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An investigation was carried out with 52 genotypes of rice to study the nature and magnitude of genetic divergence using D2 statistics. Fifty two genotypes were grouped into 8 clusters based on Euclidean cluster analysis with cluster-IV containing maximum of 14 genotypes. Maximum intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster- IV (187.87) indicating greater genetic divergence among genotypes belonging to this cluster. Number of spikelets panicle-1, plant height, grain panicle-1 and grain yield plant-1 contributed maximum towards genetic divergence. Maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster-IV and VIII (1875.84) followed by cluster IV and cluster VII (1453.19), cluster II and cluster VIII (1275.66) and cluster II and cluster VII (1034.22) indicating wide genetic diversity between the clusters which may be used in rice hybridization programme(s) for improving grain yield through transgressive breeding. Hence, the crosses between BPT-5204 × IR 58025B, IET 20924 × IR 68897B and BPT-5204 × IR 68897B (cluster-IV × cluster-VIII), BPT-5204 × Khuta Dhan and IET 20924 × Khuta Dhan (cluster-IV × cluster-VII), Dantaswari × IR 58025B and IDR-763 × IR 58025B (cluster-II × cluster-VIII), Dantaswari × Khuta Dhan and IDR-763 × Khuta Dhan (cluster-II × cluster-VII) could be suggested for the exploitation of transgressive segregants for both yield and yield traits.

Internal contamination due to high-energy photon (HEP) emitters is assessed using a scanning bed whole-body monitor housed in a steel room at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The monitor consists of a (203 mm diameter×102 mm thickness) NaI(Tl) detector and is calibrated using a Reference BOMAB phantom representative of an average Indian radiation worker. However, a series of different size physical phantoms are required to account for size variability in workers, which is both expensive and time consuming. Therefore, a theoretical approach based on Monte Carlo techniques has been employed to calibrate the system in scanning geometry with BOMAB phantoms of different sizes characterised by their weight (W) and height (H) for several radionuclides of interest (131I, 137Cs, 60Co and 40K). A computer program developed for this purpose generates the detector response and the detection efficiencies (DEs) for the BARC Reference phantom (63 kg/168 cm), ICRP Reference male phantom (70 kg/170 cm) and several of its scaled versions. The results obtained for different size phantoms indicated a decreasing trend of DEs with the increase in W/H values of the phantoms. The computed DEs for uniform distribution of 137Cs in BOMAB phantom varied from 3.52×10−3 to 2.88×10−3 counts per photon as the W/H values increased from 0.26 to 0.50. The theoretical results obtained for the BARC Reference phantom have been verified with experimental measurements. The Monte Carlo results from this study will be useful for in vivo assessment of HEP emitters in radiation workers of different physiques. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The adult reference male and female computational voxel phantoms recommended by ICRP are adapted into the Monte Carlo transport code FLUKA. The FLUKA code is then utilised for computation of dose conversion coefficients (DCCs) expressed in absorbed dose per air kerma free-in-air for colon, lungs, stomach wall, breast, gonads, urinary bladder, oesophagus, liver and thyroid due to a broad parallel beam of mono-energetic photons impinging in anterior–posterior and posterior–anterior directions in the energy range of 15 keV–10 MeV. The computed DCCs of colon, lungs, stomach wall and breast are found to be in good agreement with the results published in ICRP publication 110. The present work thus validates the use of FLUKA code in computation of organ DCCs for photons using ICRP adult voxel phantoms. Further, the DCCs for gonads, urinary bladder, oesophagus, liver and thyroid are evaluated and compared with results published in ICRP 74 in the above-mentioned energy range and geometries. Significant differences in DCCs are observed for breast, testis and thyroid above 1 MeV, and for most of the organs at energies below 60 keV in comparison with the results published in ICRP 74. The DCCs of female voxel phantom were found to be higher in comparison with male phantom for almost all organs in both the geometries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

At the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, a thin (76 mm diameter x 2 mm thickness) NaI (Tl) detector is used for the assessment of 125I in the thyroid of the radiation workers engaged in the preparation of radio-immunoassay kits. The detector was calibrated using a REMCAL (radiation equivalent manikin calibration) phantom with a known amount of the 125I activity filled in its thyroidal cavity. Since 125I emits low-energy photons ranging from 27 to 35.4 keV, its detection efficiency depends on several parameters such as neck-to-detector distance, detector size, unknown tissue thickness overlying (OTT) the thyroid and the shape and size of the thyroid. To account for uncertainties introduced by these factors in the estimation of 125I, a computer program based on the Monte Carlo photon transport techniques was developed. The program simulates the detector response and the corresponding detection efficiencies using two thyroid models: (1) revised MIRD head phantom and (2) Ulanvosky model. The program has been validated with experimental measurements carried out using a REMCAL phantom. The computed values of uncertainties due to placement errors (+0.5 cm) for different detector sizes, differences in the OTT of the thyroid (0.6-2.0 cm) and different thyroid shapes are presented in this paper. The computed values of the calibration factors, determined for the revised MIRD phantom, varied from 5.23 to 1.06 3 x 10-2 counts per photon for detector distance of 3-12 cm and from 7.53 to 3.66 x 10-2 counts per photon for OTT varying from 0.6 to 2.0 cm keeping the detector at a distance of 3 cm. This study shows that the variations in OTT constitute a major source of uncertainty. The computed uncertainties due to various parameters should be taken into account while estimating the thyroidal burden of 25I in the radiation workers. The feasibility of using coincidence method for absolute determination of the 125I activity in the thyroid is also discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of seed treatment through bio-agent on maize cyst nematode, Heterodera zeae on sweet corn (variety- Madhuri). For this study, bio-agents viz., Paecilomyces lilacinus, Pochonia chlamydosporia and Trichoderma viride were tested as seed treatment at 1, 2 and 4% w/w for the management of maize cyst nematode, H. zeae on sweet corn. A standard chemical (Acephate 2%w/w) and untreated check was also maintained for comparison. Observations on shoot weight (g), root weight (g), cyst per 100 cc soil, cyst per plant, and final larvae population per 100 cc soil were recorded to interpretate the experimental findings. Results showed that Paecilomyces lilacinus at 4 per cent was found most effective followed by Pochonia chlamydosporia at 4 per cent and Paecilomyces lilacinus at 2 per cent in enhancing plant growth of sweet corn and to reduced the infection of Heterodera zeae. Seed treatment with Paecilomyces lilacinus at 4 per cent w/w was found most effective to enhanced plant growth of sweet corn and management of H. zeae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desmodium gangeticum (L.) belonging to family Fabaceae is an economically important medicinal plant which isutilised in Dashmoolarishta. Various bioactive compounds have been isolated from whole plant and roots, and one of them is an important phenolic compound - caffeic acid (CA). This phenolic acid and its derivatives have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and hepatocarcinoma, a highly aggressive and causing considerable mortality across the world. In the present study, leaf explants were placed on MS medium fortified with different concentration of cytokinin (BA/Kn) and auxin (IAA/NAA) for establishing callus cultures. MS medium fortified with BA (20 µM) and IAA (2 µM) was optimised for the same. Methanolic extracts of in vivo leaf sample (DG1) and in vitro sample (leaf derived callus) (DG2) were assessed for CA quantification using HPTLC. Thus, the chemical fingerprint that was obtained, confirmed that DG 2 of D. gangeticum exhibited the potency to synthesise more amount of CA (316 ± 7.5 µg/g DW) in comparison to DG1 which was 194 ± 2.3 µg/g DW.

Mechanisms of protein aggregation are of immense interest in therapeutic biology and neurodegenerative medicine. Biochemical processes within the living cell occur in a highly crowded environment. The phenomenon of macromolecular crowding affects the diffusional and conformational dynamics of proteins and modulates their folding. Macromolecular crowding is reported to cause protein aggregation in some cases, so it is a cause of concern as it leads to a plethora of neurodegenerative disorders and systemic amyloidosis. To divulge the mechanism of aggregation, it is imperative to study aggregation in well-characterized model proteins in the presence of macromolecular crowder. One such protein is ribonuclease A (RNase A), which deciphers neurotoxic function in humans; therefore we decided to explore the amyloid fibrillogenesis of this thermodynamically stable protein. To elucidate the impact of crowder, dextran-70 and its monomer glucose on the aggregation profile of RNase-A various techniques such as Absorbance, Fluorescence, Fourier Transforms Infrared, Dynamic Light Scattering and circular Dichroism spectroscopies along with imaging techniques like Atomic Force Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy were employed. Thermal aggregation and fibrillation were further promoted by dextran-70 while glucose counteracted the effect of the crowding agent in a concentration-dependent manner. This study shows that glucose provides stability to the protein and prevents fibrillation. Intending to combat aggregation, which is the hallmark of numerous late-onset neurological disorders and systemic amyloidosis, this investigation unveils that naturally occurring osmolytes or other co-solutes can be further exploited in novel drug design strategies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors declare no competing interest., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Abstinence rates among smokers attempting to quit remain low despite the wide availability and accessibility of pharmacological smoking cessation treatments. In addition, the prevalence of cessation attempts and abstinence differs by individual-level social factors such as race and ethnicity. Clinical treatment of nicotine dependence also continues to be challenged by individual-level variability in effectiveness to promote abstinence. The use of tailored smoking cessation strategies that incorporate information on individual-level social and genetic factors hold promise, although additional pharmacogenomic knowledge is still needed. In particular, genetic variants associated with pharmacological responses to smoking cessation treatment have generally been conducted in populations with participants that self-identify as White race or who are determined to be of European genetic ancestry. These results may not adequately capture the variability across all smokers as a result of understudied differences in allele frequencies across genetic ancestry populations. This suggests that much of the current pharmacogenetic study results for smoking cessation may not apply to all populations. Therefore, clinical application of pharmacogenetic results may exacerbate health inequities by racial and ethnic groups. This scoping review examines the extent to which racial, ethnic, and ancestral groups that experience differences in smoking rates and smoking cessation are represented in the existing body of published pharmacogenetic studies of smoking cessation. We will summarize results by race, ethnicity, and ancestry across pharmacological treatments and study designs. We will also explore current opportunities and challenges in conducting pharmacogenomic research on smoking cessation that encourages greater participant diversity, including practical barriers to clinical utilization of pharmacological smoking cessation treatment and clinical implementation of pharmacogenetic knowledge., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Prom-Wormley, Wells, Landes, Edmondson, Sankoh, Jamieson, Delk, Surya, Bhati and Clifford.)

Genomics and genome editing promise enormous opportunities for crop improvement and elementary research. Precise modification in the specific targeted location of a genome has profited over the unplanned insertional events which are generally accomplished employing unadventurous means of genetic modifications. The advent of new genome editing procedures viz; zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), homing endonucleases, transcription activator like effector nucleases (TALENs), Base Editors (BEs), and Primer Editors (PEs) enable molecular scientists to modulate gene expressions or create novel genes with high precision and efficiency. However, all these techniques are exorbitant and tedious since their prerequisites are difficult processes that necessitate protein engineering. Contrary to first generation genome modifying methods, CRISPR/Cas9 is simple to construct, and clones can hypothetically target several locations in the genome with different guide RNAs. Following the model of the application in crop with the help of the CRISPR/Cas9 module, various customized Cas9 cassettes have been cast off to advance mark discrimination and diminish random cuts. The present study discusses the progression in genome editing apparatuses, and their applications in chickpea crop development, scientific limitations, and future perspectives for biofortifying cytokinin dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, superoxide dismutase to induce drought resistance, heat tolerance and higher yield in chickpea to encounter global climate change, hunger and nutritional threats., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Singh, Kumar, Sehgal, Bhati, Singhal, Gayacharan, Nimmy, Yadav, Gupta, Abdallah, Hamwieh and Kumar.)

Background: One characteristic of alcohol use disorder is compulsive drinking or drinking despite negative consequences. When quinine is used to model such aversion-resistant drinking, female rodents typically are more resistant to punishment than males. Using an operant response task where C57BL/6J responded for ethanol mixed with quinine, we previously demonstrated that female mice tolerate higher concentrations of quinine in ethanol than males. Here, we aimed to determine whether this female vulnerability to aversion-resistant drinking behavior is similarly observed with footshock punishment., Methods: Male and female C57BL/6J mice were trained to respond for 10% ethanol in an operant task on a fixed-ratio three schedule. After consistent responding, mice were tested in a punishment session using either a 0.25 mA or 0.35 milliamp (mA) footshock. To assess footshock sensitivity, a subset of mice underwent a flinch, jump, and vocalize test in which behavioral responses to increasing amplitudes of footshock (0.05 to 0.95 mA) were assessed. In a separate cohort of mice, males and females were trained to respond for 2.5% sucrose and responses were punished using a 0.25 mA footshock., Results: Males and females continued to respond for 10% ethanol when paired with a 0.25 mA footshock. Females alone continued to respond for ethanol when a 0.35 mA footshock was delivered. Both males and females reduced responding for 2.5% sucrose when punished with a 0.25 mA footshock. Footshock sensitivity in the flinch, jump, and vocalize test did not differ by sex., Conclusions: Females continue to respond for 10% ethanol despite a 0.35 mA footshock, and this behavior is not due to differences in footshock sensitivity between males and females. These results show that female C57BL/6J mice are generally more resistant to punishment in an operant self-administration paradigm. The findings add to the literature characterizing aversion-resistant alcohol-drinking behaviors in females., (© 2023 Research Society on Alcohol.)

Severe acute postoperative pain following breast surgery increases the risk of persistent pain and affects the recovery of patients. Recently, pectoral nerve (PECs) block has gained significance as a regional fascial block that can provide adequate postoperative analgesia. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PECs II block, which was given intraoperative under direct vision after performing modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer patients. This prospective randomised study was comprised of a PECs II group ( n  = 30) and a control group ( n  = 30). Group A patients received 25 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine for PECs II block intraoperatively after the surgical resection was done. Both groups were compared with respect to the demographic and clinical parameters, total intraoperative fentanyl dose, total duration of surgery, postoperative pain score (Numerical Rating Scale) and the analgesic requirement, postoperative complications, postoperative duration of hospital stay, and the outcome. Intraoperative PECs II block was not associated with any increase in the duration of surgery. The postoperative pain scores were significantly higher in the control group till 24 h after the surgery, and so was the postoperative analgesic requirement. Patients in the PECs group were found to have rapid recovery and decreased postoperative complications. Intraoperative PECs II block is not only safe, time-saving procedure but also significantly reduces the postoperative pain and analgesic requirement in breast cancer surgeries. It is also associated with a faster recovery, decreased postoperative complications, and better patient satisfaction., Competing Interests: Conflict of InterestThe authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Indian Association of Surgical Oncology 2022, Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Linkages of urban and industrial cooling with sustainable development goals and climate change perspectives are well acknowledged, mainly for developing economies in tropical climates. Angul-Talcher region is one of the oldest industrial clusters of India, and the region experiences higher atmospheric heat island intensities with magnitudes of 7 to 9 °C attributed to the Industrial Heat Island (IHI) effect. In the present study, various measures for mitigating heat island effect in the region and assessed their impact using an Improved Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with the Single-Layer Urban Canopy Model. The improved framework includes the release of industrial emissions at stack height and sector-wise diurnal profiles of anthropogenic heat (AH) released from vehicles, residential, and industry/power. The mitigation measures comprised strategies like alteration in building materials and conversion of landuse-landcover (LULC) of selected grid cells in the model domain to more vegetation or water bodies. It was noted that the cool roofs and walls together reduced IHIs by 0.5 °C, while green roofs and cool pavements achieved a reduction of 0.3 °C and 0.1 °C, respectively. The introduction of water bodies showed maximum reduction in IHIs by 3 to 5 °C during daytime and 1 to 2 °C over mining and industrial stations. During night-time, conversion to mixed forests was more effective (ΔT ≈ 1 °C) than conversion to water bodies. A combination of cool roofs with the introduction of water bodies in the mining areas and mixed forest patches in industry stations was found to be the most effective mitigation strategy for mitigating the industrial heat island effect over the Angul-Talcher region. These mitigation scenarios can/should serve as a theoretical reference for implementing actual mitigation measures, which would require consideration of economic, social, and policy aspects apart from scientific ones for practical application., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background and Aims: In emergency airway management, unstable haemodynamics of the patients calls for the early need to detect correct endotracheal tube (ETT) placement. Ultrasonography has an advantage of being readily available along with being non-invasive and providing real time images. We aimed to study the usefulness of tracheal ultrasonography and use it as a tool to assess correct tracheal intubation in patients in the intensive care unit., Methods: This was a hospital-based observational study. The study included 92 patients who needed and were taken up for endotracheal intubation. Tube placement was confirmed simultaneously by three different observers with their respective method, i.e., ultrasonography, clinical method and capnography., Results: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of ultrasonography against capnography were 100% each with P value of 1. However, for clinical method against capnography, the sensitivity was 96.5%, specificity 28.6%, PPV 94.3% and NPV 40% with P value of 0.727. Mean time taken to detect correct placement of the ETT by ultrasonography, capnography and clinical method was 4.93 s, 15.39s and 17.80s, respectively. Out of 92 intubations, 85 were tracheal and 7 were oesophageal. All intubations were detected accurately with ultrasonography and capnography, ultrasonography being faster. Clinical method correctly detected 82 out of 85 tracheal intubations and 2 out of 7 oesophageal intubations, and was therefore less accurate than the other two methods., Conclusion: The study shows that ultrasonography is as reliable a method for confirmation of endotracheal intubation as capnography and is more reliable than clinical method. Besides, ultrasonography is faster than the other two methods., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Indian Journal of Anaesthesia.)

Chromium is detected in most ecosystems due to the increased anthropogenic activities in addition to that developed from natural pollution. Chromium contamination in the food chain results due to its persistent and non-degradable nature. The release of chromium in the ecosystem accretes and thereafter impacts different life forms, including humans, aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Leaching of chromium into the ground and surface water triggers several health ailments, such as dermatitis, eczematous skin, allergic reactions, mucous and skin membrane ulcerations, allergic asthmatic reactions, bronchial carcinoma and gastroenteritis. Physiological and biological treatments for the removal of chromium have been discussed in depth in the present communication. Adsorption and biological treatment methods are proven to be alternatives to chemical removal techniques in terms of cost-effectiveness and low sludge formation. Chromium sensing is an alternative approach for regular monitoring of chromium in different water bodies. This review intended to explore different classes of sensors for chromium monitoring. However, the spectrochemical methods are more sensitive in chromium ions sensing than electrochemical methods. Future study should focus on miniaturization for portability and on-site measurements without requiring a large instrument provides a good aspect for future research., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study investigates the removal of As(V) from aqueous media using water stable UiO-66-NDC/GO prepared via the solvothermal procedure. The synthesized material was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, UV-visible, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) support its applicability as a super-adsorbent for the adsorption of As(V) ions from aqueous solutions. The effect of various parameters, including initial ion concentration, temperature, adsorbent dose, and pH on the adsorption of As(V) was studied to recognize the optimum adsorption conditions. The q max obtained for this study using Langmuir isotherms was found at 147.06 mg/g at room temperature. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH°, ΔG°, and ΔS° were also calculated and negative values of ΔG° represent that the As(V) adsorption process occurred exothermically and spontaneously. Meanwhile, theoretical density functional simulation findings are accommodated to support these experimental results. It is observed that the dynamic nature of graphene oxide and the UiO-66 NDC nanocomposite system becomes superior for adsorption studies due to delocalized surface states. UiO-66-NDC/GO also showed high reusability for up four regeneration performances using 0.01 M HCl as a regenerant., (© 2022. The Author(s).)