A human-specific gene in microglia

Recent studies have shown multiple differences between humans and apes in sialic acid (Sia) biology, including Siglecs (Sia-recognizing-Ig-superfamily lectins). Comparisons with the chimpanzee genome indicate that human SIGLEC11 emerged through human-specific gene conversion by an adjacent pseudogene. Conversion involved 5 cent untranslated sequences and the Sia-recognition domain. This human protein shows reduced binding relative to the ancestral form but recognizes oligosialic acids, which are enriched in the brain. SIGLEC11 is expressed in human but not in chimpanzee brain microglia. Further studies will determine if this event was related to the evolution of Homo.     

Health innovation networks to help developing countries address neglected diseases

Gross inequities in disease burden between developed and developing countries are now the subject of intense global attention. Public and private donors have marshaled resources and created organizational structures to accelerate the development of new health products and to procure and distribute drugs and vaccines for the poor. Despite these encouraging efforts directed primarily from and funded by industrialized countries, sufficiency and sustainability remain enormous challenges because of the sheer magnitude of the problem. Here we highlight a complementary and increasingly important means to improve health equity: the growing ability of some developing countries to undertake health innovation.     

Suitability of extractant for soil available silicon and silicon response to upland paddy grown on alkaline soils of central India

Abstract

Several silicon (Si) extractants are being employed in different countries mostly for lowland acidic soils. Present investigation was conducted to evaluate suitable extractants for upland paddy grown on alkaline soils. Available Si was extracted by using ten different extractants. Tris buffer pH 7.0 (1:10) in Inceptisols showed positively highest and significant correlation with grain yield (r?=?0.870), grain Si uptake (r?=?0.887), straw yield (r?=?0.852), and straw Si uptake (r?=?0.919). However, 0.5?M acetic acid (1:2.5) in Vertisols showed positively highest and significant correlation with grain yield (r?=?0.810), grain Si uptake (r?=?0.852), straw yield (r?=?0.850), and straw Si uptake (r?=?0.929). The application of Si @ 200?kg ha^?1 along with chemical fertilizers significantly increased yield and nutrient uptake of upland paddy on Vertisols. Tris buffer pH 7.0 (1:10) and 0.5?M acetic acid (1:2.5) were suitable extractant for Inceptisols and Vertisols, respectively based on its correlation with yield and nutrient uptake.     

Hexadecane mineralization activity in hydrocarbon-contaminated soils of Ross Sea region Antarctica may require nutrients and inoculation

Hydrocarbon spills on Antarctic soils occur mainly near settlements where fuel is stored and aircraft and vehicles are refuelled. To investigate those factors that may preclude hexadecane mineralization activity in long-term hydrocarbon-contaminated soils from the Ross Sea Region, samples were collected from Scott Base, the site of former bases (Cape Evans, Marble Point, Vanda Station), and two oil spill sites in the Wright Valley (Bull Pass and Loop Moraine). The soils had low levels of nitrogen (<0.1% total N) and a high C/N ratio (>24) reflecting hydrocarbon contamination. Following soil water adjustment to 10% (v/w), the influence of nutrient addition (250 mg/kg N added as monoammonium phosphate) and inoculation (spiking with Antarctic soil containing high numbers of hydrocarbon degraders) as required on hexadecane mineralization activity was determined. Hexadecane mineralization activity occurred in contaminated soils from Marble Point, Cape Evans and one sample from Vanda Station without nutrient addition. In contrast soils from Scott Base, Cape Evans, another sample from Vanda Station and Loop Moraine required nutrients, whereas Bull Pass soil required inoculation and nutrients before hexadecane mineralization proceeded. Hydrocarbon degrader numbers were highest in coastal soils from Scott Base and Marble Point (10⁷ per gram) and less prevalent in inland soils from Wright Valley (<10⁵ per gram). The bacterial community structure of the soils differed between sites, but soils from the same sites tended to cluster together more closely, except for those from Vanda Station. Addition of nutrients did not cause large shifts in the soil bacterial communities. Results from this study indicate that hydrocarbon degradation may occur at some sites in summer when water is available. Long-term hydrocarbon-contaminated Antarctic soils may provide a valuable resource of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria that can serve as inocula for more recent oil spills on land.     

Self-generated microbial population or cultured microflora – an important criterion toward development of an effective and economically viable road map for organic soil management

Huge depletion of soil microflora under conventional farming practice has become the primary contributory factor toward the present depletion of soil and crop productivity. Reconstitution of soil microbial dynamics has been identified as the only way out, but there has been a debate regarding the most effective pathway for soil rejuvenation i.e. whether to create the environment for natural proliferation or opt for inoculation of laboratory generated microbes. In this respect, a study was undertaken at Maud T.E. (Assam) under FAO-CFC-TBI Project, where bio-fertilizer (microbial inoculant, MI), vermicompost (organic food source, OF), vermicompost + bio-fertilizer (OF+MI), and Novcom compost (representing self-generated native microflora in the order of 10¹⁶c.f.u. along with organic food source, SNM); were taken as treatments for a yield target of 1500 kg made tea/ha. The highest crop yield (1500 kg ha^?1) along with high and consistent soil quality development was noted under SNM treatment; while MI influenced lowest yield (1268 kg ha^?1) and minimal soil response. Addition of the organic food source with cultured microbes (MI+OF) was found to improve crop performance (1427 kg ha^?1), but with 7.60 times higher cost (Rs. 39.97 kg^?1 made tea). Economic viability study indicated that except SNM, all other treatments were vulnerable toward crop loss or market downfall.     

Sugarcane bagasse biochars impact respiration and greenhouse gas emissions from a latosol

Purpose

A paucity in knowledge remains on the influence of biochar production temperature and the rate of application on greenhouse gas emissions from soil. The objective of this column experiment was to evaluate a biochar thermosequence by doses on CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄ emissions from a latosol following nitrogen fertilizer application following a pre-incubation period.

Materials and methods

Biochar was produced from sugarcane bagasse pyrolyzed at 300, 500, and 700 °C (BC 300, BC 500, and BC 700, respectively). Biochars were added to air-dried latosol columns at rates of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 % (w/w), and the water content was brought to 95 % of water-filled pore space (WFPS). The emissions from columns were tested on days 1, 3, 7, 15, and 30 following a 30-day pre-incubation.

Results and discussion

All treatments showed a decrease in respiration across the study period. The higher doses of biochar of BC 300 and BC 700 resulted in significantly higher respiration than controls on days 15 and 30. Neither biochar dose nor temperature had a significant effect on CH₄ emissions during the study period. Application of all biochars suppressed the emissions of N₂O at all doses on days 1 and 3, compared to the control. N₂O emissions from higher temperature biochar-amended soil at 2, 5, 10, and 15 % were greater than that from corresponding treatments of lower-temperature biochar-amended soil on days 15 and 30.

Conclusions

Soil respiration and overall greenhouse gas emission from latosol increased with biochar dose and pyrolysis temperature in the 30-day study period due to increasing water retention facilitated by biochar. Careful consideration is needed when applying bagasse biochar as it changes N cycling and soil physical properties.

     

Biocontrol of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> wilt of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> by rhizospheric bacteria isolated from turmeric endowed with plant growth promotion and disease suppression potential

In the present study, 129 rhizospheric bacteria isolated from Curcuma longa were screened for their antagonistic potential against six fungal phytopathogens. Among them, 32 isolates that showed significant antagonistic potential were screened for their in vitro plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. The identification of potential isolates was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and results revealed Bacillus as the dominant genus followed by Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas and Achromobacter. Based on the antagonistic activity and PGP traits; two strains (BPSRB4 and BPSRB14), identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, were further tested for their in vivo PGP and disease suppression potential on Capsicum annuum seedlings under greenhouse conditions. The results demonstrated that BPSRB4 and BPSR14 strains suppress fungal pathogen infection and promote plant growth. Further, the BPSRB4 strain was positive for the production of the phytohormone indole acetic acid (IAA) detected by thin layer chromatography (TLC). In addition, nitrogen fixation and plant growth promotion activity were also confirmed by amplification and sequencing of nitrogen fixation gene (nifH) and ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase (acdS) gene from strains BPSRB4 and BPSRB14. The present study demonstrated that the B. amyloliquefaciens strains BPSRB4 and BPSR14 possess antagonistic activity and PGP potential which could be explored for the development of biofertilizers and biocontrol agents for the growth of chilli seedlings.     

Effect of n‐3 PUFA‐rich fish oil supplementation during late gestation on kidding,uterine involution and resumption of follicular activity in goat

We have shown that dietary supplementation of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n‐3 PUFA)‐rich fish oil (FO) around the breeding time improved the utero‐ovarian functions in the goat. Here, we investigated the effect of FO supplementation during the periparturient period on serum n‐3 PUFA, prostaglandin F_2α metabolite (PGFM), placental expulsion, uterine involution, resumption of oestrus and neonatal vigour. Rohilkhandi goat in advanced gestation (n = 16) was divided into two equal groups. One group was supplemented with FO containing 26% n‐3 long‐chain PUFA at the rate of 156 mg per kg body weight, while the control group was fed isocaloric palm oil (PO) from ?3 to +3 week of kidding. Dietary FO increased serum concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by 7.3‐ and 6.6‐fold, respectively, after 6 weeks of supplementation. Goats in FO group expelled the foetal membranes 99.1 min earlier (p < .01) than those of PO group. Further, dietary FO significantly decreased the serum PGFM on day 7 post‐partum. However, no difference was found on uterine involution, which was complete by day 20 post‐partum in either group. Resumption of follicular activity by day 5 post‐partum was 87.5% in the FO as compared to 25% in the PO group (p < .05). Similarly, occurrence of behavioural oestrus by day 90 post‐partum was 57.1% in goats of the FO group while none of does was in the PO group (p < .01) expressed oestrus. It was concluded that feeding FO‐rich diet during ?3 to +3 weeks of kidding decreased the PGFM till day 7 post‐partum, hastened the expulsion of foetal membranes and reduced the time from kidding to first post‐partum oestrus in Rohilkhandi does.     

Optimization of acid cellulose enzyme concentration to reduce pilling of bamboo fabric: An objective assessment approach

Enzymes are being extensively used in industry as they are environmentally friendly. They show a variety of advantages over chemicals, like their specificity, high efficiency and eco-friendliness. Nowadays different kinds of cellulase enzyme mixtures are commercially formulated for the finishing of cellulosic fabrics. This study investigated the effect of acid cellulase treatment on bamboo knitted-fabric to reduce pill. It has been observed that specific range of concentration only can effectively reduce pills with substantial weight loss. The common process and method followed by a textile chemist to optimize or standardize the concentration of enzyme treatment to reduce pill is still cumbersome and doubtful. A quicker and objective method is proposed to optimize the concentration of enzyme. The effectiveness is evaluated using standard Martindale tester and the weight loss of the fabric.     

Competing Visions: Domestic Forests, Politics and Forest Policy in the Central Western Ghats of South India

Rural people in developing countries including India continue to access a number of types of ‘forests’ to meet specific needs such as fuelwood, fodder, food, non-timber forest produce and timber for both subsistence and income generation. While a plethora of terms exist to describe the types of forests that rural people use—such as farm forests, social forests, community forests and small-scale forests—the expression domestic forest has recently been proposed. Domestic forest is a term aimed at capturing the diversity of forests transformed and managed by rural communities and a way to introduce a new scientific domain that recognises that production and conservation can be reconciled and that local communities can be effective managers. This paper argues in the context of the central Western Ghats of south India that while the domestic forest concept is a useful umbrella term to capture the diversity of forests used by rural people, these domestic forests are often not autonomous local forests but sites of contestation between local actors and the state forest bureaucracy. Hence, a paradigm shift within the forest bureaucracy will only occur if the scientific forestry community questions its own normative views on forest management and sees forest policy as a means to recognise local claims and support existing practices of forest dependent communities.