Induction Protocol Research Articles

The MNU Plus Testosterone Rat Model of Prostate Carcinogenesis.

Animal models of prostate cancer are essential to identify chemopreventive treatments against this major male malignancy. The N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) plus testosterone rat model of prostate carcinogenesis is a reliable animal model that recapitulates human prostate cancer in many respects and has been used extensively in chemoprevention studies with good predictive value for the results of human clinical trials. The objective of this article is to describe the induction protocol of this model, demonstrate its robustness and reproducibility over time and across rat strains, provide diagnostic criteria for the identification of prostate lesions, and present the current tumor induction protocol so that others can use this model in a reliable manner. The majority of accessory sex gland tumors in this model are adenocarcinomas originating in the anterior and dorsolateral prostate that metastasize to lungs and abdominal structures. The rat strain used is of critical importance, with the commercially available Wistar WU and Fischer F344 strains yielding the highest tumor incidences. Low dose, long-term testosterone treatment is essential for a high tumor incidence, but in advanced stage, large adenocarcinomas do not appear to be androgen dependent. This rat model is a robust and reproducible prostate cancer animal model of human prostate cancer.

Isthmus characteristics in operated congenital heart disease with atrial tachycardias

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Patients with surgically repaired congenital heart disease (RCHD) present a high prevalence of atrial tachycardias (ATs). Although typical circuits dependent on the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI-AFL) are the most frequent, intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardias (IART) are also common and a significant cause of recurrence. Purpose The aim of this observational study was to describe the characteristics of incisional isthmuses identified with ultrahigh-density electroanatomical mapping in patients with RCHD and to investigate their clinical significance. Methods The present investigation ambispectively examined 23 patients with RCHD. Mapping of index, induced and recurrent ATs was performed using a multipolar basket catheter and an ultra-high density mapping system. The conduction velocities (CV) and isthmus widths were calculated on isochronal and activation maps (Figure 1). Results Overall, 33 ATs in 23 patients were mapped in their entirety. 8 patients had no IART as index AT and no other zones of slow conduction. In the remaining 15 patients, 22 ATs were mapped (9 CTI-AFL/13 IART) and 27 zones of slow conduction were identified. All identified critical and/or potential incisional isthmuses had a CV≤0.625 m/sec. By trichotomizing the predictor of CV, all isthmuses (9/9) of the middle third (CV 0.075-0.133 m/sec) were critical for an IART (either index or induced) and they were significantly more frequently associated with an IART (100%) compared with the isthmuses of the upper (44.4%) and lower third (66.7%) (p=0.034). Width of critical isthmuses was significantly narrower compared to width of non-critical isthmuses (10.1±3.1 mm versus 16.3±7.3 mm, p=0.049). Among 9 induced/recurrent IARTs, critical incisional isthmus was visible at the activation map of the index AT in 6 patients (66.7%) and concealed (presented as line of block and/or collision of the wavefronts) in the remaining (33.3%). Index ATs with concealed isthmuses were significantly slower from index ATs without (U=6, p=0.047). During index ATs with cycle length <270 msec all critical isthmuses were visible (sensitivity 100%) (AUC=0.860, p=0.050). Conclusions The majority of isthmuses related to IARTs can be identified using ultrahigh-density activation mapping in patients with RCHD. A proportion can be overlooked due to functional block, especially during a slow index AT. CV and width of incisional isthmuses can be easily measured using novel mapping tools. Mid-range slow CV and narrow isthmus width may be predisposing factors of IART. Whether these features should promote ablation irrespective of stimulation protocol for AT induction needs further investigation. Figure 1. Isthmus CV calculation using isochronal activation mapping. Figure 2. An incisional isthmus, critical for an induced IART, was identified during a typical flutter. This isthmus had a narrow width (9.0 mm) and a mid-range slow CV (0.11 m/sec), features that may be predisposing factors for IARTs.

An automated algorithm minimising ATP failure: re-initiation to enhance anti-tachycardia pacing efficacy

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Medical Research Council, UK Background Re-initiation is an important mechanism of anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) failure, whereby VT is first terminated by the initial ATP application, before being re-initiated by successive pulses. Current ICD designs are able to measure and store electrograms (EGMs) for detecting and classifying arrhythmias, which contain information that may also be used during ATP application. Developing an algorithm that automatically processes EGMs during ATP, with the goal of detecting the initial VT termination and truncating subsequent ATP pulses (which has the potential to re-initiate), may thus increase ATP efficacy. Purpose To develop a proof-of-concept ATP detection algorithm: Early Termination Detection Algorithm (ETDA), to automatically sense the signs of early VT termination and cease further ATP pulses based on real-time sensed EGMs from implanted devices. Methods A cohort of 7 porcine infarcted ventricular computational models were subject to virtual induction protocols to induce sustained VTs. Functional model properties were adjusted to provide 73 unique VT episodes (260≤VT cycle length (CL)≤480ms). For each episode, burst ATP was delivered from typical pacing sites near the right ventricle (RV) septum to evaluate its efficacy. The ATP failures and their failure mechanisms were identified, accordingly. During ATP application, five common sensing EGM vectors from implanted devices were recovered from simulations including can-to-Superior vena cava (SVC) coil, can-to-RV ring, SVC coil-to-RV coil ring, RV coil tip-to-RV coil ring and LV coil at the lateral base-to-RV tip. Our proposed ETDA utilises those EGMs for VT termination detection. Specifically, correlation coefficients (CCs) of the EGMs between two successive ATP pulses were calculated and averaged to identify sudden changes in EGM morphology that indicate VT termination (Fig A). A discriminating threshold on the CCs was chosen by comparing all re-initiation cases with detailed analysis of the actual VT termination time observed from simulation results. ETDA was then applied to all cases to identify initial termination and improvement in efficacy. Results Before ETDA application, ATP terminated 42 cases (58%, Fig C), with re-initiation attributing to 11 (35%) of ATP failures. Application of ETDA accurately detected VT termination in 91% of re-initiated cases, 90% of terminated cases and 81% of not-terminated cases (Fig B), which enhanced the overall ATP efficacy to 71% (P=0.08) (Fig C). Conclusions The real-time EGMs measured from standard ICD/CRT-D devices may be used to improve ATP efficacy through an approach such as ETDA. ETDA detects signs of early termination automatically in real time which enables identification of successful VT termination, truncating subsequent pulses that may re-initiate the VT, which enhances overall ATP efficacy.

Inducción de la lactancia en ganado Holstein con dosis reducidas de benzoato de estradiol y sin suplementar progesterona exógena

Lactation induction in cattle is an alternative way to increase the life span of cows with reproductive and productive issues that would otherwise be culled. An alternative lactation induction protocol is proposed. This 21-d protocol takes advantage of endogenous progesterone production and uses low doses of estradiol to stimulate udder growth and function. Holstein cows (n= 5) and heifers (n= 4) were injected with 500 mg of somatotropin on days one, eight, fourteen, and twenty-one. Estradiol benzoate (3-10 mg d-1) was applied from day one to fourteen. Cloprostenol (500 µg) was administered to the animals am and pm on d 1, and from d 18 to 21, they were injected dexamethasone (5 mg d-1). The cows and heifers were milked for the first time on d 22. Exogenous progesterone was not supplemented, but lactation protocol began in the diestrus phase of the estrous cycle and GnRH was injected to induce formation of an accessory corpus luteum. Lactation induction was successful in all animals, milk production ranged from 18.3 to 25.5 kg d-1. In conclusion, endogenous progesterone production in combination with reduced doses of estradiol benzoate is sufficient to induce lactation in Holstein cattle.

Dominant role of adult neurogenesis-induced structural heterogeneities in driving plasticity heterogeneity in dentate gyrus granule cells.

Neurons and synapses manifest pronounced variability in the amount of plasticity induced by identical activity patterns. The mechanisms underlying such plasticity heterogeneity, which have been implicated in context‐specific resource allocation during encoding, have remained unexplored. Here, we employed a systematic physiologically constrained parametric search to identify the cellular mechanisms behind plasticity heterogeneity in dentate gyrus granule cells. We used heterogeneous model populations to ensure that our conclusions were not biased by parametric choices in a single hand‐tuned model. We found that each of intrinsic, synaptic, and structural heterogeneities independently yielded heterogeneities in synaptic plasticity profiles obtained with two different induction protocols. However, among the disparate forms of neural‐circuit heterogeneities, our analyses demonstrated the dominance of neurogenesis‐induced structural heterogeneities in driving plasticity heterogeneity in granule cells. We found that strong relationships between neuronal intrinsic excitability and plasticity emerged only when adult neurogenesis‐induced heterogeneities in neural structure were accounted for. Importantly, our analyses showed that it was not imperative that the manifestation of neural‐circuit heterogeneities must translate to heterogeneities in plasticity profiles. Specifically, despite the expression of heterogeneities in structural, synaptic, and intrinsic neuronal properties, similar plasticity profiles were attainable across all models through synergistic interactions among these heterogeneities. We assessed the parametric combinations required for the manifestation of such degeneracy in the expression of plasticity profiles. We found that immature cells showed physiological plasticity profiles despite receiving afferent inputs with weak synaptic strengths. Thus, the high intrinsic excitability of immature granule cells was sufficient to counterbalance their low excitatory drive in the expression of plasticity profile degeneracy. Together, our analyses demonstrate that disparate forms of neural‐circuit heterogeneities could mechanistically drive plasticity heterogeneity, but also caution against treating neural‐circuit heterogeneities as proxies for plasticity heterogeneity. Our study emphasizes the need for quantitatively characterizing the relationship between neural‐circuit and plasticity heterogeneities across brain regions.

Rapid Conversion of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Dopaminergic Neurons by Inducible Expression of Two Transcription Factors.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), provide promising sources for regenerative therapy, disease modeling, and drug screening. Relevant efforts have been invested in establishing robust induction protocols for PSC-derived dopaminergic (DA) neuron generation by mimicking brain development-related signaling pathways. However, these protocols require fully trained techniques and a long time to yield mature DA neurons. In this study, to accelerate the entire process, we generated a hiPSC line differentiating into DA neurons by the inducible force expression of two transcription factors ASCL1 and LMX1A. Using this hiPSC line, we established a rapid and simple induction protocol to generate mature DA neurons in 28 days. The induced DA neurons were characterized by gene expression and immunohistochemical analyses of fundamental DA neuronal markers. Moreover, the cell functional properties were analyzed by a multielectrode array system on day 28. This resource offers future applications for high-throughput screening, such as drug development and toxicology that require highly validated DA neurons.

Induction to tetraploidy in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

As an alternative to the use of cytochalasin B (CB), 6-dimethylamino-purine (6-DMAP) and thermal shock (heat shock by increasing the temperature from 25 to 36ºC) could be used to induce tetraploidy in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) diploids. Induction was performed by applying shocks after elimination of the first polar corpuscle at the end of meiosis I. Ploidy rates were verified using flow cytometry. Tetraploid larvae were obtained using all inductor (6-DMAP, thermal shock and CB) treatments. No difference in the efficiency of tetraploidy induction was noted among 6-DMAP, thermal shock and CB. The number of D-larvae and their yield, determined by calculating the percentage of well-formed D-larvae in relation to the total number of larvae, was similar (p > 0.05) among the evaluated induction methods. We suggest that 6-DMAP and thermal shock should be used in tetraploidy induction protocols, thereby avoiding the use of CB, which is a harmful agent for both humans and the environment.

Facilitating relaxation and stress reduction in healthy participants through a virtual reality intervention: study protocol for a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial

BackgroundRepeated or chronic stress is considered a major source of disease, in terms of both somatic and mental illnesses. The prevention of stress-related disease by interventions for relaxation has thus increased societal relevance. In this randomized controlled non-inferiority trial, we will compare a newly developed virtual reality (VR) environment for relaxation to an active control group applying a freely chosen relaxation method. To test if our VR environment supports relaxation in a situation of acute stress, a standardized stress induction protocol will precede the relaxation phase.MethodsOne hundred healthy participants will be recruited from the University of Siegen and randomly assigned to the VR or the active control group that will be free to choose their own relaxation strategy. The multi-sensory VR includes visual, acoustic, and haptic features to induce a strong feeling of presence. The laboratory testing will comprise a baseline measurement, a stress induction, a relaxation intervention, and a recovery measurement. The primary outcomes are self-reported stress and relaxation measured with a visual analog scale (VAS) at pre- and post-baseline, at the start, middle, and end of the stress induction, at pre- and post-relaxation, at pre- and post-recovery, and in the evening of testing. Secondary outcomes are the physiological parameters, namely heart rate and heart rate variability, tonic skin conductance level as well as the number of non-specific skin conductance responses, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate recorded during the four experimental phases as well as state mood, and state rumination assessed at four time points (pre- and post-stress, post-relaxation, and in the evening of testing). Finally, post-event processing will be assessed after relaxation and in the evening of testing. Repeated measures ANOVAs will be performed to test for statistical effects of group, time, and group × time interaction.DiscussionThe newly developed, multi-sensory VR offers an intervention for relaxation without prior training. Its immersive character might increase efficacy compared to other relaxation methods, especially in situations of acute stress. Future directions could be the development of a mobile version of the VR to enhance accessibility for users. To achieve a transfer of training effects to real life, VR components should successively be eliminated until relaxation is practiced without guidance by the VR.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry ISRCTN11162338. Retrospectively registered on January 22, 2021

In Vitro Micropropagation Studies Cotyledonary Explants Of Trichosanthes Anguina (L)

A method for Invitro Micropropagation Through Cotyledonary Explants of Trichosanthes anguina was exercised from 10-15 days of young stage explants [1, 2]. Developed a protocol for cotyledonary explants cultures, callus induction, and regeneration through cotyledon callus tissue [3, 4]. Multiple shoot formation was promoted by BAP 1.0 mg/l to 3.0 to 5.0 mg/l and higher combination with NAA 3.0 to 4.0 mg/l Kn [5, 6]. Invitro produced small shoots were green callus induced to cotyledonary callus cultures green compact small shoots buds were induced in 16-20 days cultures respectively on Ms. Medium.

Productive and reproductive performance of crossbred dairy heifers with induced lactation and efficacy of antimicrobial therapy associated with internal teat sealants

This study evaluated (a) the efficacy of an association between injectable antibiotic therapy and sealant (ATBS) on milk yield (MY), somatic cell count (SCC), and prevalence of intramammary infections (IMI); and (b) the efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on follicular cyst (FCs) resolution (cyclicity at the 45th day in milk; DIM) and cumulative pregnancy rate (CPR) in heifers submitted to a lactation induction protocol (LIP). A total of 114 crossbred (Holstein × Jersey) heifers, with 34.7 ± 4.8 months and 439 ± 56.35 kg were submitted to LIP. On the 5th day of the LIP, the heifers were assigned to (i) ATBS (n = 57) with 7 mg/kg of norfloxacin associated with sealant and (ii) Control 1 (n = 57; CONT1) with no treatments. Lactation began on the 21st day of LIP and the 15th DIM, FCs were diagnosed and 106 heifers were randomized into two treatment groups with 53 heifers each: (i) GnRH (5 mL injectable GnRH) and (ii) Control 2 (CONT2; no treatment). Of the 114 heifers initially induced, 83.33% (n = 95) responded to LIP with an average MY of 15.19 kg/milk/day during 22 weeks of lactation. In the first 14 DIM, the IMI prevalence was 18% and 28% for heifers ATBS and CONT1 treated, respectively. Additionally, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most frequently isolated group of pathogens. Mammary quarters that received ATBS treatment had a lower risk of IMI and SCC than CONT1. The cyclicity at 45 DIM was 68% (ATBS) and 35% (CONT1), and 57% and 46% for animals in the GnRH and CONT2. CPR was 60% in the ATBS group and 89% in CONT1, but GnRH treatment did not affect the CPR. In conclusion, LIP was effective in stimulating MY in heifers, and the IMI prevalence decreased with ATBS treatment. Also, the use of GnRH did not affect the FC regression, cyclicity at 45 DIM, and CPR.

Hebbian plasticity: the elusive missing link at the heart of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis?

Hebbian plasticity: the elusive missing link at the heart of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis?

Induction of lactation in heifers: Production, chemical, and cellular composition of milk

The lactation induction protocol is a new possibility to reduce the non productive time of cows that are not pregnant and not being milked due to different factors. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a lactation induction protocol on the production of milk and its chemical and cellular composition. For this purpose, we compared primiparous Holstein heifers with lactation-induced heifers. Fourteen females with an average age of 25 months were divided into two groups. The first was the induced group (n = 7), composed of nonpregnant heifers in puberty, and the second was the control group (n = 7), composed of pregnant primiparous heifers. The induced group received estradiol benzoate, progesterone, cloprostenol sodium, dexamethasone, and recombinant bovine somatotropin. Milk production and chemical and cellular composition were evaluated for 210 days of lactation. In the induced group, all females responded to the lactation induction protocol with a production of 17.9 ± 5.8 liters/cow/day, equivalent to 67.54% of the production of the control group. The induced group had a higher percentage of solids, fat, protein, and somatic cells than the control group (P<0.05). Both the induced and the control groups showed negative correlations between milk and fat percentage and between lactose and somatic cells. The lactation induction protocol used in our study was effective at inducing lactation in heifers being economically viable.

Comparison of delivery outcomes in low-dose and high-dose oxytocin regimens for induction of labor following cervical ripening with a balloon catheter: A retrospective observational cohort study.

A variety of oxytocin regimens are used for labor induction and augmentation. Considering the increasing rates of labor induction, it is important to assess the most optimal oxytocin regimen without compromising maternal and fetal safety. The aim of this study was to compare delivery outcomes of low-dose and high-dose oxytocin induction protocols. This retrospective cohort study of 487 women comparing low-dose oxytocin protocol (n = 280) and high-dose oxytocin protocol (n = 207) in labor induction following cervical ripening by balloon catheter was performed in Helsinki University Hospital after implementation of a new oxytocin induction protocol. The study included two six-month cohorts from 2016 and 2019. Women with vital singleton pregnancies ≥37 gestational weeks, cephalic presentation, and intact amniotic membranes were included. The primary outcome was the rate of vaginal delivery. The secondary outcomes were the rates of maternal and neonatal infections, postpartum hemorrhage, umbilical artery blood pH-value, admission to neonatal intensive care, and induction-to-delivery interval. Statistical analyses were performed by using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows (Armonk, NY, USA). The rate of vaginal delivery was higher [69.9% (n = 144) vs. 47.9% (n = 134); p<0.004] and the rates of maternal and neonatal infection were lower during the new high-dose oxytocin protocol [maternal infections 13.6% (n = 28) vs. 22.1% (n = 62); p = 0.02 and neonatal infection 2.9% (n = 6) vs. 14.6% (n = 41); p<0.001, respectively]. The rates of post-partum hemorrhage, umbilical artery blood pH-value <7.05 or neonatal intensive care admissions did not differ between the cohorts. The median induction-to-delivery interval was shorter in the new protocol [32.0 h (IQR 18.5-42.7) vs. 37.9 h (IQR 27.8-52.8); p<0.001]. In conclusion, implementation of the new continuous high-dose oxytocin protocol resulted in higher rate of vaginal delivery and lower rate of maternal and neonatal infections. Our experience supports the use of high-dose continuous oxytocin induction regimen with a practice of stopping oxytocin once active labor is achieved, and a 15-18-hour maximum duration for oxytocin induction in the latent phase of labor following cervical ripening with a balloon catheter.

Change in timing of induction protocol in nulliparous women to optimise timing of birth: results from a single centre study

BackgroundInduction of labour (IOL) is a common obstetric intervention. When planning IOL, especially in women at risk for complications at delivery, the aim should be for delivery to occur when senior staff are available to optimise safe care.MethodsA change in timing of IOL protocol at our institution was introduced in November 2018 aiming to increase births occurring “in-hours” defined as 08:00 to 20:00 h. This retrospective cohort study compares the odds of “in-hours” birth before and after the intervention and the association on birth outcomes. The study compared outcomes during the new IOL pathway period to a historical birth cohort from January to December 2017. Inclusion criteria were nulliparous women undergoing planned IOL at term with a cephalic singleton pregnancy. Logistic regression was used to compare odds of in-hours birth for the 2 periods with adjustment for maternal age at delivery, gestation, more than 2 cervical ripening agents required, undergoing IOL for post-dates pregnancy, mode of birth, whether or not IOL proceeded according to planned protocol and missing values using multiple imputation.ResultsThe rate of deliveries occurring in-hours were higher following the intervention; n = 118/285 (45.6%) pre-intervention versus n = 251/470 (53.4%) post-intervention; adjusted OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.07–2.01, p = 0.02). The percentage of caesarean sections (CS) occurring in-hours was significantly lower in the pre-intervention group n = 71/153 (28.3%) compared with the post intervention group = 35/132(46.4%) (p < 0.001)). The rate of CS was higher in the pre intervention n = 132/285(46.3%) compared with the post intervention group n = 153/470 (32.4%)).ConclusionsThe change in induction procedures was associated with a significantly higher rate of births occurring in-hours and a lower rate of overall of CS. This policy change led to a better pattern of timing of birth for nulliparous women undergoing IOL.

In vitro rhizogenesis of Ananas comosus var. erectifolius under influence of synthetic auxins

Ananas comosus var. erectifolius is a bromeliad native of the Amazon Complex has aroused great interest of the industries due to a softness, strength and low density of fibers extracted from its leaves. The frequent demand and effective protocols for in vitro regeneration and establishment of species, of commercial and environmental interest, encourages studies of organogenesis induced by growth regulators. The rhizogenesis or in vitro rooting is the last step of the regeneration process and is often considered the greatest challenge to be overcome. Rhizogenesis of Ananas comosus var. erectifolius was evaluated under the influence of the growth regulators naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and indole butyric acid (IBA). Seven experiments were performed using different concentrations of growth regulators on solid MS medium under controlled environmental conditions. The results will improve the laboratorial protocols of induction, multiplication, elongation and production of root biomass for A. comosus var. erectifolius. The in vitro rooting was feasible and better results were observed using 1.0 mg L-1 NAA + 1.0 mg L-1 IBA.

Multiple Plant Regeneration from Embryogenic Calli of Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud.

The aim of this paper was to study the effect of plant growth regulators on callus induction and in vitro morphogenesis using various explants of Paulownia tomentosa to develop an efficient plant regeneration protocol. Different plant organ sections (leaves, apical shoot tips, petals, nodes, and internodes) were cultured as explants to identify the best in vitro explants responsive to callus induction and plant regeneration. Explants were cultivated on MS media supplemented with different concentrations of plant growth regulators (TDZ (Thidiazuron), BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine), kinetin, and NAA (1-Naphthaleneacetic acid). It was discovered that the addition of TDZ and NAA stimulated the induction of somatic embryogenesis. It was discovered that the MS medium with the combination of plant growth regulators BAP (35.5 µM) and NAA (5.4 µM) with the addition of 30.0 g/L maltose, 500.0 mg/L casein hydrolysate, and 250.0 mg/L L-proline was optimal for callus induction and multiple plant regeneration. The study of the regenerative capacity of various explants of Paulownia tomentosa in vitro showed that plant regeneration depends on the type of explant, and occurs in both ways, indirectly, through the formation of callus tissues and directly on the explant, without callus formation. As a result of this study, the efficient reproducible protocol of embryogenic callus formation and multiple shoot induction in vitro of Paulownia tomentosa was developed. This system provides a clear increase in the frequency of plant regeneration from 36.3 ± 3.4% to 38.6 ± 2.3% per embryogenic callus from leaves and apical shoot tips, respectively.

In vitro Regeneration of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L) through Gamma Irradiation

The present research work was carried out employing gamma irradiation to create mutant Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and in vitro regeneration to regenerate those mutants. Sugarcane buds were exposed to three doses of gamma radiation (20, 30 and 40Gy) using 60Co and the agronomical properties of 20 Gy irradiated mutant sugarcane were the best among these dosages. Furthermore, 20 Gy irradiated mutant sugarcane had higher sugar contents (22%) than control sugarcane (18%). In contrast, standardizing of callus induction and plantlet regeneration protocols from 20 Gy irradiated sugarcane plants (M1 generation) was established through in vitro culture using young meristem as an explant. Using various concentrations and combinations of growth regulators, shoot regeneration at varying frequency was recorded. In MS media enriched with 2.5 mg/l, 2-4 D, callus induction was detected. On MS medium with BAP 2.0 mg/L + NAA 0.5 mg/L, the best response in terms of multiple shoot induction was reported. Rooting was more profuse when in vitro shootlets were placed on halfstrength MS basal media supplemented with 2.0 mg/L NAA. Hardening shoots were transplanted into the green house after they had been rooted.

Effeciency of Procedural Use of Hormonal Agent in Propagation of Clarias gariepinus

Administration procedures of some hormones including single, double and multiple induction protocols were investigated to determine the implications of different induction process in propagation of Clarias gariepinus. The hormones studied were ovulin, Carp pituitary extract (CPE) and gonopore. A total of 36 Clarias gariepinus of the same age comprising 27 females and 9 males were used for the study. Eggs produced among treatments were fertilized with pooled sperm from a total of 3 males per hormonal treatment. Propagation was assessed by fecundity, fertilization, hatchability and larval survival. Highest egg production was recorded at double inductions with ovulin and CPE while highest egg production was observed in single induction with gonopore. There was significant disparity (P&lt;0.05) in fertilization and hatchability percentages. Best fertilization and hatching rate was recorded with ovulin at single induction (80.2%) and ovulin at multiple inductions (81.9%) respectively. There was significant difference (P&lt;0.05) in number of larvae realized among the treatments. Highest larval survival was recorded with gonopore at single induction (68.1%). Findings from the study showed that hormone type and mode of administration are important in propagation of C. gariepinus. The study recommended double inductions in usage of Ovulin and CPE and single induction with gonopore. Adopting best procedural technology in usage of specific hormone is necessary for mass production of Clarias gariepinus seeds.

An efficient protocol optimization for callus induction, regeneration and acclimatization in sugarcane cv. CO 94012

Sugarcane's vast and complex genome, photosensitivity, low seed setting, prolonged crop duration, and complex environmental effect make it difficult to create diverse genetic variability by conventional breeding. However, the in vitro culture system can play a vital role in boosting yield, quality, and making the crop climate smart through in vitro approaches. In the present study in vitro culture using immature leaf sheath of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L. cv- CO 94012) as an ex plant was used to standardize the protocol for callus induction and whole plant regeneration. MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l, 2-4 D, recorded the highest percentage of callus induction. The highest number of multiple shoots was produced on MS medium fortified with KIN 1.0 mg/l. Rooting was more profuse when in vitro regenerated shoots were inoculated on MS basal medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/l NAA. Rooted shoots were hardened in the greenhouse before being transplanted to the field, where 90% survival rate.

Restrictive Rather Than Routine Use Of Basiliximab For Heart Transplant Induction

Introduction The use of immunosuppression induction strategies greatly varies between heart transplant (HT) centers. Clinicians must weigh the risk of allograft rejection with infection and malignancies. Our center stopped routine induction with the Interleukin-2 receptor antagonist basiliximab in 2016 after findings of increased infection, malignancy, and a trend towards higher mortality. Hypothesis We aimed to assess the effect of our protocol change abandoning routine use of basiliximab on survival, allograft rejection, infection, and malignancy. Methods Retrospective single-center analysis of consecutive HT recipients from 2003 to 2015 and 2017-2019. In 2016 the induction protocol was changed, and the adjustment period was excluded. Furthermore, patients bridged to transplant with LVAD, re-transplantation and multi-organ transplants were not included. Results : A total of 398 patients were identified (mean age 55±11, 72% male) and grouped by induction with basiliximab or no induction. There were no clinically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups including age, panel reactive antibody % (PRA) and kidney function (Table). One-year mortality was significantly lower in the no-basiliximab group 1.9 vs 6.75% p 0.03 (Figure 1). Multivariate regression for basiliximab, PRA, age, gender, diabetes mellitus, creatinine did not identify independent risk factors for mortality. Significantly more patients in the no-basiliximab group had ≥ 1 rejection (≥ 2R ISHLT 2004) 68 vs 44% with significantly lower rejection free survival (p 0.0001) per log-rank test (Figure 2). There was no longer a significant difference in rates of bacterial and fungal infections as well as CMV-viremia and malignancies during the first-year post-transplant year. Conclusion Restrictive rather than routine use of basiliximab induction is no longer associated with increased infectious and early malignancy but remains associated with inferior survival despite lower incidence of early rejection and comparable immunological risk based on PRA. In the future improved individual immunologic risk profiling might be helpful to better risk stratify transplant candidates, who might benefit from induction. The use of immunosuppression induction strategies greatly varies between heart transplant (HT) centers. Clinicians must weigh the risk of allograft rejection with infection and malignancies. Our center stopped routine induction with the Interleukin-2 receptor antagonist basiliximab in 2016 after findings of increased infection, malignancy, and a trend towards higher mortality. We aimed to assess the effect of our protocol change abandoning routine use of basiliximab on survival, allograft rejection, infection, and malignancy. Retrospective single-center analysis of consecutive HT recipients from 2003 to 2015 and 2017-2019. In 2016 the induction protocol was changed, and the adjustment period was excluded. Furthermore, patients bridged to transplant with LVAD, re-transplantation and multi-organ transplants were not included. : A total of 398 patients were identified (mean age 55±11, 72% male) and grouped by induction with basiliximab or no induction. There were no clinically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups including age, panel reactive antibody % (PRA) and kidney function (Table). One-year mortality was significantly lower in the no-basiliximab group 1.9 vs 6.75% p 0.03 (Figure 1). Multivariate regression for basiliximab, PRA, age, gender, diabetes mellitus, creatinine did not identify independent risk factors for mortality. Significantly more patients in the no-basiliximab group had ≥ 1 rejection (≥ 2R ISHLT 2004) 68 vs 44% with significantly lower rejection free survival (p 0.0001) per log-rank test (Figure 2). There was no longer a significant difference in rates of bacterial and fungal infections as well as CMV-viremia and malignancies during the first-year post-transplant year. Restrictive rather than routine use of basiliximab induction is no longer associated with increased infectious and early malignancy but remains associated with inferior survival despite lower incidence of early rejection and comparable immunological risk based on PRA. In the future improved individual immunologic risk profiling might be helpful to better risk stratify transplant candidates, who might benefit from induction.