Development of organic indica rice cultivar (Oryza sativa L.) for the wetlands of Kerala, India through new concepts and strategies of crop improvement

Developing crop varieties that are less dependent on the heavy application of synthetic fertilizers is essential for the sustainability of agriculture. Here we report the development of a new rice cultivar, the first of its kind possessing the general criteria for an organic rice variety, at the same time suitable for chemical agriculture as well, and with favourable cooking and nutritive qualities. The method adopted for cultivar development was a combined strategy of pedigree breeding, organic plant breeding, and farmer participatory breeding approaches. Considering its high grain and straw yield potential even under organic management and unfavorable soil conditions, and its other favorable quality and organic varietal traits, farmers have started large scale cultivation of this cultivar even before its commercial release. The cultivar, namely culture MK 157, is at the pipe end of variety release in the Kerala state of India

A study of prevalence and association of fundus changes in pregnancy induced hypertension

Background: The pathological changes of pregnancy induced hypertension appear to be related to vascular endothelial dysfunction and its consequences. The retinal vascular changes generally, but not always, correlate with the severity of systemic hypertension. To find out the prevalence and association of retinal changes in pregnancy induced hypertension.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted where all antenatal pregnant women who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of PIH were included in this study. Patients who had pre-existing diabetes or hypertension or renal disease or hazy media which did not permit fundus visualization were excluded from the study.Socio-demogrpahic and obstetric data was collected and all the patients were subjected to detailed clinical examination followed by fundoscopic examination.Results: Out of the total 423 patients of PIH examined, the retinal changes (hypertensive retinopathy changes) were noted in 181 (42.7%) patients. The prevalence of retinopathy changes was more among patients with imminent Eclampsia (76.5%) and eclampsia patients (50%). As the severity of the PIH increased the Odds of women developing retinopathy also increased substantially from OR: 17.6; 95% CI: 3.1-136.3 in severe PIH to OR: 253; 95% CI: 47.2-1935 in Imminent eclampsia and this association between the severity of PIH and the development of retinopathy changes was found to be statistically significant.Conclusions: Fundus examination in cases of PIH is of paramount importance in monitoring and managing cases as it co-relates with the severity of PIH

SYNTHESIS OF DESGLYMIDODRINE FROM MIDODRINE BY CONVENTIONAL AMIDE HYDROLYSIS METHOD

Objective:  The term prodrug involves chemically modifying inert compound which upon administration releases the active parent drug to elicit its pharmacological response within the body. Acting as a α-adrenergic agonist, desglymidodrine an active metabolite of amide prodrug midodrine is used for the treatment of essential and orthostatic hypotension. In the present study synthesis of desglymidodrine from midodrine was reported.Methods:  The synthesis was done by the conventional amide hydrolysis method.Results:  A novel synthesis of desglymidodrine was successfully achieved and spectrally elucidated by infrared spectroscopy (IR), 1H, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass analysis.Conclusion:  The acquired results were found to be accurate, the synthetic route appeared to be simple, cost-effective and time efficient. Hence the synthesized desglymidodrine can be as a reference standard for the estimation of the same

Genetic diversity of maize genotypes on the basis of morpho-physiological and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers

In this investigation, an attempt was made to assess the genetic diversity among 91 maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes using morpho-physiological and molecular markers. Variability was observed for six morpho-physiological traits namely, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading, canopy temperature, plant height, yield per plant, fodder yield and plant biomass as well as with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. All the amplification products with 40 SSRs were in the range of 58 to 410 bp. A total of 124 alleles were generated and the number of alleles scored for 40 SSR loci ranged from 2 to 5 with a mean of 3.1 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content ranged from 0.054 to 0.82 with a mean of 0.55 suggesting that all the selected genotypes possessed high level of polymorphism. The study indicates that five genotypes, RJR-247, RJR-159, NSJ-179, RJR-55 and Z101-15 were most diverse, so it is suggested that they may be used as genetic resources for maize improvement programme in future quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for different agronomic traits and for developing new varieties with adaptation to a broad range of environments.Key words: Maize, SSR markers, genetic diversity, dendrogram

Damage function for historic paper. Part I: Fitness for use

Background In heritage science literature and in preventive conservation practice, damage functions are used to model material behaviour and specifically damage (unacceptable change), as a result of the presence of a stressor over time. For such functions to be of use in the context of collection management, it is important to define a range of parameters, such as who the stakeholders are (e.g. the public, curators, researchers), the mode of use (e.g. display, storage, manual handling), the long-term planning horizon (i.e. when in the future it is deemed acceptable for an item to become damaged or unfit for use), and what the threshold of damage is, i.e. extent of physical change assessed as damage. Results In this paper, we explore the threshold of fitness for use for archival and library paper documents used for display or reading in the context of access in reading rooms by the general public. Change is considered in the context of discolouration and mechanical deterioration such as tears and missing pieces: forms of physical deterioration that accumulate with time in libraries and archives. We also explore whether the threshold fitness for use is defined differently for objects perceived to be of different value, and for different modes of use. The data were collected in a series of fitness-for-use workshops carried out with readers/visitors in heritage institutions using principles of Design of Experiments. Conclusions The results show that when no particular value is pre-assigned to an archival or library document, missing pieces influenced readers/visitors’ subjective judgements of fitness-for-use to a greater extent than did discolouration and tears (which had little or no influence). This finding was most apparent in the display context in comparison to the reading room context. The finding also best applied when readers/visitors were not given a value scenario (in comparison to when they were asked to think about the document having personal or historic value). It can be estimated that, in general, items become unfit when text is evidently missing. However, if the visitor/reader is prompted to think of a document in terms of its historic value, then change in a document has little impact on fitness for use

Smart Helmet for Drunk & Drive Detection and Alert System

The rise in road accidents in our country is primarily due to the negligence of not wearing helmets, reckless driving, and drunk driving, which can result in serious head injuries or even death if prompt medical attention is not given. To ensure the safety of bikers, it is crucial to have a system that mandates helmet use. This project presents the development of a smart helmet module with sensors that detect alcohol consumption and helmet use. The module also includes a GSM module that sends out an accident alert along with the GPS module for location tracking and Blink sensor is used to check the sobriety of the driver

Novel Molecular Targets of Azadirachta indica Associated with Inhibition of Tumor Growth in Prostate Cancer

Advanced prostate cancer has significant long-term morbidity, and there is a growing interest in alternative and complimentary forms of therapy that will improve the outcomes of patients. Azadirachta indica (common name: neem) contains multiple active compounds that have potent anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. The present study investigates the novel targets of the anticancer activity of ethanol extract of neem leaves (EENL) in vitro and evaluates the in vivo efficacy in the prostate cancer models. Analysis of the components in the EENL by mass spectrometry suggests the presence of 2′,3′-dehydrosalannol, 6-desacetyl nimbinene, and nimolinone. Treatment of C4-2B and PC-3M-luc2 prostate cancer cells with EENL inhibited the cell proliferation. Genome-wide expression profiling, using oligonucleotide microarrays, revealed genes differentially expressed with EENL treatment in prostate cancer cells. Functional analysis unveiled that most of the up-regulated genes were associated with cell death, and drug metabolism, and the down-regulated genes were associated with cell cycle, DNA replication, recombination, and repair functions. Quantitative PCR confirmed significant up-regulation of 40 genes and immunoblotting revealed increase in the protein expression levels of HMOX1, AKR1C2, AKR1C3, and AKR1B10. EENL treatment inhibited the growth of C4-2B and PC-3M-luc2 prostate cancer xenografts in nude mice. The suppression of tumor growth is associated with the formation of hyalinized fibrous tumor tissue and the induction of cell death by apoptosis. These results suggest that EENL-containing natural bioactive compounds could have potent anticancer property and the regulation of multiple cellular pathways could exert pleiotrophic effects in prevention and treatment of prostate cancer

Intracellular immune sensing promotes inflammation via gasdermin D–driven release of a lectin alarmin

Inflammatory caspase sensing of cytosolic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers pyroptosis and the concurrent release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Collectively, DAMPs are key determinants that shape the aftermath of inflammatory cell death. However, the identity and function of the individual DAMPs released are poorly defined. Our proteomics study revealed that cytosolic LPS sensing triggered the release of galectin-1, a β-galactoside-binding lectin. Galectin-1 release is a common feature of inflammatory cell death, including necroptosis. In vivo studies using galectin-1-deficient mice, recombinant galectin-1 and galectin-1-neutralizing antibody showed that galectin-1 promotes inflammation and plays a detrimental role in LPS-induced lethality. Mechanistically, galectin-1 inhibition of CD45 (Ptprc) underlies its unfavorable role in endotoxin shock. Finally, we found increased galectin-1 in sera from human patients with sepsis. Overall, we uncovered galectin-1 as a bona fide DAMP released as a consequence of cytosolic LPS sensing, identifying a new outcome of inflammatory cell death.Fil: Russo, Ashley J.. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Vasudevan, Swathy O.. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Mendez Huergo, Santiago Patricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Kumari, Puja. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Menoret, Antoine. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Duduskar, Shivalee. Jena University Hospital; AlemaniaFil: Wang, Chengliang. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Pérez Sáez, Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Fettis, Margaret M.. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Li, Chuan. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Liu, Renjie. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Wanchoo, Arun. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Chandiran, Karthik. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Ruan, Jianbin. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Vanaja, Sivapriya Kailasan. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Bauer, Michael. Jena University Hospital; AlemaniaFil: Sponholz, Christoph. Jena University Hospital; AlemaniaFil: Hudalla, Gregory A.. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Vella, Anthony T.. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Zhou, Beiyan. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Deshmukh, Sachin D.. Jena University Hospital; AlemaniaFil: Rabinovich, Gabriel Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Rathinam, Vijay A.. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados Unido

Chemical Characterization of Selected Benchmark Spots for C Sequestration in the Semi-Arid Tropics, India. Global Theme on Agroecosystems Report no. 32

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays an important role as a source of plant nutrients and in maintaining the soil integrity. Any land use management that increases SOC by removing CO2 from the atmosphere by storing it in the soil, is termed as carbon sequestration. This study was conducted to learn about the role of various agricultural practices on soil nutrient dynamics and its relationship with SOC in various land use systems of semi-arid tropics (SAT). The study area covered 28 SAT benchmark spots, 21 out of which were on black soils and 7 on red soils, covering areas of 15.29 m ha and 6.34 m ha, respectively. Soils were sampled from the benchmark sites/pedons during 2000–03 and processed for chemical analysis. It was observed that irrespective of bioclimatic zones, land use under horticultural and agricultural systems in general, and paddy systems in particular, had maximum content of organic carbon and total N. The soil parameter viz. clay fraction also influenced the total N and total P, and hence organic carbon in black and red soils showed significant positive correlation with total N and P. Results indicated that perennials could sequester carbon better when compared to annual crops. The nutrient stocks and soil organic C and N ratio (carbon/nitrogen C:N), and carbon/phosphorus (C:P) were computed in addition to SOC for the purpose of identifying the maintained soil quality. It was observed that the C:N ratio varied from 16:1 to 22:1 under different zones and it was highest under semi-arid (moist) zones in black soils. Similarly C:P ratio of soils under various bioclimatic zones revealed that it was highest under sub-humid (moist), followed by arid zone and lowest under semiarid zones. The C:N ratio of studied soils under various systems was wider than commonly accepted values reported for other tropical soils. The mean total N content of black soils was 0.042% and in case of red soils it was 0.052%, which corresponds to a minimum threshold level of 0.063% and 0.078% for black and red soils, respectively. Thus within the defined range of C:N ratios, those soils having SOC content of above values was considered along with minimum threshold values of total nitrogen stocks (Mg ha-1) to arrive at the better systems. The minimum values of TN stocks was calculated with the established equation and the values for the corresponding levels of SOC was found to be 1.95 Mg ha-1 for black soils and 2.30 Mg ha-1 for red soils (both the soils types having an average bulk density of 1.5 Mg m-3). Thus the soil total N stocks of systems that were found above the minimum threshold values are considered as better production systems. The nutrient stocks and nutrient ratio in addition to soil organic carbon was used as the main criteria to develop the soil C:N index. The index varied between 0.27 and 0.87 with an average of 0.57 under the various systems spread over different bioclimatic zones and soil types. The variation of soil C:N index in different soil types showed that, the fertility status of red soils in terms of SOC and soil nutrient stocks in majority of the pedons was higher as compared to black soils. The variation in the soil C: N index due to bioclimatic zones in black and red soils, showed that semiarid (moist) zone in black soils had the highest soil C: N index while the lowest was observed in sub-humid (moist) zone. As the MAR decreased from 1200 mm to 850 mm, the index increased from 0.30 to 0.38. Thus among the zones, the semi-arid moist was found to sequester more carbon. The variation in soil C:N index in different land use based systems such as horticultural (0.50) and forest systems (0.40) had better C:N index as compared to agricultural system in black soils. In red soils, forest system (0.76) had better C:N index as compared to agricultural system dominated by annual crops. Another significant observation was that permanent fallow land also had the potential to sequester carbon based on the magnitude of soil C:N index. The variation in the soil C:N index with the three major crop based systems studied showed that cereal based cropping systems sequester more carbon as compared to cotton and soybean based systems and can be promoted

Chemical Characterization of Selected Benchmark Spots for C Sequestration in the Semi-Arid Tropics, India

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays an important role as a source of plant nutrients and in maintaining the soil integrity. Any land use management that increases SOC by removing CO2 from the atmosphere by storing it in the soil, is termed as carbon sequestration. This study was conducted to learn about the role of various agricultural practices on soil nutrient dynamics and its relationship with SOC in various land use systems of semi-arid tropics (SAT). The study area covered 28 SAT benchmark spots, 21 out of which were on black soils and 7 on red soils, covering areas of 15.29 m ha and 6.34 m ha, respectively. Soils were sampled from the benchmark sites/pedons during 2000–03 and processed for chemical analysis. It was observed that irrespective of bioclimatic zones, land use under horticultural and agricultural systems in general, and paddy systems in particular, had maximum content of organic carbon and total N. The soil parameter viz. clay fraction also influenced the total N and total P, and hence organic carbon in black and red soils showed significant positive correlation with total N and P. Results indicated that perennials could sequester carbon better when compared to annual crops. The nutrient stocks and soil organic C and N ratio (carbon/nitrogen C:N), and carbon/phosphorus (C:P) were computed in addition to SOC for the purpose of identifying the maintained soil quality. It was observed that the C:N ratio varied from 16:1 to 22:1 under different zones and it was highest under semi-arid (moist) zones in black soils. Similarly C:P ratio of soils under various bioclimatic zones revealed that it was highest under sub-humid (moist), followed by arid zone and lowest under semiarid zones. The C:N ratio of studied soils under various systems was wider than commonly accepted values reported for other tropical soils. The mean total N content of black soils was 0.042% and in case of red soils it was 0.052%, which corresponds to a minimum threshold level of 0.063% and 0.078% for black and red soils, respectively. Thus within the defined range of C:N ratios, those soils having SOC content of above values was considered along with minimum threshold values of total nitrogen stocks (Mg ha-1) to arrive at the better systems. The minimum values of TN stocks was calculated with the established equation and the values for the corresponding levels of SOC was found to be 1.95 Mg ha-1 for black soils and 2.30 Mg ha-1 for red soils (both the soils types having an average bulk density of 1.5 Mg m-3). Thus the soil total N stocks of systems that were found above the minimum threshold values are considered as better production systems. The nutrient stocks and nutrient ratio in addition to soil organic carbon was used as the main criteria to develop the soil C:N index. The index varied between 0.27 and 0.87 with an average of 0.57 under the various systems spread over different bioclimatic zones and soil types. The variation of soil C:N index in different soil types showed that, the fertility status of red soils in terms of SOC and soil nutrient stocks in majority of the pedons was higher as compared to black soils. The variation in the soil C: N index due to bioclimatic zones in black and red soils, showed that semiarid (moist) zone in black soils had the highest soil C: N index while the lowest was observed in sub-humid (moist) zone. As the MAR decreased from 1200 mm to 850 mm, the index increased from 0.30 to 0.38. Thus among the zones, the semi-arid moist was found to sequester more carbon. The variation in soil C:N index in different land use based systems such as horticultural (0.50) and forest systems (0.40) had better C:N index as compared to agricultural system in black soils. In red soils, forest system (0.76) had better C:N index as compared to agricultural system dominated by annual crops. Another significant observation was that permanent fallow land also had the potential to sequester carbon based on the magnitude of soil C:N index. The variation in the soil C:N index with the three major crop based systems studied showed that cereal based cropping systems sequester more carbon as compared to cotton and soybean based systems and can be promoted