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Objective: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are involved in the turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Overexpression of MMPs facilitates tumour progression by promoting ECM turnover, angiogenesis, and cell migration. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits significant upregulation of multiple MMPs and TIMPs, correlating with poor prognosis, using bioinformatics tools to analyse the expression profiles and prognostic significance of MMPs and TIMPs in HNSCC. Materials and methods: GEPIA and UALCAN databases were used to analyse the expression of MMPs and TIMPs in HNSCC tissues. Immunohistochemistry confirmed high protein levels of several MMPs in tumour samples. GeneMANIA, STRING, and Metascape analyses highlighted key functional relationships and pathways enriched in MMPs and TIMPs. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were conducted to assess the prognostic significance of TIMPs in HNSCC. Results: The study found significant overexpression of MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, and MMP14 in HNSCC tissues. Immunohistochemistry confirmed elevated protein levels of these MMPs in tumour samples. PPI network analyses indicated crucial interactions among MMPs and their regulatory pathways. TIMP1 was significantly upregulated in HNSCC, while TIMP3 downregulation correlated with increased MMP activity and tumour progression. According to Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, higher TIMP expression was associated with poor overall survival in HNSCC patients. Conclusion: This comprehensive study emphasises the dysregulation of MMPs and TIMPs in HNSCC, proposing them as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation and suggesting them as therapeutic targets to improve clinical outcomes in HNSCC patients.

Objective: This study postulates that distinct patterns in salivary gene expression clusters among HNSCC patients provide valuable insights into diagnostic and prognostic markers for the disease. The aim is to identify critical genes and their protein-protein interactions through bio-computational analyses, contributing to a deeper understanding of HNSCC progression. Ultimately, the hypothesis anticipates the discovery of novel molecular signatures in saliva, potentially enhancing early detection and prognostic precision in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and methods: A comprehensive keyword search was conducted to extract 74 salivary gland secretion genes from the Human Protein Atlas. GeneMANIA and STRING databases were employed to analyse protein-protein interactions and predict functional partners. UALCAN facilitated the visualization of salivary gland secretion gene expression patterns in HNSCC, providing insights into survival analysis. Results: In HNSCC compared to normal tissue, CHRM3, GYLTL1B, MMP3, and WDR91 were identified as statistically upregulated genes, while the downregulated genes included AGFG2, CCDC64B, CD24, CRISP3, CXCL17, ELF5, KRT7, MANSC1, MYO5C, PRR4, SCGB3A1, SH3YL1, TCN1, TRPV6, and ZG16B. Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis revealed that high expression of salivary genes such as AGFG2, AMY1A, CCDC64B, CCL28, C4ORF7, GYLTL1B, TMEM211, LMX1B, ODAM, SCGB3A1, and SLC26A9 was significantly associated with poorer overall survival outcomes in HNSCC patients. Conclusion: This study identifies distinct salivary gene expression patterns in HNSCC, highlighting potential diagnostic and prognostic markers. Specific upregulated genes, such as CHRM3 and GYLTL1B, and downregulated genes, including AGFG2 and CCDC64B, offer insights into HNSCC progression. Elevated expression of particular genes correlates with poorer overall survival, emphasising their prognostic significance.

Context: In wound management, traditional use of plants has received attention by the scientific community, as traditional medicines are a valuable source of affordable, comprehensive medical care. Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem) and Nigella sativa Linn (Black cumin) are well-known versatile medicinal plants with wide spectrum of biological activity. Methods: This study was undertaken to evaluate the wound healing activity of neem oil (NO) and black cumin oil (BCO) in rats. The oils were standardized using standard procedures. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis and high-performance thin-layer chromatography fingerprinting of oils were carried out to identify major phytoconstituents present in the oils. The oils were suitably incorporated in carbopol-based emulgel formulation, evaluated for physicochemical parameters and stability. Results: The wound healing potential assessed by the measurement of wound contraction and histopathology studies in excision and burn wound models, demonstrated comparable efficacy with standard nano-crystalline silver gel (0.002% w/w). This may be attributed to the presence of phytoconstituents such as nimbidin and thymoquinone present in selected oils. Polyunsaturated fatty acid profile of BCO may be responsible for stimulating the release of vascular endothelial growth factor, which plays a significant role in accelerating wound healing process. Conclusion: Topical carbopol-934 base emulgel containing natural oils such as BCO and NO have been successfully prepared for wound management. However, further studies to establish the mechanistic aspects of wound healing needs to be undertaken.

Elephant foot yam and taro are the two important aroids of tropical tuber crops, considered as underutilized in the context of climate change and food security. The present study focused to quantify the future climate suitability of aroids for future climate scenarios 2030, 2050, and 2070 for the two representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). The district-wise future climate suitability of elephant foot yam and taro using MaxEnt across India was quantified. The percentage increase in climatically suitable area for taro is 49% and the same for elephant foot yam is 46% which is higher compared to those of tropical root crops. A total of 218 districts were identified as highly suitable for the cultivation of elephant foot yam for different RCPs across India. A total of 209 districts were observed as highly suitable for taro cultivation across India for the two RCPs. The information about the districtlevel suitability can assist decision-makers to understand the possible shifts in the climate suitability of aroids in India in the context of food security as they have higher productivity compared to other major food grain crops.

Biodiversity-rich areas tied to heritage, religious tourism, and ecotourism, often face changes to their landscapes due to infrastructure development. Such activities may threaten the species survival and disrupt the delicate ecosystems in these regions. Hence it becomes imperative to build up baseline species data from such areas for biodiversity conservation and management interventions. Towards achieving this objective, avifaunal inventories were documented from Kothandaramar Lagoon, Dhanushkodi Lagoon, and the Arichalmunai beach in Rameswaram Island, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, which is an important site for winter migrants. A total of 147 avian species belonging to 17 orders and 45 families from August 2021 to July 2023 were recorded. Order-wise, Charadriiformes (52 species) dominated the area, followed by Passeriformes (27 species) and Pelecaniformes (21 species). According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 11 'Near Threatened', three 'Vulnerable', two 'Endangered' (Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris and Siberian Sandplover Anarhynchus mongolus), and one unassessed species (Hanuman Plover Charadrius seebohmi) were recorded. The relative abundance based on the frequency of observations indicated that 61% (90 species) were common, 22% (32 species) were uncommon, and 17% (25 species) were rare. Winter visitors constituted 42% (62 species) and one was a passage migrant (Rosy Starling Pastor roseus). Coastal lagoons of this region comprise diverse habitats that play a vital role for birds, which provide places for nesting, roosting, and foraging. This baseline data emphasizes the importance of Dhanushkodi Lagoon along with adjacent areas as an important wintering site on the southeastern coast of India for migratory shorebirds as well as highlights the importance of adjoining small forested patches thus required to be declared as a protected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alstonia venenata R.Br., a plant native to the Western Ghats, is recognized for its diverse medicinal properties. The plant's extracts, particularly rich in alkaloids and other bioactive compounds, have shown potential anticancer activity. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) loaded with the root methanolic extract (RME) of A. venenata in combating breast cancer induced by dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in female Sprague Dawley rats. The RME-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (RME-EnCNPs) were synthesized and characterized, and their in vivo efficacy was evaluated. Treatment with RME-EnCNPs significantly inhibited tumor progression, which is evidenced by reduced tumor volume, burden, and incidence. Moreover, the nanoparticles demonstrated a sustained release of the active compounds, leading to marked improvements in various biochemical, enzymatic, and histopathological parameters. The study found that both RME and RME-EnCNPs effectively suppressed tumor growth, with RME-EnCNPs showing superior efficacy in modulating tumor progression. Antioxidant assays revealed that treatment with RME-EnCNPs (500 mg/kg) resulted in significant increases in total protein, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH) levels, alongside a marked reduction in lipid peroxidation (LPO) (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that RME-EnCNPs exert a potent antioxidant effect, mitigating oxidative stress within the tumor microenvironment. The root extract of A. venenata and its nanoparticle formulation hold promise as a potential therapeutic agent for breast cancer, warranting further investigation to isolate active bioactive compounds and elucidate their mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is expected to have a considerable impact on precipitation leading to more intense and frequent extreme events. Considering the different driving mechanisms of precipitation extreme is essential to understand the changes in response to climate change. In this study, we decompose the intensity of extreme wet month precipitation (EWMP) during the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) into atmospheric dynamic, thermodynamic and non‐linear components by using moisture budget estimation. The data from 19 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase‐6 (CMIP6) models are used for historical, intermediate (SSP2‐4.5), and high‐emission (SSP5‐8.5) scenarios and the changes are estimated for near (2021–2040), mid (2041–2060), and far‐future (2081–2100) relative to the historical (1995–2014) period for different monsoon sub‐domains. The findings reveal a significant increase in the intensity of EWMP in the ISM, projecting 2%–12% in SSP2‐4.5 and 8%–25% in SSP5‐8.5 for the far‐future. The enhanced vertical ascent of moisture (V‐Dyn) is found to be a dominant factor contributing more than 70% to EWMP in most sub‐domains. However, regardless of enhancement in intensity of precipitation, the models simulate a reduction in impact of the V‐Dyn by 10%–35% from the near to far‐future period, particularly in high emission scenarios. Vertical thermodynamic and non‐linear moisture advection components also play minor roles (<5% in historical), with their influence gradually increasing with future warming (>15% in SSP5‐8.5). The responses also vary regionally for components such as horizontal dynamic term, where it leads to precipitation offset in the northern regions, but causes enhanced precipitation in southern regions. The study highlights the spatial and temporal variability of moisture budgets of extreme wet Indian summer monsoon precipitation in a warming environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat fragmentation and degradation in natural wetlands has resulted in declines in the populations of shorebirds in the Indian subcontinent. Shorebirds rely on these wetlands as wintering or stop-over sites along the southern extent of the Central Asian Flyway. Shorebirds are known to utilize agroecosystems as alternate foraging habitats. The suitability of agroecosystems as foraging areas for overwintering migratory shorebirds has not been well studied in the Indian subcontinent. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of published literature and compiled field observations to investigate the importance of inland and coastal agroecosystems for shorebirds in India. We assessed the shorebird populations at natural wetlands: mudflats and mangroves of Kadalundi Vallikkunnu Community Reserve (KVCR) and Puthuvypu sand beach, as well as adjacent agroecosystems on the west coast of India, including Sanketham Wetlands, Manthalakkadavu, Vazhakkad, Elamaram, Kodinhi, and Kooriyad. On the east coast, we assessed the natural wetland habitats of Valinokkam, Point Calimere, and Pichavaram and evaluated inland agroecosystems in regions, such as Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Fifty-three shorebird species utilize diverse agroecosystems from various parts of India. While studies on the use of agroecosystems by shorebirds are limited on the east coast, evidence suggests that major wintering sites are adjacent to paddy fields, fostering substantial shorebird diversity. In Pichavaram, Point Calimere, and Gulf of Mannar regions, 22 shorebird species utilize agroecosystems, including the notable near-threatened Eurasian Curlew. Seventeen of these species are winter arrivals, highlighting the crucial role agroecosystems play as stopover areas. On the west coast, 19 shorebird species appear to utilize agroecosystems in Kooriyad, Manthalakkadavu, Vazhakkad, Sanketham Wetlands, Elamaram, and Kodinhi. Few species use agricultural fields in the north (Jammu and Kashmir). Paddy fields, that are flooded as part of the cropping cycle, support diverse prey species, such as macroinvertebrates, amphibians, and small fish, that could attract and support migratory shorebirds. Agricultural practices like fallowing, flooding, and ploughing could further increase the abundance and accessibility of prey for shorebirds, drawing them in greater numbers. It is crucial to recognize that unsustainable and unethical agricultural methods could detrimentally affect shorebird numbers. The accumulation of pesticide residues and the contamination from heavy metals could also threaten shorebirds. As a result, there is an urgent need for detailed research to better evaluate the importance of agroecosystems in supporting resident or migratory shorebirds. Systematic studies that explain the population dynamics, habitat selection trends, habitat utilization, and the over-summering behavior of the migratory birds at agroecosystems are needed. Implementing sustainable conservation strategies and adopting environmentally friendly agricultural practices are essential to support the rich biodiversity of the region.

Present study was carried out at the research farm of ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during 3 summer seasons of 2016–17, 2017–18 and 2018–19 to assess the crop water requirement of upland taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) and to arrive at a suitable irrigation schedule under humid tropical conditions of Kerala. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design (RBD), with 7 treatments as 5 levels of drip irrigation, [50% (I1), 75% (I2), 100% (I3), 125% (I4) and 150% (I5) of the crop evapotranspiration, ETc], furrow irrigation and a rainfed crop with 3 replications. Crop water requirement was calculated as same as crop evapotranspiration (ETc) assuming that there is no other water losses. Pooled analysis of the data collected for three seasons indicated that, I3, drip irrigation at ETc 100% is optimum for achieving maximum cormel yield and optimum water productivity. The optimal water requirement for upland taro was observed as 610–628 mm, including effective rainfall, based on the crop, soil and climatic parameters. The information will support the farmers to develop irrigation plans in advance during summer season, and for ensuring effective usage of irrigation water in water scarce areas, in this era of climate change.

The coastal regions of some states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa) in India are known to have plenty of thorium-rich minerals, therefore possess high external gamma radiation fields, and are identified as Natural High Background Radiation Areas. There are concerns about congenital malformations due to the high background radiation prevailing in the region. Therefore, scientists find interest to study the possible biological effects of low-level exposures on the local populace who are living with generations under these extraordinary radiation fields. The present study is an attempt to find the correlation between the incidences of certain congenital malformations through a 1:3 matched case-control study. A total of 75 subjects (58 mental retardation cases and 17 Cleft lip/palate cases) along with 225 controls were selected for the investigations. Indoor and outdoor gamma dose rates were measured using a halogen-quenched GM tube-based survey meter, while the indoor inhalation dose rates were measured based on the radon and progeny measurements using the twin cup dosimeters equipped with LR-115 Type II solid-state nuclear track detectors. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to find out the correlation between the radiation dose with congenital malformation. This study found an insignificant risk of cleft lip/palate (but not for mental retardation) from the exposures to natural high external gamma radiation fields in the study area. Therefore, the results of the investigation indicate no explicit risk of congenital malformations by the high background natural radiation prevailing in the region.