Seed source variation and conservation of Pinus wallichiana in India

Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jacks is an important component of the middleand high altitude Himalayan forests having large natural distribution ranging between 260 to 360 N latitude and 690 to 750 E longitudes. It is commonly known as Himalayan blue pine or blue pine, being indigenous to Himalayan Mountain regions and because of its bluish or grayish-green leaves. It is a five needle pine which gained world-wide attention for its resistance to blister rust among white pines. This species has been crossed successfully with other white pines and vigorous hybrids have been obtained. Considerable variation in morphological and anatomical characteristics of needles, cones and seeds in natural stands exists across the natural distribution of the species, especially in mesic and xeric habitats. These variationssuggested the differentiation of this species in ecotypes or varieties as reported by various authors. However, the level of genetic diversity was found to be relatively high and the degree of genetic differentiation was low compared to other pines. Thewide range of climatic conditions in the natural distribution of this pine is expected to result in high genetic variation within different populations of the species. The study aims to determine the nature and extent of variation present in the populations of the species in respect to cone and seed characteristics across its natural distribution. Seed of 17 seed sources from the states of Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh was collected and analyzed for cone characters (fresh weight of cones, cone length, cone width, specific gravity) and seed characters (seed weight, moisture content, germination percent, cotyledon number). Significant variations have beenobserved in these traits among different seed sources of the species. The cone weight varied from 44.4 to114g and the higher cone weight was recorded at higher altitudes.The germination percent varied from 40 to 85 whereas cotyledon number varied from 7 to12. Seed weight ranged from 35.70 to 69.30g in all seed sources. These variations can be utilized further in identifying the best seed sources in improving the productivity of the species. The genetic variability present in this pine has been conserved in preservation plots demarcated and maintained in its natural ranges ofdistribution in the country, since the early 19th century

How to make the IS discipline relevant to non-IS stakeholders?

A recent survey of IS academic leaders revealed that a prominent concern of many IS academic leaders relates to making the IS discipline relevant to non-IS stakeholders within their university. Some examples of this challenge include: • MIS/IS is not well understood as a flagship area to strategically develop and improve by the university administrators; • Understanding of IS by those outside of the discipline and how to market the IS discipline to a larger audience, including students; • Managing the collaboration with other departments on emerging technologies initiatives (such as analytics, AI) and programs; • Rewarding cross-disciplinary research and navigating tenure when publishing in other fields; • Student and faculty recruitment and retention. This professional development symposium (PDS) is meant to leverage the vast experience of Senior Scholars who have dealt with this issue and to hear their guidance and recommendations as to how to address this. This PDS is sponsored by the AIS College of Academic Leadership and the College of Senior Scholars

Effect of sericin treatment conditions on dye abilty of cotton fabric

A study was conducted to observe the effect of sericin treatment on dye abilty of cotton fabric using natural dye. Different parameters for sericin treatment were optimized on the basis of maximum percent dye absorption and washing fastness. It was found that 0.5 % (w/v) sericin in the presence of 4% crosslinking agent and 1 % catalyst treated at 70ºC for 45 minutes followed by drying at 70ºC for 4 minutes and curing at 160ºC for 2 minutes increased affinity of selected natural dye i.e. manjistha towards cotton fabric. Dye uptake of sericin treated fabric increased from 19.5 % to 31.7 % after application of sericin using all the optimized variable

Formation of hydroxyl radicals by irradiated 1-nitronaphthalene (1NN): oxidation of hydroxyl ions and water by the 1NN triplet state

International audienceThe excited triplet state of 1-nitronaphthalene (31NN*) reacts with OH- with a second-order reaction rate constant of (1.66 ± 0.8)¥107 M-1 s-1 (m ± s). The reaction yields the ∑OH radical and the radical anion 1NN-∑. In aerated solution, the radical 1NN-∑ would react with O2 to finally produce H2O2 upon hydroperoxide/superoxide disproportionation. The photolysis of H2O2 is another potential source of ∑OH, but such a pathway would be a minor one in circumneutral (pH 6.5) or in basic solution ([OH-] = 0.3-0.5 M). The oxidation of H2O by 31NN*, with rate constant 3.8 ± 0.3 M-1 s-1, could be the main ∑OH source at pH 6.5

Prevalence and correlates of geriatric depression in a rural community in Kerala, India

Background: Elderly constitutes a vulnerable group for depression, as they are especially prone to suffer adverse consequences of a depressive episode and have greater rates of completed suicides. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and determinants of geriatric depression.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 250 elderlies from 1st January 2019 to 1st January 2020 in the different rural blocks of Ernakulam district, India. The multistage sampling technique and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30) were used to collect the data. A score of 0 9 is considered "normal", 10 19 is labeled as "mildly depressed", and 20 30 as "severely depressed". Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS software. The Chi-square test /Fisher's exact test was used to study the association between the socio-demographic and behavioral variables with depression. Results: The mean age was 69.33 ± 7.41years and male: female ratio was 0.55: 1.The overall prevalence of depression was 52.4%. Advanced age over 70years [OR=2.04;95% CI, 1.227 – 3.394; P=0.006], female gender[OR=2.844;95% CI,1.663-4.865; P =<0.001], lack of gainful employment [OR=3.504; 95% CI, 1.833–6.699; P =<0.001], physical dependence [OR=0.365;95% CI,0.162–0.821; P =0.012], financial dependence [OR=0.388; 95% CI, 0.219–0.687; P =<0.001], presence of medical co morbidities [OR=0.428; 95% CI, 0.212–0.866; P =0.016],poor lifestyle including the lack of regular exercise [OR =2.020; 95% CI,1.174–3.473; P =0.010], addiction to alcohol [OR=4.932;95%CI,1.600-15.208; P =0.004] and addiction to tobacco smoking [OR=2.905;95%CI,1.273-6.628; P =0.009] and poor family support [OR= 5.180;95% CI,716–15.636; P = 0.002] were found to be significantly associated with depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among the elderlies was high, and hence early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to reduce its burden in the community

A p300/GATA6 axis determines differentiation and Wnt dependency in pancreatic cancer models

Wnt signaling regulates the balance between stemness and differentiation in multiple tissues and in cancer. RNF43-mutant pancreatic cancers are dependent on Wnt production, and pharmacologic blockade of the pathway, e.g., by PORCN inhibitors, leads to tumor differentiation. However, primary resistance to these inhibitors has been observed. To elucidate potential mechanisms, we performed in vivo CRISPR screens in PORCN inhibitor–sensitive RNF43-mutant pancreatic cancer xenografts. As expected, genes in the Wnt pathway whose loss conferred drug resistance were identified, including APC, AXIN1, and CTNNBIP1. Unexpectedly, the screen also identified the histone acetyltransferase EP300 (p300), but not its paralog, CREBBP (CBP). We found that EP300 is silenced due to genetic alterations in all the existing RNF43-mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines that are resistant to PORCN inhibitors. Mechanistically, loss of EP300 directly downregulated GATA6 expression, thereby silencing the GATA6-regulated differentiation program and leading to a phenotypic transition from the classical subtype to the dedifferentiated basal-like/squamous subtype of pancreatic cancer. EP300 mutation and loss of GATA6 function bypassed the antidifferentiation activity of Wnt signaling, rendering these cancer cells resistant to Wnt inhibition

Sunnhemp breeding: Challenges and prospects

Sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) is an important fibre crop of tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world and has multiple uses. With the commercialization of agriculture, major food crops and cash crops gained momentum and fibre crops, particularly sunnhemp lagged behind on account of increased availability of cheap synthetic fibres. In the present context, the cultivation of sunnhemp is limited to marginal lands and with minimum inputs. Subsequently, the production and productivity of the crop has declined. Productivity of sunnhemp can be increased by genetic improvement of the crop. However, very little reports are available detailing genetics of different economic traits. Hence, an attempt is being made to collect all the scattered relevant genetic information in order to make the information useful in expediting the genetic improvement of the crop

Evaluation of sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea) genotypes for high fibre yield

Four genetically different genotypes of sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) were evaluated for fibre yield and its yield component traits for three years 2008-2009 to 2010-2011 at Sunnhemp Research Station, Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh. Significant differences among experimental genotypes were recorded for fibre yield and its attributes. High fibre yield/ha was recorded for SUIN-029 (9.06 q/ha) followed by SUIN-80 (8.94 q/ha). The highest green biomass yield (337.30 q/ha) and stick yield (52.41 q/ha) were recorded for SUIN-029. The analysis of the data for all years revealed superiority of genotype SUIN-029 for most of the fibre yield traits. This genotype can be used as donor for future breeding programme

Diabetic ketoacidosis with severe hypokalemia and persistent hypernatremia in an adolescent girl with COVID‐19 infection

Abstract: We report a case of new‐onset type 1 diabetes in a girl presenting with severe diabetic ketoacidosis, complicated by profound hypokalemia and hypernatremia. We describe the clinical course, management challenges, and the potential role of the concomitant COVID‐19 infection in the complexity of this case