Identification of a diverse mini‐core panel of Indian rice germplasm based on genotyping using microsatellite markers

Identification of a small core germplasm set representing the available genetic diversity is essential for its proper evaluation and subsequent utilization in rice improvement programmes. For constituting a small diverse mini‐core panel of Indian rice germplasm, a representative set of 6912 accessions drawn based on their geographic origin from the whole rice germplasm collection available in the National Gene Bank was genotyped using 36 microsatellite markers. Automated fragment analysis of amplicons yielded a total of 435 alleles, with an average 12.4 and range of 3–29 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.08 (RGNMS190) to 0.86 (RM552) with an average of 0.528. Based on genotyping data, a mini‐core consisting of 98 genotypes was identified. Ninety‐four per cent of the alleles present in the core set were present in the mini‐core. The identified small but diverse panel will be useful for further intensive trait‐specific evaluation and utilization in allele mining.     

Antiarthritic gold compounds effectively quench electronically excited singlet oxygen

Although certain gold [Au(I)] compounds have been used effectively in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis for some years, the molecular basis for such therapeutic action has been unclear. One possible mechanism of the action of Au(I) compounds is that they protect unsaturated membrane lipids and proteins against oxidative degradation caused by activated phagocytes that are not properly regulated. In this study it has been shown that superoxide ion (O-2.), a product of activated phagocytes, can be oxidized to electronically excited singlet oxygen (O1(2)delta g), an agent that is capable of peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acid derivatives. It has also been shown that antiarthritic Au(I) compounds are effective deactivators of O1(2)delta g with quenching constants on the order of 10(7) M-1 sec-1.     

Studies on the association of Aspergillus fumigatus with ocular infections in animals

The occurrence and aetiological significance of Aspergillus fumigatus, an opportunistic pathogen, have been studied in 93 animals with various ophthalmological problems. A total of 93 eye swabs collected from 35 mules, 26 dogs, 13 fowl, 11 cattle, five buffaloes and three camels were investigated mycologically for the presence of A fumigatus. The pathogen was isolated in pure and heavy growth from the swabs from two dogs, one bull, one mule and one fowl. The fungus was also demonstrated directly in clinical material by the potassium hydroxide technique. A fumigatus could not be cultured from the buffaloes and camels. All the five cases had been treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and cortisone and two had received traumatic injury to the eyes (one mule and a bull). The organism was not isolated in pure culture from the conjunctival swabs of 22 apparently healthy animals (11 dogs, six mules, three fowl and two cattle). Many other saprophytic fungi were recovered in mixed cultures but were considered to be contaminants. The clinical signs and diagnostic criteria of oculomycosis have been discussed.     

Pseudocercospora kaiseri sp. nov. causing a necrotic leaf spot of Erythrina

A new species, Pseudocercospora kaiseri, causing leaf spot of Erythrina stricta Roxb. from India is described and illustrated.     

Effects of dieldrin and sumithion on the amino acid nitrogen and proteins in the haemolymph of desert locust Schistocerca gregaria Forsk

The changes in amino acid nitrogen, proline, and proteins in the haemolymph of desert locusts at different stages of dieldrin and sumithion posioning are reported using techniques of colorimetry, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Sephadex gel chromatography, and electro-gel chromatography.Both the insecticides did not alter amino acid nitrogen and proline titers during the initial stages of poisoning. However, drastic changes were noted at the later stages. In comparison to amino acid nitrogen, the depletion in proline content was of much higher magnitude. Initially the protein content of haemolymph depleted and increased significantly at the acute poisoning stage. Several changes in the electrophoregrams and protein elution profiles were noted in the haemolymph samples of treated insects. Many new proteins were detected in treated insects and their molecular weights, diffusion coefficients, and Stoke's radii are reported.These results are discussed in relation to current ideas of protein metabolism in insects. Further, a possible role of haemolymph proteins as insecticide carriers has been postulated.     

Anesthesia and acoustic stress-induced intra-uterine growth retardation in mice

Stress interferes with reproduction, adversely influencing implantation and fetal growth, and sometimes even leading to abortion. Here, we attempted to evaluate the early gestational effects of uncomfortable sound on pregnant mice and their offspring. Ten-week-old pregnant Jcl:ICR mice were exposed to sound (100 dB, random frequency between 9-34 kHz) for 8 hours on the 3(rd), 5(th) and 7(th) gestational days (GD). The effects of general anesthesia were also investigated, with or without acoustic stress. All groups were examined on the 18(th) GD for fetal growth. Fetal weight, number of ossified sacrococcygeal vertebrae and placental weight were all significantly reduced (P<0.0001) when stress was induced on the 7(th) GD, but not on the 3(rd) or 5(th) GD. This intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) was significantly inhibited by general anesthesia (P<0.0001), although general anesthesia alone induced significant IUGR (P<0.0001) when compared with control mice. This suggests that acoustic exposure indirectly exerts an effect on fetal growth, possibly via a psycho-maternal pathway. We also found that analysis of the number of ossified sacrococcygeal vertebrae is the most sensitive tool for the study of IUGR.     

Nucleotide sequence and vaccinia expression of the nucleoprotein of a highly virulent, neurotropic strain of Newcastle disease virus

The nucleoprotein (NP) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was selected to study the relative importance of an internal structural protein in the avian immune response. The NP gene of the virulent, neurotropic NDV Texas GB (TGB) strain was cloned and sequenced. Nucleotide sequence data for the NP gene allowed comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences for the NP genes of NDV-TGB and the avirulent duck isolate NDV-D26. These comparisons demonstrated an 89% nucleotide sequence homology and a 97% homology between the deduced amino acid sequences. The NDV-TGB NP expressed in recombinant vaccinia virus (rVAC) was electrophoretically and immunologically identical to the wild-type NDV-TGB. Although inoculation of chickens with the recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the NDV NP gene elicited anti-NDV antibodies in higher titers than in birds inoculated with live LaSota NDV, this strong anti-NDV response did not protect against lethal challenge with NDV-TGB.     

Genetic parameter estimates for reproductive traits in Chokla ewes of India

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Early selection of ewes for better reproductive performance may reduce generation interval and increase genetic gains. Considering this, the present study...     

beta-Lactam resistance and beta-lactamases in bacteria of animal origin

beta-Lactams are among the most clinically important antimicrobials in both human and veterinary medicine. Bacterial resistance to beta-lactams has been increasingly observed in bacteria, including those of animal origin. The mechanisms of beta-lactam resistance include inaccessibility of the drugs to their target, target alterations and/or inactivation of the drugs by beta-lactamases. The latter contributes predominantly to beta-lactam resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. A variety of beta-lactamases have been identified in bacteria derived from food-producing and companion animals and may further serve as a reservoir for beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in humans. While this review mainly describes beta-lactamases from animal-derived Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., beta-lactamases from animal-derived Campylobacter spp., Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and other pathogens are also discussed. Of particular concern are the increasingly-isolated plasmid-encoded AmpC-type CMY and extended-spectrum CTX-M beta-lactamases, which mediate acquired resistance to extended-spectrum beta-lactams. The genes encoding these enzymes often coexist with other antimicrobial resistance determinants and can also be associated with transposons/integrons, increasing the potential enrichment of multidrug resistant bacteria by multiple antimicrobial agents as well as dissemination of the resistance determinants among bacterial species. Characterization of beta-lactam-resistant animal-derived bacteria warrants further investigation of the type and distribution of beta-lactamases in bacteria of animal origin and their potential impact on human medicine.