Larvicidal and Repellent Efficacy of Some of the Weed Plant Extracts Against Culex Quinquefasciatus Say

The indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides over years to control mosquitoes has caused an array of adversities to human beings as well as to nature and to a greater extent it has inflicted damages to the natural environment and disturbed ecological balances. Insecticides in plant origin play an important role in the interruption of the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases at the individual as well as at the community levels. The present study tested the larvicidal activity of methanolic extracts of four plants viz., Uvaria narum A. DC. (Annonaceae), Morinda pubescens Sm. (Rubiaceae), Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Linn.) Sw. (Leguminosae) and Leea indica (Burm. f.) Merr. (Vitaceae) and repellent activity of Uvaria narum against Culex quinquefasciatus Say. From the tested plants it is observed that methanolic extracts of U. narum possesses the highest larvicidal activity and ensure 100% protection. The findings of the present investigation revealed that the methanolic extracts of the selected plants have remarkable larvicidal activity against Cx. quinquefasciatus

Response to Autotomy in Anesthetized Freshwater Crab, Paratelphusa Hydrodromous (Herbst)

To extend the knowledge of amputation and induction of autotomy, the freshwater crab Paratelphusa hydrodromous (Herbst) was chosen as a model system. Amputation of different legs of Paratelphusa hydrodromous (Herbst) was done in two conditions; normal and anesthetized crab. Autotomy of the amputated legs under normal condition was induced autotomy within seconds (1.6 to 37 seconds). However, the amputation conducted in ice cold anesthetized crab showed delayed autotomy in a wide range of time from 10.2 ± 0.83 minutes (cheliped) to 114.8 ± 4.3 minutes (2nd walking leg). The observations suggest that ice cold anesthesia lowers the signaling of pain to the brain and delays autotomy, the voluntary mechanism to escape from the predator/pain or frightened force

Top Quark Physics at the Tevatron

The discovery of the top quark in 1995, by the CDF and D0 collaborations at the Fermilab Tevatron, marked the dawn of a new era in particle physics. Since then, enormous efforts have been made to study the properties of this remarkable particle, especially its mass and production cross section. In this article, we review the status of top quark physics as studied by the two collaborations using the p-pbar collider data at sqrt(s) = 1.8 TeV. The combined measurement of the top quark mass, m_t = 173.8 +- 5.0 GeV/c^2, makes it known to a fractional precision better than any other quark mass. The production cross sections are measured as sigma (t-tbar) = 7.6 -1.5 +1.8 pb by CDF and sigma (t-tbar) = 5.5 +- 1.8 pb by D0. Further investigations of t-tbar decays and future prospects are briefly discussed.Comment: 119 pages, 59 figures, 17 tables Submitted to Int. J. Mod. Phys. A Fixed some minor error

Pseudo Random Binary Sequences Obtained Using Novel Chaos Based Key Stream Generator and their Auto-correlation Properties

In this paper, psuedo random binary sequences are generated from the “Chaos Based Key Stream Generator- using novel Permutation technique with two dimensional patterns and substitution technique with Z4 mapping” and investigation of auto correlation property for the generated seuwnces is presented. Initially a chaotic function, considering Logistic map is used to generate a Pseudo Random Numbers (PRNs). Then these numbers are converted into binary sequences using binary mapping. These sequences are further modified by novel permutation techniques defined using 2-Dimensional patterns, and substitution technique defined over Z4 transformation in order to improve their statistical properties. The resulting sequences are investigated for auto correlation properties using Normalized Hamming Auto Correlation function. The purpose of this work is to assessing the quality of sequences of uniformly distributed pseudorandom numbers from the proposed generator. It is found that, generated sequences exhibit good auto-correlation property which is suitable for key sequence or secret key for cryptographic applications

A rare case report of amniotic band syndrome associated with gastroschisis and limb body wall complex

The amniotic band syndrome can cause a wide range of anomalies and the most common associated anomalies include amputations, constriction bands, encephalocele, acrania, syndactyly, craniofacial defects, club feet and cleft lip. Vertebral and abdominal wall defects such as gastroschisis and scoliosis are extremely rare. A 19-year-old female, G1P0 (primi) presented to our outpatient department for her first antenatal visit at 14 weeks + 6 days’ period of gestation according to her LMP. Ultrasonography (USG) features suggestive of limb body wall complex/ amniotic band syndrome, undergone MTP after counselling. In amniotic band syndrome there is no known inheritance pattern. The prognosis in case of amniotic band syndrome is dependent on the specific anomalies present. Severe and complex malformations as seen in this case are incompatible with extra uterine life and are an indication for termination of pregnancy. This condition is diagnosable prenatally. It can also lead to lethal deformation of vital internal organs in rare cases. Because limb body wall complex is incompatible with life, early diagnosis is crucial for parental counseling

Visual inspection on cervix with acetic acid and Lugol’s iodine as a screening tool in detection of carcinoma cervix

Background: Cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease. In Indian women cervical malignancy accounts for 26.1–43.8% of all cancers. Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) or visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (VILI) are considered to be a promising screening tools alternative to cervical cytology for primary cervical cancer screening in low resource setting. The purpose of the study is to evaluate VIA and VILI as cervical cancer screening tools in low resource setting; and to compare the efficacy of VIA and VILI in early detection of cancer cervix via colposcopy.Methods: The clinical study was conducted on 80 gynecological patients with history of heavy menstrual bleed and post-coital bleeding are included in study. Unmarried women patients, and active vaginal bleeding, were excluded. A biopsy was taken in patients with abnormal findings or suspicious findings of VIA/VILI.Results: In the present study, sensitivity of VIA and VILI is 90% and 50% respectively, specificity of VIA and VILI is 98.57% and 100% respectively, positive predictive value of VIA and VILI are 90%, 100% respectively, negative predictive value of VIA and VILI are 98.57% and 93.3% respectively with biopsy as the reference standard.Conclusions: It is concluded that VIA and VILI are good screening test in low resource setting as it can used in strategy of see and treat and screen and treat since there is low compliance of follow up of patients

Weathered High Density Polyethylene Microplastics Induce Proximate Imbalance in the Post Larval Stages of Litopenaeus vannamei

Introduction: The fast rise in anthropogenic activity, particularly in the aquatic ecosystem, has resulted in microplastic contamination in recent years. A wide range of harsh environmental circumstances can cause stress to aquatic organisms. Aim of the Works: This study aims to better understand the changes in proximate constituents that occur in the post larval stage on long term exposure by using a wide range of biomarkers to identify distinct and individual patterns of Litopenaeus vannamei responses to high density polyethylene microplastics. Methodology: The post larval stage of Litopenaeus vannamei were exposed to wHDPE-MP for 45 days in order to evaluate changes in proximate constituents such as crude protein, fibre, amino acids ash and moisture contents were measured during the period of exposure. Similar measurements were made following a 15-day recovery interval to track any changes that might take place during depuration periods. Results: The proximate constituents including crude protein, fats, fibre and ash contents decreased significantly following exposure of L. vannamei to 0.2 mg/L of wHDPE-MP for 45 days. These values during depuration demonstrated notable variations from the corresponding control group and did not indicate any recovery from the microplastic-induced stress. Conclusions: The current study found a significant correlation between stress and alterations in the proximate constituents. Post larval stages exposed to wHDPE-MP had changes in the growth pattern and proximate constituents. Overall, the results indicate to post larval stages as the most vulnerable to wHDPE-MP, which will have an impact on white prawn growth and have repercussions for the aquaculture sector

Experimental evaluation of anticonvulsant effect of human placental extract in pentylenetetrazole induced convulsions in mice

Background: Human placental extract (HPE) is used in different clinical conditions. Human placental extract (HPE), a folklore medicine, prepared from fresh, healthy human placenta has been in use, as single dose therapy in the treatment of epilepsy in some parts of India. Hence, present study was carried out to explore anticonvulsant property of Human placental extract (HPE) in Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced convulsions in albino mice.Methods: Effects of human placental extract (HPE) (1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 ml / 100 gm body weight) as test drug, sodium valproate (150 mg / kg body weight) as standard and distilled water as control were studied in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced convulsions in albino mouse model. Failure to observe even a single episode of tonic spasm for 5 sec. duration for 1 hour was taken as index of anticonvulsant activity. Onset, duration, complete recovery from convulsion and percent protection was calculated and statistical analysis was carried out using student ‘t’ test.Results: Pretreatment with human placental extract (HPE) administered in the dose of 1.0 ml / 100 gm body weight provided 33.33% and in the doses of 1.2 and 1.4 ml / 100 gm body weight and sodium valproate provided 100% protection from convulsions induced by Pentylenetetrazole in albino mice.Conclusion: Human placental extract (HPE) has shown promising anticonvulsant effect on Pentylenetetrazole induced mouse model