The present study was undertaken with an aim to examine the retention capacity of forty chilli genotypes for capsaicin and capsanthin compounds during the storage of six months. Capsanthin and capsaicin content levels were measured at four different intervals during storage, namely immediately after harvest, after two months of storage, after four months of storage and after six months of storage. Findings of the study revealed that all forty genotypes demonstrated a decline in both capsanthin and capsaicin content over the six-month storage period. All the forty genotypes registered significant reduction in capsanthin content during storage. Bydagi Dabbi and KTPL-19 were among the genotypes that demonstrated good color values and capsanthin retention capacity over six months storage. Out of the forty genotypes, thirty seven registered a significant reduction in capsaicin content whereas three genotypes viz., Pusa Sadabahar, Punjab Guchhedar and LCA 324 showed non-significant reduction in capsaicin content indicating their good capsaicin retention abilities. Twenty-seven out of forty chilli genotypes exhibited a more pronounced decrease in capsanthin content compared to capsaicin content suggesting faster decline in capsanthin values than capsaicin values. This study implies that diverse chilli genotypes exhibit varying capacities to retain both capsaicin and capsanthin compounds during storage.

Gastroduodenal intussusception is a rare phenomenon in adults and is caused by gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in the majority of the documented cases. It commonly presents with abdominal pain, vomiting and melena. GIST is the most common gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumor in gastric and non-gastric locations. It is characterized classically by KIT or PGDFRA expression, and immunohistochemical analysis is the mainstay of diagnosis. Surgical resection provides definitive treatment in 70% of the cases. Here, we present a rare case of gastroduodenal intussusception caused by GIST in an elderly patient.

Four heat susceptible and four heat tolerant genotypes of chilli were grown under high temperature as well as control conditions to study the morphological, biochemical and molecular changes occurring in them due to high temperature stress. It was observed that high temperature did not have significant effect on vegetative growth in chilli however the reproductive growth was significantly affected and was manifested as reduction in fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight and number of seeds per fruit. The detrimental effect was more pronounced in heat susceptible chilli genotypes. Tolerant genotypes accumulated more amounts of protein as well as proline and displayed higher activities of antioxidant enzymes like SOD (superoxide dismutase) and POD (peroxidase) in order to combat the high temperature stress. Out of seven Capsicum annuum specific heat shock proteins studied, three genes namely CaHSP 832 (HSP 83), Ca HSP 703(HSP70) and Ca HSP 2272 (small HSP) showed significant differences in expression level between tolerant and susceptible genotypes thereby suggesting their utility in discriminating the genotypes for their tolerance to heat stress.

Four cold tolerant hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes were identified at Division of Vegetable Science, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi which showed significantly better agronomic performance during the cold winter conditions of Delhi during 2019–20 when most of other genotypes succumbed. Present investigations were carried out to understand the biochemical and molecular basis of cold tolerance in these genotypes for which they were compared with cold sensitive genotypes for various biochemical parameters as well as for expression of some cold inducible genes. The results indicated that the cold tolerant genotypes had inherent biochemical and molecular mechanism which helped them in cold acclimation. These genotypes had strong antioxidant defense and ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) scavenging system as displayed by significantly high activities of guaiacol-peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and lower levels of lipid peroxidation in response to cold stress. They also accumulated higher concentration of proline to maintain their membrane fluidity and H2O2. Twelve of the fourteen cold inducible genes studied in the present investigations had significantly high expression in cold tolerant genotypes. However the expression profile of these genes differed in different genotypes indicating that mechanism of cold tolerance was not identical in all the genotypes. The confirmation of existence of innate cold tolerance mechanism in our test genotypes can pave a way for future utilization of these genotypes in cold stress breeding.

Double haploid (DH) breeding not only helps in shortening the breeding cycle, also in fastening the release of homozygous inbred lines with superior and desirable traits. In vitro microspore culture is the fastest approach for the production of haploid plantlets. The key parameter for success of the haploid production in any crop species is the stage of microspore or pollens at the time of culture as it decides the fate of cultured anthers/pollens. Therefore an easy, precise, fast, and reliable criterion to identify flower buds carrying microspores or pollen at particular stages are essential. In the present investigation, we developed easiest and accurate criterion to correlate visible, measurable traits of bud and anther development with individual stages of microsporogenesis in two sweet pepper F1 hybrids (Orobelle and Bomby). Anthers containing microspores at late uninucleate to early binucleate stage are optimal for induction of androgenesis in wide range of crop species. Anther containing uninucleate pollens were observed in flower buds with an average size of 5.39 mm in Orobelle and 4.8mm in Bomby, average anther length of 2.75 mm in Orobelle and 2.71mm in Bomby and corolla was slightly longer than that of the calyx in both the hybrids. Anthers were without any purple pigmentation in Orobelle and slight/no pigmentation at the top of the anther sac end in Bomby.

Disaster hit Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on February 7, 2021, in the form of sudden flash floods after a portion of the Nanda Devi glacier was broke apart. The sudden floods were reported in the intricately linked tributaries of the Ganga River - Dhauli Ganga, Rishi Ganga, and Alaknanda rivers which triggered widespread panic and large-scale devastation and fatalities. The Flash floods damaged two power projects - NTPC’s Tapovan-Vishnugad Hydel Project and the Rishiganga Hydel Project, five bridges, roads, and settlements, in and around Raini, Tapovan and Joshimath areas in Uttarakhand. Scores of laborers working at the sites of the Hydel Projects were trapped and feared to have lost lives, despite all our efforts to rescue them. It is the second large-scale tragedy in the same area within a span of fewer than eight years. Questions are being asked,”Why did we not learn any lesson from the earlier disaster in the very same area”? Was it under-preparedness, or was its disregard to the environment or both? This paper attempts to find the right answers to the questions and suggest solutions so that in the future, such avoidable disasters do not happen.

Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) associated with natal/neonatal teeth is extremely rare. In general, POF occurs as a soft-tissue gingival nodule occurring in young adults. We report an unusual and a rare case in a 5-month-old male child who had two, localized, soft-tissue growth over the mandibular anterior alveolar ridge. History revealed the presence of natal teeth in the same mandibular anterior region, which exfoliated at the age of 2 months. Intraoral periapical radiograph showed soft tissue density with evidence of calcifications that also corroborated with the histopathological finding of masses of mineralized areas. Excision of the lesions followed by histopathological examination proved the final diagnosis of POF. Inspite of being a benign reactive lesion, a high recurrence rate has been reported. Such lesions require long-term follow-up subsequent to excision with histopathological examination due to a high recurrence rate.

Terminal heat stress has detrimental effect on the growth and yield of wheat. Very limited information is available on heat stress-associated active proteins (SAAPs) in wheat. Here, we have identified 159 protein groups with 4271 SAAPs in control (22 ± 3 °C) and HS-treated (38 °C, 2 h) wheat cvs. HD2985 and HD2329 using iTRAQ. We identified 3600 proteins to be upregulated and 5825 proteins to be downregulated in both the wheat cvs. under HS. We observed 60.3% of the common SAAPs showing upregulation in HD2985 (thermotolerant) and downregulation in HD2329 (thermosusceptible) under HS. GO analysis showed proton transport (molecular), photosynthesis (biological), and ATP binding (cellular) to be most altered under HS. Most of the SAAPs identified were observed to be chloroplast localized and involved in photosynthesis. Carboxylase enzyme was observed most abundant active enzymes in wheat under HS. An increase in the degradative isoenzymes (α/β-amylases) was observed, as compared to biosynthesis enzymes (ADP-glucophosphorylase, soluble starch synthase, etc.) under HS. Transcript profiling showed very high relative fold expression of HSP17, CDPK, Cu/Zn SOD, whereas downregulation of AGPase, SSS under HS. The identified SAAPs can be used for targeted protein-based precision wheat-breeding program for the development of 'climate-smart' wheat.

Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the gingival manifestations of tuberculosis (TB) in the oral cavity in pediatric patients. Study Design. Four pediatric patients were enrolled in the study. Clinical symptoms, auxiliary examinations, treatments, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Four pediatric patients who presented with atypical gingival lesions were thoroughly examined for local and systemic signs and symptoms, and a detailed history was obtained. All relevant investigations led to a definitive diagnosis of oral tuberculous lesions. On the basis of the final diagnosis, antitubercular therapy (ATT) was started for all the pediatric patients, and outcomes were measured. Results. All 4 patients responded very well to the treatment, with complete resolution of the lesions within 6 months after the initiation of ATT. Conclusions. Health care professionals should rule out TB as one of the differential diagnoses in pediatric patients with atypical gingival lesions. ATT is strongly recommended for the treatment of oral TB to achieve good clinical outcomes. Rapid molecular tests based on nucleic amplification should be utilized for the diagnosis of TB in children and also for extrapulmonary TB because they are much faster and reliable compared with conventional methods.

Nitric oxide has been reported to enhance the tolerance of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses. Wheat is highly affected by heat stress at different stages of growth and development. Tolerance to heat stress (HS) at germination stage is important for wheat crop in Central and Peninsular India. Here, we studied the effect of pre-treatment of seeds with NO (150 µmol) on the activity of enzymes associated with germination and overall tolerance of seedlings of contrasting wheat cvs. Raj3765 and HD2932 under differential HS. NO was observed to self-regulate it’s biosynthesis through upregulation of NOS and NR in seedlings under NO and HS treatments. HSP90, HSP70, SOD and CAT showed very high expression in response to NO and HS, as compared to control. An increase in the activities of α/β-amylases were observed in response to NO and HS in seedlings. The NO effect was more pronounced in the seedlings of thermotolerance cv. Raj3765, as compared to thermosusceptible cv. HD2932. We observed an increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and POX) in response to NO. Enhancement of biochemical traits associated with thermotolerance were also observed in seedlings treated with NO under HS. NO mitigated the effect of HS by triggering the SAGs and antioxidant enzymes associated defence network and thus tolerance of wheat seedling to HS. This provides an easy and cheap method to mitigate the effect of HS on germination in wheat.

Cherubism is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by replacement of bone with fibrous tissue containing multinucleated giant cells. It manifests as bilateral mandibular and/or maxillary enlargement. The 2017 World Health Organization classification lists cherubism as a giant cell lesion of the jaws, distinct from fibro-osseous disorders. We discuss 3 cases of familial cherubism having aggressive characteristics and present clinicoradiologic evaluations of the lesions over 12, 18, and 1.5 years, respectively. Follow-up was observational, without active intervention. Analysis of the lesions for change in size and functional impairments was correlated with periodic imaging. All patients are currently being monitored. The outcome in 2 cases has been excellent without intervention, but 1 case had extensive involvement of the jaws and involvement of the condyle and orbit. A secondary giant cell lesion involved the palate in one patient's mother, who had had cherubic lesions in childhood.

RuBisCo activase modulate the activity of RuBisCo and protect the nascent proteins from aggregation under heat stress (HS). Here, we have identified and cloned a putative RuBisCo activase (Rca) gene of 1402 bp from wheat cv. HD2985 using transcriptomic approach. Evolutionary search established the presence of 63 Orthologs and 2 Paralogs of the cloned Rca gene. Sequence analysis showed significant variations in the amino acid of Rca and RuBisCo (large and small subunit) in thermotolerant and thermosusceptible wheat cvs. Heterologous expression of Rca in E. coli showed the release of ~ 47 kDa purified protein. Expression analysis of Rca at transcript and protein level showed significant up-regulation in wheat cvs. Raj3765 (thermotolerant) and HD2329 (thermosusceptible) under HS. RuBisCo enzyme present in thermosusceptible cv. showed more sensitivity to HS, as compared to thermotolerant. Rca activity was observed higher in Raj3765 during pollination and milky-ripe stages under HS (38 °C, 1 h), as compared to HD2329. The binding of Rca with the RuBisCo under HS was observed more stable in Raj3765, as compared to HD2329. The purified Rca enzyme was observed more effective in the renaturation of RuBisCo (inactive) under HS in Raj3765 than in HD2329. A positive correlation was established between the Rca enzyme activity and radical scavenging potential in the leaves of both the wheat cvs. under HS. There is a need to characterize the enzyme kinetics and functional diversity of Rca in order to exploit it in a better way to augment the carbon assimilatory processes in wheat under differential HS.

Heat stress has an adverse effect on the quality and quantity of agriculturally important crops, especially wheat. The tolerance mechanism has not been explored much in wheat and very few genes/TFs responsive to heat stress is available on public domain. Here, we identified, cloned and characterized a putative TaHSFA6e TF gene of 1.3 kb from wheat cv. HD2985. We observed an ORF of 368 aa with Hsf DNA binding signature domain in the amino acid sequence. Single copy number of TaHSFA6e was observed integrated in the genome of wheat. Expression analysis of TaHSFA6e under differential HS showed maximum transcripts in wheat cv. Halna (thermotolerant) in response to 38 degrees C for 2 h during pollination and grain-filling stages, as compared to PBW343, HD2329 and HD2985. Putative target genes of TaHSFA6e (HSP17, HSP70 and HSP90) showed upregulation in response to differential HS (30 & 38 degrees C, 2 h) during pollination and grain-filling stages. Small HSP17 was observed most triggered in Halna under HS. We observed increase in the catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and decrease in the lipid peroxidation in thermotolerant cvs. (Halna, HD2985), as compared to thermosusceptible (PBW343, HD2329) under differential HS. Multiple stresses (heat - 38 degrees C, 2 h, and drought - 100 mL of 20% polyethylene Glycol 6000) during seedling stage of wheat showed positive correlation between the expression of TaHSFA6e, putative targets (HSP70, HSP90, HSP17) and TAC. Halna (thermotolerant) performed better, as compared to other contrasting cvs. TaHSFA6e TF can be used as promising candidate gene for manipulating the heat stress-tolerance network.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a Mendelian disorder which is carried as an autosomal dominant trait. Two genetically distinct subtypes have been recognized, NF type 1 (NF1) and NF2. NF1 patients present with cutaneous, ocular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurologic, and dental findings but chiefly characterized by neurofibromas of central and peripheral nervous systems. Approximately 75%–80% of NF1 patients present with oral and radiographic manifestations, while 80% present with facial plexiform neurofibroma. This article aims to present a case report of NF1 diagnosed with the help of higher imaging. NF1 in a pediatric patient was diagnosed with classic findings of plexiform neurofibroma and sphenoid dysplasia diagnosed on cone-beam computed tomography (CT) and contrast-enhanced CT. Development of malignancies such as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, optic gliomas, and leukemias is a major risk factor of NF1. Therefore, the use of imaging for early diagnosis of NF1 is critical.

Hemorrhagic shock depletes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and causes metabolic derangements that, in severe cases, cannot be overcome, even after restoration of blood volume and pressure. However, current strategies to treat acute blood loss do not target cellular metabolism. We hypothesized that supplemental nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), the immediate biosynthetic precursor to NAD, would support cellular energetics and enhance physiologic resilience to hemorrhagic shock. In a rodent model of decompensated hemorrhagic shock, rats receiving NMN displayed significantly reduced lactic acidosis and serum IL-6 levels, two strong predictors of mortality in human patients. In both livers and kidneys, NMN increased NAD levels and prevented mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, NMN preserved mitochondrial function in isolated hepatocytes cocultured with proinflammatory cytokines, indicating a cell-autonomous protective effect that is independent from the reduction in circulating IL-6. In kidneys, but not in livers, NMN was sufficient to prevent ATP loss following shock and resuscitation. Overall, NMN increased the time animals could sustain severe shock before requiring resuscitation by nearly 25% and significantly improved survival after resuscitation (P = 0.018), whether NMN was given as a pretreatment or only as an adjunct during resuscitation. Thus, we demonstrate that NMN substantially mitigates inflammation, improves cellular metabolism, and promotes survival following hemorrhagic shock.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate and compare the therapeutic response of lycopene and curcumin with placebo in patients suffering from oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and to correlate the habit variables of smoked and smokeless tobacco products in OSMF. METHODS A randomized placebo-controlled parallel clinical study was conducted on ninety OSMF patients, who were divided into three treatment groups using computer-generated randomization. Group A patients (n = 30) were given curcumin tablet (300 mg) twice daily, Group B patients (n = 30) received lycopene capsules (8 mg) twice daily, and for Group C (n = 30), placebo capsules were given once daily for a period of six months. Both the participant and outcome assessor were blinded. Pre- and post-treatment comparison of mouth opening, burning sensation, tongue protrusion, and cheek flexibility was analyzed at periodic follow-up of 9 months. RESULTS The overall improvement in mouth opening, burning sensation, tongue protrusion, and cheek flexibility was 3.9 ± 4.9 mm, 4.8 ± 2.6, 5.0 ± 7.2 mm, & 0.36 ± 0.71 mm, respectively, for curcumin and 4.1 ± 4.2 mm, 5.0 ± 2.3, 2.4 ± 3.5 mm, & 0.66 ± 0.80 mm, respectively, for lycopene with the p value <0.05. CONCLUSION Statistically significant improvement in clinical findings was observed in both curcumin and lycopene treatment groups in comparison with placebo. However, the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin and lycopene was found to be almost equal in OSMF patients.

INTRODUCTION: Impaction may be defined as the failure of complete eruption into a normal functional position of one tooth within normal time due to lack of space in the dental arch, caused by obstruction by another tooth or development in an abnormal position.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on 945 patients (males=591, females=354) aged between 18- 50 years of age who had mandibular third molars impacted. The difficulty index for mandibular third molar for angulation and depth was based on Winter’s classification (1926).RESULTS: The most common type of impaction seen was Mesio- angular with (32%) followed by horizontal 264 (27.8%), then followed by other types. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0CONCLUSION: Impacted third molars are a common observation in routine dental practice. The impaction rate of third molars is higher as compared to other teeth in the dentition. The high prevalence found in the present study, with more than half of these Nepalese adult patients having at least one impacted third molar.

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is a benign pathology that usually affects the joints of axial skeleton and being rare in temporomandibular joint region. Clinically, the presentation can be in the form of swelling, pain, clicking sounds, and mouth opening limitation. Imaging is a vital component to distinguish the conditions similar to SC. A case of SC diagnosed with the help of imaging has been discussed in the present paper along with a brief review of differential diagnosis.