Chemical analysis of essential oils of Eupatorium adenophorum and their antimicrobial,antioxidant and phytotoxic properties

Essential oils from inflorescences and roots of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng (Asteraceae) have been investigated for their antimicrobial, phytotoxic and antioxidant activities. Based on GC–MS, the oil from inflorescences is dominated by sesquiterpenes (55.9 %) with γ-cadinene (18.4 %), γ-muurolene (11.7 %), 3-acetoxyamorpha-4,7(11)-diene-8-one (7.4 %) and bornyl acetate (6.3 %) as the major constituents. The oil obtained from the roots contained both sesquiterpenes (34.3 %) and monoterpenes (32.5 %) in almost equal proportions with E,E-cosmene (19.9 %), γ-muurolene (10.1 %), isothymol (7.5 %), β-cadinene (7.0 %) and α-phellandren-8-ol (5.9 %) as the major constituents. Both oils exhibited significant antifungal activity against five phytopathogenic fungi. The inflorescence oil showed higher antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, while the root oil was more effective against Staphylococcus aureus. The oils strongly inhibited or delayed germination and seedling growth of the weed Phalaris minor in a dose-dependent manner. As evidenced by a DPPH assay, the essential oils also exhibited significant free radical scavenging activity.     

Role of micronutrients on quantitative traits and prospects of its accumulation in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

The adequate growth of plants can be achieved only by a balanced ratio of biologically active nutrients in soil along with its readily availability. Linseed seems to be an advantageous secondary oilseed crop widely used in industrial purposes, which can serve additional purpose of phytoextraction of heavily infested soils with heavy metals. In this study, we have made an effort to find out the optimum dose of heavy metals necessary as micronutrients like copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) for the enhancement of linseed yield along with the distribution of heavy metals in different plant parts. Quantitative enhancement in different traits of linseed plant due to Cu, Fe and Zn fertilization especially for capsules per plant after maturity suggested positive association between heavy metal supply and morphological traits, which indirectly enhanced seed yield. There was a positive correlation between Zn supply and seed yield. In the treatments with Cu and Fe fertilization, seed yield was positively correlated to plant height, capsules per plant and seeds per five capsules. According to this study, it is concluded that linseed has the ability to accumulate majorly Fe followed by Cu and Zn.     

Comparison of serological tests forBrucella melitensis infection in sheep

Summary A comparative study of the standard tube agglutination test (SAT), Rose Bengal plate agglutination test and counter immuno-electrophoresis (CIEP) was made on 647 sera from naturally aborting ewes, orchitic, in-contact and apparently healthy sheep with no history of vaccination against brucellosis. No individual test could detect all the 13 known positive reactors (the foetuses of which yieldedBrucella melitensis) but by combination of two tests all 13 were positive. The SAT detected more reactors during the early stage of infection while CIEP performed better in later stages of infection. All these tests may be carried out in a field laboratory at very low cost.

---

Resumen Se llevó a cabo un estudio donde se comparó la efectividad de la aglutinación en tubo, la prueba Rosa de Bengala y la contrainmunoelectroforesis en 647 sueros de ovejas que habían abortado naturalmente, machos con orquitis, ovejas en contacto y ovejas aparentemente sanas, sin previa historia de vacunación contra brucelosis. Ninguna de las pruebas utilizadas pudo detectar individualmente todos los 13 reactores positivos (de los fetos de los cuales se aislóBrucella melitensis), pero la combinación de dos pruebas detectó todos los reactores positivos. La prueba de la aglutinación en tubo detectó la mayoría de reactores en los estadíos iniciales de la infección, mientras que la contrainmunoelectroforesis se comportó bien en estadíos iniciales de la infección, mientras que la contrainmunoelectroforesis se comportó bien en estadíos tartíos de la infección. Todas estas pruebas pueden realizarse, en laboratorios de campo a un costo bajo.

---

Résumé Les auteurs ont réalisé une étude comparative entre l'agglutination en tube standard (SAT), le test d'agglutination sur lame au Rose Bengale (RBPT) et la contre immunoélectrophorèse (CIEP), à partir de 647 sérums prélevés sur des brebis ayant avorté naturellement ou sur des moutons atteints d'orchite ou ayant été en contact mais restés apparement sains et sans passé vaccinal contre la brucellose. Aucun test individuel n'a pu reconna?tre comme positif l'un des 13 animaux reconnus réagissant (dont les foetus hébergeaientBrucella melitensis), mais par combinaison des deux tests, tous les 13 se sont révélés positifs. Le SAT a décelé plus de réagissants au cours des premiers stades de l'infection. Par contre, le CIEP a été plus sensible dans les derniers stades. Tous ces tests peuvent être réalisés dans un laboratoire de terrain à, un co?t trés bas.

     

Combining sub-lethal heating and on-farm wastes: effects on <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Fusarium oxysporum</Emphasis> f.sp. <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">cumini</Emphasis> causing wilt of cumin

In a 2-year field study, the effects of four heating regimes established by varying temperature or duration of heating on efficiency of on-farm wastes as soil amendments in controlling Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cumini (Foc) causing wilt on cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), were ascertained. Significant improvement in reduction of Foc propagules was achieved with the increase in duration and amount of heat. In 2000, mild heating under shade (heat level 4), 31.8–65.9% reduction in Foc propagules was estimated in all the amendments at 0–30 cm soil depth, which improved by 75.7–86.5% in the treatment where Foc-infested soil brought from the laboratory was exposed to direct heat (heat level 3) and amendments and irrigation were applied. Foc propagules were reduced by 76.6–88.3% when infested soil was exposed continuously to dry heat for 56 days (heat level 2), improving efficiency of amendments by 0.9–13.5% compared with heat level 3. After 56 days of exposure to dry heat, elevating the temperature by mulching amended soil with a transparent polyethylene film (50 μm thick) for 20 days (heat level 1) augmented reduction by 80.2–95.5%. In the second season, combining 0.04% of onion, Verbisina encelioides or mustard oil-cake with mustard residues (0.18%) improved the reduction in Foc propagules at all heat levels even at the lower soil depth. Maximum reduction (94.9–100%) in Foc propagules at heat levels 1 to 3 was achieved when residues of Verbisina were supplemented with those of mustard. These results suggest a new approach to improve the control of Foc by combining prolonged heating with on-farm wastes such as Verbisina residues and one summer irrigation.     

The role of vitamin C in calcium uptake by fish

Calcium uptake in experimentally induced scorbutic snake heads, Channa (= Ophicephalus) punctatus, fed vitamin C-deficient diet for 210 days is reported, using ⁴⁵Ca as tracer. When compared with a parallel control on completely synthetic diet, the results show decreased absorption and utilization of calcium by gill, skin, muscle and bone of scorbutic fish from surrounding water. The physiological significance of these results is discussed, and its practical utility in aquaculture is indicated.     

Surgical Correction of Uterine Torsion and Mare–Foal Survival in Advance Pregnant Equine Patients

This article describes the surgical management of uterine torsion by midline celiotomy and cesarean section on 12 mares presented with signs of colic to a teaching veterinary hospital. The mares were either in full term of gestation (n = 7) or in advanced stage of pregnancy (n = 5). Six mares were in first parity. Uterine torsion was diagnosed by per rectal and per vaginal examinations. For surgical intervention, mares were anesthetized using a combination of xylazine (1.1 mg/kg) and ketamine (2.2 mg/kg), intravenously. After intubation, the animals were maintained on halothane (n = 4) or isoflurane (n = 8) inhalation anesthesia. Midline celiotomy was performed, and foals were delivered by cesarean section. In 11 mares, before closing the abdominal wound, the uterus was detorted manually and confirmed for its normal position. Both anesthetic protocols using halothane and isoflurane were found satisfactory for surgical correction of uterine torsion. After long-term follow-up, the study reported 75.0% (9/12) survival rate for mares. One mare was euthanized because of devitalized, necrosed, and adhered uterus to the abdominal wall. Of the nine surviving mares, seven were successfully bred. Three foals were born alive, and only one could survive on long-term basis. Of the nine dead foals, two had umbilical cord torsion.     

Response to dietary phosphorus deficiency is affected by genetic background in growing pigs

Concern over the environmental effect of P excretion from pig production has led to reduced dietary P supplementation. To examine how genetics influence P utilization, 94 gilts sired by 2 genetic lines (PIC337 and PIC280) were housed individually and fed either a P-adequate diet (PA) or a 20% P-deficient diet (PD) for 14 wk. Initially and monthly, blood samples were collected and BW recorded after an overnight fast. Growth performance and plasma indicators of P status were determined monthly. At the end of the trial, carcass traits, meat quality, bone strength, and ash percentage were determined. Pigs fed the PD diet had decreased (P < 0.05) plasma P concentrations and poorer G:F (P < 0.05) over the length of the trial. After 4 wk on trial, pigs fed the PD diet had increased (P < 0.05) plasma 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and decreased (P < 0.05) plasma parathyroid hormone compared with those fed the PA diet. At the end of the trial, pigs fed the PD diet had decreased (P < 0.05) BW, HCW, and percentage fat-free lean and tended to have decreased LM area (P = 0.06) and marbling (P = 0.09) and greater (P = 0.12) 10th-rib backfat than pigs fed the PA diet. Additionally, animals fed the PD diet had weaker bones and also decreased (P < 0.05) ash percentage and increased (P < 0.05) concentrations of 1alpha-hydroxylase and parathyroid hormone receptor mRNA in kidney tissue. Regardless of dietary treatment, PIC337-sired pigs consumed more feed and gained more BW than their PIC280-sired counterparts (P < 0.05) during the study. The PIC337-sired pigs also had greater (P < 0.05) HCW, larger (P < 0.01) LM area, and tended to have (P = 0.07) greater dressing percentage. Meat from the PIC337-sired pigs also tended to have greater (P = 0.12) concentrations of lactate but decreased (P = 0.07) concentrations of total glucose units 24 h postslaughter. Although plasma 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) concentrations were elevated (P < 0.05) in all the animals fed the PD diet, this elevation due to P deficiency tended (P = 0.09) to be greater in the PIC337-sired pigs after 12 wk on the treatment. The PIC337-sired pigs had stronger (P < 0.01) bones with greater ash percentage than the PIC280-sired pigs. The difference in the strength of the radii between the PIC337-sired pigs fed the PA and PD diets was greater than their PIC280-sired counterparts, which resulted in sire line x treatment interactions (P < 0.05). These data indicate differing mechanisms of P utilization between these genetic lines. Elucidating these mechanisms may lead to strategies to increase efficiency of growth in a more environmentally friendly manner.