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An entirely unknown species of coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak occurred in December 2019. COVID-19 has already affected more than 180 million people causing ~3.91 million deaths globally till the end of June 2021. During this emergency, the food nutraceuticals can be a potential therapeutic candidate. Curcumin is the natural and safe bioactive compound of the turmeric (Curcuma longaL.) plant and is known to possess potent anti-microbial and immuno-modulatory properties. This review paper covers the various extraction and quantification techniques of curcumin and its usage to produce functional food. The potential of curcumin in boosting the immune system has also been explored. The review will help develop insight and new knowledge about curcumin's role as an immune-booster and therapeutic agent against COVID-19. The manuscript will also encourage and assist the scientists and researchers who have an association with drug development, pharmacology, functional foods, and nutraceuticals to develop curcumin-based formulations.

In December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)—a novel coronavirus was identified which was quickly distributed to more than 100 countries around the world. There are currently no approved treatments available but only a few preventive measures are available. Among them, maintaining strong immunity through the intake of functional foods is a sustainable solution to resist the virus attack. For this, bioactive compounds (BACs) are delivered safely inside the body through encapsulated food items. Encapsulated food products have benefits such as high stability and bioavailability, sustained release of functional compounds; inhibit the undesired interaction, and high antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Several BACs such as ω-3 fatty acid, curcumin, vitamins, essential oils, antimicrobials, and probiotic bacteria can be encapsulated which exhibit immunological activity through different mechanisms. These encapsulated compounds can be recommended for use by various researchers, scientists, and industrial peoples to develop functional foods that can improve immunity to withstand the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the future. Encapsulated BACs, upon incorporation into food, offer increased functionality and facilitate their potential use as an immunity booster. This review paper aims to target various encapsulated food products and their role in improving the immunity system. The bioactive components like antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, omega (ω)-3 fatty acids, lycopene, probiotics, etc. which boost the immunity and may be a potential measure to prevent COVID-19 outbreak were comprehensively discussed. This article also highlights the potential mechanisms; a BAC undergoes, to improve the immune system.

Application of high-value algal metabolites (HVAMs) in cosmetics, additives, pigments, foods and medicines are very important. These HVAMs can be obtained from the cultivation of micro- and macro-algae. These metabolites can benefit human and animal health in a physiological and nutritional manner. However, because of conventional extraction methods and their energy and the use of pollutant solvents, the availability of HVAMs from algae remains insufficient. Receiving their sustainability and environmental benefits have recently made green extraction technologies for HVAM extractions more desirable. But very little information is available about the technology of green extraction of algae from these HVAM. This review, therefore, highlights the supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) as principal green extraction technology and their ideal parameters for extracting HVAMs. In first, general information is provided concerning the HVAMs and their components of macro and micro origin. The review also includes a description of SCFE technology's properties, instrumentation operation, solvents used, and the merits and demerits. Moreover, there are several HVAMs associated with their numerous high-level biological activities which include high-level antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial activity and have potential health-beneficial effects in humans since they are all HVAMs, such as foods and nutraceuticals. Finally, it provides future insights, obstacles, and suggestions for selecting the right technologies for extraction.

Plants are essential for any ecosystem and are considered as the most important source of herbal medicine. They have been used for treatment of different diseases of human beings worldwide since the beginning of human civilization. Among the plant community, one of the genus Ocimum L. belonging to the family Lamiaceae is of high value in terms of economic upliftment and product development. Most of the species under this genus are cultivated throughout the tropical and the subtropical agro-climatic zones for medicine and for extraction of essential oils for product development in aroma-based pharmaceutical industries. The growth form of this aromatic genus Ocimum can be categorized as herbs, under-shrubs or shrubs that on distillation yield essential oils of various active aroma chemicals, such as eugenol, methyl eugenol, linalool, methyl chavicol, germacrene A and D, elemicin, s-elmene and (Z)-ocimine, and several other active constituents. These volatile compounds have a tremendous value in pharmaceutical, modern perfumery and food processing industries. Evaluation of biological activities of active ingredients of Ocimum indicated great medicinal properties, such as anti-biotic, anti-cancerous, anti-ageing, anti-stress, anti-pyretic, diaphoretic, diuretic, stomachic, anti-microbial and insecticidal, and other similar importance in herbal formulations. A survey on 40 genetic stocks (or accessions) of Ocimum available at the CSIR-CIMAP belonging to five species, viz. Ocimum basilicum L. (25: French basil 7, Sweet basil 6, Zanzibar basil 1, Indian basil 10 and Thai basil 1), Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (9: Krishna/holy basil 4 and Shyam tulsi 5), Ocimum kilimandscharicum Baker ex Gurke (1: Champhor tulsi), Ocimum africanum Lour. (2: Hoary basil) and Ocimum gratissimum L. (3: African basil/van tulsi/tree basil/clove basil), was undertaken for study. It has been observed that some selected lines of Ocimum produce high quantities of essential oils, like Ocimum tenuiflorum (O. sanctum L.) CIM-Ayu (80% eugenol) and EOH-1 (89.75% methyl chavicol). These active ingredients have high international demand for aroma-based value additions and product development from essential oils. Extension and promotion of these Ocimum species will add and contribute to the economic upliftment of the developing countries like India and elsewhere in the world.

The present study was conducted to examin the genetic diversity and clustring pattern among twenty five accessions of basil. The highly significant ANOVA results indicated the presence of high amount of genetic variability which was also confirmed by the wide range of D2-values (0.074-212.97). The all accessions, grouped into seven divers clusters (I–VII). The intra-cluster divergence was maximum within cluster-VII (D2 = 43.32), the inter-cluster divergence was highest between clusters-II and VI (D2 = 155.59). The high genetic divergences among the accession were also confirmed by spatial distribution analysis. The contribution of the character towords the genetic diversity was highest for oil content 56.09% followed by plant height 18.94% and the lowest rank was recorded for the number of branches 7.55%. The highly divergent accessions namely, G-4, G-7, G-9, G-11, G-18 and G-25 may be exploited for further crop improvement for the development of high essential oil yielding Ocimum cultivars of better quality.

The study was carried out to predict yield stability of the sixty vetiver accessions using various parametric/non-parametric statistics over two years. The pooled ANOVA and AMMI analysis expressed that environments/years (E), genotypes/accessions (G), and genotype × environment/years (G × E) interaction were highly significant, indicated that the accessions interacted differentially with different years. Therefore, it is imperative to that stability/adaptability analysis across the environments/years should be followed before the recommendation for commercial cultivation in any crops. Based on the stability analysis using AMMI model, accessions G-10, 23, 38 and 40 showed the widest adaptability/stability due to its ability to tolerate wide environmental conditions over years. Thus, these accessions can be recommended as the most stable accessions for cultivation for wide areas.

Researchers are nowadays focused on the importance of bioactive compounds (BACs) of natural origin, which are secondary metabolites derived from seeds, food and fermentation-based metabolic products. Several factors such as food matrix, molecule's size, environmental factors and association with gastrointestinal (GI) material, can impede the bioavailability and absorption of these BACs in host cell systems and target sites. Natural BACs like flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, etc. are particularly important for the production of functional foods and medicinal products, which may have industrial relevance also. Thus the isolation of such natural BACs can be promising multifunctional extracts that can be used in food applications to aid health-promoting effects in host cell systems. Sufficient evidences are however required to make a health claim and to promote functional foods in international markets. This review focuses primarily on recent developments and modulatory roles of potential health-promoting food BACs. Analyses on the techno-chemical and physiological features of functional food components are addressed besides discussing their analytical methods, bioavailability and bioaccessibility. The current study also considers the health potential of BACs and their rising demand in form of functional foods in the world.

Drought stress is considered a severe threat to crop production. It adversely affects the morpho-physiological, biochemical and molecular functions of the plants, especially in short duration crops like mungbean. In the past few decades, significant progress has been made towards enhancing climate resilience in legumes through classical and next-generation breeding coupled with omics approaches. Various defence mechanisms have been reported as key players in crop adaptation to drought stress. Many researchers have identified potential donors, QTLs/genes and candidate genes associated to drought tolerance-related traits. However, cloning and exploitation of these loci/gene(s) in breeding programmes are still limited. To bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical breeding, we need to reveal the omics-assisted genetic variations associated with drought tolerance in mungbean to tackle this stress. Furthermore, the use of wild relatives in breeding programmes for drought tolerance is also limited and needs to be focused. Even after six years of decoding the whole genome sequence of mungbean, the genome-wide characterization and expression of various gene families and transcriptional factors are still lacking. Due to the complex nature of drought tolerance, it also requires integrating high throughput multi-omics approaches to increase breeding efficiency and genomic selection for rapid genetic gains to develop drought-tolerant mungbean cultivars. This review highlights the impact of drought stress on mungbean and mitigation strategies for breeding high-yielding drought-tolerant mungbean varieties through classical and modern omics technologies.

Enhancing cane and sugar productivity is the major concern of sugarcane growing countries. The present study was aimed to monitor the expression of SAI gene related to the sugar content during elongation phase and its modulation at the onset of cane ripening using an early maturing, high-sugar genotype (CoJ 64) and a mid-late maturing, low-sugar genotype (BO 91). The results indicated comparatively higher concentrations of non-reducing, total sugars and non-reducing/reducing sugar ratio (NRS/RS ratio) in CoJ 64 in all plant tissues (root, stalk and leaf); the highest was in stalk tissue. Similar to sugar content, Brix value (a field indicator of sucrose content) was also higher in CoJ 64. In contrast to this, reducing sugars content, SAI enzyme activity and gene expression level were relatively higher in BO 91. Root tissues showed higher SAI gene expression in BO 91 as compare to CoJ 64, indicating its utility as a molecular tool for characterizing high- and low-sugar genotypes at an early growth stage. Correlation data indicated a negative association of SAI activity and gene expression with non-reducing sugars and NRS/RS ratio, but positive with reducing sugars contents. Differential SAI expression in low- and high-sugar genotypes at the stage of crop elongation may help to manipulate sucrose accumulation process in low-sugar genotypes. In this domain, an effort was also made to improve sucrose content in cane stalk of BO 91 during inclined phase using enzyme effectors (Mg, Mn, B, Mg + Mn, ethrel and a mixture of Mg + Mn + ethrel as a chemical formulation). Chemical formulation was found to be more effective for increasing sucrose content with reduced SAI activity. Findings thus suggest downregulation of SAI activity in response to foliar application of chemical formulation vis-a-vis improvement in sucrose content might be due to significant negative association of SAI gene with non-reducing sugars (sucrose) in both low- and high-sugar genotypes.

Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water, and high concentrations of fluoride in it may cause skin diseases, crippling of bones and brain damage. Three plants have been considered, namely money plant, water hyacinth and duckweed for removal of fluoride from water without supplying any nutrients to these plants. It is found that water hyacinth and duckweed died in fluorided and highly alkaline groundwater (pH ≈ 9) within 10 days. However, consistent growth is observed in the money plant (Epipremnum aureum). Preliminary results of this study demonstrate that money plant can remove both fluoride and the total dissolved solids from contaminated water and can survive for more than 2 months without nutrients. Furthermore, water physicochemical analysis shows that money plant can accumulate dissolved heavy metals and anionic contaminants such as chloride and sulfate. Unlike other plants, the money plant can adapt to temperate, tropic and subtropic climatic conditions, and therefore, it may be a potential candidate for the cost-effective, green and sustainable fluoride treatment for fluoride-contaminated water.

Objective: Lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) produces an inflammatory condition leading to multiple organ failure. LPS most potent bacterial products are used for induction of host oxidative stress responses and liver injury. Methods: Present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Asparagus racemosus Willd. root extract in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced oxidative stress in rats by measuring oxidative stress markers, nitric oxide, liver function test and cytokines. Results: The obtained data showed that LPS administration significantly reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), total cholesterol (TC) and albumin (ALB). There was significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), cytokines activity, serum aspartate transaminase(AST), alanine transaminase(ALT), alkaline phosphate (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) and nitric oxide(NO). Conclusion: The methanolic extract of Asparagus racemosus (MEAR) administration significantly (P

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of silica granules in the form of orthosilicic acid on growth, yield and juice quality attributes of sugarcane variety CoLk 94184 at IISR experimental farm, Lucknow. The treatments comprised of control (T1), orthosilicic granules @20 (T2), 40 (T3) and 80 kg/ha (T4) and calcium silicate @2 t/ha (T5). Silica application showed higher shoot population, specific leaf weight and total dry matter accumulation relative to control. Cane girth, cane height and cane yield were increased due to silica application. Highest increase in these traits was obtained in T3 treatment. Juice quality attributes, viz. °Brix, sucrose percent juice, juice purity, juice extraction, CCS percent juice, S/R ratio and SPS activity, were higher in silica-treated plants relative to control. CCS increase was recorded about 15.2–31.8 % over control with highest increase (31.8 %) in T4 treatment. Soluble silica content was significantly higher in leaf and root tissues of treated plants. Findings suggest that application of orthosilicic acid may be beneficial in improving cane yield and juice quality of sugar cane.

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2010-11 at Varanasi to evaluate the production potential of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Mill sp.) in intercropping with different fertility levels. The pigeonpea+urdbean intercropping system exhibited its superiority by recording higher growth attribute i.e. plant height (231.22 cm plant-1), no. of branches (18.20 plant-1), dry matter accumulation (213.25 g plant-1), LAI (3.45), yield attribute i.e. no. of pods (135.57 plant-1), no. of grain (4.06 pod-1), Test weight (106.07g), and yield i.e. grain yield (1792.29 kg ha-1) and stalk yield (7614.97 kg ha-1). Application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)+2.5t VC fertility level recorded its superiority by recording higher growth attribute i.e. plant height (232.42 cm plant-1), no. of branch (19.07 plant-1), dry matter accumulation (214.65 g plant-1), LAI (3.62) and yield attributes i.e. no. of pods (141.42 plant-1), no. of grain (4.13 pod-1) and test weight (108.22 g) and yield i.e. grain yield (1831.82 kg ha-1), and stalk yield (8221.61 kg ha-1) over all fertility levels. In the cultivation of long duration crops, the short duration crop may be used as intercrop to generate additional income for farmers’ and INM practices also reduce cost of fertilizer as well as environmental pollution.

Aim: This study aimed to correlate periodontal pathogens in endodontic periodontal diseases. Methodology: This study was conducted on 40 patients of both genders. All the participants were obtained from department of endodontics and periodontology with history of endo-perio lesion in same teeth. Polymerase chain reaction was performed and correlation was established. Results: This study included 18 males and 22 females. The mean age of male was 42.5 years and female was 41.3 years. Specimens of Tannerella forsythia were isolated from 94% endodontium and 92% periodontium, Porphyromonas gingivalis from 71% endodontium and 55% periodontium, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans from 12% endodontium and 58% periodontium. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). Bacteria in endodontic-periodontal infection confirmed statistically significant correlation between absolute quantitation of T. forsythia and P. gingivalis (r = 0.412, P < 0.05), P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans (r = 0.524, P < 0.05), and T. forsythia and A. actinomycetemcomitans (r = 0.427, P < 0.05). Conclusion: There was correlation between targeted bacterial species levels from concurrent endodontic-periodontal diseases. Thus, it can be suggested that dentinal tubules may be the pathway for spread of bacteria.

Ficus religiosa commonly found tree in Indian sub-continent has numerous neuro-pharmacological effects including epilepsy in traditional medicine. Therefore, anticonvulsant effect of aqueous aerial root extract of F. religiosa at oral doses 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg was studied using Maximum electroshock (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizure models in mice. F. religiosa showed anticonvulsant effect dose dependently in MES & PTZ test. In MES model F. religiosa 100mg/kg significantly (p < 0.05) lowered duration of Tonic hind limb extension. In PTZ model, all three doses of F. religiosa significantly (p < 0.05)  increased latency to convulsion. These findings thus provide scientific evidence in support of the folkloric use of this plant in the management of epilepsy. Keywords: Anticonvulsant, Ficus religiosa, Maximum electroshock, Pentylenetetrazole, Root

Objective: To find out the antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory capabilities of Euphorbia hirta Linn. methanol extract in LPS-induced to oxidative stress animal model. Methods: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce oxidative stress in rats. Oxidative stress bio-markers (TBARS, GSH, CAT and SOD) were evaluated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Griess assay were used analysis of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) and nitric oxide (NO) level in brain tissues respectively. An anxiety was calculated by elevated plus maze test. Result: LPS treated rats showed markedly depleted brain reduced glutathione (GSH) level (56.25%), superoxide dismutase (SOD) level (43.93%) and catalase (CAT) level (58.55%) in brain tissue, whereas a significant (p

Present study was aimed to assess the effect of foliar applications of nitrogen compounds (potassium nitrate, urea and calcium nitrate) on physio-biochemical attributes in sugarcane plants (Saccharum spp. hybrids, CoLk 94184) subjected to waterlogging. Single bud setts were planted in earthen pots filled with soil. The treatments included control (T1), waterlogged (WL) (T2), WL + potassium nitrate (0.5 %) (T3), WL + urea (0.3 %) (T4) and WL + calcium nitrate (0.4 %) (T5). Waterlogging was imposed by placing planted pot into a larger plastic bucket and filling it with water up to 2 cm above the soil surface. After 2, 6 and 10 weeks of waterlogging, plants were sampled for growth, biochemical and molecular studies. Results obtained indicated decrease in shoot weight, leaf area and activity of nitrate reductase (NR) and increase in root weight, plant height, MDA, proline contents and peroxidase activity due to waterlogging compared to control plants. As compared to waterlogged treatment (T2), application of nitrogen compounds increased leaf area, shoot weight and NR activity and decreased MDA content. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) gene expression was up-regulated due to waterlogging (T2) and WL + nitrogen compounds in both leaf and root tissues; increase was highest in leaves of WL + urea (T4) and roots of WL + calcium nitrate treatment. Findings suggested beneficial effect of all tested nitrogen compounds on growth and biochemical attributes under waterlogged condition.

Candida species has become the seventh most frequent causal microorganisms of nosocomial sepsis. Prematurity and low birth weights are strongly associated with the development of neonatal nosocomial bloodstream infections. Candida albicans has been the species most often associated with neonatal infections, but recently, there has been a changing pattern in the isolates recovered from neonates with invasive candidiasis, which poses resistance to the existing class of azoles such as fluconazole antifungals along with cross resistance to newer triazoles, which results in a therapeutic challenge in invasive fungal infections causing high incidence of mortality. Candida species was isolated from blood of neonates and children younger than 15 years admitted to hospital and susceptible for Candida-induced sepsis. Polymerase chain reaction-based identification and confirmation of individual Candida species were done using DNA sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility assay and resistance pattern for fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin were done for all the isolates. Furthermore, the change in free radical, cytokine release, and nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide release from polymorphonuclear leukocytes isolated from control and pediatric sepsis cases were also performed. The present study probably for the first time reports the change in increasing incidence of nonalbicans Candida-induced sepsis in neonates and children admitted to the intensive care unit of hospital, and current antibiotics load posing resistance for antifungal treatment strategy and provide serious threats in future treatment. The increase in free radicals in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and increase in expression of nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide release in Candida-infected pediatric sepsis cases underlie the role of host factor in dissemination and invasiveness of infection from exogenous sources and pathogenesis of systemic inflammation during sepsis.

The aim of this study was to determine nature and extent of variability parameters and their utilization in barley breeding programme. A total of 45 F1s along with their parents and F2 populations were evaluated in a randomized block design with 3 replications during Rabi (winter season) 2014. The various traits measured were days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, flag leaf area, upper leaf area, tillers-plant, spikes-plant, spike length, grains-spike, spike weight, grain weight-spike, spike harvest index, 1000 grain weight, biological yield-plant, grain yield-plant (g), harvest index, grain size, husk content and protein content. Results showed that significant variation was observed for all the traits studied in the entire gene pool. The degree of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was high for tillers-plant, spike-plant, grain yield-plant, flag leaf area, harvest index, 1000 grain weight, grain weight-spike, upper leaf area and husk content. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for tillers-plant, spikes-plant, grain yield-plant, flag leaf area, harvest index, grain weight-spike, upper leaf area, husk content, grain size and plant height suggesting that these traits are highly heritable and governed by additive gene action. Moderate heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for 1000 grain weight, biological yield-plant, spike length, protein content, grains-spike and spike weight; however, days to 50% flowering and days to maturity had moderate heritability coupled with low genetic advance suggesting preponderance on non-additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits. It could be concluded that the traits of tillers-plant, spikes-plant, grain yield-plant, flag leaf area, harvest index, grain weight-spike, upper leaf area, husk content, grain size and plant height were identified as most decisive factor intended towards developing high yielding barley cultivars.

Aim of this is to examine the Pharmacognastical and Phytochemical properties of Asparagus racemosus. The qualitative microscopy, Phytochemical screening, physicochemical evolution, fluorescence analysis and HPTLC studies were carried out according to the standard procedure recommended in WHO guidelines. The root had compactly arranged, uniseriate, polygonal to radially elongated, thick walled cell represent the outermost piliferous layer. Immediately laying below the epidermis is extensively developed, several layers of thick cortex made up of parenchymatous cells. The cortical cells contain raphide bundles. The innermost one or two layer of cortex immediately outside the endodermis comprises thick-walled cells, with the numerous oval or circular pits on their walls. Endodermis is composed of a single layer of compactly arranged, barrel-shaped parenchymatous cells. Inner to endodermis is a single layer of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells constituting the pericycle in the form of a ring, which surrounds a central stele. Phytochemical investigation of root shows total ash (6.5 %w/w), acid insoluble ash (1.3% w/w), and water-soluble ash (2.2% w/w). Loss on drying is (5.5% w/w). Cold extractive value in pet, ether (0.5%% w/w) in chloroform (3.4% w/w), methanol (8.0 % w/w) and in water (10.2% w/w). Hot extractive value in pet. ether (0.9% w/w), in chloroform (4.6 % w/w), methanol (10.40 % w/w) and in water (11.2% w/w). In methanolic extract and aqueous extract, tannins and saponins present in a major amount. Other constituents include carbohydrate, glycosides and phenolic compounds were present. Various pharmacognistical parameters evaluated in this study help in identification and standardization of the root of Asparagus racemosus. Keywords: Asparagus racemosus Willd, Satavar; Phytochemical investigation, Phytochemistry

Foeniculum vulgare Miller (Fennel) is an important medicinal and aromatic plant, belongs to‘Apiaceae’ family. Its seeds are effective against diseases affecting chest, spleen and kidneys. Fennel seeds are associated with high oil content which is used as flavoring agent. Variation among 37 genotypes was highly significant for all economic traits indicating important genetic variations. Genetic associations studies revealed the significant and positive genetic associations between seed yield and plant height (r = 0.228) and seed yield with diameter of main stem (r = 0.259), respectively. The diameter of main stem is also highly significant and positively correlated with plant height (r = 0.482) and umbel/plant (r = 0.432). Therefore, these traits may be important for the selection of parents for plant height which is contributing indirectly to seed yield. Positive and significant genetic association was also noticed between t-anethole content and diameter of main stalk reveals that plant with thic...

Nature and amount of genetic variability, associations, and path coefficients were studied in the six traits of 45 genotypes of red sorrel. All the traits showed high heritability except medium for branches/plant (73.94), calyx yield (67.54 %), and low for seed yield (i.e., 41.85%), the highest being for days to flowers 50% (98.12 %) and lowest for seed yield/plot (41.85%). Seed yield/plot was significantly and positively correlated with plant height but negatively correlated with days to flower 50%. Fresh calyx yield is positively correlated with days to flower 50% followed by plant height, and branches/plant exhibited same trends at both genotypic and phenotypic level. However, only plant height and fresh calyx yield made the highest amount of direct and indirect contribution to seed yield/plot. Therefore, plant height and β-carotene serve as better selection criteria to improve red sorrel crop.

Among genotypes, Dekalb 900 M Gold recorded significantly higher dry matter/plant, LAI, cobs placement height, grain yield, nitrogen content, protein content, protein yield and protein productivity than other genotypes. Leaves/plant and phytosynthetically active radiation (PAR) above canopy did not influenced by genotypes. Dry matter/plant, plant height, LAI, cobs placement height, protein content, protein yield and protein productivity exhibited higher under highest levels of nitrogen (160 kg N/ha), but at par with 120 kg N/ha. However, grain yield (6300 kg/ha) was highest under nitrogen levels of 120 kg/ha, but also at par with 160 kg N/ha (6240 kg/ha). The effect of applied nitrogen was found non-significant in respect of leaves/plant, PAR above and below canopy, photosynthetically active radiation interception and days taken to tasseling and silking. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v43i1.19747 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43(1): 59-64, 2014 (June)

A total of 243 non-starter lactobacilli were isolated from 12 premium quality Indian Cheddar cheese samples ripened for different periods and in different plant conditions. They were classified up to species level using mainly sugar fermentation assay and PCR. Based upon phenotypes, a maximum of 46.50% were classified as Lactobacillus paracasei , followed by 34.98% isolates as Lactobacillus plantarum . Only 3.29% were classified as Lactobacillus rhamnosus and 4.12% as Lactobacillus delbrueckii species, while 22 (9.05%) isolates (of which 16 L. plantarum / Lactobacillus paraplantarum and 6 Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis / Lactobacillus crispatus ) could not be designated to a single species. One isolate of Lactobacillus coryniformis ssp. coryniformis was isolated for the first time from Cheddar cheese (0.41%) while 1.65% isolates remained unidentified. Mostly, the tentative characterization based on phenotype, could be confirmed by PCR targeting rRNA. Those isolate groups which could not be tested in PCR, or resembled with more than one species in their phenotypic traits, could be resolved by the BLAST homology analysis of the partial tuf gene sequences of few representative isolates.

Strongyloidiasis is associated with Strongyloides stercoralis, an intestinal nematode with greater prevalence in tropical and subtropical regions. Hyperinfection syndrome with dissemination may occur in immunosuppressed individuals. However, invasion of peritoneal cavity with peritoneal effusion is rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of S. stercoralis hyperinfection in a young alcoholic patient with Diabetes mellitus, liver disease and ascites. Diagnostic paracentesis showed numerous filariform larvae of S. stercoralis against a background of eosinophils.

Among the rice hybrids, PRH-10 recorded significantly highest chlorophyll content, dry matter, LAI, CGR, RGR, NAR, root length, root: shoot ratio and grain yield (9.95 t/ha) over the rest of hybrids followed by NPH-567. The lowest values of these parameters were noted in IR-36. The higher straw yield was recorded (144.8 t/ha) in NPH-567. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v43i3.21614 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43(3): 359-361, 2014 (December)

Without experience or proper training, the evaluation of the morphologic features of sperm can become the most confusing and time-consuming area of semen analysis. This study defined the role of Papanicolaou staining compared with an automated sperm analyzer in the management of infertility. We compared the morphologic features of sperm using Papanicolaou staining and an automated Sperm Quality Analyzer IIC-P (SQA-IIC-P; Medical Electronic Systems, Caesarea, Israel) and evaluated the role of factors affecting these features in semen samples from 201 infertile men. The sensitivity of the SQA-IIC-P was 85.5%, and the specificity was 87.3% compared with Papanicolaou staining. Although the positive predictive value of this instrument was 93.7%, the negative predictive value was only 73.3%. Moreover, sperm indices that are important for in vitro fertilization could be derived only by using the manual method. A strong correlation was seen with smoking and leukocytospermia (P < .001). The SQA-IIC-P can be used as a screening tool to evaluate the morphologic features of sperm. However, Papanicolaou staining to study the cytomorphologic features of sperm and the calculation of sperm indices should be done for quantification of defects.

Prunus avium (family Rosaceae) has been used ethnomedicinally for the treatment of many diseases,but its radioprotective efficacy has hardly been explored. Presence of high anthocyanin content and phenolic compound with good antioxidative capacity has been reported by researchers. Its radioprotective effect against 5, 7, 10, and 12 Gygamma radiation was evaluated by 30 day survival assay. Regression analysis yielded LD(50/30) 5.81 and 9.43Gy for irradiated only and (P. avium fruit extract) PAE + radiation groups, respectively. The dose reduction factor was computed as 1.62. For biochemical and hematological studies, Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups: (i) control (vehicle treated), (ii) PAE treated (450 mg kg/day for 15 consequetive days), (iii) irradiated (5 Gy), and (4) PAE + irradiated. The irradiation of animals resulted in a significant elevation of lipid peroxidation and depletion in glutathione and protein levels in blood serum and spleen, which could be significantly checked by administration of PAE. Radiation-induced deficit in blood sugar, cholesterol, and hematological constituents could also be modulated by supplementation of PAE before and after irradiation. The possible prophylactic and therapeutic action noted by P. avium against radiation induced metabolic disorders may be due to synergistic action of various antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, etc., present in the fruit. Further mechanistic studies aimed at identifying the role of major ingredients in the extract are needed.

Lactobacillus is among the most important GRAS food lactic acid bacteria, with nearly 140 species at present, mostly of industrial importance. Being part of the natural flora of a range of food products like raw milk, fermented dairy products, fruits, vegetables, meat products they also serve as starters for a number of fermented food products either to enhance the quality or to add health benefits. These groups of economically important species are often alike in phenotypic and physiological characteristics, probably due to their co-evolution in the same ecological niches; hence they are difficult to be differentiated. This demands advanced methods for their proper identification and characterization. With the advancement of molecular biology, a range of DNA-based molecular techniques has replaced the largely cumbersome phenotypic methods. This review summarizes the various molecular techniques available for detection and identification within the genus Lactobacillus, with special emphasis on the four groups of closely resembling species: L. casei group, L. acidophilus group, L. delbrueckii subspecies, and L. plantarum group. This review also provides insights into current trends for alternative molecular markers other than 16S rRNA to resolve the ambiguity within phylogenetically close species in the genus Lactobacillus.

To study the biochemical, quantitative histopathological and behavioural changes after 5 Gy whole body irradiation and its modulation by supplementation of Grewia asiatica extract (GAE) on male Swiss albino mice up to 30 days.For this, healthy mice from an inbred colony were divided into five groups: (i) Control (vehicle treated); (ii) GAE treated--mice in this group were orally supplemented with GAE (700 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day) once daily for 15 consecutive days; (iii) Irradiated mice; (iv) GAE + irradiated--mice in this group were orally supplemented GAE for 15 days (once a day) prior to irradiation; and (v) Irradiated + GAE--mice in this group were administered GAE orally for 15 days (once a day) consequently after irradiation.Marked radiation induced changes in the amount of cerebellar lipid peroxidation (LPO), Glutathione (GSH), protein, nucleic acids and histopathological changes could be significantly (p0.001) ameliorated specially at later intervals by supplementation of GAE prior to and post irradiation. Radiation induced deficits in learning and memory were also significantly (p0.001) ameliorated.The result of present study showed that prior/post-supplementation of G. asiatica has radioprotective potential as well as neuroprotective properties against the radiation.

The hydrodistilled oil obtained from the dried pyrethrum flowers (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium) was subjected to high resolution GC and GC-MS, leading to the quantification and identification of twenty two compounds representing (85.27%) of the total oil. trans-chrysanthemumic acid (19.61%), decanoic acid (7.63%), nerolidol (9.63%), spathulenol (4.58%), guaiol (5.93%), β-eudesmol (9.81%) and α-eudesmol (7.07%) were the major compounds. The oil of Indian species is uniquely different from the oil obtained from pyrethrum of Kenya’s origin.

Homeobox (Hox) genes are involved in body plan of embryo along the anterior-posterior axis. Presence of several Hox genes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) is indicative of involvement of Hox genes in adipogenesis. We propose that differentiation inducing agents viz. isobutyl-methyl-xanthine (IBMX), indomethacin, dexamethasone (DEX), triiodothyronine (T3) and insulin may regulate differentiation in brown adipose tissue through Hox genes. In vitro culture of brown fat stromalvascular fraction (SVF) in presence or absence of differentiation inducing agents was used for establishing relationship between fat accumulation in differentiated adipocytes and expression of Hox genes. Relative expression of Pref1, UCP1 and Hox genes was determined in different stages of adipogenesis. Presence or absence of IBMX, indomethacin and DEX during differentiation of proliferated pre-adipocytes resulted in marked differences in expression of Hox genes and lipid accumulation. In presence of these inducing agents, lipid accumulation as well as expression of HoxA1, HoxA5, HoxC4 &HoxC8 markedly enhanced. Irrespective of presence or absence of T3, insulin down regulates HoxA10. T3 results in over expression of HoxA5, HoxC4 and HoxC8 genes, whereas insulin up regulates expression of only HoxC8. Findings suggest that accumulation of fat in differentiated adipocytes is linked with expression of Hox genes.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is particularly sensitive to water stress at its reproductive phase and, under conditions of water stress, will abort flowers and pods, thus reducing yield potential. There are two types of chickpea: (i) Macrocarpa (“Kabuli”), which has large, rams head-shaped, light brown seeds; and (ii) Microcarpa (“Desi”), which has small, angular and dark-brown seeds. Relatively speaking, “Kabuli” has been reported to be more sensitive to water stress than “Desi”. The underlying mechanisms associated with contrasting sensitivity to water stress at the metabolic level are not well understood. We hypothesized that one of the reasons for contrasting water stress sensitivity in the two types of chickpea may be a variation in oxidative injury. In the present study, plants of both types were water stressed at the reproductive stage for 14 d. As a result of the stress, the “Kabuli” type exhibited an 80% reduction in seed yield over control compared with a 64% reduction observed for the “Desi” type. The decrease in leaf water potential (Ψw) was faster in the “Kabuli” compared with the “Desi” type. At the end of the water stress period, Ψw was reduced to −2.9 and −3.1 MPa in the “Desi” and “Kabuli” types, respectively, without any significant difference between them. On the last day of stress, “Kabuli” experienced 20% more membrane injury than “Desi”. The chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate were significantly greater in “Desi” compared with “Kabuli”. The malondialdehyde and H2O2 content were markedly higher at the end of the water stress in “Kabuli” compared with “Desi”, indicating greater oxidative stress in the former. Levels of anti-oxidants, such as ascorbic acid and glutathione, were significantly higher in “Desi” than “Kabuli”. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity did not differ significantly between the two types of chickpea, whereas on the 10th day, the activities of ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase were higher in “Desi”. These findings indicate that the greater stress tolerance in the “Desi” type may be ascribed to its superior ability to maintain better water status, which results in less oxidative damage. In addition, laboratory studies conducted by subjecting both types of chickpea to similar levels of polyethylene glycol-induced water stress and to 10 μ.mol/L abscisic acid indicated a greater capacity of the “Desi” type to deal with oxidative stress than the “Kabuli” type.

Water stress during the reproductive phase, especially during seed development, is considered detrimental for chickpea yield. In the present study, the relative sensitivity of Desi and Kabuli chickpea types to water stress during seed filling was assessed in terms of effects on quantitative and qualitative aspects of seed yield. Leaves of both types experienced stress injury (evaluated as electrolyte leakage) to the same extent and possessed almost similar values of water potential at the end of 14 days of water stress. The stressed plants of Kabuli type lost more chlorophyll and had less photosynthesis than Desi type. At maturity, Desi type showed more diminution of vegetative dry matter due to stress over control than Kabuli type. On the other hand, Kabuli type showed a proportionally greater reduction in seed weight per plant, average seed weight, average seed size, number of pods (single- and double-seeded) and harvest index. The stressed seeds of Kabuli type showed 48 and 46% reduction over control in starch and protein content compared with 25 and 40%, respectively in Desi type. The accumulation of soluble sugars was relatively greater due to stress in Kabuli (47%) than Desi type (23%). Fat and fiber content declined by 39 and 35% over control in Desi seeds because of stress whereas Kabuli type showed 46 and 67% decreases, respectively. Protein fractions, namely albumins, globulins, glutelins and prolamins, decreased in stressed seeds of Kabuli by 32, 40, 16 and 15% over control relative to 40, 48, 30 and 28%, respectively, in Kabuli type. The activities of sucrose synthase, invertase and soluble starch synthase were inhibited to a higher extent in Kabuli seeds than Desi seeds under stress. Kabuli seeds showed significantly more reduction in the accumulation of amino acids such as phenylalanine + tyrosine, tryptophan, valine, alanine and histidine and minerals (Ca, P, Fe) due to stress compared with Desi type. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry

Genetic variability among 43 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri, the chickpea wilt pathogen, collected from nine states of India including the four well-characterized races of the pathogen were assessed using the molecular markers, RAPDs and AFLP. Principal coordinate analysis of the similarity index data generated from the molecular marker studies mostly gave three different clusters: Of these two clusters represented race-1 and race-2, and the third cluster consisted of race-3 and race-4 pathogen isolates. In RAPDs a fourth cluster was seen which did not go with any of the four races of the pathogen. The molecular markers established the distinctness of race-1 and race-2 pathogen isolates and the close similarity of pathogen isolates of race-3 with that of race-4. AFLP was found to be more informative as it differentiated more number of the pathogen isolates with the known races with minimum of outliers. The high levels of DNA polymorphism observed with the molecular markers suggest the rapid evolution of new recombinants of the pathogen in the chickpea growing fields.

Scrub typhus is an understudied, potentially fatal infection that threatens one billion persons in the Asia-Pacific region. How the causative obligate intracellular bacterium, Orientia tsutsugamushi, facilitates its intracellular survival and pathogenesis is poorly understood. Many intracellular bacterial pathogens utilize the Type 1 (T1SS) or Type 4 secretion system (T4SS) to translocate ankyrin repeat-containing proteins (Anks) that traffic to distinct subcellular locations and modulate host cell processes. The O. tsutsugamushi genome encodes one of the largest known bacterial Ank repertoires plus T1SS and T4SS components. Whether these potential virulence factors are expressed during infection, how the Anks are potentially secreted, and to where they localize in the host cell are not known. We determined that O. tsutsugamushi transcriptionally expresses 20 unique ank genes as well as genes for both T1SS and T4SS during infection of mammalian host cells. Examination of the Anks' C-termini revealed that the majority of them resemble T1SS substrates. Escherichia coli expressing a functional T1SS was able to secrete chimeric hemolysin proteins bearing the C-termini of 19 of 20 O. tsutsugamushi Anks in an HlyBD-dependent manner. Thus, O. tsutsugamushi Anks C-termini are T1SS-compatible. Conversely, Coxiella burnetii could not secrete heterologously expressed Anks in a T4SS-dependent manner. Analysis of the subcellular distribution patterns of 20 ectopically expressed Anks revealed that, while 6 remained cytosolic or trafficked to the nucleus, 14 localized to, and in some cases, altered the morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum. This study identifies O. tsutsugamushi Anks as T1SS substrates and indicates that many display a tropism for the host cell secretory pathway.

Proteoglycomics is a systematic study of structure, expression, and function of proteoglycans, post-translationally modified subset of proteome. The process of glycan synthesis relies on number of highly competitive process involving glycosyl tranferases. Therefore, the process of glycosylation is highly sensitive to biochemical environment and has been implicated in many diseases including cancer. Recently, the interest in profiling glycome has increased for the potential of glycan as disease marker. The established technologies of proteomics and glycomics, proteoglycomics research requires unique approaches for elucidating structure-function relationship of proteoglycan components, glycosaminoglycans chain and core protein. This review discuss on the existing newly developed technologies widely involved in profiling glycome and role of proteoglycans that can be used as potential marker for disease condition.

Cancer cells continue to grow and divide, without undergoing apoptosis. p53, a tumor suppressor protein, serves as a checkpoint in prevention of cancer by inducing the abnormal cells to commit apoptosis. p53 can induce both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis and can also induce apoptosis by directly acting on mitochondria. Regulation of p53 concentration in cell is very critical and is regulated by Mdm2 which triggers degradation through ubiquitinylation. Keeping in view, the role of p53 in preventing cancer, many effective strategies can be developed to combat cancer by enhancing either function or stability of p53.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of different doses of the methanolic extract of the fruit pulp of Prunus avium (family Rosaceae), which is used ethno-medicinally for the treatment of various diseases, and to find out the optimal dose of Prunus avium extract against 10 Gy gamma-radiation exposure. To test acute toxicity in mice, different doses of PAE (Prunus avium fruit extract) were given orally for 15 consecutive days, after which the animals were observed for another 15 days; the LD50/15 of the methanolic extract was calculated to be 4.947 gm/kg body weight (b.wt). In optimum dose selection against radiation exposure, oral administration of 450 mg/kg b.wt/d of PAE for 15 consecutive days before exposure to 10 Gy of gamma-radiation was found to afford maximum protection in terms of body weight and survivability of the mice in comparison to other doses.

The increasing use of nuclear radiation for human welfare necessitates the search for new, safe, and cost-effective radioprotectors not only for the personnel charged with the responsibility of testing or working with radiation in laboratories, but also for the general public. With this view, the present study has been undertaken to find out the possible radioprotective potential of the Grewia asiatica fruit pulp extract (GAE). It is reported to have a high content of antioxidants such as vitamin C, anthocyanin, folate carotenoids, etc. that may play a possible role in radioprotection. In the present investigation, healthy Swiss albino mice were selected from an inbred colony and divided into four groups: (i) control (vehicle treated), (ii) only GAE treated (700 mg/Kg. body wt./day for 15 consecutive days), (iii) irradiated (5 Gy), and (iv) irradiated + GAE treated. Mice were sacrificed at different autopsy intervals posttreatment, viz., 1-30 days. Blood was collected and liver was removed for various biochemical estimations, viz., glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation. The results indicated that GAE posttreatment protects liver and blood against radiation-induced damage by inhibiting glutathione depletion and ameliorating lipid peroxidation levels that attended normal levels by day 30 posttreatment. Moreover, the magnitude of recovery from oxidative damage in terms of TBARS and GSH content was significantly higher (p

The potent diuretic and natriuretic peptide hormone atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), with vasodilatory activity also stimulates steroidogenic responsiveness in Leydig cells. The actions of ANF are mediated by its interaction with specific cell surface receptors and the membrane-bound form of guanylate cyclase represents an atrial natriuretic factor receptor (ANF-R). To understand the mechanism of ANF action in testicular steroidogenesis and to identify guanylate cyclase/ANF-R that is expressed in the Leydig cells, the primary structure of murine guanylate cyclase/ANF-R has been deduced from its cDNA sequence. A cDNA library constructed from poly(A+) RNA of murine Leydig tumor (MA-10) cell line was screened for the membrane-bound form of ANF-R/guanylate cyclase sequences by hybridization with a rat brain guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA probe. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA shows that murine guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA consists of 1057 amino acids with 21 amino acids comprising the transmembrane domain which separates an extracellular ligand-binding domain (469 amino acid residues) and an intracellular guanylate cyclase domain (567 amino acid residues). Upon transfection of the murine guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA in COS-7 cells, the expressed protein showed specific binding to 125I-ANF, stimulation of guanylate cyclase activity and production of intracellular cGMP in response to ANF. The expression of guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA transfected in rat Leydig tumor cells stimulated the production of testosterone and intracellular cGMP after treatment with ANF. The results presented herein directly show that ANF can regulate the testicular steroidogenic responsiveness in addition to its known regulatory role in the control of cardiovascular homeostasis.

A rare case of testicular tumor in a 20-year-old male with Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET) was reported. Imaging studies showed a large heterogenous mass in the right scrotal sac and a large retroperitoneal mass with metastasis in the lung and liver. Serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) was markedly elevated with moderate increase in serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. After orchidectomy, a histological diagnosis of mixed germ cell tumor-teratoma with primitive neuroectodermal, embryonal, and yolk sac components was made. Some scattered embryoid bodies representative of primitive germ cell tumor were also present. Morphological diversity including PNET prompted the authors to report this case as PNET points toward a poor prognosis.

SUMMARY: A 3-month-old boy presented with progressive pallor since the age of 1 month. Hemogram and bone marrow aspirate were suggestive of pure red cell aplasia. Serum bilirubin and aminotransferases were elevated. Cytomegalovirus serology and DNA polymerase chain reaction were positive. Fetal hemoglobin was normal and Parvovirus B19 DNA polymerase chain reaction was negative. Through this case report, we wish to highlight a rare, might be causative association of cytomegalovirus infection with pure red cell aplasia.

Aims and Objectives: Platelet rich fibrin is widely used in stimulation and acceleration of soft tissue and bone healing because of local and continuous delivery of growth factors and proteins, mimicking the needs of the physiological wound healing and reparative tissue processes. This article will serve to introduce a second generation platelet concentrate, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). Materials and Methods: Fifteen cases are presented in which conventional endodontic therapy failed to resolve the problem and periapical root-end surgery was required. Results: At the end of six months, all patients showed complete bone regeneration. Conclusion: Production of a dense, cross-linked, physically robust PRF made of intact platelets and fibrin by high-speed centrifugation in the absence of exogenous thrombin, yields an ideal scaffold for use in tissue repair.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) binds to a transmembrane receptor having intrinsic guanylyl cyclase activity; this receptor has been designated GC-A. Binding of ANP to GC-A stimulates its catalytic activity, resulting in increased production of the second messenger, cyclic GMP. Here we show that GC-A can be expressed in insect cells using a recombinant baculovirus and that the expressed protein retained its abilities to bind ANP and to function as an ANP-activated guanylyl cyclase. In addition, GC-A produced in insect cells was absolutely dependent on the presence of adenine nucleotides for activation by ANP. Millimolar concentrations of ATP were required for optimal activation. The relative potencies of various nucleotides for activation was adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) greater than ATP greater than ADP, adenosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imino)triphosphate greater than ADP beta S. AMP had no effect. These studies suggest that binding of an adenine nucleotide, most likely to the protein kinase-like domain of GC-A, is absolutely required for ANP activation. Regulation of guanylyl cyclase activation by adenine nucleotides represents a novel mechanism for the modulation of signal transduction, possibly analogous in some respects to the role of guanine nucleotides and G proteins in the regulation of adenylyl cyclase activity.