Pollination Services of Mango Flower Pollinators

Measuring wild pollinator services in agricultural production is very important in the context of sustainable management. In this study, we estimated the contribution of native pollinators to mango fruit set production of two mango cultivars Mangifera indica (L). cv. ‘Sala’ and ‘Chok Anan’. Visitation rates of pollinators on mango flowers and number of pollen grains adhering to their bodies determined pollinator efficiency for reproductive success of the crop. Chok Anan failed to produce any fruit set in the absence of pollinators. In natural condition, we found that Sala produced 4.8% fruit set per hermaphrodite flower while Chok Anan produced 3.1% per flower. Hand pollination tremendously increased fruit set of naturally pollinated flower for Sala (>100%), but only 33% for Chok Anan. Pollinator contribution to mango fruit set was estimated at 53% of total fruit set production. Our results highlighted the importance of insect pollinations in mango production. Large size flies Eristalinus spp. and Chrysomya spp. were found to be effective pollen carriers and visited more mango flowers compared with other flower visitors.     

The impact of staphylococcal mastitis on the level of milk IL-6, lysozyme and nitric oxide

Mammary gland secretions derived from secretory cows infected with coagulase +ve Staphylococcus spp. was examined for the expression of IL-6, production of lysozyme and NO(x). The examined cows reflected 25 cases of subclinical mastitis and 15 cases of clinically mastitic animals. The IL-6 concentration in the subclinical animals was significantly higher (30.8 ng/ml) than the clinically manifested animals (18.0 ng/ml) and the normal cows (5.2n g/ml). On the other hand the level of lysozyme although significantly higher than the normal cows (6.9 microg/ml) yet its level in the subclinical animals (11.2 microg/ml) was lower than that estimated in the clinical animals (15.6 microg/ml). Similarly, the level of NO(x) in the normal animals was found to be 5.6 microM/ml to increase to 6.2 microM/ml in the subclinical mastitic animals and to significantly increase further to 11.5 microM/ml in the clinically affected cows. These results suggest the promising use of whey IL-6, lysozyme or/and NO concentration variabilities as prognostic parameters on the degree of the commencement of mastitis in cows.     

Synthesis,analysis and simulation of carbonized electrospun nanofibers infused carbon prepreg composites for improved mechanical and thermal properties

This paper reports the fabrication, characterization and simulation of electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers into pre-impregnated (prepreg) carbon fiber composites for different industrial applications. The electrospun PAN nanofibers were stabilized in air at 270 °C for one hour and then carbonized at 950 °C in an inert atmosphere (argon) for another hour before placing on the prepreg composites as top layers. The prepreg carbon fibers and carbonized PAN nanofibers were cured together following the prepreg composite curing cycles. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was carried out to investigate the chemical compositions and elemental distribution of the carbonized PAN nanofibers. The EDX results revealed that the carbon weight % of approximately 66 (atomic % 72) was achieved in the PAN-derived carbon nanofibers along with nitrogen and lower amounts of nickel, oxygen and other impurities. Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) exhibited the glass transition regions in the prepreg nanocomposites and the significant dependence of coefficient of thermal expansion on the fiber directions. The highest value of coefficient of thermal expansion was observed in the temperature range of 118-139 °C (7.5×10^-8 1/°C) for 0 degree nanocomposite scheme. The highest value of coefficient of thermal expansion was observed in the temperature range of 50-80 °C (37.5×10^-6 1/°C) for 90 degree nanocomposite scheme. The test results were simulated using ANSYS software. The test results may be useful for the development of structural health monitoring of various composite materials for aircraft and wind turbine applications.     

DNA methylation and histone acetylation: genotypic variations in hybrid poplars, impact of water deficit and relationships with productivity

? Several reports on annual plants have already shown the involvement of epigenetic modifiers such as DNA methylation in their adaptation to abiotic stresses.

? Nevertheless, the genotypic variations of epigenetic modifiers, their possible correlations with morphological traits and the impact of water deficit have not been described for perennial plants.

? Six genotypes of Populus deltoides × P. nigra were subjected or not to a moderate water deficit treatment. Various morphological traits such as the height of the plants, their biomass and the total leaf area were measured to characterize the productivity in both conditions. Levels of DNA methylation, histone acetylation and the activities and isoform accumulation of the corresponding enzymes were measured at the shoot apex, the site of morphogenesis. Genotypic variation was observed for the morphological traits and the epigenetic variables and correlations were established among them. Genotypic variation for DNA methylation was detected in hybrid poplars. A positive correlation was demonstrated between DNA methylation percentage and productivity under well watered conditions.

? While there was a general decrease of growth for all genotypes in response to a moderate water deficit, genotypic dependant variations of DNA methylation were found suggesting different strategies among hybrids.

     

Environmental variables affect the hard-to-cook phenomenon of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seed

Changes in moisture content and cooking rate of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds which were sun-dried for 5 hours on cement, wood, or corrugated iron sheet surfaces and packaged for 6 months in jute or polythene bags were studied. Relationships and effects of interacting variables studied were examined using the contrast analysis technique. From day zero to about 2 months of storage, the sun-dried samples had significantly (p<0.01) lower moisture content and longer cooking times than the corresponding control samples. However, moisture-gain and cooking time increased progressively throughout the storage period for all samples studied. The relationship between these two variables, tested at p=0.01 using contrast analysis technique, was dependent on the choice of packaging material.     

Dynamic-interaction of vitamin K and levamisole on phenylbutazone activities

The results showed that co-administration of either vitamin K or levamisole along with phenylbutazone abolished the latter's anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities and reduced its analgesic effect. Prolonged administration of phenylbutazone alone to rats for 21 days increased significantly serum glutamate oxalacetate transaminase (SGOT) activity, urea and creatinine concentrations, while it decreased with significance uric acid concentration in the serum. Vitamin K, when administered together with phenylbutazone, reduced its effect on SGOT activity and creatinine concentration. Levamisole antagonised the uricosuric effect of phenylbutazone, when both were concomitantly given. Histopathological examination of the liver of rats, given phenylbutazone alone, showed mild degenerative changes, whereas in combination with levamisole these changes were exacerbated. Kidney showed oedema, degeneration, congestion, and haemorrhage. These changes were severe in rats, given phenylbutazone alone, moderate in levamisole-treated animals, and mild in those given both drugs. Combination of levamisole with phenylbutazone not only decreased the congestion of gastric mucosa but also activated the gastric glands.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of markers and cytokines for equid myeloid cells

The myeloid cell system comprises of monocytes, macrophages (MPhi), dendritic cells (DC), Kupffer cells, osteoclasts or microglia and is also known as the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS). Essential cytokines to differentiate or activate these cells include GM-CSF or IL-4. Important markers for characterization include CD1, CD14, CD68, CD163 and CD206. All these markers, however, were not cloned or further characterized in equids by use of monoclonal antibodies earlier. To overcome this problem with the present study, two approaches were used. First, we cloned equine cytokines and markers, and second we analyzed cross-reactivity of human homologues or anti-human monoclonal antibodies. For cloning of equine cytokines and markers, we used degenerate primers delineated from other species, or equine-specific primers based on previous information in Genbank. Flow cytometry was used to determine the expression of markers on myeloid cells. Cross-reactivity could be shown for anti-human CD14, CD163 and mannose receptor (CD206) mAbs. Surface markers such as CD1 and CD68 that distinguish MPhi and DC were cloned and sequenced. According to blast homology, equine CD1a and CD1b could be identified and distinguished. With the resulting information, dendritic cells and macrophages of horses may be characterized.     

Spontaneous repair of the atrophic contralateral ovary without ovariectomy in the case of a granulosa theca cell tumor (GTCT) affected mare

A 21 year old thoroughbred mare with granulosa theca cell tumor (GTCT) in the right side and atrophic contralateral ovary was investigated in this study. After arrival at our laboratory on 10th December 1999, the clinical diagnosis of GTCT was examined by rectal palpation and ultrasonographic image of ovaries. Plasma from peripheral blood was collected in the breeding and non-breeding seasons for hormonal analysis. The results showed that the contralateral ovary regained normal activity without any treatment of the GTCT affected ovary and contained follicles showing different sizes 19 months later. However, the affected right ovary, which became smaller after 4 months, was totally inactive without any follicle. The observations clearly demonstrate that without any treatment of the GTCT affected ovary, a mare can return to her normal estrous cycle within a certain period in some GTCT cases.     

Aetiology and prevalence of canine anaemia in Zaria: a review of 2139 cases observed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria (1990-2003)

An investigation was conducted at the Ahmadu Bello University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (ABUVTH) between January, 1990 and September, 2003 to determine the aetiology and prevalence of canine anaemia in Zaria, Nigeria. Out of the 5278 mongrel dogs presented during the period 1990-2003, 2139 (40.5%) were found to be anaemic, with packed cell volume (PCV) values ranging from 7 to 36%. The clinical signs presented by these dogs include: Pale mucous membranes, weakness, depression, anorexia/inapettence and reduced activity. About 50 dogs (about 1%) with helminths and haemoparasitic infestations had high PCV values (37-40%) without clinical presentation of anaemia or disease. Most of the dogs with anaemia (n = 2016 or 94.2%) had parasitic infestations. About 1580 (about 74%) of the anaemic cases, attributed to parasitic infestations occurred between May and October. A few dogs (n = 55, 2.6%) had anaemia due to poor nutrition, while 68 (3.2%) had anaemia with unknown cause. The public health significance of the parasites reported in this study is discussed.     

Effect of dietary protein quality and essential fatty acids on fatty acid composition in the liver and adipose tissue after rapid weight loss in overweight cats

OBJECTIVE: To examine effects of dietary protein quality (casein [CA] vs corn gluten [CG]) and dietary lipids (corn oil [CO] vs oil blend [OB] rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [LCPUFAs]) on fatty acid composition in liver and adipose tissue after weight loss in overweight cats. ANIMALS: 24 ovariohysterectomized adult cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were allowed ad libitum access to a high-quality diet until they weighed 30% more than their ideal body weight. Cats were then randomly assigned to 1 of 4 weight-reduction diets (6 cats/diet) and were fed 25% of maintenance energy requirements per day. Diets consisted of CG-CO, CA-CO, CG-OB, and CA-OB, respectively, and were fed until cats lost weight and returned to their original lean body mass. Liver biopsy specimens and samples of perirenal, subcutaneous, and abdominal fat were obtained and analyzed for fatty acid content. RESULTS: Following weight loss, fatty acid composition of the liver and adipose tissue was primarily affected by protein quality in that cats fed CA had significantly higher percentages of 20:4(n-6) and 22:6(n-3) fatty acids than those fed CG. Cats fed the CG-CO diet had the lowest concentrations of LCPUFAs, suggesting that dietary lipids and protein quality each influence fatty acid composition in tissues. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data provide direct evidence that dietary protein quality alters fatty acid composition of tissues during weight loss in cats. The fatty acid patterns observed suggest that protein quality may alter fatty acid composition through modulation of desaturase activity.