Journal of Applied and Natural Science
Not a member yet
2928 research outputs found
Sort by
RAPD-PCR based genomic characterization of two populations of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera : Culicidae)
Full text linkThe present paper deals with the RAPD-PCR based genomic characterization of Culex quinquefasciatus Say which is a major vector of filariasis in several parts of the Indian subcontinent. One population of the test organism used in the study was procured from Goa (pop.A) while the other (pop.B) was collected from a village Nadasahib (20 kms from Chandigarh). The RAPD-PCR amplification of whole body homogenate of freshly hatched individual specimens was carried out by using three random primers: primer I- 5’- GTCCCGACGA – 3’; primer II- 5’– TGATCCCTGG – 3’ and primer III- 5’- GTGACGTAGG – 3’. Primer I produced 5 distinct bands from the DNA of pop. A, whose base composition ranged from 200-1000 bp. Likewise, 7 bands ranging from 130-750 bp and 4 bands ranging from 270-950 bp were generated with primers II and III respectively. In case of pop.B, a total of 8 bands ranging from 200-1000 bp were generated with primer I. Similarly, a total of 6 bands ranging from 250-900 bp with primer II and 4 bands ranging from 180-950 bp with primer III were produced. Based on the bandsharing coefficient and the application of Nearest Neighbour Joining (NJ) analysis it was found that primer Iwas more suitable for detecting genomic differences at the species and generic levels while primer II was ideal for detecting variations in the number of bp in RAPD generated bands among different populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus
A study of fresh water protozoans with special reference to their abundance and ecology
No full textEcologically protozoa represent a model of interacting communities that exhibit various characters of structure and function of a micro-ecosystem and also an important component of food-chain. The present paper presents the first record of taxonomic composition and abundance of fresh water protozoans from ponds and Gomti River of Lucknow, U.P. India. A total forty seven protozoans were observed, studied thoroughly and identified. Total ten strains of flagellates, sixteen of amoebae, two testaceans; two heliozoans and seventeen different strains of ciliates were observed
A study on the ecology of Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus Pallas) and its status as an unconventional pest of agriculture in and around Beer-Sonty reserve forest, Haryana, India
No full textPeriodic fortnightly visits from June, 2007 to May, 2008 in Beer-Sonty reserve forest and surrounding agricultural fields indicated incidences of damage to various crops and many herbs, shrubs and trees by Nilgai. The opinion survey of the 208 inhabitants including 166 farmers/farm labourers and 42 forest officials/forest labourers in and around Beer-Sonty reserve forest also revealed that 74.52% of the contacted persons reported significant damage by Nilgai to agricultural crops and herbs. As far as the distribution of Nilgai is concerned, 94.72% interviewees reported random distribution while 5.28% interviewees reported non-random distribution. One year fortnightly survey revealed minimum of one to a maximum of four Nilgai sightings/visit with a minimum of one individual to a maximum of 11 individuals per sighting. Most of the times, males were sighted singly or in mixed herds, whereas, herds comprising 2-11 individuals in different sightings included female(s) with calves or mixed herds. Opinion survey has also indicated herds comprising 1-10, 10-20 and more than 20 individuals by 60.10%, 30.77% and 9.13% interviewees. During regular periodic visits of the study area and surrounding fields, farmers were found using various means such as fencing, fire, night-light, sound efforts and effigy models to check the activity of Nilgai in their agricultural fields
Phytochemistry, antibacterial and anticoagulase activities of Sida acuta against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus
Full text linkoai:journals.ansfoundation.org:article/20The phytochemical, antibacterial and anticoagulase activities of Sida acuta against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. The phytochemistry of the plant leaves revealed that S. acuta is laden with antioxidative compounds with remarkable concentrations of saponins (0.772 mg/100g), flavonoids (0.112 mg/100g), alkaloids (0.076 mg/100g) and tannins (0.0541mg/100g). Their presence conferred a strong bactericidal effect on Staphylococcus aureus SS-1VC, Staph. aureus SS-2VM, Staph. aureus SS-3SW, Staph aureus SS-4OM, Staph. aureus SS-5BC Staph. aureus SS-6AF and Staph. aureus SS-7DS isolated from vaginal candidiosis, vaginal mycosis, septic wound, otitis media, buccal cavity, athletes foot and diarrheic stool respectively. Majority of the bacterium strains screened were sensitive to aqueous and methanol extracts of S. acuta leaves. All the strains were inhibited by the aqueous extract, but more susceptible were strains SS-2VM isolated from vaginal mycoses and SS-3SW from septic wound, which recorded 25mm and 24mm diameter of inhibition zones respectively, after treatment with 8.0mg/ml of the extract. However, much lower concentration (0.5mg/ml) of the extract was required to halt coagulase activity in both strains. The methanol leaf extract exhibited similar but stronger antibacterial and anticoagulase activities against the clinical isolates of Staph. aureus. Marked antibacterial inhibitory effects were observed against most strains tested but SS-6AF and SS-7DS (which exhibited comparatively lower susceptibility), with majority of the strains losing theiranticoagulase producing potential at concentrations as low as 0.5mg/ml of alcoholic extract. The strong anticoagulase activity of S.acuta, and it’s efficacy in inhibiting coagulase elaboration by Staph aureus especially Staph. aureus SS3SW isolated from septic wound forms the basis of it’s use in folk medicine for wound treatment
Alterations in carbohydrate metabolism under cryptorchid condition in albino rats
Full text linkBilateral cryptorchidism was induced surgically in adult wistar strain albino rats and the carbohydrate metabolic pathway has been studied in testis, and sex accessory organs of both control and cryptorchid animals by estimating the marker enzymes and the substrates of the metabolism. In cryptorchid animal tissues, accumulation of lactic acid and glycogen was observed with inhibited phosphorylase activity in comparison to the controls. The reproductive tissues like testis, epididymis, prostate gland and seminal vesicles had shown remarkable elevation in the glycogen content, which can be attributed to decreased phosphorylase activity. In view of androgen dependent nature of phosphorylase its inhibition can be correlated to decreased testosterone circulation in the body. Consequently the free glucose content of the tissues was markedly decreased suggesting a decrease in the mobilization of the carbohydrates into energy metabolism. All the reproductive tissues had shown significant accumulation of lactic acid with inhibited oxidative enzyme activities. Thus the reproductive tissue oxidative metabolism had been suppressed during cryptorchidism leading to a shift towards glycolysis and creating a situation of functional suppression
Impact of climate change on biodiversity of India with special reference to Himalayan region-An overview
Full text linkIndia possesses a distinct identity, not only because of its geography, history and culture, but also because of the great diversity of its natural ecosystems. The panorama of Indian biological diversity is much wider, as it comes under the twelve mega biodiverse (Hot-spot) centers of the world. It contains a great wealth of biological diversity in its forests, its wetlands and in its marine areas which are distributed all over the country. This richness is shown in absolute numbers of species and the proportion they represent of the world total. The great Himalayan region has peculiar identity in the perspective of its unique biogeography. It supports a large number of glaciers, lakes, rivers, flora and fauna due to its variable climate. It has a profound effect on the climate of the subcontinent. But due to anthropogenic activities the global climate has changed since last few decades. The climate of the subcontinent has also adversely affected the biological resources of the country along with that of the Himalayan region. The present paper discusses the various causes responsible for melting and shrinkage of glaciers, decreasing water flow in the major rivers, increasing pressure of extinction of the ecological wealth of the country. It also talks about the control measures and various management steps which can be taken, with special reference to the Himalayan region
Molecular basis of resistance in wheat varieties against spot blotch disease
Full text linkDuring present investigation, among the six wheat genotypes tested against six isolates of Bipolaris sorokiniana, the genotype BOW‘S’ showed resistance response against three isolates, namely, BS-D-1, BS-DWRK-2 and BS-K-4, whereas moderately resistance response against remaining 3 isolates i.e. BS-F-3, BS-P-5 and BS-V-6.The genotype A-9-30-1 showed almost highly susceptible response against each isolate except BS-D-1 which exhibited susceptible reaction on this genotype. Thus, it is clear that genotype BOW ‘S’ has broad genetic base for resistance, whereas genotype A-9-30-1 has no gene for resistance against these six isolates tested. Remaining five genotypes showed varying response, ranging from highly susceptible, susceptible, moderately susceptible, moderately resistant and resistant against various isolates of B. sorokiniana tested
Contamination of Asian herbal drugs : Need for its critical evaluation
Full text linkHerbal drugs have been used as remedies for the treatment of large number of humans, ailments since ancient times as the traditional medicine system; India has a glorious past, having first documented record of fully developed medical science known as Ayurveda written by several ancient Rishi’s. Major groups of indigenous system of medicine are based on herbal drugs. A survey made by WHO indicated that about 80% of the world population relies on herbal drugs. Herbal drugs are becoming more popularized and important even in the developednations with hope of their non-toxicity and may play a role of substitute to overcome the problems of multi drug resistant pathogens. Cultivation of drug plants has been started in large scale without considering the land quality and in certain cases irrigation with waste water. Application of different fungicides, pesticides in that specific field or in neighboring fields may be directly deposited superficially or may be absorbed by the plant system. Therefore in the present situation possibilities of the Asian herbal drugs, contaminated with large number of toxic components cannot be ignored which may severely hurt human life in place of healing or curing.These contaminants may be either alone or in combination and may be originated intrinsically, extrinsically and deliberately. Certain contaminants may be highly toxic and may cause severe adverse effect in the human system. Some of the important contaminants are the heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, copper and pesticides. Adulteration of modern drugs to enhance drug potency and heterogenous microbial population including human pathogens may contaminate both raw and powdered herbal drugs. Among these contaminants, microbial contamination seems more severe and may be due to their dual action on the drug i.e. utilization of medicinally important chemical components as nutrients and in certain cases by producing certain mycotoxins, which may be even carcinogenic under certain conditions . Critical evaluation of both raw and powdered herbal drugs for contaminants is the urgent need of the time in order to provide safety measures in herbal health care medicine