25 research outputs found
Pre-Harvest Application of a New Biocontrol Formulation Induces Resistance to Post-Harvest Anthracnose and Enhances Fruit Yield in Mango
Get PDFPre-harvest application of biocontrol formulations consisting of 1. the two plant growth promoting
rhizobacterial strains FP7 and Pf1 of Pseudomonas fluorescens; 2. a strain of Bacillus subtilis Bs-1; and 3. a strain
(Sc-1) of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, given at fortnightly or monthly intervals and with or without a chitin
amendment, were evaluated in two trials for their ability to reduce anthracnose in mango caused by Colletotrichum
gloeosporioides. Growth of C. gloeosporioides in vitro was significantly reduced by strain FP7 and in both field trials
the bacterial strain in combination with chitin significantly reduced infection. Pre-harvest application of these formulations
at fortnightly intervals also significantly improved flower initiation, yield parameters (mean number of
fruits and fruit yield) and fruit quality (total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, free acidity, total, reducing and non- reducing
sugar content). The delay in latent symptom expression increased by 15 days under stored conditions. The highest
levels of phenolic content, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase on mango leaves, flowers and fruits were achieved
with FP7 +chitin
Rehabilitation using virtual gaming for Hospital and hOME Based training for the Upper limb post Stroke (RHOMBUS II): a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Get PDFMeeting abstract presented at the 17th UK Stroke Forum Conference, 29th November – 1st December 2022, Liverpool ACC, UK.Introduction: Stroke survivors can experience persistent upper-limb (UL) weakness. Intense practice and repetition of movement are key to effective UL rehabilitation. Yet, practice falls short of the dosage needed to drive recovery. Technology offers solutions to increase training opportunities. The NeuroBall is a co-designed portable device for all-in-one arm training through a uniquely designed rehabilitation gaming app, displayed on a tablet computer. This study aimed to determine the safety, feasibility and acceptability of the NeuroBall in the subacute inpatient and ESD stroke pathways when practice can be most effective.
Method: Single-site feasibility RCT with non-blinded outcomes at seven weeks. Twenty-four sub-acute stroke with new unilateral weakness were randomised (Intervention n=16; control n=8). Both groups received UL usual care; the intervention group, once trained, used the NeuroBall for seven weeks. Outcomes included arm impairment, arm function, pain, fatigue and self-efficacy for exercising alone, participant satisfaction, device usage and adverse events (AEs) and missing data.
Results: Twenty-four participants were recruited, eighteen completed all stages. Outcome measures were suitable, and there was minimal missing data (less than 10%). Participants undertook an additional 13 hours of UL rehabilitation, completing an average of 15, 133 UL repetitions. The mean satisfaction score (QUEST) was 35/40. Eight AEs were reported, six in the intervention group and two in the control, five were unrelated, one related, one probable and one possibly.
Conclusion: The NeuroBall is safe, enjoyable and easy to use for training the UL in the subacute stroke pathway both as an inpatient and early weeks at home
Rehabilitation Using Virtual Gaming For Hospital And Home- Based Training For The Upper Limb In Acute And Subacute Stroke (Rhombus Ii): Results Of A Feasibility RCT
Get PDFConference poster presented at the 19th UK Stroke Forum Conference, 1st–3rd December 2024, Liverpool ACC, UK.Introduction: Current provision of upper-limb (UL) rehabilitation during the early period post stroke is insufficient to optimise potential for recovery. Virtual reality systems, such as the Neurofenix platform, can help increase the intensity of UL rehabilitation across the stroke pathway.
Method: A feasibility RCT was undertaken to determine the safety, feasibility and acceptability of the Neurofenix platform. Stroke survivors with UL weakness were recruited from in-patient or early supported discharge stroke teams. Both groups received usual care, the intervention group also had the Neurofenix platform for 7-weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 7-weeks. Safety was assessed through adverse events (AEs), pain, spasticity and fatigue. Feasibility was determined through training and support requirements, and acceptability through intervention fidelity and a satisfaction questionnaire.
Results: 24 participants were randomised, n=16 to the intervention (13 women; mean (SD) age 66.5 (15) years; median (range) 9.5 (1-42) days post-stroke) and n=8 control group (4 women; mean (SD) age 64.6 (13.6) years; median (range) 17.5 (4-23) days post-stroke). 3 participants withdrew before 7-weeks, with 21 (intervention group n=15; control group n=6) included in the analysis. No significant between group differences in fatigue, spasticity, pain scores or total number of AEs. Median (IQR) time to train participants was 98 (64) minutes over 1-3 sessions. Participants trained with the platform for a median (range) of 11 (1-58) hours, equating to 94 minutes extra per week.
Conclusion: The Neurofenix platform is safe, feasible and well-accepted across the hospital and home settings, supporting increased dose and intensity of essential early UL stroke rehabilitation
Rehabilitation using virtual gaming for Hospital and hOMe-Based training for the Upper limb in acute and subacute Stroke (RHOMBUS II): results of a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Get PDFData availability statement:
Data are available upon reasonable request. Data will be made available on the Figshare data repository.Objective: To investigate the safety, feasibility and acceptability of the Neurofenix platform for upper-limb rehabilitation in acute and subacute stroke.
Design: A feasibility randomised controlled trial with a parallel process evaluation.
Setting: Acute Stroke Unit and participants’ homes (London, UK).
Participants: 24 adults (>18 years), acute and subacute poststroke, new unilateral weakness, scoring 9–25 on the Motricity Index (elbow and shoulder), with sufficient cognitive and communicative abilities to participate.
Interventions: Participants randomised to the intervention or control group on a 2:1 ratio. The intervention group (n=16) received usual care plus the Neurofenix platform for 7 weeks. The control group (n=8) received usual care only.
Outcomes: Safety was assessed through adverse events (AEs), pain, spasticity and fatigue. Feasibility was assessed through training and support requirements and intervention fidelity. Acceptability was assessed through a satisfaction questionnaire. Impairment, activity and participation outcomes were also collected at baseline and 7 weeks to assess their suitability for use in a definitive trial.
Randomisation: Computer-generated, allocation sequence concealed by opaque, sealed envelopes.
Blinding: Participants and assessors were not blinded; statistician blinded for data processing and analysis.
Results: 192 stroke survivors were screened for eligibility, and 24 were recruited and randomised. Intervention group: n=16, mean age 66.5 years; median 9.5 days post stroke. Control group: n=8, mean age 64.6 years; median 17.5 days post stroke. Three participants withdrew before the 7-week assessment, n=21 included in the analysis (intervention group n=15; control group n=6). No significant group differences in fatigue, spasticity, pain scores or total number of AEs. The median (IQR) time to train participants was 98 (64) min over 1–3 sessions. Participants trained with the platform for a median (range) of 11 (1-58) hours, equating to 94 min extra per week. The mean satisfaction score was 34.9 out of 40.
Conclusion: The Neurofenix platform is safe, feasible and well accepted as an adjunct to usual care in acute and subacute stroke rehabilitation. There was a wide range of engagement with the platform in a cohort of stroke survivors which was varied in age and level of impairment. Recruitment, training and support were manageable and completion of data was good, indicating that a future randomised controlled trial would be feasible.
Trial registration number: ISRCTN11440079.This work was supported by The Stroke Association and MedCity grant number SA MC 21\10001
Rehabilitation using virtual gaming for Hospital and hOMe-Based training for the Upper limb post Stroke (RHOMBUS II): protocol of a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Get PDFIntroduction Upper limb (UL) rehabilitation is most effective early after stroke, with higher doses leading to improved outcomes. For the stroke survivor, the repetition may be monotonous. For clinicians, providing a clinically meaningful level of input can be challenging. As such, time spent engaged in UL activity among subacute stroke survivors remains inadequate. Opportunities for the stroke survivor to engage with UL rehabilitation in a safe, accessible and engaging way are essential to improving UL outcomes following stroke. The NeuroBall is a non-immersive virtual reality (VR) digital system designed for stroke rehabilitation, specifically for the arm and hand. The aim of the Rehabilitation using virtual gaming for Hospital and hOMe-Based training for the Upper limb post Stroke study is to determine the safety, feasibility and acceptability of the NeuroBall as a rehabilitation intervention for the UL in subacute stroke.
Methods and analysis A feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) will compare the NeuroBall plus usual care with usual care only, in supporting UL rehabilitation over 7 weeks. Twenty-four participants in the subacute poststroke phase will be recruited while on the inpatient or early supported discharge (ESD) stroke pathway. Sixteen participants will be randomised to the intervention group and eight to the control group. Outcomes assessed at baseline and 7 weeks include gross level of disability, arm function, spasticity, pain, fatigue and quality of life (QoL). Safety will be assessed by recording adverse events and using pain, spasticity and fatigue scores. A parallel process evaluation will assess feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. Feasibility will also be determined by assessing fidelity to the intervention. Postintervention, semistructured interviews will be used to explore acceptability with 12 participants from the intervention group, four from the usual care group and with up to nine staff involved in delivering the intervention.
Ethics and dissemination This trial has ethical approval from Brunel University London’s Research Ethics Committee 25257-NHS-Oct/2020-28121-2 and the Wales Research Ethics Committee 5 Bangor (Health and Care Research Wales) REC ref: 20/WA/0347. The study is sponsored by Brunel University London. Contact: Dr Derek Healy, Chair, University Research Ethics committee ([email protected]). Trial results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national and international conferences and distributed to people with stroke.
Trial registration number ISRCTN11440079; Pre-results
Induction of defense-mechanisms in mungbean suspension cultured cells by an elicitor from macrophomina phaseolina
No full textAn elicitor molecule has been separated from Macrophomina phaseolina, the root rot pathogen of mungbean (Vigna radiata). Cell cultures of mungÂbean cultivars one resistant and another susceptible to the pathogen, which responded to the elicitor have been established. The elicitor treatment induced rapid increases in phenolic synthesis, activation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and peroxidase in the cultured cells. Relative increases in phenolic synthesis and peroxidase activity were observed in suspension-cultured cells of the resistant cultivar compared to that of the susceptible one due to elicitor treatment
Engineering resistance against Tobacco streak virus (TSV) in sunflower and tobacco using RNA interference
No full textThe coat protein (CP) gene of Tobacco streak virus (TSV) from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was amplified, cloned and sequenced. A 421 bp fragment of the TSV coat protein gene was amplified and a gene construct encoding the hairpin RNA (hpRNA) of the TSV-CP sequence was made in the plasmid pHANNIBAL. The construct contains sense and antisense CP sequences flanking a 742 bp spacer sequence (Pdk intron) under the control of the constitutive CaMV35S promoter. A 3.6 kb Not I fragment containing the hpRNA cassette (TSV-CP) was isolated from pHANNIBAL and sub-cloned into the binary vector pART27. This chimeric gene construct was then mobilized into Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 via triparental mating using pRK2013 as a helper. Sunflower (cv. Co 4) and tobacco (cv. Petit Havana) plants were transformed with A. tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harbouring the hpRNA cassette and in vitro selection was performed with kanamycin. The integration of the transgene into the genome of the transgenic lines was confirmed by PCR analysis. Infectivity assays with TSV by mechanical sap inoculation demonstrated that both the sunflower and tobacco transgenic lines exhibited resistance to TSV infection and accumulated lower levels of TSV compared with non-transformed controls
Rehabilitation using virtual gaming for Hospital and hOMe-Based training for the Upper limb post Stroke (RHOMBUS II): protocol of a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Get PDFThe Stroke Association and MedCity grant number SA MC 21\10001
