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This study aimed to investigate the quality and quantity of organic matter (OM) using biochemical components (protein, carbohydrate and lipids) in the sediment cores collected from the Central Indian Ocean (CIOB) under the program Equatorial Indian Ocean Process Study Dynamics and Biogeochemistry (EIOPS). Total organic carbon (TOC) and biochemical parameters (carbohydrate, lipid, protein, Tannin and lignin) were determined in core I and core II, respectively. Total carbohydrates varied from 4.66 to 2557.32 mg/kg (average 459.31 mg/kg) and 142.23 to 821.56 mg/kg (average 380.01 mg/kg) in core I and II, respectively. In core I, PRT varied from 70.95 to 107.05 mg/kg, and the minimum and maximum content of CHO was 143.23 and 822.56 mg/kg. The maximum and minimum concentrations of BPC in core II were 786.32 and 381.07 at 0–10 cm depth, respectively, which corresponded to the concentrations of PRT, CHO, LPD, and Tannin. The results showed that PRT was statistically significant with the TOC and negatively correlated with the LPD and CHO, while LPD was highly significant with clay and silt grains. In most of the samples, the ratio of LPD to CHO ratio was > 1, which indicated higher productivity of benthic organisms inhabiting the CIOB.

Trees play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, particularly in regions where human demand for resources is increasing and many species are experiencing population decline. Native orchids, especially those that are endemic, are particularly vulnerable to population decreases in biodiversity hotspot areas, with anthropogenic factors playing an increasingly significant role in this trend. A substantial portion of the northern district of Kerala, situated in southern India, falls within the biodiversity hotspot of the Western Ghats. The road network traversing the Western Ghats provides refuge for native orchids on various tree species. The present study examined a 60 km perimeter area encompassing 15 different sites located near small towns and built-up areas, regions where trees have already been lost due to settlement and infrastructure development. These roadside areas are lined with a mixture of native and exotic trees, including both naturally recruited fruit trees and exotic species. Approximately 600 trees, representing 72 different tree taxa, were recorded from the sampled areas in Wayanad. Nearly 10,000 orchids encompassing 13 species were observed, with 6 of these species, constituting 46%, being endemic to the region. This study revealed variations between sites, with some locations exhibiting high diversity and abundance of both trees and orchids. The diversity and abundance of native orchids, risks, and prospects of development mitigation are discussed in detail.

Melanosomes, lipofuscin, and melanolipofuscin are the three principal types of pigmented granules found in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Changes in the density of melanosomes and lipofuscin in RPE cells are considered hallmarks of various retinal diseases, including Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Herein, we report the potential of an in vivo multimodal imaging technique based on directional back-scattering and short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence (SW-FAF) to study disease-related changes in the density of melanosomes and lipofuscin granules in RPE cells. Changes in the concentration of these granules in Abca4 −/− mice (a model of Stargardt disease) relative to age-matched wild-type (WT) controls were investigated. Directional optical coherence tomography (dOCT) was used to assess melanosome density in vivo, whereas the autofluorescence (AF) images and emission spectra acquired with a spectrometer-integrated scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) were used to characterize lipofuscin and melanolipofuscin granules in the same RPE region. Subcellular-resolution ex vivo imaging using confocal fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy was performed on the same tissue region to visualize and quantify melanosomes, lipofuscin, and melanolipofuscin granules. Comparisons between in vivo and ex vivo results confirmed an increased concentration of lipofuscin granules and decreased concentration of melanosomes in the RPE of Abca4 −/− mice, and provided an explanation for the differences in fluorescence and directionality of RPE scattering observed in vivo between the two mouse strains.

On March 28, 2025, a devastating earthquake doublet of moment magnitude 7.7 and 6.7 struck the Sagaing Region of Myanmar, causing extensive damage and significant casualties across Southeast Asia. In the months preceding this seismic event, a continuous radon monitoring system—BhaROSA—installed in Imphal, India, as a part of the Indian Network for Detecting Radon Anomaly signal (INDRA), recorded a pronounced and statistically significant novel radon anomaly signal. The anomaly signal commenced on December 5, 2024, with a gradual buildup, followed by a sharp rise on February 28, 2025. Multiple peak alerts were observed prior to the mainshock (7.7 M w ) on March 28, 2025, after which the signal declined rapidly, returning to baseline levels—suggesting a potential correlation with pre-seismic crustal stress accumulation and release. The anomaly signal exhibited a normalized squared deviation of 35.14 from the baseline value, far exceeding natural variability at the time of main shock. The radon signal, with a build-up period of approximately 109 days and a decay of ~ 96 h, closely matched the spatial and temporal characteristics of the dilatancy-diffusion model. A pooled analysis of radon anomalies from ten earthquake events, including this major event, across multiple Indian observatories of INDRA reveals a robust positive correlation (r = 0.96, R 2  = 0.93) between radon buildup duration and earthquake magnitude. These findings strongly suggest that radon emissions are sensitive indicators of impending seismic activity and radon build up period can be a good indicator of magnitude of earthquake. The study highlights the potential of continuous radon monitoring in tectonically active regions like Northeast India and Myanmar as a viable component of earthquake precursor research and early warning systems.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a powerful tool in ophthalmology that provides in vivo morphology of the retinal layers and their light scattering properties. The directional (angular) reflectivity of the retinal layers was investigated with focus on the scattering from retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The directional scattering of the RPE was studied in three mice strains with three distinct melanin concentrations: albino (BALB/c), agouti (129S1/SvlmJ), and strongly pigmented (C57BL/6J). The backscattering signal strength was measured with a directional OCT system in which the pupil entry position of the narrow OCT beam can be varied across the dilated pupil of the eyes of the mice. The directional reflectivity of other retinal melanin-free layers, including the internal and external limiting membranes, and Bruch's membrane (albinos) were also measured and compared between the strains. The intensity of light backscattered from these layers was found highly sensitive to the angle of illumination, whereas the inner/outer segment (IS/OS) junctions showed a reduced sensitivity. The reflections from the RPE are largely insensitive in highly pigmented mice. The differences in directional scattering between strains shows that directionality decreases with an increase in melanin concentrations in RPE, suggesting increasing contribution of Mie scattering by melanosomes.

Research on the cadherin–junctional actin interaction has focused on how the two physically interact. However, the actin cytoskeleton is dynamic, regulated by a network of proteins, so a broader perspective that takes this into account may provide new insights on cadherin cell–cell contacts and on the role of cadherins in disease. Classical cadherin adhesion receptors influence tissue integrity in health and disease. Their biological function is intimately linked to the actin cytoskeleton. To date, research has largely focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms that physically couple cadherin to cortical actin filaments. However, the junctional cytoskeleton is dynamic. Recent developments in understanding how filament dynamics and organization in the junctional cytoskeleton are controlled provide new insights into how the actin cytoskeleton regulates cadherin junctions in health and disease.

Globally, small temporarily closed estuaries are the least considered for fisheries assessment and management due to a low scientific priority and regional importance. However, these ecosystems are highly exposed to anthropogenic pressures and may deteriorate without assessing its aquatic resources. In this study, fish diversity and guild structure of Chettuva—a temporarily closed tropical estuary in the western coast of India—was investigated. A total of 70 fish taxa belonging to 32 families were recorded with the quantitative predominance of families; Mugilidae, Cichlidae, and Leiognathidae. Family Carangidae had the highest species diversity (seven species), followed by Clupeidae and Mugilidae (five species). Ecological guild assessment revealed that the immigrating marine fish species (marine estuarine opportunist (34 species) and marine estuarine dependent (13 species)) dominated the guild structure over the estuarine resident species (seven species). The marine species were found all along the saline gradient and throughout the sampling period indicating the salinity ingress towards the estuarine zone throughout the year. Carnivores and omnivores were the major feeding mode functional guilds in terms of diversity, whereas detritivores dominated in numerical abundance throughout the salinity gradient. The major environmental drivers of the fish assemblages in the estuary were salinity and chlorophyll a. The distribution of freshwater fishes and estuarine resident species was connected with the rising primary productivity as the majority of fishes rely on the algae for feeding, whereas marine estuarine dependent and marine estuarine opportunist species occurred in areas with the highest salinity concentrations.

Objective The present study evaluates the anti-inflammatory effect of the quinoline alkaloid skimmianine (SKM), isolated from Ruta graveolens L., against carrageenan-induced acute inflammation. Methods SKM at a dose of 5.0 mg/kg body weight was found to be the minimal concentration for maximal edema inhibition. Carrageenan suspension was administered into the sub-plantar tissue of the right hind paw 1 h after SKM and diclofenac (20 mg/kg) administration (i.p.). Paw edema was determined 3 h after carrageenan administration. The rats were then killed and mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-6, levels of PGE 2 and TBARS, activities of COX-2, 5-LOX, SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the level of nitrite were measured. Results SKM treatment resulted in a decrease in the mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-6, which are upstream events of the inflammatory cascade. The levels of PGE 2 and NO and the activities of COX-2 and 5-LOX were also significantly reduced after SKM treatment. Neutrophil infiltration, lipid peroxidation and associated oxidative stress in the paw tissue were reduced following SKM treatment. Conclusion These results support the anti-inflammatory properties of skimmianine and its multi-targeted mechanism of action, suggesting its potential therapeutic efficacy in various inflammatory diseases.

Concentration and distribution of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in surface sediments collected from five stations located along the southwest coast of India were investigated seasonally to assess whether there is insidious buildup of heavy metals. Spatial variation was in accordance with textural characteristics and organic matter content. The concentration of the metals in sediments of the study area followed the order: Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd > Hg. The use of geochemical tools and sediment quality guidelines to account for the magnitude of heavy metal contamination revealed high contamination in monsoon and impoverishment during post-monsoon. Estimated total metal concentrations in the present investigation were comparable with other studies; however, concentrations of Ni and Zn were higher than that of other coastal regions. Concentrations of metals in sediment largely exceed NOAA effects range:low (e.g., Cu, Cr, Hg) or effects range:median (e.g., Ni) values. This means that adverse effects for benthic organisms are highly probable.