High bat (Chiroptera) diversity in the Early Eocene of India

The geographic origin of bats is still unknown, and fossils of earliest bats are rare and poorly diversified, with, maybe, the exception of Europe. The earliest bats are recorded from the Early Eocene of North America, Europe, North Africa and Australia where they seem to appear suddenly and simultaneously. Until now, the oldest record in Asia was from the Middle Eocene. In this paper, we report the discovery of the oldest bat fauna of Asia dating from the Early Eocene of the Cambay Formation at Vastan Lignite Mine in Western India. The fossil taxa are described on the basis of well-preserved fragments of dentaries and lower teeth. The fauna is highly diversified and is represented by seven species belonging to seven genera and at least four families. Two genera and five species are new. Three species exhibit very primitive dental characters, whereas four others indicate more advanced states. Unexpectedly, this fauna presents strong affinities with the European faunas from the French Paris Basin and the German Messel locality. This could result from the limited fossil record of bats in Asia, but could also suggest new palaeobiogeographic scenarios involving the relative position of India during the Early Eocene

A study on light trap catches of some rice pests in relation to meteorological factors

The effect of meteorological factors on the population build up of green leafhopper Nephotettix virescens Dist (Cicadellidae, Hemiptera), plant hoppers Cofana spectra Dist (Delphacidae, Hemiptera) and C. yasumatsui Young (Kolla mimica, Hemiptera) and rice gundhi bug Leptocoriza acuta Thunberg (Alydidae, Hemiptera) in rice growing season (July to November) was studied through light trap collection during ten years (1988–1997). Maximum populations of Nephotettix virescens Dist (Cicadellidae, Hemiptera) and C. yasumatsui Young (Kolla mimica, Hemiptera) were recorded in the third week of October during all the years. Cofana spectra Dist had maintained peak activity in respect of population in the last week of September and third week of October. Leptocoriza acuta Thunberg (Alydidae, Hemiptera) had maximum population in second and third weeks of October during the aforesaid period. No meteorological factors have significant effect on the population build up of Nephotettix virescens Dist, Cofana spectra Dist and C. yasumatsui Young in the month of October. In the case of Leptocoriza acuta Thunberg, no other factor but rainfall had positive correlation of order 0.857 with population build up in the fourth week of September.Key words/phrases: Meteorological factors, path analysis, regression analysis, rice insect pests SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science: Vol. 27 (2) 2004: 165–17

Weathered basalt application for management of Vertisols: A traditional knowledge of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) growers of Gujarat, India

793-799Gujarat tops with 27.87% of total groundnut production. The basaltic shrink-swell soils are generally evaluated as unsuitable for groundnut production in Saurtashtra region of Gujarat. They have untapped source of traditional knowledge for managing heavy shrink-swell soils of basaltic terrain. Groundnut growers of the region are applying weathered basalt (WB, Vēraḍēḍa bēsālṭanuṁ in Gujarati) in pure form which is naturally available or sometimes treated by mixing the farmyard manures (FYM) or groundnut husk, and/or fortified with nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizers. A study was planned to find out the reason for higher production of groundnut with the application of WB before sowing the seed. For this study the farmers were divided in to 05 groups on the basis of forms and combinations of WB application in groundnut fields. The participatory approaches and personal interviews were combined to collect the data from 25 farmers of each group. After interviewing the farmers, we came to know that this practice is being followed since 40 years. The study revealed that the practice significantly reduces the contracting and expanding phenomenon in black Vertisols and improve physico-chemical properties of soils like hydraulic characteristics (infiltration, permeability, percolation and drainage), aeration, bulk density, porosity, thermal conductivity and also improve availability of secondary (Ca, Mg & S) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn & Cu). The present study forms the basis for upgrading the traditional management packages for sustainable groundnut production in black soil region of India

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON BARLERIA PRIONITIS (L.)

Barleria prionitis is a famous perennial plant commonly known as porcupine flower or Vajradanti. It is a shrub with yellow flowers and two flat seeds shielded with matted hairs, inhabit most parts of India. Various parts of the plant such as leaves, roots, aerial parts, flowers, and stems are used in the traditional system of medicine. Conventionally, various infusions are prepared using the plant parts and utilized for the treatment of different kinds of diseases. Owing to its incredible odontalgic property, it is extensively used in treating bleeding gums and toothache. From the pharmacological point, the plant has been effectively screened for antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifertility, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, hepatoprotective, antihypertensive, anticancer, and anticataract activities. Compounds such as tannins, saponins, glycosides, phenolic acids, phytosterols, and terpenes have been identified in the plant. The plant contains some specific compounds such as barlenoside, barlerine, acetylbarlerine, and balarenone and some common secondary metabolites such as lupeol, β-sitosterol, vanillic acid, and syringic acid. This review provides morphological, ethnomedical, pharmacological, and phytochemical data of the plant B. prionitis

FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANO LIPID CARRIER DRY POWDER INHALER CONTAINING CIPROFLOXACIN HYDROCHLORIDE AND N-ACETYL CYSTEINE

ABSTRACT Nanolipid carriers (NLC) are developed as an alternative to solid lipid nanocarriers in order to increase the payload and to prevent drug expulsion. In this study, NLCs loaded with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIP) and N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) were prepared and evaluated for its delivery to the lung for treatment of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. NLCs prepared by emulsification and sonication technique using cetyl palmitate (the solid lipid, 2%) and oleic acid (as the liquid lipid, 2%) and Tween80 (surfactant, 0.25%) showed smaller particle sizes (of199.1 ±1.859 nm) and relatively high encapsulation efficiencies (72.143±1.8 %.) and optimum zeta potential (-38.27 ± 0.384 mV).A novel DPI formulations loaded with the NLC containing CIP(CIP-DPI), NAC (NAC-DPI) and CIP/NAC combination (CIP-NAC-DPI) were prepared by freeze drying method using Lactose (8%w/v) as a cryoprotectant. The DPI prepared showed good flow properties, prolonged drug release and improved stability. In-vitro drug release profile of CIP HCl in case of CIP-NLC showed 55 % release in 15 hours while it was 60% in case of CIP-NLC-DPI formulation. Similar is the case with NAC formulations. Following intratracheal administration in rat model, the percentage of CIP extracted from lungs was 70.2% in case on CIP-NAC-DPI against 49.8% for CIP-DPI and 42.1% for plain CIP. This amount is about 1.6 times increase in CIP in lungs by co-administration with NAC. However, no appreciable change in the residence time of CIP in lungs after intratracheal administration of CIP-DPI and combined DPI (CIP-NAC-DPI) was noted. Keywords: Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride, N-Acetyl Cysteine, Nano lipid Carriers, Dry powder inhaler, cystic fibrosis.

Sex-peptide targets distinct higher order processing neurons in the brain to induce the female post-mating response

Sex-peptide (SP) transferred during mating induces female post-mating responses including refractoriness to re-mate and increased oviposition in Drosophila. Yet, where SP target neurons reside, remained uncertain. Here we show that expression of membrane-tethered SP (mSP) in the head or trunk either reduces receptivity or increases oviposition, respectively. Using fragments from large regulatory regions of Sex Peptide Receptor, fruitless and doublesex genes together with intersectional expression of mSP, we identified distinct interneurons in the brain and abdominal ganglion controlling receptivity and oviposition. These interneurons can induce post-mating responses through SP received by mating. Trans-synaptic mapping of neuronal connections reveals input from sensory processing neurons and two post-synaptic trajectories as output. Hence, SP target neurons operate as key integrators of sensory information for decision of behavioural outputs. Multi-modularity of SP targets further allows females to adjust SP-mediated male manipulation to physiological state and environmental conditions for maximizing reproductive success

Fighting malaria in Madhya Pradesh (Central India): Are we loosing the battle?

Malaria control in Madhya Pradesh is complex because of vast tracts of forest with tribal settlement. Fifty four million individuals of various ethnic origins, accounting for 8% of the total population of India, contributed 30% of total malaria cases, 60% of total falciparum cases and 50% of malaria deaths in the country. Ambitious goals to control tribal malaria by launching "Enhanced Malaria Control Project" (EMCP) by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), with the World Bank assistance, became effective in September 1997 in eight north Indian states. Under EMCP, the programme used a broader mix of new interventions, i.e. insecticide-treated bed nets, spraying houses with effective residual insecticides, use of larvivorous fishes, rapid diagnostic tests for prompt diagnosis, treatment of the sick with effective radical treatment and increased public awareness and IEC. However, the challenge is to scale up these services

FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANO LIPID CARRIER DRY POWDER INHALER CONTAINING CIPROFLOXACIN HYDROCHLORIDE AND N-ACETYL CYSTEINE

ABSTRACT Nanolipid carriers (NLC) are developed as an alternative to solid lipid nanocarriers in order to increase the payload and to prevent drug expulsion. In this study, NLCs loaded with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIP) and N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) were prepared and evaluated for its delivery to the lung for treatment of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. NLCs prepared by emulsification and sonication technique using cetyl palmitate (the solid lipid, 2%) and oleic acid (as the liquid lipid, 2%) and Tween80 (surfactant, 0.25%) showed smaller particle sizes (of199.1 ±1.859 nm) and relatively high encapsulation efficiencies (72.143±1.8 %.) and optimum zeta potential (-38.27 ± 0.384 mV).A novel DPI formulations loaded with the NLC containing CIP(CIP-DPI), NAC (NAC-DPI) and CIP/NAC combination (CIP-NAC-DPI) were prepared by freeze drying method using Lactose (8%w/v) as a cryoprotectant. The DPI prepared showed good flow properties, prolonged drug release and improved stability. In-vitro drug release profile of CIP HCl in case of CIP-NLC showed 55 % release in 15 hours while it was 60% in case of CIP-NLC-DPI formulation. Similar is the case with NAC formulations. Following intratracheal administration in rat model, the percentage of CIP extracted from lungs was 70.2% in case on CIP-NAC-DPI against 49.8% for CIP-DPI and 42.1% for plain CIP. This amount is about 1.6 times increase in CIP in lungs by co-administration with NAC. However, no appreciable change in the residence time of CIP in lungs after intratracheal administration of CIP-DPI and combined DPI (CIP-NAC-DPI) was noted. Keywords: Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride, N-Acetyl Cysteine, Nano lipid Carriers, Dry powder inhaler, cystic fibrosis.

NeMedPlant: a database of therapeutic applications and chemical constituents of medicinal plants from north-east region of India

The North-East region of India is one of the twelve mega biodiversity region, containing many rare and endangered species. A curated database of medicinal and aromatic plants from the regions called NeMedPlant is developed. The database contains traditional, scientific and medicinal information about plants and their active constituents, obtained from scholarly literature and local sources. The database is cross-linked with major biochemical databases and analytical tools. The integrated database provides resource for investigations into hitherto unexplored medicinal plants and serves to speed up the discovery of natural productsbased drugs