Management of Bacterial Wilt of Tomato Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al Using Biological Control Agents

Biological control agents, Glomus mosseae IIHR, Bacillus subtilis IIHR-1, Pseudomonas fluorescens IIHR+3, Trichoderma harzianum IIHR P1 and T. viride IIHR P22 were evaluated against tomato wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in pathogen-infested plots during 2003-2004. Microbial preparations were applied either as transplant root dips or root dip plus soil drench 30 days after transplanting. Per cent survivability increased with the use of all biological control agents tested. However, G. mosseae treated plants resulted in better survival (25.75 and 28.79% in root dip alone and 60 and 66.67% in root dip plus drench against untreated control 0 and 1.5% during 2003 and 2004 respectively), compared to the rest of the treatments, suggesting G. mosseae amendment to pathogen-infested soil would result in substantially higher plant survival against the untreated controls

Characterization of ribonucleases and ribonuclease inhibitor in subcellular fractions from rat adrenals

1. The presence of two RNA-degrading enzymes, one with optimum activity at pH 5·6 (acid ribonuclease) and the other with optimum activity at pH 7·8 (alkaline ribonuclease), in rat adrenals has been demonstrated. The acid ribonuclease was localized in the mitochondrial fraction whereas the alkaline ribonuclease was present in mitochondria as well as in the supernatant fraction. Freezing and thawing of mitochondria and treatment with Triton X-100 gave a three- to four-fold increase in acid-ribonuclease activity, whereas the mitochondrial alkaline-ribonuclease activity was practically unaffected. 2. The amount of free ribonuclease in the adrenal supernatant was small. Treatment of the supernatant fraction with N-ethylmaleimide resulted in release of large amounts of ribonuclease activity, indicating the presence of a ribonuclease inhibitor having reactive thiol groups. 3. Considerable amounts of free ribonuclease inhibitor in excess over the bound alkaline ribonuclease are present in the rat-adrenal supernatant fraction. The inhibitor is heat-labile and non-diffusible. A 400-500-fold purification of the ribonuclease inhibitor was achieved by ammonium sulphate fractionation, treatment with calcium phosphate gel and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. It is concluded that the adrenal inhibitor is protein in nature, similar to the inhibitor present in rat liver

Anti-inflammatory activity and identification of two ‘Sarpagan’ indole alkaloids from the leaf methanolic extract of Rauvolfia densiflora (Wall.) Benth. ex Hook. f.

The Apocynaceae plant group contains many bioactive compounds that are pharmacologically relevant and are used as potential medicine for many diseases. Rauvolfia densiflora Benth. ex Hook.f. (syn- Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill.) coming under the same family known for its diverse medicinal properties. The current study was carried out to evaluate the bioactive compounds present in the extract using GC-MS analysis and to find out the anti-inflammatory potential of the extract using in-vitro methods. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 16 bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological activities. Among them, Oleic Acid, 17-hydroxy-, methyl ester, trans-decahydroquinoline, and Spiro-(1,3-dioxolane-2, 3’-indolin]-2’-one possesses more important properties. Two important sarpagan indole alkaloids were also identified namely Sarpagan-16-carboxylic acid or (Z) Akuammidine and sarpagan-17-ol or Vellosiminol, which are pharmacologically important compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic activities. The in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity was carried out using the COX assay. COX assay showed 55.27% inhibition at a concentration of 200 μg/mL with an IC50 value of 155.38 μg/mL, this is an indication that the methanolic leaf extract R. densiflora has the potential to be developed as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)

Knowledge, attitude and perception on the adoption of evidence-based practice among practitioners of general dentistry

Evidence based dentistry (EBD) is the “conscientious, explicit and judicious use of the best evidence in making decisions about care of individual patients”, as defined by the American Dental Association. Bridging clinical expertise and patient values, it involves the systematic assessment of scientific evidence, linking it to a patient’s medical condition and with a scientifically backed framework, the dentist begins to treat the patient. Its basis lies in choosing the right type of evidence which could be highly patient subjective. The present study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and perception prevalent among currently practicing dentists regarding EBD and their willingness to incorporate it into their practice. The study was a survey conducted using an online questionnaire on Google forms, with specifically framed, about 16 questions, that would elicit the current status of EBD among Dental UG students, interns and practising dentists. The responses obtained were statistically analysed using SPSS v26 (IBM.inc.,USA). From the responses, it can be observed that there is only a vague awareness on EBD and a satisfactory level of willingness to incorporate it into one’s practice, given that constraints in doing so are addressed. The study was handy in inferring the current status of EBD among today’s practitioners and would be useful in devising ways of overcoming any limitations in incorporating the same into routine clinical practice

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERISATION AND APPLICATION OF PHENOL-FORMALDEHYDE RESIN BLENDED WITH SULPHONATED PHYLLANTHUS EMBLICA, LINN., CARBON

Phenol – Formaldehyde Resin (PFR) is blended with Sulphonated Phyllanthus emblica, Linn., Carbon (SPEC) in various proportions by weight percentage (0-50%w/w). A few composite cation-exchangers were prepared by varying the amount of SPEC (a source of cheap and renevable plant material) in the blends from 10 to 50% (w/w). Reaction conditions for the preparation of blends were optimised. IR spectra, TGA traces, and SEM photos were taken for the characterization of  resins. Physico-chemical, properties of the composite resins have been determined. The composites are insoluble in various solvents and reagents and stable towards heat.   Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the composite resins, decreased with the increasing percentage of SPEC in the blend. Thermodynamic equilibrium constants (lnK) are calculated for H+ - Zn2+ exchanges on the resins having a different amount of SPEC. Thermodynamic parameters are also calculated and suitable explanations are given. The composites up to 20% (w/w) blending retains all the essential properties of the original PFR, since the Phyllanthus emblica, Linn., is the low cost, freely available plant material. Therefore, the composites could be used as low cost ion-exchangers, when SPEC partly replaces the original PFR up to 20% (w/w) blending without affecting the properties of PFR