Development of new promising varieties of faba bean through traditional pedigree method for commercial cultivation in plain zone of India

A long term experiment was carried out in MAP Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding,  CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar from 2005-06 to 2018-19 on identification of elite genotypes from germplasm and their utilization in the development of high yielding variety through hybridization followed by traditional pedigree method to obtain desirable transgressive segregants in Faba bean. In the present investigation a number of germplasm lines were screened for seed yield and other related traits including national check Vikrant during 2005-06 under AICRN in augmented block design. As a result, ten elite genotypes identified i.e. EC117755, EC117799, EC248710, EC329675, HB123, HB180, HB430, HB204, HB 430, HB 502, HB 503 & one check variety, Vikrant. By using these elite genotypes, a number of F1 hybrids were made during 2005-06 and F2 to F6 generations were evaluated to identify the superior progenies during 2007-08 to 2011-12. After a long process of evaluation, rejection and selection, 20 superior transgressive segregant homozygous progenies were identified to make new entries. Later on, during 2012-2013, the superior entries (viz. HB12-1, HB12-5, HB12-8, HB12-9, HB12-11, HB12-12, HB12-13, HB12-14, HB12-15, HB12-26, HB12-28, HB12-29, HB12-30, HB12-31, HB12-34, HB12-36, HB12-37,HB12-38, HB12-39 and HB12-42) were evaluated at Hisar centre against Vikrant and found promising. Therefore, all these 20 genotypes were evaluated in SST during 2013-14, LST during 2014-15 and FYT during 2015-16. On the basis of above results, only five genotypes viz. HB12-8 (47.77q/ha), HB12-42 (47.70q/ha), HB12-15 (46.70q/ha), HB12-34 (46.14q/ha) and HB12-37 (45. 31q/ha) were found promising. These were further evaluated in multi-location trials at seven locations (i.e. Ambikpur, Delhi, Faizabad, Faridkot, Hisar, Ludhiana & Ranchi) for seed yield, quality and resistance against insect pest & disease in IVT and AVT during 2016-17 & 2017-18, respectively. Out of these, HB12-34 exhibited yield superiority over national checks,Vikrant and HFB-1 and free from insect pest and disease as well as low in vicine-covicine and high in protein content. Therefore, HB12-34 may be recommended for commercial cultivation in plain zone at national level

Acacetin enhances the therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin in non-small-cell lung carcinoma cells.

Anthracyclines are efficient and potent agents to treat broad range of cancers but cytotoxicity induced by them limits their use in therapeutics. Use of plant-derived agents help to prevent or delay the process of cancer progression and their combination increases the anti-cancer potential of mainstream compound. However, multidrug resistance is major cause of treatment failure in cancer patients.In this study, combination treatments of fisetin or acacetin with doxorubicin were explored for their potential synergistic effect on non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells.During this study, NSCLC model cell lines A549 and H1299 were used to determine the combinatorial effect of phytochemicals namly acacetin and fisetin with doxorubicin.The effects of individual compounds and their combination on cell viability, clonogenic potential and cell cycle progression were studied. Efflux of doxorubicin was measured by spectrofluorophotometer, whereas accumulation inside the cells was analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Expression of MDR1 was checked by semi-quantitative PCR.The results showed that the cell viability of A549 and H1299 cells were significantly decreased in time- and dose-dependent manner, although A549 cells showed more sensitivity toward doxorubicin than H1299 cells. Mostly, combination of doxorubicin showed good synergy with acacetin in both the cell lines whereas, fisetin exerted synergistic effect only at 72 h of treatment in H1299 cells. Acacetin with doxorubicin caused G2/M arrest by downregulating CDK-cyclin complex in A549 cells. Acacetin-doxorubicin combination decreased the clonogenic potential of A549 and H1299 cells upto 82% and 59%, respectively, as compared to control. Acacetin also decreased efflux of doxorubicin by 59% after 30 mins of exposure to A549 cells and further increased accumulation of doxorubicin inside the cells upto 55% in 2 h. The modulatory effect of acacetin-doxorubicin combination on doxorubicin influx and efflux was mediated through downregulation of MDR1 treansporter in NSCLC cells.These findings suggested that acacetin augments the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin at lower concentrations in lung cancer cells. Their combination leads to more retention of doxorubicin in the cells by modulating drug trasporter and thus enhances its therapeutic potential

Optical Characterization of Zinc Modified Bismuth Silicate Glasses

The optical characterization of glass samples in the system 40SiO2 · xZnO · (60-x)Bi2O3 with x=0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 prepared by conventional melt-quench technique has been carried out in the light of Hydrogenic Excitonic Model (HEM). The absorption coefficient spectra show good agreement with theoretical HEM for the present glass system and the values of different parameters like Eg, R, Γ1, Γc, and Co have been estimated from fitting of this model. The values of energy band gap estimated from fitting of HEM with experimental data are in good agreement with those obtained from Tauc’s plot for direct transitions. The band gap energy is found to increase with increase of ZnO content. The decrease in values of Urbach energy with increase in ZnO content indicates a decrease in defect concentration in the glass matrix on addition of ZnO content. Optical constants n and k obey k-k consistency and the dielectric response of the studied glass system is similar to that obtained for Classical Electron Theory of Dielectric Materials. The calculated values of the metallization criterion (M) show that the synthesized glasses may be good candidates for new nonlinear optical materials

Fe2O3 Modified Physical, Structural and Optical Properties of Bismuth Silicate Glasses

Iron-containing bismuth silicate glasses with compositions 60SiO2·(100−x)Bi2O3·xFe2O3 have been prepared by conventional melt-quenching technique. The amorphous nature of the glass samples has been ascertained by the X-ray diffraction. The density (d) has been measured using Archimedes principle, molar volume (Vm) has also been estimated, and both are observed to decrease with the increase in iron content. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of these iron bismuth silicate glasses has been determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique, and it increases with the increase in Fe2O3 content. The IR spectra of these glasses consist mainly of [BiO6], [BiO3], and [SiO4] structural units. The optical properties are measured using UV-VIS spectroscopy. The optical bandgap energy (Eop) is observed to decrease with the increase in Fe2O3 content, whereas reverse trend is observed for refractive index

Effect of Feronia elephantum (Corr) Fruit Pulp Extract on Indomethacin-induced Gastric Ulcer in Albino Rats

Purpose: To investigate the activity of Feronia elephantum fruit pulp extract (which is used in folk medicine) against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Methods: The fruit pulp was extracted with ethanol and the anti-ulcer activity of the extract in indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in Swiss albino rats was evaluated. The parameters assessed were pH and acid concentration of gastric contents, and gastric ulcer index. Ranitidine was used as the reference anti-ulcer drug. Acute toxicity studies were also carried out. Results: The extract (500 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration by decreasing acid concentration of gastric fluid while elevating its pH (p < 0.01), and compared well with the standard drug, ranitidine (p < 0.001). However, its anti-ulcer activity was not as potent as that of ranitidine. Acute toxicity studies showed that there was no mortality following the administration of the extract in a dose range of 250 - 5000 mg/kg, p.o.. Conclusion: Feronia elephantum fruit pulp extract has potent antiulcer activity with low toxicity. Its anti-ulcer property probably acts via a reduction in gastric acid secretion. The results obtained support the use of this herbal material in folk medicine

Recent progress in conjugated polymers composites with metal-organic frameworks as electrode materials for supercapacitors

Extensive research for the advancement of electrode materials with high efficiency and potential for supercapacitors (SCs) has shed light on the role of conjugated polymers (CPs). The outstanding properties of CPs, including controllable electrical conductivity, synthesis feasibility, affordability, substantial porosity, and eco-friendliness, bring them to the forefront of pseudocapacitive electrode materials. This review aims to explore the progress of CPs through their integration with Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). The synergistic effect between CPs and MOFs has garnered significant attention from researchers owing to their special attributes, such as enhanced conductivity, superior cycle stability, improved energy/ power density, mechanical robustness, and large surface area. This review provides valuable insights into the advantages and the latest research endeavors conducted through the integration of CPs and MOFs. The main objective of this survey is to offer a comprehensive discussion of how the incorporation of MOFs can greatly enhance the performance of CPs by effectively mitigating their limitations. Furthermore, the existing challenges and prospective solutions of hybrid CP@MOF materials have been highlighted. By summarizing the cutting-edge developments and emphasizing the scope for innovation, this review paper seeks to inspire further research on CP@MOF composites and provides a pathway toward the commercialization of supercapacitor devices

Insitu assembly of Fe3O4@FeNi3 spherical mesoporous nanoparticles embedded on 2D reduced graphene oxide (RGO) layers as protective barrier for EMI pollution

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a major issue due to the increased use of electronic devices operating in the gigahertz frequency range. Consequently, to reduce electromagnetic pollution, materials with considerable magnetic and dielectric loss can be used for the attenuation of electromagnetic waves. In this paper, Fe3O4 FeNi3 spherical mesoporous nanoparticles embedded on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) layers have been synthesized using the hydrothermal reduction method. The specific surface area of Fe3O4@FeNi3/RGO nanocomposite was 67.4 m2/g with a pore size diameter of 3.4 nm (i.e., mesoporous range). Fe3O4@FeNi3/RGO nanocomposites show an enhanced absorption dominant shielding effectiveness (SE) value of 46.49 dB as compared to its binary counterpart Fe3O4@FeNi3, having SE value of 25.21 dB. The synthesized Fe3O4@FeNi3/RGO nanocomposite of thickness 1.42 mm has SER of ∼10.32 dB and SEA of ∼36.15 dB at 15 GHz. Furthermore, it is observed that shielding efficiency increases with increasing reduced graphene oxide (RGO) content in Fe3O4@FeNi3, which is owing to an excellent interconnected network between RGO and Fe3O4@FeNi3. The RGO sheets can create a comprehensive conductive network for the distribution of charges and can enhance dielectric loss because of the layered structure, greater specific surface area and large aspect ratio. Additionally, the mesoporous Fe3O4@FeNi3 hybrid embellished on the surface of RGO may be employed as a multi-pole polarisation centre, enhancing the electronic and space charge polarization of the composites, which is helpful for strong EM wave absorption. It was believed that these nanocomposites would pave the way for the development of RGO-based mesoporous nanocomposites as broadband, lightweight and effective shielding material for practical applications

Effect of combination of fisetin and acacetin with doxorubicin on the clonogenic potential of A549 and H1299 cells.

<p>A549 (A, B) and H1299 cells (C, D) were treated with indicated concentrations of Fs, Ac and Dox in regular growth medium for 8 days. After that cells were processed/stained with crystal violet dye. Colonies size between 50–200 cells were counted and plotted (C, D). The data is presented as means of triplicate samples for each treatment. Fs, fisetin; Ac, acacetin; Dox, doxorubicin. P<0.0001 (#), P<0.01 (**), P< 0.05 (*).</p