Influence of crop residue-induced Fe-DOC complexation on nitrate reduction in paddy soil.

Although complexation between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and ubiquitous Fe is known to have a major influence on electron transferring ability in redoximorphic soil, it was unclear whether and how this complexation affected nitrate reduction and N2O productivity. The nitrate reduction of paddy soil in the presence of crop residues returning under flooding conditions was explored in this study. The rate of nitrate reduction in control soil was 0.0677 d-1, while it improved 1.99 times in treatment soil with Chinese milk vetch (CMV) straw returning. During a 28-day incubation period, N2O productivity decreased 0.08-0.91 ppb in CMV soil and 0.43-0.50 ppb in rice straw soil compared with control. The presence of crop residue increased DOC content and Fe (III) reduction rate, which aided in the formation of Fe (II)-DOC complexation. Meanwhile, the addition of CMV increased the content of DOC by 5.14-78.77 mg/kg and HCl extractable Fe (II) by 35.12-1221.03 mg/kg. Crop residues returning to soil increased the relative abundance of iron reductive and electroactive genera, as well as denitrifying genera with more copies of denitrification genes (Archangiaceae, Gemmatimonadaceae, and Burkholderiaceae). The synergistic effect of Fe-DOC complexation, electroactive genera, and denitrifying genera contributed to up-regulated expression of napA and narG (5.84 × 106 and 3.39 × 107 copies increased in the CMV soil compared to the control) numbers and equally accelerated reduction of nitrate to nitrite, while further nitrite reduction was primarily attributed to the abiotic reaction by Fe (II). From a bio-electrochemical point of view, this work provided new insight into the nitrate reduction of paddy soil impacted by Fe-DOC complexation.

Amelioration by Withania somnifera of neurobehavioural and immunological markers in time dependent sensitization induced post traumatic stress disorder in rats.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex neuropsychiatric pathophysiology with an unmet need for safe, effective, and sustainable therapeutic modalities. Thus, the present study evaluated the effects of Withaniasomnifera (WS, Ashwagandha) on an experimental model of PTSD in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats (200-250 g) were used and time-dependent sensitization (TDS) was used as the experimental model of PTSD. Standardized WS root extract (100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o. for 15 days) was administered with TDS and their effects were observed on neurobehavioral (anxiety) and brain cytokines, corticosterone, and oxidative stress markers. RESULTS: Exposure to TDS resulted in anxiogenic behavior in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, i.e., reductions in open arm entries and open arm time, as compared to the control group. Pretreatment with WS extract (100 and 300 mg/kg × 14 days) attenuated the TDS-induced anxiogenic activity in a dose-related manner, and these WS effects were comparable to those seen after the comparator drug fluoxetine (10 mg/kg). Assay of brain homogenates showed that TDS also resulted in elevations in brain interleukin-6 and reduction in corticosterone levels in both the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC), which were reversed after WS pretreatments. Further, WS pretreatment also reversed the TDS-induced changes in brain oxidative stress markers, namely elevated malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels in both the hippocampus and PFC. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that WS could have potential as a therapeutic agent for treating PTSD by attenuating anxiogenesis, neuroimmune axis activation, and oxidative stress.

Nutrient and mycoremediation of a global menace 'arsenic': exploring the prospects of phosphorus and Serendipita indica-based mitigation strategies in rice and other crops.

KEY MESSAGE: Serendipita indica induced metabolic reprogramming in colonized plants complements phosphorus-management in improving their tolerance to arsenic stress on multifaceted biological fronts. Restoration of the anthropic damage done to our environment is inextricably linked to devising strategies that are not only economically sound but are self-renewing and ecologically conscious. The dilemma of heavy metal (HM) dietary ingestion, especially arsenic (As), faced by humans and animals alike, necessitates the exploitation of such technologies and the cultivation of healthy and abundant crops. The remarkable symbiotic alliance between plants and 'mycorrhizas' has evolved across eons, benefiting growth/yield aspects as well as imparting abiotic/biotic stress tolerance. The intricate interdependence of Serendipita indica (S. indica) and rice plant reportedly reduce As accumulation, accentuating the interest of microbiologists, agriculturists, and ecotoxicological scientists apropos of the remediation mechanisms of As in the soil-AMF-rice system. Nutrient management, particularly of phosphorus (P), is also praised for mitigating As phytotoxicity by deterring the uptake of As molecules due to the rhizospheric cationic competition. Taking into consideration the reasonable prospects of success in minimizing As acquisition by rice plants, this review focuses on the physiological, metabolic, and transcriptional alterations underlying S. indica symbiosis, recuperation of As stress together with nutritional management of P by gathering case studies and presenting successful paradigms. Weaving together a volume of literature, we assess the chemical forms of As and related transport pathways, discuss As-P-rice interaction and the significance of fungi in As toxicity mitigation, predominantly the role of mycorrhiza, as well as survey of the multifaceted impacts of S. indica on plants. A potential strategy for simultaneous S. indica + P administration in paddy fields is proposed, followed by future research orientation to expand theoretic comprehension and encourage field-based implementation.

Biochar and nano biochar: Enhancing salt resilience in plants and soil while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions: A comprehensive review.

Salinity stress poses a significant challenge to agriculture, impacting soil health, plant growth and contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In response to these intertwined challenges, the use of biochar and its nanoscale counterpart, nano-biochar, has gained increasing attention. This comprehensive review explores the heterogeneous role of biochar and nano-biochar in enhancing salt resilience in plants and soil while concurrently mitigating GHG emissions. The review discusses the effects of these amendments on soil physicochemical properties, improved water and nutrient uptake, reduced oxidative damage, enhanced growth and the alternation of soil microbial communities, enhance soil fertility and resilience. Furthermore, it examines their impact on plant growth, ion homeostasis, osmotic adjustment and plant stress tolerance, promoting plant development under salinity stress conditions. Emphasis is placed on the potential of biochar and nano-biochar to influence soil microbial activities, leading to altered emissions of GHG emissions, particularly nitrous oxide(N2O) and methane(CH4), contributing to climate change mitigation. The comprehensive synthesis of current research findings in this review provides insights into the multifunctional applications of biochar and nano-biochar, highlighting their potential to address salinity stress in agriculture and their role in sustainable soil and environmental management. Moreover, it identifies areas for further investigation, aiming to enhance our understanding of the intricate interplay between biochar, nano-biochar, soil, plants, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Magnitude of health expenditure induced removable poverty in India: Some reflections of Ayushman Bharat.

The authors have measured the health expenditure-induced removable poverty in India using nationally representative consumer expenditure surveys of three quinquennial rounds conducted by the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO). This study has also focused on the reflections of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the world's largest Government-funded health insurance scheme, on these poverty rates in the country. The study has used headcount, payment gap, and concentration index to measure the economic burden and impoverishment impact of out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure. The analysis shows that the incidence and depth of poverty are substantially understated because of overlooking OOP health expenditure in the country's standard poverty measure. Outpatient care contributes almost four times more than inpatient care to health expenditure-induced impoverishment in India, though this care has not been covered in the AB-PMJAY. Muslims, among all religious groups, Scheduled Castes among social groups, and casual labourers among different household types are more vulnerable to OOP health expenditure-induced removable poverty in the country. Poverty, in general, has dropped significantly, but the share of health expenditure-induced poverty in general poverty has increased substantially. It has risen considerably in rural areas and among India's most vulnerable sections of society in the past 20 years. We emphasised that universal health insurance coverage is needed in India. Implementing comprehensive health insurance schemes that cover both inpatient and outpatient care can help alleviate the financial burden of healthcare expenses on households and contribute to reducing poverty rates.

Potential role of tocopherol in protecting crop plants against abiotic stresses.

The changing global climate have given rise to abiotic stresses that adversely affect the metabolic activities of plants, limit their growth, and agricultural output posing a serious threat to food production. The abiotic stresses commonly lead to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that results in cellular oxidation. Over the course of evolution, plants have devised efficient enzymatic and non-enzymatic anti-oxidative strategies to counteract harmful effects of ROS. Among the emerging non-enzymatic anti-oxidative technologies, the chloroplast lipophilic antioxidant vitamin A (Tocopherol) shows great promise. Working in coordination with the other cellular antioxidant machinery, it scavenges ROS, prevents lipid peroxidation, regulates stable cellular redox conditions, simulates signal cascades, improves membrane stability, confers photoprotection and enhances resistance against abiotic stresses. The amount of tocopherol production varies based on the severity of stress and its proposed mechanism of action involves arresting lipid peroxidation while quenching singlet oxygen species and lipid peroxyl radicals. Additionally, studies have demonstrated its coordination with other cellular antioxidants and phytohormones. Despite its significance, the precise mechanism of tocopherol action and signaling coordination are not yet fully understood. To bridge this knowledge gap, the present review aims to explore and understand the biosynthesis and antioxidant functions of Vitamin E, along with its signal transduction and stress regulation capacities and responses. Furthermore, the review delves into the light harvesting and photoprotection capabilities of tocopherol. By providing insights into these domains, this review offers new opportunities and avenues for using tocopherol in the management of abiotic stresses in agriculture.

Enhancement of Curcumin's Anti-Psoriatic Efficacy via Formulation into Tea Tree Oil-Based Emulgel.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by the hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes. It is a debilitating condition that can cause significant physical and emotional distress. Natural anti-psoriatic agents have been investigated as alternatives to conventional allopathic medications, as they have notable limitations and drawbacks. Curcumin and tea tree oil are cost-efficient and effective anti-inflammatory medicines with less adverse effects compared to synthetic psoriasis medications. Our research endeavors to harness the therapeutic potential of these natural compounds by developing an herbal anti-psoriatic topical drug delivery system. This novel method uses curcumin and tea tree oil to create a bi-phasic emulgel drug delivery system. Formulations F1 (gel) and F2 (emulgel) have high drug content percentages of 84.2% and 96.7%, respectively. The emulgel showed better spreadability for cutaneous applications, with a viscosity of 92,200 ± 943 cp compared to the gel's 56,200 ± 1725 cp. The emulgel released 94.48% of the drugs, compared to 87.58% for the gel. These formulations conform to the zero-order and Higuchi models, and their stability over a three-month period is crucial. In vivo, the emulgel healed psoriasis symptoms faster than the usual gel. The gathered results confirmed the emulgel's potential as a drug delivery method, emphasizing the complementary benefits of tea tree oil and curcumin as an effective new therapy for psoriasis.

Neuroprotective effects of trigonelline in kainic acid-induced epilepsy: Behavioral, biochemical, and functional insights.

Trigonelline, an alkaloid found in the seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek), has been recognized for its potential in treating various diseases. Notably, trigonelline has demonstrated a neuroprotective impact by reducing intrasynaptosomal calcium levels, inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and regulating cytokines. Kainic acid, an agonist of kainic acid receptors, is utilized for inducing temporal lobe epilepsy and is a common choice for establishing kainic acid-induced status epilepticus, a widely used epileptic model. The neuroprotective effect of trigonelline in the context of kainic acid-induced epilepsy remains unexplored. This study aimed to induce epilepsy by administering kainic acid (10 mg/kg, single subcutaneous dose) and subsequently evaluate the potential anti-epileptic effect of trigonelline (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal administration for 14 days). Ethosuccimide (ETX) (187.5 mg/kg) served as the standard drug for comparison. The anti-epileptic effect of trigonelline over a 14-day administration period was examined. Behavioral assessments, such as the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) test, Open Field Test (OFT), and Plus Maze tests, were conducted 2 h after kainic acid administration to investigate spatial and non-spatial acquisition abilities in rats. Additionally, biochemical analysis encompassing intrasynaptosomal calcium levels, LDH activity, serotonin levels, oxidative indicators, and inflammatory cytokines associated with inflammation were evaluated. Trigonelline exhibited significant behavioral improvements by reducing anxiety in open field and plus maze tests, along with an amelioration of memory impairment. Notably, trigonelline substantially lowered intrasynaptosomal calcium levels and LDH activity, indicating its neuroprotective effect by mitigating cytotoxicity and neuronal injury within the hippocampus tissue. Moreover, trigonelline demonstrated a remarkable reduction in inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress indicators. In summary, this study underscores the potential of trigonelline as an anti-epileptic agent in the context of kainic acid-induced epilepsy. The compound exhibited beneficial effects on behavior, neuroprotection, and inflammation, shedding light on its therapeutic promise for epilepsy management.

Curcumin Nanoemulsion: Unveiling Cardioprotective Effects via ACE Inhibition and Antioxidant Properties in Hypertensive Rats.

Background and Objectives: Curcumin, derived from Curcuma longa, is a well-known traditional medicinal compound recognized for its therapeutic attributes. Nevertheless, its efficacy is hampered by limited bioavailability, prompting researchers to explore the application of nanoemulsion as a potential alternative. Materials and Methods: This study delves into the antihypertensive effects of curcumin nanoemulsion (SNEC) by targeting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and oxidative stress in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt-induced hypertensive rats. To gauge the cardio-protective impact of SNEC in DOCA salt-induced hypertension, molecular docking was undertaken, uncovering curcumin's high affinity and adept binding capabilities to the active site of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Additionally, the investigation employed uninephrectomized rats to assess hemodynamic parameters via an AD instrument. Serum ACE, angiotensin II, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels were quantified using ELISA kits, while antioxidant parameters were evaluated through chemical assays. Result: The outcomes of the molecular docking analysis revealed robust binding of curcumin to the ACE active site. Furthermore, oral administration of SNEC significantly mitigated systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure in contrast to the DOCA-induced hypertensive group. SNEC administration also led to a reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and an elevation in the maximum rate of left ventricular pressure rise (LV (dP/dt) max). Moreover, SNEC administration distinctly lowered serum levels of ACE and angiotensin II compared to the hypertensive DOCA group. Renal markers, including serum creatinine and BUN, displayed a shift toward normalized levels with SNEC treatment. Additionally, SNEC showcased potent antioxidant characteristics by elevating reduced glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels, while decreasing the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings underscore that curcumin nanoemulsion exerts noteworthy cardio-protective effects through ACE activity inhibition and remarkable antioxidant properties.

Phosphorus and Serendipita indica synergism augments arsenic stress tolerance in rice by regulating secondary metabolism related enzymatic activity and root metabolic patterns.

The multifarious problems created by arsenic (As), for collective environment and human health, serve a cogent case for searching integrative agricultural approaches to attain food security. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) acts as a sponge for heavy metal(loid)s accretion, specifically As, due to anaerobic flooded growth conditions facilitating its uptake. Acclaimed for their positive impact on plant growth, development and phosphorus (P) nutrition, 'mycorrhizas' are able to promote stress tolerance. Albeit, the metabolic alterations underlying Serendipita indica (S. indica; S.i) symbiosis-mediated amelioration of As stress along with nutritional management of P are still understudied. By using biochemical, RT-qPCR and LC-MS/MS based untargeted metabolomics approach, rice roots of ZZY-1 and GD-6 colonized by S. indica, which were later treated with As (10 µM) and P (50 µM), were compared with non-colonized roots under the same treatments with a set of control plants. The responses of secondary metabolism related enzymes, especially polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities in the foliage of ZZY-1 and GD-6 were enhanced 8.5 and 12-fold, respectively, compared to their respective control counterparts. The current study identified 360 cationic and 287 anionic metabolites in rice roots, and the commonly enriched pathway annotated by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis was biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, which validated the results of biochemical and gene expression analyses associated with secondary metabolic enzymes. Particularly under As+S.i+P comparison, both genotypes exhibited an upregulation of key detoxification and defense related metabolites, including fumaric acid, L-malic acid, choline, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, to name a few. The results of this study provided the novel insights into the promising role of exogenous P and S. indica in alleviating As stress.

Nanobionics: A Sustainable Agricultural Approach towards Understanding Plant Response to Heavy Metals, Drought, and Salt Stress.

In the current scenario, the rising concentration of heavy metals (HMs) due to anthropogenic activities is a severe problem. Plants are very much affected by HM pollution as well as other abiotic stress such as salinity and drought. It is very important to fulfil the nutritional demands of an ever-growing population in these adverse environmental conditions and/or stresses. Remediation of HM in contaminated soil is executed through physical and chemical processes which are costly, time-consuming, and non-sustainable. The application of nanobionics in crop resilience with enhanced stress tolerance may be the safe and sustainable strategy to increase crop yield. Thus, this review emphasizes the impact of nanobionics on the physiological traits and growth indices of plants. Major concerns and stress tolerance associated with the use of nanobionics are also deliberated concisely. The nanobionic approach to plant physiological traits and stress tolerance would lead to an epoch of plant research at the frontier of nanotechnology and plant biology.

Genome Identification of the Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis) ASMT Gene Family and Its Expression Analysis under Abiotic Stress.

The tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze) is an important cash crop grown worldwide. It is often subjected to environmental stresses that influence the quality and yield of its leaves. Acetylserotonin-O-methyltransferase (ASMT) is a key enzyme in melatonin biosynthesis, and it plays a critical role in plant stress responses. In this paper, a total of 20 ASMT genes were identified in tea plants and classified into three subfamilies based on a phylogenetic clustering analysis. The genes were unevenly distributed on seven chromosomes; two pairs of genes showed fragment duplication. A gene sequence analysis showed that the structures of the ASMT genes in the tea plants were highly conserved and that the gene structures and motif distributions slightly differed among the different subfamily members. A transcriptome analysis showed that most CsASMT genes did not respond to drought and cold stresses, and a qRT-PCR analysis showed that CsASMT08, CsASMT09, CsASMT10, and CsASMT20 significantly responded to drought and low-temperature stresses; in particular, CsASMT08 and CsASMT10 were highly expressed under low-temperature stress and negatively regulated in response to drought stress. A combined analysis revealed that CsASMT08 and CsASMT10 were highly expressed and that their expressions differed before and after treatment, which indicates that they are potential regulators of abiotic stress resistance in the tea plant. Our results can facilitate further studies on the functional properties of CsASMT genes in melatonin synthesis and abiotic stress in the tea plant.

CuO Nanoparticle-Mediated Seed Priming Improves Physio-Biochemical and Enzymatic Activities of Brassica juncea.

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in agricultural fields has risen to a level where people are considering NPs as an alternative to commercial fertilizers. The input of copper oxide NPs (CuO NPs) as seed primers was investigated in this study, and the growth indices of Brassica juncea such as phenotypic parameters, photosynthetic attributes, and biochemical parameters were measured during maximum vegetative growth stage, i.e., at 45 days after sowing. Surface sterilized seeds were soaked in varying concentrations (0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg/L) of CuO NPs for 15, 30, and/or 45 min. After those priming periods, the seeds were planted in pots and allowed to grow naturally. Among the different tested concentrations of CuO NPs, 4 mg/L of CuO NPs for 30 min seed priming proved to be best, and considerably increased the, shoot length (30%), root length (27%), net photosynthetic rate (30%), internal CO2 concentration (28%), and proline content (41%). Besides, the performance of the antioxidant enzymes, viz, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and biochemical parameters such as nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase were also increased by several folds after the application of CuO NPs in B. juncea. The present study suggests that CuO NPs can be effectively used to increase the performance of B. juncea and may also be suitable for testing on other crop species.

The Combined Analysis of Transcriptome and Antioxidant Enzymes Revealed the Mechanism of EBL and ZnO NPs Enhancing Styrax tonkinensis Seed Abiotic Stress Resistance.

As global climate change worsens, trees will have difficulties adapting to abiotic pressures, particularly in the field, where environmental characteristics are difficult to control. A prospective commercial and ornamental tree species, Styrax tonkinensis, has its seed oil output and quality reduced as a result, which lowers the economic benefits. This necessitates growers to implement efficient strategies to increase the seeds of woody biofuel species' tolerance to abiotic stress. Numerous studies have shown that ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), a new material, and BRs assist plants to increase their resilience to abiotic stress and subsequently adapt to it. However, there have not been many investigations into S. tonkinensis seed resistance. In this study, we examined the changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and transcriptomic results of S. tonkinensis seeds throughout the seed development period to investigate the effects of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL), one of the BRs, and ZnO NPs treatments alone or together on the stress resistance of S. tonkinensis seeds. On 70, 100, and 130 days after flowering (DAF), spraying EBL or ZnO NPs increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (POD, SOD, and CAT) in S. tonkinensis seeds. Moreover, when the EBL and ZnO NPs were sprayed together, the activities of antioxidant enzymes were the strongest, which suggests that the positive effects of the two can be superimposed. On 70 and 100 DAF, the EBL and ZnO NPs treatments improved seed stress resistance, mostly through complex plant hormone crosstalk signaling, which includes IAA, JA, BR, and ABA signaling. Additionally, ABA played an essential role in hormone crosstalk, while, on 130 DAF, due to the physiological characteristics of seeds themselves in the late stage of maturity, the improvement in seed stress resistance by EBL and ZnO NPs was related to protein synthesis, especially late embryogenesis-abundant protein (LEA), and other nutrient storage in seeds. Spraying EBL and ZnO NPs during the seed growth of S. tonkinensis could significantly increase seed stress resistance. Our findings provide fresh perspectives on how cultural practices can increase abiotic stress tolerance in woody seedlings.

ß-Cyclocitral: Emerging Bioactive Compound in Plants.

ß-cyclocitral (ßCC), a main apocarotenoid of ß-carotene, increases plants' resistance against stresses. It has recently appeared as a novel bioactive composite in a variety of organisms from plants to animals. In plants, ßCC marked as stress signals that accrue under adverse ecological conditions. ßCC regulates nuclear gene expression through several signaling pathways, leading to stress tolerance. In this review, an attempt has been made to summarize the recent findings of the potential role of ßCC. We emphasize the ßCC biosynthesis, signaling, and involvement in the regulation of abiotic stresses. From this review, it is clear that discussing compound has great potential against abiotic stress tolerance and be used as photosynthetic rate enhancer. In conclusion, this review establishes a significant reference base for future research.

Specific roles of strigolactones in plant physiology and remediation of heavy metals from contaminated soil.

Strigolactones (SLs) have been implicated in various developmental processes of the plant, including the response against several abiotic stresses. It is well known as a class of endogenous phytohormones that regulates shoot branching, secondary growth and root morphology. This hormone facilitates plants in responding to nitrogen and phosphorus starvation by shaping the above and below ground structural design. SLs actively participate within regulatory networks of plant stress adaptation that are governed by phytohormones. Heavy metals (HMs) in soil are considered a serious environmental problem that causes various harmful effects on plants. SLs along with other plant hormones imply the role in plant architecture is far from being fully understood. Strategy to remove/remediation of HMs from the soil with the help of SLs has not been defined yet. Therefore, the present review aims to comprehensively provide an overview of SLs role in fine-tuning plant architectures, relation with other plant hormones under abiotic stress, and remediation of HMs contaminated soil using SLs.

A comparative study of personality profile among violent and non-violent convicts: A cross sectional study.

The conviction-prone personality sees events as external forces and not according to their own or another's emotion, cognition, or inner forces. This study compared the personality traits and psychopathology of both violent and non-violent convicts. The total number of samples were 60 (30 violent and 30 non-violent) which were recruited from the Central jail of Jaipur (Rajasthan). A pro forma was used to collect sociodemographic variables. The 16-personality factor questionnaire was applied after receiving permission from the concerned authorities. Student t-test was applied to compare violent and non-violent convicts. Violent convicts had high scores for factors E (dominance), H (social boldness), L (vigilance), Q2 (social reliance), and Q4 (tension) and low scores for C (emotional stability) and G (rule consciousness). Whereas non-violent convicts had high scores for factors L (vigilance) and N (privateness) and low score for A (warmth), F (liveliness), O (apprehension), Q2 (self-reliance), and Q4 (tension). All results are statistically significant (P-value was 0.001), except factor I (P-value was 0.745) and M (P-value was 0.314). So, the violent convict group were significantly more dominant, bossy, competitive, bold, self-reliant, individualistic, tense, frustrated, high-energy driven, and self-indulgent as compare to non-violent convicts.

Salicylic Acid's Impact on Growth, Photosynthesis, and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity of Triticum aestivum When Exposed to Salt.

Recently, the application of salicylic acid (SA) for improving a plant's resistance to abiotic stresses has increased. A large part of the irrigated land (2.1% out of 19.5%) is severely affected by salinity stress worldwide. In 2020, total production of wheat (Triticum aestivum) was 761 million tons, representing the second most produced cereal after maize; therefore, research on its salinity tolerance is of world concern. Photosynthetic attributes such as net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and transpiration rate (E) were increased significantly by the application of SA. Salt stress increased antioxidant enzyme activity; however, SA further boosted their activity along with proline level. We conclude that SA interacts with meristematic cells, thereby triggering biochemical pathways conductive to the increment in morphological parameters. Further research is required to dissect the mechanisms of SA within the wheat plants under stress.

Defense interplay of the zinc-oxide nanoparticles and melatonin in alleviating the arsenic stress in soybean (Glycine max L.).

Present study showed the successful application of the modified hydrothermal method for synthesizing the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) efficiently. Well as-synthesized ZnO-NPs are analyzed for various techniques viz., X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM micrographs, EDAX/Mapping pattern, Raman Spectroscopy Pattern, UV, Photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. All these measurements showed that ZnO-NPs are highly pure with no internal defects, and can be potentially used in the plant applications. Hence, we further determined the effect of these nanoparticles and melatonin for the modulation of the As tolerance in soybean plants by examining the various growth attributes and metabolic parameters. Our results demonstrated that As-stress inhibited growth (∼34%), photosynthesis-related parameters (∼18-28%) and induced ROS accumulation; however, all these attributes are substantially reversed by the ZnO-NPs and melatonin treatments. Moreover, the As stress induced malondialdehyde (MDA; 71%) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 82%) are partially reversed by the ZnO-NPs and melatonin in the As-stressed plants. This might have resulted due to the ZnO-NPs and melatonin induced activities of the antioxidants plant defense. Overall, the ZnO-NPs and melatonin supplementation separately and in combination positively regulated the As tolerance in soybean; however, the effect of their combined application on the As tolerance was more profound relative to the individual application. These results suggested the synergetic effect of the ZnO-NPs and melatonin on the As tolerance in soybean. However, the in-depth mechanism underlying the defense crosstalk between the ZnO-NPs and melatonin needs to be further explored.

Modulation of Cellular Redox Status and Antioxidant Defense System after Synergistic Application of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Salicylic Acid in Rice (Oryza sativa) Plant under Arsenic Stress.

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and/or salicylic acid (SA) under arsenic (As) stress on rice (Oryza sativa). ZnONPs are analyzed for various techniques viz., X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All of these tests established that ZnONPs are pure with no internal defects, and can be potentially used in plant applications. Hence, we further investigated for better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the extent of ZnONPs and SA induced oxidative stress damages. More restricted plant growth, gas exchange indices, significant reduction in the SPAD index and maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and brutal decline in protein content were noticed in As-applied plants. In contrast, foliar fertigation of ZnONPs and/or SA to As-stressed rice plants lessens the oxidative stress, as exposed by subordinate levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis. Improved enzymatic activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), proline and total soluble protein contents under ZnONPs and SA treatment plays an excellent role in the regulation of various transcriptional pathways participated in oxidative stress tolerance. Higher content of nitrogen (N; 13%), phosphorus (P; 10%), potassium (K; 13%), zinc (Zn; 68%), manganese (Mn; 14%), and iron (Fe; 19) in ZnONPs and SA treated plants under As-stress, thus hampered growth and photosynthetic efficiency of rice plants. Our findings suggest that toxicity of As was conquering by the application of ZnONPs and SA in rice plants.