Reduced infant rhesus macaque growth rates due to environmental enteric dysfunction and association with histopathology in the large intestine

Environmental enteric dysfunction is associated with malnutrition as well as infant growth stunting and has been classically defined by villous blunting, decreased crypt-to-villus ratio, and inflammation in the small intestine. Here, we characterized environmental enteric dysfunction among infant rhesus macaques that are naturally exposed to enteric pathogens commonly linked to human growth stunting. Remarkably, despite villous atrophy and histological abnormalities observed in the small intestine, poor growth trajectories and low serum tryptophan levels were correlated with increased histopathology in the large intestine. This work provides insight into the mechanisms underlying this disease and indicates that the large intestine may be an important target for therapeutic intervention.

Low CO2 Levels Are Detrimental for In Vitro Plantlets through Disturbance of Photosynthetic Functionality and Accumulation of Reactive Oxygen Species

Photosynthesis of plantlets in tissue culture containers is not considered important, compared to photosynthesis of ex vitro plants, due to the exogenous source of carbohydrates present in tissue culture media. However, CO2 starvation can generate a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We examined this phenomenon in tissue culture, since CO2 levels may become very low during the light period. The research was carried out with lily scales, regenerating adventitious bulblets, and with Arabidopsis seedlings. CO2 starvation was achieved by placing a small vial of concentrated KOH solution in the culture container. CO2 removal reduced the growth of regenerated lily bulblets by 33% or 23%, with or without sucrose in the medium, respectively. In Arabidopsis seedlings, CO2 removal decreased growth by 50% or 78% in the presence or absence of sucrose in the medium, respectively. Therefore, the addition of sucrose as a replacement for photosynthesis resulted in only partial recovery of growth. Staining with nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) showed little to no ROS in ex vitro growing seedlings, while abundant ROS were detected in seedlings grown under in vitro CO2 starvation. Seedlings grown under normal tissue culture conditions (no CO2 withdrawal) showed low levels of ROS. In lily tissue culture, CO2 starvation decreased the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) from 0.69 to 0.60, and in Arabidopsis from 0.76 to 0.62. Fv/Fm of ex vitro lily and Arabidopsis seedlings was 0.77 and 0.79, respectively. This is indicative of a disturbance in photosynthesis functionality and the occurrence of in vitro stress under reduced CO2 concentrations. We conclude that poor growth, in the absence of CO2, was partly due to strongly reduced photosynthesis, while the detrimental effects were most likely due to a burst of ROS.

Outcomes of eosinophilic esophagitis in patients managed in a multidisciplinary clinic

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis is a complex disease with an increasing prevalence. Multidisciplinary teams are often needed to manage this difficult-to-treat condition. Objective: To observe the clinical and histologic outcomes of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis after management in a multidisciplinary clinic. Methods: An observational, retrospective chart review was conducted to include all patients referred to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center multidisciplinary eosinophilic esophagitis clinic between August 2012 and February 2021. Only patients who had at least one esophagogastroduodenoscopy before referral, one or more visits and endoscopy after multidisciplinary management, and documented clinical symptoms were included. Statistical analysis was performed by using McNemar and Wilcoxon tests. Results: A total of 103 patients were included in the study, with a mean age at diagnosis of 17.9 years. Management in the multidisciplinary clinic was associated with a reduction in solid-food dysphagia by 70.9%, poor growth by 70.8%, and emesis or regurgitation by 87.5%. We observed that 48.5% and 62.1% had histologic remission (<15 eosinophils/hpf) on the initial and any post-multidisciplinary endoscopy, respectively. Only seven patients (5.8%) with two or more visits and endoscopies did not achieve histologic remission. More than two-thirds of the patients (68.9%) required combination therapy to achieve remission. Conclusion: Although an observational study, these findings may suggest that the management of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis in a multidisciplinary clinic may improve the likelihood of clinical and histologic remission. Targeted management with a multidisciplinary approach may reduce overall morbidity and slow disease progression; however, more research is needed.

Growth performance, haematology and serum lipid profile of broiler chickens fed three varieties of ripe Solanum melongena fruit meal supplements

The growth, haematological and serum characteristics of Cobb broilers (n = 112) fed inclusions of ripe Solanum melongena fruit meal (SMFM) varieties were incorporated in a 56-day trial. The completely randomized design was employed in assigning day-old chicks to four labeled groups (T1-T4) with four replications. Dietary treatment of SMFM varieties was according to study groups such that T1 had Abia var. Okpokwe, T2 contained Nsukka Ind × Jos, T3 enclosed Nsukka Ind × Nsukka Local, while T4 was control. Daily feed intake and weekly weights furnished the growth assay of the chicks, while their blood assessment was done at the termination of the study. Data analyzed showed T4 to have better (p < 0.05) final weights (2740.50 g), feed intake (131.39 g) and weight gain (48.13 g) than SMFM groups. Red blood cell count was highest (p < 0.05) in T2 and T3 (10.87 × 106 and 10.88 × 106 mm3, respectively) and lowly in T1 and T4 (10.04 × 106 mm3 each). Haemoglobin concentration was highest (p < 0.05) in T2 and T3 (8.73, 8.98 g dL–) and lowest in T4 (7.55 g dL–1). Treated birds had better (p < 0.05) serum cholesterol and lipoproteins than the control. Triglyceride of T4 (117.75 g dL–1) was different (p < 0.05) from T1 and T2 (107.00, 107.67 g dL–1) but similar (p > 0.05) to T3 (109.00 g dL–1). The SMFM varieties, mostly Nsukka Ind × Jos (T2), independently promoted superior haematology and serum lipid profile but poor growth of test broilers.

Cytogenetic Testing by Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization Is Improved by Plasma Cell Sorting in Multiple Myeloma

Accurate detection of cytogenetic abnormalities has become more important for improving risk-adapted treatment strategies in multiple myeloma (MM). However, precise cytogenetic testing by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is challenged by the dilution effect of bone marrow specimens and poor growth of plasma cells ex vivo. To address these issues, we compared the performances of three different enrichment modalities for FISH: direct FISH, fluorescence immunophenotyping and interphase cytogenetics as a tool for the investigation of neoplasms (FICTION) technique, and a plasma cell sorting FISH with fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). We examined cytogenetic abnormalities in bone marrow cells of 493 patients with newly diagnosed MM and compared the efficacy of each modality. FISH disclosed cytogenetic abnormalities in 38.0% of samples by direct FISH, 56.3% by FICTION, and 95.5% by FACS-FISH, and the percentage of cells with abnormal signals detected by FISH was higher by FACS-FISH than direct FISH or FICTION. Our results suggest that the efficacy of FISH is dependent on the plasma cell enrichment modalities and reveal that plasma cell sorting FISH with FACS enables better detection of cytogenetic abnormalities in diagnostic MM samples with low plasma cell frequency.

THE PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA: ADMINISTRATORS’ PERSPECTIVES

Youth entrepreneurship is an emerging enquiry, which is critical in addressing unemployment crisis among young people. This paper explored prospects and challenges of youth entrepreneurship in developing economy, Zanzibar in Tanzania. The paper adopted qualitative methods using thematic analysis techniques to derive prospects and challenges from recorded transcripts according to administrator’s perspective from public and private institutions responsible for entrepreneurship in the country. The study found that youth entrepreneurship is strategic initiative of transforming necessity entrepreneurship into opportunity entrepreneurship, stimulating innovation initiatives for solving challenges facing society, promoting sectoral linkage, job creation and building entrepreneurial culture. However, youth entrepreneurship is constrained internally by lack of funds, poor growth and sustainability of youth enterprises, lack of entrepreneurial mindset and alertness to opportunities, while externally by poor coordination of public institution responsible for entrepreneurship development, bureaucracy, and lack of family support. The study becomes empirical evidence on the importance of youth entrepreneurship and thereby recommended for policy intervention would ameliorate the challenges and helps build entrepreneurial culture for the development of entrepreneurship in the country.

Hypophosphatemia and Metabolic Bone Disease Associated With the Use of Elemental Formula: Case Report and Review

A small percentage of infants and children develop cow’s milk protein allergy which is usually treated with exclusive breastfeeding or extensively hydrolyzed formulas. Some children might still be reactive to hydrolyzed formulas and would need elemental amino acid-based formulas. Elemental formulas are also frequently employed in treating very low birth weight babies with significant intolerance to regular preterm formulas and the resulting poor growth. All pediatric formulas are usually prepared as per international guidelines to fulfill the macro- and micronutrient requirements of growing children across a wide range of volume intakes. However, an interesting correlation is being reported recently, between the use of a specific elemental formula and the development of hypophosphatemia and significant metabolic bone disease. We discuss this phenomenon by exploring the available evidence and report 2 similar cases that we managed in our practice.

The Modulation of Water, Nitrogen, and Phosphorous Supply for Growth Optimization of the Evergreen Shrubs Ammopiptanthus mongolicus for Revegetation Purpose

Surface mining is a critical anthropogenic activity that significantly alters the ecosystem. Revegetation practices are largely utilized to compensate for these detrimental impacts of surface mining. In this study, we investigated the effects of five water (W) regimes [W40: 40%, W48: 48%, W60: 60%, W72: 72%, and W80: 80% of field capacity (FC)], five nitrogen (N) (N0: 0, N24: 24, N60: 60, N96: 96, and N120: 120 mg kg−1 soil), and five phosphorus (P) fertilizer doses (P0: 0, P36: 36, P90: 90, P144: 144, and P180: 180 mg kg−1 soil) on morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus plants to assess the capability of this species to be used for restoration purposes. The results showed that under low W-N resources, A. mongolicus exhibited poor growth performance (i.e., reduced plant height, stem diameter, and dry biomass) in coal-degraded spoils, indicating that A. mongolicus exhibited successful adaptive mechanisms by reducing its biomass production to survive long in environmental stress conditions. Compared with control, moderate to high W and N-P application rates greatly enhanced the net photosynthesis rates, transpiration rates, water-use efficiency, chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, total Chl, and carotenoid contents. Under low-W content, the N-P fertilization enhanced the contents of proline and soluble sugar, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase in leaf tissues, reducing the oxidative stress. Changes in plant growth and metabolism in W-shortage conditions supplied with N-P fertilization may be an adaptive strategy that is essential for its conservation and restoration in the desert ecosystem. The best growth performance was observed in plants under W supplements corresponding to 70% of FC and N and P doses of 33 and 36 mg kg−1 soil, respectively. Our results provide useful information for revegetation and ecological restoration in coal-degraded and arid-degraded lands in the world using endangered species A. mongolicus.

Optimization of Boron and Zinc on the Growth and Yield Parameters of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Nalanda District

The field experiment was carried out to overcome the poor growth and yield of tomato due to imbalance use of fertilizer and micronutrient deficiency. The objective to conduct this experiment was soil application of micronutrients alongwith nitrogen, phosphorus and potash for growth and yield enhancement. The maximum 90.39 cm plant height,the heighest 14.38 number of branches,the maximum 29.50 number of fruits per plant, heighest fruir weight per plant 2.46 kg per plant with yield of 518.25 quintal per heactare in case of technology option three application of 120.80.80 kg N:P:K ha-1 alongwith 10kg zinc and 1 kg boron per hectare as basal dose in comparision to other treatments. The lowest 80.45 cm plant height, least number of branches per plant 8.13,lesser number of fruit per plant 24.13, least fruit weight 2.18 kgper plant with minimum yield of 450.50 quintal per hectare was recorded in control.

Investigating the role of the carbon storage regulator A (CsrA) in Leptospira spp.

Carbon Storage Regulator A (CsrA) is a well-characterized post-transcriptional global regulator that plays a critical role in response to environmental changes in many bacteria. CsrA has been reported to regulate several metabolic pathways, motility, biofilm formation, and virulence-associated genes. The role of csrA in Leptospira spp., which are able to survive in different environmental niches and infect a wide variety of reservoir hosts, has not been characterized. To investigate the role of csrA as a gene regulator in Leptospira, we generated a L. biflexa csrA deletion mutant (ΔcsrA) and csrA overexpressing Leptospira strains. The ΔcsrA L. biflexa displayed poor growth under starvation conditions. RNA sequencing revealed that in rich medium only a few genes, including the gene encoding the flagellar filament protein FlaB3, were differentially expressed in the ΔcsrA mutant. In contrast, 575 transcripts were differentially expressed when csrA was overexpressed in L. biflexa. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed the RNA-seq data in the ΔcsrA mutant, showing direct binding of recombinant CsrA to flaB3 mRNA. In the pathogen L. interrogans, we were not able to generate a csrA mutant. We therefore decided to overexpress csrA in L. interrogans. In contrast to the overexpressing strain of L. biflexa, the overexpressing L. interrogans strain had poor motility on soft agar. The overexpressing strain of L. interrogans also showed significant upregulation of the flagellin flaB1, flaB2, and flaB4. The interaction of L. interrogans rCsrA and flaB4 was confirmed by EMSA. Our results demonstrated that CsrA may function as a global regulator in Leptospira spp. under certain conditions that cause csrA overexpression. Interestingly, the mechanisms of action and gene targets of CsrA may be different between non-pathogenic and pathogenic Leptospira strains.