Effect of sub-optimal moisture levels on the quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) during storage in triple-layer hermetic storage bags

Storage is an important aspect of groundnut, as the in-shell and shelled kernels are prone to infestation by insects, pests, and fungi. Among several storage pests, the groundnut bruchid, Caryedon serratus, causes serious losses. Farmers often resort to different management practices, including hermetic storage, to control it. The moisture content of the commodity plays an important role in insect infestation during storage. Drying to safe moisture levels before storage is known to prevent the activity of various living organisms, such as storage pests. However, drying to low levels of moisture may not be economical for farmers, as they may not have access to devices to accurately check product moisture. In this regard, we wanted to demonstrate the efficacy of triple-layer hermetic storage bags in preventing the damage caused by C. serratus when the groundnuts are stored at intermediate (10%) and high (14%) levels of moisture compared to traditionally used bags such as polypropylene bags and jute bags. Groundnut pods at 10% moisture content and 14% moisture content were separately inoculated with adult bruchids and a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus fungal inoculum before storing them for 6 months. Results from groundnut samples taken at two-month intervals indicated that groundnut pods stored in triple-layer hermetic bags were completely free from infestation by C. serratus by recording a zero number of eggs laid, number of pupae, adult emergence, percentage of loss, and percentage of damage up to 6 months of storage, by creating low oxygen (hypoxia) and high carbon dioxide (hypercarbia) conditions. Results also indicate no loss of pod weight stored in triple-layer bags, but a slight reduction in germination percentage was recorded due to a slight increase in fungal activity, but the reduction was significantly less in triple-layer plastic bags compared to other bag types. Similarly, biochemical constituents such as oil and protein content were slightly reduced in triple-layer plastic bags when pods were stored at a 10% moisture level, but a higher reduction was observed at a 14% moisture level. However, the reduction was very high and significant in other bag types at both 10 and 14% moisture levels

Effect of sub-optimal moisture levels on the quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) during storage in triple-layer hermetic storage bags

Storage is an important aspect of groundnut, as the in-shell and shelled kernels are prone to infestation by insects, pests, and fungi. Among several storage pests, the groundnut bruchid, Caryedon serratus, causes serious losses. Farmers often resort to different management practices, including hermetic storage, to control it. The moisture content of the commodity plays an important role in insect infestation during storage. Drying to safe moisture levels before storage is known to prevent the activity of various living organisms, such as storage pests. However, drying to low levels of moisture may not be economical for farmers, as they may not have access to devices to accurately check product moisture. In this regard, we wanted to demonstrate the efficacy of triple-layer hermetic storage bags in preventing the damage caused by C. serratus when the groundnuts are stored at intermediate (10%) and high (14%) levels of moisture compared to traditionally used bags such as polypropylene bags and jute bags. Groundnut pods at 10% moisture content and 14% moisture content were separately inoculated with adult bruchids and a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus fungal inoculum before storing them for 6 months. Results from groundnut samples taken at two-month intervals indicated that groundnut pods stored in triple-layer hermetic bags were completely free from infestation by C. serratus by recording a zero number of eggs laid, number of pupae, adult emergence, percentage of loss, and percentage of damage up to 6 months of storage, by creating low oxygen (hypoxia) and high carbon dioxide (hypercarbia) conditions. Results also indicate no loss of pod weight stored in triple-layer bags, but a slight reduction in germination percentage was recorded due to a slight increase in fungal activity, but the reduction was significantly less in triple-layer plastic bags compared to other bag types. Similarly, biochemical constituents such as oil and protein content were slightly reduced in triple-layer plastic bags when pods were stored at a 10% moisture level, but a higher reduction was observed at a 14% moisture level. However, the reduction was very high and significant in other bag types at both 10 and 14% moisture levels

Delusions, Hallucinations, and Cognitive Decline in Middle Age: A Case of Dementia, GIGYF2 Gene Mutation, and 22q11 Duplication

We detected a novel heterozygous mutation in the Grb-10 interacting GYF protein-2 (GIGYF2) gene and a short duplication of chromosome 22q11.2 in a person who developed symptoms of psychosis and dementia. Overlaps between the two syndromes are often seen, and understanding the genetic correlates may help better appreciate these syndromes and the related biological mechanisms

Modelling impact of future climate and land use land cover on flood vulnerability for policy support – Hyderabad, India

Abstract The study analyses the impact of climate change and land use land cover (LULC) on runoff of Hyderabad city, India for the years 1995, 2005, 2016 and 2031. Flood vulnerability was evaluated for extreme historic and future rainfall events. Maximum daily rainfalls of 132, 181 and 165 mm that occurred in the decades of 1990–2000, 2001–2010 and 2011–2016 were considered for historic rainfall–runoff modelling. Complementarily in climate change, maximum daily rainfall of 266 mm predicted during 2020–2040 by Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory-Coupled Model 3 (GFDL-CM3) Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 2.6, was analysed for rainfall-runoff scenario in 2031. LULC was assessed from historic maps and the master plan of the city. Peak runoff was modelled in Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) for corresponding daily rainfall and LULC. The floodplain of the river Musi was modelled in Hydrological Engineering Center-River Analysis System (HEC-RAS). Results showed that changing rainfall and LULC increased peak runoff by three times, and flood depth in the river increased by 22% from 1995 to 2031. In 2016 and 2031, 48 and 51% of the city was highly vulnerable. Five detention basins were proposed to combat increasing runoff, due to which highly vulnerable areas reduced by 8% in 2016 and 9% in 2031.</jats:p

Gut microbial metabolites as therapeutics to treat of alcoholic liver disease

Abstract Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is resultant of excessive consumption of alcohol. ALD is the world’s third largest risk factor for diseases and disabilities and accounting for 5.9% of all deaths worldwide. ALD patients exhibit increased gut permeability, gut microbial dysbiosis, endotoxemia and hepatic steatosis. Recent studies, unequivocally demonstrated the importance of gut microbiota and their metabolites in regulating host pathophysiology. Urolithin A (UroA) is a gut microbial metabolite derived from dietary ellagic acid and ellagitannins containing foods. Previously, we showed that UroA act as an AhR agonist and activate AhR-Nrf2 pathways to induce tight junction proteins and enhance gut barrier function. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that correcting gut barrier dysfunction, blocking inflammation and reducing hepatic steatosis simultaneously by UroA would provide better therapeutic options to treat ALD. Our studies suggested that UroA significantly induced expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins (Occludin, Cldn4 and ZO1) in AhR-Nrf2 dependent manner and protected from alcohol-induced downregulation of TJ proteins and reduced gut barrier leakage. Further, UroA attenuated ALD pathogenesis in both acute and chronic experimental mouse models by reducing alcohol induced barrier permeability, systemic endotoxin levels and inflammatory mediators. In these models, UroA treatment also significantly reduced alcohol induced liver ALT/AST levels, inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) and triglyceride levels as well as prevented liver damage. In summary, these studies highlight that the mechanisms of microbial metabolite, UroA and its multi-pronged beneficial effects in attenuating ALD.</jats:p

Formulation and evaluation of matrix-type transdermal delivery system of ondansetron hydrochloride using solvent casting technique

The purpose of this research was to develop a matrix-type transdermal therapeutic system containing drug Ondansetron hydrochloride (OSH) with different ratios of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymeric systems by the solvent evaporation technique by using 25 % w/w of di-butyl phthalate to the polymer weight, incorporated as plasticizer. 5% menthol was used to enhance the Transdermal permeation of OSH. Formulated transdermal patches were physically evaluated with regard to thickness, weight variation, drug content, flatness, folding endurance, percentage of moisture content and water vapour transmission rate. All prepared formulations indicated good physical stability. Ex vivo permeation studies of formulations were performed by using Franz diffusion cells. Formulation prepared with combination of hydrophilic polymers containing permeation enhancer showed best ex vivo skin permeation through rat skin (Wistar albino rat) as compared to all other formulations. The release profile of OSH followed zero-order kinetics in all formulations. However, the release profile of the optimized formulation F17 (r2 = 0.999 for Higuchi) indicated that the permeation of the drug from the patches was governed by a diffusion mechanism. Formulation F showed highest flux among all the formulations in drug permeation. These results indicate that the formulations containing menthol as the penetration enhancer (5%) giving better penetration of OSH through rat skin were considered as suitable for large scale manufacturing with a backing layer and a suitable adhesive membrane

Fragment-based design and MD simulations of human papilloma virus-16 E6 protein inhibitors

The main objective of this study is to screen potential small molecule inhibitors against HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)-16 E6 protein (HPV16 E6P) using a fragment-based approach. Twenty-six natural HPV inhibitors were selected based on the review of the literature. Among them, Luteolin was selected as the reference compound. These 26 compounds were used to generate novel inhibitors against HPV16 E6P. Fragment script and BREED of Schrodinger software were used to build novel inhibitor molecules. The result in 817 novel molecules was docked into the active binding site of HPV E6 protein and the top ten compounds were screened based on binding affinity compared to Luteolin for further study. Compounds Cpd5, Cpd7, and Cpd10 were the most potent inhibitors of HPV16 E6P and these were non-toxic and showed high Gastrointestinal (GI) absorption and positive drug-likeness score. Complexes of these compounds were stable in the 200 ns Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. These 3 HPV16 E6P inhibitors could be the lead molecules as new drugs for HPV-related diseases. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma</p