Abstract The determination of the optimum dose of radiation through its impacts on the growth attributes of the crop is the prerequisite for successful induced mutation breeding. For evaluating the impact of different doses of gamma radiation on wheat (Triticum aestivum), two wheat varieties DBW 187 and K 1006 were irradiated at six different doses (200, 250, 300, 350, 400 and 450 Gy) using a Cobalt-60 source at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India. Seed germination, survivability and seedling length of the irradiated seeds were measured at 7 days after sowing in laboratory experiments, while plant height, panicle length, grains per panicle and 1000 seed weight was recorded for field studies. It was observed that seed germination, survivability and seedling length declined with the increase in gamma radiation dose. The germination percentage showed significant differences among treatments (100 to 75%), while the survival percentage exhibited significant differences from 200 to 300 Gy in both the varieties. The LD50 for DBW 187 and K 1006 were found to be 272.71 and 278.61 respectively, while the GR50 values were 316.22 and 346.73 for DBW 187 and K 1006 respectively under laboratory conditions. The GR50 for field observations were 341.19 Gy and 339.70 Gy for DBW 187 and K 1006 respectively. Hence, the gamma radiation dose between 250 Gy and 300 Gy was found optimum to obtain desirable results. The obtained dose could be used to generate highest mutation mediated changes with least lethal effects in the subsequent generations of wheat.

Abstract Introduction The isolation of captured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from leukoreduction filters (LRFs) can be of great importance in terms of bringing the lost cells back into use. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate various methods based on their potential to recover the peripheral blood cells from LRFs with a focus on mononuclear cells (MNCs). Method For cell isolation from LRFs, three distinct methods (back-flushing, direct and vacuum pump) were compared through the calculation of the yield of isolated MNCs. The viability of extracted cells was determined by the flow cytometry technique. Moreover, the recovered MNCs were characterized regarding the presence of blood stem cell purification. The cell culture, microscopic observation, and immunophenotyping were employed to characterize the blood stem cells (hematopoietic, mesenchymal and progenitor endothelial stem cells). Results The yield of isolation obtained in the back-flushing, direct and vacuum pump methods were 17.7 ± 1.28, 17.3 ± 0.96 and 21.2 ± 0.90 percent, respectively. Although the highest potential for total blood cell recovery belonged to the vacuum pump method, the lowest cell viability (85.73 ± 4.84%) was observed in this method. However, the isolation process of the back-flushing and direct methods had less effect on cell viability. The characterization of the isolated MNCs displayed that the dominant positive phenotype was for CD34/CD45, indicating hematopoietic stem cells. In addition, the endothelial stem/progenitor cells were significantly detected as CD31/CD133 positive cells. Conclusion According to our results and considering the safety and efficiency potential of each of the applied methods, the back-flushing in comparison with the other methods can be considered a suitable procedure for MNC isolation from LRFs.

Abstract The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of follicle size on recovery rate, quality, and in-vitro developmental competence of oocytes in Bos indicus cows. The ovaries (n = 507) of Bos indicus cows having age of 5-8 years, with mixed parity, BCS 2.75 ± 0.25, and clinically normal reproductive tracts were collected from the local abattoir. The follicles on the ovaries were divided into two groups based upon their size; 1) ≥6 mm diameter, and 2) <6 mm diameter. After initial evaluation of quality of the oocytes, the COCs were in vitro matured, fertilized, and cultured to determine the in vitro developmental competence. The oocyte recovery, quality, maturation, cleavage, 4-cell, 8-cell, and 16-cell stages were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. However, the number of oocytes recovered per ovary was analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS. Results revealed that the recovery of oocytes (LSM ± SEM) derived from the follicles having size <6 mm per ovary was greater (1.02 vs. 3.14 ± 0.13; P < 0. 0001). However, the percentage (n/n) recovery [69.8 (474/679) vs. 62.7% (1454/2320); P = 0.01] and grade I_+_II oocytes [68.4 (324/474) vs. 57.9% (842/1454); P < 0.0001] was greater in ≥6 mm as compared with <6 mm group, respectively. However, maturation rate did not differ [92.9 (288/310) vs. 92.2% (296/321); P = 0.98] between the groups. In contrast, cleavage rate [58.1 (180/310) vs. 47.4% (152/321); P = 0.01], the 4-cell [34.5 (107/310) vs. 18.7% (60/321); P = 0.0003], 8-cell [15.5 (48/310) vs. 7.8% (25/321); P = 0.008], and 16-cell [8.7 (27/310) vs. 2.1% (7/321); P = 0.004] stage embryos were greater in ≥6 mm group. It can be concluded that oocytes derived from follicle ≥6 mm have better in vitro developmental competence based on embryonic conversion in Bos indicus cows.

An electrochemical sensor for H2O2 determination was prepared by electrodepositing copper oxide nanoparticles on the activated pencil graphite electrodes. At first, a study has been made of the optimum conditions for chemical activation of the pencil graphite electrodes (APGE) and then the activated pencil graphite electrode was modified with copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO/APGE) and used as a non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensor. The morphology of the modified electrode surface was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Upon the addition of H2O2, the modified electrode (CuO/APGE) exhibits significant oxidation of H2O2 with starting potential around +0.05 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) which dramatically decreases the overpotential of H2O2 oxidation. Under the optimal experiment conditions, the electrocatalytic response current of this sensor was proportional to the H2O2 concentration in the range of 5.0 × 10-6 to 1.6 × 10-3 mol L-1 with a detection limit down to 0.21 µmol L-1 (signal/noise = 3). The sensitivity was calculated to be 4.75 µAL mmol-1. The electrochemical active surface area and the catalytic rate constant of hydrogen peroxide electro-oxidation were calculated. The H2O2 sensor exhibited a low detection limit, a good signal reproducibility (relative standard deviation (RSD), n = 4) 2.36% and the accurate measurements in milk as the real sample.

PURPOSE:To investigate if low level laser therapy (LLLT) can decrease spinal cord injuries after temporary induced spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion in rats because of its anti-inflammatory effects.METHODS: Forty eight rats were randomized into two study groups of 24 rats each. In group I, ischemic-reperfusion (I-R) injury was induced without any treatment. Group II, was irradiated four times about 20 minutes for the following three days. The lesion site directly was irradiated transcutaneously to the spinal direction with 810 nm diode laser with output power of 150 mW. Functional recovery, immunohistochemical and histopathological changes were assessed.RESULTS:The average functional recovery scores of group II were significantly higher than that the score of group I (2.86 ± 0.68, vs 1.38 ± 0.09; p<0.05). Histopathologic evaluations in group II were showed a mild changes in compare with group I, that suggested this group survived from I-R consequences. Moreover, as seen from TUNEL results, LLLT also protected neurons from I-R-induced apoptosis in rats.CONCLUSION:Low level laser therapy was be able to minimize the damage to the rat spinal cord of reperfusion-induced injury.

In this research, we have investigated the photocatalytic degradation of carbon-coated TiO2 nanoparticles in polypropylene-based nano-composites. For this purpose, polypropylene-based nano-composites were prepared using carbon-coated TiO2 nanoparticles and commercially available TiO2 nanoparticles (Degussa, P25). Our results from SEM, FTIR, and tensile tests showed that the photocatalytic property of TiO2 causes chain scission reactions, crosslinking and consequently photocatalytic degradation of polypropylene that affects the mechanical properties of exposed nano-composites. We have observed that with greater carbon content of the TiO2 nano-powders, there is less photocatalytic degradation.

Neste estudo discute-se o programa de desenvolvimento profissional que envolveu 15 professores de primeira a quinta série do sistema educacional iraniano. O pensamento funcional foi a peça central do trabalho cuja duração foi de 6 meses. Para acompanhar o processo de mudança dos professores e entender as trajetórias de desenvolvimento dos professores, utilizou-se como metodologia o chamado concern-based adaptation model (CBAM), cujo objetivo é avaliar a adaptação de indivíduos e grupos frente a determinadas demandas. Duas perguntas orientaram a investigação: 1. Como se dá a implementação de um programa de desenvolvimento profissional que pretende avaliar o impacto das preocupações dos professores, focando o pensamento funcional? 2. Quais alterações, resultaram do Programa? O estudo mostrou eficácia no processo de mudança de professores, tanto em termos das suas preocupações quanto relativas à utilização de inovações.

The purpose of this study was to explore a professional development program that involved 15 teachers. Functional thinking was used as a centerpiece of the program for work with teachers of Grades 1-5 during 6 months of the study. We used the concern-based adaptation model (CBAM) as a methodology to track the process of change of teachers and to understand the trajectories through which teachers may progress. Two questions guided the investigations: 1. How does implementation of the professional development program focused on functional thinking impact teachers' concerns? 2. How did teachers' practice change due to the implementation of the innovation program? The result of the study showed effectiveness of process of change in teachers, both in stages of concerns and level of use of the innovation.

PURPOSE: To investigate if the methanolic extract of the Otostegia persica can accelerating healing process of burn wound because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. METHODS:Forty eight male Wistar rats were randomized into three study groups of 16 rats each. Burn wounds were created on dorsal part of shaved rats using a metal rod. In group I the burn wound was left without any treatment. Group was treated with topical silver sulfadiazine pomade. In group III, ointment containing the OP extract was administered. Skin biopsies were harvested from burn area on the 3rd, 5th, 14th and 21st days after burn and examined histologically. RESULTS: Re-epithelialization in the control group and in group II was lower than in group III. Re-epithelialization in groups II and III was significantly different from that in the control group. On the 5th day of the experiment, we assessed lower inflammation in the burn area compared to control group. This means that the inflammation was suppressed by methanolic extract of OP. From day 5 to 14; the fibroblast proliferation peaked and was associated with increased collagen accumulation. It was obvious that angiogenesis improved more in the groups II and III, which facilitated re-epithelialisation. CONCLUSION:Methanolic extract of Otostegia persica exhibited significant healing activity when topically applied on rats. OP is an effective treatment for saving the burn site.