Isolation and Identification of a Biologically Active Isoflavonoid from Cudrania javanensis

 SUMMARYIsolation of isoflavonoids has become a frequent endeavor, due to their interesting biological activities. Osajin, 1 ({5-hydroxy-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-8,8 dimethyl-6-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-4H.8H-pyrano[2,3-h]chromen-4-one]} is a naturally occurring isoflavonoid which was isolated from the fruits of Cudrania javanensis1, 2. The structure was elucidated using spectroscopic methods, including NMR, IR, and MS.Key words: Cudrania javanensis, Moraceae, Isoflavonoids, Osajin  G. K. Sarmah and R. K. Sharma. Isolation and Identification of a Biologically Active Isoflavonoid from Cudrania javanensis. J Phytol 2/5 (2010) 47-49.*Corresponding Author, Email: [email protected]

Artificial Neural Network Assisted Weather Based Plant Disease Forecasting System

An interactive plant disease forecasting system was developed using Artificial Neural Network model with multilayer perceptron architecture having two hidden layers. When data from the same site are used for both training and testing, the prediction accuracy of the model was found to be between 81-87% for rice blast disease. Being a multivariate non-linear non-parametric data driven self adaptive statistical method, it shows significantly higher accuracy then the conventional regression based models. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.150613

Inositol Polyphosphates Regulate Zebrafish Left-Right Asymmetry

SummaryVertebrate body plans have a conserved left-right (LR) asymmetry manifested in the position and anatomy of the heart, visceral organs, and brain. Recent studies have suggested that LR asymmetry is established by asymmetric Ca2+ signaling resulting from cilia-driven flow of extracellular fluid across the node. We report here that inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate 2-kinase (Ipk1), which generates inositol hexakisphosphate, is critical for normal LR axis determination in zebrafish. Zebrafish embryos express ipk1 symmetrically during gastrulation and early segmentation. ipk1 knockdown by antisense morpholino oligonucleotide injection randomized LR-specific gene expression and organ placement, effects that were associated with reduced intracellular Ca2+ flux in cells surrounding the ciliated Kupffer’s vesicle, a structure analogous to the mouse node. Our data suggest that the pathway for inositol hexakisphosphate production is a key regulator of asymmetric Ca2+ flux during LR specification

On The Nature of Ring Patterns In Ice Crystals of Hailstones: A Signature of Global Warming

In the present work we report for the first time the ring patterns in the ice crystals procured from hailstones at Doom Dooma (27.40N, 95.30E) on March 17, 2016 and April 9, 2017. We have measured the intensity patterns of the rings with the help of a software (ImageJ). Since the ring patterns have been observed in the ice crystals of hailstones only in recent years, it is reasonable to believe that they will give valuable information on the process of ice nucleation and possibly on global warming

AN ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF ANTI-MALARIAL PLANTS IN SOME HIGHLY MALARIA AFFECTED DISTRICTS OF ASSAM

Objective: An ethnobotanical survey of potent anti-malarial plants used by different tribes and communities of highly malaria affected seven districts of Assam, India.Methods: Personal discussions and group interviews were held with the traditional practitioners. Samples were collected and authentically identified. Detailed ethno knowledge on the plant parts used and mode of administration of the plant extracts was documented. Literature survey was carried out on identified plant species and analyzed for their medicinal importance.Results: A total of 22 plant species belonging to 20 botanical families were collected and identified from different locations of seven districts of Assam. Different plant parts such as leaves, root, flower, bark etc. were found to process through different basic methods (infusion, decoction, direct mechanical crushing and maceration) for extracting the anti-malarial crude phytochemicals by the traditional healers. Extensive literature on the broad spectrum medicinal values other than anti-malarial activity of the plant species suggested a strong scientific background of selecting those particular plants species by the traditional practitioners.Conclusion: Indigenous plant species with strong claim of the natural source of anti-malarial moieties were identified in the present ethno-botanical survey. All the 22 plant species investigated could be a potential source of new antimalarial therapies.Â

A readily accessible porous organic polymer facilitates high-yielding Knoevenagel condensation at room temperature both in water and under solvent-free mechanochemical conditions

A novel nitrogen-rich amorphous porous organic polymer has been synthesized using a microwave-assisted process. Its high chemical stability, reusability and poor solubility enable the use of the porous polymer as a metal-free heterogeneous catalyst for C–C bond formation at ambient temperature under environmentally benign conditions

Non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical function as a measure of stress in the endangered golden langur

The golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) is an endangered primate endemic to northern India and Bhutan. The main stressors to the species are habitat degradation and fragmentation. Non‐invasive fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) analysis is a powerful tool for assessing stress associated with environmental disturbances in wildlife. However, interspecific differences in glucocorticoid metabolism require careful selection of the antibody used in their quantification. The goals of this study were to: 1) validate an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to determine fecal GC metabolite (fGCM) concentrations in the golden langur and 2) compare fGCM concentrations between golden langurs living under different environmental conditions. We compared five enzyme immunoassays for determining stress related physiological responses in golden langurs by performing an adrenocorticotropic stimulation test in both sexes. Our validations identified an 11‐oxoaetiocholanolone EIA detecting 11, 17 dioxoandrostanes as the most suitable assay for monitoring adrenocortical activity in the species. FGCM concentrations from semi‐captive temple langurs were significantly higher than respective stress steroid concentrations in free‐ranging or pet/zoo langurs. This study presents a validated practical method for non‐invasive monitoring of adrenocortical function in this rare and declining species.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1098-236http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/zoo.2018-07-13hj2018Anatomy and Physiolog

Effect of Freezing Rate on Quality of Cryopreserved Goat Spermatozoa Using a Programmable Freezer

Abstract: A total of 45 ejaculates from nine Beetal bucks collected by artificial vagina, washed and extended i