Aligarh Muslim University

About: Aligarh Muslim University is a education organization based out in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 8218 authors who have published 16416 publications receiving 289068 citations. The organization is also known as: AMU.

Recent developments in applications of MRI techniques for foods and agricultural produce—an overview

Abstract: For the detection of defects, evaluation of internal quality and analysis of internal structures in food and biological materials, there is a number of image acquisition techniques available so far. Among them, MRI has the advantage of allowing a variety of measurements to be made that not only contribute to the evaluation of maturity and quality parameters in fruits and vegetables and other food materials but also improve the understanding of underlying physiological processes. So, the ability of MRI to function in a completely non-destructive and to encode molecular dynamics through different contrast mechanism has encouraged developments of many applications in various fields. An overview of MRI as non-destructive detection in quality of food and agricultural produce and its application in postharvest sorting and processing have been presented in this paper. This paper elaborated principle of MRI, function of its components, quality detection methods, and discussed recent research and applications. Since, no paper yet published on MRI, covered so wide applications as included in this work, its importance being increased more.

Biogenic Fabrication of Iron/Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Application.

Abstract: Enshrined in this review are the biogenic fabrication and applications of coated and uncoated iron and iron oxide nanoparticles. Depending on their magnetic properties, they have been used in the treatment of cancer, drug delivery system, MRI, and catalysis and removal of pesticides from potable water. The polymer-coated iron and iron oxide nanoparticles are made biocompatible, and their slow release makes them more effective and lasting. Their cytotoxicity against microbes under aerobic/anaerobic conditions has also been discussed. The magnetic moment of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles changes with their interaction with biomolecules as a consequence of which their size decreases. Their biological efficacy has been found to be dependent on the shape, size, and concentration of these nanoparticles.

A Ca(2+)-binding protein with numerous roles and uses: parvalbumin in molecular biology and physiology.

Abstract: Parvalbumins (PVs) are acidic, intracellular Ca(2+)-binding proteins of low molecular weight. They are associated with several Ca(2+)-mediated cellular activities and physiological processes. It has been suggested that PV might function as a "Ca2+ shuttle" transporting Ca2+ from troponin-C (TnC) to the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ pump during muscle relaxation. Thus, PV may contribute to the performance of rapid, phasic movements by accelerating the contraction-relaxation cycle of fast-twitch muscle fibers. Interestingly, PVs promote the generation of power stroke in fish by speeding up the rate of relaxation and thus provide impetus to attain maximal sustainable speeds. However, immunological monitoring of diverse tissues demonstrated that PVs are also present in non-muscle cells. The axoplasmic transport and various intracellular secretory mechanisms including the endocrine secretions seem to be controlled by the Ca2+ regulation machinery. Any defect in the Ca2+ handling apparatus may cause several clinical problems; for instance, PV deficiency alters the neuronal activity, a key mechanism leading to epileptic seizures. Moreover, atypical relaxation of the heart results in diastolic dysfunction, which is a major cause of heart failure predominantly among the aged people. PV may offer a unique potential to correct defective relaxation in energetically compromised failing hearts through PV gene transfer. Consequently, PV gene transfer may present a new therapeutic approach to correct cellular disturbances in Ca2+ signaling pathways of diseased organs. Hence, PVs appear to be amazingly useful candidate proteins regulating a variety of cellular functions through action on Ca2+ flux management.

Protective Response of 28-Homobrassinolide in Cultivars of Triticum aestivum with Different Levels of Nickel

Abstract: Seeds of five wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars (PBW-373, UP-2338, DL-LOK-01, DL-373, and HD-2338) were sown in earthen pots and 10-day-old seedlings were exposed to 0, 50, and 100 μM of nickel (Ni) in the form of nickel chloride. At the 20-day stage, seedlings were sprayed with 0.01 μM of 28-homobrassinolide (HBL). The results of the experiment at the 30-day stage revealed a decline in the dry mass per plant, leaf area, leaf water potential, and net photosynthetic rate with concomitant decline in the activities of various enzymes (viz. carbonic anhydrase and nitrate reductase) with an increasing concentration of Ni. However, an increase in proline content and the activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase was observed as a result of an increase in Ni concentration. Moreover, the treatment of these stressed plants with HBL enhanced the activities of carbonic anhydrase and nitrate reductase, catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. The proline content in the leaves also increased, which is known to act as an osmolyte and reactive oxygen species scavenger. The toxic effects generated by Ni were ameliorated by HBL through an improved antioxidant system and osmolyte. Moreover, improvement of photosynthetic parameters and growth characteristics further strengthen our belief that HBL acted as a potent stress alleviator.