Genomic Insights into the Biology of Digenetic Fluke, Explanatum explanatum Infecting Domestic Water Buffalo, Bubalus bubalis from India: New Targets for Drug Designing

Explanatum explanatum is a digenetic trematode mostly found parasitizing bile duct and the gall bladder of domestic buffaloes in India .The parasite fabricates productivity loss and occasionally turns out as severe clinical disease leading to granulomatous nodules in the bile duct mucosa, glandular hyperplasia and thickening of the blood vessels. Ribosomes are macromolecular machinery for cell protein synthesis in all organisms. The present study deals with the identification of different DNA motif in 5.8S rDNA to block the activity of ribosome translocation, thereby hindering the process of protein synthesis within the parasite and thus serving as a novel tool for controlling its growth. Moreover, this segment of gene remains evolutionary conserved thus, enhancing the rate of success in designing potent drug molecules for these identified motifs in the genome of E. explanatum. This is first report of the identification of position of DNA motifs in 5.8S rDNA of E. explanatum from India and an attempt to provide new insights for further designing of new potent drugs for its efficient treatment as the parasite has developed tolerance power for already available drugs and the significant loss caused by it to the livestock and economy. Our study will form the foundation for future in-depth analysis of the parasite biology and development, immune evasion strategies, virulence and long-term survival within the definitive host. Our findings aim to provide a better understanding of the parasite genome, the search for new drug design research and thus, can prove as a vital tool for improving animal health that would ultimately succor to meet the ever increasing demand for food.

Antibacterial Activity of Cellulase Enzyme Isolated from Gut Microbiota of Coptotermes ceylonicus (Termite)

Gut microbiota of termites belonging to the species Coptotermes ceylonicus is known to contain plethora of enzymes of which cellulase is the most important among them. Cellulase was successfully extracted and isolated from the gut of these termites by using standard protocol. Cellulytic index was calculated and found to be 3.25. The extracted crude enzyme was partially purified by Dinitro Salicyclic Acid (DNS) method. Extracted cellulase enzyme was screened for antibacterial activity against two bacterial species, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) using well diffusion method. Partially purified cellulase enzyme showed effective antibacterial activity against E. coli (16 mm of zone of inhibition), however, there was no such effect observed in the B. subtilis. In this study we successfully isolated cellulase enzyme from the gut of Coptotermes ceylonicus and confirm its bactericidal effect against E. coli. Further studies are required to test the bactericidal effect of cellulase against different bacterial species.

Human Health Risk Assessment and Histopathological Alterations in Puntius sophore of Damsal Nala, Sukinda Chromite Valley, Odisha, India

The aim of the present study was to assess the concentration of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) like As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe and Pb in the Damsal Nala of Sukinda Chromite Valley, Jajpur of Odisha (India) and its subsequent histopathological lesions in the fish Puntius sophore. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS) methods were used to evaluate the concentrations of PTMs in the muscles of fish, Puntius sophore collected from different zones namely upstream discharge zone (UDZ) and upstream zone (UZ) of the Damsal Nala and control water bodies (CW). In the UDZ of Nala, the concentration of metals viz., Cd, Pb and Fe were 2 to 7 times, and Cr was 77 times higher than the maximum permissible limits recommended by WHO and FAO in the fish muscles. The values of Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) of all these 6 metals were <1 in CW and UZ, but in UDZ the THQ values of Cr and Fe were >1. Hazard Index (HI) for UDZ was 3.47, indicated the alarming concentration of metal which can pose serious risk to human health. Histopathological observations in liver and kidney of Puntius sophore collected from UDZ demonstrated the serious lesions, but mild damage in fish collected from UZ. These histological alterations and the health risk indices disclosed the effects of effluents of chromite mining and the impact on the ecological balance which may result into health hazards to the local human population who are maintaining their livelihood by consuming these fish as protein source.

The Opsins: Lies Between Image Forming and Non-image Forming Process

Light, the most abundant and important stimuli, can be sensed by a single photon by the photoreceptors. These photoreceptors are usually a group of protein of GPCR (G protein-coupled receptor) family. Opsins, a group of this family absorb these photons and processes both image forming and non-image forming phototransduction. Initially, their role was only limited to image formation, but recent studies reveal their importance in non -image forming functions also. In this review, we discussed various roles of opsins other than image formation, such as in photorelaxation of blood vessels, mechanoreception of skin, temperature regulation, hearing, immune system, thermotaxis of sperms, photosensation as well as in reproduction. These various functions of opsins show their immense importance in non-image forming functions as well as their evolutionary importance.

Phytochemical Screening and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Cinnamomum tamala Leaf Extract

Traditional plant-based medicines are still needed by the whole world for their primary healthcare benefits. The phytochemicals or plant extract could be used to treat different diseases and new formulation for the drug discovery in pharmaceuticals. Cinnamomum tamala is commonly called as Indian bay leaf or Tejpatta. The leaves and bark of Cinnamomum tamala are used to cure various diseases due to its various properties including astringent, stimulant and carminative. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the comparative phytochemical screening and free radical scavenging activity of the leaf of Cinnamomum tamala. To achieve this, extract was prepared in three solvents (ethanol, ethanol, aqueous and chloroform). Phytochemical screening (qualitative and quantitative) was evaluated in all the three fractions to compare the solubility of various bioactive components. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, flavones and flavonols, tannins, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins, saponins and glycosides in leaves of Cinnamomum tamala. Quantitative analysis showed that the total polyphenolic content, total flavonoids content, total alkaloids and total flavones and flavonols content in the hydroalcoholic extract was 48.1 mg GA (gallic acid)/g, 22.1 mg QE (Quercetin)/g, 59.9 mg/g and 1.75 mg RE (Rutin)/g, respectively. DPPH free radical assay revealed that Cinnamomum tamala hydroalcoholic leaf extract at a 100 µm/ml concentration showed 96.99± 0.99% inhibition activity. It can be concluded that most of the bioactive components are found soluble in hydroalcoholic solvent. Cinnamomum tamala hydroalcoholic leaf extract contains various bioactive and also exhibits significant free radical scavenging activity. Hence, it can be used as an alternative remedy for the treatment of various diseases.

Assessment of Quality Index of Water by Using Different Physico-Chemical Parameters in Rabale Waterbody, Navi-Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Water is a must for all living things. Reservoir and lake water is used for a variety of purposes, including drinking water, agricultural, commercial, recreational, and aquaculture. However, due to rising population pressures, which has resulted in rapid urbanization, industrialization, and modern agricultural practices, water pollution has become a major issue in recent years. The water quality index is a single number that reflects overall water quality at a specific place and time. To compute, water quality index (WQI) we used Temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D), Chemical Oxygen Demand (C.O.D), Alkalinity, Electrical Conductivity, Turbidity, and Chemical Oxygen Demand (C.O.D), Nitrite-Nitrogen, Nitrate-Nitrogen and Hardness were the physico-chemical parameters investigated in this study. The water quality index is to transform complicated water quality data into information that the general public can use. The Water Quality Index was calculated using the Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WQI). The measured WQI was then used to assess the water quality in Rabale water body. The water quality index (WQI) of the lake was 49.813, 53.483, and 53.045 during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon periods, respectively. When comparing seasonal variations, WQI values show that water status is fairly good during the pre-monsoon but is low during the monsoon and postmonsoon seasons, thus water from Rabale water body may be used for a variety of industrial purposes.

Assessment of Morphometric Indices Related to Vernal Flight in Migratory Buntings

Migratory songbirds fly over long distances to avoid adverse conditions at their breeding and wintering grounds, and this phenomenon is known as ‘migration’. This migratory phenomenon is highly energy demanding. The present study was aimed to analyze the morphometric analysis of body mass, beak, wings, tail, and tarsus length of two migratory finches i.e., red-headed (RHB) and black-headed buntings (BHB) to investigate whether they showed differences in their morphological attributes. This observational study shows an understanding of the characterization of wing patterns and differences in the length of tarsus, tail, beak, and wings of both species. The size of the beak, tail, and wings of BHB is significantly different when compared to RHB. In addition, body mass was significantly high in BHB than that of RHB during their spring migration (preparatory phase). T

A New Species of Sympiesis Förster, 1856 (Hymenoptera: Eulophinae) Parasitizing Lepidopteran Pest Feeding on Dioscorea bulbifera in Almora, Uttarakhand, India

In the present study, a new species of eulophid parasitoid i.e. Sympiesis almorensis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Eulophinae) is described which was parasitizing to a larval host, most probably larval stage of a Lepidopteran insect.

Antibacterial Effect of Vernonia anthelmentica (Kattu Seeragam) on Bovine Mastitis

Bovine mastitis is the common disease of mammary glands of dairy cows, caused by pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococccus faecium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus etc. The disease severely impacts the quality of milk and associated milk products. Three different bacterial species Staphylococcus, Bacillus and Klebsiella were isolated, identified and later treated with the seed extract of Vernonia anthelmentica. Well diffusion method was used to test the antibacterial effect of ethanol seed extract of Vernonia anthelmentica. Results showed that Vernonia anthelmentica was most effective against Staphylococcus compared to other two bacterial species. Phytochemical analysis of Vernonia anthelmentica revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, terpenoids etc. Present study suggests that seeds of Vernonia anthelmentica can be an effective antibacterial against bovine mastitis, which might be due to thepresence of tannins, and terpenoids in the extract.

GIS Mapping and Distribution of Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) in India by Using Citizen Science Data

The Indian peacock or Blue peafowl (Pavo cristatus.), the largest of the pheasants commonly called Mor or Mayur, is a bird species recognized for its beauty. Pavo cristatus (Indian peafowl) has been justifiably declared as the National Bird of India in 1963. In India, it is given the ultimate protection by its inclusion in the Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The main objective is to encourage citizen participation in generating baseline information using sight records and enable long-term monitoring of Indian peafowl in India. The present study deals with the status and distribution of Indian peafowl in India and the data used is taken from the citizen science database of eBird. The complete dataset of Indian peafowl from 2001-2017 was used to prepare the distribution maps in different years as well as to obtain information on the species' location, and the number of a social group in India. Some potential reported sites were verified during 2013–2017 by visiting the distinct locations. From 2001 to 2017 we found 71,632 records from 15,151 contributors across 26 states/union territories of India. Percentage of individuals observed was 38% (in 2017), 27% (in 2016) and 16% (in 2015) whereas 0% was recorded in 2002, 2006 and 2007. The citizen science data obtained thus has the potential for increasing our understanding of current peafowl distribution patterns, and for categorizing important sites for conservation/protections and to perform occupancy and habitat modeling of Indian peafowl species in India.