Plastic mulches are used nowadays to significantly increase crop yield due to ease of use, transportation, and storability. The main objective and aim of this investigation is to examine the role of colored plastic mulch on growth, quality, and yield attributing traits of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in the central Himalayan region. The field experiment contained mulches in red, black, yellow, silver, and a no mulch control from Oct 2019 to Feb 2020. Red plastic mulch improved growth, yield, and quality attributing characters compared to other mulches and control. Red mulched treatment maintained better soil moisture and better soil temperature (up to 6 °C) compared to control and other colored mulches. The yield of tomatoes ranged from 13.49 to 20.27 kg.m-2 with the maximum under red plastic mulch. A yield increase of 29.72 to 50.25 % was achieved using mulch as compared to control. The plant growth, quality, and flowering attributing traits also exhibited superiority under mulching over control with red mulch showing the best effect. Tomato fruits harvested from red mulch treatment exhibited the highest value of quality parameters such as TSS (5.20 °B), lycopene content (5.59 mg/100g), ascorbic acid content (16.86 mg/100g), and carotenoid content (3.51 mg/g FW).

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Decellualrized acellular matrix are enriched with Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and provides three dimenisonal (3D) biomimetic ultrastructure for tissue regeneration and remodelling. However, acellular matrix are potential used as inexpensive grafts there need to be modified with other growth factors or biomolecules such as silk protein, eggshell membrane protein, vitamines to overcome the loss of biomolecules during their fabrication. Soya protein (SP) is natural green component isolated with plant source and their derivative are biocompatible, non-inflammatory. Therefore, we studied the synergistic effect of the SP along with acellular matrix and modified the acellular matrix with SP by simple dip method without any crosslinking agents. The study outcome reveled that the after incorporation of SP, the anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial activity and biocompatbilty of the acellular martix signifcantly increased. Thus, this synergitic approache to design SP-acellular matrix could be a potential grafts for enhanced tissue regeneration or remodeling of chronic infections.

Aim:The present study was carried out to evaluate the clinical efficacy of scaling and root planing (SRP) alone and commercially available chlosite gel adjunctive to SRP in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods:A total of 416 sites selected from 26 patients presenting with chronic periodontitis (age group ≥30 years) of both sexes, with pocket depth of ≥6 mm were recruited for the study. A split-mouth design was employed with one site receiving SRP alone (Group I) and the other receiving SRP followed by placement of commercially available chlosite gel (Group II) and all the clinical parameters-Plaque index (PI), Gingival index (GI), Probing Pocket depth and Clinical attachment loss (CAL) were recorded at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Results:Results demonstrated that significant reduction in PI and GI scores were observed in both groups till the end of the study period (6 months). Probing depth and CAL also showed significant improvement in both the groups. However, Group II (sites which received SRP + Chlosite gel) showed greater improvements in all of these parameters compared to Group I (sites which received SRP only). Conclusion:The findings of this study suggest that the locally delivered commercially available chlosite gel along with mechanical debridement, resulted in a clinically meaningful improvement in all the clinical parameters.

Background The British Society of Gastroenterology has recommended the Edinburgh Dysphagia Score (EDS) to risk-stratify dysphagia referrals during the endoscopy COVID recovery phase. Aims External validation of the diagnostic accuracy of EDS and exploration of potential changes to improve its diagnostic performance. Methods A prospective multicentre study of consecutive patients referred with dysphagia on an urgent suspected upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer pathway between May 2020 and February 2021. The sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of EDS were calculated. Variables associated with UGI cancer were identified by forward stepwise logistic regression and a modified Cancer Dysphagia Score (CDS) developed. Results 1301 patients were included from 19 endoscopy providers; 43% male; median age 62 (IQR 51-73) years. 91 (7%) UGI cancers were diagnosed, including 80 oesophageal, 10 gastric and one duodenal cancer. An EDS >= 3.5 had a sensitivity of 96.7 (95% CI 90.7-99.3)% and an NPV of 99.3 (97.8-99.8)%. Age, male sex, progressive dysphagia and unintentional weight loss >3 kg were positively associated and acid reflux and localisation to the neck were negatively associated with UGI cancer. Dysphagia duration <6 months utilised in EDS was replaced with progressive dysphagia in CDS. CDS >= 5.5 had a sensitivity of 97.8 (92.3-99.7)% and NPV of 99.5 (98.1-99.9)%. Area under receiver operating curve was 0.83 for CDS, compared to 0.81 for EDS. Conclusions In a national cohort, the EDS has high sensitivity and NPV as a triage tool for UGI cancer. The CDS offers even higher diagnostic accuracy. The EDS or CDS should be incorporated into the urgent suspected UGI cancer pathway.

Our earlier studies have established improved cold tolerance in the transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Pusa Ruby) developed through constitutive over expression of Nicotiana tabacum Osmotin gene. To understand the molecular responses, micro-array analysis was performed in the transgenic and the wild type on cold (4.0 °C) treatment for 2 and 24 h using Affymetrix GeneChip® Tomato Genome Array. The principal component analysis plots placed the wild type and transgenic in different regions, indicating differential transcript regulation on cold exposure. The differential gene expression analysis performed using pairwise comparison for transgenic and wild type indicated modulation of 307 out of 3770 genes, by 10 or higher fold on cold treatment. Sugar and amino acid metabolism together constituted the maximum of the annotated products of the differentially expressed genes. The results revealed modulation of expression of responsive genes involved in various functions in the transgenic tomato on cold treatment.

Migration of local population of Uttarakhand (UK) border areas is presently serious issues for national security since; this State is sharing international border (~650 km) with China/Tibet and Nepal. Among the various factors reported for migration, few notables are search for better livelihood, unemployment, difficult remote terrain and poor land connectivity, less productivity from agriculture due to abiotic and biotic stresses etc. Hence, measures to increase the livelihood opportunities in these border areas to curb the problem of migration through intervention of modern agro-animal technologies are essentially required. In this attempt, Defence Institute of Bio Energy Research (DIBER) has already developed various agro-animal mature technologies, in terms of high yielding and genuine quality seed/seedlings, protected cultivation technology, soil-less cultivation technology, angora farming, mushroom cultivation, medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) cultivation technology, hydro-fodder, etc that shown great promise and impact in increasing the farm income and livelihood opportunities for civil inhabitants of these marginal regions. This article highlights the DIBER outreach extension efforts for ensuring better livelihood opportunities to farmers of border area and also to curtail migration that will in turn increase strategic support to Army and paramilitary defence forces deployed in three border Distts (Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh) of UK.

Food and nutrition (hidden hunger) for rapidly growing global populations (expected to increase 10 billion by 2050) are major concern of public health issue in most of the global developing countries.One way to tackle these problems is through the intervention of local traditional less-explored high-value food crops as dietary supplements for ensuring food and nutritional security.The Diplazium esculentum (Retz.)Sw (also called as 'Vegetable fern' or 'Liguna'; fam.Athyriaceae) is an underutilized wild wetland pteridophytes occurring commonly throughout world, from sea level to 2,300m.The young frond and rhizomes of D. esculentum are generally used as green vegetables during the monsoon season, which are reported to possess notable nutritional and medicinal properties.This research article highlights the detailed nutritive phytochemical (primary and secondary metabolites, essential mineral content, dietary fibres, calorific value etc) profiling of young fronds of D. esculentum.Our results suggest that D. esculentum fronds contains rich amounts of protein (52.3%), carbohydrate (28.2%), antioxidants (Vitamin C etc) and exceptionally high contents of important minerals (Ca, Fe, Na), dietary fibre (17.44%) with good calorific energy value (324 Kcal/100 gm).The overall results suggest that, the young fronds of D. esculentum contains rich source of phyto-nutrients that may be commercially utilized for the development of healthcare value added products as a sustainable solution to the health and nutritional security.

The high-altitude Himalayan regions are unique micro-climatic and geographic separations that have precise agro-technical needs, which is quite different from other agro-climacteric zones of India for vegetable production. In such marginal degraded regions mainly drought stress causes significant harmful effect on survival, biomass production and yields of vegetable crops up to 70%. Since drought tolerance is quantitative and multigenic in nature, a massive challenge exists to solve this problem. The use of N-fixing growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in place of agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) is a promising approach to increase the plant productivity by naturally increasing nitrogen content of soil and also not leads to deterioration of the soil micro-flora and environment. In this attempt, this chapter highlights the importance of promising indigenous Frankia sp. strains (potential N-fixing PGPR) isolated from the root nodules of Casuarina plant of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. Also, the effect of bio-inoculation of isolated Frankia sp. strains has been demonstrated to improve PEG-mediated drought stress tolerance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Pusa ruby) for improving sustainable hill agriculture in rain fed conditions. This successful model may be useful for improving the productivity of other crops grown in drought prone regions of Himalaya.

The word Shvitra means in Sanskrit is Shvitra, which is white patch, without Kandu and inflammation, it present on anywhere of body, In this disease white spots or white discoloration takes place on the skin so it is named as Shvitra. Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin. It's caused by the lack of melanin, a pigment in the skin. In modern Science PUVA therapy and corticosteroid are used for treatment of disease but they may cause very harmful effect like skin burn, nausea dermatoheliosis that is ultraviolet ageing of skin. There is need Safe easier less complicate cost effective Ayurvedic treatment. Abhyanga stimulates Bhrajjak pitta which is present in the skin and helps restoring color. Jyotishamati Taila has extra medicinal property so it treats disease more comfortably.

There is significant increase in the incidence of mental diseases in the present era throughout the world and anxiety being one of them.Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) the most prevalent psychiatric illness in the general community, is characterized by persistent, excessive and unrealistic worry associated with muscle tension and impaired concentration, insomnia etc.It is most frequent disorder in primary care and associated with a significant economic burden owing to decreased work productivity and substantial reduction in quality of life.In Ayurveda, various psychological disorders are mentioned which shows some similarity with anxiety disorder.Chittodvega seems to be nearest correlation for this disease entity.It is listed under Manas Dosha Vikara along with emotional disturbance.Being an alarming disease, GAD requires effective management.The other treatments available for GAD are limited to anti-anxiety and sedative agents and gives only symptomatic relief with lots of side effects.Ayurveda, with its holistic approach, can be helpful in such situation.Ayurveda has mental health promoting and brain nutrients like Medhya drugs which are highly effective in various mental disorders.Among the five Shodhanas, Nasya is the one capable of expelling the Doshas from the Urdhvanga or the head.As mentioned in Charaka Samhita, nose is the gateway of the head.The therapy is highly effective in curing a number of diseases pertaining to the head and manas.

In the present era due to over-industrialization and increase in pollution as well as changed life style, one can constantly meets with various pollutants; which ultimately results in weaken immune system and increased sensitivity toward allergens. This causes various types of allergic diseases. Urticaria is one of the most common allergic skin diseases characterized by erythematous and pruritic rashes. It affects 15-20% of the people at some point of their life. Highest incidence occurs at third decade of life. The discomfort and stress caused by urticarial can lead to serious impairment of quality life. In classics sheetpitta has almost similar symptomatology and causative factors as urticaria. In sheetpitta, vata and kapha are primarily disturbed and in combination of pitta they cause redness, swelling and itching on the skin. Although the diseases is not life-threatening, it makes the patient troubled due to its appearance, severe itching, and disturb the daily routine. In contemporary science there is no permanent cure, but only remission of the disease can be achieved by medicine. But these treatments can cause reoccurrence of the disease. So an effort has been made with Ayurvedic intervention. A male patient from Panchkarma OPD was treated with Virechana along with internal medication and dietary protocol. Significant relief in the symptoms is observed in the patient after Virechana and oral medication. Virechana may be better line of treatment for urticaria as it works on correcting the underlying root cause along with symptoms of the diseases.

This manuscript discusses the phytochemical analysis of stinging plants and/or their biological toxins as novel future bio-threat agents that may be used for self-defence purpose. The selected stinging plants namely, Urtica dioica L., Tragia involucrata L., Carduus nutans L. and Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC, have dual role as nutraceutical and ethno-pharmacological uses apart from their less-explored stinging property. The phytochemical analyses of their secondary metabolites including phenolics, terpene and N-containing compounds were measured. M. pruriens showed maximum total phenolic content (~1004 µg g−1 dry wt) followed by those of T. involucrata, C. nutans and U. dioica. Similarly, the flavonoid content was also found highest (~500 µg of QE g−1 dry wt) in M. pruriens. However, the tannin content was maximum (~654 µg g−1 dry wt) in T. involucrata followed by M. pruriens. Likewise, the terpenoid content was maximum (~350 µg of Lil g−1 dry wt) in U. dioica followed by M. pruriens, T. involucrata and C. nutans. FRSA was maximum (~31%) in M. pruriens. However, the oil content was highest in T. involucrata followed by U. dioica, M. pruriens and C. nutans. In addition, the alkaloid content was maximum (~523 µg of AE g−1 dry wt) in M. pruriens. These findings clearly suggest that M. pruriens has higher potential for harvesting of toxic compounds as compared to other studied plants for the formulation of novel future bio-threat agents for self-defence. However, detailed work is required for identification of the precise stinging chemical components.