A single promoter inversion switches Photorhabdus between pathogenic and mutualistic states

Microbial populations stochastically generate variants with strikingly different properties, such as virulence or avirulence and antibiotic tolerance or sensitivity. Photorhabdus luminescens bacteria have a variable life history in which they alternate between pathogens to a wide variety of insects and mutualists to their specific host nematodes. Here, we show that the P. luminescens pathogenic variant (P form) switches to a smaller-cell variant (M form) to initiate mutualism in host nematode intestines. A stochastic promoter inversion causes the switch between the two distinct forms. M-form cells are much smaller (one-seventh the volume), slower growing, and less bioluminescent than P-form cells; they are also avirulent and produce fewer secondary metabolites. Observations of form switching by individual cells in nematodes revealed that the M form persisted in maternal nematode intestines, were the first cells to colonize infective juvenile (IJ) offspring, and then switched to P form in the IJ intestine, which armed these nematodes for the next cycle of insect infection.     

Human Influence on Banj Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora,A. Camus) Forests of Central Himalaya

The present study suggests that the impact of human-induced small-scale disturbances (lopping of branches and leaf litter removal) adversely impacts the functioning of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora, A. Camus) forests of Central Himalaya. Significantly higher (p < .001) biomass stocks, carbon sequestration rates, soil carbon, leaf area index (LAI), litter fall, and faster litter decomposition rates were observed in least human influenced (LHI) forests as compared to moderately human influenced (MHI) forests and highly human influenced (HHI) forests. Three replicate forest stands of each category were selected for the observation. The study is used as a background to suggest alternative strategies to conserve the forests, taking into account the social and economic concerns of the village community.     

Influence of Metal Nanoparticles on the Soil Microbial Community and Germination of Lettuce Seeds

Short term influence of silica, palladium, gold and copper nanoparticles on a soil microbial community and the germination of lettuce seeds are investigated in this study at two different concentrations of nanoparticles. Results show a statistically insignificant influence of the nanoparticles in the soil on the number of colony forming units, peak areas of methyl ester of fatty acids in the FAME profile or on the total soil community metabolic fingerprint (P?>?0.05). Also, all nanoparticles tested in the study influenced the growth of lettuce seeds as measured through shoot/root ratios of the germinated plant (P?<?0.05).     

Response of upland cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">G.hirsutum</Emphasis> L.) genotypes to drought stress using drought tolerance indices

Drought tolerance as such is often not considered to be an independent trait by plant breeders. The objective of this study was to evaluate eight drought tolerance indices, namely stress susceptibility index (SSI), yield stability index (YSI), yield reduction ratio (Yr), yield index (YI), tolerance index (TOL), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), and stress tolerance index (STI) in upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.) genotypes. For this purpose, 16 genotypes were sampled during the 2013-2014 growing seasons under both normal and drought-stress field conditions at the Main Cotton Research Station of Navsari Agricultural University, Surat, India. The drought tolerance indices were calculated based on seed cotton yield under drought stress and non-stress conditions. Mean comparison of drought tolerance indices and seed cotton yield validated the significant influences of drought stress on yield as well as significant differences among genotypes. Results of calculated correlation coefficients and multivariate analyses showed that GMP, MP and STI indices were able to discriminate drought-sensitive and tolerant genotypes. Cluster analysis using the drought-tolerance indices divided the 16 genotypes into tolerant and susceptible groups. Two genotypes, G.Cot.16 × H-1353/10 and H-1353/10 × G.Cot.16 gave good yield response under drought conditions leading to their stability during water stress conditions. Based on multivariate analyses using the indices individually or in combinations, it was possible to identify the most yield-stable genotypes across the environments. Overall, we concluded that GMP, MP and STI indices can be efficiently exploited not only for screening drought tolerance but also to identify superior genotypessuitable for both stress and non-stress field conditions.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Vitex negundo leaf extract against anti-tubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity

Hepatoprotective (HP) activity of Vitex negundo (VN) leaf ethanolic extract was investigated against hepatotoxicity (HT) produced by administering a combination of three anti-tubercular drugs isoniazid (INH)-7.5 mg/kg, rifampin (RMP)-10 mg/kg and pyrazinamide (PZA)-35 mg/kg for 35 35 days by oral route in rats. V. negundo leaf ethanolic extract was administered in three graded doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg orally, 45 min prior to anti-tubercular challenge for 35 days. HP effect of V. negundo leaf ethanolic extract was evident in the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg as there was a significant decrease in TB, AST, ALT and ALP levels in comparison to control. Histology of the liver section of the animals treated with the V. negundo leaf ethanolic extract in the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg further confirms the HP activity.     

Effect of the degree of processing on soy oil conjugated linoleic acid yields

Photoirradiation processing can be used to rapidly synthesize conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in large quantities in soy oil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the level of refining of soy oil on CLA yields and oxidative properties after photoirradiation. Crude, alkali-refined, alkali-refined bleached, and alkali-refined bleached and deodorized (RBD) soy oils were photoirradiated in a pilot-plant processing system for 12 h with 0.35% iodine catalyst at 47 degrees C. RBD soy oil gave the highest total CLA yield of 16.3% of total oil with 4.3% cis, trans- and trans, cis-CLA isomers. Oxidative stability as measured by weight gain during incubation at 64 degrees C showed that iodine decreased the induction time of soy oil samples by 2-4 days. Photoirradiation processing further decreased the induction time by 2 days as a result of loss of total tocopherols. Iodine addition increased the titratable acidity in all the samples of soy oil. However, the level of refining affects this increase of titratable acidity, and RBD soy oil was found to be the most stable. The study indicates that RBD soy oil was the most suitable candidate for photoirradiation processing. Thus, soy oil should be alkali-refined, bleached, deodorized, and then photoprocessed followed by a secondary adsorption step to remove the iodine catalyst to obtain a RBD CLA-rich soy oil.     

Effect of rumen-protected nutrients on feed intake,body weights,milk yield,and composition in Murrah buffaloes during early lactation

The effect of rumen-protected nutrients (bypass fat, BPF; bypass protein, BPP; or their combination, BPPF) was investigated in Murrah buffaloes during the early stage of lactation. Forty Murrah buffaloes (BW 531.92?±?10.85 kg) just after parturition were randomly distributed into four groups according to parity and milk production. Buffaloes individually fed ration from day 0 to 90 postpartum according to feeding group and nutrient requirement. Control and BPF fed groups received a concentrate mixture, CM1 with 25% rumen-protected protein (using barley, wheat bran, and mustard oil cake), BPP and BPPF groups received a second concentrate mixture, CM2 with 40% rumen-protected protein (using barley, de-oiled rice bran, and cottonseed cake). Bypass fat fed groups (BPF and BPPF) additionally were supplemented with 15 g BPF (Ca salt of long-chain fatty acids) per kg milk yield in their respective concentrate mixtures. Dry matter intake, body weights, body condition score, and total milk yield were similar between groups (P?>?0.05). Fat-corrected milk (FCM) production was improved (14.5%, P?>?0.05) in groups fed BPP and BPPF, while significant (19.45%, P?<?0.05) improvement was observed in BPF-fed group. Overall mean values of milk fat, solid not fat, protein, lactose, and total solids were found to be high (P?<?0.05) in treatment groups as compared with control values. It may be concluded that supplementation with BPP or BPF either alone or in combination positively influences the quality of milk produced in Murrah buffaloes during early lactation and BPF additionally had improvement on the quantitative trait of milk as well.

     

Pro-inflammatory cytokine expression studies of subclinical and clinical endometritis in endometrial tissues of buffaloes

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of the study was to investigate the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of endometritis in buffaloes, which can lead to...     

Evaluation and Exploration of Lactic Acid Bacteria for Preservation and Extending the Shelf Life of Fruit

ABSTRACT

The bio-preservation of fruits using bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria (BLAB) isolated directly from cow dung and curd was an innovative approach. The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify Bacteriocin producing LAB from various curd and cow dung samples, evaluate their antimicrobial effects of BLAB against selected fruits spoiling and pathogenic microorganisms in vitro. LAB was isolated using MRS media. The well-diffusion bioassay was used to screen for Bacteriocin-Like Inhibitory Substance (BLIS) producing LAB Salimicrobium Bacillus, Paenibacillus and Lactobacillus. BLIS producing LAB were tested against 25 fruit flora of selected fruits. These LABs were also tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhi, Serritia spp, Xanthomonas campestris, and also against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus nigar, Fusarium, Alternaria, Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the diffusion bioassay plate method. The antagonistic activity was also studied against pathogenic fruit flora which has been isolated from fruits. These BLISs showed a wide range of antibacterial activity against tested, fruit-spoilage and fruit-borne pathogens and able to extend the shelf life of fruits. Bacteriocinogenic LAB present in curd and cow dung may have potential to be used as bio-preservatives of tested fruits.     

Preparation of color filters using azo and nitroso colorants

Color filters were prepared by using azo colorants and nitroso metal complex colorants. Initially, crushed glass particles were colored by using the azo and nitroso-iron complex colorants. These colored glass particles were used to obtain a colored composite with unsaturated polyester resin to give colored glass filters. Glass filters obtained were used for study to evaluate fading rate with respect to UV radiation, heat and moisture. Thermo gravimetric analyses of synthesized colorants were also carried out to determine their thermal stability.