Advances in BioScience
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Glacial melting in Himalaya: Local Impacts of Climate Change on Mountain Ecosystems and Livelihoods
Get PDFMountains are amongst the most flimsy environments on Earth. They are prosperous repositories of biodiversity, water and providers of ecosystem goods and services on which downstream communities, both regional and global, rely. The transport of atmospheric pollutants and climate-altering substances can significantly impact high mountain areas, which are generally considered “clean” regions. The snow glaciers of the Himalayas, considered the “third pole”, one of the largest stores of water on the planet and accelerated melting could have far-reaching effects, such as flooding in the short-term and water shortages in the long-term as the glaciers shrink. The data available on temperature in Himalayas indicate that warming during last 3-4 decades has been more than the global average over the last century. Some of the values indicate that the Himalayas are warming 5-6 times more than the global average. Mountain systems are seen globally as the prime sufferers from climate change. There is a severe gap in the knowledge of the short and long-term implications of the impact of climate change on water and hazards in the Himalayas, and their downstream river basins. Most studies have excluded the Himalayan region because of its extreme and complex topography and the lack of adequate rain gauge data. There is an urgent need to close the knowledge gap by establishing monitoring schemes for snow, ice and water; downscaling climate models; applying hydrological models to predict water availability; and developing basin wide scenarios, which also take water demand and socioeconomic development into account. Climate change induced hazards such as floods, landslides and droughts will impose considerable stresses on the livelihoods of mountain people and downstream populations. Enhancing resilience and promoting adaptation in mountain areas have thus become among the most important priorities of this decade. It is important to strengthen local knowledge, innovations and practices within social and ecological systems as well as strengthen the functioning of institutions relevant for adaptation. A common understanding of climate change needs to be developed through regional and local-scale research so that mitigation and adaptation strategies can be identified and implemented
Standardization of free radical scavenging activity of some indigenous medicinal plants by using thin layer chromatography
Get PDFThin layer chromatography is basically used to separate out plants active constituents, various dyes and chemical analysis. The present study is designed to find out free radical scavenging property with the help of thin layer chromatography. For conducting this experiment 15 medicinal plants of local region were selected. Collected plants were shade dried, grind to a coarse powder and subjected to extraction with Soxhlet apparatus followed by concentration under reduced pressure by rotatory evaporator. The Methanolic plant extract was dissolved in methanol and 1µl of extract of 50mg/ml concentration was spotted on the aluminum silica plate (1.05554.0007 spectrum, Merck Germany). It was then subjected to run in Toluene: ethyl acetate (70:20) solvent mobile phase. Run plate was removed, dried and calculated Rf values for every separated active constituent. The developed plate sprayed with DPPH (free radical scavenger) reagent at 0.1mM concentration and kept for drying few minutes. After drying the zone of inhibition seen in developing plate. Formation of zone of inhibition is due to the reaction between hydroxyl ions of DPPH and test plant extracts. Results revealed that 5 plants like Azadirachta indica leaves, Dalbergia sissoo leaves, Citrus medica leaves, Ocimum sanctum leaves and Prunus persica leaves were showed good free radical scavenging activity out of 15 medicinal plants. From the above, it can be concluded that plants having good free radical scavenging property can be used as formation of medicine to preventing ageing and for other stressful condition
Immune Responses to Defined Plasmodium falciparum Antigens and Disease Susceptibility in Two Subpopulations of Northern India
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of naturally acquired immune response to malaria in individuals of different age groups belonging to areas of northern India, Loni PHC (LN) and Dhaulana PHC (SD) of district Ghaziabad. Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocyte lysate and six synthetic peptides from different stages of P. falciparum (CSP, MSP1, AMA1, RAP1, EBA175 and PfG27) were used to determine both humoral and cellular immune responses. Plasma of individual subject was also analyzed for IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α level. We observed an age-wise increasing trend of immunity in these two populations. There was a significant association between the number of antibody responders and recognition of stage-specific epitopes by antibodies. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of more than 75% of individuals proliferated in response to stimulation by all the antigens in LN area. IL-4 and IL-10 responses were significantly higher in individuals of LN Area; whereas IFN-g and TNF-a responses were higher in individuals of SD Area. It was also noticed that the frequency of responders to stage-specific antigens was higher in individuals from the LN area where the frequency of malaria was lower. The naturally acquired immune responses to P. falciparum antigens reflected the reduced risk of malaria in the study groups. The results demonstrated immunogenicity of the epitopes to P. falciparum in population of this endemic zone
Survival tactics of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis
Get PDFPathogenic mycobacteria have evolved the mechanisms to subvert host immune response in the favor of longtime persistence and proliferation in the intercellular environment of the host, with resulting in functional dysregulation and disease in the host. Among the genus mycobacteria, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis is a robust pathogen, have a remarkable capacity to persist in the host and adverse environmental conditions (pasteurization temperature, high pH) and recently, emerged as a major concern of public health significance. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis is the causative agent of Johne’s disease in animals and also has been incriminated as the causative agent of Crohn’s disease in human beings. Therefore, understanding the factors that contribute to the longevity of this pathogen is essential to restrict the clinical outcomes of infection and design the control strategies. The present review summarizes our understanding of factors that contribute to the survival of MAP within the host and different environmental sources
Application of Water Quality Index for Assessment Water Quality in Some Bottled Water Erbil City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Get PDFWater quality index was applied to assessment water quality of six different types of bottled water that's available in Erbil city (Life, Shireen, Kani, Al-Hayat, Rawan, and Masafi) for drinking purposes, depending on the physicochemical parameters of water (Turbidity, EC, TDS, pH, Alkalinity, Hardness, Ca+2, Mg+2, and No3-2). The water quality index showed that the Life, Rawan, and Masafi are excellent; also Shireen, Kani, and Al-Hayat are good for drinking purposes depending on the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The results indicate the bottled water quality generally changed from years 2009 to 2012, some of the bottles have changed to the better and improved their quality, and another's changed to the worse side and declined their quality. WQI is also suggested as a very helpful tool that enables the public and decision makers to evaluate water quality of different bottled waters
Enhancement of Cotton Stalks Composting with Certain Microbial Inoculations
Get PDFEffect of inoculation with Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Azotobacter chroococcum microbes on cotton stalks composting was studied in an attempt to achieve rapid maturity and desirable characteristics of produced compost. Composting process was maintained for 16 weeks under aerobic conditions with proper moisture content and turning piles. The C/N ratio of the mixtures was adjusted to about 30:1 before composting using chicken manure. Temperature evolution and its profile were monitored throughout the composting period. Mineralization rates of organic matter and changes in nitrogen content during composting stages were evaluated. Total plate count of mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria, cellulose decomposers and Azotobacter were determined during composting periods. The treatment of cotton stalks inoculated with both P. chrysosporium and Azotobacter gave the most desirable characteristics of the final product with respect to the narrow C/N ratio, high nitrogen content and high numbers of Azotobacter. The phytotoxicity test of compost extracts was evaluated. The use of P. chrysosporium in composting accelerated markedly decomposition process, so that 16 weeks composting enough to produce a stable and mature compost suitable for use as fertilizer while the fertilizer obtained by composting cotton stalks mixed with chicken manure and inoculated with microorganisms is highest quality Compost
A Novel Protocol for Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Regeneration
Get PDFStevia rebaudiana Bertoni has sweet substances (stevioside) in its leaves that are free of calories and their consumption is beneficial for diabetic patients and is also helpful in high blood pressure also. Because of low capability in seed germination, tissue culture is an appropriate method for propagation of this plant. In the current study, optimization of stevia in vitro cultivation via direct organogenesis with different explants, light intensities and plant hormones has been examined. These treatments included BAP (at 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2mg/l) in combination with 2,4-D, IBA and NAA (each with concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5mg/l) and different light intensities (Dark, 2000, 4000 and 6000 lux). MS was utilized as a basal medium. Results indicated the highest rate of organogenesis (85%) occurred on the axillary buds explants with a medium containing 1.5mg/l BAP + 0.1mg/l NAA under 6000 lux light intensity. Also, the highest range of primary organ per explant (42) with 0.3cm length was achieved at this condition. The most efficient medium for rhizogenesis i.e. 100% root production along with the highest root number (11 with approximately 7.13cm length) was obtained in presence of activated charcoal and 1mg/l of IBA. At the end of rhizogenesis experiments, the plantlet length and node multiplicity were 12.8cm and 7 respectively. Greenhouse cultivation of these plantlets was successful
Comparative Account on Proliferation Rate of Microalgae Used in Biodiesel Production by Indigenously Prepared Bioreactors
Get PDFAlgae as a feedstock is emerging at the forefront of biofuel research due to increasing awareness of global energy issues in conjunction with the production limitation of agriculture based oilseed crops. In this concern, India is lagging behind with respect to research emphasis. The long term Research and development strategies were implemented in the developing countries for biofuels from different sources. One of the most fascinating areas of researcher always remained with algae as a source of biofuel. All the above the more research than development will be required in this field. This paper focuses the comparative Proliferation rate of Chlorophycean algae in indigenously prepared bioreactors as well as drinking bottled models
Effect of Processing on Total Amino Acid Profile of Maize and Cowpea Grains
Get PDFDuring the processing of cereal grains, a substantial proportion of the nutrients are lost, most especially the proteins in the form of the smallest moiety called amino acids. The objective of this study is to investigate the proportional loss due to processing, in order to throw more light in external fortification of the processed grains as may be necessary for the future.
This investigation carried out the amino acid profile of drum dried; freeze dried and spray dried products of processed maize and cowpea grains in order to establish the after effects of these processing methods on the amino acid profile of the residual products. The processed methods investigated have been reported to be ideal for the preservation of processed grains in the powdered forms and amino acids availability in the products will determine the final protein nutritional value of the processed food products
Influence of Daily Temperature Ranges on the Light Trapped Number of Macrolepidoptera Individuals and Species
Get PDFThe Hungarian Forest Research Institute operated a Jermy-type light-trap in the Kámon Botanic Garden, Szombathely (47°15'20"N; 16°36'25"E) between 1962 and 1970.
As the insects are poikilotherm creatures, therefore it is understandable; their body temperature is always the same as the temperature of the environment. It can be assumed, therefore, the temperature ranges, can influence the flight activity of nocturnal Macrolepidoptera individuals and species, so we made this investigation. Different species are swarming in various aspects and the temperature is also different.
Therefore, we processed separately the captured data of species and individuals in spring-, early- and late summer-, and autumn aspects, in connection with daily minimum temperature. The results were plotted and the correlations and their level of significance were determined.
Our results demonstrate that all aspects on low temperature minima both the number of caught species and individuals are low. In contrast, a higher minimum value of specimens was taken and the rising number of those species is caught. The relationship is linear or exponential function characterized