Rootstock mediated enhancement of abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in acid lime (Citrus aurantiifolia)

The study aimed to evaluate the performance of different rootstocks for acid lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) under salinity and nematode stress, focusing on their impact on plant growth and biochemical parameters. Grafted combinations involving acid lime (PKM 1) scions with rangpur lime and wood apple rootstocks were tested for salinity tolerance and resistance to Tylenchulus semipenetrans. The study, conducted from 2023 to 2024 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, HC & RI, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, utilized varying sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations to simulate salinity stress and nematode inoculation for biotic stress evaluation. Results indicated that the R5 combination (acid lime PKM 1 scion grafted onto rangpur lime) exhibited the highest salinity tolerance, evidenced by better chlorophyll retention, membrane stability, and enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase. Similarly, T3 (acid lime PKM 1 scion grafted onto wood apple) plants demonstrated improved nematode resistance, marked by higher leaf phenol content and peroxidase activity, as well as a reduced nematode population. These findings suggest that grafting onto rangpur lime and wood apple rootstocks strengthens the physiological and biochemical mechanisms in acid lime, enabling better adaptation to environmental stresses. This study provides suitable rootstock options for enhancing acid lime productivity in areas impacted by nematode and salinity problems

The modified divisor graph of commutative ring

Let $R$ be a finite commutative ring with unity. We have introduced a divisor graph of the ring, denoted by $D[R]$. It is an undirected simple graph with a vertex set $V = R - \{0, 1\}$, and two distinct vertices $u$ and $v$ in $V$ are adjacent if and only if there exists $w \in R$ such that $v = uw$ or $u = vw$. Clearly, $0$ and unit elements are adjacent to all elements of the ring. Thus, we adopt the idea of Anderson and Livingston and remove the zero and unit vertices from the vertex set. A new graph is called the modified divisor graph, noted by symbol $D_0[R]$.In this study, we have focused on the structural properties of $D_0[\mathbb{Z}_n]$. Moreover, we have determined the diameter, girth, clique number, vertex connectivity, and edge connectivity of $D_0[\mathbb{Z}_n]$ for every natural number $n$. The purpose of studying this graph is to find relationships between the ring theoretic properties of $R$ and the graph theoretic properties of $D_0[R]$

Lessons From the Past for the Future: The Definition and Mobilisation of Hindu Nationhood by the Hindu Nationalist Movement of India

Guided by a self-categorisation and social-identity framework of identity entrepreneurship (Reicher & Hopkins, 2001), and social representations theory of history (Liu & Hilton, 2005), this paper examines how the Hindu nationalist movement of India defines Hindu nationhood by embedding it in an essentialising historical narrative. The heart of the paper consists of a thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) of the ideological manifestos of the Hindu nationalist movement in India, “Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?” (1928) and “We, or Our Nationhood Defined” (1939), written by two of its founding leaders – Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, respectively. The texts constitute authoritative attempts to define Hindu nationhood that continue to guide the Hindu nationalist movement today. The derived themes and sub-themes indicate that the definition of Hindu nationhood largely was embedded in a narrative about its historical origins and trajectory, but also its future. More specifically, a ‘golden age’ was invoked to define the origins of Hindu nationhood, whereas a dark age in its historical trajectory was invoked to identify peoples considered to be enemies of Hindu nationhood, and thereby to legitimise their exclusion. Through its selective account of past events and its efforts to utilise this as a cohesive mobilising factor, the emergence and rise of the Hindu nationalist movement elucidate lessons that further our understanding of the rise of right-wing movements around the world today

Prevalence of STH Infection among School Going Children in Delhi: Study of Contributing Factors in Varied Demographic Settings

Soil transmitted helminth infestation is a global health concern affecting two billion population worldwide. Mainly three species viz. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm inflict considerable morbidity and mortality amongst infected persons. Present study was conducted among school children of three zones of Delhi (divided according to Municipal Corporation of Delhi) after having prior consent from respective authority. Sample size was estimated according to WHO guidelines as 200-250 children per zone. Children were informed about the purpose of study. Information regarding their social and personal hygiene practices was recorded with the help of semi structured questionnaire and they were provided with a container to bring stool sample on the following day. Samples collected were subjected to examination for helminthic eggs using Kato-Katz technique. Statistical analysis was done by using Chi-square test. Total 707 samples were collected in which 195 (27.5%) were positive. Ascaris lumbricoides infection was prevalent in 189 (96.9%) samples. 185 (95%) samples had monotypic infection. Potential risk factors like improper hand washing before meal and after defecation were significantly associated with risk of STH infection. Females were having more risk of infection. There is need of social awareness about good hygienic practices. Proper hand washing qualifies as the most important preventive measure

Basophil sensitivity reflects long-term clinical outcome of subcutaneous immunotherapy in grass pollen-allergic patients

Background: Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is a public health problem. Allergen Immunotherapy is an effective and safe treatment, that modifies the natural course of allergic disease and induces long-term tolerance. Objective: To correlate basophil and antibody biomarkers of subcutaneous immunotherapy to clinical outcomes and cellular changes in target tissue. Methods: Adults suffering from allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to grass pollen allergy were randomized to receive subcutaneous immunotherapy (n = 18) or to an open control group (n = 6). Patients reported daily symptom and medication scores and weekly rhinitis related quality of life scores during four pollen seasons. Biomarkers were measured every 3 months for three years treatment and every 6 months in the follow-up year. Nasal and cutaneous allergen challenge tests were performed annually. Leukocyte subsets were assessed in nasal mucosa biopsies at baseline and after treatment. Results: Subcutaneous immunotherapy led to a 447-fold decrease in basophil sensitivity during the first treatment year. This remained 100-fold lower than baseline during the 3 year-treatment period and 10-fold lower during the follow-up year (n = 18, P =.03). Decrease in basophil sensitivity after three weeks of treatment predicted long-term improvement in seasonal combined symptom and medication scores (ῥ=−0.69, P =.0027) during three years of treatment. AUC of IgE-blocking factor correlated to nasal allergen challenge (ῥ = 0.63, P =.0012) and SPT (ῥ = 0.45, P =.03). Plasma cell numbers in the nasal mucosa increased during treatment (P =.02). Conclusion: Decrease in basophil sensitivity after three weeks of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy predicted the clinical outcome of this treatment

Eosinophils, basophils and type 2 immune microenvironments in COPD-affected lung tissue

Although elevated blood or sputum eosinophils are present in many patients with COPD, uncertainties remain regarding the anatomical distribution pattern of lung-infiltrating eosinophils. Basophils have remained virtually unexplored in COPD. This study mapped tissue-infiltrating eosinophils, basophils and eosinophil-promoting immune mechanisms in COPD-affected lungs.Surgical lung tissue and biopsies from major anatomical compartments were obtained from COPD patients with severity grades Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stages I–IV; never-smokers/smokers served as controls. Automated immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation identified immune cells, the type 2 immunity marker GATA3 and eotaxins (CCL11, CCL24).Eosinophils and basophils were present in all anatomical compartments of COPD-affected lungs and increased significantly in very severe COPD. The eosinophilia was strikingly patchy, and focal eosinophil-rich microenvironments were spatially linked with GATA3+ cells, including type 2 helper T-cell lymphocytes and type 2 innate lymphoid cells. A similarly localised and interleukin-33/ST2-dependent eosinophilia was demonstrated in influenza-infected mice. Both mice and patients displayed spatially confined eotaxin signatures with CCL11+ fibroblasts and CCL24+ macrophages.In addition to identifying tissue basophilia as a novel feature of advanced COPD, the identification of spatially confined eosinophil-rich type 2 microenvironments represents a novel type of heterogeneity in the immunopathology of COPD that is likely to have implications for personalised treatment.</jats:p