Allelopathic effect of four weed species extracts on germination, growth and protein in different varieties of Glycine max (L.) Merrill

Allelopathic effect of Ageratum conyzoides L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Parthenium hysterophorus L., and Solanum nigrum L. were examined on seed germination, seedling growth, total protein content and protein profile on Ankur, Bhatt, Bragg, PK -416, PS-1042 and Shilajeet varieties of soybean (Glycine max (L) Merill). Aqueous extracts of weeds (10% w/v) showed both inhibitory and stimulatory influence on percent seed germination and seedling growth in different varieties of soybean. On the basis of per cent reduction in different parameters, the variety Bragg and PS-1042, and Shilajeet were resistant and susceptible respectively to different weed extracts, and among weed extracts, S. nigrum was most effective followed by P. hysterophorus compared to others. The total protein content (mg/g f wt.) in different varieties was increased with all the weed extracts except Bragg with C. dactylon and P. hysterophorus, PS-1042 with A. conyzoides and Shilajeet with C. dactylon, in which it was decreased. The protein banding pattern in different varieties not only differ between control and treatments but also among treatments. The order of susceptibility of different varieties with different weed extracts followed the order: Ankur > PK-416 > Bhatt > Shilajeet > Bragg and > PS-1042.     

Survival of bio-inoculants on fungicides-treated seeds of wheat,pea and chickpea and subsequent effect on chickpea yield

Survival of Mesorhizobium ciceri (SP₄) and Azotobacter chroococcum (CBD-15 and M₄) was tested on chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seeds treated with fungicides bavistin [methyl N-(1H-benzimidazol-2yl) carbamate] and thiram (tetramethyl-thiuram disulfide), whereas survival of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Pseudomonas striata (27) and Bacillus polymyxa (H₅) was examined on two cultivars (Arkel and BV) of pea (Pisum sativum) seeds treated with thiram. Viability of Azotobacter chroococcum (W₅) was also examined on wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds treated with bavistin, captan (cis-N-trichloromethyl thio-4 cyclohexane-1, 2-dicarboximide) and thiram under laboratory conditions using standard dilution and the plate count technique. All the tested strains of diazotrophs and PSB showed decline in their viable population on prolonged contact with fungicides. However, PSB showed variation in their viable population even with the cultivar.

BV cultivar of pea seeds showed better recovery of viable P. striata (10.75 to 10.61 log no. of viable cells with in 0-24 hrs) in the presence of thiram, whereas the Arkel cultivar of pea resulted in better recovery of viable B. polymyxa. Azotobacter chroococcum (W₅), a potential strain for wheat, showed better survival in the presence of bavistin, compared to thiram and captan. Higher viable population of Mesorhizobium ciceri (SP₄) and Azotobacter chroococcum (M₄) was recovered from chickpea seeds treated with bavistin compared to thiram. However, thiram-treated seeds resulted in a greater number of extractable Azotobacter chroococcum (CBD-15). Under field conditions, adverse effect of thiram was reflected on the performance of Mesorhizobium ciceri (SP₄) and A. chroococcum (M₄) strains, resulting in reduced root and shoot biomass and grain yield, compared to bavistin treated and culture inoculated treatment. CBD-15 showed better performance in the presence of thiram compared to bavistin.     

Pyrolysis of jute dust: effect of reaction parameters and analysis of products

Biowastes are becoming potential feedstocks for direct utilization or conversion to solid, liquid and gaseous fuels via various thermochemical routes. In this regard, jute dust which is a major agro-industrial waste in jute mills was pyrolysed in a fixed-bed reactor with an aim to study the product distribution and their characterization and to identify the optimum condition for bio-oil yield. The investigated process variables were temperature (400–700 °C), heating rate (10 and 40 °C/min) and nitrogen gas flow rate (50–250 ml/min). The yield of bio-oil is found to be maximum at 500 °C with a heating rate of 40 °C/min. However, further increase in temperature leads to decrease in bio-oil yield. Chemical compositions of the bio-oils were investigated using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques such as ¹H NMR, FTIR and GC–MS. The heating value of the bio-oil is 26.71 MJ/kg. The study shows that jute dust have potential for conversion to bio-oil through the process of pyrolysis to supplement the petro-derived liquid fuel for heating and transportation applications after upgrading. The biochar produced as a co-product of jute dust pyrolysis can be a potential soil amendment with multiple benefits including increased soil fertility and C-sequestration.     

Redox activity of urban quasi-ultrafine particles from primary and secondary sources

To characterize the redox activity profiles of atmospheric aerosols from primary (traffic) and secondary photochemical sources, ambient quasi-ultrafine particles were collected near downtown Los Angeles in two different time periods – morning (6:00–9:00 PDT) and afternoon (11:00–14:00 PDT) in the summer of 2008. Detailed chemical analysis of the collected samples, including water-soluble elements, inorganic ions, organic species and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) was conducted and redox activity of the samples was measured by two different assays: the dithiothreitol (DTT) and the macrophage reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays. Tracers of secondary photochemical reactions, such as sulfate and organic acids were higher (2.1 ± 0.6 times for sulfate, and up to 3 times for the organic acids) in the afternoon period. WSOC was also elevated by 2.5 ± 0.9 times in the afternoon period due to photo-oxidation of primary particles during atmospheric aging. Redox activity measured by the DTT assay was considerably higher for the samples collected during the afternoon; on the other hand, diurnal trends in the ROS-based activity were not consistent between the morning and afternoon periods. A linear regression between redox activity and various PM chemical constituents showed that the DTT assay was highly correlated with WSOC (R² = 0.80), while ROS activity was associated mostly with water soluble transition metals (Vanadium, Nickel and Cadmium; R² > 0.70). The DTT and ROS assays, which are based on the generation of different oxidizing species by chemical PM constituents, provide important information for elucidating the health risks related to PM exposure from different sources. Thus, both primary and secondary particles possess high redox activity; however, photochemical transformations of primary emissions with atmospheric aging enhance the toxicological potency of primary particles in terms of generating oxidative stress and leading to subsequent damage in cells.     

Fluoride induces DNA damage and cytotoxicity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Humans are primarily exposed to fluoride (Fl), a widespread environmental pollutant, via contaminated drinking water and foodstuffs. The aim of this study was to examine whether sodium fluoride (NaF) exerted cytotoxic effects in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. HepG2 cells were incubated with different concentrations of NaF and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, cell cycle, apoptosis, and DNA damage determined. Concentration-dependent studies showed that exposure to HepG2 cells with different concentrations of NaF for 24 hr significantly decreased cell viability and intracellular antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, NaF exposure increased lipid peroxidation levels and accumulation of intracellular ROS; and lowered antioxidant glutathione concentrations. In addition to oxidative impairments, NaF treatment enhanced HepG2 cell death via apoptotic pathway as evidenced by DNA fragmentation and cell cycle arrest. Sodium fluoride treatment unregulated p53 level, and Bax and Bcl2 expression. Diminished cell viability and changes in cell cycle accompanied a rise in p53 expression.     

Biochemical and Ultrastructural Changes in Plant Foliage Exposed to Auto-Pollution

Auto-pollution is the by-product of our mechanized mobility, which adversely affects both plant and human life. However, plants growing in the urban locations provide a great respite to us from the brunt of auto-pollution by absorbing the pollutants at their foliar surface. Foliar surface configuration and biochemical changes in two selected plant species, namely Ficus religiosa L. and Thevetia nerifolia L., growing at IT crossing (highly polluted sites), Picup bhawan crossing (moderately polluted site) and Kukrail Forest Picnic Spot (Low polluted site) were investigated. It was observed that auto-exhaust pollution showed marked alterations in photosynthetic pigments, protein and cysteine contents and also in leaf area and foliar surface architecture of plants growing at HP site as compared to LP site. The changes in the foliar configuration reveal that these plants can be used as biomarkers of auto-pollution.     

Maternal and cord blood levels of Aldrin and Dieldrin in Delhi population

Aldrin and dieldrin, structurally similar organochlorine pesticides belong to cyclodiene family and were widely used for agriculture and public health program in India. Although the manufacturing, use and import of aldrin and dieldrin have been banned in India since 2003, these pesticides are still persistent in environment and may be associated with adverse neurological and reproductive effects. The aim of this study is to assess the recent exposure level of aldrin and dieldrin and their placental transfer to fetus in normal healthy full-term pregnant women belonging to north Indian population undergoing normal delivery at Obstetrics and Gynecology department of UCMS and GTB hospital, Delhi. Quantitative analysis of aldrin and dieldrin residues in maternal and cord blood samples were carried out by gas chromatography system equipped with electron capture detector. The results of our study clearly revealed that maternal and cord blood levels of aldrin and dieldrin of pregnant women are age and dietary habit dependent. The aldrin level in maternal blood and dieldrin level in cord blood are higher in women in the age group 25–30 years than in women in age group of 19–24 years. Similarly, aldrin level in maternal blood is significantly higher in women with non-vegetarian dietary habit than in women with vegetarian dietary habit. No significant association is found for maternal and cord blood level. The results of the present study clearly demonstrate prenatal uptake of aldrin and dieldrin and provide recent information on the subsequent transplacental transfer.     

Water quality improvement after shifting of idol immersion site: A case study of Upper Lake,Bhopal, India

Most of freshwater bodies all over the world are becoming polluted, thus decreasing the portability of the water. In India religious practices have deep relationship with water bodies. They also patronized religious practices and constructed numerous relatively small water bodies along with temples throughout the country. Today, with the rapid pace of urban development, most of these water bodies have become sinks for waste discharge, resulting in deterioration of their water quality. Upper Lake of Bhopal, constructed in the eleventh century, is typical example of urban water bodies and a major source of potable water for the people of Bhopal. Till the middle of the last century, the water of Upper Lake did not require any treatment before supply for drinking purposes. Idol worship is common in India. Idols are usually made up of wood, bamboo, straw, jute ropes, clay, and plaster of Paris and are painted with bright synthetic colors, which often contain heavy metals. Other materials, such as straw, jute ropes, flowers, leaves and germinated grains cause short-term deterioration of water quality on their decay, while heavy metals in the paints pose health hazards in the long-run. Religious issues are extremely sensitive and hence it was felt necessary to use the regard that the citizens had for the lake to build a consensus in support of change. The Bhoj Wetland Project was implemented with the aid of Japanese Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) to take action for preserving the Upper Lake of Bhopal (called Bhoj Wetlands). Our study is highlighted to water quality parameters like turbidity, total hardness, DO (Dissolved oxygen), BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) and heavy metals in the year 1999 and 2005 i.e. before implementation of project and completion of project.     

Locating air quality monitoring station using wind impact area diagram

In this study a new methodology is suggested to approximate the impact area downwind of an air pollution source, where air quality monitoring can be carried out to capture the maximum pollutant concentration. Hourly wind speed for a given month is grouped in to different wind speed ranges and the distance of pollutant travel is approximated from the average wind speed of that wind speed range. Since change in wind direction causes the impact distance to rotate, its rotation is approximated by the SD of wind direction change. Using this approach, area or region down wind of a source is determined and plotted. The pattern of monthly change of wind is better represented by the new type of diagram as compared to the wind rose diagram.     

Prenatal diagnosis of conjoined twins

A case of conjoined twins with open spina bifida prenatally diagnosed at the twenty-third week of gestation is presented. The early detection of this rare and unusual malformation was initiated by the observation of markedly elevated maternal serum alphafetoprotein values. Ultrasound evidence of a misshaped cephalic pole and the appearance of one fetal body on real-time ultrasound was strongly suggestive. Elective midtrimester termination confirmed the prenatal diagnosis and was followed by a benign postpartum course.