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Priority 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were examined in the surface water from urbanized rivers and drains. The concentration in the Hindon River, Yamuna River, and drains, respectively, varied from 1.64 to 73.4, 1.98 to 93.0, and 1.99 to 67.4 µg L−1. Total concentrations of PAHs in winter were 4.1, 2.9, and 3.6 times higher than in summer, respectively. Naphthalene, acenaphthylene, fluorene, (low molecular weight compounds) and chrysene contributed 62.3% to 74.4% and 17.7% to 24.8%, respectively, to the overall concentration. Their predominance suggested emissions from the combustion of industrial oil, wood, and grass. Due to the impact of waste water discharges, the spatial distribution was unpredictable. In comparison to the lower section of the rivers, the upper stretch had a low concentration. This suggested that it came from sources of urban emissions. Emission sources from unintentional spills and auto shops, along with local emissions and long-range atmospheric transport, were found in the source apportionment analysis. Locations where some PAHs surpassed chronic values could be hazardous to aquatic life. A thorough investigation was necessary because there are relatively few studies on persistent organic contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, in surface waters from the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The methodology is demonstated with the help of two simple benzothiazole based organic probe molecules (R and P). • The sensing of aqueous fluoride ion is acheived with both the probe molecules in presence of Ni(II) and Cu(II) salt. • The mechanism behind the claimed observation is duly studied with the help of 1H NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy, cyclic Voltammetry and theoretical caculation. • The sensing of fluoride ion in aqueous medium is finally demonstrated with the help of UV–Vis spectroscopy and Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) technique. • The methodlogy is finally validated by measuring the fluoride ion concentration in the water sample collected from the fluoride affected areas of Assam, India. Excess consumption of fluoride through drinking water causes detrimental effects to human health which has been a serious global concern. This situation demands routine monitoring of fluoride in drinking water in fluoride affected regions around the world. A plethora of organic molecules has been demonstrated as chemosensors based on the fluoride induced deprotonation reaction of the probe molecules. However, most of the probe molecules fail to react with fluoride in aqueous medium which limits their application. Herein, we have demonstrated a metal ion, Ni(II) mediated strategy to retain the reactivity and the sensitivity of the probe molecule towards fluoride ion in aqueous medium with the help of two benzothiazole based probe molecules (R and P). Both the probe molecules showed retention of the affinity towards fluoride ion in aqueous medium in presence of Cu2+ ion but the colorimetric response is not upto the mark. On the other hand, the probe molecule P showed excellent affinity and colorimetric response towards aqueous fluoride ion in presence of Ni2+ ion. The methodology is validated with UV–Vis spectroscopy and Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique. Probe molecule P in presence of Ni2+ ion showed limit of detection values 0.60 ppm and 0.57 ppm w.r.t. UV–Visible spectroscopy and DPV technique respectively. Furthermore, the efficiency of the methodology w.r.t. P was tested with real samples collected from the fluoride affected areas of Assam, India and found that the data corroborates well with the results of ion selective electrode. This methodology can provide a new dimension in the development of a low cost method for routine sensing of fluoride ion with organic probe molecules in drinking water for low resource world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papaya leaf curl disease (PaLCuD) is a serious problem to the production of papaya (Carica papaya L.) in India and infection due to this virus is not limited to papaya, but to chilli and tomato. In this study, leaf samples from diseased papaya plant showing extreme leaf curling and venation were collected from New Delhi region, India during the period of 2016–2017. Rolling Circle Amplification(RCA) – PCR-sequencing showed the presence of typical Old World begomovirus. The nucleotide sequence of two cloned begomovirus genome of this study shared maximum percentage nucleotide identity with chilli leaf curl virus (ChiLCV) and tomato leaf curl virus reported from different parts of India. Interestingly, a defective betasatellite DNA of 0.6 kb was found to be associated with one of the isolates of begomovirus under study. Agroinfectious clone of one isolate was developed and tested with the help of needleless syringe in chilli leaves which later developed into leaf curl disease symptoms. This is a first study in which biological and molecular characterisation of a recombinant ChiLCV isolated from papaya plant is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is the second leading cause of parasitic disabilities that affects millions of people in India and several other tropical countries. The complexity of this disease is endorsed by various immunopathological consequences such as lymphangitis, lymphadenitis and elephantiasis. The immune evasion strategies that a filarial parasite usually follows are chiefly initiated with the communication between the invaded parasites and parasite‐derived molecules, with the Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) present on the surface of the antigen‐presenting cells (APCs). Classically, the filarial parasites interact with the DCs resulting in lowering of CD4+ T‐cell responses. These CD4+ T‐cell responses are the key players behind the immune‐mediated pathologies associated with LF. In chronic stage, the canonical pro‐inflammatory immune responses are shifted towards an anti‐inflammatory subtype, which is favouring the parasite survivability within the host. The central theme of this review article is to present the overall immune response elicited when an APC, particularly a DC, encounters a filarial parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2005, as the result of a World Trade Organization mandate, India implemented a patent reform for pharmaceuticals that was intended to comply with the 1995 Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Exploiting variation in the timing of patent decisions, we estimate that a molecule receiving a patent experienced an average price increase of just 3-6 percent, with larger increases for more recently developed molecules and for those produced by just one firm when the patent system began. Our results also show little impact on quantities sold or on the number of pharmaceutical firms operating in the market. (JEL K33, L11, L13, L65, O14, O34, O38) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut microflora co-evolved with the human evolution, performing health-promoting functions and protection from the enteric pathogens. The long association of the microflora sustained through ages, which in the light of new research, needs specific nutrients that are not required by the humans. The present article revisits the ancient foods and crops, their availability during different prehistoric times and their contribution in maintaining the gut flora and accrual of the beneficial effects. Although the concept of prebiotics is new, the ancient diet components contained the molecules or precursors of the prebiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA-β satellites, referred to here as betasatellites, were found associated with tomato leaf curl disease (ToLCD) in India. The size of eight betasatellites isolated from different geographical locations in India varied from 1353 to 1424 nt; these molecules had an ORF βC1, an adenine-rich region, and a satellite conserved region. Their nucleotide sequence identity varied from 45 to 93%. In phylogenetic analysis, these betasatellites grouped according to their geographic locations rather than the host species. Two new betasatellites, tomato leaf curl Bangalore betasatellite and tomato leaf curl Maharashtra betasatellite, were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultrasonic velocity, density and viscosity at 303 K have been measured in the binary systems of 1,4-dioxane and acetone with water. From the experimental data, various acoustical parameters such as adiabatic compressibility (β), intermolecular free length (Lf), free volume (Vf), internal pressure (πi), Rao's constant (R), Wada's constant (W) and specific acoustical impedance (Z) were calculated. The results are interpreted in terms of molecular interaction between the components of the mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of anti-viral activity of synthesized molecules on Influenza A pandemic H1N1 strains circulating in eastern India during 2017-2019 Effective concentrations [EC SB 50 sb ] ranging from 4 to 39nM while NA inhibition assay showed its inhibitory concentrations [IC SB 50 sb ] around 17.6 M. NA enzyme-kinetic assay showed non-competitive inhibition of NA suggesting alternate mode of antiviral action. B Background: b Influenza A viruses (IAV) are major causative agent of lower respiratory-tract illness causing 650,000 deaths worldwide. [Extracted from the article]

A review of the autobiography of one of India's the most important scientists, MaMannaMana Vijayan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section presents a calendar of events on scientific research in India. The National Seminar on Applied Zoology will be held from February 7 to 9, 2007 in Sivakasi, India. The International Workshop on Molecular Systematics: Principles and Practices will be held from February 11 to 16, 2007 in Bhagalpur, India.