Biochemical Composition of Caribbean Gorgonian Corals and Their Symbiosis Under Ambeint and Stressful Conditions

Gorgonian corals are the dominant benthic fauna on Caribbean reefs. Unlike scleractinian corals, gorgonian abundance on these reefs has remained stable or has increased. Therefore, to predict how climate change will affect the reef community, it is essential to understand gorgonian physiology under ambient and stressful situations. Under ambient conditions, eight gorgonian species hosted different clade B Symbiodinium, and in two gorgonian species in which the bacterial microbiomes were investigated, two distinct communities were found. In the eight gorgonian species, skeletal content varied from 75-96%, with those having more tissue also having more Symbiodinium density within their branches. The composition of organic matter also varied with the greatest amounts of lipid and proteins in the Pseudoplexaura species, and also large protein content in Pterogorgia anceps, carbohydrate in the Eunicea species and Plexaurella dichotoma, and refractory material in the Eunicea species and Antillogorgia americana. The biochemical differences explained how a subset of the gorgonian species coped with injury and elevated temperature. Lesion recovery took 2x longer in Eunicea flexuosa than in Pseudoplexaura porosa, and both species exhibited different immune responses. Lesion recovery led to lower Symbiodinium density in injured branches of both species, but Symbiodinium photochemistry, the prevalence of dominant bacterial groups and bacterial community structure did not change. Although the prevalence of some bacteria varied post-injury, both gorgonian species healed without signs of disease. When exposed to elevated temperature, the Symbiodinium genotypes and density did not change in branches of Eunicea tourneforti, E. flexuosa and P. porosa. Conversely, at elevated temperatures, in the Eunicea species, physiological modifications occurred in both the hosts and their symbionts (protein and antioxidants), while in P. porosa, the changes primarily occurred in their symbionts (chlorophyll content and photochemistry). Due to the low amounts of tissue resources, in the Eunicea species, their acclimation may not include changes in Symbiodinium photosynthesis, while the larger tissue content and hence resources in P. porosa may allow changes in Symbiodinium parameters. The ability to successfully deal with stressors like injury and elevated temperature may partly explain why gorgonian corals continue to thrive on Caribbean reefs

TRIPHALADI NIRUHA BASTI IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Kidneys are the organs that have numerous biological roles in maintaining the homeostatic balance of body fluids by removing wastes out of the body. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has always remained a major area of concern since a long time as it leads to irreversible deterioration in renal function which classically develops over a period of years. CKD is considered when glomerular filtration rate (GFR) falls below 30 ml/min. The conventional approach of management includes dialysis and renal transplantation, which are not easily affordable. If still can afford it, these costs have to be borne for life time and where in the complication problems after a transplant may include post-operative complication, bleeding, infection, vascular thrombosis and transplant rejection. Therefore, exploration of a safe and alternative therapy is needed, which proves to be helpful in reducing the requirement of dialysis and in postponing the renal transplantation. Ayurveda highlights the significance of Trimarma viz., Sira, Hrudaya, and Basti which are to be protected, if not may lead to many trivial diseases and may turn fatal. Though Basti Marma is identified structurally as bladder, the entire functional aspect of renal system is to be considered among which functioning of Kidneys occupies the major place. If we consider CKD as the disease affecting Basti Marma, then Basti Karma can be adopted as the treatment of choice as it is told to be best for Marma Paripalana. In this regard, a study was designed to manage the conditions of chronic kidney disease with Triphaladi Niruha Basti administered in Kala basti pattern along with Shamana Aushadis. The study revealed that there is marked improvement in reducing the clinical and laboratory manifestations of CKD

A REVIEW ON THE MEDICINAL PLANT PSIDIUM GUAJAVA LINN. (MYRTACEAE)

Psidium guajava is an important food crop and medicinal plant available in tropical and subtropical countries, widely used in food and folk medicines around the world. It contains important phytoconstituents such as tannins, triterpenes, flavonoid: quercetin, pentacyclic triterpenoid: guajanoic acid, saponins, carotenoids, lectins, leucocyanidin, ellagic acid, amritoside, beta-sitosterol, uvaol, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. In view of the immense medicinal importance of the plant, this review is an effort to compile all the information reported on its ethanobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological activities. The present work attempts to generate interest among the masses regarding its potential in preventing and treating several common diseases. Many pharmacological studies have demonstrated the ability of this plant to exhibit antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-allergy, antimicrobial, antigenotoxic, antiplasmodial, cytotoxic, antispasmodic, cardioactive, anticough, antidiabetic, antiinflamatory and antinociceptive activities, supporting its traditional uses. Suggesting a wide range of clinical applications for the treatment of infantile rotaviral enteritis, diarrhoea and diabetes. Key words: ethanobotany, myrtaceae, pharmacology, physicochemical, phytochemical, Psidium guajav

An Interactive Application to Relax the Brain Waves

Computer Science, Department o

Quantitative Habitat Characterization and Benthic Assemblage Structure of Deep-water Lophelia pertusa and Enallopsammia profunda Reefs off Eastern Florida

Eleven deep-sea coral sites off the eastern Florida coast were surveyed using the Johnson Sea Link I submersible from 8-18 November 2005. Seven of 14 dives contained usable transect data that were used to characterize benthic habitats and associated faunal assemblages. Forty-two taxa at various taxonomic levels were identified and their relative abundances and densities calculated. Coral Point Count with Excel extensions (CPCe) software was used to determine percent cover of substrate types. PRIMER-E was used to compare distributions of percent cover, and relative abundances and densities of organisms within and among sites. Distributions of some taxa were depth-related, while multiple factors appeared to be responsible for the distributions of others. Sites with relatively few dead standing coral colonies and high percentages of coral rubble, sediment and rocky substrates appeared to harbor similar assemblages. Overall organism densities correlated significantly with availability of hard substrates. Dead standing coral colonies did not affect organism density, but had a significant effect on assemblage composition at different sites

In vitro and in silico antidiabetic activity of pyran ester derivative isolated from Tragia cannabina

Objective: To investigate the in vitro antidiabetic effects of isolated 4-Oxo-4H-pyran-2,6-dicarboxylic acid bis-[6-methyl-heptyl] ester from the chloroform extract of root of Tragia cannabina (T. cannabina) and AMP kinase activation property of the isolated compound. Methods: The roots of T. cannabina were collected and extracted with ethanol [95% v/v] then chromatographed over silica gel 60–120 mesh of column length 100 cm and diameter 3 cm. Elution was carried out with solvents and solvent mixtures of increasing polarities. Then the chloroform extract was used for isolation. In vitro antidiabetic activity was performed with fertile eggs of White Leghorn chicks by induction of diabetes by streptozotocin. Results: The isolated pyran ester binds very efficiently within the active pocket of AMPK with the formation of hydrogen bond and consuming less binding energy, which is good when compared to orientation of standard drug metformin. In in vitro antidiabetic evaluation by streptozotocin treated chick embryo the administration of isolated compound at a doses of 0.5 mg/egg and 1 mg/egg produced a significant reduction in the blood glucose levels in a dose dependant manner (P<0.01). The blood glucose level of diabetic control was (244.20 ± 12.64) mg/dL, whereas it was (207.40 ± 2.43) mg/dL (P<0.001) for isolated compound 0.5 mg/egg and 174.800 ± 2.410 mg/dL (P<0.001) for 1 mg/egg of the isolated compound. Conclusions: The significant glucose levels were reduced (P<0.01) after administration of the pyran ester isolated from T. cannabina to streptozotocin treated chick embryo

International Conference on VLSI, Communication, Advanced Devices, Signals & Systems and Networking

This book is a collection of papers presented by renowned researchers, keynote speakers and academicians in the International Conference on VLSI, Communication, Analog Designs, Signals and Systems, and Networking (VCASAN-2013), organized by B.N.M. Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India during July 17-19, 2013. The book provides global trends in cutting-edge technologies in electronics and communication engineering. The content of the book is useful to engineers, researchers and academicians as well as industry professionals

Evaluation of National training program on mushroom cultivation technology for entrepreneurs

Not AvailableThere is an increasing need of training on mushroom cultivation technology among the farmers and entrepreneurs as a result of good prospect for mushroom in the market. The training on mushroom cultivation technology for entrepreneurs is a flagship programme of Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan which aims to facilitate the complete knowledge of mushroom production activity on commercial scale. Evaluating the quality and effectiveness of such training for further improvement in their standard is strongly emphasized by extension research. The 10 day training programme on mushroom cultivation technology for entrepreneurs was evaluated by using structured questionnaires before and after the trainings. The training was evaluated with respect to the topics covered, training facility, training outcome, overall evaluation of the training and suggestions for future trainings. The participants evaluated the training topics highly with respect to relevance, content, supportiveness of teaching aids and overall learning achieved. Most of the variables to assess the overall training programme were rated highly by the trainees. The participants felt the need for more number of practical classes and additional information on finance and subsidy support for the commercial unit of white button mushroom. It is important to ensure the satisfaction of the trainees with respect to their expectations about the programme. Regular intervention of the scientists to assess the constraints faced by the clients in adoption of the technology can only be deemed as success of the training programmes.Not Availabl