Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Proteomic insights into the biology of Clinostomum piscidium from a fish, Colisa fasciatus in India using computational tools
Get PDFClinostomum is a fish-borne pathogen,digenetic trematode with worldwide distribution. Despite its zoonootic significance, the molecules involved in the host-parasite interaction remains unknown. The present study deals with the proteome profile of the rDNA of Clinostomum piscidium using in silico workflow.The physicochemical properties, mass spectrometry ,atomic composition,estimated half-life in different hosts ,Grand average of hydropathy (GRAVY),extinction coefficient and instability index of the rDNA was studied.We identified hypothetical proteins(polar in nature) that showed similarities with proteins of Trichellina pseudospiralis and Melampsora laricipopulina.The functionality of these proteins revealed their role in intracellular signalling as a substrate for O - linked N - acetylglucosaminetransferases and death transcription factor(DIDO-1). This is the first report of our findings that aims to provide a better understanding of the mechanism by which this digenetic trematode adapts to extreme environments. It is expected that this study will lead to new insights into drug designing strategies and disease control
Molecular docking studies of Chenopodium album Linn with Lanosterol synthase enzyme
Get PDFCardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major cause of death among people across the globe. Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major contributing factors for CVD. Molecules that bind with Lanosterol synthase enzyme, can be potential drug targets. Statin group of compounds like Simvastatin, cerivastatin, Atorvastatin etc., used for treating hypercholesterolemia have side effects and hence there is a growing demand for plant derived flavonoids. This work focusses on studying the compounds quercetin-3-O-(2??,6??-di-O-?-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-?-d-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-(2??,6??-di-O-?-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-?-d-glucopyranoside, rutin; quercetin-3-O-?-d-glucopyranoside (Iso quercetin); and kaempferol-3-O-?-d-glucopyranoside (Astragalin) present in Chenopodium album Linn to inhibit Lanosterol synthase. Bioactivity score, drug likeness character was assessed in silico. Based on bioactivity spectrum, it is observed that the molecules are biologically active and the probability of these compounds to be biologically active is ranging from 0.784 to 0.992, suggesting that these compounds are effective for treating hypercholesterolemia. In the molecular docking studies, the compounds binding affinity score was in agreement that the molecules have the potential to be used as an alternative to the statin group of compounds in treating cholesterol
Standardization of optimum sieve size for maximizing seed quality in Amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.)
Get PDFVegetables have a critical function in human health and nutritional security. Vegetables are considered an essential building block of any diet. Out of the leafy vegetables, Amaranthus is the most popular and salable vegetable consumed by people all over India. Seed processing experiment was undertaken in Amaranthus tricolor (CO 2) by using the sieves placed inside the mechanical seed shaker (Gyratory sieve shaker) to improve the quality of Amaranthus seeds. The seeds of Amaranthus were size graded with seed shaker attached with various sieve size of BSS 18 X18 (R), BSS 20 X 20 (R), BSS 22 X 22 (R) and BSP 22 X 22 (P). During processing, the machine could be adjusted for 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes with an oscillating speed of 1440 rpm. The separated seeds were evaluated for seed quality characteristics such as seed germination percentage, shoot length, root length, dry matter production, 1000 seed weight and seed recovery percentage. The results revealed that the sieve size of BSS 22 X 22 (R=retained) mesh sieve had the better quality seeds with a maximum recovery of 67.41 g and when it is operated for a period of 5 minutes. The germination percentage was improved from 77 % to 95 % with 1000 seed weight of 73.21 mg, and the observed recovery was 56 per cent with the vigour index of 1145. Hence, BSS 22 X 22 retained mesh sieve with a duration of 5 minutes could be recommended as an optimum sieve size for grading Amaranthus seeds for improving the seed quality
Role of nutrients regulation in the immune system in preventing COVID-19 infection: A brief review
Get PDFThis review aimed to focus on using foods to boost immunity against COVID-19 in all age groups. In human, coronavirus causes the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and a major threat to public health. The novel coronavirus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization due to its rapid infectivity. COVID-19 infection is most probably reported in people with low immunity response. The nutrients, which show beneficial effects on the immune system, are called immune nutrients and diet is called immune diet. A healthy diet can reduce the risk of infection of COVID-19 and can prevent disease. Nutritional food intake is also necessary for people with chronic illness, obese persons, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cognitive dysfunction like anxiety and depression. All nutrients are essential for maintaining immunity and providing appropriate amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals for the surveillance mode of keeping us from getting sick. The use of plenty of water, minerals such as micronutrients, zinc, copper, selenium, iron, magnesium, food rich in vitamins, and a good lifestyle can promote health and overwhelm this coronavirus infection
Effect of different phosphorus sources applied with phosphate solubilizing bacteria on bio-geochemical properties and phosphorus release pattern in vertisol
Get PDFVarious phosphorus (P) fertilizers are used for crop production in different types of soil. But there is a knowledge gap in choosing the right source and form of P fertilizers to enhance the applied fertilizer use efficiency. An experiment was taken to identify the best phosphorus source and its effectiveness as a source of P in vertisol to unravel this problem of selecting suitable P fertilizer. With this background, an incubation experiment was conducted under laboratory condition to determine the phosphorus release pattern of different P sources [Single Super Phosphate (SSP), Rock Phosphate (RP), Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Nano phosphate (Nano P), Phosphocompost (PC)] applied with phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and their influence on biogeochemical properties in vertisol. Experimental results emphasized that P release from different sources was influenced by soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and microbial population. Applied P sources significantly(p=0.05) influenced the CEC, SOC, and microbial population except for soil pH and Ec. The maximum release in available P was obtained at 30 and 60 days after incubation with SSP +PSB (35.8 and 40.1 mg kg-1) and Nano P + PSB (33.9 and 38.6 mg kg-1) applied treatments, respectively.Whereas at 90 days after incubation Nano P + PSB (42.3 mg kg-1) and Phosphocompost + PSB (40.4 mg kg-1) treatments recorded the maximum P availability and minimum P (15.2, 13.9 and 11.8 mg kg -1) release was noticed in the control treatment throughout the period of incubation. It was evident that SSP or Nano P along with PSB application might be the best P source for Vertisol
Mapping of the urban tree population in gardens of Ulhasnagar, District Thane, Maharashtra using Geographic information system (GIS)
Get PDFUrban trees today are a crucial component that defines the healthy and liveable environment of a city. A city’s database includes streets, building, footprints, overhead and underground utilities, workforce areas, pest/disease quarantine zones, parks, and pending development areas in addition to the tree database such as tree location, species, diameter at breast height (DBH), and canopy width. The present study aimed at mapping the tree population of some selected gardens and parks in Ulhasnagar using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS is an integrated system of computer hardware, software, data and trained personnel for analyzing and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. GIS-based map shows the location for each tree species found in the selected 12 gardens of Ulhasnagar. Green colour represents dense green canopy represented by the above-ground biomass, and yellow represents moderate, while red indicates scarce or limited above-ground biomass. The green colour actually represents the volume of biomass and not the density or the number of trees and shows the concentration of carbon pools in the study area. Updating data in GIS is much more cost-efficient and less time consuming than having to redraw maps manually. Urban foresters and urban planners can work together using GIS for better management of this resource. This study is one of the pioneering footsteps towards appreciative resources and thus enabling the researchers in developing an appropriate management strategy. The data will help us to analyze and interpret better and eventually conceptualize the above-ground biomass in the entire area of gardens
A karyotype study in two fish species belonging to Genus Neolissochilus found in Meghalaya, India
Get PDFThe karyomorphological study of two species of Mahseer belonging to the genus Neolissochilus, namely Neolissochilus hexagonolepis and N. hexastichus were carried out. The study revealed the basic chromosome number in both the Masheer species was observed to be 100. However, the karyotype formula number varied among the species. N. hexagonolepis had a diploid chromosome number of 42 metacentric (m), 20 submetacentric (sm), 8 subtelocentric (st) and 30 telocentric (t) and N. hexastichus had a karyotypic formula of 32 metacentric (m), 22 submetacentric (sm), 4 subtelocentric (st) and 42 telocentric (t). This finding removed taxonomic confusion due to the differences in the chromosome number, the morphology of the chromosomes and chromosome formula between the two fish species of the genus and helped in distinctive and unblemished identification of the two species belonging to the genus Neolissochilus from Meghalaya, though they have a morphological similarity
Characterization of multi-trait plant growth promoting Pseudomonas aeruginosa from chickpea (Cicer arietinum) rhizosphere
Get PDFIn the current perusal, 12 isolates of Pseudomonas were segregated by rhizospheric soil of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) of Madhya Pradesh, India. Isolated test organisms were characterized morphologically, biochemically and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Out of 12, one isolate designated as P4 was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which revealed 100% homology with the strains DSM 50071 and NBRC 12689. The phylogenetic examination was accomplished utilizing MEGA-X to confirm the identity of isolate P4. The nucleotide hierarchy of the 16S rRNA gene from P4 isolate was submitted in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database under gene bank with accession number MT116414. The P4 isolate exhibited multiple plant growth promotion properties like phosphate solubility, indole acetic acid (IAA) production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, siderophores, ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) activities, and biocontrol activities against phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Macrophomina phaseolina
Trained neural network to predict paddy yield for various input parameters in Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFThe major objective of the present study was to explore if Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models with back propagation could efficiently predict the rice yield under various climatic conditions; ground-specific rainfall, ground-specific weather variables and historic yield data. The back propagation algorithm will calculate each expected weight using the error rate as the activity level of a unit was altered. The errors in the model during the training phase were solved during the back-propagation. The paddy yield prediction took various parameters like rainfall, soil moisture, solar radiation, expected carbon, fertilizers, pesticides, and the long-time paddy yield recorded using Artificial Neural Networks. The R2 value on the test set was found to be 93% and it showed that the model was able to predict the paddy yield better for the given data set. The ANN model was tested with learning rates of 0.25 and 0.5. The number of hidden layers in the first layer was 50 and in the second hidden layer was 30. From this, the testing value of R square was 0.97. The observations with the ANN Model showed that i) the best result for the test set was R2 value of 0.98, ii) the two hidden layers kept with 50 neurons in the first layer and 30 neurons in the second one, iii) the learning rate was of 0.25. With all these configurations, maximum yield is possible from the paddy crop
Institutional support for tribal farmer interest groups in Erode district of Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFGlobally small and marginal tribal farmers situation is worse because of poor marketing system and lack of quality input and technical services. This worse situation can be empowered through group approach like Farmer Producer Organization (FPO), Farmers Interest Group (FIG) and Self Help Group (SHG). FIG is a self-managed, independent group of farmers with a shared goal and interest. This is usually formed by 15-20 members. It is evidenced that the profitability in farming would be possible in groups rather than practising it individually. This is particularly the case where farmers organize themselves to respond to credit and input needs, marketing concerns, etc., as there are clear economic benefits of working in groups. The present study is aimed to investigate the level of institutional support for tribal Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) in Erode district. A cent per cent of the respondents (100.00%) admitted that they received support for getting information regarding input availability, subsidiary activities, various schemes of the state department of agriculture. The vast majority of the respondents received information on technical support on production aspects of crop production (98.00%) and received credit support whenever needed (98.00%). Institutions like NGOs, State Department of Agriculture played a major role in improving the standard of living of these tribal people. They received support from the institution from production to marketing and value addition. However, they did not get proper guidance for soil testing and quality testing of inputs. Because of remoteness, they received a medium level of institutional support