Tracing the footprints of the ABCDE model of flowering in Phalaenopsis equestris (Schauer) Rchb.f. (Orchidaceae)

Himani, Himani,Ramkumar, Thakku R.,Tyagi, Shivi,Sharma, Himanshu,Upadhyay, Santosh K.,Sembi, Jaspreet K. The Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology 2019 식물생명공학회지 Vol.46 No.4

Orchids are indispensable to the floriculture industry due to their unique floral organization. The flowers have two outer whorls of tepals including a lip (labellum), and two inner whorls, pollinia and gynostemiun (column). The floral organization and development is controlled at the molecular level, mainly by the MADS-box gene family, comprising homeotic genes divided into type I and type II groups. The type I group has four sub-groups, Mα, Mβ, Mγ, and Mδ, playing roles in seed, embryo, and female reproductive organ development; the type II group genes form classes A, B, C, D, and E, which are a part of the MIKC^C subgroup with specific roles in florigenesis and organization. The coordinated functioning of these classes regulates the development of various floral whorls. The availability of genome and transcriptome sequence data for Phalaenopsis equestris offers an opportunity to validate the ABCDE model of flower development. Hence, this study sought to characterize the MADS-box gene family and elucidate of the ABCDE model. A total of 48 identified MADS-box proteins, including 20 type I [Mα (12), Mγ (8)] and 28 type II [MIKC^C (27), MIKC*(1)] members, were characterized for physico-chemical features and domains and motifs organization. The exon-intron distribution and the upstream cis-regulatory elements in the promoter regions of MADS-box genes were also analysed. The discrete pace of duplication events in type I and type II genes suggested differential evolutionary constraints between groups. The correlation of spatio-temporal expression pattern with the presence of specific cis-regulatory elements and putative protein-protein interaction within the different classes of MADS-box gene family endorse the ABCDE model of floral development.

Ki-67 Immunostaining and its Correlation with Microvessel Density in Patients with Mutiple Myeloma

Himani, Bhankar,Meera, Sikka,Abhimanyu, Sharma,Usha, Rusia Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.5

Purpose: To compare Ki-67 index and microvessel density MVD) in multiple myeloma and non-myeloma patients and their correlation with each other and other prognostic markers. Materials and Methods: Forty patients were enrolled in this study between 2011-2013, 30 with multiple myelomas and 10 with non-malignant disease as controls. Proliferative activity was analyzed by Ki-67 and microvessel density (MVC) was assessed by CD34 and compared between two groups. In myeloma patients, correlation between Ki-67, MVD and other prognostic factors was assessed by Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: According to Durie Salmon staging criteria, 13 patients were of stage 1, 5 of stage II and 12 of stage III. Ki-67 expression showed a positive correlation with MVD (r=0.729, p<0.001) and was significantly higher (p<0.0001) in myeloma patients (range 35-80%, mean 60.1 %) as compared to controls (range 8-25%, mean 18.1%). $MVD/mm^2$ was also significantly (p<0.0001) higher in myeloma patients (range $62-237/mm^2$, mean $178.0/mm^2$) than controls (range $5.2-50/mm^2$, mean $18.3/mm^2$). Ki-67 and MVD, both increased progressively with increasing stage of myeloma. Ki-67 showed significant positive correlation with blood urea and lactate dehydrogenase and a significant negative correlation with serum albumin. MVD showed a significant positive correlation with blood urea, lactate dehydrogenase, serum creatinine, ${\beta}2$ microglobulin and skeletal lesions. Conclusions: Ki-67 and MVD are indicators of aggressiveness and poor prognosis having significant correlation with each other and other prognostic markers of multiple myeloma. Routine assessment of these markers may help to identify high risk patients, who may benefit from with more aggressive therapy.

Effect of Low-level LASER Therapy on P6 Acupoint to Control Gag Reflex in Children: A Clinical Trial

Himani Goel,Shivani Mathur,Meera Sandhu,Pulkit Jhingan,Vinod Sachdev 사단법인약침학회 2017 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.10 No.5

Objective: To investigate the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on PC6 acupuncture point in suppressing gag reflex, regulating pulse rates and oxygen saturation, thereby reducing the anxiety levels. Materials and Method: A total of 40 patients who demonstrated hyperactive gag reflex in the age group of 4-14 years were included in the study. In Group A (20 patients), maxillary impression was recorded. In the second step, PC6 acupuncture point was stimulated with LLLT followed by recording of second maxillary impression. In group B (20 patients), steps were reversed. Gag reflex, anxiety levels, pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels were assessed. Results: Values of pulse rate and oxygen saturation were regulated to normal, signifying lowered anxiety levels. Gag reflex was also significantly decreased after stimulating PC6 acupuncture point with LLLT. Conclusion: LLLT on PC6 point was found to be effective in lowering anxiety levels as observed by faces modified anxiety rating scale. Further, it was authenticated as the pulse rates were significantly reduced and oxygen saturation levels were significantly increased. Also, gag reflex was significantly controlled when LASER stimulation was done at PC6.

Assessment of cellulose substituted with varying short/long, linear/ branched acyl groups for inhibition of wax crystals growth in crude oil

Himani Negi,Sundram Sharma,Raj K. Singh 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.104 No.-

The deposition of paraffin on the pipeline surface during crude oil transportation is a significant issue foroil industries. In this regard, the demand for adequate methods of wax deposition has gained considerableattention. In the current work, five cellulose esters were synthesized with varied chain short/longand linear/branched in a homogeneous medium and characterized by various analytical techniques. The ability of all cellulose esters to change wax crystal’s structure and pour-point and yield stress reductionwas observed by cross-polarized microscope, pour-point measurement, differential scanningcalorimetry, and rheology. It was noticed that the paraffin crystallization temperature and pour-pointhad decreased significantly with long/linear side chain esters. The efficiency to reduce yield stress wasfound to correlate with the nature of the side chain. Long/linear side chain esters with 0.3 wt% are moreeffective in stabilizing the paraffin/asphaltene gel formation, thereby improving the flowability of waxyoil. The computational calculations also support all the findings at a molecular level.

Effect of Sowing Time on Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Quercus floribunda Lindl.

Himani Karki,Kiran Bargali,SS Bargali 강원대학교 산림과학연구소 2018 Journal of Forest Science Vol.34 No.3

Quercus floribunda (Tilonj oak) is among the five species of Quercus and an evergreen tree found in Kumaun Himalayan region. Timing of germination is a crucial event determining the success of seedling establishment and survival. The aims of the study were to investigate the effect of sowing date on the germination and morphological responses of Tilonj oak (Quercus floribunda), cultivated during the month of August-September, with supplementary irrigation. The experiment was conducted by sowing seeds at two dates with one month interval in glass house conditions at DSB Campus, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. Present study revealed that higher germination percentage (46.67 %) was recorded at sowing time S₂ as compared to the sowing time S₁ (32.86 %). Germination percentage as well as seedling growth were affected by sowing date though the differences were insignificant. At both the sowing dates, highest germination percentage was recorded for large seeds (32.86-46.67 %) followed by medium (31.43-33.33 %) and lowest germination (6.67-7.14 %) was recorded for small size seeds. In all parameters assessed, sowing time S₂ hadthe best performance in combination with large seed size. Thus, September is suitable month for best germination, growth and seedling vigour and large seed size is recommended to silviculturists and tree planters. The information on seed germination and seedling growth is vital both for conservation and rehabilitation of degraded lands.

Gut microbiota in pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutics of inflammatory bowel disease

Himani Pandey,Dheeraj Jain,Daryl W. T. Tang,Sunny H. Wong,Devi Lal 대한장연구학회 2024 Intestinal Research Vol.22 No.1

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial disease, which is thought to be an interplay between genetic, environment, microbiota, and immune-mediated factors. Dysbiosis in the gut microbial composition, caused by antibiotics and diet, is closely related to the initiation and progression of IBD. Differences in gut microbiota composition between IBD patients and healthy individuals have been found, with reduced biodiversity of commensal microbes and colonization of opportunistic microbes in IBD patients. Gut microbiota can, therefore, potentially be used for diagnosing and prognosticating IBD, and predicting its treatment response. Currently, there are no curative therapies for IBD. Microbiota-based interventions, including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, have been recognized as promising therapeutic strategies. Clinical studies and studies done in animal models have provided sufficient evidence that microbiota-based interventions may improve inflammation, the remission rate, and microscopic aspects of IBD. Further studies are required to better understand the mechanisms of action of such interventions. This will help in enhancing their effectiveness and developing personalized therapies. The present review summarizes the relationship between gut microbiota and IBD immunopathogenesis. It also discusses the use of gut microbiota as a noninvasive biomarker and potential therapeutic option.

Of ban, use, and misuse: Young women and emergency contraceptive pill in contemporary India

Bajaj Himani 이화여자대학교 아시아여성학센터 2022 Asian Journal of Women's Studies(AJWS) Vol.28 No.3

After the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) became available in India, it has received significant attention from several social, religious, and political groups and institutions. The increasing use of the ECP as a hormonal birth control method by women has not only bothered medical institutions due to its short-term and possible long-term side-effects, but some social and religious groups have also demanded an outright ban on its sale. This paper is based first on the limited public discussion on the ECP, which has focused on morality; and second, on my semi-structured interviews with women that illustrate the gendered contexts within which they have exercised choice regarding its use. Feminist scholarship on heterosexuality demonstrates that the social context of gendered power relations affects contraceptive choices and negotiations between partners. Using this as a framework, this article there by highlights young women’s negotiation regarding their sexual desires and safe sex within spaces of intimacy and power.

Enhancing crop health and sustainability: exploring the potential of secondary metabolites and non-thermal plasma treatment as alternatives to pesticides

Singh Himani,Niharika,Lamichhane Pradeep,Gupta Ravi,Kaushik Neha,최은하,Kaushik Nagendra Kumar 한국식물생명공학회 2023 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.17 No.6

Pesticides have been an integral part of modern agriculture as their use ensures good harvests. However, excessive use of pesticides in the last few decades has caused significant environmental degradation. Moreover, excessive use of pesticides causes stress on crops and non-target plants and exhibits toxicity to other organisms including mammals, microbes, and insects. Plants employ various morphological, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms to reduce pesticides toxicity. One such mechanism is production of secondary metabolites that improves stress tolerance of plants. In addition, recent studies have also highlighted a potential role of plasma technology in mitigating various abiotic and biotic environmental stresses. Besides, plasma treatment improves seed germination, physiological processes, and seedling establishment during the early growth stages of a plant under adverse and non-adverse conditions and thus can be used an alternate to the pesticide treatment. This review article summarizes recent advancements in understanding the synthesis, accumulation, and transportation of secondary metabolites which have significant relevance to crop improvement programs. We also present an overview of the effects of plasma treatment on phytopathogenic bacterial cell suspensions and plant responses to metabolic activity. In the future, researchers need to develop innovative ideas to reduce the use of chemical pesticides in farming practices.

Effect of Sowing Time on Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Quercus floribunda Lindl.

Karki, Himani,Bargali, Kiran,Bargali, SS Institute of Forest Science 2018 Journal of Forest Science Vol.34 No.3

Quercus floribunda (Tilonj oak) is among the five species of Quercus and an evergreen tree found in Kumaun Himalayan region. Timing of germination is a crucial event determining the success of seedling establishment and survival. The aims of the study were to investigate the effect of sowing date on the germination and morphological responses of Tilonj oak (Quercus floribunda), cultivated during the month of August-September, with supplementary irrigation. The experiment was conducted by sowing seeds at two dates with one month interval in glass house conditions at DSB Campus, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. Present study revealed that higher germination percentage (46.67 %) was recorded at sowing time $S_2$ as compared to the sowing time $S_1$ (32.86 %). Germination percentage as well as seedling growth were affected by sowing date though the differences were insignificant. At both the sowing dates, highest germination percentage was recorded for large seeds (32.86-46.67 %) followed by medium (31.43-33.33 %) and lowest germination (6.67-7.14 %) was recorded for small size seeds. In all parameters assessed, sowing time $S_2$ had the best performance in combination with large seed size. Thus, September is suitable month for best germination, growth and seedling vigour and large seed size is recommended to silviculturists and tree planters. The information on seed germination and seedling growth is vital both for conservation and rehabilitation of degraded lands.

Description of two new species of ectoparasitic mites of Podapolipus and Podapolipoides (Acari: Podapolipidae) on Oxya sp. from West Bengal, India

Poulami Sarangi,Himani Biswas,Salil K. Gupta,Goutam K. Saha 한국응용곤충학회 2012 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.15 No.1

Two new species, Podapolipus husbandi and Podapolipoides channabasavannai, collected on Oxya sp. from West Bengal, India are described and illustrated.