Extent of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Sewage Irrigated Soils and Their Impact on Distribution of Earthworm Communities: Linking Chromium and Zinc Toxicity on Growth and Reproduction in Selected Earthworm Species.

Soil ecosystem polluted by metals affect the structure of soil invertebrate population(s) and dynamics leading to altered distribution of species. This study focuses on earthworm distribution in sewage irrigated agricultural lands around Bangalore. The occurrence of reported species from the sampled areas is Eudrilus eugeniae, Lampito maurutii, Pontoscolex corethrurus, Polypheretima elongata, Perioynx excavates and Eisenia fetida. Laboratory studies conducted to evaluate feed ingestion rate and body mass changes in earthworms exposed to metal spiked soils revealed species specific pattern. Eudrilus eugeniae and Lampito maurutii showed a steep increase in body weight, while Pontoscolex corethrurus exhibited decreased trend upon Zn exposure. Contrarily a significant (p<0.05) decline in body weight was evident in all the three species upon exposure to Cr spiked soils. The observed alterations in feeding and body mass index concomitantly influenced the reproductive parameters. Rate of hatchability and reproductive function found to be decreased in Cr spiked soils in all the three species studied. Contrarily, increased hatchability was observed in E.eugeniea and L.maurutii followed by a decrease rate in P.corethrurus upon exposure of Zn spiked soils. However, reproductive rate found to be increased in E.eugeniea and P.corethrurus with decreased trend in L.maurutii. Thus, use of sewage polluted water for irrigation purpose has led to increased soil metal concentration impacting earthworm physiology and distribution

Temperature Modulated Genotoxicity in Coelomocytes of Ecologically Different Earthworm Species Exposed to Sub-lethal Doses of Zinc and Hexavalent Chromium:

Ecotoxicology is concerned with the possible long-term impacts of environmental stresses that alter organisms at the genetic level. Earthworm coelomocytes are sensitive environmental stress markers often employed in genotoxicity assessments. In this study, DNA damage was studied in coelomocytes of two different earthworm species, Eudrilus eugeniae, and Lampito mauritii, upon exposure to Zn2+ and Cr6+ spiked soils at variable temperatures viz., 18℃ (Cold), 24℃ (Control), 28℃ (Warm) to measure modulatory actions of temperature stress. The results of the study infer a clear species-specific response to combined toxicity. Hence, comet assay representing genotoxicity in coelomocytes is the warning signal of temperature and metal stress in earthworms. Therefore, temperature should be considered as an important factor in toxicity testing, as it indicates variations in local conditions that could affect the efficacy of heavy metal toxicity in earthworms of different ecological habitats

Chlorpyrifos Induced Region Specific Vulnerability in Rat CNS and Modulation by Age and Cold Stress: An Interactive Study

Chlorpyrifos (CPF)​, an organophosphorus insecticide is known to cause ill health in non-​target animals by inducing oxidative stress. In this study influence of cold stress (15°C and 20°C) and age as modulating factors on CPF induced oxidative stress was addressed to assess age-​related differences and vulnerability in central nervous system of rats. The results indicated an interaction with age and cold exposure resulting in marked decreased activity levels of SOD (P < 0.05)​, CAT (P < 0.05)​, GPx (P < 0.05)​, GST (P < 0.05) followed by increased MDA (P < 0.05) and decreased GSH levels (P < 0.05)​. The ANOVA and Post-​hoc anal. showed that antioxidant enzymes decreased significantly (P < 0.05) on CPF exposure. Moreover synergistic action of CPF and cold stress at 15°C caused higher inhibition on comparison with CPF and cold stress alone and together at 20°C indicating the extent of peroxidative damage in discrete regions of CNS. Further this study showed young individuals to be more sensitive than adults

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Aging Rat Brain Regions upon Chlorpyrifos Toxicity and Cold Stress: An Interactive Study

Mitochondrial dysfunction and consequent energy depletion are the major causes of oxidative stress resulting to bring alterations in the ionic homeostasis causing loss of cellular integrity. Our previous studies have shown the age-associated interactive effects in rat central nervous system (CNS) upon co-exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) and cold stress leading to macromolecular oxidative damage. The present study elucidates a possible mechanism by which CPF and cold stress interaction cause(s) mitochondrial dysfunction in an age-related manner. In this study, the activity levels of Krebs cycle enzymes and electron transport chain (ETC) protein complexes were assessed in the isolated fraction of mitochondria. CPF and cold stress (15 and 20 °C) exposure either individually or in combination decreased the activity level of Krebs cycle enzymes and ETC protein complexes in discrete regions of rat CNS. The findings confirm that cold stress produces significant synergistic effect in CPF intoxicated aging rats. The synergism between CPF and cold stress at 15 °C caused a higher depletion of respiratory enzymes in comparison with CPF and cold stress alone and together at 20 °C indicating the extent of deleterious functional alterations in discrete regions of brain and spinal cord (SC) which may result in neurodegeneration and loss in neuronal metabolic control. Hence, co-exposure of CPF and cold stress is more dangerous than exposure of either alone. Among the discrete regions studied, the cerebellum and medulla oblongata appears to be the most susceptible regions when compared to cortex and SC. Furthermore, the study reveals a gradual decrease in sensitivity to CPF toxicity as the rat matures

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS FRUIT AND MESUA FERREA FLOWER EXTRACTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the antioxidants and free radicals scavenging properties of ethanolic extracts from Tribulus terrestris fruit (TTF) and Mesua ferrea flower (MFF).Methods: The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities were measured by using standard protocols against phytoextracts used at 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 µg/ml concentration. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium-chloride reagent assay methods.Results: Among the extracts, MFF showed the highest total antioxidant ability followed by TTF. With regard to various scavenging activities, MFF had the highest radical scavenging activity than TTF extract closely resembled the standards. Also, the reducing capacity on ferrous ion was high in MFF than TTF. The quantified phenolic contents of TTF and MFF ethanolic extracts were 27.0±0.36 and 57.0±0.32 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram extract respectively. A positive correlation (p value&lt;0.001) was observed between phenolic content and free radical scavenging efficiencies.Conclusion: The results confirm that both MFF and TTF are important sources of natural antioxidants and serves as an effective free radical scavengers and/or inhibitors. Hence, both extracts are suitable plant-based pharmaceutical products can be used to handle 'free radical-mediated diseases

Permethrin induced neuronal inefficiency in the supraoesophageal ganglion of mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori. L

The primary target for pyrethroid insecticides is the nervous system. Available literature on the toxicity of pyrethroids to mulberry silkworm, are confined to specific tissues like haemolymph, fat body, eggs of silk moth and no study is indicated on supraoesophageal ganglion tissue, hence this study was conducted. In this study the changes occurring in the level of cholinergic and GABAergic transmitters (ACh and GABA)​; their connected enzymes viz., ChAT, AChE, GAD were studied in the supraoesophageal ganglionic tissue of silkworm Bombyx mori upon permithrin intoxication. Findings indicate that suppression of acetyl cholinesterase has led to the accumulation of ACh in greater quantities. Contrary to the cholinesterase suppression, a profound increase in GABAergic system was evident in the nervous tissue suggesting existence of an imbalance of excitatory-​inhibitory interplay in the supraoesophageal ganglia due to the toxic insult caused by permethrin; this substantially affects the growth, development, fecundity and silk prodn. In conclusion, the permethrin induced neurotoxicity resulted a series of perturbations in silkworm neurotransmitter metab

Evaluation of Fluoride-​Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Brain: A Multigeneration Study

Multigenerational evaluation was made in rats on exposure to high fluoride (100 and 200 ppm) to assess neurotoxic potential of fluoride in discrete areas of the brain in terms of lipid peroxidn. and the activity of antioxidant enzyme system. The rats were given fluoride through drinking water (100 and 200 ppm) and maintained subsequently for three generations. Fluoride treatment significantly increased the lipid peroxidn. and decreased the activity of antioxidant enzymes viz, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-​transferase, and glutathione level in first-​generation rats and these alterations were more pronounced in the subsequent second and third-​generation rats in both the doses tested. Decreased feed and water consumption, litter size and organ (brain) somatic index, marginal drop in body growth rate and mortality were obsd. in all three generations. Decreased antioxidant enzyme activity and increased malondialdehyde levels found in the present study might be related to oxidative damage that occurs variably in discrete regions of the brain. Results of this study can be taken as an index of neurotoxicity in rats exposed to water fluoridation over several generations

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS FRUIT AND MESUA FERREA FLOWER EXTRACTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the antioxidants and free radicals scavenging properties of ethanolic extracts from Tribulus terrestris fruit (TTF) and Mesua ferrea flower (MFF). Methods: The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities were measured by using standard protocols against phytoextracts used at 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 µg/ml concentration. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium-chloride reagent assay methods. Results: Among the extracts, MFF showed the highest total antioxidant ability followed by TTF. With regard to various scavenging activities, MFF had the highest radical scavenging activity than TTF extract closely resembled the standards. Also, the reducing capacity on ferrous ion was high in MFF than TTF. The quantified phenolic contents of TTF and MFF ethanolic extracts were 27.0±0.36 and 57.0±0.32 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram extract respectively. A positive correlation (p value<0.001) was observed between phenolic content and free radical scavenging efficiencies. Conclusion: The results confirm that both MFF and TTF are important sources of natural antioxidants and serves as an effective free radical scavengers and/or inhibitors. Hence, both extracts are suitable plant-based pharmaceutical products can be used to handle 'free radical-mediated diseases

Antioxidant effect of Lagerstroemia speciosa Pers (Banaba) leaf extract in streptozotocin-​induced diabetic mice

Aq. leaf ext. of L. speciosa (banaba) effectively decreased the blood glucose in streptozotocin-​induced diabetic mice after 15th day of banaba exposure. Further, banaba leaf ext. have the potential to inhibit lipid peroxidn. and effectively intercept​/neutralize reactive oxygen species such as super oxide, H2O2 and NO based free radicals. The aq. banaba leaf ext. (150 mg​/kg bodyweight) duly reduced STZ generated reactive intermediates and radical species helping to regulate normal levels of antioxidative markers like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-​S-​transferase and reduced glutathione

REAL TIME INVESTIGATION ON SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE

Concrete is a combination of concrete, sand, crushed rock as well as water which dries out tough as well as solid and also is made use of as a product for structure. Concrete needs to be greatly shaken for circulation right into extremely elaborate kinds or types that have a great deal of strengthening bars. Therefore to get over these flaws the self-compacting concrete is utilized. Self-compacting concrete is a moving concrete combination that has the ability to settle under its very own weight. The self-compacting concrete circulations conveniently at ideal rate right into formwork without obstructing with the support without being greatly shaken. This job takes care of the self- condensing concrete where the concrete is partly changed with fly-ash as well as silica fume. Below Ordinary Portland Cement is changed with 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and also 25% of fly-ash as well as 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% as well as 12.5% of silica fume. In this task we examine the self-curing substance i.e. polyethylene glycol. It is additionally referred to as shrinking minimizing admixture. The polyethylene glycol aids in healing, the concrete with mix water just. Typically the weight of self-curing substance is taken as 0.3% weight of concrete. In this we research the PEG at various percentages of 0.5%, 1% as well as 1.5% for M25 mix quality. Likewise research the compressive stamina at differing percents of polyethylene glycol as well as compared with small concrete