New Visions in Biological Science Vol. 6

When faced with a new virus that is rapidly emerging in the human population, we had a limited knowledge base to work with. The pandemic invasion of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus provided a unique possibility to quickly learn more about the pathogenesis of respiratory viruses. What happens to other respiratory infectious diseases during a global disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic? The pandemic brought about by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has disrupted many well-established epidemiological and pathogenetic relationships, as well as mechanisms affecting infections with other respiratory viruses. Typically, the emergence of novel respiratory viruses has often been accompanied by the disappearance of existing circulating strains. As of today, there is a general downward trend in the circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses with one major exception – rhinovirus and respiratory-syncytial virus – which are not being halted. The level of circulation of other respiratory pathogens has dropped dramatically. In many regions, the influenza season has not started. In this chapter, the impact of pandemics on the circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses is considered. Some issues arising from the spread of pandemic viruses and underlying the choices of a strategy to fight the coronavirus infection are discussed.

Monosex tilapia is the maximum diversified culturally fish species within the world, has got new heights of production in current times. It takes a vital role in the fish farming business for great demand and value of this species in the local and international market. Tank based culture system reduces the limitations of pond culture and it can produce very high yields, year round, on small parcels of land. Tanks with a high fish density disrupt breeding behaviour and allow male tilapia to grow to marketable size. To evaluate the growth, production and profit analysis the study was conducted at Kelomal village of Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal from August, 2016 to March, 2017 following standard protocol. The results showed that if a person invests Rs.2879 in tank farming(length, width, and depth ratio is 30:3:1) for three months , the net profit after all expenses is Rs.3025. As a result, it is simple to determine how profitable it is (nearly 50 percent). Hybrid monosex tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was used in this study because fast growing and with their omnivorous feeding habit, attained market size of > 180g after each production cycle lasting 120 days. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) varied from 2.80-2.81 for the three production cycles. The main targets of this study were to establish on a sustainable rural livelihoods aquaculture method for the production of a major animal protein source by comparing the growth pattern of monosex tilapia under tank culture systems. In this manner, commercial monosex tilapia farming can assume an important role for making the people sustainable development and satisfying the protein and nutritional demand.

Pesticides have become a major environmental concern due to their persistence in the environment and potential effects. Aquatic populations are disappearing all over the world as a result of the effects of these products. Water, in particular, is a major transporter of all contaminants. The toxicity of a systemic fungicide, ARTEA 330EC, which is newly used in Algeria against grain pests, is evaluated in this study using two biochemical parameters, glutathione-S-transferase and cholinesterase. ARTEA 330EC concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100ppm) are applied to Gambusia affinis specimens.  The results show that the average weight and size of exposed specimens have decreased significantly. Simultaneously, biochemical parameter monitoring revealed a significant stimulating protein (Synthesis) associated with GST activity stimulation parallel to a decrease in the average rate of GSH. Acetylcholinesterase activity measurements reveal a significant stimulation of the three fungicide concentrations (25, 50 and 75ppm). Finally, our findings suggest that the increase in GST observed in association with inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity can be regarded as biomarkers of toxicity ARTEA 330EC Fungicide in Gambusia affinis

All extant photosynthetic organisms descend from a primeval photosynthetic operon of the single evolutionary line of cells. This hypothesis proposed existence of mitoplastide genome in the aerobic oxygen non-producing proto-eukaryot. This genome is composed of whole mitochondrial replicon and photosynthetic gene cluster surrounded by membrane. Development of water spliting-PSII superoperon in plants, is a results of mitoplastide genome duplication and gene's function replacement. After both events, mitoplastide genome contain two functionaly polarized replicons (mitochondrial and plastid's). The major driving forces in gene modeling and functional replacements in photosynthetic genes replicon are diameter of the Earth and brightness of the Sun at the time when life originated.  The origin of mitochondrion and chloroplast occured in three steps. First, a replication fork pauses and collapsed, generating a break in the mitoplastide genome. Second, the double-strand break was repaired by complementary strands invasion. Third, this duplicated genome was segregated into two compartments by reciprocal genetic recombination. Simultaneous, with genetic recombination, fission of the mitoplastide membrane formed two compartments, mitochondrial and plastid’s.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) against lead toxicity. Lead is considered to be one of the oxidative stress inducer in different cells and organs. Female wistar rats were exposed to a diet containing 600 mg lead acetate/Kg food (Pb), or combined with 20 g fresh dandelion leaves/kg food (Pb-DD) and then they have been compared to a control group for 6 consecutive weeks. A number of hematological and serum biochemical markers were investigated. The results showed that the Pb group had a significant decrease in RBC and hemoglobin levels, but a significant increase in methemoglobin when compared to the control. RBC counts and hemoglobin levels were unchanged in the Pb-DD group, but methemoglobin percentage was significantly higher than in the control group. The Pb group showed a significant increase in the activities of AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphate, as well as total bilirubin and uric acid levels. Except for uric acid, dandelion supplementation has kept the previous markers within their biochemical ranges. However, no significant differences in albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, or calcium concentrations were observed in either Pb or Pb-DD treated animals. Histological examinations of the liver, kidney, and ovary revealed no significant differences between the Pb-DD-treated group and the control group. Pb, on the other hand, has caused cystic structures and vacuolization of the liver, as well as necrosis and micro calcifications of the kidney. The Pb group also showed ovary tissue degeneration, including the absence of corona radiata and granulosa cell apoptosis. In conclusion, adding dendelion to a Pb-contaminated diet significantly reduced metal toxicity in female rats.

Background: Dental caries occurs as a result of acid produced by bacteria which destroys the enamel and underlying dentin. A study was carried out to isolate microorganisms that cause dental caries in patients belonging to different age groups and find out the antimicrobial activity of various toothpastes against them.

Study Objectives: 1. To isolate microbes causing dental caries in patients belonging to different age groups.
2. To analyze the antimicrobial activity of herbal toothpaste against the causative organism causing dental caries. Place and duration of study: Samples were collected from Krish Multispeciality Clinic and Prashanth Dental Clinic, Nagole between June’2016 – December’2017 and worked on, at Microbiology Department, St. Francis College for women, Hyderabad.

Methodology: Ten samples of each age group from 10-20 yrs., 20-40 yrs. and 40-60 yrs. were isolated. The organisms were identified by carrying out various biochemical tests according to Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology and molecular characterization based on 16s rRNA typing. Identified organisms were used to test the antimicrobial activity of herbal toothpastes by employing agar well diffusion method. ANOVA is used for statistical analysis.

Results and Conclusion: Patanjali herbal products like Dantkanti are gaining lot of importance and have become a part of life of common man because of their effectivity. Our studies revealed that out of the various toothpastes tested, Patanjali toothpaste had good antimicrobial activity against all the isolates. On comparative analysis of f-ratio and P significant value (< .05.) of all pairs, it is observed that Patanjali has good antimicrobial activity against all isolates tested. The efficacy of Meswak is almost similar to that of Patanjali. Dabur red and Colgate herbal have shown moderate activity when compared to the other two toothpastes

Primary production is the assessment of an ecosystem's ability to build up, at the expense of external energy both radiant and chemical; primary organic compounds of high chemical potentials for further transformation and flow to higher system levels. The purpose of this study is to provide baseline information about the primary productivity of Hattikuni Reservoir, Yadgiri District, Karnataka, India for effective reservoir management. The study was carried out for a period of one year (February 2015 to January 2016) in each first week of the month using ‘light and dark bottle’ method. In the present study, the maximum values of GPP observed in pre-monsoon season 0.95 gC/m³/hr and minimum in monsoon season 0.55 gC/m³/h, NPP was found maximum in post monsoon season 0.48 gC/m³/hr and minimum in monsoon 0.27 gC/m³/hr and CR was found maximum in pre monsoon season 0.59 gC/m³/hr and minimum in monsoon season 0.23 gC/m³/hr respectively. The findings indicate that higher productivity of Hattikuni reservoir favors better growth of zooplanktons and higher organisms in the reservoir.

An experiment was conducted during 2018-2020 to study the genetic diversity in 24 morphological traits using D² statistics in mango genotypes of eastern tropical region of India. The study aims to determine the variability present among the mango genotypes which enables utilization of high genetic divergence among parents in the breeding program.   Present study reveals that the clustering pattern based on D² statistics grouped 40 genotypes of mango into 7 clusters, out of which cluster VI (7397.45) shows the highest intra cluster value followed by cluster III (5346.99) and cluster V (4130.4), indicating considerable genetic divergence among the accessions of this cluster. While maximum inter- cluster distance was observed between the cluster VI and VII (300180) followed by cluster II and VI (289267.7) and cluster I and VI (214380.5) indicated that the accessions belonging to these groups were genetically most diverse and can be used as a parent in hybridization programme.  Wide range of genetic diversity observed among cluster VI and cluster VII, can either be utilized for breeding programmes for genetic improvement in mango or directly adopted as a variety. Fruit yield exhibited significant contribution towards the genetic divergence (60.77%) followed by fruit weight (26.79%), stone percentage (4.74%), peel percentage (2.31%) and pulp percentage (2.05%).

The objective of this mini review is to determine the bioecology of the Syrphidae Family. (Insecta: Diptera). The research was carried out in studies related to quantitative aspects of the Family and Species (taxonomic groups) and conceptual aspects such as: geographical distribution, species, prey, life cycle, reproduction, Taxonomy, Nomenclature, and pollination. A literature search was carried out containing articles published from 1969 to 2021. The mini review was prepared in Goiânia, Goiás, from September to October 2021, through the Online Scientific Library (Scielo), internet, ResearchGate, Academia.edu, Frontiers, Publons, Qeios and Portal of Scientific Journals in Health Sciences.

Antifungal activity of the extracts of whole red velvet mite, skin and fresh haemolymph was evaluated. It was very interesting to observe that all the above three components registered a good antifungal activity. Of the three products of mites tested, the fresh haemolymph registered the maximum antifungal activity. Next to the haemolymph, the alcohol extracts of the skin exhibited a high antifungal activity. A dose dependent variation was observed in the antifungal activity. The extracts of haemolymph at a dose level of 200 mg/disc showed the highest inhibitory activity. We have concluded red velvet mites also one of the important zoo therapeutic agent for modern medicines.

Eucalyptus rostrata is known to contain a variety of allelopathic substances. The allelopathic effect of Eucalyptus rostrata leaf (ERLAE) and bark (ERBAE) aqueous extracts on seed germination and seedling growth of two noxious weeds, Chenopodium album and Portulaca oleracea, was investigated. The biological activity of the two types of extracts on germination efficiency varies depending on the extract type and recipient species. The effect of the extracts on the two weeds was in the following order: ERLAE > ERBAE, and the action was almost as effective and significant in C. album as it was in P. oleracea. The reduction in plumule and radical lengths observed in the current study may be attributed to a slower rate of cell division and elongation caused by the presence of allelochemicals in the aqueous extracts. In conclusion, the current study's findings may contribute to the solution of the problem of excessive use of synthetic herbicides through the application and testing of a number of promising medicinal plants rich in allelochemicals, such as E. rostrata.

Chenopodium album is an invasive weed found in wheat fields in Egypt. The current study demonstrated the potential for using MILAE (Mangifera indica leaves aqueous extract) at various concentrations (5, 10, 15 and 25%) to suppress the germination and growth of C. album in a Petri dish experiment.  The rise in MILAE concentration was shown to be associated with predictable degrees of inhibition in C. album germination and seedling growth rate. The lengths of the PL (plumule) and RL (radicle) of C. album were significantly affected as the concentration of MILAE grew, with the effect being most pronounced at a concentration of 25% extract. The use of MILAE as an alternative bioherbicide was advocated in this study because its leaves extract has substantial phytotoxic potential allelochemicals.