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This article presents an empirical study carried out among the students of higher secondary schools to find out how English language learning occurs naturally in an environment where learners are encouraged by an appropriate method such as visual learning. The primary data was collected from 504 students with different pretested questionnaires. A selection of a series of variables is taken into consideration in the survey, which is measured and information of each one is collected to describe what is researched. The results indicate that visual learning is an essential part of the overall experience that the learners gain towards their process of language learning. Also, it constitutes a vital process of "Input and Interaction" for the learner ensuring that his needs, necessities and aspirations are taken into account and by making him involved, produce genuine learning.

The pervasive presence of microplastics within river ecosystems has a profound and often underestimated detrimental impact. These minuscule yet persistent particles have infiltrated diverse biological habitats, making their detrimental effects on aquatic life increasingly concerning worldwide. The ability of microplastics to accumulate within aquatic organisms further exacerbates this concern. Consequently, the monitoring of microplastic pollution in surface water environments has emerged as a crucial endeavour, offering invaluable insights into the extent of this ecological threat. This study delved into the contamination levels of microplastics within two bivalve species, Perna viridis and Villorita cyprinoides, along the Chandragiri River in Kerala and Karnataka, South-West India, spanning eight distinct locations. The investigation yielded a significant discovery, with a total of 667 microplastic particles extracted from 288 individuals. On average, each individual bivalve harboured approximately 2.31 ± 0.93 microplastic items. Notably, these microplastic particles exhibited a wide range of morphological characteristics, underscoring their diverse origins and pathways into the ecosystem. Furthermore, five polymer types of microplastics were unequivocally confirmed through FTIR-ATR analysis, shedding light on the types of plastics that pose a threat to the riverine ecosystem. The findings of this study contribute to a growing body of evidence highlighting the global threat of microplastic pollution, urging international collaboration and innovative solutions to prevent further contamination and remediate existing microplastic burdens in aquatic environments. Highlights: • Microplastic contamination is a major concern in river ecosystems. • Microplastic in two bivalve species were characterized at Chandragiri River India. • The microplastics had diverse shapes and were composed of five different polymers. • This study emphasizes the need to tackle river microplastic pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare eye diseases (REDs) are mostly progressive and are the leading cause of irreversible blindness. The disease onset can vary from early childhood to late adulthood. A high rate of consanguinity contributes to India's predisposition to RED. Most gene variations causing REDs are monogenic and, in some cases, digenic. All three types of Mendelian inheritance have been reported in REDs. Some of the REDs are related to systemic illness with variable phenotypes in affected family members. Approximately, 50% of the children affected by REDs show associated phenotypes at the early stages of the disease. A precise clinical diagnosis becomes challenging due to high clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Technological advances, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), have improved genetic and genomic testing for REDs, thereby aiding in determining the underlying causative gene variants. It is noteworthy that genetic testing together with genetic counseling facilitates a more personalized approach in the accurate diagnosis and management of the disease. In this review, we discuss REDs identified in the Indian population and their underlying genetic etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India accounts for 20% of the global retinoblastoma (RB) burden. However, the existing data on RB1 gene germline mutations and its influence on clinical decisions is minimally explored. Methods: Fifty children with RB underwent complete clinical examination and appropriate multidisciplinary management. Screening of germline RB1 gene mutations was performed through next-generation sequencing and Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) analysis. The mutation and non-mutation groups were compared for clinical parameters especially severity, progression and recurrence. Results: Twenty-nine patients had bilateral RB (BLRB) and 21 had unilateral RB (ULRB). The genetic analysis revealed 20 RB1 variations in 29 probands, inclusive of 3 novel mutations, known 16 mutations and heterozygous whole gene deletions. The mutation detection rate (MDR) was 86.2% in BLRB and 19% in ULRB. Associations of disease recurrence (p = 0.021), progression (p = 0.000) and higher percentage of optic nerve invasion, subretinal seeds and high-risk pathological factors were observed in the mutation group. Clinical management was influenced by the presence of germline mutations, particularly while deciding on enucleation, frequency of periodic follow up and radiotherapy. Conclusions: We identified novel RB1 mutations, and our mutation detection rate was on par with the previous global studies. In our study, genetic results influenced clinical management and we suggest that it should be an essential and integral component of RB-care in India and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Isolation of pure DNA is a significant component for PCR amplification and DNA fingerprinting analysis of plant species. Leaves of wild palms are generally hard, enormously fibrous, and are difficult to grind. The 25 species belong to 9 genera such as Areca (one species), Arenga (one species), Bentickia (one species), Borassus (one species), Calamus (fifteen species), Caryota (one species), Corypha (one species), Phoenix (three species) and Pinanga (one species) of the family Arecaceae and were collected from various parts of Southern India. An experiment was done to isolate the high molecular weight DNA from fibrous young leaves of twenty five wild palm species followed by several modifications in the novel CTAB DNA isolation method. DNA was isolated with slight modification in the CTAB method with liquid nitrogen and the quantification of obtained DNA was measured using a spectrophotometer and 0.8% agarose gel electrophoresis. DNA was further diluted with T10E1 buffer and optimized for ISSR-PCR amplification. Hence, the described protocol has proven to be advantageous due to its simple, efficient, affordable reagents resulting in a high molecular weight DNA of good quality from leaf fibrous tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to describe the phenotype and genotype of two Indian families affected with X-linked choroideremia (CHM).Materials and Methods: In these two families, the affected individuals and unaffected family members underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination including an optical coherence tomography (OCT) and electroretinogram. Blood samples were collected from the families for genetic analysis. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was done using a panel of 184 genes, which covered previously associated genes with retinal dystrophies. Sequencing data were analyzed for the CHM, RPGR, and RP2 genes that have been implicated in CHM and X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP), respectively. The identified variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing in available individuals and unrelated controls.Results: In two unrelated male patients, NGS analysis revealed a previously reported 3'-splice site change c.820-1G>C in the CHM gene in the first family and hemizygous mutation c.653G>C (p.Ser218X) in the second family. The asymptomatic family members were carriers for these mutations. Spectral domain-OCT showed loss of outer retina, preservation of the inner retina, and choroidal thinning in the affected males and retinal pigment epithelial changes in the asymptomatic carriers. The identified mutations were not present in 100 controls of Indian origin. There were no potential mutations found in XLRP-associated (RPGR and RP2) genes.Conclusion: This report describes the genotype and phenotype findings in patients with CHM from India. The identified genetic mutation leads to lack of Rab escort protein-1 (REP-1) or affects the production of a REP-1 protein that is likely to cause retinal abnormalities in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stargardt disease (STGD) is the leading cause of juvenile macular degeneration associated with progressive central vision loss, photophobia, and colour vision abnormalities. In this study, we have described the clinical and genetic features of Stargardt patients from an Indian cohort. The next generation sequencing was carried out in five clinically confirmed unrelated patients and their family members using a gene panel comprising 184 retinal specific genes. Sequencing results were analyzed by read mapping and variant calling in genes of interest, followed by their verification and interpretation. Genetic analysis revealed ABCA4 mutations in all of the five unrelated patients. Among these, four patients were found with compound heterozygous mutations and another one had homozygous mutation. All the affected individuals showed signs and symptoms consistent with the disease phenotype. We report two novel ABCA4 mutations in Indian patients with STGD disease, which expands the existing spectrum of disease-causing variants and the understanding of phenotypic and genotypic correlations. Screening for causative mutations in patients with STGD using panel of targeted gene sequencing by NGS would be a cost effective tool, might be helpful in confirming the precise diagnosis, and contributes towards the genetic counselling of asymptomatic carriers and isolated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In India, indigenous remedies have been used in treatment of sexual dysfunction since the time of Charaka and Sushruta. Plants have been always an exemplary source of drugs and many of the currently available drugs have been derived directly or indirectly from them. An aphrodisiac is defined as an agent that arouses sexual desire. Erectile dysfunction or sexual dysfunction (ED or SD) or male impotence is defined as the inability of a man to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for mutually satisfactory intercourse with his partner. Sexual health and function are important determinants of quality of life. To overcome the problem of male sexual (or) erectile dysfunction, various Indian natural aphrodisiac plants potentials were preferred. The ethnobotanical information reports that about 200 plants possess aphrodisiac potential. Out of several Indian medicinal plants, 33 plants were reviewed. In this review, studies on Indian medicinal plants were reviewed and their possible therapeutic applications were discussed. This review discusses about aphrodisiac potential of Indian medicinal plants, its botanical name, common name, family, extract, models used, part used and references, which are helpful for researchers to develop new herbal aphrodisiac formulations. In the recent years, interest in drugs of plant origin has been progressively increased. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a study on the identification of intragenic FOXL2 mutations in Indian families with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). It is a genetic condition characterized by eyelid malformation. The researchers reported a nonsense mutation in a BPES type I family and a recurrent duplication leading to a polyalanine expression in a BPES type II family. It was found that the genotype-phenotype correlations are in agreement with previous mutation studies in BPES.

Chandamarutha Chenduram (CC), an Indian traditional Siddha preparation officially recorded in the Siddha formulary of India and its composition are widely used in the Siddha practice of neurological disorders like stroke/paralysis in India. However, the scientific validation and mechanistic evidence is lacking and yet to be elucidated. To establish the scientific evidences and to explore the possible neuroprotective mechanism of CC in cerebral ischemia. Chemical standardization of the CC was performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy and gravimetric analysis. Acute toxicity study for CC in mice was performed in accordance with OECD 423 guidelines. CC (5 mg/kg) and CC (10 mg/kg) were investigated in bilateral common carotid occlusion (BCCAo) model in mice. After, behavioral assessments, the brain samples were collected and the hippocampus region was micro-dissected for neurotransmitter, neurobiochemicals and inflammatory cytokines estimation. The excitatory amino acid transporter-2 (EAAT-2) expressions was analyzed by RT-PCR to understand the possible molecular mechanism. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin staining of CA1 hippocampal brain region was performed to support the neuroprotective effect of CC in ischemic condition. Chemical standardization analysis showed that CC has acceptable range of mercury (0.82 ppm) and elemental sulphur (11% w/w). Also, other heavy metal limits were found to be less or not detectable. Toxicity study also evidenced the safety profile of CC. CC has significantly reversed the behavioral dysfunctions (p < 0.001) in global ischemic mice. Treatment with CC has attenuated the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, lipid peroxide, nitric oxide, cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) (p < 0.001) and increased the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH) and EAAT-2 expression level (p < 0.001) in ischemic brain. The hematoxylin and eosin staining in CA1 region of hippocampus also evidence the neuroprotective effect exhibited by CC. Treatment with CC has exhibited dose dependent effect and CC10 has shown significant protective effect in comparison to CC5 in most of the parameters studied. CC prevented further degeneration of neurons in cerebral ischemic mice through ameliorating inflammatory cytokines and oxy-radicals mediated EAAT-2 dysfunction and subsequent excitotoxicity in neurons. [Display omitted] • Chandamarutha chenduram (CC) is an effective Siddha formulation for cerebral ischemia. • CC ameliorated the neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and excitotoxicity in ischemic brain. • CC promotes the glutamate clearance from synapse through restoring the glutamate transporter system in ischemic brain. • CC contains mainly processed and detoxified inorganic elements which are safe for the therapeutic purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]