Vermiwash: An effective nutritive boon to foliage and crops

Earthworms are often known as soil scientist. They are the main driving force that helps in sustainable production of food. They maintain the soil’s physical, chemical and biological health and act as a bio fertiliser. Their excreta and body fluids (vermiwash) has a significant effect in promoting the growth of the agricultural plants. The shoot length, root length, number of twigs, flowers, fruit, grains and biomass, were increased significantly in all the plants that were treated with this biofertilizer. The analysis of the wash showed the high content of various macro and micro nutrients like Ca, K, P, S, organic carbon, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe etc. It also helps the plants for attainment of maturity and reproduction at faster rate, thus reducing the ‘life-cycle’ of crops and shortening their ‘harvesting time’. So, it can be concluded there is significant increase in vermicompost treated plants as there is reduction in the incidence of ‘pest and disease attack’, and we can now control pests without pesticides’ and ‘now we can have a better taste of chemical-free organic food products

Structural analysis and discovery of lead compounds for the fungal methionine synthase enzyme

textMethionine synthases catalyze methyl transfer from 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-methyl-THF) to L-homocysteine (Hcy) in order to generate methionine (Met). Mammals, including humans, use a cobalamin dependent form, while fungi use a cobalamin independent protein called Met6p. The large structural differences between them make Met6p a potential anti-fungal drug target. Met6p is a 90 kDa protein with the active site located between two (βα)₈ barrels. The active site has a catalytic Zn²+ and binding sites for the two substrates, Hcy and folate. I present the crystal structures of three engineered variants of the Met6p enzyme from Candida albicans. I also solved Met6p in complex with several substrate and product analogs, including Hcy, Met, Gln, 5-methyl-THF-Glu₃ and Methotrexate-Glu₃ (MTX-Glu₃), and the bi-dentate ligand S-adenosyl homocysteine. Also described is a new fluorescence-based activity assay monitoring Hcy. Lastly, a high-throughput Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (DSF) assay was used to screen thousands of compounds in order to identify ligands which bind Met6p. My work details the mode of interaction of Hcy and folate with the Met6p protein. Several residues important to activity were discovered, like Asn 126 and Tyr 660, and proven to be important by site directed mutagenesis. Structural analysis revealed an important aspect of the mechanism. When Hcy binds to its pocket it makes strong ion pairs with the enzyme. In particular, 614 moves toward the substrate amine and triggers a rearrangement of active site loops; this draws the catalytic Zn²+ toward the Hcy thiol where a new ligand bond is formed, activating the thiol for methyl transfer. The work presented here lays the groundwork for structure based drug design and makes the development of Met6p specific bi-dentate ligands feasible. The fluorescence based activity assay I developed was successfully used to test the folate analog MTX-Glu₃, which inhibits with an IC₅₀ of ~4 mM. I also discovered our first bi-dentate ligand in the form of S-adenosyl homocysteine.Cellular and Molecular Biolog

Regulation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B in the neuroendocrine response to stress

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Deciphering the molecular basis of mycobacteria and lipoglycan recognition by the C-type lectin Dectin-2

Dectin-2 is a C-type lectin involved in the recognition of several pathogens such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Schistosoma mansonii, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis that triggers Th17 immune responses. Identifying pathogen ligands and understanding the molecular basis of their recognition is one of the current challenges. Purified M. tuberculosis mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM) was shown to induce signaling via Dectin-2, an activity that requires the (alpha1 --\u3e 2)-linked mannosides forming the caps. Here, using isogenic M. tuberculosis mutant strains, we demonstrate that ManLAM is a bona fide and actually the sole ligand mediating bacilli recognition by Dectin-2, although M. tuberculosis produces a variety of cell envelope mannoconjugates, such as phosphatidyl-myo-inositol hexamannosides, lipomannan or manno(lipo)proteins, that bear (alpha1 --\u3e 2)-linked mannosides. In addition, we found that Dectin-2 can recognize lipoglycans from other bacterial species, such as Saccharotrix aerocolonigenes or the human opportunistic pathogen Tsukamurella paurometabola, suggesting that lipoglycans are prototypical Dectin-2 ligands. Finally, from a structure/function relationship perspective, we show, using lipoglycan variants and synthetic mannodendrimers, that dimannoside caps and multivalent interaction are required for ligand binding to and signaling via Dectin-2. Better understanding of the molecular basis of ligand recognition by Dectin-2 will pave the way for the rational design of potent adjuvants targeting this receptor

Ethanopharmacology Study of Achyranthes aspera

Achyranthes aspera, a species of the Amaranthaceae family, holds significant therapeutic value and is widely distributed as a weed over the Indian subcontinent. The utilization of seeds, roots, and shoots in traditional medical systems is widespread, as these particular plant components are considered to be of utmost significance. This article provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of the subject matter. The review demonstrates that a diverse range of phytochemical compounds have been extracted from the plant, exhibiting numerous therapeutic capabilities such as antiperiodic, diuretic, purgative, laxative, antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, and other significant medicinal effects. The pulverized botanical specimen is employed in the treatment of pneumonia, while the infusion derived from the root is utilized as a gentle astringent for addressing bowel-related ailments. The utilization of a concoction consisting of powdered leaves combined with honey or sugar candy has been found to be beneficial in the initial phases of both diarrhoea and dysentery. Over the past few decades, a significant amount of research has been conducted to substantiate the biological activities and pharmacological properties of its extracts. Various chemical ingredients, including as saponins, oleonolic acid, dihydroxy ketones, alkaloids, and long chain compounds, have been successfully identified

Current statistical reports published by the Department of Statistics, Malaysia, held in the University of Malaya Library: An annotated list

Rencana ini sebagai lanjutan kepada Current Statistical Publications held in the University of Malaya Library: an Annotated List yang dlsiarkan dalam Kekal Abadi keluaran jun 7986, menghuraikan laporan data statistik yang diterbitkan oleh jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia secara tahunan atau dwi-tahuna

Changes in plantar pressure, force and contact area when carrying incremental loads among adults with and without low back pain

Plantar pressure, force and contact area information may provideinsights regarding stresses imparted to the foot when performing functional tasks. There is limited information regarding plantar pressure, force and contact area when carrying incremental loads (no load, 5 kg, 7.5 kg and 10 kg) using one hand between adults with and without low back pain (LBP). The aim of our study was to investigate the changes in the plantar pressure, force and contact area when carrying incremental loads (no load, 5 kg, 7.5 kg and 10 kg) using one hand between adults with and without low back pain (LBP). A total of 20 adults with non-specific LBP and 20 matched individuals without LBP were recruited according to the predefined recruitment criteria. Plantar pressure (PP), maximum force (MF) and contact area (CA were measured in standing position and during walking while carrying incremental loads (no load, 5 kg, 7.5 kg and 10 kg) using their right hand on a Matscan pressure assessment system. A two-way mixed analysis of variance (group× load) was conducted to analyse the data. No significant main effectof group was demonstrated on both the right and left foot during standing (PP: p = 0.74, p = 0.32; MF: p = 0.17, p = 0.67; CA: p = 0.25, p = 0.24) and walking (PP: p = 0.61, p = 0.48; MF: p = 0.19, p = 0.06; CA: p = 0.16, p = 0.26. Similarly, there was no interaction effect between the loads and groups on the PP (p = 0.89, p = 0.47), MF (p = 0.76, p = 0.83) and CA (p = 0.88, p = 0.20) on theright and left foot, respectively during standing. However, a significant interaction effect (p < 0.05), between the loads and groups was demonstrated on the PP, MF and CA on the left foot during walking. The results of our study suggest that stresses imparted to the foot alters during dynamic postures and this may be a compensatory mechanism. Plantar pressure, force and contact area were similar in adults both with and without LBP when standing and walking. Further biomechanical information that includes both kinematic and kinetic data in lumbopelvic and lower limbs in relation to the foot may be required to justify for prevention and management strategies among adults with LBP

WEB PLOT DIGITIZER SOFTWARE: CAN IT BE USED TO MEASURE NECK POSTURE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE?

Objective : The aim of this study was to examine the use of WPD software to evaluate FHP using digital photogrammetry method.Method: A total of 15 adults with no history of neck pain for the past 6 months were recruited for the study. Using digital photogrammetry and sagittal head tilt, craniocervical and shoulder angles (SAs) were measured using a WPD, which is an open resource of web or Windows-based software.Result: Fifteen participants aged 17–40 years (mean 24.7±6.3 years) were examined. Sagittal head tilt and craniocervical angles were 16.35°±8.33° and 47.43°±7.97°, respectively. SA was 52.28°±12.46°.Conclusion: WPD may be used to evaluate FHP in the clinical settings. However, future research is required to determine the validity and reliability of WPD among patients with neck-related musculoskeletal disorders with a larger sample

Energy Forecasting in Smart Grid Systems: A Review of the State-of-the-art Techniques

Energy forecasting has a vital role to play in smart grid (SG) systems involving various applications such as demand-side management, load shedding, and optimum dispatch. Managing efficient forecasting while ensuring the least possible prediction error is one of the main challenges posed in the grid today, considering the uncertainty and granularity in SG data. This paper presents a comprehensive and application-oriented review of state-of-the-art forecasting methods for SG systems along with recent developments in probabilistic deep learning (PDL) considering different models and architectures. Traditional point forecasting methods including statistical, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) are extensively investigated in terms of their applicability to energy forecasting. In addition, the significance of hybrid and data pre-processing techniques to support forecasting performance is also studied. A comparative case study using the Victorian electricity consumption and American electric power (AEP) datasets is conducted to analyze the performance of point and probabilistic forecasting methods. The analysis demonstrates higher accuracy of the long-short term memory (LSTM) models with appropriate hyper-parameter tuning among point forecasting methods especially when sample sizes are larger and involve nonlinear patterns with long sequences. Furthermore, Bayesian bidirectional LSTM (BLSTM) as a probabilistic method exhibit the highest accuracy in terms of least pinball score and root mean square error (RMSE)