Dust-Holding Capacity and Bio-Chemical Changes of Plant Species Growing in an Around Opencast Mining Area of Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh, India

The present study has been carried out on a total of 50 available plant species to assess their dust-capturing capacity and biochemical performances in and around open cast granite mine areas of Jhansi district and Bundelkhand University campus treated as control site. Plant species existing under a polluted environment for a long time may be considered as potentially resistant species and recommended for green belt design in mining areas, especially to cope with dust pollution. Results showed the pollution level, especially of mining-originated dust particles holding capacity of leaves and effects of different biochemical parameters (Total Chlorophyll, Protein and Carotenoid) of existing plant species both from mining areas as well as from Bundelkhand University campus. Based on their performances, Tectona grandis L., Ficus hispida L., Calotropis procera Aiton., Butea monosperma Lam. and Ficus benghalensis L., etc. are highly tolerant species while Ficus infectoria L., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Ipomoea purpurea L., Allianthus excelsa Roxb. and Bauhinia variegata L. are intermediate tolerant species. T. grandis had shown the highest dust-holding capacity (2.566 ± 0.0004 mg/cm2) whereas Albizia procera (0.018 ± 0.0002 mg/cm2) was found to be the lowest dust-holding capacity. Our findings also showed that the T. grandis and F. hispida have significant dust deposition with minimal effect of dust on their leaf chlorophyll (17.447 ± 0.019 mg/g and 14.703 ± 0.201 mg/g), protein (0.699 ± 0.001 mg/g and 0.604 ± 0.002 mg/g) and carotenoid (0.372 ± 0.003 mg/g and 0.354 ± 0.003 mg/g) content respectively among all selected plant species. Therefore, in the present investigation, plant species with high tolerance to high dust-holding capacity on their leaf surfaces are preferable for green corridors as open cast granite mines and their adjacent areas.

印度春季角结膜炎患儿血清维生素D的变化

目的:评估印度人群中春季角结膜炎(VKC)患者维生素D水平。方法:研究共纳入30名非特应性健康儿童和30名VKC儿童。比较两组间的血清维生素D水平和户外活动时间(P<0.05)。结果:VKC组血清维生素D平均水平(19.17±10.76 ng/mL)明显低于对照组(31.19±9.09 ng/mL)(P=0.0003)。43.33%的患者维生素D缺乏(10~20 ng/mL),而20%的VKC患者严重缺乏(<10 ng/mL)。维生素D的缺乏与VKC的严重程度相关(P<0.02)。VKC组户外时间为1.07±0.76h/每天,健康组户外时间为2.08±0.72h/每天(P<0.0001),与血清25(OH)D3水平显著相关(r=0.478,P<0.001)。结论:研究表明,VKC患儿的血清维生素D水平明显低于健康儿童,与户外活动时间有关。VKC的严重程度也与维生素D缺乏的严重程度相关,由此得出维生素D在维持眼表健康中发挥重要作用。

Exogenous Peroxidase Mitigates Cadmium Toxicity, Enhances Rhizobial Population and Lowers Root Knot Formation in Rice Seedlings

Soil cadmium (Cd) causes toxicity and oxidative stress, alters biochemical processes and rootknot formation in rice. Irrigation of exogenous peroxidase (POX) together with its co-substrate H2O2(POXRice + H2O2), is likely to have protective effect upon the biochemical and nodular changes in ricegrown in Cd-rich soil. Exposure to Cd concentration of 1.00 mg/L increased oxidative stress, loss of cellviability, electrolyte leakage and root knot formation, whereas it significantly lowered the chlorophyll leveland rhizobium growth in rice. Irrigation of exogenous POXRice + H2O2 to Cd-stressed rice seedlingsreversed the Cd-induced alterations in rice to levels similar in control (non-stressed) seedlings. Resultsprovided strong evidence of exogenous POXRice + H2O2-mediated reversal and restoration of physiologicaland biochemical processes as well as increased resistance of rice seedlings to root knot formation.Irrigation with POXRice + H2O2 appeared to contribute towards bringing normoxic conditions in the otherwisehypoxic soil environment by enhancing the O2 in pot-experiments due to reduced Cd uptake, enhancedmineral homeostasis of essential elements viz. P, Fe, Mo, Mg and Mn for maintenance of root architecturedamaged by lipid peroxidation and reduction in oxidative stress by reducing Cd-induced reactive oxygenspecies generation. Therefore, the mitigation of Cd-toxicity in rice through this novel approach appeared tobe a promising mode to limit Cd-uptake, modulate protective and tolerance mechanisms for sustainablerice yield in Cd-contaminated rice-croplands and prevent nematode attack in rice, however, more detailedstudies are needed prior to large scale applications.

环境高温条件下收获甘蔗酸性转化酶和葡聚糖蔗糖酶活性表现及其与糖分降低的关系

甘蔗收获后蔗糖分降低是蔗糖加工单位的主要问题之一,特别是那些在高温下持续压榨的地区。通过研究评估榨季后期甘蔗收获后蔗糖分的损失量及其与酸性转化酶和葡聚糖蔗糖酶活性的关系,结果表明,甘蔗收获后,随着这两种酶活性的上升,甘蔗的商品蔗糖急剧下降。刚收获的甘蔗商品蔗糖值为10.88,在收获48、240h后,则分别降低2.27、6.59个单位,10d后蔗糖分降低约60%。对收获的甘蔗淋水并覆盖蔗叶,其蔗糖分降低约44%,而经化学物质处理并覆盖蔗叶的甘蔗蔗糖分减少27%。在甘蔗贮放期间,其蔗糖酸性转化酶和葡聚糖蔗糖酶活性明显增加。经化学处理并覆盖蔗叶后,收获甘蔗的两种酶活性明显下降。研究结果还表明,通过应用抗菌和抗转化化学物质配方具有使后期收获的甘蔗蔗糖分降低到最小的可能性。

Extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Pseudomonas sp. THG-LS1.4 and their antimicrobial application

Silver nanoparticles（Ag NPs） are known to have bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects. The present study highlights the extracellular synthesis of Ag NPs and its antibacterial properties. The Ag NPs were synthesized using Pseudomonas sp. THG-LS1.4 strain which had been isolated from soil. The Ag NPs were characterized by field emission-transmission electron microscopy（FE-TEM）, X-ray diffraction（XRD）,Fourier transform-infrared（FT-IR） spectroscopy, and particle size distribution（DLS）. The Ag NPs displayed maximum absorbance at 412 nm and were irregular in shape ranging from 10 to 40 nm. The XRD spectroscopy results demonstrated the crystalline nature of nanoparticles. The Ag NPs showed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida tropicalis, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore, the Ag NPs were also evaluated for their increased antibacterial activities with various antibiotics against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica. Additionally, Ag NPs showd biofilm inhibition activity. The biosynthesized Ag NPs were found to be a potent agent against tested pathogens. More importantly, we highlight the applications of Ag NPs as an antimicrobial agent.

BASANT, a Polyherbal Safe Microbicide Eliminates HPV-16 in Women with Early Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions

Carcinoma cervix is a major cancer of women killing 510,000 women every year worldwide. Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection of cervical cells initiates the transformation of the cervical cells to malignant stage. HPV-16 is the most frequent type of HPV causing these changes. We report here the elimination of HPV-16 from the infected cells of all (11/11) women positive for HPV-16 by 30 intra-vaginal intakes of BASANT.

Hybrid silver nanoparticles:Modes of synthesis and various biomedical applications

In the present day,there is a growing trend of employing new strategies to synthesize hybrid nanoparticles,which involve combining various functionalities into a single nanocomposite system.These modern methods differ significantly from the traditional classical approaches and have emerged at the forefront of materials science.The fabrication of hybrid nanomaterials presents an unparalleled opportunity for applica-tions in a wide range of areas,including therapy to diagnosis.The focus of this review article is to shed light on the different modalities of hybrid nanoparticles,providing a concise description of hybrid silver nano-particles,exploring various modes of synthesis and classification of hybrid silver nanoparticles,and highlighting their advantages.Addi-tionally,we discussed core-shell silver nanoparticles and various types of core and shell combinations based on the material category,such as dielectric,metal,or semiconductor.The two primary classes of hybrid silver nanoparticles were also reviewed.Furthermore,various hybrid nanoparticles and their methods of synthesis were discussed but we emphasize silica as a suitable candidate for hybridization alongside metal nanoparticles.This choice is due to its hydrophilic surface qualities and high surface charge,which provide the desired repulsive forces to minimize aggregation between the metal nanoparticles in the liquid solution.Silica shell encapsulation also provides chemical inertness,robustness and the adaptability to the desired hybrid nanoparticle.Therefore,among all the materials used to coat metal nanoparticles;silica is highly approved.

Discount pricing policy for deteriorating items under preservation technology cost and shortages

This paper presents an inventory model with a constant rate of deterioration of the product,and shortages are allowed at the end of the cycle.The stock-dependent and price-sensitive demand have been considered with a policy of providing price discount to uplift the market demand.Preservation technology is applied to preserve the items from deterioration.The objective of this model is to maximize the total profit function by finding the optimal replenishment time,the optimal preservation technology investment and the optimal quantity.Next,we have shown that the total profit is a concave function of the replenishment time and preservation technology cost.Discount in pricing may be offered at a time of festival,season breaks down,lockdown and clearance of stock,before introducing a new product with up-gradations,etc.Numerical examples and graphical analysis are provided to explain the model.The discount policy could help any business organizations for smooth running of the business and obtain respective optimal profit.

Molecular characterization of DENV-3 circulating during the post-monsoon period of 2013–14 in Delhi, India

Dear Editor,Dengue infection is one of the emerging concerns for public health on a global scale.Over the past few years,dengue transmission has increased in the Americas,the western Pacific and southeast Asia.The magnitude,distribution,and clinical severity of dengue outbreaks have been an alarming signal in the southeast Asia region.Major outbreaks have been reported in countries in

Wastewater treatment using Fe-doped perovskite manganites by photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange,crystal violet and indigo carmine dyes in tungsten bulb/sunlight

We documented(ⅰ) the decolorization of wastewater in visible light,which contains methyl orange,crystal violet and indigo carmine dyes,using La_(0.7)Sr_(0.3)Mn_(1-x)Fe_(x)O_(3)(x=0.0,0.05,0.1 and 0.5) manganites and(ⅱ) efficient separation of photocatalysts from water using magnetic field.These ceramic photocatalysts were sintered at 1050℃ for 12 h.Ceramics were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy(SXAS),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy(DRS).SXAS studies show the presence of Mn(Mn^(3+)/Mn^(4+)) and Fe(Fe^(3+)/Fe^(4+)) mixes valences in Fe-doped compositions.Optical band gap is found in visible light range for La_(0.7)Sr_(0.3)Mn_(1-x)Fe_(x)O_(3)(x=0.0,0.05,0.1) compositions.La_(0.7)Sr_(0.3)MnO_(3) degrades 94.6% methyl orange in7 min,81.9% crystal violet in 10 min and 99.1% indigo carmine in 5 min.La_(0.7)Sr_(0.3)Mn_(0.9)Fe_(0.1)O_(3) degrades the 92.6% methyl orange dye solution in 9 min,94.8% crystal violet in 25 min and 97.1% indigo carmine in3 min.Parent and Fe doped manganites can be separated in 60 s from wastewater.