Delayed sowing and its ramifications: biophysical, yield and quality analysis of wheat cultivars in the northwest Indo-Gangetic plains.

BACKGROUND: The continuous cultivation of rice-wheat in the same field is a key element of double-cropping systems in the Indo-Gangetic plains. Yields of such cropping systems are increasingly challenged as climate change drives increases in temperature, terminal stress and uneven rainfall, delaying rice harvesting and subsequently delaying sowing of wheat. In this paper, we evaluate the optimum sowing dates to achieve high grain yield and quality of wheat cultivars in northwest India. Three cultivars of wheat, HD-2967, HD-3086 and PBW-723, were sown on three different dates at the research farm of ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, to generate different weather conditions at different phenological stages. Different biophysical attributes, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, were measured at different phenological stages. Yield and grain quality parameters such as protein, starch, amylopectin, amylose and gluten were measured in different cultivars sown on different dates. RESULTS: Biophysical parameters were found to be higher in timely sown crops followed by late-sown and very late-sown crops. Further, the different sowing dates had a significant (P < 0.05) impact on the grain quality parameters such as protein, starch, amylopectin, amylose and gluten content. Percentage increases in the value of starch and amylose content under timely sown were ~7% and 11.6%, ~5% and 8.4%, compared to the very late-sown treatment. In contrast, protein and amylopectin contents were found to increase by ~9.7% and 7.5%, ~13.8% and 16.6% under very late-sown treatment. CONCLUSION: High-temperature stress during the grain-filling periods significantly decreased the grain yield. Reduction in the grain yield was associated with a reduction in starch and amylose content in the grains. The protein content in the grains is less affected by terminal heat stress. Cultivar HD-3086 had higher growth, yield as well as quality parameters, compared to HD-2967 and PBW-723 in all treatments, hence could be adopted by farmers in northwest India. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Assessment of NORMs (238U, 232Th, 40K) and radiation hazard indices in Beldih apatite mine region of Purulia district, West Bengal, India.

The radiation arising from naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) is the foremost contributor to the collective dose received by the global population. The present study aims to measure the natural background radiation level and the associated gamma radiation dose in air in the Beldih apatite mine region of Purulia district, India. This study is primarily focused on the determination of 238U, 232Th and 40K activities in the sub-surface soil of the study area. The measurements were carried out using a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector-based gamma-ray spectrometer with a relative efficiency of 80%. To achieve uniformity in exposure estimations, radium equivalent activity has been calculated. Additionally, the internal hazard index, external hazard index, radioactivity level index and gamma dose rates have been evaluated to estimate the radiation hazard levels in the study area. The comparison of obtained concentrations and hazard indices with global data (UNSCEAR. (2008). Sources, effects and risks of ionizing radiation. United nations scientific committee on the effects of atomic radiation (report to the general assembly, with Annexes).) suggests that this region lies in a relatively high background radiation zone.

Estimation of gross α-ß and tritium activities in groundwater samples using LSC-TDCR technique in and around the geothermal region of Eastern India.

The present study is an attempt to assess the radiogenic quality of groundwater on the basis of gross α, gross ß and tritium (3H or H-3) activities in the Bakreswar-Tantloi geothermal region of Chotanagpur Plateau, West Bengal and Jharkhand, India. The aforesaid parameters in groundwater samples were measured using liquid scintillation counting triple to double coincidence ratio (LSC-TDCR) technique. Groundwater samples collected from Bakreswar-Tantloi geothermal region show gross α activities from below the minimum detectable activity (BMDA) to 0.5 ± 0.05 Bq/L, gross ß activities from BMDA to 0.2 ± 0.01 Bq/L and H-3 activities from BMDA to 63.42 Bq/L. The average gross α, gross ß and H-3 activities are also within the permissible limits prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Though the annual effective doses in some samples were higher than the reference dose level of 0.1 mSv, the overall result suggests that the groundwater in the Bakreswar-Tantloi geothermal region is radiologically safe considering the radionuclides covered in this study.

In-silico whole-genome sequence analysis of a halotolerant filamentous mangrove cyanobacterium revealed CRISPR-Cas systems with unique properties.

Novel CRISPR systems capable of cleaving both DNA and RNA are progressively emerging as attractive tools for genome manipulation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. We report specific characteristics of CRISPR systems present in Oxynema aestuarii AP17, a halotolerant, filamentous cyanobacterium and the second known member of the Oxynema genus. In-silico analyses of its whole-genome sequence revealed the presence of multiple Type I and Type III CRISPR loci with one Type I-G system previously unreported in cyanobacteria. We further identified the leader sequences at the 5' end of multiple CRISPR loci, many of which were distinct from previously reported cyanobacterial CRISPR leaders. Phylogenetic analyses of the O. aestuarii AP17 Cas1 proteins revealed two protein sequences that were unique and distantly related to other cyanobacterial Cas1 protein sequences. Our findings are significant because novel Class 1 CRISPR systems possess multi-subunit effectors and are highly flexible for repurposing by protein domain fusions made to the effector complex. Additionally, Type III CRISPRs are particularly useful for genome editing in certain extremophiles for which mesophilic Type II CRISPRs are ineffective.

Balancing water and radiation productivity suggests a clue for improving yields in wheat under combined water deficit and terminal heat stress.

Sustaining crop yield under abiotic stresses with optimized resource use is a prerequisite for sustainable agriculture, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. Water and heat stress are major abiotic stresses impacting crop growth and yield by influencing complex physiological and biochemical processes during the life cycle of crops. In a 2-year (2015-2017) research, spring wheat cv. HD-2967 was grown under deficit irrigation and delayed sowing conditions to impose water and terminal heat stresses, respectively. The data were analyzed for seasonal crop water use, radiation interception, water productivity (WP), and radiation productivity (RP) under combined water deficit and terminal heat stresses. Seasonal crop water use was significantly affected by stresses in the order of water + terminal heat > water > terminal heat. Water stress showed minimal effect on the light extinction coefficient and consequently on seasonal intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR). However, seasonal IPAR was primarily affected by combined water + terminal heat and terminal heat stress alone. The slope of crop water use and IPAR, i.e., canopy conductance, an indicator of canopy stomatal conductance, was more influenced by water stress than by terminal heat stress. Results showed that linear proportionality between WP and RP is no longer valid under stress conditions, as it follows a curvilinear relation. This is further supported by the fact that independent productivity (either water or radiation) lacked the ability to explain variability in the final economic yield or biomass of wheat. However, the ratio of RP to WP explained the variability in wheat yield/biomass under individual or combined stresses. This suggests a clue for improving higher wheat yield under stress by managing WP and RP. The highest biomass or yield is realized when the ratio of RP to WP approaches unity. Screening of genotypes for traits leading to a higher ratio of RP to WP provides an opportunity for improving wheat productivity under stressed environments.

Spectral characterization and severity assessment of rice blast disease using univariate and multivariate models.

Rice is the staple food of more than half of the population of the world and India as well. One of the major constraints in rice production is frequent occurrence of pests and diseases and one of them is rice blast which often causes yield loss varying from 10 to 30%. Conventional approaches for disease assessment are time-consuming, expensive, and not real-time; alternately, sensor-based approach is rapid, non-invasive and can be scaled up in large areas with minimum time and effort.  In the present study, hyperspectral remote sensing for the characterization and severity assessment of rice blast disease was exploited. Field experiments were conducted with 20 genotypes of rice having sensitive and resistant cultivars grown under upland and lowland conditions at Almora, Uttarakhand, India. The severity of the rice blast was graded from 0 to 9 in accordance to International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).  Spectral observations in field were taken using a hand-held portable spectroradiometer in range of 350-2500 nm followed by spectral discrimination of different disease severity levels using Jeffires-Matusita (J-M) distance. Then, evaluation of 26 existing spectral indices (r≥0.8) was done corresponding to blast severity levels and linear regression prediction models were also developed. Further, the proposed ratio blast index (RBI) and normalized difference blast index (NDBI) were developed using all possible combinations of their correlations with severity level followed by their quantification to identify the best indices. Thereafter, multivariate models like support vector machine regression (SVM), partial least squares (PLS), random forest (RF), and multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) were also used to estimate blast severity. Jeffires-Matusita distance was separating almost all severity levels having values >1.92 except levels 4 and 5. The 26 prediction models were effective at predicting blast severity with R2 values from 0.48 to 0.85. The best developed spectral indices for rice blast were RBI (R1148, R1301) and NDBI (R1148, R1301) with R2 of 0.85 and 0.86, respectively. Among multivariate models, SVM was the best model with calibration R2=0.99; validation R2=0.94, RMSE=0.7, and RPD=4.10. The methodology developed paves way for early detection and large-scale monitoring and mapping using satellite remote sensors at farmers' fields for developing better disease management options.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thinning found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Correlation with disease duration and severity.

Purpose: The retinal involvement of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a novel idea about a possible correlation between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in different spectra of ALS patients. Finding the association of RNFL with disease duration and severity will help identify a novel noninvasive biomarker. Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study and was conducted with a suitable proforma. We included the ALS cases based on the revised El Escorial criteria. Healthy controls were age and gender matched. We used the revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R) to assess the operational status of the patients. We measured RNFL thickness in the four quadrants with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and analyzed it. Results: We included 30 cases (60 eyes) and 10 healthy controls (20 eyes) having a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 49.5 (11.1) years with a median of 50 years, and a majority of them (65%) were middle aged (between 41 and 60 years). We found statistically significant differences in RNFL thicknesses between ALS patients and healthy controls. On segmental analysis, the right eye superior and nasal quadrants and the left eye superior, inferior, and nasal quadrants were significantly affected, along with a gross asymmetry found between the left and right eyes among ALS patients. There was a significant decrease in average RNFL thickness in definite ALS patients than probable ALS patients, with significantly reduced average RNFL thickness in moderate to severe ALS patients. On correlation analysis, disease duration showed a good negative correlation with bilateral average RNFL thickness, and the ALSFRS-R score demonstrated a good positive correlation with bilateral average RNFL thickness, which was statistically significant. Thus, a reduced bilateral RNFL thickness is associated with a decreased ALSFRS-R score. Conclusion: The retinal changes can serve as a marker for diagnosing and monitoring patients with ALS.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon sequestration by intertidal phototrophic biofilms cultivated in hydrophobic and hydrophilic biofilm-promoting culture vessels.

Phototrophic biofilms collected from intertidal sediments of the world's largest tidal mangrove forest were cultured in two sets of a biofilm-promoting culture vessel having hydrophilic glass surface and hydrophobic polymethyl methacrylate surface wherein 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were spiked. Biofilms from three locations of the forest were most active in sequestering 98-100% of the spiked pollutants. PAH challenge did not alter the biofilm phototrophic community composition; rather biofilm biomass production and synthesis of photosynthetic pigments and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were enhanced. Photosynthetic pigment and EPS synthesis were sensitive to vessel-surface property. The lowest mean residual amounts of PAHs in the liquid medium as well as inside the biofilm were recorded in the very biofilm cultivated in the hydrophobic flask where highest values of biofilm biomass, total chlorophyll, released polysaccharidic (RPS) carbohydrates, RPS uronic acids, capsular polysaccharidic (CPS) carbohydrates, CPS proteins, CPS uronic acids and EPS hydrophobicity were obtained. Ratios of released RPS proteins: polysaccharides increased during PAH sequestration whereas the ratios of CPS proteins: polysaccharides remained constant. Efficacious PAH removal by the overlying phototrophic biofilm will reduce the entry of these contaminants in the sediments underneath and this strategy could be a model for "monitored natural recovery".

CXCL14 Promotes a Robust Brain Tumor-Associated Immune Response in Glioma.

PURPOSE: The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment present in the majority of diffuse glioma limits therapeutic response to immunotherapy. As the determinants of the glioma-associated immune response are relatively poorly understood, the study of glioma with more robust tumor-associated immune responses may be particularly useful to identify novel immunomodulatory factors that can promote T-cell effector function in glioma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We used multiplex immune-profiling, proteomic profiling, and gene expression analysis to define the tumor-associated immune response in two molecular subtypes of glioma and identify factors that may modulate this response. We then used patient-derived glioma cultures and an immunocompetent murine model for malignant glioma to analyze the ability of tumor-intrinsic factors to promote a CD8+ T-cell response. RESULTS: As compared with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant astrocytoma, MAPK-activated pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) harbored increased numbers of activated cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and Iba1+ microglia/macrophages, increased MHC class I expression, enrichment of genes associated with antigen presentation and processing, and increased tumor cell secretion of the chemokine CXCL14. CXCL14 promoted activated CD8+ T-cell chemotaxis in vitro, recruited tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells in vivo, and prolonged overall survival in a cytotoxic T-cell-dependent manner. The immunomodulatory molecule B7-H3 was also highly expressed in PXA. CONCLUSIONS: We identify the MAPK-activated lower grade astrocytoma PXA as having an immune-rich tumor microenvironment and suggest this tumor may be particularly vulnerable to immunotherapeutic modulation. We also identify CXCL14 as an important determinant of the glioma-associated immune microenvironment, sufficient to promote an antitumor CD8+ T-cell response.

PKM2 Interacts With the Cdk1-CyclinB Complex to Facilitate Cell Cycle Progression in Gliomas.

PKM2 is a phosphotyrosine-binding glycolytic enzyme upregulated in many cancers, including glioma, and contributes to tumor growth by regulating cell cycle progression. We noted, however, that in multiple glioma cell lines, PKM2 knock-down resulted in an accumulation of cells in G2-M phase. Moreover, PKM2 knock-down decreased Cdk1 activity while introducing a constitutively active Cdk1 reversed the effects of PKM2 knock-down on cell cycle progression. The means by which PKM2 increases Cdk1 activity have not been described. Transient interaction of T14/Y15-phosphorylated Cdk1 with cyclin B allows Cdk7-mediated pT161 Cdk1 phosphorylation followed by cdc25C-mediated removal of pT14/Y15 and activation of Cdk1 in cycling cells. In the present course of investigation, PKM2 modulation did not influence Cdk7 activity, but phosphotyrosine binding forms of PKM2 co-immunoprecipitated with pY15-containing Cdk1-cyclinB and enhanced formation of active pT161 Cdk1-cyclin B complexes. Moreover, exogenous expression of phosphotyrosine binding forms of PKM2 reversed the effects of PKM2 knock-down on G2-M arrest. We here show that PKM2 binds and stabilize otherwise transient pY15-containing Cdk1-cyclinB complexes that in turn facilitate Cdk1-cyclin B activation and entry of cells into mitosis. These results, therefore, establish metabolic enzyme PKM2 as a direct interactor and activator of Cdk1-cyclin B complex and thereby directly controls mitotic progression and the growth of brain tumor cells.

Deuterium magnetic resonance spectroscopy enables noninvasive metabolic imaging of tumor burden and response to therapy in low-grade gliomas.

BACKGROUND: The alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway is essential for tumor proliferation in astrocytomas. The goal of this study was to identify metabolic alterations linked to the ALT pathway that can be exploited for noninvasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)-based imaging of astrocytomas in vivo. METHODS: Genetic and pharmacological methods were used to dissect the association between the ALT pathway and glucose metabolism in genetically engineered and patient-derived astrocytoma models. 2H-MRS was used for noninvasive imaging of ALT-linked modulation of glycolytic flux in mice bearing orthotopic astrocytomas in vivo. RESULTS: The ALT pathway was associated with higher activity of the rate-limiting glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase-1 and concomitantly elevated flux of glucose to lactate in astrocytoma cells. Silencing the ALT pathway or treating with the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor niraparib that induces telomeric fusion in ALT-dependent astrocytoma cells abrogated glycolytic flux. Importantly, this metabolic reprogramming could be non-invasively visualized by 2H-MRS. Lactate production from [6,6'-2H]-glucose was higher in ALT-dependent astrocytoma tumors relative to the normal brain in vivo. Furthermore, treatment of orthotopic astrocytoma-bearing mice with niraparib reduced lactate production from [6,6'-2H]-glucose at early timepoints when alterations in tumor volume could not be detected by anatomical imaging, pointing to the ability of [6,6'-2H]-glucose to report on pseudoprogression in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: We have mechanistically linked the ALT pathway to elevated glycolytic flux and demonstrated the ability of [6,6'-2H]-glucose to non-invasively assess tumor burden and response to therapy in astrocytomas. Our findings point to a novel, clinically translatable method for metabolic imaging of astrocytoma patients.

A Study on Clinical Profile of Hemifacial Spasm in India and the Therapeutic Response to Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection as well as Pre and Postinjection Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a distressing, involuntary, irregular tonic-clonic contraction of the facial muscles innervated by the seventh cranial nerve. It affects the quality of life. Botulinum toxin is a preferred symptomatic treatment option for the condition. However, there is a lack of study in the Indian scenario. Therefore, we observed the demographic profile, clinical spectrum, therapeutic response, and adverse effects of botulinum toxin and assessed the quality of life in the pre and postinjection phases in our subjects with HFS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design is a prospective open-label observational study. Consecutive cases of HFS were selected from the general neurology outpatient department (OPD) and movement disorder clinic of a medical college hospital in Eastern India. Clinical and relevant neuroimaging studies excluded mimickers and secondary causes of HFS. Institutional Ethics Committee's permission was obtained. Informed consent was taken from patients before botulinum toxin injection. The pre and postinjection assessment tools were spasm rate for a specific period of time, quantification of facial asymmetry, widening palpebral fissure by visual analog scale, Jankovic disability rating scale, HFS-7 scale, and videography. RESULTS: A total of 250 cases of HFS (F:M = 138:112) were studied. The mean age of presentation was 47 years. The mean dose of botulinum toxin injection was 24.2 units per patient. The mean duration of improvement was 4 months. The spasm frequency was decreased by 90%, and the facial asymmetry was improved by 86%. The improvement in quality of life was 86%. Local adverse effects are seen in 10.4% of cases, and all were reversible. CONCLUSION: This is one of the largest studies on the effects of botulinum toxin in subjects with HFS in the Indian population. Periodic injection of botulinum toxin is a safe and effective therapy for subjects with HFS. There is a significant improvement in the quality of life following botulinum toxin therapy in subjects with HFS. Adverse effects were local, mild, well-tolerated, and reversible.

MRE11 and UBR5 Co-Operate to Suppress RNF168-Mediated Fusion of Dysfunctional Telomeres.

TRF2 is part of the shelterin complex that hides telomeric DNA ends and prevents the activation of the cNHEJ pathway that can lead to chromosomal fusion. TRF2, however, also actively suppresses the cNHEJ pathway by recruiting two proteins, MRE11 and UBR5. MRE11 binds BRCC3, which in turn deubiquitinates γH2AX deposited at exposed telomeric DNA ends and limits RNF168 recruitment to the telomere. UBR5, in contrast directly ubiquitinates and destroys RNF168. The loss of telomeric RNF168 in turn blocks the subsequent recruitment of 53BP1 and prevents the cNHEJ-mediated fusion of chromosomes with exposed telomeric DNA ends. Although MRE11 and UBR5 are both involved in the control of telomeric RNF168 levels and the chromosome fusion process, their relative contributions have not been directly addressed. To do so we genetically suppressed MRE11 and UBR5 alone or in combination in glioma cell lines which we previously showed contained dysfunctional telomeres that were dependent on TRF2 for suppression of telomeric fusion and monitored the effects on events associated with telomere fusion. We here show that while suppression of either MRE11 or UBR5 alone had minimal effects on RNF168 telomeric accumulation, 53BP1 recruitment, and telomeric fusion, their combined suppression led to significant increases in RNF168 and 53BP1 telomeric recruitment and telomeric fusion and eventually cell death, all of which were reversible by suppression of RNF168 itself. These results show that MRE11 and UBR5 co-operate to suppress fusion at dysfunctional telomeres.

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the extract of Streptomyces euryhalinus isolated from the Indian Sundarbans.

The discovery of new antimicrobials is the prime target in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. The continuous search for new lead compounds from bacteria of untapped and extreme ecosystems such as mangroves is currently being undertaken. This study describes the metabolite profiling of the Streptomyces euryhalinus culture extract. Previously, Streptomyces euryhalinus was isolated from the mangrove forest of Indian Sundarbans as a novel microorganism. The antimicrobial mechanism of action of Streptomyces euryhalinus culture extract against bacteria and fungi has been analyzed in this study. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry profile of the ethyl acetate extract bacterial culture displayed the presence of several bioactive compounds with antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. The bacterial extract showed significant antimicrobial activity in terms of zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration. Moreover, substantial capacity to alter or damage the inner membrane as well as the outer membrane of the gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was exhibited by the bacterial extract. This membrane alteration or damaging potential of the extract is the mechanism of action. Biofilm formation inhibition property of the extract also signified its antimicrobial action, and possible use against resistant bacteria. The extract has shown notable activity against the virulence factors like prevention of hemolysis in bacteria and inhibition of secreted aspartyl proteinase in fungi. These functions of the bacterial extract have revealed the extent of its action in the prevention of infection by terminating the secretory virulence factors and by damaging the tissue.

Role of intertidal microbial communities in carbon dioxide sequestration and pollutant removal: A review.

Intertidal microbial communities occur as biofilms or microphytobenthos (MPB) which are sediment-attached assemblages of bacteria, protozoa, fungi, algae, diatoms embedded in extracellular polymeric substances. Despite their global occurrence, they have not been reviewed in light of their structural and functional characteristics. This paper reviews the importance of such microbial communities and their importance in carbon dioxide sequestration as well as pollutant bioremediation. Global annual benthic microalgal productivity was 500 million tons of carbon, 50% of which contributed towards the autochthonous carbon fixation in the estuaries. Primary production by MPB was 27-234 gCm-2y-1 in the estuaries of Asia, Europe and the United States. Mechanisms of heavy metal removal remain to be tested in intertidal communities. Cyanobacteria facilitate hydrocarbon degradation in intertidal biofilms and microbial mats by supporting the associated sulfate-reducing bacteria and aerobic heterotrophs. Physiological cooperation between the microorganisms in intertidal communities imparts enhanced ability to utilize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants by these microorganisms than mono-species communities. Future research may be focused on biochemical characteristics of intertidal mats and biofilms, pollutant-microbial interactions and ecosystem influences.