The genetic aspect of musicality, perfect pitch and congenital Amusia

As one of the most important aspects of art, music is also a part of human biology and has had a significant influence on human evolution and development. In addition, it is an essential component of cultural heritage. Both hereditary and environmental variables are thought to play a role in developing and manifesting musical talent. Although environmental variables affecting musical ability have been extensively studied, genetic influences are less well understood. The genetic influence was strongly supported in studies of a random population, twins, and families of talented musicians. Linkage analysis, variation in gene copy number, and scanning for whole-genome expression were among the modern biomolecular methods used to discover genes or chromosomal areas linked to musical ability. Singing and music perception have been linked to many loci on chromosome 4, while absolute pitch and music perception have been linked to specific loci on chromosome 8q. Music perception, memory, and listening have all been linked to the AVPR1A gene on chromosome 12q, while SLC6A4 on chromosome 17q has been linked to music memory and choir involvement.

Variation in agronomic characters among traditional rice varieties of Cooch Behar, West Bengal: A Case Study

The expertise of agro-morphological variability within a crop and its dispersion across agro-ecological areas may be very useful in managing the crop’s germplasm and developing improved methods. Crop failure is guarded against through genetic variety. However, dwindling genetic wealth erodes the capacity to maintain and enhance agricultural productivity. West Bengal has rich rice genetic wealth. But this genetic wealth is being silently depleted due to the onslaught of the high-yielding varieties (HYVs) and neglect The 10 traditional rice varieties were collected from the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, India. The present study aimed to characterize the rice genotypes using agronomic characters. The assessment was done following the Standard Evaluation System (SES) for rice developed by the International Rice Research Institute. Even though all the ten local rice varieties were adapted to the Cooch Behar district, a fair amount of diversity was found among the rice genotypes.

A report groundwater arsenic contamination assay in the delta area of West Bengal

Groundwater contaminated with arsenic adds an extra percentage of arsenic load at the time of the different irrigated processes. In an arsenic-contaminated locality, an experimental drinking water contamination study was done on tap water, pump water used for irrigation, hand pump water used for cooking, and drinking in the delta area in West Bengal, Nadia, 24-Parganas (north and south) Hooghly, Bardhaman, suspicious villages and in Kolkata, in Bengal delta.

Diversity and antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungi from Combretum sp. collected in monsoon from three regions

Aerial tissues of the woody lianas- Combretum sp. was selected and assessed for study of endophytic fungal diversity from three forest areas of West Medinipur and Jhargram districts of West Bengal. In monsoon study it was observed that out of 225 various tissue segments ,165 segments had been colonized by endophytic fungi Combretum roxburghii and 209 endophytic isolates were isolated from them. Average colonization frequency (CF)was 73.32 percent. Highest CF was in plant of Belpahari (76%) and in petiole (82.66%). Out of isolated fungal genera Pestalotiopsis sp. was highest in number. Diplodia sp., Beltrania sp., Chaetomium sp., Fusarium sp., Arthrinium sp. were also greater in number. Dominance index was highest in Belpahari (0.1547). Simpson’s diversity was maximum in Godapiasal (0.8693) and Shannon-Wiener index was also highest (2.152) in plant of Godapiasal. Highest diversity of endophytic fungi was in plants of Chilkigarh. Isolated endophytic fungi were Lasiodiplodia sp., Diplodia sp., Fusarium sp., Chaetomium sp., Arthrinium sp., Aspergillus sp., Pestalotiopsis sp. etc. Simpson’s diversity and Shannon-Wiener index were maximum in plants of Godapiasal. The study of antimicrobial activity of isolated fungal endophytes indicated that few plugs showed antimicrobial activity against few pathogenic bacteria. Among all isolates tested only seven showed antimicrobial activity. Aspergillus sp. and one unidentified fungi showed the antimicrobial activity against three bacteria i. e., Bacillus cereus, Escherechia coli and Vibrio cholera and maximum inhibition zone was observed against E. coli, diameter of inhibition zone is 1.4 cm. Other fungi showed less antimicrobial activity. Diameter of zone of inhibition varied (0.7 – 1.4) and this variation might be due to the difference of bioactive compound produced or the varied concentrations or amount degree of same compound.

Endocrine Disruptor—A threat to the animal world

Various types of naturally occurring and artificially made chemicals cause disruption of endocrine processes among animals. They mimic biochemically with hormones and interfere with the normal signaling and activity of the endocrine system, causing enormous changes at the cellular level of animals from lower to higher organisms, including human being. These modified regulations of cellular activities as a result of endocrine disruptors have severe implications at the organismal level. Types and adverse effects of these natural and synthetic agents, especially estrogenic compounds causing biological threats have been discussed in details in this review.

An alarming public health concern over variability in herbal compositions of marketed immunity booster products during COVID-19: A botanical survey-based study

The world is going through pandemic of the century named COVID-19 disease. The COVID-19 pathogenesis involves cytokine storm in advanced stage leading to systemic hyper-inflammation. Medicinal herbs are practiced as part of alternative therapies in addition to clinically approved drugs with strong belief of its safety and efficacy. In present times, many herbal immunity booster products are available in market which claims to boost immunity for fighting against COVID-19 in prevention and cure. In this study, herbal products with tag of Immunity boosters were surveyed from medical stores and studied for their botanical contents. We surveyed 60 herbal products out of which 31% were tablets and rest were other forms like capsule, decoction and avaleha. Among the products, 17% products were from Dabur followed by Himalaya, Zandu and rest other leading brands of herbal market. Total 98 plants belonging to 50 diverse plant families like Zingiberaceae, Lamiaceae, Piperaceae and Apiaceae were reported being used in these products. Including Fruits (19%), Root (18%) and Leaf (17%), total 20 different plant parts were found used as medicinal herbs. These herbal products were having 10.27 ± 14.02 herbs with range of 56 indicates huge ingredient variation among the products. This diversity in products poses serious health concern in buyers who do not know the safety and efficacy of immunity boosters, being used in COVID-19 pandemic.

Student Research Project Report on the Basmati Patent case

RiceTec Inc, an American company, was granted a patent by the U.S. patent office in late 1997 to call the aromatic rice grown outside India ‘Basmati’ to which India objected. Since India has been one of the major exporters of Basmati rice, such a grant could negatively affect her trade. This paper is based on review work on the Basmati patent, the implications, and the legal battle that followed. This study was part of a student research project during the lockdown period.

Graphene: the magic carbon derived biological weapon for human welfare

Graphene plays an etiologic role for the new edge drug designing in the area of therapeutic management of myriads of diseases. Several researchers have experimentally validated the use of graphene and its derivative either in chemical form or in their nano-form to provide a longer and better life to the patients suffering from cancer, diabetes, etc. In this review, we have tried to focus on the literature to understand molecular docking-based role of graphene as an anti-cancer and anti-diabetic therapeutic tool which is very pertinent in the extensive arena of pharmacology, from pharmacovigilance to pharmacodynamics and kinetics, that ameliorates and concords with the modern scientific approaches of disease management.

The practical and potential importance of herbs such as ginger in Chemical Environmental Science

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"justify"} --> <p class="has-text-align-justify">This article examines the medicinal and dietary supplement on the biological activities of identified chemicals from Ginger (<em>Zingiber officinale</em>) of Zingibracea family. Ginger have long been used in traditional medicine. One of the plants that is very effective in extracting essential oils is ginger, which has been studied by researchers in agricultural sciences and chemistry. The use of medicinal plants has a long history and one It has been one of the most important sources for overcoming the disease. Then From the creation of modern medicine and the widespread use of drugs chemically, people's tendency to medicinal plants decreased. Ginger plants are used, which can lead to the development and progress of countries. Ginger is a rhizome plant that grows to a height of 90cm centimeters.

Oligothiophenes: Synthesis and Optoelectronic Properties

Oligothiophenes give a magnificent opportunity to explore its different synthesis and uses as in optoelectrical devices nowadays. In contrast, oligothiophenes afford higher purity and easy modification with several functional groups than their polymer counterparts. Recent work on functional oligothiophenes of advanced materials for organic electronic devices has been developed. In this study, the synthesis and characterisation of linear and fused oligothiophenes (e.g., oxidative coupling, palladium catalysed C-H homocoupling and cross-coupling) emphasises applications in various areas are addressed.