Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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A Vertical characteristics of precipitating cloud systems during different phases of life cycle of cloud systems using satellite-based radar over tropical oceanic areas
No full textAn index-based approach is applied to investigate the climatology of precipitating cloud systems (PCSs) during different phases of evolution over twelve tropical oceanic areas using Precipitation Radar (PR) onboard at the satellite. In the present study, a Precipitating cloud system (PCS) is defined as the connecting pixels having radar reflectivity (Ze) ≥ 17 dBZ using composite Ze field. The three-dimensional structure of PCS is observed using all the PR beams contributing to horizontal PCS pixels. An average vertical profile is drawn and then converted it into the liquid water content using the relation M=3.44 x Z(4/7) x10(-6) (where M is in gm-3 and Z is in mm6 m-3). A dimensionless ratio, namely, the ratio for maturity levels (RMLs) is defined by dividing the normalized cloud liquid water at 4 km to 2 km for each PCSs. These RMLs values are used to classify the PCSs into different phases of development. Further the PCSs are also divided with (RML<0.75) and without bright band (BB, RML≥ 0.75), which indicates the latter phase of cloud evolution. The results reveal that initial stage PCSs have higher Ze at higher vertical level, and once the bright band is observed, Ze decreases rapidly above the BB. Regional differences have similar trends in Ze profiles during different RMLs. Similar average vertical profiles over different tropical areas lead to that understanding the microphysics of PCSs in one area could use in other areas too. The convective precipitation area dominates during the initial stage and decreases as the PCSs mature. This is the first time the TRMM data is used to investigate the evolution of PCSs using the indexing approach
Identification and molecular characterization of drug targets of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Get PDFAntimicrobial resistance is a major world health concern and drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a serious threat. Due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, there is an urgent need to develop novel drug targets to meet the challenge of multidrug-resistant organisms. The main objective of the current study was to determine molecular targets against S. aureus using by computational approach. S. aureus was cultured in brain heart infusion broth medium and MRSA (Methicillin resistant S. aureus) protein was extracted acetone-sodium dodecyl sulfate method. The cell lysate was treated with various antibiotics and proteinase K stable proteins were analyzed. The molecular weight of Geninthiocin-targeted protein of interest in S. aureus ranged from 46 to 50 kDa. A prominent protein band in SDS-PAGE indicated that the protein corresponding 50 kDa was resistant against proteinase K. The SDS-PAGE separated sample was excised and trypsinated, and the peptides were characterized using Nano Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Spectrum with clusters of molecular peptides and peptide fragments ranging from 110.0716 to 1002.7093 mass/charge ratio (m/z) were displayed against intensity or relative abundance in the excised gel band. The spectral data from nano LC-MS/MS was subjected to mascot search in the NCBIprot database (taxonomy-bacteria (eubacteria), resulting in seven bacterial proteins. Geninthiocin target proteins were determined against MRSA. To conclude, antibiotic target proteins were identified using a machine learning approach and these targets may have a lot of applications in developing a novel lead molecule against drug-resistant bacteria
Toxic effect of lead nitrate on testicular functions in male Swiss albino mice
Get PDFLead, heavy metal, has been associated with various health disorders including respiratory, digestive, nervous and reproductive systems. Male reproductive disorders are rising worldwide in parallel to increased exposure to harmful chemicals through anthropogenic sources. The aim of this study was to find the effect of lead nitrate on sperm quality, serum testosterone level and testicular histopathology in male Swiss albino mice. Male Swiss albino mice were divided as Control and three groups of lead nitrate treated mice (LN-15,LN-30 and LN-45) with four animals in each group. An oral method was applied to administer 52 mg/ kg body weight of lead nitrate to each mice of LN-15,LN-30 and LN-45 for 15, 30 and 45 days, respectively. Distilled water was administered to the control group for 45 days. Sperm quality and serum testosterone level was studied for each group on completion of exposure to each group. There was a significant decline in sperm count (10.81±0.97 to 5.85±1.22) in LN-45; sperm motility (74.0±5.95 to 47.75±5.97) in LN-30 and (74.0±5.95 to 40.75±7.81) in LN-45; normal sperm morphology(77±3.11 to 42.0±8.04) in LN-30 and (77.50±3.11 to 35.5 ±5.19). Serum testosterone levels decreased significantly (5.29±0.84 to 2.61±0.51) in LN-45 group. Lead nitrate adversely affected testicular functions and increased adversity with a longer exposure duration in Swiss albino mice. It can reduce male fertility by hampering the formation of normal mature sperms
Effect of abiotic elicitor methyl jasmonate on production of rutin in callus cultures of Abutilon hirtum L.
Get PDFA significant therapeutic plant from the Malvaceae family is Abutilon hirtum (L.). It is frequently used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of illnesses. Rutin is a flavonoid molecule with commercial value that has anticancer, nutritional, and anti-ageing properties. This research project was carried out to evaluate the effect of abiotic elicitor Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) at concentrations 0.0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 mmol.L-1 on accumulation of rutin by callus cultures of Abutilon hirtum L. after 30 days of growth on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium to which 2000 µg.L-1 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) + 500 µg.L-1 Kinetin (Kin) were added. The results showed that the best callus stems cultivated on MS growth medium fortified with 2000 µg.L-1 2,4-D + 500 µg.L-1 Kin, recorded the highest fresh weight of 2.887 g after four weeks. This induced callus was characterized by its friable texture. The data of rutin detection in cultures of callus obtained from stems explant of A. hirtum L., using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) indicated the presence of rutin in these cultures by comparison with the rutin standard samples containing a precisely known concentration of a substance for use in quantitative analysis.. Treatment with 0.03 mmol.L-1 of Methyl Jasmonate gave the best rutin amount of 5.606 mg.g-1 was much higher than the control treatment of 1.569 mg.g-1. These data clearly indicated that callus cultures are a potential continuous and constant source of rutin, as a secondary metabolite, and as an alternative to field plants
Bioefficacy of ethiprole + pymetrozine against the white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera (Howard), in rice (ADT – 46)
Get PDFThe nymphs and adults of white-backed planthoppers (Sogatella furcifera, Howard) remove plant sap resulting in yield loss. Indiscriminate use of insecticides, results in the development of resistance by insects and ill effects on the environment opening the new era of chemicals with novel modes of action with good bioefficacy, higher selectivity, low mammalian toxicity and safety to the environment. Therefore, the introduction of newer insecticide molecules with alternate modes of action will play a serious role in pest management programs. Hence, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the bioefficacy of ethiprole + pymetrozine against white-backed planthopper of rice (ADT – 46) under laboratory and field conditions at Annamalai University, Chidambaram during 2018-20. Ethiprole + pymetrozine @ (T1 - 36.91 + 138), (T2 - 40.13 + 150) and (T3 - 45.47 + 170) g a.i ha-1 with standard checks T4 - pymetrozine @ (150) g a.i ha-1, T5 - buprofezin @ (200) g a.i ha-1 and T6 - ethiprole + imidacloprid @ (50 + 50) g a.i ha-1 were evaluated against white-backed planthopper. The standard checks were of positive control i.e., reference insecticides which is in common use The results revealed that T3 recorded the lowest population of white-backed planthopper/hill at 15 day after spraying (1.13 hoppers/hill in August – December 2018 and 1.79 hoppers/hill in August – December 2019 respectively) giving better yield. The population of natural enemies was comparatively lower in all insecticidal treatments than in the control
Effect of Azadirachta indica and Tamarindus indica leaf extract and evaporative cooling on the quality characteristics and shelf life of sapota (Manilkara zapota)
Get PDFTropical fruits such as Sapota (Manilkara zapota) are highly perishable. The main reasons for the quality deterioration of these fruits are field heat and microbial attack, which can be reduced by proper cooling techniques and by using antimicrobial agents. The present study was undertaken to extend the shelf life of Sapota using evaporative cooling and antimicrobial coating, namely, neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) and tamarind leaves (Tamarindus indica), at different concentrations (20, 50 and 100%). Coated Sapota fruits were stored for 24 days, whereas uncoated fruits were stored for only 7 days. Both the selected antimicrobial extracts showed antimicrobial activity, and the cooling efficiency of the evaporative cooling chamber was 81-85%. Fruits were cooled to 15-18°C (core temperature), which could enable retention of physio-chemical properties. The results indicated that fruits coated with the highest level (100%) of antimicrobial extract coating (neem leaves and tamarind leaves) and stored under evaporative cooling conditions had the lowest percentage loss in weight (5-7% after 24 days of storage) and good retention of total soluble solids (1-2%), pH (2-3%) and total sugars (3-5%). Thus, coating Sapota fruits with neem leaves and tamarind leaf extracts and storing them under evaporative cooling conditions can be a better way to enhance the shelf life of sapota
Evaluation of the effect of magnesium in combination with organic manures on the growth and yield attributes and yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) inTypic Ustropept
Get PDFCotton is India\u27s most significant commercial crop and has a significant role in the agricultural economics of the nation. A field experiment was conducted in a farmer’s field located in Achchandavilthan village of Srivillipudhur block, Virudhunager District, from 28-Aug 2019 to Jan, 2020 to evaluate the response of cotton to foliar and soil application of magnesium combination with organic manures on the growth and yield attributes and yield of cotton in magnesium deficient soil. The soil was categorized as “Moderately deep clay Typic Ustropept, and medium N, P and high K content, in a randomized block design with fifteen treatments and three replications. The results revealed that the application of MgSO4 at a rate of 50 kg ha-1 along with 250 kg vermicompost for 30 days (1:5 ratio) at critical stages of crop growth along with the Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) based N,P2O5 and K2O RDF registered the maximum plant height at all three stages (40,70 and harvest) of crop growth (94.7, 122.3 and 222.2 cm), number of monopodial branches plant-1 (33.4), number of sympodial branches plant-1(73.1), numbers of boll plant-1 (48.3), boll weight (3.9 g), and seed cotton yield (26.2 q ha-1). This was followed by treatment (T9) MgSO4 at a rate of 50 kg ha-1 incubated with 500 kg FYM for 30 days (1:10 ratio) along with STCR) based N,P2O5 and K2O RDF and the lowest treatment receiving the recommended dose of N, P2O5 and K2O alone (80:40:40 kg ha1). It was revealed that natural chelated fertilizer prepared from MgSO4 incubated with organic manures for 30 days significantly improved the growth and yield of cotton
Cultivation of Schizophyllum commune Fries (CP-433) on corn stubble (Zea mays L.) and peanut shell (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Mexico
Get PDFSchizophyllum commune Fr. is a mushroom with a worldwide distribution; it is a food source in several countries and produces medicinal substances. It has been cultivated on sawdust and agricultural byproducts. In the present study, corn stubble (Zea mays L., stem with dry leaves) and peanut shell (Arachis hypogaea L., dry pericarp) were used as substrates for the cultivation of a strain (CP-433) of S. commune. The parameters evaluated were days in the formation of fruiting primordia, the number of harvests, days of the total cycle, biological efficiency (BE), production rate (PR) and yield (Y). Primordia formed between 12 and 13 days and later at 16 days. Two harvests with a total cycle of 22 days were made. The BE was 16.8±7.0% and 17.9±3.2%, the PR was 0.39±0% and 0.29±0.05%, and the Y was 1.68±0.7% and 1.79±0.3% for corn stubble and peanut shell, respectively, without significant differences between the two. The cultivation cycle in this study was shorter than the cultivation of S. commune on cocoa shell and coconut fiber (47 days), on sunflower seed shell (30-31 days), on oil palm fruit waste (29 days), and on palo mulato, cocoa shell and banana leaf (26-27 days). The values reached in BE are similar to other studies in which S. commune was cultivated on corn stalks and cobs (5.5%) and on palo mulato (6.4%). Corn stubble and peanut shells are promising substrates for the cultivation of S. commune on a small or large scale, mainly in the regions where they are discarded
Abamectin exposure during lactation triggering oxidative stress and expression pattern of Bcl-2 perturbation in rat pups brain
Get PDFPesticides, for example, are thought to be essential drivers of brain injury and dysfunction. Abamectin (ABA) is by far the most routinely used pesticide in farming and healthcare, and its toxicity to nontarget organisms has attracted considerable interest. The effect of abamectin pesticide delivered at the postnatal period on the antioxidant defense system was assessed. This study also examined apoptotic gene expression indicators in the brains of rat pups over neonatal weeks. Pregnant Wister rats were split into two groups: G1 received deionized water (control), and G2 received 0.211 mg/L of abamectin. The first day of abamectin exposure was the first day after delivery and continued until the tenth day of lactation. After 10 days (mid lactation) and the lactation period, rat pup brain samples were taken for oxidative biochemistry investigations and apoptotic gene expression (RT–qPCR). In comparison to the control group G1, Abamectin reinforces protein carbonyl levels and glutathione-based enzymes (transferase and peroxidase), whereas superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels are reduced in the pup\u27s brain. Furthermore, Abamectin induced considerable upregulation of proapoptotic (Bax) and antiapoptotic (Bcl-2) mRNA gene expression. Overall, our findings characterize the relationship between brain changes and abamectin administration during lactation periods, even at low doses that are considered safe, and indicate that this abamectin insecticide is harmful to the growing neurological system.
Molecular investigation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa mexAB-oprM efflux pump genes from clinical samples and their correlation with antibiotic resistance
Get PDFPseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the majority of common opportunistic infections, has become a public health concern, exhibiting intrinsic and acquired resistance to a wide range of antimicrobials. The present work aimed to study the correlation between the P. aeruginosa efflux pump mexAB-oprM genes and antibiotic resistance to different types of antibiotics. All 79 isolates were screened by Pseudomonas chromogenic agar, which was used as a selective medium for the isolation of P. aeruginosa. After incubation at 37°C for 24 hr, the results were confirmed by PCR using specific primer pairs for the 16S rDNA gene of Pseudomonas spp. and P. aeruginosa for identification of the isolates. MexABoprM genes were investigated by PCR. The antibiotic susceptibility test was accomplished according to CLSI-2021 using the disc diffusion method for 13 antibiotics. The results revealed that the antibiotic susceptibility of P. aeruginosa was highly resistant to ceftazidime (93.6%) and cefepime (77.2%). In comparison, high sensitivity for imipenem (77.2%) and meropenem (67%) was observed. The antibiotic resistance patterns revealed that 38% of isolates were MDR multidrug resistant and 41% were non-MDR, and the mexA(65\79), mexB(49\79) and oprM (37\79) genes were distributed as mexA 83.5%, mexB 63.29% and oprM 48.1%, respectively. The present study concluded that mexABoprM may be highly associated with resistance to ceftazidime and cefepime and moderately associated with piperacillin, gentamicin and tobramycin