Microbial mineralization of humic acid-3,4-dichloroaniline complexes

3,4-Dichloroaniline (DCA), a biodegradation intermediate of numerous herbicides, binds covalently to soil humus to form persistent complexes. Prompted by the possibility that, upon repeated treatments, xenobiotic residues may accumulate in humus, the turnover rates of intact, solvent-extracted, and hydrolyzed humic complexes of ¹⁴C-DCA were compared with that of similarly-treated soil organic matter fractions. The turnover rate of intact humic-DCA complexes was considerably faster than the average turnover of soil organic matter. Humic-DCA complexes, that had been washed in solvents to remove adsorbed DCA or hydrolyzed to break susceptible chemical bonds, had turnover rates that were equal to or slower than that of the average soil organic matter, respectively. However, the turnover rates of the solvent-washed and hydrolyzed humic-DCA complexes were similar to that of identically-treated humic acid. The evidence indicates that an extensive accumulation of DCA or similar herbicide-derived halogenated anilines in soil organic matter is unlikely.     

Inheritance of plumage colour variations in a large flock of Japanese quail

1. The inheritance of various plumage colour variants and their underlying interactions were investigated in a large flock of Japanese quail maintained at CARI (India) by conducting reciprocal crosses between four breeding stocks inheriting Pharaoh, White Breasted, White and Brown plumages, followed by test crosses. 2. Based on the proportion of plumage-colour types in the progeny, putative genotypes were determined for parents and offspring for each of the crosses. 3. The White and Brown phenotypes were attributed to the Panda (S) and Roux (Br) loci respectively in agreement with contemporary quail stocks. 4. The White Breasted plumage type present in our stock was caused by a novel mutation with dominant gene action at an autosomal locus that was not allelic to either Panda or the White feather locus. 5. A recessive epistatic action of the Panda locus (S) on White Breasted (Wb) resulted in a White colour phenotype. 6. A novel phenotype, White Breasted-Brown was co-expressed with the Br and Wb loci. 7. It was concluded that breeding for customized feather colour phenotypes in Japanese quail using colour mutations was feasible and would be advantageous in order to overcome the limitations of legislation to protect wildlife in India.     

Assessment of genetic diversity in cabbage cultivars using RAPD and SSR markers

Genetic relationship and diversity among seven cabbage cultivars were analyzed using RAPD and SSR markers. These cultivars are of great commercial value in India and are confirmed for their reaction to black rot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. However, so far the extent of genetic diversity and relatedness has not been studied in these cultivars. A total of 17 selected RAPD primers generated 90 bands, 76 of which were polymorphic (84.44%). In addition, 27 selected SSR primers generated 67 amplified bands with 59 of which were polymorphic (87.6%). Though both the marker techniques were able to discriminate the cultivars effectively, analysis of combined data of markers (RAPD and SSR) resulted in better distinction of cultivars. By combining both the markers, a total of 157 bands were detected of which 135 bands (85.98%) were polymorphic, i.e. an average of 5.95 bands per primer. High level of polymorphism (> 85%) recorded with two different marker systems indicated a high level of genetic variation existing among the cultivars. Genetic relationship estimated using similarity co-efficient (Jaccard’s) values between different pairs of cultivars varied from 0.21 to 0.77 in RAPD, 0.42 to 0.82 in SSR, and 0.43 to 0.89 with combined markers. A high correspondence had been recorded between the values of genetic variations generated by UPGMA, clustering, and scatter plot diagrams. The cultivars ‘January King Sel. Improved’ and ‘Golden Acre’ are highly divergent cultivars as demonstrated by both the marker systems.     

Disturbance of oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium in horses naturally infected with Trypanosoma evansi

Oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium disturbance has already been reported in trypanosome infections by several authors. The present study was aimed to explore the possible oxidant/antioxidant disturbance in surra of naturally infected horses before and after treatment. Fifteen naturally infected horses were chosen to analyse erythrocytic indices, platelet counts, lipid peroxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) while six healthy animals acted as control. There was a highly significant (P<0.001) reduction in red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and platelet levels and a significant reduction in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (P<0.05) was noticed. A highly significant increase in NO (P<0.001), a significant increase in LPO (P<0.05) and a significant decrease in GSH, SOD and CAT (P<0.05) were found. A negative correlation of RBC count with LPO (r=-0.844) and nitrate (r=-0.702) while a positive correlation with GSH (r=0.489), SOD (r=0.580) and CAT (r=0.689) was observed. All the animals were treated with Quinapyramine sulphate (3mg/kg s.c.) only once. Nine animals recovered completely without any side effects. The recovered animals were monitored and samples were collected every seven days for up to 21 days and parameters were analysed. After treatment, a significant increase in haematological parameters was noticed whereas the oxidative indices varied without any statistical significance. To conclude, the increase in oxidant parameters and decrease in antioxidant enzymes in infected horses indicates the disturbance of oxidant/antioxidant indices. There was a significant increase in post therapy haematological values, while the oxidant/antioxidant indices changed insignificantly indicating that antioxidants might be supplemented in the therapeutic regimen.     

Modulation of Ovarian Function in Female Dogs Immunized with Bovine Luteinizing Hormone Receptor

Adult female dogs were immunized with 0.5 mg bovine luteinizing hormone receptor (LH-R) encapsulated in a silastic subdermal implant and subsequently with four intramuscular booster injections of 0.1 mg LH-R each. Circulating LH-R antibody was detected in the sera 3 weeks post-implant. The appearance of LH-R antibody was associated with a decline in the serum progesterone concentrations to a range of 0–0.5 ng/ml until day 365 in the immunized dogs in comparison with a range of 5–10 ng in the control animals, suggesting a lack of ovulation and corpus luteum function in immunized dogs. The immunized dogs did not show signs of `standing heat' and failed to ovulate when induced by LH-RH challenge. Serum oestradiol levels, however, remained in the range of 30–40 pg/ml in both the immunized and the control dogs. With the decline in the antibody titres, the hormonal profile and vaginal cytology returned to a fertile state and the dogs exhibited signs of `standing heat', as well as vaginal bleeding. Dogs immunized with LH-R did not show any serious metabolic, local or systemic adverse effects. The hypothalamic–pituitary gonadal axis remained intact as indicated by little difference in pituitary LH levels between control and immunized animals, and by the release of LH by LH-RH challenge. These studies demonstrate that active immunization of female dogs with LH-R could immunomodulate ovarian function to cause a reversible state of infertility. It may be postulated that, due to extensive interspecies homology, a recombinant LH receptor-based immunocontraceptive vaccine may also be effective in other vertebrates.     

Assessment of Genetic Variability in the Coding Sequence of Melatonin Receptor Gene (MTNR1A) in Tropical Arid Sheep Breeds of India

Seasonal behaviour in sheep, which varies in tropical and temperate environmental conditions, is a matter of study, because it can provide a clue to address the problem of seasonality in sheep. Melatonin receptor is the membrane‐bound G‐coupled receptor, sensing the message of photoperiodic cues thorough melatonin. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) studies were carried out to assess the variability of gene at G612A and C606T SNPs in MTNR1A gene, which have been studied to be markers for out‐of‐season breeding. Allelic frequency distribution corresponded to higher frequency of GG and CC genotype, in tropical arid sheep breed in comparison with temperate region sheep breed. PCR amplification of MTNR1A gene of 30 animals was performed and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identification was carried out using Lasergene software. Seven SNPs/mutations were identified, but most of them were synonymous, except the one G706A, leading to substitution of valine by isoleucine. Polyphen‐2 analysis of G706A mutation revealed that it is a benign mutation. Two important SNPs C426T and G555A, which were identified in temperate sheep breeds, could not be traced in Magra and Marwari breeds of sheep. Thus, the Magra and Marwari breeds of tropical, arid region demonstrated the presence of both polymorphic SNPs markers G612A and C606T, associated with out‐of‐season breeding. GG and CC genotypes were having a higher prevalence in the studied population.     

Variation and Correlation of Properties in Different Grades of Maple Syrup

Thirty five commercial maple syrups from twelve producers in Southern Ontario were evaluated for properties including light transmittance, autofluorescence, density, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), glucose and fructose content, total phenol content, antioxidant potential and mineral content (Mg, Mn, P, Zn, Ca, K, Fe and Pb). A high degree of variability was found in many characteristics, often exceeding an order of magnitude. Syrups were categorized based on light transmission at 560 nm into amber (12), dark (13) and very dark (10) using International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI) guidelines. No statistical differences were found among grades of syrup for density, pH, TSS, glucose, fructose, total reducing sugars, glucose:fructose ratio, magnesium, manganese or potassium. Darker syrups showed significantly higher autofluorescence, total phenol content, antioxidant potential, phosphorous, calcium and total mineral content. Significant negative correlations of percent transmission with total phenol content, antioxidant potential and total mineral content are reported. Significant positive correlations among total phenol content, antioxidant potential and total mineral content are also described. The results from this study suggest that darker syrups tend to contain more beneficial traits and may be applied in developing functional foods and value added products.     

Integrated control of root-knot disease in three crop plants using chitin and Paecilomyces lilacinus

Paedlomyces lilacinus, a rhizospherc inhabiting nematophagous fungus, along with chitin was evaluated in sterilized soil for the suppression of Meloidogyne incognita, causal agent of root-knot disease in Solanum melongena, Lycopersicon esculentum and Cicer arietinum. The soil was subjected to various treatments. The plant growth after 30, 60 and 90 days was assessed in terms of shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh and dry wt. and number of galls/g root fresh wt. Combination of fungus with chitin enhanced suppression of Meloidogyne incognita more than using them alone.     

Sulfur dioxide resistance of Indian trees I. Experimental evaluation of visible symptoms and SO 2 sorption

Saplings of 12 species of common Indian trees were exposed to varying concentration of SO₂ to determine the level of SO₂ causing no injury, mild injury and severe injury in plants. The following order of sensitivity was emerged, T. indica > P. dulce > M. indica > F. rumphii > H. integrifolia > B. ceiba > F. bengalensis > A. indica > F. religiosa > S. cuminii > P. guajava > F. racemosa. SO₂ sorption was extremely low in T. indica and M. indica while F. religiosa and F. racemosa exhibited best efficiency of SO₂ Aorption. A correlation was found between the efficiency of SO₂ sorption and alkalinity of cytoplasmic pH. Similarly plants rich in sulfite oxidase, in general, exhibited a better resistance. No single intrinsic factor could be held responsible for the manifested response of a tree towards SO₂.     

HPTLC analysis of guggulsterone isomers in Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari: an endangered oleo-gum resin species heading towards extinction

The oleo-gum resin of Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari, a pharmacologically important balsamiferous woody shrub, has been used in treating various ailments and disorders since ancient times (2000 B.C.) due to the presence of steroidal compound guggulsterone. Two bioactive isomers of guggulsterone, E and Z, are responsible for lipid- and cholesterol-lowering and anti-cancerous activities. Further, guggul has been approved as food supplement by US-FDA as well as Council of Europe. Indiscriminate harvest of C. wightii from wild with negligible conservation efforts has lead to its inclusion in IUCN assemblage of endangered plant species. For identification of high guggulsterone yielding ecotypes of C. wightii, using high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) analysis, stem samples were collected from 50 plants from eleven locations in arid tracts of Haryana, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Dried, powdered material was subjected to extraction with petroleum ether using soxhlet apparatus. Samples were spotted on precoated activated silica plates (60F-254) and were developed using toluene–acetone (9:1 v/v) as mobile phase. The analysis was carried out in the absorbance mode at 250 nm using HPTLC scanner. The regression analysis data for the calibration plots for E and Z guggulsterone showed good linear relationship with R² = 1 and 0.9897, respectively. Highest concentration of guggulsterone E (284 μg/g dry wt) was found in the accession collected from Palana, Bikaner whereas highest guggulsterone Z concentration (89.5 μg/g dry wt) was found in the accession collected from CAZRI, Jodhpur.