Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2015"

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Correspondence
(Springer India, 2015) Seema Korgaonkar; Babu Rao Vundinti; K.P. Srikanth; B.R. Thapa; Erman Atas; Vural Kesik; N.K. Bagri; A. Kumar; Ahmar Shamim; Mani Ram Krishna; Pramila Verma; Abdul Razak
[No abstract available]
Rhizosphere and their role in plant-microbe interaction
(Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2015) Ajay Kumar; Vandana; Akhilesh Yadav; Deen Dayal Giri; P.K. Singh; Kapil D. Pandey
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) plays an important role in sustainable agriculture. These microbes directly or indirectly associated with the plants for growth promotion, disease management and yield enhancement. Genotypes and diversity of individual plants influences the composition of the associated communities. Microbial population of PGPR present in the rhizosphere depends upon the amount and composition of root exudates. The molecules present in the root exudates act as signaling molecules and helps in microbe interaction. This chapter describes the role of root exudates and mode of plant -microbe interaction in the rhizosphere. © 2015 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
Cooperative influence of ligand frameworks in sustaining supramolecular architectures of Ni(II)/Pd(II) heteroleptic dithio-dipyrrin complexes via non-covalent interactions
(Elsevier Ltd, 2015) Vinod Kumar; Vikram Singh; Ajit N. Gupta; Santosh Kumar Singh; Michael G.B. Drew; Nanhai Singh
The impact of the ligand frameworks on the crystal stabilization of the novel heteroleptic complexes [M(bzdpm)(xant)] (M = Ni(II) 1, Pd(II) 2, xant- = 4-methoxyphenylethylxanthate, bzdpmH = 5-benzyl dipyrromethene) and [Ni(dmbzdpm)(dtc)] 3 (dmbzdpmH = 5-N,N-dimethylbenzyl dipyrromethene; dtc- = N-pyridyl-N-ferrocenylmethyl dithiocarbamate) has been investigated. In these planar complexes, the supramolecular structures of 1 and 2 are stabilized via C-H⋯O and CH⋯π interactions. The structure of 3 revealed a centrosymmetric dimer formed by two C-H...N intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the nitrogen atom of the pyridyl group and a hydrogen atom on a neighboring molecule. The dimers thus formed are held together by C-H...π (NiCS2, chelate) interactions, sustaining a 2-D supramolecular architecture and constructing an unprecedented cyclic analog of benzene. The intermolecular interaction energies for the C-H...N and C-H...π (NiCS2, chelate) interactions have been estimated to assess their nature. The palladium complex 2 shows luminescent characteristics in solution at room temperature. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Physiological aspects of UV-excitation of DNA
(Springer Verlag, 2015) Richa; Rajeshwar P Sinha; Donat-P H Ä Der
Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, mainly UV-B (280–315 nm), is one of the most potent genotoxic agents that adversely affects living organisms by altering their genomic stability. DNA through its nucleobases has absorption maxima in the UV region and is therefore the main target of the deleterious radiation. The main biological relevance of UV radiation lies in the formation of several cytotoxic and mutagenic DNA lesions such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), 6-4 photoproducts (6-4PPs), and their Dewar valence isomers (DEWs), as well as DNA strand breaks. However, to counteract these DNA lesions, organisms have developed a number of highly conserved repair mechanisms such as photoreactivation, excision repair, and mismatch repair (MMR). Photoreactivation involving the enzyme photolyase is the most frequently used repair mechanism in a number of organisms. Excision repair can be classified as base excision repair (BER) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) involving a number of glycosylases and polymerases, respectively. In addition to this, double-strand break repair, SOS response, cell-cycle checkpoints, and programmed cell death (apoptosis) are also operative in various organisms to ensure genomic stability. This review concentrates on the UV-induced DNA damage and the associated repair mechanisms as well as various damage detection methods. ©Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014
Morpho-physiological responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under late sown condition
(Society for Plant Research, 2015) Pratap Singh; Padmanabh Dwivedi
Late sowing of wheat results in exposure to high temperature during reproductive phase (seed filling). The present paper studies the effects of late sown condition on various morphophysiological parameters at different stages of growth, in two wheat genotypes i.e., HUW-510 (high temperature resistant) and HUW-468 (high temperature sensitive). The three dates of sowing were 20th November (DOS I), 10th December (DOS II) and 30th December (DOS I). Leaf area (LA), number of leaves, net assimilation rate (NAR), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and leaf area index (LAI) were higher in the early sown plants compared to late sown plants. The declining trend was found in LA and number of leaves at DOS III in HUW-468. NAR in both the genotypes increased slowly at the early stages of growth while it increased sharply at the later stages with fluctuations in most cases. Higher values of CGR were found in the early sown condition in HUW-468. LAI was highest in DOS I while higher reduction was observed under DOS III in both the genotypes. The number of ear per 20 cm row length, number of grains per ear, grain yield per plant, 1000 grain weight and harvest index were significantly higher in HUW-510 followed by HUW-468 under DOS I as compared to DOS III. Late sown condition significantly decreased various morpho-physiological responses and yield attributes in wheat, particularly, in case of high temperature sensitive genotype, HUW- 468. © 2015 Society for Plant Research. All rights reserved.
A study to compare prognostic utility of procalcitonin with existing biomarkers (CRP and TLC) and clinical risk scores (PSI and CURB 65) in community acquired pneumonia
(Mrs Deepika Charan, 2015) Sudhir Agarwal; Manoj Meena; Arvind Misra; Lalit Meena; Mrityunjaya Singh
Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Biomarkers are increasingly being used to distinguish bacterial pneumonia from other causes, to help reduce the duration of antibiotic therapy, and to assess the prognosis of CAP and thereby aiming to complement Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and other scores.; Aims & Objective: To compare prognostic utility of procalcitonin (PCT) with existing biomarkers [C-reactive protein (CRP) and total leukocyte count (TLC)] and clinical risk scores (PSI and CURB-65).; Materials and Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with CAP were included in this study. Baseline serum PCT was measured, which was then stratified according to four predetermined tiers (tier I: <0.1; tier II: 0.1 to <0.25; tier III: 0.25 to <0.5; tier IV: ≥0.5 µg/L). To calculate the severity of pneumonia, patients were classified according to PCT tier, PSI, and CURB-65 scores. Follow-up PCT and reclassification of PSI and CURB-65 were carried out on days 4 and 30.; Results: PCT was more significantly associated with positive bacterial culture than CRP and TLC. Initial PCT level was significantly correlated with TLC (p = 0.044), CRP (p < 0.001), PSI (p < 0.001), and CURB-65 (p = 0.028).; Conclusion: Findings in our study showed that the management of severe CAP would be greatly improved if it were possible to identify, early in the course of disease, those patients who are most likely to develop complications and are at the risk of mortality. © 2015 Mrs Deepika Charan. All rights reserved.
Sirtuin inhibition induces apoptosis-like changes in platelets and thrombocytopenia
(American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Inc., 2015) Sharda Kumari; Susheel N. Chaurasia; Manasa K. Nayak; Ram L. Mallick; Debabrata Dash
Sirtuins are evolutionarily conserved NAD+-dependent acetyl-lysine deacetylases that belong to class III type histone deacetylases. In humans, seven sirtuin isoforms (Sirt1 to Sirt7) have been identified. Sirtinol, a cell-permeable lactone ring derived from naphthol, is a dual Sirt1/Sirt2 inhibitor of low potency, whereas EX-527 is a potent and selective Sirt1 inhibitor. Here we demonstrate that Sirt1, Sirt2, and Sirt3 are expressed in enucleate platelets. Both sirtinol and EX-527 induced apoptosis-like changes in platelets, as revealed by enhanced annexin V binding, reactive oxygen species production, and drop in mitochondrial transmembrane potential. These changes were associated with increased phagocytic clearance of the platelets by macrophages. Expression of acetylated p53 and the conformationally active form of Bax were found to be significantly higher in both sirtinol- and EX-527-treated platelets, implicating the p53-Bax axis in apoptosis induced by sirtuin inhibitors. Administration of either sirtinol or EX-527 in mice led to a reduction in both platelet count and the number of reticulated platelets. Our results, for the first time, implicate sirtuins as a central player in the determination of platelet aging. Because sirtuin inhibitors are being evaluated for their antitumor activity, this study refocuses attention on the potential side effect of sirtuin inhibition in delimiting platelet life span and management of thrombosis. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Influence of leaching on surface composition, microstructure, and valence band of single grain icosahedral Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal
(American Institute of Physics Inc., 2015) M. Lowe; T.P. Yadav; V. Fournée; J. Ledieu; R. McGrath; H.R. Sharma
The use of quasicrystals as precursors to catalysts for the steam reforming of methanol is potentially one of the most important applications of these new materials. To develop application as a technology requires a detailed understanding of the microscopic behavior of the catalyst. Here, we report the effect of leaching treatments on the surface microstructure, chemical composition, and valence band of the icosahedral (i-) Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal in an attempt to prepare a model catalyst. The high symmetry fivefold surface of a single grain i-Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal was leached with NaOH solution for varying times, and the resulting surface was characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The leaching treatments preferentially remove Al producing a capping layer consisting of Fe and Cu oxides. The subsurface layer contains elemental Fe and Cu in addition to the oxides. The quasicrystalline bulk structure beneath remains unchanged. The subsurface gradually becomes Fe3O4 rich with increasing leaching time. The surface after leaching exhibits micron sized dodecahedral cavities due to preferential leaching along the fivefold axis. Nanoparticles of the transition metals and their oxides are precipitated on the surface after leaching. The size of the nanoparticles is estimated by high resolution transmission microscopy to be 5-20 nm, which is in agreement with the AFM results. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) confirms the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles. SAED further reveals the formation of an interface between the high atomic density lattice planes of nanoparticles and the quasicrystal. These results provide an important insight into the preparation of model catalysts of nanoparticles for steam reforming of methanol. © 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.
Effect of elevated CO2 and temperature stress on cereal crops
(wiley, 2015) Ashutosh Tripathi; Devendra Kumar Chauhan; Gopal S. Singh; Niraj Kumar
Various anthropogenic activities along with indiscriminate and rapacious use of natural resources have enormously increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, resulting in elevated CO2 and temperature of Earth’s system. This has manifold effects on agro-ecosystems. Effects of elevated CO2 and temperature stress on crop production are posing greater challenges in order to provide sufficient quantity and quality of food. Cereals are the staple foods greatly affected by stress induced by increasing CO2 and temperature and understanding the various dimensions of these effects is necessary. This chapter presents an overview of the impacts associated with elevated CO2 and temperature stress on different plant processes of cereal crops such as effects on physiological and biochemical processes, phenological responses and reproductive changes. It also gives an account of stress responses and tolerance mechanisms to understand plant defences, emphasizing molecular approaches to delineate complex effects and adaptation in crop plants. This may be helpful in understanding the positive as well as negative impacts of current climatic changes on cereal crops and therefore may be valuable for making future research plans in this regard. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Editorials
(Springer India, 2015) Himmatrao S. Bawaskar; Parag H. Bawaskar; O.P. Mishra; Rajniti Prasad; Jagdish Chandra; Dinesh Yadav
[No abstract available]
Acute Onset Polyarthritis with Pitting Edema: Is it RS3PE?
(2015) Ankur N. Varshney; Nilesh Kumar; Nand K. Singh
[No abstract available]
Functionalized poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanohybrid for superior fuel cell membrane
(Elsevier, 2015) Karun Kumar Jana; Chumki Charan; Vinod K. Shahi; Kheyanath Mitra; Biswajit Ray; Dipak Rana; Pralay Maiti
Functionalization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (. PVDF) nanohybrid has been performed in template system using two-dimensional layered silicate and superior fuel cell membrane has been demonstrated. Sulfonation of nanohybrid has been carried out at control condition to maintain the mechanical stiffness and toughness of the membrane using chlorosulfonic acid and the results have been compared with pure PVDF. The sulfonation and its relative extent have been confirmed through NMR, FTIR and UV-vis measurements showing greater degree of functionalization in nanohybrid which arises from the specific arrangement of polymer chains on top of nanoplatelets. The structural change over from common crystallized form α- to piezoelectric β-phase in nanohybrid has been established and the amount of β-phase has been enhanced after sulfonation as evident from deconvoluted XRD patterns and DSC measurement. A plausible mechanism has been proposed for this improvement which led to the formation of smart membrane. Essential criteria of an ideal membrane have been verified through high water uptake, low permeability and hydrophilic nature by measuring contact angle. The molecular level clustering due to the attachment of sulfonate group in main chain has been explored which in turn explain the higher barrier property both for gas and liquid (fuel). Proton conductivity of functionalized nanohybrid has been found to be quite high along with significantly low methanol cross over as compared to standard Nafion membrane. I-. V characteristics of the nanohybrid membrane show high potential at low current density with considerably lower value of slope. Membrane electrode assembly using functionalized nanohybrid exhibit significantly high value of current density and prove its worth for superior fuel cell membrane using common thermoplastic polymer. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.
Screening of antagonistic potential and plant growth promotion activities of Trichoderma spp. and fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. isolates against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causing stem rot of French bean
(Agricultural Research Communication Centre, 2015) Ruchita Dixit; Ram Bahadur Singh; Harikesh Bahadur Singh
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum have been a major plant pathogen with wide host range in agriculture. Annually, 60% crop losses due to this pathogen have been reported worldwide. Biological management have been sought to be an alternative method for controlling the disease. Trichoderma and Pseudomonas are well known for their biocontrol and plant growth promotion activities. Isolation was done from nearby and within Varanasi. Among all isolates 20 isolates of Trichoderma and 11 isolates of fluorescent Pseudomonas were selected on the basis of dual culture assay against S. sclerotiorum. They were further characterised on the basis of IAA, siderophore, phosphate solubilization, effect of volatile and crude extract, HCN production, ammonia production, chitinase and ß 1, 3–glucanase enzymatic assay. Among the Trichoderma isolates, maximum plant growth promotion activity and mycolytic enzyme activity was observed by isolate T9. Among fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates the best plant promotion activity as well efficient antagonistic activity was observed in isolate Pf11. © 2015, Agricultural Research Communication Centre. All Rights Reserved.
Solar flares induced D-region ionospheric and geomagnetic perturbations
(Elsevier Ltd, 2015) R. Selvakumaran; Ajeet K. Maurya; Sneha A. Gokani; B. Veenadhari; Sushil Kumar; K. Venkatesham; D.V. Phanikumar; Abhay K. Singh; Devendraa Siingh; Rajesh Singh
The D-region ionospheric perturbations caused by solar flares which occurred during January 2010-February 2011, a low solar activity period of current solar cycle 24, have been examined on NWC transmitter signal (19.8 kHz) recorded at an Indian low latitude station, Allahabad (Geographic lat. 25.75°N, long. 81.85°E). A total of 41 solar flares, including 21 C-class, 19 M-class and 01 X-class, occurred during the daylight part of the NWC-Allahabad transmitter receiver great circle path. The local time dependence of solar flare effects on the change in the VLF amplitude, time delay between VLF peak amplitude and X-ray flux peak have been studied during morning, noon and evening periods of local daytime. Using the Long Wave Propagation Capability code V 2.1 the D-region reference height (H/) and sharpness factor (β) for each class of solar flare (C, M and X) have been estimated. It is found that Dregion ionospheric parameters (H/, β) strongly depend on the local time of flare's occurrence and their classes. The flare time electron density estimated by using H/ and β shows maximum increase in the electron density of the order of ~80 times as compared to the normal day values. The electron density was found to increase exponentially with increase in the solar flux intensity. The solar flare effect on horizontal component (H) of the Earth's magnetic field over an equatorial station, Tirunelveli (Geographic lat., 8.7°N, long., 77.8°E, dip lat., 0.4°N), shows a maximum increase in H of ~8.5% for M class solar flares. The increase in H is due to the additional magnetic field produced by the ionospheric electrojet over the equatorial station. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
Regioselective facile synthesis of novel isoxazole-linked glycoconjugates
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015) Amrita Mishra; Bhuwan B. Mishra; Vinod K. Tiwari
A concise and efficacious protocol for the regioselective synthesis of novel 3,5-disubstituted isoxazole-linked glycoconjugates (4, 7 and 9) via a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between in situ generated glycosyl-β-nitrile oxide (derived from glycosyl-β-nitromethane ester 3 and 6) and various terminal alkynes bearing sugar, alkyl and aryl substituents (2a-n), has been devised. The formation of nitrile oxide during the reaction course has been supported by DFT calculations, which gave the optimized structure of the glycosyl-β-nitrile oxide ester. This one-pot methodology offers a way for utilizing d-glucose derived nitrile oxide, as a new variant in click chemistry for the synthesis of novel isoxazole-linked glycoconjugates, paving a new route for the construction of carbohydrate based scaffolds of multifaceted biological profiles. © 2015 Royal Society of Chemistry.
Seasonal variation investigations on diversity of some freshwater diatoms of Kumaon region, Uttarakhand State in India
(Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 2015) Rajveer Singh Chauhan; Bharti Singh; Deepmala Katiyar; P.K. Misra
The aims of present studies is to document species of diatoms in water bodies of Kumaon Himalayas and the effect of seasonal variations on population and community dynamics of these microscopic photosynthesizers in aquatic ecosystems. Our studies have documented a total of 98 taxa belonging to class Bacillariophyceae Coscinodiscophyceae and Fragilariophyceae. The taxa have been described along with morphotaxonomic status, locality, and collection number and with date of collection. The maximum taxa have been reported from class Bacillariophyceae (19 genera and 69 species) followed by class Fragilariophyceae (4 genera and 10 species) and Coscinodiscophyceae (3 genera and 4 species). During this study it has been observed that some genera of diatoms dominate in winter season while others in summers. Diatoma De Candolle, Sellaphora Mereschkowsky, Rhopalodia Muller, Staurosira Ehrenberg, Gomphonema C.A. Agardh, Cymbella C.A. Agardh, Reimeria Kociolek and Stoermer, Brachysira Kuetzing, Navicula Bory; emend. Cleve, Surirella Turpin, and Fragilaria Lyngbye; Rabenhorst have frequently been found during summers while Cyclotella Kuetzing, Aulacoseira Thwaites, Cocconeis Ehrenberg; Grunow, Epithemia Brebisson, Synedra Ehrenberg, Achnanthes Bory, Gyrosigma Hassall emend. Cleve and Amphora Ehrenberg dominate in winters. The study will help us to understand the diversity of diatoms in the Kumaon region: It will help us to document the magnitude of biodiversity, understand the population and community dynamics and seasonal variation of phytoplankton. The study may also help us to understand the effect of changing environment on aquatic ecosystems.
Price discovery in mustard seed and mustard oil futures markets, India
(DAV College, 2015) Dinesh Chand Meena; O.P. Singh; Rakesh Singh; Maina Kumari
Among different edible oilseeds grown in India, mustard occupy prominent place due to larger portion of Indian population are consuming, it as vegetable oil. Besides other factors, price of oilseed is play an important and highly influencing factors to the farmer's decision regarding the acreage allocation under oilseed crops. Present study attempts to assess the future and spot price linkages for mustard seed and mustard oil in various selected markets. Present study was based on secondary data and it was analysed using co-integration technique. The significant coefficient of at least one error correction term confirmed the results of co-integration between spot and future prices of mustard seed and mustard oil. The results of Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) revealed that the coefficient of the error correction term was negative and significant in the case of spot market for mustard seed and mustard oil in the selected markets. This implies that spot prices are stable in the long-run and any deviation in their prices due to external shocks that occurred in the short-run was well adjusted by the market forces over time. The model also revealed the existence of unidirectional short run causality in the selected market of mustard seed except Sriganganagar market. This phenomenon of price convergence for the crop clearly depicts that farmers would be able to effectively mitigate the price risk.
Maternal determinants of immunization status of children aged 12-23 months in urban slums of Varanasi, India
(Elsevier, 2015) Ashish Awasthi; C.M. Pandey; Uttam Singh; Sarvesh Kumar; T.B. Singh
Problem considered: The risk of health problems from vaccine-preventable diseases is highest in those who experience barriers in accessing immunization services. These barriers could be cost, location, lack of awareness of immunization services and their health benefits or other limiting factors. Material & methods: The present study was conducted to identify the determinants of complete immunization status among children aged 12-23 months in urban slums of Varanasi in India. A modified WHO EPI cluster sampling method has been used for sample selection. Data on 384 children were collected using pretested questionnaire through house to house visit. Chi-square test, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the factors associated with complete immunization status in the urban slums of Varanasi. Results: Only 57.03% children have received the complete recommended immunization schedule under universal immunization program. Significant determinants of the complete immunization were maternal age (OR. = 1.86, 95% CI 1.54-3.23), parity less than three (OR. = 2.84, 95% CI 1.98-3.73), employment status of mother (OR. = 1.39, 95% CI 1.21-2.63) and mother's education higher than secondary level (OR. = 1.59, 95% CI 1.30-2.88). Conclusion: More than half the way is complete to achieve the target of universal immunization against vaccine preventable diseases among children, but there is need to address the issue of dropout. Mother's education, low parity, maternal age and employment status of mothers are main factors associated with adherence of immunization schedule. It is necessary that interventions should be strengthened to minimize immunization dropout in the vulnerable children. © 2014 INDIACLEN.
Honey debridement
(Springer-Verlag Vienna, 2015) Vijay K. Shukla
Honey has been used as nutrition and in different products for thousands of years. The earliest documented evidence of the medical use of honey for wounds is estimated to be from 2500 BC [1, 2]. A renewed interest has especially been developing the past 5–10 years where new products filled with honey have been introduced. © Springer-Verlag Wien 2015.
Effect of chemical pressure at the boundary of mott insulator to itinerant electron limit transition in spinel vanadates
(American Scientific Publishers, 2015) P. Shahi; A. Kumar; Rahul Singh; Ripandeep Singh; P.U. Sastry; A. Das; Amish G. Joshi; A.K. Ghosh; A. Banerjee; Sandip Chatterjee
The effect of chemical pressure on the structural, transport, magnetic and electronic properties of ZnV2O4 has been investigated by doping Mn and Co onto the Zn sites of ZnV2O4. With Mn doping the V-V distance increases and with Co doping it decreases. The resistivity and thermoelectric power data indicate that, as the V-V distance decreases, the system moves towards quantum phase transition. The transport data also indicate that the conduction is due to small polaron hopping. The chemical pressure shows a non-monotonous behaviour of charge gap and activation energy. On the other hand, when Ti is doped on the V-site of ZnV2O4, the metal-metal distance decreases and, at the same time, TN also increases. © 2015 by American Scientific Publishers.