Electrical and microphysical responses to salt seeding in warm maritime cumulus clouds

Electrical, microphysical and dynamical responses to salt seeding have been investigated during cloud seeding experiments in several parts of India. Following massive salt seeding, increases in cloud temperature by I to 2 Celsius and cloud liquid water content up to 200 percent were observed in warm cumulus clouds (Ramahandra Murty eta., 1975, 1976). Cloud drop size distributions in seeded warm cumulus clouds increased in mean volume diameter up to 478 percent and computed liquid water content increased upward of 60 percent (Kapoor et al., 1976). In maritime warm cumulus clouds, which developed rain following seeding, the electric field reversed from initial negative to positive, occasionally preceded by intensification (Ramachandra Murty et al., 1976). This field reversal was attributed to the transport of large positive charges, from upper cloud levels to the base, by raindrops which form initially at higher levels in vigorous updraft regions. The prior intensification was attributed to updraft invigoration produced by massive salt seeding, since electrical activity is closely associated with convective activity (Latham and Stow, 1969)

Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia with total anodontia: a case report

Ectodermal dysplasia is a hereditary disorder that occurs as a consequence of disturbances in the ectoderm of the developing embryo. The triad of nail dystrophy, alopecia or hypotrichosis and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis is usually accompanied by a lack of sweat glands and a partial or complete absence of primary and/ or permanent dentition. A case report illustrating the prosthetic rehabilitation of a seven year old boy with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia associated with total anodontia is presented

Effectiveness of Yoga Therapy among Clients with Depression

The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of yoga therapy among clients with depression. A one group pre-test post-test research design was adopted for this study. A total number of 30 samples who met the inclusion criteria were selected for this study. The tool used in the study are given below Section – A : Proforma for demographic variables. Section – B : Hamilton Rating Scale for depression. On the first day, the level of depression was assessed by using Hamilton rating scale. On the evaluation day, assessment was done by using the same tool. In pretest out of 30 samples, 7 clients exhibited severe depression and 23 clients exhibited moderate depression. After yoga therapy was demonstrated and practiced regularly by the clients. It was found that 19 clients exhibited mild depression and 11 clients exhibited moderate depression which shows that the yoga therapy was effective in reducing the level of depression among depressed clients. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: 1. The pretest mean score was 42.2 with the standard deviation of 10.4. In post test, mean score was 23.8 with the standard deviation of 9.5. 2. The calculated value was compared with the tabulated value. Since the calculated value was greater than the tabulated value, we accept the alternative hypothesis. Hence the yoga therapy was effective in clients with depression. 3. Effectiveness of yoga therapy was correlated with the selected demographic variables of depressed clients. It showed that there was significant correlation between variables such as age, marital status, occupation, monthly income of the family, family system and availability of support system. NURSING IMPLICATION: The findings of the present study have implications in the field of nursing education, nursing service, nursing administration and nursing research. NURSING EDUCATION: ❖ With the increasing use of complementary therapies by the general population nursing faculty are challenged to educate their students about these therapies. ❖ Use of a holistic curriculum model facilitates the inclusion of interventions that promote complementary health and healing. It is therefore, important to assure that sufficient time is allocated within the nursing course for alternative therapies like yoga. ❖ It is vital to have knowledge about complementary therapies for professional nursing practice, to provide patients with information about therapies, to be informed about complementary therapies and to incorporate some of these therapies into one’s own self care. NURSING SERVICE: ❖ Nurses working in the psychiatric setup should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to demonstrate yoga to depressed clients. ❖ Patients should be given adequate information regarding the benefits and effectiveness of yoga in reducing depression. ❖ In-service education program regarding alternative modalities of treatment should be organised. ❖ Rewards can be given to the outstanding nurses who practice the alternative modalities of treatment. ❖ Mass health education programme can be organised to improve the knowledge regarding alternative modalities of treatment. NURSING ADMINISTRATION: ❖ Nurse administrators can impose the routine practice of yoga exercises in psychiatric wards. ❖ Nursing administration should make arrangements for providing yoga programmes to the patients during their stay in the hospital. ❖ The knowledge and practice of various yoga techniques and their health benefits can definitely help the administration to inculcate this oriental for physical and mental well being in the care of patients with psychiatric disorders. ❖ Separate yoga health programme with sufficient staff, materials and facilities like an yoga centre should be organized in psychiatric hospitals. ❖ Administrators can organise continuing education programs on alternative modalities of treatment for nurses. ❖ Additional staffs should be appointed to demonstrate yoga therapy in psychiatric ward. NURSING RESEARCH: ❖ Nurse Researchers should challenge to perform scientific work and take part in application and evaluation of effectiveness of yoga therapy among depressed patients. ❖ The findings of the study should be implemented in both hospital and community settings. ❖ The study provides awareness for further studies among the student in this area. RECOMMENDATIONS: Based on the research findings the following recommendations are made; ❖ The similar study can be done with large sample. ❖ A study can be done on the knowledge and skills of the nurses regarding yoga therapy. ❖ In service education on effectiveness of yoga therapy can be given to improve the quality of care. ❖ Similar study can be done by using Quasi-experimental with control group. ❖ A descriptive study can be done to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of yoga therapy

Co-cultivation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Trichoderma harzianum: Synergistic effects on plant growth and biocontrol of jasmine collar rot

Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is a valuable and culturally significant flowering crop in India. Still, its cultivation is greatly impacted by collar rot disease, caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., resulting in yield losses of up to 50%. This study explores co-culture technology, utilizing Trichoderma harzianum TR(D)-4 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BC(M)-2, as an integrated single-product solution for the biological control of this pathogen. Field surveys conducted across major jasmine-growing districts in Tamil Nadu revealed a range of disease severity (20% - 52%) and incidence (29% - 64%). The collar rot pathogen, and biocontrol agents were isolated from surveyed locations and identified through morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and 16S rDNA sequences. In vitro assays using dual-plate and paired-plate methods demonstrated that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BC(M)-2 achieved inhibition rates of 71.34% and 78.27%, respectively, while Trichoderma harzianum TR(D)-4 exhibited inhibition rates of 86.27% and 75.43% against Sclerotium rolfsii SR(D)-5. Co-culturing these antagonistic strains synergistically improved antifungal effectiveness, achieving an 87% inhibition rate against S. rolfsii compared to their separate cultures. The synergistic interaction in co-culture promoted the production of novel compounds, including alpha-bisabolol (AB), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and harziandione, which enhanced plant growth and inhibited S. rolfsii. Further planta studies confirmed that the co-culture significantly reduced disease incidence and enhanced plant growth in both pre-and post-inoculation strategies. This research highlights the potential of co-culturing T. harzianum TR(D)-4 and B. amyloliquefaciens BC(M)-2 as an effective and sustainable approach for managing collar rot disease in jasmine

Prevalence of groundnut root rot and antifungal potential of wild mushroom extracts against Macrophomina phaseolina

Macrophomina phaseolina is an important pathogen threatening groundnut production, with climate change-induced variations in temperature and precipitation resulting in considerable yield reductions. This research provides a comprehensive evaluation of the root rot prevalence and severity in the primary groundnut-cultivating areas of Tamil Nadu. Findings indicate an incidence range of 32.71% to 85.66%. Pathogenic variability testing identified GMP-3 as the most virulent strain. Morphological differences and sporulation patterns were observed and M. phaseolina isolates were confirmed through ITS 1 and ITS 4-sequencing, yielding Polymerase chain reaction amplicons of approximately 560 bp, which were submitted to Gene Bank. Additionally, a survey was conducted to collect various wild mushroom species from different regions in Tamil Nadu. Phenotypic and morphological characterization and molecular confirmation of the mushroom isolates were performed. The efficacy of these isolates against M. phaseolina was evaluated. The Tricholoma equestre (AWM-4) isolate demonstrated the highest inhibition in dual culture assays at 74.33%. Mushroom extracts prepared using various polar and nonpolar solvents were tested using the poisoned food technique to assess the inhibition percentage of M. phaseolina mycelial growth. Methanol extracts exhibited the greatest reduction in mycelial growth, with an inhibition rate of 75.56%. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was performed to identify the compounds with active antifungal properties

Optimizing agro-waste substrates for enhanced enzymatic production in ethnomedicinal mushroom Lentinus squarrosulus Mont.

The ethnomedicinal subtropical mushroom Lentinus squarrosulus Mont. is a polypore with high wood-degrading potential. This study aimed to collect L. squarrosulus isolates, analyze lignocellulolytic enzymes - Laccase (Lac), Lignin peroxidase (LiP) and Manganese peroxidase (MnP) and evaluate substrates for mass production. Sporophores of Lentinus sp. (Isolate L1 to L5) were collected from different regions of Tamil Nadu and characterized morphologically and molecularly. Qualitative screening tests with guaiacol substrate demonstrated the production of laccase by all the isolates; however, isolate L3 showed maximum reddish-brown zonation. Additionally, isolate L3 produced the highest green colouration on the ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) substrate. This confirmed the oxidation of ABTS to ABTS-azine in the presence of laccase, outperforming the other L. squarrosulus isolates. All the isolates tested with Azure-B agar for LiP and MnP showed faint discolouration, suggesting lower secretion of peroxidase enzymes. Quantitative analysis using a lignolysis basal medium also confirmed that isolate L3 secreted Lac predominantly, followed by LiP and MnP enzymes extracellularly. All isolates showed peak Lac activity at pH 4.5, while LiP and MnP production were highest at pH 5.0. The optimal temperature for all lignolytic enzymes was 28±2ºC. Maximum laccase secretion occurred between the 5th - 7th day after inoculation (DAI), with LiP and MnP peaking at 7 DAI. Nine agro-waste substrates were evaluated, with isolate L3 showing the highest biological efficiency on Paddy straw (99.62%), followed by Arecanut sheath (97.43%) and Groundnut shell (95.15%). This study enhances our understanding of L. squarrosulus enzymatic capabilities. It provides insights for mass production, which has strong potential for industrial bioremediation and waste management due to its high laccase production

A Requirement for Global Transcription Factor Lrp in Licensing Replication of Vibrio cholerae Chromosome 2

The human pathogen, Vibrio cholerae, belongs to the 10% of bacteria in which the genome is divided. Each of its two chromosomes, like bacterial chromosomes in general, replicates from a unique origin at fixed times in the cell cycle. Chr1 initiates first, and upon duplication of a site in Chr1, crtS, Chr2 replication initiates. Recent in vivo experiments demonstrate that crtS binds the Chr2-specific initiator RctB and promotes its initiator activity by remodeling it. Compared to the well-defined RctB binding sites in the Chr2 origin, crtS is an order of magnitude longer, suggesting that other factors can bind to it. We developed an in vivo screen to identify additional crtS-binding proteins and identified the global transcription factor, Lrp, as one such protein. Studies in vivo and in vitro indicate that Lrp binds to crtS and facilitates RctB binding to crtS. Chr2 replication is severely defective in the absence of Lrp, indicative of a critical role of the transcription factor in licensing Chr2 replication. Since Lrp responds to stresses such as nutrient limitation, its interaction with RctB presumably sensitizes Chr2 replication to the physiological state of the cell

Biological control of citrus canker by endophytic bacteria

Citrus is an important fruit crop in India, playing a significant role in the agricultural economy and experiencing high demand due to its rich nutritional content. Despite its economic importance, citrus canker, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, poses a significant threat to citrus production globally, including in India. This study focuses on using endophytic bacteria, specifically Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ESK-8 and Bacillus subtilis EPM-3, for the biological management of this pathogen. A roving survey in major citrus cultivating areas of Tamil Nadu revealed varying disease prevalence rates (21% - 65%). The citrus canker pathogen and endophytic Bacillus isolates were isolated from the surveyed locations and identified based on biochemical and molecular analyses using 16S rDNA sequences. In vitro assays through agar well diffusion method using culture filtrates of various Bacillus isolates revealed significant inhibition rates, with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ESK-8 and Bacillus subtilis EPM-3 exhibiting inhibition diameters of 14.1 mm and 11.6 mm, respectively, compared to the control. GC-MS analysis of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ESK-8 and Bacillus subtilis EPM-3 unraveled important antibacterial compounds such as bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, n-hexadecanoic acid, D-erythro-pentose, 2-deoxy, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, and tridecane. Furthermore, the metabolic pathways related to these compounds include glycerolipid metabolism, glutamate metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism, all of which play significant roles in plant growth and antagonism-promoting activities. Additionally, pot culture studies confirmed the antagonistic potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ESK-8 and Bacillus subtilis EPM-3 against the citrus canker pathogen. This research highlights the potential of endophytic Bacillus isolates for the sustainable management of citrus canker disease

Frequency of polymorphic variants in corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1, glucocorticoid induced 1 and Fc fragment of IgE receptor II genes in healthy and asthmatic Tamilian population

Background: Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by increased hyper-responsiveness and recurrent episodes of reversible obstructions. Asthma pharmacogenomic studies report significant association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1), Fc fragment of IgE receptor II (FCER2) and glucocorticoid induced 1 (GLCCI1) with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) response. The present study was aimed to establish the allelic and genotypic frequencies of polymorphisms rs242941, rs28364072 & rs37972 in CRHR1, FCER2 and GLCCI1 genes, respectively in Tamilian healthy population and asthma patients and to compare with established frequencies of global populations.Methods: The study groups consisted of healthy volunteers and persistent asthma patients who were drug naïve or without ICS treatment in the last ≥2 months, attending JIPMER hospital (n=111 and 78, respectively). SNP genotyping was done using PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) and real time-PCR methods.Results: Allelic and genotypic frequencies for all the studied variants found to be in hardy-weinberg equilibrium with minor allele frequencies (MAF) of rs 242941, rs 28364072 and rs 37972 at 0.51, 0.33 and 0.38, respectively, in healthy population. No significant difference in gene frequencies was obtained between healthy control and asthma patient groups. Significant difference in allele frequencies was observed between Tamilian healthy and specific global populations. West African frequency was found to be significantly different for all 3 SNPs (p<0.0001).Conclusions: MAF of rs 242941, rs 28364072 and rs 37972 were 0.51, 0.33 and 0.38, respectively in Tamilian population which were significantly different from various global populations. The frequency distribution found helps to further with ICS response association studies in larger cohorts of asthma patients

Harnessing nature’s treasure of bioactive compounds from ethnomedicinal Macromycos Lentinus squarrosulus Mont.

Mushrooms are low-calorie foods with a high content of proteins, vitamins B and D, minerals, carbohydrates and fibers (1). Many researchers have shown that edible mushrooms contain numerous bioactive compounds with multiple health-promoting effects such as antiulcer, antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory antitumor, anticholesterol, anti-inflammatory and antihaemorrhagic effects (2). There arises a pressing need to tap into the potential of medicinal mushrooms like L. squarrosulus which has ethnomedicinal values and are used in treating anaemia, ulcer, fever, cough, infertility and fungal infections, as well as to reduce the risk of metabolic diseases (3-5). Global multidrug resistance calls for a search for new potential lead compounds as therapeutic agents. Many macromycos still remain understudied as sources of bioactive compounds. Further investigation of bioactive components found in L. squarrosulus, will be informative regarding the biological activity of the organisms as medicinal agents. The ethanol extract of the ethnomedicinal macromycos L. Squarrosulus was subjected to GC-MS analysis for bioactive compounds among these thirteen compounds of hits were achieved with bioactive compounds in the ethnomedicinal macromycos. Of these compounds (2E)-Dodec-2-en-1-yl methyl ether (13.95%) formed the largest number while 1,2-15,16-Diepoxyhexadecane (9.03%) constituted the next high number of such compounds. Other amino acids, fatty acids, ethyl esters and other compounds identified included 2-Methyl-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-4-oxo-2-butenoic acid (2.12%), L-Alanine, N-L-alanyl- (0.94%), Benzofuran, 3-methyl- (1.63%), Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (3.75%) and 2'-Hydroxy-à-naphthoflavone (2.53%). Some of these compounds have antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypocholesterolemic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiarthritic, anticoronary and immune suppression as well as cancer preventive activities. The present study has identified bioactive components with therapeutic potential in L. squarrosulus; it forms a basis for screening, isolating and identifying various bioactive compounds which may be valuable in treating a wide range of ailments, disorders and diseases soon