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A study was carried during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2019 and 2020 at College of Agriculture (Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agriculture University, Bikaner, Rajasthan), Bikaner, Rajasthan to determine the best irrigation level along with suitable cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] variety for a hot-arid region where water is a very limited resource. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design (SPD), consisted of 4 treatments of irrigation, viz. T1, 40% PE; T2, 60% PE; T3, 80% PE; and T4, 100% PE with 4 cowpea varieties, viz. Kashi Kanchan; Kashi Nidhi; Pusa Sukomal; and Swarna Mukut, replicated thrice. Irrigation at 100% PE was found superior for number of primary branches, no. of pods/plant, net photosynthesis rate and carboxylation efficiency over the irrigation treatment 60% PE and 40% PE while statistically at par with 80% PE irrigation level. The days taken to first flower appearance were recorded minimum with 40% PE irrigation level. Irrigation at 80% PE exhibited maximum number of pickings, pod diameter, average pod weight, yield and water-use efficiency (WUE). Maximum plant height, number of primary branches and nodules/plant were recorded with Kashi Nidhi. Minimum days taken to flower initiation, maximum number of pickings, highest pod diameter, maximum number of pods/plant, average pod weight (g) and yield (q/ ha) were recorded by Swarna Mukut. Significantly higher net photosynthesis and carboxylation efficiency at pod formation were recorded with Swarna Mukut over the varieties Kashi Kanchan and Pusa Sukomal. Swarna Mukut exhibited significantly higher WUE (24.11 kg/ha mm) over Kashi Kanchan and Pusa Sukomal.

The field experiments were conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2018–19 and 2019–20 at College of Agriculture, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan to study the effect of crop spacing, mulching and irrigation levels on yield and quality of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. Experiment was laid out in split plot design (SPD) with four irrigation levels [40, 60, 80 and 100% pan evaporation (PE)] in the main plot. Two crop geometries (normal sowing and paired row sowing) and three mulches (no mulch, straw and plastic mulch in black colour) were used in the sub-plot and sub-sub-plot, respectively. The study found that using 40% of PE for irrigation led to the shortest time to first flowering (41.72 days). However, the highest fruit yield, leaf area index (LAI), total soluble solids (TSS), protein content and cost-benefit ratio (B:C ratio) were achieved when irrigating at 100% PE followed by 80% PE. Water use efficiency (WUE) was highest (17.24 kg/ha/mm) at 40% PE irrigation level. The highest fruit yield of 153.1 g/plant and 122.4 q/ha was achieved when straw mulch was applied. Considering the combined data, it's worth mentioning that the B:C ratio was significantly greater when utilizing 100 PE irrigation without mulch. Conversely, WUE at 19.1 kg/ha/mm, showed a significant increase when employing 40% PE irrigation along with straw mulch. Therefore, the study demonstrates that utilizing paired row sowing with straw mulch and irrigation at 100% PE resulted in the highest growth attributes, fruit quality of okra and B:C ratio.

There is a paucity of literature regarding the effect of anesthetic techniques on antitumor immunity, especially in gall bladder malignancies. We designed a study to compare the effect of propofol‐based total intravenous anesthesia and sevoflurane‐based general anesthesia—on antitumor immunity, including tumor growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), T‐helper cell profile, and inflammatory markers. A pilot prospective randomized trial was conducted in 64 patients undergoing surgery for gall bladder malignancy under general anesthesia in a tertiary specialty cancer hospital. Adult cancer patients of ASA physical status I‐III fulfilling the inclusion criteria were randomized to either group S (sevoflurane‐based general anesthesia) or group T (propofol‐based total intravenous anesthesia). Preoperative (morning of surgery) and postoperative (24 h and 1 month after surgery) blood samples were obtained. Demographic profile and preoperative parameters were comparable between both groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the postoperative value of TGF‐β (higher in group T). There was a statistically significant difference in postoperative interleukin‐17A value (indicative of TH17 cells), and it was found to be higher in group S. Propofol‐based TIVA increases serum TGF‐β levels. At the same time, Sevoflurane modulates T‐helper cells‐based immunity to increase TH17 cells in patients with gall bladder cancer. Multiple larger studies will be required to validate the results and provide useful recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymes are responsible for any biochemical reactions including the transformation of toxic pollutants by microbes. Identification, isolation and application of enzymes for biodegradation of environmental pollutants have become one of the research hotspots. Whether it is due to the constant seeking of a better enzyme, advances in techniques, or increases in some pollutants, there have been exponential increases in the number of research on enzymatic bioremediation. A Scientometrics study was undertaken to capture the holistic view of enzymatic bioremediation. 14,952 research papers were identified from a topic search covering the period 1983 to 2023 from the 'web-of-science' database. The social network analysis approach was used for understanding the structure and dynamics of the research. The study identifies that among the enzymes, research activity is most intense in laccase followed by peroxidase and dioxygenase whereas, in microbes, Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp. and Phanerochaete sp. are areas show maximum research. In contrast to fungus and fungal enzymes, there has been gradual increases in research on bacteria and bacterial enzymes. Dye, Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) along with other emerging pollutants like plastics and pesticides are the most studied substrates. The study also draws attention to research increasingly being undertaken to identify, isolate and manipulate new enzymes using various emerging techniques such as metagenomics, genetic engineering, molecular docking and simulations. The results and implications of the study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a case of atypical ulcerative cutaneous tuberculosis in a zosteriform distribution caused by Mycobacterium bovis. The patient presented with a large, persistent, indurated, erythematous plaque in the left inguinal area, along with erosions on the glans penis. Despite initial misdiagnosis and treatment for herpes simplex, the ulceration progressed. Skin biopsy and testing confirmed the presence of M. bovis. The patient responded well to antitubercular therapy and experienced complete healing of the ulcers. This case highlights the importance of considering tuberculosis as a potential diagnosis, even in atypical presentations. [Extracted from the article]

Aim: Cells which initiate cancer cells in the body are somehow known as stem cells. They help to initiate cancer or tumor cells in the body, after initiation further division occur and a full-fledged disease formed as cancer/tumor. Methods: These cells are not homogeneous to each other and after development they start their division into groups. These cells have several qualities which help them to grow in the body and make their roots stronger. They have characteristics as they can grow and replicate by themselves and also nourish themselves. Results: They did not need any other stimuli to feed them. They started continuously growing and finally a tumor occurs in the human body. Different researches have done to check the main cause of cancer and how stem cells get generated. Conclusion: They were unable to find the reason, now another research has made to find out the reason of cancer cells which are increasing day by day in ovaries of female which we called as cancer of ovaries. Here its initiation level and characteristics will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioaccumulation and biotransformation of heavy metals cause serious pollution in aquatic ecosystems. This has attracted widespread attention to its negative effect on ecological and human health. In recent years, several studies have been done in this area. Among all the heavy metals, Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) have been widely reported for their toxic effect. However, detailed research activity on these two pollutants in aquatic ecosystems has not been mapped. It is important to capture the key topics and domains in which research is happening. The present study attempts to address this gap. A detailed Scientometrics study was undertaken to capture the heavy metal pollution in river systems. The 33,414 research papers were identified from a topic search covering the period 2010 to 2021 from the ‘web-of-science’ database. The social network analysis approach was used for understanding the structure and dynamics of the research. The study identifies the following as major nodes in the network constructed from author keywords assigned to the research papers namely heavy metal (primarily lead, cadmium), bioremediation, carbon nanotube, and sequential extraction. The thematic areas were identified as ecological risk, adsorption, atmospheric deposition, and potential ecological risk as major domains of research namely. The study has implications for research assessment and alerting the community and policymakers to the concerns about the adverse effect of these metals on aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/TiO2 composite ultrafiltration membranes were fabricated using different loadings of TiO2 NPs synthesized by the green route using an extract of Cajanus cajan. XRD analysis confirmed the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles of size 10 nm using Debye Scherrer's equation. High hydrophobicity of PVDF restricts its successful application due to fouling in the membrane. Therefore, composite membranes were prepared via the phase inversion route and characterized by contact angle and permeation tests. The BSA filtration experiments revealed that membrane with 0.5 wt% of TiO2 exhibits excellent hydrophilicity, permeation flux, high rejection ratio, and good antifouling performance. It was observed that the fouling characteristic of the membrane is governed by the surface roughness of the membrane, and with increasing loading of TiO2 the surface roughness decreases indirectly enhancing the antifouling property of membranes. The adsorption capacity of bovine serum albumin on the membrane surface decreased from 2.85 to 2.15 mg cm−2 as the TiO2 loading increased from 0 to 0.02 g TiO2/g PVDF. Fouling was found due to cake formation in ultrafiltration and can be explained by Hermia's fouling model suggesting that the solutes are not deposited into the pores, which indicates that the fouling process is physically reversible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoplasia of the right hepatic lobe is a rare and usually asymptomatic anomaly, which sometimes may be associated with portal hypertension but rarely with retroperitoneal fibrosis. We report one such rare case of hypoplastic right hepatic lobe associated with portal hypertension and retroperitoneal fibrosis. A 45-year-old nonalcoholic male presented with a chief complaint of hematemesis. Serum investigations were normal and inconclusive, so computed tomography was performed which showed right hepatic lobe hypoplasia, esophageal varices, and retroperitoneal fibrosis. Since all other causes of acquired liver atrophy had been ruled out, we considered this case to be of congenital origin. Although it is a rare anomaly, it should be kept in mind to avoid fatal surgical complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]