Fecundity and viability of eggs in wild breeders of spiny lobsters, Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758), Panulirus versicolor (Latrielle, 1804) and Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius, 1798)

Berried lobsters collected from landing centres and lobster holding centres were used for larval rearing of the spiny lobsters, Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758), Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius, 1798) and Panulirus versicolor (Latrielle, 1804). Fecundity of the lobsters used for larval rearing was calculated as the number of eggs deposited on the ovigerous setae on the pleopods. The number of eggs in a single brood ranged from 1,20,544 to 4,49,585 in P. homarus. 5,18,181 to P.ornatus 1,979,522 and that of P. versicolor as 1,70,212 to P.versicolor 7,33,752. The tropical lobsters are reported to and therefore breed two times or more in a year. The absolute (annual) fecundity of these lobsters is expected to be higher. The phyllosoma larvae released, as percentage of fecundity, was maximum in P. homarus 85.7, 49.7 in P. ornatus and 74.0 in P. versicolor. Handling of lobsters at the landing and holding centres and aerial transport resulted in high percentage of eggs in arrested development, complete or partial shedding of eggs and release of weak phyllosoma larvae. Severe bacterial infection leading to complete shedding of eggs was recorded in a few breeders collected from holding centres

A review on CRISPR-Cas9 and its role in cancer immunotherapy

Since the discovery of CRISPR, the field of Molecular Genetics has revolutionized and has opened so many different doors to improve molecular techniques and interpret the early microbial life forms. The diversity found within the CRISPR-Cas systems has led to its application in various fields like diagnostics, medicine and also has given rise to an interesting field of genome engineering. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Emanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna for their work on CRISPR-Cas9 and its application as a genome engineering tool. Scientists have been using the CRISPR-Cas9 system to edit genomes and cure various genetic diseases associated with mutations in the human genome. One such application is the use of CRISPR-Cas9 in cancer immunotherapy. The entire world has been known to be affected by the rapidly dividing cellular disease of cancer. Since cancer cells have different morphology, they are attacked by our immune system. Cancer cells possess the ability to camouflage themselves and avoid these immune responses and thereby proliferate and metastasize to a much greater extent. Scientists have been able to genetically engineer T-cells with the help of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing tool which has shown promising results in the course of immunotherapy. On the 4th of June 2021, in India, the first patient underwent CAR-T Cell therapy setting a milestone for future treatments. In this review, we aim to evaluate the potential and diversity of the profound CRISPR-Cas systems and the application of CRISPR-Cas9 in immunotherapy for refractory cancer. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.552722

Wavelength and intensity dependence of multiple forward scattering at above-threshold ionization in mid-infrared strong laser fields

The nonperturbative role of multiple forward scattering for Coulomb focusing in mid-infrared laser fields and its dependence on a laser intensity and wavelength are investigated for low-energy photoelectrons at above-threshold ionization. We show that high-order rescattering events can have comparable contributions to the Coulomb focusing and the effective number of rescattering depends weakly on laser parameters in the classical regime. However, the relative contribution of the forward scattering to the Coulomb focusing and the Coulomb focusing in total decrease with the rise of the laser intensity and wavelength

Public health interventions for Aedes control in the time of Zikavirus- A metareview on effectiveness of vector control strategies

Background: There is renewed interest in effective control measures to control Zika and dengue vectors. A synthesis of published systematic reviews with a focus on grading of intervention evidence is warranted to determine the reliability of evidence for control strategies. Methodology: We conducted a meta-review (a systematic review of systematic reviews) assessing the effectiveness of any Aedes control measure. We searched Scopus and Medline for relevant reviews through to 11 May 2016. Titles, abstracts and full texts were assessed independently for inclusion by two authors. Data extraction was performed independently in duplicate using a standardised form and validity of the evidence in each review was assessed using GRADE criteria. Findings: 13 eligible systematic reviews that investigated the effect of community interventions on entomological parameters (such as vector density) or disease incidence were included. Quality of evidence was mostly low to very low due to poor reporting of study design, observational methodologies, heterogeneity, and indirect outcomes, hindering an evidence-based recommendation. Biological controls seem to achieve better reduction of entomological indices than chemical controls, while educational campaigns can reduce breeding habitats and interrupt disease transmission cycle. Integrated control strategies may not add efficiency to educational campaigns. Conclusions: Despite decades of Aedes mosquito abatement programmes, mosquito populations are widely established and abundant, and associated with a significant disease burden. The efficiency of any control programme is dependent on local settings and resources. More good quality primary studies for the control of Aedes transmitted diseases are still required

Characteristics and properties of nano-LiCoO2 synthesized by pre-organized single source precursors: Li-ion diffusivity, electrochemistry and biological assessment

Background: LiCoO2 is one of the most used cathode materials in Li-ion batteries. Its conventional synthesis requires high temperature (>800 degrees C) and long heating time (>24 h) to obtain the micronscale rhombohedral layered high-temperature phase of LiCoO2 ( HT-LCO). Nanoscale HT-LCO is of interest to improve the battery performance as the lithium (Li+) ion pathway is expected to be shorter in nanoparticles as compared to micron sized ones. Since batteries typically get recycled, the exposure to nanoparticles during this process needs to be evaluated. Results: Several new single source precursors containing lithium (Li+) and cobalt (Co2+) ions, based on alkoxides and aryloxides have been structurally characterized and were thermally transformed into nanoscale HT-LCO at 450 degrees C within few hours. The size of the nanoparticles depends on the precursor, determining the electrochemical performance. The Li-ion diffusion coefficients of our - LiCoO2 nanoparticles improved at least by a factor of 10 compared to commercial one, while showing good reversibility upon charging and discharging. The hazard of occupational exposure to nanoparticles during battery recycling was investigated with an in vitro multicellular lung model. Conclusions: Our heterobimetallic single source precursors allow to dramatically reduce the production temperature and time for HT-LCO. The obtained nanoparticles of LiCoO2 have faster kinetics for Li+ insertion/extraction compared to microparticles. Overall, nano-sized - LiCoO2 particles indicate a lower cytotoxic and (pro-)inflammogenic potential in vitro compared to their micron-sized counterparts. However, nanoparticles aggregate in air and behave partially like microparticles

Histological alterations of a combination of Chlorpyrifos and Cypermethrin (Nurocombi) insecticide in the fresh water crab, Paratelphusa jacquemontii (Rathbun)

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) and Cypermethrin (CPM) are toxic and subject to long-term in vivo accumulation in different aquatic species throughout the world. The purpose of the present study was to examine the combined CPF/CPM (Nurocombi) exposure on histology in various tissues of Paratelphusa jacquemontii. The crabs were exposed to combined CPF/CPM concentrations of 0.0187 ppm and 0.0374 ppm (sub lethal) for 28 days with parallel untreated control. The experimental gill tissue exhibited epithelial lifting, edema, necrosis, fusion of secondary lamellae and hemorrhage. The deceased hepatopancreas revealed infiltration, formation of large lumen and disappearance of haemocytes. The pathologic symptoms like atrophy, necrosis, wavy appearance, accumulation of granular material in between muscle fibers, fragmentation, loss of muscle structure, appearance of basophilic deposits were displayed in the muscle tissue. The vas deferens showed remarkable epithelial vacuolar degeneration, irregular appearance of spermatophore matrix associated with reduction in the number of spermatophores and dehiscence of most of the spermatophores. It is concluded that histological biomarkers provide reliable and discriminatory data to augment pesticide pollution and therefore, long-term monitoring is necessary to assess the eco-health of the mangrove system

Histopathology biomarker responses in Asian sea bass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch) exposed to copper

Copper is a trace element necessary for the normal growth and metabolism of living organisms. If exceeds its limit it becomes pollutant and causes pathological effects. Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer) was exposed to sublethal concentrations of copper for 28 days and histopathological alterations were noticed in the gill, liver, muscle and intestine. Epithelial necrosis, hypertrophy, rupture of gill epithelium and haemorrhage at primary lamellae were observed after 7 days of exposure. Lifting of epithelium, oedema and fusion of adjacent secondary lamellae were conspicuous at 28 days of exposure. The experimental liver tissue showed reduction in the size of hepatocytes, vacuolisation, and hypertrophy. The intestine displayed fused microvilli, sloughing of mucus membrane and swollen cells. Muscle bundles with severe oedema and their thickening and separation were more pronounced in sublethal treatment of copper in the muscle. Several histopathological changes observed in various fish organs would serve a useful purpose in evaluating the toxic effects of copper. The present study clearly demonstrated that all the treated body organs exhibited significant damage with response; amongst the body organs the liver is an important target organ for copper toxicity in L. calcarifer and this species could be possibly used as a model organism for toxicity studies

Ethnobotany of Irular tribe in Palamalai Hills, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

250-255The present paper highlights the use of plants for various ailments by Irular tribe living in Palamalai Hills. A total of 50 plants species belonging to 47 genera and 31 families used by them as herbal medicines to treat several common diseases such as skin diseases, dysentery, cough and cold, cuts and wounds, etc. were documented. During present study it has been observed that the ethnobotanical systems and herbal medicines as therapeutic agents are of a paramount importance in addressing health problems of traditional communities. The indigenous knowledge available with these people plays an important role in quick and proper identification of natural resources