Comparative Expression Analysis of Gametogenesis‐Associated Genes in Foetal and Adult Bubaline (Bubalus bubalis) Ovaries and Testes

This study was conducted to identify and analyse the expression of gametogenesis‐associated genes and proteins in foetal and adult buffalo gonads of both the sexes. Relative quantification of the genes was determined by qPCR and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was also performed for various gametogenesis‐associated proteins in foetal and adult gonads of both the sexes. We observed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of primordial germ cell‐specific, meiotic as well as genes associated with oocyte maturation and development in foetal ovaries as compared to the adult ones. However, significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of proteins associated with oocyte maturation like GDF9 and ZP4 was found in adult ovaries, indicating temporal regulation of mRNA translation during oogenesis. Meiotic genes showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression in adult testes as compared to foetal testes and ovaries, indicating onset of meiosis at a later stage in spermatogenesis. In general, the expression of primordial germ cell‐associated as well as meiotic genes was higher in adult testes, indicating the increased biological activity in the organ. Immunohistochemistry revealed localized expression of gametogenesis‐associated proteins in ovarian follicles and seminiferous tubules of testes, while the surrounding somatic tissues were devoid of these proteins. The study gives an understanding of the sequential and temporal events of gene expression as well as mRNA translation during male and female gametogenesis. It could also be concluded that follicles and seminiferous tubules are the functional units of the female and male gonads, respectively, and their function could be enhanced by appropriate chemical and genetic intervention of the somatic tissue immediately surrounding them. This assumes importance in the context that buffalo attains sexual maturity at an older age of 2–3 years and have smaller ovaries with lesser number of primordial follicles in comparison with cattle, which is suggested to be the main reason of their poor breeding performance.     

Experimental evaluation of Pentas lanceolata flowers for wound healing activity in rats

The ethanolic extract of the flowers of Pentas lanceolata given by oral route to rats at dose of 150 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 10 days, was studied for its effect on wound healing, using excision wound mode. Significant increase in granulation tissue weight, tensile strength, hydroxyproline and glycosaminoglycan content was observed. Moderate increase in protein content was seen. There was significant reduction in the wound area measurement of the test group as compared to that of controls. The efficacious prohealing action may be due to increased collagen deposition as well as better alignment and maturation.     

Frequency and fertility restoration efficiency of Rf3 and Rf4 genes in Indian rice

Identification of new parental lines is crucial for developing ecology‐specific hybrids with ideal agronomic performance. We screened a total of 570 different ecology‐specific Indian rice varieties for the presence of fertility restorer genes, Rf3 and Rf4 using tightly linked markers DRRM Rf3‐10 and RM6100, respectively. Among these varieties, 13% carried Rf3Rf3/Rf4Rf4, 31% carried rf3rf3/rf4rf4, 6% carried Rf3Rf3/rf4rf4 and remaining 50% carried Rf4Rf4/rf3rf3 allelic combinations. A mini set of 40 varieties with variable allelic combinations of fertility restorer genes were testcrossed with WA and Kalinga‐based CMS lines. All the 80 F₁s were evaluated for spikelet fertility and fertility restoration ability. Rf3Rf3/rf4rf4 genotypes mostly behaved as partial maintainers or partial restorers. In contrast, rf3rf3/Rf4Rf4 genotypes were partial or effective restorers. However, double dominant genotypes showed better fertility restoration than the genotypes containing Rf3 or Rf4 individually. Some of the genotypes showed unexpected restoration pattern implying occurrence of other fertility restorer(s) apart from Rf3 and Rf4. The perfect restorers and maintainers identified in this study can be directly used in hybrid rice breeding.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Bambusa arundinacea and cross species amplification in other bamboos

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites was analysed in Bambusa arundinacea and cross species amplification studied in other bamboos. Microsatellites, tandem repeats of short nucleotide (1–6 bp) sequences, are the DNA marker of choice because of their highly polymorphic, ubiquitous distribution within the genome, ease of genotyping through Polymerase chain reaction, selectively neutral, co‐dominant and multiallelic nature. Six microsatellites, three polymorphic and three monomorphic have been characterized for the first time in a bamboo species, Bambusa arundinacea belonging to the family Poaceae. The numbers of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 13. Cross species amplification was tested in 18 other bamboo species. Monomorphic simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were found to be cross amplified in most of the species tested and polymorphic ones in only three to four species. The utility of SSR loci in a genetic diversity study of B. arundinacea and other cross‐amplified bamboo species has been discussed. This study will help in population genetic studies in bamboo species.     

Thermal degradation of anthocyanins from purple potato (cv. Purple Majesty) and impact on antioxidant capacity

Degradation parameters of purified anthocyanins from purple-fleshed potato (cv. Purple Majesty) heated at high temperatures (100-150 °C) were determined. Purified anthocyanins, prepared by removing salts, sugars, and colorless nonanthocyanin phenolics from the crude extract, were monitored and quantified using HPLC and spectrophotometry for heat-induced degradation products. Separation of colorless phenolics from the anthocyanins was confirmed using HPLC at two wavelengths, 280 and 520 nm. The degradation kinetics of purified anthocyanins followed a first-order reaction with reaction rate constants (k values) of 0.0262-0.2855 min(-1), an activation energy of 72.89 kJ/mol, thermal death times (D values) of 8.06-8789 min, and a z value of 47.84 °C over the temperature range of 100-150 °C. The enthalpy and entropy of activation were 59.97 kJ/mol and -116.46 J/mol·K, respectively. The antioxidant capacity in the purified anthocyanins, measured by DPPH and ABTS assays, was increased after the thermal treatment, indicating antioxidant activities of degradation products in the samples.     

Role of gastrointestinal microbiota in fish

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract of an animal consists of a very complex and dynamic microbial ecosystem that is very important from a nutritional, physiological and pathological point of view. A wide range of microbes derived from the surrounding aquatic environment, soil/sediment and feed are found to colonize in the GI tract of fish. Among the microbial groups, bacteria (aerobic, facultative anaerobic and obligate aneraobic forms) are the principal colonizers in the GI tract of fish, and in some fish, yeasts are also reported. The common bacterial colonizers in the GI tract of freshwater and marine fish include Vibrio, Aeromonas, Flavobacterium, Plesiomonas, Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae, Micrococcus, Acinetobacter, Clostridium, Fusarium and Bacteroides, which may vary from species to species as well as environmental conditions. Besides, several unknown bacteria belonging to Mycoplasma, Arthrobacter, Brochothrix, Jeotgailbacillus, Ochrobactrum, Psychrobacter and Sejongia species in the GI tract of different fish species have now been identified successfully using culture‐independent techniques. Gnotobiotic and conventional studies indicate the involvement of GI microbiota in fish nutrition, epithelial development, immunity as well as disease outbreak. This review also highlights the need for manipulating the gut microbiota with useful beneficial microbes through probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic concepts for better fish health management.     

Strong resistance to phosphine in the rusty grain beetle,Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae): its characterisation,a rapid assay for diagnosis and its distribution in Australia

BACKGROUND: The recent development of very high resistance to phosphine in rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), seriously threatens stored‐grain biosecurity. The aim was to characterise this resistance, to develop a rapid bioassay for its diagnosis to support pest management and to document the distribution of resistance in Australia in 2007–2011. RESULTS: Bioassays of purified laboratory reference strains and field‐collected samples revealed three phenotypes: susceptible, weakly resistant and strongly resistant. With resistance factors of > 1000 × , resistance to phosphine expressed by the strong resistance phenotype was higher than reported for any stored‐product insect species. The new time‐to‐knockdown assay rapidly and accurately diagnosed each resistance phenotype within 6 h. Although less frequent in western Australia, weak resistance was detected throughout all grain production regions. Strong resistance occurred predominantly in central storages in eastern Australia. CONCLUSION: Resistance to phosphine in the rusty grain beetle is expressed through two identifiable phenotypes: weak and strong. Strong resistance requires urgent changes to current fumigation dosages. The development of a rapid assay for diagnosis of resistance enables the provision of same‐day advice to expedite resistance management decisions. © 2012 Commonwealth of Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Treatment of rupture of suspensory ligament and superficial flexor tendon in a bull

Rupture of the suspensory ligament at the insertions on the proximal sesamoid bones, and of the superficial flexor tendon of the left fore limb, occurred in an adult Angus bull as a result of fighting. There was severe hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint with the dewclaws almost touching the ground. Radiographs revealed severe hyper-extension of the MCP joint with the sesamoid bones aligned directly distal to the metacarpus. Initially, a full length fiberglass cast was applied with the limb partially flexed within the cast and the heels elevated. The cast was replaced twice. The cast was removed after 136 days and the bull was bearing full weight on the limb. Prolonged immobilisation of the limb produced new bone in the area (a normal response in cattle) to cause ankylosis of the traumatized MCP joint and partial ankylosis of the carpus. The bull was being used for pasture breeding one year after the injury.     

Reclamation of saline‐sodic soil under a rice–wheat system by horizontal surface flushing

Saline sodic soil with a high content of soluble carbonates is one of the important agricultural soils on the Central Indo‐Gangetic plains and elsewhere. Conventional reclamation procedures using gypsum application followed by vertical leaching (GC) is uneconomic; high ECe and precipitation of applied gypsum, reacting with soluble carbonates, reduce the efficacy of gypsum in these soils. This paper reports results from a project designed to evaluate reclamation by irrigation of the ploughed soil and turning of soil with a power tiller followed by flushing of standing water after 24 h, a second flushing after 7 days and subsequent application of gypsum and vertical leaching (GF2). Average rice and wheat production after GF2 significantly increased (25 and 62%, respectively) over the conventional practice. Compared with conventional treatment, GF2 significantly reduced the ECe and SAR of the soil and improved physical properties such as ζ‐potential, dispersible clay content, water stable aggregates expressed as MWD, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Split application of gypsum between flushing (GF1/2 and GF2/3) gave similar results to GF2 in terms of soil amelioration and crop production.     

不同年代大豆品种(系)根系生长动态的比较研究

不同年代大豆品种根干重积累动态可以用Logistic曲线方程进行模拟。在不同施肥水平下,根干重最大增长速率及出现的时间和平均增长速率有所不同。根干重最大增长速率出现的时间,中国当代品种、美国当代品种及中国20世纪20年代的品种间差异不显著,各品种间差异及施肥处理间差异也不显著。根干重最大增长速率,中国当代、美国当代及中国20世纪20年代的品种间差异不显著,各品种间差异也不显著,施肥处理间差异显著。平均增长速率,中国当代、美国当代及中国20年代的品种间差异显著,各品种间及施肥处理间差异也显著。不同施肥水平、不同生育时期,中国当代品种与美国当代品种根干重都比中国20年代品种大。