International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 47

Abstract: Development and validation of rapid HPLC method for quantifying macrolide antibiotics azithromycin (AZI) and spiramycin (SPI) in bulk and tablet samples is described. Determination was performed on a reversed phase C₁₈ ODB column (250×4.6 nm I.D) at ambient temperature, and employing a UV-detection set at 210 nm. The mobile phase consists of acetonitrile –2-methyl-2-propanol–hydrogenphosphate buffer, pH 6.2, with 1.8% triethylamine (32:8: up to 100, v/v/v), delivered at a flow-rate of 1.1 mL min^-1. The assay is linear in concentration ranges of: 0.004–4.8 and 0.0003–1.2 mg mL⁻¹ for azithromycin and spiramycin, respectively, with detection limit of 0.02% for SPI and 0.03% for AZI. Recovery experiments revealed recovery of 98.51–100.82%. The applicability of this method in stability assessment studies is evaluated.

Abstract: The occurrence and abundance of Microcystis aeruginosa were monitored monthly in eutrophic pond water of Ilamiyakkinar temple pond from July 2014 to June 2015. Some environmental factors such as water temperature, pH, free carbon-dioxide (FCO₂), total alkalinity, Dissolved oxygen (DO₂), biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate (NO₂-N) and phosphate are recorded and their relationship with the bloom formation by Microcystis aeruginosa were discussed. The initiation and persistence of Microcystis aeruginosa were founded to be triggered by relatively high water temperature (24 °C to 36.5 °C), pH (7.3 to 8.72) and NO₂-N concentration.

Abstract: The Meretrix casta is an edible clam for human beings and it is widely distributed around the aquatic ecosystem. The clam has relatively thick shells that can attain a length of three inches. The knowledge of the biology, culture and biochemical composition of any edible organism is extremely important. Though the size, shape and colour of clam are different their nutritive value is very good. A maximum average length of 27.15mm was observed in the M.casta studied during 2011 and a maximum average length of 26.51mm was observed during 2012. The average lengths of M.casta in all the three different estuaries studied were as follows: 27.15 > 25.82 > 25.04 mm in 2011 and 26.51 > 25.88 > 25.17mm in 2012. A maximum average weight of 7.824 and 7.155g was observed during 2011 and in 2012; a maximum weight of 7.528g and minimum of 6.941g was recorded uniformly in all the three different estuaries. However, in 2011and 2012 a maximum and minimum of average length of 26.86, 25.10 mm, and average weight of 7.67 and 7.05g respectively were noticed in both Vellar and Uppanar estuaries of M.casta. the present investigation, it is clearly observed that M.casta can grow a weight of 0.13g/day and length of 0.122mm/day among the three different estuaries studied in the Cuddalore district which is located in Bay of Bengal.

Abstract: The present study aims to detect morphological abnormalities in Zygnema sp. because this test species have high adaptive capacity in unfavourable environmental stress. This alga is inhabited at the suburban bank of river Ganga, West Bengal, India. The study was done at experimental sites, downstream at Khardah near sewage water mixing area was compared with upstream control site Kalyani as no sewage water discharge. External and internal abnormal morphology such as undulating or wavy and extra outgrowth on cell wall, sometimes bending inwardly and outwardly as external deformities while internal anomalies such as pigment loss, nucleus was in circular, rectangular, oval and amoeboid shapes, also vacuolated and trilobed, broom like chloroplasts and central part of the thallas dried in between two segments. It was observed that this test species was surviving and well adapted with above mentioned deformities. The present preliminary study with Zygnema sp. can be utilized for in situ and ex situ indicator species for riverine biomonitoring. Further research may be relevant to know both tolerant and sensitive algae species inhabited at the river Ganga bank alongwith biochemical and genetic parameters. The present work is suggesting that other inhabiting algae and this adaptive test species can be used for bioremediation of pollutants.

Abstract: The report on sustainability initiatives across key sectors in India is written to highlight the current status of existing initiatives and also the future scope of initiatives that would be taken across key sectors in India. The report will showcase macro level information.The general question in travelling in mind would be why sustainability is growing so much in prominence Quite likely the substitute answer would be to combat the climate change and safeguard the environment.The reason for choosing to write the report on Sustainability would be to increase the prominence of the initiatives that would reach out to various sectors, and hence can benefit the overall Indian sectors as a whole. Since climate change is a global issue, India’s initiatives against climate change in the form of various mitigation and adaptation would count against this climate change as a whole.

Abstract: The amount of rainfall received over an area is an important factor in assessing availability of water to meet various demands for agriculture, industry, irrigation, generation of hydroelectricity and other human activities. Over the study period of recent 30 years, trend values of monsoon average rainfall in Chittagong have increased. This paper has measured the correlation coefficients between rainfall and time for Chittagong, where correlation coefficient for Chittagong is positive. In order to check the strength of linear relationship between rainfall and time, P-value has been measured. Due to various factors of Chittagong region of Bangladesh, there is a growing need to study the rainfall, temperature and humidity pattern. This study was checked annual average rainfall of 30 years, temperature of 60 years and humidity of 28 years for this region. It is hoped that this research may be of help to the concerned organizations and experts working on increasing climate variation in Chittagong.

Abstract: The prevalence of enteritis and its accompanying diarrheal and other health challenges linked to infections with Salmonella has continuously plagued sub Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, typhoid fever is among the major widespread diseases affecting both young and old as a result of many interrelated factors such as inadequate sanitaion, indiscriminate use of antibiotics and fecal contamination of water sources. Morbidity associated with illness due to Salmonella continues to increase with untold fatal consequences, often resulting in death. An accurate figure of cases is difficult to arrive at because only large outbreaks are mostly investigated whereas sporadic cases are under-reported. A vast majority of rural dwellers in Africa often resort to self-medication or seek no treatment at all, hence serving as carries of this disease. Non typhoidal cases of salmonellosis account for about 1.3 billion cases with 3 million deaths annually. Given the magnitude of the economic losses incurred by African nations in the battle against salmonella and salmonellosis, this article takes a critical look at the genus Salmonella, its morphology, isolation, physiological and biochemical characteristics, typing methods, methods of detection, virulence factor, epidemiology and methods of spread within the environment.

Abstract: Macrophytes are important component of the aquatic ecosystem and broad changes in the abundance of individual species and community composition provide valuable information on how and why an ecosystem might be changing. Santhapettai lake is one of the biggest fresh water lake in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. The physico-chemical parameters were analysed for one year (October 2012-September 2013). Quadrates were laid randomly and extending from shoreline towards the lake center. The macrophytes falling in each quadrate were sorted species wise, identified and data were recorded. The plants have been identified from fresh materials with the help of different floras. In this present investigation, a total of 33 species belonging to 23 families and 28 genera were identified under algae, pteridophytes, dicotyledons and monocotyledons. Further, the plants were classified in morphological group as floating (7), submerged (1), submerged anchored (13), floating leaved (1) and emergent anchored (11). The coverage/spread of macrophytes along the shorelines was higher compared to the centre of the lakes where the species composition was found reduced. Assessment of biota, continuous monitoring and conservation lake are the important components to safeguard the biological wealth of lentic and lotic freshwater ecosystem.

Abstract: Terminalia chebula, a plant rich with phytochemicals, was selected in the present investigation for evaluating its immunomodulatory activities. Extract of the leaves were prepared in various solvents. Ethanolic extract was found to contain significant amount of phytochemicals. Hence, it was selected to study immunomodualtory activity. Silica gel column chromatography of ethanolic extract was performed. The fractions were further subjected to TLC and most active fractions were administrated to balb/C mice for evaluating immunomodulatory studies. Out of the five fraction (S1 – S5), S3 was found to possess immunostimulant activity. Provision of Ethanol Extracts of Terminalia chebula on balb/C mice can increase the antibody titers IgM and IgG.

Abstract: The pancreatic cancer is a disorder with an exponentially increased incidence, especially over the last few years. Moreover, it is estimated that almost 95% of the patients with this disease are presenting to the hospital in the advanced and unresectable stages. Also, over the past few decades the development and advance of the surgical methods and techniques have improved, with the most of the operatory actions in the chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer being represented by the whipple duodeno-pancreatectomy, which in fact represents the standard resection for tumors of the duodenum, as well as the hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater, distal choledocus and the head of the pancreas. Moreover, it is important to mention that in these cases, after an extended resection and reconstruction of the upper gastrointestinal tract, the digestive physiology will be disrupted. In addition, previous studies have shown that patients can maintain a body mass index after surgery but often this will be lower than its preoperative value. Thus, considering the aforementioned aspects, in the present mini-review we were mainly interested in presenting also the relevance of the micronutrients such as iron, selenium, vitamin D and E, zinc or copper in this complicated area of research, as well as aspects regarding the correlations between immune function and micronutrients or the pancreatic enzyme supplementation.