair can be a lifesaving measure in such cases. Here, we report a case of a 5-year-old male child with falciparum malaria complicated by a duodenal perforation that was successively managed with appropriate antimalarial drugs and early surgical repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tan spot (caused by Pyrenophora triticirepentis) and Stagonospora nodorum blotch (SNB), (caused by Phaeosphaeria nodorum) are destructive diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The majority of currently grown wheat varieties are susceptible to both diseases, presumably because of high pathogenic variability occurring in these fungi or narrow genetic background for resistance in wheat varieties. Therefore, identifying new sources of tan spot and SNB resistance in wheat is imperative. A subset of 825 wheat accessions from the core collection of the National Small Grains Collection (NSGC) of the United States Department of Agriculture, National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) was evaluated for resistance to tan spot and SNB at seedling stage in a growth chamber. On the basis of disease reactions, 88 wheat accessions exhibited resistance to both diseases. Data from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) were examined for the 88 accessions to identify those that also have resistance to other key diseases and on this basis 28 accessions with multiple resistances were identified. The genetic relationship among the 88 accessions was assessed using resistance gene analog polymorphism (RGAP) primers. Wheat accessions with similar growth habit were grouped together despite differences in country of origin. Associations between agronomic traits and host resistance indicated that winter wheat habit in the studied collection was strongly associated with both SNB and tan spot resistance. This study identified genetically diverse wheat accessions with broad-spectrum resistance that can be used in developing cultivars with high levels of resistance to multiple diseases in wheat breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the Lidcombe Program of Early Stuttering Intervention, parents present verbal contingencies for stutter-free and stuttered speech in everyday situations. A previous randomized controlled trial of the programme with preschool-age children from 2005, conducted in two public speech clinics in New Zealand, showed that the odds of attaining clinically minimal levels of stuttering 9 months after randomization were more than seven times greater for the treatment group than for the control group. Aims: To follow up the children in the trial to determine extended long-term outcomes of the programme. Methods & Procedures: An experienced speech-language therapist who was not involved in the original trial talked with the children on the telephone, audio recording the conversations using a telephone recording jack. Parental reports were gathered in addition to the children's speech samples in order to obtain a balance of objective data and reports from a wide range of situations. Outcomes & Results: At the time of this follow-up, the children were aged 7-12 years, with a mean of 5 years post-randomization in the 2005 trial. Twenty of the 29 children in the treatment arm and eight of the 25 children in the control (no treatment) arm were able to be contacted. Of the children in the treatment group, one (5%) failed to complete treatment and 19 had completed treatment successfully and had zero or near-zero frequency of stuttering. Three of the children (16%) who had completed treatment successfully had relapsed after 2 or more years of speech that was below 1% syllables stuttered. Meaningful comparison with the control group was not possible because an insufficient number of control children were located and some of them received treatment after completing the trial. Conclusions & Implications: The majority of preschool children are able to complete the Lidcombe Program successfully and remain below 1% syllables stuttered for a number of years. However, a minority of children do relapse and will require their parents to reinstate the treatment procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the photodegradation rate of the powerful marine toxin domoic acid in a variety of natural water matrices. The observed first-order photodegradation rate coefficient (kobs), obtained by linear regression of the logarithmic-transformed domoic acid concentrations versus irradiation time in simulated sunlight, was 0.15 ± 0.01 h-1 in coastal seawater. Photodegradation rate coefficients in deionized water were not significantly different than those in coastal seawater, indicating that domoic acid is mainly photodegraded through a direct photochemical pathway. Addition of 100 nmol L-1 spikes of iron III [Fe(III)] and copper II [Cu(II)] had no significant effect on domoic acid photodegradation, indicating that the formation of trace-metal chelates did not enhance photodegradation of the toxin in seawater. We observed an increase of domoic acid photodegradation rates with temperature with a corresponding energy of activation of 13 kJ mol-1. The effect on photodegradation of pH, added humic material, and dissolved oxygen removal was also investigated. The quantum yield of domoic acid photodegradation in seawater decreased with increasing wavelength and decreasing energy of incoming radiation, with the average value ranging from 0.03 to 0.20 in the ultraviolet wavelength range (280-400 nm). Using these quantum yields together with modeled solar spectral irradiance and seawater optical properties, we estimated turnover rate coefficients for the photochemical degradation of domoic acid ranging from 0.017 to 0.035 d-1. These observations indicate that sunlight-mediated reactions are an important, yet previously unrecognized, sink of dissolved domoic acid in seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), caused by the fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fuckel) J. Schröt. in Cohn (anamorph: Septoria tritici Roberge in Desmaz.), occurs naturally in all wheat production areas around the world. Two genes for resistance to this disease, Stb2 and Stb3, have been identified in wheat germplasm and together confer resistance to the most prevalent strains of M. graminicola in Australia and the USA. However, so far neither gene has been mapped in the wheat genome and their linkage relationships to other markers are not known. The objectives of this study were to identify molecular markers linked to the STB resistance genes Stb2 and Stb3 and to map these genes in the wheat genome. Genetic families of doubled-haploid populations segregating for Stb2 and Stb3 were evaluated in the greenhouse for STB reaction during the spring and fall seasons of 2002 and 2003. Genomic DNA isolated from each segregating population was analyzed with microsatellite or simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers in bulked-segregant analysis to identify those that cosegregated with the STB phenotypes. Linkage analysis identified five SSR markers near the Stb2 gene on the distal region of the short arm of chromosome 3B. Loci Xgwm389 and Xgwm533.1 were approximately 1 cM distal to Stb2, which itself was 3.7 cM distal to Xgwm493. In addition to Stb2, this genomic region contains multiple genes conferring resistance to taxonomically diverse fungal pathogens of wheat, including a major quantitative trait locus for resistance to Fusarium head blight (caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe). The SSR marker Xgdm132 was linked to the Stb3 gene at a distance of approximately 3 cM on the short arm of chromosome 6D. The microsatellite markers identified in this study should facilitate marker-assisted selection and pyramiding of Stb2 and Stb3 with other STB resistance genes for more durably resistant wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene, a single layer conductor, can be combined with other functional materials for building efficient optoelectronic devices. However, transferring large‐area graphene onto another material often involves dipping the material into water and other solvents. This process is incompatible with water‐sensitive materials such as organometal halide perovskites. Here, a dry method is used and succeeded, for the first time, in stacking centimeter‐sized graphene directly onto methylammonium lead iodide thin films without exposing the perovskite film to any liquid. Photoemission spectroscopy and nanosecond time‐resolved photoelectrical measurement show that the graphene/perovskite interface does not contain significant amount of contaminants and sustain efficient interfacial electron transfer. The use of this method in fabricating graphene‐on‐perovskite photodetectors is further demonstrated. Besides a better photoresponsivity compared to detectors fabricated by the conventional perovskite‐on‐graphene structure, this dry transfer method provides a scalable pathway to incorporate graphene in multilayer devices based on water‐sensitive materials. Centimeter‐sized graphene is transferred onto water‐sensitive organometal halide perovskite using a dry method. The graphene–perovskite interface can sustain effective charge transfer and is potentially used as a building block for fabricating multilayer optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: 1) Evaluate the adequacy of an iPhone for voice recording enabling acoustic measurement of voice quality, and 2) demonstrate the usefulness of an iPhone‐based acoustic analysis for identifying voice aberration and monitoring voice changes after phonosurgery. Method: Twenty‐two voice patients, aged from 25 to 92 years (mean, 54.8 years; SD, 18.5 years), read sentences taken from a standard passage. An iPhone (Model 1303) with an internal microphone was used for voice recording. Vowels segmented from the sentences were submitted to an acoustic analysisprocedure to yield measures. Results: Compared with the simultaneous voice recordings via another direct digitization method, the iPhone voice recordings showed relatively high measure‐remeasure and acceptable between‐system reliabilities for aselection of acoustic measures. In patients with pre‐ and posttreatment recordings, perturbation measures, including percent jitter, percentage shimmer, and signal‐to‐noise ratios, and the vowel space area consistently demonstrated positive changes after treatment. Measures of the amplitude difference between the first 2 harmonics, which has been related to breathiness, reflected subtle voice changes due to treatment. Changes in singing power ratio were found to be vowel‐dependent, while those in spectral tilt might be gender or pathology‐dependent. Conclusion: Voice recordings using the iPhone model with a high sampling rate are adequate for acoustic measurement of speech and voice quality. However, due to large inter‐subject variations, most of these measures are more useful for intra‐subject than for norm‐referenced comparisons inmonitoring the progression of the disorder or treatment effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]