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Nepeta cataria L., commonly known as catmint or catnip, belongs to the family “Lamiaceae” and is indigenous to Europe and Asia. The essential oil of this species is known for the richness and diversity of nepetalactones (NPL) which are used as mosquito/insect repellents in perfumery and cosmetic industries. Reports on Indian catmint germplasm are very meager and warrants exploration of its commercial potential as a natural, non-toxic source of insect repellents. With this objective, commercial open-pollinated seeds of catmint collected from its native, temperate habitat in Himalayas were introduced in the tropical plains. Subsequent to adaptation to a new zone we were able to isolate nineteen individual plants based on plant growth. Hydrodistillation of the fresh herb yielded essential oil in the range of 0.01% to 0.2%. Gas Chromatography (GC) and GC-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of the oil revealed the dominance of monoterpene hydrocarbon, namely, 4aα,7α,7aα NPL (1) isomer (84%). The other two isomers of nepetalactone, 4aα,7α,7aβ NPL (2) and 4aα,7β,7aα NPL (3) were also present, although in very less amounts (1.0% and 1.6%, respectively). Sesquiterpenes identified were α-humulene (traces), (E)-caryophyllene (0.6%) and caryophyllene oxide (1.7%). We compared the identified Indian catmint chemotype with the other oils from temperate, sub-tropical and tropical locations based on literature search. The Indian chemotype was found to be similar to the oils from Burundi, France, Turkey, UK and USA, mainly due to more accumulation of 4aα,7α,7aα NPL (1) isomer. These oils grouped together in Principal Component Analysis. Breeding lines are presently being developed to improve yield related traits in this plant. Multidisciplinary R&D efforts along with setting up industry related guidelines are required to successfully commercialize catmint cultivation. Several species of Nepeta genus have high nepetalactone content too and their potential as a commercial source of these isomers still needs to be explored.

Background and objective Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease that affects millions of people worldwide and can cause dire effects in immunocompromised, HIV/AIDS patients and younger children. Cryptosporidium species are causative agents for cryptosporidiosis. The presently available chemotherapeutic options are not fully effective in curbing the menace of disease in all patients. The deprived experimental traceability of the pathogen, lack of a suitable in-vivo model are few factors that hindered the development of reliable chemotherapeutic options despite continuous efforts. The underway COVID-19 pandemic widens this gap as most of the scientific resources and researches shifted priority. The genome sequencing of the Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) has discovered many new targets, such as Inosine 5′-Monophosphate Dehydrogenase (IMPDH), Lactate Dehydrogenase and many more. The parasite uses the host adenosine pool to synthesize guanine nucleotide in a streamlined pathway, where IMPDH catalyzes the first rate-limiting step. The present study aims to discover new anti-cryptosporidial agents that work against the IMPDH of the parasite. Methodology and results In this study, The PharmaGist ( https://bioinfo3d.cs.tau.ac.il/PharmaGist/ ) tool was deployed for the pharmacophore model generation employing previously reported Cryptosporidium parvum IMPDH (CpIMPDH) inhibitors having IC50 values ranging from 0.009 μM to 0.028 μM. The model having the highest scores was used as a 3D query for high throughput screening of the Zinc database via ZINC pharmer ( http://zincpharmer.csb.pitt.edu/ ) tool. The screened 'hits' were further subjected to molecular docking in the active site of CpIMPDH (PDB ID: 4IXH ), Lipinski's rule of 5, and SwissADME ( http://www.swissadme.ch/ ) filter. Finally, the best three 'hits' or proposed leads (ZINC09672610, ZINC16511373, and ZINC39780256) docked CpIMPDH were further subjected to 50 ns molecular dynamic simulation (MDL) analysis for stability analysis. Conclusion and significance The ZINC09672610 and ZINC39780256 compounds show excellent in-silico inhibitory efficacy against CpIMPDH. These compounds were used as a starting point for the discovery and development of new anti-cryptosporidial compounds. Future anti-cryptosporidial agents could be designed by utilizing these three molecules.

The demand for variations in ornamental plants is always on high for the development of different types of color and other morphological changes etc. In this context, the mutation is a very much helpful and promising approach among the floriculturists and very well recognized for the development of novel varieties. Most of the researchers used the micropropagation techniques for large scale propagation of ornamental plants. Micropropagation not only enhances the rate of propagation but also produce true to type plants in a relatively short time and space. In this study, we use a combination of mutation and micropropagation strategies in Gerbera jamesonii plant.

Small round blue cell tumor is a very common diagnostic finding after intraoperative diagnostic procedures such as squash cytology or frozen section. After proper biopsy techniques, histopathological diagnosis and immunohistochemistry confirmation, diagnosis of Esthesioneuroblastoma is established. Due to its aggressiveness and high recurrence rate, it is mandatory to diagnose this tumor as soon as possible. In our three year study period, only 3 cases of Esthesioneuroblastoma were reported in which extensive Immunohistochemistry panel played an important role to differentiate it from others and come to a conclusive diagnosis. These cases were first diagnosed through squash cytology as a small round blue cell and later confirmed as Esthesioneuroblastoma by histopathology and immunohistochemistry with synaptophysin, chromogranin, CD 56, CD 99. MIB-1 played an important role to grade the tumor according to Hyam’s histological grading.

Canna (Canna indica L.) is an ornamental landscape plant used specially for the garden borders and beds. It grows in tropical and subtropical countries including India. Canna is a less explored crop, mainly because it is a slow growing monocot with extremely hard seed coat and difficult to establish in vitro, as bacterial contamination is carried through the soil-grown rhizome. Many cultivars (ca. 150) of canna are being maintained in the garden germplasm of National Botanical Research Institute. To obtain 100% in vitro seed germination, chipping off of seeds with a sterilized nail clipper and soaking for 24–48 h or until radical emergence was a prerequisite. To obtain a foolproof tissue culture protocol of canna, in the present study, shoot multiplication was obtained through rhizome axillary buds. Among semisolid, liquid submerged and liquid media with glass beads, the highest multiplication of shoots (10) was obtained in liquid media with glass beads in ‘Canna Flaccida’ cv. within 6 weeks of culture incubation. During a comparative analysis of shoot regeneration among ten most attractive selected cultivars of canna, two did not respond, whereas a significant difference was obtained among eight cultivars. The regenerated shoots were rooted, acclimatized, and transferred to the pots, where they grew normally.

An intracellular protozoan parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis in humans. In immunocompetent host, its infection is generally self-limiting gastroenteritis however for immunocompromised host (HIV/ AIDS patients) such infection can results in life-threatening diarrheal disease. The deliberate release of infective oocysts to contaminate water supplies placed Cryptosporidium a suitable agents for bio-terrorism. The only licensed drug, nitazoxanide is available to treat human cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent patients but for young children and immunocompromised patients no therapy is available. In present study, we have selected Inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) for treating Cryptosporidium infection. Cryptosporidium gene for IMPDH is totally different from mammalian because during course of evolution parasite obtained it from bacteria through lateral gene transfer. Small molecules that can inhibit the reaction catalysed by CpIMPDH would be better alternatives for treating cryptosporidiosis. The three dimensional structural coordinates of CpIMPDH protein retrieved from PDB database, has been subjected to virtual screening analysis against PubChem database to retrieve the ligands having high affinity towards CpIMPDH. Further molecular docking analysis was performed by using Autodock 4.0 after selecting ligands via SwissADME. Compounds having estimated free energy of binding from −6.44 kcal/mol to −6.12 kcal/mol were screened out as lead compounds. The lead molecules found have fulfilled ADME properties and were assumed to be potential anti-crytosporidial drug. This study would be a way to identify new therapeutics for cryptosporidium infection.

Background: This study was done to know the distribution and frequencies of blood groups among blood donors attending voluntary blood donation camps organized by the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, Jharkhand so that demand and supply ratio of the four blood groups can be maintained so that no patient dies due to lack of a particular blood group. Context: Up till now about 400 red cells antigen have been identified. The majority follow Mendelian inheritance. The ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood group system are most important for blood transfusion purposes, parental testing, legal medicine, and in population genetic study. Aims: This study was conducted to determine and compare the frequency and distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups among voluntary blood donors attending blood donation camps in Jharkhand organized by RIMS. The aim is to know the demand and supply ratio of a particular blood group in light of their distribution in the society so that no patient dies due to the deficient supply of blood. Settings and Design: It is a retrospective study carried out at blood bank. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted at Blood bank, RIMS, Ranchi, Jharkhand, over a period of 4 years from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2015. Blood group of the blood donors was determined by commercially available standard monoclonal antisera by test tube agglutination technique accompanied by reverse grouping. Results: Out of 20,455 subjects, 18,717 (91.73%) were male and 1738 (8.27%) were female subjects. The ABO blood group present was B (35.15%) followed by O (34.73%), A (22.09%), and AB (8.03%) in blood donors while in Rh system, (96.46%) donors were Rh +ve and (3.54%) donors were Rh −ve. The study has a significant implication regarding the inventory management of blood bank and transfusion services for the indoor patients of RIMS and for emergency supply to other hospitals of Jharkhand in dire need of blood. Conclusions: The knowledge of distribution of blood group is very important for blood banks and transfusion services which play an important role in the patient's health care. This study will also throw light on the reasons of deficiency of a particular group in a particular area so that deficient group donors may be encouraged to donate more frequently.

Context: Apparently healthy blood donors might carry out transfusion transmitted infections which might be fatal for the donor himself as well as the recipient later on.Aim: To assess the seroprevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI) among apparently healthy blood donors in Ranchi, India.Methods and Materials: All blood samples were screened for HIV-I and II, HBsAg, HCV (by using third generation enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay technique), Syphilis (by Rapid Plasma Reagin Kit), and Malaria antigen both for plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium vivax (by One step, rapid, immunochromatographic test).Result: On screening of 106,306 blood units for TTIs, 1,462 (1.37 %) donors were found positive for one of the TTIs. Highest prevalence was for HBV (970 donors - 0.91%) ranging from 0.73% to 1.19%. This was followed by Malaria (272 donors - 0.25%) ranging from 0.08% to 0.48%, HCV (127 donors - 0.11%) ranging from 0.04% to 0.25%, HIV (72 donors - 0.06%) ranging from 0.03% to 0.10%, and syphilis (21 donors 0.01%) ranging from 0.00% to 0.09%.Conclusions: Apparently healthy blood donors are not omitted from the danger of transfusion-transmitted infection.

PHOSPHORUS deficiency in general is known to cause accumulation of soluble nitrogenous compounds, the amino-acids and amides, but reports of the changes in individual amino-acids and amides have been relatively recent and few1–4. Arginine has been shown to accumulate in Linum1, asparagine, arginine and glutamine in alfa alfa2, isoleucine, glutamine and proline in turnips3. These results suggested that the accumulation of soluble nitrogenous products under phosphorus deficiency might differ according to the genetic behaviour of the plant. Mostly the analyses have been confined to the leaves; changes in the composition of soluble products in stem and roots, under deficiency, have not received attention.

DURING the course of an investigation on the disposition of xylem in the rachises of cycads, I came across a peculiar abnormality in Cycas revoluta Thunb. In some female specimens, several leaves possessed a subsidiary rachis which bore subsidiary pinnae in a spiral fashion. This was noted in several successive whorls.