Evaluation of Mulch Colour for Enhancing Winter-Strawberry Production under Polyhouse in Mid-Hills of Himachal Pradesh

Strawberry cultivation in Himachal Pradesh is mainly based on outdoor planting using hay as mulch and, very recently, using black polythene as mulch. The bulk of its production under field conditions usually occurs in April- May when market price is quite low. In an effort to make the crop remunerative through enhanced winter-production, a polyhouse experiment was set up to investigate influence of mulch colour on off-season fruiting response, fruit size and quality in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). Plants of cv. Chandler were planted in September, 2004. Irrigation was imposed using the given through T-Tape system, from 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM. Yellow plastic mulch significantly increased number of fruits, effected early and higher total yield compared to black or silver-over-purple plastic mulches. Un-mulched bed produced lowest yield and fruit quality. Yellow plastic mulch raised soil temperature by at least 2°C compared to the un-mulched bed

Can single plasma glucose value 2 hours after 75g glucose (DIPSI criteria) replace the gold standard OGTT for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus?

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is a common medical complication of pregnancy associated with several fetal and maternal complications. There are several screening tools for detecting gestational diabetes mellitus including recent DIPSI criteria of non-fasting single plasma 2-hour value after 75 grams glucose (single step test). The  present study was aimed at calculating  prevalence of GDM, sensitivity and specificity using  non-fasting single plasma 2-hour value after 75 grams glucose for screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus and to study the high-risk characteristics for GDM in this study population.Methods: This was a prospective study conducted for a period of one year. 750 antenatal women attending Antenatal outpatient department(OPD) with period of gestation 24-28 weeks were enrolled in the study. All women  were first tested by 75 gm glucose and then by OGTT for confirmation. Prevalence rates, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were studied. History based questionnaire was used to study the risk characteristics for GDM.Results: Prevalence rate, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for patients were 14.13%, 73.58%, 95.03%, 70.90% and 95.67%. Among the risk factors 7.2% patients were more than 30 years in age. 0.93% had GDM in previous pregnancy.4.21% had GCA in previous pregnancy, 12.4% had SB/IUD/NND in previous pregnancy. 1.17% had previous pregnancy with birth weight more than 3.5 kg and 9.73% had family history of diabetes mellitus. Past history of GDM (50%) was the most common risk factor in GDM group followed by age > 30 years (29.6%), and family history (24.6%).Conclusions: Screening using DIPSI criteria has good sensitivity and negative predictive values. It can serve as both screening and diagnostic test besides being simple, user friendly, cost effective and evidence-based test in less resource countries like India

Biochemical assessment of nutritional status in Indian mustard

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the nutritional potential of five different Indian mustard genotypes. Fatty acid composition was determined in the oil, whereas seed meal was analyzed for limiting amino acids (tryptophan and methionine), protein content, glucosinolate content and antioxidant potential (DPPH free radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity and iron chelating activity). The monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were found to be maximum in RH 0749 (58.70 %) followed by RH (OE) 0801 (48.91 %), JM 6011 (47.03 %), EC 597328 and EC 597340 (45.77 %). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were observed maximum in EC 597340 (47.45 %).Glucosinolate content ranged from 42.80 (EC 597328) to 79.79 ?mole/g defatted seed meal (EC 597340). The methanolic seed meal extract exhibited a concentration dependent elimination of DPPH free radicals. All the five genotypes showed about 50 % inhibition in 3.0 mg of dry seed meal. The highest total antioxidant activity (20.41mg/g) and metal ion chelating activity (32.58 %) was observed in RH 0749. Protein content varied from 33.57 [RH (OE) 0801] to 38.01 % (RH 0749). Maximum methionine and tryptophan content were recorded in RH 0749 (0.99 and 1.01 g/100g protein, respectively). Thus, RH 0749 was observed as a potent variety in terms of total antioxidant activity, metal ion chelating activity, protein content, methionine and tryptophan content

Liposomal Nanoparticles: A Viable Nanoscale Drug Carriers for the Treatment of Cancer

Cancer immunotherapy is emerging as a promising therapeutic modality for achieving highly efficient therapeutic performance while avoiding tumor metastasis and relapse which are most common outcome of traditional cancer therapies (surgery, chemo and radiotherapy). Liposomal nanoparticles may be an ideal platform for systemic immune modulator delivery. Liposomes, the lipid bilayer vesicles, are biocompatible biodegradable carriers that are extensively used for the delivery of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic bio actives. The advance features like structural fabrication of liposome for ligand anchoring, long-circulation, and stimuli-responsiveness are helpful for the demand of clinical and industrial uses. Recent studies have reported the manifestations of liposomal newer developments in cancer treatment. Presentchapter discusses the most recent advances in liposomal nanoparticles for cancer therapy along with ligand targeted, stimulus targeted and autophagy modulation by liposomal nanoparticles for cancer treatment

Genetic analysis of yield and heat stress related traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) using microsatellite markers

Microsatellite markers were used for genetic analysis of terminal heat tolerance in F2 (PBW373 × WH1081) population of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell). Two parents were evaluated in field under normal sown and late sown conditions. For genotyping DNA from both parents PBW373 and WH1081 was amplified using 200 SSRs. Only 22 SSRs produced polymorphic bands, of size between 100 to 300 bp and an average of 1.45 alleles. The single marker analysis identified 19 markers indicating the putative QTLs for yield, its components and heat stress related physiological traits. The number of markers on these 16 linkage groups varied from one to four. On A genome 13 QTLs on B genome 5 QTLs and on D genome 9 QTLs were identified, respectively. The A, B and D genomes had 1360.3 cM, 272.4 cM and 919.5 cM of linkage coverage with average interval distances of 104.63 cM, 54.48 cM and 102.16 cM/Marker. A total of nine QTLs were resolved following composite interval mapping, one QTL was detected at a LOD score equal to threshold value of 2.5 while eight at LOD scores above the threshold value. All the nine QTLs were shown to be on definitive location on chromosome 3A (QDh.CCSHAU-3A, QDa.CCSHAU-3A and QPm.CCSHAU-3A), chromosome (QBm.CCSHAU-5A, QCtd.CCSHAU-5A and QCl.fl.CCSHAU-5A), chromosome6A (QPh.CCSHAU-6A) and chromosome3B (QTgw.CCSHAU and QMts.CCSHAU-3B). Use of these markers save times, resources and energy that are needed not only for raising large segregating populations for sveral generations, but also for estimating the parameters used for selection

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Not AvailableNinety genotypes of sunflower of different agro-ecological origins were evaluated for the estimation of proportion of variability, broad sense heritability, predicted genetic advance and genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation. Data were recorded on five selected plants for yield and yield attributing traits. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were observed as the highest for seed yield per plant, followed by seed filling percentage and 100-seed weight and moderate for plant height, hull content, head diameter, protein content and stem girth. High heritability was reported for all the traits, except stem girth and head diameter. Higher values of GA as percent of mean were observed for seed yield per plant (93.79), plant height (28.95), head diameter (20.58), 100- seed weight (54.24), seed filling percentage (60.94), hull content (28.25) and protein content (23.59). High heritability associated with high GA was recorded for seed yield per plant (93.64), 100-seed weight (86.15), seed filling percentage (98.15), hull content (96.96), plant height (87.65) and protein content (92.16). Hence, these traits should be preferred for sunflower improvement programme.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSunflower is one of the four most important oilseed crops grown worldwide and the nutritional quality of its edible oil ranks among the best vegetable oils in cultivation. Sunflower oil has been traditionally appreciated in the world oil market. However, new emerging markets are demanding changes in oil quality for both food and non-food applications. Nutritional and functional properties determining oil quality are primarily determined by the fatty acid composition of oil. Seed oil content and composition are determined by genotypic factors and environmental conditions. The variation for oleic acid content in sunflower oil may be a consequence of location, temperature and rainfall effects. With adequate location and planting dates, high and mid-oleic hybrids could be produced with oil that meets the oil quality standards. Genetic variability of the cultivated sunflower for quality traits may be increased by interspecific hybridization with wild sunflower species. Induced mutations are also being used to alter the fatty acid composition of sunflower oil to a significant extent. The existence of (mutant) genes for increased levels of individual fatty acids and for different forms and levels of tocopherol enables the development of sunflower hybrids with different oil quality. High-oleic hybrids with altered tocopherol levels are being developed by mutagenesis, the oil of which will have 10–20 times greater oxidative stability than that of conventional sunflower oil. Common markers associated with different seed-quality traits would be useful in the marker-assisted selection breeding programme to improve oil quality. The breeding model of sunflower hybrids should include antioxidant and vitamin parameters balanced for oils of different applications.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSixteen genotypes of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were studied at Oilseeds Section, Department of Genetics Plant Breeding, CCSHAU, Hisar during spring 2015, for structural carbohydrates and in vitro digestibility. Neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and lignin varied from 26.8′ to 35.2′, 19.9′ to 27.7′ and 6.19′ to 9.28′, respectively. Cellulose varied from 17.5 to 26.4 per cent, whereas hemicellulose content ranged between 4.52 and 5.89 per cent. Variation in protein and crude fibre was from 24 to 30 and 30.11 to 40.40. In the whole seed meal (cake), all samples had a high NDF content than ADF contents. The genotype HSFH 1599 showed maximum hemicellulose content, while minimum lignin content. The genotype HSFH 1589 showed lower values for crude fibres and cellulose content. A highly significant but negatively correlated was observed between ADF and NDF. CF showed highly significant and positive correlation with ADF, cellulose and lignin. A genetic strategy of breeding material can bring about a highly nutritive genotype of sunflower for animal feed.Not Availabl

Metallocatanionic vesicle-mediated enhanced singlet oxygen generation and photodynamic therapy of cancer cells

In clinics, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is established as a non-invasive therapeutic modality for certain types of cancers and skin disease. However, due to poor water solubility, photobleaching, and the dark toxicity of photosensitizers (PSs), further developments are required to improve the efficiency of PDT. Herein, we report the role of metallocatanionic vesicles (MCVs) in enhancing the phototoxicity of methylene blue (MB) against cancer cells. These MCVs were prepared via a facile and quick solution–solution mixing method using a cationic single-chain metallosurfactant (FeCPC I) in combination with anionic sodium oleate (Na Ol). For singlet oxygen (1O2) generation and PDT studies, two fractions of FeCPC I : Na Ol, i.e., 30 : 70 (V37) and 70 : 30 (V73), were chosen based on their long-term stability in aqueous media. A cationic PS MB was loaded into these vesicles. The MB-loaded MCV 30 : 70 and 70 : 30 fractions enhanced the 1O2 generation by 0.10- and 0.40-fold, respectively, compared with MB alone. Upon illumination using a 650 nm laser, these MB-loaded V73 and V37 MCVs significantly decreased the metabolic activity of MCF-7 cells by ≤50% at a concentration of 0.75 μM. Furthermore, the SOSG assay revealed that the synthesized MCVs enhanced the intracellular 1O2 compared with MB alone. The MB-loaded V73 MCVs showed the highest 1O2-mediated membrane damage and cell-killing effect, as confirmed using the differential nuclear staining assay (DNS), which is attributed to the cellular uptake profile of the different MCV fractions. Altogether, this work shows the advantage of using these biocompatible and dual-charge MCVs as promising delivery vehicles that can enhance the 1O2 generation from the PS. This work suggests the future application of these Fe-MCVs in magnetically guided PDT