Population genetic structure of malaria vector Anopheles stephensi using mitochondrial Cytochrome oxidase II gene in Indian populations.

The genetic differentiation in A. stephensi based on haplotype diversity using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism and by sequencing of CO II gene across different localities in India has been analyzed. The presence of only one DraI restriction site in CO II gene conferred to haplotype B indicating that the gene is very much conserved and the gene flow is not affected even by a major geographical distance barrier. The sequencing and analysisof various population parameters revealed seven haplotypes in all populations. The West Bengal population was found to be more genetically diverse than others. The geographic distance between populations was found to be contributing to the genetic differentiation. The sign of demographic expansion were found in three of the five populations. The local geographic barriers were found to be ineffective in prevention of gene flow.

Efficacy of extracts of six medicinal plants of India against some pathogenic bacteria.

The sensitivity of the pathogenic multi-drug resistant bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus niacini, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Geobacillus thermodenitrificans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Paenibacillus koreensis, Paenibacillus larvae larvae, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas flourescens, Pseudomonas putida and Staphylocccus aureus) was tested against aqueous, acetone and ethanol extracts of mature leaves of Mimosa pudica Linn. (Mimosaceae) and Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), stems of Michelia champaca Linn. (Magnoliaceae) and Musa paradisiaca Linn.(Musaceae), roots of Momordica charantia Linn. (Cucurbitaceae) and Murraya koenigii Linn. (Rutaceae) by agar well diffusion method. Gatifloxacin was the most effective antibiotic against all the reference bacteria. Though all the extracts were found effective, the ethanol extract showed maximum inhibition against the test microorganisms followed by acetone and aqueous extract. Bacillus niacini is the most resistant bacteria and Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most sensitive bacteria against all the extracts used. MIC values of each bacterium were also determined.