Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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Determination of Trace Elements in Sediments Samples by Using Neutron Activation Analysis
Get PDFThe Juru River is a highly industrialized, urbanized, and agricultural catchment. This study aimed to investigate trace elements in Juru mangrove sediments, including geochemical baselines and enrichment. Sediment was collected from the mangrove in Juru, Penang, Malaysia. A total of eight target elements was examined. Instrumentation activation analysis (INAA) was used to determine the concentration of Fe, V, Cr, Zn and Co. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used to determine the concentration of elements that not detectable by INAA (Cd, Pb, and As). In both methods, validated reference material studies were used for validation of the methodology. Metal pollution was estimated using the Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (CF), and Pollutant Load Index (PLI). The EF, Igeo, and CF ranges from 0.45–7.96, -2.18 – 1.95, and 0.33–5.83 respectively. The order of accumulation of the elemental concentration found was Fe > Zn> Cr > V > Pb > As > Co >Cd. The computed mean value of PLI exceeds the unit (PLI > 1)
Impact of the non-biodegradable plastics and role of microbes in biotic degradation
Get PDFPlastic is a group of elastic organic compounds whose definition has radically changed from being a large family of useful polymers to an indispensable part of life. We might say we are residing in the “era of plasticene”. If we simply pause and look around, we would realize that a majority of things in our daily life comprise plastic polymers. Currently, the international production of these polymers has spiked to around 300 million metric tons annually. Surprisingly about 50 percent of the products are discarded within a year of fabrication. Once discarded ‘outside’ they end up ‘somewhere’ and start exerting their disruptive consequences. Despite its enormous utility, it is now being increasingly known that these polymers are surely not without their downsides. Several steps are taken and even more, are being investigated so the mayhem of plastic doesn't prove for a "no pilot in cockpit" situation. Here we have conducted a review work of the available literature on various biological entities that can utilize plastic while at the same time focusing our attempts to assemble information regarding the probable enzymes that do it. We have also provided a report on the effect of different plastics on the ecosystem and the various management alternatives out there
Leishmaniasis: Plants as a source of antileishmanial agents
Get PDFLeishmania infection causes a group of tropical diseases and has remained neglected for decades. It spreads by sandfly vector and is one of the most fatal protozoan diseases after malaria. Leishmaniases are a group of diseases caused by the infection of different Leishmania species and display clinically different forms like “Visceral leishmaniasis” (VL), “mucocutaneous leishmaniasis” and “cutaneous leishmaniasis” (CL). Approximately one billion people living in an endemic area are at high risk. Three hundred thousand cases of VL are reported annually and around twenty thousand people die every year, proving it as one of the most lethal forms of leishmaniasis. Until now, no effective vaccine could be made. There is an increase in drug resistance in the case of conventional drugs. New synthetic drugs are either too costly or have side effects. Requirements of new drugs are of utmost importance to control this situation. Plants provide a source of unlimited chemical diversity, which can be screened for antileishmanial activities. Moreover, their low cost and less or no side effects make them idle candidates in the search of new antileishmanial drugs
Targeting Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS CoV-2 spike protein with selected phytochemicals: an in-silico approach for identification of potential drug
Get PDFSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus -2 (S ARS-CoV-2) emerging variants particularly those of concern contain numerous mutations that influence the behavior and transmissibility of the virus and could adversely affect the efficacies of existing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines and immunotherapies. The emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants have resulted in different waves of the pandemic within the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. On 26 November 2021 World Health Organization designated omicron (B.1.1.529) as the fifth variant of concern which was first reported from South Africa on November 24, 2021, and thereafter rapidly spread across the globe owing to its very high transmission rates along with impeding efficacies of existing vaccines and immunotherapies. Omicron contains more than 50 mutations with many mutations (26-32) in spike protein that might be associated with high transmissibility. Natural compounds particularly phytochemicals have been used since ancient times for the treatment of different diseases, and owing to their potent anti-viral properties have also been explored recently against COVID-19. In the present study, molecular docking of nine phytochemicals (Oleocanthal, Tangeritin, Coumarin, Malvidin, Glycitein, Piceatannol, Pinosylnin, Daidzein, and Naringenin) with omicron spike protein (7QNW (electron microscopy, resolution 2.40 Å) was done. The docking study revealed that selected ligands interact with the receptor with binding energy in the range of -6.2 to-7.0 kcal/mol. Pinosylnin showed the highest binding energy of -7.0 kcal/mol which may be used as potential ligands against omicron spike protein. Based on the docking studies, it was suggested that these phytochemicals are potential molecules to be tested against omicron SARS-CoV-2 and can be used to develop effective antiviral drugs
Phytoremediation of chromium, iron and nickel by Indian Rice Plant (Oryza sativa L.): An opportunity for management of multi-metal contaminated tannery wastewaterPhytoremediation of chromium, iron and nickel by Indian Rice Plant (Oryza sativa L.): An opportunity for management of multi-metal contaminated tannery wastewater
No full textIndia is the largest producer of leather and leather products. Tannery industries use a large number of synthetic chemicals for the processing of leather and generate a huge amount of wastewater containing a large amount of potentially toxic heavy metals (PTHMs) making them problematic for next-door soil and water system. Currently, phytoremediation is an inexpensive green technology used to move, eradicate, and stabilized heavy metal contamination from contaminated sludge, soil, and wastewater. In this study, the accumulation and distribution of PTHMs found in tannery wastewater and their physio-biochemical effects on Oryza sativa L. have been studied by ICP-MS, GC-MS, and biochemical analysis. The plant was grown in the soil spiked with a mixture of metals (Cr, Fe and Ni) and their five-level of treatment T1 (25mg/kg); T2 (50mg/kg); T3 (100mg/kg); T4 (200mg/kg) and T5 (400mg/kg). During the experiments, various morphological attributes, oxidative stress, enzymatic activities, chlorophyll, and protein content at the different stage was measured. Further, metal accumulation pattern in different parts of plants was also measured. Results of the study revealed that plant root, shoot length, chlorophyll content, and enzymatic activities were significantly reduced after the treatment with 200 mg/kg PTHMs; whereas oxidative stress was increase compared to control levels. Further, treatment of PTHMs suggested that the rice plant (Oryza sativa L.) is well adapted to tolerate and accumulate a high level of heavy metals (up to 200mg/kg) in the root and shoot of the treated plants. If it is treated above this, then seeds were also affected and not safe for human consumption
Preliminary assessment of Polytrichum commune extract as an antimicrobial soap ingredient
Get PDFMosses have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine due to the presence of secondary metabolites which have shown high biological activities. In particular, these secondary metabolites have demonstrated effective antibacterial activity against pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, the influence of different extraction solvents on the antibacterial activities of the Polytrichum commune was carried out using the disc diffusion method. Results showed that both 12.5 mg/mL of methanol moss extract and 6.25 mg/mL of ethanol moss extract were the most effective concentrations against Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Additionally, the P. commune extracts were included as an added ingredient in soap bases to produce antibacterial soap prototypes where the effectiveness of the soaps containing the extracts in removing microorganisms from actual test individuals was carried out. Results of the thumb impression test of test individuals showed that the growth of microbial reduced after washing hands with the usage of both liquid and solid soap with the addition of P. commune extracts. Moreover, the antibacterial soaps performed better in eliminating microorganisms in comparison to control soaps without P. commune extracts. Taken together, P. commune extract could be a good candidate as a value-added ingredient utilized to produce antibacterial soaps due to its antibacterial properties
A Review on DNA Vaccines in Pre-Clinical Trials Against SARS-CoV-2
Get PDFCOVID 19 Pandemic is caused by the viral pathogen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Scientific fraternity worldwide swiftly developed various types of vaccines for the prevention and as mitigation measures for curbing the pandemic. Traditional inactivated vaccines, mRNA vaccines (protein subunits such as spike proteins), and viral vector vaccines (non-replicating vectors with protein subunits) have been approved by World Health Organisation (WHO) for emergency use. The emergence of many mutated variants has been a worrying factor in the fight against the pandemic. There has been continuous research in the quest for more therapeutics, especially vaccines to curb and stop the pandemic. According to WHO, there are 194 vaccines in pre-clinical trials belonging to various types out of which sixteen is DNA vaccines. In this review, we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the DNA vaccines for Covid - 19. This article tried to explore the available information on DNA vaccines and their current status against Covid – 19 which are in pre-clinical trials
Molecular identification of scale insect (Eulecanium giganteum) in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Get PDFHibiscus rosa-sinensis is a widely grown evergreen valuable medicinal, ornamental species planted in India. Scale insects are small herbivorous insects found on all continents and they are serious sap sucking pests of many ornamental plants. These scale insects are undetectable due to their tiny size, basic morphology, and polyphagous feeding nature. Hence, the management of these tiny insects become a serious concern across the globe. To afford a prospective solution to the problem, an accurate, simple, and developmental-stage-independent identification method is required, hence this study attempted the molecular identification of scale insect in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis using mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (mtCOI) sequencing. The experiment was carried out by isolating insect DNA using a modified CTAB method. Through two or three rounds of error-prone PCR followed by a steady procedure to amplify a mtCOI region. This region of mtCOI has been used as a standard DNA barcode for a diverse array of taxa. The confirmation has been done by sequencing of mtCOI which suggest the highest similarities with Eulecanium giganteum. This study addresses the questions of biodiversity and molecular characterization of scale insects. Further, the information obtained in this study provides baseline data for future crop improvement programs and integrated pest management strategies
Phytoremediation study of mining soils: case of the Mibladen and Zaida mine (High Moulouya, Morocco)
Get PDFThe Upper Moulouya region, including the Mibladen (M) and Zaïda (Z) mines, is one of the highest lead (Pb) deposit areas in Morocco. These mines, abandoned without any measure of rehabilitation, constitute the main source of soil pollution by Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs) accumulation in the region. In this study, two greenhouse phytoremediation experiments (for the Mibladen and Zaida sites) were set up using Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) specie to assess its capacity and ability to remediate soils contaminated by zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and Pb. For both experiments, various factors including (i) three substrates (waste treatment [Wt]; clay uncovering [Cun]; and unpolluted control soil [Ucs]) and (ii) three treatments (no treatment, treatment with organic matter, and treatment with chemical fertilizers) were studied. The results before planting indicated that Wt substrates had poorer physicochemical properties than those of Cun, thus they are the most exposed to the degradation phenomena. This is confirmed by pollution index (PI) results that revealed the trend of PI (Z Wt)> PI (M wt)> PI (M Cun)> PI (Z Cun)> PI (Z Ucs)> PI (M Ucs). The results of experiments indicated that ryegrass crops can grow on substrates contaminated with MTEs. Depending on the applied fertilizers, available metals, and the type of soil, the phytoremediation results showed that L. multiflorum can tolerate, hyperaccumulate, and translocate MTEs from polluted substrates. Our findings suggest that this plant can be a solution for remediating alkaline soils polluted by Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu in Mediterranean conditions
Medicalization of sexuality and sexual health: A perspective review
Get PDFSexuality has become a medical issue in the context of aging due to a variety of aspects, such as growing life expectancy, an optimistic societal paradigm that indorses sexuality as significant for the superiority of life with age, and the medicalization of sexuality with the emergence of remedial medicines to extravagance sexual dysfunction. At any age, a reduction in the desire for sexual activity or inadequate performance of sexual intercourse is considered atypical and requires a medicinal treatment response. However, despite concerns that this is leading to an unhealthy obsession with sexuality from a medical perspective, this line of thinking is likely to continue. In this context, people can identify and take advantage of sexual problems. Sexual desire and performance are affected by normal physiological changes associated with aging in both genders. Medical experts must understand these changes to optimize sexual functioning in older patients. Sexual health can only be improved by addressing both sexual rights and enjoyment, even in the current politically charged context. Through legislation, programming, and lobbying, we may all work to enhance health, happiness, and quality of life by fostering more positive associations between sexual health, sexual rights, and sexual pleasure. This calls for not just a thorough understanding of the real-world consequences of these ideas' interconnectivity, but also conceptual, individual, and systemic approaches that properly acknowledge and alleviate the problems imposed on people's lives due to insufficient consideration of these links. This review describes the factors associated with aging and sexuality, the normalization and medicalization of sexual health, and unusual situations associated with aging, including institutionalized care and the prospects of elder abuse