SATL based lesson for teaching metabolism in biochemistry

The implementation of teaching through SATL method is being suggested to be preferred to discuss the content of metabolism in an effective and meaningful way. It provides a better understanding of the metabolic reactions, their importance in the regulation of body’s function and in understanding the associated diseases of improper metabolic reaction. This teaching technique will open new thinking approach and develop interest in students rather being getting confused and wary of learning. Teaching through connectivity will present the basic concepts in a cognitive way and students will be able to correlate it to the issues and clarify them at a glance

Teaching Undergraduates Students through Connectivity: Part 3

Teaching in a classroom becomes pointless, if it is unable to induce creativity among students. The scenario for teaching and learning methods is changing at a fast pace to ensure quality education. Connectivity approach for teaching and learning is one of such steps that concept building exercise becomes easier for teachers and helps students to assimilate ideas, normally considered to be difficult. In this model lesson, we have tried to build an understanding of various applications of Grignard reagent in synthetic organic chemistry

Random mutagenesis to enhance the toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensisCcry proteins against Earias vittella (F.)

Insecticidal proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely utilized in a variety of insect control applications, including sprays and transgenic crops. The development of resistance in pests, on the other hand, can lessen the effectiveness of Bt toxins. In this study, we made efforts to enhance the toxicity of two cry proteins Cry1Ac and Cry2Aa through random mutagenesis against cotton bollworm (Earias vitella), one of the most destructive cotton pests in Pakistan. Random mutagenesis is an important tool for elucidating protein structure-function relationships and for modifying proteins to enhance or change their characteristics. We focused on whole cry proteins for random mutagenesis through error-prone PCR and constructed a recombinant library of cry proteins. Sequence analysis of eight mutants showed the mutations of 34 different nucleotides in Cry1Ac and Cry2Aa genes. All mutants were spared for toxicity bioassays against 2nd instar larvae of spotted bollworm. Cry1Ac mutant RM1AcM4 (D242E) and Cry2Aa mutants RM2AaM2 (T354A, T492R, F511L, G585E, D606Y) showed enhanced toxicity as compared to proteins without mutation. These two mutants comprise the mutations in domain-II of cry proteins important in specificity determining regions on midgut receptors in insect pests

A Comparative Assessment of Nanotoxicity Induced by Metal (Silver, Nickel) and Metal Oxide (Cobalt, Chromium) Nanoparticles in <i>Labeo rohita</i>

In the present in vivo study, we provide a comparison of toxicological consequences induced by four different types of spherical nanoparticles (NPs)&#8212;silver nanoparticles (AgNPs, 40 &#177; 6 nm), nickel (NiNPs, 43 &#177; 6 nm), cobalt oxide (Co3O4NPs, 60 &#177; 6 nm), and chromium oxide (Cr3O4NPs, 50 &#177; 5 nm)&#8212;on freshwater fish Labeo rohita. Fish were exposed to NPs (25 mg/L) for 21 days. We observed a NPs type-dependent toxicity in fish. An altered behavior showing signs of stress and a substantial reduction in total leukocyte count was noticed in all NP-treated groups. A low total erythrocyte count in all NP-treated fish except for Co3O4NPs was discerned while a low survival rate in the case of Cr3O4NP-treated fish was observed. A significant decrease in growth and hemoglobin were noticed in NiNP- and Cr3O4NP-treated fish. A considerable total protein elevation was detected in NiNP-, Co3O4NP-, and Cr3O4NP-treated groups. An upgrading in albumin level was witnessed in Co3O4NP- and Cr3O4NP-treated groups while a high level of globulin was noted in NiNP- and Co3O4NP-exposed groups. In all NP-treated groups, a depleted activity of antioxidative enzymes and pathological lesions in liver and kidney were noticed

Assessment of Dietary Supplementation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Probiotic on Growth Performance and Disease Resistance in Oreochromis niloticus

Probiotics play a significant role in aquaculture by improving the growth, health, and survival rate of fish against pathogenic organisms. In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of a Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) probiotic on growth performance and disease resistance in Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus) fingerlings. Four different concentrations of L. rhamnosus (T1: 0.5 x 10(10), T2: 1 x 10(10), T3: 1.5 x 10(10), and T4: 2 x 10(10) CFU/kg feed) were administered to fish over a period of three months. L. rhamnosus treated fish revealed a high growth increment as compared to the control, and the values of macromolecules (amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates) varied significantly among the treated and control groups. Levels of thyroid hormones were noted to be high in the probiotic-treated groups. A challenge assay was performed with Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila). The optimum calculated concentration of probiotics from the growth assay (1.5 x 10(10) CFU/kg feed) was used for the challenge assay. Fish were divided into four groups as follows: control (Con), probiotic-treated (PL), infected (I), and infected + probiotic-treated (I + PL) groups. Significant variations in hematological parameters were observed among control and treated groups. Histopathological changes were recorded in infected fish, while the infected + probiotic-treated group showed less deformations indicating the positive effect of the probiotic supplementation. The survival rate of fish was also better in the probiotic-treated group. Based on these findings, we conclude that probiotic supplementation enhances the growth and improves immunity of O. niloticus. Therefore, we propose that probiotics can be used as promising feed supplements for promoting fish production and disease resistance in aquaculture