Pressure Swing Adsorption Based Air Filtration/Purification Systems for NBC Collective Protection

The respiratory protection against chemical warfare agents (CWA) has become a worldwide security concern in light of the many recent international threats utilising CWA. Till date the carbon filtration was adequate to protect the soldiers from the threats of CWA. With the advent of further advancements in the CWA a new threat is looming large that is known as the carbon breakers. pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is a well-established gas separation technique in air separation, gas drying, and hydrogen purification separation. Recently, PSA technology has been applied in the area of chem-bio defence by virtue of its unique advantages. This article reviews recent advances and developments in the field of PSA based purification, separation, and its use in defense sector. This emerging and advanced PSA technology can provide regenerative nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) collective protection for ground vehicles, aircraft, ships and shelters. This PSA technology challenges threat scenario developed which includes nerve, blood and blister agents, as well as a “carbon breaker” agent, and proved that this technology will be a viable concept for future NBC collective protection systems. New technological breakthroughs and greater sophistication of PSA technologies will transform the collective protection based PSA technology in real field sense, addressing the escalating threat of CWA. We conclude this review with future prospects and challenges associated with PSA technology

Genome editing for biotic and abiotic stress management in banana: A comprehensive review

Bananas, including plantains (Musa spp.), are among the most widely cultivated fruit crops globally. However, various biotic and abiotic stresses hamper their production. The triploid chromosomal nature of most cultivated banana varieties poses significant challenges to conventional breeding efforts. Gene editing has recently emerged as a powerful tool to address these challenges. Among available technologies, CRISPR/Cas9 stands out for its precision, efficiency and relatively short development time. The CRISPR/Cas9 system operates through an RNA-guided endonuclease mechanism that introduces double-strand breaks (DSBs) at specific genomic locations. These targeted modifications result in heritable changes, making it a promising approach for developing stress-resistant banana varieties. CRISPR/Cas9 has been employed to manage biotic stress by combating bacterial diseases such as Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) and viral infections including Banana Streak Virus (BSV) and Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV). This involves editing susceptibility genes like Musa DMR6, or enhancing the expression of defense-related genes such as chitinase. For abiotic stress tolerance, genome editing and gene overexpression techniques have been utilized to increase resilience to environmental factors like drought, salinity and cold. Additionally, disruption of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO) gene crucial in ethylene biosynthesis has been used to reduce ethylene production, thereby extending the shelf life of banana fruits. This review explores the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 and related gene editing technologies as transformative tools in improving stress tolerance in bananas, ultimately contributing to sustainable cultivation and global food security

Exploring pioneering efforts in tea breeding and genetic transformation and designing driving innovative strategies for better brewing

Tea is the second most consumed drink in the world, following water. It is known for its aromatic allure, sense of refreshment, medicinal values and also nutritional properties, including antioxidants, anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial nature. Tea breeding plays a pivotal role in the development of superior lines which can thrive in wider environmental conditions. However, conventional methods met with limited success, biotechnological interventions have shown their potential to evolve superior cultivars within a short span of time. Plant tissue culture technology allows for in vitro propagation that enables mass multiplication of uniform, elite clones with desirable traits besides serving as basic requirement for all the transgenic endeavours. Advances in omics technologies, coupled with advanced bioinformatics pipelines have led to the elucidation of key genes driving molecular events that confer increased tea yield and quality.  Genetic transformation mediated by Agrobacterium, particle bombardment, and CRISPR-Cas9 facilitate the production of transgenic tea with desirable traits. Inter-disciplinary collaboration among breeders, geneticists, agronomists and biotechnologists holds great promise in addressing the demands of consumers and overcoming the existing and emerging challenges posed by varied biotic and abiotic stress

Exploring the genetic variability, heritability, gene action for yield related traits and ToLCNDV resistance on F3 and F4 generations in cucumber [Cucumis sativus L.]

Cucumber is traditionally cultivated in India and is recognized as a primary centre of origin, belonging to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. The study focused on assessing genetic variability in F3 and F4 cucumber populations and examining correlations among various characters including ToLCNDV resistance. In both F3 and F4 generations, per cent disease index, fruit weight and vine length exhibited high heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean. In F4 generation, yield per plant, fruit girth, fruit length, number of branches and number of fruits per plant also showed high heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean. Yield related traits viz., sex ratio, number of fruits per vine, yield per plant and vine length exhibited complementary gene action. Days to first harvest and crop duration demonstrated negatively skewed distribution suggesting duplicate gene action and rapid genetic gain under selection. Leptokurtic distribution in yield per plant and associated traits implied the involvement of few genes for genetic inheritance of the above traits. Significant positive associations were found between yield per plant and number of fruits per plant, fruit weight and number of branches per plant suggesting potential early selection for these characters to enhance overall yield

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on oviposition, survival and seed damage by Callosobruchus maculatus on different hosts and evaluation of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) cultivars for resistance

The present study was carried out during 2021–2023 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, to investigate the influence of temperature and relative humidity on oviposition, adult survival, and seed damage caused by the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), in various pulse crops, and evaluated the resistance of selected pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] cultivars. Experiments were conducted under three environmental conditions, viz. 20°C/80% RH, 30°C/70% RH, and 40°C/60% RH. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Soybean (Glycine max) was identified as the most preferred host for oviposition, with egg deposition per seed reaching 4.17, 5.44, and 2.64 under the respective conditions. Pigeon pea supported the highest adult survival (22.34, 64.65 and 13.31%), whereas lentil exhibited the lowest oviposition and survival, indicating strong resistance. Seed damage was highest in pigeon pea (27.04–36.59%), followed by green gram and chickpea, while lentil remained largely unaffected. Further evaluation of 15 pigeon pea cultivars commonly grown in western Uttar Pradesh (India) revealed significant variation in susceptibility. Cultivar BWR-23 exhibited the lowest adult emergence (19.23%), indicating resistance, whereas BSMR-146 and BSMR-198 showed the highest oviposition rates (6.61 and 6.46 eggs per female, respectively). BSMR-198 recorded the highest seed damage, followed by WSA-1, BSMR-146, T-21, and Bahar. These results highlight the significant influence of environmental conditions on pest behaviour and demonstrate variability in resistance among pigeon pea varieties. The findings provide critical insights for breeding programs and support the development of integrated pest management strategies targeting C. maculatus

Sensitivity and diversity analysis of Nilakottai ecotype tuberose under ethyl methane sulphonate exposure: Morphological variations and antioxidant activity

The Nilakottai ecotype, a renowned indigenous variety of tuberose cultivated by farmers in the Dindigul district, is distinguished by its unique fragrance. To further enhance the floral characteristics of this tuberose ecotype, mutation breeding was undertaken at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The present study involved 11 treatments, each replicated 3 times, using a CRD (completely randomized design). The results revealed that the LD50 for the Nilakottai ecotype with ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) was 0.42 %. As the EMS concentration increased, there was a reduction in both sprouting and survival, with a 38.2 % and 56.24 % decrease respectively, at the highest concentration. Morphological parameters such as root length, shoot length, leaf length, leaf width and the number of leaves also showed a decrease of 78.80 %, 71.16 %, 87.29 %, 61.90 % and 62.99 % respectively, compared to the control at 1.0 % EMS. Pollen viability studies indicated a reduction in viability with increasing EMS concentration, showing 85.74 % viability in the control group and only 31.54 % at 1.0 % EMS. Analysis of antioxidant enzymes revealed a significant increase in catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels with higher EMS concentrations. Overall, EMS had a pronounced effect on various traits, including germination, growth and antioxidant activity

Fabrication and Characterization of Beam Quality Phantom for External Beam Radiotherapy

Introduction: Radiation dose measurement plays a major role in Radiation Dosimetry. Effective dose delivery to the patient is ensured with the recommendation of some protocol called Quality assurance (QA). It is necessary to confirm that the beam that is used for treatment is a good quality beam and it is given by beam quality factor TPR 20/10 which is one of the QA protocols. Material and Methods: In the present TPR20,10 phantom both depth (20 and 10 cm) doses can be measured at the same procedure without changing any setup. As the reference condition is maintained, the Gelatin-based phantom is kept for irradiation in the Siemens Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine. Initially Source Axis Distance (SAD) of 100 cm from the surface and 10×10 cm2 of field size. The measurement is taken by ion chamber at 10 and 20 cm depth in gantry angles 90° and 270° And the ratio of these values is taken and compared with the measurements of the water-based TPR phantom. Results: The values for the TPR20,10 ratio for the Gelatin and water phantom are measured using the above method and the values are tabulated and compared. Likewise, the output measurements are done and tabulated for comparison. These measurements are carried out for several days to check the repeatability, and reproducibility of the phantom. Also, the measured set of values was analyzed using mean, median, standard deviation, etc.    Conclusion: The fabricated phantom had good outcomes in its response. And the result projects that the phantom can be a better alternative for the other phantom materials and gelatin has more advantages over water, we conclude that gel can be used for better dosimetric procedures

Characterization of a new molecule capable of inhibiting several steps of the amyloid cascade in Alzheimer's disease

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder in elderly people. Existent therapies are directed at alleviating some symptoms, but are not effective in altering the course of the disease. Methods: Based on our previous study that showed that an Fiji-interacting small peptide protected against the toxic effects of amyloid-beta peptide (A beta), we carried out an array of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo assays to identify a molecule having neuroprotective properties. Results: In silico studies showed that the molecule, referred to as M30 (2-Octahydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-ylethanamine), was able to interact with the A beta peptide. Additionally, in vitro assays showed that M30 blocked A beta aggregation, association to the plasma membrane, synaptotoxicity, intracellular calcium, and cellular toxicity, while in vivo experiments demonstrated that M30 induced a neuroprotective effect by decreasing the toxicity of A beta in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and improving the alteration in spatial memory in behavior assays. Discussion Therefore, we propose that this new small molecule could be a useful candidate for the additional development of a treatment against AD since it appears to block multiple steps in the amyloid cascade. Overall, since there are no drugs that effectively block the progression of AD, this approach represents an innovative strategy. Significance: Currently, there is no effective treatment for AD and the expectations to develop an effective therapy are low. Using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experiments, we identified a new compound that is able to inhibit A beta-induced neurotoxicity, specifically aggregation, association to neurons, synaptic toxicity, calcium dyshomeostasis and memory impairment induced by A beta. Because A beta toxicity is central to AD progression, the inhibition mediated by this new molecule might be useful as a therapeutic tool

Identification of mungbean lines with tolerance or resistance to yellow mosaic in fields in India where different begomovirus species and different Bemisia tabaci cryptic species predominate

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) is an important pulse crop in India. A major constraint for improved productivity is the yield loss caused by mungbean yellow mosaic disease (MYMD). This disease is caused by several begomoviruses which are transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). The objective of this study was to identify the predominant begomoviruses infecting mungbean and the major cryptic species of B. tabaci associated with this crop in India. The indigenous B. tabaci cryptic species Asia II 1 was found dominant in Northern India, whereas Asia II 8 was found predominant in Southern India. Repeated samplings over consecutive years indicate a stable situation with, Mungbean yellow mosaic virus strains genetically most similar to a strain from urdbean (MYMV-Urdbean) predominant in North India, strains most similar to MYMV-Vigna predominant in South India, and Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) strains predominant in Eastern India. In field studies, mungbean line NM 94 showed a high level of tolerance to the disease in the Eastern state of Odisha where MYMIV was predominant and in the Southern state of Andhra Pradesh where MYMV-Vigna was predominant, but only a moderate level of tolerance in the Southern state of Tamil Nadu. However, in Northern parts of India where there was high inoculum pressure of MYMV-Urdbean during the Kharif season, NM 94 developed severe yellow mosaic symptoms. The identification of high level of tolerance in mungbean lines such as ML 1628 and of resistance in black gram and rice bean provides hope for tackling the disease through resistance breeding

Compartment-Restricted Biotinylation Reveals Novel Features of Prion Protein Metabolism in Vivo

A selective tagging method for detecting minor alternatively-localized populations of a protein is used to study a disease-associated transmembrane form of prion protein. The analysis reveals key features of transmembrane prion protein metabolism and one way this is altered by human disease-causing mutants