Seed storage behaviour of Buxus wallichiana Baillon: An important woodcraft species of Indian Himalayan region

Seeds of Buxus wallichiana Baillon are dormant and not much information is available on their shelf life under storage conditions. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the seed storage behaviour of B. wallichiana, an important woodcraft species of the Indian Himalayan Region. Healthy matured fruits of B. wallichiana were collected from Matkangra block, Chakrata Forest Division of Uttarakhand. The seeds were extracted, cleaned, processed manually and their initial viability was tested through germination test. After initial viability determination, seeds were processed and placed in air-tight plastic boxes for storage at four temperatures viz., ambient room temperature (Control), 5°C, 15°C and -20°C. Thereafter, at every two months interval, germination test was conducted to assess the viability of the stored seeds. The results revealed that the initial viability of freshly collected seeds was 26.66 per cent and it took 7.83 days to complete germination. After two months of storage the germination percentage increased in the seeds stored at all the temperatures going up to maximum (73.33%) in the ones stored at -20°C followed by 15°C (66.67%) as compared to 50% in the seeds stored at room temperature. Similarly, the mean germination time also increased proportionally, longest being 44 days for seeds stored at -20°C. Seeds stored at ambient room temperature lost viability completely at 6 months storage duration while almost half the viability was lost in seeds stored at 15°C (36.67%) and -20°C (26.67%). From present study, it can be concluded that the longevity of the B. wallichiana seeds is around 12 months when the seeds are stored at lower temperatures, maintaining the viability about 23% at 5°C and 15°C and 16.67 % at  -20°C

Mechanisms of Action of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue Repair Regeneration and their Implications

Cell replacement therapy holds a promising future in the treatment of degenerative diseases related to neuronal, cardiac and bone tissues. In such kind of diseases, there is a progressive loss of specific types of cells. Currently the most upcoming and trusted cell candidate is Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) as these cells are easy to isolate from the tissue, easy to maintain and expand and no ethical concerns are linked. MSCs can be obtained from a number of sources like bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord, dental pulp, adipose tissues, etc. MSCs help in tissue repair and regeneration by various mechanisms of action like cell differentiation, immunomodulation, paracrine effect, etc. The future of regenerative medicine lies in tissue engineering and exploiting various properties to yield maximum output. In the current review article, we have targeted the repair and regeneration mechanisms of MSCs in neurodegenerative diseases, cardiac diseases and those related to bones. Yet there is a lot to understand, discover and then understand again about the molecular mechanisms of MSCs and then applying this knowledge in developing the therapy to get maximum repair and regeneration of concerned tissue and in turn the recovery of the patient

Sustainable Management Strategies and Biological Control in Apple Orchards

Sustainable horticultural practices address the global issues of food security, pest and disease management, soil health, water pollution, depletion of biodiversity, etc. with environment–friendly approaches. Increasingly, the adoption of such strategies is benefitting agricultural production including that in orchards. Even though several Integrated Pest Management (IPM), disease, and weed management strategies have been in use for the control of pests, diseases, and weeds in apple orchards, they are still not the most favored methods of control. There are various economic and acceptance concerns regarding their use, particularly in developing nations. A more sustainable system for apple orchards management, thus, should be adopted.   Here, we review various management methodologies, including the sustainable biocontrol methods, employed in the apple orchards. Reviewing these methods, we draw attention towards integrating sustainable IPM methodologies with biocontrol strategies like the use of pest-resistant cultivars, employing natural parasites and enemies of apple pests, use of agro-based pesticides, integration of technological advances that can provide real-time data to farmers and orchard scouting leading to the development of sustainable management of apple orchards. Such systems will not only reduce dependence on chemical control methods but will also minimize ecotoxicity. We also draw parallels from the biocontrol methods adopted in sustainable agri-production in other fruit orchards to suggest strategies that can be employed for sustainable apple production

Differentiation Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Mscs) To Functional Neuron On Graphene-Polycaprolactone Nanoscaffolds

Spinal cord is an important part of the central nervous system that controls all activities of the body. It is a tubular bundle of nerve fibers and tissues connecting brain to nearly all parts of the body. Nerve cells in an adult human body do not divide and make copies of themselves. Therefore, in case of an injury or damage to any part of spinal cord causes permanent changes to strength, sensation and other body functions. The field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine which aims to replace and repair damaged tissues, organs or cells entails for effective methods for fabricating biological scaffolds. Here we present synthesis of fibrous scaffolds by a process called electrospinning that can provide a microenvironment in-vitro for differentiation and proliferation of functional neurons from mesenchymal stem cells. These nanofibrous PCL scaffolds with graphene as filler materials are engineered in such a way so as to provide topological, biochemical as well as electrical cues that can enhance neurite extension and penetration. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a FDA approved synthetic biodegradable polyester extensively used in biomedical applications. Graphene, a single layer carbon crystal, based nanomaterials have recently gained considerable interest for tissue engineering applications including osteogenic, neural and differentiation in other lineages due to their favorable chemical, electrical and mechanical properties. Our final aim is that the functional tissues or organs developed in vitro shall be implanted inside body to rehabilitate the biological function that was lost due to injury, abnormality or loss

Mapping child growth failure across low- and middle-income countries

Child growth failure (CGF), manifested as stunting, wasting, and underweight, is associated with high 5 mortality and increased risks of cognitive, physical, and metabolic impairments. Children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face the highest levels of CGF globally. Here we illustrate national and subnational variation of under-5 CGF indicators across LMICs, providing 2000–2017 annual estimates mapped at a high spatial resolution and aggregated to policy-relevant administrative units and national levels. Despite remarkable declines over the study period, many LMICs remain far from the World Health 10 Organization’s ambitious Global Nutrition Targets to reduce stunting by 40% and wasting to less than 5% by 2025. Large disparities in prevalence and rates of progress exist across regions, countries, and within countries; our maps identify areas where high prevalence persists even within nations otherwise succeeding in reducing overall CGF prevalence. By highlighting where subnational disparities exist and the highest-need populations reside, these geospatial estimates can support policy-makers in planning locally 15 tailored interventions and efficient directing of resources to accelerate progress in reducing CGF and its health implications

Effect of atorvastatin on high sensitivity c-reactive protein, pulmonary function, and quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - an open-labeled randomized control trial

Objective: Beneficial effects of statins on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been projected in many retrospective studies, but prospective studies were lacking. Hence, this study was done to study the efficacy of atorvastatin in improving the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP levels), pulmonary functions, and quality of life in COPD patients. Materials and Methods: This was an open-labeled interventional study conducted on sixty stable COPD patients who were having abnormal lipid profile. The patients were randomized into two groups of thirty patients each – one receiving medications for COPD and another receiving 20 mg atorvastatin along with other medications for COPD. The outcome measures were change in hs-CRP levels, pulmonary function test, and health-related quality of life after 12 weeks. Results: A total of sixty participants with COPD were enrolled for the study and divided into two equal groups of thirty patients. There were two and one drop outs in atorvastatin and without atorvastatin group. After 12 weeks follow-up in the atorvastatin group, there was a significant improvement in the levels of hs-CRP levels from 4.82 ± 0.77 to 2.81 ± 0.73 (P < 0.05) as compared to other group without atorvastatin (4.34 ± 0.97–4.04 ± 0.63). Mean force expiratory value in 1 s as a percent of predicted value was similar in the atorvastatin and group without atorvastatin after 12 weeks: 54.2 ± 18.1–55.6 ± 17.9 (P = 0.54) and 55.7 ± 19.1–56.1 ± 18.1 (P = 0.58), respectively. Both treatments had similar improvement in St. George Respiratory Questionnaire total score. No adverse effect was observed in the atorvastatin group. Conclusion: Atorvastatin at a daily dose of 20 mg for 12 weeks has a significant beneficial effect on the levels of hs-CRP in COPD patient in comparison with the other group not receiving atorvastatin. There was no effect on the pulmonary function test and quality of life scores

Sorption Equilibria of Some Transitional Metal Ions on a Chelating Ion-Exchange Resin, Duolite ES 467

A simple approach to sorption equilibria on Duolite ES 467 has been applied. Values of the Langmuir constants for Ni II , Cd II , Co II and Fe III have been determined using equilibrium experiments at constant ionic strength and at different temperatures from 20°C to 50°C. Values of the thermodynamic parameters ΔG 0 , ΔH 0 and ΔS 0 have been calculated

Air Induced Phosphoryl Radical Mediated Stereoselective Hydrosulfonylation of Alkynes <i>via</i> Halogen Atom Transfer: Ingress of <i>Z</i>‑Vinyl Sulfones

The phosphoryl radical is well-known to participate in addition reactions with alkenes/alkynes. Here, we report a novel reaction mode of the phosphoryl radical where it participates in halogen atom transfer (XAT) with electron deficient vinyl halides instead of a facile addition reaction. Nevertheless, in comparison with aryl and alkyl halides, the exploitation of vinyl halides into a carbon radical via XAT is quite rare. This protocol provides an opportunity for direct hydrosulfonylation of numerous internal as well as terminal alkynes to get various Z-vinyl sulfones under environmentally benign conditions. Generation of the phosphoryl radical in the open air, water as a solvent, excellent functional group compatibility, and exceptional chemoselectivity are the attractive features of the present methodology

Effectiveness of Virtual Teaching Tools on Knowledge and Practice of Biomedical Waste Management among Housekeeping Staff of a Tertiary Care Centre, Rishikesh

Background: The present bio-medical waste (BMW) practices, setup, and framework explored that almost 82% of primary, 60% of secondary, and 54% of tertiary health-care facilities had no trustworthy BMW management system. This study aimed to improve the knowledge and practice of BMW management among housekeeping staff of a tertiary care center, Rishikesh. Materials and Methods: One group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study was conducted on 139 housekeeping staff. A self-structured knowledge questionnaire and practice checklist through the interview method was used for data collection. Virtual teaching tools (video about BMW management and e-pamphlet) were developed for the study and used. Results: After the intervention, in post-test it was found that the majority of participants had excellent knowledge (111; 79.8%), some (24; 17.3%) had good, and only few (4; 2.9%) had moderate knowledge. None of the participants were found to have poor knowledge after the intervention. There is significant difference in pre-existing (15.89 ± 2.49) and post-test (21.20 ± 4.61) knowledge score, pre-existing practice (21.67 ± 2.13), and post-test (24.95 ± 2.42) practice. There was association between educations their work area with knowledge and significant relationship between work area and past training programs with practice. There is a significant correlation between pre-test knowledge and practice (p=0.00) and post-test knowledge and practice (P = 0.01). Conclusion: It is evident that a virtual teaching tool that comprises video and e-pamphlet is useful in improving the knowledge and practice of housekeeping staff on BMW management

Poređenje matematičkih modela i kinetike sušenja bukovače (pleurotus spp) u tankom fluidizovanom sloju sa ubrzanom temperaturom i brzinom vazduha

Effect of drying air temperature and velocity on thin-layer drying characteristics of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) was investigated using a fluidized bed dryer. Mushrooms were dried at three air temperatures 45, 55 and 65ºC coupled with the air velocity of 2, 3.5 and 5 m•s‒1. Dehydration of mushrooms occurred in falling rate period and temperature has significant (P=0.04) effect on drying. From the regression model, best quality of dried oyster mushroom was obtained at 65°C temperature and 5 ms‒1 air velocity and it was validated with sensory characteristics in terms of colour, crispy texture, flavour and comparatively less shrinkage. To determine the drying kinetics, experimental moisture ratio data were fitted to seven thin-layer drying models. Among the models studied, Page model was found to be the best fitted model to describe the drying behavior of oyster mushroom. At any given air velocity, with the increase in drying air temperature led to an increase in effective moisture diffusivity ranged from 7.78×10‒10 to 2.11×10‒9m2•s‒1. Drying at 5 m•s‒1 air velocity required minimum activation energy of 22.15 kJ•mol‒1 to remove water during the drying process by diffusion. Rehydration ratios (RR) values (1.95-2.75) increased with increase in drying air temperature and velocity. The results obtained could be for making appropriate design and operations of industrial drying system for further processing of mushrooms to value added products.Ispitivan je uticaj temperature i brzine vazduha na karakteristike sušenja tankog fluidizovanog sloja bukovače (Pleurotus spp.). Pečurke su sušene na tri temperature vazduha 45, 55 i 65ºC, kombinovane sa brzinama vazduha od 2, 3.5 i 5 ms‒1. Trajanje dehidracije pečurki se smanjivalo i temperatura je imala značajan (P=0.04) uticaj na sušenje. U regresionom modelu, najbolji kvalitet sušene bukovače postignut je pri temperaturi od 65°C i brzini vazduha od 5 ms‒1, a ocenjen je prema senzornim karakteristikama: boja, hrskava tekstura, ukus i komparativno manje kalo. Za određivanje kinetike sušenja, eksperimentalne vrednosti vlažnosti su poređene sa sedam modela sušenja tankog sloja. Među analiziranim modelima, Page model je najbolje opisivao tok sušenja bukovače. Pri svakoj brzini vazduha, povećanje temperature dovelo je do povećanja efektivne difuzivnosti vlage u interval od 7.78×10‒10 do 2.11×10‒9 m2s‒1. Sušenje strujom vazduha brzine 5 ms‒1 zahtevalo je minimalnu energiju aktivacije od 22.15 KJ mol‒1 za odstranjivanje vode difuzijom tokom sušenja. Odnosi rehidracije (RR) (1.95-2.75) povećali su se sa povećanjem temperature i brzine vazduha. Dobijeni rezultati se mogu koristiti za pravljenje odgovarajućih konstrukcija i operacija industrijskih sistema sušenja gljiva radi dalje prerade i dobijanja prozvoda veće vrednosti