Modulation of salt stress in paddy field cyanobacteria with exogenous application of gibberellic acid: growth behavior and antioxidative status.

Unlabelled: The present study explores the possible function of gibberellic acid (GA: 20 µM) in reducing salt (NaCl) induced toxicity in two diazo-trophic cyanobacteria i.e. and .

COVID-19-associated 2020 lockdown: a study on atmospheric black carbon fall impact on human health.

The mean mass concentrations of black carbon (BC) biomass burning (BC) and fossil fuel combustion (BC) have been estimated during March-May 2020 (during the COVID-19 outbreak) and March-May 2019 at a semiarid region of Agra over the Indo-Gangetic basin region. The daily mean mass concentration of BC in 2020 and 2019 was 3.9 and 6.

Anthropogenic aerosols in precipitation over the Indo-Gangetic basin.

This study investigated the concentration of heavy metals in rainwater (RW) at a semi-arid region of the Indo-Gangetic basin to understand the influence of local, regional, or long-range transport of air pollutants during the monsoon and non-monsoonal rain. The concentration of heavy metals in RW was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer with Graphite Furnace, the scavenging ratio was estimated, and source interpretation was carried out using Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and HYSPLIT model. Ca was the highest contributor in RW followed by Na, Fe, Mg, and Al whereas Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were found in trace quantity.

Pandemic induced lockdown as a boon to the Environment: trends in air pollution concentration across India.

The present paper designed to understand the variations in the atmospheric pollutants viz. PM, PM, SO, NO, and CO during the COVID-19 pandemic over eight most polluted Indian cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad). A significant reduction in the PM (63%), PM (56%), NO (50%), SO (9%), and CO (59%) were observed over Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.

Development of efficient synthetic promoters derived from pararetrovirus suitable for translational research.

In this study, useful hybrid promoters were developed for efficient ectopic gene expression in monocot and dicot plants, and they hold strong prominence in both transgenic research and biotech industries. This study deals with developing novel synthetic promoters derived from Rice Tungro Bacilliform Virus (RTBV) and Mirabilis Mosaic Virus (MMV). Despite numerous availability, there is a severe scarcity of promoters universally suitable for monocot and dicot plants.

Laboratory analysis of Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles synthesized with Citrus limon leaf extract and its efficacy on mosquito larvae and non-target organisms.

The current study provides novel results on the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) of gold and palladium (Au-Pd) with an eco-friendly and non-toxic aqueous leaf extract of plant Citrus limon. The BNPs were characterized and toxicity bioassay was examined on the larvae of the pathogen vectors such as Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The predation efficiency test was evaluated on the invertebrate non-target organisms such as natural predatory nymphs of dragonfly and damselfly.

Identification, Characterization and Evaluation of Multifaceted Traits of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria from Soil for Sustainable Approach to Agriculture.

This study assessed potential of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) found in 34 soil samples collected from Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. Out of 238 rhizobacterial isolates, 48 rhizobacterial isolates exhibited multiple PGP (plant growth promoting) traits. Out of the 48 isolates, nine isolates exhibiting most promising PGP traits were evaluated.

Electromyographic analysis of VMO and VL across straight leg raise, short arc quad, medial tibial rotation and hip adduction in normal individuals.

Background: The lateral malalignment of patella is considered to be the main cause of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PFPS, in an occupational setup, is aggravated by prolonged sitting, climbing stairs, squatting, and kneeling. Strengthening of vastus medialis oblique (VMO) opposes the lateral force produced by vastus lateralis (VL) and helps in stabilizing patella.

Exposure to respirable and fine dust particle over North-Central India: chemical characterization, source interpretation, and health risk analysis.

This study enhances the understanding of the particulate matters (PM and PM) and their physical and chemical behavior over the Taj Mahal, Agra, in North-Central India. The mass concentration was determined, and the shape and size of the particles and chemical characterizations have been carried out using SEM-EDX. The high level and significant variation of PM (162.

Industrial wastes: Fly ash, steel slag and phosphogypsum- potential candidates to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from paddy fields.

Waste management and global warming are the two challenging issues of the present global scenario. Increased human population has set the platform for rapid industrialization and modern agriculture. The industries such as energy, steel, and fertilizers play a significant role in improving the social, and economic status of human beings.

Fabrication of biobeads expressing heavy metal-binding protein for removal of heavy metal from wastewater.

Heavy metals, being toxic in nature, are one of the most persistent problems in wastewater. Unabated discharge of large amount of heavy metals into water bodies are known to cause several environmental and health impacts. Biological remediation processes like microbial remediation and phytoremediation are proved to be very effective in the reduction of heavy metal pollutants in wastewater.

In silico comparative analysis of promoters derived from plant pararetroviruses.

Promoters are specific sequence of nucleotides present upstream of gene coding region involved in initiation and regulation of transcription. Multiple cis-acting element forms the architecture of promoter to which trans-acting nucleic binding factors bind and regulates its activity. Since 1980 genome of pararetrovirus, are being exploited for developing efficient promoters.

Meditational spiritual intercession and recovery from disease in palliative care: a literature review.

Human body is a biological, open system and maintains itself in the changing environment. Disease state is cured by many medicinal systems for healing. Esoteric healing (through introspective hypnosis, meditation and spiritual intercession) is the system where its believers regard Supreme Being as Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient.

Iron Availability Affects Phosphate Deficiency-Mediated Responses, and Evidence of Cross-Talk with Auxin and Zinc in Arabidopsis.

Phosphate (Pi) is pivotal for plant growth and development. Pi deficiency triggers local and systemically regulated adaptive responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. Inhibition of primary root growth (PRG) and retarded development of lateral roots (LRs) are typical local Pi deficiency-mediated responses of the root system.

An adaptive neuromorphic model of ocular dominance map using floating gate 'synapse'.

A novel analogue CMOS design of a cortical cell, that computes weighted sum of inputs, is presented. The cell's feedback regime exploits the adaptation dynamics of floating gate pFET 'synapse' to perform competitive learning amongst input weights as time-staggered winner take all. A learning rate parameter regulates adaptation time and a bias enforces resource limitation by restricting the number of input branches and winners in a competition.

Haematological profile in Rattus norvegicus during experimental cysticercosis.

The present study pertains to the haematological examination of the rats experimentally infected with cysticercosis which revealed significant alterations in several parameters. Haemoglobin concentration was observed to be significantly lower in later stages of cysticercosis with respect to the control rats whereby 36% decline was observed at 60 days post infection (pi). These changes in haemoglobin were more or less parallel to those recorded for RBC counts with 18% reduction at 60 days pi.

Expression of virulence genes by Listeria monocytogenes J0161 in natural environment.

Majority of studies concerning the gene expression of Listeria monocytogenes have been done on pure culture states. Our objective was to study L.monocytogenes in a co-cultured state and to understand if microbes in their natural state of existence are different in their expression than that of the purely cultured lab grown forms.

In Vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Frond Extracts of Psilotum nudum, Nephrolepis biserrata and Nephrolepis cordifolia.

Plants are an important source of neutraceuticals that have proved to be effective against important microbial infections of humans. Lower plants are gaining importance in this regard. The present study is aimed at investigating the antimicrobial properties of three selected ferns, Psilotum nudum, Nephrolepis biserrata and Nephrolepis cordifolia.

Status of carbohydrate, protein and lipid profile in the mosquito larvae treated with certain phytoextracts.

Objective: To investigate the impact of the most potent petroleum ether extract of Artemisia annua (A. annua) and Azadirachta indica (Az. indica) on total carbohydrate, lipid and protein level of Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae.

Combination larvicidal action of Solanum xanthocarpum extract and certain synthetic insecticides against filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus (SAY).

The combination activities of temephos, fenthion and petroleum ether extract of Solanum xanthocarpum were observed for their larvicidal activities against Culex quinquefasciatus. The combination of temephos and S. xanthocarpum was studied at ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4.

Amaranthus oleracea and Euphorbia hirta: natural potential larvicidal agents against the urban Indian malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae).

Malaria control in developing countries is based largely on vector eradication by the use of mosquito larvicides which is an ideal method for controlling mosquito and the related epidemics. On account of ecohazardous nature, nontarget specificity of chemical insecticides and evidences of developing resistance against them in the exposed species, currently, importance of secondary plant metabolites has been acknowledged. Insecticides of plant origin are environmentally safe, degradable, and target specific.

Evaluation of larvicidal nature of fleshy fruit wall of Momordica charantia Linn. (family: cucurbitaceae) in the management of mosquitoes.

In view of the recently increased interest in developing plant-based insecticides as an alternative to chemical insecticides, this study was undertaken to assess the larvicidal potential of the various fruit wall extracts of Momordica charantia (cucurbitaceae) against two species of mosquito vectors, Anophels stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. Among the extracts tested, petroleum ether (LC(50) = 27.60; 17.

Renoprotective effects of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees in rats.

Background: Renal failure is an increasingly common condition with limited treatment options that is causing a major financial and emotional burden on the community. Andrographis paniculata is the plant used in Ayurveda for several remedies. Scientific evidence suggests its versatile biological functions that support its traditional use in the Orient.

Production of peptide antifungal antibiotic and biocontrol activity of Bacillus subtilis.

Among different bacterial cultures, a potent Bacillus subtilis MTCC-8114 was isolated from garden soil samples which showed 16 and 14 mm inhibition zones by spot inoculation method and 24 and 22 mm inhibition zones by well agar diffusion method against test fungi i.e. Microsporum fulvum and Trichophyton species.

Larval susceptibility of Aloe barbadensis and Cannabis sativa against Culex quinquefasciatus, the filariasis vector.

Larvicidal potential of petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride and methanol extracts of Aloe barbadensis and Cannabis sativa has been investigated against Culex quinquefasciatus. Among the extracts examined, Carbon tetrachloride extract (Cte) of Aloe barbadensis was the most effective with LC50 values of 15.31 and 11.