Offer Maximum Protection Research Articles

A lightweight anonymity protocol at terabit speeds on programmable switches

Anonymous communication protocols are integral tools for people to exercise the right to privacy in their online activities. Such tools are urged to offer maximum protection against various classes of adversaries, including rogue criminals, exploitative companies, and authoritarian or paternalistic regimes, while respecting the diversity of users’ activities, from e-mail and web browsing to file transfer and video streaming. In such a context, lightweight anonymity protocols are a promising solution to provide well-balanced anonymity and performance for daily use against a class of adversaries with a relaxed but realistic assumption of their capability. However, as the existing instantiations of these protocols solely target software implementation, they did not fully exhibit their advantages in performance by the relaxation of the adversarial model. This paper presents P5HI, a novel instantiation and implementation of a lightweight anonymity protocol on hardware programmable switches. Its realization requires a rethinking of all aspects of the system, beginning with the realization of bit-rotation on the switch, through the construction of a cryptographic scheme and attack prevention, to hardware-friendly procedures during path setup and data transmission. We deploy the full-fledged design of the lightweight anonymity protocol on an actual programmable switch, and our prototype demonstrates its operation at a speed of over 3.0 Tbps.

Immune Response to COVID-19 Vaccination in Frontline Healthcare Workers.

This study evaluated the immune response to vaccination against COVID-19 in 534 healthcare frontline workers in Vilnius, Lithuania. The incidence of COVID-19 was reduced significantly after vaccination started in the healthcare sector. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in groups V-VII and this level of antibodies was found to be effective in preventing COVID-19. Sustained immune response was achieved after two vaccination doses, which remained stable for up to 6 months. After the booster dose, antibody levels remained high for an additional 12 months. Although SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels decreased after 6 months, even lower levels of antibodies provided protection against the Delta strain. The booster dose distributed the antibody titer in the high-level antibody groups, offering maximum protection at 12 months. However, even individuals with high antibody titers were observed to contract COVID-19 after vaccination with a booster dose and 6 months in the presence of the Omicron strain. Unfortunately, high levels of antibodies did not provide protection against the new strain of COVID-19 (the Omicron variant), posing a risk of infection. When comparing the antibody titer of vaccinated participants without COVID-19 and those with COVID-19, the change in antibodies after vaccination was significantly lower in infected participants. Individuals with comorbidities and specific conditions had lower antibody levels.

Marine reserve use by a migratory coastal shark, Carcharias taurus

Networks of small no-take marine protected areas (MPAs) are a popular approach to protect mobile marine species at key sites along their migration routes. Understanding how individuals vary in their use of these sites is needed to ensure MPA networks are optimised to offer maximum protection benefits. Using diver-led surveys, coded acoustic tags and a continental-scale collaborative network of acoustic receivers, we investigated variation in the use of three Australian MPAs by aggregating grey nurse sharks, Carcharias taurus. The Wolf Rock MPA was used year-round by C. taurus and as a gestation site, with females spending up to 254 d at the site with 2.2–3.7 year absences between residencies. In contrast, Flat Rock and Cherubs Cave-Henderson Rock MPAs were used as a transitory aggregation site with males and females occurring at the site for 30 min–59 d intervals between June–January, only. Migratory movements ranged up to 1500 km along the coastline, intersected 18 MPAs and/or recognised C. taurus aggregation sites, and connected temperate waters at Montague Island (36.25° S) with that of the southern Great Barrier Reef (23.40° S). Our study demonstrates how local receiver arrays and national collaborative acoustic telemetry networks are powerful tools to reveal use, fidelity and connectivity of MPA networks by marine migratory species. As the east Australian C. taurus population is critically endangered and at particular risk of anthropogenic threats, ongoing monitoring of the species' movement behaviour and complementary management outside protected area boundaries is warranted to assist its protection.

Electromechanical behaviour of REBCO coated conductor toroidal field coils for ultra-high-field magnetic-confinement plasma devices

The development of rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) coated conductors with an extremely high critical current density under ultra-high fields opens up a high-field path towards large-scale fusion. The latest technology has inspired cable-in-conduit conductors such as conductor on round core wires, twisted stacked tape conductor cables and Rutherford cables with outstanding current-carrying capacities. In order to realise an inductance balance and decrease magnetic diffusion, these cables have been twisted or folded to a certain extent, thus breaking the mechanical behaviour of the ceramic superconductor and limiting their potential for ultra-high-field applications. One possible solution is to employ a non-twisted cable, which offers maximum protection of its mechanical properties and enables a parallel orientation of the toroidal field vector to the surface of REBCO coated conductors, and at the same time decreases the influence of perpendicular fields on the critical current of REBCO cables. However, the applied physics community’s attitude towards using non-twisted, parallel REBCO stacked-tape cables is one of scepticism, the main argument being that the nonlinear E–J behaviour associated with screening current in the parallel stack might lead to a field distortion and reduce the performance of superconductivity. Recent analyses have demonstrated that the effect of screening current decreases significantly owing to a wavelike magnetic field distribution along the cable. The authors obtained similar results using H-formulation and T–A formulation based finite element methods and demonstrated that the non-twisted cable may be feasible for DC current transmission toroidal field coils in magnetic-confinement devices. Furthermore, the electromechanical behaviour of toroidal field coils has been evaluated via the Maxwell stress, solved by using an A–V formulation. It was discovered that the stress generated by the toroidal field coils is within the stress tolerance of the REBCO coated conductor, something which is of great significance in promoting the application of REBCO coated conductors for ultra-high-field magnetic-confinement plasma devices.

Analysis of COVID-19 and Mucormycosis Infection in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Individuals: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic unprecedentely led to health crisis in population across the globe. Even though the advent of vaccine has brought the spread of infection under control, shortage in vaccine supply, surge in breakthrough infections and associated mucormycosis in immunosuppressed individuals posed a potential threat. Aim: To know the incidence and outcome of COVID-19 with superadded mucormycosis in vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study undertaken for a period of four months. Hospitalised COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study. Details of age, gender and co-morbidities were taken into account. In COVID19 with mucormycosis, glycosylated haemoglobin value and steroid therapy were also noted. Clinical outcome for all the cases were analysed. Statistical analysis of the data collected was done with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 software. Results: Out of 134 cases, 84 and 50 cases belonged to vaccinated and unvaccinated groups respectively. Isolated COVID-19 infection was noted in 102 cases and COVID-19 with mucormycosis in 32 cases. Diabetes mellitus and steroid therapy showed to be the predisposing factors for development of mucormycosis in COVID-19 cases. High proportion of unvaccinated individuals died due to isolated COVID-19 infection compared to vaccinated individuals and it was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: To combat serious threats caused by the COVID19 pandemic, complete vaccination which offers maximum protection is mandatory.

Diligentia quam in suis as a Technique for a Contextual Application of the Full Protection and Security Standard: Considering the Level of Development of Host States in International Investment Law

With international investment law as the background to this study, the present article examines how the full protection and security standard can be construed from the perspective of developing states hosting foreign investments. The research delves into classical public international law to argue that the diligentia quam in suis rule can be used as a means of interpretation to strike a balance between foreign investors’ and developing states’ interests when construing the full protection and security standard. The rule provides that any expected due diligence from the state party is necessarily of a subjective nature. This means that developing host states must deploy their best efforts to offer maximum protection to foreign investors not on an in abstracto basis but as per their local means and capacity. Accordingly, the standard is presented as an adaptable and flexible one which moulds its contours as per the level of development of the host state. Such flexibility does not imply condoning states’ abuse and negligence. The article explains how the diligentia quam in suis rule enables a conciliation between the full protection and security standard and the host state's level of development while rationalising the standard's application to developing nations.

Ethylenediurea (EDU) effects on Japanese larch: an one growing season experiment with simulated regenerating communities and a four growing season application to individual saplings

Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr.) and its hybrid are economically important coniferous trees widely grown in the Northern Hemisphere. Ground-level ozone (O3) concentrations have increased since the pre-industrial era, and research projects showed that Japanese larch is susceptible to elevated O3 exposures. Therefore, methodologies are needed to (1) protect Japanese larch against O3 damage and (2) conduct biomonitoring of O3 in Japanese larch forests and, thus, monitor O3 risks to Japanese larch. For the first time, this study evaluates whether the synthetic chemical ethylenediurea (EDU) can protect Japanese larch against O3 damage, in two independent experiments. In the first experiment, seedling communities, simulating natural regeneration, were treated with EDU (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg L−1) and exposed to either ambient or elevated O3 in a growing season. In the second experiment, individually-grown saplings were treated with EDU (0, 200 and 400 mg L−1) and exposed to ambient O3 in two growing seasons and to elevated O3 in the succeeding two growing seasons. The two experiments revealed that EDU concentrations of 200–400 mg L−1 could protect Japanese larch seedling communities and individual saplings against O3-induced inhibition of growth and productivity. However, EDU concentrations ≤ 200 mg L−1 did offer only partial protection when seedling communities were coping with higher level of O3-induced stress, and only 400 mg EDU L−1 fully protected communities under higher stress. Therefore, we conclude that among the concentrations tested the concentration offering maximum protection to Japanese larch plants under high competition and O3-induced stress is that of 400 mg EDU L−1. The results of this study can provide a valuable resource of information for applied forestry in an O3-polluted world.

A minimal soft tissue damage approach of spondylolysis repair in athletes: preliminary report

Purpose and hypothesisBoth spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis come in second place in the causes of pain among athletes. Treatment options include both conservative management and different operative methods. Athletes and adolescents are groups where the priority is to protect tissues from perioperative damage.ObjectiveWe present our modification of the Buck’s, direct pars repair method, which we believe offers maximum protection of tissues. We used the modified surgical method in young, competitive athletes, in whom non-surgical treatment was not effective.MethodEight pars defects in five patients were treated using suggested method. All of them were young males (aged between 13 and 18 years), who practice soccer professionally. We use modified method of direct repair pars through the cannulated screw fixation, first proposed by Buck. Preoperative preparation consists of proper analysis of computer tomography images in multiplanar reconstruction mode: measuring screw length, measurement of inclination angle of the optimal screw trajectory in the frontal and sagittal plane. During the operation, the wire proper direction is performed by usage of the predetermined angles. Starting point for guide wire was also changed to the lower end of the facet. The fusion takes place with a screw of 3 mm diameter. After the operation patient need to use thoracolumbar spinal orthosis as a primary immobilization for 6 weeks and appropriate rehabilitation for another 6 weeks. We used these methods in eight pars fixations.ResultsAll of the patients were painless in first week after surgery. All of them underwent total rehabilitation programme and returned to sport.ConclusionsDirect pars repair using Buck’s method with proposed modification, including adequate radiographic preparation, the use of a thin cannulated screw and changing the point of screw entry, allows precise and safe screw placement, regardless of the size of the bone at the defect site.

Efficacy of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. Ex Fr.) P.kumm. on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induced mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats

Neoplastic growth of the breast is the most common malignancy in women worldwide and its incidence has increased in most countries. In this study, we have evaluated the efficacy of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. Ex Fr.) P.kumm. (P. ostreatus) an edible mushroom on modulating levels of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, hormonal status of estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER/PR), protein expressions and histopathological analysis in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced mammary carcinogenesis using a rat model. DMBA was induced by single subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 25mg in 1mL vehicle. The ethanolic extract of P. ostreatus (POEet) was administered orally at a concentration of 600mg/kg bwt as pre- and post-initiation stage of treatment throughout the experimental period which was also compared with standard tamoxifen (TAM) (10mg/kg bwt). At the end of 16 weeks, our results showed the elevated phase I and depleted phase II metabolizing enzymes, over expression of (ER/PR) and the expression pattern of the proteins such as fas, fasL, caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9, Bax were found to be down regulated whereas p53, Bcl2, cox-2 and cyclin D1 were markedly upregulated in DMBA-induced Sprague-Dawley rats, which were significantly reversed on P. ostreatus administration. Moreover, pre-treatment with P. ostreatus showed improved response when compared to that of posttreatment. Based on scientific appraisal, we conclude that the dietary consumption of P. ostreatus might offer maximum protection against DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis and improving human health if used as a regular basis. Focal points•Benchside○ The potential of Pleurotus ostreatus on DMBA induced rat mammary carcinogenesis were determined by the analysis of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, hormonal status of ER/PR, as well as the expression of protein using western blotting techniques and histological examination of liver and mammary tissues.•Bedside○ The pharmaceutical potential of P. ostreatus are analysed for is markedly available, edible one with high protein as well as fiber with low fat content and cost effective for patient convenience.•Industry○ Mushrooms are considered as a nutraceutical functional food which can contain enriched prolific produced of novel “mycochemicals” responsible for the human health potential on various diseases and malignancies.•Community○ Standardization and refinement of mycochemical from mushrooms were help to develop the new novel active compounds which contribute for better health and also help to reduce disease burden.•Regulatory agencies○ The P. ostreatus contain several bioactive compounds which might be the key factor for the anticancer effect. This will need to be taken for labeling and pattering the compounds and tested in clinical trials.

Effect of pioglitazone, quercetin and hydroxy citric acid on extracellular matrix components in experimentally induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is an important component of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) spectrum, which progresses to the end stage liver disease, if not diagnosed and treated properly. The disproportionate production of pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines secreted from fat contributes to the pathogenesis of NASH. In this study, the comparative effect of pioglitazone, quercetin and hydroxy citric acid on extracellular matrix (ECM) component levels were studied in experimentally induced NASH. The experimental protocol consists of using 48 male Wister rats, which were divided into 8 groups. The levels of hyaluronic acid, leptin and adiponectin were monitored in experimental NASH. The experimental NASH rats treated with pioglitazone showed significant decrease in the levels of hyaluronic acid and significant increase in adiponectin levels when compared to experimentally induced NASH group, but did not show any effect on the levels of leptin. Contrary to these two drugs, viz. pioglitazone and hydroxy citric acid, the group treated with quercetin showed significant decrease in the levels of hyaluronic acid and leptin and significant decrease in adiponectin levels compared with that of experimentally induced NASH NASH group, offering maximum protection against NASH. Considering our findings, it could be concluded that quercetin may offer maximum protection against NASH by significantly increasing the levels of adiponectin, when compared to pioglitazone and hydroxy citric acid.

Substratum preferences of the invasive killer shrimp Dikerogammarus villosus

AbstractThe ability to select appropriate substratum in a patchy environment is crucial for food availability, reproductive success, anti‐predator defence and resistance to other environmental dangers. Therefore, even euryecious invasive species may exhibit clear substratum preferences, contributing to their success in novel areas. We used 24‐h pairwise‐choice experiments to study substratum preferences of the highly invasive freshwater Ponto‐Caspian gammarid Dikerogammarus villosus (Amphipoda, Crustacea). We tested its preferences for stony substrata of various grain diameters (2–124 mm), macrophytes differing in structural complexity (Myriophyllum spicatum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Potamogeton nodosus, Stuckenia pectinata) and zebra mussels. We hypothesized that: (1) gammarids would select substrata adjusted to their body size and offering maximum protection; (2) mussels would be the most preferred substratum except in high densities, which lead to deterioration of water quality; (3) large gammarids would displace smaller conspecifics to worse substratum. Our results showed that large (>9 mm) and small (<7 mm) gammarids preferred stones >6 cm and between 6 and 8 cm, respectively, with relatively large empty spaces among particles (4–9 cm). Small gammarids selected complex plants, particularly M. spicatum, whereas large individuals also preferred less complex forms with large leaves (Pot. nodosus, Pot. perfoliatus). Small gammarids exhibited higher affinity for natural macrophytes than large individuals. All gammarids preferred stones over plants. Contrary to most of the published data, gammarids selected stones more often than dense zebra mussel colonies and did not discriminate between low density mussel and stone habitats. Oxygen depletion seems to be the factor distracting gammarids from mussel habitats. Thus, they seem to select mussel colonies only when alternative hard substrata are missing. Differences in substratum preferences between size classes were not pronounced, but small individuals switched to the less preferred habitat in the presence of adults, probably avoiding cannibalism and competition.

Isolated refuges for surviving global catastrophes

A variety of global catastrophes threaten the survival of human civilization. For many of these catastrophes, isolated refuges could keep some people alive and enable them to rebuild civilization in the post-catastrophe world. This paper examines the potential importance of refuges and what it would take to make them succeed. The successful refuge will have a variety of qualities, including isolation from catastrophes and self-sufficiency. These qualities can be achieved through a variety of specific design features. We introduce the concept of surface-independence as the gold standard for refuge excellence: refuges isolated from Earth's surface will offer maximum protection against both the catastrophe itself and potentially harmful post-catastrophe populations. However, surface-independence introduces significant design challenges. We present several challenges and evaluate possible solutions. Self-sufficiency in food provision can be greatly enhanced via chemical food synthesis. The rejection of waste heat from subterranean refuges can be enhanced via building piping networks and locating refuges near running groundwater or in ice. The high cost of extraterrestrial refuges can be offset by integrating refuges into space missions with scientific, political, or commercial goals. Overall, refuges show much promise for protecting civilization against global catastrophes and thus warrant serious consideration.

Condoms: Past, present, and future.

Though many methods of prevention of STI/HIV are available, condoms remain of utmost importance. They have gone a long way from the oiled silk paper used by the Chinese and the hard sheaths made of tortoise- shell used by the Japanese to the latex condoms of today. The breakthrough came when the rubber vulcanization process was invented by Charles Goodyear and eventually the first rubber condom was made. The condom offers maximum protection( more than 90%) against HIV, Hepatitis B virus and N.Gonorrhoea. They also offer protection in scenarios when alternate sexual practices are adapted. The female condom in the only female driven contraceptive method available today. Graphene and Nano lubricated condoms are new in the market and others in futuristic approach may include wearable technology/Technology driven condom and invisible Condoms. Both Correct and Consistent use of condoms needs to be promoted for HIV/STI prevention.

Methylmercury toxicity: amelioration by selenium and water‐soluble chelators as N‐acetyl cysteine and dithiothreitol

The protective potential of chelators, i.e. N-acetyl cysteine (0.6 mg /kg, intraperitoneally) and dithiothreitol (15.4 mg kg(-1) , intraperitoneally) with selenium (0.5 mg kg(-1) , pre-oral) were evaluated individually and in combination against methylmercury-induced biochemical alterations and oxidative stress consequences. Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed with methylmercury (1.5 mg kg(-1) , pre-oral) daily for 21 days followed by different treatments for five consecutive days. Administration of methylmercury caused significant enhancement in the release of transaminases, alkaline phosphatases and lactate dehydrogenases in serum. A significant increased was observed in lipid peroxidation level with a concomitant decreased in glutathione content after methylmercury exposure in liver, kidney and brain. Hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes (aniline hydroxylase and amidopyrine N-demethylase) of cytochrome p4502E1 showed sharp depletion after methylmercury exposure. Alterations in histological changes in liver, kidney and brain were also noted in methylmercury administered group. All treated groups showed recovery pattern, but the combined treatments with N-acetyl cysteine and dithiothreitol in combination with selenium were more effective than that with either alone treatments in recovering blood biochemical changes after methylmercury toxicity. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that combination therapy may recover all blood biochemical alterations and offer maximum protection against methylmercury-induced toxicity.

Coastal Monitoring: A New Approach

Monitoring changes in the morphology of coastal environments is important for understanding how they function as systems and how they can be most effectively managed to offer maximum protection of the coastal hinterland. The quick, precise, and efficient method of topographic data capture associated with a remote sensing (RS) technology called terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), also known as ground-based Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), facilitates improved monitoring of morphological changes to coastal environments over traditional survey methods. Terrestrial laser scanning systems are capable of providing extremely detailed 3-dimensional topographic information in the form of a “point cloud” – a densely packed collection of x,y,z coordinates that collectively represent the external surface (often the ground) of a surveyed area. Such detailed elevation information is useful for coastal research, resource management and planning, hazard and risk assessment, and evaluating the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on the coast. This paper introduces TLS and its applications in a coastal setting and addresses some of the challenges associated with its use as a monitoring tool in vegetated coastal dune environments. Such challenges include optimising time spent in the field, working with large datasets, classifying simple and complex scenes, and analysing multi-temporal datasets.

Efficacy of a heterologous vaccine and adjuvant in ferrets challenged with influenza virus H5N1.

Please cite this paper as: Vela et al. (2012) Efficacy of a heterologous vaccine and adjuvant in ferrets challenged with influenza virus H5N1. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(5), 328–340. Background In 1997, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses caused outbreaks of disease in domestic poultry markets in Hong Kong. The virus has also been detected in infected poultry in Europe and Africa. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a heterologous vaccine administered with and without the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant in ferrets challenged with HPAI (A/Vietnam/1203/04). Methods Animals in four of the five groups were vaccinated twice 21 days apart, with two doses of a heterologous monovalent subvirion vaccine with or without an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant and challenged with a lethal target dose of A/Vietnam/1203/04. Results All animals vaccinated with the heterologous vaccine in combination with the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant survived a lethal challenge of A/Vietnam/1203/04. Four of the eight animals vaccinated with 30 μg of the vaccine without the adjuvant survived, while two of the eight animals vaccinated with 15 μg of the vaccine without the adjuvant survived. None of the unvaccinated control animals survived challenge. Additionally, changes in virus recovered from nasal washes and post‐mortem tissues and serology suggest vaccine efficacy. Conclusions Altogether, the data suggest that the heterologous vaccine in combination with the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant offers maximum protection against challenge with A/Vietnam/1203/04 when compared to the unvaccinated control animals or animals vaccinated without any adjuvant.

Refuge site selection by the eastern chestnut mouse in recently burnt heath

Context Temporal reduction in shelter is an indirect primary impact of fire. Removal of animal refugia has implications for shelter site selection and fidelity – factors that have been largely overlooked in studies of Australian rodent fauna. This information is critical for guiding species conservation and appropriate land management including prescribed burning practices. Aims We sought to determine which features of burnt heath were selected as shelter sites by the eastern chestnut mouse, whether there was sex and/or seasonal variation in shelter site selection and whether we could identify primary refugia. Methods We completed a radio-telemetry study to identify diurnal refuge sites and compare habitat attributes with those of a matched set of control sites. We then used habitat features and fidelity parameters to classify refuge site use. Key results We found the eastern chestnut mouse selected shelters with the presence of specific structures and had taller, denser vegetation than randomly selected control sites. There were no differences in habitat selection between the sexes. Shelter sites in the non-breeding season had greater vegetation density compared with those used in the breeding season. In the breeding season, the eastern chestnut mouse showed no evidence of increased fidelity to particular refuges. Vegetation density in winter was the best predictor of a primary refuge compared with whether or not an animal returned to a shelter site or the amount of time spent in a shelter site. Mice were ephemeral and non-gregarious in their refuge use. There was some evidence for inheritance of refuge sites from a parent, as well as inter-season shelter site fidelity. Conclusions The eastern chestnut mouse selected refugia that had habitat attributes offering maximum protection. Seasonality in refuge site selection is likely to reflect the reproductive and environmental trade-offs in critical resources during different seasons. The maintenance of multiple, rarely occupied shelters by the eastern chestnut mouse is consistent with data for other mammals. Implications Fire management should ensure retention of vegetation structure on the ground layer, dense habitat patches in burned areas, and be carefully planned during the winter season to maintain shelter and refuge sites to assist population persistence.

Evaluation of plant growth-promoting Rhizobacteria for their efficiency to promote growth and induce systemic resistance in pearl millet against downy mildew disease

Six strains of Plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) were tested for their ability to promote growth and induce resistance in pearl millet against downy mildew disease. All the PGRP strains showed a significant (P < 0.01) increase in growth promotion in laboratory as well as greenhouse conditions. Only two strains of Pseudomonas spp., UOM ISR 17 and UOM ISR 23, were capable of protecting pearl millet against downy mildew significantly. Pseudomonas UOM ISR 17 and UOM ISR 23 were able to offer 56.3 and 47.5%, respectively against downy mildew disease. When tested for the time gap needed to offer maximum protection, it was found that both the strains needed four days to offer maximum protection of 73.3% and 59.7%, respectively. While both the Acetobacter strains UOM Ab9 and Ab11 and Azospirillum strain UOM Az3 were able to promote growth and offered disease protection of 39.2, 22.3 and 17.40% respectively, they were not as efficient as the two Pseudomonas strains in protecting pearl millet against downy mildew. Maximum growth promotion was recorded by Pseudomonas spp. UOM ISR 17 with 33.9 cm height which was 44, 45, 42 and 46.8% more in height, fresh weight, dry weight and leaf area over the control which recorded 27 cm height, 8.1 g fresh weight, 2.1 g dry weight and 29 cm2 leaf area, respectively.

Electric Breast Pump Use Increases Maternal Milk Volume in African Nurseries

Health experts worldwide recognize breastmilk as the superior infant food. Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization (WHO) identify exclusive breastfeeding for the first half-year of life and continuation of breastfeeding into toddlerhood as offering maximum protection from illness, providing a substrate for immunological protection. Data from developed countries identify increasing morbidity and mortality rates for infants who have never received breastmilk in life and demonstrate that infants benefit from exclusive breastfeeding, especially, in areas of severe poverty. Preterm infants, most at risk for morbidity and mortality in developing countries, are identified as needing their own mother's milk for survival. Exclusive feeding of own mothers' milk (OMM) is associated with improved infant survival; however, inadequate maternal milk volume (MMV) often necessitates adding artificial feedings or exogenous substances to OMM. The objective of this study was to compare mean daily MMV for mothers of premature or sick infants in special care nurseries (SCN) using one of three methods of OMM expression: electric breast pump, non-electric pedal breast pump, and hand (manual) expression. We studied 65 mothers whose infants were cared for in two SCN in Africa (Kenya and Nigeria) and were unable to feed directly at the breast. In this randomized trial, mothers were randomly assigned to one of three milk expression groups at birth. MMV, the dependent variable, was measured for an average of 8.7 days. MMV for the electric and pedal pump and hand milk expression was 578 +/- 228 ml (n = 22), 463 +/- 302 ml (n = 24) and 323 +/- 199 ml (n = 19), respectively. Data were evaluated using a one-way ANOVA (p = 0.014). The Tukey revealed significant differences (p < 0.01) between electric breast pump expression and hand expression but not between the electric and pedal pump or the pedal pump and hand expression. Findings revealed greater MMV with electric breast pumps than hand-expression for mothers of infants in African nurseries. This data has important implications for international policy if exclusive OMM feeding is to be achieved for the vulnerable infant. Funded by West Virginia University Department of Research and Graduate Studies HSC Grant # 2U023U; Non-monetary donations of breast pumps and breast pump kits were made by Medela (Medela, Inc., McHenry, IL, USA).

Therapeutic effect of paclitaxel and propolis on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in 7,12 dimethyl benz( a)anthracene-induced breast cancer in female Sprague Dawley rats

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women of developed and developing countries. The optimum management of which requires a multidisciplinary approach including the use of certain biochemical and molecular markers. The effect of propolis along with paclitaxel on 7,12 dimethyl benz( a)anthracene (DMBA) induced experimental breast cancer was investigated in female Sprague Dawley rats. Female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups of six animals each. Group I served as normal control animal. Group II animals received DMBA (20 mg in 0.5 ml sunflower oil and 0.5 ml of saline) i.p. to develop mammary tumor by the end of 90 days. Group III were breast cancer animals treated with 33 mg paclitaxel/kg body weight (bw) weekly once for 4 weeks. Group IV were breast cancer-bearing animals treated with 50 mg propolis/kg bw for 30 days. Group V were breast cancer-bearing animals treated with both paclitaxel and propolis as mentioned above. Administration of paclitaxel and propolis effectively suppressed breast cancer, which is revealed by the decrease in the extent of lipid peroxidation (LPO) with concomitant increase in the activities of enzymic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) and non-enzymic antioxidants (reduced glutathione (GSH), Vitamin C and Vitamin E) levels when compared to breast cancer-bearing animals treated with either paclitaxel or propolis alone. From our results, we conclude that propolis is a potent antioxidant and, when given in combination with paclitaxel, offers maximum protection against DMBA induced mammary carcinogenesis.