Arbuscular Mycorrhiza: Their distribution and association with plants in the revegetated mine spoils of India – an overview

Reclamation of mine spoils is receiving considerable attention in the recent years due to the ill effects of mining and dumping of the mine spoil waste leading to various environmental hazards. Mycorrhizal inoculation of mine spoils and mine spoil dumps is essential for the establishment of a diverse plant community and a better ecosystem.  This review focuses on the status of AM fungi, their distribution, diversity and density in the various mine spoils and mine spoil dumps of India. Species belonging to the genus Glomus was found to be widely distributed among the mine spoils. Legumes were the dominant and tolerant plants of the mine spoils supporting mycorrhizal colonisation

Gaschromatography Mass Spectrometry GC MS Determination of Bioactive Components from Aervalanata. (L.) Whole Plant

Aervalanata L. belongs to the family of Amaranthaceae, found in the tropical regions. Traditionally, this plant is known for antimicrobial, anthelminthic, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, diuretic, nephroprotective, cytotoxic, and antihyperlipidemic activities. As yet no further characteristic study has been conducted from ethanolic extract of this species, therefore in this present study we seek to identify and evaluate the bioactive compounds from the ethanolic extracts of Aervalanata L whole plant by using the GCMS. Result of this research work reports twenty-eight compounds. The identified chemical compounds were correlated with the NIST Mass Spectrum Library.In conclusion, we seek to provide additional information on the clinical significance and pharmacological information associated with this plant

Fatal Case of Diazepam and Paraquat Poisoning – A Case Report

Background: A very dangerous activity among youth and young adults is the indiscriminate mixing and sharing of prescription drugs, often in combination with alcohol or other drugs. The effects of these combinations of substances can be fatal.Case Report: A 28 years old adult male with alleged history of diazepam and paraquat poisoning was admitted with complaints of chest discomfort, epigastric pain, vomiting and drowsiness. The patient developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and expired on the next day. To conclude, diazepam even though considered to be a safer drug, has risk of drug abuse and is fatal when taken in overdose along with other central nervous system depressants. Paraquat is a highly toxic compound widely used as herbicide and ingestion of the drug causes death due to respiratory failure. Conclusion: The present study emphasizes on the proper surveillance of diazepam intake in known psychiatric patients and strict rules must be enforced by the Government on marketing of herbicides and pesticides

Insights from Modeling the 3D Structure of New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamse and Its Binding Interactions with Antibiotic Drugs

New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1) is an enzyme that makes bacteria resistant to a broad range of beta-lactam antibiotic drugs. This is because it can inactivate most beta-lactam antibiotic drugs by hydrolyzing them. For in-depth understanding of the hydrolysis mechanism, the three-dimensional structure of NDM-1 was developed. With such a structural frame, two enzyme-ligand complexes were derived by respectively docking Imipenem and Meropenem (two typical beta-lactam antibiotic drugs) to the NDM-1 receptor. It was revealed from the NDM-1/Imipenem complex that the antibiotic drug was hydrolyzed while sitting in a binding pocket of NDM-1 formed by nine residues. And for the case of NDM-1/Meropenem complex, the antibiotic drug was hydrolyzed in a binding pocket formed by twelve residues. All these constituent residues of the two binding pockets were explicitly defined and graphically labeled. It is anticipated that the findings reported here may provide useful insights for developing new antibiotic drugs to overcome the resistance problem

Whole-body regeneration in the colonial tunicate Botrylloides leachii

The colonial marine invertebrate Botrylloides leachii belongs to the Tunicata subphylum, the closest invertebrate relatives to the vertebrate group and the only known class of chordates that can undergo whole-body regeneration (WBR). This dramatic developmental process allows a minute isolated fragment of B. leachii’s vascular system, or a colony excised of all adults, to restore a functional animal in as little as 10 days. In addition to this exceptional regenerative capacity, B. leachii can reproduce both sexually, through a tadpole larval stage, and asexually, through palleal budding. Thus, three alternative developmental strategies lead to the establishment of filter-feeding adults. Consequently, B. leachii is particularly well suited for comparative studies on regeneration and should provide novel insights into regenerative processes in chordates.Here, after a short introduction on regeneration, we overview the biology of B. leachii as well as the current state of knowledge on WBR in this species and in related species of tunicates. Finally, we highlight the possible future directions that research might take in the study of WBR, including thoughts on technological approaches that appear most promising in this context. Overall, we provide a synthesis of the current knowledge on WBR in B. leachii to support research in this chordate species

Biotransformation of Heavy Metals by Plant Growth Promoting Endophytic Bacteria: An Assessment

As a consequence of urbanization and industrialization, the environment is progressively polluted with heavy metals which is a problem of great concern. In plants it can create oxidative stress, ethylene production, chlorosis, Necrosis, stunted growth, inhibits various physiological processes, and decrease biomass. Due to their persistent and non-degradable nature, they enter the food chain leading to biomagnification and causing carcinogenic, mutagenic, and lethal effects on humans and animals. Bioremediation, phytoremediation, biotransformation, non-host inoculation, and other methods are used to treat heavy metals in the environment. Endophytic bacteria have gained attention for their potency to remove or immobilize heavy metals. Bacterial bioremediation is an effective and reliable technique to degrade, detoxify, mineralize, transform, or reduce the concentration of pollutants. This review helps in understanding the endophytic bacterial activity on bioremediation along with its plant growth-promoting properties

The Effect of Microstructure on Corrosion of Molybdenum-Bearing Titanium Alloys in High Chloride and Acidic Solution at High Temperature

The effect of microstructure on corrosion of heat-treated Ti-15Mo alloys was investigated by Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The sample subjected to solution heat treatment (ST) had a single phase and samples subjected to aging heat treatment at 600C had phase precipitation in phase. EIS results showed that the corrosion resistance of the aging heat-treated samples was lower than that of the ST sample, but much higher than that of pure Ti in 10 % NaCl solution of pH 0.5 at 97C. Laser micrographs and depth profile of the heat-treated samples indicated that phase at the grain boundary and in the grain was selectively corroded and caused selective dissolution in NaCl solution. The results of TEM combined with EDAX showed that the Mo content was 18mass % in the phase and 0.8mass % in phase. Hence, less Mo phase was selectively corroded in the NaCl solution. Moreover, the sample which had continuous precipitation of phase had lower corrosion resistance than samples which had separated needle-shape phases in the base phase. Thus, it was also found that the form of precipitation of phase affected the corrosion of these alloys. Finally, it was concluded that it is possible to maintain the high corrosion resistance of heat-treated Ti-Mo alloy by controlling the microstructure of phase. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.M2009267

Plant exosomes: nano conveyors of pathogen resistance

Abstract The entry of a pathogen into a plant host is a complex process involving multiple steps. Survival techniques from the pathogen and the defense mechanisms of the plant lead to a plethora of molecular interactions during the operation. Plant extracellular vesicles, especially the exosomes in the size range of 50–150 nm play a crucial role in plant defense. They act as signalosomes capable of transporting bioactive lipids, proteins, RNA and metabolites between the host and the pathogen. Recent research works have revealed that anti-microbial compounds, stress response proteins and small RNA are among the contents of these extracellular vesicles. The current review article analyses the cruciality of the cross-talk between the host and the pathogen organized through trafficking of small RNA via exosomes towards RNA induced gene silencing in the pathogenic organisms. Recent studies have shown that extracellular vesicles released by both plants and the pathogens, play a crucial role in cross-kingdom communication, thereby regulating the host response and contributing to plant immunity. An in-depth understanding of the mechanism by which the EVs mediate this inter-species and cross-kingdom regulation is currently needed to develop sustainable plant-protection strategies. The review highlights on the latest advances in understanding the role of EVs in establishing host–pathogen relationship, modulating plant immunity and approaches for how these findings can be developed into innovative strategies for crop protection

Enhancement of Optical and Thermal Properties of γ-Glycine Single Crystal: in the Presence of 2-Aminopyridine Potassium Chloride

International audienceIn this research paper, an overview of polymorph γ-form glycine single crystal crystallization in the presence of 2-aminopyridine potassium chloride as an additive at an ambient temperature by slow evaporation solution growth technique (SEST) has been presented. FTIR and NMR studies confirm the presence of functional groups in the grown crystal. In the UV–Visible NIR optical absorption spectral studies from 200 nm to 900 nm, the observed 0% absorption with lower cutoff wave length at 240 nm and high band gap (5. 5eV) enabled enhanced linear optical properties. Powder XRD study confirms crystalline nature of the grown γ-glycine crystal. The single crystal XRD study shows that the grown crystal possesses hexagonal structure and belongs to space group P31 with the cell parameters a=7. 09 Å; b=7. 09; c=5. 52 Å; α = β = 90˚; and γ = 120˚. Thermal studies have been carried out to identify the elevated thermal stability and decomposition temperature of the grown sample. Dielectric studies of as grown γ-glycine crystal exhibit low dielectric constant at higher frequencies, which is most essential parameters for nonlinear optical applications. Enhanced SHG efficiency of the grown crystal was confirmed by the Kurtz powder technique using Nd:YAG laser and found 1. 6 times greater than that of inorganic standard potassium dihydrogen phosphate. 1. Introduction. Highly polarizable conjugated system of organic molecule possesses non-centro symmetry structure and the inorganic molecule (anion), linking through hydrogen bond with organic molecule (cation) yields strong mechanical and high thermal stability [1, 2]. Molecular charge transfer induced in semiorganic complex by delocalized π electron, such that moving between electron donor and electron acceptor which are in opposite sides of the molecules [3, 4]. In the base acid interaction of organic and inorganic molecules, there is a high polarizable cation derived from aromatic nitro systems, linked to the polarizable anion of inorganic molecules through hydrogen bond network yields a noncentrosymmetric structural systems and this hydrogen bonding energy between organic and inorganic molecules made the dipole moment in parallel fashion ensures the increase of second harmonic generation activity [5]. The structures of 2-aminopyridine complexes have already been studied by Chao and his co-workers [6]. In recent years metal organic complexes have been played reasonable attention in advancement of technology [2,7]. Growth of 2-aminopyridine complex crystals is widely used in the rapid advancement in technology, such as ultra-fast phenomena, optical communication and optical storage devices , frequency doublers and optical modulators [8]. Optical properties of 2-aminopyridine complexes and their suitability for optoelectronic devices have been reported [9-14]. Metal organic nonlinear optical crystals possess good second harmonic generation efficiency, hence rich demand in optical storage devices, color display units and optical communication systems [7]. Recent research focus is on designing of new materials capable of attaining SHG processes by strong interaction with an oscillating field of light. Amino acids with ionic salt complex crystals have been investigated and recognized as materials having good nonlinear optical properties [1,3,15-17]. In this present work, synthesis and crystallization of glycine into γ-form glycine in the presence of aqueous solution 2-aminopyridine potassium chloride and their suitability for device fabrication with various enhanced optical and thermal properties are reported