Cytoplasm Influences the Photosynthetic Efficiency in Brassica carinata

Cytoplasmic effects on the photosynthesis was investigated in experimentally produced Brassica carinatas of reciprocal cytoplasmic origin. These are obtained by hybridizing B. nigra x B. oleracea var. italica ( B. carinata 226) and B. oleracea x B. nigra ( B. carinata 241). Natural B. carinata and the two parents viz. B. nigra and B. oleracea var. italica were also included in this study. It was observed that the rate of photosynthesis in B. carinata 226 with nigra cytoplasm, and natural B. carinata was higher than that of B. carinata 241 with oleracea cytoplasm. This was substantiated by the diurnal values of photosynthesis among these cultivars. The result indicated that the cytoplasm does affect the rate of photosynthesis in B. carinata and high photosynthetic efficiency in natural B. carinata was due to B. nigra maternal parent.     

Milk progesterone determination in buffaloes post-insemination

Milk progesterone levels were studied in 17 buffaloes between post-insemination and 30 days thereafter. Six animals were confirmed pregnant. Seven of 10 animals took greater than 24 days to return to oestrus and the pattern of change of progesterone levels indicated a steady increase from 1 ng/ml on day 2 to 20 ng/ml on day 14 post-insemination, falling subsequently to about 5 ng/ml, 2 days prior to oestrus. In pregnant buffaloes, the milk progesterone levels showed a continuous increase up to 20 days post-insemination but did not decline thereafter. In individual buffaloes returning to oestrus, a cut-off milk progesterone level of greater than 10 ng/ml was considered for pregnancy diagnosis, 20, 22 and 24 days post-insemination. The test was 60, 75 and 75% accurate for detection of pregnancy on days 20, 22 and 24 respectively and 100% for non-pregnancy diagnosis on all three days. Individual animals showed a highly variable oestrous cycle length, which has been suggested as a contributory factor for false pregnancy diagnosis by milk progesterone test in this species. Milk progesterone assay may also identify silent heats, and clinical disorders.     

Toxicity ameliorative effect of vitamin E against super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on haemato-immunological responses,antioxidant capacity,oxidative stress,and metabolic enzymes activity during exposure and recovery in Labeo rohita fingerlings

Aquaculture International - The present study assessed the toxic effect of super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) on haemato-immunological responses, antioxidant capacity, oxidative...     

Potential impacts of non‐native fish on the threatened mahseer (Tor) species of the Indian Himalayan biodiversity hot spot

1. Mahseer (Tor) fish species are critical components of locally adapted freshwater food webs across the Indian Himalayan biodiversity hotspot; however, multiple human stressors compounded by climate change have significantly depleted their populations over recent decades.
2. Mahseer species are now considered locally vulnerable or endangered in many regions. Hydropower projects in particular have fragmented populations, impairing genetic exchange, obstructing migratory paths, and changing the structure and functioning of riverine habitats, especially of formerly fast‐flowing rivers.
3. Worryingly, a literature survey and group discussions reveal that the increasing spread of non‐native fish species further compounds threats to mahseer and overall freshwater ecology. A better understanding of the current distribution, habitat requirement, and dispersal of non‐native fish is therefore essential to manage the growing threats to mahseer in the Indian Himalayan region.

     

Quantification and In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Selenium from Osborne Fractions of Selenium‐Rich Cereal Grains

Cereal crops cultivated in the seleniferous belt of Punjab, India, were observed to hyperaccumulate a significantly high concentration of selenium (20–123 µg/g). Selenium concentration (µg/g) in storage proteins of wheat, maize, and rice, namely, albumin (401, 280, and 29, respectively), globulin (264, 192, and 242, respectively), glutelin (563, 359, and 178, respectively), and prolamin (629, 339, and 257, respectively) indicated variable selenium levels, with prolamin contributing significantly higher levels of selenium when compared with other proteins with reference to the total concentration of the protein fraction. The simulated gastric and gastrointestinal digestion studies indicated better accessibility of selenium during intestinal digestion, with variability across proteins and cereal types. The observations provide an insight into the bioavailability of selenium in selenium‐rich cereal grains, used in the study, and their potential use as source for selenium supplementation to deficient populations, or as “bioactive” selenium‐rich nutraceutical blends for health benefits.     

Amino acid profile of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC): a rich source of vegetable protein

Twenty one cultivars of winged bean (17 of Indian origin and 4 exotic strains obtained from Sri Lanka) were cultivated on marginal (alkaline) soils in the sub-tropics and evaluated for their food value. Whereas the seeds showed wide variations in total protein content (38.1 to 45 per cent), the amino acid compositions were in close proximity to those of soybean. Nevertheless, some strains of winged bean registered higher levels of certain amino acids as compared to soybean.     

Policosanol content and composition in perilla seeds

Policosanols, long-chain alcohols, have many beneficial physiological activities. Contents and compositions in perilla seeds (Perilla frutescens) produced in Korea and China were determined. Waxy materials were extracted from perilla seeds using hot hexane. Yield of the waxy materials from perilla seeds was 72.1 mg/100 g of dry weight. Contents and compositions of the waxy materials and policosanols were identified and quantified by TLC, HPLC, and GC. Major components of the waxy materials from Korean and Chinese perilla seeds were policosanols (25.5 and 34.8%, respectively), hydrocarbons (18.8 and 10.5%), wax esters, steryl esters and aldehydes (53.0 and 49.8%), acids (1.7 and 2.1%), and triacylglycerols (1.0 and 2.9%), determined by HPLC. For comparison, waxy materials of sesame seeds were also analyzed. Yield of the waxy materials from sesame seeds were 8.6 mg/100 g. Less than 5% policosanols were detected in the waxy materials extracted from sesame seeds produced in Korea and China. Wax esters or steryl esters accounted for 93-95% of the sesame waxy materials. Policosanols in the perilla seeds were composed of 67-68% octacosanol, 16-17% hexacosanol, 6-9% triacontanol, and others.     

Three-year duration of immunity in cats following vaccination against feline rhinotracheitis virus, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia virus

Forty-two seronegative cats received an initial vaccination at 8 weeks of age and a booster vaccination at 12 weeks. All cats were kept in strict isolation for 3 years after the second vaccination and then were challenged with feline calicivirus (FCV) or sequentially challenged with feline rhinotracheitis virus (FRV) followed by feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). For each viral challenge, a separate group of 10 age-matched, nonvaccinated control cats was also challenged. Vaccinated cats showed a statistically significant reduction in virulent FRV-associated clinical signs (P = .015), 100% protection against oral ulcerations associated with FCV infection (P < .001), and 100% protection against disease associated with virulent FPV challenge (P < .005). These results demonstrated that the vaccine provided protection against virulent FRV, FCV, and FPV challenge in cats 8 weeks of age or older for a minimum of 3 years following second vaccination.     

Improving fertilizer recommendations for Nepalese farmers with the help of soil-testing mobile van

Smallholder farmers dominate agriculture in Nepal. These farmers have poor knowledge about agriculture and lack of support for soil management and integrated plant-nutrient systems. Focusing on the importance and need for soil-fertility management, a soil-testing mobile van program has recently been introduced in Nepal by Soil Management Directorate, Hariharbhawan. With the introduction of the mobile lab, famers can get their soil tested for nutrient deficiencies and fertilizer requirements at their doorsteps. Using mobile lab, spatial distributions of chemical properties, including pH, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (as P₂O₅), and available potassium (as K₂O) were examined in soil samples taken from the 0 to 15 cm depth from selected agricultural fields in eight different districts in the mid-hills and Terai regions of Nepal. Tests conducted on 1,479 soil samples in the soil-testing mobile van revealed the following: the mean soil OM ranged from 0.01 to 1.77%; total N content ranged from 0.01 to 0.08%; mean available P₂O₅ ranged from 16.47 to 197.82 kg ha^?1; and mean available K₂O ranged from 84.3 to 422.57 kg ha^?1. For each crop to be grown, farmers were provided with individual soil health reports and fertilizer recommendations (rate, amount, and type). This program not only allows scientists and farmers to work closely and share information but also serves as a model for the nation to successfully transfer technology for improving soil health and sustainability.