Growth and metabolic responses of contrasting chickpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer arietinum</Emphasis> L.) genotypes to chilling stress at reproductive phase

Chilling stress (<10°C) at reproductive phase of chickpea results in abortion of flowers and pods leading to poor yield. The metabolic causes associated with cold sensitivity of chickpea are not well understood. Hence, in the present study, we evaluated four chickpea genotypes (ICC 16348, ICC 16349, PBG1 and GPF2) having contrasting cold sensitivity for their reproductive growth and metabolism subjected to cold stress (average day temperature: 17.6°C; average night temperature: 4.9°C). Genotypes ICC 16348 and ICC 16349 showed flowering and set pods, while PBG1 and GPF2 failed to do so during the stress conditions indicating the former to be cold tolerant. The stress injury in the leaves such as increase in electrolyte leakage, decrease in chlorophyll content and relative leaf water content was significantly less in ICC 16348 and ICC 16349 genotypes. The analysis of carbohydrates indicated total sugars and starch to be present in greater content in ICC 16348 and ICC 16349 relative to PBG1 and GPF2 genotypes. The enzymes related to carbohydrate metabolism such as β-amylase, invertase and sucrose synthase showed significantly higher activity in the leaves of ICC 16348 and ICC 16349 compared to the other two genotypes. PBG1 and GPF2 genotypes experienced greater oxidative stress measured as malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. ICCV 16348 and ICC 16349 possessed significantly higher levels of enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (proline and ascorbic acid) relative to PBG1 and GPF2. Particularly, proline and ascorbic acid were markedly higher in cold-tolerant genotypes compared to the sensitive ones suggesting their deciding role in governing the cold tolerance.     

Smartphone-based multimodal tethered capsule endoscopic platform for white-light,narrow-band,and fluorescence/autofluorescence imaging

Multimodal low-cost endoscopy is highly desirable in poor resource settings such as in developing nations. In this work, we developed a smartphone-based low-cost, reusable tethered capsule endoscopic platform that allows white-light, narrowband, and fluorescence/autofluorescence imaging of the esophagus. The ex-vivo studies of swine esophagus were performed and compared with a commercial endoscope to test the white-light imaging capabilities of the endoscope. The efficacy of the capsule for narrow-band imaging was tested by imaging the vascularization of the tongue. To determine the autofluorescence/fluorescence capability of the endoscope, fluorescein dye with different concentrations was imaged. Furthermore, swine esophagus injected with fluorescein dye was imaged using the fluorescence/autofluorescence and the white-light imaging modules, ex-vivo. The overall cost of the capsules is approximately 12 €, 15 €, and 42 € for the white light imaging, the narrow-band imaging, and the fluorescence/autofluorescence imaging respectively. In addition, the cost of the laser source module required for the narrow-band imaging and the fluorescence/autofluorescence imaging is approximately 218 €. This device will open the possibility of imaging the esophagus in underprivileged areas.     

A mathematical model of the effects of Co2 on stomatal dynamics

We extend a previous model of stomatal dynamics (Delwiche & Cooke 1977) which accounted for hydraulic feedback effects but which omitted CO₂ feedback effects. The present work includes both feedback loops in a model featuring the CO₂ chemistry of the guard cell. The model consists of three first order non-linear differential equations which are treated by numerical integration.     

Does dexamethasone enhance control of acute cisplatin induced emesis by ondansetron?

OBJECTIVE--To determine the contribution of dexamethasone to the efficacy of the 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonist ondansetron in control of cisplatin induced nausea and vomiting. DESIGN--Randomised double blind crossover study. SETTING--Two cancer centres in teaching hospitals, one in the United Kingdom and the other in Germany. SUBJECTS--100 patients (53 men and 47 women) new to cisplatin chemotherapy, 84 of whom completed two consecutive courses of chemotherapy. INTERVENTIONS--Patients were given intravenous dexamethasone (20 mg) or physiological saline with intravenous ondansetron 8 mg before cisplatin, then ondansetron 1 mg/h for 24 hours. Oral ondansetron 8 mg was taken three times daily on days 2-6. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Incidence of complete or major control of emesis (0-2 episodes in the 24 hours after chemotherapy). RESULTS--Complete or major control was obtained in 49 out of 71 (69%) of patients after receiving ondansetron plus dexamethasone compared with 40 out of 71 (56%) when they were given ondansetron alone (p = 0.012). This effect was most pronounced in the first 12 hours after chemotherapy. Patients receiving the combination also had significantly less nausea. Of the 53 patients who expressed a preference, 38 (72%) preferred the combination treatment (p = 0.002) to ondansetron alone. The effect of ondansetron on delayed emesis was less pronounced. CONCLUSIONS--Dexamethasone makes a significant contribution to the efficacy of ondansetron in the control of acute platinum induced emesis.