Life Sciences

Status of other processed fruits and vegetables in respect of its export from India was studied for the period from the year 1989-90 to 2013-14 with respect to major export destinations. Status was examined by estimating mean, compound growth rate, instability and diversification. Ray method was used to estimate the instability and diversification status was examined with the help of Simpson Index of Diversification.CGR were estimated by employing best fit functional form to the export data.

To determine genetic diversity among 43 cultivars of Kumba group (Solanum aethiopicum L.), 17 simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers were tested. Nine (9) EST-SSR markers used were polymorphic among the accessions studied. A total of 19 alleles were identified with an average of 2 alleles per marker. Furthermore, the accessions studied showed medium genetic diversity. Clustering analysis grouped the 43 accessions into 3 distinct clusters.

A potential amylase producing bacterial strain was isolated from mushroom compost and identified as Bacillus aerius GC6 using 16S rRNA gene technique and deposited in NCBI gene bank vide accession number |KJ775810.1|. The aim of this study was to enhance amylase production by optimizing various medium components and process parameters viz. substrate concentration, pH, temperature, inoculums size, Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations through the statistical approach under submerged fermentation from this isolate.

Introduction: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) has received lot of attention because of it’s growing association with obesity and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among women population. Central obesity, a physical finding plays a central role in the development of the Insulin Resistance (MetS). Central obesity appears to precede the other components of MetS, which increases with age. Women in this coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh prepare and consume delicious food items, mostly of rice and have tendency to become obese in forties.

The Douala-Edea Wildlife reserve is situated in the Littoral region, specifically in the Sanaga Maritime Department. The study aims to characterize the plant diversity of the reserve. This study was conducted in three phases, the rapid botanic survey, a botanical inventory of the reserve; and species identification in the herabarium. The methodology used combined the quadrants to achieve the botanical inventories, as well as surveys and field visits. The forest of the Douala-Edea reserve is rich and diverse, 435 species and 76 families were identified. This potential varies with facies.

Gestational diabetes mellitus refers to any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy .Gestational diabetes mellitus most of which progress to type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide. It predisposes mother and offspring to increased risk of complication during pregnancy. In addition to the clinical reasons for attention to hyperglycemia during pregnancy, the future of the reproductive aged woman with GDM as well as the future of her offspring is two important public health issues that are receiving increasing recognition.

The artisanal productions of the maritime fishing resources were studied in three landing-stageof Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) from May to October 2014. Artisanal maritime fishing in Cote d’Ivoire is exclusively practiced by the Ghanaians Fanti, Ewé and Ningo ethnics groups. The most dominant age class is 25 - 40 years old, which accounts for 62% of total fishermen, followed by those of 17- 25 years old (33%). The fishermen over 40 years old represent 5% of the total number of fishers. The unloaded resources are distributed between 16 families and 26 fish species and one species of Mollusc.

Acid-mine drainage (AMD) contains high concentrations of heavy metals these contaminants were generally avoided by lime neutralization. However, this method is expensive and generates large amounts of residual sludge. The selective precipitation of metals using H2S produced biologically by sulfate reducing bacteria has been proposed as an alternative process. in this study, acid mine drainage was treated in a laboratory scale. Bioreactor fed with an H2 and Methanol was used to treat acid mine drainage. The maximum rate of H2 transfer suggests that this step should not be a limiting factor.

Cadmium ranks close to lead and mercury in toxicological importance due to its increasing levels in the environment, as a result of industrial practices of past and present. Chromosomal responses to cadmium chloride shocks were studied in the pupal footpad polytene chromosomes of Sarcophaga ruficornis. Cadmium chloride induces a single puff on chromosome arm IIL at the region 12A by in vitro treatment. Heat shock and other chemical stresses is also induced similar puff in several sarcophagids.

Currently, obesity is a major health problem worldwide because of its rising prevalence and strong association with pathological disorders such as cardio vascular diseases, diabetes- type 2, hypertension, infertility and some forms of cancer. Nanotechnology has been developed into a multidisciplinary field of applied science and technology for target application. People prefer to take antiobesity drugs to reduce body weight rather than work outs. But these conventional drugs may cause adverse effects on heart and other organs.