Investigating the impact of land-use land-cover change on Indian summer monsoon daily rainfall and temperature during 1951–2005 using a regional climate model

Daily moderate rainfall events, which constitute a major portion of seasonal summer monsoon rainfall over central India, have decreased significantly during the period 1951 through 2005. On the other hand, mean and extreme near-surface daily temperature during the monsoon season have increased by a maximum of 1–1.5 °C. Using simulations made with a high-resolution regional climate model (RegCM4) and prescribed land cover of years 1950 and 2005, it is demonstrated that part of the changes in moderate rainfall events and temperature have been caused by land-use/land-cover change (LULCC), which is mostly anthropogenic. Model simulations show that the increase in seasonal mean and extreme temperature over central India coincides with the region of decrease in forest and increase in crop cover. Our results also show that LULCC alone causes warming in the extremes of daily mean and maximum temperatures by a maximum of 1–1.2 °C, which is comparable with the observed increasing trend in the extremes. Decrease in forest cover and simultaneous increase in crops not only reduces the evapotranspiration over land and large-scale convective instability, but also contributes toward decrease in moisture convergence through reduced surface roughness. These factors act together in reducing significantly the moderate rainfall events and the amount of rainfall in that category over central India. Additionally, the model simulations are repeated by removing the warming trend in sea surface temperatures over the Indian Ocean. As a result, enhanced warming at the surface and greater decrease in moderate rainfall events over central India compared to the earlier set of simulations are noticed. Results from these additional experiments corroborate our initial findings and confirm the contribution of LULCC in the decrease in moderate rainfall events and increase in daily mean and extreme temperature over India. Therefore, this study demonstrates the important implications of LULCC over India during the monsoon season. Although, the regional climate model helps in better resolving land–atmosphere feedbacks over the Indian region, the inferences do depend on the fidelity of the model in capturing the features of Indian monsoon realistically. It is proposed that similar studies using a suite of climate models will further enrich our understanding about the role of LULCC in the Indian monsoon climate

Sustainable Generation of Ni(OH)2 Nanoparticles for the Green Synthesis of 5-Substituted 1 H-Tetrazoles:A Competent Turn on Fluorescence Sensing of H2O2

A mutually correlated green protocol has been devised that originates from a sustainable production of β-Ni(OH)2 nanoparticles which is used for an efficient catalytic synthesis of versatile substituted tetrazoles, under mild reaction conditions in water via a simple, one-pot, eco-friendly method. The synthesis is followed by derivatization into a highly fluorescence active compound 9-(4-(5-(quinolin-2-yl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl)phenyl)-9H-carbazole that can be used at tracer concentrations (0.1 μM) to detect as well as quantify hydrogen peroxide down to 2 μM concentration. The nanocatalyst was synthesized by a simple, proficient, and cost-effective methodology and characterized thoroughly by UV-vis absorption and Fourier transform infrared spectra, N2 adsorption/desorption, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction pattern, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Broad substrate scope, easy handling, higher efficiency, low cost, and reusability of the catalyst are some of the important features of this heterogeneous catalytic system. The strong analytical performance of the resultant derivative in low-level quantification of potentially hazardous hydrogen peroxide is the key success of the overall green synthesis procedure reported here

Chandipura Virus: Another Exotic Tropical Disease?

This review article discusses the current problem statement of the Chandipura Virus disease which is mainly neglected but an emerging as an exotic tropical disease in India. The epidemiology and clinical features are described along with geographical distribution where cases have been documented. Controversies around it have been stated. Along with treatment, preventive aspects, which is the mainstay management has been discussed in details. Disease preparedness & potential bioterrorism concern has been outlined

Was there any change in tobacco smoking among adults in Bangladesh during 2009-2017? Insights from two nationally representative cross-sectional surveys.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the changes in prevalence and associated factors of tobacco smoking among Bangladeshi adults over time. DESIGN: Nationally representative cross-sectional surveys. SETTING: Two most recent Global Adults Tobacco Survey (GATS) data from Bangladesh, carried out in 2009 and 2017. PARTICIPANTS: Adult population aged 15 and above (n=9629 in 2009; n=12 783 in 2017). OUTCOME MEASURES: Current use of tobacco smoke, including cigarettes, bidi, hukkah, cigars or pipes, which was dichotomised ('yes'/'no'). METHODS: We analysed data from two recent rounds of GATS (2009 and 2017). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of tobacco smoking among Bangladeshi adults was noted (23.00%, 95% CI 22.98 to 23.00 in 2009; 16.44%, 95% CI 16.43 to 16.45 in 2017). Being male (adjusted OR (AOR)=59.72, CI 40.56 to 87.93 for 2009; AOR=71.17, CI 41.08 to 123.32 for 2017), age between 25 and 64 years (all AORs >2 and p<0.05), smoking permissible at home (AOR=7.08, CI 5.88 to 8.52 for 2009; AOR=5.90, CI 5.34 to 6.95 for 2017), and watching tobacco smoking product use in movie/drama scenes (AOR=1.26, CI 1.11 to 1.44 for 2009; AOR=1.34, CI 1.17 to 1.54 for 2017) were found to be significantly associated with increased tobacco smoking among adults both in 2009 and in 2017. However, being offered free tobacco sample products (AOR=0.66, CI 0.57 to 0.77 for 2009; AOR=0.87, CI 0.76 to 0.99 for 2017) and having primary, secondary or higher education (all AORs <1 and p<0.05) as well as being a student (AOR=0.16, CI 0.09 to 0.29 for 2009; AOR=0.32, CI 0.19 to 0.53) were associated with lower odds of tobacco smoking in both surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of tobacco smoking has declined over the period, it is still high among those who were relatively older, men, less educated and exposed to a movie/drama where tobacco smoking is promoted. Therefore, appropriate interventions are required to stop tobacco smoking among the Bangladeshi population

Uncovering the effect of low-frequency static magnetic field on tendon-derived cells: from mechanosensing to tenogenesis

Magnetotherapy has been receiving increased attention as an attractive strategy for modulating cell physiology directly at the site of injury, thereby providing the medical community with a safe and non- invasive therapy. Yet, how magnetic eld in uences tendon cells both at the cellular and molecular levels remains unclear. Thus, the in uence of a low-frequency static magnetic eld (2 Hz, 350 mT) on human tendon-derived cells was studied using di erent exposure times (4 and 8 h; short-term studies) and di erent regimens of exposure to an 8h-period of magnetic stimulation (continuous, every 24 h or every 48 h; long-term studies). Herein, 8 h stimulation in short-term studies signi cantly upregulated the expression of tendon-associated genes SCX, COL1A1, TNC and DCN (p < 0.05) and altered intracellular Ca2+ levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, every 24 h regimen of stimulation signi cantly upregulated COL1A1, COL3A1 and TNC at day 14 in comparison to control (p < 0.05), whereas continuous exposure di erentially regulated the release of the immunomodulatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-10 (p < 0.001) but only at day 7 in comparison to controls. Altogether, these results provide new insights on how low-frequency static magnetic eld ne-tune the behaviour of tendon cells according to the magnetic settings used, which we foresee to represent an interesting candidate to guide tendon regeneration.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Restoration of TGF-β signalling reduces tumorigenicity in human lung cancer cells

Members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family regulate a wide range of biological processes including cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix deposition. Resistance to TGF-β-mediated tumour suppressor function in human lung cancer may occur through the loss of type II receptor (TβRII) expression. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of TβRII in human lung cancer tissues by RT–PCR and Western blot analyses. We observed downregulation of TβRII in 30 out of 46 NSCLC samples (65%) by semiquantitative RT–PCR. Western blot analyses with tumour lysates showed reduced expression of TβRII in 77% cases. We also determined the effect of TβRII expression in lung adenocarcinoma cell line (VMRC-LCD) that is not responsive to TGF-β due to lack of TβRII expression. Stable expression of TβRII in these cells restored TGF-β-mediated effects including Smad2/3 and Smad4 complex formation, TGF-β-responsive reporter gene activation, inhibition of cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Clones expressing TβRII showed reduced colony formation in soft-agarose assay and significantly reduced tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice. Therefore, these results suggest that reestablishment of TGF-β signalling in TβRII null cells by stable expression of TβRII can reverse malignant behaviour of cells and loss of TβRII expression may be involved in lung tumour progression

Smad7 induces hepatic metastasis in colorectal cancer

Although Smad signalling is known to play a tumour suppressor role, it has been shown to play a prometastatic function also in breast cancer and melanoma metastasis to bone. In contrast, mutation or reduced level of Smad4 in colorectal cancer is directly correlated to poor survival and increased metastasis. However, the functional role of Smad signalling in metastasis of colorectal cancer has not been elucidated. We previously reported that overexpression of Smad7 in colon adenocarcinoma (FET) cells induces tumorigenicity by blocking TGF-β-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis. Here, we have observed that abrogation of Smad signalling by Smad7 induces liver metastasis in a splenic injection model. Polymerase chain reaction with genomic DNA from liver metastases indicates that cells expressing Smad7 migrated to the liver. Increased expression of TGF-β type II receptor in liver metastases is associated with phosphorylation and nuclear accumulation of Smad2. Immunohistochemical analyses have suggested poorly differentiated spindle cell morphology and higher cell proliferation in Smad7-induced liver metastases. Interestingly, we have observed increased expression and junctional staining of Claudin-1, Claudin-4 and E-cadherin in liver metastases. Therefore, this report demonstrates, for the first time, that blockade of TGF-β/Smad pathway in colon cancer cells induces metastasis, thus supporting an important role of Smad signalling in inhibiting colon cancer metastasis

Crystal Structures of the FAK Kinase in Complex with TAE226 and Related Bis-Anilino Pyrimidine Inhibitors Reveal a Helical DFG Conformation

Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase required for cell migration, proliferation and survival. FAK overexpression has been documented in diverse human cancers and is associated with a poor clinical outcome. Recently, a novel bis-anilino pyrimidine inhibitor, TAE226, was reported to efficiently inhibit FAK signaling, arrest tumor growth and invasion and prolong the life of mice with glioma or ovarian tumor implants. Here we describe the crystal structures of the FAK kinase bound to TAE226 and three related bis-anilino pyrimidine compounds. TAE226 induces a conformation of the N-terminal portion of the kinase activation loop that is only observed in FAK, but is distinct from the conformation in both the active and inactive states of the kinase. This conformation appears to require a glycine immediately N-terminal to the “DFG motif”, which adopts a helical conformation stabilized by interactions with TAE226. The presence of a glycine residue in this position contributes to the specificity of TAE226 and related compounds for FAK. Our work highlights the fact that kinases can access conformational space that is not necessarily utilized for their native catalytic regulation, and that such conformations can explain and be exploited for inhibitor specificity