Isolation and characterisation of microsatellite loci in the tire track eel,Mastacembelus favus and cross-species amplification

Nine microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in the tire track eel, Mastacembelus favus by using library enriched for microsatellite region. Among 47 specimens collected from Mekong River, the number of alleles ranged from 2 to 17 while levels of observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.021 to 0.873 and from 0.021 to 0.893, respectively. The primers were successfully tested in six closely related species, hence valuable for investigating population genetics and other related aspects of M. favus and its congener species.     

Effects of Al-dopant at Ni or Co sites in LiNi0.6Co0.3Ti0.1O2 on interlayer slabs (Li–O) and intralayer slabs (TM–O) and their influence on the electrochemical performance of cathode materials

In order to satisfy the energy demands of the electromobility market, further improvements in cathode materials are receiving much attention, especially high energy density cathode materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, the self-propagating combustion (SPC) method is use to synthesise undoped LiNi_0.6Co_0.3Ti_0.1O₂ (LNCT), novel nano-sized Al-doped LiNi_0.6Co_0.3−xAl_xTi_0.1O₂ (LCA) and LiNi_0.6−xCo_0.3Al_xTi_0.1O₂ (LNA) (x = 0.01) cathode materials. LNCT, LCA and LNA were annealed at 700 °C for 24 h. Following the synthesis, the phase, chemical structure and purity of the materials were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Based on the XRD results, all materials exhibit a single-phase structure with rhombohedral layered structure. Based on the HRTEM and EDX results, all samples exhibit polyhedral-like shapes, while the Al-doped samples display smaller crystallite sizes compared to the undoped sample. As for the electrochemical performances, the initially discharged capacity of LCA (238.6 mA h g⁻¹) is higher than that of LNA (214.7 mA h g⁻¹) and LNCT (150.5 mA h g⁻¹). However, LNA has a lower loss of capacity after the 50^th cycle compared to the LCA sample, which makes it a more excellent candidate for electrochemical applications. The main reason for the excellent electrochemical behaviour of LNA is due to lower cation mixing. Furthermore, Rietveld refinements reveal that the LNA sample has a longer atomic distance of Li–O and shorter TM–O in the cathode structure, which makes Li⁺ ion diffusion more efficient, leading to excellent electrochemical performance. These findings further proved the potential of the novel nano cathode material of LiNi_0.6−xCo_0.3Al_xTi_0.1O₂ (LNA) to replace the existing commercialized cathode materials for rechargeable Li-ion batteries.

Al substitute into Ni site increase Li–O and reduce M–O atomic distance lead to excellent cycleability with high energy density.     

Temporal variation in risk factors and prevalence rate of depression in urban population: does the urban environment play a significant role?

Urban environment has now been recognized as significant risk factor of depression; however, there remains a gap in the literature regarding specific stressors associated with urbanization. Therefore, the present study is designated to examine the strength of association between urban environment and depression in temporal manner, and to identify significant risk factors. A household survey based on a questionnaire was conducted in 2003 and 2013, covering 1326 and 1965 households, respectively, from 12 wards of Delhi, India, to procure household-level data. Prevalence of depression was measured using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The individual response rate within participating households was 88.3% in 2003, while it was 82.7% in 2013. During the period of study, the percentage of depressed people increased from 30.9% (2003) to 33.4% (2013). At the univariate level, significant confounders that were associated with depression were being female, unmarried and underemployed. The risk of being depressed due to inaccessibility to basic facilities reduced by ? 1.5%, while fear of crime and reducing social support recorded a phenomenal increase of 31.1% and 14.4%, respectively, during the period of study. Within domain analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, indoor noise pollution (OR 3.04, p < 0.001), overcrowding (OR 2.35, p < 0.001), increasing crime (OR 1.72, p < 0.001), less supportive neighbours (OR 1.16, p < 0.001) and lacking park/playground (OR 1.12, p < 0.001) remained significantly associated with being depressed. This study confirms an association between the urban environment and depression across a range of domains. This study highlights the need to intervene on both physical and social features of urban centres to promote mental well-being.     

Comprehensive in silico modeling of the rice plant PRR Xa21 and its interaction with RaxX21-sY and OsSERK2

The first layer of defense that plants deploy to ward off a microbial invasion comes in the form of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), which is initiated when the pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) bind with the pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and co-receptor proteins, and transmit a defense signal. Although several plant PRRs have been discovered, very few of them have been fully characterized, and their functional parameters assessed. In this study, the 3D-model prediction of an entire plant PRR protein, Xa21, was done by implementing multiple in silico modeling techniques. Subsequently, the PAMP RaxX21-sY (sulphated RaxX21) and leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain of the co-receptor OsSERK2 were docked with the LRR domain of Xa21. The docked complex of these three proteins formed a heterodimer that closely resembles the other crystallographic PTI complexes available. Molecular dynamics simulations and MM/PBSA calculations were applied for an in-depth analysis of the interactions between Xa21 LRR, RaxX21-sY, and OsSERK2 LRR. Arg230 and Arg185 from Xa21 LRR, Val2 and Lys15 from RaxX21-sY and Lys164 from OsSERK2 LRR were found to be the prominent residues which might contribute significantly in the formation of a heterodimer during the PTI process mediated by Xa21. Additionally, RaxX21-sY interacted much more favorably with Xa21 LRR in the presence of OsSERK2 LRR in the complex, which substantiates the necessity of the co-receptor in Xa21 mediated PTI to recognize the PAMP RaxX21-sY. However, the free energy binding calculation reveals the favorability of a heterodimer formation of PRR Xa21 and co-receptor OsSERK2 without the presence of PAMP RaxX21-sY, which validate the previous lab result.

This study exhausts bioinformatics tools to acquire the entire multi-domain rice Xa21 protein structure and analyzes its interactions with its PAMP RaxX21-sY and co-receptor OsSERK2.     

Tracheal intubation with size 1 Airtraq in a 3 month old child with occipital meningocele: A novel experience

Meningocele is a neural tube defect where meninges protrude through a skeletal defect. Occipital meningocele compounded with the problems of paediatric airway itself pose challenges to anaesthesiologist in securing and maintaining airway. We present a case report of a 3 month-old-child with occipital meningocele posted for ventriculo-peritoneal shunt for hydrocephalus, who was successfully intubated using a size 1 Airtraq optical laryngoscope.