MEDICINAL VALUES OF PUTRANJIVA ROXBURGHII-A REVIEW

The evolving economic concerns and the depletion of natural sources motivate the researchers to look for various alternatives. We started utilizing the bio resources like bio-diesel that is substituted over Petro-diesel. As the needs increasing day by day, it is our responsibility to not to deplete all the resources available now and hence not making the future generation in a great risk. So the idea is to find new sources that we can utilize and to also try to utilize the natural resources around us in a useful manner. In a recent trend, there are more technologies available for utilizing bio-resources in an effective manner. One such kind of bio-resource we can utilize is Putranjiva roxburghii. The ultimate aim of this review paper is to create a limelight on the medicinal values of Putranjiva plant. This current study explains the research works done so far with Putranjiva plant in a detailed manner and also to create awareness on growing Putranjiva plant all over the world. The plant material can be utilized as Anti-oxidant, febrifuge and for anti-inflammatory activities, as biofuel, as an herbal preservative, as an Antioxidant agent and as Trypsin inhibitor. The commercial, as well as medicinal values of Putranjiva, are so attractive, that encourages the authors to write a review over this excellent plant material

HYDROGEOCHEMICAL QUALITY OF GROUNDWATER IN PERUMAL LAKE, KURINJIPADI TALUK, CUDDALORE DISTRICT, TAMILNADU, INDIA

A study was carried out to determine the groundwater quality in parts of Perumal Lake, Kurinjipadi Taluk, Cuddalore district, Tamilnadu. Totally, 12 groundwater samples were collected at different parts of study area and 16 water samples from surface reservoirs (Perumal lake) and analyzed for physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, TH, Na, K, Ca, Mg and Cl, SO4 , HCO3- , NO3 ) in order to understand the hydro geochemistry of the water. The results of analysis were interpreted with geology and geomorphology of the area and also by various geochemical diagrams such as Piper trilinear plot and USSL classification diagram. Suitability of this water for its utility was verified using Indian standards. The result indicates irrespective of the seasons that only one well is suitable for drinking purpose, with remaining suitable for domestic and irrigation purpose. Further, from the results, it is pointed out that most of the well water falls in Na-Cl type indicating the influence of seawater in these wells which was confirmed by Piper plot. According to SAR (alkali hazard) and specific conductance (Salinity hazard) is plotted in USSL diagram, classification of water for irrigation purpose can be determined. Majority of groundwater samples fall in C3S1 zone indicating high salinity and low sodium hazard, satisfactory for plants having moderate salt tolerance on soils. In surface water most of the samples fall in C2S1 indicates medium salinity and low sodium hazard

Procjena predispozicijskog učinka kokcidioze na pojavu nekrotičnog enteritisa u pokusnoj infekciji tovnih pilića.

In order to asses the predisposing effect of coccidiosis to Necrotic enteritis (NE), an experimental study was conducted in broiler chicken. In the first trial (NE alone), symptoms were noticed from the 4th to 7th days post inoculation (DPI), but no mortality was recorded. In the second trial (NE primed with coccidiosis), 23 % mortality was recorded. Grossly, a maximum intestine lesions score of 2 was recorded on the 6th DPI in the first trial. In the second trial, a maximum intestine lesions score of 3.67 was recorded on the 6th DPI. Microscopically, in the first trial, the birds’ intestines from the 4th to the 7th DPI showed hyperplasia of the villi of the jejunal mucosa. In the second trial, the birds’ intestines from 2nd to 4th DPI showed severe hyperplasia of the villi, and the presence of E. necatrix schizonts within and outside the enterocytes. In the second trial, intestines from 5th to 7th DPI revealed shortening of the villi, diphtheritic pseudomembrane formation and the presence of C. perfringens organisms among the necrotic epithelium. It was concluded that intestinal damage characterised by destruction of crypts cells, as well as villi enterocytes and rupture of blood vessels by schizonts and merozoites of E. necatrix predisposed the chicken to a clinical form of NE to increase the mortality percentage.Pokusno istraživanje u tovnih pilića poduzeto je radi procjene predispozicijskog učinka kokcidioze na pojavu nekrotičnog enteritisa (NE). U prvom pokusu (samo NE), simptomi su bili uočeni od 4. do 7. dana nakon zaražavanja, ali bez uginuća. U drugom pokusu (NE uz prethodnu kokcidiozu) ustanovljen je 23%- tni mortalitet. Najjače patoanatomske promjene (2. stupnja) na crijevima bile su u prvom pokusu opažene 6. dana nakon infekcije. I u drugom pokusu najjače promjene na crijevima (3,67) bile su ustanovljene 6. dana nakon infekcije. U prvom je pokusu mikroskopski bila dokazana hiperplazija crijevnih resica u sluznici jejunuma i to od 4. do 7. dana nakon infekcije. U drugom je pokusu teška hiperplazija crijevnih resica bila dokazana od 2. do 4. dana nakon infekcije. Dokazani su bili i šizonti vrste E. necatrix u enterocitima i izvan njih. U drugom je pokusu bilo zapaženo i skraćenje crijevnih resica od 5. do 7. dana nakon infekcije, zatim difterične pseudomembranozne naslage te prisutnost bakterije C. perfringens u nekrotičnom epitelu. Zaključuje se da oštećenje crijeva uzrokovano šizontima i merozoitima vrste E. necatrix, koje se očitovalo propadanjem stanica crijevnih kripti kao i propadanjem crijevnih resica te prsnućem krvnih žila, djeluje kao predispozicijski čimbenik na kliničku pojavu nekrotičnog enteritisa i povećani mortaltet

TOXICITY OF ATRAZINE AND RELATED TO TESTICULAR, TISSUE DAMAGING ENZYME LEVELS IN POECILIA SPHENOPS

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the toxic effects of Atrazine (ATZ) on the enzyme levels in Poecilia sphenops.Methods: The cytosolic testicular enzyme and tissue-damaging enzyme activity were measured in Poecilia sphenops was exposed to 3 sub-lethal concentrations (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/l) of atrazine for 100days and control was also maintained. The toxic effects of ATZ to Poecilia sphenops were assessed through testicular marker enzyme, tissue-damaging enzyme level.Results: The activities of testicular functional enzyme ALP, ACP, SDH, LDH, G6PDH and tissue-damaging the activities of glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activity levels were altered in treated groups compared with that of the control.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that atrazine induces tissue damage in terms of enhanced enzyme activity and testicular enzyme activity in Poecilia sphenops. Atrazine has toxicity to the reproductive system in Poecilia sphenops

Revolutionizing Rice Farming: Maximizing Yield with Minimal Water to Sustain the Hungry Planet

Increasing rice yield while reducing water usage is crucial to feed growing population. This chapter explores techniques to enhance irrigation efficiency and water productivity in rice farming while minimizing negative impacts like groundwater depletion, land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and soil degradation. Modern techniques for rice farming bring significant benefits by increasing productivity, reducing water usage, and conserving natural resources. Promising techniques include direct-seeded rice, aerobic rice, drip-irrigated rice, saturated soil culture, IoT-based automated irrigation, and the system of rice intensification (SRI). For example, drip-irrigated rice increases yield by up to 20% using 30–50% less water, and the SRI boosts yield by up to 50% with 25–50% less water. Implementing these techniques improves rice productivity, income, food security, and water conservation. However, effectiveness varies based on soil, climate, labor force, and socio-economic status. Selecting suitable water-saving methods is crucial for maximizing farmer livelihoods while ensuring environmental safety

Evaluation of In-Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Biochanin A

This study was aimed to determine the in vitro antioxidant potential of biochanin A (BCA), an isoflavone phytochemical, by using various free radical scavenging assays. The free radical scavenging activity of BCA was evaluated by various standardized assays such as 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-Picryl Hydrazyl (DPPH●), 2, 2’-Azinobis-3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid (ABTS●+), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP),nitric oxide scavenging activity, reducing ability, hydroxy radical activity, superoxide anion scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide radical, metal ion chelating activity  and phosphomolybdenum  assay. Four different concentrations of BCA (5, 10, 20, 40, μg/ml) were taken for evaluating the scavenging activity and which were compared with the antioxidant activity of standard ascorbic acid (AA). BCA showed good free radical scavenging activity, which was calculated as IC50. IC50 value of BCA was also comparable to Ascorbic acid (AA).Whereas AA was used as a standard. The scavenging activity of BCA was significantly elevated in a dose dependent manner. The BCA was exhibited a highest scavenging activity than the standard. The results obtained in the present study revealed that the BCA is an excellent free radical scavenger with the activity similar to that of AA. Keywords: Biochanin A, Antioxidant, Free radicals, Nitric oxides and Ascorbic aci

The ORCA Hub: Explainable Offshore Robotics through Intelligent Interfaces

We present the UK Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Hub for Offshore Robotics for Certification of Assets (ORCA Hub), a 3.5 year EPSRC funded, multi-site project. The ORCA Hub vision is to use teams of robots and autonomous intelligent systems (AIS) to work on offshore energy platforms to enable cheaper, safer and more efficient working practices. The ORCA Hub will research, integrate, validate and deploy remote AIS solutions that can operate with existing and future offshore energy assets and sensors, interacting safely in autonomous or semi-autonomous modes in complex and cluttered environments, co-operating with remote operators. The goal is that through the use of such robotic systems offshore, the need for personnel will decrease. To enable this to happen, the remote operator will need a high level of situation awareness and key to this is the transparency of what the autonomous systems are doing and why. This increased transparency will facilitate a trusting relationship, which is particularly key in high-stakes, hazardous situations.Comment: 2 pages. Peer reviewed position paper accepted in the Explainable Robotic Systems Workshop, ACM Human-Robot Interaction conference, March 2018, Chicago, IL US

Automatic configuration of ROS applications for near-optimal performance

The performance of a ROS application is a function of the individual performance of its constituent nodes. Since ROS nodes are typically configurable (parameterised), the specific parameter values adopted will determine the level of performance generated. In addition, ROS applications may be distributed across multiple computation devices, thus providing different options for node allocation. We address two configuration problems that the typical ROS user is confronted with: i) Determining parameter values and node allocations for maximising performance; ii) Determining node allocations for minimising hardware resources that can guarantee the desired performance. We formalise these problems with a mathematical model, a constrained form of a multiple-choice multiple knapsack problem. We propose a greedy algorithm for optimising each problem, using linear regression for predicting the performance of an individual ROS node over a continuum set of parameter combinations. We evaluate the algorithms through simulation and we validate them in a real ROS scenario, showing that the expected performance levels only deviate from the real measurements by an average of 2.5%

Biochar – a sustainable soil conditioner for improving soil health, crop production and environment under changing climate: a review

Land degradation and climate change, two intricately intertwined phenomena, demand appropriate management solutions to effectively tackle the escalating issues of food and nutritional security. In this context, the realm of agriculture confronts formidable challenges in its pursuit of soil resource reclamation, improving water quality, mitigating climate change, and maintaining soil and natural resources for posterity. Central to these aspirations is the preservation of an optimum organic matter, serving as a linchpin threshold is crucial for protecting the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the soil, while simultaneously sustaining agricultural productivity. To address these multifaceted challenges, the introduction of diverse organic amendments has emerged as a crucial strategy. Noteworthy among these is the application of biochar, which functions as a soil conditioner capable of bolstering soil health, mitigating the impact of climate change, and securing global food security. Biochar is a carbon-enriched substance produced through pyrolysis of assorted biomass waste. It has a larger surface area, higher cation exchange capacity, and an extended carbon storage capability. The strategic integration of biochar production and subsequent soil application engenders an array of benefits, encompassing the amelioration of soil physical properties, augmented retention and the availability of nutrients, and the enhancement of biological activity, resulting in higher agricultural yields and societal benefits through the curtailment of soil to atmosphere greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, biochar demonstrates its efficacy in the realm of environmental restoration by serving as a medium for extraction and elimination of heavy metals, which often pervade aquatic ecosystems and soil matrices. This review addressed the need for biochar production, characterization, soil health, the possibility for environmental restoration, and crop yield fluctuations owing to climate change

ACMSD inhibition corrects fibrosis, inflammation, and DNA damage in MASLD/MASH.

Recent findings reveal the importance of tryptophan-initiated de novo nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD <sup>+</sup> ) synthesis in the liver, a process previously considered secondary to biosynthesis from nicotinamide. The enzyme α-amino-β-carboxymuconate-ε-semialdehyde decarboxylase (ACMSD), primarily expressed in the liver and kidney, acts as a modulator of de novo NAD <sup>+</sup> synthesis. Boosting NAD <sup>+</sup> levels has previously demonstrated remarkable metabolic benefits in mouse models. In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic implications of ACMSD inhibition in the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease/steatohepatitis (MASLD/MASH). In vitro experiments were conducted in primary rodent hepatocytes, Huh7 human liver carcinoma cells and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human liver organoids (HLOs). C57BL/6J male mice were fed a western-style diet and housed at thermoneutrality to recapitulate key aspects of MASLD/MASH. Pharmacological ACMSD inhibition was given therapeutically, following disease onset. HLO models of steatohepatitis were used to assess the DNA damage responses to ACMSD inhibition in human contexts. Inhibiting ACMSD with a novel specific pharmacological inhibitor promotes de novo NAD <sup>+</sup> synthesis and reduces DNA damage ex vivo, in vivo, and in HLO models. In mouse models of MASLD/MASH, de novo NAD <sup>+</sup> biosynthesis is suppressed, and transcriptomic DNA damage signatures correlate with disease severity; in humans, Mendelian randomization-based genetic analysis suggests a notable impact of genomic stress on liver disease susceptibility. Therapeutic inhibition of ACMSD in mice increases liver NAD <sup>+</sup> and reverses MASLD/MASH, mitigating fibrosis, inflammation, and DNA damage, as observed in HLO models of steatohepatitis. Our findings highlight the benefits of ACMSD inhibition in enhancing hepatic NAD <sup>+</sup> levels and enabling genomic protection, underscoring its therapeutic potential in MASLD/MASH. Enhancing NAD <sup>+</sup> levels has been shown to induce remarkable health benefits in mouse models of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease/steatohepatitis (MASLD/MASH), yet liver-specific NAD <sup>+</sup> boosting strategies remain underexplored. Here, we present a novel pharmacological approach to enhance de novo synthesis of NAD <sup>+</sup> in the liver by inhibiting α-amino-β-carboxymuconate-ε-semialdehyde decarboxylase (ACMSD), an enzyme highly expressed in the liver. Inhibiting ACMSD increases NAD <sup>+</sup> levels, enhances mitochondrial respiration, and maintains genomic stability in hepatocytes ex vivo and in vivo. These molecular benefits prevent disease progression in both mouse and human liver organoid models of steatohepatitis. Our preclinical study identifies ACMSD as a promising target for MASLD/MASH management and lays the groundwork for developing ACMSD inhibitors as a clinical treatment