The 2019 novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19) pandemic: A zoonotic prospective

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),a novel coronavirus(CoV),has recently emerged as a significant pathogen for humans and the cause for the recent outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19)throughout the globe.For developing any preventive measure,an understanding of the zoonotic pattern for this virus is a necessity.We should have a clear knowledge of its reservoir host,its distribution pattern and spreading routes.Information about zoonotic reservoirs and its transmission among them can help to understand the COVID-19 outbreaks.In this article,we discuss about the bats as the zoonotic reservoir of several CoV strains,co-existence of bats and CoV/viruses,the sequence similarity of SARS-CoV-2 with bat SARS-like CoV,the probable source of the origin of SARS-CoV-2 strain and COVID-19 outbreak,intermediate host of CoVs and SARS-CoV-2,human to human transmission and the possibility to maintain the zoonotic barriers.Our knowledge about the zoonotic reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 and its transmission ability may help develop the preventive measures and control for the future outbreak of CoV.

Studies on antibacterial activity and biochemical/biophysical properties of phytocystatin purified from <i>Catharanthus roseus</i>(Madagascar Periwinkle): an evergreen subshrub commonly found in district bijnor (U.P.)

In the present study two phytocystatins (thiol protease inhibitors) have been isolated and purified to homogeneity form Catharanthus roseusby a simple two step procedure using ammonium sulphate fractionation and gelfiltration chromatography on Sephacryl- 100HR.The two inhibitors were named as CRCI and CRCII (Catharanthus roseuscystatin I and II). CRCI and CRCII were purified with a fold purification of 1333.3, 1348.5 and percent yield of 18.18 and 16.35% respectively. The molecular weight of purified phytocystatins were 19.1 kDa and 16.9 kDa respectively, as determined by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Effect of denaturants like ureaon CRCI and II was analysed by Fluorescence spectroscopy. Results suggest an unfolding of CRCI and II. FTIR results show that structurally CRCI is different from CRCII. Hydrophobic interactions are observed over a longer timescale (5 - 150 min). Furthermore, fluorescence spectroscopy results show quenching of fluorescence intensity of CRC I and II, although to different extent, due to perturbations of the environment of aromatic residues in the protein. Both the cystatins showed strong inhibitory/antibacterial activity against E. coliand S.

Assessment of land use change and its effect on soil carbon stock using multitemporal satellite data in semiarid region of Rajasthan, India

Background:Land use change plays a vital role in global carbon dynamics.Understanding land use change impact on soil carbon stock is crucial for implementing land use management to increase carbon stock and reducing carbon emission.Therefore,the objective of our study was to determine land use change and to assess its effect on soil carbon stock in semi-arid part of Rajasthan,India.Landsat temporal satellite data of Pushkar valley region of Rajasthan acquired on 1993,2003,and 2014 were analyzed to assess land use change.Internal trading of land use was depicted throughmatrices.Soil organic carbon(SOC)stock was calculated for soil to a depth of 30 cm in each land use type in 2014 using field data collection.The SOC stock for previous years was estimated using stock change factor.The effect of land use change on SOC stock was determined by calculating change in SOC stock(t/ha)by deducting the base-year SOC stock from the final year stock of a particular land use conversion.Results:The total area under agricultural lands was increased by 32.14%while that under forest was decreased by 23.14%during the time period of 1993–2014.Overall land use change shows that in both the periods(1993–2003 and 2003–2014),7%of forest area was converted to agricultural land and about 15%changes occurred among agricultural land.In 1993–2003,changes among agricultural land led to maximum loss of soil carbon,i.e.,4.88 Mt C and during 2003–2014,conversion of forest to agricultural land led to loss in 3.16 Mt C.Conclusion:There was a continuous decrease in forest area and increase in cultivated area in each time period.Land use change led to alteration in carbon equity in soil due to change or loss in vegetation.Overall,we can conclude that the internal trading of land use area during the 10-year period(1993–2003)led to net loss of SOC stock by 8.29 Mt C.Similarly,land use change during 11-year period(2003–2014)caused net loss of SOC by 2.76 Mt C.Efforts should be made to implement proper land use management practices to enhance the SOC content.

Antioxidant and modulatory role of Chlorophytum borivilianum against arsenic induced testicular impairment

Arsenic has a suppressive influence on spermatogenesis and induces impairment in male reproductive system due to oxidative stress. The present study was aimed to test the arsenic induced toxicity and protection by Chlorophytum borivilianum. The effect of sodium arsenite （4 mg/（kg body weight （bw）.day）） via double distilled water without or with C. borivilianum （800 mg/（kg bw.day）） was evaluated in Swiss albino mice for 30 days. The radical scavenging activity of the aqueous C. borivilianum root extract was measured using DPPH （1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrayzyl） radical. Qualitative assessment of various cell types in the testis, sperm count and motility, testicular activity of lipid peroxidation （LPO）, reduced glutathione （GSH）, acid and alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and serum testosterone were monitored. Arsenic treatment showed a significant increase in LPO, acid and alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and decrease in sperm count, sperm motility, GSH and serum testosterone. Combined treatment showed significant decrease in LPO, acid and alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and elevation in sperm count, sperm motility, GSH and serum testosterone. Testicular histopathology showed that C. borivilianum had reduced degeneration of germ cell in the seminiferous tubules and loss of sperms induced by arsenic intoxication. The results thus led us to conclude that administration of C. borivilianum root extract is found to be protective against arsenic induced toxicity.