International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 52

Abstract: The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is an important regulator of the blood pressure (BP). The level of the vasoactive peptide Angiotensin-II, is mainly determined by the RAS enzyme, angiotensin converting enzyme-1 (ACE-1). Polymorphisms in ACE gene is reported to be associated with hypertension in various populations worldwide. We investigated the association of ACE I/D polymorphisms with hypertension among the tribal populations of South India. Samples were collected from hypertensive patients (n = 33) and healthy controls (n = 37). Genotyping was performed using Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with allele specific primers. The DD genotype is significantly observed among the cases (OR = 1.0). Specifically, the DD genotype is more evident among the females (OR = 0 .705) than males (OR = 1.22) and is analysed to be associated with hypertension among the tribal populations of South India.

Abstract: Painkiller drugs or analgesics are potent pain reliever chemical agents, which are commonly used in pain therapy. Mathematical modeling by QSAR (quantitative structure activity relationship) methods are well known practices to determine predictive toxicity in biota. Now-a-days, an easy screening of chemicals, QSAR can be done by using several recommended softwares. The present study was carried out by using software namely T.E.S.T. (Toxicity estimation software tool) for rat oral LD₅₀ (median lethal dose) predictive toxicity for common painkiller drugs. These painkiller drugs were selected as 35 compounds and tabulated on the basis characteristics of one non-narcotic viz. acetaminophen, twenty non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as bromofenac, diclofenac, diflunsial, etodolac, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, maclofenamate sodium, mefenamic acid, meloxicam, nabumetone, naproxen, oxaprozin, phenylbutazone, piroxicam, sulindac and tolmetin as well as fourteen narcotic viz. buprenorphine, butorphanol, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, levorphanol, meperidine, methadone, morphine, nalbuphine, oxycodone, pentazocine, dextropropoxyphene and tapentadol. The data were tabulated on experimental (bioassay) from ChemIDPlus and predictive toxicity of 30 compounds out of 35 compounds by using T.E.S.T. The predictive data were found by T.E.S.T. that 20 and 10 compounds were very toxic and moderately toxic respectively but not extremely, super toxic and non-toxic in rat model after acute oral exposure. It is suggested to evaluate the predicted data further with other available recommended softwares with different test models like daphnia, fish etc. to know aquatic toxicity when these compounds may discharge into waterbodies.

Abstract: The inhibitory properties of the ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Cola acuminata on the fungal pathogens isolated from infected tomato fruits were investigated. The pathogens were Fusarium moniliformes and Rhizopus stolonifer. Various concentrations of the extracts ranging from 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100% were separately added to PDA media. The fungal pathogens were separately inoculated into the media and incubated for seven days. Antifungal effects of these extracts on the mycelia growth of the pathogens were significant at P<0.05 for all treatments at higher concentrations. At 10-50% concentration, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Cola acuminata had no significant effect on the mycelia growth of Fusarium moniliformes and Rhizopus stolonifer after seven days observation period. At 60-100% concentrations, the two pathogens were completely inhibited by ethanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Cola acuminata. Methanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Cola acuminata inhibited completely Fusarium moniliformes and Rhizopus stolonifer at 80-100% concentrations. The in vitro inhibitory effects of these extracts at higher concentrations indicated that they can be used for the control of tomato fruit rot. It may be necessary to use them in prolonging the shelf-life of fresh tomato fruit and some other fruits.

Abstract: Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) seed oil (NSO) is acclaimed to have some form of insecticidal action against more than 400 insect species in at least 10 to 13 orders. The main delimitating factor in the wide acceptance of this well tested plant as a storage pest bioinsecticide is its foul sulfurous smell and bitter taste which impinges on the acceptability and marketability of treated produce. To ameliorate this shortfall, therefore, an assessment of the potential of impregnating different storage materials; [plastic containers (PLC), Bagco bags (BCB), Black polyethylene bags (BPB), white polyethylene bags (WPB) and calico bags (CAB)], with NSO in the management of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) in stored Bambara seeds (Vigna subterranea L.), was conducted in the laboratory. The experiment was laid out in a 4 x 5 factorial arrangement fitted into a completely randomized design (CRD). Factor A represented four concentrations of NSO (0.00, 0.50, 1.00, 1.50 ml/ 100g seed), while factor B were the five different storage materials. The treatments were replicated four times Generally, seeds stored with impregnated storage materials recorded more bruchids mortality, reduced oviposition rate, decreased number of emerged insects (F₁ and F₂) and had less damaged seeds (and hence decreased weevil perforation index, WPI) than the control. Concentration performance was dose related though the highest (1.50 %) did not differ statistically (P=0.05) from the medium (1.00 %) concentration. Seeds stored in BPBs had the highest mortalities, but recorded the lowest in number of eggs oviposited, egg/seed ratio, F₁, F₂ and cumulative emergence, respectively. These results differed significantly (P=0.05) with the seeds stored in other materials. BPB stored seeds were also the least damaged with lowest exit holes/seed, seeds with holes and WPI, respectively. The performance of BPB was closely followed by seeds stored in WPBs in all the parameters tested. Conversely, seeds stored in BCBs recorded the lowest mortalities but the highest in all other parameters assessed. Other storage materials (PLC and CAB) had better storage quality than BCB materials. Impregnation of storage materials with NSO could be a better option to direct seed application with its attendant drawback. The use of NSO impregnated black polyethylene bags, within the scope of the storage materials screened, to control damage by C. maculatus in stored Bambara seeds, should be encouraged.

Abstract: In this mini-review we were interested in describing the main genetic, biological and mechanistic aspects of the aggressive behaviour in human patients and animal models. It seems that violent behaviour and impulsive traits present a multifactorial substrate, which is determined by genetic and non-genetic factors. Thus, aggressivity is regulated by brain regions such as the amygdala, which controls neural circuits for triggering defensive, aggressive or avoidant behaviour. Moreover, other brain structures such as the anterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex regions could modulate circuits involved in aggression. Regarding the genetic aspects, we could mention the mutations in the monoamine oxidase or the polymorphisms of the genes involved in the metabolism of serotonin, such as tryptophan hydroxylase. Also, besides the low levels of serotonin metabolites, which seem to be associated with impulsive and aggressive traits, there are good evidences that deficiencies in glutamate transmission, as well as testosterone, vasopressin, hypochloesterolemia or oxytocin modifications could be related to the aggressive behaviour. Regarding oxytocin we present here in the last chapter the controversial results from the current literature regarding the various effects exhibited by oxytocin administration on the aggressive behavior, considering the increased interest in understanding the role of oxytocin on the main neuropsychiatric disorders.

Abstract: The article presents the results of biology and ecology studies about the black-striped pipefish Syngnathus abaster (Eichwald, 1831) in the Zaporozhian Reservoir. Quantity and biomass of fish fingerlings and yearlings in different parts of the reservoir was determined. For the first time the reproductive indicators of pipefish in Zaporozhian Reservoir were investigated: the timing of spawning, fish fertility analysis, information on the number of embryos in the brood chamber of males were shown.

Abstract: Computational approaches for spatial modeling of dynamics of the intercellular distribution of molecules can parse, simplify, classify and organize the spatiotemporal richness of any biochemical pathway and demonstrate its impact on the cells function by simply coupling it with the downstream effecters. One such online system biology modeling package is Virtual cell that provides a unique open source software and it’s used for making mathematical models to simulate the cytoplasmic control of molecule that interact to produce certain cellular behavior. In our present study, a spatial model for time dependent acetylcholine induced relaxation of vascular endothelial cells lining the lumen of blood vessel that regulate the contractility of the arteries was generated. The time-dependent action of neurotransmitter acetylcholine for total time period for 1 second was studied on the endothelial cell at an interval of every 0.05 seconds. Such time simulated spatial models may be useful for testing and developing new hypotheses, interpretation of results and understand the dynamic behavior of cells.

Abstract: Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) is located in Alipurduar Sub Division of West Bengal, India. It comprises of the entire forest area of the erstwhile Buxa Forest Division (Created in 1877 – 78) and some territory of the erstwhile neighboring Cooch Behar Forest Division. The Reserve lies between Latitudes 23^o30′ N to 23^o50′ N and Longitudes 89^o25′ E to 89^o55′ E. The total area of the reserve is 760.87 km² of which 385.02 km² has been constituted as the Buxa Sanctuary and National Park (Core zone of the BTR) and the balance 375.85 km² areas is treated as a buffer zone. It has 37 forest villages and 4 fixed demand holdings, 46 revenue villages and 34 tea gardens in and around it. The survey work was done in May, 2015 by visiting a forest edge village, 28 Mile, in Buxa Tiger Reserve and the primary data were gathered through field survey and direct contact with common people and authorized centres of the region. Surveys on the demography, agriculture, livestock management, water management, education, culture, health, waste management, disaster management, transport, biodiversity, joint forest management activities, Non-timber forest product usage and human animal conflict were done in this area. In every phase of the survey work, photographic documentation was done. In spite of being positioned in a diverse and sensitive ecological zone, the village is not adequately managed. There is an urgent need for implementing sustainable management systems in the areas for the betterment of the socio-environmental structures. Some of the possible management strategies have been suggested for maintaining the social, environmental, economic and ecological balance of the region.

Abstract: The aim of this study was determine the current levels of major and a trace element in vegetables was grown in Baghdad city, two region check in this study (Al-Taji, north of Baghdad and Al-Rashid south of Baghdad). Qualitative X-ray fluorescence analysis was used as technique for analysis of samples. Six different samples of plant are selected to study, which was tubers, leafy and fruiting. Samples checking was Lettuce, Bean, Apples, Potato, Cabbage and pear. Elements analysis as major elements were (Ca, K and Mn) and trace elements were (Fe, Cu, Pb, Sr and Zn). Results showed that concentrations of elements are in relative agree with the concentrations in neighbor countries and the standards of IAEU.

Abstract: Fast development of the electronics industry and an eminent value of obsolescence of the electronic productions conduce to the uninterrupted production of great amounts of electronic waste or e-wasteworldwide. Due to the frequent commingling of a wide range of reusable, or recyclable, and non-recyclable surplus electronics, the term "e-waste" infer all sorts of these leftovers. Even though the economic benefits are potentially enormous, only a small proportion of the electronic waste is being recycled all around. There is a transaction cost associated with therecycling process due to the environmental protection regulations, hence economically less attractiveat the industry level in developed nations. However, to the least developed nations where owing to low living standard the demand for the better quality environment is low, even nonexistent, recycling e-waste has become a livelihood earning opportunity. The study intends to interpret the socio-economic consequences of e-wastes by focusing the detrimental effects that it have created in China and Ghana, and attempts to outline what developing nations like Bangladesh can do to prevent or reduce the harmful consequences of it.