An eight band spectral radiometer was used to measure the spectral composition of a solar radiation reflected from a sugar cane crop The fraction of light intercepted by the crop was measured with a ceptometer. The fraction of light intercepted by the crop was measured with a ceptometer. The ration of energy reflected in various wavebands was linearly correlated to the fractional light interception, one of the main determinants of crop growth. Thus, the measurement of spectral reflectance provides a useful way to predict dry matter production in crops.
Abstract Purpose: Deoxyelephantopin (ESD) and isodeoxyelephantopin (ESI) are two sesquiterpene lactones derived from the medicinal plant Elephantopus scaber Linn. (Asteraceae). Although they are used for the treatment of a wide variety of proinflammatory diseases, very little is known about their mechanism of action. Because most genes that control inflammation are regulated by activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), we postulated that ESD and ESI mediate their activities through modulation of the NF-κB activation pathway. Experimental Design: We investigated the effect of ESI and ESD on NF-κB activation by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and NF-κB-regulated gene expression by Western blot analysis. Results: We found that ESI suppressed NF-κB activation induced by a wide variety of inflammatory agents, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1β, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and lipopolysaccharide. The suppression was not cell type specific, and both inducible and constitutive NF-κB activation was blocked. ESI did not interfere with the binding of NF-κB to DNA but rather inhibited IκBα kinase, IκBα phosphorylation, IκBα degradation, p65 phosphorylation, and subsequent p65 nuclear translocation. ESI also suppressed the expression of TNF-induced NF-κB-regulated, proliferative, antiapoptotic, and metastatic gene products. These effects correlated with enhancement of apoptosis induced by TNF and suppression of TNF-induced invasion and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand-induced osteoclastogenesis. Conclusion: Our results indicate that ESI inhibits NF-κB activation and NF-κB-regulated gene expression, which may explain the ability of ESI to enhance apoptosis and inhibit invasion and osteoclastogenesis.
The XPC protein (encoded by the xeroderma pigmentosum Xpc gene) is a key DNA damage recognition factor that is required for global genomic nucleotide excision repair (G-NER). In contrast to transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER), XPC and G-NER have been reported to contribute only modestly to cell survival after DNA damage. Previous studies were conducted using fibroblasts of human or mouse origin. Since the advent of Xpc−/− mice, no study has focused on the bone marrow of these mice. We used carboplatin to induce DNA damage in Xpc−/− and strain-matched wild-type mice. Using several independent methods, Xpc−/− bone marrow was ∼10-fold more sensitive to carboplatin than the wild type. Importantly, 12/20 Xpc−/− mice died while 0/20 wild-type mice died. We conclude that G-NER, and XPC specifically, can contribute substantially to cell survival. The data are important in the context of cancer chemotherapy, where Xpc gene status and G-NER may be determinants of response to DNA-damaging agents including carboplatin. Additionally, altered cell cycles and altered DNA damage signalling may contribute to the cell survival end point.
Organic selenium compounds are known to prevent certain cancers although mechanisms may be complex. A widely-held view is that selenium compounds can induce apoptosis in cancer cells, or more precisely, in aberrant cells that are undergoing clonal evolution somewhere along the carcinogenesis process. There are at least 20 different selenium compounds, inorganic as well as organic, that have been used in various published studies. Extrapolation between studies should therefore be undertaken with caution. Similarly, it will be important to ascertain the physiological relevance of the selenium concentrations used in some studies. While cancer prevention by selenium is well-established, recently, organic selenium in the form of pure seleno-L-methionine (SeMet) has been used in combination with cancer chemotherapy drugs. SeMet can induce a DNA repair response in some cell types including bone marrow. Cancer cells generally lack a SeMet-inducible DNA repair response. Thus, SeMet appears to selectively regulate a DNA repair pathway and thereby potentially alter responses to cancer chemotherapy drugs. The specific pathway implicated, nucleotide excision DNA repair (NER) is required for repair of cisplatin or carboplatin DNA damage relevant to chemotherapy. Moreover, some studies have implicated NER as a factor in carcinogenesis processes. Thus, the capacity of SeMet to selectively regulate NER may prove useful in both therapeutic and preventive contexts.
Nimbolide, a plant-derived limonoid has been shown to exert its antiproliferative effects in various cell lines. We demonstrate that nimbolide effectively inhibited proliferation of WiDr colon cancer cells through inhibition of cyclin A leading to S phase arrest. It also caused activation of caspase-mediated apoptosis through the inhibition of ERK1/2 and activation of p38 and JNK1/2. Further nimbolide effectively retarded tumor cell migration and invasion through inhibition of metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP-2/9) expression, both at the mRNA and protein level. It was also a strong inhibitor of VEGF expression, promoter activity, and in vitro angiogenesis. Finally, nimbolide suppressed the nuclear translocation of p65/p50 and DNA binding of NF-κB, which is an important transcription factor for controlling MMP-2/9 and VEGF gene expression.
The present investigation was undertaken by using ten lines and four testers and their forty F1 made with the parents of forage sorghum genotype of diverse origin, which were grown in a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with three replications during kharif season 2017 & 2018 were evaluated for eleven characters to study genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance. The 'analysis of variance' revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters i.e. days to 50% flowering, plant height, leaf length, leaf breadth, internode length, stem girth, leaves per plant, leaf area, leaf stem ratio, total soluble solids and green fodder yield per plant, which indicated that wide spectrum of variability among the genotypes. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) & phenotypic coefficient variation (PCV) was observed for leaf stem ratio, indicates that these attributes could be used as a selection for crop improvement. On the basis of high estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance was expressed as per cent of mean were observed for leaf breadth, leaf area, leaf stem ratio and green fodder yield per plant indicating a predominance of additive gene effects and possibilities of effective selection for the improvement of these characters.
In most regions of the world, Soil is available as one of the construction material. Compressed Stabilized Earth Block (CSEB) is an emerging technology which dates back towards the traditional building materials. In developing countries like India mud technology is economical and most efficient sustainable technology for low cost affordable housing. CSEBs are compressed manually or hydraulically by using some mud block making machines. The present study is intended to analyze the feasibility of improving the properties of CSEB by using low cost stabilizers and industrial waste which are non-hazardous to the environment. The primary aim of this research is to find suitable low cost stabilizers used for preparation of CSEBs with regard to strength, durability, economy and availability of materials. The soil chosen for preparing compressed block was the Red soil available locally. Stabilizers used for the study include Cement, GGBS, Rice husk ash were added in different proportions for the preparation of compressed blocks 240x240x90 mm size. Compressive strength, water absorption and pulse velocity test has been conducted. After conducting tests on compressed blocks with different proportion it was to found that the best proportion in terms of strength, durability, water absorption and economy.
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