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Family : Euphorbiaceae

Flowering: July-September

Fruiting: September-December

Botanical description: The plant is a small erect herb, growing up to 60 cm or more. The ascending branches are angled and velvet-hairy. Leaves are broadly ovate, nearly triangular, rather coarsely toothed. Leaf stalks are as long as or longer than the 3-5 cm long blades. Flowers are stalkless, borne on erect axillary spikes longer than the leaves. Male flowers are minute, crowded distally. Female flowers are scattered along the inflorescence axis, each subtended by a conspicuous semicupular leaf-like toothed green bract nearly 7 mm long. Capsule is bristly and1 mm broad.

Ecology: It is mostly found in hot, low to medium altitude, sandy margins of rivers, seasonal water courses and pans, usually in shade of thickets, on rocky hillsides and often in disturbed ground and as a weed of cultivation.

The sense organs are the organs of the body that respond to external stimuli by conveying impulses to the nervous system. The sense organs allow animals to sense changes in the environment around them and in their bodies so that they can respond properly. Animals can sense a wide range of stimuli that include the sense of vision, the sense of hearing, the sense of olfaction (smell), the sense of taste and the sense of touch including pain and pressure. In animals, there are two major groups of senses, the general senses and the special senses.

Jasmonic acid: Jasmonic acid is derived from the fatty acid, linolenic acid. It is a member of the jasmonate class of plant hormones. It is biosynthesized from linolenic acid by the octadecanoid pathway. The major function of JA and its various metabolites is regulating plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses as a well as plant growth and development processes.

Ketose: A simple sugar in which carbonyl group is a ketone.

Kinases: Enzymes that catalyse phosphorylation of an acceptor molecule such as protein molecule by ATP.

Q₁₀ (Temperature coefficient): The ratio of the rate of chemical reaction at a particular temperature to the rate of that chemical reaction exactly at 10°C lower.

Qualitative photoperiod: Qualitative plants are those in which a particular photoperiod is an absolute requirement for the occurrence of a response. Ex: Common cocklebur

Qualitative response (absolute response, obligatory response): A plant response, usually flowering, that absolutely depends on some day length, temperature, or other environmental stimulus. If the plant does not experience the required stimulus, the response does not occur (e.g., the plant remains vegetative). Opposite to quantitative response.

Quantasomes : Quantasomes are particles found in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts in which photosynthesis takes place. They are embedded in a para crystalline array on the surface of thylakoid discs in chloroplasts. They are composed of lipids and proteins that include various photosynthetic pigments and redox carriers.

Ubiquinone (UQ): It is a lipophilic metabolite that functions in the electron transport chain in the plasma membranes of prokaryotes, and the inner mitochondrial membranes of eukaryotes, apart from its roles as an antioxidant and in the regeneration of tocopherols. Also called as Coenzyme Q.

Ubiquitin: It is a small protein that is found in almost all cellular tissues in all eukaryotic organisms,( i.e. it occurs ubiquitously) which helps to regulate the processes of other proteins in the body.

Ultracentrifuge: A high speed centrifuge with speed upto 60,000 rpm and centrifugal field of 500,000 x g

Xanthophylls (Carotenoids): These are tetraterpenes with general formula C₄₀H₅₆O₂. Xanthophylls are a class of oxygen-containing carotenoid pigments, responsible for the color of many of the yellow, orange, and red hues of flowers, fruits, vegetables (corn, pepper, etc.), egg yolks, and feathers, shells, or flesh of many animal species (flamingo, canary, shrimp, lobster, chicken, or salmonids). In plants, they are involved in photosynthesis with chlorophyll and are responsible for the red, yellow, and/or brown colors of autumn foliage as the chlorophyll levels decline.

Xeromorphy: Morphological characteristics, such as small, tough leaves, a heavy cuticle, etc., that are generally important for adaptation to dry environmental conditions.

Yamogenin: A triterpene plant steroid belonging to a group of sapongenins that is obtained from Dioscorea and is used in making oral contraceptives.

Z scheme: Refer non-cyclic electron transport.

Z-DNA: A duplex DNA structure in which helical coiling of the two polynucleotide chains is left handed and phosphate backbone of the polynucleotides follows a zig-zag course.

Zeatin: Most abundant natural cytokinin present in plant.

Present study was undertaken to investigate the sub-chronic effects of chromium (VI) inmale rats using potassium dichromate (0.625 mg/kg, 1.25 mg/ kg, and 2.5 mg/kg)following oral administration. No discernible clinical signs of toxicity were observed atany dose, and weekly average body weight gain remained almost consistent. Both absoluteand relative organ weights exhibited no significant differences among treatment groups.Hematological parameters showed no appreciable variations across the different treatmentgroups. Potassium dichromate exposure demonstrated limited impact on plasma totalprotein, albumin, and globulin levels. While HDL cholesterol exhibited a non-significantdecrease, plasma glucose, cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels displayed a slight andnon-significant increase. Non-significant elevations were noted in plasma AST, ALT,creatinine, and uric acid across all treated groups, with minimal changes in total bilirubinand BUN. Hepatic MDA levels increased non-significantly in a dose-dependent manner,accompanied by a non-significant decrease in SOD, CAT, GSH, and GST levels.Testicular MDA increased non-significantly in a dose-dependent manner, with aconcomitant non-significant decrease in SOD, CAT, and GST levels. Testicular GSHlevels showed minimal alteration. A non-significant rise in ACP, LDH, GGT, and FSHlevels in the testis was observed across all treated groups, while testicular SDH andtestosterone levels exhibited non-significant decreases. Necropsy revealed no grosschanges in various organs, including lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, testes, seminal vesicles,and prostate.

Wound healing is defined as any breach in the continuity of skin. Regenerative pharmacology aims to develop new therapeutic module to hasten the healing. Present study was aimed to evaluate the wound healing efficacy of goat milk based ointment vis a vis its molecular pharmacodynamics in full thickness excisional rat model. 96 healthy male Wistar rats were equally and randomly divided into four groups i.e. group I served as Healthy control/Sham Operated, group II served as silver sulphadiazine treated group and group III and IV served as group treated with 0.5 % and 1% goat milk based ointment, respectively. Square shaped wound of ≈ 2×2 cm2 (400 mm2) was surgically and aseptically created on the back of animals till the depth of panniculus carnosus. Animals were examined routinely till 21 day of the experimental study and healing potential of goat milk based ointment was ascertained by planimetric analysis viz. digital photography, wound area measurement, wound contraction percentage and biochemical assay using hydroxyproline, total protein and DNA content at different intervals i.e. on days 3,7,14 and 21 of the study.

Present study was undertaken to evaluate the ameliorative effect of α-tocopherol(100 mg/kg) against cartap (16.25 mg/kg and 32.5 mg/kg) induced toxicity following 28days oral exposure in adult male Wistar rats. Cartap exposure did not produce any clinicalsigns of toxicity in rats at both the doses. Weekly Average body weight gain wassignificantly reduced following cartap (32.5 mg/kg). Both absolute and relative organweights did not differ significantly between different treatment groups. Hematologicalparameters did not differ significantly in any of the treatment groups. Plasma Glucose,Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, AST, ALT, BUN levels were found to be markedlyincreased in cartap alone treatment groups. Plasma calcium levels showed irregular butnon-significant change in response to cartap doses. α-tocopherol co-treatment with cartapproduced non-significant decrease in the plasma levels of Glucose, AST and ALT but thelevels of Total Cholesterol Triglycerides and Calcium were found to be significantlydecreased in both the co-treated groups. BUN levels remained unaffected following α-tocopherol co-treatment.

Wound healing is a complex phenomenon with three distinctive yet overlapping phases i.e. Inflammatory, proliferative and remodeling phases. Present study was conducted to unravel the molecular insights of Mangiferin in immunocompromised excisional rat model. Firstly, immunocompromised state was established following hydrocortisone injection @80 mg/kg body weight through intra muscular route and determining the immunocompromised state with neutrophilia, lymphocytopenia and reduced splenic weight in adult male rats weighing 200-250 grams. Then, 120 animals were randomly and equally divided into five groups i.e. group I served as Healthy control, group II served as Immunocompromised control, group III served as Immunocompromised group treated with silver sulphadiazine and group IV and V served as Immunocompromised group treated with 2.5 % Mangiferin and Immunocompromised group treated with 5 % Mangiferin, respectively. Study was conducted for a period of 28 days. Six animals were humanely sacrificed at weekly interval till day 28th of study. Wound healing efficacy and molecular cascading of pharmacodynamics of Mangiferin was determined following gross studies including digital photography, wound area measurement and per cent wound contraction and biochemical indices viz. hydroxyproline, DNA content, total protein and LPO assay.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the antibacterial effect of Eucalyptus robusta leaves extract loaded-solid lipid nanoparticles. Eucalyptus robusta leaves extract loaded SLNs was prepared and characterized. The particle size of SLNs was around 200 nm, zeta potential was 566.93 mV and the entrapping efficiency was 81%. Prepared nanoformulation was spherical in shape. Eucalyptus robusta leaves extract loaded SLNs did not exhibit any promising antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus as determined by Agar well diffusion method. Therefore, further studies were undertaken only on crude extract of Eucalyptus robusta leaves. Experimental endometritis in rats was developed by inoculating the clinical isolate of E. coli (1x107 cfu/ml) in to the uterine horns during diestrus stage followed by cervical ligation. Endometritis in rats was confirmed based on presence of visible pus in the uterus, edematous uterine horns, thinning of endometrial lining and presence of bacterial load in uterine tissue homogenate. Eucalyptus robusta leaves crude extract (25 mg/ml) and Ciprofloxacin (50 mg/ ml) were administered orally found to significantly reduce uterine weight and uterine secretion index. But bacterial load in the uterine tissue homogenate was not significantly reduced by both the treatments. Histopathological lesions in uterus also showed efficient induction of endometritis based on presence of inflammatory cells (neutrophils count) in uterine microscopic sections and their number was markedly reduced after treatment with Eucalyptus robusta leaves crude extract and ciprofloxacin. Compared with the effect of ciprofloxacin, Eucalyptus robusta produced almost similar curative and protective effects against endometritis. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) gene expression was found to be markedly reduced after treatment with Eucalyptus robusta leaves crude extract as compared with ciprofloxacin treatment. Based on our findings, it may be inferred that Eucalyptus robusta leaves crude extract possesses promising anti-inflammatory activity against experimental endometritis in rats and, therefore, it can be exploited in drug development program for treatment of endometritis in animals.

Notch signalling is an evolutionary conserved pathway that allows cell communication through cell-to-cell interactions. Besides its established role in embryonic development, recent reports have shown its involvement in different infections and inflammations of different body systems including cardiovascular system. Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome against microbial infection, causes multiple organ failure resulting in death worldwide in human and animals. Vascular hyporeactivity and reduced peripheral resistance is considered to be the leading cause of death in sepsis. Though Notch signalling has been studied especially in macrophages during inflammation including endotoxaemia, its role in vascular beds in sepsis is yet to be explored. Thus, present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of sepsis on aortic Notch signalling and its involvement in regulating vascular functions during late phage of sepsis. Sepsis was induced by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in mice and thoracic aorta was collected for mRNA expression, western blot and immune-histochemical (IHC) study. Functional study on isolated aortic rings from different groups was also performed to assess the vascular reactivity to different vasoconstrictors.

Present study was undertaken to assess the effect of sepsis on purinergic signaling with special reference to P2Y6 and P2X7 receptors in mouse aorta; and to unravel the interplay between purinergic receptor (P2Y6) and angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) in mediating vascular hyporeactivity during sepsis. Sepsis significantly decreased total erythrocytes count, haemoglobin level, total leukocytes count and differential leukocytes count compared to sham-operated mice (SO). Sepsis significantly increased plasma levels of ALT, AST, BUN, creatinine values. Similarly, sepsis significantly increased total bacterial count in peritoneal lavage, blood and spleen compared to healthy control. Functional studies revealed that in mice of SO groups, high K+-depolarising solution produced almost equal contraction in the aortic rings having the intact-endothelium or denuded. But compared to the SO group, mice of the sepsis group, irrespective of the presence or absence of endothelium in aortic rings, exhibited significantly reduced contractile response following exposure to high K+-depolarising solution.

The objective of present study was to evaluate the influence of pre-exposure of chromium @ 1 mg/kg body weight and arsenic @ 38 ppb in drinking water continuously for 30 days in experimentally streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes in male Wistar rats and after 30 days of continuous exposure ameliorative potential of an ITK formulation @ 435 mg/kg body weight and its comparative efficacy with metformin @ 50 mg/kg body weight on diabetes induced testicular dysfunction.

Eighty four obese male Wistar rats were divided into fourteen groups viz. Normal Control, Obese, Non-diabetic + Chromium, Non-diabetic + Arsenic, Non-diabetic + Chromium-Arsenic combination, Obese Diabetic + chromium, Obese Diabetic + Arsenic, Obese Diabetic + Chromium-Arsenic combination, Obese Diabetic + Chromium + Metformin, Obese Diabetic + Arsenic + Metformin, Obese Diabetic + Chromium-Arsenic combination + Metformin, Obese Diabetic + Chromium + ITK, Obese Diabetic + Arsenic + ITK, Obese Diabetic + Chromium-Arsenic combination + ITK, consisting six animals in each group, were induced diabetes with streptozotocin @ 30 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally single dose after 30 days of pre-exposure to chromium and arsenic. After induction of diabetes ITK formulation and metformin were given by oral gavage continuously for 30 days.

The objective of the present study was to explore the therapeutic potential of Tribulus terrestris and ITK formulation against obese streptozotocin- induced type II diabetes and diabetic nephropathy in male Wistar rats. In Phase I study, 70% hot ethanolic extract of Tribulus terrestris fruits and hot aqueous extract of ITK formulation (ingredients gum acacia, black cumin, wheat and barley) was prepared and evaluated for in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of extracts. Extracts have potent antioxidant (studied by 2, 2-Diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2’-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay), antidiabetic (determined by in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity) and glucose uptake potential in cultured lymphocytes and were observed to possess carbohydrates, alkaloids, proteins and amino acids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, fixed oils and resins in Tribulus terrestris fruits with additional glycosides in ITK formulation after screening by qualitative tests and further confirmed to possess active principles having antidiabetic, antioxidant, nephroprotective, cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.

Present study was undertaken to evaluate the ameliorative potential of α-tocopherol, curcumin and/or in combination with cisplatin following 28 days continuous exposure. Forty-eight male wistar rats of 190-210 g were divided into eight groups group I (NSS, i.p.), group II (corn oil, oral gavage) served as vehicle control, group III received cisplatin, group IV (α-tocopherol), group V (curcumin), group VI (cisplatin + α-tocopherol), group VII (cisplatin + curcumin), group VIII (cisplatin + curcumin + α-tocopherol). Cisplatin was given by intra-peritoneal route @ 0.5mg/kg b.wt., while α-tocopherol @ 100 mg/kg b.wt. and curcumin @ 50 mg/kg b.wt. by oral gavage continuously for 28 days. Cisplatin produced apparent signs of toxicity like rough coat, cachexia, decreased activity but no mortality in rats. Body weight and percent weight gain in rats with cisplatin alone and in combination with α-tocopherol and curcumin treated groups were significantly lower. Absolute and relative organ weight did not differ between different groups. Significant reduction in Hb on 21 day and 28 days after exposure was observed. Marked reduction in PCV, TLC and platelet count in cisplatin alone treated group following 28-day exposure however DLC remain unaltered. Significant decrease in creatinine clearance in all cisplatin exposed groups when compared to control groups.

Hydrogen sulphide, a gas with rotten egg smell, is traditionally considered as a toxicant and an environmental pollutant but recently, it has gained attention as a mediator of physiological and biological processes. The present study was undertaken to unravel the effect of H2 S on myometrial activity and its underlining mechanism in non-pregnant buffaloes. L-cysteine is considered to be main endogenous amino acid responsible for hydrogen sulphide formation due to the action of two cytosolic enzymes- cystathione ? synthase (CBS) and cystathione y lyase (CSE/CGL). Sodium hydrogen sulphide and GYY4137 are major hydrogen sulphide donors were used in this present study. In vitro- exposure of isolated buffalo myometrial strips to L-cysteine (10nm to 3mM) produced concentration- dependent uterotonic effect. L-cysteine induced uterotonic action is dependent on the activity of cystathione ? synthase (CBS) and cystathione y lyase (CGL/CSE) as evidenced by rightward shift of the DRC of L-cysteine in the presence of enzyme blockers (AOAA and PAG, respectively) it is to be further noted that following blockade of CBS and CSE enzyme, possibly some relaxant mechanism may get activated by L-Cysteine to produce uterine relaxation. The existence of CBS enzyme of molecular weight, 63kDa and CSE/CGL of 45kDa was observed by western blot technique. L-cysteine failed to produce any appreciable contraction in the absence of extracellular calcium. Further, in the presence of nifedipine, the uterotonic action of L-cysteine was completely abolished.

Present study was undertaken to investigate the modulatory effect of Eucalyptus citriodora leaves extract and Cefixime on inflammatory biomarkers in experimentally induced endometritis in Wistar rats. Uterine discharge of clinical and subclinical endometritis cases having history of repeat breeding (43%) and abortion (57%) were found to have E. coli (60%) Staphyloccocus aureus (40%). Eucalyptus citriodora leaves methanolic extracts exhibited promising antibacterial activity against both clinical isolates as determined by disc diffusion method. Rat endometritic model was developed by inoculating the mixture of E. coli (1? 106)and Staphloccocus aureus (1? 108)in to uterine horns during diestrus stage followed by cervical ligation and the model was confirmed based on presence of visible pus in the uterus, edematous uterine horn, thinning of endometrial lining and presence of large number of polymorphonuclear cells and bacterial load in uterine flushing.

Moisture present in the atmosphere plays a significant role in weather and climate of the region. There are three major components in the atmospheric moisture.

  I. Humidity

 II. Precipitation

III. Evaporation.

Humidity: The terminology related to humidity and concerned with gaseous form of water i.e. water vapour, several expressions of the amount of water vapour in the air is used. They are as follows.

Cloud usually consists of very small droplets of water which cannot fall appreciably below the cloud base without evaporation. In this condition clouds are stable. Rain drops are about a million times heavier than cloud drops and rain develops only if the cloud droplets grow by some mechanism. Cloud Seeding mechanism depends on the difference in vapour pressure over ice and super cooled cloud, water evaporates of the droplets and migrate to the ice crystal, which grows and begins to fall increasing their growth rate by coalescence with other droplets and eventually melting and falling as rain drops. Presence of ice nuclei determines whether ice crystals form in a supercoold cloud or not. Ice crystals form on naturally occurring nuclei at temperatures of – 10⁰ to 30⁰ C. At warmer temperatures, either the efficient ice-forming nuclei are often deficient in the atmosphere or the cloud may occur with tops supercooled but not to an extent which activates the ice nuclei available. It should be possible to initiate precipitation by introducing ice crystals or by supplying artificial nuclei.

El Nino means ‘The Little One’ or ‘Christ Child’ in Spanish. It was originally recognized by fisherman of the coast of South America as the appearance of usually warm water in the Pacific Ocean, occurring near the beginning of the year i.e. around Christmas. That is why the name is used. El Nino, the periodic warming of Pacific Ocean waters that affects the weather worldwide. C. Fred and T. Andrus of the University of Georgia studied the ancient fish bones from refuse left about 6000 years ago by ancient peoples in Peru and found that ocean catfish lived in water that averaged 60 to 70 warmer than now and that there was little variation in temperature. He concluded that if El Nino was occurring at the modern rate, once every two to seven years, then the bones from the fish would have reflected the temperature variation.

Quadrangle: A cell immediately beyond the arculus (Odonata, Zygoptera).

Quadrat: A four-sided defined area from which a sample is collected, used in population determination.

Quadrivoltine: Four life cycles per year.

Qualitative defenses of plants: Toxins and small-molecular-weight compounds (such as alkaloids) that are active against the physiological systems of phytophagous insects; complex, digestibility-reducing substances (such as tannins) that reduce the ability of insects to feed on plants.

Quantitative specificity: In serology, the principle that a given kind of antibody will react more strongly, under comparable conditions, with the particular kind of antigen used in its formation than with any other substance (cf. Antibody, Antigen, and Precipitin reaction).

Ultra low volume spraying (ULV): The application of pesticides in extremely concentrated or undiluted form using 10 liters or less per hectare (1 gal per acre); highly concentrated pesticide applied without dilution at a rate of 0.5 gallons per acre or less.

Umbilical cord: The cord containing blood vessels supported by connective tissue that unites the embryo or fetus of a mammal with the mother during development in the uterus. (L. umbilicus = navel).

Ungulate: Having hoofs, as a deer or (L. ungula = hoof).

Unguligrade: Walking or adopted for walking on hoofs. (L. ungula = hoof + gradior = to step).

Ungue: Pretarsal claw.

Unguiculate: Having claws, as a cat. (L. unguis = claw).

Xerophyte: Plant adapted for survival in desert or physiologically dry soil.

Xylem: The water-conducting woody tissue in vascular plants.

Xylomycetophagy: Cultivation and feeding upon symbiotic fungi growing in woody tree tissues; for example, some Scolytidae.

Xylophage (adj. xylophagous): An eater of wood.

Xylophagy: Feeding on xylem tissues.

Yellow fever: An infectious, mosquito-transmitted viral disease.

Quadrangle: A square or quadrangular space surrounded by buildings, as on college grounds.

Quadrant: 1. The quarter of a circle, an arc of 90°. 2. An instrument for measuring altitudes.

Quadrilateral: A plane figure with four sides and four angles.

Quarter turn belt: The arrangement of a belt to drive two shafts, which are at right angle.

Quarter turn drive: A belt drive connecting pulleys whose axes are at right angles.

Quartering machine: A machine that bores parallel holes simultaneously in such a way that the centre lines of adjacent holes are at 90 deg. apart (axes of the holes are perpendicular to the plane on which an angular measurement are taken.)

X engine: An in line engine with the cylinder block so arranged around the crankshaft that they resemble the letter X when the engine is viewed from the end.

Bougainvillea plants are native of South America from Brazil west to Peru and south to southern Argentina (Chubut Province). A native to coastal Brazil, the bougainvillea was discovered in 1768 in Rio de Janeiro by French naturalist Dr. Philibert Commerçon (also sometimes spelled Commerson). The plant is named after his close friend and ship’s admiral Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, who commanded the ship La Boudeuse that sailed around the world between 1766-1769, and in which Commerçon was a passenger. Twenty years after Commerçon’s discovery, it was first published as ‘Buginvillea’ in Genera Plantarum by A.L. de Jusseau in 1789. The genus was subsequently spelt in several ways until it was finally corrected to ‘Bougainvillea’ in the Index Kewensis in the 1930s. Originally, B. spectabilis and B. glabra were hardly differentiated until the mid 1980s when botanists recognized them to be totally distinct species. Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd., a native of Brazil reported to be found wild in all provinces of that large country (Taillemite 1977, Forzza 2010). The oldest herbarium specimens of Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. were collected during the brief stop of the Étoile in Rio de Janeiro. Two are kept in the General Herbarium of the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris (P 00169376, images in Monnier et al. 1993 : 176 and Jolinon 2004 : 79; P 00307018), and two in the Jussieu Herbarium conserved in the same institution (PJuss.; IDC 6206, No. 

Bougainvilleas are widely grown in India for multipurpose uses.  There are numerous varieties and cultivars that are important from floriculture point of view. Bougainvillea profusely flowers almost all the year round except in rainy season and very severe winter. It has earned a pride place in the floriculture and landscaping due to its variegated foliage and colourful bracts. Bougainvillea belongs to the family Nyctaginacea and in the tribe Mirabileae. It is the only genus in the monotypic subtribe Bougainvilleineae (Gills 1976, Hammad 2009). The first generic name as Bouginvillea was published by A.L. de Jussieu (1789) in his work ‘Garden Plantarum’. The spelling of the generic name subsequently changed about half a dozen times. Finally as per International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, it was spelt as Bougainvillea as used by Spachs (1841) and published in the Index Kewensis (Suppl. 9 : 1931-1935; c.f. Sharma 1996). Heimerl (1900) recognized 10 species, three of which (B. spectabilis Wild., B. glabra Choisy and B. peruviana Humb. and Bonp.)

In the orchard, several cultural operations like weeding, mulching, etc. are very important. Similarly protection from fire is also essential. The points are discussed here.

Weed Management

The Luxuriant weed growth is a common sight in neglected old cashew gardens. Weeds are not only harmful by competing for the nutrients and moisture but also cause inconvenience to take up effective plant protection measures and harvesting of fallen nuts; thus resulting in loss of yield. Therefore, sanitation of cashew orchard is very essential, it also minimise the incidence of cashew stem and root borer (CSRB). Careful weeding-clearing the area within 2 m radius of the trunk is essential. Clearing of weed growth is to be carried out twice in a year. Weeds may compete for nutrients and moisture with cashew. The weeding cycles are generally confined to the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods to coincide with the fertilizer application.

Weeds should also be controlled between the rows. This can be done by inter-cropping with certain crops for 3/4 years before the tree canopies close in. In addition a legume can be grown to both control weeds and fix nitrogen for the trees. This improves the soil and makes the nutrient available.

Raw cashew nuts are a seasonal commodity and the trading season is from March to May. Growers usually supply the primary or village markets where small traders collect and supply the urban markets. The cashew trade is seldom handled by exclusive traders. Usually, those traders who collect other plantation products also trade in cashew. Due to the highly competitive nature of the cashew trade, growers have few marketing problems. When large quantities are collected by middlemen, the processors enter the marketing chain and make wholesale purchases. Grades and standards for cashew are yet to be introduced in India. Quality is generally determined by appearance and cutting tests that traders employ prior to purchase. The raw cashew nut market involves a large amount of capital where nearly 80 per cent of the produce is transacted within a period of 35 days. The current value of Indian production is estimated at around Rs. 10,000 million. This capital is made available by industry for procurement and processing operations.

There are no growers’ cooperatives or organizations for cashew marketing. In Kerala, however, the government has been involved in the procurement process and supply to large-scale processors. This adversely affected the cashew trade and has now been replaced by a free market policy.

In addition to the local production of nearly 7 lakh tonnes, India also imports a considerable quantity of raw nuts from several African and South-east Asian countries to satisfy the national processing capacity of about 12-14 lakh tonnes established in the country.

Cashew is one major crop of Konkan region of Maharashtra and requires comparatively less expenditure for cultivation as compared with other crops. Under normal planting density (7m x 7m), about 200 plants/ha are occupied. If the cashew grower has its own land, then for first five year of orchard establishment and maintenance, total expenditure of Rs. 47447 is come up. Year wise expenditure (first five years) on cashew cultivation per hectare is presented in Table 61.

Sex hormone plays a vital role in the occurrence of canine mammary cancer. It is well established that canine mammary cancer is sex-hormone dependent. The risk of developing canine mammary tumour is 0.05% if the dog is spayed before its first estrous and the risk of developing a mammary cancer is increased as the number of estrous cycle increases. Mammary cancer is often hormone responsive, since growth or regression of tumours can be modulated by suitable hormonal manipulations. Estrogen and Progesterone appear to be major hormones in regulation of mammary tumour development. It is also reported that about 40-50% malignant mammary tumour in the dog have either or both estrogen and progesterone receptors. Benign tumours in dogs have also female sex hormone receptors and they can be stimulated by hormonal cycling. Mammary carcinoma can be induced in male and female rodents by administration of estrogen. Transsexual males given high doses of estrogen to induce mammary development have developed mammary cancer. So measurement of different sex hormones or sex steroids is an essential step during any study related to development and efficacy of treatment of canine mammary cancer.

Depressed immune responses have been observed frequently in cancer patients. Cancer and other stress are known to affect different components of the immune system. Cancer treatment is relying mainly on surgery, anti-cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Most chemotherapeutic agents are responsible to myeloid toxicity, which leads to leukemia and immunosuppression affecting both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. This is a very serious disadvantage of chemotherapy besides they are cytotoxic drugs.

Radiographic examination of mammary tumour patients should be done prior to any treatment to detect the chances of lung metastasis. Radiographs of the thorax helped to provide information pertaining to the extent of organs involved and the presence of metastasis in the lungs. Lateral radiograph of thorax revealed absence of pulmonary metastasis in normal cases. Lung metastasis may observe in animal characterized by radioopaque soft tissue scattered in the lungs indicating pulmonary metastasis.

Jaboticaba : It is a Brazilian tree (Myrciaria cauliflora) of the myrtle family cultivated in warm regions for its edible purplish fruit.

Jack salmon / walleye : A large vigorous American freshwater food and sport fish (Stizostedion vitreum) that has large opaque eyes and is related to the perches but resembles the true pike sometime also called walleyed pike

Jaggery : Raw brown / unrefined brown sugar in lump made from palm sap.

Yabby : It is one of the burrowing Australian crayfishes (Cherax destructor) that are used for food.

Yakitori : A bite-size marinated pieces of beef, seafood, or chicken on skewers is called yakitori.

Yam : It is edible starchy tuberous root of plants (genus Dioscorea of the family Dioscoreaceae) used as a staple food in tropical areas.

Q₁₀value: The number of times a reaction rate change with a 10^oC change in temperature is called Q ₁₀value. If reaction rate doubles with 10^oC change in temperature, Q ₁₀= 2. It is also called temperature quotient.

Q-enzyme: It is a branching enzyme responsible for formation of 1-6 bonds in amylopectin.

QHV process: It stands for Quality Has Value Process.

QO₂ : It is a unit for measurement of respiration. Or It is the oxygen uptake in microlitres per milligram on dry weight per hour.

Quailing: In this practice the oranges are kept in the baskets in which they are harvested to allow the fruit to loose little moisture. It is done for a couple of hours before transport to packhouse. This practice would allow the fruit to lose a little moisture which is called quailing. This operation is done for oranges to prevent Oleocellosis.

Qualitative measurement: It is a subjective / objective measurement of the quality of the product for presence of certain compound. It gives the idea of the presence or absence of the particular compound. It deals with the nature of the substance and not its amount or quantity.

Quality: Quality is a measure of the degree of excellence or degree of acceptability by the consumer. The quality may also be defined in term of end use and may vary depending upon consumer’s perception and need. Or quality is the totality of features and characteristics of a product that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs. It is a term defined by the consumer, buyer, grader, or any other client based on subjective and objective measurements of the food product.

Xanthan gum: It is a polysaccharide that is produced by fermentation of carbohydrates by a gramnegative bacterium (Xanthomonas campestris) and is a thickening and suspending agent used in pharmaceuticals and prepared foods. It is also called xanthan. Xanthan is a stabilizer produced by Xanthomonascompestris(Plate 257). Xanthan is not hydrolysed or degraded by humans.

Yabby: It is one of the burrowing Australian crayfishes (Cherax destructor) that are used for food.

Yakitori: A bite-size marinated pieces of beef, seafood, or chicken on skewers is called yakitori.

Yam: It is edible starchy tuberous root of plants (genus Dioscorea of the family Dioscoreaceae) used as a staple food in tropical areas.

Yautia: It is one of the aroid plants (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) chiefly of tropical America with starchy edible shaggy brown tubers that are cooked and eaten like yams or potatoes.

Yearling mutton: Meat obtained from 12-20 month aged sheep. It is also called Earling mutton.

Yeast: Unicellular plant body, very minute in size containing cell wall, cytoplasm with one or more vacuoles and a single nucleus, cause alcoholic fermentation (Plate 258). Yeast usually has little or no mycelium, and reproduces by budding. It results in production of yellowish surface froth or sediment that occurs in saccharine liquids (fruit juices) in which it promotes alcoholic fermentation, consists largely of cells of a fungus (as the saccharomyces, Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and is used in the making of alcoholic liquors and as a leaven in baking.

Common name:     English – Lady’s finger
    Hindi – Bhindi
    Odia- Bhendi      
Family:     Malvaceae

Habit & Distribution
The plant is a herb (Fig. 1 a), widely cultivated as vegetable in the tropical countries including India.

Common name: English- Indian liquorice
                           Hindi- Ratti/Gunchi 
                           Odia- Kaincha
Family : Fabaceae

Habit & Distribution
It is a common weed (Fig. 2 a) found in forest and it is also seen growing on road sides, gardens, waste places and sometimes planted in gardens.

Common name    :    English- Indian mallow
        Hindi- Kanghi 
        Odia- Pedipedica

Family    :    Malvaceae

Habit & Distribution
It is a shrub (Fig.3 a) commonly found in waste places, along road sides, as weeds in garden and in forests. It is distributed throughout India.

Common name    :    English- Red hot cat’s tail
        Odia- Bilei lanja
Family    :    Euphorbiaceae

Habit & Distribution
The plant usually seen along the road sides and often grown in gardens (fig 4 a).

General Characters
It is a bushy shrub grows up to 1.8 to 3.7 meters in height. The leaves are ever green, oval, 10-23 cm long and 7.5-10 cm in width with pointed ends. Flowers are borne in attractive shades, ranging in colour from deep purple to bright red and clustered in velvety catkins, which are about 30-50 cm long. The plant flowers throughout the year.