Defence Life Science Journal
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Isolation and Characterization of A Bacillus Phage from Equine Carcass Disposal Site
No full textBacteriophages play an important role in bacterial control in natural niche however a little is known about Bacillus sp. phages prevailing in cadaver affected soils. In the current study, the Bacillus sp. phage was isolated from the equine cadaver disposal site and characterised to gain an insight into the issue of role of phages in biological dynamics of manure thus formed over years. Firstly, the host bacterium was isolated and identified as Bacillus cereus group member as assessed by phylogenetic analysis and secondly it’s corresponding phage from same soil sample was also enriched and characterised. The phage (VTCCBPA38) was found to belong to family Myoviridae and was active within the temperature range of 4°C - 45°C. As assessed by biological sensitivity by spot test, the phage was active against 6/19 (31.6 %) Bacilli tested including Bacillus cereus from goat mastitis. Thus the phagemay find potential use in biocontrol of diseases caused by Bacillus sp. Furthermore, this report is valuable as the first study for investigation of Bacillus sp. phage in carcass burial sites
Effect of Biological Rhythm on Cognitive Performance
Get PDFBiological rhythm has contributed in evolution process of humankind and has created certain distinct capabilities and preferences in shaping his phycho-psychological reactions. On the basis of behavioural activities, reactions, preferences and performances during the day-night cycle, individuals are classified in chronotype as morning type (M type) and evening type (E type). Such a differentiation has been hypothesised to contributing to individual differences at the cognitive, affective and conative levels. The present study was an attempt to further study such differentiation in terms of neuro cognitive performance by using the most advanced psycho-physiological measures. The participants of both chronotypes, morning and evening were classified and later subjected to cognitive testing by using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery in the morning and the evening session under repeated measure design. The study revealed that performance on neuro cognitive functions; Planning and working memory, Decision-making and response control, and Motor skills get effected differently by their biological rhythm cycle and thus under performance in these functions can be attributed to maladaptation of biological rhythm termed as biological dysrhythmia. The study also highlights the role of this behavioural maladaptation in moderating operational efficiency of soldier in combat situation
Social Capital and Psychological Capital as Predictors of Performance and Wellbeing in the Indian Context
Get PDFThe incremental contribution of social capital over psychological capital in explaining employees’ performance and wellbeing in the Indian Banking sector is explored. Data was collected from 101 clerical employees, using standardised questionnaires and they have adequate reliability coefficients. Data was analysed by hierarchical regression method. None of the demographics variables predicted any of the outcome variables. Self efficacy was the only psychological capital which emerged as the significant predictor of both performance and wellbeing. Bonding capital emerged as a significant predictor of job performance. Bridging capital caused a negative variance in both job performance and well being. Results were discussed in the light of existing theories and framework
Phytoremediation and Nanoremediation : Emerging Techniques for Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage Water
Get PDFDrainage from mining sites containing sulfur bearing rocks is known as acid mine drainage (AMD). Acid mine drainage water is a serious environmental pollutant that has its effects on plants, animals and microflora of a region. Mine water drainage mainly occurs due to anthropogenic activities like mining that leave the sulfur bearing rocks exposed. This drainage water poses as a potent soil, water and ground water pollutant. Although a lot of remediation measures have been implemented in the past but, none of them have been able to solve the problem completely. This review intends to focus on new emerging and better techniques in the form of phytoremediation and nanoremediation for treatment of acid mine drainage water. Besides, the review also gives more importance to the phytoremediation technique over nanoremediation because of the cost effectiveness and eco-friendly nature of the first and the nascent status of the latter. A hypothetical model discussing the use of hyperaccumulator plants in remediation of acid mine water has been proposed. The model also proposes natural induction of the phytoremedial ability of the plants involved in the remediation process. The proposed model assisted by inputs from further research, may be helpful in proper treatment of acid mine drainage water in the near future
Biofuels for Defence Use: Past, Present And Future
Get PDFDefence sector desires to attain energy self-sufficiency and security. In recent years, emergence of biofuel as an alternative source has raised the hopes of Defence. Ethanol and bio-diesel are currently being used as blends in different parts of the world. While, bio-diesel is mostly being blended in 2-20% in different parts of the world, ethanol blending has reached upto 85%. Owing to the sustainability reasons, the choice of feedstock for ethanol production is gradually changing from corn to lignocelluloses biomass. Jatropha curcas, is still the choice feedstockfor bio-diesel in most third world countries. This institute has put in rigrous efforts to identify high yielding varieties of Jatropha, improving its yield, standardizing trans-esterification to obtain high quality bio-diesel and its trials and testing in various vehicles and equipment. Second generation biofuels using biomass such as farm and forest wastes as feedstocks are promising in terms of their overall sustainability and volume produced. They can be used as drop in fuels. However, time is required to utilize their potential fully. Algae, the third generation biofuel feedstock still needs extensive R&D to make it economically sustainable. Whatever, the technology used, defence forces will accept any biofuel, which should be available constantly and priced below the existing petroleum fuels. The scope of producing by-products and finding a lucarative market for these products can ensure that prices ofbiofuels remain lower than the petroleum fuel
Effect of Altitude and Duration of Stay on Pulmonary Function in Healthy Indian Males
Get PDFThe study was carried out with the objective to investigate the effect of varying altitude and duration of exposure on blood pressure, heart rate and lung function parameters in healthy Indian soldiers after adopting proper acclimatization schedule. For this purpose 17 soldiers of Indian Army, weight and height matched, were studied after obtaining written consent. Recording of Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), heart rate and lung function variables (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, MVV, FEF25-75%, MEF 25%, MEF 50%, MEF 75%, PEF) were measured at basal (290m), 800m, 3200m (day 10 and day 20) and upon de-induction. Our results demonstrate that with increasing altitude FVC declined, FEV1 did not change and due to these changes FEV1/FVC% increased. Expiratory flow rates including MEF 25%, MEF50% MEF 75%, PEF and mean expiratory flow rate (FEF25-75%) increased upon induction to high altitude. This increase may be due to reduction in air density causing less air resistance which accelerates lung emptying. Though the increase upon induction in all the values was transient and returned to baseline values after de-induction. MVV reflecting respiratory muscle function increased significantly upon induction to altitude in our study and returned to basal values upon de-induction. Understanding respiratory system in mountainous regions and its further correlation with other systems pertaining to acclimatization could help in laying step in unveiling mechanism of human high altitude adaptation
Evaluation of Antioxidant Capacities and Total Polyphenols in Various Edible Parts of Capparis spinosa L. Collected from Trans-Himalayas
Get PDFThe phytochemical screening, antioxidant capacity, and total polyphenols in the methanolic extract of leaves, flower buds, roots and fruits of Capparis spinosa collected from trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh were assessed in an effort to corroborate its medicinal and culinary potential. Highest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity were observed in the leaves and least in dried fruit samples, even FRAP assay also illustrated the same trend. IC50 values of DPPH assay was highly correlated with that of ABTS (R2=0.9084) and FRAP assay (R2=0.9771). However, IC50 value of ABTS was reasonably correlated with FRAP assay (R2=0.5838). The highest phenolic and flavonoid content was recorded in the leaf samples (24.78 and 5.69 mg GAE/g DW respectively), whereas it was lowest in the dried fruit samples (4.07 mg quercetin equivalent/g DW and nil, respectively). The total phenolic contents were highly correlated with IC50 value of ABTS (R2=0.9084), DPPH (R2=0.9388) and FRAP value (R2=0.9618). But, total flavonoid contents were highly correlated with ABTS (R2=0.7449), DPPH (R2=0.8791) and FRAP values (R2=0.9588). Thus, this study has validated the medicinal potential of all the edible parts of the C. spinosa
Sequence Characterisation and Genotyping of Allelic Variants of Beta Casein Gene Establishes Native Cattle of Ladakh to be a Natural Resource for A2 Milk
Get PDFBovine milk is regarded as nature\u27s perfect food due to presence of vital nutrients. However some peptides are generated after proteolytic digestion of β-casein that have opioid properties and may increase the risk of chronic diseases. There are 13 genetic variants of bovine beta-casein; out of these A1 and A2 are the most common in dairy cattle breeds. The A1 and A2 variants differ only at position 67, which is histidine in A1 or proline in A2 milk. Earlier published reports have indicated that A1 β casein could be responsible for several health disorders like diabetes, coronary heart disease etc. while A2 β-casein is generally considered safe for human consumption. In the present study, an effort was made to sequence characterize β casein gene and identify allelic distribution of A1A2 alleles in native cattle of Ladakh region adapted to high altitude and low oxygen condition. The data showed 2 non-synonymous variations in coding region, while 5’UTR was completely conserved. The 3’UTR showed 2 more variations in Ladakhi samples. Further, the genotyping in 85 Ladakhi cattle for A1A2 alleles revealed that in Ladakhi cattle, A2 allele is predominantly present as reported for some of the other Indian breeds. The frequency of A2 allele was 0.90 and frequency of A2A2 genotype was found to be 0.79 in Ladakhi cattle. The present data strongly indicate that local cattle of Ladakh with higher frequency of A2 allele and A2A2 genotype is natural resource for A2 milk. Systematic efforts should be made for long term conservation and genetic improvement of this invaluable genetic resource of Ladakh
Variation in Glucosinolate Contents and Quality Characteristics in the Seed of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) along an Altitudinal Gradient in trans-Himalayan Ladakh
Get PDFGlucosinolates (GS) are amino acid derived secondary metabolites present specifically in Brassicaceae family. The effect of altitude (2800 m - 4000 m) on GS contents and seed quality characteristics in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was investigated. The total GS in radish seed was 147.5±21.5 μmol/g DW, which included five aliphatic and four indolic GS compounds. Increasing altitude was related linearly to increase in total GS contents (R2 = 0.759). Among individual GS, glucoraphanin and glucoraphenin showed consistently increasing trend with altitude. Increasing altitude is related linearly to increase in 100 seed weight (R2 = 0.266) and seed yield per plant (R2 = 0.849). A steady decreasing trend was observed in seed moisture content (R2 = 0.831) and siliqua length (R2 = 786) with increasing altitude. Altitude of plant origin was positively correlated with GS contents (r = 0.900, p≤ 0.01), seed weight per plant (r = 0.919, p≤ 0.01) and geometric mean diameter (r = 0.661, p≤ 0.01), and negatively correlated with siliqua length (r = -0.880, p≤ 0.01), moisture content (r = -0.884, p≤ 0.01) and seed vigour index (r = -0.547, p≤ 0.01). Our results indicate that the concentration of GS in radish seed and seed quality traits can be significantly increased by growing plants at higher altitude
Effect of Germination on Nutritional, Antinutritional and Rheological Characteristics of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)
No full textWhite and red varieties of quinoa were germinated and studied for the changes in nutritional, anti-nutritional and rheological characteristics. Germination has significantly (p≤0.05) enhanced protein and crude fibre with the significant (p≤0.05) reduction in carbohydrate contents in both the varieties. Anti-nutritional factor like phytic acid was decreased by 8.56 and 18.80 units in white and red varieties respectively. Total phenols, total flavonoids enhanced significantly (p≤0.05) in both the varieties, showing more in red variety exhibiting comparatively higher antioxidant activity. After 48 hr of germination, vitamin ‘C’ in both the varieties enhanced between the range of 10.56 and 13.23 mg/100g. Linoleic acid was the major fatty acid identified in both the varieties constituting more than 50 per cent of total fatty acids. Germination has reduced linoleic, linolenic and palmitic acids with the increase in stearic and oleic acids. Germination also caused significant (p≤0.05) decrement in breakdown, set back and final viscosities in both the varieties without much affecting their pasting temperature