Gonadal development and differentiation of germ cells during larval growth of Cyprinus carpio

Gonadal development and differentiation of germ cells was studied during larval growth of Cyprinus carpio. The larval stages (immature) collected from fish breeding center, at Paithan. The first fish sampled after 15 days of hatching. The anatomical and histological studies have been carried out form fry to fingerling. The gonadal tissue showed its presence at very early stages of life. It is found that the gonadal tissue formation started at early fry stage where they attached to the coelomic wall by means of chord of mesovarium. A correlation has been noticed between the length and weight of fish to the development of gonad. In early stages, the gonad was differentiated with few germ cells. On 4th week the fish was measured 10mm and showed development of gonad stared form anterior region and proceeded in posterior direction. The gonads were filled with large number of somatic cells, few surrounding Cyst cell stained dark blue with Haematoxylin. Further, at fingerling stage the cells were differentiated into male and female germ cells

IN VITRO STUDY OF THE CONTRACEPTIVE SPERMICIDAL ACTIVITY OF ENSETE SUPERBUM ON HUMAN SPERM

Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the spermicidal and contraceptive efficacy of ethanolic extract of Ensete superbum seeds on human sperm in vitro. Methods: The hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) and the sperm viability test were used to detect the integrity of sperm membrane and vitality. The sperm revival test was also done to check the recovery of the sperm motility. Results: Ensete superbum extract at 100 mg/ml concentration, induced complete immobilization of human spermatozoa and kill 100% spermatozoa within 20s in vitro. The sperm revival test did not show any spermatozoa that recovered their motilities. In the 100 mg/ml extract and N-9 treated groups, the rate of the normal HOS (swollen tails) and the viable sperms (unstained) was 0%, and the rate of the abnormal HOS (unswollen tails) and nonviable sperms (stained) was 100% indicating the plasma membrane degradation of the sperm. Conclusion: The current study indicates that ethanolic seed extract of Ensete superbum possesses appreciable spermicidal potential, which may be explored as an effective vaginal contraceptive

Thyroid screening in pregnancy

Background: Thyroid hormone is critical to normal development of the baby’s brain and nervous system. During the first trimester, the fetus depends on the mother’s supply of thyroid hormone, which comes through the placenta. At around 12 weeks, the baby’s thyroid begins to function on its own. In our study, complete thyroid profile of all antenatal patients was done at the first antenatal visit along with routine investigations. Aim of the study was to study the prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in low income, urban pregnant women.Methods: This is a retrospective study that includes 400 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Government medical college and hospital, Nagpur in the month of April 2017. These patient’s data was randomly selected in the biochemistry department where samples come. Thyroid profile is being done as a routine test along with other antenatal profile tests in our hospital. Thyroid profile test includes serum T3, serum T4 and serum TSH.Results: A total of 400 pregnant women were included in this study. Results showed 34% prevalence of hypothyroidism of which 30% being subclinical hypothyroidism and 4% overt hypothyroidism. There was 9.5% prevalence of hyperthyroidism of which 5.5% being subclinical hyperthyroidism and 4% overt hyperthyroidism.Conclusions: The study shows a very high prevalence rate of hypothyroidism in the patients attending the antenatal outpatient department at Government medical college and hospital, Nagpur. This justifies the inclusion of thyroid profile test as a routine test in the antenatal profile

Ambient levels of volatile organic compounds in the vicinity of petrochemical industrial area of Yokohama, Japan

Urban ambient air concentrations of 39 aromatic (including benzene, toluene, and xylenes) and aliphatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in Yokohama city, Japan. Yokohama city was selected as a case study to assess the amount of VOC released from Industrial area to characterize the ambient air quality with respect to VOC as well as to know the impact of petrochemical storage facilities on local air quality. For this purpose, ambient air samples were collected (from June 2007 to November 2008) at six selected locations which are designated as industrial, residential, or commercial areas. To find out the diurnal variations of VOC, hourly nighttime sampling was carried out for three nights at one of the industrial locations (Shiohama). Samples were analyzed using gas chromatographic system (GC-FID). Results show strong variation between day and nighttime concentrations and among the seasons. Aliphatic fractions were most abundant, suggesting petrochemical storage facilities as the major source of atmospheric hydrocarbons. High concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX) were observed at industrial locations. BTEX showed strong diurnal variation which is attributed to change in meteorology. During our campaign, low ambient VOC concentrations were observed at the residential site

An overview of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and its potential impact on health

Global health and medical practice seek to merge alternative medicine with evidence-based medicine for a better understanding of the metabolic process and its effects in the human body. An example is the use of complementary medicine like phytotherapy. Azadirachta indica (Neem), a tree originally from India and Myanmar, called by many “The village pharmacy” or “Divine tree” because of its many health properties. In recent times, Neem-derived extracts have been shown to work from anywhere from insect repellent, to supplements to lower inflammation, diabetic control, and even to combat cancer. Herein, we state the health benefits found in diverse compounds and extracts derived from Neem, highlighting the mechanisms and pathways in which Neem compounds produce their effects, while warning that the improper and unstandardized conditions to produce extracts can lead to health issues, particularly certain compounds might have damaging effects on the liver and kidneys

Towards molecular breeding of reproductive traits in cereal crops

The transition from vegetative to reproductive phase, flowering per se, floral organ development, panicle structure and morphology, meiosis, pollination and fertilization, cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and fertility restoration, and grain development are the main reproductive traits. Unlocking their genetic insights will enable plant breeders to manipulate these traits in cereal germplasm enhancement. Multiple genes or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting flowering (phase transition, photoperiod and vernalization, flowering per se), panicle morphology and grain development have been cloned, and gene expression research has provided new information about the nature of complex genetic networks involved in the expression of these traits. Molecular biology is also facilitating the identification of diverse CMS sources in hybrid breeding. Few Rf (fertility restorer) genes have been cloned in maize, rice and sorghum. DNA markers are now used to assess the genetic purity of hybrids and their parental lines, and to pyramid Rf or tms (thermosensitive male sterility) genes in rice. Transgene(s) can be used to create de novo CMS trait in cereals. The understanding of reproductive biology facilitated by functional genomics will allow a better manipulation of genes by crop breeders and their potential use across species through genetic transformation