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.

Modifying influences of betel quid ingredients on B(a)P-induced carcinogenesis in the buccal pouch of hamster

Abstract: The present study evaluates the incidence of tumors in hamster buccal pouches following short-term (10 days) and long-term (6 months) topical exposures to graded doses of benzo(a)pyrene, B(a)P (25 micrograms, 50 micrograms and 100 micrograms per pouch either daily for 10 days or thrice weekly for 6 months) alone or in combination with extract of tobacco (1 mg/pouch, twice daily), betel nut (1 mg/pouch, twice daily) or betel leaf (5 mg/pouch, twice daily). Given alone, the three doses of B(a)P respectively yielded, 6 months after the last treatment, 4%, 8.7% and 16.7% tumors in the short-term study, and 20%, 35% and 61% tumors in the long-term study. Short-term treatments with individual ingredients of betel quid did not produce any tumors while long-term treatments produced tumors only with tobacco (17.6%) and betel nut (10.5%). When B(a)P, and betel quid ingredients were painted concomitantly for 10 days, there was, depending upon the dose of B(a)P, complete or partial suppression of tumor production. But when B(a)P-plus-tobacco or B(a)P-plus-betel nut treatments were given for 6 months, there was a considerable increase in tumor incidence. Betel leaf extract, in both short-term and long-term studies, expressed its inhibitory influence on B(a)P-induced tumorigenesis.

Halophytes as bioenergy crops.

Abstract: Shrinking arable land due to soil salinization and, depleting fresh water resources pose serious worldwide constraints to crop productivity. A vision of using plant feedstock for biofuel production can only be realized if we can identify alternate species that can be grown on saline soils and therefore, would not compete for the resources required for conventional agriculture. Halophytes have remarkable ability to grow under high salinity conditions. They can be irrigated with seawater without compromising their biomass and seed yields making them good alternate candidates as bioenergy crops. Both oil produced from the seeds and the lignocellulosic biomass of halophytes can be utilized for biofuel production. Several researchers across the globe have recognized this potential and assessed several halophytes for their tolerance to salt, seed oil contents and composition of their lignocellulosic biomass. Here, we review current advances and highlight the key species of halophytes analyzed for this purpose. We have critically assessed the challenges and opportunities associated with using halophytes as bioenergy crops.

Calcium Signaling: Linking Environmental Signals to Cellular Functions

Abstract: Topics discussed in this review include Ca in signal-response coupling and the specificity of Ca 2+ signals. It is concluded that Ca is the most important signalling molecule in plants. The source of Ca and the type of cell responding to a particular signal confers specificity at the primary level. At other levels, specificity is achieved by the strength of the Ca signal and the specific patterns of Ca change. Another level of control is achieved by changes in activity of various other proteins and factors that become activated or modulated by changes in Ca levels. Ca-dependent kinases and phosphatases belong to this category and are main components of signal response coupling. Changes in the level of other factors in concert with Ca also activate a specific set of proteins, and this could also be involved in contribution to the specificity of signalling. Ca directly affecting the expression of certain genes gives another level of control on specificity. Other components in the regulation of Ca signalling are also discussed.

Soil Quality and Soil Health: A Review

Abstract: Soil health and soil quality are defined as the capacity of soil to function as a vital living system within land use boundaries. This function which sustains biological productivity of soil also maintains the quality of surrounding environment and human health. Thus the two terms are used interchangeably although it is important to distinguish that, soil quality is related to soil function, whereas soil health presents the soil as a finite non-renewable and dynamic living resource. In this review, we deal with soil health concept which includes interactions between plant inputs and soil in creating a healthy environment. Adverse effects on soil health and soil quality arise from nutrient imbalance in soil, excessive fertilization, soil pollution and soil loss processes that are increasingly becoming common in developing countries. This review will examine the development of soil health approaches as well as the content of soil health and soil quality information and its application to reduce negative impacts on agricultural productivity and long term sustainability.