Monocrotophos Induced Apoptosis in PC12 Cells: Role of Xenobiotic Metabolizing Cytochrome P450s

Monocrotophos (MCP) is a widely used organophosphate (OP) pesticide. We studied apoptotic changes and their correlation with expression of selected cytochrome P450s (CYPs) in PC12 cells exposed to MCP. A significant induction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels were observed in cells exposed to MCP. Following the exposure of PC12 cells to MCP (10−5 M), the levels of protein and mRNA expressions of caspase-3/9, Bax, Bcl2, P53, P21, GSTP1-1 were significantly upregulated, whereas the levels of Bclw, Mcl1 were downregulated. A significant induction in the expression of CYP1A1/1A2, 2B1/2B2, 2E1 was also observed in PC12 cells exposed to MCP (10−5 M), whereas induction of CYPs was insignificant in cells exposed to 10−6 M concentration of MCP. We believe that this is the first report showing altered expressions of selected CYPs in MCP-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. These apoptotic changes were mitochondria mediated and regulated by caspase cascade. Our data confirm the involvement of specific CYPs in MCP-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and also identifies possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of organophosphate pesticide-induced apoptosis in neuronal cells

Evaluation and optimization of electrocoagulation process parameters for the treatment of oil drill site wastewater

The effluent from the oil drilling site is a complex mixture of harmful chemicals that causes environmental impacts on its disposal. The treatment of oil drilling site wastewater has not been explored in-depth in the available literature and requires understanding about its characteristics and optimization of the treatment process. In the present study, we have optimized the electrocoagulation process with aluminum electrodes for the drill site wastewater treatment. A multi-level factorial center composite design using response surface methodology (RSM) is applied to quantify the individual and combined effect of the current density, pH and inter-electrode distance (IED) on the COD removal from the drill site wastewater and the energy consumption of the electrocoagulation process. The increasing current density shows significant increase in COD removal. A similar trend was observed with decrease in pH on COD removal. The model obtained from RSM study predicted the optimum current density, pH, and IED within the experimental range of the study. It was found that the optimum condition for DSW-1 samples for 78% COD removal is at 4.76 mA/cm2 and 4 pH, and for DSW-2, we get the COD removal of 64% at 19.04 mA/cm2 and 1.2 cm IED. The study shows that the current density is the dominant factor for the process\u27s energy consumption and operating cost as compared to the pH and IED. The study demonstrated optimization of the electrocoagulation process in drill site wastewater treatment and could be effectively used for large-scale treatment through the electrocoagulation process

Streamflow of the Betwa River under the Combined Effect of LU-LC and Climate Change

We estimate the combined effect of climate and landuse-landcover (LU-LC) change on the streamflow of the Betwa River; a semi-arid catchment in Central India. We have used the observed and future bias-corrected climatic datasets from 1980–2100. To assess the LU-LC change in the catchment, we have processed and classified the Landsat satellite images from 1990–2020. We have used Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based Cellular Automata (CA) model to simulate the future LU-LC. Further, we coupled the observed and projected LU-LC and climatic variables in the SWAT (Soil and water assessment tool) model to simulate the streamflow of the Betwa River. In doing so, we have setup this model for the observed (1980–2000 and 2001–2020) and projected (2023–2060 and 2061–2100) time periods by using the LU-LC of the years 1990, 2018, and 2040, 2070, respectively. We observed that the combined effect of climate and LU-LC change resulted in the reduction in the mean monsoon stream flow of the Betwa River by 16% during 2001–2020 as compared to 1982–2000. In all four CMIP6 climatic scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585), the mean monsoon stream flow is expected to decrease by 39–47% and 31–47% during 2023–2060 and 2061–2100, respectively as compared to the observed time period 1982–2020. Furthermore, average monsoon rainfall in the catchment will decrease by 30–35% during 2023–2060 and 23–30% during 2061–2100 with respect to 1982–2020

Laser-Induced Graphene by Multiple Lasing: Toward Electronics on Cloth, Paper, and Food

A simple and facile method for obtaining patterned graphene under ambient conditions on the surface of diverse materials ranging from renewable precursors such as food, cloth, paper, and cardboard to high-performance polymers like Kevlar or even on natural coal would be highly desirable. Here, we report a method of using multiple pulsed-laser scribing to convert a wide range of substrates into laser-induced graphene (LIG). With the increased versatility of the multiple lase process, highly conductive patterns can be achieved on the surface of a diverse number of substrates in ambient atmosphere. The use of a defocus method results in multiple lases in a single pass of the laser, further simplifying the procedure. This method can be implemented without increasing processing times when compared with laser induction of graphene on polyimide (Kapton) substrates as previously reported. In fact, any carbon precursor that can be converted into amorphous carbon can be converted into graphene using this multiple lase method. This may be a generally applicable technique for forming graphene on diverse substrates in applications such as flexible or even biodegradable and edible electronics

Nutritional Health Multidimensional Locus of Control (HMLC) Instrument for Farming Community: Confirmatory factor analysis

Not AvailableIndia is self-sufficient country in terms of food production. However, it still suffers from nutritional maladies. A prime aspect to understand the issues is to see how farmer's behavior is affected by their locus of control. Nutritional Health Multidimensional Locus of Control has been derived from the premise of Multidimensional health locus of control and locus of control per se. This can be used as an instrument to know the locus and associated factors that can affect the nutritional behavior change especially in context of appropriate agri-nutri interventions. The study was conducted in Odisha and Uttar Pradesh (nutritionally vulnerable areas) .The sample size was 100 farmers selected by simple random sampling technique. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to find the best among A,B and C forms for farmers. Form A with 18 statements was found to be statistically the best one.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAgricultural extension services are under pressure to make greater contributions to agricultural development and progress. Agricultural extension services need human resources who arecompetent.As extensionists are aware of training and educational needs of their team members, it is very important to administer extension activities with competent extensionists. For effective and efficient extension, it is important to know thebarriers towards extension to deliver the required services to farmers in order to empower them. Competencies of extensionistsare vital for work as these are associated to their professional development and skills to communicate. Analysisof skill gap(s) is the key to update extensionists as pe rtheir capability in the field. In the present study, a skill gap analysis using 'Borich Need Assessment Model' was used for the extensionists of KVKs of selected districts of two states viz; of UP and Odisha. The total sample size was 200 for astructured interview schedule used to elicit information from the extensionists. A Mean Weighted Discrepancy Score (MWDS) was calculated to find the gap in skill. This study showed, that 'confidence to work without support and guidance' was of the highest level as a skill gap among extensionists, when new methods in extension work were to be introduced, while consideringpros and con of arguments put up to an extensionist, by a farmer. Lowest mean weighted discrepancy score was given to'Conducting survey in operational area, use of PRA tools and evaluating extension program'. Based on Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process/Method, a lack of upgradation of ICT equipment, emerged as the major institutional barrier. As far as professional barriers are concerned inadequate information about training and training institutes and inadequate funding on emerged as the key barriersto acquire required competencies. Updating skill of extensionists, based on gap(s), owing to the importance of confidence to work without support and guidance in order to deliver required extension information/support to farmers, is very important. As of recent emphasis being given to skill development at the national level, the extensionists must be upgraded in their ICT skill(s). Extensionists with the necessary skills in their job will lead to their better performance which will in turn result in enhanced empowerment of farmers.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableWhile climate change is ravaging our planet, its nutritional health which is going to be hit even harder. Food is going to be more expensive, less nutritious and scarcer. The reduced nutritional quality of important crops could mark the beginning of a looming nutritional health crisis. Climate change is not only reducing yields, but also sapping nutrients from our meals. If climate change is predicted to cut access to nutrients then food and nutritional security is growing concern and we need to understand perceptions and implications of this burning issue for stakeholders especially farmers and extensions. The objective of the study was to develop and validate scales to study these perceptions of farmers and Extensionists regarding impact of climate change on nutrition. The locale selected for the study was from States of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Odisha due to their nutritional vulnerability status. The sample size constituted of100 farmers from these villages and extensionists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras and line departments of the state who were selected by random sampling technique. A total of 69 items were selected from review of literature. These were further reduced to 43 based on expert’s judgments. The items were finally reduced to 16 items for farmers and 24items for extensionists by statistical analysis using Mokken’s Scaling Analysis. Loevinger’s coefficient was calculated for item H (Hi); item pair H (Hij) and for the overall scale (Hs). By this means, and based on the mean scores on items by individuals, a set of items were selected. Items which had Hs>0.4 were selected. These scales can be used by various stakeholders for designing interventions for climate and nutrition smart agriculture. There is a need for agri-nutri education for consumers and farmers, especially the women in India which has a triple burden of malnutrition. Synergies of the climate and nutrition agendas need to be built for human and planet health. The implications are huge. Climate change and agriculture needs to be seen through a nutrition and gender lens for convergence to ensure food and nutritional security.Not Availabl

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation in PC12 cells exposed to MCP.

<p>(a) Representative microphotographs showing MCP-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in PC12 cells. ROS generation was studied using dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) dye. Images were captured by Nikon phase contrast cum fluorescence microscope (model 80i) attached with 12.7 Megapixel Nikon DS-Ri1 digital CCD cool camera. (b) Percent change in ROS generation following 6, 12 and 24 h exposure of various concentrations of MCP in PC12 cells assessed by spectrofluorometric analysis. In brief, cells (1×10⁴ per well) were seeded in poly L-lysine pre-coated 96 well black bottom culture plates and allowed to adhere for 24 h in 5% CO₂–95% atmosphere at 37°C. Cells were exposed to MCP (10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁸ M) for 6, 12 and 24 h. Following the exposure, cells were re-incubated with 2′, 7′ dichlorodihydrofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA) (20 µM) for 30 min at 37°C and fluorescence intensity was measured using multiwall micro plate reader (Synergy HT, Bio-Tek, USA) on excitation wavelength at 485 nm and emission wavelength at 528 nm. The data are expressed in mean of percent of the unexposed control ± SEM, n = 8. *  = P<0.05, ** = p<0. 001.</p

Transcriptional changes in the levels of selected xenobiotic metabolizing cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and apoptosis markers in PC12 cells exposed to MCP.

<p>(a) MCP-induced alterations in the mRNA expression of marker genes associated with metabolism of xenobiotics in PC12 cells. Quantitative Real Time PCR (RT-PCR^q) was performed in triplicate by TaqMan Probe using ABI PRISM® 7900HT Sequence Detection System (Applied Biosystems, USA). Actin-β was used as internal control to normalize the data and MCP induced alterations in mRNA expression are expressed in relative quantity compared with respective unexposed control groups. (b) MCP induced alterations in the mRNA expression of marker genes associated with apoptosis in PC12 cells. Quantitative Real Time PCR (RT-PCR^q) was performed in triplicate by SYBR Green dye using ABI PRISM® 7900HT Sequence Detection System (Applied Biosystems, USA). Actin-β was used as internal control to normalize the data and MCP induced alterations in mRNA expression are expressed in relative quantity (RQ) compared with respective unexposed control groups. Reliability of Specific products was checked by melting curve analysis as well as running the product onto 2% agarose Gel.</p

MCP induced alterations in the expression of early response genes.

<p>(7a) Representative microphotographs of immunocytochemical localization of C-fos and C-jun proteins in PC12 cells exposed to MCP (10⁻⁵ and 10⁻⁶ M). Images were taken by Nikon Eclipse 80i equipped with Nikon DS-Ri1 12.7 megapixel camera, Japan. (7b I & II) Relative quantification of fold inductions in the expression of C-fos and C-jun proteins in PC12 cells exposed to MCP (10⁻⁵ and 10⁻⁶ M) for 6 h. Leica Q-Win 500 image analysis software was used to quantify the expression of C-fos and C-jun. Data were calculated as mean ± SE of at least 20 fields from three independent experiments.</p