Impact of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on Cry1Ac protein contents in transgenic cotton

Application of different fertilizers to check the efficiency of expression of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) gene in one of the leading commercialized crops (cotton) against Lepidopteran species is of great concern. The expression of Cry protein level can be controlled by the improvement of nutrients levels. Therefore, the myth of response of Cry toxin to different combinations of NP fertilizers was explored in three Bt cotton cultivars. Combinations include three levels of nitrogen and three levels of phosphorus fertilizers. Immunostrips and Cry gene(s) specific primer based PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) analysis were used for the presence of Bt gene that unveiled the presence of Cry1Ac gene only. Further, the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit was used to quantify the expression of Cry1Ac protein. Under various NP fertilizers rates, the level of toxin protein exhibited highly significant differences. The highest toxin level mean was found to be 2.3740 and 2.1732 µg/g under the treatment of N150P75 kg ha-1 combination while the lowest toxin level mean was found to be 0.9158 and 0.7641 µg/g at the N50P25 kg ha-1 level at 80 and 120 DAS (Days After Sowing), respectively. It was concluded from the research that the usage of NP fertilizers has a positive relation with the expression of Cry1Ac toxin in Bt cotton. We recommend using the N150P50 kg ha-1 level as the most economical and practicable fertilizer instead of the standard dose N100P50 kg ha-1 to get the desired level of Cry1Ac level for long lasting plant resistance (<1.5). The revised dose of fertilizer may help farmers to avoid the cross-resistance development in contradiction of insect pests.

Physicochemical features, functional characteristics, and health benefits of cottonseed oil: a review

Vegetable oils have their specific physicochemical properties due to which they are playing vital role in human nutritional diet for health benefits. Cottonseed oil is obtained from various species of cotton seeds that are famous to be grown mainly for their fiber quality. The most prominently used specie is Gossypium hirsutum. It is obvious that the seeds of different variety of cotton vary as grown in diverse agroclimatic conditions with respect to oil, fats and protein contents. Cottonseed oil is routinely used for cooking and food manufacturing products. Cottonseed oil obtained after proper extraction/processing steps from crude state to refined oil in a variety of ways. Cotton crop is considered for their dual-use purpose, for fiber quality and oil production to promote health benefits in the world. Keeping in view the above facts, this review clearly demonstrated an overview about physicochemical and functional properties of cottonseed oil to promote health benefits associated with the use of this oil. The overall characteristics and all concerned health benefits of CSO will further improve their usefulness is a compact way. We have summarized a brief multi-dimensional features of CSO in all aspects up to the best of our knowledge for the end researchers who can further research in the respective aspect.

Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging: An Aid To Preoperative-Planning Of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

BACKGROUND

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been commonly used in the assessment of preoperative pelvic organ prolapse to evaluate anatomical defects prior to surgery. This study aimed at evaluating the dynamic MRI reliability in the determination of pelvic organ prolapse and to assess its compliance with the physical examination for preoperative planning of women.

METHODS

A prospective cross-sectional study was performed at the radiology department of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi from April-October 2019. All women irrespective of age and parity status having obstructed defecation, constipation, organ prolapse, pelvic pain, or stress urinary incontinence undergoing dynamic pelvic MRI were consecutively enrolled. A brief history was obtained followed by a physical examination for pelvic organ prolapse followed by MRI examination. Kappa coefficient was applied to see the agreement of physical examination with MRI finding.

RESULTS

A total 38 women were included. A significantly moderate agreement was observed between MRI and physical exam findings with respect to the presence or absence of cystocele (K=0.554, p<0.001), rectocele (K=0.632, p<0.001), and enterocele (K=0.587, p<0.001). However, agreement with respect to the MRI and physical examination findings on uterine descent was non-significant (K=0.130, p 0.421).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI examination is an effective diagnostic modality in determination of the pelvic organ prolapse in suspected symptomatic patients. MRI could add value primarily in research areas, taking into account its ability to examine the entire pelvis.

Correlation Of Preoperative Volume Of Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) On CT Scan With Postsurgical Tumour Size

BACKGROUND

Computed tomography (CT) radiological investigation is commonly used worldwide as a reliable method for determining the existence of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. This research was carried out to determine the correlation between the pre-surgical results of the CT scan and the size of the post-surgical tumour.

METHODS

An analytical crosssectional study was conducted at the radiology department of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, Pakistan from May to October 2020. All patients aged 18 years or above of either gender having malignant tumours of the tongue already proven on biopsy were consecutively enrolled. Pre-surgery CT scan images were performed. The preoperative volume on CT scan then correlated with the post-surgical tumour size findings. The tumour thickness level of anterio-posterior (AP), transverse dimension (TS) and craniocaudal (CC) on pre-surgery CT scan and post-surgery tumour size were the outcome variables.

RESULTS

Of 84 patients, the mean age of the patients was 48.38 ±11.40 years. There were 56 (66.7%) males and 28 (33.3%) females. A moderate positive correlation of AP tumour size on CT scan was observed with post-surgical AP tumour size (r=0.671, p-value <0.001). Similarly, a moderate positive correlation of TS tumour size was observed with post-operative TS tumour size (r=0.692, p-value <0.001). While, a strong positive correlation of CC tumour size was observed with post-operative surgical tumour size (r=0.787, p-value <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has reported a strong positive correlation of tumour thickness level on CT scan with post-surgical findings for determining the oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Diagnostic accuracy of contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in detection of necrosis in acute pancreatitis by taking surgical findings as gold standard

OBJECTIVE

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced computed tomography in the detection of necrosis in acute pancreatitis by taking surgical findings as the gold standard.

METHODS

The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Radiology and Surgery departments of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from January 1 to June 30, 2016, and comprised patients of either gender having severe clinical pancreatitis with symptoms lasting >72 hours without showing improvement. Computed tomography scan was performed with slice thickness of 3mm. Multiple detector scan of abdomen with contrast was done. Data was analysed using SPSS 19.

RESULTS

Of the 191 patients, 97 (50.8%) were female, and 129 (67.50%) were aged >40 years, with an overall mean age of 39.65±11.67 years. Mean duration of the symptoms was 85.61±6.41 hours. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan's sensitivity was 71.4%, specificity 87%, positive predictive value 83.33%, negative predictive value 76.99% and over all diagnostic accuracy was 79.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced computed tomography was found to be high in detecting necrosis in acute pancreatitis cases.

Correlation between MR spectroscopy and histology in detection of prostatic carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the detection of prostatic carcinoma.

METHODS

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from July 24, 2014, to January 23, 2015, and comprised patients who had been screened for prostate cancer. Using non-probability purposive sampling, all magnetic resonance spectroscopy scans were interpreted by three radiologists. Male patients aged 45-70 years, diagnosed with suspicious heterogeneous mass in peripheral zone on ultrasound and who had prostatic specific antigen levels value >4.0 ng/ml were included. Three dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging data was acquired. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Diagnostic accuracy of the procedure was determined by taking histopathology as the gold standard.

RESULTS

There were 224 patients with an overall mean age of 55.63±6.34 years (range: 45-70 years). The strong perfect correlation of 0.82 was found by Kappa statistics between magnetic resonance spectroscopy and histopathology results and a good diagnostic accuracy (92.8%) of magnetic resonance spectroscopy testing was observed for the detection of prostate carcinoma. Pooled sensitivity was 92.2% and specificity was 94.6% for the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

A strong correlation was found between magnetic resonance spectroscopy and histopathology results to detect prostate carcinoma.