A new steroidal alkaloid from the seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica

A new steroidal alkaloid, named antidysentericine, has been isolated from the seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica and characterized as 3 beta-dimethylaminocon-5-enin-18-one (1).     

Accumulation of bioactive compounds during growth and development of mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.) rhizomes

Accumulation of bioactive compounds and storage components during developmental stages of mango ginger ( Curcuma amada Roxb.) rhizome was investigated from 60 to 240 days, as a function of physiological maturity. Four distinct developmental phases were defined, namely, vegetative phase (up to 60 days from planting), initiation and development phase (60-150 days), maturation phase (150-180 days), and senescence phase (180 days). Difurocumenonol, a bioactive terpenoid compound and phenolics were identified as biomarkers, to determine the optimum physiological maturity to harvest mango ginger rhizome. Accumulation of phenolics was observed in newly initiated rhizomes (after 60 days from planting). The phenolic content was high in mango ginger pulp compared to its juice. Newly initiated rhizome contained no difurocumenonol, and it was observed after 120 days after planting. Peak accumulation of phenolics, difurocumenonol, and total protein were noticed in 180 day old rhizome. Accordingly, the abundance of these components on 180 days was set as an optimum maturity standard for harvest of mango ginger rhizome, compared with a conventional harvest period that ranges from 200 to 240 days.     

Induction of resistance against downy mildew pathogen in pearl millet by a synthetic jasmonate analogon

The synthetic 1-oxo-indanoyl-l-isoleucine methyl ester (Ind-Ile-Me) represents a highly active mimic of octadecanoic phytohormones, which are involved in plant defenses against pathogens and pests. Seed treatments and foliar spray with Ind-Ile-Me were tested for induced resistance against downy mildew disease caused by the phytopathogenic oomycete Sclerospora graminicola in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) under greenhouse and field conditions. Under greenhouse conditions, a 50% protection level was achieved after seed treatment. Seed treatment in combination with foliar spray resulted in 60% protection. The induction of resistance was correlated with the enhanced activities of defense-related proteins such as phenylalanine-ammonia-lyase, peroxidase, and enhanced level of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins. Under field conditions, a maximum protection of 62% was recorded upon seed treatment along with foliar spray. Hence, it infers that Ind-Ile-Me can be used as a valuable protection compound at least in downy mildew disease management.     

Intra-specific patterns of δ13C,growth and wood density variation at sites of contrasting precipitation with implications for modelling carbon sequestration of tropical tree species

Agroforestry Systems - Tropical agroforestry practices play a crucial role in mitigating global climate change by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and storing carbon in...     

Nursery rearing of kalbasu, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton), at different stocking densities in outdoor concrete tanks

The growth and survival of kalbasu, Labeo calbasu, was evaluated at stocking densities of 5, 10 and 15 million spawn ha⁻¹ in nursery rearing in concrete tanks of 50 m², each for a period of 25 days. Survival of fry was density dependent and significantly higher (54.5%) at 5 million ha⁻¹ than those at 10 million ha⁻¹ (50.1%) and 15 million ha⁻¹ (46.9%). Similarly, growth and specific growth rate were inversely related to the stocking density and varied significantly among the three densities.     

Detection of OvHV-2 from an outbreak of sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever from crossbred cattle of Southern India

An outbreak of sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever in crossbred cattle in a village of Andhra Pradesh, southern India, affected thirteen adult cows and two calves from a population of forty animals. All the affected animals were died between December and January 2013–14. The clinical and gross postmortem findings were typical of MCF in Indian crossbred cattle. Migrating sheep flocks were suspected source of infection for the cattle. The diagnosis was confirmed by heminested PCR in all the affected cattle and the suspected sheep flock. The PCR provided evidence of ovine herpes virus type 2.     

Detection and molecular characterization of naturally transmitted sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever in cattle in India

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a fatal herpesvirus infection of domestic and wild ruminants, with a short and dramatic clinical course characterized primarily by high fever, severe depression, swollen lymph nodes, salivation, diarrhea, dermatitis, neurological disorders, and ocular lesions often leading to blindness. In the present study, fatal clinical cases of sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) were identified in cattle in the state of Karnataka. These cases were initially presented with symptoms of diarrhea, respiratory distress, conjunctivitis, and nasal discharges. Laboratory diagnosis confirmed the detection of ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) genome in the peripheral blood samples of two ailing animals. The blood samples collected subsequently from sheep of the neighboring areas also showed presence of OvHV-2 genome indicating a nidus of infection in the region. The positive test results were further confirmed by nucleotide sequencing of the OIE approved portion of tegument gene as well as complete ORF8 region of the OvHV-2 genome. Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequence of the latter region indicated close genetic relationship with other OvHV-2 reported elsewhere in the world.     

Neurological trypanosomiasis in quinapyramine sulfate-treated horses—a breach of the blood–brain barrier?

Trypanosoma evansi infection typically produces wasting disease, but it can also develop into a neurological or meningoencephalitis form in equids. Trypanosomiasis in horses was treated with quinapyramine sulfate, and all the 14 infected animals were recovered clinically. After clinical recovery, four animals developed a neurological form of the disease at various intervals. Two of these animals treated with diminazene aceturate recovered temporarily. Repeated attempts failed to find the parasite in the blood or the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), but all of the animals were positive in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The calculation of the antibody index (AI) in the serum and the CSF and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the CSF and brain tissue were carried out to confirm the neuro-infection. We found PCR and AI analyses of the CSF to be useful tools in the diagnosis of the neurological form of trypanosomiasis when the organism cannot be found in the blood or CSF. The increased albumin quotient is indicative of barrier leakage due to neuroinflammation. The biochemical changes in the CSF due to nervous system trypanosomiasis include increases in the albumin quotient, total protein, and urea nitrogen. It seems to be the first report on relapse of the nervous form of trypanosomiasis in equids even after quinapyramine treatment in endemic areas.