International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 45

Abstract: Crab meat is an excellent source of minerals, particularly calcium, iron, zinc, potassium and phosphours. The minerals in the edible parts of muscle of C.lucifera different sexes (male, female and berried female) were determined by digital flame photometer. Totally 11 minerals are reported in the present study. Seven (Sodium> Potassium >Magnesium >Calcium>Manganese> Iron >Zinc) minerals were reported in all sexes. Sodium was maximum (137.55 mg) and zinc was minimum (1.76 mg) in all sexes. Copper, mercury and cadmium were available in trace amount in all sexes. However, arsenic was in trace amount in berried females and totally absent in males and females. Among different sexes, berried females contain maximum amount of minerals (156.24mg) followed by females (121.76 mg) and males (95.5mg).

Abstract: There are numerous genetic factors like MC4R (Melanocortin-4 receptor), POMC (Pro-opiomelanocortin), SIM1 (Single Minded Gene) etc. important in obesity, which can be used as biomarker. But more reliable diagnostic markers are the need for today, along with new therapeutic strategies that target specific molecules in the disease pathways. As in mouse and human genes, where mutations in one or both species are associated with some phenotypic characteristics as observed in human disease. In molecular mechanisms of development, differentiation, and disease gene expression data provide crucial insights. Up-regulation and down-regulation of selective genes can have major effects on diet-induced obesity, but there is little or no effect when animals are fed a low-fat diet. In present study we have studied the gene expression data of mouse at different theiler stages using GXD BioMart. The interacting partners and pathway of the genes that are already used as biomarker in mouse as well as in humans have been studied. A gene NPY1R (Neuropeptide Y1 receptor) was taken as common after STRING and KEGG results on the basis of biochemical pathways and interactions similar to MC4R. Our present work focuses on comparative genomics and proteomics analysis of NPY1R, which has led to identification of biomarker by comparing it with already known MC4R human and mouse biomarker. It has been concluded that both the proteins are structurally and functionally similar.

Abstract: The present study focused on recordings of sounds of Saxicoloides fulicata (Indian robin) from Kalaburagi distract, Karnataka state. The study was undertaken during the Many 2012 to April 2013. During the study period about 50 samples of sounds of Indian robin were recorded and spectral analysis was performed subjected to sound samples. the study results indicate that, three types of sounds were identified and with significant variations in their structural hierarchy with distinct high and low frequencies.

Abstract: The present study aimed to isolate and identify the chlorpyrifos resistant soil bacteria from contaminated soils in order to be used for bioremediation of polluted environments. Bacteria were isolated from two cultivated plant root rhizopheric soil of Cocks comb (Celosia cristata) and Marigold (Tagetes erecta).The pesticide was tested at 5 elevated doses,0.5%, 1%, 2%, 2.5% and control. Physiochemical properties of soils, P^H, Electrical conductivity, Organic carbon, Organic matter, Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, Manganese and Iron were analyzed. Based on morphological and biochemical tests the isolates were identified as Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, the organisms can be exploited for bioremediation of chlorpyrifos polluted soil, and their ability to degrade other organophosphates pesticide.

Abstract: The present study was carried out to find out the changes induced by one of the stress conditions such as acidic medium exposure on some haematological and blood biochemical, parameters in the fresh water fish, Notopterus notopterus. Increase in the haemoglobin and haematocrite indicate haemoconcentration in the fish blood. Glucose, alkaline phosphatase, sodium and calcium, protein, BUN, creatinine, triglycerides, enzymes such as SGOT and SGPT were decreased in the fish N.notopterus exposed to acidic condition. The changes in the environmental factors such as acidic condition cause stress to the fish which may bring disturbance in the blood parameters effecting the survival of fish.

Abstract: Sexual dimorphism is biologically important for determining the morphological traits of marine species. Flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) was examined based on the patterns of sexual dimorphism from the two rivers in Northern Mindanao. The samples were collected from Cagayan de Oro River and Mandulog River to investigate phenotypic divergence and sexual dimorphism in two different populations of wild-caught M. cephalus using geometric morphology based on landmark basis. A total of 17 landmarks were identified to describe the left and right body shapes of the specimen using the TpsRelw (version 1) to obtain the warp scores of each population. Results of the Relative Warp Analysis show no significant variation in the body shape within the sexes in the respective sampling sites. Results of the discriminant function analysis (DFA) show that in Cagayan de Oro River there is no significant variation in the body shape of mullets between sexes suggesting no sexual dimorphism in the flathead mullets in Cagayan de Oro River. In contrast , Discriminant Function Analysis show that there is significant variation in body shape between sexes in Mandulog River in Iligan City suggesting presence of sexual dimorphism in the area which can be due to the presence of abundant and highly diverse predator species in Mandulog River. Sexual dimorphosm can be used by fishes as an adaptive mechanism to maximize predator-escape performance and survival capacity. Furthermore, there is a significant shape variation between populations of mullets in Cagayan de Oro and Mandulog River which can be interpreted as due to geographic isolation which serves as physical barrier on the gene pool. In conclusion, many factors could account for variation in body shape of Mugil cephalus including predation and biogeographical barriers.

Abstract: Proximate composition of the three green seaweeds viz., Chaetomorpha aerea, Enteromorpha intestinalis, Enteromorpha compressa one brown seaweed Dictyota dichotoma and one red seaweed Gracilaria corticata was investigated by determination of protein, carbohydrates, lipid, moisture and ash content. In the present study, the total protein was recarded upper most in E. intestinalis and bare minimum in E. compressa. The maximum carbohydrates recorded in C. aerea and minimum in G. corticata. The lipid content was acquired upper limit in E. compressa and least in C. aerea. The ash and moisture content in following of 5 different seaweeds are as follows: 7.45mg/g, 3.91mg/g were recorded in the C. aerea, 8.52mg/g, 3.42mg/g in the E. intestinalis, 8.58mg/g, 3.75mg/g in the E. compressa, 9.47mg/g, 4.23mg/g in the D. dichotoma and 6.95mg/g, 3.98mg/g in G. corticata. The proximate composition of 5 different seaweed species exhibited high nutritional value for human consumption.

Abstract: Lately, different therapy strategies for treating or slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease are being analyzed. Moreover, the last two decades have seen a considerable research effort directed towards discovering the causes of Alzheimer's disease with the ultimate hope of developing safe and effective pharmacological treatments. In addition to the therapeutic strategies based on targeted drugs, the regimens will require the simultaneous application of neuroprotective drugs. Therefore, although there is currently no "cure" for Alzheimer's disease, a large number of potential therapeutic strategies emerged lately. In this small mini-review we will selectively describe some of the compounds derived from plants that could have a great potential in the treatment of various diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. In this way, there are many plant species that have been traditionally used for memory disorders. The differentiated results and powerful activity of these extracts are making these neuroprotective strategies to be somehow plausible for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, these plants can be examined in order to isolate and identify their active ingredients and this can serve as a starting point to find safer and more effective agents for therapeutic use. On thing is certain: as the effective treatment options are limited, there is a demand for new drugs. Thus, plant extracts or vegetal compounds could represent an important part in this equation.

Abstract: The effects of different concentrations (10,20,30,40 and 50 ppm) of cadmium chloride on seed germination, root length, shoot length, fresh weight, photosynthetic pigments, protein content and peroxidase activity in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.). Higher concentration of Cadmium were reported specially at 40 and 50 μm reduced germination significantly. Leaf chlorosis, wilting and leaf abscission were observed in plants with cadmium. Protein content and sugar content were reduced in higher concentrations of cadmium. However, lower concentrations of CdCl₂ resulted in higher peroxidase activity in roots and shoots of tomato.

Abstract: The antimicrobial activity of chloroform and methanol extracts of Lennea coromandelica were screened for their was studied against gram positive bacteria strains Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Bacillus subtilis gram negative bacteria strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli and fungal strains such as Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. glabrata using disc diffusion method, determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC), Minimum Bacterial Concentrations (MBC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentrations (MFC). The antimicrobial activity for different concentrations like 250 μg, 500 μg and 1000 μg of different solvent extracts of Lannea cormandelica. bacterial strains and recorded in highest mean zones of inhibition ranged from 19.6 mm and Candidal strains and the exhibited the highest mean zones of inhibition ranged from 10.6 mm. Methanol extracts showed the best results as inhibition zones against tested organisms. Results showed also that, the greatest effect was towards Staphylococcus aureus and the lowest was against Candida krusei. The present study reported the great effect of Lannea cormandelica extracts against some of most important pathogens.