Sacred forest of Kunjapuri Siddhapeeth, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract: Sacred forests are a new frontier for interdisciplinary research and are relevant for biodiversity conservation. However, several sacred forests are experiencing failure of legal protection in guaranteeing their integrity and conservation. To bridge the gap between the needs of local people and to safeguard the health of these sacred places, immediate steps are called for. The present study was conducted in Kunjapuri Siddhapeeth, which is one of the 52 Siddhapeeths of India. A total of 239 plant species belonging to 78 families and 207 genera were collected from the study area. Out of these, nine species are considered threatened and three species vulnerable. Presently, the health of this sacred forest is deteriorating under constant anthropogenic pressures. These disturbances are also a threat for various rare, vulnerable and threatened plants. These forests are maintained and managed by the forest department and the locals are not co-operating. Therefore, the government should either promote community-based conservation of biodiversity in these forests or their administration should be handed over to temple authorities. Resumen: Los bosques sagrados representan una nueva frontera para la investigación interdisciplinaria y son relevantes para la conservación de la biodiversidad. No obstante, varios bosques sagrados carecen de una protección legal que garantice su integridad y conservación. Es necesario realizar acciones inmediatas para conciliar las necesidades de los pobladores locales y salvaguardar la salud de estos espacios sagrados. El presente estudio se llevó a cabo en Kunjapuri Siddhapeeth, que es uno de los 52 Siddhapeeths de la India. En el área de estudio se recolectó un total de 239 especies de plantas pertenecientes a 78 familias y 207 géneros. Entre éstas, se considera que nueve especies están amenazadas y tres son vulnerables. En la actualidad, la salud de este bosque sagrado se está deteriorando bajos las presiones antropogénicas constantes. Estos disturbios también constituyen una amenaza para varias plantas raras, vulnerables y amenazadas. Estos bosques son mantenidos y manejados por el departamento forestal y los pobladores locales no están cooperando. Por lo tanto, o el gobierno debería promover que la conservación de la biodiversidad en estos bosques tenga una base en la comunidad, o su administración debería pasar a manos de las autoridades del templo. Resumo: As florestas sagradas são a nova fronteira para a investigação interdisciplinar e é relevante para a conservação da biodiversidade. Contudo, várias florestas sagradas vêm enfrentando uma lacuna legal que não lhes garante a sua integridade e conservação. Para estabelecer a ligação entre as necessidades da população local e a salvaguarda da saúde deste lugares sagrados, é necessário assumir medidas imediatas. O presente estudo foi conduzido em Kunjapuri Siddhapeeth, que é um dos 52 Siddhapeeths da Índia. Um total de 239 espécies de plantas, pertencendo a 78 famílias e 207 géneros, foram colhidos na área de estudo. Destas, nove espécies são consideradas ameaçadas e três são vulneráveis. Presentemente, o estado desta floresta sagrada está a deteriorar-se sob a constante pressão antropogénica. Estes perturbações

Familial t(1;11) translocation is associated with disruption of white matter structural integrity and oligodendrocyte–myelin dysfunction

Although the underlying neurobiology of major mental illness (MMI) remains unknown, emerging evidence implicates a role for oligodendrocyte–myelin abnormalities. Here, we took advantage of a large family carrying a balanced t(1;11) translocation, which substantially increases risk of MMI, to undertake both diffusion tensor imaging and cellular studies to evaluate the consequences of the t(1;11) translocation on white matter structural integrity and oligodendrocyte–myelin biology. This translocation disrupts among others the DISC1 gene which plays a crucial role in brain development. We show that translocation-carrying patients display significant disruption of white matter integrity compared with familial controls. At a cellular level, we observe dysregulation of key pathways controlling oligodendrocyte development and morphogenesis in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived case oligodendrocytes. This is associated with reduced proliferation and a stunted morphology in vitro. Further, myelin internodes in a humanized mouse model that recapitulates the human translocation as well as after transplantation of t(1;11) oligodendrocyte progenitors were significantly reduced when compared with controls. Thus we provide evidence that the t(1;11) translocation has biological effects at both the systems and cellular level that together suggest oligodendrocyte–myelin dysfunction

Community and farm forestry climate mitigation projects: case studies from Uttaranchal, India

Mitigation, Carbon, Farm forestry, Community forestry, Financial feasibility, Baseline, Additionality,

Immunohistological evaluation of proprioceptive potential of the residual stump of injured anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL)

To evaluate proprioceptive potential in residual remnants, tissue harvested from ruptured ACLs in 63 consecutive patients was examined for evidence of residual proprioceptive fibres using H&E, and monoclonal antibodies to S-100 and NFP (neurofilament protein). Histological examination showed good subsynovial and intra-fascicular vascularity with free nerve endings in the majority. Morphologically normal mechanoreceptors (H&E) and proprioceptive fibres (positivity with monoclonal antibody for NFP) were found in 46% and 52.4% of stumps, respectively. A statistically significant correlation between injury duration and persistence of mechanoreceptors and proprioceptive fibres was noted. More fibres were seen where ACL remnant was adherent to PCL. Our study has shown that persistent residual proprioceptive fibres in injured ACLs (especially early cases with PCL adherence) are significant; not shaving ACL remnants may be of potential benefit during ACL reconstruction, as some re-innervation and recovery of proprioceptive potential may be possible, thus improving clinical outcomes

Zika Virus Infects Intermediate Progenitor Cells and Post-mitotic Committed Neurons in Human Fetal Brain Tissues

Abstract Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is associated with microcephaly in fetuses, but the pathogenesis of ZIKV-related microcephaly is not well understood. Here we show that ZIKV infects the subventricular zone in human fetal brain tissues and that the tissue tropism broadens with the progression of gestation. Our research demonstrates also that intermediate progenitor cells (IPCs) are the main target cells for ZIKV. Post-mitotic committed neurons become susceptible to ZIKV infection as well at later stages of gestation. Furthermore, activation of microglial cells, DNA fragmentation, and apoptosis of infected or uninfected cells could be found in ZIKV-infected brain tissues. Our studies identify IPCs as the main target cells for ZIKV. They also suggest that immune activation after ZIKV infection may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ZIKV-related microcephaly