Epidemiological studies on abortions in Indian thoroughbred mares

Young mares up to 8 years of age accounted for 41.55 percent of abortions. Forty and one quarter (40.25) percent of abortions were recorded in the 8th month of gestation. Twin abortions were 25.98 per cent and correlated directly to overall abortions.     

A new redox cofactor in eukaryotic enzymes: 6-hydroxydopa at the active site of bovine serum amine oxidase

An active site, cofactor-containing peptide has been obtained in high yield from bovine serum amine oxidase. Sequencing of this pentapeptide indicates: Leu-Asn-X-Asp-Tyr. Analysis of the peptide by mass spectrometry, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance leads to the identification of X as 6-hydroxydopa. This result indicates that, contrary to previous proposals, pyrroloquinoline quinone is not the active site cofactor in mammalian copper amine oxidases. Although 6-hydroxydopa has been implicated in neurotoxicity, the data presented suggest that this compound has a functional role at an enzyme active site.     

Response of Antioxidant Enzymes,Phytochelatins and Glutathione Production Towards Cd and Zn Stresses in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Genotypes Colonized by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Most metal polluted natural environments are contaminated with multiple metals, and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are among the extracellular strategies to avoid metal toxicity. To understand the interaction between Cd, Zn and AM fungi Glomus mosseae, two genotypes (Sel 85N and P792) of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.), differing in their metal tolerance, were chosen for study. Results revealed that root dry weights were more severely affected than shoot dry weights as both the metals were accumulated in roots than in the aerial parts. Mycorrhization promoted biomass yields by decreasing metal content in plant tissues. Exposure to the metals resulted in oxidative burst (high H₂O₂, malondialdehyde contents and electrolyte leakage), which was accompanied by decreased membrane stability. However, increase in the level of total non‐protein thiols (TNP‐SH) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione reductase (GR) suggested that all these parameters were synergistic in combating heavy‐metal‐induced oxidative stress. Zn supplementation proved to be inhibitory for Cd‐induced oxidative stress. AM fungi alleviated oxidative stress through enhanced production of TNP‐SH as well as through upregulation of antioxidant enzymes. Sel 85N exhibited lesser oxidative damage and more efficient defence mechanism than P792.     

The impact of knowledge and social influences on adolescents' breast-feeding beliefs and intentions

OBJECTIVES: Many health promotion educational interventions assume that increasing knowledge directly influences beliefs, intentions and behaviour, whereas research suggests that knowledge alone is insufficient for behavioural change. Social cognition frameworks such as the Theory of Reasoned Action propose a central role for beliefs and social normative influences. This Scottish study evaluates the role of knowledge and social influences (subjective norms, exposure to breast-feeding, social barriers) on beliefs and future intentions to breast-feed or bottle-feed. Social influences from family and peers are investigated.DESIGN: A cross-sectional between-subjects observational design was used. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 229 (46%) male and 267 (54%) female adolescents aged 11-18 years.SETTING: Participants completed questionnaires during lessons at three secondary schools in Central Scotland.RESULTS: Knowledge about health benefits of breast-feeding was generally poor. Analyses found that perceived social barriers to breast-feeding moderated the relationship between knowledge and beliefs. More knowledge, positive beliefs and supportive subjective norms also predicted future intentions to breast-feed. Parental norms exerted greater influence than peer norms on adolescents' breast-feeding beliefs.CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and social influences are important predictors of positive breast-feeding beliefs and future intentions to breast-feed in adolescents. This has important implications for breast-feeding health promotion interventions in young people.     

Effects of invasion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mikania micrantha</Emphasis> on germination of rice seedlings,plant richness,chemical properties and respiration of soil

Mikania micrantha, a creeper and climber, has invaded forests and agricultural areas in the Western Ghats. A quantification of the effect of Mikania on species richness and factors that contribute to its success would help to understand the invasion success of Mikania in the Western Ghats of India. This study investigated its impact on species richness and factors that contribute to its invasion success. Impact of Mikania on species richness was studied in areas invaded by Mikania and not yet invaded by Mikania by quadrat (1 × 1 m²) method. Growth experiments were carried out with Mikania rhizosphere soil and soil treated with Mikania leaf leachate. Chemical characteristics such as electrical conductivity, organic matter, extractable P, total organic N and water-soluble phenolics, and microbial respiration of soil invaded by Mikania and not yet invaded by Mikania were measured. We observed lower species richness in areas invaded by Mikania compared to areas not yet invaded by Mikania. Seedling growth was suppressed in Mikania rhizosphere soil or soil treated with higher levels of Mikania leaf leachate. Higher levels of organic matter, total organic N and water-soluble phenolics, and lower microbial activity were observed in Mikania rhizosphere soil. Soil treated with Mikania leaf leachate has higher amounts of water-soluble phenolics. Mikania invasion appears to reduce plant species richness in the Western Ghats, and discourage seedling growth of certain plant species. Factors that are likely to contribute to Mikania success are its ability to pre-empt light and alter soil chemistry and biochemistry in ways that benefit the species.     

Wild melon diversity in India (Punjab State)

We present here the first comprehensive genetic characterization of wild melon accessions from northern India. The genetic diversity among 43 wild melon accessions collected from the six agro-ecological regions of the Punjab State of India was assessed by measuring variation at 16 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) loci, morphological traits of plant habit and fruit morphological traits, two yield-associated traits, root nematode resistance and biochemical composition (ascorbic acid, carotenoids, titrable acidity). Variation among accessions was observed in plant habit and fruit traits and wild melon germplasm with high acidity and elevated carotenoid content and possessing resistance to Meloidogyne incognita was identified in the collection. A high level of genetic variability in wild melon germplasm was suggested by SSR analysis. Comparative analysis using SSRs of the genetic variability between wild melons from the north and other melons from the south and east regions of India and also reference accessions of cultivated melon from Spain, Japan, Korea, Maldives, Iraq and Israel, showed regional differentiation among Indian melon accessions and that Indian germplasm was not closely related to melon accessions from other parts of the world. A highly drought tolerant accession belonging to var. agrestis Naud. was also identified.     

Transfer of leaf rust and stripe rust resistance from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops umbellulata</Emphasis> Zhuk. to bread wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Aegilops umbellulata acc. 3732, an excellent source of resistance to major wheat diseases, was used for transferring leaf rust and stripe rust resistance to cultivated wheat. An amphiploid between Ae. umbellulata acc. 3732 and Triticum durum cv. WH890 was crossed with cv. Chinese Spring Ph ^I to induce homoeologous pairing between Ae. umbellulata and wheat chromosomes. The F₁ was crossed to the susceptible Triticum aestivum cv. ‘WL711’ and leaf rust and stripe rust resistant plants were selected among the backcross progenies. Homozygous lines were selected and screened against six Puccinia triticina and four Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici pathotypes at the seedling stage and a mixture of prevalent pathotypes of both rust pathogens at the adult plant stage. Genomic in situ hybridization in some of the selected introgression lines detected two lines with complete Ae. umbellulata chromosomes. Depending on the rust reactions and allelism tests, the introgression lines could be classified into two groups, comprising of lines with seedling leaf rust resistance gene Lr9 and with new seedling leaf rust and stripe rust resistance genes. Inheritance studies detected an additional adult plant leaf rust resistance gene in one of the introgression lines. A minimum of three putatively new genes—two for leaf rust resistance (LrU1 and LrU2) and one for stripe rust resistance (YrU1) have been introgressed into wheat from Ae. umbellulata. Two lines with no apparent linkage drag have been identified. These lines could serve as sources of resistance to leaf rust and stripe rust in breeding programs.     

Screening of water-efficient rice genotypes for dry direct seeding in South Asia

Rice genotypes having high crop water productivity in dry direct-seeded rice (DDSR) need to be assessed while promoting labor- and water-saving technology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of several selection indices to identify genotypes with high crop water productivity in DDSR. A set of 16 genotypes [13 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and three genotypes as check for control] were evaluated under DDSR for two consecutive years (2013 and 2014) using two irrigation regimes [-10 kPa (non-stress) and -20 kPa (stress)]. Grain yield varied from 5.3 to 8.4 t ha^-1 and 5.9 to 8.7 t ha^-1 for irrigation regimes of -20 and -10 kPa, respectively. Yield reductions caused by water stress ranged from 2.9 to 25.1%; being lowest in RIL1649 and highest in hybrid SVH-127. The genotypes with high stress-tolerance index (STI), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP) and harmonic mean productivity (HAR) were identified as the most productive genotypes for high crop water productivity in DDSR. The results implied that selection based on stress tolerance indices likes STI, MP, GMP and HAR was useful in identifying genotypes with high crop water productivity under DDSR and RIL 1649 and SVH-127 were identified as superior genotypes in this regard.     

Estimation of nitrogen and sulfur mineralization in soils amended with crop residues contributing to nitrogen and sulfur nutrition of crops in the North Central U.S

Predicting nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) mineralization of crop residues from the preceding crop might be a useful tool for forecasting soil N and S availability. Two soils from eastern North Dakota and three crop residues – corn, spring wheat, and soybean were used in an 8-week incubation study to estimate N and S mineralization from crop residues. The cumulative N and S mineralized were fit to a first-order kinetic model. Cumulative N mineralized ranged between 0.34 and 2.15 mg kg^?1 and 0.45 to 3.41 mg kg^?1 for the Glyndon and Fargo soils, respectively. Un-amended soils showed higher N mineralization than residue treated soils. For S, the highest mineralization occurred in un-amended Glyndon soil and in spring wheat-amended Fargo soil. This study indicates that crop residue additions can have a negative impact on plant available nutrients due to immobilization of N and S during the time when crops need the nutrients most.     

A comparative study of monoterpenoids and phenylpropanoids from essential oils against stored grain insects: acute toxins or feeding deterrents

The relationship between the acute toxicity and feeding deterrent activity of ten compounds occurring commonly in essential oils was explored in order to determine whether they are acute toxins or antifeedants against stored-grain pests. Simultaneously, the objective was also to demonstrate the comparative efficacy against three post-harvest stored-grain pests. Thymol, carvacrol, eugenol and trans-anethole were specifically toxic, and linalool was a generalist feeding deterrent against all three species studied. Thymol was most toxic to Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica compared to carvacrol and eugenol but was least toxic to Sitophilus oryzae. Similarly, linalool deterred feeding of S. oryzae (FI₅₀ = 0.025 mg/g of the wafer diet), T. castaneum (FI₅₀ = 0.207 mg/g of the wafer diet) and R. dominica (FI₅₀ = 0.482 mg/g of the wafer diet) at different concentrations; R. dominica beetles required about 20 times the concentration to deter feeding compared to S. oryzae and more than twice compared to T. castaneum. Comparison of toxicity and deterrent activity with respective artificial blends as binary mixtures revealed that synergism was not a generalized phenomenon, and the variations were both species as well as blend specific. Individual compound efficacy correlations were not ascertained, which suggests that artificial blends could be prepared to obtain potential mixtures for substantial control of stored-grain insect pests. The present study also implies that the compounds are mostly acute toxins, and whatever inhibition in feeding was obtained could be due to physiological toxicity rather than any interaction with gustatory receptors.