Vermicompost is a rich source of nutrients and beneficial soil bacteria which can promote plant growth in various ways. Ten prevalent bacterial strains were isolated from the cow dung vermicompost and assessed for growth promotion of paddy. Bacterial suspensions (3X10 8 CFU/ml) were individually applied to the pots planted with paddy variety and vegetative growth parameters and yield were recorded. Among the bacterial treatments, better shoot length, root length and yield were recorded for Bacillus subtilis (VBKT5). Average yield in untreated control plants was less than a half of the yield for B. subtilis (VBKT5) treated plant. This strain was Gram positive, rod shaped, endospore forming bacillus and identified as B. subtilis. The results of the present study clearly indicated that B. subtilis isolated from vermicompost significantly boosted up growth and production of paddy plants and the strain may be explored as a plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) for rice improvement.
Fly ash is one of the largely produced solid wastes in the World. It is generated from combustion of coal in thermal power plants. Because of its large production, disposal and management problem, FA is always remained the biggest concern from centuries. However, several different research studies proposed that FA has diverse applications in different fields such as in construction for concrete production, in agriculture sector and many others. FA has been regarded as an ameliorant for reclaiming the soil. It helps in improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. It is observed that introduction of FA improves soil quality by providing various essential elements such as (K, Na, Zn, Ca, Mg and Fe) which are further helpful in increasing yield in some crops. This paper reviews information about the various attributes of FA in soil such as its role in soil, physical, chemical, biological and biochemical quality. It also discusses about varied applications of FA in varying sectors of agriculture, sludge stabilization, controlling diseases, forestry, wasteland reclamation, soil biota and enzymatic activity.
Adsorption of heavy metal ions on chitosan-based adsorbents has been extensively investigated. However, few studies explored the feasibility of desorbing and regenerating chitosan. Adsorbents used after adsorption of heavy metals are discarded, and this practice exacerbates the solid treatment problem. Regeneration and reuse of exhausted adsorbents should be considered to operate environment-friendly and cost-effective adsorption. This review was performed to summarize the desorption of heavy metal ions and possible regeneration of chitosan-based adsorbents using various desorption agents such as acids, alkalis, salts, and chelating agents. It was found that the highest desorption efficiencies were obtained by acidic eluents. The percentage use of desorption agents for desorbing followed the order of acids (49.3%) >chelators (26.9%) > alkalis (14.9%) > salts (8.9%). Moreover, the proper desorption time was estimated to be 0.84 by 1.37 h. The beneficial information is provided for the regeneration and recovery of chitosan adsorbents.
Phylloplane is the leaf surface itself that harbors a variety of microorganism both pathogens and saprophytes. An infection was reported on Ipomoea cairica plant in Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University campus. A general study was conducted on the microbial diversity on the healthy and infected leaf by leaf impression method. The study revealed growth of microbes which would have served as the causative pathogens infecting the plant.
Monogamy and polygamy are the two reproductive structures for Homo sapiens which have been evolving millenia now rendering and stagnating into social construction rather than underlying in H. sapiens evolved nature. Anatomically, modern H. sapiens emerged and behaved, use energy to fullfill a physiological need, based on the information in their DNA here referred as “code”-driven behaviour; other species conscioulessness also behave on the basis of their genomes and here also some arguments were presented. H. sapiens since the evolution of an innerself or consicousness sustains a physiology which rests upon DNA encription with the difference that behaviours are the result of the mental process of deciding here referred as “choice”-driven behaviour. In the matter of reproductive behaviour, H. sapiens can choose monogamy or polygamy unlike other non-concious species known to this planet. Being the evolved nature of our species that is polygamy, our genomes should be preserved as such for our offspring to have the right to decide, being this the final argument in the matter of single or multiple partners. To become an unfair society will lead towards extinction of H. sapiens, either our species will return to a widespread, accepted and law-regulated polygamy or become generationally extinct. The manuscript also presented evidence which supports a non-specific, male-centered female subordinating polygamy as the prevalent reproductive structure for unconcious species of copulating taxons including only anatomically modern H. sapiens.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is highly transmissible zoonotic virus that was initially reported in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. Presently, it has infected approximately 1.5 million person and responsible for more than 0.1 million death across the world. It is likely evolved from bats and pangolin and genetically different from SARS-CoV-1, responsible for SARS disease. In present review, we have discussed the recent finding of its origin from bats and pangolin, its phylogenetic comparison from other coronavirus and ongoing therapeutic approaches against the fight of SARS-CoV-2.
The present study investigated the sublethal toxic effect of the commercial grade herbicide, Paraquat dichloride (24% SL), on Labeo rohita stressing the importance on biochemical parameters. Fishes were exposed to the sublethal concentrations of paraquat dichloride (5 μg/l and 10 μg/l) for 24 h in treated groups. Treated groups showed highly changed biochemical parameters on their exposure to the herbicide paraquat, when compared to the control. Tissues such as brain, muscles, gills, liver and heart were dissected and subjected to prior analysis for experimentation. Biochemical analysis showed that the exposure of herbicide at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l for 24 h was followed by an increase (P ≤ 0.01) in the level of alanine transaminase—muscles (109%, 89.36% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); heart (41.08%, 43.79% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); liver (57.20%, 6.547% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); brain (47.1%, 1.172% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively) and gills (25.36%, 44% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively). The level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were found to be—muscles (66.40%, 20.51% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively), liver (21.27%, 50.94% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively), heart (31.17%, 8.6% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively), gills (86.84%, 57.57% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively), brain (10.16%, 12.07% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase level in different tissues of treated group were heart (15.41%, 22.84% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); liver (68.76%, 11.03% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); muscles (22.71%, 6% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); gills (16%, 50.18% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively); brain (17.52%, 7.33% at 5 μg/l and 10 μg/l, respectively). Aspartate transaminase level was also significantly increased in all the tissues. Total protein content was increased in the brain, liver, muscles and gills, whereas decreased in heart tissue. Finally the data revealed that the exposure to paraquat dichloride is toxic to fishes and human beings and have the potential to impair or damage the physiological activities and causes oxidative stress in Labeo rohita. Therefore, the use of paraquat dichloride may be restricted and it is recommended that the farmers must replace paraquat and choose some ecofriendly natural products.
Presently, it has been found from the medical databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, etc. that no locomotion inhibitory activity has been explored by any research group so far for the hydroalcoholic extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa (Family: Lythraceae) root. The present study involved filling the above gap by exploring the locomotion inhibitory activity (actophotometer-based) in Swiss albino rats. The investigation showed promising therapeutic perspectives (as compared to standard drug diazepam), displayed least side-effects, and demonstrated a higher margin of safety (from high LD 50 value). This particular study will positively motivate the global young researchers towards the development of a beneficial formulation as well as a useful product. However, more pre-clinical studies in various models are essentially needed to practically evaluate its effects.
Sodium benzoate is an effective antimicrobial agent used as a food preservative, but recently gained attention as the chemical toxicant. The present study investigated sodium benzoate induced male reproductive toxicity and metabolic changes at100 mg/ L concentration in the freshwater fish, Anabas testudineus. Sodium benzoate did not alter the weight of fish but increased the secretion of mucous as the primary defensive mechanism. Reduction in the absolute and relative weights of liver and testis reflected the tissue-specific toxicity of the compound. Sodium benzoate altered spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis as evidenced by reduction in sperm count, sperm motility and sperm viability along with reduction in testicular steroidogenic enzymes, 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase that ultimately restrain fertilizing capacity and membrane integrity of sperm. Alteration in the activities of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, glutathione S-transferase, and monoamine oxidase enzymes indicated metabolic changes, while liver damage was proved by increase in the activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases. Histomorphology of testis showed reduction in the number of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, degeneration of seminiferous tubules and seminiferous epithelium, without distinct Sertoli cells and interstitial cells. Histology of liver revealed disorganized hepatocytes, mild vacuolization, segmentation, and necrosis. The current study portrayed the impact of sodium benzoate on male reproduction andhepatic metabolic enzymes in the freshwater fish, A. testudineus. The study provides a better insight for the risk assessment of sodium benzoate in aquatic organism, and can be used as environmental monitoring tool in the natural population. Keywords: Sodium benzoate, liver, testis, reproduction, metabolic enzymes, Anabas testudineus Cite this Article Vijaya kumar N, Amritha K, Priyatha C.V, Chitra K.C. Sodium benzoate induced reproductive and metabolic changes in Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792). Research & Reviews: A Journal of Life Sciences . 2020; 10(1): 56–71p.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the physical activity level of university students, to compare them according to gender and to investigate the effect of physical activity level on sleep and quality of life. Materials and Methods: The research is of an analytical-cross-sectional type. In total, 288 (181 F, 107 M) university students with a mean age of 19.59 ± 2.00 years participated in the study. Height, weight and waist circumference measurements were taken. Participants were asked a questionnaire to determine their socio-demographic characteristics and exercise, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for assessing sleep quality, Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire to measure 1-week total physical activity level and SF-36 (Brief) to assess the quality of life. Quality of Life Questionnaires were applied by face-to-face questionnaire method. Results: 39% of the students were active, 18% were moderately active, and 43% were not active enough. When the data of girls and boys were compared, only the height, body weight, waist circumference, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire, SF 36 had a significant difference in emotional role difficulty results in favor of men (p < 0.00). Social functioning and general health perception (r = 0.116; r = 0.119) of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire were found to be positively correlated with the energy/vitality component of Godin leisure time questionnaire and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire (r = 0.121). There was a low positive correlation between sleep quality and all components of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire (0.168 < r < 0.333). Conclusion: As a result, only 39% of university students are active and spend more time on computers and phones. Boys had a physically more active lifestyle than girls. In the young population, physical activity did not affect sleep quality, but sleep quality affected quality of life. For health and quality life, the participation of individuals in regular exercise should be encouraged, physical activity programs should be organized and motivated in universities.
The length-weight relationship and condition factor (CF) of Penaeus notialis from Amadi-Ama Creek, Port Harcourt, Nigeria was studied between May and July 2019. This was to provide some data that could serve as a guide in making managerial decisions on the stock. A total of 200 P.notialis were collected; sampling was done twice in a month from fishers and middlemen at the landing sites. It comprised of 103 males and 97 females. The lengths, weights, and CFs were calculated according to the standard methods. Data were subjected to FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tools (FISATII) and Microsoft Excel. The “b” values were 2.15 (male), 1.95 (female), and 2.12 (combined), respectively. All the “b” values were less than 3 indicating negative allometric growth. The overall monthly Fulton’s condition factor (k) obtained from the study was k=1.183+0.42. This indicated that the shrimps were in good condition during the sampling period.
Potentials of carrot (Daucus carota) and cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) peels as suitable mycological culture media was investigated in the present study. The method employed for proximate composition involved the spectrophotometric, oven drying and furnace drying method. Standard methods of isolation, characterization, growth rate and antifungal activities were employed. The result revealed that both carrot and cocoyam peels were rich in carbohydrates, protein, ash, moisture and crude fiber contents.The growth of the test fungi on the formulated media revealed that Rhizopus stolonifera had the highest mean growth rate of 32mm on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA);Aspergillus terreus showed the highest growth rate of 15mm on Carrot Glucose Agar (CGA) and Aspergillus flavus and A. terreus were having the highest and also the same growth of 13mm on Cocoyam Glucose Agar (CYGA). Aspergillus niger, A.terreus and R.stolonifera had the highest zone of inhibitions (HZIs) of 26 mm on PDA, 46 mm on CGA and 40 mm on CYGA using ginger ethanol extract while Geotrichum candidum, Candida albicans and Fusarium sp. had the HZI of 22 mm on PDA, 29 mm on CGA and 29 mm on CYGA using garlic ethanol extract. A. flavus, C. albicans, Fusarium sp., A. niger and Cladosporium sp. had the HZI of 18 mm on PDA, 28 mm on CGA and 24 mm on CYGA usingnystatin as a positive control. These findings showed that wastes from carrot and cocoyam can serve as a good alternative culture media for mycological growth and analysis.
Snail, Lymnaea acuminata, is the intermediate host of liver fluke Fasciola hepatica—causative agent of fascioliasis. The sublethal concentration (20% and 60% of 24 h LC50) of synthetic and plant extracts were studied on the reproduction of snail L. acuminata. Both the synthetic (Permethrin and Cypermethrin) and plant extract (Allium sativum and Annona squamosa) caused a significant reduction in the fecundity, hatchability and survival of young snail L. acuminata and also increased the hatching period (9–20 days) of snail with respect to the control (7–9 days). The synthetic molluscicides are more potent as compared to the plant molluscicides. It causes significant (p<0.05) reduction in the fecundity, hatchability and survival of young snail L. acuminata. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:Times New Roman;}
Heparanase is an endoglycosidase which cleaves heparan sulfate (HS) and hence participates in degradation and remodelling of extracellular matrix (ECM). It further regulates multiple biological activities that enhance tumour growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Heparanase expression is enhanced in almost all cancers examined including various carcinomas, sarcomas and haematological malignancies. In the present article, heparanase enzyme in plants and its activity against inhibitors was described. Here the heparanase enzyme and the E.coli enzyme (β-glucuronidase or GUS) was very similar. Hence the dilution process and quantitative assays were being done to examine its activity.
The spatio-temporal distribution of Non-Biting Midge (Diptera: Chironomidae) assemblages and some environmental factors that affect their distribution were analyzed in three different ponds of Barind region. A total 15 were recorded after three seasonal sampling (pre-monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon) for three years. The dominant taxa were, although the dominance varied season wise and site wise. The variation in dominance, abundance and richness among different sites were affected by environmental characteristics (5 water parameters and 3 soil parameters) of the habitat.
It is very essential to break down and clean the environmental pollutants to get rid of polluted atmosphere. When this process is used by either naturally occurring or deliberately introduced microorganisms it is known as bioremediation. On the other hand, when this process of bioremediation is performed by fungi-based technology to decontaminate the environment, it is known as mycoremediation. It has been proven that especially fungi like mushrooms of phylum Basidiomycota play the main and effective role in this process.
Pain is actually an unpleasant and uncomfortable feeling that tells something is wrong. Currently, no one is sure whether plants can feel pain and respond to it. We do know that they can feel pain sensations. Reputable study has shown that plants can “feel pain”. Still, more scientists infer that plants can exhibit intelligent behavior without possessing a brain or conscious awareness and the sixth sense. In this paper, a comparative study is made between humans and plants in experiencing pain.
This review article highlights the role of OMPs as virulence factor and suggests the combination of drugs against 2019-nCoV. 2019nCoV, outbreak has been occurred form Wuhan (China) and it spreads rapidly throughout the world. Outer Membrane Protein (OMPs) play vital role in pathogenesis of 2019-nCoV. Altered OMPs may responsible to increase affinity towards target site. Recombinant virus with absence of OMPs (especially E, envelope protein) may play important role in vaccine production. As 2019-nCoV is the novel virus so collaboration of various fields are required to increase effectivity of antiviral strategies against 2019-nCoV Keywords: OMPs: Outer Membrane Proteins, Virulence factor, 2019-nCoV: Novel Coronavirus 2019 Cite this Article Trupti Polekar. Virulence Factors, Pathogenesis and Drug Susceptibility of Emerging Buzzing threat 2019-nCoV. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Life Sciences. 2020; 10(2): 19–28p.
Nymphoides indica (L.) O. Kuntze an emergent aquatic plant of Menyanthaceae, commonly called ‘floating hearts” is bisexual, hypogynous and distylous (Two types of style – long style and short style) with 4 – 8 sepals and petals. Stamens correspond to the number of petals. The present study deals with phenology, pollen biology and stigma receptivity of N. indica. The pollen grains are yellow, medium, monad, triangular, heteropolar, radially symmetric, parasyncolpate and prolate – spheroidal in shape. The viable pollen grains becomes pink or red in 1% aceto carmine, blue coloured in aniline blue lactophenol stain and brown coloured in IKI solution. Stigma receptivity was high in the post pollination period. Keywords : Nymphoides indica, floating hearts, phenology, stigma receptivity, pollen viability Cite this Article P. Pavisha, P. V. Madhusoodanan, R. Prakashkumar. Pollen Biology and Stigma Receptivity in Nymphoides Indica (L.) O. Kuntze (Menyanthaceae). Research & Reviews: A Journal of Life Sciences . 2020; 10(1): 72–80p.
