Biodiversity in wood-decay macro-fungi associated with declining arid zone trees of India as revealed by nuclear rDNA analysis

Wood-decay macro-fungi have been reported to be a major cause of decline of arid zone trees in the genera Acacia, Prosopis, Ziziphus and Azadirachta; the identity of these fungi, however, has not been confirmed in the state of Rajasthan in northwestern India. Direct sequencing of PCR amplified ITS regions of rDNA facilitated molecular identification of 26 isolates into species in eight genera (Ganoderma, Inonotus, Phellinus, Ceriporia, Schizophyllum, Phanerochaete, Pleurotus, Leucoagaricus) and one incompletely characterized Basidiomycota species. In addition to intra-specific phenotypic variations in basidiocarp morphology, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) were recorded among isolates of P. pulmonarius, S. commune, G. lucidum and Ganoderma species. Both SNPs and insertions/deletions (INDELS) were recorded amongst Inonotus species. A phylogram based on multiple sequence alignment delineated all isolates into separate intra-specific subgroups along with their GenBank reference sequences with high bootstrap values. Phellinus repandus, L. meleagris, C. lacerata and three Inonotus species (I. rickii, I. patouillardii, and I. porrectus) reported herein are new fungal records from India.     

Study of changes in some pathophysiological stress markers in different age groups of an animal model of acute and chronic heat stress

BACKGROUND: This study demonstrates the changes in six different pathophysiological parameters such as body weight, body temperature, fecal pellet count, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, plasma corticosterone level and emergence of hemorrhagic peptic ulcer spots due to exposure to high environmental heat in three different age groups of freely moving rats. METHODS: Each age group of rats was sub divided into three groups: (i) acute heat stress-subjected to a single exposure for four hours in the Biological Oxygen Demand incubator at 38 degrees C; (ii) chronic heat stress-exposed for 21 days daily for one hour in the incubator at 38 degrees C, and (iii) handling control groups. The data were recorded for the analyses of the changes in different parameters just after the heat exposure from acute stressed rats and on 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th and 21st day on chronic stressed rats for body temperature, body weight, fecal pellets count. For the analysis of changes in three other parameters, BBB permeability, plasma corticosterone level and peptic ulcer spots following chronic exposure to high environmental heat, data were recorded on 22nd day for the analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of variance (ANOVA-1) of the observations demonstrates a significant increase in body temperature, fecal pellet count, BBB permeability (except in adult group), plasma corticosterone level and emergence of hemorrhagic peptic ulcer spots in all three different age group of rats due to exposure to acute heat stress. However, chronic heat was found responsible for the significant reduction in body weight in weaning and young rats, increase in body temperature, number of fecal pellets excreted (in early days of chronic stress) and number of peptic ulcer spots in all three age groups of rats. At the same time, BBB extravasations were not observed in rats except very mild in weaning group. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that the acute as well as chronic exposure to hot environment significantly alters the physiology of different organs of the body.     

Potential of Bacillus altitudinis KMS-6 as a biocontrol agent of Meloidogyne javanica

Journal of Pest Science - Root-knot nematodes are among the most dangerous plant pathogens. Biological control is a safer and effective way to manage such pests. In this context, bacterial strain...     

Pharmacokinetics,urinary excretion and plasma protein binding of danofloxacin following intravenous administration in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Pharmacokinetics, urinary excretion and plasma protein binding of danofloxacin was investigated in buffalo calves following intravenous administration at the dose rate of 1.25 mg/kg to select the optimal dosage regimen of danofloxacin. Drug concentrations in plasma and urine were measured by microbiological assaying. In vitro plasma protein binding was determined employing the equilibrium dialysis technique. The distribution and elimination of danofloxacin were rapid, as indicated by values (mean ±SD) of distribution half-life (t_1/2α = 0.16 ± 0.07 h) and elimination half-life (t_1/2β = 4.24 ± 1.78 h), respectively. Volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) = 3.98 ± 1.69 L/kg indicated large distribution of drug. The area under plasma drug concentration versus time curve (AUC) was 1.79 ± 0.28 μg/mlxh and MRT was 8.64 ± 0.61 h. Urinary excretion of danofloxacin was 23% within 48 h of its administration. Mean plasma protein binding was 36% at concentrations ranging from 0.0125 μg/ml to 1 μg/ml. On the basis of pharmacokinetic parameters obtained, it is concluded that the revision of danofloxacin dosage regimen in buffalo calves is needed because the current dosage schedule (1.25 mg/kg) is likely to promote resistance.     

Linseed oil in boar's diet improved in vivo fertility and antioxidant status

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are produced during storage of boar semen are causing oxidative stress and leads to poor fertility. Also, tropical and sub-tropical weather condition adversely impacts the physicomorphological quality and fertility of boar sperm. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of feeding linseed oil to boar on its seminal attributes, sperm kinetics, biomarkers of antioxidant, fatty acid profile of seminal plasma (SP) and sperm and in vivo fertility. Six Hampshire crossbreed boars were fed with 90 ml linseed oil (LIN) whereas six Hampshire crossbreed boars were fed 90 ml canola oil (CON) for 16 weeks. Sperm quality was evaluated (60 ejaculates for each group; a total of 120 ejaculates) for motility, livability, abnormal morphology, acrosomal membrane integrity, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) and sperm kinetic parameters by computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) at 0 h and at 72 h of storage at 17°C. Biomarkers of antioxidant (glutathione peroxidase; GPx, catalase; CAT, total antioxidant capacity; TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in SP and serum. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used for the estimation of fatty acid composition of SP and sperm. Boars fed with linseed oil had higher semen volume (p < .01) and more total sperm numbers (p < .01). Feeding linseed oil to boar enhanced seminal attributes (p < .05) at 0 h as well as at 72 h of storage. Linseed oil feeding (p < .01) improved biomarkers of antioxidants and significantly (p < .01) lowered the lipid peroxidation in serum and SP. Linseed oil feeding (p < .05) increased the proportion of alpha linolenic (ALA), arachidonic and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids in SP. The ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids in sperm increased significantly (p < .01) in treatment group. Farrowing rate was significantly (p < .05) higher in treatment group. In conclusion, feeding linseed oil to boar improved the in vivo fertility, enhanced antioxidant capacity and increased the DHA content of SP and sperm.