Jamia Hamdard

This study presents a comprehensive empirical analysis of rural development in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, a region where approximately 70% of the population resides in villages and where traditional agrarian livelihoods intersect with the globally renowned lock-making industry. Despite its economic significance, rural Aligarh faces persistent challenges including gender disparities in literacy, fragmented landholdings, infrastructure deficits, and climate-dependent agricultural vulnerability. This research examines the current developmental status through a mixed-methods approach, integrating primary data from 100 respondents across five strategically selected villages (Lodha, Alampur Subakara, Maheshpur ADF, Chherat Sudhal, and Sapera Bhanpur) with secondary data analysis. The study evaluates critical dimensions of rural development including agricultural productivity, educational infrastructure, healthcare accessibility, employment opportunities, and community awareness of government schemes such as the "One District One Product" (ODOP) initiative, dairy cooperative expansion, and emerging rural tourism potential. Quantitative analysis utilizing Microsoft Excel and SPSS was complemented by qualitative thematic examination of field observations and in-depth interviews with marginal farmers, agricultural laborers, and administrative stakeholders. Findings reveal significant gaps in cold storage facilities, credit accessibility, and technical training that impede sustainable growth, while highlighting transformative opportunities presented by rapid urbanization and industrial encroachment. The research identifies localized trends and infrastructure disparities through cross-village comparative analysis, ultimately proposing a strategic framework for transitioning Aligarh from a traditional agrarian economy to a modern, self-reliant rural hub. The study concludes with practical policy recommendations aimed at fostering long-term resilience, inclusive prosperity, and improved implementation of rural development programs in the region.

NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) proteins represent one of the largest transcription factor families, specific to plants and are critically involved in regulating plant growth, development and secondary metabolite production. Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is a highly valuable crop due to the presence of natural sweeteners- steviol glycosides (SGs)- in its leaves. Identifying key NAC genes that synergistically influence the SG production is crucial for the genomic-assisted breeding of stevia. In this analysis, a total of 113 SrNACs were found and grouped into 14 subgroups, with classification corroborated by their phylogenetic relationships, gene structure and conserved motif patterns. Low Ka/Ks ratios indicated strong purifying selection, highlighting high protein conservation and functional constraint on these genes. Gene synteny studies demonstrated the highest synteny with corresponding genes in Helianthus annuus. To explore functional associations, RNA-seq analysis combined with WGCNA identified nine pathway genes (DXS, DXR, HDR, GGDPS, ent-KS, UGT85C2, UGT91D2, UGT74G1 and UGT76G1) co-expressed with twenty-five SrNACs and revealed a broad co-regulatory network, potentially involved in the SG biosynthesis. Further, qPCR-based expression profiling of three candidate SrNACs (SrNAC21, SrNAC22 and SrNAC52) showed a strong correlation with five SG biosynthesis pathway genes (DXS, HDR, ent-KS, UGT85C2 and UGT76G1). These trends were further validated by HPTLC-based quantification of SGs across different samples. SrNAC21, SrNAC22 and SrNAC52 may serve as key regulators of SG biosynthesis as they possess strong correlation with five SG biosynthesis pathway genes, namely DXS, HDR, ent-KS, UGT85C2 and UGT76G1, suggesting a potential regulatory significance. This first comprehensive study of SrNACs offers key insights into their role in SG biosynthesis, laying a foundation for functional characterization and future efforts to enhance metabolic engineering in S. rebaudiana.

Abstract A series of novel 3-substituted quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione derivatives was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their anticonvulsant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Anticonvulsant efficacy was assessed in vivo using the maximal electroshock (MES) seizure model, while antibacterial and antifungal activities were screened against selected Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacterial, and fungal strains. To support the experimental findings and elucidate possible binding interactions, molecular docking studies were carried out against relevant biological targets for antibacterial (PDB ID: 6BPP), antifungal (PDB ID: 7VPR), and anticonvulsant activity (PDB ID: 2Z5X). Among the synthesized compounds, compound 4h exhibited significant anticonvulsant activity by effectively inhibiting extensor seizures in the MES model at a dose of 30 mg/kg, showing comparable efficacy to the reference drug phenytoin sodium. Compound 4f demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria ( Bacillus subtilis , Staphylococcus aureus ) and Gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa ), inhibiting microbial growth at 100 µg/mL. Additionally, compound 4b displayed potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger at 100 µg/mL, surpassing the activity of the standard antifungal agent griseofulvin. The study highlights the quinazoline-2,4-dione heterocyclic scaffold as a promising pharmacophore for the development of multifunctional bioactive agents with potential therapeutic relevance and reduced adverse effects. The combined in silico and experimental findings provide a valuable foundation for further structural optimization and pharmacological exploration.