Browsing by Author "Nidhi Yadav"

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Case Report: Nocardia amamiensis Infection Leading to Worsening of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Symptoms in an Elderly Man
(American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2023) Ahalya Kanakan; Amit Kumar; Upinder Kaur; Prity Narwade; Zinnu Rain; Nidhi Yadav; Ishan Kumar; Deepak Kumar; Sankha Shubhra Chakrabarti
Nocardiosis is a rare opportunistic infection mostly affecting the lungs, brain, or skin of immunocompromised individuals. Most pulmonary nocardiosis patients present with nonspecific clinical features such as productive cough, exertional dyspnea, and fever. The disease is uncommonly suspected, especially in tuberculosis-endemic regions, and clinical diagnosis is often delayed, resulting in high mortality. Pulmonary nocardiosis in apparently immunocompetent individuals is uncommon. Here, we present the case of an elderly gentleman with a background history of poorly controlled diabetes but no history of systemic steroid use who presented with worsening symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the form of productive cough and dyspnea. The patient had diffuse crepitations in bilateral lung fields and an arterial oxygen saturation of 86% at admission. Sputum microscopy revealed gram-positive filamentous bacteria that could be successfully cultured and identified as Nocardia amamiensis on 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the lungs revealed cavitary nodules and consolidation. The patient responded well to treatment with specific antibiotics based on sensitivity patterns. Because of the nonspecific clinical and radiological findings in pulmonary nocardiosis, a high index of suspicion is required, especially in tuberculosis-endemic regions. © 2023 American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved.
Harnessing drought-induced immune priming for intergenerational resistance to spot blotch in wheat
(Academic Press, 2025) Bandana Devi; Nidhi Yadav; Menka Tiwari; Shweta Gupta; Bhumika Chhodvadiya; Prashant R. Singh
Drought priming has proven to be an effective strategy in modern agriculture for enhancing crop resistance to pathogens. However, the biochemical and metabolic mechanisms underlying these protective effects under biotic stress remain insufficiently understood, offering a valuable opportunity for further research. This study demonstrates that drought-induced priming in wheat (Triticum aestivum) not only improves resistance to Bipolaris sorokiniana (spot blotch) but also transfers this protection to the subsequent generation (G1). Using growth metrics, disease assessments, biochemical analysis, and yield evaluations, we found that progeny of drought-primed plants showed enhanced defense responses under pathogen stress, despite no morphological differences in stress-free conditions. Significant increases in photosynthetic pigments-chlorophyll a (3.80-fold), chlorophyll b (3.27-fold), and carotenoids (2.69-fold) were observed, along with key stress markers like proline (1.78-fold), total phenolics (1.30-fold), and ascorbic acid (2.30-fold). The progeny also exhibited an 8.37-fold reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating reduced oxidative damage. Under biotic stress, drought-primed progeny displayed increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (2.35-fold), catalase (2.48-fold), and ascorbate peroxidase (3.37-fold), along with upregulated defense enzymes like peroxidase (1.44-fold), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (1.97-fold) and chitinase (1.88-fold). These biochemical adjustments optimized resource allocation for both growth and defense. Additionally, drought-primed progeny showed improved yield performance compared to non-primed progeny under stress. Our findings highlight drought-induced intergenerational priming as a sustainable, chemical-free strategy for long-term crop protection, offering a path toward resilient crop varieties in the face of global climate challenges. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd
Intergenerational immune priming: Harnessing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for augmented wheat protection against spot blotch
(Academic Press, 2023) Bandana Devi; Menka Tiwari; Nidhi Yadav; Prashant Singh
Crop plants worldwide face various stresses that detrimentally impact their productivity. To ensure sufficient food production for the growing global population, it is essential to develop effective methods for safeguarding crops. Wheat, a critical crop for global food security, was the focus of this study. The objective was to identify a method to enhance the wheat plant's defense against stresses. Among the various approaches considered, defense priming emerged as a highly efficient method for crop protection. Plant defense priming involves a deliberate and controlled strategy employed by plants to enhance their protection against threats. It also allows for the transmission of the primed state to future generations through intergenerational inheritance. In this study, defense priming in wheat against spot blotch disease caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana was successfully achieved using two strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The performance of primed plants was evaluated based on growth parameters, disease phenotype, biochemical parameters, and yield-related traits. Primed plants exhibited superior performance compared to non-primed plants under disease conditions. Interestingly, the primed defense mechanisms were not immediately activated upon PGPR priming but were triggered upon subsequent pathogen challenge. This enhanced defense is evident through increased enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, Ascorbate peroxidase, Catalase), non-enzymatic antioxidants (total phenol content, proline, ascorbic acid), and defense-related enzyme activities, including peroxidases and Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL), in primed plants compared to non-primed plants. This conservation of resources avoids unnecessary activation of defense mechanisms and wasteful consumption of photosynthates. Furthermore, the heritability of priming was investigated, and the offspring of PGPR-primed wheat demonstrated enhanced protection against B. sorokiniana compared to the offspring of non-primed wheat. Yield parameters were also improved in the progeny of primed wheat under biotic stress. Overall, this study highlights the potential of PGPR-mediated intergenerational defense priming as a cost-effective, long-lasting, chemical-free, and sustainable approach for disease management in agriculture. Implementing this strategy could effectively protect crops while minimizing fitness and environmental costs. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
Intergenerational priming by Trichoderma alleviates drought stress in barley
(Elsevier B.V., 2024) Menka Tiwari; Bandana Devi; Shivangi Sinha; Nidhi Yadav; Prashant Singh
The escalating global climate anomalies and disruption of ecological equilibrium pose profound threats to agroecosystems and crop productivity. Drought stress, a prominent consequence of climate change, exert detrimental effects on plant physiology, thereby reducing crop yield. This study explores the implementation of Trichoderma-mediated defence priming in barley under drought stress. Through a comprehensive evaluation of encompassing morphological, stomatal, biochemical, and yield parameters, Trichoderma- primed barley is compared with non-primed barley under drought stress conditions. Our results revealed that Trichoderma-primed barley exhibits heightened tolerance to drought stress in comparison to non-primed barley. The improved stomatal characteristics indicate that Trichoderma priming enables the plant to better adapt to drought conditions. Biochemical analysis showed enhanced photosynthetic pigments and reduced MDA in primed barley under drought, suggesting that primed barley experiences less oxidative stress compared to non-primed barley. Additionally, Trichoderma-primed plants displayed heightened levels of both non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant activities, aiding in ROS detoxification. Stress responses are activated upon encountering a triggering stimulus (drought stress), but not after Trichoderma priming. This means there was no wasteful diversion of resources towards resistance mechanisms in the absence of stressful situations, leading to enhanced yield for primed barley compared to non-primed barley under stressful conditions. Furthermore, our investigation into the heritability of priming effects in the succeeding generation demonstrates that the progeny of primed barley retains enhanced protection akin to their primed parents. In contrast the progeny of non-primed barley exhibits greater vulnerability under water-deficit conditions. The expression of the epigenetic regulator gene HvDME was more enhanced in primed barley and its subsequent generations than in non-primed barley. This research emphasizes the potential of Trichoderma priming as a cost-effective strategy to enhance barley production amidst climate change challenges. The priming defense approach offers an intelligent plant health management solution devoid of adverse environmental or yield-related implications. This discovery holds significant promise, particularly in regions with limited water resources where crops are highly susceptible to drought stress. The findings contribute to the advancement of sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, offering insights for practitioners and policymakers aiming to address the adverse impacts of climate change on crop production. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.
Nanoparticle-mediated defense priming: A review of strategies for enhancing plant resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses
(Elsevier Masson s.r.l., 2024) Nidhi Yadav; Sunayana Bora; Bandana Devi; Chandan Upadhyay; Prashant Singh
Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising field with the potential to revolutionize agriculture, particularly in enhancing plant defense mechanisms. Nanoparticles (NPs) are instrumental in plant defense priming, where plants are pre-exposed to controlled levels of stress to heighten their alertness and responsiveness to subsequent stressors. This process improves overall plant performance by enabling quicker and more effective responses to secondary stimuli. This review explores the application of NPs as priming agents, utilizing their unique physicochemical properties to bolster plants' innate defense mechanisms. It discusses key findings in NP-based plant defense priming, including various NP types such as metallic, metal oxide, and carbon-based NPs. The review also investigates the intricate mechanisms by which NPs interact with plants, including uptake, translocation, and their effects on plant physiology, morphology, and molecular processes. Additionally, the review examines how NPs can enhance plant responses to a range of stressors, from pathogen attacks and herbivore infestations to environmental stresses. It also discusses NPs' ability to improve plants' tolerance to abiotic stresses like drought, salinity, and heavy metals. Safety and regulatory aspects of NP use in agriculture are thoroughly addressed, emphasizing responsible and ethical deployment for environmental and human health safety. By harnessing the potential of NPs, this approach shows promise in reducing crop losses, increasing yields, and enhancing global food security while minimizing the environmental impact of traditional agricultural practices. The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of ongoing research to optimize NP formulations, dosages, and delivery methods for practical application in diverse agricultural settings. © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS
Navigating Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Manuscript Writing: Tips and Traps
(Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 2025) Ishan Kumar; Nidhi Yadav; Ashish Verma
It is being increasingly recognized that the strategic use of artificial intelligence (AI) can catalyze the process of manuscript writing. However, it is imperative that we recognize the hidden biases, pitfalls, and disadvantages of relying solely on AI, such as accuracy concerns and the potential erosion of nuanced human insight. With an emphasis on crafting effective prompts and inputs, this article reveals how to navigate the labyrinth of AI capabilities to create a good-quality manuscript. It also addresses the evolving guidelines from various publishers, shedding light on how to “leverage the digital genie” responsibly and ethically. We further explore how and which AI tools can be harnessed for literature reviews, executing statistical analyses, and polishing the language of the manuscript. Providing practical strategies for maximizing AI’s benefits, this article underscores the indispensable value of human creativity and critical thinking, stressing that while AI can “streamline the mundane,” the author’s insight remains vital for profound intellectual contributions. © 2025. Indian Radiological Association. All rights reserved.
Radiological insights into pediatric undernutrition: Early detection, complications, and a structured evaluation approach
(Elsevier Inc., 2025) Ishan Kumar; Ashish Verma; Priyanka Aggarwal; Nidhi Yadav; Karan Kukreja; Pramod Kumar Singh
Despite a decade of significant growth in economic conditions of South Asian countries, people continue to suffer from the pervading problem of malnutrition. High prevalence of child undernutrition despite unprecedented economic growth in these nations have a multifactorial etiology including fetal malnutrition and status of women, inadequate feeding practices in infant and young child, poor household sanitation and untargeted health schemes. The diagnosis and management of malnutrition and its various complications require a multidisciplinary approach and radiologists have a potentially important, albeit currently underutilized, role in early detection, identifying the other clinical mimics such as endocrinal and genetic disorders, and detection of key complications. In this review, we apprise the radiological aspects of PEM and micro-nutritional deficiency and their complications. We also provide a comprehensive structured evaluation scheme for evaluation of a suspected malnourished child. © 2025 Elsevier Inc.