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Disease free layings of silkworm breed, DUN22 were procured, incubated, brushed and reared upto 3rd instar enmass following the standard rearing method. Just after 3rd moult, the experiment was laid down into four treatments (T1-T4) as per the experimental design. Five replications of 100 larvae in each treatment were maintained and data with regard to 5th instar and total larval duration, diseases incidence, yield and pupation rate were recorded and analysed statistically. Perusal of data revealed significant difference in afore mentioned economic traits and therefore concluded that Bombyx mori Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (BmNPV) spreads infection secondarily and also had negative impact on the silkworm, B. mori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft X-ray contact microscopy potentially allows imaging of wet living biological specimens at a spatial resolution higher than optical microscopy and without many of the constraints of scanning electron microscopy. In this paper, we present the development of a laboratory scale contact microscope that uses a laser produced plasma soft X-ray source. The source is based on a double-stream gas-puff target approach and it operates in the "water window" spectral range which enables to capture images of biological samples with a natural contrast. In the preliminary experiments the contact microscope system has been used for imaging of fixed and dried non-malignant HCV29 human bladder cell lines cultured on polymethyl methacrylate photoresists. The samples were exposed with 150 pulses of soft X-rays as an initial test to demonstrate the possibility of image formation. The soft X-ray contact images registered in the photoresists exhibit high resolution in the atomic force microscopy topography which indicates the potential application of soft X-ray contact microscopy in life science to examine small features as small as few tens of nm. The technique could also be used for living cell imaging with further optimization of the microscope system and development of a special specimen holder. The details of the soft X-ray contact microscopy technique and the experimental results are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last two decades, the development of laboratory scale extreme ultraviolet sources has been intensified due to growing interest in use of extreme ultraviolet sources photons for various applications in science and technology. In this study, we present a potential application of extreme ultraviolet sources surface modification of polymers to be used as substrates for cancer cell identification. The surface modification of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer samples was performed by a lab scale compact laser-plasma extreme ultraviolet sources source based on a double-stream gas-puff target. The gas target was irradiated with a 3 ns/0.8 J Nd:YAG laser pulse at 10 Hz with 50 and 300 pulses. HCV29 non-malignant transitional epithelium and T24 bladder cells adhesion and proliferation studies on pure and extreme ultraviolet sources modified PTFE surfaces were performed. The extreme ultraviolet sources modified surfaces demonstrated regular increase in cancer cell proliferation comparing to pristine sample. Initial results indicate that extreme ultraviolet sources treated substrates can facilitate the identification of cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inability to manage of stool release, fecal incontinence, is a condition with sever negative effects on the patients’ quality of life. Use of platelet-rich plasma in healing of anal sphincter might improve outcomes. The current study investigated the healing effects of PRP application after surgical repair of sphincter in rabbits as an animal model for human studies. Methods: Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated into 4 groups based on the time of healing at one and three weeks after sphincteroplasty and using of PRP. Sphincterotomy and then sphincteroplasty were performed in all animals and autologous PRP was prepared and used as dose as 0.5 ml per animal. The healing scores of sphincter were compared between four groups using histological scoring system. Results: The histological healing score in PRP used group was significantly higher than not PRP used group after one week (18.6 ± 0.8 vs. 13.0 ± 1.8 respectively, P = 0.01) but no significant difference was detected between healing score of PRP used and not PRP used groups after three weeks (19.0 ± 0.0 vs. 18.5 ± 0.8 respectively, P = 0.17).Conclusion: Our findings indicated that although PRP had an accelerator role in wound healing of sphincter repair, but it has not significant effects over time especially after 3 weeks.

Twenty three genotypes were used to study the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation for growth and yield contributing characters in chilli under Kashmir conditions. Significant variations were observed for all the characters studied except for days to flowering and crop duration [mature (green) as well as dry (red)]. High Phenotypic Coefficient Variation (PCV) and Genotypic Coefficient Variation (GCV) were recorded for number of fruits plant-1, fruit weight and dry (red) yield. All the characters showed high heritability estimates. However, number of the fruits plant-1, green fruit yield plant-1, dry (red) yield plant-1, number of seeds plant-1 and plant height exhibited high genetic advance as percentage of mean indicating additive gene effect. Fruit yield (green and red) plant-1 was positively and significantly correlated with number of fruits plant-1 and fruit length. It revealed that the characters viz., plant height, fruit length, number of fruits plant-1, fruit weight and fruit yield (green & red) are the most important traits for genetic improvement of chilli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface modification of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer films has been performed by irradiation of extreme ultraviolet photons to investigate the effect of surface structuring on wettability control. For biomedical engineering applications, surface structuring and wettability control of PET films could enhance the polymer biocompatibility by promoting cell adhesion and consequently proliferation. The PET films are irradiated with laser plasma extreme ultraviolet source based on double stream gas puff target under different environments. The extreme ultraviolet modified PET film surfaces are characterized by atomic force microscopy and WCA goniometer. The extreme ultraviolet surface modification resulted in the formation of nano- and microstructuring on the polymer surfaces. The surface structuring consequently increased WCA making the PET surfaces more hydrophobic. The results demonstrate the direct relationship between surface roughness and hydrophobicity for extreme ultraviolet modified PET samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"n Objective: "n To study the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). "nMethod: The data for this study was collected from the psychiatric clinic of Hafez hospital and 16 regular schools in four regions of Shiraz using stratified random sampling .The 25 items of the SDQ were completed for 379 boys and 377 girls. The 756 participants aged 3-18 were divided to 3 groups according to age classification.The SDQ was completed by parents, teachers and adolescents according to their age. Clinical interview was performed for 155 children and adolescents who referred to the psychiatric clinic. "nResults: The mean age of the children was 10.3 years (SD=3.6, range 3-18 years). Children were divided to 3 groups: 1) among the participants 17 (2.3%) were aged 3-4 years,; 2) 409 (54%) were aged 4-11 years, and 3) 330 (43.7%) were aged 11-16 years. Good internal consistencies were found for the self report SDQ scales (mean ل for subscales 0.628). For the teacher SDQ scales, the internal consistencies were lower than the self-report scales (mean ل for subscales 0.454). The lowest internal consistencies were found for the parents SDQ scales. There was sufficient convergent and discriminant validity. "nConclusions: The Persian translation of the self reported SDQ has acceptable psychometric properties. Internal consistency of the self-report SDQ was good.The mean inter-informant correlations of the SDQ scales were satisfactory.

Background: Seton-based techniques are among popular methods for treating high type anal fistula. These techniques are categorized to cutting and noncutting regarding their mechanism of action. In this report we are about to describe a new technique, which is a combination of both mechanisms; we call it Pulling Seton. Materials and Methods: In this technique after determining internal and external orifice of fistula, fistulectomy is done from both ends to the level of external sphincteric muscle. Finally, a remnant of fistula, which remains beneath external sphincteric muscle is excised, and Seton is passed instead of it and tied externally. After the wound heals, patient is asked to pull down the Seton for 3–4 min, 4 times a day. We prospectively enrolled 201 patients with high type anal fistula in this study. Results: Seton gradually passes through external sphincteric muscle till it is displaced outwards or removed by a surgeon via a small incision. 94% of patients treated by this method accomplished their treatment completely without recurrence. None of the patients developed permanent fecal or gas incontinence. Only 5% of patients developed with recurrence of fistula. Since Seton traction is not permanent in this technique, Seton cuts external sphincter slowly, and minimal rate of incontinence is reported. Conclusion: Pulling Seton seems to be an efficient way in treating high type anal fistula with minimal rate of recurrence and complications such as incontinence and authors suggest further randomized studies to compare its efficacy with other Seton-based techniques.

Apple, a vital fruit crop worldwide and a major crop grown in northern parts of India, acts as a backbone for the survival and livelihood of the farming community. However, it is prone to severe damage from insect pests and diseases. In the past few years, due to erratic weather patterns, there has been an alarmingly increased infestation of different insect pests, both invasive and non-invasive, resulting in substantial economic losses to this industry. One similar case was seen in the Himalayan region of India, where the apple crop in Karewas was heavily damaged by some invasive fruit borer, feeding on pulp and making galleries to reach the seed locules, thereby destroying the seed material. To ascertain the true identity of this pest, a study based on morpho-molecular characterization of this pest was carried out in the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, SKUAST Kashmir, India, during the years 2021 and 2022. The invasive fruit samples were collected from apple orchards at different locations (experimental sites) in North India by installing delta sticky traps @ 5 traps/ha for moth collection. The fruit-boring larvae and pupa were also collected and reared in confined chambers of the laboratory with controlled temperature and humidity. All the laboratory investigations were conducted at the Division of Entomology, FoA, Wadura, SKUAST Kashmir. During the investigation, it was confirmed that the invasive borer is a codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.), a member of the family Tortricidae, order Lepidoptera, which was earlier having quarantine importance in India, as it was only present in the Ladakh region of India. From the phylogenetic analysis of sample sequences, the species of codling moth present at all experimental sites was more identical to the codling moth sequence from Leh (the northernmost arid region), India. Further, the study of life cycle and voltinism revealed that codling moth completes three generations per year in Kashmir, with a single cycle lasting up to 2.5 months. However, the timing of various generations varies, depending on prevailing weather conditions at specific locations and times. The number of generations completed by codling moth in Kashmir conditions during apple growing season was three full and a half overwintering generations. The study of the life cycle of this important pest was necessary to know the weak link for its effective management and to prevent the economic loss in apple fruit., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

A population of entomopathogenic nematodes, belonging to the Feltiae-clade and labelled J13, was discovered in the agricultural soils of the hilly regions of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Based on morphological, morphometric, and molecular analyses, the nematodes were identified as Steinernema feltiae. The J13 nematode isolate was tested in a laboratory assay for its pathogenicity against six major pests of vegetable crops: Pieris brassicae, Plutella xylostella, Helicoverpa armigera, Agrotis iplison, Trichoplusia ni, and Exelastis atomosa. The morphology of the isolated nematode closely matched the original description, except for the adult females, which had prominent epiptygmata instead of the weakly developed, double-flapped epiptygmata described in the original report. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit rRNA data from the J13 nematodes showed 100% similarity to sequences of the type population, indicating that they are conspecific. The virulence assays revealed that the nematode caused 100% mortality in the tested insect pests within 4872 hours, even at the lowest concentration of 50 infective juveniles per insect. The calculated median lethal concentration varied among the pests, with the lowest number of infective juveniles needed to achieve 50% larval killing being 117 for P. xylostella, 181.74 for P. brassicae, 226.35 for H. armigera, and 202.07 for T. ni at 24 hours post-inoculation. These findings suggest that S. feltiae isolated during the present investigation, may be a viable option for the biocontrol of these insect pests in Kashmir valley, India.

The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria is a major health concern worldwide in recent years. The objective of this study is to establish the larvae of the silk moth (commonly known as silkworm), Bombyx mori as an infection model to study antibacterial effect of antibiotics against Klebsiella pneumoniae. In this study, the pathogenicity of a K. pneumoniae strain isolated from food to silkworm larvae was examined. Within 72 h of bacterial injection, all silkworm larvae were killed in a dose-dependent manner with their body color turning into black due to increased melanization. Bacterial numbers in the larval hemolymph (blood) significantly increased after 9 h of infection with a decrease in viable circulatory hemocytes in hemolymph. When presented with bacteria laden leaves, larvae did not eat but injection of bacteria directly into the midgut killed larvae within 12 h with a higher load required in comparison to that required for the killing by hemolymph injection. Administration of four different antibiotics into larval hemolymph showed therapeutic effect at different doses with varying efficacies against hemolymph-injected K. pneumoniae. These results indicate that the silkworm larvae can be used as an infection model not only to study the pathogenicity of K. pneumoniae but also to perform rapid screening for the identification of antibiotics effective against multidrug-resistant strains of K. pneumoniae., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of FEMS.)

The increasing clinical incidence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a major global health care issue. Rampant use of antimicrobials is one of the major reasons of the dramatic rise in antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Suitable animal models are required to improve our understanding of bacterial pathogenicity, evolution and search for novel antibiotics. The larvae of the silk moth (commonly called silkworm), Bombyx mori, have been used as an animal model for testing the pathogenicity of a clinically isolated strain of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 upon injection through hemolymph. Here, we show that a foodborne E. coli O157:H7 strain can kill silkworm larvae upon injection through either hemolymph (blood) or midgut. Bacterial number in the hemolymph started to increase after 3 h of injection into hemolymph, while the number of viable circulating hemocytes decreased. Administration of four well-known antibiotics into the larval hemolymph up to 100 µg per larva showed therapeutic effect with varying efficacies against E. coli O157:H7 with ceftriaxone and imipenem showing better effect. Our findings indicate that silkworm larvae can be used as an animal model to screen for novel antibiotics that are effective against E. coli O157:H7.

One of the established limitations of metal additive manufacturing (AM) methods, such as selective laser melting (SLM), is the resulting rough surface finish. Laser polishing is one method that can be used to achieve an improved surface finish on AM printed parts. This study is focused on the laser surface polishing of AM parts using CO₂ laser beam irradiation. Despite the fact that several researchers have investigated the traditional abrasive polishing method, there is still a lack of information reporting on the laser surface polishing of metal parts. In this study, AM 316L stainless steel cylindrical samples were polished using CO₂ laser beam irradiation in continuous wave (CW) working mode. Two design of experiment models were developed for the optimization of the input processing parameters by statistical analysis of their effect on the resulting roughness. The processing parameters investigated were the laser beam power, the rotational speed of the sample, the number of laser scan passes, the laser beam focal position, and the percentage overlap of the laser tracks between consecutive passes. The characterization of the measured roughness and the modified layer microstructure was carried out using 3D optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A maximum reduction of the roughness from 10.4 to 2.7 µm was achieved and no significant change in the microstructure phase type and micro-hardness was observed.