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Not AvailableHexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extractives of Coleus forskohlii roots exhibit mycelial growth inhibition of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and spore germination inhibition of Alternaria solani. Forskolin, a diterpene present in C. forskohlii exhibit dose dependent spore germination inhibition of A. solani, this being the first report on the antifungal activity of this compound. Estimation of forskolin in the extractives by HPLC showed that while hexane extractive contained 3.9% forskolin and ethyl acetate extractive contained 4.6% forskolin, while the methanol extractive did not contain forskolin. The results clearly show that forskolin is one of the antifungal compounds present in the plant.Not Availabl

Seed size distribution in plants: an explanation based on fractal geometry

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Dispersal mode as a selective force in shaping the chemical composition of seeds

This article does not have an abstract

Additional studies on the antifungal activity of a methanol extract of Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa and octadecyl p-coumarates

Not AvailableBackground: Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa is a plant native to South America, but sparsely distributed in India and Bangladesh. Aphrodisiac, purgative, cathartic and sore curing properties have been attributed to the plant. Although there were several papers on the antifungal and antibacterial activities of on the crude extractives of the plant, the first report on the bioassay monitored isolation and characterization of the chief antifungal compounds as a mixture of E and Z isomers of octadecyl p-coumarates was published from this Institute. Material and Methods: The methanol extractive of Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa exhibited antifungal activity against the mycelial growth of Phytophthora nictotiana by poisoned food technique. This is in addition to the reported activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Results and Discussion: Octadecyl p-coumarates isolated from the plant by column chromatography followed by HPLC exhibited activity against the mycelial growth of Cercospora capsici. This is in addition to the reported activity of octadecyl p-coumarates against the spore germination of Alternaria alternata, Alternaria porri and Cladosporium cucumerinum. Conclusion: Additional studies conducted with the crude extractive of Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa confirmed its antifungal activity against Phytophthora nicotianae. Identification of octadecyl p-coumarates as antifungal active principles was confirmed by its activity against Cercospora capsici by modified mycelial growth inhibition study.Not Availabl

Occupational zoonoses in zoo and wildlife veterinarians in India: A review

Zoos and biological parks are considered as a hub for public ecreation and education. This is highlighted by the fact that visitors to the zoos are increasing year by year and they generate sizeable revenue. Veterinary professionals play a pivotal role in health management of wild animals in zoos and biological parks. Since veterinarians work in close contact with wild animals, there is a potential risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases from wild animals to humans and vice versa. There are approximately 1415 infectious agents causing diseases in humans, out of which 868 (61%) are known to be zoonotic in nature. It is also important to note that more than 70% of the emerging zoonotic diseases have wild animals as reservoir hosts. The major zoonotic diseases that are transmitted from wild animals to humans include rabies, anthrax, leptospirosis, Q-fever, psittacosis, hendra virus, nipah virus, herpes B encephalitis, toxoplasmosis, etc. Hence, it is imperative for veterinarians and zoo staff to be fully aware of the knowledge pertaining to the source, transmission, pathogenicity, treatment and control of zoonotic diseases. In this manuscript, we provide key information regarding zoonotic diseases and also recommend important measures for their control and prevention. The information provided here will be highly beneficial for personnel who work in close association with wild animal