Biological control of downy mildew of maize caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi under environmentally controlled conditions

Downy mildew disease, caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi, is one of the most serious diseases of maize. The disease is currently managed by seed treatment with metalaxyl fungicides. However, problems regarding environmental pollution resulting from the use of fungicides and development of fungicide resistance within populations of P. sorghi are of increasing concern. Assuming that biological control by means of using antagonistic microorganisms may be an alternative for the management of this disease, the efficacy of biocontrol agents viz., Bacillus subtilis G1, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B2, Brevibacillus brevis 57 and Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf1 for the management of downy mildew of maize and for promoting plant growth was evaluated. The results indicated that seed treatment with B. subtilis G1 and B. amyloliquefaciens B2 significantly (P = 0.05) increased the germination percentage and seedling vigour of maize as assessed by roll towel method. Among them, B. subtilis G1 was the most effective and recorded 9% and 31% increases in germination percentage and seedling vigour of maize respectively, as compared to the control. A talc- based powder formulation of B. subtilis G1 when applied through seed at the rate of 10 g/kg reduced the downy mildew incidence up to 54% under greenhouse conditions. Results of this study suggest that B. subtilis G1 is a promising bioagent for the management of downy mildew of maize and for promoting plant growth. This antagonist could be further exploited for commercial scale up for ecofriendly management of downy mildew of maize under localized climatic conditions

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTIDEPRESSANT ORODISPERSIBLE TABLETS

Objective: Orodispersible tablet formulation was proposed to be developed for fluoxetine hydrochloride taking into consideration it's physical, chemical, pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties and was proposed to be investigated with respect to its potential to be developed into novel drug delivery system Methods: Carrying out pre-formulation studies such as drug-polymer interaction analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and pre-compression characterization of a physical mixture of drug and excipients. Preparation of the orodispersible tablet by using various super disintegrants like croscarmellose, crospovidone & sodium starch glycolate. Preparation of the orodispersible tablet by using various methods like wet granulation method & sublimation method. Results: To evaluate tablets for various physicochemical parameters such as hardness, friability, weight variation, drug content, wetting time, in vitro disintegration time, in vitro dissolution. Conclusion: Finally concluded that the oro dispersible tablet of fluoxetine hydrochloride formulated by sublimation method by using crospovidone at 4.5% level used for depression treatment

Analysis of aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxigenic mold in commercial poultry feeds in Tamil Nadu, India

A total of 48 commercial poultry feed samples collected from different poultry feed manufactures in Tamil Nadu, India were examined for the contamination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Aspergillus flavus. AFB1 in the samples was estimated by sandwich ELISA and the presence of A. flavus was detected by Real-Time PCR assay. Real-Time PCR analysis using A. flavus- specific omt primers confirmed the presence of A. flavus in all the samples tested. ELISA results indicated that the AFB1 contents in the poultry feeds ranged from 1.0 to18.7 ppb, which were below the permissible safe limits for poultry bird consumption and health. The results suggest adoption of good man-ufacturing practices by the commercial poultry feed manufacturers during procurement of feed ingredients, handling, storage and processing which might have suppressed the growth of A. flavus and aflatoxin contamination

Analysis of defense genes expression in maize upon infection with Peronosclerospora sorghi

Downy mildew, caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi is one of the important diseases affecting maize (Zea mays L.) production worldwide. Several downy mildew resistant maize lines have been identified. However, variability in the degree of resistance among maize genotypes to P. sorghi has been reported. In the present study the molecular basis of resistance of maize to P. sorghi was studied by using differential-display reverse transcription PCR (DDRT-PCR) technique. Maize seedlings of downy mildew resistant (MAI 756) and susceptible (CM 500) cultivars at two-leaf stage were inoculated with P. sorghi and leaf samples were collected at 0, 3 and 5 days after inoculation and analyzed for differentially expressed cDNAs using cDNA-RAPD approach. A total of 17 cDNA fragments corresponding to transcripts that showed alterations during the defence response of maize to P. sorghi were identified. Genes involved in signal transduction and several genes with unknown functions were found to be upregulated in maize after infection by P. sorghi. Among 35 random primers tested, OPD-05 has identified a differentially expressed cDNA coding for serine/threonine kinase protein in resistant maize genotype. Constitutive and high level expression of serine/threonine kinase gene was observed in the uninoculated plants of resistant genotype, whereas no expression of this gene was observed in uninoculated plants of susceptible genotype. However, the transcript level was induced 3 days after inoculation in the susceptible genotype and slightly reduced 5 days after inoculation. This study represents the first identification of maize serine/threonine kinase gene that is upregulated following infection by P. sorghi

An analytical review on method development and validation of drugs used for alzheimers disease

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory defeat and impairment in behavior, language, and visuospatial skills. Current approved drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer disease (AD) include cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine,) and the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine. These drugs can provide a symptomatic relief but they poorly affect the progression of the disease. There are several risk factors for the development of Alzheimers disease which include factors like age, genetic factor family history, Downs syndrome, head injury and cardiovascular diseases. Cardio vascular risk factors may include blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and smoking. People may experience cognitive mental illness, difficulty in understanding and thinking, forgetting things easily, making things complicated, mental confusion, difficulty in concentrating, inability to create old memories, inability to do simple things, or inability to recognize common things. The main objective of this review is discussion on various analytical methods used, different solvents used as mobile phase and their retention time. This review includes method development and validation of cholinesterase inhibitors like Donepezil, Galantamine, Rivastigmine and Tacrine combination of drugs which include cholinesterase inhibitors like Donepezil and NMDA receptor antagonist Memantine. The review is a collection of data including various analytical methods used, the different columns used, mobile phase used, flow rate, different detectors and detection wavelength and retention time. This review includes discussion on method development and validation of Alzheimers drugs and newly developed compounds which have lesser side effects and are proving more efficient for treatment of Alzheimers disease

Simultaneous Determination of Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride and Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate in Eye Drops by HPLC

A liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and dexamethasone sodium phosphate in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations. Optimum separation was achieved in less than 5 min using a C18 column (250 mmx4.6 mm i.d, 5μ particle size) by isocratic elution. The mobile phase consisting of a mixture of mixed phosphate buffer (pH 4) and acetonitrile (65:35, v/v) was used. Column effluents were monitored at 254 nm at a flow rate of 1ml/min. Retention times of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and dexamethasone sodium phosphate were 2.0 and 3.16 min respectively. The linearity of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and dexamethasone sodium phosphate was in the range of 3-18 μg/ml and 1-6 μg/ml respectively. Developed method was economical in terms of the time taken and amount of solvent consumed for each analysis. The method was validated and successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and dexamethasone sodium phosphate in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations

Examining the Varied Culinary Practices and Nutritional Patterns: A Comprehensive Analysis of Eating Habits Amongst Student Populations in Educational Settings

Comprehensive bibliometric analysis represents an in-depth exploration of the dynamic and evolving landscape of research concerning eating habits among students, leveraging insights extracted from a vast dataset comprising 563 Scopus-indexed publications spanning diverse academic disciplines. Contrary to anticipated trends, the study\u27s findings reveal a surprising absence of discernible patterns in the convergence of eating habits within the examined literature. This unexpected revelation challenges existing assumptions and underscores the fluidity and complexity of scholarly inquiries into the dietary behaviors of students. Notably, Spain emerges as a crucial contributor, assuming a leadership role in the distribution of documents related to eating habits, thereby highlighting its substantial influence in shaping the global discourse on this pertinent subject. Moving beyond a conventional panoramic overview, this study delves into the intricate fabric of relationships and collaborations within the domain of eating habits research among students. Unraveling these complex dynamics provides nuanced insights into the significant authors, organizations, and seminal papers that have played instrumental roles in advancing the knowledge base within this realm. The dual-focus approach not only enriches our understanding of the multifaceted research terrain but also highlights key contributors and influential organizations that have made noteworthy strides in shaping the discourse on eating habits among students. Furthermore, the analysis identifies essential keywords such as "body mass," "obesity," and "stress" with a notably high frequency of occurrence. These keywords serve as thematic markers, indicating the central dimensions of the scholarly conversation surrounding student dietary behaviors. This revelation underscores the critical relevance of these themes in the existing literature and points towards avenues for further exploration and investigation. By adopting a bibliometric approach, this study not only provides a comprehensive snapshot of the current state of research on eating habits among students but also offers a roadmap for future exploration, emphasizing key contributors, themes, and the intricate collaborative networks that define this evolving field. Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike stood to benefit from the nuanced insights gleaned from this expansive analysis, contributing to a more holistic understanding of the multifaceted aspects of student nutrition

Simultaneous determination of ezetimibe and simvastatin in rat plasma by stable-isotope dilution LC-ESI–MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

AbstractA simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for simultaneous quantification of ezetimibe and simvastatin in rat plasma. The deuterium isotopes: ezetimibe d4 and simvastatin d6 were used as internal standards for ezetimibe and simvastatin, respectively. MS/MS detection involved a switch of electron spray ionization mode from negative to positive at retention time 3.01min. Samples were extracted from plasma by liquid–liquid extraction using tertiary butyl methyl ether. Chromatographic separation was achieved with Agilent Eclipse XBD-C18 column using mobile phase that consisted of a mixture of ammonium acetate (pH4.5; 10mM)–acetonitrile (25:75 v/v). The method was linear and validated over the concentration range of 0.2–40.0ng/mL for simvastatin and 0.05–15.0ng/mL for ezetimibe. The transitions selected were m/z 408.3→271.1 and m/z 412.0→275.10 for ezetimibe and ezetimibe d4, and m/z 419.30→285.20 and m/z 425.40→199.20 for simvastatin and simvastatin d6. Intra- and inter-batch precisions for ezetimibe were 1.6–14.8% and 2.1–13.4%; and for simvastatin 0.94–9.56% and 0.79–12%, respectively. The proposed method was sensitive, selective, precise and accurate for the quantification of ezetimibe and simvastatin simultaneously in rat plasma. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study by oral co-administration of ezetimibe and simvastatin in SD rats

UV Spectrophotometric Method For The Estimation of Seratrodast in Bulk and Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

A simple, specific, accurate and precise U.V Spectroscopy method was developed and validated for the estimation of Seratrodast in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The stock solution was prepared by weighing 100 mg of Standard Seratrodast in 100ml volumetric flask containing distilled water. The final stock solution was made to produce 100