Effect of source and method of application of zinc on yield and quality of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Experiments were conducted in the green house at Peruvannamuzhi (Kerala) and also in the field at Madikeri (Karnataka) to compare the effect of zinc sources, zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) and zinc ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid chelate (Zn-EDTA) and methods of application (soil and foliar) to black pepper (Piper nigrum) in a zinc deficient soil. The results showed that with regard to soil availability of zinc, application of zinc as Zn-EDTA chelate @ 2.5 mg kg-1 soil in green house and 2.5 kg ha-1 in field conditions recorded maximum values. Leaf and berry zinc and pepper yield were maximum due to 0.5% ZnSo4 foliar spray. Irrespective of sources and methods, Zinc application significantly increased oleoresin and piperine contents. With regard to benefit : cost ratio, 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSo4 resulted in maximum value in green house, whereas soil application of 2.5 kg Zn ha-1 as ZnSo4 resulted in maximum value in field condition. &nbsp

Carbamoylated Erythropoietin-Induced Cerebral Blood Perfusion and Vascular Gene Regulation.

Cerebral hypoperfusion is associated with enhanced cognitive decline and increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a neurotrophic factor known to improve cognitive function in preclinical and clinical studies of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. However, the clinical application of EPO is limited due to its erythropoietic activity that can adversely elevate hematocrit in non-anemic populations. Carbamoylated erythropoietin (CEPO), a chemically engineered non-erythropoietic derivative of EPO, does not alter hematocrit and maintains neurotrophic and behavioral effects comparable to EPO. Our study aimed to investigate the role of CEPO in cerebral hemodynamics. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis indicated increased blood perfusion in the hippocampal and striatal region without altering tight junction integrity. In vitro and in vivo analyses indicated that hippocampal neurotransmission was unaltered and increased cerebral perfusion was likely due to EDRF, CGRP, and NOS-mediated vasodilation. In vitro analysis using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and hippocampal vascular gene expression analysis showed CEPO to be a non-angiogenic agent which regulates the MEOX2 gene expression. The results from our study demonstrate a novel role of CEPO in modulating cerebral vasodilation and blood perfusion

Influence of soil physico-chemical properties on productivity of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Soil surveys were conducted to study the physico-chemical characteristics of major black pepper (Piper nigrum) growing soils in Kerala and their relationship with black pepper productivity. Soil samples were collected from four major black pepper growing districts, namely, ldukki, Wayanad (high elevation), Kozhikode and Kannur (low elevation) and were classified based on yield as high, moderate and low yieJdinggardens. The relationships between elevations, physico-chemical properties and black pepper productivity were studied. The investigation revealed that soils of high yielding gardens were high in sand and low in clay fractions. These soils had high pH, base saturation, canon exchange capacity, organic carbon, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc status compared to low yielding gardens. These factors favoured good growth of black pepper vines with higher productivity. &nbsp

Evaluation of composted coir p ith with chemical and biofertilizers on nutrient availability, yield and quality of b lack pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Composted coir pith was evaluated at Madikeri (Karnataka) under integrated plant nutrient management system to substitute chemical input of fertilizers for improving the yield and quality of black pepper (Piper nigrum). Application of composted coir pith (CC) @ 2.5 t ha" with full recommended dose of NPK (100:40:140 kg ha" of N, P,O, and K, O) yielded the highest (4.18 kg vine" ) which was on par with 1.25 t ha·1 CC + full NPK, 2.5 t ha·1 CC + y, NPK + Azospirillum sp., 1.25 t ha" CC + y, NPK + Azospirillum sp. and 2.5 t ha" CC alone. The levels of composted coir pith application were on par with regard to quality (piperine and oleoresin contents). of black pepper. The highest benefit-cost ratio of 1.94 was recorded in the ,treatment with composted coir pith @ 1.25 t ha" + Azospirillum sp. &nbsp

The ORNATE India project: Building research capacity and capability to tackle the burden of diabetic retinopathy-related blindness in India

The ORNATE India project is an interdisciplinary, multifaceted United Kingdom (UK)–India collaborative study aimed to build research capacity and capability in India and the UK to tackle the burden of diabetes-related visual impairment. For 51 months (October 2017–December 2021), this project built collaboration between six institutions in the UK and seven in India, including the Government of Kerala. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening models were evaluated in the public system in Kerala. An epidemiological study of diabetes and its complications was conducted through 20 centers across India covering 10 states and one union territory. The statistical analysis is not yet complete. In the UK, risk models for diabetes and its complications and artificial intelligence-aided tools are being developed. These were complemented by joint studies on various aspects of diabetes between collaborators in the UK and India. This interdisciplinary team enabled increased capability in several workstreams, resulting in an increased number of publications, development of cost-effective risk models, algorithms for risk-based screening, and policy for state-wide implementation of sustainable DR screening and treatment programs in primary care in Kerala. The increase in research capacity included multiple disciplines from field workers, administrators, project managers, project leads, screeners, graders, optometrists, nurses, general practitioners, and research associates in various disciplines. Cross-fertilization of these disciplines enabled the development of several collaborations external to this project. This collaborative project has made a significant impact on research capacity development in both India and the UK

Graphene coated fabrics by ultrasonic spray coating for wearable electronics and smart textiles

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available on open access from IOP Publishing via the DOI in this recordThe seamless incorporation of electronics in textiles have the potential to enable various applications ranging from sensors for the internet of things to personalised medicine and human-machine interfacing. Graphene electronic textiles are a current focus for the research community due to the exceptional electrical and optical properties combined with the high flexibility of this material, which makes it the most effective strategy to achieve ultimate mechanical robustness of electronic devices for textile integrated electronics. An efficient way to create electronic textiles is to fabricate devices directly on the fabric. This can be done by coating the textile fabric with graphene to make it conductive. Here we discuss successful and efficient methods for coating graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on textile substrates of nylon, polyester and meta-aramid using ultrasonic spray coating technique. These coatings are characterised by scanning electron microscopy, contact angle and electrical conductivity measurements in order to identify the optimal textile electrode. Our study provides the foundation for the large-area fabrication of graphene electronic textiles.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Association of NT-proBNP and Multiple Biomarkers with Severity of Angiographic Coronary Artery Disease in Diabetic and Pre-Diabetic Chinese Patients

Background: Little is known about the plasma levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and the relationship between the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) with NT-proBNP and multiple biomarkers in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients, compared to individuals with normal glucose levels. Methods: Four hundred and fifteen consecutive Chinese patients of both sexes were assigned to three groups on the basis of the new hemoglobin (Hb) A1c (HbA1c) cut-off points for diagnosis of diabetes and pre-diabetes. The three groups were divided into tertiles according to NT-proBNP, hs-CRP, cystatin C, and troponin T levels. Gensini scores were compared among the three groups and biomarker tertiles. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to obtain the angiographic CHD cut-off points for each biomarker. Stepwise multivariate linear correlation analysis was applied to examine the association between the severity of CHD and biomarker levels. Results: Gensini scores increased with increasing biomarker tertile levels and HbA1c. Gensini scores were significantly different in the middle and upper NT-proBNP tertiles of the diabetic, pre-diabetic and control groups. NT-proBNP had the highest positive and negative predictive values and area under the curve for CHD. Only NT-proBNP was identified as an independent variable for Gensini score. Conclusions: Plasma NT-proBNP may be an important biomarker to evaluate the severity of CHD and screen for CHD i

Not Available

Not AvailableA study was conducted during 1996-99 at Calicut under green house and field in Mo deficient acidic soils to study the effect of soil amendments (lime, farmyard manure) and Mo on soil availability, plant uptake, yield and quality of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). Under the greenhouse condition, soil application of Mo @ 0.25 mg/kg of soil enhanced the yield and quality of black pepper. Among the amendments farmyard manure @ 100 g/pot enhanced the yield while lime @ 20 g/ pot increased the piperine content by 4.2%. Under field condition, lime application (0.5 tonne/ha) gave significantly highest yield and benefit:cost ratio (4.58). The Mo availability in the soil was highest for soil application of lime (0.5 tonne/ha) followed by Mo @ 0.5 kg/ha.Not Availabl

Vegetation on and around large-scale buildings positively influences native tropical bird abundance and bird species richness

ISSN:1573-1642ISSN:1083-815