Habitat suitability of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) MILL. (CACTACEAE): a comparative temporal evaluation using diverse bio-climatic earth system models and ensemble machine learning approach.

A comprehensive evaluation of the habitat suitability across the India was conducted for the introduced species Opuntia ficus-indica. This assessment utilized a newly developed model called BioClimInd, takes into account five Earth System Models (ESMs). These ESMs consider two different emission scenarios known as Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP), specifically RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. Additionally, the assessment considered two future time frames: 2040-2079 (60) and 2060-2099 (80). Current study provided the threshold limit of different climatic variables in annual, quarter and monthly time slots like temperature annual range (26-30 °C), mean temperature of the driest quarter (25-28 °C); mean temperature of the coldest month (22-25 °C); minimum temperature of coldest month (13-17 °C); precipitation of the wettest month (250-500 mm); potential evapotranspiration Thronthwaite (1740-1800 mm). Predictive climatic habitat suitability posits that the introduction of this exotic species is deemed unsuitable in the Northern as well as the entirety of the cooler eastern areas of the country. The states of Rajasthan and Gujarat exhibit the highest degree of habitat suitability for this particular species. Niche hypervolumes and climatic variables affecting fundamental and realized niches were also assessed. This study proposes using multi-climatic exploration to evaluate habitats for introduced species to reduce modeling uncertainties.

Species Composition and Diversity Dynamics of Actinomycetes in Arid and Semi-arid Salt Basins of Rajasthan.

Species composition and diversity dynamics of the actinomycetes was studied in five salt basins of arid and semi-arid areas of Rajasthan, India. A novel approach integrating molecular (16S rRNA gene) and diversity indices was applied to reveal species composition and diversity dynamics. Fifty-three actinomycetes isolates were isolated from five arid and semi-arid salt basins. Molecular characterization resulted in the identification of actinomycetes species belonging to three genera namely, Streptomyces, Nocardiopsis, and Actinoalloteichus. The diversity study among actinomycetes species validates their universal occurrence in arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. The species N. dassonvillei subsp. albirubida was omnipresent in all the five salt basins but its relative manifestation was not static across habitats. The study revealed that three species N. chromatogenes, S. durbertensis, and S. mangrovicola are being reported for the first time from India. The maximum species of actinomycetes were recorded from Pachpadra (14) and the minimum from Didwana area (6). This study not only documents the hitherto wealth of actinomycetes species in arid and semi-arid salt basins of Rajasthan but also reveals the composition and diversity dynamics of actinomycetes.

Does adaptive strategy for delayed seed dispersion affect extinction probability of a desert species? an assessment using the population viability analysis and glass house experiment

Canopy seed bank is an important adaptive evolutionary trait that provides various types of protection to the seeds. However, costing of such evolutionary trait on plant survival is largely unknown. Present investigation provided a new insight on the serotonious habit of Blepharis sindica associated with its endangerment status. Extinction probabilities of two available population of B. sindica were quantified using two types of census data, i.e., fruiting body number and actual population size. Population Viability Analysis (PVA) revealed that delayed seed release tendency (higher fruiting body number) was not synchronized with actual ground conditions (lower population size). PVA analysis based on actual population size indicated that both the available populations would vanish within 20 years. The mean time of extinction calculated from both type census data indicated its extinction within 48 years. For assessing the conservation criteria, a glass house experiment was carried out with different soil types and compositions. Pure sand and higher proportions of sand -silt were more suitable compared to clay; further, gravelly surface was the most unsuitable habitat for this species. Collection of the seeds from mature fruits/capsule and their sowing with moderate moisture availability with sandy soil could be recommended.

Study of opportunistic intestinal parasitic infections in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasites predominantly coccidian parasites are a common cause for diarrhea in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted during January 2009-December 2010. A total of 1,088 stool samples from 544 seropositive HIV positive cases were examined microscopically for ova and cyst using wet mount preparations and stained smears. Out of 544 patients, 343 had prolonged diarrhea for more than 4 weeks, 57 had acute diarrhea of lesser than 7 days and 144 were asymptomatic cases who attended out-patient department; included in this study after taking consent from patients. Enteric pathogens were detected in 274 (50.36%) of the 544 patients. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The parasites identified were Cryptosporidium (135), Isospora belli (42), Cyclospora (12), Microsporidia (02), Entamoeba histolytica (49), Hookworm (34). Intestinal parasites in chronic diarrhea were significantly higher than the acute diarrhea (63.05% vs. 7.35%; P < 0.05). Parasitic pathogens were frequently associated with HIV-positive patients with diarrhea in Western India. Stools of all HIV-positive patients with diarrhea should thoroughly be investigated to identify etiologic agents for proper management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted during January 2009-December 2010. A total of 1,088 stool samples from 544 seropositive HIV positive cases were examined microscopically for ova and cyst using wet mount preparations and stained smears. Out of 544 patients, 343 had prolonged diarrhea for more than 4 weeks, 57 had acute diarrhea of lesser than 7 days and 144 were asymptomatic cases who attended out-patient department; included in this study after taking consent from patients. Enteric pathogens were detected in 274 (50.36%) of the 544 patients. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The parasites identified were Cryptosporidium (135), Isospora belli (42), Cyclospora (12), Microsporidia (02), Entamoeba histolytica (49), Hookworm (34). Intestinal parasites in chronic diarrhea were significantly higher than the acute diarrhea (63.05% vs. 7.35%; P > 0.05). Parasitic pathogens were frequently associated with HIV-positive patients with diarrhea in Western India. Stools of all HIV-positive patients with diarrhea should thoroughly be investigated to identify etiologic agents for proper management.

The "dot in circle" sign on MRI in maduramycosis: a characteristic finding.

Mycetoma or Maduramycosis is a localized chronic suppurative infection characterized by exuberant granulation tissue, discharging sinuses, and bone involvement later in the course of the disease. Early clinical diagnosis before the appearance of sinuses and grains (aggregates of organism surrounded by granulation tissue, which are discharged from the draining sinuses) is difficult. Delay in diagnosis may lead to amputation of the affected part. Definitive diagnosis is through biopsy and microbiological examination. However, at times diagnosis may still be difficult. The recently described "dot in circle" sign on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is easy to recognize and highly specific. We present a case of mycetoma foot with characteristic MRI features.

Ethnopharmacological studies of Tribulus terrestris (Linn). in relation to its aphrodisiac properties.

Synergism and antagonism impact of different plant metabolites present in crude fruit extract of Tribulus terrestris 'the herbal Viagra' have been studied. Variability in plant composition, biomass and metabolites concentration in different modules was significantly contributed by spatial factor. However the edhaphic parameters also changes with both spatial and temporal factors significantly. Fruit is the officinal part and the fruit production significantly related with soil nitrogen (P<0.01), whereas the soil nitrogen and pH also influenced the alkaloid content in fruit (P<0.05). The linear relation between fruit protein and fruit alkaloid (P<0.01) also observed and the relationship in between different soil parameters were established. Bioassay work confirmed its aphrodisiac properties, and site III is suggested for maximum biomass and high concentration of different metabolites.