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Heterocyclic compounds have attracted significant attention in recent years due to their promising applications in organic electronics. This review summarizes the recent advances in the design and synthesis of heterocyclic compounds for use in organic electronics. The focus is on emerging trends in the field, including the development of novel heterocyclic building blocks, the incorporation of heterocycles into π-conjugated systems, and the use of heterocyclic compounds in optoelectronic devices. We also discuss the challenges associated with the design and synthesis of heterocyclic compounds for organic electronics applications, and highlight future directions in this rapidly evolving field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High soil erosion in the Himalayan region adversely affects the growth and development of vegetation, which ultimately increases the slope instability and makes the area prone to landslides. Restoration of native vegetation through adopting soil and water conservation measures (SWCM) is extremely important to prevent soil erosion and improve sustainability of Himalayan landscapes. SWCM are mainly practiced for controlling soil erosion, but their effectiveness in restoration of native vegetation is lesser known, particularly in the Himalayas. Therefore, we assessed the impact of coir geotextiles, wattling and trenching based soil conservation measures on richness, diversity, density, and biomass of plant species in a eroded steep slope of North-West Indian Himalaya. Our findings showed that both the number of species and Shannon diversity index was observed maximum in coir geotextiles (20 and 4.6, respectively), followed by wattling (11 and 3.0, respectively), trenching (10 and 2.4, respectively), and minimum in control (7 and 1.8, respectively) treatment. Likewise, density of plant species was observed higher in coir geotextiles (77.0 nos. m−2) followed by wattling (53.0 nos. m−2), trenching (36.0 nos. m−2), and lower in control (30.0 nos. m−2). Results further showed that the designing coir geotextiles, wattling and trenches enhanced the species total biomass (dry) productions by 117 g m−2, 65.0 g m−2 and 48 g m−2, respectively, over the control. The soil moisture was recorded greater in coir geotextiles (4.9%) treatment compared to wattling (4.3%), trenching (2.3%) and control (1.8%). The soil organic carbon was assessed higher in coir geotextiles (0.76%) followed by trenching (0.38%), wattling (0.27%) and minimum in control (0.18%). Overall, results indicated that coir geotextiles followed by wattling and trenching were highly effective in improving the vegetation recovery, species diversity and biomass in the Himalayan slopes. Therefore, the present study demonstrated some important aspects of vegetation recovery processes following soil conservation measures, and it can be useful in planning rehabilitation measures on the eroded and steep Himalayan slopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil carbon and its fractions are important in understanding the mechanism of soil carbon sequestration. The present study evaluated the impact of seven commercial bamboo species, viz., Bambusa balcooa, B. bambos, B. vulgaris, B. nutans, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, D. stocksii, and D. strictus, on labile and non-labile carbon fractions. In the 0–15-cm layer, B. nutans had the highest very labile C (7.65 g kg−1) followed by B. vulgaris > B. balcooa > D. stocksii > D. hamiltonii > B. bambos > D. strictus > open. The active carbon pool was significantly low under the control plot (i.e. the open) indicating the positive influence of bamboo in soil C build-up in the top 0–15 cm soil layer. Amongst the different species of bamboo evaluated in this study, D. strictus accumulated the highest active C pool in 0–30-cm soil layer followed by B. vulgaris. Of the total organic C in the 0–30 cm soil depth, majority (55–60%) was contributed by the passive C pool comprising the less labile and the non-labile fraction of SOC. A high value of carbon stratification ratio (> 2) was observed for D. strictus, B. bambos, and D. hamiltonii which proves their potential for restoration of the degraded lands. The majority of bamboo species except for B. balcooa and D. stocksii showed a higher carbon management index than open systems, thereby indicating higher rates of soil C rehabilitation. Of the seven bamboo species, B. vulgaris, D. strictus, and B. nutans can be adopted for cultivation in the northwest Himalayas given their ability to positively impact the SOC and its fractions in both surface and sub-surface soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboos due to high soil water conservation potential are gaining increased attention in plantation programs across the globe. Large-scale plantation of fast-growing bamboo, however, can have important hydrological consequences. The study aims to quantify the eco-hydrological parameters, viz., throughfall (TF), stemflow (SF), and interception (I) in seven important sympodial bamboo species in north western Himalayan foothills of India. The species selected include Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa bambos, Bambusa vulgaris., Bambusa nutans, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus stocksii, and Dendrocalamus strictus. Throughfall versus gross rainfall (GR) relationship in different species indicated high throughfall production during high rainfall events with r2 > 0.90. Average throughfall was lowest (62.1%) in D. hamiltonii and highest in B. vulgaris (74.6%). SF ranged from 1.32% in B. nutans to 3.39% in D. hamiltonii. The correlation coefficient (r) between leaf area index (LAI), number of culms, and crown area with the interception were 0.746, 0.691, and 0.585, respectively. The funneling ratio (F) was highest (27.0) in D. hamiltonii and least in B. nutans. Canopy storage capacity was highest in D. strictus (3.57 mm) and least in D. hamiltonii (1.09 mm). Interception loss was highest (34.4%) in D. hamiltonii and lowest in B. vulgaris (23.5%) and D. strictus (23.6%). Higher interception in bamboos make them suitable for soil conservation, but careful selection of species is required in low rainfall areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple synthetic protocol have been developed for the preparation of novel N-(4-benzylidene-5-oxo-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N′-phenylthiourea derivatives by the reaction of 4-benzylidene-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-5-ones with N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)- and N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)hydrazinecarbothioamides. The synthesized imidazolones have been characterized by using different spectroscopic techniques and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against some bacterial and fungal strains. Imidazolone derivatives containing 2-nitrobenzylidene and 4-methoxybenzylidene substituents were found to be potent against fungal strains Candida albicans and Aspergillus clavatus.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to extensive root system, connected rhizome bamboos are considered suitable for improving soil properties within a short period, though most of the claims are anecdotal and need to be supported with quantified data. The study evaluates seven bamboo species viz., Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa bambos, Bambusa vulgaris, Bambusa nutans, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus stocksii and Dendrocalamus strictus for their rooting pattern and impact on soil health properties. Coarse and fine root intensity was maximum in B. vulgaris. Coarse root biomass ranged from 0.6 kg m−3 in B. nutans to 2.0 kg m−3 in B. vulgaris and B. bambos. Fine root biomass ranged from 1.1 kg m−3 in B. nutans to 4.5 kg m−3 in D. hamiltonii. Contribution of fine roots in terms of intensity and biomass was much higher than coarse roots. Fine root biomass showed declining trend with increase in soil depth in all the species. During sixth year, the litter fall ranged from 8.1 Mg ha−1 in D. stocksii to 12.4 Mg ha−1 in D. hamiltonii. Among soil physical properties significant improvement were recorded in hydraulic conductivity, water stable aggregates and mean weight diameter. Soil pH, organic carbon and available phosphorus under different species did not reveal any significant changes, while significant reduction was observed in total nitrogen and potassium. Significant positive correlation was observed between WSA and iron content. Soil microbial population and enzyme activities were higher in control plot. Considering root distribution, biomass, soil hydraulic conductivity and water stable aggregates, B. bambos, B. vulgaris and D. hamiltonii are recommended for rehabilitation of degraded lands prone to soil erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canopy management practices viz. lopping, pruning, coppicing and pollarding in trees alter branch density, height, leaf area index and rooting pattern of the trees. The present study was conducted to quantify the impact of canopy management practices and intercropping on fine and coarse roots distribution in mulberry (Morus alba). In total, six treatments comprising of three management practices (pollarding, coppicing and lopping) and two cropping situations (intercropping and without intercropping) were evaluated. Vertical and lateral distribution of fine root biomass (FRB) was recorded through sequential core method in different seasons. Coarse root distribution and biomass was studied using excavation method. Results revealed that canopy management treatments viz., coppicing and pollarding reduced the FRB as compared to lopping treatment in both intercropped and non-intercropped situation. Results also revealed that majority of the fine root biomass (67.3%) was confined in 0-15 cm soil layer. All the canopy management treatments under non-intercropped plots showed higher production rate as compared to intercropped plots. Fine root turnover rate (yr−1) was highest (0.592) in lopping treatment in non-intercropped plots whereas, the minimum turnover rate was recorded in coppicing treatment (0.331) in non-intercropped plots. Coarse root biomass was highest in case of intercropped plots in all the three canopy management treatments. Pollarding + turmeric cultivation showed the maximum root biomass followed by lopping + turmeric intercropping treatment. The main and primary roots in all the treatments accounted for > 70% biomass except for coppicng + turmeric treatment, whereas secondary and tertiary roots contributed about 40% biomass. All the treatments showed a pronounced decrease in root biomass with increasing soil depth and 75-84% of the total root biomass (main + lateral roots) was allocated in the top 30 cm of the soil profile. From the study, it can be concluded that tree management practices have direct impact on fine and coarse root distribution and should be judiciously used for avoiding competition in intercropping situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psidium guajava Linnaeus., popularly known as 'Apple of Tropics' is one of the major fruit crops undertaken on the bouldery riverbed lands of North-Western Himalayan region. Different predictive models were fitted to establish a functional relationship between biomass and collar diameter (CD) of the tree. Out of seven different models attempted viz, Monomolecular, Logistic, Gompetz, Allometric, Rechards, Chapman and Linear, Allometric model (Y = a X where Y = total biomass, X = collar diameter, a and b = parameter estimates) fulfills the validation criteria to the best possible extent and is considered as best performing. Allometric model has been fitted to find the relationship between biomass of different tree components and collar diameter. All the equations indicated high correlation between biomass and collar diameter and the R values for the fitted functions varied from 0.89 to 0.99. The calculated t-statistic values for all the components found to be non-significant (p > 0.05) which clearly reveals the validity and reliability of the model. The developed allometric models were used to estimate the biomass and carbon stocks of P. guajava plantations of the study site. The estimated total biomass varied from 1.43 Mg ha in 4 year to 40.54 Mg ha in 14 year old plantation. Mitigated carbon varied from 0.26 in 4 year to 7.75 Mg ha in 14 year of plantation. The total biomass carbon stocks varied from 0.48 Mg ha (4 year) to 13.66 Mg ha (14 year) guava plantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined and compared the throughfall, stemflow and canopy interception in Grewia optiva and Morus alba tree stands in western Himalayas. Incident precipitation on tree can be partitioned into throughfall, stemflow and interception which have significant contribution in water balance in forest ecosystems. Total 39 rainfall events were studied for analyzing rainfall partitioned components in 5 years old plantations of G. optiva and M. alba in Dehradun, India. Maximum and minimum rainfall depth per event recorded during the study period was 1.01 mm and 121.70 mm respectively. Plastic funnels were fitted with the trees to trap the stemflow and plastic buckets were used to collect the throughfall. Average stemflow, throughfall and interception were 2.5%, 86.7% and 10.8% of total incident rainfall for G. optiva whereas, for M. alba it was 8.6%, 76.4% and 14.7% respectively. The funneling ratio for the entire rainfall events was found more than 1 for both the trees. The characteristics nature of the tree canopy in M. alba resulted in unique stemflow yield in comparison to G. optiva. M. alba funneled almost 3.5 times more stemflow than G. optiva. The proportion of rainfall partitioned components varied for both the trees due to their distinguished morphological characteristics. Results clearly show that interception loss varies with tree species type and contributes a significant proportion of incident rainfall towards catchment water balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimThe aim of this study is to characterise the choroidal features of patients diagnosed with sarcoid- and tuberculosis (TB)-associated granulomatous uveitis using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).MethodsTwenty-seven patients (27 eyes) diagnosed with sarcoid- (13 eyes) and TB (14 eyes)-related uveitis were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. Over a six-month period, patients diagnosed with sarcoid and TB granulomatous uveitis were scanned using enhanced depth imaging OCT. Clinical and demographical characteristics were recorded, including the method of diagnosis, disease activity, site of inflammation (anterior or posterior), treatments, and visual acuity (VA). Manual segmentation of the choroidal layers was performed using custom image analysis software.ResultsThe main outcome measure was OCT-derived thickness measurements of the choroid and choroidal sublayers (Haller's large vessel and Sattler's medium vessel layers) at the macula region. The ratio of Haller's large vessel to Sattler's medium vessel layer was significantly different at the total macula circle in eyes diagnosed with TB uveitis (1.47 (=140.71/95.72 μm)) compared with sarcoid uveitis (1.07 (=137.70/128.69 μm)) (P=0.001). A thinner choroid was observed in eyes with a VA ≥0.3 LogMAR (Snellen 6/12; 198.1 μm (interquartile range (IQR)=147.0-253.4 μm) compared with those with VA <0.3 LogMAR (292.4 μm (IQR=240.1-347.6 μm)) at the total macula circle (P=0.004). At the foveal central subfield, the median choroidal thickness was 336.8 μm (IQR=272.3-375.4 μm) in active compared with 239.3 μm (IQR=195.3-330.9 μm) in quiescent disease (P=0.04).ConclusionA disproportionately enlarged Sattler's layer may indicate a diagnosis of sarcoid-related uveitis, and choroidal thickening may be a feature of active granulomatous uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grewia optiva Drummond is one of important agroforestry tree species grown by the farmers in the lower and mid-hills of western Himalaya. Different models viz., monomolicular, logistic, gompetz, allometric, rechards, chapman and linear were fitted to the relationship between total biomass and diameter at breast height (DBH) as independent variable. The adjusted R values were more than 0.924 for all the seven models implying that all models are apparently equally efficient. Out of the six non-linear models, allometric model (Y = a × DBH) fulfils the validation criterion to the best possible extent and is thus considered as best performing. Biomass in different tree components was fitted to allometric models using DBH as explanatory variable, the adjusted R for fitted functions varied from 0.872 to 0.965 for different biomass components. The t values for all the components were found non-significant (p > 0.05), thereby indicating that model is valid. Using the developed model, the estimated total biomass varied from 6.62 Mg ha in 4 year to 46.64 Mg ha in 23 year old plantation. MAI in biomass varied from 1.66-2.05 Mg ha yr. The total biomass carbon stocks varied from 1.99 Mg ha in 4 year to 15.27 Mg ha in 23 year old plantation. Rate of carbon sequestration varied from 0.63-0.81 Mg ha yr. Carbon storage in the soil up to 30 cm soil depth varied from 25.4 to 33.6 Mg ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) drives the production of myeloid progenitor and precursor cells toward neutrophils via the GCSF receptor (GCSFR, gene name CSF3R). Children with severe congenital neutropenia chronically receive pharmacologic doses of GCSF, and ∼30% will develop myelodysplasia/acute myeloid leukemia (AML) associated with GCSFR truncation mutations. In addition to mutations, multiple isoforms of CSF3R have also been reported. We found elevated expression of the alternatively spliced isoform, class IV CSF3R in adult myelodysplastic syndrome/AML patients. Aside from its association with monosomy 7 and higher rates of relapse in pediatric AML patients, little is known about the biology of the class IV isoform. We found developmental regulation of CSF3R isoforms with the class IV expression more representative of a progenitor cell stage. Striking differences were found in phosphoprotein signaling involving Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and cell cycle gene expression. Enhanced proliferation by class IV GCSFR was associated with diminished STAT3 and STAT5 activation, yet showed sensitivity to JAK2 inhibitors. Alterations in the C-terminal domain of the GCSFR result in leukemic properties of enhanced growth, impaired differentiation and resistance to apoptosis, suggesting that they can behave as oncogenic drivers, sensitive to JAK2 inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented that discusses granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor T595I mutation.

Parafibromin, a tumor suppressor protein encoded by HRPT2/CDC73 and implicated in parathyroid cancer and the hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor (HPT-JT) familial cancer syndrome, is part of the PAF1 transcriptional regulatory complex. Parafibromin has been implicated in apoptosis and growth arrest, but the mechanism by which its loss of function promotes neoplasia is poorly understood. In this study we report that a hypomorphic allele of hyrax (hyx), the Drosophila homolog of HRPT2/CDC73, rescues the loss-of-ventral-eye phenotype of lobe (Akt1s1). Such rescue is consistent with previous reports that hyx/parafibromin is required for the nuclear transduction of Wingless (Wg)/Wnt signals and that Wg signaling antagonizes lobe function. A screen using double hyx/lobe heterozygotes identified an additional interaction with orb and orb2, the homologs of mammalian cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein (CPEB), a translational regulatory protein. Hyx and orb2 heterozygotes lived longer and were more resistant to starvation than controls. In mammalian cells, knockdown of parafibromin expression reduced levels of CPEB1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) showed occupancy of CPEB1 by endogenous parafibromin. Bioinformatic analysis revealed a significant overlap between human transcripts potentially regulated by parafibromin and CPEB. These results show that parafibromin may exert both transcriptional and, through CPEB, translational control over a subset of target genes and that loss of parafibromin (and CPEB) function may promote tumorigenesis in part by conferring resistance to nutritional stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several members of the vitamin B-complex family are known to participate in the normal metabolism of homocysteine (Hcy). Leaving aside the genetic determinants of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC), the deficiencies of these vitamins can also result in HHC. The situation of sustained and long standing HHC is likely to be prevalent in population groups with low/average socio-economic status, geriatric population and alcohol abusers. If not corrected by supplementation, these population groups certainly are more vulnerable to develop atherosclerosis (AS) and subsequently, cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hyperhomocysteinemia per se and/or HHC-induced oxidative stress result(s) in chronic chemical endothelial injury/dysfunction, smooth muscle proliferation, prothrombotic state and oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) leading to diverse cardiovascular complications. In the first decade of the new millennium, major research efforts would be directed towards understanding the basic mechanism of HHC-induced oxidative stress and the pathophysiology of HHC-induced CVD, culminating in the evolution of hitherto unknown therapeutic strategies such as nutriceuticals and oxidant-antidotes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this retrospective study an attempt is made to document the stage at initial presentation of prostatic cancer. Of the 142 patients seen, 84% presented in an advanced stage and this explains why radical prostatectomies are rarely done in India. Hence efforts are required to screen the population for early diagnosis of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic relationships among different inbred stocks of corn with respect to different indices of photosynthetic efficiency and plant productivity was assessed by means of diallel graphs. The salient feature of the current study was 'apparent overdominance' for some important indices of photosynthetic efficiency, viz. photosynthetic rate/unit leaf area (at the silking stage), total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a content, as well as for total dry matter production and economic yield. The results could be explained in terms of complementary gene action and the multiplicative effects of the sub-components that comprise these traits. However, complete dominance was recorded for photosynthetic rate (at the grain filling period), leaf area/plant, number of leaves/plant, number of leaves above the ear, ratio of chlorophyll a/b and harvest index. In the majority of cases graphic analysis was possible only when a number of epistatic parents were omitted from the analysis. Although the position of the array points for different indices of photosynthetic efficiency was consistent across the years, the ontogenetic and seasonal differences in the genetic behaviour of parents, meaning thereby, different loci being active at different stages and seasons, was apparent. The same was true for the epistatic parents. Non-allelic interaction of the genes rather than the non-random distribution of the genes among the parents seemed to be the most common cause of disturbance in the W/V relationship. Inbred stock MG 115 was identified to be the most promising because it embodied an efficient photosynthetic machinery by virtue of increasing the number of alleles for a majority of the indices of photosynthetic efficiency, thereby enabling it to register the highest biological productivity and economic yield. Further, inbred stocks MG 138, MG 121, and MG 125 were also promising for different photosynthetic parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Glucose utilization coefficient was determined in 50 marasmic patients and 25 age matched healthy controls after administering glucose intravenously in three dosage schedules. The coefficient was directly related to the amount of glucose administered and the values were comparable in the marasmic and control subjects in their respectve schedules indicating normal glucose utilization in marasmus. Fasting blood glucose levels were significantly low in the patients compared to the controls. However, in only two patients fasting blood glucose value fell in the hypoglycemic range (less than 50 mg/dl). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A female infant who had been misdiagnosed as having primary pulmonary hypertension of the newborn was found to have agenesis of the branch pulmonary arteries with collateral-dependent pulmonary circulation. The intracardiac anatomy was completely normal. Unifocalization of branch pulmonary artery was done, followed by stenting of the ductus arteriosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron is critical for life but toxic in excess because of iron-catalysed formation of pro-oxidants that cause tissue damage in a range of disorders. The Nrf2 transcription factor orchestrates cell-intrinsic protective antioxidant responses, and the peptide hormone hepcidin maintains systemic iron homeostasis, but is pathophysiologically decreased in haemochromatosis and beta-thalassaemia. Here, we show that Nrf2 is activated by iron-induced, mitochondria-derived pro-oxidants and drives Bmp6 expression in liver sinusoid endothelial cells, which in turn increases hepcidin synthesis by neighbouring hepatocytes. In Nrf2 knockout mice, the Bmp6-hepcidin response to oral and parenteral iron is impaired and iron accumulation and hepatic damage are increased. Pharmacological activation of Nrf2 stimulates the Bmp6-hepcidin axis, improving iron homeostasis in haemochromatosis and counteracting the inhibition of Bmp6 by erythroferrone in beta-thalassaemia. We propose that Nrf2 links cellular sensing of excess toxic iron to control of systemic iron homeostasis and antioxidant responses, and may be a therapeutic target for iron-associated disorders., Competing Interests: Competing financial interests The authors declare no competing financial interests.