Role of Keystone Species in Aquatic Ecosystem

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. Such species play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, affecting many other organism s in an ecosystem and helping to determine the types and numbers of various other species in the community

Biosorption of zinc (II) by Rhizopus arrhizus: equilibrium and kinetic modelling

The adsorption of zinc (II) ions on Rhizopus arrhizus, a filamentous fungus, was investigated in a batch reactor. Batch adsorption studies were carried out by varying biomass loading. A contact time of 120 min was required to reach equilibrium. Specific zinc (II) uptake decreased with increase in biomass loading and these results were analyzed in light of the Lagergren equation and the process followed a second order rate kinetics. The equilibrium data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich- Peterson and BET adsorption isotherms. The characteristic parameters for each isotherm were determined. All the isotherms provided the best correlation for zinc (II) onto the R. arrhizus.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (6), pp. 506-508, 200

Utjecaj superdezintegratora na oslobađanje efavirenca iz tableta

Efavirenz (EFV) tablets of different doses were prepared by a wet granulation process using different superdisintegrants such as crosscarmellose sodium (CCS), sodium starch glycollate (SSG) and crosspovidone (CP) to evaluate the role of different disintegrants on the in vitro release of EFV. Further, the mode of addition of disintegrants on EFV dissolution from tablets containing 600 mg of the drug was evaluated by incorporating the disintegrant extragranularly (EG), intragranularly (IG) or distributing them equally (IG and EG). In vitro dissolution of the prepared tablets was conducted using the recommended medium and a dissolution medium developed in-house, which had the propensity to discriminate between the formulations. The t50 and t80 values were indicative of the fact that drug release was faster from tablet formulations containing CP. CP was able to release the drug faster than the other two disintegrants in both dissolution media and the drug release was unaffected by the mode of CP addition.U radu je opisana priprava tableta s različitim dozama efavirenca (EFV) metodom vlažne granulacije. Za tabletiranje korišteni su različiti superdezintegratori, poput natrijeve kroskarameloze (CCS), natrijeva škrobnog glikolata (SSG) i krospovidona (CP), kako bi se procijenio utjecaj vrste i načina dodavanja dezintegratora na oslobađanje EFV in vitro. U tu svrhu pripravljene su tablete sa 600 mg EFV, a dezintegrator je dodavan ekstragranularno (EG), intragranularno (IG) ili je bio podjednako raspršen (IG i EG). In vitro oslobađanje praćeno je u preporučenom mediju i mediju izrađenom u našem laboratoriju kako bi se uočila razlika između formulacija. Vrijednosti t50 i t80 ukazuju na to da je oslobađanje lijeka brže iz formulacija koje sadrže CP u oba medija. Način dodavanja CP nema utjecaj na oslobađanje lijeka, osim za CCS, gdje se ekstragranularno dodavanje pokazalo povoljnijim

Characterization of pseudobasophilia on Sysmex-XT 1800i automated hematology analyser

Background: Pseudobasophilia is a common automation related phenomenon which requires manual peripheral smear study in an era of complete automation. This study has attempted to evaluate the reasons for pseudobasophilia and in-turn suggest measures to eliminate the errors.Methods: A sample size of 207 cases showing pseudobasophilia on automation were studied by manual peripheral examination to categorize the possible cause for its occurrence. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was carried out. Results on continuous measurements are presented on Mean SD and results on categorical measurements are presented in Number (%). Significance is assessed at 5% level of significance. Student t test has been used to find the significance of study parameters on continuous scale within each group.Results: Atypical/ reactive lymphocytes were present in 86.5% cases contributing to pseudobasophilia phenomenon on automation, which also showed falsely increased absolute basophil count with more percentage of lymphocytes showing reactive changes. Temperature and storage effects did not contribute to their occurrence in this study. Another finding was an associated pseudomonocytosis with pseudobasophilia on automation which was statistically significant (p<0.001).Conclusions: Pseudobasophilia, and pseudomonocytosis are automation related phenomenon. Atypical/ reactive lymphocytes, which are cytoplasmic strip resistant, contribute to their occurrence. Hence, newer modalities like multicolour flow cytometry coupled with antibody tagging, multiangle polarised scatter separation and volume conductivity scatter may reduce the chances of pseudobasophilia, thereby reducing the overall turnaround time

Role of PGPR in modulating feeding efficacy, growth and development of Spodoptera litura in Okra

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an important crop often targeted by Spodoptera litura, a destructive pest that damages the leaves and impairs plant growth, ultimately affecting yield. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have emerged as a promising alternative to chemical pesticides for sustainable pest management. This study evaluated the impact of various PGPR strains, including Bacillus subtilis Bbv57, on the growth and development of S. litura larvae feeding on okra. Controlled laboratory experiments and biochemical analyses were conducted to assess the consumption, digestion and utilization of PGPR-treated plant materials by S. litura. The results showed that PGPR treatments significantly reduced larval consumption and weight gain compared to untreated controls. Additionally, PGPR-treated plants resulted in shorter feeding periods, lower consumption indices, growth rates and conversion efficiencies of ingested and digested food. Faecal output was also reduced in larvae fed on PGPR-treated leaves. These findings suggest that PGPR can enhance plant defence mechanisms, leading to a reduction in pest feeding efficiency. The study highlights the potential of PGPR in inducing systemic resistance and biochemical responses that contribute to pest management. Therefore, this research supports the integration of PGPR in sustainable pest management strategies, offering both environmental and economic benefits in agriculture

Development And Evaluation Of Colon Targeted Drug Delivery For Mesalamine

The main objective of this study was to formulate mesalamine loaded alginate microspheres for local treatment of ulcerative colitis and optimized batch were then filled in capsules coated with Eudragit S 100. The microspheres were prepared by ionic gelation method. Box Behnken design using design expert software was employed in formulating and optimizing the microspheres. Microspheres were evaluated for particle size, shape and entrapment efficiency. The optimized batch was then filled in capsule coated with Eudragit S100.This encapsulated system released alginate microspheres at colon region in a sustained manner. The drug release of microspheres showed a longer residence time in the colon due to better mucoadhesion properties of sodium ALG. Therefore mesalamine-loaded alginate microspheres enteric coated in capsules can be potential delivery system for local treatment of ulcerative coliti

Bio-fumigants as grain protectants in storage-A review

Agriculture is a global lifeline, especially in developing nations like India, where over 70% of the population relies on it. Protecting food grains from insect pests during post-harvest storage is crucial, particularly in regions lacking advanced storage technologies, leading to significant losses. Fumigation is still a key strategy for safeguarding stored grains. Methyl bromide (MBr) and aluminium phosphide (AlP) are the widely used chemical fumigants. Phosphine is used to a greater extent today, but there are frequent reports that several storage pests have developed resistance to this fumigant. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization declared methyl bromide as an ozone-depleting chemical in 1995, and hence, most of the developed countries have phased out its use. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement to develop alternatives having a possible replacement for these fumigants. Biofumigants are organic compounds derived from various plant sources, including essential oils, botanical powders, and plant residues or from microbial volatiles. They release volatile compounds toxic to pests but safe for humans and the environment, offering a sustainable pest management approach. Plants such as mustard and radish produce glucosinolates that release isothiocyanates, known for their pesticidal properties. Essential oils from eucalyptus, clove, and mint and volatiles from certain fungi and bacteria also exhibit fumigant properties. Biofumigants disrupt insect physiological and biochemical processes, leading to mortality or reduced reproduction. Studies showed their efficacy against pests like red flour beetle, lesser grain borer, and rice weevil. Unlike chemical fumigants, biofumigants do not leave harmful residues, preserving grain quality and aligning with organic farming practices. Shifting to biofumigants offers a promising, eco-friendly, and effective alternative for post-harvest pest management, ensuring food safety and sustainabilit