PCA and fuzzy clustering-based delineation of soil nutrient (S, B, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu) management zones of sub-tropical Northeastern India for precision nutrient management.

Understanding the spatial distribution of plant available soil nutrients and influencing soil properties and delineation soil nutrient management zones (MZs) are important for implementing precision nutrient management options (PNMO) in an area to achieve maintainable crop production. We assessed spatial distribution pattern of plant available sulphur (S) (PAS), boron (B) (PAB), zinc (PAZn), manganese (PAMn), iron (PAFe), and copper (PACu), and soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) to delineate soil nutrients MZs in northeastern region of India. A total of 17,471 representative surface (0-15 cm depth) soil samples were collected from the region, processed, and analysed for above-mentioned soil parameters. The values of PAS (0.22-99.2 mg kg-1), PAB (0.01-6.45 mg kg-1), PAZn (0.05-13.9 mg kg-1), PAMn (0.08-158 mg kg-1), PAFe (0.50-472 mg kg-1), PACu (0.01-19.2 mg kg-1), SOC (0.01-5.80%), pH (3.19-7.56) and EC (0.01-1.66 dS m-1) varied widely with coefficient of variation of 15.5-108%. The semivariogram analysis highlighted exponential, Gaussian and stable best fitted models for soil parameters with weak (PACu), moderate (PAB, PAZn, PAFe, SOC, pH, and EC) and strong (PAS, and PAMn) spatial dependence. The ordinary kriging interpolation revealed different distribution patterns of soil parameters. About 14.8, 27.5, and 3.40% area of the region had PAS of ≤15.0 mg kg-1, PAB of ≤0.50 mg kg-1, and PAZn of had ≤0.90 mg kg-1, respectively. About 67.5, and 32.5% area had SOC content >1.00 and < 1.00%, respectively. Soil pH was ≤5.50, and >5.50 to ≤6.50 in 41.7 and 40.3% area of the region, respectively. The techniques of principal component analysis and fuzzy c-mean algorithm clustering produced 6 MZs of the region with different areas and values of soil parameters. The MZs had different levels of deficiency pertaining to PAS, PAB, and PAZn. The produced MZ maps could be used for managing PAS, PAB, PAZn, SOC and soil pH in order to implement PNMO. The study highlighted the usefulness of MZ delineation technique for implementation of PNMO in different cultivated areas for sustainable crop production.

Advancement in Cancer Vasculogenesis Modeling through 3D Bioprinting Technology.

Cancer vasculogenesis is a pivotal focus of cancer research and treatment given its critical role in tumor development, metastasis, and the formation of vasculogenic microenvironments. Traditional approaches to investigating cancer vasculogenesis face significant challenges in accurately modeling intricate microenvironments. Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology present promising solutions to these challenges. This review provides an overview of cancer vasculogenesis and underscores the importance of precise modeling. It juxtaposes traditional techniques with 3D bioprinting technologies, elucidating the advantages of the latter in developing cancer vasculogenesis models. Furthermore, it explores applications in pathological investigations, preclinical medication screening for personalized treatment and cancer diagnostics, and envisages future prospects for 3D bioprinted cancer vasculogenesis models. Despite notable advancements, current 3D bioprinting techniques for cancer vasculogenesis modeling have several limitations. Nonetheless, by overcoming these challenges and with technological advances, 3D bioprinting exhibits immense potential for revolutionizing the understanding of cancer vasculogenesis and augmenting treatment modalities.

Post COVID sequelae among COVID-19 survivors: insights from the Indian National Clinical Registry for COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The effects of COVID-19 infection persist beyond the active phase. Comprehensive description and analysis of the post COVID sequelae in various population groups are critical to minimise the long-term morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. This analysis was conducted with an objective to estimate the frequency of post COVID sequelae and subsequently, design a framework for holistic management of post COVID morbidities. METHODS: Follow-up data collected as part of a registry-based observational study in 31 hospitals across India since September 2020-October 2022 were used for analysis. All consenting hospitalised patients with COVID-19 are telephonically followed up for up to 1 year post-discharge, using a prestructured form focused on symptom reporting. RESULTS: Dyspnoea, fatigue and mental health issues were reported among 18.6%, 10.5% and 9.3% of the 8042 participants at first follow-up of 30-60 days post-discharge, respectively, which reduced to 11.9%, 6.6% and 9%, respectively, at 1-year follow-up in 2192 participants. Patients who died within 90 days post-discharge were significantly older (adjusted OR (aOR): 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.03), with at least one comorbidity (aOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.35), and a higher proportion had required intensive care unit admission during the initial hospitalisation due to COVID-19 (aOR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.06) and were discharged at WHO ordinal scale 6-7 (aOR: 49.13 95% CI: 25.43, 94.92). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (at least one dose) was protective against such post-discharge mortality (aOR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.03). CONCLUSION: Hospitalised patients with COVID-19 experience a variety of long-term sequelae after discharge from hospitals which persists although in reduced proportions until 12 months post-discharge. Developing a holistic management framework with engagement of care outreach workers as well as teleconsultation is a way forward in effective management of post COVID morbidities as well as reducing mortality.

Undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among adults in the urban field practice area of AIIMS Raipur: A community-based screening survey.

Introduction: Undiagnosed hypertension (HTN) increases the risk of severe consequences such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertensive retinopathy, heart failure, and stroke. Population-based screening can be used to expose the hidden diseased mass with active disease. Thus, a screening survey was conducted to estimate the proportion of people with HTN among apparently healthy adults of age ≥30 years residing at the urban field practice area (UHTC) of AIIMS, Raipur, and also determine the predictors of undiagnosed HTN among the study participants. Methodology: This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted over 2 months duration in the Ramnagar area, which comes under the urban field practice area of AIIMS Raipur using the STEPS tool is an acronym of study tool provided by WHO i.e. STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance consisting of three steps viz. questionnaire for behavioural risk factors, physical measurements and biochemical measurements. Results: In this study, 24.2% (95%, confidence interval [CI]: 20.1-28.2) of participants screened positive for HTN. The proportion of males who screened positive for HTN was 28.8% (95% CI: 22.6-35), whereas the proportion of females who screened positive for HTN was 19.6% (95% CI: 14.3-25). In this study, elderly (>60 years), male gender, daily tobacco use, greater waist circumference (male >90 cm and female >80 cm), and daily salt intake of more than 5 g were found to have higher odds of having HTN. Conclusion: The prevalence of undiagnosed HTN in the UHTC of AIIMS Raipur was quite high.

Minerals and chelated-based manganese fertilization influences the productivity, uptake, and mobilization of manganese in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in sandy loam soils.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient in plants, and it is necessary for hydrolysis in photosystem II, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and also chloroplast breakdown. Limited Mn availability in light soil resulted in interveinal chlorosis, poor root development, and the development of fewer tillers, particularly staple cereals including wheat, while foliar Mn fertilizers were found efficient in improving crop yield as well as Mn use efficiency. In the above context, a study was conducted in consecutive two wheat growing seasons for screening of the most effective and economical Mn treatment for improving the yield and Mn uptake in wheat and to compare the relative effectiveness of MnCO3 against the recommended dose of MnSO4 for wheat. To fulfill the aims of the study, three manganese products, namely, 1) manganese carbonate MnCO3 (26% Mn w/w and 3.3% N w/w), 2) 0.5% MnSO4·H2O (30.5% Mn), and 3) Mn-EDTA solution (12% Mn), were used as experimental treatments. Treatments and their combinations were as follows: two levels of MnCO3 (26% Mn) @ 750 and 1,250 ml ha-1 were applied at the two stages (i.e., 25-30 and 35-40 days after sowing) of wheat, and three sprays each of 0.5% MnSO4 (30.5% Mn) and Mn-EDTA (12% Mn) solution were applied in other plots. The 2-year study showed that Mn application significantly increased the plant height, productive tillers plant-1, and 1,000 grain weight irrespective of fertilizer source. The results of MnSO4 for grain yield wheat as well as uptake of Mn were statistically at par with both levels (750 and 1,250 ml ha-1) of MnCO3 with two sprays at two stages of wheat. However, the application of Mn in the form of 0.5% MnSO4·H2O (30.5% Mn) was found more economical than MnCO3, while the mobilization efficiency index (1.56) was found maximum when Mn was applied in MnCO3 with two sprays (750 and 1,250 ml ha-1) in the two stages of wheat. Thus, the present study revealed that MnCO3 can be used as an alternative to MnSO4 to enhance the yield and Mn uptake of wheat.

Biofortification of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. (Wilczek)) with boron, zinc and iron alters its grain yield and nutrition.

Mungbean [Vigna radiata L. (Wilczek)] is considered as an extremely nutritious crop possessing a high level of micronutrients, but their low bioavailability in the crop leads to micronutrient malnutrition in humans. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the potential of nutrients viz. boron (B), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) biofortification on productivity, nutrient concentration and uptake as well as the economics of mungbean cultivation. In the experiment, the various combinations of RDF with ZnSO4.7H2O (0.5%), FeSO4.7H2O (0.5%) and borax (0.1%) were applied to mungbean variety ML 2056. The combined foliar application of Zn, Fe and B was highly efficient in increasing the yield of grain as well as straw in mungbean exhibiting maximum values i.e. 944 kg ha-1 and 6133 kg ha-1, respectively. Similar results for B, Zn and Fe concentration in grain (27.3 mg kg-1, 35.7 mg kg-1 and 187.1 mg kg-1, respectively) and straw (21.1 mg kg-1, 18.6 mg kg-1 and 376.1 mg kg-1, respectively) of mungbean were observed. Also, uptake of Zn and Fe by grain (31.3 g ha-1 and 164.4 g ha-1, respectively), as well as straw (113.7 g ha-1 and 2295.0 g ha-1, respectively), was maximum for the above treatment. Whereas, the B uptake was found to enhance significantly through the combined application of B, Zn and Fe, where the values 24.0 g ha-1 and 128.7 g ha-1 corresponded to grain and straw, respectively. Thus, combined use of ZnSO4.7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4.7H2O (0.5%) and borax (0.1%) significantly improved the yield outcomes, the concentration of B, Zn and Fe, uptake and economic returns of mungbean cultivation to alleviate the B, Zn and Fe deficiency.

Interactive effect of land use systems on depth-wise soil properties and micronutrients minerals in North-Western, India.

Micronutrients play a vital role in improving growth and performance of different crops. Management of soil micronutrients for better crop production needs sound understanding of their status and causes of variability. Therefore, in order to evaluate the changes in soil properties and micronutrient contents of soils, an experiment was conducted with soil samples from six soil depths i.e. 0-10, 10-20, 20-40,40-60, 60-80 and 80-100 cm of four prominent land-use systems viz. forest, horticulture, crop land and barren land. Amongst these, the maximum contents of OC (0.36%), clay (19.4%), DTPA-Zn (1.14 mg kg-1), Fe (11.78 mg kg-1), Mn (5.37 mg kg-1), Cu (0.85 mg kg-1) and Ni (1.44 mg kg_1) were observed in soils of forest land use system followed by horticulture, crop land and barren land, respectively. Also, soils of forest landpossessed 29.5, 21.3, 58.4, 51.8 and 44.0% higher DTPA-Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and Ni as compared to crop land use system. Interactive influence of land use systems and soil depths on distribution of DTPA extractable micronutrients was found to be positive with maximum content at 0-10 cm depth of forest land use and lowest at 80-100 cm of barren land use system, respectively. Correlation analysis explicit positive and significant relationship of OC with DTPA Zn (r = 0.81), Fe (r = 0.79), Mn (r = 0.77), Cu (r = 0.84) andNi (r = 0.80), whereas the correlation results among DTPA micronutrients indicated the highest positivecorrelation of Ni with Cu (r = 0.95) and Mn (r = 0.93) followed by Fe with Zn (r = 0.93). Therefore, inclusion of forest and horticulture land use in crop lands or shift of land use from forest based to crop land resulted in renewal of degraded soil which could be beneficial for enhancing agricultural sustainability.

Accumulation of Cadmium in Transplanted Lichen Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl., with Reference to Physiochemical Variation and Kinetics of Cadmium Biosorption.

The present study aims to signify the role of Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl. (P. cocoes) as cadmium (Cd) biomonitor in atmosphere. This was achieved by quantifying the amount of Cd accumulated in transplanted P. cocoes, when stimulated with known concentrations of Cd (5µM, 50µM, 100µM, 150µM and 200µM) at increasing intervals of time up-to 40 days. All the five concentrations exhibited increasing trend of accumulation with time. As depicted by Pearson's Correlation (at p < 0.001), anti-oxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase r= -0.812, ascorbate peroxidase r= -0.802, catalase r= -0.757) and electrical conductivity (r = 0.693) were the most efficient parameters to depict increased Cd presence in atmosphere. In the current study, accumulation of Cd by transplanted lichen has been first time analyzed by biosorption kinetics. The uptake of Cd by P. cocoes followed pseudo-second-order kinetics (range of R22 value was 0.969-0.998). The marker parameters in combination with the ability to accrue Cd fortifies P. cocoes's role as a biomonitor.

Effect of addition of organic manures on basmati yield, nutrient content and soil fertility status in north-western India.

Integrated use of chemical fertilizers with organic manure is becoming a quite promising practice to maintain higher crop productivity and to manage soil health, which is otherwise deteriorated due to intensive cultivation and imbalanced fertilizer use. Thus, the present experiment was conducted for combined application of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures for higher yield and nutrient uptake in basmati rice as well as to restore soil health. The treatments applied in the present study involve T1: control, T2: Farmyard manure (15 t ha-1), T3: Poultry manure (6 t ha-1), T4: Press mud (15 t ha-1), T5: Rice straw compost (6 t ha-1), T6: Farmyard manure (15 t ha-1) + 50% N (recommended dose of nitrogen), T7: Poultry manure (6 t ha-1) + 50% N, T8: Press mud (15 t ha-1) + 50% N, T9: Rice straw compost (6 t ha-1) + 50% N, T10: 75% N, T11: Farmyard manure (15 t ha1) + 75% N, T12: Poultry manure (6 t ha-1) + 75% N, T13: Press mud (15 t ha-1) + 75% N, T14: Rice straw compost (6 t ha-1) + 75% N, T15: 100% N. The integrated use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers significantly increased the grain and straw yield, macronutrients as well as micronutrients uptake in basmati due to the release of nutrients from decomposition of organic manures. Among different treatments, the addition of PM+75% N showed maximum grain yield, straw yield and sustainability yield index (44.53 q ha-1, 89.67 q ha-1 and 0.91 respectively) as well as the highest uptake of nitrogen (58.29 and 65.39 kg ha-1), phosphorus (25.04 and 23.24 kg ha-1) and potassium (15.26 and 118.95 kg ha-1) in grain and straw, respectively. Similar results were observed for zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) uptake under treatment involving PM+75% N with values 183.9, 26.18, 339.3 and 355.8 g ha-1 in grain and 205.3, 25.62, 2627.3 and 278 g ha-1 in straw, respectively. Additionally, correlation studies showed that the grain and straw yield of basmati exhibited a significantly positive correlation with soil P, Cu and Fe. The study suggested that the partial substitution of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures did not lower crop yield and nutrient uptake. Thus, integrated application of organic and inorganic fertilizers can be used for the sustainability of basmati-wheat system and to retain the soil fertility which is otherwise deteriorated with sole use of inorganic fertilizers.

Exploration of Cd transformations in Cd spiked and EDTA-chelated soil for phytoextraction by Brassica species.

The study of soil cadmium (Cd) fractionation has become the need of the hour due to phytoextraction of Cd heavy metal by indigenous Brassica species of northwest India. The present study was conducted to explore the Cd speciation in soils treated with Cd (0, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 40.0, and 80.0 mg kg-1 soil) and synthetic chelate ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA-0, 1.0 and 2.0 g kg-1 soil) planted under three Brassica species (Brassica juncea L., Brassica campestris L., and Brassica napus L). The studied Cd fractions viz. exchangeable and water-soluble (EX + WS), carbonate (CARB), organic matter (OM), Mn oxide (MnOX), amorphous Fe oxide (AFeOX), crystalline Fe oxide (CFeOX), and residual (RES) differed in their Cd content in soils under three investigated Brassica species. Among all plantations, B. juncea reduced the highest soil Cd content of EX + WS form which reflected its bioavailability. The Cd supplementation significantly enhanced the Cd concentration in all Cd forms with EX + WS Cd form exhibiting higher increase even at low Cd level (5.0 mg kg-1), whereas the EDTA addition did not influence Cd fractions. The application of EDTA @ 1.0 g kg-1 soil proved beneficial as it enhanced the metal mobility for plant extraction. All species positively significantly correlated (r = 0.648** to 0.747**) with all Cd fractions but except B. juncea all confronted reduction in their total biomass. In nutshell, it suggested that Brassica species having large plant biomass could be considered as a potential candidate for phytoremediation.

Biofortification of oil quality, yield, and nutrient uptake in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) by foliar application of boron and nitrogen.

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is an essential oilseed crop that offers important nutrients to human beings. However, the concurrent micronutrient deficiencies including boron (B), sulfur (S), and nitrogen (N) could pose a significant threat to public health. Therefore, this study was conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, with nine treatments, i.e., T1-Control (recommended NPK only), T2- borax (0.5%) at flowering, T3-borax (1.0%) at flowering,T4- borax (0.5%) + urea (1.0%) at flowering,T5-borax (1.0%) + urea (1.0%) at flowering, T6-borax (0.5%) at flowering + capsule formation, T7-borax (1.0%) at flowering + capsule formation, T8-borax (0.5%) + urea (1.0%) at flowering + capsule formation, T9-borax (1.0%) + urea (1.0%) at flowering + Capsule formation, replicated three times in a randomized block design for 2 years (2020-2021 and 2021-2022). The foliar application of borax (1.0%) + urea (1.0%) at the flowering and capsule formation stage (treatment T9) was highly efficient in increasing food quality parameters such as crude fiber, total soluble solids (TSS), and protein content with maximum values of 3.77, 24.9, and 27.53%, respectively. Also, maximum yields of seed as well as stover for treatment T9 were 1.376 and 6.625 kg ha-1, respectively. Similarly, the results for B, S, and N concentrations in seed (27.71 mg kg-1, 17.69 mg kg-1, and 2.35%), as well as stover (25.92 mg kg-1, 17.31 mg kg-1, and 0.33%), were maximum in treatment T9. Also, B, S, and N uptake by seed (38.18 g ha-1, 24.40 g ha-1, and 32.05 Kg ha-1) and stover (172.55 g ha-1, 115.44 g ha-1, and 21.99 Kg ha-1) were maximum for the treatment T9 involving borax (1.0%) + urea (1.0%) at the flowering and capsule formation stage. Whereas, the concentration and uptake decreased in the treatments involving the sole application of borax and urea. Therefore, the application of borax (1.0%) and urea (1.0%) at the flowering and capsule formation stage significantly improved the quality parameters, seed and stover yield, nutrient concentration, and uptake over control and could be used to alleviate the B, S, and N deficiency in Indian mustard.

Anorectal Malformations in Male Monozygotic Twins and Review of Literature.

Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are one of the common congenital gastrointestinal malformations with a prevalence of 0.2-0.6/1000 live births. There are only a few reported cases of familial ARMs in literature suggesting different patterns of inheritance. Among them, isolated ARMs in monozygotic twins are quite rare with significant male preponderance. Most of these ARMs are either of intermediate or low anomaly type. We reported two pairs of male monozygotic isolated ARMs from a tertiary care hospital in India and reviewed the literature in details adding to the total of nine pairs of twins till date.

Interactive Effects of Molybdenum, Zinc and Iron on the Grain Yield, Quality, and Nodulation of Cowpea (Vignaunguiculata (L.) Walp.) in North-Western India.

Micronutrient deficiency is a major constraint for the growth, yield and nutritional quality of cowpea which results in nutritional disorders in humans. Micronutrients including molybdenum (Mo), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) play a pivotal role in crop nutrition, and their role in different metabolic processes in crops has been highlighted. In order to increase the nutritional quality of cowpea, a field experiment was conducted for two years in which the effect of Mo along with iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) on productivity, nitrogen and micronutrient uptake, root length and the number of nodules in cowpea cultivation was investigated. It was found that the foliar application of Fe and Zn and their interaction with Mo application through seed priming as well as soil application displayed increased yield, nutrient concentration, uptake and growth parameters which helped to enhance the nutritional quality of cowpea for consumption by the human population. The results of the above experiments revealed that among all the treatments, the soil application of Mo combined with the foliar application of 0.5% each of FeSO4·7H2O and ZnSO4·7H2O (M2F3 treatment) enhanced the grain and stover yield of cowpea, exhibiting maximum values of 1402 and 6104.7 kg ha-1, respectively. Again, the M2F3 treatment resulted in higher Zn, Fe and Mo concentrations in the grain (17.07, 109.3 and 30.26 mg kg-1, respectively) and stover (17.99, 132.7 and 31.22 mg kg-1, respectively) of cowpea. Uptake of Zn, Fe and Mo by the grain (25.23, 153.3 and 42.46 g ha-1, respectively) as well as the stover (104.2, 809.9 and 190.6 g ha-1, respectively) was found to be maximum for the M2F3 treatment. The root length (30.5 cm), number of nodules per plant (73.0) and N uptake in grain and stover (55.39 and 46.15 kg ha-1) were also higher for this treatment. Overall, soil application of Mo along with the foliar application of FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%) and ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) significantly improved yield outcomes, concentration, uptake, root length, nodules plant-1 and N uptake of cowpea to alleviate the micronutrient deficiency.

Cadmium phytoremediation potential of Brassica genotypes grown in Cd spiked Loamy sand soils: Accumulation and tolerance.

Phytoremediation acts as an efficient methodology for management of toxic elements spiked soils. The accumulation and tolerance potential of hyper-accumulator plants for toxic elements act as an index for in-situ removal of toxic elements. Extraction of cadmium (Cd) through its accumulation in harvestable parts of plants has attracted attention as the economic and environment friendly technique. Brassica genotypes have greater potential to accumulate Cd when grown in Cd spiked soils. Therefore, for evaluation of comparative efficiency of three Brassica genotypes (B. juncea, B. campestris and B. napus) in phytoremediation of Cd spiked soils, a pot study was carried out in Cd contaminated soil with 6 levels as 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg kg-1 soil. Results indicated that dry biomass production of Brassica genotypes declined with the enhanced Cd contamination in soil. The reduction in grain and shoot yield varied from 2.87 to 1.85 and 11.85 to 8.00 g pot-1 with increased Cd contamination from 5 to 80 mg kg-1 soil. Similarly, increased levels of Cd contamination resulted in enhanced concentration and accumulation in grains as well as shoots of all Brassica genotypes. Among Brassica genotypes, B. juncea recorded the highest production of dry biomass (12.8 g pot-1), Cd accumulation (736.0 µg pot-1). Also, the bioaccumulation coefficient and tolerance index indicated that B. juncea is the most tolerant genotype to Cd contamination in soil. Therefore, B. juncea could act as the most potential genotypes for decontamination of Cd spiked soils by preventing its entry into food chain.

Spatial variability of soil nutrients in apple orchards and agricultural areas in Kinnaur region of cold desert, Trans-Himalaya, India.

The mountain ecosystem is highly vulnerable to climate changes fraught with a multitude of problems related to environment, food, and nutritional security. Quantification of the soil fertility status can provide an efficient way to devise strategies for sustainable crop production. The lack of information on the soil fertility status prompted us to delineate the spatial variability of the soil attributes, viz., pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (OC), and the macronutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)). The extensive soil sampling was carried out from the apple orchards (AO) and potential areas under agricultural land (AL) in Kinnaur region of cold desert, Trans-Himalaya, India. Descriptive statistics was employed for the exploratory analysis of data representing a wide variation (coefficient of variation, CV = 5.70-58.62%). The available N and P, categorized as low (< 280 kg ha-1) to medium (280-560 kg ha-1) and low (4-10 kg ha-1) to high (> 25 kg ha-1), respectively, were the main limiting factors in crop production. The availability of the K was categorized as medium (118-280 kg ha-1) to high (> 280 kg ha-1). The geostatistical analysis was carried out to check the spatial dependency in the dataset. The principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out and the dominant PCs were used in fuzzy c-means clustering for the delineation of management zones (MZs). The management zones highlight the need for area-specific interventions for ameliorating soil degradation and increasing apple productivity. The soil nutrient maps in spatial scale would help to provide precise fertilizer recommendations for sustainable production and environmental conservation.

The Unfolded Protein Responses in Health, Aging, and Neurodegeneration: Recent Advances and Future Considerations.

Aging and age-related neurodegeneration are both associated with the accumulation of unfolded and abnormally folded proteins, highlighting the importance of protein homeostasis (termed proteostasis) in maintaining organismal health. To this end, two cellular compartments with essential protein folding functions, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the mitochondria, are equipped with unique protein stress responses, known as the ER unfolded protein response (UPR ER ) and the mitochondrial UPR (UPR mt ), respectively. These organellar UPRs play roles in shaping the cellular responses to proteostatic stress that occurs in aging and age-related neurodegeneration. The loss of adaptive UPR ER and UPR mt signaling potency with age contributes to a feed-forward cycle of increasing protein stress and cellular dysfunction. Likewise, UPR ER and UPR mt signaling is often altered in age-related neurodegenerative diseases; however, whether these changes counteract or contribute to the disease pathology appears to be context dependent. Intriguingly, altering organellar UPR signaling in animal models can reduce the pathological consequences of aging and neurodegeneration which has prompted clinical investigations of UPR signaling modulators as therapeutics. Here, we review the physiology of both the UPR ER and the UPR mt , discuss how UPR ER and UPR mt signaling changes in the context of aging and neurodegeneration, and highlight therapeutic strategies targeting the UPR ER and UPR mt that may improve human health.

Applications of 3D Bioprinting Technology in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-Based Tissue Engineering.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are essentially produced by the genetic reprogramming of adult cells. Moreover, iPSC technology prevents the genetic manipulation of embryos. Hence, with the ensured element of safety, they rarely cause ethical concerns when utilized in tissue engineering. Several cumulative outcomes have demonstrated the functional superiority and potency of iPSCs in advanced regenerative medicine. Recently, an emerging trend in 3D bioprinting technology has been a more comprehensive approach to iPSC-based tissue engineering. The principal aim of this review is to provide an understanding of the applications of 3D bioprinting in iPSC-based tissue engineering. This review discusses the generation of iPSCs based on their distinct purpose, divided into two categories: (1) undifferentiated iPSCs applied with 3D bioprinting; (2) differentiated iPSCs applied with 3D bioprinting. Their significant potential is analyzed. Lastly, various applications for engineering tissues and organs have been introduced and discussed in detail.

Biofortification-A Frontier Novel Approach to Enrich Micronutrients in Field Crops to Encounter the Nutritional Security.

Globally, many developing countries are facing silent epidemics of nutritional deficiencies in human beings and animals. The lack of diversity in diet, i.e., cereal-based crops deficient in mineral nutrients is an additional threat to nutritional quality. The present review accounts for the significance of biofortification as a process to enhance the productivity of crops and also an agricultural solution to address the issues of nutritional security. In this endeavor, different innovative and specific biofortification approaches have been discussed for nutrient enrichment of field crops including cereals, pulses, oilseeds and fodder crops. The agronomic approach increases the micronutrient density in crops with soil and foliar application of fertilizers including amendments. The biofortification through conventional breeding approach includes the selection of efficient genotypes, practicing crossing of plants with desirable nutritional traits without sacrificing agricultural and economic productivity. However, the transgenic/biotechnological approach involves the synthesis of transgenes for micronutrient re-translocation between tissues to enhance their bioavailability. Soil microorganisms enhance nutrient content in the rhizosphere through diverse mechanisms such as synthesis, mobilization, transformations and siderophore production which accumulate more minerals in plants. Different sources of micronutrients viz. mineral solutions, chelates and nanoparticles play a pivotal role in the process of biofortification as it regulates the absorption rates and mechanisms in plants. Apart from the quality parameters, biofortification also improved the crop yield to alleviate hidden hunger thus proving to be a sustainable and cost-effective approach. Thus, this review article conveys a message for researchers about the adequate potential of biofortification to increase crop productivity and nourish the crop with additional nutrient content to provide food security and nutritional quality to humans and livestock.

Effect of cadmium and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid supplementation on cadmium accumulation by roots of Brassica species in Cd spiked soil.

Cadmium (Cd) metal extraction through efficient plant roots has attracted much attention as this methodology is environment-friendly and cost-effective. Brassica species are well known for their tolerance towards high Cd concentration in contaminated soils. The tolerance ability may vary among species; hence the assessment of this variability is mandatory for selecting Brassica species. For this purpose, a greenhouse pot experiment was carried out using three Brassica species (Brassica juncea L., Brassica campestris L., and Brassica napus L.). To evaluate the effect of chelating agent ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on Cd uptake, EDTA (0, 1, and 2 g kg-1 soil) was supplemented along with Cd (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg kg-1 soil). Among different species, B. juncea possessed the highest root dry biomass and lowest root Cd concentration in untreated soil. Overall root dry biomass of all tested Brassica species reduced on increasing Cd and EDTA levels. The trend was appeared to be related to an increase in root Cd concentration on the supplementation of EDTA that formed a complex with the target metal contaminate and resulted in vacuolar sequestration. Roots of B. juncea showed maximum Cd accumulation and highest values at Cd and EDTA levels up to 20 mg kg-1 and 1 g kg-1 soil due to the combined effect of root biomass and Cd concentration in roots. Thus, present findings inferred that Cd and EDTA supplementation might prove as a feasible strategy to improve remediation of Cd-polluted soil using B. juncea as an efficient Cd accumulator.

Enrichment of Zinc and Iron Micronutrients in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) through Biofortification.

Biofortification of pulse crops with Zn and Fe is a viable approach to combat their widespread deficiencies in humans. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a widely consumed edible crop possessing a high level of Zn and Fe micronutrients. Thus, the present study was conducted to examine the influence of foliar application of Zn and Fe on productivity, concentration, uptake and the economics of lentil cultivation (LL 931). For this, different treatment combinations of ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) and FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%), along with the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), were applied to the lentil. The results of study reported that the combined foliar application of ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%) at pre-flowering (S1) and pod formation (S2) stages was most effective in enhancing grain and straw yield, Zn and Fe concentration, and uptake. However, the outcome of this treatment was statistically on par with the results obtained under the treatment ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%) at S1 stage. A single spray of ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%) at S1 stage enhanced the grain and straw yield up to 39.6% and 51.8%, respectively. Similarly, Zn and Fe concentrations showed enhancement in grain (10.9% and 20.4%, respectively) and straw (27.5% and 27.6% respectively) of the lentil. The increase in Zn and Fe uptake by grain was 54.8% and 68.0%, respectively, whereas uptake by straw was 93.6% and 93.7%, respectively. Also the benefit:cost was the highest (1.96) with application of ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%) at S1 stage. Conclusively, the combined use of ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%) at S1 stage can contribute significantly towards yield, Zn and Fe concentration, as well as uptake and the economic returns of lentil to remediate the Zn and Fe deficiency.