Range extension of foliicolous lichens in India: A case study from Nandhaur Forest Range, Lakhan mandi, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India

Foliicolous lichens, i.e. lichens colonizing on leaves of vascular plants, are always considered as one of the best bioindicators of human disturbance and microclimatic conditions of a forest, and their occurrence in India is mainly confined to tropical regions of Eastern Himalaya and Western Ghats. During a field trip to Nandhaur Range Lakhan mandi, Haldwani, Kumaun Himalaya, the authors found leaves of Shorea robusta heavily colonized by foliicolous lichens. The identification of the collected samples revealed the occurrence of 6 species of lichens all of which are new addition to the lichen flora of Uttarakhand. The preliminary data on diversity and distribution of the foliicolous lichen will act as baseline to conduct biomonitoring studies in the area, since foliicolous lichens are considered as the best bioindicator of climate change

Understanding of colistin usage in food animals and available detection techniques: a review

Progress in the medical profession is determined by the achievements and effectiveness of new antibiotics in the treatment of microbial infections. However, the development of multiple-drug resistance in numerous bacteria, especially Gram-negative bacteria, has limited the treatment options. Due to this resistance, the resurgence of cyclic polypeptide drugs like colistin remains the only option. The drug, colistin, is a well-known growth inhibitor of Gram-negative bacteria like Acinetobacter baumanni, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Technological advancements have uncovered the role of the mcr-1(mobilized colistin resistance) gene, which is responsible for the development of resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, which make them distinct from other bacteria without this gene. Additionally, food animals have been determined to be the reservoir for colistin resistance microbes, from which they spread to other hosts. Due to the adverse effects of colistin, many developed countries have prohibited its usage in animal foods, but developing countries are still using colistin in animal food production, thereby imposing a major risk to the public health. Therefore, there is a need for implementation of sustainable measures in livestock farms to prevent microbial infection. This review highlights the negative effects (increased resistance) of colistin consumption and emphasizes the different approaches used for detecting colistin in animal-based foods as well as the challenges associated with its detectio

Sensory and nutritional evaluation of nine types of millet substituted for polished white rice in select Indian meal preparations

This study was conducted to test the suitability of using nine types of millets namely finger millet, pearl millet, white and yellow sorghum, little millet, barnyard millet, proso millet, kodo millet, and browntop millet in seven popular Indian meal preparations based on sensory characteristics and nutrient value. The popular Indian meal preparations tested were boiled grain, dosa, idli, bisi belle bath, pulao, puttu, and pongal. In total, 53 variations in meal preparations were developed using the millets and seven polished white rice-based meal preparations were developed as control. The main findings indicated that meal preparation crafted from various millets garnered overall sensory scores closely resembling to those derived from polished white rice. Notably, little millet exhibited high scores in pongal and dosa, and achieved elevated overall sensory scores compared to meal preparation from polished white rice. Bisi belle bath made of barnyard millet scored higher in overall sensory score than polished white rice. Moreover, there was significant association between some types of millets’ overall sensory characteristics (p < 0.005) with polished white rice-based meal preparations. In terms of nutrient value, all the millet-based meal preparations had significantly high nutritional value compared to those made with polished white rice (p < 0.05). Especially calcium content of the meal prepared with finger millet was significantly higher compared to polished white rice-based meals (p < 0.05). Puttu, idli, and dosa prepared with finger millet had calcium content of 59.4, 10.8, and 70.9 mg/100 g compared to those prepared with the polished white rice which had only 1.3, 6.3, and 9.2 mg/100 g. The magnesium content of all millet-based meal preparations was generally several-folds higher compared to the polished white rice-based meal preparations (p < 0.05). There is a significant difference in the fiber content of the meals prepared with millets compared to the meals prepared with polished white rice (p < 0.05). This study was conducted using millets that are locally available and does not represent all the millet varieties available globally, as each type of millet has a wide range of varieties. Therefore, it is important to understand and choose the type and variety of millet while enhancing the nutritional value of diets

Pseudolinear functions and optimization

Pseudolinear Functions and Optimization is the first book to focus exclusively on pseudolinear functions, a class of generalized convex functions. It discusses the properties, characterizations, and applications of pseudolinear functions in nonlinear optimization problems.The book describes the characterizations of solution sets of various optimization problems. It examines multiobjective pseudolinear, multiobjective fractional pseudolinear, static minmax pseudolinear, and static minmax fractional pseudolinear optimization problems and their results. The authors extend these results to locall

Helminths Derived Immune-Modulatory Molecules: Implications in Host-Parasite Interaction

The parasitic life cycle of helminths greatly relies on sophisticated manipulation of host environment and successful evasion of host defense. Helminths produce a repertoire of secretory molecules (including, extracellular vesicles and/or exosomes) to invade and generate habitable host-environment, and also to modulate the host immune responses in such a way that ensures their prolonged survival within host. An outline on helminths derived immune-modulatory molecules and their implications in host-parasite crosstalk have been presented. Queries with regard to the new direction of investigation to reveal specific molecular strategies, used by helminths to manipulate the host systems are also discussed

School Education, Pluralism and Marginality: Comparative Perspectives

Education is an enabling factor , which facilitates not only economic betterment but also human freedom. However, for the marginalised Dalits and tribals in India, the Mapuche in Chile, the M ori in Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as women in most parts of the world basic education remains a challenge not only due to lack of access, but also because the pedagogy of mainstream education alienates the marginalised. The editors and contributors of School Education, Pluralism and Marginality argue that school education must be conceptualised keeping in mind the material, social, and life experiences of marginalised groups. They strongly argue that pluralism and social inclusion should be the core principles of the pedagogic conceptual framework, practices and processes of school education across the world. Divided into four sections, this volume brings together international perspectives on education from the USA, UK, Europe, South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, among others, with a focus on India. It probes into the realities of the formal schooling system and the hegemonies that exclude children of the marginalised communities. It also explores the relationships between school education, labour processes, and differential opportunities and their outcomes. Importantly, the contributions in this volume suggest measures for developing inclusive teaching and learning methods and practices, and present models for culturally responsive and inclusive schooling. This topical volume will be useful for students and scholars of education, culture studies, gender studies and Dalit studies. It will also be of interest to policy-makers and NGOs working in the area of education.https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/fac_books/1053/thumbnail.jp

Public health approach to address maternal mortality

Reducing maternal mortality is one of the major challenges to health systems worldwide, more so in developing countries that account for nearly 99% of these maternal deaths. Lack of a standard method for reporting of maternal death poses a major hurdle in making global comparisons. Currently much of the focus is on documenting the "number" of maternal deaths and delineating the "medical causes" behind these deaths. There is a need to acknowledge the social correlates of maternal deaths as well. Investigating and in-depth understanding of each maternal death can provide indications on practical ways of addressing the problem. Death of a mother has serious implications for the child as well as other family members and to prevent the same, a comprehensive approach is required. This could include providing essential maternal care, early management of complications and good quality intrapartum care through the involvement of skilled birth attendants. Ensuring the availability, affordability, and accessibility of quality maternal health services, including emergency obstetric care (EmOC) would prove pivotal in reducing the maternal deaths. To increase perceived seriousness of the community regarding maternal health, a well-structured awareness campaign is needed with importance be given to avoid adolescent pregnancy as well. Initiatives like Janani Surakhsha Yojna (JSY) that have the potential to improve maternal health needs to be strengthened. Quality assessments should form an essential part of all services that are directed toward improving maternal health. Further, emphasis needs to be given on research by involving multiple allied partners, with the aim to develop a prioritized, coordinated, and innovative research agenda for women′s health

Altered IL-7 signaling in CD4+ T cells from patients with visceral leishmaniasis.

BackgroundCD4+ T cells play a central role in control of L. donovani infection, through IFN-γ production required for activation of macrophages and killing of intracellular parasites. Impaired control of parasites can in part be explained by hampered CD4+ T cells effector functions in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients. In a recent studies that defined transcriptional signatures for CD4+ T cells from active VL patients, we found that expression of the IL-7 receptor alpha chain (IL-7Rα; CD127) was downregulated, compared to CD4+ T cells from endemic controls (ECs). Since IL-7 signaling is critical for the survival and homeostatic maintenance of CD4+ T cells, we investigated this signaling pathway in VL patients, relative to ECs.MethodsCD4+ T cells were enriched from peripheral blood collected from VL patients and EC subjects and expression of IL7 and IL7RA mRNA was measured by real time qPCR. IL-7 signaling potential and surface expression of CD127 and CD132 on CD4+ T cell was analyzed by multicolor flow cytometry. Plasma levels of soluble IL-7 and sIL-7Rα were measured by ELISA.ResultTranscriptional profiling data sets generated previously from our group showed lower IL7RA mRNA expression in VL CD4+ T cells as compared to EC. A significant reduction was, however not seen when assessing IL7RA mRNA by RT-qPCR. Yet, the levels of soluble IL-7Rα (sIL-7Rα) were reduced in plasma of VL patients compared to ECs. Furthermore, the levels of soluble IL-7 were higher in plasma from VL patients compared to ECs. Interestingly, expression of the IL-7Rα protein was higher on VL patient CD4+ T cells as compared to EC, with activated CD38+ CD4+ T cells showing higher surface expression of IL-7Rα compared to CD38- CD4+ T cells in VL patients. CD4+ T cells from VL patients had higher signaling potential baseline and after stimulation with recombinant human IL-7 (rhIL-7) compared to EC, as measured by phosphorylation of STAT5 (pSTAT5). Interestingly, it was the CD38 negative cells that had the highest level of pSTAT5 in VL patient CD4+ T cells after IL-7 stimulation. Thus, despite unaltered or potentially lowered IL7RA mRNA expression by CD4+ T cells from VL patients, the surface expression of the IL-7Rα was higher compared to EC and increased pSTAT5 was seen following exposure to rhIL-7. Accordingly, IL-7 signaling appears to be functional and even enhanced in VL CD4+ T cells and cannot explain the impaired effector function of VL CD4+ T cells. The enhanced plasma IL-7 may serve as part of homeostatic feedback mechanism regulating IL7RA expression in CD4+ T cells

In-vitro osteoblast proliferation and in-vivo anti-osteoporotic activity of Bombax ceiba with quantification of Lupeol, gallic acid and β-sitosterol by HPTLC and HPLC

Abstract Background Bombax ceiba is used traditionally to treat bone disorders, rheumatism, and joint pain. The aim of the study is to carry out osteogenic activity in-vitro and anti-osteoporotic activity in-vivo of stem bark of B. ceiba in surgical ovariectomy model in female rats. Methods Plant drug: B. ceiba stem bark was extracted with solvents petroleum ether and methanol using Soxhlet extraction. In-vitro osteoblastic proliferation study was performed using UMR-106 cell lines. Both the extracts were undergone to acute toxicity study as per OECD423 guidelines. Female Wistar albino rats 180-240 g were used (n = 6). Surgical ovariectomy was performed under anesthesia to induce bone porosity and loss in all animals except normal control and sham control. Each extract was administered at two dose level: 100 and 200 mg/kg and the standard Raloxifene was given at 1 mg/kg orally for 28 days. The phytochemical study of both the extracts was performed using HPLC and HPTLC. Results A significant osteoblast cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity were observed with B. ceiba extracts in UMR-106 cell lines. Surgical removal of ovaries produced significant (p < 0.05) decline in bone mineral density, bone breaking strength, serum ALP, calcium, phosphorus, and estradiol level and marked bone tissue destruction in histology. Administration of petroleum ether and methanolic extract for 28 days significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated the consequences of ovariectomy induced bone porosity and restored the normal architecture of bone, as compared to OVX control. The phytochemical screening of both the extracts were also carried out. The quantification of phytoconstituents showed the presence of β-sitosterol and lupeol in petroleum ether extract, whereas the lupeol is also quantified in the methanolic extract. The presence of gallic acid was quantified in methanolic extract using HPLC. Conclusion B. ceiba: stem bark ameliorated the state of bone fragility and fracture possibly due to estrogenic modulation, as also confirmed by in-vitro osteogenic activity which may be due to the presence of lupeol, gallic acid and β-sitosterol constituents of the plant