Comparative Morphological Studies of Microspore Derived and F2 Plants Obtained from an Interspecific Rice Hybrid Oryza sativa Linn. ×O. rufipogon Griff.)*

Anther culture of an interspecific rice hybrid from a cross of Oryza sativa× O. rufipogon was attempted. Of the 117 regenerated pollen clones, 56 could survive to maturity. A majority of these were either haploids or doubled haploids and very few turned out to be chromosomal variants. Comparative study of doubled haploids and the seed derived F₂ plants indicate the distinct advantages of anther culture techniques. (1) Androgenic plants, though few in number, showed greater ariation for all the traits with the exception of ear bearing tillers. (2) Predominance of recombinants with wild traits was observed in F₂ segregation. (3) It was possible to recover indica type recombinants among the anther-derived plants with one or two traits introgressed from O. rufipogon. These results suggest the feasibility and utility of anther culture in distant hybridization for incorporation of alien variation into cultivated rice.     

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.     

Study of oat globulin conformation by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

The conformation of oat globulin dispersions (10% in D2O) under the influence of pH, chaotropic salts, protein structure perturbants, and heating conditions was studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The FTIR spectrum of oat globulin showed major bands from 1670 to 1634 cm(-1), corresponding to the four major types of secondary structures, that is, beta-turns, beta-sheets, alpha-helices, and random coils. At extreme acidic and alkaline pH conditions, there were changes in intensity in the bands attributed to beta-sheet structures (1626, 1634, and 1682 cm(-1)), and shifts of the bands to higher or lower wavenumbers, indicating changes in conformation. In the presence of some chaotropic salts, the 1626 and 1634 cm(-1) bands were shifted upward, with a marked decrease in the intensity of the 1634 cm(-1) peak. The addition of several protein structure perturbants led to a slight shift in the alpha-helix/random coil bands and a marked reduction in the beta-sheet peaks, suggesting protein unfolding. Heating under aggregating conditions led to slight shifts in all of the major bands and progressive changes in the intensity of the alpha-helix, beta-sheet, and beta-turn peaks, suggesting protein denaturation. This was accompanied by marked increases in intensity of the two intermolecular beta-sheet bands (1682 and 1624-1626 cm(-1)) associated with the formation of aggregated strands. The IR spectra of soluble and insoluble aggregates showed a redistribution of native and extensively denatured proteins in the two fractions.     

Immunoglobulin G4‐related disease in a dog

Immunoglobulin G4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD), which affects many organ systems, has been recognized as a distinct clinical entity in human medicine for just over a decade but has not been previously identified in dogs. In humans, IgG4‐RD is characterized by diffuse IgG4‐positive lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates that commonly lead to increased serum concentrations of IgG4 and IgE, peripheral eosinophilia, tumorous swellings that often include the parotid salivary glands, obliterative phlebitis, and extensive fibrosis. Herein we describe the diagnosis, clinical progression, and successful treatment of IgG4‐RD in an 8‐year‐old female spayed Husky mixed breed dog. Immunoglobulin G4‐related disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with vague clinical signs, lymphoplasmacytic swellings, restricted polyclonal gammopathy, eosinophilia or some combination of these findings.     

Molecular expression of caprine estrogen receptor gene 1 in reproductive and non‐reproductive tissues

During the last decades, physiological effects of oestrogens have been increasingly explored by scientists and biotechnologists. Estrogens exert a wide range of effects on a large variety of cell types. Oestrogen and its receptors are essential for sexual development and reproduction. Estrogen receptor alpha is a nuclear receptor activated by the hormone oestrogen. In male, ERα is encoded by the gene estrogen receptor gene 1 (ESR1), responsible for better fertility. The ESR1 is involved in the reabsorption of luminal fluid during the transit of spermatozoa from the testis to the head of the epididymis which is important for their survival and maturation during epididymal storage. The absence of ESR1 leads to reduced epididymal sperm content, reduced sperm motility and fertilizing ability. Therefore, this is a good startby to study the expression pattern of estrogen receptor 1 gene in high‐fertile (G1) and low‐fertile (G2) bucks of Jamunapari and Barbari breeds identified on the basis of seminal quality traits and fertility trials. RNA was extracted from the tissues by TRIzol method. The identification and expression pattern of caprine ESR1 gene was analysed by real‐time PCR (Roche LC‐480). Our work shows that the relative quantification by RT‐PCR indicates more fold in head of epididymis as compared to spleen of caprine ESR1 gene. Furthermore, the RT‐PCR indicated that fertile bucks of Jamunapari breed have more fold value as compared to Barbari breed in respect of reproductive organ.     

Persistent Frenulum of the Epiglottis in Four Foals

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical signs and management of 4 foals with persistent frenulum of the epiglottis. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: Four newborn foals. METHODS: Foals were admitted with a complaint of oronasal reflux after nursing. Variable systemic signs of aspiration pneumonia were evident. Nasal endoscopy confirmed persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis, confirmed by oral endoscopic examination, was transected. RESULTS: After surgery, all foals had the epiglottis positioned normally, dorsal to the soft palate. Clinical signs of oronasal reflux resolved by the second nursing attempt in 3 foals, whereas this was difficult to assess in one foal that was nursed intermittently because of the mares behavior. This foal died 2 days later. The other 3 foals have had normal epiglottic function for 2-4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis should be considered in foals with oronasal reflux from birth. With appropriate medical and surgical management the prognosis for resolution should be good.     

Soil Quality for Rice Productivity and Yield Sustainability under Long-term Fertilizer and Manure Application

Productivity and sustainability of rice-rice cropping system depend upon the soil quality which is primarily governed by application of fertilizers and manures. However, such information is limited and hence, the present investigation was carried out in a 9-year-old long-term fertilizer experiment at Bhubaneswar, India. There were seven treatments (control, application of 100% NPK, 150% NPK, 100% NPK + Zn, 100% NPK + FYM, 100% NPK + Zn + B, and 100% NPK + Zn + S) laid out in randomized block design with four replications. Indicators of soil quality (physical, chemical, and biological) were diagnosed from 30 numbers of soil properties measured on the post-wet season soil and soil quality was assessed taking productivity and sustainability of dry season rice as goal functions. Results revealed that the highest productivity and sustainability of dry season rice was found with application of 100% NPK + FYM. This treatment, in general, showed better physical, chemical, and biological properties than rest of the treatments. The highest soil quality index (SQI) was recorded in 100% NPK + FYM (0.941) treatment followed by 150% NPK (0.826) with CEC diagnosed as the only key indicator for rice productivity. For yield sustainability in dry season, reserve K and total N were important contributing 89% and 11%, respectively to the SQI. Therefore, these soil properties could be used to monitor soil quality in wet season. Application of FYM along with 100% NPK could sustain the productivity of dry season rice by improving soil properties under subtropical rice-rice system.     

Vaginal Neurofibroma in a Hysterectomized Poodle Dog

A 15‐year‐old, spayed, female poodle dog was presented for evaluation of a mass of tissue prolapsed from the vulva. The dog had been hysterectomized when it was 5 years old. A vaginal mass had been removed approximately 10 months before presentation. Haematological and serum biochemistry analyses demonstrated mild leucocytosis and glycaemia. A vaginal smear was predominantly made up of parabasal cells and intermediate cells with no neoplastic cells. Thoracal and abdominal radiographic findings were unremarkable. The ovaries could not be identified using abdominal ultrasonography. A midline exploratory laparotomy identified both ovaries that were surgically excised. The vaginal mass was also removed following an episiotomy procedure. Histopathological examination of the mass demonstrated that it was a neurofibroma. Both ovaries had cystic changes. Four months after the surgery, the owner reported that the dog was clinically normal. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of a vaginal neurofibroma after an incomplete ovariohysterectomy in the dog.