Genome-wide analysis identifies common CNVs associated with primary open angle glaucoma

BackgroundCopy number variation (CNV) is one of the major factors contributing to genomic diversity and diseases. Glaucoma is a major neurodegenerative disease causing irreversible vision loss across the globe. We wanted to analyze the impact of common CNVs in a genome-wide scale in patients of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) collected from the West Bengal, India.MethodGenome-wide data was generated on 364 POAG cases and 365 controls on Illumina 660W-Quad arrays and CNVs were called using PennCNV. Copy number variant regions (CNVRs) were analyzed for association. A publicly available dataset of POAG cohort of 866 cases and 495 controls from Caucasian origin (GLAUGEN study) was used as a validation cohort. Representative CNVs were validated using real-time PCR.ResultsWe analyzed genome-wide CNV from 1928 samples. After association analysis we found 308 significantly associated (p<0.05) CNVRs in the Indian data. These POAG associated CNVRs were enriched in nervous system development. 113 CNVRs (37%) were significantly associated with the Caucasian data set. These contain 5 genes previously reported in eye diseases, namely, IDUA, FOXE3, NDUF7, PRPF6 and WNT3. We also found 6 associated CNVRs in previously known glaucoma loci.ConclusionWe have shown that common CNVRs are significantly associated in both datasets irrespective of the population background. We have also identified candidate genes/regions which are uniquely present in POAG cases and absent in controls. Our data might provide new insights into role of CNV in pathogenesis of POAG

Impact of Covid-19 on Active Lifestyle, Physical Activity Behaviour and Physical Fitness of Adult Male Sportsmen of Delhi

Introduction:- The spread of COVID 19 infection led to nationwide lockdown and posed many difficulties for people to perform physical activities. Statement of Problem: The present study focuses on the impact of this COVID virus &amp; precautionary lockdown on the physical activity behavior, active lifestyle and physical fitness of adult male sportsmen of Delhi. Methodology: 500 sportsmen from all over Delhi were chosen through convenience sampling technique, who were actively participating in sports &amp; physical activities pre lockdown phase and their responses were recorded through a self-constructed questionnaire that consisted of 14 questions related to active lifestyle, physical activity routine pre &amp; post lockdown, condition of their physical fitness &amp; their views regarding future. Data Analysis:- The data collected was analyzed through descriptive statistics. Results: The results thus obtained revealed that the subjects emphasized on the active lifestyle, the fitness levels were affected adversely due to lockdown because of various reasons discussed in the paper. The results also revealed that although it was a great learning to perform physical activities through digital platform, but it should not be emphasized over traditional training methodology and the way to proceed in the future is the old way

Nutritive value of tender shoots of different bamboo species in relation to harvesting height in mid-hills of north-western Himalayas

Recognizing the importance of bamboos in human life and the knowledge gap concerning the nutritional value of tender bamboo shoots harvested at different heights; the current study was carried out by taking seven bamboo species (Dendrocalamus asper, D. hamiltonii, D. giganteus, Melocanna baccifera, Bambusa balcooa, Phyllostachys bambusoides and P. pubescens) at four harvesting heights (15±2, 20±2, 25±2 and 30±2 cm) in the mid-hills of north-western Himalayas. The findings revealed that the physical, nutritional, and anti-nutritional attributes of fresh tender shoots of bamboo species varied markedly with harvesting height. The maximum moisture content (92.66%), potassium (K) (526.62 mg 100 g−1) and calcium (Ca) (17.88 mg 100 g−1) were recorded in D. hamiltonii, while low in ascorbic acid (2.35 mg 100 g−1) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) (44.78 mg 100 g−1) content. Similarly, the highest fat (0.46%) and ash (1.24%) recorded in M. baccifera while protein (3.16%), edible per cent (49.95%) and shoot weight (669.35 g) in P. pubescens, D. asper and D. giganteus, respectively. P. bambusoides had the maximum carbohydrate (4.74%) but lowest in antioxidant activity (41.99%). Similarly, D. asper had the maximum phosphorus (P) content (39.91 mg 100 g−1) while low in total phenols (1.23 mg 100 g−1). Overall, the level of nutritional traits viz., protein, ash, antioxidant, ascorbic acid, P, and Ca decreases with increasing harvesting height, whereas carbohydrates, K, HCN, and total phenol content increases. For edible use, the bamboo species should be chosen based on the need for a specific nutritional trait, preferably at 15±2 cm in height

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pinus roxburghii Sarg.

The Chir Pine, Pinus roxburghii, named after William Roxburgh, is a pine native to the Himalaya. Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (Pinaceae) is traditionally used for several medicinal purposes in India. As the oil of the plant is extensively used in number of herbal preparation for curing inflammatory disorders, the present study was undertaken to assess analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of its bark extract. Dried and crushed leaves of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. were defatted with petroleum ether and then extracted with alcohol. The alcoholic extract at the doses of 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg body weight was subjected to evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in experimental animal models. Analgesic activity was evaluated by acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion tests in Swiss albino mice; acute and chronic anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma in Wistar albino rats. Diclofenac sodium and indomethacin were employed as reference drugs for analgesic and anti-inflammatory studies, respectively. In the present study, the alcoholic bark extract of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. demonstrated significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in the tested models

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Not AvailableHimalayan forest has been threatened by rapi d anthropogenic activities, resulting in the loss of forest diversity and climate change. Th e present study was carried out on four aspects (northern, southern, western and eastern), at three different altitudinal ranges, namely, 1000–1300 m above sea level (m a.s.l.), 1300–1600 m a.s.l. and 1600–1900 m a.s.l., and at three diverse mountain ranges (Kalaghat, Barog and Nangali) of sub-temperate forest ecosystems of the mid Himalayan ranges, to elucidate their influence on vegetation, tree characteristics and ecosystem carbon den- sity. The results revealed that Pinus roxburghii is the most dominant forest community of the mid Himalaya’s forest, irrespective of altitudinal gradient and slope. The south-facing slopes are occu- pied by the xerophytic tree species fr equently found in the lower Shiwalik P. roxburghii forest, whereas the north-facing ones are dominated by mesophyllic species, such as Cedrus deodara and Quercus leucotrichophora, which commonly grows in the northw estern Himalayan temperate forest ecosystem. The maximum stem density (211.00 Nha−1 ) was found at 1000–1300 m a.s.l., and on the northern aspect (211.00 Nha −1). The maximum stem volume (236.50 m 3 ha−1 ) was observed on the northern aspect at 1000–1300 m a.s.l., whereas the minimum (32.167 m 3 ha−1 ) in the southern aspect at 1300–1600 m a.s.l. The maximum carbon density (149.90 Mg ha −1 ) was found on the northern aspect and declined with increasing elevation from 123.20 to 74.78 Mg ha−1 . Overall, the study establishes that the southern and western aspects are very low in carbon density, whereas the northern aspect represents higher biodiversity as well as carbon and nutrient stocks. Therefore, aspect and altitude should be given due importance for efficient managing of biodiversity and mitigating climate change.Not Availabl

Vegetation Shift of <i>Juniperus macropoda</i> Boisser Forest in Response to Climate Change in North-Western Himalayas, India

The cold desert ecosystem of the north-western Himalaya in India’s is considered to be the most vulnerable region to climate change. In this region, Juniperus macropoda Boisser grows across an altitudinal gradient and is highly sensitive to biotic, physiographic, and climatic factors. Keeping this in view, the present study aimed at ascertaining the response of Juniperus macropoda to changing climatic conditions. To achieve the target of the study, the area (elevation ranges from 3525 to 4150 m asl) was divided into thirteen elevation ranges in the cold desert of Lahaul valley (Himachal Pradesh). The NDVI change detection map from 1994–2017 revealed an increase in the area under the vegetation in the NDVI range of 0–0.15 (240%) and 0.15–0.30 (32%), which indicated the emergence of grasses and new recruits in the area. An increase in the minimum and maximum temperature during monsoon and post-monsoon season correlated positively with the emergence of the recruits in a significant manner. Furthermore, a decline in rainfall during the monsoon period was also recorded which bears a significant positive correlation with the establishment of recruits. However, the increase in the precipitation during winter resulted in a positive effect on the emergence of recruits. The biophysical parameters, like average height, diameter as well as the average age of the dominant trees showed a declining trend with the elevation. However, the age histogram revealed that the majority of the establishment occurred around 1900 and between 1975–2010. The tree ring analysis of J. macropoda revealed that the species is shifting upward at a rate of 3.91 m year−1. Besides this, the area is experiencing the impact of climate change resulting in an increase in the area under vegetation and migration towards the higher elevation, and many species of lichens were also found to invade the bare rock

Population Dynamics of Juniperus macropoda Bossier Forest Ecosystem in Relation to Soil Physico-Chemical Characteristics in the Cold Desert of North-Western Himalaya

Juniperus macropoda is the only tree species of a cold desert ecosystem that is experiencing high anthropogenic pressure and has a poor regeneration status due to harsh environmental conditions. Due to the limited distribution of Juniperus macropoda in this region, the species have remained largely unexplored in terms of understanding the distribution pattern along the elevation and soil fertility gradients. Therefore, the current research was carried out along the elevational gradient, starting from the base line at 3000 m above sea level (m asl) asl with an elevational plot distance of 180 m. The study revealed that the average density of J. macropoda declined gradually from the first elevation range, i.e., 3000–3180 m asl onward, and extended up to the elevation range of 3900–4080 m asl. However, the average seedling and sapling densities were highest at mid-elevation and extended up to an elevation range of 4080–4260 m asl. The J. macropoda population formed a reverse J-shaped structure only up to 3540–3720 m asl. The maximum total biomass and carbon density were recorded in the lowest elevational range, and decreased subsequently. The primary soil nutrients under study decreased sharply along the elevational gradient. Seedling, sapling and tree distributions had a significantly positive relationship (p &lt; 0.05) with available N, P, K, SOC, silt and clay contents and were negatively correlated (p &lt; 0.05) with sand contents. The outcome of the study will form the basis for devising a plan for the management and conservation of J. macropoda forests.Validerad;2022;Nivå 2;2022-10-04 (sofila)</p

Biomass Production and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Different Agroforestry Systems in India: A Critical Review

Agroforestry systems (AFS) and practices followed in India are highly diverse due to varied climatic conditions ranging from temperate to humid tropics. The estimated area under AFS in India is 13.75 million ha with the highest concentration being in the states of Uttar Pradesh (1.86 million ha), followed by Maharashtra (1.61 million ha), Rajasthan (1.55 million ha) and Andhra Pradesh (1.17 million ha). There are many forms of agroforestry practice in India ranging from intensified simple systems of monoculture, such as block plantations and boundary planting, to far more diverse and complex systems, such as home gardens. As a result, the biomass production and carbon sequestration potential of AFS are highly variable across different agro-climatic zones of India. Studies pertaining to the assessment of biomass and carbon storage in different agroforestry systems in the Indian sub-continent are scanty and most of these studies have reported region and system specific carbon stocks. However, while biomass and carbon stock data from different AFS at national scale has been scanty hitherto, such information is essential for national accounting, reporting of C sinks and sources, as well as for realizing the benefits of carbon credit to farmers engaged in tree-based production activities. Therefore, the objective of this study was to collate and synthesize the existing information on biomass carbon and SOC stocks associated with agroforestry practices across agro-climatic zones of India. The results revealed considerable variation in biomass and carbon stocks among AFS, as well as between different agro-climatic zones. Higher total biomass (>200 Mg ha−1) was observed in the humid tropics of India which are prevalent in southern and northeastern regions, while lower total biomass (−1) was reported from Indo-Gangetic, western and central India. Total biomass carbon varied in the range of 1.84 to 131 Mg ha−1 in the agrihorticulture systems of western and central India and the coffee agroforests of southern peninsular India. Similarly, soil organic carbon (SOC) ranged between 12.26–170.43 Mg ha−1, with the highest SOC in the coffee agroforests of southern India and the lowest in the agrisilviculture systems of western India. The AFS which recorded relatively higher SOC included plantation crop-based practices of southern, eastern and northeastern India, followed by the agrihorticulture and agrisilviculture systems of the northern Himalayas. The meta-analysis indicated that the growth and nature of different agroforestry tree species is the key factor affecting the carbon storage capacity of an agroforestry system. The baseline data obtained across various regions could be useful for devising policies on carbon trading or financing for agroforestry