Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Highly Tetragonal (1-x)Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3-xPbTiO3 Piezoceramics

We present here the comprehensive X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dielectric measurement of (1-x)Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3-xPbTiO3 (BZT-xPT) piezoceramics with x=0.65, 0.70, 0.75 and 0.80. Powder X-ray diffraction data reveals the tetragonal structure (space group P4mm) of BZT-xPT ceramics for all the compositions.Comment: 2 Pages, 4 Figure

When to branch: seasonal control of shoot architecture in trees

Long-lived perennial plants optimize their shoot architecture by responding to seasonal cues. The main strategy used by plants of temperate and boreal regions with respect to surviving the extremely unfavourable conditions of winter comprises the protection of their apical and lateral meristematic tissues. This involves myriads of transcriptional, translational and metabolic changes in the plants because shoot architecture is controlled by multiple pathways that regulate processes such as bud formation and flowering, small RNAs, environmental factors (especially light quality, photoperiod and temperature), hormones, and sugars. Recent studies have begun to reveal how these pathways are recruited for the seasonal adaptation and regulation of shoot architecture in perennial plants, including the role of a regulatory module consisting of antagonistic players terminal flower 1 (TFL1) and like-ap1 (LAP1) in the hybrid aspen. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of the genetic control of shoot architecture in perennials compared to in annuals

Evaluation of anti-anxiety activity of Mucuna pruriens

Mucuna pruriens, also known as Velvet Bean, Mucuna pruriens has been used for centuries by Ayurvedic herbalists for overall wellness. Mucuna pruriens provides support for brain function, muscle health and libido. Mucuna pruriens has also been shown to have diuretic effects. It increases tissue resiliency and improves coordination. Mucuna can also increase testosterone levels, which in turn can lead to increased muscle mass and strength. It also supports the nervous and reproductive systems in the body. anti-oxidant activity of M. pruriens has been also demonstrated in vitro by its ability to scavenge DPPH radicals and reactive oxygen species. This is an excellent natural source of L-dopa and 5-hydroxy tryptophan (5-HT) Present study was designed to evaluate the anti-anxiety activity of Mucuna pruriens extract in Swiss albino mice. Three doses of Mucuna pruriens (100, 200,400 mg/kg, p.o.) and standard dose of Buspirone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) were used for evaluation of the anti-anxiety activity. The elevated plus maze (EPM) was used to take as a measure of antianxiety effect. Mucuna pruriens at the doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced the time spent and no. of entries in closed arm, increased the time spent and entries into open arm in elevated plus maze (p<0.05) as compared to control group. These results indicate that MP may be possesses antianxiety property. Keywords:  Anxiety, Elevated plus maze, Mucuna pruriens, Buspirone, Swiss Albino Mice

Effect of Shilajit on Amnesia

Shilajit is a herbo-mineral drug, has been referred to as memory enhancer. donepezil is prescribed to treat   mild to moderate dementia, amnesia, and cognitive disorders. Midzolam is known to produce anterograde amnesia in human and animals. The present study is framed to investigate the effect of Shilajit and Donepezil on Midzolam induced experimental amnesia using elevated plus maze test in mice. Twelve groups of mice were used and each group involved of six mice. Midzolam (2 mg kg -1), shilajit (100 mg kg-1), Donepezil (3 mg kg) and distilled water (as vehicle) (10 ml kg-1) were injected intraperitoneally (ip) in different groups of mice 30 min before the training and immediate after the training. Each mouse was naïve to elevate plus maze for 90 sec. The time taken by the animals to move from the open arms to either of two sides of enclosed arms was recorded. All the results were expressed as mean±S.E.M and P<0.05 considered as statistically significant. Midzolam treated animals exhibit significant increase in transfer latency time. On the other hand, shilajit and Donepezil treated mice shown significant decrease in transfer latency time. Simultaneously, animals treated with shilajit (100 mg kg-1 i.p.) and Donepezil (3 mg kg-1 i.p.) significantly exhibit decrease in transfer latency time measured after 24 hrs in the animals previously treated with Midzolam (2 mg kg-1 i.p.). The above observations revels that Midzolam impair learning, shilajit and Donepezil improve acquisition. The results also indicate that shilajit and Donepezil prevent Midzolam induce learning impairment. It may be concluded that shilajit and Donepezil reverse Midzolam induced amnesia by the same mechanism i.e. improvement in cholinergic or dopaminergic activity, at least in mice species. Key words:  Shilajit, Donepezil, Midzolam, Amnesia, Elevated plus maze, Mic

PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FERTILIZER INDUSTRY EFFLUENT AND ITS TOXICOLOGICAL IMPACT ON THE ACTIVITY OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE (AChE) IN FRESHWATER TELEOSTS Heteropneustes fossilis AND Labeo rohita

Industrijska revolucija je dobar pokazatelj gospodarskog razvoja države, međutim, može biti i prijetnja za floru i faunu ako se u prirodu ispuštaju nepročišćene otpadne vode industrije. Cilj ovog istraživanja je procijeniti toksikološke učinke pročišćenih i nepročišćenih industrijskih otpadnih voda na aktivnost acetilkolinesteraze (AChE) kod Heteropneustes fossilis i Labeo rohita, jestivih riba različitih karakteristika poput razlika u morfologiji, staništu, ishrani, itd. Analizirani su fizikalno-kemijski parametri otpadnih voda kao što su: pH, električna vodljivost (EC), alkalitet, tvrdoća, otopljeni kisik (DO), fosfati, sulfati, nitrati, slobodni amonijak, kloridi, cink, željezo, krom i kalij jer ti parametri nisu bili u rasponu prema ISO smjernicama. Vrijednost LC50 za nepročišćene vode iznosila je 2,34% (v/v) i 0,80% (v/v) tijekom 96 h kod H. fossilis i L. rohita. Smrtnost riba u obrađenim otpadnim vodama nije zabilježena. Tijekom izlaganja subletalnim koncentracijama (1/15, 1/(10 ), 1/5 LC50) kod obje vrste riba aktivnost AChE u metabolički osjetljivim organima (mozak, mišići, škrge) je bila smanjena. Daljnja istraživanja biokemijskih i molekularnih pokazatelja mogla bi približiti mehanizam njihovog djelovanja.Industrial revolution is a good indicator of economic development of a country; however, it can be a threat to the flora and fauna if the untreated effluent of an industry is discharged. The present study is aimed to assess the comparative toxicological impacts of treated and untreated industrial effluents on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in Heteropneustes fossilisand Labeo rohita, the most common edible fishes having diverse characters which include differences in morphology, habitat, food and feeding, etc. The physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, hardness, dissolved oxygen (DO), phosphate, sulphate, nitrate, free ammonia, chloride, zinc, iron, chromium and potassium of both untreated and treated effluent from the fertilizer industry were also analyzed as these parameters were not in range as per ISO guidelines. The LC50 value for untreated effluent was 2.34% (v/v) and 0.80% (v/v) for 96 h in H. fossilis and L. rohita, respectively, while no mortality was recorded in the treated effluent. The AChE activity in both fish species was found to decline in metabolically responsive organs like brain, muscle and gills through exposure to sub-lethal concentrations (1/15th, 1/10th and 1/5th of LC50 value) of the untreated effluent for 96 h. Further studies on biochemical and molecular aspects may reveal the mechanism of their action