Evaluation of herbicides and their combinations for weed control in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The field experiment was conducted at the Student's Research Farm, P.G. Department of Agriculture, Khalsa College, Amritsar, Punjab, to study the evaluation of various herbicides and their combinations on wheat during 2016-17. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven treatments such as weed free, weedy check, pendimethalin 2.5L/ha, pendimethalin 2.5L/ha + clodinofop 400 g/ha, pendimethalin 2.5L/ha + sulfosulfuron 32.5g/ha , pendimethalin 2.5L/ha + pinoxaden 1000 ml/ ha, pendimethalin 2.5L/ha + atlantis 400g/ha and replicated thrice. Results revealed that pendimethalin 2.5 L/ha + atlantis 400g/ha was found effective to control weed population and produced higher number of grains per ear and enhanced grain yield upto 62.3 per cent over weedy check

Thinking beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: strategies to further reduce cardiovascular risk

Several large statin trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated a reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Some trials have also highlighted the significance of residual cardiovascular risk after treatment of LDL-C to target levels. This reflects the complex nature of residual cardiovascular risk. This residual risk is partially due to low HDL-C and high triglycerides (TG) despite achievement of LDL goals with statin therapy. The NCEP ATP III guidelines reported that low HDL-C is a significant and an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and is inversely related to CHD. Epidemiologic studies have also shown a similar inverse relationship of HDL-C with CHD. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) may directly participate in the anti-atherogenic process by promoting efflux of cholesterol of the foam cells of atherogenic lesions. Many studies have demonstrated multiple anti-atherogenic actions of HDL-C and its role in promoting efflux of cholesterol from the foam cells. The residual risk by increased TG with or without low HDL-C can be assessed by calculating non–HDL-C and a reduction in TG results in decreased CHD

Partial purification and biochemical characterization of acid phosphatase from germinated mung bean (Vigna radiata) seeds

Mung bean (Vigna radiata) is one of the important crops of the North Eastern Region of India. In the present study, acid phosphatase enzyme was isolated and partially purified from germinated local mung bean seeds. The sequential partial purification process was performed using ammonium sulphate precipitation method. The crude enzyme having a specific activity of 0.50 U/mg was purified using 30 to 70% ammonium sulphate precipitation method. The acid phosphatase was purified by 2.6 fold with a yield of 58.9% and specific activity of 1.3 U/mg. One prominent band was obtained on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophresis (SDS-PAGE) which confirmed the purity of the enzyme. Molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated as 34.5 kDa. The enzyme activity was measured at different incubation time, pH, temperature and substrate concentration. The activity increased slowly from 10 to 70 min of incubation. The maximum activity was obtained at 70 min, thereafter the activity decreased gradually. The enzyme was found to be active over a wide range of temperature (30 to 80°C) and maximum activity was observed at 70°C. The optimal pH value of the enzyme activity was found to be 5.2. There was a corresponding increase in the rate of reaction with the increase in the substrate concentration from 0.1 to 0.8 mM and a linear relationship was obtained at 2 to 8 mM. Both Km and Vmax value were calculated as 0.416 mM and 1.33 µmoles/min, respectively.Key words: Acid phosphatase, mung bean, Vigna radiata, enzyme purification, enzyme characterization

Protective effect of Phyllanthus fraternus against cyclophosphamide-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Background: Cyclophosphamide is commonly used against malignancies, such as leukemia and solid organ cancers. It can induce nephrotoxicity in cancer patients thereby complicating the initiation of chemotherapy. The study is to evaluate the effect of Phylllanthus fraternus against cyclophosphamide induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats.Methods: In this study, a total of 20 albino rats were divided into four groups of five each. Group I (normal control) received i.p. injection of normal saline. While, group II, III and IV received single dose (200 mg/kg b/w) of cyclophosphamide i.p. on day 1. Group III and IV received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus respectively p.o. daily for 10 days. All the groups were fed with standard diet and water ad libitum. Serum levels of creatinine, urea and albumin were estimated. Histopathology of renal tissues was compared among the groups.Results: The renal parameters significantly improved in groups III and IV after 10 days of treatment with the extract. The histopathology study also supported the finding.Conclusions: The aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus possesses protective effect against cyclophosphamide induced nephrotoxicity

Hedgehog Signaling Antagonist GDC-0449 (Vismodegib) Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics: Molecular Mechanisms

Recent evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies has demonstrated that aberrant reactivation of the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway regulates genes that promote cellular proliferation in various human cancer stem cells (CSCs). Therefore, the chemotherapeutic agents that inhibit activation of Gli transcription factors have emerged as promising novel therapeutic drugs for pancreatic cancer. GDC-0449 (Vismodegib), orally administrable molecule belonging to the 2-arylpyridine class, inhibits SHH signaling pathway by blocking the activities of Smoothened. The objectives of this study were to examine the molecular mechanisms by which GDC-0449 regulates human pancreatic CSC characteristics in vitro.GDC-0499 inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in three pancreatic cancer cell lines and pancreatic CSCs. This inhibitor also suppressed cell viability, Gli-DNA binding and transcriptional activities, and induced apoptosis through caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage in pancreatic CSCs. GDC-0449-induced apoptosis in CSCs showed increased Fas expression and decreased expression of PDGFRα. Furthermore, Bcl-2 was down-regulated whereas TRAIL-R1/DR4 and TRAIL-R2/DR5 expression was increased following the treatment of CSCs with GDC-0449. Suppression of both Gli1 plus Gli2 by shRNA mimicked the changes in cell viability, spheroid formation, apoptosis and gene expression observed in GDC-0449-treated pancreatic CSCs. Thus, activated Gli genes repress DRs and Fas expressions, up-regulate the expressions of Bcl-2 and PDGFRα and facilitate cell survival.These data suggest that GDC-0499 can be used for the management of pancreatic cancer by targeting pancreatic CSCs

Pathogenicity of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood on Matricaria chamomilla L.

Experiments conducted to ascertain the pathogenicity of Meloidogyne incognita and its effect on growth and flower yield of Matricaria chamomilla under glasshouse conditions indicated that an increase in the initial inoculum level of M. incognita reduced fresh and dry root and shoot weight and flower yield with corresponding decrease in nematode multiplication rate and increase in root-knot indices. &nbsp

Pathogenicity of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood on Matricaria chamomilla L.

Experiments conducted to ascertain the pathogenicity of Meloidogyne incognita and its effect on growth and flower yield of Matricaria chamomilla under glasshouse conditions indicated that an increase in the initial inoculum level of M. incognita reduced fresh and dry root and shoot weight and flower yield with corresponding decrease in nematode multiplication rate and increase in root-knot indices. &nbsp

Root growth, crop productivity, nutrient uptake and economics of dwarf pea (Pisum sativum) as influenced by integrated nutrient management

A field experiment was conducted during the two consecutive rabi seasons of 2007-08 and 2008-09 at Varanasi on sandy loam soil to study the effect of organic, inorganic and biofertilizers on dwarf pea (Pisum sativum L.). The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design and replicated thrice. All the fertility levels, viz. chemical fertilizers, vermicompost and control were allotted to main plot and combinations of biofertilizers (Rizobium+Bacillus polymixa +Pseudomonas fluorescence) and Zn along with control were subjected to sub-plot. Results showed superimposition of 50% Norganic (recommended dose of N through vermicompost) to 100% NPK (recommended dose of NPK through chemical fertilizers) resulted in significant improvement of dry matter/plant, yield (grain and straw, harvest index), root growth (root dry weight, root N content and cation exchange capacity of root) and nutrient uptake (NPKS and Zn). However nodulation (root nodules/plant, dry weight of nodules/plant and nitrogenase activity at 30 and 60 DAS) was lesser with this fertility level but significantly higher than 100% NPK and control (no application).Gross and net returns (` 45 358 and 31 223/ha) were noted higher with 100% NPK + 50% Norganic fertility level. Benefit: cost ratio (2.21) was also recorded higher with 100% NPK + 50% Norganic level. The integrated application of biofertilizers and Zn was recorded significantly better than control as this treatment lucidly improved dry matter, yield, harvest index, root growth, nodulation and nutrient uptake. Benefit: cost ratio was also higher with combined application of PSB and Zn. Furthermore, integration of 100% NPK + 50% Norganic and biofertilizers + Zn was conducive for getting significantly optimum yield (1873 kg/ha)

Assessment of soil physical health and productivity of Kharkhoda and Gohana blocks of Sonipat district (Haryana), India

In order to assess soil health of Kharkhoda and Gohana blocks of Sonipat district (a part of western Yamuna canal irrigated region), important parameters namely pH, electrical conductivity (EC), texture, bulk density (BD), saturated hydraulic conductivity (HC), soil organic carbon (OC), available water retension capacity (AWRC) and non capillary pores (NCP) were measured by collecting undisturbed soil samples in nearly 66 villages. Soil physical rating index (PI) method was used to compute PI which was an indicator of soil physical health of thatregion. Results revealed that in Gohana and Kharkhoda blocks, nearly 90% area had pH <8.0 and EC>4 dS m-1, which indicated that soils were saline. Prediction maps of soil BD showed that 75% of the total area in 15-30 cm soil layer had BD above >1.6 mg m-3, which indicated the presence of hard pan in subsurface. HC data of subsurface layer also showed that 60% of the area had values<0.5 cm hr-1 which reconfirmed the presence of hard pan. For both surface as well as subsurface soil layers, mostly AWC was >10% which indicated adequate water retention capacity of these soils. However 85% of subsurface had poor soil aeration capacity as indicated NCP range < 10 %. Prediction map of PI for subsurface layer showed that majority of area had PI<0.4 which indicated that expected yield of the crop cannot be more than 70% of the potential yield even under normal or higher levels of fertilizer and water inputs