Antioxidant activity of banana flavonoids

The antioxidant activity of flavonoids from banana (Musa paradisiaca) was studied in rats fed normal as well as high fat diets. Concentrations of peroxidation products namely malondialdehyde, hydroperoxides and conjugated diens were significantly decreased whereas the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were enhanced significantly. Concentrations of glutathione were also elevated in the treated animals.     

Shrimp lectin–conjugated copper sulfide nanoparticles enhance immune response and gene expression in Etroplus suratensis infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

Aquaculture International - Lectins are hemagglutinating glycoproteins which act as pathogen recognition receptors that can bind to the pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Shrimp lectin...     

Integrated breeding approaches for improving drought and heat adaptation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a dry season food legume largely grown on residual soil moisture after the rainy season. The crop often experiences moisture stress towards end of the crop season (terminal drought). The crop may also face heat stress at the reproductive stage if sowing is delayed. The breeding approaches for improving adaptation to these stresses include the development of varieties with early maturity and enhanced abiotic stress tolerance. Several varieties with improved drought tolerance have been developed by selecting for grain yield under moisture stress conditions. Similarly, selection for pod set in the crop subjected to heat stress during reproductive stage has helped in the development of heat‐tolerant varieties. A genomic region, called QTL‐hotspot, controlling several drought tolerance‐related traits has been introgressed into several popular cultivars using marker‐assisted backcrossing (MABC), and introgression lines giving significantly higher yield than the popular cultivars have been identified. Multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) approach has been found promising in enhancing genetic recombination and developing lines with enhanced tolerance to terminal drought and heat stresses.     

Prevention of photo-induced chlorophyll loss by the use of lime reflectant on the leaves of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

A study was conducted to evaluate the adverse effect of direct solar radiation on irrigated pepper (Piper nigrum L.) vines and to determine whether lime could be applied as a reflectant to protect the exposed plants. It was found that even with favourable soil moisture conditions the leaves of the exposed plants developed the symptoms of the physiological disorder of leaf yellowing leading to the formation of necrotic patches. Leaves of the shaded plants remained dark green and healthy. Chlorophyll concentration in the exposed leaves was 44% less compared with the shaded leaves. However, the presence of lime coating on the surface of the exposed leaves resulted in the presence of 39% more chlorophyll content. A concept of Contact Shade Technology (CST) is suggested where reflectants can be used to artificially shade the shade-loving crop plants.     

Effects of estrone infusion on secretion of F series prostaglandins and on function of the corpus luteum during late gestation in cattle

Catheters were surgically implanted in the carotid artery, jugular vein, and middle uterine vein of 8 cows at 245 days of gestation. Four cows were given 4 mg of estrone/hour via continuous jugular infusion from 0800 hours on day 246 of gestation through 0800 hours on day 250 of gestation; the remaining 4 cows (controls) were given the vehicle for estrone at 10 ml/hour for the same period. Blood samples were collected from the carotid artery every 3 hours during the infusion. Samples were collected hourly from the middle uterine vein from 0 through 8, 54 through 66, and 112 through 120 hours of the infusion periods. After completion of the infusion, corpora lutea were enucleated and blood samples were collected from the carotid artery and uterine vein at hourly intervals for an additional 8 hours. Dispersed cell preparations of the corpora lutea were incubated with and without luteinizing hormone (LH) or dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP). Circulating concentrations of unconjugated and conjugated estrone and estradiol-17 beta were higher (P less than 0.05) in the group infused with estrone than in the vehicle-infused group. Mean and base-line concentrations of F series prostaglandins (PGF) for each blood collection period tended to increase (P less than 0.10) during infusion with estrone, but not during infusion with vehicle. After luteectomy, mean and base-line concentrations of PGF also tended (P less than 0.10) to be greater in the estrone-infused cows than in the control cows, but a surge in PGF concentrations due to removal of the ovarian source of progesterone did not develop.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of fermented total mixed rations on the growth performance,carcass and meat quality characteristics of Hanwoo steers

This study was conducted to assess the effects of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) on the growth performance, carcass and meat quality traits of Hanwoo steers. The present study evidenced that the FTMR had a strong effect on dry matter intake, body weight, daily gain, slaughter weight and carcass characteristics compared with control animals. The results showed that the dry matter intake (7.17 ± 0.13 kg), average body weight (615.20 ± 112.82 kg), and daily gain (0.56 ± 0.16 kg) were greater in animals receiving FTMR than in control animals (P < 0.05). The meat quality characteristics indicated that cooking loss and the pH values did not vary between control and FTMR treated animals; however, animals in the treated groups (FTMR) had higher meat quality grades, carcass weight (396.13 ± 18.35), fat thickness (13.25 ± 1.75), marbling score (5.63 ± 0.56), meat color (40.06 ± 1.23), crude fat (18.39 ± 1.32) and sensory characteristics (flavor 5.03 ± 0.17; tenderness 4.42 ± 0.33; juiciness 5.10 ± 0.16). Nevertheless, the shear force values decreased significantly in FTMR‐treated animals compared with control group steers. Overall, FTMR may not only improve the growth performance, biochemical metabolites, and fatty and acetic acid profiles of steers, but may also enhance the carcass and meat quality characteristics of Hanwoo steers. Regarding economics, our research findings suggest that FTMR‐based feeds may enhance Hanwoo steer meat quality at a low cost.     

Mercury concentrations in recent and ninety-year-old benthopelagic fish

Several species of bottom-dwelling fish from 2500 meters with similar feeding habits had mercury concentrations that differed by an order of magnitude. Within one species there was a correlation between size and concentration, with the larger individuals having mercury concentrations as high as 0.8 part per million (wet weight). The mercury content of the water in the deep-ocean habitat of these fish appears not to determine the mercury content of a particular fish; species-specific factors and size do appear to determine this concentration. The species-specific variation between the recent fish also existed between the same two species in specimens collected 90 years ago from a depth of 2000 meters, and a 90-year-old specimen fit closely the size-concentration regression curve for nine recent individuals of the same species.     

Susceptibility of betanodavirus in a newly established vertebra-derived cell line from Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)

In the present study, a new cell line from the vertebra of mosquitofish Gambusia affinis was successfully established and characterized. The cell line is named as bone Gambusia affinis (BGA) and subcultured for more than 55 passages in Leibovitz's/L15 medium supplemented with 15% FBS at 28°C. The cell line has a modal chromosome number of 48. Molecular characterization of the partial sequence of the coi gene confirmed the origin of the BGA cell line from mosquitofish. These cells exhibited epithelial morphology confirmed by the cytokeratin marker. The BGA cells showed mineralization of their extracellular matrix when stained with alizarin red and von Kossa stain. BGA cells were found to be susceptible to RGNNV and SJNNV strains of betanodavirus (NNV) showing cytopathic effect with multiple vacuolations in the cells. The RT-PCR confirmed the betanodavirus infections in BGA cells. The SEM micrograph showed the morphological changes observed in the cell during virus infection. The in vivo challenge experiment also showed the viral replicating efficiency in the Gambusia affinis with increasing viral titre. Thus, our present results show that the BGA cell line is a useful tool for isolating betanodavirus and could be used to investigate bone cell differentiation and extracellular matrix mineralization.     

De novo transcriptome assembly and development of EST-SSR markers for Pterocarpus santalinus L. f. (Red sanders), a threatened and endemic tree of India

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The endemic and precious tree&nbsp;Pterocarpus santalinus L. f. (Red sanders) is a drought hardy species for conservation in peninsular India due to its...