Assessing the effect of soil cultivation methods and genotypes on crop yield components, yield and soil properties in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping system.

BACKGROUND: The rice-wheat cropping system is the prevailing agricultural method in the North-Western states of India, namely in the Indo-Gangetic plains. The practice of open burning of rice residue is frequently employed for expedient land preparation, but it has significant adverse impacts on both the environment and human health. These include the emission of greenhouse gases, loss of nutrients, elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM), and disruption of the biological cycle. This research aims to investigate the implementation of effective management strategies in the rice-wheat cropping system, namely via the use of tillage-based crop cultivation techniques, stubble retention, and integration approaches. The objective is to enhance soil health features in order to augment crop yield and improve its attributes. RESULTS: The research was carried out using a split plot experimental design, consisting of three replications. The main plot consisted of four different cultivation methods, while the subplot included three genotypes of both rice and wheat. The research demonstrates the enhanced efficacy of residue application is significantly augmenting soil nutrient concentrations compared to standard tillage practices (P < 0.05). This was accomplished by an analysis of soil nutrient levels, namely nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and organic carbon (OC), at a depth of 0-15 cm. The implementation of natural farming, zero tillage, and reduced tillage practices resulted in decreases in rice grain yields of 34.0%, 16.1%, and 10.8%, respectively, as compared to conventional tillage methods. Similarly, the implementation of natural farming, zero tillage, and reduced tillage resulted in reductions in wheat grain yields of 59.4%, 10.9%, and 4.6% respectively, in comparison to conventional tillage practices. CONCLUSION: Regarding the individual crop genotypes investigated, it was continuously observed that Him Palam Lal Dhan 1 and HPW 368 displayed considerably greater grain yields for both rice and wheat during the two-year experimental period. Furthermore, when considering different cultivation methods, conventional tillage emerged as the most effective approach for obtaining higher productivity in both rice and wheat. Additionally, Him Palam Lal Dhan 1 and HPW 368 exhibited superior performance in terms of various crucial yield components for rice (such as panicle density, grains per panicle, panicle weight, and test weight) and wheat (including effective tiller density, grains per spike, spike weight, and 1000-grain weight).

Liposomes for the treatment of prostate cancer therapy: A review.

One of the cancers that affect men, prostate cancer considerably raises mortality rates for males around the world. Patients with prostate cancer can have a localized or advanced form of the illness. Digital rectal examinations, prostate-specific antigen analyses, and prostate biopsies are all used to identify prostate cancer. The onset, development, and spread of cancer are all correlated with mutations in specific genes. Radical prostatectomy, ablative radiation, and active surveillance are all forms of treatment for localized prostate cancer. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), radiation, and chemotherapy are given to men who have metastatic prostate cancer or have experienced a relapse. When compared to traditional cancer chemotherapeutic methods, the liposome-based drug delivery technology offers less toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible nanomedicine. Liposomes offer great advantages for use in nanomedicines by improving the sensitivity, specificity, and persistence of these anti-malignant cell agents in the body. Liposomal formulations are undergoing clinical trials of variety of cancers including prostate cancer. The present narrative review describes the composition and types of liposomes, its advantages, disadvantages, and the methods of preparation, research studies, clinical applications, drug repurposing and administration.

Status and conservation challenges of the second-largest seagrass bed in India: Chilika lagoon.

Studies related to seagrass ecology, conservation, and management are sparse and highly biased in India. Even though the geographical distribution of seagrass is diverse in India, about 74% of the scientific publications have been made from Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar from Tamilnadu. Chilika, the largest lagoon in Asia, harbors the second largest seagrass meadow in India 22% of the total. The lagoon acts as a potential blue carbon stock and helps in thriving a rich floral and faunal biodiversity. However, the critical role of seagrass in this unique lagoon ecosystem is still poorly understood. This review is aimed at synthesizing the published literature about seagrass in Chilika. We believe this information would encourage more in-depth and diverse seagrass studies in the region and identify future priority areas for research. A total of seven species have been recorded from 169.2 sq. km of seagrass patch in Chilika. For the last two decades, no significant signs of decline in seagrass beds from this lagoon have been reported. Still, various natural and anthropogenic stressors could put this unique ecosystem under severe stress. Moreover, lax enforcement of existing legislation and a general lack of knowledge among the stakeholders about their ecosystem services can be significant impediments to their conservation. More targeted research on Chilika seagrass in changing climate regimes and their sustainable intensification is the need of the hour.

MRI Abnormalities of the Brain After Complex Febrile Seizures in Children.

Background Though simple febrile seizures do not cause significant and lasting neurological deficits, complex febrile seizures (CFS) can result in neurologic sequelae. Because CFS causes cortical focal injuries and other brain lesions, it needs to be evaluated. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the MRI brain changes in CFS, the incidence of seizures in children aged six months to five years, and their severity in relation to MRI findings of the brain. Methods In this observational study, 36 children aged six months to five years, having fever with seizure, and fulfilling the criteria of CFS were enrolled within 48 hours of the episode. Detailed clinical and neurological examinations were performed with MRI scans to find out the probable CNS lesions of CFS. Two radiologists separately evaluated all MRI brains. Results MRI lesions of the brain were found in 11 (30.56%) CFS patients. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) (n=31, 86.11%) were the most common type of seizure among CFS cases. Cortical focal hyperintensity (CFH) (42.1%) was the most common MRI presentation. Positive MRI findings were significantly associated with focal convulsions (n=5, 100%) as compared to GTCS cases (n=6, 19%) (p=0.001). Conclusions CFH is the most common abnormality in the MRI brain among CFS cases. CFS patients with focal seizures or prolonged seizures in 24 hours have higher abnormal neuroimaging findings. MRI should be considered a preferred investigatory tool for detecting CNS pathology in CFS cases. Follow-up studies are needed to determine the long-term outcomes of CNS lesions in children with CFS.

Transcorneal permeation of diclofenac as a function of temperature from film formulation in presence of triethanolamine and benzalkonium chloride.

The objective of this report was to evaluate the transcorneal permeation of diclofenac potassium (DCP) as a function of temperature from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) matrix film containing triethanolamine (TEM) as plasticizer and benzalkonium chloride (BKC) as preservative. Activation energy (Ea), enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS) and free energy (ΔG) of permeation, diffusion and partition were evaluated to understand the underlying mechanism of permeation. Permeation improved with the presence of both the plasticizer and preservative compared to preservative alone. Further, increased amount of TEM in the film increased drug transport across the cornea. Decreased Ea value of the film supported the fact. Rise of temperature from 26 to 30, 34 and 40 °C increased permeation in all the films. Ocular residence of the film in vivo in the rabbit revealed that the film swelled by pronounced lachrymal fluid uptake and traces of hydrogel remained still at the end of 6 h of application. Absence of characteristic exothermic peak of the drug in the thermogram of film formulations indicated the molecular dispersion of drug in polymer matrix. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the drug crystal size decreased with increasing concentration of TEM in presence of BKC due to effective wetting of drug particles by the polymer.