Pattern of changes in the amino acid levels in silk gland of silkworm, Bombyx mori L.treated with Indole-3-acetic acid ( IAA)

The administration of IAA on the total proteins, protease activity, free amino acids, alanine amino transferase (ALAT) activity and aspartate amino transferase (AAT) activity were studied. The increase of total protein content in silk gland may be either due to increased efflux or decreased proteolysis activity which might lead to accumulation of protein content. The decrease in protease activity level in silk gland may be due to lower rate of histolysis. The decrease in the free amino acid content indicates the faster mobilization of free amino acids into oxidative metabolism in the presence of IAA. The ALAT and AAT activity levels were elevated after treatment indicating the active involvement in the protein synthesis

Biofuels – An Eco-Friendly Energy Source

Biofuels are liquids that derive from bio mass, both from plant materials and animal fat. Biofuels are products that can be processed in to liquid fuels for either transport or heating purposes. The most popular forms of biofuel are bioethanol, biodiesel and methanol. Bio ethanol is an alcohol derived from sugar or starch crops by fermentation. A second generation of bio ethanol-lignocelluloses includes a range of forestry products such as forestry coppices and energy grasses. Bio ethanol can be used in pure from or blended with gasoline. Bio ethanol is produced from agricultural products including starchy and cereal crops such as sugarcane, corn, beets, wheat and sorghum. Bio diesel is derived from vegetable oils by reaction of the oil with methanol. A second generation of bio diesel technologies synthesizes diesel fuel from wood and straw to a gasification stage. Biodiesel can be used in pure form or blended with automotive diesel. Biodiesel is made from oil or tree seeds such as rapeseed, sunflower, soya, palm, Pongamapinnata, Andiroba(Carporaguianensis), Babassu(Orbigniasp), barley, Camelina(Camelina sativa) coconut(copra), Jatropha curcas, Cumary (Dipterus odorata),groundnut, mustard, peanut, fishoil, and animal fat. Biodiesel derived from green algae and cyanobacteria biomass has the potential for high volume and cost effective production. It is carbon neutral. In recent years, bioenergy has drawn attention as a sustainable energy resource that may help cope with rising energy prices, but also provides income to poor farmers and rural communities around the globe. Developing countries with tropical climate have a comparative advantage in growing energy with biomass. Advantages of using bio fuel are renewable fuel, low toxicity, biodegradable, lower emissions of contaminants, lower health risk, no sulfur dioxide emissions and higher flash point and also decreases the country’s dependence on imported petroleum. Biofuels represent important opportunities and challenges for sustainable development, both globally and domestically. Bio fuels can help to tackle climate change and improve rural employment and livelihood. Their reduced carbon emissions compared to conventional fuels and their positive impacts on rural development, together with the current high oil prices are key elements behind their market development. Thus bio diesel is a potential replacement for petroleum based liquid fuels. Biomass for fuel production is gaining importance in terms of its productivity, practicality and innovative potential to create a cost competitive, environment friendly and renewable source of liquid fuel

Nature of offences for Wildlife Conservation in India

The conservation of wildlife is a global priority with the survival of wildlife species largely dependent on habitats beyond political boundaries. India being situated in the tropical region harbors rich biodiversity with just 2% of the world's land area. India has a rich heritage of wildlife as well as a long history and tradition of conservation. India is home to a number of rare and threatened animal species, wildlife management in the country is essential to preserve these species. Indian mythology is equally profuse in references to our regard and love for wild animals. Different animals were associated with different Gods and were thus provided with religious sanctity and ensured conservation. In 1972, India enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard crucial habitat; further federal protections were promulgated in the 1980s. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted for protection of plants and animal species. The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants. It extends to the whole of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir which has its own wildlife act. The main causes of extinction of wild lives are poaching. Enumerable animals and birds are hunted for meat, skin, ivory, horns etc. ruthlessly. Hence, National Wildlife Action Plan has been adopted in 1983 for wildlife conservation. Many sanctuaries and National Parks have been established for the protection of dwindling wildlife. Numerous wildlife conservation projects have been undertaken in India, both at the government at the individual level, to protect the rich wildlife of the subcontinent. Wildlife conservation involves both protection and scientific management of wild species and their environment. Some species have become extinct due to natural causes, but the greatest danger to wildlife results from the activities of man. There is a threat to wildlife and it requires attention to save the country from losing its green heritage. Conservation of wild animals is the social responsibility of every citizen of Indian in addition to that of the Government

Effect of Cobalt Chloride on the Amino Acid Levels in Silk Gland of Silkworm, Bombyx mori L

The effect of cobalt on the total proteins, protease activity, free amino acids, alanine amino transferase (ALAT) activity and aspartate amino transferase (AAT) activity were studied. The increase of total protein content in silk gland may be either due to increased efflux or decreased proteolysis activity which might lead to accumulation of protein content. The decrease of protease activity level in silk gland may be due to lower rate of histolysis. The free amino acids showed a decrease in the silk gland of cobalt chloride treated larvae which indicates the faster mobilization of free amino acids into oxidative metabolism in the presence of cobalt chloride. The ALAT and AAT activity levels were elevated after cobalt chloride treatment indicating the active involvement in the protein synthesis. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.15079

The Effect of Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) on the Activity Levels of Dehydrogenases in the Silkgland of Silkworm, Bombyx Mori L

The effect of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH),lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), iso-citrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) were studied The stimulation of G-6-PDH activity in the silk gland of experimental larva indicates increased oxidation of glucose resulting in higher levels of NADPH. Increased G-6-PDH activity in the present study suggests this as compensatory mechanism to maintain the structural complexity, functional integrity and metabolic centrality of the cells The activity of LDH, ICDH, MDH and SDH were increased in the silk gland of IAA treated larvae. The increased activity of the dehydrogenases may be attributed to increased turnover of aminoacids and oxidative metabolism in the silk gland. The activity level of GDH was increased in silk gland which indicates the increased oxidation of glutamate

Studies on the effects of mutagens on cytotoxicity behaviour in Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp) Var.CO-7.

The cytological studies provide more information regarding the response of a genotype to the particular mutagen and also provide chances to select desirable characters. The seeds of pigeon pea were subjected to different doses and concentrations of gamma rays and ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS). The effects of different mutagenic treatments on mitosis chromosomal behavior have been studied in both the mutagens. Different types of mitotic aberrations like stickiness, precocious movement, bridge, clumping of chromosome and laggards, etc., were observed in all the treatments. However, the gamma rays treatments proved to be more effective in inducing mitotic aberrations as compared to EMS. The frequency of laggard was high when compared to other mitotic aberrations. The reduction in mitotic index and relative deviation rate frequency were observed with increase in doses and conc. of both the mutagenic treatments and gamma rays were found to be more effective than EMS treatments

Induced mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency studies on Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp).

The present investigation was carried out to study mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays and EMS treatments in Pigeon pea (Cajanus  cajan (L.) Millsp) Var CO-7. The relative effectiveness and efficiency of the both mutagen used was assessed from the data on biological damage in M1 generation and frequency of chlorophyll and viable mutants in M2 generation. The spectrum of chlorophyll mutants such as xantha, albino, chlorina and viridis, viable mutants like tall, dwarf, early flower, early maturity, late maturity, bushy, high yield and seed mutants were observed in both the mutagenic treatments.  Among the chlorophyll mutants xantha was found more in number. The mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency were found to be higher at 20KR of gamma irradiation and 25mM of EMS. The mutation rate of gamma rays was higher in terms of effectiveness than that of EMS. More number of chlorophyll and viable mutants was induced in gamma rays treatment when compared EMS treatment

A study on awareness of pharmacoeconomics among post graduates in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Pharmacoeconomics identifies, measures, and compares the costs and consequences of drug therapy to healthcare systems and society. At present health care cost is increasing day by day. Especially poor and middle class people unable to bear the cost of medical expenses. This is the doctor responsibility to balance both cost and quality of treatment.Methods :  For this study 100 postgraduates of various departments were enrolled in Sri Venkateswara Medical College. We gave a questionnaire on pharmacoeconomics which contains four parts. This questionnaire describes awareness, knowledge, application and students’ attitude about pharmacoeconomics.Results: The willingness to participate in the study among postgraduates was extremely poor. Only 30% of post graduates have awareness of pharmacoeconomics. 28% of postgraduate students were having Knowledge on pharmacoeconomics and 16% on application of pharmacoeconomics.65% of postgraduates showed interest to know about pharmacoeconomics. 55% of postgraduates felt pharmacoeconomics should include in postgraduate curriculum. 75% of postgraduates wanted to conduct continuous medical education on pharmacoeconomics. Only 11% showed self interest in learning pharmacoeconomics. 21% of postgraduates agreed that need a specialization degree for pharmacoeconomics.Conclusion: By conducting this study we concluded that postgraduates have extremely poor awareness and knowledge. They don’t know the importance of pharmacoeconomics. Right from their medical education it’s necessary to include in MBBS curriculum, conducting CME and work shop on pharmacoeconomics will enhance their interest and application of pharmacoeconomics in their medical practices.