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Oct 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.3070-3360.ijco-25-5740
Significance This case report describes the alternative management of hyperuricemia through acupuncture using the Luo Yuan technique. Case presentation A 53-year-old Mexican man was diagnosed with secondary hyperuricemia. The patient began to experience arthralgia in the metatarsophalangeal joint of the first toe on his left foot after consuming a high amount of purine-rich foods, with a 10-year history. The symptoms were sporadically controlled with the use of colchicine and indarzone. In a six-element blood chemistry test, serum uric acid was 8.7 mg/dL before acupuncture treatment and 8.3 mg/dL at the end of treatment, without applying dietary restrictions on purine consumption. Conclusions and relevance This report demonstrates the potential efficacy of acupuncture at the Luo and Yuan points of the Spleen and Stomach meridians in reducing elevated blood uric acid levels. This suggests its potential as an alternative treatment for patients with hyperuricemia and other metabolic disorders.
Dec 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2997-2248.jwl-24-5308
Interspecific predation within Odonata is a critical yet underexplored aspect of their ecological interactions. This short communication reports a novel observation of Ischnura senegalensis preying upon Agriocnemis pygmaea in rice fields at the Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Documented on March 22, 2024, during the reproductive stage of the rice field, the predatory event involved a female I. senegalensis feeding on the head of a female A. pygmaea. Predation, characterized by the use of mandibles and lasting at least 15 minutes, reveals significant predatory efficiency and behavioral specialization. This observation fills a gap in the understanding of I. senegalensis feeding behavior in Sri Lanka and contributes to the broader knowledge of Odonate predator-prey dynamics. The findings highlight the importance of these interactions in maintaining ecological balance and suggest further research into the impacts of such predatory behaviors on agricultural ecosystems.
Jan 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-20-3664
In this literature review, we will introduce most of up-to-date reported methods that have been developed for determination of lamivudine in its pure form, combined form with other drugs, combined form with degradation products, and in biological samples.
Jan 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-5526.jmid-19-3119
Introduction The objective of this study was to compare the availability and prices of locally produced and imported medicines, in particular after one year from medicines importation restriction and to answer the key questions, did local manufacturers able to coverage national needs of medicines and what is the patient prices for locally produced compared to imported medicines in different sectors and regions of Sudan. Methodology The WHO/HAI methodology survey tool was adapted to measure the availability and price of locally produced and imported medicines. Patient price and availability were collected from capital cities of 6 states as per WHO/HAI methodology. Data were collected and analyzed for 50 medicines from the 104 medicines restricted to local manufacturer. Availability was based on whether the medicine was in stock on the day of data collection at the surveyed facility. Prices were expressed as median price ratio (MPR). Results Availability of locally manufactured medicines (LMM) was much better than imported medicines (IM), in the public, (47.2% vs. 14%, respectively) and private (63.9% vs. 23.5%, respectively) sectors. Based on median price ratio (MPR), public sector patient prices for locally manufactured medicines were lowered priced and had a median MPR of 2.4 (n=42) than imported medicines which had a median MPR of 4.99 (n=20). In private sector patient prices for locally manufactured medicines were also lowered priced and had a median MPR of 2.76 (n=45) than imported medicines which had a median MPR of 5.53 (n=27). Thus; patients were paying about 52% less for locally produced than for imported medicines in both sectors Conclusion The survey showed low availability of the basket of medicines surveyed in the public and private sectors for imported medicines (I.M), while not achieving WHO’s target of 80 % for locally manufactured medicines (LMM). In developing countries a lot of barriers are well known to business and industrial need to be resolved in order to maintain availability and self-reliance in drug production as a mean of increasing access to medicines.
Mar 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-2691
In precision agriculture (PA) fertilizing, based on soil testing, production maps and crop nitrogen (N) demand, is the key to maximizing yields and tempering fertilizer costs. A trend study has considered the output / input relationships performed on a farm that has progressively adapted to PA procedures over two decades. The evolutions of the variability parameters of yield, comprising the repeatability coefficient of repeated plots, the vegetative vigour (NDRE) at the panicle initiation (pi) stage, and the nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) were monitored and compared by means of mixed linear models over a six-year period, after the variable nitrogen (N) fertilization rate (VNFR) had been enlarged to the whole 230 ha of one farm. At pi key fertilization stage, a corrective dose was applied by tacking the correlation between Npi and the measured NDRE in strong negative mode. The evolution of the yield, for the 2012-2017 interval, based on 1165 ha-1 parcel-data, showed a significant yearly increase of 2.3% more than the regional trend (+0.5%). The variability parameters of the yield, that is, the standard deviation (+7.3%), range (+7.1%), coefficient of variation (+5.4%) and maximum (+2.1%) were enhanced over the years, but the minimum remained stable. The repeatability of the parcel yield generally appeared low (r = +0.31), but it tended to increase by 8.3% year-1 (P = 0.018). At the same time, the vegetational vigour also showed significant increases of the NDRE means (+3.0%) as well as of the maximum (+0.8%), but also large oscillations in the standard deviation and in the coefficient of variation. No significant regression of the NDRE on the coefficient of variation of the yield was established. The favorable increase in yield was found to be independent of the distributed N-total. A strong negative correlation (imposed) between N-pi and NDRE (-0.90) and a negative correlation with production were observed for a sample field (but in the area of maximum production). It is recommended that a partial correlation between Yield and N-tot should be considered in the I /O features for a parity of NDRE, which apparently decreases the negativity of the relationship. In short: with the same total input of N, the PA increased the yield, but also its variability – and it did not reduce the variability as predicted by the theory - by strengthening the repeatability. This is an evidence that in many of the parcels with minimum yield the limiting factors cannot be referred to the N availability.
Sep 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-9467.jgrc-18-2270
Rice, as one of the most important crops in the world, is facing an ever-accelerating challenge from climate change. Epigenetic modification with its substantially high epimutation rate and the possibility for some epigenetic variation to act as a heritable contributor to crop environmental adaptability may hold great potentials for rapid crop breeding. Epigenetic modification is controlled by epigenetic pathways, and mutations disturbing the epigenetic pathways may lead to significant epigenetic and/or genetic changes. This is especially true for rice, whose genome is rich in epigenetic modifications and transposable elements (TEs) that are generally epigenetically silenced. Here, in this paper, we first reviewed the pathways that establish, maintain and remove rice DNA methylation, which is the most well studied epigenetic marker, as well as the genes that are involved. We then discussed how TEs amplify the phenotypic impact of epigenetic changes that could be a result of epigenetic pathway disturbances. At last, we presented the enormous amount of rice genome data that are publically available, within which great genetic variation in the genes that are involved within the epigenetic pathways is embedded. This genetic variation awaits to be exploited for their potentials in generating a heritable source of variation for rapid environmental adaptation, which may hold tremendous importance for rice breeding in the face of climate change.
Dec 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-9181.ijnr-17-1859
Pericentric inversions in chromosome 10 are regarded as both common and rare conditions, based on breakage and rearrangement within each specific segment. We present phenotypic and cytogenetic characterizations of a rare recombinant chromosome 10, namely inv(10)(p11q26), in a 13-month-old flabby girl associated with a maternal pericentric inversion. A review of the literature on the different aspects of this condition is also provided.
Sep 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2832-4048.jsm-17-1621
The effects of long-term space flight on human triceps surae (TS) muscle function and electromechanical delay (EMD) have been investigated. Voluntary and electrically evoked contractions of the TS were obtained from 7 male cosmonauts 30 days before and 3 days after landing. For all cosmonauts the isometric maximal voluntary contraction was reduced by 41.7 % (p < 0.01), whereas the electrically evoked maximal tetanic contraction force (Po) was found to decrease by 25.6 % (p < 0.05). Force deficit increased by 50 % (p < 0.001). This suggests that most of the force loss is due to a reduction in motor drive (motor control). The decrease in Po was associated with a significant increase of the corresponding maximal rates of tension development (43.7 %). The twitch tension (Pt) was not significantly changed and the Pt/Po ratio was increased by 46.7 % (p < 0.05) after space mission. The twitch time-to-peak tension of the TS increased by 7.7 %, but half-relaxation time decreased by 20.6 %. Force-velocity properties of the TS calculated according to a relative scale of voluntary contraction development significantly decreased. The calculations of the same properties of electrically evoked contraction development did not differ substantially from the initial physiological state. Total reaction time (TRT), pre-motor time (PMR) and motor time or EMD were determined. In response to a supramaximal single electrical pulses applied to the tibial nerve, the latent period between the M-wave and Рt beginning was determined. The voluntary contraction EMD increased by 34.1 %; but PMR and TRT decreased by 19.0 and 14.1 %, respectively. The EMD of electrically evoked contraction did not significantly change. Thus, the comparison of the mechanical alterations recorded during voluntary contractions and in contractions evoked by electrical stimulation of the motor nerve, suggests that weightlessness not only modifies the peripheral processes associated with contractions, but also changes central and/or neural command of the contraction.
Oct 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4526.jddd-16-1153
A 69 year old female with a history of pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma (treated with Whipple procedure) and recently presumed liver cirrhosis presented to the hospital with melanotic stools. The source of the bleeding was initially thought to be secondary to upper gastrointestinal (GI) varices due to portal hypertension from the liver disease. Upper endoscopy found no active bleeding and confirmed grade 2 gastric varices with gastric wall edema. Due to persistent symptoms and inability to locate the exact source, she went to the operating room for possible transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) but was not found to have any porto-systemic gradient. Instead, she was found to have an isolated stenosis of the left gastric vein, which was treated with balloon angioplasty and eventual splenectomy. Upper GI varices usually occur due to portal hypertension from liver disease. Extra hepatic causes are much rarer. We report a case of upper GI bleed from gastric varices secondary to left gastric vein stenosis rather than portal hypertension. The stenosis was due to a rare complication of a Whipple procedure. The case is unique as there are no reported cases of gastric varices secondary to left gastric vein stenosis.
May 2026 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-26-6161
Objectives Motor fluctuations and non-motor disorders not manageable by first-line treatments in advanced Parkinson's disease require continuous dopaminergic stimulation strategies such as subcutaneous infusions of apomorphine (APO) or foslevodopa/foscarbidopa (FLD/FCD). A Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) was performed to estimate the cost difference between both treatments assuming equivalent clinical efficacy and safety. Material and methods The efficacy results of pivotal clinical trials at 12 and 52 weeks of treatment and the safety profile of APO vs FLD/FCD were compared, based on latest scientific publications and other available clinical data. A comparative BIA was performed, based on estimated annual drug treatment costs at Spanish published prices. Results The efficacy of APO (16 h/day) and FLD/FCD (24 h/day) in reduction of OFF hours (2.47 vs 2.75, 12 weeks; 3.66 vs 3.50, 52 weeks; respectively) and increase of ON hours without disabling dyskinesias (2.77 vs 2.72, 12 weeks; 3.31 vs 3.80, 52 weeks; respectively) could be considered clinically equivalent, as well as their safety profiles. However, a significant discrepancy is observed in the costs of the aforementioned alternatives. Considering published prices and the average dose reported in the literature, in Spain the annual cost of APO would be €13,980 compared to €55,198 for FLD/FCD. Consequently, the financial resources required for the treatment of FLD/FCD would enable the treatment of approximately three to four patients with APO. The BIA indicated the potential for annual savings in more than €2,500 million, considering a total target population of over 60,000 patients per year. Finally, an univariant sensitivity analysis was performed, considering a scenario in which the hospital acquisition cost of FLD/FCD decreased between 20%-30% (€44,159- €38,638/year). In this scenario, the total annual savings range between €1,875-€1,532 million per year. Conclusions Overall APO is more efficient than FLD/FCD, as it provides similar clinical efficacy at a lower treatment cost. The selection of an appropriate treatment option is to be determined by clinical criteria and patient characteristics, but cost evaluation should be considered to select the most cost-effective therapeutic option.
Dec 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-6759.jpar-25-5576
Background Tick infestations severely impair cattle health and productivity in Nigeria through blood loss, hide damage, and transmission of tick-borne pathogens. Objective This study assessed key risk factors influencing tick infestation and evaluated control methods among Fulani pastoral herds in Plateau State. Methods A cross-sectional survey involving 250 cattle from ten herds was conducted across five Local Government Areas. Tick burden was analyzed against acaricide application methods (pour-on vs. hand-spray), hand-picking frequency, and herd mobility (sedentary vs. migratory). Data were collected via owner interviews and manual tick counts. Statistical analyses were performed using generalized linear models in R software. Results Cattle treated with pour-on acaricides had significantly lower tick burdens compared to those treated via hand-spray (P<0.05). Herds that practiced hand-picking five times weekly had fewer ticks than those hand-picking thrice weekly (P<0.01). Migratory herds recorded significantly lower infestations than sedentary herds (P<0.05). Conclusion Effective tick control requires the integration of optimized acaricide application, frequent manual removaland consideration of herd mobility patterns. Education, capacity building, and policy support are necessary to enhance adoption of effective tick control measures among pastoralists.
Apr 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4526.jddd-24-4996
The General Accounting Office released a study in August 1992 of twenty-nine sampled prescription drugs that reported an average increase in the price of approximately 138 percent between 1985 and 1991 (GAO 1992, 4, Table 1) Those and other published price indexes are increasingly being used in the public policy arena to focus the debate on the potential regulation of pharmaceutical prices and the coverage of health insurance. In an industry where products are multidimensional and the rate of technological progress is brisk, misinterpretation of unadjusted indices of drug prices can easily arise. This can lead to erroneous conclusions regarding appropriate policies for the pharmaceutical industry. Researchers have addressed numerous general theoretical issues concerning the construction and interpretation of price indices 1. Two issues of particular interest for pharmaceutical markets are the new goods problem, which deals with the introduction of generic drugs into a drug price index, and the quality problem, which recognizes that newer versions of drugs with the same basic Chemical action may be superior in certain dimensions to drugs already on the market. Specific to pharmaceutical markets, 2 have also argued that the sampling procedure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate pharmaceutical price indices is flawed. Each of those problems deserves careful analysis. This study focuses on the issue of product quality measurement and quality change.
Oct 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-21-3875
Repair and maintenance cost is considered as one of important items for machinery management and selection. The present study was carried out in Dongola area for tractor repair and maintenance costs estimation. The data was collected from records of Elshimalya Company for Agricultural Inputs. Forty four tractors rep resenting two sizes of tractors, 75hp and 150hp used in the area were selected for this study. Based on the data collected, regression correlation analysis was carried out and mathematical models were derived to predict the accumulated repair and maintenance (R and M) costs as percent of purchase price in relation to accumulated hours of use and age (years) for each tractor size, and also for the two sizes collectively. Five model forms (linear, logarithmic, polynomial, power and exponential) were derived and the power function was found the best fit to explain the relation. The accumulated Rand M costs as percent of purchase price (Y) was increased as the accumulated hours of use (x) and age (g) of the tractor in years were increased. A high correlation was found between the accumulated R and M cost and both accumulated hours of use and tractor age in years (Average R2 = 0.93). It was concluded that the power function was the best fit for repair and maintenance cost estimations and the following relations may be used as an average for estimation of the accumulated R and M costs as percent of purchase price (Y) with accumulated hours of use (x) and age (g) of the tractor: Y=0.028x0.662 (mean) Y=12.294g1.276 (mean).
Apr 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-21-3782
A systematic use of biofertilizers can improve both the quality of a farming system and the parameters of milk. Some issues related to biofertilization experiments on six farms in the Po Valley (NW Italy) involved in the production of milk from dairy cattle fed maize silage or grazed on hay produced from permanent meadows are reported in this paper. Biofertilized maize was found to lower the live stem pH by about 2.3%, and NIR spectroscopy foreshadowing major changes in the composition. Overall, the plant silage was improved in quantity (+10%) but also in quality, as shown by the delayed maturity stage of the leaves (crop maturity index -4%), the lower indigestible NDF content (-7%), and the higher digestible carbohydrates and protein in the whole plants. Such favorable feeding conditions, together with the improved palatability of the feed ration, boosted the nutrient values of the protein (+4.6%) and fat contents (+5.7%) in the milk. Moreover, the functional properties of the milk were ameliorated, as testified by the higher levels of vitamin A (+27%) and vitamin E (+25%) and the reduced levels of saturated fatty acids (-6%), especially myristic (-18%) and stearic (-32%) acids, while the unsaturated acids increased by 15%. As far as economy aspects are concerned, the biofertilization of maize for silage has led to consistent rewards pertaining to the marginal price of the milk, which in turn has led to a value chain increase of about 9%, because of the fields cultivation, but mainly of the cow transformation in milk quality issues. On another farm, intensive maize was substituted with permanent biofertilized meadows, over a greening path, and a + 17% value chain increase was obtained that already derived mainly from the best price for milk quality parameters. Such an evolutionary leap toward a new vision of sustainable agriculture for the environment and for animals, in which a better quality of products, animal welfare and company budget are combined with soil biofertilization, can be considered a bonanza.
Sep 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-20-3525
The photosynthetic potential and underlying internal metabolism of a plant are some of the most commonly affected physiological functions as a direct consequence of stresses due to salt and water resulting in hindering plant growth and productivity. Under the influence of such detrimental stresses, a drastic alteration in a plant's osmotic requirements, hormonal production, shedding of leaves, and closure of stomata, along with a lessening in the diffusion and transportation of CO2 and H2O are commonly seen. This review unfolds with a description of the basic methodology involved in the proteomic analysis of various proteins involved in stress response along with a brief idea on identifying and obtaining a genomic sequence for proteomic studies. It then dives deep into understanding the impact of abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought and high temperatures on cereal crops such as rice and sorghum as well as the internal dynamics of tolerance mechanism unfolding during stresses have also been described. Extensive literature describing the proteomic and physiological responses to primary and secondary effects of salt stress in cereal crops emphasizing on ROS production and apoptosis, the role of osmolytes as ROS scavengers during osmotic stress and vacuolar antiporters in ionic stress along with the responses during drought stress such as the accumulation of LEA proteins and ABA-based signaling has been reviewed and critically discussed. The study also sheds light on some experimental proteomic studies conducted on the seedlings, root tissues, and shoots of rice cultivars.
Aug 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2643-2811.jmbr-20-3465
This paper considers an EOQ inventory model with varying demand and holding costs. It suggests minimizing the total cost in a fuzzy related environment. The optimal policy for the nonlinear problem is determined by both Lagrangian and Kuhn-tucker methods and compared with varying price-dependent coefficient. All the input parameters related to inventory are fuzzified by using trapezoidal numbers. In the end, a numerical example discussed with sensitivity analysis is done to justify the solution procedure. This paper primarily focuses on the aspect of Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) for variable demand using Lagrangian, Kuhn-Tucker and fuzzy logic analysis. Comparative analysis of there methods are evaluated in this paper and the results showed the efficiency of fuzzy logic over the conventional methods. Here in this research trapezoidal fuzzy numbers are incorporated to study the price dependent coefficients with variable demand and unit purchase cost over variable demand. The results are very close to the crisp output. Sensitivity analysis also done to validate the model.
Jul 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2377-2549.jndc-20-3460
Laccase enzyme production is important and more beneficial for environment, because it has many roles like, involved in bioremediation, biodegradation, decolorization of environmental polluted dyes and pharmaceutical sector also. Production of laacse enzyme from bacillus sp as using of Agro waste (rice bran) as a substrate. The Agricultural soil sample was collected, after the sample were processed for the preliminary and biochemical tests to identification of Bacillus organism. The Guiacol inducer were used for microbial screening of laccase enzyme production. After that microbial screening, various optimization parameters (pH, Temperature, Inducers, carbon and nitrogen sources) are checked for that production of laccase enzyme in mass level. Based on that optimization the bulk fermentation (large scale) (solid state fermentation) were done as a rice bran substrate. The fermentation product was subjected to analyzed the physiochemical properties and purification based on that techniques of Gel filtration chromatography, Dialysis, Ammonium sulfate preciptation. The protein estimation of that product to analysed by lowry’s method.
Jul 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2642-3146.jec-20-3389
Since the independence of South Sudan, Sudan lost 75% of its oil reserves, this led to major fuel shortages country wide, the fuel shortage raised the fuel prices and the overall transport prices. Scarcity led to black market trade of fuel specially in states away from the Capital City (Khartoum). Managing the available stock comes first before increasing the supply amount in order to solve the problem, one of the major fuel consumers to be managed is the transport sector specially the long haulage freight transport. Moving freight in Sudan is constrained by inadequate infrastructure and high costs. This paper covers specifically the long haulage freight transport between Khartoum State and Western side of the country (Darfur Region), Contributing to manage fuel consumption for trucks, taking into account trucks types used, roads, environmental impacts and mitigation measures applicable to save fuel . The results showed that the primary reason for the excessive fuel consumption is the usage of the rigid trucks (lorries) for transport specially the Hino700 series, this truck type, overload and absence of weight stations and control policies contributed significantly to deterioration of roads and transport efficiency decreasing. First step towards the solution would be in upgrading roads infrastructure assuring high quality along with enforced weight regulations and weight stations to protect roads from damages. High quality roads shall ease the usage of different truck types with different configurations. Then stablish a policy to force replacement of the low efficiency lorry truck types with high quality tractor semi-trailer combinations.
Jun 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-20-3388
A field experiment was conducted during 2017/2018 to assess the effects of Argel (Solenostemmaargel, Del. Hayne) and Nitrogen fertilizer on the performance of two Sunflower Hybrid cultivars, with the objectives to exploit an easy, economic, and accessible organic fertilizer, the Argel in the phase of the continuous increasing prices of chemical fertilizers.. This experiment was laid out on spilt-split-plot experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Observations were taken on some agronomic traits (Plant height (m), Leaf area (LA), leaf Number (NL), Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Mean Seed Weight). The results revealed that the application of Argel and Nitrogen fertilizer have significantly increased the leaf Area (F= 7.22, P < 0.001), Plant Height (F=2.68, P < 0.2001), Leaf Number (F= 3.90, P < 0.0024), Leaf Area Index (F= 3.83, P < 0.0026) and Mean Seed Weight of both Serena and Opera cultivars respectively compared to the control. However, the different treatments of Argel and Nitrogen reflected variable degree of increase for the studied parameters. The study concludes that Argel is very promising, therefore a further study with different levels of Argel including other plant parameters is recommended.
Feb 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-20-3201
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition of chronic and widespread pain, with several associated symptoms. Previous studies suggested that gluten could influence the severity and frequency of FM symptoms. This work aimed to assess the impact of a gluten-free diet (GFD) in the symptoms and severity of this disease. Fourteen patients with previous FM diagnosis were kept on a gluten-free diet for eight weeks (Phase 1). After that, they were held on the gluten-free diet and received capsules of isolated rice protein (placebo) for seven days, followed by capsules containing 8.4g/day vital gluten for additional seven days (Phase 2). Questionnaires evaluating the number and severity of FM symptoms, the impact of FM on daily routine as well as inflammatory blood markers were assessed in each phase. Results showed that after eight weeks of GFD, we observed a reduction in the impact of FM on daily routine and number of symptoms and sensitive points. However, a seven days challenge with 8.4g of gluten did not worsen these symptoms or the inflammatory markers compared with the placebo challenge. We concluded that the gluten-free diet was associated with the attenuation of main symptoms and improvement of life quality in FM patients. Nonetheless, gluten challenge had no impact on those parameters, suggesting that gluten is not the major dietary component responsible for these improvements. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between gluten intake and fibromyalgia.
Dec 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-3097
Nitrogen leaching as a direct pathway of N loss from agricultural land can negatively affect groundwater and surface water quality. However, a simple and efficient method for nitrogen leaching loss estimation is still inefficient. In this study, an exponential model was developed using the experimental data from a two-year field experiment conducted in the Taihu Lake region of China to simulate the N leaching from the paddy soil. The results showed the leached N was in the range of 5.66 to 8.45 kg N/ha during the whole rice season, which was accounted for 1.7%-2.1% of the applied N. A good agreement between the measured and model predicted results for N leaching loss was observed, suggesting the validity of the established model. The model was further validated with the data of other studies in other regions. The results demonstrated this model is able to simulate the N leaching loss accurately and can provide a beneficial tool for users to predict N leaching loss in paddy soil.
Jun 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-2590
Over last few decades, acreage of total fallow lands (Kharif and Rabi seasons) in India has remained almost unchanged around 25Mha. The acreage of Kharif (summer) and Rabi (winter) Fallows in Madhya Pradesh (MP) are 1.98Mha and 5.51Mha, respectively. In the semi-arid agroclimatic zones of the states, Fallow-Wheat/Gram/Indian-Mustard cropping systems are practiced. After harvest of Kharif rice, kodo-kutki, maize or sorghum, farmers generally practice post-rainy season Rabi fallows in the sub-humid regions, south of Narmada River. Kharif fallowing is largely the result of the inability of the farmers to make planting dates independent of monsoon forecasts, and make efficient use of rain water. It appears that factors responsible for Kharif and Rabi fallows are distinctly different and a general consequence of distinctly different soil moisture regimes prevailing in the two crop seasons. Kharif and Rabi fallows have two distinct resource management domains. Whereas, Kharif fallows can be tackled with “PMP-dry seeding” agronomy, production constraints of Rabi fallows can be substantively tackled by shifting from tilled to zero-till agriculture with residue management to make efficient use of the conserved rain water. Some irrigation support will prove useful to tackle mid-season droughts in both situations. Conservation agricultural practices can significantly improve and stabilize crop yields in black soils and other associated soils of in the semi-arid tropics region of the Central India.
May 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-2780
The inoculation of soil with a bio-fertilizer (BF), with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, characterizes a Symbiotic (S) agriculture mode, aimed at promoting the yield and health of crops through modifications in the rhizosphere as well as in the plant phenotype. The main objective of this study was to reduce the incidence of Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS, involving Xylella fastidiosasubsp.pauca) that afflicts the olive groves in Apulia (Italy). Non-inoculated control (C) plants were compared with Symbiotic (S) plants inoculated with 20 kg ha-1 of Micosat F ®, through a 15 cm deep scarification, in the groves of seven farms covering an area of 27 ha. In addition to a visual observation of 484 plants, to obtain a gradation of the disease severity, some objective rapid type methods were utilized to survey the plants and soil , namely leaf pH, NIR tomoscopy of the leaves, hay-litter-bag probes coupled with NIR spectroscopy and the prediction of soil induced respiration. The fingerprinting of the S and C types of leaves and litter-bags was ascertained by means of the use of a random forest algorithm in the classification matrices. The results on the symptoms appeared variable: they were significantly mitigated in two groves out of six, but they were aggravated in one. All the rapid measurements became essentials in a “holistic” model which was able to explain over 95% of the average mitigation / null / aggravation response to BF inoculation. The holistic model gathers differential and compositional analyses of the leaf (pH, crude protein, water) and of the soil (respiration), but depends mainly on the fingerprinting of the C and S leaves and litter-bags. Two keys were identified for a successful inoculation: a high degree of variability of the soil conditions permitting hospitality for the BF with enhancement of the microbial activity in the S soil (lowering the fingerprint of the control litter-bags) and homogeneity of the leaves (with increases in the fingerprint of the S leaves treated with BF). In short, the inoculation of diseased plants with one BF consortium is far from being the ultimate remedy to mitigate OQDS in all situations. Further studies are needed, at a field level, to clarify the soil hosting capacity and to define the mycorrhizal and / or endophytic * plant * pathogen interactions, even using rapid methods.
Apr 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2703
The Mediterranean diet has long been known to provide a variety of health benefits including cardiovascular protection, cancer prevention, and lowering gastrointestinal inflammation. Oregano (Origanium vulgare) is an herb prominent in the Mediterranean diet, and has been shown to possess several bioactive properties including anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. The anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties of oregano also make it a strong candidate as a natural food preservative. Because of the recent public concern with synthetic food preservatives, natural alternatives are increasingly being evaluated for effective food preservation. Oregano extract (OE) and essential oil (OEO) are two such agents that have shown promise as natural food preservatives. Additionally, oregano is being evaluated for its positive effect on gastrointestinal health, suggesting an additional benefit of food preservation with oregano. This review will describe in vitro studies related to the anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties of oregano along with food preservation studies with oregano in various model food matrices. The major phytochemical content reported for OE and OEO will also be outlined to highlight the importance of characterizing the extract that is used, since the extraction process can have a significant effect on the phytochemicals therein. Finally, in vivo studies that investigate the gastrointestinal health benefits of oregano, specifically against inflammation, will be addressed to describe the role of oregano on gastrointestinal health.
Mar 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-5518.jcci-19-2626
Matrices or tissue scaffolds provide a collagen structure for tissue remodelling while the removal of viable cells aims to minimize or prevent inflammatory or immunogenic response. Allograft collagen scaffold can support the patient’s own cellular ingrowth, ingeneered to minimize an immune response and to yeld a bio-compatible matrix and support incoming cellular growth. The decellyularized dermis retains its growth factors, native collagen scaffold, and elastin, thanks to a LifeNet Health proprietaryprocessin technology.
Apr 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2326-0793.jpgr-18-2004
Human proteome project was revolutionized about 40 years ago with purpose of summarizing whole proteomic data at one place. It was launched after human genome project to map and observe all proteins. The goal related proteomic study is to draft the entire human proteome in disease diagnosis by using bioinformatics tools. Pillars of human proteome project provide different databases related to proteins at transcriptional and translational level. Human proteome organization(HUPO) published biology disease HUPO whose aim is to measure protein and proteome by life and processes related to human diseases. Different human organ like plasma, liver, brain and diabetic base project are used to characterize human disease and health. Major data resources accumulated in databases like peptides Atlas, GPMDB and neXtProt for proteins. Matrices of human proteome project identify and characterize the protein products as Post translational modification (PTM), splice various isoforms from 20,300 proteins. Matrices related to different years make proteomes counterpart by magnify the research biomedical community with high output of instruments and specimen pre-analytical protocols. CALIPHO multidisciplinary group provides information about protein complexities, interactions, function and structure complexities after Uniport and Swissprot. Different bioinformatics tools are used for structural and functional annotations of protein, disease diagnosis and mutations due to protein. Extensive study of human proteome project has been proved helpful in disease treatment at translational and post- translational levels. In future, human proteome project along with bioinformatics will include protein profiling, biomarkers, Mass spectrophotometer technique and cross analysis of different proteome projects.
Mar 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-18-1987
The scientific and technological interventions for attaining precision in plant genetics and breeding since Mendel’s discovery of genetic laws have been critically reviewed in terms of cloning technology and reverse genetics, chip technology, genetically modified organisms and CRISPR-based gene editing technology. Their roles in further refining the plant genetics and breeding practices particularly their exploitation in creating variations and their use for development of superior genotypes in model crops like wheat and rice have been discussed. It is stressed how such interventions could prove to be promising for meeting future crop improvement program in terms of climate change, bio-fortification, imaging technology, statistics, big data revolution and deep learning.
Feb 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2637-6075.jpae-17-1890
Cassava is the fourth largest staple food after rice, wheat and maize. Cassava is produced in the tropical and sub-tropical countries. Currently, the global production of cassava is about 215,436,496 tons. Out of these, Nigeria accounts for 20.3%, being the largest producing nation. During processing of cassava flour (Gari), three main wastes are generated including cassava mill effluents (CME), solid and gaseous emission. This paper reviews the impacts of CME in Nigeria. The study found that CME’s physicochemical quality often exceeds the limit for effluents discharge onto land and surface water as recommended by Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), Nigeria. CME alters the quality of soil and water with regard to physicochemical, heavy metal and microbial characteristics. CME can induce toxicological effects on the environments and its biota including humans, fisheries, flora and fauna. The impacts are mostly associated with physicochemical (viz: odour, cyanide, acidic, dissolved oxygen, biological and chemical oxygen demand, conductivity) and heavy metals characteristics. Therefore, there is the need for treatment and sustainable management strategies of CME through biotechnological advancement.
Nov 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-17-1748
Neo-Darwinian natural selection theory indicates that sudden, drastic changes in the environment place selective pressure on genetic variants in a population. As time progresses, this pressure sculpts individuals to better fit this new environment. Waddington’s classic experiment was repeated using white-eyed (the w1118strains) flies which produced the crossveinless (cve; disturbed wing crossveins) trait from the parent generation. The F1 generation was split into two selection lines: an Upward Selection Line, that produced more cve in successive generations, and a Downward Selection Line that responded with a consistent but non-linear decline in the percentage of crossveinless. This article will introduce and enlarge observations made on flies with cve; especially the manner in which the Waddington experiment impacts the population. It seems that Waddington evaluated crossveinless just by what it is good for, but not by the price of using it. That is to say, there is an inevitable cost that needs to be paid in order to acquire crossveinless-ness (cve and the associated phenotypes).
Jun 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4526.jddd-17-1557
Background and Aims: Establishing the degree of fibrosis is important in determining the prognosis of patients with chronic liver disease. Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging (ARFI) has been validated as a reliable method to estimate liver fibrosis. It remains unclear if ARFI readings may be a useful way to stage patients with established cirrhosis and predict the development of complications. The aim of this study was to determine if ARFI liver stiffness measurements correlate with the severity of liver disease in patients with cirrhosis, and predict the development of complications and decompensation. Methods: All patients attending our institution who had a prior clinical diagnosis of cirrhosis and an ARFI liver stiffness measurement (LSM) over 26 months were included. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were calculated for ARFI detection of any complication, any varices, medium or large varices, moderate or severe ascites, encephalopathy, Child Pugh Grade B or C and MELD ≥15. Results: ARFI LSM did not correlate with complications: any complication (AUROC 0.672), any varices (0.631), medium or large varices (0.610), moderate or severe ascites (0.681), Child Pugh B/C (0.691) or MELD ≥15 (0.711). Hepatic encephalopathy did correlate with higher LSM (0.854), but only in a small number of cases. Conclusion: ARFI in patients with cirrhosis does not correlate with the presence of portal hypertension or decompensated liver disease.
May 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-0436.jos-14-527
A 66 year old Chinese male with a medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hepatitis B carrier was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma in 2009. He underwent treatment with selective internal radiation spheres and sorafenib, and multiple cycles of chemotherapeutic agents such as bevacizumab, erlotinib, OXAFI ( intravenous oxaliplatin and doxorubicin given on days 1, 8 and 15 in a 28-day cycle, a daily continuous infusion of fluorouracil and subcutaneous interferon alfa-2b 5 million units administered thrice weekly), thalidomide, capecitabine, and rapamycin over the course of four years. Along the course of treatment, he developed pulmonary embolism and was initially started on anti-coagulation. Two months later, he developed hemoptysis and the anti-coagulants were stopped. During his routine ophthalmology visit for diabetic eye evaluation, he complained of blurring of vision of his left eye for the past four to five weeks. He was found to have central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) of the left eye, associated with macular edema. Visual acuity was 6/15 for the right eye and 6/60 for the left eye. Eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber, pupils, lens and ocular motility were normal. Humphrey visual field testing showed a superior arcuate and basal defect. This is the first reported case of CRVO in hepatocellular carcinoma. The etiology of CRVO is multifactorial, withhepatic malignancy, previous major surgery, multiple cycles of chemotherapy and cessation of anticoagulant therapyas possible aetiological factors. His background medical problems of diabetes and hypertension are further contributors.