Volume 5, Issue 1 (2018)
Research Article
Biological control of Aedes larvae using indigenous fish (Rasbora daniconius (Nga Dawn Zin) and Colisa fasciata (Nga Thit Kyauk) from Pakokku Township, Magwe Region
Nyunt Nyunt Oo, Myo Thandar Thone, May Mi Mi Ko, Maung Maung Mya
Abstract: The species Aedes aegypti is considered as the major vector of dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever. Field and the laboratory-based descriptive study were performed with laboratory-reared 3rd and 4th instar Aedes larvae against native larvivorous fishes as Rasbora daniconius (Nga Dawn Zin) Pakokku and Colisa fasciata (Nga Thit Kaught) Pakokku from Pauk Inn in Se village, Pakokku Township Magway Region from July 2014 to December 2016. A series of laboratory experiments compared larva consuming rates of both fishes in different water volumes, to determine their potential as mosquito control agent in water storage containers. Laboratory results found that native larvivorous fishes Rasbora daniconius and Colisa fasciata consumed on significant numbers of Aedes larvae. Mean larva consuming rate of one individual, two together and three together Colisa fasciata fishes in three different water volumes found higher than Rasbora daniconius although when compare larvae/day/g weight, one-gram weight of Colisa fasciata consumed highest 439.29 larvae within 24 hours, it was 1.27-fold higher consuming rate than the one gram of Rasbora daniconius against Aedes aegypti larvae in laboratory. Larva consuming rates of both fishes were significantly higher in daytime than in night time in all water volumes. Of the two native fish species, Colisa fasciata showed the greater potential, although both Colisa fasciata and Rasbora daniconius was potentially larva consuming in the laboratory. Therefore, these two native larvivorous fishes can be used as a mosquito control agent against Aedes larvae in water storage containers in Pakakku Township, Magway Region.
Research Article
Structural differentiation of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus eggs using Scanning Electron Microscope
Min Min Win, Than Than Swe, Khin Myo Sett, Maung Maung Mya, Aung Zaw Latt, Kyaw Soe, Win Pa Pa Naing, Moh Moh Htun, Khin Saw Aye, Kyaw Zin Thant
Abstract: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are common arboviral mosquitoes causing the fatal diseases globally. Although these two vectors are bionomically similar, the differences in morphology of egg between these two mosquitoes are very limited in Myanmar. In this study, fifty eggs of each A. aegypti and A. albopictus were studied to determine any differences between these two-mosquito species morphometrically and morphologically using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Average length and width of A. albopictus eggs were 509.3±34.9 µm and 157±6.8 µm respectively, and those of A. aegypti eggs were 555.5±42.6 µm and 141.7±30.6 µm respectively. There was no significant different in morphometric analysis of these two species, but they had different features on their egg surface morphologically. A. albopictus eggs were smaller and taper at the posterior end. But the micropylar disc of A. aegypti had incomplete circular sectors. A. albopictus had a circular disc without sectors. Outer chorionic cells enclosing both large central tubercle and peripheral tubercles were also different between these two species. Furthermore, the exchorionic networks in A. albopictus were narrow, prominent, solid wall like whereas they were interwoven, reticulated and extremely wide in A. aegypti. The morphological analysis of the eggs attributes of A. aegypti and A. albopictus using SEM enables the differentiation of the species and may be helpful in understanding the egg biology.
Research Article
Computational analysis of interaction between seaweed-derived bioactive compounds and human aldose reductase as antidiabetic target
Tomisin Happy Ogunwa
Abstract: Diabetes still remains a rampaging metabolic disorder without a cure and current attentions are focused on the management of its associated complications particularly in type 2 diabetes. The enzyme aldose reductase is one of the validated therapeutic targets in this regard. Seaweeds (brown algae) are known to have beneficial effect in the control of hyperglycemia and other secondary complications of diabetes. Using in silico tools, the current study analyzed the precise interaction of selected bioactive components obtained from seaweed with aldose reductase. In the results, the compounds conveniently occupied active-site pocket flanked by the three flexible loops on top the (α/β) 8 barrel, however with varied degree of penetration (depth) and binding energy values (-5.2 kcal/mol to -9.9 kcal/mol) compared to fidarestat, the reference ligand (-9.0 kcal/mol). The favorable interaction within the catalytic pocket with less ∆G values suggests that the compounds are unique inhibitors of the protein with competitive mechanism of inhibition. Eckol showed fidarestat-comparable penetration into the cleft establishing hydrogen bonds with the partly polar anion-binding pocket residues Tyr48, His110, Leu300, Ala299, hydrophobic bonds with the aromatic amino acids Trp20 and Trp219 as well as π-stacking interactions with Trp219. Few ligands with poor active-site penetration, for instance Phlorofucofuroeckol A, are associated with poor inhibitory effect. The precise interaction patterns obtained in the current study are crucial towards understanding the mechanism responsible for the antidiabetic activity of marine brown algae while the unique binding pattern obtained may provide insights into the differences in the potency (IC50) of these algae-derived compounds.
Research Article
Influence of Distillers Dried Grain Solubles (DDGS) on Intake, Nutrients Digestibility and Milk Production of Dairy Buffaloes
Cherry Anne P. Alvaran, Irene J. Domingo, Daniel L. Aquino
Abstract: The effects of distillers dried grain solubles (DDGS) was assessed on its influence in milk production, milk components, nutrient digestibility and economic viability when fed to dairy buffaloes. Fourteen (14) Brazilian and Bulgarian buffaloes with 624kg average body weight were randomly assigned in three dietary treatments, namely; T1 - roughage + dairy concentrates (RDC, control diet); T2 - R+ 75%DC + 25%DDGS and T3 – R + 50%DC + 50%DDGS. The buffaloes were on their second parity and last month of gestation. The dietary treatments had uneven replications with 5 replicates each for R1 and R2 while the R3 with 4 replicate buffaloes, arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results showed numerical increase in milk production and milk composition however, these disclosed no significant differences between treatments. Buffaloes fed diet with 50% DDGS significantly increase the crude protein (CP) intake, while 25% in the diet increased the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake. In terms of digestibility, NDF digestibility was shown to be higher in 25% level than in 50% DDGS. The digestion coefficients for CP revealed comparable values in 25% and 50% DDGS in the ration. Incremental sales benefit from the milk of buffaloes fed with 25 and 50% DDGS were significant compared to buffalo cows without DDGS. The highest income over feed cost (IOFC) was observed in buffalo cows fed with 25% DDGS.
Research Article
Mathematical Model for Co-Infection of TB and HIV
Buddhadeo Mahato, Bimal Kumar Mishra, Anurag Jayswal
Review Article
Properties of carbon nanotubes and its application in life science and health
Neelam Yadav, Anil Kumar Chhillar, Surender Singh Yadav
Abstract: Recent material technology has made remarkable progress in the field of construction of nano devices. Carbon nanotubes are synthetic one-dimensional carbon crystals exhibiting different diameters and chiralities. CNTs have been used as nano-carriers as they exhibited various fascinating properties such as functionalization of surface, large surface to volume ratio, better conductivity, biocompatibility with cellular system and improved porosity and can be easily incorporated with the therapeutic agents/pharmaceutical molecules. These properties have opened novel opportunities for researchers by exhibiting diverse potential applications in drug targeting, tissue engineering, detection of analyte, purification of water, detection of different kinds of pollutants and many more. These CNTs have been employed in the field of nanomedicines where they can be employed in diagnosis and treatment of several diseases, safety and conservation of food products and abatement of various environment pollutants to make eco-friendly surroundings. Hence, future efforts should be primarily focused on exploring the research based on carbon nanotubes which could provide solutions of challenges raised for commercialization of carbon-based applications for mankind with minimum toxicity. Present article describes the structure, properties of carbon nanotubes and their diverse medical applications which improve the health of human beings.