Structure of the deactive state of mammalian respiratory complex I

Complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) is central to energy metabolism in mammalian mitochondria. It couples NADH oxidation by ubiquinone to proton transport across the energy-conserving inner membrane, catalyzing respiration and driving ATP synthesis. In the absence of substrates, ‘active’ complex I gradually enters a pronounced resting or ‘deactive’ state. The active-deactive transition occurs during ischemia and is crucial for controlling how respiration recovers upon reperfusion. Here, we set a highly-active preparation of Bos taurus complex I into the biochemically-defined deactive state, and used single-particle electron cryomicroscopy to determine its structure to 4.1 Å resolution. We show that the deactive state arises when critical structural elements that form the ubiquinone-binding site become disordered, and we propose reactivation is induced when substrate binding to the NADH-reduced enzyme templates their reordering. Our structure both rationalizes biochemical data on the deactive state, and offers new insights into its physiological and cellular roles.Data were recorded at the UK National Electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC) at Diamond (proposal EM13581, funded by the Wellcome Trust, MRC and BBSRC) with help from Dan Clare and Alistair Siebert. This work was supported by The Medical Research Council, grant numbers U105663141 (to J.H.) and U105184322 (K.R.V. in R. Henderson's group)

Neoplasia in oil sardine from Palk Bay

During a routine fishery survey programme at Irumeni fishing village, Palk Bay on 03rd December 2016, a single specimen of oil sardine Sardinella longiceps with neoplasia, measuring 163 mm in total length (TL) and weighing 119 gram was collected from the gillnet landings. The specimen was a female with empty stomach

RESPONSE OF RICE TO BALANCED FERTILIZATION IN TYPIC USTIFLUVENT SOIL

Balanced fertilizer uses in food grain crops including rice is one of the important considerations in providing food security to the burgeoning population and promoting soil quality in sustainable intensive agriculture. Wide spread negative nutrient balance in different production system can be overcome by adopting integrated nutrient management. Field experiments were conducted in farmers holding belonging to Padugai series (Typic Ustifluvents) to investigate the response of rice to balanced fertilization. The treatments employed in the study were T1) Control T2) Farmer‘s practice (125, 62.5, 62.5 kg N, P2O5, K2O), T3) 100% NPKS Zn (120: 38: 38: 20: 5 kg N, P2O5, K2O, S and Zn - kharif and 150: 50: 50: 20: 5 kg N, P2O5, K2O, S and Zn - rabi), T4 ) T3  minus N, T5) T3 minus P, T6) T3 minus K, T7) T3 minus PK, T8) T3 minus S, T9) T3 minus Zn, T10 ) T3 minus S Zn, T11) 75% NPK + S + Zn + PM @ 4 t ha-1 and T12) 50% NPK + S + Zn + PM @ 4 t ha-1. The test crop was rice with variety ADT 43 (Kharif) and BPT 5204 (Rabi). The experiment was conducted in RBD design with three replications. The highlight of the outcome was All the treatment caused a significant increase in growth and yield over control. The tallest plant, highest tiller count, LAI, chlorophyll content was observed with treatment involving 75% NPK + S + Zn + PM @4tha-1 and was closely followed by 100% NPKS Zn and 50% NPK + S + Zn + PM @ 4 t ha-1. The highest grain yield (5650, 6080 kg ha-1), straw yield (6910, 7418 kg ha-1), highest grain yield response (2905, 2925 kg ha-1), percent increase in grain (105.8, 116.9) and straw (108. 114.1) in kharif and rabi respectively was realised in 75% NPK + S + Zn + PM @ 4 t ha-1. There was perceptible reduction in growth and yield of rice, where there was omission of single or two nutrients in the fertilizer schedule.  To conclude, balanced fertilization with INM strategy not only maximizes the rice yield but also maintains soil health and nutrient saving

Efficacy of caudal dexmedetomidine on stress response and post operative pain in paediatric cardiac surgery: A prospective, randomized, double blinded study

BACKGROUND: The stress response during cardiac surgery may have deleterious effect during perioperative period. This study evaluates the efficacy of caudal dexmedetomidine on stress response and post operative pain in paediatric cardio thoracic surgery under general anaesthesia. AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare the stress response and post operative analgesia using bupivacaine (0.25%)with dexmedetomidine and bupivacaine (0.25%) with fentanyl after general anaesthesia in paediatric cardiac surgery. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the intra operative and post operative hemodynamic stability. 2. Post operative FACES pain score. 3. Extubation time. 4. Time taken to initiate post operative rescue analgesia. 5. To know the complications rate. METHODS: A prospective randamoized controlled study was conducted in 50 ASA PS I patients posted for ASD repair were randomly divided into two groups. Group A received caudal bupivacaine [0.25%] and dexmedetomidine 1mcg/kg with volume of 1.5ml/kg.Group B received caudal bupivacaine [0.25%] and fentanyl 1mcg/kg with volume of 1.5ml/kg. Serum cortisol and serum glucose were measured.Intra operative and post operative hemodynamics were recorded. RESULTS: Serum cortisol and serum glucose levels were lower in dexmedetomidine group when compared to fentanyl group. Intra operative and post operative analgesic requirements were decreased in dexmedetomidine group when compared to fentanyl group. FACES pain score comparatively low in dexmedetomidine group. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine attenuates the stress response and provides better intra operative and post operative hemodynamics and pronged post operative analgesia and shorter time to extubation.so caudal dexmedetomidine proves to be superior than fentanyl

Bioefficacy of plant based insecticides against thrips, Pseudodendrothrips mori (Niwa) and leaf webber, Diaphania pulverulentalis (Hampson) in mulberry ecosystem and their bio safety to natural enemies

Morus spp. is the sole food for mulberry silkworms, Bombyx mori L. However, this crop is infested by two major pests, the leaf webber, Diaphania pulverulentalis (Hampson) and thrips, Pseudodendrothrips mori (Niwa). To address this, two field trials were conducted in two different locations to assess the efficacy of botanicals against thrips and leaf webber in mulberry ecosystem. Results indicated that TNAU Bio 3G extract @ 5% showed the highest per cent population reduction of thrips (56.24 and 47.24 % in first and second trial, respectively) over untreated control after neem oil @ 3% and neem seed kernel extract @ 5% used as standard check, whereas for leaf webber Eupatorium adenophorum extract @ 3 % showed the highest effectiveness with 61.22 and 61.86 % reduction over control in first and second trial, respectively. The different botanicals applied against mulberry thrips and leaf webber were tested for their effect on mortality of silkworm. It was found that when treated leaves were fed one day after treatment highest larval mortality (25.00%) was recorded in Neem oil @ 3% but it was very low in case of TNAU Bio 3G extract @ 5% (4.99%). Larval death steadily decreased in all the treatments except Neem oil @3 %, when fed two days      later, whereas, no mortality was noticed in case of TNAU Bio 3G extract @ 5% and E.adenophorum at 2 DAT. To conclude, TNAU Bio 3G extract @ 5% and E. adenophorum extract @ 3% can be recommended for an eco-friendly and sustainable management of thrips and leaf webber in mulberry ecosystem

Rice straw biostimulants: Phytochemicals and effects on maize growth and tomato yield

Biostimulants offer sustainable alternatives to enhance plant growth, resilience and crop yield, especially in organic farming. This study aimed to develop a nutrient-enriched biostimulant from rice straw, a widely available agricultural by-product, often burned, leading to environmental pollution. Rice straw was collected, processed and extracted using cow urine and deionized water (1:50). The extracts underwent phytochemical analysis via GC-MS and LC-MS, identifying bioactive compounds such as fatty acids, sterols, phenols and flavonoids. Elemental analysis confirmed the presence of key nutrients and trace elements, including potassium and magnesium, essential for plant growth. In-vitro assays on maize (CO6 hybrid) evaluated the biostimulant’s efficacy, showing a 12 % increase in germination and a 25 % improvement in seedling vigor at optimal cow urine extract concentrations (CE) (25 %). Root length and shoot biomass also exhibited significant improvements. Field experiments on tomato cultivar (Madhan hybrid) compared the effects of the rice straw-based biostimulant with panchagavya, a traditional organic preparation, alongside controls including cow urine and water. The findings revealed that the rice straw-derived biostimulant markedly improved fruit yield by 22 % compared to the control. This enhancement exceeded that of panchagavya, which achieved a 17 % increase in fruit yield. These results underscore the superior efficacy of the rice straw-based treatment, especially those extracted with cow urine, in enhancing crop productivity, reducing reliance on synthetic agrochemicals and promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural practices

Insights of sustainable horticultural practices for hill vegetables from the organic district of Tamil Nadu

Hill horticulture faces numerous constraints, including soil erosion, landslides, water scarcity, unique cropping seasons and limited access to extension services and technologies. The Nilgiris, labelled as the "Organic District of Tamil Nadu," serves as an ideal setting to assess farmers’ awareness, adoption and challenges related to Sustainable Horticultural Practices (SHP). This study focused on 320 farmers across four blocks: Coonoor, Ooty, Gudalur and Kothagiri, with an emphasis on hill-top vegetables such as potato, carrot, cabbage and cauliflower. The findings present a mixed scenario. While most farmers were aware of SHP, only 55.00 % adopted erosion control measures and 60.63 % practiced integrated pest, disease, nutrient and irrigation management. Some practices, such as improved filtration runoff (69.37 %) and animal waste management (66.25 %), were more widely adopted. However, significant challenges were noted, including limited time to track market trends for hill vegetables (68.00 %) and high transportation costs (67.00 %). The leading source of contamination was wild animal intrusion (94.38 %), followed by improper animal waste decomposition (81.56 %). Workers’ hygiene was identified as a contamination risk by 73.13 % of respondents, while transport containers and biosecurity breaches were reported by 65.63 % and 64.69 %, respectively. This study underscores the necessity to promote SHP adoption to address these numerous constraints. Enhancing farmers’ knowledge and practices can significantly improve horticultural sustainability and foster development in the hilly regions

Overview on commercially important pelagic fishery resources of Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay

Pelagic fishes are highly migratory and exhibit shoaling nature. They inhabited in the water column (not near the bottom of the shore) of the coast or open oceans. Based on the deepness of the water in which they exist, can be classified into coastal and oceanic fish. The “coastal resources” are called the groups like sardines, anchovies and shads which inhabit above the continental shelf,and oceanic resources are called Tuna, swordfish, and mackerel which inhabited below the continental shelf they are

Demersal fishes of Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay

India has an extensive coastline length of 8,129 km, continental shelf area of about 0.5 million km2 and the area available for fish production in the country is vast with 2.02 million km2of EEZ. Gulf of Mannar (GoM) is situated in the Indian Ocean, between south east of India and West of Sri Lanka from Rameswaram (79° 14' East Longitude and 9°14' North Latitude) and Tuticorin (78° 9' East Longitude 8°48' North Latitude) on the south-eastern coast of the country (Tamil Nadu).The Gulf is 80–170 miles (130–275 km) wide and 100 miles (160 km) long with a chain of 21 islands stretching from Mandapam to Tuticorin