Evaluation of air pollution tolerance index of selected plant species along roadsides in Thiruvanthapuram, Kerla.

To develop the usefulness of plants as bioindicators requires an appropriate selection of plant species which entail an utmost importance for a particular situation. In the present study a periodic evaluation of air pollution tolerance index [APTI] of selected tree species such as Polyalthia longifolia, (Sonner) Thw., Alstonia scholaris, R. Br., Mangifera indica, L., and shrubs Clerodendron infortunatum, L., Eupatorium odoratum, L., and Hyptis suaveolens, (L.) Poit., growing adjacent to the National Highway – 47 passing through Thiruvananthapuram District which lies on the south-west coast of India, was carried out with a view to find out the air pollution tolerance as well as sensitivity of the plant species during different seasons. Among the trees in the roadside areas studied, Polyalthia longifolia, (Sonner) Thw., expressed highest APTI values and proved to be a tolerant variety and the others as sensitive species to air pollutants. In the case of shrubs, Clerodendron infortunatum, L., exhibited highest APTI values (7.34) and found to be more tolerant compared to the other two shrub species studied.

Studies on the changes in lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in drought stress induced cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) varieties.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) is one of the major vegetable crops cultivated in tropical conditions. Two varieties of cowpea, i.e., Vigna unguiculata L.cv Kanakamony and cv Pusakomal were selected for the present study. The changes in lipid peroxidation, ascorbic acid content and activities of enzymatic antioxidants associated with drought stress were determined. A high level of lipid peroxidation was observed in test plants subjected to water stress. The Pusakomal leaves with severe stress showed 2.7 fold increase in TBARS compared to control and 1.2 fold to that of Kanakamony The drought tolerant variety showed significant increase in the activities of peroxidase and catalase on exposure to drought stress. Kanakamony leaves in severe stress possess 1.09 times increase in peroxidase and 1.8 times increase in catalase activity than Pusakomal. The concentration of ascorbic acid in test plants depleted with increased drought stress in both varieties. While the leaves of tolerant variety in severe stress showed 1.13 times higher ascorbic acid content than Pusakomal. Among the two varieties, Kanakamony possess the best antioxidant system to tolerate drought stress. This could limit cellular damage caused by active oxygen species, during waterdeficit. The variety Pusakomal was relatively poor in these adaptations.

Drinking water quality assessment of rain water harvested in ferrocement tanks in Alappuzha District, Kerala (India).

The study was conducted to assess the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of stored rain water in the ferrocement tanks of Alappuzha District, Kerala (India). Representative water samples were collected on random basis from ten stations (S1 to S10) with rain water harvesting facility during the periods January 2006 and April 2006. The present study revealed that the physico-chemical characteristics of stored rain water analysed during the winter and summer seasons were within the permissible drinking water standard limits prescribed by W.H.O. Microbiological analysis showed that most of the stored rainwater samples had microbial contamination in both winter and summer seasons and the bacterial count was above the permissible standards for drinking water. Faecal coliforms were also detected in the stored rain water samples collected from eight stations during the summer season. The present study revealed that the quality of stored rain water is suitable for drinking purpose in terms of physical and chemical characteristics. However, disinfection is necessary to make the water microbially safe for drinking purposes.

Anthropometric indices, cord length and placental weight in newborns.

A study on the anthropometric indices of 3835 singleton newborn babies was conducted over a four months period at Sree Avittom Thirunal Hospital, Trivandrum. Of these, 1921 (50.1%) were male babies and 1914 (49.9%) were female babies. The majority of infants (43%) were born to the middle socio-economic groups and the mean birth weight of babies was high among the high-income groups. Five hundred and ninety six (15.5%) babies weighed less than 2500 g; of these 121 (20.2%) were preterm and 477 (79.8%) were full term. The prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) was high (22.0%) among the mothers aged between 15 and 19 years. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the mean birth weight (BW) of term male and female babies but there was no significant differences in their body length, head circumference and cord length. The mean ponderal index of term newborn babies was 2.3 g/cm3. The mean placental weight of LBW term and preterm babies was less than that of the corresponding normal weight babies. The birth weight of babies was directly proportional to their placental weight.

A study on the health status of twin babies.

A study on twin births was conducted from May 1993 to April 1994 at S.A.T. Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. The twinning rate in this period was found as 17.33 per 1000 births. 79.6% babies in the twin pairs were of like sex and 20.4% were of unlike sex. The incidence of low birth weight twin babies in this study was 68.9%. There was no significant difference in the physical parameters (birth weight, body length and head circumference) of twin babies in relation to sex. The incidence of twin birth was higher among primipara mothers and in the mothers of age group 21 to 25 years. The first born baby (twin A) was found to be heavier than the second born baby (twin B) in 44.78% twin pairs and their mean birth weight difference was 438 g, while the second born baby (twin B) was found to be heavier than the first born (twin A) in 38.31% twin pairs and their mean birth weight difference was 291 g. Statistical analysis showed that the difference between the mean birth weight difference in the case of twin A > B was significantly greater when compared to that of twin A < B.

Protective effect of testosterone against alcohol and paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Chronic ethanol and paracetamol consumption, both individually and in combination, caused hepatic changes in rats. Treatment of testosterone (2.5 mg/kg body wt.) to the alcoholic and paracetamol administered rats showed decreased activities of serum transaminases, serum acid and alkaline phosphatases, and decreased levels of hepatic triglycerides, cholesterol and free fatty acids. Concentration of the lipid peroxidation product-malondialdehyde was significantly decreased in the liver after testosterone treatment in alcohol and paracetamol administered groups. Histopathological observations further confirm that testosterone could offer protection against alcohol and paracetamol induced damage to liver in animals.

Role of lipid peroxides, glutathione and antiperoxidative enzymes in alcohol and drug toxicity.

Ethanol administration to rats for 30 days and 90 days followed by paracetamol administration resulted in liver injury indicated by the significant increase in the serum GOT and GPT levels. The ethanol treatment to rats and the administration of paracetamol to the normal and alcoholic rats also caused a significant increase in the activity of serum acid and alkaline phosphatase. The hepatotoxicity of ethanol and paracetamol were indicated by the histological alterations in this study. The content of lipid peroxidation products-malondialdehyde, hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes were increased in the liver, heart, kidney and brain of the acute and chronic ethanol treated and paracetamol treated rats. The activities of the antiperoxidative enzymes-SOD and catalase decreased in the ethanol and paracetamol treated rats. The changes in the activities of the antiperoxidative enzymes in alcoholism and drug toxicity suggests increased peroxidation, increased synthesis of ecosonoids and increased damage to the tissues. The glutathione levels were decreased in the rats administered ethanol for 30 days, while the glutathione levels increased in the 90 days ethanol treated rats. The paracetamol treatment caused a decrease in the glutathione levels in the normals and the ethanol treated rats.