Clathrin light chains LCA and LCB are similar, polymorphic, and share repeated heptad motifs

The clathrin light chains fall into two major classes, LCA and LCB. In an intact clathrin triskelion, one light chain, of either class, is bound to the proximal segment of a heavy chain leg. Analysis of rat brain and liver complementary DNA clones for LCA and LCB shows that the two light chain classes are closely related. There appear to be several members of each class having deletions of varying length aligned at the same position. A set of ten heptad elements, characteristic of alpha-helical coiled coils, is a striking feature of the central part of each derived amino acid sequence. These observations suggest a model in which the alpha-helical segment mediates binding to clathrin heavy chains and the amino- and carboxyl-terminal segments mediate interactions with other proteins. They also suggest an explanation for the observed tissue-dependent size variation for members of each class.     

Degradation of microRNAs by a family of exoribonucleases in Arabidopsis

microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in numerous developmental and metabolic processes in plants and animals. The steady-state levels of miRNAs need to be properly controlled to ensure normal development. Whereas the framework of miRNA biogenesis is established, factors involved in miRNA degradation remain unknown. Here, we show that a family of exoribonucleases encoded by the SMALL RNA DEGRADING NUCLEASE (SDN) genes degrades mature miRNAs in Arabidopsis. SDN1 acts specifically on single-stranded miRNAs in vitro and is sensitive to the 2'-O-methyl modification on the 3' terminal ribose of miRNAs. Simultaneous knockdown of three SDN genes in vivo results in elevated miRNA levels and pleiotropic developmental defects. Therefore, we have uncovered the enzymes that degrade miRNAs and demonstrated that miRNA turnover is crucial for plant development.     

Process optimization of Aerva lanata extract treated textile material for microbial resistance in healthcare textiles

The focus of the present research work is on evaluation of the antimicrobial finished textile material from the extract of Aerva lanata plant and optimization of process parameters to get the maximum antimicrobial efficiency. The microencapsulated extracts of Aerva lanata plant (leaves and stalk) using citric acid as a cross linking agent were applied on plain-woven cotton fabric by pad-dry-cure method. The Aerva lanata extract treated fabric samples were tested for antibacterial activity against bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli under Agar diffusion test and AATCC 100–2004. It is observed that the treated cotton fabric shows a clear microbial resistance of about 19–25 mm zone of inhibition in the agar diffusion test against the above-mentioned bacterial strains. The treated samples showed 80 % of reduction against Staphylococcus aureus and 70 % reduction against Escherichia coli as per AATCC (100–2004). Process parameters like concentration of extract, citric acid and curing temperature were optimized using Box-Behnken design for better performance of antimicrobial treated material. The optimum values of 21.14 % extract concentration, 2.39 % crosslinking agent and 101.2 °C curing temperature were determined.     

Gastrojejunostomy as a treatment for gastric outflow disorders in four adult horses

Four adult horses with histories of moderate abdominal pain and inappetence were diagnosed with delayed gastric emptying and gastric impaction attributed to pyloroduodenal obstruction (three cases) or duodenitis (one case). A stapled side-to-side gastrojejunostomy was performed on all horses. Two horses returned to work and survived ≥3 years. One horse was euthanased 6 months post-surgery due to recurrent abdominal pain, and one was found dead 5 months postsurgery after an unattended foaling.     

Carotenoid accumulation during grain development in durum wheat

Yellow pigment (YP) concentration is an important quality trait in durum wheat and is comprised primarily of carotenoids. The main objective of our study was to measure the accumulation of carotenoids during the grain fill period to improve our understanding of the physiological basis for differences among durum wheat cultivars. Thirteen genotypes with large variation in total YP concentration were studied. Spikes were sampled from replicated field plots in 2007 and 2008 at 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after heading (DAH). The remainder of each plot was harvested at grain maturity for analysis. trans-Lutein was the predominant carotenoid at maturity and was detected at 14 DAH in all genotypes. The rate and duration of lutein accumulation was variable among genotypes expressing high, intermediate and low YP. The accumulation of all carotenoids was lowest in genotypes expressing low YP, and suggests rate limitations early in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. The ratio of trans-zeaxanthin to trans-lutein was inversely correlated with total YP and suggests that the β,? branch of lycopene cyclization leading to α-carotene and thus lutein, synthesis may also be limiting in low-YP genotypes. These results provide insights into the regulation of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in durum wheat grain.     

Desorption and transformation of zinc in a mollisol and its uptake by plants in a rice–wheat rotation fertilized with either zinc-enriched biosludge from molasses or with inorganic zinc

Laboratory and greenhouse investigations were carried out with ⁶⁵Zn-labeled sources to study the kinetics of desorption, transformation, and availability of Zn applied to soil as zinc-enriched biosludge from distillery molasses (ZEMB) or as zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZSH). Desorption (0.5 to 72 h) of added Zn by the column method followed a biphasic kinetics with an initial (up to 12 h) faster phase followed by a slower desorption phase. The desorption rate coefficient (K) of the latter phase and the amount of Zn desorbed during 12 to 72 h were significantly higher with ZEMB than with ZSH. Sequential extraction of Zn added as ZEMB and ZSH showed that Zn added as ZEMB was present in higher proportion as water soluble + exchangeable, carbonate bound, organically bound, and reducible fractions than Zn applied as ZSH, which showed a higher proportion of residual fraction. Under greenhouse conditions, dry matter yield (35 days) and total Zn uptake by rice fertilized with ZSH applied at 5 kg Zn ha⁻¹ were statistically similar to those of rice treated with 2.5 kg Zn ha⁻¹ supplied as ZEMB. The highest Zn uptake (167.08 μg pot⁻¹) by rice was recorded in the treatment with 5 kg Zn ha⁻¹ as ZEMB. For wheat plants grown after the harvest of rice, significantly higher dry matter yield over control was recorded in the treatment with ZEMB applied at 5 kg Zn ha⁻¹ to rice. Total Zn uptake by wheat was statistically similar for both ZEMB and ZSH treatments at 5 kg Zn ha⁻¹ dose. Both zinc derived from fertilizer and the percent utilization of fertilizer Zn by rice and by the subsequent wheat crop were significantly higher with ZEMB than with ZSH. Patent filed No. 757/MUM/2007 dated 19.04.2007     

A comparative study of peste des petits ruminants and Kata in West African dwarf goats

Summary Experimental infections of West African Dwarf goats with Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Kata were indistinguishable clinically and pathologically. Goats convalescent from Kata resisted infection with rinderpest virus. Heterologous stimulation of secondary antibody response was observed.

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Sumario Las infecciones experimentales de cabras enanas de Africa Occidental con la peste de los peque?os ruminantes y con Kata fueron clinicamente y patoligicamente indistinguibles. Cabras que convalecieron de Kata resistieron a la infección con el virus de la peste bovina. Se observó una estimulación heteróloga de la respuesta inmunitaria secundaria.

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Résumé L’infection expérimentale de chèvres naines de l’Afrique de l’Ouest par le virus de la peste des petits ruminants (PPR) et par le virus du Kata a montré que les deux maladies ne présentaient pas de différences cliniques ni pathologiques. Des chèvres convalescentes de Kata ont résisté à l’infection par le virus de la peste bovine. Une stimulation hétérologue de la réponse d’anticorps secondaires a été observée.

     

Molecular cloning and tissue expression of chicken AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 complementary deoxyribonucleic acids

AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 belong to a novel class of transmembrane receptors that mediate the effects of adiponectin. We have cloned the chicken AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 complementary deoxyribonucleic acids (cDNA) and determined their expression in various tissues. We also investigated the effect of feed deprivation on the expression of AdipoR1 or AdipoR2 mRNA in the chicken diencephalon, liver, anterior pituitary gland, and adipose tissue. The chicken AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 cDNA sequences were 76-83% identical to the respective mammalian sequences. A hydrophobicity analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of chicken AdipoR1/AdipoR2 revealed seven distinct hydrophobic regions representing seven transmembrane domains. By RT-PCR, we detected AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA in adipose tissue, liver, anterior pituitary gland, diencephalon, skeletal muscle, kidney, spleen, ovary, and blood. AdipoR1 or AdipoR2 mRNA expression in various tissues was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR, and AdipoR1 mRNA expression was the highest in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and diencephalon, followed by kidney, ovary, liver, anterior pituitary gland, and spleen. AdipoR2 mRNA expression was the highest in adipose tissue followed by skeletal muscle, liver, ovary, diencephalon, anterior pituitary gland, kidney, and spleen. We also found that a 48 h feed deprivation significantly decreased AdipoR1 mRNA quantity in the chicken pituitary gland, while AdipoR2 mRNA quantity was significantly increased in adipose tissue (P<0.05). We conclude that the AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 genes are ubiquitously expressed in chicken tissues and that their expression is altered by feed deprivation in the anterior pituitary gland and adipose tissue.     

Soil carbon stock in relation to plant diversity of homegardens in Kerala,India

Conservation of biodiversity and mitigation of global warming are two major environmental challenges today. In this context, the relationship between biodiversity (especially plant diversity) and soil carbon (C) sequestration (as a means of mitigating global warming) has become a subject of considerable scientific interest. This relationship was tested for homegardens (HG), a popular and sustainable agroforestry system in the tropics, in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. The major objectives were to examine how tree density and plant-stand characteristics of homegardens affect soil C sequestration. Soil samples were collected at four depths (0–20, 20–50, 50–80, 80–100 cm) from HG of varying sizes and age classes, and their total C content determined. Tree density and plant-stand characteristics such as species richness (Margalef Index) and diversity (Shannon Index) of the HG were also determined. Results indicated that the soil C stock was directly related to plant diversity of HG. Homegardens with higher, compared to those with lower, number of plant species, as well as higher species richness and tree density had higher soil carbon, especially in the top 50 cm of soil. Overall, within 1 m profile, soil C content ranged from 101.5 to 127.4 Mg ha⁻¹. Smaller-sized HG (<0.4 ha) that had higher tree density and plant-species density had more soil C per unit area (119.3 Mg ha⁻¹) of land than larger-sized ones (>0.4 ha) (108.2 Mg ha⁻¹). Soil C content, especially below 50 cm, was higher in older gardens. The enhanced soil-C storage in species-rich homegardens could have relevance and applications in broader ecological contexts.