74 research outputs found
First Record of African Angel Shark, Squatina africana (Chondricthyes: Squatinidae) in Indian Waters, Confirmed by DNA Barcoding
A single specimen of African angel shark, Squatina africana (Regan, 1908) was caught off Lakshadweep (11°5′47″ N; 72°2′21″ E), India in September 2016. The present study is a new report of the above species from Indian waters. In addition to classical methodologies, DNA barcoding was also adopted for species identification. The 650 bp-long region of mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I was sequenced to obtain the DNA barcode for the species under study. The sequence divergence value within species and between species was calculated using MEGA V.7.0, where Kimura 2 parameter (k2p) model was chosen as a distance model. The average k2p distance separating individuals within species was 1.76% and inter specific divergence was 8–10%. A neighbour joining network was constructed to provide a graphical representation of divergence between the species. Using the maximum identity with Gen Bank database, K2P divergence distance, NJ-network and traditional morphological approach, we could identify the given specimen as a mature male African angel shark
Impact of MgII interstellar medium absorption on near-ultraviolet exoplanet transit measurements
Ultraviolet (UV) transmission spectroscopy probes atmospheric escape, which
has a significant impact on planetary atmospheric evolution. If unaccounted
for, interstellar medium absorption (ISM) at the position of specific UV lines
might bias transit depth measurements, and thus potentially affect the
(non-)detection of features in transmission spectra. Ultimately, this is
connected to the so called ``resolution-linked bias'' (RLB) effect. We present
a parametric study quantifying the impact of unresolved or unconsidered ISM
absorption in transit depth measurements at the position of the MgII h&k
resonance lines (i.e. 2802.705 {\AA} and 2795.528 {\AA} respectively) in the
near-ultraviolet spectral range. We consider main-sequence stars of different
spectral types and vary the shape and amount of chromospheric emission, ISM
absorption, and planetary absorption, as well as their relative velocities. We
also evaluate the role played by integration bin and spectral resolution. We
present an open-source tool enabling one to quantify the impact of unresolved
or unconsidered MgII ISM absorption in transit depth measurements. We further
apply this tool to a few already or soon to be observed systems. On average, we
find that ignoring ISM absorption leads to biases in the MgII transit depth
measurements comparable to the uncertainties obtained from the observations
published to date. However, considering the bias induced by ISM absorption
might become necessary when analysing observations obtained with the next
generation space telescopes with UV coverage (e.g. LUVOIR, HABEX), which will
provide transmission spectra with significantly smaller uncertainties compared
to what obtained with current facilities (e.g. HST).Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA
A novel vaccine platform using glucan particles for induction of protective responses against Francisella tularensis and other pathogens
Vaccines are considered the bedrock of preventive medicine. However, for many pathogens, it has been challenging to develop vaccines that stimulate protective, long-lasting immunity. We have developed a novel approach using beta-1,3-D-glucans (BGs), natural polysaccharides abundantly present in fungal cell walls, as a biomaterial platform for vaccine delivery. BGs simultaneously provide for receptor-targeted antigen delivery to specialized antigen-presenting cells together with adjuvant properties to stimulate antigen-specific and trained non-specific immune responses. This review focuses on various approaches of using BG particles (GPs) to develop bacterial and fungal vaccine candidates. A special case history for the development of an effective GP tularaemia vaccine candidate is highlighted
Landings of Giant Manta Rays at Cochin Fisheries Harbour
Three numbers of Giant Manta ray, Manta
birostris locally known as “Aana Thirandi”
measuring 220, 291 and 285 cm in standard length
and weighing 680, 1080 and 1050 kg respectively
were landed at Cochin Fisheries Harbour on 27th
March, 2015 (Fig.1). The rays though landed by deep
sea trawler, were caught by mechanized gill net
boat operated at depth of 200 m off Kochi. Due to
the big size of the rays caught, the gill net fishermen
had transferred them to a deep sea trawler which
operated nearby
Anti-diabetic potential of fruit extracts of Flacourtia indica (Burm. F.) Merr-An in-vitro study
Diabetes mellitus is one of the biggest global health problems requiring preventive and new therapeutic interventions. There is a need for safe, reliable, and cost-effective anti-diabetic drugs, and investigating medicinal plants for new anti-diabetic medications is an exciting research field. Thus, the present study examined the in-vitro anti-diabetic activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Flacourtia indica (Burm. F.) Merr (Flacourtiaceae) fruits by different enzyme inhibition assay methods. Alpha-amylase and Alpha-glucosidase are the principal enzymes present in the human body which helps in the digestion of carbohydrates. Inhibition of these enzymes slows down the absorption of glucose and lowers the sugar level in the blood. Both extracts showed potent inhibitory activity against these enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. The highest percentage of inhibition is exhibited by ethanolic extract at a concentration of 100 µg/mL with an IC50 value of 84.02. The results were compared with the standard drug Acarbose, a competitive inhibitor of both enzymes. The ethanolic extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis to find out different chemical constituents. It revealed the presence of reducing sugars, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, fatty acids, and steroids. Therefore, the current study proved that both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of F. indica fruits possess bioactive constituents that could be responsible for the anti-diabetic activity
Investigation on behaviour of reinforced geopolymer concrete slab under repeated low velocity impact loading
ABSTRACT: Geopolymers are a novel class of materials that are formed by the polymerisation of silicon, aluminum, and oxygen species to form an amorphous 3-D framework structure. Concrete made out of these binder system possess several advantages compared to conventional ordinary Portland cement concretes (OPCCs). Substantial research work has been reported on the impact behaviour of reinforced concrete structural elements whereas similar studies have not been reported on GPCs. This paper describes the experimental and numerical investigation on the behaviour of reinforced GPC slabs under repeated impact loading. The aim is to study the impact behavior of reinforced GPC slabs with and without steel fibers and compare with that of OPCC slabs. The overall dimensions of the GPC slab are 1m x 1m, with 60mm thickness. Finite element modeling of slab was also carried out using ANSYS software. The Solid 65 element and link 8 elements were used to model the concrete slab and Reinforcement respectively. Displacement boundary conditions are applied at the supports. The measured impact load time history is used to excite the structure. Transient dynamic analysis was carried out. The response was obtained in terms of deflection time histories. The peak acceleration of analytical studies showed a pattern similar to that obtained from experimental results. The failure crack pattern of plain and steel fibre reinforced slabs predicted by Finite Element analyses are compared with experimental results. The studies emphasize that by proper design, GPCC can be used in lieu of OPCC for structural components subjected to low velocity impact
Occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in organised layer farms and associated environmental samples of Central Kerala
Campylobacteriosis caused by Campylobacter spp. is the prime cause of bacterial
gastroenteritis worldwide. Chicken and other poultry birds act as the major reservoir for
Campylobacter and thereby play a crucial role in the transmission of this zoonotic disease to
humans. The current investigation was undertaken to study the occurrence of Campylobacter
in organised layer farms and their associated environmental samples. A total of 260 samples
comprising of cloacal swabs, feed, litter, soil, water and handwash of personnel were collected from
two organised layer farms of Thrissur and Ernakulam districts. Isolation and identification of the
organism by conventional culture technique followed by molecular confirmation of Campylobacter
isolates using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) revealed an overall occurrence of 17.31
per cent in layer farms. Majority of the isolates obtained in the study were C. jejuni (75.6 per cent)
followed by C. coli (24.4 per cent). In the current scenario, where the consumer demand for chicken
meat and eggs is continuously increasing, the occurrence of Campylobacter in layer farms needs
to be addressed seriously. Appropriate interventions and control measures at farm level and also
across the poultry production chain is necessary to minimise the impact of the disease on human
health and economy
Occurrence of allergic dermatitis in dogs with special reference to canine atopic dermatitis in Kerala
Allergic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease manifested as itchy skin rashes, caused
as a result of hypersensitivity reactions elicited in the body due to exposure to various allergens.
Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a widespread skin condition characterized by an inherited
propensity to develop pruritic inflammatory skin disease linked to IgE antibodies, which usually
target environmental allergens. The study was conducted on 245 cases of allergic dermatitis in
dogs presented to the small animal dermatology unit during the period from 2019 to 2021. Out of
the total 2,032 dermatological cases in dogs presented to the clinics from different parts of Kerala,
245 cases were diagnosed as various allergies over a period of three years, and out of which,
63 cases were recorded as canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). All the 63 cases diagnosed as CAD
were utilized for age-wise, gender-wise and breed-wise occurrence of disease. The occurrence
of allergic dermatitis in the present study was recorded as 13 per cent. The highest occurrence
rate recorded was that of flea allergy followed by atopic dermatitis, contact allergy dermatitis and
food allergy. In the current study, higher incidence (66.7 per cent) of atopic dermatitis was found in
dogs below 3 years of age, followed by dogs older than 5 years and of the age group >3 to 5 years.
Gender-wise occurrence of atopic dermatitis revealed a male predominance with a sex ratio of
1.74: 1 in the present study. Labrador breed of dogs were more prone to atopic dermatitis followed by Beagle, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Pug, Pit bull,
German Shepherd dog, Dachshund, Rottweiler
and Golden Retriever
A prospective study on haematobiochemical aspects of atopic dermatitis in dogs
A prospective study on haemato-biochemical aspects of canine atopic dermatitis was
conducted in the Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal
Sciences, Mannuthy during the period from 2019 to 2021. Sixteen dogs diagnosed with atopic
dermatitis using characteristic clinical (Favrot’s) criteria with exclusion of other pruritic skin
diseases, together with elevated Ig E levels and ten healthy animals formed the subjects for the
present study. Whole blood samples were collected from atopic and healthy controls and haematobiochemical
parameters were estimated. Haemato-biochemical studies of atopic dogs revealed
anaemia with leukocytosis, neutrophilia and eosinophilia and hypoalbuminaemia with reduced AG
ratio. Absolute eosinophil count that was found positively correlated with neutrophil to lymphocyte
ratio (NLR) in atopic dogs, is of diagnostic significance in quantifying inflammatory response which
helps in instituting customized treatment to atopic animals in clinical practice. Hypoalbuminaemia
observed in atopic animals in the present study indicates the need for nutrient supplementation in
the therapeutic protocol of the disease
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