Impact of habitat variability on growth dynamics of Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. along an altitudinal gradient in Kashmir Himalaya

Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. is an important medicinal plant of the Himalayan region. Phenotypic attributes of a particular plant species varies along different altitudes in order to adapt and to overcome the changeable and stressful conditions. A number of environmental factors such as mean temperature, precipitation, soil characteristics, radiation intensity etc. changes with altitudinal gradient and thereby affect the morphological pattern of a plant species. The present study was undertaken to reveal the impact of the elevational gradient and habitat variability on the morphological features of the selected species. Under different environmental conditions the species exhibited enormous variability in its phenotypic traits. The plants were shorter at high altitude site, Gulmarg while the plants of low altitude site, Kashmir University Botanical Garden (KUBG) were taller and more vigorous. A significant decrease in the plant height, inflorescence length, leaf length, leaf breadth and petiole length occurred with increasing altitude. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the habitat of KUBG and Ferozpora (Tangmarg) proved relatively better for the growth of B. ciliata. The regression analysis revealed positive correlation between plant height and traits like inflorescence length, leaf length, leaf number and thus predicting a direct impact of plant height on other traits. Our findings present a comprehensive account on the variability of phenotypic characteristics, in relation to the environmental conditions of this valuable medicinal plant species

Use of statistical analysis to monitor novel coronavirus-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been increasing slowly and steadily in all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is essential for the government and health management system to monitor the districts affected due to COVID-19. The main objective of this study is to ascertain and categorize the COVID-19 affected districts into real clusters based on similarities within a cluster and differences among clusters in order to imply standard operating procedures (SOPs) policies, decisions, medical facilities, etc. could be improved for reducing the risk of infection and death and optimize the deployment of resources for preventing subsequent outbreaks. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.467747

Maintenance and Modelling Strategies of Biomedical Equipment’s in Hospitals: A Review

This article analyzes recent developments in the derivation of bio-medical equipment’s maintenance management strategies, and proposes chary points to consider and affeer to perform during their operation. Medical technology is by now an integral part of health care according to consisting general accepted standards. Purchase and operation thereby represent an important economic position and both are subject of everyday optimization attempts. For this purpose by now exists a huge number of tools which conduce more likely to a complexness of the problem by a comprehensive implementation. In the future, we envision that new paradigms will be structured to overcome the present strategies, and in the longer term, provide an alternative source for maintenance and management of medical devices at hospitals. Keywords: Biomedical equipment’s, Hospitals, Maintenance, Medical Devices, Medical Technolog

Unraveling the meiotic puzzle: chromosome count, meiotic behaviour, and reproductive challenges in Phlomis cashmeriana Royle ex Benth. from the Kashmir Himalaya

Meiotic stability is crucial for maintaining reproductive success and genetic diversity in plants, especially in montane regions like the Himalaya, where fluctuating environmental conditions can disrupt normal chromosome behavior. Phlomis cashmeriana Royle ex Benth., a medicinally important species, has not previously been studied for the meiotic behavior and its impact on reproductive output. This study presents the first comprehensive meiotic analysis of P. cashmeriana across three populations in the Kashmir Himalaya, focusing on chromosome count, meiotic behavior, pollen fertility, and seed set. While most of the Pollen Mother Cells (PMCs) exhibited normal meiosis, several meiotic abnormalities were recorded, including chromosome stickiness, laggards, unoriented bivalents, and interchromosomal connections. Chromosome stickiness (11.48%) was the most prominent abnormality, particularly during diakinesis and metaphase I across all the study sites. These irregularities, likely influenced by high UV radiation and low temperatures characteristic of the region, were associated with reduced pollen viability (67.65–74.50%) and seed set (54.40–59.75%) across the studied populations. Such reproductive impairments may compromise the long-term survival and genetic resilience of P. cashmeriana, potentially limiting its adaptive capacity under ongoing changing environmental conditions. These findings highlight the broader ecological significance of meiotic behavior as a determinant of reproductive fitness and evolutionary potential in Himalayan flora. Understanding these cytological constraints is vital for developing informed, long-term conservation and management strategies for P. cashmeriana and other threatened montane species. Future research should explore the genetic basis of these abnormalities and assess population viability under shifting climate conditions

Untangling the reproductive puzzle: how floral traits, pollinator behavior, and breeding strategy shape reproductive success in the Himalayan medicinal herb Phytolacca acinosa Roxb

Understanding the reproductive ecology of plants is crucial for devising strategies for their sustainable utilization and effective conservation. In this context, the present study investigates the reproductive biology of Phytolacca acinosa, a multipurpose medicinal herb of the Himalaya. The study aimed to examine the floral and pollen biology, breeding behavior, and pollination ecology of the species to inform conservation strategies. The results showed significant variation in floral traits across sites along an elevational gradient, reflecting reproductive adaptation to varying environmental conditions. Pollen grains were found to be tricolpate, prolate, and ellipsoidal. The pollen–ovule ratio indicates a facultative xenogamous breeding system is operative in the target species. Reproductive indices, including the outcrossing index (OCI), self-incompatibility index (SI), and selfing rate (S), along with bagging experiments, revealed that the species is both self and cross-compatible. Moreover, Phytolacca acinosa exhibits a mixed mating strategy, favoring geitonogamy over xenogamy. The pollination syndrome is ambophilous, with generalist pollinators—mainly from the order Hymenoptera—playing a dominant role. Based on insect visitation efficiency and pollen load on insect body, Crabronidae and Apis cerana indica were identified as the most effective pollinators. Although the inflorescence architecture, stigmatic movement, and likely apocarpous nature favor geitonogamy, the breeding system of P. acinosa does not conform strictly to a particular evolutionary strategy, oscillating between selfing and outcrossing. Overall, the findings offer valuable insights that will contribute to the development of effective conservation and sustainable utilization strategies for this high-value medicinal species

Scavenger receptor B1 facilitates the endocytosis of \u3ci\u3eEscherichia coli\u3c/i\u3e via TLR4 signaling in mammary gland infection

SCARB1 belongs to class B of Scavenger receptors (SRs) that are known to be involved in binding and endocytosis of various pathogens. SRs have emerging role in regulating innate immunity and host–pathogen interactions by acting in co-ordination with Toll-like receptors.Query Little is known about the function of SCARB1 in milk-derived mammary epithelial cells (MECs). This study reports the role of SCARB1 in infection and its potential association in TLR4 signaling on bacterial challenge in Goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs). The novelty in the establishment of MEC culture lies in the method that aims to enhance the viability of the cells with intact characteristics upto a higher passage number. We represent MEC culture to be used as a potential infection model for deeper understanding of animal physiology especially around the mammary gland. On E.coli challenge the expression of SCARB1 was signifcant in induced GMECs at 6 h. Endoribonuclease-esiRNA based silencing of SCARB1 affects the expression of TLR4 and its pathways i.e. MyD88 and TRIF pathways on infection. Knockdown also affected the endocytosis of E.coli in GMECs demonstrating that E.coli uses SCARB1 function to gain entry in cells. Furthermore, we predict 3 unique protein structures of uncharacterized SCARB1 (Capra hircus) protein. Overall, we highlight SCARB1 as a main participant in host defence and its function in antibacterial advances to check mammary gland infections

Impact of habitat variability on phenotypic attributes of Hypericum Perforatum L. along an elevational gradient in Kashmir Himalaya

A number of environmental factors such as mean temperature, precipitation, soil characteristics etc. changes with elevational gradient and thereby, affect the morphological pattern of a plant species. Phenotypic attributes of a particular species varies along different altitudes in order to adapt and also to overcome these changeable and stressful conditions. The present study was undertaken to assess the distribution pattern and impact of habitat variability along an elevational gradient on morphology of an important medicinal plant Hypericum perforatum L. growing in the Kashmir Himalaya. Hypericum perforatum L., member of family Hypericaceae, is a perennial herb and distributed in North Western Himalaya. The species exhibited distinct variability and a peculiar trend in morphological traits in response to different environmental conditions along an elevational gradient

A sustainable livelihood framework to implement CSR project in coal mining sector

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in mining areas has increased momentum especially in countries like India where it has been made mandatory. The primary objective of this paper is to document actual social challenges of mining in field areas and find out how companies in the coal sector can work in a systematic manner to achieve uplift of affected communities. The first part of the paper draws evidence from three different bodies of literature, i.e. CSR and coal mining, capacity building and livelihood generation in mining areas. We try to converge the literature to propose a novel framework for livelihood generation work through capacity building with the help of CSR investments. The paper also documents a live case of planning and the implementation of capacity building activities in Muriadih coal mines in the Jharkhand state of India and offers lessons to both business and policy makers. The proposed framework has only been experimented in a local context, yet has the potential to be replicated in other mining areas

Early Endoscopic Decompression in Treatment of Pediatric Ureterocles Presenting to a Single Institution and Requirement of Secondary Procedures in these Patients

The basic goals of treatment of ureterocele are preservation of renal function, relieving obstruction, preventing and managing reflux, and maintaining continence. Our study was mainly focussed on the role of early endoscopic decompression in these patients and need for a secondary procedure.The study was conducted as prospective study starting from January 2015 to December 2018, at the Division of Pediatric Surgery of the Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) , India. Children were either diagnosed prenatally as having ureterocele or postnatally mostly presenting as urinary tract infections . All the children with diagnosis of ureterocele at ultrasonography were included, if treated by endoscopic access. Both intravesical and extravesicalureteroceles were included.Twelve patients presented with ureterocele over a 3 year period. There were 8 girls and 4 boys. 2 patients were diagnosed prenatally and 10 in postnatal period. Average age of the patients at the time of decomporssion was 16 months. 9 patients in the study group had unilateral single system ureteroceles. 2 patients had bilateral ureterocele with one patient among them having bifid system on right side. One patient had unilateral ureterocele with a bifid system. UTI was the most common presentation .Two patients in our study required a definitive surgery (16.66%) after initial decompression. Rest of the 10 patients were strictly followed up did not require a definitive surgery. Among these 10 patients one patient had bilateral ureterocele and underwent endoscopic decompression only. 9 patients had single system unilateral ureterocele and decompression sufficed in them as a definitive treatment. Among these 9 patients two had mild degree of VUR which resolved with conservative treatment. Patients who have achieved toilet training were observed for bladder dysfunction and had none till date and are still on follow-up.We recommend edoscopic decompression as a definitive treatment in unilateral single system ureteroceles ,however a close follow-up is recommended