Soil conservation issues in India

Despite years of study and substantial investment in remediation and prevention, soil erosion continues to be a major environmental problem with regard to land use in India and elsewhere around the world. Furthermore, changing climate and/or weather patterns are exacerbating the problem. Our objective was to review past and current soil conservation programmes in India to better understand how production-, environmental-, social-, economic- and policy-related issues have affected soil and water conservation and the incentives needed to address the most critical problems. We found that to achieve success in soil and water conservation policies, institutions and operations must be co-ordinated using a holistic approach. Watershed programmes have been shown to be one of the most effective strategies for bringing socio-economic change to different parts of India. Within both dryland and rainfed areas, watershed management has quietly revolutionized agriculture by aligning various sectors through technological soil and water conservation interventions and land-use diversification. Significant results associated with various watershed-scale soil and water conservation programmes and interventions that were effective for reducing land degradation and improving productivity in different parts of the country are discussed

Comparative Analysis of Organic and Chemical Pesticides: Impacts on Crop Health and Environmental Sustainability

Pesticides are indispensable tools in modern agriculture, aiding in the protection of crops against pests and diseases. Nevertheless, the adverse effects of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment have catalyzed a shift towards organic alternatives. This review critically assesses the use of both organic and chemical pesticides, evaluating their respective impacts on crop health and environmental sustainability. We delve into aspects such as efficiency, safety, environmental footprint, and regulatory frameworks surrounding these two types of pesticides, drawing insights from recent research. By synthesizing current knowledge, our aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and limitations of organic and chemical pesticides, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions towards sustainable agricultural practices

Structure prediction and docking-based molecular insights of human YB-1 and nucleic acid interaction

<p>Y-box-binding protein 1 (YB-1), a cold shock domain protein, is one of the most conserved nucleic acid-binding proteins. The multifunctional human YB-1 is a member of a large family of proteins with an evolutionary ancient cold shock domain. The presence of a cold shock domain is a specific feature of Y-box-binding proteins and allows attributing them to a wider group of proteins containing a cold shock domain. This protein is involved in a number of cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation and stress response. The YB-1 performs its function both in the cytoplasm and in the cell nucleus. In this study, we present the structure of full-length human YB-1 protein along with investigation of their nucleic acid-binding preferential. The study also focuses on biases for particular purine and pyrimidine bases. The overall goal of this study was to model and validate full-length YB-1 protein and to compare its nucleic acid-binding studies with previous reports.</p

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Not AvailableTo establish normal values of blood biochemical indices for different indigenous local donkey population available in various agro-climatic zones, blood samples were collected from 233 adult and apparently healthy donkeys. The samples were analysed for metabolites (albumin, total serum protein, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, urea, uric acid, triglyceride, creatinine) and minerals (calcium, phosphorus) to evaluate significant difference within and between populations. Confidence limit of each biochemical indices showed a close range as compared to their actual range observed under varied geographic areas. All the metabolites and minerals showed significant variations in their levels within and between donkey populations which could possibly be due to the differences in the nutritional status of donkeys, their managemental aspects and biochemical metabolism. In agro-climatic zone 1 (Spiti and Leh areas), having low vegetation cover with poor nutritious grasses for a limited period, levels of most of the biochemical profiles in donkey populations belonging to these areas were significantly lower than those in other zones (VI, IX, XII, XIV). This study indicated that normal biochemical values of different indices for a particular population should not be used as such for disease prognosis, diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of other donkey population belonging to other agro-climatic zone having different nutritional and managemental practicesNot Availabl

A computational study on structural and functional consequences of nsSNPs in human dopa decarboxylase

The Dopa Decarboxylase (DDC) gene plays an important role in the synthesis of biogenic amines such as dopamine, serotonin, and histamine. Non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in the DDC gene have been linked with various neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, a comprehensive in silico analysis of nsSNPs in the DDC gene was conducted to assess their potential functional consequences and associations with disease outcomes. Using publicly available databases, a complete list of nsSNPs in the DDC gene was obtained. 29 computational tools and algorithms were used to characterise the effects of these nsSNPs on protein structure, function, and stability. In addition, the population-based association studies were performed to investigate possible associations between specific nsSNPs and arthritis. Our research identified four novel DDC gene nsSNPs that have a major impact on the structure and function of proteins. Through molecular dynamics simulations (MDS), we observed changes in the stability of the DDC protein induced by specific nsSNPs. Furthermore, population-based association studies have revealed potential associations between certain DDC nsSNPs and various neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and dementia. The in silico approach used in this study offers insightful information about the functional effects of nsSNPs in the DDC gene. These discoveries provide insight into the cellular processes that underlie cognitive disorders. Furthermore, the detection of disease-associated nsSNPs in the DDC gene may facilitate the development of tailored and targeted therapy approaches. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma</p

Descriptive epidemiology of equine influenza in India (2008-2009): temporal and spatial trends

Equine influenza is a contagious viral disease that affects all members of the family Equidae, i.e. horses, donkeys and mules. The authors describe the pattern of equine influenza outbreaks in a number of states of India from July 2008 to June 2009. The disease was first reported in June 2008 in Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) and spread to ten other states within a year. All outbreaks of equine influenza in the various states were confirmed by laboratory investigations (virus isolation and/or serological confirmation based on haemagglutination inhibition [HI] assays of paired samples) before declaring them as equine influenza virus-affected state(s). The virus (H3N8) was reported from various locations in the country including Katra, Mysore (Karnataka), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Gopeshwar and Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) and was isolated in 9- to 11-day-old embryonated chicken eggs. The virus was confirmed as H3N8 by HI assays with standard serum and amplification of full-length haemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Serum samples (n = 4 740) of equines from 13 states in India screened by HI revealed 1 074 (22.65%) samples as being positive for antibodies to equine influenza virus (H3N8)