Neuroplasticity, limbic neuroblastosis and neuro-regenerative disorders

The brain is a dynamic organ of the biological renaissance due to the existence of neuroplasticity. Adult neurogenesis abides by every aspect of neuroplasticity in the intact brain and contributes to neural regeneration in response to brain diseases and injury. The occurrence of adult neurogenesis has unequivocally been witnessed in human subjects, experimental and wildlife research including rodents, bats and cetaceans. Adult neurogenesis is a complex cellular process, in which generation of neuroblasts namely, neuroblastosis appears to be an integral process that occur in the limbic system and basal ganglia in addition to the canonical neurogenic niches. Neuroblastosis can be regulated by various factors and contributes to different functions of the brain. The characteristics and fate of neuroblasts have been found to be different among mammals regardless of their cognitive functions. Recently, regulation of neuroblastosis has been proposed for the sensorimotor interface and regenerative neuroplasticity of the adult brain. Hence, the understanding of adult neurogenesis at the functional level of neuroblasts requires a great scientific attention. Therefore, this mini-review provides a glimpse into the conceptual development of neuroplasticity, discusses the possible role of different types of neuroblasts and signifies neuroregenerative failure as a potential cause of dementia.

Accumulation of Polyphenolic Compounds and Osmolytes under Dehydration Stress and Their Implication in Redox Regulation in Four Indigenous Aromatic Rice Cultivars

Present work was undertaken to screen some drought tolerant indigenous aromatic rice cultivars(IARCs),commonly cultivated in West Bengal,India,based on their capacity to produce osmolytes,redox-sensitive phenolic acids and flavonoids,as contrivances for redox-regulation under drought stress.Polyethylene glycol induced post imbibitional dehydration stress mediated changes in redox regulatory properties of the germinating seeds of the four IARCs(Jamainadu,Tulaipanji,Sitabhog,Badshabhog),which were assessed in terms of changes in prooxidant accumulation(in-situ localization of reactive oxygen species(ROS)by confocal microscopy,DCFDA(2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate)oxidation,O2-and H2O2 accumulation),cumulative antioxidative defense(radical scavenging property and total thiol content),ROS scavenging phenolic acids(gallic acid,protocatechuic acid,gentisic acid,para-hydroxy benzoic acid,chlorogenic acid,caffeic acid,syringic acid,salicylic acid,sinapic acid and p-coumaric acid)and flavonoids(catechin,naringin,rutin,quercetin,kaempferol,myricetin and apigenin).The capability of germinating seeds to accumulate osmolytes(like glycinebetaine,proline,soluble carbohydrates and K+ion)and polyphenolic compounds was also correlated with their corresponding redox status and redox biomarkers(conjugated diene,hydroperoxide,thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and free carbonyl content)produced under the same conditions.The results in general showed that accumulation of osmolytes along with the redox-sensitive phenolics and flavonoids conferred the ability to maintain the redox homeostasis under drought stress for the tolerant IARCs(Badshabhog and Tulaipanji).

PULSAR SUPERNOVA REMNANT CORRELATION

A formula is provided to check the correlation of pulsars and supernova remnants,using only observable pulsar parameters.The validity of this formula depends on the assumption that the value of the initial pulsar frequency is much greater than the present value.A test for this assumption is suggested.

The Potential Bioeffects of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Melatonin Levels &Related Oxidative Stress in Electric Utility Workers Exposed to 132 kV Substation

Electricity substations take electricity from power lines and transformer lines to transform it from high to low voltage and distribute to the consumers. These substations generate low frequency electromagnetic fields similar to those emitted from over head power lines and electrical appliances at home. The present study is focused on assessing the potential bioeffects of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMFs) on melatonin level and oxidative stress biomarkers, in subjects occupationally exposed to 132 kV high voltage substation in Hyderabad, India. These subjects are involved in maintenance and installation of power line distribution at electricity transmission network. The ELFEMFs exposed subjects (n = 142) included the electric utility workers, who were compared with age, and socioeconomic status matched controls (n = 151). The subjects were professionally categorized based on their job titles, with different exposure levels, as administrative workers (low exposure), maintenance workers (medium exposure) and liveline workers (high exposure). The plasma melatonin levels were significantly suppressed in the high exposed subjects i.e., hotline workers (p 0.05). The oxidant status levels of plasma Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Nitric Oxide (NO) showed significantly increased levels in all the exposed subjects (p 0.05). The activity levels of erythrocyte antioxidative enzyme when compared to control subjects were significantly reduced in the exposed subjects of all the categories (p 0.05).

Open Space Implications in Urban Development: Reflections in Recent Urban Planning Practices in Nepal

Open space has various implications in urban development planning and has been integrated in recent urban planning approaches and practices in Nepal.The open spaces are not only important for(re)shaping the urban form but are also important for enhancing urban social life and disaster risk management,particularly for dense cities.As most of the cities in Nepal have been growing haphazardly,the cities lack sufficient open space.However,the value of open space in dense cities like Kathmandu has been recognized more after the Gorkha Earthquake 2015 as the open spaces were extensively used for risk relief,treatment,recovery,and rehabilitation during and after the earthquake.With this background,this paper presents the major planning initiatives in Nepal and discusses how recent urban plans have provisioned and initiated open spaces development by reviewing concurrent urban planning practices,particularly reviewing Periodic Plans,Integrated Urban Development Plan,Smart City Plan,and Land Development Plan.The development of open areas has not been given much attention in the earlier urban planning practice but recent urban development planning has emphasized with a special focus which is very important for sustainable and safer city development and is expected to address the current bulging urban issues of spatiality and sociability.Therefore,it is very important for integrating open space implications in city planning and such open space should be conceptualized according to the city’s geography,landscape as well as socio-cultural contexts.