Immunization of cattle with nymphal Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum extracts: effects on tick biology

Antigens derived from partially engorged nymphs of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum were used in immunizing crossbred (Bos indicus×Bos taurus) cattle against larval, nymphal and adult H. a. anatolicum and H. dromedarii. The cattle were either infected with Theileria annulata at low parasitaemia or were uninfected. Whole nymphal extract (WNE), nymphal membrane antigens (NMA) and nymphal soluble antigens (NSA) were used for immunization. The group immunized with WNE showed significant and better rejection of H. a. anatolicum ticks as compared to calves immunized with either NMA or NSA. The moulting rates of both engorged larvae and nymphs remained unaffected. Nymphs which engorged on the immunized calves were fully susceptible to infection by T. annulata as indicated by the intensity and abundance of Theileria infections in the resulting adult ticks from immunized and unimmunized Theileria infected cattle. These ticks also transmitted fatal theileriosis to susceptible calves.     

A potentized homeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album 200, can ameliorate genotoxicity induced by repeated injections of arsenic trioxide in mice

Groundwater arsenic contamination has become a menacing global problem. No drug is available until now to combat chronic arsenic poisoning. To examine if a potentized homeopathic remedy, Arsenicum Album-200, can effectively combat chronic arsenic toxicity induced by repeated injections of Arsenic trioxide in mice, the following experimental design was adopted. Mice (Mus musculus) were injected subcutaneously with 0.016% arsenic trioxide at the rate of 1 ml/100 g body weight, at an interval of 7 days until they were killed at day 30, 60, 90 or 120 and were divided into three groups: (i) one receiving a daily dose of Arsenicum Album-200 through oral administration, (ii) one receiving the same dose of diluted succussed alcohol (Alcohol-200) and (iii) another receiving neither drug, nor succussed alcohol. The remedy or the placebo, as the case may be, was fed from the next day onwards after injection until the day before the next injection, and the cycle was repeated until the mice were killed. Two other control groups were also maintained: one receiving only normal diet, and the other receiving normal diet and succussed alcohol. Several toxicity assays, such as cytogenetical (chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, mitotic index, sperm head anomaly) and biochemical (acid and alkaline phosphatases, lipid peroxidation), were periodically made. Compared with controls, the drug fed mice showed reduced toxicity at statistically significant levels in respect of all the parameters studied, thereby indicating protective potentials of the homeopathic drug against chronic arsenic poisoning.     

Serum 5'nucleotidase activity in rats: a method for automated analysis and criteria for interpretation

A manual kit for determining serum 5'nucleotidase (5'NT, EC 3.1.3.5) activity was adapted for use with rat samples on a large discrete clinical chemistry analyzer. The precision of the method was good (within-run C.V. = 2.14%; between-run C.V. = 5.5%). A comparison of the new automated method with a manual and semi-automated method gave regression statistics of y = 1.18X -3.66 (Sy. x = 4.54), and y = 0.733X + 1.97 (Sy. x = 1.69), respectively. Temperature conversion factors provided by the kit manufacturer for human samples were determined to be inaccurate for converting results from rat samples. Analysis of components contributing to normal variation in rat serum 5'NT activity showed age and sex to be major factors. Increased serum 5'NT activity was observed in female rats when compared to male rats beginning at about 5 to 6 weeks of age. An analysis of variance of serum 5'NT, alkaline phosphatase, and GGT activities observed over a 9-week period in normal rats suggests several advantages for 5'NT as a predictor of biliary lesions in rats.     

Thromboelastography platelet mapping in healthy dogs using 1 analyzer versus 2 analyzers

The objective of this study was to describe the results of thromboelastography platelet mapping (TEG-PM) carried out using 2 techniques in 20 healthy dogs. Maximum amplitudes (MA) generated by thrombin (MA_thrombin), fibrin (MA_fibrin), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor activity (MA_ADP), and thromboxane A₂ (TxA₂) receptor activity (stimulated by arachidonic acid, MA_AA) were recorded. Thromboelastography platelet mapping was carried out according to the manufacturer’s guidelines (2-analyzer technique) and using a variation of this method employing only 1 analyzer (1-analyzer technique) on 2 separate blood samples obtained from each dog. Mean [± standard deviation (SD)] MA values for the 1-analyzer/2-analyzer techniques were: MA_thrombin = 51.9 mm (± 7.1)/52.5 mm (± 8.0); MA_fibrin = 20.7 mm (± 21.8)/23.0 mm (± 26.1); MA_ADP = 44.5 mm (± 15.6)/45.6 mm (± 17.0); and MA_AA = 45.7 mm (± 11.6)/45.0 mm (± 15.4). Mean (± SD) percentage aggregation due to ADP receptor activity was 70.4% (± 32.8)/67.6% (± 33.7). Mean percentage aggregation due to TxA₂ receptor activity was 77.3% (± 31.6)/78.1% (± 50.2). Results of TEG-PM were not significantly different for the 1-analyzer and 2-analyzer methods. High correlation was found between the 2 methods for MA_fibrin [concordance correlation coefficient (r) = 0.930]; moderate correlation was found for MA_thrombin (r = 0.70) and MA_ADP (r = 0.57); correlation between the 2 methods for MA_AA was lower (r = 0.32). Thromboelastography platelet mapping (TEG-PM) should be further investigated to determine if it is a suitable method for measuring platelet dysfunction in dogs with thrombopathy.     

Colchicine treatment of different varieties of potatoes in West Bengal

Summary Colchicine treatment of sprouted tubers before planting increased yield in 17 out of the 20 varieties reported. In some varieties this effect was maintained in the two succeeding years in which the tubers from the various treatments were grown, although no further treatment had been given. The optimum duration of treatment varied between varieties as did overall response. Treatment depressed yield in a few varieties, while in others yield increase was delayed. In 8 out of the 20 varieties abnormalities in tuber shape occurred. Treatment had no effect on maturation except in a few cases where a retardation of 2 or 3 days was recorded.

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Zusammenfassung Die Colchicin-Behandlung von vorgekeimten Knollen steigerte den Ernteetrag bei 17 der angeführten 20 Sorten. Bei manchen Sorten blieb diese Wirkung durch zwei aufeinanderfolgende Jahre in welchen die Knollen nach den verschiedenen Behandlungen gezogen wurden, erhalten, obwohl keine weitere Behandlung angewandt wurde. Die optimale Dauer der Behandlung war je nach den Sorten verschieden, ebenso das allgemeine Ansprechen auf die Behandlungen. Bei wenigen Sorten führte die Behandlung zu einer Ertragsdepression, w?hrenddem bei anderen die Ertragserh?hung verz?gert wurde. Bei 8 der 20 Sorten kamen Abnormit?ten der Knollenform vor. Die Behandlung hatte keine Wirkung auf die Reife ausser in einigen F?llen in welchen eine Versp?tung von 2 bis 3 Tagen verzeichnet wurde.

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Résumé Le traitement de tubercules germés à la colchicine avant la plantation a fait augmenter le rendement de 17 des 20 variétés étudiées. Dans certaines variétés, cet effet se manifesta pendant les deux années successives où les tubercules soumis aux différents traitements furent cultivés, bien que nul autre traitement ne f?t appliqué. La durée optimale du traitement variait d'une variété, à l'autre, de même que la réponse générale au traitement. Le traitement réduisit le rendement de quelques variétés, tandis que dans d'autres cas, l'augmentation du rendement se manifesta avec un certain retard. Dans 8 variétés sur 20, il fut constaté des anomalies de conformation des tubercules. Le traitement n'influen?ait pas la maturation, sauf dans quelques cas où il fut observé un retard de 2 ou 3 jours.

     

Biocontrol potential of Pseudomonas azotoformans,Serratia marcescens and Trichoderma virens against Fusarium wilt of Dalbergia sissoo

Wilt disease caused by Fusarium solani is a serious constraint to Dalbergia sissoo (shisham) plantations in northern India. In this study, the antagonistic potential of 40 bacterial isolates recovered from rhizophere soil of healthy shisham trees, and a well‐characterized Trichoderma species (Trichoderma virens) were tested for their possibility as biocontrol agents for F. solani. Two promising isolates (S1 and S15) were identified which inhibited pathogen growth, caused chitin degradation, produced siderophores and solubilized phosphate in vitro. Isolate S15 scored highest for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production while isolate S1 was a non‐HCN producer. These two isolates were identified as Serratia marcescens (S1) and Pseudomonas azotoformans (S15) following sequence analysis of 16S rDNA. In dual culture assays, T. virens caused 80% inhibition of mycelial growth of the test fungus. The three selected antagonists when tested in planta in the glasshouse completely suppressed production of wilt symptoms on 12‐month‐old shisham plants. Further work is needed to ascertain the potential of these isolates to be used as biocontrol agents to manage shisham wilt under field conditions.     

First report of Calonectria cerciana causing leaf blight of Eucalyptus in northern India

Eucalyptus spp. and their hybrids are frequently cloned and mass planted across farmland tracts and commercial plantations in northern India. It is a viable feeder species to the paper and pulp industries in this region. In 2018 and 2019, during field surveys conducted in northern India, a serious leaf blight disease was frequently observed in E. tereticornis plantations. Isolation from the blighted leaf samples consistently yielded fungal isolates having Calonectria‐like morphology. Morphological features coupled with sequence analysis of partial β‐tubulin (TUB2) and partial translation elongation factor‐alpha (TEF1) gene regions of two fungal isolates confirmed the species as Ca. cerciana. In detached leaf assays and glasshouse inoculation experiments, both isolates produced symptoms similar to those observed on the naturally infected leaves. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re‐isolating Ca. cerciana from the inoculated leaves. This work is the first to confirm that Ca. cerciana is associated with a serious leaf blight disease of Eucalyptus in northern India and is an important addition to the taxonomy of Calonectria fungi in India.     

Transfer of Tomato Leaf Curl Virus Resistance from Lycopersicon hirsutum f. glabratum to L. esculentum

Six lines, i.e., H-2, H-11, H-17, H-23, H-24, and H-36, resistant to Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (TLCV) have been developed with controlled introgression of L. hirsutum f. glabratum into Lycopersicon esculentum. The disease incidence, 120 days after inoculation, of those lines derived from L. hirsutum f. glabratum ranged from 8.3 to 35.0 %, whereas in susceptible varieties it ranged from 95.0 to 100 %. The coefficient of infection (CI) values in the resistant lines were very low, ranging from 0.25 to 4.55, whereas in susceptible varieties CI values ranged from 60.56 to 88.96. Line H-2 had the highest resistance by showing the least disease incidence and CI values. The fruit size and days to maturity in resistant lines were close to those of cultivated susceptible varieties. These lines have the scope for being used as varieties in the TLCV infested areas or as foundation lines for further genetic improvement.