GC-MS analysis of bioactive compounds in methanolic extract of tubers of Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. - Fabaceae

The present experiment was designed to determine the bioactive constituents from tuber extracts of Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. of the family Fabaceae. The medicinal value of a plant species is dependent upon its various phytochemical constituents. The chemical compositions of the methanolic extract of tubers of P. tuberosa were investigated using Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry and about nineteen bioactive phytochemical compounds were identified. The prevailing compounds were 2, 3-Dimethylaziridine; 2-Cyclopenten-1-one, 2-hydroxy-; 2-Hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone; 3-Methyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione; 2,5- Dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3 (2H) – furanone; Butane 2-methyl; Oxetane; Maltol; 1, 5-Anhydro-6-deoxyhexo-2,3-diulose; 2, 3-Dihydro-2, 5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-One; 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, Phenol,2,6-dimethoxy; Dodecanoic Acid; Guanosine; Tetradecanoic acid; Myo-inositol; Hexadecanoic Acid; 9, 12-Octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester and Cis-vaccenic acid. This was the first report on identification of bioactive compounds from methanolic extract of tubers of P. tuberosa

In vitro Propagation of Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) de Wilde

Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) de Wilde belonging to the family Passifloraceae is a perennial climbing herb with potential medicinal value. The possibility of in vitro clonal propagation of Adenia hondala was investigated by the use of nodal explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of BAP and KN. Optimum treatment was the combination of 1 mg.L-1 BAP and 0.5 mg.L-1 KN that enhanced percent response of explants and the number of multiple shoots per explants. An average of 10.23 shoots per explants was resulted after 32 days of culture. In vitro shoots were elongated in MS medium supplemented with 1 mg.L-1 KN. Half strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg.L-1 IBA was found to be the best medium for rooting. The rooted plantlets were gradually acclimated ex vitro in mist chamber and successfully established under field conditions with high survival rate

Callus Induction and Organogenesis from Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC

Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. is a perennial woody climber, commonly known as Indian Kudzu in English, Vidarikand in Hindi and Vidari in Sanskrit. The tubers are used in different systems of medicine viz. Ayurveda, Folk, Homoeopathy, Siddha, Tibetan and Unani. The present study aims to develop an effective protocol for optimum callus induction and organogenesis in Pueraria tuberosa. Callus cultures were first established by inoculating tender leaf explants in Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mg.L-1) with 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (0.5 mg.L-1). Maximum callus induction and shoot organogenesis was observed in MS medium containing 1.5 mg.L-1 BAP with NAA 0.5mg.L-1. Fresh weight of the organogenic greenish granular hard callus was 4.70±0.10 gm. Shoot organogenesis was observed after 65 days of culture. Maximum shoot buds developed from callus on MS media augmented with 1.5 mg.L-1 BAP with 0.5 mg.L-1 NAA

A Group Theoretical Identification of Integrable Equations in the Li\'enard Type Equation x¨+f(x)x˙+g(x)=0\ddot{x}+f(x)\dot{x}+g(x) = 0 : Part II: Equations having Maximal Lie Point Symmetries

In this second of the set of two papers on Lie symmetry analysis of a class of Li\'enard type equation of the form $\ddot {x} + f(x)\dot {x} + g(x)= 0$, where over dot denotes differentiation with respect to time and $f(x)$ and $g(x)$ are smooth functions of their variables, we isolate the equations which possess maximal Lie point symmetries. It is well known that any second order nonlinear ordinary differential equation which admits eight parameter Lie point symmetries is linearizable to free particle equation through point transformation. As a consequence all the identified equations turn out to be linearizable. We also show that one can get maximal Lie point symmetries for the above Li\'enard equation only when $f_{xx} =0$ (subscript denotes differentiation). In addition, we discuss the linearising transformations and solutions for all the nonlinear equations identified in this paper.Comment: Accepted for publication in Journal of Mathematical Physic

Tetramer Orbital-Ordering induced Lattice-Chirality in Ferrimagnetic, Polar MnTi2O4

Using density-functional theory calculations and experimental investigations on structural, magnetic and dielectric properties, we have elucidated a unique tetragonal ground state for MnTi2O4, a Ti^{3+} (3d^1)-ion containing spinel-oxide. With lowering of temperature around 164 K, cubic MnTi2O4 undergoes a structural transition into a polar P4_1 tetragonal structure and at further lower temperatures, around 45 K, the system undergoes a paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic transition. Magnetic superexchange interactions involving Mn and Ti spins and minimization of strain energy associated with co-operative Jahn-Teller distortions plays a critical role in stabilization of the unique tetramer-orbital ordered ground state which further gives rise to lattice chirality through subtle Ti-Ti bond-length modulations

From rods to helices: evidence of a screw-like nematic phase

Evidence of a special chiral nematic phase is provided using numerical simulation and Onsager theory for systems of hard helical particles. This phase appears at the high density end of the nematic phase, when helices are well aligned, and is characterized by the C$_2$ symmetry axes of the helices spiraling around the nematic director with periodicity equal to the particle pitch. This coupling between translational and rotational degrees of freedom allows a more efficient packing and hence an increase of translational entropy. Suitable order parameters and correlation functions are introduced to identify this screw-like phase, whose main features are then studied as a function of radius and pitch of the helical particles. Our study highlights the physical mechanism underlying a similar ordering observed in colloidal helical flagella [E. Barry et al. \textit{Phys. Rev. Lett.} \textbf{96}, 018305 (2006)] and raises the question of whether it could be observed in other helical particle systems, such as DNA, at sufficiently high densities.Comment: List of authors correcte

Learning not to finish: participatory media development for responsible fisheries extension

This paper deals with the experiences and insights gathered during the implementation of a research project titled "Designing and Validation of Communication Strategies for Responsible Fisheries - A Co-learning Approach" at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) during 2001- 04 under the National Agricultural Technology Project being implemented by Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. The paper is organized under the following heads i) Rationale and Objectives of the project ii) Methodology iii) Assessment of Responsible Fisheries Information Needs ARFIN iv) Communication Tools and Strategies developed under the project along with the insights (process and product phase) obtained v) Implications and vi) Conclusions. The project, which can be considered as first of its kind ever undertaken in the country, has clearly established not only the necessitybut also the possibility of undertaking extension interventions by way of designing communication tools and strategies in a participatory mode and putting them into massive use for creating an awareness on the concept of responsible fisheries among the stakeholders of marine fisheries sector in the country A model for communication of responsible fisheries is also suggested after explaining the various tools and strategies developed for responsible fisheries extension

Spectrum of hemoglobinopathies by high performance liquid chromatography with special reference to role of HbA2 levels at tertiary care centre

Background: The inherited disorders of blood include hemoglobinopathies as one of the major public health problems in India. This study indicates type of hemoglobinopathies in a tertiary care hospital over period of 2 years and 3 months.Methods: total of 500 suspected cases of haemolytic anaemia were studied during the period of July 2013 to Oct 2015 based on Complete Blood Count, Red cell indices and Peripheral blood smear examination. Sickling test, test for Hb quantitation by using cation exchange HPLC was done in all cases.Results: Out of all 500 cases of anaemia, 313 cases (62.6%) were confirmed to nonhemolytic anaemia whereas 187 cases (37.4%) had shown abnormal haemoglobin pattern on electrophoresis. Out of these 187 cases, 87 (46.52%) were Males and 100 (53.48%) were females. Most common haemoglobinopathy observed was Sickle cell trait 94 (18.8%) followed by beta-Thalassaemia Trait 33 (17.64%), sickle cell-thalassemia trait 27 (14.43%), beta thalassemia major 18 (9.62%) and 1 case of HbE thalassemia trait. The onset of disease was most prominent in Neonatal to paediatric age group (0-10 years) followed by reproductive age group (21-30 years). Few cases in old age were detected.Conclusions: Study provides data on the spectrum & pattern of Hemoglobinopathies in a tertiary care centre and importance of HbA2 levels in diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies and cases falling in borderline HbA2 levels. Screening of all anaemic patients should be done for Hemoglobinopathies and proper Genetic counselling must be given to all cases to prevent incidence of cases in future generation

Breeding of endemic catfish, Horabagrus brachysoma in captive conditions

Asian seabass or barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is an important food fish with commercial value and a wide geographic distribution. Though some reports based on molecular and/or morphological data exist, a comprehensive effort to establish species identity across its range is lacking. In order to address this issue and especially to ascertain whether the wide-spread distribution has resulted in bifurcation of the species, we collected Asian seabass samples from various locations representing the Western and Eastern Coastline of India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bangladesh and Australia. Samples from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore were collected as part of a previous study. DNA sequence variations, including cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), 16S rDNA and the highly variable D-loop (or control region), were examined to establish species delineation. Data from all the sequences analyzed concordantly point to the existence of at least two distinct species—one representing the Indian subcontinent plus Myanmar, and a second, representing Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia) plus Northern Australia. These data are useful for conservation ecology, aquaculture management, for establishing the extent of genetic diversity in the Asian seabass and implementing selective breeding programs for members of this species complex

Department of Pathology, Government Medical College and Cancer Hospital, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India

Background: The intrauterine existence of fetus is dependent on one vital organ 'the placenta’. The placenta reflects the status of maternal hypertension as it is the mirror of maternal and fetal health. The hypertensive disorders complicate 5-10% of all pregnancies and form a dangerous triad with haemorrhage and infection that contributes greatly to maternal morbidity and mortality. The fetus is dependent on placenta for growth and development. Many disorders of pregnancy like hypertension are accompanied by gross and histological changes in placenta. Aim of the study was to study the various morphological lesions of placenta in pregnancy induced hypertension and compare them with normal pregnanciesMethods: Gross and microscopic examination was conducted on 70 placentas. These included 15 normal placentas and 55 placentas from pregnancy induced hypertension.Results: In PIH, on gross the placenta showed areas of infarction, perivillous fibrin deposition and basal decidual haematoma, while microscopically showed increased syncytial knotting, cytotrophoblasitc proliferation, basement membrane thickening, vasculosyncytial membrane deficiency, infarction and fibrinoid necrosis.Conclusions: Maternal disorders affect the placental histology and can be detected by morphological examination of such placentae. The placenta from hypertensive pregnant women show significant morphological changes as compared to control, which may alter the perinatal outcome