Physiological and biochemical alterations in Vigna rdiate L. triggered by sesame derived elicitors as defense mechanism against Rhizoctonia and Macrophomina infestation

Improving agricultural products by the stimulation of plant growth and defense mechanisms by priming with plant extracts is needed to attain sustainability in agriculture. This study focused to consider the possible improvement in Vigna radiata L. seed germination rate, plant growth, and protection against the natural stress by increasing the defense mechanisms through the incorporation of Sesamum indicum phytochemical compounds with pre-sowing seed treatment technologies. The gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the methanol extract of S. indicum leaf extract contained eight major bioactive compounds, namely, 2-ethylacridine (8.24%), tert-butyl (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenoxy) dimethylsilane (13.25%), tris(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) arsane (10.66%), 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane (18.50%), acetamide, N-[4-(trimethylsilyl) phenyl (19.97%), 3,3-diisopropoxy-1,1,1,5,5,5-hexamethyltrisiloxane (6.78%), silicic acid, diethyl bis(trimethylsilyl) ester (17.71%) and cylotrisiloxane, hexamethyl-(4.89%). The V. radiata seeds were treated with sesame leaf extract seeds at concentrations 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L. Sesame leaf extract at 50 and 100 mg/L concentrations was effective in increasing the germination percentage and the fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots. The increased peroxidase activity was noticed after treatment with S. indicum extract. In addition, disease percentage (< 60%) of both fungal pathogens (Rhizoctonia and Macrophomina) was significantly reduced in V. radiata plants treated with 100 mg/L of sesame leaf extract. These results revealed that physiochemical components present in S. indicum mature leaf extract significantly enhanced growth and defense mechanism in green gram plants.

Nutrition morbidity interactions in pre-school children

Background & objectives

Research studies in the 1970s reported that in pre-school children, undernutrition increased the risk of infections and infections aggravated undernutrition. Over decades, there has been a reduction in prevalence of undernutrition and improvement in access to healthcare for treatment of infections. A mixed longitudinal study was undertaken to assess whether over time there were any changes from the earlier reported effect of undernutrition prior to infection on the risk of morbidity and effect of morbidity on nutritional status in pre-school children.

Methods

Pre-school (0-59 months of age) children from urban low- and middle-income families whose parents were willing to allow their participation in the study were enrolled. Information on sociodemographic profile of the families was collected at enrolment. Weight of all children and length in infants were recorded every month; length/height in children 12-59 months of age was recorded once in three months. Morbidity information was collected through fortnightly visits.

Results

3888 pre-school children were followed up in 74636 home visits. Among these children, underweight and wasting were associated with a small increase in risk of infections. The odds ratio for risk of infection for underweight children was 1.09 (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.16) and for wasting was 1.18 (95% CI: 1.08 to 1.29). The deterioration in Z scores for weight-for-age and body mass index-for-age in children during illness and convalescence was small but significant (P<0.001).

Interpretation & conclusions

The increased risk of infections in undernourished children living in overcrowded tenements in areas with poor environmental hygiene was not significant, perhaps because the risk of infection in normally nourished children was also high. The deterioration in nutritional status following infection was small because of the ready access to and utilization of health and nutrition care.

Prediction of biomedical signals using deep learning techniques

The electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), and electromyogram (EMG) are all very useful diagnostic techniques. The widespread availability of mobile devices plus the declining cost of ECG, EEG, and EMG sensors provide a unique opportunity for making this kind of study widely available. The fundamental need for enhancing a country’s healthcare industry is the ability to foresee the plethora of ailments with which people are now being diagnosed. It’s no exaggeration to say that heart disease is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability in the world today. Diagnosing heart disease is a difficult process that calls for much training and expertise. Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal is an electrical signal produced by the human heart and used to detect the human heartbeat. Emotions are not simple phenomena, yet they do have a major impact on the standard of living. All of these mental processes including drive, perception, cognition, creativity, focus, attention, learning, and decision making are greatly influenced by emotional states. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals react instantly and are more responsive to changes in emotional states than peripheral neurophysiological signals. As a result, EEG readings may disclose crucial aspects of a person’s emotional states. The signals generated by electromyography (EMG) are gaining prominence in both clinical and biological settings. Differentiating between neuromuscular illnesses requires a reliable method of detection, processing, and classification of EMG data. This study investigates potential deep learning applications by constructing a framework to improve the prediction of cardiac-related diseases using electrocardiogram (ECG) data, furnishing an algorithmic model for sentiment classification utilizing EEG data, and forecasting neuromuscular disease classification utilizing EMG signals.

Systematic induced resistance in Solanum lycopersicum (L.) against vascular wilt pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) by Citrullus colocynthis and Trichoderma viride

The antifungal effects of Citrullus colocynthis extract (Hexane, chloroform, methanol, and water) were tested in vitro on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Sacc.) W. C. Snyder & H. N. Hans (FOL), the causal agent of Fusarium wilt. Of these, methanol and water extract at 10% showed the highest inhibition of mycelial growth of FOL by 12.32 and 23.61 mm respectively. The antifungal compounds were identified through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The methanol extract was compatible with the biocontrol agent Trichoderma viride. The antagonistic fungi were mass-cultured under laboratory conditions using sorghum seeds. Both T. viride and C. colocynthis methanol extract was also tested alone and together against FOL under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The combination of T. viride and C. colocynthis showed the highest percentage of antifungal activity (82.92%) against FOL under in vitro conditions. This study revealed that induced systemic resistance (ISR) in enhancing the disease resistance in tomato plants against Fusarium wilt disease. The combined treatment of T. viride and C. colocynthis significantly reduced the disease incidence and index by 21.92 and 27.02% in greenhouse conditions, respectively. Further, the induction of defense enzymes, such as peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), β-1,3-glucanase, and chitinase were studied. The accumulation of defense enzyme was greater in plants treated with a combination of T. viride and C. colocynthis compared to the control. Reduction of wilt disease in tomato plants due to the involvement of defense-related enzymes is presumed through this experiment.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Gracilaria crassa leaf extract and their ecotoxicological potential: Issues to be considered

The use of vegetal species for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) biosynthesis can constitute an alternative to replacing the extensive use of several hazardous chemicals commonly used during NPs synthesis and, therefore, can reduce biological impacts induced by the release of these products into the natural environment. However, the "green nanoparticles" and/or "eco-friendly nanoparticles" label does not ensure that biosynthesized NPs are harmless to non-target organisms. Thus, we aimed to synthesize AuNPs from seaweed Gracilaria crassa aqueous extract through an eco-friendly, fast, one-pot synthetic route. The formation of spherical, stable, polycrystalline NPs with a diameter of 32.0 nm ± 4.0 nm (mean ±SEM) was demonstrated by UV-vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction measurement, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. In addition, different phytocomponents were identified in the biosynthesized AuNPs, using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). However, both G. crassa aqueous extract and the biosynthesized AuNPs showed high ecotoxicity in Anopheles stephensi larvae exposed to different concentrations. Therefore, our study supports the potential of seaweed G. crassa as a raw material source for AuNPs biosynthesis while also shedding light on its ecotoxicological potential, which necessitates consideration of its risk to aquatic biota.

Overnutrition in Indian Children: Challenges and Opportunities

Global and Indian data indicate that children from all the segments of population face dual nutrition burden and related health consequences. Long-term cohort studies have shown that both the under- and overnutrition are risk factors for overnutrition and non-communicable diseases in adult life. Halting the rise in overnutrition is one of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets to be achieved by 2030. With the development and inclusion of body mass index (BMI)-for-age in the WHO child growth standards, it has become possible to assess over- and undernutrition in short-statured children. In India, the Annual Health Survey (AHS) (2014) and the District Level Household Survey 4 (DLHS4) (2013) undertook measurement of height/length and weight (AHS 557016 and DLHS4 295663) in the 0–18-year of school-age children from selected households. Prevalence of overnutrition in 0–18-year children was calculated from these two surveys by using the WHO standards for BMI-for-age (BMI-for-age z scores (BAZ) > +2 in 0–5 and BAZ > +1 in 5–18-year children) as well as uniform norms of either > +1 or > +2 BAZ across 0–18-year children. An attempt was made to explore the policy and program implications of using different norms for assessing overnutrition in preschool and school age children in the Indian context. Body mass index-for-age curve for the 0–18-year Indian children was calculated and compared with the WHO BMI-for-age curve. Across 0–18-year children, the mean BMI-for-age of Indian boys and girls was lower than the mean of the WHO standards, but the trajectory followed was similar. Therefore, Indian high-risk under- and overnourished children can be monitored by using the WHO BMI-for-age curve. Irrespective of the cutoff used for BMI-for-age, prevalence of overnutrition was higher in preschool as compared to school-age children. Overnourished school-age children outnumbered preschool children, especially if the WHO cutoffs were used. The school health system may find it difficult to implement programs that aimed at detection and management of large number of overnourished children. If uniform norm of BAZ > +1 was used, prevalence of overnutrition in preschool children was high and almost similar to undernutrition. Currently, nutrition programs for preschool children are focused on undernutrition and they may find it difficult to manage program focused on overnutrition in large number of children. If the uniform norm of BAZ > +2 was used, both the prevalence of overnutrition and number of children requiring intervention were relatively low in all the age groups. The existing preschool and school nutrition programs can take up an integrated program aimed at early detection and effective management of both the under- (BAZ < −2) and overnutrition (BAZ > +2) in 0–18-year children and strive to achieve the SDG targets.

Larvicidal and repellent activity of N-methyl-1-adamantylamine and oleic acid a major derivative of bael tree ethanol leaf extracts against dengue mosquito vector and their biosafety on natural predator

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa belongs to the family Rutaceae is generally known as "bael fruit tree" occuring across the south Asian countries. The current investigation screened the main derivatives from crude ethanolic extracts of the Bael tree leaf and evaluated activity effects on the larvae and adults of Aedes aegypti (L.) Dengue vector mosquito and a non-target aquatic predator. The GC-MS results showed that the peak area was found to be profound in N-methyl-1-adamantaneacetamide (N-M 1a) followed by oleic acid (OA) with 63.08 and 11.43% respectively. The larvicidal activity against the fourth instar larvae and the crude Ex-Am showed prominent mortality rate (93.60%) at the maximum dosage of 100 ppm. The mortality rate of N-M 1a and OA was occurred at 10 ppm (97.73%) and 12 ppm (95.4%). The repellent activity was found to be prominent at crude Ex-Am (50 ppm) as compared to the pure compounds (N-m 1a and OA) with maximum protection time up to 210 min. The non-target screening of Ex-Am, N-M 1a, and OA on mosquito predator Tx. splendens showed that they are scarcely toxic even at the maximum dosage of 1000 ppm (34.13%), 100 ppm (27.3%), and 120 ppm (31.3%) respectively. Thus, the present investigation clearly proved that the crude Ex-Am and their major derivatives Nm 1-a and OA showed their acute larval toxicity as well as potential mosquito repellent against the dengue mosquito and eco-safety against the mosquito predator.

Heart disease diagnosis using optimized features of hybridized ALCSOGA algorithm and LSTM classifier

Cardiac disease is the predominant cause of global death mainly due to its hidden symptoms and late diagnosis. Hence, early detection is important to improve quality of life. Though traditional researches attempted to predict heart disease, most of them lacked with respect to accuracy. To solve this, the present study proposes a hybridized Ant Lion Crow Search Optimization Genetic Algorithm (ALCSOGA) to perform effective feature selection. This hybrid optimization encompasses Ant Lion, Crow Search and Genetic Algorithm. Ant lion algorithm determines the elite position. While, the Crow Search Algorithm utilizes the phenomenon of position and memory of each crow for evaluating the objective function. Both these algorithms are fed into Genetic Algorithm to improve the performance of feature selection process. Then, Stochastic Learning rate optimized Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) is proposed to classify the extracted optimized features. Finally, comparative analysis is performed in terms of accuracy, recall, F1-score, and precision. Moreover, statistical analysis is performed with respect to Sum of Squares (SS), degree of freedom (df), F Critical (F crit), F Statistics (F), p, and Mean Square (MS) value. Analytical results revealed the efficiency of proposed system over conventional methods and thereby confirming its efficiency for predicting heart disease.

RNA Interference Suppression of v-ATPase B and Juvenile Hormone Binding Protein Genes Through Topically Applied dsRNA on Tomato Leaves: Developing Biopesticides to Control the South American Pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The South American pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Family: Gelechiidae) is one of the most devastating lepidopteran pests in the developing countries of South America, Africa, and Asia. This pest is classified as the most serious threat for tomato production worldwide. In the present study, we analyzed RNAi-mediated control through exogenously applied dsRNA delivery on tomato. The dsRNA treatments were made to target the juvenile hormone binding protein and the v-ATPase B. Both mRNA targets were cloned, validated by sequencing, and used to produce each dsRNA. After treatments the relative transcript expression was analyzed using qRTPCR to assess to efficacy of RNAi. A leaf-dip assay was used to provide late 2nd instar larvae three feeding access periods: 24, 48, and 72 h, to evaluate the effect of gene silencing of each target. Larvae were fed tomato leaves coated with five different RNAi concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 micrograms/centimeter-squared), that suppressed two genes (juvenile hormone protein, JHBP, and vacuolar-type adenosine triphosphatase enzyme, v-ATPase). Treatments with dsRNA showed a significant increase in mortality at 24, 48, and 72 h after ingestion (P < 0.01, α = 0.05), along with reduced leaf damage, and increased feeding deterrence. The results suggest that these two RNAi products may provide a suitable treatment for control of this and other lepidopteran pests.

Biological activity of chitosan inducing resistance efficiency of rice (Oryza sativa L.) after treatment with fungal based chitosan

Reduced pathogen resistance and management of the left-over rice stubble are among the most important challenges faced in rice cultivation. A novel and eco-friendly strategy to synthesise 'Fungal Chitosan' (FC) from Aspergillus niger using rice straw could serve as a sustainable treatment approach to improve both disease resistance and yields, while also effectively managing the rice stubble waste. The FC treatment promoted germination as well as growth parameters in rice varieties, TN1 (high yielding-susceptible) and PTB33 (low yielding-resistant) better than a commercial chitosan (PC). Treatments of exogenously applied FC to plants produced direct toxicity to Xoo, and reduced the BLB disease index by 39.9% in TN1. The capability of FC to trigger a cascade of defense pathways was evident from the measurable changes in the kinetics of defense enzymes, peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). FC treatment increased levels of POD in TN1 by 59.4%, which was 35.3% greater than that of untreated PTB33. Therefore, the study demonstrated the effectiveness of FC treatments for use in agriculture as a potential biostimulant as well as protective agent against bacterial leaf blight, BLB, of rice (Oryza sativa) that could be produced from stubble waste and improve rice stubble management strategies.

Comparative efficacy of two mycotoxins against Spodoptera litura Fab. And their non-target activity against Eudrilus eugeniae Kinb

Entomopathogenic fungi are feasible and effective against the agricultural pest. In the current research we investigated the bioactive comparison of two widely accepted entmopathogens (Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. and Metarhizium anisopliae, (basionym)) against the Spodoptera litura (Fab.) through the assessment of larval tolerance and regulation of antioxidants and non-target impact on the earth worm, E. eugeniae, along with commercial pesticides. The entomopathogenic fungus exposure resulted in the modification of the levels of detoxification enzymes as well as significant increases in catalase and superoxide dismutase activity after exposure to the entomopathogenic fungus. Bioassay results showed that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae displayed larval mortality against third and fourth instars. Correspondingly, sub-lethal concentrations of B. bassiana showed development impairment as compared to M. anisopliae. Gut-histology revealed that mycotoxins dosage (4 × 10⁵) showed significant changes in the midgut tissues as compared to control larvae. The non-target screening through artificial soil assay on the earth worm E. eugeniae, with mycotoxins B. bassiana (5 × 10⁸ conidia/ml/kg) and M. anisopliae (5 × 10⁸ conidia/ml/kg) showed less toxicity as compared to Monocrotophos (10 ppm/kg). Current results suggest that the fungal mycotoxins of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana significantly reduce the development of lepidopteran pests, while having only lesser impact on beneficial earthworms.

Time Trends in Prevalence of Anemia in Preschool Children in India

Introduction Anemia is a major public health problem in Indian children. India introduced iron-folic acid supplementation for preschool children in the 1970s. In 1990, the component of detection and treatment of anemia was added. It is important to assess the impact of these programs on the prevalence of anemia in preschool children.

Materials and Methods Prevalence of anemia in preschool children at the national and state level was tabulated from National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2, 3, and 4 national and state reports. Raw data from NFHS 2, 3, 4; District Level Household Survey (DLHS) 2 and 4; and Annual Health Survey and its Clinical Anthropometric and Biochemical component (AHS CAB) were analyzed to find out the changes in mean Hb, prevalence of anemia, and frequency distribution of Hb.

Results Compared with NFHS 2, there was a 5% increase in prevalence of anemia, 0.3 g/dL fall in mean Hb levels, and a small shift to the left in frequency distribution of Hb levels in NFHS 3. There was a 10% reduction in prevalence of anemia in NFHS 4 as compared with NFHS 3. Comparison between DLHS 2, DLHS 4, and AHS CAB showed that there was a 15 to 20% reduction in prevalence of anemia, approximately 1 g/dL increase in mean Hb and a shift to the right in distribution of Hb levels.

Conclusion There has been some improvement in Hb levels in preschool children in the last decade, but prevalence of anemia continues to be very high. Effective implementation of the comprehensive package of interventions recommended in National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) guidelines is urgently needed to achieve rapid and sustained reduction in anemia.

Target and non-target botanical pesticides effect of Trichodesma indicum (Linn) R. Br. and their chemical derivatives against the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti L

The effects of crude ethanol derived leaf extract Trichodesma indicum (Linn) (Ex-Ti) and their chief derivatives were accessed on the survival and development of the dengue mosquito Ae. aegypti also their non-toxic activity against mosquito predator. T. indicum is recognized to be the vital weed plant and a promising herb in the traditional ayurvedic medicine. In this study, the GC-MS chromatogram of Ex-Ti showed higher peak area percentage for cis-10-Heptadecenoic acid (21.83%) followed by cycloheptadecanone (14.32%). The Ex-Ti displayed predominant mortality in larvae with 96.45 and 93.31% at the prominent dosage (200 ppm) against III and IV instar. Correspondingly, sub-lethal dosage against the enzymatic profile of III and IV instar showed downregulation of α,β-carboxylesterase and SOD protein profiles at the maximum concentration of 100 ppm. However, enzyme level of GST as well as CYP450 increased significantly dependent on sub-lethal concentration. Likewise, fecundity and hatchability of egg rate of dengue mosquito decreased to the sub-lethal concentration of Ex-Ti. Repellent assay illustrates that Ex-Ti concentration had greater protection time up to 210 min at 100 ppm. Also, activity of Ex-Ti on adult mosquito displayed 100% mortality at the maximum dosage of 600, 500 and 400 ppm within the period of 50, 60 and 70 min, respectively. Photomicrography screening showed that lethal dosage of Ex-Ti (100 ppm) produced severe morphological changes with dysregulation in their body parts as matched to the control. Effects of Ex-Ti on the Toxorhynchites splendens IV instar larvae showed less mortality (43.47%) even at the maximum dosage of 1500 ppm as matched to the chemical pesticide Temephos. Overall, the present research adds a toxicological valuation on the Ex-Ti and their active constituents as a larvicidal, repellent and adulticidal agents against the global burdening dengue mosquito.

Time trends in prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy

Background & objectives

: The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy in India is among the highest in the world. In the last two decades, several national surveys have estimated haemoglobin levels in pregnant women. In this study, data from these surveys were analyzed to find out changes, if any, in prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy.

Methods

: National and State-level estimates on the prevalence of anaemia were tabulated from the reports of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2, NFHS 3, Fact Sheets of NFHS 4 and District Level Household Survey (DLHS) 2. Unit level data from DLHS 4 and Annual Health Survey Clinical Anthropometric and Biochemical component (AHS CAB) were obtained and State level prevalence of different grades of anaemia was estimated. Time trends in the prevalence of anaemia and different grades of anaemia were assessed from these surveys.

Results

: NFHS 2, 3 and 4 reported relatively lower prevalence of anaemia as compared to DLHS and AHS CAB. There was not much change in the prevalence or severity of anaemia between NFHS 2, 3 and 4. There was substantial reduction in the prevalence and severity of anaemia in all States except Uttarakhand between DLHS 2 and 4 and DLHS 2 and AHS CAB.

Interpretation & conclusions

: There was a reduction in the prevalence and severity of anaemia in the last 15 years. The two-pronged strategy of increasing iron intake (dietary diversification and use of iron-fortified iodized salt) in all the population and testing, and detecting and treating pregnant women with anaemia will accelerate the pace of reduction in anaemia.

Target and non-target response of Swietenia Mahagoni Jacq. chemical constituents against tobacco cutworm Spodoptera litura Fab. and earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae Kinb

Toxicological screening of Swietenia mahagoni Jacq. (Meliaceae, West Indies Mahogany) against the lepidopteran pest Spodoptera litura was examined. Phytochemical screening through GC-MS analysis revealed nine peaks with prominent peak area % in Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (31.5%) was observed. The larvae exposed to discriminating dosage of 100 ppm deliver significant mortality rate compare to other treatment concentrations. The lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀) was observed at the dosage of 31.04 and 86.82 ppm respectively. Sub-lethal concentrations (30 ppm) showed higher larval and pupal durations. However, pupal weight and mean fecundity rate reduced significantly. Similarly, the adult longevity reduced significantly in dose dependent manner. Midgut histology studies showed that the methanolic extracts significantly disturbs the gut epithelial layer, lumen and brush border membrane compare to the control. The soil assay on a non-target beneficial organism, the soil indicator earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae, with extracts from S. mahagoni (200 mg/kg) showed no toxicity compared to Monocrotophos at the dosage of 10 ppm/kg. Current results suggest that this bio-rational plant product from S. mahagoni displays a significant effect to reduce lepidopteran pests with low toxicity to other beneficial species.

Toxicological effects of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Asteraceae) leaf essential oil against human disease vectors, Culex quinquefasciatus Say and Aedes aegypti Linn., and impacts on a beneficial mosquito predator

Use of environmentally friendly, decomposable natural products for effective vector control has gained considerable momentum in modern society. In this study, essential oil of Sphaeranthus indicus (Si-EO) was extracted and further phytochemical screening revealed fourteen compounds with prominent peak area percentage of 24.9 and 22.54% in 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and benzene,2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,4-dimethoxy, respectively. The Si-EO was further evaluated for their larvicidal response against Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti at different dosages (62.5, 125, 250 and 500 ppm). The Si-EO displayed prominent larvicidal activity at higher concentration (500 ppm) against both species of mosquitoes. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of oils were observed at 130 and 350 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus larvae and at 140 and 350 ppm against A. aegypti larvae, respectively. Repellent bioassay established higher protection rate at 200 ppm up to 120 min against both the mosquitoes. However, adulticidal response displayed higher mortality rate only at 700 and 800 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti, respectively. Toxicological screening against mosquito predator Toxorhynchites splendens revealed that the Si-EO was harmless even at the concentration of 1500 ppm. Overall, these results suggest that the Si-EO plays a significant role as a new bio-rational product against ecological burden mosquito vectors which provides an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides.

Toxicological effects of chemical constituents from Piper against the environmental burden Aedes aegypti Liston and their impact on non-target toxicity evaluation against biomonitoring aquatic insects

Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in the world. The mosquito, Aedes aegypti, also spreads Yellow fever, Chikungunya, and Zika virus. As the primary vector for dengue, Ae. aegypti now occurs in over 20 countries and is a serious concern with reports of increasing insecticide resistance. Developing new treatments to manage mosquitoes are needed. Formulation of crude volatile oil from Piper betle leaves (Pb-CVO) was evaluated as a potential treatment which showed larvicidal, ovipositional, and repellency effects. Gut-histology and enzyme profiles were analyzed post treatment under in-vitro conditions. The Pb-CVO from leaves of field collected plants was obtained by steam distillation and separated through rotary evaporation. The Pb-CVO were evaluated for chemical constituents through GC-MS analyses revealed 20 vital compounds. The peak area was establish to be superior in Eudesm-7(11)-en-4-ol (14.95%). Pb-CVO were determined and tested as four different concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/L) of Pb-CVO towards Ae. aegypti. The larvicidal effects exhibited dose dependent mortality being greatest at 1.5 mg Pb-CVO/10 g leaves. The LC₅₀ occurred at 0.63 mg Pb-CVO/L. Larva of Ae. aegypti exposed to Pb-CVO showed significantly reduced digestive enzyme actions of α- and β-carboxylesterases. In contrast, GST and CYP450 enzyme levels increased significantly as concentration increased. Correspondingly, oviposition deterrence index and egg hatch of Ae. aegypti exposed to sub-lethal doses of Pb-CVO demonstrated a strong effect suitable for population suppression. Repellency at 0.6 mg Pb-CVO applied as oil had a protection time of 15-210 min. Mid-gut histological of Ae. aegypti larvae showed severe damage when treated with 0.6 mg of Pb-CVO treatment compared to the control. Non-toxic effects against aquatic beneficial insects, such as Anisops bouvieri and Toxorhynchites splendens, were observed at the highest concentrations, exposed for 3 h. These results suggest that the Pb-CVO may contain effective constituents suitable for development of new vector control agents against Ae. aegypti.

Development of an eco-friendly mosquitocidal agent from Alangium salvifolium against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti and its biosafety on the aquatic predator

Plant extracts with their enriched chemical constituents have established potential alternative mosquito control agents. In this research, we developed an eco-friendly mosquitocidal agent from Alangium salvifolium leaves against the dengue and Zika virus vector Aedes aegypti and we investigated its biosafety on the mosquito aquatic predator Toxorhynchites splendens. Results showed that the methanolic extract of A. salvifolium leaves was composed by eight main compounds, with major peak area for hexadecenoic acid (21.74%). LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values calculated on Ae. aegypti fourth instar larvae were 104.80 and 269.15 ppm respectively. The methanolic extract tested at 100 ppm decreased the α-β carboxylesterase and SOD ratio significantly and upregulated the GST and CYP450 level. The A. salvifolium methanolic extract displayed significant repellent and adulticidal activity at 100 and 400 ppm respectively. The treatment with 100 ppm of the methanolic extract led to 210 min of protection from Ae. aegypti bites. Four hundred parts per million of the extract showed 98% adult mortality within 30 min from the treatment. Lastly, biosafety assays on the mosquito aquatic predator Tx. splendens showed that the toxicity of the A. salvifolium extract was significantly lower if compared to the cypermethrin-based treatments. The methanolic extract of A. salvifolium showed a maximum of 47.3% mortality rate at the concentration of 1000 ppm, while 0.7 ppm of cypermethrin achieved 91.3% mortality rate on Tx. splendens. Overall, our study enhances basic knowledge on how to improve natural larvicidal agents against dengue and Zika virus mosquito vector with harmless responses on non-target aquatic predators.

Botanical essential oils and uses as mosquitocides and repellents against dengue

Plants naturally produce bioactive compounds along with many secondary metabolites which serve as defensive chemical against herbivorers including insect pests. One group of these phytochemicals are the 'Essential Oils' (EO's), which possess an extensive range of biological activity especially insecticidal and insect repellents. This review provides a comprehensive viewpoint on potential modes of action of biosafety plant derived Essential Oils (EO's) along with their principal chemical derivatives against larvae and adult mosquito vectors of dengue virus. The development and use of Essential Oils (EO's) effectively applied in small rural communities provides an enormous potential for low cost effective management of insect vectors of human pathogens which cause disease.

Time Trends in Prevalence of Anaemia in Adolescent Girls

Introduction: Anaemia in adolescent girls has been recognised as a major public health problem. The Mid-day meal programme guidelines envisage inclusion of 75 g/day of vegetables and use of iron fortified iodised salt for hot cooked meal. The National Iron Plus Initiative envisages weekly iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation for adolescent girls; however, coverage and compliance have been reported to be low. Data from national surveys carried out in the last two decades were analysed to assess changes, if any, in Hb levels and prevalence of anaemia in adolescent girls.

Material and Methods: Raw data from National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) -2, -3, and -4, District Level Household Surveys (DLHS) 2 and 4, and Annual Health Survey-related to Clinical, Anthropometric and Biochemical Components (AHS-CAB) were analysed to assess mean Hb, prevalence of anaemia and frequency distribution of Hb in adolescent girls. Comparison in these parameters was made between non-pregnant girls 10-14 years and 15-19 years of age in DLHS-2, -4 and AHS-CAB; in the 15-19 year age group comparisons were made between pregnant and nonpregnant girls in NFHS series and DLHS AHS series.

Results: There were no clear and consistent changes in mean Hb, prevalence of anaemia and frequency distribution of Hb in pregnant and non-pregnant adolescent girls between NFHS-2, -3 and -4 either at national or at State level. However, there was a 0.7 and 1.3 g/dL increase in mean Hb levels in nonpregnant girls (10-19 yrs) between DLHS-2 and AHS-CAB and DLHS-4 States, respectively. The increase in mean Hb of pregnant girls (15-19 yrs) was 1.1 g/dL and 1.4g/dL in AHS-CAB and DLHS 4 States, respectively. There was significant reduction in prevalence of anaemia in both pregnant and non-pregnant girls between DLHS 2 and DLHS 4 and AHS-CAB at the aggregate level for each survey and in all States except Uttarakhand.

Conclusion: There has been some improvement in Hb levels in adolescent girls in the last two decades. Improving dietary intake of vegetables and promoting use of iron fortified iodised salt in all households in the country have to be taken up so that iron intake across all age groups improves. This when combined with daily IFA supplementation for three months in a year in adolescent girls, might lead to sustained improvement in Hb.

Comparative analysis of mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae: Aedes aegypti Liston) responses to the insecticide Temephos and plant derived essential oil derived from Piper betle L

Resistance to treatments with Temephos or plant derived oil, Pb-CVO, between a field collected Wild Strain (WS) and a susceptible Laboratory Strain (LS) of Ae. aegypti were measured. The Temephos (0.1mg/L) showed the greatest percentage of mosquito mortality compared to Pb-CVO (1.5mg/L) in LS Ae. aegypti. However, WS Ae. aegypti was not significantly affected by Temephos (0.1mg/L) treatment compare to the Pb-CVO (1.5mg/L). However, both strains (LS and WS) when treated with Pb-CVO (1.5mg/L) displayed steady larval mortality rate across all instars. The LC₅₀ of Temephos was 0.027mg in LS, but increased in WS to 0.081mg/L. The LC₅₀ of Pb-CVO treatment was observed at concentrations of 0.72 and 0.64mg/L for LS and WS strains respectively. The enzyme level of α- and β-carboxylesterase was reduced significantly in both mosquito strains treated with Pb-CVO. Whereas, there was a prominent deviation in the enzyme ratio observed between LS and WS treated with Temephos. The GST and CYP450 levels were upregulated in the LS, but decreased in WS, after treatment with Temephos. However, treatment with Pb-CVO caused both enzyme levels to increase significantly in both the strains. Visual observations of the midgut revealed cytotoxicity from sub-lethal concentrations of Temephos (0.04mg/L) and Pb-CVO (1.0mg/L) in both strains of Ae. aegypti compared to the control. The damage caused by Temephos was slightly less in WS compared to LS mosquito strains.

Chemicals isolated from Justicia adhatoda Linn reduce fitness of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti L

Extracts from Justicia adhatoda L. (Acanthaceae) strongly reduced the fitness of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti Linn. The methanolic extracts inhibited several enzymes responsible for protecting insects from oxidative and other damage, including glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, cytochrome P450, and α- and β-esterases. They increased repellency (maximum repellency at 100 ppm) in host-seeking adult females using the "arm-in cage assay." Histopathological examination showed the extracts led to serious midgut cell damage. Justicia adhatoda extracts led to reduced fecundity and oviposition of gravid females compared to controls. The extracts led to substantially reduced A. aegypti survival. We infer that the extracts have potential to reduce pathogen transmission by suppressing population growth of A. aegypti, and possibly other mosquito species.

Impact of Terminalia chebula Retz. against Aedes aegypti L. and non-target aquatic predatory insects

Aedes aegypti Linn is one of the most important mosquito species. The vectors are responsible for causing deadly diseases like dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Several chemical pesticides used to control these dengue vectors caused severe toxic significances on human health and other non-target beneficial insects. Therefore the current investigation has been made to access the bio-efficacy of the crude seed extracts of T. chebula against the dengue vector Ae. aegypti. The GC-MS analysis of crude seed extracts of T. chebula identified nine chemical compounds with major peak area in the 1,2,3-Benzenetriol (61.96%), followed by Tridecanoic acid (09.55%). Ae. aegypti larvae showed dose dependent mortality rate was observed between the treatments. Prominent protection rate at greater concentrations of 100ppm and moderate protection at 75 and 50ppm was observed in the repellent assay. Lethal concentration (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀) of fourth instar larvae of Ae. aegypti was observed in 138 and 220ppm concentration respectively. Similarly, the seed extracts showed 100% adulticidal activity at the concentration of 400ppm at 30min of exposure time. Phytochemicals present in the seed extracts of T. chebula significantly affects the major portions of the midgut tissues of Ae. aegypti at the concentration of 100ppm. The toxicological evaluation of seed extracts also proved non-toxic towards the A. bouvieri and Tx. splendens aquatic predatory insects. Hence, the present result suggest that bio-rational plant derived T. chebula could be incorporated in the dengue vector control and have no adverse effects on non-target beneficial insects.

Toxicity and physiological effect of quercetin on generalist herbivore, Spodoptera litura Fab. and a non-target earthworm Eisenia fetida Savigny

A novel flavonoid, quercetin, was isolated from the medicinal plant Euphorbia hirta L. through chromatography techniques including: TLC, Column chromatography, NMR and then screened for toxicity to larvae of Spodoptera litura Fab. Bioassays were used to analyze pupal weight, survival rate, fecundity, egg hatchability, population growth index, Nutritional index and histopathology of treated larvae at a range of E. hirta extract concentrations. Results of toxicity assays demonstrated that, 6 ppm of quercetin caused 94.6% mortality of second, 91.8% of third, 88% of fourth, and 85.2% of fifth instars respectively. The lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀) was calculated as 10.88 and 69.91 ppm for fourth instar larvae. The changes in consumption ratio and approximate digestibility produced a reduction in growth rates. Histopathology examinations revealed that the cell organelles were severely infected. Analyses of earthworm toxicity effects resulted in significantly lower rates compared to synthetic insecticides (chloropyrifos and cypermethrin). These results suggests that the botanical compound (quercetin), could have a part as a new biorational product which provides an ecofriendly alternative. Validation of the potential of quercetin, still needs to be demonstrated under field conditions, where formulation will be important in maintaining the activity.

Potential mode of action of a novel plumbagin as a mosquito repellent against the malarial vector Anopheles stephensi, (Culicidae: Diptera)

Plumbagin was isolated and characterized from the roots of Plumbago zeylanica using chromatography: TLC, Column chromatogram, HPLC, FTIR and ¹H NMR. The isolated pure compounds were assayed for potency as inhibitors of: acetylcholine esterase (AchE), glutathione S-transferases (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), cytochrome P450 and α, β-esterase, and for repellency with Anopheles stephensi at four different concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100ppm). The enzyme assay against the pure compound reveals that the level of esterase and SOD was decreased significantly in contrast the level of GST and cytochrome P450 was increased significantly. Our results suggests that novel Plumbagin has significantly alters the level of enzyme comparable to the control. Evaluations resulted in Plumbagin producing maximum repellency scores against An. stephensi mosquitoes in dose dependent manner with highest repellence was observed in the 100ppm. Histological examination showed that the midgut, hindgut and muscles are the most affected tissues. These tissues affected with major changes including separation and collapse of epithelial layer and cellular vacuolization. The results support the utility of plant compound Plumbagin for vector control as an alternative to synthetic insecticides, however, more vigorous field trials are needed to determine viability under natural conditions.

Target and non-target toxicity of botanical insecticide derived from Couroupita guianensis L. flower against generalist herbivore, Spodoptera litura Fab. and an earthworm, Eisenia foetida Savigny

Botanical insecticides may provide alternatives to synthetic insecticides for controlling Spodoptera litura (F.) and they are target specific, biodegradable, and harmless to mammals. Eight natural chemical compounds with larvicidal activity were identified from fraction F6 of C. guianensis flower extract. Probit analysis of 95% confidence level exposed an LC50 of 223ppm against S. litura third instar larvae. The growth and development of S. litura was affected in sub-lethal concentrations of fraction F6 (50, 100, 150 and 200ppm) compared to controls. Similarly nutritional indices values decreased significantly compared to controls. Fraction F6 also damaged the gut epithelial layer and brush border membrane (BBM). This study also resolved the effects of toxicity to non-target earthworm treated with fraction F6 and chemical pesticides (monotrophos and cypermethrin) and the results showed that fraction F6 had no harmful effect on E. fetida. Further, fraction F6 was eluted and sub fractions F6c (50ppm) showed high mortality against S. litura third instar larvae. Octacosane from fraction F6c was established and confirmed using IR spectrum and HPLC. The time of retention of fraction F6c was confirmed with the octacosane standard. Fraction F6 of C. guianensis extract caused dose-dependent mortality towards S. litura. Octacosane in fraction F6c was establish to be the prominent chemical compound associated with causing mortality but other compounds present in the fraction F6 were shown to be associated with changes in development of S. litura at low dosages. S. litura at low dosage. Therefore, these findings suggest that octacosane may be one of the major insecticidal compounds affecting S. litura survival.

Anti-dengue efficacy of bioactive andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata (Lamiales: Acanthaceae) against the primary dengue vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

The current study investigated the toxic effect of the leaf extract compound andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f) against the dengue vector Ae. aegypti. GC-MS analysis revealed that andrographolide was recognized as the major chemical constituent with the prominent peak area compared with other compounds. All isolated toxic compounds were purified and confirmed through RP-HPLC against chemical standards. The larvicidal assays established at 25ppm of bioactive compound against the treated instars of Ae. Aegypti showed prominent mortality compared to other treated concentrations. The percent mortality of larvae was directly proportional to concentration. The lethal concentration (LC50) was observed at 12ppm treatment concentration. The bioactive andrographolide considerably reduced the detoxifying enzyme regulations of α- and β- carboxylesterases. In contrast, the levels of GST and CYP450 significantly increase in a dose dependent manner. The andrographolide also showed strong oviposition deterrence effects at the sub-lethal dose of 12ppm. Similarly, the mean number of eggs were also significantly reduced in a dose dependent manner. At the concentration of 12ppm the effective percentage of repellency was greater than 90% with a protection time of 15-210min, compared with control. The histopathology study displayed that larvae treated with bioactive andrographolide had cytopathic effects in the midgut epithelium compared with the control. The present study established that bioactive andrographolide served as a potential useful for dengue vector management.

Developmental response of Spodoptera litura Fab. to treatments of crude volatile oil from Piper betle L. and evaluation of toxicity to earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae Kinb

Evaluations of biological effects of (Pb-CVO) the crude volatile oil of Piper betle leaves on the tobacco cutworm Spodoptera litura were conducted. Pb-CVO was subjected to GC-MS analysis and twenty vital compounds were isolated from the betel leaf oil. Pb-CVO was tested at four different concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) against S. litura. The treated insects exhibited dose depended mortality. The mortality rate was significantly higher at the 1.0 and 1.5% Pb-CVO. The LC50 (Lethal concentration) were observed at 0.48% Pb-CVO. Larval and pupal durations increased in all treatment concentrations (0.25, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5%) whereas, pupal weight decreased compared to control. Adult longevity of S. litura was reduced in all treatments but predominantly in the 0.4 and 0.5% Pb-CVO. Correspondingly, mean fecundity rate was reduced at all concentrations compared to control. Histological studies of larvae mid-gut profiles of S. litura were severely damaged in 1.0 and 1.5% and showed abnormalities in mid-gut cells with 0.25 and 0.5% Pb-CVO treatments. Earthworm toxicity illustrated that 0.1% of chemical insecticides (monocrotophos and cypermethrin) varied widely in their contact toxicities compared to 0.5 and 1.0% Pb-CVO and control in both contact filter paper and artificial soil test. These findings suggest that twenty essential compounds of betel leaf oil were significant inhibitors of the development and caused behavioral changes of S. litura. Treatment with betel leaf oil at these concentrations had no adverse effect on earthworm populations.

Chemopreventive effect and HPTLC fingerprinting analysis of Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait. Extract against DLA-induced lymphoma in experimental animals

The anticancer activity of the ethanolic extract of Jasminum sambac against Dalton's lymphoma ascites-induced lymphatic cancer in Swiss albino mice was investigated. The anticancer activity of J. sambac was studied against lymphoma using lipid profiles, biochemical parameters, and membrane-bound marker enzymes by standard procedures. A high-performance thin-layer chromatography fingerprinting analysis showed the presence of terpenoids and flavonoids. The levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol were significantly decreased in tumor-induced mice, while HDL cholesterol showed increased levels compared with those profiles. On treatment with J. sambac, the levels were brought back to near normal. The albumin, creatinine, total protein, urea, and uric acid contents were also approaching normal values. There was s significant increase in the levels of ATPase in group II. These levels were brought back to normal upon plant extract treatment of mice. DNA fragmentation occurred in the tumor-induced group of tissue, and treatment with ethanolic extract reduced the DNA damage caused by lymphoma. Expression of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes shows an increase in the levels of LDH-4 and LDH-5 in cancer-bearing animals which is brought back to near normal. Histopathological investigation showed normal sections of liver tissues in the treatment group. The results found in mice treated with ethanolic extract 100 mg kg(-1) body weight quite promising and were comparable with the standard drug 5-fluorouracil. The statistically processed results support the conclusion that the ethanolic extract of J. sambac flower (100 mg kg(-1)) possesses a dose-dependent significant anticancer activity against lymphoma.

Biological activity of selected Lamiaceae and Zingiberaceae plant essential oils against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae)

The larvicidal activity of hydrodistillate extracts from Mentha piperita L. Ocimum basilicum L. Curcuma longa L. and Zingiber officinale L. were investigated against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae).The results indicated that the mortality rates at 80, 100, 200 and 400 ppm of M. piperita, Z. officinale, C. longa and O. basilicum concentrations were highest amongst all concentrations of the crude extracts tested against all the larval instars and pupae of A. aegypti. Result of log probit analysis (at 95% confidence level) revealed that lethal concentration LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were 47.54 and 86.54 ppm for M. piperita, 40.5 and 85.53 ppm for Z. officinale, 115.6 and 193.3 ppm for C. longa and 148.5 and 325.7 ppm for O. basilicum, respectively. All of the tested oils proved to have strong larvicidal activity (doses from 5 to 350 ppm) against A. aegypti fourth instars, with the most potent oil being M. piperita extract, followed by Z. officinale, C. longa and O. basilicum. In general, early instars were more susceptible than the late instars and pupae. The results achieved suggest that, in addition to their medicinal activities, Lamiaceae and Zingiberaceae plant extracts may also serve as a natural larvicidal agent.

Prevalence & consequences of anaemia in pregnancy

Prevalence of anaemia in India is among the highest in the world. Prevalence of anaemia is higher among pregnant women and preschool children. Even among higher income educated segments of population about 50 per cent of children, adolescent girls and pregnant women are anaemic. Inadequate dietary iron, folate intake due to low vegetable consumption, perhaps low B12 intake and poor bioavailability of dietary iron from the fibre, phytate rich Indian diets are the major factors responsible for high prevalence of anaemia. Increased requirement of iron during growth and pregnancy and chronic blood loss contribute to higher prevalence in specific groups. In India, anaemia is directly or indirectly responsible for 40 per cent of maternal deaths. There is 8 to 10-fold increase in MMR when the Hb falls below 5 g/dl. Early detection and effective management of anaemia in pregnancy can contribute substantially to reduction in maternal mortality. Maternal anaemia is associated with poor intrauterine growth and increased risk of preterm births and low birth weight rates. This in turn results in higher perinatal morbidity and mortality, and higher infant mortality rate. A doubling of low birth weight rate and 2 to 3 fold increase in the perinatal mortality rates is seen when the Hb is <8 g/dl. Intrauterine growth retardation and low birth weight inevitably lead to poor growth trajectory in infancy, childhood and adolescence and contribute to low adult height. Parental height and maternal weight are determinants of intrauterine growth and birth weight. Thus maternal anaemia contributes to intergenerational cycle of poor growth in the offspring. Early detection and effective management of anaemia in pregnancy can lead to substantial reduction in undernutrition in childhood, adolescence and improvement in adult height.

Toxicity and physiological effects of neem pesticides applied to rice on the Nilaparvata lugens Stål, the brown planthopper

The effects of two different neem products (Parker Oil and Neema) on mortality, food consumption and survival of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål (BPH) (Homoptera: Delphacidae) were investigated. The LC(50) (3.45 ml/L for nymph and 4.42 ml/L for adult in Parker Oil treatment; 4.18 ml/L for nymph and 5.63 ml/L for adult in Neema treatment) and LC(90) (8.72 ml/L for nymph and 11.1 ml/L for adult in Parker Oil treatment; 9.84 ml/L for nymph and 13.07 ml/L for adult in Neema treatment) were identified by probit analysis. The LC(90) (equal to recommended dose) was applied in the rice field. The effective concentration of both Parker Oil and Neema took more than 48 h to kill 80% of the N. lugens. Fourth instar nymph and adult female N. lugens were caged on rice plants and exposed to a series (both LC(50) and LC(90)) of neem concentrations. Nymph and adult female N. lugens that were chronically exposed to neem pesticides showed immediate mortality after application in laboratory experiment. The quantity of food ingested and assimilated by N. lugens on neem-treated rice plants was significantly less than on control rice plants. The results clearly indicate the neem-based pesticide (Parker Oil and Neema), containing low lethal concentration, can be used effectively to inhibit the growth and survival of N. lugens.

Toxicity and behavioral effect of 3beta,24,25-trihydroxycycloartane and beddomei lactone on the rice leaffolder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Treatment of Dysoxylum pure triterpenes 3beta,24,25-trihydroxycycloartane and beddomei lactone to the rice leaffolder (RLF), Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), resulted in prolonged larval duration and reduced larval weight. In leaf cut choice assay and topical application experiments, beddomei lactone and 3beta,24,25-trihydroxycycloartaneto showed strong antifeedant and growth inhibitor activity against fourth instar larvae of C. medinalis. Also average leaf consumption was decreased (89%) by the treatment of the two terpinoids when compared with controls. Number of eggs laid by the female (fecundity) was decreased and oviposition deterrence index was increased due to the treatment. This result further shows that the pure triterpenes of Dysoxylum act as both an antifeedant and chronic toxin to the rice leaffolder larvae.

Electrochemical oxidation for the treatment of textile industry wastewater

This study elucidates the reduction of organics from textile effluents through electrochemical oxidation technique. Effect of pH and current intensity were investigated in this system. It was found that degradation was maximum at the current intensity of 0.6 A and at a pH of 1.3. Under the same experimental conditions the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solids, total dissolved solids and total organic carbon were found to be approximately 68%, 49.2%, 50.7% and 96.8%, respectively. Effect of current intensity on color removal was also investigated as a function of electrolysis time (30-210 minutes) and it showed that maximum removal efficiency (96%) was reached within 60 minutes at 0.6 A. While studying the effect of pH on COD removal, it was observed that a decrease in pH to an optimum of 1.3 showed maximum COD reduction of 68%. These results suggest an important role of these parameters in electrochemical process for removing organic pollutants.

The toxicity and physiological effect of goniothalamin, a styryl-pyrone, on the generalist herbivore, Spodoptera exigua Hübner

Efficacy of Goniothalamin a styryl-pyrone isolated from Goniothalamus wightii Hook.f. and Thoms, against beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), populations was determined under laboratory condition. The experiments were carried out with concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 30 ppm in an artificial diet and compared with control insects. Laboratory bioassay showed that the goniothalamin had a strong effect on food utilization, moulting and gut histology. The food consumption and conversion of ingested and digested food to body matter decreased with increasing pyrone concentration. The antifeedant activity was also observed in larvae of S. exigua. The treated third instar larvae exhibited mortality in a dose dependent manner. At 5, 10, 15 and 30 ppm/insect, the pyrone gave 23%, 45% 63% and 100% mortality respectively. The larvae of S. exigua gained significantly less weight until pupation in the 10 and 15 ppm pyrone concentrations. Duration of larval period was also affected after treatment with pyrone. The metamorphosis was delayed with additional moulting (7th instar) after treatment with 10 and 15 ppm of goniothalamin, the percentage of larvae successfully moulted into progressive instars was significantly decreased with an increase in pyrone concentrations. The effects of goniothalamin on midgut ultrastructure of third instar larvae of S. exigua were investigated by using light microscopy. Cross sections of the midgut showed that the epithelial cells were destroyed. Significant damage of the midgut epithelium was observed along with lysis.

Effect of azadirachtin on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and histology of the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)

The effect of azadirachtin (AZA), a tetranortriterpene from neem, on the mortality, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and the development of the ovaries of female brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) was tested in laboratory experiments. The lethal concentrations were determined and applied topically to the adult female BPH (LC(50)=0.47 ppm and LC(90)=0.96 ppm). The treated insects exhibited toxic symptoms with a dose-dependent mortality. The LC(50) concentrations were tested against AChE activity of the BPH. The results indicate that AZA significantly inhibits the activity of AChE only at the high dose (P<.0001) compared with control. Adult females that were exposed to AZA showed a significant reduction in weight (23%, 40%, and 64% for 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 ppm, respectively). Fecundity was also significantly reduced in AZA treatments compared to the control. Histological study of ovary sections revealed abnormalities in follicular epithelial cells due to AZA treatment.

Effects of Dysoxylum malabaricum Bedd. (Meliaceae) extract on the malarial vector Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae)

In recent years, use of environmentally friendly and biodegradable natural insecticides of plant origin have received renewed attention as agents for disease vector control. Methanol extracts of leaves from the Indian white cedar Dysoxylum malabaricum Bedd. (Meliaceae) were tested against mature and immature Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera) mosquitoes under laboratory conditions. The extract showed strong larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, and antiovipositional activity. The maximum leaf extract concentration tested in this study was 4%, which produced pronounced effects. In general, first and second instars were more susceptible to leaf extract than older insects. Clear dose-response relationships were established, with the highest dose of 4% plant extract causing 97% mortality of first instars.

Behavioural responses and changes in biology of rice leaffolder following treatment with a combination of bacterial toxins and botanical insecticides

Ingestion of the bacterial toxins Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) sub sp kurstaki, neem seed kernel extract and Vitex negundo L. (Lamiales:Verbenaceae) leaf extract to the rice leaffolder (RLF), Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), resulted in altered leaf-folding behaviour and biology. In laboratory experiments, treatment with plant extracts and bacterial toxins suppressed leaf folding behaviour of C. medinalis. Larvae fed lower doses moulted into progressive instars, but in the late fourth to early fifth instars, spinning behaviour completely stopped, feeding was reduced and larvae regurgitated a sticky, semisolid substance that occluded the tunnel in which the pupae were formed. With the combination of Btk and botanicals, average leaf consumption was decreased by a factor of two even at reduced concentrations when compared with controls. Duration of larval and pupal stages, adult longevity and fecundity were more affected by treatment with the combination of bacterial toxins and both botanicals than by the treatment with the bacterial toxins or botanicals individually. All larvae died in the treatment of bacterial toxins and both botanicals combined.

Effect of biopesticides on the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The effects of bacterial toxins (Bacillus thuringiensis) and botanical insecticides (Azadirachta indica and Vitex negundo) on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (the rice leaffolder) were evaluated. Bacterial toxins and botanical insecticides affected the LDH activity individually and in combination. When they were combined, the effect was more severe at low concentration. There was a decrease in enzyme activity over controls at all concentrations tested. The combined effect of the three biopesticides resulted in a considerable decrease in enzyme activity, indicating strong enzyme inhibition. Clear dose-response relationships were established with respect to enzyme activity.

Effect of neem limonoids on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Neem is derived from the neem tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae), and its primary insecticidal component is the tetranortriterpenoid azadirachtin and other limonoids. The effect of neem limonoids azadirachtin, salannin, deacetylgedunin, gedunin, 17-hydroxyazadiradione and deacetylnimbin on enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity of the rice leaffolder (RLF) Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae was investigated. There was a decrease in enzyme activity relative to the control at all concentrations tested. When fed a diet of rice leaves treated with neem limonoids in bioassays, gut tissue enzyme, LDH levels in rice leaffolder larvae are affected. These results indicate neem limonoids affect LDH activity. These effects are most pronounced in early instar larvae. Azadirachtin was the most potent in of all the limonoids in all experiments indicating strong enzyme inhibition. Clear dose-response relationships were established with respect to LDH activity.

The toxicity and behavioural effects of neem limonoids on Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée), the rice leaffolder

Meliaceae plant products have been shown to exert pesticidal properties against a variety of insect species. In agricultural pest control programs, such products may have the potential to be used successfully as botanical insecticides. The effect of the neem (Azadirachta indica) limonoids azadirachtin, salannin, deacetylgedunin, gedunin, 17-hydroxyazadiradione and deacetylnimbin on the biology and mortality of rice leaffolder larvae was investigated. In laboratory experiments, treatment with neem limonoids suppressed leaf folding behaviour of C. medinalis. Biological parameters (larval duration, pupal duration adult longevity and fecundity) were also affected by the treatment. Azadirachtin, salannin, and deacetylgedunin showed high bioactivity at all doses, while the rest of the neem limonoids were less active, and were only biologically active at high doses. Azadirachtin was most potent in all experiments and produced almost 100% larval mortality at 1 ppm concentration. These results indicate neem limonoids affect the larval behaviour. These effects are most pronounced in early instars.

Effects of neem limonoids on the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae)

The effects of the neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) limonoids azadirachtin, salannin, deacetylgedunin, gedunin, 17-hydroxyazadiradione and deacetylnimbin on Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae) were investigated. In exploring advantages of pure neem limonoids, we studied the larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal and antiovipositional activity of neem limonoids. Azadirachtin, salannin and deacetylgedunin showed high bioactivity at all doses, while the rest of the neem limonoids were less active, and were only biologically active at high doses. Azadirachtin was the most potent in all experiments and produced almost 100% larval mortality at 1 ppm concentration. In general, first to third larval instars were more susceptible to the neem limonoids. Neem products may have benefits in mosquito control programs.