Haptoglobin patterns in essential hypertension and associated conditions--increased risk for Hp 2-2

Blood samples from 257 hypertensive patients and 180 normotensive controls were analysed for their association with haptoglobin levels and phenotypes. Compared to controls, patients with Hp 2-2 phenotype showed a significantly increased risk for essential hypertension (p less than 0.001) and hypertension associated with ischaemic heart disease (p less than 0.05). There was a significant decrease in the mean levels of serum haptoglobins in hypertension as compared to controls, suggesting the possibility for intravascular haemolysis due to vascular damage leading to further complications.     

Production of adventitious shoots and plantlets from the hypocotyl explants of Sesbania rostrata (Bremek & obrem)

Summary Adventitious shoots were induced from the hypocotyl explants derived from 12–15-d-old seedlings of Sesbania rostrata on Nitsch's medium (Nitsch, 1969) supplemented with 1 mgl⁻¹ (4.4 μM), of N⁶-benzylademine (BA). A maximum of 5.9±3.4 shoots per explant in 100% of cultures were obtained. The BA treatment for different time durations (1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 17, 21, or 30 d) exhibited significant variation in the caulogenic potential of the explants. BA treatment for 10–17 d proved optimum for the response. Although at all concentrations of kinetin the explants developed multiple shoots, they were malformed. Sucrose at 3% exhibited the development of the maximum of 3.5±0.9 shoots per explant with an average shoot length of 4.7±3.9 cm. Among the different carbon sources, i.e., fructose, galactose, maltose, mannose, and sucrose at 3% (w/v), sucrose supported the best caulogenic response. The role of various other factors (viz. size, orientation of explant, and seedling age) on the caulogenic response of the hypocotyl explants of S. rostrata were also studied. The shoot development in all cases was accompanied by the development of moderate to profuse callus at the basal cut end of the explant. The in vitro-regenerated shoots produced roots when transferred to half-strength MS medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) supplemented with 3% sucrose and 1 mgl⁻¹ (4.9 μM) indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The developed plantlets were transferred to the field after an initial acclimatization period of 3–4 mo. Such transferred plants produced flowers and fruits in the field and exhibited the development of prominent and organized stem nodules.     

Mixed PGPR consortium: an effective modulator of antioxidant network for management of collar rot in cauliflower

Abstract

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a cosmopolitan fungal pathogen causing stem and collar watery soft rot of cauliflower. Previous management of this disease with chemical pesticides caused hazardous results which lead to use of more eco-friendly microbial approaches. In the present study, consortia of Trichoderma harzianum TNHU27 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PJHU15 were assessed for their ability in controlling Sclerotinia rot in cauliflower. The seedlings of cauliflower were challenged singly and in consortium with these two compatible microbes. The plants were evaluated upon challenge inoculation with S. sclerotiorum for changes in total phenolic content, the activity of defense and antioxidative enzymes. The microbial consortium comprising of T. harzianum and P. aeruginosa significantly enhanced the defense responses of the plant in comparison to pathogen challenged and unchallenged control. The study elucidates that plant beneficial microbes in the consortium may provide superior protection by induction of faster and enhanced defense responses in comparison to unchallenged and single microbe challenged plants under pathogen challenged conditions.     

Predictions and Strategies Learned from Machine Learning to Develop High‐Performing Perovskite Solar Cells

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have recently received considerable attention due to the high energy conversion efficiency achieved within a few years of their inception. However, a machine learning (ML) approach to guide the development of high‐performing PSCs is still lacking. In this paper ML is used to optimize material composition, develop design strategies, and predict the performance of PSCs. The ML models are developed using 333 data points selected from about 2000 peer reviewed publications. These models guide the design of new perovskite materials and the development of high‐performing solar cells. Based on ML guidance, new perovskite compositions are experimentally synthesized to test the practicability of the model. The ML model also shows its ability to predict underlying physical phenomena as well as the performance of PSCs. The PSC model matches well with the theoretical prediction by the Shockley and Queisser limit, which is almost impossible for a human to find from an ensemble of data points. Moreover, strategies for developing high‐performing PSCs with different bandgaps are also derived from the model. These findings show that ML is very promising not only for predicting the performance, but also for providing a deeper understanding of the physical phenomena associated with the PSCs.     

Climate change induced elevational range shifts of Himalayan tree species

Global warming may force montane species to shift upward to keep pace with their shifting climate niche. How species differences in such distribution shifts depend on their elevational positions, elevation-dependent warming rates, and other environmental constraints, or plant functional traits is poorly understood. Here, we analyzed for 137 Himalayan tree species how distribution shifts vary with elevational niche positions, environmental constraints, and their functional traits. We developed ecological niche models using MaxEnt by combining species survey and botanical collections data with 19 environmental predictors. Species distributions were projected to 1985 and 2050 conditions, and elevational range parameters and distribution areas were derived. Under the worst-case RCP 8.5 scenario, species are predicted to shift, on average, 3 m/year in optimum elevation, and have 33% increase in distribution area. Highland species showed faster predicted elevational shifts than lowland species. Lowland and highland species are predicted to expand in distribution area in contrast to mid-elevation species. Tree species for which species distribution models are driven by responses to temperature, aridity, or soil clay content showed the strongest predicted upslope shifts. Tree species with conservative trait values that enable them to survive resource poor conditions (i.e., narrow conduits) showed larger predicted upslope shifts than species with wide conduits. The predicted average upslope shift in maximum elevation (8 m/year) is >2 times faster than the current observations indicating that many species will not be able to track climate change and potentially go extinct, unless they are supported by active conservation measures, such as assisted migration.     

Neuroprotection by Mucuna pruriens in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurochemical Research - The medicinal plant Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) is widely known for its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a well-established drug in Ayurveda and has...