bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of factors regulating the Cu2+ efflux in copper tolerant (Cur) strain of Nostoc calcicola
Authors: Prajapati Omendra Kumar , Pandey Pramod Kumar
Published: August 2021

Copper is a well known micronutrient, an algaecide, metal component ofthylakoidal plastocyanin and superoxidase dismutase. The Cu 2+ efflux is thesole mechanism responsible to develop copper tolerance in Nostoc calcicola.Copper tolerant/ resistant (Cu r) strain showed time dependent (0â€60 min)Cu 2+ efflux whereas no efflux was reported in the Cu sensitive (Cus) N. calcicolacells. The Cu 2+ efflux depends on the presence of photogenic ATP whileit is inhibited around 95% in the dark growing cells. The ATP, supplied externallyto these cells could restore 50% cations efflux compared to no improvementin light growing cells which suggests that the photosynthetically generatedenergy in later case was optimum to drive Cu 2+ efflux. Metabolic inhibitorssuch as mercaptothanol, azide, N, N’ â€dicyclohexylcarbodimide and pâ€Chloromercuribenzoate inhibit the metal efflux at different level. Cu 2+ effluxin the Cu r strain initiated only for 100â€fold lower Cu concentration in the externalmedium (0.6 μM Cu). The Cu2+ efflux rate for 1000â€fold diluted set at 1h suggested that higher dilution or the lower amounts of Cu (0.06 μM) offeredregulation for the efflux event. These findings suggested the use of Cu rstrain in bioleaching program for metal removal in repetitive cycles withoutany measurable loss.
Pests of safflower (Carthamus tinctorious l.) and their natural enemies in Gachsara, Iran
Authors: Saeidi K. , Azura A. Nur , Omar D. , Abood F.
Published: August 2021

The safflower fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi, 1794 (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the most important pests of safflower in Iran. Losses caused by larval feeding leads to disrupted plant activities, reduction in flower buds, and, ultimately, to decreased quality and quantity of crop. An investigation was made from March 2008 to August 2009 in Gachsaran and Yasooj to record the pest status of safflower and their natural enemies. A total of twenty arthropods were recorded as pests of safflower. Out of 25 farms surveyed, only seven had the incidence of pest attack. Among the pests, Safflower fly and Silver â€ Yâ€ moth were found to cause considerable damage to the safflower plants, while others were not at economic levels. Among the natural enemies, parasitoids like Bracon hebetor, Bracon luteator, Colotrechnus viridis, Antistrophoplex conthurnatus, Microdontomenus annulatus, Ormyrus orientalis, Eurytoma acroptilae, Pronotalia carlinarum, Pteromalus sp. and Isocolus tinctorious were found to be associated with the pests of safflower.
Adipocytesâ€secreted hormone leptin, lipid profile and aerobic exercise program
Authors: Mojtaba Eizadi , Mahdi Kohandel , Mehdi Kasbparast JR , Amir Sarshin
Published: August 2021

The adipocyteâ€derived hormones leptin is known to increase in obesity and related disease. Thirty two nonâ€trained males (39±4.32 years, 176.5 – 6.5 ± 6.42 cm, and 31 ± 3.14 body fat %) were matched according to physical fitness enrolled in this study and divided to exercise and control group by accidentally. The participants of exercise group were completed an aerobic exercise program for 3 months (3 days/weekly) and control group were barred of exercise in this period. Anthropometrical measurements and fasting blood samples were obtained before and after interventions in two groups. Blood samples were collected in order to measuring serum leptin, triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Preâ€ and post exercise independent variables were compared using a pairedâ€samples tâ€test. Compared to preâ€training, the leptin levels decreased significantly (P<0.01) after aerobic exercise program in exercise group but not in the control subjects. Triglyceride concentration was decreased with exercise training whereas concentrations of LDL cholesterol did not change in exercise group (p≥0.05). Exercise training resulted in significant decrease in anthropometrical indexes (p Ë‚ 0.05) and a borderline significant increase in HDL (p=0.052). TG/HDL ratio were significantly decreased in exercise group by exercise training (p=0.028). All variable in control group remained no change in control group (p ≥ 0.05). These data suggest, despite lack significant changes in some lipid profile markers, aerobic exercise program can be improve systemic inflammation and TG/HDL ratio as a cardiovascular risk factor in obese subjects.
Effect of gender on hematological parameters in growing Ouled Djellal sheep of semi arid zones of Northeastern Algeria
Authors: Zerari Aicha  , Mahdi Djahida  , Allaoua Sofia Amel  , Rouar Salim
Published: August 2021

Ouled Djellal sheep is the most dominant breed in Algeria due to its adapta-tion to harsh steppe environment. Hematological parameters are good indi-cators of animal health, but their values are breed-specific, and they are affected by age and gender. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the hematological profile of healthy Ouled Djellal lambs and ewe lambs reared traditionally under semi-arid zones of Algeria during the growing peri-od. Blood samples were taken from twenty-four Ouled Djellal lambs (12 males, 12 females) at 42, 63, 84 and 105 days of age to evaluate the count of White Blood Cells, Lymphocyte, Monocyte, Granulocyte, Red Blood Cell and total Platelet, the percentage of Lymphocyte, Monocyte and Granulocyte, Hemoglobin concentration, Hematocrit, Mean Corpuscular Volume, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration by usual known methods. Both male and female lambs did not show signifi-cant variations in mean values of White Blood Cells, Lymphocyte count, Red Blood Cells, Hemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration, per-centage of Monocyte, Monocyte count, Gran percentage and Granulocyte count from 42ͭ ͪ day to 105ͭ ͪ days. Mean values of percentage of Lymphocyte, Hematocrite in lambs, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin in ewe lambs, and Mean Corpuscular Volume, Platelets levels in both lambs and ewe lambs indicated also variations during this period of growth. Significant Pearson's correlations were found between some hematological parameters in Ouled Djellal lambs and/or ewe lambs. Therefore, these findings provide usual val-ues, which can be considered for assessing the physiological, nutritional and health status of these animals.
Keratinolytic potential of bacterial endophytes isolated from Capsicum chinense of Northeast India
Authors: Angkita Sharma  , Pooja Singh  , Preeti Arivaradarajan  , Bidyut Kr Sarmah  , Shoma Paul Nandi
Published: August 2021

Recent times highly demand an efficient and cost-effective alternative for keratin waste degradation. Studies have shown that microbial hydrolysis of keratin waste is a popular biotechnological substitute for the process of ker-atin waste valorization, which is achieved through the microbial keratinases. To sequester keratinolytic microorganisms with potential to influence com-mercial utilization as keratinase manufacturers, the present work evaluates the endophytic bacterial strains isolated from the host plant Capsicum chinense. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that out of 4 isolated bacte-rial strains from the root and shoot parts of C. chinense, 1 strain showed sig-nificant caseinolytic and keratinolytic activities. The caseinase enzyme was measured spectrophotometrically and found to be 6.3 U/ml and the keratinase production was measured to be 93U/ml. Bacillus subtilis strain was used as a positive control. Molecular identification showed the efficient endophyte Cb4 to be Enterobacter sps, while the lesser efficient isolate Cb1 was identified as Proteus sps. The potential of the bacterial strains to dena-ture keratin substrates was assessed by SEM, FTIR spectra analysis. Bacterial endophytes isolated from the roots and shoots of C. chinense were tested for their economic importance to replace severe chemical approaches for remediating the environment. The results confirmed the amplified efficacy of the host plant, harboring the beneficial bacterial endophytes.
Increased Homocysteine Level and Risk of Gestational Hypertension in South East Algerian population
Authors: Abbas Amel  , Benmebarek Karima  , Sifi Karima  , Abadi Noureddine
Published: August 2021

The objective of this study is to target the effect, in the South East Algerian population, of homocysteine level on gestational hypertension (GH) in wom-en. We also aim to study if gestational hypertension and preeclampsia (PE), two types of hypertensive disorders, share the same risk factors. The case-control study has been undertaken in Ouargla maternity hospital. Homocys-teine (Hcy) levels have been measured using an automated chemilumines-cence method. Creatinine and total protein have been determined using a colorimetric method, while an enzymatic technique has been employed to estimate the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the alanine aminotrans-ferase (ALT). The mean concentration of homocysteine was significantly higher for PE (14.90±8.54 μmol/l) and GH (11.10±5.13 μmol/l) compared to that of normotensive women (6.85±3.23 μmol/l) p≤ 0.01. Besides, hyperho-mocysteinemia (Hhcy) was detected with 70% of mothers with PE and with 40% of mothers with GH compared to only 11.53 % of controls. These values show the correlation between the rate of Hcy and hypertension during preg-nancy aetiology and severity. The other metabolites showed a significant increase in total protein level in PE and GH women compared to controls (p≤0.01). A significant increase in creatinine level is observed for patients with preeclampsia (p<0.05). There were no differences among patients and controls concerning AST nor ALT. Results show that homocysteine is an im-portant risk factor as for gestational hypertension as for preeclampsia. Com-plications have similar biochemical profiles leading GH to be given as much attention as PE.
Risk Factors and etiology linked to infertility in a Sample of Eastern Algerian couples
Authors: Amira Harbouche  , Abdelali Zoghmar  , Leyla Ounis  , Sebti Benbouhedja  , Afnane Debbache  , Maroua Benmerzoug  , Abd-el-Kader Rouabah  , Leila Rouabah
Published: August 2021

Infertility is one of the major gynecological problems In Algeria and in many other parts of the world. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors and etiology associated to infertility in Eastern Algerian couples. This pro-spective study was conducted in the centre of assisted reproduction Ibn Rochd Clinic, Constantine, Algeria. A total of 346 infertile couples were in-cluded. The variables including socio-demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), and infertility status (e.g. type of infertility, duration, etc.) were assessed by a self-administered and validated questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21.0.The most common causes of male and female infertility were varicocele (28.3%) and ovulation disorders (43.07%), respectively, militaries was the most represented group of the study 34.1%.(80.1%) of infertile couples suffered from primary infertility and (19.1%) had secondary infertility. There was a significant association be-tween female factor infertility and, age at marriage of women, Place of resi-dence, BMI (Body mass Index), and menstrual cycle regularities (P < 0.005). There was also a significant relationship between male factor infertility men’s age at marriage, profession, place of residence, and smoking (P < 0.005).An important step towards reducing the occurrence of these risk fac-tors can be taken, given the various risk factors for infertility, by offering different education classes during the premarital, prenatal, pregnancy and postnatal periods in order to inform couples about controllable risk factors.
Endophytic Fungal Diversity of Aerides crispa, an Epiphytic Orchid
Authors: Jayashankar M  , Darsha S
Published: August 2021

Aerides crispa is an epiphytic plant that belongs to Orchidaceae family. Re-quirement of special habitat makes epiphytic orchids different from other plants. Day by day favourable conditions for these plants are decreasing. Here we have isolated six endophytic fungi from a single orchid. Isolated fungal cultures were molecularly characterized using ITS sequence region comparison with known fungi from NCBI data base and submitted to Gen-Bank. Homology of the fungi were confirmed by similarity matrix generation and phylogenetic tree construction. Thus, the endophytic fungi obtained were Cladosprium cladosporioides, Nigrospora sphaerica, Colletotricum gloe-osporioides, Fusarium circinatum, F.equiseti, Cl.cladosporioides. From the research study, it is revealed that genotypic characterization is a better method for identification of fungi than traditional methods, since same fungi were identified from different parts and also different species from same part of the same plant shows the interesting part of biodiversity. Richness of fungi in A crispaspeaks a lot about the importance of conservation of or-chids, endophytes and thereby biodiversity. The study describes endophytic fungi from an epiphytic orchid Acrispa to its sequence level identification.
Exposure to microwave radiation has no impact on the global sleep quality of people living in the vicinity of base transceiver stations
Authors: Margaret Messiah Singh  , Priyanka Chandel  , Atanu Kumar Pati  , Arti Parganiha
Published: August 2021

Occupational exposure to microwave radiation (MWR) has become an inevi-table part of life. Therefore, it is essential to assess the MWR effect on hu-man health. In this study, we examined the non-thermal effect of MWR from base transceiver station (BTS) on humans' sleep quality. Total 1150 partici-pants of different zones based on distance from BTS (145 from inter-tower/zone A; 256 from 0-150m/zone B; 241 from 150-300m/zone C, 381 from 300-500m/zone D), and 127 controls from the area without BTS installations were included. We recorded the electric field strength at the subject’s resi-dence using NBM-550 equipped with probe EF0-391. We assessed the sub-jects' sleep quality by administering the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Ques-tionnaire. ANOVA revealed statistically significantly higher electric-field strength in zone B and zone A. Participants of all the groups exhibited a glob-al PSQI score less than the accepted median score of <5. This implies that subjects of all groups had good sleep quality. However, a more detailed anal-ysis using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests revealed that the participants of exposed zones (except zone D), females, and residents of the 1-5y group had decreased sleep quality compared to control, males, and subjects of >5y group, respectively. From the above findings, it can be con-cluded that the MWR had little effect on the sleep quality, but it does modu-late sleep parameters within the accepted range of good sleep quality as a function of the zone, gender, and year of residence. However, extensive studies involving more BTS are desirable to validate the above conclusion.
Evaluation of acute toxicity of zinc, lead and cadmium to zooplanktonic community in upper Berach river system, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Chishty Nadim , Tripathi Anil , Sharma Madhusudan
Published: August 2021

Current study investigated through static bioassay, the acute toxicity of Zinc,Lead and Cadmium to fresh water zooplankters in the upper Berach riversystem which is a part of Gangetic river system. The river basin stretchesfrom Madar tank to Sarjana tank with a total length of 46 Km, including ninewater bodies i.e. Bada madar tank (73Â‹36Âf0ÂfÂfE and 24Â‹38Âf0ÂhN ), Chhotamadar tank, Fateh sagar lake, Udaisagar lake, UpÂ]stream pond (BichhdiÂ]I),DownÂ]stream pond(BichhdiÂ]II), Gadwa, Daroli and Sarjana tank (73Â‹ 57Âf10ÂhEand 24Â‹14Âf30Âh N). Whole zooplanktonic communities were exposed to different heavy metal stresses. Exposed zooplanktonic community included nine planktonic forms i.e. Heliodiaptomus viduus, Mesocyclops hyalinus, Heterocypris, Daphnia lumholtzi, Moina, Brachionus, Monostyla, Filinia. Cadmium was found to be most toxic and Zinc was least toxic to zooplankton. Ostracods and Cyclops were resistant forms and rotifers were sensitive forms in relation to metallic exposure. Sensitivity pattern observed during laboratory experiments was found to be in accordance with biodiversity variation of zooplankton in different ponds of Berach river system.
Genetic diversity and podophyllotoxin analysis of Podophyllum hexandrum from Indian central Himalaya
Authors: Nadeem Mohammad , Khan Salim , Akmal Mohammad , Ram Mauji , Alâ€Qurainy Fahad , Abdin Malik Zainul
Published: August 2021

Genetic diversity among and within 10 populations of Podophyllum hexandrum was analyzed for precise assessments of genetic structure for conservation planning of wild Indian May apple (Podophyllum hexandrum) in the Central region of Himalayas. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) studies revealed variability among and within population. Twenty primer sets were evaluated, 18 primers resulted in low and poor polymorphism,where as two gave better results which were counted for final analysis. We found a higher podophyllotoxin levels among the populations. However, the existing variation in podophyllotoxin content among the populations may be due to geographical location, altitude and habitat. It was difficult to ascertain these variations as genetic variations. Whereas morphological variations may have impact on podophyllotoxin content detected in different populations of P. hexandrum. Hence we recommend that any further cultivation of this species require optimization of environmental factors in order to increase the rate of production of podophyllotoxin from any collected population.
Screening for Sickle Cell Disease: A Hospital Based Study in Eastern Odisha, India
Authors: Mishra Jayanti , Pati Sanghamitra , Hussain Mohammad Akhtar , Srivastava Niraj , Mishra Sindhubala
Published: August 2021

The highest frequency of sickle cell gene in India is reported in Odisha. The present study was taken up to assess the presence of sickle cell disease among febrile patients of a medical college of eastern Odisha. Patients referred from both pediatric and medicine department to the Hematology section of the department of Pathology, SCB Medical College, Cuttack were subjected to measurement of RBC indices, Sickling test, Haemoglobin Electrophoresis and Fetal Haemoglobin Estimation. Out of total 1000 referred patients 76(7.6%) were found to be positive for sickling. Twoâ€third of sicklingpositive patients had sickle cell trait with electrophoretic AS band. There was a significant association between age and positive sickling (χ2 = 24.357; df = 4, P = <0.0001). No significant association was observed between sickling and gender. Sickle cell positive cases are not uncommon in eastern Odisha. Our study demonstrated sickle cell trait to be more common among screened patients than other forms of sickle cell diseases.
QSAR Analysis of Saquinavir Analogues (Peptidomimetics) as Potent HIVâ€Protease Inhibitors
Authors: Saini Vandana , Kumar Ajit
Published: August 2021

The correlation of structural features with the biological activity has always played an important role in drug designing process. The present paper discussesthe 2Dâ€ and 3Dâ€ Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) studies, performed on a series of compounds related to saquinavir, an established HIVâ€protease inhibitor (PI). The analysis was done on structure based calculations using various methods of QSAR like multiple linear regression (MLR), kâ€nearest neighbour (kâ€NN) and partial least square (PLS), to establish QSAR models for biological activity prediction of unknown compounds. A total of 27 peptidomimetics (Saquinavir analogues) were used for the study and models were developed using a training set of 22 compounds and test set of 5 compounds. The r2 value of 0.959 and crossvalidated r2 (q2) of 0.926 was obtained when models were generated using physicochemical descriptors during 2Dâ€QSAR analysis. In case of 3Dâ€QSAR analysis, database alignment of all compounds was done by field fit of steric and electrostatic molecular fields. 3Dâ€QSAR models generated showed r2 of 0.81 when steric and electrostatic fields were considered as basis of model generation. The meaningful information obtained from the study can be used for the design of saquinavir analogues having better inhibitory activity for HIVâ€protease. Also, the QSAR models generated can be very useful to predict the HIVâ€PIs and also for virtual screening for identification of new lead molecules.
Dose dependent interactions between estradiolâ€17Î² and triiodothyronine with reference to different physiological and biochemical parameters on liver tissue of common Indian Toad (Bufo melanostictus)
Authors: Patel Amiya Kumar
Published: August 2021

To study the dose dependent interaction between two chemically differentand functionally distinct hormones i.e. estradiolâ€17β and triâ€iodothyronine(T3), six different animal groups of common Indian toad (Bufo melanostictus)were injected intramuscularly each with single dose of individual treatment[Estradiolâ€17β (Eâ€40 and Eâ€80); T3 (Tâ€20 and Tâ€40), and combination dose (Eâ€40+Tâ€20 and Eâ€80+Tâ€40)]. The data clearly demonstrated the interaction between these two hormones with respect to different physiochemical parameters in the liver tissue, such as alkaline phosphates activity, oxygen consumption rate, lipid, cholesterol, RNA, DNA, protein, free amino acid, totalsugar and ascorbic acid content with respect to different days after treatment(0, 1, 5 and 10) as well as different doses of hormonal treatments, individuallyand in combination. The comparative study indicated the dose dependenthormoneâ€hormone interaction between estradiolâ€17β and T3 hormone with respect to synergistic effect on oxygen consumption rate, fluctuation in lipid and cholesterol content, antagonistic effect of T3 on activation of the transcriptional apparatus to synthesize RNA, free amino acid metabolism, antagonistic effect on protein metabolism suggesting the protein catabolic or anabolic nature of T3, the permissive effect of estradiolâ€17β upon T3 on sugar content in liver tissue of toad.
Evaluation of the effects of composted broiler litter enriched with Trichoderma viride in management of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Authors: Amarasinghe Lalithanjalie D. , Madurusinghe Thilini N.
Published: August 2021

In this study, repeat screenâ€house experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of composted broiler litter enriched with Trichoderma viride in management of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) in spinach(Spinacia oleracea). A significant increase of plant growth in S. oleracea and adecrease in the population of M. incognita were observed in the amendedsoil (soil:composted broiler litter 22:1 v/v). Infested plants that were grownin native soil showed a significant reduction in growth, whereas in soilstreated with nematicide, carbofuran 3% G the growth was moderate. Theabundance of soil microfauna and naturally occurring nematophagous fungus,T. viride significantly increased in amended soil when compared to thesoil treated with chemical nematicides. This study concludes that compostedbroiler litter (soil:composted broiler litter 22:1 v/v) enriched with T. virideincreased the plant growth and abundance of soil microfauna and reducedthe population of M. incognita. Therefore, treatment with T. viride might bemore effective than the use of recommended level of chemical nematicides.
Elephant foot yam ameliorates activities of intestinal and renal disaccharidases in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats
Authors: A Harshavardhan Reddy , Bhaskar Jamuna J. , Salimath Paramahans V. , M. Aradhya S.
Published: August 2021

Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson syn. Amorphophallus campanulatus) is a tuber vegetable used as an ingredient in ayurvedic preparations for various ailments. The present investigation deals with the effect of elephant foot yam extract on intestinal and renal disaccharidases in normal rats and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The specific activities of maltase, sucrase and lactase were measured in control and starch fed diabetic (SFD), elephant foot yam extract at 0.1% fed diabetic (YFD0.1), elephant foot yam extract at 0.25% fed diabetic (YFD0.25) and aminoguanidine fed diabetic (AFD) groups at the end of experimental period. Intestinal maltase, sucrase and lactase activities were high in SFD group compared to control, YFD0.1, YFD0.25 and AFD groups. Amelioration of intestinal maltase activities by 18% 26% and 48% was observed in YFD0.1, YFD0.25 and AFD groups respectively when compared to SFD group. Intestinal sucrase activity was ameliorated in YFD0.1, YFD0.25 and AFD groups to about 28%, 45% and 56% respectively. Lactase activity of intestine was improved by 36%, 52% and 64% in YFD0.1, YFD0.25 and AFD groups respectively. On the contrary, specific activities of renal maltase, sucrase and lactase were decreased in SFD group compared to control groups. Supplementation of elephant foot yam extract in diet significantly ameliorated renal disachharidases activities in YFD0.1 and YFD0.25 groups. The results demonstrate the potential use of elephant foot yam for the management of diabetes.
A method to rescue the polluted explant in banana (Musa spp) tissue culture
Authors: S Chang , J Li , W Sun , F Lin , B Xu
Published: August 2021

Plant tissue culture is an important commercial tool in banana production. Sterilization is the first key step in plant tissue culture. When explants were found infected, they were always discarded. But if the materials were precious and rare, once they were cast away, it will be very difficult to get them again. No paper has been found to resolve this problem. In this paper, two precious banana plantlets were polluted during the process of tissue culture. The leaves and the stem were cut from the polluted seedlings. Only the pseudostem was left. The black and brown part of the pseudostem were also cut and discarded. The modified pseudostem was soaked in 6% NaClO solution 10 minutes first, and then, it was kept in 70% ethanol for 1.5 minutes. After that, the pseudostem was cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with sucrose, 7 g Lâ€1 agar and 3 mg/L 6â€Benzylaminopurine (6â€BA). Most of the explants grow healthily during the following time.
Enhanced In Vitro Iron Availability from Traditional Foods of Western India: Effect of Soaking, Germination and Fermentation
Authors: Chandorkar Suneeta S. , Jaipuri Kafila
Published: August 2021

Soaking, germination and fermentation are simple techniques which are widely practiced at household level in India. These are also reported to improve the nutritive value of foods. However, regional data on composition and bioavailability of nutrients from cooked food are scanty. Therefore, selected foods commonly consumed in the western region of India were analysed for phytates, tannates, oxalates, calcium, phosphorus, ascorbic acid, total, soluble and ionisable iron. Subsequently, the percent bioavailable iron was calculated from the foods under study. The foods selected were, soaked and cooked field beans, red gram, Bengal gram, kabuli chana, cow pea, peas, soyabean; germinated and soyabean, green gram, lentil, moth beans and fermented foods prepared using rice and split legume combination viz. idli, khaman, dhokla and handwa. All the processing treatments brought about a significant reduction in the phytate, tannate and oxalate content. A concomitant increase was observed in the soluble and ionisable iron content. Ascorbic acid showed a negligible increase in fermented foods only. The calcium: phosphorus ratio improved on processing.
Field screening of popular jute (Corchorus spp.) varieties against the major pests in West Bengal, India
Authors: Rahman Sahidur , Khan Matiyar Rahaman
Published: August 2021

Field screening of eight most popular jute varieties belonging to both olitoriusand capsularis species was done against the major pests in the farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal during 2005 and 2006. Among the varieties, JROâ€524 was found to be moderately resistant to Anomis sabulifera and susceptible to Spilarctia obliqua and Myllocerus discolor. The variety JROâ€7835 was moderately resistant to S. obliqua, M. discolor and Polyphagotarsonemus latus but susceptible to A. sabulifera. The variety JROâ€632 was found to be highly susceptible to M. discolor but moderately susceptible to other pests. The variety JROâ€878 showed moderate susceptibilityto P. latus, A. sabulifera, S. obliqua and Apion corchori but was highly susceptible to M. discolor. Among the capsularis varieties, JRCâ€7447 and JRCâ€321 were susceptible to A. sabulifera but moderately resistant to other major pests. Variety JRCâ€212 was most susceptible to A. corchori but moderately resistant to other pests. The variety JRCâ€4444 was found moderately resistant to S. obliqua, A. sabulifera and resistant against M. discolor and P. latus. Further, the fibre production capacity of the varieties under different pest’s pressure was found higher in olitorius varieties than capsularis varieties. The relatively higher yield recorded under varying pest levels over two consecutive seasons is an indicative of greater field tolerance of olitorius jute varieties.
Characterization of the microbial community in the gut of Centrocestus formosanus
Authors: Femiâ€Ola T. O. , Oladokun T. O. , Osidero S. O.
Published: August 2021

The antibiotic resistance pattern of bacteria associated with the gut of Centrocestus formosanus, an aggressive woodâ€eating termite was investigated. The bacterial isolates encountered were Serratia marcescens, Acetobacter posterianus, Flavobacterium rigense, Xanthomonas spp, Citrobacter freundii, Erwinia cacticida, Aeromonas salmonicida, Enterobacter cloacae, Bacillus mengaterium, Cellulomonas biozota and Lactobacillus fermentii. Among the Gram negative bacterial isolates, resistance to Ceftezidine, and Ampicilin was 100% respectively, while resistance to Ciprofloxacin was 12.5%. However, the Gram positive bacterial isolates showed 100% resistance to Cotrimoxazole, Augmentin, Streptomycin and Chloramphenicol respectively. The least resistance was towards Gentamicin (33.3%). All the bacterial isolates exhibited lipase and protease activity; while 63.6% and 72.7% showed cellulolytic and amylolytic activities respectively.
Recent advances of mitochondrial cancer research and therapy: Prospects and challenges
Authors: Saxena Komal , Varshney Anusheel , Sharma Avinash Kumar , Babu Vikas
Published: August 2021

This review explores the potentials and drawbacks of mitochondria based cancer research. Present research on cancers cell is towards induction of apoptosis, using cocktail drugs, which increase efficacy of the anticancer drugs by delivering to mitochondrion either by use of nanotechnology or via conjugating drugs to synthetic polymeric molecule like Nano micelles loaded drug and liposomes having surface modified of DQAâ€PEG (2000)â€DSPE. Drugs are even successful in patients with multiple drug resistance and intrinsic drug resistance which has been the major challenge in the chemotherapy of cancer. These drugs show selective cytotoxicity of the drug towards cancerous cells. However, drawbacks of the present mitochondria based cancer research is the error prone data as well as the doubts regarding the relationship between mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) mutations and carcinogenesis which does not give clear insight to the patient’s condition during cancer induction, initiation and progression and success of treatment.
Antimutagenic activity of vitaminâ€E (Î±â€ tocopherol) and gallic acid (polyphenol) on the callus raised from mutagenized seeds of Trigonella foenumâ€graecum L.
Authors: Rawat Manoj , Bhati P. C.
Published: August 2021

Antimutagenicity of vitaminâ€E (αâ€ tocopherol) and gallic acid (polyphenol) has been determined in callus raised from diethyl sulphate (DES; pH 7.41) treated seeds of Trigonella foenumâ€graecum L. using toxic effects on the callus growth as the criterion. In case of calli raised from seeds treated with the DES (mutagenic agent) alone, maximum reduction in the growth index (GI), i.e., 0.85 was observed in 0.75% DES concentration treated series. However, approximately 50% lethality in GI was observed in the 0.50% DES treated series as compared to control where GI was 3.87. Calli raised from DES mutagenized seeds of T. foenumâ€graecum postâ€treated with two concentrations of vitaminâ€E (0.25% and 0.50%) and gallic acid (0.0010M and 0.0020M) exhibited antimutagenic activity by way of promotory effects on the callus growth.Vitaminâ€E was found to be more potent as antimutagen (antitoxic) than gallic acid.
Hepatoprotective role of green tea extract in acetaminophen induced liver injury in mice
Authors: Bharali Manuj K. , Chetry Luk Bahadur
Published: August 2021

the world. Overdose of APAP is linked to many cases of hepatic failure and death in many countries. APAP is also used as a model toxin to understand the hepatoprotective activities of many pharmacological compounds. In the present study, the protective efficacy of green tea extracts (GTE) in APAP induced liver injury has been evaluated in mice. Mice were treated with 400 mgkgâ€1 body weight of APAP alone or with GTE (50 & 100 mgkgâ€1). Serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Glutathione reduced (GSH), Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitrite level in liver tissues were estimated 6 hrs after APAP and GTE treatment. GTE was shown to be efficient in reducing ALT and AST released from liver hepatocytes up to 50 % when compared to APAP alone treated group. GTE also inhibited production of nitrite and LPO, whereas supplementation with GTE maintained near normal GSH level in liver of APAP treated mice. Histopathological examination of liver samples revealed reduced necrotic areas (47%) in GTE treated APAP group compared to APAP alone treated group. GTE treatment also prevents hepatocytes DNA fragmentation compared to APAP treated group. The survival test conducted confirmed that mice receiving APAP + GTE are more resistant to the deleterious effect of APAP overdose than APAP alone. Together, this study confirmed the hepatoprotective activities of GTE in APAP induced liver injury model in mice and thus illustrated the benefit of continuous consumption of green tea.
Diversity of Lactic Acid Bacteria in dairy products of Southern Rajasthan
Authors: Chishty Nadim , R Srinivasan , Kumawat Dinesh K. , Franklin Yogesh , Tripathi Anil
Published: August 2021

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a group of gram positive, non spore forming, cocci or rod shaped, catalase negative and fastidious organisms. They are considered as “GRAS” (Generally Recognized As Safe) organisms. A total of 86 bacterial isolates were isolated from different samples of raw milk, buttermilk and curd by using MRS agar and M17 agar. Lactic Acid Bacteria have similar nutritional and growth requirements, it becomes difficult and laborious to identify them by classical methods. Hence, molecular typing was attempted to find the diversity, 16S rDNA gene amplification was done using specific 16S rDNA primers and amplified gene products were digested with different restriction endonuclease enzymes. Further the 16S rDNA sequencing was carried out and the sequences were compared with the available gene sequences in NCBI website by using BLASTn. All isolates obtained from dairy products were accurately identified as Lc. lactis, Lb. plantarum, Leu. mesenteroides, E. durans, Lb. fermentum, Lc. garviae and Lb. casei. The predominant LAB were Lactobacillus casei and Leu. mesenteroides, which were isolated from all sampling sites. The results demonstrate that traditional fermented dairy products from different regions of Rajasthan have complex compositions of LAB species.
Changes in the yield quantity and quality of the pods of four legume crops in response to elevated ambient ozone in Riyadh
Authors: Almohisen Ibrahem A.A. , Alyemeni Mohammed Nasser
Published: August 2021

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ambient ozone on the yield quantity and quality of the pods of four legume crops (Pisum sativum L., Vicia faba L., Glycine max and Vigna sinensis) grown under five ambient ozone concentrations: 17.80, 61.00, 71.50, 78.75 and 111.78 ppb and 21.25, 67.25, 96.5, 105.5 and141.25 ppb during winter and summer, respectively. The ozone levels significantly affected the yield of both the winter and summer species. As the ozone concentration increased, the number and dry weight of the pods decreased. The plants varied in their yield responses to stress; however, the degree of damage in all of the species was more severe under elevated ozone. The protein, fat, soluble sugar and polysaccharide content were significantly different in the pods. This investigation recorded high ozone concentrations at the studied sites with a high source of air pollution, especially during the summer, and demonstrated the negative effect of ozone on the yield quantity and quality of the tested species.
Comparative studies of viability of clinical Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 under different preservation methods
Authors: Sulaiman A. N. , Ameh J. B. , Inabo H. I.
Published: August 2021

In this study, four methods of bacterial preservation: (sterile soil, sterile distilled water, agar overlaid with mineral oil and lyophilization) were employed for maintaining clinical Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 for a period of 180 days. The morphology, Gram’s staining properties, biochemical characteristics and viability were monitored at regular intervals of 30 days for 180 days. The spread plate colony count method was used to investigate the rate of recovery or viability of all the two organisms from equally inoculated bacterial suspensions (2.0 McFarland equivalent to 8.8 log10 cfu/ml) in differently prepared stock cultures of each preservation method. Agar overlaid with mineral oil was found to be the best method for maintenance and preservation of both organisms.
Effects of hydrophilic plasticizers added to chitosan coating for extending the storage life of Citrus sinensis
Authors: Adetunji C. O. , Fawole O. B. , Arowora K. A. , Adetunji J. B. , Agbaje A. B. , Ogundare M. O.
Published: August 2021

The use of conventional food packaging materials is usually effective in terms of barrier. On the other hand, their nonâ€biodegradability creates serious environmental problems, motivating researches on edible biopolymer films and coatings to at least partially replace synthetic polymers as food packaging materials. Chitosan is a biopolymer obtained by Nâ€deacetylation of chitin, which is the second most abundant polysaccharide on nature after cellulose. Chitosan forms clean, tough and flexible films with good oxygen barrier, which may be employed as packaging, particularly as edible films or coatings, enhancing shelf life of a diversity of food products. Chitosan films (CH) were plasticized with two hydrophilic compounds, namely, olive oil (CHOO) and vegetable oil (CHVO). Our objective was to investigate the effect of plasticizers on the quality and storability of oranges with chitosan films. The following parameters were measured: weight loss, ascorbic acid content, pH, and firmness. The stability of the plasticized films was observed by storage for 7weeks at ambient temperature of 25±2oC and relative humidity of 55â€67%. Prior to storage, the orange samples were surface sterilized using 100mg/L sodium hypochlorite. Results showed that chitosan films plasticized with two hydrophilic compounds was effective in extending the shelflife of orange when compared to untreated control in the following order: CHOO>CHVO>CH>Control.
Ameliorative effects of Withania somnifera, Azadirachta indica, Tinospora cordifolia and E care Se herbal preparations on chicken infectious anaemia virus induced haematological changes in chicks and their live body weights
Authors: Lateef Shyma K. , Dhama K. , Wani M. Y. , Samad H. A. , Tiwari R. , Singh S. D.
Published: August 2021

The present study was performed to evaluate the potential of four herbal preparations namely Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Azadirachta indica and E Care Se Herbal against the haematological effects of chicken infectious anaemia virus (CIAV) in chicks and their live body weight gains. Briefly, six experimental groups (A to F), containing fifteen chicks each, were treated with herbal preparations separately from day old age.  The chicks of Groups A to D were fed with W. somnifera (1% pure extract), T. cordifolia (1% pure extract), A. indica (0.2% pure extract) and E Care Se Herbal (0.1% in drinking water), respectively, while groups E and F were kept as virus positive and control group, respectively. Groups A to E were given infection with 40 times 50% chicken infectious dose (CID50) of CIAV A strain intra-muscularly on 14th day of age. Haematological parameters and body weight of the chicks of all the groups were recorded at weekly intervals for upto 10 weeks. The chicks of herbal treatment groups (A-D) showed significant improvement in their mean body weight gain and haematological indices viz., packed cell volume, haemoglobin level, total white blood cell, red blood cell and percentage lymphocyte counts, when compared with the virus infected group (E). In conclusion, the prophylactic/therapeutic application of these herbal preparations is suggested to combat depressed haematological parameters and stunted growth in chicks during CIAV infection. Further explorative studies would strengthen the potential role of herbs against this economically important avian pathogen causing huge economic losses to poultry farmers.
Ultrastructural histocytopathology of spleen of rat (Rattus norvegicus) induced by fluoride toxicity
Authors: Kumar Arbind , Kumari Sapna
Published: August 2021

Drinking water is one of the largest sources of fluoride. Excessive intake of fluoride results in all the three forms of fluorosis viz. Dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis and Non-skeletal fluorosis. Our present experiment was designed to study the non-skeletal fluorosis. The experimental animal Rattus norvegicus were randomly distributed into two groups of eight animals each. One group was given gavages of NaF at 50mg/kg-bw/day for 60 days along with the diet and the other group was paired fed which served as control. After 60 days the animals of both the group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, the abdominal cavity was opened and spleens were dissected out. The tissue was further processed for light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and analysed. Both light microscopic and electron microscopic observations showed damage to the reticular cells and reticular fibers of the spleen in the fluoride treated group. This may adversely affect the structure and function of the spleen grossly inhibiting the antigenic reactions resulting into the declination of the immune power.
Serum vascular endothelial growth factor C & D in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chandra Saumya , Shilpi Priyanka , Goel Madhu Mati , Makker Annu , Nayak Seema , Gupta Shalini , Bhatt M L
Published: August 2021

Metastasis to regional lymph nodes via lymphatic vessels plays a key role in oral cancer progression. Tumor lymphangiogenesis is known to promote lymphatic metastasis and vascular endothelial growth factor C and D  are the critical activator of tumor lymphangiogenesis during the process of metastasis. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between pretreatment serum levels of VEGF-C&D in oral cancer and clinicopathological features in patients with oral cancer. Serum VEGF-C and sVEGF-D were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) on 98 patients with oral cancer, 49 cases with healthy normal controls. Serum VEGF-C and sVEGF-D levels were significantly higher in patients with oral cancer than in the normal healthy group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Subgroup analysis showed that lymph node metastasis (p=0.001) and histological grading (p=0.05) were correlated with elevated level of VEGF-C. Elevated level of VEGF-D were associated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.001) only. Serum VEGF-C AUC was higher than the VEGF-D AUC in detecting lymph node metastasis. These results suggest that pretreatment serum levels of VEGF-C & VEGF-D reflect lymph node metastasis and advanced stage of oral cancer.
Protein Kinase C and Calcium/Calmodulinâ€dependent Protein Kinase II signaling on hippocampal neurogenesis in Wistar rat after Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) supplementation
Authors: Editor Irwanto , Sudarmo Subijanto Marto
Published: August 2021

Neurogenesis plays an important role in learning, memory and neural plasticity. Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) influences neurogenesis. However the mechanism of DHA in neurogenesis is still unclear. In this study, the effect of DHA on Protein kinase C (PKC) and Calcium/Calmodulinâ€dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII) signaling in the adult hippocampus was investigated. An experimental study was performed on Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain aged 4 weeks given DHA supplementation for 1 month, which were divided into 3 groups; DHA in water, DHA in milk and aquadest in control groups. Each group consisted of 10 rats. We evaluated kinase signaling pathway enzyme by ELISA; progenitor cell expression and neurogenic mature cells by immunohistochemistry tests. Mean concentration of PKC was lower on DHA in water (67±37 ng/g), milk (51±17ng/g) than control groups (154±98ng/g). Mean concentration of CaMKII was lower on DHA in water (4±2ng/g), milk (4±1ng/g) than control groups(8±2ng/g). The expression of βâ€III Tubulin, Nestin, NeuN, GFAP and GalC was significantly higher in DHA groups than control (p. 0.000). Path analysis significantly showed linkage of CaMKII to Nestin(É¤. â€ 0.587;p. 0.024). These results show that DHA supplementation influences neurogenesis predominantly by the direct signal pathway of CaMKII.
Impact of novel low cost technological interventions on expenditure pattern of landless and subâ€marginal farmers
Authors: Dhama K. , Singh B. , Saminathan M. , Chakraborty Sandip , Tiwari R. , Ram R. A. , Damodaran T.
Published: August 2021

Approximately 50% rural population is facing a major challenge of sustainable and reasonable livelihood security. In the present study, low costâ€highly profitable technologies were intervened to landless and subâ€marginal farmers for their socioâ€economic upliftment. The study was conducted during 2009â€2013 in Barabanki and Raebareli districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. Base line survey in 42 villages (700 farmers) was conducted, interventions initiated in mid 2009 and later, these were expanded in 65 villages (5250 families). For preâ€intervention period, 6 months average was considered, whereas in postâ€intervention period 12 months average was taken in comparing expenditure pattern. The farmers were intervened with novel technologies viz.,rural poultry production and purchase of bovine and goat, mineral based estrous induction, mastitis prevention, high yielding perennial fodder on waste land, banana as cash crop and family nutrition, lemon, guava and seasonal vegetables in courtyard, bioâ€enhancer for supporting vegetables and fruit plants. Sodic or barren unused land was transplanted with guava intercropped with vegetables and banana seedlings. The expenditure on food and clothing in preâ€intervention period was costing average of 71.4% and only 28.6% monthly earning was available for other family needs, while in postintervention period, in spite of improved food, nutrition and clothing quality, the expenditure was only 23.2% of total income. In conclusion, low input technologies whenever are intervened aiming higher profitability the impact on socioâ€economic status is visible within shortest time. It is a better option if governments create the infraâ€structural facilities and provide support with technological innovation for rural poverty alleviation.