Abstract: The Watson-Crick double helix is unable to explain the topological difficulties in DNA replication satisfactorily. Disproved by several experiments, the classical double helix model needs an amendment from plectonemically to ambidextrously.  The present hypothesis not only can remove the topological troubles in DNA replication, but also can explain some extraordinary phenomena that are normally beyond comprehension. Several predictions were proposed for testing the validity of this amendment.

Abstract: The role of Indigenous knowledge of fishers in Ekperiama along Ogbia Creek was assessed for its quality between August 2013 and April 2015. Quality time was spent with the fishers to study their daily activities. During this period one of the authors (SA) embarked on monthly trips to the community where she stayed for eight days a month. She participated in the daily life of the people and worked regularly with the local fishers, to gain as wide as possible understanding of the local fishing system. Interviews were conducted on monthly basis to obtain knowledge about habitats, spawning, recruitment, fish diet, and the trophic network of the Sciaenid community. Information collected was systematically compared with that of scientific information collected in parallel surveys and with published data for reliability. Indigenous knowledge compared favourably with scientific knowledge in the different areas investigated. In the event of limited resources, Indigenous knowledge could be used as a supplementary source of scientific studies and basis for new scientific investigation to obtain knowledge relating to the entire creek.

Abstract: Some pregnant women crave for non-food items with little or no nutritional value. This is called pica. The purpose of this study was to find the prevalence of pica behaviour among pregnant women residing in rural and urban environs of Bibiani-Anhwiaso Bekwai District in the Western Region of Ghana and to evaluate the possible medical risk associated with the pica practices. A total of 400 pregnant women who were receiving antenatal care at two health centres, Divine Love hospital and Bibiani government hospital were interviewed using a questionnaire. Information on maternal haemoglobin levels, blood pressures as well as available birth weights of babies of the pregnant women were recorded based on their medical records. The prevalence of pica in the total population studied was 30.25% (n= 121) with a prevalence of 63.64% (n=77) in the rural group and 36.36% (n = 44) in the urban group. The ingestion of white clay (61.16%), red clay (16.53%) and ice (8.26%) were high among the pregnant women. White clay (58.44%, n=45) was the common pica item among the rural group and ice (20.45%, n=9) recorded the highest in the urban group. Haemoglobin levels of pregnant women practising pica were lower than the non-pica pregnant women in all the three trimesters of pregnancy (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean birth weight of babies born to pica and non-pica pregnant women (p>0.05). These findings suggest that pica is prevalent among pregnant women in the District and hence the need for education to create awareness. There is also the need to educate pregnant women about healthy nutritional practices.

Abstract: Three months after typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines, the mangrove forest and seagrass bed in Eastern Samar, Philippines was assessed to determine the extent of damage by comparing the status of mangrove and seagrass in the same area in 2009. A 10 m X 10 m plot was used for mangrove assessment and 0.50 x 0.50 m quadrat for seagrass assessment. The extent of mangrove damage in terms of tree density and basal area were 86 percent and 68 percent, respectively; while the saplings and seedlings density were 79 and 93 percent, respectively. Sonneratia is the only species with high percentage of survival. Typhoon Yolanda did not negatively affect the condition of the seagrass, instead it contributed to the increase of density of E. acoroides by 40 percent and C. rotundata by 18 percent but it decreased the density of T. hemprichii by 29 percent. Damaged mangrove areas should be replanted with Sonneratia and Avicennia species, which are found to be storm surge resilient, especially in the seaward zone. However other species previously present in the area should also be planted to maintain biodiversity.

Abstract: Land snails are models for studying the effects of pesticides and influence of the activities of man in altering the environment. The loss and fragmentation of natural forests is the most significant threat to Sri Lankan land snail fauna. In this study the authors have looked into how forest transformation into human habitations affect the distribution of land snails and there species composition. A plot sampling method for land snails was carried out along elevation gradients and the results suggested that more endemic species are confined to natural forests than home gardens. Exotic species were found only in altered home gardens. Species diversity and evenness were highest in the disturbed home garden habitat than natural forest. It was evident that both natural forests and home gardens can act as conservation sites for threatened land snail species. However, it is recommended that negative impacts of forest transformation in to home gardens can be reduced if the home gardens are maintained in a manner which resembles the adjacent natural forest.

Abstract: Aims and Objectives: To show the efficacy of guggul and combined effects of guggul and atrovastatin drugs on lipid profile in those people who are suffering from cardiovascular problems due to mixed hyperlipidemia. Methods: Data regarding lipid profile from 45 familial combined hyperlipidemic people (age ≥30 yrs) of Kalyani township area of the District Nadia, West Bengal, India, who use guggul or both guggul and atrovastatin drugs (prescribed by their physician) regularly for their cardiovascular problems. Data were analyzed using z-statistics at both 5% and 1% level of significance. Results: Long term use of guggul effectively lowers only serum triglycerides with elevated total-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, but after combined therapy of guggul and atrovastatin shows very good beneficial effects on serum lipid profile level. Conclusion: The regular use of both guggul and atrovastatin drugs may be an effective hypolipidemic measure in FCH people to protect from their future cardiovascular disorders. 

Abstract: A total of 271 stool specimens were collected at random among pupils (Almajiris) in some“Quranic” schools of age range 5 – 25 years.These schools mostly are gender biased and comprises of males. The stools were processed and examined by standard techniques. we found the prevalence of intestinal parasitism among the “Almajiris”in this study to be (202)74.5%; of this proportion, children of age group 5 – 10 years make the largest population (42.8%) and also constitute the highest group infected (38.4%). This was followed by the age group 11 – 15 years both in number and in infection rate 81(29.9%) and 66(24.4%) respectively. The least infected group is age group 21 -25 years 1(0.4%). We observed that 254(93.7%) of the “Almajiri” live on begging while 17(6.3%) have other means of livelihood. The prevalence of parasitic infection among the beggars was found to be(200)73.8%and only (2)0.7% of none beggars were infected. We also observed that the prevalence of parasitic infection decreases as the years of duration of stay in the dormitory increases in the following trend: those with less than one year stay have 31.0% followed by 1 -2 years, 3 - 4 years and 5 years and above with prevalence of infection of 28.0%, 12.2% and 3.3% respectively. In this study, Hookworm was found to have the highest frequency of 46.0% followed by Ascaris lumbricoides with 20.0% and the least is Giadia lamblia with 2.0%. The co-infection rate was found to be 20.0%. The prevalence of intestinal parasite among the “Almajiris” school children living in urban city of Sokoto is high.

Abstract: Now-a-days, hypertension is a serious emerging cardiovascular problem throughout the world. The main aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of hypertension according to the anthropometric factors within the Scheduled Caste community of the District Nadia, West Bengal, India. Methods: A house-to-house population based survey was conducted within the Scheduled Caste community of the district Nadia, West Bengal, India, by the author (Dr. Maharaj Biswas) himself, interviewed the participants using pretested structured standard questionnaire. Data regarding hypertension (age, sex, weight, height, waist, hip, salt intake, oil intake, blood pressure etc.) were taken carefully from 2,453 participants between 10.00am–4.00pm. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and z-statistic. Results: The overall crude prevalence of pre-hypertension, ISH, IDH, normotensive and SDH were 20.09%, 7.54%, 6.48%, 50.02% and 15.85% respectively in the studied people. Both chi-square test and z-test identified that both blood pressure and hypertension were significantly associated with increasing BMI and WHR. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension provided a significant increase within the Scheduled Caste Community of the District Nadia, West Bengal, India based on certain anthropometric factors.

Abstract: Allele frequencies do not change when transmitted over generations if there is random mating, no genetic drift, mutations, etc. as per Hardy-Weinberg’s Law. If the gene frequencies are p and q, the genotype frequency will be p2 , 2pq , q2 respectively for the dominant, the heterozygotes and the recessive in a two allele system.  In this present study total of 16 genetically transmitted morphological characters were taken into account to find out whether their distribution and transmission followed Hardy Weinberg’s law or not.  516 samples were analysed from Punjab (Ferozpur, Moga, Nawashahar, Patiala, Khanna, Ludhiana, Jalandhar,  Hoshiarpur,  Mansa,  Bhatinda, Muktsar, Faridkot). When there is higher degree of deviation than expected on application of chi square test it ascertains that certain forces like natural selection, genetic drift, non-random mating etc. have a more profound effect on the distribution of genetically transmitted autosomal characters. It was observed that in the region of Punjab 5 characters showed higher degree of deviation than expected.