Effect of humic acid and nutrients mixture on quality parameter of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) under polyhouse condition

An experiment was conducted on Effect of humic acid and nutrients mixture on growth and yield parameter of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) under polyhouse condition at Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur (Raj.). The data was analyzed statistically following completely randomized design. The results revealed that treatment T7 [(RDF + humic acid 10 kg/ha soil application + humic acid 0.1% foliar spray + nutrient mixture foliar spray (0.2% Ca + 0.5% Mg + 0.2% B + 0.5% Zn)] was recorded superior to enhance leaf nutrients analysis Ca (1.656%), Mg (0.763%), Zn (25.07ppm) and B (61.94ppm), fruit nutrient analysisCa (1.904%), Mg (0.877%), Zn (58.98ppm) and B (61.84ppm), total Soluble Solids (TSS) (6.020%), ascorbic acid content (39.85mg/100g), lycopene content (3.75 mg/100g) and cost benefit ratio (4.81)

महिषासुर: मिथक व परंपराएं

इक्कसवीं सदी के दूसरे दशक में भारत में महिषासुर आंदोलन द्विज संस्कृति के लिए चुनौती बनकर उभरा। इसके माध्यम से आदिवासियों, पिछड़ों और दलितों के एक बड़े हिस्से ने अपनी सांस्कृतिक दावेदारी पेश की। लेकिन यह आंदोलन क्या है, इसकी जड़ें समाज में कहां तक फैली हैं, बहुजनों की सांस्कृतिक परंपरा में इसका क्या स्थान है, मौजूदा लोक-जीवन में महिषासुर की उपस्थिति किन-किन रूपों में है, इसके पुरातात्विक साक्ष्य क्या हैं? गीतों-कविताओं व नाटकों में महिषासुर किस रूप में याद किए जा रहे हैं और अकादमिक-बौद्धिक वर्ग को इस आंदोलन ने किस रूप में प्रभावित किया है, उनकी प्रतिक्रियाएं क्या हैं? आदि प्रश्नों पर विमर्श हमें एक ऐसी बौद्धिक यात्रा की ओर ले जाने में सक्षम हैं, जिससे हममें अधिकांश अभी तक अपरिचित रहे हैं। क्या महिषासुर दक्षिण एशिया के अनार्यों के पूर्वज थे, जो बाद में एक मिथकीय चरित्र बन कर बहुजन संस्कृति के प्रतीक पुरुष बन गए? क्या यह बहुत बाद की परिघटना है, जब माकण्डेय पुराण, दुर्गासप्तशती जैसे ग्रंथ रच कर, एक कपोल-कल्पित देवी के हाथों महिषासुर की हत्या की कहानी गढ़ी गई? इस आंदोलन की सैद्धांतिकी क्या है? प्रमोद रंजन द्वारा संपादित किताब “महिषासुर: मिथक व परंपराएं” में लेखकों ने उपरोक्त प्रश्नों पर विचार किया है तथा विलुप्ति के कगार पर खड़े असुर समुदाय का विस्तृत नृवंशशास्त्रीय अध्ययन भी प्रस्तुत किया है। इस पुस्तक में समकालीन भारतीय साहित्य में महिषासुर पर लिखी गई कविताओं व गीतों का प्रतिनिधि संकलन भी है तथा महिषासुर की बहुजन कथा पर आधारित एक नाटक भी प्रकाशित है। समाज-विज्ञान व सांस्कृतिक विमर्श के अध्येताओं, सामाजिक-राजनीतिक कार्यकर्ताओं, साहित्य प्रेमियों के लिए यह एक आवश्यक पुस्तक है

शिमला डायरी: हिमाचल प्रदेश को समझने के लिए एक जरूरी किताब

जब प्रमोद रंजन की किताब “शिमला डायरी” Shimla Diary हाथ लगी तो ऐसा लगा कि प्रमोद रंजन ने शिमला की यादों को न सिर्फ यादगार बना दिया बल्कि शिमला वासियों को ‘एक जरुरी दस्तावेज’ भेंट कर उनसे अपनी मुहब्बत का इजहार कर दिया है, जैसे ‘प्रिया दी’ का निर्मल प्रेम कमलेश्वर के प्रति उमड़कर ,उनके होठों पर दिखने लगता था,आंखों में चमकने लगता था, ठीक वैसी ही मुहब्बत ‘शिमला डायरी’ में उभरकर सामने आई है। अपनी प्रिया दी के बारे में प्रमोद रंजन ने बड़ी संजिदगी के साथ बहुत कम में बहुत कुछ लिखा है

Neuroprotective Effect of Chlorogenic Acid on Mitochondrial Dysfunction-Mediated Apoptotic Death of DA Neurons in a Parkinsonian Mouse Model

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress characterize major factors involved in the activation of complex processes corresponding to apoptosis-mediated neuronal senescence of dopaminergic neurons (DA) in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we evaluated the molecular mechanisms participating in the treatment of a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydopyridine- (MPTP-) intoxicated PD mouse model in response to chlorogenic acid (CGA). The results indicate that CGA treatment significantly improved the motor coordination of the MPTP-intoxicated mice. CGA also alleviated the fall in activity of mitochondrial complexes I, IV, and V in accordance with ameliorating the level of superoxide dismutase and mitochondrial glutathione in the midbrain of MPTP-induced mice. CGA inhibited the activation of proapoptotic proteins including Bax and caspase-3, while elevating the expression of antiapoptotic protein like Bcl-2 consequently preventing the MPTP-mediated apoptotic cascade. The study also revealed the improved phosphorylation state of Akt, ERK1/2, and GSK3β which was downregulated as an effect of MPTP toxicity. Our findings signify that CGA may possess pharmacological properties and contribute to neuroprotection against MPTP induced toxicity in a PD mouse model associated with phosphorylation of GSK3β via activating Akt/ERK signalling in the mitochondrial intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Thus, CGA treatment may arise as a potential therapeutic candidate for mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic senescence of DA neurons in PD

Prevalence and Impact of HMOX1 Polymorphism (rs2071746: A > T) in Indian Sickle Cell Disease Patients

Background Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels play significant role in lowering down the morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Coinheritance of heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) rs2071746:A > T polymorphism may contribute to variable HbF levels in Indian SCD patients. Aim and Objective This study was aimed to evaluate the role of HMOX1 polymorphism and its impact on HbF level in Indian SCD patients. Materials and Methods One-hundred twenty confirmed cases of SCD and 50 healthy controls were recruited. Their mean age was 11.5 ± 8.6 years (range: 3–23 years). Quantification of Hb, HbA2, HbF, and HbS was done by capillary zone electrophoresis. Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction was used to genotype HMOX1 (rs2071746:A > T) gene polymorphism. Results Out of the 120 cases of SCD, 65 were hemoglobin sickle-shaped (HbSS) and 55 were sickle-beta thalassemia (Sβ). Out of 65 HbSS patients, 29 (44.6%) were heterozygous (AT), 20 (30.76%) were homozygous (TT), and 16 (24.61%) were found wild-type (AA) genotype. Out of 55 Sβ, 22 (40%) were heterozygous, 18 (32%) were homozygous and 15 (28%) were wild-type. Patients carrying HMOX1 (rs2071746:A > T), AT, and TT genotypes had less anemia, painful crisis, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, jaundice, and blood transfusion. HbF level was found higher in TT genotype (in HbSS the HbF levels was 25.1 ± 4.4; in sickle-beta thalassemia the HbF levels was 36.1 ± 4.7) than wild-type(AA) and was statistically significant (p-value <0.001). Conclusion The TT genotype of the rs2071746:A > T polymorphism was associated with increased levels of Hb F (p < 0.001). It can serve as a HbF modifier in Indian sickle cell diseases patients

Mucuna pruriens Protects against MPTP Intoxicated Neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s Disease through NF-κB/pAKT Signaling Pathways

Till date, drugs that have been used to manage Parkinson’s disease (PD) have only shown symptomatic relief with several adverse effects besides their inability to prevent neurodegeneration. Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the advancement of PD and can be targeted for its effective treatment. Researchers have suggested that herbal plants exhibiting the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties are therefore beneficial to human health. Conventionally, Mucuna pruriens (Mp) seeds are used for maintaining male virility in India. Reportedly, Mp is used as a rejuvenator drug having neuroprotective property. Our study aimed to investigate effects of aqueous extract of Mp (100 mg/kgbwt) on neuroinflammation, orally administered to mice intoxicated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) as well as the molecular mechanism involved in the progression of PD. In this study, we have observed significant behavioral abnormalities beside decreased antioxidant defense in MPTP intoxicated mice. We have also observed significant increase in inflammatory parameters like Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein, Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase, Intercellular Cell Adhesion Molecule, and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of parkinsonian mice, while Mp treatment has notably reduced these inflammatory parameters. Mp also inhibited the MPTP induced activation of NF-κB and promoted pAkt1 activity which further prevented the apoptosis of the dopaminergic neurons. Moreover, Mp exhibited significant antioxidant defense by inhibiting the lipid peroxidation and nitrite level, and by improving catalase activity and enhancing GSH level in nigrostriatal region of mouse brain. Mp also recovered the behavioral abnormalities in MPTP treated mice. Additionally, Mp treatment considerably increased the immunoreactivity of Tyrosine Hydroxylase and Dopamine Transporter in SNpc of parkinsonian mice. Our high performance liquid chromatography analysis of the Mp seed extract have shown L-DOPA, gallic acid, phytic acid, quercetin, and catechin equivalents as the major components which might cause neuroprotection in PD mice. Our result suggested that Mp extract treatment containing L-DOPA and a mixture of rich novel phytochemicals significantly alleviates the MPTP induced neurotoxicity by NF-κB and pAkt pathway. The findings observed thereby indicate that Mp extract have suggestively ameliorated MPTP induced neuroinflammation, restored the biochemical and behavioral abnormalities in PD mouse and thus provided a scientific basis for its traditional claim