Long term performance of certain ortets and hybrid clones of Hevea brasiliensis in a high altitude region in Kerala, India

Long term performance of four hybrid Hevea clones and ten ortet selections including nine from a high elevation site within the traditional rubber growing tract of Kerala was studied. Significant variability was observed among the hybrids and ortets for all major agronomic traits. Growth of rubber trees was invariably poor in the high altitude region and tappability by the tenth year of planting was less than 50 per cent. The hybrid clones RRII 203 and RRIC 100 showed highest growth vigour with 80 per cent tappability by the 13th year of planting. Among the ortets, P 270 and Iritty 1 recorded the highest tappability of 64 per cent. The ortet P 270 was the best performer with the highest girth at the opening (61 cm), girth increment during immaturity (5.5 cm) on tapping (3.4 cm) and bole volume (0.1 m3). RRII 203 was the highest yielding clone with 56 g tree-1 tap-1 over eight years of tapping. High annual yield (48 g tree-1 tap-1) and lean season yield of P 270 combined with high drc on par with the highest yielding clone RRII 203 indicated the specific adaptability of this ortet to high elevation areas. The ortets P 213 and Iritty 1 and hybrid clone RRIC 100 were the other promising clones exhibiting growth adaptation and high yield potential under high altitude conditions

Promising latex timber clones of Hevea brasiliensis evolved by ortet selection

On the basis of systematic screening of large seedling population of mature trees originated from Tjir 1 seeds and planted in 552 ha during 1961 at Plantation Corporation of Kerala, seventy-five elite trees were initially selected for a detailed study. Forty two ortets were finally selected based on yield, girth and yield per unit length of tapping cut, of which, thirty-nine ortets were cloned and evaluated in two small scale trials with one set of 27 clones and another set of 16 clones in a randomized block design with three replications. The check clones were RRII 105 and RRIM 600 in both the trials for comparison. Clonal performance was evaluated till eight years of tapping. The criteria for evaluation were yield, yield components, girth and secondary attributes. Timber yield was estimated at the 15th year of planting in terms of clear bole volume. Significant clonal variation for the traits resulted in selection of promising latex-timber clones and promising timber yielders. Three clones viz. KnO 39, KnO 36, KnO 49 recorded a mean yield of 55.25 g t-1t-1, 53.38 g t-1t-1 and 55.97 g t-1t-1 respectively and they were showing higher yield comparable to that of RRII 105 with 50.54 g t-1t-1. These clones appear to be promising latex-timber clones as they had recorded significantly high bole volume and possess desirable secondary characters also. Seventeen clones were promising timber yielders as evident from the higher clear bole volume. The superiority of ortets with respect to specific traits is discussed in detail with emphasis to three promising selections based on latex and timber yield

Growth and yield performance of some exotic clones of Hevea brasiliensis in North Kerala region

The growth and yield performance of a set of exotic clones from Malaysia and Ivory Coast was evaluated in comparison with RRII 105, a popular high yielding indigenous clone, for their adaptability in the northern tract of Kerala. The region is characterised by absence of sufficient summer showers and relatively long dry spells. Analysis of growth up to 16 years after planting revealed significant clonal differences in growth pattern, only from the 10th year of planting. Girth and girth increment was the highest in IRCA 130, followed by PB 330. The lowest girth was observed in RRIM 703. The clone IRCA 130 also exhibited significantly high annual and summer yield followed by PB 255. Peak rubber yield was recorded in the month of September irrespective of clones. IRCA 130 showed significantly superior branching height and bole volume followed by PB 255. Incidence of tapping panel dryness (TPD) and pink disease in IRCA 130 was comparable to clone RRII 105. The suitability of the newly introduced clones for the region is discussed

Growth and yield of new generation clones of Hevea under the agroclimate of sub-Himalayan West Bengal

Five rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) clones of the RRII 400 series derived from a cross involving RRII 105 and RRIC 100, along with five other popular clones viz. PB 217, RRII 176, RRII 203, RRII 105 and RRIM 600, were evaluated in Jalpaiguri district of sub- Himalayan West Bengal. Growth of clones in the immature and mature phases, rubber yield over seven years of tapping, biomass and timber yield were recorded for assessing the suitability of clones to the region. Clones RRII 429, RRII 417 and RRII 203 were superior in performance in the region compared to the recommended clone RRIM 600. Estimates of genetic parameters revealed comparatively high heritability and scope for improvement of rubber yield by selection

Comparative study on qualitative and quantitative analysis of Inji Charu (Ginger Juice) and Inji Surasam (Ginger Decantent) prepared as per The Siddha literature

Therapeutic aspects of Siddha consist of herbal or poly herbal, mineral, metal and animal products which given specific vehicle. Some of the herbal drugs which are used as vehicle may be processed before administration. Among these the Inji Charu (Ginger Juice) (Zinger officinale Roscoe) is commonly used as Anupanam (vehicle).  Inji Charu has more volatile oils which produce pungent effect, so the process of Inji surasam (Ginger Decantent) will reduce the concentration of volatile oils and mitigate the pungent effect. Objective of the study is comparing the chemical constitution of Inji surasam and Inji Charu was analyzed by HPTLC and FTIR. The study result, Concentration of the major chemical compounds was quality wise same and quantity wise differ in both sample found. Alkyl aryl ether, Anhydride functional group were only present in Inji charu and Alkyne Nitro, Sulfonate, Sulfonic Acid, Sulfoxide, Sulfonamide functional group were only present in Inji Surasam.

An Insilico Computational Screening of Siddha Formulation Kalingathy Thailam against Cyp- 17α-Hydroxylase in PCOS

Background: PCOS is characterized by ovulatory failure, hirsutism, obesity, glucose intolerance, resistance to insulin, dyslipidemia and infertility. Siddha system of medicine has a worthwhile therapeutic effect in treating PCOS. The bioactive compounds of Kalingathy Thailam mentioned in Siddha literature was selected for evaluating their ability to inhibit CYP- 17α-hydroxylase. Objective:  The study is aimed to perform the In Silico computational screening of the formulation Kalingathy Thailam against the target enzyme CYP-17 α -hydroxylase in PCOS. Methods: Autodock program was used against the target enzyme CYP-17 α -hydroxylase  for the phytocomponents such as Sinapic acid, Cucurbitacin B of Citrullus colocynthis (L. ) Schrader, Aromadendrene, Linolenic acid of Melia dubia Linn. , Onionin A, Protocatechuic acid of Allium cepa Linn. , Ascorbic acid, Limonene of Citrus limon (L. )Burm. f. , Ricinine of Ricinus communis Linn. Results: A total of 9 components were screened, out of these Protocatechuic acid, Ascorbic acid, Linolenic acid and Cucurbitacin B reveals maximum of 2 to 3 interactions accounting for 75-100% binding efficacy with the core active amino acid residues present on the target enzyme CYP- 17α-hydroxylase. Conclusion: Based on the results of the computational analysis it was concluded that the bio-active compounds present in the herbal ingredients possess significant binding against the target enzyme CYP-17α-hydroxylase by interacting with active amino acids. Hence these phytocomponents which inhibit the target enzyme may act as a potential therapeutic agent for management of PCOD.

Phytochemical Screening of Adathodai Kudineer A Siddha Herbal concoction and Evaluation of its binding affinity with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and ACE2 Receptor Spike protein Complex through Molecular Docking in silico approach

Adathodai kudineer (AK) a Classical Siddha formulation is used to treat various fevers which cause moderate to severe acute respiratory symptoms as is indicated in the text. GC-MS analysis was carried out to identify the presence of potent lead molecules in AK against novel corona virus. The aqueous extract has shown the following bioactive compounds such as Napthalene, Benzene Propanol, Benzene Acetic Acid, Furazan-3-amine, Pyrazol-4-Carboxylic acid, 2(3H) Furanone. The ethanolic extract of AK exhibited the molecular compounds such as Eucalyptol, Toluene, 2-Carene, Alpha-Copaene, 1,6-Cyclodecadiene, Aromadendrene, Gamma-murolene, Beta-copaene, Cubebol, Selina-3,7 (11) - Diene, 2-Butanone. Molecular docking is a powerful approach in current trends to identify the possibility of pharmacological effects of medicinal compounds which could be exerted over their Corresponding Protein targets which are relevant for causing disease. Using Auto dock Vina Software, the biomolecules of AK were analyzed through molecular docking against SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein (PDB ID 6LU7) and SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein – ACE 2 receptor complex (6LZG). ADME properties were also recorded for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of AK compounds using online tool SWISS ADME. The binding energy observed were of the order: -10.9 Kcal/mol, -8.0 Kcal/mol, -7.8 Kcal/mol for the compounds Alpha-Copaene, Gamma-Murolene, Selina-3,7 (11)–Diene respectively towards the protein target 6LZG and -8.2 Kcal/mol, -6.6 Kcal/Mol, -6.5 Kcal/Mol, for the compounds Alpha-Copaene, Cubebol, Aromadendrene respectively towards for the target 6LU7. These findings confirm that the Siddha formulation Adathodai Kudineer has some potent activity against SARS-CoV-2 Virus COVID19 disease

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Not AvailableThe in situ remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) and optically active substances (OAS) measured using hyperspectral radiometer, were used for optical classification of coastal waters in the southeastern Arabian Sea. The spectral Rrs showed three distinct water types, that were associated with the variability in OAS such as chlorophyll-a (chl-a), chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and volume scattering function at 650 nm (β650). The water types were classified as Type-I, Type-II and Type-III respectively for the three Rrs spectra. The Type-I waters showed the peak Rrs in the blue band (470 nm), whereas in the case of Type-II and III waters the peak Rrs was at 560 and 570 nm respectively. The shifting of the peak Rrs at the longer wavelength was due to an increase in concentration of OAS. Further, we evaluated six bio-optical algorithms (OC3C, OC4O, OC4, OC4E, OC3M and OC4O2) used operationally to retrieve chl-a from Coastal Zone Colour Scanner (CZCS), Ocean Colour Temperature Scanner (OCTS), Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS), MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM2). For chl-a concentration greater than 1.0 mg m−3, algorithms based on the reference band ratios 488/510/520 nm to 547/550/555/560/565 nm have to be considered. The assessment of algorithms showed better performance of OC3M and OC4. All the algorithms exhibited better performance in Type-I waters. However, the performance was poor in Type-II and Type-III waters which could be attributed to the significant co-variance of chl-a with CDOM.Not Availabl

A cross-sectional study on quality of life and the functional status in post covid-19 patients

COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV2. Post-COVID syndrome is described as signs or symptoms that develop during an infection or after an infection which continue for more than 12 weeks.  The lockdown of COVID-19 had worsened the mental health in both general population and COVID-19 patients. It was reflected in well-being of the people. Hence, a study was carried out to get the better understanding of the health status and limitations in their functions of post COVID-19 patients who were infected within 6 months. AIM: To estimate the quality of life and the functional status in post COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based study which was Cross sectional in nature was carried with 100 post COVID-19 patients infected within 6 months, attended between the age group of 18 and 70 of all genders. After obtaining the informed consent, the quality of life of post COVID-19 patients within 6 months was assessed using EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and functional status was assessed using post-COVID-19 functional status scale (PCFS) RESULT: According to EQ-5D-5L scale 43% people affected with Mobility,30% by Self-care, 42% by Usual activities, 65% by Pain/discomfort, 42% by Anxiety/depression. In Post Covid Functional Status Scale - PCFS scale, 65% had limitations in their function ranging from (grade 1 to grade 3)