Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF LICHEN IN SIMILIPAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE, ODISHA
Get PDFLichens are organized symbionts that have their importance due to a potential indicator of the forest ecosystem. The lichen diversity of Odisha is not well explored as compared to the other phytogeographical region of India. Though the earlier study reported the occurrence of 252 lichen species from different parts of the state, it was limited to the northeast part of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR). The objective of the present study was to survey some unexplored areas of SBR, which revealed the occurrence of 84 species of lichens belonging to 38 families and 18 genera. Most of the lichens were found growing as phorophytes on the matured bark of the trees. The western part of the SBR is rich in lichen diversity as compared to the eastern part. Species frequency was found to be highest in the southwest part of the SBR, while the density and abundance were more or less similar within all the study sites. The correlation between frequency and density was found to be significant and insignificant between frequency and abundance
EFFECT OF BOTANICALS SEED PRIMING ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF MALT BARLEY (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Get PDFApplication of seed dressing synthetic compounds for enhancing yield and yield components of crops is becoming very expensive for resource poor farmers beside its negative effect on the natural environment. Thus, the current field and laboratory experiment was conducted during the 2018 main cropping season for testing the potential of locally available plant extracts; garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), neem seed (Azadracta indica), varnonia leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and crouton leaf (Crouton macrostachya) as seed priming materials on malt barley. Three levels of each priming material (5%, 10% and 15 % concentration) were prepared and full sized malt barley seeds were soaked for 12hrs in these priming materials. Seed dressing chemical (Dynamic 400 FS), distilled water soaked seeds, and dry seeds were used as a control for the field experiment. Primed seeds with all concentrations of botanicals, including distilled water and dynamic dressing chemical had a significant enhancing effect on agronomic parameters of malt barley under both laboratory and field conditions except for the effect of ginger extract priming which negatively affected the agronomic parameters as compared to dry planted (untreated) seeds. However, there was clear variation among botanical extracts and this is depending on their concentration and types of used botanicals. Among the tested botanicals, all three levels of garlic extracts have a significant enhancing effect on all agronomic parameters and this was followed by the neem. From the result of this study, seed priming with naturally available plant materials were found to improve yield and yield components of malt barley where for this particular experiment, all levels of garlic performed best as compared to other priming materials
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF YELLOW-BILLED BABBLER (TURDOIDES AFFINIS) FEATHERS REVEALS UNIFORMITY IN THEIR MICROSTRUCTURES AMONG INDIVIDUALS
Get PDFThough a few in numbers, investigations on feather microstructures from the early 20th century till date, have contributed immensely to various fields such as phylogeny, palaeontology, archaeology, wildlife forensic, biomechanics and so on. However, existing studies on feather micro-structures of birds endemic to the India/Indian sub-continent are few in number and limited in their scope. Also, no study has ever been conducted to compare feather microstructures of different individuals of a species from India. To address this issue, a comparative feather microstructure study of three individuals of Turdoides affinis, a passerine endemic to the Indian sub-continent was done. Select microstructure parameters for five different types of feathers were studied in detail. The molecular sexing method was used to elucidate the sex of T. affinis individuals for gender based differences if any. Results of the study identified that two of T. affinis individuals were female whereas one of them was male. Morphometrically, tail contour was the longest (9.63±0.76 cm) and bristle were the shortest (1.00±0.07 cm) feather. Semiplume had the longest barb length (1.73±0.04 cm) and shortest barbs (0.16±0.01 cm) were present in bristles. Subpennaceous barbs and knob-shaped villi, characteristic of members of the Passeriformes family, was also observed in all three individuals. This study records no significant difference in feather characteristics amongst the three T. affinis individuals irrespective of the differences in their sex and size. Systematically documented feather micro-characteristics of T. affinis in this study could be used as a species identification tool and would provide baseline data for the feather catalogue of Indian bird species being compiled at SACON
GENERALIZED URTICARIA AS A VASCULITIC MANIFESTATION IN A PATIENT WITH SARS-CoV-2 INFECTION: A CASE REPORT IN COLOMBIA
Get PDFSkin manifestations have been reported in up to 20% of cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including morbilliform rash (22%), pernio-like acral lesions (18%), urticaria (16%), and macular erythema (13%). It is believed that in the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the mechanism involved is an inflammatory response that generates immune dysregulation, vascular congestion, vasculitis, vascular thrombosis, or neoangiogenesis. This case study, present the case of a patient with no previous history of urticarial reactions, autoimmune diseases, or exposure to medications who develops generalized urticaria lasting more than 24 hours and who was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR with a nasopharyngeal swab. We suggest in this patient vasculitic urticaria as a manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection
STUDY OF AZO COMPOUNDS DERIVED FROM P-CRESOL LIGAND: SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY
Get PDFAzo compounds contain two aromatic rings separated by an azo (-N=N-) link. These are versatile molecules that have garnered a lot of interest in both basic and applied research. In this work, synthesis of some Azo dyes derivatives by coupling P-cresol with diazonium salts obtained from p-chloroaniline and p-methoxyaniline. The structure of the synthesized compound has been characterized by using techniques like UV-Vis Spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In addition, the antimicrobial activity of these synthesized dyes compounds was examined by using the disc diffusion method against gram negative and gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa which have been isolated from the patients of wound infection. Further, synthesized compounds showed moderate to significant inhibitory effect at the selected concentrations against the tested microorganisms. The results of antibacterial activities demonstrated that compound p-chloroaniline had good antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa at the concentration of 300 mg/ml with 8.079 mm and 6.16 mm inhibition zone, diameter respectively. This study synthesized two new compounds viz., p-chloroaniline and p-methoxyaniline, and among these two p-chloroaniline has good anti-bacterial activity against S. aureus. Therefore, this can serve as a new compound for the manufacture of ointment to treat wound infections
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF CROSSES BETWEEN GADAM AND HARDCORE TANNIN SORGHUM IN HYBRID LINES PRODUCTION
Get PDFGadam cultivar of sorghum has been characterized by low yields compared to the international yield levels of sorghum. In this research, Gadam was crossed with Serena, Seredo, and Kari/Mtama-1 in an attempt to increase yield through heterosis. The objective of this study was to determine the level of compatibility and heterosis in crosses between Gadam and the three sorghum lines in a reciprocal crossing. Gadam was crossed with the three lines and their reciprocals to make six treatments that were subjected to compatibility and heterosis tests. The F1 hybrid lines and their parental controls were sown in a randomized complete block design in three replicates. Compatibility and heterosis data variances were analyzed using R statistical software. The cross between Gadam x Serena, Serena x Gadam and the parent Gadam exhibited moderate mean plant height ranging from 99.5 cm to 120.5 cm. The cross Gadam x Serena recorded a desirable negative mid-parent heterosis of -19.89 and -16.16 for plant height and days to maturity respectively. All F1 hybrids recorded positive mid-parent heterosis for the panicle length, the number of reproductive tillers, a thousand seed weight, and the number of tillers per plant. The crosses Gadam x Seredo, Seredo x Gadam, Gadam x Serena and Kari/Mtama-1 x Gadam recorded significantly lower grain filling percentages compared to their parents. In conclusion, the F1 hybrids differed significantly from their reciprocal crosses especially in days of heading, flowering, and maturity indicating a significant maternal influence in these traits. Also, the mid-parent and better parent heterosis had a nonsignificant difference in quantitative traits assessed except for the plant height and grain filling percentage
A WEB-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AMONG INDIANS REVEALS A WILLINGNESS SHIFT REGARDING COVID-19 VACCINE UPTAKE AFTER THE SECOND WAVE
Get PDFThis study aimed to determine the shift in willingness regarding the COVID-19 vaccine after the second wave. The study attempts to understand the willingness towards COVID-19 vaccination by assessing the public's knowledge, concerns, and attitude regarding the vaccine. Between May 16 to May 28, 2021, the individuals of the general population were invited to fill the online questionnaire. Total 711 participants had given their informed consent and completed the questionnaire on their background and vaccination behavior-related variables such as knowledge, practices, and their concerns regarding the vaccine. Before the launching of the vaccine, people were less likely to get vaccinated (63.6%); however, once the second wave hit India, attitudes towards vaccines shifted dramatically, and the figure increased to 84.4%. A significant proportion of the population is now willing to take the vaccine. There are several socio-demographic differences regarding knowledge and concerns related to vaccines, especially in age and gender groups. The success of a COVID-19 vaccination program is determined not just by the vaccine's efficacy, but also by its uptake. To ensure optimum vaccination uptake, there is an immediate need for the most effective policy and communication
CHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND ANTIPROLIFERATIVE STUDIES OF ISOLATED POLYISOPRENYLATED BENZOPHENONES FROM STEM-BARK OF Garcinia maingayi
Get PDFIn the current study, sequential solvents extraction from the stem bark of Garcinia maingayi, a native plant to Malaysia has led to the isolation of four polyisoprenylated benzophenones: 30-epi-cambogin (GB 1), 14-deoxy-30-epi-cambogin (GB 2), guttiferone F (GB 3), and 14-deoxy-guttiferone F (GB 4). The structures were elucidated using IR, optical rotation, and NMR spectral data. The compounds were evaluated for antiproliferative effect using MTT assay, apoptosis using Annexin V/7-AAD flow cytometry, cell cycle progression, and activation of caspases 3/7, 8 and 9 and BCL2 mRNA expression in MCF-7, HeLa, and HepG2 cancer cell lines. Compounds GB 1 to GB 4 exhibited a remarkable antiproliferative effect on HeLa, MCF-7, and HepG2 cells with IC50 values ranging from 5 to 45 µM. Compounds GB 1 to GB 4 induced significant cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase corroborated with the decrease in the number of MCF-7 and HepG2 cells in S and G2/M phases (P<0.05). Compounds GB 1 to GB 4 induced apoptosis at 48 h. Further, among these, compounds GB 1 and GB 2 induced significant levels of caspases 3 and 9 in HeLa cells, while GB 3 induced caspase 9 activities in both MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. No significant induction of caspase 8 was observed suggesting that the apoptotic effects are mainly mediated through the intrinsic pathway. Only compound GB 1 inhibited the BCL2 mRNA expression significantly in all treated cancer cells. In conclusion, these compounds possess anticancer properties and thus further investigation is crucial on the mechanistic study, structure-activity relationship, and identification of putative molecular targets
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN FISHES FROM THE NATURAL HABITAT, MADURAI REGION
Get PDFThe heamatological profile of two freshwater fishes Labeo rohita (Rohu) and Channa striatus (Murrel) with a relationship to the sex and the water quality under natural habitat was analyzed. The freshwater fishes were collected from the pond located in Thodaneri, Vadipatti taluk, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India. In heamatology studies, no significant variation was observed in Heamoglobin content and found almost the same in both the fish irrespective of the sex and also falls in the range of control value. In differential Leucocyte count (DLC) the following blood components Lymphocyte, Eosinophil, and Monocyte count were significantly higher than the control values and the values are found maximum in Rohu when compared to Murrel.RBC (Erythrocyte) count was almost the same in both the fish and the value falls between the range of control value Packed Cell Volume (PCV) count was almost the same in both the fish and the value falls between the range of control value. The values of Hb and PCV were found higher in male fish as compared to female fish. The leucocyte count is also higher in the males when compared to the females of both Rohu and Murrel. These may be also influenced by physiological activity, feeding habits, infectious agents, water quality parameters, and the environmental stress on the organism
SENSORY EVALUATION OF CAROTENOID AND PALM JAGGERY INCORPORATED FUNCTIONAL DRINK JIGARTHANDA
Get PDFFunctional foods are any fresh or processed food claimed to have a health-promoting or disease-preventing property beyond the basic function of the supply of nutrients. Functional foods like beverages offer potential health benefits that could enhance the well-being of consumers and reduce the economic and social costs of treating non-communicable diseases. Jigarthanda is one of the best tasting summer drink which has its origins in Madurai. The present study was carried out on the development of the functional drink Jigarthanda incorporated with carrot and palm jaggery using basic ingredients such as milk, Kova, and almond gum. The functional drink was prepared with three variations viz., VI, VII, and VIII in two proportions i.e. A and B. In proportion A, all the three variations were incorporated with 100 ml of carrot juice, and also VI, VII, and VIII contain 100 g, 150g, and 200g of palm jaggery respectively. In proportion B all the three variations were incorporated with 200 ml of carrot juice and also VI, VII and VIII contain 100 g, 150g, and 200g of palm jaggery respectively. Among the three variations, in Variation I, all the sensory factors were marked high with the mean value of 7 in both Proportion A and B. In Variation II and Variation III, all the factors in both proportions, A and B were marked high with the mean score of more than seven, and particularly in variation III, the taste factor got a high mean score of more than 8, and the overall acceptability was very high in Proportion B and the mean score was 7.3, which was more than the proportion A (7.27). Hence the functional drink Jigardhanda in VIII of Proportion B, which was made with 250gram palm jaggery, incorporated with 200 ml of carotenoid-rich carrot juice obtained the highest overall acceptability score and was regarded as the best sensory evaluated variation of Jigarthanda. The popular traditional beverage Jigarthanda has been value-added by incorporating carotenoid-rich functional food to the consumers.