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Global climate change results in frequent occurrences and/or long durations of abiotic stress. Field grown plants are affected by abiotic stress, and they modulate ethylene in response to abiotic stress exposure and use it as a signaling molecule in stress tolerance mechanisms. However, frequent occurrences and/or long durations of stress conditions can cause plants to induce ethylene levels higher than their thresholds, resulting in a reduction of plant growth and crop productivity. The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) that produce 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase has increased in various plant species to ameliorate the deleterious effects of stress-induced ethylene and promote plant growth despite abiotic stress conditions. Unfortunately, there are restrictions that limit the use of ACC deaminase-producing PGPB to protect plants from abiotic stresses. This review describes how abiotic stress induces ethylene and how stress-induced ethylene adversely affects plant growth. In addition, this review emphasizes the importance of the compatibility of PGPB strains and specific host plants and ACC deaminase activities in the reduction of stress ethylene and the promotion of plant growth, based on the research published in the last 10 years. Moreover, due to the restrictions in PGPB use, this review highlights the potential generation of transgenic plants expressing the AcdS gene that encodes the ACC deaminase enzyme as a substitute for PGPB in the future to support and uplift agricultural sustainability and food security globally.

To investigate the effect of process parameters during high-moisture extrusion on system parameter (specific mechanical energy, SME) and product physical properties, blend of soy protein isolate, wheat gluten, and corn starch (50:40:10 w/w) was extruded using co-rotating twin screw extruder equipped with cooling die at 55 and 65% feed moisture, 150 and 170 °C barrel temperature, 150 and 200 rpm screw speed. The hardness and chewiness of products increased as all the extrusion process parameters became low. Among the tested range of process parameters in this study, a combination of high moisture (65%), high barrel temperature (170 °C), and low screw speed (150 rpm) generated the low SME input (less energy consumption) with high texturization degree of meat analogs. Layer and fibrous structure formation of the samples were influenced by variations in process parameters, primarily feed moisture and barrel temperature.

ABAC ODI Journal Vision. Action. Outcome, 9, 2, 63-76

The efficacy of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in maintenance of apple fruit quality can differ depending on apple cultivar, ethylene content at harvest, 1-MCP concentration, the interval between harvest and 1-MCP application, and the number of applications. In this study, we investigated whether the 1-MCP concentration and its application frequency differently affected fruit quality attributes of the two new apple cultivars ‘Arisoo’ and ‘Picnic’. The fruits were treated with 1-MCP (as single or double treatments) at the rate of 0 μL L−1 (control), 0.5 μL L−1, 1 μL L−1, 0.5 + 0.5 μL L−1, and 1 + 1 μL L−1 for 18 h, and they were stored at 0 °C up to six months. Comparatively, the fruit qualities of 1-MCP treated fruits were higher than that of the control during cold storage, with a higher suppression of internal ethylene content and a slower reduction of titratable acidity in 1-MCP treatments than the controls throughout the cold storage in both cultivars, regardless of the concentration and number of applications. Reduction of fruit firmness and soluble solid contents were maintained by single application of 0.5 μL L−1 1-MCP in ‘Arisoo’ apple, while double application of 0.5 + 0.5 μL L−1 was needed in ‘Picnic’ cultivar. The effective concentration for weight-loss reduction was found to be the single application of 1 μL L−1 1-MCP in both ‘Arisoo’ and ‘Picnic’. Conclusively, 1-MCP as single treatment at the rate of 0.5 μL L−1 could be sufficient in inhibiting ethylene action and maintaining fruit quality losses during cold storage, particularly in ‘Arisoo’. However, double application of 1-MCP might be necessary for some quality attributes in ‘Picnic’ apple.

Our previous study revealed that Salmonella enterica serovar Schwarzengrund-contaminated areas of broiler chickens have expanded from West Japan to East Japan. The present study investigated the antimicrobial resistance and molecular characteristics of 124 S. Schwarzengrund isolates obtained from chicken meat produced in East and West Japan from 2008 to 2019. Comparing the isolates obtained in 2008 and 2015–2019, an increase in the proportion of those resistant to kanamycin [51.4–89.7% (p &lt, 0.001)] was observed. In contrast, the proportion of isolates resistant to both streptomycin and tetracycline and those that harbored a 1.0-kb class 1 integron, aadA1, and tetA, significantly decreased from 100% in 2008 to 47.1% in 2015–2019 (p &lt, 0.001). A 1.0-kb class 1 integron containing aadA1, harbored by 78 isolates, was different from that reported in globally distributed S. Schwarzengrund strains (1.9 kb, containing the dfrA12-aadA2 gene cassette). Twenty-five isolates from different product districts and years of isolation were typed as sequence type (ST) 241 with multilocus sequence typing. Our results suggest that S. Schwarzengrund, which contaminates chicken meat in Japan, shares a common ancestor regardless of the product district from 2008 to recent years. Moreover, S. Schwarzengrund ST241 may have spread from western to eastern Japan.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different soy protein concentrate (0, 15, 30, and 45%), defatted soy flour (0, 10, 20, and 30%), and wheat flour (10, 20, and 30%) contents replacing fish meal on physiochemical properties of extruded aquatic feed by using a twin screw extruder. The moisture content, barrel temperature, die diameter, and screw speed were adjusted to 45%, 137℃, 4 mm, and 250 rpm, respectively. With the higher amount of soy protein concentrate replacing fish meal, the expansion ratio, swelling ratio, and water stability increased significantly while specific length and water holding capacity decreased significantly. With the increasing defatted soy flour content, expansion ratio increased significantly, but specific length, water holding capacity and water stability decreased significantly. With increase in the wheat flour content, the specific length significantly decreased while the water stability significantly increased. In conclusion, aquatic feed quality was optimized in this study and could be used in the future.

Background: The recent surge in economic development in Myanmar will also contribute to accelerating the health burden shift from acute infectious to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the country. With just 11 years to achieve its goal of universal health coverage by the year 2030, significant efforts will be needed to quantify the scale of the burden facing decision-makers about health system strengthening and redevelopment. Convergence of the health systems will be an additional challenge in Myanmar. Methods: Results from a WHO study in 2009 and 2014, combined with data from the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Study, were compiled and analysed for Myanmar to assess the levels and trends of selected NCDs and NCD risk factors. Results: The prevalence of major NCDs in Myanmar are in general higher than global and regional averages, with a significant increase in diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in the last 25 years. Major NCD risk factors in Myanmar include smoking, use of smokeless tobacco, alcohol consumption among men, low level of fruit and vegetable consumption, hypertension, and emerging of overweight and obesity, especially among women. Tobacco use increased in both sexes between 2009 and 2014, but only significantly in men. Rates of hypertension increased for both men and women, including those currently on medications—suggesting a need for better treatment regimens. Overweight and obesity rates increased in both men and women, although the increase in obesity for men was not significant. Alcohol consumption results were mixed—with lower levels of high level drinking in men, but generally increased consumption by women. Intake of fruit and vegetables increased slightly between 2009 and 2014 and rates of high levels of physical activity also increased. Diabetes prevalence rates increased significantly in women (X2 = 11.3; p = 0.01) and men (X2 = 9.6; p = 0.02) between 2009 and 2014. Conclusions: Improved awareness of risk factors, coupled with early diagnosis and effective treatment of conditions and risks, is paramount to keeping the population healthy and economically active, and maintaining health care costs. Proven cost-effective interventions to prevent and control NCD-related risk factors, notably increasing tobacco taxes, should be endorsed and implemented in the population. Inaction could hamper the country’s effort to achieve universal health coverage by the year 2030.

To investigate the effect of fermentation on texturized vegetable protein (TVP), TVPs extruded at 40 and 50% feed moisture contents (MC) were fermented using Bacillus subtilis at 37 °C. Physicochemical, structural and microbial properties of TVPs were determined at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 h after fermentation. Integrity index of fermented TVPs did not change significantly until 24–36 h after fermentation. Springiness and cohesiveness remained stable after fermentation in all samples. Significant total color change was observed during fermentation. The pH values dropped initially and rose again with a coincident increase in nitrogen solubility index and viable cell count of B. subtilis. During fermentation, TVP extruded at 50% MC maintained higher chewiness, hardness, integrity index, and layered structure than that extruded at 40% MC. The study demonstrated that fermenting the TVP extruded at 50% MC has potential to produce a new type of TVP based B. subtilis fermented food.

Isolated soy protein, wheat gluten, and starch at ratio 5:4:1 were texturized under different moisture contents (40 and 50%) and die temperature (130 and 150 °C) by the twin-screw extruder. Physicochemical properties were firstly studied. These textured vegetable proteins (TVPs) were used to form 100% plant-based burger patties. Cooking and textural features were secondly investigated. TVP at 50% moisture content and 130 °C die temperature represented the highest water absorption capacity and integrity index but the lowest solubility among TVPs. Cooking loss and shrinkage in diameter and thickness, cohesiveness, chewiness, hardness, and cutting strength of TVP meatless burger patties were significantly lower than that commercial meat patty, while moisture retention and springiness of TVP meatless burger patties were higher (p

The rice root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne graminicola, and the rice root nematode,Hirschmanniella oryzae, are soil-borne pests causing damage to rice, and the pigeon pea cyst nematode,Heterodera cajani, is a pest to beans and sesame. Real-time PCR primers were designed for quantification. Relationships between the threshold cycle (Ct:y) values and number (no.) of nematodes inoculated () were:M. graminicola: ;H. oryzae: ; andH. cajani: .Meloidogyne graminicolaandH. oryzaewere detected in 25 and 38 out of 50 soils, collected from different fields in the lowland and central area of Myanmar, and their densities ranged from 1.0 to 4779 and from 0.4 to 787 (20 g soil)−1, respectively, whileH. cajaniwas detected only in two fields (3 and 268 (20 g soil)−1). The DNA-based method enables rapid and reliable quantification of the nematodes in soil.

Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Mandalay, Myanmar to identify high risk sexual behavior, knowledge and attitude regarding HIV/AIDS and prevention practice related to HIV/AIDS among male workers in factories manufacturing alcohol. Participants included male workers (n = 219) from 10 alcohol factories in Industrial Zone (A). Data were collected through face to face interviews using pretested structured questionnaire. Results showed that 38.8% of the respondents were able to get discount to buy alcohol from their factory, and 70.3% of them consumed alcohol in the last 12 months. Regarding high risk sexual behavior, 38.4% of the respondents had intercourse with a casual partner of opposite gender, while 31.5% had intercourse with commercial sex workers and 19.2% had homosexual relationship during last 12 months. Among the married, 45% had extramarital intercourse. More than 80% of the respondents received HIV/AIDS related information from media and colleagues while 51.1% of them received from NGOs or health education at workplace. Among the respondents who engaged in different high risk sexual behaviors, 50% - 88.9% did not use condom consistently and they had significantly lower knowledge about HIV/AIDS. However, the knowledge and attitude regarding HIV/AIDS were not significantly different between the respondents who used condom consistently and those who did not. This study highlights the need of health education about HIV/AIDS and access to affordable condoms among workers in factories manufacturing alcohol to improve their knowledge, attitude and behavior, as well as to promote consistent condom usage as it is vital for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.