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Ashwagandha, also known as Indian winter cherry, belonging to the Withania Somnifera Linn. (Solanaceae) family, (commonly available as Churna). Africa, the Mediterranean, and India are all home to this species. It is 30-50cm high and mainly found in the drier parts of India. Since it raises haemoglobin (red blood count) and hair melanin. Withania Somnifera is known as "Rasayana," which means "strong rejuvenator" in Ayurvedic jargon. In ethnomedicine, it is a well-known health food and herbal tonic that is used to treat cardiovascular diseases. It can be used as a single herb or as part of polyherbal or herbo-mineral formulations for humans. It is traditionally used to treat various diseases such as inflammation, asthma, dyspepsia, hypertension, rheumatism, tumor, anxiety, hemopoietic, antimicrobial, depression, immunomodulation, antiulcer, hepatoprotective activities, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, rejuvenating properties and syphilis. It has wide variety of chemical constituents such as withanoloides, flavonoid, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, steroids have been studied. Despite the fact that previous review articles on this plant have been written, this review article is provided to bring together all of the most recent knowledge on its phytochemical and pharmacological activities.

To cater to the needs of energy sustainability and conservation, reuse of decomposed leaves from trees could reap benefits to biosynthesize nanoparticles that might play a very significant role in the convective performance of nanofluids. Azadirachta indica (neem) possesses capping and reducing agents can assist in fluid stability besides providing good thermal transport behavior in nanofluids. Hence, the synthesis of neem-assisted zinc oxide (ZnOneem) nanoparticles aids in evaluating the role of neem in the thermo-hydraulic behavior as nanofluids. The synthesized particles were 36 nm in size as per the Debye Scherrer relation. Nanofluid samples under particle volume concentrations, ϕ (%) of 0.05, 0.2, and 0.6 with ethylene glycol:water (50:50) as base fluid, were prepared. The optimized stability without surfactants was retrieved by stirring and sonicating at different periods. Convective experiments were done by pumping the fluid turbulently (Re=5000 to 10000) through a circular tube with twisted tape inserts (twist ratio, Y=6, 8, and 10) annexed within it. It was evident that the highest performance evaluation factor (PEF) for ZnOneem was 1.385 while the ZnOpure was 1.289. Though the trade-off existed between the convective performance and frictional drag with ϕ =0.05% ZnOpure nanofluid, it did not exist in the case of ZnOneem nanofluid.

The present study explored the assessment of the antidiabetic potential of Tinospora cordifolia & Juglans regia composite extract in STZ induced diabetes in wistar rats. As streptozotocin -associated infiltrations of increase glucose level has been reported to be responsible for diabetes. We evaluated the glucose lowering potential of Tinospora cordifolia & Juglans regia on the basis of its anti-diabetic property. Rats were administered streptozotocin (55 mg/kg i.p., once) with nicotinamide (120mg/kg) to induce experimental toxicity. The development of diabetes was assessed biochemically as well as histologically 72 hours after induction of diabetes. Body weight and blood glucose levels were determined in (0, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th) days. Serum lipid profile and enzyme estimated, (kidney, liver, pancreas) tissue was measured at the end of the experimental period. Treatment with composite extracts TCAE high dose (350 gm/kg b.w.) & JRAE high dose (800 mg/kg b.w.) and TCHE high dose (350 gm/kg b.w.) & JRHE high dose (800 mg/kg b.w.) were noted to be more effective against the streptozotocin- induced toxicity as compared to Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg b.w.). it may be concluded that streptozotocin-induced glucose may be accountable for the induction of diabetes toxicity in rats. Interestingly, improvement in body weight, glucose level, lipid profiles, biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in kidney, liver and pancreas was observed following herbal treatment in STZ induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, composite extract of TCAE (350mg/kg b.w.) & JRAE (800mg/kg b.w.) was found to be efficacious than the composite extract of TCHE (350mg/kg b.w.) & JRHE (800mg/kg b.w.).

We aimed to evaluate the effect of anti-diabetic activity of Terminalia arjuna, and Syzygium cumini extracts in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in Wistar rats. STZ (55mg/kg) followed by nicotinamide (100mg/kg) was given to rats by intraperitoneal route to induce diabetes. Oral administration of alcoholic and hydro-alcoholic extracts of T. arjuna (TAAE) (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg), S. cumini (SCAE) (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) and their composite extract were given to rats along with standard anti-diabetic drug Glibenclamide (5mg/kg). We evaluated body weight, glucose level, lipid profile and biochemical parameters in STZ induced diabetic rats. Also, histopathological studied were done in liver, kidney and pancreatic tissues of rats. Our finding revealed that TAAE and TAHE at 250mg/kg b.w. and 500mg/kg b.w., SCAE and SCHE at 400mg/kg b.w. and combination of TAAE (250mg/kg b.w.)+SCAE (400mg/kg b.w.) had a positive effect in lowering the blood glucose level and body weight on 28th day as compared to the initial observation on 0th day and also restored all the biochemical parameters such as LDL, VLDL, triglycerides and total Cholesterol and HDL towards the normal levels as well as histopathological improvement in Kidney, Liver and Pancreas. Data analysis showed that composite extract of TAAE (250mg/kg) and SCAE (400mg/kg ) improved diabetic consequences more effectively than composite extract of TAHE (500mg/kg) and SCHE (400mg/kg). TAAE and SCHE, in combination, demonstrate as a potential therapeutic agent against diabetes.

Justicia gendarussa Burm .f. (family Acanthaceae) which is also known as willow-leaves and commonly known as Nili-Nirgundi, it is very commonly found nearby to China and its availability is very common in larger parts of India and Andaman islands. Traditionally it is used to treat various sorts of disorders such as wound healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antiproliferative, anti-arthritic etc. Justicia gendarussa is one of the crucial herbs which has been used in the Ayurveda. Majorly leaves parts of the plant shows the pharmacological activity but the root of the plant Justicia gendarussa is also have the important medicinal values. A large variety of pharmacologically active constituents i.e., alkaloids, flavonoids, saponin, carbohydrates, steroids, triterpenoids, carotenoids, aminoacids, tannins, phenolics, coumarines and anthaquinones are also present in this plant and they makes the plant pharmacologically important. The activity of the plant is also dependent on the solvent which is used for the extraction the various vital chemical constituents. The different- different parts of the plants having the different medicinal values also differ in the chemical values. This review is not only focused on the essential phytochemical constituents which is available in the plant but it also explains their necessary medicinal value to shows the essential biological action and phytopharmacological actions of various parts of the plant.

We provide a novel single restriction enzyme (RE) (BsaHI) digestion approach for detecting distinct pathotypes of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). After scanning 4000 F gene nucleotide sequences in the NCBI database, a single RE (BsaHI) digesting site was discovered in the cleavage site. APMV-I “F gene” Class II specific primer-based reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was utilized to amplify a 535 bp fragment, which was then digested with a single RE (BsaHI) for pathotyping avian NDV field isolates and pigeon paramyxovirus-1 isolates. The avirulent (lentogenic and mesogenic strains) produce 189 and 346 bp fragments, respectively, but the result in velogenic strains remains undigested with 535 bp fragments. In addition, 45 field NDV isolates and 8 vaccine strains were used to confirm the approach. The sequence-based analysis also agrees with the data obtained utilizing the single RE (BsaHI) digestion approach. The proposed technique had the potential to distinguish between avirulent and virulent strains in a short space of time, making it valuable in NDV surveillance and monitoring research.

A total of 281 fresh fecal samples (65 sheeps and 216 goats) were examined for the presence of Cyclospora species in Tamil Nadu from October 2017 to April 2018. All the faecal samples were examined by direct smear method, saturated sucrose floatation technique and modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining method and it was confirmed—at genus level with PCR technique. Overall prevalence of Cyclospora infection in—small ruminant was 2.14%. The prevalence of Cyclospora species in sheep and goat was 3.08 and 1.85% respectively. Cyclospora oocyst was observed mostly during winter season (Dec–Feb) with 7.14% followed by summer (March and April) and Northeast mansoon (October and November) with 1.67 and 1.66% respectively. The oocyst detected from faecal sample through conventional faecal examination was confirmed by PCR.

A total of 35 ticks were collected from a dead Bison at Gudalur, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India. The ticks were morphologically identified as Amblyomma integrum and Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides....

A pathobiological study was conducted using Vibrio parahaemolyticus ( V P ) strain isolated from vibriosis affected shrimp ( Penaeus vannamei ) farms in Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu during August 2014 to February 2015. The isolate was identified based on the morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characters. LD 50 value with intramuscular injection was determined as 2.6 × 10 4 cfu/shrimp and sequential pathology was studied giving 6.1 × 10 3 cfu/shrimp (LD 25 ). Total plate count (TPC) and total Vibrio count (TVC) in water, pond sediment, haemolymph, muscle, HP and gut were found significantly (P P. vannamei . Major histopathological manifestations observed were haemocyte infiltration/nodule in the epidermis, skeletal and cardiac muscles, atrophy of the excretory organ, and disrupted HP tubules with diffuse interstitial edema and haemocytic infiltration. Further HP showed that there was thickening of intertubular space, karyomegaly with prominent nucleoli, rounding and sloughing of HP tubular epithelium, many mitotic figures with bacterial colonies and apoptotic bodies, separation of shrunken tubule epithelium from myoepithelial fibers, regeneration of tubules, cystic, dilated and vacuolated appearance of HP tubules, hypoplastic changes in the tubules with no B, R and F cells, granuloma formation, concretions in tubules, calcification, necrosis, and washed out appearance with complete loss of architecture. The progression of the degenerative changes in the HP tubular epithelial cells was from proximal to distal end. In haematopoietic organ, increased mitotic activities with focal to extensive depletion and degeneration were observed. Degeneration of the stromal matrix with spheroid formation in lymphoid organ was observed among the Vp infected natural and experimental animals. Degeneration of glandular structures in the prehensile appendages with bacterial colonies, melanization and loss of epithelial layer in oesophagus, swelling and loss of architecture with mucinous secretion in the stomach, degeneration of peritrophic membrane in the lumen of intestine were observed in field cases but not in the experimental studies. Further, this study established the pathobiology of the Vp isolate to P. vannamei .

XRN4, the plant cytoplasmic homolog of yeast and metazoan XRN1, catalyzes exoribonucleolytic degradation of uncapped mRNAs from the 5′ end. Most studies of cytoplasmic XRN substrates have focused on polyadenylated transcripts, although many substrates are likely first deadenylated. Here, we report the global investigation of XRN4 substrates in both polyadenylated and nonpolyadenylated RNA to better understand the impact of the enzyme in Arabidopsis. RNA degradome analysis demonstrated that xrn4 mutants overaccumulate many more decapped deadenylated intermediates than those that are polyadenylated. Among these XRN4 substrates that have 5′ ends precisely at cap sites, those associated with photosynthesis, nitrogen responses and auxin responses were enriched. Moreover, xrn4 was found to be defective in the dark stress response and lateral root growth during N resupply, demonstrating that XRN4 is required during both processes. XRN4 also contributes to nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) and xrn4 accumulates 3′ fragments of select NMD targets, despite the lack of the metazoan endoribonuclease SMG6 in plants. Beyond demonstrating that XRN4 is a major player in multiple decay pathways, this study identified intriguing molecular impacts of the enzyme, including those that led to new insights about mRNA decay and discovery of functional contributions at the whole-plant level.

Sarcoptes scabiei are burrowing mites which causes major constraints in rabbit production. Eighty-eight rabbits were examined for mange infestation at University Research Farm, Tamil Nadu. Overall incidence of mange infestation in rabbit was 23.6 %. On microscopical examination, the mite was identified as Sacoptes scabiei var cuniculi. Among the breeds, Soviet Chinchilla were found to be infested more (57.14 %) followed by New Zealand White (28.57 %) and White Giant (28.57 %). Among the age groups, adults (33.33 %) were heavily infested than the grower (21.88 %) whereas, suckling had no infestation of mange. Among the sex, males (21.95 %) were heavily infested than the females (14.89 %). Lesions were mostly found on the edges of ear, nose, face and legs and characterized by loss of hair, thickening of the skin, irregular dried dirty encrusted scabs with erythema and disfigurement of face and ear.

The prevalence of tick infestation and their predilection sites on sheep, goat, horse and wild hare were studied at various places of Tamil Nadu, India. The prevalence of tick infestation in Madras red sheep, Tellicherry goat and horse was 77.11, 78.21 and 13.33%, respectively. Sheep were heavily infested with Haemaphysalis bispinosa followed by Hyalomma isaaci, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and H. anatolicum. The ticks from goats were identified as H. bispinosa, R. haemaphysaloides, H. isaaci and R. sanguineus. Horses were infested with Otobus megnini and R. sanguineus. The ticks on wild hare (Lepus nigricollis) were identified as R. haemaphysaloides and H. bispinosa. Wild hare acts as a source of infestation to the sheep and goats since these animals shared the same field.

A total 1862 goats from 12 stall fed goat farms under slatted floor system were examined for the presence flea infestation in six districts of Tamil Nadu. Overall prevalence of flea infestation on goat was 30.79% of which, 72.73 and 27.27% were Ctenocephalides orientis and C. felis respectively. Out of these 12 farms, heavy flea infestation was noticed on goats which were reared on slatted floor with dung on floor, where as the goats that were reared on the clean shed (without dung on the floor) were free from flea infestation. In human beings first time flea bite exposure showed erythematous patches and partially healed erythematous patch with irregular crusts. Efficacy of flumethrin (pour-on) and deltamethrin (dipping) was carried out in 30 kids. Of these, deltamethrin controlled the flea within a day after application whereas, flumethrin controlled the flea after 2–3 days of application.

Phosphate (Pi), an essential macronutrient required for growth and development of plants, is often limiting in soils. Pi deficiency modulates the expression of Pi starvation-responsive (PSR) genes including transcription factors (TFs). Here, we elucidated the role of the MYB-related TF HYPERSENSITIVITY TO LOW PHOSPHATE-ELICITED PRIMARY ROOT SHORTENING1 HOMOLOG2 (HHO2, At1g68670) in regulating Pi acquisition and signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana HHO2 was specifically and significantly induced in different tissues in response to Pi deprivation. Transgenic seedlings expressing 35S::GFP::HHO2 confirmed the localization of HHO2 to the nucleus. Knockout mutants of HHO2 showed significant reduction in number and length of first- and higher-order lateral roots and Pi content of different tissues compared with the wild-type irrespective of the Pi regime. In contrast, HHO2-overexpressing lines exhibited augmented lateral root development, enhanced Pi uptake rate and higher Pi content in leaf compared with the wild-type. Expression levels of PSR genes involved in Pi sensing and signaling in mutants and overexpressors were differentially regulated as compared with the wild-type. Attenuation in the expression of HHO2 in the phr1 mutant suggested a likely influence of PHR1 in HHO2-mediated regulation of a subset of traits governing Pi homeostasis.

Melioidosis is an uncommon tropical infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Neurological complications of melioidosis are extremely uncommon in infants. A 10-month-old girl is described who presented with disseminated melioidosis with subcutaneous nodules, arthritis, hepatomegaly and a lung cavity, and developed a left medial rectus palsy. Cranial MRI demonstrated mid-brain, pontine and basal ganglia micro-abscesses. Therapy with meropenem and cotrimoxazole led to resolution of the medial nerve palsy. At 5-month follow-up, the child had no residual neurological deficits.

Prevalence of Vibrio spp. with special reference to Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) infection was assessed in Penaeus vannamei farms in Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu during the period August 2014 to February 2015. Isolation and identification of bacteria from haemolymph, stomach and hepatopancreas of P. vannamei was done from all the farms for the prevalence of Vp infection. Based on the morphological, physiological and biochemical characterisation, 74 isolates were identified as Vp (35.14%), V. harveyi (21.62%), V. anguillarum (16.22%), V. campbellii (10.81%), V. mimicus (8.11%), V. alginolyticus (5.41%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.7%). The PCR results showed that there were 26 (35.14%) isolates positive for Vp specific toxR and tlh genes and negative for human pathogenic tdh and trh genes. All isolates were also negative for acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) specific AP1, AP2, AP3 ( pirAvp ) and AP4 ( pirAvp and pirBvp ) genes. The study revealed that there was no AHPND causing Vp strain in farmed P. vannamei from two important coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, India.

Thirteen human beings were infested with ticks at Sandynallah and Gudalur of the Nilgiris district and Mottur Suruvakkam of Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu from January 2016 to December 2016. The collected ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Otobius megnini and Hyalomma isaaci. The tick infestation was observed more on the persons working with animals (sheep and goats) than those working in tea estate. The person infested with R. haemaphysaloides revealed erythematous papule (2 mm size) and inflammatory lesion up to 16 days whereas, the people infested with H. isaaci showed continuous itching and irritation for > 6 months and wound formation (0.5 cm) at the biting site. The people infested with O. megnini showed irritation, vomiting sensation and fever.

Phosphate (Pi) deficiency triggers local Pi sensing-mediated inhibition of primary root growth and development of root hairs in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Generation of activation-tagged T-DNA insertion pools of Arabidopsis expressing the luciferase gene (LUC) under high-affinity Pi transporter (Pht1;4) promoter, is an efficient approach for inducing genetic variations that are amenable for visual screening of aberrations in Pi deficiency responses. Putative mutants showing altered LUC expression during Pi deficiency were identified and screened for impairment in local Pi deficiency-mediated inhibition of primary root growth. An isolated mutant was analyzed for growth response, effects of Pi deprivation on Pi content, primary root growth, root hair development, and relative expression levels of Pi starvation-responsive (PSR) genes, and those implicated in starch metabolism and Fe and Zn homeostasis. Pi deprived local phosphate sensing impaired (lpsi) mutant showed impaired primary root growth and attenuated root hair development. Although relative expression levels of PSR genes were comparable, there were significant increases in relative expression levels of IRT1, BAM3 and BAM5 in Pi deprived roots of lpsi compared to those of the wild-type. Better understanding of molecular responses of plants to Pi deficiency or excess will help to develop suitable remediation strategies for soils with excess Pi, which has become an environmental concern. Hence, lpsi mutant will serve as a valuable tool in identifying molecular mechanisms governing adaptation of plants to Pi deficiency.

This protocol was developed for isolating high quality genomic DNA from Heterosigma akashiwo for the purpose of Next generation sequencing technologies. We successfully repeated this protocol to obtain genomic DNA.

This protocol isa modifiedversion of the Qiagen RNeasy assay for isolating total RNA from Heterosigma akashiwo.We used this protocol to obtain high quality RNA for downstream analysis such as quantitative PCR.

Coccidiosis, caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria, is one of the major parasitic diseases characterized by subclinical contagious enteritis in domestic and wild animals. A total of 125 tissue samples (Abomasum, small intestine and large intestine) of sheep and goat were collected from slaughter houses in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts and samples from necropsied small ruminants at Department of Veterinary Pathology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The overall prevalence of coccidiosis in single infection in collected samples was 28.57% (10/35). Grossly, the ileum and jejunum infected with coccidia showed oedema, congestion of serosa and mucosa. In few cases, the ileum showed a single white round raised spot. On histopathological examination, infected tissues showed different developmental stages like early, young and mature first generation schizonts with stage of blastophore formation, early stage of compartmentalization, advanced stage of compartmentalization, early and mature second generation schizonts with stage of merozoite formation, macromeronts, micromeronts, mature meronts, microgametocytes, macrogametocytes, microgamonts, macrogamonts and mature oocysts in the intestinal mucosa mainly in the epithelial crypts.

This paper discusses the case report on Mycoplasma infection in cat and its timely diagnosis by blood smear examination and haematology. It also discusses the treatment and response of the cat for the disease. Haemobartonellosis in cats is caused by Mycoplasma haemofelis , formerly known as Haemobartonella felis . An eight months old Persian cat was received in the Small Animal Clinics, Out Patient Ward, Medicine department, Madras Veterinary College with the history to suspect for feline Mycoplasmosis. Peripheral blood smear and whole blood sample was collected and subjected to blood smear examination and whole blood for routine haematological study. It revealed codocytosis, anisocytosis and hypochromasia. Few ghost cells also were seen. Nearly 80–85% of the RBCs revealed darkly stained small organism at the rim or periphery of the cells.

The objective of the present investigation is to evaluate the antimicrobial potency of the terpenoid fractions isolated from Luffa cylindrica seeds against various pathogenic microbes. The seeds were powdered and extracted with methanol in soxhlet appratus based on phytochemical screening. Three terpenoid components were isolated by column chromatography and identified by thin layer chromatography and chemical analysis which were designated as , & respectively. Disc diffusion method was employed to determine the antimicrobial effectiveness of test compounds I, II and III against 6 microbial species viz., Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, Bacillus (B.) subtilis, Escherichia (E.) coli, Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa, Candida (C.) albicans and Aspergillus niger. The disc was saturated with of each compound, allowed to dry and introduced on the upper layer of seeded agar plate. The plates were incubated overnight at . Microbial growth was determined by measuring the zonal inhibition diameters. Compound I showed maximum potency against gram positive S. aureus (21 mm) in comparison with standard ciprofloxacin (38 mm), whereas the same compound was completely devoid of activity against both the fungi tested. Compound II was found to be highly sensitive against both the gram negative E. coli (20 mm) and P. aeruginosa (22 mm). Compound II was found to exhibit maximum potency against the fungi C. albicans (15 mm) and A. niger (20 mm). Compound III was found to be very effective against both the gram positive S. aureus (20 mm) and B. subtilis (15 mm) respectively.

Phosphate (Pi) availability is a major constraint to plant growth. Consequently, plants have evolved complex adaptations to tolerate low Pi conditions. Numerous genes implicated in these adaptations have been identified, but their chromatin-level regulation has not been investigated. The nuclear actin-related protein ARP6 is conserved among all eukaryotes and is an essential component of the SWR1 chromatin remodeling complex, which regulates transcription via deposition of the H2A.Z histone variant into chromatin. Here, we demonstrate that ARP6 is required for proper H2A.Z deposition at a number of Pi starvation response (PSR) genes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The loss of H2A.Z at these target loci results in their derepression in arp6 mutants and correlates with the presence of multiple Pi-starvation-related phenotypes, including shortened primary roots and increases in the number and length of root hairs, as well as increased starch accumulation and phosphatase activity in shoots. Our data suggest a model for chromatin-level control of Pi starvation responses in which ARP6-dependent H2A.Z deposition modulates the transcription of a suite of PSR genes.

Phosphorus availability is limited in many natural ecosystems. Plants adapt to phosphate (Pi) deficiency by complex molecular processes. There is growing evidence suggesting that transcription factors are key components in the regulation of these processes. In this study, we characterized the function of ZAT6 (zinc finger of Arabidopsis 6), a cysteine-2/histidine-2 zinc finger transcription factor that is responsive to Pi stress. ZAT6 is induced during Pi starvation and localizes to the nucleus. While the RNAi suppression of ZAT6 appeared to be lethal, its overexpression affects root development and retards seedling growth as a result of decreased Pi acquisition. The ZAT6 overexpression also resulted in altered root architecture of older plants, with consequent changes in Pi acquisition. These results indicate that ZAT6 regulates root development independent of the Pi status of the plant, thereby influencing Pi acquisition and homeostasis. In addition, the expression of several Pi starvation-responsive genes was decreased in ZAT6 overexpressing plants, thereby confirming the role of ZAT6 in regulating Pi homeostasis. This study thus indicates that ZAT6 is a repressor of primary root growth and regulates Pi homeostasis through the control of root architecture. To our knowledge, ZAT6 is the first cysteine-2/histidine-2 zinc finger transcription factor reported to regulate root development and nutrient stress responses.

The role of glutathione and dithiothreitol as reductants supporting arsenate reductase activity in root extract from the arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata was examined. The two reductants in combination enhanced arsenate reduction in vitro more than glutathione alone. The implications of these results for in vivo arsenate reduction are discussed.

The present research work was planned to study the combination therapy of Centella asiatica and venlafaxine for antidepressant activity. Wistar albino mice of body weight 25-35g were used in the experiment. Depression was induced by Forced swim test (FST) and Tail suspension test (TST). Immobility, swimming and climbing time and locomotor activity were measured in FST and immobility time was measured in TST. Animals treated with venlafaxine (10 mg/kg) & Centella asiatica (100 mg/kg, 200mg/kg) & combination therapy {venlafaxine (10 mg/kg) + Centella asiatica (200mg/kg)} showed amelioration in swimming time and climbing time while immobility time was attenuated as compared to depression control group. Centella asiatica showed attenuation in immobility time in FST and TST. The finding of the present investigation reveals that combination of venlafaxine and had significant antidepressant effect then alone. In conclusion, Centella asiatica could be used along with venlafaxine because of their neuroprotective effect in depression.

Phosphorus (P), an essential macronutrient required for plant growth and development, is often limiting in natural and agro-climatic environments. To cope with heterogeneous or low phosphate (Pi) availability, plants have evolved an array of adaptive responses facilitating optimal acquisition and distribution of Pi. The root system plays a pivotal role in Pi-deficiency-mediated adaptive responses that are regulated by a complex interplay of systemic and local Pi sensing. Cross-talk with sugar, phytohormones, and other nutrient signaling pathways further highlight the intricacies involved in maintaining Pi homeostasis. Transcriptional regulation of Pi-starvation responses is particularly intriguing and involves a host of transcription factors (TFs). Although PHR1 of Arabidopsis is an extensively studied MYB TF regulating subset of Pi-starvation responses, it is not induced during Pi deprivation. Genome-wide analyses of Arabidopsis have shown that low Pi stress triggers spatiotemporal expression of several genes encoding different TFs. Functional characterization of some of these TFs reveals their diverse roles in regulating root system architecture, and acquisition and utilization of Pi. Some of the TFs are also involved in phytohormone-mediated root responses to Pi starvation. The biological roles of these TFs in transcriptional regulation of Pi homeostasis in model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa are presented in this review.

The mobilization of inorganic phosphate (Pi) in planta is a complex process regulated by a number of developmental and environmental cues. Plants possess many Pi transporters that acquire Pi from the rhizosphere and translocate it throughout the plant. A few members of the high-affinity Pht1 family of Pi transporters have been functionally characterized and, for the most part, have been shown to be involved in Pi acquisition. We recently demonstrated that the Arabidopsis Pi transporter, Pht1;5, plays a key role in translocating Pi between tissues. Loss-of-function pht1;5 mutant seedlings accumulated more P in shoots relative to wild type but less in roots. In contrast, overexpression of Pht1;5 resulted in a lower P shoot:root ratio compared with wild type. Also, the rosette leaves of Pht1;5-overexpression plants senesced early and contained less P, whereas reproductive organs accumulated more P than those of wild type. Herein we report the molecular response of disrupting Pht1;5 expression on other factors known to modulate P distribution. The results reveal reciprocal mis-regulation of PHO1, miR399d, and At4 in the pht1;5 mutant and Pht1;5-overexpressor, consistent with the corresponding changes in P distribution in these lines. Together our studies reveal a complex role for Pht1;5 in regulating Pi homeostasis.

Phosphorus (P) remobilization in plants is required for continuous growth and development. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) inorganic phosphate (Pi) transporter Pht1;5 has been implicated in mobilizing stored Pi out of older leaves. In this study, we used a reverse genetics approach to study the role of Pht1;5 in Pi homeostasis. Under low-Pi conditions, Pht1;5 loss of function (pht1;5-1) resulted in reduced P allocation to shoots and elevated transcript levels for several Pi starvation-response genes. Under Pi-replete conditions, pht1;5-1 had higher shoot P content compared with the wild type but had reduced P content in roots. Constitutive overexpression of Pht1;5 had the opposite effect on P distribution: namely, lower P levels in shoots compared with the wild type but higher P content in roots. Pht1;5 overexpression also resulted in altered Pi remobilization, as evidenced by a greater than 2-fold increase in the accumulation of Pi in siliques, premature senescence, and an increase in transcript levels of genes involved in Pi scavenging. Furthermore, Pht1;5 overexpressors exhibited increased root hair formation and reduced primary root growth that could be rescued by the application of silver nitrate (ethylene perception inhibitor) or aminoethoxyvinylglycine (ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor), respectively. Together, these data indicate that Pht1;5 plays a critical role in mobilizing Pi from P source to sink organs in accordance with developmental cues and P status. The study also provides evidence for a link between Pi and ethylene signaling pathways.

Arsenic (As) hyperaccumulating ferns are used to phytoremediate As-contaminated soils, including soils in residential areas. This use may pose a health risk if children were to ingest these plants. Spider brake (Pteris cretica L.) plants were grown in sand spiked with arsenate, to produce tissue As concentrations (2000-4500 mg kg DW(-1)) typical of those observed in plants deployed for As phytoremediation. The fronds were subjected to a physiologically-based extraction test to estimate As bioaccessibility, which ranged from 3.4-20.5%. A scenario for human dietary exposure to As in an urban setting was then estimated for a child consuming 0.25 g DW of tissue. The calculation of dietary exposure took into account the As concentration in the fern pinnae, the bioaccessibility of As in the tissue, and the typical absorption of inorganic As by the gastrointestinal tract. The pinnae As concentrations and the calculated dietary exposures were used to create a non-linear regression model relating tissue As concentration to dietary exposure. Data from a phytoremediation project in a residential area using Pteris cretica and Pteris vittata (L.) were input into this model to project dietary As exposure in a residential phytoremediation setting. These exposures were compared to estimates of dietary As exposure from the consumption of soil. The results showed that dietary exposures to As from consumption of soil or pinnae tissue were similar and that estimates of dietary exposure were below the LOAEL value of 14 microg As kg(-1) d(-1). The results suggest that the hyperaccumulation of As in Pteris ferns during growth in moderately contaminated residential soils (e.g.,or = 100 mg As kg DW(-1)) does not represent an inherent risk or a risk substantially different from that posed by accidental ingestion of contaminated soil.

Acute toxicity testing and the antinociceptive activity in mice of ethanolic extract of Wrightia tomentosa leaves and bark were carried out. The bark extract (400mg/kg) exhibited maximum antinociceptive action after 120 minutes of administration with a value of 14.67 ± 4.17 seconds in comparison with standard aspirin having the reaction time of 8.33 ± 1.72 seconds after 120 minutes. The leaf extract was not as active. Keywords : Wrightia tomentosa , Apocynaceae, Antinociceptive, Toxicity testing Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol. 11 2007 pp. 64-66

An experiment was undertaken on twenty genotypes and fifteen characters of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] to evaluate variability, genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV), heritability and genetic advance in all genotypes. The wide range of variability was observedamong fifteen characters of all genotypes. The (PCV) were generally higher than their respective genotypic coefficient of variance, thus revealing the role of environmental factors. High PCV was exhibited by plant height (14.92 %), first branching node (37.38 %), number of branches per plant (36.06 %), number of seeds per fruit (22.43 %), first fruiting node (19.07 %), first flowering node (18.03 %) and yield (16.65 %) per hectare. High GCV were observed for number of branches per plant (29.80 %), first branching node(29.75 %), number of seeds per fruit(17.30 %), first fruiting node (15.27 %) and plant height (14.51 %). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for plant height (94.0 and 29.05 %), stem diameter (94.0 and 27.81 %), fruit weight (94.0 and 21.64 %), number of branches per plant (68.0 and 50.74) and first branching node (63.0 and 48.76 %).

A recurrent chronic dermatitis over the period of three years in cattle, characterized by erythematous patches in the skin foldings of elbow joint of foreleg, knee joints of hind leg, skin folds of neck region and udder as cuts-intertrigo was reported. Clinical sample from the affected animal, feed sample, fodder sample, bedding material were subjected to the laboratory analysis. The presence of Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp. and Asperigillus sp. of fungus was identified and no bacteria could be isolated in the clinical samples on culture. Physical and chemical estimation of fodder, feed and water was carried out. The condition was clinically diagnosed as chronic mycotic dermatosis induced by Fusarium sporotrichoides was suspected. Susceptibility of Hariana cattle breed for the chronic mycotic dermatoses out of other breeds was more evident from the history of the farm. The advisory and therapeutic measures to curtail the disease condition were formulated and it successfully improved the condition of animals effectively. The regression of the skin lesions and the recovery of the animal health following the advisory measures further supported the diagnosis.

Obtaining the plant drugs for the production of commercial products is the recent research scenario. But still, the role of a plant species in its ecosystem is not much explored. The present study intended to find antibacterial activity of Fabaceae plant species in a tropical freshwater lake against isolated indigenous bacterial species. Results revealed that the fabaceae plants Abrus precatorus, Acacia nilotica, Cajanas cajan, Cassia auriculata, Clitoria ternatia, Crotalaria vergosa, Crotia ternatia, Mimosa pudica, Pongamia pinnata, Sesbania grandiflora, Tephrosia purpuria and Vigna mungo of Vellode lake have potential antibacterial activity against indigenous bacterial isolates from soil and water samples.

The present work was carried out to study the diagnostic potential of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in detection of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) infection in slaughtered pigs of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh during 2005. A total of 1120 pigs were examined for CSF suggestive pathological lesions and tissue samples were tested for CSFV genome by RT-PCR. Out of 1120 cases examined, 110 (9.82%) showed lesions suggestive for CSF. Based on pathological findings, 58.18% (64/110) were categorized as acute, 16.36% (18/110) as chronic and 25.45% (28/110) as inapparent form of CSF. Based on RT-PCR targeting 5’NTR and E2/NS2 region, the prevalence of CSF was found to be 4.82% (54/1120) and 3.83% (43/1120), respectively. RT-PCR thus ensures a sensitive and specific detection of CSFV and hence can be considered as a screening method of choice.

A 4 week old ostrich chick (Struthio camelus) was brought to the Central University Laboratory, a constituent of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University for necropsy examination. The ostrich chick was raised in semi-intensive system and picked up sand and pebbles from the field where the bird was allowed to raise. The affected bird showed gradual anorexia, lethargy, dehydration, weight loss, weakness, sternal recumbency and finally died. Necropsy revealed impaction of gizzard and proventriculus with sand and pebbles. The gizzard was enlarged and had adhesion with the abdominal wall with a focal area of haemorrhage. Peritoneal cavity and pericardium contained serosanguineous fluid. Mucosa of the gizzard revealed ulcers of about 4 to 10 mm diameter size. Microscopically, liver had multifocal areas of sinusoidal congestion. Gizzard mucosa revealed patchy area of haemorrhage and focal ulcers associated with gram positive rods. E. coli was isolated from the microbiological culture of peritoneal fluid.

4-hour in vitro growth curves of a type III group B streptococcus (GBS) and Escherichia coli were examined in sterile term human amniotic fluid specimens. Both bacterial strains proliferated despite ratios of phosphate to elemental zinc in the range reportedly inhibitory for E. coli. After 4 h of incubation, despite comparable inocula, GBS numbers exceeded those of E. coli by 10-fold. The strikingly rapid growth of some GBS strains in amniotic fluid may represent yet another factor responsible for perinatal GBS infection of the human neonate.

Investigations carried out on the relationship of Bittergourd Mosaic virus and its vectors indicated that the pre-acquisition fasting threshold, acquisition threshold and inoculation feeding threshold were 15 minutes, 5 seconds and 60 seconds respectively forMyzus persicae; 15 minutes, 20 seconds and 5 minutes respectively for Aphis gossypii; 30 minutes 30 seconds and 5 minutes respectively for Aphis nerii and Brevicoryne brassicae; 30 minutes, 20 seconds and 5 minutes respectively for A. malvae. The optimum number of viruliferous aphids per plant for transmission was 15 for all the five aphid vectors; increasing the number of aphids above the optimum decreased the percentage of transmission. Persistence of the virus during fasting was 4 hours, 90, 60, 45 and 30 minutes respectively for M. persicae, A. gossypii, A. malvae, B. brassicae and A. nerii while persistence during feeding was 40, 30, 20, 15 and 10 minutes respectively for the same aphid vectors. Though both alate and apterous forms of the vectors transmitted the virus, the apterous forms were more efficient than the alate ones.

Melon Mosaic Virus (MMV) was non-persistent in its three aphid vectors. The pre-acquisition fasting threshold, acquisition threshold and the inoculation feeding threshold were 5 minutes, 10 seconds and 60 seconds respectively forMyzus persicae, 15 minutes, 30 seconds and 3 minutes respectively forAphis gossypii, 60 minutes, 60 seconds and 5 minutes respectively forA. nerii. The optimum number of viruliferous aphids per plant for maximum transmission was 30 in all the vectors. Increasing the number of aphids above this optimum decreased the percentage transmission of the virus. In the case ofMyzus persicae, the reduction in the percentage transmission was conspicuous when 240 aphids per plant were used whereas inA. nerii the decrease was noticed even when 100 aphids per plant were used. The percentage transmission by fasted aphids was more than by the non-fasted ones. Persistance of the virus during fasting was for 90, 45 and 30 minutes respectively inM. persicae, A. gossypii andA. nerii while during feeding it was 30, 15 and 10 minutes respectively. The aphid vectors were ranked in the following descending order of transmission efficiency:Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii andA. nerii. The length of the pre-acquisition fasting period varied inversely as the efficiency. More efficient the vector, shorter was the fasting period. The acquisition threshold and incoulation feeding threshold also varied inversely as the efficiency of the vector. The fall in the efficiency of transmission when the number of aphid vector was increased above the optimum was considered to be due to a salivary inhibitor. Apterous forms of the aphid vectors were more efficient transmitters of the viruses than the alate forms. It was concluded that all aphids have a salivary inactivator, the quantity secreted varied from species to species, the efficiency of transmission being inversely correlated with the quantity of inhibitor secreted.

A virus disease of bittergourd (Momordica charantia L.) was observed around Coimbatore. The virus was transmitted by five species of aphid vectors, viz., Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, A. malvae A. nerii and Brevicoryne brassicae but not by sap or seed. The virus did not pass on to Solanum tuberosum L. and Citrus aurantifolia. The host range of the virus was confined to members of Cucurbitaceae. The virus was tentatively designated as Bittergourd Mosaic Virus.

Formation of C4 dicarboxylic acids in Plasmodium berghei by carbon dioxide fixation reaction has been demonstrated by the use of labeled NaH14CO3. The reactions require glucose, which may be required not only as an energy source but also to contribute to the formation of pyruvate in the process of carbon dioxide fixation. Intracellular concentration of pyruvate may play an important role in the metabolism of P. berghei; an increased intracellular level of pyruvate seems to be a prerequisite before some of these reactions could be detected. The distribution of the label indicates extensive randomization of amino acids and suggests an extensive cycling of the amino acid and organic acid pools of the parasites. This investigation formed part of the thesis submitted in 1965 for the doctoral degree at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 12, India, and was supported in part by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India.

Twenty five crop plants were screened in pots to determine their reaction to the root parasite Orobanche cernua. Among them, tobacco, tomato and brinjal were found susceptible. Sunflower and safflower were found to act as false hosts, allowing the parasite to develop to pin-head sized infections on their roots. Chicory, niger, horsegram, linseed, lucerne, soyabean and chickpea were found to induce germination of Orobanche seed and received infections which died in the filamentous stage, thus behaving as effective trap crops. The remaining thirteen crop plants induced germination to a very limited extent.