Central University of Kerala

About: Central University of Kerala is a education organization based out in Kāsaragod, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 556 authors who have published 881 publications receiving 7474 citations.

Indole acetic acid (IAA) producing endophytic bacteria on direct somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of Exacum travancoricum Bedd.

Abstract: Endophytic bacteria were isolated from Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal and their potentials were explored through the in vitro plant regeneration techniques. Initially, indole acetic acid (IAA), phosphate solubilization and siderophore producing isolates were screened out. These isolates were identified using molecular tools like 16s rRNA gene sequences namely Bacillus pumilus AS02, Sphingobacterium thalpophilum AS34, Pseudomonas aeruginosa AS36, Agrobacterium tumefaciens AS38 and Enterobacter aerogenes AS75. Further, the regeneration efficacy of IAA producing endophytic bacteria has been analysed on an endangered plant—Exacum travancoricum Bedd. The leaf and inter-node explants of E. travancoricum with or without bacterial infection were tested on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium encompassing 6-benzyladenine (BA; 2.0 mg L− 1) and l-tryptophan (0.2%; w/v). Somatic embryo induction was observed on both explants. The leaf explants infected with S. thalpophilum AS34, P. aeruginosa AS36 and E. aerogenes AS75 exhibited highest percentage of somatic embryo induction (93.3%) compared with the inter-node explants (86.6%). The explants without bacterial infection (control) and the presence of exogenous IAA exhibited lower level of response (88.8%, leaf and 75.5%, inter-node). Histological analysis revealed the appearance of globular embryogenic masses on epidermal, sub-epidermal regions of both explants. The development of torpedo, cotyledon stage and protoderm formation without the vascular connection from explants confirmed direct somatic embryogenesis. This was confirmed with scanning electron microscopy. Sub-culturing of cotyledon somatic embryos in MS liquid medium without growth regulators was performed to obtain well developed shoots with roots.

Proteomic analysis reveals the enhancement of human serum apolipoprotein A-1(APO A-1) in individuals infected with multiple dengue virus serotypes.

Abstract: Objectives Human serum protein profiling of the individual infected with multiple dengue virus serotypes for identifying the potential biomarkers and to investigate the cause for the severity of dengue virus infection. Methods Dengue virus NS1 positive serum samples were pooled into two groups (S2 and S3) based on the molecular serotyping and number of heterotypic infections. The pooled serum samples were subjected to two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DGE) to identify the differentially expressed proteins. The peptide masses of up regulated protein were detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and analyzed by MASCOT search engine. The results were compared with the control group (S1). The commonly upregulated protein was validated by quantitative ELISA and compared with control as well as single serotypic infected samples. Results Based on 2DGE, total thirteen proteins were differentially upregulated in S2 and S3 groups as compared to control. Some of the upregulated proteins were involved in mediating the complement activation of immune response. The Apolipoprotein A-1 (APO A-1) was upregulated in S2 and S3 groups. Upon validation, APO A-1 levels were increased in line with the number of heterotypic infection of dengue viruses. Conclusion Heterotypic infection of dengue viruses upregulate the serum proteins involved in the complement pathway in the early phase of infection. There was a significant increase in the level of APO A-1 in three different serotypic infections of dengue virus as compared to control. Further, the role of APO-A1 can be explored in elucidating the mechanism of dengue pathogenesis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Tuning of optical and magnetic properties of nanostructured CdS thin films via nickel doping

Abstract: Redesigning the properties of a non-magnetic semiconductor with a magnetic impurity is a recent research attraction due to its potential in optoelectronics and spintronics devices. Semiconductors, especially II–VI group, are very sensitive to external perturbations through which their optical and electronic properties can be tailored. Here we discuss the fabrication of CdS thin films by chemical bath deposition technique and elaborate their structural, morphological, optical and magnetic properties. Structural studies show that the as-prepared films exist in hexagonal form, while the morphological analysis provides clear evidences of smaller grains disseminated over the surface of the thin film. Higher band gap obtained in all samples hints towards the grain size-induced quantum confinement effect. The pristine CdS thin film has a blue shift in the band gap of 0.218 eV compared to their bulk cousins. The magnetic response of the films recorded using SQUID shows that the incorporation of Ni induces a tunable magnetization in CdS thin films with maximum magnetization of 7.3 emu/cc for 10 % of Ni doping. Thus, the incorporation of Ni can tailor the optical as well as magnetic properties of CdS, and the outcomes extend their application potential both in luminescent, photovoltaic and spintronic devices.

Agarna malayi Tiwari 1952 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoidae) Parasitising the Marine Fish, Tenualosa toli (Clupeidae) from India: Re-description/description of Parasite Life Cycle and Patterns of Occurrence.

Abstract: Panakkool Thamban Aneesh, Kappalli Sudha, Ameri Kottarathil Helna, and Gopinathan Anilkumar (2018) This paper re-describes the female stage of Agarna malayi Tiwari 1952, a protandrically hermaphroditic parasitic cymothoid, and describes the remaining life cycle stages for the first time. The re-description (female phase) of A. malayi was made based on the type specimens deposited by Tiwari (1952) in the National Zoological Collections of the Zoological Survey of India (NZC-ZSI) and data obtained from several live specimens collected from Ayyikkara Fish Landing Centre (11°51'N, 75°22'E, of Malabar Coast, India) and Marina Beach (13.0500°N, 80.2824°E, Bay of Bengal, India). General morphology, mouthparts and appendages of the species' life cycle stages such as larvae, juveniles, male and transitional stages are also reported for the first time. We closely observed 80 marine fish species belonging to 35 different families to identify the potential host of A. malayi, and only recovered the parasite from one fish, Tenualosa toli, signifying A. malayi's oligoxenous host specificity; the prevalence and intensity of parasitisation is 17.3 and 1.86%, respectively. The present paper also discusses sequential life cycle stages of the species.