Enhancement of Vigour Status through Hydro and Leaf Extract Priming and Humid Invigoration in Ribbed Gourd (COH 1) and Bitter Gourd (CO 1)

The present study focused on the evaluation of priming with water and various botanical leaf extract and followed by humid invigoration as a means to improve seed germination and seedling vigour of ribbed gourd (COH 1) and bitter gourd (CO 1). The seeds of these gourds were primed with water and various leaf extracts at 2% concentration viz., Pongam (Pongamia pinnata L.), Neem (Azadira chtaindica), Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii), Notchi (Vitex negundo), Coconut (Cocos nucifera), Hena (Lawsonia inermis) and Guava (Psidium guajava). Unprimed seeds taken as a control. Hydro and leaf extract priming with humid invigoration process significantly influence the germination and seedling vigour of both crops viz., ribbed gourd (COH 1) and bitter gourd (CO 1). The study revealed that highest seed and seedling quality characters like germination percentage, speed of germination, seedling length, dry matter production, vigour index I and vigour index II were recorded in hydro primed with humid invigoration. Among the leaf extracts moringa shows better seedling growth of above parameters. Minimum value of this parameter was recorded in henna leaf extract priming with humid invigoration in both ribbed gourd (COH 1) and bitter gourd gourd (CO 1).

Physio-Chemical Changes during Ethrel Treatment of Mango cv. Alphonso under Different Temperature Regimes

Aim: Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the second most consumed fruit which belongs to the family Anacardiaceae. Ripening in mango (climacteric fruit) is hastened by application of ethrel. The experiment was conducted to study the effect of different temperatures during ethrel treatment on shelf life and quality of mango cv. Alphonso.Study Design: The experiment consisted of three treatments and seven replications laid out in Completely randomized design (CRD).Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Department of Fruit Science, Horticulture College and research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2022-2023. Methodology: Mango cv. Alphonso was subjected to ethrel treatment in three different ripening chambers having different temperatures viz., T1 – silpaulin chamber (33°C), T2 – zero energy cool chamber (26°C), T3 – cold chamber (22°C) for a period of 24 hours. After ethylene treatment, the fruits were stored at ambient temperature to study the ripening behaviour. Shelf life and quality parameters were observed and recorded. Results: The days taken for ripening was lesser (6 days) and the rate of conversion of quality attributes were higher in fruits subjected to ethrel treatment in silpaulin chamber. The quality attributes like TSS (22°Brix), acidity (0.25 %), TSS : acid ratio (88) were significantly higher in fruits treated in silpaulin chamber on the day of ripening. The physiological loss in weight was found to be significantly lesser in fruits subjected to ethylene treatment in cold chamber (6.56 %) and were on par with fruits treated in zero energy cool chamber (6.71%) whereas the firmness and shelf life were found to be significantly higher in cold chamber treated fruits (2.35 N, 15 days respectively) but firmness was on par with fruits subjected to ethylene treatment in zero energy cool chamber (2.21 N) on ripening. The overall acceptability of fruits in sensory evaluations was significantly higher in fruits treated in zero energy cool chamber (8.3) which was on par with fruits treated in cold chamber (8.1).Conclusion: The fruits treated in silpaulin chamber had better TSS, acidity and TSS: acid blend. The fruits treated in cold chamber were superior in shelf life and sensory score which was also on par with fruits treated in zero energy cool chamber. Hence zero energy cool chamber can be used as an alternative to cold chamber for ethrel treatment which would be cost effective, environment friendly and can be used by small traders and farmers.

Effect on Soil Properties as Influenced by the Application of FYM Enriched with Zinc Solubilizers and Zinc Sulphate in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Background: Suboptimal dietary zinc intake is widespread in India due to low levels of plant-available zinc in soils and limited food choices. The aim of this study was to enhance the zinc concentration in soil and plant by using farmyard manure (FYM) enriched with zinc fertilizers and zinc solubilizers respectively. Additionally, the response of maize to three forms of zinc fertilizer was determined. Maize crop grown under zinc-deficient soils contain lower zinc concentration, which can cause human illness and a drastic effect on yield can be noticed. Therefore, enhancing zinc content in plants by using FYM enriched with zinc solubilizers and inorganic zinc fertilizers is the best approach to increase zinc content in soil and plants. Methods: A field experiment was conducted to study the physico chemical properties of soil under maize (Zea mays L.) in response to the application of FYM enriched with ZnSB and ZnSO4 on sandy loam soils at College Farm, Agricultural College, Mahanandi campus of Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University during rabi, 2021-2022. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eleven treatments and replicated thrice. Results: The results revealed that significantly higher and comparable values of available nitrogen (302, 299 and 281 kg ha-1 respectively), phosphorous (73.40, 66.53 and 58.40 kg ha-1 respectively) and zinc (1.76, 1.54 and 1.15 mg kg-1 respectively) at different growth stages of maize were registered with application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1. Whereas available potassium, Iron, manganese, copper, soil pH, EC (dS m-1) and OC (%) were not significantly affected by the application of FYM enriched with ZnSB and ZnSO4.

Correlation Studies Between Physico-Chemical, Chemical and Nutrient Uptakes of Paddy in Phosphorus Rich Vertisols.

A field experiment was conducted in paddy having high soil available P vertisols under K.C. Canal ayacut at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh. The correlation studies revealed that there exist a positive strong correlation between agronomic characters at different stages with the yield. pH and EC was positively correlate with yield except pH at panicle initiation stage is non significantly correlate with yield. The available nitrogen at tillering (r= 0.446), panicle initiation (r= 0.299) and harvest stages (r= 0.502) showed nonsignificant results with yield. The soil available phosphorus at tillering (r=0.782) and panicle initiation stages (r= 0.743) showed positive and significant correlation at 1 per cent level of significance, but available phosphorus at harvest stage (r= 0.683) showed positive and significant correlation at 5 per cent level of significance. The yield of paddy is positively and significantly correlated with nitrogen uptake in straw (r= 0.812), phosphorus uptake in grain (r= 0.946), straw (r= 0.860) and potassium uptake in straw (r= 0.725) showed positive and significant correlation with yield at 1 per cent level of significance.

Peripheral fibroma obstructing the eruption pathway.

Reactive hyperplasias comprise a group of fibrous connective tissue lesions that commonly occur in oral mucosa secondary to injury. Peripheral fibroma is also a type of reactive hyperplasia. Peripheral fibroma is a reactive hyperplastic mass that occurs on the gingiva and is derived from connective tissue of the submucosa or periodontal ligament. It may occur at any age, although it does have a predilection for young adults. Females develop these lesions more commonly than do males. Here, we are presenting a case report of a child who is 6 years old and presented to us with a swelling in the lower anterior region which was providing discomfort to the child and also was obstructing the eruption pathway of the permanent central incisor in the region. The lesion was surgically excised.

Unicystic ameloblastoma presenting as multilocular lesion: A case report.

Unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) refers to those cystic lesions that show clinical, radiographic, or gross features of a mandibular cyst, but on histological examination show a typical ameloblastomatous epithelium lining part of the cyst cavity, with or without luminal and/or mural tumour growth. In this case report we present a uncommon multilocular unicystic ameloblastoma encountered in a 40 year old female patient.

Controlled delivery of ranitidine in the stomach using magnetic field / Administración controlada de ranitidina en el estómago usando campos magnéticos

An attempt has been made to localize ranitidine loaded microspheres in the stomach by magnetic means. Since ranitidine undergoes metabolism by microbial enzymes in the intestine, it is ideal to localize the controlled drug delivery system within the stomach to get uniform release and absorption of the drug for the desired period. Gelatin magnetic microspheres loaded with 9.1, 17.9, 26.3 and 33.3% w/w of ranitidine hydrochloride were prepared by emulsification-cross linking technique. The formulated microspheres were characterized by magnetite content, particle size and in vitro drug release. The efficiency of microspheres to be localized in the stomach is tested in vivo in rats. The prepared microspheres were spherical and had a size distribution from 10 to 105 µm. The in vitro study revealed the capability of microspheres to release the drug over a period of 8 to 12 hours, depending on drug loading. The release was found to be diffusion controlled and followed fickian diffusion principle. The in vivo study showed the efficiency of microspheres to be retained in the stomach over a period of 8 hours.

Se ha hecho el intento por localizar las microesferas cargadas de ranitidina en el estómago mediante medios magnéticos. Como que la ranitidina experimenta metabolismo mediante enzimas microbianas en el intestino, resulta ideal localizar el sistema de administración del medicamento controlado dentro del estómago para alcanzar la liberación y absorción uniformes del medicamento por el período deseado. Microesferas de gelatina magnética cargadas con 9.1, 17.9, 26.3 y 33.3% p/p de hidrocloruro de ranitidina, fueron preparadas mediante una técnica de emulsificación-entrecruzamiento. Las microesferas formuladas se caracterizaron por su contenido de magnetita, el tamaño de las partículas y la liberación del medicamento in vitro. La eficiencia de las microesferas a ser localizadas en el estómago se prueba in vivo en ratas. Las microesferas preparadas eran esféricas y tenían una distribución de tamaño de 10 a 105 µm. El estudio in vitro reveló la capacidad de las microesferas para liberar la droga en un período de 8 a 12 horas, en dependencia de la carga de la droga. Se halló que la liberación estaba sujeta difusión controlada y seguía la ley de Fick para la difusión. El estudio in vivo mostró la eficiencia de las microesferas para ser retenidas en el estómago por un período de 8 horas.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis PB6, a natural probiotic on colon mucosal inflammation and plasma cytokines levels in inflammatory bowel disease.

The pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves the production of diverse lipid mediators, namely eicosanoid, lysophospholipids, and platelet-activating factor, in which phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is the key enzyme. Thus, it has been postulated that control of lipid mediators production by inhibition of PLA2 would be useful for the treatment of IBD. This hypothesis has been tested in the present study by examining the therapeutic effect of a novel natural probitic Bacillus subtilis PB6 (ATCC- PTA 6737). B. subtilis PB6 is found to secrete surfactins (cyclic lipopeptides) which have anti-bacterial potential. These surfactins inhibit PLA2, a rate-limiting enzyme involved in the arachidonic acid associated inflammatory pathway and could downregulate the inflammatory response by regulating the eicosanoid and cytokine pathways. With this concept, an experimental animal trial has been conducted in a rat model of 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. The oral administration of PB6 suppresses the colitis as measured by mortality rate, changes in the weight gain, colon morphology and the levels of plasma cytokines. The animals treated orally with PB6 at 1.5 x 10(8) CFU/kg thrice daily from day 4 to 10 significantly improve gross pathology of the colon and regain the colon weight to normal (p < 0.05), compared to TNBS-induced positive control. The plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, 1L-1beta, IL-6 and IFN-gamma) are also significantly lowered (p < 0.05) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-I0 and TGF-beta) significantly (p < 0.05) increased after the oral administration of PB6 on day 11. The present study supports the concept that PB6 inhibits PLA2 by the secreting surfactins. In a clinical investigation, it is found to be well tolerated by all the healthy volunteers.

Defence transcriptome profiling of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith by mRNA differential display.

Soft rot is a serious disease in ginger (Zingiber of?cinale Roscoe),imposing a considerable economic loss annually in all ginger-producing countries.In this study,mRNA differential display was employed to identify genes whose expression was altered in a soft rot-resistant accession of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith,a wild relative of ginger, in response to Pythium aphanidermatum (Edson) Fitzp.,which is the principal causative agent of soft-rot disease in ginger.Analysis using 68 primer combinations identified 70 differentially expressed transcript-derived fragments (TDFs),of which 34 TDFs were selected for further analysis following reverse northern screening.Cloning and sequence characterization of the 34 TDFs yielded a total of 54 distinct clones.Functional categorization of these clones revealed seven categories,of which the defence/stress/signalling group was the largest,with clones homologous to genes known to be actively involved in various pathogenesis-related functions in other plant species.The significance of these genes in relation to the resistance response in Z.zerumbet is discussed.This study has provided a pool of candidate genes for detailed molecular dissection of the defence mechanisms in Z.zerumbet and for accessing wild genetic resources for the transgenic improvement of ginger.