Search

An epidemiological study was conducted along with molecular detection of Cryptosporidium in cattle and human from Aizawl district of Mizoram, India. A total of 200 samples (100 each of cattle faeces and human stool) were collected randomly for detection of Cryptosporidium ocysts by mZN staining after concentration of ocysts by Sheather's sucrose floatation technique. Genomic DNA was extracted from the microscopically positive faecal/stool samples for PCR-based detection of 18S (SSU) rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium. All the microscopically positive cattle faecal and human stool samples were found to be positive for 18S (SSU) rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium, and subsequently the species and genotype of Cryptosporidium were detected by PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The overall prevalence rates of Cryptosporidium were 13% and 5% in cattle and human, respectively. Significantly (P < 0.01) higher prevalence rate of Cryptosporidium was recorded in 0–6 months than above 6 months of age group of cattle. The sex-wise and breed-wise prevalence rates of Cryptosporidium did not vary significantly in both cattle and human. Diarrhoeic cattle and human were found to be significantly (P < 0.01) more infected with Cryptosporidium than non-diarrhoeic. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence rates of Cryptosporidium were found in cattle during monsoon season than winter, and the seasonal variation was non-significant in human. The PCR-RFLP revealed C. parvum (genotype II) in nine numbers and C. andersoni in four numbers of cattle faecal samples and the two numbers of human stool samples revealed genotype I and genotype II, one each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Cleistanthus nokrensis (Euphorbiaceae), was collected and described from Indian Himalaya. This species is confined to the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve where it grows on the calcareous habitat in karst topography. On the basis of the critical features of its habitat, branches, petioles, leaves, and fruits, the species is compared with the closely related allied species, C. tonkinensis Jabl. and C. balakrishnanii Chakrab. Notes on its taxonomic description, photographs, ecology, associated species, population data, and threat perspective as per latest IUCN conservation status are provided. A key to the other taxa in the genus reported from India is provided for the first time, along with their distributional records and endemism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study documented pharmaceutically important plant resources used in primary health care of ethnic Garo tribes from Eastern Himalayas (Nokrek Biosphere Reserve [NBR], India). In order to document information on medicinal plants and to maximize the collection of indigenous knowledge of Garo tribes, 12 traditional healers were identified using the Participatory Rapid Appraisal approach. Data were collected through open-end interviews with traditional healers, between 2007 and 2011. A total of 157 plant species representing 134 genera and 81 families were found to be commonly used in the treatment of 67 health-problems. More than one-fourth of the plant species were used in the treatment of cough, flu, and cold, which are prevalent ailments in the study area. The leaves, root, rhizome, and tuber were the most commonly used plant parts while decoction was the most common method of drug preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Many countries and cultures inherited knowledge of plant medicines to cure diseases and health problems from time immemorial. Field survey work and the registration of patients on a daily basis for a number of 129 randomly selected days, mainly in Thoubal district from January 2006 to October 2006 were conducted, alongside the collection of plants up to April, 2008. Recorded patients belonging to these communities included communities 514 Muslims: 390 Meeteis: 159 Tribals. Male and female were in a proportion of 614:548. The present study deals with 13 plant species, under 14 genera belonging to 13 families closely associated with 12 categories of treatment of diseases and human health problems. The plant parts/plants employed are categorised as leaves (L), 7 times; whole plant (WP), 2 times and Fruits (F), Whole plant without root (WPWR), Seeds (S), Bulbs (B), Roots (R); 1 time each. Category of illnesses and health problems and number of patients recorded were - Bone dislocation, fracture & other bone related problems (BDFOP 402); Ligament (LG 86); Kidney stone and kidney related problem (KSAP 47); Joint, body ache &associated problems( JBAP 37); Gastric problems (GST 35); Diabetes(DBT 35); Leiman or Bad Womb (BW 30); Dhatu or Piles & Constipation (PC 27); Phunba and Lengba or Congestion of chest (CC); Asthma (AST 16); Stomach and associated problems (SAP 14); Heart weakness (9); Liver problems (LP)(9); Lack of blood & Blood problem (LBBP 8); Chakmangba or post-birth lack of appetite female case (PBLAFC 8); Paralysis (P6); Female white discharge (FWD 4); Irregular Men's Cycle (IMC 4); possessiveness due to black earth (PBE 4); Gall bladder stone (GBS 4); Fever (2) and others (OTS 366). The investigation of the traditional medicinal practices of Muslim herbalists in Manipur vis a vis finding along potentiality of the practical know how of indigenous medicinal knowledge. Comparative study of some plants for their useful aspects in solving health problems had been discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the review of pharmaceutical properties of species of Ficus L. occurring in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper describes traditional uses of bamboos among the Karbis, a hill tribe of state of Assam in India and their significance in the social, cultural and religious life of the people. Field study was undertaken among the Karbis in different parts of Karbi Anglong district of Assam state, India during 2003-2010. Information was collected from elders of 24 randomly selected villages following unstructured interview because the informants were illiterate, and observations. Bamboo is the most extensively used plant resources among the Karbis, Bambusa tulda Roxb. and B. balcooa Roxb. (Sil borua) in the plains and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees et Am. ex Munro in the hills being the most commonly used species. There is a popular proverb prevalent among the people read as "Karbi aso ke jintak cheripdongse pirthe kevang lapen jintak cherip pondongse chomarong kedam" [a Karbi is born withjintak (bamboo split) in his hand and leaves the world holding jintak]. This phrase speaks a volume about the dependence of the Karbis on bamboo resources. Though metallic articles are available, the uses of certain bamboo crafts are mandatory during rituals and in social occasions. Han-up or bamboo shoots is a major source of food during scarcity of rice; a traditional festival is celebrated to mark the bamboo shoots harvesting season. Karbis also observe certain taboos on use of bamboo. Bamboo also is a potential resource for improving rural economy of the rural Karbis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of traditional Karbis knowledge of dye and dyeing techniques was conducted in Karbi Anglong District, Assam, India. The use of dyes for imparting specific color or color combinations was found to play an important role in the social and religious life of the Karbis. Cotton (Gossypium herbaceum L.) and eri silk are the traditional sources of yarn or fibers for weaving garments. Yarn, fibers and garments are often dyed (e.g., black, blue, indigo, yellow, red, pink) with plant extracts, animals prodicts, and even minerals. Dyes or colors carry important cultural value and therefore, uphold cultural identity. Traditional knowledge of herbal dyes and dyeing is facing threats from synthetic dyes and acculturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nokrek National Park, located approximately 40km from Tura town in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, India, was added to the list of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in May 2009. Since there is no previous report from this area, the pteridophytes of the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve are catalogued in the present study. The checklist consists of 113 taxa (98 ferns, 15 fern allies), of which 25 species are newly reported for the Meghalaya State (Selaginella involvens, Selaginella semicordata, Selaginella subdiaphana, Selaginella tenuifolia, Asplenium gueinzianum, Asplenium perakanse, Microlepia hancei, Microlepia rhomboidea, Dicranopteris linearis, Coniogramme procera, Bolbitis sinensis, Loxogramme chinensis, Lygodium microphyllum, Lemmaphyllum microphyllum, Lemmaphyllum rostratum, Pleopeltis macrosphaera, Pyrrosia lanceolata, Pyrrosia longifolia, Pteris biaurita ssp. walkeriana, Pteris grevilleana, Tectaria fuscipes, Cyclosorus crinipes, Pseudocyclosorus falcilobus, Diplazium apicisorum and Diplazium pseudosetigerum) and 43 species are new for all the three Garo Hill districts of the Garo Hills in the Meghalaya State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper focuses on the various disturbance agents such as coal mining, limestone extraction, stone quarrying, jhum cultivation, fire, grazing, over-exploitation of resources, road constructions etc., affecting the natural growth of Nepethes khasiana in the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve of India. N. khasiana is the prominent insectivorous scandent shrubs species of this biosphere reserve and is an important source of medicine and basic ornamental uses for the local garo tribal people of north-east India. The inevitable pressure due to commercialization of the N. khasiana is leading to severe destruction of the species and may create the scarcity of that species in the near future. Therefore, joint efforts need to be implemented by the local garo villagers with governmental and non-governmental agencies for conservation and sustainable use of N. khasiana. The government may also take initiative by allotting demarcated forests areas to the villagers as village forest, thus motivating the villagers to take special care for its protection and rehabilitation and for a sustainable output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a research study that examines the utilization of bamboos and rattan species among the ethnic groups from North Cachar Hills district of Assam, India. It included 32 bamboos and 8 rattan species belongs to 11 and 3 genera respectively. It was found that nine species of bamboo particularly were used for basketry, whereas six other are used in culture and traditional rites and rituals.

Calamus nambariensis Becc. (Arecaceae) has been recollected after a century from its original locality. As there is no holotype for the species name, a lectotype is designated from FI‐BP. Further, an epitype is designated to overcome the ambiguity of the incomplete material available at FI‐BP and a detailed description of the female flower from live material is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal helminthes were collected from 27 necropsied stray cats (Felis catus) in Aizawl, Mizoram, India from January 2005 to April, 2009. The examined cats showed mixed helminthic infections, with an overall prevalence of 85.2%. Five nematodes, 2 cestodes and 1 trematode were identified. The most common helminthes were Taenia taeniaeformis (70.4%), Toxocara cati (59.3%), Physaloptera praeputalis (44.4%), Dipylidium caninum (40.7%), Spirocerca felineus (18.5%), Gnathostoma spinigerum (11.1%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (7.4%) and Opisthorchis sp (3.7%). Co-infection with T. taeniaeformis and T. cati was seen in 48.1% (13/27), indicating the possibility of these cats were paratenic hosts for toxocariasis in cats.