Age-Specific Gastric Cancer Risk Indicated by the Combination of Helicobacter pylori Sero-Status and Serum Pepsinogen Levels

Background:

Serologic screening of gastric cancer (GC) by serum pepsinogens (sPG) levels and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) sero-status, though highly informative, has provided heterogeneous results. Here, we have evaluated the modifying effects of demographic factors on the risk impact of Hp sero-status/sPG levels in gastric cancer, with particular emphasis on age.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1341 individuals (GC = 578, healthy = 763), who were stratified into two age groups: 35-59 years (middle-aged, n = 830) and ≥ 60 years (60 years-plus, n = 511). Demographic factors and serological states (Hp sero-staus and sPG levels) were recorded by subject interview and serum ELISAs, respectively. Covariate-specific odds ratios were calculated by multivariable logistic regression.

Results:

Hp infection was consistently associated with increased sPGI and sPGII levels in the 60 year-plus, but not the middle-aged group. The joint examination of the variable states of the three serum biomarkers (Hp serology, sPGI, and sPGI/II ratio), in the 60 year-plus age group, demonstrated a stepwise escalation of risk from the single (sPGI_low; OR = 2.6), to double (sPGI_low/sPGI/II_low; OR = 3.55, and Hp_positive/sPGI_low; OR = 5.0) and ultimately triple (Hp_positive/PGI_low/PGI/II_low; OR = 10.48) positive states, in reference to the triple negatives. However, this pattern was not exhibited in the middle-aged subjects.

Conclusion:

Age was clearly identified as a modifying factor on the risk projection of the combined states of Hp serology and sPG levels in gastric cancer screening, reflected by the augmented (~10.5 fold) risk of GC in the triple positive (Hp_positive/sPGI_low/sPGI/II_low) 60 year-plus subjects, which was not evident in the middle-aged group. Key Words: Biomarkers, Demography, Age Distribution     

Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract as bioregulator for improving growth of maize under mercuric chloride stress

The contamination of agriculture soils with heavy metals is increasing due to both natural and anthropogenic activities. This has resulted in lowering the yield and quality of agriculture crops. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) aqueous leaf extract (MALE) on growth and Hg phytoextraction potential of maize cv. Azam under mercuric chloride (HgCl₂)-induced stress. Soil was contaminated with different concentrations of HgCl₂ (1 and 0.5?mg/kg). The MALE was applied at 5% and 2.5% as seed soaking prior to sowing of seeds in the pots. The M. oleifera leaf was a good source of macronutrients (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Co and Ni) as well as natural phenolics. The induced HgCl₂ stress significantly reduced seed germination (%), shoot dry weight, root dry weight, chlorophyll content and carotenoids content. The HgCl₂-induced stress was associated with accumulation of phenolics and Hg in roots. The accumulation of Hg in roots was significantly correlated with phenolics content (r?=?.8007, p?=?.000). The exogenous application of MALE significantly ameliorated adverse effects of HgCl₂ stress on maize plants. The accumulation of Hg in roots was significantly increased by MALE. It is inferred from findings of the present investigation that MALE served as bioregulator and can be applied to reduce adverse effects of HgCl₂ on maize. Moreover, MALE can enhance the Hg phytoremediation potential of maize.     

Development and characterization of alginate-chitosan-hyaluronic acid (ACH) composite fibers for medical applications

Natural materials and plants have a long history of medical applications due to their broad range of favorable biological functions including biocompatibility, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Main objective of this study was to develop alginate-chitosan-hyaluronic acid (ACH) composite fibers with controlled drug release, and liquid retention properties for better moist wound healing. The dope comprising sodium alginate was extruded into calcium chloride (CaC1₂) coagulation bath. The developed calcium alginate fibers were then passed through a bath containing hydrolyzed chitosan and dip coated with hyaluronic acid for 24 hours. The resulting ACH composite fibers were then rinsed with deionized water and dried using acetone. These fibers were tested for tensile properties, % swelling, liquid absorption (g/g) and controlled drug release. The results concluded that ACH composite fibers can be produced by wet spinning and have adequate tensile properties, high % swelling, liquid absorption (g/g) and controlled release of hyaluronic acid for improved wound healing.     

Integrated Weed Management Through Tillage and Herbicides for Wheat Production in Rice-Wheat Cropping System in Northwestern Pakistan

Conservational tillage (CT) in combination with broad spectrum herbicide may be more efficient and economical in controlling weeds,reducing cost of cultivation,and enhancing wheat yield.Field experimen...     

The Promotive Effects of Nephthyl Acetic Acid on Maize Cultivars Grown Under Saline Conditions

Soil salinity is becoming a major problem due to a variety of natural and man-caused factors particularly in arid areas. The present study documented on the effect of nephthyl acetic acid (NAA) foliar spray on physiological attributes of maize including growth responses, osmolites, and antioxidant enzymatic activities of the selected maize varieties PSEV3-2(ES) and Sarhad yellow at vegetative stage exposed to different sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations of 20mM to 100mM, through pot experiments. Osmolites and antioxidant enzymes serve as physiological markers for selected maize varieties under saline conditions. The maximum increase in osmolites and protein contents, Peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.x), Superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), Catalse (EC 1.11.1.6) and Ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) activities in Sarhad yellow indicating the tolerance level of this variety as compare to PSEV3-2(ES). It has been concluded that the reduction in growth responses due to salinity has been improved by the exogenous application of nephthyl acetic acid.     

Kinetic characterization of O-phospho-L-tyrosine phosphohydrolase activity of two fungal phytases

Fungal phytases belonging to "histidine acid phosphatase" or HAP class of phosphohydrolases that catalyze the hydrolysis of phytic acid could also hydrolyze O-phospho-L-tyrosine, which is also called phosphotyrosine. Two phytases from Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus awamori with pH optima 2.5 were tested for phosphotyrosine hydrolase activity; both enzymes cleaved the phosphomonoester bond of phosphotyrosine efficiently at acidic pH. The Km for phosphotyrosine ranged from 465 to 590 microM as opposed to 135 to 160 microM for phytate. The Vmax, however, is 2-4 times higher for phosphotyrosine than it is for phytate. The catalytic efficiency of phytase for phosphotyrosine is on the same order as it is for phytate (3.5 x 10(6) to 1.6 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1)); the pH versus activity profile for phosphotyrosine is, however, different from what it is for phytate. The temperature optima shifted 5 degrees C higher to 70 degrees C when phosphotyrosine was used as the substrate. Taken together, the kinetic data show that fungal HAPs that are known as PhyB are capable of cleaving the phosphomonoester bond in phosphotyrosine. This is the first time that phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity has been reported for the subgroup of HAP known as phytase.     

Growth and yield of lowland rice as affected by integrated nutrient management and cultivation method under alternate wetting and drying water regime

The effects of integrated nutrient management, cultivation method, and variety on root and shoot growth, grain yield and its components of lowland rice under alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation were evaluated. Treatments included were three varieties (Pathumthani 1, RD57, and RD41), three cultivation methods [dry direct seeding, wet direct seeding, and transplanting], and three nutrient combinations [100% NPK (160?kg ha^?1), 50% NPK (80?kg ha^?1) + 50% FYM (5 t ha^?1), and 100% FYM (10 t ha^?1)] under AWD. Root dry matter of RD41 and RD57 was reduced by 12–25% at the 100% NPK and 100% FYM compared with the 50% NPK + 50% FYM. Panicle number, panicle length, and 1000-grain weight were higher at the 50% NPK + 50% FYM. Application of the 50% NPK + 50% FYM could be a feasible option under AWD irrigation; however, benefits may vary with varieties and cultivation methods.     

Adsorption of Lead,Cadmium, and Nickel on Benchmark Soils of Pakistan

Eurasian Soil Science - Adsorption and desorption reactions at the solid phase–solution interface, play a significant role in controlling metal concentrations in soil solution and metal...     

60Co-γ Radiation Alters Developmental Stages of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) Through Apoptosis Pathways Gene Expression

Radiation is considered as a promising insect pest control strategy for minimizing postharvest yield losses. Among various techniques, irradiation is a method of choice as it induces lethal biochemical or molecular changes that cause a downstream cascade of abrupt physiological abnormalities at the cellular level. In this study, we evaluated the effect of ⁶⁰Co-γ radiation on various developmental stages of Zeugodacus cucurbitae Coquillett and subsequent carry-over effects on the progeny. For this purpose, we treated eggs with 30- and 50-Gy radiation doses of ⁶⁰Co-γ. We found that radiation significantly affected cellular antioxidants, insect morphology, and gene expression profiles. Our results indicate that in response to various doses of irradiation reactive oxygen species, catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities were increased along with a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. We observed higher mortality rates during the pupal stage of the insects that hatched from irradiated eggs (50 Gy). Furthermore, the life span of the adults was reduced in response to 50 Gy radiation. The negative effects carried over to the next generation were marked by significantly lower fecundity in the F₁ generation of the irradiation groups as compared to control. The radiation induced morphological abnormalities at the pupal, as well as the adult, stages. Furthermore, variations in the gene expression following irradiation are discussed. Taken together, our results signify the utility of ⁶⁰Co-γ radiation for fruit fly postharvest management.