A method for DNA extraction and molecular identification of Aphids.

Aphid species (Insecta, Hemiptera) are economically important invasive pest throughout the world, though their identification is intricate due to tiny size and inconspicuous nature of morphology. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (mtCOI) region has been proven to be a standard barcode to identify the diverse array of insect groups. Isolation of good quality DNA is a fundamental first step in insect DNA barcoding which is obtained by standardizing the DNA isolation method. In this study, we demonstrate a modified CTAB method for the isolation of DNA to maximize the quality and yield from small aphids. This method will help the researchers to efficiently isolate DNA from small aphid and the method can be utilized for other small insects as well. We evaluated the quality of the isolated DNA and the mtCOI gene region were subjected to PCR amplification. Further, the gene segment was sequenced and gene annotation was done by NCBI BLAST program through which the insect was found to be Aphis gossypii. This study provides a set of molecular tools that can be used for identification of insect at species level through DNA barcoding and biodiversity analysis.•Detailed method to maximize quality and quantity of genomic DNA isolated from aphids.•Molecular identification of aphids using mtCOI gene amplification and sequence validation.•First report on Aphis gossypii infecting Solanum trilobatum provides insights of pest identification and management.

Rheometric and stability analysis of additive infused magnetorheological fluids: a comparative study.

Magnetorheological fluid (MRF) is a smart responsive fluid, when exposed to the magnetic field, reflects a noticeable transformation in fluid viscosity due to the presence of field responsive particles in the fluid. MRF has been utilized in variety of applications, which despite possess significant concerns regarding on sedimentation due to the density mismatch between the carrier fluid and the suspended magnetic particles. To improve the resistance of rapid sedimentation, this research aims to incorporate one of the component (additive/surfactants) blended into the fluid. The objective of the study focuses to determine the efficient incorporate-infused fluid for further application and sedimentation resistance. In this study, MRF is infused with siloxane, lithium, oleic acid and SDBS (Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate) as additive and surfactants along with silicon oil as a carrier fluid. The significant repercussion parameters such as rheology behavior of the samples, temperature and particle sedimentation has been examined and interpreted. Substantially, the effective sample and performance has been comprehended with the insightful comparative results obtained.

Production and characterization of enriched vermicompost from banana leaf biomass waste activated by biochar integration.

Vermicomposting uses less energy and requires fewer infrastructures, and it is capable of restoring soil nutrition and carbon. Banana cultivation produces lots of trash in a single crop season, with 30 tonnes of waste generated per acre. The biodegradable fraction of banana leaf waste is thrown out in large quantities from temples, markets place wedding halls, hotels, and residential areas. Vermicomposting can be used for recovering lignin, cellulose, pectin, and hemicellulose from banana leaves. Earthworm digests organic materials with the enzymes produced in gut microflora. Biochar adds bulk to vermicomposting, increases its value as fertilizer. The goal of this study was to amend biochar (0, 2, 4 and 6%) with banana leaf waste (BLW) + cow dung (CD) in three different combinations (1:1, 2:1 and 3:1) using Eisenia fetida to produce enriched vermicompost. In the vermicompost with biochar groups, there were higher levels of physicochemical parameters, as well as macro- and micronutrient contents. The growth and reproduction of earthworms were higher in groups with biochar. A maximum of 1.82, 1.18 and 1.67% of total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium was found in the final vermicompost recovered from BLW + CD (1:1) amended with 4% biochar; while the other treatments showed lower levels of nutrients. A lower C/N ratio of 18.14 was observed in BLW + CD (1:1) + 4% biochar followed by BLW + CD (1:1) + 2% biochar amendment (19.92). The FTIR and humification index studies show that degradation of organic matter has occurred in the final vermicompost and the substrates with 4% biochar in 1:1 combination showed better degradation and this combination can be used for nutrient rich vermicompost production.

Intramuscular Injection of BOTOX® Boosts Learning and Memory in Adult Mice in Association with Enriched Circulation of Platelets and Enhanced Density of Pyramidal Neurons in the Hippocampus.

BOTOX® is a therapeutic form of botulinum neurotoxin. It acts by blocking the release of acetylcholine (ACh) from the synaptic vesicles at the neuromuscular junctions, thereby inhibiting the muscle contraction. Notably, many neurological diseases have been characterized by movement disorders in association with abnormal levels of ACh. Thus, blockade of aberrant release of ACh appears to be a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate many neurological deficits. BOTOX® has widely been used to manage a number of clinical complications like neuromuscular disorders, migraine and neuropathic pain. While the beneficial effects of BOTOX® against movement disorders have extensively been studied, its possible role in the outcome of cognitive function remains to be determined. Therefore, we investigated the effect of BOTOX® on learning and memory in experimental adult mice using behavioural paradigms such as open field task, Morris water maze and novel object recognition test in correlation with haematological parameters and histological assessments of the brain. Results revealed that a mild dose of BOTOX® treatment via an intramuscular route in adult animals improves learning and memory in association with increased number of circulating platelets and enhanced structural plasticity in the hippocampus. In the future, this minimally invasive treatment could be implemented to ameliorate different forms of dementia resulting from abnormal ageing and various neurocognitive disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The Regulation of Reactive Neuroblastosis, Neuroplasticity, and Nutraceuticals for Effective Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a cluster of neurodevelopmental and genetic disorders that has been characterized mainly by social withdrawal, repetitive behavior, restricted interests, and deficits in language processing mainly in children. ASD has been known to severely impair behavioral patterns and cognitive functions including learning and memory due to defects in neuroplasticity. The biology of the ASD appears to be highly complex and heterogeneous, and thus, finding a therapeutic target for autism remains obscure. There has been no complete prevention or disease-modifying cure for this disorder. Recently, individuals with autism have been characterized by reactive neurogenesis, obstructions in axonal growth, heterotopia, resulting from dysplasia of neuroblasts in different brain regions. Therefore, it can be assumed that the aforementioned neuropathological correlates seen in the autistic individuals might originate from the defects mainly in the regulation of neuroblasts in the developing as well as adult brain. Nutrient deficiencies during early brain development and intake of certain allergic foods have been proposed as main reasons for the development of ASD. However, the integrated understanding of neurodevelopment and functional aspects of neuroplasticity working through neurogenesis in ASD is highly limited. Moreover, neurogenesis at the level of neuroblasts can be regulated by nutrition. Hence, defects in neuroblastosis underlying the severity of autism potentially could be rectified by appropriate implementation of nutraceuticals.

Possible Existence of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Hippocampal (HPH) Axis: A Reciprocal Relationship Between Hippocampal Specific Neuroestradiol Synthesis and Neuroblastosis in Ageing Brains with Special Reference to Menopause and Neurocognitive Disorders.

The hippocampus-derived neuroestradiol plays a major role in neuroplasticity, independent of circulating estradiol that originates from gonads. The response of hypothalamus-pituitary regions towards the synthesis of neuroestradiol in the hippocampus is an emerging scientific concept in cognitive neuroscience. Hippocampal plasticity has been proposed to be regulated via neuroblasts, a major cellular determinant of functional neurogenesis in the adult brain. Defects in differentiation, integration and survival of neuroblasts in the hippocampus appear to be an underlying cause of neurocognitive disorders. Gonadotropin receptors and steroidogenic enzymes have been found to be expressed in neuroblasts in the hippocampus of the brain. However, the reciprocal relationship between hippocampal-specific neuroestradiol synthesis along neuroblastosis and response of pituitary based feedback regulation towards regulation of estradiol level in the hippocampus have not completely been ascertained. Therefore, this conceptual article revisits (1) the cellular basis of neuroestradiol synthesis (2) a potential relationship between neuroestradiol synthesis and neuroblastosis in the hippocampus (3) the possible involvement of aberrant neuroestradiol production with mitochondrial dysfunctions and dyslipidemia in menopause and adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders and (4) provides a hypothesis for the possible existence of the hypothalamic-pituitary-hippocampal (HPH) axis in the adult brain. Eventually, understanding the regulation of hippocampal neurogenesis by abnormal levels of neuroestradiol concentration in association with the feedback regulation of HPH axis might provide additional cues to establish a neuroregenerative therapeutic management for mood swings, depression and cognitive decline in menopause and neurocognitive disorders.

Genetic reprogramming of somatic cells into neuroblasts through a co-induction of the doublecortin gene along the Yamanaka factors: A promising approach to model neuroregenerative disorders.

Neural stem cell (NSC) mediated adult neurogenesis represents the regenerative plasticity of the brain. The functionality of the neurogenic process appears to be operated by neuroblasts, the multipotent immature neuronal population of the adult brain. While neuroblasts have been realized to play a major role in synaptic remodeling and immunogenicity, neurodegenerative disorders have been characterized by failure in the terminal differentiation, maturation, integration and survival of newborn neuroblasts. Advancement in understanding the impaired neuroregenerative process along the neuropathological conditions has currently been limited by lack of an appropriate experimental model of neuroblasts. The genetic reprogramming of somatic cells into pluripotent state offers a potential strategy for the experimental modeling of brain disorders. Thus, the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) based direct reprogramming of somatic cells into neuroblasts would represent a potential tool to understand the regenerative biology of the adult brain. Therefore, this concise article discusses the significance of iPSCs, the functional roles of neuroblasts in the adult brain and provides a research hypothesis for the direct reprogramming of somatic cells into neuroblasts through the co-induction of a potential proneurogenic marker, the doublecortin (DCX) gene along with the Yamanaka factors. The proposed cellular model of adult neurogenesis may provide us with further insights into neuropathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders and will provide a potential experimental platform for diagnostic, drug discovery and regenerative therapeutic strategies.