Binding studies of oxovanadium(V) with ovalbumins (OA)

The effect of protein oxovanadium(V) ion concentration and pH on the ratio of diffusion current (id/id₀) was studied in vanadium(V) ovalbumin-S and denatured ovalbumin systems. In both the cases marked decrease in diffusion current was observed at the respective pH values, indicating that binding takes place with cationic groups of the proteins. The binding sites (n) were found to be pH dependent. The uniformity of logK and ΔG ⁰ value at all pH values indicated the involvement of same sites in interaction. Furthermore, the linear scatchard plots in both the systems supported the involvement of single class of independent sites in oxovanadium(V) anion interaction. The difference in binding sites (n) has been attributed to the folded structure of ovalbumin-S while unfolded one of denatured ovalbumin.     

Detection,Localization and Tyrosine Phosphorylation Status of Ser/Thr Protein Phosphatase1γ in Freshly Ejaculated,In Vitro Capacitated and Cryopreserved Buffalo Spermatozoa

Several recent studies have indicated the important roles of Ser/Thr protein phosphatase1γ (PP1γ) in regulating the motility and capacitation of mammalian spermatozoa. Here, we report the presence and distribution of PP1γ protein in freshly ejaculated, in vitro capacitated and cryopreserved buffalo spermatozoa. The presence of PP1γ and its distribution were assessed by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence techniques, whereas the isoforms of PP1γ and their tyrosine phosphorylation status were identified by using 2D electrophoresis. The number of isoforms and the status of tyrosine phosphorylation of PP1γ were increased in capacitated spermatozoa when compared with freshly ejaculated spermatozoa. Differential pattern of expression and tyrosine phosphorylation of PP1γ were observed in cryopreserved spermatozoa, wherein some isoforms were degraded and some were tyrosine phosphorylated. In addition, immunofluorescence technique revealed that PP1γ was localized to principle, mid‐piece, post‐acrosomal and equatorial regions of buffalo spermatozoa. Differential distribution of tyrosine‐phosphorylated proteins were observed in fresh, capacitated and cryopreserved spermatozoa. The tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins (20, 37, 38, 52, 60, 79 and 100 kDa) were increased when sperm cells were incubated with PP1γ inhibitor, okadaic acid. Together, our results suggest that buffalo spermatozoa express different isoforms of PP1γ protein. The protein expression and tyrosine phosphorylation of PP1γ were increased during capacitation. Furthermore, the differential pattern of expression and tyrosine phosphorylation of PP1γ were observed in cryopreserved spermatozoa. In addition, the inhibition of PP1γ protein increases protein tyrosine phosphorylation in capacitation.     

Development and evaluation of a soil water evaporation model to assess the effects of soil texture, tillage and crop residue management under field conditions

Abstract. A number of mathematical models to predict soil water evaporation are available in the literature which generally require complex input data. In the present study, a simple parametric model has been developed by coupling existing and newly developed equations to assess soil water evaporation and drainage under field conditions in relation to potential evaporation rate, soil texture, time and depth of tillage and crop residue management. The model has moderate input data requirements and predicts well the effects of tillage and crop residue management practices on soil water loss (evaporation+drainage) with multi-drying and -wetting cycles prevailing under natural conditions. The root mean squares of deviations between observed and predicted cumulative water loss at different periods of study were 0.82, 2.04, 2.31 and 1.74  cm for untreated, residue-mulch, tillage and residue-incorporated treatments, respectively. Simulation analysis on cumulative evaporation and evaporation rate has shown that the evaporation reduction with different combinations of tillage and crop residue followed the order of residue-undercut>residue-mulch>residue-incorporated>tillage. Thus, the magnitude of beneficial effects of crop residues and tillage on soil water evaporation reduction are associated with amount of residues, mode of residue management (mulched or incorporated in the soil) and time and depth of tillage.     

The effect of Cd2+ on lipid components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds

The effect of seven levels of Cd²⁺ viz. 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60 and 80 ppm (µg/g soil) supplied as cadmium chloride, on lipid components of sunflower seeds was studied in a pot experiment. The total and neutral lipids decreased while polar lipids (phospho and glycolipids) increased with the increasing levels of Cd²⁺. Oleic acid and linoleic acids were the major fatty acids in the total, polar and neutral lipid fractions. Oleic acid generally increased while linoleic acid decreased in all the lipid fractions with Cd²⁺ levels. The neutral lipid fraction had higher levels of palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic and oleic acid as compared to the total and polar lipid fractions. The plant dry weight and seed yield decreased whereas cadmium concentration in seeds increased consistently with increasing Cd²⁺ levels.     

Alleviation of drought stress effects in sunflower seedlings by the exopolysaccharides producing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas putida</Emphasis> strain GAP-P45

Production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) can be used as a criteria for the isolation of stress tolerant microorganisms. In the present study, EPS-producing fluorescent pseudomonads were isolated from alfisols, vertisols, inseptisols, oxisols, and aridisols of different semiarid millet growing regions of India and were screened in vitro for drought tolerance in trypticase soy broth supplemented with different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG6000). Out of the total 81 isolates, 26 could tolerate maximum level of stress (−0.73 MPa) and were monitored for the amount of EPS produced under maximum level of water stress. The strain GAP-P45, isolated from alfisol of sunflower rhizosphere, showed the highest level of EPS production under water stress conditions, was identified as Pseudomonas putida on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and was used as seed treatment to study its effect in alleviating drought stress effects in sunflower seedlings. Inoculation of Pseudomonas sp. strain GAP-P45 increased the survival, plant biomass, and root adhering soil/root tissue ratio of sunflower seedlings subjected to drought stress. The inoculated bacteria could efficiently colonize the root adhering soil and rhizoplane and increase the percentage of stable soil aggregates. Scanning electron microscope studies showed the formation of biofilm of inoculated bacteria on the root surface and this, along with a better soil structure, might have protected the plants from the water stress.     

Effect of varying glucose concentrations during in vitro maturation and embryo culture on efficiency of in vitro embryo production in buffalo

This study was aimed to optimize glucose level at different stages of buffalo in vitro embryo production procedure. Three glucose levels (1.5, 5.6 and 10 mm ) along with a control (0 mm ) were used at three phases of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure viz. in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro culture (IVC‐I) (12–72 hpi) and IVC‐II (72 hpi to 7 dpi). Maturation rate of oocytes was found different under different glucose concentrations, and significantly more number of oocytes reached to MII under 5.6 mm glucose. The glucose levels at each phase (IVM, IVC‐I and IVC‐II) individually had significant effect on blastocyst rate, and the level used at one phase had significant effect on the outcome of next phase. Complete withdrawal of glucose from any of these stages irrespective of concentrations used at subsequent stage/s resulted in significantly lower number of blastocysts. However, the changing levels of glucose had differential effects during different phases of IVF steps. The most prominent effect of glucose level was observed during IVM. The presence of 5.6 mm glucose at all stages was most effective to yield highest blastocyst rate in buffalo IVF system.     

不同种植密度和施肥水平对大豆籽粒品质的影响

本试验自2002年开始至2004年止，从种植密度和施肥水平两方面对大豆脂肪、蛋白质含量的影响进行了分析。结果表明：种植密度对大豆籽粒的脂肪、蛋白质含量具有显著的影响，相关性分析结果显示，种植密度与大豆籽粒的脂肪含量存在着负相关性，与籽粒中的蛋白质含量之间为正相关。中国品种的脂肪含量受种植密度的影响大于美国品种，而中国品种的蛋白质含量受种植密度的影响小于美国品种。蛋脂总含量受种植密度的影响较小，并且不存在品种间的差异性。磷酸二铵的施用量与大豆籽粒脂肪含量和蛋白质含量之间没有显著的相关性，但是中美品种的品质对磷酸二铵施用量的反应不同。磷酸二铵的施用量与中国品种的脂肪含量、蛋白质含量和蛋脂总含量呈正相关，而与美国品种的脂肪、蛋白质含量和蛋脂总含量呈负相关，但相关程度均不显著。