Feline leukemia virus detection by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue from cats with lymphosarcoma.

The prevalence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen and DNA was assessed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues from 70 cats with lymphosarcoma (LSA). Tissue sections were tested for FeLV gp70 antigen using avidinbiotin complex (ABC) immunohistochemistry (IHC); DNA was extracted and purified from the same tissue blocks for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a 166 base pair region of the FeLV long terminal repeat (LTR). Results were related to antemortem FeLV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serum p27 antigen, anatomic site of LSA, and patient age. Viral DNA was detected by PCR in 80% of cases and viral antigen by IHC in 57% of cases. Seventeen cases were PCR-positive and IHC-negative; one case was PCR-negative and IHC-positive. Clinical records included FeLV ELISA results for 30 of 70 cats. All 19 ELISA-positive cats were positive by PCR and IHC; of the 11 ELISA-negative cats that were negative by IHC, seven were positive by PCR. When evaluated according to anatomic site, FeLV DNA and antigen were detected less frequently in intestinal LSAs than in multicentric and mediastinal tumors. Lymphosarcoma tissues from cats < 7 yr were several fold more likely to be positive for FeLV antigen by IHC than were tumors from cats > or = 7 yr. However, there was no significant difference in PCR detection of FeLV provirus between LSAs from cats < 7 yr and those > or = 7 yr.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of biocontrol agents and biofertilizers on root rot,yield, harvest index and nutrient uptake of cassava (Manihot esculanta Crantz)

Cassava is an important subsidiary food and industrial raw material in the tropics. Root rot disease, caused by Phytophthora palmivora, poses a serious threat to cassava cultivation in Tamil Nadu, India. Field experiments (2008–09) were conducted to study the effect of biocontrol agents (Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens) and biofertilizers (Azospirillum, vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria) on root rot, yield, harvest index and nutrient uptake of cassava at two NPK rates. The design of the experiment was a split plot with two NPK rates, recommended and 50% recommended rate, as the main plot treatments and five biocontrol agents and biofertilizers as subplot treatments. The results clearly indicated that use of a bioinoculants consortium significantly reduced root rot infection/disease incidence over uninoculated controls. Azospirillum significantly improved the yield of cassava at 50% of the recommended rate of NPK. NPK rates had no significant impact on harvest index of cassava and Trichoderma and vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi resulted in a higher harvest index even at 50% of the recommended NPK rate. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake was significantly improved when treated with biofertilizers and/or a consortium.     

Genetic resources of wild tuberous food plants traditionally used in Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India

The subterranean parts of many wild plants form an important constituent of traditional diet of the tribal inhabitants of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha especially in times of food scarcity during critical periods. However, no specific study has been made so far on this aspect. The present study was conducted during 2008–2012 as a search for sources of food and to assess the dietary diversity, consumption pattern, culinary uses and prioritized species of wild tuberous plants sustained by local tribes. The exploration and germplasm collection missions along with intensive botanical survey, focus group discussions, structured household interview and market survey were conducted in 30 villages interacting with 102 key informants of core and buffer zones. A total of 55 wild edible tuberous species representing 37 genera and 24 families were inventoried including 17 species used during food deficiency to meet seasonal shortages. The analyzed data contributed 5 use categories, 4 preparation methods, 7 kinds of food items, 10 species as children snacks, 35 species of pharma-foods and 20 prioritized species. Ten species were domesticated by tribes thus reducing threats on wild tubers and 20 species were traded in local markets to generate additional income exemplifying economic benefits from wild tubers. Seventeen species were identified as novel uses of food items from India. The findings suggested that the nutritional profile along with pharmaceutical attributes of preferred wild food plants be analyzed for recommending suitable species for better nutrition and development of nutraceuticals. Further, many genetic resources of these wild tuberous species of agri-horticultural importance constitute the wild genepool hence their economic and breeding potential along with desirable attributes need to be investigated for utilization in crop improvement programmes.     

Chemiluminescence of canine peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated by mitogens

Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of peripheral blood lymphocytes from dogs stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A) or phytohemagglutinin P (PHA) was measured with a Pico-Lite luminometer. 10 microliter of luminol gave optimal quantum yield from 1 X 10(6) lymphocytes sensitized with either 80 micrograms Con A or 160 micrograms PHA. Addition of superoxide dismutase did not influence the course of chemiluminescence. Whereas catalase produced 41% increase in quantum yield, mannitol caused a 51% inhibition of chemiluminescence. Lymphocytes exposed to varying doses of short term x-irradiation or lymphocytes isolated from dogs kept under continuous exposure through a gamma irradiation source showed dose-related depression of chemiluminescence. Membrane factors may be involved in lymphocyte stimulation to chemiluminescence as pulse experiments with Con A and PHA revealed. It is proposed that chemiluminescence measurements may be useful in monitoring early events in lymphocyte stimulation by antigens and mitogens.     

Development of a murine ocular posterior segment explant culture for the study of intravitreous vector delivery

The objective of this study was to develop a murine retinal/choroidal/scleral explant culture system to facilitate the intravitreous delivery of vectors. Posterior segment explants from adult mice of 2 different age groups (4 wk and 15 wk) were cultured in serum-free medium for variable time periods. Tissue viability was assessed by gross morphology, cell survival quantification, activated caspase-3 expression, and immunohistochemistry. To model ocular gene therapy, explants were exposed to varying transducing units of a lentiviral vector expressing the gene for green fluorescent protein for 48 h. Explant retinal cells remained viable for approximately 1 wk, although the ganglion cell layer developed apoptosis between 4 and 7 d. Following vector infusion into the posterior segment cups, viral transduction was noted in multiple retinal layers in both age groups. An age of donor mouse influence was noted and older mice did not transduce as well as younger mice. This explant offers an easily managed posterior segment ocular culture with minimum disturbance of the tissue, and may be useful for investigating methods of enhancing retinal gene therapy under controlled conditions.     

Treatment of wheat straw using tannase and white-rot fungus to improve feed utilization by ruminants

Background

Current research to enrich cattle feed has primarily focused on treatment using white rot fungi, while there are scarce reports using the enzyme tannase, which is discussed only in reviews or in the form of a hypothesis. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of tannase on wheat straw (WS) and also the effect of lyophilized tannase at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% (w/w) on WS followed by fermentation with Ganoderma sp. for 10 d and compared in relation to biochemical parameters, crude protein (CP) content, and nutritional value by calculating the C/N ratio in order to improve the nutritional value of cattle feed.

Results

Penicillium charlesii, a tannase-producing microorganism, produced 61.4 IU/mL of tannase in 54 h when 2% (w/v) tannic acid (TA) was initially used as a substrate in medium containing (% w/v) sucrose (1.0), NaNO₃ (1.0), and MgSO₄ (0.08 pH, 5.0) in a 300-L fermentor (working volume 220 L), and concomitantly fed with 1.0% (w/v) TA after 24 h. The yield of partially purified and lyophilized tannase was 5.8 IU/mg. The tannin-free myco-straw at 0.1% (w/w) tannase showed 37.8% (w/w) lignin degradation with only a 20.4% (w/w) decrease in cellulose content and the in vitro feed digestibility was 32.2%. An increase in CP content (up to 1.28-fold) along with a lower C/N ratio of 25.0%, as compared to myco-straw, was obtained.

Conclusions

The use of tannin-free myco-straw has potential to improve the nutritional content of cattle feed. This biological treatment process was safe, eco-friendly, easy to perform, and was less expensive as compared to other treatment methods.     

Irrigation and Nutrient Effects on Growth and Water–Yield Relationship of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Central India

Increasing production of wheat from a limited water supply can result from efficient irrigation and nutrient management. A 3‐year field experiment was conducted at the Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, to study the growth, yield, seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) and water use efficiency (WUE), and the water–yield relationship of wheat in a soybean–wheat cropping system on vertisols. Three levels of irrigation, viz. I₀, no post‐sowing irrigation; I₁, two irrigations [crown root initiation (CRI) and flowering stage]; and I₂, three irrigations (CRI, maximum tillering and flowering stage) and three nutrient management treatments, viz. F₀, control (without fertilizer/manure); F₁, 100 % NPK (100–21.5–24.9 kg ha^?1); and F₂, 100 % NPK + farmyard manure (FYM‐10 t ha^?1) were tested in a split‐plot design with three replication. It has been established (through anova ) that the year effect was rather negligible and the interaction effects of irrigation and nutrient management on the growth parameters, ET, yield components, yield and WUE were significant. Plant height, progressive leaf area index, dry matter accumulation and crop growth rate were higher in I₂F₂, and I₂F₁ and I₁F₂ were statistically at par. The seasonal ET increased significantly with the increase in water supply in every nutrient treatment and it was highest in I₂F₂ and lowest in I₀F₀. The highest grain yield was obtained in I₂F₂; and a similar yield was recorded in I₃F₁ and I₂F₂. This shows a strong interaction effect between irrigation and nutrients. Yield components, viz. number of ears m^?2, number of grains ear^?1 and 1000‐grain weight were significant. The higher number of ears m^?2 containing greater number of grains with relatively heavier weights appeared to have contributed to the higher yield in I₁F₂, I₂F₁ and I₂F₂. The highest WUE obtained in I₀F₂ did not correspond to the highest yield and maximum ET, but a WUE of 10.43 kg ha^?1 mm^?1 in the I₂F₂ combination corresponded with the highest yield and the seasonal ET requirement was 391.8, which was 137 % greater than the water use at maximum WUE. The ET–grain yield relationship was linear, with a lowest regression slope (i.e. marginal WUE) and elasticity of water production (E_wp) in F₀ and a considerably higher slope and E_wp in F₁ and F₂. As the E_wp is positive and close to one in 100 % NPK treatment, the scope of improving WUE and yield with only inorganic fertilizer is very little, and relatively greater scope exists in the integrated management of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer. The results suggest that integrated nutrient management (100 % NPK + FYM) in conjunction with three irrigations maximized yield of wheat with concomitant improvement in ET and WUE under limited water availability.     

Relationship between Carbon Isotope Discrimination, Ash Content and Grain Yield in Wheat in the Peninsular Zone of India

Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) and ash content (m_a) have been proposed as indirect selection criteria for grain yield in wheat. The associations between Δ, m_a and grain yield were found, however, to depend highly on the environmental conditions, the organ sampled and the time of sampling. In this study, carried out in the warm conditions of the Peninsular Zone of India, the relationship between Δ, m_a and yield was studied in 30 bread and durum wheat cultivars under residual soil moisture stress (RSMS), post‐anthesis water stress (PAWS) and well‐watered (WW) conditions. Both Δ and m_a were analysed in young seedlings (four‐leaf stage), leaves at anthesis and grain at maturity. Ash content was also evaluated in leaves at booting stage and maturity. Grain Δ was lower under PAWS and RSMS than under WW, while seedling and leaf Δ did not significantly differ among water regimes. Grain yield was positively correlated to grain Δ under PAWS and negatively correlated to grain m_a under RSMS. A significant positive correlation was noted under RSMS and WW treatments between m_aL_m and grain yield. Ash content in leaf at maturity consequently appears to be a useful indirect selection criterion in environments where Δ does not show any correlation with yield. The results highlight the potential of Δ and m_a as indirect selection criteria for wheat yield in the conditions of the Peninsular Zone of India.