International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

112-113

Authors: Umesh Prasad Shrivastava

No abstract DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i2.10655

121-125

Authors: Anil Langer, Sunanda Sharma, Narendra Kumar Sharma, DS Nauriyal

Seven hundred ninety six milk samples from 266 quarters of 69 lactating cows were subjected to microbiological investigations for identification of pathogens. One hundred ninety bacterial isolates were recovered from 89 infected quarters, among these monomicrobial infection was found in 50 (56.2%) quarters, whereas, mixed infection was observed in 39 (43.8%) quarters. Bacterial isolates identified were Staph. chromogenes (49.47%), Staph. hyicus (21.1%), Staph. epidermidis (11.05%), Str. agalactiae (5.8%), Staph. aureus (4.2%), Staph. intermedius (3.1%), Enterobacter sp. (1.5%), Klebsiella sp., E. coli (1.05%), Micrococcus sp. (1.05%) and Serratia marcescens (0.52%). Milk samples from every quarter of each cow were also subjected to 6 mastitis marker tests named Somatic cell count (SCC), California mastitis test (CMT), electrical conductivity (EC) by EC-meter as well as by Hand-held mastitis detector, pH detection by impregnated paper strip and also by pH meter. Efficacy of mastitis markers for diagnosis of sub-clinical mastitis was determined by comparing results of mastitis marker tests with microbiological findings. Mean value of SSC in milk from healthy quarters was significantly lower (p than that in milk from infected quarters. Significantly higher (p value of SSC was observed in milk samples having coagulase positive staphylococci as compared to that in milk from quarter with coagulase negative pathogens. The mean electrical conductivity (EC) in milk samples from infected quarters was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that from healthy quarters. Numbers and percentages of samples showing true positive, true negative, false positive and false negative results with SSC, CMT, EC by EC-meter, EC by hand-held meter, pH by impregnated strips, pH by digital pH-meter tests were evaluated and compared. The sensitivity and specificity of impregnated pH paper strip, CMT, pH-meter test, SCC, electrical conductivity by EC-meter and the same by Hand-held mastitis detector were evaluated The compatibility between the results of SCC, impregnated pH paper strip, CMT, EC-meter, pH-meter, Hand-held mastitis detector and bacteriological culture examination (reference test) was found to be 64.4, 63.4, 61.5, 59, 59 and 53 respectively.

132-134

Authors: P. K. Agrawal, Sangeet Prabha, Shalu Mittal

Bioremediation uses various microorganisms to detoxify or degrade various harmful substances in the nature, particularly soil and water. In the proposed work, five species of micro-organisms were used to analyse their impact on various physico-chemical parameters of water. In the first attempt the actual physico chemical parameters of the collected sample water were noted down (Fresh sample parameters). Then the sample water was treated with micro-organisms (one at a time). The growth of microbes was noted carefully over 96 hours after inoculation. The physico chemical parameters were recorded again and were compared with the fresh sample parameters. The results were analysed for any change and on this basis an impact factor was developed. The study reveals all the selected microbes have a great capacity of degrading and simplifying the complex molecules into simpler ones. Bioremediative treatment further enhances this capacity and therefore this approach can be utilized on large scale to minimize pollution of water bodies.

142-145

Authors: DK Dnyanesh, Suma Dnyanesh, Roopa Bellad

Objectives: To determine the profile and outcome of paediatric patients presenting with poisoning to a tertiary care center in Karnataka. Methods: Retrospectively we studied the PICU records of all the paediatric patients who presented with acute poisoning during the 4-years period from Feb 2010 to Jan 2014. All children aged less than 18 years with a definite history and suspected cases of poisoning were included. Results: 106 patients presented with acute poisoning during the study period. The majority of our patients were in the 0 - 6 year age group. Poisoning in this age group was most common with higher frequency in males, the ratio being 1.2:1. The agents most frequently used were hydrocarbons (43.1%), pyrethrine compounds 15.5%, Organo-Chlorine compounds 12.1%drugs, Organo-Phospherous compounds 12.1%, drugs 1.8%. In 1 - 6 year age group 54.7% cases were accidental in nature, whereas in the 12 - 18 year group 93.3% were suicidal. All patients were symptomatic and needed symptomatic or definitive treatment. 21 patients required mechanical ventilation. Almost 3/4th of patients underwent Gastric lavage. Specific antidote was given to 41 patients. 2 patients of OP poisoning died. Conclusion: Our study concluded that accidental poisoning is common in 0-6 year children, the common substance being used in rural areas was kerosene and in urban areas it was found to be pyrethrin compounds. Lack of awareness of parents regarding appropriate storage of these dangerous household products is the main cause. Measures should be taken to educate the parents and public in order to decrease the poisoning cases. Suicidal cases are increasing in adolescents and precipitating factors like exam fear, exam failure, love failure and parental pressure regarding studies needs counseling of both parents and children.

152-159

Authors: Manoj Kumar Verma, Vikas Kaushik

Increased levels of locus-specific mutations within the BLM result in development of Bloom Syndrome and patients are found to be immune deficient. HRDC domain amino acid Lys1270 is presumably to play role in mediating interactions with DNA. Single point mutation of Lys1270 (K1270V) reduces the potency of Double Holliday junction (DHJ) DNA unwinding so BLM lead to its functional loss. Quadruplex formation have role in immunoglobulin heavy chain switching and inhibiting RecQ helicases activity in-vitro in BLM. Variety of G-Quadruplex ligands are employed by molecular docking for arriving at lead compound identification. The scoring function of docking results describes protein-ligand interaction and it conjointly instructed that docking of ligand at mutational binding site shows some repressing function to make potential lead drug molecule. So as to know the elaborated purposeful functional mechanism of protein and to relate impact of mutation with function and activity; dock screening, hit identification and lead optimization facilitate in design of lead drug compound.

168-175

Authors: Anant Gopal Singh, Anil Sharma

Invasive species are non-native to the locality. They have been introduced in any area both accidentally and intentionally. Their introduction undoubtedly modifies the structure and functions of the ecosystem supply and alters the rate of nutrient cycling. Invasive alien species compete with the crop mainly for water, light, and nutrients. During study we have collected fifty-five species which are invasive and alien. They directly affect the productivity of food crop like rice, wheat, maize etc.

180-184

Authors: FP Aquino, Eufrocina P. Atabay

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration (TUFA) has become a popular tool for embryo production in vitro due to its high degree of repeatability in terms of recovering oocytes from live animals. In Study 1, the quantity and quality of oocytes from Bulgarian Murrah buffalo cows (n=10) of varying ages (Group 1, 8-12; and Group 2, 13-17 years) were assessed. Group 1 buffalo donor cows yielded significantly higher (P<0.05) number of oocytes vs Group 2 buffalo donor cows (71 vs 29 oocytes, respectively), though in terms of oocyte quality, no difference was observed. In Study 2, oocytes collected (n=100) in Study 1 were matured, fertilized in vitro and the resulting zygotes were cultured which developed to blastocyst stage embryos. The maturation, fertilization and blastocyst development rates obtained were 53.0%, 40.0% and 32.5%, respectively. In Study 3, the viability of resulting blastocyst stage embryos was determined by transferring to recipient cows. Of 10 recipients 1 got pregnant and delivered a 35 kg male calf after 310 days gestation period. Overall, the results of the studies conducted demonstrated the potential of TUFA technology in the in vitro production of embryos which eventually could be used in the production of live.

193-198

Authors: Roshan Babu Ojha, Shree Chand Shah, Keshab Raj Pande, Durga Datta Dhakal

Two experiments were carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with six treatments (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Mg FYM ha-1) replicated four times at the horticultural farm, IAAS, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal in winter (Oct-Jan) and spring (Feb-May) seasons to quantify optimum dose of organic manure (FYM) to maintain earthworm population and enhance soil properties. In each treatment 100 earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were inoculated within one square meter of each plot. Porosity in the first season was significantly higher than the control treatment (0 Mg FYM ha-1). In the second season it remained unaffected but in increasing trend. In the second season the highest porosity (40.75 ± 1.57%) was obtained from 50 Mg FYM ha-1. The highest bulk density (1.553 ± 0.017 Mg m-3) in the second season was observed from the control treatment but it was in decreasing trend with increasing doses of FYM. There was no significant effect of FYM on pH in the either season. The highest OM (3.87 ± 0.22%) was observed from 50 Mg FYM ha-1 which was similar to 30 and 40 Mg FYM ha-1 in first season. Similarly, in the second season, increasing doses of FYM increased the OM and the highest OM (3.83 ± 0.19%) was from 50 Mg FYM ha-1 which did not differ from 40 Mg FYM ha-1. As anticipated, the lowest OM 2.425 ± 0.224% and 2.275 ± 0.1968% were from control treatments of the first and second seasons, respectively. As the doses of FYM were increased, earthworm populations were also increased significantly in the both seasons. Earthworm numbers from 50 Mg FYM ha-1 were significantly higher than the 20, 30 and 40 Mg FYM ha-1 in both seasons. The highest numbers 887 ± 12.84 and 976 ± 20.30 of earthworm per square meter were recorded from 50 Mg FYM ha-1 in the both seasons, respectively. Thus, the application of 30 Mg FYM ha-1 is optimum for both the seasons to improve soil properties and to maintain earthworm population in the agricultural field. Also, this research indicated a possibility for earthworm inoculation in the field to enhance soil fertility for sustainable agriculture in the western Chitwan, Nepal.

206-210

Authors: Jyoti Choudhary, S.N. Singh, Sunita Singh

Physico chemical and biological parameters of the three rural pond of Sasaram,Bihar has been studied to see the present condition for its better utilization. The study revealed that parameters are within permissible limit for fish culture and the stocking should be done as per the productivity of the water. As per the BOD estimation the ponds falls under moderately polluted category.

217-221

Authors: J. M. Jacob, M. T. Olaleye, J. A. O. Olugbuyiro

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The dry leaf of Alchornea cordifolia (AC) is used, in traditional medicine in the S Nigeria, for the preparation of blood tonic, remedies for urinary, respiratory, liver and gas intestinal disorders. Aim of the study: This study investigated the protective property of AC leaf against liver damage in animals with a view to exploring its use for the treatment of hepatotoxicity in humans. Material and methods: Ethanol extract of A. cordifolia was used to study the hepatoprotective activity in acetaminophen-induced Albino rats (150-200g). Animals in Group 1 served as vehicle control, Group 2 served as hepatotoxin (Acetaminophen 2g/kg treated) group, Groups 3 and 4 served as positive control (Vitamin E and Curcumin 100 mg/kg bw respectively) groups, and Groups 5-8 served as (200-500mg/kg bw) AC leaf extract treated groups while Group 9 served as normal group (AC extract only 300 mg/kg bw). Results: The hepatotoxic group showed hepatocytic necrosis, cellular infiltration and inflammation in the liver. The treatment group restored the liver cells to their normal lobular architecture in a dose dependent manner. The protection offered by the plant extract compared well with the standard antioxidant agents (Curcumin and Vitamin E). Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins were detected in the phytochemical screening. Conclusion: Our findings suggest Alchornea cordifolia ethanol leaf extract as promising herpatoprotective herb and give credence to the folkloric use of this plant for the treatment of liver problems.