Cathepsin L cysteine proteinase in the diagnosis of bovine Fasciola gigantica infection

Cathepsin L cysteine proteinase from Fasciola gigantica was evaluated for its potential in the early prepatent detection of this helminth infection in bovine calves. Five cross-bred bovine calves were experimentally infected with 400 metacercariae/calf and evaluated for anti-cathepsin L antibody response. F. gigantica infection in these calves could be detected 4 weeks post-infection using an ELISA, dipstick ELISA and Western blotting with 100% sensitivity. The antigen was also used to detect F. gigantica field infection in cattle, by screening 256 sera of these animals by an ELISA, which demonstrated an overall infection rate of 26.95%. Preliminary studies showed that F. gigantica cathepsin L cysteine proteinase does not cross-react with Paramphistomum epiclitum, Gigantocotyle explanatum and hydatid cyst antigens. However, extensive studies on the cross-reactivity of this antigen with related helminth parasites of cattle and buffaloes are required, before this antigen can be considered suitable for immuno-diagnosis of fasciolosis in these ruminants.     

Quantum deconstruction of the infrared spectrum of CH5+

We present two quantum calculations of the infrared spectrum of protonated methane (CH5+) using full-dimensional, ab initio-based potential energy and dipole moment surfaces. The calculated spectra compare well with a low-resolution experimental spectrum except below 1000 cm(-1), where the experimental spectrum shows no absorption. The present calculations find substantial absorption features below 1000 cm(-1), in qualitative agreement with earlier classical calculations of the spectrum. The major spectral bands are analyzed in terms of the molecular motions. Of particular interest is an intense feature at 200 cm(-1), which is due to an isomerization mode that connects two equivalent minima. Very recent high-resolution jet-cooled spectra in the CH stretch region (2825 to 3050 cm(-1)) are also reported, and assignments of the band origins are made, based on the present quantum calculations.     

Endometritis impairs luteal development, function, and nitric oxide and ascorbic acid concentrations in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

A vast majority of the world buffalo resource is concentrated in tropical and subtropical countries. Apart from heat stress and poor nutritional availability, endometritis is one of the most commonly encountered reproductive problems limiting fertility and consequently productive potential of the species. As demonstrated recently, endometritis impairs growth and follicular fluid composition of the largest follicle in buffalo. In the present study, the effect of endometritis on luteal development, function, nitric oxide (NO), and ascorbic acid was investigated. Reproductive tracts were collected from 90 cyclic buffaloes at an abattoir and grouped into endometritic (n?=?36) or non-endometritic (n?=?54) buffaloes based on physical examination of uterine mucus, white side test, and uterine cytology. Samples with pus-containing mucus, positive reaction on white side test, and/or >5 % neutrophils were considered to be positive for endometritis. Corpora lutea were enucleated, weighed, classified into stages I to IV, and assayed for progesterone (P₄), NO, and ascorbic acid concentrations. Endometritic buffaloes had lesser (P?<?0.0001) luteal weight and P₄, NO, and ascorbic acid concentrations than non-endometritic buffaloes. The findings indicated that endometritis impairs corpus luteum development and function in buffalo. Reduced luteal NO and ascorbic acid concentrations during endometritis are novel findings.     

Amelioration of altered oxidant/antioxidant balance of Indian water buffaloes with subclinical mastitis by vitamins A, D3, E, and H supplementation

The effect of vitamins A, D₃, E, and H supplementation on oxidative stress indices in Indian water buffaloes suffering from subclinical mastitis was investigated. Changes in the total oxidant capacity (TOC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in milk were evaluated before and after the supplementation of vitamins A, D₃, E, and H. The buffaloes suffering from subclinical mastitis revealed remarkable alterations in the milk oxidants/antioxidants balance shifted towards oxidative status. The buffaloes with subclinical mastitis revealed significantly (P?≤?0.01) higher TOC, NO contents, and CAT activity, while TAC content and GSH-Px activity were significantly (P?≤?0.01) lower in comparison with the healthy controls. However, SOD activity did not show any significant change. Supplementation of vitamins A, D₃, E, and H to these animals revealed significant (P?≤?0.01) reduction in TOC, NO, and CAT, while a significant (P?≤?0.01) increase in TAC and GSH-Px activity was also evident. From the present study, it may be concluded that supplementation of these vitamins can help ameliorate the altered milk oxidants/antioxidants balance towards normalcy and, thus, ensue recovery from subclinical mastitis in the Indian water buffaloes.     

X-ray imaging for detecting spongy tissue,an internal disorder in fruits of ‘Alphonso’ mango (Mangifera indica L.)

An internal physiological ripening disorder, “spongy tissue”, affects about 30% of ‘Alphonso’ mangoes, the most popular Indian cultivar. Fruits show no external symptoms at harvest or on ripening but cutting reveals internal damage to the mesocarp which adversely affects fruit quality. Both fully grown green, unripe mangoes and ripe fruits show spongy tissue. A non-destructive x-ray inspection method has been developed to detect affected mangoes. X-ray photographs and x-ray images of fruits having spongy tissue show dark grey patches corresponding to internal cavities in contrast to light grey areas of healthy flesh. The method could be used for quality control for on-line detection and separation of mangoes having spongy tissue prior to packaging, by monitoring x-ray screen images.     

Reproductive responses and nitric oxide activity in Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica, are altered by specific phase relationships of neural (serotonergic and dopaminergic) oscillations and pineal function

The present study investigates the effects of temporal synergism of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) and pineal function (pinealectomy and melatonin administration) on gonadal response and nitric oxide (NO) activity in Japanese quail. Three-week-old male quails were divided into 9 groups, as follows: (I) control (treated with normal saline); (II) 8-h and (III) 12-h (receiving l-DOPA after the administration of 5-HTP [5 mg/100 g body weight] at the interval of 8 and 12 h, respectively, over a period of 13 days); (IV) SO (sham operated); (V) Px (pinealectomized); (VI) Veh (vehicle treated control); (VII) Mel (melatonin 25 μg/100 g body weight for 45 days); (VIII) 12-h + Veh; and (IX) 12-h + Mel (same as in (III) but further treated with the vehicle or melatonin, respectively, for 32 days). Body weight and cloacal gland volume were recorded weekly, whereas spermatogenesis, plasma testosterone concentration, and total nitrite and nitrate concentration in plasma, hypothalamus, and testes were measured at the termination of the study. Results indicate that compared to the controls, 8-h, Mel, and 12-h + Mel treatments suppressed whereas 12-h and Px stimulated the reproductive system. Further, a significant increase in plasma testosterone, total nitrite, and nitrate in the 12-h and Px groups and a decrease in these concentrations in 8-h, Mel and 12-h + Mel quail were observed. It is evident that 5-HTP and l-DOPA given at the interval of 8 h, as well as melatonin, are potent inhibitors of gonadal development, and the gonado stimulatory effect of the 12-h temporal relationship of the neurotransmitter precursors is masked by the inhibitory effect of melatonin. It is concluded that modulation of the daily phase relationship of neural oscillations and pineal function alters gonadal function and NO activity. Further, NO exhibits a parallel relationship with gonadal function in Japanese quail; this relationship appears to be mediated through NO activity, suggesting a causal relationship, although the mechanism between the 2 systems remains a topic of discussion.     

Dissipation behaviour of spinosad insecticide in soil, cabbage and cauliflower under subtropical conditions

BACKGROUND: Pesticides used on cauliflower and cabbage, which are important vegetable crops for India, must be investigated for the persistence and magnitude of their residues in the crops and soil to ensure human and environmental safety. The behaviour of spinosad, an effective insecticide with a favourable environmental profile, was investigated in field trials under subhumid and subtropical conditions. RESULTS: The persistence of spinosad in soil, cabbage and cauliflower was evaluated at two application rates (17.5 and 35.0 g ha(-1)) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). At 17.5 g ha(-1), spinosad persisted up to 7 days in soil, cabbage and cauliflower. However, at 35.0 g ha(-1), spinosad residues persisted up to 7 days in soil and 10 days in cabbage and cauliflower. CONCLUSION: The dissipation of the insecticide from soil, cabbage and cauliflower appeared to occur in a single phase and conformed to first-order kinetics. The half-lives of spinosad residues in cabbage, cauliflower and soil were calculated as 1.5, 2.8 and 2.8 days respectively for the 17.5 g ha(-1) treatment, and as 2.6, 2.0 and 2.0 days for the 35 g ha(-1) treatment.     

Novel mechanism of modulating natural antioxidants in functional foods: involvement of plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria NRRL B-30488

The significance of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) mediated increase in antioxidant potential in vegetables is yet unknown. The plant growth-promoting bacterium Bacillus lentimorbus NRRL B-30488 (B-30488) mediated induction of dietary antioxidant in vegetables ( Trigonella foenum-graecum, Lactuca sativa, Spinacia oleracea, and Daucus carota) and fruit ( Citrus sinensis) after minimal processing (fresh, boiled, and frozen) was tested by estimating the total phenol content, level of antioxidant enzymes, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide scavenging activities along with integral radical scavenging capacity by photochemiluminescence assay and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Minimal processing of vegetables showed that T. foenum-graecum had the highest phenol content in B-30488-treated plants followed by L. sativa, D. carota, and S. oleracea. Thermally treated vegetables T. foenum-graecum (26-114.5 GAE microg mg (-1)) had an exceptionally high total phenolic content, followed by D. carota (25.27-101.32 GAE microg mg (-1)), L. sativa (23.22-101.10 GAE microg mg (-1)), and S. oleracea (21.87-87.57 GAE microg mg (-1)). Among the vegetables and fruit used in this study for enzymatic estimation, induction of antioxidant enzymes, namely, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and superoxidase dismutase (SOD), was observed in edible parts of T. foenum-graecum, L. sativa, S. oleracea, and D. carota, after inoculation with B-30488. The scavenging capacity of the vegetables treated with B-30488 against DPPH and superoxide anion radical activity was found to be significantly high as compared to nontreated control. Mild food processing had no adverse effect on radical scavenging capacity. Photochemiluminescence also ascertains the above findings. The ability of the plant extracts to protect against lipid peroxidation and its ability to prevent oxidation of reduced glutathione (GSH) was measured in rat liver homogenate, and the results suggested that the inoculated plant exhibited better activity in all of the screened plants. Significant increases in shoot length, root length, and dry weight, averaging 164, 132, and 135% in T. foenum-graecum, 174, 141, and 156% in L. sativa, 129, 141, and 59%, in S. oleracea, and 125, 146, and 42% in D. carota, respectively, over untreated controls, were attained in greenhouse trials. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of PGPR-mediated induction of antioxidant enzyme activity (PPO, APX, CAT, and SOD) along with the antioxidant activity of the extracts in both in vitro (DPPH radical scavenging and superoxide scavenging) and ex vivo conditions using the rat liver tissue (percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation and prevention of oxidation of GSH) and phenolic content. The results demonstrate the PGPR-mediated induction of antioxidant level in vegetables and fruit controls oxidative damage even after minimal processing and thus is indicative of its potential as a viable substitute of synthetic antioxidants.     

First report of Fusarium solani causing wilt of Melia dubia

Melia dubia, a multipurpose tree species, is gaining importance to meet the demand supply gap of timber, plywood and pulpwood . In June 2016, a serious outbreak of wilt disease was observed in M. dubia seedlings planted in the Central Nursery of Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, India. The disease led to the destruction of one hundred thousand (100,000) seedlings. Earlier in June 2012, serious wilting of M. dubia seedlings was observed in Haryana, India. The pathogen was identified as Fusarium solani following standard laboratory procedures and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The pathogenicity of three isolates has been proved under greenhouse conditions. This is the first report of F. solani causing wilt of M. dubia.