Esterase-mediated tolerance to a formulation of the organophosphate insecticide monocrotophos in the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuill: a promising biopesticide

The use of biopesticides compatible with chemical pesticides is recommended in pest management as an effective and ecologically sound strategy. The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuill, which is used as a biopesticide, was found to exhibit and lose tolerance to two organophosphorus insecticides widely used in Indian fields. The pattern of response is similar to the esterase-mediated organophosphate tolerance in aphids achieved through esterase gene duplication. Therefore the role of esterase in the tolerance exhibited by isolates of B. bassiana to the organophosphate, monocrotophos, was studied. Both the total soluble protein content and esterase activity were found to increase significantly in B. bassiana cultures that were able to grow in the presence of monocrotophos. With the hitherto established linkage between esterase overproduction and organophosphate tolerance in insects and the observed similarity in response of the insects and B. bassiana to the chemical, it is concluded that tolerance to monocrotophos in B. bassiana may be due to a mechanism similar to that operating in insects. Habituation of the fungus to monocrotophos to initiate expression of esterase gene may help in achieving compatibility between the two.     

Serologic survey of slaughter-age ostriches (Struthio camelus) for antibodies to selected avian pathogens

Serum samples from 163 slaughter-age ostriches (Struthio camelus) in Ohio and Indiana were tested for antibodies to avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), paramyxovirus (PMV) 2, PMV3, PMV7, infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), Bordetella avium, Mycoplasma synoviae, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella gallinarum, and Salmonella typhimurium. One ostrich had antibodies to AIV H5N9, 57% of the ostriches had antibodies to NDV, four ostriches had antibodies to both NDV and PMV2, and one ostrich had antibodies to NDV, PMV2, PMV3, and PMV7. None of the ostriches had antibodies to IBDV, B. avium, M. synoviae, M. gallisepticum, O. rhinotracheale, S. pullorum, S. gallinarum, and S. typhimurium. This is the first report of antibodies to avian influenza and PMV7 in ostriches in the United States.     

Decay of the GRB 990123 optical afterglow: implications for the fireball model

Broad-band (ultraviolet to near-infrared) observations of the intense gamma ray burst GRB 990123 started approximately 8.5 hours after the event and continued until 18 February 1999. When combined with other data, in particular from the Robotic Telescope and Transient Source Experiment (ROTSE) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), evidence emerges for a smoothly declining light curve, suggesting some color dependence that could be related to a cooling break passing the ultraviolet-optical band at about 1 day after the high-energy event. The steeper decline rate seen after 1.5 to 2 days may be evidence for a collimated jet pointing toward the observer.     

Improved HPLC method for the determination of curcumin,demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin

Commercially available curcumin, a bright orange-yellow color pigment of turmeric, consists of a mixture of three curcuminoids, namely, curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. These were isolated by column chromatography and identified by spectroscopic studies. The purity of the curcuminoids was analyzed by an improved HPLC method. HPLC separation was performed on a C(18) column using three solvents, methanol, 2% AcOH, and acetonitrile, with detection at 425 nm. Four different commercially available varieties of turmeric, namely, Salem, Erode, Balasore, and local market samples, were analyzed to detect the percentage of these three curcuminoids. The percentages of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin as estimated using their calibration curves were found to be 1.06 +/- 0.061 to 5.65 +/- 0.040, 0.83 +/- 0.047 to 3.36 +/- 0.040, and 0.42 +/- 0.036 to 2.16 +/- 0.06, respectively, in four different samples. The total percentages of curcuminoids are 2.34 +/- 0.171 to 9.18 +/- 0.232%.     

简述国家水生动物卫生健康管理发展战略

本文是Mohan,C.V.发表于Aquaculture Asia Magazine的2009 January-March期39-42页的"National strategies for aquatic ani mal health management"一文的译文。通过对水产动物健康管理的国家战略的重要组成部分进行分析说明,作者得出如下结论:为加强对水生动物疫病的预防与控制,提高水产品在国际市场的信誉和产品竞争力,必须在全国范围内将水生动物健康管理工作进一步落实到位,逐步建立起有效的水生动物防疫监管机制,控制水生动物疫病的传播和流行,达到控制、减少、预防、以至消灭的目的,推动水产养殖业健康发展。     

Development and application of an indirect ELISA test for the detection of antibodies to Mycoplasma crocodyli infection in crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus)

Non-availability of a standardized rapid serodiagnostic test for quick and accurate diagnosis of Mycoplasma crocodyli (M. crocodyli) infection in crocodiles was the underlining reason for conducting the present study. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) for the detection of antibodies (Ab) to M. crocodyli infection in crocodile sera was developed using sonicated antigen (Ag) and anti-crocodile conjugate. The iELISA test was optimised with different reagents and at different steps. A cut-off value of percent positive greater than or equal to 53.47% resulted in an estimated sensitivity and specificity of 85.67 and 100%, respectively. The developed iELISA could be used for detection of Abs to M. crocodyli infection in crocodiles and may enable to understand the transmission of the disease.