INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES

849-863

Authors: Alemat Embaye Ali Mohammed Kiros Meles

A study was conducted to investigate the influence of tuber size, storage time and storage environment on storage losses and seed tuber quality of selected potato cultivars under diffused light storage (DLS) structures in 2012/2013 in Tigray region, North Ethiopia. The treatments consisted of three environments, three potato cultivars and four tuber size categories arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data pertaining to postharvest and sprouting characteristics were recorded for 28 weeks at monthly interval. Gudene and Jalene cultivars recorded more number of sprouts per tuber at Felegeweyni storage environment. In contrast Gera cultivar recorded few numbers of sprouts until week 28. All cultivars exhibited minimum physiological weight loss percentage and tuber decay at Felegeweyni storage environment. With increasing storage time, number of sprouts, percentage of physiological weight loss and decay of tubers increased. At Felegeweyni storage environment, large tuber size categories of all three potato cultivars had more number of sprouts per tuber, reduced tuber decay and lowest percentage of weight loss than in the other two storage environments. It is therefore recommended that for a sustainable quality seed supply, medium and large tuber size categories of potato should be stored at the cool highland environments.

871-876

Authors: Teka Solomon and Atzeb Hailu

An experiment on evaluating the performance of food barley genotypes for food quality and yield related traits were carried out at Atsbi , Dugua Tembien and Gulomekeda in Tigray Region. The objectives of the study was to evaluate the yield and yield related performance of different food barley genotypes under different locations .The experiment was conducted Alpha lattice design with three replications. The trial was conducted two growing seasons (2013-2014) Performances of thirty two food barley genotypes with standard and local check (ERETH07-79, Demhay, ISEBON-60#1, ISEBON-71, ERETH07-66#1, ERETH07-69#1, ERETH07-85#1, ERETH07-65#1, ERETH07-84, Tselim Ekli#1, ISEBON-91#1, ERETH07-80#2, ERETH07-78, ERETH07-78, ERETH07-39#1, ERETH07-47#1, ERETH07-68#1, ERETH07-90, Abay#1, ERETH07-59#1, ISEBON-50#1, ERETH07-11#1, ERETH07-49#1, ERETH07-51, ERETH07-51#1, Eritrea07-78, ERETH07-80#3, ISEBON-89, Eritrea07-71, ERETH07-80, Sae’sae (local check), Fetina and Dafo(standard check)) were evaluated. The combined analysis of variance showed that there were significant variations among genotypes, environments and their interaction. Based on grain yield, ERETH07-51 (1.74 t/ha) and ERETH07-80 #3(1.72 t/ha) had scored the highest yield, while the local check yielded the least (1.43t/ha). With respect to the multivariate stability parameters, the different models identified the stability performance of the genotypes. Based on the overall rank sum of stability parameters, the lines, ERETH07-80#2, ERETH07-80#3 and ERETH07-51#1 were the most stable varieties, while ERETH07-47#1and ERETH07-65#1 the least stable once. Since the tested varieties had shown differential yield responses across the environments, it is concluded that varietal recommendation should be based not only on overall mean yield, but also on their stability performance

885-894

Authors: Rawal Jyoti, Sharma Rekha and Sharma Priyal

Cancer is a deadly disease in humans and arises from uncontrolled cell division. Cancer are broadly therefore, categorized into two types: primary cancers (in the organ or tissue where cancer originated) and secondary cancers (metastatic tumor). In 1990, the first breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 was identified on chromosome 17q12-21 by linkage analysis of multiple families affected by early onset breast and ovarian cancer. BRCA1 is large spread over 80 kb genomic DNA composed of 24 exons, 22 codings and 2 non-coding exons that are transcribed into a 7.8 kb mRNA encodes a protein containing 1863 amino acids. The approximate molecular mass of the BRAC1 protein is 220 kDa. The BRCA1 gene bears no homology with other genes, with the exception of a RING finger motif at the amino-terminal end. In other proteins such a motif has been shown to interact with nucleic acids and to from protein complexes, suggesting a role of BRCA1 in transcription. Nuclear localization sequence in exon 11, and a conserved acidic carboxy terminus, the BRCT (BRCA1 carboxyl terminal) domain. Till date, more than 800 different mutations mostly frame shift mutations in the BRCA1 gene have been reported. BRCA1 gene contains N-terminal RING finger domain and two C-terminal BRCT (BRCA1-C-Terminal) domain, both involved in protein-protein interactions. Exon 11 of BRCA1 gene contains over 60% of protein and encodes two putative localization signals, also contain a domain that interacts with RAD51, a homology of E. Coli rec. a involved in DNA damage repair. BRACA1 was associated and co-purified with RNA polymerase complex, and interacts with RNA helicase in a transcription Germline mutation in BRCA1 has been detected in approximately 80-90% of familial breast/ovarian cancer and about 45-50% of familial breast cancer alone.

905-910

Authors: Shivangi Mishra, Adesh Kumar, Ankit Sinha, Daya Shanker Sharma and Amita Kanaujia

The Globally Endangered Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus congregates in the areas which are away from human disturbances, where food availability is high and roosting substrates are present. There are three subspecies of Egyptian Vultures in the world. Out of three subspecies two subspecies are present in India. Present study discusses the population status of both the subspecies at their congregation sites in district Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, India. Adults of both subspecies of the Egyptian vulture were studied and compared for their population from January 2014 to December 2017. Direct observations were made to get an idea of the number. Vultures were counted using the Total count method. Maximum number of individuals was counted in 2017 and the site with the highest congregation was identified. Population of Neophron p. percnopterus (338.5±86.2) was around double than the population of Neophron p. ginginianus (168.2 ± 45.8). Adult individuals were considered. They were either Sunbathing, dustbathing or simply roosting on the trees and ground. To avoid negative effects on the population of the Egyptian Vultures, we strongly recommend that the site sheltering the highest number of individuals should be considered as the Important Roost site and there should be safe food availability for them in the form of ‘Vulture Restaurants’ to conserve them from further decline.

919-926

Authors: Indira Priyadarshini U, Vanitha B, Ch.Prashanth, Sridevi T, Priyanka P, P Pranay Krishna, SAA Latheef and Reddy PP

The present study aims to investigate the possible association of detoxifying gene polymorphisms with DNA damage in steel industry workers. 150 steel industry workers and 146 control subjects with no history of occupational exposure to steel dust or any other chemicals were recruited for the study. DNA damage was evaluated using simple and reliable alkaline comet assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes of male steel industry workers. Analysis of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms was done by multiplex PCR method. The results showed an increase in the frequency of DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the steel industry workers compared to the control subjects. The statistical analysis of the results showed that significant DNA damage was observed in both genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 but the frequency was found to be lower in steel industry workers with wild GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes than in those with null genotypes. The findings in this study presented evidence for the DNA damage highlighting an increased genotoxic risk as a result of exposure to dust in steel industry workers. The study also presented evidence for an association of both null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1polymorphisms with DNA damage indicating the influence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms on this biomarker.

948-956

Authors: Tumane PM, Sarkar Sanchari, Wasnik DD & Kolte NA

Fruit waste has become one of the main sources of municipal solid wastes, which have been an increasingly tough environmental issue. Vinegar is very important food preservative in food industry. The vinegar can be obtained various raw materials such as various fruits and fruit peels. The present study investigates production of vinegar from pineapple peels using Acetobacter species isolated from soil sample and its antibacterial activity. Acetobacter spp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated from soil samples. Identification was done by performing morphological, biochemical and cultural characteristics of bacteria and fungi. Firstly, wine was produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, confirmed by performing CO2 production and Iodoform test. The wine produced was now inoculated with Acetobacter spp. and it is incubated for 11 days for aerobic fermentation at 370C it was calculated that 4.60% of vinegar was produced. The antibacterial activity of vinegar was tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella paratyphi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results of antibacterial activity of vinegar against Escherichia coli -16mm, Staphylococcus aureus - 20mm, Salmonella paratyphi -19mm and Pseudomonas aeruginosa - 19mm. Subsequent upon this research, materials like pineapple peel considered generally as waste can be bio converted into important value-added materials thus aiding environmental safety.

968-972

Authors: Annapurneshwari H and Deepika BS

Western ghat is one of the centre of high biodiversity and renowned for its unique species including insects. The diversity of beetles is very wide ranging, they are found in almost all types of habitat. The present study focuses on the diversity of beetles in different agro ecosystem in Chikkamagaluru. The present survey was conducted for the period of five months from July to November 2015...Efforts were made to study the diversity of beetles in and around chikkamagaluru, in three different habitats such as coffee, Pepper and coconut plantations. During the present survey, total 18species of beetles belonging to 7 families Viz., Carabidae, Cerambycidae, Chrysomelidae, Coccinellidae, Curculionidae, Meloidae, and Scarabaeidae were recorded. The highest diversity was represented in the family Scarbaeidae with 8 species, followed by Chrysomelidae with 3 beetle species and family Carabidae and Meloidae with 2 species and family Cerambycidae, Coccinellidae and Curculionidae, representing one species each respectively. Myllocerus viridians are causing considerable defoliation of herbs, shrubs and trees. Holotrichia serrata causes a serious damage to the sugarcane and ground nut crops. Mylabris pustulata the young ones are beneficial to crops by suppressing other plant feeder which may serves as a biological control of other pest.

978-983

Authors: Raj Shikha and Jha AK

To know the effect of different concentrations of ash of Parthenium hysterophorus L. in the soil properties, the experiment was conducted. The treatments were control condition and amendment of soil with 1%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% ash of Parthenium. Seeds of Cajanus cajan were used to evaluate the effect of ash concentrations on germination and growth. The data collected on some selected properties of soil indicated that pH values in 1% and 5% treatments decreased whereas in higher concentrations increased compared to control condition. The values for organic matter (%), organic carbon (%), N (%) and K (%) increased in all treatments. However, values for P (%) and EC (%) decreased in 1% and 5% treatments; and increased in higher concentrations. Micronutrients, such as Zn (%), Mn (%) and Cu (%) increased in all treatments however, Fe (%) decreased in 1%, 5% and 10% treatments. The most striking feature was maximum increase in K, Zn and Mn contents compared to control condition.

991-997

Authors: D Sai Vinathi, V Sridevi, DC Reddy, V Kalarani

Over exploitation, habitat modification, pollution load and introduction of exotic species affect fish genetic diversity directly or indirectly. Excessive mortality of fishes due to any of these factors lead to species reduction of population size or extinction. Hence conservation of aquatic genetic resources is essential to maintain ecological as well as socioeconomic equilibrium. Ex situ strategies like cloning of fish gametes and embryos are proven globally important. In conventional methods, production of androgenetic clones was done using X­ rays or γ­ rays followed by subjecting the eggs to thermal/ hydrostatic/ pressure shock for diploidization after monospermic activation. Due to two subsequent treatments of radiation and shock, the survival rates of putative androgenotes are presumed to be very low. The present study is carried out to assess the survival and ploidy condition of diploid androgenetic progeny of zebrafish, Danio frankei, produced through dispermic fertilization. Poor survival rates of hatchlings produced through fertilization of genome inactivated eggs with monosperms compared to the survival ability of hatchlings produced through fertilizing genome inactivated eggs with disperms was discussed. This study clearly showed that the use of combination of Poly Ethylene glycol (PEG) and Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is more effective than any single agent to form viable disperms that can induce fertilization of genome­ inactivated eggs similar to the effect shown by normal eggs.

1002-1006

Authors: Tamloorkar HL

In the last 20 years, molecular technique based on 16S rRNA gene and other genetic markers have been developed for bacteriological and analysis of lakes, soil. PCR based pathogen detection resolved some of the problems encountered using conventional methods. PCR has a detection limit of <10 copies of specific gene present in mixed sample. PCR reaction are designed to either amplify a single product or to use several primer pairs as part of multiplex PCR.

1011-1014

Authors: Pawar SK

The present study was conducted to assess the Physico-chemical Parameters of Karadkhed dam water of Deglur Taluka in Nanded district Maharashtra, India, during the year June 2016 to May 2017. Analysis was performed on 03 different parameters. The monthly Variation in the physical and chemical parameters such as Dissolved oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, were investigated. All the parameter was beyond on the permissible limits. Aquatic ecosystem monitoring has been carried out in India based on either chemical or biological analysis. The result revealed that there was significant seasonal variations in some physico-chemical parameters and most of the parameters were in the normal range and indicated better qualify of dam water.