Jawaharlal Nehru University

About: Jawaharlal Nehru University is a education organization based out in New Delhi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Politics. The organization has 6082 authors who have published 13455 publications receiving 245407 citations. The organization is also known as: JNU.

Piriformospora indica enhances plant growth by transferring phosphate.

Abstract: Piriformospora indica is an endophytic fungus that colonized monocot as well as dicot. P. indica has been termed as plant probiotic because of its plant growth promoting activity and its role in enhancement of the tolerance of the host plants against abiotic and biotic stresses. In our recent study, we have characterized a high affinity phosphate transporter (PiPT) and by using RNAi approach, we have demonstrated the involvement of PiPT in P transfer to the host plant. When knockdown strains of PiPT-P. indica was colonized with the host plant, it resulted in the impaired growth of the host plants. Here we have analyzed and discussed whether the growth promoting activity of P. indica is its intrinsic property or it is dependent on P availability. Our data explain the correlation between the availability of P and growth-promoting activity of P. indica.

Temperature and Precipitation trends in Kashmir valley, North Western Himalayas

Abstract: Climate change has emerged as an important issue ever to confront mankind. This concern emerges from the fact that our day-to-day activities are leading to impacts on the Earth’s atmosphere that has the potential to significantly alter the planet’s shield and radiation balance. Developing countries particularly whose income is particularly derived from agricultural activities are at the forefront of bearing repercussions due to changing climate. The present study is an effort to analyze the changing trends of precipitation and temperature variables in Kashmir valley along different elevation zones in the north western part of India. As the Kashmir valley has a rich repository of glaciers with its annual share of precipitation, slight change in the temperature and precipitation regime has far reaching environmental and economic consequences. The results from Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) data of the period 1980–2014 reveals that the annual mean temperature of Kashmir valley has increased significantly. Accelerated warming has been observed during 1980–2014, with intense warming in the recent years (2001–2014). During the period 1980–2014, steeper increase, in annual mean maximum temperature than annual mean minimum temperature, has been observed. In addition, mean maximum temperature in plain regions has shown higher rate of increase when compared with mountainous areas. In case of mean minimum temperature, mountainous regions have shown higher rate of increase. Analysis of precipitation data for the same period shows a decreasing trend with mountainous regions having the highest rate of decrease which can be quite hazardous for the fragile mountain environment of the Kashmir valley housing a large number of glaciers.

Refolding and purification of recombinant L-asparaginase from inclusion bodies of E. coli into active tetrameric protein

Abstract: A tetrameric protein of therapeutic importance, Escherichia coli L-Asparaginase-II was expressed in Escherichia coli as inclusion bodies. Asparaginase inclusion bodies were solubilized using low concentration of urea and refolded into active tetrameric protein using pulsatile dilution method. Refolded asparaginase was purified in two steps using ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatographic techniques. The recovery of bioactive asparaginase from inclusion bodies was around 50 %. The melting temperature (Tm) of the purified asparaginase was found to be 64 °C. The specific activity of refolded, purified asparaginase was found to be comparable to the commercial asparaginase (190 U/mg). Enzymatic activity of the refolded asparaginase was high even at four molar urea solutions, where the inclusion body aggregates are completely solubilized. From the comparison of chemical denaturation data and activity at different concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride, it was observed that dissociation of monomeric units precedes the complete loss of helical secondary structures. Protection of the existing native-like protein structure during solubilization of inclusion body aggregates with 4 M urea improved the propensity of monomer units to form oligomeric structure. This helped in improved recovery of asparaginase in bioactive tetrameric form.

Major ion composition and seasonal variation in the Lesser Himalayan lake: case of Begnas Lake of the Pokhara Valley, Nepal

Abstract: The Begnas Lake in the Pokhara Valley is one of the threatened habitats in Nepal. The major ion chemistry explains the status of most of the inorganic nutrients and their possible sources. However, the earlier studies mostly cover limnological investigations, and phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity. Thus, the present study has been conducted to investigate the geochemical processes and to examine the seasonal variation of chemical composition within Begnas Lake. The results showed that SO 4 2- , PO 4 3- , and NO 3 - increased compared with the previous values. The domination of Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO 3 - explains the influence of carbonate weathering on the major ion concentration. In general, pH and dissolved oxygen decreased with the depth of water-column, while electric conductivity, total dissolved solids, HCO 3 - , Cl-, H4SiO4, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, and Fe increased. Among the cations, the predominance of Ca2+ and Mg2+ as characterized by high (>0.6) (Ca2+ + Mg2+)/(Tz+) and (>0.8) (Ca2+ + Mg2+)/(Na+ + K+) equivalent ratios, also suggests prevalence of carbonate weathering. The low value of (Na+ + K+)/Tz+ ratio shows deficiency of Na+ and K+, suggesting low contribution of cations via aluminosilicate weathering. The C-ratio suggests a proton source derived both from oxidation of sulfide and dissolution and dissociation of atmospheric CO2 during different seasons. Though the major hydro-chemical parameters are within permissible limit, the increase in trophic state of the lake suggests that inherent biogeochemical processes make the limiting nutrients available, rendering eutrophic effect. Therefore, further comprehensive studies incorporating sediment–water interaction ought to be carried out to explain the ongoing phenomena and curb the eutrophication process in the lake.