Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Heat treatment of cottonseed to increase its value as a dairy supplement

International audienc

Nutritive investigation of plants used in dietetics: with special reference to <i>Yoga</i>

53-59The present study estimated the nutritive values and proximate analysis of some plants used in Ayurveda which are commonly available in the local market of Bangalore. Most of the plants evaluated are used as vegetable in the daily life of the local inhabitants of Bengaluru and adjoining area as recorded in our earlier study. Proximate analysis was done such as estimation of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin B1, B2, B3, fat, calories, crude fiber and other minerals. This paper also covers about the importance of Ahara in “Yoga” which is an age old tradition and has become one of the major holistic approaches for the management and well being around the globe. Apart from the physical activities it is also important to have a healthy and ‘Satvik’ diet which also includes vegetables and fruits. Plants mentioned as diet in classical Ayurvedic literatures also possesses broad spectrum of therapeutic activity. Some of the plants are also used as dietetics and consumed by different populations in India. The results revealed that all the vegetables and fruit selected in the study exhibits high calorific value, vitamin C, iron, etc. which are essential for the development of body