Advances in BioScience
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Phylogenetic study of Indian Collembolan: an evaluation in Uttar Pradesh
Get PDFSpringtails (Collembola) from the largest of the three lineages of modern hexapods that are no longer considered insects (the other two are the Protura and Diplura). Although the three orders are sometimes grouped together in a class called Entognatha because they have internal mouthparts, they do not appear to be any more closely related to one another than they all are to insects, which have external mouthparts. Collembolans are omnivorous, free-living organisms that prefer moist conditions. They do not directly engage in the decomposition of organic matter but contribute to it indirectly through the fragmentation of organic matter and the control of soil microbial communities. The word "Collembola" is from the ancient Greek "Glue" and "Peg"; this name was given due to the existence of the collophore, which was previously thought to stick to surfaces in order to stabilize the insect. It is necessary to study the phylogeny of collembolans to explore evolutionary status
Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence at a tertiary care hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Get PDFHuman toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan infection with a wide-ranging prevalence. The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection is variable and depends on different eco-epidemiological factors. Both, active serological screenings and retrospective analytical methods are usually used for the investigation of toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in different populations. We conducted a two-year retrospective database search at a major tertiary care hospital to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and its distribution in relation to gender and age among Makkah's population. In total, 806 females and 118 males with 33.1±9.1 years, mean age (±SD) were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies in the last two years. Laboratory results revealed 229 seropositive subjects indicating 24.8% overall toxoplasmosis seroprevalence. Infection rate was significantly higher among male subjects (33.9%) than female subjects (23.4%). Seroprevalence increased considerably with age; from 9.7% in children less than 10 years old to 37.4% and 40.5% among adults between 40 and 49 and over 50 years, respectively. Only two anti-T. gondii IgM seropositive cases were recorded along this period, indicating possible active infection. In conclusion, overall T. gondii seropositivity rate is relatively low among Makkah's population, but moderate in adult males. Further investigations are required to determine the risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis transmission in the area. Also, adequate screening for anti-T. gondii specific antibodies are recommended, especially for immunocompromised patients and during pregnancy, in order to minimize prospective complications
Evaluation, Antioxidant, Antimitotic and Anticancer Activity of Iron Nanoparticles Prepared by Using Water Extract of Vitis vinifera L. Leaves
Get PDFThe water extract of Vitis vinifera was used for the rapid synthesis of the iron nanoparticle, which is very simple and eco-friendly in nature. The UV-visible spectroscopy technique was employed to establish the formation of which inhibition onion root growth in a dose-dependent manner. A decrease in the mitotic index may indicate its genotoxic effect on Allium cepa root assay. Nanoparticle was studied for its in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity using different models, all the testing, gave significant correlation existed between concentrations of the nanoparticle and percentage inhibition of protein denaturation and scavenging free radicals. These results clearly indicate that iron nanoparticle is effective against inflammation and free radical-mediated disease
Trichoderma asperellum, a potential fungal biocontrol agent against Aspergillus niger
Get PDFTrichoderma asperellum is free-living, ubiquitous fungus which is very common in the habitat of soil and root ecosystem, is known as a potent opportunistic, avirulent plant symbionts and it parasitizes several soilborne phytopathogens. Aspergillus niger is well known black mold which causes several storage diseases. Among the storage diseases, black mould disease of onion is an important disease which is caused by A. niger. Antagonsitic potential of T. asperellum was assayed against three isolates of A. niger [RC1, RC2 (isolated from soil samples of Farm 1 and 2) and RC3 isolated from diseases onion]. Antagonistic efficacy of T. asperellum of A. niger almost similar against all the test isolates. Percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) of A. niger by T. asperellum inhibited 55.17% within five days, 77.20% within 7 days and 92.06% in 12 days. Antagonistic efficacy of T. asperellum can be exploited in the management of black mould disease of onion
Evaluating the efficacy of a Plasmodium species-specific Multiplex-Nest-PCR in malaria diagnosis using different DNA isolation methods
Get PDFMalaria diagnosis and speciation still rely on microscopic identification in many settings. But, microscopy is tedious and lack sensitivity, particularly in areas under advanced eradication programs where low-density infections are increasingly reported. Species-specific molecular techniques are highly sensitive and reliable alternatives for Plasmodium parasites detection and speciation. Nevertheless, the efficacy of molecular techniques is directly affected by the purity and quality of isolated DNA templates. A Plasmodium species-specific multiplex-nested-PCR was assessed using DNA templates prepared separately by phenol-chloroform method, a DNA-precipitation commercial kit, and a chromatographic commercial kit from 126 EDTA-preserved whole blood samples. 115 samples were collected from malaria suspicious febrile patients in endemic southern region and 11 malaria positive samples from foreign and national visitors of non-endemic western region of Saudi Arabia. In total, 89 specimens were found malaria positive by at least one diagnostic method, out of which 82 (92%) were detected by microscopy. P. multiplex-N-PCR revealed 89 (100%), 77 (86.5%), and 85 (95.5%) positive samples using DNA templates extracted by the chromatographic kit, the DNA-precipitation kit, and phenol-chloroform standard method, respectively. P. falciparum parasites were detected in 86 samples and P. vivax in three samples from foreign visitors. Thus, P. multiplex-N-PCR applied to DNA templates isolated by chromatographic method achieved the highest sensitivity and was particularly useful for submicroscopic malaria cases in the endemic area where intensive elimination efforts are being deployed
Description of copulatory complex in relation to taxonomy in Gerridae
Get PDFThe family Gerridae is represented in India by 67 species (of which 4 are undescribed species and only known by the nymphs) belonging to 20 genera and representing 7 subfamilies (10 new species are described in the present work). The subfamily Charmatometrinae is not represented in India. The Gerrids or water striders are well known aquatic insects and they are the most interesting and fascinating among all insects of the tropics and subtropics. They skate, skip, glide or literally walk upon the surface of the water. The relation of copulatory complex with taxonomy is described in this research article
Description of Digestive Tract of Notonecta glauca Linn., the Indian Backswimmer
Get PDFThe backswimmer, Notonecta glauca Linnaeus for the morphological and bioecological investigations were collected during, the months of July to November from various ponds, ditches, and canals of Mathura and its nearby areas. These bugs were easily recognised due to their oblong, convex body; large eye; short four jointed antennae; four joined rostrum; large triangular scutellum; anterior legs inserted at the posterior margin of the pronotum; moderate long pronotum; last joint of antennae being must shorter than the penultimate one and posterior tarsi being without unguiculi. These insects are commonly known as water boatman and backswimmer as they swim on their backs with the help of their long oar-like hind legs. They are extremely predaceous and are very common around the edges of freshwater reservoirs such as ponds, lakes, and streams throughout India and the way be easily taken with a net. In the present study, a detailed description of the digestive tract of the aforesaid insect has been noted
In vitro screening of Trichoderma viride against Albugo candida - white rust pathogen of rapeseed-mustard
Get PDFField experiments on white rust of rapeseed-mustard were conducted at Kakching located 45 km away from Imphal, Manipur during two consecutive rabi seasons (2014-15 & 2015-16) under organic farming. Using dual culture technique of Trichoderma viride and Albugo candida resulted in significant effect in all the varieties except in between M-27 (V3) & Ragini (V4). The percent inhibition of mycelial growth over control was found to be highest in V4 (58.78%) and lowest in local cultivar, Lamtachabi (V2) i.e. 33.17%
Bullying at High Schools: Scenario of Dhaka City
Get PDFIncidence of bullying among school children is very common and well recognized. The present study explored the existing scenario of bullying in high schools in Dhaka city. Phenomenological approach was used to gather and analyze focus group discussion data from 60 parents, teachers and students from both English and Bangla medium school, selected through convenient sampling. The qualitative analysis using software NVivo, revealed seven forms of bullying such as verbal, emotional, exclusion, physical, sexual, cyber, and race, to be prevalent among high school children. Though bullying found to affect large numbers of high school children in both Bangla and English medium, according to teachers’ report, physical and emotional bullying were more common in Bangla medium, while frequency of verbal, sexual, and cyberbullying were high in English medium. Teachers also reported that student of grade 9 and 10 experienced more sexual and cyberbullying than other classes. It was evident that bullying took place at anywhere and everywhere in the school premises, like in classroom, playground, bathroom, around the campus, or even in school bus. Common causes, probable consequences and prevention strategies on bullying were also identified. Seeking attention was found to be an important factor in bully behavior. Opinion of parents, teachers and students about experiences and probable prevention plan were considered to work out a helpful intervention program for bullying in the future
Temperature effects on growth of the biocontrol agent Pantoea agglomerans (An oval isolate from Iraqi soils)
Get PDFThe growth response of the biocontrol agent Pantoea agglomerans to changes in temperature was determined in vitro in nutrient yeast extract-sucrose medium. The minimum temperature at which P. agglomerans was able to grow was 4°C and the maximum temperature was 42°C. This study defines the range of environmental condition (Temperature) over which the bacteria may be developed for biocontrol of postharvest diseases