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Abstract In this study, we analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of propagation of pre‐monsoon heatwaves and their drivers in India. Using complex networks, we find that heatwaves originate most frequently in northwest India and propagate in the northeast or southeast direction. Heatwaves propagating in the northeast direction have a higher intensity, lower moving distance, smaller areal coverage, and shorter duration than heatwaves moving in the southeast. We find that the larger area and duration of heatwaves propagating southeast are a result of development of larger and more persistent high‐pressure systems extending over entire northern and eastern India, which are influenced by El Niño Southern Oscillation. On the other hand, higher radiative fluxes and larger heat entrainment in the boundary layer in the heatwaves propagating northeast contribute to their higher intensities.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common disorder marked by repetitive occurrence of breathing cessation during sleep due to partial or complete upper airway obstruction. An obstructive airway and the successive asphyxia chronically overload the inspiratory muscles resulting in an increased inspiratory effort. The present systematic review aimed to examine the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on inspiratory muscle strength [maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax)], severity of disease [apnea hypopnoea index (AHI)], sleep quality [Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI)], day time sleepiness [Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS)], lung function [forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)] and exercise capacity [cardiopulmonary exercise testing, (CPET), 6 minute walk test, (6MWT)] in mild to severe OSA. Among 953 articles retrieved from various databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Cochrane), 7 articles were found to be eligible for the present review. Randomized controlled trials reporting the effect of IMT in OSA were selected. The quality assessment was conducted using Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. All seven studies were meta-analyzed. The result depicted significant change in PImax, ES 1.73 (95%CI 0.54 to 2.92, p=0.004), PSQI -1.29 (95%CI -1.94 to -0.65, p

Variation in tree biomass and carbon (C) stocks in tropical dry forests is important at both regional and global scale to know their contribution in global C cycle. In Indian tropical forests, the information on variation in tree biomass and C stocks at forest type level is scarce and fragmented. In the present study, three tropical dry deciduous forest types: dry deciduous teak forest (DDTF), dry deciduous mixed forest (DDMF) and Boswellia forest (BF) have been selected in Madhya Pradesh, Central India, to assess the biomass and C stocks. The total tree biomass (aboveground + belowground) ranged from 70.4 (DDTF) to 296.6 (BF) Mg/ha with a mean of 184.1 Mg/ha, whereas the tree C ranged from 35.3 (DDTF) to 140.9 (BF) Mg C/ha with a mean value of 87.4 Mg C/ha. The greatest biomass (220.4 Mg/ha) and C stocks (104.7 Mg C/ha) have been observed in BF type, whereas the least biomass (160.9 Mg/ha) and C (76.4 Mg C/ha) have been observed in DDTF type, with the mean biomass and C stock values of 184.1 Mg/ha and 87.4 Mg C/ha, respectively. In both DDTF and DDMF types, Tectona grandis contributed 76.5 and 26.4% of C, whereas in BF type, Boswellia serrata contributed 73.6% of C to the total C stock. A significant positive (R2 = 0.951; p

Quaternary sediment sequences deposited in the Kashmir basin show the cyclicity in the sedimentation patterns with fining upward sequences. The sediment successions show some abrupt changes in the deposition environment. The integrated sediment sequence of the basin preserves the number of soft sediment deformed structures sandwiched between the normal sedimentary structures. The detailed examination of these deformed as well as undeformed sediments within the successions using scanning electron microscope technique shows the presence of distinctive microstructural assemblages. The microstructures not only characterize the well distinct mineral constituents of Chlorites, Illites, Kaolinites, Halloysites and Smectites but also preserve some Chalk grains which results in the increase of porosity. Besides this, the sediments not only preserve the peculiar type of microstructures that signifies the depositional environment but also some distinct type of mechanically or wave generated microstructures which implies the influence of cyclic stressing or seismicity governed processes preserved within the sediments.

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is categorized by alteration of vital pathways such as β-catenin (CTNNB1) mutations, WNT signaling activation, tumor protein 53 (TP53) inactivation, BRAF, Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) inactivation, KRAS, dysregulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes, MYC amplification, etc. In the present study an attempt was made to screen CTNNB1 gene in colorectal cancer samples from Pakistani population and investigated the association of CTNNB1 gene mutations in the development of colorectal cancer. Methods 200 colorectal tumors approximately of male and female patients with sporadic or familial colorectal tumors and normal tissues were included. DNA was extracted and amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subjected to exome sequence analysis. Immunohistochemistry was done to study protein expression. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of CTNNB1WT and mutant S33F and T41A were performed to evaluate the stability, folding, conformational changes and dynamic behaviors of CTNNB1 protein. Results Sequence analysis revealed two activating mutations (S33F and T41A) in exon 3 of CTNNB1 gene involving the transition of C.T and A.G at amino acid position 33 and 41 respectively (p.C33T and p.A41G). Immuno-histochemical staining showed the accumulation of β-catenin protein both in cytoplasm as well as in the nuclei of cancer cells when compared with normal tissue. Further molecular modeling, docking and simulation approaches revealed significant conformational changes in the N-terminus region of normal to mutant CTNNB1 gene critical for binding with Glycogen synthase kinase 3-B (GSK3) and transducin containing protein1 (TrCp1). Conclusion Present study on Pakistani population revealed an association of two non-synonymous polymorphisms in the CTNNB1 gene with colorectal cancer. These genetic variants led to the accumulation of the CTNNB1, a hallmark of tumor development. Also, analysis of structure to function alterations in CTNNB1 gene is crucial in understanding downstream biological events.

Plant biodiversity patterns were analyzed in seven temperate forest types [Populus deltoides (PD), Juglans regia, Cedrus deodara, Pinus wallichiana, mixed coniferous, Abies pindrow (AP) and Betula utilis (BU)] of Kashmir Himalaya. A total of 177 plant species (158 genera, 66 families) were recorded. Most of the species are herbs (82.5%), while shrubs account for 9.6% and trees represent 7.9%. Species richness ranged from 24 (PD) to 96 (AP). Shannon, Simpson, and Fisher α indices varied: 0.17–1.06, 0.46–1.22, and 2.01–2.82 for trees; 0.36–0.94, 0.43–0.75, and 0.08–0.35 for shrubs; and 0.35–1.41, 0.27–0.95, and 5.61–39.98 for herbs, respectively. A total of five species were endemic. The total stems and basal area of trees were 35,794 stems (stand mean 330 stems/ha) and 481.1 m2 (stand mean 40.2 m2/ha), respectively. The mean density and basal area ranged from 103 stems/ha (BU) to 1,201 stems/ha (PD), and from 19.4 m2/ha (BU) to 51.9 m2/ha (AP), respectively. Tree density decreased with increase in diameter class. A positive relationship was obtained between elevation and species richness and between elevation and evenness (R2 = 0.37 and 0.19, respectively). Tree and shrub communities were homogenous in nature across the seven forest types, while herbs showed heterogeneous distribution pattern.